Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 238 A Chicken Eating White Rice

These days, the cellars of the wealthy and powerful are used exclusively for storing ice, without exception.

Because gold and silver can be obtained anywhere and at any time.

Unless it's a year of famine, there's plenty of grain stored in the granaries.

But summers without ice are incredibly difficult to endure.

Only the ice in the cellar could both cool them down and demonstrate the superior status of the powerful and wealthy.

Watching the servants sweating profusely, each with a piece of ice in their mouth, felt incredibly refreshing.

Those who are more extravagant can even place large blocks of ice in the room, instantly relieving the sweltering heat, just like staying in an air-conditioned room that Shi Shouxin couldn't leave even in the summer of his previous life.

At this moment, Zhang Hua entered the cellar in the Luoyang Palace and saw Sima Zhao lying on the "dragon bed," and he was completely dismayed.

Someone like him, who rose from humble beginnings to a high position, had actually sensed something was amiss before, but there was always something between them, and he had even suspected that Sima Zhao was in trouble.

However, he never expected that Sima Zhao had actually passed away!
"Minister Zhang, what can I say to you?"

Sima Yan, who was standing to the side, sighed.

"Your Majesty, I deserve death! I deserve death!"

Zhang Hua knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Sima Yan. He had understood everything and realized how reckless his speech had been at today's court assembly.

I almost teetered on the brink of death.

"Ugh!"

Sima Yan sighed again and helped Zhang Hua up.

"I know you are loyal to the country, but the late emperor suddenly passed away from a serious illness, and I am helpless."

To ensure a smooth transition, keeping the death a secret was a last resort. I hope Minister Zhang can understand my predicament.

This matter must not be leaked. If anyone asks, does Minister Zhang know what to say?

Sima Yan asked in a deep voice.

Zhang Hua nodded and said, "Just say that the Emperor Emeritus is bedridden and unconscious, and that I know nothing else."

Hearing this, Sima Yan nodded. It was good that Zhang Hua understood these things; otherwise, he would have had to kill him.

The reason Zhang Hua was brought here for a quick look was on Shi Shouxin's orders. The first to stand up against it would surely be a loyal and capable minister. Letting him see Sima Zhao's condition would help stabilize morale after his release.

Furthermore, to punish someone without warning is cruel; the first person to step forward should not be killed, but should be given a minor punishment as a warning. Anyone who follows suit and steps forward afterward is bound to be a person with ulterior motives, and as many as there are, they should be killed.

“Minister Zhang, I have no choice but to punish you as a warning to others.”

You should first resign from your official post and recuperate at home in Luoyang for a period of time.

"Once the situation in the court and among the people stabilizes, I will appoint you to an official position."

Sima Yan patted Zhang Hua on the shoulder and said. He quickly adapted to his new identity as emperor and enjoyed it.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I would gladly die for you!"

Zhang Hua was about to kneel down again, but Sima Yan helped him up.

As the two left the cellar and the cellar lid closed, Zhang Hua couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

He was pondering the sudden ascension of the crown prince to the throne that had occurred that day.

This matter was so swift and sudden, as if it were flowing smoothly, that it was all done before the ministers could even react.

Sima Zhao had already become the "former emperor," and his posthumous title and new era name had all been arranged perfectly without needing any discussion or deliberation from his ministers.

In short, Sima Yan had only one attitude: you can discuss the details slowly, but don't delay my becoming emperor.

Imagine if Sima Yan had announced his death first, would he have needed to appoint four regents to assist the emperor?

This is an old tradition dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty.

So who were the regents? And what powers did they have? Well, that's a question that Sima Yan couldn't answer.

The high-ranking officials in the court are not to be trifled with. If he doesn't offer them enough benefits, they have plenty of ways to make things difficult for him!

Do you even understand how to control the government? If Sima Yan doesn't know how to shut up, those old foxes in the court can find a whole bunch of problems for him in no time!

Now that Sima Yan has suddenly ascended the throne and kept his death a secret, even if those old tyrants in the court wanted to negotiate, there's no room for them to interfere.

Thinking of this, Zhang Hua felt his legs go weak.

What a brilliant mutiny! They got it done without a sound! Although there was no bloodshed, it was a real military coup!

Of course, doing this is not without its risks.

Those powerful families who didn't receive any benefits were bound to harbor resentment. Even if they outwardly submitted to Sima Yan, they were certainly not convinced in their hearts.

Even if they don't get any benefits now, they'll find a way to get them in the future.

But that's a matter for the future. Anyone who dares to speak out now will be executed immediately!
In short, things that are not handled well now will have to be dealt with in the future, and you will have to spend time and energy to deal with them. Conflicts will not disappear on their own.

Zhang Hua was in a state of turmoil. He left Luoyang Palace in silence and returned home, where he "fell ill and never recovered."

Watching Zhang Hua's departing figure, Sima Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, he should thank Zhang Hua, who had no family background or connections, for being the first to stand up and question the issue, rather than an old man like Jia Chong.

If Jia Chong had been the first to step forward and rally the other officials, the situation would have been impossible to salvage.

After all, it is an indisputable fact that Sima Zhao was thrown into the cellar to "preserve and prevent decay," and a dead person is truly dead.

The Emperor Emeritus's claim of deceiving ghosts will fall apart on its own.

Sima Yan had no choice but to either kill this group of people or bring them to the cellar. With so many people witnessing Sima Zhao's death, the so-called "secretly keeping the death a secret" would become a joke.

Of course, Guo Huai had already arranged the marriage between Sima Zhong and Jia Wu with Sima Yan, so Jia Chong was unlikely to be the first to step forward. And that was indeed the case.

This interconnected scheme only proves that the person behind it is indeed formidable.

Sima Yan, feeling triumphant, returned to the imperial study with light steps, only to find Shi Shouxin and Yang Xiu already waiting there. However, both of them stood at the door, with palace guards present, and neither of them spoke.

"Please come in, both of you. I have something to say to you."

Sima Yan smiled and beckoned Shi Shouxin and Yang Xiu into his study for a detailed discussion. After the three of them entered the study, the imperial guards outside closed the door and stood guard outside without leaving for a moment.

After the three of them sat down, Sima Yan looked at Shi Shouxin for a long time, wanting to say something, but then he got stuck and couldn't speak.

"Your Majesty, please speak frankly."

Shi Shouxin bowed to Sima Yan and said.

"Minister Shi, I am so grateful to you this time. I really don't know how to reward you."

Sima Yan sighed.

"Your humble servant dares not claim credit; it was merely a matter of going with the flow, and cannot be considered a merit."

Shi Shouxin said with a humble expression.

He didn't care what Sima Yan said. As long as he was given the positions of Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs of Qing and Xu and General Who Conquers the East, then the deal would be considered done.

There was no need for those polite formalities.

"I hereby issue an edict to appoint you as General Who Conquers the East and Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of Qing and Xu provinces."

Sima Yan said with a happy expression, then handed the edict that had been written on the table to Shi Shouxin and continued, "Take this to Qingzhou to take up your post, and I will not need to send anyone to Qingzhou to deliver the edict."

"Thank you for your grace!"

Shi Shouxin suppressed his excitement and accepted the imperial edict from Sima Yan without refusing.

There's actually a small problem here.

The imperial court has not yet established "military districts" in Qing and Xu prefectures; this is a newly established military region. Shi Shouxin can recruit all the necessary seals and staff himself.

Starting from scratch, Shi Shouxin had trusted followers and soldiers, so it wasn't a difficult task.

The most difficult position is that of General Who Conquers the East.

The current General Who Conquers the East is Wang Shen, Wang Jun's father. Shi Shouxin cannot obtain the seal of the General Who Conquers the East; he can only go to Qingzhou to take up his post first, and then have Wang Shen, after his term ends, deliver the seal. Given the extent of Wang Shen's hatred for Shi Shouxin, it's perfectly normal for him not to deliver the seal. But this is not a big deal; Shi Shouxin can simply make one himself.

"My coronation ceremony is in three days. Are you really not going to attend, Minister Shi?"

Sima Yan asked with some doubt. If Shi Shouxin hadn't made it clear beforehand, he would have found it hard to believe that the other party would not attend the ceremony.

"Your Majesty, there are still many political and military affairs in Qingzhou that require my attention."

Now that Your Majesty has successfully ascended the throne, it doesn't matter whether I attend the enthronement ceremony or not.

"Getting back to Qingzhou as soon as possible and handling government affairs is the most important thing."

Shi Shouxin declined Sima Yan's invitation.

"That's fine then."

Sima Yan nodded and continued, "I have ordered people to prepare carriages, horses, and boats. Yang Xiu, you will see Minister Shi off tomorrow."

"Your Majesty, I thank you."

Since there is nothing to do in the palace, I will go out to check on my subordinates and family.

The seal of the Left Guard General is here. Your Majesty, please appoint someone you trust to assume this post. I take my leave.

Shi Shouxin stood up, took out the seal of the Left Guard General from his pocket, placed it on the imperial desk, and then bowed and took his leave.

He pushed open the door and strode away, quite nonchalantly. He showed no attachment whatsoever to the high-ranking and powerful position of Left Guard General.

After Shi Shouxin left, Yang Xiu watched his departing figure and sighed, "Shi Gandang is truly a great man; I am no match for him."

Yang Xiu was proud and arrogant, and in his eyes, all the old officials in the court were just chickens and dogs. This was the first time he had ever been so sincerely convinced by someone.

Sima Yan comforted him, saying:
"Shi Gandang is good, but he is Tao Fu's confidant, while you are my confidant."

Three days from now, at the enthronement ceremony, you will succeed Shi Gandang as the Left Guard General, protecting my imperial carriage.

The best tasks should definitely be entrusted to trusted confidants with whom one has a deep emotional bond.

Shi Shouxin is indeed a capable person. He comes when summoned and is very useful. He is truly outstanding.

However, Yang Xiu and Sima Yan were cousins ​​and classmates, and their personal relationship was far stronger than that of Shi Shouxin, an outsider.

Now that he has become emperor, "whether he can be used" is no longer the top priority. This is a special kind of "out of sight, out of mind".

However, Yang Xiu felt somewhat uneasy.

That feeling is like eating someone else's leftovers. Although the taste is still similar, you feel much less of a sense of accomplishment.

Today, Shi Shouxin also understood the situation perfectly, knowing that the overall situation was settled and Sima Yan no longer needed to shoulder the heavy responsibility.

Now that the other party has already written the imperial edict and handed it to him, it would be rather disrespectful to continue staying in the palace.

That's why Shi Shouxin took the initiative to suggest leaving Luoyang and returning to Qingzhou.

"Your Majesty, what exactly happened this time? It was so sudden?"

Yang Xiu did not respond to Sima Yan's words, but instead asked the question that had been puzzling her.

He had just received the news that Sima Yan had sent an eunuch to the Yang residence to inform him of his ascension to the throne. Only then did Yang Xiu hurriedly arrive at the palace and wait in front of the Imperial Study.

I only just learned that Sima Zhao had passed away.

This made Yang Xiu feel very bad. Others had done everything, but he hadn't participated at all and only got a result in the end. No wonder he didn't feel good!
"It happened so suddenly, I didn't have time to inform you. The late emperor passed away very quickly, and there was no cure..."

Sima Yan briefly told Yang Xiu about the whole matter.

"Your Majesty, are you saying that Shi Gandang handled the whole affair? He even wrote the enthronement edict? He affixed the imperial seal, didn't notify any ministers, and directly convened a court assembly to ascend the throne?"

Yang Xiu stared wide-eyed, her face filled with disbelief.

In fact, according to the rules of the Han Dynasty, there was a whole complicated process for the emperor to ascend the throne. However, Shi Shouxin didn't care about any of that. He would cut corners wherever possible and quickly ascend the throne, leaving no time for anyone to react.

By the time everyone came to their senses, the court session had already ended. Even if they had a full hand of good cards, the game was over, so how could they possibly play the remaining cards?

No wonder Sima Yan appointed Shi Shouxin as the military governor of Qing and Xu provinces and also as the general who conquers the east.

In terms of rewarding merit, this is a perfectly reasonable price, even a little stingy! You must know that Shi Shouxin's "swift ascension to the throne" saved Sima Yan countless political capital.

Even if these political benefits have to be ceded to those powerful and wealthy families in the future, it will be considered a "great favor from Heaven," not an exchange of interests.

The fact that Shi Shouxin could gain so much political benefit by using a few official titles as rewards was incredibly lucrative, even Yang Xiu couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

Damn it, why can't I do it myself!
Yang Xiu couldn't help but sigh with regret.

He put himself in her shoes and realized he didn't have the guts.

In fact, Shi Shouxin's actions, which seemed easy while devising strategies behind the scenes, were actually extremely risky, almost like risking his life.

If he fails to ascend the throne, or if the senior officials in the court claim that "there are treacherous people around Your Majesty" and that he cannot inherit the throne without killing them, then Shi Shouxin will most likely lose his head.

Yang Xiu felt that, given those people's moral character, it was entirely possible for them to do such a thing.

The key to winning this round was speed, accuracy, and a decisive move.

Suddenly, he thought of something terrible.

"Your Majesty, Shi Gandang is in such a hurry to leave Luoyang, could it be that he's worried about being punished later?"

Yang Xiu asked with a strange look. "If that weren't the case, you wouldn't be skipping the coronation ceremony in three days."

"I didn't realize it until you mentioned it, but now that you've brought it up, it all makes sense to me."

Sima Yan chuckled and shook his head. Shi Shouxin was always one step ahead in thinking, not only in his actions but also in his ability to escape quickly.

"Here's what we'll do: you take a group of men and guard the east gate of Luoyang tonight."

If we wait until we reach Shi Shouxin, we will give him a hundred bolts of cloth and then let him pass.

Sima Yan laughed heartily.

"I will do it right away."

Yang Xiu's face lit up with joy. He took the military tally of the Left Guard General and got up to leave.

……

Inside the Li family residence, Zhao Lun and the others were waiting anxiously, like ants on a hot pan, and refused to go to sleep even after nightfall.

Suddenly, there was a rhythmic knocking on the door.

He quickly opened the door and saw Shi Shouxin arrive, looking travel-worn and exhausted.

"My lord, what is the situation?"

Zhao Lun asked in a low voice.

"Call the two young ladies, let's go now."

Shi Shouxin gave instructions to Zhao Lun.

A short while later, Wei Xiu and Jia Yu, wearing black cloaks, walked into the courtyard, ready to go out.

"We must go to Mengjin Ferry tonight and leave Luoyang as soon as possible, or things will change."

Shi Shouxin didn't explain anything, he just told the two women to leave now.

"problem occurs?"

Wei Xiu's expression turned very ugly.

She knew that if Shi Shouxin couldn't handle this person, given his abilities, then something extremely serious must have happened.

"No, the matter has been accomplished, but we must guard against being discarded after our usefulness has been served. We can no longer stay in Luoyang."

Shi Shouxin gave a brief explanation, then helped the two women into the carriage. He followed them into the carriage and had Zhao Lun drive.

The group left the Li family residence quietly and disappeared into the darkness of the night.

(End of this chapter)