On the river, hands suddenly emerged, a pair of women's hands. Unlike the delicate, slender hands of ordinary women, these were calloused.
They tightly gripped a rope, secured to a hitching post on the bank. She strained, pulling herself closer to the shore.
But she was also pulling a man, a man who was not light.
The woman's face was beaded with sweat.
"Zhongda, you... you're really quite heavy."
This man was naturally Sima Yi, and the woman, who else could it be but Zhang Chunhua?
For a full half hour, Zhang Chunhua, drenched and shivering, managed to drag Sima Yi out of the river. She glanced back at the bank; the pursuers were gone. She felt Sima Yi's breath – still alive, though unconscious.
Biting her lip, she endured the cold and hauled Sima Yi ashore. Tinder, a flint, and dry clothes were already prepared on the bank, along with two horses. It was clear... someone had made arrangements here beforehand.
"Cough... cough..."
With a few continuous coughs, Zhang Chunhua gritted her teeth, enduring the cold, and managed to start a fire.
She changed into dry clothes herself and then changed Sima Yi's.
Looking at Sima Yi's face, Zhang Chunhua recalled...
A few days ago, in Luoyang, while she was shopping, a man in black had thrown her a letter and a message.
"If not for Sima Zhongda, the Sima clan of Henei would be finished."
When Zhang Chunhua looked back, she couldn't find the man in the vast crowd. Only the letter still held its warmth.
She hurriedly opened it.
And as soon as she opened it, she discovered... it was an ambush location and an escape route.
Zhang Chunhua was all too familiar with the ambush location; it was where her husband Sima Yi would be returning from Ye City.
Before she could even return home, she heard that Sima Fang had led seven sons to storm the imperial palace at night and had been executed...
Without a moment's delay, Zhang Chunhua headed north. If disaster was inevitable, she had to save... save her husband.
Whoosh...
Thinking of this, Zhang Chunhua let out a long sigh, her heart pounding.
"Fortunately, fortunately... I made it in time..."
At this moment, "Ugh..." Sima Yi violently coughed out several mouthfuls of river water, but he still hadn't woken up. He mumbled incessantly, as if speaking in his sleep.
"Do... do you know who my... my master is?"
"My... my master is... White Horse Marquis Lu... Lu Ziyu!"
Hearing these words, Zhang Chunhua bit her lip, unsure what to say...
The entire situation had left her head buzzing. She could only pray for her husband to wake up soon; with his intellect, he would surely... be able to decipher the deeper meaning of all this!
And that sentence – "If not for Sima Zhongda, the Sima clan of Henei would be finished."
What exactly...
What did it mean?
Looking at the unconscious Sima Yi, Zhang Chunhua's doubts deepened.
...
...
A guard drove a carriage, bringing Jia Xu to the ferry crossing of the Ying River. The moonlight rippled on the water's surface.
Jia Xu alighted and surveyed the surroundings. A small boat with a black canopy was quietly moored by the bank. Jia Xu stepped onto the gangplank and instructed the guard behind him, "You all stay here. Do not move without my command!"
The guard acknowledged.
Jia Xu then stepped onto the gangplank and entered the cabin. Seated inside was a middle-aged man with injuries.
His eyes were distant, and he rubbed his hands, seemingly troubled.
"You've arrived?"
The man spoke first.
"I have."
Their conversation was calm, much like the lake water under the moonlight.
"I thought to myself, who else could arrange for Xiliang armored troops to rescue us from under Ma Teng's nose, and create such a 'truth-is-false' deception? Such a feat, in this era, who else could orchestrate it but you, Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe?"
The injured man spoke freely.
"As expected of Sima Jianguo, who served as Commander of the Capital and Governor of Jingzhao. Your discernment of people is sharp; your eyes are indeed keen."
Jia Xu praised him.
Seated before Jia Xu was Sima Fang, his expression somewhat dejected... yet he seemed to know something.
"Is it because of the prophecy of 'Three Horses Eating a Trough'?"
Sima Fang asked again.
"Sima Jianguo knows of 'Three Horses Eating a Trough'?" Jia Xu stroked his beard. "This is hardly surprising. The Sima clan of Henei is a top-tier noble family of the era; this intelligence wouldn't be kept from you!"
"Indeed!" Sima Fang nodded. "King Wei has linked these 'three horses' to the Sima clan of Henei! But..."
Sima Fang wanted to ask something, but the words died on his lips.
Jia Xu had already seen through his thoughts.
"Jianguo wishes to ask, why did you ultimately spare your Sima clan?"
Before Sima Fang could answer, Jia Xu spoke again. "Great Wei is different from Great Han. Great Han was established by the joint efforts of Emperor Guangwu and the Twenty-Eight Generals of the Cloud Terrace! From that time on, it inevitably entered an era of aristocratic clans. Meritorious officials rapidly expanded their influence, monopolizing certain resources, and then retaliating against imperial power... they could even decide the fate of the Han Son of Heaven!"
"Since the resurgence of Guangwu, no Han emperor has lived past thirty-six. Those poisoned with cakes at a mere few years old are too numerous to count."
As he said this, Jia Xu paused. Sima Fang eagerly asked.
"Does this have anything to do with the destruction of the Sima clan of Henei?"
"Open your eyes and see," Jia Xu said softly. "Who does the King of Wei favor? Either the clans of Yingchuan or the meritorious officials of Qiao and Pei. If not these, then they must be commoners! Promoting talent based solely on merit..."
"Among the Yingchuan clans, the Xun family is the most discerning. Lord Xun Ling and Xun Gongda have already withdrawn from court, not interfering in the struggle between Han and Wei. This is considered wise self-preservation!"
"What about the other clans? Among the Four Great Clans of Yingchuan, the 'Han', 'Chen', and 'Zhong' families, their official positions grew larger, but their power was repeatedly curtailed? Do you think the King of Wei is unaware of the relationship between your Sima clan of Henei... and the clans of Yingchuan?"
This...
Sima Fang fell silent.
The reason they were called the "Four Great Clans of Yingchuan" was because all four had served as magistrates within Yingchuan Commandery.
And the Sima family was extraordinary; Sima Fang's father, Sima Jun, had served as the Prefect of Yingchuan.
As previously mentioned, in Sima Fang's generation, the Sima family had already formed a deeply intertwined relationship with the four great clans of "Xun," "Chen," "Zhong," and "Han."
—Xun Yu, Zhong Yao!
Then, undoubtedly, they were the leaders of this alliance. But if Xun Yu and Zhong Yao were no longer around, who would be the next leader?
Based on current merits...
It would likely be the White Horse Marquis's right-hand man, the second son of the Sima family of Henei—Sima Yi!
After painstakingly helping the Xun family achieve wise self-preservation, Cao Cao would never allow a new leader to emerge within such a political alliance that threatened his rule.
Therefore...
—Three Horses Eating a Trough!
It could be understood as a dream, but Cao Cao had many dreams in his life. Why this particular dream, known to all?
Why did this dream leave him with lingering fear!
This was simply Cao Cao's method of severing the Sima family's connections with the various clans.
This was the root of the Sima clan's demise!
"Old Jia still hasn't answered my question!" Sima Fang pressed.
"Do you must know the truth?" Jia Xu countered.
"Yes!" Sima Fang's tone was firm. "We are powerless to stop those who wish to harm the Sima clan. But for those who have shown kindness to the Sima clan, I will repay their great kindness even if it means shedding my blood!"
Ho...
Jia Xu hadn't expected Sima Fang to be so persistent.
"Very well..."
Jia Xu waved his hand. "This plan, the King of Wei wasn't the first to tell me... Before me, the King of Wei specifically summoned Lu Ziyu and they talked for an entire night!"
"It was Lu Ziyu?"
Sima Fang asked in surprise...
"Hush!" Jia Xu held up a finger, his meaning clear: this was not something to be publicized.
Then, Jia Xu took out several stacks of paper from his robes and placed them on the table in the cabin. "Write a few letters... tell those you care about, and those who care about you, that you, Sima Fang, and all your sons are well... and tell them that from now on, there will be no more Sima clan of Henei. 'To help each other in distress is not as good as forgetting each other in the vastness of the world'!"
Upon hearing this...
Sima Fang trembled.
He understood, at this moment, he understood everything...
It must have been Lu Ziyu who persuaded the King of Wei, who told the King of Wei!
—Sima Fang and Sima Bada were never a threat. The real threat to the Han was the symbol of the Sima clan.
Sima Fang and his eight sons could live...
But the symbol of the Sima clan of Henei had to perish. This letter... was to inform friends that the Sima clan was gone, completely gone, and all connections, all relationships had come to an end.
Great Wei's adherence to "promoting talent based solely on merit, and favoring commoners" would never change.
"Hahaha..."
Sima Fang took the brush. "Then the letters I need to write are quite a few..."
"Take your time," Jia Xu murmured. "Jianguo lacks nothing more than time now... Also, this villa is the White Horse Marquis's fief. He specifically mentioned that he will not imprison you, nor will he station guards to watch you. Duke Sima is an intelligent man; you know better than I what should be done and what should not be done!"
"Heh..."
Sima Fang shook his head with a wry smile, then sighed, "I really don't know if I should thank the White Horse Marquis, or praise his brilliance..."
"You should thank your son, Sima Zhongda!" Jia Xu added. "If not for him, Lu Ziyu would not have interceded on your behalf..."
"Perhaps, the Sima clan of Henei would truly have perished, but it wouldn't be now. It would be after the King of Wei unified the land, and he would target you first!"
Hiss...
At these words, Sima Fang felt a chill run down his spine.
Jia Xu pushed aside the cabin curtain and gazed into the darkness, at the mountains and lakes illuminated by torches.
"See how good this place is? Nestled by mountains and water. To die amidst wine and women here, untroubled by worldly affairs, I truly envy it! Ah... haha... Soon, I too will ask the King of Wei to grant me retirement in this piece of land, to enjoy family life! To be a neighbor to you, Sima Jianguo, marvelous, how marvelous!"
As Jia Xu said this, Sima Fang's eyes flickered.
Indeed...
Jia Xu's words had touched a chord with him.
"Alas, ultimately, Sima Ba 'Da' is missing one 'Da'..."
"Sima Zhong 'Da', is it? Brother Jianguo, do not worry about him..." Jia Xu raised his hand again. "Sima Zhongda is doing very well. Lu Ziyu has even chosen a new codename for him, and he will be a member of the intelligence division with the codename 'Zhonghu'! Lu Ziyu specifically mentioned that this 'codename' can rival 'Wolong'!"
"Heh heh... Wolong?" Sima Fang laughed heartily. "The Wolong that Lu Ziyu's flying cavalry famously burned down Bowang Slope with their signal fires, right? I heard he is like water, and Liu Bei obtaining him was like a fish getting water!"
Upon hearing this...
"Hahahahaha..." Jia Xu burst into laughter... "Water will always be dried up by fire!"
Instantly...
Another round of hearty laughter echoed within the black-canopied boat.
...
...
Jingzhou, Xiangyang City.
The blazing sun shone on the roof ridges of the dragon-like palaces and government offices. Around the main hall, guards and armored soldiers stood in dense formations, heavily protected.
And in the most central location, the faint murmurs of Madam Cai and Cai Mao could be heard.
"How strange..."
Cai Mao frowned. "Lu Ziyu clearly burned Bowang Slope, and should now press his advantage to capture Xinye City! Why has he remained motionless for five consecutive days? What is he waiting for?"
"The Eight Trigram Formation?" Madam Cai replied casually.
"Zhuge Kongming's Eight Trigram Formation? To say that Lu Ziyu cannot break it?" Cai Mao was full of doubt and continued... "Who would believe that?"
"Giggle..."
As soon as Cai Mao finished speaking, Madam Cai let out a "giggle," like a blossoming maiden. "If you could understand Lu Ziyu's thoughts, then it would be strange."
"How so?" Cai Mao quickly asked.
Madam Cai took a letter from her embrace and handed it to Cai Mao. "It's from the King of Wei himself, take a look!"
Cai Mao hurriedly unfolded it...
His eyes were fixed on the words on the letter. Upon reading it, Cai Mao's heart skipped a beat.
He quickly opened his mouth...
"Thirty thousand... thirty thousand troops? Are secretly assembling towards Nanyang... The King of Wei is..."
Cai Mao's pupils widened.
Madam Cai took a sip of tea. "Doesn't Han Xin have the saying, 'Openly repair the plank roads, secretly cross the Chencang'? Lu Ziyu and the King of Wei are not also imitating that 'openly repair the plank roads, secretly cross the Chencang'? Who would have thought that this is not just fifty thousand troops moving south, but three hundred and fifty thousand troops!"
Speaking of this.
Madam Cai slowly rose and walked towards the doorway, looking up at the sky.
"The King of Wei's ambition, his target has never been Liu Bei, nor Jingzhou, but to pacify Jiangdong and unify the realm..."
Madam Cai turned around, her eyes filled with admiration and infatuation. "Such a man, even if not particularly handsome, who can resist the heroic aura emanating from him?"
Er...
Cai Mao felt superfluous, as if he had just eaten a mouthful of dog food.
"Sister, you've been praising the King of Wei quite often lately!"
"And what if?" Madam Cai smiled charmingly. "In a few days, your sister will be the King of Wei's consort! Consider these nine commanderies of Jing and Xiang as my dowry!"
Er...
Cai Mao felt his sister had fallen completely.
Cai Mao had never met Cao Cao and couldn't understand why a man could make... make a woman so infatuated.
People say the devil is a foot high, and the devil is a foot high...
But when it came to dealing with women, especially his sister, whom Cai Mao himself feared greatly, the King of Wei was a foot higher than the "devil" and ten feet more than the "way"!
Wait...
Cai Mao suddenly thought of a new problem.
"Sister... Liu Bei's recent behavior is peculiar. He has conscripted all the residences of Xinye's commoners, as if he intends to... lead the people across the river. This... we..."
"Do not panic!" Madam Cai maintained her calm and composed demeanor. She styled her fingers like orchids, gently stroking her three thousand strands of black hair, and then spoke. "Lu Ziyu excels at psychological warfare. Liu Bei's 'leading the people across the river' is still within his expectations. Liu Bei wants to come to Xiangyang, doesn't he? Degui, you must prepare a generous gift for your sister!"
"The 'thicker' this gift is, the more leverage your sister will have with the King of Wei! Giggle..."
Saying this, Madam Cai let out a laugh again, as if everything was within her grasp.
...
...