Prologue 13: Deceptive Cunning

The hundred strokes from the military baton were just a biting pain; enduring three months in a grim prison was the true torment of the mind.

After the wound on Shigandang’s backside healed, the long days of boredom set in. Li Wan had previously used the excuse of tending to his injury to visit him daily in the prison of Yeting, a request that Yang Hu readily granted. However, Li Wan was soon placed under house arrest by Li Yin and never came again until his release.

The cell where Shigandang was held was relatively clean, but none of the special privileges afforded to the Tianlong clan applied. Forget about a beautiful female servant to ease his fatigue, there were no books during the day, no torches lit at night—once darkness fell, there was nothing to do. It was truly a place to temper one’s spirit.

One morning three months later, Yang Hu arrived in haste. Upon seeing Shigandang, he nodded solemnly without a word.

Then he opened the cell door, and behind him strode a middle-aged man with a familiar face—none other than Sima Zhao.

Inwardly, Shigandang groaned. The last person he wished to see was Sima Zhao. That day, when Emperor Cao Mao struck a desperate blow, Shigandang had defended the emperor fiercely, scolding Sima Zhao with harsh words.

But the more satisfying the scolding had been then, the more fearful Shigandang felt now.

“Li Wan is a noble lady from an official household, not a match for you. Let’s annul the old engagement. Cao Mao was merely a noble duke, hardly an emperor! His arranged marriage holds no weight.

I won’t let you suffer. If you agree to break the engagement, I’ll have the newly enthroned emperor Cao Huan arrange a marriage with my fourth younger brother Sima Liang’s daughter. You will be released immediately to wed her, and I will ensure you receive a position befitting your status. How about that?” Sima Zhao forced a reluctant smile, his face stiff, words insincere.

Even a mere scrap left by Cao Mao was a thorn in Sima Zhao’s eye.

“General, I follow the emperor to repay the life-saving kindness of Shijia’s Sixth Young Master. I have not considered anything else,” Shigandang bowed respectfully to Sima Zhao and continued, “A promise is the foundation of one’s character. My head may be severed, but the engagement shall not be broken. Even if Sima Liang’s daughter is outstanding or immediately offers me wealth and glory, I will never consider it.”

“If you die, the engagement is naturally void. Don’t be ungrateful,” Sima Zhao threatened coldly.

“General, even if you kill me, the engagement remains. It stands there, regardless of whether I live or die,” Shigandang met Sima Zhao’s gaze without flinching.

“Nephew, go inform the authorities to change Shigandang’s household registry. Since he is so faithful to his word, just rename him Shou Xin—‘Keeper of Trust’—and let him go,” Sima Zhao seemed relieved, showing no disappointment. Forcing Sima Liang’s daughter to marry Shigandang would have been a great humiliation for the Sima clan.

Being rejected was no bad thing. It also gave Sima Zhao a plausible excuse to respond to Sima Yan’s desperate pleas.

“Thank you, General,” Shigandang—now Shou Xin—bowed deeply to Sima Zhao.

“Mm, do your duty well under your uncle’s command,” Sima Zhao sighed and left without another glance.

Yang Hu escorted him out of Yeting and returned with a solemn warning:

“Stay here another month to avoid trouble. The General worked hard to persuade the Western Garrison Commander Sima Liang to marry his daughter to you. Now that you refuse, Sima Liang will be furious and won’t hesitate to kill you.

But he is stationed in Guanzhong. Currently, he is in Luoyang only for the emperor’s funeral. Once he returns and you marry Li Wan, his anger will likely subside.” Yang Hu patted Shou Xin’s shoulder with a smile.

These words made Shou Xin break out in a cold sweat.

Sima Zhao, that old scoundrel, knew all this but purposely kept silent!

If Yang Hu hadn’t warned him, he would have happily left prison to marry the beautiful Li Wan, unwittingly firing an arrow that bore Sima Liang’s wrath—one that would pierce him through.

Afterwards, Sima Zhao could pose as the righteous judge, reprimanding Sima Liang and coaxing Li Yin to make Li Wan a concubine of Sima Yan.

Killing three birds with one stone!

Of course, if Sima Liang sent assassins to Yeting to kill Shou Xin, it wouldn’t be as simple as killing a powerless servant—it would be a slap to Yang Hu’s face as well.

Such matters were taboo among the Tianlong aristocracy.

Sima Liang wouldn’t dare make such a move.

Yang Hu had Shou Xin change into a prison guard’s uniform and assigned him to work inside the prison, overseeing prisoners. Yang Hu was meticulous and tactful; he could not treat Shou Xin as a mere prisoner, as that would be too disrespectful.

At noon, Yang Hu invited Shou Xin to a meal in the signing room, a welcome feast with wild game caught on a recent hunt.

Over cups of cloudy wine, they chatted casually.

After a few rounds, Yang Hu suddenly asked, “Li Wan is as beautiful as a flower. Did you cling to her simply for her looks?”

“Not at all. I have endured many injustices and hardships, so I believe that beauty and talent are illusions; only the goodness of a person is truly rare.

As the saying goes, it is easy to paint a face or a tiger, but hard to paint the bones beneath. One can know a person’s appearance but not their heart. Even if my wife were ugly, I would still marry her. Li Wan’s beauty is merely a blessing from heaven, an unexpected joy.”

Shou Xin spoke mostly truth, though one crucial reason he did not mention was that Li Wan was the woman Sima Yan desired but could not have. Being favored by Sima Yan was like a golden signboard.

In haste, Shou Xin could not know her character well; he only knew that to save his life, he needed to marry an official’s daughter—otherwise, he was doomed.

If Sima Yan favored her, it meant she was beautiful; if multiple attempts failed to win her, it implied she had good character. Either way, Shou Xin was betting on Sima Yan’s judgment.

If he failed to act on Cao Mao’s momentum, he would be blind; if he ended up marrying a woman like Jia Nanfeng, he could blame no one but himself.

Of course, these thoughts were not to be shared with Yang Hu or Li Wan—judging character was a subtle art, pointless to discuss openly.

“Indeed, if you had wanted to break the engagement, I would only regret caring for you these past days and regret not beating you to death with the baton,” Yang Hu chuckled, downing his cup of wine.

Often, wise men could discern a person’s character from a few matters. Because Shou Xin spoke with conviction and kept his promises, Yang Hu held him in high regard.

Otherwise, why would he cultivate this man as an advisor?

Yang Hu aspired to great deeds and naturally sought loyal, trustworthy men who could repay kindness and stand by him in critical moments.

Of course, this great endeavor was not to usurp power but to assist the emperor in governing the state and to guard the frontiers with might.

Whether at court or on the border, one man could not do it all.

Thus, in Yang Hu’s eyes, character was paramount, followed by talent and learning; noble birth was less important.

Yang Hu himself was a top figure among the Tianlong aristocracy and could promote juniors by many means, without relying on petty nobodies.

“Shi Chong says you are learned and perceptive. What is your view on the tripartite division of the realm?” Yang Hu’s smile faded as he spoke seriously.

“The fate of Wei is set. Shu is exhausted and struggling to hold on, while Wu’s internal politics are chaotic and rife with strife.

First, conquer Shu and seize its land. Build warships in the upper Yangtze, then sail downstream to pacify Jing and Xiang, then subdue Huai and Yang, and finally, march to Jiangdong to destroy Wu in one decisive blow,” Shou Xin summarized succinctly.

“First Shu, then Wu?” Yang Hu nodded quietly, already understanding.

“Yes, this order is crucial. Without Shu, the water battles to defeat Eastern Wu are impossible.

Wei aims to unify the realm, not to slaughter the people of Wu and Shu. If the campaign against Wu drags on, it will bring devastation and mutual ruin,” Shou Xin lamented.

“No wonder Li Gong insists on marrying his daughter to you. The general’s persuasion was unyielding, now it makes sense,” Yang Hu suddenly realized. In these times, no one was foolish; to strengthen oneself, one must recruit talented youth.

Who wouldn’t want the best? Who would willingly marry their daughter to a mediocre man?

Yang Hu discerned from Shou Xin’s honesty, loyalty, and grasp of the realm’s affairs that, given the chance to grow, he would achieve great things.

“To unify the realm, the key lies in Jing and Xiang. Control Jing and Xiang, and the world is at peace.

I, for now, only study classics in the treasury, hoping to be of some help,” Yang Hu sighed deeply, drinking alone, burdened by unfulfilled ambitions.

He truly did not want to stay in Luoyang, where relationships were complex. His high birth, talent, and ties to the Sima family set him apart, inviting envy and slander.

Yang Hu had asked Li Yin to advise Sima Zhao to demote him as a favor for looking after Shou Xin—a demotion, not a promotion! This was because Yang Hu sensed many hostile glances.

Figures like Zhong Hui and Jia Chong spoke ill of him before Sima Zhao.

A demotion was bearable; a promotion might bring plots and schemes to harm him.

This terrified Yang Hu.

The office of Secretary Supervisor was akin to a national library director.

Whether a promotion or sidelining was clear at a glance.

So why did Sima Zhao refuse to send Yang Hu away?

Because he planned to usurp the throne.

During a coup, he needed loyal men. Yang Hu was one of them.

“Lord Yang, I believe it won’t be long before the general leads forces to conquer Shu.

Then will be your chance. For now, lie low and stay out of court affairs. When the campaign begins, you may advise the court and contribute,” Shou Xin said gravely.

Yang Hu’s eyes brightened, a smile spreading across his face.

“Indeed, that is my thought as well.

Ha! I have no children of my own, only my elder brother’s heirs adopted by me.

If I had unmarried daughters, I would certainly take you as son-in-law.

Li Gong is known for his frugality, fairness, and uprightness in the general’s household—yet even he has private desires for his daughter,” Yang Hu laughed heartily, his worries swept away.

The greatest fear is the unknown: not knowing what the future holds breeds anxiety.

No matter how strong, high-ranking, or intelligent one is, this remains true.

From Shou Xin’s words, Yang Hu was convinced that Sima Zhao would soon plan the conquest of Shu.

He would have the chance to be posted away, no longer trapped in Luoyang amid countless hidden threats.

Life would be easier then.

Their conversation deepened, revealing many shared views on border military affairs.

Yang Hu resolved that once Shou Xin left the prison, he would use his authority to give him more access to texts, so he could assist him in winning merit on the frontier.

While they drank merrily in the signing room of Yeting, a different scene played out in the general’s study.

The atmosphere was heavy.

Sima Zhao’s fourth brother, Sima Liang, looked pale and flushed intermittently, while Sima Yan appeared dejected.

Sima Yan had thought that with his father’s intervention and his uncle’s help, dealing with a powerless servant would be a simple matter.

Even Li Yin had said that if Shou Xin broke the engagement, he would send Li Wan to the general’s household as Sima Yan’s concubine without question.

Yet Shou Xin remained steadfast.

“This is outrageous! The Shijia servant is defying heaven!” Sima Liang fumed, grinding his teeth.

He was barely restraining himself from humiliation, having reluctantly agreed to take this son-in-law. How would he explain this to his ill-fated youngest daughter when he returned to Guanzhong?

He had underestimated the situation. He agreed, but Shou Xin refused!

That man was determined to hold onto Li Wan.

Many Tianlong nobles were like this: they harbored ill intentions, and when thwarted, blamed their victims for insulting them.

“This is the last edict from the noble duke. I cannot forcibly annul it; there is too much criticism at court.

If it cannot be done, then so be it,” Sima Zhao sighed with a hint of triumph.

“Hmph, you’re too polite, brother. I cannot bear this grievance!” Sima Liang slammed the table and stormed out.

Sima Zhao quickly stopped him, warning seriously, “Fourth brother, the country has laws—we cannot act unlawfully! If you break the law, with so many eyes watching, I will deal with you fairly!”

“I know!” Sima Liang replied impatiently and left the study.

After he left, Sima Zhao patted Sima Yan’s shoulder and said, “If we elevate this Shou Xin, he will surely serve the Sima clan loyally. Besides, the bride is your cousin, not your sister or my daughter. If your uncle cannot swallow this grievance... well, Li Wan will be yours eventually.”

Sima Zhao comforted Sima Yan.

He could not lower himself to urge Li Yin to make his daughter a concubine to his son; it would conflict with the virtuous image he sought to cultivate.

Yet Sima Yan’s request could not be ignored, and the heir of the Sima family had lost a woman to a mere servant.

He needed to save face.

Forcible seizure would be shameful; having Shou Xin give up voluntarily and become the Sima family’s son-in-law was a psychological blow.

Since the best outcome was unattainable, the next plan was to use Sima Liang as a knife to eliminate Shou Xin.

Then, they could punish Sima Liang to show their own moral superiority and suppress his future ambitions.

This scheme was so well laid that Sima Zhao wanted to post notices celebrating it.

Sima Yan hesitated and advised, “Father, as long as we get Li Wan, let Shigandang be. Why kill him?”

“He? What does he have to do with this? Many are involved, even Yang Hu. But Shou Xin is insignificant.

Killing him has nothing to do with him,” Sima Zhao looked at Sima Yan with disappointment.

His heir was too soft-hearted, not understanding the ruthlessness and bloodiness of politics.

This ‘chicken’ Shou Xin was to be killed as a warning to the faction inside the general’s household and the entire court.

If not kill this chicken, then kill Sima Liang to set an example?

“Stay out of it. This is no longer your concern!” Sima Zhao snapped at Sima Yan.

The end.