Chapter 24: Simple Yet Sophisticated Game Rules

The next day, Shi Shouxin woke up from a heavy hangover and received a letter from his wife, Li Wan. Of course, many people's letters, along with provisions sent from their homes, were delivered together with the military rations.

To prevent generals from building up independent military power and becoming too powerful, the State of Wei usually registered generals and soldiers from different native places, and the families of the generals mostly resided in Luoyang.

At the same time, to ensure that the generals could focus entirely on combat, writing home letters had become a standing regulation. With this system in place, it was very difficult for any primary commander in the army to recruit others to rebel alongside him.

The envelope was made of thick paper produced by Shi Shouxin's own household, and Li Wan had folded it into a beautiful carp shape. The envelope was dyed a light green, looking as exquisite as a work of art.

While Hu Lie and the others were teasing Shi Shouxin about having a virtuous wife with such refined domestic tastes, the recipient himself discovered something that filled him with anger.

The sealing wax on the envelope had already been broken by someone. The person who opened it did not even bother to restore it to its original appearance out of mere formality; it seemed they intentionally wanted to humiliate Shi Shouxin!

Fortunately, there were no private matters inside the letter. Li Wan merely gave a brief account of the situation at home: everything was peaceful with no major events, urging Shi Shouxin to be cautious in his words and deeds on the campaign, and telling him not to worry about household affairs.

At the very end, Li Wan mentioned that she had made a new robe using Shu brocade, which was sent along with the letter. Wearing Shu brocade upon arriving in the lands of Shu would blend in better with the local customs.

Only then did Shi Shouxin notice that a bundle had been delivered together with the mail.

He hurriedly searched through the pile of letters and goods, finally finding a parcel bearing his own name.

Upon opening it, he found a black brocade robe patterned with yellow threads.

However, the robe had already been shredded by someone into a pile of tattered rags.

"My brother, military correspondence can be perused by the Grand Commander and the Imperial Censor, though they generally do not open them.

This matter is simply Zhong Hui making an issue out of nothing; you would be wise not to pursue it, brother."

Seeing this scene, Hu Lie walked over and comforted Shi Shouxin. This was obviously an act of malicious retaliation by Zhong Hui, yet the man also possessed a "legitimate excuse."

Could you really prove that the letter from your wife was actually written by your wife? Could you prove the clothes sewn for you were truly sewn by your wife?

Who knows if this secretly harbored instructions from the Shu state? Who knows if there was something fishy going on?

Therefore, isn't it perfectly reasonable for me to open the letter and cut up the garments to inspect whether there are any hidden problems?

Who else is the Grand Commander if not me? If the grand army is defeated, I bear full responsibility for everything!

Faced with Zhong Hui's malicious provocation, Shi Shouxin truly could not find a way to retaliate against him, primarily because it was not worth flipping the table over such a trivial matter!

This was Zhong Hui intentionally trying to provoke him, hoping he would make irrational moves out of anger and thus reveal flaws.

"It is nothing. The fact that Zhong Hui has resorted to such despicable tactics only shows that he has run out of better options.

A gentleman takes his revenge ten years later, and it is never too late."

Shi Shouxin forced a relaxed tone, acting as though he did not care in the least.

Revenge would not require waiting ten years, nor would it even take ten months!

Shi Shouxin sneered inwardly, packing the tattered rags back into the bundle and holding it in his hand. He would never stoop to bickering with a dead man walking.

"I shall return to Xu Yi's camp right now to see how the Shu army to the south has deployed its defenses. Staying here is exceedingly dull."

Shi Shouxin bowed to Hu Lie and spoke. He had already resolved to head to the vanguard camp to see if there was anything useful he could contribute.

This trial through experience carried certain perils. Because Shi Shouxin knew the ultimate outcome of the campaign against Shu, he understood that this was a life-and-death ordeal for every officer entering Shu for battle.

How to survive the political infighting and return triumphantly was the primary concern Shi Shouxin had to ponder. If he were to die amidst the chaos of battle without even knowing how he perished, what good would the eventual success of the conquest of Shu be?

As for what would ultimately happen to Zhong Hui... Shi Shouxin would simply wait to watch a good show.

When Zhong Hui met his end, he would write a couplet of mourning for him then.

...

Whether it was because Yang Huiyu had "whispered slanderous words" or because Sima Zhao had genuinely grown utterly disgusted with Zhong Hui, just as the grand expeditionary army officially entered the Baoxie Trail, Sima Zhao issued a most absurd personnel appointment:

He summoned and appointed Yang Hu as the Central Protector of the Army, placing him in charge of commanding the elite imperial guards in Luoyang!

The staff officers of the Great General's Manor were terrified by Sima Zhao's sheer caprice, adamantly refusing to affix their seals to the imperial edict! Even Yang Hu himself, upon learning of this utterly preposterous piece of news, was frightened out of his wits.

Consequently, Yang Hu, who was currently at home enjoying the New Year's holiday and catching big fish, rushed in haste to the Great General's Manor to plead that this appointment must absolute not be accepted.

Sima Zhao said: It is fine, you are one of our own family, and I trust you.

Yang Hu said: I have performed no meritorious deeds.

Sima Zhao said: The Central Protector of the Army commands the deployment of the imperial guards; no accomplishments are required, loyalty alone is sufficient.

Yang Hu said: If you issue this command, I shall resign from my official post and return to my ancestral home in Mount Tai.

Sima Zhao still refused to revoke the order, and angrily scolded Yang Hu until he was driven out.

Left with no other recourse, Yang Hu had no choice but to head to his elder sister Yang Huiyu's residence, begging her to go into the Great General's Manor and persuade Sima Zhao not to be so headstrong.

An appointment of this nature was not a promotion for Yang Hu; it was roasting him over an open fire.

Yang Huiyu was equally at her wits' end. Accepting such an appointment was unwise, yet trying to dissuade him was equally difficult! She suddenly thought of Xin Xianying, the mother of Yang Xiu, who had always been known for her resourcefulness and might possess a viable solution.

Yang Huiyu wished to hear Xin Xianying's perspective on the matter.

Upon arriving at the residence of her paternal cousin Yang Xiu, Yang Huiyu learned that Xin Xianying was in poor health, confined to bed due to the bitter cold, and receiving no visitors. She felt deeply disappointed and prepared to depart.

However, hearing that Yang Huiyu had arrived, Xin Xianying hurriedly instructed her domestic servants to escort her husband's clan niece into the main hall. After waiting a short while, Xin Xianying, dragging her ailing body and wrapped in a thick robe, came out to the main hall to meet with her.

"Aunt, you should return to your bedchamber to rest."

Seeing that Xin Xianying's complexion was poor and she appeared ill, Yang Huiyu quickly stepped forward and clasped both of her hands.

"Yang Xiu has departed with the expeditionary army. You have come here to inquire about the Great General summoning my uncle to serve as the Central Protector of the Army, haven't you?"

Xin Xianying asked with a faint smile.

Yang Huiyu nodded; the matter was known to many and was hardly a secret.

Seeming to have anticipated this long beforehand, Xin Xianying looked at Yang Huiyu and said:

"This move stems from the Great General's own mind, and perhaps it is also a test; declining and refusing to accept it is indeed a wise course of action.

My uncle has achieved not a whit of merit, yet he attains such a lofty position and wields formidable military power. He is bound to invite jealousy; truly, this is a path to disaster.

If you obtain an audience with the Great General, you should speak plainly: the conquest of Shu is an enterprise of millennium-long merit, bearing upon the life and death of the state.

The office of the Central Protector of the Army is of extraordinary significance—first, it requires close personal ties, and second, it must be backed by military achievements. Without these, it cannot command public obedience.

I hear that the former General Conquering the West, Sima Wang, possesses a generous and lenient disposition; having defended Guanzhong for eight years against Jiang Wei's northern expeditions, he has rendered considerable military service. During this campaign against Shu, the Great General has appointed Zhong Hui as Grand Commander, yet specially summoned Sima Wang back to Luoyang to await assignment without yet assigning him a post.

It would be better to advise the Great General to confer the office of the Central Protector of the Army upon Sima Wang instead."

Xin Xianying offered Yang Huiyu a proposition: let Sima Wang replace Yang Hu as the Central Protector of the Army. As long as one spoke thus to Sima Zhao, this arrangement would not be difficult to accomplish.

Presently, Sima Zhao was stubbornly clinging to appointing Yang Hu as the Central Protector of the Army simply because he had not found a more suitable candidate.

Once he accepted Sima Wang, he would no longer need to put Yang Hu in such an awkward position.

"Every word Aunt has spoken is a gem of wisdom. I shall go to the Great General's Manor at once."

Yang Huiyu exclaimed in immense admiration. Her aunt, revered as the "female Zhuge Liang," enjoyed immense prestige within the clan, and today she had once again demonstrated her brilliant insight.

Sima Wang was from a collateral branch of the Sima family, and his father was Sima Fu. Sima Fu was the younger brother of Sima Yi; for their branch to harbor ambitions of seizing supreme power was a step too far and entirely out of the question.

The reason Sima Zhao refused to appoint his own full brothers—such as Sima Zhou and his ilk—as the Central Protector of the Army was actually out of apprehension regarding internal familial strife. After all, the precedent of him wresting power from his own elder brother, Sima Shi, was still fresh in memory.

Xin Xianying's counsel could be said to perfectly match Sima Zhao's political needs.

"There is no need for such haste. Accompany me for a stroll in the courtyard."

Xin Xianying smiled gently, took Yang Huiyu's hand, and led her out into the courtyard.

At this moment, pristine snow blanketed the grounds, and several red plum trees bloomed proudly against the biting wind, adding a touch of vibrant color to the snowy, lifeless ambiance.

Xin Xianying walked up to one of the red plum trees, cruelly plucked a blossom, and then proceeded to tear off its petals one by one, tossing them casually onto the ground.

"When you married into the Sima family back then as Sima Shi's secondary wife, I watched with my own eyes as you slowly lost all will to live, existing merely as a walking corpse.

Just like these winter plums, even if they blossom fearlessly against wind and snow in the beginning, they will eventually wither away."

Xin Xianying sighed heavily.

Yang Huiyu remained silent; she had no desire to dredge up those bitter memories of the past.

"However."

Xin Xianying paused, her slightly clouded eyes fixing intently on Yang Huiyu's serene and delicate countenance as she continued: "However, I have recently noticed that this withered plum flower has unexpectedly regained its vitality, blooming anew against the wind. How incredible a thing that is."

Hearing these words, a wave of tension washed over Yang Huiyu, though she tried her utmost to maintain a calm expression and refrained from taking the bait.

Xin Xianying smiled gently, leaned close to Yang Huiyu's ear, and murmured:

"Before I was married, hearing that my family had arranged a match for me with Yang Dan of the Yang clan, I refused to submit blindly and demanded to meet him first. After our meeting, I felt thoroughly satisfied, whereupon my mind was at ease, and I no longer resisted the marriage arranged by my parents.

Your current expression is almost an exact replica of the one I wore back then.

You must take good care of yourself."

Xin Xianying patted the back of Yang Huiyu's hand meaningfully, then turned and walked slowly back toward her bedchamber.

Yang Huiyu let out a soft sigh. Perhaps she truly had disguised herself well enough, and perhaps those men whose minds were entirely consumed by political scheming were utterly incapable of discerning her inner thoughts.

Yet her present sentiments could not be concealed from shrewd, experienced observers.

A flower that had been steadily decaying suddenly regained its radiance; the intricacies behind this transformation were perhaps already transparent.

Xin Xianying, possessing a kind and generous nature, chose to see through the facade without exposing it.

...

Heavy with preoccupation, Yang Huiyu arrived at the Great General's Manor, only to find Sima Zhao wearing a deeply troubled expression.

Inside the study of the Great General's Manor, Sima Zhao sat behind his desk and handed a classified report sent from Chang'an for Yang Huiyu to read.

"The Shi Shouxin recommended by my sister-in-law is indeed true to his name, faithfully devoted to his duties. It is a pity that before the army has even entered Shu, Zhong Hui's ambitions have already become blatant. He has worked tirelessly for our Sima family for many years, yet I never expected he would turn out like this."

Sima Zhao sighed hypocritically, his desire to eliminate Zhong Hui now completely undisguised.

Yang Huiyu accepted the slip of paper handed over by Sima Zhao. It stated that Zhong Hui had deliberately manufactured a pretext to execute Xu Yi, but was thwarted by the Imperial Censor and Monitor Shi Shouxin. Judging by Zhong Hui's behavior, some "unforeseen calamity" was likely to transpire, and he hoped Sima Zhao would make preparations early.

The document was signed by none other than Du Yu.

"Today, this concubine has only come to request my uncle's resignation from office; the post of Central Protector of the Army must on no account be conferred upon him."

Suppressing her inner anxiety, Yang Huiyu made her plea.

These words seemed to be within Sima Zhao's expectations. The powerful Grand General shook his head and said: "I do not require my uncle to possess military achievements; as long as he is family, that is enough."

"Sima Wang is the Grand General's paternal cousin, and having governed Guanzhong for eight years, he commands considerable public respect. If he serves as the Central Protector of the Army, all court ministers will be convinced.

That would be vastly superior to my uncle ascending to the position.

When my uncle earns merits in the future, the Grand General can appoint him as Central Protector of the Army then, and it will not be too late."

Yang Huiyu bowed deeply to Sima Zhao, her stance exceptionally firm, offering no room for bargaining with him.

Sima Zhao seemed slightly moved; he nodded without committing to a definite answer.

Seeing that Xin Xianying's advice had taken effect, Yang Huiyu pressed her advantage while the iron was hot:

"Grand General, today this concubine shall utter words that are considered taboo. My uncle is my younger brother, and I know him well.

If the imperial guards remain stationary in Luoyang, he will likely be safe as the Central Protector of the Army. But the current situation is that Zhong Hui is unstable, and the expeditionary army against Shu may experience turmoil.

Should any crisis truly arise, the imperial court will likewise require an elite force to proceed to Guanzhong to suppress the rebellion. Sima Wang commands respect in Guanzhong and is familiar with the commanders within the expeditionary army; he is the irreplaceable choice for suppressing a rebellion.

Having him command the army, with the Grand General personally leading the expedition, would be far superior to my uncle serving as Central Protector of the Army.

I trust the Grand General will give this thorough consideration."

Yang Huiyu pleaded earnestly.

Yang Hu must absolute not serve as the Central Protector of the Army, for it would ruin him. As an elder sister acting like a mother, Yang Huiyu had exhausted every ounce of her energy worrying over Yang Hu.

"Let us make the arrangement thus, then."

Sima Zhao sighed and accepted Yang Huiyu's persuasion.

Hearing this, Yang Huiyu let out a long breath, the stone hanging in her heart finally dropping into place.

Yet another, even heavier stone hung higher still.

As she departed the Great General's Manor, Yang Huiyu's mind was in utter turmoil.