Prologue 7: Loyalty and Righteousness—A Difficult Balance

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When playing cards, if one had the ability to see through the cards, they could clearly see the opponent’s hand. As long as one’s own cards weren’t too terrible and one’s skills weren’t poor, victory was almost guaranteed.

Shi Gandang had already seen through Cao Mao’s hand. So although Cao Mao was emperor, in Shi Gandang’s eyes, this emperor was in a position of absolute weakness.

“Your Majesty, I wish to tell you a story. I hope you will listen patiently,” Shi Gandang said, bowing respectfully to Cao Mao.

Cao Mao nodded. “Very well.”

“Your Majesty, far from my homeland, there is a certain kingdom—no need to ask where exactly, but such a kingdom exists. In this kingdom, there was a prince of the royal family, born of a concubine, living a carefree life without worries. Then, over several years, the king of that country passed away one after another, and military and political power fell into the hands of a powerful minister at court.

“Crucially, this minister’s two sons were also formidable. Within just a few years, they killed nearly all those who openly opposed them. To facilitate their usurpation, they elevated this concubine-born prince to the throne. This prince was clever and courageous, constantly using righteousness to negotiate with the minister’s family.

“Unfortunately, his strength was too limited, he ascended too late, and his opponents acted too swiftly. Day by day, he tried to advance his pawn, hoping to wear down the minister using the ‘dripping water wears through stone’ approach, believing his youth could outlast the minister. But the minister’s family pressed forward ten steps at a time, seizing power faster and faster. For years, open and covert struggles raged, but power was gradually stolen piece by piece.

“As the minister’s faction spread throughout the court and country, the minister himself was on the verge of usurping the throne, just steps away from formal abdication and succession.

“Ah, that kingdom had a tradition: such a change of dynasty by a minister had to follow certain formal procedures.

“This concubine-born king, seeing his family’s legacy about to be snatched away, conceived one final gambit: to use his own death to drag the minister’s family down with him, to forever disgrace them and utterly shatter their peaceful dreams of usurpation!”

At this point, Shi Gandang paused and looked at Cao Mao, asking, “Your Majesty, would you like to hear the rest of the story? If so, I can continue.”

Cao Mao was so frightened he could hardly speak.

This darkest thought buried deep in his heart, he had never voiced to anyone, not even to trusted aides like Li Zhao. Yet here it was, revealed so plainly by the man before him.

Cao Mao was young but intelligent and deeply understood human nature.

Those loyal to him did so because they still harbored a glimmer of hope: Sima Zhao was just flesh and blood, born of parents — what if he were suddenly cut down by one stroke?

What if? Wouldn’t that change the world?

That was why people were willing to follow Cao Mao.

Ultimately, it was because there was still a chance of gain.

Even if that chance approached zero, there was still a faint hope for a miracle.

Seeking profit and avoiding harm is human instinct.

However, Cao Mao’s true plan never accounted for the possibility of ‘winning.’ To put it bluntly, the good outcome those men hoped for was truly zero in probability.

Not a shred of hope.

Cao Mao’s purpose was simply to drag the Sima clan into the abyss. Nothing else was of concern.

To be frank, those who followed him were merely expendable tools to achieve this goal.

If his followers knew the final outcome, who would still want to follow him?

Cao Mao wanted to use his death to make the Sima family infamous for eternity!

Sima Zhao wanting to become emperor? A pipe dream!

When a street assassin ascends the throne, it means any ruler can be killed — didn’t the Sima clan fear this after changing the dynasty?

Cao Mao thought his deep thoughts were secret, but in the eyes of the man who claimed to be his sworn son, it was as if he were standing naked in broad daylight! All thoughts were laid bare under the sun.

“You… continue,” Cao Mao said, his voice faltering. Never before had he been so flustered; now his mind was in turmoil.

“Then, this concubine-born king deliberately leaked news that one day’s court assembly would resolve the minister’s family once and for all. He personally trained troops in the palace.

“Many spies of the minister were nearby, so the news naturally reached the minister, who made thorough preparations. The minister privately mocked the young king for overestimating himself.

“To forever disgrace the minister, the king shamelessly exposed his preparations. Almost all nobles in the capital knew that on that day, a fierce battle would break out at the palace!

“Everyone was ready to watch the spectacle!

“But this was merely a feint by the king. The expected events would not happen. His real plan was to sneak with a small number of trusted palace troops through a side gate before the assembly, rushing to the minister’s mansion.

“Of course, the king could not kill the minister, nor even approach the mansion.”

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The king’s forces would be intercepted by the minister’s loyal troops en route. Those soldiers vastly outnumbered the king’s.

But what did it matter? It was all part of the king’s plan.

At that moment, the king would force his way into the enemy lines, only to be killed by some foolish general.

Who would strike didn’t matter — whether this one or that one.

Even if no one dared strike, the king would throw himself onto the blade.

In the end, when the minister learned of the king’s death, he came to the body and wept bitterly. He was not mourning the king’s death but lamenting the ruin of his years of effort, the collapse of his plan to usurp the throne, his heart torn apart.

Afterward, he was widely despised throughout court and country.

He had to build prestige and military merit by conquering nearby states to achieve the one-step-short dream of changing the dynasty. Whether this aging minister could realize this was known only to heaven.

Perhaps he would never fulfill his wish; perhaps his family would be swallowed by the curse brought by the king.

What happened afterward, I have not heard. That is the end of the story.”

Shi Gandang finished telling the “story” slowly and looked squarely at Cao Mao.

“Does anyone else know this story?”

Cao Mao asked nervously, his hands trembling slightly.

He finally realized the man before him was no ordinary person! This so-called “story” was practically a rehearsal of his own plan!

“No, not even Shi Family’s Sixth Son—Shi Chong—knows,” Shi Gandang said calmly. Actually, Shi Bao knows but would never tell anyone, much less side with Sima Zhao.

The weaker the Sima family, the better for us heavenly dragonborn! A weak ruler means strong ministers!

Cao Mao breathed a sigh of relief. It was better that no one else knew; if the plan leaked, there would be no point in proceeding.

“Your Majesty, three days hence, I am willing to fight by your side, sword in hand, acting as your vanguard.

“Accompanying me will be Shi Family’s Sixth Son.”

Shi Gandang took a step forward and bowed deeply to Cao Mao.

“You all!” Cao Mao suddenly rose, came to Shi Gandang’s side, and grasped his sleeve, unable to speak for a long time.

“Do you know, even if you’re not killed on the spot, Sima Zhao… won’t spare you afterward?

“He can’t touch Shi Bao, but killing you all is but a flick of the hand!”

Cao Mao’s tone was urgent. His impression of Shi Chong had changed drastically—no, it was completely overturned!

“Your Majesty, my sworn father Shi Bao owes his success to the Sima family. He remembers the source of his water and cannot help your Majesty against the Sima family.

“Loyalty and righteousness cannot both be fulfilled; Shi Bao can only be loyal to the Sima family, not to Your Majesty.

“Shi Family’s Sixth Son cannot bear to see his father branded disloyal. To fulfill filial duty, he is willing to serve Your Majesty faithfully, regardless of life or death.

“I was once saved by Shi Family’s Sixth Son. To repay this kindness, I accompany him to death, willing to brave any danger. That is all.

“We have no troops, no unparalleled martial skills, and will never betray Your Majesty. We offer only our two seven-foot bodies to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty.”

Shi Gandang’s words struck with force, deafening and clear.

“Good! Good! Good!” Cao Mao was moved to tears, gripping Shi Gandang’s arm tightly and repeatedly exclaiming praise!

Shi Bao may not come, but his son is here, a sacrifice of a legitimate heir.

This loyalty to the country is as solid as gold and stone! Truly worthy of the Cao clan!

Though this changes nothing strategically, it boosts Cao Mao’s morale immensely!

Cao Mao was touched. He did not expect Shi Bao to bring troops to fight Sima Zhao head-on!

Not to mention that troops might not even obey Shi Bao, who was promoted by Sima Yi from obscurity. If this great commander moved against the Sima family, how would others view him as an ungrateful traitor?

“You two, move into my private chambers. I have been reckless to let loyal and righteous men like you live in such humble quarters. It is my fault!” Cao Mao said with heartfelt regret. Fortunately, Shi Chong and the others did not mind.

“Your Majesty, such a move might alert the enemy. Sima Zhao sent Shi Family’s Sixth Son into the palace as a Yellow Gate Attendant, partly to kill by proxy, partly to monitor Your Majesty.

“If we move into Your Majesty’s chambers, Sima Zhao will surely realize we have betrayed him,” Shi Gandang quickly advised.

“Reasonable,” Cao Mao nodded without denial.

He sighed and looked at Shi Gandang: “A strategist like you, if you had come to my side earlier, things would not have ended in such ruin. Heaven does not favor the Cao clan; I have truly tried my best. I wished to kill the traitors but lacked the strength to change the tide.”

Tears welled in Cao Mao’s eyes, his sorrow and anger evident.

The clear-sighted suffer. They often live less happily than fools.

“Your Majesty, I have a bold request. I hope you will grant it,” Shi Gandang bowed.

“What could be refused now? Even if you asked to sleep with my concubines, I would not hesitate,” Cao Mao smiled bitterly.

In three days, they would all be dead; what was there to fuss over? Even if Shi Gandang asked for the stars in the sky, Cao Mao would find a way.

“Your Majesty jokes. This matter is easy for Your Majesty, not troublesome at all,” Shi Gandang smiled slightly and waved his hand. He was not a stranger from another world, so he refrained from absurd requests.

His request was truly easy for Cao Mao.

...

Time passed swiftly; two days flew by.

Tomorrow was the day of the court assembly. The atmosphere in Luoyang grew tense. Curfew began even before nightfall.

In the residence of the Grand General, Sima Zhao’s study, the powerful minister discussed tomorrow’s plans with his trusted advisors.

Suddenly, Sima Yan entered, whispered a few words into Sima Zhao’s ear, and then led Shi Gandang into the study.

“This is Jia Chong, Lord Jia Gonglu; this is Li Yin, Lord Li Xuanbo. Both are my trusted aides. Speak frankly,” Sima Zhao said sharply, his tone severe yet urging.

“Grand General, I have the troop deployment map for tomorrow’s palace forces. Please examine it,” Shi Gandang produced a silk scroll from his sleeve and placed it on the desk.

Sima Zhao glanced briefly, then burned it by the oil lamp until it turned to ash. He then said to Jia Chong and Li Yin, “The emperor is indeed moving tomorrow. Several maps are identical.”

Sima Zhao spoke calmly, clearly confident. He had many spies in the palace; every move of Cao Mao’s was under surveillance.

He knew Shi Chong had been obedient these days, as expected. So tomorrow would depend on Shi Chong’s luck.

If lucky, after tomorrow, Sima Zhao would immediately give Shi Chong a prestigious post far away, to groom him as a trusted confidant.

If unlucky, and Cao Mao’s trap succeeded, Sima Zhao would attend Shi Bao’s mourning at the Shi residence, comforting the father.

Old Shi, your son was killed by Cao Mao. I never expected the emperor to be so ruthless. You can understand, right?

You wouldn’t want your son to have died in vain. Do you know what to do for me next?

Sima Zhao had already prepared Shi Chong’s eulogy.

“Thank you for your hard work. Have a good meal at the residence before returning,” Sima Zhao said kindly to Shi Gandang, showing respect to one likely to die soon.

“I dare not delay your important affairs. But to prevent mishaps, please grant me a token to move about during curfew. It’s easy to enter the General’s residence but not so easy to return to the palace; the curfew outside is very strict,” Shi Gandang whispered his request.

This was a careful plan. If it was discovered that Shi Gandang was not in the palace tonight, it could alert the enemy and make Cao Mao wary.

Hearing this, Sima Zhao’s fondness for talent immediately surfaced. He took off the jade pendant at his waist and handed it over: “You’re impressive. I will tell Commander Shi to allow you free movement within the General’s residence. Go, and do not delay important matters.”

Sima Zhao had no qualms about dangling hope before a man about to die. If Shi Gandang survived tomorrow, he would be recruited into the residence for training.

If he died, then so be it. Just lie down obediently.

Shi Gandang bowed and took his leave.

After he left, Li Yin casually remarked, “The Grand General has a keen eye. I do think this man has some ability.”

Li Yin held a position akin to Minister of Personnel in the General’s residence, specializing in recommending talents.

“Ability perhaps, but luck is another matter,” the veteran Jia Chong said slowly, clearly pessimistic about Shi Gandang surviving tomorrow.

“Indeed,” Sima Zhao nodded slightly, turning to Jia Chong with a serious expression. “Stay here tonight. Tomorrow, if the emperor launches a coup in the palace, immediately…”

His eyes flashed with deadly intent as he made a slashing motion with his hand.

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