Shuhan

Half a month passed quietly like flowing water. During this period, the atmosphere in Shouchun City was tense and heavy.

As night fell and candlelight flickered, Sima Yi, Cui Lin, Sima Shi and others sat around a table with a map spread out on which were densely packed battle lines and layouts marked. They were discussing intensively how to repel the enemy's invasion and defend the territory of the Wei Dynasty.

Inside the house, candlelight illuminated everyone's solemn faces. Cui Lin held a pen, sometimes lowering his head in deep thought, and sometimes quickly drawing on the map.

Sima Shi stood on one side, with his hands behind his back, his eyes sharp, and he put forward his own opinions from time to time.

Sima Yi sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. Every decision seemed to be weighed repeatedly in his mind.

Just as everyone was immersed in the tense planning, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence in the room, and an urgent messenger who had traveled eight hundred miles rushed in, covered in dust, holding a sealed edict in his hand, his face pale, his eyes full of anxiety.

"Report - Your Majesty, you have passed away!" The messenger's voice trembled, but it was clearly heard by everyone, like a thunderclap, instantly shattering all plans and thoughts.

Inside the house, time seemed to freeze. Everyone was stunned. The pens in their hands fell and the ink on the map spread out, just like the waves in their hearts.

Cui Lin's hand stopped in mid-air, a hint of disbelief flashed in his eyes, while Sima Shi turned around abruptly, the muscles on his face trembling slightly, as if he was trying hard to restrain the emotions that were about to surge out.

Sima Yi was struck by lightning. His body shook slightly and the teacup in his hand accidentally slipped and the pieces splashed everywhere. The tea soaked his clothes, but he was completely unaware.

His eyes stared blankly ahead, and his mind flashed through every moment he had spent with the Emperor of Wei. Those scenes of laughter or arguments passed by like a kaleidoscope, and each scene was deeply engraved in his mind.

"Your Majesty..." Sima Yi's voice was low and hoarse, and tears slid uncontrollably, dripping along his wrinkled cheeks, dripping on his lapels, and dripping into everyone's hearts.

His face looked painful, as if his heart was torn apart and bleeding.

After a long while, he swallowed hard and said with unquestionable determination: "The whole city is in mourning to see your majesty off!"

These words seemed to have exhausted all his strength, but also made everyone present feel an unprecedented heaviness and sadness.

Cui Lin and Sima Shi looked at each other, with the same sorrow in their eyes.

But there was something else in those eyes.

When the new king ascended the throne, the situation in Luoyang had changed.

No one knows how things will develop next.

In Shouchun City, white banners were hung everywhere overnight, cries shook the sky, and the common people and soldiers all wore plain clothes and observed a moment of silence for the Emperor of Wei.

The sudden change in Shouchun was like fireworks blooming quietly in the night sky, silent but shocking.

Naturally, this subtle change did not escape the sharp eyes in the Han army camp.

At this moment, in the deepest part of the camp, inside a luxurious dragon tent, the flickering candlelight illuminated scenes of beautiful scenery.

Liu Chan was hugging Zhen Mi tightly, and the two of them were galloping on horseback in the tent, as if they were on an endless grassland, galloping to their heart's content.

After a long time, their figures slowly separated, with unfinished affection still lingering in each other's eyes.

At this moment, Fei Yi's anxious voice suddenly came from outside the tent, breaking the silence: "Your Majesty, Cao Pi of the pseudo-Wei has passed away, and the whole city of Shouchun is in mourning. The opportunity to defeat the enemy has come!"

When Liu Chan heard this, he paused and a complex light flashed in his eyes.

Zhen Mi in his arms trembled all over, as if hit by a sudden cold wind, and her face turned as pale as paper.

Liu Chan gently stroked Zhen Mi's hair, and after a moment's silence, he said, "An army that mourns will win. Now is not the best time to use troops."

After saying this, he turned to look at Zhen Mi and said, "Cao Pi is dead, and your son has inherited the throne. Are you happy or miserable?"

Zhen Mi's eyes were confused, as if she was lost in deep thought.

She shook her head gently, her voice as thin as a thread: "Your Highness, I don't know either..."

Her face was filled with mixed emotions.

Zhen Mi's heart was in turmoil. She thought of her former husband Cao Pi, the man who once doted on her but has now turned to dust.

Her eyes looked particularly empty under the candlelight, as if they had lost all focus. In her heart, she was filled with nostalgia for Cao Pi, gratitude and guilt towards Liu Chan, and confusion and anxiety about her future fate.

Just then, a gust of night wind blew by, and the curtain of the dragon tent swayed gently, bringing a hint of coolness.

Liu Chan held Zhen Mi's hand tightly, trying to give her some warmth and comfort: "Don't worry, I won't use you as a bargaining chip. I don't need to use my woman's life to take this world!"

Liu Chan's voice was firm and gentle, like a warm current slowly flowing into Zhen Mi's heart.

According to the "Book of Zhou", if the emperor passed away, the royal nobles had to observe mourning for him for three years.

During this period, customs such as weddings were not allowed, and even meat could not be eaten.

By the time of the Han Dynasty, Zhou rituals were no longer as harsh as before, and the three-year mourning period did hinder national development. Therefore, the mourning period for the emperor was changed to 36 days. Similarly, in order to allow the people to participate in the activities of commemorating the deceased emperor, the country would hold a national mourning when the emperor passed away.

During the period of national mourning, ordinary people, like the nobles, were not allowed to wear brightly colored clothes and could only wear plain clothes. Moreover, the performers playing musical instruments and singing on the streets would disappear without a trace. There would be no news of weddings or banquets.

Ordinary people who had not yet heard the news of the emperor's death saw that the once bustling streets had suddenly become deserted and quiet, and even a simple piece of meat had become difficult to buy.

Naturally, you will realize that something extraordinary has happened, so you can find out by simply asking the people around you.

Even if some people still did not notice these changes, there was one thing they would definitely notice: the reign title.

As the saying goes, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, so when the old emperor dies, a new emperor will ascend the throne. The first thing to do is to change the reign title.

When ordinary people discovered that the reign title had been changed, they would naturally understand that the old emperor had passed away.

In Shouchun City, everyone is still in mourning for the late emperor.

Ten days later, Guanqiu Jian, wearing an official robe and holding the imperial edict of the new emperor, stepped into Shouchun City with steady steps.

At this time, Sima Yi, Cui Lin, Sima Shi and others had already put on plain clothes and stood solemnly on the ground.

Their faces were solemn and their eyes were filled with complex emotions.

The moment Guanqiu Jian stepped into the hall, they immediately knelt down, ready to receive his orders.

Upon seeing this, Guanqiu Jian nodded and signaled the attendant beside him to unfold the imperial edict.

His voice echoed in the silent camp, with a sense of majesty and solemnity:

"Fengtian Chengyun Emperor, the imperial edict said:

The country has just suffered a great loss, the country is shaken, and the people are in panic. I have inherited the will of the late emperor and urgently need virtuous and talented officials to help with state affairs and bring peace to the world.

Sima Yi, the General who Conquers the East, was once appointed by the late Emperor to serve as regent. He is loyal and has made outstanding contributions.

Today, I hereby issue a special decree to the general to return to Luoyang immediately to discuss state affairs and determine the outcome of the war.

Shouchun is an important national town and all matters must be handled with caution.

After much deliberation, I have decided to have Guanqiu Jian temporarily take over the position of general and be responsible for all military and political affairs in Shouchun.

Cui Lin was a man of extraordinary talent and intelligence. He was appointed as the military commander to assist Guanqiu Jian in handling military affairs and to ensure strict military discipline and high morale.

Sima Shi is brave and good at fighting. He is appointed as the deputy general to lead the troops and defend the territory. There must be no mistakes. I hope that all the ministers will obey the order as soon as possible, put the country first, and think about the country. The rise and fall of the country is the responsibility of every man. I hope that we can overcome the difficulties together to comfort the spirit of the late emperor and calm the hearts of the people.

Admire this. "

After the imperial edict was read, Guanqiu Jian slowly rolled it up and looked at Sima Yi, Cui Lin, Sima Shi and others who were kneeling on the ground.

Sima Yi stood up slowly, his eyes revealing a deep light, as if he had seen through the changes in the future.

He looked at Guanqiu Jian and said firmly: "We will follow your orders and put the country first. Your Majesty, please rest assured that we will not fail in our mission."

Guanqiu Jian's smile gently rose at the corner of his mouth, as if a spring breeze was blowing across the frozen lake, with unquestionable determination.

"General, time is running out, let's set off today!"

His voice was not loud, but every word was clear, like a hammer hitting solid stone, echoing in the empty hall.

When Sima Yi heard this, a trace of surprise flashed across his brows, and his deep eyes seemed to contain thousands of words that had not been spoken.

"Departing today?" he murmured again, as if to confirm the authenticity of the words.

I couldn't help but feel a ripple in my heart. So fast?
Is a blessing or a curse?

He pondered secretly, but his expression remained unchanged. Only his clenched fists revealed his inner turmoil.

Sima Shi stood aside and keenly caught the subtle changes in his father's mood. He hurriedly stepped forward and said anxiously, "General, it will take a long time to pack up. Is it too hasty to set off today?"

Guanqiu Jian's smile remained, but his eyes were more profound. He said slowly, "Your Majesty's order, there is nothing I can do. How can we treat national affairs as a joke?"

While speaking, he glanced at Sima Yi intentionally or unintentionally, as if testing and reminding him.

Hearing this, Sima Yi slowly loosened his clenched fists and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, which was a kind of calmness after going through hardships.

"Since it is His Majesty's order, let's set off now!"

Then, he gently patted the clothes on his body. It was a simple plain dress. Although there was no luxurious decoration, it made him look more calm and reserved.

"Shouchun has long been a place of controversy. It doesn't matter if I lose my power if I can leave this place."

After saying this, Sima Yi turned around and his eyes fell gently on the shoulders of his son Sima Shi. Those hands, which had once held swords and pens, now just patted his son's shoulders gently, conveying silent strength and trust.

"In the future, all matters concerning Shouchun will be governed by the advice of General Guanqiu Jian, do you know?"

Sima Shi looked into his father's deep eyes, with complex emotions surging in his heart.

This separation might be a stormy one, but he also understood that his father's decisions were never made easily.

So he nodded firmly, and although his voice was light, it was very firm: "My child understands."

Outside the tent, the wind blew up the dust on the ground, and the clouds in the sky seemed to foreshadow the impending changes.

Sima Yi took a last look at the land where he had fought, an imperceptible complex emotion flashed in his eyes, and then he turned around and strode towards the horse that was about to set off. His back looked lonely and determined.

A group of three hundred people gathered at the fastest speed. They were all Sima Yi's old subordinates and were all from Luoyang. This time, it was equivalent to returning home to visit their relatives.

Sima Shi followed closely behind, his eyes fixed on his father, and he secretly swore in his heart that no matter what the future held, he would protect his family and not let his father down.

. . .

After more than twenty days of trekking through the snow, every step seemed to test the will and endurance of Sima Yi and his three hundred soldiers.

The cold wind cut their cheeks like a knife, and the flying snowflakes blurred their vision, but it could not blur the longing for home in their hearts.

Finally, after this long and arduous journey, they could see the outline of Luoyang in the distance. It was an ancient city that still stood tall in the wind and snow, and it was the warm home in their hearts.

Sima Yi stood on the snow, looking at the familiar yet distant city, with an indescribable complex emotion welling up in his heart.

He ordered them to set up camp on the spot, and the soldiers acted quickly, building simple tents and making fires in an attempt to dispel the severe cold of the past few days.

The dry food was cold, and the drinks were cold too, but at this moment, they became the most precious comfort.

The soldiers sat around the fire, sharing their stories with each other, with laughter and sighs intertwined, forming a touch of warmth in the snow.

Sima Yi sat aside, holding a piece of dry food in his hand and a faint smile on his lips.

Although life was hard, his heart was full of expectations.

When he arrives in Luoyang, he will be able to see his long-lost wife and children, and the family will be reunited to spend a happy New Year. This is such a luxury and happiness for a general who has been fighting on the battlefield all year round.

However, this tranquility did not last long.

Just as everyone was immersed in the joy of returning home, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds suddenly came from the direction of Luoyang, breaking this rare peace.

A group of people approached quickly. The leader was wearing armor and holding a spear. He was Wei Zhen, the Inspector of the Capital.

Wei Zhen came before Sima Yi, bowed, then took out an imperial edict from his bosom and read it out in a loud voice:
"Fengtian Chengyun Emperor, the imperial edict said:

There was a dramatic change in Liaodong. Gongsun Yuan gathered in Youzhou and conquered Youbeiping. He was eyeing Jizhou and threatening the territory of the Great Wei.

General Sima Yi, who has experience in suppressing rebellions in Liaodong, hereby orders you to go to Yuyang immediately. Within one year, you must suppress the rebellion of the Gongsun clan and stabilize the border! "

When Sima Yi heard this, the dry food in his hand fell and he was stunned.

This sudden order came like a bolt from the blue, shattering all his plans and aspirations.

He withdrew his gaze from Luoyang's outline and stared at Wei Zhen, feeling mixed emotions.

To pacify Liaodong in one year?
"Captain Wei Zhen," Sima Yi said in a deep voice, with a barely perceptible tremor in his voice.

"You and I both know that Liaodong is a land of dangerous terrain and fierce people. Gongsun Yuan is no ordinary man. How can it be easy to pacify it within a year?"

Wei Zhen looked solemn. He understood Sima Yi's concerns, but as a messenger conveying the imperial edict, he could only stick to his duty: "General, the imperial edict has been issued. The affairs of state cannot be taken lightly. His Majesty has high hopes for you. I hope you can put the overall situation first and get ready as soon as possible."

Sima Yi closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes were full of determination.

One emperor and one courtier.

It is indeed so!!

but.
A rotten wood will fall down in the wind, but gold will not be damaged even after hundreds of times of forging.

For Sima Yi, this matter
It is a crisis, but also an opportunity.

Sima Yi stood up and looked around at the soldiers, whose faces were also filled with surprise and anxiety.

But he still said loudly:

"Pass the order down, move camp immediately, target Yuyang."

He turned around and looked at Wei Zhen. At this moment, his face was somewhat arrogant. He laughed loudly and said, "It won't take a year, Wei Zhen. Tell His Majesty that in half a year, I, Sima Yi, can pacify the Gongsun clan!" (End of this chapter)