Thousand-year-old family: its rise began with Shang Yang’s reforms

Chapter 404: On the bank of Luo River, the words of heaven
After Sima Yi took full control of all the power of the Wei Kingdom, he finally said, at the repeated request of Cao Mao, that although he was "an old man", he was still willing to fight hard to defend his country.

So he took his two sons and many soldiers to the front line.

At this time, Cao Shuang and Cao Zhen, who had been resisting Dayu in the south, finally returned to Langya City. One of them was appointed as Situ and the other as Sikong.

This was an appointment made with Sima Yi's consent.

The reason why Sima Yi agreed was very simple, because Sima Yi felt that both Cao Zhen and Cao Shuang posed no threat to him. Having two such harmless people could not only reassure the Cao clan, but also allow the young emperor to relax his vigilance. Isn't this a good thing for him?

He stood by the river with his hands behind his back, his eyes filled with joy after the storm.

"The hardships are finally over."

His brows were filled with emotion, and he looked like a tall pine tree in the wind and snow - I wonder if the pine tree would be so angry that it would commit suicide if it had wisdom and knew that it was compared to Sima Yi.

Sima Zhao stood behind him with a look of joy on his face.

For him, whether his father could take this step was a crucial matter both for Sima and for him.

How many years can my father live?
Sima Zhao had already made plans in his mind. His father was just like Cao Cao in the past. He had made all the "preparations" for him, but died before he could become emperor.

He himself was just like Cao Pi, and he was crowned emperor.

This was Sima Zhao's plan.

Sima Yi looked at his eldest son standing beside him. The smile in his eyes did not penetrate into his bones. Instead, it became even colder, like an inexhaustible chill.

How could he not know his own child's evil ambitions?

His son was just like him, with uncontrollable ambition in his eyes. However, power was like poison, and after enjoying power, no one could let it go - even if the person who was about to accept his power was his son.

Sima Yi just didn't want to care because he felt that he would hold power tightly in his hands until the day he died.

In the autumn of the 33rd year of Zhengtong, the Han Dynasty and the Wei Dynasty fought their last war.

The Han side was led by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, while the Wei side was led by Sima Yi. The two fought a battle of "strategy", and it was obvious that Zhuge Liang was more skilled, as he forced Sima Yi to the point of death several times.

But Sima Yi's strength is not exaggerated. Even when facing Zhuge Liang, facing the now "explosive" Zhuge Liang, he can still hold on.

When the blizzard dissipated, Sima Yi was still standing there.

This is a protracted war.

The thirty-fourth year of the Zhengtong period.

Spring:

Zhuge Liang sounded the horn to call back his troops.

No reason.

It came with great force, but left in a very ordinary way, like a joke.

Riverside, in front of the army

Sima Yi stood by the river, his face full of confusion and solemnity. Why did Zhuge Liang withdraw his troops? This time, he did not have any contact with the people around Liu Chan, nor did he use any tactics to alienate them.

Or, in other words, Liu Chan killed all the attendants around him after Zhuge Liang sent out his troops, including Huang Hao, the most favored one.

After that, he stayed in the palace alone, and all the people who served him were selected by Zhuge Liang!
If Sima Yi had not known that Zhuge Liang had no intention of treason, he would have even suspected that Zhuge Liang's plan to send troops to the east was fake and that he really wanted to seize power and usurp the throne.

"Father, the army is ready to go."

Sima Zhao stood beside Sima Yi with excitement and recklessness in his eyes. He knew very well that they had already prepared everything and were just waiting for his father to return to Kyoto.

As long as his father returns to Kyoto, Sima will become emperor!
And his eldest son is the crown prince!
How could this not make Sima Zhao excited and happy?

That supreme position was beckoning to him.

"Father?"

Sima Zhao looked at his father in a daze with a slightly curious look on his face. He greeted him again, and then a confused look appeared on his face.

"Father?"

Sima Yi was awakened by Sima Zhao's gentle voice. He sighed and said as he walked back, "I don't know why, but I always feel like there's a thunder in my heart, and I feel a little chilly."

“There’s always a bad feeling.”

"Zhuge Liang came with great force this time, but he left in a very hasty manner, as if he deliberately lured me to go to war, deliberately lured me to take you out, and deliberately lured me to release Cao Zhen and Cao Shuang to return to Langya."

Sima Yi frowned, with more and more anxiety in his brows.

He sighed, "I hope I'm overthinking it."

Sima Zhao didn't understand what his father was thinking and tried his best to comfort him.

"Father, why do you worry so much?"

"It's all just a small matter."

He smiled and said, "In Kyoto, the Cao family is no longer a concern. After Cao Shuang and Cao Zhen returned to Kyoto, they no longer have military power. How can such people compete with us?"

"What's more, in politics, many noble families also support us. The Cao family can no longer offer enough benefits for these noble families to support them!"

"With my fifth brother in Langya, everything will be fine."

Sima Yi covered his chest with his hands. Although he still didn't understand where that feeling came from, he nodded.

The army slowly moved towards Langya.

People are doing it.

Langya
Weiyang Palace
Cao Zhen and Cao Shuang looked at Cao Mao in front of them with shocked expressions on their faces: "Your Majesty, what did you say?"

Cao Shuang said in disbelief: "Why, why would you do this?"

Cao Mao just sat there and raised his head calmly: "You two, this is the only way to deal with the current situation."

"Don't question my decision."

He sighed and said, "My two uncles, I once played in your mansions. Those were the days I looked forward to and missed. But now, the power in the court is so complicated that I can only protect you two with all my strength."

"When the Prime Minister returns, you can submit your resignation letter."

Cao Shuang and Cao Zhen lowered their heads with confusion in their eyes, but because they saw Cao Mao's eyes, they continued their "performance".

Finally, under Cao Mao's calm expression, the two men painfully expressed that they would wait until Sima Yi returned and then write a letter to resign.

In a corner where no one was paying attention, a eunuch had a flash of surprise on his face, but in the end he looked around and then quietly retreated.

General's Mansion
Sima Yi and others had just returned to the mansion when they saw Sima Liang walking towards them with a pleased look on his face. His steps were hurried, but one could tell he was "satisfied".

"Father, elder brother."

There was even a hint of joy in his voice.

This made Sima Yi and Sima Zhao feel very surprised. What on earth could make Sima Liang, who had always remained calm, unable to hold back the smile on his face?

"What happened, Liang'er?"

Sima Yi looked at Sima Liang and asked softly, while walking towards the mansion.

Sima Liang smiled and told him everything the eunuch had said to him. He also took out the resignation letters of Cao Shuang and Cao Zhen and said, "Father, isn't this a great joy?"

"Under the persuasion and assurances of many noble families, the young emperor finally agreed to abdicate!"

"He also convinced the clans headed by Cao Shuang and Cao Zhen that they were willing to resign from their posts and retire! From now on, the world belongs to our Sima family!"

Even a man as shrewd as Sima Yi could not help but pause. He turned his head, and an unparalleled light burst out from his turbid eyes.

"Is this true?"

Sima Liang could no longer restrain his inner joy. He laughed loudly: "Hahahahahahahahahaha, father! At this moment, the letter of resignation from Cao Zhen and Cao Shuang is already in my hands. Could it be false?" "Now, the Prime Minister's Office and the Secretariat are all our people. As long as we nod, this memorial will take effect immediately!"

"Congratulations, Dad! Congratulations, Dad!"

"Finally I got what I wanted!"

Sima Yi looked at the memorial and couldn't help but shed tears. He closed his eyes and stood there in a daze, looking up to let the sun fall on his old cheeks.

After a moment, he calmed down his emotions, looked at the two of them and said, "I will go to the palace immediately to see His Majesty!"

"Hurry up and go to the Xun family, Zhuge family, Wang family, Lu family, Xie family and other noble families, tell their heads of the family about this, and ask them to prepare!"

Sima Zhao and others nodded.

Sima Yi walked quickly to the gate of the mansion, got on the carriage and headed towards the palace.

Thirty years of suffering, now success!

How happy and carefree!
The carriage moved slowly, leaving the streets in the distance behind him.

People are doing it.

Weiyang Palace
Cao Mao and Sima Yi sat facing each other, with calmness in their eyes. At this moment, he was no longer the young boy who had just ascended the throne and could only rely on Sima Yi and Chen Ying.

He was no longer afraid or scared at this time, and he did not do anything excessive. After all, the palace had almost been infiltrated by Sima Yi.

Even the Imperial Guards are Sima Yi's men!

Cao Mao was already in a wolf's den.

"Prime Minister."

Cao Mao pushed the cup in front of him towards Sima Yi with a faint smile on his face.

"I also understand the principle that the winners are the kings and the losers are the bandits."

"Back then, my grandfather relied on his great strength to defeat Emperor Xian, and then received the emperor's abdication. From then on, he had the 'legitimacy'."

"I think Prime Minister Sima also wants such a 'legitimacy'."

"Otherwise, the one who came at this time would not be Prime Minister Sima."

Cao Mao chuckled: "In the deep palace, there are too many ways to kill me that don't seem to have any tricks."

Sima Yi sat there, and even at this point he remained respectful.

"Your Majesty, I don't understand what you are saying."

Cao Mao shook his head: "At this point, Prime Minister, do you still want to talk to me about these twists and turns?"

He said bluntly: "If you agree to my three requests, I will issue an edict of abdication and go through this drama of three requests and three refusal with the Prime Minister, and then let the Sima family sit firmly on the throne and be known as a righteous man."

Sima Yi slowly raised his head, like a dying tiger.

The old tiger is still fierce.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

His voice was hoarse, as if squeezed out, and a little unclear.

Cao Mao did not hesitate and spoke word for word according to what Chen Ying had taught him.

"First, you must promise me that after you ascend the throne, you will not take action against the Cao clan, just as the Cao clan will raise the descendants of the Liu clan."

To this day, Liu is still the king.

Sima Yi said without hesitation: "I agree."

Cao Mao looked at Sima Yi and continued, "Secondly, Cao wants a position as a minor Zhongzheng official."

"I understand that, at least within three generations, the Sima family will not be able to trust the Cao family to re-enter the court and take charge of huge power, but the Xiaozhongzhengguan can only decide on the appointment of officials below the sixth rank."

"I am only doing this to give the Cao family a guarantee so that they will not become a second-rate family or even a poor family."

Sima Yi thought about this for a long time, but he still nodded in agreement.

"I agree."

Cao Mao finally breathed a sigh of relief and leaned forward slightly: "Prime Minister, the third point is the most important one. If you cannot agree to this, then the first two points will not count."

Sima Yi narrowed his eyes and nodded, but in his heart he was thinking about what Cao Mao's third point was.

At this moment, Cao Mao's voice fell.

"For the above two items, the Prime Minister needs to swear by the Luo River!"

"Please ask Luoshui, the heaven and earth, the common people of the world, and the many noble families to investigate."

"It's just like when Emperor Guangwu pointed at the Luo River and said he would no longer pursue Wang Mang's crimes!"

After these words were spoken, Sima Yi remained silent for a long time.

He understood that Cao Mao was not very confident in him.

After a moment, he smiled and said, "I agree."

Agreeing does not mean that he is willing, and agreeing does not mean that he will comply.

It's just a little face and reputation.

He is not afraid.

In the silent hall, the scent of agarwood floated slowly.

The figures of an old man and a young man are reflected among the countless incense sticks.

People are doing it.

In the thirty-fourth year of the Zhengtong reign, a major event shocked the world, but it did not shock Langya.

Cao Wei Emperor Cao Mao issued an abdication edict, announcing the handing over of the throne to Sima Yi.

Sima Yi declined.

More than a month later, another edict was issued.

Sima Yi continued to refuse.

Ten days later, the third imperial edict was issued, and Sima Yi continued to refuse.

Three days later, the fourth edict was issued.

Sima Yi agreed.

On the banks of the Luo River.

Sima Yi, many children of aristocratic families, children of Cao family, the emperor of Cao family, or the former emperor "Cao Mao" stood there, with the sound of drums around them, looking vicissitudes and gloomy.

"Now, Sima Yi of the Sima clan imitated the old deeds of Emperor Guangwu and swore an oath by pointing to the Luo River."

"I will never harm anyone in the Cao family."

"This is what the heaven and earth have to bear witness to."

"If you break this oath, you will be punished by heaven and earth, and struck by lightning!"

The Luo River continues to rush forward, carrying Sima Yi's oath with it.

People are doing it.

(End of this chapter)