Even though Wang Mi’s main camp was wiped out months ago, Sima Yue did not return to Luoyang. Instead, he settled in Xidu. His sole purpose was to uproot those relatives who posed a threat to him.
Prince Chengdu Sima Ying declared himself emperor, causing considerable turmoil for an entire year, and almost shaking the foundation of the dynasty. However, would eliminating Prince Chengdu ensure absolute safety? Within the Sima clan alone, there were forty to fifty branches, and many had initially sided with the false emperor. Even if they didn’t show their stance, wouldn’t an excessive concentration of power breed thoughts of rebellion? Learning from past experiences, how could Sima Yue allow such threats to persist?
Therefore, not only did he not return to Luoyang, but Sima Yue also summoned many courtiers to Xidu. Decree after decree followed, replacing potential threats with his trusted followers. These methods might have caused a stir in the court a few years ago, but now, with absolute power in his hands, no one dared to resist.
This further fueled Sima Yue’s sense of satisfaction. Now that the Xianbei had been driven out of Bing County, the bandits in Ji County had been eliminated, and the rebel forces in Jing County and Yu County had been crushed, except for the simulated Xiongnu forces in Hedong, there were signs of peace. This allowed Sima Yue to act even more recklessly.
However, this pleasant mood did not last long.
“Guo Daojiang actually inquired about the affairs of Yan County?” Sima Yue’s brows furrowed high, displaying displeasure on his face.
Guo Xi was his trusted and capable general. After the major battles, Sima Yue had rewarded him generously with promotions and honors. However, the power to control the military ultimately had to remain in his own hands. Even if he trusted Guo Xi deeply, he could not simply relinquish control of vital regions like Yan County!
Pan Sima, who was on the side, whispered, “General Guo might be displeased that Prime Minister personally assumed the position of provincial governor…”
To govern the provinces was something Sima Yue had long wanted to do. The distribution of provinces such as Jing County, Yu County, and Qing County was a way to reward his trusted subordinates. Initially, Sima Yue had considered appointing Guo Xi as the supreme commander of a County. However, based on the counsel of Pan Tao and others who argued that Gou Xi had ambitious aspirations and was not just a loyal minister, he changed his mind. Now, why would Guo Xi directly bring up the matter? Wasn’t the title of Grand General and Duke enough?
However, regardless of his anger, Sima Yue still knew the importance of the situation. Guo Xi was a formidable warrior who had helped him suppress rebels and eliminate bandits. However, Sima Yue bit his lip and said, “Jingwen is not faring well in Jiangdong and seems to want to invite Wang Chuzhong as a deputy. Why not change Wang Chuzhong’s post as the Inspector of Qing County to the Inspector of Yang County and grant the entire region of Qing County to Guo Daojiang?”
He was referring to the Eastern Expedition General and the Inspector of Yang County, Sima Rui. Previously, Sima Yue had dispatched Sima Rui to Jiangdong out of fear that the situation in the Central Plains would deteriorate, hoping to provide a fallback position. However, Sima Rui, after going to Qing County, had not managed to establish good relations with the prominent families of Jiangdong. He had sent multiple letters, expressing his desire to enlist the assistance of wise and virtuous individuals. This was the perfect opportunity to send Wang Dun there and hand over Qing county to Gou Xi, resolving a troublesome situation.
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Pan Sima was momentarily stunned. “But Wang Dun is not an ordinary person. If he enters Jiangdong, he might develop other intentions…”
Sima Yue snorted, “You said earlier that Guo Daojiang is an extraordinary person, and now you say Wang Chuzhong is not an ordinary person. Does that mean I have no capable individuals left?”
The tone was unfriendly, and Pan Sima immediately closed his mouth. Recently, Sima held absolute power, and his temperament had become increasingly eccentric. Advising him once was enough; saying more might invite trouble.
Seeing Pan Sima no longer speaking, Sima Yue nodded, “Quickly write to Wang and get this matter settled.”
Wang Yan should not refuse. After all, it was just a switch of inspectors, and Qing County was remote with frequent conflicts, not as safe as Yang County. As for Guo Xi, hmph, with a region like Qing County, he should be content.
Thinking he had arranged the rewards for his prominent subordinates, Sima Yue focused on dealing with dissent. Unexpectedly, half a month later, a memorial shocked him, making him jump from his seat.
“You want me to execute Pan Tao and Liu Wang? Such audacity!” Sima Yue slammed the letter on the ground, angrily exclaiming.
Guo Xi did not appreciate the gesture. Instead of accepting the appointment as the Inspector of Qing County, he wrote a memorial accusing Pan Tao and others of having malicious intentions and falsely accusing him. These were trusted confidants of Sima Yue; how could an outsider like Guo Xi dictate their fate?
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Pan Tao, who was now being sought for his life, lost his calm demeanor and said with resentment, “I heard that an envoy from the Luoyang palace has entered General Guo’s tent. Could he have persuaded General Guo to deal with the Prime Minister?”
“What?” Sima Yue was genuinely shocked, cold sweat breaking out on his back. When did the young emperor get involved with Guo Xi? He had deployed so many spies in Luoyang, why hadn’t any news reached him? If things were indeed true, he wouldn’t be facing a beloved general he could call a brother; instead, he would be confronting an implacable enemy!
“Quickly send someone to Luoyang to check the situation in the palace!” Sima Yue’s face was grim, and he spoke with a stern voice.
The young emperor couldn’t be killed for now. As long as the Son of Heaven was in his hands, others wouldn’t dare to openly rebel. If he ruthlessly harmed the young emperor, someone would immediately rise, claiming to be upholding the banner of a loyal subject, to avenge him. What’s more, he had just dealt with a bunch of relatives. How could he quickly find a suitable candidate to ascend the throne?
Stabilize the palace and make the restless emperor behave! As for Guo Xi… Sima Yue’s eyes flashed with a murderous intent. “How can I, for the sake of personal gain, kill a trusted subordinate? Guo Dao has become too arrogant! Reject this matter and order him to enter Qing County as soon as possible!”
If Guo Xi hadn’t learned to restrain himself, Sima Yue wouldn’t have considered their past friendship!
※
“Your Majesty, the situation in Xidu has already caused quite a stir. If it’s not dealt with soon, it may jeopardize Luoyang…” Wang Yan wore a worried expression and advised in a deep voice.
In fact, he had been avoiding trouble at home for several days. Ever since Sima Yue wanted Wang Dun to step down as the provincial governor of Qing County and take over Yang County, this old fox Wang Yan had become alert. It was clear that there was a conflict between Sima Yue and Guo Xi, and if one was in trouble, he, being in the middle, would also be affected. Fortunately, Wang Dun himself wasn’t interested in going to Qing County. He was determined to follow Wang Dao’s example and assist Sima Rui in Jiangdong. Wang Yan took advantage of the situation, letting him take over the appointment as the governor of Yang County, giving face to both sides.
Who would have expected that despite both sides making concessions, the anger between the two had not subsided. In these past few days, Sima Yue’s son had already stationed himself in the palace, and all the officials guarding the court had been replaced, with Sima Yue’s own national troops taking their places. The rumors within the palace were rampant, and who dared to stand on the side of the emperor anymore?
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As for Wang Yan himself, he followed Sima Yue’s instructions to come and “advise” the emperor. Wang Yan truly didn’t want to get involved in this matter, but as Sima Yue’s representative in the court, he had to step forward to give a warning.
On the imperial throne, the young emperor’s eyelids drooped slightly as he spoke in a low voice, “Minister Wang, you worry too much. It’s probably just a misunderstanding between the Prime Minister and General Guo. General Guo first eliminated the false emperor, then pacified the rebellious forces, truly accomplishing great deeds. Such a loyal minister can certainly govern Yan County. Perhaps malicious individuals are trying to sow discord.”
Wang Yan furrowed his brow. The implied meaning in the words was clear – Sima Yue should step back a bit, give up Yan County, and execute Pan Tao and others to appease Guo Xi. This wasn’t advice; it was clearly provoking the emotions of both sides! However, the young emperor’s face showed no signs of scheming. On the contrary, he seemed somewhat submissive, as if this inexperienced youth feared trouble and wanted to avoid offending either side to maintain peace.
Was this his sincere opinion? Wang Yan couldn’t fully understand and could only sigh lightly, “Your Majesty, the only one you can rely on right now is the Prime Minister. If you show favoritism, it may chill the Prime Minister’s heart.”
This statement was more direct, leaving no room for misunderstanding. However, the person on the throne remained silent for a moment and suddenly said, “Are there still generals like General Guo in the court?”
Wang Yan was startled, looking at the emperor, who appeared sincere. The meaning behind the words was too clear! He might be under Sima Yue’s influence, but if Sima Yue and Guo Xi fell out, could the empire still be preserved? It was no longer the time of the Tai period or even the Yuan period. Back then, even if one or two great generals were killed, it wouldn’t matter much; there were plenty of capable individuals to guard Luoyang.
But now? In more than a decade of chaos, numerous capable military commanders had died, and military disasters were frequent. If not for Guo Xi, a warlord on par with Han Xin and Bai Qi, could Sima Yue have defeated the false emperor and eradicated the rebel forces? Wolves roamed freely outside, and tigers and leopards were everywhere. It was not a time for archery and cooking dogs!
But could he utter such words without understanding the meaning behind his recent provocative language?
Looking at the slender figure on the throne, a child with an expressionless face, Wang Yan also felt a chill in his heart. Sima Yue suspected that the emperor had sent an envoy to incite Guo Xi against him, but he couldn’t find any evidence. If this plot was indeed orchestrated by the emperor, what kind of scheming and tactics did he employ?
Can Sima Yue kill the emperor? At least not at this moment! The more Guo Xi accuses him of monopolizing power, the less Sima Yue can act recklessly. Once Sima Yue lays hands on the emperor, others will immediately raise the banner of loyal subjects. Can Guo Xi raise an army? What about Wang Jun in You County? What about Liang Zixi in Bing County? If he loses this puppet in his hands, Sima Yue will be left with no way out, powerless and desperate!
Therefore, he could only tightly control this somewhat unruly emperor, finding ways to eliminate potential threats. The more Guo Xi stirred up trouble, the safer the emperor became! So, wouldn’t it be a beneficial and harmless thing to sow discord between Guo Xi and Sima Yue?
No one understood better than Wang Yan what challenges this young emperor faced. He had no confidants, no wise ministers, and not even close relatives by his side. Who could advise him? If this cunning plan was devised by the emperor alone, his scheming was not inferior to those of experienced old ministers. A ruler with such deep cunning, if only three to five years earlier, could the realm still be in chaos?
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Wang Yan suppressed his facial expression, letting out a light sigh. “Your Majesty is right. Let’s hope both parties can set aside their grievances.”
Wang Yan had no intention of getting involved. Whether this was the young emperor’s conspiracy or how far Sima Yue and Guo Xi would escalate their conflict, he had no interest in investigating. The most important thing was to preserve his own life. Anyway, Wang Cheng had already pacified Jing County, and Wang Dun had taken up the post of governor in Yang County. His plans for a threefold strategy had already been realized. Even if the court descended into chaos, the Wang family in Langya wouldn’t be implicated. Moreover, Wang Yan was confident in using his eloquence to gain the trust of the eventual victor. Who wins or loses, what did it matter to him?
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Looking at Wang Yan’s calm expression, the young emperor restrained his emotions and countless thoughts in his heart.
Ten days later, Guo Xi did not assume the post in Qing County. Instead, he issued a proclamation, bitterly denouncing Sima Yue’s various misdeeds, accusing him of deceiving the emperor and monopolizing power. Subsequently, Guo Xi mustered a large army and marched towards Xidu.
Sima Yue was both shocked and resentful, hastily dispatching trusted aides like Liu Kun to intercept him. In Luoyang, the young emperor did not blame Sima Yue but issued a decree, emphasizing that the Prime Minister should prioritize state affairs. However, anyone could see that this was an attempt to make Sima Yue yield some power. No one in the court was foolish; everyone understood that the emperor was becoming dissatisfied with Sima Yue. If this prime minister, who ruled over five provinces, could step back a bit, how much power could slip through the cracks?
The number of people discontent with Sima Yue’s arrogance was countless, and there were many who harbored fear, afraid of falling victim to his ruthless methods at any moment. The opposition against Sima Yue grew louder, rising alongside the flames of war, igniting fiercely.
The calm in the heartland of the Central Plains lasted less than two months before plunging back into turmoil. Even in the distant northern regions, some began to entertain thoughts.
“Guo Xi is going to confront Sima Yue?” Wang Jun, with a sly look in his eyes, examined the feathered edict, a hint of a cold smile playing on his lips. “That’s interesting. This man seems unaware of his own authority and where it comes from.”
Wang Jun had long harbored discontent towards Sima Yue. If it weren’t for him capturing Ye City and Chang’an in the first place, where would Sima Yue be today? Despite his significant achievements, not to mention the matter of Dai Jun, just the handling of Ji County made him furious. The court did not let him concurrently hold the post of the Commander of Ji County, instead, Sima Yue personally took the position of provincial governor and appointed the Xianbei general, Yiyan, as a commandant. Now, the hard work of eradicating bandits had turned into a marriage gift for someone else!
In the past, Wang Jun might have been eager to lead an army to punish Yiyan. However, the Xianbei seemed either hesitant in battle or satisfied with the court’s rewards, as he had stopped in the southeast of Ji County without showing any intention of reaching for other commanderies. Now, Wang Jun wasn’t in a hurry to take action. It seemed that the discord between Yiyan and Liang Zixi was indeed true. Why push him into the arms of the enemy unnecessarily?
Therefore, after consolidating the newly acquired territory in Ji County, Wang Jun’s attention shifted back to Bing County. With Ji County now secured, it was time to raise an army.
When would be the best time to start the war? Before he could decide, the opportunity presented itself. Sima Yue unexpectedly wanted to borrow troops from him? Alas, his family’s military forces were in short supply!
“Gather provisions immediately and march towards Bing County!”
Even though Wang Mi’s main camp was wiped out months ago, Sima Yue did not return to Luoyang. Instead, he settled in Xidu. His sole purpose was to uproot those relatives who posed a threat to him.
Prince Chengdu Sima Ying declared himself emperor, causing considerable turmoil for an entire year, and almost shaking the foundation of the dynasty. However, would eliminating Prince Chengdu ensure absolute safety? Within the Sima clan alone, there were forty to fifty branches, and many had initially sided with the false emperor. Even if they didn’t show their stance, wouldn’t an excessive concentration of power breed thoughts of rebellion? Learning from past experiences, how could Sima Yue allow such threats to persist?
Therefore, not only did he not return to Luoyang, but Sima Yue also summoned many courtiers to Xidu. Decree after decree followed, replacing potential threats with his trusted followers. These methods might have caused a stir in the court a few years ago, but now, with absolute power in his hands, no one dared to resist.
This further fueled Sima Yue’s sense of satisfaction. Now that the Xianbei had been driven out of Bing County, the bandits in Ji County had been eliminated, and the rebel forces in Jing County and Yu County had been crushed, except for the simulated Xiongnu forces in Hedong, there were signs of peace. This allowed Sima Yue to act even more recklessly.
However, this pleasant mood did not last long.
“Guo Daojiang actually inquired about the affairs of Yan County?” Sima Yue’s brows furrowed high, displaying displeasure on his face.
Guo Xi was his trusted and capable general. After the major battles, Sima Yue had rewarded him generously with promotions and honors. However, the power to control the military ultimately had to remain in his own hands. Even if he trusted Guo Xi deeply, he could not simply relinquish control of vital regions like Yan County!
Pan Sima, who was on the side, whispered, “General Guo might be displeased that Prime Minister personally assumed the position of provincial governor…”
To govern the provinces was something Sima Yue had long wanted to do. The distribution of provinces such as Jing County, Yu County, and Qing County was a way to reward his trusted subordinates. Initially, Sima Yue had considered appointing Guo Xi as the supreme commander of a County. However, based on the counsel of Pan Tao and others who argued that Gou Xi had ambitious aspirations and was not just a loyal minister, he changed his mind. Now, why would Guo Xi directly bring up the matter? Wasn’t the title of Grand General and Duke enough?
However, regardless of his anger, Sima Yue still knew the importance of the situation. Guo Xi was a formidable warrior who had helped him suppress rebels and eliminate bandits. However, Sima Yue bit his lip and said, “Jingwen is not faring well in Jiangdong and seems to want to invite Wang Chuzhong as a deputy. Why not change Wang Chuzhong’s post as the Inspector of Qing County to the Inspector of Yang County and grant the entire region of Qing County to Guo Daojiang?”
He was referring to the Eastern Expedition General and the Inspector of Yang County, Sima Rui. Previously, Sima Yue had dispatched Sima Rui to Jiangdong out of fear that the situation in the Central Plains would deteriorate, hoping to provide a fallback position. However, Sima Rui, after going to Qing County, had not managed to establish good relations with the prominent families of Jiangdong. He had sent multiple letters, expressing his desire to enlist the assistance of wise and virtuous individuals. This was the perfect opportunity to send Wang Dun there and hand over Qing county to Gou Xi, resolving a troublesome situation.
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Pan Sima was momentarily stunned. “But Wang Dun is not an ordinary person. If he enters Jiangdong, he might develop other intentions…”
Sima Yue snorted, “You said earlier that Guo Daojiang is an extraordinary person, and now you say Wang Chuzhong is not an ordinary person. Does that mean I have no capable individuals left?”
The tone was unfriendly, and Pan Sima immediately closed his mouth. Recently, Sima held absolute power, and his temperament had become increasingly eccentric. Advising him once was enough; saying more might invite trouble.
Seeing Pan Sima no longer speaking, Sima Yue nodded, “Quickly write to Wang and get this matter settled.”
Wang Yan should not refuse. After all, it was just a switch of inspectors, and Qing County was remote with frequent conflicts, not as safe as Yang County. As for Guo Xi, hmph, with a region like Qing County, he should be content.
Thinking he had arranged the rewards for his prominent subordinates, Sima Yue focused on dealing with dissent. Unexpectedly, half a month later, a memorial shocked him, making him jump from his seat.
“You want me to execute Pan Tao and Liu Wang? Such audacity!” Sima Yue slammed the letter on the ground, angrily exclaiming.
Guo Xi did not appreciate the gesture. Instead of accepting the appointment as the Inspector of Qing County, he wrote a memorial accusing Pan Tao and others of having malicious intentions and falsely accusing him. These were trusted confidants of Sima Yue; how could an outsider like Guo Xi dictate their fate?
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Pan Tao, who was now being sought for his life, lost his calm demeanor and said with resentment, “I heard that an envoy from the Luoyang palace has entered General Guo’s tent. Could he have persuaded General Guo to deal with the Prime Minister?”
“What?” Sima Yue was genuinely shocked, cold sweat breaking out on his back. When did the young emperor get involved with Guo Xi? He had deployed so many spies in Luoyang, why hadn’t any news reached him? If things were indeed true, he wouldn’t be facing a beloved general he could call a brother; instead, he would be confronting an implacable enemy!
“Quickly send someone to Luoyang to check the situation in the palace!” Sima Yue’s face was grim, and he spoke with a stern voice.
The young emperor couldn’t be killed for now. As long as the Son of Heaven was in his hands, others wouldn’t dare to openly rebel. If he ruthlessly harmed the young emperor, someone would immediately rise, claiming to be upholding the banner of a loyal subject, to avenge him. What’s more, he had just dealt with a bunch of relatives. How could he quickly find a suitable candidate to ascend the throne?
Stabilize the palace and make the restless emperor behave! As for Guo Xi… Sima Yue’s eyes flashed with a murderous intent. “How can I, for the sake of personal gain, kill a trusted subordinate? Guo Dao has become too arrogant! Reject this matter and order him to enter Qing County as soon as possible!”
If Guo Xi hadn’t learned to restrain himself, Sima Yue wouldn’t have considered their past friendship!
※
“Your Majesty, the situation in Xidu has already caused quite a stir. If it’s not dealt with soon, it may jeopardize Luoyang…” Wang Yan wore a worried expression and advised in a deep voice.
In fact, he had been avoiding trouble at home for several days. Ever since Sima Yue wanted Wang Dun to step down as the provincial governor of Qing County and take over Yang County, this old fox Wang Yan had become alert. It was clear that there was a conflict between Sima Yue and Guo Xi, and if one was in trouble, he, being in the middle, would also be affected. Fortunately, Wang Dun himself wasn’t interested in going to Qing County. He was determined to follow Wang Dao’s example and assist Sima Rui in Jiangdong. Wang Yan took advantage of the situation, letting him take over the appointment as the governor of Yang County, giving face to both sides.
Who would have expected that despite both sides making concessions, the anger between the two had not subsided. In these past few days, Sima Yue’s son had already stationed himself in the palace, and all the officials guarding the court had been replaced, with Sima Yue’s own national troops taking their places. The rumors within the palace were rampant, and who dared to stand on the side of the emperor anymore?
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AD
As for Wang Yan himself, he followed Sima Yue’s instructions to come and “advise” the emperor. Wang Yan truly didn’t want to get involved in this matter, but as Sima Yue’s representative in the court, he had to step forward to give a warning.
On the imperial throne, the young emperor’s eyelids drooped slightly as he spoke in a low voice, “Minister Wang, you worry too much. It’s probably just a misunderstanding between the Prime Minister and General Guo. General Guo first eliminated the false emperor, then pacified the rebellious forces, truly accomplishing great deeds. Such a loyal minister can certainly govern Yan County. Perhaps malicious individuals are trying to sow discord.”
Wang Yan furrowed his brow. The implied meaning in the words was clear – Sima Yue should step back a bit, give up Yan County, and execute Pan Tao and others to appease Guo Xi. This wasn’t advice; it was clearly provoking the emotions of both sides! However, the young emperor’s face showed no signs of scheming. On the contrary, he seemed somewhat submissive, as if this inexperienced youth feared trouble and wanted to avoid offending either side to maintain peace.
Was this his sincere opinion? Wang Yan couldn’t fully understand and could only sigh lightly, “Your Majesty, the only one you can rely on right now is the Prime Minister. If you show favoritism, it may chill the Prime Minister’s heart.”
This statement was more direct, leaving no room for misunderstanding. However, the person on the throne remained silent for a moment and suddenly said, “Are there still generals like General Guo in the court?”
Wang Yan was startled, looking at the emperor, who appeared sincere. The meaning behind the words was too clear! He might be under Sima Yue’s influence, but if Sima Yue and Guo Xi fell out, could the empire still be preserved? It was no longer the time of the Tai period or even the Yuan period. Back then, even if one or two great generals were killed, it wouldn’t matter much; there were plenty of capable individuals to guard Luoyang.
But now? In more than a decade of chaos, numerous capable military commanders had died, and military disasters were frequent. If not for Guo Xi, a warlord on par with Han Xin and Bai Qi, could Sima Yue have defeated the false emperor and eradicated the rebel forces? Wolves roamed freely outside, and tigers and leopards were everywhere. It was not a time for archery and cooking dogs!
But could he utter such words without understanding the meaning behind his recent provocative language?
Looking at the slender figure on the throne, a child with an expressionless face, Wang Yan also felt a chill in his heart. Sima Yue suspected that the emperor had sent an envoy to incite Guo Xi against him, but he couldn’t find any evidence. If this plot was indeed orchestrated by the emperor, what kind of scheming and tactics did he employ?
Can Sima Yue kill the emperor? At least not at this moment! The more Guo Xi accuses him of monopolizing power, the less Sima Yue can act recklessly. Once Sima Yue lays hands on the emperor, others will immediately raise the banner of loyal subjects. Can Guo Xi raise an army? What about Wang Jun in You County? What about Liang Zixi in Bing County? If he loses this puppet in his hands, Sima Yue will be left with no way out, powerless and desperate!
Therefore, he could only tightly control this somewhat unruly emperor, finding ways to eliminate potential threats. The more Guo Xi stirred up trouble, the safer the emperor became! So, wouldn’t it be a beneficial and harmless thing to sow discord between Guo Xi and Sima Yue?
No one understood better than Wang Yan what challenges this young emperor faced. He had no confidants, no wise ministers, and not even close relatives by his side. Who could advise him? If this cunning plan was devised by the emperor alone, his scheming was not inferior to those of experienced old ministers. A ruler with such deep cunning, if only three to five years earlier, could the realm still be in chaos?
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Wang Yan suppressed his facial expression, letting out a light sigh. “Your Majesty is right. Let’s hope both parties can set aside their grievances.”
Wang Yan had no intention of getting involved. Whether this was the young emperor’s conspiracy or how far Sima Yue and Guo Xi would escalate their conflict, he had no interest in investigating. The most important thing was to preserve his own life. Anyway, Wang Cheng had already pacified Jing County, and Wang Dun had taken up the post of governor in Yang County. His plans for a threefold strategy had already been realized. Even if the court descended into chaos, the Wang family in Langya wouldn’t be implicated. Moreover, Wang Yan was confident in using his eloquence to gain the trust of the eventual victor. Who wins or loses, what did it matter to him?
Advertisement
AD
Looking at Wang Yan’s calm expression, the young emperor restrained his emotions and countless thoughts in his heart.
Ten days later, Guo Xi did not assume the post in Qing County. Instead, he issued a proclamation, bitterly denouncing Sima Yue’s various misdeeds, accusing him of deceiving the emperor and monopolizing power. Subsequently, Guo Xi mustered a large army and marched towards Xidu.
Sima Yue was both shocked and resentful, hastily dispatching trusted aides like Liu Kun to intercept him. In Luoyang, the young emperor did not blame Sima Yue but issued a decree, emphasizing that the Prime Minister should prioritize state affairs. However, anyone could see that this was an attempt to make Sima Yue yield some power. No one in the court was foolish; everyone understood that the emperor was becoming dissatisfied with Sima Yue. If this prime minister, who ruled over five provinces, could step back a bit, how much power could slip through the cracks?
The number of people discontent with Sima Yue’s arrogance was countless, and there were many who harbored fear, afraid of falling victim to his ruthless methods at any moment. The opposition against Sima Yue grew louder, rising alongside the flames of war, igniting fiercely.
The calm in the heartland of the Central Plains lasted less than two months before plunging back into turmoil. Even in the distant northern regions, some began to entertain thoughts.
“Guo Xi is going to confront Sima Yue?” Wang Jun, with a sly look in his eyes, examined the feathered edict, a hint of a cold smile playing on his lips. “That’s interesting. This man seems unaware of his own authority and where it comes from.”
Wang Jun had long harbored discontent towards Sima Yue. If it weren’t for him capturing Ye City and Chang’an in the first place, where would Sima Yue be today? Despite his significant achievements, not to mention the matter of Dai Jun, just the handling of Ji County made him furious. The court did not let him concurrently hold the post of the Commander of Ji County, instead, Sima Yue personally took the position of provincial governor and appointed the Xianbei general, Yiyan, as a commandant. Now, the hard work of eradicating bandits had turned into a marriage gift for someone else!
In the past, Wang Jun might have been eager to lead an army to punish Yiyan. However, the Xianbei seemed either hesitant in battle or satisfied with the court’s rewards, as he had stopped in the southeast of Ji County without showing any intention of reaching for other commanderies. Now, Wang Jun wasn’t in a hurry to take action. It seemed that the discord between Yiyan and Liang Zixi was indeed true. Why push him into the arms of the enemy unnecessarily?
Therefore, after consolidating the newly acquired territory in Ji County, Wang Jun’s attention shifted back to Bing County. With Ji County now secured, it was time to raise an army.
When would be the best time to start the war? Before he could decide, the opportunity presented itself. Sima Yue unexpectedly wanted to borrow troops from him? Alas, his family’s military forces were in short supply!
“Gather provisions immediately and march towards Bing County!”
