Mythical Three Kingdoms

Ma Teng stared at the slightly disheveled young man, noticing the resemblance in his features to Sima Boda. With that, he felt a bit more at ease.

”Sima Zhongda pays respects to General Ma and General Hann,” Sima Yi slightly bowed and greeted the two men.

”Zhongda, what’s wrong with you?” A voice full of excitement suddenly rang out from outside the tent—it was Sima Lang.

”General Ma, General Hann, if my younger brother has acted out of line, please forgive him,” Sima Lang entered the tent and respectfully saluted Ma Teng, worried that Sima Yi might have done something embarrassing again.

”Elder brother speaks so, does he think I know not proper manners?” Sima Yi replied with a smile. Compared to a few years ago, Sima Yi had toned down his sharpness, making it harder for the equally intelligent Sima Lang to figure him out.

Ma Teng did not trouble the Sima brothers; he had no interest in learning why Sima Yi had come, as to him, Sima Yi was still just a child—too young to take seriously.

Sima Lang, disinclined to expose his younger brother before others, shared a moment of fraternal consideration before taking Sima Yi to the rear camp.

”Zhongda, weren’t you supposed to be beyond the Great Wall with your teacher? How have you returned so quickly?” Sima Lang asked curiously. He admired his brother greatly and, truth be told, envied his opportunity to study under Hu Zhao.

”Elder brother has been swiftly promoted, now already a Fifth Rank Attendant. I wonder if you’ll be promoted again once the matter succeeds. However, I’d say the current situation looks promising—great things are within reach...” Sima Yi grinned, but before he could finish, Sima Lang hurriedly covered his mouth, visibly alarmed.

”Stop! Elder brother, why act so flustered?” Sima Yi pried off Sima Lang’s hand with an expression of dissatisfaction.

”You already know?” Sima Lang realized he need not have been so nervous—what Sima Yi said posed no risk. His role as the emperor’s inside operative was secure, and there was no mention of Cao Cao.

”’Inside operative of the emperor,’ nothing more. That’s good enough for deceiving Li Jue, but you cannot fool me,” Sima Yi sneered. ”The Granary of Guanzhong and Long has been restored through the efforts of over a hundred thousand civilian workers—a bold move indeed.”

”Naturally, we must first secure Western Qin’s stance. Even if employing such aggressive measures, digestion is still necessary, lest we gain nothing and merely set the stage for others,” Sima Lang said openly, knowing these words were also audible to Hann Sui and Ma Teng. From the emperor’s perspective, Sima Lang’s logic held weight.

”Not necessarily. The stance of Western Qin remains uncertain, but at least the opportunity has arisen. It is for this reason that I have come,” Sima Yi said with a smile. ”Elder brother, I wonder if there’s still a spot for me here. They say when one gains power, even chickens and dogs rise to the heavens—at that time, you must take care of me.”

Sima Lang laughed heartily. ”Alright, younger brother, stop joking. If there are merits, I will surely share them with you—but you must assist in the effort as well.”

The dialogue between Sima Yi and Sima Lang was fully overheard by Hann Sui and Ma Teng. Hann Sui interpreted Sima Lang’s words as trying to win their favor, and as for Sima Yi’s talk of sharing spoils, they saw it as a natural move.

News from Longxi soon reached Chang’an. Li Jue arranging for Zhang Ji to oversee Chang’an did not escape Cao Cao’s notice. Naturally, Li Jue considered Ma Teng and Hann Sui to be unruly troublemakers, and aimed to bring them down in one swoop, sparing future headaches. Other possibilities, however, didn’t cross his mind.

Upon confirming these matters, Cao Cao was elated—the situation had advanced enough where even without correspondence from Xun Yu, he knew precisely how to act next. The fertile lands of Guanzhong Administrator would soon be his.

Meanwhile, the previously stagnant waters of Chang’an stirred as Li Jue departed, giving rise to hidden currents. The Yang Family, Fuu Wan, and Liu Yu were preparing themselves, waiting for the opportune moment.

”Gongsun Bogui is dead?” Liu Yu looked at a weathered Yan Rou and Wei You, who had just arrived from north of Youzhou, surprised.

”I pray for your punishment, my lord, for Rash cation when I went to battle without approval,” Yan Rou knelt and held the Precious Sword with both hands, having come to Chang’an partially because of Gongsun Zan’s death—his vow was lifted—but also because he learned Liu Yu was alive and sought forgiveness, even offering his own life in repentance.

”What’s done is done,” Liu Yu waved a hand; he had no desire to dwell on past grievances. His arrival in Chang’an hadn’t brought heavy suffering, and while he had been despondent at first, he had later come to terms with reality.

”My lord!” Yan Rou pressed his forehead to the ground, refusing to rise.

”Stand up, Hui Wen. From now on, you’ll serve as my escort—stay out of state affairs. As for the dealings of Wuhuan and the Great Han, let Liu Xuande handle them—I have faith in him,” Liu Yu said, extending a hand to lift Yan Rou.

”As for Gongsun Bogui... alas, the light extinguishes with the man. His ideals were not wrong—in the evening, light incense for him, if only to honor our acquaintance,” Liu Yu shook his head, showing no satisfaction over an enemy’s death.

Liu Yu disapproved of Gongsun Zan, but when it came to the act of killing him, he could not bring himself to truly follow through. Even in years past, holding such advantage, he had only intended to deliver Gongsun Zan alive to Chang’an. Both men had sought to serve the Great Han, though their methods diverged fundamentally and rendered cooperation impossible.

”Understood, my lord!” Yan Rou rose after bowing deeply, his expression resolute.

[Alas, Liu Xie… I can only help up to this point. I’ll write Liu Ziyang a letter, and whether you choose to go to Xuande or elsewhere, it will no longer concern me—my duty is fulfilled.]

Liu Yu, angered by Liu Xie’s followers in the past, had been driven almost to his wit’s end. Being the Liu Clan’s Minister of Ceremonies, the incident had soured his relationship with Liu Xie permanently. Now, the opportunity to help Liu Xie escape was solely to fulfill his responsibility as a clan uncle; the duties of a minister, however, no longer held his interest.

”Xiu’er, do not show yourself for the next few days—stay at home and read,” Yang Biao, basking in the sun, suddenly spoke as Yang Xiu prepared to step out.

”Hmm?” Yang Xiu paused, his right hand, originally about to open the door, resting against the latch instead. ”Indeed, I am feeling unwell these days, and shall stay indoors… Recuperation is crucial. I might even be struck down so severely that father has to bury a black-haired son. Ah! My heart aches so!”

”You insolent wretch, what utter nonsense you speak!” Yang Biao, previously reclining in old-man fashion, immediately shot up from his couch, grabbing his cane to strike Yang Xiu.

In an instant, Chang’an’s underlying tensions reached a boiling point, awaiting only the arrival of opportunity. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian [qidian.com] to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)