xymnovel Chapter 101 Deng Ai's Scheme, Loyal Ministers Killed
Chapter 101 Deng Ai's Scheme, Loyal Ministers Killed
Chapter 101 Deng Ai's Scheme, the Killing of Loyal Ministers (Sixth Update, Requesting Monthly Tickets)
Sima Zhao merely made the appointment and preparations. Zhong Hui was not yet able to leave Luoyang for Chang'an to assume his post.
Although Zhong Hui had no prestige in the government and among the people, he did have some accomplices and informants, and he immediately received attacks from both sides of the government.
Zhong Hui's residence in Luoyang.
Inside the study in the inner quarters.
Chung Hui is having a fight with his two sons, Chung Yong and Chung Yi.
Zhong Hui stood up, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, his veins bulging with anger. Between breaths, he said, "These treacherous villains are all jealous of me. Wait until I successfully conquer Shu, wait until I successfully conquer Shu..."
'
Zhong Hui trailed off here, revealing that he was also quite wary of Jiang Wei and lacked absolute certainty about this campaign against Shu. He was merely appeasing Sima Zhao.
If he succeeds, all the better. But if he fails, he will surely be abandoned by Sima Zhao, just like the cruel official abandoned by Emperor Wu of Han.
Thinking of this, he felt a little afraid; Jiang Wei was not easy to deal with.
But if he succeeds, he'll return to power in unparalleled glory. Then he'll silence those who mocked him, distrusted him, and ostracized him. He'll then find a few typical examples to ostracize and suppress.
As long as he wins, everything is negotiable.
Zhong Yong and Zhong Yi watched their father's indignant outburst, but dared not say a word.
Zhong Hui had no biological sons; these two sons were adopted from his elder brothers. According to patriarchal law, an adopted son is considered a biological son. His future connections in officialdom and his titles were all inherited by these two adopted sons.
Just as Zhong Hui was saying "Don't underestimate the poor middle-aged man," Sima Zhao gave Zhong Hui 10,000 soldiers and ordered him to lead them to Guanzhong.
morning.
The gates of Luoyang were placed under martial law.
Zhong Hui, leading his two sons and over ten thousand elite troops, lined up in preparation for departure. Sima Zhao and his officials came out to see him off.
Sima Zhao had recovered from his illness, but he was still weak. His face was somewhat pale. In front of all the officials, he personally got out of his carriage, grasped Zhong Hui's hands, and said earnestly, "Shiji, I entrust the affairs of the West to you."
"Please rest assured, Your Excellency, I have been entrusted with Your Excellency's might and will do my utmost. With the soldiers fighting to the death, we will surely annihilate the Shu Kingdom and capture Liu Shan." Zhong Hui pulled his hands out of Sima Zhao's grasp, knelt on one knee, and spoke with a resounding voice and high spirits.
His two sons, along with the military officers, all knelt down.
"Good." Sima Zhao looked at the spirited Zhong Hui and felt slightly relieved. What a handsome general! He can do it.
Sima Zhao was about to order Zhong Hui to go on an expedition.
General Deng Dun revealed a resolute expression and stepped out from the crowd. Someone saw him and immediately reached out to pull him back.
Deng Dun was strong and broke free with a flick of his wrist. The man immediately showed a look of sorrow and stamped his foot in despair.
Dead, dead.
Ignoring the changed expressions of the officials, Deng Dun approached Sima Zhao, whose face was equally grim, knelt down, and bowed, saying, "General, I request that Zhong Hui be dismissed so that we can discuss the matter of attacking Shu at a more thorough time."
Zhong Hui's two sons, along with the military officers, glared angrily at Deng Dun. Leaving aside Zhong Hui's two sons for the moment, the war was advantageous to the general.
Zhong Hui, however, was not angry. Instead, he looked at Deng Dun with a cold smile.
"Take him away and behead him." Sima Zhao took a deep breath and, though heartbroken, still gave the order.
"Yes!" The two guards on either side responded loudly and pulled Deng Dun away.
Deng Dun was mentally prepared for this and was taken away calmly. When he was returned, the number of people on the plate was already zero.
"Alas," one of the officials sighed.
Some people are puzzled. Why was Sima Zhao tolerant of Deng Dun's previous opposition to sending troops? Why couldn't Sima Zhao tolerate Deng Dun speaking out now?
Deng Dun was a loyal minister.
"Send the troops," Sima Zhao ordered, taking another deep breath.
"Yes." Zhong Hui put away his cold smile, bowed and agreed, turned around, mounted his horse, and together with his son and officers, led 10,000 elite troops away from Luoyang and westward to Chang'an.
After Zhong Hui left, Sima Zhao turned and glanced at Deng Dun's bloodied head, sighing softly. He then climbed onto the carriage on a small stool and led his officials back to Luoyang.
Upon returning, Sima Zhao went straight to his study in the inner quarters. After sitting there brooding for a while, he ordered, "Send word: bestow a million coins upon Deng Dun's family, sew up the body, and return it to the Deng family."
"Yes." The waiter bowed and left.
"Another one is Ju Shou. Although he is loyal, he lacks a sense of the bigger picture. My plan has already succeeded, how can he stop me in front of the army?"
Sima Zhao's feelings were extremely complicated.
There was anger, sorrow, and heartache.
Once the leader issues the order, dissenting voices should cease. Only when everyone, from top to bottom, works diligently and with utmost dedication, can success be achieved.
This is called understanding the bigger picture.
Previously, Yuan Shao had already assembled his army and mobilized a million laborers to march south and contend for the empire. The die was cast. Ju Shou obstructed him in every way, undermining morale. Yuan Shao's decision not to kill Ju Shou was considered magnanimous.
Cao Wei, Yongzhou.
Didao City.
There was a large mansion in the city. The gate was very imposing, and a plaque above it read "General's Residence for the Western Expedition".
Inside the study in the inner quarters.
Deng Ai knelt in the main seat, looking down at the map, his eyes gleaming.
They say you should know your destiny at fifty, but he's over sixty this year and will soon be seventy.
His hair was completely white, his face was covered with wrinkles and age spots, and his body was weak and feeble, long since lacking the martial arts skills and strength of his youth. But his body was still quite robust, and he sat upright.
Furthermore, because he commanded troops in the field and inquired about the affairs of Yong and Liang, he held a high position for many years and naturally possessed an air of authority.
Although he was physically old, his temper was getting worse. It was as if a raging fire was burning inside him.
They want to destroy everything.
Although Sima Zhao sent Shi Zuan to serve as his Sima, forcing him to shut up.
Sima Zhao could silence him, but he couldn't make him give up.
He is very dissatisfied and unhappy right now.
"How dare Zhong Hui, that brat, outdo me?" Deng Ai's anger and inner flames surged like a raging storm, impossible to quell.
He opposed Zhong Hui leading the troops.
Firstly, they were indeed wary of Jiang Wei.
Secondly, he was dissatisfied with Zhong Hui's superior position. He had served as the chief advisor to Yong and Liang for many years and was a pillar in resisting Jiang Wei's northern expedition. He had made outstanding military achievements and was granted the title of Marquis of Deng.
The sealed households went straight to ten thousand households.
His sons were all granted titles and honors because of his merits.
Why should someone as strong as him be subordinate to Zhong Hui?
Besides, he was indeed wary of Jiang Wei. As Jiang Wei's main rival, he had held his ground steadily.
He once publicly belittled Jiang Wei, saying that even though Jiang Wei was a hero of his time, with him around, Jiang Wei couldn't use his extraordinary abilities.
But that was said in public. In reality, he was very wary of Jiang Wei.
He was able to defend against Jiang Wei for two reasons: first, his defense gave him a natural advantage; second, the Wei state was powerful, and his colleagues were all elites.
However, there were very few people who could work with Jiang Wei and support his Northern Expeditions.
Liao Hua was older than him, yet he was still fighting in the Northern Expedition.
It is evident that talent is dwindling in Sichuan.
The strength of the Shu Kingdom goes without saying.
Jiang Wei is very strong. He's not someone you can easily deal with.
In short, he was strongly opposed to this southern expedition.
But there was no way to change it now; what's done is done, and he could only keep quiet. He also knew that Dundun was dead.
If he doesn't shut up, he'll only be dismissed.
"I need to find a way to let Zhong Hui take Chengdu first, and prove that I am stronger than Zhong Hui." Deng Ai's eyes gleamed as he scanned the map back and forth, gradually finding his answer.
"Hahahaha. I have a plan!" Deng Ai laughed wildly, stood up excitedly, and looked at Yinping Road.
Jiang Wei was in Tazhong.
Jiang Wei's defense strategy in Hanzhong.
Add to that Liu Shan's incompetence.
He has an opportunity to take advantage of this.
>