Chapter 30: Each with Their Own Scheme

When news of the grand offensive against Shu reached Luoyang, Sima Zhao acted swiftly, personally leading an army of one hundred thousand troops to secure the Guanzhong region. Alongside him, Yang Hu, Sima Wang, Jia Chong, and Sima You accompanied the imperial guards. Before departing, Sima Zhao entrusted Sima Yan with the task of overseeing the state affairs and ensuring a steady supply of provisions and forage from Luoyang to Guanzhong.

The war machine of Cao Wei was now in full motion. Multiple armies mobilized en masse, determined not to rest until their objectives were achieved.

Yang’an Pass was the gateway from Hanzhong into Shu territory, holding immense strategic importance. To its southeast lay the famed Dingjun Mountain.

After emerging from the Baoxie Path, Hu Lie led the vanguard directly to the city walls of Yang’an Pass and launched an assault. Yet they found the pass to be as prickly as a hedgehog, impenetrable, offering no opening for attack. Consequently, the vanguard set up camp ten miles east of Yang’an Pass to observe the situation.

However, Zhong Hui had become considerably more reasonable. He had long since ordered Li Fu and Xun Kai to each lead ten thousand troops to besiege Hancheng and Lecheng respectively, surrounding but not attacking. The remaining forces were held in reserve within the main camp, resting and periodically rotating with Li Fu’s and Xun Kai’s men.

At the same time, small detachments of around a thousand soldiers were dispatched for raids, sweeping through minor towns and forts in Hanzhong.

Due to the defensive strategy of the Shu forces, troops were concentrated at Hancheng, Lecheng, and Yang’an Pass, leaving other locations guarded by only about a hundred men. When the Wei army arrived, these smaller garrisons surrendered without resistance.

Meanwhile, Hu Lie’s vanguard camped before Yang’an Pass, keeping watch on possible Shu reinforcements from the west.

In other words, if Hu Lie could capture Yang’an Pass, all the better. If not, his role was to hold the vanguard and prepare for a defensive counterattack should the Shu forces attempt to relieve Hanzhong by way of Jiange Pass—much like the historical struggle between Cao Cao and Liu Bei for Hanzhong.

Then began Zhong Hui’s performance.

He penned a proclamation titled “Proclamation to the Shu Generals, Officials, Soldiers, and Civilians,” which was widely distributed throughout Hanzhong.

And then, nothing more happened.

Zhong Hui neither assaulted the city nor pressured Hu Lie to attack Yang’an Pass, instead wasting time in Hanzhong. For over ten days, the main Shu strongholds remained besieged by Wei forces, yet no battles broke out.

One evening at dusk, Hu Lie summoned Shi Shouxin, Du Yu, and others to his command tent to discuss military matters.

The atmosphere inside was tense; the Shu garrison at Yang’an Pass was only ten miles away, prompting strict prohibition of alcohol in the vanguard camp, punishable by death for disobedience. The lighthearted mood once present on the Baoxie Path had vanished, replaced by tension and grim silence.

“General Hu, with all due respect, the Grand Commander has no intention of capturing Yang’an Pass. There is no need to debate further; we should focus on defending our camp,” Shi Shouxin declared, cutting off any further discussion.

Hu Lie was taken aback. Although he sensed something was amiss, he dared not consider the implications of Shi Shouxin’s words. After all, Zhong Hui’s recent conduct was unusually conciliatory—quite unlike his usual nature.

The other officers also harbored doubts, especially Du Yu, who recalled the incident involving Ji Kang. Ji Kang had merely expressed sympathy for Lü An without knowing the whole truth. The young lady named Xu Ying was neither dead nor violated; she had simply become Yang Hu’s maid. The matter had been quietly resolved, but Zhong Hui deliberately escalated it to implicate Ji Kang.

A man so cunning and scheming not pressing Hu Lie to attack Yang’an Pass seemed profoundly suspicious.

“May I ask, what do you mean by that?” Hu Lie asked gravely, his face serious. In these critical times, the jovial banter of before had given way to somber resolve.

Before Shi Shouxin could reply, Hu Lie’s son, Hu Yuan, cautiously entered and whispered something in his ear. The previously worried expression on Hu Lie’s face instantly transformed into wide-eyed disbelief.

“Deputy Commander Jiang Shu is willing to surrender. Tomorrow afternoon, he will lead his troops out of the pass—not to attack, but to surrender.

Once he emerges, we shall cooperate with Jiang Shu to seize Yang’an Pass and breach the defenses!”

Hu Lie spoke excitedly. The plan sounded almost fantastical, yet upon careful consideration, it seemed quite feasible.

If Jiang Shu truly intended to defect rather than deceive, the operation’s success was highly probable.

Thus, there remained only one question: Was Jiang Shu’s surrender genuine or a ruse?

It is common knowledge that a false defector does not bring family along.

Yet when Yang Hu’s father-in-law, Xiahou Ba, fled to Shu, he did so alone. He was a genuine defector but did not bring his household.

Therefore, every case has its universality and particularity; nothing can be judged without examining the specifics.

Which was true in Jiang Shu’s case? This question weighed heavily on Hu Lie.

“Has the messenger returned?” Hu Lie asked sternly.

Hu Yuan replied with a sigh, “Yes, but he is just a low-ranked soldier. Beyond Jiang Shu’s instructions, he knows nothing else.”

The gathered officers exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to respond.

On one hand, there was no written correspondence to verify; on the other, they were unfamiliar with Jiang Shu, having never even heard of him before this campaign.

“General Hu, Jiang Shu’s surrender is genuine and trustworthy,” Shi Shouxin suddenly said, setting the tone. This time, no one found the assertion awkward.

Hu Lie inquired, “Shi Shouxin, on what grounds do you say so?”

“Shu’s forces in Hanzhong number perhaps twenty thousand at most, a mere fraction compared to our army.

If Jiang Shu were feigning surrender, even if he succeeded, how much damage could he inflict? His forces are so limited, and we are but the vanguard—losing a thousand or two at most, hardly a mortal blow.

If he were to fake surrender, it would be wiser to hold Yang’an Pass firmly; as long as he remains inside, we cannot dislodge them easily.

Thus, Jiang Shu’s message must be genuine. Should he be deceiving us and we lose the battle, he and his entire family would face execution.

The risk of feigning surrender is simply too great; few would dare such a gamble.”

Shi Shouxin spoke calmly but with undeniable logic, leaving no room for doubt.

If Jiang Shu was a false defector, the gains were minimal and the dangers immense.

Provided he was not foolish enough to trap his own head in the gates, he would surely defend Yang’an Pass to the end, rather than gamble needlessly.

This was not a matter of loyalty but pure intelligence.

Many stratagems are worthless when exposed; only those who see through them first possess true wisdom.

“Then tomorrow shall be our chance to breach the pass. Prepare yourselves to support Jiang Shu’s forces!” Hu Lie nodded, exhaling deeply as days of worry lifted.

The officers buzzed with excitement, some eager to act, others smiling broadly, while Shi Shouxin furrowed his brow silently.

Du Yu noticed but said nothing, keeping his eyes lowered in contemplation.

...

At dawn that day, Yang Huiyu was reading in her study when a visitor arrived—it was none other than Wang Yuanji, wife of Sima Zhao.

Suppressing her unease, Yang Huiyu invited Wang Yuanji inside.

Though they were cousins and close friends, Yang Huiyu feared Wang Yuanji would bring up a certain sensitive matter: the notion of two women serving one husband.

“Yu Niang, I have come to discuss an important matter,” Wang Yuanji said with utmost seriousness.

“Please, cousin, speak,” Yang Huiyu replied, nodding.

“Sima You’s marriage has been arranged,” Wang Yuanji said with a smile that allowed no denial.

Yang Huiyu nodded, secretly relieved, then cautiously asked, “May I inquire whose daughter it is?”

“The eldest daughter of Jia Chong, named Jia Bao, born to his former wife Li Wan. Her maternal grandfather is the disgraced official Li Feng,” Wang Yuanji answered leisurely.

Yang Huiyu’s brow furrowed as she muttered to herself, “Jia Chong’s former wife? She shares the same name as Shi Shouxin’s wife?”

Unbeknownst to her, Wang Yuanji overheard and waved her hand.

“That is true. Back then, Jia Gonglü extended his protection to Shi Shouxin secretly. Had Jia Gonglü not firmly insisted on bringing this person to justice, Shi Shouxin would have been thrown into a mass grave along with the attendants of the Marquis of Gaogui Township.”

Such revelations astonished Yang Huiyu, though upon reflection, it made sense. Jia Chong was sly and seldom acted on impulse; every word and deed carried hidden meaning. Fixating on a mere subordinate was beneath him and inconsistent with his stature.

Sighing softly, Yang Huiyu inquired, “You bore Sima You. Why let him marry beneath his station? Wouldn’t a match of equal rank be better?”

After all, Li Feng once stood opposed to the Sima family. Now, having Sima You wed Li Feng’s granddaughter was a ruthless maneuver.

Though Yang Huiyu was Sima You’s adoptive mother, with Sima Shi deceased, she held no say in his affairs.

“It is a leash to prevent him from usurping his elder brother’s position.

Brothers each fulfilling their roles, so long as improper ambitions are curbed, harmony and respect among siblings can prevail,” Wang Yuanji sighed, speaking coldly, then produced a formal betrothal letter from her bosom.

“I come solely for this matter,” she said, her expression as cold as still water.

Yang Huiyu took the crimson paper, reading it over and over, her heart heavy with mixed emotions.

The Sima couple had accounted for everything, methodically preparing for the future—specifically, the arrangements following Sima Zhao’s death.

Silence fell for a moment before Yang Huiyu ground ink and signed her name and personal seal on the letter.

Handing it back, she said, “He is your own flesh and blood. If you do not care for him, I have nothing more to say.”

Her dissatisfaction with Jia Chong’s daughter was clear, yet as the saying goes, the weaker must yield to the stronger.

“Sometimes loss is a blessing in disguise,” Wang Yuanji replied calmly, resolute and unwavering. In this era, though marriages were not blind or forced, parental authority was paramount and hard to resist.

“Yu Niang, I shall take my leave now. I must deliver the betrothal letter to Jia Chong’s household,” Wang Yuanji bowed and left the study. Yang Huiyu escorted her to the gate.

Several times Wang Yuanji seemed ready to speak but remained silent.

Once Wang Yuanji departed, Yang Huiyu’s mood visibly darkened.

Xu Ying accompanied her to the study and asked curiously, “Why does Lady Yu seem so troubled?”

“I am now repaying the debts of my past mistakes. How can I not grieve?” Yang Huiyu sighed, her expression somber and tinged with regret.

Xu Ying remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

“Back then, with Sima Shi childless and incapable of heirs, Sima Zhao and his wife devised a ruse and asked me, their cousin, to help by voluntarily adopting a child.

At the time, Sima Shi was still healthy but reluctant. After much persuasion, I convinced him that I wished to have a child to serve by my side, and he reluctantly agreed.

Now, with Sima You as Sima Shi’s legitimate eldest son, he has become a threat in the eyes of Sima Zhao and his wife. As his adoptive mother caught in the middle, I find myself torn and powerless...”

Yang Huiyu trailed off.

Power corrupts human nature. Sima Zhao was no longer the man he once was, nor was Wang Yuanji the woman she used to be.

They had become political beasts.

“Lady Yu, such matters are best left alone,” Xu Ying gently advised.

“Who says otherwise? What can I do to stop it? After all, Sima You is Wang Yuanji’s own flesh and blood.

I am but an outsider,” Yang Huiyu sighed deeply, burdened by endless grievance and weakness.