The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 537 Zhuge's Plan
Sima Lang's face changed after hearing this, and he finally sighed: "Second brother, what you said is very true. But..."

"Don't worry, big brother." Sima Yi's eyes flashed with a gleam of light, and he said in a deep voice: "What our Sima family wants is not temporary wealth, but a century-old foundation. Now that His Majesty is in his prime and the prince's position is stable, we should act more cautiously."

Sima Fu nodded and added: "Besides, Yuan'er is still young. If she rashly gets involved in the fight for the throne, I'm afraid that our Sima family will cause dissatisfaction to His Majesty."

As they were talking, hurried footsteps were heard outside the study. The housekeeper whispered outside the door: "Master, someone has come from the palace, saying that they are here on the orders of Concubine Cai to bring a reward."

The four people in the room were all shocked. Sima Yi quickly threw the secret letter into the charcoal basin and watched it turn into ashes. Then he said in a deep voice: "Please wait for a moment, angel. We will go to meet you now."

After the housekeeper left, Sima Yi lowered his voice and said to his brothers: "The imperial concubine sent someone here at this time, it must be a test. Brother, remember, no matter how the other party hints, we must pretend to be unaware. Otherwise, there will be a disaster."

In the rain, the door of Sima Mansion was wide open. Sima Yi led his family to kneel to welcome the angel. They saw a eunuch in purple robe holding a whisk, followed by several young eunuchs carrying gift boxes.

"In compliance with the Imperial Concubine's order, we reward the Sima family with ten pieces of brocade and ten jars of imperial wine to reward Lord Sima for his contribution in defending Luoyang and circulating grain and fodder." The eunuch's shrill voice was particularly clear in the rain.

Sima Lang kowtowed quickly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

The eunuch smiled and helped Sima Lang up, saying meaningfully: "The queen specifically told me that Lord Sima taught her well, and your daughter is both talented and beautiful, and will surely have great fortune in the future."

Sima Yi stood behind his brother. Hearing this, he felt nervous, but he didn't show it on his face. He stepped forward and said respectfully, "Please ask the angel to thank the queen for her kindness on behalf of our Sima family. My niece is young and ignorant, and I really don't deserve such praise from the queen."

The eunuch looked at Sima Yi meaningfully and said with a smile, "Sima Yi is too modest. Her Majesty also said that she would invite Miss Sima Yi to the palace for a chat some other day."

After sending the angel away, the Sima family returned to the main hall. Sima Lang looked solemn: "It seems that Concubine Cai is not completely opposed to this marriage."

"No, this is a test." Sima Yi said decisively, "If we show the slightest enthusiasm, we will immediately bring disaster. The one who really decides this matter is not the concubine, nor you and me, but your majesty who is far away in Youzhou."

Sima Yi was very smart. He knew that the decision-making power on this matter did not lie with him or others, but with Qin Shou.

That night, Sima Yi sat alone in his study, staring out the window at the rain. The candlelight flickered, casting a flickering shadow on his face. He picked up a pen and dipped it in ink, writing the four characters "hide your light and bide your time" on the paper, then slowly erased them.

"The tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop." He muttered to himself and threw the paper roll into the charcoal basin.

At the same time, in the imperial city of Chang'an, Cai Zhaoji was leaning on the couch listening to the eunuch's report.

"Did Sima Yi really say that?" She raised her eyebrows slightly and snorted coldly, "This old fox."

The eunuch whispered, "Madam, it seems that the Sima family has no intention of attaching themselves to the Second Prince."

Cai Zhaoji chuckled and said, "I understand. You can leave now."

After the eunuch left, she walked to the window, looked at the palace walls washed by rain, and a complex look flashed in her eyes.

"Chengji, did you see that? Even the Sima family doesn't dare to take your move."

Raindrops dripped down the gray eaves of Chang'an City, splashing tiny water droplets on the stone slabs. Qin Chengji stood in the corridor in front of the prison, looking at the gloomy sky with a gloomy face.

"Your Highness, everything has been arranged." A servant reminded softly. Qin Chengji came back to his senses, took a deep breath, and walked towards the prison. His boots made a dull sound on the bluestone floor, just like his mood at the moment.

Inside the prison, Zhuge Liang was reading at his desk. He looked up when he heard footsteps. He put down his book and personally poured a cup of hot tea for Qin Chengji.

Because of Qin Chengji, Zhuge Liang's treatment has been greatly improved in recent days.

"Your Highness has come here in the rain, so he must have something important to tell you." Zhuge Liang's eyes fell on Qin Chengji.

Qin Chengji said in a low voice: "Sir, the Sima family rejected the marriage proposal."

Zhuge Liang frowned slightly after hearing this. After a moment, he sighed and said, "It is indeed so."

"Sir, have you expected this to happen?" A hint of surprise flashed in Qin Chengji's eyes.

Zhuge Liang stood up and walked a few steps in the prison before shaking his head and saying, "What kind of person is Sima Yi? How could he easily express his opinion over a marriage? Your Highness, do you know the real reason why he refused?"

Qin Chengji shook his head: "Please tell me clearly, sir."

"First, your majesty is in his prime, and the position of the crown prince is stable. The Sima family does not want to be involved in the struggle for the throne too early; second, Concubine Cai's attitude is ambiguous, and Sima Yi dare not take the risk of offending her; third." Zhuge Liang turned around, his eyes were sharp, and he smiled bitterly: "This is also the most important point. The decision-making power of this matter is not in the hands of the Sima family, but in the hands of your majesty."

Qin Chengji clenched his fists: "Then how should I deal with it? Should I just give up?"

Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Sima Yi's refusal may not be a bad thing. Instead, it gives us the opportunity to find another way."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Your Highness, have you ever thought about why Sima Yi dared to reject your proposal?" Zhuge Liang asked instead of answering.

Qin Chengji thought for a moment before saying, "Because I have little foundation in the court and no real power."

"That's right." Zhuge Liang nodded. "Although your highness is a prince, he has no military merits and no military power. The Sima family is a noble family, and what they value most is strength."

Zhuge Liang walked back to the table, took out a map and spread it out, saying: "This is the map I drew. At present, the Southern King Meng Huo has repeatedly violated the border, and the land of Bashu is in turmoil. Your Majesty has long intended to send troops, but..."

"It's just that we haven't decided yet who will lead the troops." A glimmer of enlightenment flashed in Qin Chengji's eyes.

Zhuge Liang tapped the Nanzhong region on the map and advised: "If Your Highness can take the initiative to volunteer to lead the army to pacify the Nanman, you will not only gain military merit, but also command an elite army. By then, not to mention the Sima family, even the officials in the court, who would dare to look down on Your Highness?"

Qin Chengji stared at the map, his mind churning. He understood what Zhuge Liang's suggestion meant - to accumulate political capital through military action and prepare for future power struggles.

Ever since Qin Shou conquered the world, everyone knows the importance of military power.

Zhuge Liang stroked his long beard, took out a piece of paper from his bosom, handed it to Qin Chengji and said, "So Your Highness needs to ask for permission in public at the court meeting, so that His Majesty cannot refuse. In addition, I have prepared a memorial for Your Highness, detailing the necessity and strategy of the southern expedition. Your Highness can copy it once, and then submit it to the emperor, and it will surely succeed."

(End of this chapter)