Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1096 Silk Road
After returning home, Sima Lang couldn't help but stop his father and second brother.

"Wait a minute, my dear brother. There is something I don't understand."

Sima Yi seemed to have expected his elder brother to ask this question, and said with a smile: "Brother, do you have any doubts about my initiative to volunteer today?"

Sima Lang nodded, "That's right. Although my Sima family has gained the trust and importance of the lord because of our merit in supporting him, Zhou Yu was your childhood playmate and made outstanding contributions to the establishment of the Jiangdong foundation of the Sun family. Whether in terms of reputation in Jiangdong or in the lord's heart, my Sima family can never compete with him. Today, Zhou Yu said that he would go all out to fight the Northern Expedition, but my second brother wants to take away some of his military power to fight the Southern Expedition. Even if what you said is reasonable and Zhou Yu is generous and doesn't care, it is still an offensive thing."

"If his Northern Expedition goes smoothly and he achieves great success, then my plan will seem superfluous. And if the Northern Expedition fails, then inevitably some people will think that it is because our Sima clan has taken away his already limited number of troops that he has difficulty in winning. Even Zhou Yu and even the lord himself may think so. Then, my second brother and the entire Sima clan will be in trouble, right?"

What he said was not groundless. In the attack on Luoyang, Jiangdong was defeated. In addition to the death of their lord Sun Jian, they also lost no less than 30,000 soldiers. Even if some of Cao's soldiers surrendered, they had to leave heavy troops to guard the newly acquired Jingzhou to deter the local authorities.

Therefore, Sun Ce might not even be able to gather 100,000 troops to actually go into battle. The fact that 20,000 of them were taken away by Sima Yi would naturally have a significant impact on Zhou Yu's plan to launch a northern expedition to Yuzhou.

Sima Fang also asked: "Yes, Zhongda, although I believe you have your own strategy, I can't figure out the reason."

Sima Yi's face, which had been expressionless till then, smiled slightly.

"Father, brother, do you remember what I said a few years ago? If a family like ours wants to gain a foothold and grow in this world, what exactly do we rely on?"

Sima Fang was a father after all. As the saying goes, 'No one knows a son better than his father'. He said without hesitation, "Of course I remember. You said that relying on the trust and use of others is not as good as being strong yourself, so that you can last forever."

"That's it." Sima Yi said, "Brother, you are right. Among the Sun family of Jiangdong, Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu are the most trusted. Even if we Sima family have the merit of supporting the establishment of the Sun family, in the eyes of the lord, we are still outsiders. Under such circumstances, it is nothing but a fool's dream to expect the family to stand firm in the troubled times."

Sima Lang was not a stupid man, and he began to understand something at this time.

"Second brother, what you mean is... this expedition to the south is not just to seize territory for the lord, but to seek a foundation for our Sima family?"

Sima Yi shook his head: "It is necessary to seek a foundation, but the southern expedition is indeed the lord's intention."

"Oh? Why do you think so?" Sima Lang looked puzzled.

The three of them chatted as they came to the lobby of the house. Sima Fang waved his hand for his two sons to take a seat, and he sat in the main seat.

Sima Yi bowed to his father and brother and said, "Now this lord is young and ambitious, and he is eager to take revenge for Liu He's murder of his father. Jingzhou is located in Yuzhou in the north and Bashu in the west. It relies on natural defenses. In addition, the northern army is not good at water battles. With the lord's courage and Zhou Gongjin's wisdom, it is not difficult for him to hold on for five or six years. However, the lord is by no means an ordinary lord, and he will never be willing to stay in such a remote corner."

Sima Lang asked in confusion: "But didn't Zhou Yu plan a northern expedition? If it works..."

Halfway through his words, he also seemed to have come to his senses. Sima Yi smiled and said, "What Zhou Gongjin said is just to appease everyone, especially the Jingzhou nobles. Otherwise, how could they support the lord wholeheartedly?"

"Second brother, what you mean is... the lord himself knows that the Northern Expedition is impossible to succeed?" "Of course." Sima Yi looked as if it was a matter of course.

"The strength of the enemy and us is too different. Liu He has no less than 800,000 or 900,000 soldiers under his command. This time, he has also obtained surrendered soldiers from Jingzhou and Yizhou, totaling no less than 150,000 or 160,000. The northern grasslands and the Qiang rebellion in the northwest have been pacified. Goguryeo and Wuhuan are retreating step by step under Ma Chao's iron hoof. If nothing unexpected happens, Ma Chao's army will be able to attack the capital of Goguryeo in the early spring of next year. Liu He has no worries now. If he really wants to attack with all his strength, our army can barely hold on for a few years by self-defense, but it is absolutely impossible for him to succeed in the Northern Expedition."

Sima Fang twisted his beard and nodded slightly: "Hmm... It seems that the lord and Zhou Gongjin have already discussed it privately. But if Zhongda had not volunteered today, I wonder how the lord would have arranged it?"

Sima Yi said, "The southern expedition is not difficult. The mountain rangers and Jiaozhou Shi Xie are nothing but clowns compared to the Central Plains princes. They are vulnerable to attack. It will be a piece of cake to wipe them out. However, there are many miasma in the mountains, and the road is even more difficult to travel. It will be difficult and arduous. My lord, you have determined that this is a matter of loyalty and courage."

"My second brother, do you think the Lord wants to use this matter to test you?"

"That's right. If I didn't mention it, the lord would have found an excuse to bring up the matter of Shi Xie's insufficient tribute. In addition, the Shanyue took advantage of the old lord's attack on Luoyang to repeatedly invade Wujun, and the lord had long intended to deal with them as soon as possible. Since the lord's left and right are all doing it, wouldn't it be easier for us to gain the lord's trust if we worry about his worries? I dare to conclude that the lord must be very happy. Originally, he only wanted to send 20,000 ordinary infantry to pacify Shanyue and Jiaozhou, but now I'm afraid he will add 5,000 elite armored soldiers to it, and this will be the foundation for our Sima family to gain a foothold in Jiangdong in the future."

Having said that, Sima Yi clenched his fists and his eyes sparkled. Sima Fang looked at his son with a face full of relief.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the Han Dynasty is about to usher in another new year.

Originally, the imperial court had defeated Cao Cao and completely pacified the entire north, which was a great joyous event. This New Year, it should be celebrated with great fanfare.

However, Cheng Liang's death in battle and the death of Empress Dowager Xu soon afterwards cast a few dark clouds over this otherwise festive occasion. As a result, instead of celebrating in large numbers in Luoyang City, the festive atmosphere was not as strong as in previous years because of the mourning for the Empress Dowager.

In the imperial palace, apart from the front palace which had some simple New Year decorations to show the people the New Year atmosphere, the harem was filled with solemnity. From Liu He and Zhang Yu to the many palace maids and eunuchs, everyone's expression showed a hint of grief.

Liu He suffered a series of blows from the deaths of his loved ones and was absent from court for many days. Fortunately, Liu Zheng returned to the palace and his memory was restored, which allowed him to cheer up again.

That day, he was reviewing memorials as usual when Xun Yu walked in from outside.

"Your Majesty, Shi Guangyuan's memorial has arrived."

Liu He's spirits lifted, and a look of joy and anticipation immediately appeared on his face. He stood up and took the memorial personally.

"Guangyuan has received a response so quickly from his mission to the Western Regions. It seems that the trip was going smoothly."

A few months ago, in accordance with the agreement, Liu He sent Grand Herald Shi Tao as the chief envoy and Shang Shu Pushe Zhen Yan as the deputy envoy, carrying the Han Dynasty's letters and gifts, plus more than one hundred merchant caravans and a special team of more than eighty craftsmen, to visit countries in the Western Regions.

The purpose of this trip was, firstly, to formally establish the relationship of suzerain and vassal state with various countries, secondly, to establish mutual trade exchanges, and thirdly, to plan the construction of an official road from Liangzhou to the Western Regions, that is, to reopen and even strengthen the once famous road connecting the East and the West - the Silk Road.

(End of this chapter)