Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 909 Sima's Movement
On this day, in dozens of cities in the three states under the rule of Cao Cao, teams of officials appeared at the city gates, government offices, and drum towers in the city.

These officers took out copies of the notice and posted them in various places in the city. Then, the sounds of gongs and drums spread throughout the city, attracting people to stop and take a look.

"Since Emperor Gaozu founded the country, the four seas were pacified, Emperor Guangwu restored the country, and the nine states were at peace, it has been more than 400 years since then, but eunuchs have caused disasters and treacherous ministers have disrupted politics, so that the country's fortune has gradually declined and the ancestral temples have not prospered. I was originally the Prince of Chenliu, and the traitor Dong was moody. He deposed my brother and took over the throne, and established me to run rampant. In the following years, I have experienced many twists and turns and suffered a long time of thorns, until the world collapsed, treacherous ministers rose up, the country was in tatters, and the people suffered."

"Fortunately, Heaven has not cut off the Han dynasty. General Cao Cao is a descendant of loyal and righteous men. He is both wise and brave. He has supported the government and has the merits of Yi and Huo. This is the blessing of our ancestors, and it is also a blessing for me and the people."

"Liu He was a descendant of a rural villain. He pretended to be a royal family member, deceived the world, colluded with the barbarians, valued merchants over scholars, violated etiquette and laws, tampered with ancestral teachings, deceived the emperor and usurped power, and stole sacred artifacts. Later, he repeatedly killed loyal ministers, committed many murders, increased taxes for no reason, and abused harsh policies. He was truly guilty of treason and was a shameless person. When he was a minister, he was three times more evil than Dong Zhuo. When he was a king, he was as violent as Jie and Zhou, and had one more crime."

"I have heard that there are many righteous men in the country, and heroes meet in times of national crisis. When a common man is humiliated, he draws his sword and stands up; when the country is in trouble, he stands up. For the sake of our ancestors and the people of the world, I hereby issue this edict to call on all the wise men to come together and fight against the traitors. I am willing to follow the example of King Zhao of Yan, and seek talents eagerly, and will not hesitate to spend thousands of gold or the title of Duke, so that men of high aspirations will put the country first, punish the traitors at home, and fight against the barbarians abroad, so that the country will not be troubled by internal disasters and the people will not be sad to leave their land. This will be a blessing for the people and the country."

When a notice to recruit talents was issued, everyone in the world was shocked.

Sili, Hedong County.

The Sima family is one of the most prestigious families in Hedong. Although Sima Fang resigned from the post of Jingzhao Yin several years ago, and no one from the Sima family serves as an official in the court now, even so, the Sima family's reputation and status are still unshakable in Hedong County.

However, in the past few days, the Sima family has changed their past style of closing the door to visitors, quietly reading, and concentrating on martial arts. The various branches of the family have frequently gone out to sell off their land, houses, etc., which has puzzled ordinary people. However, the other big families around the Sima Mansion did not seem to be surprised at all. In fact, many of them, like the Sima family, are quickly selling off their property.

"Brother..."

A middle-aged man with a sharp face and a stern expression walked into the lobby and saluted Sima Fang.

When Sima Fang saw the person coming, he asked hurriedly, "Second brother, how is the matter going?"

The man said, "All of the family's properties in Sili, Liangzhou, and Bingzhou have been transferred out, half of which have been exchanged for good farmland in Xuzhou, Jingzhou, and Yuzhou. Here is the land deed."

He took out a stack of contracts from his arms and handed them to Sima Fang with both hands.

Sima Fang took it and let out a long breath: "Second brother is really quick in doing things. This way, I, the Sima family, can rest assured."

At this time, three more figures walked in from outside the door.

"Father."

Among these three people, one was a young man in his twenties, and the other two were only in their teens. However, they all had tall and straight figures and bright eyes. When Sima Fang saw them, he immediately gave an order.

"You all should not be idle. Quickly pack up your belongings and books, and take a few brothers and sisters with you. We will move our family in three days."

The older youth immediately accepted the order: "I will obey my father's order."

He bowed again, then took his two younger brothers and prepared to leave. However, the boy who looked the youngest asked about Sima Fang.

"Father, there is something I don't understand, so I came to ask you for your advice."

Sima Fang was stunned. He was extremely busy at the moment and had no time to take care of this matter. When he was about to refuse, he saw the look in the eyes of his third son Sima Fu. He then thought of his own family, which always attached great importance to the education of the younger generations. Therefore, the words of refusal that were on the tip of his tongue could not be uttered.

"What questions do you have, Fuer?"

Sima Fu asked, "I know that the court has issued a new policy and carried out tax reform. Although the land of our Sima family is not as good as that of the big families such as the Hongnong Yang family and the Yingchuan Xun family, it has more than 4,000 acres of paddy fields. Since the new policy was issued, my father and my second uncle have been selling their property everywhere. I dare to guess that my father intends to join Cao Cao in Yuzhou?" Sima Fu's face sank, and he said in a somewhat reprimanding tone, "This is a family affair, not something you children can discuss. As the saying goes, the elders are in order, and the father's orders are like heaven, so there is no need to ask too much."

Sima Lang also helped his father persuade his younger brother: "Yes, Third Brother, this is what father and Second Uncle decided. You and I are the younger generation, we just need to follow their orders. How can we doubt our elders?"

Sima Fu shook his head and said, "The sage said that Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, Parents and Teachers are the foundation of the world. The Emperor comes before the Parents. Your behavior is tantamount to rebellion. I dare not act disloyalty just because of my foolish filial piety."

"How outrageous." Sima Fang shouted angrily.

Sima Lang also taught his third brother a lesson: "Father was promoted from Luoyang Magistrate to Jingzhao Yin because of the emperor who is now in Yuzhou. Naturally, our Sima family should respect the emperor of Yuzhou as the orthodox of the Han Dynasty. Today, the emperor issued an edict to seek talents, and father responded to the call, which was a great act of loyalty."

"But..." Sima Fu tilted his head, still a little unconvinced.

Seeing this, Sima Lang hurriedly pulled his second brother Sima Yi beside him and winked at him, wanting him to help persuade him. After all, Sima Yi and Sima Fu were only one year apart in age, and they were the closest to each other, and their relationship was much closer than that with Sima Yi, who was eight or nine years older than him.

Sima Yi's eagle eyes turned around and said, "I think that loyalty to the emperor is indeed the greatest virtue of human beings. However, the success or failure of a family cannot be achieved by relying on loyalty alone."

After these words were spoken, everyone present was a little surprised.

Sima Fang asked: "Then according to your opinion, if our Sima family wants to prosper, what should we do?"

Sima Yi said without hesitation: "One's own strength is the foundation for survival and even growth in this chaotic world. Whoever you respect as the orthodox one and which lord you rely on are just the bottom of the pile."

"Hiss..." Sima Fang was greatly surprised and looked at his son with shock in his eyes.

"Our own strength... But our Sima family is not a local lord, and we have no intention of becoming a lord and competing for the world."

Sima Yi said, "The strength of a family is not only reflected by becoming a prince. The stronger our own strength is, the more we will be valued and treated well even if we surrender to a lord. But now, my Sima family is only second-rate among the nobles in the world in terms of reputation and status. The Yang, Xun, Wang, Lu, Zhong and other big families are far better than us. In this situation, whether I surrender to Cao Cao or submit to Luoyang, my father can only be a governor at most, and he is simply unable to become a close minister to the lord. In this way, my Sima family is also precarious. If the world is safe, we are safe. If the world is in chaos, we are also in chaos. Whether we can protect ourselves depends on our lord. Is it the way to survive in troubled times to entrust your life and property to others?"

"Well said." The second uncle clapped his hands and praised.

"Brother, your second son is naturally intelligent and has an extraordinary vision. I'm afraid his future achievements will surpass yours."

Sima Fang also nodded repeatedly after hearing this. Although he was a little shocked, deep down in his heart, he agreed with it.

"Hmm... that makes some sense. In your opinion, then, we can't go to Yuzhou?"

Sima Yi shook his head and said, "No, I agree with my father and uncle. We can no longer stay in Hedong. The emperor of Luoyang looks down on us scholars, and there are many top families in the court, such as the Yang family, the Xun family, and the Wang family. If we stay here, we will have no room to grow. Yuzhou has repeatedly failed to win in battles with the court, so it is a good time to use people. Cao Cao has few top families under his command. With our reputation, if we surrender, we will be given important positions."

"Second brother, why are you..." Sima Fu looked at Sima Yi with some dissatisfaction.

"Alright, Fu'er, stop messing around. This matter has been decided. Three days later, the whole family will go to Yuzhou. There should be no delay."

Sima Fu pursed his lips, and although he was unwilling, he had to obey.

(End of this chapter)