The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 215 Death of Sima Shi

"How can I be so worthy as to dare to do this?"

"Grand Master Taifu, please don't embarrass me any further. Grand Master Situ is a man of high moral character, a veteran of three dynasties, highly respected and virtuous. He is a wise elder among the ministers, and all the ministers treat him as their teacher."

"The world is in crisis right now. Shouldn't he be the one taking charge?"

"How about handing the position of Shangshu Ling to him?"

Lu Yu looked at the ministers in front of him with a face full of humility, and was the first to mention Gao Rou's name.

The ministers kept silent with stern faces, but Sima Fu, understanding and serious, said, "Before we consulted the General, we had already consulted the Minister of the Interior. He is old and can no longer bear such a heavy responsibility. We have repeatedly advised him against it, but he has refused to listen."

"Please, Lord Lu, do not be so modest. Is there anyone in the government or the public who is more suitable for this position than you?"

Lu Yu shook his head again. "I don't deserve it. The Shangshutai is filled with talented people, Lord Xun! Your father once served as Shangshu Ling. Lord Xun's reputation is still praised by the world. Even if someone is to take over the Shangshu Ling position, it should be you."

This time, Lu Yu looked directly at Xun Yi.

Xun Yi cursed in his heart, you damn old dog, you want to completely block my way, right?

I treated you as an ally and helped you so much, yet you sold me out so easily?!

He said indifferently, "I don't deserve it. Lord Lu should take it personally."

Xun Yi was even too lazy to pretend to be close to Lu Yu. It was obvious that he was seriously offended by this incident.

Lu Yu looked at the next person.

He mentioned several people's names, even Sima Zhao.

"General Zhengxi is a benevolent man, why not let him take the position?"

All the ministers were very unhappy. You were threatening me with the country, and now that it's been given to you, why are you still installing it?
Do you think this is the ascension to the throne? Do you have to refuse and decline the throne three times?

Wang Xiang continued to watch this scene and became more alert.

The famous people in the world are often very cautious and strategic before they succeed, but when they are close to success or the situation is good, they are prone to fall into trouble.

This is the case with Gao Rou and Lu Yu now, and it was almost the same with the three emperors back then, and even with the heroes who were vying for the throne.

This seems to be something that has never changed since ancient times, and most heroes are like this.

Wang Xiang secretly reminded himself that if he gained power in the future, he must not be proud, conceited, or lose his mind.

Sima Fu was still cooperating with Lu Yu at this moment. "The General of the Western Expedition has voluntarily given up. He is still young and does not have the ability to do so."

Lu Yu then said helplessly: "If that's the case, then I'm ashamed to accept it."

"From now on, I hope you will take more care of me. I am willing to work with you on important matters of the court."

He saluted to the ministers.

The ministers hurriedly returned the greeting.

"Greetings to the Minister of the Chancellery."

Lu Yu raised his head again, feeling elated and no longer hiding the smile on his face.

He finally got what he wanted. Now, no one dared to oppose his ascension to the throne, not even Gao Rou and the Queen Mother!

Unless they no longer want this country, the survival of the country is completely tied to themselves.

With the power of the Secretariat, he would be the rightful leader of all ministers, and all government orders in the world would come from the Secretariat.

I must first promote those policies, reorganize the army and unify the world in the future, and the Lu family will rise from then on.
At this moment, Lu Yu had countless visions of the future in his mind.

"Everyone, there's no time to lose! Let's go see the Queen Mother now!"

"Then we will start taking care of the important affairs of the Shangshutai!"

Lu Yu immediately got into the role.

Lu Yu brought a large group of ministers to pay a visit to the empress dowager. Even Gao Dan did not dare to stop him. The empress dowager was a person who listened to advice very much. When she heard Lu Yu say that he had snatched the Secretariat from Sima Shi, Empress Dowager Guo was even very happy.

She had no idea that from today on, the world would welcome a group of even more greedy wolves.

They do not have Sima Shi's ability, but their numbers are larger, their behavior is worse, their vision is narrower, and they cause endless harm!
Empress Dowager Guo was very happy. She ordered Lu Yu to do a good job in the Secretariat and not to make any mistakes. She also issued an edict in person to confirm Lu Yu's position as the Minister of the Secretariat.

Lu Yu held his head high and strode out of Zhaoyang Palace. Facing the awe-inspiring gazes of the ministers, Lu Yu couldn't help laughing.

Inside the Taiji Hall, Cao Mao slowly raised his head and asked, "Why is it so lively outside?"

Zhang Hua hurriedly walked out of the Tai Chi Hall.

After a moment, he walked in.

"Your Majesty, Lord Lu has led the ministers to meet the Queen Mother and said that Sima Shi has abdicated his throne to him and that the Queen Mother has issued an edict appointing him as the Minister of the Chancellery."

Cao Mao paused with the pen in his hand, then looked at Zhang Hua.

"So soon, it seems Master Sima is really leaving."

Zhang Hua asked, "Why? Your Majesty, are you reluctant to leave?"

"Reluctant?? I wish he would die right now."

Cao Mao said seriously, "I also know that it is more beneficial for me if he is alive. He can help me to severely punish the ministers and the powerful families. I also know that our interests are now the same."

"But even so, his terror still makes me very wary. Even those benefits cannot make me tempted."

"I am not afraid of those ministers, nor those villains. I think I can see through their thoughts, but when facing Sima Shi, I have no idea what he is thinking or doing. Even now, I don't know what his backup plan is. I think his backup plan should be with the local generals."

"But I don't know what he's going to do."

"I always feel that I can't hide anything from him. If he appears at the door of the palace the next moment, I won't be surprised. You don't understand, that feeling of powerlessness..."

Cao Mao spoke a lot, and Zhang Hua hesitated for a moment before asking, "Your Majesty, what do you think of him compared to Lord Lu?"

"Pfft~~"

Cao Mao laughed out loud when he heard this. "I wasn't sure before, but now I'm certain Lu Yu won't live more than a month."

"He underestimates Sima Shi too much. Just wait and see. The more arrogant he is now, the more miserable he will be in the future."

"Master Sima might be plotting something right now!"

Unlike the cheers in the Shangshu Pavilion, the atmosphere in the General's Mansion was very quiet, and there was a kind of unspoken sadness in the quietness.

Even the soldiers had their heads down, not knowing what they were thinking.

Sima Zhao and Sima Yan knelt in the study, looking at the unconscious Sima Shi.

"Brother, it's all my fault. I lost the Secretariat and I can't even keep my position as Grand General."

"I am incompetent and I have failed your high hopes."

"Brother."

Sima Zhao closed his eyes, with two tear marks on his face.

Sima Yan sobbed softly and wiped his tears.

"Why are you crying?"

Sima Zhao was stunned. He suddenly opened his eyes, but saw that his brother had opened his eyes and was staring at him quietly.

At that moment, Sima Zhao felt creepy and almost jumped up in fear.

"Brother!! Are you okay?!"

Sima Shi frowned and looked at Sima Yan, who was stunned beside him. "Get out! Guard the door!"

Sima Yan nodded and crawled out of the study.

"Brother, I..."

"Lu Yu finally came to my house, and I'm relieved. Don't ask too many questions, just listen to me."

Sima Shi said solemnly, "Next, do nothing. Focus on gathering your troops, hold a funeral for me, then offer to observe mourning for me, voluntarily resign your position, and do not argue with the ministers."

"Soon, the ministers will come to ask you to take over as the general."

"You must refuse twice, and then promise them that after becoming the general, you will not imitate my behavior, do not mix with the aristocratic families, stay away from them, and be hostile to Zhongfu. Whatever Zhongfu supports, you must oppose it, and whatever he opposes, you must support it. You must have a persistent attitude."

"The Chancellery and the General must absolutely not show any tendency to compromise."

"You must assist His Majesty with peace of mind and not show any displeasure. You must carry out everything he says. You must be close to talented people from humble backgrounds and common people, promote them more, and gradually cut ties with the powerful families. Zhong Hui, Chen Qian, and Zheng Mao do not need to be cut off."

"You must let Yan follow the emperor. Don't tell him about your family's affairs. Let him assist the emperor with all his strength and let him be the emperor's Zhuge Liang!"

"But Sima You, you must raise him yourself. Don't let him develop any close feelings towards the emperor or his ministers. When he's a little older, send him to a remote area to hone his skills. Tell him everything about our original plan and how we ultimately failed. Let him be patient for now, and when the time is right, we can continue our legacy! Build the great cause of our Sima family!"

"Cao Mao's greatest weakness is that he completely disregards etiquette and laws. It's not that he despises them, but that he ignores them. His ideas and perspectives differ from those of the literati. Right now, his work hasn't been successful, and when it's about to succeed, he's bound to make a big mistake."

"By that time, you and Zhongfu should be gone, but Yan and You will still be here."

Sima Shi said a lot in one breath, and Sima Zhao listened very carefully.

"I've already arranged everything. Time is running out. If I have another year, this is all I can do."

"Don't get angry anymore, don't be willful, think about how I would respond before you do anything, maintain your reputation, help those from poor backgrounds, do good deeds, and change the reputation of your family."

"Don't blame yourself."

"It's my incompetence that has prevented me from fulfilling my father's last wish and completing the Sima family's great cause."

Sima Zhao's tears rolled down again.

"Brother."

Sima Shi just looked at him quietly, and Sima Zhao just cried.

After a while, Sima Shi's expression changed a little, and the solemnity and gravity on his face seemed to dissipate a little.

"Zi Shang, call An Shi in."

Sima Zhao hurriedly shouted, "Sima Yan! Come in!"

Sima Yan rushed into the house and looked at them in astonishment.

Sima Shi motioned him to come closer.

Sima Yan sat down carefully next to Sima Shi.

He saw that his uncle's brows relaxed, his expression became calm, and even a faint smile appeared on his face.