Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 385 Marriage

"You want me, Liu Yi, to be Liu Yu's dog?" Liu Yi's eyes widened like lanterns.

The people he resented the most in his life were Liu Yu and Liu Daogui, who were both surnamed Liu. He was a direct descendant of Emperor Gaozu of Han and came from the Liu clan of Pei County, while Liu Daogui and his brother were at most collateral branches.

In terms of strength, Liu Yi is actually not bad. He has 20,000 elite troops under his command and many fierce generals.

Although he was not as powerful as Liu Daogui, he had more troops under his command than Liu Yu.

Yang Sui wore a bitter expression. "When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. A true man can bend and stretch."

Zhuge Changmin glanced sideways and said, "We are, after all, local warlords. Why should we live under someone else's roof?"

Lu Zongzhi also said: "Nanyu and Wuchang are both fertile lands with abundant water and soil, backed by the Dabie Mountains, with a large population and a gathering of merchants. There is great potential for development. We can conserve our strength and watch the Liu family fight it out. When they are exhausted, we can reap the benefits. If we join Liu Jinu, we will be at his beck and call and have our blood and flesh pave the way for him."

Joining Liu Yu's cause shouldn't be based on empty words; one must offer concrete evidence.

So even if Liu Yi was willing, his men were not.

"Let the Prince of Qiao go by himself. I, Liu Yi, would rather die on the battlefield than submit to anyone!" Liu Yi still had backbone.

Yang Sui earnestly advised, "This is a clever scheme devised by the Prince of Langya and the Prince of Qiao to sow discord among the Liu brothers."

"If that's the case, then the Sima family's rule is truly over. Do they still think Liu Yu is just a valiant warrior? They're sorely mistaken. This man is skilled at gambling, and his cunning is similar to Wang Mang's, but even more ruthless. Just look at him since he raised his army; has he ever made a single wrong move?"

Liu Yi has been in the business for so many years, weathering so many storms without falling down; he still has some insight and shrewdness.

If Liu Yu or Liu Daogui had made even one wrong move, he would have pounced on them long ago.

Unfortunately, the two brothers never revealed any flaws from beginning to end.

As for the covert struggle between the two sides, it was more like a tacit understanding. The two fought back and forth, and one became the prime minister and the other became the general. The minds of the court and the public were focused on the rivalry between the two brothers, and no one objected.

The prestige of the Jin dynasty was gradually eroded.

"This..." Yang Sui was speechless for a moment, sweating profusely.

The Yang family of Taishan had been high-ranking officials for generations since the Han Dynasty. They were also a prominent family at the beginning of the Southern Song Dynasty, and produced two empresses. Emperor Yuan of Jin, Sima Rui, was the grandson of the Yang family.

However, during Wang Dun's rebellion, he became too close to Wang Dun, which aroused the suspicion of Emperor Ming of Jin.

When Huan Xuan usurped the throne, Yang Fu surrendered to Huan Chu and became his secretary.

After repeatedly choosing the wrong side and failing to produce any outstanding individuals, the family's social standing gradually declined.

It is all too clear who Liu Yu was; Sima Shangzhi and Sima Dewen were simply showing off their limited knowledge before an expert.

Liu Yi even felt that this was a trap deliberately set by Liu Yu, waiting for him to stretch his neck and crawl into it.

"Go back and tell the Prince of Langya and the Prince of Qiao that in the current situation, it is better to remain still than to make a move. The best course of action is to bide our time and avoid attracting attention. Do not be too clever for yourselves! Liu Yu is seriously injured and will not last many years. There will be an opportunity to make a move then. Send them away!"

Liu Yi had finally realized that relying on the Sima family would only lead to failure.

Moreover, Sima Shangzhi and Sima Dewen had no good intentions; they simply wanted Liu Yi to be the first to act, to shield the Sima family from harm...

If it were the Sima clan five years ago, Liu Yi might have reluctantly accepted it, but now the Sima clan is just an empty shell. Liu Yi talks about supporting the country, but in reality, he is still just trying to benefit himself...

Jiankang.

The sounds of string and wind instruments could be heard from time to time in the Langya Prince's Mansion.

Sima Dewen was having a banquet with a group of sons of high-ranking families.

Inside the hall, a dozen or so graceful Hu women, draped in thin veils, swayed like willows in the wind, turning towards Liu Yifu and Liu Yizhen. Their fiery charm and the intentional or unintentional exposure of their bodies made the two brothers stare wide-eyed.

At the age of thirteen or fourteen, they are neither too old nor too young, and they already have a vague understanding of matters between men and women.

Many sons of wealthy families are dissolute and debauched at a young age.

The two men were already arrogant and extravagant in the Prime Minister's residence. After becoming Sima Dewen's clerks, they became even more unscrupulous under the intentional or unintentional flattery of others.

After Liu Yu became prime minister, he became increasingly busy, and coupled with his poor health, he had no time to take care of his two sons.

"Come here, beauty." Liu Yizhen was the first to succumb to temptation and reached out to pull her.

Unexpectedly, Hu Ji chuckled and nimbly dodged the attack.

Liu Yifu was even more helpless. He stepped on the table and fell forward, but the Hu women were swift and agile, dodging him every time. The more unattainable something is, the more it itches. Liu Yifu was quite like his father. At only fourteen years old, he was already tall and strong, skilled in archery and horsemanship. He rolled up his sleeves, ready to get serious, when the music stopped at just the right moment.

The women gracefully withdrew.

"Oh dear, the Prince of Langya is having quite a good time," Liu Yifu complained.

Sima Dewen said, "Don't be impatient, soldiers. What are these Hu women? You two can have them all. It's just that... I'm afraid we can't keep it from the Prime Minister."

The moment their father was mentioned, the two brothers wilted like water shield after a frost.

Despite being the prime minister, Liu Yu set an example by living a simple and frugal life, never indulging in extravagance, and having fewer than thirty servants in his household.

If the two brothers bring back a dozen or so Hu women, they will surely be reprimanded.

Xie Lingyun clapped his hands and laughed, "Let's stop here for today, there's plenty of time in the future."

"Alright, it's getting late. If I don't go home soon, my mother will worry, and my father will become suspicious. Thank you for your hospitality, Prince of Langya." Liu Yizhen cupped his hands to everyone.

Sima Dewen waved his hand magnanimously, "There is no Prince of Langya here, only brothers and friends. Chariot soldiers and chariot officers are not outsiders."

Liu Yifu said casually, "Brother Sima, you are very kind. My brothers and I will definitely take care of you in the future."

After saying that, he took Liu Yizhen's hand and left.

But he didn't notice that Sima Dewen's face had darkened.

His politeness was merely a pretense of respect for the virtuous and learned, not a genuine desire to become sworn brothers with Liu Yifu and his brothers.

Although Liu Yu was appointed prime minister, in the eyes of these powerful families he was still a peasant, a lowly person. This discrimination based on social class did not change with Liu Yu's rise in status.

"I'll take my leave." Xie Lingyun was much smarter; he bowed, cupped his hands, and slowly withdrew from the hall.

Sima Dewen kicked over the table in front of him, scattering cups and plates all over the floor.

"I've told you many times, you must be patient." Sima Shangzhi appeared behind Sima Dewen without anyone noticing.

"I couldn't help myself and made you laugh, Uncle. Why are you so free today, Uncle?"

"Liu Yi was ungrateful and refused to join Liu Yu's cause."

"Liu Yi and Liu Yu are both lowly people, yet they are now riding on our heads. This is intolerable!" Sima Dewen's face was filled with anger, but he was helpless.

Times have changed. Although he is the Prince of Langya, his life is in the hands of others.

"However, he did say one thing correctly." Sima Shangzhi remained calm.

"What?"

"We'll go and join Liu Yu!"

"This..." Sima Dewen really couldn't understand it.

"Liu Yu tried his best to hide it, but his condition was worsening. He was only kept alive by miraculous medicines. His two sons are promising talents!" Sima Shangzhi's eyes gleamed.

Sima Dewen sarcastically remarked, "Those two are nothing but good-for-nothings, a far cry from Liu Yu and Liu Daogui."

“If he weren’t a good-for-nothing, how could he be of use to me? You can betroth Maoying to Liu Yilong and form a marriage alliance with Liu Yu.”

"A marriage alliance?" Sima Dewen's face darkened. His daughter, Sima Maoying, was only eleven years old and had always been the apple of his eye.

He already looked down on Liu Yu's background, and now that he couldn't even protect his daughter, he felt even more distressed.

"In this way, we will be intertwined, which will dispel Liu Yu's suspicions. Secondly, our forces will be temporarily hidden under Liu Yifu's name."

Liu Yu did not take drastic measures against the powerful clans and noble families. He turned a blind eye to the corrupt practices of the Wang family of Langya and the Xie family of Chenjun.

Once Liu Yu is gone, Liu Yifu's value will only increase.

There was no familial affection between him and Liu Daogui, nor were there any bottom lines between them.

The Liu family members turned on each other, which created an opportunity for the Sima family.

Sima Dewen gritted his teeth and said, "For the sake of my Sima family's empire, what is a woman worth!"

(End of this chapter)