Wei and Jin did not submit to Zhou

Chapter 21 was already well-known.
There are two routes from Luoyang to Hedong County.

The first option is to cross the river at Mengjin and take the Zhiguan Road to Hedong. The advantage is that it's closer, but the disadvantage is that it involves crossing the river, which carries some risk. After all, the three cities of Heyang had not yet been established at this time, and crossing the Yellow River could not be done by bridge; one could only rely on boats for ferry crossings.

Moreover, this road passes through the Wangwu Mountains, and the road is quite rugged.

The second route is simpler: head west from Luoyang, pass Tongguan, and then turn east from Puban. The advantage is better road conditions, as it's all official roads; the disadvantage is the longer journey.

These days, using a private ferry is extremely dangerous. First, the ferries are small and can easily capsize in a big wave. Second, people can be treacherous; once you're on the boat, the boatman is in charge. You have to pay him, and he might even kill you, rob you, and dump your body in the Yellow River.

"Even if they are innocent, they should be killed; this saying is not just a rumor."

Without hesitation, Shi Shouxin chose to take the Tongguan Road. This was because it was a fixed "military line," a dedicated route for daily troop movements and the transport of provisions.

They were very lucky; east of Xin'an County, they encountered an army transporting provisions. This army was traveling in the same direction as Shi Shouxin and his men, heading towards Guanzhong with Chang'an as their final destination.

The commander of this force was Hu Lie, a man in his early forties with the typical physique of a military general. He came from Jingzhou and Xiangyang, where he had previously served as the prefect and concurrently as the Right General. The grain transport team consisted of local imperial guards from Luoyang, who were now "secretly" heading to Guanzhong, their purpose unknown.

Hu Lie was a man of few tricks, and Shi Shouxin quickly became familiar with him. Upon learning that Shi Shouxin had married Li Yin's beloved daughter, Hu Lie immediately became enthusiastic. This rough man in his early forties actually addressed the twenty-something Shi Shouxin as a brother, and they chatted and joked happily along the way.

Hu Lie boasted about his past battlefield achievements, and Shi Shouxin would occasionally exclaim in amazement, "Zilong is back in the world!" which greatly satisfied Hu Lie's self-esteem!
When Shi Shouxin parted ways with Hu Lie at Tongguan, the two had already sworn brotherhood.

Furthermore, Hu Lie proudly told Shi Shouxin a "secret": the imperial court was already quietly making preparations to send troops to Hanzhong, but was keeping it a secret for the time being.

For a general of his caliber, it doesn't matter who leads the troops; they're always indispensable on the front lines. Including Hu Lie, there are probably many other generals secretly heading towards Guanzhong to prepare for war!
In other words, by the time the imperial court agrees to send troops, all preparations for the conquest of Shu will be complete. All that is needed is for the emperor to issue an imperial edict, and then the main general, deputy general, and staff team in Luoyang will enter Guanzhong, and the war will break out immediately!

Although Shi Shouxin had already made these judgments, he was still somewhat shocked when Hu Lie said it in person.

Sima Zhao may not have been very good at leading troops into battle, but he was certainly capable of planning campaigns.

Warfare in feudal times was not simply a matter of declaring war and immediately engaging in hand-to-hand combat. War preparation was a meticulous undertaking, especially logistical support.

Shi Shouxin showered Hu Lie with praise, saying that Hu Lie would surely achieve great success in his campaign against Shu, which delighted Hu Lie. The two then parted ways; Shi Shouxin headed north to Hedong, while Hu Lie led his troops to continue towards Chang'an.

Summer torrential rains arrived unexpectedly and seemed endless, leaving Shi Shouxin with no choice but to stay at an inn on the outskirts of Puban.

Outside, the rain was pouring down, making it impossible to distinguish between day and night. Shi Shouxin handed his soaked clothes to the postman to dry, and changed into a coarse cloth garment provided by the post station, looking like a laborer working in the fields.

In the past two years, he has often made tools by hand. He is not an office worker. His skin is dark and strong from being exposed to the wind and sun, and he doesn't look like a scholar who drinks ink at all. When he puts on a coarse linen coat, outsiders would not recognize him as an official at all.

The dog that had been traveling with them wiped Shi Shouxin's hair with a piece of linen. The two of them listened to the thunder outside the window and were both glad that they were not far from the post station when the rainstorm started.

"Ah Lang, why did General Hu Lie initially ignore us completely, but then suddenly become so enthusiastic after hearing that you married Madam Hu?"

The greyhound asked with some confusion. At that moment, he had finished drying Shi Shouxin's hair and was drying his own.

Why else? Because this is the era of the Celestial Dragons!
"Hehe, because he's kind-hearted."

Shi Shouxin gave a casual, dismissive answer, too lazy to explain. Regardless of the era, the rules governing society are similar. Ordinary people are driven by self-interest, using their own interests to discern their closest loved ones.

Li Wan's father, Li Yin, was the Censor-in-Chief, responsible for investigating and correcting the misconduct of officials.

Hu Lie and Shi Shouxin became close friends and even swore brotherhood, of course because he was worried about offending Shi Shouxin and fearing that his son-in-law would complain to his father-in-law!

Having more friends means having more options. In officialdom, you see each other all the time, so what else could it be for!
Shi Shouxin sighed inwardly, realizing that servants like Xigou, who came from tenant farmers, had limited knowledge and could not understand the rules of the game within the Celestial Dragons' circle.

Is it something to be proud of for Hu Lie, a man in his early forties, to become sworn brothers with someone in his early twenties? No, it's all for better survival and development.

To put it bluntly, it's a case of people dying for money and birds dying for food.

Shi Shouxin was already fully aware of these matters. When Hu Lie wanted to become sworn brothers, he readily agreed.

He had absolutely no moral burden. In order to prevent his beautiful wife from being taken advantage of by the powerful, he had to be self-reliant and not care about trivial matters, otherwise he would betray the person who loved him wholeheartedly.

"You need to figure these things out for yourself. There's no such thing as love or hate without a reason, and money doesn't fall from the sky!"

As Shi Shouxin was speaking, the half-closed door was pushed open, and a noble young man dressed in fine clothes walked in, placed a few gemstones on the table, and then walked out as if no one else was there.

In the blink of an eye, the person hadn't uttered a single word, as if he were a ghost.

The greyhound's mouth instantly formed an "O" shape. He looked at the young nobleman who had swaggered away, then at Shi Shouxin, who was staring blankly at him, and couldn't utter a word for a long time.

Much later, Greyhound asked, "Brother, wouldn't you say this is like money falling from the sky for no reason?"

"You stay here and guard the official documents from the imperial court, make sure they're not lost! I'm going out to check!"

Shi Shouxin, too lazy to waste words with Xi Gou, grabbed the gemstones from the table and left the room. He then saw the noble young master wandering around the inn's lobby. Whenever he saw someone dressed in coarse cloth, he would approach them and offer them some valuables.

For example, wine cups made of gold and silver, gold coins from the Western Regions, Persian glass cups, and so on.

Most of those who received these were couriers who were busy working at the post stations.

Before long, he had delivered all the stock he had, and a large group of people knelt on the ground beside him, kowtowing and thanking him.

Could this world be a fantasy world?

Shi Shouxin felt a strange unease. He stepped forward, placed the gems he was holding on the table, and bowed to the young nobleman.

"It's alright. I took it from a wealthy family's house while I was having a drink nearby. You can just take it."

"It is the way of Heaven to take from the rich and give to the poor; there is nothing shameful about accepting such a gift, and I do not need any repayment from you."

The young nobleman smiled and said this, appearing very elegant.

However, taking something without permission is theft, while taking something after being informed is banditry.

Shi Shouxin opened his mouth, but in the end, he couldn't say anything. Although the other party's words sounded plausible, wasn't his behavior simply stealing?

Looking at the young nobleman, Shi Shouxin sighed and said:

"First of all, taking other people's things without returning them is stealing."

Furthermore, while your intentions may be good, it is not a blessing for the poor to receive such valuable things.

Have you not heard the phrase "unable to enjoy what one has"?
Firstly, they suddenly became rich and didn't know how to use their money.

Secondly, the saying goes, "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime." You may have the ability to prevent bandits from robbing you, but these poor and lowly people may not be so lucky. They may very well lose their lives because of this fleeting wealth.

When you do good deeds, are you trying to impress yourself, or do you genuinely hope to help others?
If you're just trying to move yourself, then disregard what I said. But if you're trying to help others, I think your approach is misguided.

Shi Shouxin patiently explained, then asked the richly dressed young man a question in return.

Using the wealth of the rich to help the poor—well, you could only say he's a good person.

But the method used was wrong, or at least the approach was too crude.

Shi Shouxin thought to himself.

After these words were spoken, those who had just taken the treasures placed them on the dining table in the inn's main hall, then bowed in gratitude and left.

Shi Shouxin's words were reasonable and persuasive, and those who had received the treasure felt uneasy after hearing them.

Soon, only Shi Shouxin and the young nobleman remained.

“You’re right, but if I have the chance in the future, I will still do similar things, taking things from wealthy people to help the poor.”

I'll just give it to them more subtly.

The young nobleman spoke very seriously, and seemed to actually know how to do such a thing.

Shi Shouxin was amused by his persistence and nodded, saying:
"Actually, there is a way."

With the summer floods approaching, this torrential rain will undoubtedly severely impact the crops in the fields, and some may suffer complete crop failure at harvest time. If you take these treasures and exchange them for some grain, perhaps you can alleviate their plight; every person saved is a blessing.

"Provide emergency aid, not long-term support; in doing good deeds, one should not refrain from doing good because it is small."

The young man in his fine clothes thought for a moment and then suddenly realized what was going on.

“Gongtai is truly wise! My name is Pei Kai, courtesy name Shuze, a member of the Pei family of Hedong, and my home is not far away.”

"Come, come, we've hit it off immediately. Why don't we come to my house, sit down by candlelight, and discuss how to deal with these treasures?"

Pei Kai was very pleased; he seemed to have realized that Shi Shouxin was no ordinary person.

In fact, because there was no compulsory education in this era, the cultural upper and lower limits of people from different social classes could be greater than the difference between heaven and earth.

For these aristocratic families and elites, a mere few words from the person they were talking to was enough to gauge their character and status. Anyone they could converse with was undoubtedly someone of the same social standing.

Shi Shouxin certainly wouldn't refuse such an invitation. He followed Pei Kai to a larger room inside the post station, where he immediately gained a deeper understanding of how the post station staff treated people differently based on their status.

This inn was not only more spacious and cleaner, but the inn also thoughtfully provided blankets, clean water for washing, a desk for working and reading, as well as bamboo slips, carving knives, and writing materials. In short, it was much better than my own inn.

Although officials stayed at post stations for free, the post station staff would treat them very differently depending on their rank or family background.

The world is full of hierarchical divisions, and different people receive vastly different treatment.

"I am Shi Shouxin, courtesy name Gandang. I hold a minor official position in the Luoyang Imperial Household Department. I am currently traveling from Luoyang to Hedong on official business. May I ask what brings you to Puban Post Station, sir?"

After the two sat down, Shi Shouxin introduced himself.

"It was only because the General summoned me that I traveled from Hedong to Luoyang to receive orders."

Pei Kai sighed, and continued with some regret, "I hit it off with you the moment we met, but you came from Luoyang to Hedong, while I was going from Hedong to Luoyang, so we just missed each other. If it weren't for that, wouldn't it have been wonderful for us to travel together, drinking and chatting along the way?"

"It's alright. I'll drink with Uncle Ze after I return to Luoyang!"

Shi Shouxin laughed heartily.

Suddenly, Pei Kai's expression turned strange, as if he had remembered something.

He looked at Shi Shouxin, then lowered his voice and asked, "Two years ago, when the Emperor led his entourage to storm the General's Mansion, besides Shi Chong, the other person accompanying the Emperor seemed to be... Shi Bao's adopted son. Could it be you?"

"That's right, and that's why we offended the General. Let's not talk about it anymore."

Shi Shouxin nodded slightly and said there was nothing to hide about this. When he first started planning it, it was all for the sake of fame.

That's right, it's all for the sake of fame! It seems utterly ridiculous.

At the time, all he wanted was to get a marriage decree and win the heart of his beloved. If he couldn't, it didn't matter; as long as he became famous, that was enough.

This idea seemed ridiculous, but judging from the various experiences that followed, it was indeed a gamble that paid off.

In this absurd era, if you have a reputation, becoming an official is as easy as eating and drinking. Some people are even begged by the imperial court to become officials.

Since that incident.

His wife, Li Wan, respected and loved him. People of insight were willing to associate with him. Even Shi Bao, who would not get up early for nothing, was willing to put in the effort to promote him.

It was all because Shi Shouxin proved himself in that performance!
During the transition from the Wei to the Jin dynasties, reputation was a personal label that allowed others to immediately tell whether a person was worth befriending.

In this era, there is no reasonable and universally accepted method for selecting talent that is accepted by everyone, and the laws for selecting talent are basically just for show.

To put it bluntly, promotions are purely based on political achievements and personal connections, and for those achievements to "reach the ears of the emperor," you need the help of others. Otherwise, no matter how much you do, others will steal your fruits of victory.

If a person remains unknown, he will never be promoted, and may never even become an official!
The power of his reputation is gradually becoming apparent. Otherwise, Shi Shouxin would at most be considered a son-in-law from a poor family; how could he possibly establish himself in officialdom with that status?

"Oh my, oh my, it's you! The righteous man who was willing to die to repay a debt of gratitude!"
That phrase, "To die for righteousness is what we live by today," was it you who uttered it? I knew Shi Chong was cunning and wouldn't do something so foolish; it really was you!
Hahahaha, I knew I was right!

Pei Kai was visibly excited as he grasped Shi Shouxin's hands, as if he were seeing his idol!

The Wei and Jin Dynasties were an era of rampant pretentiousness! It was also an era that produced many intelligent people, but they often misused their intelligence!

Shi Chong thought he was deceiving the world and stealing fame, and that he was playing a very clever game. In reality, in the eyes of the top Celestial Dragon families, this operation was nothing more than a cover-up.

Putting aside everything else, the fact that Li Yin was handling affairs at the General's Mansion was enough to inadvertently spread the truth. After all, supporting her son-in-law was not only to improve her daughter's life but also to increase the overall strength of the family.

There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. The Pei family of Hedong was already a top-tier aristocratic family, on par with the Wang family of Taiyuan at the time. It was not surprising that they found out the truth about Cao Mao's assassination.

Everyone chooses to see through things but not say anything; it's all just a matter of mutual support and back-scratching.

"Come, come, tell me properly what happened that day? Was the Emperor's carriage blocked by the Imperial Guards? How did you manage to break through the encirclement?"

Pei Kai was beaming with excitement, completely unconcerned about how sensitive the matter was. He wasn't afraid at all; it was Sima Zhao who should be afraid!

Shi Shouxin pointed to his ear, implying that there were ears on the other side of the wall and that this matter was not suitable to be discussed in a place like the post station.

Pei Kai looked sullen and had no choice but to give up.

Then, as if remembering something, Pei Kai shook his head and sighed, "The General is recruiting talented people and famous scholars from all over the country to serve in government, but many people have declined."

There seemed to be a hint of envy in his words.

He probably learned his mannerisms from Ji Kang. Shi Shouxin thought that Ji Kang lived in seclusion in Hedong, not far from here, and that he was very likely acquainted with Pei Kai.

Therefore, it's not surprising at all that Pei Kai has such thoughts.

"Why don't you refuse the General's offer? Even if you were to serve as an official in a local area, it wouldn't be difficult for you."

Entering the General's mansion would inevitably draw criticism.

Shi Shouxin asked in confusion.

On the one hand, Pei Kai seemed to look down on the Sima family's moral character and conduct;

On the other hand, it did not refuse the General's Mansion's offer of recruitment, which can be described as a classic example of "dividing into two".

Pei Kai shook his head and sighed, "I dare say you are unaware of this. I consider myself to be of decent character. If I were to enter the General's Mansion, at least I could handle matters impartially. But there are only so many positions for subordinates. If I don't go, wicked people might take them. In that case, it's better for me to take the position. Isn't it the same as having one more good person doing good if one less wicked person does evil?"

His words were spoken with such confidence that they reminded Shi Shouxin of the so-called "peace of mind".

Pei Kai felt that going to the General's mansion as a staff member was the right thing to do, so he would put it into practice and do it well.

If a person doesn't agree with something, then they absolutely cannot do it well.

Pei Kai's reasoning was simple: "I'm a good person. If I reserve the spot, the bad people won't be able to take it. Isn't that a good thing? Why should we, because of our moral fastidiousness, abandon good deeds and help the bad people?"
Shi Shouxin looked Pei Kai up and down, and felt that this man was no ordinary person!
In this era, there are very few people with such insightful thoughts. For example, the Sima clan completely failed to see this point.

Three generations of a family were trapped in a vicious cycle of wickedness and hypocrisy, until the War of the Eight Princes finally tore off their masks.

Shi Shouxin bowed to Pei Kai with sincere admiration and said, "Uncle, you have great ambitions and a magnanimous spirit. I truly admire you!"

"Admiration is unnecessary, but I do realize that I often act impulsively, hahaha!"

Pei Kai was very pleased with himself and laughed heartily, holding onto Shi Shouxin's hand tightly.

He was deeply disappointed to hear that Shi Shouxin had already married, and that the wife was the beloved daughter of Li Yin, the Imperial Censor. If Shi Shouxin had not married, Pei Kai might have persuaded his father to give him his cousin in marriage.

For the Celestial Dragons, having similar interests is itself a test of ability!

Because many Celestial Dragons are highly cultured and have strong critical thinking skills, the people they admire are bound to be like them, so there is no need to delve into their background or family history.

In other words, ordinary people are not good enough for them!
The next day, Pei Kai followed Shi Shouxin's advice and used his family connections to exchange his valuables and valuables for disaster relief grain.

Then the grain was handed over to family members to distribute to the disaster victims.

As expected, the banks of the Yellow River where Puban is located were flooded, and many fertile fields were damaged. The distribution of this grain caused a great stir in the local area.

Upon learning of this, Sima Zhao immediately promoted Pei Kai to the rank of Shangshu Lang, making his promotion much faster than that of Shi Shouxin, who had spent two years working his way up in the Shaofu (Imperial Household Department).
Pei Kai's disaster relief efforts were not his sole responsibility, as he was a staff member of the General's Office. Therefore, Pei Kai's disaster relief efforts were equivalent to Sima Zhao's efforts.

This is subtly giving Sima Zhao face.

This is why Pei Kai's official rank rose rapidly after he went to Luoyang.

The same road took Shi Shouxin two years to travel and he still hadn't arrived, but Pei Kai only took two months.

Even with the support of his father-in-law, Shi Shouxin's progress in officialdom was far slower than that of scions from prominent families.

Because these people are not only talented, but also have connections!

Shi Shouxin wasn't competing with a bunch of mediocre students, but with a group of well-rounded individuals. None of these elites deliberately gave themselves a pig's brain to waste their lives in Luoyang.

Even now, Shi Shouxin still feels immense pressure despite giving it his all!

A few months later, when Pei Kai met Shi Shouxin for a banquet, he said: "Many new staff members have come to the General's Mansion at the same time. We all share the same ambitions and have a great time together."

Among them were prominent figures such as Du Yu and Yang Xiu. As for Sima Zhao's purpose in promoting such a promising young talent, Shi Shouxin understood perfectly well.

He believed that there must be many people in Luoyang who understood things as well as he did.

(End of this chapter)