The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 247 Sima Yi's Hint
Then Sima Yi said, seemingly in casual conversation:

"Yesterday, Zheng Gong told His Majesty that when the Prince of Pingyuan was still the Marquis of Wude in his early years, he once accompanied His Majesty on a hunt. On the way, they encountered a pair of doe and fawn. His Majesty shot the mother and then had the Prince of Pingyuan shoot the fawn."

“But King Pingyuan said, ‘Your Majesty has already killed his mother, and I cannot bear to kill his son as well,’ and he wept incessantly because of this.”

At this point, Sima Yi looked at Xu Shu with a deep gaze:
What are Yuanzhi's thoughts?

Xu Shu unconsciously slowed his pace.

This sounds like some kind of secret, tabloid gossip from the royal family.

But since these words came from someone of Sima Yi's status, they couldn't really be taken as mere idle gossip.

The mention of a doe and fawns, combined with Cao Rui's background, can hardly be considered a metaphor.

They practically stated outright that Cao Pi's decision to order Zhen's death violated human ethics.

There is nothing wrong with that.

After all, Zheng Cheng was Cao Rui's teacher, and his reputation and future were already tied to this eldest prince. Of course, he would do his best to help him.

But Xu Shu was different.

His future depended solely on Cao Pi's favor.

There's no need to risk getting involved in the issue of succession.

After a moment's thought, he said slowly:

"King Pingyuan's willingness to kill his son despite his mother's death shows his benevolence and filial piety."

"It is only natural for Zheng Gong to show off his disciple's achievements as his teacher."

Sima Yi laughed heartily upon hearing this:

"That is Zheng Gongzheng's intention."

"However, he is not as pragmatic as Yuanzhi, and his words are too sharp, which displeases His Majesty."

"If it weren't for His Majesty's benevolence, it would have brought disaster upon the Prince of Pingyuan!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Shu immediately laughed it off.

Sima Yi did not pressure him to make any further statements.

It seemed like they were just chatting casually.

However, when the two reached the street corner, Sima Yi suddenly reined in his horse.

In front of the two men stood a light carriage decorated with brass, with two horses at the front.

This was a special type of "齺传" (yaochuan), used to transport high-ranking officials.

Xu Shu glanced at Sima Yi with surprise.

The latter slowly dismounted, put his hands in his pockets, and breathed out a puff of air:

"To share the emperor's worries is the duty of a subject. Do you agree, Yuanzhi?"

Xu Shu answered without hesitation:

"Indeed! But the Emperor has summoned Lord Sima. If I were to go with him, would it be impolite?"

Sima Yi shook his head and said:

"Yuanzhi, you are mistaken! You and I are both trusted confidants of the Emperor, why should we distinguish between us?"

……

The carriage carried the two away from Luoyang and headed north along the official road.

After passing through Ping County, they finally arrived at Xiaopingjin, a Yellow River ferry crossing north of Ping County.

The river here is calm and gentle, making it a natural ferry crossing. Together with Mengjin, another ferry crossing downstream, it forms the northern gateway to Luoyang.

These are two of the eight passes of Luoyang.

Therefore, this place is also known as "Xiaopingjin Pass".

Crossing the river here will take you to Wen County, Hanoi Commandery, the hometown of Sima Yi.

However, Sima Yi did not come here today to return to his hometown.

After getting off the car, the two climbed onto a high platform.

On the stage, the banners of the Great Wei emperor swayed gracefully in the river breeze.

Xu Shu grew increasingly suspicious of the purpose of this trip.

……

After the meeting, Cao Pi did not discuss serious military and national affairs.

It didn't even mention Xu Shu's recent large-scale arrests of officials.

They chatted casually about everything under the sun, as if they were there to appreciate the autumn scenery.

The conversation suddenly shifted to Zheng's request for an audience yesterday.

Cao Pi suddenly asked a question that was very similar to Sima Yi's:

"Minister Xu, tell me the truth, is Duke Zheng involved in the case of the Shu traitors?"

Xu Shu's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and he subconsciously glanced at Sima Yi beside him. However, the latter's gaze was fixed on the surging river to the north, seemingly drawn by the sound of the waves, and he did not hear the question.

Minister Chen Qun, who had been attending to him all along, looked at him with a meaningful gaze.

At that moment, a thought suddenly flashed through Xu Shu's mind.

Compared to Chen Qun, who held a higher rank, Sima Yi was the one who was more favored by the emperor and more adept at forbearance.

After Cao Pi passes away, Sima Yi might rise to power.

This thought was irrelevant to the present moment and vanished in an instant.

Before Cao Pi could grow impatient, Xu Shu calmly responded:
"I have found no evidence of Zheng Cheng's crimes, nor has anyone accused him of any wrongdoing."

"Really not?" Cao Pi pressed.

Xu Shu: "No."

Cao Pi's face suddenly turned ashen.

The river wind whipped the banners into a fluttering sound.

The sound of the waves at the ferry crossing grew louder in the silence.

Sima Yi finally withdrew his gaze from the Yellow River, slowly turned his head, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.

Minister Chen Qun shook his head slightly and coughed lightly, seemingly trying to ease the atmosphere.

Xu Shu broke out in a cold sweat.

The horrific image of his entire family being executed and beheaded in the marketplace involuntarily flashed through his mind again.

But he forcibly suppressed it.

Especially in situations like these, it's crucial to stay calm and collected.

The lessons learned on the road to Dangyang in the thirteenth year of Jian'an (208 AD) are enough to be remembered and serve as a warning for a lifetime.

Taking a few deep breaths, Xu Shu forced himself to calm down.

Previously in Luoyang, Sima Yi's casual conversation echoed in my mind like a ghost.

The benevolent and filial demeanor of Cao Rui, the Prince of Pingyuan.

The reckless act of the great Confucian scholar Zheng Cheng.

And then there's Sima Yi's ambiguous attitude.

all of these.

They all seem to point to an unfathomable vortex.

How did the eldest prince, who should have been marginalized, suddenly appear?
Is this really Cao Pi's intention?
Or is it the thoughts of his close advisors?
Xu Shu couldn't figure it out for a moment.

But he was very clear about one thing.

Although he was recently a very popular favorite in the emperor's court.

Ultimately, Chen Qun and Sima Yi were just newcomers to the "crown princes."

There is a difference between closeness and distance.

Never interfere in matters that are not your business.

Unless one can secure tangible benefits for their lord.

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Xu Shu solemnly replied:

"Your Majesty's kindness is so great that I think of ways to repay your grace day and night."

"But precisely because of this, I must not act recklessly, lest I corrupt the court and damage Your Majesty's reputation for benevolence."

“If someone like Zheng Cheng has committed a breach of etiquette in front of the Emperor, it is the duty of the Imperial Censor to investigate such breaches of etiquette, and it is not something I, as a subject, should overstep my bounds to do.”

Upon hearing this, Chen and Sima immediately turned to look at Cao Pi, their faces filled with disbelief.

The latter's posture was more natural than the former's.

Cao Pi's expression immediately brightened, and he proudly boasted to the two men:
"I told you long ago, Minister Xu is a loyal and upright minister, and is capable of being entrusted with important matters."

"Those accusations that he framed others in order to get promoted are pure nonsense!"

Upon hearing this, the two praised His Majesty for his ability to see far and wide, to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, a skill beyond their own.

They turned back and apologized to Xu Shu, praising him as a first-rate and loyal minister of their time.

Upon seeing this, Xu Shu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his heart grew even heavier.

Cao Pi has come to Xiaopingjin Pass today, it seems he has something important to discuss.

After chatting for a while longer, a group of knights suddenly appeared from the direction of the ferry crossing.

The knights had a rather peculiar appearance; they were all dressed in short clothes and large trousers, and their hair was shaved and braided, resembling ropes.

The warhorses beneath him were all strong and capable, clearly horses from the northern lands.

Then, the leader of the knights went up to pay his respects to Cao Pi, speaking in the elegant Luoyang dialect with a foreign accent, which directly confirmed Xu Shu's conjecture.

The other party turned out to be an envoy from Budugen, the Xianbei chieftain!
(End of this chapter)