novelSusiti Chapter 100 Even the Emperor Cannot Do Whatever He Wants
Chapter 100 Even the Emperor Cannot Do Whatever He Wants
Chapter 100 Even the Emperor Can't Do Whatever He Wants (Fifth Update)
The weight of the crown is immeasurable.
But the crown is dazzling, like a stunningly beautiful woman, capable of captivating any man and causing him to reach out his hand.
Who doesn't want the throne?
Some people even wanted to be emperor for a few days to indulge in the fantasy, like Yuan Shu, whose bones were ashes at home.
Since inheriting power from Sima Shi, Sima Zhao had endured much, many years.
He's already a good man.
But even the emperor cannot do whatever he wants.
Luoyang, the General's Mansion.
In the study of the inner quarters.
Sima Zhao felt unwell after getting up this morning, and sat on the couch with his clothes on.
He wanted to rest, but he couldn't.
The army is currently preparing, and there are also supplies, provisions, and appointments to be made. This general is truly extremely busy.
He also lacked a Zhuge Liang to share the burden of government affairs.
and..
Sima Zhao sighed and said to the servant, "Bring me Deng Ai's letter."
"Yes." The servant bowed and replied, then turned and went to the study to retrieve Deng Ai's letter, which he handed to Sima Zhao.
More than one.
General Deng Ai, who was in charge of the Western Expedition, opposed the campaign against Shu.
"Steam!!!" Deng Ai objected. And his objection was so vehement. This was something Sima Zhao hadn't expected; Sima Zhao's face turned red with anger. Deng Ai was originally just a minor official, promoted by his father, Sima Yi, to his current position. Sima Zhao certainly acknowledged Deng Ai's talent, but without his father...
Moreover, Deng Ai came from a humble and poor family. Shouldn't he be grateful to the Sima family? Grateful to them? Yet now he is vehemently opposing it.
Sima Zhao was very dissatisfied with Deng Ai, but he held back. Although Deng Ai had his flaws, he was indeed a talented person.
He inquired about the situation in Yong and Liang, and repeatedly led troops to resist Jiang Wei's attacks. If it weren't for him, the situation in Yong and Liang would definitely not be as peaceful as it is now.
"When you need someone..." Sima Zhao took a deep breath, read through all the documents Deng Ai had submitted, and after thinking for a moment, turned to his attendant and said, "Go and invite the chief clerk, Shi Zuan."
"Yes." The waiter bowed and left.
Shi Zuan, who worked in the front courtyard of the General's mansion, arrived quickly. Sima Zhao had a private conversation with Shi Zuan and appointed him as the General Who Conquers the West, essentially Deng Ai's military advisor. Though nominally a military advisor, he was in fact a supervisor of the army.
The warning was also a threat to shut Deng Ai up.
Sima Zhao had just resolved the matter and breathed a sigh of relief, intending to lie down for a while. However, a servant entered and reported, "General, Shao Ti, a subordinate of the Western Secretariat, requests an audience."
The Western Secretariat was one of the core subordinate officials of the General's Office. Similar to the Chief Clerk under the Prefect, they were responsible for examining and recording the officials' performance.
They have a certain degree of power in personnel appointment and dismissal. They are both key figures and strategists, acting as advisors and strategists.
Only a confidant of Sima Zhao could hold this position.
Sima Zhao's head throbbed with pain, and he was drenched in sweat. An attendant immediately took out a handkerchief and stepped forward to wipe the general's sweat. Sima Zhao said, "Summon him."
"Yes." The waiter bowed and left.
"This is a matter of paramount importance, and though I am ill, I cannot rest." Sima Zhao sighed inwardly. Even if he was about to die, he could not relinquish power.
Soon, Shao Ti, a subordinate of the Western Bureau, walked in from outside.
Shao Ti appeared to be in his early thirties, dressed in official robes. He was robust, handsome, and had a refined appearance. He hailed from the Shao clan of Yangping County, a prominent family.
Under the current nine-rank system, it is rare to find a high-ranking official like Deng Ai, who came from a humble background and held a lowly position.
People from backgrounds like Zhong Hui, Shao Ti, and Shi Zuan were the mainstream.
"What is it?" Sima Zhao asked succinctly.
"General," Shao Ti still bowed respectfully, then carefully examined Sima Zhao's face, his heart filled with worry. After thinking for a moment, he still said, "General, I believe Zhong Hui is not capable of handling this alone."
After speaking, Shao Ti bowed and stood up straight, then said no more.
"Alas," Sima Zhao sighed, worriedly saying, "Zhong Hui has no one to rely on."
Zhong Hui was talented, but no one in the court spoke up for him. On the contrary, countless people, like Shao Ti, came to say that Zhong Hui was incompetent.
Some people simply dislike Chung Hui, while others are serious about it.
Sima Zhao then recalled the words of his wife, Wang Yuanji: "Zhong Hui is a man who is greedy and forgets righteousness, and is fond of causing trouble. If he is favored too much, he will surely cause chaos. He cannot be entrusted with important responsibilities."
Even Zhong Hui's elder brother, Zhong Yu, said, "Zhong Hui is skilled in magic and cannot be trusted with absolute authority." In other words, Zhong Hui was arrogant and might cause trouble. He also pleaded with Sima Zhao in advance that if Zhong Hui committed any wrongdoing, his family should not be implicated.
Now that Zhong Yu is dying, upon learning that his younger brother is about to become the commander-in-chief, he suddenly becomes energetic and writes a letter requesting the dismissal of Zhong Hui.
It's clear that Zhong Hui isn't a very good person.
From Sima Zhao's perspective, the more unpopular Zhong Hui was, the safer he would be in commanding troops. If Zhong Hui didn't rebel, he would protect him. But if Zhong Hui did rebel, he wouldn't succeed, and everyone would inevitably turn against him. No one would help Zhong Hui.
Just like the cruel officials used by Emperor Wu of Han, all of them were loyal only to the emperor and were unpopular in the court and among the people. When Emperor Wu of Han abandoned the cruel officials, they died.
Emperor Wu of Han was adept at using cruel officials to control the court and achieve terrifying control.
Cruel officials are also henchmen.
Sima Zhao then recalled his four-pronged army deployment, among which the Weixing Commandery route was insignificant, merely a detachment.
The main force consisted of the three armies led by Deng Ai, Zhuge Xu, and Zhong Hui.
Zhong Hui had the strongest troops, but Deng Ai held the highest official rank.
Zhuge Xu was appointed Governor of Yongzhou, making him the nominal head of the entire province. Currently, Deng Ai and Zhong Hui are both serving in Yongzhou.
The three men's power was intertwined, and their military forces were not under each other's command.
Sima Zhao did not trust anyone, nor was he comfortable placing all power in one person, which is why he made this arrangement.
"If the generals sideline each other and attack one another, it will be detrimental to the conquest of Shu." Thinking of this, Sima Zhao looked up at Shao Ti and said, "I understand what you have said. I will immediately dispatch the Minister of Justice Wei Guan to supervise Zhong Hui's army and provide him with a thousand soldiers."
17
Court Minister Wei Guan enjoys a good reputation and is highly respected in the court and among the people. He is also very capable; if anything were to happen, Wei Guan could handle Zhong Hui. Shao Ti's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he bowed respectfully, saying, "General, you are wise."
"Go, my lord, I need some time to recover," Sima Zhao said weakly, waving his hand.
"Yes." Shao Ti first bowed, then sincerely said, "Please take care of yourself, General."
Sima Zhao nodded.
Shao Ti then turned and left.
"Things are already chaotic enough; let's not allow any more accidents to occur." Sima Zhao thought of his arrangements and appointments, and the current turmoil in the court and the country. He suddenly felt a splitting headache and looked up to signal to the attendant.
The servants came forward together, helped Sima Zhao lie down, and covered him with blankets.
Sima Zhao fell into a deep sleep.
However, things did not develop in the direction Sima Zhao had hoped.
The campaign against Shu was destined to be fraught with difficulties.