nashuaworldcup Chapter 425 Is there any chance of survival if we break out of the city?
Chapter 425 Is there any chance of survival if we break out of the city?
"Targeting my Sima family? Who dares to do that?"
Sima Zhao was both shocked and furious.
He had never even considered it.
Given the Sima family's current power in the capital, how dare anyone target them!
"Ordinary people would naturally not dare to do that."
Sima Shi sneered.
“But the person who plotted this in secret is no ordinary person.”
"Previously I only had slight doubts, but now I'm almost certain!"
"Who? Brother, tell me, and I'll go and slaughter their entire family!"
Seeing his younger brother's angry and embarrassed expression, he simply shook his head.
"Those people from the Cao family could all be involved."
"The deposed Cao Fang, Cao Ju of Pengcheng, and the current emperor, at most adding Guanqiu Jian and Zhuge Dan."
Of these people, who do you think is more likely?
Ah this...
Sima Zhao was taken aback.
Whether it was Cao Fang, Cao Ju, or Guanqiu Jian, none of them were in the capital, and they were far away from the mountains. Could they have planned such a perfect scheme?
Compared to that possibility, he was more inclined to believe that the emperor in the capital had been feigning ignorance all along!
"Don't you also think that the current emperor is the most likely candidate?"
“That’s what I thought before, but now I’m not so sure.”
"There's really no way the current emperor would know about the troop mobilization, and who would be willing to tell him?"
Would these powerful clans in the capital be so blind as to choose a useless and incompetent emperor instead of the Sima family?
joke!
In comparison, provided the person in the shadows isn't a complete fool, then only the two Cao family members far from the capital have the potential to be supported.
If it were up to him, he would choose Cao Ju, the Prince of Pengcheng.
So either the top clans of Wei were envious of the Sima family's power and thus harbored treacherous intentions, supporting Prince Pengcheng, Cao Ju, to oppose the Sima family.
Or perhaps it's Guanqiu Jian, that honest fool who has always been loyal to Cao Rui and Cao Wei, still clinging to the idea of supporting Cao Fang.
"But it doesn't matter who it is anymore. What's most important now is to keep the city defense forces' actions unchanged, send Zhong Hui to take control of the Imperial Guards, and at the same time mobilize the army outside the city. With his abilities, he won't let us down."
"Then is it still necessary for me to talk to Wang Xiang?"
Sima Zhao was stunned.
He hadn't expected that, despite the possibility of the information being leaked, he would instead have to act more decisively.
To be honest, he had absolutely no idea what his brother was thinking at that moment!
"Wang Xiang? If you want to go, then go. But you can make it clear: either submit or die."
"If he's looking for death, then let's just send him on his way."
Sima Shi had already made up his mind.
If Cao Ju is the one being supported, then the mastermind behind it is a powerful clan, and perhaps that old geezer Wang Xiang is involved!
If it weren't for him, it would have been best if the ultimatum had been able to win him over.
If you can't win him over, and he won't listen to your toasts, then you'll just have to invite him and his people to eat knives together!
"Brother, isn't this a bit too radical..."
Even I, a radical, think you're radical!
In the worst-case scenario, it would be equivalent to facing rebellions in two prefectures in Huainan at the same time, as well as the hostility of the gentry throughout the land.
If they were to resort to any means necessary and join forces with Eastern Wu or Jiang Wei in Shu, even if the Sima family controlled ten provinces, they would still suffer heavy losses.
Even a single mishandling could ruin the entire favorable situation we've been in!
"Radical? Zishang, haven't you realized yet? If we don't act radically now, we'll be the ones forced into a corner next!"
Sima Shi spoke with a tone of disappointment and frustration.
Even if we assume that Zhuge Dan was a smokescreen thrown by the enemy, Sima Shi was absolutely certain about Guanqiu Jian.
If any changes occur in the capital and Guanqiu Jian finds an opportunity, Huainan will surely be the first to rebel!
That's a die-hard loyalist of the Great Wei!
Under these circumstances, Wang Xiang joined forces with powerful clans to create chaos in the capital, while external forces included Eastern Wu and Shu Han, and internal forces included Guanqiu Jian and Zhuge Dan.
radical?
He even felt that he was being too conservative.
"Is that so? If even the Imperial Guards are handed over to Zhong Hui to take away, wouldn't that leave the palace vulnerable?"
"If those powerful clans find an opportunity to control the young emperor, then..."
"They won't look for this opportunity. Once we make our move, they will either flee for their lives or surrender. There will be no third option!"
Sima Zhao was worried about the young emperor in the palace, but Sima Shi was absolutely certain.
If those powerful families had any sense, they wouldn't have taken this opportunity!
……
That night.
Just as Liu Bang lay down, a series of hurried footsteps approached.
He instantly had a bad feeling.
If Jiao Bo won't come to bother us at this time, then it can only be Chen Tai.
The fact that he arrived in such a hurry at this time must mean something went wrong!
Chen Tai pushed open the door and entered; Liu Bang had already put on his outer garment.
Their eyes met, and when he saw the hint of panic in Chen Tai's eyes, he understood what was going on.
"Did the Sima family make their move?"
He couldn't think of any other possibility that could make Chen Tai so flustered.
"Yes, Jia Chong has led the city defense troops to block all the city gates, allowing entry but not exit!"
"Zhong Hui has also disappeared. If I'm not mistaken, he has gone out of the city to mobilize troops. When I entered the palace just now, the palace guards were also gone."
"Your Majesty, Sima Shi is a madman; he's still going to make a move!"
"Please prepare quickly. While the palace guards have been transferred, I will protect you and we will break out of the city. Only then will we have a chance of survival!"
Seeing the anxiety and panic in his eyes, Liu Bang felt calmer.
Is there any chance of survival if we break out of the city?
In your opinion, that may not be the case!
"My dear minister, there's no need to panic. Sima Shi won't touch me now. Besides, do you really think the disappearance of the Imperial Guards presents an opportunity?"
Although he was essentially imprisoned in the palace, he could still understand the general outline of Sima Shi's actions.
That sinister thing probably guessed that there was a mastermind behind the scenes standing against the Sima family.
But he probably didn't understand which hand was which.
After all, from Sima Shi's perspective, Guanqiu Jian was far from the emperor and it was too difficult for him to interfere in matters of the capital.
Wang Xiang had no power to retaliate against his table-flipping action, and at least for the time being, nothing happened.
As for what happens next, whether the Sima family wins or loses in the face of the united forces of the powerful clans and aristocratic families of the land has nothing to do with the dead Wang Xiang.
The Zhuge Dan whom he had previously fabricated and presented as a figure of doubt was essentially similar to Guanqiu Jian, and was equally unlikely to interfere in matters of the capital.
After a brief review, Liu Bang's true colors became apparent.
However, if Liu Bang was the mastermind behind it all, it would be equally unbelievable in Sima Shi's view.
What makes this powerless and insignificant little emperor so special?
Rather than letting Sima Shi believe it was the work of such a young emperor, it would be easier for him to believe it if he were a spy from Eastern Wu.
All parties are suspects, but none seem to have the ability or reason to do so.
The next move is quite simple: test all sides!
Is this escape from the capital truly a path to survival?