Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1683: Chapter 1616: Chang’an in the Mist (Part 2)

Cao Cao left Liu Xie with considerable resources. As long as Liu Xie shows his past determination, he can win over Zhong Yao, persuade Yang Biao, gradually consolidate power, and then inspect Yongliang. This could allow him to secure a substantial amount of power before Cao Cao returns.

But now Liu Xie is spending each day in fruitless discussions with this group of fools. Despite their meetings, they haven’t come up with anything. It’s important to remember that Cao Cao left a group of juniors to deal with Liu Xie. If things drag on like this, Liu Xie soon won’t have any chance left.

Sima Yi, though confident that if he takes action, that guy named Xiahou Shang would absolutely not be a match for him, is hindered by Liu Xie’s lack of decisiveness, while Cao Ang dares to let Xiahou Shang act freely.

In such a situation, Sima Yi feels that unless he goes all out and his side fully obeys his command, it would be challenging to suppress Xiahou Shang.

The problem is, his side is full of useless teammates, and Sima Yi is not Liu Xie’s confidant. Although Liu Xie quite appreciates him, in reality, Liu Xie only treats Sima Yi as a playmate.

Listening to the endless noisy discussions and the occasional emotional outbursts, along with memories of his past lament for the decline of the Han Dynasty, Sima Yi deeply realized that he was indeed hopeless for ever thinking Liu Xie could be saved.

Suppressing the urge to leave, Sima Yi endured the entire morning’s waste of time and decided never again to participate in such foolish meetings. The truth is, these people’s intelligence isn’t low, but when mixed together, they all seem to collectively lose their minds.

Whether it’s Zhongg Ji, Dong Cheng, or Wang Zifu, Fuu Wan, to be honest, none of them are fools. Zhongg Ji, with his experience in rebellion, has staged so many uprisings, yet he’s somehow survived wave after wave of lost comrades without a scratch. Does that indicate a lack of intelligence?

Fuu Wan has navigated through many tumultuous times but has always chosen the right side and safely stepped down each time. Even during Cao Cao’s era, he managed to stabilize his position and even gained military power. Could that be the work of an idiot?

This leaves Sima Yi puzzled. Clearly, these people’s intelligence and conduct are above average. Why is it that whenever things engage Liu Xie, they seem to compulsively lower their intelligence?

Honestly, if Sima Yi hadn’t closely observed and found these people to be genuine, he might have suspected they were also playing tricks, just like him.

”Zhongda, how did things go today?” Zhong Yao, who had somehow procured a copy of Cai Yong’s Letters, was examining it closely with a crystal magnifying glass he had painstakingly acquired when he heard Sima Yi’s voice and asked.

”Don’t mention it. I’m never going to attend such things again.” Sima Yi said with a depressed look, ”How was I so blind back then?”

”Everyone has their moment of blindness.” Zhong Yao replied without looking up, then shook the magnifying glass in front of Sima Yi. ”This is when you need a magnifying glass. It’s truly fascinating.”

”Is it alright for you not to follow Lord Cao to the North?” Sima Yi curiously asked, since Sima Lang went with Cao Cao to the North, leaving Sima Yi at home with nothing to do but engage with Zhong Yao, as specifically instructed by Sima Lang.

”Don’t you understand?” said Zhong Yao, keeping his head down. ”Fascinating, fascinating, this is truly a knife for observing Cai Zhong’s Letters.”

”I understand your reasoning, but I can’t fathom why you would do this.” Sima Yi said to Zhong Yao.

”Being too clever is not always a good thing. You, too, didn’t go to Chen Zichuan who is from your main family despite your talents. You don’t want to get the short end of the stick either, right?” Zhong Yao set aside the magnifying glass. ”We all have some obsessions.”

”Are you hoping to see something?” Sima Yi asked after a moment of silence.

”Yes, indeed, I wish to witness something, which is why I chose to stay. Perhaps I’ll see it, maybe,” Zhong Yao said somewhat melancholically. ”If Cai Zhong were to see this day, he would probably be immensely disappointed.”

”The Emperor is not stupid, and neither are the ministers who assist him. Why is it that when they come together, they all turn foolish?” Zhong Yao asked Sima Yi, though it seemed like he was also questioning himself.

”So you’ve noticed it too?” Sima Yi replied, pulling his lips to one side. He realized this after some observation. Dong Cheng and his men aren’t foolish, otherwise, they wouldn’t have reached this position. But when they meet, it’s as if a reaction occurs.

After all, a person like Zhongg Ji, who could collaborate with Xun Youi, was intellectually on a level far above most, even if it wasn’t Xun Youi’s peak. Yet even such a person appeared foolish when plotting against Cao Cao.

Similarly, the performances of Dong Cheng, Fuu Wan, Wang Zifu, were all very poor. Truthfully, people who have made it to such levels within the system must have some exceptional qualities. It’s merely a matter of whether they choose to display their capabilities to others.

”I used to find it strange, and even doubted it. But recently, I observed an elder in Chang’an who doted on his son—a self-made elder, whose son was exceptional. Yet, when the elder interacted with his son...” Zhong Yao said, looking at Sima Yi with a bitter smile.

”The once-independent son instantly reverted to his childhood self, and the elder seemed to suddenly lose his shrewd and capable nature.” Zhong Yao said helplessly. ”At that moment, I finally understood the mindset of those people and the Emperor.”

Sima Yi understood too. This was indeed a deep issue. If viewed from this angle, these men were genuinely loyal ministers to the Emperor. The Emperor also knew very well that these people were the most devoted and trustworthy.

”That’s just it. After going through the chaos of Luoyang, the tumult of Dong Zhuo and Li Jue, these men naturally protected the Emperor. Likewise, the Emperor had grown accustomed to their protection. Without guidance, they would never realize their own issues,” Zhong Yao lamented.

”So, do you mean they are destined to choose this foolish path?” Sima Yi sighed deeply, feeling a sudden sense of the world’s uncertainties.

”Yes, they believe it is the Emperor’s will, so they act upon it. I used to think they were foolish too. But now, like a parent who dotes on their child, no matter how shrewd and capable, will they stop their child when they see the effort to reform? Probably not,” Zhong Yao sighed deeply. ”The Han Dynasty has nurtured its officials for four hundred years!”

”Why would they stop? Even if they know it will fail, for the sake of the future, they will probably continue to drive forward without hesitation, even if it’s a known abyss,” Sima Yi said, looking at Zhong Yao with slightly heavy eyes.

”Suddenly, I feel that neither you nor I should get involved in this matter. They have their own thoughts. If the Emperor wakes up to enlightenment, there’s hope. If it’s like Minister Wang atop the Luoyang Tower, then it’s all an illusion,” Sima Yi said with melancholy.

At this moment, Sima Yi suddenly understood why Zhong Yao stayed in the Imperial Secretary Mansion. He was watching, using his eyes to witness everything—to witness the four hundred-year legacy of the Strong Han, sliding toward an abyss, while various people endeavored to awaken the theoretical ruler of the Empire.

”If the Emperor can awaken, given the current state of the land, there might be a thirty percent chance. But if the Emperor does not wake up, all our efforts are meaningless. Among Dong Cheng and his men, a few are probably prepared for the possibility of spilling blood on the Imperial Robe,” Zhong Yao slowly said. ”Whether it succeeds or not depends on the Emperor.”

”If they fail, and the Emperor cannot awaken, while losing the aid of these men, becoming a caged bird with no power—given the Emperor’s temperament and experience of turmoil, whoever comes to power, the Emperor will survive.” Zhong Yao shook his head.

”Indeed, if it reaches this point and still cannot awaken, to put it bluntly, the Emperor would be utterly useless. An Emperor devoid of spirit has no need to be eradicated. But if success comes, surely...” Sima Yi looked Zhong Yao up and down.

”It’s not me, but you’re guessing in the right direction,” Zhong Yao silently nodded.