For so reason, whenever Sima Yi thinks of Zhuge Liang, a surge of anger rises within him, always feeling that unless he beats Zhuge Liang up, he cannot resolve his frustration.
Perhaps it is because it was the first ti in his life he lost to soone of the sa age. In any case, Sima Yi won’t let it go with Zhuge Liang. Admitting mistakes is one thing, but conceding to Zhuge Liang? Not unless they have faced off on the battlefield. Otherwise, Sima Yi refuses to bow down.
Though Sima Yi knows this kind of thinking is rather obsessive, he does not feel it’s wrong. When he left Mount Tai initially, apart from ideological differences, Zhuge Liang staying there was also a factor.
It’s not that Sima Yi dislikes Zhuge Liang; it’s just that, inexplicably, Zhuge Liang sees Sima Yi as an uncoordinated figure needing correction, while Sima Yi sees the refined and courteous Zhuge Liang as an imposter.
Overall, Sima Yi’s smooth departure from Mount Tai also had the undertone of competing with Zhuge Liang. Though later proved wrong by his own oversight, Zhuge Liang’s intuition was indeed good.
Sima Yi would never admit being weaker than Zhuge Liang. He only acknowledges that Zhuge Liang’s luck and intuition might be better than his. As for real capability, Sima Yi firmly believes he is superior to Zhuge Liang by a small margin—at the very least, they are on equal footing. Absolutely no lower!
Sima Lang was completely puzzled. Since when did his younger brother show signs of hesitation? This guy had always been so self-confident, seeing all sages as incompetent, with an unyielding arrogance. Could it be that he’s running a fever today?
"Are you sure you won’t go?" Sima Lang asked confusedly, "I saw you were quite happy looking over Liu Xuande’s intelligence previously, often nitpicking their political strategies. I thought you were very interested."
Sima Yi’s hand trembled, completely unaware of his elder brother’s high level of attention towards him, causing so embarrassnt. "I was rely looking for loopholes on Liu Xuande’s side."
"Oh, alright, I’ll believe you since you’re my brother," Sima Lang nodded. "You should stay ho and read. Or, do you want to send you back to Henei?"
Sima Yi suddenly felt his brother was particularly difficult today, dissatisfied, he waved his hand and turned away, "I have things to do, I’m heading out."
"Take so exchange tickets with you, lest there’s sothing you want to buy but can’t," Sima Lang instructed soone to send Sima Yi so pocket money and watched him leave.
After Sima Yi exited the room, Sima Lang silently held a letter newly sent by Chen Xi, contemplating whether to reach out to Chen Xi.
After contemplating, Sima Lang wrote a family letter to Chen Xi, describing the recent state of Sima Yi, who’s a bit reluctant but secretly honest. He suggested a plan, hoping to trick Sima Yi into going to Bingzhou, allowing Chen Xi to abduct him to Jizhou.
Sima Lang had gathered his brother didn’t seem to want to work for Cao Cao, which left Sima Lang a bit helpless. Although with his intelligence, he couldn’t see through Cao Cao, Sima Lang clearly knew that if Sima Yi kept acting up, it would bring trouble if Cao Cao sent soone over.
The nature of Cao Cao made Sima Lang unwilling to take risks. If Sima Yi coldly rejected Cao Cao’s invitation, it’s conceivable that Cao Cao may unexpectedly eliminate Sima Yi. Such a thing, well, Sima Lang found very plausible.
Especially since Sima Lang inadvertently discovered Sima Yi seed to be causing trouble for Cao Cao recently. Alard, Sima Lang hurriedly sought a way to properly deal with Sima Yi, knowing Cao Cao was not the forgiving type. Causing trouble for Cao Cao, if caught, not even Sima Lang could protect Sima Yi.
Though Chen Qun and Sima Lang held high positions under Cao Cao, Sima Lang considered this wasn’t enough security. He felt it would be better to send Sima Yi to Liu Bei’s side.
There, their relative was a strong support and had a good temperant. Plus, since Sima Yi was causing trouble for Cao Cao, it showed he could follow Liu Bei’s lead. So after much weighing of options, Sima Lang decided to send his younger brother to Chen Xi for correction.
Sima Lang felt his correspondence with Chen Xi was quite familiar, and Chen Xi was a good-natured person, revealed in his letters. He even ntioned that if Sima Lang had siblings, he could introduce them, and Chen Xi would help look after them.
So Sima Lang did not overthink it. Seeing Sima Yi had so interest but was still looking to continue troubling Cao Cao’s side, he quickly sent a letter to Chen Xi. As for tricking Sima Yi over for Chen Xi to abduct him, it wasn’t a difficult task.
Little did Sima Lang know, as he was preparing to send Sima Yi to Chen Xi, Sima Yi had already casually entered the Imperial Court.
The Imperial Guard at the gate seed indifferent as Sima Yi entered, allowing him in without hindrance, and the spies planted by Cao Cao in that guard squad were deferentially escorting Sima Yi to the back hall of Weiyang Palace.
"Inform Minister Cao that I’m trying to understand an entire plan," Sima Yi said as he approached the back hall, addressing two escorts. The escorts, as if hearing nothing, continued to escort Sima Yi to the back hall, then left.
After the escorts left, a mocking smile appeared at the corner of Sima Yi’s mouth. It’s clear that controlling his own path is still the best way.
Composing himself, Sima Yi delicately pushed open the door to the back hall, silently stepping inside. At this ti, a group of so-called Great Han loyal ministers were present, yet the room was silent, while Liu Xie was extrely angry.
"Your Majesty seems to have learned of Liu Xuande’s official announcent," Sima Yi observed Liu Xie’s enraged face, reaching down to pick up the shattered porcelain cup.
"Zhongda, even the Han Imperial Kinsman has betrayed . What should I do?" Liu Xie didn’t conceal his anger at all, feeling intense resentnt. That announcent, granting the title of Marquis like that, treating him, the Emperor, as insignificant.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. In my opinion, Liu Xuande’s announcent does not imply betrayal of the Emperor. It is essentially a request for Your Majesty’s instructions," Sima Yi said calmly, lowering his head. He had lost his last bit of reverence for Liu Xie whose wisdom was vastly inferior to Zhuge Liang of the sa age!
"Instructions?" Liu Xie sneered, "Is that what I want, instructions? If he truly is loyal, he should restore the court at this ti."
Sima Yi disdainfully rolled his eyes, but before he could speak, Fuu Shou stepped forward. "Your Majesty, while the announcent may be slightly inappropriate, if soone can indeed achieve it, granting marquis and pri minister titles is not excessive. Nevertheless, Liu Xuande still intends to report to Your Majesty, so I urge Your Majesty to calm down."
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