Coercing the Son of Heaven (4): Aiding the Emperor
We arrived in Puyang, following the Yellow River from Henei, and heard the news that Cao Cao's forces had secured the Emperor.
"Not Yuan Shao?"
It was unexpected. Truly unexpected.
"Yuan Shao was closer—why did Cao Cao get the Emperor?"
"Maybe Yuan Shao refused."
"That's right. By distance, Yuan Shao should've reached Luoyang first. While we were in Henei, his massive army must've marched into Luoyang."
If Yuan Shao had tried coercing the Son of Heaven, they would've passed right by us in Henei County. We'd have seen them go by, and we wouldn't be hearing about it now in Puyang.
In other words, Yuan Shao hadn't moved at all.
"Why not?"
"Because the current Emperor was enthroned by Dong Zhuo? He probably doesn't recognize him."
"Wasn't he the guy who tried to make Liu Yu the Emperor before? Maybe he wants to set up his own."
"But wouldn't coercing the Son of Heaven still be more profitable?"
"Sure. The Emperor's the Emperor. For international prestige, being known as the protector of the Han imperial house carries more weight, right?"
"By aiding a crumbling Han dynasty, he could solidify his image as a paragon of loyalty. Not to the man himself, but to the house. How poetic: 'Dong Zhuo's puppet, but true heir to the Han! This is our nation's Emperor!'—standing right beside him."
Sima Yi and Seo Seo's opinions made sense.
No reason not to do it—so why didn't he?
If they could think of this, Yuan Shao's advisors surely could too.
Why ignore them?
No. He heard them and decided anyway.
Cao Cao was a warlord under Yuan Shao. If Cao Cao mobilized, Yuan Shao would've heard. If he wanted the Emperor, he'd have rushed troops there.
Ye and Luoyang were so close—just a stone's throw. Even if Cao Cao sent forces later, Yuan Shao could've arrived first.
Yet he didn't.
"Yuan Shao made a fool's choice."
"You're certain."
"Obviously. Cao Cao's gonna issue orders in the Emperor's name left and right to suit himself, and Yuan Shao just watches? Tsk tsk."
Whatever Yuan Shao's reasoning, the result was in. He'd abandoned the Emperor; Cao Cao had claimed him.
"Cao Cao's power's about to skyrocket. Yi, aren't you thrilled? Heh heh."
"...Yeah. Never imagined Cao Cao rising like this would benefit the Sima clan so much."
Cao Cao coercing the Son of Heaven helping the Sima clan? It wouldn't make sense at first glance.
"Your big brother’s about to get promoted."
"Cao Cao'll hand out ranks like candy to his generals—Brother'll snag one for sure."
Sima Yi had an older brother, Sima Lang. When Sima Fang visited Jingzhou before, he'd gone to serve Cao Cao and was now working under him.
The clan heir followed his lord in coercing the Son of Heaven, so now the Sima clan could truly serve the Han house.
"Brother will handle central politics from now on. Father'll manage the Henei estate."
"Right. That's the smart play. That way..."
"No needless plundering from Yuan Shao?"
"Exactly, Yuanzi."
Henei was near Luoyang, but still in "north of the river"—Hebei. Among Bingzhou's lands north of the river, it was closest to Ji Province's Ye, Yuan Shao's base. It was practically under his influence now.
"Father manages the land, dipping a toe in Yuan Shao's camp, while the eldest serves Cao Cao, hedging bets there too."
"Yes. Yuan Shao holds more sway now, but who knows tomorrow."
"Damn right. Aiding the Emperor alone gives Cao Cao huge legitimacy."
There were risks to coercing the Son of Heaven, but they might pay off big later. The Sima clan was playing both sides smartly.
"Master, if our house falls, you'll take me in, right?"
"Of course. A Sima in Jingzhou? I'd welcome it anytime."
No way it'd fall. Sima Fang was sharp as hell, had led the clan smoothly so far. He'd keep it up.
I believed that.
"...We're nearing Chenliu, Yuanzi."
"Yes, Master."
"Go see your mother for a bit."
"......"
I handed Seo Seo a pouch heavy with coins.
"Master, this is...?"
"Lecture fees I saved from the academy. Can't greet her myself, but pass on my regards."
"...Thank you, Master."
She bowed and took the pouch.
"See you later. Hya!"
Seo Seo spurred her horse and left. I waved her off, then headed to Chenliu Castle with Sima Yi.
"Halt."
A rugged-faced man blocked our path. His striking golden helmet gleamed so brightly in the sun it hurt the eyes.
I bowed to him, then pointed at Sima Yi behind me.
"Sima clan's eldest daughter, Lady Sima Yi. Here to see Sima Lang, serving in the castle."
"Sima Lang...? Ah, family. I'm Cao Hong."
"...The one who protected Cao Mengde from Zhang Xiu's ambush with desperate resolve?"
At my words, Cao Hong's eyes lit up as he thumped his chest.
"Hah hah! That's me! 'The realm can do without this Cao Zilian, but Cao Mengde must live!'—that's what I said. Cao Hong in the flesh!"
"Pleased to meet you."
I didn't know if he'd said exactly that, but I knew he was a Cao Cao general—and kin to boot.
Why? 'Cause I know the guy.
I had the Cao Cao army's heavyweights memorized. Especially the Cao kin like "Cao Hong—Zilian" or "Cao Ren—Ziheng." No way I'd piss them off!
"Sima Lang bragged his little sister's a beauty—didn't lie! Damn, if I had a son your age, I'd marry him off in a heartbeat! Ha ha."
"Oh my."
Sima Yi finally spoke.
"I'm taken. Sorry."
"Is that so? Ahem. My bad."
Cao Hong cleared his throat awkwardly and pointed inside.
"Go on through. Cleared!"
With that, we entered Chenliu Castle without hassle—no searches.
Seo Seo's mother lived on farmland outside, so we'd meet separately, but getting into the castle was smooth.
She hated the city and us going to see her mom. So we split briefly.
"Wish Yuanzi came with."
"She's a dutiful daughter—probably bought gifts for Mom already."
"Yeah? Then let's grab something for us. What does your brother like?"
"Hm... anything from me."
Sima Yi smirked, jingling her pouch.
"Gotta take what a girl's giving, right?"
"Mooom!"
"Yeah, yeah, you're here? Where's your future husband?"
"Wh-what? Right off the bat?!"
"Aigoo, you wench! You gonna stay single forever?! Wanna make your old lady's eyes pop out?!"
"I-I'm gonna find a guy I like and marry him!"
"Marriage my ass! If he's so great, pop out a kid first! You want the Seo line to die out?!"
"Mom, is that how you talk to your daughter after ages?!"
"A spinster yapping back?! I tried stopping you from that damn academy at your age! Sigh, no good. I'll beg Teacher Geum Taeyang myself to carry on the Seo line!"
"Mom! What kinda talk to an unmarried man?!"
"Hell. Be his concubine then! Adopted son of that Jingzhou clan with massive lands!"
"He has to catch my eye!"
"You bitch!! All high standards! I'll shut that trap! He fed you, raised you, housed you, named you, gave you gold nuggets—you gonna finger-suck from afar?! Pack now! I'll go to Jingzhou and ask him myself!"
"I-I'll handle it myself!"
"'Handle it' till you're nearly thirty?! What'll folks say about an unpromoted woman?!"
"Ugh, seriously!! Even your fave Cao Cao ain't married!"
"Hey!!! You Cao Cao?! Listen up! No grandkid before I die, that's filial impiety! Got it?! No marriage? Fine, just have a kid!"
"That's what you say to your daughter?!"
"You're the only kidless woman that age!"
"No way! Cao Cao's advisors are all older women! Teacher Sima Hui's single too!"
"You their advisor?! You Sima Hui?! What's wrong—ugly? Bad family? Flawed body? Dumb?!"
"N-no, none of that..."
Seo Seo yelled, face red.
"He's too perfect!"
"......You didn't, did you?"
"N-no! I-I saw him. He does it great, and, uh..."
Smack.
"Ow! Why hit my back?!"
"Next time, come pregnant—married or not! Good in bed's all that matters, you fool!!"
It was a tale from a thatched hut outside Chenliu Castle.