Chương 526: The Sima Clan

Everyone took their leave to prepare for their mission.

The sound of boots stepping on the gold bricks rose and fell as civil and military officials filed out, gradually emptying the hall.

Liu Ce suddenly spoke up: "Wenruo, Wenfu, you two stay here."

Xun Yu and Lu Bing stopped and turned to stand in the hall.

The two exchanged a glance, neither knowing what private matter His Majesty wanted to discuss.

Liu Ce first looked at Xun Yu, his tone much gentler, a stark contrast to his previous murderous demeanor:

"Wenruo, go and do another thing: arrange for Ma Teng's son Ma Chao, Sun Jian's son Sun Ce, and Zhou Yu... to all go to military academy to study and learn military strategy and tactics systematically. These lads are all sons of military families, and we can't waste their talents."

There's another man named Lu Su, from Linhuai. Send someone to find him, and once found, send him directly to Guo Jia's Privy Council so he can serve under Guo Jia. He looks simple and honest, but he's actually quite clever.

Xun Yu was taken aback.

He had heard of all these people. Although they were young, they were all outstanding individuals among the younger generation and had a good reputation.

Ma Chao was known for his bravery in Xiliang, and he was able to fight on the battlefield when he was just over ten years old.

Sun Ce was known as the "Little Conqueror" in Jiangdong, and he was a carbon copy of his father, Sun Jian.

Zhou Yu... was not only handsome, but also a master of music...

This is the first time I've heard the name Lu Su, but since His Majesty personally named him, he must be no ordinary person.

He nodded hurriedly, "Your Majesty, I obey! I will send someone to handle it tomorrow. As for Ma Chao and Sun Ce, I will personally write letters to their fathers to explain..."

"Okay, go ahead." Liu Ce waved his hand.

Xun Yu bowed and left the main hall in a hurry.

As he reached the door, he glanced back, wondering to himself: Why is His Majesty suddenly so interested in these young people? Is he perhaps grooming the next generation to succeed him?

Only Liu Ce and Lu Bing remained in the hall.

Liu Ce stood up, walked down the steps, went to Lu Bing's side, patted him on the shoulder, and said in a low voice:

"Wenfu, you are in charge of the nationwide manhunt. But there is one thing I need you to do personally."

Lu Bing hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, please give your orders. I will gladly die for you. I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

"Wen County, Hanoi, the Sima clan," Liu Ce said, enunciating each word clearly. A strange coldness flickered in his eyes, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. This coldness didn't seem directed at ordinary enemies, but rather at a deep-seated hatred only a transmigrator could comprehend.

"This time, you'll keep a close eye on them. You don't need to find any solid evidence. Just pick any excuse, like hoarding weapons or colluding with bandits... anything will do. Uproot the Sima clan completely, don't let a single one escape."

Lu Bing paused for a moment, his mind racing.

Although the Sima clan of Hanoi is also a prominent family, they usually keep a low profile and don't show off. I haven't heard of them participating in any rebellions.

I've never heard of them having any enmity with His Majesty.

Their ancestors were high-ranking officials, but they haven't made any big moves in recent years. They even send gifts to the imperial court during festivals, so they seem quite honest.

However, he didn't ask any further questions.

Having worked in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for so many years, he had long understood one principle: whoever His Majesty ordered him to kill, he would kill without asking why.

His Majesty's vision is beyond his comprehension.

He immediately realized what was happening, revealing a sinister smile characteristic of the Imperial Guards, his teeth gleaming white in the candlelight:

"Your Majesty, I understand. Rest assured, I will take good care of the Sima family of Hanoi. I guarantee that not even a single chicken or dog from their household will be spared, and that they will be left with absolutely no future troubles."

Liu Ce looked at him and smiled.

The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

That smile contained tacit understanding, trust, and a deeper meaning that others couldn't decipher.

Lu Bing bowed and strode away from the main hall.

His steps were light, and he was already plotting how to deal with the Sima family. Daring to displease His Majesty was tantamount to courting death.

First surround the area, then search it. If you can't find anything, frame someone. If you can't frame someone, just kill them. Anyway, there are plenty of reasons.

Liu Ce was the only one left in the main hall.

He walked to the window, pushed it open, and a cool breeze rushed in, making the candlelight flicker. Liu Ce's lips curled into a cold smile.

Sima Yi, Sima Yi, weren't you supposed to be able to endure?

Aren't you good at being patient and patient?

Didn't you outlive three generations of rulers—Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Rui—before finally reaping the rewards of the world?

He pretended to be sick while he was alive, and he continued to pretend even after he died.

You'll never get ahead in this lifetime.

What the Sima family owes the world, I will take back today.

This time, I will completely sever the roots of the aristocratic families, so that the Han Dynasty will never again fall into the chaotic world that repeats every three hundred years.

Forget about the Five Barbarian Invasions, the migration of the elite to the south, and the Northern and Southern Dynasties—all of that should disappear!

My great Han Dynasty will last for thousands of years and stand tall in the East forever.

A nationwide storm of purges against powerful families is about to begin.

...

April 1st of the first year of Shenwu.

Wen County, Hanoi.

As dawn broke and the east began to lighten, the county town would normally be filled with the sounds of roosters crowing, dogs barking, and wisps of smoke rising from chimneys. The shouts of tofu vendors, the footsteps of people heading to the market, and the laughter of children would all blend together in a cacophony of noise.

But today, the entire county town was eerily quiet, as if the air itself had frozen.

Even the roosters, which are usually the noisiest, are too afraid to crow, and the dogs are hiding in their kennels with their tails between their legs.

All the shops on the street were closed, their wooden doors shut tightly, not even a crack left.

The people hid in their homes, peeking out through the cracks in their doors, barely daring to breathe. Some even added two more bolts to their doors, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire.

The entire street from the county town gate to the Sima Mansion was completely blocked by the Imperial Guards.

There was a guard every three steps and a sentry every five steps; not even a fly could get past.

Three hundred Imperial Guards, dressed in flying fish robes and with embroidered spring knives at their waists, stood in two rows with their hands on the hilts of their knives, their eyes as cold as the wind that had just blown in from the northern desert.

The flying fish robe shimmered with a dark red light in the morning light, the color of blood.

The wind blew across the street, swirling up a few fallen leaves and adding a touch of desolation.

A big yellow dog, being ignorant, barked twice at the Imperial Guards. A glare from a nearby commander sent it tucking its tail between its legs and scurrying back to its kennel, never daring to show its face again. It even stifled its barks, whimpering softly.

Wang De, the magistrate of Wen County, stood behind Lu Bing with his back bent, wearing a wrinkled official robe.

Cold sweat streamed down his forehead and cheeks, soaking the insignia on his chest, but he dared not reach out to wipe it away.

He kept putting on and taking off his official hat, muttering to himself, "It's over, it's over, the Sima family is definitely finished this time... Even with Lord Lu coming in person, no one can save them... Back then, Sima Fang invited me for drinks, and I even had two cups. I wonder if that counts as being an accomplice..."