Chapter 10, Killing the Wife to Prove the Dao
Li Mi came and went in a hurry
After Xiao Zhang spoke a few words, Liu Shan still listened to him, but he disregarded the advice of others.
Thriving because of water, living because of water, and due to the existence of water systems, ancient towns are scattered like stars across the land of Shu
The great merchant Hong Gao of the Zheng state rewarded the oxen and repelled the Qin army, which became a well-known story. There was also the great merchant Lü Buwei, who not only became the Prime Minister of the Qin state but also led Qin on the path to unification
What else can he complain about
The three kingdoms left behind by Liu Bei, although admirable, are also quite exhausting
-
Ma Miao carefully examined the ink on the wooden token, a type of ink from Guanzhong that is quite rare in Shu. It can only be produced from the pine oil trees found in the Fufeng and Gaoling areas.
Having been married to Ma Miao for five years, with a pair of children only two or three years old, the Li family, despite the favorable introduction and recommendation from Uncle Li Yan and Cousin Li Feng, still feels somewhat unclear about this person.
Among Qiao Zhou's four disciples, Ma Miao had a particularly close relationship with Li Mi. His courtesy name was Daoyong, which was also given to him by Li Mi through their teacher Qiao Zhou.
Over the years, the Shu Han has faced numerous crises, yet there have always been formidable individuals to assist in maintaining order
Hidden fish
The world is so vast, and Liu Shan is eager to explore it
Li Mi, without a moment to spare, took out the already prepared jade talisman in the shape of a tiger while responding: "Lord Qianyu has issued an order for you to negotiate with the generals of the Wei army. You may use this as proof. After the surrender of Guan, your future will be arranged elsewhere. As for your children, the army will bring them back to Ye when the time comes."
To elaborate, Li Mi secretly defected to Wei a year earlier than Ma Miao. As he frequently undertook missions, he found it quite convenient to establish contact with the personnel of the Wei state. Regarding the future of Shu Han, both Li Mi and his teacher Qiao Zhou held a rather pessimistic view.
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the status of merchants was not low. In addition to trade, they also undertook the task of gathering intelligence.
Jiangyou Pass, Shuibu
Dao Yong, you are only thirty. The women from the northern region of Ye, the beautiful maid of Wen Wan from Jiangdong, I have seen them all, and they are far superior to the shrewish women of Shu. Li Mi patted Ma Miao's shoulder, bolstering his confidence
In the distance, a merchant ship laden with Shu brocade broke through the thin ice and sped towards us
Please rest assured, Lord Qianyu, I have been preparing for many days and will ensure that everything is foolproof!" Ma Miao paused for a moment, then smiled and said: "My lord, I wonder if Lord Qianyu has mentioned when my wife and children will set out for Yecheng after Jiangyou Pass falls to Wei.
One of the heads of the secret agents that Wei State placed in Shu State, Ma Miao's direct superior, is said to be a high-ranking official who is lurking beside Liu Shan
The news from merchants is the most well-informed
Although both share the surname Li, the relationship between Li Mi and Li Yan has been separated by several generations. In the past, when Li Yan was in power, Li Mi often visited Li Yan's residence, but their interactions gradually diminished over time
It is a pity that, compared to the prosperity of the Central Plains, Yizhou is too small
Ma Miao and Li Mi conspired to surrender to Wei at m.hetushu.com. Meanwhile, in the adjacent governor's residence, Madam Ma, the wife of Li, was deeply troubled. As a close companion, she had long been aware of her husband's unusual behavior in recent days
What is Daoyong still hesitating about? Is he worried that the esteemed lady will obstruct him? Women, after all, have long hair but short insight; Daoyong must act decisively!" Li Mi's face showed a fierce expression as he waved his hand vigorously at Ma Miao.
In the era of the late Han Dynasty, which valued integrity and loyalty, such actions would be condemned by the world
A servant of three surnames
After the fall of Shu, Luo Xian continued to raise the banner of the Shu state, steadfastly defending a corner of Yong'an and keeping the invading forces of Eastern Wu at bay beyond Bashu
Isn't it true that Ma Miao became the governor of Jiangyou Pass by following the path of Huang Hao
Killing one's wife to attain enlightenment
Upon hearing Li Mi's words, Ma Miao felt a mix of joy and concern. The joy stemmed from the fact that the Wei army had arrived at Jian Ge, not far from Jiang You Pass. His anxious days of lurking were finally coming to an end. The concern, however, was about the true meaning of the alternative arrangements, which left him perplexed. Additionally, his wife, of the Li family, had a fiery temperament, and he was unsure how to persuade her.
In Shu, Confucius had four great disciples: Chen Shou, Luo Xian, Li Mi, and Wen Li
Upon seeing the scholar rush in, Ma Miao's expression was one of astonishment: "Lord Ling, what brings you here?"
It is indeed peculiar that the political stances of these four individuals are vastly different. The first two hold a deep nostalgia for the former Shu state. Chen Shou, without needing much introduction, although he served in the Jin dynasty after its establishment, soon resigned from his official position to dedicate himself to writing the "Records of the Three Kingdoms." From the words and phrases of this monumental work, we can all sense Chen Shou's profound affection for the former Shu state
Li Mi ranks third
If the message is leaked and Lady Li becomes aware of it, and it then spreads to other important figures, not only will Ma Miao face death, but Li Mi and even the hidden forces behind him will also be exposed
"Lord, is it really necessary?" Ma Miao said with a pained expression. Although Lady Li was somewhat formidable, their relationship was still quite good, and besides, she was the mother of his two children.
The shadows of the lamp sway
The Li family, hailing from a prestigious lineage in Shu, includes my uncle Li Yan and my cousin Li Feng, both of whom are prominent figures within the Eastern State faction. Although Li Yan was demoted by Liu Shan due to power struggles, this does not imply that the Li family intends to abandon Shu Han and seek refuge with Cao Wei
It is acceptable for others to complain
At that time, Ma Miao had no choice but to prove to Qian Yu, Li Mi, and others that he was wholeheartedly devoted to the State of Wei, without any wavering or indecision
Regarding the changes in the hearts of the people of Shu, Liu Shan was not oblivious; Empress Zhang often reminded him. However, he remained unchanged, and it is unclear whether his mind was damaged by Liu Bei's fall or if he was simply too clever for his own good
She had also been there; no one lived inside, and it did not seem that her husband, Ma Miao, had kept a concubine. However, in recent times, her husband Ma Miao often stayed in the empty house.
Li Mi and Wen Li both had their own thoughts regarding allegiance. Li Mi, after entering Jin, wrote a well-known memorial called "Chenqing Biao".
There is also a dissatisfaction with the Shu Han court revealed in Ma Miao's words, and a pessimistic sentiment regarding the frontline battles, which makes the Li family feel quite different
What is the reason after all
Li Mi met Ma Miao, handed over the token, and said without any courtesy: "Ma Daoyong, the military situation is critical. Lord Qianyu fears that you may not believe it, so I have come personally. Two days ago, the Grand Commander persuaded the Shu general Jiang Shu to surrender. Our Wei army coordinated with the Shu generals Fu Qian and Liao Hua to fight at Yang'an Pass, resulting in a great defeat for the Shu army. Seeing that the situation was untenable, the Shu general Jiang Wei retreated his troops to defend the Jian Gate Road. Lord Qianyu has issued an order; Jiangyou Pass is located to the side and rear of Jian Gate, and its position is crucial. The Wei army is about to arrive, are you prepared?" Jiang Wei, seeing that the situation was untenable, retreated his troops to defend the Jian Gate Road. Lord Qianyu has issued an order; Jiangyou Pass is located to the side and rear of Jian Gate, and its position is crucial. The Wei army is about to arrive, are you prepared?
This river, originating from the Songqiang region of Longshang, meanders out from the deep mountains, flowing through Pingwu, Mianyang, and Zitong, before merging into the vast Yangtze River in the Jiangzhou area
From the boat, a hurried scribe of the Lenten season disembarked. After wandering around a few shops, he inadvertently turned into a quiet residence next to the governor Ma Miao's mansion
If the Min River (Minjiang) is regarded as the mother river of the Tianfu Plain, then the Fu River is its sister river. This river, which runs through a large part of the Shujun region, brings vitality to the Bashu area, which is otherwise isolated by mountains and has inconvenient transportation.
In the first year of Wei Xianxi and the first year of Shu Yanxing, this winter was particularly cold
The governor Ma Miao, with deep-set eyes and an anxious expression, waited inside the residence. Just over thirty years old, he had married the niece of the former Minister of State and Central Protector Li Yan five years ago. Now, he had a pair of children, and although they had moved away from Chengdu, their life had become somewhat mundane. Yet, this tranquil existence was, in its own way, a form of happiness; it was just that some people, being in the midst of it, could not appreciate it.
Life is short, and we must seize the opportunity to enjoy it. As Huang Hao advised, once we miss out on enjoyable experiences, they can never be regained.
The caravan traveling north from Chengdu brought with it the coveted Shu brocade, which was difficult for the aristocracy of the Central Plains to obtain even with a fortune. Meanwhile, the cavalry descending from the Long Mountains transported essential goods such as strong horses and livestock from the Western Regions and the grasslands to Chengdu
In matters of national strategy, there is no room for sentimentality
Not only Qiao Zhou, but many knowledgeable individuals in Chengdu share the same view. After their advice to Liu Shan regarding his absurd behavior proved fruitless, they shifted their investment focus towards the Wei Kingdom
The scholar's surname is Li, given name is Mi, courtesy name is Lingbo, hailing from Qianwei in Shu County. He is currently an official in the Shu Kingdom and has previously been sent on diplomatic missions to the Wu Kingdom, demonstrating great eloquence. He was once a classmate of Ma Miao, but Li Mi's scholarly abilities far surpass those of Ma Miao.
Whether it is Prime Minister Zhuge Liang or Jiang Wei, let them stir things up!
The house next door
The identity of the Shangshu Lang, a disciple of the renowned master Qiao Zhou, allowed him to travel freely in the Shu Commandery without any concerns
Due to the war and the winter season, the bustling boats have significantly decreased, and from a distance, only two or three can still be seen docked there. Even the shops along the shore are only half-open, presenting a feeble appearance.
Although Ma Miao had some suspicions about this person's identity, he did not dare to confirm it or inquire further. Compared to those who had infiltrated the Shu Han from the Wei state, Ma Miao, having joined midway, was still not very trusted by the Wei spies.
The Fushui River has begun to freeze