Outside Hulao Pass, fighting is in full swing, but Yingchuan hundreds of miles away is in peace.

Although he had just repeated it in the hands of Liu He and Cao Cao, Yingchuan County, as a major county in Yuzhou, is also the common residence of several major gentry families in Yuzhou. No matter who is in charge of this place, it does not harass the people at all.

Sima Mansion, a place where the Sima family in Hanoi fled from the rule of Liu He's court, temporarily lived.

At that time, Sima Fang was frightened by Liu He's massacre of the gentry clans with dissatisfaction. In addition, among the many families whose houses were searched, there were many who had close personal relationships with the Sima family and even had in-laws. Before the uprising, many families also sent letters to Sima Fang and invited them to participate.

Although he was rejected by Sima Fang, he was always worried, so he did not dare to resign from his official position and prepared to retire. He came to Yingchuan. Although Yingchuan County had been the place where Zhang Yong had stationed his troops for a long time, he could go to Xuzhou in the east and Jingzhou in the south, and it was a smooth road. Finally, there was a way out, which made the Sima family feel at ease.

After Cao Cao retakes Yuzhou, Sima Fang said he is ill and refuses Cao Cao's enlistment. Including Sima Lang, Sima Yi, Sima Fu and others who are about to become adults, they did not hold positions in the court where Liu Xie was emperor. The whole clan is quiet and lives a life of farming and studying in Yingchuan.

However, this is the family that seems to be envious to outsiders. In the past few days, Sima Fang, the head of the family, has been restless.

"Father."

Sima Lang led his younger brothers all the way from the study to the lobby and greeted Sima Fang in unison.

Sima Fang looked up at them: "Have you finished reading the books?"

The elder brother Sima Lang stepped forward and bowed and replied: "Report to my father, today the child took his younger brothers to read "Gongyang Chunqiu". Now the third volume of "Zhuang Gong" has been read, so I ask my father to take the exam."

Sima Fang glanced at the children and waved his hands, not asking for a question to test their meaning.

Sima Yi was filled with sorrow when he saw his father's eyebrows and eyes, and couldn't help but step forward and said, "The child thinks that the father is worried about is not necessary."

"Oh?" Sima Fang looked at him with a little surprise: "How do you know what you are worried about for your father?"

Sima Yi said respectfully: "Since the day when Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian attacked Hulao Pass, my father was depressed and restless, and the child took the initiative to guess, and my father must be sad about this victory."

Sima Fang suddenly showed some relief, but in a flash, he felt sad again.

"Oh..." He sighed softly.

"Since you ask, then Father might as well discuss with you and others."

After saying that, he pointed to the seats on both sides and signaled everyone to sit down. Under Sima Lang, a total of eight brothers sat down in a long order.

Sima Fang immediately spoke: "I resigned from my official position for my father, left Luoyang, and moved my family from Hanoi to this place. First, I wanted to avoid the sword of my son against my aristocratic family today, and second, I wanted to take the opportunity to watch the direction of the world."

"Cao Cao is also a heroic ruler for a while. Now he is fighting fiercely with the court at Hulao Pass. The number of winners and losses is really unpredictable. I was determined to surrender, but I was afraid that it would not be the opponent of Your Majesty. Once you are defeated and killed, you will inevitably involve the entire clan. If you want to return to the court, you are worried that Your Majesty will not be able to tolerate it."

Sima Lang first said: "Why don't my father wait until the war is clear before making a decision?"

Sima Fu took the lead and refuted: "Brother is such a bad thing. Cao Cao just recruited you, father and brother a few months ago. Since he refused at that time, if Cao Cao returns to victory and holds the world in his hands, then my Sima tribe will go to surrender, wouldn't it become a laughing stock?"

Sima Lang did not think it was offended by this, but instead expressed his praise: "Well, my third brother is right, and I am foolish."

Sima Fang's solemn expression became deeper and deeper: "Oh, what is worried about my father is also here. Our Sima family is not a genius in Yuzhou and Jingzhou. For many major families under Cao Cao's command, such as the Guo family in Yangdi and Cheng family in Yingchuan, we are weak after all. If we can help in times of crisis, we can still gain some status and reputation. However, in this way, we will tie the entire family to Cao Cao's chariot. If we are not careful, it will be a disaster for the extermination of the clan, which is really hard to choose."

Sima Yi straightened his chest and said, "I think this is the easiest thing to do."

"Oh? What's Zhongda's opinion? Let's talk about it for a while." Sima Fang looked expectant. All of his eight sons were extremely intelligent. Even Sima Tong and Sima Min, who were still young, showed extraordinary talent. However, among these people, this second son Sima Yi was the most outstanding, and he had always had high expectations for him.

Sima Yi said: "The child said this because he thought that his father could not return to the Luoyang court nor to surrender to Cao Cao."

Sima Fang was surprised: "Why is this? It is reasonable to not return to Luoyang, why can't Cao Cao be effective?"

Sima Yi looked respectful: "Cao Cao is a man of wise men, decisive and decisive person, and has the means of thunder. Although he is still a wise ruler, he is sure that this person is definitely not the opponent of Your Majesty. Even if the entire army is not wiped out in the battle of Hulao Pass, he will be captured by Your Majesty sooner or later."

"Nee... Second brother, you are so angry." The third brother Sima Fu looked shocked: "Your Majesty has almost never been defeated since the wolf was launched. Only in Cao Cao's hands, he has suffered several defeats, and even caused His Majesty himself to suffer. How dare you determine that he will lose?"

"Fu'er, let your second brother finish speaking." Sima Fang, with majestic words, made Sima Fu immediately shut up.

"Thank you, father." Sima Yi bowed and thanked her and continued.

"The third brother is not wrong. Cao Cao is indeed a hero of the world. If he was in chaos, this person would be His Majesty's great enemy. It is unknown who will fight against each other. However, the situation today is different."

"How is it different?" Sima Fang asked.

"First, when Cao Cao first broke with His Majesty, His Majesty had already controlled the four states of Bing, Ji, Si and You, and now Liang and Yan are in control. These six states have been in peace for many years, and the farming and sericulture have flourished and the people have lived in peace. The population accounts for seven out of ten Han Dynasty and the country is strong. Compared with the two emperors Huan Ling who were in the world, I am afraid they will still be better than that. With the power of one or two states, Cao Cao was able to resurrect Zhang Liang and Han Xin's rebirth, it would be difficult to turn the tide."

"Secondly, although it is the three coalition forces of Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian, plus Liu Yan of Yizhou, who are also ready to move. However, whether it is Your Majesty or the people of the world, they all believe that Cao Cao is Your Majesty's number one major concern. Among these three coalition forces, there is also a vague power to be headed by Cao Cao."

Sima Lang nodded: "Second brother is right. Cao Cao's strength and military power are above Sun and Liu. After all, the wealth of Yuzhou alone is no less than the sum of Qingxu and Xuzhou. Moreover, there is also Jingzhou with a population of more than 4 million. Although Cao Cao only occupies Jingnan, his strength is definitely above the other princes. It is natural to have him as the leader."

"The problem is here." Sima Yi said: "The so-called coalition forces are just mobs. Sun and Liu are not united with Cao Cao, how could they really work together with him to attack the court? In the battle of Hulao Pass, Cao Cao must have done the most, so it is inevitable that he will be targeted by Your Majesty. With Your Majesty's bravery, the strong army of the court, and the three sides work together, there is no chance of winning. The court will lead to Cao Cao's side, so how can Cao Cao be invincible?"

"This..." Sima Fang fell into deep thought for a moment.

Sima Yi continued: "Sun Jian attacked Hangu Pass and Liu Bei sat in the mountains to watch the tiger fight. Perhaps he would have won something, but Cao Cao would never have any chance of attacking strongly or sneak attacks. The imperial army, at least 80% of its efforts, was guarding against him. The use of relevant, Cheng, Zhang, Zhu, and the high generals, and the plans of the two Xun, Cui, Xu and others were impeccable. Under such circumstances, Cao Cao would be defeated sooner or later."

"Once Hulao is defeated, it will be defeated like a mountain. Hundreds of thousands of Cao's troops will abandon their armor and roll their flags and retreat. At that time, the imperial army will take advantage of the victory to pursue the enemy. The Sun and Liu families will definitely turn the guns and divide the city occupied by Cao Cao. In less than a few days, the seemingly powerful Cao Cao will disappear."

His words shocked Sima Fang and others.

Sima Fang looked at his son up and down: "In your opinion, my Sima clan wants to join Yizhou?"

Upon hearing this, Sima Yi sneered directly without caring about his father and elder brother, with a look of disdain on his face.

"Old thief Liu Yan, I don't know if he still has the power to breathe at this moment. His son Liu Zhang, even the dog guarding the family, may not be competent. What a hero of our Sima family, how can we cast a secretly betrayal?"

After being shocked, Sima Fang became very happy again: "Well, well said. Then Liu Bei and Sun Jian, what do you think?"

Sima Yi said without hesitation: "These two are heroes of the times. They have the capital to dominate the world in times of chaos. Although Liu He is dominating one side now, there is no chance. If our Sima family can assist one side to achieve unparalleled achievements, it will be a real opportunity for the family to be famous in history and to pass through generations."

"Well..." Sima Fang nodded slightly: "Liu Beixiang has the name of benevolence and righteousness. After Tian Feng, Shen Pei, Chen Deng and others joined his command, he was highly valued. He followed his advice. In just a few years, he had almost no bloodshed and captured Qingxu's land. He was really wise beyond the reach of others."

"As for the Sun family in Jiangdong, they have always relied heavily on local tyrants. Our Sima family is both civil and military and has strong strength. If you go to the market, you will definitely have a place in Jiangdong. But I don't know how to make a decision between the two?"

Sima Yi raised a finger: "This matter is equally simple, in a nutshell, but it depends on what advancement we have."

"Oh? What capital does my Sima family have?"

Sima Yi pointed to the south: "How did Jingzhou fall into Cao Cao's hands in the first place?"

Just this sentence made Sima Fang seem to suddenly realize, slapped his thighs and laughed endlessly.
Chapter completed!