Volume One, Chapter 16: Cao Pi Has Died? Shu Han Faces Grave Peril!

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After Zou Ping’s departure, Yang Yi composed himself and returned to the mourning hall with a solemn expression.

Seeing Liu Shan still weeping uncontrollably, he walked quietly to his side, bowed slightly, and consoled him in a low voice. “Your Majesty, please restrain your grief.”

“The Chancellor was an upright man who devoted his entire life to Shu-Han. Surely, in the afterlife, he would not wish to see Your Majesty so overcome with sorrow.”

Liu Shan slowly raised his head, his voice choked with emotion. “Chief Registrar Yang, with my Imperial Father gone, I feel as though I have lost the pillar supporting the realm. What am I to do with Shu-Han from this day forward...?”

Yang Yi’s eyes shifted as he spoke slowly. “Your Majesty, you must not despair. Though the Chancellor has departed, he left behind both his policies for governing the realm and a host of loyal ministers. These are the supports upon which Your Majesty may rely.”

“Now, every civil and military official in the court is exerting himself to the utmost. I am willing to assist Your Majesty in stabilizing the government and carrying on the Chancellor’s unfinished work!”

Liu Shan nodded faintly, and some of the tension left his expression.

Suddenly—

A hurried succession of footsteps approached from afar. A palace messenger strode quickly into the hall, knelt before Liu Shan, and spoke with a grave expression.

“Your Majesty, an urgent report has arrived from Cao-Wei. Cao Pi has died, and the throne has been inherited by his son, Cao Rui!”

At these words, Liu Shan first froze. Then a complicated look flickered through his eyes—part surprise, part anticipation.

“Cao Pi is dead, and Cao Rui has ascended the throne. Cao-Wei is bound to be thrown into turmoil. This is a heaven-sent opportunity for Shu-Han!”

After a moment’s thought, Yang Yi nodded in agreement. “Your Majesty is wise! Cao Pi has only just died, and Cao Rui has only just taken the throne. The hearts of the people within Cao-Wei are unsettled. This is the perfect opportunity for Shu-Han to launch a northern expedition and recover our lost territories!”

“The Chancellor devoted himself to the northern campaigns throughout his life. If we can seize such an opportunity now... it will surely bring comfort to his spirit in the afterlife!”

Yang Yi suddenly understood. Although Zhuge Liang had died at a different time from the one he remembered—

Cao Pi’s death had occurred at exactly the same time!

Now that Cao Pi was dead and Cao Rui had newly ascended the throne, the Cao-Wei court was unstable. There was hope for a northern expedition!

Upon hearing this, delight immediately spread across Liu Shan’s face.

His Imperial Father had devoted himself to the northern campaigns while alive. Now was indeed the perfect opportunity!

“Your Majesty, there is one more matter.” The messenger’s expression remained grave, and he had not yet finished speaking.

“One more?”

“Our agents within Cao-Wei report that, after ascending the throne, Cao Rui has already ordered restrictions on the entry of Shu brocade into Wei. He has also increased troop deployments around the Qinling Mountains and strictly prohibited grain and draft cattle from entering Shu!” the messenger said, each word deliberate and clear.

A new emperor always kindled three fires upon taking the throne.

Now that Cao Rui had ascended as emperor, he was bound to take certain measures to intimidate the court officials.

His first move was to make Shu-Han his target.

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The moment these words were spoken, the mourning hall erupted into chaos.

The civil and military officials exchanged bewildered glances, panic written across their faces. They leaned toward one another, whispering as a wave of discussion rose and fell.

“What are we to do? Shu brocade is one of Shu-Han’s most important trade goods. If its entry into Wei is restricted, our economy will inevitably suffer!”

“They are reinforcing the troops around the Qinling Mountains while restricting the entry of grain and draft cattle. Are they trying to impose a blockade on Shu-Han?”

Liu Shan was even more frantic. His face flushed crimson as he paced back and forth, his brows drawn tightly together.

The atmosphere within the mourning hall had already sunk to freezing point.

Everyone knew that Shu brocade held a position of immense importance in Shu-Han’s economy. Renowned throughout the Three Kingdoms, it was the central pillar of Shu-Han’s foreign trade.

Even part of the military expenditure depended upon the profits from the Shu-brocade trade.

Cao Rui’s move was tantamount to cutting off the fuel beneath the cauldron. He had seized Shu-Han’s economy by the throat.

The Qinling Mountains, meanwhile, were the region where border clashes between Shu-Han and Cao-Wei occurred most frequently. By massively reinforcing his troops there during the Chancellor’s funeral, Cao Rui had clearly intended to exert powerful military pressure on Shu-Han.

As a result, the entire kingdom of Shu-Han felt as though thorns were pricking their backs, while Liu Shan could neither eat nor sleep in peace.

As for restricting the entry of grain and draft cattle into Shu-Han, that struck directly at the kingdom’s vital weakness.

Shu-Han had a large population, yet its arable land was scarce, and grain had long remained in short supply.

Draft cattle, as an essential source of agricultural labor, were of critical importance to the development of Shu-Han’s farming industry.

Now that the entry of these two vital resources had been restricted, Shu-Han’s livelihood and agricultural production would suffer a devastating blow.

The civil and military officials spoke over one another, groaning in distress.

“Cao Rui’s intentions are perfectly clear. Cutting off the Shu-brocade trade will inevitably cause the treasury’s revenues to plummet. Before long, even military expenses will become a problem!”

“With more troops stationed in the Qinling Mountains, we will have to strengthen our defenses. But if grain and draft cattle cannot enter Shu, how are we supposed to fight? How will the people survive?”

The sudden news left Liu Shan utterly helpless. His face was filled with panic and bewilderment.

He looked toward the assembled ministers, his voice trembling slightly. “My loyal ministers, Cao Rui’s three measures strike at us with deadly precision. I truly have no way to respond. Think of something quickly!”

If his Imperial Father were still alive, he would surely have been able to devise a flawless strategy.

But now that his Imperial Father was gone, Liu Shan could only place his hopes in the civil and military officials before him.

Yet faced with Liu Shan’s desperate urgency, Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and the others could only wear solemn expressions and fall into deep thought.

The news had come too suddenly. How could they possibly have devised a countermeasure already?

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Wei Yan and the other military commanders, however, were eager for action. If Shu-Han was truly driven into a dead end, then the northern expedition would be the only path left.

At last, these military men would have a chance to put their abilities to use!

Just then, Yang Yi stepped forward with calm composure and declared in a ringing voice, “Your Majesty, do not be troubled. I have a solution. Within three days, I will certainly resolve the crisis that now hangs over the court!”

The moment his words fell, everyone stared at him in astonishment.

The noisy discussion ceased abruptly. Jiang Wan was the first to frown, his eyes filled with doubt. “Yang Yi, this is no child’s game!”

“The three measures taken by Cao Rui strike directly at Shu-Han’s vital weaknesses. They are by no means easily resolved.”

“You claim that you can resolve them within three days. May I ask what brilliant strategy you have in mind?”

Fei Yi echoed him. “Minister Jiang is right. The situation is grave. Without a practical and workable solution, making such a bold promise recklessly could jeopardize the entire matter. I urge Minister Yang to think carefully.”

Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and the others all regarded Yang Yi’s words with disdain.

Wei Yan was no different.

“Yang Yi, this concerns the survival of Shu-Han. It is not something you can solve simply by making empty boasts! Are you merely trying to show off before His Majesty, tossing out grand words to deceive us?”

He did not believe Yang Yi could possibly have come up with any worthwhile solution.

Liu Shan looked at Yang Yi with doubt. He felt that the man’s action was far too rash and could not help saying, “Chief Registrar Yang, I know that you are devoted to Shu-Han. But this crisis is no ordinary matter. If you are not absolutely certain, you must not make promises lightly.”

The situation, after all, now rested in Yang Yi’s hands, and Liu Shan was giving him a way to retreat with dignity.

With that, Liu Shan turned to the others and spoke slowly.

“Chief Registrar Yang sincerely wishes to relieve me of my burdens, and I appreciate his loyalty. But Cao Rui’s three measures are truly ruthless. They concern the very survival of Shu-Han and are by no means easy to resolve.”

“Let us discuss the matter together and pool our wisdom to face it as one. We cannot allow Chief Registrar Yang to shoulder such a grave responsibility alone!”

By the end, a trace of melancholy had entered Liu Shan’s eyes. He let out a soft sigh.

“If only my Imperial Father were still here...”