Volume One, Chapter 20: Zhuge Liang’s Concerns and Cao Wei’s Retribution!

To this day, Liu Chan had come to place complete trust in Yang Yi. He even believed he could rely on Yang Yi as steadfastly as he did on the chancellor! Henceforth, he resolved to seek Yang Yi’s counsel more frequently on matters of state.

“Your Majesty, please accept my condolences. Should Lord Yang show any signs of recovery, I shall inform you immediately!” the imperial physician said respectfully.

Waiting here silently was not a solution. The main affairs were still unresolved.

Liu Chan gazed anxiously at the closed door, then sighed deeply and shook his head. “There is no other way.”

“I shall first return to pay respects to the chancellor. Should anything occur, inform me at once!”

Before leaving, Liu Chan clasped his hands together and bowed slightly.

“Heaven bless Yang Yi, who risked his life to save me—such loyalty is witnessed by all under heaven.”

“I pray the heavens will grant him a swift recovery, so he may continue to assist me in governing the realm of Shu Han.”

Standing quietly there, Liu Chan prayed for Yang Yi. Any outsider witnessing this would surely be astonished. Even a fool could see the high place Yang Yi held in Liu Chan’s heart.

Not long after Liu Chan departed, several palace attendants returned to the Chancellor’s residence bearing trays laden with rare tributes—gifts from Liu Chan’s court. They included thousand-year-old ginseng, pearls from the South Sea, and exquisite jade from the Western Regions. Anything of value that could be spared was sent.

***

Outside the capital of Shu, near a remote thatched cottage, Zhuge Liang sat calmly at his desk, absentmindedly fanning himself with a feather fan.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps broke the silence.

A scout clad in black rushed in, his expression grave. He knelt on one knee and reported to Zhuge Liang, “Prime Minister, news has arrived from the capital’s mourning hall. While Your Majesty was paying respects to you, assassins struck!”

“Yang Yi was severely wounded defending His Majesty and remains unconscious.”

“Until now, His Majesty has spoken endlessly of Yang Yi’s loyalty and bravery.”

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang’s fan paused mid-air, shock evident on his face.

“You say Yang Yi was gravely injured while saving His Majesty? What is the exact situation?”

The scout hurriedly replied, “Yang Yi stood before His Majesty when the assassin struck, receiving a stab to his chest. Though the imperial physician has taken him for treatment, the situation is dire; his life hangs in the balance.”

At these words, Zhuge Liang rose slowly and paced the room, his mind filled with mixed emotions.

“Though Yang Yi is often proud and at odds with his colleagues, at this moment of life and death, he stepped forward to save the sovereign?”

“Such loyalty is truly rare.”

He murmured to himself, a faint sense of relief and admiration in his eyes.

The scout stood silently nearby, not daring to interrupt.

After a moment, Zhuge Liang stopped, furrowed his brows, and asked again, “Do we know who ordered the assassination? Has the investigation made any progress?”

To think that someone in the capital dared to target the emperor—this was a grave crime!

The scout shook his head. “No clear information yet, only that His Majesty has decreed a strict inquiry. Those captured assassins are being severely interrogated to uncover the mastermind.”

Zhuge Liang nodded slowly and sighed deeply. “For such an event to occur within the capital, the court is bound to be thrown into turmoil.”

“Yang Yi risked his life for His Majesty—truly admirable.”

“If he recovers safely, he will surely become a capable aide to the emperor and a pillar of Shu Han.”

Waving his hand slightly, Zhuge Liang said, “Continue the investigation! We must discover who deliberately attempted to assassinate His Majesty!”

“Yes!” The scout turned and left.

Shortly after, Ma Su hurried in, his face grave.

“Prime Minister, bad news.”

***

“Reports from Wei state that Cao Pi has passed away, and Cao Rui has succeeded him. Since then, they've restricted the entry of Shu brocade into Wei, increased troop deployments around the Qinling Mountains, and strictly prohibited the flow of grain and draft oxen into our Shu Han!”

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang’s expression darkened instantly. Sitting back at his desk, his brows knitted tightly as he fell into deep thought.

These measures by Wei were clearly aimed at delivering a fatal economic blow to Shu Han, plunging the kingdom into internal strife and external pressure.

The northern campaign was already fraught with difficulty; this only added insult to injury.

“What is your assessment of this, You Chang?” Zhuge Liang inquired.

Ma Su, worry etched on his face, shook his head and sighed. “Prime Minister, Wei’s tactics are ruthless and hit us where it hurts most.”

“Now it appears truly difficult—no one can easily resolve this predicament.”

“The obstruction of Shu brocade trade will drastically reduce state revenue; military funding will become a severe challenge.”

“Moreover, restrictions on grain and draft oxen strike at the livelihoods of the common people and the foundation of agriculture. Without an effective response, the consequences will be dire.”

Zhuge Liang nodded thoughtfully, his gaze drifting as if pondering deeply. “Wei’s strike is like a serpent aiming for a vital point. Though Shu Han is recuperating, its economy and agriculture remain weak.”

He slowly shook his head. “You Chang, this challenge is far greater than imagined. Even wise men like Jiang Wan and Fei Yi would find Wei’s relentless tactics difficult to counter.”

He continued, “I heard Yang Yi claimed he could resolve this dilemma within three days.”

Ma Su’s expression twisted oddly at the mention.

Zhuge Liang smiled faintly, a trace of helplessness in his tone. “That is Yang Yi’s flaw—boasting and theorizing without substance. Take his words as mere amusement.”

The atmosphere lightened slightly before Ma Su furrowed his brows again, anxiety clear in his eyes.

“Prime Minister, in such a situation, are we to wait passively for disaster?”

Zhuge Liang pondered briefly and replied, “Not necessarily.”

“Though Shu Han faces hardship, surrender is not an option.”

“At present, it is unwise for me to appear openly. Wei’s actions seem designed to exploit chaos.”

“They intend to disrupt Shu Han’s stability. If I reveal myself prematurely, I will not uncover their true intentions.”

With that, Zhuge Liang’s mind was made up. Turning to Ma Su, he said, “You Chang, I order you to secretly begin stockpiling grain and fodder. This is of utmost importance, tied to Shu Han’s survival. You must act cautiously and leak no information.”

Ma Su hurriedly clasped his fists, voice resolute. “Prime Minister, rest assured. I will handle this carefully—nothing will go wrong!”

He bowed with respect and solemnly vowed, “I obey your command!”