Volume One, Chapter Three: The Underlying Currents Stirring in the Capital of Shu!

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“Hiss, Prime Minister, if news of your death spreads, there will surely be those with ill intentions making moves.”

“Former General Li Yan, though now reassigned to Jiangzhou, must still be watched closely.”

“Not to mention if the Wei state learns of this news…”

Zhuge Liang took a sip of his clear tea and tapped Ma Su with his feather fan.

“Even if something unexpected happens, hundreds of thousands of troops remain under my command. Besides, I have already made secret arrangements over the past few days. What is there to fear?!”

Hearing this, Ma Su admired the Prime Minister’s strategy.

“In that case, the situation is fully under your control!”

Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan.

“Nothing is absolute. We still need timely reports from informants within the city.”

“However, if there truly is trouble now, misfortune can be the foundation of fortune. It may not be entirely a bad thing.”

Zhuge Liang lightly waved his fan, his gaze deep.

“In times of great chaos, it becomes clear who can shoulder great responsibilities and who is all show but hollow inside.”

“This time, whoever can hold aloft the banner of Shu Han at this critical moment shall inherit my position as Prime Minister!”

“Unless absolutely necessary, I will not appear personally.”

“I only hope they will not disappoint my earnest intentions…”

…

In the capital of Shu, inside the Prime Minister’s residence.

Zhuge Pan, the adopted son of Zhuge Liang, had just returned from outside and entered the main hall. Upon seeing his foster father’s coffin, he immediately clung to it and wept bitterly.

Just moments ago, upon receiving the news, Zhuge Pan hurried back to the residence.

Originally the son of Zhuge Jin, he was later adopted by Zhuge Liang and now served as a military counselor in the Prime Minister’s mansion, handling documents—a position of some real authority.

“Father, why did you suddenly depart from this world?!”

“A few days ago, I still saw Father; he was in good health. How could this be so sudden?”

Though outwardly overcome with grief, a faint joy quietly stirred in Zhuge Pan’s heart.

Then the steward who followed him dismissed all the servants.

“Young Master, the Prime Minister fell ill during the late hours last night. When the court physician arrived at dawn, the Prime Minister had already passed away. According to Military Counselor Ma Su, the household will prepare the funeral at the hour of the dragon and hold the mourning ceremony at the hour of the snake.”

“Now, the retainers have notified the officials, and the officials will likely come to pay respects by midday…”

Zhuge Pan looked around. The residence was filled with mourning cries, white funeral couplets hung, banners swayed, white candles burned in braziers, and everyone wore mourning garb.

He stood there, lost in thought.

After a long moment, realization struck him: his foster father was dead, and there were no other heirs. Would the position of Prime Minister not then fall to him?

If he inherited the Prime Minister’s post, would he not have control over all of Shu Han?

His current role was merely drafting documents and dealing with officials. How could he demonstrate his talent for governing the state and securing peace?

“Steward, before Father passed, did he leave any final words? Did he appoint anyone to inherit the Prime Minister’s position?”

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Upon hearing this, the steward shook his head.

“Before the Prime Minister’s passing, Military Counselor Ma Su was attending him. There was no mention of any final instructions.”

“But, Young Master! Now that the Prime Minister has passed, you are the only heir in the household. If you step forward now to carry on the Prime Minister’s legacy, the court officials will surely support you out of respect for the Prime Minister!”

“Is that… really feasible?!”

“I am weak and lacking support in the court. Father’s death was so sudden, and he left no instructions…”

Zhuge Pan looked fearful and surprised, staring at the steward and pondering deeply.

The steward, a trusted aide, lowered his voice to remind him:

“Young Master, the Prime Minister was recently presiding over discussions about the northern expedition. The Governor of Hanzhong, Wei Yan, is currently in the capital at the Northern General’s residence and has not left.”

“Wei Yan is a close confidant of the Prime Minister and the commander of Hanzhong, holding military power. If you join forces with him and issue a forged imperial edict…”

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Pan’s face brightened.

“Excellent!”

Wasting no time, Zhuge Pan left the residence and took a carriage to the Northern General’s mansion where Wei Yan was.

Wei Yan and his subordinates were discussing plans for a military mutiny. When they learned Zhuge Pan had come to visit, they were greatly surprised.

Still, Wei Yan had Zhuge Pan brought inside, while the other officers hid in the back hall.

Once inside, Zhuge Pan stated his purpose plainly.

“General Wei, have you heard the news of my father’s passing last night?”

Wei Yan hesitated briefly, then nodded.

“The Prime Minister was the pillar of Shu Han. Now that he has suddenly passed, my heart is like being cut by a thousand blades!”

Feigning sorrow, Wei Yan wiped away tears and cried.

Zhuge Pan wiped his eyes in turn, then said:

“When Father was alive, he could hold the court in check. Now that he is gone, I fear someone will attempt to overthrow the court, destroy the foundations Father built, and alter his northern expedition strategy…”

“I wish to temporarily assume Father’s duties as Prime Minister, but I have no trusted allies in the court. Since you are here, General, I have come to seek your support.”

Zhuge Pan spoke tactfully, but Wei Yan understood perfectly. A broad smile spread across his face.

Though Zhuge Pan was not the Prime Minister’s biological son, as an adopted son he was even more favored. If Wei Yan supported Zhuge Pan as acting Prime Minister, then his own use of troops to suppress the court would be justified.

“Ah, Young Master, as the Prime Minister’s heir, your vision and strategy rival even the Prime Minister himself. Now that the Prime Minister has suddenly passed, and you are his only heir, you must step forward and lead.”

Wei Yan feigned surprise, rose quickly, and grasped Zhuge Pan’s hands.

He had never expected the Prime Minister’s adopted son to come to him proactively.

This was truly like finding a needle in a haystack without effort!

“As soon as you order troops into the city, I can immediately issue a forged edict. Once we control the court, the position of Grand General will belong to you, Governor Wei!”

Zhuge Pan spoke with assurance.

Wei Yan looked at him with delight.

“Young Master, with such ambition, the Prime Minister would surely smile down from the afterlife!”

“To be honest with you, as soon as I learned of the Prime Minister’s death, I sent people out to mobilize the troops. Soon, the entire capital will be under our command!”

“Let us first go to the Prime Minister’s residence. It is the key to everything now. There must be no chaos!”

…

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Within the Shu capital, undercurrents stirred. Many officials, upon hearing the Prime Minister’s death, hurried toward the Prime Minister’s residence.

Yang Yi arrived and entered the mourning hall, immediately collapsing onto the coffin, weeping aloud.

“Prime Minister, why did you leave so suddenly?!”

“The northern expedition remains unfinished. We still have much to accomplish!”

As he cried, Yang Yi quietly exerted a bit of force, prying open the coffin lid to peer inside.

Seeing an actual corpse within, he finally felt some relief.

The household’s family members, seeing Yang Yi’s outburst, came to comfort him.

To them, as the Chief Clerk of the Prime Minister’s mansion who was always close to the Prime Minister, such sorrow was understandable.

In the following hours, the mansion filled with officials coming to pay their respects.

Yang Yi’s gaze swept over the gathered officials. After a moment, it fixed on one person.

“Well, Minister Xu, long time no see. You look quite worn!”

The one greeted by Yang Yi was Xu Jing, Governor of Yizhou.

Xu Jing quickly replied, “Chief Clerk Yang, who is not saddened by the Prime Minister’s death? Seeing you cry so bitterly just now shows how deeply you grieve. Please accept my condolences.”

“Minister Xu, please also take care,” Yang Yi echoed.

Then his tone abruptly shifted.

“I heard you have been short of silver for renovating your mansion recently? I will have someone send you some funds shortly.”

Xu Jing’s eyes brightened at this and he bowed respectfully to Yang Yi.

As Governor of Yizhou, Xu Jing was unknown for much else, but when it came to wealth in the capital, none surpassed the Prime Minister’s confidant and great benefactor, Chief Clerk Yang.

“Oh, how can I impose on you, Military Counselor Yang, to cover the cost of my house renovation…”

Yang Yi chuckled softly, then his tone suddenly grew cold.

“A little money is nothing. But I’ve recently heard that you have become close to Minister Jiang?”

Yang Yi’s sudden change of subject left Xu Jing somewhat unsettled.

Xu Jing quickly understood and waved his hands, explaining hastily:

“Chief Clerk Yang, you know me well. I am loyal to you and loyal to the Prime Minister.”

Wiping sweat from his brow, Xu Jing knew well the principle: one should not bite the hand that feeds.

Yang Yi nodded faintly.

“Xu Jing, with the Prime Minister now passed and the times turbulent, you must keep your eyes wide open!”