Volume One, Chapter Four: The Bought Officials of the Imperial Court!

“Where does Chief Historian Yang speak falsely? Though the Chancellor has passed away, his heroic spirit remains!”

“No matter how turbulent the court, what Chief Historian Yang means is what the Chancellor wills!”

Hearing this, Yang Yi was very pleased. He turned to look at another person who had just entered the Chancellor’s residence.

The newcomer was visibly elderly, around fifty years of age—the Minister Sun Lian.

“Minister Sun, it’s been days since we last met, yet your vigor remains unchanged!”

Though Sun Lian was past fifty, his face was flushed with vitality, betraying no sign of age.

“Sigh, Chief Historian Yang, I am flattered, but what vigor do I have? Since hearing of the Chancellor’s passing, my heart has been weary and my spirit exhausted.”

Sun Lian sighed deeply.

“Death is irreversible, Minister Sun. Please restrain your grief,” Yang Yi said helplessly, shaking his head.

Then, leaning in slightly, his tone grew stern.

“I hear Minister Sun recently took on a concubine. Truly, old age brings strength anew. I shall send some gifts to congratulate you shortly, how does that sound?”

Sun Lian’s face flushed red, about to clasp his hands and thank him.

But then his expression froze, realization dawning.

He had kept the matter of his concubine secret from his colleagues; even those officials close to him were unaware. How, then, could Yang Yi have known?

“I am unworthy of your concern over such trivial matters, Chief Historian,” Sun Lian said, clearly implying something else, though Yang Yi did not press the matter. He replied lightly:

“Birth, aging, marriage, and death are all significant events. I shall have some gifts sent to your residence soon. Please do not refuse.”

Sun Lian quickly bowed in thanks.

“Chief Historian Yang, it is truly embarrassing. You have so many matters to attend to with the Chancellor’s affairs, yet you still worry about us old relics...”

But in the next moment, Yang Yi’s tone abruptly shifted.

“However, Minister Sun, with the Chancellor’s demise, the situation is volatile and the court unsettled. You must not be careless. One misstep could plunge us into an abyss!”

Sun Lian could clearly detect Yang Yi’s implication and immediately clasped his hands.

“Chief Historian Yang has long nurtured this old relic. Now that the Chancellor has passed, I think that as the Chancellor’s confidant, deeply trusted and taught by him, you should step forward to oversee the situation.”

Seeing Sun Lian’s clear stance, Yang Yi revealed a radiant smile.

“What oversight or not, it’s all for Shu Han, for the late Emperor’s legacy, for carrying on the Chancellor’s will!”

Sun Lian nodded, appearing enlightened.

“Yes, all for Shu Han, all for the Chancellor’s legacy!”

After sending Sun Lian away, Yang Yi sneered inwardly.

Over the years, nearly half the officials of Shu Han’s court had benefited from his favor; the other half were all under his watchful eye.

Thus, controlling the officials now was as natural and effortless as breathing.

Yet, all these alliances were forged in secret, without Zhuge Liang’s knowledge.

Soon after Sun Lian left, a voice suddenly called out from nearby:

“Oh, Chief Historian Yang, I’ve been looking for you. Thanks so much for your help with my son’s matter last time!”

Yang Yi looked up to see the remonstrance official, Du Wei, addressing him.

“Ah, Minister Du, your son told you when he returned? I told the lad not to make a fuss.”

“Chief Historian Yang, you are too humble. You are a great benefactor of my Du family. With the Chancellor’s passing, please accept my condolences.”

Du Wei’s face was full of flattering smiles.

“I wouldn’t say benefactor. Your son is talented, and now that he serves in the Chancellor’s residence, he is being put to good use.”

Du Wei shook his head.

“That is all thanks to Chief Historian Yang. If not for your words before the Chancellor, how could my son have such honor?”

Lowering his voice and raising an eyebrow, Du Wei added:

“Chief Historian Yang, now that the Chancellor has passed, you must inherit his will and uphold Shu Han!”

Hearing this, Yang Yi smiled faintly and tapped Du Wei’s chest.

“You’ve grown, Minister Du.”

Yang Yi then glanced around. He saw that the officials present at the mourning hall were all those he had dealings with. He straightened his robe and, accompanied by Zou Ping and Zhao Li, walked to the center of the hall.

“To all esteemed officials present, you share a close bond with me, Yang Yi. Now that the Chancellor has passed into the heavens, I have but one message: Soon, there will be traitors and scoundrels who, shamelessly, will vie for power at the Chancellor’s funeral!”

“I only hope you all understand the gravity of the moment and the righteousness of the cause. When making decisions, think more for... Shu Han! Think more for the people! Think more for the late Emperor!”

Everyone could tell that Yang Yi’s words carried hidden meaning, and soon, some stepped forward to declare their stance.

“Lord Yang, we owe all we have today to the Chancellor’s grace. Anyone who causes disorder before his coffin will find no support from us!”

“Indeed, Chief Historian Yang, rest assured. While the Chancellor lived, we were loyal to him. Now that you inherit his will, we shall not forget our roots!”

As one after another official voiced their loyalty, outside the mourning hall, a few calm figures strolled into the Chancellor’s residence.

They were Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and other civil officials of the court.

With their arrival, the once noisy residence grew noticeably quieter.

Many turned their gazes toward them, and some stepped forward to greet and flatter.

“Minister Jiang, at long last you have arrived. With the Chancellor’s passing, this residence lacks a chief steward. None but Minister Jiang is fit for this role!”

“Indeed. The Chancellor favored Minister Jiang the most during his lifetime. It is only proper that Minister Jiang leads the mourning.”

Those officials not yet swayed by Yang Yi sought to curry favor.

“Hm.”

Jiang Wan nodded, his expression cold and severe.

“I bring my men not only to mourn the Chancellor but also because I care for this residence. Without its core, how can the rest stand? With me here, it will not collapse.”

Jiang Wan’s words were firm, and some officials quickly echoed his sentiments.

Only Yang Yi and the dozen or so civil and military officials behind him remained unmoved, their faces indifferent.

Their unusual demeanor naturally drew Jiang Wan’s attention. Seeing Yang Yi pretending not to notice, Jiang Wan’s anger surged.

He strode forward and stood before Yang Yi, his gaze sharp and voice fierce.

“Yang Yi! The Chancellor devoted his life tirelessly to Shu Han, giving his all. Now his passing brings sorrow to the entire nation!”

“As the Chancellor’s confidant, how dare you commit such great impiety! You come to mourn yet wear no mourning clothes nor don the customary veil of sorrow? What are your intentions?”

Upon hearing this, Fei Yi stepped forward to rebuke as well:

“Yang Yi, the Chancellor treated you well. How could you act so against human decency and disrespect the Chancellor’s heroic spirit?”

Faced with their harsh words, a flicker of sorrow and resentment crossed Yang Yi’s eyes.

He sneered coldly:

“How dare you two reproach me, Yang Yi?”

“When I heard of the Chancellor’s death, I was already heartbroken, my soul torn apart. How could I think of wearing mourning attire? Before my eyes, I still see the Chancellor’s visage and smile…”

“How can that compare to you, who have leisure to dress yourself meticulously?”

As he spoke, Yang Yi wiped away tears, his grief plain for all to see. Witnesses were moved to tears, listeners overwhelmed with sorrow.

“If donning mourning clothes could bring the Chancellor back to life, I, Yang Yi, would gladly wear a thousand layers of hemp in the dog days of summer!”