Volume 1, Chapter 6: The Tide Turns—Are These Yang Yi’s Troops?

The commotion outside the Prime Minister’s residence—how could it be Wei Yan’s soldiers? It was clearly the Undaunted Flying Troops arranged by Yang Yi!

But who else knew of Yang Yi’s careful, long-standing plans?

In the struggle for political power, whoever commands the troops holds the initiative. At this moment, Wei Yan was clearly growing arrogant and overconfident.

“Wei Yan, you’ve brought troops here during the Prime Minister’s mourning. What exactly are you intending to do?” Yang Yi directly challenged him. Since Wei Yan openly admitted to deploying soldiers, Yang Yi seized this opportunity to expose him.

“Yang Yi, a wise man knows the times,” Wei Yan sneered coldly, then bowed toward the palace. “I, Wei Yan, have been loyal to Shu Han. The reason I arranged soldiers in advance was merely to be prepared, to ensure stability in the capital after the Prime Minister’s death, and to prevent any traitors from causing chaos.”

Beside him, Zhuge Pan nodded slightly, a faint, barely perceptible smile curling at the corner of his mouth. Indeed, at such a time, military force was what mattered most.

“Yang Yi, as you can see, Commander Wei has made preparations. The situation is volatile; we must act for the good of Shu Han. If you are sensible, you will not make futile resistance.”

Yang Yi’s smile turned cold. “During the Prime Minister’s mourning, Wei Yan, you’re attempting a usurpation!”

As his words fell, Xu Jing, Governor of Yi Province, joined in, “Wei Yan, the Prime Minister served tirelessly his entire life. Now that he has just passed away, your actions are suspicious and despicable.”

Likewise, the Censor Du Wei hurried to stand behind Yang Yi. “We have all been greatly favored by the Prime Minister. How can we allow a traitorous rebel like you to destroy the foundation of Shu Han?”

Many civil officials whom Yang Yi had recently rallied now echoed his words.

Accusations against Wei Yan surged like a tide, wave upon wave.

Meanwhile, officials aligned with Jiang Wan and Fei Yi stood aside, their expressions varied but unmistakably entertained.

With a clash, Wei Yan could no longer restrain his fury; he drew his sword, its blade gleaming coldly.

“All I do today is for Shu Han! If any of you dare oppose me, you shall be deemed traitors and executed without mercy!”

The officials behind Yang Yi paled in fright.

The atmosphere grew tense, like a drawn bowstring.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the Prime Minister’s residence.

All eyes turned.

A flood of well-equipped soldiers poured in, each wielding a steel ring-headed saber, their formation imposing and formidable.

Each wore chainmail armor, the plates clinking crisply, shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

At once, all present officials gasped in awe.

Wei Yan, seeing their reactions, smiled smugly.

What good are mere words?

Now, it was a matter of whose fists were stronger.

He had arranged troops in advance—he would be the last to laugh today.

Wei Yan raised his eyes, ready to give orders to seize control of the entire Prime Minister’s residence.

Yet, as he scanned the newly arrived soldiers, he was dumbfounded.

These men carried steel ring-headed sabers and wore chainmail armor—these were not his soldiers!

Looking at their brand-new weapons and armor, Wei Yan’s eyes nearly bulged.

Where had these soldiers come from?

Where were his own troops?

He looked at Wang Ping beside him, who was equally perplexed.

The shock was not limited to Wei Yan alone.

“General Wei has hidden his preparations well, forging such an elite force, unbeknownst to the court!” Jiang Wan blurted coldly.

“This steel ring sabers cost a fortune to make! And the chainmail armor is intricate craftsmanship—these are no ordinary arms…”

“Even our best soldiers could hardly muster such a well-equipped unit!”

“These arms must have been secretly prepared for a long time to be so… astonishing!”

The officials were left agape with amazement.

As whispers and murmurs spread, a commander clad in silver armor strode swiftly into the mourning hall, his steps fierce and commanding.

Passing through the crowd, he knelt directly before Yang Yi.

Following him, the soldiers knelt in unison before Yang Yi.

“My troops have arrived late; please forgive this humble officer, Chief Clerk.”

At this, the crowd erupted once more.

This army belonged to Yang Yi!

A chill ran down Wei Yan’s spine as he stared at Yang Yi in disbelief.

Yang Yi had summoned these troops?

Impossible!

Putting aside why Yang Yi possessed such an army, just the configuration of these troops was unlike anything belonging to Shu Han.

Yang Yi’s expression was calm as he cast a sidelong glance at Wei Yan.

“To be frank, the city gates, the palace, and the Prime Minister’s residence are all firmly under my control.”

“As for the troops you command outside the city gates, Commander Wei, I doubt they can even enter!”

The officials present were stunned beyond belief. None expected Yang Yi to move so swiftly.

Wei Yan’s face turned ashen; he racked his brains but could not fathom where Yang Yi had conjured such an elite force.

Looking at their armor and weapons, he was filled with envy.

“Chief Clerk Yang commands such an elite army, and we knew nothing of it until now!”

The officials who had sided with Yang Yi now spoke boldly.

“Yang Yi’s foresight and preparation have foiled the treacherous plot of Wei Yan and others. This is truly a blessing for the state of Shu Han!”

“While Yang Yi stands for Shu Han, the Prime Minister watching from the afterlife must surely be comforted!”

The civil officials aligned with Yang Yi felt their spirits lift, releasing the frustration they had harbored.

Yet, some rejoiced while others despaired.

Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and others who had been waiting for a deadly clash between Yang Yi and Wei Yan were now dumbfounded, their faces darkened like raw liver, their anger helplessly bottled up.

Where had Yang Yi gathered such elite troops?

Judging by their attire and weapons, these soldiers were extraordinary.

Even if the Prime Minister were alive, he could hardly have assembled such a force.

What power did Yang Yi possess to raise such a formidable army?

Some incredulous officials pinched their wrists, feeling the sting, realizing this was no dream.

It was real.

With such a strong force present, the situation within the Prime Minister’s residence would inevitably be under Yang Yi’s command.

Those who had just criticized Yang Yi now shivered, their hearts gripped with anxiety.

The mourning hall grew deathly silent, even a needle’s fall could be heard.

Yang Yi smiled faintly and surveyed the scene.

“Gentlemen, my secret deployment of troops bears no other intent,” he said softly.

“It is chiefly to prevent those with ill intent from harming our kingdom.”

“If everyone had come solely to mourn properly today, these troops of mine would not have needed to move. But alas, some are simply too reckless!”