Yizhou, Chengdu.
The news that Sun Quan's army was advancing from Xianyang to the north has been rapidly spread by messengers to the city of Chengdu. Almost instantly, this news has spread throughout this vast city.
Although the saying goes that the use of military force is a matter of great importance to the state, this kind of news is not within the scope of necessity for secrecy or prohibition from being disseminated. The Shu region is narrow, and with the court showing itself as having legitimate authority, any news of an attack on Wei or Wei suffering damage is highly invigorating.
The post road from Wu's Wuchang to Shu Han's Chengdu generally follows the Yangtze River upstream, passing through Wu's Xiling to Shu Han's Yong'an, and then coming into the interior of Shu Han via the Ba Prefecture.
However, Jiang Yanyan himself did not follow this route. After entering the heart of Yizhou, he directly rushed to the White Stream at the palace in Xianfu, bypassing two prefectures - Baden and Guanghan. He only sent messengers to Chengdu in Baden.
However, in the eyes of the current Chengdu city, this is a trivial matter that is not worth mentioning. The authority of Xianfu is so heavy that there are countless people like Jiang Yanyan who consider Xianfu more important than the court. What difference does it make if there is one more person like Jiang Yanyan?
Moreover, Emperor Liu Shan of the Han Dynasty in the palace of Chengdu has no objections, so who else would dare to say anything?
If the Prime Minister Jiang Yanyan were to simultaneously launch an attack on Wei territory at the same time as Sun Quan's attack on Wei, wouldn't the chances of success be greater?
Under such circumstances, the heavyweights in Chengdu were almost thinking of taking action. Previously, people who had clearly opposed Zhuge Liang, such as Du Jun, He Zong, Lai Min, and Pei Jun, were almost simultaneously submitting petitions in favor of the court's decision to launch a northern expedition.
From a conservative standpoint, attacking northward simultaneously with Wu would have a higher chance of success. From the perspective of political opportunism, since they cannot compete with Zhuge Liang in Chengdu, supporting and joining him has become the only choice.
The same choice was made by Li Yan, who was a retired official living at home, and Li Zhengfang.
"Take a look at Li Zhengfang's report," said.
On the twenty-third day of the ninth month, Liu Shan, in the palace of Chengdu, summoned his two attendants, Guo Youzhi and Dong Yun, to his presence and handed them the memorial scroll, extending his hand: "It is heartfelt and sincere, every word written with tears; I am also moved by it."
Guo Youzhi and Dong Yun exchanged a glance, and Guo Youzhi stepped forward to receive the memorial scroll. After carefully examining it, he handed it to Dong Yun.
In his memo, Li Yan declared that he had been staying at home for several months, reformed his conduct, and fully understood the importance of the northern expedition. He wholeheartedly supported all decisions made by His Majesty and Zhuge Liang. At a time when the court was in need of talent, he was willing to head north to the headquarters of Zhuge Liang and take orders, not seeking any official position, even as a commoner. His only wish was to serve the country.
Liu Shan was asking for their opinions, and for Guo Youzhi and Dong Yun, this matter was not an easy one to decide.
Although Li Yan had been demoted to a commoner, he was still one of the most capable people in the current court. Moreover, Zhuge Liang had not discussed with them what to do about this matter.
Of course not! This is not a matter that can be settled with their two Visitors.
Guo Youzhi bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance, and I am unable to make a decision. If Your Majesty deems it reasonable to follow the previous imprudent acts of Li Zhengfang and order him to remain at home, that is acceptable. But if he is sent to the Prime Minister's residence for his judgment, that also seems to be appropriate."
"I also concur," said Dong Yun by Guo Youzhi's side.
Liu Shan slightly widened his eyes, carefully looked at their expressions, and then spoke: "Then order the tiger guards to bring Li Zhengfang into the palace. I will face-to-face ask him what he really thinks."
"Understood," Dong Yun bowed and agreed.
Chengdu is not too big, and the tiger guards galloped out of the palace to pick up Li Yan at his home. It took only a half hour for Li Yan to be brought before Liu Shan, who stood and bowed respectfully. He then lowered his head and stood with his hands tied in front of the hall.
"The Visitors please step out, I want to talk to Mr. Li alone."
"Understood," said Guo Youzhi and Dong Yun, though they were puzzled in their hearts but did not delay their actions. Why does the Emperor want to discuss matters with Li Yan alone?
At this moment, the hall was empty except for the two people standing guard - Emperor Liu Shan and commoner Li Yan. It was completely silent.
Liu Shan spoke softly: "I have read Li Yan's memorial in its entirety. Jiang Yanyan did not come to Chengdu, but directly went to the White Stream. Following what the Emperor and Zhuge Liang previously stated, this time Zhuge Liang will also lead troops northward."
"Mr. Li is also a person of wisdom. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Li Yan took a deep breath, calmed himself down. In the months since he had been demoted to a commoner, he initially spent his days at home, almost going mad with frustration. However, as time went on, he gradually realized that any opportunity he had to contribute to the country must be seized.
The Northern Expedition was the only opportunity he had at this moment.
Li Yan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, every word in my memorial today is the genuine sentiment of my heart. If I can contribute to the northern expedition and serve your majesty and the court, I am willing to be a laborer in the army or an assistant in camp."
Liu Shan shook his head gently. He did not want to listen to such empty words of loyalty: "I asked Li Yan about his views on this Northern Expedition."
Li Yan replied calmly: "Sun Quan has always been unreliable. It is uncertain whether he can win in his attack on Xianyang. Once Wei's reinforcements arrive, he may have to retreat. However, Sun Quan is a legitimate ally of the Han Dynasty. If the court does not trust Sun Quan now, who else can it trust?"
"Northern expeditions must always be carried out!" Li Yan's voice grew more resolute: "It is better to have Sun Quan as a restraint than to have none. I agree with what Prime Minister Zhuge Liang said in the past, that the time for the northern expedition is ripe!"
Liu Shan nodded, but did not say anything further. The hall fell silent again, with everyone thinking their own thoughts.
Li Yan stood quietly in place, not understanding what was happening.
The books that should be read, Liu Shan has also read. He understands the legal techniques of Shen and Han. Zhuge Liang had even copied "Shenzi," "Han Feizi," "Guanzi," "Liuwei Mingzhao" (The Six Strategies), and other books by hand and personally taught them to him.
Liu Shan believed that Zhuge Liang was of great importance, but from the practical perspective of an emperor, Zhuge Liang's presence at White Stream commanding a large army and his residence in Chengdu meant that he needed to integrate all available resources of the country.
The stories of the absent silk ribbon and the horse theft, which he has read through repeatedly in his leisure time, reveal Liu Shan's earnestness. It is not wrong to send Li Yan to Zhuge Liang. If the Prime Minister uses him, it is just as it should be. If he does not use him, he can just beat him back home again!
After a long time, Liu Shan finally heaved a deep sigh, "Li Yan's ability to be brave after feeling ashamed and to devote himself wholeheartedly to the country brings me great comfort."
"However, there is one thing I must explain to you in advance."
Li Yan felt a stir in his heart. A mixture of sorrow and excitement welled up inside him, tears sprang to his eyes:
"May Your Majesty give your instruction, and I will listen attentively!"
Liu Shan said, "The Northern Expedition is entirely planned by the Prime Minister. I am not as clear about how Li Yan can contribute to it, nor should I give you an official position. What I can do now is order someone to escort you to White Stream and follow Zhuge Liang's orders."
"Are you willing to go?"
Li Yan had sought this opportunity, how could he not want to? He immediately knelt down and kowtowed, shouting loudly, "Your Majesty's boundless grace is deeply imprinted in my heart. I wish I could die to repay Your Majesty's kindness!"
Liu Shan nodded gently: "Very well, when I have an order for White Stream, you will accompany the messenger. Leave at once and don't delay!"
"Understood!" Since he has the chance to go to White Stream, Li Yan could throw away everything in Chengdu, and there was no need to worry about going home.
At this moment, in the Xuchang Palace, Cao Rui was with a group of imperial guards practicing archery inside the palace. Archery is one of the Six Arts of a gentleman, and it requires constant practice to become proficient and respond intuitively.
After shooting four arrows, Cao Rui handed the decorated and gilded bow to Xiahou Xuan by his side, and Fu Gao handed him a silk handkerchief to wipe away the sweat on his forehead.
Cao Rui sat down in the chair, smiling at the imperial guards surrounding him:
"I have watched each of you shoot today, and none of you can match my skill. It's clear that more practice is needed."
Xiahou Xuan smiled and replied: "How could we compare ourselves to Your Majesty? When I was at your side in the first year of Taiping, Your Majesty's archery skills were already beyond others. With years of practice, your skills have become even more refined."
"Hahaha," Cao Rui pointed at Xiahou Xuan, "Just because I am the emperor, does that mean I can shoot better than everyone else? Does that mean I am smarter than everyone else? There's no such logic."
"Today, I called you all here not only to test your archery skills but also to ask you something."
Xiahou Xuan placed the bow on the bowrest and quickly walked back, standing next to the other seven people.
Cao Rui looked around and said softly, "Among you three earlier imperial guards, you have only served at the Taixue (Imperial Academy) and have no experience in serving as officials at the provincial or prefectural level. The other five of you have been stationed in the Military Frontier Office, never having served in the imperial court. Your experiences complement each other, and I suppose your ideas will also differ."
"Today, I will ask you about this. Let's take Yanling County as an example. If the imperial court orders the abolition of civilians' granaries and distributes the land according to population, how should the granary officials do this?" (This chapter ends)
