The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 440 The current Han dynasty's territory is half under the Liu family and half under the Li family.
Spring of the nineteenth year of Zhangwu.

The Chengdu Prince's Mansion was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and music and singing continued throughout the night.

King Liu Yong of Wu sat high in the palace, raising his cup to drink heartily.

The prince was surrounded by graceful dancers and the sounds of string and wind instruments, creating a scene reminiscent of a peaceful and prosperous era.

Since conquering Chengdu a month ago, this prince has been bestowing titles and honors upon his officials.

By incorporating all the former officials of Sichuan into their ranks, they clearly considered this land of abundance as something they could easily possess.

"Your Majesty."

The newly appointed Prefect of Yizhou, Qiao Zhou, raised his cup in celebration, saying, "Now that Shu is pacified and the people are united in heart, it is truly a blessing for the Han Dynasty!"

Liu Yongzhi was smug and was about to reply.

Suddenly, a trusted guard rushed into the hall and presented a secret letter.

He opened the book with blurry, drunken eyes, and his expression suddenly changed halfway through reading.

The jade cup in his hand fell to the ground with a "crack" and shattered into several pieces.

Why is Your Majesty so alarmed?

The assembled officials were all astonished and looked at each other in bewilderment.

Liu Yong said in a trembling voice:
"Jiang Wei... Jiang Wei's army has been stationed in Zitong. Not only has Zhuge Liang not taken away his military power, but he has also sent Wei Yan to reinforce him!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar.

Logically, after Liu Yong accepted Cao Rui's surrender, he should have returned to the capital.

However, due to the unique terrain of Shu, Liu Yong needed to stay there temporarily.

Meanwhile, we await the official document from the imperial court to see the specific arrangements.

The biggest change that occurred was the competition between Liu Yong and Jiang Wei for military merit.

Yinping was crossed by everyone smuggling together, and important passes such as Mianzhu and Fucheng were also captured by everyone together.

So in this matter, the two are evenly matched.

However, after capturing Mianzhu, Jiang Wei suddenly changed his temperament and kept finding various reasons to delay his advance, refusing to send troops to Chengdu.

This puzzled his soldiers.

Liu Yong seized this opportunity and marched into Chengdu, taking advantage of the internal turmoil in Chengdu and the suffering of the Wei people.

They captured and subdued the Wei dynasty in one fell swoop.

Whoever takes Chengdu first will be credited with the greatest achievement in destroying Wei.

This period was the happiest and most triumphant phase of Liu Yongping's life.

He finally silenced the doubters and gave a resounding slap in the face to those who had looked down on him.

However, his memorial impeaching Jiang Wei seemed to have disappeared without a trace.

As of now, Jiang Wei appears to be unharmed.

What's even more suspicious is that Jiang Wei simply left things as they were.

But why did he not return to the capital in triumph?

Instead, they continued to station their troops in Zitong.

Not only that, Zhuge Liang even reinforced his troops.

Why?

Zitong blocked the Shu Road, making it a very important location.

Liu Yong is currently unaware of the reason for this arrangement regarding Jiang Wei.

Was it the court's decision, or Zhuge Liang's personal decision?

Qiao Zhou frowned and said:
"The war to destroy Wei is over, yet Jiang Wei's troops have not decreased but increased. What does this mean?"

Just as everyone was filled with surprise and doubt, one of the people at the table stood up and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not."

Liu Yong looked up and saw that it was the surrendered general Deng Ai, and hurriedly said:

"Sir, please speak freely."

Deng Ai stepped forward slowly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd:
"Your Majesty has rendered meritorious service in destroying Wei, which undoubtedly steals the limelight from Zhuge Liang and his disciple Jiang Wei."

"I have heard that many in the Luoyang court dislike Zhuge Liang."

"This expedition was originally intended to enhance his prestige."

"Now that Your Majesty has achieved such a great feat, how can Zhuge Liang be content with it?"

Liu Yong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead:

"What do you mean by that?"

Deng Ai lowered his voice:

"Now Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei will surely impeach Your Majesty before Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, consider this: Shu is a natural place for separatism. How can the court not be suspicious?"

Liu Yong was struck dumb, and collapsed to his seat.
"This...what should I do?"

Deng Ai looked around and, seeing that all the ministers were holding their breath, slowly said:

"The only course of action now is to strike first."

"Your Majesty can consolidate the troops in Shu, and I will also reorganize my old troops to jointly defend Shu."

"It is not for secession, but for self-preservation."

"Once the court investigates thoroughly, Your Majesty's innocence will be restored."

"What! No! How is this any different from rebellion?"

Liu Yong immediately broke out in a cold sweat and waved his hands repeatedly.

"Zhuge Liang has 100,000 troops stationed at Jiange, and Zhang He has 50,000 elite soldiers on the side. How can we, with our small force, possibly contend with them?"

Deng Ai sneered:

"...Your Majesty has misunderstood."

"I do not truly intend to establish a separatist regime, but rather to accuse Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei of treason."

"The more resolute Your Majesty's attitude is, the more convinced the court will be."

"His Majesty will surely send an envoy to mediate, and Your Majesty can then take the opportunity to propose conditions to preserve your life and wealth."

Liu Yong pondered for a long time, and finally let out a long sigh:
"In that case... I trouble you, Shizai, to arrange this matter for me."

Deng Ai bowed and accepted the order. As he left the main hall, a barely perceptible smile flickered across his lips.

As soon as he left the Prince's residence, Deputy General Shi Zuan came forward and whispered:

"General, may I have a word with you?"

The two walked to a secluded spot, and Shi Zuan looked around before saying:
"Now that Wei has been destroyed, and Liu Yong is a mediocre man, why should the general get involved in this mess?"

"Why not follow Fan Li's example and sail on the Five Lakes? Wouldn't that be delightful?"

Deng Ai laughed loudly, looking up at the sky:

“I am in the prime of my life, and I am eager to make progress. How can I possibly follow this path of retirement?”

Shi Zuan said urgently:

"If the general does not wish to retreat, he should make plans as soon as possible."

"Liu Yong was not a capable leader, while Zhuge Liang was a genius in military strategy."

"General, your actions are tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock!"

Deng Ai's gaze suddenly turned cold, and he flicked his sleeve, saying:

“My mind is made up! The troops in Shu are still under my control.”

"He could advance and seize the Central Plains, or retreat and still be a Cao Cao."

"Say no more!"

Shi Zuan wanted to persuade him again, but Deng Ai had already turned and left, his figure disappearing into the night.

……

Let me talk about two things.

Jiang Wei stood on the city tower of Zitong, gazing at the banners winding their way from afar.

Those were Wei Yan's troops, their black armor and red banners gleaming with a rusty sheen in the setting sun.

He sighed softly and straightened his battle robe.

The sound of horses' hooves drew closer from below the city walls, raising clouds of yellow dust.

"General Boyue," the lieutenant whispered, "General Wei has arrived."

Jiang Wei strode down the city wall, and the city gate was wide open.

Wei Yan sat upright on his horse, clad in heavy armor, his long beard fluttering in the wind.

He did not dismount, but looked down at Jiang Wei.

"General Wenchang, you have come from afar and must be tired," Jiang Wei said, bowing respectfully. "I have prepared wine and food to welcome you."

Wei Yan snorted coldly, lightly tapping the saddle with his riding whip:

“Boyue, when I was fighting alongside His Majesty, you were still herding horses in Tianshui.”

"I have come here on the orders of the Prime Minister to oversee military affairs in Yizhou. Why are you so slow to come out and greet me?"

Jiang Wei knew that Wei Yan still resented him for stealing the credit for Wei Yan's smuggling across Yinping, so he deliberately made things difficult for him.

Therefore, his expression remained unchanged, and he continued to be respectful.

"General, please calm down. I am currently reorganizing military affairs."

"Please forgive the slight delay."

"Reorganizing military affairs?" Wei Yan narrowed his eyes. "Could it be that you're busy reaping the rewards for destroying Wei?"

Wei Yan deliberately raised the final syllable of the four characters "meritorious in destroying Wei" by an arc.

These words were spoken with great emphasis, and the soldiers on both sides all changed color.

Jiang Wei merely bowed slightly:
"General, you flatter me. Please come into the city for further discussion."

Wei Yan then dismounted, threw the reins to his personal guard, and strode toward the government office.

Jiang Wei followed closely behind, the two of them one in front of the other, the atmosphere heavy.

Inside the government office, candlelight blazed brightly.

Wei Yan walked straight to the main seat and sat down without any modesty, then picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

"Tell me, what's the situation in Chengdu right now?"

Wei Yan put down his teacup, his eyes blazing.

Jiang Wei stood below the hall, neither humble nor arrogant:
"Reporting to the General, at the end of last winter, His Majesty the King of Wu led his troops to Chengdu."

"Cao Rui surrendered himself, bound, and most of the Wei royal family members, local officials, and powerful clans in Shu all surrendered."

"Liu Yong, the King of Wu?"

Wei Yan frowned. "He certainly knows how to take advantage of what's readily available."

"I heard that he was indulging in nightly revelry in Chengdu and bestowing generous rewards upon officials in Sichuan. Is this true?"

"true."

Jiang Wei calmly replied, "The King of Wu enfeoffed thirty-seven former officials of Yizhou and held a banquet for seven days."

Wei Yan slammed his hand on the table:
"Were these acts of usurpation all authorized by the imperial court?"

“The military order I received is to destroy Wei,” Jiang Wei said, raising his eyes to look directly at Wei Yan.

"Now that the State of Wei has been destroyed, other matters are beyond my jurisdiction."

"Bright words!"

Wei Yan sneered, "I am here on the orders of the Prime Minister to inquire about this matter."

"Since you are the commander-in-chief of the vanguard, you should cooperate with me in handling this case."

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the crackling of the candlelight.

Jiang Wei lowered his head and remained silent, his fingers gently stroking the hilt of his sword.

Just then, a soft laugh came from outside the door:
"General Wenchang, why are you angry? Brother Boyue is only acting under orders."

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a scholar in a blue robe slowly walk in.

He was around twenty years old, with delicate features and a composed demeanor.

Two servants followed behind him, carrying documents and scrolls.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Wei Yan's expression changed slightly, and he actually stood up:
"When did the eldest young master arrive in Zitong?"

The visitor was none other than Li Zhi, the eldest son of the most powerful prime minister of the court.

He smiled slightly and cupped his hands in greeting to the two of them:
"Zhi was ordered to inspect the Shu region and pacify the counties. He arrived in Zitong yesterday."

"Having heard that General Wenchang has arrived, I have come to pay my respects."

Jiang Wei also stepped forward to pay his respects, but was secretly alarmed.

It's unbelievable that even someone as arrogant as Wei Yan would be so respectful to Li Zhi.

However, given Li Zhi's prestige, it was clear that he could not control this founding general.

One can imagine how powerful Prime Minister Li was in Wei Yan's mind.

Although Li Zhi did not hold a high-ranking official position, his father's power meant that even high-ranking generals in the court had to give him some leeway.

Not to mention that Wei Yan had served under Li Yi in his early years and was especially polite to this "young master".

The three sat down again, with Li Zhi taking the main seat and Wei Yan and Jiang Wei sitting on either side.

"I overheard a bit of it outside the door just now,"

Li Zhi lightly waved his folding fan. "General Wenchang, have you come regarding the matter of the King of Wu?"

Wei Yan nodded:

“…Exactly.”

"Liu Yong has overstepped his bounds in Chengdu. I have been sent here on the secret orders of the Prime Minister to investigate and deal with him."

Li Zhi smiled and said:

"Coincidentally, before I went to war, my father also instructed me to handle the matter of the King of Wu properly."

Jiang Wei's heart stirred:
"What instructions does Your Excellency have?"

Li Zhi closed his folding fan, his expression gradually becoming solemn:

My father said that Liu Yong should be arrested and escorted back to the capital.

As soon as these words came out, the whole hall was shocked.

Wei Yan suddenly stood up:

"Capture the King of Wu? He is a vassal king personally appointed by His Majesty, and also a member of the royal family!"

"General Wenchang, please calm down."

"Besides, although the King of Wu has acted presumptuously in Chengdu, he has not actually rebelled. On what grounds can we arrest him?"

Li Zhi gestured for him to sit down, saying, "Whether Liu Yong actually rebelled or not is not important."

"The important thing is that people believe he did indeed rebel."

"This is of utmost importance."

Li Zhi spoke these words in a very calm tone.

It was as if they were talking about something that happened every day.

Inside the hall, only a deathly silence prevailed.

Jiang Wei and Wei Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

These words were spoken lightly, yet their meaning was chilling.

Clearly, the King of Wu was about to become that person's political sacrifice.

After a long silence, Jiang Wei finally spoke:
"How many men does the young master require?"

Jiang Wei hesitated only slightly before deciding to support Li Zhi's actions.

Because he knew that Li Zhi was doing this because it was his father's idea.

His patron was Zhuge Liang.

Since Zhuge Liang sent Li Zhi to his side, it means that he already supported Li Yi's actions.

Given that, he certainly doesn't need to offend the two big shots.

"There's no need to make a big fuss," Li Zhi smiled slightly. "I only need to bring a dozen or so close followers."

Wei Yan couldn't help but interject:
"My lord, you must not underestimate the enemy! Liu Yong still has tens of thousands of troops under his command, all of whom are former Wei soldiers who surrendered."

"Young master only brought a dozen or so people, isn't that like lambs to the slaughter?"

Li Zhi shook his head and smiled:

"General Wen Chang is overthinking it."

"Liu Yong's troops are mostly from the Central Plains, how could they help him to establish a separatist regime in Sichuan?"

"In my opinion, they will not only not stop me, but will actually help me."

He spoke calmly, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary.

Jiang Wei's heart was in turmoil.

This seemingly frail young man possesses extraordinary courage and strategic acumen.

He does resemble his father somewhat.

“In that case,” Jiang Wei pondered, “I will send a team of elite troops to secretly protect you in case of any unforeseen circumstances.”

Li Zhi nodded:

"Brother Boyue, I appreciate your kindness."

"but……"

He changed the subject, "Before I leave, there is one more thing I would like to tell you."

He gave Wei Yan a wink, and Wei Yan understood, rising to take his leave.

Only Li Zhi and Jiang Wei remained in the hall.

The candlelight flickered, and Li Zhi's expression shifted between the light and shadow:
"Boyue, do you know why Prime Minister Zhuge won't let you send troops to Chengdu?"

Jiang Wei was startled, but his face remained impassive:
"I am foolish and ignorant, please enlighten me, sir."

Li Zhi gently stroked the jade pendant in his hand:
"Firstly, it's because they're afraid you'll get involved in royal power struggles."

"But the second point..."

He paused, his gaze deep, "Boyue, do you remember the stories of Han Xin and Wen Zhong?"

Jiang Wei remained silent.

He was well aware that Han Xin's achievements in the early Han Dynasty overshadowed the emperor, and he ultimately died tragically in Weiyang Palace.

Wen Zhong, a minister of the Yue Kingdom, ignored Fan Li's advice and ultimately committed suicide by sword.

"Sneaking across Yinping and launching a surprise attack on Chengdu—such a feat is enough to make him famous throughout history."

Li Zhi said slowly, "If you were to accept Cao Rui's surrender, given your seniority and the great achievements you have made, it would probably not be a good thing."

"After all, many veterans with military merit in the court strongly opposed the previous campaign against the Wu Kingdom."

"They are afraid that newcomers will rise and take their place."

"If you perform too brilliantly, you will inevitably become a key target for the old guard in the court."

"The Prime Minister's actions are truly to protect Boyue."

Jiang Wei felt a chill run down his back, and cold sweat poured down his back.

He always considered it his duty to restore the Han Dynasty and never thought about the power struggles in the court.

Now, after hearing Li Zhi's words, I realized that I was already on the edge of a precipice.

"I see……"

Jiang Wei sighed deeply, "The Prime Minister's intentions are truly commendable, and I am deeply grateful."

Li Zhi stood up and patted him on the shoulder:

“Boyo is a smart man; he understands immediately.”

Jiang Wei suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked:
"Then, regarding the capture of Liu Yong, could it be..."

"of course."

Li Zhi replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty does not like to mistreat meritorious officials."

"But if someone becomes blinded by power, wouldn't that give my father the perfect opportunity to make an example of them and warn others?"

Li Zhi's lips curled slightly, his fingers gently stroking the surface, and he chuckled coldly:
"Although my father is no longer working in the cabinet, he has often expressed his intention to step down."

"But many in the court seem to have forgotten the current state of the Han dynasty—"

"Half belong to the Liu family, and half belong to the Li family."

Jiang Wei remained silent.

He suddenly realized that although he held military power, he was ultimately just a pawn in this grand game.

The player who wielded the chess pieces was far away in Luoyang.

The next morning, Li Zhi quietly left Zitong with more than ten close followers and headed straight for Chengdu.

Jiang Wei and Wei Yan stood on the city tower watching them go, each lost in their own thoughts.

“Boyue,” Wei Yan suddenly spoke up, “what was the topic of your private conversation with Young Master Li yesterday?”

Jiang Wei gazed at the receding dust and murmured:
"...They're just some trivial matters in the court."

"General Wenchang, let's discuss how to deploy our defenses."

Wei Yan snorted coldly, clearly not believing it, but he didn't press the matter further.

Even someone as straightforward as him felt a sense of unease at that moment.

I always felt like there was a powerful hand manipulating everything from behind the scenes.

Faced with those large hands, Wei Yan felt utterly powerless.

He and his colleagues were all at his mercy.

……

In Luoyang, the snow had not yet melted.

The seventy-year-old Liu Bei lay on his dragon bed, his face sallow, and he coughed heavily from time to time.

The Third Prince, Liu Li, knelt before the bed, carefully holding a bowl of medicine.

"Father, it's time to administer the medicine."

Liu Li said softly, scooped up the medicine with a silver spoon, carefully blew on it to cool it down, and then brought it to Liu Bei's lips.

The medicine got onto Liu Bei's gray beard, and Liu Li quickly took out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped it off.

He had been doing this for three whole months, never leaving his father's bedside since his father fell seriously ill. Liu Bei forced down a few mouthfuls of medicine, then burst into another violent cough.

Liu Li hurriedly patted his back, his eyes full of worry.

"How is the campaign against Wei progressing?"

After catching his breath, Liu Bei asked in a weak voice.

Liu Li put down the medicine bowl and respectfully reported:

"...The war is progressing very smoothly."

"My second brother has already captured Chengdu. Cao Rui, the false king of Cao Wei, has surrendered himself, and the rest of his troops have also surrendered."

A glimmer of light flashed in Liu Bei's cloudy eyes, then dimmed again:
"But I have heard that Yong'er is in Chengdu, indulging in revelry every night and holding grand banquets for his ministers."

"I wonder if this is true?"

Liu Li's hand trembled slightly, and he whispered:
"My second brother has won a battle, so it's understandable that he's become a little arrogant."

"It will probably subside soon."

"A moment of arrogance?"

Liu Bei sighed deeply, his voice weak yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"I have always taught you that you should not refrain from doing good because it is small, nor do evil because it is small."

"Today's momentary arrogance will lead to great disaster tomorrow."

Liu Li lowered his head and remained silent.

He knew that his father was always strict, and he especially placed high hopes on his second brother, Liu Yong.

Now that my second brother has just made a great contribution, he is so indulgent. No wonder the Emperor is worried.

Liu Bei waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

Liu Li hesitated for a moment, then spoke:

"Father, let me serve you a little longer."

"Step back," Liu Bei said, closing his eyes. "Go and fetch your uncle."

Liu Li had no choice but to kowtow and take his leave.

As he walked out of the palace, he glanced back.
The emperor was curled up in the brocade quilt, his figure thin and emaciated, showing no trace of his former heroic spirit.

A wave of sorrow washed over him, and he quickly turned and left.

The Prime Minister's residence was not far from the palace, and Liu Li arrived quickly in a sedan chair.

Upon seeing that it was the Third Prince, the gatekeeper quickly opened the door to welcome him in.

"The Prime Minister is feeding the fish in the back garden," the steward said, bowing as he led the way.

Liu Li waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to follow, and walked alone through the familiar corridor.

He often came to the Prime Minister's residence to play since he was a child, and he was very familiar with every plant and tree there.

I remember when I was little, my aunt Yuan Ying would often hold me by the pond to watch the koi, and my uncle Li Yi would give me a rare smile.

"Li'er?"

A gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.

Liu Li turned around and saw Yuan Ying standing under the moon gate, holding a bunch of plum blossoms in her hands.

Time has left its mark on her face, but it cannot conceal her former charm.

"Aunt is well."

Liu Li quickly bowed.

Yuan Ying quickly stepped forward and helped him up, saying:
"It's been a long time since I visited my aunt."

"I heard that you've been staying by His Majesty's bedside day and night, and you've lost weight."

Liu Li respectfully replied:

"My father is unwell, so I dare not leave without permission."

"What a filial and good child."

Yuan Ying sighed softly, her eyes filled with affection.

"Your uncle is feeding the fish by the pond, go find him."

Yuan Ying was also a smart woman; she knew that Liu Li wouldn't come to her unless he had a reason.

He didn't come here specifically to see me.

She came to find her man.

Of course, most people who come to the Prime Minister's residence are there to see Li Yi.

Liu Li thanked his aunt and walked towards the back garden.

From afar, he saw Li Yi standing in the pavilion by the pond.

With his back to him, he was feeding the fish into the water.

The pond is covered with a thin layer of ice in winter, which has not yet completely melted.

Several koi carp were vying for food in the ice cave.

Li Yi wore a dark purple court robe with a black sable fur coat over it.

Although he is already in his sixties, he still has an upright posture.

Liu Li tiptoed to a spot three feet behind Li Yi and bowed respectfully.
Is Uncle doing well?

Li Yi did not turn around immediately, but instead scattered the last handful of fish food into the pond.

After watching the fish finish fighting over the food, he slowly turned around.

His face was thin and refined, his eyes were deep and unfathomable, and there was always a faint smile on his lips.

Although he was old, his eyes were still sharp, as if they could see through people's hearts.

Every time Liu Li met his uncle's gaze, he felt a strange sense of oppression, and his breathing became rapid involuntarily.

Just looking into his clear, bright eyes, Liu Li felt utterly suffocated.

"It's the Third Prince."

Li Yi's voice was steady and deep, "What is it?"

Liu Liqiang remained calm:

"Your father summons you."

"understood."

Li Yi responded indifferently and turned to leave.

Liu Li suddenly mustered his courage:

"uncle!"

Li Yi stopped, but did not turn around:

"Anything else?"

"Uncle... is there anything you'd like to teach your nephew?"

Liu Li's voice carried a hint of pleading.

Li Yi finally turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife:

"I don't like teaching adults how to do things."

"But you often teach the Crown Prince how to do things."

Liu Li disagreed and said seriously:
"He's a few years older than me. Isn't the Crown Prince an adult?"

"A Dou is the Crown Prince, the master of the Eastern Palace, and the future heir apparent."

Li Yi said calmly, "Of course I will teach him to understand right from wrong."

"Only when he becomes sensible can he become a good emperor in the future."

"This is not only being responsible to the Han Dynasty, but also to the country and its people."

Liu Li knelt down on the ground:
"Both the Crown Prince and I are your nephews."

"If my uncle is willing to teach me a few words, I will definitely remember them."

The garden fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of the cold wind blowing through the bare branches.

Li Yi stared at the young man kneeling before him, pondering for a long time.

"...Do what you're supposed to do."

Li Yi finally spoke, each word crystal clear.

"Don't do or ask things that don't concern you."

After saying that, he didn't linger and turned to walk out of the mansion.

The black mink coat billowed in the cold wind and quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Liu Li knelt on the cold stone slab, remaining there for a long time.

His uncle's words echoed in his mind; they seemed simple, yet contained profound meaning.

What should be done? And what shouldn't be asked?

He didn't even know.

Li Yi's words just now were, after all, words of instruction for me.

Or is he simply responding to himself?
Or perhaps, both?
He recalled his second brother's actions in Chengdu and his father's worries on his sickbed, and suddenly he understood something.

A chill rose from the bottom of my heart, even more biting than the sudden warmth of the cold wind.

"Your Highness, the ground is cold, please get up."

Yuan Ying appeared beside him at some point and gently advised him.

With his aunt's help, Liu Li stood up and forced a smile:

"Thank you for your concern, Aunt."

Yuan Ying brushed the dust off his knees and said softly:
"Your uncle always talks like that, don't take it to heart."

"Your uncle's teachings are correct."

Liu Li said in a low voice, "It's just... I'm too dull to fully understand."

Yuan Ying looked around and lowered her voice:

"Li'er, you are a smart child."

"The situation in the court is complicated right now. Just focus on serving His Majesty and don't worry about anything else."

Liu Li was startled and looked up at his aunt.

Yuan Ying's eyes were full of concern, and a hint of barely perceptible worry.

"Thank you for your guidance, Aunt."

Liu Li bowed and said, "I'll take my leave now."

As I left the Prime Minister's residence, it started snowing again.

Liu Li did not get into the sedan chair immediately, but stood in the snow, gazing absently in the direction of the palace.

Why did the Emperor summon my uncle?
Was it because of his second brother's arrogance in Chengdu, or for something else?

What did my uncle mean by those words?
A series of questions swirled in his mind.

He knew that although Crown Prince A Dou was not very talented, he was the eldest son of the legitimate wife and had the support of his uncle Li Yi.

Its position is very stable.

Since entering the capital, Liu Li has served Liu Bei.

In fact, he had been cultivating relationships with powerful figures in Beijing.

The world is full of goodwill, and the world is all good.

As long as a certain amount of profit is ceded, there will always be someone betting on it.

Because no one can satisfy the interests of everyone.

Now it depends on whether anyone is willing to buy shares in advance, betting that Liu Li's listed company will be able to go public in the future.

In this way, when the company goes public in the future, everyone will be able to share in the dividends.

But to Liu Li's surprise,

Although many people in the capital are dissatisfied with the current political situation, they have chosen to bet on themselves.

However, most of the court officials were staunch supporters of the Crown Prince.

To be honest, this situation was indeed unexpected for Liu Li.

As the most powerful figure in the court, Li Yi supported the Crown Prince.

Liu Li understood that this would lead a group of people to side with the Crown Prince.

Zhang Fei, one of the four founding dukes, was related to Liu Shan by marriage.

When Liu Shan ascends the throne, Zhang Fei will be the emperor's father-in-law.

Liu Li understood that he sided with the Crown Prince.

However, many people in the court who had no vested interests with Liu Shan also chose to side with the Crown Prince.

This puzzled Liu Li greatly.

After all, people always have to choose what's in their best interest.

If the current crown prince cannot satisfy them in the future.

They will definitely invest in your stock.

However, most of the powerful and influential supported Liu Shan.

This is truly baffling.

This puzzled Liu Li for a long time.

Later, it was Chen Tai's words that enlightened Liu Li.

So, why did Li Yi support Liu Shan?

People generally believe that Li Yi was the greatest strategist of all time.

Therefore, people only need to understand his way of thinking to know his behavioral logic.

After analysis

Two conclusions were drawn.

First, Li Yi sought stability, aiming to ensure the succession order of the eldest son.

To prevent future succession struggles from recurring.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly.

Liu Shan was kind-hearted and treated Li Yi with the utmost reverence.

He almost dared to boldly delegate power to Li Yi.

This is undoubtedly a good thing for Li Yi, a person with an extremely strong desire for control.

This is also what Li Yi hoped to see.

This makes it easier to understand why the other powerful figures in the capital chose Liu Shan.

It was precisely because Liu Shan was too kind-hearted and didn't have many schemes.

Then everyone chose to help him take the position.

In this way, if I make a mistake in the future, I will have room to maneuver, and I won't have to be anxious when I go to court every day.

To put it more bluntly,
People felt that Liu Shan was relatively easier to control.

If a ruler with strong opinions like Liu Li were to come to power, life would not be so easy for everyone.

After figuring out the key points,

Liu Li then changed his strategy and devoted himself to serving his father.

At the same time, he showed weakness to the powerful figures in the capital and restrained his sharp edge.

Hopefully, those major shareholders can see their potential.

Now that the Emperor is seriously ill, the struggle for the throne has quietly begun.

And what will become of him, an insignificant third prince?

"Your Highness, the snow is getting heavy. Please get into the sedan chair."

The guard whispered a reminder.

Liu Li sighed and was about to get into the sedan chair.

Suddenly, a troop of cavalry came galloping towards them and stopped in front of the Prime Minister's residence.

The leader was a young general. As he dismounted, his cloak billowed up, revealing his military uniform underneath.

"This humble general is acting on the orders of the Second Prince to deliver an urgent military report to the Prime Minister!"

The general spoke loudly, holding a sealed copper tube in his hands.

Liu Li's heart skipped a beat, and he stepped forward to ask:

"How is Second Brother doing in Chengdu?"

The general recognized him as the third prince and quickly bowed.

"Your Highness, the Second Prince is well."

"only……"

He hesitated for a moment, "Chengdu has just been pacified, and there are many matters to attend to. The Second Prince cannot return to court for the time being."

Liu Li nodded without asking any further questions.

He watched the general hurriedly enter the prime minister's residence, and his unease grew stronger.

Upon returning to the palace, Liu Li did not immediately go to his father's bedroom, but instead went to a side hall first.

This is where he usually reads, and a map of the Han Dynasty's territory hangs on the wall.

His gaze fell on the location of Yizhou, which had just been painted red, representing the Qi and Han dynasties.

"Second brother..."

He murmured to himself, the image of Liu Yongying's spirited face appearing in his mind.

When he was a child, his second brother often took him horseback riding and archery, and taught him military strategy and martial arts.

However, after he proclaimed himself a prince, his second brother became increasingly impatient.

“Your Highness,” a eunuch rushed in, “His Majesty summons you.”

Liu Li straightened his clothes and walked quickly towards his bedchamber.

When he arrived at the palace gate, he saw Li Yi coming out from inside.

The two exchanged a glance, and Li Yi nodded slightly before leaving without saying anything.

Upon entering the palace, Liu Bei had already sat up. His complexion was rosier than before, and his eyes were brighter.

"Li'er, come here." Liu Bei beckoned.

Liu Li knelt before the bed:

"What are your orders, Father Emperor?"

Liu Bei stared at him for a long time before saying:

"Your uncle just discussed with me and decided to send you to Yizhou to reward the troops."

Liu Li was startled and looked up at his father.

Rewarding troops is usually a desirable job, but at this sensitive time, this appointment clearly has a deeper meaning.

"Your subject...I'm afraid I'm not up to the task."

Liu Li answered cautiously.

Liu Bei smiled slightly:
"You're not young anymore; it's time for you to share the burdens of the court."

"Yong'er has rendered great service in Chengdu. It is only right that you go to reward the army on my behalf."

Liu Li was filled with trepidation, but dared not disobey:

"My son, I obey."

"Go, depart in three days."

Liu Bei waved his hand and added, "Remember, you are going on behalf of me."

This statement is quite profound.

Liu Li kowtowed and took his leave, his mind in turmoil.

As he stepped out of the palace, he saw Crown Prince A Dou standing under the corridor, seemingly waiting for him.

A Dou was a few years older than him, with a kind appearance and a gentle nature.

He was completely different from the valiant Liu Yong.

"Third brother,"

A Dou stepped forward and took his hand, "I heard you're going to Yizhou?"

Liu Li nodded:

"By order of my father, I am going to reward the troops."

A Dou sighed:

"Is my second brother in Chengdu... doing well?"

"I heard everything is fine."

Liu Li answered cautiously.

A Dou looked around and lowered his voice:
"Third brother, be careful in everything you do on your journey to Yizhou."

"My second brother has a quick temper, you...don't clash with him."

Liu Li felt a mix of emotions.

Although the eldest brother was the crown prince, he never used his power to oppress others and was always friendly to his brothers.

"Thank you for your concern, brother. I will remember it."

A Dou patted his shoulder, hesitated, then sighed and turned to leave.

Back in his own chambers, Liu Li dismissed his attendants and pondered alone.

Why did the Emperor suddenly send him to Yizhou? Was it really just to reward the troops, or was there another purpose?

What role did Uncle Li Yi play in all of this?
He recalled Li Yi's words:
"Do what you're supposed to do, and don't do or ask about things that don't concern you."

Perhaps, all he needs to do on his trip to Yizhou is to reward the troops.

You shouldn't ask about anything else, and you shouldn't concern yourself with anything else.

But is reality really that easy?
Liu Li felt very confused about the road ahead.

……

(End of this chapter)