Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

When Prime Minister Zhuge led the Northern Expedition, he commanded an army of 100,000 men. These men were not only outstanding figures like Yang Yi, Fei Yi, Wu Yi, and Wu Ban, but also exceptional individuals who held high-ranking positions in the Prime Minister's office and commanded armies under his command.

Xu Yun served as the Vanguard Commander in the eighth year of Jianxing. Together with Wei Yan and Wu Yi, he decisively defeated the Wei generals Guo Huai and Fei Yao at Yangxi. For this military achievement, Wei Yan was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Nanzheng, Wu Yi was enfeoffed as the Left General and the Marquis of a Township, and Xu Yun also received the title of Marquis of a Pavilion for his military merits.

Gao Xiang, needless to say, was an old subordinate who had followed Liu Bei since Jingzhou. During the four campaigns, under the command of the Prime Minister, he, along with Wei Yan and Wu Yi, defeated Sima Yi's army in the field and was promoted to Right General, becoming a sharp sword under the Prime Minister's command.

Xu Yun came here precisely to plot with Gao Xiang.

Faced with Yang Yi's relentless pressure and rule-breaking, Fei Yi and Chen Zhi weren't the only ones capable of handling it. Xu Yun and Gao Xiang, having seized their opportunities, were also looking for a chance to react.

Under the Prime Minister's rule, the government has been clean and efficient for many years. Faced with the current chaos, people with insight are working hard to correct the errors and rectify the situation.

The same applies to Jiang Wei.

Night had fallen, and after dinner, Chen Zhi was still in his duty room organizing official documents.

From an official standpoint, regardless of whether Yang Yi can persuade the generals to support his ascension to the throne tomorrow, or whether he is overthrown by the group, the withdrawal of the army and the deployment of defenses in Hanzhong still need to be carried out. The distribution of troops, provisions, military supplies, and weapons all require confirmation and approval from the imperial court. Previously, these matters could be handled internally by the Prime Minister's office, but now they must be approved by the imperial court.

Regardless of what tomorrow brings, the official business that needs to be done today must still be done; this is Chen Zhi's duty. Fei Yi, as the person designated by Yang Yi to assist Chen Zhi, is also here at this moment, silently reviewing the military intelligence documents.

Just as Chen Zhi and Fei Yi were busy, they heard a few indistinct words coming from outside the door. Then Liu Yin knocked on the door and entered, telling Chen Zhi that Jiang Wei, the Protector of the Army and General Who Conquers the West, was outside requesting an audience.

Has Jiang Wei arrived?

Fei Yi just said that he would go to find Jiang Wei in a little while!

However, this is Jiang Wei, also known as Jiang Boyue. Given the current situation both inside and outside the Prime Minister's residence, he must have sensed something. It's not surprising that he came on his own initiative. High political sensitivity is a prerequisite for becoming a famous general and minister.

Chen Zhi pondered for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Fei Yi. After nodding to each other, Chen Zhi paused, pointed at Fei Yi, and seeing Liu Yin shake his head slightly, Chen Zhi whispered to Fei Yi:

"Please, Sima Fei, sit behind the screen for a moment."

"Alright." Fei Yi smiled faintly, understanding the situation. He gathered up the bamboo slips on the table, got up and walked behind the screen. He didn't forget to place the ink brush he had just used to write on Chen Zhi's brush holder, showing great caution.

Chen Zhi saw all this, and Fei Yi nodded again after concealing himself. Only then did Liu Yin understand and go out to lead Jiang Wei in.

"General Jiang, the night is cold and the dew is heavy. What brings you here to see me?" Chen Zhi stood up from his seat and walked towards the door to greet him.

Jiang Wei had just stepped over the threshold when he cupped his hands in greeting to Chen Zhi, smiled, and replied, "I am truly sorry to trouble Imperial Censor Chen. I have come here today to discuss something with you."

"Oh?" Chen Zhi chuckled and stepped aside, extending his hand inside. "General Jiang, please."

Jiang Wei smiled and nodded. He had just sat down opposite Chen Zhi when he noticed that Liu Yin had not left after closing the door. Instead, he stood there expressionless, holding his sword, staring straight at the wooden frame inside the room.

Jiang Wei hesitated for a few seconds before looking at Chen Zhi: "Imperial Censor Chen, I have some confidential military information to share, but I don't know..."

After saying that, Jiang Wei's gaze moved back and forth towards Liu Yin.

Chen Zhi laughed heartily: "General Jiang and Commander Liu are not acquainted, so let me introduce them today. Commander Liu's given name is Yin, courtesy name Xiuran. He comes from the prominent Liu family of Chengdu. However, due to some minor matters, he was not in the Northern Expeditionary Army and wasted several years, hence his official rank is only Commander of the Imperial Guard with a salary of 1,000 shi. Commander Liu is brave and resolute, and capable of great responsibility. He has come with me on His Majesty's orders and is a trusted confidant of His Majesty. Since I can hear everything he says, Commander Liu will also have no problem listening to it."

"I dare not accept the censor's praise." Liu Yin clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chen Zhi. Although his expression did not change, he was very pleased with Chen Zhi's words.

Allowing someone to listen in on confidential matters and praising them in front of outsiders is a common practice to win over subordinates.

It works every time.

Jiang Wei nodded to Liu Yin, and then said, "I have come here today to ask Imperial Censor Chen for some clarification."

Chen Zhi smiled and waved his hand: "General Jiang is joking. I am entrusted with the mission by His Majesty, but my talent and experience are still shallow. General Jiang's talent is renowned in the court. How can I be worthy of such praise? If we are to discuss this, then I am willing to exchange ideas with you."

Jiang Wei took a deep breath and then recounted his conversation with Qiao Zhou earlier that day in detail, speaking frankly and without omitting anything.

After saying that, Jiang Wei continued, "This is an official matter, and I am not familiar with the intricacies involved. Considering this matter, I should inform the Imperial Censor."

Chen Zhi knew that Jiang Wei had come to build trust with him, so he calmly nodded: "Your Majesty has always known of your loyalty and righteousness, General. I will report to Your Majesty what you just said when I return to court."

In the real world, there is no such thing as someone who will readily submit simply by spouting patriotic rhetoric and moral principles. The treacherous nature of officialdom is unparalleled; only through repeated and meticulous observation, confirmation of positions, and unification of interests can a de facto consensus be achieved.

This applies to my interactions with Fei Yi, and it also applies to my interactions with Jiang Wei.

However, compared to Fei Yi's smoothness, Chen Zhi preferred Jiang Wei's military style.

Jiang Wei then sighed deeply: "Censor Chen may not know, but when the Prime Minister was alive, I often regarded him as my teacher, serving by his side and learning much from him. After the Prime Minister passed away, I often think of his kindness in the dead of night, and every time I think of him, my heart is filled with sorrow. Last night, I dreamed again that the Prime Minister asked me about the future of our country's politics. I am filled with fear, so I came here to ask Censor Chen for some guidance."

Chen Zhi certainly didn't believe that the Prime Minister could appear in Jiang Wei's dream. If it were truly possible to appear in dreams, he might as well have directly entrusted Liu Shan with the personnel arrangements for the court and the precautions for the future Northern Expedition, thus saving trouble for everyone in the court. The words about appearing in dreams were merely a way to make conversation.

Chen Zhi understood immediately; speaking to Jiang Wei was different from speaking to Fei Yi.

Given Fei Yi's shrewdness and social skills, one should explain to Fei Yi the reasons why a northern expedition is feasible, the path of certain death if one defends the city, the personnel arrangements in the court, and the allocation of duties and rewards.

Jiang Wei was from Liangzhou and only received favors from the Prime Minister. He had no connection with any faction in the court and had no concerns. Therefore, he wanted to talk to Jiang Wei about the Prime Minister's past kindness, the great cause of restoring the Han Dynasty, the popular support for the Northern Expedition, and the reason why the homeland must be returned!