Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

"Your Majesty, as Imperial Censor, I have the responsibility to investigate illegal activities, impeach high-ranking officials, and oversee criminal cases. The Minister of Justice failed in his duty to protect Yang Yi, leading to his suicide and escape from the law. I beseech Your Majesty to punish the Minister of Justice!"

Chen Zhi stood outside Yang Yi's cell, bowed to Liu Shan, and said solemnly.

"Zhao Tingwei, what is your explanation?" Liu Shan turned around, looked at Zhao Kang's face, and said slowly.

"minister……"

Zhao Kang was both worried and angry at this moment.

What worries me is that, as the Minister of Justice, if His Majesty were to punish Yang Yi for what happened in the imperial prison, I would certainly be implicated. What angers me is that this matter is an internal strife among the people of Jingzhou, and I have nothing to do with Yang Yi. On the contrary, yesterday Jiang Wan and Jiang Wei came to talk to Yang Yi about many things, and he died early this morning. It is clearly related to these two people. Why don't they go and ask Jiang Wan?

He couldn't afford to offend the emperor, and he couldn't afford to offend Jiang Wan either...

Zhao Kang could only prostrate himself and kowtow, saying, "Your Majesty, I have failed in my duty of supervision and beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Jiang Wei knew what Jiang Wan and Yang Yi had discussed the previous day, but he remained silent.

Liu Shan remained silent, his gaze lingering on the crown atop Zhao Kang's head for a long time before turning to look at Chen Zhi, who was frowning, Jiang Wan, who stood silently with his hands clasped, and Jiang Wei, who was expressionless. He then turned his gaze back to Zhao Kang.

Liu Shan was also weighing the options in his mind at that moment.

So-called enmity can be private or public.

For example, in a battle between two armies, Han general Huang Zhong killed Wei general Xiahou Yuan. Huang Zhong and Xiahou Yuan were complete strangers with no personal grudges; the killing was done in the course of official business. Similarly, when Chen Zhi marched north with imperial credentials, he overthrew and captured Yang Yi. Chen Zhi had little prior interaction with Yang Yi, and this was also a case of public enmity.

For Liu Shan, state affairs were family affairs. Yang Yi's unauthorized killing of Wei Yan, a general of the state, was both a public and a private grudge. He had intended to use Yang Yi to establish his authority, but Yang Yi died in this way, which also caused him to resent Zhao Kang.

While ruling in one's own hands certainly means that one has the authority to make decisions, one must also "go out" to do so. Sitting in the palace and not attending to government affairs, even if one has nominal power, does not constitute ruling in one's own hands.

Rewards, punishments, promotions, dismissals, troop deployments, conquests, sacrifices, and governance—these are the true powers that belong to the emperor.

Liu Shan was also gradually expanding the boundaries of his power. His previous deployment of troops from Liu Yong and Ju Fu to guard Chengdu was an exercise of imperial authority. His personal promotion of Jiang Wan to the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Governor of Yizhou within the palace was also an exercise of imperial power.

The punishment of the Minister of Justice, one of the Nine Ministers, today is also an exercise of the Emperor's power.

The degree of this punishment should be carefully considered.

After a moment's thought, Liu Shan spoke: "The Minister of Justice has neglected his duties and deserves punishment. He will be fined half a year's salary as a succinct reprimand. If he makes any further mistakes, I will punish him severely!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!" Zhao Kang bowed again, his heart finally at ease.

Liu Shan continued, "The Court of Justice should issue a document clearly stating Yang Yi's crimes and his act of committing suicide out of fear of punishment, and disseminate it to the prefectures and counties, making sure it is written clearly. Furthermore, the Court of Justice should personally go to Hanzhong to thoroughly investigate Wei Yan's case. If he is guilty, the court should make a public judgment. If his crimes do not warrant death or the extermination of his entire clan, that should also be stated clearly. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand." Zhao Kang prostrated himself in response, "After I have completed this task, I will go to Hanzhong in three days."

"Let's go tomorrow!" Liu Shan said again, "What difficulty is there in proving Yang Yi's crimes? Isn't one day enough?"

"One day is enough. I can settle this matter this afternoon," Zhao Kang replied hastily.

Liu Shan sighed softly, "Minister of Justice, rise."

After saying this, Liu Shan turned and walked away.

Jiang Wan, Jiang Wei, Chen Zhi, and Guo Youzhi, the Chamberlain, followed Liu Shan out together. After Zhao Kang got up, he thought for a moment and did not leave immediately. Instead, he personally directed the jailers to prepare Yang Yi's body.

The smell of blood here is just too strong...

Upon arriving at the duty room where Yang Yi, Jiang Wan, and others had been sitting the previous day, Liu Shan waved his hand, signaling the Tiger Guards to wait outside, leaving the space to them.

Following Liu Shan's order, everyone took their seats in order. Liu Shan then slowly spoke: "Your Excellency was just about to discuss the matter of retreating the army with me. Now you may speak."

"Yes." Jiang Wan immediately replied, "I read through the memorial Your Majesty forwarded to the Prime Minister's residence in Taizhong last night. This memorial was jointly discussed by eight people: Fei Sima (Fei Yi), Hu Canjun (Hu Ji), Liu Canjun (Liu Min), Xu Hujun (Xu Yun), General Yuan Lin (Yuan Lin), General Wu Yi (Wu Yi), General Yangwu (Deng Zhi), and General Tao Kou (Wang Ping). The arrangements are quite comprehensive, but I still have some questions that I would like to raise with Your Majesty."

Liu Shan sat upright and said, "Please speak, my lord. I am listening."

Only then did Chen Zhi realize that Liu Shan had summoned him not only to question the Minister of Justice, but also to assist Jiang Wan in discussing political matters.

On the one hand, they believed in Chen Zhi, but on the other hand, they lacked confidence.

It's as if having Chen Zhi by your side is like having an extra strategist.

Jiang Wan calmly said, "Yesterday's two memorials were: one was the three agreements Chen Fengzong made with everyone, and the other was the memorial from the Prime Minister's office requesting the withdrawal of troops."

"In my opinion, Your Majesty should rightfully assume full control of the government and personally command the army, but wasn't the decision to move the capital to Hanzhong and establish a temporary capital somewhat hasty?"

Liu Shan took a breath and caught a glimpse of Chen Zhi sitting in the corner of his eye. As if gaining more confidence, he said, "It is not a hasty decision. The most important national matter is the Northern Expedition. This is the foundation of our dynasty and cannot be abandoned lightly. If I go north, I will have Your Excellency reside in Chengdu to oversee the overall situation, take care of the Crown Prince, and ensure sufficient troops and provisions, just like the story of Xiao He."

Jiang Wan spoke calmly, having received permission, seemingly unsurprised by Liu Shan's words: "Your Majesty, I obey your decree. Moving the emperor is no small matter; all officials should be in charge. Hanzhong should construct palaces to welcome Your Majesty. I request Your Majesty to proceed slowly, and move the emperor after half a year or a year."

Liu Shan looked at Jiang Wan and said, "My lord, do not worry. I am not a luxurious ruler. Why would I need to build new palaces? When the late emperor was confronting Cao Cao's army in Hanzhong, he lived in the Dingjun Mountain military camp for a long time. How could I be dissatisfied with living in Mianyang City?"

"We'll go later that year," Jiang Wan added. "We can set off after the New Year's Day ancestral worship ceremony."

"Alright." Liu Shan nodded: "I tentatively plan to head north on the third day of the first month. Traveling 1,200 li a day at a rate of 60 li, it will take 20 days to reach Hanzhong."

"Your Majesty understands." Jiang Wan nodded again. "Furthermore, the memorial reported the intention to transfer five armies of troops from the prefecture to cultivate land in Fu County, and to transfer the remaining ten or so armies to cultivate land in Hanzhong. I believe this is inappropriate. While this may secure Hanzhong, it will leave the country vulnerable. If the Southern Regions and Jiangzhou rebel, will we have to transfer troops from Hanzhong?"

"I believe this matter is extremely inappropriate, and I urge Your Majesty to reconsider it. We must not act so hastily!"

Liu Shan looked at Jiang Wan and slowly said, "Does Your Excellency think that the military-agricultural colonies in Hanzhong are inappropriate?"

"It's not that it's inappropriate, but we should proceed gradually and increase our forces slowly. It's already September, and the winter wheat has already been sown in various places. If we haven't sown it yet, it will be too late. If we concentrate all our troops in Hanzhong, wouldn't we be delaying the farming season for this year and next? I fear that the counties and prefectures will be disturbed, causing unnecessary chaos!"

It was only at this moment that Chen Zhi understood Jiang Wan's intention.