Outside Zhuge Liang's tent in the Shu army camp within Fushui Pass, the execution platform was stained with blood.
Zhuge Liang sat before his desk, eyes closed, weeping. The entire tent was silent.
Suddenly, a shout came from outside the tent, "Prime Minister, spare his life!"
Jiang Gui, an attendant official from Shu, burst in holding an imperial decree. "Prime Minister, His Majesty has decreed that Ma Su be pardoned."
As the words left his mouth, Yang Yi wiped away his tears. Zhuge Liang raised his head slightly, but remained silent. The atmosphere in the tent grew strange.
"Attendant Jiang, Ma Su has already been dealt with according to military law by the Prime Minister."
Yang Yi's words startled Jiang Wan.
"This..." He still couldn't believe it. Everyone in Shu knew that the Prime Minister treated Ma Su like his own son! Yang Yi whispered, "Attendant Jiang, the Prime Minister said that without proper law, the army cannot be disciplined, and without a disciplined army, the enemy cannot be defeated."
As these words were spoken, Zhuge Liang's heart ached. He couldn't help but weep like rain.
"Hoo..."
Jiang Wan tucked the imperial decree into his sleeve and gently comforted him, "Ma Su was guilty, and military law has been upheld. Prime Minister, there is no need to be overly sad!"
Zhuge Liang cried, "I am not crying for Ma Su, but for my own poor judgment in choosing people. I weep because I knew it was Cao Yu's stratagem but had to fall into it. Did he deliberately let Ma Su return just to make me deliver this blow? This is an open plot!"
"This..."
Jiang Wan and Yang Yi looked at Zhuge Liang in terror.
It seemed that with these words, they could somewhat understand the Prime Minister's difficult position.
"Without proper law, the army cannot be disciplined, and without a disciplined army, the enemy cannot be defeated!"
If the Prime Minister hadn't executed Ma Su, wouldn't the discipline of the Shu army collapse?
Once the discipline of the Shu army collapsed, the Shu army would have no further reservations about defecting to Wei!
"I can see the Prime Minister's pain!" Jiang Wan sighed emotionally. "Shu Han is already short of talent. By upholding military discipline, has the Prime Minister not also chilled the hearts of the generals and soldiers?"
"Alas..."
Zhuge Liang closed his eyes and sighed, then blamed himself, "Ma Su is the new culprit, but the retreat of the three armies is primarily my fault!"
After the civil and military officials had left, only Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wan remained in the central tent, seated at separate desks.
"Is Chengdu well? Is His Majesty well?"
"Everything is well!"
Zhuge Liang raised his eyes. "At this point, don't lie to me."
Jiang Wan stammered, "Recently, there have been rumors in Chengdu that... that..." He hesitated to speak.
"Speak freely," Zhuge Liang said, a sense of foreboding arising.
"The rumors say that His Majesty's Western Expeditionary Army was annihilated, and even His Majesty..."
"Silence!" Zhuge Liang interrupted directly. "These rumors, you should not listen to them, nor should you speak them..."
After a long silence, Jiang Wan nodded. "Yes..."
Zhuge Liang changed the subject. "Zilong is someone I trust. He guards Chengdu without fail. As for His Majesty's Western Expedition, how is the Crown Prince in the palace? Does he attend court daily? Has he neglected his studies?"
"This..." Jiang Wan hesitated.
Zhuge Liang looked at Jiang Wan worriedly and pressed, "How is the Crown Prince?"
Jiang Wan sighed helplessly, "If the Crown Prince had even a tenth of Emperor Cao Yu of Wei's intelligence, diligence, and shrewdness, Chengdu would not be in such a state of panic."
...
In the dawn light, the massive city gate of Peishui Pass stood like a slumbering giant. Thousands of guarding soldiers stood on the city wall, their expressions mournful.
Retreat after retreat...
From Jianmen Pass to Jiameng Pass, and then to Peishui Pass.
Facing the formidable offensive of the Wei army, the Shu army seemed like a stray dog, homeless and fleeing in panic.
Many soldiers' morale was close to collapsing.
If Zhuge Liang had not executed Ma Su, these guards might have completely rebelled.
"The Prime Minister treated Ma Su like a son, yet he still executed him before the assembly. If we defect, how can our families survive?"
"Rebellion is death, and not rebelling is also death! Now that Second Master is gone, and Third Master is gone, does Shu Han still have any generals?"
The hearts of men were restless...
Many discussions arose, as if an ineffable sorrow perpetually enveloped the sky above Shu Han.
Just then...
"Da da da..."
Hoofbeats approached from afar. As it was early morning, except for the hushed whispers of discussion, there was nothing else at Peishui Pass. The hoofbeats sounded particularly clear.
The guards stopped the knight on horseback.
The knight was panting, his weathered face etched with countless wrinkles. When he looked up...
The guards were startled. Is this not General Bingzhong—Sun Qian?
Didn't he accompany His Majesty on the Western Expedition to Yiling?
How is it... how is it that after not seeing him for several months, he looks like he has aged twenty years?
"General Sun..."
"Is the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister in Guanzhong?"
"Yes..."
"Open the city gate quickly! Urgent dispatches, urgent dispatches!" Sun Qian could no longer bear his physical exhaustion. He uttered these words.
*Dong... dong...*
He toppled from his horse.
But even as he fell, his hands still tightly clutched two bamboo slips. These two bamboo slips were like his life—no, these two bamboo slips were more important than his life!
The guards rushed to help Sun Qian...
But as their fingers touched him, they only felt his body was ice-cold. Reaching for his breath, they found... he had no breath!
"This..."
"Quickly... quickly report to the Prime Minister!"
Instantly, the area before Peishui Pass descended into chaos.
...
Tears flowed like a spring.
*Drip...*
*Drip, drip, drip...*
Zhuge Liang held the bamboo slips that Sun Qian had delivered with his life in his hands. He could no longer control his expression, tears falling like a broken string of pearls.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Uncharacteristically, Zhuge Liang's features contorted with pain. The ache from the wrinkles on his face had dulled; he had fallen into an immense sorrow beyond his control.
The news of Liu Bei's death had struck him too hard!
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
Zhuge Liang let out a sky-piercing cry. His voice was so filled with agony that his legs trembled precariously, as if he were about to fall.
"Prime Minister, Prime Minister, please take care of yourself..."
Jiang Wan and Yang Yi supported Zhuge Liang.
They could feel his entire body trembling violently.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Taking deep, ragged breaths, Zhuge Liang clutched the bamboo slips tightly.
He wept, yet his eyes seemed fixed upon the contents...
Who would have thought that on these small bamboo slips, the characters would be the deceased Emperor's final testament!
"Kongming, I have ultimately lost. I lost to Cao Yu, and all your five years of accumulation have been ruined. But I have no regrets. If I were given another chance to start anew, I would still do the same!"
"'There can be no coexistence between the Han rebels and the usurpers, and the royal enterprise cannot be confined to a corner'—this was the slogan you set, and it was you who taught it to me when I didn't know what to do. It is precisely because of this slogan that I entered Bashu and became the king of Shu Han. But it is also precisely because of this slogan that I had to embark on the Western Expedition. Bashu could remain in a corner, but I dared not, and could not remain in a corner! Cao Yu is stationed in Hanzhong, but Yiling does not have Cao Yu. This was the only opportunity in my life, a chance to go all out. Alas, like my second brother, I failed to seize it. I lost!"
"Hoo..."
Reading this again, Zhuge Liang exhaled repeatedly.
He and Liu Bei were not merely ruler and minister, but confidantes. How could he not understand His Majesty's predicament?
"Emperor Cao Yu of Wei is skilled in planning and cunning. In this era, only Kongming can stop him! Years ago, I visited your thatched cottage three times to invite you to come out. At that time, I had nothing. It was you who helped me build this vast enterprise. Now, as my end approaches, I implore Zhuge Kongming, Prime Minister of Shu Han, to help my Shu Han as you have helped me all these years."
"Having struggled through most of my life, what I am most grateful for before my death is that my judgment back then was not wrong."
"You are the one who can help me realize my ideals and ambitions. Now, the talents of the Han Dynasty are dwindling, but I am not afraid, because the person I am most proud of and trust the most in this life is still here. When you first emerged from obscurity without any achievements, you were my pillar of support. Now, you have become the pillar of Shu Han. I believe that with you here, there is still hope for everything! Kongming, Kongming, the final chapter of our glorious Han Dynasty rests on you!"
"The Crown Prince is young. If he is capable, let him lead. If not, Prime Minister, you may take the throne yourself!"
"My eyes are tearful..."
Once again, Zhuge Liang's eyes welled up.
Yang Yi and Jiang Wan supported him. They no longer offered words of comfort. They also realized that this grief was something the Prime Minister had to overcome on his own.
"Prime Minister, Prime Minister, you must pull yourself together!"
"You are no longer just the Prime Minister of the late Emperor; now you are the Prime Minister of Shu Han and indeed of the entire realm!"
"Hoo..."
"Drip..."
A series of uncontrolled expressions, a series of uncontrolled emotions.
For a full hour...
Zhuge Liang finally emerged from his profound grief.
His eyes regained their luster, and his gaze became sharp and revealing its edge!
"Issue an order."
"Prime Minister."
"All passes into Shu are to be tightly sealed, and all camps are to hold their ground. Those who leave the city to engage the enemy without authorization will be summarily executed!"
"Yes..." Yang Yi and Jiang Wan bowed.
Zhuge Liang continued, "Convey the message to Shu Han: His Majesty has recently passed away. However, for the honor of the late Emperor, the loyal officials shall not falter within, and the resolute scholars shall sacrifice themselves without fear of death. I, Zhuge Kongming, and all the generals and soldiers owe a great debt to His Majesty, and we shall exert our utmost strength, dedicate our loyal hearts, and follow him unto death!"
"This..."
Yang Yi and Jiang Wan exchanged glances, then bowed again.
Because of Zhuge Liang's impassioned words of exerting all their strength, dedicating their loyal hearts, and following him unto death, they were re-energized with all their might.
They spoke in unison, leaving a resolute "Yes!"
As their voices faded...
Zhuge Liang, in an extremely soft voice, continued his instructions, "Prepare the carriage. I need to return to Chengdu in secret!"
"The Crown Prince... the Crown Prince..."
...
...
In a secret chamber beneath a hidden wine shop in Bashu.
Zhao Yun handed a carved printing plate to Father Gan. On the table lay a paper letter.
Father Gan quickly fitted the carved plate to it.
Zhao Yun said, "This is news from Hanzhong delivered by carrier pigeon. After deciphering the carved plate, it confirms that in the Battle of Yiling, Liu Bei was defeated, with his 250,000 Shu troops annihilated. Liu Bei himself died at Baidi City."
"Mmm..."
Hearing this news, Father Gan clearly paused. His eyes widened in disbelief as he asked in surprise, "You mean Liu Bei? Liu Bei is dead?"
"That's right!" Zhao Yun pointed to the connected characters on the carved plate. The words "Liu Bei died at Baidi City" were particularly conspicuous.
"Hoo..."
This time, Father Gan let out a long sigh. "If that's the case, then the Emperor of Bashu is..."
"It's Adou!" Zhao Yun finished Father Gan's sentence. "Therefore, it's time to reveal Adou's identity!"
Awakened from his shock, Father Gan nodded gently...
Yes... it was finally time.
His eyes were firm, as if seeing hope.
This was the hope for the reunion of father and daughter, and mother and daughter. No one desired the unification of the realm more than Father Gan.
"Then... I will speak!" Father Gan opened his mouth.
"No!" Zhao Yun quickly waved his hand. He reminded him, "The Emperor's letter mentioned a woman within the special forces camp. Is there such a person?"
"This..."
Father Gan pondered for a moment. "I can ask Jiang Wei. But this woman..."
"Heh..." Zhao Yun smiled lightly. "His Majesty said that this woman is not only the only woman in the special forces but also an elite member of the Sparrow Gate. It seems Father Gan doesn't know what the Sparrow Gate is yet, does he?"
Father Gan was completely bewildered...
Zhao Yun smiled. "The Sparrow Gate is an intelligence organization established by a former Han Empress. You only need to know... that this woman is very capable. Rather than rashly revealing Adou's background to him, it is better to use this woman and proceed step by step... At least, we must make Adou dislike and fear Zhuge Kongming to ensure the plan's success!"
Father Gan seemed to understand something.
...
...
In the main hall of the Shu State's father-in-law, the Gan family mansion, many rare treasures and delicacies were displayed.
Liu Shan was delighted to see these. "Every time I come to Grandpa's house, there are always so many delicious foods. I've wanted to come for a long time, but Father and Prime Minister are strict with my studies, so I didn't dare to leave the palace. I finally snuck out."
Father Gan smiled understandingly. He exchanged a glance with the eunuch Huang Hao, who was accompanying Liu Shan, and said, "These are all special products of Shu. Grandpa also wanted Adou to try more. It's a pity that Adou has grown up and has studies, has to read, and has to learn to approve official documents, so he can't be like when he was a child."
Liu Shan seemed ravenous...
While grabbing food casually, he looked at the treasures in Grandpa's room and pouted, "Grandpa, when did you get more precious artifacts? They are exquisitely crafted. Can Adou play with them?"
"These are all items from the Central Plains, bought by merchants and brought to our Yizhou," Father Gan explained. "It's just a pity that Adou was separated from the Central Plains when he was very young. The beauty of the Central Plains... he has never truly experienced it!"
Liu Shan asked with surprise, "What else is more beautiful in the Central Plains? Grandpa, don't hide it, bring it out quickly!"
Father Gan smiled mysteriously. "This treasure, His Majesty must see it himself."
Saying that, Father Gan led Liu Shan and Huang Hao into the backyard...
It was winter, and the plum blossoms in the garden had opened. Amidst the branches covered with flowers, a girl of twenty-five or twenty-six years old could be faintly seen.
Liu Shan was only ten years old and had only a vague sense of women. But everyone has a love for beauty. He couldn't help but walk directly towards her. He saw the girl painting in the courtyard.
As if afraid of disturbing her, Liu Shan crept forward quietly. He glanced sideways and saw the girl painting plum blossoms. Beneath the plum blossoms was another woman, and wasn't that her?
"Exquisite..."
"Exquisite..."
Liu Shan couldn't help but exclaim, "You paint so beautifully! Oh, no, the woman in the painting is beautiful, but she's not as beautiful as you!"
Father Gan quickly said, "Zhen Rong, why don't you come and pay your respects to the Crown Prince!"
"Zhen Rong..."
Liu Shan felt that the name was too beautiful. He smiled and said, "No need to bow. I won't disturb you. You continue painting, and I'll watch from the side!"
Seeing this scene, Father Gan smiled. "This woman is the fourth daughter of the Zhen family of Zhongshan, Wuji, in Yizhou, Hebei. People say the five daughters of the Zhen family are all fair and beautiful, accomplished in poetry and prose..."
As he said this, Father Gan meaningfully added, "Grandpa sees that you are working hard at your studies, so I have specially invited Zhen Rong to be your female tutor, alright?"
As the words left his mouth...
Liu Shan was overjoyed. "Good... naturally, it's excellent! With Master Zhen teaching me, I suddenly have interest in studying!"