Sima Yi returned before Pei Shui Pass, still staggering slightly from thirty military rods.
Zhang Chunhua supported him into the great tent, complaining, "What is going on? Why did you take the blame for Xiahou Dun? You clearly had merit and no fault; the military rods should have been dealt to him, not you."
Sima Yi murmured, "These military rods on me make me feel at ease… His Majesty feels at ease, and the Grand General also feels at ease!"
"I don't understand you," Zhang Chunhua said sadly. "And… I don't understand His Majesty either."
"Haha," Sima Yi said, straightening up with a smile…
Zhang Chunhua gasped, "You… you're fine?"
Sima Yi, who had been staggering moments before, could now stand firm. He showed no sign of injury.
Sima Yi smiled faintly. "If these thirty military rods were to be truly applied, how could I lead the army? How could I contend with Zhuge Kongming? My teacher knows. This is merely for show, for the Grand General and those warriors from Qiao and Pei. I am merely cooperating with my teacher's act; I am good at this!"
At this, Zhang Chunhua felt her legs go weak.
She sighed, "Truth and falsehood, illusion and reality… With such a master for a lifetime, how many lies and deceptions will you learn?"
"Haha…." Sima Yi laughed. "The urgent matter is for you, madam, to issue my military order: Sima Yi is injured, order the entire army to hang the truce banner!"
"The Shu army wouldn't have left Pei Shui Pass anyway. Why hang the truce banner?" Zhang Chunhua asked, puzzled.
"Heh," Sima Yi was still smiling. "Madam just said how many lies and deceptions I would have to perform in my life. This time, hanging the truce banner is just a pretense, to let Zhuge Kongming leave with peace of mind!"
…
…
Zhuge Liang did not know if Cao Yu's punishment of Sima Yi was a "willing victim" ploy.
But the Wei army hanging the truce banner was real.
Despite his concern that this might also be Cao Yu's "trick," Zhuge Liang, after careful consideration, decided to leave the Shu army soldiers before Pei Shui Pass and resolutely return to Chengdu, in order to purge the court.
In just two days, Zhuge Liang's carriage arrived at the palace gate. Liu Shan, personally leading the officials, greeted him. Zhuge Liang dismounted and bowed, saying, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty, long live!" He then coughed twice…
Liu Shan hurriedly supported him, anxiously trying to appease him, "Prime Minister, your journey has been arduous. You need not be so formal. I have prepared a celebratory banquet to welcome you!"
Zhuge Liang frowned… "Your subject has mobilized the army. Although there was a small victory, we did not advance a single step beyond Pei Shui Pass, the lost territory has not been recovered, nor have we expanded our borders. What merit is there to celebrate?"
He coughed again…
Liu Shan, concerned, patted Zhuge Liang's back.
Zhuge Liang glanced at Liu Shan, then at the clearly uneasy Huang Hao behind him, and said with a grave expression, "Your subject has something to report."
The group entered the imperial palace hall…
Several tables of dishes were quickly set up. At Zhuge Liang's instruction, the other ministers withdrew, leaving only Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan, and Zhao Yun at their respective seats. Huang Hao stood behind Liu Shan.
Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Shan with immense sorrow. Liu Shan, feeling guilty, said, "I propose that all ministers raise their cups to celebrate the Prime Minister…"
Zhuge Liang remained silent, his expression growing more sorrowful…
"Prime Minister," Liu Shan continued with a fawning smile, "Prime Minister, why don't you… look at my homework? I've finished all my homework!"
Zhuge Liang finally spoke, "Was it that girl from the Zhen family who finished your homework for you?"
Uh…
This sudden statement filled the entire palace with a chilling atmosphere.
Liu Shan did not know how to answer and looked to Huang Hao for help.
Huang Hao quickly explained for Liu Shan, "His Majesty has taken a liking to Sister Zhen. She is also from a noble family and has taught His Majesty poetry, calligraphy, and painting. I believe the Prime Minister is referring to her?"
Zhuge Liang questioned, "Then has His Majesty considered whether the woman who suddenly appeared by his side was intentionally placed there? What is this woman's background? Is her family connected to Cao Wei? Is this woman a spy sent by Cao Wei to deliberately bewitch His Majesty?"
"Sister Zhen would not be a spy!" Liu Shan retorted, uncharacteristically bold.
Zhuge Liang said calmly, "How can His Majesty be so sure? In this world, the greatest loyalty often appears like treachery, and the most genuine falsehoods seem true. Even I, Zhuge Liang, cannot always discern people accurately. His Majesty is still young; how can he be so certain?"
With that, Zhuge Liang took out a bamboo slip from his robe and handed it to a guard, who then passed it to Liu Shan.
His voice continued, "I sent people to investigate. This Zhen Rong is the fourth daughter of the Zhen family. Her eldest sister is the wife of Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao, a member of Cao Wei's administration and intelligence office. Her fifth sister is in a very ambiguous relationship with Cao Yu, the ruler of Great Wei. Such a family background inherently harbors ill intentions. I merely ordered the Zhen family to send military supplies and provisions as a test.
Indeed, they deliberately delayed, revealing their treacherous intentions clearly. And this Zhen Rong, seeing the situation turn unfavorable, incited His Majesty to summon me back to Chengdu, further demonstrating the Zhen family's malevolence!"
His words were sharp and confrontational.
Liu Shan was stunned, but his affection for Sister Zhen still made him unable to associate her with the sharp accusations of a spy. He looked at Huang Hao, who was nodding encouragingly.
Thus, Liu Shan timidly said, "The reason I summoned the Prime Minister back was because I heard that the Prime Minister was gravely ill and coughing up fresh blood. The Prime Minister has been overworked for years and is not in good health. This child… this child cannot bear to see the Prime Minister toil. This… this is also what Sister Zhen taught me about filial piety, so that the Prime Minister could recuperate."
Zhuge Liang was shocked and indignant. He stood up abruptly in disbelief. Liu Shan also jumped up in fright.
Zhuge Liang walked forward step by step, tears in his eyes, and said emotionally, "I received the late Emperor's great kindness and vowed to repay it with my life. For five years… my dreams have been filled with thoughts of how to contend with Cao Wei, how to contend with Cao Yu, only seeking to serve His Majesty with utmost loyalty, to help His Majesty recover the Central Plains and restore the Han Dynasty. Only then dare I die! If I were concerned about this withered body, why would I still be fighting Cao Wei to the death? Would it not be better to find a verdant mountain to live out my days in peace?"
Liu Shan, terrified, leaned against the screen and stammered, "Prime Minister, Prime Minister… I know I was wrong. Sister Zhen also had good intentions; she just wanted me to practice filial piety and let the Prime Minister rest. Sister Zhen is not a spy. I beg the Prime Minister to spare her, and to spare me?"
Zhuge Liang bowed and said seriously, "How dare I blame His Majesty? I am terrified that the foundation of Shu Han will collapse overnight. I am terrified that His Majesty has been deluded by treacherous officials and wicked women."
Liu Shan said fearfully, "No, no, no… There are no treacherous officials, nor wicked women."
Zhuge Liang suddenly raised his voice, "Guards…"
Wei Yan led a squad of personal guards striding in, their leather boots making crisp sounds.
Huang Hao panicked, "Prime Minister Zhuge, what are you doing? Are you staging a coup?"
Zhuge Liang looked at Huang Hao and rebuked him, "I went out to campaign, entrusting His Majesty to you. Not only did you fail to guide His Majesty, but you also offered him decadent pleasures, allowing Cao Wei spies to freely operate within my Shu Han's imperial palace. This is to abandon the great cause of restoring the Han Dynasty for personal gain. You… what face do you have to face the late Emperor?"
Huang Hao quickly defended himself, "Prime Minister, you misunderstand… you misunderstand…"
Zhuge Liang ignored him and looked at Zhao Yun, "I wish to arrest this Huang Hao and interrogate him severely, then have him executed. What is General Zilong's opinion?"
Zhao Yun quickly stood up, "The Prime Minister is wise. Though I am untalented, I am willing to punish this treacherous villain on behalf of the Prime Minister!" Zhao Yun roared, "Eunuch Huang, I will personally escort you!"
With that, Zhao Yun grabbed Huang Hao as if he were a chicken and, carrying him, stormed out of the imperial palace.
Liu Shan was so scared he wet himself…
His beloved Eunuch Huang, the one who doted on him the most, was just… just carried away like that.
He… he could do nothing.
Liu Shan's forehead trembled as he extended his hand, but he dared not beg Sima Yi for mercy. Zhuge Liang continued, "The harem has its own methods for selecting consorts. The background of concubines must be thoroughly confirmed. The Zhen family woman's background is not clear. I request Your Majesty to expel her from Chengdu, and forbid her from stepping foot here for life!"
Liu Shan hurriedly ran from his seat and knelt before Zhuge Liang, pleading with tears, "Prime Minister, I… I truly know I was wrong. Please, Prime Minister, keep her here. She… she only accompanied me in writing and painting. She… he is not guilty! Please, Prime Minister, keep her for me?"
Zhuge Liang helped Liu Shan up, his face lined with age. "Your Majesty, it is not that your old minister is unfeeling. The Great Han is in turmoil now, and the cause is difficult. The fate of the state rests on Your Majesty alone. Cao Yu of Great Wei is a rare talent rarely seen in a century, skilled in psychological warfare and cunning. I dare not neglect the investigation of those around Your Majesty. Your Majesty must not be misled by villains!"
As he spoke… Liu Shan, like a wronged and helpless child, burst into tears in Zhuge Liang's arms.
…
…
The blood-red setting sun spread across the sky, dyeing the battlefield before Pei Shui Pass red.
"Dong, dong, dong!"
The drums thundered like thunder, and countless Wei troops surged towards the city walls like a tide. The shouts of killing and the screams of pain mingled together.
The battle was particularly fierce.
"Kill your way in!"
"Bloodwash Pei Shui Pass!"
"Kill, kill!"
The eyes of countless Wei soldiers gleamed with a bloodthirsty light. They raised scaling ladders, held shields, and madly assaulted the pass.
Countless siege engines advanced…
Today, the surging Wei army was as vast as the sky!
Sima Yi stood on the drum platform, his gaze fixed on the battlefield.
At this moment, he shook his head repeatedly.
He seemed dissatisfied with the intensity of the battle…
"Tell Old General Huang, General Qu, and General Gongsun, it's enough. There's no need to truly risk your lives attacking the city!"
It was hard to imagine such words coming from Sima Yi, the commander of the Wei army.
If they weren't trying to capture Pei Shui Pass, why were they fighting? This…
The messenger hesitated repeatedly, unsure how to relay the order.
Sima Yi stroked his beard. "Just tell them what this commander says. Hurry up…"
Seeing the messenger still dazed, Sima Yi gently kicked him in the posterior. The entire command post seemed like a game.
In contrast, everyone at Pei Shui Pass was resisting.
But because Zhuge Liang was absent, the coordination was inevitably strained… Yang Yi was overwhelmed, but a barrage of military reports sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain.
"Prime Minister… Prime Minister… When will you return?" Yang Yi frowned, groaning in agony, on the verge of collapse.
And as the battle spread.
More and more Shu soldiers discovered that their revered "Prime Minister Zhuge," who had defeated "Cao Yu" like a god, was surprisingly absent from Pei Shui Pass.
Zhuge Liang had left secretly.
To prevent morale from wavering, he dared not announce it. Only a few core generals were aware. But who could have predicted that the Wei army, which had been displaying a tortoise-like posture under a truce banner yesterday, would launch a full-scale assault today?
"Why is Prime Minister Zhuge not at Pei Shui Pass?"
"Has Prime Minister Zhuge fled?"
"Then tell me, where is the Prime Minister? Where is the Prime Minister?"
For a time, discussions about "Where is the Prime Minister?" spread like wildfire throughout the Shu army. The previously high morale plummeted to its lowest point.
And the Wei army's assault, after continuing for half a day, sounded the retreat gong and withdrew.
Although Pei Shui Pass had held, a great shadow had fallen upon its ramparts.
Every Shu soldier wore a look of deep concern…
They realized that they seemed to have been abandoned!
…
…
Zhen Rong had departed, forever banished from Chengdu.
The lovely and thoughtful Sister Zhen was gone from Liu Shan's world forever.
Sobbing, he returned to the palace. The drawing board was still there, but the person before it was gone. Everywhere were scattered writings and paintings.
Liu Shan squatted down and saw a portrait of himself… He remembered that Sister Zhen had painted it for him last night. Sister Zhen had worked until late at night, her arm almost unable to lift.
At this moment… a great sense of powerlessness and sorrow swept over him. Liu Shan sat down on the ground, caressed the portrait, and cried out loudly, "Why? I gave him everything… why wouldn't he even leave Sister Zhen for me! I don't want the Han Dynasty, I don't want my father, I… I just want Sister Zhen. I… I just want to live a few days of peaceful life, is that too much to ask?"
Father Gan arrived at some point.
He saw Liu Shan crying and, his voice choked with emotion, urged, "Your Majesty, speak softly. Your Prime Minister he…"
In his breakdown, Liu Shan shouted recklessly, "What Prime Minister? He wants to be the Emperor of Shu Han. I'll give it to him. I don't want to do it. I don't want to do it for a single day. No one has ever asked me what I want! Why do I have a father like this, a Prime Minister like this, who must make me do as they command? I… I can't do it!"
Because of Zhen Rong's loss, Liu Shan's cries became more mournful.
"Wuwu…"
His tears were like a broken string of pearls.
Hu…
Father Gan let out a long sigh. Liu Shan's current state made him realize… the plan had succeeded, and the long-sought opportunity had arrived.
"Ah Dou, do you truly want your Sister Zhen back?" Father Gan asked softly.
Liu Shan nodded repeatedly, "I only want her. Besides her, I want nothing…"
Father Gan asked again, "Even the position of Emperor, you can forgo?"
This time, he lowered his voice.
Liu Shan, however, displayed an attitude of "discarding the imperial throne like dross." "Father, please go and beg the Prime Minister for me. I'll give him the throne. I'll learn from the Emperors of Han who accepted the throne after three refusals. I'll also refuse three times, and let the Prime Minister refuse three times. I only want Sister Zhen back!"
"Your Majesty, be cautious with your words!" Father Gan quickly covered Liu Shan's mouth and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, actually, Father has something he has always wanted to tell you!"
…
…