Chapter Eleven: The Only One Who Can Save the Great Han Is the King Himself
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Zhuge Shang noticed his father’s distracted expression and gently closed the tent flap. Lowering his voice, he said, “Father, I have something to say.”
Zhuge Zhan snapped back to attention, looking at his son’s youthful yet resolute face, and sighed. “Shang’er, do you also believe that your father should support the Prince of Northern Territories?”
“Father,” Zhuge Shang knelt opposite Zhuge Zhan, his gaze burning bright, “I have followed His Highness to battle for many days. I have seen with my own eyes how fearless and brilliant he is in command. If His Highness had not steadfastly defended Fucheng, Deng Ai would have already reached Chengdu.”
Zhuge Zhan fell silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. “But this is treason…”
“Father!” Zhuge Shang lowered his voice urgently. “The current emperor favors Huang Hao, and the court is in decay. The Crown Prince Liu Xuan is weak and incompetent, and the other princes are even more mediocre. If the Han dynasty’s realm falls into their hands, it will surely perish sooner or later!”
Outside the tent, the wind moaned, and the candlelight flickered unsteadily. Zhuge Zhan’s face appeared especially aged in the shifting shadows.
“Do you know what your grandfather said to me on his deathbed?” Zhuge Zhan suddenly asked.
Zhuge Shang was taken aback. “Grandfather…?”
“Your grandfather sent a letter before he died, saying I was mediocre but must always remain loyal to the Han dynasty.” Zhuge Zhan’s eyes brimmed with tears as he forced a bitter smile. “Throughout my life, I have indeed, as the Chancellor said, failed to eliminate Huang Hao or restrain Jiang Wei…”
“Father!” Zhuge Shang grasped his father’s trembling hands and spoke earnestly, “Loyalty to the Han dynasty does not mean loyalty to a foolish ruler! Grandfather devoted himself to restoring the Han, not watching it fall into ruin!”
Zhuge Zhan trembled all over and looked up at his son.
“The Prince of Northern Territories is a man of great talent, deeply trusted by both army and people. Had it not been for his strategic brilliance, the Han would have already fallen to Deng Ai. Father, the only one who can save the Han is the Prince of Northern Territories!” Zhuge Shang’s voice was resolute.
From outside came the beat of the midnight drum—it was the third watch. Zhuge Zhan sighed deeply, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
“Shang’er, you are right.” He stood, adjusted his robes, and said, “I will go seek an audience with His Highness at once.”
Zhuge Shang beamed. “Father, your wisdom shines!”
“However,” Zhuge Zhan turned to gaze at his son with a complex expression, “once this path is taken, there is no turning back. You and I may bear the eternal scorn of history.”
Zhuge Shang dropped to one knee, clasped his fists, and declared, “If it means saving the Han, I would gladly die a thousand deaths!”
Zhuge Zhan helped his son to his feet, tears glistening in his eyes. “Good, good… The spirit of the Chancellor in heaven will surely understand our choice.”
The two shared a long look before Zhuge Zhan resolutely turned and strode out of the tent. The night wind howled, billowing his robes as if to sweep him into the torrent of history itself.
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In the study of Fucheng, the candlelight burned brightly. Liu Chen held a black chess piece, staring intently at the board, his brows furrowed.
“Huang Qing, what do you think Jiang Wei will say about my actions?” Liu Chen placed a piece down softly, his voice low.
Huang Chong stroked his long beard and pondered. “General Jiang has always considered himself the Chancellor’s successor and is utterly loyal to the late emperor. Your Highness may be a noble prince, but after all…”
“But after all, it’s tantamount to treason? Yet if we do not act, shall we watch the Han dynasty’s foundation crumble?” Liu Chen gave a bitter laugh, tapping a chess piece lightly on the table.
Zhuge Zhan had brought seventy thousand troops; twenty thousand Wei soldiers had surrendered. Now Liu Chen had reorganized them into the Tiance Army without informing Liu Shan—this was indeed treason.
But in truth, since Liu Chen seized military command from Zhuge Zhan, it had already been an act of rebellion. Liu Shan just hadn’t realized the underlying scheme yet.
Suddenly, a fierce wind rattled the candle flames. Huang Chong was about to respond when a guard outside loudly announced, “Your Highness, General Zhuge and his son request an audience!”
Liu Chen slammed a chess piece onto the board with a sharp “clack,” eyes flashing. “Quick, admit them!”
The door opened, and father and son entered solemnly. Under the flickering light, Zhuge Zhan’s expression was grave, while Zhuge Shang’s eyes shone brightly.
“I, General Zhuge Zhan, pay respects to Your Highness,” Zhuge Zhan bowed deeply, his voice hoarse.
Liu Chen rose quickly to support him. “General Zhuge, no need for such formality! A late-night visit must be for urgent matters.”
Zhuge Zhan straightened, locking eyes with Liu Chen. “After much contemplation, I am willing to serve Your Highness loyally to help restore the realm.”
The study fell silent. Huang Chong dropped a white piece onto the board with a crisp “ding.” Liu Chen took a deep breath, excitement flickering in his eyes.
“General, do you truly mean this?” Liu Chen’s voice trembled slightly.
Zhuge Shang stepped forward, kneeling on one knee. “My father and I swear to follow Your Highness to the death!”
“Only Your Highness can save the Han,” Zhuge Zhan said solemnly.
Liu Chen hastily helped Zhuge Shang to his feet and turned to Zhuge Zhan. “With the general’s aid, the Han is truly fortunate!”
“Your Highness, I am willing to go to Jiange to persuade Jiang Wei,” Zhuge Zhan stroked his beard. “Though stubborn, Jiang Wei is not unreasonable. I shall personally convince him, after all, he was my late father’s disciple.”
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Huang Chong suddenly interrupted, “No! If Jiang Wei refuses, General, your life may be at risk.”
Zhuge Shang gripped his sword firmly and declared loudly, “I will accompany my father and protect him with my life!”
Liu Chen shook his head. “There is no need for that. I have my own way to persuade the Grand General. You must not take such risks. During this time, Your Highness must guard the news of the Battle of Fucheng closely—no leaks allowed.”
“I understand,” Zhuge Zhan replied with a bitter smile. “I fear this may cause chaos in Chengdu.”
“Hmph. Once Chengdu learns of Deng Ai’s defeat, Zhong Hui will surely know. He will retreat to Hanzhong without hesitation. Then, reclaiming Hanzhong will become exceedingly difficult,” Liu Chen explained.
“Your Highness plans to seize Hanzhong?” Zhuge Zhan gasped, surprised by Liu Chen’s ambitious aims—not just to defeat Zhong Hui, but to take back Hanzhong itself.
“How long can the Han endure without Hanzhong? Without it, retaking Chang’an is impossible,” Liu Chen shook his head gravely.
According to historical records, the Shu Han population at this time was only about 940,000, mostly concentrated in the Chengdu Plain and Hanzhong. Losing Hanzhong meant not only losing military initiative but also a significant portion of the people.
Zhuge Zhan and the others fell silent.
“Who knows how many in Chengdu secretly wish to serve Wei? From Yinping to Jiangyou lies seven hundred miles of desolate land—a strategic chokepoint. If even a thousand men blocked any passage there, Deng Ai would have surely perished. Yet he came through. Why?” Liu Chen sneered coldly.
“Someone betrayed us!” Huang Chong blurted out.
“General Zhuge had established military camps at Motian Ridge and Yinping, but now these camps lie abandoned, not a single soldier guarding them. Why? The emperor indulges day and night, forgetting these camps. Then who abandoned them?” Liu Chen asked sharply.
The group’s faces drained of color, dread creeping in as they pondered the secrets lurking behind these events.
No wonder Liu Chen wanted to keep frontline news from reaching Chengdu—he feared that some inside Chengdu might leak information to Zhong Hui, allowing him to escape.
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