Volume One, Chapter Seven: Zhuge Liang Stunned as the Situation Begins to Slip Beyond Control!

Outside the Shu capital, beside the tranquil thatched cottage.

“What? Troops have already been deployed to the Shu capital so quickly?”

Zhuge Liang raised an eyebrow. As his words fell, Ma Su immediately replied, “There are two detachments in total. One is the garrison force outside the city, commanded by Wei Yan!”

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang’s expression remained calm.

“Wei Yan mobilizing troops was expected; it’s no surprise. Since he wants to deploy forces, let him. I want to see what kind of storm he can stir up.”

“And who commands the other detachment?”

Zhuge Liang continued.

Ma Su shook his head, sighing helplessly. “Chancellor, the strange thing is this second detachment—its affiliation is unknown, and no one knows who summoned them. Just now, a scout reported that this troop was the first to enter the city and immediately took control of several city gates.”

All intelligence within the city was gathered by scouts sent out by Ma Su.

To ensure the Chancellor’s safety, Ma Su had remained here.

Had Ma Su joined the crowd at the Chancellor's residence to pay respects, he might not have returned by now.

“Such swift action?”

Zhuge Liang murmured thoughtfully, his eyes flickering with an unusual light.

Across all of Shu Han, there were still troops operating beyond his control?

“Chancellor, the scout also reported that this elite force is robust and all mounted on purebred Dayuan horses, clad in chainmail, wielding iron-ringed sabers, each man armed with a light crossbow!” Ma Su said, frowning slightly.

Hearing this, Zhuge Liang’s expression grew grave.

“Does Shu Han truly possess such a force, and I remain unaware?”

Waving his feather fan, Zhuge Liang took a deep breath and fell silent for a moment before turning to Ma Su.

“Send out more scouts to investigate and report back. Dispatch a few more to thoroughly uncover whose troops these are!”

…

At the Chancellor’s residence, the mourning hall.

Incense smoke curled upward. Under the control of the Wudang Flying Army, the atmosphere in the hall grew heavy and oppressive.

Zhuge Liang’s coffin rested silently, with Yang Yi standing at the forefront.

“Everyone, with the Chancellor’s passing, Shu Han’s great cause now faces a grave crisis.”

“To stabilize the situation, I ask all present to pay respects here for three days. During this time, no one is to leave without permission. Any who violate this will be deemed traitors and dealt with accordingly!”

Yang Yi announced loudly.

Among the gathered were generals like Wei Yan, who glanced around the room.

This mysterious troop stood solemnly, disciplined and meticulous atop the mourning hall.

Where on earth had such a force appeared from?

And Yang Yi—what skills did he possess? Everyone present knew well.

A man lacking vision and ambition, indulging daily in pleasures—how could he possibly command such a force?

At this moment, Wei Yan’s heart still burned with resentment as he scrutinized the troops, deep in thought.

Jiang Wan and others also silently pondered the origins of this force.

Most military power in Shu was under Zhuge Liang’s control, yet even during the Chancellor’s lifetime, it was unlikely such a force could be trained.

“Yang Yi, you are but a civil official under the Chancellor. Now, you arrogantly command troops into the city, placing all civil and military officials under your thumb. What of His Majesty’s position?”

Jiang Wan voiced his challenge.

Compared to before, his tone was noticeably tempered.

After all, the current situation was controlled by Yang Yi.

But as the head civil official, Jiang Wan could not afford to show weakness!

“Master Jiang, please do not act rashly,” Yang Yi replied with a cheerful smile.

“With the Chancellor newly deceased and the main army away, if no one holds the reins, chaos may ensue.”

“My actions are for the good of Shu Han. I urge you to consider carefully and not undermine unity with flawed thoughts.”

Hearing this, Jiang Wan’s anger flared, but seeing the imposing soldiers nearby, he dared not say more.

Fei Yi clenched his teeth and stepped forward. “Yang Yi, the Chancellor lived with integrity and dedication to Shu Han. Your deeds now betray his teachings and violate court laws!”

“The troops in your hands belong to Shu Han, not your personal property. How can you misuse them at will?”

At these words, Yang Yi snorted and laughed.

When Wei Yan earlier spoke of mobilizing troops, he had not reacted so vehemently.

“You petty man!” Wei Yan stepped forward boldly.

“You are a mere clerk who manipulates words, relying on the Chancellor’s leniency to move within the army.”

“Now that the Chancellor has just passed, you seek to monopolize power—truly the ambition of a wolf’s cub!”

As he spoke, Wei Yan glanced at the troops around him, a flicker of longing in his eyes.

“Moreover, this elite force, well-equipped and battle-hardened, is the hard-earned asset we generals have built for Shu Han. How can you, a petty man, control it?”

Yang Yi laughed heartily.

“Your hard-earned asset? What a joke!”

“The Wudang Flying Army was personally entrusted to me by the Chancellor. I have trained them for years to forge such discipline. All this armor and weaponry—I alone financed it!”

“Officially, I deploy troops to quell rebellion with clear conscience. Privately, I alone fund the Wudang Flying Army—from generals’ rewards to soldiers’ pay and all manner of arms. What business is it of yours?”

“Tell me, can you Wei Yan command the court’s troops, but I, Yang Yi, cannot?”

Seeing Yang Yi’s nonchalant demeanor, Wei Yan’s fury surged.

If not for the soldiers watching, he might have drawn his sword and slain Yang Yi on the spot.

Jiang Wan’s expression darkened as he spoke slowly, “Yang Yi, the Chancellor’s plan for the Northern Campaign is imminent. Shu Han must not fall into internal disorder.”

Now that the Wudang Flying Army stood in the mourning hall, the civil officials’ words lost their earlier hostility, taking on a tone of cautious negotiation.

Yang Yi knew well what they were thinking.

With him controlling the situation, they could only yield. Moreover, Yang Yi had long since secured all four city walls of the Shu capital, preventing Wei Yan’s troops from entering.

They had no choice but to keep calm for now.

Yang Yi spoke leisurely, “Do not spout nonsense. The troops have already surrounded the Chancellor’s residence. I advise you to abandon any thoughts of sneaking away, or else the sword knows no mercy.”

“For these three days, no one leaves! All must pay their respects to the Chancellor properly!”

Yang Yi’s tone was firm, leaving no room for discussion.

All civil and military officials present cast wary glances around. With these soldiers here, they had no chance to resist.

They could only obey Yang Yi’s orders.

“The Chancellor’s body is barely cold, yet you still quarrel over power. Do you feel no shame?”

Yang Yi scolded once more.

“The Chancellor devoted himself tirelessly to Shu Han’s realm and people, giving his all to secure this hard-won state.”

“But now, with him newly gone, you cast aside his teachings, focusing solely on power struggles. Are you worthy of the Chancellor’s spirit in the heavens?”