The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

At Chen Zhi's bedside.

His eldest son, Chen Can, and second son, Chen Yu, were both terrified, their minds blank.

After a long silence, Chen Yu asked in a trembling voice, "Brother. Father, Father..."

Upon hearing the sound, Chen Can turned pale and stood up shakily. He reached out to check Chen Zhi's breath and immediately felt dizzy. Fortunately, Chen Yu reacted quickly and caught him, preventing him from falling.

"Brother, I'll take Father's memorial to the palace to report to the Emperor. You stay home and handle the funeral arrangements," Chen Can said to Chen Yu after composing himself.

"Yes," Chen Yu replied, releasing Chen Can and bowing.

The two brothers turned to look at Chen Zhi again, and tears streamed down their faces. After composing themselves, Chen Can retrieved Chen Zhi's last memorial, wiped away his tears, left the room, went to the front yard, and boarded a carriage to go to the palace.

The winter wind was biting cold.

But it couldn't compare to the coldness in Chen Can's heart.

Their father held immense power and influence, but had many enemies. Now that he has passed away, the brothers' situation is likely precarious. Moreover, their father said that the Liu Han dynasty is about to descend into chaos, and told them to act according to the circumstances.

He trusted his father. But how would the Liu Han dynasty perish? Would it be when Cao Wei's army invaded Chengdu?

Or perhaps the country is in a state of widespread suffering and chaos, with war breaking out everywhere?

Regardless of how the Liu Han dynasty fell, the Chen family's situation is dire if nothing is done.

"A cunning rabbit has three burrows. I should send people to Jiangzhou, Nanzhong and other places to buy land and houses. Prepare carriages and horses, and leave Chengdu if things go wrong."

Chen Can composed himself and thought to himself.

Chen Can's carriage entered the palace and went straight to Liu Shan's bedroom.

Inside the palace, Liu Shan was restless, as if evil spirits were uttering the most vicious curses behind him.

The palace maids and eunuchs around were all terrified and at a loss.

"Your Majesty. Chen Can has entered the palace with a memorial. Minister Chen has passed away." A physician entered from outside and bowed.

"Ah!" Liu Chan's heart skipped a beat, and he cried out before fainting.

"Your Majesty!!!!" Chaos erupted inside the palace.

The eunuch screamed, and the palace maids were terrified.

The close minister's soul was shattered.

Not long after, the physician, in a state of panic and disarray, rode his fine horse to the palace to summon the imperial physicians.

The news spread.

Empress Zhang, Crown Prince Liu Xuan, and other princes from the palace arrived at Liu Shan's bedchamber by carriage to visit him.

Soon after, the princes outside Chengdu also received the news and entered the palace.

Empress Zhang took care of Liu Shan in his bedchamber.

The crown prince, along with his sons and other princes, sat down in a small room next to the sleeping quarters.

The eunuch brought charcoal and closed the doors and windows.

Liu Chen said, "Open a window, so we don't suffocate."

"Yes." The eunuch bowed and obeyed the order.

All the princes, including Liu Chen, had somber expressions.

Inside the palace.

Huang Hao, Empress Zhang, eunuchs, palace maids, imperial physicians, and others each performed their duties.

Liu Shan opened his eyes, initially bewildered, then sat up in shock, crying out, "Am I dreaming?"

Empress Zhang and Huang Hao looked at each other in bewilderment.

Huang Hao felt an overwhelming jealousy, but he didn't show it on his face. His eyes reddened, and he shed tears as he said, "Your Majesty, Minister Chen has passed away. Please accept my condolences."

"I have lost my right-hand man!" Liu Shan broke down in tears, heartbroken.

Empress Zhang, Huang Hao, and others tried to comfort him, but Liu Shan was unable to calm down. After crying for a long time, he fell into a deep sleep because he had no strength left.

next morning.

Liu Chen and the other princes sat in the room all night.

Some people couldn't hold on and collapsed, while others remained energetic and spirited.

The Imperial Household Department sent over a food box, and the eunuchs woke the sleeping princes. The palace maids then helped the princes with a quick wash.

Everyone sat down and ate the still-warm food. After they finished eating, the eunuchs came in to clear away the leftovers.

A palace maid brought in hot water, and the princes washed their hands and wiped their mouths.

"To put it bluntly, even if we died, Father probably wouldn't be this heartbroken," Liu Zan said to Liu Chen in a low voice after yawning, his morning grumpiness showing.

Liu Chen nodded.

Historically, the Han dynasty fell, and Crown Prince Liu Xuan was killed by mutinous soldiers. The Prince of Beidi first killed his wife and then committed suicide. This did not prevent Liu Shan from going north to watch song and dance performances, becoming so engrossed in pleasure that he forgot all about Shu.

Not long after, a eunuch entered and informed the princes that the emperor had eaten and summoned them.

Liu Chen and the others followed their leader out of the room and into the imperial bedchamber to pay their respects to the emperor and empress.

Liu Shan appeared dazed, radiating an aura of sorrow, and showed little reaction to the princes.

After paying their respects, Liu Shan dismissed the princes.

Crown Prince Liu Xuan and a few of his brothers wanted to stay and serve him.

Liu Chen and Liu Zan, the brothers, readily packed their bags and left.

"Let's go hunting together after this is over," Liu Zan said with a yawn before parting ways with his brother.

"Alright." Liu Chen readily agreed, and after watching Liu Zan leave, he boarded his carriage and ordered his return to the palace.

Upon returning, he went straight to his bedchamber, had the palace maids warm his bed, and intended to sleep. However, lying in bed, he felt quite energetic.

Chen Zhi's death marked the end of an era.

At the same time, a farcical scene will unfold. After thinking for a moment, Liu Chen called Qian Yun in, then wrapped himself in blankets and sat cross-legged on the bed.

"With Lord Chen gone, the Emperor will surely make a statement. Go and find out what's going on," Liu Chen instructed.

"Yes." Qian Yun bowed in agreement, then turned and left.

Liu Chen yawned, then summoned a palace maid to help him change. He sat down on a side table and had a eunuch place charcoal fire beside him.

After waiting for about half an hour, Liu Chen grew increasingly drowsy. Qian Yun entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Young Master, the Emperor has issued an edict ordering the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to draft a posthumous title for Minister Chen. After internal discussions, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices initially decided on the title of Marquis Cheng. However, the Emperor refused and personally decided on the title of Marquis Zhong, and bestowed upon Marquis Zhong's eldest son, Chen Can, the title of Marquis within the Passes. He also bestowed gold, silver, and Shu brocade for the funeral."

"Mm," Liu Chen hummed in response and waved.

Qian Yun bowed and turned to leave.

Liu Chen instructed the palace maids to warm the bed again. Once it was warm, he undressed, slipped into the covers, and yawned. He said with a half-smile, "Well done, Marquis Zhong."

Ministers who performed great merits or committed great evils were given posthumous titles.

This is called being born famous and dying with a posthumous title. It is a final assessment of a minister's life.

Many ministers of the Cao Wei dynasty received posthumous titles, while fewer ministers of the Liu Han dynasty received posthumous titles.

During the entire Han Dynasty, only twelve people received posthumous titles.

Many of them are characters whose names are easy to remember, such as Fa Zheng, Pang Tong, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong.

During the early and middle periods of the Liu Han dynasty, due to the social atmosphere and the prestige of posthumous titles, officials and common people alike felt honored when discussing meritorious officials.

Now Liu Shan bestowed this precious posthumous title upon Chen Zhi, a universally acknowledged traitor.

In fact, the discussions within the Taichang government about giving him the posthumous title of "Cheng" were already quite excessive.

"To bring peace to the people and establish a good government" is a fitting posthumous title.

And loyalty?!

Zhuge Liang's posthumous title was "Zhongwu" (忠武).

The most notable figures in the Cao Wei dynasty to receive the posthumous title of "loyal" were Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren.

Does Chen Zhi even deserve it?

Absurd, magical, chaotic, and ridiculous.

How could the Liu Han dynasty avoid its demise?