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

Jiang Wei is gone.

They fled Chengdu in a sorry state.

Although Jiang Wei was incapable of stabilizing the court, he still wielded considerable influence. As long as he was in power, even the most unscrupulous villains would restrain themselves somewhat.

Jiang Wei left Chengdu.

The demons of Chengdu immediately went on a wild celebration, recklessly flaunting their power and triumphantly proclaiming to the world that this era was one where villains held sway.

This is our era.

Officials are not ashamed of being cunning and treacherous; on the contrary, they take pride in it.

Autumn and winter have arrived.

This year, Sichuan and Chongqing have enjoyed favorable weather again. No, to be more precise, Sichuan and Chongqing have consistently enjoyed favorable weather for many years.

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which Zhuge Liang maintained with all his might, was like a stabilizing force for the Han Dynasty. As long as the Dujiangyan Irrigation System was properly maintained, there was a high probability that the Bashu region would enjoy favorable weather and abundant harvests.

However, the lives of ordinary people are becoming increasingly miserable.

According to the current official register, there are only about one million registered citizens left.

These one million people were to support the emperor, the crown prince, and the feudal lords.

One hundred thousand troops.

Forty thousand officials.

Those who are willing to endure hardship, who are able to bear suffering, and who are unwilling to abandon their land are like sheep, constantly being fleeced by the imperial court.

With Jiang Wei's second Northern Expedition, the burden of corvée labor became even heavier.

Every household has male members, yet it seems as if every household has no male members at all.

Countless men died by the roadside, from poverty, from cold, from hunger.

The powerful families owned vast tracts of fertile land, and their households were as numerous as hairs on a cow. They lived in luxury, ate delicacies from land and sea, wore precious jewels, rode fine horses, and were surrounded by servants, indulging in extravagance and debauchery.

The Meng households under their protection lived much better than ordinary people. As a result, these Meng households all supported their masters and were loyal to them.

The entire Han Dynasty was on the verge of collapse.

No matter how brilliant or outstanding a person may be, there will be an end to their life.

No matter how glorious a country may be, its time to fall is inevitable.

Perhaps the Han Dynasty, after four hundred years, has finally come to an end. It's not something human power can resist.

Those who remained loyal in the imperial court, and those who retreated to the Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the world of martial arts and outlaws) because of the rise of treacherous officials.

Countless loyal ministers and righteous men also couldn't help but waver.

This country is beyond saving.

Let him perish.

The autumn wind has already carried the chill of early winter, like an unsheathed frost blade brushing against the skin.

Xiang Chong, who had been unable to accompany Jiang Wei on his northern expedition due to illness, had recovered and was traveling in a covered carriage.

His family also kept pets, but they weren't as unrestrained. Apart from the coachman, there were only seven attendants.

Two people rode horses, and five people walked.

They all carried swords, bows, and arrows.

The world is in chaos, even in Chengdu, the capital city. Leaving the city walls, one is likely to encounter thieves.

Xiang Chong also has to be wary.

"What a magnificent Chengdu!" Xiang Chong was still a little weak, his face slightly pale. He lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, and the cold wind made him appear even paler. He glanced at it quickly, then immediately lowered the curtain and sighed.

What a magnificent land!

Just give up like that?

He thought of his uncle, Xiang Lang.

Their family was from Yicheng, Xiangyang, the same county and hometown as Ma Liang and Ma Su. They had dealings with Liu Bei as early as when Liu Bei stationed his troops in Xinye. Later, they followed Liu Bei into Shu.

He rose from a minor official to become the Chief Clerk of the Chancellor. Due to the unique system of the Chancellor's Office during Zhuge Liang's time, the position of Chief Clerk of the Chancellor held real power, making him the most powerful person after Zhuge Liang.

Ma Su was defeated and fled. Xiang Lang, who knew about the incident but failed to report it, was dismissed from his post and later appointed as Left General.

His elder brother, Xiang Chong, was a figure whose name appeared in the "Memorial on Dispatching Troops." Later, when a rebellion broke out in the south, Xiang Chong led troops to quell it and died in service to the country.

In addition, there was their family's special relationship with Zhuge Liang.

"My family has served under Emperor Zhaolie for generations." Xiang Chong suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and wanted to burst into tears.

Xiang Chong's entourage left the city gates and arrived in the suburbs. Xiang Chong felt a little better and once again lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

He saw pale, emaciated people kneeling by the roadside and in the fields, mourning and offering sacrifices.

The sound was clearly audible.

This was a sacrifice to the Prime Minister.

When people are in despair, they always hope that someone will stand up and save the day from collapse.

He is a great hero, a true man.

People in darkness yearn for light.

When someone is in a state of hardship and displacement, they become a petty person.

Some people become even more steadfast in their beliefs when they are in a state of constant displacement and hardship.

Now, some people in the court have become evil spirits, while others have remained true to their original intentions.

The common people had no other choice but to place their hopes on heroes.

Among the heroes of Sichuan and Chongqing, none can surpass the Prime Minister.

The deeds and achievements of the Prime Minister in governing Bashu.

With a prosperous nation and a just and efficient government, how magnificent was the spirit of the Han Dynasty!

It is passed down by word of mouth, generation after generation, endlessly.

The people hope that the prime minister will be reinstated.

Xiang Chong suddenly burst into tears, wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and said, "Even a cornered beast will fight; let's fight one more time."

He said to the coachman, "Turn the carriage around, I'm going to see Xi Long." He then said to one of his riders, "Go tell Xu Tong that I've broken my promise."

"Yes," the coachman and his attendant Liu Yun replied loudly, each going their own way.

Xiang Chong's team immediately turned around and slowly returned to Chengdu.

"The Prime Minister's benevolence is an immeasurable force. He devoted himself to the cause until his death. We must let this dead Prime Minister continue to serve the court. He will forgive us," Xiang Chong said.

Xi Long was appointed as an infantry captain.

My grandfather Xi Zhen and father Xi Zhong were both capable ministers of the Han Dynasty.

He wanted to join Xi Long in submitting a memorial to the emperor to build a temple for Zhuge Liang and to publicize Zhuge Liang's benevolence in order to win the hearts of the people.

Yes.

There is no temple dedicated to Zhuge Liang to this day.

Because in this era, it was against the rites and laws for officials to establish their own temples.

The ancestral temple is something belonging to the imperial family.

Therefore, ordinary people could only worship Zhuge Liang by the roadside or through illegal, unlicensed temples.

The people's reverence has nowhere to be placed.

Xiang Chong returned to Chengdu, and his carriage stopped outside Xi Long's residence. Since Xi Long had gone to work, Xi Long's eldest son greeted Xiang Chong and brought him into the residence, where he was served tea.

By the time Xi Long got off work and returned, it was almost dark.

"Long. I wish to submit a petition to the Emperor to establish a temple for Prime Minister Zhuge in Chengdu," Xiang Chong said bluntly.

Xi Long was wondering why Xiang Chong hadn't informed him of his arrival. Upon hearing this, he raised an eyebrow but didn't answer immediately. After sitting down in the main seat and remaining silent for a while, he said, "If Chengdu won't work, then Hanzhong will."

"I'm fairly confident," he added after a pause.

Zhuge Liang's achievements were the greatest in Bashu. After his death, some people petitioned to build a temple in his honor, but Liu Shan refused.

Perhaps it was out of etiquette, or perhaps it was out of personal motives.

In any case, Liu Shan would never build a temple for Zhuge Liang in Chengdu, but he could build one in Hanzhong.

That's possible.

"Then let's go with Hanzhong." Xiang Chong was somewhat disappointed, but after thinking about it for a moment, he felt that something was better than nothing, and nodded.

"Okay," Xiang Long replied.

The two then discussed the matter for a while before splitting up to try to contact officials and submit a memorial to Liu Shan.

A temple was built in honor of Zhuge Liang.

The temple is officially recognized as a testament to Zhuge Liang's great achievements.

Liu Shan did not listen.