I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 10, First Court Meeting

I never imagined that without taking my company public, I would suddenly become the CEO of a listed company.

The company's stock is currently plummeting, shareholders are withdrawing their investments, talent is leaving, and investors are selling off their shares. If they don't take action soon, they will be delisted.

"May my ancestors bless me so that my sales double, and my orders explode!"

"wrong!"

"It should be to bless me to unify the world and ensure the eternal existence of the Han Dynasty."

Liu Shan stood on the high altar, wearing a jade twelve-tassel crown, a black upper garment and a vermilion lower garment, a yellow and red sash around his waist, and red shoes, looking quite majestic.

After Liu Shan inserted the sandalwood incense in his hand into the tripod-shaped incense burner in front of him, he turned around and saw the ministers below the steps kneeling and kowtowing under the leadership of Zhuge Liang.

After the coronation ceremony, Liu Shan honored Empress Wu as Empress Dowager, and made Zhang Fei's daughter, Zhang, empress, granting her control over the six palaces. He changed the era name to Jianxing and granted a general amnesty.

Then, in accordance with Liu Bei's will, Zhuge Liang was appointed as the regent, and together with Li Yan, they were appointed as ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor and jointly assisted in governing the country.

At the same time, Li Yan was also granted the title of Marquis of Duxiang and given the authority to act on behalf of the emperor, serving as the Central Protector-General and in charge of all military affairs, both inside and outside the capital.

Zhao Yun was appointed as the Commander of the Central Army and General Who Conquers the South, and was also enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yongchang.

Wei Yan was appointed as the Governor of Hanzhong, General Who Guards the North, and Marquis of Duting;

Wu Yi was appointed Governor-General of Guanzhong, General Who Punishes Rebels, and Marquis of Duting;

Fei Guan was appointed Governor of Jiangzhou, General Zhenwei, and Marquis of Duting;

Liu Yan was enfeoffed as Marquis of Duxiang and appointed as Commandant of the Guards, Military Advisor of the Central Army, and General of the Rear.

Many generals were also re-appointed.

After all, the change of power is a reshuffling of the deck.

Finally, four deceased generals, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong, were posthumously granted important titles.

After everything was completed, Liu Shan immediately summoned his ministers and began his first court assembly since ascending the throne.

The main purpose of this court assembly was to address the rebellion in the south.

When Zhuge Liang announced the news of the execution of Ang Zheng, the governor of Yizhou, the court was in an uproar.

The ministers condemned Yong Kai's rebellious act.

Despite the criticism, no one suggested sending troops to quell the rebellion.

After losing Jingzhou and Yiling, Liu Bei had squandered all the resources he had painstakingly built up over the years, leaving him with no troops to quell the rebellion.

Moreover, the generals in the court were all stationed in key locations to guard against Cao Pi and Sun Quan, so there was no general with both ability and prestige to lead troops to quell the rebellion.

As the prime minister and the entrusted minister, Zhuge Liang should have led the court officials to brainstorm, discuss countermeasures, and finally make a decision.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the southern region is the heartland of Yizhou, and many local powerful families are dissatisfied. If they unite and rebel, they could divide the entire Shu region in two, leaving it unable to support itself."

"The Huang Yuan Rebellion is still fresh in our minds. Therefore, I suggest that we immediately launch a military campaign in the south to annihilate Yong Kai and demonstrate Your Majesty's power."

These words immediately drew the ire of many ministers in the court.

"Your Majesty, after the Battle of Yiling, we are surrounded by powerful enemies, our military is weak and our resources are depleted, and our fertile fields are abandoned. At this time, we should focus on recuperation and not wage war."

The first to stand up and oppose it was Li Hui of the Yizhou faction.

In his view, the country was weak at this time, and sending troops to the south would be tantamount to using the blood and sweat of the people of Yizhou to make a name for himself.

Zhuge Liang said sternly, "When the late emperor was on the throne, he bestowed favors upon the southern prefectures and restrained local officials from abusing their power. The people all supported him. But Yong Kai took advantage of Your Majesty's passing to openly murder the governor of Yizhou and defy the emperor's rule. Such a disloyal and unjust person must be killed to appease public anger."

Although the Yizhou faction was a local power, they had no military power, whether in the imperial court or outside the capital.

Without military power, there is no voice; faced with Zhuge Liang's righteous words, they could only retreat in frustration.

Although the Yizhou faction held no real power, the Dongzhou faction was different.

Li Yan, the leader of the Dongzhou faction, was also a minister entrusted by Liu Bei to assist the young emperor. He had the authority to act as an imperial envoy and commanded all military affairs, both internal and external, which to some extent restrained Zhuge Liang's power.

But the only forces he could mobilize were the central and local armies within and outside the Yong'an region.

This resulted in a situation where, although he seemed to have a lot of power, in reality he was no different from Wei Yan and others who were guarding Hanzhong, and there was no way to create a balance of power.

He worried that if Zhuge Liang took the opportunity to send troops to the south and completely seize military power, then the power of "commanding all military affairs inside and outside the country" bestowed by Liu Bei would truly be a mere formality.

Li Yan secretly turned his head to glance back, and someone immediately stepped forward behind him.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

"allow!"

Liu Shan looked in the direction of the sound and saw Wang Lian's resolute and piercing eyes.

"May I ask the Prime Minister, if we were to send troops to the south, who would be suitable to lead them?"

"The war in the south should be fought swiftly rather than slowly. Liang should personally lead a large army to pacify the south in one fell swoop."

Wang Lian chuckled softly after hearing this.

Liu Shan could detect a hint of mockery in his laughter.

"Your Majesty, the southern region is a barren land, rife with miasma. Conquering it would be no easy task, and it is not advisable to mobilize the entire nation's resources for such a risky conquest. Prime Minister Zhuge is to remain in Chengdu; if anything goes wrong, wouldn't that be betraying the late Emperor's trust?"

"Moreover, in the southern region, only Yong Kai openly defied the imperial court; there has been no disturbance in other counties. Is the Prime Minister overly concerned and making a mountain out of a molehill?"

Wang Lian's words were largely agreed upon by the court officials.

Although the people of Nanzhong are known for their fierceness, they are mostly a motley crew, a minor nuisance, and not worth fearing.

After a moment's thought, Zhuge Liang said, "How could I not know that Yong Kai and his ilk are a rabble? But according to secret reports, Yong Kai has already secretly contacted other counties and has submitted to Sun Quan."

"Wenyi, do you know what it means to submit?"

Zhuge Liang's words were so powerful that they left everyone present speechless for a moment.

If Yong Kai were merely surrendering, all he needed to do was lead his troops and supplies to Eastern Wu.

However, surrendering meant that the territory they belonged to would be incorporated into the territory of Eastern Wu.

If war breaks out between the two sides in the future, Sun Quan will have a reason to send troops to punish them.

The intelligence agency of the Prime Minister's office is no ordinary organization, and such confidential information is highly credible.

Just when the courtiers had no rebuttal, Li Yan finally stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister and the other ministers have all made valid points, but each has its advantages and disadvantages. I have a plan that can make Yong Kai surrender without a fight."

Liu Shan remained calm and said indifferently, "Please tell me in detail, my dear minister."

Li Yan said with considerable pride, "I am not talented, but I have quelled several internal rebellions in the past and have some influence in the south. If I write a letter to persuade Yong Kai and explain the advantages and disadvantages, Yong Kai will surely surrender. At that time, the court can do so without losing a single soldier, which would be a win-win situation."

"It would be best if we could avoid losing a single soldier, but who can be sure that Yong Kai will realize his mistakes and admit his guilt after seeing the letter?" Zhuge Liang asked.

"Your Majesty will certainly not fail in your trust. If Your Majesty is worried that Yong Kai will not submit, send another court official to Yizhou Prefecture as governor to keep him in check. I think that no matter how arrogant and rude Yong Kai is, he will not dare to disrespect Your Majesty and the court."

Disrespectful?

They don't take you seriously at all.

"Then who do you think is capable of this task, my dear minister?" Liu Shan immediately asked.

"Zhang Yi, the Prefect of Yizhou," Li Yan said quickly.

This coincides with the Prime Minister's suggestion. It seems that his father's choice of him as the regent was indeed reasonable.

Liu Shan was pondering this in his mind.

It doesn't matter whose idea it is, as long as it meets your expected goals.

"Now that our great Han Dynasty is in dire need of reconstruction, it is not advisable to wage war. The memorial submitted by Minister Li Yan is in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, and it is very much to my liking."

"Let's do it this way!"

"His Majesty……"

Zhuge Liang bowed respectfully and was about to offer his advice when Liu Shan stopped him.

"My mind is made up on this matter; there is no need for further discussion. Court is adjourned!"

"Dismiss the court!!!"

At the shout of a close advisor, the officials below the stage all cupped their hands to their foreheads and bowed deeply.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"