Taking Adou to Mount Tai

"Ziyu, you haven't heard? Word has spread all over Chengdu. That scoundrel Cao Pi murdered the emperor and seized the throne." Zhang Fei looked curious. I thought intelligence was your strong suit.

Zhuge Liang stroked his beard and added, "Rumors are circulating throughout Shu that the Son of Heaven was killed in Xudu. The king held a funeral for him several days ago and posthumously named him Emperor Xiaomin."

"Recently, officials everywhere have been vying to present auspicious omens, all urging me to inherit the Han Dynasty's ancestral temple and assume the title of emperor. Of course, some of my ministers have advised against it for now." Liu Bei wore a grave expression.

Lan Tian knew the man must be Fei Shi. The history books recorded it plainly: when Liu Bei became King of Hanzhong, Fei Shi was sent to Jing Province to deliver the decree. By rights, when Liu Bei became emperor, all the officials would receive rewards, and as Major of the Division in Liu Bei's staff, Fei Shi would surely have been promoted. Yet here he was, standing firm under pressure and offering his honest remonstrance. Lan Tian admired his willingness to swim against the tide.

"Fei Gongju has no sense of what's good for him. Now that the Son of Heaven of Han is dead, my elder brother is a scion of the imperial house. It's only right that he inherit the throne. Instead, Fei Shi spouts nonsense in court. Why not transfer him out of Shu Commandery to some border region?" Zhang Fei fumed.

"Ziyu, why are you silent?" Liu Bei asked, puzzled.

From what Zhang Fei had just said, it seemed Liu Bei had not demoted Fei Shi. The King of Hanzhong in this world had a much better temper than the one in