"Uh, I was an ordinary person to begin with. You just misunderstood. Besides, His Majesty didn't transfer Zilong to Yi Province? Then who ended up going?" Lan Tian was suddenly unable to make sense of it. He thought Zhao Yun was unquestionably the best fit; Huang Zhong was already advanced in years, while Zhang Fei would presumably stay behind to pacify Liang Province.
Yi Ji replied, "General Zilong originally volunteered, but His Majesty believed Nanzhong was filled with towering mountains and miasma. Having him follow the Chancellor to Nanzhong would truly waste the advantages of a cavalry commander, so he was kept in Guanzhong to pacify the Yong-Liang Region alongside Third General. In the end, General Wei Yan, who had rendered great merit, was chosen to return to Chengdu."
"Wenchang?" Lan Tian was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. Why did His Majesty put him together with Kongming? Would the two end up clashing?
Yi Ji nodded and added, "Besides General Wei, His Majesty also selected Wang Ping, Ma Dai, Zhang Yi, and Jiang Wei, whom Strategist Pang recommended, to accompany him."
"Heh, Nanzhong truly has many high mountains. Three of the 'Four Heroes of Ziwu Ridge' went there at once—His Majesty really knows his people and uses them well." Lan Tian smiled teasingly.
Yi Ji answered, "General Wei had intended to bring Deng Shizai along, saying General Deng possessed formidable logistical organizational skills and was especially suited to handling the army's grain and supply lines. But His Majesty wanted to keep him in Guanzhong to open up military farms. Otherwise, the 'Four Heroes of Ziwu Ridge' would truly have been gathered in full. Prefect, you have taught an excellent disciple."
"Nanzhong is different. Shizai might not necessarily accomplish anything there. Besides, with the Chancellor overseeing everything, there definitely won't—" Halfway