The first page was filled entirely with high-ranking military officers. Liu Bei himself was capable of commanding troops, so he had not established the post of Grand Marshal. Lan Tian currently needed to hold down one region and was still following the promotion path for military officials. Though this military post was not one of the Three Excellencies, it was equivalent to one.
Having been King of Hanzhong for several years, Liu Bei had a firmer grasp on official appointments than when he had first assumed the title. He had no intention of filling every position.
After Guan Yu and the other three were promoted to Three Excellencies Generals, Wu Yi was the only remaining General of the Four Directions. Huang Zhong's title was also unexpected. From this list of appointments alone, Lan Tian could see that Liu Bei had grown increasingly mature in politics.
"Jibo, what is this about Old General Huang?" Lan Tian asked curiously.
Yi Ji explained, "Old General Huang rendered a nation-founding service by slaying Xiahou at Mount Dingjun. During this northern expedition into Guanzhong, he took the lead and earned outstanding merit. His Majesty originally wished to promote him to one of the Generals of the Four Directions or Generals of the Four Garrisons, but the old general believed that the title General Who Conquers the West carried special significance. He wished to retain that title and was willing to forgo promotion. His Majesty therefore added one character to distinguish it, placing him between the Three Excellencies Generals and the Generals of the Four Directions."
"So that was how it was." Lan Tian nodded in understanding.
Yi Ji then sighed. "During this northern expedition's siege of Chencang, General Yan Yan fought a great battle against Zhang He before the lines. Though they had been locked