Lu Xun frowned when he heard the words "Governor of Yang Province." He recalled how Huang Zhong had slain Xiahou Yuan at Dingjun Mountain, after which Liu Bei had granted Huang Zhong Xiahou Yuan's title of General Who Conquers the West. Now that Lan Tian had become Governor of Yang Province, then what of Lu Ziheng...?
"Cough, cough. The King of Wu memorialized Lu Ziheng as Governor of Yang Province, and it was recognized by the court at the time. Now the King of Hanzhong has appointed General Lan as Governor of Yang Province—isn't that rather like 'one woman wed to two husbands'? Where does that leave Lu Ziheng?" Lu Xun circled around the matter, probing for news of Lu Fan's fate.
Stroking his beard, Lan Tian smiled. "The King of Wu? I must correct the Grand Viceroy's earlier words. First, Sun Quan's title of King of Wu was bestowed by the rebel Cao Pi, an appointment that simply does not count. Second, the King of Hanzhong has already ascended the throne in Chang'an and inherited the great lineage. He is the rightful Emperor of this realm. Finally, Lu Fan has already cut his own throat outside Yichun City. Even if his governorship was recognized by the former Son of Heaven, he no longer has a life with which to continue serving."
Lu Xun was taken aback. He thought to himself, Wei's Huainan forces have been moved to Luoyang. Jing Province and Guanzhong should be fighting even more fiercely—so why did Liu Bei still have the leisure to proclaim himself Emperor in Chang'an? And Cao Pi simply watched with his eyes wide open? Moreover, Lu Fan had enjoyed immense prestige in Jiangdong. His death was truly lamentable.
"Ah... perhaps the news traveled too slowly. I was unaware of what happened