Chengdu, Shu Kingdom.
"I request permission to launch a northern expedition!"
Liu Shan sat above the assembly, looking at the veteran general Jiang Boyue kneeling before him, a trace of bewilderment flashing through his eyes.
Liu Shan had been delighted when General of the Guards Jiang Wei returned to Chengdu and had hurriedly summoned his ministers to reward the general.
Yet when Jiang Wei appeared at the court assembly, the first thing he said was that he wanted to launch another northern expedition.
The entire court erupted in an uproar.
Several ministers' faces turned extremely ugly, but they merely signaled Liu Shan with their eyes, not daring to object themselves.
"Your Majesty! I believe we must not!"
Just then, a minister stepped forward. He had resolute features, a long beard, and a broad, sturdy frame, with an imposing martial bearing.
His expression was solemn. He glanced at Jiang Wei kneeling before the emperor, then turned to Liu Shan.
"Your Majesty, we cannot launch another northern expedition."
"In the last northern expedition, General Who Quells Bandits Zhang Yi fell in battle, and casualties were devastating. The treasury is empty, the troops are utterly exhausted, and the people's complaints fill the roads. Not even half a year has passed since that campaign, yet the General of the Guards already wants to send out troops again. Does he not fear provoking a popular uprising?!"
Liu Shan frowned but said nothing.
The general who had spoken against the proposal was Grand General Who Conquers the West Zhang Yi.
Zhang Yi was a great-great-grandson of Zhang Hao, the Eastern Han's Minister of Works. His ancestry was quite impressive: his family descended from Zhang Buyi... oh, rather, from Zhang Liang, the Marquis of Liu.
He was upright, dutiful, and brave, and had enjoyed Chancellor Zhuge Liang's