Chapter 7: Demanding Zhao Yun

Liu Tan, having rushed out of the hall, strode toward the steps outside. Suddenly, he stumbled and fell down the stairs. By the time he scrambled to his feet, Zhuge Liang was already close to him.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing? Alas!” Zhuge Liang sighed, only to have Liu Tan seize his arm.

“Prime Minister, Prime Minister! I... I am going to depose the Empress!” Liu Tan cried out, turning to point at the Empress, his expression frantic and his body trembling violently.

The Empress, hearing and seeing this, was instantly dumbfounded. Her mind went blank, unable to utter a word, with only one thought echoing within: “How could this be? How could he deceive me? How could it all be a lie?”

As she pondered this, all strength seemed drained from her body, and she collapsed to the floor.

Zhuge Liang was taken aback but quickly regained his composure. He twisted his arm, instantly taking charge and grasping Liu Tan's arm, rebuking, “Your Majesty, you’re speaking nonsense again!”

Liu Tan wiped away his tears, aggrieved, “Prime Minister, I must depose her. Is it not just that I went to the mountains and caught a monkey? She insists on pulling my ears and making me recite numbers and zodiac signs!”

“Your Majesty, the Empress is merely concerned for you. You must not be ungrateful! Besides, as the mother of the nation, the Empress cannot be deposed at your whim.” Zhuge Liang glanced at the Empress, who lay limp on the ground, and declared righteously, “Empress, please rise; pay no heed to His Majesty!”

The Empress remained unmoved, still fixated on her question and the scroll of the Song of Everlasting Regret in her arms.

Liu Tan sobbed a few more times and continued, “Prime Minister, I have studied literature for over ten years, as you advised, but in the end, I cannot overcome this shrew. I have decided to learn martial arts! Please arrange for a mighty general to teach me. Once I have mastered them, let’s see if the Empress dares to pull my ears and spank me!”

“Hm?” Liu Tan spoke loudly and resolutely; the Empress understood perfectly. She had thought the Emperor would report her bold statements about state affairs to the Prime Minister, but it turned out to be this matter instead. Her own fierce nature was no secret to the Prime Minister. Just moments ago, she had mentioned learning martial arts, and now he brought it up again?

Suspicious, the Empress looked up to see the Emperor making faces behind Zhuge Liang’s back. She immediately understood.

“Hmph, haha!” Zhuge Liang was amused by Liu Tan. Only this foolish emperor could imagine having the Empress spanked on the bed.

“Learning martial arts? That’s a good thing!” Zhuge Liang nodded. “Tomorrow, I will arrange for a military instructor.”

Liu Tan shook his head. “Prime Minister, how could a mere instructor teach me properly? The Empress is the daughter of General Yide, famed for her martial prowess. Even if I learn well, I’ll only be like any ordinary instructor; I could never match her!”

Zhuge Liang shook his head as he looked at Liu Tan. The emperor, with tears and snot, hardly resembled a ruler. Thinking of the late Emperor Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang sighed once more and asked, “Then which mighty general does Your Majesty have in mind?”

Liu Tan wiped his nose and tears. “I have long heard of the valor of Uncle Wen Chang. Surely he is capable enough to teach me martial arts!”

“Wei Yan?” Zhuge Liang’s eyebrows arched.

His first thought was that the emperor’s idea was rather absurd. Wei Yan was currently defending Hanzhong for Shu Han. For the governor of Hanzhong to abandon his duties just to satisfy the emperor’s wish to spank the Empress was laughable.

Yet, he quickly considered another matter. His intent to launch a northern expedition had been long-standing, though not formally submitted, rumors had circulated in court. He had already composed the Memorial on Expeditions, and just this morning, he had recited it before the emperor.

Wei Yan was precisely the general he intended to use for the northern campaign, indeed the most important one. Was the emperor’s request for Wei Yan conveying some message?

Zhuge Liang’s brows furrowed.

Liu Tan sighed, slapping his thigh. “Ah, I am truly muddle-headed. Prime Minister, you wish to campaign north; this is precisely the time for Uncle Wen Chang to earn merit through battle. It’s probably impossible! So, does that mean none of the senior generals can teach me martial arts?”

“Hm?” Zhuge Liang raised his brows again, paused, and though he felt it unwise, still asked, “Is Your Majesty’s statement in support of my northern expedition?”

Liu Tan replied, “Prime Minister, what are you saying? When my father was alive, his greatest dream was to march towards the Central Plains. Your campaign fulfills his wish. Though I am foolish, I can see this much. Rest assured, I fully support you.”

His tone was firm and sincere. Zhuge Liang had anticipated the emperor’s support, yet he could not help but become excited, his hands trembling as he grasped Liu Tan’s.

With the emperor’s backing, his campaign would have legitimacy.

“Good, good, good!” Zhuge Liang exclaimed thrice.

Liu Tan glanced sideways. Seeing Zhuge Liang so delighted, he felt the time was right and said, “Prime Minister, I suddenly remembered someone. Though he is skilled in martial arts, his absence would not affect your campaign.”

Zhuge Liang was astute; a figure flashed in his mind. “Does Your Majesty mean General Zi Long?”

“You are indeed wise, Prime Minister. Yes, it is Uncle Zi Long. Now, he is elderly and ill, unfit for battle—wouldn’t it be perfect for him to instruct me? Or does Uncle Zi Long also wish to campaign north?”

Zhuge Liang nodded. “General Zi Long recently approached me, earnestly requesting to lead troops north.”

Liu Tan asked, “Did you agree?”

Zhuge Liang sighed. “General Zi Long is a veteran. Though aged, his reputation endures, and his desire for merit is strong. You must know his pride; the older he gets, the more stubborn he becomes. He seldom begs for anything, but now he has come to me—how could I refuse?”

Liu Tan nodded. Zhuge Liang spoke truly. Later generations well knew the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han: Guan, Zhang, Huang, Ma, and Zhao. In fact, Zhao Yun was not initially granted the title of Tiger General, but was posthumously honored during Liu Shan’s reign.

Many reasons led to this outcome. First, Zhao Yun had long served as Liu Bei’s personal guard, rarely making significant military achievements. Second, his upright character, though matched by his martial prowess, was not suited to commanding armies. Third, his origins were not equal to the other Tiger Generals.

Thus, Zhao Yun needed more military exploits to resolve this awkward status. Even in his twilight years, he sought to enter battle.

Such ambition, however, was a grave error for a commander. After the northern campaign, Zhao Yun suffered defeat, his illness worsened, and he could no longer participate, eventually passing away in the year 229.

“Alas!” Liu Tan sighed. Was it impossible, even with his transmigration, to change the fate of Tiger General Zhao Yun? He could plead with Zhuge Liang, but that would be too obvious. Having just arrived, he dared not stand out too much. He could not guarantee Zhuge Liang’s loyalty as history claimed. If Zhuge Liang turned out to be treacherous and killed him for meddling, it would be a joke.

Imagine a modern man from the twenty-first century transmigrating into Liu Shan, only to die younger and more miserably than the original!

Moreover, Zhuge Liang might not agree. The northern campaign was a major event; how could he readily spare a Tiger General?

Thinking this, Liu Tan’s expression darkened.

At this moment, Zhuge Liang spoke, “Your Majesty, it is not impossible. General Zi Long is indeed too old to command troops, but if you wish him to teach you martial arts, you must ask him yourself.” He shook his head. “I cannot order it.”

“Prime Minister, are you serious?” Liu Tan asked, overjoyed.

With Zhuge Liang’s confirmation, Liu Tan laughed heartily, turning to the Empress with exaggerated gestures. “Empress, just wait, until I...”

“Enough, Your Majesty!” Zhuge Liang interrupted before Liu Tan could finish. “Empress, please rise. Do not behave thus again. Though His Majesty is mischievous, he is still sovereign!”

After Zhuge Liang spoke, the palace maids helped the Empress up. She glanced between Liu Tan and Zhuge Liang, thinking, “Has the first challenge been overcome? This is the first time the Emperor has gained a benefit from the Prime Minister.”

She was now intensely curious as to how the Emperor would tackle the second challenge.

Zhuge Liang continued, “Your Majesty, I had intended for you to rest a few more days, but if you remain absent, the court officials will force their way into the palace. They suspect that I have confined you! So today, rest well; tomorrow, attend court.”

“I am already recovered; it is only proper to attend court tomorrow!”

Liu Tan laughed, eager and impatient. He could already picture himself atop the golden throne, with all the ministers bowing in homage.