Chapter Eighteen: The Kingdom of Shu

“It is often said that the greatest achievement of an official is to wield power over the court and grant blessings to eight generations and nine branches of his kin.”

Qingyuan laughed softly, then said, “So that is how it is…”

“That eunuch…”

Old Ge snorted and said, “Back when the Prime Minister was alive, he was an obscure figure, hardly worth mentioning. Who would have expected that after the Prime Minister’s death, he would seize the opportunity, worming his way into power and controlling the inner court?”

After Minister Ge passed away, both Ge Zhan, Jiang Baijian, and Yan Yu contended fiercely for military control in Shu. At that time, Hu Hao enjoyed the emperor’s trust and thus took charge of internal affairs, gathering supporters from all sides.

Now, military authority lies fractured and riddled with wounds, yet the inner court remains solid and stable, firmly grasped by Hu Hao alone.

Qingyuan pondered briefly and nodded. “I have indeed heard that his influence pervades the entire court. His followers are everywhere, their roots deeply entrenched.”

After a pause, Qingyuan shook his head with a faint laugh. “Even General Jiang Baijian of Shu is helpless now, finding himself checked by Hu Hao instead.”

Among the six ministries—Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Works—his faction dominates all but the Ministry of War, where only a few of his men are placed; the rest are entirely under his firm control.

All matters—population, military funds, provisions—are subject to his restraint.

Old Ge said bitterly, “Had the Prime Minister lived, how could Shu have fallen to such a state?”

Qingyuan did not reply, his expression unchanged.

The world is now divided into three, and he himself was one sent down from the celestial palace, belonging to none.

Nonetheless, he often wandered through the realm of Shu, and compared to Southern Liang and Yuanmeng, found it more familiar and intimate.

Thinking of Old Ge’s words and recalling the booklet of talismanic arts he had obtained—the handwriting and thoughts of Minister Ge—he could not help but feel a sense of lament.

The mountain demon beside him was ignorant of human affairs, listening in a haze of confusion.

Little Yu, however, was struck by astonishment.

Though the world was embroiled in ceaseless wars, Limin Village lay within Shu’s borders, near the southern frontier. Its deep mountains and thick forests kept it away from the frontlines, but even so, it was not a land of peace.

Thus, even woodcutters and fishermen near Li County paid close attention to the tides of war.

Though still a child, Ge Yu’er, having grown up in such an environment, had heard much and knew more than most. In truth, she was quite familiar with the current state of affairs among the factions.

Yet, the images she held of the great powers and the leading figures were simple and accessible impressions, remembered in childlike terms. Now, hearing her teacher and grandfather set everything forth so clearly, she suddenly found those familiar impressions strange and unfamiliar.

Qingyuan turned his head, saw the mountain demon’s bewildered face, and said, “Since you’ve followed me into the mortal world, you cannot remain ignorant. Let us first find a place to settle; on the way, I will explain matters to you in detail.”

The mountain demon nodded.

...

Long ago, the Great Tang ruled the Central Plains. The emperor died without an heir, and the princes contended for the throne, weakening the nation and leading to its disintegration.

Warfare and chaos drove the people to destitution, uprisings erupted on all sides, and the world was thrown into turmoil.

After sixty years of strife, the major powers began to settle.

In the south rose the Kingdom of Liang; in the heartland, the Kingdom of Shu. These two vied for supremacy.

Yet, while Shu and Liang battled, the northern grassland tribes united and established the state of Yuanmeng.

Thus, the world was split in three.

Now, the fate of the world is yet undecided, and the matter of deification lingers.

Thus, it is no longer a mere contest of mortal courts, but one that implicates cultivators as well.

For this reason, Qingyuan explained at length.

...

“The land beneath our feet belongs to Shu.”

Qingyuan walked alongside the mountain demon, speaking in hushed tones out of respect for Old Ge, a former officer of Shu, and the travelers around them.

The mountain demon listened intently, head lowered, responding only with an occasional grunt.

“Shu was once unmatched in power, foremost among the Three Kingdoms. Prime Minister Ge Shangming was a master strategist, holding both civil and military authority; the nation was strong and stable. Alas, he fell ill and died in the midst of war.

“His only son, Ge Zhan, inherited command of the troops and led an assault on Southern Liang, repelling General Deng Yin. Yet, in the moment of victory, he encountered a remarkable figure from Liang, who, with only seven thousand men, pierced the center of their camp and broke the formation of Shu’s two hundred thousand strong.

“Ge Zhan died in battle, the army was routed, and Shu never recovered, its military might forever weakened.

“Afterward, command passed to Jiang Baijian.”

Here, Qingyuan paused, his tone deepening. “Jiang Baijian was once a general of Liang, born in Tianshui County, a man of great talent but much mistrusted by his homeland. When Minister Ge captured Tianshui and annexed it, he brought Jiang Baijian into Shu.

“Jiang Baijian?” The mountain demon noted the shift in his teacher’s tone and took care to remember the name.

“Minister Ge valued him highly, made him his disciple, passed on the art of war, and granted him authority.

“But after Minister Ge’s death, Jiang Baijian, being a surrendered officer, lacked seniority, and so command rested with Ge Zhan.

“Ge Zhan, possessing power, always feared Jiang Baijian, treating him as a rival and often keeping him in check.

“Not until Ge Zhan’s defeat and death did Jiang Baijian take over the battered remnants of Shu’s army.

“But after such a crushing defeat, the nation was weak, and all he could do was work diligently to barely maintain order, achieving no great victories.”

...

“In today’s circumstances, Jiang Baijian is Shu’s Grand General, holding most military authority. The rest lies with Right General Yan Yu. Another small portion is scattered and need not concern us for now.”

When the mountain demon heard Yan Yu’s name, he noticed a subtle change in his teacher’s tone.

After a moment’s thought, Qingyuan continued, “As for Hu Hao, whom I mentioned before, he is a eunuch, originally from Liang, later expelled and fallen to Shu.

“When Ge Zhan, Jiang Baijian, and Yan Yu vied for military power, he seized the chance to dominate internal affairs; now his foundations are everywhere, and his power is unrivaled.

“His influence in Shu is so pervasive that even a distant relative of a restaurant owner supplying his household can act with impunity in his name. Such is his audacity.

“You must remember: he is not to be underestimated.”

The mountain demon listened carefully, committing it all to memory.

“I will remember.”

...

Old Ge’s plan was, upon entering the city, to first find a meal and a place to stay, then look for a carriage to Yuangjing City the next day.

Qingyuan had no objections.

Together, they arrived at a restaurant. Though not entirely full, the place was bustling.

Above, a storyteller held a folded fan, gesturing animatedly as he spoke.

Qingyuan and the others took a window seat, ordered a few dishes and a pot of tea, then listened closely—only to realize the storyteller’s tale was about none other than Shu’s Right General, Yan Yu.

“To speak so openly of a state’s foremost general?”

Qingyuan was rather surprised and exchanged a glance with Old Ge, both puzzled.

Yan Yu hailed from a line of Shu’s high ministers and had always resented Jiang Baijian, the outsider. The two were often at odds—a fact known even among common folk.

Stories and rumors that might undermine the nation were always suppressed before they could spread.

As for true secrets that could not be told, even if whispered, someone would quickly silence them, perhaps permanently.

Thus, the discord between Shu’s two generals was no real secret.

Still, for someone to dare recount such matters so brazenly in a public house was a sign of unprecedented boldness.