"Your Majesty, if one had not seen such a divine wonder with his own eyes, who would believe it?" Du Ruhui murmured, half in awe, half in dismay.
Only moments ago, he had suspected that the Emperor's talk of a "celestial vision" was no more than an excuse to expand the harem—a rumor he had meant to quash with tactful admonitions. Yet now, seeing the shimmering screen floating before him, his arguments dissolved like mist before the sun.
Emperor Li Shimin—in the full vigor of his twenty-ninth year—sat with arms folded and an expression of proud amusement. Before him knelt his three most trusted ministers: Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Zhangsun Wuji. He knew perfectly well why they had come. They had likely conspired to "advise" him together, fearing their sovereign had fallen under some bewitching art.
But seeing their stunned faces now—how satisfying it was!
The three ministers, recognizing that their Emperor delighted in their discomfort, quickly changed tactics. They composed themselves and turned their attention toward the glowing screen that hung in the air. They knew Li Shimin's temperament well: to scold him would only add fire to his delight; to meet his wonder with calm analysis might cool his enthusiasm.
Thus, Zhangsun Wuji was first to speak, his tone measured. "Your Majesty, when did this screen first manifest? What patterns or omens accompany it? Are we certain it poses no harm?"
Fang Xuanling followed swiftly: "Does this divine screen contain teachings to enrich the people or strengthen the state? Might it offer strategies to secure the Tang realm for ten thousand generations?"
Du Ruhui struck the final note: "Your Majesty once asked me about the phrase 'unworthy descendants.' Does this mean the vision reveals the future of our Great Tang?"
Their Emperor froze, caught off guard. Then, with a forced laugh, he said, "Ha… Fu Ji, Xuanling, Keming—let us observe the screen first. We will discuss such matters later."
It was a prudent deflection, and the ministers, sensing victory, returned their gaze to the glowing light. Yet Fang Xuanling pressed gently, "Your Majesty, have you a written record of what the screen has shown before?"
The "Sun of the Tang" faltered again. "The previous scenes… were as you see now—tales of the ancient wars of Wei, Shu, and Wu."
But in truth, the earlier visions burned bright in his mind: cities of iron and fire, battles fought by gods of steel, the rise and ruin of civilizations far beyond imagination. How could he even begin to explain such things to them?
Meanwhile, his three ministers, respectful and meticulous, set out ink and paper in the Ganlu Hall, preparing to transcribe every word that appeared. Though the vision spoke of a long-past age, it was clearly a heavenly revelation—one that might well contain lessons for the Tang to come.
Gong'an, Jing Province
In Liu Bei's headquarters, Jiang Wan and Ma Liang, charged with the same duty of transcription, exchanged quiet whispers.
"That boastful 'Li Shimin' hasn't shown himself this time?"
"Perhaps he's sulking," Ma Liang replied drily. "After all, the Zhaolie Temple and the Wuhou Shrine must have wounded his imperial pride."
Their brief amusement faded as they glanced toward their Lord. Liu Bei's expression was a storm of emotion—relief, sorrow, and disbelief all at once.
"Brother," Guan Yu said softly, sensing the turmoil within him, "take this as Heaven's warning. Nothing more."
He knew that look well. Ever since learning of the prophecy concerning his own death, Guan Yu had journeyed from anger to denial, and at last to acceptance.
Pang Tong, meanwhile, had etched every word into memory. With Kongming calmly clarifying details beside him, he pieced together the unfolding revelation.
[Voiceover]
"The cause of the Battle of Yiling was the death of Guan Yu—or more precisely, Sun-Wu's betrayal.
Such was the nature of the Three Kingdoms: alliances were fleeting. When Cao Cao grew too powerful, Sun and Liu joined forces to stop him. But when Liu Bei himself became too strong, Sun and Cao cooperated to bring him down.
For Yiling to occur, two conditions had to be met: internal stability, and the realization that war is a contest of national strength. In short—you need enough money to fight."
The simple arrows glowing upon the map—each pointing toward Xiangyang and Fancheng—made Guan Yu clench his fist in silence.
Kongming sighed softly. He knew well that war was indeed a contest of resources. Better-fed soldiers, warmer camps, stronger armor—each tiny advantage nudged fate toward victory. That was why he had ordered Jiang Wan to establish the hydraulic workshops: to reduce labor, save costs, and strengthen the foundation of their people.
As the peasants grew richer and more capable, the state would grow powerful in turn.
Pang Tong stole a glance at Kongming, his expression tight. He has already begun to shape the future. How can I ever catch up?
[Voiceover]
"In Liu Bei's conquest of Yi Province, his first inside contact was Zhang Song—but Zhang Song was soon executed.
Liu Bei took command at Baishui Pass, advanced through Zitong, captured Fu City, and finally descended upon Mianzhu to besiege Luo City."
The generals in the hall turned instinctively toward the large wall map.
"How did the Lord end up at Baishui Pass?" one muttered.
Kongming reasoned calmly, "If the Lord was there, it must have been to subdue Zhang Lu. Liu Zhang's weakness allowed Zhang Lu to act independently. Hanzhong is the gateway to Yi Province—Zhang Song must have urged Liu Zhang to 'drive out the tiger by bringing in the wolf,' inviting the Lord to deal with Zhang Lu. But the plan was exposed, and Zhang Song executed. Thus, the Lord was forced to take Yi by strength."
Pang Tong shook his head. "Zhou Yu had designs on Yi Province before his death, and I know more of this than even you, Crouching Dragon."
Kongming gestured graciously. "Then enlighten us."
Pang Tong inclined his head. "Yi Province is a nest of contradictions. Liu Jiyu—Liu Zhang—was the fourth son of Liu Yan. He inherited power only through Zhao Wei's support. Now his realm is riddled with rebels: Zhang Lu in the north, Zhao Wei and Pang Xi defying orders, Li Yi acting on his own. His decrees rarely leave Chengdu. To strike at Zhang Lu, he must borrow the Lord's hand.
"But Liu Zhang, though weak, is no fool. He would not invite danger without cause. As for Zhang Song's death…" Pang Tong sighed. "His brother's heart leans toward the traitor Cao. That, surely, was his ruin."
Liu Bei nodded, deeply impressed. "Shiyuan, though you serve in Jingzhou, your grasp of Yi Province is astonishing."
Pang Tong bowed slightly, accepting the praise with quiet grace.
[Voiceover]
"At the same time, the Jingzhou army advanced in support.
The Prime Minister captured Baidi; Zhang Fei subdued Badong; Zhao Yun sailed through the Outer Waters to reach Jiangyang.
The three forces joined Liu Bei in besieging Chengdu. Jian Yong persuaded Liu Zhang to surrender, and thus Liu Bei gained all of Yi Province."
Jian Yong, caught mid-bite of a piece of fruit, blinked as his name was mentioned. He wiped his mouth and chuckled. "If my Lord ever visits Liu Jiyu, take me along. I seem to have a talent for persuading governors to surrender."
"It will be as you wish," Liu Bei said with a faint smile. Then, gazing upon the arrows converging upon Chengdu, he sighed. "A pity Zhang Song did not live to see the day."
Both Kongming and Pang Tong fell silent, each recalling the lonely figure of the slain scholar. To be born with talent but serve a mediocre master—that was tragedy enough. To die before one's ambitions could bloom—greater tragedy still.
[Voiceover]
"Two things stand out about the conquest of Yi Province.
First, the siege of Luo City. Until then, Liu Bei's armies had advanced through surrenders. But at Luo City, held by Liu Zhang's son Liu Xun, the two sides were locked in stalemate for a year.
Pang Tong, impatient, personally led the charge—and was struck by a stray arrow. He fell in battle.
The Han lost the Fledgling Phoenix, but gained Fa Zheng."
[Live Comments]
NoobSlayer99: [RIP Fledgling Phoenix. Man tried to tank arrows like a melee unit.]
PentaKill_Enjoyer: [Legendary strategist, random arrow death. RNG too strong.]
GachaLife_4Ever: [If Pang Tong had lived, Zhuge Liang wouldn't have died from overwork. Fight me.]
ToxicMain: [Fa Zheng though… chaotic evil but effective. Respect.]
AFK_Farmer: [Shu-Han's luck with geniuses is cursed. One dies, the other burns out. Pain.]
"Killed… by a stray arrow?"
Pang Tong's face went ashen. His fingers clawed at the air as if to seize something intangible—but his knees buckled, and he fell.
"Shiyuan! That is not your fate today!" cried Kongming, catching him before he struck the ground.
Their eyes met—one filled with shock, the other with calm conviction.
Pang Tong's lips trembled. At last, he closed his eyes and let out a hollow, bitter cry.
"Heaven… has forsaken me!"