After Zhuge Liang's death, a bloody murder occurred in the Chengdu court. The reason was that he was killed because of flattery! Li Miao, an official from Yizhou who was being squeezed and suppressed, did not agree with holding a very meager mourning ceremony for Zhuge Liang. He found an opportunity to say to Liu Chan: "Lu Lu and Huo Yu in the Western Han Dynasty did not necessarily have the intention to rebel; Emperor Wen and Emperor Xuan Nor is he a monarch who kills his ministers. The reason why the former (referring to Empress Lu's nephew Lu Lu) rebelled against the latter (referring to Huo Guang's son Huo Yu) and was killed was because the ministers were afraid of the emperor's coercion, and the emperor was afraid of the ministers' coercion. A tragic and bloody incident occurred. Zhuge Liang relied on his military power and looked at you in isolation. I am often worried about your safety. Today, Zhuge Liang is dead, and the temple of the surname Liu can be preserved. This is called the "Northern Expedition". The war in the west that actually dragged the country into disaster is finally over, both internally and externally, it is a happy event worthy of celebration." What Li Miao said represented the understanding of a considerable number of Western Shu officials, and also touched on Liu Chan's heartache. At this point, Zhuge Liang's intention to replace Liu Chan was verified from the side. Li Miao's intention was very clear. He wanted Liu Chan to take the opportunity to launch a palace coup, wipe out all the Jingzhou people, and regain the power he had lost for nine years. Unexpectedly, Liu Chan became furious after hearing this and sentenced Li Miao to death.
Later generations will regard this as Liu Chan's "deep gratitude" to Zhuge Liang and the maintenance of his posthumous reputation. This is completely wrong. The prophet of Chunjiang Plumbing Duck, Li Miao from Yizhou, who has been in the whirlpool of factions in the Western Shu regime for a long time, has this understanding. Of course, he has the basis of long-term observation and accumulation. He has no guts to confuse right and wrong, nor dare to make random guesses. This one. Li Miao's advice to Liu Chan was to protect Liu Chan's vital interests, secondly. This suggestion was made secretly, and there was no fifth ear. It was impossible for Jiang Wan from Jingzhou and others to hear it, and thirdly. It's okay if Liu Chan doesn't accept it, at least he should be grateful. However, Li Miao flattered the horse and slapped him on the horse's hoof, and his head was missing because of it! What was the reason for being killed?
The reason is that Li Miao has no eyesight, cannot see the situation clearly, and does not understand the strategy! Although Zhuge Liang died, the full-fledged Jingzhou gang system still existed intact. Its leading figures Jiang Wan, Yang Yi, Fei Yi, Jiang Wei, etc. still firmly controlled the military and political power of Xishu. Liu Chan was not under house arrest. Not the slightest change. Because of the funeral, Jiang Wan and others became more suspicious and vigilant. If they were not careful, Liu Chan could puppet the throne and even his life was not in danger. In this very sensitive and extraordinary period, how can we act rashly and in vain to stimulate gangs from Jingzhou? On the other hand, Zhuge Liang has been in power for nine years and has overwhelming power. All three other officials have surrendered. In their eyes, they only know that there is a prime minister, and there is no such thing as a nominal emperor! Although Li Miao is from Yizhou, who can guarantee that he is not a spy sent by Jiang Wan? Rather than being betrayed by Li Miao, it is better to kill him first; if the killing is really wrong, it is just that I would rather teach me to betray the people of the world than let the people of the world betray my version of Xishu. This is not unique to Cao Cao. In the court struggles of all dynasties, he always struck first to gain advantage, and to strike later suffered disaster. If Li Miao was a spy sent by Jiang Wan, killing him would not only relieve his hatred, but also confuse Jiang Wan. This is the cleverness of Liu Chan. We can also see Liu Chan's scheming. His ability to keep a low profile has reached the point where he is as wise as a fool and leaves no trace.
Imagine if Liu Chan had adopted Li Miao's opinion, would he be so happy and not hold a ceremony to commemorate Zhuge Liang? no. Failure to pay homage will only arouse the vigilance of the core people from Jingzhou. This is to backfire and give others leverage! Liu Chan, who is under house arrest, will only accelerate his own demise. Or even follow Li Miao's hint and rush to attack the core figures of the Jingzhou Group such as Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, Yang Yi, Jiang Wei and so on, just like Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty eradicated Lu Lu and Lu Chan, and Emperor Xuan Emperor of the Han Dynasty eradicated Huo Guang's son Huo Yu. ? All military and political power is in the hands of Jingzhou people, and even the imperial palace is controlled by Jingzhou people. To act rashly and rashly is undoubtedly to seek death! Taking a step back, what if you neither obey nor kill Li Miao? Liu Chan was worried about being betrayed. Once Li Miao really defected to Jingzhou and was a spy sent by Jiang Wan and others, then he would be dead.
Even if the killing was wrong, for Li Miao, it was only this time. There were so many such incidents in history. It was necessary to sacrifice the chariot to protect the commander, so he was so smart and kept his secret!