Jiang Wan

The noted Lingling scholar marching west as Secretary in Zhuge Liang's column — the future administrator of Shu enters the story.

Jiang Wan; in Liu Bei's circle at Chengdu.

Army Counselor of the southern expedition.

Looks at Lü Kai's forest stockades and names the ghost in the room: 'he has made the same mistake as that which led to the defeat of the First Ruler at the hands of Wu' — fire. Zhuge Liang only smiles: the vulnerability is bait.

Counsels turning back — the captures have broken Meng Huo's nerve, the heat is breaking the army's — and is overruled: retreat is exactly what the enemy's scheme expects.

Named in the Memorial among the incorruptible men Liu Shan should hold in confidence, and appointed Military Adviser in the administration left behind at Chengdu.

Arrives from Chengdu in time to stop the executioners at the gate and intercede — the precedent of the King of Chu putting Cheng Dechen to death after a defeat, to his rival Duke Wen of Jin's delight, and the argument that a man of admitted ability should not be killed amid such confusion. Refused. Asks afterwards why Zhuge Liang weeps for a man who met a just penalty, and gets the answer about the First Ruler's warning. Then carries the self-demotion memorial to Chengdu.

Breaks the deadlock in Liu Shan's court when the ministers want to refuse Sun Quan's overture outright: 'We should get the opinion of Zhuge Liang.' The matter goes to Hanzhong and comes back as the policy of ratification.

The only voice at Chengdu that questions the recall - 'The Prime Minister has rendered many great services since he led out the army. Wherefore is he recalled?' - and is put off with the Latter Ruler's evasion that he has a private matter to consult him about.

Upbraided with Fei Yi for letting the eunuchs' slander reach the throne unchecked. Later saves Li Yan from the death sentence a second time, at Chengdu, by reminding the Latter Ruler that 'Your late father named Li Yan as one of the guardians of your youth.'

Named first in the succession that Li Fu comes back to ask for: 'After me, Jiang Wan is the most fitting man to deal with great matters.' He is not present in the chapter; the naming is the whole of his part in it, and it settles the government of Shu for the next decade.

The judgement that holds the court together while two generals accuse each other of treason by post. Guarantees Yang Yi 'to the extent of my whole house' and refuses to answer for Wei Yan, reads the situation exactly - 'I think the late Prime Minister has framed some scheme by which to get rid of Wei Yan... Your Majesty may feel sure that Wei Yan will fall into some trap' - and advises waiting. Proposes the Baidicheng garrison and the embassy to Wu. Made Prime Minister and Chair of the Secretariat per Zhuge Liang's testament, and then saves the life of the man who resents him for it.

Dead before the chapter opens. Fei Yi names him and Dong Yun as the two trusty ministers Shu has 'lately lost by death', which is the ground of his argument that no expedition should be attempted now.