During Zhuge Liang's Regency
During Zhuge Liang's regency, he appreciated Jiang Wan's talents, and Jiang's role in government gradually grew more and more important. When Zhuge Liang started his Northern Expeditions against the rival state of Cao Wei in 227, Jiang Wan was one of the key officials remaining in the Shu capital of Chengdu to handle domestic matters. In 230, he became a chief assistant to Zhuge Liang, and was in charge of logistics. He made sure that the food and manpower supplies were sufficient, and Zhuge Liang praised him in this way: "Gongyan (Jiang Wan's style name) is both faithful and open-minded, and he and I will together serve the emperor in great things".
In 231, when Zhuge Liang's vice-regent Li Yan was discovered to have repeatedly lied to him and Liu Shan, Li Yan was removed from his post. Jiang Wan, while not given the same post, became even more important. When Zhuge Liang grew ill on his final campaign against Wei in 234, Liu Shan sent messengers to inquire of him as to who should succeed him. Zhuge Liang recommended Jiang Wan as his successor and Fei Yi, as Jiang's eventual successor. After Zhuge Liang's death later that year, Jiang Wan became regent.
Read more about this topic: Jiang Wan