The Grandmaster Strategist

fainted several times.
Within the royal audience chambers, he tearfully said, “Sixty years have passed since the ancestors founded this kingdom.
Today, everything has vanished into thin air.
Although we will die, I dare not face my ancestors.” He asked for the advice of the officials.
Someone advised surrender.
Thinking it over, Meng Jun returned back to the palace.
The court officials could only look at one another before scattering. 

The twentieth year of Xiande, the eighth year of the sixty-year cycle, during the first month of the new year, the courts of Great Yong and Southern Chu celebrated the victory.
In contrast, everyone in Shu was gloomy, waiting for the Great Yong and Southern Chu forces to reorganize and rendezvous before Chengdu. 

Everyone in the army was celebrating.
I drank a couple of cups of wine in the marshal’s tent before departing, returning to my tent.
Laying down on the bed, I somewhat confusedly thought over the future.
The strategy that I had proposed was only known by Zhao Jue.
I had asked that my participation not be revealed.
He agreed, probably because he viewed my proposed strategy as too vicious.
What he didn’t know was that I had already planned to leave Southern Chu.
If anyone were to find out that I was the strategist behind the victory at Luocheng, I probably will never be able to live peacefully.
Victory did not bring much joy.
I knew that Han Zhang wept bitterly last night, even though he made sure he wasn’t too loud and deliberately avoided his wife. 

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In reality, compared to my strategy, that employed by the Prince of De was the one that was vicious, forcing others to be his catspaw.4 At the time, I left out one detail.
The Prince of Yong had another motive.
He would use the opportunity to collect details on Southern Chu’s intelligence network, identifying those individuals who were working for Southern Chu.
When the time came, he could easily eliminate these individuals.
Ah … what kind of scheming was this? I didn’t deliberately leave out this detail when I advised the Prince of De.
If he could not understand this simple fact, then his thinking was too sluggish.
Furthermore, I did not want to offend Great Yong.
Alongside Zhao Jue’s fear and exclusion, I lost any intention of serving him. 

Alas, I had hoped that Southern Chu would have someone capable of restoring the dynasty, but unfortunately, Zhao Jue was no Guan Zhong5 or Yue Yi.6 He seemed to be a bit like Bao Shuya,7 too clearly differentiating between black and white, good and evil.
He did not understand the need to mask one’s brilliance and be one with the dust of the earth.8 

There was really no hope for Southern Chu, I thought with bitter anguish. 

In the first month of the twentieth year of Xiande, the two armies did not rush to advance, instead taking the time to reorganize themselves, consolidating control over the captured territories and waiting for spring.
To the Kingdom of Shu, this was their final winter.
While the Kingdom of Shu had lost almost of its military power, the situation was difficult to appease.
I had long bore witness to the conceit and stubbornness of the people of Sichuan.
In just a month, there were seven rebellions and twenty-three assassination attempts.
Of course, I was not targeted, as I was not famous.
The majority of Sichuan’s famed scholars refused to yield.
They could not resist, but they could still silently reject.
The situation was quite dangerous, causing Zhao Jue’s hair to whiten.
We had won, and yet the situation was challenging.
Finally, we reached a unified opinion.
If the King of Shu surrendered, everything would be for the best.
After discussions, both Great Yong and Southern Chu agreed to advance together upon Chengdu upon the first day of the second month. 

Before we departed, Zhao Jue met with me.
He liked to meet with me in private, disliking publicly seeking my advice.
It was probably because my stratagems were often too vicious.
But, I was quite fond of this kind of meetings.
This method was particularly safe, as no one would notice me.
Let alone the fact that I thought up numerous strategies, all of them somewhat vicious.
I, therefore, had allowed Han Zhang to leave.
It was too dangerous to leave a citizen of Shu by my side.
If he felt that killing me was worth losing his entire family, I would become disastrous for me. 

In order to protect me, Xiaoshunzi racked his brains.
From within the Southern Chu prisons, he found a good candidate.
This man was named Chen Zhen.
He was a Shu secret agent and assassin.
He was captured after Luocheng fell.
As we discovered that he had attempted to assassinate our officers, he was to be punished by death.
This person was especially vicious, naturally cold disposition.
He was someone who cared for nothing except for himself.
If it weren’t for the fact that Luocheng fell so suddenly, he would have fled long ago.
Xiaoshunzi settled on him because of his naturally cold disposition.
He had me ask Zhao Jue to save him.
Feeling that he had not rewarded me for my service, Zhao Jue agreed.
Xiaoshunzi used a secret method to leave marks upon him.
I was still worried and had Xiaoshunzi feed him a slow acting poison that I had concocted.
Chen Zhen was also informed that the antidote was in Xiaoshunzi’s hands.
In this way, I had a bodyguard.
According to Xiaoshunzi, this man would not choose honor over life9 and kill me.
Someone who cherished his life and having taken measures to prevent betrayal was the best guard. 

Zhao Jue sat down and hesitatingly said, “We are about to attack Chengdu.
When the time comes, without the buffer that is the Kingdom of Shu, how can we face Great Yong? The King has issued a secret edict, ordering us to not offend Great Yong.” 

I had already prepared a mental outline and said, “This lowly official believes that the biggest issue will be in Chengdu.
Whoever takes the King of Shu captive will be the biggest beneficiary.
We should not contest this point with Great Yong.
There is no point.
This lowly official has an idea to ensure that the King of Shu does not fall into the hands of Great Yong.
This idea will be sufficient.
In addition, I have heard the reason that the King of Shu has distanced himself from talented persons and being intimate with vile characters is because he doted on one of his concubines, Lady Golden Lotus, and the eunuch, Zhang Quan.
I have heard that Lady Golden Lotus is a great beauty.
We should allow the entirety of Shu’s officialdom and harem to be taken by Great Yong.
If the Prince of Yong were to bring them to Chang’an, then Lady Golden Lotus’s beauty will surely gain the Yong Emperor’s favor.
Through this, we will have laid a spark in the Great Yong imperial harem.
If the Prince of Yong were to kill these individuals, although the loss would be regrettable, their deaths will surely infuriate the Yong Emperor.
Older individuals love beauty, especially this Yong Emperor, who isn’t a particularly wise and capable sovereign.
Regardless of success, we will have driven a wedge between the Yong Emperor and his son.” 

I continued, “Of course, there are things that we must acquire.
Immediately after we have entered the city, Your Highness must dispatch someone to the Ministry of Revenue10 and gather all of the available records, including census data, maps, and books.
They will be of particular help in our governance of Sichuan.
Of course, we must also plunder gold, silver, and jewels.
On the one hand, plundering these treasures will serve to help conceal our seizure of important revenue and census records.
Second, we can use these treasures to properly reward the army and provide kickbacks to the King.
Aside from these, we shouldn’t worry about anything else.
Allow Great Yong to deal with those official residences of Shu officials.” 

Zhao Jue nodded his head at my words.
“Jiang daren mentioned driving a wedge between the Yong Emperor and his son.
Can you explain in deeper detail?” 

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Since I was going to leave Southern Chu, I didn’t conceal or hide anything.
I therefore replied, “Everyone knows that the Prince of Yong and the Crown Prince, Li An, are battling over being named the heir apparent.
As the Great Yong relies upon martial might and merit as its foundation, Li An is in an awkward position.
The Prince of Yong’s successful invasion of Shu will surely garner great merit.
Li An will undoubtedly be so resentful hateful that he is gnashing his teeth.
We can use this opportunity to dispatch agents into Great Yong to spread rumors that the Prince of Yong will use the Hanzhong region to declare independence.” 

Having spoken this much, Zhao Jue already understood, he looked at me deeply, filled with fear.
He deeply and respectfully said, “Jiang daren’s good idea can ensure decades of peace for Southern Chu.
Does daren require anything? Zhao Jue will definitely help you to the best of my abilities.” 

Thinking it over, Zhao Jue was likely offering me a path to promotion.
I replied, indifferently, “This lowly official is travel-worn and has acquired a lasting ailment.
I wish to be able to return home and resign from my position.
If I can acquire the approval of Your Highness and offer a suggestion to the King, then I cannot be thankful enough.” 

Zhao Jue’s brow furrowed, thinking.
Jiang Zhe was such a deep schemer.
It was a good think if he was disinterested in power, but if he were to leave and end up joining another country, then he would be a danger to Southern Chu.
As a result, Zhao Jue categorically objected, “Jiang daren’s words are mistaken.
Sir’s ability and wisdom are outstanding.
Zhao Jue is about to rely on you, how can you leave and go into seclusion? If Jiang darendoes not like the complicated government affairs.
This Prince will report to the King and be supported in the Hanlin Academy.
If there are no matters, then you will not be troubled.” 

What? My eyes widened and my mouth opened.
How did things turn out contrary to my wishes? That night, I vented my grievances to Xiaoshunzi.
Xiaoshunzi patted his forehead and replied, “Heavens! Daren, how do you not understand the intentions of this royal clansman? You are such a talented individual, even if they would dare to let you go, they fear that you would join Great Yong or Northern Han.
Who told you to be reveal your talents? It looks like that you can’t resign.
From now on, you will probably likely have to make sure to hide your abilities and bide your time.
When the right opportunity comes, you will have the chance to abandon your post.” 

Blushing, I shot a look at Xiaoshunzi, expressing my shame and respect. 

On the fifteenth day of the second month, Southern Chu and Great Yong rendezvoused at Chengdu.
The two armies tightly surrounded Chengdu.
The Prince of De went forth to meet with the Prince of Yong, Li Zhi.
I could not hold back my curiosity and was interested in meeting this heroic individual.
I followed Zhao Jue along.
Arriving before the main encampment, I looked carefully at the forbidding terrain11 and the hidden killing intent of the camp, causing me to be filled with praise.
The Prince of Yong, Li Zhi, welcomed us at the entrance to his camp.
From afar, I already noticed that he was standing at the entrance.
He was wearing the attire of an imperial prince, and seemed to be naturally poised and noble.
Although he was only standing there, doing nothing, it felt like all of the imperious and powerful aura of the Great Yong camp was gathered on this single person.
One hundred paces from the camp entrance, the Prince of De dismounted from his horse and proceeded on foot.
I followed his example.
Nearing the camp, I saw the Prince of Yong smile faintly and come forward to welcome us.
At this time, I finally discovered a shocking fact that left me inconsolable.
I actually recognized the Prince of Yong, Li Zhi. 

Footnotes:

人为刀俎，我为鱼肉, renweidaozu, woweiyurou – idiom, lit.
to be the meat on somebody’s chopping block; fig.
to be at somebody’s mercy 胸有成竹, xiongyouchengzhu – idiom, lit.
to plan in advance; having a card up one’s sleeve; forewarned is forearmed 光明磊落, guangmingleiluo – idiom, lit.
open and candid; straightforward and upright 火中取栗, houzhongquli – idiom, lit.
to pull chestnuts out of the fire; to be somebody’s catspaw 管仲, Guan Zhong was a chancellor of the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period.
Through his reforms and skillful diplomacy, Qi became the most powerful state in China. 乐毅, Yue Yi was a general of the state of Yan during the Warring States Period.
Forging an alliance between the states of Zhao, Wei, Chu, Han, and Qin, he almost completely conquered the state of Qi (except for two cities). 鲍叔牙, Bao Shuya was a famous official of the state of Qi.
A capable administrator, Bao Shuya recommended his good friend, Guan Zhong, to Duke Huan of Qi, convincing him to put aside personal enmities for the common good. 和光同尘, heguangtongchen – comes from the fifty-six chapter of the Dao De Jing; to mask one’s brilliance and be one with the dust of the earth 舍生取义, sheshengquyi – idiom, lit.
to give up life for righteousness; to choose honor over life; would rather sacrifice one’s life than one’s principles 户部, hubu – the Ministry of Revenue was in charge of gathering census data, collecting taxes, and handling state revenues 虎踞龙盘, hujulongpan – idiom, lit.
where tigers crouch and dragons coil; fig.
forbidding terrain