333 Finding Faul (2/2)

”I see that Senior Xiao is cautious with his words, and I like it,” Guan Yilin said, ”By the way, I wonder if Senior Xiao has read the book 'Three Kingdoms,' one of the four famous novels?”

”I've read it.”

”Then which one of the characters in the novel do you admire most, Senior Xiao?”

”Zhuge Liang.”

”Senior Xiao, I presume that you admire Zhuge Liang because of his loyalty, bravery, and wisdom? 'Exerting himself to the utmost, carrying out his duty until his dying day' is the perfect portrayal of his life. I actually like him too, but I like the wily and cunning Sima Yi even more.”

Guan Yilin dramatically stood up and presented her arguments, taking delight from the attention she was getting from everyone.

”Here we go, this girl's old habits are acting up again, and she's starting to find fault with Xiao Luo like how she does with the teachers!”

Yu Jiangu muttered under his breath, not pleased with how things were going at the moment. He had called Xiao Luo to share his experience about society to these students who were about to embark on their own careers. He hoped that they could get something out of it, and in some way, help prepare themselves in advance, but it now seemed unlikely. With Guan Yilin in the crowd, what hope did Xiao Luo have to showcase himself?

But just when Yu Jiangu was about to stop Guan Yilin, Xiao Luo gestured to him, indicating that he did not interfere.

Another student who had no qualms about stirring up trouble deliberately asked in a pretentious manner. ”Yilin, why do you like Sima Yi? Wasn't that the guy who was afraid of Zhuge Liang during the time he employed the 'empty city' ruse?”

”You're wrong, Sima Yi had actually figured out Zhuge Liang's 'empty-city' stratagem. The reason why he didn't storm the city and capture Zhuge Liang alive was that he was smart—he knew the truth that 'when all birds have been shot, the bow would be set aside, and when all hares have been killed, the hounds would be stewed and eaten.'”

Guan Yilin's eloquent rhetoric not only caused a stir among her peers, but even Yu Jiangu was also swayed by her compelling argument, and he questioned his own understanding of the historical classic. He thought to himself, surely he had not read an adulterated version of the Three Kingdoms? Was Sima Yi ever more formidable a figure than Zhuge Liang?

Guan Yilin continued, ”As we know, Sima Yi experienced many ups and downs in his career, and his path was filled with hardships. He was often the target of countless conspiracies as he had many political enemies that had been jealous of his successes. When Cao Cao was still alive, he was always wary of Sima Yi and once told Hua Xin, that 'Sima Yi is eyeing the nation like a hawk or a wolf, he cannot be accorded military power,' as Cao Cao wary that Sima Yi would become a significant threat to his own reign eventually.

”After Cao Pi acceded to the throne, Sima Yi was valued by his new lord and rose up the rank of the Great General, and when Cao Rui was later installed as emperor, Sima Yi led his troops against Zhuge Liang and became Zhuge Liang's most formidable foe on the battlefield. In several confrontations, Zhuge Liang felt the full force of Sima Yi's power.

”Zhuge Liang used the strategy of sowing discord among the enemy and spread rumors that Sima Yi planned to usurp the throne, and Cao Rui fell for it. But for General Cao Zhen, who loathed to lose a rare talent like Sima Yi and earnestly dispatched memorandums to the court defending him, Sima Yi would have lost his life.

”During a period when the situation was constantly evolving, Zhuge Liang marched from Mount Qi for the conquest of northern lands and repeatedly defeated Cao Cao's army. No one in the imperial court could oppose him, and the reign of the Cao clan was in danger. Sima Yi was once again recalled at that time, for he was the only one who could hold off Zhuge Liang's campaign.

”Being the talented person that he was, Sima Yi, having experienced countless ups and downs in his life, intimately understood the intricacies of politics. He could become useful again only because his arch-enemy Zhuge Liang remained a threat, for their relationship was a symbiotic one. The moment he eliminated Zhuge Liang, he would serve no purpose anymore, and the Cao family would undoubtedly have him killed.

”Therefore, the empty-city stratagem succeeded not because of how clever Zhuge Liang was, but because Sima Yi was way cleverer. People in later generations all have a deep misunderstanding and feel that he made such a ridiculous error in judgment because he was too paranoid.”

Footnote:[1] 985-tiered universities are considered the best in China, closely followed by 211-tiered universities.

...