Chapter 2: Presenting the Lord with Three Stratagems (1/2)

Chapter 2: Presenting the Lord with Three Stratagems

After organizing my thoughts, I instructed the page named Li Xin to notify the Prince of Yong after he had woken that I wished to see him. Who could have imagined that it wasn’t long before I saw the Prince of Yong and Shi Yu hurriedly enter the confidential study? Moreover, their clothes were orderly, while their expressions carried tired looks. They clearly had not slept. At first, I stared blankly at them before I suddenly realized that the Prince of Yong had stayed awake and waited throughout the night because of his anxiety.

After inviting the Prince of Yong to sit down, we first chatted randomly for a few moments. Only after I saw that the Prince of Yong’s expression had stabilized, did I inquire, “Excuse me, may I ask Your Imperial Highness, why are you determined to ascend to the Imperial Throne?”

The Prince of Yong froze, not knowing how to reply. In his heart, Li Zhi considered ascending to the Imperial Throne as something that he was required to do. Besides believing that the throne was his just recompense, Li Zhi believed that aside from himself there was no one capable of unifying the world for Great Yong. For the sake of the empire, it was necessary for him to destroy his own reputation. But for Jiang Zhe to ask such a question, Li Zhi suddenly found that it was extremely difficult to answer. Usually, he and his subordinates all considered this matter as inevitable and proper.1 But now, he did not know how to explain this to Jiang Zhe.

I smiled faintly. This was something that I noticed long ago. When the Prince of Yong was urging me to pledge my allegiance, he completely failed to explain his own philosophies and thoughts. This could only mean that the Prince of Yong’s own will and resolution were unclear, his position not firm and resolute. A skyscraper, thousands of meters high, rises from the ground up. Without a philosophy or idea serving as the foundation, then the Prince of Yong’s great undertaking would ultimately be nothing more than a pipe dream.

I continued, “Considering the current circumstances, Great Yong’s foundations are already quite stable. His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, is not only the eldest son and the son of the first wife, he has also not committed any clear violations of virtue. As such, there is no need for the civil and military officials to violate the intentions of the Emperor for Your Imperial Highness. Your Imperial Highness has control of the military. If you call, people will respond en masse. If you forcibly take the throne, people will raise objections, claiming that Your Imperial Highness is plotting treason to seize the throne. Your Imperial Highness is admittedly brilliant and has amazing martial might, but would leave a mistaken example for your descendants and offspring, believing that as long as they have power and meritorious contributions, they will be able to ascend to the throne. In that way, rebellion becomes perfectly legitimate.2 As a result, the power of the sovereign would suffer. A stable system is more important and useful than an enlightened and wise monarch. Therefore, although Your Imperial Highness’s contributions are unrivaled, it cannot be the reason for Your Imperial Highness to seize the throne.”

Li Zhi pensively asked, “Is this the reason why the court elders refuse to actively support my succession of the throne even though they regard my contributions as important?”

I nodded my head and replied, “If I were those senior figures, having witnessed Great Yong start from scratch, I would inevitably not wish to see internal strife reduce Great Yong’s strength. Therefore, it is impossible for them to support Your Imperial Highness in succeeding the throne. Even if Your Imperial Highness is a particularly excellent choice for heir apparent in their minds, it is unlikely for them to be so resolute. At this time, the only ones willing to support Your Imperial Highness are those seeking glory, splendor, and riches. Only a small number of people understand that only with Your Imperial Highness’s ascension to the throne can Great Yong’s empire be preserved. Since those ordinary individuals don’t understand the importance of Your Imperial Highness’s ascension, then Your Imperial Highness should tell me.”

Hearing my words, Li Zhi remarked, “To tell the truth, this Prince only feels that the throne cannot be passed onto elder imperial brother. His ties with the Fengyi Sect are too close. But I can’t explain it clearly.”

Uprightly, I expounded, “Therefore the first strategy that this subject presents Your Imperial Highness is to demonstrate your sincere convictions. Although Great Yong is currently flourishing, there are heavy internal concerns. This concern is the Fengyi Sect. Great Yong’s worry isn’t powerful enemies outside its borders, but rather within the borders. The Fengyi Sect pretends to be benevolent and righteous, but in actuality schemes for power, controlling the harem and officialdom. If this is allowed to last, the Fengyi Sect will sooner rather than later be the puppet master ruling in the place of the Emperor. Though His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, is the heir apparent, he does not know to promote virtue and does not know to practice respect, virtue, and piety to restrain the hearts and minds of the officials. In addition, he is too inseparably close to the Fengyi Sect. If Your Imperial Highness were to allow the Crown Prince to ascend the throne, not only could your life not be guaranteed and thus destroying a pillar of the state, but would also allow the empire to be controlled by women. If the Crown Prince eliminates the flattering officials by his side and cuts his dealings with the Fengyi Sect, then even if he didn’t have a single soldier, Your Imperial Highness would not dare to compete for the heir apparent. In the current situation, the Crown Prince has first lost virtue, and Your Imperial Highness is not deliberately scheming to commit treason.

“Furthermore, to speak from the heart, the world does not belong to one family or one surname. If the Fengyi Sect were really a good choice, then this subject would not necessarily seek its eradication. But in this subject’s view, the disciples of the Fengyi Sect are arrogant and willful, and do not understand the pain and sufferings present in the world. They are only committed to wholeheartedly struggling for power. Although this subject is from Southern Chu, I have witnessed Liang Wan’s behavior in Southern Chu. If these kinds of shortsighted, arrogant, and willful women without any priorities were allowed to take control, I’m afraid that the people of the world would be dragged into trouble. It may be true that the Fengyi Sect master was really working for the state and for the common people in the beginning, but now the Fengyi Sect has already begun to seize the tools of power. If Your Imperial Highness is unable to eradicate the power and influence of the Fengyi Sect, I’m afraid that Great Yong not only will not be able to unite the world, it will also perish in the hands of the women. Your Imperial Highness is a prince of Great Yong … How can you watch the empire perish? The common people suffer hardship? Since the Crown Prince has been enticed by power and authority, and cannot fulfill the responsibilities of a benevolent heir apparent, then Your Imperial Highness naturally must remove and replace him by right.”

Hearing this, Li Zhi was radiant with delight as he replied, “Sir has truly explained this Prince’s thoughts. This Prince also thinks this way, but it was never enunciated so clearly and plainly. That’s right, if the Fengyi Sect did not exist, it would be perfectly fine for me to be a peaceful and carefree prince.”

I smiled faintly, not bothering to argue with the falsehoods in Li Zhi’s words. In any case, that was unimportant.

I serenely went on, “The strategy to demonstrate your sincere convictions allows Your Imperial Highness to show your staunch resolution. Please allow this subject to first elaborate the current situation for Your Imperial Highness. Your Imperial Highness presently feels surrounded and isolated, without help, because of the close relationship between the Emperor, the Crown Prince, the Prince of Qi, and the Fengyi Sect not giving Your Imperial Highness any place to start. However, in this subject’s view, first, they really aren’t blended together well. It isn’t as Your Imperial Highness imagines. The Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Prince of Qi do not completely lack safeguards against the Fengyi Sect. It is only because of their respective selfish motives that they allow the Fengyi Sect to exist. If the Emperor did not have any fear in his heart, then Noble Consort Ji would have children. These past few years, the Emperor’s harem is still heavily favored, as concubines have given birth to a dozen or more princes and princesses. This clearly illustrates that the Emperor’s body is healthy. And yet, Noble Consort Ji is childless. I believe that the Emperor does not want Noble Consort Ji to have any sons to compete over the position of heir apparent. Although the Crown Prince heavily favors his concubine, he extremely loves and protects his heir. As they say, ‘the mother’s status is based on her son; the son’s status is based on her mother.’ Since ancient times, there have been a countless number of wives who have been killed because of a doting concubine. Were it not for the fear by His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, towards the Fengyi Sect, I’m afraid that the heir would have lost favor long ago. There is also the Prince of Qi. Although His Imperial Highness has married, he keeps his distance. I have met the Prince of Qi before. From his physiognomy, although the Prince of Qi is innately dissolute, his cold shoulder towards his first wife is peculiar. Therefore, the Emperor and the Princes do not completely trust the Fengyi Sect. But without the Fengyi Sect, they do not have the means of competing against Your Imperial Highness.

“Second, although the Emperor is partial to the Crown Prince, if the Crown Prince were to jeopardize the empire, then the Emperor would not tolerate it no matter how partial he is. Therefore, over these past few years, although Your Imperial Highness, the Prince of Yong, has repeatedly faced danger, your position is as steady as Mt. Tai, because Your Imperial Highness is the heaven-raising pillar of the state of Great Yong. The Emperor will absolutely not allow the Crown Prince to harm Your Imperial Highness. As long as Your Imperial Highness does not cross the Emperor’s bottom line, then Your Imperial Highness’s safety will be guaranteed. As long as Your Imperial Highness eliminates the Crown Prince, then even if the Emperor becomes indignant and angry, he can only transfer the Imperial Throne to Your Imperial Highness. Therefore, Your Imperial Highness must control all authority and power while the Emperor is still on the throne. In that way, Your Imperial Highness will be able to succeed the throne perfectly legitimately.

“Lastly, the Crown Prince relies heavily upon the Prince of Qi. Your Imperial Highness perhaps believes that the alliance between the Prince of Qi and the Crown Prince is unbreakable. But in this subject’s view, animosity exists. From what I can see from intelligence gathered by Your Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince isn’t a tolerant person. The Prince of Qi has a bossy and domineering personality. Even before the Crown Prince, he would constantly present this personality. The Crown Prince only tries to win the Prince of Qi over to deal with Your Imperial Highness. This subject has learned from the intelligence reports that the Crown Prince previously snubbed the Prince of Qi because of the defeats he suffered. It was only to deal with Your Imperial Highness that he once again began to express goodwill towards the Prince of Qi these last several days. The Prince of Qi understands this clearly. How can he not understand the Crown Prince’s fickleness? It is only because the Prince of Qi has no alternatives, as Your Imperial Highness yourself is someone who can command troops into battle. Therefore, in the eyes of the Prince of Qi, if Your Imperial Highness ascends to the throne, then he wouldn’t have any opportunity to display his abilities. Actually regarding this matter, this subject must admonish Your Imperial Highness. As someone precious and honored, Your Imperial Highness must not put yourself into danger. Your Imperial Highness has already accrued celebrated military merits and should promote other generals. There is no need for Your Imperial Highness to compete with your subordinates over meritorious contributions. Leave alone the fact that Your Imperial Highness is someone who will govern the world and cannot only focus military matters. If there is no one who can take the place of Your Imperial Highness to fight, don’t tell me that Your Imperial Highness would personally campaign?”

Speaking to this point, I saw Li Zhi blush with shame as he looked towards Shi Yu. Shi Yu’s face was filled with approval. It seems as if this was something that Shi Yu had chided before.

I paused, looking at the expression of consent that Li Zhi had already revealed before I added, “This subject has already explained the current situation to Your Imperial Highness. Now, would Your Imperial Highness allow this subject to explain the second strategy—cutting out the heart. Presently, although Your Imperial Highness is in a desperate situation, the enemy remains hostile and suspicious of each other. In this subject’s view, the biggest weakness in the alliance formed by Your Imperial Highness’s enemies is the Crown Prince himself. The Crown Prince cannot make any mistakes, otherwise the Emperor will inevitably doubt the decisions he has made, the Prince of Qi will worry about his future prospects, while the Fengyi Sect will lose the basis of its opposition to Your Imperial Highness. Therefore, as long as the Crown Prince errs, then Your Imperial Highness can break the alliance into pieces. But the Crown Prince isn’t an imbecile. He will have advisers beside him admonish him. To desire the Crown Prince to err is not easy. Therefore, we must act on two fronts. First, we must place one of our people beside the Crown Prince. This individual must be able to obtain the Crown Prince’s trust and have the Crown Prince listen and follow his advice. Second, Your Imperial Highness must allow the Crown Prince to secure, on the surface, dominance. In this way, the Crown Prince will be so pleased as to forget himself, and will harm himself.”

Li Zhi’s brow furrowed as he replied, “For us to feign weakness is doable, but how are we going to place one of our people beside the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince is quite careful when it comes to these matters. Although we have some people who work for the Crown Prince, they are not able to participate in confidential matters.”

I smiled lightly and stated, “Since this subject has so spoken, then naturally I have ways of doing so. As long as Your Imperial Highness supplies a suitable candidate, this subject will naturally be able to have the Crown Prince trust him, so much so that he is completely obedient. This person must be adept at currying favor with the Crown Prince and also must be capable of helping the Crown Prince make difficult decisions. In short, he must have sufficient talent to replace the Crown Prince’s think tank, Lu Jingzhong. In this subject’s plan, this person will become a favored minister and trusted aide that the Crown Prince cannot do without. Your Imperial Highness will then be able to control and manipulate the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince were within our palm, Your Imperial Highness could do as you wished, shaking the law and discipline of the court. By then, you would have no worries about succeeding the throne.”

Li Zhi’s expression was filled with astonishment and bafflement. Thinking it over repeatedly, controlling the crown prince was easier said than done. Not to mention the fact that Lu Jingzhong was not someone to be taken lightly. Even the Fengyi Sect would not allow us to succeed.

I smiled and continued, “When this subject speaks of controlling the Crown Prince, I am not suggesting that we control the Crown Prince’s life or death. Rather, we will control the Crown Prince’s thought process. As long as we allow the Crown Prince to act according to our plans, what the Crown Prince originally thought and did will have nothing to do with Your Imperial Highness. Your Imperial Highness, be at ease. This subject already has a feasible plan. Although the process will naturally have its twists and turns, as long as we achieve our objective, we will be able to guarantee Your Imperial Highness’s safety.”

“We can discuss the particulars at a later date. Since Sir is certain, then Li Zhi is reassured,” stated Li Zhi before asking, “However, what will we do after we have controlled the Crown Prince?”

I smiled and answered, “We’re not going to do much, only have the Crown Prince become jealous and suspicious of the Prince of Qi. The Crown Prince is the type of person who is naturally filled with suspicions. Today, he is jealous of Your Imperial Highness’s achievements. Another day, it is hard to avoid him being jealous of the Prince of Qi. This subject is only planning on having this kind of situation happen ahead of schedule. As long as the Crown Prince is under the impression that he has suppressed Your Imperial Highness, he will naturally be unmasked and reveal the truth. I will then arrange a lure for the Crown Prince to arrogantly make some mistakes. Within two years, the Crown Prince will become a tyrannical and incapable ruler in the eyes of the world. With the Crown Prince out of the way, who else is capable of competing with Your Imperial Highness over the position of heir apparent? When the time comes, the Fengyi Sect will find itself in an extremely difficult position. At that time, this subject and Your Imperial Highness will again discuss the situation and ensure that the Fengyi Sect can no longer assert influence on the court.”

Hearing my words, Li Zhi smiled with delight. He thought to himself that Jiang Zhe was indeed someone with outstanding ability and sagacity. How could I not have thought that the enemy’s greatest strength was also their greatest weakness? The crown prince was the core of the alliance. If questions arise about the crown prince, then their alliance would naturally collapse. Although he did not know the full details of the plan, Li Zhi had already swept away all of the melancholy and worry in his mind. Getting to his feet, he bowed and recognized, “Listening to the words of a wise man can be superior to studying books for ten years. Zhi thanks Sir for your instruction.”

I stood and returned his courtesy. “Your Imperial Highness praises me too much. Would Your Imperial Highness please listen to this subject’s third strategy—recruiting the worthy and virtuous. Although Your Imperial Highness is known for your virtue and possession of talented generals and advisers, in this subject’s view, they are not sufficient. Since Your Imperial Highness’s ambitions are the world, then Your Imperial Highness must consider how to manage and control the government. In the current court, the ministers all have links with the Fengyi Sect. If Your Imperial Highness were to succeed the throne and continue to use these people, then you would have inevitably allowed the Fengyi Sect to recover its influence.”