Black Swan
"Zhuge Liang, I really don't think it's necessary to harm him."
Many times I've admired Lord Liu Bei's kindness and grace during war. I know it has won over the hearts of the people, but it is at times it is a hindrance. This is one of those times.
I keep a tranquil expression as I explain the obvious to my now obtuse lord:"My Lord Liu Bei, I understand your distaste for bloodshed but keeping that serpent alive would be more than a bit misguide. It is an unnecessary risk for Shu."
He looks at me in unwarranted horror. "Zhuge Liang how can you claim that? He's their strategist, he hardly even fights. There's no way he'd harm us."
I plea my case again. "Exactly; he is a strategist. Wei will invade to get him. Or he'll find something to exploit, you should be aware of that man's deception and treachery "
"...Zhuge Liang, Wei will retaliate if we kill their strategist or if we capture him. As for the rest of your argument... he's a strategist, they have to do what it takes to win, and to care only for their own men. You of all people should understand that. What he's done isn't what we should judge him by. He's innocent."
If it weren't for the current gravity I'd scoff to hear the guileful Sima Yi called innocent. But I must take this seriously given Lord Liu Bei's tone. There is desperation in his argument, proof that he indeed views this as a matter of life and death. This is odd, given that he was always the only one of us that had a say in Sima's fate. Him and I both send a sideways glance at Wei's ensnared and unconscious strategist .
Black Swan- a term for a highly improbable event