Trade and roads, logistics, specialization of labor, supply chains,management and distribution are all those things that can sometimes be the ugly and greed driven means to an end. Hearing Sima Yi speak, they sound like his desired end itself, such as he is.
Though he is helpful (and almost alarmingly skilled in his craft) illustrating a possible road and station, proposing the tax that could fund it and then being pretentious and eager enough to tell me: the road will bring trade and exchange, the trade brings specialization and productivity and then I should see some miraculous boosts in food production and an extinction of starvation, Yi boastfully claims. If the people don't like his plans I should somehow coax or force them into cooperation. I'll regret it if I don't, Yi says with a stern face and wagging finger.
It's comical whether he means for it or not.
Now, I must wonder: "Sima Yi, why do you do this? Do you miss your job that greatly?"
Yi yawns and then drums his fingers on room's desk he sits by me at.
"It'll be a tragedy for Wei if all your people die out. After all, when we conquer Shu we can't put the dead to work on reconstruction.
...but you were correct, I am bored, and my mind will rot if I don't do this."
Sima Yi drawls out the last part, before yawning again and fidgeting with the properly sized deep gray robe he's now opted to wear, looking rather like a lazing cat as he stares out of half shut eyes while propping his head on the desk.
I look past him, over his shoulder and at the maps and accountant's sheets he's scribled on. Even if no other good can be said of Sima Yi, he dose have some novel ideas that may well prove of use. It is always surprising, when something vicious and wicked can actually alleviate human suffering.
"Zhuge, you're not actually going to use my plan. But review it and take note, and then speak to me of your thoughts on it, perhaps?"
The last part of his speech holds an upward inflection, Sima's way of being friendly I assume.
I lean back in the chair I have propped next to his:
"No, there are somethings of use here. You know well that we Shu can't use roads an opposing strategist mapped, but your policies are something for me to consider."
Sima perks up sharply, giving me his full attention.
"However, Sima, you leave much to be desired in terms of actual technological innovation and engineering, or even a knowledge of them. So that's something I'll have to discuss with my wife first."
Now, Yi is at a full on glare, though once again lounging on the desk. He gives a scoff and then:
"What great compliments you give me and my work, Zhuge Liang; putting me down in favor of your dowdy wife. I'm faltered that you're mentally comparing us. It's all the gratitude I ought to expect for helping you Shu, I suppose."
And that last part recalls a thought I'd pondered earlier.
"Sima, don't you think Cao Cao will be unamused when he learns you are doing this?"
Yi wrinkles his nose in annoyance.
"Doing what, Zhuge? Feeding inconsequential peasants won't change the tides of our war, so I've done nothing in truth."
I hum, stroke my beard, speak.
"Cao Cao simply struck me as the sort who'd take offense at an officer running of and aiding the enemy. And the prince certainly seemed the sort to become easily jealous."
Yi glaces about the room before looking at me, seeming genuinely vexed and troubled, flustered and upset at most likely me.
"It's not like that;I'm not like that. I am not Cao Cao's pet, and I am not some Wei toady. They recruited me for my talent, and Wei can't afford to lose me. They can't afford to "punish" me, I think."
Yi mutters the last part, his " I think" a barely audible exhalation.
I get up and take the scrolls from Yi's hands, gathering the ones I will need to show Lord Liu Bei. I hand his cane to him and begin to leave before responding:
"As long as you know what you are doing, Sima Yi."
He nods; I wave and exit.
And he must, Sima Yi must have a goal in this, must have some deal or contact with Wei. Because Sima Yi is rational and pragmatic to the point of fault, he doesn't take risks like this. Sima doesn't commit betrayal to "save some starving peasants"; he does it to further his ends, I believe.
Yes, of course.
I should get these scrolls to Lord Liu Bei.
Détente -1. a relaxing of tension, especially between nations, as by
negotiations or agreements.
