Ten

Sixth Year of Reestablished Peace · AD 201

'Suzi, why are you and Qing'er still awake?' Zijing enquires upon arriving home and seeing that Qing'er and I have yet to go to bed—it is already the third watch[1].

'Qing'er knows that today is an important day for you and insisted on waiting for you to arrive home,' I smilingly reply.

'Es-ta-blish a foot-hold in the South-land, ob-serve rifts be-tween peo-ple... Wipe out Huang Zu, pro-ceed to strike at Liu Biao...' Qing'er enunciates, before attempting to stifle a yawn.

Zijing beams widely at hearing Qing'er recite part of the master plan Zijing has drawn up for General Sun.

'Qing'er can memorise Daddy's master plan? This master plan is a secret—you mustn't speak of it just anywhere. Now that Daddy is back, surely you can go to bed?' he playfully asks her while carrying her onto her bed.

'Daddy, don't you want to sit on the bed?' Qing'er enquires.

Zijing laughs. 'I've sat on a bed quite a lot today,' he replies. Fatigue is rapidly catching up with Qing'er, otherwise she would definitely ask a natural question, 'Daddy was out for the whole day today. How could you have sat on a bed?'

After Zijing and I have watched Qing'er fall asleep, Zijing takes me into his arms. 'Ask away,' he looks at me fondly.

To my surprise, the smell of wine on his breath is unexpectedly light—earlier, a messenger from General Sun's residence had arrived bearing a note from Zijing that the General had retained him to discuss matters of state over wine.

'Did you present your master plan to General Sun? How did he receive it?' I enquire.

'This time, my view was endorsed,' Zijing responds, and I know that he is referring to the key difference between Zhang Hong's and his plan—to assist the Han dynasty, or establish a new.

'How do you evaluate General Sun?' I boldly ask.

'Able to take on huge responsibility and bring the Southland to great heights,' Zijing replies. 'He distinguishes his priorities clearly and has good insight. After the General who Exterminates Renegades passed away, he swiftly collected himself and proceeded with matters of state, doing his utmost to retain and attract talented men and renowned scholars, and dispatching various generals to suppress and pacify the Shanyue[2]. It's not that he doesn't wish to continue the General who Exterminates Renegades' plan of attacking Huang Zu and conquering Yang and Jing Provinces, but rather that he understands the importance of first rooting out internal problems so that the people may live in peace, the population can expand and the economy can prosper. He truly cares for the people—the General who Exterminates Renegades attracted people by his charisma, whereas the General who Exterminates Caitiffs[3] draws people to him by his sincerity. Occasionally, his subjects' advice may not be pleasing to him, but if he deems that they have a point, he will act on their counsel. His forbearance and understanding of his ultimate goal are his greatest strengths: even more than the General who Exterminates Renegades, he understands the importance of choosing his position appropriately, and as long as it is beneficial to the state, he will have patience until the moment comes when one should no longer hold back. If he does not allow his ambition to be extinguished by overcaution, nor does he reach the limits of his endurance and act recklessly, then I am positive that he will someday become Emperor.'

'I finally understand why you were so impatient in waiting for Master Zhou to reply to your letters, whereas you were willing to wait a few years to advise the General who Exterminates Renegades,' I comment. 'Given the General who Exterminates Renegades' skill in battle, it should not have been difficult for him to vanquish Huang Zu while ensuring that we are not attacked from behind, and then go on to conquer Jing Province. However, given the General who Exterminates Caitiffs' strengths and weaknesses, it is instead more advisable to resolve internal problems and develop the state to ensure a strong foundation while observing external changes, before beginning conquest, and this is where your talents come into play.'

Zijing looks at me approvingly. Recalling Zijing's earlier comment, I teasingly enquire, 'Was General Sun's bed comfortable?'

Zijing gulps. 'Gongjin just remarked to me this morning that the generals and guests do not pay sufficient attention to etiquette in the General's presence and he is unsure of what else he can do besides setting a good example. When he finds out I've been drinking with the General on his bed, he'll surely give me a dressing-down!' he hyperbolises.

I guffaw and tell Zijing to think of a way of making up for it by himself. In retaliation, Zijing pulls me down onto our bed...

Footnotes:

[1] 三更。Between 11 pm and 1 am.

[2] The Shanyue was a tribe that resided in the mountainous areas of southern China during the Han dynasty and which did not submit to the Han court. When Sun Quan defeated Huang Zu's navy in AD 203 and was on the verge of taking down Huang Zu's headquarters of Shayi, a Shanyue uprising forced Sun Quan to retreat. The Shanyue of Danyang were finally subjugated by Zhuge Ke in AD 236, and the tribe was gradually assimilated into the people of Wu.

[3] Referring to Sun Quan. Cao Cao recommended Sun Quan as General who Exterminates Caitiffs 讨虏将军 and Grand Administrator of Guiji in AD 200.

See endnotes for chapter notes.