Han Fei Zi's Ultimate Spear and Ultimate Shield
Back at Luoyang capital. It was an exhausting journey, but different than usual it is not more tiring than usual. Thanks to the Red Hare. Really, using a motocross in this era is really useful. Yue, Chen Gong, Zhang Liao, and Lu Bu can not hide their amazement.
"Sima (Minister of War) Darren. Did my eyes just tricked me? Or… is this really the Luoyang capital?" Zhang Liao fearfully asked. While Lu Bu gasped "…Fast." Chen Gong was stuttering seeing the speed of this steed and Yue could not hide her pleasant expression.
"It felt nicer than using a horse. It would be nice if Ei chan could also go with us."
Minister of War LI Ru upon seeing the way Yue giggling, calmly said "You do not have to worry, Yue. Look at her there."
Yue set her eyes at the direction that her own minister of war pointing. In there, Jia Xu… I mean Ei could not held her jaw from falling in. "What…? What just happened? Cloud? Trail of Smoke ? …! Yue! You are here! Minister Li Ru ! I..?"
Well, no wonder. That kind of reaction is to be expected from a people who with their own eyes could witness the creation of two millennia later in front of them, no matter they are just ordinary peasant or it is one of the three wisest and master strategist of this era, the Grand Commandant Jia Xu.
Because, Just like quoting the word from Ravages of times…
"In tactics and rule … I, Li Ru, in this era , was but a mere player. And after this era, there appeared three powerful and wise men. Zhuge Cheng Xiang, Sima Tai Fu, and…. Jia Tai Wei."
This is a prophecy that talked that in the era of three kingdom, this Three person. Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, Grand Preceptor Sima Yi and Grand Commandant Jia Xu. They are the person who is destined to mend this chaotic era.
The Chaotic era….Is it because of the debt 400 hundred years ago that come when Han Gaozu unfold the banner of Han dynasty, but failed to respect his benefactor? In the tale from Ming dynasty tells the a tale where the chaotic era of Three Kingdom preludes. It was said that all heroes during this chaotic era is all the debt that Han Gaozu failed to paid. It was said that the realm of Han dynasty will be divided in to three because Han Gaozu, Liu Bang betrayed his three most loyal General. Yama (The Lord of Underworld) conferred the three part of Han dynasty realm in to the reincarnation of his three loyal general. The north region will be granted to his greatest general Han Xin, the South-Western part region will be granted to his most loyal general Peng Yue and the South eastern part region will be granted to his proudest general Ying Bu. All of you reader will understand this. That is right. during the era of Three Kingdom, after the fateful battle in Chi Bi, the Northern part region will be under the rule of Cao Cao, the Western part will be under the rule of Liu Bei and the Eastern part will be under the rule of Sun Quan.
That is the tale of Sima Mao Disrupt Order In The Underworld.
But let us return to Jia Xu amazement, because that is a later tale and has no connection to the present story.
Ei still could not held her gasp while she did not realized that General Hua Xiong followed her. Hua Xiong set her eyes toward the direction of Jia Xu eyes. "Why would you look shocked Jia Xu Darren? …hmmm" she saw it with her eyes that Minister of War Li Ru, Prime Minister Dong Zhuo, Zhang Liao and two people that she never know has arrived. "Minister Darren! You have arrived! I never thought that you returned so hastily! Did you cancel the inspection?"
Before Minister of War Li Ru could answered, it was Yue who gleefully answered for him. "No.. General Hua Xiong! We just finished the inspection. In fact we brought you the specialty of Bing province." Yue gave her some kind cloth-wrapped box shaped thing that she get as the souvenir. Ei and Hua Xiong opened the wrapping, it contained some kind of food specialty that could only be bought in Bing province.
"Whoa! You did not give a lie Dong Darren! Might I asked how you could shorten the long journey?"
"Minister of war Li Ru's new steed the Red Hare is the one should be praised!"
Kazuto shook his head, objecting Yue's word. "No. I believe this steed is meant for the strongest warrior of this realm."
All of them questioned the Minister word. "What is that supposed to mean?"
The Minister Li Ru merely ignored the question and said to Hua Xiong, Zhang Liao and Lu Bu "we will proceed to do some sparring this afternoon. Anyone who triumphant will be the master of this Red Hare." Zhang Liao and Hua Xiong who just witnessed the steed prowess were fired up. And Minister of War Li Ru tuned to Chen Gong. "Chen Gong, I will teach you one or two thing to care the Red Hare, and also followed me. I will make you accustomed in working here, as Jia Xu's assistant in government matter." Chen Gong surprised. She never expected that the Minister of War give her such responsibility, even though she is new here.
While Minister of War Li Ru continues, he turned to Jia Xu. "Ei-chan, let me see if there is matter that will require my acceptance."
Jia Xu.. I mean Ei chan startled "Yes! There are some minor matter about the military law that you proposed, Hua Xiong has completed the recruitment and training for the soldier, while…! Wait what ! what did you call me? " she suddenly realized that Kazuto called her true name, in public! She began to anger.
Kazuto did not understand until.. "oh! Sorry, I slipped."
Yue look at Ei calmly … or perhaps with a cold stare "Wa… Ei-chan… I never know that you let Minister Darren to call you with your manna (true name)"
Ei became flustered looking her beloved Yue give her a cold shoulder, while she tried to settle the problem, Kazuto pushed Nenene aside (sorry, I have to teach here the way to work here) and started to retreat.
"Wait a minute ! this is all because of you!" before another step could be taken, Kazuto was helplessly grabbed. There is no need for Ei chan to learn the Iron Claw or The Palm of Goddess Ceklian (Li Mochou from Return of Condor Heroes wuxia novel signature move) because she already grabbed the insolent Kazuto and have him at her mercy.
As Kazuto tried to joke the situation, Yue calmly…coldly said. " It does not bother me at all." And left, followed by the others. Perhaps even the strong general cold felt the cold aura that Yue let out (even though she is no warrior!) and become frightened, from the Great General Hua Xiong, the General who will brought victory Zhang Liao and even the strongest warrior Lu Bu! Truly ! it is not wrong if danbooru has the picture of Yandere Yue who own the Death Note!
"Please Listen to my explanation!" Ei shouted hoping Yue would listen.
XXX
Let us forget how Ei successfully persuaded Yue how to cease her anger ( … I am not angry Ei, Yue gave a very cold smile) because even she want to forget it.
For now, Nenene or maybe she is now Chen Gong has gotten a gist about how Prime Minister Dong Zhuo, along with her loyal retainer Jia Xu and Li Ru rule this realm. Li Ru heavily proposed to use the reward and punishment system. Chen Gong were surprised with their capability. It is no exaggeration that they done the most efficient governing system she ever know. But she has some disapproval with their basic foundation.
During the recess, Nenene or Chen Gong voiced her discontent to Jia Xu and Li Ru
"Minister Darren , Senior secretary Darren. Let me express my admiration for the highly efficient governmental that already being implemented."
Minister of War Li Ru who poured some tea to Senior secretary Jia Xu turned to her (it is unsafe for Ei chan to pour some tea. The less dangerous thing that might happened is the tea will be poured in another place or the pot might gone to another place).
"I am not worthy for the praise, the praise should be given to the Prime Minister Darren."
"But, Minister Darren, why did you highly proposed the reward and punishment system? Should not we rule with benevolence and placed a good retainer in their position?"
"might I inquire the junior assistant Chen Gong word?"
"The Confucian value regard the teaching of morals. We should not entice the retainer with reward. We should believe in their loyalty to their master and teach them the value of morality."
The Senior secretary also added her opinion. " Li Ru Darren, the truth is.. junior assistant Chen Gong has the honesty in her word. I also have some discontent in treating our people and the civilian as a greedy mercenary."
The Minister of war Li Ru smiled. It is true that the reward and punishment hurt the moral value of the people. It would made them acted based on pragmatism.
"Junior assistant Chen Gong has honesty and loyalty in her words. Let this Li Ru answered her discontent." He returned to his seat , pour some tea for himself and take a sip.
"I will tell you some story from Han Fei Zi. "
There live a person named Wang Liang. He is a a renowned horse jockey. He loved and treat his horses as best as he could.
Another story is about King Gou Jian from Yue. He paid great attention for his peoples needs.
Are this people a kind person?
Wang Liang loved his horse because he want them to run fast when he mounted on them.
While Gou Jian loved his people because he wants them to fight bravely in war.
"…" Jia Xu and Chen Gong paid a great attention
A pharmacist did not willingly clean his patient's blood and pus because of his kindness, rather he was motivated by the payment that he will got.
And, A wagon maker prayer is so all people become rich. While a coffin carver prayed so all people would die soon.
"!" the two of them become surprised.
"Would this make them a bad people or kind people?" Li Ru halt her story and asked.
The two hung their head did not dare to answer.
"It does not mean that the wagon maker is good person while the coffin carver is bad person. A wagon would be sold if their buyer is rich, while a coffin would be sold if there is dead person."
In other word, the Minister Li Ru stated that all humankind naturally is ego, they prioritize their own well being. If there is someone benefited from an event, there is other person who suffer from the same event. It work like this, if there is a war, the arms dealer would be profited while the civilian would end up suffering. It works like that and balanced.
Chen Gong raised "but minister Darren! If we rule with benevolence , I believe the people would responded with their loyalty! Minister Darren tried to state that he can not trust his own people (the civilians, peasants)! This lowly Chen Gong believe that is sad!"
Li Ru or Kazuto laughed. "Chen Gong Darren . if Chen Gong Darren tried to state kindness why would Chen Gong Darren hoped that the people would repay our kindness? Is not that like trying to buy their loyalty with our kindness?"
"Li Ru Darren! "
Ei also shocked "Li Ru Darren! You are going to far."
"Please forgive this uneducated Li Ru. Because a true kindness did not hope for repayment for their kindness. If hey hoped some sort of repayment , it is no kindness. It is just common deed, and when they did not get anything for their deed, they could only cursed."
"But Li Ru Darren , it is being sad! At least we could carry out a good custom that would benefit for the people and ourselves!"
"No! we can not Chen Gong Darren! Placing officials because of filial relationship not because of merit deed. That kind of custom is already outdated!"
"But, that kind of practice would ensure their loyalty to us! It has been done ever since the day of Zhou dynasty ! Confucius said not to change a popular custom for not confusing the people!"
"Chen Gong Darren, the talent of good retainer could not be given because of heredity. That customs is already outdated. Ever since the reign of the Three August One, the Five Mythological King, The Xia, The Shang, and Zhou, Qin and Han … their rule varied. They did not rule based on anything that could be upheld eternally. The Three August One rule without using language, but during the reign of Five Mythological King like San Huangdi (Yellow Emperor), Yao and Shun they rule using language and start ruling based on Capability (Primus Interpares) , Yu The Great established the Heredity system and started the Xia dynasty, the Shang based on Feudalism, while the Great Qin based on the teaching of Legalism. Every ruler regulate and reign their land based on the time and the reality of people, we can not held an outdated thought. Just like Gongsun Yang (Shang Yang) who introduced the reformation to Duke Xiao of Qin and placed the Qin as one of the strongest state during the Warring state period."
"But .. Minister Darren! At least we could upheld this two thinking based on Moral value (Confucian) and Law (Legalism) in the same time."
"No. Confucian based on morality and The legalism which based on Code of Law is just like a Spear and a Shield. They are contradictory" When Kazuto mention this , he was referring to Han Fei Zi's Legalism teaching. about the Spear and Shield.
Han Fei Zi annotated that there is a Chu origin who sell Spear and Shield. He showed his spear and claimed that
"My Spear is so sharp that he could pierce anything with ease."
And when he offer his shield he claimed that
"My shield is so solid , nothing could penetrate him "
Then a curious customer asked to the seller.
"What if I pierced your shield with your spear?" He claimed that his shield is impenetrable while his spear could pierce anything. What if these ultimate weapon were against each other?
Hearing that, the seller could not answer.
Because those two are contradictory.
An ultimate spear can not pierce the ultimate shield, while the ultimate shield can not defended against the ultimate spear. They would shattered themselves because of contradiction.
A Confucian teaching that based on moral and a Legalism teaching that based on the code of law is just like the Ultimate Spear and the Ultimate Shield, they can not be united .
Chen Gong can not do anything accept agreed to the Minister of War Li Ru. She looked at him sadly and asked. "But, minister darren…. Is not that painful?"
"It is. But. There is an old saying. Ruling a state is like washing your hair. Your hair will shed but washing still important. Drinking a bitter medicine is not pleasant, but if you did not drink the medicine, the illness could not be healed."
If some one regretted some hair that fall and forgot the new growing hair, he did not know balancing great achievement and small loss.
While he explained this, a retainer come to inform that his guest has arrived. Minister Li Ru asked the retainer to let the guest rest in the western hall.
Jia Xu understand that the minister has something to do, so she asked Chen Gong to save her words, as she let the minister met the guest she mentioned something.
"Li Ru-sama, Chen Gong point is not wrong. Did you forgot how Shang Yang, who proposed the first fundamental of Legalism died?"
Li Ru calmly said. "He died because of his own law that he regulated."
Ei looked at him horrified. "Then! If you know, why would you proposed such idea?"
Minister Li Ru calmed her and said "even if Duke Huiwen of Qin sentenced Shang Yang to death out of hatred, the name of Duke Xiao and Duke Huiwen still respected and even Duke Huiwen implemented all of Shang Yang idea without changing anything."
"… Li Ru sama!"
"is not that small retribution? Yue will still be praised. Even if something might happened."
Then Kazuto left the girl to meet his guest, General Ma Teng and his family.
XXX
In the western hall, Minister of war Li Ru greet his gust. It is none other the brave general Ma Teng. He is accompanied by three girls. They greeted each other.
"Heaven blessed our meeting. Minister of War Li Ru respectfully received the arrival of brave general Ma Teng who have successfully put out the remnant of Yellow Turban."
General Ma Teng salute and thanked for the Minister of War warm welcome.
"This Lowly retainer Ma Teng , was grateful for the Minister kindness."
General Ma Teng presented to Kazuto written report. And after reading the report he is satisfied. He then called the servant to serve this brave warrior the finest wine (and for himself some tea).
"General Ma Teng is a witty person. He is accompanied by three beautiful ladies, yet refused to introduced them. " Li Ru turned to the servant and ordered him to serve the girl some drink of their choice (all of them are underage, tea)
"Minister Li Ru is being uptight. These girl are my daughters."
"All of them?"
"No. this Ma Chao is my blood daughter. While Ma Dai is my niece and this girl Pang De is my adopted daughter. But I treat them the same." The girl show their courtesy.
"General Ma Teng is fortunate to have such lovely daughters, may they be fine wife in the future."
Hearing such response, the girl named Ma Chao startled. It seems that she never got any praise. While the girl named Ma Dai merely giggled hearing the flattery. While the girl named Pang De remained calm, yet her body was shaky.
General Ma Teng laughed it out. "oh… Minister Darren was giving wrong appraising. These girls are all lack decency as proper woman. A fact that made this Ma Teng sad. Perhaps the mistake is in this Ma Teng."
Li Ru showed some surprised (so.. these are all the three renowned general Ma Chao, Ma Dai, and Pang De). "General Ma Teng daughter is so lovely yet brave. Then why would the general become shamed having these three jewels as daughter?"
"Yes, Minister Darren. Perhaps I should be a bit proud. But these girl are only good at fighting, and forget that woman should be familiar with kitchen."
"Perhaps the three lovely of general Ma Teng would be interested in showing their talent to the brave general?"
General Ma Teng tried to refused, but because Kazuto (and the three girls) insisted… he relent and let them spar with General Hua Xiong, Zhang Liao and Lu Bu who gladly accepted (especially Zhang Liao).
While waiting and observing their spar , Minister Li Ru chatted with General Ma Teng. "General Ma Teng, the situation in the north has become peril. We need someone brave and talented to protect the northern region. Would you accept this burden?"
"Minister Darren put this lowly retainer in such high esteem."
"I believe that general Ma Teng is wise. He can make amend with the barbarian of Qiang. Because his wife is of Qiang origins. He can understand them. No wonder his daughter Ma Chao is so brave and lovely."
"Minister Li Ru Darren valued this lowly Ma Teng so highly. Let this Ma Teng received the honor of that task and did not disappoint Minister Li Ru Darren."
"Then, let this burden of being the Governor of Liangzhou be with you. I also assigned General Han Sui to aid in your need."
Author Note:
Mokusei Zaiju 's Puella Madoka is excellente! now this is a new reason to love Madoka Magica.