Zhang Yi's Plot : Contra Alliance of Lianheng
At the end of the Warring States period, Qin has rose, becoming the dominant power among the seven states because the success of Shang Yang's reformation plan. There is no state capable of handling Qin when they acted alone.
Shang Yang or Gongsun Yang is a native of Wei origin who served Gongshu Cuo, the Prime Minister of Wei. When the time has come near for Gongshu Cuo, The Duke of Wei visited him. Gongshu Cuo in his frail state recommended Gongsun Yang to replace him when he died, saying.
"Even though Gongsun Yang is very young, she is really talented. Please let her serve you. But if you won't appointed her, then kill her. Because it is perilous if the other state got her service!"
The Duke of Wei, however dismissed Gongshu Cuo's warning and let Gongsun Yang to leave. At the same moment, Gongsun Yang already predicted that outcome, when Gongshu Cuo warned her that as a loyal retainer he has to answer to his lord first about his advice regarding him. Seeing that Wei neglected her, Gongsun Yang moved to Qin, hearing the news that Duke Xiao of Qin are looking for talent.
After having attendance for three times, Duke Xiao of Qin who were really impressed on her wisdom appointed her as the Prime Ministe of Qin, and this is the time where she began many reformation. When Duke Xiao died, his son Prince Si replaced him with the title Duke Huiwen. During his youth, Duke Huiwen was guilty for a minor charge, and Shang Yang did not spared him, making their relationship at odd. Duke Huiwen then finally sentence Shang Yang with the punishment that she herself came up with. During this time, Shang Yang's reform already bear a fruit, so her death did not affected the situation too much. While for Duke Huiwen, his experience with Shang Yang make him distrustful with foreign native who's clever in talking.
One time, Su Qin who hailed from Luoyang asked for audience with Duke Huiwen. She has foresaw that Qin who at that time has the most advantage among the seven states shall in the end unified the realm. She offered her service to him, but unfortunately because of his past experience with Shang Yang, Duke Huiwen refused her offer. Su Qin then leaved the state of Qin and studied for two years to increase her knowledge and offer her service to the other six states to defeat Qin.
First, Su Qin proposed her plan to defeat the Qin to the state of Yan. The Plan was then known as the "Hezong Alliance plan". The Hezong plan consisted of the policy to unite the six state of Yan, Zhao, Qi, Wei, Han and Chu in order to defeat the Qin state. Marquis Wen of Yan accepted her plan and gave her many gifts to execute her plan. She later come to the state of Zhao emphasizing the need of alliance among the six state because
"If, the state of Han and the state of Wei are both conquered by the Qin, then… the Zhao state will be the next that will fall. If the six states are all united, their realm will be five times of Qin and their soldier will be ten times than Qin."
The Marquis Su of Zhao accepted her proposal and make her his Prime Minister, giving her order to continue her plan and established the Alliance between the six state. Later her job is completed and the Hezong Alliance between the six state is finally established. She was then elected as the Prime Minister of the Six State of the Hezong Alliance.
The State of Qin was unable to recklessly acted on their position and remained stalled for fifteen years. But, the unity between the six states is fragile, as each state hiding their own agenda and plan. Leaving the joint attack on Qin always end up failing. One day, the fellow class mate of Su Qin who studied together with her under the tutelage of Guigu Zi, the strategist Zhang Yi visited her. Su Qin however neglected her.
Zhang Yi was angered by this and went to the state of Qin to challenge Su Qin. In there Duke Huiwen was desperate and amused when he heard of her. Duke Huiwen immediately asked for her suggestion regarding Su Qin's Hezong Alliance Plan. In answering this matter, Zhang Yi explained to him about the situation of Qin.
"The Hezong Alliance was newly formed, If your lordship attack even one of them, the rest of the alliance will quickly gathered to support them. I suggested your lordship to improve diplomatic relationship among the alliance state , creating suspicion among them to destroy their alliance."
Duke Huiwen accepted her proposal, who will later be known as the "Lianheng Contra-alliance Plan". Zhang Yi's Lianheng Contra-alliance plan consisted of the collection of policy to persuade the six state to come in to terms with the state of Qin. She was then appointed as the Prime Minister of Qin to carry out her plan.
First, she visited Wei , returning the land that Qin has taken prior, and threatening the Duke of Wei that, even if the other state has come to term as the ally of Wei, they are actually have their eyes on Wei. The state of Wei should have the protection from the state of Qin. The Duke of Wei later quitted from the Hezong Alliance.
Next, in facing the alliance of state of Chu and state of Qi, the two strongest state besides the state of Qin. Zhang Yi bribed the Chu's official and entice the King of Huai of Chu with 600 mile fertile land in Shangyu in exchange for them to quit the Alliance. All of the Chu's official rejoiced hearing Zhang Yi's proposal except the Prime Minister of Chu, Qu Yuan the loyal retainer of Chu state. But unfortunately, King Huai did not give his ears to the words of Qu Yuan, agreeing to leave the alliance with the state of Qi. The Qi was angered and approached the state of Qin because of their severities.
Seeing the next step of her plan has succeeded, Zhang Yi feigned ignorant of her earlier promise with the state of Chu in giving the 600 mile fertile land, exclaiming..
"What I promise is the six mile land of my own. I have no liberties of giving the state's land."
The state of Chu was angered. And declared war with the state of Qin, But because the state of Qin already has alliance with state of Qi, the State of Chu was badly beaten. Using the opportunity of the decline of state of Chu, Zhang Yi continued her plan. Threatening the Zhao and finally the Yan.
Seeing that the discord that she planted has started harvesting, Su Qin's effort in crafting the whole alliance of Hezong finally ended because of Zhang Yi's plan. The Alliance which were already fragile in their creation, soon crumbled.
XXX
As the Imperial capital still engulfed in fire, and the whole Anti Alliance generals still busy extinguishing the fire, Yuan Shao arrived at their direction. From the looks of it, she had just barely escaped from a big problem, seeing how exhausted and weary they are. But they know one thing, Yuan Shao returned empty handed , after she excuse herself from Hulao and now she suddenly appeared in Luoyang capital. Looks like that she tried to seize the glory of entering the Luoyang capital for herself, but the dog bite the master, as she shamefully failed. Prime Minister Dong Zhuo is not such an easy person. Serve her right! …. Is what the rest of the alliance general want to say, but of course they cleverly saved those feeling in their heart.
Finally, the fire extinguished after two day of effort. But, what a pity! The glorious Imperial Han Capital has already in ruin, making it inhabitable. The Alliance General were unable to established their camp there and were forced to established it outside of the Luoyang capital. When Yuan Shao arrived , she told them about how Dong Zhuo tried to trapped her here and abandoned Luoyang. Let us not bother how the spice molded the meat, but hearing this made Cao Cao curious and started to pursue the Dong Zhuo's path to Chang An.
While the rest of the alliance general refused to pursue Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao is determined. She want to know how brilliance is the Lu Bu of war was able to create such strategy in Sishui, and Hulao and was strong enough to defeat Yuan Shao's numerous general. She want to witnessed it. When Cao Cao, departed … the rest of alliance general refused to accompany her and she left only with her own troops along with Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and Dian Wei. She left Xun Yu to act on behalf of her.
But, two days later….coincide with day when the Alliance general were able to put out the fire, Cao Cao returned with defeats. She remarked that
"Prime Minister Dong Zhuo was granted with many able retainers! Lu Bu of war is only one among of many!"
From that day on, Cao Cao understood the importance of having talent beside him. It was the day that Cao Cao vowed that she will employ anyone talented regardless of their nature and origins. A change that will let her be the first among the Three Emperor who rise from power, during the Era of Three Kingdom. Also the day, when she grasped the essence of warfare.
XXX
With the fire already putted down, the Alliance general established a council to plan for the next move. As the council was held, The Alliance general were talking about an issue of Luoyang. Seeing that Luoyang is inhabitable, Sun Ce proposed for them that they need to build the Imperial capital first before moving to Chang An, some were opposed on this matter, but after Cao Cao recounted her experience in engaging the Dong Zhuo army, she asserted.
"Lu Bu is a strong fellow. The Three sister and Gongsun Zan Darren already proven that matter. Regarding my lost, I have to admit that I am less talented than their general and their master strategist. When I engage them, it felt that there is at least two persons who thought up the tactic to defeated me. I also believe this happened in Yuan Darren case. About their General, I can assure you that Li Jue and Guo Si are not worth talking. But remember a general named Hua Xiong? There are at least three person as strong as her."
Cao Cao recounted how Cao Ren and Cao Hong were outwitted by the same girl named Ren who claimed as the Lu Bu of war in Hulao, and how Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan were having difficulty in handling the man named Lu Bu in Hulao and how she herself were cornered by a strong warrior with tattoo in her face bearing a very large blade (Zhang Liao). She was not feared, it was more admiration that there are that kind of persons.
The rest of alliance general finally agreed to suspend attacking Chang An. While for the next issue for Luoyang, they agreed to delay In rebuilding the imperial capital. And the last issue is which mattered.
"Sun Ce Bofu Darren, please…" Suddenly Yuan Shao opened her hand, asking her to give her something.
"Huh..? what is it , Yuan Darren?"
"I believe as the leader of this Anti Dong Zhuo Alliance leader, I is should be the one responsible in handling the Imperial Seal."
"…? What are you talking about?"
"The Imperial Seal of Han dynasty! Please give that to me!"
"Wha-? Are you asleep or something? Should not that kind of thing is in the hand of the Emperor himself or at least the Prime Minister Dong?"
"That Xiliang country side girl did not possessed it! I believe someone named Li Ru sent it to you! Didn't during the battle of Sishui you are having an audience with his subordinate?"
"Chen Gong? they are demanding to have peace negotiation. That is all."
"Sending an envoy for peace is highly impossible, when both sides already sent their war declaration. I am trying to be nice here. Please relinquish the imperial seal!"
"Did you not hear at least one of my word, curly? There is no imperial seal that I , Sun Ce possessed!"
"Such forced words! You are suspicious. I will forget your haughty attitude toward me, in exchange for the imperial seal, please."
"…. I Said … I DO NOT POSSESED IT! Did your curly hair are too much that they are blocking both of your ears or perhaps idiocy is the trait of Blondie? I will said it once more to the old hag here that are too deaf or perhaps too stupid, that I don't have any imperial seal with me."
"Then, let me search from you. If not, I will know that the daughter of the tiger of Jiangdong is no more than a thieving cat."
"Do you have any evidence at all to prove my guilty? Or are you trying to imply that being curly, blonde have relation to being idiot?"
And so, the small argument led to a big problem. Xun You did not placed her suspicion on Li Ru after they left the Luoyang imperial palace, for it was Li Ru who informed her, that there is a probability Jia Xu let him to informed her about the shortcut in reaching Luoyang and placed traps inside the imperial palace. But , seeing their argument and conflict among the alliance generals, Xun You realized that she had been fooled. It was no matter which one among Li Ru or Jia Xu who informed Yuan Shao.
Luoyang is the bait to let Yuan Shao entered the imperial capital, and the trap placed there were all just a mere addition. It was not a big problem whether Yuan Shao were trapped or not. If Jia Xu plan in trapping Yuan Shao failed, Li Ru's plan will set in motion. Informing that Jia Xu will trap her inside the imperial palace is also a trap to make Xun You and Yuan Shao trusted Li Ru.
If Yuan Shao died inside the imperial capital, the remaining of the alliance general will be incited to march to Chang An, but disorderly. The Dong Zhuo's army will be able to defeated them but with a great cost. But, if Yuan Shao was able to escape from the trap, Li Ru's trap awaited.
During the battle of Sishui, he sent Chen Gong to be a peace envoy for Sun Ce asking for peace negotiation, while Li Ru asked for audience with Yuan Shao to be insider and informed her that he betrayed Prime Minister Dong Zhuo and sent Chen Gong with the imperial seal as his tribute of loyalty to her. An elaborate lie.
Sun Ce were really meeting a peace envoy, while Li Ru claimed that Chen Gong is also an insider that he sent to entrusted the imperial seal to Sun Ce and later giving it to Yuan Shao. Seeing that Yuan Shao and her (Xun You) in the end trusted him, because he gave so many legit information, they did not have any suspicion toward him. What a pity that she was late in realizing it. And she was unable to explained the truth to Yuan Shao this moment, because it will cost the reputation of her lord, and all the warlord in this realm will mock her for being an idiot.
Deep in her heart, Xun You congratulate the Dong Zhuo's army. For Prime Minister Dong Zhuo is gifted with such capable retainers. It is no wrong in her words that she really valued her retainers than this burning city of Luoyang. She has lost to Li Ru, Jia Xu and a man named Lu Bu. She at this moment were no match against them.
The Alliance that were established to defeat the Tyrant Dong Zhuo were crumbling, because the discord among them.
XXX
"…That is the whole plan, Prime Minister Dong… please forgive me. I mean Yue " Li Ru finished in explaining his whole plan. He retracted his word, because Yue show disliking when he called her not by her manna.
Right now, Kazuto is busy explaining about the strategy that he used in this war. With the whole imperial Han capital moved to Chang An, this is the time for Minister of War to report his accomplishment as a responsibility.
Jia Xu was surprised. She never expected that kind strategy. " How…! How is that possible! Rather than fighting the army directly, you instead choose to end this war by not fighting at all!"
"I merely choose to lessen the victim for the war. That is why I avoid directly engaging them. The Prime Minister of Qin, during the Warring State Period suggested that idea."
" Zhang Yi proposed the Lianheng Contra-alliance and proceed in sowing discord among the six states to end their alliance against Qin. I see… as expected from the Minister of War Darren." Ei was really amazed.
Ever since he heard about the Anti Dong Zhuo Alliance, he is only contended in how to destroy their alliance rather than fighting them directly. That is why he thought a lot of way, asking the Sima Clan and the Cao clan to not engage him directly. The only miscalculation that he made is the death of general Hua Xiong. But , let us say that he has fulfilled his job like Zhang Yi and successfully performed :
Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. – Sun Zi's Art of War, Chapter 3 Attack by Stratagem.
Holding careful military discussion and evaluating the enemy, causing the enemy morale to be lost and his forces to be disunited so that even his disposition is complete, he will not be able to employ it, this is victory through the Way (Tao) – Art of Command / Wei Liao Zi, Chapter 4 Bringing War to Full Momentum
Destroy your opponents ability to fight by creating discord with his allies, advisors, family, commanders, soldiers, and people. While he's repairing these relationships, attack – The 36 Stratagems, the 33rd ruse:The Strategy of Sowing Discord
Jia Xu were then deeply effected by him. From now on, she quitted relying on engaging the enemies directly and chose to fight a possible war. This is the event that will change how Jia Xu to become one of the three greatest strategist during the era of Three Kingdom. The Grand Commandant Jia Xu.
For her strategy will not rely in impressive feats or greatly complex tactic for warfare. From now on, she has learnt that the best strategy is letting the enemy fought themselves. Among the three greatest strategists, her strategy will be less impressive but never fail. Because she only fight a highly possible winning, and plant a discord among her enemies and later harvested them. For she is the best at sowing discord, even surpassing the Grand Preceptor Sima Yi. This is how Jia Xu will later strategize for her later lord. But this, is the tale for next time.
At this moment, Yue was greatly satisfied with his result and confer him many gift. But Kazuto refuse them.
"I am not worthy. I slandered you and Ei-chan to execute this plan."
But because Yue insisted on, he requested one gift.
"I want a land to build a grave for the late General Hua Xiong and other soldier who died in Hulao and Sishui."
And so… The Dong Zhuo tyrant has finished. For now. What shall be the future for? The next chapter will be an addendum. You can either skipped it, for it has no connection with the main story.
Author Note:
Perhaps all of you will hate how i conclude the Dong Zhuo Tyrant. I did not do a great war, but make him (Kazuto or Li Ru) retreat in this whole battle. and most of his effort is a combination of trickery and manipulation. he won the battle because he has no opponent. Perhaps all of you want a conclusion like Koihime or Romance of Three Kingdom, where they held epic battle between Lu Bu and the three sister or even the battle between Dong Zhuo army against the Guandong Alliance which happened in Koihime, perhaps you want me to make Zhang Liao fought Guan Yu (Aisha).
But... let me explain my reasoning. how is the war really won? a war cost money, a very much lot of money. The best strategy of winning against your opponent is not by war.
Guan Zhong used economy, Zhang Yi and Su Qin used their outstanding diplomatic mission, Shen Kuo used a map to silence the Liao's official, Lin Xiangru use her outstanding negotiation.
In playing ROTK XI, and hearing my friend experience in playing SAMKOK or ROMANCE OF THREE KINGDOM ONLINE, i was more amazed when he or other player able to get a recognition or feared because they are being bluffed. If he or other player able to won because of maximizing level or status of general and wage war... i will not care. Many player able to do so. But when , he able to threatened other player by placing an abandoned outpost only with one general without any soldiers, then i raise my hat to him or the player that he told me.
And just like i wrote here, the next chapter is skip-able. it was more for a fun chapter for me. There won't be a theme or something. it just like a chapter to relax, like having a spa or sauna after doing sport.
In answering the review from Moon-sama if by chaos you mean about Dong Zhuo's "Tyranny" it is now over.