Chapter Nine: Reflections on a Humble Study and Military Strategy

Upon hearing Li Xiang’s praise, Wang Meng felt a deep sense of joy. Of course, a strategist of his caliber would not be moved by mere flattery; what truly pleased him was that Li Xiang had compared him to Zhang Zifang and himself to the founding emperor, Gaozu. Perhaps Li Xiang himself did not realize the implications of his words, but to Wang Meng, they were an inadvertent revelation of his lord’s hidden ambitions.

Wang Meng did not fear a lord with ambition; in fact, he hoped for it. He only feared a lord who lacked such drive, for only when his lord harbored great ambitions could he truly display the full extent of his own learning and talent.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 10 Summoning Points. You now have 37 points remaining."

Li Xiang was overjoyed. That Wang Meng had even contributed Summoning Points was a clear sign of his sincere allegiance. This trip had been well worth it; with Wang Meng by his side, the upcoming war against the Xiongnu would be far easier to manage.

With this in mind, Li Xiang immediately asked, "The Xiongnu are pressing hard upon our borders. Does the master have any counsel for me?"

Wang Meng’s expression turned solemn. This was his first time offering advice since pledging his loyalty, and he felt compelled to provide a perfect answer to prove his worth.

"My Lord, as far as I am aware, the Xiongnu have suffered heavy losses of livestock due to the winter snowstorms, leaving their tribes on the brink of starvation. This is why they have launched this massive invasion, is it not?"

"I am not sure what you are implying," Li Xiang said, puzzled.

A sharp gleam flashed in Wang Meng's eyes. "To my knowledge, the entire steppe has been affected by this disaster. It is not just the Xiongnu, but also the Wuhuan, the Xianbei, and even smaller tribes who seek to survive by plundering the Great Han. Because the Xiongnu have suffered most severely, I suspect that they have not merely dispatched eighty thousand troops; other Xiongnu tribes may be on their way. Despite their decline in recent years, the Xiongnu still possess a significant foundation."

Li Xiang was startled. If this were true, the war would be difficult indeed, and the border people would suffer greatly.

"My Lord, do not worry. This situation may not necessarily be a bad thing for you."

Li Xiang realized that Wang Meng already had a plan in mind. He hurriedly asked, "Master, what should we do?"

Wang Meng took a slow, measured sip of tea before replying, "My Lord, the entire northern border will soon be embroiled in conflict, which will surely alarm the Imperial Court. Since Bing Province will face the most severe fighting, as long as we grease the right palms in the capital and stall the conflict, the Court will certainly permit us to recruit more soldiers to defend against the Xiongnu."

"You mean for my Li family to use this opportunity to expand our strength? But if we do, Ding Yuan will also take the chance to grow. As the Inspector of Bing Province, he holds the moral high ground. I fear we might be nursing a tiger to our own detriment!"

"My Lord, hear the next part of my plan. For this to succeed, we must win this battle."

Li Xiang’s face lit up. "Please, enlighten me. With you here, victory will not be difficult."

"You are too kind, My Lord. If we win, we can secretly use the name of Ding Yuan’s subordinates to bribe General-in-Chief He Jin with vast wealth, seeking a Nine Ministers position for Ding Yuan. With the wealth and the merit of war, plus the fact that Ding Yuan is already a man of He Jin, this will be easy. Since the Li and Wang families have been on good terms for generations, if we have Wang Yun lobby the Court, it is highly likely that your father, Lord Li Yang, will succeed as the Inspector of Bing Province. Before the world falls into chaos, you will have established a stable power base."

Wang Meng cleared his throat and continued, "You can assist Lord Li in developing the province for a few years. When the Yellow Turban Rebellion eventually plunges the world into chaos, remember that the rebels are mostly displaced refugees; their origins will inherently limit their future. They may flourish initially, but they are destined to fail, leaving the land filled with refugees. You can then petition the Court to allow the resettlement of these refugees and captives to bolster border defenses. With the Court beset by internal and external troubles, they will not object. In this way, the population of Bing Province will surge. By focusing on domestic affairs, stockpiling grain, and training soldiers among the people, you will be prepared. When the world changes, you may strike south into Ji Province to control the south of Hebei and gaze toward the Central Plains, or move west through the Sili region to control the Court, using the eight passes of Luoyang to hold off the eastern warlords, swallowing the regions of Yong and Liang, and taking the lands of Ba and Shu to eye the empire. All these paths depend on your decision. Of course, to achieve this, you will need the support of Lord Li once he becomes Inspector, but I believe this should not be difficult for you."

Wang Meng was indeed worthy of his reputation. This strategy was not inferior to the "Three Kingdoms" plan proposed to Liu Bei; it clearly outlined a strategic roadmap for Li Xiang.

Of course, a lord must also have his own ideas to effectively lead his subordinates. As he contemplated this, an inspiration struck Li Xiang, and he began to weigh the feasibility of his own addition.

"Master, I have a few additions to your plan. I wonder if you might offer your critique."

Without waiting for a response, Li Xiang continued, "In your plan, we ask the Court to allow recruitment while the war is deadlocked. However, I propose that once the war begins, we should propagate the atrocities of the Xiongnu along the borders. Once the Court authorizes recruitment, we shall seize the opportunity to issue an 'Order to Slay the Barbarians,' calling upon talented men across the realm to defend the frontier and strike down the foreign invaders."

Li Xiang’s idea was inspired by the historical "Order to Slay the Barbarians." While scholars might disapprove, the warriors of the world were hot-blooded men. This would surely bring many to Bing Province, perhaps even attracting figures from history. Of course, he could not simply copy the original order, or he would alienate the gentry. He would need to carefully modify the content to achieve his ends while maintaining his image among the literati.

Wang Meng immediately grasped the intent behind Li Xiang’s proposal. He had no objections; if executed properly, this would greatly strengthen Bing Province and attract military talent. Wang Meng looked even further: this was not a one-time move. In the coming chaotic times, when heroes arose to choose their masters, Li Xiang would be seen as a great leader by warriors everywhere. The Bing Province army would never lack for generals. As for the truly talented scholars, they would eventually see the hidden purpose behind the order, ensuring that Li Xiang left a profound mark in their minds as well.

Even so, Wang Meng could not help but remind him, "My Lord, while this plan is excellent, you must maintain a delicate balance. If handled correctly, this 'Order to Slay the Barbarians' will be a sharp weapon for your future conquest of the world."