King Chen’s expression turned stern: “I’ve often heard that rhetoricians like to intimidate people with grandiloquent words. Is Master Su trying to follow their example?”
He didn’t refer to himself as ‘Gu’ (solitary) like other kings did, but rather used ‘I,’ showing his disregard for etiquette. His underlying message was that Master Su, being a talented individual, shouldn’t lower himself to the level of rhetoricians.
Meng Qi’s expression was solemn as he merely looked at King Chen without uttering a word.
They had rehearsed and scrutinized this meeting many times beforehand. Jiang Zhiwei and others also maintained serious expressions, revealing no hint of a smile, making the atmosphere in the hall heavy and silent.
King Chen inhaled slightly and said earnestly: “Although Chu and Tang are like tigers and wolves, our country has already submitted to Chu, eliminating internal worries and gaining support to resist the powerful Tang. What danger could there be?”
Despite kneeling, Meng Qi’s back remained straight. Upon hearing this, he shook his head: “If Chu and Tang could restrain themselves and wage fewer wars, this situation could last. However, these two countries often clash now, causing devastation to the borderlands and mutual losses, which brings no benefit.”
“When both sides derive no advantage from the situation for long, changes are inevitable.”
King Chen slightly adjusted his sitting posture, shifting from a slouched position to a more upright one, seemingly becoming more attentive.
Unaffected, Meng Qi changed the topic and asked, “If Tang abandons Chu to attack Chen, how would Your Majesty cope?”
King Chen showed no fear, remaining calm: “We would defend our city and await reinforcements from Chu. As mutual allies, Chu certainly wouldn’t stand by idly.”
If Chu abandoned its ally, other smaller states would likely turn to Tang, making Chu’s position increasingly difficult. Thus, King Chen harbored no doubts about the possibility of Chu sending strong reinforcements.
Meng Qi did not argue this point, instead offering a slight smile: “If Chu and Tang were to fight on Chen’s territory, the devastation wouldn’t be limited to their own people. They could also plunder mines, fertile lands, rare treasures, and capture talented individuals and population, which would be more beneficial than before, wouldn’t it?”
“According to Your Majesty, would it be better to abandon advantage for disadvantage, or to pursue benefits?”
“If this happens repeatedly, how many times can Chen defend itself?”
“Annihilation would come at any moment. Can Your Majesty still turn a blind eye?”
His voice gradually rose, becoming powerful and resolute.
King Chen inhaled deeply, seemingly suppressing his anger: “Chu can attack Tang’s territory to rescue Chen, without needing to fight here.”
It was merely the ancient tactic of attacking Wei to rescue Zhao… Remaining expressionless, Meng Qi said: “With prolonged warfare between the two countries, border cities are heavily fortified, leaving the land devastated and yielding little benefit. Meanwhile, Tang could advance deep into Chen’s territory, plundering its resources before Chu’s reinforcements arrive, and then retreat in time for a pincer movement.”
“If this happens repeatedly, how many times can Chen afford to serve Tang?”
King Chen raised his voice, his tone growing more intense: “Between Chu and Tang, there are over a dozen smaller states, many weaker than our own. With Tang’s wisdom, would it choose the difficult path over the easy one?”
“If these small states can be destroyed overnight, would Your Majesty still dare to hope for survival next year?” Meng Qi sat upright, hands resting on his knees, his words growing equally intense.
King Chen glared at him, hand resting on his sword hilt, but after a long pause, he sighed deeply, stood, and bowed respectfully:
“Master truly sees the situation as clearly as if observing fire. Great nations are like massive boulders; one has never heard of an egg surviving between two constantly colliding stones. Master, do you have any advice for me?”
His tone was sincere, clearly indicating his awareness of Chen’s precarious situation.
Meng Qi showed no surprise, for if King Chen had invited them to the palace, it already signified his understanding of their circumstances. The previous exchange was merely a test of their grasp of the situation.
He picked up the bronze wine cup before him, sipped some wine, using the moment to organize his crucial arguments.
Setting down the cup, Meng Qi spoke slowly: “To fully submit the entire country to either Chu or Tang would be a permanent solution to eliminate ‘future threats.’ However, while the Chen nobles might do so, Your Majesty cannot. If the nobles submit, they might still retain their fiefs and estates, but could Your Majesty preserve the state of Chen?”
King Chen nodded slightly, waiting for the main point.
“The root causes of Chen’s peril are threefold: first, its inherent weakness. In this world of tigers and wolves, where righteousness is absent, weakness itself is a crime. Second, overestimating its capabilities, frequently initiating unjust wars against Tang’s vassal states, provoking Tang’s suspicion. Third, the alliances offer no mutual benefit, benefiting only Chu while offering nothing to Tang.” Meng Qi spoke fluently; these were the crystallized insights from over a month of discussions among the five of them.
Upon hearing this, King Chen expressed surprise: “Offer no benefit to Tang? Should we just be like grass on a wall, swaying with the wind?”
“Certainly not,” Meng Qi smiled, not offering an explanation yet, and continued from the beginning: “To address inherent weakness, one must clarify the heavenly mandate, revere spirits and gods, achieve unity from top to bottom, with subordinates obeying superiors, superiors respecting the king’s decree, and the king adhering to the heavenly will, forming a unified whole!”
“To achieve unity from top to bottom, mutual love must be practiced, public schools established, and talents promoted without discrimination based on status or position.”
“This is the foundation for long-term stability, not something that yields immediate results. However, once this is proclaimed throughout the world, wouldn’t powerful individuals overlooked by other states rush here?”
“This endeavor will cost money, so initially, Your Majesty must practice frugality in expenditures and funerals.”
King Chen listened with considerable agreement, but at the last sentence, he frowned: “Initially?”
He understood well that mere frugality in expenditures and funerals couldn’t sustain the costs of establishing public schools and recruiting warriors indefinitely. Yet according to Master Su’s implication, this was merely a temporary expedient measure?
Meng Qi smiled faintly but still refrained from explaining further, continuing instead: “Self-overestimation arises from the absence of universal love, driven by greed for self-interest. Therefore, Your Majesty should proclaim to all states that no more unprofitable wars will be waged. If anyone violates this, they shall be forsaken by both heaven and humanity, disgracing ancestors.”
“To be forsaken by heaven and humanity and to disgrace ancestors” was a rather severe oath. Although lacking real binding force, to others, it appeared quite credible. Combined with the advocacy of the Mohist school, which preached “non-aggression,” it seemed only natural.
King Chen’s expression darkened slightly. If he couldn’t profit from other states, what was the point of strengthening Chen?
If not for the matter concerning the nation’s survival, he certainly wouldn’t have listened to the “non-aggression” advice.
Meng Qi seemed not to notice the subtle change in his expression and returned to King Chen’s initial surprise: “Benefiting Tang does not mean being like grass on a wall, swaying with the wind, but rather making oneself useful to Tang.”
“How does that work?” King Chen still couldn’t quite grasp it.
Meng Qi smiled and explained: “Chu and Tang have been at war for a long time, their hatred deepening. Have they already cut off commercial exchanges?”
“They have,” King Chen replied. Having gradually become a master, he was no fool, and he vaguely began to understand.
“Although Chu and Tang can trade with other states, certain rare treasures and medicinal herbs are only found in each other’s territories. For example, Chu’s Yunze medicinal herbs and Tang’s Guanshan secret treasures are indispensable to them. Even if they can acquire these through intermediaries or secret transactions, the quantities are inevitably insufficient to meet their cultivation needs,” Meng Qi elaborated.
Since the main point had not yet been reached, King Chen felt somewhat anxious: “Are you suggesting that we help Tang purchase Yunze medicinal herbs? But if discovered, Chu will certainly launch a military campaign against us!”
Such matters couldn’t be openly discussed. Perhaps Chu and Tang might turn a blind eye under normal circumstances, but once discovered, due to the hatred cultivated through court politics and war, Chu would certainly not spare Chen.
Meng Qi shook his head: “Why endure such infamy?”
After saying this, he suddenly stood up and bowed: “Therefore, I request Your Majesty to abolish all tolls and taxes at checkpoints across Chen!”
States often set up checkpoints at borders and within their territories, primarily for inspection and taxation.
“Abolish all tolls and taxes at checkpoints? Master Su, what about establishing public schools and recruiting talented individuals?” Although King Chen didn’t understand why the topic had shifted, his heart couldn’t help but panic, causing a sudden gust of wind in the grand hall!
Relying on frugality in expenditures and funerals alone was already difficult to sustain the costs of promoting talent for long. Now, with the additional abolition of checkpoint tolls and taxes, what would they depend on for survival?
Standing straight as a pine tree, Meng Qi’s wide robe gently swayed in the wind: “Most of these checkpoint tolls are privately imposed by noble estates, ending up in the hands of the nobility, not benefiting Your Majesty. If all tolls and taxes at checkpoints could be abolished, wouldn’t merchants from Chu and Tang rush here for profit?”
“At that time, Shangying would surely become a bustling hub for merchants, with market taxes more than doubling. As merchants require food, accommodation, and entertainment, wouldn’t inns, taverns, and other businesses thrive? They would only worry about insufficient rooms, necessitating expansion, or inadequate food supply, requiring extensive preparations!”
“Therefore, the people’s goods would no longer be sold at low prices, and the shops’ earnings would be substantial. Shangying would abound with all kinds of treasures. How could Your Majesty worry about insufficient taxes and a depleted treasury, or lack funds to support scholars?”
King Chen abruptly stood up, his hands slightly trembling, his expression revealing excitement as if a new door had just opened before him!
Could it really work this way?
It actually sounded feasible!
Meng Qi’s voice grew louder: “In such a bustling hub of merchants, would there be a shortage of Yunze medicinal herbs and Guanshan treasures secretly brought by those with intentions from Chu and Tang? These would be their private actions, unrelated to Your Majesty. At worst, it would only be a matter of lax inspections!”
“With this, Your Majesty would be beneficial to both Chu and Tang, embodying the principle of ‘mutual benefit’!”
King Chen nodded repeatedly, already able to grasp the key points.
At this moment, Meng Qi spoke with conviction: “Thus, Chen would not be weak; if someone attempts to forcefully seize it, they would inevitably suffer losses!”
“Thus, Chen would uphold righteousness, not attacking other states, causing no harm to itself!”
“Thus, Chen would be useful, beneficial, and convenient to others!”
“When a nation is advantageous, upholds righteousness, and is not weak, why would anyone bother to destroy it?”
“Therefore, as long as the outcome between Chu and Tang remains unclear, Chen would be safe. But when the victor becomes evident, wouldn’t Your Majesty know what to do?”
His words were powerful and resolute, making King Chen’s eyes increasingly bright and his breathing heavier. Finally, he stepped out from behind his desk and personally helped Meng Qi up:
“Master, truly a rare talent of this generation! Chen is fortunate to receive your guidance. May I ask, Master, would you be willing to serve as Chen’s Grand Minister of Rites?”
Meng Qi and the others exchanged glances. With less than a month remaining, they had finally achieved a breakthrough.
“It has always been my wish, though I dared not request it!” Meng Qi bowed with clasped hands.
…
Clang!
A bronze wine cup was thrown to the ground, creating a deep pit and a metallic sound.
Siku Tian Heng’s face was ashen as he looked at his eldest son, Tian Guang, filled with grief and anger: “Absurd! Preposterous! The King has actually appointed Su Mo of the Mohist school as the Grand Minister of Rites and initiated reforms!”
“Abolishing checkpoint tolls and taxes, promoting talent and capability—this is an attempt to undermine our very foundation!”
Tian Guang’s expression was solemn as he nodded slightly: “Son also feels the weight of this matter.”
“I’ve heard that the newly appointed minister in the southeastern state of Wu is a hermit named Wu Hao, who plans to abolish noble estates, implement fief-based governance, establish commanderies and counties, leading Wu into civil war. Son fears that Su Mo will eventually follow his example!”
“Abolish noble estates, implement fief-based governance, establish commanderies and counties?” Tian Heng’s vision darkened, feeling as though he no longer recognized the world.
Is the sky about to collapse?
Tian Guang’s expression was indifferent yet resolute: “Son believes the threat must be eliminated as soon as possible.”
“With the King’s support…” Tian Heng furrowed his brow. The King, a master himself, was the strongest in Chen. Who could eliminate this threat under his very nose? Perhaps by contacting the nobles of Chu?
Tian Guang said: “If it doesn’t cost our lives, there might be a chance for a decisive strike!”
“Guang, you?” Tian Heng was astonished.
Tian Guang clenched his jaw, his expression still indifferent and resolute: “In today’s world, it’s either you die or I perish. As long as we can eliminate this trend, the world will be at peace, and so will we.”
“Hmph, Su Mo himself once said, ‘Where righteousness lies, I shall go, even against a thousand men!'”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage