The Grandmaster Strategist

litary strength.
But if were to give them room to regain their breath, their army would have the opportunity to re-stabilize.
Without a decade or more, we will not be able to conquer Southern Chu.
If Imperial Father permits it, this child wishes to take a gamble and strike a heavy blow at Southern Chu, causing them to lose the will to oppose our Great Yong.
After that, we would pacify every resisting force one by one.
Although this plan may end up being protracted, but within three years, this child can promise that Southern Chu will be absorbed by Great Yong.
And then we will use another twenty years to acquire popular sentiment.
What does Imperial Father think?” 

Li Yuan understood the meaning behind Li Zhi’s words.
According to his view, the best and most perfect plan would be sweep away all opposition in one go.
But the current Southern Chu was still capable of resistance.
To be able to conquer Southern Chu in three years at the cost of twenty years of chaos, which would unlikely spread to the Central Plains, would be worthwhile, especially as Li Yuan’s desire to establish glorious achievements outweighed everything.
He ultimately agreed with Li Zhi’s suggestion. 

Cold fury flashed across Noble Consort Ji’s eyes.
She knew that because of this, Jiangnan would be in chaos for several years, creating great hardship to the common people.
But she made no attempt to stop this, because she knew that Li Yuan had already made his decision.
She once again confirmed that the sect mistress’s decision was correct.
Although the Prince of Yong possessed great skill and strategy, in comparison, the mediocre Li An was more suitable to become the sovereign of Great Yong. 

Seeing that Li Yuan had agreed, Li Zhi raised the finite details.
According to current intelligence, Southern Chu’s forces were spread out across a wide area.
Because of the fighting, Southern Chu had reinforced the defenses in Sichuan, trying to prevent Great Yong from breaking through Sichuan and descend down the Yangtze River.
In addition, Xiangyang had been attacked twice, suffering heavy casualties.
In order to reinforce these two fronts, Southern Chu’s Ministry of War had pulled soldiers from other locales and were barely able to make ends meet, especially as they still needed to garrison the defenses along the entirety of the Yangtze River.
Li Zhi suggested that Great Yong launch attacks and sieges on two fronts in Sichuan and Xiangyang, focusing Southern Chu’s attention there.
Afterwards, he would personally lead an elite cavalry unit to directly pierce through the Yangtze River defenses and close in on Jianye.
Under normal circumstances, Jianye could not be captured without a siege lasting several months, more than enough time for reinforcements to arrive to save the city and cut off the cavalry unit’s lines of supply and retreat.
However, Jianye currently had few soldiers guarding the city.
Combined with the agents inside the city, Li Zhi was confident that he would be able to capture Jianye in only a few days, and later kidnap the Southern Chu King and the court officials back to Great Yong.
When the time came, Southern Chu would be leaderless.
The combination of its capital being captured and its King kidnapped would be a severe blow to the morale of Southern Chu.
Even if Southern Chu chooses a new monarch, it will be incredibly difficult for them to continue to oppose Great Yong.
Afterwards, Great Yong can use Zhao Jia to pacify Jiangnan.
Although this plan would nominally require more time to complete and would cause significant problems, Li Yuan hoped that Southern Chu would submit sooner rather than later.
As a result, he approved the plan. 

Although Li An was unfamiliar with military matters, he knew what troubles this plan would cause.
But he also knew that if Li Zhi was really successful in conquering Southern Chu, then his own hopes of becoming the heir apparent would be greatly reduced.
Having failed in his campaigns against Southern Chu, Li Xian believed that this plan would enable him to regain some face.
As a result, neither prince made any objections.
Although the Cheng Shu, the Duke of Wei, and Qin Yi, the General Who Pacifies Distant Lands, both had some misgivings about the plan, they both understood its profoundness.
They also knew that there wouldn’t be any use to objecting.
Just this way, this invasion plan that would be castigated by later generations as not adhering to the art of war was approved.
Outside of Li Zhi and Shi Yu, no one else knew that Li Zhi’s actual target was Jiang Zhe. 

After the discussion had concluded, Li Yuan sighed and said, “Zhi’er, you must ensure Changle’s safety in this attack on Jianye.
You must bring her back.
She has already sacrificed too much for Great Yong.
We have her down.” 

Li Zhi sighed faintly as well.
Princess Changle was the beloved daughter of his Imperial Father.
Her mother was Noble Consort Gongsun who was widely known for her virtues.
Changle herself was dignified and tender, and as a result much favored and loved by Imperial Father.
Noble Consort Gongsun’s son, Li Xian,1 had died protecting Li Yuan from assassins.
Her other son, the Fourth Prince, Li Jin, had died at a young age.
Therefore, Imperial Father had tried to comfort Noble Consort Gongsun by promising that after Changle had reached marriageable age, she would be able to choose her husband.
At the time, Changle already had someone she admired, but due to the need to form a marriage alliance with Southern Chu, their Imperial Father could only order Changle be married to then Crown Prince of Southern Chu, Zhao Jia.
When she learned this news, Noble Consort Gongsun had begged the Emperor while weeping, saying that Southern Chu and Great Yong would become enemies sooner rather than later.
If Changle were to be married over, then how would she be able to survive? But Imperial Father’s decision had been made.
The look of despair in Changle’s eyes when she departed for Southern Chu had left an unforgettable mark upon Li Zhi.
Li Zhi had ingeniously arranged for the court ladies from Yong to purposely steal Zhao Jia’s favor and prevent Zhao Jia and Changle from having too much emotional entanglement.
But upon learning about Changle’s life in Southern Chu, Li Zhi lamented greatly.
This was especially the case when Changle became pregnant.
The decision had long been made to abort the child, especially as this child would have a cruel fate before it.
Li Zhi could imagine clearly Changle’s grief and despair. 

Thinking of this, Li Zhi resolutely replied, “Imperial Father be at ease.
This child will definitely bring back the Imperial Sister.
Imperial Sister has sacrificed much for Great Yong.
This child will definitely ensure her safety and bring her home.” 

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“After she has been brought back and some time has passed,” replied Li Yuan with a sigh, “We will find her a new husband so that her youth is not completely wasted by being a widow.” 

Everyone seemed to hesitate.
Finally, Wei Guan spoke, “Your Imperial Majesty’s intent is well, but if Zhao Jia is brought back as a hostage, we will be required upon his name to control Southern Chu.
The Princess is still the Queen of Southern Chu.
If Your Imperial Majesty finds a new husband for the Princess, Southern Chu’s officials and subjects will definitely hate Great Yong.” 

Furious, Li Yuan replied, “Don’t tell me that Our daughter must suffer hardship forever?” 

Wei Guan was at a loss for words.
In his view, whether Princess Changle was happy was irrelevant.
But he did not dare to utter such words. 

“Imperial Father, Minister Wei speaks with good reason,” said Li An trying to smooth things over, “How about this? We will first select a suitable husband for Imperial Sister, allowing them to be secretly betrothed.
After a few years and Southern Chu is pacified, when Zhao Jia is no longer of any use, we can formally wed Imperial Sister and her new husband.” 

Li Yuan faintly nodded his head and replied, “Let it be so … This matter must not be revealed.
Let’s first wait for Changle to return.
Okay, We are tired.
You can all go.” 

Li An, Li Zhi, Li Xian, Wei Guan, Cheng Shu, and Qin Yi all rose and bade their farewell.
Noble Consort Ji supported Li Yuan and left the Imperial Study.
As everyone left individually, Li Xian did not leave with Li An.
Instead, he deliberately stayed behind and spoke to Li Zhi, “Second older brother, do you believe that Jiang Zhe will definitely serve you?” 

Li Zhi indifferently replied, “What? Does sixth younger brother also want him as a subordinate?” 

Seeming eager to get involved, Li Xian replied, “Second older brother, when I met that Jiang Zhe, I felt like we were kindred spirits.
You have so many civil officials and military commanders under your command; give this Jiang Zhe to me.” 

Li Zhi smiled faintly and replied, “You believe that if he doesn’t serve me, that he would be willing to serve you?” 

“I believe that this fellow has a clear view of things sometimes,” replied Li Xian, “If he is willing to serve me, I will take him as my teacher and listen to his every word.
He will definitely agree, so long as second older brother does not fight over him with me.” 

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Li Zhi smiled bitterly.
He had not thought that Li Xian would be so break with propriety and befriend Jiang Zhe.
Li Zhi was not willing to compete with his brother, so he said, “Right now, we’re not even certain if he’s willing to surrender and pledge allegiance to Great Yong.
We’re competing too early.
Oh right, when are you and Lady Qin getting married?” 

“I’m not in a rush, since the status is already confirmed,” replied Li Xian with a smile, “Qin Zheng’s master and father both want it to be soon and so the wedding is set for next month.” 

“If that is the case, then I might not be able to get back in time,” replied Li Zhi with a smile, “You have delayed her for so many years.
You’re lucky that Lady Qin waited for you.” 

Li Xian scoffed and replied, “If it wasn’t for Noble Consort Ji urging Imperial Father to issue a decree, I originally wanted to wait a little longer.
There are so many beautiful women out there, I don’t have enough time for all of them.
Last time in Southern Chu, I met Liu Piaoxiang, definitely a natural extraordinarily beautiful woman.
If it weren’t for Qin Zheng, I would have been able to get my hands on her.
On your trip to Southern Chu, second older brother, you should go see her.
She is definitely a woman of peerless elegance.
That Liang Wan is such a hypocritical woman and cannot even compare to her.
Women, what use is there for them to worry about the state and common people?” 

Li Zhi replied with a smile, “Fine, fine.
I will tell younger sister-in-law and let her know that you look down on her.” Li Xian hurriedly begged to be spared. 

Although Li Zhi’s face carried a smile, his heart was cold.
Li An had now gotten the backing of the Fengyi Sect and was also supported by Li Xian.
If Li Xian matured, then Li An would be able to completely oppose him without needing the protection of Imperial Father.
Thinking of the increasing dangerous situation around him, Li Zhi once again made the determination that he must acquire Jiang Zhe.
He required someone who would be able to completely overcome all of the heavy obstacles before him.

The ninth month of the first year of Zhihua, the Prince of Yong presented a plan to pacify Southern Chu.
He led four hundred thousand troops south.
The news rocked the Jingxiang region … 

– Southern Chu Dynastic Records, the Biography of King Yang of Chu

Footnotes:

喜出望外, xichuwangwai – idiom, to be pleased beyond one’s expectations; overjoyed at the turn of events 儿臣, erchen – lit.
this child subject; translating as this child 千方百计, qianwanbaiji – idiom, lit.
thousand ways, a hundred plans; by every possible means 不慌不忙, buhuangbumang – idiom, lit.
calm and unhurried; composed, to take matters calmly 臣弟, chendi – lit.
this younger brother subject