World's First Traitor System (391)

Chapter 391 - When There’s a Policy, There’s a Counter-Policy

Within the Rivers and Mountains Pavilion of Fan Manor, Fan Li’s network of informants within the Chu Imperial Palace had doubled since Bai Rong's ascension to Empress.

This wasn't due to an influx of new servants; rather, previously dormant agents within Fan’s trading company, posing as loyal servants to Xiang Chong and Grand Empress Dowager Li, were now activated.

Consequently, Fan Li possessed an intimate knowledge of the palace’s inner workings, from the content of Bai Rong and Xiang Chong’s private conversations to the minutiae of the Emperor’s sleeping habits.

Fan Li had anticipated a move from Great Ci. With one of the three Celestial Empires descending within Great Chu’s borders, Empress Yao Guang, the architect of the Five Kingdoms Alliance, could hardly remain indifferent.

Her strategy was now clear: incite Xiang Chong to wage war against the Later Jin, then stand aside and observe, regardless of the victor.

Theoretically, in her pursuit of unifying all under heaven, every other kingdom, including her allies, was a future enemy, let alone these newcomers from the Celestial Empire.

To use another’s army to eliminate her rivals was a cunning plan, but Fan Li was privy to her machinations.

He informed the assembled officials.

"Great Ci intends to dispatch a Sage Ruler to lead the Chu army against the Later Jin. With the garrison troops depleted after recent battles, His Majesty intends to conscript soldiers from the regional armies. However, I fear the regional troops, poorly equipped and inadequately trained, are no match for the Later Jin forces. Should they be defeated, the Ci Sage Ruler will likely escape, but what of the ordinary soldiers? How many will return alive?"

After Fan Li finished speaking, he looked steadily at the people in front of him.

Xiang Chong wouldn't dream that, at this very moment, within Fan Manor, the governors and magistrates of Great Chu’s various provinces and commanderies were gathered. They had entered the capital discreetly, dressed in civilian clothes, yet their bearing, the quiet authority of men accustomed to power, was unmistakable.

Each commanded thousands, some even tens of thousands, of regional troops. For Yao Guang and Xiang Chong to covet their soldiers was to strike at the very heart of their authority. Thus, a single summons from Fan Li had brought them hurrying to the capital.

“Your Excellencies. An imperial decree cannot be ignored. Once issued, you are obligated to provide troops and supplies within the stipulated timeframe. However…”

Fan Li spoke slowly, his eyes scanning the entire room, taking in every micro-expression on everyone's face; surprise, anger, even resentment.

“Duke Jin!” A magistrate spoke up, “Has His Majesty not seen the military reports? Crown Prince Wanli of Great Ming suffered a crushing defeat at Hongzhou. The Southern Tang Emperor, Li Yu, painted a million soldiers with a single stroke of his brush. His cultivation is clearly at the highest levels of Great Vehicle. And I suspect the Later Jin Emperor, Shi Jingtang, is equally formidable.”

“That’s right.” Another person said, “Our regional troops, though adequate for suppressing bandits and maintaining local order, are ill-equipped for a major campaign. They are simply not qualified.”

Fan Li nodded, acknowledging the validity of their concerns. “You two analysis is very sound.”

He hadn't summoned these officials to coerce them. Brute force, the preferred method of tyrants like Dong Zhuo, was beneath him. Nor did he intend to overwhelm them with eloquent arguments. A truly skilled negotiator, he believed, guided, inspired, even… misled. He had presented the facts, the intelligence from within the palace. Now, he would let their self-interest ferment.

Self-preservation was, after all, the most potent motivator. Fan Li’s subtle disapproval of Xiang Chong's plan was a silent endorsement of their resistance, emboldening them to defy the imperial decree.

However, such defiance had its limits. Once the decree was issued, they were obligated to provide troops. Fan Li’s goal was to minimize the impact on the regional armies, and to achieve this, he required their support. The most effective support wasn't solicited, but offered freely.

“Alas." An elderly official stroked his white beard and sighed. "Duke Jin, my Lords, I have long served in the provinces and have never met His Majesty. Does he not realize that this expedition to Xiongzhou is futile? That he is merely a pawn in Empress Yao Guang’s game?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone nodded frequently.

“Indeed,” another added, “With the Great Ming’s defeat at Hongzhou as a precedent, we should exercise caution, not rush into battle. We should conserve our strength and bide our time. Does His Majesty not understand this? Must he serve as Empress Yao Guang’s vanguard?”

“My soldiers are mostly sons of local families,” another lamented. “If they perish in Xiongzhou, the foundations of our province will be shaken. We risk descending into chaos.”

Their anxiety mounted, and their resentment towards Xiang Chong grew with each shared grievance. Finally, one of them, unable to contain himself, knelt before Fan Li.

“Duke Jin! we owe our positions entirely to your patronage. As for His Majesty… his legitimacy is questionable, his claim to the throne… tenuous. He has shown no favor to his subjects. Must we allow him to lead us down this ruinous path? My Lord, with your influence…”

“Enough!” Fan Li’s sharp command cut him off. He couldn't allow such talk to continue. The man was clearly suggesting rebellion.

The official, silenced, paled. He had hoped to gain favor by supporting Fan Li’s ascension, but it seemed he had misjudged the situation. Was Fan Li’s reputation as a traitor… unfounded?

"Duke Jin, I... your humble servant..."

Just when the man was feeling embarrassed, he saw Fan Li pour a cup of warm tea and handed it to him personally.

“Your concern for the kingdom is commendable. A momentary lapse in judgment is hardly a crime.”

He paused, allowing his words to soothe the man’s anxiety. “His Majesty’s decision is… regrettable. However, our other Majesty is known for her benevolence. Were she on the throne, she would surely value the lives of her subjects.”

He was, of course, referring to Xiang Ning. Though her brief reign hadn't earned her widespread acclaim, compared to the reckless Xiang Chong, she seemed a paragon of virtue, a true embodiment of a wise and benevolent ruler.

“Duke Jin speaks truly, but she is in Great Ci…”

The officials exchanged uneasy glances. They believed Fan Li was orchestrating a coup. But his mention of Xiang Ning confused them. If she were Emperor, they wouldn't need a change of dynasty.

Fan Li smiled inwardly. His mention of Xiang Ning had a dual purpose. To remind the officials of her existence, to subtly reinforce her claim, and, more importantly, to set the stage for his true intentions.

“I understand your concerns. I will implore His Majesty to reconsider.” His words were met with skepticism.

“Duke Jin, you have already voiced your objections in court, yet His Majesty refused to listen. If you speak again, will it truly be effective?”

Fan Li sighed dramatically. “Must we allow our soldiers to die needlessly?” His feigned anguish resonated with the officials. They exchanged glances and quickly reached a consensus.

Led by the eldest among them, they knelt before Fan Li.

"You? My Lords, what do you mean by this?" Fan Li hurriedly stood up and kept trying to help them up.

Unfortunately, these local officials were all highly skilled. The weakest of them was at the ninth level of the Nascent Soul Realm, so it was impossible for Fan Li to help them.

The old man said in a deep voice, “Duke Jin, you are the true leader of Great Chu. Only you can guide us through this crisis. Command us, and we will follow, even unto death.”

Fan Li’s preparations had borne fruit. He feigned reluctance, then, as if compelled by their pleas, spoke. “There may be… a way. A way to… satisfy both the Emperor and… ourselves.”

Their attention was rapt. Rebellion carried immense risk. Defying an imperial decree was a capital offense. A solution that avoided both was precisely what they sought.

“Tell us, Duke Jin!” they urged.

“Um.”

Fan Li’s expression turned serious, as if burdened by a great weight. “Before His Majesty issues the decree, disband your troops. Then, recruit new soldiers. Ensure, however, that your armies remain at full strength, as per the imperial mandate.”

Confusion clouded their faces. What purpose would that serve?

Fan Li explained, “The key lies in the source of your recruits. Where can you find soldiers without weakening your provinces?”

They pondered, then one tentatively suggested, “All under heaven belongs to the Emperor. All within its borders are his subjects. Wherever we recruit, it will surely be a loss for Great Chu.”

“Not necessarily,” Fan Li countered. “There is a source of soldiers… readily available… that would not diminish Great Chu’s strength.”

“Who?!” they asked eagerly.

“Prisoners,” Fan Li declared. In those times, prisons held tens of thousands, sometimes even hundreds of thousands, of convicts.

“But… some are condemned to death, others merely imprisoned…” one objected.

“Precisely,” Fan Li agreed. “Therefore, we offer them this condition: they serve in the army. Desertion, however, will not be punished. They are merely required to… return to their cells.”