Chapter 57: The Ambitions of the State of Zhao

As soon as the carriage reached the confluence of the Green River and Mount Changbai, its pace slowed. The commander had already arrived at the foot of the mountain, and across the river lay the land of the Chess Kingdom, driven onto the peninsula by the Yan State.

Lin Shu ordered the carriage to halt, then climbed onto its roof once more. The territory of the Chess Kingdom comprised what would later become the northern region of Stick Island, established by the noble Chess Marquis of the Shang Dynasty. A century ago, their main domain was in Liaodong, but unable to contend with Yan, they gradually migrated onto the peninsula. After nearly a millennium of integration with the indigenous tribes, the Chess Kingdom remained a loose tribal confederation, with the only significant change being their acquisition of rudimentary bronze-working technology.

“Xin Ying, let us venture to the peninsula’s plateau; let us leave the mines of White Mountain untouched for now.”

The northern reaches of Stick Island were rich in mineral resources; Lin Shu even imagined stripping the land bare, leaving none for the locals—though such thoughts could only remain idle fantasies.

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Donned in nomadic attire and renowned for cavalry archery, the Zhao horsemen thundered across the Three Jin and Western Qin. Though the Zhao State was now a shadow of its former glory, Handan city remained prosperous, and the Zhao dance was still the talk of the capital.

Yan Dan had stayed in Handan for some time, treated neither as a guest nor a prisoner. The Zhao harbored resentment toward Yan, but Yan’s army was weak—each attempt at harassment ended in rout by Zhao’s flanking forces, so the hatred was not deep.

In the Zhao palace, King Qian was seated on his knees alongside several senior ministers, passing around sheepskin scrolls. Nearly young still, King Qian slowly set down his bronze wine cup.

“Lord of Plains, Master Pang, according to the elders, is General Li Mu’s report entirely true?”

A general at the frontier need not obey every royal command; King Zhao dared not believe all reports blindly.

The Lord of Plains remained silent, pondering the news returned from Yan. Glancing at Zhao Sheng, Master Pang folded his arms and raised his head.

“Your Majesty, General Li Mu is no braggart!”

“To drive the Xiongnu tribes back a hundred li, to build several fortresses in the northern wilderness, to force Yan to cede land and send Yan Dan to plead for peace and alliance—these achievements prove that the northern state will surely threaten our Dai Commandery!”

King Qian nodded in respect, still awaiting others to speak. The favored courtier Guo Kai glanced at the two elders and held his tongue—for in front of Zhao Sheng and Pang Nuan, his words carried little weight.

The other ministers and generals also waited for the Lord of Plains to speak. Since the old Zhao king’s death, the Lord’s words carried more sway than even the king’s.

With a gentle smile, the elder in splendid attire finally spoke.

“Your Majesty, now Yan seeks favor with Zhao; it is truly a chance for reconciliation! Powerful Qin eyes us hungrily and will surely invade next year! Our Zhao army will find it harder to handle the changes in the north!”

“As General Li Mu said, the northern army is fully equipped, their horses strong and armor sturdy; their strength rivals our own!”

The logic was sound, but King Qian was reluctant to grant Yan’s requests too quickly.

“As both elders say, I too wish for alliance—but Yan is not to be trusted! Zhao need not rush to reply. I shall delay them for a year or so before receiving Yan Dan.”

“As for Li Mu’s request, it is not urgent.”

With that, King Zhao looked toward his royal uncle, but Zhao Sheng remained unchanged in expression.

This was an opening—Guo Kai smiled to himself.

“Your Majesty is wise. Though the northern state is strong, Yan stands in their path. There’s no need for Zhao to act in haste.”

King Zhao nodded in satisfaction; Guo Kai’s sincerity was ever the greatest.

Pang Nuan frowned in irritation—this scoundrel was spewing nonsense again!

“Your Majesty! After the capture of the Moist School’s leader, they swore an oath: the entire Mo School will exert itself to block the northern army outside the Liao Sea Pass!”

“The Moists excel at defense, and the Yan nobility are united in frugality, working together to construct the mechanical iron fortress at Liao Sea! With the northern state relying on cavalry, it will be difficult for them to force their way through!”

“When the arrogant Lord Lin of the North becomes enraged, he will turn his armies against the Xiongnu! Yet the Xiongnu are weaker even than the Donghu, and will surely fall in defeat and submission! If Xiongnu perish, our northern territory will be at risk; the northern army may break through our northern Zhao wall. In a few years, it may not be Yan seeking aid, but Zhao needing to beg Yan for help!”

Yan still had the ability to construct mechanical fortresses, but the weakened Zhao—how would it withstand? How to resist the encirclement of two tigers?

His words startled all from their complacency. King Zhao’s heart trembled; he did not wish to lose any more land.

There was danger of ruin, but it was not imminent. The Lord of Plains did not wish for excessive caution.

“Master Pang has rightly foreseen the future. Though the northern army is fierce, there are ways to break them.”

Ways to break them! King Zhao’s eyes brightened; his uncle truly deserved the reputation as Zhao’s pillar.

Stroking his beard, the elder spoke again.

“Rather than wait for the northern state to grow strong, it is better to strike first.”

The crowd was startled—the monarch, though aged, remained bold.

“The northern state is founded on nomad tribes, and their king has divided the Liao north among commoners, implementing a system of teams, villages, and townships—a tribal rule. He has expelled gentry and nobles, cutting himself off from ritual and education! The northern king is licentious and absurd, entrusting affairs of state to women; in time, he will struggle to govern and secure the realm.”

So much empty talk! What so-called pillar of the state? Guo Kai was unimpressed; these matters would soon be common knowledge.

King Zhao frowned—this was not what he wished to hear.

The elder smiled proudly. Sparrows know not the ambitions of swans; these lords are but among the common multitude.

“Your Majesty, this old minister has a chain of stratagems that will break the northern state and drive their armies back to the snowy wastes.”

A chain of stratagems! Was he suggesting war? Pang Nuan could not see through it.

Was it true? King Zhao inquired at once.

“Please instruct me, uncle!”

The child is teachable! Zhao Sheng nodded in satisfaction, then lifted his tea cup.

No rush—let him drink first.

After a quiet moment, the old man stood up resolutely.

“I hear the northern king rules by force, subduing tribes through conquest; wherever he goes, he slays until submission. In barely a year, he commands three hundred thousand troops—but he has sown seeds of hatred and disaster!”

Internal strife and division? Pang Nuan shook his head—those terrified tribes would not dare rebel.

“The newly established northern state is bound to be unstable; if the northern king is besieged in Liaodong, the tribes and camps will harbor thoughts of treason. If the king’s faction is defeated or killed, the northern state will collapse!”

A plan to stabilize the world—the Lord of Plains nodded in delight.

Ah! If only there was strength to kill the northern king—there’d be no need for such deliberation! Pang Nuan wondered if old Zhao was simply too old.

What was this old man truly saying?

King Zhao was speechless, rising to bow in greeting. “Please speak plainly, uncle.”

Very well!

Stepping forward from the desk, the elder’s gaze grew brighter.

“Your Majesty may become the alliance leader—ally with Yan to the east, Linhu and Dayuezhi to the west, and Xiongnu to the north. With the strength of two states and three tribes, tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry could break through the camps of eastern desert and western Liao, besiege Liaodong, and trap the northern king! Such a great undertaking could be achieved, and hegemony would be within reach!”

A great undertaking, hegemony within reach! King Zhao was truly moved. If he could seize Liaodong and Liaoxi, even absorb several nomad tribes, Zhao could reclaim its former strength.

This—seemed feasible! With understanding, Pang Nuan’s mind filled with plans.

None were fools; prompted by Zhao Sheng, a hundred or a thousand possibilities raced through their minds.

All are drunk while I alone am awake! Old Zhao sighed quietly.

“My lords, the northern king openly proclaims his intent to take the desert; Xiongnu and Yan are most fearful! Should Zhao become alliance leader, Yan and Xiongnu will be emboldened to act. Even if Linhu and Dayuezhi are unwilling to march far, they can be compelled to send troops north to distract the northern army at Beihai.”

Ha! Brilliant! King Zhao was delighted and could not help but speak.

“My Zhao army will join Xiongnu to break the eastern desert camps; Yan will send troops beyond the pass to shatter Liaoxi’s forces; Linhu and Dayuezhi will pin down the northern army at Beihai. When tens of thousands converge on Liaodong, such a great undertaking will succeed!”

“Uncle, you are truly among the greatest lords of the Seven States, a blessing from heaven for Zhao!”

King Zhao raised his hand in salute, showing full respect.

Ha ha—excellent!

“Your Majesty, you flatter me!” Old Zhao laughed gently, the king’s praise sweeping away any displeasure.

Pang Nuan sighed softly—King Zhao lacked experience, interrupting the Lord of Plains.

Ah! Ginger is spicier with age! Guo Kai realized that as long as the old man yet lived, he’d best behave himself.

No, I must find some beauties to offer the old fox; to make the late king wait too long would be most unfilial!