The young messenger outside was startled stiff by her shout.
Song Chuyi lifted the curtain and saw only a dazed-looking youth, so she did not ask much and simply said, “Let’s go.”
Song Chuyi had only arrived two days ago, and the youth had never seen her in the residence before. Now, seeing that she was about the same age as himself, he could not help but be filled with shock.
Song Chuyi took two steps out, noticed the youth had not followed, and immediately turned around and said, “I am covered in the smell of wine. I need a fragrant bath before I can go before the lord. Hurry up!”
Only then did the youth snap to attention and hurry after her, apologizing, “Everything is already prepared. Rest assured, Master Huaijin.”
The two hurried out of the tavern, boarded a light carriage, and sped back to the residence.
The servants of Longgu Residence had indeed prepared everything. Song Chuyi had no time to enjoy it – she rinsed off the smell of wine in the bath and quickly climbed out, putting on the prepared white robe with broad sleeves.
Because it was winter, the clothes were thick and heavy, making Song Chuyi appear less frail when worn.
Having just drunk wine, Song Chuyi did not find it very cold in the wind and snow.
When they reached the main gate of the Wey Palace, a eunuch led her swiftly all the way to a side hall.
A eunuch outside the door saw the two of them and announced in a loud voice, “Master Huaijin has arrived.”
“This way, Master,” the eunuch said with a bow.
Song Chuyi straightened her clothes and hair, then took off her shoes and calmly walked into the hall.
“Song Huaijin pays respects to the lord.” Song Chuyi swept open her broad sleeves and performed the grand salute of a long bow.
On the main seat, the Marquis of Wey in a brown magnificent robe leaned slantingly against the armrest, looking at Song Chuyi. Although Longgu Qing had repeatedly emphasized just now that this person was young, when he saw her in person, he was still somewhat slightly astonished – how was this merely young? She was clearly underage.
“Great goodness, a heaven-granted genius. It must be that Heaven cannot bear to see our State of Wey bullied. Please, Master, take a seat.” The Marquis of Wey was filled with excitement. At such a young age, Song Chuyi could utter such ruthless and brilliant schemes. She truly could not be underestimated. If given time, she might well become an unmatched state scholar.
“Thank you, my lord.” Song Chuyi walked to a seat below Longgu Qing and sat down.
The Marquis of Wey straightened up and said, “General Longgu has already told me your words. I deeply believe you are a great talent, Master. May I ask whether you have a detailed plan?”
Although men of talent were highly respected in these times, Song Chuyi knew that if the Marquis of Wey had not been driven to desperation, he would not have been so “eager to employ talent regardless of status” and would not have overlooked her youth.
No matter what, the fact that Wey could use her was an opportunity for her to make her name known. Song Chuyi would never fail to make the most of such a good opportunity. She looked at the Marquis of Wey and said with a slight smile, “Since I dare to speak, then I do have a plan to respond. I will never make empty words.”
Seeing her calm demeanor yet incomparably resolute gaze, the Marquis of Wey was even more delighted and urgently pressed, “Master, could you tell me?”
“The general situation is just as I said before. My plan must be carried out step by step; we cannot be too impatient for quick results. The most urgent matter now is that three things need to be done,” Song Chuyi said.
The Marquis of Wey hated the King of Wei so much that his teeth itched. From the time he succeeded to the throne, he had been continuously bullied by the King of Wei. His territory had been lost again and again, and it looked as though the whole state would be lost. If Wei were truly to perish in his hands, how could he face his ancestors after death? So when he heard Song Chuyi say “carry it out step by step,” he could not help but heave a bitter sigh.
But he understood that even if Wei’s hegemony had declined, it was still not a piece of meat he could bite into. So he restrained his impatience and asked, “Please speak, Master.”
“First, my lord should immediately claim illness and send a special envoy to the Zhou Son of Heaven to bitterly accuse the King of Wei of lacking virtue and credibility, and of using intimidation to coerce Wey. Then send another special envoy to Zhao to plead tearfully and borrow troops to attack Wei. Zhao is currently in internal turmoil and will certainly have no time to concern itself with this matter. Second, order the scholars of Wey to spread word among the various states that the King of Wei is tyrannical. Third, secretly send someone to Qin to urge it to send troops and attack Wei.” Song Chuyi finished saying all of this in one breath, then continued, “Once these three things are accomplished, seventy percent of the attack on Wei will already have been completed.”
The Marquis of Wey said happily, “These three things do not seem difficult to do.”
Song Chuyi smiled and said, “Not difficult, but if one wants to do them well, it is also not easy. Especially urging Qin to send troops. Has my lord ever investigated news of Qin?”
“Of course. Wey is weak in national strength and can only survive in the cracks between great powers. I have labored to defend Wey – how would I dare neglect news of the various states?” The Marquis of Wey sighed.
“My lord is wise.” Song Chuyi performed a grand salute. Although Marquis Cheng of Wey was not some brilliant ruler, he was not muddled either. To be able to reach this point was already worthy of praise.
The Marquis of Wey smiled helplessly, then changed the subject and asked, “I heard you say, Master, that the King of Wei is determined to gnaw on Qin, that tough bone. But I have long known of Wei’s ambitions – everyone in the state, high and low, values contention for hegemony in the Central Plains even more… What you say, Master, is not entirely so, is it?”
“My lord observes clearly.” Song Chuyi clasped her hands and said, “When Pang Juan first served as supreme general, he indeed strongly advocated attacking Qin. Moreover, because of his outstanding military achievements and because he was a disciple of Guiguzi and skilled in military strategy, the King of Wei trusted him greatly. Therefore he also adopted his opinion, believing that Qin occupied Longxi and held a commanding position over Wei, posing a great threat, and so he consistently devoted himself to destroying Qin.”
The Marquis of Wey nodded and said, “It is indeed so, but Pang Juan’s view was not wrong either.”
Song Chuyi said, “Exactly. However, the people of Qin are fierce by nature and extremely skilled at fighting on horseback. If one wants to destroy Qin, it is best to start with its state affairs. At that time, Qin had just passed through four generations of misrule, with political abuses everywhere, and the various factions were all unstable. If one used the method of provoking internal chaos and inciting the Rong and Di tribes behind them to rebel, it would be best of all. But Pang Juan insisted on destroying Qin with strong armies, and therefore neglected the situation in the Central Plains, missing the best opportunity to solidify hegemony. Now that the King of Wei has come to his senses, Qi, Chu, Han, and Zhao have all already risen.”
“Then does Wei still have the possibility of achieving hegemony?” the Marquis of Wey immediately asked. If Wei achieved hegemony, Wey would not be far from destruction.
“Hegemony?” Song Chuyi sneered, shook her head, and said, “My lord may rest easy. As long as Gongzi Ang sits firmly in the position of chancellor, Wei’s desire to achieve hegemony will be as difficult as ascending to heaven – nothing but a fool’s dream.”
Song Chuyi immediately continued, “Gongzi Ang is quite good at eating, drinking, and enjoying himself, but letting him plan for the state is purely harming the state. Earlier, I saw that the King of Wei still had somewhat the bearing of a hegemon, but now it seems he has been infected by Gongzi Ang. If it were not so, the first two matters I mentioned could not be accomplished either.”
“Hahaha.” Hearing this, the Marquis of Wey burst into loud laughter, slapped his thigh, and said, “Excellent, excellent. I have not been as delighted as I am today for many years. Master Huaijin has great insight and great eloquence.”
Song Chuyi pressed her lips together and smiled.
After laughing, the Marquis of Wey raised his hand and said, “Please have some tea, Master.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Song Chuyi had not long finished drinking wine, and had been speaking for quite a while, so she was indeed somewhat thirsty. She therefore picked up the teacup and took two sips.
“When would it be best to carry out the three matters you mentioned, Master?” the Marquis of Wey asked.
Song Chuyi put down the teacup and said, “The first two matters should be done as quickly as possible, and the greater the momentum stirred up, the better. It would be best to gather scholars of outstanding literary talent and have them write excellent articles capable of arousing public indignation. As for persuading Qin…”
Song Chuyi straightened up and clasped her hands, saying, “I am untalented, but is willing to relieve my lord’s worries and secretly go on a mission to Qin.”
