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Chapter 9 Part 1 Schemes and Lessons
"If this gets back to Ying Zheng, what do you think he'll conclude?"
"Infighting among the princes?"
Wei Zhuang shook his head. "That's the shallow read; for someone as suspicious as Ying Zheng, he'll wonder if Fusu staged it himself."
"That's impossible," Chi Lian blurted, incredulous.
"Nothing is impossible. Fusu is already under suspicion; Ying Zheng believes he's tied to the Azure Dragon Project. So Fusu staging an attack to 'clear' himself? Why not."
"But… what does the Net gain from that?"
"A lot," Wei Zhuang replied. "First, they sow suspicion between Fusu and Ying Zheng. Second, they create justification to move against the Confucians. Third, they weaken Fusu's faction. Fourth, they collect a small but useful merit marker. Only someone who deeply understands both Ying Zheng and the Empire's innards would arrange this."
"And even if Ying Zheng sees through it, they've got an alibi: blame Fusu and walk away clean unbeatable, either way."
Chi Lian frowned. "If we can see it, others will too; won't the Net have schemed for nothing?"
Wei Zhuang smiled. "The wise think too much and act too little. They may perceive, but won't decide. Take Ying Zheng he might understand but cannot prove whether it's Fusu or the Net; the Net's moves advance his aims anyway, so he won't hunt the truth to the root."
"Li Si, for example, might assume Ying Zheng instructed the Net or that it's general imperial infighting. Either way, he won't intervene."
"And even if Fusu understands, what then? He must follow Ying Zheng to avoid arousing suspicion; doing so means cutting off his own arms. Whatever he chooses, he loses."
"This is an open stratagem."
"…Terrifying." Chi Lian was shaken by Wei Zhuang's analysis.
Within the Confucians, they paid close attention to Fusu's incident. Upon hearing Fusu had been attacked, Fu Nian summoned Yan Lu and Zhang Liang to analyze.
Zhang Liang said, "Senior brother must be careful this is very likely a plot aimed at us."
Fu Nian glanced up, gesturing for him to continue.
"Ying Zheng has never liked us; Fusu came to Sanghai to deal with us. Now, after this assassination, suspicion will fall on the Confucians."
Fu Nian looked again, with a hint of disappointment. "If we've done nothing wrong, we needn't fear ghosts knocking at the door. What do you fear?"
Yan Lu, seeing the tension building between them, lowered his head.
"Legalists tell of Yi Zi suspecting the neighbor; even if we've done no wrong, others won't spare us."
Fu Nian changed tack abruptly. "How are Zi Ming and Zi Yu in their studies?"
"Senior brother, they are good children hearts set on benevolence; their future is bright."
Silence fell; the room stiffened. After a while, Fu Nian placed a stone on the board.
"Zi Fang, your heart is unsettled; you've not been thinking of the board. You've lost this game." Zhang Liang examined the stones and realized he truly had lost.
"Senior brother, a lost game can be replayed. If our Confucian school loses, there will be no second chance."
Yan Lu bowed even lower.
"Zi Fang, need we replay this? The Empire is at our gates. As head of the Confucian school, I must place our doctrines first."
"Children are innocent; I beg you, think twice."
"Zi Fang, are you truly lost in delusions will you throw in with treacherous rebels?" Fu Nian's tone chilled.
"We Confucians uphold benevolence and righteousness; we cultivate virtue. How can we commit an unjust act?"
"Centuries of Confucian foundation will you cast them aside? Will you betray masters and ancestors?"
"Senior brother, a gentleman knows what to do and what not to do. I follow the teachings of our forebears; the one betraying master and ancestors is not me."
"Impudence! You allied with the Mohists without reporting to me! You met Wei Zhuang in private without my consent! And you say I betray our teachers? You would overturn the natural order do I still exist to you as senior brother? Should I give this headship to you?"
The room fell deathly still.
Zhang Liang slowly knelt. "Everything I have done was for the Confucians no other thought. If senior brother does not believe me, I am willing to accept punishment."
Yan Lu interjected. "Senior brother, I asked Zi Fang not to report. The Empire bears down; we must plan a retreat for the Confucians."
Fu Nian gazed at the rafters, silent.
Bang the door swung open; Xunzi entered, hands clasped behind his back.
"Master uncle," the three saluted. Xunzi nodded lightly, regarding them.
"I've listened outside long enough. You're arguing over two children."
"Master uncle, one is the Mohists' new Juzi, the other the Xiang heir of Chu," Fu Nian replied.
"Fu Nian, you intend to hand them over so the Empire will relent? And you, Zi Fang, would unite Mohists and Quicksand to overthrow the Empire?"
Both lowered their heads.
"Fu Nian, suppose you hand them over will the Empire spare us?"
"Zi Fang, suppose you oppose the Empire what are your odds? With Mohists and Quicksand possible?"
"Since King Li, six centuries have passed; lords rose, war never ceased; the people suffered, the land withered. Many of peerless genius sought to order the world: with Guan Zhong's and Yue Yi's talents, they could not settle it; with Zhang Yi's and Su Qin's intellect, they could not subdue the lords. The likes of Wen, Mu, Zhuang, and Wu Ling could hold a nation, but it was not lack of intelligence merely not their time."
"Jie and Zhou lost the realm through tyranny; Yi and Jiang aided Tang and Wu to take it success not by brilliance, but by timing. You and Li were without virtue yet kept the throne their mandate not yet spent. Now Ying Zheng, though brutal, took the world he has timing but not the full mandate; it cannot last."
"I see the people fear Qin as they feared Jie and Zhou; resent Qin as they resented You and Li; they long for benevolent rulers as for Tang and Wu omens of great change. We Confucians, based on benevolence and righteousness, should support a benevolent ruler, uphold the right path, aid the world, follow Heaven's will. Why quarrel?"
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