Volume One, Chapter Four: Hidden Schemes Are Easy to Avoid, Open Plots Hard to Defend Against

Upon hearing Zhang Yan say he intended to use grain to buy wool from the Liang Kingdom, the entire Golden Throne Hall erupted in uproar.

“You greenhorn! Do you even know why Liang invaded our Great Wu? It’s for grain! And you actually want to use grain to exchange for their wool?”

“In my opinion, this youth is clearly a spy for Liang, suspected of treason!”

“Treason is a capital offense punishable by extermination of nine clans!”

“You insolent brat! You are disloyal—does your mother know this?”

Zhang Wu’s eyes widened with fury as he snapped, “Damn you! If Yan is a spy, then what does that make you lot who can’t even devise a single strategy and just let Liang invade freely?”

Beside him, Xiao Changqing chuckled and said, “General Zhang, although we haven't come up with a strategy, at least we wouldn’t do something as foolish as trading grain for Liang’s wool. Isn’t that the same as bowing to Liang and admitting Great Wu is inferior?”

He had long suspected Zhang Yan wouldn’t produce a good plan.

“Indeed, Scholar Xiao’s words are sound. This youth must be a spy!”

“I beseech Your Majesty to detain these two to prevent further chaos in court.”

“We concur!”

“Damn you all...” Zhang Wu clenched his fists and rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.

Seated upon the dragon throne, Jiang Zhiwan’s brow knitted slightly, while beside her Shen Qiuxue scoffed, clearly displeased with Zhang Yan’s strategy.

It was certainly not a good plan, but seeing Zhang Yan’s confident smile, Jiang Zhiwan decided to hear him out.

Zhang Yan, still smiling, patted Zhang Wu gently, signaling him not to lose his temper.

Then, Zhang Yan swept his gaze over the ministers gathered and said with a smile, “Gentlemen, since you insist I am a spy, how about we make a wager?”

“A wager on what?” a minister sneered, convinced Zhang Yan was merely grasping at straws.

Zhang Yan looked toward Jiang Zhiwan, then unconsciously glanced at her pale, slender thigh.

Why couldn’t he turn off this self-aiming? Though, admittedly, the thigh was very fair and beautiful.

Composing himself, Zhang Yan bowed and said, “I ask Your Majesty to decide: if I fully explain my strategy and Your Majesty deems it sound, then the grain required to purchase the wool shall be paid for by you, dear ministers. If not, then my family will willingly submit to imprisonment and investigation.”

“What say you, Your Majesty?” Zhang Yan smiled faintly.

This was a cunning stratagem designed by Guan Zhong during the Warring States period for Qi—no way could it fail.

Jiang Zhiwan relaxed her brows and regarded Zhang Yan with interest.

This wager suited Jiang Zhiwan well, a perfect opportunity to suppress the ministers and strengthen her own power.

No matter the outcome, she stood to gain nothing less.

“I shall serve as witness,” Jiang Zhiwan said with a slight smile.

“Since Your Majesty agrees, we cannot refuse either. We only hope General Zhang will not renege,” the ministers said.

They saw no way this plan to exchange grain for wool could be redeemed—it was a sure loss for Zhang Yan.

Zhang Wu blew his beard in anger, glaring, “Damn you all! The Zhang family never goes back on our word. I accept this wager!”

Though he said so, Zhang Wu himself was uncertain but was merely backing his kin.

Zhang Yan gave Zhang Wu a reassuring look, then swept his eyes over the ministers.

From the start, these officials had done nothing but throw dirt; Zhang Yan was no magnanimous man—he intended to outwit them in return.

With a slight smile, Zhang Yan said, “Very well, I shall now explain the complete wool strategy.”

“Gentlemen, as you have said, Liang’s invasion is for grain. Liang lies in the far north, where pastoralism suits better than farming. Grain shortages are common.”

“To sustain cavalry through plunder, horses are naturally preferable to cattle or sheep.”

“But if they could exchange wool—something they usually undervalue—for grain, what would they choose?”

“Scholar Xiao, what would you pick?” Zhang Yan asked, smiling at Xiao Changqing.

Xiao snorted coldly, saying nothing. Zhang Yan was clearly baiting him to say horses were better.

Did they think this top scholar was a fool?

“Of course, horses. Cavalry is Liang’s strength; they would never give up their mounts,” Xiao said. Others would surely agree.

Xiao inwardly cursed the fool who failed to see the provocation.

Zhang Yan’s lips curved into a faint smile. Approaching Xiao, he patted his shoulder heavily and said, “Cavalry’s war means death, but sheep don’t die by war; just collect wool and trade for grain. What would the common people choose? What do you say, Scholar Xiao?”

Xiao clenched his fists, cursing silently. He never said that—why drag him into this?

But Zhang Yan’s words caused everyone in the Golden Throne Hall to fall into deep thought.

For the common folk, sheep farming was indeed far less risky.

Zhang Yan smiled and continued, “As you all suspect, the people would prefer sheep to horses. Fewer horses mean Liang’s cavalry loses its lifeblood. Over time, Liang will become a pushover. When our iron cavalry marches in, the future Liang Kingdom will be but a part of Great Wu.”

Silence befell the hall once again.

Zhang Yan spoke passionately, while others regarded him with wary eyes.

Poisonous! This stratagem was truly venomous!

Not only did it resolve the northern border crisis without shedding a drop of blood, it aimed to dismantle the entire Liang Kingdom.

Some ministers even put themselves in Liang’s shoes—if their people all wanted to raise sheep, could they control them?

This was not a conspiracy—it was an open and brilliant scheme.

After all, human nature is to cherish life and avoid death.

Xiao Changqing’s face paled as he clenched his fists. Without Jiang Zhiwan’s prompting, he knew he had been outmatched by Zhang Yan once more.

He was a top scholar yet couldn’t conceive such a plan.

The ministers who had wagered faced grim expressions, their hearts bleeding.

Executing this wool strategy required considerable grain and thus a large sum of silver—all to be paid by them. How could they not suffer?

On the dragon throne, Jiang Zhiwan’s eyes gleamed. After hearing the full plan, she nearly stood in excitement.

According to this strategy, Liang would one day be part of Great Wu.

Though the plan was ruthless, it was mercifully aimed at Liang.

“Excellent! A fine strategy!” Jiang Zhiwan praised Zhang Yan.

With her approval, the wager was settled—Zhang Yan was the winner.

The most satisfied was Zhang Wu.

“Damn you! You civil officials, just now you called Yan a spy, and now none of you speak up? Are you all mute?” he roared.

The ministers shot angry glares at Zhang Wu, cursing inwardly, yet unable to rebut a word.

Zhang Yan grinned and said to the ministers, “Remember to bring plenty of silver; the wool plan’s expenses won’t be small. But I’m sure you all have deep pockets, unlike the Zhang family, who are as poor as church mice.”

“You!”

The ministers were furious, glaring daggers, furious at the insinuation of their greed.