Chapter 11: The Art of Persuasion—Divine Right of Kings

As for an explanation? Just watch how I spin this tale for you all!

After pondering for a moment, Liu Tan sighed and said, “The opportunity that befell me—never mind whether you believe it or not, even I, at this very moment, am plagued by unease day and night. Some days ago, I suffered an unfortunate fall and injured my head. While my body lay unconscious, my spirit drifted beyond the mortal realm. My soul floated and floated—can you guess where I ended up?”

Liu Tan looked up and saw that all the officials in the hall were gaping, craning their necks like children listening to a fantastical story.

No one could guess, so the court remained utterly silent.

Liu Tan touched his nose, took several deep breaths, bit his tongue to stifle a laugh, and pressed on. “I floated on and on, passing through clouds, and soon found myself in a veritable paradise—a land adorned with auspicious, multicolored clouds. I drifted further and further until, suddenly, a sprawling palace appeared before me, stretching beyond the horizon. I kept drifting, entering that magnificent palace. Its golden splendor was such that, even if the palaces of Shu, Wei, and Wu were joined together, they would not equal a fraction of its grandeur. I floated into a grand hall, where two elders played chess. One was clad in white, with snowy hair and an otherworldly, immortal bearing. The other wore black robes, his expression stern and commanding.”

“The man in black noticed me enter the hall and looked my way—his gaze so piercing I felt my very soul might scatter. At that critical moment, the white-robed elder spoke: ‘Divine Lord of Guigu, has the pact between my master and yours, the one that pierced the heavens, been broken?’”

“His voice was like a spring breeze, and my spirit calmed. Then the black-robed elder replied, ‘Do not blame me, old master. I am simply accustomed—accustomed to behaving so!’”

“The white-robed sage retorted sternly, ‘We who walk the path of cultivation must follow Heaven’s will, yet you act against it—secretly taking disciples and teaching them the arts of strategy, sowing chaos among mortals!’”

“The man in black countered, ‘You descended into the mortal realm yourself—how are you any different from me?’”

“Again, the white-robed sage replied, ‘I only sought to spread the Heavenly Dao for the common good. How can you compare to that?’”

Liu Tan looked a bit frustrated. “The two of them began arguing right then and there. I thought it best to flee, but at that moment, I found myself unable to move, so I had no choice but to beg for mercy. Though I was never much of a scholar, I have read the Spring and Autumn Annals and studied the Records of the Grand Historian. From their exchange, I deduced their identities—were they not the Grand Supreme Elder Lord and Guiguzi? So I said, ‘Honored immortals, I bear you no ill will. Might I ask how to leave? I shall depart at once!’”

“Their quarrel ceased, and both fixed their gaze upon me. The white-robed sage narrowed his eyes and said, ‘To think that since I left Hangu Pass in mortal form, Qin has risen and fallen in but two generations! The Han endured, though split into East and West, for over four centuries. Alas, the land is plunged into turmoil once more!’”

“At this point, the man in black looked my way again—nearly scaring me to death. As I trembled, he said, ‘I perceive the visage of an emperor upon this one. It may not be radiant, but it is enough!’”

“Then, the two exchanged a glance. The white-robed sage placed a hand atop my head and declared, ‘I bestow upon you the aspect of a virtuous emperor!’ Then the black-robed sage did the same, saying, ‘I grant you the aspect of strategic mastery!’”

“Afterward, they looked at each other and laughed heartily. When their laughter ceased, they spoke in unison: ‘Within a hundred years, a great calamity shall befall the land of China. Now that you have received our teachings, you must unite the realm and nip disaster in the bud!’”

When he had finished, the white-robed sage waved his hand and softly intoned, ‘Go now—go!’ In the next instant, I awoke!”

“Upon waking, I found my mind uncommonly sharp, as though brimming with strategies and wisdom. In short, it was as if I had become more intelligent!”

Liu Tan glanced at the assembled ministers, who still sat with mouths agape, utterly incredulous.

With a slap to his thigh, he shouted, “Don’t say you don’t believe it—even I can scarcely believe it! But it’s the truth, all the same!”

At that moment, someone called out, “Your Majesty, I believe you!”

Liu Tan looked and saw that it was the very man who had previously raised the question.

He continued, “Gentlemen, this is divine providence! It is said that when a ruler destined for greatness arises, Heaven will send down omens—this is the doctrine of the ‘divine right of kings.’ Were not the two playing chess none other than the Grand Supreme Elder Lord and the mysterious Guiguzi? The Elder Lord is said to have incarnated as Confucius and Laozi, spreading the teachings of Confucianism and Daoism. Guiguzi, the sage, had four disciples: Sun Bin, Pang Juan, Su Qin, and Zhang Yi. Sun Bin wrote The Art of War; Pang Juan rivaled him in strategy. Su Qin wore the seals of six states; Zhang Yi maneuvered among them all—each was a pivotal figure in the tides of history. Now, Your Majesty, through misfortune, has gained their blessing. This is a blessing for all China! Your Majesty, let me bow to you once more!”

Inwardly, Liu Tan chuckled at the man—a truly remarkable fellow! He resolved to reward him handsomely in the future, for here was a masterful supporter indeed, a true strategist’s ally!

He sighed and said, “As to whether it’s true, that remains for you, my dear ministers, to judge. But at this moment, I can at least outline the chief strategy for the Chancellor’s northern campaign. Chancellor, allow me to speak—if I am mistaken, I beg your indulgence!”

Zhuge Liang bowed and said, “Please, Your Majesty.”

Liu Tan said, “Once you raise the army, Chancellor, should you not first station troops in Hanzhong, holding the high ground and casting a watchful eye toward Luoyang? Then, once the situation is clear, strike straight for the twin capitals?”

“This—” Zhuge Liang was stunned. This was indeed his plan, a notion he had never voiced to anyone. More importantly, from the emperor’s previous behavior, such insight would have been unimaginable. He thought to himself, “It seems that, as unlikely as the tale sounds, it must be true!”

So he bowed and said, “Your Majesty has indeed received divine instruction. What you say is precisely my intention! Tonight, I shall once again observe the heavens. I am certain the imperial star has shifted south!”

“I will observe as well!” declared the official who had previously used celestial omens to refute Zhuge Liang.

“His Majesty rules by divine right—we must pay homage once more!” Zhuge Liang proposed.

Thus, all the ministers knelt in unison, proclaiming, “Long live the Emperor!”

Liu Tan waved his hand and asked, “Wang Li, how much gold and silver do we have in the treasury?”

The eunuch Wang Li replied, “Your Majesty, the treasury holds one hundred taels of gold, a thousand taels of silver, and an assortment of jewels. This humble servant cannot estimate their total value.”

“Keep a quarter, take three quarters, and hand them to the Chancellor for the northern campaign!” Liu Tan declared with a grand gesture.

Zhuge Liang’s eyes lit up. “Your Majesty is wise! Since you set such an example, I, as the proposer of the campaign, am willing to contribute three-fourths of my own estate to the cause!”

“I am also willing to contribute three-fourths!” said Zhao Yun.

“Your Majesty, I too am willing!”

“Your Majesty, though my family is large, I am willing to give half!”

Liu Tan laughed heartily. “Excellent, excellent!” He pointed to the scribe. “Write it all down! When the great endeavor succeeds, I shall repay you a hundredfold! Though our contributions may be a drop in the ocean for the northern campaign, they will at least ensure the soldiers can eat meat for a few meals! The good you do today will be remembered throughout the ages! Li Yan, post the deeds of these ministers in every city for the people to see!”

“Your Majesty is wise!” Instantly, the hall was filled with ministers vying to make donations.

Watching the bustling scene below, Liu Tan touched his nose and thought to himself, “It seems my talent for persuasion has only grown stronger!”