Chapter 9: Wei Territory

　　Finding nothing unusual, and with the Crown Prince behaving as he always did, everyone settled back down to rest.

　　At first light the next morning, the Chen mission to Wei set out once more, having rested through the night.

　　The road past the summit of Qinchuan was smooth and easy. The trail widened as it descended, and the Shu horses could gallop freely—shortening the journey that had originally been estimated at three days.

　　Once they left Qinchuan behind, the land grew gradually flatter. It was early summer, and the crops in the fields were already thick and green, lush with growth. Farmhouses dotted the landscape here and there. With the great mountain now behind them, the local customs already seemed different from those of Chen.

　　In Wei, the staple foods were millet and beans—both drought-resistant crops that flourished in the fields. Unlike the rice that grew farther south in Chen and Yan—which was more flavorful but required abundant water and could not withstand cold—these northern crops thrived in Wei's drier climate.

　　As the party pressed onward, they took in the scenery of Wei. This was northern land—flat and open, stretching as far as the eye could see.

　　In the distance, a single rider came galloping toward them, kicking up a trail of dust visible from far off. The party halted and waited for the rider to draw near.

　　The rider was mounted on a standard military horse of Wei, with a banner strapped to his back bearing the character "微" (Wei). Chen Jiang saw it and said to the others, "It bears the mark of Grand Tutor Jiwei of Wei."

　　No sooner had he spoken than the rider arrived before them. Reining in his horse, he gave a military salute and asked, "Is this the party of the Crown Prince of Chen? I have been sent by the Grand Tutor to welcome His Highness."

　　Chen Jiang stepped forward and returned the salute. "This is indeed Crown Prince Li of Chen. I am Chen Xiantuo, of the prince's household guard. I greet the Grand Tutor's envoy."

　　The envoy returned the salute once more. "The Grand Tutor awaits you ahead. Please, follow me." With that, he turned his horse and drew aside, ready to lead the way.

　　The party spurred their horses forward and followed the guide.

　　That night, after listening to Grand Tutor Fuli's counsel, King Ying had pondered through the night. The next day, he issued a decree ordering the Grand Tutor to draft a state letter—one that would make clear Chen's desire for friendship with Wei. In it, he offered Chen's specialty goods—millet and Shu horses—as tribute, in exchange for a mutual defense alliance against Qi's military might.

　　The state letter declared: Qi intends to launch a campaign against Chen, its ambition plain for all to see. If it seizes Chen, it will then move against the rest of the realm—and Wei would not be able to stand against it. If Wei and Chen join forces, they can check Qi's ambition. Qi, by its relentless militarism, has made itself the enemy of all. Thus, Qi is courting its own destruction. If Wei is willing to send troops against Qi, Chen will stand shoulder to shoulder with Wei to destroy Qi. And when Qi falls, Wei may take Qi's lands as it pleases.

　　After reading the state letter, King Cheng Tang of Wei gave a cold, faint smile. "Chen asks Great Wei to attack Qi and promises to let Wei take the land—this is something that would fool only a three-year-old child. How dare they put such words in an official state letter?"

　　Grand Tutor Jiwei smiled and said, "That Qi intends to scheme against Chen is known to all—even women and children know it. Chen, alone, is too weak to resist Qi, so seeking an alliance with Wei is a natural course. But King Ying fears that millet and Shu horses alone may not move us, and so he has spoken in such terms. There is no need for Your Majesty to be angered."

　　"Your Majesty already has the intention to annex Qi," Jiwei continued, shaking his head, "and the time is ripe. Yan is feeble and not worth mentioning. The only viable ally now is Chen—and I am not worried that Chen Ying will not fight Qi with all his might. Wei may watch from the sidelines and choose the right moment to strike from behind. Above all, we must not allow Qi to destroy Chen. Let the two kingdoms exhaust each other in the mud of war—when their strength is spent, Wei's army can take Qi in one decisive stroke and achieve complete victory."

　　"King Ying's promise not to take Qi's land is not to be trusted," said the king. "But I value that very clause. What does the Grand Tutor think?"

　　Jiwei nodded in reply. "Let Qi and Chen exhaust each other in war—and when both are weakened, take Qi. That is the proper strategy. But to win King Chen's trust in our words, this old servant has a plan."

　　The King of Wei clapped his hands and laughed. "I knew the Grand Tutor had a brilliant scheme. Speak it quickly."

　　Jiwei sat composed, unruffled by praise or blame, and said unhurriedly: "We may ask King Ying to send his son as a hostage." Then he fell silent.

　　The King of Wei was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "Chen Ying has only one son, and he dotes on him beyond measure—I fear he will not agree."

　　Jiwei smiled as well, confidently. "In the current situation, King Ying has no choice but to agree."

　　"Excellent! We shall act on the Grand Tutor's plan. I want to see which weighs heavier in his heart—the realm or his child."

　　…

　　At this moment, Grand Tutor Jiwei of Wei sat upright on his palanquin, gazing into the distance at the approaching party of the Crown Prince of Chen.

　　"Word has it that this young Crown Prince of Chen is extremely doted upon by King Ying. I wonder if it's true or not?" said a minister beside him.

　　Jiwei smiled. "Born into a noble house, and an only son at that—he is the jewel of King Ying's eye and the queen's. It would be strange if he were not doted upon."

　　The minister who had spoken first continued, "It is often said that a doting mother spoils her son. If that is the case, it would hardly do credit to King Ying's reputation."

　　Another minister interjected, "Not necessarily. We do not know what the young prince is like. But for King Ying to send his only son as a hostage—that takes boldness worthy of applause."

　　The first minister retorted, "Chen is in crisis now. If the prince is a spoilt good-for-nothing, sending him as a hostage might as well be putting rubbish to use."

　　The other replied, "But remember—the Crown Prince is King Ying's only son. For Chen Ying to do such a thing makes it hard for anyone to refuse his request."

　　Jiwei listened to the exchange between the two ministers and did not wish to interject. But when he heard one of them speak thus, he could not help a slight start. A thought stirred in his mind, and he murmured softly, "He who first does it—shall he have no posterity?"

　　The two ministers heard this, fell silent for a moment, each lost in his own thoughts, and spoke no more.

　　Soon, the party of the Crown Prince of Chen arrived before Grand Tutor Jiwei…