Chapter 173: The Pacification Strategy (Part 2)

Wang Yang replied: "The 'Record of Xiangyang' records that when Wu Hou campaigned against the southern barbarians, Ma Su offered this strategy: 'The way of warfare is to conquer the heart above all, the city below; to win the heart above all, the army below. I only wish your lordship to win their hearts.' Though Ma Su was not a military talent, his words are excellent. The means I speak of is conquering the heart. There are two methods: one is through benefit, the other through culture."

"What do you mean by 'conquering through benefit'?"

"Currently, our strategy toward the southern barbarians is mainly blockade. The more you blockade, the poorer they become; the poorer they become, the more they crave to raid. When people have no wealth, they grow careless of death; careless of death, they refuse to settle; unwilling to settle, they turn violent. Hence, barbarian uprisings are frequent and hard to quell. When our army arrives, the barbarians, destitute and unburdened, simply flee. When our troops withdraw, they reemerge—this cycle will never end."

"So do not blockade—establish trade! Do not ban commerce—promote it! We are richer than the barbarians, more populous, more refined in luxury, superior in goods, and more sophisticated in culture. Why fear exchange? Encourage our merchants to go to the barbarians—and encourage barbarians to come here to earn! Let them see our world of splendor! In famine, donate food and supplies; in peace, sell cheaply—or even give away goods! The cost is minimal; the goal is to cultivate their needs and broaden their horizons. Five colors blind the eye, five tones deafen the ear, five flavors dull the palate—Han's myriad goods drive men mad!"

"Let them imitate us, guide them to clear land, lend them seeds, oxen, and tools—let them grow whatever brings profit! Do not fear the barbarians earning wealth—only those who earn can spend! Let them earn! Encourage them to earn! The more they earn, the less they risk death; the more they earn, the more they cling to their land. Once demand is established, this wealth will inevitably flow back. When it does, do not hoard it—do not act like a petty miser."

"Bribe their chieftains—get their key figures to own property here, so that you are in me and I am in you. Deep economic entanglement! Then, any barbarian who wishes to wage war becomes a public enemy. We need not lift a finger—those chieftains with Han property will never allow it! If you can make the barbarians feel they grow rich by following us, only fools will rebel..."

Wang Yang only brushed the surface for Xiao Baoyue, offering no depth—but Xiao Baoyue's heart surged, her thoughts in turmoil!

She prided herself on her talent, yet had never conceived of problems this way. Ideas flooded in one after another—before one thought settled, another arose!

Wang Yang had merely spoken a few words, sparked the idea—but with Xiao Baoyue's wit and competence, she had already envisioned how to select one southern barbarian tribe as a pilot, how to incite conflict among neighboring tribes, then intervene under the guise of mediation.

Yet clever minds have their flaws: thoughts race too fast, too numerous. Before she finished pondering this, she was already considering which goods would best sell to the barbarians, how to grant merchants policy advantages to encourage trade between Han and barbarians. Her mind, stirred to high activity, made every frown and smile more enchanting.

Seeing Xiao Baoyue lost in thought, Wang Yang said: "It's too hot today. I'll return to bathe and change clothes. Let's continue in four days."

Xiao Baoyue would not let Wang Yang leave: "Bathing is easy. Servants! Attend to Young Master Wang's bath!"

Under the care of two maids, Wang Yang luxuriously bathed, then donned a new silver gauze robe with red silk trim, tied with a red sash embroidered in gold script—elegant, yet radiating a touch of sinister nobility.

Having just bathed, Wang Yang refused to sit under the sun: "It's too hot. Let me come inside and speak with you."

Xiao Baoyue's face turned cold: "Wang Yang, don't push your luck."

Wang Yang smiled: "The Dao is not lightly transmitted; the Law is not freely given. Zhang Zhuge Zhuge Liang picked up his shoes thrice and received the Yellow Stone's military art; Liu Bei visited the thatched cottage thrice to hear the Longzhong Plan. Now you won't even let me enter your chamber—and yet you expect to hear the truth? Is that not the dream of a fool?"

Xiao Baoyue's face froze, silent for a long while, then gritted her teeth: "Fine."

"Bring the ice closer to me."

"Plum juice with ice."

"No need to fan me indoors. Where's my folding fan? Bring it to me."

Xiao Baoyue narrowed her eyes, watching Wang Yang command her maids.

She asked coldly: "Can we begin now?"

Wang Yang replied casually: "Begin what?"

Xiao Baoyue's face darkened with lethal intent.

Wang Yang suppressed a laugh: "Oh! Begin speaking, you mean. Where were we?"

"You said conquering the heart has two methods: one through benefit, one through culture. You explained benefit—what is 'conquering through culture'? Does it mean teaching poetry, books, rites, and music?"

"Conquering through benefit is, in essence, economic bribery. Conquering through culture is called 'cultural export.' You must make them Rentong and love our culture—from language and dress, to habits and tastes, from music and cuisine to beliefs and cosmetics—all must be cultivated. Open easy pathways for the sons of barbarian noble families to study in our imperial academies. Those who excel may be permitted to serve as officials. These men may one day return to lead their tribes; we must cultivate their loyalty, train our proxies."

"We can establish schools in barbarian territories, enrolling barbarian youths. Those who speak Han well or master the classics shall be rewarded with economic aid. Select the most talented and send them to prefectural and commandery schools for further training. The schools must teach history—but this history must be rewritten: emphasize Han and barbarian shared origins, the value of peace, mutual benefit; depict war's cruelty, the devastation it brings. Write more of harmony, less of conflict; more of unity, less of difference. The key lies in the brushstroke's restraint."

"With proper restraint, even chronic warfare can make readers feel: harmony brings mutual gain, division brings mutual ruin—that is 'revealing the intent at the end, guiding toward righteousness.' Without restraint, even tales of mutual aid and unity will seem false, ironic, breeding resentment. Cultivate in the barbarians a sense of national and ethnic identity—make them truly feel they are part of our realm. Nation and ethnicity: nation first, ethnicity second. National identity must outweigh ethnic identity. Establish and reinforce the concept that Han and barbarian belong to one Zhonghua people. The 'Book of Rites' says: 'The sage makes all under heaven one family.' If all under heaven can be one family, why not Han and barbarian? They are called two peoples—but in truth, they are one: 'diverse yet unified.'"

Xiao Baoyue listened, increasingly entranced, both astonished and awed. She had always thought Wang Yang sly and slippery, merely a scholar of profound Confucian learning and a gifted poet—but never imagined he could hold such grand, profound insight! The ancient imperial tutors were no greater!

When Wang Yang finished, Xiao Baoyue pondered deeply, then sighed: "This argument is worth thirty thousand elite soldiers!"

Wang Yang had concealed much, hiding the specifics of implementation—offering only a partial, incomplete framework. Yet seeing Xiao Baoyue show no trace of doubt or fear, he grew curious: "Don't you think this strategy is too difficult to implement?"

Xiao Baoyue's gaze sharpened: "We do not refrain from action because it is difficult. The incapable have no ingenious plan—they only complain it cannot be done, accomplishing nothing. The capable know it is hard but do not fear it; they calculate carefully, plan meticulously, and with time, they succeed. If truly implemented, this could establish a foundation unshakable for three hundred years."

Hearing this, Wang Yang looked at Xiao Baoyue again, his gaze more serious.

Xiao Baoyue paused, then said: "Yet, 'those not of our kind have different hearts.' In the Later Han, the Qiang were relocated to Guanzhong—and eventually, Qiang rebellions shook several provinces. The Wei and Jin invited and pacified the barbarians—then the Five Barbarians rose, and both capitals fell. Now, if we open our borders, allow free exchange, let the barbarians see our defenses, our weaknesses, our terrain, and over time, their population grows—if rebellion erupts, it will strike like poison in the elbow, a thief in the heart. Will all our favors, wealth, and cultural gifts not then become nurturing the enemy?"

Wang Yang smiled and said:

"The Hu and Xia have different customs, unintelligible speech. The Han and Jin relocated the Hu but never governed them—offering no civilizing strategy, no benevolent care. They simply mixed them with common folk, letting officials and civilians oppress them. Hence the Xiongnu said: 'The Jin are unjust—they enslave us.' River River Jiang Tong said: 'The commoners, accustomed to their ways, mock their weakness, filling their hearts with resentment that poisons their marrow.' Add to this hardship, constant exploitation, the old and weak starving on the fields, the strong and young seething with fury—how could they not rebel? Even Han commoners under such conditions would rise!"

"Only relocating the Hu without governing them—that is nurturing the enemy."

"Only governing the Hu without educating them—that is leaving behind a future threat."

"Only educating the Hu without transforming them—that is mere expediency."

"Only transforming the Hu without controlling them—that is perfection."

"Yet even perfection is not beauty."

"To transform and control—that is the way of perfect excellence!"

"If so, it is not nurturing the enemy—it is nurturing the people, nurturing soldiers!"

"The Way of the King: all subjects under his rule must be well cared for; all soldiers under his command must be usable!"

"When they hunger, I feed them; when they freeze, I clothe them; when they are wronged, I rescue them; when they drown, I save them!"

"Who could resist when we march to subdue them?"

"This is what is meant by: 'The benevolent have no enemies!'"

Xiao Baoyue felt her whole body tremble, her heart pounding. She asked, voice trembling: "May I ask, Young Master, your strategy to control the barbarians?"

Wang Yang smiled but did not answer.

Xiao Baoyue's thoughts surged, her gaze fixed on Wang Yang without pause: "Earlier you said we must blend the Way of the King and the Way of the Hegemon. So—is your strategy to control the barbarians the so-called Way of the Hegemon?"

Wang Yang sipped his plum juice, calmly saying: "I won't teach you the Way of the Hegemon."

Xiao Baoyue stared, astonished: "Why not?"

Wang Yang's voice was cool: "You are already ruthless enough. If I taught you the Way of the Hegemon, the barbarians would be wiped out."

Xiao Baoyue felt as if doused with icy water—frozen in place!

She stared at Wang Yang, lips clenched in silence.

For a moment, she nearly called for him to be dragged out and beaten.

But she held back, steadied herself, and smiled with seductive grace, letting a few strands of hair slip down her flawless cheek—exuding boundless softness and charm, heartbreakingly lovely:

"Young Master jests. I am but a weak woman, merely putting on a bold front—the term 'hegemon' is far beyond me. But with your vast breadth and erudition, you would never hold a grudge against me. Still, I must have acted poorly. I beg you, Young Master, to correct me, to generously instruct me."

Wang Yang yawned, ignoring the breathtaking beauty before him, lazily saying: "We'll talk later. I'm tired. I'm leaving."

Xiao Baoyue clenched her jade hand inside her sleeve, her smile unwavering: "Very well. I shall see you out."