The Turning Wheel (8)
I murmured the words under my breath. “A welcome ceremony….”
Xiao He nodded after a moment of contemplation. I set my teacup down and lowered my voice before continuing.
“As I mentioned before, the world right now is in the calm before the storm. We cannot know exactly what will happen, but one thing is almost certain: some kind of massive upheaval is coming.”
“Hmm….” Xiao He’s eyes narrowed slightly. I placed my fingers on the desk and began tapping lightly.
“And when that massive upheaval arrives, we will face three possible choices.”
I looked directly at Xiao He and calmly raised one finger.
“The first is to do nothing. Simply wait for the change and let the current carry us. It may look like the safest option, but in reality it is the most dangerous.”
“Why is it dangerous?”
“Because those who do nothing when change arrives will inevitably become the ones who are used. They will be swept along by whoever seizes the initiative and forced into choices they never wanted. It is the same as placing your own fate in someone else’s palm.”
Xiao He let out a soft “Indeed” and nodded. “Please continue.”
“The second option is to ride the current. When the change begins, join the most powerful faction. This is somewhat safe, but it has clear limitations.”
“Limitations?”
“Yes. Those who join late will always remain latecomers. They can never overtake the ones who set the board from the beginning. Their achievements, positions, and even the share they receive will inevitably be limited.”
In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Shu did not fail to become the final victor because Ma Su climbed a mountain. It failed because Liu Bei was far too late in building his own independent power base. While Liu Bei wandered between Gongsun Zan, Yuan Shao, and Liu Biao, Cao Cao had already led fifty thousand troops to the Battle of Guandu and crushed Yuan Shao. That fact must never be forgotten.
“The third option is to move first. Prepare in advance before the change occurs, then seize the initiative the very moment it begins.”
I met Xiao He’s eyes directly.
“And that is the path I intend to choose.”
Xiao He remained silent for a long time. Shadows stretched long across the room as the candle flames crackled and danced.
“Madam,” he finally spoke again. His expression had grown considerably sharper. “What exactly do you plan to do?”
Now we had reached the heart of the matter. I took a deep breath and began.
“Lord Xiao, when a massive upheaval arrives, what do you believe will be needed most?”
“Would it not be military force? In chaotic times, the sword is the law.”
“That is only the second priority.”
“Then what comes first?”
I spoke with firm conviction. “Legitimacy. In other words, a righteous cause.”
Xiao He’s eyebrows rose slightly. “A righteous cause…”
“No matter how strong your military might, without a righteous cause you are nothing more than a bandit horde. People may fear bandits, but they will never follow them. What the common people truly follow are those who stand for justice.”
“Indeed, that makes sense.”
“Right now, Pei County has its magistrate. He is an official formally dispatched by the Qin Dynasty. The one who currently holds legitimacy in Pei County is him.”
I tapped the table with my finger.
“However, when the massive upheaval arrives, that ‘Qin legitimacy’ will instead become a shackle.”
“A shackle?”
“Because the magistrate dispatched by Qin is obligated to follow Qin’s laws. Even if the county people rise up because they can no longer endure harsh exploitation, he will have no choice but to side with Qin. In the end, he will become the enemy of the county people.”
“……”
Xiao He’s voice dropped even lower. “In other words, what you are saying, Madam, is…”
“Yes. Removing the magistrate is our ultimate goal.”
I added calmly, “Of course, that does not mean we must kill him with our own hands. It would be enough to make him step down voluntarily or have the county people drive him out. The important thing is to cast out the old ‘Qin legitimacy’ and establish a ‘new legitimacy’ with our own hands.”
In actual history, the magistrate tried to assassinate Liu Bang only to be killed instead by the people inside the city walls. But that was merely an accidental outcome. What I needed now was to turn that into an inevitable plan.
“……”
Xiao He lifted his teacup and took a sip. His hand trembled ever so slightly. Even though I had already introduced him to Wang Shu, hearing it directly from my mouth seemed to carry a different kind of impact. After a long pause, his quiet voice continued.
“But will the county people truly follow our intentions?”
“When the massive upheaval arrives, the people’s discontent will inevitably explode. All the anger they have suppressed will burst forth at once. All we need to do is direct that arrow of rage toward the magistrate.”
“You mean to guide it.”
“Yes. The magistrate has enforced Qin’s laws with extreme strictness. Forced labor, tax collection, harsh punishments… even setting aside his personal corruption, he has earned the people’s resentment in many ways. That resentment will erupt the moment an opportunity appears.”
“And that opportunity would be…”
Xiao He did not finish the sentence. Instead, he nodded as if he had realized something.
“So that is why you believed my lord’s return would be delayed.”
“Yes, exactly.”
I continued in a cool voice. “Right now, our husband is escorting thirty convicts. If even a single one of them escapes during the journey, our husband, as the escorting official, will not escape execution by beheading under Qin law.”
“……I am aware.”
“Then, in that situation, how do you think our husband will act?”
Xiao He fell silent for a moment. Then he let out a small chuckle and answered.
“He would run. That fellow is not the type to sit still and die.”
“Correct.”
I nodded. “My husband will become a fugitive. And I, as the wife of a fugitive, will fall under the magistrate’s surveillance.”
“……”
“At that time, what do you think the county people will think?”
I stared straight into Xiao He’s eyes.
“Our husband is the renowned knight-errant of Pei County. He buys drinks, helps those in trouble, and gets along with everyone without distinction. Many people follow him, calling him Big Brother Liu.”
“That is certainly true.”
“If that Big Brother Liu ends up being hunted because of Qin law and faces death as a fugitive, do you really think the county people will simply stand by?”
Xiao He’s eyes narrowed. “They certainly would not.”
“Yes. At least some of them will rise up. They will ask why our Big Brother Liu must die.”
I tapped the table once more.
“That will be the beginning. From that point, the plan divides into three stages.”
I slowly pulled one of the teacups on the table toward me.
“Stage One. Shaping public opinion.”
I placed the empty teacup in the center, directly beneath the candlelight.
“We will imprint Liu Ji’s existence favorably upon the hearts of Pei County’s people. He is not a ‘criminal,’ but a ‘hero who protected the people.’”
Xiao He raised an eyebrow. “A hero?”
“Yes. Within our little ‘story,’ my husband releases the prisoners and becomes a fugitive. Under Qin law, that is a capital offense. But if we twist that perspective just slightly…”
I traced the rim of the teacup with my index finger.
“He becomes a righteous man who saved the county people from harsh corvée labor. The prisoners are the sons, fathers, and brothers of Pei County’s families. They were sentenced to cruel punishment for a momentary mistake or because of poverty. He prevented them from being sent to their deaths.”
“……Indeed.”
Xiao He slowly stroked his beard. “In other words, you intend to portray my lord thoroughly as the people’s ally. A man who chose human decency over the law.”
“Exactly. We will spread rumors. ‘Magistrate Liu freed our sons in defiance of Qin’s immoral laws.’ We will let it spread through the mouths of women at the wells and in the markets.”
In other words, this was a media play. Viral marketing using what could be called the ‘Pei County Moms’ Cafe.’ The key to a public opinion war is not whether something is true, but who tells the more compelling story.
“Women…”
Xiao He’s gaze sharpened. “How convenient. You already possess an organized network of women in this region.”
“Hehe, yes. That is correct. They owe me a debt of gratitude and trust me completely. The tearful complaints I let slip will reach their husbands’ ears in the blink of an eye.”
I brought another teacup over and placed it beside the first one.
“And Stage Two. Neutralizing the existing military force.”
“The existing military force being…”
“Yes. The county garrison.”
Xiao He’s eyebrows shot up. “You cannot mean to bring the garrison over to our side? That would be far too dangerous.”
“No. I do not intend to make them our allies. To be precise, I intend to make them neutral.”
I continued my explanation. “The garrison soldiers are people of Pei County. Unlike the magistrate who came from elsewhere, they have families here. They were born and raised on this land.”
“That is true, but…”
“They have not sworn loyalty to the magistrate. They are simply following Qin law. If a massive upheaval occurs at that time and Qin’s authority wavers… and if the magistrate they are supposed to protect has become ‘the enemy of the people,’ how do you think they will move?”
“……They will be thrown into confusion.”
“Yes. That is the correct answer.”
I turned the teacups upside down.
“They will try to see which side is winning. Whether to stand with the magistrate or with the people. They will want to join the winning side.”
My eyes sparkled.
“In that moment of hesitation, during that gap in military power, we will fill the void with our own people.”
“By our people, you mean… my lord’s younger brothers?”
“Yes. But that alone will not be enough. To seize control of Pei County, we will need at least several hundred men.”
Xiao He tilted his head. “But if we gather people separately, the Qin officials will notice. Raising private troops is treason.”
“Of course. That is why, on the surface, we will gather them as a ‘mutual aid organization.’”
“A mutual aid organization?”
“Yes. A civilian group that works together on public works during the slack farming season and helps one another with weddings, funerals, and other rites. Such organizations are extremely common in the countryside, so there will be no suspicion.”
“A civilian organization…”
After thinking for a moment, Xiao He looked at me as if he had realized something. “It is an underground organization.”
“Yes. I am thinking of naming it the Fengyao Society. It will take the form of a mutual aid group centered on the husbands of the women who cooperate with our Lü Trading Company, along with the laborers Lord Zhang will gather.”
In simple terms, they would be the SA. Of course, that was only the form. I had no intention of burning communists. In essence, they were a political gang… no, a self-defense force capable of exercising armed force in emergencies.
“When that day comes, they will incite the county people. The county garrison will remain neutral, and the Fengyao Society will lead the people in dragging the magistrate down.”
“……Hah.”
Xiao He let out a stunned, hollow laugh. I pushed the last teacup into the center.
“Stage Three. After the magistrate is removed, we establish a new order.”
“You mean to have my lord fill the power vacuum left by the magistrate’s disappearance.”
“Yes. However, at that point my husband will still be a fugitive. He will have no official position and no army. How can someone like that become the master of a ‘new order’?”
I stared intently at Xiao He.
“That is precisely when your turn comes, Lord Xiao.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You are the county’s chief administrator. You manage the ledgers, understand the population, and oversee taxation. No one knows the internal affairs of this county better than you.”
“That is true, but…”
“After the magistrate is driven out, the people will fall into chaos. ‘What do we do now?’ they will ask. That is when you will raise your voice.”
I smiled faintly and spoke softly.
“New wine must be put into new wineskins. Instead of officials appointed by Qin, let us support a new leader chosen by our own hands.”
“……Ah.”
Xiao He nodded as if he finally understood. I snapped my fingers and continued.
“The county people will elect their own leader with their own hands. And they will offer even greater loyalty to the leader they themselves chose. After all, it will be the first ‘result’ they have ever achieved with their own power.”
Besides, there would be no need to rig the vote. The Fengyao Society would guide public opinion, and news of the ‘hero who saved the county people,’ Liu Bang, would have spread throughout all of Pei County.
“This is the welcome ceremony I have planned for my husband. He will leave Pei County as a fugitive, then return in splendor as a hero chosen by the people.”
“……Hah.”
Xiao He swept a hand across his face with an expression of utter disbelief. After a long silence, he slowly opened his mouth.
“Madam.”
“Yes.”
“Are you truly… a woman?”
A remark I had grown used to by now.
“Of course.”
I smiled gently without the slightest perturbation. Xiao He returned a light smile of his own and continued.
“It is a perfect plan. Removing the magistrate, neutralizing the garrison, establishing a new system… everything fits together with flawless logic.”
“You flatter me.”
“However.”
Xiao He’s eyes sharpened.
“There is one fatal flaw.”
“A flaw?”
“Your plan is built on the premise that ‘my lord will become a fugitive.’”
“……”
I held my breath.
“What if my lord completes his mission safely and returns? Your entire plan becomes meaningless. It may even produce the opposite effect.”
“That…”
He was right. My plan presupposed that Liu Bang would become a fugitive. After all, I knew the future. But Xiao He and the others did not. Moreover… what if history changed because of my intervention and Liu Bang did not become a fugitive? Or even if he did become one, what if the news never reached Pei County? Then the first stage of my plan, the ‘media play,’ would not even be able to begin.
The butterfly effect. Even I could not predict what results would come from the money I had sown and the causal chains I had altered.
‘Oh no.’
Cold sweat ran down my back. I had been so focused on drawing the picture that I had overlooked the possibility that the very canvas itself could tear.
After observing my stiff expression for a moment, Xiao He continued calmly.
“Therefore, we must prepare for both possibilities.”
“……Both?”
“Yes. We need both a plan for when my lord becomes a fugitive and a plan for when he returns safely. We must prepare both.”
Xiao He smiled brightly.
“Since you have created the plan for when he becomes a ‘fugitive,’ I will supplement the plan for when he ‘returns safely.’ Would that be acceptable?”
“Ah… yes, of course. Thank you, my lord.”
Xiao He’s voice was so reassuring. I let out a deep sigh of relief in my heart.
Indeed, having a Plan B for everything was crucial. In these chaotic times, without insurance, a single variable could spell complete disaster. Xiao He had just pointed out my immaturity in the most courteous way possible.
‘As expected, I cannot afford to look down on the people of this era just because I possess some future knowledge.’
It was only natural. I was nothing more than an ordinary person born in the twenty-first century, while the man before me was the greatest of the Three Heroes of Han who would help Liu Bang establish a unified empire.
“It is still too early for thanks.”
Xiao He took another sip of tea and continued.
“The plan is still only in its beginning stages. Not a single detail has been filled in yet. Do you have time?”
Xiao He smiled brightly. As he said, my welcome ceremony still only had its overall outline.
“Of course. The night is still young.”
I nodded and gladly accepted his suggestion.
“Thank you, Lord Xiao.”
“Not at all. Sleep well, Madam.”
“Yes. Please return safely as well, my lord.”
The timing for removing the magistrate, operations to win over the garrison, measures to calm public sentiment, establishing the new system, and even a Plan B in case Liu Bang “returned safely.”
Xiao He, who had stayed up late into the night refining every detail with me, kindly escorted me all the way home. After confirming that he had completely disappeared into the darkness, I entered the house alone.
‘……It’s cold.’
The chill rushed in the moment I closed the door. The house, now devoid of human warmth, felt unusually quiet. The kitchen floor was icy cold, and the stove fire had long since gone out, leaving only white ash behind.
I stared at it for a moment before straightening my clothes and heading to the bedroom.
“……”
Without even changing my clothes, I pulled the blanket over myself and lay down on the bed. The wide bed without Liu Bang felt vast. The spot on the outside where he always lay was empty, and the faint smell of alcohol that usually lingered was gone as well.
A cold, lonely, and terribly quiet night alone.
“……I hope he comes back soon.”
I whispered quietly and closed my eyes.
And exactly three seconds later.
“What?”
I shot upright as a sudden realization hit me.
‘What the hell did I just…’
My face flushed instantly. Damn it, what did I just say?
But that pathetic voice that had slipped out without passing through my brain was unmistakably mine. It was Lü Zhi’s voice. My voice. I could not deny it.
‘No, no. It’s just because I talked too much about Liu Bang with Xiao He earlier.’
Yes, it had to be that. It was only natural. After all, telling someone not to think of an elephant only makes them think of it more. To be thinking about Liu Bang after only two months of married life while enjoying this happy solo life was absolutely not like ‘me.’
I… what… I’m not even a woman.
‘I must be crazy. Seriously.’
I squeezed my eyes shut and lay back down. I pulled the blanket over my head, hugged the pillow left behind, and forcibly gathered my scattered thoughts.
‘……Just sleep. Just sleep.’
It had already been four days since Liu Bang left. By now he would have crossed the border of Pei County. And perhaps the first escapee had already appeared from among the convicts.
The wheel of history had already begun to turn.
‘He will gradually reach a crossroads of choices…’
I slipped my left hand, which felt only the cold night air instead of warm warmth, into my embrace. Perhaps because I had talked with Xiao He all day, sleep came quickly and steadily.
“Please stay safe.”
And in that hazy state, the pitiful voice of a woman sounded once more.
‘……Maybe a virgin ghost has possessed this house.’
I tried hard to rationalize it and forcibly cut off my consciousness. The left hand I had slipped into my embrace felt unusually cold.