Chapter 10: Discussing Governance Over Wine

Next, Guo Jia would propose that Cao Cao launch a campaign against Lü Bu in Xuzhou. After that, the great decisive battle at Guandu with Yuan Shao would follow. Liu Xie paid no attention to these matters; after all, they had little to do with him. Nearly all his thoughts were now focused on those twenty men. As for everything else, he would let Cao Cao toss and turn as he pleased.

Once his training of the Three Kingdoms’ special forces bore fruit, then Cao Cao would have something to worry about.

Yet, to Liu Xie’s surprise, a few days later, on an afternoon, he encountered Guo Jia once again. This time, however, Guo Jia was alone.

“Your Majesty, you—?” As Liu Xie walked down the street, a carriage approached from the opposite direction. The coachman, upon recognizing Liu Xie as the emperor, instinctively moved to bow in salute. Liu Xie quickly shook his head, signaling to him not to address him so openly in public.

“Why have we stopped? What’s the matter?” A voice called from inside the carriage. Guo Jia immediately lifted the curtain to see what was happening. Upon catching sight of Liu Xie, he was at once flustered, and without a word, hurriedly alighted to pay his respects. Not everyone was like Cao Cao, unafraid to treat Liu Xie as a mere figurehead; Guo Jia, at least, was well-versed in proper decorum.

But before he could kneel, Liu Xie took hold of his arm. “Here, I am not the emperor. There’s no need for you to bow, Fengxiao,” Liu Xie said softly.

“Uh, yes, Your Majesty,” Guo Jia replied respectfully.

“That’s enough. Since I am not the emperor here, you needn’t address me as ‘Your Majesty’ or ‘Your Highness.’ Just call me ‘Young Master,’” Liu Xie said gently.

“Yes, Young Master,” Guo Jia replied, realizing that Liu Xie preferred to keep a low profile and conceal his identity.

“Fengxiao, where are you headed?” Liu Xie asked in a quiet tone.

“Oh, I’ve just left the Cao residence and am on my way home,” Guo Jia replied dutifully.

Liu Xie’s eyes flickered with a sudden thought. “Would you care to join me for a drink, Fengxiao?” he asked.

“Young Master, you are too courteous,” Guo Jia replied. “Whatever you command, I dare not refuse.”

Liu Xie’s humble manner left Guo Jia bewildered. To have the emperor refer to himself as “your servant” was almost terrifying for him.

Soon after, Liu Xie led Guo Jia to a tavern he frequented.

They sat across from each other by the window on the second floor. The wine was poured, and the two raised their cups in a toast.

“Fengxiao, what do you think of the state of the world today?” Liu Xie inquired softly.

“I dare not speak recklessly,” Guo Jia replied, uneasy.

“Come now, Fengxiao, there is no need for formality. I’ve already said, here we are equals, just friends talking. Speak freely; I promise, no matter what you say, you will not come to harm,” Liu Xie assured him.

Guo Jia nodded gently, reassured by Liu Xie’s words. “Young Master, forgive my bluntness. The world is in chaos,” he said quietly.

At these words, Liu Xie sighed. “Yes, the world has fallen into disorder, and I am powerless to save it.”

This statement made Guo Jia anxious. “Young Master, I did not mean it that way, I—” He hurriedly rose, cupping his fists in a respectful gesture, unsure how to explain further.

“It’s all right. I do not blame you. Please, sit and let us talk,” Liu Xie said with a kind smile.

Guo Jia sat down again, even more cautious than before.

“From the time of the Xia dynasty to now, the world has always belonged to those with talent and power. Tell me, Fengxiao, how should one govern the realm?” Liu Xie asked once more.

Guo Jia pondered and replied, “Young Master, to govern the land, one must first strengthen the army. Only with a powerful military can external enemies be deterred and peace maintained.”

But this time, Liu Xie shook his head.

“Then let me ask you, Fengxiao, where does military strength come from?” he pressed.

Guo Jia fell silent.

“Or rather, how does a powerful army come to be?” Liu Xie continued.

Still, Guo Jia remained quiet.

Liu Xie smiled lightly. “Let me put it this way: to form an army of ten thousand, you must first have ten thousand men. Only with men can there be talk of strength. So where do these ten thousand come from?”

“They are the sons, husbands, and fathers of countless families, gathered together,” Liu Xie explained.

“After that, through rigorous training, these ordinary men are transformed into formidable soldiers. The strength of an army is, of course, closely tied to its capabilities, but above all, morale is the key.”

“Would you agree, Fengxiao?” Liu Xie asked, glancing at the man opposite him.

Guo Jia nodded gravely, recognizing the weight of Liu Xie’s words.

“And where does morale come from? Simply put, morale is the willingness of the heart. For example, before a war, the soldiers must first believe in victory. If they have no desire to win, then there is no point in fighting at all.”

“So how can you make a soldier willingly face death for you?”

“It’s simple: by granting him the hope of a better life. Or rather, by making him feel that, after this battle, he is a step closer to a brighter future.”

“After all, the struggles among lords are but the business of the lords themselves, and have little to do with the ordinary soldier.”

“Thus, the root of victory in war lies in the soldiers, and the soldiers themselves are the sons, husbands, and fathers of countless households.”

“Who are these people? We call them the people, or the common folk.”

“That is why, to govern a country, it is the people who must first be made strong, not the army. Only when the people are strong can the army become strong.”

“What do you think, Fengxiao?”

After this lengthy exposition, Liu Xie once again looked to Guo Jia.

Guo Jia stood up and bowed deeply, cupping his fists in utmost respect.

“I have always thought myself learned and capable of turning the tides of fortune, but after this conversation, I am ashamed. Young Master, your insight goes to the very root of the world’s affairs.”

Guo Jia’s sincere admiration for Liu Xie could not have been clearer.

“You are too modest, Fengxiao. You simply have never occupied this position. Of course, though I am in this position, what can I actually do? Nothing at all.”

As he spoke, Liu Xie lowered his head in deep disappointment.

“Uh, Young Master, what do you mean by that? You are the sovereign of this realm—” Guo Jia trailed off, glancing around their surroundings.

Liu Xie understood that he meant to say, as the ruler of a nation, what could possibly be beyond your reach?

He forced a bitter smile and shook his head. “Fengxiao, tell me, does someone like me, the so-called ruler of a nation, still carry any real weight?”