Chapter Forty-Five: Starting Point x Strategy

“Beneficial?” For the first time since the meeting began, Charles’s eyes betrayed confusion. “But… your plan is impossible to achieve.”

“Whether it can be achieved or not is beside the point for now. Do you understand the value of a ‘role model’?”

“Most of the time, people don’t think for themselves. In their actions, they unconsciously imitate those around them who succeed, those who are famous, or those who lead.”

“In other words, to openly display one’s selfishness, greed, or other desires for others to emulate is hardly a good thing. I’ve seen many people who disdain hypocrisy and encourage unfiltered self-expression—but frankly, I think their authenticity is ugly, base, filthy, and sordid. They cast aside basic courtesy and expose these ‘authentic’ selves, as repulsive as excrement, achieving nothing but disgust in others.”

“Zhou Suyan isn’t here now. I’ve told her something similar before. I needed a woman by my side, so I kept her. She might have her own thoughts, may dislike me, may be ready to betray me at any moment, may leave as soon as this episode ends… I don’t care. Not for any other reason, but simply because she’s too foolish to harm me. If anything, she could harm her own teammates or those she cares about.”

When Wang Luo reached this point, Charles’s face twisted briefly, but soon returned to normal.

He said nothing, for there was nothing to say.

“After we spoke, she agreed to restrain her base impulsiveness for this period, to maintain a certain level of courtesy. Ah, I’ve digressed. Let’s return to the topic of role models.”

“If I carried out your plan, I might gain a lot. But it would also send a message to my friends and subordinates: that I act for profit. If I succeed, they will unconsciously begin to imitate me, acting for profit as well.”

“A team like that would soon fall into internal strife. Self-interest can gather people together, but to accomplish anything, or maintain such a group, you need ideals. If you chase only profit, the results may be good in the short term, but you inject poison into the group from the start. When a real test comes, that poison will eat it away.”

Charles wanted to argue. But remembering how he had left Wuzhou, he chose silence.

“That’s my guiding principle.” Wang Luo picked up the paper before him and handed it to Charles. “While assigning the early tasks these days, I’ve been considering detailed strategies. At last, I have something worthwhile. Take a look.”

“Minimum inheritance guarantee?” Charles read the title. “Non-bloodline inheritance law?”

“Yes. Minimum inheritance guarantee. For instance, as planned, we’ll soon redistribute land to peasants—say, twenty mu per person, plus a cow and two houses. So, every man, if he works hard and lives normally, without losing property to crime, laziness, or refusal to work, will inherit exactly this much when his elder dies. If his elder doesn’t have that much, the government makes up the difference.”

“As for the non-bloodline inheritance law… Well, imagine a merchant who’s amassed millions. After his death, his son would receive only the minimum inheritance. The rest would go to whoever contributed most to creating that wealth.”

“Contributed most?” Charles frowned as he read Wang Luo’s plan. “His partners? His employees?”

“Either. I don’t care who it is. In creating wealth, such people always contribute more than an idle young master.”

“I’m not entirely sure how the core power of this era—the great landlords—organize their households. But I believe a man’s energy is limited. To rule, they must rely on others’ obedience, cooperation, recognition of shared rules, and so on.”

“In other words, he needs stewards, retainers, soldiers—many people to execute his commands. So let his estate pass to these people—the best among them.”

“Such a law, naturally, the aristocrats, wealthy merchants, and property owners will hate. Their wives and sons will hate it too, but so be it. If I’m to rebel, I never expected their goodwill.”

“But what about their subordinates? If these people want greater wealth, want a chance to rise, they’ll need our revolutionary army’s support. Perhaps some can remain loyal in the face of vast temptation, but as a whole, this law serves their interests, and they will support it!”

“Then, with the minimum inheritance guarantee and land and property given to them, most of the poor will support us as well. With the poor’s support, and the support of the most capable among the wealthy’s followers, our remaining enemies are just a handful of aristocrats, landlords, and merchants. Defeat them, and my—our—revolution will succeed. Social transformation can then proceed at a lower cost, and my goal of saving tens of millions will move from impossible to at least attainable.”

—

Upon receiving news that the main Han army had been ambushed and their camp seized, the Han soldiers at the ferry crossing were, for a time, deeply anxious.

They reinforced their defenses and sent messengers for help. But several days passed with no attack, and the soldiers there—as well as the contractors who’d fled to the crossing—gradually relaxed.

Many had escaped. The Dalbo team suffered the worst, with only the dwarf Liáng Tí, who’d been scouting the perimeter, making it out alive. In Rank’s team, three survived. Getini’s team lost just one man.

Now, they were planning for the future.

“Are you going to accept Wuzhou’s proposal for cooperation?” Rank asked.

He and Getini sat alone in a small tent. Though they’d lost a battle, they’d received many offers of recruitment in recent days and were far from despair.

“I don’t like Wuzhou,” Getini admitted frankly, “but I dislike surrendering even more.”

“What if we unite everyone left and resist the Yellow Turbans?” Rank asked through gritted teeth.

“It’s not enough,” Getini replied, meeting his gaze. “With everyone left, our fighting strength is still weak. If we don’t want to surrender, Wuzhou is our only option. Later, if the Han army sends large reinforcements… then we can consider our next move.”

“For now, then, we’re agreed.” Rank extended his right hand. “Act in unison.”

Getini paused, then extended his own right hand, grasping Rank’s. “Act in unison.”