Chapter 84: Using One’s Strength Against Them

As expected, he had come to gather information. Meng Di pondered briefly in his heart.

The current situation in Qi appeared stable on the surface, but in truth, it was far from optimistic. Though the Tian clan held no official power, their influence among the common people was immense. Such overt attempts to win popular support were simply tolerated by Duke Jing of Qi. Over time, unrest was sure to follow. Meng Di considered whether he ought to foster a good relationship with the Guo clan, but before that, he needed to ascertain their stance. Thus, he opened his mouth and said,

“To be frank, Young Lord Guo, I came to Qi this time to trade with Yan. The Tian clan controls the trade route to Yan, so I did not take those two thousand mu of salt fields. Only thus have I returned safely.”

Guo Yuan was taken aback, his face showing confusion.

“If it is profit you seek, the best trade routes are with our state of Qi or with Jin. Yan is vast but poor, and the route is long and arduous—why choose a distant, difficult path over one so near?”

“Naturally, it is for warhorses. Horses are scarce in Lu, so I wish to trade with Yan.”

Hearing this, Guo Yuan nodded, though he doubted it was the whole truth. The matter of Wang Bo had not been mentioned at all, indicating there were likely other secrets between Meng Di and the Tian clan.

At this moment, Meng Di took the initiative to ask,

“Young Lord Guo, I have heard that Qi means to send troops against Lu. Is this true?”

Guo Yuan’s expression changed. After a moment’s hesitation, he did not conceal it.

“It is true. Prime Minister Gao Zhang intends to use force against Lu, primarily to seize all of Yunyi.”

Hearing this, Meng Di felt a weight lift from his heart. It seemed Qi had no intention of launching an all-out attack on Lu, but rather sought to encroach upon its territory piecemeal.

Yunyi was divided into East and West. East Yun was built by Ji Sun Xingfu, the then regent of Lu, but was later taken by Qi. Lu then built West Yun to defend against Qi. Both sides sought to claim all of Yunyi, and there had been constant friction over the years. If this was the case, there was little cause for worry.

Guo Yuan knew Mengyi was not far from Yunyi, and seeing Meng Di deep in thought, he understood at once.

“Brother Han, you needn’t worry. Though there is occasional conflict between Qi and Lu, the scale is limited. Mengyi should not be implicated. Only, you would do well to be cautious in your dealings with the Tian clan.”

Meng Di smiled at these words, feigning confusion.

“What do you mean, Young Lord Guo? Is there something improper about the Tian clan?”

A look of hesitation passed over Guo Yuan’s face, as though he found it difficult to speak. Seeing this, Meng Di gave a muted laugh.

“If it is inconvenient for you, let us pretend I never asked.”

Hearing this, Guo Yuan sighed and spoke sincerely.

“It is a shameful matter. When I returned, my father confided that though Tian Rangju stepped down as Grand Marshal, his prestige in the army was too great. Our Guo and Gao clans feared he might suddenly rebel, and so were ever on guard.

“Later, the Tian clan took the initiative to make peace, and soon after, Tian Rangju died suddenly. So, it must be admitted that the Guo clan was in some way involved in his death.”

He concealed nothing. This left Meng Di with a very favorable impression of Guo Yuan. In these times, everyone schemed and deceived, so to find someone as frank and sincere as Guo Yuan was rare indeed.

Meng Di made up his mind. He rose and saluted.

“Young Lord Guo, your candor is deeply appreciated. Though my father-in-law’s death involved the Guo clan, the hand that struck belonged to the Tian clan, not yours. My dealings with the Tian clan now are out of necessity.”

He sighed, a trace of helplessness in his voice.

“Lu is weak and Qi is strong. In such circumstances, I must find a way to deal with the Tian clan, so as to secure the trade route to Yan. Yet the Tian clan’s methods are ruthless, and their popularity among the people of Qi is too high. The Guo clan must remain vigilant.”

Some things are best left hinted at rather than spoken outright. Though Meng Di thought well of Guo Yuan, he would not reveal all his thoughts, but rather took this opportunity to foster goodwill for future use.

At the Prime Minister’s residence,

Gao Zhang’s expression was stormy when he heard of Tian Chang’s visit. He had long known of Guo Yuan’s disappearance at Eagle’s Beak Cliff, and surmised that the Sima Tactics would be difficult to obtain now. He was displeased—he had considered the Sima Tactics already in his grasp and was angered by this turn of events. He was inclined to refuse Tian Chang an audience.

Yet, after some thought, Gao Zhang instructed,

“Let him in.”

When Tian Chang entered, Gao Zhang asked with a trace of mockery,

“Did you not promise to present the Sima Tactics to me? Did you bring it this time?”

Tian Chang’s face was full of shame as he bowed respectfully.

“Tian Chang has failed in his task and did not bring back the Sima Tactics. I have come to confess my fault, yet there are other matters to report, if the Prime Minister will permit.”

Gao Zhang snorted coldly, his tone openly displeased.

“Are you going to claim that Guo Yuan beat you to it, and so you returned empty-handed? I hear you even spent a fortune hiring strongmen from Lu for help—two thousand mu of salt fields, quite the price!”

Tian Chang ignored the sarcasm, his demeanor humble.

“Prime Minister, it was out of necessity. The bandit chief entrenched in Langya is a former servant of Tian Rangju, named Wang Bo. I went not only to obtain the Sima Tactics, but also to eliminate this hidden threat.

“If the Tian clan acted openly, Wang Bo would surely grow suspicious and take precautions, perhaps fleeing with the Sima Tactics. Then it would be even harder to acquire.”

Gao Zhang gave a short laugh.

“So, you still hope to obtain the Sima Tactics?”

Tian Chang hesitated, then spoke.

“After Young Lord Guo disappeared at Eagle’s Beak Cliff, I dispatched many men to search for him, but found nothing. Later, I learned that he appeared in Jimo, then returned to Linzi.

“Prime Minister, does this not strike you as odd? Without the help of those bandits, how could Young Lord Guo have appeared in Jimo? There may be more to this than meets the eye.”

At this, Tian Chang’s expression grew strange, as though there was something he could not say aloud.

Gao Zhang frowned, pondering for a moment. He too found the matter suspicious. His first thought was that Guo Yuan must have struck some bargain with the bandits, thus securing their aid. He asked,

“What is this hidden truth? Here, in front of me, you may speak freely. There is no need for evasion.”