Yet the world's frivolity blinds. On the third day of March, the weather anew, by the waters of Chang'an, beauty in view. Carriages adorned with spring blossoms of every hue meander by the river's side, where willows weep and kites in the sky glide. From afar, the pavilions and screens, like clouds in colorful dreams,… Continue reading Fish 170: The Desires of the People Are Vast

Yet Gong Jun had already seen through everything. Mo Li entered the hall with a composed expression. Although he saw Liu Dan and Gong Jun, he did not show any surprise. His gaze swept over them and moved on as if he did not recognize these two. A shadow flashed by his feet, and watching… Continue reading Fish 169: The Form of Power

One Hundred Ways to Leverage Threats for Advantage The medicinal scent was thick in the sleeping chamber. Lu Min reclined against the soft pillow, half-closing his eyes as he drank the medicine. When he placed the bowl down, his hand was somewhat unsteady, and the bowl nearly knocked against the lacquered tray. The palace servant,… Continue reading Fish 168: What’s Going To Happen

Paying for the Bed In this sleep, Mo Li slept very deeply. It had been a long time since he had been able to lie down on a bed and rest properly, and sleepiness clung to him like a quagmire, refusing to let go. In his dream, he was still in Zhushan County, with the… Continue reading Fish 167: Moved By A Sense of Nostalgia

Regardless, one must seek a position by the nobleman's side, even if it means feigning sleep to secure it. According to the habit of historians, this night must be described in vivid detail, starting from the bombardment of the inner city palace gates, to the death of the Qi Emperor, Lu Zhang, under chaotic blades,… Continue reading Fish 166: Achieving a Position by Improper Means and Adorning It with Empty Arguments

Third Prince, you're missing the point, aren't you? The Crown Prince quickly noticed something hard inside the Third Prince's sleeve. Not long, and slightly curved, it pressed closely against the inside of the elbow. Could that be—a dagger? The Crown Prince's expression shifted subtly. The Third Prince lurking near the sleeping chambers was not surprising,… Continue reading Fish 165: Plotting Regicide and Usurping the Throne

The malaise of the court and country today To threaten someone by holding their family's lives hostage is somewhat indecorous to discuss, yet it proves exceedingly effective. A person who refuses to save even their closest kin, regardless of their loyalty, will be scorned by others. For example, generals who command tens of thousands of… Continue reading Fish 164: The Maladies of Qi Today

The scene is set for a downfall. Lu Zhang's gaze sharpened, and he shifted from a state of furious madness back to calmness in an instant. The imperial guards, tasked with protecting the Crown Prince and ensuring his safe entry into the palace, were secretly alarmed and immediately rested their hands on the hilts of… Continue reading Fish 163: You Regard Your Subjects As Mere Grass and Mustards

Did he foresee that the person who replaced him would be wiser? The night first brought a fierce wind, then a torrential rain, interspersed with deafening cannon fire. People inside the inner city dared not sleep, instructing their families to guard the door tightly while anxiously waiting for news. Probably the only place within the… Continue reading Fish 162: His Prophecy Is So Clear

Learn about turning against one's own side before the battle formation. Huge raindrops mercilessly smashed onto the ground. The wind was fierce, and the rain heavy; the sky was so dark that not a trace of light could be seen. "Boom!" A deafening explosion made it seem as if even the ground was trembling. The… Continue reading Fish 161: People Joyfully Welcomed Them