~attack the source of your enemy's strength~ The thirty-six strategies
Cao Cao laughed when he read the missive from his Stymian counterpart. The man had courage, his policy would weaken the setriam kingdom by a great deal if they were successful. The flow of silver to the setrus league would be effectively cut by half and they would be in dire straits to maintain their sea dominance. if they failed, their kingdom would be fair game to the first to land an army. if they succeeded, they could dictate trade terms and tribute as they pleased for years to come.
It angered the ministers, and in its way it angered Cao Cao. But nonetheless the tactic was sound. Regretably, he ordered that his minister of finance note that the 5,500 in revenue from Setrus, be noted has having been reduced by half, down to 2,750 expected next year. Cao silently hoped that no other nation would pirate his vessals, and reduce that treaty worth by another half.
Though he considered the options of war threats against stym, or questions of immunity for his vessals, or simple termination of trade with either stym or the setrians, ultimately, he tossed aside such notions. the stymian kingdom would not recieve those well, and it would bear no fruit regardless. and besides, the policy did give aid in its way, to the chulom kingdom. And so he took the small dent to his income, and went out on his previously scheduled inspection tour of the barracks, and then of the kingdom, visiting his soldiers and warriors and peasants and merchants of all classes, seeing to it tha the ill are cared for and that justice is done in the courts throughout the land. With him, was the young Cao Te, the heir to Cao Cao's throne, he was being schooled by his father in the arts of governance as well as those of the martial nature, for the two are in truth, inseperable at heart. The time would come when he would be called upon by his father, to take up the sword in the name of his kingdom. The boy was not yet 16, but war was not unknown to him, nor was battle, to prepare him for facing life and death, he was given the task of executing royal criminals condemned to die. Cao Te was given a blade, as was the criminal setenced to die, and only the winner would leave alive. For the criminal, victory was his route to life. for Cao Te, defeat would mean death.
Thus far, Cao Te had slain a hundred criminals in combat. Some ventured to remonstrate with Cao Cao for risking his heir in such a way. But Cao Cao only ever said, I am to risk my kingdom on him, should he not risk himself for the kingdom? If he proves incapable, i have other heirs that may be. That was always the end of it.
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