Chapter 13: Playing the Fool to Outsmart the Tiger

At this moment, Chai Xiao glanced at Zhang Bao as well. He noticed the slight raising of the Interior Ministry chief’s eyebrows and, more importantly, the flicker of “fear” in his eyes. It seemed that the transformation occurring in the worthless Ninth Prince had made Zhang realize something “entirely different.” Of course, he never imagined it was “time travel.” At most, he might have thought it was feigning ignorance or playing the fool to hide one’s true strength.

Historically, such instances were not uncommon. This was something Chai Xiao had often encountered in the library before his transmigration, thanks to his extensive study and consistently ranking first in history courses. The most famous example was Sun Bin feigning madness to deceive Pang Juan.

Sun Bin and Pang Juan were senior and junior disciples of the “Master Strategist” Guiguzi. Pang Juan left first and prospered in the state of Wei, summoning Sun Bin to join him. However, Sun Bin’s talent overshadowed Pang Juan, who, fearing replacement, grew envious and malicious. Pang Juan viciously maimed Sun Bin by removing his kneecaps and sought to kill him. To survive, Sun Bin pretended to be insane: disheveled, babbling nonsense, sometimes crying, sometimes laughing, refusing fine food and drink, even wallowing in pig sties and wallowing in filth.

Eventually, Pang Juan believed Sun Bin was truly mad and let down his guard. Seizing the opportunity, Sun Bin escaped and employed the “Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao” strategy, decisively defeating Pang Juan and forcing him into the Maoling Pass. There, Pang Juan saw a stripped tree inscribed with words. Lighting a fire to read it, he found: “Pang Juan died beneath this tree.” He laughed heartily, only to be ambushed by Sun Bin’s carefully arranged troops and killed by a volley of arrows.

Such tales are not confined to civilian officials or generals. Kings entangled in royal struggles, similar to Chai Xiao’s position, are rarer but still exist in the histories of Qin, Han, Wei, and even the earlier Tang dynasty.

Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, ascended the throne at thirteen and endured the power of his regent, Lü Buwei, until he took full control at twenty, swiftly eliminating Lü Buwei and other rivals, uniting the six states, and becoming the “Eternal Emperor.”

Emperor Wen of Han, Liu Heng, due to his mother’s low status, was sent to the remote Dai region at seven without complaint. He endured quietly until Empress Lü’s death, when ministers brought him back to the throne. He promoted agriculture over commerce, reduced punishments and taxes, abolished collective responsibility penalties, inaugurating the “Rule of Wen and Jing.”

Cao Pi, Emperor Wen of Wei and son of Cao Cao, had his talents long overshadowed by his brothers Cao Ang, Cao Zhi, and Cao Chong. Cao Cao hesitated over his heir apparent, and Cao Pi patiently endured. After the death of Cao Ang, the early demise of Cao Chong, and Cao Zhi’s reckless actions, Cao Pi was made heir. Upon accession, he lightened punishments, reduced taxes, abolished extravagant tomb rituals, and fostered development. He authored the “Dian Lun,” pioneering the influential Wei-Jin literary style.

Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, the ninth son of Taizong Li Shimin, appeared gentle and indifferent to the crown prince position. Only after the disastrous rivalry between Li Chengqian and Li Tai did his honest nature earn him the crown prince title. Once emperor, he deposed his brother Wu and Empress Wang, allied with Wu Zetian and elder statesman Li Ji to suppress factions like the Changsun family, and reclaimed imperial power. He pacified the northern steppes, repelled the Turks, conquered Goguryeo, and expanded Tang’s territory to its zenith. He reinstated the imperial examination system, revised laws, and ushered in the “Reign of Yonghui.”

More recently, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Chen, born to a low-status mother, feigned madness for decades to save his life. Even when his nephew Emperor Wuzong, Li Yan, threw him into a cesspit, he only smiled foolishly. When Wuzong fell ill, eunuch Ma Yuanzhi and others installed him as the royal uncle. Immediately, he revealed his talents, balanced factions, and seized real power. Internally, he ended the Niuli factional strife and curbed eunuch influence. Externally, he defeated the Tibetans and Uighurs, reclaimed vast lands lost during the An-Shi Rebellion, and initiated the final “Great Reign of Dazhong” for Tang.

Chai Xiao did not know exactly which of these figures Zhang Bao thought he resembled. It could not be all of them, but at least Emperor Wen of Han and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang bore strong similarities. They endured neglect and low status due to their mothers’ humble origins and survived in the cracks of power. Even when sent to remote regions, they obeyed without protest.

Compared to them, Chai Xiao had been sent away at eighteen, which was better than Liu Heng’s exile at seven. He had not suffered particularly humiliating insults, at least not as severe as Xuanzong being thrown into a cesspit. Yet, though their stories were tragic, they all achieved remarkable feats worthy of admiration. From this, Chai Xiao had much to learn. The old saying goes, “After great adversity comes great prosperity.” Like them, he aimed to reach the pinnacle of “playing the fool to deceive the tiger.”

Zhang Bao saw the emperor’s gaze and instinctively lowered his head. Just as Chai Xiao suspected, he thought of Emperor Wen and Emperor Xuanzong. Their likeness was uncanny! In less than half a day, the ruler before him displayed the same potential for “playing the fool” and wielding iron-handed tactics. If he could become a loyal minister aiding such a ruler—like Jia Yi or Bai Minzhong, or even eunuchs Beigong Bozi and Ma Yuanzhi—they would all be remembered in history.

Chai Xiao’s expression softened as he gestured toward the imperial kitchen’s head chef standing behind him. “If the quantity of food is reduced, logically, the number of staff should decrease as well. After all, hiring people costs money, right?”

“Your Majesty!” Chef Yi Tai was shocked, realizing his position was at risk, and immediately knelt down with a thud. “My family has been cooking for generations, always serving loyally in the kitchen. The emperor has always enjoyed my dishes, and there have never been any mistakes. Your Majesty cannot simply decide to reduce staff!”

Zhang Bao could not tolerate this and scolded sharply, “How dare you!” “Yi Tai, the emperor is the sovereign of the realm; his words carry absolute authority. If he says to reduce staff, then reduce staff! Do you think you have the right to argue here? And stop repeating those three ‘always’—who do you think you are?”

Startled by this stern rebuke, Yi Tai realized he had overstepped and trembled violently, bowing repeatedly. “I have misspoken. Please, Your Majesty, pardon my offense!”

Chai Xiao smiled and waved his hand. “I’m not saying to reduce you. Besides, I said ‘logically.’ Right now, it’s not entirely a matter of logic.”

“Not entirely a matter of logic...” Yi Tai murmured, trembling as if a sieve, his knees shaking. Following this Ninth Prince for so many years, everything had been fine. The prince was a good eater and could eat a lot, so the kitchen always went to great lengths to prepare delicious dishes—sweet, salty, sour, spicy. As long as he wanted to eat it, the kitchen could and would make it.

Indeed, the Ninth Prince was not picky and ate whatever was made. His appetite was enormous, able to consume half an elephant daily. Everything was harmonious until yesterday’s grand banquet in Daxu—everything was fine then. So why had everything changed suddenly this morning?

The old saying goes, “With justice, one fears no one anywhere.” Yet, for a sovereign, why say “it’s not entirely a matter of logic”?

Chai Xiao saw the chef’s “living death” expression and waved again. “You may stand now!”

Yi Tai grew even more fearful and refused to rise. “I dare not!” “I beg Your Majesty’s mercy and to spare my life!”

Zhang Bao glanced at the emperor, who did not seem angry. Although his tone had been stern earlier, it was not meant as punishment. He quickly signaled to Yi Tai. “The emperor has told you to stand. You must obey! This is already mercy, understand?”

“Yes!” Yi Tai shakily rose, hands at his sides, head bowed, unable to meet their eyes.

Chai Xiao finished a meat bun and started on a second, then drank a bowl of water shield soup before beginning a second bowl of millet porridge.

“What I’m saying now, you might not fully understand. Why is it not entirely about logic?”

“To put it another way, including today, we have only ten days to raise one million taels of silver. How shall we accomplish this?”

“The secret order the Second Prince delivered on behalf of the late emperor is known to all now, and they say I am mad.”

“Am I truly mad?”