In 964, Emperor Taizu of Song quelled the Southern Tang and was poised to continue his conquest by taking the kingdom of Wuyue. Unexpectedly, King Qian Chu of Wuyue personally visited him, presenting a map of his territory as a token of submission.
A warm reception
Emperor Taizu was delighted by Qian Chu’s visit, inviting him to enjoy the sights and engage in deep conversations in the capital, Bianliang. Meanwhile, Qian Chu secretly courted the favor of the high-ranking officials of the Song Dynasty, hoping they would advocate on his behalf to preserve his kingdom. One of his key targets was the highly influential Prime Minister Zhao Pu, who was close to the emperor. Emperor Taizu, fully aware of these schemes, chose not to intervene.
An unexpected discovery by Emperor Taizu
One day, Qian Chu sent 10 large jars to Zhao Pu’s residence, allegedly filled with seafood from Wuyue. After the delivery, Zhao Pu decided to inspect the jars, only to be surprised by Emperor Taizu’s sudden arrival. Zhao Pu hurriedly explained that these were gifts from Qian Chu. As they were purported to be seafood, the emperor expressed his interest in sampling them.
On opening one of the jars, they discovered not seafood, but a trove of gold. All the jars were filled with gold. Zhao Pu was stunned, but Emperor Taizu simply smiled and said: “What a fine gift! It’s a pity Qian Chu sent it to the wrong person. He thinks you decide the affairs of the state. If only he had sent it directly to me. Since it’s given to you, don’t be shy.” He reiterated to Zhao Pu not to overthink the situation.
A diplomatic resolution
King Qian Chu spent several months in Bianliang without much success and eventually requested to be allowed to return home. Upon hearing of the request, Emperor Taizu’s advisors, one after another, submitted petitions urging either the execution or detention of Qian Chu. Zhao Kuangyi, the younger brother of Taizu, was particularly adamant, arguing that Qian Chu harbored supremely ambitious goals and abilities. He believed that letting him go would be akin to releasing a tiger back into the mountains.
However, Emperor Taizu held a different perspective. He asserted: “We’ve conquered the Southern Tang and swept through the southern mountains. Certainly, we can defeat Wuyue as well. But Qian Chu is a shrewd individual who understands the importance of adapting to the situation. I intend to genuinely persuade him. That way, we won’t need to resort to violence. Although the Wuyue Kingdom may be small, its people are fierce and proud. Provoking them unnecessarily would only increase the resistance to our goal of unifying the realm, and that would not be worth the trouble.”
In the end, Emperor Taizu personally escorted Qian outside the city and presented him with a mysterious gift before his departure.
A king’s gratitude
As Qian approached the border of Wuyue, he opened the box he received from the Emperor and found it filled with petitions from ministers who had wanted him detained or executed. Shaken yet grateful, he returned to Bianliang six months later, surrendering the entire military might of Wuyue and submitting his nation to the Song Dynasty without a single battle.
Political strategy
The terms “deceit,” “cunning,” “Machiavellian,” and “cheating without accountability” often surface when one thinks of political intrigue. These, however, are misconceptions. True political strategy involves “weighing” and “planning,” which may require the use of certain tactics and skills, but are not inherently negative things in and of themselves. Indeed, the best strategies are not negative at all. It is natural for feudal emperors to employ such tactics in brutal political battles, with “goodwill” being the ultimate strategy.
By using the petitions to earn Qian Chu’s gratitude, Emperor Taizu dissolved the prospect of war and earned the support of the people from both Song and Wuyue. Qian was a talented and respected leader in Wuyue, and if he had chosen to fight to the death against Emperor Taizu, even if he had been defeated, he would have dealt a heavy blow to the Song Dynasty.
Emperor Taizu’s sincere treatment of his opponent was not a random act of kindness, but a calculated move after carefully assessing his opponent and seizing the moment. This remarkable strategy signifies that, indeed, “goodwill” is the finest of political tactics.
Translated by Joseph Wu
