Chapter 14: On the Will (2)

  If not, let's just say it from the beginning, saying that Ding Yuan is actually not a good master, and you'd better follow me. I'm afraid Gao Shun's answer would be to tie him up with a hemp rope and throw him in front of Ding Yuan.

  Gao Shun's mind was already somewhat dizzy at this point, and when he heard Liu Zhang throw out another question, he didn't know how to respond for a moment. Fortunately, Liu Zhang seemed to not intend to let him answer either, and instead continued speaking on his own.

  A general who can command and lead is called a commander. To be a good commander, one must know the generals, understand them clearly, and trust them! Knowing the generals means having a broad vision and a wide heart, being good at taking advantage of their strengths and avoiding their weaknesses. Understanding the generals means knowing their strong points and making full use of them, not abandoning them because of their weaknesses or overlooking their strengths due to minor flaws. Trusting the generals requires putting one's mind at ease, building internal relationships, and entrusting important tasks to them. One should not doubt their hearts because of trivial words nor destroy their actions because of flattering speeches. A good commander must have a broad vision, understand the situation, know the timing, and clearly know when to use which general and where to deploy them. Only then can the generals rely on him, and he can be worthy of their reliance. This is what it means for a wise ruler to choose his ministers and use them, and for a wise minister to choose his lord and serve him.

  Gao Shun's eyes were hazy and seemed to be aware of something, his pupils slightly contracted, as if he was thinking about something.

  "What I just said is going to be discussed with the Emperor. Now, General, what is the current situation in the world? Can you try to speak about it?" Liu Zhang didn't give him time to react and threw out another question.

  Gao Shun heard Liu Zhang ask about this, his face changed slightly, and his body moved unnaturally. His eyes swept towards the door and window, and then he hesitated.

  "Shun is just a military man, if you ask him about military affairs, he may be able to answer, but as for government matters, it's really hard to understand." He took a deep look at Liu Zhang and then Shun bluntly pushed the matter aside.

  "Oh? Doesn't the general know?" Liu Zhang smiled and looked at Gao Shun, lightly asking in return. Seeing Gao Shun's slight change in expression, he continued on his own, "If I'm not mistaken, General, you were just discussing the way of being a general."

  Gao Shun's heart sank slightly, he looked up at him and then lowered his eyes, saying lightly: "Not bad."

  Liu Zhang smiled slightly and continued: "The way of being a general, the five virtues are not enough. In my opinion, there should be eight faults, five goodnesses, and four desires."

  Gao Shun's eyes flashed with surprise, and he clasped his fists in respect: "Young Master is a great talent, I wish to hear more."

  "The eight flaws are: being greedy and insatiable, envying the virtuous and talented, believing in flattery and deceit, measuring others by oneself, hesitating and indecisive, indulging in wine and lust, being treacherous and fearful, and speaking cunningly without propriety." Liu Zhang's face didn't change color as he brought up this doctrine, throwing out Zhuge Liang's words before they were even born. Gao Shun's eyes flashed with admiration.

  "The five virtues are: to know the enemy's formation, to know the way of advancing and retreating, to know the country's strengths and weaknesses, to know the timing of heaven and human affairs, to know the dangers of mountains and rivers." As he spoke, Liu Zhang suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on Gao Shun with a profound meaning. Gao Shun felt uneasy, pretending not to notice, turned his head away.

  Liu Zhang smiled and did not press him, continuing to say: "As for the four desires, they are the desire for war to be unusual, the desire for strategy to be subtle, the desire for the masses to be calm, and the desire for the heart to be united. This is the way of eight faults, five virtues, and four desires. General, you are a famous general, how can you not know the current situation and the principle of emptiness and reality? The general is not unaware, but actually does not want to speak."

  Liu Zhang spoke in a soft and gentle tone, but his words fell into Gao Shun's ears like a thunderclap.

  "Today, thieves and bandits are rampant, evil robbers are rising. Moreover, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is secretly gathering momentum, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Some people may not know about this thief, but as a general who has been in power in a large province, how can you not know? The hidden worries of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, I know, General, and the officials in the imperial court must also know. Alas! Even Governor Ding Daoren may not be unaware. With the numerous followers of this sect, if they were to suddenly rise up, it would be a catastrophic disaster in an instant. At present, the eunuchs in the palace are blocking the emperor's ears, while the external relatives are abusing their power and suppressing the loyal officials. The various governors have different thoughts, but do not know that the great calamity is approaching, what will they do to respond? Governor Ding of Pingzhou is brave, healthy, and upright, but he has also set his sights on entering the capital, seeking only to gain the greatest political benefit for himself in the chaos. And General, you are surrounded by 100,000 thieves and robbers in Pingzhou, how can you respond with just one camp of soldiers when the chaos erupts? When the Central Plains rise up in rebellion, foreign tribes will inevitably take advantage of the situation, at that time, internal strife and external troubles, General's death is only a matter of time!"