Chapter 23: Simplifying Complex Problems-Três Reinos: Conselheiro de Zhaolie, Três Reavivações da Dinastia Han(Na época das flores caídas, não vejo você.)

Tian Yu’s situation was no better than Zhao Yun’s. Because he held a deeper affection for Gongsun Zan, he did not remain in his hometown like Zhao Yun, but instead returned to Gongsun Zan’s side. However, Gongsun Zan did not grant him a position of importance, merely appointing him as the magistrate of Dongzhou County. During the subsequent wars against Yuan Shao, Tian Yu was further marginalized and excluded from participating altogether. For a man who had harbored lofty ambitions since childhood and possessed exceptional ability, this was a significant blow.

After the fall of Gongsun Zan, Tian Yu submitted to the Cao Wei regime and was dispatched to the frontier to guard against the nomadic tribes of the north. Throughout the rest of his life, he consistently upheld a hardline ethnic policy centered on suppression. He struck at those who were powerful and courted those who were weak. He fully exploited the contradictions between the Wuhuan and Xianbei tribes, using a strategy of "using one barbarian to control another" by inciting discord to lure them into mutual slaughter. This ensured that the northern nomadic tribes never posed a substantive threat to the Central Plains.

Tian Yu was a man of integrity, blessed with both wisdom and courage. As an outstanding general, he prevented the resurgence of the Wuhuan and disrupted the unification process of the Xianbei, bringing nearly a century of peace to the northern border. Yet, due to his special relationship with Liu Bei, he was never granted significant trust by the rulers of Cao Wei, and thus, one never saw Tian Yu appear on the battlefields against the Shu Han or Eastern Wu. Historical records reflect on him with considerable regret: "Tian Yu’s position never rose above a small province; his talents were never fully utilized." It is generally believed that his life was one where his true potential remained unfulfilled.

Li Yi was willing to let Tian Yu return because he knew Gongsun Zan would not truly employ him. When Tian Yu saw Gongsun Zan swearing brotherhood with petty peddlers and promoting incompetent men, his heart must have gone cold. At that moment, Liu Bei only needed to provide a graceful exit, and both Tian Yu and Zhao Yun would have returned to him.

"...So that is how it is." After listening to Li Yi’s analysis, Liu Bei finally understood that there was a "generation gap" between him and men like Tian Yu. Of course, this was also related to Liu Bei’s later loss of Xu Province. Had Liu Bei not fled to the north, even Zhao Yun would not have had the opportunity to defect to him.

Speaking of Xu Province, Liu Bei’s expression gradually turned grave. In truth, this was the issue he should be most concerned about. It was now late at night, and even the dogs had fallen asleep. Only the main hall remained illuminated. Liu Bei dismissed his servants, telling them to go and rest.

"Sir possesses the talent to govern the world and bring peace to the people. Yet, Xu Province is surrounded by powerful enemies without, and plagued by the monopolization of power by prominent clans within. The fields lie barren, and the population has dwindled. It was precisely for these reasons that Chen Changwen once advised me not to accept the governorship of Xu Province."

"However, you, sir, strongly urged me to accept it. I believe you must have a solution."

"If that is truly the case, I beg you to teach me a sound strategy. I am listening with the utmost attention."

Liu Bei sat upright, sincerely seeking guidance from Li Yi. Li Yi was a night owl by nature, having grown accustomed to working overtime at his company; though it was early morning, his energy remained high.

"What does the Governor consider the most urgent problem in Xu Province?" Li Yi asked, skillfully guiding the conversation.

The most urgent problem? Liu Bei frowned and pondered for a moment. "You previously said that to repel external enemies, one must first ensure internal stability. I agree deeply with this. The problems of Xu Province should be addressed by prioritizing internal affairs."

Oh? Li Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled softly. "There are two internal problems in Xu Province: one is the barren land and the lack of population, which has severely damaged the productive capacity. The other is the proliferation of prominent families and clans, with power falling into the hands of these scholar-gentry. Which does the Governor believe should come first?"

Liu Bei blurted out, "Naturally, the scholar-gentry and powerful clans."

"Exactly!" Li Yi nodded in satisfaction. Even if there were ten thousand problems within Xu Province, Liu Bei had to resolve the most critical one: he must firmly hold real power in his own hands. As for how to hold it, the answer was to control it indirectly through these very clans. Liu Bei had been invited into Xu Province by these families, so naturally, he had to govern through them.

Xu Province was a "hell-difficulty" mission. Although the historical Liu Bei did not manage to master it, was he truly inadequate? Externally, he allied with the powerful Yuan Shao, eased tensions with Cao Cao, and struck hard against the ambitious Yuan Shu. Internally, he employed Cao Bao of the Danyang faction, moved his administrative center to Xiapi, and courted the Chen clan. His goal in doing so was to hope that the old and new factions could live in harmony and gradually integrate. However, Liu Bei failed to handle the relationship between Zhang Fei and Cao Bao; in the end, Cao Bao joined forces with Lu Bu to launch a surprise attack on Xu Province, and Liu Bei suffered a crushing defeat. In truth, if one examines Liu Bei’s actions upon taking office in Xu Province, he had done quite well. He had done everything he could; he had truly given his all. But unfortunately, the difficulty of this level was simply too high—a single oversight led to failure.

The waters of Xu Province were too deep, and Liu Bei had not a shred of room for error.

"The noble families of Xu Province supported me as the Governor of Xu Province only to use me as a shield against external enemies."

"The Governor has eyes as sharp as fire; that is exactly the case."

Liu Bei could gain the support of the Xu Province clans because they needed a brawler. But Liu Bei had come to establish his hegemony and achieve greatness; how could he allow himself to be led by the nose by these clans?

"In that case, Sir, what excellent strategy can you teach me?"

Li Yi replied, "Although there are many noble families in Xu Province and they appear to distrust one another, their interests are actually bound together. For instance, when Cao Cao attacked Xu Province twice, it harmed their collective interests. If we want to govern Xu Province well, we must borrow their strength; we cannot act recklessly, and we certainly cannot act blindly."

Li Yi pointed out the crux of the problem. To rule Xu Province, one must try to win over these scholar-gentry and powerful families. After all, in this era, it was unrealistic to "overthrow the landlords and redistribute the land." Consolidating one’s own rule and maintaining the stability of the regime was the truly important task.

Liu Bei understood Li Yi’s meaning and asked, "Then how should we win them over?"

Li Yi pondered, "That is a simple matter. One must simplify complex problems."

"Oh?" Liu Bei raised an eyebrow. "What does it mean to simplify a complex problem?"

"There are many powerful families in Xu Province, and each has different interests. We cannot possibly satisfy the demands of every single one. Therefore, I believe we only need to win over the few largest ones. Once they are won over, what kind of trouble could the remaining families possibly stir up?"

This was the art of simplifying complex problems. In fact, there was also a strategy to complicate complex problems—by adopting a system of separation of powers, dividing the military, administrative, and supervisory powers of Xu Province. This method of separating military and civil authority would have a miraculous effect on dealing with the rampant growth of the Xu Province clans. However, the drawback was that the project was too immense and would take far too long. Old Liu, or rather, Xu Province, certainly could not afford the wait. There were countless wolves outside staring hungrily. Simply using the strategy of "using one to control another" to win over the great clans of Xu Province was the most straightforward and effective path.