Heavy snow fell over Chang'an, masking the stench of blood along Vermilion Bird Avenue.
Su Ce stood atop the crumbling city wall, looking down at the hundred thousand rebels gathered below. Behind him stood not a single soldier, only dozens of war drums painted with strange totems and a handful of trembling musicians.
"Sir, are we really opening the gates?" one musician asked, his voice breaking.
Su Ce straightened the faded official robe he had stripped from a corpse and washed clean. A smile tugged at his lips, seemingly composed but stiff with tension.
"Open them."
"The world knows the military maxim: when strong, appear weak; when weak, appear strong."
"But they don't know that the greatest strategy of all is to make you believe I am the will of Heaven."
"Play! Play 'The King of Qin Breaks Through the Battle Array'!"
The gates swung open, and the music rang out with stirring force.
Yet among the hundred thousand soldiers below, not one dared take a step forward.
That year, Su Ce was twenty-two. Though he couldn't even tie up a chicken, he entered the Way through deception and single-handedly held up the heavens.
All aspects are handled very well. Personally, I felt it was a bit depressing but very interesting. It was a bit too dry to read.