A Daughter’s Schemes in Troubled Times

“The snow in the Northern Kingdom is always so scattered, and imperial power is always so overbearing and ruthless.”

She was only a frail young woman, unable to hurt a fly. Why had Heaven burdened her with such responsibility, and given her a power that everyone coveted yet feared?

“If you were in my place, how would you seize imperial power?” Jin Sheng asked languidly, holding a black stone.

“War.” Her concise answer said it all.

“And how would you unite the realm?” His eyes, sharply divided between black and white, held the same unchanging expression.

“The same way.” He looked at her, seemingly surprised she would ask a question with such an obvious answer.

“Then do you want it?”

“No.” His reply was immediate and resolute.

“Why?”

“War serves only the selfish desires of rulers. It cannot bring peace and prosperity to the people of the realm.”

“What if the ruler is incompetent and immoral?” she continued.

“Then someone capable will rise.”

“What if that person is you?”

He looked at the black and white stones locked in a dead heat on the board. A strange glint flashed in his eyes as he asked, “What do you think?”

“I think you will.”

“But what if I don't?” His pupils were dark as night.

“You won't have a choice,” she said with a soft laugh.

As she spoke, Jin Sheng picked up a black stone and gently placed it on the board. The unfathomable game suddenly became clear: black had won.