Mastermind of the World

To plot against a nation, first plot against its families. To plot against a family, first plot against its people. To plot against a person, first plot against their heart. Whenever a great struggle for power unfolds, warlords rise on every side. The warlords fall to ambitious heroes, and rival lords compete for supremacy until one claims the Nine Tripods, receives Heaven's Mandate, and rules for ages to come. In such times, loyal ministers, sinister masterminds, and valiant generals emerge one after another. When chaos is finally brought to an end, the worthy may serve as generals or ministers, but behind the curtain, there is only one mastermind.