Chapter 13 The Female CEO's Methods
In the spring and summer of the eighth year of the Wude era (625 AD), the political atmosphere in Chang'an was so thick it was almost suffocating. Li Yuan's headaches became a barometer of the court's mood. Whenever his condition worsened due to the fierce arguments between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin, the "Fairy Wang" of Ningyun Pavilion became the only reassurance that could slightly alleviate the emperor's worries. And Wang Yi, this woman with the mindset of a modern CEO and the perspective of a historical prophet, had long since transcended the role of "physician" or "alchemist" in Li Yuan's life.
She was more like a very special "advisor" hidden beside the emperor. During his leisure time after his illness subsided, Li Yuan would occasionally chat with her, the topics ranging from health and longevity to the troubles of court politics and personnel. Wang Yi never took the initiative to discuss politics, but whenever Li Yuan brought it up, she could always unravel the complex situation with her insight that was ahead of her time.
For example, when Li Yuan complained that the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin were at odds over the issue of appeasing the powerful clans in Shandong, Wang Yi would prepare calming herbal tea for him while speaking in a gentle tone: “Your Majesty, I have heard that in some overseas kingdoms, when brothers jointly manage a business and a rift develops, the elders often instruct them to clearly define their responsibilities and boundaries. Clear responsibilities reduce internal friction and foster cooperation. The affairs of Shandong can perhaps be considered an ‘industry.’ Why doesn’t Your Majesty clarify who is in charge and submit a report within a specified timeframe? The person in charge will reap the rewards, and those who cooperate will share the burden. Your Majesty can then make the final decision without worrying about it every day and wasting your energy.” Essentially, this statement wrapped the modern project management concepts of “clearly defining responsibilities” and “reducing multiple layers of management” in the analogy of brothers managing a family, giving Li Yuan a way to escape specific disputes and regain control of the decision-making process. Li Yuan seemed to understand after hearing this. Although he didn’t completely adopt it, he did develop a clearer framework for handling similar disputes in the future.
For example, when Li Yuan worried that the Prince of Qin's forces were too numerous and powerful, Wang Yi would use the analogy of "regulating the body": "Your Majesty, the key to the health of the human body lies in the balance and smooth flow of Qi and blood. If a certain organ is too strong, it can benefit the whole body if properly channeled; but if it is blocked, it will become stagnant. The Prince of Qin's gathering of talents is like the 'spiritual Qi of Shaoyang' in the human body. When it is strong, the country will prosper. However, Your Majesty, as the 'central pivot,' needs to guide it onto the right path and use it for the country, rather than letting it stagnate and cause chaos. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the previous dynasty, the country was not lacking in good generals and ministers, but the central pivot failed to supervise and guide, which led to the reversal of Qi and blood, and the country collapsed." She compared the growth of Li Shimin's power to a physiological phenomenon, acknowledging its rationality (prosperity leads to the country's prosperity), while emphasizing the key role of the central pivot (Li Yuan) in regulation. At the same time, she used the lessons of the Sui dynasty's demise as a mirror, implying that suppression is not as good as channeling. This systematic and balanced discourse often brought Li Yuan, who was deeply mired in the suspicion between father and son, a moment of rational clarity.
These snippets of conversation, transmitted to Li Shimin through special channels, shocked him more and more each time. His initial admiration for Wang Yi was mixed with curiosity and a desire to conquer her, given her mysterious origins, exceptional medical skills, and aloof demeanor. But as these fragments of conversation about the court, the balance of power, and the governance of the empire came together, he began to realize that Wang Yi's value went far beyond that of a "remarkable woman" or a "potential companion."
She possessed an ability he had never seen before—a penetrating insight into the essence of things. She could simplify complex political struggles into clear models of power and responsibility, elevate the headache-inducing balance of factions into a philosophy of systemic regulation, and use the simplest metaphors to expound the most profound principles of governance. This was not merely wisdom, but a powerful, almost "dimensional-lowering" cognitive and intellectual strength. Li Shimin himself was an unparalleled ruler, adept at accepting advice and skilled in strategy, but Wang Yi's perspective and insight often gave him a sense of sudden enlightenment, even inspiring admiration.
This is the quiet emergence of a "worship of the strong" mentality. The strong admire the even stronger. In Li Shimin's world, those as brave as Yuchi Jingde, as strategist as Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, and as loyal as Changsun Wuji were all his trusted advisors, extensions of his powerful arm. Wang Yi, however, was like a "comrade-in-arms" who suddenly appeared in his field of vision, possessing power in a completely different dimension. She was not under his command, nor even under his complete control, but the strength she demonstrated (her influence over Li Yuan, her insight into the situation, and her problem-solving abilities) made him clearly realize that if he could win her sincere allegiance and intellectual support, her value would be no less than gaining an elite army, and might even influence the course of the most crucial situation.
This realization led to a subtle yet profound transformation in Li Shimin's feelings for Wang Yi. His desire to conquer remained, even intensified by her power—only by conquering such a woman could he be worthy of the pinnacle he was about to reach. But beneath this desire for conquest lay a stronger sense of reliance and the expectation of an ally. He began to formally consider the "Wang Yi factor" when examining his overall plans in the quiet of the night: How could he ensure her safety in the impending storm? How could he forge even an unspoken understanding with her regarding the areas where she might exert influence (especially Li Yuan's health and attitude)? He even began to envision what kind of position, after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he should give her in the new court—a position that would allow her to utilize her talents without attracting criticism?
He no longer saw her merely as a "city" to conquer or a "treasure" to collect, but began to see her as a "fellow traveler" with whom he could stand shoulder to shoulder and overlook the world, and jointly create brilliance. This feeling, born of admiration for strength and solidified by recognizing her great talent, became increasingly complex and profound.
Opportunity knocked again. In early 626, the Turks invaded the border with overwhelming force. Li Yuan convened a court meeting to discuss countermeasures. Crown Prince Li Jiancheng proposed that Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, lead the expedition, and requested the deployment of elite generals from Prince Qin's court, such as Yuchi Jingde, Qin Shubao, and Cheng Zhijie, as well as the transfer of elite troops from Prince Qin's court to reinforce Prince Qi's army. This plan was extremely ruthless, aiming to undermine Prince Qin's power and weaken his support.
In the imperial court, Li Shimin argued forcefully, creating a tense atmosphere. Li Yuan, feeling a splitting headache again and unable to make a decision, finally announced a temporary halt, stating that the matter would be discussed later.
After the meeting, Li Yuan was in Ningyun Pavilion, receiving a head acupressure massage from Wang Yi, when he sighed wearily: "The Turks are powerful and must be dealt with. However, the struggle between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin... Alas, Yuanji being appointed commander and transferring the Prince of Qin's generals seems reasonable, but in reality..." He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
Wang Yi's movements were steady, her voice calm as ever: "Your Majesty, I am not knowledgeable in military affairs, but I know that the human body's defense against external evils depends on sufficient qi and blood, and proper command. If the body's vital energy is unjustly diverted from its original source, leaving the defenses weak, internal troubles may arise even before external evils arrive. In the Battle of Red Cliffs, when Cao Cao's army pressed in, if the Sun-Liu alliance had been suspicious of each other and dispersed its forces, how could they have achieved the feat of uniting to resist Cao Cao?" She used a metaphor again, comparing the elite troops of the Prince of Qin's palace to the "vital energy" guarding the central command, pointing out the risk of internal division that the Crown Prince's discussion might cause, and implying the importance of unity with the famous story of alliances against enemies.
Li Yuan closed his eyes in deep thought. Wang Yi continued, "Furthermore, deploying troops is like administering medicine. It requires the right medicine for the right condition, tailored to the individual. His Highness Prince Qin is a veteran of many battles, and his soldiers work seamlessly with him, like extensions of their own limbs. If they are suddenly separated and placed under an unfamiliar commander, it would be like a well-prepared medicine being used incorrectly, not only ineffective but also harmful. Since Your Majesty knows that the Turks are a great threat, why not consider how to maximize combat power and defeat the enemy at the lowest cost? In my humble opinion, perhaps we could consider having His Highness Prince Qin oversee the defense of the northern border, with his generals each performing their original duties and cooperating in the defense. His Highness Prince Qi could assist from the sidelines, learning military affairs, which would also demonstrate Your Majesty's fairness and reliance on him."
These words were extremely cleverly spoken. She didn't directly oppose the Crown Prince's proposal, but instead analyzed the pros and cons from a higher perspective, considering factors such as "maximizing overall combat power," "command system efficiency," and "internal stability." Finally, she proposed a seemingly compromise (with the Prince of Qin in overall command and the Prince of Qi assisting), but in reality, it maximized the preservation of Li Shimin's military power and the integrity of his team. This perfectly aligned with Li Yuan's desire to resist foreign aggression, his unwillingness to completely side with one side in the conflict between his two sons, and his wish to maintain a semblance of harmony within the court.
After pondering for a long time, Li Yuan slowly said, "What you say... is not without reason. Matters concerning battle formations certainly require careful consideration."
A few days later, Li Yuan issued an edict: Prince Qin, Li Shimin, was appointed to command all the northern armies in preparation for the Turkic invasion; Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, was appointed as his deputy. The specific deployment of troops was to be coordinated by Prince Qin and reported to the court. The Crown Prince's plan was thus largely neutralized.
When Li Shimin received the edict, he was deeply shaken. He knew all too well the crucial role Wang Yi's medical theories and historical anecdotes at Ningyun Pavilion had played in his father's decision to make things so favorable for him after such a pivotal court meeting. This not only helped him preserve his core power base but also further solidified his indispensable position as the "sharpest weapon against external threats" in his father's eyes, while simultaneously placing the Prince of Qi in a subordinate position and weakening the direct military threat posed by the Crown Prince's faction.
"What a wonderful 'abundant Qi and blood, excellent command'! What a wonderful 'perfect combination of medicine'!" In the secret chamber, Li Shimin, addressing Fang Xuanling and the others, rarely praised her so highly, his eyes shining brightly. "She not only understands medicine, but also human nature, the political situation, and how to achieve great results with minimal effort! Having such a woman as an assistant is truly a gift from heaven!"
At this moment, his feelings for Wang Yi reached a new height. It was no longer merely the attraction between a man and a woman, nor simply a lord's thirst for talent; it was a profound admiration and reliance on her as an equal ally. He clearly saw the immense wisdom and strength hidden beneath Wang Yi's cool and gentle exterior—a strength he could rely on. He wanted her; he had to have her. Not just as a woman, but as a unique and crucial component of his future imperial blueprint.
However, a counterattack from the Crown Prince's faction followed. Realizing there was a mysterious figure lurking nearby who could potentially tip the scales of justice, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji intensified their efforts to win over the harem, especially Li Yuan's favored concubines Zhang Jieyu and Yin Defei, who constantly spread rumors that the Prince of Qin was arrogant, had allied with a mysterious figure (implicitly referring to Wang Yi), and was plotting treason. Meanwhile, conspiracies targeting Li Shimin personally became increasingly blatant, with poisoning and attempted assassinations occurring one after another.
A storm is brewing. Li Shimin knew that the final showdown was approaching. His gaze once again turned to the depths of the palace. Wang Yi, this "powerful ally" he increasingly regarded as someone he could rely on, what role would she play in the impending, life-or-death storm? He had to make more meticulous arrangements, both to make good use of her influence over his father to create the most favorable conditions for that decisive blow, and to ensure her absolute safety—not only out of emotion, but also out of the preciousness he valued for her future.
He began to devise an extremely secretive plan: to simultaneously operate at Xuanwu Gate and safely extract Wang Yi from the palace, placing him under his absolute protection. This plan was known only to a select few of his innermost people.
In June of the ninth year of the Wude era, a sweltering summer night. In a secret chamber of the Qin Prince's residence, the final calculations were underway. Li Shimin's finger pressed heavily on the map of Chang'an, at the location of the Xuanwu Gate.
"This is where the fate of the world hangs in the balance." His voice was as cold and hard as iron. Then, his gaze turned to the small dot representing Ningyun Pavilion, and his tone became warmer. "And this... is where our 'secret weapon' is located. Make sure that she is safe and sound when things happen within the sect."
The wheels of history are about to turn into a dawn of bloodshed and glory. In Li Shimin's heart, besides his imperial ambitions, lies a woman from a thousand years in the future, possessing the wisdom of a CEO and the vision of a prophet. What he seeks to conquer is the world, but also her heart and intellect. He aims to build an unprecedentedly powerful empire, and she has already been silently reserved for him. A storm is brewing.
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