Chapter Text
Xiang Yu had been slightly delayed with his previous meeting in the military camp and hurried to the presence chamber to meet his civilian councillors for the normal official business discussion.
As he arrived, he heard the normal quiet talking ahead of the formal meeting: his two eldest sons, Min and Yong, were, as to be expected, already present in their usual positions on the dais, engaging in some general and meeting-related conversation, as they normally did while waiting for his arrival. While not formally adult they could already be trusted with handling the introductory part of such meetings if there ahead of Yu, ensuring that all those present were fully familiar with the key topics of discussion, and covering some areas in greater depth: their particular interests and competences were mostly generally known, and councillors would engage with them directly.
They already had official roles in the military and civilian administrations, were taking on an increasing range of duties, and could handle some parts of activities in Yu’s office if he was not present, or had asked them to do so, as a matter of course – though the adults present made some allowances for their youth and limited, though growing, experience. Sometimes having to explain matters to youngsters at their level was useful even for the experienced adults – and the young participants in their age group more generally involved in such activities could increasingly debate official and similar topics of personal interest and research on their own account at an adult level.
Like some of their young relatives in the same age group Min and Yong were increasingly acting as adults, and were so treated and trusted: they were also taking part in inner and family council meetings. There were now regular occasions when such near-adults in discussions said that they had been “advised” about some topic, rather than been taught or trained, with some accuracy rather than hyperbole and anticipation. Yu and other senior persons would consider, and adopt or otherwise make use of, the “decisions and recommendations” they had made after study and discussions with their elders, tutors – who were increasingly actually advisers – and others, and in the debates in which they participated.
Yu decided to observe the situation for a few moments. His sons looked around – had he been noticed? Min and Yong exchanged a few words softly, looked at him, then nodded and indicated using the military signs they had learned that he should wait for a few minutes. He nodded in reply, curious to see what they would do. Given their increasing participation in government and administration the possibility of their leading part of a general council meeting such as this by themselves had already been under discussion.
What will you do now, tigerlings? I remember the first time you two decided to discuss a document by yourselves while waiting for me, knowing that you were able to do so, and were allowed even though you had not yet been formally told so, and you have been learning how to work appropriately independently from me since – how will you do now? You know I trust you in such matters.
Min considered his thoughts and looked at the councillors. I can see the bold young man you are becoming, and I remember myself as being at your age. How well do you understand the strategies to be used with the councillors and others here? Yong can be equally decisive in his areas of activity.
‘Our Father said this morning he was going to talk with a returning general – and, as you know, some of those reports can take longer than expected, or other matters arising have to be considered,’ Min said. ‘As he has not sent a messenger, we can assume a minor delay. Perhaps, if it suits you, and as we have, as usual, ensured people are familiar with the key points to be discussed, we can go through some of the basic and routine stuff of the actual meeting while we are waiting – as practice for our adult roles, and to see whether we have been sufficiently attentive so far, and you, Councillors, are now in a position to guide us. Our tutors have said that the best way to see how much of the lesson has been learnt is to try the activity for real, and see what specifically needs improving. You have seen how we work in other contexts, and that we can handle discussions and decision making on particular topics in our Father’s office, and when with you elsewhere. While our Uncles and some of you would handle important matters at such times as our Father is pursuing his duties elsewhere, we think we can already take on at least some of the everyday components here at times like this, and engage properly in increasingly more complex situations.’ A good summary of what we have discussed about such activities, and reasonably put. From the way the councillors I can see directly are nodding they agree with your plan, and your making use of the opportunity. Both of you have taken on some authority in appropriate contexts, and have gained the confidence that arises therefrom, as befits your present roles, and the councillors are also responding to that.
Yong spoke. ‘As you know I keep notes of key points during the meetings, and research necessary information, so, while I am younger I can take on certain aspects: there might be occasions when I can start off a discussion by summarising matters and previous considerations of a topic – and sometimes exploring something that those at our levels of experience find obscure to us, or arising more frequently than we expect, enables such subjects to be brought to your attention before they become a serious issue.’ He looked at Min, who nodded in agreement. ‘As you know our skills to some extent complement each other, so we can handle much – but I think we do not yet understand finance and diplomacy and suchlike things sufficiently, so they will have to wait until our Father joins us.’ Min indicated he agreed.
Good start my handsome and self-confident tigerlings-becoming-tigers – presenting your innovation as something little different from, and building upon, what you have done already, as it is on one level, and set a reasonable limit as to what you will handle. As you wish, I will be part of your audience, and see what you can already do. If you had asked to take on a part of the council meeting on the basis you have just stated I would have agreed, as the logical next stage in your training: it would be convenient for all present if you can cover for me, singly or together and with others, on occasions such as this, so I can resolve some matter elsewhere without rushing back. And – as Min is “in his natural place” in the map room analysing strategy and similar activities, Yong is with his research and organising information – how can we develop his activities and abilities? He is willingly learning the elements of military communications and supplies, and the civilian equivalents, and he and Min cooperate at their present level on various affairs of state and running of administrative matters. Now let us see how well my sons can manage the chariot together and get to the intended destination.
There was muted assent: the councillors were, no doubt, also curious about how their future rulers might work: though they had indicated in discussion with Yu that they thought his eldest sons sufficiently competent for their ages, and that some of the other Xiang youngsters and others Yu was responsible for would participate similarly as they became of suitable age and experience.
Min spoke. ‘The first topic of discussion is agriculture – how are the crops growing, and are there any points requiring immediate action or of general discussion to be raised with our Father when he joins us here – and do the issues arising from the last meeting need further action before being handled to the officials in charge?’
Several councillors spoke, Min and Yong developed a couple of points, and explored some related issues, following “the established routines” for meetings, and making use of what they had learnt in various contexts.
‘We can move onto another topic – Yong?’
‘Repairs of roads and riverbanks between communities – those discussed last time the meeting covered such topics mostly under control, some are awaiting responses from the military on the use of soldiers on and off their normal routes, and “whoever” on stretches far from towns and villages, while anything further probably involves more authority and monetary decisions than you and I can yet make without some advice – and various aspects will require time to discuss when the information becomes available, and other points are considered.’ Deftly summarised: I agree with your assessment and summing up. The councillors generally, and I, know you can understand and already organise such information beyond the basic levels. ‘And, based on what was being discussed on previous occasions – peddlers, strolling players and musicians, and others of that nature when there is no plague and disruption, and they behave themselves are allowed to continue their activities on payment of the usual dues and carrying out of the normal checks – any comments?’
There was another debate on various aspects of “roads and travellers thereon”: his sons were already more assured in what they were doing, and the councillors were being supportive – this was how they wanted the meeting to be run. My sons have learnt well, and are acting here as I wish them to do: they have taken on something they were ready for. There was a whispered comment near Yu that the tutors and advisers were earning at least some of their fees, and muttered agreements.
Yu wondered when he should intervene, given how his sons were handling the situation. Uncle Bo – you saw the first time my sons sat beside me in my office, and you observed them start learning to become my aides – what would you make of them now?
‘What is the next matter to be discussed?’ Min asked.
‘The main topic will be considering aspects of the trade agreement that was being discussed at the last meeting, and discussions about taxes within Chu and for the Empire are priorities: both require diplomacy and handling large sums of money,’ Yong replied. He looked at the assembled councillors and gestured. ‘We have been present at some of the discussions so far, and we know our Father will be having further meetings with Liu Jiao and others, including yourselves, on the matter.’
The general aspects were routine and known, so could be referred to: the specifics were under consideration and his sons knew to be discrete.
Min looked at the councillors. ‘As you know we understand at least some of the practicalities and calculations required for such aspects of the administration of the state: but we are still not fully trained adults, and have not yet learnt sufficient of the requisite niceties of diplomacy, negotiations and knowing when to make concessions or to stand firm, deciding who should pay what, and managing the discussions and priorities here: we have yet to acquire the experience, unlike such topics as we have just covered – but we are learning.’ He smiled. ‘And getting more public money is not so easily resolved as negotiating with a father about keeping within, or increasing, our allowances or getting our overspending sorted out and being scolded, and eventually getting better at such things – and no doubt we too will be involved in the same discussions when we have sons our present ages.’ Amused agreement at this last remark, a general topic of conversation on occasion.
Good – acknowledging where you now stand and that you know your present limits: as on other occasions you understand more than you think or perhaps choose to state. You both now handle your allowances reasonably well: as you say, it is generally expected that persons your age are, occasionally, over-enthusiastic or need guidance with your moneys. And, given the way the speech was smoothly spoken you and your brother have been planning for an occasion like this, and I approve of that. What will you do now?
‘I think we have demonstrated what we have learnt so far, and how we intend handling routine matters, on occasions such as this. We will defer, as we should, to your opinions as to how well we have done,’ Yong said. ‘At present our intent at times like this is acting as we have just done, with suitable discussion, and help from you and others, until our Father or whoever he designates joins us, and increasingly taking on the roles we are being trained for, here and in other contexts.’
There were various indications of assent and support: Yu nodded in approval. His sons had successfully achieved their stated goal, and were becoming his deputies here. You are becoming bold, my second son, defining a goal that you wish me to approve of – but one you know I will agree with – as will the councillors, as they see you can manage here.
Yong nodded at Min and made a slight gesture.
Min looked across the hall and smiled. ‘Father – as you have been waiting patiently, and we have done what we said we would, can we defer to your pre-eminence in dealing with the finance and diplomacy aspects, and the rest of the meeting – and what is your opinion of what we have done in handling some of the routine matters?’ Said with a certain self-confidence, which Yong obviously shared: they both knew they had handled the situation satisfactorily. I approve of you both.
There was an understandable murmur amongst the councillors.
Yu walked up to the dais: his sons stood up and greeted him, and he acknowledged them. ‘As usual – asking me to deal with what you find or think is too difficult for you,’ he said quietly, with a smile. His sons, now slightly nervous, displayed brief uncertainty as to his further response, and he could feel the councillors’ curiosity as to how he would react.
You two have the same expressions as you did when I addressed you after you first analysed a document by yourselves that time, for the same reasons, but, my bold tigerlings, do not fear. Though: you are becoming fully grown tigers, and I too am actually slightly uncertain as to how things will now develop. We will now start properly working together, as I already do with Zhuang and Ziqi, and they are starting to do with their sons, and those here do similarly with their “young relatives.” I regret that I did not have the opportunity to learn how to rule as you have shown you have done – and I must not resent the opportunities which you have been given and make use of – and by helping you I know I could have done as much myself.
Min spoke loudly enough to be heard by the councillors. ‘We did what we said we would, and with the help the Councillors were giving us – and you were watching us without comment, so we were doing it reasonably right.’ Yu’s absence of action had been evaluated correctly.
‘And we decided to stop before we tried the patience of the Councillors too much on this our first attempt to handle part of the actual council meeting by ourselves – or tried to take on something which they, and we, feel we are not ready for.’ There were some further supportive comments from various of those present.
Yu looked at his sons, indicated approval, and then turned to look at the councillors. ‘I think Min and Yong did reasonably well when presented with an opportunity that they could make use of, and have demonstrated what they have learnt, rather than fooling around.’ The councillors would know the incidents referred to, involving other youngsters. Yu went to his normal position on the dais, put a hand on each son’s shoulder as they stood on each side of him, and he then smiled at the councillors. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, and it feels good: my parents and my uncles would be pleased were they here. And, my Councillors, I can see that you think the future of these domains is in safe hands, even if my sons act like others of their age at times, exuberantly or even playfully – as they should, and are expected to do. ‘As they have said they have merely anticipated the next stage of their training for their future roles, were dutiful and responsible, and knew when to stop. If you, Councillors, agree they can start taking on further aspects of their adult roles in our activities here, and do as they were now, but with my formal permission – as well as learning what they acknowledge they need to know, and the other aspects they have yet to come to.’ He felt his sons relax and he dropped his hands.
There was a positive response from the councillors.
Min considered his ideas and spoke. ‘In future, Father, when we take on activities like this, can Yong and I send a messenger to you if the delay is long, and ask senior councillors to lead, take over or advise, if the topic is something other than routine, where experience we do not yet have is necessary, or a decision which requires mature consideration and experience needs to be made promptly in your absence?’ He indicated a couple of the more respected councillors, who nodded in reply: others present indicated support for the choice. ‘And – we should also first ask if there is anything of particular concern to be given priority: that is the one thing we forgot to do in this case.’ He looked at Yong who indicated agreement. Min – you are already considering how to organise the next meeting where you will take the lead – and that is the correct term now.
‘For the present that seems reasonable – and the last point is, of course, a good idea.’ Yu looked at the councillors – it was clear that at least some had picked up on Min’s planning and approved. Yu smiled again and looked at the councillors. ‘What these two sons of mine have just done was under discussion was it not: and they have shown that they have learned well.’ He gestured. ‘I think this first time sticking to what they knew they could handle is perfectly sensible, don’t you agree, Councillors?’
There was general support for this statement.
‘Father,’ Yong said, ‘as you had a meeting with a general was there anything arising that needs discussing here – beyond, understandably, wanting his particular areas of concern being given priority, as seems to be part of the usual summary for such occasions – as it is for all of us.’ Mild amusement and agreement again: as with the comment on young men and money an acknowledgement of human nature, and seeing both sides of the argument. Both my sons here have some understanding of the necessary theatricals of governing – and are being accepted into the Council. ‘Let me know what I should record for you.’ Yong – you actually enjoy such pursuits, and that is where you differ from myself and Min. I will encourage you to become the person I would have been if of your nature, and you are willing to achieve that role. What became of Fan Zeng’s writings from long ago – you are ready to start making use of them.
‘He was somewhat loquacious about such subjects, hence the delay, and there were a couple of military points to be considered – I will tell you later.’ Yu sat down and his sons took their normal positions. ‘Shall we get on to the other subjects on the meeting proper and the decisions I am still being allowed to make?’
The meeting now proceeded according to familiar rhythms – though Yu knew they would now start changing. As Uncle Bo recognised, when he first saw my two sons sitting beside me in the office, that he was losing some of his role, so am I now. However, I accept the yielding up of what my sons wish to take – for now. It will be a long time before they can actually take on all the aspects of leadership and even challenge me… I will think about what to do nearer then. At present it is more a discussion of how much they are allowed to do and feel ready to take on, given what they have shown that they can do. Now to train them how to handle certain of the more difficult matters when the circumstances demand it, so they can work alongside the adult members of my family council, here, and in the military equivalent – which is what I, and they, wish to do.
Min and Yong came to Yu’s office for their usual afternoon meeting to discuss official matters of various kinds, and to take on whatever work had been delegated to them or they felt appropriate to take on, given their interests and activities. Some of their young relatives were also so getting involved at various times as they became sufficiently competent, and exploring what would be their areas of particular interest.
You are two fine young men, practically adults – I remember myself and Zhuang at your ages: you are what our uncles then wanted us to be, and we were, mostly.
‘We talked together about this morning.’ As they often did before coming to him, sometimes in conjunction with their senior tutors and “particular advisers.” They also engaged with those presently in the administration and others, and, with some guidance, with their contemporaries, and would report back where relevant, which could be useful on several levels. They could have a different perspective on matters to the formal members of the civil and military administrations, and those in their age group, doing similar activities, needed to learn and practice their skills.
‘You both did a good job, as I would have expected – and various of the councillors have said so to me again in private – they all knew you would start running such meetings, at least in part, by yourselves at some point, and even think you are actually ready to do so, despite being only your present ages.’ Several had been somewhat more positive, including supporting their stated next goal: the benefits of getting routine matters seen to promptly, rather than fitting round delays were obvious to all. The mild subterfuge behind not acknowledging Yu’s presence immediately was being treated leniently, and not just because of Yu’s giving retroactive permission and his sons’ successful handling of their part of the meeting. ‘As you said, I may suggest particular topics for you to consider if I know I am likely to be delayed at the council and with other similar situations – broadly you will do as you did today, and we will discuss aspects and developments as appropriate: you will also join your uncles at such meetings when they are handling my activities in my absence.’
‘As Lord General Xiang Yu’s sons we naturally made use of an opportunity to be bold that presented itself,’ Min said, and Yong nodded – from the glance they shared they were pleased with the remark they had devised.
Yu appreciated the compliment they were obviously trying to make. Now that my tigerlings are growing up how shall I make use of them?
‘What we did, for about that long, was under discussion anyway: we had considered what we would do if the opportunity arose for whatever reasons, and we intended using “things with serious consequences, such as money and diplomacy” as a reason to hand over – and you even nodded in agreement at one point and when we summed up.’
‘I would have allowed you slightly longer if you had chosen to continue before making my presence known to the councillors,’ Yu said with a smile. ‘You will now be doing such things more formally – and I will look after the topics with serious consequences for now – we will decide more aspects as we go along and you become ready to do so. As has been said in the past – being my present aides-and-deputies involves anticipating what I will allow or expect you to do: and we can now look forward to you being formally my deputies when need be in various contexts, and plan accordingly.’ Though I judge you will both be taking on as much as you can, whatever I decide. Years ago when I first negotiated a peace settlement in Ji’s home village the commander asked if I was after his position – I understand him better now. My sons would agree with my reply back then, that the world was big enough for us to cooperate together.
‘As you and others have said, defining a goal and knowing how far to go before analysing the situation and adapting decisions to achieve it, is one way of being seen as successful,’ Min said. ‘And we wanted to show the councillors we were “using our initiative and that we also knew when to stop” rather than trying to do more than they thought we could handle. What we want for now is the formal permission to do as we did this morning – which we now have, and we will progress further as we become ready, along with defining the further contexts in which we can and will act, individually or together, or with others, and having suitable help.’ They already so acted officially in certain situations.
Yong continued. ‘We know we will not be considered as adults for a while yet, and the councillors were being tolerant to see how we did, based in part upon knowing what we have previously learnt to do – it will get more difficult as we do more, and they expect more, but… we will learn the relevant aspects.’ He looked at Min. ‘As Min said earlier we also need to know whom to ask to guide us in less familiar areas, and handle things which we are not yet ready for, or wish to defer to someone with experience… or it is thought we should.’ He shrugged. ‘We can usually understand why in other contexts – and those we ask for advice normally understand why we do so, even if it is just to be told yes, we do have the right idea.’ He gestured. ‘You occasionally say that knowing that one is going from “Can I?” to “I can, and do, act” can be the hardest part of the transition… that is what we are doing now.’
I am pleased with your progress my sons: if you two had to take over fully for some reason you would now be able to manage. I also understand more what Uncle Bo saw that first time you two sat beside me at my desk – but I also wonder what we will now be able to achieve.
Min smiled. ‘On one level what we were doing is similar some of what we variously do in the strategy room, and elsewhere – and the councillors are less fearsome than the military: we wish to find practical arrangements that as far as possible suit all sides, within Chu and beyond, working with you, and others, as a team. And, from what we have learnt, we should ensure that the ordinary people have little reason to complain about the ordering and running of the state.’ Do you realise you are beginning to think like a ruler Min?
‘We also need to learn about resolving disputes at the meetings, or being able to say time to move on and they do so – they will humour us for now, but at some point we will be too experienced for that, and we have to take responsibility for creating harmony.’ Yong said. When you were little more than a child Liu Jiao thought that you could be a negotiator – you will now be encouraged in that direction, as well as your military, scholastic and other activities, and the administrative aspects of the state and army. ‘And we will probably occasionally do something that needs proper disentangling rather than minor reordering for practicality – as we have observed happens from time to time for various reasons – unexpected things happen, there are aspects we did not know had to be considered, whatever.’ Acknowledging a possibility rather than attempting to justify what might go wrong, and Min nodded in agreement. But – better that his sons accept that the possibility might arise and would have to be handled than gloss over such things until they actually happened – and they would have, beforehand, to learn various aspects of how to resolve such situations.
‘You are thinking along the right lines, even if you are getting a bit ahead of yourselves there,’ Yu said with some amusement. ‘While I agree with your intention, I am still in charge, and your father, and you are not yet adults.’ By your expressions, my tigerlings-becoming-tigers you indeed wish to be as bold as me, as Min has said at times – and you already understand some of the practicalities. You have learnt what you have been taught well and are building upon it through your own initiative, as you should.
‘You were leading an army in your twenties…’
‘There were others involved, it was a different time, and your taking on your full roles as adults in the council and administration, is still a couple of years away for you two.’ Yu took out two purses from his desk. ‘As you mentioned your allowances earlier, here they are – with a little extra for your good work today.’
‘Thank you – we did it because we wanted to take on what we knew we could do and wished to impress you and the councillors in doing so.’
‘I know that, and you did – and I am willing to stick to your usual rates.’
‘You say that every time you give us extra for doing a new responsibility well – will we get something for every meeting we help run?’ The usual cheerful negotiating.
‘And if you tangle things up, will you return the money?’
‘We will discuss it at the time.’
Yu looked at his sons and smiled. ‘Remember when I first invited you to sit on my side of this desk – and I looked forward to the day when I had a grown son sitting each side of me and involved in the running of my domains, and the administration of Chu and beyond, and, more recently, when Yong said we were actually considering the matter. We have just seen the actual dawn of that day: you are becoming the men I wish you to be.’ He did a gesture of respect to them, and they looked slightly self-conscious at the action. Then their expressions and posture changed subtly – they realised they were being treated as fully adult, and were being allowed to take on new responsibilities on their own initiative as such. Though I will let you enjoy your youth and the freedom that goes with it still: you have not yet taken on the cares of the world. ‘Come and sit beside me for a few moment as you did then: we can remember Uncle Bo, and others, and also look to the future.’ They joined him. Father, Uncles Bo and Liang – I wish you were here with me: I have achieved at least some of what you wished me to do, and you would be pleased with my sons.
‘It isn’t as daunting here as it was the first time… or it is in a different way.’
‘Then we knew we didn’t understand enough, and did not know how to take on much responsibility, now we do broadly understand such matters, and know we can act and discuss or make decisions, albeit often with some help, which we can ask for – which can be part of taking responsibility.’
‘When you had your riding accident and we offered to help you – now we could actually do so if … you needed or wanted it – but we want to develop the roles we now have, become your deputies, and take our proper places in your council – we can enjoy working towards those goals, and deciding what we wish to have delegated to us or acquire expertise in.’ Min gestured. ‘Dealing with the representatives from the Imperial Palace back then would still require more expertise and presence than we currently have: we wish to be so trained, want people who can guide us as necessary.’
Do you realise you are, to some extent, challenging me as much as offering to cooperate? But –both aspects should be involved. I want you to take on the roles you are willingly moving into, and develop on from there. When I was the ages you are now my uncles were involving me in formal activities, much as you are doing now, and I was trying to take as much authority as I could, like you. Looking back, I was ignorant at times, but thought I knew better, and I see the same happening with you too – and you are both as cocky at times as I was then, and I make the same allowances as I realise Bo and Liang did – as I know I should, but will also encourage you to act properly as adults, even as I enjoy reliving my memories through you.
‘That is broadly correct and will be done – though we will discuss what areas you can cover and what others will do. We can also discuss your formal circles of civilian and military advisers – shared and for each of you, as you are now ready to make proper use of such, rather than their being primarily tutors. Now go and enjoy yourselves as you please – while you still have the opportunity to do so as not-yet-adults – and, given your earlier remarks, don’t spend all your allowance immediately.’ Said with a smile.
His sons thanked him and left.
What can we three tigers plan on doing? What shall I arrange with your young relatives as the same process happens with them – and your tutors-and-advisers and those in your circles who are becoming your entourages? I miss the cubs and the tigerlings that were, even as I am pleased with the tigers you are now becoming. Something of what I had with my uncles, and still do with Zhuang and Ziqi when they join me will now happen again – and I will enjoy the new situation.