Li Tianheng's eyes lit up. In truth, he had long since known the answer; he simply lacked a high-sounding justification.
Zhang Ziqian said, "Great Kang has reached this point under the weight of years of flawed institutions. This is no failing of a single day-the accumulated rot is too deeply rooted to reverse. My lord is loyal to the sovereign and devoted to the country. Even if you lead the people of Western Sichuan back into Great Kang's fold, the inevitable result will be to expend all of Western Sichuan's strength rescuing Great Kang from fire and flood. Though Heaven has blessed Western Sichuan with abundant harvests year after year, its grain reserves cannot possibly relieve Great Kang's plight. Let me offer an example: Western Sichuan is merely a child. Though a strong swimmer, capable of keeping afloat in a river, it cannot save the drowning giant that is Great Kang. If it insists on trying, both will perish together. My lord should firmly reject the emperor's investiture and decisively sever ties with Great Kang. Even if you must endure condemnation for a time, you will spare the people of Western Sichuan from being plunged into fire and flood."
Li Tianheng nodded slowly. Zhang Ziqian had undoubtedly furnished him with a high-sounding excuse. I am refusing the Great Kang emperor's investiture not for myself, but for the people of Western Sichuan. Li Tianheng said, "If I openly reject his investiture, I fear it will cement the accusation of rebellion against me. Brother Ziqian, most people in Western Sichuan still consider themselves subjects of Great Kang. Even among the soldiers under my command, quite a few remain loyal to it. I worry that taking this step will breed resentment in many hearts. If unrest breaks out as a result, how are