Sishui Pass was brimming with talent. On the military side were Wen Zhong, Lu Xiong, Zhang Guifang, Gao Jieneng, Fang Xiang, Fang Bi, Chao Lei, Li Lie, and Yin Pobai. On the civil side was... Shen Gongbao.
The council had yet to begin. There had been fewer people at the previous meetings, so Zi Shou had not noticed anything, but now, looking at a tent full of muscular men clad in armor, he felt something was terribly out of balance.
"Doesn't our Great Shang have any strategists?"
It was strange, really. Great Shang had plenty of prominent civil officials. Leaving Fei Zhong and You Hun aside, both veteran ministers like Shang Rong and Du Yuanxian and younger or middle-aged men like Wan Nian and Yang Ren leaned heavily toward developing the economy.
If their abilities were measured by the classic four stats of leadership, martial prowess, intelligence, and governance, these men had maxed out governance. In a game, they would all be sent to the rear to oversee production and development.
One could say there was practically no military-adviser type among the civil officials who excelled at devising strategies.
The word "strategist" left everyone in the tent momentarily stunned. Only after a long pause did Wen Zhong ask, "Your Majesty, do you mean recruiting men for their strategic abilities-those skilled in ingenious schemes who can offer plans and counsel?"
"Yes, yes, that's exactly what I mean." Zi Shou nodded repeatedly. Having no strategists in peacetime had never seemed like an issue, but having none during a war felt decidedly strange.
Fang Xiang wholeheartedly agreed. "Your Majesty means to establish a position devoted exclusively to planning?"
He knew his own intelligence was insufficient. Having someone who could devise plans by his side would surely make things much better.
"Your Humble Servant