Aftermath
"It's perfect."
Of course it was- Xiao Chi had made it. The perfect design for the perfect office for the perfect Strategist. Now that Xiao Chi had shot to worldwide fame, he needed to ensure that nobody showed him disrespect again.
The building may not be real yet, but Xiao Chi could already see it as clearly as his own body. It was slightly smaller than the Governor's Building of Lord Jing, but was in an open space to allow it's expansion into an office worthy of a Great Man.
On each side were not only candles to light the room, but paintings commissioned to commemorate Xiao Chi's great deeds. The Battle of Huan River, in which Xiao Chi's genius had overwhelmed an army ten times his size. Ping Yuan, in which Zhang Jue himself had fled in fear at the power of Xiao Chi's armies. The Imperial Court, in which Xiao Chi had gained worldwide fame. Surely more would follow in time.
Those, however, were only temporary. When the time came, Xiao Chi would put the old paintings somewhere else and comission a new and improved set. Xiao Chi as Han General Han Xin, launching an ambush at the Battle of Gaixia to destroy Xiang Yu and found the Han dynasty. Xiao Chi as Zhang Liang, Liu Bang's critical advisor, laying out the plans for the Han Dynasty. Xiao Chi as Bai Qi at the Battle of Yique, losing less than a tenth of his army and destroying over half the enemy when outnumbered ten to one.
In the centre of the room was a glorious table made of bronze. Next to it was a box filled with superior, Xiao Chi-written maps of the world, written notes on military deployments, and the rest of the work. Several short stools surrounded the table, towered over by the main throne laid out for GaoMing, or perhaps his Lord should he deign to use it.
Finally there was the main table, for when Xiao Chi was working alone. Purchased from Wang Yun after Xiao Chi had stabbed a few holes in it, Xiao Chi had repaired it and had it transported to Jin Yang for a specific purpose. This would the work table of Xiao Chi's central office for the rest of his life.
It was at this table that Xiao Chi had doubted himself and his ability, only to later realise that no Strategist was omniscient. It was here that Xiao Chi had first had the courage to spit in the face of History and tell it's fraudulent writers they were wrong.
Above all, it was a reminder that he should never doubt himself again.
"Strategist", announced a voice. Chuang Shuang had apparently gotten back from his tasks. Although the man's tendency to doubt Xiao Chi's superior wisdom was annoying, he was far too useful to punish for it. When Xiao Chi had first explained how great he was, Chuang Shuang had been suspicious. Even now, he didn't know better.
[Partway done]