Sun Tzu and Napkins

The Jade Dragon Tea House was a front. Everyone knew it was a front. The red lanterns were too dim, the tea was too expensive, and the men at the back tables had too many scars.

Chloe sat in a booth, wearing a black hoodie and leggings. Wei sat next to her, rigid and alert.

Across from them sat Uncle Zhang, the Dragon Head of the Red Pole Triad. He was seventy, with eyes like dried pits and hands that shook slightly from nerve damage.

"So," Zhang said, pouring tea. "This is the associate you spoke of. The one who neutralized the runner."

"She is... unconventional," Wei admitted. "But effective."

Chloe was currently dissecting a pork bun. "This is really good. Can I get these to go?"

Zhang studied her. "Wei tells me you are a freelancer. The Widow."

Chloe paused, a piece of pork hanging from her lip. "I'm a Libra."

Zhang laughed. A dry, rasping sound. "Codes. I understand. We have a problem, Miss... Libra. The Ghost Face Gang is moving on our territory in North Beach. They are aggressive. Loud. We are losing men."

Zhang leaned forward. "How would you handle a heavy assault?"

Chloe swallowed. She looked at Wei, who was giving her an encouraging nod. She looked at Zhang. She just wanted to go home and put on her sheet mask. The idea of "heavy assault" sounded exhausting.

"I wouldn't," Chloe said. "That sounds like a lot of work. Running around? Shooting? Cardio? No thanks."

Zhang frowned. "You would retreat?"

"I would just... wait," Chloe mumbled, yawning. "Ideally, in bed. Eventually, they'll get bored or tired, right? Or they'll make a mistake because they're trying too hard. Just let them run around until they pass out. Then you can just... I don't know, poke them with a stick."

Silence descended on the table.

Wei looked at Zhang.

Zhang’s eyes widened. He sat back, stroking his chin.

" The Empty Fort Strategy," Zhang whispered. "Sun Tzu. *'He who occupies the field of battle first and awaits his enemy is at ease; he who comes later to the scene and rushes into the fight is weary.'*"

Zhang looked at Chloe with profound respect. "You suggest we withdraw our presence, creating a vacuum that invites them to overextend their supply lines, exhausting their resources while we conserve our strength."

"Sure," Chloe said, reaching for another bun. "If that means I don't have to get up before noon."

"Brilliant," Zhang said. "Wei, put her on the payroll. Strategic Consultant."

Wei beamed. He looked at Chloe like she had just reinvented murder.

Chloe blinked. "Does the payroll come with health insurance? My back hurts from sleeping funny."