Chapter 537 - 537: Strategy
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Initially, General Chen suspected that Qin Silong’s killing of Chiliarch Yang wasn’t a spontaneous act but rather a calculated plan.
The scenario unfolded as follows: upon initially hearing the news, Qin Silong learned that Deputy General Lin and Chiliarch Yang were assigned to assassinate him and Su Ping. This decision likely stemmed from Deputy General Lin and Chiliarch Yang’s failure in keeping the operation covert, resulting in the news leaking.
Despite being aware of this, Qin Silong kept silent, allowing rumors to circulate within the army. These rumors claimed that soldiers had been dispatched with the intention of plotting against Qin Silong and Su Ping. Allegedly, they planned to send 5,000 troops against the 15,000 rioters, with the goal of ensuring Qin Silong and Su Ping’s demise on the battlefield.
The rumors suggested that, owing to Su Bin’s transgressions against the Public House, both Qin Silong and Su Ping needed to be eliminated. Supposedly, this conspiracy was orchestrated by the Public House itself. The narrative painted the Public House as fearing that the duo’s rising influence within the army might pose a threat to its future interests, prompting them to preemptively eliminate the potential threat.
When Qin Silong assassinated Deputy General Lin and Chiliarch Yang, he deliberately feigned ignorance about Chiliarch Yang’s true identity. Furthermore, he purposefully disclosed these rumors, emphasizing his excitement and unwavering trust in Old General Chen’s character.
Qin Silong’s strategy was shrewd. By making this incident widely known, even reaching the capital, he created a situation where attacking Qin Silong and Su Ping would inadvertently confirm the veracity of the rumors.
The potential damage to Qin Silong’s reputation and the potential destabilization of the army’s morale weighed heavily on Old General Chen’s mind.
An unstable army morale would jeopardize their ability to defend the border, leading to catastrophic consequences for the country. If the country fell, the fate of both their Public House and the royal family would be sealed—they would face extermination.
Considering the broader implications, Old General Chen had to prioritize the bigger picture. Qin Silong’s victory in a significant battle, with a loss of only about a thousand soldiers and the extraordinary feat of capturing a castle without any casualties, had elevated him to a legendary status in the army.
Attacking such a mythical general seemed an ill-advised move.
Contemplating this dilemma, Old General Chen wrestled with his thoughts. Perhaps Qin Silong wasn’t as terrifying as he appeared. It could all be a series of coincidences. Maybe Qin Silong was genuinely unaware of the inner workings.
Perhaps Deputy General Lin’s demise was indeed accidental. Killing Chiliarch Yang might have been an authoritative demonstration to maintain discipline within the army—eliminating a subordinate who overstepped boundaries.
With these considerations, Old General Chen’s expression gradually lightened. This interpretation seemed more logical, providing a sense of reassurance.
He concluded that there wasn’t concrete evidence to definitively link Su Bin to the Third Prince’s faction. Uncertainty lingered about whether Qin Silong and
Su Ping would stand against them.
With this reasoning, General Chen decided to allow Qin Silong and Su Ping to proceed first, opting to observe the army’s reaction.
The question remained: Would they be promoted, or not?
If it turned out that Qin Silong and Su Ping harbored hidden agendas against them, Old General Chen believed it wouldn’t be too late to eliminate them.
Little did he know that while Qin Silong might not have conceived such a strategy, Su Bin certainly did.
Qin Silong had adopted Su Bin’s approach in eliminating Deputy General Lin and Chiliarch Yang. Ultimately, Su Bin had even managed to subtly manipulate
General Chen.
This turn of events only intensified Qin Silong’s admiration for Su Bin. It became apparent why Su Bin had earned a reputation as a mastermind—he possessed a strategic mind that allowed him to navigate paths less conventional..
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