Chapter 537: Strategy
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.