Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translationsn/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
After a full morning of rest, Qin Silong received a confidential letter from Su Bin around noon. The second batch of 20 elite soldiers from the Dragon Phoenix Hall had arrived.
These were highly skilled fighters, primarily trained to safeguard important figures within the Dragon Phoenix Hall as secret guards. Occasionally, they undertook missions, including assassinations, to protect individuals unaffiliated with the Dragon Phoenix Hall. Of course, their services came at a cost.
However, since the Dragon Phoenix Hall suffered significant setbacks, they had refrained from taking on external missions.
Su Bin didnât disclose his identity to Qin Silong, merely mentioning that he and his wife were acquainted with members of the Dragon Phoenix Hall. All dealings, including the acquisition of confidential information, were transactions settled with silver.
Out of consideration for the bigger picture, Qin Zhenzhen kept Fourth Brother Su Binâs secret.
Yet, Qin Silong wasnât oblivious. He had long suspected that Su Bin harbored a hidden agenda.
From the letter, Qin Silong also received uplifting newsâhis little sister was expecting.
He chuckled to himself; he was going to be an uncle!
However, he decided to keep the good news to himself, maintaining a certain distance. Despite being in the same military camp, they served in different units.
The camp was divided into four subordinatesânorth, south, east, and westâeach under the command of a minor general. General Chen, the overall commander, oversaw these four generals, and the entire military camp fell under the jurisdiction of the old general.
Qin Silong hailed from the east, whereas Su Ping was stationed in the west as a centurion under Captain Yang.
Captain Yang, incidentally, served under Deputy General Lin.
News of the discord between Deputy General Lin and Qin Silong had permeated throughout the army. Deputy General Lin disapproved of Qin Silongâs delay tactics, leading to a heated altercation within the military tent. Deputy General Lin nearly succumbed to the intensity of Qin Silongâs presence, but it failed to deter Qin Silongâs course of action.
Qin Silong insisted that unless Deputy General Lin took charge in his stead, he wouldnât heed his commands.
This issue sparked fervent discussions in private.
âI canât fathom the higher-upsâ reasoning. Throughout history, an army canât function with two leaders.â
âWhile Qin holds the title of commander-in-chief, his authority extends only to the thousand soldiers under him and those hastily recruited. Most of the military power still rests with Deputy General Lin.â
âThe animosity between them is truly fatal.â
âQin should be unwilling to accept this. Since heâs been promoted to a major general, he should be granted real authority, right?â
âBut thereâs still the need to have Deputy General Lin accompany him.â
âI empathize with Qinâs grievances, but these are distinct matters. War is war, and battle spirit is crucial. We canât afford to delay opportunities over personal grudges.â
âItâs not feasible to handle it like a child.â
The majority of the men in the military camp were passionate about the matter, expressing disagreement with Qin Silongâs approach. Su Ping shared these sentiments.
Various acquaintances attempted to counsel Qin Silong, but his subordinates blocked all attempts, claiming, âThe general is not available.â
Even those who knew about his familial ties with Qin Silong and sought to meet with him faced a similar response. Surprisingly, Su Ping remained composed and spoke in defense of Qin Silong.
âThe fact that Qin ascended to the rank of major commander suggests he possesses something extraordinary. Maybe his approach to warfare is indeed the right one.â
âRather than assuming the worst, letâs consider the possibility of the best outcome..â