Chapter 44

Bian Wenzhong's expression was a mix of tension and excitement. The Bian family was a vast clan, known as the first noble family in the State of Qin, with a deep and rich heritage. Although they had faced strong challenges from the Deng family in recent years, they still firmly held the top position. The head of the Bian family could be considered the first person under the Qin king.

A large family has many branches and great power, but it also has its difficulties, the most important of which is internal competition. The current head of the family is Bian Wushuang, who has firmly held his position with his superior martial arts and political skills. However, this does not mean there are no challenges. If he makes a major mistake, the family will still remove him from power. In recent years, the Bian family's attempts to influence the border troops have repeatedly failed, and Bian Wushuang's prestige has been somewhat damaged, especially by the families of the Bian clan members who died in the border troops, who are now filled with resentment.

If even Bian Wushuang is in such a position, it is even more so for the next generation of successors. Bian Wenzhong is currently in a favorable position, with his father's support and a smooth career path. However, there are still many challengers. The Bian family does not have the concept of father-to-son succession. Bian Wushuang himself is the third in line in the Bian family, and in the struggle for succession, the capable rise and the weak are eliminated. This is the reason why the Bian family has remained strong for hundreds of years. Anyone who can become the head of the family is ruthless and meticulous.

This is the first time Bian Wushuang has openly expressed his intention to support Bian Wenzhong as the next head of the family. Bian Wenzhong was both excited and anxious. For a moment, he even forgot about the special forces camp, which he considered his archenemy. He was not without the thought of destroying the special forces camp to avenge the Bian family. If he could do this, his prestige within the Bian family would greatly increase, especially among the families of the deceased Bian clan members. However, he did not express this thought openly. Of course, he knew that his father, being so astute, could see through his thoughts, which is why they had this heartfelt conversation today.

"The once glorious Tang Dynasty fell apart, and the world was divided into four countries. However, the Cao family's Great Qi inherited most of the Tang Dynasty's territory and power, making it the strongest country in the world. The Cao emperors have always dreamed of unifying the world and restoring the glory of the Tang Dynasty. However, for over a hundred years, the four powers have remained in a stable balance. Despite the emergence of many talented people in the Cao family, they have been helpless. Do you know why?" Bian Wushuang asked.

"It's because the four countries check each other," Bian Wenzhong replied.

"Exactly. Although the states of Qin, Chu, and Yue are weaker than Great Qi, when they join forces, they are stronger. However, countries naturally cannot always have the same interests, and conflicts and battles are common. For example, to maintain stability within our country, we must take action against the Chu people, but no matter how we fight, we have a limit, which is to fight without breaking. This is why we have not taken control of Anyang County!" Bian Wushuang smiled.

"Exactly, that's why we haven't taken control of Anyang County!" Bian Wenzhong nodded.

"Exactly. We have annihilated the Chu border troops and plundered Anyang County, but we have stopped there to show the Chu people that we do not want a large-scale war. The Chu people naturally understand this, and both sides will have room for negotiation. We want wealth, not land. However, if we do not stop and take control of Anyang County, the Chu people will have no choice but to declare a full-scale war against us. Otherwise, how can they explain it to their people? If the two countries engage in a full-scale war, who would be the happiest?" Bian Wushuang asked.

"Of course, the Cao family."

"Exactly, the Cao family would be the happiest. In terms of national strength, Chu is stronger than Qin, but Qin's troops are fierce, balancing out the difference. Once a full-scale war breaks out, it will not end quickly, and the longer it lasts, the more it will drain the national strength of both sides, giving the Cao family more opportunities to benefit. Therefore, this war can only be limited to a certain extent," Bian Wushuang shook his head.

"But will the Chu people be willing to let this go after such a significant loss?" Bian Wenzhong asked, puzzled. "If we Qin people suffered such a loss, the people would be furious."

Bian Wushuang laughed. "This war is full of intrigue. The Chu people will definitely stop here because it involves the struggle for the throne within their country. Otherwise, we would not have this advantage. Zuo Lixing has caused us a lot of trouble over the years. It is not easy to make him fall into a trap, but even the most intelligent person cannot escape the俗世洪流. A great master, once he falls into the realm of fame and fortune, will eventually be swallowed by the secular tide." Bian Wushuang shook his head regretfully.

"Father, the absence of Zuo Lixing is a good thing for our Great Qin," Bian Wenzhong said.

"It is both a good thing and a bad thing. There are not many grandmasters in the states of Qin, Chu, and Yue, and now one less. If it were not for someone insisting on killing Zuo Lixing, would General Li have taken action, resulting in his severe injury? Our goal was to crush the Chu border troops and re-establish our dominance in the Luoying Mountains. Killing Zuo Lixing was not our intention."

"Why is that?" Bian Wenzhong was very puzzled. "Who wanted Zuo Lixing dead?"

"The Chu people themselves!" Bian Wushuang said. "The root of Zuo Lixing's defeat lies in their court. Think about it, if Zuo Lixing does not die, and later finds out he was betrayed, and so many of his subordinates died innocently, what would he think? Would he seek revenge? The revenge of a grandmaster is not something ordinary people can bear, and even the royal family would be troubled. Therefore, they decided to eliminate him once and for all, using us as a tool."

Bian Wenzhong's face turned pale. This was the first time he had heard such high-level insider information. Previously, he thought the great victory was entirely due to the strategic planning of General Li and his father. He did not expect there to be such a shocking and dirty deal behind it.

"So, Wenzhong, remember, sometimes the most terrifying person is not your enemy but your ally, your companion. You do not guard against them, and Zuo Lixing is a clear example," Bian Wushuang sighed.

"I will remember, Father."

"This war has reached its end. I do not want to lose even one more soldier. It is not worth the cost to destroy a Chu army that is determined to die. Besides, sometimes we do not need to do it ourselves. With clever planning, they might destroy themselves." Bian Wushuang laughed.

"Father, I have a question. Since we do not want to escalate the war, why did General Li insist that General Deng capture Princess Zhao Hua?"

"We need to give the Chu people a way out in negotiations and have a heavy bargaining chip. Princess Zhao Hua is such a person. The Chu emperor has few children, only two sons and one daughter. Princess Zhao Hua is their precious gem. Capturing her will make the Chu people cautious and quiet the warmongers. It will also help us gain more benefits in the negotiations," Bian Wushuang smiled.

"I see. I suppose General Deng has already captured Princess Zhao Hua?"

"If there are no major surprises, he should have succeeded. We do not need to stay here for too long. Once the border troops have swept through the entire Anyang County, we can return to Yongdu," Bian Wushuang said.

"So, our arrival at Anyang County was just a grand military parade?"

"Of course not. We came out to gain some benefits, at least to cover the costs of this military operation."

Bian Wenzhong was puzzled. "If we are not attacking the county, where will the funds come from?"

Bian Wushuang laughed. "Of course, we will wait for the enemy to offer it. The army in Anyang County is not Zuo Lixing's border troops but a group of cowards. With a little intimidation, they will surely offer a large sum of gold and silver."

"I have learned a lot from this trip with Father," Bian Wenzhong said reflectively.

Bian Wushuang patted his son's back. "You still have much to learn. Come, bring me some writing materials."

A servant quickly brought the necessary items, and Bian Wushuang wrote a line on the paper. When Bian Wenzhong looked, he saw his father had written only one sentence.

"Qin Feng, you owe me a favor. Bian Wushuang."

"Father, Qin Feng is just a small captain. Is it worth your personal effort to write him a letter?" Bian Wenzhong said, dissatisfied.

"Qin Feng is a talent. Look at how he has transformed the special forces camp into such a formidable unit. It is impossible not to admire him. You should study the battle history of the special forces camp. Such a person, if he does not die, will surely become a great figure in the future. By writing this one line now, we might gain a significant return in the future. It is just a casual move. However, never overlook any detail, as details determine fate," Bian Wushuang said, looking at his son.

Bian Wenzhong nodded, seemingly understanding but not fully.

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