Free Web NovelChapter 1100: Chapter 1060: A Scattered Sand
In response, Lin Yi was in no hurry. He simply looked at the other party calmly, waiting for an answer. He wanted the old man to realize the gravity of the situation on his own. Only then would he willingly work for him.
Of course, it didn’t mean that after the old man led the troops back, Lin Yi could entirely trust him with the army. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be hard for this guy to simply take the troops and flee.
If he did escape, it would be much more difficult to capture them again.
At this moment, the old man was also contemplating this matter, weighing the consideration of fleeing. He wondered about the likelihood of agreeing to the other party’s terms now, and then escaping back with the troops.
He knew well enough that the other party wouldn’t give him too many opportunities to exploit. Since the terms were proposed, there would inevitably be means to control him.
But right now, aside from agreeing, he really didn’t know what else to do. How could he possibly escape?
Currently, there seemed to be only one path before him. He believed that if he refused, the outcome waiting for him would be tremendously miserable. This guy wouldn’t give him any time to react.
For him, a useless person would probably be eliminated directly.
The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, causing him growing irritation. However, soon, his heart began to calm again, naturally because he looked at the soldiers below, whispering to each other.
"I roughly understand your point, but whether this can be accomplished, I can’t guarantee.
Moreover, my family is in the hands of the other side. If something unexpected happens, my family could be implicated, which is absolutely unacceptable and undesirable to me.
Even if it means sacrificing my own life, I wouldn’t let them get hurt in any way.
If you can guarantee this, then without a doubt, I can agree to your proposal."
At this moment, the old man had made up his mind. As long as Lin Yi could protect his family from any harm, then why shouldn’t he agree?
Moreover, after agreeing, there was always the possibility of taking the troops and retreating, potentially establishing a base of his own.
"You can rest assured on this point. I can’t guarantee anything else, but your family’s safety is absolutely guaranteed.
I can take you back to within Zhao Country’s borders to fetch your family, which should put your mind at ease.
Of course, your task is to completely overthrow Zhao Country without losing a single soldier, to entirely topple King Zhao’s rule."
After a brief pause, he scanned the faces of everyone present, including the tens of thousands of soldiers below, and then spoke again to the old man:
"After all, the families, relatives, and friends of these soldiers are all within Zhao Country. When the time comes, they may also face difficulties.
That’s why we need to impose our will, to make everyone afraid, and force them to open the city gates voluntarily, allowing us entry, or inciting infighting, leading them to tie up the city leaders themselves.
Once the gates are opened and control handed to us, we will overturn it without losing a single soldier. Do you understand what I mean?
In the Imperial City, your sole task is to bind all the ministers and bring them before me, including King Zhao.
As for the commoners, if you are strong enough, they will naturally become compliant.
The people follow the tide; as long as we provide them with certain benefits and policies, they won’t care who becomes the Emperor."
As soon as he finished, the old man nodded immediately. Clearly, as long as Lin Yi could get his family out safely, none of this would be an issue.
However, there was another point the old man worried about, and he couldn’t help but slightly smile bitterly.
That remark from Lin Yi also implied a form of coercion. After his family was rescued, they definitely wouldn’t be returned to him but would be taken to Lin Yi’s domain to become new hostages.
By then, he would have no choice but to follow this guy’s orders. If he dared disobey, his family and friends would face catastrophic consequences.
In short, the old man had finally come to terms with the fact that as long as his people could live, he would never seek death and would certainly comply.
After all, he understood the saying that it didn’t matter who you are working for.
Moreover, King Zhao can be considered somewhat mediocre and bloodthirsty, fostering such an attitude in him.
If King Zhao were a benevolent ruler who cared for his people and understood right from wrong, he would never have entertained these thoughts.
However, all this seemed unrealistic. If he truly were a wise emperor, there wouldn’t be the matter of the Three Princes.
Everyone knows that Zhao Country is a chaotic mess now.
Though it appears splendid on the surface, internally, factions are rampant.
Even if the ministers wield power, they have no capacity to rebel, unlike the princes who each covet King Zhao’s throne.
It’s been a battlefield without smoke amongst them.
Among all the princes, the Eldest Prince is the most outstanding.
There’s a subtle aura about him dominating over the Third Prince. For instance, this time Zhao Country’s alliance with Yan Country to attack Right Country was orchestrated by the Eldest Prince, due to his clandestine contacts with Yan Country.
This war can be attributed to the handiwork of the Eldest Prince.
However, there were opposing views from the faction of the Third Prince, overall opposing the Eldest Prince’s decision.
Hence the previous scene occurred, leading the old man to suspect Lin Yi as someone from the Third Prince’s faction.
By now, brothers reading might have guessed correctly, the old man actually belongs to the Eldest Prince’s faction.
Even though he outwardly feigned righteousness,
[To be continued...]
