Chapter 103: Kindness and Force Combined, a Knife Pressed Against the Opponent

"What do I mean, Lord Zhao? Aren't you already well aware?"

"Then why ask something you already know?"

Chen Yan snapped his fingers, met Zhao Wuji's gaze, and spoke calmly and steadily.

Zhao Wuji shook his head, thought briefly, then replied, "But I do not know what's in my heart, whether it aligns with what Mirror Master Chen said...."

He is not pretending to be clueless; he simply cannot see through the young man before him, with whom he once had a conflict.

Weighing everything, he chose to act cautiously, lest he be toyed with and end up capsizing in a ditch.

Chen Yan read Zhao Wuji's emotional shifts, a slight curve forming at his mouth, and got straight to the point: "Lord Zhao, being appointed by the Grand Tomb Governor to return to Chang'an for a key post...."

Presumably, none of ability, seniority, or loyalty is lacking....

Therefore, I, Chen, have come this time to erase the grudges with a smile!

As he spoke, he lifted his palm slightly, expressing his intent and extending goodwill.

He almost plainly declared that he came to melt away past enmity!

"I didn't expect Mirror Master Chen to truly come to turn swords into silk...."

Zhao Wuji let out a light laugh and sighed.

He was somewhat surprised, yet not entirely so....

After all, when Chen Yan spoke persuasively that gaining a friend means losing a foe, he had already vaguely sensed several possibilities.

But hearing it with his own ears, he still found it hard to believe....

"The feud between our families, at its core, is merely a spat among juniors!"

Chen Yan raised his hand, pointed at Zhao Wuji, then at himself, and laughed, "Is it necessary to regard the other as an enemy, refusing to die or relent, just for a mere wandering woman?"

"Who benefits from a mutually ruinous defeat?"

On the journey back from Qinzhou to Chang'an, Chen Yan repeatedly contemplated how to handle this issue.

If they truly harbor deep hatred, must it come to a life‑or‑death showdown?

It's only a small dispute sparked by a woman....

Zhao Wuji's entry into Chang'an from the provinces must have been thoroughly vetted by the Grand Tomb Governor, leaving no doubt about his ability.

Chen Yan recalled his master's words: unite every force that can be united, and choose to step forward proactively.

He was even convinced that he would prioritize his family's interests!

Could he truly possess such magnanimity? Or is he digging a trap with a smile‑and‑dagger? … Faced with Chen Yan's demeanor, Zhao Wuji could not immediately discern the situation and probed, "The principle is clear, but I don't know what Mirror Master Chen intends to do to dispel the misunderstanding?"

Being able to turn swords into silk with the Grand Tomb Governor's Favorite Minister, the Great Zhou Poet Immortal, and the young general is something Zhao Wuji could not wish for more, benefiting both his future and his clan.

Yet years of political ups and downs make him reluctant to trust easily, keeping his guard up.

"If we're tied to the same boat, there'll naturally be no misunderstandings...." Chen Yan saw Zhao Wuji relax, gave a calm smile, and seized the moment to add.

The quickest way to bring people closer is to commit dirty deeds together....

"Then how does Mirror Master Chen propose to cooperate?" Zhao Wuji nodded, acknowledging the suggestion, and asked.

He was also curious about what tricks this young literary‑martial talent was playing.

"Simple."

Chen Yan smiled calmly and said, "I have correspondence between Meng Yinbing and the Qinzhou Zeshou....."

He paused, then asked meaningfully, "Lord Zhao, you should know what to do now, right?"

Speaking, he reached into his chest and pulled out a stack of prepared letters.

Zhao Wuji took the letters, skimmed them quickly, his brows furrowing further as he cast a puzzled look and asked, "Mirror Master Chen, do you trust me so readily?"

"Aren't you afraid I might take the opportunity and stab you from behind?"

Everyone is a thousand‑year‑old fox; upon seeing the letters' contents, the intention was already clear....

Precisely for this reason, Zhao Wuji grew more baffled: how could someone who won two swift victories in Qinzhou, crushing the rebel elite, be so careless?

He always sensed he had a hidden ace!

"Then how could I not be afraid?"

Chen Yan laughed, his brows slightly raised, teasing, "I brought this precisely—Lord Zhao's records from the Mirror Office....."

Speaking, he calmly produced an object and gave it a gentle shake.

It is a leverage that can follow a legitimate route yet crush the person before him.

After all, which official's posterior is spotless?

Especially a provincial inspector, a high‑ranking territorial official.....

This item had been prepared long before Chunman Lou.

"Mirror Master Chen truly works with meticulous, watertight preparation!" Zhao Wuji chuckled, raised a finger, and sighed.

Zhao Wuji understood clearly what Chen Yan was hinting at....

He could have killed you outright, but now he's giving you a chance!

Indeed, this matches his perception of the Grand Tomb Governor's Favorite Minister.

"Steer carefully, or the ship will sail for ten thousand years!"

Chen Yan shrugged and laughed, "I, Chen, am known in Chang'an for how I treat my junior brothers, right?"

"Lord Zhao, what's your intention—accept or decline?"

Having spent many years by that big boss's side, Chen Yan also learned a lot....

One key lesson is to use both kindness and force!

A good‑natured person doesn't live long.

While extending goodwill, you must also have a knife pressed against the other's kidney.

Constant deterrence keeps fear in their heart.

Does this subordinate still have any room to refuse?

Zhao Wuji heard the words, shook his head, showed no hesitation, clasped his fists and said, "I am willing to serve Mirror Master Chen!"

On the importance of character design.

It ultimately became the final straw that persuaded Zhao Wuji.

It cannot be denied that this kid acts ruthlessly, yet he is truly good to his own people; all benefits are shared, and he has never taken a solitary share!

He who knows the times is a hero; Lord Zhao, your wealth and lofty future are still ahead!

Chen Yan saw this, was very pleased, slapped Zhao Wuji on the shoulder, and laughed heartily, "After the Meng Clan's house is seized, a tenth of the profit will be delivered into your hands!"

Thank you, Mirror Master Chen!

Zhao Wuji nodded, put those letters away, his gaze sharp, and solemnly said, "I have a clear grasp of this matter!"

The Meng Clan will become the Letter of Allegiance that he presents to this Mirror Master, who is far from a pond creature, and to the great chief behind him.

Two days later.

Mingjing Department.

Zhuque Tang.

Chen Yan was in the courtyard, lying on a rocking chair basking in the sun, still gnawing on a pear in his hand.

Brother, you really are living a carefree life these days!

Li Tan came hurriedly from outside, looked at the leisurely figure, and sighed.

He paused, then continued, "I wonder, after sending someone to summon me here, what instructions you have?"

Originally Li Tan was fighting crickets, but upon hearing that Chen Yan wanted to see him, he rushed over immediately.

He knows this person would not call without cause.

"You've heard about the matter of my stepmother's family, right?" Chen Yan swung the rocking chair, tossed a pear over, and asked.

"It's all been making a big fuss...."

Li Tan nodded, took the pear and took a bite, saying, "The Summer Office's military marshal Zhao Wuji uncovered clues that the current head of the Meng Clan colluded with the Qinzhou Zeshou, opening a good start...."

"And the illegitimate son of the Meng Clan, in the name of righteousness, eliminated his own kin, providing evidence that solidified the crime!"

This has been the biggest excitement in Chang'an these recent days.

Zhao Wuji formed a group, the Meng Clan's illegitimate son followed, a combo punch was aimed at Meng Yinbing.

"I'll leave this case to your Xuanwu Guard to handle!" Chen Yan said with a half‑smile.

Clearing the obvious suspicion allows one to better ignite and stir the situation.

"That feeling is good!"

Li Tan heard that, his eyes instantly lit up, and he began to rub his fists together.

The chance to get rich has arrived again!