Chapter 110: Why Can We So Easily and Repeatedly Manipulate the Duke of Wei's Mansion?

Outside the Weiguo Gongfu.

On the way back to Chen Fu.

Zhu Yi, holding the horse spear, thought it over repeatedly before tentatively speaking, "Young Master, I have a sentence, I don't know whether I should say it…"

Chen Yan glanced sideways, clasping his hands in front of his chest, retorted, "Zhu Yi, when did you become so fussy?"

"If you have something to say, say it; if you have gas, let it out!"

That's just how Zhu Yi is; if it were anyone else, Chen Yan would have replied, "If you don't know whether to speak, then don't speak!"

Zhu Yi nodded, after a brief phrasing, asked, "We've repeatedly slapped them in the face and still haven't completely crushed the Duke of Wei; aren't we afraid they'll become desperate and act rashly?"

"Or which time would they capsize in a ditch?"

Even if it might upset the Young Master, Zhu Yi still chose to speak.

In his view, they've given the Duke of Wei's mansion too many chances, fearing any mishap would backfire onto themselves....

"They won't... at least not now!"

Chen Yan heard that, smiled calmly, and said resolutely, "At most they're operating in the shadows, doing some low‑profile moves that can't be brought to the table!"

"Young Master, are you so certain?" Zhu Yi, looking at the confidently spoken Chen Yan, raised a doubt.

Zhu Yi didn't understand where his own Young Master's basis for such a judgment came from....

"Of course!"

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, teasingly said, "Because Zhao Qian and Dugu Zhao will hold them down, they won't act rashly!"

Chen Tongyuan and his son are brainless, but Zhao Qian and Dugu Zhao have brains.

If Chen Yan were in that position, with the enemy strong and us weak, he would certainly choose temporary restraint to numb the opponent.....

Just like a poisonous snake lying in wait, biding the best moment, striking the throat to kill!

"Young Master, insightful!"

Zhu Yi was suddenly enlightened, as if recalling something, lowered his gaze at the horse spear in his hand, and asked again, "Then what was the purpose of our elaborate effort this time, taking no gold or land from the State Duke Mansion, only the Old Master's relics?"

Zhu Yi thought back and forth, looking forward and backward, still couldn't see the benefit of the Young Master's actions.....

Compared with the value of those things, it can almost be said to be negligible.

Chen Yan smiled, did not answer directly, but posed a new question: "Zhu Yi, do you know why we can so easily and repeatedly manipulate the Duke of Wei's mansion?"

"They also suppress Chen Tongyuan, leaving him with no temper...."

The words were full of deep implication.

Zhu Yi thought briefly and guessed, "Because of the protection of the Grand Tomb Steward?"

Because of the lady's influence, the Grand Tomb Steward holds our Young Master in extraordinary regard.....

"That's only one side of the reason...."

Chen Yan heard that, exhaled a foul breath, and said in a deep voice, "A more important reason is that Chen Tongyuan's abilities are mediocre, his literary and martial pursuits frivolous, and he has never earned the Old Master's old troops' recognition...."

He paused, his tone lightening, and continued, "Especially after he personally reported me, sending me into the Tianlao Siyu!"

Even the prestigious Weiguo Gongfu, one of the Eight Pillar Noble Families, can be as pliable as a soft persimmon, allowing others to manipulate it and swallowing grievances; fundamentally, it's because the old troops have been standing by.....

In Great Zhou's political ecology, the difficulty of dealing with a pillar state family is not only due to the individual, but also the forces behind them and the network of relationships built over years, making you contain me, I contain you, intertwined like branches sharing the same sap.

But after Old Master Chen Hu died, Chen Tongyuan's actions chilled the hearts of those direct‑line old troops....

After all, if the current Duke of Wei can treat his own son that way, could he be soft with them?

"......"

Zhu Yi fell silent, sunk into memories, struggling to speak: "It seems that, indeed, it might actually be that!"

"The Old Master's former direct‑line old troops have always watched the fire from the other shore....."

If Chen Yan hadn't pointed it out, Zhu Yi would never have noticed, not even considered it at all.

And our Young Master has been fighting the Duke of Wei for so long, yet not a single person has stepped in to intervene.....

The more one thinks, the more terrifying.

"They are waiting, watching...."

Chen Yan smiled calmly, raised his hand to pat Zhu Yi's shoulder, "I want to see whether I, your Young Master, can bear the Old Master's mantle!"

"Also testing my character, and whether I'm worthy of their loyalty!"

Human nature is just like that.

Everyone wants to secure a good future for themselves and their family....

After all, a good bird chooses a tree to perch.

Not taking sides or joining a camp, for Chen Yan, is the greatest goodwill!

Zhu Yi nodded, then suddenly shook his head vigorously, puzzled, "But how do these relate to retrieving the Old Master's relics?"

"These items in Chen Tongyuan's hands are useless ornaments, scrap copper and rusted iron...."

Chen Yan took from his bosom the seal he had kept, lowered his gaze, and smiled lightly, "In my hands, it can become a political symbol, rallying the Old Master's old troops' hearts!"

"However, before that, I still need to stand higher!"

The Old Master's relics, aside from nostalgic remembrance, indeed have no obvious benefits....

But they conceal a strong rallying power; when he possesses the authority that can win hearts and obedience, Chen Yan will raise his arm and call out.....

The next day.

Evening.

Chen Fu.

"Young Master, several generals have come to pay a visit!"

Qingyu came to Chen Yan's side while he was drafting the plan, and whispered the report.

He then also named the visitors....

Chen Yan heard it, raised his head, and laughed, "Please, be my guest!"

A moment later.

Gu Yuci, Helian Shi, He Ba Le and other commanders who fought the rebellion in Qinzhou entered, and in unison performed the marching salute, saying, "Subordinate General pays his respects to Lord Chen Yan!"

"We are all brothers, no need for such formalities!"

"Come, sit down, all of you sit!"

Chen Yan tapped his fingers and laughed.

Gu Yuci and the others immediately took their seats.

"Qingyu, have someone bring the wine!" Chen Yan looked at Qingyu and ordered.

Since returning to Chang'an we haven't had a chance to meet; today is just right to get drunk until we can rest.

"Lord, do you still remember the Subordinate General?" Helian Shi lifted his cup, his face flushed and his smile trembling, and asked.

"Of course I remember!"

Chen Yan clinked his cup and said, "Below Longjishan, you Helian Shi charged the fiercest and fastest, breaking the enemy line and slaying the rebel general, causing their morale to collapse!"

Helian Shi is indeed a rare fierce general.

The battle at Longjishan left a deep impression on Chen Yan, who was overseeing the fight from the mid‑mountain slope.

Given time, his name will surely spread across the world.

"Hahaha!"

Helian Shi burst into hearty laughter, turned his head to look at Gu Yuci and the others on his left and right, and said, "I told you, after returning to Chang'an, Lord Chen Yan still remembers us, right?"

"You still don't believe it!"

"To the Lord!"

Everyone raised their cups together, each taking turns to toast Chen Yan and reminisce.

After three rounds of wine, Chen Yan's face flushed, and he casually rested his hand on Gu Yuci's shoulder, laughing, "Each of you has received merit‑based rewards and promotions, right?"

"Thanks to your great blessing, the Grand Marshal reassigned the Subordinate General as Left Guoyi Dushui!" Gu Yuci nodded and laughed.

Helian Shi took up the thread and continued, "The Subordinate General succeeded General Gu's position, taking the rank of Colonel!"

The others likewise successively reported their current offices.

It is said that friendships forged on the battlefield through hardship and bloodshed are the most solid.

These generals are the embryonic core of Chen Yan's forces…

Just as everyone was drinking heartily, the maid Jin Se ushered in a man dressed as a Personal Guard:

"Mirror Master Chen, the Grand Tomb Steward commands you to go meet him at once!"