Chapter 116: Su Qin in Action (Thanks to Weiyang z for Multiple Rewards)

And just as Su Ye was openly summoning Balance.

【2> Great Yong lay a thousand li away.

Great Yong, far away beyond a thousand li.

Night fell, the stars speckling the heavens.

Outside the towering city walls, a figure slipped silently through the forest, his steps light yet steady, as if each step had been carefully calculated.

It was Su Qin, who had been on the road for a long time, a top strategist of the age, famed for his surpassing wisdom and eloquence.

Entrusted by his lord and bearing a secret order, he aimed to stir up a storm among the constantly warring fiefdoms.

Su Qin dressed in a green robe, his face bearing a calm smile, but his deep eyes flashed with a sharp, blade‑like light.

He knew his mission was not only to fulfill his lord's command, but also to secure a foothold for himself in this turbulent age.

He silently approached the camp of one of the fief lords, where lights blazed and guards stood tight.

Su Qin did not show himself directly; instead, he lurked in the shadows, watching the camp's every move for the right opportunity.

The night was deep; the lamp light in the tent flickered, illuminating the fief lord's fickle face.

Su Qin stood before him, composed, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.

"Mr. Su, what brings you here at this late hour?"

The Lu King of Lu Prefecture in Great Yong sat behind the desk, staring at Su Qin and the three Lang Fan Yun who had helped him slip in silently, and asked in a low voice.

"I report to Your Majesty, Su Qin comes with a plan that can help you resolve the current predicament."

Su Qin smiled faintly and bowed to the startled Lu King.

"Oh? Mr. Su, what clever plan do you have? Please tell us."

The Lu King glanced at the three Lang Fan Yun, frowned slightly, and asked doubtfully.

Su Qin calmly unfolded the map in his hand, pointing at the mountains and rivers, and said: "Your Majesty, see how the fiefdoms are now divided, each fighting on its own, their strengths unequal, keeping each other in check."

"If Your Majesty wishes to stand out in this age of chaos, you must unify the fiefdoms."

The Lu King's eyes flashed with a glint, yet he showed no emotion, merely saying lightly: "Mr. Su, your words are true, but the relations among the fiefdoms are tangled and complex; how easy would it be to unify them?"

Su Qin had long been prepared, and replied calmly: "Your Majesty's concern is justified. Yet I believe that what is united will eventually split, and what is split will eventually reunite."

"The present chaos among the fiefdoms is precisely the perfect opportunity for Your Majesty to unify all under heaven."

"If Your Majesty follows this plan, you will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort."

The Lu King's interest was piqued; he leaned forward and said: "Oh? Mr. Su, what excellent strategy do you have? Speak quickly."

Seeing the Lu King already taken in, Su Qin felt secret delight, yet kept his composure and asked: "Your Majesty, do you know which of the fiefdoms is the most worrisome?"

The Lu King pondered a moment, then said: "Naturally, it is those fief lords who are strong in power, with mighty troops and sturdy horses."

Su Qin shook his head: "Your Majesty is mistaken. Though those powerful fief lords are certainly a concern, their ambitions are obvious, and they will inevitably clash with one another."

"Your Majesty need only sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight; when they are both wounded, you can send troops to mop up the remnants."

The Lu King's eyes lit up, yet he also felt some worry and said: "Although that may be so, but what if they join forces to oppose me?"

Su Qin said with full confidence: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I have another scheme to drive a wedge between their alliance. All that is needed is…"

Saying this, he began to whisper softly into the Lu King's ear, like a devil's temptation.

"Marvelous! Marvelous indeed! Mr. Su truly is a genius of the age!"

"If this plan succeeds, I shall surely reward you handsomely!"

The more the Lu King listened, the more his heart pounded with alarm, until he could not help but slam the table and exclaim in delight.

Su Qin bowed and thanked: "Many thanks for Your Majesty's praise. Su Qin is willing to serve Your Majesty, to go through fire and water without hesitation."

The two exchanged a smile, their faces bearing a subtle expression.

The Lu King's gaze kept drifting to the three Lang Fan Yun.

These are two Cultivation‑level immediate combat forces, plus a peak Grand Master‑level expert.

Heaven help us, as one of the several fief lords ranked low in the chaos among the kings.

He now has not even a shadow of a Cultivation‑level under his command.

Currently, his strongest martial‑arts internal‑energy practitioner is only at the late Grand Master stage.

Now, all of a sudden, three people stronger than his current strongest combat power have appeared.

Two of them are Cultivation‑level!

Although I don't know why they've lost their minds.

But since they are willing to serve me.

Then, such a windfall of good fortune falling from the sky is something the Lu King would naturally not refuse.

After a long stare, the Lu King broke the silence and said slowly: "Mr. Su, you previously proposed the vertical‑horizontal alliance strategy; how exactly should it be carried out?"

Su Qin lightly stroked his beard and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, under the current situation, if the weaker fief lords each fight on their own, they will surely be picked off one by one by the stronger ones."

"Only by uniting can they resist external invasion and preserve themselves."

The Lu King nodded, showing understanding: "What you say is reasonable, but forming a union is easier said than done."

"The fiefdoms have long‑standing grudges; how can we guarantee they will ally sincerely?"

Su Qin gave a faint smile, revealing his confidence: "Your Majesty's concern is justified. But I believe that all the hustle and bustle of the world comes from seeking profit, and all the turmoil comes from pursuing profit."

"As long as we can demonstrate the benefits of alliance, and supplement it with wisdom and strategy, we will surely convince the fief lords."

He paused, then continued: "First, we need to select a few fief lords who share Your Majesty's aspirations and have comparable strength to be allies."

"Through secret meetings and exchanging resources, we will gradually deepen mutual trust and cooperation."

The Lu King frowned slightly: "Then how exactly should we select allies?"

Su Qin extended his finger, tracing a few routes on the map: "Your Majesty, please see that these fiefdoms lie at key junctions; though not strong, their location is superior, serving as the links between the major powers."

"If we can win their support, we will not only strengthen ourselves, but also strategically encircle the powerful fiefdoms."

A glint of approval flashed in the Lu King's eyes: "Mr. Su, you have indeed thought this through deeply. What should we do next?"

Su Qin stood up, walked to the map, and said: "Next, I will personally go on a mission to these vassal states, to persuade their rulers."

With my silver tongue and the art of vertical and horizontal alliances, I will surely persuade them to join our alliance.

He turned to look at the King of Lu: "In this process, Great King also needs to actively prepare for war domestically and put the military in order."

Once the alliance is formed, we can join hands and advance together, jointly resisting the powerful vassal states.

The King of Lu's blood boiled at Su Qin's persuasive talk; he rose to his feet and solemnly performed a salute: "Master Su, your insight is lofty! I, the King, am willing to devote the full strength of my state to support your plan. I only hope you can soon forge the alliance to jointly resist the powerful enemy!"

(End of chapter)