Chapter 237: The Hidden Dragon

Mu Rongqing stepped on the packed snow, turned and walked back to the warm study. Unlike the icy landscape outside, the hearth inside burned brightly, and the air was scented with faint ink fragrance and tobacco. He removed his heavy sable fur coat, tossed it casually to the guard standing nearby, walked to the spacious rosewood desk and sat down.

On the desk, besides the routine military‑administrative documents, lay a thick stack of dossiers whose covers bore two bold characters in brushwork—"Hidden Dragon". This was the most secret and most efficient intelligence agency under Mu Rongqing's command.

Although he was stationed in the Northern Borderlands, thanks to the Hidden Dragon's nationwide— even overseas—network, virtually every move in the southern Shen City was compiled to his desk in real time.

Regarding the rapidly rising Lin Yu, the Hidden Dragon had already sent a detailed report before the court dispatched Chen Jingwen southward.

From how Lin Yu thunderously seized Shen City's defenses, suppressed the Green Gang, and forcefully reclaimed the concession, to how he "hosted" the imperial envoy Chen Jingwen, and to Shi Potian's shocking actions at today's press conference… every detail, including Lin Yu's dubious background and the sudden rise's suspicious points, was recorded.

Mu Rongqing picked up the latest compiled report on Lin Yu, his rough fingers twiddling the paper as he read it carefully. Unlike his earlier disdain for the court's telegram, his gaze now became focused and sharp, occasionally flashing a barely perceptible complex glint.

"Hmm, interesting…" he said, watching the report's description of how Lin Yu "invited" Chen Jingwen into the mansion and how he shattered his psychological defenses in a few words, a playful curl forming at the corner of his mouth. "Those useless clowns in Yan Jing sent an old slickster, and before he could even complete a round, he was toyed with at their fingertips."

He turned to the press‑conference section and saw the account of Lin Yu brazenly shooting the Japanese reporter and Qian Zhi Yuan, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Enough cruelty, enough ruthlessness!" he muttered, his fingers lightly tapping the desk. "Kill a chicken to warn the monkey, establish authority and fame; this kid… has some guts! Bigger than I was back then!"

It was not pure praise, but rather a peer's scrutiny and caution toward another dangerous creature. Mu Rongqing himself had crawled out of days of licking blood from the knife's edge, so he naturally understood the resolve and ambition behind Lin Yu's ruthless tactics.

"So young, yet his methods are remarkably seasoned…" Mu Rongqing closed the report, leaned against the wide chair back, his gaze drifting to the drifting snow outside, his eyes deepening. "Those idiots in Yan Jing still think he's just a hot‑headed fool, hoping I'd go test him… Hmph!"

He let out another snort, half self‑mockery, half complex appraisal of Lin Yu: "*Young people just have that drive…* they dare to do anything!"

Mu Rongqing lifted the hot tea, took a sip, a calculating glint flashing in his eyes: "I command three hundred thousand brothers, dominate the seven provinces of the Northern Borderlands, yet none dare to fully clash with those old clods in Yan Jing, because they fear the snipe‑and‑clam fight, letting others reap the benefit."

"He, on the other hand," Mu Rongqing set down his cup, his tone tinged with an indefinable nuance, "just flipped the table! This audacity… hmm, should we say he's a newborn calf unafraid of tigers, or… does he have some backing behind him?"

Regardless, Mu Rongqing had already made up his mind. Sending him to fetch chestnuts from the fire for the decaying court, to wrestle a "madman" whose strength and background he hadn't fully gauged? No way!

Mu Rongqing's rise from a nameless footsoldier to his current station relied not only on ruthlessness but also on shrewd timing and risk‑avoidance.

He would sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, letting Lin Yu and the Japanese clash first, waiting for both to be wounded before deciding his next move—this was the choice most aligned with his interests. As for the court's edicts and pleas? To him, they were merely a scrap of waste paper.

As Mu Rongqing was deep in thought, a soft knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

A middle‑aged man wearing gold‑rimmed glasses and a tidy Zhongshan suit pushed the door open. He was Mu Rongqing's trusted secretary‑general, Chen Gao. Chen Gao not only handled the daily paperwork of the Grand Commander's residence but also served as one of Mu Rongqing's key strategists, deeply trusted.

Chen Gao approached the desk, first cautiously gauging the Grand Commander's expression, then bowed low and said, "Sir, there are several matters to report to you."

"Speak." Mu Rongqing didn't lift his head, his gaze still fixed on the snowy view outside.

"Yes." Chen Gao paused, his tone even more cautious, "the Garrison Envoy of Jin Hai, Lord Tu… has recently received several secret letters in succession."

Hearing "Lord Tu," Mu Rongqing finally withdrew his gaze from the window, fixing it on Chen Gao's face, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

Chen Gao's heart tightened; he quickly lowered his head and continued, "The letters' content… largely repeats old themes. Lord Tu believes the court is now beset by internal and external troubles, its authority wavering, especially the matter of Lin Yu in Shen City, which is eroding the court's prestige, fearing… fearing the great edifice will topple within a day or two."

He chose his words carefully, striving to convey the letters objectively without inserting his own judgment: "In the letters, Lord Tu… repeatedly mentions you, Grand Commander, stationed in the Northern Borderlands, with strong troops and horses, the nation's cornerstone, admired by all… He hints… that with the current turmoil, heroes should… should follow Heaven's will, make early preparations, for… for the welfare of all under heaven…"

As Chen Gao spoke, he covertly observed Mu Rongqing's reaction. He knew that Lord Tu had been quietly courting the Grand Commander in recent years, his words often urging him forward. Yet the Grand Commander seemed perpetually noncommittal, his attitude ambiguous. As a secretary, Chen Gao could only report faithfully, daring not to speculate on the sovereign's intent, let alone embellish.

"Make early preparations? Follow Heaven's will?" Mu Rongqing finished, a cold curl forming at his mouth, letting out a low, mocking laugh, "Sounds better than a song!"

Mu Rongqing slammed the table, causing the tea cup to jump, "That Tu Wenxuan! What scheme is he playing, does he really think I don't know?!"

Chen Gao was so frightened he dared not breathe, burying his head even lower.

"Hmph!" Mu Rongqing leaned back in his chair, his gaze fierce, "What 'welfare of all under heaven'? I think he sees the court's rickety ship sinking, wants to pull me overboard, then claim to be the new captain himself!"

His tone was rife with doubt and contempt for Tu Wenxuan's motives: "Back when I was pulling levers beyond the passes, where was Tu Wenxuan? In Yan Jing, serving those nobles like a lapdog! Now that I have troops and a larger domain, he wants to come pick the peaches?"

"He brandishes an anti‑court banner, sounding lofty, but in truth he just wants to ride on my power to elevate himself?" Mu Rongqing sneered. "He thinks his so‑called 'new army' can match my three hundred thousand brothers who rose from the dead piles? Now he calls me brother, but if he truly rebels someday, would he willingly stay subordinate? He'll probably be the first to try stripping me of command and sidelining me!"

Chen Gao listened to the Grand Commander's words, silently admiring him. Though the Grand Commander rose from humble origins, his insight into people and power was truly exceptional. Tu Wenxuan, training a new army in Jin Hai, wielded great authority and enjoyed the trust of the Foreigners, making him a formidable force outside the court. His courting of the Grand Commander might well be a move to leverage power, perhaps even to replace him.

Mu Rongqing seemed to see through Chen Gao's thoughts, saying coldly, "Tell those on Tu Wenxuan's side that I'm aware. Let them stay calm; the time isn't right. The Northern Borderlands have just begun to snow, the cold is biting, not a moment for rash moves."

"Yes, Sir." Chen Gao quickly replied. The remark was both perfunctory and left room, matching the Grand Commander's usual cautious style.

Mu Rongqing waved his hand, indicating Chen Gao could withdraw. His gaze returned to the swirling snow outside, his eyes growing even more profound and inscrutable.

Those useless clods in Yan Jing want to make him a gun‑man, Tu Wenxuan of Jin Hai wants to pull him into the water as a stepping stone, and the southern Lin Yu is like a tiger that knows no depth… This world is becoming ever more interesting.

Yet Mu Rongqing is not so easily manipulated. Anyone who wishes to use him must weigh their own weight! Until he has absolute certainty, he would rather stay in the Northern Borderlands' wind and snow, watching coldly, waiting for the optimal moment to act.