Chapter 165: Half Belief, Half Doubt

Meeting in the ruined temple.

Like a cold, eerie dream, it lingered in Zhao Kuangyin's heart.

After returning to the military camp, he dismissed his attendants.

Alone under the lamp, he opened the small bamboo tube.

Inside was a roll of special thin paper; after unfolding it,

On it were recorded several pieces of information in extremely neat, almost printed script.

Information One:

It listed the estimated grain stores of the official granaries and major grain depots of Luochuan, Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping, and Linhe counties, precise to the unit.

It even marked the approximate locations of several newly built secret granaries.

Information Two:

It recorded the recent troop deployment of the Jing'an Army.

The new recruits' camp's stationing and training progress.

And the rotation schedule of some older camps.

Information Three:

It mentioned the recent output of Chen Wen's artisan camp over the past half month.

Including iron plate armor, crossbows, and the development progress of a new weapon called the Divine Arm Bow.

Marked 'likely solved the key mechanism problem.'

Information Four:

It predicted that Chen Wen might soon launch a campaign under the pretext of 'suppressing fleeing horse bandits.'

Toward the northwest, in the area near the Taihang foothills, conduct a medium-scale troop movement.

Intending to control a newly discovered, easily mined open-pit low-quality coal pit.

Looking at this information, Zhao Kuangyin's breathing involuntarily grew heavy.

This information, especially concerning grain stores, troop deployment, and military industry progress, are core secrets!

How did they obtain it?

Could it be that Chen Wen's side has been infiltrated like a sieve?

Or do these mysterious people truly possess some unknown means of surveillance?

Beyond shock, there was deeper apprehension.

Their displayed intelligence capability far exceeded his imagination.

Cooperating with such a force is no different than scheming with a tiger for its hide.

Today they can provide Chen Wen's information; but if we fall out in the future,

Our own secrets would likely have nowhere to hide before them.

But at the same time, an irrepressible greed began to grow in his heart.

This information is too valuable!

If used well, whether strategically against Chen Wen,

or in the struggle against other forces within Chan Prefecture, it would give great initiative.

That prediction about the open-pit coal pit especially moved him.

Fuel is vital to the Jun Ying and workshops; if one could get a step ahead……

The four words 'half belief, half doubt' perfectly summed up Zhao Kuangyin's state of mind at that moment.

He believed the information was likely true, since the side's previous two bits of information had been verified;

but he also greatly doubted the side's motives and ultimate aim.

He summoned two absolutely loyal, meticulous confidants, and concealed the parts of the information concerning granary locations and troop deployment.

He only passed along the prediction that 'Chen Wen might send troops to control the northwest coal pit' under the guise of 'a scout's chance hearing.'

He ordered them to immediately send people to verify it.

The wait was agonizing.

Zhao Kuangyin outwardly continued handling military affairs and inspecting defenses, but his mind remained fixed on the northwest.

Three days later, the confidant brought back news.

On the edge of the northwestern Taihang foothills, an easily open-pit mined coal pit was indeed discovered.

Nearby, traces of scouting activity by the Jing'an Army were found, and signs indicated that laborers were gathering toward that area!

The prediction came true!

Although mentally prepared, at the moment the news was confirmed,

Zhao Kuangyin still felt a chill rise from his spine straight to the crown of his head.

Their information was terrifyingly precise!

He paced alone in the tent, his emotions surging.

The risks of cooperation were obvious, but this great benefit, the opportunity to quickly strengthen oneself and suppress Chen Wen,

was like a poison bait exuding tempting fragrance, making him unable to resist.

He recalled the messenger's words 'trajectory' and 'variable.'

If Chen Wen truly is the 'variable' disrupting the 'trajectory,' then what about oneself?

What role does one play in this game?

They claim to be persons who 'heaven's mandate, follow the great trend.'

Is this sincere recognition, or merely a lie fabricated to exploit us?

In these chaotic times, who wouldn't want to become the one "favored by Heaven's mandate"?

This thought, like a wildfire, ignited in his heart.

"Wang YanSheng." He called out in a low voice.

"The humble subordinate is here!" Wang YanSheng responded and entered.

Zhao Kuangyin stared at him, his eyes sharp.

"Handling contact with that side is your full responsibility; list it as the army's top secret!"

"Besides you and me, no third person may know the specific details!"

"The humble subordinate understands!" Wang YanSheng solemnly accepted the order.

"Tell them!"

Zhao Kuangyin weighed his words.

"Cooperation can continue. Intelligence—I need more, more timely intelligence!"

"Especially any clues about Chen Wen's core industry and the source of his 'ability'."

"Resources—I need warhorses, refined iron, medicinal herbs, at prices thirty percent below market! As for the 'opportunity'..."

He paused, a glint flashing in his eyes, "When the time comes, I will judge for myself."

He decided to accept this dangerous cooperation, but not entirely trust it.

Rather, he wanted to maximize the use of the other party to strengthen himself.

He wanted to leverage this external force to quickly close the gap with Chen Wen, even... surpass him.

"Furthermore!"

Zhao Kuangyin added, his tone grim.

"Make sure they keep their own people in line; if I find them acting on their own in my army or leaking our cooperation, don't blame me for turning ruthless!"

He wanted to cooperate, but also to guard against them, and to retain a certain degree of control.

"Yes! The humble subordinate will surely deliver the message!"

Wang YanSheng felt the decisiveness and coldness in Zhao Kuangyin's words, his heart jolted, and he quickly agreed.

After Wang YanSheng withdrew, Zhao Kuangyin walked to the edge of the tent, lifted a corner, and gazed toward the direction of Luochuan.

In the darkness, nothing could be seen clearly.

But he seemed to sense the vibrant vitality emanating from that land.

And the heavy pressure brought by that young rival.

"Chen WenZhong..."

He murmured softly, his eyes complex.

"No matter what you rely on, in the end this world still respects strength."

"Let's see who between us two will laugh last."

He clenched his fists, his knuckles emitting a faint crack.

Doubts had not been completely dispelled, fear still lingered.

But a more radical, more dangerous path had already unfolded beneath his feet.

He took the first step in cooperating with "fate," half-believing, half-doubting.

And this first step will surely stir up greater turmoil.