Chapter 416: Go with the trend

Inside the council hall of the Hidden Mountain Villa, the lights were bright.

Chen Wen sat in the chief seat; though his face had regained its youthful appearance, the composure and dignity that had settled over the years in his brow grew even heavier.

Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and Zhao Lao Nian sat on either side, their expressions solemn.

Qian Gui had just finished a detailed report of the intelligence gleaned from interrogating border prisoners, along with his analysis of the False Song's strategic intentions.

The room fell into a brief silence.

The False Song intended to, in the final days of Zhao Guangyi's life or at the outset of the new emperor's ascension, pacify the south in one fell swoop and complete unification.

This was indeed a crucial historical juncture.

The Iron Crow Army would surely, like a shark scenting blood, closely watch this process and eliminate any destabilizing factors.

"My lord,"

Zhang Cheng spoke first, breaking the silence; he oversaw grand strategy and governmental coordination, considering problems more comprehensively.

"This move by the False Song aims to achieve everything in one stroke, unite the people, and consolidate the new dynasty."

"Its momentum is strong, its resolve sharp."

"For this juncture, the Iron Crow Army must have long been preparing, laying a net of heaven and earth."

"If we intervene now, we risk falling into their trap; not only would we struggle to check their momentum, we might also expose the hidden assets we painstakingly planted in the south, suffering unnecessary losses."

He paused, then made a suggestion.

"I believe we could temporarily avoid their sharp edge, redirect our strength into deeper concealment, and wait for the new contradictions and gaps that will inevitably arise during or after their unification, then seek a favorable opportunity."

Wang Ru, responsible for oversight and internal security, who is especially sensitive to risk, nodded upon hearing this, indicating agreement.

"Brother Zhang's words are sound."

"The Iron Crow Army's 'double' mechanism is cunning and hard to guard against; the southern purge is imminent, and acting rashly now would entail too great a risk."

Shi Dun, however, furrowed his brow; he oversaw military affairs and had a more resolute, enterprising nature.

"Are we to simply watch as the False Song smoothly unifies the south, its strength swelling, its momentum coalescing?"

"By then the Iron Crow Army's authority will be restored, its power strengthened, and it will be even more disadvantageous for us!"

"Even if we do not send troops directly, we should find a way to deliver a painful blow, letting them know that our Chen Dynasty is not powerless to intervene!"

He looked toward Chen Wen, his tone carrying the intent to request battle.

"My lord, I wish to lead a small elite force into the south, seeking opportunities to harass their supply lines and logistics, or to support local resistance, so they cannot find peace!"

Qian Gui maintained the composure of an intelligence officer.

"General Shi's courage is commendable, but the False Song has already set this plan; the southern front will surely be heavily guarded, with Iron Crow Army spies scattered throughout."

"A small elite force infiltrating would have a minuscule chance of success; once exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Moreover, any direct military intervention, regardless of scale, would easily give the Iron Crow Army a pretext to further cement their 'upholding history' stance, possibly provoking an even fiercer backlash."

Opinions diverged, and all eyes turned to Chen Wen, who had not spoken a word.

Chen Wen lightly tapped the armrest of his chair with his fingertip, his gaze lowered, as if weighing the pros and cons.

He did not rush to declare his position, but instead activated "Shi Yong" once again.

His mind swept past the light curtain, extending toward that vast southern land soon to be drenched in blood and fire.

He vaguely sensed that the massive, oppressive "momentum" representing the False Song's imperial court, like a tide, bore the will of iron blood and conquest, rolling southward.

And in the south, the originally scattered, weak points of local resistance—those "light points"—appeared utterly tiny and fragile before this great momentum, like candle flames in the wind.

To forcibly strengthen those "light points" and collide head‑on with that rolling torrent— the outcome is easy to imagine.

But…

Chen Wen's "perception" continued to extend.

He "saw" that within the vast False Song "Fortune Momentum," it was not a monolith.

Driving this huge army and ruling machine required consuming vast resources—grain and fodder, laborers, silver money, officials' energy……

The unification process itself was a massive overdraft on the False Song's national strength.

Especially during the transition between the old and new emperors, when the court situation might not yet be fully stable.

The corner of his mouth twitched up in a barely perceptible arc.

He had already made up his mind.

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the five core ministers present, his voice steady and clear as he began to expound his strategy and motives.

"What you all have said is reasonable."

"The False Song seeks rapid unification; the Iron Crow will surely safeguard it fully—this is an open stratagem, its momentum great and hard to resist."

"Direct military intervention, or strongly supporting resistance, is like striking a stone with an egg—it will not only be ineffective but will also expose us, waste precious strength, and play right into the Iron Crow's hands."

He first affirmed the cautious views of Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, and Qian Gui, and also made Shi Dun understand that direct military intervention was infeasible.

Shi Dun opened his mouth to say something, but seeing Chen Wen's deep gaze, he held back.

Chen Wen shifted his tone, continuing, his voice carrying a calm that perceived the essence.

"Yet unification is not achieved in a day, nor is it easy."

"Mobilizing armies, sustaining provisions, stationing officials, pacifying the populace—every item demands vast wealth and energy."

"The False Song's interior is not monolithic; the new emperor's throne is not yet secure; the newly subdued southern territories will inevitably experience reversals."

His gaze turned sharp.

"They seek swift success; I prefer to let their good deeds meet many obstacles."

"Direct military intervention would drain our strength—utter folly."

"Rather than…"

He paused slightly, then spoke each word deliberately.

"Go with the trend."

In its southern heartland, sow thistles, deepen the difficulties of its rule, and delay the consolidation of its momentum.

Make its orders difficult to enforce, make its tax collection difficult, make its people's hearts hard to win, make it appear unified while internally riddled with a thousand wounds, doubling the cost of governance!

Under this mutual gain and loss, although False Song gains the southern lands, it must invest far more manpower and material than expected to maintain them; its national strength will be dragged down, and the consolidation of its Fortune Momentum will also suffer greatly.

And the Iron Crow Army, while maintaining this 'inefficient', 'high-cost' unity, will also see its consumption increase; the speed of authority recovery may thus be delayed.

His explanation was like parting the clouds to see the sun, making the five ministers present suddenly enlightened.

As it turned out, confrontation was not limited to direct clash.

It could also be done from within, from the foundations, to create ongoing trouble and drain for the opponent.

Zhang Cheng clapped his hands in praise.

Your Highness, excellent insight! This is a strategy of draining the pot from below!

We do not contend over short-term gains or losses, but focus on long-term weakening!

Wang Ru also showed admiration.

This way, we can preserve our strength to the greatest extent, remain hidden, yet greatly diminish the effectiveness of False Song's unification.

Shi Dun suddenly understood and slapped his thigh hard.

Excellent! Let False Song sink into the southern mire! This plan is superb!

Qian Gui's eyes flashed with sharp light.

The subordinate official will immediately adjust the direction of the southern Investigation Network's operations, fully gather information usable for creating governance difficulties, and seek suitable candidates for 'sowing thistles'.

Zhao Lao Nian also rolled up his sleeves.

The Ministry of Works could perhaps provide something... a little gadget that would give False Song officials a headache.

Chen Wen saw that everyone had understood and agreed; he then concluded, his gaze falling on the southern region of the map.

Exactly how to 'sow thistles' needs careful planning.

Spread rumors, sow discord between officials and the people, support local strongmen who outwardly comply but secretly defy, and even... in its newly annexed territories, covertly nurture signs of 'official oppression prompting popular rebellion', putting it in a bind between suppression and pacification.

But remember, all actions must be concealed beneath the appearance of natural occurrence, leaving no trace of our direct interference.

What we must do is amplify its existing internal contradictions in line with the trend, rather than fabricate incidents out of nothing.

Yes! We will dutifully follow the ruler's command!

The five ministers replied in unison, their hearts filled with plans and anticipation for the forthcoming actions.

A silent 'cost war' aimed at False Song's grand unification thus begins.