Chapter 560

Lin'an.

Translation: "Lin'an." (city name). Should we keep as Lin'an? It's a place name; translate meaning? Lin'an is a historical city; we can keep as Lin'an (pinyin). According to rules, place names that are meaningful we translate; but Lin'an is a name; we could translate as "Lin'an". Usually we keep as Lin'an. We'll output: Lin'an.

In the rear garden of the Qin mansion lies a warm pavilion by the water.

Translation: "The rear garden of the Qin mansion, a waterside warm pavilion." Let's keep natural: "The rear garden of the Qin mansion, a waterside warm pavilion." Ensure we keep comma.

Outside the pavilion, withered lotuses hear the rain, the chill deepening.

Outside the pavilion, withered lotuses hear the rain, the chill deepening.

Inside the pavilion, however, it is warm as spring; the charcoal brazier burns brightly, and the expensive silver-thread charcoal produces not a wisp of smoke.

Translation: "Inside, however, it is warm as spring; the charcoal brazier burns brightly, the expensive silver-thread charcoal producing no smoke." Let's craft: "Inside, however, it is warm as spring; the charcoal brazier burns brightly, the expensive silver-thread charcoal producing no smoke."

Qin Hui wore a fox-fur robe, sitting alone on the cushioned bench by the window, holding a volume in his hands, yet his gaze did not fall upon the text.

Translation: "Qin Hui wore a fox fur robe, sitting alone on the cushioned bench by the window, holding a volume in his hands, yet his gaze did not fall upon the text." Ensure we keep "Qin Hui". Good.

His brow furrowed slightly, showing that something weighed on his mind.

Translation: "His brow furrowed slightly, showing he had something on his mind."

Soft footsteps sounded.

Translation: "Soft footsteps sounded."

Wan Si'e led a person in, entering silently.

Translation: "Wanqi Chan led in a person, entering silently."

"Chancellor, Mr. Zeng has arrived."

"Chancellor, Mr. Zeng has arrived."

Qin Hui lifted his gaze toward the person behind Wan Si'e.

Translation: "Qin Hui lifted his eyes, looking at the person behind Wanqi Chan."

The visitor was of medium build, dressed in an ordinary scholar's blue robe, with an unremarkable face—the sort that disappears in a crowd.

Translation: "The visitor was of medium stature, dressed in an ordinary scholar's blue robe, with a plain face, the sort that disappears in a crowd."

Only his eyes were calm and waveless; when he looked at someone, they seemed unfocused, yet gave the feeling that all one's thoughts were faintly reflected within them.

Translation: "Only his eyes were calm and waveless; when looking at people they seemed unfocused, yet they made one feel as if every thought were faintly reflected within."

He was precisely the senior shadow of the Iron Crow Army operating under the name 'Zeng Tu'.

He was precisely the Iron Crow Army's senior shadow operating under the name 'Zeng Tu'.

"Please sit, Mr. Zeng," Qin Hui said, setting aside the scroll, his tone flat yet hinting at a subtle caution.

Translation: "\"Please sit, Mr. Zeng. \" Qin Hui set down the scroll, his tone flat but with a hint of hardly perceptible caution."

Regarding this Mr. Zeng, who claimed to come from a hidden northern clan, possessed special channels, and could provide much 'useful' information and 'advice,' Qin Hui always retained a sense of wariness.

Translation: "Regarding this 'Mr. Zeng' who claimed to come from a certain hidden clan in the north, who held special channels and could provide much 'useful' information and 'advice,' Qin Hui had always harbored a sense of wariness."

Yet the man's abilities and the 'help' he offered made it hard for Qin Hui to sever ties.

Translation: "Yet the other party's abilities and the 'help' they offered made it hard for him to sever ties."

For example, he held secret leverage over officials in key positions;

Translation: "For example, the secret leverage held by officials in key positions;"

For example, he made precise guesses about the thoughts of certain high-ranking Jin officials;

Translation: "For example, precise speculation about the thoughts of certain upper-echelon figures of Jin;"

Furthermore, he offered seemingly absurd omens or warnings that often came true afterward.

Translation: "Furthermore, seemingly absurd omens or warnings that often proved true after the fact."

'Zeng Tu' sat down as instructed, relaxed in posture, yet naturally exuded an air of detachment.

Translation: "\"Zeng Tu\" sat down as instructed, his posture relaxed yet naturally carrying an air of detachment."

"Chancellor Qin, you summoned me—what are your orders?"

Translation: "\"The Chancellor summons me; I wonder what orders he has? \""

Qin Hui did not answer immediately; instead, he lifted his teacup and gently skimmed off the foam.

Translation: "Qin Hui did not answer immediately, but lifted his teacup and gently skimmed off the foam."

"Mr. Zeng, you are well-informed; surely you know that Yue Pengju recently captured another False Qi stronghold, his fame now at its peak."

Translation: "\"Mr. Zeng, your information is thorough; you must know that Yue Pengju recently took another town from the puppet Qi, and his momentum is strong. \""

'Zeng Tu' nodded: "I have heard a little. General Yue is indeed brave and skilled in battle."

Translation: "\"Zeng Tu\" nodded: \"I have heard a little. General Yue is indeed brave and skilled in battle. \""

"Brave and skilled in battle?" Qin Hui's lips twitched with a faint, almost imperceptible sneer, "Afraid he'll grow too big to control, becoming a hidden threat."

Translation: "\"Brave and skilled in battle? \" Qin Hui's lips twitched with a faint, almost imperceptible sneer. \"Afraid he's becoming too big for his own good, gradually turning into a heart‑trouble. \""

He set down his teacup, his eyes sharpening.

Translation: "He set down his teacup, his eyes sharpening."

"The court has repeatedly issued edicts urging him to be cautious and avoid provoking border conflicts, lest it jeopardize the peace accord. Yet he turns a deaf ear, continues his own way, and even—"

Translation: "\"The Imperial Court has repeatedly issued edicts ordering him to be cautious and not lightly provoke border conflicts, lest it ruin the peace talks, yet he turns a deaf ear, continuing to do as he pleases, and even…\""

He paused, lowering his voice.

Translation: "He paused, lowering his voice."

"Even more, he has been increasingly in contact with those obscure, erratic so-called 'righteous armies' from the north. This time, northern and southern forces almost simultaneously acted—capturing the Three Mountain stronghold and harassing Hebei—surely no coincidence."

Translation: "\"Even his contacts with those obscure, wayward so‑called 'righteous armies' of the north have grown ever closer. This time, north and south almost simultaneously moved—taking Three Mountains Town and harassing Hebei—could it be coincidence? \""

'Zeng Tu' listened calmly, without responding.

Translation: "\"Zeng Tu\" listened calmly, not interjecting."

Qin Hui continued: "More troubling is the army's morale. Throughout the Jianghuai region, people know only of 'Grandfather Yue,' not the court's laws! If this continues, the state will cease to be a state."

Translation: "Qin Hui continued: \"More worrying is the army's heart. Now throughout the Jianghuai region, everyone knows only 'Grandfather Yue,' not the court's laws! If this continues, the state will cease to be a state. \""

"Impeachment memorials pour in like snowflakes, yet the emperor always hesitates. Rewards, admonitions, cutting grain supplies—these measures seem unable to restrain him, instead only making him more reckless."

Translation: "\"Impeachment memorials come like snowflakes, yet the emperor always hesitates. Rewards, admonitions, cutting grain rations—these measures seem not to restrain him but rather to spur him to greater recklessness. \""

He looked at 'Zeng Tu,' his eyes filled with inquiry.

Translation: "He looked at \"Zeng Tu\", his eyes full of inquiry."

"You previously said you might have a good plan to resolve this situation?"

Translation: "\"Mr. Zeng, you previously said you might have a good plan to resolve this situation? \""

'Zeng Tu' fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, his voice flat and unemotional.

Translation: "\"Zeng Tu\" fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, his voice flat and waveless."

"Yue Fei's endeavors rest on army morale and military merit. Cutting his provisions can only temporarily trouble his troops, not strike at his core. Accusations and suspicion, however, easily cause his men to rally together in mutual hatred, uniting them further."

Translation: "\"Yue Fei's conduct rests on 'army morale' and 'military merit.' Cutting grain rations can only temporarily trouble his troops, hardly hurting his foundation; impeachment and suspicion only make his soldiers unite against a common enemy, bonding them even tighter. \""

"To resolve this, we must undermine his foundation at its root."

Translation: "\"To break this situation, we must shake its foundation at the root. \""

Qin Hui leaned forward slightly: "Please, sir, make it clear."

Translation: "Qin Hui leaned forward slightly: \"Please, sir, make it clear. \""

"First, cut off his source of military glory," said Zeng Tu. "The puppet Qi's Liu Yu is a mediocre sort, repeatedly defeated, yet ironically that has bolstered Yue Fei's fame. Perhaps we should have the Jin side replace him with someone more 'sensible' and harder to deal with to oversee the southern front. At the very least, we must prevent Yue Fei from easily gaining glorious victories, even… let him taste defeat."

Translation: "\"First, cut off his source of military merit. \" \"Zeng Tu\" said, \"The puppet Qi's Liu Yu is a mediocre lot, repeatedly defeated yet inadvertently boosting Yue Fei's fame. Perhaps we should have the Jin side replace him with someone more 'sensible' and harder to deal with to oversee the southern front. At the very least, we must prevent Yue Fei from easily gaining glorious victories, even… let him taste some defeats. \""

A gleam flashed in Qin Hui's eyes.

Translation: "A gleam flashed in Qin Hui's eyes."

Secretly communicating with the Jin to influence their personnel arrangements? This 'Mr. Zeng's' tone and ability are indeed extraordinary.

Translation: "Secretly communicating with Jin to influence its personnel arrangements? This \"Mr. Zeng\"'s tone and ability are indeed out of the ordinary."

"Second, sow discord in his army," Zeng Tu continued. "The Yue family army is not monolithic; some care more about wealth and status, or… fear the unknown. Find such individuals, reward them richly or show them disaster, letting internal suspicions arise, passing along 'useful' information, and even at critical moments letting them play a 'special' role."

Translation: "\"Second, disrupt his army's heart. \" \"Zeng Tu\" continued, \"The Yue family army is not monolithic. There are always those who value wealth and prospects more, or… who fear the unknown. Find such people, offer them great profit or show them disaster, letting suspicion grow from within, transmitting some 'useful' information, and even playing a 'special' role at critical moments. \""

Qin Hui nodded slowly.

Translation: "Qin Hui nodded slowly."

Espionage—this is an ancient tactic. The difficulty lies in finding someone who can reach Yue Fei's core and be persuaded.

Translation: "Espionage—this is an ancient method. The difficulty lies in finding someone who can reach Yue Fei's core and be persuaded."

"Third," Zeng Tu's voice remained flat yet carried a chill, "is to cement his guilt, so that public opinion and law alike will not tolerate him."

Translation: "\"Third, \" \"Zeng Tu\"'s voice remained flat yet carried a chill, \"is to cement his guilt, so that public opinion and law alike will not tolerate him. \""

"Relying only on 'arrogance,' 'waste,' and 'consorting with bandits' carries insufficient weight; it invites criticism from upright officials and may even provoke mutiny."

Translation: "\"Relying only on 'arrogance,' 'waste,' and 'consorting with bandits' carries insufficient weight; it easily invites criticism from the upright and may even spark mutiny. \""

"We need more direct, indisputable evidence—for example… collusion with the enemy."

Translation: "\"We need more direct, indisputable evidence. For example… colluding with the enemy. \""

Qin Hui's pupils contracted slightly: "Collusion with the enemy?"

Translation: "Qin Hui's pupils contracted slightly: \"Colluding with the enemy? \""

"Exactly," said Zeng Tu. "Secret correspondence with the Jin plotting treason; or colluding with the Northern Hope Army in a pact to split the land and declare independence—so long as the evidence is solid, with both human and material proof, it becomes irrefutable."

Translation: "\"That's right. \" \"Zeng Tu\" said, \"Secret correspondence with Jin plotting treason; or colluding with the Northward Aspiration Army in a secret pact to divide the land and declare independence… as long as the 'evidence' is solid, with both human and material proof, it becomes impossible to deny. \""

"By then, not only the court's law but also the hearts of all under heaven will turn against him. Even if his army's morale is solid, it will collapse in an instant."

Translation: "\"By then, not only will the court's laws turn against him, but the hearts of all under heaven will as well. Even if his army's morale is solid, it will collapse in an instant. \""

Qin Hui drew a deep breath, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest of the cushioned bench.

Translation: "Qin Hui drew a deep breath, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest of the cushioned bench."

This scheme is extremely ruthless.

Translation: "This plan is extremely ruthless."

Once set in motion, it aims to utterly doom Yue Fei, destroying both his body and reputation.

Translation: "Once set in motion, it aims to drive Yue Fei to a dead end, destroying both his person and his reputation."

"Evidence… where would it come from?" he asked in a low voice.

Translation: "\"Evidence… where would it come from? \" he asked in a low voice."

A faint twitch crossed Zeng Tu's mouth, as if he smiled, yet without warmth.

Translation: "\"Zeng Tu\"'s mouth corner twitched ever so slightly, as if smiling, yet without any warmth."

"Rest assured, Chancellor, the evidence… will surely appear. All that is needed is the right moment, and it will surface where it should. Perhaps it will be a captured Jin document from some raid; perhaps a repentant defector's confession; perhaps a secret letter found in the Yue army's ranks…"

Translation: "\"Chancellor, rest assured. 'Evidence'… will surely appear. All that is needed is the right moment, and it will show up where it ought to. Perhaps it will be a 'captured' Jin document from some raid; perhaps the confession of a 'repentant' defector; perhaps a 'secret letter' found within the Yue family army…\""

His words were like a venomous snake's tongue, laced with icy certainty.

Translation: "His words were like a venomous snake's tongue, laced with icy certainty."

"Even, Chancellor, you might indulge in a 'dream,' dreaming of fragments like 'Fengbo Ting' or 'Mo Xu You'… upon waking, you might feel a faint inspiration from the unseen."

Translation: "\"Even, Chancellor, you could stage some 'dreams,' dreaming of fragments like 'Fengbo Pavilion' or 'baseless'… upon waking, you might feel a divine hint from the depths. \""

Qin Hui's heart leapt violently.

Translation: "Qin Hui's heart jumped violently."

"Wind-Wave Pavilion"?

This word—I seem to have heard it somewhere recently, or it just flashed through my mind?

Could it be…

He gave Zeng Tu a deep look; the other's calm, waveless gaze now seemed utterly unfathomable.

Inside the pavilion fell into a brief silence, only the occasional crackle of the charcoal fire breaking it.

After a long while, Qin Hui said slowly: 'Your plan is step by step shocking to the heart. However, it involves a great deal; we need to deliberate at length, and moreover…… we need thorough preparation.'

'That is natural.' Zeng Tu gave a slight nod. 'For now, Prime Minister, you may first act on the first two points. The third will come naturally when the time is ripe.'

He stood up.

'If there is nothing else, I will take my leave. Should there be any news from the north, or any leads on the evidence, I will return to report to the Prime Minister.'

Qin Hui also rose and said politely: 'Thank you for your trouble.'

Wanqi Chan saw Zeng Tu out.

Inside the warm pavilion, silence returned.

Qin Hui stood alone by the window, gazing at the grayish rain curtain outside.

'Wind-Wave Pavilion…… baseless……'

He murmured these two words under his breath.

Was it some bewitching method used by Mr. Zeng?

Or… could this truly be an omen of some heavenly will?

Regardless, the matter of dealing with Yue Fei now seems to have a clearer, more decisive path.

But, cooperating with this inscrutable Mr. Zeng—is it dancing with the tiger for its skin, or borrowing a knife to kill?

Qin Hui's gaze flickered uncertainly.

In the end, it turned into a deep, icy cold.

To secure his position, for the sake of the peace talks' greater picture, and furthermore…… to eliminate that ever more unsettling 'variable'……

Some things, even if dangerous, must be done.

'Yue Fei……'

He gazed at the rain curtain, as if seeing that young commander far on the northern front, utterly unaware that the net was beginning to close in.

'If blame is to be assigned, blame it on your failure to keep a low profile, your failure to…… respect the rules of this court.'

The rain grew denser, sealing off the warm pavilion from the world.

It was as if an invisible veil had been drawn over the poisonous schemes and murderous intent brewing within.

Meanwhile, in another corner of Approaching Peace City…

Disguised as an ordinary scholar, Zeng Tu entered a secluded lane; his figure gradually blurred, finally dissolving like ink into the rain and vanishing.

Only a faint, icy whisper remained, as if scattered by the wind.

'The script's revision…… needs stronger conflict, more thorough eradication……'

'The shadow of Wind-Wave Pavilion ought to be deeper now.'

'As for that side…… scouting for suitable candidates within Yue Fei's army, that too ought to be sped up.'