bayedsolid Chapter 785 A Solid Foundation: Lin Ping's Hidden Dragon in the Abyss (Page 12)
Chapter 785 A Solid Foundation: Lin Ping's Hidden Dragon in the Abyss (Page 12)
The night was as dark as ink, spilling across the high walls and deep courtyards of the prefectural government. The sound of the water clock pounded the silence, and also stirred Lin Ping's seemingly calm, yet turbulent, heart. Leaning on the railing, she gazed into the distance, her eyes piercing the deep night, as if she could see the intricate tentacles of powerful clans hidden in the shadows. They were like a vast network, enveloping this land, and attempting to bind her, this rising star who refused to lag behind.
The scene in the prefectural council hall during the day was still vivid in her mind. Several veteran generals, their words, whether overt or covert, revealed their disdain and probing towards her, their young superior. Behind them were the Zhang, Li, and Wang families… these families with centuries-old lineages, their influence permeating every corner of the prefectural government. Many officers of all ranks within the prefectural army were either their protégés or associates of them. They were the beneficiaries of the old order, the maintainers of the old order. Lin Ping, on the other hand, desired a powerful army that she could firmly control, a force whose sword could strike with unparalleled force. This undoubtedly crossed their bottom line.
“A forceful approach…” Lin Ping muttered to herself, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the cold railing, “is merely a stopgap measure, and might even backfire.” Those aristocratic scions are deeply entrenched; a single move could have far-reaching consequences. Subdue one today, and another will spring up tomorrow. Moreover, they are adept at feigning compliance while stabbing each other in the back. Simple military suppression will only plunge her into endless internal strife, ultimately leaving her isolated and completely swallowed by this invisible net.
What she wanted was a "core team," a "distinguished elite force loyal to her wholeheartedly." These four words, "wholeheartedly loyal," carry immense weight and cannot be obtained through a mere appointment or a few slogans. They require trust, camaraderie, shared goals and experiences, and even more so... a clean and honest foundation.
"Unburdened by family background, possessing a strong sense of righteousness, and deeply loyal..." Lin Ping pondered these keywords. In today's environment that values family background and social standing, such people are like pure gold in the sand—rare and precious. They have no way out, no powerful family to rely on, and precisely because of this, they are more likely to place all their hopes and loyalty on a wise ruler who can appreciate them, promote them, and give them opportunities.
So, where are these people? How do we identify them? How do we select them? This requires even more wisdom and patience than simply training troops for battle. She felt like she was searching for a few specific trees in a dense forest, not only having to cut through the fog but also being wary of lurking venomous snakes and ferocious beasts.
Just then, a figure unexpectedly entered her thoughts, carrying a simple yet warm aura. Zhao Yong. The man who always silently followed behind her, his eyes filled with concern and admiration. He wasn't a top-tier general, nor did he possess extraordinary wisdom, but he was reliable, loyal, and… she vaguely knew that Zhao Yong came from a humble background, his parents had died early, and he had fought his way up in the army with his own sword and spear. He had no family background to burden him.
“Zhao Yong…” Lin Ping’s lips unconsciously curved into a slight smile. She recalled how, a few days ago, she had caught a cold and coughed incessantly at night. Zhao Yong had somehow found a folk remedy, brewed a bowl of hot ginger soup, and silently stayed outside her tent until dawn. That meticulous care, devoid of any ulterior motives, was so pure and heartwarming. In this unpredictable world, such deep affection was especially precious.
It wasn't just Zhao Yong. More faces began to surface in Lin Ping's mind. Zhao Yong seemed to have several very close brothers, all from similar backgrounds, always together, the most diligent in training, and the most courageous in missions. They shared an unbreakable brotherhood forged on the battlefield. If Zhao Yong was the "hub," then through him, could she find more of the "real gold" she needed?
A bold plan began to quietly brew in Lin Ping's mind. She could no longer wait passively; she had to take the initiative, approach Zhao Yong, understand his brothers, and gather these potential forces under her command. This was not only to build a core team, but also to pave a solid path for herself in this treacherous power vortex, a "broad road" leading to the true pinnacle of power.
“Opportunities are often right beside us.” Lin Ping’s eyes hardened. She turned and walked briskly toward her inner tent. “Since that’s the case, I can’t let this opportunity slip by.”
Part 1: A First Visit Under the Moon, Warmth Melts the Ice
The next day, as training ended, the setting sun bathed the drill ground in a golden glow. The soldiers dispersed in twos and threes, the air thick with the smell of sweat and dust. Lin Ping didn't return directly to her study as usual, but deliberately stopped under an old locust tree at the edge of the drill ground. She knew that Zhao Yong and his brothers always lingered there after training, cleaning their weapons or exchanging insights.
Sure enough, a few figures appeared not long after. Leading them was Zhao Yong, who was helping a burly, dark-skinned man adjust his slightly loose wrist guards. The man, named Wang Meng, was Zhao Yong's fellow villager. He was honest and simple, incredibly strong, and wielded a pair of heavy hammers; he was a fierce fighter in the group. Standing beside him were two young men: one named Qian Bin, with sharp eyes and a meticulous mind, skilled in reconnaissance and setting traps; the other named Sun Wen, although also skilled in martial arts, preferred reading and had some literary knowledge, serving as the group's "brain trust." These four were the core of an ordinary squad within the prefectural garrison, and were also the subjects Lin Ping had been secretly observing for a long time.
Lin Ping took a deep breath, a gentle smile appeared on her face, and took the initiative to walk over.
"Zhao Yong, Wang Meng, Qian Bin, Sun Wen," her clear voice rang out.
The four people who were packing their things were startled by the words and quickly turned around. Seeing that it was Lin Ping, their faces showed surprise and a hint of unease. They quickly put down what they were holding, stood at attention, and saluted: "Greetings, General!"
Lin Ping waved her hand and said in a friendly tone, "No need for formalities, relax. I just saw that you are training hard and wanted to come and chat with you."
Her approachable manner made the four of them feel flattered. In their eyes, although Lin Ping was young, she was, after all, a state general with military power, and usually very dignified. Apart from military affairs, she rarely had such a close "casual chat" with ordinary soldiers like them.
Zhao Yong's cheeks flushed slightly. He scratched his head and said in a simple and honest manner, "General, you flatter me. We were just doing our duty as soldiers."
Lin Ping's gaze swept across the four faces one by one, finally landing on Zhao Yong, with a faint smile: "Zhao Yong, I felt unwell a few days ago, and thanks to your bowl of ginger soup, it worked very well. I've been wanting to find an opportunity to thank you, but I've always been delayed by military affairs."
Zhao Yong was surprised that Lin Ping would bring up this matter, and he became even more flustered, waving his hands repeatedly: "General, you flatter me! That is what I should do. It is my honor to share your burdens, General. I dare not accept your thanks."
Wang Meng, who was standing next to him, was straightforward and said bluntly, "General, Brother Zhao is so thoughtful! Knowing that you've had a hard time, he specially ran several miles to get the prescription from an old doctor!"
Qian Bin also laughed and said, "Yes, General, Brother Zhao truly admires and cares for you."
Sun Yat-sen, on the other hand, was relatively calm, nodding slightly, but his eyes revealed his agreement.
Hearing his brothers' words, Zhao Yong's face turned even redder, and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Lin Ping watched their harmonious and natural interaction and nodded inwardly. This was exactly the "deep affection" she wanted to see. She didn't continue the topic to avoid making Zhao Yong even more embarrassed, and instead turned her gaze to the weapons they had placed on the ground.
“Wang Meng, your hammers look quite heavy,” she asked, pointing to Wang Meng’s pair of gleaming octagonal purple-gold hammers.
Mentioning his weapon, Wang Meng immediately perked up, grinning to reveal two rows of white teeth: "General, these hammers together weigh a full eighty jin! When you swing them, they whistle through the air, and if they hit an enemy, they'll break bones and tendons!" As he spoke, he couldn't help but demonstrate a couple of times, creating a gust of wind.
A hint of approval flashed in Lin Ping's eyes: "What strength! With a fierce general like you on the battlefield, the morale of our army will surely be greatly boosted." She then looked at Qian Bin: "Qian Bin, I heard that last time we were chasing a fugitive, it was you who suggested taking a shortcut, which led to our successful interception?"
Qian Bin was surprised and excited that Lin Ping knew even such a small matter. He quickly bowed and said, "General, you are wise! I was just lucky to be familiar with the terrain in that area."
“Luck is also part of strength,” Lin Ping said calmly. “More importantly, you know how to use your brain, which is more valuable on the battlefield than brute force.” Finally, she looked at Sun Yat-sen: “Sun Yat-sen, I remember you seem to have some knowledge of military strategy?”
A glint of light flashed in Sun Wen's eyes. This was what he was most proud of. He quickly said, "I dare not claim to be an expert. I just like to read some military books and strategies in my spare time. I have a little knowledge of them. I hope the general can give me some pointers."
Lin Ping smiled and shook her head: "It's not really about giving guidance. I also enjoy reading history books and military strategies, and if there's an opportunity in the future, we can discuss them in detail."
Her words were warm and natural, without the slightest air of superiority, but rather like those of a like-minded friend. This gradually dispelled the tension and awkwardness in Zhao Yong and his companions, replacing it with a joy and excitement of being respected and appreciated. They could sense that this young female general was somewhat different from what they had imagined.
As the sun gradually sank behind the western mountains, night began to fall, and a crescent moon rose in the sky. Lin Ping didn't say anything more, but simply patted Zhao Yong on the shoulder: "Alright, it's getting late, you should all go back and rest early. You've trained hard these past few days, so take good care of yourselves and recharge."
"Yes, General!" the four replied in unison, their voices filled with unprecedented spirit.
Watching Lin Ping turn and leave, Zhao Yong and the other three looked at each other with expressions of disbelief.
"Guys, did I hear that right? The general actually... actually chatted with us and even praised us!" Wang Meng rubbed his hands excitedly, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened.
A glint flashed in Qian Bin's eyes: "It wasn't just praise; the general seems to know each of us well. Brother Zhao, she even specifically mentioned the ginger soup you sent."
Sun Yat-sen nodded, seemingly lost in thought: "The General's actions were not without reason. She... seems to be intentionally grooming us?"
Zhao Yong gazed in the direction Lin Ping had disappeared, a warm feeling welling up inside him, a mixture of excitement, gratitude, and a strange sense of responsibility. He clenched his fist and said in a deep voice, "Regardless of the general's intentions, she has been kind to us and values us so much. From now on, I, Zhao Yong, will give my life to the general! What about you?"
"Wherever Brother Zhao goes, I, Wang Meng, will go!" Wang Meng said, patting his chest.
“Me too!” Qian Bin and Sun Wen said in unison.
Under the moonlight, four young people of ordinary backgrounds, yet with resolute eyes, exchanged glances. A silent understanding and determination quietly formed between them. Lin Ping, the instigator of all this, stood at her window, gazing at the crescent moon in the sky, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
The first step has been taken successfully. Warmth is the best weapon to melt the ice. But this is only the beginning; the road ahead is still long.
Part Two: A sudden storm arises, and a discerning eye recognizes loyalty.
Lin Ping's proactive approach to Zhao Yong and others, which she did not deliberately conceal, naturally caught the attention of some people with ulterior motives. Soon, rumors about "General Lin favoring poor scholars and alienating his old subordinates from aristocratic families" began to quietly spread within the prefecture.
The first to become restless was Zhang Hao, the deputy general of the prefecture. Zhang Hao was the eldest son of the Zhang family, the most powerful family in the area. Relying on his illustrious family background and years of experience in the military, he had never taken Lin Ping, the newly appointed female general, seriously. Now, seeing that Lin Ping seemed to want to start her own business and support a "peasant" like Zhao Yong, alarm bells immediately went off in his mind, and he was filled with disdain and hostility.