Chapter 1574 – Overthrow Nie Liang, Attack Yang Tao, Sword Pointing to the World (112)
What news could possibly have made Yan Lin explode in fury, as if a Buddha has descended and then another has ascended?
The military doctor silently suppressed her curiosity, focusing on her duties. Yet, each time she changed Yan Lin’s bandages, a hint of awkwardness would escape her. Those strategists navigating through chaotic times possess observational and analytical skills far beyond ordinary people.
Days passed, and Yan Lin could no longer hold back his inquiry towards the military doctor, trying to extract clues from her.
“What’s happening outside?”
The military doctor had just finished changing the dressings and was preparing to tidy up before leaving, allowing Yan Lin to continue his recuperation.
Suddenly hearing the question, she was taken aback—not from fear but surprise at being addressed.
After tending to Yan Lin’s injuries for so long, she’d only exchanged a couple of words on the first day; since then, he’d remained icy and aloof. Any occasional responses were merely “Mm,” “Oh,” or “Not painful,” leaving no room for expecting him to initiate conversation. Was today truly a day for miracles?
“Did you just speak to me, sir?”
The military doctor looked at Yan Lin, who was half-sitting up, unable to resist confirming.
“In this room, it’s just the two of us. If I wasn’t asking you, who else could I be speaking to, a ghost?”
Her teasing carried a hint of playfulness, yet it didn’t seem offensive.
The military doctor asked, “Why do you ask, sir?”
Yan Lin straightened his collar and tied his belt with a dignity that made him resemble a proper noble rather than a captive.
From a healer’s perspective, Yan Lin was an exceptionally cooperative patient, making her work easy and pleasant.
With a patient cooperating, the healer attentive, Yan Lin’s recovery could only be swift and seamless. He could have been walking around days ago.
Aside from not engaging in heavy exercise or lifting weights, he was just like any other person.
Yan Lin said, “You’ve come to change my bandages these past couple of days looking strange; something must be happening outside, and it surely concerns me.”
The military doctor secretly gasped; was her demeanor that noticeable?
However—
“Sir, please don’t put me in a difficult position. Not only do I not know what’s happening, but even if I did, I couldn’t tell you.” She outright refused, adding, “The military camp has its rules; without permission, I cannot divulge news to outsiders. Please understand.”
Yan Lin retained his calm expression, showing no surprise at her reply.
Had the military doctor blurted out information without hesitation, he would have had a good laugh at Jiang Pengji’s lax supervision.
“Then, please find someone who can speak.” Yan Lin quipped in a self-deprecating tone, “Since I’m already a captive, I should at least enjoy the privileges, being entrapped here healing, one might think I’m a guest of honor.”
The military doctor conveyed Yan Lin’s words to Yang Si, who just so happened to be present.
The two exchanged glances, chuckling with an air of mischief; the military doctor felt a slight chill down her spine.
Yang Si dismissed the military doctor with a single sentence, “I’m aware of this matter; you carry on with your work, I’ll pay him a visit this evening.”
Upon receiving her orders, the military doctor exited, and Feng Zhen, sitting nearby, tapped his hand with a folded fan, “Are you really going to tell Yan Lin?”
Yang Si smiled, “He’ll find out sooner or later; it’s better to tell him early so he can give up hope sooner. If Yan Shaoyang is looking for a way to end it all, I can prepare the means for him. Fine silk, poison wine, daggers, long swords… anything he needs to die gracefully.”
Feng Zhen replied, “Such delight in misfortune.”
If their relationship hadn’t been decent, he would have liked to add a remark about “the underdog gaining success.”
Of course, if he did say that, Yang Si would likely hold a grudge and find a way to make him trip up in the days to come.
Yang Si puffed out his chest, staunchly declaring, “I am indeed reveling in misfortune!”
And so, maintaining his “revelry in misfortune,” Yang Si went to see Yan Lin.
Clearly, it was Yan Lin who sought the meeting, yet when Yang Si arrived, he didn’t ask a single question. Seeing this, Yang Si remained silent, observing how long Yan Lin could endure. Neither of them spoke first, only silently sipping tea. Eventually, Yang Si could no longer hold back.
With a majority of tea now in his stomach, he felt he might burst if he stayed silent much longer.
“I heard you wanted to see me—what’s on your mind?”
Yang Si finally broke the silence, his tone sounding rather unfriendly.
“Naturally, I want to inquire about two matters,” Yan Lin replied straightforwardly, “What are you planning to do with me? And how is my lord doing?”
“Both questions are not difficult to answer.” Yang Si responded promptly, not intending to leave Yan Lin in suspense. “As for what to do with you, that depends on our lord’s decree. I am but a minor strategist, lacking the authority to overstep my bounds, let alone make decisions for the lord… Regarding your lord Yang Tao, his current situation is rather bleak. A few days ago, I received news that involves you and your lord Yang Tao. However, since the military doctor mentioned your injuries are not healed, I feared the news might worsen your state, and thus I held it back.”
With a look that expressed “I’m saying this for your own good,” Yan Lin was not convinced.
He said indifferently, “No worries. My health is quite well; please speak freely.”
Yang Si then revealed a cryptic smile, all malice openly displayed on his face.
“Have you ever heard the phrase—‘Those not of my kind will have different hearts?’”
Yan Lin replied, “Of course I’ve heard it. What do you mean by that?”
The foreign tribes near Dongqing and Nan Sheng had already been wiped out; what further chaos could ensue?
“This saying comes from the ‘Zuo Zhuan,’ stating: ‘Those not of my clan will have different hearts. Though Chu is great, it is not my clan, will they agree to my command?’ This refers not only to tribes or nations but also to kingdoms.”
Yang Si smiled as he spoke, while Yan Lin’s hand resting on his knee tightened into a fist, a faint guess forming in his heart.
“And then?”
Yang Si continued, “Yang Tao hails from Dongqing and has treated its old officials with kindness, which has left the noble families from Nan Sheng quite dissatisfied. Just recently, the situation in Zhangzhou has gone poorly, leading to the loss of more than a hundred thousand troops under Yang Tao’s command. Most of these soldiers, aside from a few new recruits from Zhangzhou, were originally from Nan Sheng. With such heavy losses, how do you think those noble families who had supported Yang Tao will react? Their existing tensions might escalate further, and if an external force pushes at this moment, Yang Tao’s position—could be quite dangerous.”
Yan Lin’s gaze turned icier as he asked, “External force?”
Yang Si waved his hand dismissively, “Don’t look at me like that; my lord conducts himself openly, never resorting to such petty tactics.”
Yan Lin snorted coldly.
Yang Si’s words seemed fit for a ghost’s ears—nobody would believe him.
However, Yan Lin also knew this couldn’t possibly be Jiang Pengji’s doing.
“An Huan.”
Yan Lin’s mind turned, uttering two words that felt as chilling as ice shards.
“What has he done?”
