"Let's see who dares!"
Li Muyun snorted coldly, a sharp glint in his eyes.
Qingchen lowered his eyes, secretly pleased, but outwardly remaining calm.
He knew that although this man was greedy for power and women, he was no ordinary person. Now was the time, the perfect opportunity to seize the moment.
"Brother Yun, you are wise,"
He bowed respectfully, his tone humble. "Openly, no one dares to disobey, but in secret, there are inevitably petty villains causing trouble.
Those people are extremely envious of you, so they spread rumors behind your back, saying that you are hesitant and plotting something sinister, attempting to shake your foundation."
As he spoke, he observed Li Muyun's expression, each word precisely targeting the other's feelings.
The tent was so quiet that the candlelight crackled.
Upon hearing this, Li Muyun frowned slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes.
He hesitated for a moment, a hint of helplessness in his voice: "Then...then Brother Qing, what do you say we should do? I really have no interest in fighting on the front lines."
Clearly, he was finding this situation difficult to handle.
Qing Chen had long since figured out this man's temperament.
He knew very well that directly mentioning military power would arouse suspicion;
but if it concerned the safety of his position, this man would definitely lose his composure.
He immediately patted his chest and assured him, "Brother Yun, as I said before, your business is my business.
Although I, Qingchen, am no big shot, I will do my utmost to help you out, without hesitation."
He paused deliberately for a few moments, and seeing the other man's expression soften slightly, he continued:
"I have an idea that would allow you to participate in the war legitimately, demonstrating your strength, while also allowing you to continue strategizing here.
Why don't you send a team, under your banner, to Beiman Mountain to join the main force?
This way, you can participate in the bandit suppression while secretly observing the situation and waiting for the right opportunity—wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Li Muyun's eyes lit up immediately, and he slapped his thigh in praise, "Brother Qing, that's a brilliant idea!"
Then, he hesitated, "But who should we send? What if we get caught? This isn't like visiting a brothel; you can't just go to another one."
"I'm willing to go," he said.
Qingchen immediately bowed, his tone firm. "I may be unworthy, but I'm willing to share Brother Yun's burdens and lead the charge. You only need to assign me three squads, a total of three hundred men, which I will personally command.
As for the officers of each squad, you only need to gather their commanders in the main tent. Then, under the guise of battle deployment, keep them under strict surveillance."
Li Muyun gazed at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled broadly and patted Qingchen's shoulder heavily:
"Good! This matter is entrusted to you. After it's done, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
Qingchen suppressed his inner joy and respectfully accepted the order to leave.
As he stepped out of the tent, the night wind brushed his face. He took a deep breath, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"He really is a good-for-nothing."
That night, undercurrents surged within the military camp.
Under the moonlight, Qingchen began making clandestine arrangements, carefully selecting soldiers from two additional squads besides his usual command.
These soldiers were mostly former gang members or trusted confidants with leverage over them, ensuring absolute safety.
The next morning, following Li Muyun's order, all officers were summoned to the main tent.
Once everyone had arrived, Qingchen immediately ordered his trusted confidant to take command of the troops. The entire process was swift and efficient, and the handover of command was completed in less than half a day.
The officers who had been under house arrest were still drinking and chatting in their tents, completely unaware of the dramatic changes happening outside.
Qingchen appointed his second brother, Qingjie, and Niu Dali, the leader of the Double Eagle Society, to command the three squads, while he secretly assembled a force of fifty elite men.
These men were all skilled in martial arts and were a crucial part of the plan.
That night, candlelight flickered in the central command tent. Qingchen dismissed his attendants and repeatedly instructed his second brother:
"You only need to disguise yourself as me and accompany Niu Dali with the troops. With Li Muyun's command token, no one will dare to stop you along the way."
Qingjie straightened his back and repeated, word by word, "Disguise yourself as Big Brother, and command the three sentry teams with Niu Dali, closely following the main army.
With Li Muyun's military order in hand, and given his special status, no one will dare to stop us along the way. I only need to sit in the central command, pretending Big Brother is still in the camp, and everything will proceed according to plan."
Qingchen nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, but then his expression turned serious:
"You'll leave the specific tasks to Niu Dali. You just need to stay in this tent; with the brothers of the Twin Eagles Society looking after you, everything will be fine."
Qingjie nodded, but a trace of reluctance appeared between his brows.
"I know, I know, but Big Brother. I can't go out and fight; I feel so frustrated. I've learned this swordsmanship for nothing." His words carried a hint of annoyance.
Qingchen frowned, his tone stern: "Foolish! Fight my ass! You need to use your brain! What vanguard? Frankly, they're just going to their deaths!"
"Mount Beimang is strategically important, easy to defend and difficult to attack. The vanguard is merely going to probe their strength and wear down the bandits.
Only when it's a life-or-death struggle will the city lord's two thousand soldiers reap the benefits and clean up the mess. You still want to fight? How many lives do you have?"
He paused, his tone softening slightly: "Remember, when strength is insufficient, you must win with strategy, not with reckless courage."
Qingchen's words carried a hint of anger, fearing that Qingjie's impulsiveness might jeopardize his plans.
Qingjie fell silent upon hearing this, understanding his elder brother's intentions, and nodded heavily.
The candlelight flickered on his young face, reflecting a hint of understanding.
He guessed that his elder brother had been planning this for a long time; this matter concerned his life and fortune, and could not afford the slightest mistake.
He silently vowed to follow the plan and not disappoint his elder brother's expectations.
Qingchen watched his younger brother's departing figure and sighed softly.
The reason he had gone to such lengths to bring his second brother into the army was for this very moment.
As long as Qingjie acted according to plan, he could secretly lead fifty elite troops into Beiman Mountain to carry out the real plan.
Without arousing anyone's suspicion.
Night deepened, and only the footsteps of patrolling soldiers remained in the military camp.
Qingchen stood alone before his tent, gazing at the starry sky, took a deep breath, and tightened his grip on the sword at his w