knife

Chapter 533 You need a position before you can talk about contributions.

“You’re only forty this year, but you’ve already reached the end of your career path!” Xiang Zhuang said. “Chen Yan, haven’t you noticed? Your position in the Great Chu Navy is becoming increasingly marginalized. Every so-called reform of the navy strips you of some of your power as the deputy commander. You’re not stupid; you should have noticed this too!”

Chen Yan took a deep breath and said, "Brother Xiang, there's no need to sow discord. This is called flat management, which will make our Great Chu's navy even stronger."

Xiang Zhuang laughed loudly: "I didn't expect you to be so naive. Chen Yan, have you ever thought about why the Empress Dowager, who comes from a powerful family, trusts Wang Pu, who comes from the Flood Banner of the Demonic Sect, so much?"

“Wang Pu is indeed capable! His skills on the water are better than mine.” Chen Yan said calmly, “Moreover, since the Demonic Sect’s Flood Banner has already submitted to the imperial court, Brother Xiang, I think it is inappropriate for you to compare them with those traitors.”

Xiang Zhuang nodded and said, "What about after Wang Pu? Wang Pu is already over sixty years old. He is only a Xuan Yuan Eighth Rank and cannot escape the erosion of time. Logically speaking, you, who are in your prime, should be the best successor to the navy. But why is it not you but Wang Pu's son, Wang Dao? Do you think Wang Dao is better than you?"

Chen Yan's pupils contracted, and anger gradually gathered.

"You think Wang Pu is ostracizing you, but if I told you it was the Empress Dowager's doing, would you believe me?" Xiang Zhuang said calmly, "For example, this time, the Shu Commandery's navy launched a surprise attack and captured Badong and Zigui. Our Great Chu navy mobilized its main force. Wang Pu will be stationed at Jinghu to deploy troops, while Wang Dao will lead the main force upstream to find and fight the Shu Commandery's navy. And you, the deputy commander of the Great Chu navy, can only stay in Danyang fishing. Hehe, Chen Yan, after this battle, if Wang Dao wins, you, the deputy commander of the navy, might have to go ashore and take a sinecure in the Ministry of War!"

"As long as we can win, it doesn't matter!"

"Have you ever thought about why the Empress Dowager trusts Wang Pu so much? Is it really just because he's better than you?"

Chen Yan remained silent.

"If I told you that the Empress Dowager was actually a member of the Demonic Cult, would you believe me?"

Chen Yan looked up at Xiang Zhuang, his eyes full of mockery.

Xiang Zhuang sighed and said, "I knew you wouldn't believe it. In fact, I didn't believe it at first either. But it's the truth. Wang Jun died in Tong Palace. He fought alongside you back then. Do you remember him?"

"This man has willingly fallen into depravity and plotted to assassinate the Empress Dowager!"

Xiang Zhuang waved his hand and said, "Chen Yan, there are some things that if I tell you too much, you'll just think it's absurd and that I'm talking nonsense while drunk. But I just want to tell you that some things that seem unbelievable actually exist. I know you've always had many doubts in your heart, otherwise you wouldn't have kept quiet about me looking for you for the past two years. Since you're staying in Danyang this time, then keep your eyes wide open and watch. I hope that at the last moment, you can make the right choice!"

Chen Yan stood up and said, "The reason I didn't report you is because I respect General Xiang. Brother Xiang, please don't come looking for me again."

Xiang Zhuang walked to the cabin door, then turned around and said, "Do you know how the late emperor died?"

Chen Yan paused in his steps.

"The late emperor died of poisoning, and the Empress Dowager is not the delicate woman you describe; she is a master of innate martial arts."

Chen Yan nearly tripped and fell to the ground: "Nonsense!"

"Wang Jun has the cultivation level of the ninth grade of Xuan Yuan. When he was in Yong'an County, he found an opportunity to assassinate the Empress Dowager. Unfortunately, he didn't even have the power to resist the Empress Dowager. If it weren't for the fact that we still have a pawn hidden in Tong Palace for many years, we would probably never know the true face of that evil empress before we die."

"Do you think I would believe that?" Chen Yan's voice trembled slightly.

Xiang Zhuang chuckled: "Whether you believe it or not is up to you. Chen Yan, if you want your Great Chu to become better, you first need to stand in a higher position. Otherwise, you can only become a spectator. Whether it's good or bad, you are powerless to do anything about it. Besides pain, you won't feel anything else. So, do you really not care?"

After saying this, Xiang Zhuang didn't explain further and walked out without looking back. Chen Yan rushed out the door and only saw Xiang Zhuang's figure flash by a few times among the densely packed ships before disappearing without a trace.

Standing at the bow of the ship, surrounded by dazzling lights, Chen Yan's mind was a complete blank.

How is that possible? That's impossible.

But Xiang Zhuang was clearly not crazy.

Even if someone is insane, they shouldn't make up such a bizarre lie, right?

For a moment, Chen Yan was at a loss for what to do.
The world before my eyes seems less real now.

Are you dreaming?
I pinched myself.
Chen Yan gasped in pain.

The pain cleared his head a bit; some things could be verified.

Of course, it's impossible to investigate the Empress Dowager, but Wang Pu and Wang Dao could investigate her.

If the Empress Dowager really had a problem, then Wang Pu and his group would definitely have found some clues.

Danyang City, the Xiang family mansion.

Xiang Zhuang dismounted, and the servants at the door quickly stepped forward to take the reins. Xiang Zhuang strode into the house.

Since Xiang Ying left Danyang to cultivate himself, this house has been managed by Xiang Zhuang.

Xiang Zhuang knew, of course, that there were countless sentries, both overt and covert, around this house.

But it doesn't matter, this place is meant to be seen by people anyway.

However, sometimes, things happen that the opponent can't expect.

For example, Xiang Ying is currently staying in this mansion.

The most dangerous place is the safest place.

“Uncle, as you said, I have revealed a lot of things to Chen Yan, but it’s hard to gain his trust with such strong measures, isn’t it? If things go wrong, it might even cause him to resent me!” Xiang Zhuang looked at Xiang Ying, who was sitting cross-legged in front of him, with some worry.

“Chen Yan is a very thoughtful person!” Xiang Ying shook his head: “He will think and investigate on his own. As long as he finds the right direction, he will be able to find some clues. We are not asking him to do anything now, but just planting a seed in his mind. We will let him make a choice at the last step!”

"But even at the final step, he still doesn't choose the right side?"

“When that time comes, he will definitely choose us!” Xiang Ying smiled and said, “Because by then, it will be the final step, and the outcome will be clear.”

"Since the outcome is already clear, why expend so much effort and take such a big risk?"

"We need to consider not only the outcome of this battle, but also the future!" Xiang Ying said. "After this battle, our navy will definitely suffer heavy losses, and people like Wang Pu will inevitably be purged. The navy needs a respected person to clean up the mess and restore its fighting strength in the shortest possible time."

"What if Wang Pu and Wang Dao lose this attack to the Shu Commandery's navy?"

"Although the Shu Commandery's navy has greatly increased in strength, it is still a fledgling force. What they want is to tie down our main force, not to confront us head-on. This is not in their interest!" Xiang Ying said. "Once we finish here, Wang Pu, Wang Dao, and their confidants can die. Chen Yan taking over in time is the best option," Xiang Ying said.

(End of this chapter)