Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 322 Same Price
"A game of strategy? Why a game of strategy?" Lin Yangyang still didn't understand: "Isn't this just a choice between telling him or not telling him?"

Why would he gamble with you?

Lin Congli frowned slightly and spoke first: "Because they hold the same price in their hands."

"The same price?" Lin Yangyang was still a little confused: "You mean Shi'an and Zheng Kuo?"

“Not bad.” Lin Zhiqing nodded.

Lin Shi'an is very important to the Lin family.

For the Jiang family, news of Zheng Kuo was of great importance.

The two are priced the same, like two equally matched fighting cocks.

Only in this way can it not constitute a one-sided crushing defeat, but rather a game of strategy.

Jiang Yunhe's control over Lin Shi'an and his coercion of the Lin family were like a cockfighting attack.

If Lin Zhiqing were to reveal Zheng Kuo's information directly, it would be tantamount to admitting defeat.

When the news of Zheng Kuo's death spreads, the Lin family will lose its means of restraining the Jiang family.

The Jiang family will only become more and more arrogant.

Moreover, it is highly likely that Jiang Yunhe, that old fox, will change his mind after getting information about Zheng Kuo and directly target Lin Shi'an.

For the Lin family, that would mean losing both their wife and their army.

Of course this won't work.

Lin Zhiqing chose not to back down, and from the perspective of a fighting cock, that meant facing the challenge head-on.

Both sides are moving forward, testing and checking each other in order to achieve their goals.

After the explanation, Lin Yangyang understood what it meant, but she still had some questions:
“After all, Jiang Yunhe holds Shi’an’s life in his hands. If he were to kill Shi’an, we would suffer a real and devastating blow.”

"But he only lost news of Zheng Kuo."

"How can we be sure he won't resort to such a desperate measure?"

Lin Zhiqing shook his head: "He won't fight us to the death. Like I said, the importance of Zheng Kuo's information to him is no less than a human life."

"So I kept my mouth shut, and he hesitated in his heart."

"He would think, what if I really don't save my cousin because of my father?"

"The soft fear the hard, the hard fear the stubborn, the stubborn fear the impulsive, and the impulsive fear the reckless."

"Only by making this gesture can I make Jiang Yunhe think about backing down."

Speaking of retreating, Lin Congyan closed his fan:

"Zhiqing, how can you be so sure he will back down?"

“It’s simple.” Lin Zhiqing narrowed his eyes: “If this stalemate continues, we won’t be able to rescue my cousin, and he won’t get the information he wants.”

"This is a lose-lose situation."

If we both want to achieve our respective goals, we both prioritize choosing methods that avoid mutual destruction in our negotiations.

"I understand, I really understand this time." Lin Yangyang slapped her forehead:
"Jiang Yunhe was afraid that both sides would suffer losses and he would get nothing in return, so he gave us one day?"

“That’s right, that makes sense.” Lin Zhiqing nodded.

There are two ways to avoid mutual destruction in cockfighting.

First, it involves "ritualizing" the attacks from both sides.

This ritualization can be a physical attack or a psychological attack.

Lin Zhiqing naturally chose the latter.

Whether in her expression, words, or actions, she never showed the slightest sign of wavering.

Furthermore, given that Lin Congrong is her father, Jiang Yunhe and others would inevitably be prejudiced and fall into the suspicion that Lin Zhiqing abandoned Lin Shi'an to avenge her father. After all, in Jiang Liuyun's eyes, Lin Zhiqing had always been someone who wouldn't act without self-interest.

In such confrontations, the weaker party often recognizes its weakness through these tests and retreats in time.

The dominant party will not chase after them.

This is a way to avoid a lose-lose situation.

The second approach, which can also be called the ultimate goal of cockfighting, is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

The side with the advantage retreats strategically, giving the other side room to maneuver.

Only in this way can both sides benefit.

Jiang Yunhe's decision to give the Lin family time reflects this second tactic.

He could have directly used Lin Shi'an to threaten the Lin family, but fearing that Lin Zhiqing would give up on Lin Shi'an, he gave them a day to try and achieve a win-win situation.

Of course, Jiang Yunhe's news to Zheng Kuo was indeed a victory.

However, while the Lin family did achieve its goal on the surface by exchanging Lin Shi'an for Lin Shi'an, in the long run, it lost a bargaining chip.

The Lin family appears to have won, but in reality, they have lost.

Therefore, this second method is also not feasible for the Lin family.

After listening to Lin Zhiqing's analysis, even Lin Congli, who was usually quite calm, couldn't contain himself:
"Zhiqing, according to you, our Lin family is destined to lose in this game?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Congyan and Lin Yangyang also looked at Lin Zhiqing.

It was obvious that they also felt the Lin family had no chance of winning.

Lin Zhiqing pursed her lips: "I haven't thought of a perfect solution yet."

"Don't rush, there's still one day left."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yangyang took a step back, as if all the strength in her body had been released.
"It was me, I was too excited. If I hadn't lashed out with that whip, we should have had three days."

“Cousin, don’t think like that. There’s no difference between one day and three days.” Lin Zhiqing was very rational.

Whether it lasts one day or three days, this is pressure exerted unilaterally by Jiang Yunhe on the Lin family.

Even if it were ten days or half a month, this kind of pressure would still exist.

Whether it's earlier or later, the pressure is in Jiang Yunhe's hands.

Lin Yangyang, however, was not as downcast as usual; she was in a very low mood.
"How could I not be anxious? Shi'an grew up with me since he was little, and he is extremely well-behaved."

“When I wanted to go out, I always asked him to sneak out with me and cover for me. He’s not good with words, so when my dad caught him, he never said a word.”

"Not only did he remain silent, but he also took all the blame upon himself."

"Sister Qing, I really can't help it, don't worry."

After she finished speaking, she looked up at Lin Congli and asked, "Father, do you have a way to save Shi'an?"

Lin Congli's chest heaved slightly, but he ultimately shook his head.

Those were children who grew up right under his nose; how could he not worry?

However, the current situation is that Lin Zhiqing has chosen to remain inactive, and he has no right to demand that Lin Zhiqing exchange Zheng Kuo for Lin Shi'an.

Zheng Kuo was the most important link in overturning Lin Congrong's case of treason and collusion with the enemy, yet ironically, Lin Congrong died at his hands.

He always owed his younger brother a life.

Understanding Lin Congli's meaning, Lin Yangyang gritted her teeth: "If none of you can think of a solution, I'll go find one. I refuse to believe I can't find a Lin Shi'an!"

With that, she ignored Lin Congli and Lin Congyan's calls and walked out without looking back.

Lin Zhiqing did not stop her; she knew that Lin Yangyang was both worried and frustrated.

You always need to let loose a little.