Chapter 152: A Dangerous Game
The first step in Lin Yuer's plan is to gather evidence of the rebellion's true nature. She orders her intelligence network to infiltrate Zhao's camps and gather any information that will reveal his tactics and intentions. It is a dangerous move, for Zhao is no fool. He has been preparing for this moment for years, and his network is vast and well-hidden. But Lin Yuer is confident that with the right strategy, they can unearth the evidence they need.
In the meantime, Lin Yuer begins preparing a public address. She knows that the people of the empire must hear her side of the story, and she must do so in a way that not only clears her name but strengthens her position. The people must see that she is not a tyrant, but a leader who has their best interests at heart.
As the days pass, Lin Yuer's spies report back with fragments of information. There are whispers of a large gathering of rebel leaders in the mountains, and rumors circulate of plans to overthrow the government by force. The conspiracy is more extensive than she had feared. But she also learns that many of the rebels are not driven by hatred or ambition—they are simply desperate people who have been misled or manipulated by the promises of power and wealth.
Lin Yuer's resolve hardens. She knows that she cannot allow these rebels to succeed, but she also understands that many of them are simply pawns in a much larger game. Her task is to turn the tables on the true masterminds of the rebellion—General Zhao, Lord Jian, and the other elites who have backed them. The people will have to see that these men are nothing but power-hungry traitors who will stop at nothing to achieve their own ends.