The stench was overwhelming by the Half-City River.
In the pavilion on the high slope by the river, Qin Le Yin was articulating his intrigues.
"The Governor, the magistrate, the commander, the merchants... we admit, merely with the power of our Radiant Four Guards, we cannot contend with the ruling organization composed of these authorities, the Silver Blood Association. Therefore, our previous strategy has been to fan the flames and let them be preoccupied with internal strife, which, if not beneficial to the country, at least reduces their harm to it."
"If luck permits, and causes factions within the grand merchant families to fight amongst themselves, it could even lead to a significant weakening of the Silver Blood Association."
