"Lin Yi!"
Zhao Cheng suddenly barked, startling Lin Yi into dropping to his knees.
"Do you know that those are words of the utmost treason?!"
"This subordinate knows his crime!"
Lin Yi hurriedly replied, yet inwardly he relaxed. He knew he would not die.
If Zhao Cheng had intended to kill him, he would not have spoken any further. He would have simply executed him on the spot to serve as a warning to others.
"By military law, this offense warrants immediate execution. But in consideration of your prior merit in slaying enemies, and because this is a time when men are needed, this general has decided to strip you of your rank for now and allow you to redeem yourself through service. If you kill five more enemies, your former rank will be restored!"
"Do you accept this judgment?!"
Zhao Cheng said.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi was overjoyed. Being temporarily stripped of his rank seemed harsh, but in truth, it was a case of raising the stick high and bringing it down lightly.
After all, this had been a capital crime.
Zhao Cheng's response clearly showed that he believed Lin Yi had overstepped somewhat, but that his heart remained loyal. More importantly, he had left an impression on Zhao Cheng. That was precisely what he had sought.
He had never been an honest man to begin with. He had followed Wang Shouzheng because he had seen promise in him. Now that he had found Zhao Cheng, who had even greater prospects, he naturally abandoned his old master without the slightest hesitation.
As for such a man, Zhao Cheng's view was that his strength could be used, his life could be used, and he could serve as a general—but never as a commander-in-chief.
In terms of ability, though Lin