What Luo Minghai had done was simple: he had noticed that many aristocratic clans were secretly exchanging letters with Lindi, each hoping to win him over.
By now, those clans were thorns in Zichuan Canxing's heart.
So Luo Minghai let that information slip to Zichuan Canxing, as if in passing.
He needed to do nothing more. That very night, the suspicious Zichuan Canxing summoned Lindi to his study for a private conversation.
Although Lindi emerged from the study unharmed in the end.
Still, Luo Minghai clearly felt that the thorn he had fashioned had lodged in Zichuan Canxing's heart. All he needed to do now was fan the flames.
The following day, Zichuan Canxing summoned Luo Minghai for a talk.
"Ming Hai, the situation in Binyang is of grave importance. There are few people under me whom I can trust. It seems you're the only one I can send to take command!"
Zichuan Canxing patted Luo Minghai's shoulder and entrusted him with the task in earnest.
Luo Minghai hurriedly declined.
"Your Excellency, I am currently investigating the traitors on your orders. The investigation has reached a critical stage. I'm afraid I cannot leave."
At a time like this, retreating to advance was the only way to lower Zichuan Canxing's suspicion and vigilance as far as possible.
This was a truth about dealing with suspicious people that Luo Minghai had learned during his many years under Yang Minghua.
In Luo Minghai's eyes, Zichuan Canxing could hardly have been more like Yang Minghua.
"Ming Hai, compared with the matter of the traitors, I believe Binyang is more important. I have decided that you will temporarily set aside the investigation and lead two hundred thousand troops north to Binyang to destroy Sterling!"
After all, Sterling had once been his cherished moonlight. He knew