The assessment from an old rival is always the most accurate, and Roland's assessment of Li Lin is no exception. Li Lin's power may be fearsome, but it is merely a purely destructive presence, and unless he has permission from his immediate superiors, he cannot use that power at will. At most, it can only serve as a threat hanging over everyone's heads like a natural disaster. In comparison, Li Lin's control over the evolution of situations and his grasp on key nodes may not be as direct, but this ubiquitous and yet imperceptible invisible force is something that any rival or contender of the empire must confront.
Li Lin is well aware that the core of the arms race, its directions, and the potential outcomes are all fundamentally about money.
