Less code should not mean either less readable code, or cleverer code. It should just mean ... less code. Using abstractions, removing dead code, refactoring t

Less code should not mean either less readable code, or cleverer code. It should just mean ... less code. Using abstractions, removing dead code, refactoring to share common code paths, etc, all reduce the amount of code you have, and all typically increase the readability of your code. This doesn't seem at odds with your bullet list for maintainable code. A useful maxim is: working software is an asset, source code is a liability. More code means more maintenance cost, so accomplishing business outcomes with less code is good, to a point.