Breaking the Formation (Part 3)
Behind the red gates, wine and meat rot.
The fighting was fierce; ordinary people were either killed or driven mad. But the officials remained calm and composed, managing the situation in the thick quagmire without breaking a sweat.
Li Xiangyan stood by the chair by the window, took a cigarette from the pack, and put it to his lips. His lips were thin, light in color, but perfectly round.
Ishio has issued his final warning.
The Minkou bend has been a source of contention for far too long. If not for its unique political position, it would likely have long since fallen into Japanese hands. However, Minkou's distinctive location dictates that it can only be seized through strategy, not brute force. This presents a significant obstacle to both sides in the conflict, while also introducing an unspeakable element of ambiguity. Will it be a case of the snipe and the clam fighting while the fisherman benefits, or will it be a case of Zhou Yu and Huang Gai each getting what they want, or...?
Li Xiangyan chuckled, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and said to Shiwei, "Mr. Shiwei, I've always thought you were a man of great character. You know the situation in Minkou, yet you're rushing here so hastily. Isn't that a bit unbecoming of you?"
Ishio glanced at him, his voice slowly emanating from his nasal cavity, with a rough, hoarse tone at the end, and said, "Commander, I am willing to believe that you can quite understand what I mean."
“Then, forgive my ignorance.” He took a drag of his cigarette, leaned his elbow against the wall behind him, and still smiled at Ishio.
"In that case, I will tell you plainly that we must take Minkou within three months."
When a country falls, the people suffer misfortune; when a city falls, the people are filled with sorrow; when a home falls, the people are filled with grief.
At this point, Japan no longer held a decisive advantage in the battles on the front lines. A growing number of resistance forces emerged from the "sorrowful masses," posing a formidable obstacle to the Japanese army. Despite numerous arrests and the torture and murder of countless Chinese, these efforts ultimately proved insufficient, failing to restore the previously firmly controlled situation.
Perhaps they were starting to get impatient. It was as if, through a glimpse of darkness pierced by a startling dream, they had discovered that this land was not as easily attainable as they had imagined. However, in this world, everything that is desired inevitably comes at a price. No matter where one goes in life, the principles of this universe should always be cherished.
Lee Sang-yeon slowly straightened up, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, and said, "Very well, I can also tell you clearly that this is impossible."
What do you mean by that?
"To forcibly seize Minkou is absolutely absurd."
Ishio stared at him with his narrow, elongated eyes and said, "I hope you haven't forgotten that you and we are bound by fate. I'm afraid you have no other choice but to help us."
"Of course, but when did I ever promise to obey your orders unconditionally? I think that even if I risk betraying my country and defecting to the enemy, it's all for some benefit."
“Of course, whatever you want, as long as it’s something I can give you… of course.” Ishio looked away, staring at the corner of the room, silently supporting his knees.
Li Xiangyan imagined that he was indeed very anxious; the earth had little time left for Minkou. Thinking of this, he thought of Xici, that stubborn and beautiful woman. Perhaps, his time was also running out.
After leaving Lee Sang-yeon's place, Ishio got into the same car he had come in. The driver asked, "Are we going back now, Mr. Ishio?"
He slowly turned his gaze from the window back and replied, "I want to go somewhere."
Flowers are not the most precious creatures in the world. When they climb the walls in clusters, displaying their beauty in every way, waiting for the clear rain, the gentle breeze, and for people to pick and admire them, perhaps, if they continue to develop in a less desirable way, those who come seeking them out are the most vulnerable of all.
Beauty is power, but admiration is not always so.
The soft, melodious sounds of opera, accompanied by delicate footsteps, spilled out from behind the thick cement walls. Ishii simply stood there listening, without crossing the dark, imposing doorway.
Before the darkness, he imagined his charm, his figure, his lonely and proud face; perhaps love begins with fantasy.
Human love often unfolds in interesting ways. Some people begin by playing a false role, but gradually, they develop feelings for each other and become deeply in love. See, this is the result of fantasy. Weak dreams begin to become solid and powerful, resilient and thoughtful.
Imagine a beloved person, soft and delicate, like a white camellia and a green rose, fantasizing about kissing it, sketching it, nurturing it in a thousand-year-old porcelain vase unearthed from dark, damp soil, meticulously painting its veins and blood vessels. Or perhaps it's a bamboo stalk, elegant and dignified, exuding a sweet, natural fragrance.
Then it must be Xun Zhizhu. The rotten piece of his finger that he left behind has stopped growing cold. Love was only for him, so as for himself, perhaps he will never be able to receive it.
But is he willing to continue loving someone penniless? He should be willing. Fantastical love controls one's consciousness. Conscious love surpasses all physical desires that haven't yet penetrated the skin.
He imagined what it would be like for him on the day Minkou fell, but what could he possibly be like? He simply hated him even more, but it was too late.
Can unrequited longing truly be considered love? If one were to rescue such a pitiful person from suffering, perhaps solitary wandering would also possess an ambiguous charm. However, not everyone is unaware that love follows a demanding syllogistic principle, and perhaps only resonance and desire can give rise to the possibility of love.
Regardless, a bloody storm is unfolding in China, shrouded in a gloomy membrane. Those outside the membrane can see the cracks, while those inside toil for them, waiting for the most skilled to break through these constraints.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
