"Your Excellency, you're overthinking it. It's just a normal rotation of troops. My son has gone to fight the Japanese, and I have to guard the rear for him!"
"That's good! The Feng Army has achieved remarkable results in recent years. Everyone says that your Feng Army is the strongest in the Nine Provinces, capable of holding up half the country, and that most of the Great Xia is under your control!"
"Not at all, Your Excellency, don't listen to their nonsense! I, Lin Yuanlong, owe my success today to your guidance! No matter how capable I am, it's all under your leadership!" Lin Yuanlong said respectfully with a hearty laugh.
The Grand Secretary seemed quite satisfied and said, "Hmm! I'm relieved to hear that. When you have time, come to Yandu, play chess with me, and have a chat. You are my most prized student, whom I personally cultivated. By the way, you know the gates of the Forbidden City, right?"
The last sentence was loaded with meaning.
Lin Yuanlong's lips twitched slightly.
"Don't worry, I, Old Lin, know exactly what's going on!"
Snap!
After hanging up the phone, the smile on Lin Yuanlong's face slowly disappeared.
"General..." Uncle Fu's face showed some worry.
Lin Yuanlong shook his head helplessly, "The old man is giving me a warning!"
"So, General, should we make a move or not?" Uncle Fu asked.
"Go out! Why won't we go out!"
Lin Yuanlong snorted coldly and said, "I admire the Grand Secretary's character, but I'm just a rough man and don't understand much about politics! I only know that power is earned through fighting and struggle! If you don't go to the mountain, will the mountain come to you?"
"Ideals are beautiful, but reality is harsh. Some things, if you don't do them, someone else will! Standing by and watching is just waiting to die! For thousands of years, there's nothing new under the sun. Strike first, or suffer the consequences! It's a simple truth!"
"You think eating from the same pot is delicious? Will it last? Where there are those who eat, there are those who want to smash the bowl. Just like in this world, where there are men, there are women. Men are born to sleep with women!"
This is Lin Yuanlong's understanding, and also his way of dealing with the world.
The greatest truths are the simplest.
You can't say someone is wrong!
This is how it has been played out for thousands of years; it has already been proven.
The bold get rich, the timid starve!
A bloody lesson indeed!
What is a ruthless and powerful figure?
This is the mindset of a ruthless leader!
Rather than handing that position over to someone else, it would be better to let my son take it!
It's that simple!
...
"Your Excellency, I don't think Marshal Lin is the kind of person who will listen to orders!"
In the simple study, Hua Zhen couldn't help but express his views.
The Grand Secretary smiled and said, "You're right! There are some things I can't stop, so let nature take its course!"
"It's almost dawn!"
Outside the window, the sun was already rising, dispelling the last vestiges of darkness from the cold night.
"As is customary, the court assembly is at seven o'clock. Today is the third day. If you do not attend the assembly, several ministers of the cabinet will have the right to request that you act as regents!" Hua Zhen reminded him.
The Grand Secretary nodded. "Bring me a basin of water. I need to wash myself properly. Let's have a meal together. How the battle went today depends on you!"
"Your Excellency, please rest assured, everything is ready!"
"Um!"
...
Inside the Forbidden City, beneath the vermilion walls, rows of figures in flying fish robes stood for a long time in the wind, like statues.
Everyone's expression was as hard as steel, filled with unwavering resolve.
They gripped the hilts of their knives tightly, their eyes sharp and their killing intent palpable.
Imperial Guards!
In the Great Xia Nine Provinces, there is only one team that, without having experienced any war, has been elevated to a divine status, just like the Iron Pagoda!
Some legends are legends in themselves, and need no further elaboration.
To become a member of the Imperial Guard, one must be exceptional in terms of family background, martial prowess, and intelligence.
All mid-level and above generals are graduates of the National Defense University!
In the entire Great Xia, how many teams possess this level of quality?
Absolutely unique!
Whoosh! Whoosh!
6:50.
Footsteps could be heard outside.
From afar, a dark mass of figures pressed towards the city!
The leader had a red face, exuding an imposing aura without anger, and his eyebrows were quite distinctive, as if they were about to reach for the sky.
This person is not thin; he has a big belly and is a typical case of fat covering muscle!
In the past, this would have been considered the mark of a truly valiant and heroic general!
This man was none other than Chen Xuanwu, the highest-ranking official in charge of the security of the entire Yandu capital, the Commander of the Nine Gates! He was Chen Hu's son!
"It's almost seven o'clock, why haven't the city gates been opened yet!"
Chen Xuanwu shouted at the vermilion gate in a hoarse voice, like a tiger roaring.
As is customary, the morning assembly begins at 7:00 AM, and the city gates must be opened at 6:50 AM.
But ultimately, this is a matter within the Forbidden City, and has nothing to do with him, the Commander of the Nine Gates.
There was no response from inside the door, and Chen Xuanwu couldn't help but frown.
His orders were to take control of the Forbidden City before the court assembly.
If the city gates are not opened, his men cannot enter the city!
"I am Chen Xuanwu, the Commander of the Nine Gates. I order the city gates to be opened!" he continued to shout.
At that moment, an echo finally came from inside the door.
"My lord, the Forbidden City is the territory of my Imperial Guards, it doesn't seem to be your place to interfere!"
"How dare you! Who do you think you are to talk back to me? You should be the one to talk to Hua Zhen!" Chen Xuanwu said disdainfully.
A higher-ranking official can crush you.
Although I'm not directly in charge, I'll take the initiative and use my power to intimidate you!
But those inside the door clearly weren't buying it.
"I am Xiahou, the Fifth General of the Imperial Guard! I am ordered by the Commander-in-Chief to guard the city gates strictly, and no one is allowed to enter!" Xiahou shouted back.
Chen Xuanwu was stunned.
He immediately gritted his teeth and said, "What does Hua Zhen mean? The court assembly is at seven o'clock, that's the rule. If you don't open the city gates, how can the officials attend court!"
"I'm sorry, Admiral, but the Grand Secretary has already announced that today's court assembly is canceled, so there's no need to open this door! If any of you ministers come, please inform them to go back!" Xiahou replied.
"How dare you! The court assembly is a matter of state, how can it be canceled so easily! It has been canceled for three consecutive days. According to custom, the cabinet members should personally petition the Grand Secretary. You should open the city gates immediately!"
"Don't open it!"
"How dare you!"
Canglang!
Chen Xuanwu suddenly drew his sword and roared, "If you don't open the gates, I, the admiral, seriously suspect you of treason! According to regulations, I am the admiral of the Nine Gates. If there is any trouble in Yandu, I have the right to take over all defenses inside and outside the city, including the Forbidden City! I order you to open the city gates immediately!"
No response!
It's like a stone sinking into the sea!
Things have escalated to this point; they've reached a dead end! Everyone's just tacitly agreeing on this!
"I'll say it one more time: open the city gates! Otherwise, I'm going to launch a full-scale attack!"
brush!
Behind them, the 30,000 elite soldiers of the Shenji Battalion's Northern Camp instantly tensed their muscles and entered battle mode!
In an instant, tensions rose, and a chilling atmosphere pierced the night!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
