Chapter 592 Three Cups of Wine
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Cups clinked, laughter filled the air.
With fine wine and delicious food before them, the atmosphere in the flower hall grew even more lively.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Li Shiyue picked up her wine glass and slowly stood up from her seat.
As soon as she stood up, the entire flower hall quickly fell silent again.
All eyes were on her. Whether they were fellow villagers from Jinzhou or newcomers like Lü Erniang and Niu Sangeng, they all instinctively straightened their posture, held their breath, and waited for her to speak.
Pingping and An'an seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, stopped playing around, and obediently snuggled up to Li Xiatian.
Li Shiyue calmly swept his gaze across the room, looking at every face before raising his glass to everyone and saying, "Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, a day for family reunions."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"I am very happy to be able to have this reunion dinner with everyone here."
Li Shiyue paused here, her tone becoming solemn: "This first cup is for everyone."
Thank you all for your trust in me.
Her gaze deepened: "The fact that everyone left Jinzhou for me, Li Shiyue, and came to Jian'an, thousands of miles away, shows their trust in me!"
I know that many of you are afraid and hesitant.
But in the end, you still chose to believe in me, Li Shiyue, and came here with your families without hesitation.
This trust, so profound, I, Li Shiyue, will forever remember it!
Li Shiyue tilted her head back and drank the wine in her glass in one gulp.
Her movements were swift and decisive, just like her personality.
Many people around the other round tables already had tears in their eyes.
Li Shiliang slammed down his wine cup and said in a gruff voice, "October!"
Don't say that!
Following you was our own choice!
We believe in you!
With you, I can live a good life, that's for sure!
No matter where you are, if you say you're coming, I'll brave any danger, even mountains of knives and seas of fire!
Li Shiliang's words drew agreement from the crowd.
"Yes! Follow the general!"
"Without October, we wouldn't have the good life we have today!"
"That's right! October, we all want to follow you!"
Li Shiyue raised her hand, suppressing the crowd's excitement.
She lowered her head and poured herself another glass of wine. Then, raising her glass, she continued to address the crowd, "For this second glass, I want to apologize to everyone."
Everyone was taken aback, and the flower hall became even quieter.
"After the Jian'an period was initially settled, although the Japanese pirates temporarily retreated, the hidden dangers remained."
People have left their homes to follow me, so I should take good care of them.
However, as the head of the military and political affairs of Jian'an, I am usually very busy with official duties, and there are bound to be many things I cannot take care of for you.
If there has been any negligence, neglect, or improper arrangement that has caused you any distress, it is all my fault, Li Shiyue's fault.
Her gaze swept across every face in the room, sincere yet sharp, as if she could see into the depths of everyone's heart.
“I am very busy. If any of you have any difficulties or feel that there is any injustice, and you are unable to speak to me directly;
No need to worry, you can go directly to my mother and explain.
You all come from Lijiatun, we'll always be family, and I can't let my own family suffer injustice or be disheartened!
Li Shiyue's words were powerful and sincere.
Li Wangchun nodded vigorously in agreement with Li Shiyue's words.
Everyone present was filled with warmth, especially the women like Sun Xiuxiu, whose emotions were more readily apparent as they eagerly responded:
"What you're saying, October!"
"We're doing great!"
"You have important things to worry about, we can take care of ourselves!"
"Don't worry, October. We're family, so we won't hold back. If anything happens, we'll definitely speak up. Don't worry!"
Lu Erniang and Niu Sangeng, sitting a little further away, watched the scene unfold before them, their shock beyond words.
They were actually invited by Li Xiatian because of Lü Erniang.
Wasn't it that time at Jin Daping's clinic, by sheer coincidence, that Lü Erniang, Li Xiatian, and Zhao Min were all diagnosed with pregnancy?
And so, the three of them began to associate with each other, and their friendship grew deeper and deeper over time.
When Li Xiatian learned that only Lü Erniang and Niu Sangeng were at home during the New Year, he invited Lü Erniang to spend the New Year at the Li family home.
Besides getting along well with Lü Erniang, it was also because Li Xiatian had asked Li Shiyue about it beforehand.
When Li Shiyue heard what Li Xiatian said, she thought that Niu San had at least informed on her before.
He gave Li Shiyue such a big gift (the silk cloth evidence of Huang Wanchang's crime hidden in the sole of his shoe), and now he is working in Li Shiyue's Zhenhai Army.
Well, they're practically family, so we can just invite them over for a meal.
Therefore, Li Xiatian actually invited Lü Erniang and Niu Sangeng to the Li family for a feast.
At this moment, for the first time, Lu Erniang and Niu Sangeng, the couple, directly felt Li Shiyue's status in the hearts of the people in Lijiatun.
That wasn't just because Li Shiyue was the highest-ranking official in Jian'an, nor was it solely due to his power; it was also a kind of near-absolute loyalty and support.
Before Lü Erniang and Niu Sangeng could react, Li Shiyue filled her cup with wine again.
Her expression suddenly turned grim, all traces of her previous gentle apology vanished, replaced by a cold, chilling resolve.
“This third cup,” Li Shiyue raised her glass, her voice deepening, “is a toast to Zhenhai Navy!”
Suddenly, the flower hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and the air seemed to freeze.
"After the spring, I will lead the Zhenhai Navy into even more rigorous training!"
Although we achieved a great victory against the Japanese pirates, they will not remain peaceful for long!
Li Shiyue's gaze was sharp as a knife, cutting through the air. "They are just like the Turks to the north when we were in Jinzhou. They are jackals that have smelled blood, and they will never retreat forever because of one defeat."
They are greedy by nature; they only lick their wounds and wait for the next opportunity to pounce and tear Jian'an apart!
What we need to do is not to passively wait for them to come!
Instead, we must beat them until they are hurt! Beat them until they are terrified! Beat them to death!
Li Shiyue's voice suddenly rose, carrying the chill of iron and blood, "Only by completely annihilating this pack of sea jackals, cutting off their claws, and smashing their teeth can we achieve true peace!"
Only then can we be worthy of the millions of people behind Zhenhai Army, and worthy of the land beneath our feet!
She looked around at everyone, her eyes filled with unwavering determination: "The road ahead will surely be fraught with peril, but Zhenhai Army will have no fear!"
This bright and clear world must be fought for and seized by us with our swords!
At this point, Li Shiyue raised his glass high towards Sun Xiaoliu and the others, "This glass is a toast to Zhenhai Army!"
A toast to the coming blood and fire!
To the final victory!
Li Shiyue raised her glass for the third time, tilted her head back, and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.
After a brief silence, Sun Xiaoliu suddenly stood up, his face flushed, and shouted excitedly, "Respect, General!"
May the Zhenhai Army be victorious!
"Victory!"
"Victory!"
"Victory!"
Just like in the military camp, Chen Yong, Hei Zi and the others roared instantly, making the dust on the beams seem to fall in a flurry.
Everyone in the flower hall, young and old alike, stood up excitedly, raised their glasses, and cheered wildly!
Even the women, including Li Wangchun and Zheng Meiniang, had red eyes and started to cry out.
Caught up in the atmosphere, Lü Erniang and Niu Sangeng also stood up unconsciously and shouted with great emotion.
They clearly saw and felt that Li Shiyue was not only the master of this mansion and this city, but also the banner and soul in the hearts of everyone here.
Her will is the direction for everyone.
Her determination is the strength of everyone.
Li Shiyue's eyes burned as he looked at the passionate crowd before him, his heart surging with pride.
She knew that she had taken the right road from Jinzhou to Jian'an.
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