“A few days ago, word came from Japan that you had fallen into the sea and most likely died in the line of duty… Then that old bastard from the Zhang family personally brought Zhang Libao to the Sun family. I don’t know how they talked it over, but Sun Rui agreed…” Elder Li paused here and sighed softly. “That little girl from the Sun family has quite a fiery temper. When she heard you had jumped into the sea and died, and that her father had agreed to the Zhang family’s marriage proposal, she tried to jump off a building right then and there. Someone managed to pull her back…”
“But in the end, I don’t know how that bastard Sun Rui talked her into it… She finally gave in…” Elder Li sighed again, then said, “But Xiao Rui says the Sun girl’s mood seems off lately. She’s been staying by her side every day now… Just come back first and we’ll talk!”
“Alright… I’m on my way back right now!” Xu Ze hung up the phone and said to the captain who was waiting cautiously nearby, “Sorry… Please help me contact Commander Li. Thank him for his kindness, but I need to get back to Yanjing immediately…”
“Yes, Senior Colonel!” The captain, seeing Xu Ze’s ashen face, quickly nodded and picked up his radio to contact Commander Li.
A moment later, he said to Xu Ze, “Senior Colonel, the plane is ready. It can take off at any time…”
“Good, thank you…” With that, Xu Ze turned to Qing Niao, who stood behind him with a worried expression, and asked, “Are you coming back with me, or…?”
“Of course I’m coming with you… Let’s go!” Qing Niao looked at Xu Ze, whose expression was still grim, and nodded.
Ten minutes later, Xu Ze and Qing Niao were seated on a small military aircraft. Qing Niao looked at Xu Ze across from him—still pale, staring motionless out the window—and let out a soft sigh, saying nothing… Although he didn’t know exactly what had happened to make Xu Ze like this, it was surely no small matter…
Two hours later, Xu Ze arrived at the Yanjing Military Region. Originally, the Yanjing Military Region had prepared a car to take him to the General Staff, but Xu Ze directly asked them to arrange a helicopter instead, saying he needed to go to Xishan.
Seeing Xu Ze’s ashen face, the logistics officer at the military region didn’t even dare to delay. He immediately ordered a Z-8 helicopter to take Xu Ze into the capital.
Fortunately, Xishan was right next to the Third Ring Road. Otherwise, the officer really wouldn’t have dared to casually send a plane for Xu Ze. Flights within Yanjing’s Third Ring Road—even military aircraft—required reporting and approval, which was a real hassle.
In the end, since Xu Ze wanted to go to Xishan, Qing Niao had no choice but to go along. So a Z-8 helicopter carrying two people in tattered clothes headed straight for Xishan.
Meanwhile, at a large villa somewhere in Xishan, lanterns and decorations were hung everywhere, and the atmosphere was festive. Many Chinese political dignitaries had appeared at this villa, including more than a dozen at the provincial and ministerial level. Today was the day the Yanjing Zhang family had sent out invitations to host a banquet for guests, so most of Yanjing’s political elite had received invitations.
And because of the Zhang family patriarch’s prestige, most people would make time to attend this banquet.
The entire hall was bustling at this moment, with many dignitaries exchanging greetings and pleasantries…
“Minister Zhang… how have you been lately?” A general with two brilliant stars on his shoulder waved to a bespectacled, imposing middle-aged man.
Minister Zhang quickly extended his hand and shook hands with the general, laughing heartily. “Haha… General Wu, you’re just the same as ever—full of vigor and brilliance…”
In another corner, a white-haired old man smiled and shook hands with another dignified middle-aged man, saying with a soft laugh, “Governor Wu… long time no see!”
“Uncle Yang… you’re too kind. Your health is just as good as ever… After all these years, you’re still looking so robust…”
Scenes like this were everywhere in the hall, clearly showing the host’s broad connections—or perhaps his astonishing power and influence…
Just then, a loud announcement suddenly came from outside the door: “General Li Gongpu and Mr. Li Yue have arrived…”
Hearing this announcement, the entire hall suddenly fell silent. Then a buzz of whispered voices filled the hall: “Isn’t Elder Li always at odds with Elder Zhang? Why is he here today, and even Li Yue came?” This was the same Governor Wu from before.
“You didn’t know? I heard the Sun family’s daughter was first involved with Elder Li’s god-grandson. But Elder Li’s god-grandson went to Japan on a mission recently and apparently died in the line of duty. The Zhang family quickly swooped in and got involved with the Sun family… Of course the Li family couldn’t swallow that humiliation… Even Li Yue came. Today’s scene is bound to get lively…” This Elder Yang was also one of the capital’s prominent elders and naturally knew the key details. He lowered his voice to explain to Governor Wu.
“What? The man just died in the line of duty, and Elder Zhang moved that fast?” Governor Wu was hearing about this for the first time and was somewhat shocked.
Elder Yang slowly nodded, then sighed. “But there’s probably a lot involved in this that we don’t know about… Let’s just watch… But we absolutely must not get involved. The grudge between these two families runs deep!”
Hearing Elder Yang’s warning, Governor Wu nodded repeatedly. The two retreated to the side, watching carefully, looking at the path that had already automatically cleared at the entrance.
At this moment, a handsome man with a cold expression was already supporting a white-haired old man as they appeared at the doorway. Seeing this old man appear, many of the generals in uniform in the hall quickly walked over one by one and saluted him respectfully:
“Greetings, Teacher Commander…”
“Greetings, Commander…”
“Greetings, Old Chief…”
With each salute, Elder Li slowly nodded, then, supported by Li Yue, walked toward the center of the hall.
Seeing that this old chief showed none of his usual warmth, these generals all wore awkward expressions. They knew the old chief must be very unhappy today—otherwise, he definitely wouldn’t have appeared here.
Elder Li slowly walked into the hall, leaning on his cane, amid the greetings of the crowd around him. He walked to the center of the hall, then looked up at Zhang Yanzheng, who was approaching with a forced smile. He slammed his cane on the ground and angrily berated him: “Zhang boy, where’s that old bastard of yours? He dares steal my granddaughter-in-law but doesn’t dare come see me?”
Hearing Elder Li’s angry shout, the smile on Zhang Yanzheng’s face froze. But he quickly smiled again and said, “General Li… you’re getting on in years. How can you get so angry? It won’t be good if you make yourself sick…”
He then made a gesture of invitation. “Come… please rest in the side hall first. My father will be here shortly to keep you company…”
“Hmph… Just like your old man, all you know is putting on an act…” Elder Li slammed his cane again and glared at a middle-aged man hiding in a corner, shouting angrily, “Sun Rui… you bastard, get over here!”
Minister Sun Rui, hearing Elder Li’s angry shout, hesitated for a moment. But seeing so many people looking at him, he didn’t dare hesitate any further. He quickly walked over and said with a smile, “General Li, you’ve come… Why don’t you sit down…”
“Hmph… You think I dare sit? Your daughter is just going to get married like this? What about my Xiao Ze? How do you expect me to sit? You ungrateful, profit-chasing thing…” Elder Li slammed his cane hard on the ground, wishing he could swing it and give Sun Rui a few good whacks.
A look of embarrassment flashed across Sun Rui’s face. But worthy of someone who had been tempered in Chinese politics for so long, he quickly plastered on a smile again and said, “Please don’t be angry, sir… don’t be angry… It won’t be good if you really make yourself sick… Come, come… please rest over here first…”
He then moved to support the old man toward a seat. But strangely, Elder Li didn’t resist much. He went along and sat down on the sofa nearby…
Li Yue, meanwhile, still stood cold-faced behind Elder Li with his hands clasped behind his back… Although he was young, few dared to linger before him. One by one, they merely nodded at Li Yue with forced smiles and then slipped away. Only two old men came over, sat beside Elder Li, and carefully began talking with him about the old days of killing Japanese devils, which improved Elder Li’s expression somewhat…
Soon it was past ten o’clock. At this point, Elder Zhang finally slowly came down from upstairs, with the Zhang family’s legitimate grandson, Zhang Libao, beside him.
Seeing Elder Zhang descend, the vast majority of people in the hall moved toward the center of the living room, knowing the climax of today’s banquet had arrived.
Elder Zhang slowly descended the central staircase, smiling and nodding to guests on both sides. Only when he reached the last two steps did he stop. He raised his hands slightly to those around him. After the entire living room fell silent, he smiled and announced loudly, “Welcome, everyone, to my humble home. You all know the reason I’ve invited you here today—it’s for the engagement of my beloved grandson, Zhang Libao, and Miss Sun Lingfei of the Sun family…”
Elder Zhang had just gotten to this point when an angry shout came from below: “I object!”
Hearing this, Elder Zhang couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. He looked toward the voice and saw a white-haired old man slowly standing up below, supported by a young man beside him…
“That old bastard…” Elder Zhang’s eyes flashed with anger when he saw this old man…
Elder Li waved his cane and slowly walked forward through the path the crowd quickly cleared for him. He stood opposite Elder Zhang, raised his head to look at the angry Elder Zhang, lifted his cane, pointed it at Elder Zhang, and angrily berated him: “You old bastard… You dare steal my granddaughter-in-law?”
“Hmph… You old fool, that little bastard surnamed Xu… died long ago…”
