Chapter 336 Start from the Southeast
w.a.n.g Tianzong did not go to Youzhou to partic.i.p.ate in that meeting. It was destined to be sensitive and would even involve the overall situation.
Although the results of the meeting were still unclear, he clearly knew about the general trend.
The attack against Li Honghe had failed.
The meeting could not be good for the w.a.n.g family of Beihai.
So, he stayed at Mount Dibing to accompany Summer Solstice.
Summer Solstice had a fever.
As an ordinary person, she bore a peak sword intent that was invincible. In daily life, she was safe and sound. However, as the sword intent moved, her physical inadequacies began to emerge from all aspects.
Her body became weak.
At that time, if nothing big happened, w.a.n.g Tianzong did not want to leave Mount Dibing.
The night was falling.
…
From evening to deep in the night, w.a.n.g Tianzong involuntarily frowned.
The lamp in the bedroom was on. Outside the window, it was dark. The sound of waves slapping against Mount Dibing echoed, like a magnificent and delicate song, which was grand and mysterious.
w.a.n.g Tianzong stood in front of the window and looked at the sea under the night. He seemed to be restless.
“Do you want to sleep?” Summer Solstice, who looked a little pale, went out of the bathroom. She wiped her long wet hair and asked softly.
…
“I’m still waiting for a result.”
w.a.n.g Tianzong turned around and looked at his wife with some regret.
He could guess the general results of the meeting in Youzhou.
The general and specific results were basically two concepts.
Summer Solstice replied and went to bed. She took off her bathrobe and settled in the quilt, then waved at w.a.n.g Tianzong. “Come on.”
w.a.n.g Tianzong turned around and went to bed. He put his arms around her soft body without speaking.
“Will we lose a lot this time?”
Summer Solstice leaned on his arms and asked in a low voice.
She did not understand politics.
However, she knew Li Honghe’s position and achievements in the Zhongzhou State.
w.a.n.g Tianzong’s attack against Li Honghe was unsuccessful.
The w.a.n.g family of Beihai had to pay for it.
For the Li family that had been driven into an impa.s.se, it was a chance to stage a comeback.
Success or failure was so subtle.
The Li family had been prosperous for hundreds of years. Even if it was down and out, it still existed.
For the Li family, whether the road ahead was smooth or steep might depend on Li Tianlan in the future.
But at the moment, it depended on Li Honghe.
Success and failure, or life and death, were so direct.
“The actual losses won’t be big or small.”
w.a.n.g Tianzong shook his head.
“Jiangzhe?”
Summer Solstice kept silent for a moment and then asked.
“It’s hard to say.”
w.a.n.g Tianzong hesitated, “Wu Zhengmin will leave Jiangzhe this time. Jingxin can stay, but he’ll have a hard time. There’s still a chance. Whether the Li family can get Jiangzhe, it will depend on the combat between Jingxin and Zou Yuanshan in Jiangzhe.”
“Zou Yuanshan?”
Summer Solstice was a little confused. She knew that man, but she never thought that it was the eldest son-in-law of the Dongcheng Clan who would go to Jiangzhe.
“This is the only choice,” w.a.n.g Tianzong said in an a.s.sertive tone.
…
“Giant Group…”
Summer Solstice had some worries.
If it were only the Dongcheng Clan, it would be troublesome but not a big deal.
However, Zou Yuanshan represented more than the Dongcheng Clan. He was more of a representative for the wealthy Zou family, another pillar of the Giant Group.
“The Giant Group is not frightening.”
w.a.n.g Tianzong said quietly, “They lived a relaxed life. Over hundreds of years, the Giant Group’s strength was constantly developing, at a fast rate. However, there has never been a President. That’s enough. The Li family is not frightening. Even if they stage a comeback, it’ll be not a big deal. We were not afraid of the Li family in those years, so we don’t need to be afraid now.”
“What are you worried about?”
Summer Solstice rubbed w.a.n.g Tianzong’s chin with her face.
“I’m not worried.”
w.a.n.g Tianzong smiled and said, “I’m waiting for the results.”
He touched her hair and whispered, “Go to sleep. It’ll be fine.”
“Ok.”
Summer Solstice reached out her hands to touch the stubble on his chin. She turned over and turned off the table lamp.
The warm yellow light went out.
There was a slight noise from the ceiling.
Above the bedroom, the ceiling began to separate towards the sides.
Above the entire palace, it began to become transparent.
The moon and stars in the sky could be seen in the bedroom.
Summer Solstice was afraid of the dark since she was a child.
Therefore, w.a.n.g Tianzong made changes to the entire Emperor Hall.
Even if he wasn’t in Mount Dibing at night, Summer Solstice could sleep among the stars and be covered by bright moonlight.
Summer Solstice began to breathe heavily.
w.a.n.g Tianzong was lying on the bed motionlessly.
The moon shone upon his face.
His face was cold, vague and cloudy.
He wasn’t worried about the Giant Group.
He wasn’t worried about the Li family’s comeback.
He was worried about the pattern of the Southeast.
Standing in his position, he clearly knew about the situation in the entire Zhongzhou State, which was like a chessboard.
Chess pieces crisscrossed on the checkerboard. They formed the current general trend of the Zhongzhou State.
However, the situation in the Southeast began to become complicated and confusing.
Jiangzhe was the central place where one was apt to get into trouble.
The Li family’s foundation was still in Wu Zhengmin’s hands.
At the moment, the Li family had a chance to turn things around.
Wu Zhengmin left Jiangzhe.
Zou Yuanshan entered Jiangzhe.
The influence of the Giant Group began to cooperate with the Li family.
Zou Yuanshan represented the Zou family of the Giant Group.
The Dongcheng Clan always supported Li Tianlan.
So… what about the Bai family?
w.a.n.g Tianzong remembered some rumors and the alleged contradiction between Bai Qingqian and Dongcheng Wudi.
In the moonlight, his face looked gradually severe.
At least in those rumors, Bai Qingqian seemed to care more about Li Tianlan than Dongcheng Wudi.
Therefore, the Bai family would definitely take action.
The Giant Group was powerful and ingrained. Superficially, they were no less than the Southeast Group and the Prince Group. In some aspects, they went even beyond them. However, such a group, which was similar to an alliance, was too loose and bloated. As a result, they were powerful, but their rallying power and combat capabilities were always average.
Anyone could see that defect.
The three leading wealthy families of the Giant Group could certainly see that.
So, they wanted to ask for a change.
In recent days, those three pillars were undoubtedly betting on the Li family.
The Zou family was taking action, and the Dongcheng Clan was taking action.
The Bai family wanted to take action, but it was not the right time yet.
w.a.n.g Tianzong thought of Bai Zhanfang, who was called City Governor, the top leader of Youzhou.
His mind was getting clearer and clearer.
Bai Zhanfang.
Bai Qingqian.
Among the three pillars, the father and daughter were perfect in serving as a link between past and future.
Bai Zhanfang had reached his retirement years earlier.
After that session was over, he would definitely retire.
But at the moment, Bai Qingqian was the top leader of Guandong. She had been the Governor of Qinzhou.
She had been the princ.i.p.al governor for four years and the top leader of the province for six years. After that session, Bai Qingqian was qualified, regardless of seniority or age. Although she was a woman, her means and ability had always been recognized by the high-level leadership. Until then, her conditions would be fully matured.
w.a.n.g Tianzong could guess Bai Qingqian’s appointment.
She would not go to Youzhou. She was not allowed to go there by rule.
She would most likely go to the southeast.
She might even have to go to the southeast.
Whether in Wuyue or Huating, it was possible to accommodate a new member of the Decision Making Committee.
If Bai Qingqian completed advancement in the Southeast, the Southeast would descend into chaos.
…
…
If the Southeast became a mess, the w.a.n.g family of Beihai would inevitably fall into disorder.
Li Honghe’s return to Youzhou that time was to borrow strength from the Giant Group to plot against the Southeast based on Jiangzhe.
w.a.n.g Tianzong smiled.
His eyes were filled with persistence. There was coldness and sternness but no anger.
He did not blame Li Honghe.
The w.a.n.g family of Beihai and the Li family had been in a tangle for many years.
At that point, both sides had no way to retreat.
Li Honghe might feel guilty, but he had no choice. He could only make the same mistake.
At that night’s meeting, the w.a.n.g family of Beihai was destined to gain nothing.
Not only that, but the w.a.n.g family of Beihai would pay some price. Besides, its crack was spreading again.
The Li family resurged in the Southeast.
Inside the w.a.n.g family of Beihai, disturbances arose repeatedly.
The Giant Group intervened in the Southeast.
Zou Yuanshan a.s.sumed his new office.
Three years later, if Bai Qingqian successfully a.s.sumed office in the Southeast, other groups of the Zhongzhou State would surely miss the opportunity.
The Southeast would naturally become the aim of all men.
All the crises that w.a.n.g Tianzong had been suppressing were getting closer.
He only had three years left.
However, the huge crises were becoming clear. For the moment, they seemed to be unstoppable.
Summer Solstice was sleeping quietly beside him, without sorrow and anxiety.
w.a.n.g Tianzong lowered his head and touched his wife’s pale face with tender eyes.
It was past twelve o’clock in the morning.
The meeting in Youzhou had been in progress for nearly 12 hours, but there was still no specific message.
w.a.n.g Tianzong was waiting.
He wasn’t the only one.
All the men, those who were qualified to join the battle in the Zhongzhou State, were waiting.
They were waiting for the end of that extraordinary meeting.
They were waiting for the latest change in the situation in the Southeast.
Time pa.s.sed slowly.
At one o’clock in the morning.
At two o’clock in the morning.
At three o’clock at night.
The meeting seemed to have no signs of ending.
The Zhongzhou State was still quiet.
As every minute went by, the atmosphere of the Zhongzhou State seemed to get a little tenser.
Except for a few parties, n.o.body knew which kind of debate and confrontation was taking place inside the mysterious red wall, the Hidden Dragon Sea of Youzhou.
It was five o’clock in the morning.
When all those waiting for news had not slept a wink, the meeting that lasted 16 hours had finally come to an end.
The meeting results immediately spread throughout the core layer of the Zhongzhou State.
Every party had gotten something, but there was no winner at the meeting.
After more than 20 years, Li Honghe wore his marshal uniform and appeared in the solemn meeting room of the Hidden Dragon Sea.
Li Huacheng, the president of the Zhongzhou State, helped Li Honghe enter the meeting room.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dongcheng Wudi, the Minister of Army Headquarters, criticized the w.a.n.g family of Beihai and Kunlun City quite sharply. Meanwhile, they even questioned their intentions.
As one of the leaders of the Giant Group, the top leader of Youzhou, Bai Zhanfang spoke with strong words. He asked if Beihai was part of Zhongzhou State, and Kunlun City could a.s.sume the responsibility to protect the Zhongzhou State.
The Patriarch of the Bai family—who was called the Governor of Youzhou, because of being prominently stationed in Youzhou for many years—was hot-tempered. As a member, he dared to contrast sharply with those chief executives. Currently, he was right, so he would not speak politely. He spoke bluntly about how Senior Li was the War G.o.d, who had protected the Zhongzhou State for decades. Senior Li had worked hard and performed a valuable service. However, Kunlun City and the w.a.n.g family of Beihai had attacked him in his late years. He wondered about their purpose: Were they afraid of something? Did someone threaten them? Or, did they have a deal?
To some extent, he directly accused them of treason.
Another leader of the Giant Group, the Speaker of the Zou family, who ranked only next to Dongcheng Wudi among the chief executives, spoke softly. Even so, he also questioned them. As the eldest leader of the Giant Group, he spoke last. Actually, he concluded the speeches delivered by Dongcheng Wudi and Bai Zhanfang.
He spoke tactfully.
When everyone thought that he was giving face to Kunlun City and the w.a.n.g family of Beihai, the Speaker of the Zou family suddenly uncovered his true face.
“Why did Kunlun City, the guardian of the Zhongzhou State, attack a senior man, one who had worked for the Zhongzhou State and did so with great merits? “What on earth did he do wrong to you? Can Gu Xingyun’s behavior be worthy of his uniform? Did the w.a.n.g family of Beihai betray the Zhongzhou State’s trust by doing so?”
Those were the mild leader’s exact words.
Each word was like a knife.
Neither w.a.n.g Tianzong nor Gu Xingyun attended that meeting in Youzhou.
To replace Gu Xingyun, Gu Qianchuan went to Youzhou.
When challenged by three leaders, Gu Qianchuan, who had never appeared on such occasions, was caught in a dilemma under great pressure.
Of course, he could not admit such a thing. He was there, so Li Honghe could not deny anything.
Since w.a.n.g Tianzong and Gu Xingyun were not there, at least there would be room for delay.
Whether the Special Warfare Group or the Southeast Group, they both shirked the responsibility and said that they did not know what happened, and if it were real, they would be willing to apologize to Senior Li and compensate him.
It was sheer nonsense that they did not know what happened.
It was impossible for them to apologize.
They would be only willing to make compensations.
It was real.
Gu Qianchuan, who had calmed down, found an opportunity to question Situ Cangyue, the Governor of Sigh City, who also attended the meeting.
“What was the motive to fire at one of us with a murderous weapon?”
The meeting lasted for 16 hours.
All questions, arguments, and confrontations eventually turned into compromises.
The meeting finally came to a formal conclusion at dawn.
Situ Cangyue, the Governor of Sigh City, handed over the Setting Sun, a murderous weapon of the Zhongzhou State, to Kunlun City.
Wu Zhengmin, the top leader of the Jiangzhe Province, was under order to leave Jiangzhe and a.s.sume the position of Deputy Prime Minister of the Cabinet.
Su Xinghe, Governor of the Jiangnan Province, was under order to a.s.sume the seat of Major Secretary of Jiangzhe.
Zou Yuanshan, the top leader of Luojing City, Zhongyuan, was appointed to be the Vice Secretary, the Vice Governor, the Acting Governor of Jiangzhe.
Ning Zhiyuan, the Commander of Eastern Theater of Operations, was transferred.
He had no clear position for the time being.
All senior officials knew that his next position would be the Commander of the Tiannan Freedom Corps.
Except for Guandong, there had been significant personnel changes in the Liaodong and Heilong provinces, among the three provinces in the Northeast.
Zhang Qi, from the Southeast Special Warfare Headquarters, did a review, received demerits and punishment at the meeting.
…
In the meeting of the same night, the Zhongzhou State confirmed the reform of the Special Warfare System, which focused on Kunlun City.
After the Southeast Special Warfare Headquarters, the Zhongzhou State established the Northeast, Southwest, and Northwest Special Warfare Headquarters.
The candidate for the Northeast Special Warfare Headquarters was Tribulation.
Wei Kunlun, the Nirvana Sword Master of Mount Shu temporarily acted as the Minister of the Southwest Special Warfare Headquarters.
Gu Qianchuan served as the Minister of the Northwest Special Warfare Headquarters.
With the establishment of the four headquarters, there was another new inst.i.tution that was equal to them.
It was an inst.i.tution that surprised everyone.
The Special Supervisory Inst.i.tution.
It was responsible for monitoring the operation status of all special warfare agencies in the region.
That was the most important compensation that the Li family had received.
The Minister of the Special Warfare Headquarters was concurrently the first president of the Northwest, the Southwest, and the Northeast Special Supervisory Inst.i.tutions.
However, it was exceptional in the Southeast Special Supervisory Inst.i.tution.
The first president of the Southeast Special Supervisory Inst.i.tution was not Zhang Qi.
It was Li Honghe!
With his high-profile return to Youzhou, the Li family finally had a foothold after 16 hours of a hard fight for mastery.
It represented a comeback.
It monitored the southeast and started from the southeast.