Chapter 1067: Chapter 695: Let Them Suffer and Scream!
For the citizens of the Phoenix Empire, today is destined to be an extraordinary day.
First, the official institution labeled as the ’bandits’ released two nationwide announcements. Shen Xinglan challenged the Rebel Army Commander Tang Fei, and after a friendly duel between the two, Shen Xinglan narrowly lost and unfortunately died at the Peak of Baiyun Mountain.
Shen Wuxiang attempted to assassinate Rebel Army Commander Tang Fei, but ultimately suffered a crushing defeat, dying at Liyu Port...
Shen Xinglan is dead.
Shen Wuxiang is also dead.
They represented the present and future of the Shen Family, yet at this time, they have fallen one after another.
Now there is no present, and the future has not come.
Moreover, they all died at the hands of the same person.
Tang Fei, the notorious yet awe-inspiring figure, whose name once again resounded across the vast planet beneath the Star River.
Since the Shen Family took control of the Empire, they have not hesitated to slander this young man.
A traitor Marshal’s son, a mud-legged person from the Old Land, a beggar who defecates everywhere, a robber committing numerous evil deeds, a hooligan peeping at innocent maidens bathing, a fool wetting the bed at eighteen...
In any case, the propaganda system was in their hands, and they could slander and insult him as they pleased.
The key is, no one could refute it.
Tang Fei couldn’t refute it, because he didn’t have a ’voice.’
Others dared not refute it, and those speaking up for justice were invited by the regulatory authorities for a ’talk.’
Thus, Tang Fei became a peculiar symbol in the Phoenix Empire.
He was dazzling and famous and did many significant things that others couldn’t...
But in the hearts of many ’pure’ citizens, he was a mad dog biting everyone, a demon killing without mercy, a traitor causing the Empire’s division, and the culprit of declining living standards and scarcity of meat.
A flower of evil watered by countless filths.
The northern war situation was tense; everyone knew that.
Yet, no one would have thought Tang Fei could win...
In their minds, Tang Fei was just a moss growing in a shadowy corner, which Shen Wuxiang could easily remove when he had the time.
Hmm, they didn’t particularly like Shen Wuxiang either, but were accustomed to the ’stable’ situation and the Shen Family’s covert manipulation.
Yet, Tang Fei killed Shen Xinglan, killed Shen Wuxiang... Did Tang Fei win?
"Really? Isn’t it a rumor spread deliberately to shake people’s hearts? That’s something they would do."
"Too fake, does anyone believe such news? I’d rather believe in aliens..."
"If this news is true, I’ll live-stream eating shit... Do you think Tang Fei is a god? He can’t even beat Shen Xinglan, let alone kill Shen Wuxiang..."
"Shen Wuxiang is a Great Grandmaster... Do you know what a Great Grandmaster is? Do you know what it means to be a Great Grandmaster?"
"Is it true... Can’t Shen Xinglan and Shen Wuxiang just come out and take a few steps? Why argue over such a matter?"
"Waiting for a slap in the face!"
------
Some believe it, some doubt it.
More people are half-believing, half-doubting.
This is exactly the effect the Tang Group wanted. They don’t mind the doubters because...
They can be sure that Shen Xinglan and Shen Wuxiang have no chance to come out and take a few steps.
Over time, those who doubt will start to believe, and the believers will become firm believers.
When trust in the Shen Family collapses, and everyone aligned with them feels endangered, that’s when the Tang Group strikes.
The Tang Group can afford to wait.
The trend is in my favor, and time is too.
------
Some remain calm, while others are anxious.
For example, the father and son Shen Jianping and Shen Lewu.
Shen Wuxiang is dead, Shen Xinglan is dead, Shen Boyu is crippled...
The two of them are now the prominent leaders of the Shen Family. Shen Jianping is in charge of national affairs, and Shen Lewu commands hundreds of thousands of the Phoenix Dance Army elite.
The situations truly ironic for it was an identity and status they dreamed of and secretly plotted to seize...
How did they inexplicably get it?
Upon truly acquiring it, they realized it became a hot potato.
What they held in their palms was not a warm gem but a burning coal.
"Dad, are Uncle and Xinglan really gone?" Shen Lewu asked incredulously.
His emotions are now complicated; Shen Wuxiang was his backing and the mountain pressed upon him.
If Shen Wuxiang is truly dead, he would have absolute control over the Phoenix Dance Army.
Before, he was nominally...
He had to do whatever the higher authorities instructed.
However, if Shen Wuxiang is dead, can the various factions within the Phoenix Dance Army continue to consistently support him Shen Lewu? Support the Shen Family?
Can he represent the Shen Family?
If those people have other thoughts, the Phoenix Dance Army might not be as obedient and useful as it once was.
After all, they dare not defy Shen Wuxiang, but they may not necessarily take the young and inexperienced Shen Lewu seriously.
Shen Jianping only felt a stabbing pain between his eyebrows, raised his hand gently to rub them, trying to clear his mind a little. He muttered, "Until now, I can’t get in touch. They might be gone."
"How could they be gone? Uncle is the Great Grandmaster... Shen Xinglan also received power transfer from the second uncle..."
"You ask me, how would I know? What about the Great Grandmaster? Can the Great Grandmaster not die?" Shen Jianping couldn’t suppress his anger.
Internal and external troubles made Shen Jianping feel physically and mentally exhausted at this moment.
More importantly, Shen Wuxiang and Shen Xinglan don’t inform him before taking action, making him feel like an outsider.
Now that they both haven’t returned, isn’t it up to him to clean up the mess?
But with the situation so rotten, how could he clean it up?
Shen Lewu could understand his father’s mood and voiced comfort, "Dad, now is not the time for internal discord, we must act quickly."
"They released these messages intending to shake military and public morale. If we wait until the winds have changed, it will be harder for us to reverse it."
"Do you think I don’t understand this?" Shen Jianping looked at Shen Lewu and said, "You allocate some people to maintain the safety of Phoenix City. No matter what, the Imperial City cannot be chaotic."
"Yes, I understand. I’ll have people monitor those important figures. Unfortunately, the Security Bureau cannot be used by us; they’re professionals in this kind of thing."
"Bai Xingjian... Once this matter is over, I must talk to him properly." Shen Jianping gritted his teeth.
Bai Xingjian is the Director of the Security Bureau; if he could help monitor the officials, maintaining the safety of the Imperial City would be immediate and efficient.
But he’s not only unwilling to cooperate with their work, he even steps forward to falsely accuse them, saying that the father and son are usurping power, imprisoning the Military Minister...
By heaven and earth, no one wants more than them for Shen Wuxiang and Shen Xinglan, grandfather and grandson, to stand up and show themselves.
In a fallen nest, will any egg remain intact?
Don’t they understand this principle?
More infuriating is that there are actually fools who believe it.
"We still need to find a way to contact him; the Security Bureau is a mighty force. If used well, it can achieve great effects. During times of crisis, everyone should get through it together."
Shen Lewu reasoned calmly, "Anyway, he’s used by uncle’s side, so there should be no issues with loyalty."
"Is there really no issue? Could he have been bribed by the bandits’ side?" Shen Jianping pondered for a moment, nodded and said, "You contact him and test his attitude. I don’t want to see his smug look anymore."
Shen Lewu helplessly nodded and said, "Okay, I will communicate with Bai Xingjian. What the bandits can offer, we can offer him more. The position of Security Bureau Director is a risky job. If the bandits invade the city, wouldn’t they skin them alive?"
"It sounds reasonable, but, people die for wealth, birds die for food. Who knows if their Bai Family won’t change sides? It’s not their first time doing this."
"I’ll call Su Tonghe; if Qi Mountain can maintain loyalty to the Shen Family... we still have a chance."
"Mm." Shen Lewu nodded, saying: "The Shen Family’s base is in Qi Mountain, if Qi Mountain doesn’t change, the sky won’t change."
"Yes, Qi Mountain doesn’t change, and the sky... will still be the Shen Family’s sky."
------
Nightmare.
Lu Yu, Flame-Bathed Legion Commander Kong Yinghan, and Thunder God Fleet’s Commander-in-Chief Hopkins were gathered together.
Bang!
Lu Yu opened a bottle of champagne, poured a glass for both Kong Yinghan and Hopkins, and said, "Come, come, before the meeting, let’s have a good drink first."
Hopkins looked at the golden liquid bubbling in front of him and said, "Mr. Lu Yu, Qi Mountain is not broken; now is not the time for celebratory drinks, right?"
"Why the rush?" Lu Yu waved his hand, saying: "In our Phoenix words, they are already like grasshoppers after autumn, unable to jump for long."
"I think we can now celebrate with a victory drink every day. Keep celebrating, and there’s always victory to celebrate. Doesn’t it sound joyful?"
Hopkins was also a wine enthusiast. After hearing Lu Yu’s words, he didn’t refuse anymore and raised his glass saying, "Mr. Lu Yu’s words are good, keep celebrating, and there’s always victory to celebrate. Cheers to a great victory."
"To a great victory!"
The three raised their glasses and downed their drinks.
Kong Yinghan didn’t like drinking, nor did he like the sweet champagne, but he knew the old man must have his reasons.
Even if there’s no reason, he surely has status...
Who dares offend the future King’s godfather?
Standing before them now is... Lu the Nine Thousand Years Old.
With a glass of wine down, Lu Yu looked at Hopkins with a smile and said, "Mr. Hopkins, Qi Mountain is just ahead; what are your thoughts?"
Hopkins waved his hand and said: "I have no thoughts; Prince Philip talked to me on the phone yesterday to fully support Mr. Lu Yu and General Kong... I trust that you can bring us victory."
"Thanks to Prince Philip for his great support; this drink is to Prince Philip’s wisdom..."
So, the three drank another round.
"This is what I think." Lu Yu lifted the champagne bottle, looked at Kong Yinghan and Hopkins and said, "We can make contact with Qi Mountain, attempt to persuade a surrender... But before that, we need to give them a strong blow."
"Hit them hard, so they listen. Hit them into submission, so they agree. I support General Lu’s proposal." Kong Yinghan said solemnly.
"Then let them suffer and scream." Hopkins proactively raised his glass.
"This great and glorious task has to trouble General Hopkins." Lu Yu smiled flatteringly, revealing two rows of big yellow teeth: "As everyone knows, the Thunder God Fleet is equipped with the world’s most advanced and fierce artillery."
Hopkins hesitated slightly but agreed: "No problem, but after the warfare, during merits assessment... we need to receive our rightful share of benefits."
"Mr. Hopkins, rest assured. Even if you don’t trust me, don’t you trust Prince Philip’s judgement? He and our General Tang Fei are the closest of friends." Kong Yinghan intervened.
"Of course, we shall also become the closest of friends."
"Mr. Hopkins, this is the greatest honor of my life."
