Chapter 1070: Chapter 697: The Token of Allegiance! (Part 2)
"I’ve heard it was the Security Bureau that imprisoned him."
"The Security Bureau? Bai Xingjian?"
"Exactly."
Yu Changan pondered for a moment, then looked toward Song Huaijin and said, "Huaijin, everyone’s success is not easy, but wanting to protect everything you have now is even more a test of political wisdom."
Song Huaijin immediately stood up, deeply bowed to Yu Changan, and said sincerely, "Please teach me, Grandmaster."
"The situation is clear; it’s time to make a decision."
"Yes, I am willing to look to Grandmaster’s guidance."
"Haha, I’m just speaking off the cuff, you don’t have to take it seriously."
"I wouldn’t dare, Grandmaster, every word from you is a golden rule to me."
------
After sending Song Huaijin off, an old Taoist in a red robe, as thin as a stick, came out from inside and asked, "Usually you don’t burn incense, but now you hold Buddha’s feet in an emergency. Is Song Huaijin here to take sides?"
"He is quite discerning." Yu Changan sighed softly, holding a teacup, "When the wall is about to fall, everyone pushes it; it’s been like this throughout history."
When you find that a wall has a crack, you can’t help but poke and pry at it...
Digging is human nature.
"Is Grandpa planning to accept him?" Yu Haoran, who had seen Song Huaijin off, came back and asked.
"It’s not about me accepting him; it’s about whether Tang Fei wants to accept him." Yu Changan looked at Yu Haoran and earnestly instructed, "He’s not on my side; he’s on Tang Fei’s side."
"Haoran, you must understand the difference between these two. Don’t assume things are the same as before; that’s a taboo."
Yu Haoran bowed and responded solemnly, "Grandpa, I understand."
"Phoenix is close to Tang Fei and greatly influences him... He has no other avenues and may as well bind with our Yu Family."
"Of course, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Song Huaijin needs the Yu Family to back him, and the Yu Family needs the forces he controls to increase our clout."
"Big things and small things boil down to benefits. If you sort out the benefits, give what needs to be given, let go of what needs to be let go, you won’t make big mistakes."
"Yes, I understand."
"Good that you understand." Yu Changan was satisfied with his grandson’s attitude. He was old, and the family’s future lay with the younger generation, so he kept teaching and guiding without weary.
"Let’s wait and see if Song Huaijin can present a satisfactory pledge to the other side."
Song Huaijin needed to pledge allegiance, while Song Huaijin himself was a pledge of allegiance.
The Yu Family also had to do something.
We cannot wait until Phoenix becomes the State Mother before bringing the family over; outsiders would gossip.
Even if Phoenix doesn’t say it, she would have thoughts.
That girl’s mind runs deep.
People all say the Yu Family is part of the Imperial Family, with the former Yu Sineng and now Phoenix...
Hmm, as long as a daughter of the Yu Family holds that position in the palace, the Yu Family’s position won’t be lacking.
After the New Dynasty is established, whether it’s the Three Great Families or the Nine Great Families...
The Yu Family will have a place.
Thinking of this, Grandmaster Yu felt immensely comforted.
Truly, the crescent moon shines on the nine states, causing joy for some and sorrow for others.
------
At this moment, Qi Mountain had lost its former grace.
The undulating green mountains seemed to have been mercilessly crushed and torn apart by an unseen giant hand and then discarded casually.
Wherever the eye reached, it was all scorched black and broken desolation.
The air was filled with a nauseating mix of odors... the thick gunpowder smoke lingered like a haunting shadow, making one’s throat sting.
A heavy scent of rusty, metallic blood hung at the nostrils, along with the unique, chilling burnt odor of skin and hair charred by high temperatures.
Every breath felt like swallowing scalding sand and rotting corpses.
Su Tonghe stood atop, gazing at the devastation before him, sighing deeply inwardly.
Once known as the Empire’s top military force, when had Qi Mountain ever been reduced to such a state?
The bombardment began three days ago, and Qi Mountain mounted a strong defense.
Yet, the bombardment from above was relentless, forcing Qi Mountain to consider the problem of a prolonged war.
War relies on supplies and equipment.
Qi Mountain’s living supplies and weaponry had been sufficient, at least they used to be.
However, for half a month now, they had received no resupply of materials or arms, causing them great panic.
The bandits’ side issued a public announcement, claiming the Military Minister was dead, Shen Xinglan was dead...
Qi Mountain’s sky had fallen.
Once the Defensive Shield of Qi Mountain was breached, Qi Mountain ended up in this state.
"Can it be repaired?" Su Tonghe asked gravely.
"It’s difficult," a technician from the Mo Family’s Tongtian Institute replied softly, sounding pessimistic, "If we had some time, it could be fixed. But with the continuous bombardment from the bandits... we have no chance to repair it."
"That’s a problem." Su Tonghe’s expression was heavy, understanding their difficulties, "Do your best. Repair as much as possible during ceasefires."
"Yes," the technician responded respectfully.
Su Tonghe no longer had the desire to inspect further and said, "Let’s go back and gather all the senior officers for a meeting."
"Yes," a staff member from the strategy room replied.
Su Tonghe wasn’t fond of meetings; when the Military Minister was around, meetings weren’t necessary.
Whatever he said goes, and everyone acted accordingly.
