novelhk Page 264
Page 264
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Chapter 175 A Feast at Hongmen? Commander Xu's Ambition!
Bathed in warm light, the four warlords sat around the dining table, raising their glasses in a toast.
On the surface, everything seemed peaceful and harmonious, with everyone chatting and laughing. But in reality, everyone harbored their own secrets and had a hundred or eighty schemes hidden in their hearts.
"Thank you all for attending today. Please forgive us for any shortcomings in our hospitality, as the meal is simple!"
Commander Xu raised his glass high and said cheerfully.
"Not at all, Commander Xu, you're too kind."
"We've been wanting to come and have a couple of drinks with Commander Xu for a while now."
Commander Wu and Commander Liu put on their fake smiles in response.
Jiang Dalong, who was sitting blankly to the side, also felt it was inappropriate, so he could only raise his glass as well.
His expression was complicated, and he felt even more aggrieved.
It was as if Commander Xu was riding on his neck, making it hard for him to breathe.
"Sigh—" Halfway through his drink, Commander Xu suddenly sighed, his expression turning somewhat mournful.
"Is something on your mind, Commander Xu?"
"Yes, on such a joyous day, why is Commander Xu sighing like this?"
Those around looked on in confusion.
"I am only concerned about the people and saddened by the wars of recent years," Marshal Xu said, rubbing his forehead, unable to hide the sorrow on his face.
He lit a cigarette, looking preoccupied. "I heard recently that some foreigners have taken advantage of the war to trespass into our territory and cause a lot of trouble at the border..."
"A few days ago, it seems there were some Japanese causing trouble in Jiuquan Town..."
Jiang Dalong was still drinking when this question suddenly came from above, so he quickly put down his glass.
"Yes... that's true, but I've already resolved it."
What is this old fox trying to do?
Why are you suddenly bringing up yourself again?
"Alas, the worst thing is that this wildfire can't be extinguished, it will spring up again with the spring breeze..." Commander Xu said excitedly, "Right now, all the forces are fighting amongst themselves, completely ignoring the watchful eyes outside. Jiuquan Town is a perfect example of this..."
"These foreigners are just trying to take advantage of our misfortune!"
He had a cigarette dangling from his lips, patted his chest, and his mustache stood out prominently. "We're all Chinese people with flesh and blood! How can we stand this?!"
Commander Wu and Commander Liu were also stunned by this momentum, their hands holding wine glasses frozen in front of their chests, unsure how to respond.
"...The more chaotic the times, the more we need to unite, work together, and face external threats! Otherwise, if we keep fighting amongst ourselves and let those foreigners reap the benefits, won't we be the ones who suffer in the end?!"
Commander Xu walked around behind Commander Wu and Commander Liu and put his hands on their shoulders.
"General Wu, General Liu, don't you agree?"
The two people whose names were mentioned looked somewhat stiff, but reluctantly nodded.
The words may be crude, but the principle is sound; they understand this very thing.
The current situation is chaotic, and all sides want to get involved and get a share of the spoils.
The Japanese and Westerners have taken covert actions on several occasions, and although they have not gained any advantage, it has served as a warning!
but……
Even so, the warlords who held sway in various regions made no response, or rather, they all chose to remain inactive.
"I've already spoken with Commander Guo, and he shares the same thoughts as me!"
"In the face of national interests, it's useless to only think about protecting your own territory and interests! What's the point of having mountains of gold and silver if the country is gone!"
Commander Xu continued, a cryptic smile suddenly appearing on his face, "Commander Wu, Commander Liu, how many soldiers do you have under your command right now?"
"Huh?...About ten or twenty thousand."
Commander Wu said guiltily.
"My figure is about the same."
That's what they said, but everyone present knew perfectly well that it was just bluffing.
The actual troop strength is probably less than half of what has been said.
"Where is Brother Jiang?" Commander Xu looked up at Jiang Dalong again.
"Hmm... I should have around 20,000."
Out of consideration for his pride, Jiang Dalong could only quote a slightly higher price.
He certainly couldn't tell them the actual situation.
"See? This will do. Gather all your troops together, and with my 50,000 soldiers, we can form a large army!"
fifty thousand? !
When Commander Xu uttered that number, everyone else present was shocked!
Despite their suspicions that the figures might be inflated...
Considering that in recent years, Commander Xu has been recruiting soldiers and horses, he has become the most financially powerful and confident among all the warlords!
The claim of 50,000 soldiers didn't seem entirely unfounded.
For a moment, all three, including Jiang Dalong, felt a chill run down their spines.
Because, standing before them was an insurmountable mountain!
"As long as we unite, those foreigners won't dare to even glance at us! They'll have no choice but to slink away with their tails between their legs!"
As he spoke, Commander Xu leaned down and looked around at the three people at the table with his sharp eyes.
"Don't you agree... that makes sense?"
silence.
Only silence.
"What? Do you think there's something wrong with what I said? Or are you saying that none of you intend to support my ideals?" Commander Xu laughed.
But that smile was extremely sinister.
"How...how could this be..."
Jiang Dalong lit a cigarette, his fingers trembling, and gave an awkward laugh. "Commander Xu has such ambitions, which is something I should learn from and aspire to..."
He said that, but in his heart he was cursing Marshal Xu's ancestors for eight generations!
He's not stupid!
How could anyone not understand the meaning behind Marshal Xu's words?
They're clearly planning to seize power!
On the surface, they say all sorts of nice things, like they'll work together to resist foreign invasion...
In reality, it means concentrating all forces into one person's control...
In this way, Marshal Xu truly became the first and only warlord in history to command nearly 100,000 troops and hold the power of life and death!
Such ambition is enough to chill one's heart.
Can……
Despite knowing about Commander Xu's plan, no one dared to voice their opposition.
On the one hand, outsiders are indeed a major hidden danger, and it has reached a point where it cannot be ignored.
On the other hand, Marshal Xu currently has far more troops and resources than anyone else!
Just standing there was like a high wall, making everyone feel suffocated.
It's only a matter of time before they either rebel or submit.
"It seems Brother Jiang shares the same ambition as me..." Commander Xu smiled contentedly, then patted Commander Wu and Commander Liu on the shoulder, "Of course, I'm not asking you to give me an answer right now..."
"It's better to explain such an important matter in a formal setting."
"Here's what we'll do. After this banquet, I'll contact Commander Guo and organize another gathering. By then, I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer."
After saying this, Commander Xu stubbed out his cigarette, downed the glass of red wine in one gulp, smiled and nodded to Jiang Dalong and the others, then turned and left the dining room.
"Horse riding!"
After everyone left, Commander Wu angrily slammed his wine glass on the table, exclaiming, "They're blatantly trying to seize power! They're insane!"
He couldn't help but curse out loud, only then realizing that he wasn't the only one around.
Looking up, I saw that both Liu Dashuai and Jiang Dalong had ashen faces. Although they didn't explode like him, they were both holding back their anger.
"Cough cough... I, I'm going out for some fresh air and to have a smoke."
General Wu got up and left awkwardly.
The dinner ended in this discordant atmosphere.
……
Late at night, on a hilltop outside Luhua Town.
Two people were crouching suspiciously next to a tree, doing something.
"Hey, are you done yet? Hurry up!"
"Don't rush... Hey! I've got it!"
With an excited exclamation from one of them, they dug up a hard object from the mud.
"There really are treasures here. This trip was definitely worthwhile!"