YM778.TV Chapter 389 - An Abyss Lay Behind
Chapter 389 An Abyss Lay Behind
The atmosphere in the meeting room became strange for a while.
Restarting the Snowdance Corps was everyone’s expectations.
But no one had expected Li Tianlan to be Wang Tianzong’s nomination.
Li Tianlan was only 22 years old this year. He had the fighting power that everyone recognized, but in the eyes of everyone, it was not realistic for such a person so young to serve as the marshal of a special operations corps.
And from the standpoint of Wang Tianzong, he had no reason to nominate Li Tianlan.
what was this?
So Gu Xingyun’s opposition was not surprising.
In this conference room full of people with clear-cut stances yet integrated, people clearly saw the anger and coldness from Gu Xingyun’s face.
Li Tianlan was a student a day ago.
But he was going to become a marshal a day later?!
The only thing that remained unchanged was that young man.
But if everything came true, wouldn’t he change?
How could he not change?
Gu Xingyun had already decided that even during his rehabilitation, he would use all the resources of the Special Warfare Group to crush the East Emperor Palace.
Whether Li Tianlan was going to be in the northeast, Huating, or Jiangzhe, he would make the development of the East Emperor Palace very difficult.
To allow Li Tianlan to be the marshal of the Snowdance Corps?
If that were the case, Li Tianlan would be very likely to have a skyrocketing rise.
If possible, Gu Xingyun did not want Li Tianlan to be a junior officer, let alone a marshal.
His response was quick.
He was also quick to say “no.”
But after he said that, he froze for a moment.
He was not surprised that he objected.
But why did Dongcheng Wudi oppose that too?
What was going on?
He raised his eyelids and glanced at Dongcheng Wudi.
Dongcheng Wudi’s expression was calm and determined with indubitability on his face.
Gu Xingyun’s chaotic heart gradually calmed down, and he looked at Wang Tianzong again.
Wang Tianzong’s gaze fell right on his face.
He looked at Gu Xingyun as if he were an idiot.
He really thought that Gu Xingyun’s opposition was simply stupid.
He had not expected that Li Tianlan, who was powerful but not yet a threat now, would make Gu Xingyun nervous to such an extent.
He glanced at Gu Xingyun, and then calmly said, “I insist on my nomination.”
Gu Xingyun did have some confusion inside.
He hadn’t figured out what was going on for the time being and instinctively became silent.
Everyone was silent.
The atmosphere was getting weird.
Li Tianlan quickly glanced around the venue.
Sitting at the periphery of the conference table, he could only see the faces of half of the higher-ups and the side faces of Li Huacheng and Wang Tianzong.
The other half had their backs to him.
He had not expected Wang Tianzong to nominate himself as the marshal of the Snowdance Corps.
The special operations corps existed in name only after the defeat of the decisive battle in Heaven Capital.
But it did not mean that the Snowdance Corps really disappeared.
Once the Snowdance Corps were restarted, the specifications couldn’t lessen, and the original specifications would remain.
The original Snowdance Corps was a real behemoth in the entire Zhongzhou Special Warfare System.
It was a corps composed of national elites, ranging from the younger generation to the older generation. Its scope included Special Operations Bureaus in various provinces, major Martial Arts force groups, major independent special warfare agencies, military elites, and special forces.
Once the Snowdance Corps were restarted, it would definitely become the top priority of Kunlun City, and its status was similar to the relationship between the Border Control Corps and the Army Headquarters of Zhongzhou State.
The Border Control Corps had many names.
The Corps of God of Massacre, Dongcheng Corps...
But those were all names with different meanings. From the aspect of power, the Border Control Corps of nearly 600,000 troops had always been called the small Army Headquarters of Zhongzhou State.
If the Snowdance Corps were restarted, it would almost be another small Kunlun city in the Special Warfare System.
At the time, there were reasons for Gu Xingyun to agree to the establishment of the Snowdance Corps. In addition to Gu Qianchuan serving as the first marshal, another key was that the Snowdance Corps was stationed in East Island for a long time after the victory, and it was difficult to affect the affairs of Zhongzhou State.
But if Li Tianlan were to take control of the Snowdance Corps, how could he be willing to stay abroad all the time?
To be honest, for a moment, Li Tianlan really felt a little tempted.
But it did not mean that he would accept it.
He never believed in Wang Tianzong’s good intentions and kindness.
Once he showed these, it was abnormal.
When things seemed abnormal, there must be something strange.
“Comrades, let’s talk.”
Li Huacheng sat on the host seat and broke the silence on his own initiative.
His tone was simple and peaceful, without the slightest emotional ups and downs.
“In terms of strength, Tianlan is indeed qualified to lead a special operations corps. “However, the situation in Eastern Europe is too complicated and chaotic. Tianlan is still young. He may not be able to control the situation. I personally suggest that it is more appropriate to send a relatively mature and prudent person to Eastern Europe.”
Dongcheng Wudi spoke without hesitation, with a very clear attitude, “I oppose the nomination of His Majesty the Sword Emperor.”
“I don’t think it’s bad.”
Ye Dongsheng, the deputy minister of the Army Headquarters, said with a smile, “His Highness Li Tianlan’s strength is recognized by everyone. Although His Highness is young, he deserves sufficient respect and status in the Dark World. Minister, youth is not a bad thing. It also represents the courage and passion that we old folks don’t have. If the Snowdance Corps restarts, under the leadership of His Highness Li Tianlan, it might be a better way to open up a new prospect in Eastern Europe.”
“I agree with Marshal Ye.”
On the screens, Wang Qianchong, the commander of the Arctic Ocean Command of Zhongzhou State, stated solemnly, “The situation in Eastern Europe is chaotic, and the major force groups in the Dark World have regarded Eastern Europe as a battlefield. At present, if we want to defend our own interests and even want to get more, Zhongzhou State needs ambition and sharpness instead of prudence. From this point, the performance of His Highness Tianlan is obvious to all. I am in favor of His Highness Li Tianlan as the commander of the Snowdance Corps.”
“Ambition and sharpness are one thing, and experience is another.”
Zou Mulin, another leader of the Giant Group, stood out and said calmly, “Tianlan has not yet had the experience of leading a comprehensive corps. However, His Highness Dijiang of the Wang family of Beihai has led the Freedom Corps in Tiannan and has made great achievements in the past few years. His Highness Dijiang is also young and does not lack the so-called ambition and sharpness you guys mentioned. I think His Highness Dijiang is most suitable to serve as the commander of the Snowdance Corps.
Dongcheng Wudi and Zou Mulin, who should have supported Li Tianlan, supported Dijiang.
The Southeast Group, which should support Dijiang most, fully supported Li Tianlan.
The atmosphere was getting weird.
Gu Xingyun, who was somewhat confused, finally realized something.
He hesitated.
There was no doubt that the Wang family of Beihai, the Sword Emperor of Zhongzhou State, and the Southeast Group were betting again.
And it was a real, unrestrained gamble.
Just as in the case of treason more than 20 years ago, Summer Solstice, the hostess of the Wang family of Beihai, gambled herself with the Li family.
This time, Wang Tianzong used himself as the bargaining chip to gamble with the Giant Group!
Li Tianlan and the Snowdance Corps were the things they bet on.
The future of the Wang family of Beihai and that of the Giant Group were the stakes.
It was destined to be an extremely tragic gamble. But this time, just as what had happened more than two decades ago, Gu Xingyun did not think that the Wang family of Beihai could possibly lose.
In the somewhat quiet atmosphere, some long-sealed memories came to his mind.
About the Li family and the Border Control Corps.
The original Border Control Corps was not the scale it was today. When the concept ‘border defense’ was first proposed, the Border Control Corps was modeled entirely on a special operations corps.
Just like the Snowdance Corps today.
It was the Southeast Group that originally proposed the concept ‘border defense’.
To be precise, it was the Wang family of Beihai.
It was also the Wang family of Beihai who helped Li Kuangtu to take the position of the first commander of the Border Control Corps.
At that time, Li Honghe was still the God of War and was close to the Wang family of Beihai.
So, the full support of the Wang family of Beihai seemed to be all right so far.
But at that time, did the Li family really not notice anything?
Gu Xingyun suddenly felt very familiar with the scene today.
Like a circle that replayed the past, the history, the beginning, and the end.
“In the three years in Tiannan, Dijiang has matured, and he deserves a more important post. In fact, everyone should be clear that before taking charge of the Tiannan Freedom Corps, Dijiang also had little experience. Minister Dongcheng and Chairman Zou, I don’t think we should be biased against young people. The Dark World has been turbulent in recent years. I think it’s time for our young people to grow up quickly. They should bear more difficult tests and responsibilities. I agree with the nomination of His Majesty the Sword Emperor. Li Tianlan serving as the commander of the Snowdance Corps is worthy of everyone’s trust and reassurance.”
More and more memories in his head started to become clear.
Gu Xingyun’s tone began to become calm and unhurried.
Bai Zhanfang put down the teacup in his hand and said in an old-fashioned tone, “I don’t think it’s appropriate. We can’t take a special operations corps and even the Arctic Ocean Command as a trifling matter.”
“I understand how Minister Dongseong feels.”
A voice suddenly sounded behind Bai Zhanfang, very smooth but extremely abrupt.
No one had expected that he would speak at such a meeting.
So his statement seemed extraordinarily shocking.
“But excessive protection is not necessarily good for His Highness Li Tianlan. His Highness is the Chosen One, so he is destined to bear more. If he even cannot lead one corps today, how can he protect the entire Zhongzhou State in the future?”
This statement was extremely harsh.
Dongcheng Wudi and Gu Xingyun’s faces twitched at the same time.
Minister Zhou Yunhai!
It turned out to be Zhou Yunhai, the minister of the Ministry of Politics and Law!
The banner figure of the northern faction ranked last among the nine councilors. In weekday meetings, unless it were a discussion of pure state affairs or about the content of the northern faction and the Ministry of Politics and Law, this councilor would hardly utter a word of nonsense. In today’s sensitive meeting, he stood on the opposite side of the Giant Group.
Specifically, he supported the Wang family of Beihai and Southeast Group, because the aggressiveness towards Kunlun City in his last words was also very obvious.
Zhou Yunhai’s statement was simply clear.
Why was it happen?
Everyone was watching Wang Tianzong.
Wang Tianzong lowered his eyelids and drank tea silently. Except for the first two statements, he never spoke.
“I agree with this nomination.”
Ji Wenzhang, the minister of the Ministry of Supervision, clearly stated his attitude.
“Agree.”
“Agree.”
“Agree.”
Voice after voice rang out in the conference room at an appropriate speed, calm and firm.
Dongcheng Wudi’s face became increasingly gloomy.
The Southeast Group and the Special Warfare Group had united, and from councilors to senators, they had all expressed their attitudes very clearly.
“It looks like this nomination is in favor with the general public.”
In a low and gentle voice, Chen Fangqing, the prime minister of Zhongzhou State, said with a smile, “I also think we really should give young people some opportunities. Comrade Wang Qianchong is right. Now Zhongzhou State needs ambition and sharpness instead of calmness! Where our soldiers are stationed, there will be our dignity. The Jiang family of South America? Knights Templars? I will inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a statement later. Also, I hope that under the leadership of Tianlan, the Snowdance Corps can teach these two force groups a lesson, and at the same time, tell the world that the army and the Star Flag of Zhongzhou State must not be violated!”
“No!” Dongcheng Wudi spoke again.
His voice was deep.
Everyone looked at the standing minister of the Army Headquarters.
Yesterday, he did not yield an inch when confronting the Sword Emperor at the Sky Academy.
He had the strength, power, status, and qualification.
But what else could he do now?
Wang Tianzong just brought up a nomination, but whether it would come true depended on the will of all higher-ups of Zhongzhou State.
Just as Wang Tianzong did not dare to attack those soldiers yesterday, Dongcheng Wudi could not go against the will of the Decision Making Committee.
Otherwise, he would commit treason.
Dongcheng Wudi turned his head and looked at Li Tianlan.
Li Tianlan sat calmly on his chair, neither conceited nor rash, with no emotion.
The two stared at each other for a moment.
Dongcheng Wudi’s eyes were complicated and decisive, with a touch of apology.
Li Tianlan remained calm.
“Everyone.”
Dongcheng Wudi said again, “Li Tianlan cannot become the commander of the Snowdance Corps.”
He seemed determined, so his voice was clear and loud.
“Why?”
Wang Tianzong watched Dongcheng Wudi, calm and peaceful.
Dongcheng Wudi gritted his teeth, and fire of anger seemed to shoot out of his eyes. “Why?”
The muscles in the corners of his mouth trembled, and his voice seemed distorted.
He had never expected that one day he would uncover the Li family’s most painful scar in front of Li Tianlan.
But he had no choice.
Li Tianlan really couldn’t take charge of the Snowdance Corps.
For Dongcheng Wudi, Wang Tianzong’s nomination this time was of apparent conspiracy.
He thought that the Wang family of Beihai would be in the honeymoon period with the Dongcheng Clan during the transaction of the Border Control Corps.
That may be true.
But the Wang family of Beihai apparently did not intend to keep the honeymoon period of both parties for a long time.
Dongcheng Wudi did not believe that Wang Tianzong would give up killing Li Tianlan.
So why was he fully supporting Li Tianlan today?
Wang Tianzong did not attack Li Tianlan at the Sky Academy but chose to leave. Obviously, he encountered something that forced him to compromise.
But Dongcheng Wudi was very aware of the extreme style of the Wang family of Beihai. They could not compromise forever, and Wang Tianzong’s killing intent would not disappear.
Apparently, Wang Tianzong wanted to nail Li Tianlan in Snow Country and put him in the most obvious position by supporting him.
In this way, when he solved the problem, he could find and kill Li Tianlan at any time with one sword stroke.
Even if he were worried about the domestic attitude, it would be very easy to find Li Tianlan in Snow Country at that time. He could cooperate with other superpowers to kill him. With the resources and strength of the Wang family of Beihai, no superpower in the world would refuse to cooperate with them.
Once Li Tianlan became the marshal, he could not leave the Snowdance Corps too far anyway.
And the most important thing was...
Dongcheng Wudi did not want to gamble with Wang Tianzong.
Gu Xingyun could understand that. He, too, naturally understood that and even earlier than Gu Xingyun.
The situation in Eastern Europe was so chaotic, and the number of variables was unimaginable. If Li Tianlan led the Snowdance Corps to participate in it, countless conspiracies and plots would be going on almost all the time in the general trend.
The enemy’s plots.
And the ones from his people.
It was even easier for a person to plot something in such a chaotic environment than it was more than two decades ago.
In the Snowdance Corps, if Li Tianlan were careless, he would be doomed eternally.
Death was not the only thing that could make him end up like that.
There was still a crime.
Treason!
In all kinds of conspiracies and confusion, if the Wang family of Beihai re-enacted the case of treason on the border that year...
Li Tianlan must die.
The resurgent Li family would disappear completely.
The Dongcheng Clan, which had been tied up with Li Tianlan, would also be doomed eternally!
That was Wang Tianzong’s gamble.
He helped Li Tianlan to have a skyrocketing rise.
If Li Tianlan successfully controlled the Snowdance Corps and destroyed the conspiracy of the Wang family of Beihai, the Li family would then rise completely. The grown-up Li Tianlan would push the Li family to the peak again and let the Dongcheng Clan complete a further transformation. The Wang family of Beihai would be bound to have sleepless nights in the future.
On the contrary, if the Wang family of Beihai let the old thing replay and put the case of treason on the stage, the entire Snowdance Corps would be wiped out, and the Dongcheng Clan involved could only meet a dead end.
It was a gamble set by Wang Tianzong, and his bargaining chips were his strength and the nearly endless sources and connections of the Wang family of Beihai.
The Dongcheng Clan could hardly win.
So Dongcheng Wudi didn’t want to play this game.
But Wang Tianzong was now involved in the Southeast Group and the Special Warfare Group, and even Chen Fangqing of the Prince Group had expressed his support of his proposal. Obviously, Wang Tianzong meant to use the general trend to force Dongcheng Wudi to play the game.
Twenty-four hours ago, at the Sky Academy, Dongcheng Wudi used the general trend of 40,000 troops to make Gu Xingyun and Wang Tianzong dare not act rashly.
Twenty-four hours later, in the building of the Army Headquarters, Wang Tianzong also used the general trend to make Dongcheng Wudi unable to breathe.
Dongcheng Wudi wore a self-mocking smile. Was that karma?
He glanced at Li Tianlan again.
Li Tianlan was still calm.
Dongcheng Wudi took a deep breath and finally uncovered the Li family’s scar. “The situation in Eastern Europe is chaotic, and the garrison has suffered heavy losses. Although we are angry, the current situation may well be an opportunity for us to expand our influence in Eastern Europe. I think, in this case, to be safe, Zhongzhou State should send a trustworthy person to assume personal command there!”
His voice was hoarse and low, but it echoed in the conference room, like a clap of thunder.
Li Tianlan’s face changed, but he did not speak.
Everyone was watching Dongcheng Wudi.
“Do you mean that His Highness Li Tianlan is not trustworthy, Minister Dongcheng?”
Ye Dongsheng laughed.
Dongcheng Wudi was expressionless. Now that he had said that, there was no turning back. “Twenty years ago, the damage caused to Zhongzhou State by the treason of His Highness Li Kuangtu has not been completely made up. Everyone knows Tianlan’s origin. He hasn’t been tested enough. The Army Headquarters... the Army Headquarters... I can’t believe his loyalty to Zhongzhou State! He is not suitable!!!”
This bloody scar was utterly torn open by Dongcheng Wudi.
Everyone looked at Li Tianlan.
Li Tianlan looked a little angry, a little shameful, and a little helpless.
Countless emotions flashed in his eyes.
But his face was still as calm as a rock.
He sat there quietly, looking a little cold.
He minded what Dongcheng Wudi said, but he didn’t blame him that much.
Today’s meeting was extremely weird from the beginning. Li Tianlan had been vaguely aware of the problem. Dongcheng Wudi would rather expose the Li family’s scar than allow him to serve as the marshal of the Snowdance Corps. That spoke to the ferocity and danger behind Wang Tianzong’s nomination.
“Li Tianlan is indeed from the Li family. But there’s Senior Li aside from Li Kuangtu in the Li family. Senior Li is the founding father of Zhongzhou State, with great achievements and integrity. Li Tianlan grew up with Senior Li from an early age. What does Li Tianlan have to do with it? I think he is trustworthy.”
Wang Tianzong’s tone was flat and cold.
He now praised Li Honghe. Dongcheng Wudi mentioned the treason of Li Kuangtu. Strangely enough, they were in exactly the same mood.
They felt bad.
It was not disgusting, but they really didn’t like it and didn’t want to say it.
President Li Huacheng, who was sitting on the host seat, finally spoke, “Since comrades have so many differences, I think it’s better...”
However, before he could finish his words, he had been interrupted by Commander Wang Qianchong on the screen.
“Sorry, Mr. President, the situation in Eastern Europe is very chaotic. On behalf of the 150,000 troops of the Arctic Ocean Command, I ask the Decision Making Committee to make a decision as soon as possible. There’s no time for delay!”
President Li Huacheng frowned.
Chen Fangqing said calmly, “President, why don’t we vote?”
Vote!
It was a very feasible method.
At a high-level meeting, if people had many differences on an issue, the meeting would be postponed, or the issue would be solved through voting.
The minority was subordinate to the majority.
But it was not the council of the provincial or municipal level.
It was a high-level meeting.
High-level meetings rarely solved issues through voting. It was a place where political wisdom was tested the most. It focused on political games, balance, compromises, and decisiveness between advance and retreat.
A vote was tantamount to intensifying contradictions, and the intensification of contradictions between higher-ups was enough to affect the entire Zhongzhou State.
Therefore, the Decision Making Committee rarely voted.
But in today’s situation, tremendous danger and opportunities were everywhere in Eastern Europe. Some things really couldn’t afford any delay.
Li Huacheng glanced at Dongcheng Wudi.
Dongcheng Wudi was livid. But under the general trend, if Wang Tianzong threw caution to the wind and got this nomination through, Dongcheng Invincible could hardly stop him since he was ill-prepared.
Li Huacheng took a deep look at Dongcheng Wudi and then said, “Vote.”
His tone was bland, without temperature.
In fact, without voting, Li Huacheng already knew the result.
The Academics was indeed cooperating with the Giant Group.
But such cooperation didn’t mean that they would genuinely and thoroughly go through thick and thin together.
The alliance between the two major groups was for the expected future.
Under such a sensitive issue, even if the Academics supported the Giant Group, fully support was impossible. Li Huacheng could not let the Academics offend the Special Warfare Group, Southeast Group, Prince Group, and North Group at one time, especially in a situation where the outcome was hard to change.
After all, he couldn’t sit in this position forever. He was an ally of the Giant Group, but he was also a leader of the Academics. He must take the Academics into account.
The Academics now had two magnates in the council.
Li Huacheng, the president of Zhongzhou State.
Hua Zhengyang, the secondary prime minister of Zhongzhou State.
Li Huacheng glanced at Hua Zhengyang.
Prime Minister Hua nodded. In silence, the two already had a tacit understanding.
Li Huacheng would vote for Dongcheng Wudi.
But Hua Zhengyang must abstain.
It was the support of the Academics, which was of great weight, but it couldn’t change much.
On the morning of August 1, the Decision Making Committee of Zhongzhou State held an August high-level meeting in the building of the Army Headquarters.
Except for some people involved, no one knew exactly what was discussed at the five-hour conference.
Only a few secretaries of the Army Headquarters, who had been ordered to keep the meeting a secret, found out that Minister Dongcheng Wudi had lost his temper after the meeting as they tidied up the conference room.
He smashed the cup he was using and kicked the precious and huge conference table in the conference room into pieces.
The fragments of the entire table were blocked by Dijiang when they almost hit Wang Tianzong’s face.
The livid Dongcheng Wudi behaved recklessly in front of all the higher-ups on his turf and walked out of the conference room.
It was not until the afternoon that the high-ranking officials at the provincial level in Zhongzhou State knew the content of the meeting vaguely.
In the afternoon of August 1, headed by Lieutenant General Jiang Hongwei of the Beihai Corps and Deputy Secretary-General Bai Qingzhao of the Army Headquarters, two people were awarded the rank of general.
Seven were awarded the rank of lieutenant general.
Seven were awarded the rank of major general.
Lieutenant General Jiang Hongwei of the Beihai Corps was awarded the rank of marshal.
At the same time, the Army Headquarters announced the personnel adjustments today.
The Decision Making Committee agreed with Dongcheng Wudi, the marshal of Zhongzhou State and standing minister of the Army Headquarters, in his proposal of resigning as the commander of the Border Control Corps.
The Army Headquarters planned to appoint Lieutenant General Jiang Hongwei of the Beihai Corps as the commander of the Border Control Corps.
Lieutenant General Wang Qianchong, the commander of the Arctic Ocean Command, was transferred to the Northeast Black Dragon Battalion as the commander.
Lieutenant General Cheng Huining, the former commander of the Black Dragon Battalion, served as the commander of the Arctic Ocean Command.
All these were merely the beginning of the transaction between the Southeast Group and the Giant Group. And the transaction involving multiple changes of real-power positions at this level was destined to be impossible to complete within a day.
Dijiang had become the youngest military marshal in Zhongzhou State. This autumn, if nothing else, he would also become the youngest member of the Decision Making Committee of Zhongzhou State.
And just when everyone was talking about how long it would take Dijiang to transform the Border Control Corps into another Beihai Corps, the youngest marshal also appeared in the Special Warfare System of Zhongzhou State.
After a vote, Zhongzhou State decided to restart the Snowdance Corps.
The restarted Snowdance Corps was expected to have 20,000 people.
Zhongzhou State would respect the will of the new marshal of the Snowdance Corps to the greatest extent to form the corps.
Wang Tianzong, the Sword Emperor of Zhongzhou State, nominated Li Tianlan as the new marshal of the Snowdance Corps.
The council voted five to four to approve of the nomination. Only one person abstained.
Gu Xingyun, the God of War of Zhongzhou State, clearly expressed his approval.
According to the result of the vote of all higher-ups, the ones supported the nomination outnumbered those who objected.
Li Tianlan was officially appointed as the commander of the Snowdance Corps.
After the formal establishment of the Snowdance Corps finished, he would go on an expedition to Eastern Europe on behalf of Zhongzhou State, becoming a significant force in the chaos of Eastern European.
He could have a skyrocketing rise!
The general trend never cared about someone’s opinion. Whether Li Tianlan liked it or not, he was pushed straight to a position of infinite proximity to the pinnacle of power during the meeting.
In a meeting that had little to do with him, he virtually became the protagonist.
Eastern Europe would be his journey with the Snowdance Corps.
It was a path that was extremely clear but quite difficult.
Chaos lay ahead.
And an abyss lay behind..