At ten o'clock in the evening, the Ye family mansion returned to tranquility, and Secretary Wang personally escorted Jiang Wuming away.
"Secretary Wang, may I ask you a question?" Jiang Wuming suddenly spoke as they parted.
"Uh..."
Taken aback by Jiang Wuming's words, Secretary Wang first froze, then quickly nodded. "Of course, Master Wuming. What would you like to know?"
"What kind of person do you think Ye Zheng is?"
Jiang Wuming asked.
Before today, Jiang Wuming believed Ye Zheng to be a heartless politician. However, Ye Zheng's final reminder tonight made him feel that Ye Zheng was not as mercenary as he appeared.
Swish!
Upon hearing Jiang Wuming's question, Secretary Wang's expression changed. He hadn't expected Jiang Wuming to ask him to evaluate Ye Zheng.
After all, gossiping about one's "boss" was a major taboo in both officialdom and the workplace!
Seeing Secretary Wang's dilemma, Jiang Wuming immediately realized something and said:
"Secretary Wang, I'm just a little curious. If it's inconvenient for you to answer, you don't have to."
"Master Wuming, you are a martial artist, and you should have a good understanding of Yin Yang and Bagua.
Secretary Wang hesitated for a moment, then finally replied, "If the Dragon Country were a diagram of Yin Yang and Bagua, then the Grand Elder would be the line where Yin and Yang intersect."
"Thank you."
Hearing this, Jiang Wuming pondered, finally understanding the hidden meaning in Secretary Wang's words, and immediately expressed his gratitude.
"You're welcome, Master Wuming. Please go slowly."
Secretary Wang smiled and waved goodbye to Jiang Wuming.
Jiang Wuming waved back, said nothing further, and left alone.
Secretary Wang watched Jiang Wuming's retreating figure disappear before turning back into the now quiet Ye family mansion.
At the same time.
In another courtyard in Yan Jing, whose threshold was as significant as the Ye family mansion, the Gu family compound, the lights were bright.
Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong, father and son, arrived at the entrance of the Gu family compound by car and, accompanied by the Gu family patriarch Gu Zhengze's secretary, proceeded to the study in the inner courtyard.
By the light of the courtyard, Gu Zhengze's secretary could clearly see the gloom on the faces of Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong, and that their moods were not good.
This made him recall the rumors from the afternoon – that Jiang Wuming had been internally designated as the future marshal of the Ministry of War, with the support of Grand Elder Long Shengzhe, and that Long Shengzhe had even personally summoned Jiang Wuming!
And he knew very well that both Gu Tianlong himself and the entire Gu family had been determined to secure the position of future marshal of the Ministry of War!
To achieve this goal, the Gu family had invested countless resources in Gu Tianlong, not only allowing him to enter the Dragon Gate but also making him the strongest successor of the Dragon Gate, bringing him once very close to that position. Unexpectedly, Jiang Wuming appeared halfway through and directly disrupted the Gu family's plan!
Under such circumstances, how could Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong's moods be good!
Soon, accompanied by the secretary, Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong arrived at the entrance of the study in the inner courtyard. The former entered first to report.
After receiving permission from Gu Zhengze, Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong entered the study, while the secretary tactfully departed.
Clearly, he understood that the conversation between the core figures of the third generation of the Gu family would determine the future development of the Gu family, and it was not something an outsider like him could listen to.
Even if he was Gu Zhengze's absolute confidant!
In the study, Gu Zhengze was practicing calligraphy. Upon seeing Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong enter, he said, "You father and son come and help me hold the paper down. I'll finish writing, and then we'll talk."
Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong exchanged confused glances upon hearing this – at this stage, Gu Zhengze still had the mood to write?
Despite their confusion, Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong dared not refute, nor even inquire. They quickly walked to the desk and helped Gu Zhengze hold down the sides of the paper.
Gu Zhengze picked up a famous brush, which could buy a villa in Yan Jing, dipped it in ink, and then, with bold and flowing strokes, wrote four large characters on the paper:
Never give up.
Huh?
Seeing these four characters, Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong, thinking about what had happened that day, were both moved, vaguely feeling that Gu Zhengze was using the writing to remind them, but they were not sure. They could only look at Gu Zhengze with surprise, as if asking: At this point, is there still hope for a comeback?
Gu Zhengze understood their thoughts and asked, "Seeing the dejected looks on both your faces, are you giving up?"
"Giving up is impossible. However, Grandpa, at this point, is there still a way to turn the situation around?"
Gu Tianlong first expressed his stance and then asked the question in his heart.
"Then tell me, what is the current situation?" Gu Zhengze asked instead of answering.
"Grand... Grandpa, isn't the situation already very clear? That bastard Jiang Wuming has been internally designated as the future marshal of the Ministry of War and has the support of the Grand Elder! Moreover, the Grand Elder has personally summoned that bastard Jiang Wuming!" Gu Tianlong said indignantly.
"Who told you that the current situation is like this?" Gu Zhengze asked again.
Gu Tianlong looked at his father, Gu Lv, with surprise.
After returning to Yan Jing, he first went to his parents' home, and then, together with his father Gu Lv, learned about the events of the day and made the previous judgment.
"Dad, has something changed?" Gu Lv's heart also stirred, and he asked with some anticipation.
"Sit down and talk."
Gu Zhengze pointed to the sofa and then sat down in his office chair.
Although Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong were very curious and eager to know the answer, they still followed Gu Zhengze's instructions, sat on the sofa, and waited patiently.
"First, Long Shengzhe attended the commendation ceremony of the Ministry of War for the Dragon Guardian team to show his support for the Ministry of War and approve its decision to allow Jiang Wuming to become the future marshal of the Ministry of War.
Second, Long Shengzhe's private meeting with Jiang Wuming was not to show his regard and support for Jiang Wuming, but to prolong his life – after Jiang Wuming's battle at the Donghai Martial Arts Academy, he miraculously made Xia Xueqin 'rejuvenate'. Long Shengzhe hoped that Jiang Wuming could extend his lifespan and make him younger!
However, according to the latest intelligence I received, Long Shengzhe's wish has been in vain – Jiang Wuming cannot do this!"
Gu Zhengze spoke slowly, revealing the secrets to Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong.
"I was still wondering how the Grand Elder suddenly supported that scoundrel. So, there was such a hidden reason behind it!"
Hearing Gu Zhengze's words, Gu Tianlong's expression immediately turned from gloomy to sunny, and he sneered, "Since Jiang Wuming cannot fulfill Long Shengzhe's wish to prolong his life, then Long Shengzhe's support for Jiang Wuming will be put into question!"
"Mm."
Gu Zhengze nodded slightly and then said, "Just before you entered the courtyard, there were already rumors in official circles."
"Dad, what rumors?"
This time, even Gu Lv could not help but speak.
"It is being rumored in official circles that Jiang Wuming, as the youngest general of the Ministry of War, has been internally designated as the future successor of the Marshal of the Ministry of War, and has become arrogant, disregarding even the Grand Elder!"
Gu Zhengze revealed the latest news he had received.
"Grandpa, did Jiang Wuming that bastard disrespect the Grand Elder when he met him?"
Gu Tianlong's heart stirred, and he immediately thought of something. He then believed this possibility was very high. Before Gu Zhengze could speak, he continued, "Given Jiang Wuming's idiotic personality, he might actually do something like that!"
"What happened when Long Shengzhe met Jiang Wuming is unknown, but where there's smoke, there's fire. Since such rumors have spread in official circles, it must be that someone is secretly fanning the flames. Think about it, who has the guts and the ability?"
Gu Zhengze smiled slightly, appearing to have everything under control.
Gu Lv and Gu Tianlong exchanged glances, and both saw the same answer in each other's eyes.
That answer made Gu Tianlong extremely excited, and he quickly asked, "Grandpa, what should I do next?"
"Do your own thing, and don't give up until the dust settles," Gu Zhengze said.
"At the very least, even if the Ministry of War has indeed nominated Jiang Wuming as the future marshal, and Long Zhengze strongly supports him, there are still variables before Jiang Wuming takes over the command!"
"For example, that scoundrel Jiang Wuming might die at the hands of extraterrestrial enemies or his father's enemies!" Gu Tianlong's heart stirred, and he immediately thought of a possibility.
"Tianlong, when you leave, take the calligraphy I just wrote and hang it in your room." Gu Zhengze did not comment but gave instructions. "Also, I'll remind you of one thing: being a refined egoist will not allow you to take over the marshal's seal of the Ministry of War. You need to learn to be a great figure for the nation, accountable to those above, and commanding respect from those below."
"Yes, Grandpa!"
Gu Tianlong immediately bowed and accepted the order, his gloom swept away, and his fighting spirit reignited.
...
Ministry of War Guesthouse.
As soon as Jiang Wuming returned to his room, Qin Xiaozhi arrived.
Upon entering, Qin Xiaozhi first asked, "Boss, have you heard the news circulating outside?"
"What news?" Jiang Wuming asked.
"Just before you returned, it was rumored in official circles that you achieved success at a young age, are arrogant, and don't even put the Grand Elder in your eyes!"
Qin Xiaozhi said, then asked, "Boss, did you have a conflict when you met the Grand Elder?"
"It wasn't a conflict, but rather that I failed to meet his expectations and did not show him the reverence and loyalty he desired."
Jiang Wuming shook his head slightly, his mind clear.
The world believed Jiang Wuming to be arrogant, irritable, and impulsive.
But he knew very well: the young man was not foolish or stupid, he simply adhered to his principles and could not tolerate any misbehavior!
...