The next day, at eight in the morning.
Wang Lin took a car to Ye Wentao's residence and met Ye Wentao and his wife, Wang Hong.
"Linzi, the old man spoke last night and won't make things easy for that brat Jiang Wuming," Wang Hong comforted her younger brother.
"Let's go."
Ye Wentao's expression was somewhat complex as he beckoned Wang Lin.
"Okay."
Wang Lin nodded, then got into Ye Wentao's car, and together they headed to the headquarters of the Martial Department's Eastern Region Army Corps.
This was Ye Wentao's decision.
After the incident in Donghai, he had expected Ye Zheng to be furious, but he hadn't anticipated Ye Zheng making such a cruel decision—not only drawing a line with Jiang Wuming, disregarding Ye Jinmei's feelings, but also using the Ye family's influence to demand that the Martial Department severely punish Jiang Wuming in the name of the military!
He didn't dare to refuse Ye Zheng's order, but he also didn't want to personally utter such heartless words. Therefore, he had asked Wang Lin to rush over from Donghai, planning to have Wang Lin speak at the opportune moment.
The military's Eastern Region War Zone and the Martial Department's Eastern Region Army Corps headquarters were a considerable distance apart. Ye Wentao and Wang Lin took an hour by car to arrive, and then went directly to Qin Yuanzheng's office.
Last night, after receiving Ye Zheng's call, Ye Wentao had called Qin Yuanzheng, and they had agreed on the time and place for their meeting.
Qin Yuanzheng's choice to meet in his office made Ye Wentao sense something unusual.
After all, as one of the giants of the military's Eastern Region War Zone, he was not unfamiliar with Qin Yuanzheng. They had attended many meetings together, met on many occasions, and even had meals together a few times, exchanging messages during holidays. Their relationship was considered quite good.
Under such circumstances, it would normally be expected for Qin Yuanzheng to receive Ye Wentao at his residence, not in his office.
Qin Yuanzheng had already learned that Ye Wentao and Wang Lin had entered the office building, but he remained seated at his desk, unmoving.
His office was very simple. Besides the desk, bookshelf, and two sets of sofas, there were no other ornaments. The walls did not have any famous paintings or calligraphy, only a single piece of writing.
That piece of writing contained only the character "Wu" (武), done in cursive script by the former sect leader of the Dragon Gate, Zhuge Lingjun. At first glance, it was unrecognizable, appearing more like a depiction of someone practicing martial arts. However, upon closer inspection, it was revealed to be the character "Wu."
This calligraphy was not an original, but a replica.
In addition, the offices of the leaders of the other four regional corps also displayed similar replicas.
The reason for this was that Zhuge Lingjun had once said that his understanding of martial arts was entirely integrated into this piece of writing, and how much outsiders could comprehend from it depended entirely on their own perception and destiny.
"General Ye, General Wang, welcome. Please have a seat."
A moment later, Qin Yuanzheng saw Ye Wentao and Wang Lin enter, stood up, clasped his hands, and invited them to sit.
"Commander Qin."
Ye Wentao and Wang Lin, upon hearing this, sensed the estrangement in Qin Yuanzheng's words. They exchanged a look and responded to Qin Yuanzheng with formal titles before taking their seats on the sofas.
"General Ye, General Wang, I don't have any fine tea here, only plain water. Please make do with it."
Afterward, as Qin Yuanzheng's assistant poured water for Ye Wentao and Wang Lin, Qin Yuanzheng spoke again.
"Commander Qin, plain water is perfectly fine," Wang Lin replied with a forced smile, murmuring inwardly.
As far as he knew, Ye Wentao and Qin Yuanzheng had a fairly good personal relationship, and Ye Wentao was a core member of the Ye family, as well as a strong contender for the Ye family's future successor!
Under such circumstances, Qin Yuanzheng's distant demeanor gave Wang Lin a bad premonition: could Qin Yuanzheng, for the sake of Jiang Wuming, disregard Ye Wentao, the Ye family, and even the entire military?
"Yuanzheng, as I mentioned on the phone yesterday, Wang Lin and I are here today to communicate with you about the matter in Donghai."
Ye Wentao had naturally also sensed that something was amiss, but he no longer used formal titles when addressing Qin Yuanzheng, making their conversation appear more cordial.
"Wentao, although the incident in Donghai involves General Wang, it ultimately falls under the Martial Department's jurisdiction. I'm not sure what you and General Wang wish to communicate with me about. Also, I would like to know if you are acting in a personal capacity or on behalf of the military?"
Qin Yuanzheng also stopped addressing Ye Wentao formally, but his tone was low.
"Commander Qin, Wentao is Jiang Wuming's uncle and had a very good relationship with Jiang Wuming's mother back then. Some things are difficult for me to say, so I will answer your question."
Upon hearing Qin Yuanzheng's words again, Ye Wentao's expression became complex, and he remained silent. Seeing this, Wang Lin quickly said, "Last night, Old Master Ye called my brother-in-law and gave two instructions regarding the Donghai incident."
"Instructions?"
Qin Yuanzheng raised an eyebrow, his displeasure evident on his face.
"Commander Qin, please don't misunderstand. Old Master Ye is not instructing you or the Martial Department. He is instructing my brother-in-law to find you and explain two matters."
Wang Lin, seeing Qin Yuanzheng's displeased expression, quickly explained before continuing.
"Please speak, General Wang. Qin will listen attentively," Qin Yuanzheng said sternly.
"Old Master Ye made two points. First, Jiang Wuming's actions were personal and have nothing to do with the Ye family!
Second, it is recommended that the Martial Department severely punish Jiang Wuming according to regulations!"
"General Wang, General Ye, please convey to Old Master Ye that the Martial Department does not need suggestions from the military, and Old Master Ye does not need to tell me how to do my job!" Qin Yuanzheng replied with a darkened face.
"Yuanzheng, Wang Lin's statement earlier was problematic, please don't misunderstand. The military has no intention of interfering in this matter, nor do we intend to suggest what the Martial Department should do, and my father is certainly not trying to tell you how to do your job."
Seeing that Qin Yuanzheng was getting somewhat angry, Ye Wentao quickly tried to smooth things over. "My father's intention was to say that Jiang Wuming has no relation to the Ye family, and you and the Martial Department do not need to consider the Ye family when dealing with Jiang Wuming."
"Wentao, your grandfather is being overly considerate. The Martial Department always acts according to regulations and has no reservations," Qin Yuanzheng said.
"I think so too," Ye Wentao said with a wry smile.
"Commander Qin, may I ask how the Martial Department plans to deal with Jiang Wuming?" Wang Lin could not help but ask.
"General Wang, are you asking me to report my work to you?" Qin Yuanzheng stared coldly at Wang Lin.
*Thump!*
Wang Lin's heart sank. His whole body stiffened, and he said nervously, "No... no, Commander Qin. This matter involves my son, so I was just asking out of curiosity."
"The Martial Department's Eastern Region Army Corps will not handle this matter," Qin Yuanzheng replied.
"Uh..."
This time, Ye Wentao and Wang Lin were both stunned. Then Wang Lin instinctively blurted out, "Why? Jiang Wuming crippled my son's hand, which clearly violates Martial Department regulations!"
"Jiang Wuming's act of killing Lin Zhiping in self-defense did not violate any Martial Department regulations. As for your claim that Jiang Wuming injured your son, although it violated Martial Department regulations, it is in accordance with the rules of the Donghai Martial Arts Academy."
Qin Yuanzheng said calmly, "The Dean of the Donghai Martial Arts Academy, Ren Xiaoyao, specifically called me about this matter. He informed me on the phone that Jiang Wuming is a visiting professor at the Donghai Martial Arts Academy and is your son Wang Zhisheng's teacher.
Your son designed to harm a fellow student, which is a severe violation of the Donghai Martial Arts Academy's rules. Jiang Wuming, as a teacher, has the obligation and authority to deal with your son."
"Uh..."
Wang Lin was completely dumbfounded. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but it felt as if something was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Ye Wentao was also dumbfounded!
At this moment, they were both shocked by Qin Yuanzheng's words—according to Qin Yuanzheng, Jiang Wuming would not receive any punishment!
Amidst their shock, they stared blankly at Qin Yuanzheng, their hearts filled with curiosity: it was one thing for the Qin family to protect Jiang Wuming, but why would the Dean of the Donghai Martial Arts Academy go to such lengths to defend him?
"Wentao, for the sake of our good personal relationship, I will give you a piece of advice."
Qin Yuanzheng took in the expressions of Ye Wentao and Wang Lin, then pondered for a moment before speaking again.
"What is it?"
"Never underestimate a poor young man!"
Qin Yuanzheng spoke slowly, with only these five words.