Chapter 593: Chapter 592: Drive Them All Away
"Yes, it really is quite a coincidence," Hu Lizhong said with a hint of sarcasm.
Chu Que pretended not to understand and looked at Hu Lizhong. "This Bear Mountain District is under the jurisdiction of the Central Battle Zone. If your Military Department wants to establish a secret base here, why didn’t you file a report earlier?"
"File a report?" Hu Lizhong raised his voice a few decibels, "Are you saying that our Military Department needs to file a report with your Central Battle Zone?"
Chu Que quickly shook his head, "I didn’t say that. What I meant was, if the Military Department is to allocate a piece of land as a secret base within the territory of the Central Battle Zone, you need to inform us in advance. Our Central Battle Zone would actively cooperate. Now the zone has its own strategic policy, and this place has become an important military stronghold. It will be quite difficult for your Military Department to get the land."
Hu Lizhong laughed dryly, looked around, and pointed to the surrounding mountains, "Are you making fun of me for not understanding military affairs? This Yunwu Mountain Valley is located inside the Bear Mountain District, and as you can see, it’s a valley enclosed by mountains on all sides. I’ve never heard of anyone establishing a military base in such a place."
"You can establish military bases underground, so why not here?" Chu Que countered.
"Is that the same?" Hu Lizhong said angrily, "Chu Que, what does the Central Battle Zone really mean?"
Chu Que frowned, "Old Hu, why are you getting emotional? Haven’t I said it already? Our Central Battle Zone has laid out new strategic directives, designating this area as a military base. As for the fact that the Military Department is also interested in this place, we were not informed in advance. Besides, this matter isn’t targeted at you, so what are you worked up about?"
Deep down, Chu Que was somewhat astonished.
Old Hu isn’t a member of the Qin Family. How could he fail to see through this kind of matter and get involved? It’s not in line with his character.
"Haha, I’m not the one overreacting, you are the ones who are being too excessive. Don’t think that I don’t know what you’re up to," Hu Lizhong said angrily.
Chu Que’s face darkened, "Old Hu, we’ve known each other for a long time, and we get along quite well in private. If it’s a personal issue, I can give you some face, but such matters are not for me to decide. I am here to take over this place following orders from above, so there’s no need for you to give me attitude."
Hu Lizhong burst into a frustrated laugh.
We get along well in private? Sorry, we haven’t seen each other for years, where does this good private relationship come from?
Plus, you’re a member of the Chu family, accustomed to high status. Deep down you look down on those like me, who come from declining families in the Martial Arts World. Don’t think I don’t know that.
If it was before, I, Old Hu, would have stayed out of it as you might think. But now it concerns my own vested interests.
Yang Fei is like a benefactor to me, providing my means of living, and he’s upstairs right now. How could the conversation here escape his attention? If I don’t clearly state my position and take a stand now, when should I wait for?
"It’s not about giving you attitude, but about the facts, which you and I both know well. Oh, by the way, Minister Qin just called. She’s already on her way and will arrive soon," Hu Lizhong said.
He had made his stance clear, achieving his goal. As for the real arm-wrestling against the Chu family, it wasn’t him, but Qin Yanyang.
Chu Que also understood what Hu Lizhong meant.
His expression grew somber.
Hu Lizhong was somewhat capable, and if he could be utilized by the Chu family, it would enhance their power. Even if he couldn’t be used by them, his neutrality would also benefit the Chu family.
But now, Hu Lizhong had clearly sided with Qin Yanyang.
One addition and one subtraction, and the effect was different.
Of course, one Hu Lizhong couldn’t change the overall situation, but Chu Que felt very uncomfortable. Hu Lizhong had been his comrade-in-arms for many years, and their relationship was indeed rather good. Yet, the other party couldn’t be used by the Chu family, which made him feel disappointed and unwilling.
At the same time, he didn’t expect Qin Yanyang to come in person, and to arrive so soon.
In terms of age, he wasn’t much different from Qin Yanyang’s father; they were of the same generation. But when it came to rank and capabilities, Qin Yanyang was superior to him.
He was also well aware of Qin Yanyang’s style, and facing her made him feel somewhat troubled.
The only one in the Chu family who could stand toe-to-toe with this woman was his elder brother, Chu Shiguang.
Just then, his aide came up to his ear and whispered, "A secret telegram from the commander."
Chu Que was considering whether to tell his elder brother about the matter when, unexpectedly, his brother called him. He said to Hu Lizhong, "I’ll go take a call."
Hu Lizhong replied, "Go ahead."
Chu Que turned and left, heading to a helicopter. He picked up the encrypted phone and said, "Big brother, it’s me."
"Qin Yanyang might also go to Yunwu Mountain. When the time comes, you don’t need to mind her attitude; just remember one thing, this has already become our Central Battle Zone’s base."
"Big brother, do you mean we’re not afraid of completely falling out with them?" Chu Que was somewhat surprised.
"Mhm, it doesn’t matter. It’s a matter of sooner or later, anyway. Moreover, if this genetic liquid medicine can really be mass-produced, it would become the country’s most important strategic resource in the future. How can such a thing be controlled by just one family? Many people want it. Qin Yanyang is still too young."
"Okay, I understand." Chu Que felt greatly relieved.
Since his big brother had said so, he wasn’t afraid.
In terms of personal strength, the Chu family might not be able to compare with the Qin family, but in terms of prestige within the military, the Chu family was no less esteemed than the Qin family. Each had their own domain.
"By the way, Old Hu from the Military Department is here. Also, how should we deal with those workers who originally belonged to the Tong Family?" Chu Que asked.
"Old Hu hasn’t left yet?"
"Yes."
"That being the case, that kid must also still be here."
Chu Shiguang pondered for a while, then said, "Drive away everyone at Yunwu Mountain’s Base immediately, not a single one should stay."
"Not a single one? Including Old Hu?" Chu Que asked.
"Nonsense, since this has already become a secret stronghold of the Central Battle Zone, it belongs to top-secret military information. Apart from people from the Central Battle Zone, no one is allowed to linger here. Do it now."
The call was hung up.
Chu Que was stunned for a moment, then his gaze became resolute. Jumping off the helicopter, he strode towards the dormitory building.
"Commander, what should we do with these people?"
Just as he got back to the dormitory building, a captain came over to ask him.
Chu Que was secretly pleased and in front of Hu Lizhong, he said, "This place has become a secret military base for my Central Battle Zone. Anyone who doesn’t belong to the Central Battle Zone must leave immediately. Drive them... away."
"Yes, sir!"
The captain went over to Zhou Fu and others, raised his voice, and said, "As you’ve just heard, this place has been designated as a base for the Central Battle Zone, and you must leave immediately."
"Ah? Leave now?" Zhou Fu was a bit dumbfounded.
Being forced to leave in the middle of the night was one thing; he had a car, so that’s somewhat manageable, but for others without vehicles, some lived more than a hundred miles of mountain roads away from here.
"Yes, leave now." The captain looked at his watch and said, "You have ten minutes. If you do not leave after ten minutes, you will be charged with illegally intruding into a military base."
Zhou Fu and the others’ faces changed drastically.
They were all ordinary folks, unfamiliar with such a display of authority, and were terrified with their faces turning pale and their legs trembling as they ran back to their rooms to pack up and leave.
Hu Lizhong frowned and said, "Chu Que, aren’t you guys going too far? Even if this place is listed as a military base, you can’t treat the common people like this. They were originally workers here. If you want them to leave, you should wait until daylight. Kick them out in the middle of the night, and if something happens, who will be responsible?"
Chu Que replied indifferently, "Sorry, this is an order from above, I am just following orders. Oh and Old Hu, you also need to leave immediately."