Chapter 441

Chapter 441 Helicopter No. 1!

A surname even more powerful than the “Jiang” family?

　　Having thought of that possibility, and combining it with a certain rumor that had been spreading widely recently, Jiang Qingyuan’s expression had already become somewhat complicated.

　　She took a long, hard look at Su Rui, as if trying to find an answer in his expression, but she failed. Su Rui’s expression was calm and composed, just as it always was, without any particular change at all.

　　”Jiang girl, it’s fine if you don’t agree. I won’t force you to do anything. But in a moment, I’m afraid the decision here won’t be in your hands anymore.”

　　As he spoke, Qin Zhizhang raised his head. The helicopters flying in from three other directions were getting closer and closer.

　　Jiang Qingyuan’s expression was extremely complicated. She had no idea who was sitting in those three helicopters, but since Qin Zhizhang had said so, the background of those three aircraft couldn’t possibly be any less formidable than the Qin family.

　　It seemed that tonight’s events had completely spiraled beyond her control.

　　The second helicopter was not a military one, but an ordinary transport aircraft. After it landed, a man in a suit stepped out from inside.

　　The man appeared to be in his fifties, tall in stature, with a fair complexion, sharp eyes, and an air of capable efficiency about him.

　　When she saw this person, Jiang Qingyuan felt as though her breath was about to stop.

　　Anyone who regularly watched the news would have been able to recognize him immediately. The man in the suit now standing before the gates of the Nangong family compound was none other than the current Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China — Li Zonghan.

　　He was also one of the most outspoken hawk figures in China’s political arena today.

　　Don’t start trouble, but don’t fear it either — these six words were embodied to perfection in Li Zonghan.

　　After he became Vice Minister, many diplomatic habits had changed. China’s stance toward foreign affairs began to gradually harden, especially when it came to historical legacy issues with Japan, where he never once compromised or backed down.

　　It was precisely for these reasons that Li Zonghan enjoyed an extremely high level of public support and approval. He was also the most likely candidate to become the next Minister of Foreign Affairs.

　　In an era where diplomacy was playing an increasingly significant role, becoming Minister of Foreign Affairs would perhaps give Li Zonghan the standing to contend for the very pinnacle of power.

　　So when Li Zonghan’s figure emerged from the transport aircraft, Qin Ranlong had already started chuckling to himself.

　　Bai Qinchuan, on the other hand, pressed his hand to his forehead, his face a picture of exasperation.

　　If this eldest young master of the Bai family were given another chance to choose, he would never have chosen to come to the gates of the Nangong family compound at a time like this and invite trouble upon himself.

　　The three generals of the Qin family were already more than enough to make anyone feel overwhelmed, and now even Li Zonghan, the representative of the hawk faction, had shown up.

　　At this moment, Bai Qinchuan wished the ground would open up so he could crawl in and be done with it all.

　　By now, he had lost count of how many times he had cursed Bai Jiaming — who had been fed to the sharks — in his heart. That fool who had been used as a pawn without even realizing it had not only been a headache while alive, but even in death was causing him so much trouble.

　　When Li Zonghan saw that Qin Zhizhang was also there, he said with a smile, “Uncle Qin, I didn’t expect you to come as well.”

　　Strictly speaking in terms of seniority, Li Zonghan was of the same generation as Jiang Qingyuan, so calling him Uncle Qin was perfectly appropriate.

　　Qin Zhizhang also smiled and said, “Getting old, I can’t sleep well at home anymore. I can only get up and take a walk.”

　　Li Zonghan glanced at Jiang Qingyuan, seemingly casually, then swept his gaze across the entire scene and said lightly, “My sleep is usually quite good, but there are always some people who don’t want to let others rest in peace.”

　　Hearing these words, Jiang Qingyuan’s brow furrowed. Being evaluated like that made her feel very uncomfortable inside.

　　It was clear that Li Zonghan had made his appearance without any intention of showing Jiang Qingyuan any face. It seemed that this second-generation young lady of the Jiang family, whose influence ran quite deep, was not someone he regarded with any particular esteem.

　　”How did you end up coming by helicopter?” Qin Zhizhang glanced at the transport aircraft and said with a teasing smile, “That’s well above your authorized standard.”

　　The two of them began chatting away as if no one else were present, paying absolutely no attention to Jiang Qingyuan, Bai Qinchuan, and the others standing nearby.

　　Meanwhile, Nangong Shun, Zhang Feiyu, and the others had long since been loaded onto ambulances and rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

　　Watching the two of them chat and laugh so freely, Jiang Qingyuan’s expression looked very unpleasant.

　　”I was originally attending this year’s Haizhou International Forum in the South Sea. When I heard the news from here, I was afraid I wouldn’t make it in time, so I borrowed a helicopter from the Haizhou government to rush over. Fuel costs on me.”

　　At that, Li Zonghan let out a wry smile. “Just that one trip wiped out my entire year’s salary.”

　　Qin Zhizhang found this quite amusing. “Just refuse to pay. I don’t believe the Haizhou government would actually have the nerve to ask you for that money.”

　　”Uncle Zonghan, I’ll cover that for you!” Qin Ranlong stood beside Su Rui and shouted gleefully, as if eager to stir up more chaos.

　　”You little rascal, if I actually took your money, that would be accepting a bribe.”

　　Li Zonghan glanced in Qin Ranlong’s direction and at the same time caught sight of Su Rui. A look of admiration flashed in his sharp, keen eyes.

　　Su Rui had never met Li Zonghan in person before. Now, meeting the other man’s gaze, he gave a slight nod.

　　Whoever this person was, anyone willing to step forward at a time like this and risk offending the five great families to stand up for him was someone worthy of his gratitude and remembrance.

　　At this point, Jiang Qingyuan finally stepped in front of Li Zonghan and spoke with neither servility nor arrogance. “Minister Li, the order to arrest Su Rui was personally issued by Minister Chen Tongzeng of the Public Security Bureau. This can be verified within the Public Security Bureau’s own system. Even if you are the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Li, you have no grounds to interfere in a matter like this, do you?”

　　Jiang Qingyuan deliberately stressed the word “Vice” very heavily, as if reminding Li Zonghan of his place.

　　Li Zonghan took a long, hard look at Jiang Qingyuan, his gaze so sharp it seemed capable of seeing straight through to the thoughts in a person’s heart.

　　He was not bothered by Jiang Qingyuan’s attitude. He smiled and said, “Actually, this matter is very simple. I’m just here to have a chat and catch up with Uncle Qin. As for whatever you all want to do, go right ahead. I’m here, and I absolutely will not interfere in any way. Please, be my guest.”

　　Hearing this, Jiang Qingyuan nearly had lines of exasperation written across her forehead. What did he mean by coming to catch up with the old man — who rushes overnight from a coastal province by helicopter just to catch up? And what did he mean by letting them do whatever they wanted — he was at least a ministerial-level official, could they really just ignore his presence?

　　Qin Ranlong, upon hearing this, was almost ready to burst into applause. He leaned close to Su Rui’s ear and whispered with barely contained delight, “Big brother, this Minister Li is even more shameless than you.”

　　Hearing that, the muscles in Su Rui’s face twitched involuntarily — if there weren’t so many people around, he would absolutely have pinned Qin Ranlong to the ground and strangled him on the spot.

　　Li Zonghan stood there with his hands clasped behind his back, leaving everyone at a complete loss as to what to do.

　　If she could, Jiang Qingyuan truly wanted to turn around and leave.

　　But if she walked away like that, what awaited her would be an endless storm of fierce criticism and malicious attacks.

　　”Japan has been rather restless lately.” Li Zonghan suddenly shifted the subject.

　　Jiang Qingyuan was taken aback, seemingly unsure of his intent in saying this.

　　”I had been looking for an opportunity to give them a warning, but I never expected that someone would do it far better than I could — splitting the headquarters tower of the Yamamoto Group clean in two.”

　　As Li Zonghan spoke, he turned his gaze toward Su Rui once again.

　　Waves of shock surged through Jiang Qingyuan’s heart.

　　She had already learned of this through her own channels, but she never expected that the reaction from the upper levels would be like this.

　　It was clear that Su Rui’s actions had completely won over the heart of this hawk faction figure.

　　”Qingyuan, why must someone who brings honor to the nation be pushed to this point by people like you?”

　　At that moment, the other two helicopters also began to land. The thunderous roar filled the entire scene, and so Li Zonghan’s last words had been practically shouted out loud.

　　Bringing honor to the nation.

　　Faced with a question like that, Jiang Qingyuan had no answer — in truth, tonight she had already encountered far too many unanswerable, self-contradictory dilemmas.

　　”Answer me. Why?” Li Zonghan shouted once more.

　　But Jiang Qingyuan still pressed her lips together and said nothing.

　　”Qingyuan, do you know how Yue Fei died?” Li Zonghan finally asked the question that sent shockwaves through everyone present.

　　Even Su Rui, upon hearing this, suddenly raised his head, drew a deep breath, and murmured to himself, “That comparison is far too weighty. I don’t deserve it.”

　　Jiang Qingyuan equally never could have imagined that at a moment like this, Li Zonghan would actually draw a parallel between Yue Fei and Su Rui.

　　Yue Fei had fought bravely at the front lines, yet back at court, the emperor listened to the slanders of the treacherous Qin Hui, fearing that Yue Fei’s growing power would become difficult to control. At the very moment of successive victories, he issued twelve consecutive imperial decrees recalling Yue Fei, then had him ambushed and killed at Fengbo Pavilion.

　　In that moment, Li Zonghan’s words not only likened Su Rui to Yue Fei, but also mercilessly condemned certain people among the five great families as Qin Hui.

　　A hawk was a hawk — bold and decisive, speaking without fear, neither starting trouble nor fearing it.

　　”Jiang Qingyuan! Why do you people always insist on doing things that cause pain to your own and delight to your enemies?” Li Zonghan called out loudly once more, and at this point he seemed to be growing agitated.

　　Jiang Qingyuan couldn’t help but feel a burning, stinging pain across her face.

　　And among the many police officers present, some had already lowered their guns.

　　Causing pain to their own and delight to their enemies — listening to Li Zonghan’s words, they could no longer bring themselves to point their weapons at Su Rui.

　　They were police officers. Their duty was to uphold social stability and harmony. Now, a single order was pressing them to do something that went against their conscience, and they were unwilling.

　　One of their own — why should they go after one of their own? Why did it have to come to a matter of life and death, making a spectacle for outsiders to laugh at?

　　Jiang Qingyuan gritted her teeth, still wanting to hold her ground. But at that moment, the third and fourth helicopters landed simultaneously.

　　The third helicopter was conspicuous, because painted clearly on it in white spray paint were several large characters — National Security 001.

　　Upon seeing those characters, the more than twenty National Security agents on the scene all felt a burning sensation in their chests.

　　001. Aircraft number one.

　　Because within the vast National Security system, only one person had the authority to requisition this helicopter numbered 001.

　　Even though the cabin door had not yet opened, the identity of the person inside was already on the tip of everyone’s tongue.

　　Three helicopters had already brought three dazzlingly prominent figures. So what about this fourth aircraft, which looked the most unremarkable of all — who was seated inside?

　　It was a very ordinary military helicopter. Yet when everyone made out the inconspicuous license plate beneath it, the atmosphere across the entire scene was on the verge of igniting.