Chapter 28: Exchanging Hearts (First Update)

  Ding Hua quickly collected his emotions and calmly said, "What else can be done? It's just thinking about how to let the Ding family survive. This whole family of over a hundred people must live well."

  Listening to Ding Hua's words that seemed true yet false, Mao Feng couldn't help but sneer in his heart. He knew that at this point, they both lacked trust and it was impossible for them to reach a tacit understanding.

  He hypocritically comforted: "Father-in-law, as long as I'm here, I'll definitely help the Ding family!"

  Whether it's true or false, Ding Hua still thanked Mao Feng and cupped his hands to say: "Then thank you, son-in-law!"

  Following Mao Feng's frank discussion with Ding Hua about the wedding date and detailed procedures, Mao Feng also thoroughly planned to take matters into his own hands. Ding Hua was also beyond caring, as things had come to this point, there was no need to hide anything.

  When the wedding date was set for New Year's, Mao Feng also agreed and immediately got up to bid farewell. Ding Hua personally saw him out of the door and watched as Mao Feng left before turning around and entering the mansion.

  Lin Hu looked at his subordinates on both sides, his expression extremely solemn. Behind him was a hanging map. He scanned the subordinates and said in a low voice: "This time I brought everyone over, mainly to inform you that good times are coming to an end. Just now Guangzhou sent a telegram, Sun Dapao is going to launch another attack. Now the Guangzhou side wants our department to provide support when necessary. What do you think?"

  The main officers of the Third Army's divisions all arrived, and Mao Feng was also notified to attend the meeting. The military conference in Chao Mei area. As a new commander of the Zha Tuan, Mao Feng had always been very humble, as a junior, he would always be the first to greet the division commanders, which at least made him familiar with them.

  It wasn't until Lin Hu came in that Mao Feng finally stopped, but Mao Feng still sat next to Liu Xu Guang, close together. Although Liu Xu Guang was still holding the position of commander, most of his military power had been stripped away, and he didn't look any better than before. From his worried expression, it was clear that times were tough for him.

  Lin Hu saw that Mao Feng's eyes were a bit disordered at this time, and he immediately called out: "Feng Zhi, you say! What do you think of the current situation?"

  Everyone's gaze suddenly focused on Mao Feng, with some filled with jealousy, others waiting with bated breath, and still others looking at him with disdain. Mao Feng immediately stood up straight, adjusted his clothes, and said: "Yes, General!"

  He then looked at Lin Hu and said, "I think that now is not the question of whether to start a war or not, but how to benefit from it under the circumstances!"

  Although this sentence is full of the taste of merchants' market, it is very in line with the current trend! Lin Hu said calmly: "Continue to say, say everything."

  "Yes!" After a pause, Mao Feng continued: "I think Guangzhou has always been Sun's territory, and even southern Guangdong is the same. If Chen wants to consolidate Guangzhou, I think it will be very difficult. Moreover, Yunnan and Guizhou have always followed Sun closely, attacking from two sides, and Guangzhou will inevitably be lost! I think our army should withdraw and watch the tigers fight each other!"

  Following Mao Bingzhi's gaze at the colleagues present, he said: "The Yunnan Army stationed in Guangxi, Zhu Peide's division and Yang Ximin's division are all under the leadership of Sun Daquan. The Guangxi warlord Liu Zhenhuan's division is also the same. Guangxi has become the first line and the most threatening direction to Guangdong. Their troops' combat effectiveness is well-known to everyone. According to my analysis, they will attack the Wuzhou line in western Guangdong before long! Open the west gate of Guangdong."

  Lin Hu's eyes stared fiercely at Mao Feng, and he said in a low voice: "How did you know about these things?"

  "This is my analysis, plus some rumors and hearsay from my father-in-law's business friends over the years!"

  After hearing such an answer, Lin Huo couldn't say anything. Lin Huo actually knew these things too. The key now was the threat from Guangxi, and he was too far away. Moreover, Fujian was also unstable at present, and there were signs of unrest in the Shantou area! These were all forces threatening his Chaomei region.

  Lin Hu waved his hand to signal Mao Feng to sit down. After Mao Feng sat down, Lin Hu said to the subordinates present: "Feng, you've said something very good, and it's beyond my expectation that you can analyze it this way. This shows that Feng is being diligent, and this point is worth learning from!"

  Then, Lin Hu stood up and walked to the map behind him. He pointed at Chaozhou and said: "Everyone please look, currently we are in eastern Guangdong. This is where Sun Da's influence is very strong, and it's too far from Guangxi. Chen Jiongming may not trust us either. What should we do now? There is only one way, that is to wait and see how Chen Jiongming responds. What we need to do next is to seize the opportunity to expand our territory. I believe that once we succeed, everyone will greatly increase their own power!"

  Lin Huo is indeed a temptation of the word "benefit", without any disguise. Mao Feng also understood Lin Huo, and found that Lin Huo's understanding of human nature was very thorough, not a person who speaks empty words.

  Mao Feng's words shocked everyone present, even Liu Xu Guang was moved. Lin Hu then said: "Now I order all troops to prepare for their respective defense zones, and eliminate any hidden dangers immediately! If the battle situation turns in favor of Sun Da Cannon's division, we will take down the Swatow line, with an outlet to the sea, we will have a source of wealth! And also capital to let Chen Jiongming know that Lin Hu is not someone he can bully!"

  Lin Hu's words were clear, and everyone present understood that Lin Hu had always been worried that Chen Jiongming would reorganize and swallow him up. At that time, Chen Jiongming's power would greatly increase, and he himself might not even be able to keep his own life safe.

  "Yes!" Without any hesitation, everyone including Mao Feng stood up and responded loudly.

  When it was time to leave, Lin Hu shouted at Mao Feng. When the conference room was left with only the two of them, Lin Hu smiled warmly and said: "Sit down, don't be restrained, just you and me!"

  Lin Hu was not very old, only in his thirties, but he was already a seasoned veteran with a strong killing aura that had long been solidified and could not be dispersed.

  Mao Feng nodded in agreement and sat down again. As soon as he sat down, Lin Hu said: "Do you think we have a good chance of winning against Sun Dapao?"

  Mao Feng did not dare to answer hastily, he cautiously said: "I don't dare to speak rashly!"

  Lin Hu said with some displeasure: "Don't be restrained, speak your mind freely. Am I, Lin Hu, also someone who can't tell right from wrong? You are someone I personally promoted, I trust you!"

  Can't help but say that Lin Hu's words also made Mao Feng feel a wave of excitement, Lin Hu said not a single word was false, Mao Feng indeed owed his rise to Lin Hu, and he wasn't one to pretend or be hypocritical. He said: "I am truly terrified!"

  After a pause, Mao Feng said: "I think Sun Dapao is not a man who dares to be in cahoots with others, but his prestige is not something that can be compared to that of the Grand Marshal or Chen Jiongming. The trend is on Sun Dapao's side, and perhaps he can resist for a while, but ultimately he will not be able to resist!"

  "Oh? Is that what you think?" Lin Hu looked at Mao Feng with profound meaning.

  Lin Hu's eyes changed and he said, "After I left Jiangxi Lecturing Martial Arts Hall, I always wanted to make a name for myself, serve the country, and save the people from water and fire. But seeing the constant infighting, seeing each other rise and fall in internal wars, what can I do? I can only participate, I can only think of relying on my own abilities to achieve something, it's not that I've changed, but this world has made me like this! Revolution? Ha ha, that's just a joke! Overthrowing the Qing dynasty's rule and replacing it with today's appearance, how can the revolutionary martyrs rest in peace?! This is all about personal gain harming others!"

  Mao Feng knew that Lin Hu was a fellow revolutionary, but he had differing political views with Sun Dapao, which led him to oppose Sun. Mao Feng couldn't say anything and could only be an onlooker at this time.

  Lin Hu looked at Mao Feng and said in a low voice: "From you, I see my former self, also so full of vigor and ambition, not hiding the wild ambitions in your heart. Feng, your road is still very long, my road has already been fixed. I hope you remember, no matter what, you can't be a traitor, can't be a running dog for foreigners! Do you understand?"

  Mao Feng's upright color said: "Please General rest assured, I will never be a traitor, even if I die!"

  Lin Hu nodded and said, "If Chen Jiongming can't hold onto Wuzhou, then Guangzhou will be lost next. In the end, Sun Daogan will unify the two Guangs, and Yunnan won't escape his grasp either. At that time, he might really become the Grand President of the Southern Government. I have to say, this man is a master at deceiving people's hearts; I'm no match for him! By then, will you and I still have a way out?"

  He didn't let Mao Feng answer, he himself answered: "There is no way out, unless it's to rely on this person! However, there are also factions on his side, such as the local Yunnan-Guangdong-Guangxi and political party struggles! Adding personal factions, that would be a big battlefield. If Sun Dapao can unify the country, then it's fine. If he can't unify, then death is inevitable, and civil war cannot be avoided. In the end, it will still allow foreign powers to gain an advantage!"

  Lin Hu's words made Mao Feng understand that no matter where he went, he couldn't leave the struggle. Mao Feng respectfully said: "General, I am willing to die for you, wherever you go, I will follow!"

  Lin Hu smiled and said, "What's on your mind?"

  Obviously, Lin Hu did not believe what Mao Feng said, and even Mao Feng himself did not believe his own words. Mao Feng said: "General, my idea is that if Sun Dapao can really unify the country, why not surrender to him?"

  Lin Hu chuckled and continued, "You've finally said it out loud. To be honest, I already knew that people from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions are always the most receptive to new ideas. It's not unexpected that you'd think this way."

  Then Lin Hu's expression turned stern, and he said: "However, before the outcome is decided, without my permission, you cannot make a move. That would be betrayal. Don't blame me for being ruthless later on. Remember that I can promote you, but I can also destroy you!"

  Mao Feng immediately stood up and said: "Yes, General, rest assured, I will absolutely follow your instructions!"

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