Chapter 66: Changes at Home
Chapter 66: Changes at Home
“But they hadn’t made any mistakes! Why replace them all?”
The old Chief’s words made Song Chengxian feel anxious inside.
“From our standpoint, many things aren’t about right or wrong. What, do you want to defy the Military Department’s orders?!”
The old Chief blew on the tea in his cup and glanced up at Song Chengxian.
“This… Chengxian wouldn’t dare.”
“Then it’s settled. We are soldiers. The military has its own rules. No matter the outcome, a soldier must obey orders from above. Things are a bit unstable domestically right now, so just endure it for now.”
The old Chief said meaningfully, a glint flashing in his eyes.
“I have already stepped down from my position. All I can do now is offer you some advice. I can no longer interfere in national affairs. You should understand that very clearly.”
“But Chief, even though you’ve stepped down, your prestige remains. If you just speak out…”
Song Chengxian was interrupted by the old Chief before he could finish.
“You want me to make a statement, to step out and protect your Song Family faction?”
“This… Chengxian wouldn’t dare presume.” Song Chengxian quickly waved his hands.
“Chengxian, I’ve stepped down. Some things are difficult for me to do now. But with such a big event happening, do you think the Leader would do nothing?”
“Some people think they can cover the sky with one hand, but that’s just foolish daydreaming. In Huaxia, that is absolutely impossible. The fate of your Song Family currently hinges on one person.”
The old Chief put down his teacup and looked at Song Chengxian nearby.
“Please guide me, old Chief.” Song Chengxian immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.
“The current Chief, Duan Fusheng.”
“Old Chief, I understand.”
Song Chengxian was not stupid. With just a slight hint from the old Chief, he grasped the key point of the matter.
“Remember, protect Duan Fusheng, and your Song Family won’t face any major problems. For now, just follow the orders. That small group of people can’t stir up big waves.”
The old Chief looked sharply at Song Chengxian and smiled faintly.
“Yes, old Chief. Then Chengxian will take his leave now.”
Song Chengxian now had a clear understanding and didn’t want to disturb the old Chief’s rest further.
All the way back to the Song Family, several officers were still waiting for his news. Their expressions were all very grave, just as they had been from the time he left until now when he returned.
After all, they had devoted almost their entire lives to the military. Now, to end up like this, they surely felt terrible inside.
Seeing Song Chengxian return, they quickly stood up, their eyes looking at him with hope.
“What did the old Chief say?”
“Any news from the Commander’s side?”
Song Chengxian asked instead of answering.
“News just came from there. He is out of danger. There shouldn’t be any major problems for now.”
“Good! Finally some good news. The old Chief told us not to worry. As long as the Commander is still here, we will be fine.”
A slight smile finally appeared on Song Chengxian’s face.
“Really? That’s great!”
“Let’s just wait quietly. New orders will come down soon.” Song Chengxian said.
“Chief, in that case, we won’t disturb you further.”
“Yes, go see the Commander. But don’t stay too long. The Commander needs rest now.”
After arranging some miscellaneous matters, Song Chengxian and the group of officers hurried to the military district general hospital. After waiting a while in the ward, the old man on the bed coughed lightly and finally woke up.
“Chief, you’re awake!”
The officers immediately crowded around the sickbed.
“Why are you all here?”
The old man slowly opened his eyes, looked around, and spoke somewhat weakly.
“Chief, your falling ill this time caused a huge shock in Huaxia. Most of us here received transfer orders.”
“So you’re not worried about my health, but about the badges on your shoulders!”
The old man laughed weakly.
“No, no, Chief, that’s not what we meant.”
The officers were all greatly alarmed and hurried to explain.
“Alright, alright, don’t get worked up. I’m not blaming you. It’s normal to think that way. After all, your achievements were earned through your own efforts. You can’t just hand them over for no reason.”
The old man coughed lightly for a while longer and caught his breath.
“Chief, we suspect the higher-ups are trying to strip you of your power now. You must be more careful!”
Wang Tailun said quietly, looking as if he feared being overheard.
“Tailun, stay. The rest of you can go back and rest. Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, nothing major will happen.”
The old man waved his hand and looked at Wang Tailun.
“Yes, Chief. Take care of yourself. No matter what happens, we firmly support you!”
The officers immediately straightened up, saluted in unison, and then orderly exited the ward.
“Teacher, if there’s anything, you can tell me.”
In private, Wang Tailun always addressed the Chief affectionately like this, as he was a soldier personally trained by the Chief back in the day.
“Come, sit and talk.”
The old man patted the edge of the bed and smiled slightly.
“Teacher, seeing you out of danger, my heart is finally at ease.”
“Ah, this old bones won’t last much longer. So, did you receive a transfer order from above too?”
The old man chuckled softly and shook his head, as if he had long since seen through it all.
“I didn’t, actually. Maybe they considered your face, Teacher. Except for me, almost everyone else received transfer orders.”
“Hmph! I’m not even dead yet, and those guys can’t wait to make their move!”
The old man’s face darkened, and he let out an angry snort.
“Don’t be angry, Teacher. Your health is the most important thing now.” Wang Tailun hurriedly advised.
“Utterly outrageous! As long as I have a breath left in me, I want to see who dares to covet the Donghai!”
The old man slapped the edge of the bed fiercely, and a powerful aura burst forth from him.
“Teacher, let’s focus on recovering your health first. As long as you are well, none of this will happen.”
“Yes, ah, if only I could live a few more years. What a pity!”
“It’ll be fine, Teacher. Once you get past this hurdle, you’ll be okay afterward.”
Wang Tailun quickly comforted him.
“I know my own body best. I thought I wouldn’t make it through this time. I didn’t expect the Director to save me again. It seems I really must thank the Director properly.”
“Teacher, it wasn’t the Director who saved you this time. It was a young man who helped pull you back from the brink.”
Thinking of Lin Mu, Wang Tailun smiled slightly.
“Oh? A young man? When did Huaxia produce such a skilled young doctor?”
The old man immediately looked quite interested.
“This young man appeared only recently. Last time, when my daughter was shot in the heart, it was also thanks to him that her life was saved.”
“Truly heaven blesses Huaxia. Such talent is a treasure for the country! What’s his name?”
“Lin Mu. ‘Lin’ as in two trees, ‘Mu’ as in herding.”
“Lin Mu. Hmm, not bad. Bring him to see me another day. I want to thank him personally.”
“Okay, Teacher. I’ll arrange it when I get back. For now, you rest well. I’ll visit you again another day.”
Wang Tailun stood up, saluted, and then left the ward.
Song Family.
After Song Chengxian returned, he found an old man sitting in the living room. He quickly took off his military cap, walked over to the sofa, and sat down.
“Dad, what brings you here?”
“With such a big thing happening to our Song Family, how could I not come?”
Song Zhilin snorted and smoothed his silver-white hair.
“How is the Chief?”
Song Chengxian recounted the Chief waking up and also explained the transfer order situation in detail. Song Zhilin also sighed in relief upon hearing.
“If the Chief hadn’t woken up, I was planning to use our family’s connections. Those people are simply lawless, showing no regard for me, Song Zhilin. It’s utterly outrageous!”
A fierce light flashed in Song Zhilin’s eyes. He hadn’t been this angry in a long time.
“Dad, it should be fine this time. But having our fate held in someone else’s hands… these days are truly difficult. It seems we should make other plans sooner rather than later.”
“Hmm? Do you have any good suggestions?”
Song Zhilin glanced at his son.
“An alliance marriage with the Guo Family. The Guo Family has extensive economic networks behind them. If our two families join forces and support each other, our family’s strength will surely grow more glorious!”
A glint flashed in Song Chengxian’s eyes.
“That’s not a bad idea. Yuru is not young anymore either. Call her down. Let’s talk with her.”
After a moment’s consideration, Song Zhilin nodded, also feeling it was a good idea.
“Marriage is a major matter. We are making the decision for her own good. The Guo Family is powerful; she won’t suffer married into them, especially with her own family’s strength backing her.”
“Yes, and the Guo Family has agreed that when they have a son, he will take our Song Family surname. I’m quite satisfied with that point.” Song Chengxian added.
“The Guo Family knows how to handle things well. That is indeed good.”
As they were talking, Song Yuru came downstairs. Seeing his granddaughter come down, Song Zhilin smiled slightly and asked her to sit and talk.
“Yuru, sit down quickly. Grandpa hasn’t seen you for quite a while. How have you been lately?”
He had doted on this granddaughter since she was little, always treating her like a grandson.
“Grandpa, if you have something to say, just say it directly.”
Song Yuru sat down, her face calm.
“Good, worthy of being a child of the Song Family, a soldier’s descendant. We need this straightforward style in handling matters. Regarding your marriage to Guo Songyun, your father and I discussed it and decided to hold it earlier.”
Song Zhilin looked at Song Yuru with approval and smiled. In his mind, his granddaughter had no reason to refuse. Whether in family background or power, the Guo Family was beyond reproach.
“What? Why the sudden change?”
Song Yuru was stunned. She thought it would be about family matters, but it turned out to be about her marriage.
“You two children should pick an auspicious date soon and prepare to get married!”