Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 965: He who knows the current affairs is a hero

Xiong Chang's expression was as calm as water, as if all the noise from the outside world could not break his inner peace. He slowly picked up the teacup and took a sip. The fragrance of tea flowed between his lips and teeth, as if it could temporarily dispel the tense atmosphere around him. Then, he slowly put down the teacup, looked deeply at Mitsui Kazuki, and said meaningfully: "If Mr. Mitsui really intended to send me to the Prime Minister's Office, then you would not have gone to such great lengths to contact me through our intelligence personnel, and you would not have waited for my arrival here in the middle of the night. After all, such courtesy is obviously inappropriate for an outsider who is regarded as an enemy."

Mitsui Kazuki's face was still gloomy, as if a dark cloud was hanging over his heart. He spoke slowly, with a hint of displeasure in his voice: "How can you be so sure that I won't do this? In this chaotic world, a person's fate is often thinner than paper. No one can guarantee what will happen in the next moment."

Xiong Chang smiled slightly, revealing an indescribable calmness in his smile: "Of course I can't guarantee my safety 100%, but in this situation, any wise person will choose to seek benefits and avoid harm. Kyoto will fall soon, this is an indisputable fact. If the Mitsui family chooses to be an enemy of China at this time, then the fall of Kyoto will be the day when the Mitsui family will be doomed. I believe that Mr. Mitsui, as the helmsman of the family, should not make such a short-sighted decision."

Hearing this, Mitsui Kazuki sneered, his eyes flashing with an unyielding light: "Are you threatening me? The Mitsui family has been passed down for hundreds of years and has gone through many hardships. We are never afraid of any threats. Whether it is war or peace, we can find a way to survive."

Xiong Chang shook his head slightly, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone: "The so-called century-old aristocracy is nothing but a joke in the face of politics. The wheel of history rolls forward, and anyone who tries to stop it will eventually be crushed into dust. I heard that the Suzuki family, one of the four major families, has been dealt with by Tojo Yuei. They were once glorious, but in the end they ended up with their families broken up. Mr. Mitsui, have you ever thought about what it would be like if the Mitsui family followed in the footsteps of the Suzuki family?"

Mitsui Kazuki's face suddenly changed, as if Xiong Chang's words had hit him so hard that he was speechless for a moment. He stared at Xiong Chang silently, his eyes filled with complex emotions: anger, unwillingness, fear... These emotions intertwined, making it difficult for him to control himself for a moment.

The atmosphere in the reception room became extremely heavy, as if even the air had frozen. Xiong Chang quietly waited for Mitsui Kazuki's reaction, but his heart was like a calm lake, without any waves. He knew that his words had touched Mitsui Kazuki's heart, and next, it would depend on how Mitsui Kazuki would decide.

Finally, Mitsui Kazuki spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue and helplessness: "Director Xiong, you are right. In this chaotic world, what we need is a way to survive, not a meaningless fight. The Mitsui family will not take the initiative to become an enemy of China, but we will never give up our own interests easily. I hope that both sides can find a win-win way to jointly deal with this crisis."

Xiong Chang smiled lightly, with a hint of playfulness and deep meaning in his smile. He spoke slowly, his voice low and magnetic: "There is an old saying in China, 'He who knows the times is a hero.' The choice made by the Mitsui family now is undoubtedly very wise. In this chaotic world, being able to see the situation clearly and seize the opportunity is the way to survive."

His words were like a spring breeze, yet sharp, and hit Mitsui Kazuki's heart directly. Mitsui Kazuki's expression relaxed slightly, and he seemed to agree with Xiong Chang's words, but his eyes still flashed with vigilance and doubt.

Then, Xiong Chang leaned forward slightly, and the distance between the two of them was instantly shortened, so close that he could almost feel the other's warm breath. He looked at Mitsui Kazuki with a playful look on his face, and his deep eyes flashed with complex emotions: "However, what chips does the Mitsui family hold? If the weight of the chips is not heavy enough, then it may still be difficult to rewrite the fate of the Mitsui family. After all, the president's attitude towards the entire Fuso is to destroy the clan and the race, and not even a blade of grass will grow. Such determination is not just talk."

Xiong Chang's words were threatening and probing. He stared at Mitsui Kazuki closely, trying to catch a flaw in his expression. Mitsui Kazuki's face suddenly became solemn, and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.

Su Zhengyang, the president of China, is known for his tough attitude and iron-blooded tactics. He is called "Crazy Su". In Fuso, the name of Su Zhengyang can even stop children from crying at night. His every word and every decision is enough to make the whole of Fuso tremble. Mitsui Kazuki knows that if the Mitsui family cannot come up with enough chips to exchange for China's forgiveness, then their fate will be like a fallen leaf, with nowhere to go.

Mitsui Kazuki took a deep breath and tried to keep himself calm. He spoke slowly, his voice trembling a little: "Director Xiong, the Mitsui family naturally understands their situation. We do have some bargaining chips in our hands, but whether we can rewrite our fate depends on the President's will."

There was a hint of probing and compromise in his words, and it was obvious that he made the choice after weighing the pros and cons. Xiong Chang heard this and smiled faintly. He knew that he had touched Mitsui Kazuki's bottom line. Next, it would depend on how the Mitsui family would show their sincerity.

"Mr. Mitsui, I understand your concerns. But I want to remind you that the weight of the chips lies not only in its value, but also in how you use it. If you can come up with chips that satisfy the president and show the sincerity and determination of the Mitsui family, then I believe that the president will give you a chance to survive." There was a hint of inducement in Xiong Chang's words.

After a brief silence, Mitsui Kazuki finally calmed down and spoke again with an unquestionable firmness in his voice: "Director Xiong, the chips in my hand are so important that they can influence the trend of the entire Fuso. But before that, I must think carefully whether such chips can bring enough benefits to the Mitsui family and ensure our future."

Xiong Chang heard this, and a trace of curiosity and scrutiny flashed in his eyes. He asked thoughtfully: "Oh? Then, what exactly is the bargaining chip that Mr. Mitsui is referring to?"

Mitsui Kazuki smiled slightly, with a hint of mystery and cunning in his smile. He slowly stretched out his fingers, dipped them in tea, and gently drew two clear Chinese characters on the table - "Renyu". As soon as these two words came out, the air seemed to freeze, and even breathing became heavy.

Xiong Chang's pupils shrank suddenly. He looked at Sanjing Kazuki in disbelief, with a hint of shock in his voice: "Prince Renyu? You mean, the crown prince appointed by the Emperor of Fuso himself, the future heir to Fuso?"