Chapter 1 The Compromise

The regional conference in the First District had been going on for seven consecutive days. Finally, with large-scale protests and anti-war activities erupting in various states and regions, the pro-war faction chose to compromise. In the end, the two parties reached a consensus, deciding not to take overly aggressive military measures against the Dragon City for the time being.

Based on this, they would still implement a political and military siege of the Dragon City. As a result, a long-term confrontation and game quietly unfolded in the Dragon City.

Similarly, no one in the Dragon City was foolish enough to advocate attacking the First District's inland areas, because it would be impossible to accomplish after the resource recovery. Given the current situation of the Dragon City, ensuring existing rights and military strength, while also freeing the Dragon City from the First District's political and military control, was the most pressing matter.

...

Two months later, Yanbei in the Hua District.

It was late autumn, verging on winter. Red maple leaves covered the mountains in a famous scenic area, resembling fire and rosy clouds, an extremely beautiful and magnificent sight.

Su Tianyu, wearing a windbreaker, was accompanying Qin Yu on a mountain climb. Behind them followed a group of military and political dignitaries, including Qin Ziyi, Jiang Zhou, Wang Dingyuan, Xin Xiaodong, Tan Mingchao, Fei Pingsheng, and dozens of others, as well as General Yodwa, the visiting representative from the Lao Mo region.

The group stopped at the foot of the steps, waiting there.

At the same time, Qin Yu led Su Tianyu to the summit. The old and the young looked out into the distance, gazing at the sea of clouds and the red leaves covering the mountains. For a moment, they both felt a sense of peace.

After a long silence, Qin Yu suddenly turned his head and asked, "Do you have a cigarette? Give me one."

Su Tianyu glanced at him and said helplessly, "Jiang Zhou specifically told me not to let you smoke. Please bear with it."

Qin Yu held up two fingers and said in a commanding tone, "Hurry up, give me one."

Helpless, Su Tianyu lit a cigarette for him.

Qin Yu held the cigarette, took a deep puff, and looked into the distance, saying softly, "Xiao Yu, what do you think about the follow-up matters?"

This question stumped Su Tianyu. In fact, before coming here, he hadn't figured it out yet, didn't know how to use what kind of political game to allow Dragon City to achieve independent removal.

But looking at Qin Yu's profile, Su Tianyu suddenly had an inspiration, and blurted out, "I think the military conflict is officially over. Now, the Dragon City and Lao Mo have a strong military connection and have signed relevant mutual defense clauses. Unless they want to start a regional war and have a do-or-die mentality, they may take overly aggressive military actions."

Speaking of this, Su Tianyu paused, quickly sorted out his thoughts, and continued, "So, in my opinion, the key to the future lies in how to face external political oppression and military oppression. In the south, mainly the Lao Mo region, there are many weak regimes. If the First District forms a new force through division, appeasement, and bribery to continue confronting and suppressing us, we will definitely fall into a passive position. Therefore, my idea is to gather people outside the main game, and form a powerful political force through frequent trade activities and mutual assistance in infrastructure construction. The core of this is the Dragon City and the Lao Mo region. For these poor brothers around us, we should help if we can, and win them over if we can. Once we succeed in this, the political crisis of the Dragon City will be solved easily."

"Your opinion is correct and far-sighted..." Hearing this, Qin Yu was silent for a moment before saying softly, "Xiao Yu, from a poor boy with nothing to entering Songjiang, forming my own small group... and now having such a large group. Along the way, I have summarized a very simple truth."

Su Tianyu asked humbly, "What truth?"

Qin Yu took a puff of smoke and continued, "The rules of this human world are like this. Fighting alone will always suffer. The strong look for the strong, the weak look for the weak... whether it's a makeshift team or a magnificent parliament hall, the nature is actually the same. It's just people fighting each other's minds, only the stage has changed."

Hearing these simple and straightforward words, Su Tianyu couldn't help but agree, and nodded, "Listening to you, I am even more convinced that we must take the lead in moving, increasing the influence of Lao Mo after unification, and connecting these surrounding areas one by one to form a linked whole, so that we can confront the First District."

"Hehe..." Qin Yu turned his head and nodded slowly to him, "Okay, you're starting to feel like you're in charge."

Su Tianyu also laughed, "How could I be? I'm just running errands."

Qin Yu looked at him and asked meaningfully, "Have you ever thought about why your teacher, Li Mingsheng, didn't come this time?"

Hearing this, Su Tianyu couldn't help but fall silent.

Qin Yu reached out and gently patted him on the shoulder, smiling, "Some things are destined... just like me back then, I came up in a daze. I was very uneasy at first, but after doing it, I found it was quite easy!! The capable will naturally deal with the capable, just learn this point."

"Haha!"

Su Tianyu smiled knowingly.

Qin Yu pulled Su Tianyu and chatted again. The old and the young stood on the mountain, chatting for a long time, and from time to time, they would laugh.

After a long time, the two finished chatting, stepped down the mountain, and came to the steps below.

Qin Yu, dressed in cloth, reached out and pointed at Qin Ziyi, "Brothers far away are still brothers. Communicate more, contact more, communicate more."

Hearing this, Qin Ziyi immediately nodded.

Qin Yu chuckled and waved his hand, "Alright, it's getting late, let's go back."

The group followed Qin Yu and stepped down the mountain.

That night, the group returned to the base. Qin Yu did not attend the subsequent dinner. The last time Su Tianyu saw him was when he was sitting in the car leaving.

The dinner lasted until after eleven o'clock in the evening. Before leaving, Qin Ziyi found him and said, "The interviews and the aid construction for the Lao Mo region have all been taken care of. My younger brother Jiang Zhou and Xiang Jingyang, the commander of the southern region, will arrive in Dragon City with you for a month-long visit and military communication!"

Su Tianyu quickly shook hands with him and responded very formally, "I hope that the relevant negotiation meeting, mainly about the Dragon City, can also be held in the Hua District as soon as possible."

Hearing the conversation between the two, Jiang Zhou, who was sitting on the side, patted his thigh, got up and said, "That's for sure. Okay, then I'll make another trip!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a voice came out. Everyone turned their heads when they heard the sound, and saw a mature, beautiful, and charming woman walking into the banquet hall.

She stood there, looking at everyone with a smile, and continued, "I also want to go to the Dragon City."

Su Tianyu was stunned for a moment and turned to Jiang Zhou with a questioning look.

Jiang Zhou paused for a moment, then reached out and introduced, "My sister, Qin Zimo."