Refusing would surely arouse suspicion.
But answering would also expose him, and Chen Jin Zhao had no interest in conversing with the man.
No matter how he looked at it, his whereabouts seemed destined to be revealed.
After a moment's thought, Chen Jin Zhao decided to answer the call and stall for time. Mitre should soon discover the six soldiers had been killed, and Chen Jin Zhao might be able to use the Matsui family to delay Mitre's military action.
With this in mind, Chen Jin Zhao answered the phone.
A middle-aged man's voice came through the phone. Chen Jin Zhao understood his Eastern Ocean language.
"Matsui Yusuke, why did you go out to sea? That direction is the territorial waters of China. What exactly are you trying to do?"
The steward of the Matsui family was clearly angered.
Chen Jin Zhao remained silent at first, causing the Matsui family steward to yell in an even sterner voice, "You must report the situation to me truthfully immediately. Otherwise, when I report this to the family, you may be stripped of your heir status!"
"Matsui Yusuke is in my hands," Chen Jin Zhao replied calmly.
"Who are you?" the steward retorted, his tone wary.
Chen Jin Zhao said in a deep voice, "You don't need to know who I am. Just know that Matsui Yusuke is in my hands. If you don't want him to die, don't make a fuss about it. If I find out you've sent people to track me, I will kill Matsui Yusuke immediately."
The steward realized there was big trouble and said in a deep voice, "Young man, do you know the consequences of opposing our Matsui family?"
"Of course I do," Chen Jin Zhao snorted coldly.
"But to stay alive, I can only use Matsui Yusuke's life. When I return to China, I will send him back to the Eastern Ocean."
The steward pondered for a moment and then said, "No, I cannot make this decision. I must report to the family and let the elders make the decision. Also, I must hear Matsui Yusuke's voice, otherwise, we have no room for negotiation."
Chen Jin Zhao sneered, "Matsui Yusuke is in my hands. You are not qualified to threaten me with this."
"You..."
The steward could do nothing about Chen Jin Zhao.
He could only say, "Wait for me for ten minutes. I will call you back in ten minutes."
Chen Jin Zhao added, "Tell the important figures of the Matsui family not to make any rash moves. If there is any disturbance, I will kill Matsui Yusuke immediately. Also, the six Mitre soldiers you sent have been dealt with by me. You decide what to do."
The steward gasped, then said, "Wait for my news."
*Beep—*
Chen Jin Zhao hung up the phone himself.
He had only been away from the island for an hour and already encountered trouble. If the Matsui family and the Mitre base reacted, what would happen?
For the first time, he felt that the road home was so difficult.
The probability of returning safely to China was less than 10%. Chen Jin Zhao was not afraid of death, but he was afraid of implicating Yamanashi Chiho, Yamanashi Toru, and the unborn child.
At that time.
Edo Castle.
A river flowed through Edo Castle and eventually emptied into Edo Bay.
The Matsui family's mansion was located by this river, covering a vast area. In ancient times, it was the shogun's shogunate. After centuries of change, it had now become the Matsui family's mansion, showing how powerful the Matsui family was.
After being hung up on by Chen Jin Zhao, the steward hurried to the assembly hall.
His appearance caused dissatisfaction among the important figures of the Matsui family, as the Matsui family held a family meeting every morning, presided over by Matsui Taro, the elder of the Matsui family, who assigned daily tasks. This habit had continued for twenty to thirty years, and outsiders were not allowed to interfere.
Matsui Taro was in the middle of a conversation when he fell silent upon seeing the steward's arrival. Anyone with eyes could tell that the old man was angry.
This also caused the other members of the Matsui family to glare at the steward furiously.
One must know that Matsui Taro was once the Prime Minister of the Eastern Ocean. Even though he had retired from that position for ten years, his influence remained, and he could not tolerate defiance.
"Steward, what is going on? Don't you know the family is in a meeting?" a middle-aged man reprimanded the steward.
He was a middle-aged generation member of the Matsui family.
Upon entering, the steward immediately knelt on the ground, kowtowed a few times, and said, "My Lord, Matsui Yusuke has been kidnapped. The kidnapper is taking Matsui Yusuke's private yacht to China. He also told us not to make a fuss, otherwise, he would kill Matsui Yusuke."
Everyone was shocked upon hearing this.
Matsui Taro opened his previously closed eyes, revealing a sharp gaze.
The steward pressed his forehead to the ground, not daring to look up.
Matsui Taro said in a hoarse voice, "Tell me the whole story truthfully."
This was said in a tone of command.
The steward did not dare to hide anything and recounted the events from last night to this morning, causing the Matsui family members in the assembly hall to become furious and express their opinions.
"Bastard, Matsui Yusuke is the heir of our Matsui family. How will the world mock our family if this gets out?"
"Father, I think we must contact the Mitre military base over there and ask them to rescue Matsui Yusuke."
"I disagree. The other party is clearly a ruthless villain. If we alert this villain, Matsui Yusuke will die. Our Matsui family has already lost Matsui Kazuo, and we cannot afford to lose another heir now."
"Please think twice, my Lord!"
For a time.
The assembly hall was in chaos.
Matsui Taro raised his hand, and the assembly hall instantly quieted down.
Everyone looked at Matsui Taro, who then slowly said, "Tell him that if we don't hear Matsui Yusuke's voice, we will absolutely not compromise. His location is only a step away from the Mitre Air Force Base. He should understand the consequences."
Matsui Taro had already guessed that Chen Jin Zhao was likely bluffing.
"Also—"
"Immediately contact the Mitre base over there and ask them to be ready to act at any time. In addition, thoroughly investigate who is responsible."
The steward nodded quickly, "Yes, I will do it now."
He ran to the door of the assembly hall and dialed Matsui Yusuke's phone again. After it was connected, he said, "Listen to me carefully. We must hear Matsui Yusuke's voice, or you must let us know that Matsui Yusuke is still alive, otherwise we will immediately contact the Mitre military base to pursue you!"
Although Chen Jin Zhao had expected that the Matsui family would not believe him, he still felt a little disappointed when the facts were laid bare.
This made him feel lost.
He hung up the call directly. It was meaningless to say anything more.
Once again caught in the eye of the storm, where should he go?