The faces of the four guards changed drastically.
It wasn't what they had agreed upon in the courtyard earlier; they had sworn to face death together.
Xiao Hai, with reddened eyes, said, "Old Xu, you can't go back on your word. We are your guards; naturally, we will face death with you."
Xu Hanchen raised his hand, signaling Xiao Hai to say no more.
The black-clad figures on the opposite side didn't have so many scruples. They waved their hands, preparing to open fire. As long as they killed Xu Hanchen, their mission would be complete, and they would receive immense rewards from the aristocratic families.
Who wouldn't be tempted?
It was at this moment that the sound of gunfire suddenly erupted from behind the black-clad figures, and then a swath of them fell.
Xiao Hai and the other four guards had never witnessed such a scene. They quickly shielded Xu Hanchen to retreat, but Xu Hanchen remained rooted to the spot, showing no intention of leaving.
The black-clad figures, slow to realize, understood that Xu Hanchen's reinforcements had arrived.
Thus, the frontline black-clad figures desperately tried to kill Xu Hanchen, all aiming their guns at his head. Before they could even fire, shells landed around them, blasting them into pieces. Xu Hanchen still stood in his place, only his silver hair fluttering in the wind from the shockwave.
Rumble!
War vehicles appeared, plowing through their ranks, and screams erupted.
The sky echoed with beast-like roars as helicopters appeared in everyone's sight, unleashing heavy machine-gun fire on the black-clad figures.
Xu Hanchen stood there, and the battle from beginning to end lasted a mere three minutes.
Xiao Hai and the four guards had never seen such a terrifying scene; for a moment, they stood there dumbfounded, their minds a blank slate.
"Old Xu, did you know someone would come to rescue us long ago?" Xiao Hai asked.
Xu Hanchen shook his head, "I knew someone would come to rescue us, but I didn't expect them to arrive so coincidentally. Just in time, none of us will have to die."
Before long.
A middle-aged man in military uniform strode quickly to Xu Hanchen and, after saluting, asked, "Old Xu, are you injured?"
The man was Lin Zhige, the commander of the Beijing Garrison Command.
Lin Zhige's brows were sharp, and his eyes were piercing. It was evident he had been a talent in his youth, and even in his old age, he had not lost his former charisma.
Xu Hanchen smiled faintly, "Little Lin, you've come at a timely moment. This old man was already prepared to die."
Lin Zhige finally breathed a sigh of relief and said to Xiao Hai and the four guards, "You have performed admirably in protecting Old Xu and deserve commendation, but now is not the time for rewards. We have more important matters to attend to. Old Xu, I will have people continue to protect you here. Do not go anywhere."
"Forget it, I'll go to Han Sanli's residence. It's time for a resolution." Xu Hanchen rejected Lin Zhige's suggestion.
Lin Zhige couldn't persuade the old man and nodded, "Alright. My advance forces have already surrounded Han Sanli's residence and should have disarmed him by now."
It would be safe to go now.
As Xu Hanchen was about to board a helicopter, Lin Zhige's deputy ran up and whispered a few words in his ear, causing Lin Zhige's brow to furrow. He then quickly walked up to Xu Hanchen and said, "Old Xu, I think there's no need for us to go. The battle over there has already concluded."
Xu Hanchen's heart stirred, "Han Sanli is dead?"
Lin Zhige nodded, "Indeed. He shot himself in his study, ending his own life."
Xu Hanchen fell silent for a long time, then sighed, "If he knew this would happen, why did he start? But at least he gave himself a dignified end, saving us the trouble."
"Go inside and sit. Someone will be here to see you shortly."
Lin Zhige nodded.
However, he still had some doubts and inquired, "Old Xu, since Han Sanli's operation failed, will the people from the other aristocratic families truly come to see us?"
"Why wouldn't they? Do you think I'll go door-to-door to collect interest? Out of these thousand-plus men in black, only a little over a hundred were loyal to Han Sanli. Where do you think the others came from?" Xu Hanchen asked with a half-smile, causing Lin Zhige's forehead to break out in a cold sweat. It seemed the situation was indeed dire.
If he had been half a step late, Xu Hanchen would have already met his end.
"Then how should we deal with these aristocratic families? Should we round them all up now?" Lin Zhige asked humbly.
Xu Hanchen shook his head and sighed, "Of course, I want to round them all up, but the risk is too great. It's not that I lack the ability, but rather that important positions are all held by these aristocratic families. If we round them all up now, the entire nation will fall into chaos. Isn't that putting the cart before the horse? When it's time to back down, we should back down."
Lin Zhige clenched his fists, feeling somewhat indignant.
Xu Hanchen praised his handling of the crisis, making Lin Zhige blush, "Old Xu, I only did what I should have done. It's not as good as you say."
Xu Hanchen smiled and remained silent.
They waited for half an hour. Instead of the aristocratic families, Wu Dingfeng arrived.
Upon seeing the bloodbath outside the courtyard, Wu Dingfeng's heart sank, fearing the worst had happened. It was only when he saw Xu Hanchen that he breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's good that you're alright," he said with emotion.
Xu Hanchen was touched, "You traveled thousands of miles from Jiangnan to be here. That's thoughtful of you. I heard people from the Lingnan Military Region were also on their way, but I sent them back midway. The same applies to the Southwest and Northwest."
Wu Dingfeng quickly said it was his duty.
Xu Hanchen knew things weren't as simple as Wu Dingfeng made them out to be. If Xu Hanchen had been harmed, Wu Dingfeng would have been out to slaughter everyone in the capital. In other words, Wu Dingfeng and his men had come with a death wish, and how could Xu Hanchen not be moved?
"Right."
"Tell me about the situation in Jiangnan and Donghai. I haven't gotten a detailed understanding yet," Xu Hanchen asked.
Wu Dingfeng nodded and roughly recounted what Chen JinZao had done. After listening, Lin Zhige applauded and said, "As expected of a young hero! Chen JinZao is much fiercer than I was at his age. He charged into an aristocratic family alone and managed to hold out until reinforcements arrived. I doubt I could have done that."
"I really must ask him for advice sometime."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Just then, Xiao Hai ran in from outside, gasping for breath, "Old Xu, there are a few people outside who want to see you. I told them they had to wait for your permission, and they immediately knelt outside the door without another word."
"Then let them kneel for now," Xu Hanchen said coldly.
He then looked at Lin Zhige and Wu Dingfeng, "Guess which family's people will arrive first?"
"It could be the Jiang family. After all, the Jiang family has been making small moves over the years, always looking for an opportunity to join the top three families," Lin Zhige said with a slight smile.
Before long.
Several more people knelt outside Xu Hanchen's door, awaiting his judgment.
This night in the capital was destined to be unsettled.
An hour passed.
As many as forty to fifty middle-aged and elderly people knelt outside Xu Hanchen's residence. These were all accomplices of Han Sanli. If anyone were to stand there, they would be utterly shocked, for these were all influential figures, a rarity even in the capital.
Meanwhile.
Across Jiangnan, Qin Fengwu and Li Tianze also received the news.
Qin Fengwu lit a cigarette and murmured, "The situation didn't develop according to my predicted course. That Third Master Su is a truly cunning old fox. However, on the whole, it's fortunate that our Qin family didn't get involved. Otherwise, the Qin family would have been the first to bear the brunt."
This was considered fortunate amidst misfortune.
As for Li Tianze, the atmosphere was slightly more cheerful.
For no other reason than that they had bet correctly.
Furthermore, they had earned Xu Hanchen's favor, which might bring them immense help in the future.
In this contest with Qin Fengwu, Li Tianze had clearly gained the upper hand.
Jiangnan Military Region.
Upon hearing the news that the operation plan had failed, Su Shanshui became even more dejected. He said to Chen JinZao in a pleading tone, "I have lost completely. Can you give me a quick end?"
"A quick end?"
"Wouldn't that be letting you off too easily?" Chen JinZao sneered.
"Han Sanli has shot himself, and you are the only remaining principal culprit in this case. You will face justice. How could I bear to let you die?"