Li Jian’gang’s words were loud but reasoned, and the killing intent within his speech was palpable!
After Ye Longlin left, the most important position lacked a truly powerful leader. In fact, many people stood by Qin Hanlie, but both Qin Hanlie and Lin Langsheng explicitly refused the position, leaving Yuan Gang as the only strong contender among the young king generals.
However, Yuan Gang's defeat this time directly severed his path.
Furthermore, Yuan Gang's resume was not particularly outstanding.
Following closely, Tang Long's voice emerged from the military academy, and this immediately caught the attention of the high-ranking officials.
After this, Tang Long naturally became Ye Longlin’s successor and one of the candidates for the second Commander-in-Chief of the three armies. For some, a talent with a completely clean family background was easier to control.
This was not a decision made by one person; many things were involved behind the scenes. If it weren't for this, how could someone with a completely clean family background become a candidate for Commander-in-Chief of the three armies!
Li Jian’gang, Wang Da’gang, and their group were loyal followers of the Ye faction, or rather, the Li Chengdao faction.
Even though Li Chengdao was gone, the influence he left behind could not be completely eradicated in a short period. Some people, although they wanted to act, simply couldn’t!
Ye Longlin was also promoted by Li Chengdao, hence, this group naturally supported Ye Longlin.
“Li Jian’gang, it’s understandable to fool around normally, but now is not the time for fooling around. What, after so many years as comrades, you don’t believe I’d dare to hack you today?”
Zhang Maochao sneered, a hint of disdain appearing at the corner of his mouth.
He truly did not believe Li Jian’gang would dare to harm him. Although they had all retired, paying the price of their lives for this matter was not worth it.
Besides, they were not foolish. They all had families behind them, and no one was willing to gamble their own lives on the hope that Ye Longlin could remain in his position!
He had already retired, and there was no way he would go back up, right?
This was basically a consensus.
Li Jian’gang let out a cold laugh, took a large stride forward, and placed the red tassel saber in his hand directly on Zhang Maochao’s neck, grinning ferociously, “I’ve long been displeased with you, you bastard! You’ve been barking like a dog in front of me every day!
Today, I’d like to ask you, why should Tang Long become the heir? Does he have any brilliant achievements, or does he have any direct subordinate teams, and what contributions have these direct subordinate teams made to the country?
If you don't make it clear, even if I die today, I will cut you down! If you have the ability, try me and see if I dare or not?”
This statement instantly rendered Zhang Maochao speechless.
This was the truth.
Tang Long had not yet graduated from the military academy, and he had merely been pushed into the position of heir. There had been no whisper of it from the inner court.
Not having graduated meant he naturally had no direct subordinate teams, no brilliant achievements, and had made no contributions.
This was also the current weakness of the Tang Long faction.
Zhang Maochao said in a deep voice, “Ye Longlin’s direct subordinate team, the Dragon Pavilion, is not only capable of fighting but also possesses terrifying cohesion and execution. Ye Longlin is the soul of the Dragon Pavilion, the sole object of faith. If, and I mean if, one day Ye Longlin harbors rebellious intentions and carves out his own territory, who in the country could defeat this team?
According to investigations, the Dragon Pavilion has six hundred thousand troops overseas and another two hundred thousand domestically, totaling eight hundred thousand soldiers. To put it bluntly, apart from the Northern Wilderness, which can still put up a decent fight, who else in the east, south, west, and north can defeat them?”
This was also a concern for many high-ranking officials.
Even though Ye Longlin had retired, his influence remained.
As long as a word was spread, he could at any time rally a considerable number of powerhouses comparable to the imperial guards and soldiers capable of grinding down the imperial guards!
To put it plainly, they were afraid of Ye Longlin.
The military power not being under the control of the inner court made them feel insecure.
It was precisely because of this that Tang Long dared to act against Ye Longlin; otherwise, no one in the capital would dare to touch him!
Li Jian’gang exerted pressure with his hand, and a bloodstain instantly appeared on Zhang Maochao’s neck.
“In terms of national justice, Ye Longlin values it more than anyone, otherwise Elder Li wouldn’t have pushed him into this position. You probably haven’t even grasped the true meaning of the Dragon Pavilion’s existence, have you?
Since its establishment, the Dragon Pavilion has lost one million six hundred thousand soldiers in battle. Every soldier who died overseas had their ashes sent back to the country by special planes year after year. Do you dare to say Ye Longlin has rebellious intentions? Or do you think the Dragon Pavilion shouldn’t exist?
If that’s the case, then I, Li Jian’gang, would rather lose this life than let the Dragon Pavilion disband and let you, Zhang Maochao, go to the front lines to resist the Dark Hall and the armies of other countries!”
With the Dragon Pavilion’s personnel stationed overseas, no one dared to invade Great Xia!
This was a rule Ye Longlin had forged with his might!
He had made the entire world acknowledge this rule!
This statement silenced everyone, especially the group behind Zhang Maochao.
Before they could react, Li Jian’gang continued with a cold sneer and asked, “This is the last time I’m asking: yield or not!”
At the same time, in the capital prison.
Warden Qin Wufeng rubbed his head. He was the newly appointed warden and hailed from the Zhenwu Qin family. He was at the peak of the Dragon Elephant realm, just one step away from becoming a Dao realm expert.
Since Yuan Gang was escorted here, inexplicably, he had become one of the most scrutinized individuals in the capital.
He himself could no longer count how many people were watching him.
“Is Master still worried?”
Just as he was fretting, a young man walked in, wearing frameless glasses, looking very shrewd, and indeed he was.
However, Qin Wufeng did not like him; he was too much of a sycophant. He preferred straightforward people.
“Even if Ye Longlin returns to the capital, he is merely a toothless tiger, a tiger without teeth, incapable of stirring up any significant trouble. In my opinion, Master might as well kill Yuan Gang and align himself with Tang Long, as the next Commander-in-Chief of the three armies will likely be Marshal Tang Long.”
This statement greatly displeased Qin Wufeng.
When he took office, his elders had consistently told him that even if Ye Longlin lost his teeth, he would still be the Overlord.
Qin Wufeng put his hands in his pockets and looked at the scene in the forest, asking casually, “Have you ever met Marshal Ye?”
Ye Han slightly shook his head, “Never.”
Qin Wufeng nodded and said nothing more. He looked up at the night sky, asking with deep meaning, “Look at the sky, is there a moon tonight?”
Ye Han looked up at the sky. There was neither moon nor stars; it was completely silent.
“No.”
Qin Wufeng merely smiled, waved his hand, and let him leave. He remained standing in place, gazing at the night sky.
“No matter how thick the dark clouds are, they will eventually be blown away by the wind. After the clouds disperse, what remains eternal is that ray of moonlight!”