Tan Mingzhao's injury stunned all the officers present, even Tan Hengqiang looked somewhat surprised.

But before he could ask, Jiang Yuanzhen took a step forward and asked Tan Mingzhao, "Nephew, what happened to you?"

"Damn it!" Tan Mingzhao cursed with a grimace, "We met at the teahouse and started with normal negotiations. But Xiao Zheng refused An Qiqi's conditions three times, which irritated her. She insisted on pulling me into the next room to talk privately. I had just stepped inside when a group of people rushed up from downstairs and grabbed Xiao Zheng without a word! Of course I couldn't let that happen, so I rushed out when I heard the commotion! Who knew their soldiers didn't recognize anyone and shot me during the scuffle! I couldn't stop them at all!!!"

Tan Mingzhao's words were meant to convey two things. First, he tried his best to protect Jiang Zheng. Second, the other side got impatient because Jiang Zheng refused three times in a row.

Although his tone was hurried, seemingly an objective narration, the two key pieces of information were accurately conveyed to everyone's ears.

Jiang Yuanzhen clearly understood the underlying meaning of these words, but he didn't dwell on the details. Instead, he stepped forward, grabbed Tan Mingzhao's injured arm, and asked with concern, "Nephew, is your arm alright?"

"Tear!"

As he spoke, Jiang Yuanzhen used force to tear open Tan Mingzhao's sleeve, carefully examining the bloodstained wound on his arm. He found it was a bullet graze, and a barely perceptible coldness flashed in his eyes.

Tan Mingzhao didn't say anything or resist, allowing the other man to examine his injury.

"Damn it, they're so ruthless!" Jiang Yuanzhen cursed, releasing Tan Mingzhao's arm. He turned to Tan Hengqiang and said, "Commander! The administrative faction is shameless, they're pulling shit on our heads! Not only my son, but now they even dare to shoot your son! This matter can't be left unsettled!"

At this point, half of the officers in the conference room couldn't sit still and stood up to denounce the act.

The division commander Yang was also among them, saying with indignation, "Commander, the administrative faction is indeed going too far! They're making endless trouble over such a trivial matter! These kids in the garrison compound all have reputations, yet they show no respect at all! They even used guns; what are they trying to do?"

"That's right, we've always respected their wishes! Recently, to cooperate with their police department's investigation, we've stopped all business and are struggling to pay military expenses! What else do they want? Isn't this bullying?"

"Lao Li is getting too arrogant, does he think he's the only power in Dragon City? If we don't teach him a lesson this time, who will take our garrison seriously in the future?"

These officers' words were echoed by almost half of the people in the conference room. The remaining half sat silently in their chairs, not saying a word.

Tan Hengqiang turned to look at those who were speaking, pondered for a long time, and slowly pressed his hand down.

Everyone immediately quieted down and looked over at him.

Tan Hengqiang put out his cigarette and said with a stern expression, "This is a matter of face. Since it can't be resolved through negotiation, we'll use other means... Everyone!"

"Clap!"

All the officers stood up, legs together, at attention!

Whether they were senior colonels or generals, their bodies were as straight as spears at this moment, lined up in two rows beside the conference table!

Tan Hengqiang slowly opened his mouth, his voice calm and powerful, "After returning, each of you prepare for first-level combat readiness, ready to receive orders at any time to launch military operations against the administrative faction!"

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone responded in unison, their voices uniform.

Tan Hengqiang thought for a moment and added, "The actions of one person or a small group cannot represent the entire administrative structure of Dragon City. We must uphold the banner of the garrison, but we can't be used as pawns by others! All of you go back and prepare for battle. I'll handle the rest and wait for my orders."

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone responded in unison again, raising their right hands and saluting the deputy commander-in-chief with a snap.

Tan Hengqiang turned to look at Jiang Yuanzhen in the crowd and specifically instructed, "Go back and don't act rashly. I'll stand up for you."

Jiang Yuanzhen glanced at him, "Yes."

After issuing the orders, the people in the conference room gradually dispersed. Jiang Yuanzhen also put on his coat and walked out, while division commander Yang and others surrounded him, talking as they walked.

Soon, only Tan Mingzhao, Tan Hengqiang, and Zhang Xunchen remained in the large conference room.

Two military doctors hurried in with medical kits, intending to treat Tan Mingzhao's wound, but he waved his hand and said, "No need for now, you can go out first."

After dismissing the military doctors, Tan Hengqiang waved his hand, "Mingzhao, come over here."

Tan Mingzhao walked over and followed Lao Tan and Zhang Xunchen into a lounge to the right of the conference room.

"Bang!"

After everyone entered, Tan Mingzhao closed the door and simply pulled out a wad of tissues to temporarily stop the bleeding from the wound.

He knew exactly what was going on; he shot himself, and it was only a superficial wound, not serious.

The lounge wasn't large; the walls were filled with soundproofing foam, ensuring excellent confidentiality.

The three sat on the sofa in the room. Tan Hengqiang lit a cigarette and looked at his son sitting opposite him, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"The thing is..."

Tan Mingzhao then narrated everything in detail, including his conversation with An Qiqi, and the fact that he shot himself in the arm on the way back, without concealing anything.

After listening, Zhang Xunchen looked at him with some appreciation and couldn't help but comment, "Mingzhao's reaction was quick. Without this shot, it would indeed be difficult to explain to everyone that the garrison commander's son failed to protect Jiang Zheng! It's possible that some people would think you were deliberately handing him over because you were dissatisfied with the Jiang family's actions."

Tan Hengqiang sat there smoking, without expressing any opinion.

Tan Mingzhao also lowered his head, wondering what he was thinking.

Zhang Xunchen paused for a moment and said with some concern, "However, things have been stirred up this far, Jiang Yuanzhen's side..."

Tan Hengqiang waved his hand, interrupting him, and turned to look at his son, "Did An Qiqi say that to you?"

"Yes, she said it." Tan Mingzhao nodded, saying meaningfully, "I think this matter isn't just the administrative faction's doing; there might be other people behind it."

Tan Hengqiang thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I won't talk to Lao Li."

With that, Tan Hengqiang took out his phone and dialed a private number.

After a while, the phone connected, and An Zecheng's voice rang out, "Hello?"

Tan Hengqiang cut to the chase and asked, "Lao An, what's the situation on your end?"

An Zecheng said in a steady tone, "Don't worry about your side for now, I'm currently negotiating with Lao Li."

Tan Hengqiang pressed, "Can you negotiate clearly? One wrong step could lead to war. Today's incident has stirred up the emotions of the entire garrison, and it's definitely not appropriate for me to suppress it any further."

An Zecheng reassured him, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Give me a few hours, I'll talk to Lao Li. Whether it's replacing someone or something else, I'll give you a definite answer!"

"Alright, I'll wait for your news." Tan Hengqiang nodded and hung up the phone.