Chapter 133 The Calming of the Storm

Jiangzhou's resolute words had barely left his mouth when reality slapped him in the face. The illegally gathered crowd outside kicked open the main gate and began to provoke the security guards inside the compound, throwing bricks, tiles, and Molotov cocktails.

"Bang!"

The security personnel inside the compound fired a warning shot, shouting in Chinese, Burmese, and Vietnamese, "Final warning! We are a Chinese-funded official enterprise. Your illegal intrusion is equivalent to invading foreign territory. We have the right to shoot any lawbreakers! Get out!"

"Get out!"

The security members braced their riot shields, holding smoke grenade launchers and automatic rifles, forming a line around the gate to exert outward pressure.

"We're only looking for the people from Dragon City. They killed our compatriots at the Seaview Hotel. Hand them over!"

"Hand them over!"

The crowd outside shouted as they began to push inward.

…

Fifth floor of the main building.

Under the protection of a dozen people, Jiangzhou had already slipped away. He took the elevator to the first floor and went straight to the basement.

Meanwhile, in the reception room on the third floor, Su Tianyu and the others stared dumbfounded at the scene below, feeling a little shaky.

"Damn!" Su Tianbei swallowed. "It's over, they're breaking in! How dare these people be so bold? Aren't they afraid of repercussions later?!"

"They're just a bunch of stupid lackeys, small fry. What do they know?" Su Tianyu watched the people downstairs. "The masterminds are probably not even in the country anymore!"

"What do we do? Can this company hold out?" Hou Guoyu paused. "Otherwise, let's rush out!"

"Do you know how many people are outside?" Su Tianyu swallowed. "If even Wangye's people can't protect us, going out there is just asking for death."

While they were talking, Jiangzhou's assistant ran in, shouting urgently, "Mr. Su!"

"Here he comes!" Su Tianyu immediately went to meet him. "I think the situation is a bit dangerous!"

"We're trying to solve the problem, but many main roads in Hanoi are blocked, preventing passage. Our reinforcements won't be able to arrive in a short time," the assistant said quickly. "I'm here to tell you, don't run out. Try to buy time and wait for higher-level communication!"

"Has there been any feedback from the higher-ups?" Su Tianyu asked the most crucial question.

The assistant didn't hide anything, replying immediately, "The headquarters is already working on it."

"How many people do we have here?" Su Tianyu asked.

"About fifty or sixty people."

"How long do we have to stall?" Hou Guoyu interjected.

"That… that's hard to say!" The assistant shook his head.

Su Tianyu gritted his teeth and shouted, "Damn it, we can't just take the beating without fighting back! Sis, take the family to the fifth floor, cut the power, find a room to hide in, and don't come out! Tongji Association members, young men, follow me downstairs. We can't just let them protect us all the time. Let's help out!"

"No, no, you still shouldn't go out," the assistant advised. "Let the higher-ups handle the communication."

"If they break in, we're all finished," Su Tianyu waved his hand. "Don't worry, we won't be a burden."

"Are there any guns?" Hou Guoyu asked.

The assistant hesitated. "Then follow me!"

After everyone finished discussing, Su Tianyu once again instructed his Third Sister before leaving, "Quickly take our family upstairs, and don't come out!"

"Okay!" Third Sister nodded.

With that, Su Tianyu, Hou Guoyu, Da Xiong (who had sustained minor injuries), Lao Hei, and a group of brothers followed the assistant downstairs.

…

North of Hanoi, about 350 kilometers away, was a military camp. The headquarters of the Capital Garrison Corps was located there.

The Capital Garrison Corps had three armies under its command, with a total strength of more than 70,000 soldiers. They were equipped with military equipment based on the standards of the Hua District's main forces, making them a formidable fighting force. Many years ago, Pu Xiazi's cousin, Pu Ming, led the Iron-Blooded 197th Brigade, now known as the 197th Army, which was also part of the Garrison Corps.

It was late at night, but the Capital Garrison Corps headquarters building was brightly lit.

Inside the headquarters office, a middle-aged man in his forties, with the rank of General on his shoulders, was looking grimly at the dozen or so officers in front of him.

His name was Pu Xingguo, the eldest son of the Third Madam of Governor Pu Yuan, and also the commander of the Capital Garrison Corps, as well as the deputy commander-in-chief of the People's Army in the Old Triangle region.

Yesterday, Governor Pu passed away very suddenly. He fell ill around 5:00 PM, was given emergency treatment around 6:00 PM, and passed away at 10:05 PM. After receiving the news, Pu Xingguo was about to return to the city to mourn his father when he received news that two armies from the First and Second War Zones were suddenly approaching the headquarters. Before he could react, the two armies were already in position, with the closest field division only about twenty kilometers away from the headquarters. This distance was enough for the rocket regiment to launch several rounds of salvo.

Inside the office, Pu Xingguo slammed the table and demanded, "What exactly do you mean by this?"

"Commander, please don't overthink it. During the state funeral, you are not the only one forbidden from returning to the city to mourn. Other Pu faction generals are also waiting for news," one of the colonels replied expressionlessly. "This is the Chief's intention."

Pu Xingguo stood up angrily, his eyes bloodshot as he shouted in his hometown dialect, "My father has passed away, and I can't go back to attend the funeral?! What are you afraid of? What is he afraid of?! All the main forces of my Garrison Corps are within the defense zone and there is no unusual activity. Who are you defending against? Or is someone defending against me?!"

The dozen or so officers looked at him without saying a word.

…

Kun City, Hua District, Southwest Theater Command.

Xiang Jingyang walked in the courtyard, pointing at Xiao Qinglong and instructing, "Get the diplomatic department involved. Take a tough stance and tell Hanoi directly that there are important guests from our side in the East Rise Express Company, and they must ensure the safety of our personnel."

"Yes!" Xiao Qinglong nodded, immediately took out his phone and walked to the side.

Xiang Jingyang stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, saying with some dissatisfaction, "Is this new Governor being a little too hasty, or does he not like someone being too close to me?!"

Just as he finished speaking, Xiang Jingyang's personal phone suddenly chimed with a text message notification. He took out his phone, glanced at it, and suddenly frowned, shouting, "Wait a minute!"

Xiao Qinglong turned to look at him.

"No, don't notify the diplomatic department," Xiang Jingyang paced back and forth, replying decisively, "Salt Island! Coordinate with the navy and notify a regiment from Salt Island to land at the port of Hanoi, right now!"

Xiao Qinglong looked shocked. "That's not okay! During the state funeral, even their own troops can't leave their posts without permission. We're staging an armed landing… this… this will cause big trouble."

"Damn it!" Xiang Jingyang cursed in annoyance, pacing again in the courtyard, "I have to think of an excuse… otherwise I'll get scolded… I've got it, you do this, you call East Rise and tell them to do this."

…

"Bang, bang!"

Inside the East Rise Express compound, the security personnel, with no room to retreat, opened fire. Hundreds of opponents instantly rushed into the compound, and the battle officially began!