HLnovel Chapter 152: Old Friends Meet and Make a Promise
Chapter 152: Old Friends Meet and Make a Promise
Inside the Peace Hotel, the lights are bright and the guests are crowded. The service staff coming and going have all been trained in advance. Each of them has a smile on their face, giving people a warm feeling like a spring breeze.
There were still a few minutes before the official opening, and Zhang Ye and Old Zhang, as the most attractive organizers of the night, were already surrounded by guests.
"Hahaha, Mr. Xu, long time no see, you are still so energetic!"
As soon as Xu Zhenlin walked in, the sharp-eyed Zhang Ye immediately squeezed through the crowd around him and came forward to greet him warmly.
"I missed you so much after we parted in the capital. I never expected to meet you here!"
"Haha, Marshal Zhang, I'm not General Xu now. I'm just a commoner."
Xu Zhenling chuckled, her eyes filled with complex emotions as she looked at the young man in front of her, not knowing how to express her true feelings.
Once upon a time, he was very optimistic about Zhang Ye, and even regarded him as the best of the younger generation of the Duan faction, with the intention of focusing on training him and promoting him to a high-ranking military officer.
But who could have thought that things in the world are unpredictable and people have no intention of being under someone else's command for long. As the saying goes, a golden fish cannot be kept in a pond; it will turn into a dragon when it encounters wind and clouds.
Whether you are a traitor or a betrayer, the process is not important, the result is what everyone is paying attention to.
Just like now, everyone knows that he is the leader of the Independence Army, so who would care that Zhang Ye was just a small county magistrate in the past?
"What's the big deal? No matter how handsome you are, you will always be my senior and my guide!"
Zhang Ye did not look down on his predecessors who paid attention to him in the past just because of his improved status.
Just as he said, there were indeed three or two people among the senior management of the Duan faction who had helped him.
Although it did not provide much help, it was enough for Zhang Ye at that time to accumulate capital.
He will never forget this no matter what!
"I heard that several of you veterans have been visiting the southern Fujian Prefecture recently. How is my teacher? Why didn't he come this time?"
Zhang Ye pulled Lao Xu to a corner of the banquet hall and asked him quietly about his recent situation.
In fact, he understood the same thing as Mingjing. The reason why many senior executives of the Duan faction were willing to hide in the south was to find an opportunity to make a comeback and raise the "Duan faction flag" again.
After all, they have been the boss for so many years and have the support of many young people behind them. How could they give up the grand ambitions that are so close to them?
Besides, the Duan faction is not completely powerless now. At least there are nearly 100,000 troops stationed in the northern part of the Great Wall. Although the overall combat capability has declined, if a war really breaks out, it will be able to cause a sensation across the country.
"Old Huang has been quite relaxed lately. He goes to the beach when he has nothing to do, tends flowers at home, and reads the newspaper. He's quite relaxed."
Xu Zhenlin sat upright at the round table, his slightly weathered face showing a hint of fatigue. He shook his head and sighed.
"We are old, and we have no choice but to accept our age. Our generation will eventually exit the stage of history."
"It's good now. I'm retired, have a pension, and have food and drink and everything. I don't have to worry about so many things."
"There's one thing he does, he's paying close attention to what's going on here. When he's free, he listens to the radio, reads newspapers from other provinces, and asks about the latest news on the Independence Army."
"Oh, this old man is just stubborn and hard-headed."
Zhang Ye couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.
"When we evacuated from the capital, I advised him to come to the three provinces of East Lu, where I would take care of him until his death, but he refused to listen and insisted on heading south."
"Some time ago, I sent a telegram to ask about it, and he said everything was fine. He even sent back the money that was sent by the messenger."
"That's just his temper. To be frank, there's still a bit of a gap in his heart."
Xu Zhenlin is more like Huang Weize, so he doesn't have many reservations when speaking.
"When you first started to gain power, many people within the Duan faction were suspicious of him. Later, when the Feng faction and the Fengbei Army besieged the Duan faction, he had no choice but to ask you to intercede for him, and he felt even more humiliated."
"You're still so stubborn even though you're old."
After hearing what he said, Zhang Ye felt a little uncomfortable.
To be honest, I originally connected with Huang Weize just to find a backer so that I wouldn't be bullied by others during the internal struggle within the Duan faction.
Later, when they went to Beijing, Old Huang was very considerate. Not only did he help him make many connections, but he also secured a lot of resources for Jingshan County. He even treated him as his last disciple and planned to cultivate him with all his strength.
It was also from that time that Zhang Ye's mentality began to change a little bit. He felt that it was rare for a person to meet a noble person who was willing to help and lend a hand in his life.
Therefore, he also regards Lao Huang as one of the few relatives in his life.
I had thought that after the team was formed, I could take the old man over to enjoy the good life with him, but I didn't expect that his stubborn temper would not give me any chance to persuade him. He followed the footsteps of many old friends and moved to the south.
Fortunately, I met Xu Zhenlin here today, otherwise it would be difficult for Zhang Ye to find out about his situation.
"Wait a little longer. If your plan can be successfully implemented, I won't say anything. But if not, then all of you come over here and live with me in your old age. I guarantee that no one will dare to touch you!"
Zhang Ye made a promise without hesitation to take care of the later years of these old guys.
Xu Zhenlin was moved when he heard this, but his eyes became a little evasive and he smiled awkwardly.
"What plans are there? We are all dying, so what plans can we make?"
"Don't pretend, you really think others are fools."
Zhang Ye looked around and joked after confirming that there were no outsiders.
"Everyone knows that you ran to the South in hopes of making a comeback. This is already a semi-open secret."
"Oh, you kid, you really don't give us old guys face."
Seeing that he had brought the matter to light, Xu Zhenlin could only smile bitterly, not knowing how to respond.
They thought that their careful planning and patience for so long had made it secretive enough, but they didn't expect that this guy had already known their thoughts and plans.
"Mr. Xu, if you want to try your luck and rekindle the flame in your heart, I personally support you very much."
Zhang Ye looked directly into the other person's eyes and gave very pertinent advice.
"But sometimes it's hard to realize such a large plan with just enthusiasm, so partners are very important. I hope you can open your eyes and choose the right teammates!"