The Rise of a Special Forces Soldier Abandoned by a Wealthy Family

In the eastern suburbs, the Zeng family courtyard.

The atmosphere in the study was completely different from the previous thunderous rage.

Li Weiguo, almost speaking with gestures and animated expressions, recounted Zeng Long's meticulous analysis and his audacious "counter-strategy" plan in its entirety.

As Grandpa Zeng held the purple clay teapot, his tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed. When he heard something interesting, he couldn't help but tap the table lightly with his fingers.

Zeng Sheng's initial shock and fear gradually transformed into a complex emotion that was hard to describe. His eyes showed worry, but even more so, disbelief and astonishment.

"...Commander, Brother Zeng, that's the situation."

After Li Weiguo finished speaking, he let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if he had been reborn.

"If Xiaolong hadn't reminded us, we would have almost walked right into their trap."

Grandpa Zeng slowly put down the purple clay teapot, his gaze sharp as he swept over the two men:

"So, I'm just getting senile, so angry that I almost ruined everything?"

Li Weiguo and Zeng Sheng quickly lowered their heads:

"Dad/Commander, we didn't think this through."

"No." The old man slowly shook his head.

Instead of showing anger, a smile of extreme satisfaction, even a hint of pride, slowly spread across his face.

"It's not that I'm getting senile, it's just that my Zeng family lineage... is too outstanding."

He became more and more excited as he spoke, and finally couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh out loud:

"Hahaha! Good! Excellent! Remaining calm in the face of danger, seizing the initiative, and turning the tables!"

"That mindset, that courage! Just like me! Just like his grandfather back in the day on the battlefield!!!"

"He looks just like his father!"

He patted Zeng Sheng's shoulder hard, his smile bringing together wrinkles around his eyes.

"Zeng Sheng! You've raised a fine son!"

"My Zeng family... has a worthy successor! With such a pillar in the nation, how can we not be strong and prosperous! With such a descendant in the Zeng family, how can we not flourish?"

The old man hadn't laughed so heartily in decades; his loud laughter seemed to make the roof tiles creak.

He was worried about his grandson's safety, but even more proud of his grandson's excellence.

Zeng Sheng was also deeply moved and nodded vigorously:

"Yes, Dad! Xiaolong... he really exceeded my expectations!"

He originally only wanted to make it up to his son, but he never expected that his son had already grown into a towering tree that could shelter him from the wind and rain.

Seeing the excited father and son, Li Weiguo added at the opportune moment:

"Sir, Xiaolong also volunteered to carry out some...highly difficult missions overseas for the country."

These words caused the old man and Zeng Sheng's smiles to fade slightly, revealing worried expressions.

"Nonsense!" Zeng Sheng objected instinctively. "Those missions are too dangerous!"

The old man remained silent for a moment, his eyes deep, before finally speaking slowly:

"Even fledglings must spread their wings!"

"My family has three generations of military personnel; fighting for our country is a mission etched into our bones!"

"Since he has the ability and the will... Good! Very good! This is the kind of responsibility a son of the Zeng family should have!"

"However," he looked at Li Weiguo, his tone grave, "Weiguo, the selection of missions must be absolutely cautious! Safety first! If necessary, use all available resources to ensure safety."

"Yes, sir! I understand!" Li Weiguo solemnly replied.

When I finally heard Zeng Long's complete plan of "setting up a trap with my own body to lure the enemy into a trap".

The old man slammed his hand on the table in approval once more, pacing excitedly around the study:

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! This kid is a born strategist! Let's do it this way! Wei Guo, go and make the arrangements immediately!"

"We will fully cooperate! I want to see which cowardly rat dares to plot against my Zeng family's grandson and the minister of the Dragon Kingdom."

Another heavily guarded courtyard house in Beijing exudes an atmosphere of calculation and secrecy.

Grandpa Chen and Grandpa Liu were playing chess in a quiet room. The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense, and the black and white pieces were locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle on the chessboard.

Old Master Chen picked up a pawn, crossed the Chu River and Han border, and gently pushed it forward, directly forcing a checkmate! "Checkmate!"

A confident smile spread across his face:

"Hehe, Old Liu, how's it going, Weiguo?"

"Never underestimate any small soldier; at crucial moments, they can strike at the heart of the enemy and secure victory."

Grandpa Liu stared at the chessboard. His "general" was indeed forced into a corner with no way out.

He remained calm and unhurried, chuckled, and tapped the chessboard with his finger:

"Not bad, Old Chen. You traded three pawns for one of my 'horses,' and the last one you kept is the real killer move. Pawns have their uses; sacrificing a piece to gain the initiative—this deal is worthwhile."

Grandpa Chen stroked his non-existent beard with a smug look.

Old Master Liu's smile faded, and his tone became more serious:

"Can Xiao Feng really make that Wang family kid willingly become his pawn? That Wang family kid may be stupid, but he's not completely brainless."

"Hehe," Old Master Chen chuckled calmly, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"It's just human nature."

"Once you figure out his weaknesses—his pride, impulsiveness, and the slightest provocation—he will naturally become the sharpest knife."

"A good chess player is not defined by how strong he is, but by whether he can make the pieces 'voluntarily' move to the positions they need."

Grandpa Liu nodded:

"So, how likely is it that Jianjun (Old Master Chen's second son, Chen Yifeng's second uncle) will take over this time?"

"There shouldn't be any major problems," Old Master Chen said confidently.

"Xiao Feng and I have already set up a trap, and Li Weiguo and Zeng Long, who suddenly appeared, have already jumped in."

"Once they get involved, it's a vicious cycle that can't be broken."

"When public opinion is in turmoil, the position of Minister of Security will be vacant. Jianjun has the qualifications and ability to fill the position, so it will be a natural outcome."

A glint of light flashed in Old Master Liu's eyes:

"Don't worry, I'll mobilize all my connections to support Jianjun. It's a win-win situation!"

"If he goes up there, my good-for-nothing son can learn from him and get some experience, so he can take over in the future!"

"It's time to change the look of that violent organization and let our people take charge!"

"I believe that with Jianjun's abilities and my husband Xiao Liu's assistance, we can definitely make it even stronger."

Old Master Chen reminded him:

"Old Liu, don't be too optimistic. We're not the only two old guys eyeing this position!"

"They're holding back now only because they haven't smelled the fish yet. Once the winds shift and they smell the stench, they'll all pounce and try to get a piece of the pie."

Meanwhile, at another elegant teahouse.

Two veterans who retired around the same time as Chen and Liu—Mr. Wu and Mr. He—are leisurely enjoying tea.

Old He took a sip of top-grade Pu'er tea and chuckled:

"That sly old Chen has been up to no good these past few days. Constantly making underhanded moves, sending spies everywhere!"

"Hmph, does he think we old folks are all blind? I know what he's up to the moment he opens his mouth."

Old Wu slowly washed the tea set, a profound smile on his face:

"Doesn't he have a good grandson?"

"That 'Jinglong Society' is really making waves, attracting a lot of young, moderates!"

"Although young, his methods are indeed remarkable, and his future is limitless."

"Hehe," Old He put down his teacup and looked at Old Wu meaningfully:

"That's just a small-scale operation."

"You think I don't know?"

"Your eldest grandson is much better than the Chen family's boy."

"Although he is much older and doesn't seem to compete with the younger generation, his maturity in handling affairs and his control over resources are far superior to Chen Yifeng's petty cleverness."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice:

"Why did you know as soon as that old fox Chen made a move?"

"Aren't those the most trusted 'brothers' around his youngest grandson actually people your eldest grandson deliberately placed there long ago?"

"Chen Yifeng thinks he's in complete control, but maybe he's just a pawn on someone else's chessboard."

Old Wu smiled without saying a word, but skillfully refilled Old He's tea.

Mr. He continued:

"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. In this game of chess in the capital, who will ultimately be the mantis and who will be the oriole is still uncertain! Old Chen wants to monopolize the spoils? He probably doesn't have the teeth for it!"

The two exchanged a knowing smile, everything understood without a word. Beyond the game of chess, there was another game.

A gentle evening breeze was blowing down outside the dormitory building of Beijing Qing University.

Our protagonist, Zeng Long, is leaning against the corner of the wall, with a blade of grass in his mouth.

He looked like a lazy college student, but he was holding an encrypted satellite phone and chatting fluently in English with an international friend.

On the other end of the phone was Little Sparrow, a tech guru who was far away overseas.