Then let them offer their loyalty!

Two chapters, 10,000 words each. Requesting monthly votes.

Chapter 555 Promotion to Garrison Commander of Four Prefectures (10,000 words, seeking monthly votes)

Upon hearing Rao Shou's words, Tang Wanli smiled and nodded.

He said, "At first, when you supported Lao Lei and Lao Hu, I thought you had dementia."

"They've been playing politics and power struggles for too long. They think they can use tricks to control Qiu Tu."

"But we know that Qiu Tu is not the kind of person who can be manipulated."

“They thought Qiu Tu was a loyal subject who would play by the rules. But they didn’t understand that Qiu Tu has never liked to play by the rules.”

"Given Qiu Tu's personality, if the shelter really dares to mess with him, he will most likely just leave for another shelter or start his own business."

"That's why I looked at you with such surprise back then."

At this point, Tang Wanfeng changed the subject, "But... after seeing how decisively you agreed with Lao Lei and Lao Hu's proposal."

"I knew something was wrong."

"So, after a little thought, I guessed what you were thinking."

Hearing Tang Wanfeng's words, Rao Shou smiled and replied, "But...you know Hu Jie is suspicious by nature."

"If you agree with me, he'll probably start to have doubts. So you voted against it both times? To deliberately lull him into a false sense of security."

It was clear that this wasn't the first time the two had worked together, so Tang Wanfeng smiled and nodded.

Then he said, "I think your thinking is correct."

"Instead of paving the way for Qiu Tu and making him a smooth-sailing garrison commander of the four prefectures and head of the shelter, we should help him achieve his goal."

"It would be better to let him 'fight' his way in."

"Only by relying on one's own 'strength' can one establish prestige."

"And..." Tang Wanfeng paused, then continued, "Those few, especially Hu Jie and Lei Laosan, are indeed a bit too pampered."

"They've long forgotten how we fought our way through countless hardships to build this empire. All they know is how to scheme and plot."

"It's time to let them see the power of the new generation."

Hearing Tang Wanfeng's words, Rao Shouwei nodded slightly. He held the fishing rod and said calmly, "Moreover... this is also a test for Qiu Tu."

"If he can see through our purpose and go with the flow, he can establish his prestige in the shelter and in front of Lei Laosan and Hu Jie."

"Then he is qualified to become the governor of the four states, the head of the sanctuary, and the pioneer of the new route."

"If he didn't see through our intentions and actually accepted the shelter's arrangements..."

At this point, Rao Shou shook his head slightly and said, "That proves he's at best a ruler who only maintains the status quo. And such a radical and dangerous plan as 'using an evil god to control an evil god' isn't actually suitable for him."

"I will still give him the appropriate treatment. But... he needs to have a backup plan and make other arrangements."

"Only he saw through our purpose and understood what kind of path he had chosen."

"And they are willing to fight and risk their lives for it."

"He's the one we should keep betting on."

At this point, Rao Shou looked at the clear pond and couldn't help but sigh, "After all... this is all we can do to help him."

"At most, I'll give him a little help. After that, he'll have to walk on his own."

"This road... will be incredibly rugged and winding."

"No one knows if this path will lead to the other side, nor does anyone know if this path is right or wrong. In fact... because of the peculiarities of this path, most people cannot agree with it."

"Therefore, he must learn to walk on his own."

"Judging from the current situation, he has passed this test. It seems he can really achieve something."

At this point, Rao Shou leaned back in his recliner and said, "As for us old folks, after we've completed our historical mission, it's time to retire and enjoy our old age."

"Don't always cause trouble for young people."

Hearing Rao Shou's words, Tang Wanfeng smiled and looked at him, "You seem to think highly of him."

"I feel even more optimistic about it than I, as the grandfather, am."

Hearing Tang Wanfeng's teasing, Rao Shou glanced at him sideways and said sarcastically, "Become a grandfather? Hah..."

"Although I feel that Qiu Tu is a good person, he is definitely not a good match."

"Moreover, who would support a son-in-law or grandson-in-law these days? Countless examples throughout history have shown us that this path 'has small returns but also high risks.'"

Tang Wanfeng: ....

Tang Wanfeng's forehead veins throbbed slightly, he wished he could duel Rao Shou to vent his anger!

However... he also knew that Rao Shou was right.

In fact, long before the Cataclysmic Era, high-ranking officials in both the political and business circles had already realized that the "son-in-law party" was not a good choice.

Too many sons-in-law and grandsons-in-law have been supported by their families for decades, only to suffer a backlash after their elders pass away.

In the end, the family's political resources will be wasted, and the marriages of their daughter and granddaughter will be ruined. Everything will be lost.

In comparison, supporting one's daughter or granddaughter may not be as effective, but at least there is no risk involved.

Of course, it would be even better to support capable secretaries, close associates, and relatives, and then use their influence to support one's own relatives, thus creating a cycle of upward mobility.

Therefore, the political resources that the "Fengtian Clique" has invested in Qiu Tu during this period are likely to be wasted.

But... knowing about this is one thing, saying it is another.

Especially since she had just been happy for Qiu Tu, her mood plummeted.

This made Tang Wanfeng wish he could give Fa Rao a couple of hammer blows.

Rao Shou didn't know if it was a chill down his back that made him realize something was wrong.

He changed the subject, "Princess Xi seems to be acting a little strange lately?"

When he heard Rao Shou talking about serious matters, Tang Wanfeng's expression also became serious.

He leaned back in his recliner, his expression turning serious. "Something is definitely not right."

"When she was in Dongye Prefecture, she tried to contact me twice, both times asking for the 'Three-Turn Snow Lotus'."

"However, this time when she came to the shelter, she was really just making a normal visit, visiting the places she was supposed to visit and learning about the things she was supposed to learn about. But... she never overstepped her bounds."

"And she never mentioned the 'Three-Turned Snow Lotus' again."

Hearing Tang Wanfeng's words, Rao Shou frowned slightly. He pondered for a moment, then said, "I have a bad feeling about this..."

"Shelter No. 6 is very likely to descend into chaos."

Upon hearing Rao Shou's words, Tang Wanfeng seemed to remember something and said, "It is said that... the royalists and the Kou family clashed in Dongcheng City."

"Then the princess won and gained her freedom."

Upon hearing this, Rao Shou frowned even more deeply. He hesitated and said, "The Princess Consort won? Kou Xuan made a mistake?"

Tang Wanfeng clearly already had some understanding and speculation about that secret battle.

He said carefully, "I suspect... it was Qiu Tu who made the move."

"Qiu Tu?" Rao Shou was taken aback.

As if he had thought of something, he slowly sat up from the recliner, looked at Tang Wanfeng beside him, and asked with his eyes.

Tang Wanfeng nodded slightly upon seeing this.

After receiving Tang Wanfeng's affirmative answer, Rao Shou paused for a moment, then shook his head with a smile, "This young man... is extraordinary, truly extraordinary."

"He could even come up with this solution..."

At this point, he said, "But that's fine too."

"In that case, the two of us old guys can continue to shine for a while longer."

Just then, as the two were chatting, Rao Shou's secretary suddenly rushed in from outside the courtyard.

Upon approaching the two men, the secretary stopped and said, "Elder Rao, Elder Tang, Elder Wang, Elder Lei, and Elder Hu have arrived."

Upon hearing the secretary's words, Mr. Rao and Mr. Tang exchanged a glance.

Old Rao smiled and said, "It seems... things have come to a conclusion."

Tang Wanfeng smiled and nodded.

Ten minutes later, the five people took their seats in Rao Shou's reception room.

Seeing Rao Shou's calm and detached demeanor, Lei Laosan and Hu Jie were so angry they were itching to bite him.

Both of them are actually intelligent people; otherwise, they would not have been able to become the leaders of a faction.

Previously, they had simply become accustomed to "schemes and intrigues" and "political tactics" over the past decade or so. They had become accustomed to playing chess on the chessboard.

Now, Qiu Tu has disregarded the rules, picked up the chessboard, and started trying to smash it against someone.

They suddenly realized: their rules were only effective if Qiu Tu accepted them.

If Qiu Tu stops playing by their rules, then their rules become invalid.

On the contrary, they have to consider whether or not to play according to Qiu Tu's rules.

Of course, they could also forcibly change the rules, just as they would with other "rebellions."

However, when they got to this point in the "solution," Lei Laosan and Hu Jie were surprised to find that they seemed unable to change the rules.

Because... unless they use nuclear weapons to wipe out the entire area, resulting in mutual destruction, the 8th Shelter is no match for Qiu Tu.

If they cannot forcibly change the "rules" and instead choose to stalemate with Qiu Tu, then Qiu Tu will most likely set up his own independent entity and divide up the territory.

At that time, they will become the sinners of the shelter.

So... when Qiu Tu tore off the mask and directly slapped the shelter in the face, Lei Laosan and Hu Jie were surprised to find that the only way to quell the matter was to offer up another face for Qiu Tu to slap.

In that instant, the two who had already sensed something was amiss understood Rao Shou's scheme!

Rao Shou is helping Qiu Tu establish his authority in the shelter by stepping on the two of them!

Moreover, it's through these concrete examples that they are being jolted awake: times have changed, and their outdated ideas must be swept into the dustbin of history...

If the two of them had put themselves in each other's shoes, they wouldn't have respected Qiu Tu much, even if he had become the head of the shelter under the protection of Rao Shou and Tang Wanfeng, without this incident.

After all, in their eyes, Qiu Tu was still a young man. He should listen to the advice of an old man like themselves.

And now... Rao Shou is simply tearing off all pretense, nakedly displaying the cruelest side of this world to these people—in chaotic times, strength reigns supreme.

When someone's strength transcends the system, it's best to expect that they can be reintegrated into the system, rather than letting them build a new one.

Because of the shift in mindset, the meeting proceeded exceptionally smoothly and successfully.

All four state assembly speaker nominees nominated by Qiu Tu were approved. His own nominees for the four state garrison commanders and the head of the shelter were also approved.

However, to show respect for Qiu Tu's position, this document will still be sent to him after the meeting, just as it was last time. Once Qiu Tu confirms it, it will be officially issued...

.....

Meanwhile, at the same time, while the shelter was trying to persuade Qiu Tu to stay...

The middle and senior management of the four eastern states are still spreading the previous proposal.

Dongye Prefecture, Qiming City, Military Headquarters.

"Have you heard? Our general's brother is coming to Dongye Prefecture to become the speaker of the council soon!"

"I've heard about it, I've heard about it. I've also heard... that none of the four chairmen this time are the garrison commander's direct subordinates."

"Even though Speaker Tang Feifei is actually aligned with the 'Fengtian Clique,' the shelter might have some reservations about her."

"That's normal, that's normal. I heard..."

New South Wales, market town, state legislature.

"Have you heard? Vice Speaker Tang Feifei is going to be promoted to Speaker."

"I've heard about it. But... it seems that apart from her, the others are from other factions or were parachuted in. They seem to have ill intentions."

"Yeah, I hope things don't get any more chaotic."

Thus, while the enemy gloated and their own people looked worried.