Japan Pri Minister's Residence, in the Pri Minister's office, senior officials and dignitaries gathered, each staring silently at the Pri Minister, not daring to speak loudly. The news of Yuanfei Zuo's failure had arrived—over 150 ninjas were completely wiped out. When did ninja combat power beco so weak? Everyone found it hard to accept this reality and simultaneously realized that the kidnappers were not ordinary people. Killing more than 150 people just like that, what else could they not do?
Everyone realized one issue: this ti, the reputation of the Pri Minister's Residence was tarnished. It's about who will take the bla. The Pri Minister's face was icy without a word, sweeping his gaze over everyone. After this incident, his prestige and position would face greater challenges, and stepping down was almost inevitable.
Thinking of stepping down, the Pri Minister's expression turned cold. His imnse resentnt targeted the Kaga ninjas, and he said icily, "Defense Minister, I give you ten minutes, bring Yuanfei Zuo here, and Shijing Kong's grandson. The intelligence departnt will fully cooperate. If you can't catch them, I'll hold you responsible."
"Yes." The two people nad turned pale, quickly agreed, and hurried away.
Everyone knew the Pri Minister was going to compromise, but none objected. No one could bear the responsibility for thousands of hostages. The Major General of the Guard took people to rescue and didn't return, dying in battle outside the airport, shot in the head. The lights went out with his death, but nothing was resolved. The Pri Minister made Yuanfei Zuo the scapegoat, who dared to oppose? Whoever opposed would take the bla.
A senior aide said solemnly, "Pri Minister, Yuanfei Zuo just rose to his position, and not many people know him, right?"
"What do you want to say?" As a skilled politician, the Pri Minister knew the implication but did not reveal it, sternly letting the other speak first.
"Yuanfei Zuo now holds the position of Emperor's Guard Captain, high-ranking and powerful. Why instruct Shijing Kong to attack the innocent Hook Tribe?" The senior aide's face darkened as he spoke seriously.
Everyone listened, their faces changing dramatically. This was no longer kicking soone when they are down; it had reached the level of a power struggle between royal and ministerial authority. The Pri Minister, being astute, couldn't miss the implication. After thinking for a mont, he looked at everyone and coldly asked, "What do you think?"
"I second this!" Everyone wasn't foolish; they understood the Pri Minister's aning, and quickly agreed. Opposing now was suicidal, especially for an unfamiliar Yuanfei Zuo, with no personal or financial interest; there was no need. Everyone agreed one by one to the proposal.
The Pri Minister did not imdiately decide but calmly watched everyone to judge their true intentions. Handing Yuanfei Zuo over could be explained to the public as following the Emperor's orders. Why would a Captain of the Emperor's Guard instruct Shijing Kong to attack the Hook Tribe without reason? Unless ordered by the Emperor—why would the Emperor order it?
Thinking this, the Pri Minister's icy gaze grew fiercer, coolly saying, "The Emperor ordered Yuanfei Zuo to instruct Shijing Kong to attack the Hook Tribe. This sabotages the national image, putting the nation at risk, allowing him to regain control and restore royal power. This is absolutely not allowed. But the Emperor is the spiritual symbol of this country. How to handle this should be left for the people to decide."
"Yes," everyone responded in unison. Leaving it to the people ant shifting the bla and directing public anger at the Emperor, not the Pri Minister's Residence. Everyone's interests were protected; who would oppose?
"But before that, we must deal with the imdiate crisis. I propose handing over Yuanfei Zuo and Shijing Kong's grandson, exchanging for as many hostages as possible. Yuanfei Zuo is a criminal, Shijing Kong's grandson is an innocent child; handing them over, the public won't oppose. Inform the Police Director to exchange for as many hostages as possible." The Pri Minister continued, his icy expression chilling.
"Should we prepare the military?" A senior aide reminded.
"Of course, Yuanfei Zuo won't exchange for all hostages. What about the others? We have two options: first, force our way in; second, temporarily compromise, et their requirents, then attack with full force once the hostages are safe, mobilizing national military strength to capture these terrorists, giving the people an explanation. Beyond these, any hopeful thods are not viable. Over 150 corpses speak for themselves; these terrorists are capable of anything and are not weak." The Pri Minister said coldly, "Which do you choose?"
"The second option." Everyone expressed their opinion one by one. A forced attack ant sacrificing hostages, a proposal with too high a cost; no one dared choose it.
"Very well, prepare according to the second option. I don't want to hear any complaints, nor do I want to know who doesn't cooperate with the action. Please, everyone." The Pri Minister said coldly, the threat in his words tense, and no one dared to say more, quickly turning to leave.
Half an hour later, at the airport, in the buffer zone between the two sides, the Police Director received a report. Yuanfei Zuo had arrived, but there was only one body, dead in the room, committing seppuku. His lower abdon had a standard cross. Shijing Kong's grandson was unhard. Hearing the news, the Police Director's face darkened, heading towards the rear of the team to see Yuanfei Zuo being carried.
Responsible for escorting Yuanfei Zuo was the Defense Minister's Guard. The Police Director understood the Pri Minister's decision at a glance but confird, "Has the Pri Minister's Residence made a decision?"
"Yes." The Guard Captain responsible for escorting quickly replied, handing a docunt to the Police Director.
The Police Director opened it to find an order stamped with the Pri Minister's Residence seal, clearly instructing the Police Director to negotiate with the adversary, with negotiation limits detailed. The Police Director looked glum; it was putting him on the hot seat, a successful negotiation would credit the Pri Minister's Residence, but failure would make him the public target.
With orders being command, the Police Director dared not delay, but still called to confirm the order's authenticity, then with a cold face marched forward, arriving a hundred ters before the Ghost Hand Defense line, shouting for further negotiation, stating the person had been brought.
Luo Zheng received the Ghost Hand's report, smiling. As long as the Pri Minister's Residence chose to compromise, it was easier; a single compromise would lead to a second. It seed taking out the ninja's ambush gave the Pri Minister's Residence a wake-up call, prompting them not to act rashly—this was good. He imdiately dispatched Hook and Shijing Kong.
Once Shijing Kong heard his grandson had truly arrived, he gave Luo Zheng a grateful glance and left with Hook. Regardless of past animosities, at this mont, Shijing Kong was grateful to Luo Zheng for securing his family's bloodline. Filled with anticipation, Shijing Kong quickened his pace.
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