Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 541 Chang Tai's True Purpose Madman

In the President's office in Beilong City, heavy curtains blocked the sunlight from outside, and the room was filled with smoke. Su Zhengyang sat behind a large desk, frowning, holding a cigarette in his hand, and concentrating on reviewing an emergency war report from Liuwan.

Yan Shuangying stood aside, his arms folded across his chest, his face full of worry.

"Mr. President, the situation is not good." Yan Shuangying spoke first, his voice low and powerful, "Chen Tong is in big trouble. Chang Tai, the old fox, actually used those troops outside the city as a shield, which posed a problem for Chen Tong."

Su Zhengyang raised his head, a gleam in his eyes: "I have seen it. Chang Tai's move is indeed cunning. If Chen Tong delays the offensive because of his concerns about these troops, the Southern Government will have a chance to catch its breath; but if he forcibly attacks the city, a war will inevitably break out between the two sides, and the consequences will be disastrous."

"That's right." Yan Shuangying said, "Chang Tai has set up an unsolvable deadlock. No matter what Chen Tong does, he will be in a passive position."

Su Zhengyang pondered for a moment and spoke slowly: "However, Chang Tai's actions actually reveal a message - he is unable to fundamentally solve the predicament of the Southern Government, nor can he turn the tide. His actions are more like stalling for time."

"Delay time?" Yan Shuangying raised his eyebrows. "Why does he want to delay time? Is there any other trick?"

Su Zhengyang shook his head: "It's not clear yet. But one thing is certain, Chang Tai's move must have a deep meaning, and he must have a bigger plan behind it."

"Then what should we do?" Yan Shuangying asked, "We can't just watch Chen Tong get into trouble, right?"

Su Zhengyang pondered for a moment, with a flash of determination in his eyes: "We must find out Chang Tai's true intentions as soon as possible. At the same time, we must provide some help to Chen Tong so that he can resolve the crisis at hand."

"How can we help?" Yan Shuangying asked.

Su Zhengyang pondered for a moment and spoke slowly: "First, we can strengthen communication with Chen Tong to let him know our strategic intentions and support. Second, we can mobilize some elite troops and be ready to support Chen Tong's actions at any time. Finally, we can also use the intelligence network to collect as much intelligence as possible about Chang Tai and the Southern Government, so as to better deal with possible crises."

Yan Shuangying nodded: "This is a good idea. I will arrange it right away."

Su Zhengyang looked at Yan Shuangying's departing back, and kept wondering what Chang Tai's intentions were.

Under the cover of night, in a secluded manor in Wanbei City, Chang Tai and Zhong Jiasheng sat opposite each other. The lights in the house were dim, and both of them had heavy and solemn expressions on their faces.

Zhong Jiasheng spoke first, with a hint of worry in his voice: "Chang Xiong, although your strategy temporarily pits Situ Hao, Liu Zhi and their troops against the Chinese Expeditionary Force, this can only be a stopgap measure. Once the Expeditionary Force loses patience, even with these five army-level troops, they will not be able to withstand their fierce attack."

Chang Tai smiled slightly, with a cunning light in his eyes: "Jiasheng, you worry too much. I never thought that we could turn the tables alone. The fall of the Southern Government is an irreversible fact."

Zhong Jiasheng frowned and asked in confusion: "Then why do you still do this? Is it just to delay time?"

Chang Tai nodded and slowly told his plan: "Delaying time is only the superficial purpose. My real intention is to attract the attention of the Chinese Expeditionary Force and create trouble for them. Only in this way can I have the opportunity to carry out another important task in secret."

Zhong Jiasheng's curiosity was aroused: "What mission?"

Chang Tai took a deep breath and said in a low voice: "Old President Huang Guangtai's wife and children are still in Wanbei. I want to send them away safely before they are discovered by Huaguo."

Zhong Jiasheng was shocked when he heard this. He didn't expect Chang Tai to have such a plan. He thought for a moment, then said, "In the current situation, it is not easy to send them away safely."

Chang Tai seemed unusually calm: "I know the risk is great, but this is our only chance. I promised the old president that I would get his family out of this vortex and live their lives in peace. I, Chang Tai, will always be a member of the Huang family all my life, and I am willing to give everything for the old president's last wish!"

Zhong Jiasheng sighed. He also hoped that this plan would succeed. He greatly admired Chang Tai's loyalty to the Southern Government. At the same time, Zhong Jiasheng was also a nostalgic person. The position of old President Huang Guangtai in his heart was self-evident.

"So what are you going to do?" Zhong Jiasheng asked.

Chang Tai pondered for a moment, then said: "I will arrange a capable team to secretly escort them out of Wanbei City through a special channel. At the same time, I will continue to use the troops of Situ Hao and others to create trouble for the Chinese Expeditionary Force so that they will have no time to take care of other things."

Zhong Jiasheng nodded, he knew this was the best solution at the moment.

The cold light in Chang Tai's eyes was like the north wind on a winter night, harsh and biting.

He turned around and faced Zhong Jiasheng, his voice filled with an unquestionable determination: "Jiasheng, you know what? I never really intended to let Situ Hao and the others leave alive."

Zhong Jiasheng was stunned when he heard this, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He looked at the old friend in front of him who had worked with him for many years. At this moment, Chang Tai seemed so strange, as if he had become a different person.

"What do you mean?" Zhong Jiasheng asked tentatively.

Chang Tai sneered, with a cruel arc on his lips: "Their value is just to buy us some time. When the northern bandits officially break into the city, it will be their death. I will personally order their execution and let them be buried with the entire Southern Government."

Zhong Jiasheng couldn't help but shudder. He had never seen Chang Tai so crazy before. He knew very well that Chang Tai was no longer the comrade who had fought side by side with him, but a madman who would do anything to achieve his goal.

"They... they are all generals of the Southern Government's army. They have served the Southern Government for half their lives. Even if they were confused for a moment and made mistakes, they do not deserve the death penalty!" Zhong Jiasheng said with some disbelief.

Chang Tai waved his hand disapprovingly: "Generals? Humph, so what? As generals of the Southern Government's troops, it is their job to live and die with the Southern Government. Since they are unwilling, then I will complete this 'job' for them."

Zhong Jiasheng was silent, he knew that it was meaningless to argue with Chang Tai at this time. He could only stand aside silently, looking at Chang Tai who was already old and decayed. Chang Tai used to be full of vigor and wisdom, and was the most trusted chief of staff around the old president. But now, he has completely turned into a madman controlled by emotions.

There was a crazy light flashing in Chang Tai's eyes, as if he had seen the magnificent scene of himself fighting with the northern bandits until the last moment.

He took a deep breath and said to Zhong Jiasheng: "Jiasheng, we are facing a dead end. But I will not give in. I have decided to live and die with the Southern Government and fight the Northern bandits to the last moment!"

Zhong Jiasheng looked at Chang Tai with mixed feelings. He knew that Chang Tai was completely dominated by hatred and madness at this time, but he could not deny that Chang Tai's courage and loyalty were indeed admirable.

"I...I will also fight with you to the end." Zhong Jiasheng finally said this.

Everything he has is given by the Southern Government. Without the appreciation of the old president, he would not be who he is today. He cannot betray the Southern Government at this time, and betray those comrades who once fought side by side with him.

When Chang Tai heard Zhong Jiasheng's words, a glimmer of relief flashed in his eyes.

At least, he was not fighting alone. He had comrades like Zhong Jiasheng by his side, and together they played the final chapter for the Southern Government.

The two smiled at each other, relief in their eyes.