Xu Hang threw the gun away casually: “As expected of the Chief of Staff, you know people’s hearts very well.” He leaned forward: “You are right, I can protect your Zhang family from collapse, everything depends on whether you cooperate or not.”
Even though he knew that Zhang Yinxi and Zhang Xiuming deserved to die, for Xu Hang, they did not owe him anything, so he had no reason to ask them for the debt.
He was like a worm in Zhang Yaochen’s stomach, guessing what he was thinking, and continued: “As long as you, Zhang Yaochen, were not overthrown because of treason, your Zhang family would not fall. Even if you die, at least you will leave behind a fortune and be considered a noble. If your children behave themselves, they will have no problem living a peaceful life.”
That being said, the Zhang family’s children are used to living a life of extravagance, so how could they be thrifty with money? Even if they have mountains of gold and silver, it is only a matter of time before they spend it all.
Zhang Yaochen smiled bitterly: “Do I still have the right to refuse?”
Not only that, he also has to obey.
“Of course there is. If you are determined to serve your family and would rather die than live in disgrace, there is nothing I can do either.” Xu Hang deliberately said something to sting him.
Zhang Yaochen couldn’t bear to part with his own flesh and blood, so he said, “I am a father, so naturally I should make sacrifices.”
“Hehe…” Xu Hang stirred the coffee cup with his spoon. He looked at his face reflected in the coffee. He looked so mean. “Parents who love their children will plan for their long-term future. Chief of Staff, you only remember your current two children. Have you ever remembered Shen Jingmo, the child born to you by your wife? Even a tiger won’t eat its own cubs. You are worse than a tiger. Among the three children you gave birth to, only the least favored one has gotten the best result. This is called karma.”
Thinking of Shen Jingmo’s eyes that could never be restored, Xu Hang also wanted to dig out Zhang Yaochen’s eyeballs and throw them in front of him, letting him taste the darkness.
Regardless, being accused by a junior in the face still made Zhang Yaochen a little embarrassed. He hardened his voice and said, “What do you want to do? Stop wasting time.”
At this point, Xu Hang didn’t need to be reserved either. He didn’t want to say anything more to him, so he directly said, “I remember there is a job for a special commissioner, specializing in military supplies. With your status as chief of staff, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a job for me.”
“Yes, there is such a position. I will write a letter and stamp it to guarantee it. It will only take three or four days to submit it to the cabinet. But what do you want this position for?”
This position is very special, as it allows direct contact with wartime supplies and is directly connected with the cabinet in order to prevent enemy spies from infiltrating. In fact, during special periods, the position can be higher than the commander level.
Xu Hang stopped talking here: “You don’t need to know, you just need to do it.” He took out a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket: “This may be the last bit of value before you die.”
Looking at the pen, Zhang Yaochen felt a lump in his throat. Although he had made preparations, he still felt it was very painful to actually go to die.
He spread out the paper and wrote down everything bit by bit according to the general format of writing official documents. Finally, he took out his personal seal and stamped it on the signature, then handed it to Xu Hang.
This piece of paper is just a thin page. Only Xu Hang knows how he feels when he receives this piece of paper.
How can such a light thing bear the weight of four years?
His eyebrows jumped violently, Xu Hang bit his tongue secretly, slowly took it, folded it again, and put it into his sleeve.
Then he seemed to turn around and walk out. Zhang Yaochen was a little surprised: “You’re not going to kill me?”
After asking, he felt a little regretful, as if he was asking for death. Zhang Yaochen opened and closed his mouth, feeling a little embarrassed.
Xu Hang really stopped and looked at him with a half-smile: “In the past eleven years, whenever I was in pain, I thought about how I should let you die. Should I burn you alive to let you feel the despair of the people of Shucheng? Or cut you into pieces and let you repent for your sins with every cut?” He was like a judge, looking so innocent but speaking so cruelly: “In the end, I found that it’s not enough. No matter how tragic the way you die, your blood can’t wash away your past mistakes. It will only make me more disgusted.”
After the incident between Yuan Sen and Wang Ronghuo, Xu Hang washed his body for a long time twice, but he still felt the strong smell of blood penetrating into his bones.
“So, this time, please die peacefully and don’t dirty my eyes.”
Zhang Yaochen frowned: “Do you want me to… commit s*icide?”
“If you can’t bear it, it’s also fine.” Xu Hang suddenly said this inexplicably, leaving Zhang Yaochen confused.
“What can’t I bear?”
Xu Hang walked back, stroked the edge of the coffee cup that Zhang Yaochen had drunk from, and asked meaningfully, “Is the coffee good?”
There’s poison in the coffee!
Zhang Yaochen understood everything at once and pinched his throat hard, as if he had just drunk sulfuric acid, which had corroded his internal organs. His face turned pale.
Facing Zhang Yaochen’s panic, Xu Hang kindly explained to him, “It was you who set aside a piece of land, allowing the Japanese to conduct experiments on living people without restraint in Nanjing, so isn’t it just right for you to taste the results of their research? Zhang Yaochen, you have three days to slowly savor the taste of reaping the fruits of your own labor.”
For some reason, Xu Hang did not feel much pleasure from revenge this time. Perhaps it was because everything was in his plan and there were no surprises, so it seemed dull.
If he stayed in the room any longer and smelled the same air as Zhang Yaochen, he was afraid he would vomit.
He walked to the door step by step and put his hand on the handle.
“Are you doing all this for Duan Yelin?!” Zhang Yaochen suddenly spoke from behind him, stopping Xu Hang from leaving. “Do you really think that after I die, the ending of the two of you will be peaceful?”
Zhang Yaochen, who had a smooth life, was also a powerful figure when he was young. He had defeated many enemies in order to make it to where he is today in Shanghai, but in the end he was defeated by this little kid. To say that he was willing to accept this would be a lie.
He felt very conflicted. On one hand, he knows that he is getting his comeuppance, and it is all his own fault. On the other hand, he is malicious and greedy.
Perhaps when people are in despair, they always think of dragging others down with them.
“Eleven years ago, in the fire in Shucheng, I played with fire and got burned. I admit it. But do you really think that your revenge has been avenged?” He seemed to be about to reveal some horrifying story.
Xu Hang’s heart stirred, but his face remained expressionless. Instead, Zhang Yaochen said as if he was telling a funny story, “I, Yuan Sen, and Wang Ronghuo, we harmed you, but is Duan Yelin innocent? I remember clearly that he was a squad leader back then, and he was also among the soldiers who set fire to Shucheng! You keep saying you want revenge, but have you ever thought that Duan Yelin was among them?!”
The temperature in the room, like the cup of coffee, gradually cooled down.
Xu Hang didn’t react at all, as if he hadn’t heard it at all. He turned around casually and said, “Do you think that by saying this, you can take revenge on me before you die so that your ugly heart can feel a little more balanced?”
“You… don’t you believe it?!” This reaction was beyond Zhang Yaochen’s expectation. “You can find out about Duan…”
“I know.”
Xu Hang answered him indifferently, which immediately broke Zhang Yaochen’s last fang and made his fierceness look so ridiculous.
It was only then that Zhang Yaochen finally understood why Xu Hang, a seemingly weak child, could force him into a desperate situation. It was only because he had prepared everything before making his move. No one could see through him and no one knew his weaknesses.
I am not afraid of the enemy’s strength, I am only afraid of not being able to harm him. That’s it.
He looked at Zhang Yaochen for the last time, as if he was looking at an ant struggling to death in a frying pan, opened the door, and walked out. His grey Changshan brushed against the door frame, floating like a breeze, making it hard to catch it, and it was as if he had never been there: “Have a safe journey, Chief of Staff. I’m sorry for not being able to see you off.”
With a snap, the door was closed. This farewell transaction ended here.
No matter what kind of sighs of resignation and helplessness are coming from inside the door, let’s ignore them for now.
Just outside the door, Xu Hang took a few steps with a pale face, then his body slumped to the side, leaned against the wall, and tightly pinched his arm.
