The Oval Office was silent for a long time. President Pabre held the edge of the table and looked out the window at the people in the wind and snow with a complicated expression. He suddenly asked, "Why?"
Du Shaoqing, who was standing behind him, was silent for a moment before replying, "The NTR officer of the new 17th Division that the government is hunting down these days was once my subordinate."
President Pabre furrowed his brows. A heavy self-deprecating expression appeared on his tanned face. He said, "Sorry."
"No need," Du Shaoqing replied.
Indeed, there was no need to apologize. The expression on the face of this famous Federation general had already returned to calmness. He had taken the Razor Company of the Iron Seventh Division and parachuted into the official residence in an armed helicopter, but he had left all of the main forces — the more than 100 military mechas and hundreds of armored vehicles — in Wangdu. This had already made his attitude and his choice clear. This choice was the heaviest blow to President Pabre.
"Perhaps your choice was correct. Actually, after making that call, I began to regret it."
President Pabre looked out the window silently. His thick lips moved slightly. He said calmly, "The decision to mobilize the troops was indeed a bit too hasty and impulsive. There are still many Federation citizens who support me. Why would I not have the confidence to wait for the results of the impeachment case? "
"Mr. President, I think so too," Du Shaoqing replied.
"I've always thought that a firm will is my greatest strength, but I have to admit … the position of the Federation President does indeed have some kind of magic. It can make people forget what you were like in the beginning, forget that you were once a young lawyer protesting on the streets, forget what you hated the most back then.
"Even now, I still believe that my actions were not wrong, including mobilizing the troops. It's just that I began to feel a strong disgust towards certain changes. My disgust lies in …"
Pabre turned around and looked at Du Shaoqing. He sighed softly and said emotionally, "Every morning when I wake up and look in the mirror, I realize that I've finally become the kind of person I despise and fear."
Right at this moment, the heavy door of the Oval Office was quickly pushed open from the outside. Office Director Breen, who was forcing himself to appear calm, hurried in. He glanced at the electronic document in his hand and asked with great difficulty, "Mr. President, are you going to defend yourself on Parliament Hill?"
"Why not?"
President Pabre took down his dark windbreaker from the hanger and looked at the bedroom upstairs through the ceiling. Then he looked at Du Shaoqing and said with a smile, "Shaoqing, take your soldiers and come with me."
Du Shaoqing saluted.
President Pabre put on his windbreaker and walked out of the door. His expression was firm and calm, as if he was still the young lawyer who had walked into the Supreme Court for the first time. Back then, the young and poor lawyer did not have the confidence to win the public service lawsuit against a certain giant enterprise, but he was very confident.
Rapid footsteps were heard as President Pabre walked down the stairs under the protection of the Special Task Force agents and a certain Razor Sharp Company of the Iron Seventh Division. He followed the secret passage under the official residence to the exit behind the Ministry of Finance building in Charter Square. A convoy had been waiting there for a long time.
Underneath the official residence was the Federation Government Processing Center, which occupied a large area. Countless daily affairs in the Sanlin Sector were completed here, and the work of contacting countless departments was then handed over to the President for signature.
The soft light was like the most gentle sun, shining in the vast underground space. Hundreds of staff in the Government Processing Center looked at the crowd walking by the wall and stood up subconsciously. The expressions on their faces were complicated and gloomy because they knew where the President was going and what he was going to do.
"Everyone has worked hard."
This was not a parting greeting, but a deep voice that had been heard in the Government Processing Center every day for seven years. No matter how busy President Pabre was in the Oval Office, he would always go underground and greet all the staff before going to bed.
Clap! Clap!
Looking at the back of the President disappearing at the end of the corridor, one of the staff members started to clap. The applause gradually became louder and louder, and the sound of someone crying could be heard. Then they sat down and continued to busy themselves with the opposition members on the phone, even though they knew that it was useless.
The presidential convoy left the Ministry of Finance building, went around the Bureau of Proclamation Square, and arrived at the Parliament Hill building. The Capital Military Police and the Special Task Force agents followed on foot, vigilantly watching the surroundings. The staff who arrived early drew a long cordon at the foot of the Parliament Hill. The Special Task Force agents in black suits pushed away the people who tried to get close.
President Pabre looked out of the window in silence. He saw many angry people marching in silent demonstrations and roaring murderers. He saw countless ferocious and angry faces, but he also saw many nervous and anxious faces. Countless people who supported him had also come here.
"It seems that this government has not completely disappointed the people."
The President looked out of the window and waved his hand. He said calmly, "At least, I believe that no one can deny that the health care reform bill will help the people at the bottom."
Du Shaoqing, who was sitting in the front row, replied, "Mr. President, as a soldier of the Federation, I obey orders and respect the Charter. But personally, no matter the result of the impeachment case, I think that you have made a lot of good efforts and have done very well. "
"I promise you that if the impeachment case fails and someone tries to do something outside the framework of the Charter, the Federal forces and I will make sure that you and the government will be fully implemented."
President Pabre smiled and reached out to pat him on the shoulder.
...
...
On the solemn rostrum of the Parliament Hill, Pabre looked calmly at the packed seats in front of him. His expression was calm, and his voice was still deep and powerful. However, today he was not delivering the annual State of the Union Address. Instead, he was defending himself as the impeached president.
This defense was very simple, and it might even be the shortest speech he had ever given in his life. There was no emotional refutation in this defense, no sharp loopholes to catch, and it seemed that he did not even bother to provide evidence.
"You sitting in the seats now, and the people behind you, no one has the right and position to judge me, the President of the Federation. Only history has the right to judge me."
President Pabre leaned forward slightly and slowly swept his gaze over the embarrassed members of the Parliament. He said calmly, "But no matter how history pronounces it, I still insist that I am innocent."
The deep and firm voice echoed in the empty Parliament Hill, and then there was a deathly silence.
Looking at the dark-faced middle-aged man on the rostrum who did not have much elegance or nobility, the excited members of the Pabre faction could not help but stand up and return the warmest applause.
This was the poorest president in the history of the Federation. A poor lawyer who came from a mining family in Donglin had finally ascended to the throne of power in the Federation. Looking at the face they had loathed for seven years and thinking of the fierce battles in front of and behind the scenes, even the opposition members of the Parliament could not help but feel endless emotions in their hearts. They subconsciously began to softly clap.
After the defense ended, the Parliament Hill entered the most crucial voting session. President Pabre and his government officials left the hall and went to the conference room to wait for the final result. According to the calculations of the subordinate organization of the official residence, there should be at least 40% of the Parliament Hill members who could not lose their votes. However, before the final result of the voting was out, no one dared to say that they would definitely win.
The old man on the rostrum of Parliament Hill smiled and nodded to the even older Chief Judge who seemed to have fallen asleep beside him. After clearing his throat, he said, "Everyone, the vote for the impeachment bill against President Pabble has officially begun. Before the vote, I want to say a few words. Although we all like money and power, for the sake of the Federation, for the sake of the little sense of responsibility that you may have, when you answer yes or no, please try to only ask your own rationality and emotions. "
Everyone knew that Deputy Speaker Xi An was the closest political partner of Lady Tai in the Back Mountain of Mochou. It was natural for him to make such a statement before the impeachment vote. However, when the vote began, many people were shocked!
"Senator Xun Yeyu, do you think President Pabre is guilty of the first charge?"
"Yes."
"Senator Skri, do you think President Pabre is guilty of the second charge?"
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
The impeachment vote was going on anxiously and nervously. As several members unexpectedly voted in favor of the impeachment, the hall began to be filled with a strange and depressing atmosphere. The members who did not understand what was going on whispered to each other with extremely complicated expressions.
The people in the Parliament Hill knew the senators who could be controlled by the seven major families and could be swayed by the political forces of each state. However, they did not expect that more than a dozen of the most staunch senators of the Pabre government would also vote in favor of the impeachment!
Senator Ivo was the daughter of a miner in the Donglin District. She had no background, but everyone knew that she was the staunchest supporter of President Pabre. Regardless of whether it was the Patriot Act or the several bills that increased the president's authority, she voted in favor of them without hesitation. She had even expressed her agreement to change the election law during the private briefing period and supported President Prabble to complete an unprecedented three consecutive terms.
But today, she chose to support the impeachment of the president!
There were many senators like Senator Ivo who changed their minds at the last minute and cast a shocking vote. In the Parliament Hill, the Pak faction originally had the advantage, at least more than a third of the votes. However, at this time, under the sudden continuous attacks, they were losing ground!
Whether it was the Pak faction members who voted not guilty or those who were preparing to vote not guilty, their faces began to turn pale as they looked at the staff counting the votes. The voting process was not even halfway done, but they seemed to have seen the final terrifying result.
At this time, many of the senators in the Parliament Hill looked at their colleagues in the front row or beside them who had changed their minds and suddenly realized how much power the lady in the back of the mountain had hidden!
But what they did not know was that not all of the senators who betrayed the Pabre government at the last minute were the actions of the lady. There were at least a dozen senators who voted according to the will of the Green Dragon Mountain!
…
…
Director Breen pushed open the door and rushed into the conference room.
In the past few days, as the Director of the Office of the President's Residence, he had always been in a state of anxiety and panic, but he had always concealed the expression on his face very well. At this moment, he finally could no longer hide his true emotions. Because of nervousness, beads of sweat dripped down his hair and wet his collar.
Looking at President Pabre by the window, his expression looked like he was going to cry, but also like he was struggling to squeeze out a smile. He looked very funny and helpless. His lips slightly opened as if he wanted to speak, but his hoarse voice rubbed for a long time but no sound came out.
The conference room was silent. Through Director Breen's expression, the government officials in the room waiting for the final result knew that the voting situation was definitely not good. Everyone's expression suddenly changed, and the female advisor of the Campaign Policy Office, who was in charge of the specific work of the impeachment case, directly fainted!
The National Security Advisor took out a handkerchief from his pocket with trembling fingers and kept wiping the sweat on his forehead that only existed in his imagination. He kept muttering something to the pot of green plants in front of him, his eyes abnormally empty.
The deathly silence lasted for a long time, and no one in the conference room dared to speak. The man standing by the window finally turned around.
President Pabre did not have bad habits such as smoking and drinking, and he had a regular daily routine. Although his body was still healthy and could even be said to be strong in his middle age, at this time, it was so difficult for him to make such a simple turn around. It was as if one could hear the painful and sour sound of his vertebrae rubbing together.
It was like a strong machine that was overloaded and suddenly lost all of its energy source and reason to move forward at a certain point in time. He quietly looked at the officials in the room and did not say anything. He directly walked out of the room with Du Shaoqing and left Parliament Hill.
…
…
"On the road, let's meet in Santa Fe."
The official residence motorcade stopped outside the west gate of Capital University. After President Pabre hung up the phone, he walked out of the special bulletproof car and walked into the small, inconspicuous tavern on the street.
This tavern called Santa Fe was not famous. The only thing it had was probably the religious red wine smuggled from Bermuda. With the situation in Capital Special District currently unstable, there were even fewer people who were willing to drink in the tavern to pass the time. The surroundings were quiet.
The tavern was next to the west gate of Capital University. Across the street was the First Military Academy, which was under military control. The silent march demonstration that was extremely orderly had not spread to this area for the time being. However, the Special Task Force agents and officials of the Federation Investigation Bureau had still expanded the security area around the block.
The Iron Seventh Division's Razor Sharp Company was responsible for the security of the tavern. Although Du Shaoqing and his Iron Seventh Division refused President Pabre's orders at the last moment, he still gave them absolute trust. Perhaps it was because of this demeanor that Mr. President was able to make such a talented person like Du Shaoqing to follow him in silence.
"Back then, because of the Xike Pharmaceutical Company's pollution case, I was fired for the first time. At that time, I only had the two hundred dollars I borrowed, which was half a month's rent that my wife had been waiting for a long time. But I don't know why, when I saw this tavern, I couldn't help but come in and get drunk. "
Sitting in a dark corner of the tavern, President Pabre slowly rubbed the surface of the old wine table with his right hand and said calmly, "It was in this tavern that I first met the Dao and my companions in the Trinity Association. In the past few years, sometimes I couldn't help but think that the drunken encounter and argument was probably really the arrangement of fate."
The impeachment vote in Parliament Hill was probably coming to an end at this time. President Pabre's dark face showed a very faint sense of frustration. He said, "Those who accept the arrangement of fate are not necessarily favored by fate. I thought that we might fail, but I don't understand why. Could it be that what we did was not right?"
"Why is the government under my leadership full of shady deals and a bunch of incompetent trash, as you once said? Why are people like Hu Lian, Berry, and Descartes ultimately the fatal reason for our failure? I never understood, until I came to this tavern. Only then did I vaguely understand one of the possible reasons for our defeat in this war. "
Standing by the wine table, Du Shaoqing was silent, quietly listening.
"Last time, I told you that there are too few true idealists in this world, and our cause, even the most basic operation of the government, requires countless people. What can I use to attract them? I can only use official positions and power to attract them, not those empty ideals. "
"And many years ago, those members of the Trinity Association I saw in the tavern were the most outstanding geniuses in the Federation, like you. They were all idealists, and they could have become the core of the government, the foundation of the Federation. If I could still have such a group of companions, the course of this story might have been completely different, and the ending of this story might have been completely different."
President Pabre looked at the dimly lit tavern, as if he was looking at the faces of those companions he was most familiar with, and said sadly, "It's a pity that they're dead."
"Too many of my genius companions died under the guns of Shi Qinghai and Xu Le. If we really lost our cause, then a large part of the reason was because of the unreasonable assassination of those two young people."
"But there's no point in talking about this now. I just miss those companions."
President Pabre smiled slightly, pointed to a small wine table to his right, and said, "That day, we argued for half an hour in the private room, and very simply decided what to do. Then we came out and continued to drink. I still remember that Byron and I were sitting at this table."
Then he pointed in another direction, and said, "Matt was sitting here, and Hu Zhu and a few others were drinking over there. They were rich in Taoism, so they opened three bottles of Brandi No. 1 that day."
"Later on, we came to this tavern to drink a few times. Although it wasn't a lot, we all sat around the same place. The last time was to celebrate Byron's official entry into the political arena, and since then, we haven't seen each other in public. Speaking of which, at that time, you might have been studying opposite."
Du Shaoqing had studied at the First Military Academy for four years, and buried himself in teaching and military regulations all day long, so he had never come to this tavern that changed the history of the Federation.
His eyes moved in the direction of Mr. President's finger, and fell on every corner of the tavern, as if he could see those geniuses of the past quietly looking at him under the dim light.
"At that time, I was still a student in the fifth year of middle school." He shook his head and replied.
President Pabre looked at him calmly, and suddenly said, "Actually, when we first met, I knew that you, Shaoqing, did agree with our ideals, but the real reason why you were willing to help me was because you agreed with me that the Federation with the seven great families would never be able to completely destroy the Empire. There's a question I've never asked, why is your hatred for the people of the Empire so deep?"
Du Shaoqing was silent for a moment before replying, "Mr. President, please allow me to keep some privacy."
President Pabre laughed self-deprecatingly and said, "Perhaps at this moment, I am no longer the President of the Federation. Could it be that you still insist on not telling me?"
After confirming that he didn't have the same sentiments and desires as he did, President Pabre smiled and continued, "It seems that I have to apologize to you on this matter. I have no way of making the seven great families disappear from the Federation, and I also have no way of helping you lead the troops into Tianjing planet."
It was unknown what he thought of, but his brows furrowed slightly. He gazed at the specks of snow drifting down outside the window and said calmly, "Before Liyuan Gong died, he once told me that the true changes in the Federation will occur internally. I don't know if Councilor Tai Zhiyuan will do as he said and do what he should do."
A long time had passed since they had arrived at Parliament Mountain, but Lee Jae-do still hadn't appeared. President Pabre sank into a long period of silence. It was unknown whether he was thinking about something, or reminiscing about the past in this tavern that was extremely meaningful to him.
Lee Jae-do still hadn't come, but Tai Zhiyuan had.
After receiving the report from his subordinates, Du Shaoqing glanced at President Pabre. After confirming, he said calmly, "Invite Councilor Feng over."
…
…
The dust was about to settle, and the war between the rulers and the seven great families seemed to have ended with the latter's victory. This kind of scene was not rare in history. According to the noble pride and elegance of the seven great families, the heads of the families generally wouldn't appear at such moments. They would even coldly reject any negotiation terms proposed by the other party.
However, the Federation of the 76th year of the Constitutional Calendar was different from the previous Federation. In this war, the opponents of the seven great families were more determined, patient, and powerful. Although the impeachment bill was about to be passed in Parliament Mountain, there were still countless Federation soldiers loyal to him. There were also countless important members of the seven great families locked up in prison. Du Shaoqing was standing behind the president.
Therefore, the young Federation Councilor, the successor of the leader of the seven great families, the Tai family, became the most suitable and most sincere negotiation target.
Under the escort of the soldiers of the Iron Seventh Division, Tai Zhiyuan slowly walked over from the other side of the wind and snow. His thin and thin body looked like it could collapse at any time. He took out a white silk handkerchief and gently covered his mouth. He walked into the tavern and calmly sat in front of President Pabre. He said tiredly,
"Mr. President, I hope you can calmly accept the result of the Parliament's vote."
Pabre quietly looked at the young councilor in front of him. After a long time, he suddenly opened his mouth. He didn't answer the question, but seriously praised, "As an old civil servant, I know very well that the assembly movement may seem very simple, but in fact, it is very difficult to do it well. And you did very well."
"It is my honor to be praised by you in this aspect."
Tai Zhiyuan put down the handkerchief and replied with a smile, "I have read your book."
Then back to the original question. After a moment of silence, President Pabre slowly raised his eyebrows and repeated, "You want me to accept the result of the Parliament's vote and quietly leave the official residence?"
"Yes."
President Pabre sighed with emotion, "If I simply leave like this, the Federation will once again return to the hands of corrupt families and greedy politicians. Wouldn't that be the most boring repetition? Then what have I done in my life? What has the Federation changed because of this? Could it be that the Emperor will never disappear, just change a few clothes? "
"George Carlin's conversation after the tea party in early autumn." Tai Zhiyuan calmly looked at him and slowly replied with a very serious tone, "You can believe that the Federation will definitely change in the future. That Emperor will not always put on a cross-dressing show, because as I said, I have read your book."
Hearing this, President Pabre's eyes gradually brightened. He looked at Tai Zhiyuan's delicate and slightly pale face, as if he was looking at a good picture.
"The impeached president will lose all power, I will be put on trial, and many people who follow me will also be sent to prison by you, to bear the responsibility that they should not bear. Will you still agree to Shaoqing continuing to be the Commander of the Federal forces? I don't believe it at all. "
Tai Zhiyuan said with a calm but firm tone, "For people like Doctor Wei, if they don't go through trial, how will we know whether or not they should bear the responsibility? If Teacher Shaoqing has never been deeply involved in those dirty things, you have to believe that I want him to continue to be the Commander of the Federal forces more than anyone else, because I know that he is more suitable than anyone else. "
"As for the President …" The young senator suddenly closed his mouth slowly, but in his still clear eyes, there was actually a faint smile that could see through people's hearts.
Du Shaoqing, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said in a deep voice, "In order to ensure the safety of the President, the parliament must issue a special pardon, and the successor must sign it."
…
…
Providing a full pardon and even protection to the former president in exchange for the other party to voluntarily hand over the power in their hands, thus avoiding social unrest and even civil war in the Federation. This was not rare in the history of human society, and the most famous case was many years ago when the Tai Dynasty handed over equal rights to all the people in exchange for great benefits and a promise to never hold the past accountable.
As the descendant of the former royal family, Tai Zhiyuan was naturally no stranger to this kind of political arrangement. Before he came here to negotiate, he had even thought of an answer, but for such an important promise, even if he was from a noble family, he could not make the decision alone.
He made a few calls to the Li family, the Nan family, and other families.
At the end of the street, in the snow, a car was parked calmly. Lin Banshan, who was sitting in the back, picked up the phone, asked a few questions, and then nodded.
Tai Zhiyuan hung up the phone, looked back at President Pabre and Du Shaoqing behind him, and said, "As long as you agree to resign, the Federation's next government and any government in the future will not hold you accountable. But that is not a special pardon. The name of the bill will be 'An Order to Provide Legal Protection to the Federation President and His Family Who Stopped Exercising Full Power'. The specific provisions will be sent over later. "
President Pabre frowned slightly, and after a moment, he said, "The key is the opinion of West Woods."
Tai Zhiyuan replied concisely, "I will provide enough compensation for West Woods to give up."
This was a political compromise negotiation hidden behind the scenes of the parliamentary vote, hidden in the shadows of hundreds of thousands of people behind the silent march. The seven families seemed to have given too much, but in fact, because Du Shaoqing stood silently behind Pabre alone, they had enough bargaining chips.
A sharp chirp sounded on the campus of Capital University. Because it was very far away, it sounded like the cry of a winter bird. But when it fell into the ears of the people inside and outside the tavern, who had a military career, it was an extremely clear gunshot!
Then, the sound of gunshots rang out again. Although it was not dense, it was obvious that it was getting closer and closer, as if the shooter was approaching the tavern.
The Federation Investigation Bureau and Special Task Force agents on the periphery had begun to exchange fire with the invading enemy, and the command system seemed to be affected by some strange interference, becoming extremely slow.
Du Shaoqing walked to the entrance of the tavern and listened to the indirect gunshots from three directions behind him. He looked at the empty street, looked at the courtyard wall that was extremely quiet in the wind and snow, and slowly frowned. He waved his hand to signal the Iron Seventh Division's Razor Sharp Company to spread out and set up a defense.
In the tavern, President Pabre looked at Tai Zhiyuan quietly. Tai Zhiyuan shook his head.
In the car at the end of the street, Lin Banshan frowned and asked Zhang Xiaohua sitting in the front row, "If it's not our people, then who dares to cause trouble at this time?"
For the Federation, which was in the shadow of civil strife, for the Federation, whose frontline troops were suffering a serious blow, and for the Federation, which had been in turmoil for too long, this tavern next to the west gate of Capital University had changed its history. Now, it was another very, very important moment. This moment could not be disturbed, could not be interrupted.
The scattered gunshots and the tense atmosphere inside and outside the tavern did not seem to affect Tai Zhiyuan at all. He stared into President Pabre's eyes and asked in a deep voice, "Mr. President …"
President Pabre was silent for a moment before he said, "I agree."
These three simple words were too crucial and too important for the current Federation. At this moment, in those manors and prisons, countless people began to clap and celebrate.
Then, at this moment, a hoarse, tired, but unusually strong voice came from across the street.
"I disagree."
…
…
Hearing this voice, the soldiers of the Iron Seventh Division on the street were shocked. They could not imagine how someone could hide from the team's scanning equipment and get so close to the tavern. They quickly raised their guns and aimed in the direction of the voice.
It was the mottled wall of the First Military Academy. There were traces of time and snow on it. Suddenly, a person jumped off the wall with a whoosh and swept away the remaining snow on the wall with the cold wind.
That person moved so quickly that the soldiers of the Iron Seventh Division did not have time to aim and fire. They only heard a series of gunshots coming from both sides of the street, especially from the west gate of Capital University. More than ten men in advanced infantry equipment rushed over with modified sniper rifles.
"Don't move!"
"Don't move!
"Don't you f * cking move!"
"Seventh Division bastards, don't move!"
"Cannon! You f * cking cannon of the 17th Division! Put down your guns, you son of a bitch! "
The members of Team Seven snuck into Capital University through the underground sewers and then used feints to attract the attention of the Special Task Force on the perimeter. They quietly approached their destination. They were already panting and exhausted from running all the way, but they still believed that they could take control of the situation immediately.
However, when they found that they were facing an old acquaintance, an old enemy, an old rival, the Razor Sharp Company from the Iron Seventh Division, they knew that taking control of the situation had become a luxury. Xiong Linquan pointed the barrel of his gun at the officer in front of him who was only a lieutenant colonel and roared, "If you dare move, I'll blow you up!"
"You can f * cking try!"
The commander of the Razor Sharp Company of the Iron Seventh Division roared back. Just like how Team Seven felt at the moment, when the commander realized that these people were all from Team Seven, he became more cautious than usual, even though there were many of them on his side.
These two groups of soldiers had clashed many times in the open and in the dark during maneuvers and on the battlefield. They both knew how powerful each other was, so no one dared to act rashly.
In such a tense situation, only the small-eyed man who had jumped down from the wall dared to move.
Wearing a tattered sports coat and carrying a heavy military backpack, Xu Le walked silently from the wall to the tavern across the street in the wind and snow, just like he did every time he was in battle.
The only difference was that he wore a pair of glasses on the bridge of his nose. When he jumped down, Du Shaoqing, with his sharp eyes, immediately noticed this. He clasped his sunglasses tightly with his right hand behind his back and quickly gave the order to not shoot.
The pair of military boots that had run 170 kilometers in the mountains squeaked as they stepped on the thin layer of snow. There was a large hole in the front of the boots, as if they were mocking someone. Xu Le, whose face was covered in blood and dirt, ignored the black muzzles around him. He pulled out a pistol from his waist and loaded it with a click. He walked to the tavern across the street with an expressionless face.
Xiong Linquan and a dozen other team members also approached from both ends of the street. They aimed their TP rifles at the nearby soldiers of the Iron Seventh Division, completely ignoring the wounds on their bodies and the blood dripping into the white snow.
When he walked past Du Shaoqing, who was standing at the entrance of the tavern, Xu Le paused and looked at him. He reached out his left hand to push his glasses up the bridge of his nose and said, "Thank you."
Du Shaoqing gripped his sunglasses tightly with his right hand and looked at him expressionlessly. Naturally, he wouldn't say nonsense like "You don't need to be so polite." He coldly asked, "Are these the glasses that Shi Qinghai used?"
Xu Le replied, "Not those, but they're better than the ones he used. I know your gun is still in the case, so you weren't as fast as me."
Du Shaoqing frowned slightly.
He remembered three or four years ago, when Vice President Byron was blasted into a bloody flower by ACW under the long stone steps of the Parliament Hill. He remembered that the sunlight in Charter Square was quite good that day.
He remembered that he smoked a thick cigarette on a couple's chair in the square and watched the handsome smoking young man under the statue of the Group of Five die as if he was asleep.
So he finally confirmed why Xu Le came at this time, and why he dared to come.
…
…
2011.5.13 … 13.38 … Modified version
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