How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Chapter 163 The Newspaper's Mysteries (4)

"Yes," Guo Zixing replied.

Commander Guo stared at him intently, suddenly feeling somewhat puzzled.

"Boss, do you think your brother plotted against you?"

“I think instead of dwelling on whether my second brother plotted against us, we should resolve the immediate crisis first. Even if my second brother was involved in the newspaper incident, there are too many people and things involved, and the news of the Zheng family's troubles will spread very quickly. With such a big incident happening right under your nose, I don't know how you'll explain it to the outside world.”

Commander Guo lit another cigarette. Guo Zixing was right. The incident at the Zheng family banquet had implicated a small number of powerful and influential family members. If this matter was not handled properly, his prestige would definitely decline.

"Boss, handle this matter well. I'll give you a regiment of soldiers, plus Jiang Shen. You can move freely in this city."

Guo Zixing asked in surprise, "Aren't you going to handle the case yourself?"

“I have official business to attend to. The president recently called several parties to discuss holding a meeting in Wuhan. I don’t have the energy to deal with these matters anymore.”

Guo Zixing suddenly had a bad feeling. "What's wrong? Is there some big development?"

General Guo smiled dismissively, his disdain tinged with a sense of desolation. "Haven't we seen enough of their movements these past few years? The President seems to think that the Japanese are getting closer and closer, and it's time to come up with a plan for how to fight them."

Guo Zixing felt a sense of unease. One problem after another had just arisen. A major incident had just occurred in the city, and now there was another difficulty. Could it be that trouble was brewing again?

Commander Guo sighed softly, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle things outside. But don’t think this is a small matter. It’s a delicate matter. Those who plot against the Guo and Zheng families may have some ulterior motives. If it’s found that the second son is involved in treason, you should stand up for your family and do what’s right.”

"Father..." Guo Zixing was shocked. The Great Marshal Guo was so righteous and awe-inspiring!

Commander Guo waved his hand to shoo people away, saying, "The country comes before the family. Anything that harms the great cause of our nation is unforgivable, regardless of one's status. If the second son is just being used by treacherous people, then break his legs and raise him as a cripple from now on."

Guo Zixing had always been at odds with Guo Ziyou, but he never expected that the usually doting Marshal Guo would not show favoritism this time.

"Yes."

"Call your two friends in, I have something to tell them."

Guo Zixing was stunned for a moment before realizing that Commander Guo was referring to Qingru and Jiang Shen, so he called them in.

"General." This was Qingru's first time meeting General Guo. He was indeed as she had imagined, majestic and imposing, with an aura of authority even without anger.

Jiang Shen, having seen it all before, appeared more natural.

Commander Guo sized them up, lingering particularly long on Qingru.

"You're the daughter of the Lü family?"

"Yes." Qingru couldn't understand why Commander Guo had called her in.

"Hmm, truly a peerless beauty," Commander Guo exclaimed, then cut to the chase, "Have you been keeping track of the recent national situation?"

"This... is just hearsay."

"Oh? Hearsay might not be false. Since the three northeastern provinces were occupied, the situation has become increasingly dire. It's just that we're far away and haven't yet come to their aid. But what if the Japanese have ambitious intentions?"

"Every man has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation, let alone me?" Qingru said firmly, without the slightest hesitation.

"Excellent," General Guo praised. "We Chinese have never lacked courage and wisdom, but what's rare is that Miss Lü also possesses such integrity."

"Women also have a responsibility to fight against bandits. They are all serving the country, so why should there be a distinction between men and women?"

"Qingru!" Guo Zixing exclaimed in surprise, fearing that Qingru might say something that would anger Commander Guo.

Commander Guo waved his hand with a smile, "No need to worry, I admire Miss Lü's courage. Miss Lü, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Even Jiang Shen had to stop Qingru now, because the questions asked by Commander Guo were not ones that an ordinary person like her could answer.

But Qingru was not afraid. She said frankly, "To fight external enemies, we must first secure internal stability. I think the matter of Sifang City is not a trivial matter. Sifang City connects the north and south and is adjacent to Shanghai in the east. It will definitely be a strategic location that military strategists fight over. So this matter is definitely not accidental."

"Oh? So who do you think is behind this?"

"I don't know," Qingru said honestly. "There's not enough evidence, too many clues, too many connections, and it's all too complicated to sort out."

"Haha..." Commander Guo laughed heartily, "Good, I am pleased to have a woman like you under my command. Stop wasting time here and hurry up and go out to investigate the case. The future of China will eventually be handed over to young people like you."

This statement sounds rather strange, almost like someone making their final arrangements, but I dare not think about it too deeply.

After everyone had taken their leave, Commander Guo could no longer hold back and began to cough violently, "Cough cough..."

Hearing the noise, the adjutant quickly poured in a cup of hot tea. "General."

Commander Guo took the teacup and sipped it, which finally suppressed the itch in his throat.

"What do you say over there?"

"The meeting is scheduled for early April, so there is still time to prepare."

"Yes, give the prepared things to the First Madam; she will know what to do."

"Yes."

...

After leaving the Marshal's mansion, no one mentioned the inexplicable words they had just spoken in front of the Marshal. They got into their cars and headed straight for Jin Anna.

Jin Anna is the largest dance hall in the city, usually a place for high-ranking officials or people with extra money to entertain themselves. Qingru had never been before, and this was her first time stepping into it.

It was noon, and the dance hall was still being cleaned up.

Qingru frowned. "You've already packed up? You're still investigating the case."

Jiang Shen continued, "Although Miss Zheng was taken out from here, it's not the crime scene, so naturally no one would leave it unattended."

Guo Zixing led Qingru and her group upstairs to the second floor. Jin Anna's manager arrived late. "Oh dear, what brings you here so early today?"

"Let's not talk about that now, Manager Qu. Where is the room that Zheng Peilan booked yesterday?"

Manager Qu's eyes darted around, "This..."

"The news about the Zheng family has been spreading like wildfire, you must know about it, right?"

"Oh dear, you're right. This has nothing to do with me. Miss Zheng came here to have a proper drink."

"Whether it is or not, we can judge for ourselves, there's no need to say more."

None of them wanted to listen to his flattering words, so they went straight to the point.

Manager Qu had no choice but to lead them to the largest private room on the second floor. "Qu Yuan Feng He, this is our largest private room."

Qingru looked up and saw that the private room was probably close to 100 square meters in size, and it was a suite with a bedroom and a bathroom. It was decorated in a European palace style and exuded an atmosphere of luxury.

This hall faces the stage directly. By opening up the corridor and installing glass, one can enjoy the song and dance performances up close.

The place where Zheng Peilan was located could accommodate twenty or thirty people at the same time. It must have just been tidied up a bit. The scattered pieces of cloth and overturned bottles on the ground were enough to show how chaotic it was last night.

Manager Qu awkwardly replied, "Well... Miss Zheng was in a bad mood last night and ordered a lot of alcohol."

"Make me a list of who was with Miss Zheng yesterday. Of course, don't try to cheat me; I'll go through the list one by one."

"Oh dear... Young Master Guo, aren't you putting me in a difficult position? How could I possibly offend someone as powerful and influential as you?"

"Don't worry about it, just say it."

Manager Qu hesitated for a moment, but finally gritted his teeth and went to get paper and pen.

"Did you find anything?"

Qingru crouched down and looked around, but unfortunately, she didn't find anything again.

"Not at the moment. How many people were here when you came yesterday?"

There are about ten or so.

Do you know them all?

"I only recognize a few, such as the family of the financial secretary, the family of the division commander, and so on. Half of them are from wealthy merchants."

"Are they either rich or noble?"

"Hmm," Guo Zixing replied somewhat awkwardly, as he had also been mistakenly drawn into this situation.