262: Dinner - Gathering of Big Shots

The day before the Hongdu Military Parade and Honors Conferment Ceremony, winter's night fell early, but inside and outside the Hongdu Main Base, lights blazed, filled with a unique tension and anticipation characteristic of pre-celebration. Heavyweight representatives from all over the country had arrived in full today.

The National Government's Honors Conferment Group, led by Qin Guoqiang General Qin Guoqiang, personally attended with experts like Yang Tian and Ye Qingwen, demonstrating the extreme importance placed on this event. Major Military Regions also sent their top lineups: Yang Zhen shock of the Southern Military Region with fire phoenix Nangong Yu; Eastern Military Region's second-tier officer Chen Shutong with "Overlord" Xiang Wentian; Western Military Region's top expert Qin Ziyu; Northern Military Region's third-tier peak expert, Nickname: Bingyuan Canglong He Junlong; representatives from the two border armies were Political Commissar Zhang Huating of the Tubo Military Region and Commander Ma Yuankong of the Anxi Military Region. In addition, Governor of Jingchu Province Wan Chunlin and Political Commissar of the Western Hunan Military Region Li Changfeng, who were soon to be incorporated into the Xiang-Gan-E Joint Military Region, were also present, their postures subtle.

That evening, as the host, Jiang Xin held a grand banquet for guests from all directions in the Hongdu Grand Hotel's banquet hall, the highest-spec venue within the Hongdu Base. The banquet hall was decorated solemnly and grandly, with huge crystal chandeliers casting soft, bright light. Long dining tables were covered with white tablecloths, and silver cutlery and crystal wine glasses reflected brilliant gleams. Almost all high-ranking officials of the Red Alert Legion were present, even Chief of General Staff Zhang Long, who was stationed at the Longxing City headquarters, was specially recalled, forming an impressive lineup.

The main banquet featured an extremely long dining table. Jiang Xin and General Qin Guoqiang sat side-by-side at the head, while representatives from other factions were seated in order of official rank, status, strength, and their closeness to the Red Alert Legion, occupying the seats on both sides further down. Red Alert core figures such as Zhang Lei, Zhang Long, Tanya, Jiang Feifei, Li Ang, and Chen Hao also accompanied them. The atmosphere seemed lively, but undercurrents surged, with every gaze potentially containing signals of scrutiny, competition, or alliance.

The banquet officially began. Waiters moved swiftly, and exquisite delicacies were continuously served. Dishes made from various rare mutated beasts, including even second-tier mutated beasts, were brought to the tables.

General Qin Guoqiang was the first to raise his glass. The Qin Guoqiang of the National Government wore a genial smile, and his resonant voice instantly captured everyone's attention: "Comrade Jiang Xin!" He looked at Jiang Xin, who was young yet composed, "In Kyoto, I've heard your deeds recounted again and again! At such a young age, you're able to command a region, lead your army to sweep across Xijiang, and reclaim the entire province! Moreover, you've cooperated with comrades from the Southern Military Region in the South of the Ranges, capturing three major strongholds consecutively, with brilliant military achievements! Truly a young hero, a pillar of the nation! Come, Comrade Jiang, let us both drink this toast to celebrate your achievements and those of the Red Alert Legion's soldiers!" He raised his full wine glass, gesturing to Jiang Xin.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xin immediately raised his glass with both hands, standing tall, his demeanor respectful yet poised: "Qin Guoqiang Qin, you flatter me! You are so busy with daily affairs, yet you personally came to confer honors upon I, Jiang. I, Jiang, am already overwhelmed with gratitude! How dare I let you toast first? This drink should rightly be offered by I, Jiang, to the Commander-in-Chief first, to thank the National Government for its trust and support! Commander-in-Chief, please take your time, I, Jiang, will drink this first as a sign of respect!" With that, he tilted his head back and drained the clear yet potent white liquor in his glass, his movements decisive and fluid, his Adam's apple bobbing, showcasing a soldier's forthrightness.

"Haha! Good! Comrade Jiang is not only skilled in warfare but also understands etiquette and is forthright!" General Qin Guoqiang laughed heartily, his eyes showing even greater admiration. He also took a sip, then turned his gaze to Zhang Lei, who was seated below Jiang Xin. "Comrade Zhang! I also toast you! I still vividly remember your sparring match with Lü Yan after our last farewell in Kyoto. I often think of you, this fierce general!"

Zhang Lei immediately stood up. Though proud, he always maintained respect for General Qin Guoqiang, an old general who had fought for the nation his entire life. He raised his glass with both hands and lightly clinked it with Qin Guoqiang's: "General Qin, your concern is more than I deserve. Your good health, General, is a blessing to the nation and a fortune for its soldiers. I toast you!" After saying this, he also drained his wine.

After drinking with General Qin Guoqiang and the core figures of the host, he stood up again, surveying the entire hall, his voice echoing: "Fellow comrades! Today, we gather in the Hero City of Hongdu, both to celebrate the reclamation of Xijiang and to witness tomorrow's honors conferment ceremony. This is a grand event for our Huaxia Nation since the apocalypse! On this auspicious occasion, there is no need for excessive formality. Please raise your glasses together, for the hard-won victory, for a bright future, let us drink!"

With the National Government's Commander-in-Chief speaking, representatives from various military regions, regardless of their inner thoughts, had to put on a good show. Thus, led by Yang Zhen, Chen Shutong, He Junlong, Qin Ziyu, and others, everyone rose, facing Jiang Xin and Zhang Lei, uttering pleasantries like "Congratulations, General Jiang, General Zhang," and "The Red Alert Legion's military achievements are outstanding," as they raised their glasses and drank. For a moment, cups clinked in the banquet hall, and the atmosphere seemed to warm up.

Everyone resettled, and the banquet entered a relatively free stage of interaction. But the real drama had just begun.

Chen Shutong of the Eastern Military Region, seeing that the time was right, cast a hidden yet earnest glance at General Qin Guoqiang at the main table. General Qin Guoqiang nodded slightly, put down his chopsticks, cleared his throat, his smile unchanged, but his tone carried a hint of mediation:

"Comrade Jiang," he began slowly, his voice not loud, yet it quickly quieted the banquet hall, "This time, besides official business, I also heard... that there seemed to be some small... misunderstandings between you and comrades from the Eastern Military Region previously? Young people, full of vigor, some friction is inevitable. You see, today City Mayor Chen also specially brought Comrade Xiang Wentian. I wonder... if, for the sake of this old man's face, everyone could let bygones be bygones and cooperate sincerely in the future?"

As soon as General Qin Guoqiang finished speaking, Chen Shutong immediately seized the opportunity, practically pulling Xiang Wentian, who had a stiff face and clenched fists, to stand up beside him. Chen Shutong's face was plastered with a sincere smile, and his tone was extremely low: "General Jiang, General Zhang, last time in Longxing City, it was indeed Xiao Tian's youthful impetuousness and lack of manners, acting rashly and offending you two and the comrades of the Red Alert Legion. As his superior and elder, I am also responsible for not disciplining him strictly enough. Today, I will shamelessly apologize on his behalf, and on behalf of the Eastern Military Region, to both of you! I hope General Jiang and General Zhang can be magnanimous and not dwell on his past mistakes."

After being secretly pinched by Chen Shutong, Xiang Wentian took a deep breath, suppressing all his pride and unwillingness, and tried to make his voice sound calm, even humble. He bowed slightly towards Jiang Xin and Zhang Lei: "General Jiang, General Zhang. Last time... my actions were reckless, and my words were offensive, I deeply apologize. I, Xiang, hereby... formally apologize. I hope both generals... can be magnanimous and not take offense." Every word seemed to carry weight, making him appear completely different from his former arrogant self.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Jiang Xin, awaiting his reaction. This was not just about accepting an apology; it was a symbolic moment for establishing the Red Alert Legion's interaction model with the established military regions.

Jiang Xin slowly put down his wine glass and leaned back in his chair, a faint, inscrutable smile still on his face. He didn't immediately look at Xiang Wentian, but first nodded slightly to General Qin Guoqiang: "Since Commander-in-Chief Qin personally mediates, how dare I, Jiang Xin, not comply?" Immediately, his gaze calmly swept over Chen Shutong, finally resting on the bowed head of Xiang Wentian. His gaze was not sharp, but carried a sense of detached condescension.

"Since General Qin and Officer Chen have spoken," Jiang Xin's voice was clear and steady, echoing in the silent banquet hall, "I, Jiang Xin, am not one to quibble over trifles. Past matters can be put behind us."

His tone shifted, his voice still steady, but suddenly revealing a chilling coldness as he slowly swept his gaze over every representative present, especially those from the major military regions whose eyes might still hold a trace of scrutiny or defiance: "However," he emphasized these two words heavily.

"I, Jiang, also hope that all friends present can understand one principle."

Jiang Xin leaned forward slightly, his hands gently resting on the edge of the table, the smile on his lips turning somewhat cold: "The achievements of my Red Alert Legion were forged step by step from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, relying on the flesh and blood of our soldiers, advanced technology, and countless sacrifices! We respect friends and welcome cooperation, but..."

His voice suddenly rose a notch, and at the same time, an invisible, intangible, yet vast and terrifying pressure, like a tsunami or a mountain collapse, the Kings Domain and Psychokinesis pressure, was unleashed by him without reservation!

"We are absolutely not soft persimmons to be manipulated, nor can people just come here to act wildly and test us!"

"Boom—!" An invisible storm seemed to sweep through the entire banquet hall! The crystal chandeliers subtly swayed, and the wine in the glasses rippled!

All the Evolvers present, regardless of their military region or strength, had their expressions drastically change in that instant!

Those at or below the second-tier felt their Superpowers instantly and completely locked down, as if trapped in solidified amber. Even breathing became difficult, and their faces turned pale instantly.

Meanwhile, third-tier powerhouses, such as He Junlong (Bingyuan Canglong), Qin Ziyu, Nangong Yu, and even Xiang Wentian himself, felt an immense force, far beyond their imagination, combining extreme Psychokinesis pressure and Laws and restrictions, descend upon them!

He Junlong instinctively emitted a frosty blue aura to resist, but it melted rapidly like ice meeting boiling oil; Qin Ziyu's beautiful face showed surprise for the first time, her body involuntarily tensing; Nangong Yu's phoenix flames flickered erratically.

Xiang Wentian, who bore the brunt of the greatest Psychokinesis pressure, felt as if a ten-thousand-ton mountain was pressing down on him. Sweat instantly beaded on his forehead and temples, trickling down his resolute cheeks, and his lips lost their color. He clenched his teeth, using all his will to barely maintain his standing posture without collapsing, but his slightly trembling legs betrayed his limit.

Only Zhang Lei remained composed, sitting calmly below Jiang Xin, even having the leisure to pick up his wine glass and take a sip, as if the suffocating pressure was merely a gentle breeze. This terrifying pressure lasted for only a brief moment before Jiang Xin retracted it instantly, like sheathing a sword.

He seemed to have done nothing at all, leaning back into his chair, his face returning to its previous calm, even with a perfectly appropriate apologetic smile, as if the awe-inspiring presence that had just stunned the entire hall was merely an illusion.

Jiang Xin elegantly picked up his wine glass again: "I, Jiang, lost my composure for a moment, making you all laugh. There's no other intention, I just hope that in future collaborations, everyone can be frank and respect each other." He raised his glass to the entire hall, then drained it again, "Please, everyone, make yourselves comfortable."

A deathly silence hung in the banquet hall for a few seconds. Then, subtle sounds of relief or wiping cold sweat from foreheads, though clearly audible, were heard, despite efforts to conceal them.

General Qin Guoqiang's eyes flashed with brilliance. He took a deep look at Jiang Xin, then laughed heartily, breaking the deadlock: "Good! Comrade Jiang is straightforward and frank! This is the true nature of a soldier! Come, everyone, continue, drink, eat!" But everyone knew that some things had fundamentally changed.

The atmosphere of the subsequent banquet underwent a subtle and complete transformation.

Representatives from various military regions, whether they were Commanders and political commissars holding significant power or arrogant top experts, no longer dared to show any arrogance in front of Jiang Xin. They all proactively stood up, taking turns to approach Jiang Xin and Zhang Lei to offer toasts, their humble demeanor and earnest words a stark contrast to the beginning of the banquet.

Even the aloof He Junlong slightly lowered his proud head when toasting; Qin Ziyu's smile held more genuine inquiry and respect; Xiang Wentian silently followed behind Chen Shutong, not uttering another word.

Governor of Jingchu Province Wan Chunlin and Political Commissar of the Western Hunan Military Region Li Changfeng, having witnessed Jiang Xin's unfathomable strength and the Red Alert Legion's absolute dominance, completely dispelled their last vestiges of hesitation and wait-and-see attitude. The two seized the opportunity to directly express their stance to Jiang Xin, fully accepting the leadership of the Xiang-Gan-E Joint Military Region and pledging to fully cooperate with the upcoming integration and reclamation efforts.

Meanwhile, other military region representatives discussed cooperation with the Red Alert Legion with even greater enthusiasm, from purchasing urgently needed tesla tanks and apocalypse tanks, to requesting joint operations in large-scale battles, and even tentatively inquiring if personnel could be dispatched to learn certain technologies... the willingness to cooperate was unprecedentedly high.

That night, the Hongdu Grand Hotel was brightly lit. Jiang Xin not only hosted a banquet for guests from all directions but also, through a brief yet unforgettable "display of strength," silently declared the Red Alert Legion's undisputed hegemonic status in the Central China region, laying the most solid foundation of power for tomorrow's Honors Conferment Ceremony.