Chương 39: Appreciation and Recruitment

"Yan Tang told me about your military and political skills."

Chu Zhaoxue leaned forward slightly.

"You are fully qualified to command an army. Cang Lian, would you like to join our new army? We will fully support you and make you the true leader of the Cang family!"

"We have thoroughly investigated the Cang family's treason and the evidence is conclusive. Therefore, you should not feel any guilt about taking over the Cang family," she said solemnly.

Psychological burden?

Cang Lian felt no burden at all; instead, she was overwhelmed with an uncontrollable joy and excitement!

He couldn't wait for the Cang family to be suppressed immediately so that he could finally break free from that cage!

"This is the evidence of the Cang family's collusion with the Japanese!" Chu Zhaoxue said, taking a thick file out of the drawer and slamming it on the table.

Cang Lian opened the file, and the contents made his eyelids twitch.

Those items, one by one, are all evidence of the Cang family's crimes.

I. Arms transaction records: Canghai Shipping, under the Cang family's name, has secretly transported large quantities of strategic materials to Japan under the guise of transporting "silk and porcelain" over the past decade. On the return voyages, they smuggled in Type 38 rifles, hand grenades, and even small artillery pieces. These weapons eventually ended up in the hands of various warlords in China, exacerbating the war.

Second, the intelligence map: a detailed defense map of Shenghai, with key New Army strongholds, armories, and weak points on patrol routes marked in red. This was clearly an attempt to lure the enemy in and act as an inside agent for possible military operations by the Japanese.

Third, a list of witnesses, including a list of core members of the Cang family involved in the transaction, and even several government officials who had been bribed. There was even a photograph of Shen Peiyu, the eldest wife of the Cang family, smiling broadly as she raised a glass with a high-ranking Japanese general at the "Sakura Club."

……

Cang Lian never expected that the Cang family would actually collude with the Japanese!

Looking at this overwhelming evidence, his eyes were truly filled with coldness.

Traitors deserve to die!

At the same time, he also quietly exhaled a breath of stale air!

Unexpectedly, the new army has actually clashed with the Cang family!

With the support of the new army, he will face much less pressure from the Cang family in the future!

"The Cang family has actually colluded with the enemy and betrayed their country!" Cang Lian raised his head, his eyes filled with grief and indignation.

"I, Cang Lian, am ashamed to be associated with them!"

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his emotions, his eyes becoming incredibly resolute: "General! The Cang family is a centuries-old clan. Attacking them indiscriminately would indeed cause other clans to feel a sense of shared fate and unite against the new army. But if the Cang family were to collapse 'from within,' the situation would be entirely different!"

He stared intently at Chu Zhaoxue: "For the sake of the nation, I can't wait a moment longer. General, please grant me an entire army, and I will immediately lead men to suppress the Cang family! As a member of the Cang family, if I act 'righteously sacrificing family ties,' no one will gossip. After I have annihilated those traitors, I can legitimately take over the family businesses of those willing to submit to the new army.

In this way, the new army will control the Cang family without bloodshed, benefiting the country and its people! Having taken over the Cang family's businesses, I will naturally serve the new army!"

Chu Zhaoxue looked at him quietly, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

"It's good that you think this way; you're doing this for the country and its people," she said slowly.

"However, the Cang family can't fall yet. They still have some value, and the time isn't ripe. When the time comes, we'll need you to serve the country. The Cang family will be in your hands in the future; there's no escaping it!"

"I am willing to serve the new army, and I am willing to serve the general!" Cang Lian said, pressing down.

"I beg the general to bestow upon me a few national treasure martial arts techniques. I will certainly serve the general with my life, even unto death!"

Chu Zhaoxue shook her head: "The National Martial Arts Manual cannot be given to you casually. This is not because I don't trust you, but because it is the rule upon which my new army stands. Without rules, there can be no order. Even some brigade commanders, division commanders, and even army commanders, if they want to obtain the National Martial Arts Manual, they need to fight brilliant battles and earn military merits!"

"However..." she changed the subject, her sharp eyes locking onto Cang Lian once more, "You've heard of the National Martial Arts Hall's 'Luck Lottery,' haven't you?"

Cang Lian's heart stirred, and he nodded.

"I can tell you definitively that there's something fishy going on with this lottery." Chu Zhaoxue admitted without any hesitation, "The so-called 'Lucky Ball' isn't random. It's a screening mechanism used to select those who are 'ambitious, capable, and willing to take risks.' We'll list different 'Lucky Candidates' based on each person's background and potential."

She walked up to Cang Lian and looked him straight in the eyes: "And you, Cang Lian, since you are willing to join the new army, from today onwards, you will be listed as an 'S-level candidate for destiny'."

"This means that every time you participate in the lottery, the probability of winning a 'lucky ball' will be 100%."

hundred percent?!

Cang Lian's eyes lit up instantly!

Doesn't this mean that completing one task is equivalent to completing two?

Although he did not gain command of the army this time, such benefits were enough to tempt him!

"Thank you, General!"

"Hmm!" Chu Zhaoxue nodded in satisfaction.

"You have good talent, keep up the good work. Now that you're one of us, you can not only exchange merit points for cultivation resources, but also advance through the ranks within the National Martial Hall, just like military merits in the army!"

"Once you've accumulated enough merit, the National Martial Hall might cultivate you as a core member! Our new army is currently expanding, conquering more and more territory, and the National Martial Hall will open more branch halls. It's not impossible that you could become a deputy hall master like me, or even truly lead an army."

She waved her hand: "You may leave now!"

"Thank you, General!"

Cang Lian had seen Chu Zhaoxue's status and martial arts prowess. He was overjoyed to have gained her favor—he was determined to cling to this powerful patron! Now, he needed to seize every possible opportunity and climb step by step to the top of this world.

He bowed respectfully and then withdrew.

Watching his departing figure, Yan Tang whispered, "Judging from his appearance, he and the Cang family are truly sworn enemies."

"This man possesses a solid foundation in martial arts, is well-versed in military and political affairs, is meticulous in his thinking, and is adaptable and resilient—a true dragon among men." Chu Zhaoxue smiled slightly.

"Since the Cang family doesn't want him, then our new army will accept him!"

……

Leaving the command building, Cang Lian glanced back at the towering structure, her mind clear.

"Chu Zhaoxue, the New Army, the National Martial Hall... these are some of the few ways I can currently acquire resources. The New Army wants to use my name to consolidate the Cang family, and I also want to use the New Army's influence to improve my strength. It's a win-win situation."

"Now that I have gained Chu Zhaoxue's favor, it will be much easier to obtain cultivation resources than before."

"Double the merit points... that's really tempting!"

"Missions, merits, strength, status! It's a positive cycle! Perhaps, once my strength increases, I can truly become a core member of the National Martial Hall, rise to the top, and wield power over a region!"

"When I possess all the power of the universe... then everything will be governed by my will!"