Chapter 583 - 583: The Intrigue and Infighting of the Three Major Families

"Little Junior Brother, it's time to get up."

Zhong Yunman walked to the side of the bed and called out softly.

Jiang Xinghai rolled over and groggily opened his eyes.

"Huh? Sister Yunman, you look beautiful in that uniform! So sharp and impressive."

Jiang Xinghai scratched his head, still not fully awake, but Zhong Yunman's military attire still made his eyes light up.

"Silly, hurry and get up."

Zhong Yunman smiled faintly. She knew Jiang Xinghai's compliment was sincere.

The two of them finished washing up, and Jiang Xinghai was now wide awake.

He looked at Zhong Yunman's uniform, a fiery glint flashing in his eyes.

"Second Senior Sister, today... will I really get to put on the same uniform as you?" Jiang Xinghai had once dreamed of joining the War Department.

But things didn't go as planned.

"Why would I lie to you?" Zhong Yunman said with a soft, reassuring laugh, knowing what Jiang Xinghai truly craved. "Today, you won't just put on a uniform like mine; you'll also get the exact information you've been waiting for. It's the truth."

Jiang Xinghai nodded firmly.

Afterward, the two walked out of the room. Nightingale was already waiting outside the door.

"Nightingale, I slept quite soundly last night. Was there any reaction from Sun Zhen's side?" Jiang Xinghai asked with a grin.

"Rest assured, Young Master Jiang. Everything is quiet on Sun Zhen's end." Nightingale averted her gaze, her lashes fluttering. She didn't dare look at him for too long.

Otherwise, Zhong Yunman would get jealous.

"That's good."

Jiang Xinghai withdrew his gaze from Nightingale and then walked into the elevator with Zhong Yunman.

「Meanwhile.」

Shanghai Convention Center!

All entrances and exits were sealed and guarded by several soldiers.

Looking around, there were no unauthorized personnel in sight.

At the entrance to the main passageway.

Clad in his military uniform, Zheng Wuji, a three-star general from the Eastern Territory, stood beside Cao Shan with his hands clasped behind his back.

Today was the Marshal Conferment Ceremony!

Zheng Wuji was in charge of setting up the venue and handling security.

His father-in-law, Cao Shan, was the Patriarch of the Cao Family—one of the three great families—and thus had the right to attend the ceremony.

Furthermore, Cao Shan had come for an important reason: he hoped to build a connection with the newly promoted three-star general.

According to a tip from his father, Cao Qing, the Prince of the East, the new three-star general was a commoner who had been promoted unconventionally. It was said he was a Divine Doctor!

This way, the Cao Family's hope of saving the heart of Cao Can, who had a special constitution, would finally be within reach!

"Wuji, I know there's still an hour until the ceremony, but didn't you say the four-star Elder Tang would arrive early? Why hasn't he appeared yet?" Cao Shan wore a worried expression, feeling even more anxious inside.

"Father-in-law, a mere three-star like me has no authority to inquire about the affairs of a four-star," Zheng Wuji said with a sheepish smile, scratching his head.

"That's true," Cao Shan sighed.

"However, Patriarch Huang and Patriarch Du have arrived together." Zheng Wuji suddenly pointed into the distance, where two old men were strolling over, chatting and laughing.

"Those two old geezers are certainly here early," Cao Shan said, his face clouding over.

Zheng Wuji gave an embarrassed smile.

The three great families of Shanghai were his father-in-law's Cao Family, the Huang Family, and the Du Family.

Of these three families, the Huang and Du Families were closer, which made the Cao Family feel intentionally alienated.

Therefore, the Cao Family had never held a favorable impression of the Huang and Du Families. This was already an open secret in Shanghai.

However, given the occasion today, with his son-in-law Zheng Wuji by his side, Cao Shan wasn't afraid of the Huang and Du Families getting to the new three-star general first.

Besides, on an occasion like this, it was better to be harmonious to avoid angering the officials.

Seeing Patriarch Huang and Patriarch Du approaching together, Cao Shan still managed to put on a smile.

"You two distinguished guests are here bright and early."

Cao Shan greeted them first as they drew closer.

"Old Cao, you're here so early? It must have been a long wait."

"Younger Brother Cao, are you here to welcome the two of us? You're too kind."

Patriarch Huang and Patriarch Du were, in terms of strength and influence, naturally on par with Cao Shan.

However, Cao Shan was on his own, while the Huang and Du Families were practically joined at the hip. In a sense, they were stronger than the Cao Family.

The two of them smiled and were very courteous, not putting on any airs.

It was just their tone that made Cao Shan very unhappy.

'Was he waiting for Patriarch Huang and Patriarch Du?'

'Of course not!'

'He and Zheng Wuji were just waiting for the four-star Elder Tang and the new three-star general to arrive!'

"By the way, Wuji, Elder Tang should be here soon, right?" Cao Shan looked at Zheng Wuji, intentionally showing off that his son-in-law knew important people.

"Father-in-law, please be patient. According to the schedule, Elder Tang should be arriving shortly."

Zheng Wuji smiled faintly and checked the time. "I'm going to take a look around the main gate. You all chat for a bit."

After he left, Patriarch Huang couldn't help but look at Cao Shan. "Younger Brother Cao, the Elder Tang you mentioned... could he be the four-star Tang Zhen from the Imperial City?"

"Of course it's him," Cao Shan chuckled.

Patriarch Huang immediately looked at Patriarch Du. Their eyes met, and they shared a look of mutual understanding.

"I'd heard rumors that Elder Tang was coming today, but I didn't expect it to be true. This is great." Patriarch Du didn't seem to hide his feelings. "Back in the day in the Imperial City, Elder Tang and I drank together quite a bit. It's been about three years since I last saw him. Today is the perfect chance to catch up."

"Huh?" Cao Shan looked slightly stunned upon hearing this.

Patriarch Huang immediately flattered him, "Brother Du, how come I've never heard that you had a connection with Elder Tang?"

"Old Huang, surely you don't expect me to announce all of my connections to the public?" Patriarch Du's words seemed intentionally aimed at Cao Shan.

Patriarch Huang, who naturally already knew about Patriarch Du's connection with Elder Tang, still gave him a thumbs-up. "Brother Du, I'm impressed. Please help me with an introduction after you see Elder Tang."

"Of course, of course." Patriarch Du laughed and glanced at Cao Shan.

"Brother Du's network is vast. I'm truly impressed," Cao Shan had no choice but to offer a compliment as well.

"Hahaha..." Patriarch Du laughed again.

He and Patriarch Huang would alternate between whispering to each other in front of Cao Shan and bursting into hearty laughter.

Cao Shan stood there awkwardly, wanting to just leave.

But if he left, he wouldn't be able to be the first to greet Elder Tang or the new three-star general. He could only pace back and forth with his hands behind his back.

「Half an hour later.」

An "Eastern Ironclad" vehicle slowly drove in through the main gate.

In front of the vehicle, Zheng Wuji was leading a small squad, jogging alongside it.

"They're here!"

Cao Shan saw it clearly. 'A vehicle that would make my son-in-law, Zheng Wuji, disregard his own status to run alongside as a guard... It has to be Elder Tang!'

Just as he realized this, Patriarch Huang and Patriarch Du, who were beside him, were already scurrying forward to greet them.

'Those two old geezers!'

Cao Shan cursed inwardly, then also scurried forward.

"Father-in-law, Elder Tang is here!"

Zheng Wuji's expression was stern, and he didn't forget to remind the rushing Cao Shan, "Stand back a bit. Elder Tang is stopping at the entrance."

"That includes you two. Back up! Back up!"

Zheng Wuji shot Patriarch Du and Patriarch Huang a harsh look.

Even though they were patriarchs of two of the three great families, he wouldn't show them the slightest courtesy.

First, his father-in-law's status was equal to that of Patriarch Huang and Patriarch Du. Adding on his own status as a three-star general, he naturally had the right to be arrogant.