CHAPTER 257: CHAPTER 257: THE MEDDLING DOG CATCHES MICE (2)_1

"HMPH." The Li Family patriarch snorted coldly and also sat down to watch the video. The video showed the rear mountain of a certain military unit, where several large excavators were digging and a few researchers were conducting studies. It was a scene of excavation hundreds of meters underground. The filming must have been high-definition, as every movement of everyone involved was crystal clear.

"After overnight research and investigation, delving three hundred meters underground, we found no toxic substances in the soil here. The air purity is even higher than in other places. The poison that was said to be fatal to snakes a few days ago is harmless to animals, humans, plants, and even the air," a voice in the video explained.

In the video, the unanimous statements of all the testing personnel, along with various research results, were displayed one by one.

The video switched to another military unit, also undergoing excavation. Yu Jiayong’s hands clenched tightly, while the Yu Family patriarch’s face darkened. They dare to excavate on our land without any regard for us at all?

"We received an anonymous military tip-off that this location was hiding a large cache of weapons and harmful substances. However, after our overnight investigation and excavation, we found no dangerous items. This was all just a baseless rumor."

As the conclusion was announced, the video ended. The Li Family members, along with the two deputy chairmen, were incredulous. They had carefully planned everything, burying weapons and planting poison in the mountains, even undertaking similar actions within Yu Jiayong’s military unit. It was all supposed to have been done secretly, unbeknownst to anyone.

They had also detained people from both the Yu Family and Shangguan Family, aiming to catch them off guard and wipe them out in one fell swoop. But what is happening now? Where did we make a mistake? Why has everything gone awry? Where did the poison in the soil go? And what about the weapons?

This time they had made such a significant investment. Why has it all gone wrong?

Li Junjie’s face was ashen, his body slumped weakly in the chair, a cold sweat drenching his back. How are we going to handle this? How are we going to get out of this?

The Li Family patriarch’s hands also trembled slightly. Since the plan failed, how will I explain this to them? It’s all over now. But, fortunately, the two deputy chairmen are in charge here for the time being.

"Good, very good! Truly worthy of Minister Li, truly deserving of Secretary-General Li!" Shangguan Zhi sneered, his face, though contorted with anger, broke into a laugh. Thank goodness nothing was found. Otherwise, once the other two chairmen returned, the Shangguan Family and the Yu Family would have been condemned. Even if they wanted to help, they wouldn’t have been able to. "The Li Family, such great power you wield, such immense influence! My unit, Yu Jiayong’s unit, is it a place you can just barge into and leave as you please?" Yu Jiayong roared furiously. They entered his unit, and he was the last to know. Isn’t this a blatant slap in the face?

Today’s events made it clear: the Li Family and the two chairmen were truly out to destroy us. Regardless of whether the accusations concerning that young lady from the Yu Family were true or false, they would have pinned a real crime on us. Coupled with whatever they supposedly unearthed from our units, it would have been ironclad proof. It seems it’s high time our units underwent a thorough cleanup.

It seems someone secretly intervened, allowing us to escape this disaster. Whoever it was, they are the savior of both our families.

"We were simply following orders," Li Junjie said coldly, suppressing the shock in his heart. "You should be pleased. At least this proves those rumors were false."

"Commander Shangguan, Commander Yu, we were acting in accordance with the law. You understand, when one holds a certain position, one must fulfill its duties. If you were in our place, I believe you would have done the same. Now that your innocence has been proven and the rumors have collapsed on their own, you remain good generals and fine officers of the state," Deputy Chairman Liu said with a smile, patting their shoulders in a gesture of trust.

"Indeed. Ever since the two chairmen went on leave, we received secret letters, purportedly from your respective units. These letters alleged that both your units were separately concealing large quantities of weapons, posing a significant threat to society and the populace," Deputy Chairman Duan stated gravely. He then produced two anonymous letters and handed one to a representative from each family.

"You know, holding these positions, we are obligated to investigate such matters. Now that your innocence is confirmed, you are still good generals and fine officers of our country."

Shangguan Hao stared at the letter in his hand, at the words within—the accusations against him, the specified locations of hidden poison and weapons. His heart clenched painfully.

They could use such flimsy accusations against us? We receive hundreds, even thousands, of these alarming letters every year. Why didn’t they investigate those? Why believe these two specific letters and even mount such a large-scale operation against us?

Was all of this truly just because of two anonymous letters? Could it be that simple?

Shangguan Hao and Yu Jiayong exchanged glances, then nodded to each other.

"Deputy Chairman Duan, Deputy Chairman Liu, regardless of anything else, you must give us an explanation for today’s events! For people in our positions to be detained over any random letter is unacceptable. If this happens once, it will happen a second time, and then a third. HMPH!"

"An explanation? Haven’t we already provided one? This was a misunderstanding. Now that you’ve been proven innocent, what more do you want? Military orders are as unshakeable as a mountain! As esteemed commanders, surely you understand this principle? If you don’t even grasp this, how can you possibly manage an entire military unit?"

"Indeed. No matter when or where, regardless of your rank, the safety of the nation and its people must always come first. We receive a complaint; we investigate it. Is there anything wrong with that? Secretary-General Li was assisting us with the case, and Minister Li was concerned about potential harm spreading to the populace. All these actions were taken with the nation’s and the people’s interests as the top priority. Their conduct is commendable."

"As military officers, are you telling me you don’t understand this? Can you not even compare to them, those in the political sphere?"

"Such a simple principle, do you truly not understand it? Military law is like a mountain! Military discipline is like a mountain! All must follow the leadership’s arrangements and obey the leadership’s directives! Commander Shangguan Hao, Commander Yu Jiayong, do you understand? This is a military order—and military orders are like mountains!" Deputy Chairman Liu raised his voice, asserting the authority of his position as Vice Chairman of the Military Commission.