Chapter 192 - - 192 192 a cup of wine to relinquish military power_1

Words : 1420 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

192: Chapter 192: A Cup of Wine to Relinquish Military Power_1 192: Chapter 192: A Cup of Wine to Relinquish Military Power_1 “Madam Xiao, hello!” “Hello to you all!” “Madam Xiao, hello!” “Wife, stop speaking, otherwise they will keep doing this.” Xiao Chen looked at both sides as they greeted them incessantly like pecking chickens, feeling quite amused. “Oh!” Jiang Meng finally stopped, and those people really did stop talking. She was deeply shocked inside; Xiao Chen was indeed not simple. “Everyone, kneel down!” Lord Long said, then knelt down first. The people behind him hesitated a moment, and although a few were extremely reluctant, they still knelt down out of fear. “Mr. Xiao, our visit this time is to offer an apology with humility.” Lord Long said, “We beg your forgiveness for our past ignorance!” Seeing the group of people kneeling down in unison, Jiang Meng was stunned again. Being greeted in unison was one thing, understandable. But this kneeling down to apologize was completely beyond her comprehension. “Stand up!” Xiao Chen said casually. “If Mr. Xiao does not forgive us, we dare not stand up!” Lord Long responded. “What, threatening me?” Xiao Chen glanced at Lord Long and spoke coldly, “Stand up when I tell you to stand up. Any more nonsense and you’ll be kneeling here forever.” Lord Long then slowly stood up. The others also stood up one after another. They dared not disobey Xiao Chen’s words. Jiang Meng watched in great surprise. The Xiao Chen she usually encountered never spoke loudly. To her and her family, he was always as nice as could be. She had no idea that Xiao Chen had such an authoritative side. “Please, take a seat!” Xiao Chen took Jiang Meng’s hand and sat down. It was naturally the seat of honor. The seat arrangement here was particular; one could not sit just anywhere. “Everyone, please sit down!” Xiao Chen said indifferently. Only after he spoke did the people dare to sit down, including Lord Long. Ghost Blade was still standing outside; perhaps it was a habit developed long ago. “Mr. Xiao truly has a discerning eye.” Lord Long, looking at Jiang Meng, said, “If I were a few decades younger, facing a woman like Madam Xiao, I would not help but join the competition.” “You aren’t worthy!” Xiao Chen said indifferently. He, of course, knew that Lord Long’s words were a compliment to Jiang Meng. Jiang Meng was not only beautiful and smart, but what was most important was her purity. In this day and age, a woman with such a clean soul was truly a national treasure. Lord Long indeed had no standing to pursue her. “Hahaha, whether I’m worthy or not is one thing, but whether to pursue or not, is another!” Lord Long laughed. He wasn’t offended by Xiao Chen’s words. Because Jiang Meng was indeed a woman he couldn’t aspire to. He truly envied Xiao Chen for being able to find such an icy pure girl, with a soul so pure. “I’m not that great!” Jiang Meng felt a bit embarrassed because she had always felt unworthy of Xiao Chen. Lord Long’s words had all but praised her to the skies. And the words of Xiao Chen made her seem like a celestial fairy. “No, your virtues are visible to them all; it’s just you who don’t understand them yourself,” Xiao Chen said with a smile, “To tell the truth, I’m just barely worthy of you.” “Nonsense!” Jiang Meng didn’t take these words seriously, assuming Xiao Chen was just trying to make her happy. “Mr. Xiao.” Lord Long was about to speak but was interrupted by Xiao Chen, “Let’s not talk business now, let’s eat. Try the signature dishes of Linhai. Chen She, we can start the banquet!” Xiao Chen shouted towards the outside. After a moment, a variety of delicious dishes were served. At first, people were a bit uneasy. But as Xiao Chen and Jiang Meng started to eat, everyone else felt they had to start eating, too. The delicious food eased some of the awkward atmosphere considerably. No one talked about business; everyone was quietly eating their meal. During the banquet, everyone toasted Xiao Chen. But Xiao Chen had only drunk four glasses. The glasses offered by Lord Long, White Wolf, Lin Chaonan, and Jiang Hai! Many people didn’t understand what was going on. Only those four knew in their hearts. After this meal, they would be Xiao Chen’s men. After three rounds of drinks, Xiao Chen’s expression changed. The air became tense again. People knew it was time to discuss serious matters. “In ancient times, Emperor Taizu of Song used a goblet of wine to relinquish military control. Today, I also hope to resolve the long-standing problems of Jiangnan Prefecture with a cup of wine. Lord Long, pick up your glass!” Xiao Chen turned to White Wolf and said, “After drinking this glass, you will be part of my family, Xiao Chen’s family. Once you’re part of my family, you must obey me. Everything you’ve done in the past can be forgiven. But you must also lay down your power.” His words made the atmosphere in the private room incredibly tense. The faces of the bosses from the provincial capital had turned unsightly. Indeed, Xiao Chen was making his move. To emulate Zhao Kuangyin by using a glass of wine to release military power. To take control of Jiangnan Prefecture and become its most fearsome force. But would Lord Long agree? Having dominated Jiangnan Prefecture for decades, how could he just willingly give up everything? White Wolf was also very tense. Lin Chaonan and Jiang Hai were just as tense. It seemed that Xiao Chen was issuing an ultimatum to Lord Long. Some even began to tremble. Glasses they were holding in their hands fell to the ground and shattered. Only Jiang Meng was completely befuddled. It was just toasting with a glass of wine, why so tense? Could it be that Xiao Chen held such a high status that they felt overwhelmed by the honor? To everyone’s surprise, Lord Long did not hesitate for a moment. He picked up the glass and downed it in one gulp! Then he inverted the glass, and not a single drop poured out. “Good! From now on, Lord Long is part of my family, Xiao Chen’s family!” Xiao Chen also drained the wine from his glass. Lord Long actually drank it! Was he afraid of Xiao Chen? Could he really just give up all of Jiangnan Prefecture? It was simply incomprehensible! Lord Long looked at everyone and smiled, “You must think that I’ve gone mad, or that I’ve gone soft! When I was young, I would have thought the same as you. Who would willingly give up the power they hold? But I’ve lived for over fifty years and seen too much joy and sorrow, partings and unions. My pursuits are no longer the same as yours.” “You chase money, power, women! Do you know what I’m pursuing?” Lord Long asked with a smile. “Safety!” Jiang Meng blurted out. “Haha, Madam Xiao really understands how to live. As long as we have enough money to spend, that’s good, enough power to use, that’s enough. Being alive, it’s most important to live in peace and comfort. Mortality rates are high among our kind, and not many live to my age. I only hope that for the rest of my life, I can try to atone for the mistakes of my earlier years. To seek a clear conscience and to live in peace.” After his speech, he sat down. Everything he said was from the heart. In the past, he had been a dog for others, risking his life for them, but in the end, he might still not die a good death. Now, he had the opportunity to live for himself, and he had to strive for it, no matter what. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Jiang Meng became even more confused. It was just a glass of wine, why make it sound so melodramatic, as if it were the end of one’s life? “White Wolf, pick up your glass!” Xiao Chen said, looking at White Wolf. Without any hesitation, White Wolf picked up the glass and drained it.

Chapter 192 - - 192 192 a cup of wine to relinquish military power_1

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