Southern guerrilla warfare: I led the Red Seventh Army Corps to amassed a million troops.

Zhou Zeyuan shook his head, his tone becoming serious: "The key issue is that if I become the deputy, I won't be a member of the three-person team anymore."

"If those two are ruthless enough to strip me of my right to speak, or even prevent me from attending... I'd like to ask, Lao Xun, can you control them?"

Xun Huaizhou gave a wry smile and shook his head.

He dislikes playing power games, but that doesn't mean he's completely ignorant.

In the struggle for power, there is no room for retreat; taking a step back means falling off a precipice.

Before the Battle of Fuzhou, the Northern Expeditionary Anti-Japanese Vanguard was constantly facing a life-or-death crisis, with external conflicts being the primary concern.

Political struggles are always limited to a few points; no one dares or wants to openly break ties.

To avoid affecting the unity of the leadership team!

But now...

Zhou Zeyuan led them to create a space for survival and an opportunity to make mistakes.

They are no longer the weak army that could be wiped out with just one defeat.

Internal conflicts quietly took over.

This has little to do with the system itself, but is determined by the cultural attributes nurtured by this land.

Su Yu knew very well that the three of them possessed a powerful mentality that defied human nature.

But their opponents did not.

This time, we have no choice but to fight!

He looked up at Zhou Zeyuan: "You expected this day to come. Since you called us both over, you must have a solution. Tell me."

Zhou Zeyuan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of his abdomen: "The situation is still favorable. The two of them are definitely not united enough and could be divided at any time."

"The key is... whether we are united enough. Politically, can you support me as much as you support me militarily?"

Xun Huaizhou took a deep breath and looked directly at Zhou Zeyuan: "You are right, I will definitely support you."

Zhou Zeyuan shook his head: "If we look at everything dialectically, then we're not united enough."

Su Yu continued, "From a military command perspective, it's definitely not acceptable for subordinates to only steadfastly execute orders from superiors if they believe them to be correct."

"I believe that as long as the commander does a good job, the overall performance is excellent, and the situation is developing in a favorable direction, we should firmly support him."

Zhou Zeyuan mentally gave Su Yu a thumbs up.

You can always trust this reliable partner.

He always performs exceptionally well at the most crucial moments.

Zhou Zeyuan's gaze fell on Xun Huaizhou, waiting for his reply.

Xun Huaizhou picked up his water glass, took a sip, and smacked his lips.

After setting down his cup, his eyes remained calm and unreadable: "Zeyuan, as long as you always stand on the side of the people and on the side of truth, I will support you steadfastly. Of course, I have one condition. This time, don't go too far."

Zhou Zeyuan's lips curled up slightly: "Don't worry, I will definitely use reasonable and legal means to teach these two a good lesson."

Xun Huaizhou nodded in satisfaction, but Su Yu, standing to the side, felt a chill run down her spine. "Legitimate and legal?"

Zeyuan seemed to have told him before that as long as one is willing to study, there are loopholes everywhere in the legal system.

The guard force at the Danyang Town Army Headquarters has been significantly strengthened today.

The leaders of the Special Committee, the Corps leaders, and more than a dozen division-level cadres gathered together. The room was packed, but the atmosphere was subtly tense.

Le Shaohua feigned concern, saying, "Comrade Huaizhou, you've just recovered from a serious illness and shouldn't be traveling far. If you need to inspect Lianjiang, you can send Comrade Zeyuan or Comrade Su Yu instead. Why make the trip yourself?"

Xun Huaizhou seemed oblivious to the probing meaning in his words, patted his chest, and spoke in a loud voice:

"I'm fully recovered and can definitely work."

"That's good, that's good." Le Shaohua nodded with a smile, but his gaze lingered on his face for a moment longer.

Xun Huaizhou changed the subject: "By the way, Comrade Political Commissar, what exactly are the orders from the Central Committee? Why are they so eager to summon so many of us here?"

Le Shaohua leisurely picked up his teacup and took a sip: "No rush, I'll announce it once everyone's here. By the way, where's Comrade Zeyuan?"

Before the words were finished, a familiar voice came from the doorway: "I'm here! Sorry I had something to do, I'm late."

Zhou Zeyuan strode in, his face bearing his usual calm smile.

Zeng Hongyi smiled and said, "It's not late at all. The legion commander is very busy, so it's normal for him to be a little late."

Le Shaohua stood up and cleared his throat: "Now that everyone is here, let's begin the meeting. I will read out an order from the Central Committee."

He pulled a telegram from his pocket and read it aloud, word by word:

"The Central Military Commission issued a telegram: Comrade Xun Huaizhou has recovered from his injuries and returned to the ranks. Effective immediately, he will resume his post as commander of the 7th Army Corps; Comrade Zhou Zeyuan will be reassigned as deputy commander of the army corps."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment. Everyone looked at each other, clearly still reeling from the news.

Zeng Hongyi broke the silence first, leading the applause: "Comrade Huaizhou has recovered from his injuries and returned to the ranks, resuming his command position. Congratulations! Congratulations!"

Others joined in the applause, but it wasn't very enthusiastic.

Apart from a few political commissars who were applauding earnestly, most of the others just clapped symbolically, as if they were just going through the motions.

Le Shaohua, a smug look on his face, gently pressed his hand down, silencing the applause. He turned his head, his gaze falling on Zhou Zeyuan: "Comrade Zeyuan, do you have any objections to the Central Committee's appointment?"

Zhou Zeyuan remained calm: "I have no objection. In fact, it's rare to see a corps commander at this age holding a deputy position, even across the entire country."

"Comrade Huaizhou is exceptionally capable and experienced, making him the most suitable person to take the helm. I hope everyone will support him and resolutely carry out the corps commander's orders."

"Good!" Zeng Hongyi led the applause once again.

This time, the applause was much more enthusiastic.

As soon as the applause subsided, Zhou Zeyuan raised his hand and gently pressed it down, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Le Shaohua and Zeng Hongyi exchanged a quick glance, a hint of unease flashing in each other's eyes.

Sure enough, things weren't that simple.

"There is one thing I hope the corps leadership or the Central Military Commission can give me a clear answer to." Zhou Zeyuan's voice remained confident, as if being demoted to a deputy position had not affected his calm state of mind at all.

"When I was acting as the corps commander, I made a promise to the Central Military Commission to tie down at least fifty regiments of the National Revolutionary Army."

"For this, I made a pledge, and if I fail to fulfill it, I am willing to accept any punishment. I would like to ask—is this pledge still valid?"

Le Shaohua answered almost without hesitation: "Of course it counts! This is the mission of our entire Northern Expeditionary Anti-Japanese Vanguard Team."

Zeng Hongyi's face immediately froze, and he secretly thought to himself that things were going to get bad.

Before he could even speak, Zhou Zeyuan pressed on, "If we fail to complete it, who will take responsibility? Me? Comrade Huaizhou? Or the three-person team?"

Le Shaohua was about to say, "It must be you. You made that promise yourself," but then he realized something was wrong.

This pit is way too deep. If someone falls in, they might die!