in2ebook Chapter 274 Shared Responsibility, the Overall Situation is Determined
Chapter 274 Shared Responsibility, the Overall Situation is Determined
"Boss Cao, think twice!!"
"That's right, Mr. Cao, we haven't reached the end of the road yet. We absolutely cannot give up easily!"
"Boss Cao, we brothers have bravely followed you through thick and thin over the years, risking our lives to conquer the land! No matter how powerful the enemy, we've never shown the slightest fear. Even if we perish on this battlefield in the Central Plains today, we won't even frown!"
The generals who had remained silent could no longer suppress their anxiety after hearing that Cao Xin was planning to give up, and they rushed forward to try to persuade him to change his mind.
These generals are all veteran figures of the Feng faction. They had followed General Feng on the long journey as early as the Beiyang period.
They have experienced countless brutal battles and experienced the smoke of war and the test of life and death.
Today, although they are getting older, the never-give-up ambition deep in their hearts remains unchanged.
Throughout their lives, they have experienced countless failures and setbacks, but they have always upheld the dignity and integrity of a soldier and have never bowed to any enemy.
However, at this moment, seeing that they are about to enter old age and their lives are coming to an end, they are asked to lay down their weapons, surrender to the enemy, and endure such a great humiliation. This is even more painful for them than death.
Therefore, no matter what, they would never accept such an outcome.
"Everyone!" Cao Xin stood straight, his eyes sweeping over everyone present. He said in a heavy and firm voice, "I'm sure everyone knows what's right and wrong. I don't want to waste any more words on this matter."
After saying this, he closed his eyes tightly, unable to bear to see the miserable and helpless expressions of the veterans.
"The war has reached this point, and there is no room for maneuver. But please rest assured, this war was started by me, and I will definitely end it!"
Having said this, he slowly turned his head, his eyes fixed on the silent secretary beside him. He gave an order in an unquestionable tone: "Send a telegram to the Independence Army immediately, saying that we are actively requesting a ceasefire and peace talks. I will agree to any conditions they propose. As for all subsequent disposal and punishment, I, Cao, will bear it all!"
Finally, Cao Xin roared as if he had exhausted all his strength: "As long as you can spare these brave soldiers and other generals and officers, even if I have to be cut into pieces, I will be willing to do it without a single complaint!"
"Boss Cao, absolutely not!"
All they heard was a loud shout, which exploded in everyone's ears like thunder out of the blue.
For a moment, the originally quiet courtyard suddenly became noisy. The generals all looked shocked, and then their faces turned red and they were extremely excited.
They all had their eyes wide open and their hair standing on end with anger, as if they were about to spit fire.
Some of the older veterans were in even worse condition. Their bodies were trembling, tears were glistening in their eyes, and their weather-beaten faces were distorted with grief and anger.
They fell to their knees with a thud, their hands on the ground, and their foreheads hit the hard stone slabs heavily, making a banging sound.
Along with the muffled kowtows, they continued to cry out, "My Feng Clan has dominated Great Xia for so many years, conquering the east and the west, and being invincible. We never imagined we would suffer such humiliation today, to be bullied and insulted by that little Zhang!"
"Boss Feng, it's all our fault for being incompetent. We're just a bunch of useless good-for-nothings. That's why the Feng family has lost all its prestige and face!"
The sorrowful cries echoed throughout the entire headquarters compound.
Those veterans completely disregarded their image, tears streaming down their faces, beating their chests and stamping their feet, and kowtowing to the sky, as if they wanted to express their deep guilt and self-blame to the deceased Old Feng in this way.
In sharp contrast to these veterans are the younger generals.
Although they were equally indignant, they did not lose their minds like the veterans.
The group tightly surrounded Cao Xin, looking at him with determined and anxious eyes, and said in unison: "General Cao, we are not at the end of our rope yet! We still have nearly 100,000 soldiers under our command. With just one order from you, we will be able to fight back and kill him without a single piece of armor left! We absolutely cannot give up at this critical juncture, otherwise we will be laughed at by those low-ranking people."
"Everyone!" Cao Xin straightened his body, his eyes sweeping across the faces of everyone present. His voice was low and powerful: "I have made it clear as day. This is all my fault. It is my incompetence that has led the Feng family into such a desperate situation. For this, I feel deeply guilty and cannot escape the blame even if I die!"
At this point, a hint of determination flashed in Cao Xin's eyes. He suddenly stretched out his hand and quickly pulled out the pistol from his waist. With clean and neat movements, he pointed the muzzle of the gun at his temple without hesitation.
The scene suddenly fell into dead silence, and everyone was stunned by this sudden scene.
They stared at Cao Xin with wide eyes in disbelief, wanting to speak out to stop him but not knowing how to start.
"Perhaps, only by dying to atone for one's sins can we comfort the souls of those heroes who died heroically on the battlefield!" Cao Xin gripped the gun tightly in his hand, his tone so calm that it was frightening.
For him at this moment, death is not scary, but a relief.
As he said, if he chose to end his own life, then according to Zhang Ye's usual style of doing things, he should not embarrass these elderly veterans who have made great contributions to the Feng faction.
Moreover, only by taking all responsibilities in such a tragic way can the brothers who fought alongside him have the opportunity to live a stable and peaceful old age.
"No!" At the critical moment, an angry shout was heard like thunder, and in the blink of an eye, Wu Zhongwen rushed to the front, his speed was jaw-dropping.
He was seen holding Cao Xin's wrists tightly with both hands. Because he used too much force, his finger joints turned white due to excessive tension.
At this moment, Wu Zhongwen's voice was so hoarse as if it had been polished by sandpaper, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from the depths of his throat: "Lao Cao, now that things have come to this, how can I let you bear all this alone? Whether you live or die, I will accompany you all the way to the end!" After saying this, tears were already flashing in his eyes, and turbid tears slid down his cheeks and dripped onto the ground.
Cao Xin stared blankly at the old friend in front of him, with whom he had known for many years and was as close as a brother, feeling mixed emotions.
He saw Wu Zhongwen's tearful eyes. The tears blurred his vision and made the familiar face look a little distorted.
Cao Xin's lips trembled slightly. He wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.
Finally, after some inner struggle, he slowly loosened his hand that was tightly gripping the pistol, and the weapon that originally symbolized death and despair fell down helplessly.
"Okay, stop talking and do as you say!" Wu Zhongwen felt relieved when he saw that Cao Xin had finally given up the idea of committing suicide.
He reached out and gently patted Cao Xin's shoulder, his movements gentle but firm, as if he wanted to convey strength and comfort to the other person in this way.
"Defeat is defeat, it's no big deal. No matter what awaits us, I will face it with you and shoulder this responsibility together!"