Chapter 162: The Queen Mother's Scheme

  I left Wudang and returned to the Hu Long Temple, where I immediately went to see Old Man Chen. I reported my previous mission to him. Old Man Chen didn't say anything, but instead asked me to contact Wang Mu as soon as possible and ask her to come to Beijing to meet with several high-ranking officials in the military department.

  I knew what Old Chen meant was that he wanted to meet with Queen Mother in person and get a sense of the goddess's situation, so I agreed to contact Queen Mother.

  The Queen Mother received my notice and readily agreed to Old Chen's request, and also asked me to go to the airport to pick her up.

  I originally thought Queen Mother would have some conditions, but I didn't expect her to just ask me to pick her up at the airport. This is a very normal thing, after all, Queen Mother is not currently a military personnel, and if she wants to see the big shots in the Ministry of War, it's impossible without me showing the way.

  So I arrived at the airport in Beijing on schedule, waiting for Wang Mu's arrival. Along with me were Chen Jing and Nan Gong Qianlan, whom I had just met today. Coincidentally, they are both instructors of the Dragon Guard, although Nan Gong Qianlan is a martial arts instructor, while Chen Jing is a tactics instructor.

  When I saw them together, I was really startled and worried that they would not get along because of me. But to my surprise, they were like close sisters, chatting and laughing all the way without stopping. What's strange is that neither of them paid attention to me, as if I were an invisible person.

  While waiting for Wang Mu, I had the intention to talk to them, but every time I was about to speak, they would intentionally say something else and suppress my words.

  I finally realized that something was off, because they seemed to have conspired against me and were ignoring me. I had no way to deal with this situation, so I could only quietly listen to them talk, waiting for Queen Mother to arrive soon.

  The Queen Mother brought more than 20 people this time, and the team was very large. Some of them were people I knew, such as Dongfang Yonghao, who had never gotten along with me before, and Min Hui Zhen, a traitor suspected by others to be a goddess.

  When she saw me, Queen Mother smiled and said: "It's great, thank you for coming to pick us up yourself, we feel greatly honored."

  I smiled and said: "This is what I should do, Queen Mother, you're being polite."

  The queen mother smiled and said: "Guest officer, don't be offended. We are new to the capital city and many things are unclear to us, please give us more guidance."

  I smiled and stretched out my hand: "Alright! From now on, we're people in the same system, and we can be considered family, no need to be so polite."

  The Queen Mother smiled even more happily, grasped my hand and said: "These words warm my heart, very comfortable!"

  I pointed to the path beside me: "No need for more polite words, the others are still waiting for Queen Mother Wang, let's go."

  The queen mother didn't say anything, and instructed the people she brought with her to get on our car, following us straight to Zhang's office.

  The king's mother only wanted to see not the highest leader of China, but our military ministers. So we came directly to the Ministry of Military Affairs and then invited the king's mother and her entourage to a conference room in the ministry.

  The military department's Long Dragon Jin Feng and Wen Wu were waiting in the conference room for Wang Mu and his entourage. Old Chen personally waited at the door of the conference room, and when he saw Wang Mu, he smiled and said: "Wang Mu's noble presence is a great honor to us. Please come in and have some tea."

  The Queen Mother glanced at Old Man Chen and smiled: "You're just Old Man Chen, aren't you? With a capable person like Jin Cang under your command, it's hard for me not to think of it."

  Chen Lao smiled and said, "Queen Mother is overpraising him. Jin Cang is just a bit bolder and luckier than others. He's still young and hasn't thought things through, causing trouble for you, Queen Mother."

  The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Don't be offended, guest. Jin Cang's abilities are plain to see, I'm not intentionally praising him. As for those minor troubles, it's nothing, I'll take care of them, they won't cause me any loss."

  I was puzzled: when did I bring trouble to the Queen Mother? Is it that some of the conditions I promised to the Queen Mother can't be fulfilled now? Or, after I persuaded the Queen Mother to surrender, did I cause turmoil within the goddess?

  Before I could think more, Old Chen had already led Wang Mu and the others into the conference room. I followed them in and saw that Dongfang Yu was also sitting inside, apparently still seated as a participating military officer, and couldn't help but feel another wave of strangeness. Had Dongfang Yu grown up now too? How did he end up sitting next to Wen Wu? Isn't that only a position for the Minister of Military Affairs?

  When Dongfang Yu saw me, he didn't have the excitement of before, nor did he show even a hint of dependence, but just looked at me lightly, as if looking at a passerby.

  I was even more puzzled, but I also knew that this wasn't the time for me to think about these things. So, while busy arranging seats for the goddesses, I also helped a few soldiers serve tea and water to them.

  The goddess and the crowd had been silent all along, except for Queen Mother who was chatting with the military commanders. They also have their own discipline, knowing that they don't have a chance to speak at this time.

  When everyone had sat down, Old Chen stood up and said: "Today is a good day because we have welcomed the ladies from the Goddess Organization. First of all, I represent the military side of Huaxia to express our warm welcome to the ladies from the Goddess Organization. Thank you for your arrival, and also thank Queen Mother for her support to Huaxia."

  Applause erupted, whether it was the military or the goddess side, everyone was delighted to see both sides getting along peacefully.

  Chen Lao continued: "Today, several leaders of our military department have come, and Wang Mu has also come here in person. So no matter what misunderstandings we had before, today we will speak openly and honestly, saying everything we want to say. Today we are here to seek common ground while putting aside differences, everyone can speak freely."

  The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Chen Lao said it well, so I won't be polite. Let me introduce myself, I am the Queen Mother of the Goddess Organization, and I'm delighted to meet the military leaders today. The purpose of our visit here, I believe General Jin Cang has already informed you all. I won't repeat it, now I just want to know the opinions of several leaders."

  Chen Lao and Long Jinfeng, Wen Wu looked at each other, Wen Wu smiled and said: "The conditions you mentioned earlier we have all agreed to, and now we will not go back on our word. The purpose of inviting you here is to ask if you still have any other requirements. Now that we are one family, feel free to make any requests, and we will do our best to satisfy them."

  The Queen Mother smiled: "Since you are so sincere, I will represent our goddess to make a few demands. Our first requirement is that we want to be reorganized into a regular army. Not only should the unit number be the same as the regular army, but also the weapons and equipment, personnel allocation, barracks conditions, etc., should all be the same as the regular army."

  Wen Wu smiled and said: "This is certain, you don't say it, we will also do so. You can mention your second condition now."

  The Queen Mother was delighted and smiled happily: "The second requirement is that we must move our base to the Three Gorges Reservoir area."

  Wen Wu slightly furrowed his brow: "What does Wang Mu mean?"

  The Queen Mother said: "Most of our goddesses are from the Three Gorges Reservoir area, so going there is actually just like going back to our hometown."

  Wen Wu nodded, glanced at Long Jinfeng. Long Jinfeng smiled and nodded, saying: "Since that's the case, we'll contact the garrison on the Three Gorges Reservoir side to have you replace them."

  The Queen Mother was overjoyed and almost immediately clasped her fists together, saying: "Thank you, seniors. I thank you on behalf of all the goddesses."

  Wen Wu and Long Jin Feng both smiled and nodded, then Chen Lao said: "What is your third condition, Queen Mother? Is there a fourth one?"

  The Queen Mother smiled: "Don't worry, Chen Lao, we only have three conditions and won't make endless demands."

  Chen Lao smiled: "Then please let Wang Mu propose your last condition."

  The Queen Mother thought for a moment and said seriously: "I want to ask you all for help with something."

  Chen Lao frowned: "Queen Mother, please speak directly."

  The Queen Mother looked at me and suddenly pointed at me saying: "Jin Cang knows what I want to say."

  I was puzzled and couldn't help but ask: "What are you referring to?"

  The queen said, "It's the problem of a traitor within our own ranks. A while ago we were ambushed by the enemy and if it weren't for the help of the military personnel, even I might have been killed. Unfortunately, despite conducting thorough investigations several times over the past few days, we still haven't been able to find the traitor. So I'd like to ask for the military's assistance in finding this traitor."

  Chen Lao looked at Wang Mu and me: "Does Wang Mu have a suitable candidate in mind?"

  The Queen Mother nodded slightly: "I think Jin Cang can help me find this traitor, but I don't know if Jin Cang is willing to lend a hand?"

  Chen Lao smiled: "I knew you were talking about Jin Cang. Alright, let's give Jin Cang some time to consider it, and we'll give Wang Mu an answer tomorrow. How's that?"

  The Queen Mother nodded: "I won't force anyone either. Let's go with Old Chen's idea and wait for Jin Cang's response tomorrow."

  I wasn't too willing to get involved in the internal affairs of Guan Lao, but now that Chen Lao has spoken up, I have no choice but to nod my head and agree: "I'll consider it carefully."

  The queen mother smiled and sat down, looking as if she had already devoured me whole.

  I feel like Queen Mother is playing a trick, but I don't have any evidence, and can only watch as she gloats.

  Mr. Chen was also somewhat surprised, looking at me with a puzzled expression.

  Even Long Jinfeng and Wen Wu looked at me with confusion.

  The only person in the conference room who roughly understood what Wang Mu meant was me, but I didn't fully understand either. Although Wang Mu had mentioned before that she wanted me to stay with the female god, it's been so long now and I don't know if her thoughts will change or not, perhaps she has other intentions.

  Before I could think more, Old Chen had already said: "Since the Queen Mother has stated all the requirements of the female gods, then I will also state a few requirements from our military side."

  The queen mother said with great pleasure: "Please speak freely!"

  "Regardless of what you goddesses did in the past, since we are now one family, it is naturally a case of letting bygones be bygones. However, from now on, you must strictly follow military discipline and not do anything illegal or unruly again. This is the requirement of our military as well as the highest law of the Huaxia Kingdom. I also hope that you can restrain your subordinates and not make things difficult for us."

  The Queen Mother nodded: "This is what should be done, even if we don't say it, we will strictly demand it of ourselves. If such a thing really happens, there's no need for you to trouble yourself, I will punish them myself."

  Chen Lao was very satisfied with Wang Mu's words and smiled, saying: "This is the best! Next, I want to say that your task is to join the military, then you must start taking on the corresponding responsibilities."

  The Queen Mother nodded again: "Please give us the task arrangement. However, as for the time we execute the task, I think it's still based on when Jin Cang gives me a reply. What do you think?"

  Old Chen looked at me and nodded helplessly: "That's natural. Your task is that after you go to the Three Gorges Reservoir area, you will work with the local garrison to eradicate all hostile forces lurking in the Three Gorges Reservoir area."

  The Queen Mother smiled: "Don't worry, we will definitely catch all the enemies at once." After a pause, she said: "If it's this task, I guarantee that I can complete it within a month."

  Chen nodded in satisfaction with Wang Mu's attitude. So he didn't hesitate anymore, and looked at me directly saying: "Jin Cang, since Wang Mu needs your help, I think you should agree to help Wang Mu now."

  I knew Chen Lao's words were an order, so I got up and said, "Yes!"

  I didn't want to go to the goddess's place, after all, I had offended people there before, and going back would probably make me uncomfortable. Not to mention others, just thinking about Min Hui Zhen, Ying'er's nanny, who had taken care of me before, wouldn't give me a good face.

  Now Old Chen has given me an order, I can only grit my teeth and go to the goddess, there's no other way.

  "Welcome, Jin Cang." Queen Mother seemed overjoyed, standing up and looking at me with a smile: "With your help, we can definitely complete the task smoothly and catch the traitor within our ranks."

  I smiled and said: "Queen Mother is being too kind to me, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude."

  The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Let's skip the pleasantries. This way, you'll come with me now, and we'll carefully consider what to do next."

  I looked at Chen Lao and the others with difficulty, and Chen Lao said: "Don't worry, Wang Mu, you have plenty of time later. Jin Cang still has a task now, and he will attend a meeting in a while. After the meeting is over, I'll let him go find you."

  After listening to Old Chen's words, Queen Mother smiled and left, taking the people she brought with her. I don't know if Old Chen really wanted me to attend some meeting or just had something to say to me, so I stayed in the conference room.

  Besides me, Long Jinfeng and Wen Wu also stayed behind, as well as Dongfang Yu. I can understand why Long Jinfeng and Wen Wu stayed behind, but I don't quite get why Dongfang Yu did.

  Mr. Chen seemed to have noticed my confusion, and after everyone who should leave had left, he said to me: "Go talk to Dongfang Yu for a bit, you haven't seen each other in a long time."

  I saw a pair of eyes staring at me from the east window, and I walked up and said, "Are you okay?"

  As I said this, Dongfang Yu also said the same sentence. We can be considered to have a spiritual connection, speaking in unison.