A look of surprise first appeared in Sun Linshou's eyes.
Zhao Longfei's words carried enormous weight in his ears.
The opportunity he had been waiting for so long seemed to have come again.
Sun Linshou lowered his eyes and thought for about a minute, then said cautiously, "Principal Zhao, in my impression, the Zhao family's legal troubles have almost all been perfectly resolved with Minister Cui's help. I don't think I can do any more than Minister Cui. I can only give you my word that I absolutely won't stab the Zhao family in the back."
After hearing this, Zhao Longfei thought for a moment and said, "The fact that Minister Sun can speak so frankly is already very good."
Sun Linshou shook his head, "It's not because I'm frank. When talking to someone like Principal Zhao, boasting and making empty promises are completely useless."
"You're right. In day-to-day matters, Minister Cui has never made me or my elder brother worry about anything concerning the Ministry of Justice. Even if you became Minister of Justice, it would indeed be difficult to do better than Minister Cui. At most, you could match him. But now Cui Canxun has drawn his blade and broken with the Zhao family. We can't just sit by and do nothing. So, having Minister Sun advance half a step is also the choice most beneficial to our Zhao family."
Zhao Longfei sighed and said, "To be honest, after all this back and forth, the results we've achieved haven't improved at all compared to before. It's pretty discouraging."
"Principal Zhao doesn't have to think that the help I can provide and the help Cui Canxun provides are exactly the same."
"Oh? Does Minister Sun have other ideas?"
Sun Linshou pondered, "For now, what I can do is indeed no different from Cui Canxun. But that's because the Safe Zone has been relatively stable in recent years. If we look further ahead, and something happens to the Safe Zone, the support I could provide Principal Zhao and Boss Zhao as Minister of Justice would certainly far exceed Cui Canxun's. The Zhao family can't possibly keep being a Chamber of Commerce that runs a black market forever, right?"
Zhao Longfei gave Sun Linshou a meaningful look without expressing an opinion.
But both of them understood perfectly well in their hearts.
"Minister Sun, add one more condition: you're not allowed to associate with church organizations. If you agree, I'll discuss with my elder brother how we can lend you a hand."
"Of course, no problem. That can't even be considered a condition," Sun Linshou nodded, "If the allocation of the Ministry of Justice's crystal coin quota hadn't been so excessive this time and made me lose my reason in anger, I wouldn't have agreed to the Samsara Church and fallen into their trap."
"Minister Sun, don't blame us for dividing the benefits too harshly when we formulated the plan. At that time, you and Cui Canxun were on opposite sides in terms of interests. We couldn't possibly take your feelings into consideration."
"Principal Zhao doesn't need to say more. Of course I understand," Sun Linshou smiled, "Working together with one's allies for mutual benefit and standing united on the same side is a basic principle for establishing oneself in this world."
"It's best that Minister Sun understands. In that case, I hope we have a pleasant cooperation from now on!"
Zhao Longfei extended his hand.
Sun Linshou's hand clasped Zhao Longfei's, "Pleasant cooperation!"
From the side, Qin Siyang watched the two scheming old foxes exchange one sentence after another, going from enemies to partners and settling everything in more than ten minutes. He couldn't help clicking his tongue in amazement.
Their efficiency was almost comparable to the Chu Character Legion building his military camp.
"Student Qin, I still have to formally thank you again," Sun Linshou looked at Qin Siyang, "You put aside our previous grievances and saved my life. I will definitely remember this favor!"
Qin Siyang smiled, "Saving Minister Sun means that today's trip wasn't in vain. I hope I can learn from Minister Sun in the future!"
Since among the Ministry of Justice personnel Sun Linshou had brought to District 7 there was also a spy planted by the Samsara Church, it was impossible for him to return to the hotel from before, let alone gather with the Ministry of Justice personnel again.
The three of them discussed the aftermath of today's assassination for a while, then returned to South Glory's guesthouse with Zhao Longfei.
Zhao Longfei gave Sun Linshou an item that could conceal his appearance.
At the same time, for safety and secrecy, Sun Linshou was arranged to stay in an empty room on the tenth floor of the guesthouse where Qin Siyang was staying.
They agreed not to announce yet that Sun Linshou was still alive, catching the enemy off guard.
After settling Sun Linshou in, Qin Siyang went to the lobby of the guesthouse on the ninth floor. Yan Ran had sent him a message saying she was treating Qin Siyang to dinner.
The Crystal Coin Issuance Conference had already ended, yet Yan Ran still hadn't left.
Qin Siyang didn't understand.
It was currently the time when the Yan family's children were fighting among themselves for power. Logically speaking, she shouldn't be this free.
Qin Siyang pushed open the door and saw Yan Ran wearing casual clothes.
Yan Ran, who was normally as cold as frost, seemed slightly less frozen to Qin Siyang today.
There was no longer the indifference of snow between her brows and eyes. Instead, there was a faint smile.
Qin Siyang didn't look into it. He glanced at the sumptuous dinner that had been prepared on the table.
Among the exquisite dishes, there were also two bottles of strong eastern liquor.
Qin Siyang frowned slightly.
'Why does this feel… a little off?'
Qin Siyang sat opposite Yan Ran, "Captain Yan, when are you planning to set off and return to the legion?"
Yan Ran was stunned at first, then asked in return, "Is Student Qin trying to drive me away?"
"No. It's just that after the Crystal Coin Issuance Conference, the big shots from all the various factions went back yesterday. Captain Yan staying until today surprised me."
Yan Ran shook her head, "I'm not a big shot."
"You will be in the future," Qin Siyang picked up his chopsticks, "Captain Yan, I'm hungry. Can we start eating? Let's talk while we eat."
A smile appeared at the corner of Yan Ran's mouth, "Sure. Let's talk while we eat."
Just as Qin Siyang was eating heartily, Yan Ran asked, "Student Qin, you used to call me Sister Yan Ran. Why are you calling me Captain Yan today?"
"Before, it was to get closer to you. Now, it's to show respect."
"You can still call me Sister Yan Ran."
Qin Siyang scratched the back of his head, "…Captain Yan, I'm an orphan. I've always felt that terms like brother, sister, younger brother, and younger sister sound very unfamiliar and forced. I'd rather just address you by your position. I address Principal Zhao that way too."
"All right… Student Qin, let's eat and drink for a while first, then talk about business."
As she spoke, Yan Ran stood up, opened the white liquor on the table, and filled a cup for each of them.
The strong aroma of alcohol rushed into Qin Siyang's nose, making him sneeze.
"Wait… Captain Yan, how strong is this liquor?"
"It's not that strong. Try it."
As she spoke, Yan Ran drank the entire cup of white liquor as if she were drinking plain water.
Then she smiled at Qin Siyang, "See? It's very simple."
Seeing that Yan Ran's expression really hadn't changed, Qin Siyang followed her example and swallowed his entire cup in one go.
The strong liquor went down his throat, but it really wasn't as spicy as he had imagined.
Instead, it even had a smooth quality to it.
"Strange… why doesn't this liquor taste as strong as it smells?"
Yan Ran filled both their cups again, "Because our bodies as Sequence ability users have already been strengthened. Even strong liquor only feels like an ordinary drink when we swallow it."
"No…", Qin Siyang held his head, "It really isn't spicy, but… it's getting to me!"
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