Chapter 1218 Beating
Eastern War Zone, Lin'an assembly area, garrison command family quarters
This area is located on the northern slope of "Command Hill," the core of the settlement, and is separated from Chang Zhiwei's headquarters by only one wall. It can be said to be one of the safest and most central areas in the entire Lin'an settlement.
In stark contrast to the crowded and chaotic resettlement areas on the outskirts, this place is relatively quiet and well-planned, consisting of dozens of independent row houses. It was originally part of a high-end residential area before the apocalypse, and was converted into residences for senior officers and important personnel after being taken over by the military.
The Du family was assigned a medium-sized courtyard. The gray-white walls were not particularly high, but they were thick and sturdy. There were sentries in combat uniforms standing at the gate with guns, silently highlighting the special nature of this place.
Pushing open the black lacquered wooden door, a rather spacious courtyard comes into view, with bluestone slabs paving the ground and several ornamental green plants growing tenaciously in the corner.
A three-story main building stands behind the courtyard. Its exterior is in a simple Chinese style. Although it shows some signs of wear and tear, it is well preserved and is a rare mansion in this post-apocalyptic world.
At this moment, after a night of moving, the Du family courtyard was bustling with activity.
Men and women, young and old, almost all the core members in Lin'an gathered here.
Everyone's face was filled with irrepressible joy and excitement as they nimbly carried the few belongings they had brought from their old home, wiping down doors, windows, tables, and chairs, or sorting out the much more abundant living supplies that had just been allocated than before.
"Be careful, that table is Big Brother's favorite, don't bump into it!"
Du Wenyuan's younger brother, Du Wenbo, who is currently a clerk in a low-level government office in the settlement, was giving orders to his two young nephews in a loud voice. His face was flushed, and he was nowhere to be seen as cautious as he usually was.
"Okay, Second Uncle!" The young people responded with smiles, but moved even more carefully, as if they were moving not furniture, but the future hope of the Du family.
Led by Li Shuzhen, the women were busy arranging the inner room. Brand new bedding and some rare, packaged, high-end daily necessities were carefully placed by them.
The air was filled with a long-lost warmth and busy atmosphere that belonged to "home".
Behind this bustling activity, the driving force goes far beyond the simple joy of moving into a new home.
As a family deeply involved in politics for many years, even though the Du family's power has diminished significantly after the apocalypse, their ingrained political sensitivity has never disappeared.
Du Wanying married Gu Chengyun!
Gu Chengyun is the younger brother of Gu Chengyuan, the chairman of the Emergency Military Committee at the end of the Zhou Dynasty!
This news was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky for most of the men in the Du family who were still struggling to survive within the administrative system, instantly igniting their almost extinguished political ambitions!
"Big Brother," Du Wenbo approached Du Wenyuan, who was standing in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, surveying the new environment, his voice low and filled with excitement and disbelief:
"This...this is truly...Wanying has made a tremendous contribution to our Du family!"
He surveyed the spacious courtyard, the sentries standing guard at the gate, and the command building faintly visible in the distance, his eyes burning with fervor.
"Who would have thought that the Du family would be in this situation today! From now on, let's see who dares to give us a hard time!"
Another cousin, who works as the deputy section chief in the local civil affairs department, also came over, his face beaming with smiles:
"Yes, brother! From now on, our Du family will have a foothold in the Eastern War Zone, no, in the entire committee system!"
"When one attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven..."
Hearing the joyful voices of his family, Du Wenyuan silently recited the ancient proverb in his heart. Although he maintained the composure of a family head, he could not hide the burning light deep in his eyes.
He recalled the humiliation he felt yesterday in Chang Zhiwei's office, and the days of trembling with fear and walking on thin ice since the end of the world...
But now, everything is different!
This courtyard is more than just a residence; it is a symbol!
This symbolizes a turning point in the Du family's fate, signifying that they have regained their ticket to the core of power!
Although Chairman Gu has not yet given clear instructions, the attitude of the top leadership of the Eastern Theater Command has already said it all.
The presence of Lieutenant General Zhou Wei, Chang Zhiwei's initial arrogance followed by obsequiousness, and the detached courtyard in this core area... all convey a strong signal—the Du family is no longer what it used to be!
"Keep your composure!" Du Wenyuan took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent emotions, and said in a deep voice to the clansmen who had gathered around him.
His gaze slowly swept over the faces flushed with excitement, his voice not loud, but carrying the authority of a head of household and a clear-headedness born from experience in the turbulent world of officialdom:
"I know everyone is happy, and so am I. Our Du family has indeed seen a turning point."
His tone suddenly shifted, becoming serious and even somewhat sharp:
"But it's precisely at times like these that you need to keep your tails between your legs! Put away that bit of smugness in your hearts!"
“You must understand, what is the reason we have achieved everything we have now? It is because of Wanying! It is because she became a member of Chairman Gu's brother's family!”
"But this doesn't mean our Du family has the right to be arrogant and domineering! On the contrary, we're like being roasted on a fire right now, with countless eyes watching us in the dark!"
He pointed to the courtyard gate, then to the sky, signifying the unseen gaze:
"Glory? Yes, you are! But you must understand that the more glorious you are, the more attention you will attract, and the more people will be watching you make mistakes and hoping you will stumble!"
"What substantial help can our Du family offer Wanying now? No! We're far away in the Eastern War Zone. How much of the connections we had before the apocalypse still have left?"
"We can't help her, are we just going to make things worse for her?!" Du Wenyuan's voice suddenly rose, carrying a sharp tone of disappointment:
"The affairs of the imperial family are never that simple. Wanying's position may seem glamorous, but in reality, every step she takes is fraught with danger! It is inherently difficult for a young woman to navigate such a high-level power circle!"
"As her family, we can't offer her any help, which is already a debt our family owes! If we, because of our lack of restraint and arrogance, cause her any gossip or trouble, making things difficult for her over there and putting her in a passive position..."
At this point, Du Wenyuan's tone became extremely heavy, even carrying a hint of coldness:
"Then we're not helping her, we're harming her! We're severing the lifeline that our Du family has worked so hard to reconnect!"
He surveyed the entire area, his gaze sharp as a knife, each word striking the hearts of his people:
"Listen up, everyone! From today onwards, everyone must be more low-key and humble than ever before! In your interactions with others, you are not allowed to be ostentatious in the slightest!"
“Mind your own business and manage your subordinates! Anyone who dares to use this relationship to act recklessly, swagger around, tarnish the Du family's reputation, or cause trouble for Wanying…”
Du Wenyuan paused for a moment, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes:
"At the very least, he'll be punished according to family rules and expelled from the inner circle! At worst, don't blame me, Du Wenyuan, for showing no mercy; I'll expel him from the family, and his life and death will have nothing to do with the Du family anymore!"
