763: Chapter 763 The Two Leaders' Explanation

After listening to the heartfelt words of the two chiefs, Yan Zheng and Zheng Kang, Li Yang instantly and completely understood their difficulties and helplessness.

Having spent years struggling in the military, he naturally understood the power rules and hierarchical boundaries of the Military Department. A high-ranking Deputy Chief of Staff of the Staff Department, who held great power and a deep Foundation, and left no hard evidence for direct conviction, was not like an ordinary disciplined officer who could be investigated or brought down just like that.

Even Yan Zheng and Zheng Kang, who held the power of military law and discipline, were restricted by jurisdictional rules and high-level checks and balances, making it impossible for them to act rashly.

Thinking through this, instead of feeling relieved, Li Yang felt a surge of deep distress and helplessness; his brows furrowed tightly, and worry churned in his heart.

He knew better than anyone that failing to completely bring down Yes this time and uproot this hidden danger meant that Yes would inevitably become the biggest and most troublesome stumbling block on his military path, even a mortal enemy.

Although he was now a Commander of an Independent Military Region who could hold his own, with military power and a high status, his opponent was a deeply rooted Deputy Chief of Staff of the Staff Department—a top-level official at the Imperial Grand Marshal rank.

Although Yes was currently under investigation due to being implicated and the situation was tense, combined with the lack of evidence, he certainly would not dare to act rashly in the short term, nor would he have the energy to target him.

But once this case was completely settled and the storm had fully subsided, and Yes had weathered this sensitive period, he would surely take out all his resentment and hatred on him.

At that time, he would face the full-scale targeting and suppression of an Imperial Grand Marshal and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Military Department; overt and covert difficulties, omnipresent schemes, and layer upon layer of obstacles would continuously come knocking at his door.

Faced with such targeting from a top-level official, any ordinary general in the military would likely have lost heart long ago, knowing they had no power to resist, and would have packed their bags early to give up their career and retire into seclusion for self-preservation.

Li Yang sighed softly in his heart, filled with helplessness, and murmured to himself in a low voice.

“Sigh, it's really difficult. Even though I've done nothing from beginning to end and never proactively provoked anyone—I didn't even know who Yale was—I've ended up with such a powerful enemy for no reason, and a mortal one at that.”

The whole affair, from start to finish, was utterly absurd.

Yale had harbored evil intentions and brought it upon himself by plotting a conspiracy to frame him. Before this, he hadn't even had any direct interaction with Yale and didn't even know who the other party was.

Yet, because of this undeserved catastrophe, he had completely offended a colossus like Yes and fallen into such a passive position.

Things having come to this, further dwelling on it was futile. Li Yang also understood that staying here wouldn't change the established outcome and would only make things more difficult for the two chiefs.

He reined in the myriad thoughts in his heart, bowed slightly to Yan Zheng and Zheng Kang, and said in a respectful tone with a hint of relief.

“Chiefs, I understand. I am well aware of the difficulties involved, so I won't disturb your work any longer. I'll leave the matters of the subsequent case to your care.”

After speaking, Li Yang signaled his respect again and turned to leave, though his back carried a trace of imperceptible heaviness.

Just as Li Yang was about to push the door and leave, Yan Zheng's steady and solemn voice suddenly came from behind, calling out to him.

“Comrade Li Yang, wait.”

Hearing this, Li Yang stopped, slowly turned around, and looked at Yan Zheng and Zheng Kang with the lingering frustration and helplessness still in his eyes, waiting for what was to come.

Yan Zheng looked up at him, his gaze firm yet gentle. As an elder who had held the reins of military law at the high levels of the Military Department for nearly ten thousand years, he had long seen through Li Yang's thoughts.

Li Yang had specifically mentioned Yes, his heart full of sorrow, which was nothing more than dreading Yes's power. He feared that since Yes wasn't completely dealt with this time, once the storm subsided and Yes recovered, he would surely use his authority as Deputy Chief of Staff to suppress him in the military and trip him up at every turn, making his progress difficult.

Seeing Li Yang's solemn expression, Yan Zheng spoke in a serious tone, giving his promise word by word.

“We understand what's on your mind, so you can rest assured. After this shocking case of Yale's, Yes has been thoroughly labeled. Even if he retains his position as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Staff Department, for at least the next ten years, he will never dare to take any retaliatory actions against you. This, I guarantee you in my capacity as the Minister of the Military Law Department.”

Zheng Kang, who was beside him, also spoke up, nodding in agreement with a gaze full of certainty.

“Minister Yan is right. If it were any other ordinary Military Region general being held in a grudge by an Imperial Grand Marshal and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Military Department, they would probably be unable to eat or sleep in peace, constantly on guard. But you, Li Yang, have absolutely no need for such fear.”

Having held high positions for nearly ten thousand years, the two had already thoroughly investigated Li Yang's background. They knew well that Li Yang's confidence never just came from his status as a Commander of an Independent Military Region, but even more so from the forces and connections standing behind him.

Zheng Kang paused and said bluntly.

“If Yes wants to move against you, he won't dare use private power or play dirty tricks in the shadows. He can only honestly follow the official procedures of the Military Department and pick out overt faults in your work; he would never dare to retaliate wantonly.”

The core reason for this was the network of connections behind Li Yang. If nothing else, his connection with the Lü family was something the high-level military officials had long since tacitly understood.

The Lü family was a top-tier aristocratic family of the Empire. Old Master Lü held the position of Prime Minister of the Supreme Political Council. Among all A-level high-ranking officials in the Empire, his strength and status were firmly in the top three. He held the core administrative power of the Empire, with overwhelming influence and an extremely deep Foundation.

With this relationship in place, even if Yes harbored resentment, he would never dare to easily cross the line and rashly act against Li Yang.

Furthermore, Li Yang himself managed the army effectively, had outstanding military achievements, acted with integrity, and possessed exceptional ability. Within the Military Department, many veteran generals greatly admired him.

Even the Minister of the Military Department, who held power over the entire army, had always valued Li Yang's talent and character and held him in high regard. This was also a source of confidence for Li Yang that could not be ignored.

With the addition of these connections and backers, even if Yes harbored evil intentions, he wouldn't dare to act rashly, let alone manipulate Li Yang at will.

Of course, what Yan Zheng and Zheng Kang had just said was only the connections Li Yang had on the surface. As for the deeper sources of confidence that remained unsaid, the two were even more aware of them.

At the very top of the Empire's power, who didn't know that Li Yang had already been quietly noticed by that supreme Emperor and had entered his field of vision?

Otherwise, Li Yang's political and military career couldn't have been so smooth, with various special positions being arranged for him.

This gaze from the supreme being was Li Yang's most invisible yet most solid backer.