Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 521: The First Generation of Heroes, Mo Lu Chang Tai, is in Charge

Huang Guangtai was lying in the dim ward, as if the disease had drained all the vitality out of his body, leaving only a weak breath to maintain the spark of life. His face was as pale as a piece of paper, and his eyes were sunken, like two black holes, swallowing up all the light around him.

Chang Tai stood beside the bed, feeling as heavy as if a huge rock was pressing down on him. After talking to the doctor, he learned that Huang Guangtai's lung cancer had reached an irreversible late stage and that he could only live for another twenty days at most. This news was like a heavy hammer that hit his heart hard.

"President..." Chang Tai gently held Huang Guangtai's hand. His voice was choked, but he tried to remain calm.

Huang Guangtai opened his eyes slightly, his eyes full of fatigue and helplessness.

He shook his head gently, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just let out a faint sigh.

Chang Tai knew that the regret and unwillingness in Huang Guangtai's heart could not be expressed in words.

As Huang Guangtai's confidant, he was also well aware of the difficulties the Southern Government was facing. He was determined to help the Southern Government maintain its last dignity.

That night, in Wanbei City, Mingtang Hotel, the high-ranking generals of the Central Army of the Southern Government gathered together. They were dressed in neat military uniforms, with shining medals on their chests, but their faces were solemn and uneasy.

The sponsor of the banquet, the commander of the 16th Army, Zhong Jiasheng, stood in the center of the hall. He was tall and straight, and his hawk-like eyes scanned everyone present.

"Generals, I have invited you all here today because we have an important matter to discuss," said Zhong Jiasheng.

Upon hearing this, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him.

"The situation of the Southern Government is grim now. We need to unite and overcome this difficulty together." Zhong Jiasheng continued, "President Huang is seriously ill. We need a new leader to lead us to fight against foreign enemies together."

As soon as he finished speaking, a discussion broke out among the crowd.

Some people agree with Zhong Jiasheng's view that what is needed now is a strong leader to lead everyone; others have reservations, worrying that doing so will lead to the concentration and abuse of power.

"Commander Zhong, you are right. But who can take on the leadership role now?" asked a general.

Zhong Jiasheng smiled slightly, and his eyes swept through the crowd, finally landing on Chang Tai: "I think Mr. Chang Tai is a suitable candidate. He is President Huang's confidant and knows the situation of the Southern Government very well. Moreover, he has always been thinking about the interests of the Southern Country. He is a trustworthy person."

Chang Tai took a deep breath and stood up: "Commander Zhong, thank you for your trust. If everyone thinks I can handle this role, I am willing to try my best."

As soon as he finished speaking, applause broke out in the hall.

Everyone knows that the Southern Government needs a strong leader to lead everyone out of the predicament, and Chang Tai is the most suitable candidate in their minds.

"Sir, something bad has happened. Chang Tai has summoned the generals of the Central Army and held a banquet at the Mingtang Hotel. Those generals nominated Chang Tai to be the new leader of the Southern Government, and Chang Tai gladly accepted."

Huang Guangtai's eldest son Huang Changlin was slightly startled, then he smashed the teacup in his hand in anger and said with gritted teeth: "He Changtai is our Huang family's servant! Who gave him the courage to do this! This position can only be occupied by our Huang family!"

"I heard...I heard that it was the old president's idea."

Huang Changlin's trusted subordinate looked at the furious Huang Changlin cautiously and spoke.

Huang Changlin stormed into the ward angrily, his face full of anger and unwillingness. As Huang Guangtai's eldest son, he always thought that he was the future successor of the Southern Government, but now Changtai had summoned the army generals without authorization and tried to nominate himself as the new leader. How could he accept this?

He walked to Huang Guangtai's bed, widened his eyes, clenched his teeth, as if to vent all his dissatisfaction and resentment: "Father, how could you let Changtai do this? I am your eldest son, and this position should belong to me!"

Huang Guangtai opened his eyes and looked at Huang Changlin, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He sighed and said weakly: "Changlin, you are wrong. The current Southern Government seems to be prosperous, but in fact it is like a candle in the wind and may collapse at any time. This position is not an honor, but a responsibility. It requires you to bear countless pressures and hardships, and to deal with countless challenges and crises. You are not ready yet."

Huang Changlin's anger intensified when he heard this. He thought his father was looking down on him, and he retorted unwillingly: "Father, how can you say that? I am your son, and I have the same blood and talent as you. I am qualified for this position, and I will lead the Southern Government out of the predicament!"

Huang Guangtai shook his head, took a deep breath, and tried to keep himself calm: "Changlin, you are too young, you don't understand the cruelty and complexity of this world. What the Southern Government needs now is stability and unity, not fighting and division. Changtai has rich political experience and military talents, he can lead everyone to overcome difficulties. And I just hope that my family can stay away from this vortex and live a peaceful life."

Huang Changlin still felt dissatisfied after hearing his father's words, but he also felt a little powerless. He looked at his weak father on the hospital bed, and his anger gradually subsided. He knew that he could not change his father's decision, nor could he change the current situation of the Southern Government.

Chang Tai rushed to the hospital, and before he entered the ward, he met Huang Changlin's eyes in the corridor.

He immediately stopped, bowed slightly to Huang Changlin, and greeted him respectfully: "Young Master."

However, Huang Changlin's face was livid, and he was still angry. He stared at Chang Tai and said sarcastically, "Hey, isn't this the new leader of the Southern Government? How come you have time to visit my father? I dare not accept such a great gift from you."

Chang Tai's heart sank when he heard this, but he still maintained a humble attitude and said softly: "My Lord, you misunderstood. I am not greedy for power, but I want to take on this responsibility for the old president. The current Southern Government needs stability and unity, and I cannot watch it collapse."

"Take responsibility? That sounds good!" Huang Changlin sneered, "Do you think that you can win everyone's respect by relying on my father's support to take away the position that originally belonged to me? I tell you, you are wrong! You are just a servant of the Huang family. Why do you sit in that position?"

As he spoke, Huang Changlin suddenly attacked and punched Chang Tai in the chest.

Chang Tai was caught off guard and was knocked back a few steps by the punch, but he did not fight back, but just endured it silently.

"Master, please calm down." Chang Tai took a deep breath, holding back the pain in his chest, and said, "I never thought of taking your place. I just wanted to do my part for the country and the old president. Moreover, I have never forgotten my identity. I will always be the most loyal servant of the Huang family."

When Huang Changlin heard this, a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

He walked forward, grabbed Chang Tai's collar viciously, glared at him for a moment, and then let go.

"You'd better do as you say, otherwise I will kill you!"

Chang Tai answered without hesitation, "Like the old president, I just hope that the Huang family can leave here and live in peace. The weight of this position is not as simple as you think. I am willing to take this responsibility, I just hope you can understand."

Huang Changlin was silent for a while, and finally nodded slowly.

He might still be feeling aggrieved about Chang Tai taking his position away from him, but Chang Tai's attitude made him feel less depressed.