Yun Port City, Ping’an Restaurant.
This luxurious hotel, standing in the city center and one of the first built in the Western style, had always been a symbol of "sophistication" and "high society" in this port city.
Everywhere one looked, there were towering Roman columns, wide revolving doors, gleaming marble floors, and Western waiters in crisp uniforms.
Consuls from various nations stationed in Yun Port City, taipans from foreign firms, and wealthy compradors frequently dined and banqueted here.
This phenomenon caused local dignitaries and socialites to flock to it, viewing hosting or attending a banquet here as a symbol of their own noble status.
Today, outside the Ping’an Restaurant, the normally bustling street had been cleared and cordoned off in advance.
Two rows of Cyan Dragon Gang members, dressed in identical black outfits, stood ramrod straight with smug expressions on their faces. They formed a human wall on either side, extending all the way to the revolving door entrance.
They carefully inspected every approaching car, welcoming each wealthy and influential guest who held a gilt-edged invitation.
Among them, one could occasionally spot a few blond-haired, blue-eyed Westerners in fine suits, striding arrogantly into the restaurant accompanied by their translators.
Inside the restaurant, the magnificent grand ballroom was essentially packed to capacity.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the entire space as if it were daytime. Every table was covered with a snow-white linen tablecloth and set with silver cutlery and sparklingly clear glasses.
Almost every notable figure from both the legitimate and underworld circles of Yun Port City was present, all conversing in low voices.
But as they spoke, their eyes couldn’t help but drift toward the main table at the very front—an exceptionally large table draped in a scarlet velvet cloth.
Sprawled arrogantly in a chair by the main table sat a man: the Gang Leader of the Cyan Dragon Gang, the newly ascended Grandmaster of Huajin of Yun Port City, Wang Weijing!
Today, he had deliberately changed into a perfectly tailored, navy-blue silk long gown, with a black magua embroidered with floral medallions worn over it. His hair was slicked back, and his remaining right eye glinted sharply as it continuously swept across the hall.
Seated beside Wang Weijing in order were the Cyan Dragon Gang’s Vice Gang Leader, the various Hall Masters, and other core upper-echelon members.
Each of them sat with their chests puffed out and heads held high, their faces filled with triumphant pride.
Before long, the sound of rhythmic footsteps from leather shoes echoed from the ballroom entrance.
A squad of eight Wa Country military officers, dressed in ochre Wa Country uniforms, high-topped military boots, and with command swords at their waists, appeared.
Led by a short, stocky officer with the iconic "hygiene mustache" and the rank of lieutenant colonel on his shoulders, they walked in as if they owned the place.
The man in the lead was none other than one of the commanders of the Wa Country Concession garrison, Lieutenant Colonel Kameida Koji!
Wang Weijing, who had been sitting calmly composed just a moment ago, saw his expression change in an instant. He practically shot up from his seat, and the Cyan Dragon Gang leaders behind him also scrambled to their feet and moved forward.
A wide smile plastered on his face, Wang Weijing bowed his waist and scurried forward to greet them, personally leading Kameida Koji and his entourage to the main table.
"Lord Kameida! And all you Wa Country soldiers! Quick! Please, take your seats! We’ve already reserved them for you!"
Kameida Koji remained expressionless, merely giving a slight nod before leading his subordinates to sit brazenly at the main table.
After all the Wa Country men were seated, Wang Weijing lost all patience to even confirm if the other guests had arrived.
He straightened his lapels, cleared his throat, and walked to a position slightly in front of the main table.
Then he turned to face the entire hall and raised his voice, shouting, "Everyone! Quiet down!"
The bustling banquet hall gradually fell silent as everyone’s gaze focused on Wang Weijing.
Seeing this, the smile on his face widened. His single eye swept across the room as he spoke in a proud, clear voice.
"Thank you to all my friends in Yun Port City for gracing my banquet with your presence today! I am deeply honored!"
Then, his tone shifted, and his voice suddenly became "impassioned."
"A special thanks goes to the honorable Lord Kameida and the valiant Wa Country soldiers under his command!"
"Everyone, the reason our Yun Port City can enjoy its current prosperity and stability, its thriving trade, and its people... erm, living in peace and contentment..."
"This is all thanks to the tremendous support from our allies in the Wa Country, and the tireless efforts of the Wa Country soldiers!"
Wang Weijing continued without batting an eye, "Think about it, everyone! The previous Yin Court was incompetent and corrupt, preying upon the common people and making their lives unbearable!"
"Now, with the establishment of the Daxia New Country, a new era of peace and prosperity has dawned, and the people can finally live and recuperate..."
"And in all of this, our friends from the Wa Country have contributed a great deal!"
"This is a kindness that we, the people of Yun Port City, cannot and dare not forget!"
This naked display of sycophancy caused many of the more red-blooded guests in the audience to frown deeply, but though they were furious, they dared not speak out.
After hearing this, Kameida Koji, seated at the main table, finally let the corners of his mouth curl into a satisfied smile and gave a silent nod.
Seeing this, Wang Weijing’s spirits soared. He immediately raised a long-stemmed glass that was already prepared and filled with an amber liquid, then loudly proposed a toast.
"Come! Let us raise our glasses together! To the goodwill of Lord Kameida and the Wa Country soldiers, and to the everlasting friendship between the Great Wa Country and the Daxia New Country."
"Cheers!"
With that, he was the first to tilt his head back and down the strong liquor in his glass in one gulp.
Following Wang Weijing’s lead, the upper echelon of the Cyan Dragon Gang also raised their glasses in agreement, and a sparse chorus of "Cheers!" rang out.
His string of remarks—utterly sycophantic, twisting right and wrong, and openly whitewashing the actions of the Wa Country devils—left many people so stunned they were frozen in place, their minds reeling.
They simply couldn’t believe their own ears.

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