After a hurried meal at the base camp, the group hurried to the Council of Elders, which had been informed that they had decided to immediately convene a joint meeting of the military and government in the afternoon to discuss countermeasures.

In order to avoid leaking the news, this time, everyone got on a troop transport carriage in the army.

Along the way, everyone seemed to be preoccupied. Only Zeng Chi listened to Huang Hongman's whispers there, nodded his head, and looked at Xie Ning behind Lin Han from time to time, his face was full of fearful gratitude and surprise.

"Brother Lei, welcome to you, and thank you very much for saving Lin Yatou and my wife. I'm really sorry that there has been a sudden change, but we don't have time to welcome you right now. ”

When he walked into the small building where the Elders' Church was located, Zeng Chi walked over and spoke to Shainin side by side, and whispered to him.

……

Xie Ning smiled and waved his hand: "Your Highness Zeng, please don't say that, it's my honor." ”

"By the way, I can...... Attend your Presbyterian meetings? Audit? ”

He hesitated, but hesitated.

Zeng Chi frowned and thought for a moment.

"The Council of Elders has received news of your arrival, with your genius qualifications and ...... The current identity will inevitably get their great attention. They should have commanded the guards and would not stop you. Moreover, aren't you still Commander Lin's personal bodyguard now? Just follow her in. ”

He smiled, but gave Shainin a meaningful smile. Obviously, he seemed to know from Huang Hongman about the series of misunderstandings between Xie Ning and Lin Han.

Sure enough, along the way, the guards seemed to turn a blind eye to Xie Ning, who was holding a little boy, but allowed him to follow Lin Han into the heavily guarded place.

……

When the group passed through countless sentry posts and pushed open the door of a conference room, an old man with white hair was standing at the door with more than a dozen old people.

"Commander Lin, welcome back."

He looked at Lin Han and said in a deep voice. Meantime. His eyes also swept over Xie Ning and the little hot pot behind Lin Han. He stared at the small hot pot in his father's arms and looked at everyone curiously, but a trace of ...... suddenly flashed in his eyes It means incomprehensible sorrow and regret.

After everyone took their seats, the old man with white hair also sat down on the main seat, and he coughed lightly.

"Now that Commander Lin is back...... Let's start the meeting. The Western Continent Mission also received the news of Commander Lin's return, and they had already given an ultimatum, but they asked us to give them a final answer by eight o'clock tomorrow morning. Either the treaty is signed, or, they leave. ”

"So. Within today, we must come up with a solution, either to fight them, or to die of blood loss in starvation, or ...... Succumb. ”

He whispered, glancing at the small hot pot again.

……

The atmosphere was silent, and almost everyone focused their eyes on Lin Han, who was sitting indifferently, their eyes were either eager or hopeful. Or...... In the hope of a miracle.

However, the girl hung her head and was silent for a long time.

"I don't know...... I'm only good at military affairs. ”

After a long time, the girl said in a low voice.

Her face was already pale, and there seemed to be no blood.

A low sigh rang out in the conference room. Xie Ning looked at the girl's trembling shoulders with regret, and he was already full of anxiety in his heart.

Why haven't they come yet? Could it be that something has changed in the past few days?

No, the last time I contacted them, they said that they were expected to arrive tomorrow or tomorrow - but tomorrow or the day after tomorrow! What if it's acquired?

Where the hell are they now? Shall I speak out now? But. How could others believe such a big thing?

…………

Xie Ning thought distraughtly.

…………

I don't know how long it took, but he was suddenly awakened by a violent quarrel.

Look up. saw that Huang Hongman was already full of anger: "No! We can't do that! So what have we become? In order to survive the shameful and humble life under the charity of the Xilu people, will Lin Yatou be sent to make peace? That's a shame! It's a shame! ”

She shouted angrily.

"But if we don't, maybe we'll perish!"

A short, thin old man said in a low voice.

"It's better to die standing than to live on your knees! Elder Lu, what do you mean by the fact that you have been trying your best to persuade everyone to approve your proposal! ”

Huang Hongman was already angry and took the case.

……

"I don't mean anything! All I know is that if we don't, the children will starve to death! The race will also perish! Hopeless perdition! Instead of dying and breaking the net, it is better to endure humiliation and steal life in order to come to life! ”

The short and thin old man also stood up, but he didn't let Huang Hongman at all, and said angrily.

"You're afraid of death!" Huang Hongman was already so angry that he didn't choose to speak.

"I'm afraid of death?"

The short, thin old man laughed desolately.

"Seven years ago, the old man's two sons died in battle...... The old man didn't say anything, but sent three grandsons, who had grown up and were determined to avenge their father's revenge with blood, to the army. There is only one of them, only one of them married, and none of them have left a queen...... But three years ago, the Battle of Fukatani ...... They...... ...... sacrificed too"

He smiled sadly, his voice gradually lowered, but two lines of muddy old tears slowly flowed down his trembling face.

The people in the room all cast sympathetic and comforting glances at the short and thin old man, and Huang Hongman was already standing there in a daze.

……

The two daughters-in-law died of depression one after another, and the old man sent his only granddaughter-in-law to remarry...... Now, the Lu family has long since left me alone...... The old man has long been careless...... I just can't go underground and reunite with my children soon......"

"But I'm not reconciled! I didn't see the destruction of the barbarians, I didn't see them shed their blood, how could I be willing! ”

The short and thin old man said with tears in his eyes, but he looked at Huang Hongman again.

"Huang Nuwa...... You say I'm afraid of death...... But what else am I afraid of...... Ever since my last grandson died in battle, every day of the old man's life has been a torment......"

"But we can't let the children starve to death! My kids are all gone...... I have no regrets, and I don't have anything to say...... But we can't let everyone's children die! The future of the race cannot be allowed to die! ”

……

"Yes, I'm really afraid, I'm only afraid that after I close my eyes, no one will seek revenge from the barbarians. No one shouts blood and revenge anymore! Cut off every piece of flesh and blood of the barbarians! Shed their last drop of blood! What, then, is the point of my children's sacrifice? What is the significance of the sacrifices of the warriors who shed their blood on this land for hundreds of years? In that case, I won't be blind! Die with a grievance or everlasting regret! ”

He screamed hoarsely.

"I will always remember the words of the Great Elder at that time to comfort me, everything is for the sake of the race, sacrifice is inevitable......"

"And now, that's all I have to say......"

He whispered and sat back in his chair. His face trembled violently, but he forced himself to suppress his tears. He sat in his chair with his eyes closed. Motionless, it fell silent, like an old fossil.

……

Huang Hongman stood with her head held high, although she no longer blamed the old man in her expression, and was full of guilt.

"I said the wrong thing, and I sincerely apologize to Elder Lu here. I'm sorry I said the wrong thing in a hurry, please forgive me for my ignorance! ”

"But I want to reiterate that I firmly oppose Elder Lu's proposal!"

"Let the immature shoulders of an eighteen-year-old girl resist the future of the nation. It is already a great misfortune for the nation! ”

For more than three years, she has not lived the life of a girl, and all she saw was war and killing. Every order she gave was accompanied by sacrifice and blood. These, you know? ”

For more than three years, she fought for the future of the race. How many nights did she stay awake because of the pressure on her shoulders? How many times have I woken up crying from a nightmare. Do you know that? ”

……

"The Lin family's blood is about to run out. Only this last one of her remains...... But she became the only commander of the army, a wise commander. For more than three years, under her countless sleepless nights, countless nightmares, countless trembling and heavy strategies...... We finally survived, and we completely reversed the disadvantage! We rejoice, we inspire......"

"But you know what?! She's just a teenage girl! A girl who hasn't turned twenty-two yet! She's sacrificed enough! We can't let her die anymore! She's going to die! ”

"And now, we are going to sacrifice her lifelong happiness to survive, how can we bear it? Where is our conscience? ”

Huang Hongman couldn't cry and told that she was already in tears.

"Let's not forget, it was Lord Lin Zhiyuan who led us to successfully resist the rule of the barbarians! And now, in order to give in to man, we want to push his last remaining descendant of the blood in this world into the pit of fire! ”

"I just want to ask! Ladies and gentlemen, if we do this, are we still Chinese?! Are you still a noble Chinese?! Are they still Chinese people who would rather bend, be generous and chivalrous, have clear grievances and grievances, and repay each other with a spring? ! ”

"I'd rather die standing than live on my knees! That's all I have to say! ”

She silently wiped her tears, but sat down coldly.

……

There was another long silence.

For a long time, the great elder on the throne spoke in a low voice.

"If there's nothing more for everyone to say, then vote." He said dryly.

"I agree with Elder Lu's proposal, we can only endure the humiliation and wait for the coming day."

After another brief silence, an elder took the lead in speaking in a low voice, he glanced at Lin Han apologetically, sighed, and closed his eyes tightly.

"I'm against it." Another angry voice followed.

"I ...... Approve. The Great Elder closed his eyes in pain.

"I'm for it." Another faint voice followed.

"I still have two grandchildren in my family who have not died, and a great-grandson who has just been born, but I ...... Resolutely opposed! Another voice rang out.

……

"I'm ......" When it was Lin Han's uncle, Elder Lin, he hesitated.

His face trembled violently, and he glanced at Lin Han deeply and lovingly.

"I'm against it too."

He said this in a low voice, as if he had lost all his strength and slumped in his chair. The elders present looked at him with kindness and understanding, whether they were for or against, and gently comforted him.

…………

When the final vote points to 6 to 6......

Everyone's eyes were already on Lin Han.

Even if the quarrel between Huang Hongman and Elder Lu was fierce, she didn't move, and Lin Han, who had been sitting silently with her head down. Of all those eligible to vote...... The only ...... who haven't voted yet

Lin Han. (To be continued......)

PS: Thank you very much for the support of the "Meng Emperor" brother with two monthly passes at a time, tears in my eyes