freenovelworld Chapter 453 The Predator Trapping Plan (52)
Chapter 453 The Predator Trapping Plan (52)
The war between Winston and the Thorne family lasted for six years.
During this period, the two sides negotiated peace several times, but failed to reach an agreement due to various absurd reasons.
As more and more planets became involved in the war, whether or not to make a truce in the later stages was no longer a decision that the two families could make.
Six years later, with Edmund's death in a war, the six-year-long interstellar war gradually came to an end.
With the Winston family disintegrating and the Thorne family also suffering heavy losses, the Qin family, which had remained neutral for the past six years, stepped forward to deliver a fatal blow to the Thorne family.
However, when the Qin family's warships arrived at the Thorne family's military base headquarters, they found that the C032 ensign had already been planted there.
The combat commander immediately relayed the message back to the Qin family.
After listening to the report, the over-ninety-year-old Mr. Qin remained silent for a while before issuing the order to withdraw his troops. He also stated that the Qin family would not be allowed to contest any territory occupied by C032 in the future.
On the other side, Yan Zhen and Qin Shao led their men to occupy the Thorne family and headed straight for Istfen, the capital city of A001, which they had visited six years prior.
A001 has been ravaged by war for the past six years, suffering severe damage and economic decline.
However, Istfin has unique advantages in both climate and geographical location, and even after the ravages of war, it is still difficult to shake its status as the largest city in A001.
Yan Zhen and Qin Shao's men took over the city without much effort.
Inside the Thorne family mansion, which was being used as a temporary base, Yan Zhen, Qin Shao, Shen Rong, Haier, and several key commanders in charge of the battle were having a meeting to discuss which city to capture next.
The group gathered around the enlarged floating map, each offering their own opinions, when the adjutant ran in and whispered a few words to Qin Shao.
Qin Shao frowned slightly and called a halt to the meeting.
"The Qin family has sent someone; they want to see me," Qin Shao said, then looked at Yan Zhen. "They're most likely here to make peace. Who's coming with me to see them?"
Shen Rong and Haier exchanged glances, and the other commanders who knew Qin Shao's background did not immediately express their opinions.
The forces led by the Qin family and Qin Shao are arguably the two largest in the entire interstellar civilization.
The Qin family came to see Qin Shao on the third day after he landed on A001 with his fleet. Whether it would be a "meeting" between the two planetary lords or a "long-awaited reunion" between the Qin family members, no one could say for sure.
Outsiders should stay out of it.
Seeing that the others were not speaking but clearly wanted to avoid the conversation, Qin Shao did not force them and pulled Yan Zhen to walk outside.
The people from the Qin family were Old Master Qin, Qin's father, and Qin's mother; all of them were dressed very formally.
Upon seeing them in the reception room, Yan Zhen's first reaction was to scan the room with his eyes, trying to see if the Qin family's new heir, who was already fifteen years old this year, had arrived.
But none was found.
If Xiao Qin wasn't included, then the purpose of this meeting was quite clear: the Qin family treated it as a family gathering.
The two sides met briefly, and Old Master Qin became somewhat agitated. After Qin Shao politely shook hands with him, he held onto Qin Shao's hand tightly.
"Shao'er, it's been six years. We, grandmother and granddaughter, can finally meet again."
Qin Shao coldly withdrew his hand: "Did you gentlemen take the time to come here for something?"
His attitude surprised Grandpa Qin and Grandma Qin.
Qin's mother took two steps forward, seemingly wanting to get closer to Qin Shao to talk, but when she saw Yan Zhen standing next to Qin Shao, she stopped for some reason, keeping a distance and looking at Qin Shao with eager eyes.
"Shao'er, we've come to take you home."
Qin Shao pursed his lips and put his arm around Yan Zhen's shoulder: "You're late. I already have a home."
Grandpa Qin and Qin's father exchanged a glance, both of them looking somewhat embarrassed.
They had considered this situation before they arrived, after all, they had tried to contact Qin Shao and the C032 warship multiple times over the past year, but their signals had all gone unanswered.
But considering Qin Shao's love for home, perhaps he was heartbroken by the Qin family's decision to abandon him six years ago and was throwing a tantrum.
They came here to apologize and make peace with him, hoping to humble themselves and coax him back home.
“Shao’er, we were confused six years ago.” Old Master Qin said sheepishly, “At that time, the Thorne and Winston families were eyeing us covetously, and we dared not take any risks, so we did… Grandfather apologizes to you, we are sorry for what we did.”
Qin's mother chimed in, "And me too. What I said to you on the spaceship six years ago must have hurt you deeply. I've regretted it ever since I got home... Shao'er, can you give your parents a chance to make it up to you?"
Qin Shao said, "No."
His refusal was so decisive that it stunned the Qin family members present.
“I’m 32 years old. You failed to protect me when I needed you, and now I don’t need you anymore.”
Qin Shao said that before the Qin family could speak, he interrupted them, “I understand your difficulties sixteen years ago and six years ago, and I also hope that you can understand that I can’t get over that hurdle in my heart. There are still grudges between us, so there is no need to force ourselves to become a family.”
“But your surname is Qin!” Qin’s father said. “How much effort did the Qin family put in to get to where we are today? A001 and C032 together can rule the entire interstellar space. Why split into two families?”
"I have no ambition to rule the entire interstellar space. If you do, then go ahead and conquer it," Qin Shao said. "I won't get involved in these matters."
Old Master Qin asked doubtfully, "Is this what you really think?"
"Correct."
"Then you..." Qin's mother hesitated, worried that speaking out would hurt Qin Shao again.
Qin Shao saw through her thoughts and said with a smile, "You want to ask me why I brought the fleet back to A001?"
Qin Ma nodded.
Qin Shao said, "C032 has an unsuitable climate for living, so I plan to live in A001 for a long time."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ma smiled.
As long as Qin Shao stays here, and she comes to visit their family from time to time, how can we not hope to eliminate the estrangement one day?
But just as this thought crossed her mind, she heard Qin Shao say, "So, you should move out."
Qin Ma was startled.
Mr. Qin and his father looked on incredulously.
"What did you say?"
Qin Shao remained calm: "A planet cannot accommodate two lords. My wife and I plan to live here permanently. You, including the entire Qin family, will move out of here."
This is not a suggestion, but a command.
The smile on Old Master Qin's face disappeared.
Qin's father's temper flared up instantly: "Qin Shao, do you know what you're saying?"
“I know. If you didn’t hear me clearly, I can say it again,” Qin Shao said. “I’m giving you three months. If you don’t move out, then let’s start the war.”
Old Master Qin's face turned ashen.
"Of course, I won't hurt anyone from the Qin family if war breaks out, but it's hard to say whether the things under the Qin family's name will belong to 'Old Qin' or to me, 'Boss Qin', after the fighting starts."