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

Chapter 972 A Suffocating Decision

After Mitsui Kazuki's heavy words, the conference room fell into a brief silence, and everyone was weighing this heavy decision in their hearts.

Finally, Mitsui Haruhi broke the silence. His voice was clear and firm, with the calmness and rationality unique to a businessman.

"Head of the family, elders, the first thing I want to say is that although our Mitsui family originated in Fuso and rose on this land, after a hundred years of ups and downs, we are no longer just Fuso nobles, but also an important member of the international business community. Over the past hundred years, we have paid too much for Fuso's economic prosperity and national construction, both in terms of money and energy, which are incalculable." There was a hint of imperceptible fatigue in Mitsui Haru's voice, but more of it was a thoughtful consideration of the future. "However, now Fuso, the once glorious ship, is facing an unprecedented crisis, and its silence seems to be a foregone conclusion. As businessmen, we have to consider the survival and development of the family, and we cannot blindly bury Fuso with it."

His words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples. Mitsui Nagawa, who was standing by, turned pale instantly upon hearing his words. He stood up abruptly and retorted in a loud voice: "Chun Ying, you are wrong! We are members of the Yamato nation, the nobles of Fuso. Our roots and souls are here. When the country is in trouble, every citizen has a responsibility. How can we choose to retreat at this time? What we have to do is to live and die with the country and fight side by side with His Majesty the Emperor. The interests of the country are above all else! This is our honor and responsibility as nobles!"

Mitsui Haruyu sneered, with a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. "Changhe, I can understand your patriotism, but you have to face the reality. In this world where the strong prey on the weak, the interests of the country and the family are not always the same. You take patriotism so seriously, but you don't know that in the eyes of the emperor, our big families are just pawns in his hands, veritable ATMs. Once the country is in trouble, we nobles are often the first to be sacrificed. The Suzuki family is a living example. They were once so glorious, but now they have been completely abandoned because of the needs of the country. Do you want the Mitsui family to follow the same path?"

Mitsui Nagawa was choked by Mitsui Haruyuki's words and was speechless for a moment, but his eyes were still firm, and he didn't seem to give up his point of view easily. "Haruyuki, you are right. The interests of the country are not always consistent with the interests of the family. But because of this, we should stand up and use our wisdom and strength to influence the country and change the fate of the country. Instead of just escaping and retreating like you. As nobles, we have the responsibility and ability to protect this land, to protect our nation and the emperor!"

Mitsui Haru shook her head, with a hint of helplessness in her tone. "Changhe, your ideal is beautiful, but reality is often much more bleak than ideal. In this era, strength determines everything. The rise of China is an inevitable trend. If our Mitsui family wants to survive this great change, we must learn to judge the situation and make the wisest choice. I am not advocating betrayal of the country, but I hope that we can put the interests of the family first and find a way to preserve the family and contribute to the country."

The meeting room fell silent again. Mitsui Haru and Mitsui Nagawa had completely different opinions, but each had their own reasons. Everyone was in deep thought. They knew that this decision not only concerned the future of the Mitsui family, but also the fate of each of them. At this critical moment, they needed to weigh the pros and cons more carefully and make a decision that best suited the family's interests.

After the heated debate between Mitsui Haru and Mitsui Nagawa, the atmosphere in the conference room became even more tense. At this time, Mitsui Liang gently adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and his eyes behind the lenses flashed a calm light.

"I agree with Chunying's opinion." Mitsui Liang's voice echoed in the conference room. He looked at Mitsui Changhe with a hint of sympathy in his eyes. "Uncle Changhe, although you are the elder of the family, at this critical moment, we cannot be swayed by emotions. Our Mitsui family is first and foremost a businessman. Our primary task is to protect ourselves and ensure the interests of the family. The situation in Fuso is clear, and the rise of China is unstoppable. We can no longer blindly stick to it, but should find a way to protect the family and adapt to the trend of the times."

Upon hearing this, Mitsui Nagawa became so angry that his face turned blue. He glared at Mitsui Liang, but ultimately did not say anything in rebuttal.

He knew that although Mitsui Liang's words were harsh, they made sense. In this era, strength determines everything, and emotions and loyalty often seem pale and powerless.

At this time, Mitsui Kazuki spoke at the right time, his voice was steady and powerful, as if to put an end to the argument. "I also agree with Liang and Chunying's decision. The experience of the Suzuki family is a living example. They were confiscated and exterminated just because they refused to provide military funds for the empire. A small mistake made the royal family completely forget their past efforts. This makes us have to think deeply, is the royal family worthy of our loyalty? In this chaotic world, the first thing we have to consider is the survival and continuation of the family."

Mitsui Kazuki's words were like a sharp knife, piercing people's hearts. His words revealed his deep disappointment and dissatisfaction with the royal family, and also revealed his deep concern for the future of the family.

He looked at everyone and said, "Our Mitsui family has gone through a hundred years of ups and downs to get to where we are today. We cannot let our family fall into an irretrievable situation because of momentary impulse and loyalty. We must make the wisest choice to ensure the future of our family."

When the atmosphere in the conference room reached its climax, Mitsui Kazuki spoke again, as if he was fully prepared.

"Regarding the future of our family, I have made some preliminary attempts." Mitsui Kazuki's eyes swept across the crowd and finally fixed on Mitsui Nagaha. "I have established contact with the Chinese intelligence agency and put forward our Mitsui family's demands to them. I hope to find a way out for the family and ensure that we can have a smooth transition in the future turmoil."

Upon hearing this, Mitsui Nagawa's face turned pale in an instant. He stood up abruptly and accused in a trembling voice: "Hehui, you...how could you do this? You are betraying your country and will completely nail the entire Mitsui family to the pillar of shame!" His tone was full of anger and disappointment, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

However, Mitsui Kazuki was not shaken by his accusations. He interrupted Mitsui Nagawa unceremoniously, his voice as cold as ice: "Uncle Nagawa, please calm down. Here, we must first consider the interests of the family, not make stupid decisions for the so-called country. The fate of the Suzuki family has sounded the alarm for us, and we must not repeat the same mistakes."

Mitsui Kazuki's eyes became sharp and firm, and he continued: "As the head of the family, I have the responsibility and obligation to make the best plan for the future of the family. I am not betraying the country, but looking for a way for the family to survive. In this chaotic world, only the wise can survive."

At this time, Mitsui Haru and Mitsui Liang agreed. Mitsui Haru nodded and said, "Hehui is right. We can't be swayed by emotions. As businessmen, we must always keep a clear head and consider the interests of the family."

Mitsui Liang also echoed: "I agree with Hehui's decision. In this era, strength determines everything. Only by cooperating with the strong can we ensure the future of the family."

Upon hearing this, although Mitsui Nagawa still felt angry and unwilling, he could only sit down helplessly in the face of everyone's unanimous decision.