The meeting began.
All eyes turned to Old Tang, seated at the head, eager to know what had happened.
Old Tang spoke, “We’re gathered today because of a major incident. Wei Donghai, brief everyone.”
Wei Donghai, 54, the highest-ranking officer stationed at the East Sea, stood up. “Yes, sir!”
He addressed the room, “You’re all familiar with Uninhabited Island, correct?”
The room stirred.
“Old Wei, something happened at Uninhabited Island?”
“Is it an incursion by Da Dong?”
“During the war, Da Dong committed heinous crimes against our nation. That debt’s unsettled. If they’re stirring trouble there, let’s settle old and new scores together.”
Several old generals spoke in turn.
“Quiet!” the War God rapped the table. “Xiao Wei, no suspense. Get to the point.”
“Understood,” Wei Donghai said. “Last week, over a dozen fishermen took a boat to Uninhabited Island. None returned alive.”
“Their bodies were found floating on the sea by our East Sea soldiers.”
“With so many deaths, I sent my deputy to investigate the scene.”
“He reported that the fishermen were murdered, each with fatal gunshot wounds.”
“This raised serious concerns, so I tried contacting the soldiers stationed on the island.”
“As you know, Uninhabited Island sits between us and Da Dong. It’s our territory, but since the founding of our nation, Da Dong has contested it, often provoking and seizing resources there.”
“Since the late ’70s and early ’80s, the East Sea command has kept a company stationed there.”
“After the fishermen’s deaths, I tried contacting the island’s garrison to find out what happened.”
“But the phone lines were dead, and the radio signal was lost.”
“This had never happened before. It was highly unusual, so I sent my deputy with twenty soldiers to investigate.”
“But after they left, I lost contact with them too.”
“I waited a day with no word. I was about to send another team when my deputy reappeared.”
“As a corpse.”
“My deputy and the twenty soldiers were all killed, their bodies found on a small boat.”
Wei Donghai’s eyes reddened as he continued.
“Gentlemen, my deputy was shot over a hundred times, his body riddled to pieces.”
“The twenty soldiers were also murdered, their deaths gruesome.”
“In all my years in the military, I’ve never seen such brutality.”
*Slap!* An old general slammed the table, furious. “Who did this?”
The War God shot him a glance. “Don’t interrupt Xiao Wei. Let him finish.”
The general fell silent.
Wei Donghai steadied himself and continued, “With so many dead, it’s clear something’s wrong on Uninhabited Island.”
“I sent a strike team of thirty, but like before, they went silent.”
“They took a warship and a reconnaissance plane.”
“Through technical tracking, we found the warship sunk and the plane crashed into the sea.”
The room gasped in shock.
“We retrieved satellite footage,” Wei Donghai said, turning on the conference room’s large screen.
A video played, showing the island’s surrounding waters stained red with blood, littered with over a hundred floating corpses, countless dead fish, and dozens of dead sharks.
“No trace of the culprit was found via satellite, nor any Da Dong forces on the island. That’s all we know. My report is complete.”
Wei Donghai sat down.
Old Tang spoke, “This is a grave matter, which is why I called this emergency meeting. What are your thoughts?”
One general said, “It’s obvious Da Dong did this.”
“No one else would be this brazen.”
“Killing our soldiers and fishermen—they’re trying to start a war!”
Another general added, “If Da Dong’s behind this, no mercy. Fire back.”
“Our nation’s been at peace for decades. Now these pests doubt whether we dare fight or can win.”
“Old Tang, I suggest deploying the East Sea Fleet to Uninhabited Island.”
Another chimed in, “Those little devils always stir trouble. Let’s use this chance to hit them hard, make them hurt and scared.”
Old Tang said, “After Wei Donghai’s report, I urgently contacted Da Dong’s leadership.”
“They claim they know nothing about Uninhabited Island and sent no troops there.”
A general scoffed, “Old Tang, with respect, you can’t trust their words.”
“They say one thing to your face, another behind your back.”
“They’re duplicitous internationally and lie to their own people.”
“Not long ago, they dumped millions of tons of nuclear wastewater into the sea, claiming it’s harmless to health and the environment. Blatant lies!”
Old Tang glanced at the War God and Old Ye. “What do you two think?”
The War God said, “Whether Da Dong did it or not, we must prepare for war. Better safe than sorry.”
Old Ye said, “I suggest a two-pronged approach.”
“First, thoroughly investigate Uninhabited Island. Second, prepare for war.”
“If the investigation confirms Da Dong’s involvement, we fight.”
“We’ve bided our time for years. It’s time to show our sword, or the world will think the Eastern Lion is still asleep.”
Old Tang nodded slightly. “Old Ye, our thoughts align.”
“Even if we act, we wait until the investigation is clear.”
“The ancients said: a just cause earns heaven’s favor; an unjust one, its wrath.”
“Our nation has always been one of courtesy. We offer peace before war, as is our tradition.”
“But if we fight, we must win.”
The War God asked, “Old Tang, who will you send to investigate Uninhabited Island?”
Old Tang’s gaze settled on Ye Qiu. “The person is right before us.”
