Let them offer their loyalty!

Upon hearing Pang Haichen's words, Pei Jing couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart.

Even though he had been in a high position for many years, long accustomed to remaining unperturbed even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him, the shocking news made it hard for Pei Jing to control his expression for a moment.

Especially since the news was disclosed by Old Pang, the head of the "Academic Faction", it was even more impactful for him.

So he couldn't help but turn his head to look at Pang Haichen, "Old Pang... how is this possible?"

It's not surprising that Pei Jing asked such a question.

The "Academic Faction" possesses the ace of "The Eighth Sanctuary Military Academy". As the school specially cultivating middle and lower-level officials for the Eighth Sanctuary, in these years, the "Academic Faction" has delivered too much talent to the Sanctuary.

Half of them were sent for further studies by other factions, but nearly half joined the "Academic Faction" after graduation, and then entered various Planning Areas and took up posts.

This allowed the "Academic Faction" to rapidly expand its influence throughout the Eighth Sanctuary.

It had long become the second-largest faction, only after the "Iron-Blood Faction".

If it weren't for the "Fengtian Faction" having too many middle and high-level personnel, it's estimated that even Elder Tang's second position might have to be handed over to Pang Haichen.

And such a large scale is itself a kind of guarantee.

After all, even in peacetime, the law can't punish everyone at once.

In such chaotic times, if one truly dared to take action against a major faction, rebellion could break out in minutes.

This is the reason for Pei Jing's hesitation regarding what Pang Haichen said.

Pang Haichen wasn't surprised by Pei Jing's astonishment; he looked ahead with a gaze neither joyful nor sad.

For this conversation to remain confidential, he had even replaced the driver with his personal secretary.

Therefore, with no outsiders present, he could discuss more sensitive topics.

He said gravely, "How is it not possible?"

As if seeing through Pei Jing's thoughts, he countered, "Do you think our 'Academic Faction' is so deep-rooted now that the Sanctuary can't deal with us?"

Hearing Pang Haichen's candid words, Pei Jing hesitated for a moment but ultimately responded, "Hmm."

Pang Haichen, upon hearing this, indeed shook his head slightly.

With a face full of disappointment, he said, "If you think so, then you are wrong."

"Precisely because our 'Academic Faction' is now attracting so much attention, we've become a thorn in the side and a stumbling block for other factions."

On hearing these words, Pei Jing's brows furrowed deeply, and he didn't speak easily; instead, he continued listening to Pang Haichen.

Pang Haichen reclined in the vehicle's back seat, eyes closed, fingers gently tapping his knee, and slowly said, "'The Officer Academy', as the cradle for cultivating the Sanctuary's middle and low-level officials, wields enormous influence."

"Holding the Academic Faction is equivalent to holding the lifeline of the Sanctuary."

"Don't think I'm exaggerating. You only see the present, but not the future."

"The 'Officer Academy' was founded just ten years ago, and the Academic Faction's power has already expanded to this degree."

"Give it another 10 years, and half of the middle and lower-level officials will be graduates from our Academy. The military, Investigation Bureau, and City Hall will all be our people."

"While middle and high-level personnel from other factions age, who can balance against our Academic Faction?"

"Would the Sanctuary not instantly become the domain of our Academic Faction?"

"Do you think the 'Fengtian Faction' is willing to see this scenario, or the 'Iron-Blood Faction' is willing to see it?"

At this point, Pang Haichen paused briefly and concluded, "This is precisely why the Sanctuary is eager to take action against us."

Hearing Pang Haichen's words, Pei Jing also fell silent for a moment.

His square face was filled with profundity and seriousness, as if genuinely contemplating the 'future scenario' described by Pang Haichen.

After quietly pondering for a moment, he slowly spoke, "Education, schools, are inherently the more scientific and quicker ways to discover and nurture talent."

"They are targeting us."

Upon hearing Pei Jing's words, Pang Haichen gave a deep "Hmm" and then started talking about recent occurrences,

"Many events have recently occurred at the Sanctuary. Initially, the incidents were isolated, and I didn't think much of it."

"But gradually, I noticed something seemed amiss."

"I was reassigned from the Central Hub, your military authority was revoked, Huang Shangzong was deposed."

"Old Tian and Old Cao were both apprehended over very minor issues."

"Many middle and high-level officials from our 'Academic Faction' have been transferred for various reasons."

Pang Haichen's hand movements briefly halted, then he slowly opened his eyes, with anger and resentment filling his gaze.

He said, "I originally truly believed these were all coincidences."

"But last night, the more I thought about it, the more something felt off."

"One event, two events could be viewed as coincidences. Three, four, even five events can't possibly all be coincidences, right?"

Pang Haichen's eyes blazed with fire, "So, after much thought, I realized they're cooking us like frogs in warm water!"

"They're dismembering our 'Academic Faction' bit by bit!"

"In their minds, as long as they act gently enough, offer some sweeteners, keep dangling us along, we're bound to adopt an ostrich mentality, or deceive ourselves!"

Saying this, Pang Haichen forcefully slapped his leg and shouted angrily, "Why!?"

"Even a commoner lets the blood spill in five steps when enraged!"

"Our 'Academic Faction', after so many years, can't we turn the heavens upside down!?"

Pei Jing was originally a staunch direct ally of Pang Haichen; otherwise, Pang Haichen wouldn't have repeatedly promoted and recommended him!

Therefore, upon hearing Pang Haichen's resolute words, Pei Jing, initially somewhat hesitant and feeling something might be amiss about all this, finally stopped overthinking and doubting!