Leng Tie has been busy since early morning.
Last night, the police in Jinghai received more than 200 calls reporting fights in several places in the city. But when the police arrived, they saw only a mess and found several bodies.
What troubled the police was that all of these bodies were foreigners, but the customs could not find their entry and exit records. In other words, all of these people had smuggled into Beijing.
In addition to the identities of the dead, the police were also puzzled by the fact that the scenes of the fights were severely damaged. Either the hard asphalt road surface was dented or it was melted by some heat source. Or the electric poles on the roadside seemed to have been pulled out alive.
"There was no typhoon last night, and the elephants and rhinos in the zoo did not run out. What happened?" The police officers were very confused.
Fortunately, several taxi drivers came to the police and reported that strange things happened when they were picking up passengers last night. Just as the police were about to follow the clues, people from the Special Affairs Management Bureau showed up and took over the matter.
After giving the drivers some compensation and warning them not to tell anyone about what happened last night, Leng Tie looked at the files on the table. Before he could start the investigation, the injured Wu Neng returned.
Although Wu Neng was usually careless, he had joined the Special Affairs Management Bureau for some time and had learned a lot of rules. Yesterday, he asked for leave to attend Yang Feiyan's birthday party, but he didn't come back all night. Leng Tie didn't have time to check his whereabouts early in the morning, but this guy broke into Leng Tie's office and exaggerated what happened last night.
This time Leng Tie had no trouble, at least he knew the origin of the deceased without any investigation. But the problem that followed was how to report this matter to his superiors
When Zheng Yubai came to Leng Tie's office, Wu Neng had already returned to his dormitory in the bureau to rest, and Leng Tie was flipping through the files.
"Are you okay?" Leng Tie heard Wu Neng say that Zheng Yubai's arm was injured, and asked with concern when he saw him come in.
"I'm fine, but Mr. Yang Huting was seriously injured and is still unconscious." Zheng Yubai simply recounted what happened last night. Because he had heard from Wu Neng and had a phone call with Zheng Jingzhe, Leng Tie did not show much surprise. But when Zheng Yubai explained that Warner's aliens had all undergone the potential activation experiment, he was still very shocked.
"I didn't expect that they would actually do such a thing." Leng Tie pondered. After all, he was an official figure. This kind of thing was just the personal behavior of a non-governmental organization in a small sense, but if you think about it deeply, it might pose a threat to national security.
"Yubai, although they are targeting you, it is also a threat to the security of the country. How do you plan to solve it?" Leng Tie said worriedly. He certainly knew the power of Warner Company, and even more so, how powerful the Skeleton Company behind Warner Company was. Although Zheng Yubai was also a member of Yandaotang, he was just a small pawn.
Perhaps Black Star would stand up for Zheng Yubai, and Black Star Company could indeed compete with Warner Company to some extent. But once these two major organizations, Yan Dao Tang and Skull and Bones Society, went to war, it would be a direct conflict between Yan Dao Tang and Skull and Bones Society.
Over the years, although Yan Dao Tang and the Skull and Bones Society have been fighting each other in secret, they still maintain a very fragile balance on the surface. It only takes a small straw to break this situation, and then I am afraid that it will be the time for the Third World War to begin.
This is not a sensational statement. You should know that the First World War was also triggered when the whole world was on edge because several Yan Dao Tang's liberal organization in the Slavic region assassinated the prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the Second World War, facing the madman Hitler, Yan Dao Tang and the Skull and Bones Society rarely joined forces to smash the Nazi fascist conspiracy to unify the world.
Although the world is dominated by economic development and peace, there are still undercurrents beneath the calm surface. Seemingly insignificant things may break the balance between the two major forces and lead to serious consequences.
However, would the leaders of Yan Dao Tang and Skull and Bones Society really be happy to see a situation where both sides suffer losses
No one can guarantee anything, not even Leng Tie, who is well versed in international affairs. Everything that happens is caused by countless accidental and inevitable sources. Before everything is clear, all predictions are self-deception.
"I still plan to solve it myself. At the very least, I don't want any killer who comes to Jinghai to return to the United States alive." Zheng Yubai said calmly.
"I can help with this matter." Leng Tie said, "But do you really not need us to step in?"
"If you show up, it will easily lead to a bigger confrontation. Let's leave this matter to us civilians to solve ourselves. But there are some things that really need your help." Zheng Yubai said.
"Just speak up." Leng Tie looked at his nephew and seemed to see the stubborn Zheng Jingzhe of that year.
In the luxurious private room of Jinghai Hotel, Xu Heixing stood in front of the large French window. His eyes were tightly closed, and he was resting.
After a long time, Xu Heixing opened his eyes and said to himself: "What a great guy Zheng Yubai is. He actually caused such a big mess. It's interesting. I really didn't misjudge you."
He looked down at the scenery of Jinghai from a bird's eye view, feeling as if he was looking down from a high place. After a long while, Xu Heixing turned around and pressed a button and said, "Call Zheng Yubai."
When he was summoned by Xu Heixing, Zheng Yubai had just come out from Leng Tie. After receiving Leng Tie's promise of full support, Zheng Yubai's revenge plan had already begun. At this time, Xu Heixing suddenly came to Jinghai and wanted to see him. I wonder if it was related to what happened last night.
In the luxurious room of Jinghai Hotel, Xu Heixing was playing chess with Xiao Wang, the bodyguard who accompanied Zheng Yubai to the D-class apartment last time. The two had already reached the endgame. From the situation, Xu Heixing's black chess had a slight advantage, with one more rook than Xiao Wang. But Xiao Wang's pieces were on both sides of the Chu River and Han River, and the chess pieces were in a good position. The two sides were actually still in a situation of equal strength.
"Yubai is here, come over and take a rest and see if I can win this game of chess." Xu Heixing smiled when he saw Zheng Yubai coming in.
Zheng Yubai followed his instructions and sat next to Xu Heixing, watching the chess game. He had some knowledge of chess, sometimes playing a few games with his father, and also played with Du Bisheng and Xu Ruoyu. However, his chess skills were just average. After sitting down and watching for a while, he knew that Xu Heixing and Xiao Wang were both chess masters, with killer moves at every step, and it was hard to tell who was better.
"Yu Bai, do you think I can win with this chess game?" Xu Heixing made a chariot move, hoping to rely on the power of two chariots to occupy the center palace and then force the palace.
"With one more car, we should have a chance of winning." Zheng Yubai didn't dare to make a random prediction.
"My pieces do have an advantage, but they are not in a good position. Although the two chariots are powerful, they are not in the center and cannot exert their due power." Xu Heixing said, "Although I have captured one of the king's chariots, his chariots, horses and cannons are all gathered in the center, and have begun to threaten my center. If I can't stop it, failure is only a matter of time."
Xu Heixing's words were about chess, but to Zheng Yubai, it sounded like he was analyzing the current situation. Although Warner Company had lost a lot of aliens and had not gained any advantage, the real advantage was still on their side. If they really intended to assassinate Zheng Yubai with all their strength, he would not be able to escape.
"If that's the case, then is there no solution to this game of chess?" Since Zheng Yubai knew what Xu Heixing meant, he knew that he must have something to say.
"Why not?" Xu Heixing laughed and suddenly jumped a knight. The chess piece was originally on the edge, but Xu Heixing jumped it to the middle. He actually pointed the knight at Xiao Wang's chariot and cannon at the same time. This move was full of murderous intent and set off the war. Xiao Wang refused to retreat, and the two of them fought in the middle. In a moment, Xiao Wang lost a pair of chariots, horses and cannons, and Xu Heixing also lost a chariot and two horses.
"If you make a complicated situation simpler, your advantage will become more and more obvious." Xu Heixing smiled. After forcing Xiao Wang to exchange pieces, Xu Heixing's extra rook became very important. After Xiao Wang exchanged all his pieces in the middle, the situation immediately took a sharp turn for the worse.
Chess is like life, and life is like chess. The chess game in front of him touched Zheng Yubai's nerves. Xu Heixing was right. Only by simplifying the complex situation can we see through the layers of fog and solve the problem better.
After Xiao Wang's advantage in the middle of the board disappeared, he could no longer hold on. Xu Heixing's chariot and cannon rushed around, destroying Xiao Wang's defense bit by bit. When Xiao Wang's two soldiers were broken, he resigned and admitted defeat.
"The boss's chess skills are getting better and better." Xiao Wang said admiringly after losing the game.
Xu Heixing shook his head and said, "Little King, I've said it before, you're too strong-willed and you won't give in when things get tough, which is a big taboo. I wanted you to do something, but your character can make you a brave man, but you can't be a general."
Xiao Wang looked ashamed: "Boss is right."
Xu Heixing smiled and said, "I know you are not convinced, but you had such a strong advantage in the middle just now. Although my horse threatened your chariot and cannon at the same time, as long as you gave up the cannon, you could drive the chariot straight into my center and put me to death. It's a pity that you refused to suffer a loss and insisted on fighting with me, which led to your defeat. This is called losing the big picture for the small."
Zheng Yubai listened to Xu Heixing's words and recalled the chess game just now. It was just as he said. If Xiao Wang was not limited to the gains and losses of a single chess piece, he could even win the game.
Xiao Wang put the chessboard back to how it was before, pondered for a moment, and then said sincerely: "The boss has a long-term vision, which is beyond my reach."
"You are still young, so take your time to hone your skills." Xu Heixing smiled and patted Xiao Wang's shoulder. He stood up and said to Zheng Yubai, "Come and have a drink with me."
The two of them came to the bar downstairs. Because it was noon, there was no one inside. Even if it was peak business, if Xu Heixing came to drink, would the boss dare to do business with others
"What to drink?" Xu Heixing asked.
Zheng Yubai scratched his head: "It would be best if I could have a cup of Erguotou..."
"Haha, that's great. Well, I'll drink Erguotou with you." Xu Heixing laughed, waved to the waiter, and asked him to buy Erguotou.
Although it was a bit strange to drink Erguotou in such a Western-style bar, the waiter dared not object. Soon he came back panting with two bottles of Erguotou and respectfully filled them up for the two of them.
"Why do you like to drink such strong liquor? If you have dinner with girls, remember to drink red wine, otherwise they will complain that you are not romantic." Xu Heixing laughed, picked up the wine glass, shook it, and observed the degree of wine clinging to the glass.
The waiter bought the best Erguotou, which was rich in flavor and had a strong aroma. Zheng Yubai also shook his head and said, "A lot of things happened in the past two days. I want to drink some strong liquor to cheer myself up."
Xu Heixing didn't ask what happened, and Zheng Yubai didn't have to tell him. If Xu Heixing didn't know about such a big thing last night, then he would be the boss of Black Star Company for nothing.
"What do you think of the game just now?" Xu Heixing took a sip of wine and nodded, seeming very satisfied with the quality of the wine.
"Sometimes, in order to win, you need to give up some immediate interests." Zheng Yubai said. This was the biggest gain he got from the previous game of chess.
"Anything else?" Xu Heixing took another sip. Judging from the way he drank, his wine should be as good as that of Zheng Yubai's father Zheng Jingzhe.
"If you can't see the problem clearly, try to simplify the complicated situation first," Zheng Yubai replied.
Xu Heixing nodded and said with a smile: "Then how do you want to solve the current trouble?"
"This..." Zheng Yubai originally planned to use Leng Tie's intelligence system to find the whereabouts of the aliens from the United States and eliminate them one by one. Then he would look for an opportunity to take revenge on Warner. But Xu Heixing's words on the chess game were still lingering in his ears. He suddenly felt like a king occupying the middle of the belly. He could only see what was in front of him, but ignored the next step.
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"It's a good thing for young people to be energetic, but if they only look at the present, they will only be confused by the complicated situation." Xu Heixing said leisurely, as if he fully understood Zheng Yubai's thoughts.
"Sometimes, you need to act swiftly and completely to eradicate the problem, while other times, you need to think calmly and proceed step by step. You are like the king on the chessboard just now, occupying the advantage in the middle of the board. But what about your opponent? They have the advantage in pieces. Once they find your flaw and use the advantage in pieces to attack, can you afford it?" Xu Heixing's tone gradually became aggressive. Zheng Yubai was sweating profusely and didn't know how to answer.
"You are still a little immature." Xu Heixing said with a smile, "I know the whole thing, so you don't have to be anxious. The matter of Warner will be explained sooner or later, but not now."
"What does the boss mean?" Zheng Yubai didn't understand.
"If you take a step back, the world will be vast. We might as well put this matter aside for now. Although life is like playing chess, you don't always have to take the initiative. Sometimes, striking first is not necessarily the strongest, and striking last does not necessarily mean you will suffer. A real man should seize the opportunity and hit the target in one go." Xu Heixing spoke slowly and methodically.
Compared to an old man like Xu Heixing, Zheng Yubai is still like a child. A rough man like Zheng Jingzhe would not and would not be embarrassed to tell his son the words full of life truths like Xu Heixing said, and Du Bisheng, Xu Ruoyu, Zhang Daosheng, and Yang Huting rarely talked about these things with Zheng Yubai. Therefore, when Xu Heixing said this, Zheng Yubai felt a little enlightened. Unconsciously, his view of Xu Heixing gradually changed from a boss to a teacher.
Xu Heixing seemed to be deliberately trying to give Zheng Yubai some advice. He drank a lot of wine while analyzing the current situation. His analysis was often very sharp and pointed to the essence of things, which convinced Zheng Yubai. Only then did he understand why Xu Heixing could achieve his current career.
After a short while, the two bottles of Erguotou were drunk up, and both of their faces were a little red, but for two people who could drink a lot, this amount of alcohol was nothing.
"If you trust me, let's put this matter aside for now. There's still time to talk about it later." Xu Heixing said.
For a gangster boss with great power in Asia, being able to say such words is enough to give Zheng Yubai face. Although Zheng Yubai drank a bottle of strong liquor, he also knew this. Moreover, Xu Heixing had already reminded him how dangerous his current actions were, so he listened to Xu Heixing's words and nodded, "Okay, then I'll wait a little longer."
"Very good, come with me to London tomorrow." Xu Heixing leaned back in his chair and said leisurely.
"London?" Zheng Yubai was stunned.
"Five years ago, the elders of Yandao Hall handed over the management rights of the safe apartment to me. The five-year term will end at the end of this month. I will go to London to report on my work and renew my contract." Xu Heixing said, "But I'm afraid there will be trouble when I go to London this time. I need a trustworthy and powerful assistant."
He was a little hesitant at first. After all, at such an important moment, if he left Jinghai, it would be dangerous if the American aliens came back. But Zheng Yubai suddenly remembered what Zhang Daosheng said. The cannibal doctor Hannibal moved to London ten years ago and there has been no news since then. If he could accompany Xu Heixing to London, it might be a good opportunity to find someone.
Thinking of this, Zheng Yubai said: "Okay, I'll go with you, but I need time to arrange for Jinghai's friends and relatives."
Xu Heixing smiled slightly: "I will spread the word that you, Zheng Yubai, are my trusted deputy. Even if Warner has more courage, he will not dare to touch your friends."
"This..." Zheng Yubai was shocked. Xu Heixing's deputy was a position second only to him. Zheng Yubai could be said to have risen to prominence in an instant and became an important figure in the Asian mafia.
"It's settled." Xu Heixing laughed, stood up, and walked out while saying the last sentence.
"See you at the airport tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock. No need to bring your luggage."
Zheng Yubai was very busy this night. Before leaving, he had to make good arrangements for this period of time. First, he had to let Yang Feiyun wait for time, and then he had to tell Yang Feiyan to take good care of Yang Huting. In the midst of his busy schedule, he also went to Zhang Daosheng to ask for the London address that Hannibal left for him ten years ago.
As for Xu Jin, Zheng Yubai also had to comfort her and tell her not to worry.
After finally arranging all the trivial matters, Zheng Yubai was about to take a rest when his cell phone rang. It was Cao Ji, the long-lost friend.
"Yubai, are you going to London with your boss tomorrow?" Caoji's voice was a little low, and he seemed very cautious.
"Yeah, how did you know?" Zheng Yubai asked curiously. Logically speaking, Xu Heixing's itinerary should be kept relatively confidential.
Caoji smiled bitterly: "You are very powerful now. The boss just announced that you will be promoted to his deputy. I have a good relationship with you, so I have also risen to become the person in charge of the D-class apartment."
"Then congratulations." Zheng Yubai said with a smile. He was mentally prepared for this news and was not surprised.
"I will send the boss to the airport tomorrow morning..." Caoji seemed unhappy and hesitated to speak.
Zheng Yubai heard something was wrong and asked, "Brother Caoji, are you worried about something?"
There was silence on the phone for a long while, and Cao Ji finally said, "Yu Bai, you must be careful on this trip to London. I heard that Yipintang is going to deal with the boss."
"Yipintang? The best Yipintang in the world?" Zheng Yubai was stunned.
"It's the Yipintang, the largest gang in the martial arts world back then. You're considered a martial artist, so of course you know about it." Caoji said.
Zheng Yubai certainly knew that Yipintang, Shuanglonghui, Sanjianghui, Four Seasons Gang, Shadowless Leg, Liuhequan, Qishangquan, and Baguazhang were called the Eight Sects of Jianghu. Yipintang was the largest sect among them. However, this sect had disappeared in recent years and rarely appeared in Jianghu. Zheng Yubai was a little surprised to hear this name suddenly from Caoji.
"Yipitang is also an organization under Yandaotang. It was originally a folk Taoist sect, but with the advancement of science, it is difficult for them to make a living and they have been sluggish. But I heard that they reappeared a few days ago, and with a grand show. It seems that they are coming for the company." Caoji said.
"They are all subordinate organizations of Yandaotang. Why are they targeting the company?" Zheng Yubai didn't understand.
"Alas, you still know too little. The boss went to London to report on his work. If the Council of Elders is not satisfied with the operation of the Safe Apartments in recent years, they will hand over this profitable business to someone else. Why did Yipintang appear at this time? "
Zheng Yubai knew that the Skull and Bones Society and the Yan Dao Tang had been enemies for hundreds of years, but he had never heard of the internal strife in the Yan Dao Tang.
"Could it be that when the boss said that someone was going to cause trouble during this trip to London, he was referring to Yipintang?" Zheng Yubai asked again.
"That's them. I'm warning you, the guys at Yipintang are all very evil, you must be careful." Caoji said mysteriously, "Also, I heard that the Skull and Bones Society has also been making some unusual moves recently. In short, this trip to London is very dangerous."
"Well, it's nothing even if it's like this." Zheng Yubai scratched his head. He didn't know much about Yipintang. And if the Skull Society really came to him, he wouldn't mind killing a few assassins who didn't know how to live or die, as an appetizer before the real revenge.
"Anyway, be careful. I don't want my brother to die in London for no apparent reason."
"Don't worry, I'll come back and have a drink with you." Zheng Yubai said confidently.
"Since you said so, then okay, I'll wait for you to come back. But you'd better remember that the boss is a tyrant and you can't guess what he is like. I was happy for you when you were promoted, but now it seems that I have harmed you." Cao Ji finished his words, and although he felt a little unsatisfied, he awakened a little doubt in Zheng Yubai's heart.
The next morning, the plane took off, and Xu Heixing flew to London with only Zheng Yubai and Xiao Wang. (To be continued)