It was snowing outside the window, and the atmosphere in the bar was very cold. It was just past noon, so there weren't many customers. Shi Qinghai held a cigarette between his thin lips like he was sucking on a lollipop. He stared at the flickering red light on the end of the cigarette. He was bored to death. His beautiful peach blossom eyes moved closer to his nose because of his concentration, which made him look a little funny.
The wooden door of the bar was pushed open, and the cold air rushed in. Shi Qinghai put out the cigarette and pulled out the seat beside him. He looked at the white hair on the man's temples and asked, "What would you like to drink?"
"Alcohol," the director of Linhai's HTD Bureau said directly after he sat down. Shi Qinghai frowned. He knew this person very well. He used to be a teacher, but he later became a leader and a superior. He knew that this person had always been cautious and didn't like to drink. But he didn't ask anything. He snapped his fingers and asked the people in the bar to bring him a glass of hard liquor.
"The Tai family seems to have already contacted Representative Pabre." The director almost choked on the hard liquor. He coughed and said softly, "If Pabre can get the support of the Tai family, his chances of winning in next year's presidential election will increase by a few points."
"The Tai family … has always been very low-key. So low-key that most people in the Federation have forgotten about their existence." Shi Qinghai admitted that before this intelligence gathering, he didn't pay much attention to this former royal family that had been glorious for countless generations. He raised his glass and took a sip. "Even if they used to have the entire Federation, it's been more than 60 constitutional years. How much hidden power can they still have? How can they influence the presidential election?"
"Don't underestimate the existence of the seven great families. This has been proven in the history of the Federation. Although the Tai family is the most secretive of the seven great families, if our guess is correct, they should also be the most powerful family among the seven great families. "
The director lowered his head and said with a slightly worried voice, "They may not be able to make someone directly elected president, but they can easily make someone's opponent lose."
"Destruction is always easier than construction. I understand that." Shi Qinghai's eyes were calm. "However, although I have always despised politicians, I have to admit that Pabre from Dong Lin is an anomaly among politicians. If the moral standards and practical spirit he has shown all these years are just a disguise, then I can only say that Pabre played the role of a saint very well."
"You know what I mean." Shi Qinghai continued, "If Pabre becomes the president of the Federation, it will be the best choice for the organization. At least if we want to negotiate, we won't have to worry that the Federation government will be as fickle as before."
The bureau chief waved his hand and said, "Morality doesn't mean everything. Pabre, in his election platform and political practice over the years, has always been very careful not to reveal his attitude towards the four states surrounding S2. As for the relationship between the Federation government and us, no one knows what kind of thoughts he has. If he chooses to take a strong offensive attitude towards the organization under the influence of the hawks in the Department of National Defense in the future … "
Shi Qinghai noticed that the bureau chief's eyebrows were full of worry.
The bureau chief sighed and said, "Right now, the four states surrounding S2 seem to be enveloped by the joy of the end of the civil war and the arrival of peace. Senator Medellin has always adhered to the principle of non-violence. In order to maintain the unity of the comrades, the organization is unable to fully prepare for war. If … Pabre chooses to use force to suppress the four states after he is elected president, I am very worried that our comrades will be utterly defeated. "
"The current president is a cowardly and incompetent person, but Pabre is different." The bureau chief said worriedly, "A president who came out of a family of miners must have set extremely high ideals at a very young age. This kind of person is very determined and will definitely not allow the existence of anti-government armed forces within the Federation, especially within the capital ring."
"But these are all pre-existing worries." Shi Qinghai glanced at the bureau chief and said, "Today, you took the risk of meeting me under the pretext of a teacher-student reunion. I don't think that's all you want to say."
The bureau chief shook his head and looked at the snowflakes outside the window. Suddenly, he said softly, "I just feel that something is going to happen recently, so I came to see you. If there is any problem in the future, I will delete your file immediately … Other than me, he is the only one in the organization who knows that Lin Hai's Old Eagle is you. You know, he never cares about specific matters. Even if you want to leave, the organization will not find out … At that time, you will be truly free."
This sentence was extremely inauspicious. As the two most successful anti-government spies within the Federation, Shi Qinghai and the bureau chief had already mentally prepared themselves for the possibility of death at any time. However, when they suddenly heard this sentence, Shi Qinghai could not help but frown. He looked at his teacher quietly and said slowly, "Freedom … is indeed something I like very much, but I don't want to use your death as a condition."
He patted his teacher's shoulder and said softly, "These past few years have been very tiring for me. I have been constantly sending back information to the four states around the mountains, but I also have to watch that old bastard Macklin continuously throw flirtatious glances at the Federation. I feel very uncomfortable … But teacher, you should know that the reason I am able to persevere until today is because I agree with the organization's philosophy. This world does indeed need to change, but the organization will never use assassinations and terrorist attacks that may affect civilians as a way of fighting … I only hope that this philosophy can be persevered."
Shi Qinghai leaned back on the leather sofa and lit a cigarette. He slowly said in the midst of the smoke, "If one day, the organization violates this principle, then I can only leave the organization, even if it may lead to me being killed."
"What are you trying to say?" The bureau chief frowned and looked at his proud disciple. "Is it about the Double Moon Festival ball? What did you discover?"
"I just don't understand why the organization is so concerned about the Crown Prince's coming of age ceremony … I can understand why Macklin sent that little girl who doesn't know anything." Shi Qinghai flicked the ash from his cigarette and said calmly, "The seven major families are the biggest vested interests of the Federation. I don't think the Tai family is likely to cooperate with us. If that's the case, what's the point of spending so much to obtain this information?"
"You think the organization will use this Double Moon Festival ball to assassinate the Crown Prince?" the bureau chief asked seriously.
"Yes, other than this, I can't think of any other possibilities."
"The organization rarely assassinates public figures of the Federation because it will greatly damage the organization's image." The bureau chief looked at Shi Qinghai sternly and said, "Not to mention, the Double Moon Festival ball will be held in the university town. There will be too many innocent citizens … Your speculation is disrespectful to the organization's principle."
"I don't trust anyone, except you." Shi Qinghai didn't give up his speculation under his teacher's stern gaze. "And if the organization really does assassinate the successor of the Tai family, you and I will be completely unaware. I can only say that we will be the ones who will be abandoned in the future."
"You can't convince me because the organization's assassination of the successor of the Tai family is not beneficial to our business at all."
"Cleaning up the sins of the seven major families in history is the organization's principle." Shi Qinghai narrowed his eyes slightly. "And just as you said earlier, the Tai family has already contacted Councilman Pabre. You also analyzed that Councilman Pabre might be leaning towards the Eagle Faction … If that's the case, why didn't the organization choose to eliminate Councilman Pabre's greatest support before he becomes the president?"
"The Tai family only has one successor for seven generations." Shi Qinghai continued his analysis calmly. "If we say that this family is the most terrifying existence in the Federation, then from a certain perspective, it is actually the weakest existence. As long as this successor dies, this family will definitely fall apart due to the lack of a successor."
The bureau chief was silent for a long time. He suddenly wanted to meet his student, Shi Qinghai, because he had some suspicions about the recent movements of the organization. Whether it was Councilman Medellin or those important figures in the Federation, it was necessary for them to get close to the Tai family and show goodwill to the successor of the Tai family. Only the anti-government forces that had resisted the Federation for decades had no reason to care about the whereabouts of the successor of the Tai family, unless the higher-ups of the organization really had some ideas.
After a long silence, the bureau chief slowly opened his mouth and said, "But have you thought about it? In the Federation's capital, Xing Linhai, assassinating the successor of the Tai family is basically an impossible mission … Even if there are some radicals in the organization, I don't think there are too many idiots. "
"I believe in this. Even I spent a few months to confirm the successor's exact location. This is enough to show the opponent's strength and cautiousness." Shi Qinghai shrugged and said, "I just hope that you will be more careful during this period of time … and pay more attention to the people and information coming from the other side."
"What are you going to do?" the bureau chief slowly drank the remaining amber liquid in the cup and asked with a slightly red face.
"Tonight is the Double Moon Festival Ball. I will personally go and watch. No matter who the organization sends to carry out this plan, I will make sure that he fails," Shi Qinghai's tone was very calm.
"You are going against the organization."
"I hope that this kind of unpleasant thing won't happen. But if the organization really does this behind our backs … without trust, there will only be shameless use and silencing afterwards. I am no longer a member of the organization."
The bureau chief sighed and looked at this young official who was usually very lazy but was now as cold as a knife. He said, "Maybe we are thinking too much. Maybe tonight's ball is just a vanity show for the rich kids. Maybe the higher-ups of the organization really just want to change their way of thinking and try to get in touch with the real power in the Federation in order to seek a more peaceful future."
Shi Qinghai raised his eyebrows and smiled. He raised his cup and said, "If that is the case, then that is for the best. The last intelligence report said that the Tai family's coming of age ceremony has a very strange rule. If they just want to get in touch with the successor, we don't have as many female students as Senator Macklin … Although I am pretty, I am still a man after all, am I not? "
The bureau chief laughed and said, "We would never sell out women. That is so tasteless." After a while, he calmed down and said with a smile, "The latest order from the higher-ups of the organization is to use all means to get in touch with the successor."
"Damn it, you just said that now." Shi Qinghai was stunned for a moment and then cursed, "Looks like tonight's ball won't be a problem."
"Just be careful." The bureau chief patted him on the shoulder.
"Then I will go first. I have a meeting with a friend. It has been delayed for too long."
...
...
Shi Qinghai walked in the direction of the GU store on the quiet streets of Linhai. He hadn't walked far when he frowned. He lowered his head and glanced at his wristwatch. He pushed open the top cover and saw a line of words appear on the hidden display below.
"Don't worry about the ball, because he is here. The address is …"
Shi Qinghai was stunned. The only person who could contact him in this way was his teacher who had just broken up with him, the old guy who was the bureau chief of HTD. Obviously, the old guy had just received this information and was very happy or excited when he forwarded it to him. That was why he spoke so casually.
Shi Qinghai looked at the line of words in astonishment. Looking at the word "him" in the second sentence, he suddenly felt that things in the world were incomparably absurd. Earlier, when he was talking with his teacher, he was still talking about him, and now he was here?
… But why did he come to Linhai? How dare he come! If he really came, it seemed that the organization's attitude toward the Double Moon Festival ball was really biased toward peace. The organization would never let him take such a risk.
Shi Qinghai forgot to brush the snowflakes off his long eyelashes. He looked at the words on his watch in disbelief. He couldn't help but feel his heart palpitate when he thought about how he was about to meet that big shot.
Every spy had their own code name to facilitate one-way communication. Shi Qinghai's code name was Eagle, and his teacher's code name was Liquor. Shi Qinghai also knew some of his colleagues who had unfortunately been arrested by the Federation, such as Swallow and Crow, who had been sacrificed. In human history, there were countless spies who were famous because of their code names. However, in this constitutional era, the most powerful spies were almost all from the anti-government forces in the four states surrounding the mountains. This was because at the top of the anti-government forces' spy system, there was a person with the code name "him."
He was the second in command of the anti-government forces, and the closest comrade of the anti-government forces' leader. In the eyes of Shi Qinghai and the others, he was an amazing professional. The Federation had never obtained enough information about such a high-level leader. The anti-government forces had been resisting in the four states of S2 for many years, but no one in the Federation knew what the second in command looked like. This alone proved how terrifying he was.
In the thin snow and light wind, Shi Qinghai couldn't help but shiver. He was about to pick up that person, and then … attend the Double Moon Festival ball? He came to Linhai to meet the young master of the Tai family. But what could the anti-government forces and the Tai family talk about?
Shi Qinghai, who could still maintain a calm heart and a lazy smile on his face even when the seawall collapsed in front of him, couldn't help but feel a little shaken after receiving this information.
In the past few years, he had obtained a lot of information about the Federation for the anti-government forces. He helped the people in the four states to not only survive the battle, but also helped the moderate faction in the anti-government forces to gain a lot of benefits in the local elections. It could be said that he was one of the most successful spies in the anti-government forces in recent years. But in the face of his direct superior's superior's superior … In the face of that "him" who no one had ever seen, Shi Qinghai had no confidence at all.
He had to ensure his absolute safety in Linhai, and arrange for him to meet that young man at the Double Moon Festival ball. The huge pressure made Shi Qinghai frown in an instant.
This pressure made him only notice the abnormal situation and hear the specific details of the conflict when he walked into the GU store. With just a glance, Shi Qinghai guessed the purpose of the group of rich men and women. He narrowed his eyes and walked over directly. He said to Xu Le, who was still drinking coffee, "Let's go."
…
…
Xu Le treated the group of rich men and women as if they were invisible, but he was also a little annoyed. When he saw that Shi Qinghai had finally come, he couldn't help but feel relieved. He stood up and asked, "Do you want me to accompany you to try on the clothes?"
"No need." Shi Qinghai narrowed his eyes and glanced at those people. His eyes naturally revealed a trace of indifference. "Manager, how many pairs of shoes do you have in the store? I want all of them. "
The group of proud rich men and women had been in a conflict with Xu Le. When they saw that fellow's companions had come, they were ready to be the first to flip out. However, they didn't expect that Shi Qinghai would flip out before them.
The items in the GU store were very expensive. If they wanted to buy all the shoes in the store, how much would it cost? All of the noble people present had the financial ability to do so, but no one would do such a thing as a nouveau riche.
The man who had wanted Xu Le to take off his gown looked at Shi Qinghai mockingly and said, "Please continue with your performance."
Shi Qinghai ignored him and pulled the beautiful female manager to pay the bill. The female manager had seen strange people who liked to flaunt their wealth, but she still felt that it was a little strange to ask for all the shoes to be packed. Xu Le followed behind him, dumbfounded. He asked, "Where did you get so much money?"
"Don't you have a bank card?" Shi Qinghai said.
Xu Le smiled bitterly and said in a low voice, "I still have more than 100,000 yuan. A pair of shoes here costs a few thousand yuan. How can it be enough to buy all of them?"
Shi Qinghai smiled warmly and patted him on the shoulder. "Brother, you don't know the limit of your card, right? You can overdraft it, and the limit is very high."
Xu Le took out the three Linlin Alliance bank card that the uncle had given him. He couldn't believe his eyes. He felt very distressed when he saw that the card had been swiped successfully. At this moment, all the shoes in the GU store belonged to him alone.
The female manager's performance today was really amazing. She looked at Xu Le with a smile, returned the card with both hands, and said, "We look forward to your next visit."
Shi Qinghai told the other party to send all the shoes to a certain address tomorrow afternoon. Then he patted Xu Le on the shoulder and proudly walked out of the store under the watchful eyes of the GU store staff.
When they walked past the group of rich men, the man sneered and said, "So there are indeed a lot of idiots in Linhai. How could they do such a tasteless thing like burning money?"
"Idiot? Who are you talking about?" This time, Shi Qinghai didn't remain silent. He turned around with a smile and looked at the man. "I just want to know, if a bunch of idiots bought Gu's gowns but can't even get a pair of Gu's shoes … what kind of happy scene would it be when they attend the ball?"
The crowd was stunned for a moment before they became angry. Only now did they realize that this guy in a wrinkled suit was actually so sinister. In the Empire, it was said that the places that ordered the gowns would never make shoes. Also, mixing and matching was a style that was highly praised. However, in the Federation … this was absolutely impossible.
"It's getting late." Shi Qinghai looked at his watch and said sincerely, "I hope you guys can get everything ready before the ball. There are many stores on this street. Do you think I'll buy all of their shoes?"
…
…
Walking in the wind and snow, Xu Le couldn't help but laugh when he thought of the rich men's expressions. He didn't know anything about the etiquette of the upper class, but he could guess that Shi Qinghai's move would definitely make the other party suffer. The next moment, the smile on his face turned into helplessness and distress. He looked at Shi Qinghai and said, "So much money. How can I pay it back?"
"Idiot, the goods will be delivered tomorrow afternoon. Cancel this deal in the morning." Shi Qinghai didn't even look at him and said disdainfully, "I say, you're too honest. You don't even know how to talk back when you're being bullied by that group of people? You don't even know how to use these little tricks. How can you pretend to be something in society? "
Xu Le rubbed the back of his head. He wanted to say that he had already said a few harsh words, but he just smiled and said, "I'm used to using my hands, not my mouth."
Shi Qinghai was stunned. Thinking of the fight between Xu Le and the special forces soldier in the nightclub, he couldn't help but laugh loudly on the quiet and luxurious Famous Inn Street in Lin Hai.
"I still have something to do." At a corner of the street, Shi Qinghai stopped and looked at Xu Le with a smile. "I may have something to do at the ball tonight. You can play by yourself … Maybe you can get that Zhang Xiaomeng back."
The life of a spy was always stressful. When he knew that "he" was coming, Shi Qinghai was used to being frivolous. He wanted to vent Xu Le's anger and relieve his pressure. But since "he" was here, Shi Qinghai knew that he couldn't accompany Xu Le tonight.
Xu Le saw a touch of heaviness in his smile. Thinking of the voice on the phone, he frowned and asked, "You … are you in trouble?"
"Big trouble." Shi Qinghai smiled bitterly, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Let's go."
…
…
After Xu Le left, Shi Qinghai went to deal with his own big trouble. Next to the fountain in the middle of an extremely lively food plaza, he took a sausage and gnawed on it. While waiting for the arrival of the most mysterious intelligence chief, he cursed in his heart that the synthetic meat was not delicious. Should he ask his teacher to get some wild animals from HTD Bureau for a sumptuous meal?
At this moment, a person walked up to him and asked, "Is it good?"
Shi Qinghai turned around and saw a very wretched middle-aged man staring at the sausage in his hand with shining eyes. He was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously handed the sausage over.
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