Chapter 1 Meeting

It was half-past eight in the morning, in the Hua District.

Inside the Foreign Affairs Hotel in the city, Jiangzhou, dressed in a black suit, sat on a red sofa in a meeting room, waiting for someone.

Four guards stood by, protecting his safety.

After waiting for a while, the door to the meeting room was gently pushed open, and a thin, somewhat stern-faced middle-aged man walked in.

This man was named Akasaka Yamazaki, a foreign minister of the Allied Fives. He wore a neat black suit, a proper tie, and his hair was combed meticulously.

Upon seeing Jiangzhou, he quickly walked over and bowed to Jiangzhou at a forty-five-degree angle, saying in fluent Chinese, "Officer Jiang, hello. I am Akasaka Yamazaki, the chief diplomat of the Allied Fives stationed in Yanbei of the Hua District."

Although he didn't know Jiangzhou, and today was their first meeting, Akasaka Yamazaki understood that this young man must have considerable influence behind him, definitely a big shot in the Hua District... or the son of some big shot.

"Minister Akasaka, hello." Jiangzhou didn't have the habit of bowing. Instead, he stood up, extended his hand, and shook hands with Akasaka Yamazaki.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they each sat down on the sofa, and a guard stepped forward to pour tea for them.

Akasaka Yamazaki looked at Jiangzhou, knowing the other party's intentions, and took the initiative to speak, "We have learned that your district's Ronghua cargo ship was attacked and sunk in our waters. We deeply regret this. I rushed over here as soon as I received the news."

Jiangzhou nodded and said straightforwardly, "Now you should also be aware that there are very important foreign guests from our Hua District on the Ronghua. Now that something has happened to them, we must do our best to search and rescue them! There is only one request to your side: we hope that you can open up the sea area as soon as possible. We will send rescue teams and ensure that we do not disturb your people or any sensitive military sea areas during the search."

Akasaka Yamazaki looked somewhat troubled and sighed, "Ah, Officer Jiang, I can very well understand your feelings! However, such an important decision as opening up the sea area is not something I can decide. Moreover, the situation on the outer sea is too complicated right now. I need to report the relevant situation to higher authorities. Not only that, but if our Allied Fives wants to open up the sea area, we must also apply to the Five Regions, after all, this involves military matters."

Speaking of this, he glanced at Jiangzhou's face and said with a sincere expression, "However, we guarantee that as long as these distinguished guests are still in our waters, we will take the lead in doing our best to search and rescue them! To be honest with you, Officer Jiang, we have already dispatched more than a hundred speedboats and two patrol ships to search near the Thousand Islands. All kinds of professional search and rescue equipment are being used, and the rescue team has as many as a thousand people. As soon as we find them, we will definitely send them back safely. At the same time, I will also submit your request to the higher authorities."

Hearing this, Jiangzhou felt a faint sense of unease and dissatisfaction in his heart.

This Akasaka Yamazaki seemed very sincere in his words, but it was all superficial, using words to brush him off. His unspoken message was that he didn't want the Hua District to intervene in their waters.

Of course, from the perspective of a region's sovereignty, this matter was indeed worth discussing, but Jiangzhou was afraid that this wasn't a discussion, but a delay.

Jiangzhou was silent for a long time, without showing any anger on his face. Instead, he maintained his politeness and courtesy, and said to Akasaka Yamazaki, "Then we'll have to trouble you. Please help us find these people as soon as possible."

Akasaka Yamazaki quickly said, "Certainly, certainly! The Allied Fives has always maintained a friendly cooperative relationship with the Hua District. Please rest assured that whether it is out of humanitarianism or our diplomatic relations, we will do our best to search and rescue!"

Jiangzhou nodded, and said with a faint smile, "Yes, Minister Akasaka, I also hope that we can always maintain a friendly cooperative relationship, hehe."

Hearing this, Akasaka Yamazaki was slightly stunned.

Knowing when to stop, Jiangzhou didn't say any more. He stood up, smiled, and said, "In that case, I won't take up Minister Akasaka's time. Let's exchange contact information so we can communicate in a timely manner if anything comes up."

"Okay, I will give you news as soon as possible," Akasaka Yamazaki also hurriedly stood up and bowed slightly to Jiangzhou again.

"Minister Akasaka, please help us apply to open the sea border as soon as possible."

"Okay, okay, I will."

The two exchanged contact information and left.

...

Allied Fives sea area, Thousand Island Archipelago.

On a relatively remote island, Su Tianyu sat in a somewhat damp and cold cave, holding An Qiqi.

At this time, An Qiqi also had a high fever, her cheeks were flushed, and her body was shivering from time to time.

Su Tianyu was very worried and could only use wet, tattered clothes soaked in cold water to wipe An Qiqi's forehead repeatedly, helping her to lower her temperature.

Many people were also lying in the cave, exhausted and wounded. They were drowsy, half-asleep and half-awake, not knowing how long they could last.

Just then, Hou Guoyu walked into the cave. He looked haggard and weak, but he mustered his energy and said to Su Tianyu, "Sixth Master, there's a situation at sea."

Su Tianyu turned his head and asked, "What's wrong?"

Hou Guoyu explained, "I saw a large number of ships moving around the area, looking like search and rescue boats, but they didn't have any flags indicating their region. It's a bit unusual. Logically speaking, the official ships should have arrived by now."

Su Tianyu thought for a moment and said, "Let's go, go take a look."

...

At the same time, in the Allied Fives region, the capital of Kyoto.

Although this city, which housed hundreds of thousands of people, didn't look very big, it had everything it needed, with rows of houses and all kinds of facilities.

In a very Japanese-style small wooden house, Xiao Ke, bare-chested, sat on a clean tatami mat, clicking and checking the firearms in his hands.

"Ding-ling-ling!"

The telephone beside him rang. Xiao Ke glanced at it and answered the phone, "Hello?"

Kang Dinghuang's voice came through, "Have they given you any news over there?"

Xiao Ke shook his head, "Still nothing."

Kang Dinghuang thought for a moment and said, "Don't worry, I've already contacted them. They should give you news as soon as possible. Get ready and be ready to leave at any time."

"Okay."

Xiao Ke hung up the phone, picked up the equipment placed beside him, and put it on piece by piece.

...

Nine o'clock in the morning, Hua District.

Jiangzhou left the Foreign Affairs Hotel by car and called Fu Zhen on the way.

The phone was answered quickly, and Fu Zhen asked directly, "How's the situation on your end?"

Jiangzhou loosened his tie and frowned as he replied, "I don't think it's going to be easy. They didn't budge on opening up the relevant sea areas, they just said they need to apply to higher authorities."

Fu Zhen couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, I just think these guys don't learn their lesson. Every twenty years, they should be cut down at Three Peaks Mountain once..."

Jiangzhou quickly interrupted him, "Uncle, don't get anxious yet. This way, you keep a close eye on the Allied Fives. We need to get the news as soon as possible. This is crucial."

Fu Zhen replied, "Don't worry, the bait has been set, and we're just waiting for the fish to bite."