Chapter 122 Tensions

Inside the Qingyi Bureau compound, Kang Dinghuang held his phone, his tone extremely serious as he said, "Battalion Commander He, under no circumstances are you to engage in any conflict with the other side. Strictly control your soldiers' behavior. Even if they are subjected to some beatings, they are not to retaliate."

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" He Yuzheng retorted urgently. "Don't you see what's happening? They're trying to provoke us. It's not like we can just let things pass if we exercise restraint."

"If they're trying to provoke us, order your soldiers to stay inside the barracks and have the officers negotiate on the periphery. If necessary, record video evidence," Kang Dinghuang repeatedly reminded. "Battalion Commander He, you need to understand their motives! They're hoping you'll retaliate, even hoping you'll open fire. The Dragon City public opinion and media relations are in their hands. If we lose our composure, we're finished."

"What's the solution then? We can't just sit here and wait for them to make their move, can we?" He Yuzheng asked.

"I'll figure out a solution. Just don't make any moves," Kang Dinghuang replied with a frown. "Don't fall into their trap."

"Alright, I understand."

The two ended the call, and Kang Dinghuang strode into the main building.

A group of people inspected the important work areas on the first and second floors, discovering that the place had been ransacked. Any equipment and materials related to importance and confidentiality had been taken.

The only thing that comforted Kang Dinghuang was that his safe was still in his room, seemingly undiscovered. He immediately had his personal secretary retrieve the important documents inside.

Just as Kang Dinghuang was about to call his superiors, a military intelligence officer rushed in, shouting with a panicked expression, "Something happened at the Manor Hotel! Zhang... Elder Zhang was shot and killed, and You... You Pengpeng was kidnapped. We don't know who did it yet."

Upon hearing this, Kang Dinghuang felt a buzzing in his head and a piercing pain in his heart.

Zhang Qi was Kang Dinghuang's mentor and one of the important leaders at the higher levels who supported him. In other words, their relationship was that of both teacher and friend, with both the grace of patronage and the affection of teacher and student.

If it weren't for Kang Dinghuang, Zhang Qi would never have personally come to Dragon City to help him with the 130 million worth of military supplies. But who would have thought that he would be killed so soon after arriving?

Anger, fear, and even a hint of bewilderment surged in Kang Dinghuang's heart.

Over the past year, Kang Dinghuang felt that he had come to understand Li Mingsheng's team well enough, but when they actually clashed, the local energy that Old Li's team unleashed still far exceeded his expectations.

...

Inside the municipal building's office.

Li Mingsheng sat in his chair, looking at Su Tianyu with his hands clasped, and asked, "What's so important?"

"Take a look at this!" Su Tianyu pulled up the photos on his phone and handed it to Li Mingsheng.

Old Li squinted at the contents of the photos, his expression surprised. "This... this is supporting the rebels, isn't it?"

"That's right," Su Tianyu nodded slowly. "Judging from the contents of this list alone, the opposing party's support for the rebels is far beyond our imagination."

Old Li rubbed his chin. "If that's the extent of their support, Zhao Weihu is going to have a hard time in the future."

"Indeed," Su Tianyu replied softly. "I'm planning to meet with Brother Hu for a chat."

"What about?" Old Li asked.

"If the People's Military Government can fully support Brother Hu, then his safety in Sinaloa will be guaranteed. If they can't fully protect him, then the Chi Army has no reason to stay there," Su Tianyu said with a clear train of thought. "It's better to be safe than sorry. Instead of waiting for others to make the first move, it's better to pull the team out and keep running south. If all else fails, we can go to Ba Nan and grow bananas."

"If we do that, our lifeline might be cut off," Old Li pondered. "If Zhao Weihu runs away, then our connection with the Mexican government army will be gone, and we won't be able to do the arms business anymore."

Su Tianyu nodded slowly.

"The arms business line cannot be broken, or we won't be able to support our people," Old Li pointed at Su Tianyu and said without any doubt. "You can talk to Zhao Weihu, but your thinking needs to be more proactive."

Su Tianyu immediately understood what he meant. "You mean, we should increase our investment in Brother Hu?"

"That's right," Old Li said decisively. "We can increase the supply volume, and we can also give him some other resources. As long as the People's Military Headquarters is willing to protect Zhao Weihu and ensure that the Chi Army doesn't fall apart, then everything will be fine. The opposing party is supporting the rebels, so doesn't the Mexican government army need allies too?"

"Understood, boss," Su Tianyu nodded. "We'll hit the Qingyi Bureau first, then I'll deal with that side."

"What do you think of this list?" Li Mingsheng asked, pointing to the photos on his phone.

Su Tianyu blinked and said in a very low voice, "To be honest, I'm quite envious... These military supplies, if used sparingly, could equip nearly two divisions."

"You little rascal, you're up to no good again!" Li Mingsheng pointed at Su Tianyu. "Get me a plan, a detailed plan!"

"Alright," Su Tianyu immediately nodded.

...

Outside Dragon City, in a large, desolate field.

Niu Feng was sitting in the car treating his wounds, while Gu Baishun, his face covered, jumped out of the car with a wrench, stepped on the chest of Zhang Ming's close follower, and asked, "Can you talk?!"

"Yes, yes...!" The other party looked at the gleaming wrench and was immediately terrified.

"Did Kang Dinghuang and Zhang Ming send anyone to the Second District two days ago?" Gu Baishun asked.

The man paused for a moment. "No... no, they didn't."

"Bullshit!" Gu Baishun raised the wrench, ready to strike the other man's Adam's apple.

"No, really, no, big brother!" The man shouted in fear. "Are you talking about... Gu Baishun's mother in the Second District?"

Gu Baishun stopped his arm in mid-air. "Keep talking!"

"Zhang Ming has been in the hospital recovering from his broken arm," the man was also a very clever person, and he probably guessed the other party's identity. "They did want to target Gu Baishun's mother before, but that was before Zhang Ming was injured... But before the plan could be implemented, Gu Baishun sent his mother away. And before they could even start investigating the Second District, something happened in Donggang, and Zhang... Zhang Ming was almost beaten to death."

Gu Baishun's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. "You're still lying to me? I have reliable information...!"

"Big brother, we've already reached this point, why would I lie to you?! I swear to God, in what I know, Kang Dinghuang and Zhang Ming really didn't do anything," the man shouted, swearing an oath. "If you don't believe me, you can just grab someone from Kang Dinghuang's side and ask. They've been busy with a batch of military supplies recently... They haven't been focusing on the stevedore association!"

Damn, Mom isn't in Zhang Ming's hands!

Gu Baishun instantly made a judgment.