Among the people who died outside the villa, there were only three corpses with slightly more important identities. Two were monks, one local and one from other places. They were all invited by Zhang Guangtian and were taken away by the local temple. There was no doubt about them.
The remaining body was that of a scholar named Cao Guangjiu. According to the county government officials, this person was a member of the Slut Party. He was good at litigating, lending usury, and getting involved in all kinds of miscellaneous things. He was a notorious bachelor in the suburbs.
Comparing the kill records on the Ghost Festival day, it can be determined that Cao Guangjiu was a leader among the people killed by snipers that night.
Using their connections within the yamen, the Niangan Department conducted a comprehensive inspection of Cao Guangjiu's body in advance and detained all personal belongings they were interested in.
Cao Guangjiu didn't have many belongings with him. Apart from his money, he only had a sachet commonly used in summer, a folding fan and a personal seal - these were all common things that scholars in those days carried with them.
"...mainly the fan, the inscription on it is 'Nong Shisou...'"
Zhao Yingong's eyelids twitched: "You mean, this fan was given by 'Shi Weng'?"
"Probably."
Zhao Yingong mused that the successful kill on the night of the Ghost Festival was to some extent a key witness for the enemy. However, with this fan and knowing Cao Guangjiu's identity, they were closer to finding the mastermind behind the scenes.
step.
"There are also three people who died in Hao Yuan's stronghold." Zhao Tong said.
Although these three people were found with nothing, the members of the former escort agency at the sticky pole still judged from the calluses on their hands and feet and the scars on their bodies that they were all martial arts practitioners.
People, and most likely employees of the escort agency.
"The cause of death was poisoning..."
"Poison?" Zhao Yingong was startled.
"Yes, it seems they were silenced." Zhao Tong said, "They should not be in the same group as Hao Yuan. They may be people sent by that Shi Weng..."
Reminiscent of the fact that Nianganzhu tried to track Hao Yuan several times without success and was intercepted by the escort personnel, these three people were probably the escorts who intercepted Nianganzhu and secretly protected Hao Yuan's whereabouts.
The attack was cruel enough. Zhao Yingong thought to himself that Hao Yuan's move directly cut off all contact with "Shi Weng". Even if Shi Weng could be found, he would not be able to get any information about Hao Yuan's whereabouts.
Since all three of them were "unclaimed," Niangan Office obtained the three corpses on the grounds that Cihuitang had "buried ownerless corpses" and conducted a detailed inspection.
Important clues were found from their clothes. The boots worn by these three people were all made by a famous shoe shop in the capital.
"How did you recognize it?"
"This kind of boots can only be made in the shoe store in the capital. They are famous among martial arts practitioners. People from the capital escort agency especially like to wear them."
"So he's from the Capital Escort Bureau."
"Yes, we have taken photos of three people, and the Intelligence Bureau has approved asking people from the Jingshi Station to help us investigate the specific identities of the three people and their social relationships."
"Very good." Zhao Yingong nodded in approval, "Use all your strength to find out Hao Yuan. I must also investigate the clues about the fan more closely."
Zhao Manxiong carefully and slowly pushed the file containing the documents away from his eyes, slowly stood up from the desk, and paced in the office. He stood in front of the window, watching the sparrows in the yard. Although the ecological environment of Lingao was positive
It is being destroyed at a rapid rate, but the natural environment is still much better than it was in the 21st century. There are many birds.
These sparrows are not afraid of people and come to the streets and yards of Bairen City to look for food every day. After three years of arduous march, the living standards of the elders have greatly improved, and not all living objects can walk or fly anymore.
meat. The living environment of the sparrows has naturally been greatly improved.
Watching the sparrows foraging leisurely can easily make people feel empty and tired. He took a puff of his cigar silently. After turning around, he looked at the afternoon tree, then returned to the table and turned his head to the file.
He clicked on the file and asked, "What do you think about this matter?"
"This thing is unusual, so I have to verify its reliability in many ways."
"Who did you verify this news with? Is it reliable?"
"Completely reliable. I verified this through the members of the Ten-man Regiment stationed at Hangzhou Station. In addition, before this matter was formally raised, the Hangzhou Station Security Department and members of the Ten-Man Regiment also had relevant reports, but they were relatively fragmented.
.”
"Thank you so much."
He pulled the report in front of him - it was labeled "Top Secret, Only One Copy, Only for Seniors to Read" - and browsed through it again. The report was written by Zhao Yingong. It was very complicated and messy, but it was generally
The meaning is still very clear: a suspected time traveler was discovered at Hangzhou Station. His behavior and remarks seemed to indicate that he came from the same time and space as the elders. Zhao Yingong asked the elders to conduct a special investigation on this and take effective measures.
To avoid future troubles.
This report was delivered by a special person. After being opened by the General Office, it was circulated to the Executive Committee and then directly sent to the Political Security Bureau.
Obviously this report has not yet been mentioned to the Senate Standing Committee, but it won't be long. Once it is reported to the Senate Standing Committee, the whole matter will definitely cause an uproar in the Senate.
Naturally, Zhao Yingong's plan was just to cover up a bunch of bad things at Hangzhou Station - it would be easy to say anything if the water was muddied.
However, in terms of seriousness, this matter is indeed the number one national security incident at the moment.
Zhao Manxiong remained silent and walked around the office for a long time. Then he stood in front of Wu Mu and asked: "In your opinion," he nodded to the table, "does this matter have something to do with 'Incident A'?
"
"It's hard to say, it's hard to say, Comrade Zhao Manxiong."
"Why?"
"We have now fully investigated the American shipwreck on Dongsha Island. However, according to the information provided by Lando, all the people on the ship do not match the image of Hao Yuan."
The Germans on the ship are dead and their bodies have been found. Lando is now a senator. The only ones missing are Hale and two Southeast Asian sailors. Hale and the others have a simulation provided by Lando: he is a middle-aged strong man.
, not a young man like Hao Yuan, and Hao Yuan does not have Southeast Asian looks.
This shows that Hao Yuan was not a person on the sunken American ship, unless Lando concealed the fact that there were other people on the ship.
"Do you think Lando might have deceived us?"
"No, I think it's impossible." Wu Mu shook his head, "Besides, I think it's inappropriate for us to doubt an elder..."
"Is it suitable? It's better to let the rest of the family discuss it. So you think Lando was honest until he left Lingao for Manila. Is that true, Comrade Wumu?" Zhao Manxiong moved his strong body and leaned against
On the desk, he looked at Wu Mu's face carefully, as if he wanted to embrace him with his own eyes.
"Yes, I think so." Wu Mu moved uneasily, his cowhide armed belt creaking.
"Okay. We think the elders are all reliable. So where did this Hao Yuan come from?"
"Perhaps there are other time-travelers similar to us in this world..."
"What you said is very interesting. This is indeed one of the reasonable explanations." Zhao Manxiong touched his chin.
"We now have someone who has contacted him. Xihua mentioned in the report is already on her way to Lingao. I think we can confirm whether Hao Yuan is a time traveler by interrogating her. Once she comes, everything will be clear
The truth is out."
"No, I don't think it is that simple. Unless we can catch Hao Yuan himself, it is impossible for a person who has only had little contact with him to provide us with too crucial testimony. Don't forget, except for the time traveler himself
, Hao Yuan may also be related to the time traveler."
Indeed, in this way, Hao Yuan and Hale can be connected. But Wu Mu feels it is a bit forced. Why can't Hao Yuan be an independent time traveler?
"Why can't he be an independent time traveler?"
"Intuition." Zhao Manxiong said with a smile.
What kind of reason is this? It’s all a mystery. Wu Mu secretly cursed, knowing that his expression would betray him, so he didn’t hide it: “Isn’t this a bit far-fetched...”
"No, it's not far-fetched at all. Because this is the most likely explanation at present." Zhao Manxiong said, "Although we don't have first-hand information about Hao Yuan, from the information we have so far, we can see how he acted.
His work style and so on all show that he is an ambitious and capable person. He has not been in Hangzhou for a long time, but he has already established a considerable situation. This shows that he has considerable resources."
"You are right, Comrade Zhao Manxiong."
"Okay, let's go back to your argument: a single wearer." Zhao Manxiong put out the cigar that was almost burning his fingers in the ashtray, "We already know: a single wearer, as long as he has real ability and luck.
If you are good enough, it is possible to survive in this time and space, or even live well - Mr. Lando is an example. However, it is very, very difficult to create a situation with bare hands. Since Zhao Yingong said, Hao Yuan
He does not run any industry in Hangzhou and lives an almost ascetic life, but he has a lot of resources at his disposal, which shows that he has considerable power behind him to support him."
"You are saying that Hao Yuan may be related to Hare in Manila. Hao Yuan was a chess piece sent by Hare?"
Zhao Manxiong nodded, "Comrade Wumu, we must get used to looking at the various black threads that emerge, so that we can figure out the enemy's conspiracy as quickly as possible. You only need to recall the cases we have handled recently. Black
Your hand has reached to China. You can think of it this way: Hao Yuan is another Zheng Zhilong."
"Use him to contain us?"
"Exactly. Only if we are dragged off the coast of China will it not disturb his career in the Philippines - if he really has to be there."
"Then it depends on what intelligence Mr. Lando can collect in Manila."
"Mr. Lando is under the control of the Foreign Intelligence Service. We have nothing to do with his affairs for the time being." Zhao Manxiong said slowly, "Let's put the breakthrough at Hangzhou Station first."
He straightened up and resumed his slow pace: "Did you know? The Executive Committee held a secret enlarged meeting yesterday. I won't list the people who participated in it. But the people who attended the meeting
I can tell you a resolution." He turned around and looked at Wu Mu with a smile on his face:
"No, no, you don't need to feel uneasy. What I'm telling you is what you should know within your scope of authority."
"I'll make a long story short. The Executive Committee has made a decision at this meeting to send inspection teams to all foreign stations and bases. I won't list the long list of place names one by one." He looked at his toes.
"Of course, the inspection team does not target any specific location or individual."
Wu Mu understood: "I understand, Comrade Zhao Manxiong."
"Yes, it's good if you understand. I think many of our comrades will understand." Zhao Manxiong said, "The opinion of the Executive Committee is that this inspection will focus on Cheka personnel, with the focus on auditing project expenditures. Especially at each station
The problem of over-budget infrastructure construction and project investment. Of course, other departments must also send personnel to participate.”
"Do you want me to join the inspection team?"
"No, you don't want to go this time. Your identity is too important. If you go, it will cause trouble to the comrades. You can arrange for another veteran comrade to go. He must be a not-so-famous person. It is best if few people know about him.
"Okay, go to work. Give me this comrade's materials tonight." Zhao Manxiong took out a handkerchief from his trouser pocket and wiped the sweat on his forehead, "What a damn weather!"
Zhao Manxiong opened the door of the office in person and sent Wu Mu away. Although he did not participate, he knew that the debate at the secret enlarged meeting of the Executive Committee yesterday was very fierce. Regarding the positioning of foreign stations and the authority of elders, all parties involved
Have your own position.
Whether it is Jeju Island or Hangzhou, they have their own spokespersons within the Senate. Issues involving such expatriate stations and senators will always cause great controversy.
In the end, all parties reluctantly reached a consensus that the "runaway" trend of each overseas station needs to be curbed to a certain extent. The purpose of sending the inspection team is nothing more than to shock the mountain and shock the tiger - but also to take a realistic look at the actual situation of each overseas station. Just look at
Reports for discussion are clearly not enough.
Zhao Manxiong is not interested in the "walking alone" of expatriate senators. In his opinion, it is not important. Under the current system, no senator can truly "walk alone". It is nothing more than the limited resources of each party in the Senate.
The competition is reflected in the level of political struggle.
On this issue, more than once, some senators tried to win over him, hoping to get "bombshells" from him that would be unfavorable to the expatriate senators. He rejected all these attempts. He did not intend to involve himself with the General Political Security Bureau.