Situ Lian quickly presented the *Xue Xiao* Airship Operation Guide directly to the King. He elaborated on the positive aspects of the current airship research and development progress, while also explaining the differences between the current Northern Liao airships and the mature, serial-produced airships of Dongping. After the airship test flight, these explanations attracted the attention of many ministers in the court. Kong Xinhua's ability to obtain such highly confidential documents further elevated his status in the eyes of many. The King summoned Kong Xinhua, but only granted him a short audience. There was no friendly conversation. He was merely formally awarded the honorary military title of Xiaoqi Wei (Lieutenant Colonel), along with a negligible hundred taels of gold and twenty bolts of brocade. However, no one dared to underestimate Kong Xinhua. This was the second time Kong Xinhua had been summoned in a very short period. Moreover, the King's eunuch specifically inquired about Kong Xinhua's recent arrangements and whereabouts, subtly hinting that the King would summon him again later when he had more time.

The King of Northern Liao originally intended to copy the *Xue Xiao* Airship Operation Manual and distribute it to relevant ministers and generals for reference, but Situ Lian dissuaded him. Such a document was of great benefit to Northern Liao's airship research, but it was also a vital document that any country would want to obtain. It was best to keep this secret and use it secretly. Once distributed, not only would such important information be leaked, but it would also expose Kong Xinhua's channels for obtaining the document, which would not be worth the cost.

The King of Northern Liao readily accepted this advice and immediately affirmed the suggestion. He ordered that the document be strictly guarded and asked Situ Lian to provide him with a detailed plan. The Ministry of Works had greatly increased in importance in recent years, with many important secret workshops and experimental sites, and funding had become increasingly abundant. However, all defense work had always been the responsibility of the Imperial Guards. This time, it was necessary to increase manpower to guard the document and determine access permissions, which would naturally involve the cooperation of the Yulin Army (Imperial Guards) and the Ministry of Works.

However, no one expected that after the experiment ended that day, the *Xue Xiao* Airship Operation Guide had not yet been sent back to the Ministry of Works when, that night, a group of masked men with extraordinary skills suddenly broke into the experimental site, stole the *Guide*, and set fire to the workshop next to the experimental site. If the workshop had not been working day and night and had sufficient military equipment, especially Lian She Nu (repeating crossbows), to suppress the intruders, the entire workshop would have been lost. But even so, the losses were already staggering. In less than an hour, the news reached Yanjing (Northern Liao Capital) from the experimental site. Waking up the ministers and even the King in the middle of the night was a first in many years. Even when Dongping and Northern Liao were at war, such a thing had never happened.

"Who did it?" Kong Xinhua unconsciously looked at Chen Su. Chen Su shrugged and said with a pout, "I don't know, definitely not our people... Since we agreed to let you be in charge, we definitely wouldn't do anything redundant like this. You know our style... Besides, even though it's a confidential document, didn't Ye Jinglue (General Ye) say that he doesn't think it's a big deal? Don't even mention just one copy, even if you wanted ten or eight copies, it wouldn't be a problem."

"Then who could it be?" Kong Xinhua frowned and began to calculate. He was quite certain of Chen Su's statement. Whether it was the Intelligence Bureau or the Northern Frontier Pacification Office, their style of doing things was very frustrating. It was almost impossible for them to do such a thing behind his back. There was indeed another Dongping secret agent system in Yanjing that was independent of him, but such a major event would never happen without communicating with him in advance. If such a thing happened, an improper handling could very likely implicate him.

The same question was being asked by a series of important figures, including the King of Northern Liao. Zhang Ci, Situ Lian, and the Yulin Army general responsible for the safety of the Ministry of Works' workshops were immediately summoned. Several ministers even entered the palace in very casual attire to meet. This was not just an isolated incident of an important document being stolen, but it meant that there were hidden security risks around Yanjing. What if the other party had not chosen to attack at night, but had launched an attack during the day when the King was watching the test flight? The powerful force displayed by the other party made one shudder at the thought.

"Your Majesty, I think, the only ones who would do such a thing are Chunnan and Xiling," said Jing Linchi, the Deputy Commander of the Left Army of the Yulin Army, who was responsible for the security and defense of the workshops, gathering his courage.

"Oh, what is the reason for this?" Zhang Ci asked. "Could it not be Dongping who lost the document?"

"I think, it won't be... Situ-daren (Sir Situ) explained to Your Majesty and us during the day that even if my Northern Liao is not subject to any constraints, it would take five or six years or even longer to develop and produce an airship of the *Xue Xiao* level. That is to say, Dongping is actually not very worried about such a thing... Especially given Ye Tao's personality, which is gentle but extremely confident." Jing Linchi hurriedly explained this reason. Naturally, he did not dare to state explicitly in this setting that Ye Tao probably would not give Northern Liao so much time, but everyone was an understanding person and would certainly understand what he meant. "And if such a document remains in our hands, if Situ-daren doesn't dare to report the truth, it would be just a research material. However, since it remains in our hands, each time we look at it and encounter various technical problems, we will increasingly associate it with the roundness and strength of Dongping's airship technology, making people sigh with admiration. It can be said that while it can promote our airship research, it is also a weapon to deter us."

Jing Linchi paused, and seeing that the surrounding ministers and the King were all nodding slightly, he breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "However, since this information is useful to us, it will also be useful to Chunnan and Xiling. Although Chunnan can already manufacture airships, they are relatively simple models, not much stronger than what we tested today. Chunnan and Dongping are known as allies, but both sides have the ambition to unify the Central Plains. It can be said that a war will come sooner or later. Currently, they are just wary of each other and restraining each other. Looking at Dongping's use of troops against my Northern Liao this time, without mobilizing a single soldier from the southern Chunnan border, it can be seen that the relationship between the two sides is probably not very good. Chunnan has a certain foundation in airship technology, so they are naturally very interested in this advanced information. Besides Dongping, they can be said to be the country with the best chance of manufacturing airships of the same level. The other is Xiling. Xiling is now also facing the aggressive pressure from Dongping. They have also suffered a great loss from airships. If they don't want to build airships and don't want to have a weapon to restrain Dongping, that would be very strange. We don't know how their airship development is progressing now, but they must also want to obtain relevant information."

A slight smile appeared on the King's face, and he praised: "Commander Jing, you are a wise man. How did you think of these things?"

Jing Linchi said, flattered: "I dare not, this humble official only deduced it according to common sense. The loss of this document is the dereliction of duty of this subordinate, and I should have asked for punishment, but these words still need to be said. This subordinate is ignorant, and the great figures in the court should also be able to think of these things, but this subordinate..."

The King interrupted him: "Commander Jing, there is no need for these words. Have I heard too few of these words? Punishment is naturally inevitable. Demote two levels and deduct half a year's salary. You don't have to do this protection work anymore... With your personality, you don't seem like someone who can do this kind of work well. I'll give you two hundred thousand taels of silver and five hundred men, you can choose them yourself. Do you dare to issue a military order to ensure that today's events never happen again?"

Jing Linchi's mouth opened and closed slightly, with an incredulous expression. Could such an opportunity fall on his head? You know, if such a thing happened today, even if his head was chopped off, he would feel unlucky and would not dare to argue. However, demotion of two levels and deduction of half a year's salary? What is this to him? It is clearly a light release. And two hundred thousand taels of silver plus five hundred people of his own choice, and a standalone authority... This is clearly re-employing him. How dare he, who was trembling today, believe it? But he also knew that this was a rare good opportunity, so he immediately kowtowed and agreed. Thus, the world's first professional counter-espionage and counter-terrorism professional agency was established in the now precarious and turbulent Northern Liao. Jing Linchi's level dropped only a few days ago, but it was raised again, and he was promoted by two levels. The reason is nothing else. As a person in charge of his own affairs, although he does not participate in court discussions, he must understand the political situation and know who said what, so that he can deduce the channels through which various information is leaked. Therefore, he must have the lowest level to attend court and listen in, and as a person in charge of a standalone department, he must also have sufficient level to order his subordinates and facilitate dealings with the Yulin Army, the Eastern Route Army, the Western Route Army, the Inner Guard Battalion, and other institutions. As a result, Jing Linchi was naturally extremely grateful for the King's appreciation, and worked even harder. And what was most valued in him was the real "common sense." Being able to calmly deduce in the face of his own life and uncertain guilt, just the cultivation of this mind is enough to explain his extraordinary ability, and those who see this point at this time will certainly not be willing to kill him.

Jing Linchi's prediction was correct. It was indeed the Chunnan spies lurking in Northern Liao who launched a desperate offensive to seize the *Xue Xiao* Airship Operation Guide. Because they felt that continuing to lurk in Northern Liao might not be of much significance, the spies scattered in various places were preparing to evacuate, and this was the last big deal they played before leaving. However, they did not expect that the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Another group of people was eyeing them at this time. Jing Linchi was right. Xiling's airship research and development had reached a critical moment, and they also wanted this important document, but they were slower than the Chunnan people and missed the opportunity. But they had their own spies lurking in the Chunnan spies... An ambush was quietly being planned.