I put down the phone, took a bath towel from the closet, and headed to the bathroom as well.
This day had been exhausting, and all I wanted now was to sleep.
But Xie Nana, accustomed to a life of luxury, had boundless energy. She didn't care if I had any left; even if I were a steel titan, she would have torn me apart.
The night passed without incident. I washed my face early in the morning and had Xie Jiabao's car drive me back.
Xie Jiabao was eager for his plan to proceed, impatient for me to rush and get it done.
Xie Nana, however, was reluctant, her lips pouting high.
Xie Jiabao told me, "Getting things done is important. I'll await your news."
I hugged Xie Nana goodbye.
Then I told Xie Jiabao I was leaving, and left the compound to find a car outside.
Back at the hotel, I asked Wen Siqiang and Qian Fugui to leave; I needed to speak with the senior alone.
Senior: "We didn't suffer significant losses last night, but they are indeed formidable. Before we could react, they had infiltrated every corner. Fortunately, we had pre-arranged our defenses and engaged them in a fierce battle. Their strategy was swift and direct. Seeing our tight defenses, they withdrew."
I said, "I was detained by them and almost exposed by Principal Sun. I was worried about the situation at the Grand World. Later, when you called and said everything went smoothly, I knew it was fine and felt relieved."
Senior: "Any new developments?"
I said, "These individuals have figured out our transportation method and tried to bribe me. They want to create their own platform and network, and have me break away from you to lead this platform."
Senior: "Good, the fish is finally taking the bait. But we can't be too hasty. Let them feel that the matter is progressing smoothly; it might make them suspicious. Especially someone like Brother Hui, who is inherently suspicious, any slight oversight could lead to problems."
I agreed, saying we should tease them a bit and only give in when they become impatient.
I said, "Okay, I'll do as you say, Senior."
At this moment, I remembered what Wu Guodong had asked me to do. Bogang had promised to reply yesterday, but I had forgotten to call due to how busy it was.
After discussing the platform building with the senior, I felt more confident and now had the time to finalize Wu Guodong's request.
I first called his liaison station on Zhongmian Street and asked for the General's whereabouts. I requested he call me back if convenient, as I had an important matter to discuss.
The person on the other end said he was in Yangon and would contact him immediately.
A short while later, an international call came in on my Li Hua phone.
It was Bogang.
He said there was progress on the matter I entrusted to him, but it required the *'s approval before negotiations could begin. His meaning was that Wu Guodong needed to show some sincerity, and he also needed money to silence dissenting voices. Therefore, Wu Guodong needed to be prepared, possibly for a significant sum.
I asked if he had an amount, for example, how much the government forces would need to show goodwill, and his approximate figure.
Bogang said, "The government forces will likely require around fifty million, and I'll need at least ten million."
He was truly audacious. Fifty million for the government forces was manageable, but ten million for his "handling" of the matter was an exorbitant demand.
I said, "General, since I've entrusted this matter to you, I have complete faith. However, could the amount for the government forces be reduced to around twenty million? I will ensure your ten million is provided."
I felt this figure was reasonable, and Wu Guodong could afford it. After all, he had been operating in the poppy trade for so many years; an expenditure of twenty to thirty million wouldn't bankrupt him.
However, it wasn't certain. He hadn't held real power for years, and perhaps he was just a hollow shell, outwardly strong but inwardly weak, unable to produce such funds.
He reluctantly agreed, saying he would try to negotiate but advised against excessive optimism. He stated that the government forces had zero tolerance for armed groups in the Golden Triangle; any engagement almost always resulted in no survivors, aiming to eradicate them completely and avoid any entanglement.
Bogang himself was from a guerrilla background, but he was from the southern mountains and had no connection to the Golden Triangle. They were local armed groups within their own ethnic group, making their nature different.
Most people in the Golden Triangle were of Chinese ethnicity, forming an independent entity. The government forces feared that incorporating them might leave hidden dangers in their rule.
The current problem was getting the government forces to make a gesture and agree to accept his reorganization before any terms could be discussed.
Bogang would need to facilitate the discussions regarding the government forces' agreement to even consider talks.
If the majority agreed to incorporate Wu Guodong, it would be largely decided, and peace talks would be a possibility.
I politely requested a few more things from him, hung up, and then called Wu Guodong.
I said, "General, there's a glimmer of hope for the peace talks. It might require a sum of money; I wonder if you can accept that."
Wu Guodong said, "This damned government only knows how to use money to get things done. I'm prepared for this. How much do they need?"
I said, "They initially asked for sixty million, but I managed to bring it down to thirty million, with ten million for bribes and twenty million for the government forces."
He hummed and said, "This amount isn't a problem. What matters most is their attitude; we want sincerity, not just a transaction."
I said, "I understand. If the funds are inconvenient for you, I can cover a portion, so please don't worry too much."
Wu Guodong said, "As long as they're not asking for the moon, I can manage. Just have your money ready; we'll discuss it if it's truly needed."
I said, "Alright, but we also need to see their actual actions before deciding whether to spend this money."
Wu Guodong said, "Don't wait until they take action to spend it. What needs to be spent should be spent. How about this: I'll transfer five million first, you give it to the intermediary to start the lobbying, and I'll provide more if it's insufficient. I know this administration too well; the mill only turns with money. However, another truth is also valid: things that money can solve are not problems. What money cannot solve are the real difficult problems."
I nodded in agreement and gave him a bank card, asking him to transfer the funds there.
Immediately after hanging up with Bogang, Xie Jiabao's call came in. He nominally wanted to inquire about the senior, but I knew he was actually trying to find out how I was progressing with the matter.