Chapter 1 A Risky Move

Inside the Dragon City Municipal Building, at the headquarters of the command center.

The commander of the Garrison Corps held the phone in his right hand, frowning as he questioned, "Is there still a chance to organize a second rescue attempt?"

The special operations captain replied without hesitation, "Commander, they're already spooked. If we prioritize the hostages, we won't be able to organize another attack. We can break in, but once we're inside, they'll have plenty of time to kill all the hostages."

"Damn it!" The Garrison Corps commander hung up the phone, cursing through gritted teeth, "After this is over, I'll wipe out the Chi Army!"

At the conference table, Li Mingsheng picked up a cigarette pack with slightly trembling hands and lit one. He knew very well that the opportunity for an armed rescue was gone, and the hostages couldn't afford to die anymore.

If he negotiated with the bandits in a conventional manner and waited for the matter to end, Li Mingsheng would be primarily responsible for this incident. He had only been in office for a short time, and if his political career contained such a record, his path to advancement would be over.

The political environment in the First District was unique, and the main stage for top Chinese political officials was Dragon City. If he failed here, he wouldn't even have the chance to lie low somewhere else for a while, because it was difficult for Chinese officials to occupy key positions in the various states and cities of the First District.

What to do? Should he take a gamble, or play it safe and secure himself first, then step down afterward?

Li Mingsheng fell into a brief moment of hesitation and struggle.

Just then, Secretary-General Lu, who had just been released, arrived at the command center by car and immediately shouted upon entering, "Mayor!"

Li Mingsheng slowly raised his head, looking at him with a somewhat gloomy gaze, also harboring some regret. If Secretary-General Lu hadn't proposed to the Regulatory Commission to crack down on the Chi Army along the Sinarolo coast, this wouldn't have happened.

"Good to have you back," Li Mingsheng nodded to Secretary-General Lu, his attitude not particularly warm.

Secretary-General Lu looked at everyone and said immediately, "I've heard Director Lin's account of the rescue plan. Personally, I think Su Tianyu, who outwardly agreed to cooperate with our operation, may have secret connections with the Chi Army."

The Garrison Corps commander frowned upon hearing this and asked, "What's your basis for this?"

"I was in the hostage holding area on the first floor when he was taken away by the Chi Army," Secretary-General Lu said, frowning. "They took him upstairs to talk separately, and the Chi Army's attitude toward him was very friendly. His boss, Yu Mingyuan, was also called up at least twice. This is all very abnormal."

"That doesn't necessarily mean that Su Tianyu is suspected of betraying the government, does it?"

"The Yu family has a very close relationship with the garrison, and the garrison's relationship with the Chi Army is also ambiguous. It's not surprising that they can communicate and talk to each other," Secretary-General Lu insisted. "It would be strange if they pretended not to know each other!"

The Garrison Corps commander looked at Secretary-General Lu and replied with a frown, "I've been managing the garrison for so long, and I haven't heard of any unit daring to have an ambiguous relationship with the bandits! Do you have any evidence? If you do, I'll immediately order his arrest and a face-to-face confrontation!"

Hearing this, Secretary-General Lu realized his slip of the tongue in his haste, but he quickly tried to backtrack, "Commander, my intention isn't to say that all members of the garrison are connected to the bandits, but that a small number of wavering, corrupt elements may have behind-the-scenes contact with them. The current situation is very critical, and we must ensure that no external forces can affect the rescue plan."

The Garrison Corps commander glanced at him without saying a word.

"The garrison has contributed a lot to the military defense of Dragon City, and our government departments recognize some of the sacrifices made by the troops," Secretary-General Lu added again, then turned to look at Li Mingsheng, "Mayor, I personally suggest taking Su's family into custody. If Su Tianyu and Yu Mingyuan have private contact with the other side, we can use this to restrain the latter, and even coerce Su Tianyu to reveal a lot of inside information; if not, this is also a prudent defensive measure."

Li Mingsheng looked deeply at Secretary-General Lu and replied in a hoarse voice, "Authorize the detention of Su Tianyu's family members. They are all corrupt. If necessary, use armed control."

"Yes!" Secretary-General Lu nodded immediately.

Li Mingsheng slowly got up, turned to look at everyone and said, "I've decided to agree to the Chi Army's demands. I will personally act as a hostage and enter the reception hall to negotiate face-to-face with the bandits."

Everyone immediately gathered around at the sound of this.

"Old Li, you can't do that. You're the top political official. You can't put yourself in danger!"

"Old Li, you must be careful about this. If you're taken hostage, we'll also be constrained in our next actions."

"Mayor Li, we must be cautious...!" Secretary-General Lu also advised.

Li Mingsheng looked at him, asking expressionlessly, "Then are you willing to go back and negotiate with the Chi Army as a hostage again?"

Secretary-General Lu was rendered speechless by the question.

"What else is there to be cautious about?! We can't carry out a forced armed rescue; if we stall, they'll kill someone every now and then. If we keep doing this, the situation will only worsen!" Li Mingsheng said with a frown, "I am the mayor, and I have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the people of Dragon City and public officials. I'm willing to go in!"

Everyone heard this and didn't try to persuade him any further.

"According to the other party's request, notify the media," Li Mingsheng said, pointing to his secretary, "I won't take any equipment with me. I'll go in alone."

...

Twenty minutes later.

Several media outlets in the First District and Dragon City simultaneously broadcast a news flash.

"Just about two hours ago, a group of bandits calling themselves the Chi Army of Sinarolo hijacked the Dragon City Regulatory Commission and detained more than three hundred hostages. They demanded a ransom and the release of nearly a hundred Chi Army members who were arrested a few days ago off the coast of Sinarolo for plotting terrorist activities... Currently, the two sides have negotiated several rounds and reached a basic consensus. The mayor of Dragon City, Li Mingsheng, has decided to use himself as a hostage to ensure the safety of the public and public officials. More information will be reported later..."

Outside the Regulatory Commission compound, Li Mingsheng got out of the car and walked towards the compound under the escort of special operations soldiers.

Around him, the media, who had been holding back for so long, aimed their cameras and microphones at Li Mingsheng, snapping photos.

Li Mingsheng was a decisive person at critical moments, and he had ambitions and expectations for his political career, so he decided to take a gamble.

...

Inside the Regulatory Commission building.

Su Tianyu, sweating profusely, lay on the ground as Zhu Bajie personally bandaged his wound.

"You're pretty ruthless, kid!" Zhu Bajie said, looking at Su Tianyu with some surprise. "You could even think of this kind of trick?"

"They would have suspected that I leaked the information anyway. Taking a bullet will only make them less suspicious," Su Tianyu said, looking at him. "I have one more request."

"Go ahead."

"If the mayor comes in..." Su Tianyu began to discuss with him.