Chapter 27

The next morning.

The Dragon City Police Department, the First District Regulatory Committee, and the Dragon City Municipal Government jointly held a press conference on the assassination attempt on Lao Guo. Secretary-General Lu presided over the meeting, righteously holding the microphone as he said, "The mastermind behind this case is the Chi Army, an extremist organization. According to our investigation, the attacker, Xiao Yucheng, had a long history of working for the Chi Army… Currently, the Dragon City Police Department has all the details of the case, and last night launched a joint sea and land operation, successfully capturing more than twenty bandits and ninety-eight armed personnel of the Chi Army… In the future, we will stand on the side of the people and, while ensuring the stability and security of Dragon City, continue to impose sanctions on the Mo Fei regime and crack down on extremist organizations."

...

Casallo, Mo Fei Military and Political Department, temporary office compound.

Zhao Wei Hu sat in front of a black senior official of the Military Command, his brow furrowed, and said, "I'll just ask one question, can you get my people back?!"

"Zhao, I understand your feelings, but I'm sorry..."

"Don't say sorry, it's useless!" Zhao Wei Hu asked again, "I'm your man now, the entire Chi Army is following you. Just tell me directly, so many people have been swept away, can the Military Command come forward and negotiate to get my people back?!"

The black man was silent for a long time, then slowly shook his head and replied, "It is impossible to negotiate at the moment. As you just saw, Dragon City has already held a press conference. The matter is a foregone conclusion, and they will not back down. Especially after the issuance of Order No. 1, our relationship with them has become very cold, and now we don't even have a channel for communication."

Zhao Wei Hu was expressionless and silent for about two seconds, then got up and replied, "So, you can't make decisions for the Chi Army?"

"We can carry out retaliatory actions on their border." The black officer spread his hands and said, "Zhao, you must understand that our relationship with the First District is only one step away from war."

"Okay, if you can't make the decision, I'll make it myself." Zhao Wei Hu left these words and turned to leave.

Hearing this, the black man stood up and immediately stopped him, saying, "Zhao, I hope you understand that you are now part of the official army, and you must obey orders…!"

"I can be today, but I don't have to be tomorrow." Zhao Wei Hu left without even turning his head.

...

On the way back to the Chi Army base, Zhao Wei Hu was lost in thought, barely communicating with his subordinates.

In addition to the captured soldiers and the swept goods, Lao Huang and others from the capital side were also implicated, and this person was very important to the Chi Army. If Zhao Wei Hu did not rescue him, he would most likely be taken back to the First District and sentenced to death as a military war criminal and a member of an extremist organization, which Zhao Wei Hu could not accept.

Back at the base, Zhao Wei Hu saw no one and locked himself in his office, smoking one cigarette after another.

He knew very well that negotiations might indeed be useless, because Dragon City had completely pinned the blame on him. And seeking help from the previously friendly garrison was even more useless, as the other party would not help him on matters of principle.

The Mo Fei regime was unreliable, and negotiations were ineffective. What should he do?

Zhao Wei Hu smoked, and a shocking plan slowly emerged in his mind.

In a moment of inspiration, Zhao Wei Hu stubbed out his cigarette and immediately picked up a pen and paper to prepare materials.

...

In the evening, around eight o'clock.

Zhao Wei Hu walked out of his office with four sets of documents and convened a small meeting with three key Chi Army officers.

"Zheng Qiang, tomorrow you will go to the Mo Fei official army. They will also hold a press conference to counter the Dragon City's cross-border capture of people, as well as the other party's rhetoric." Zhao Wei Hu handed the documents to the other party and instructed in a soft voice, "Spread the word that I will also be there tomorrow, and will hold a three-day meeting there."

"Okay!" Chief of Staff Zheng Qiang nodded.

"Lao Zhan, I'll give you a week to contact the laborers and vendors who have been in contact with us before, and then do this..." Zhao Wei Hu handed the second document to another cadre in charge of logistics.

"Yes, Commander!"

After the two finished communicating, Zhao Wei Hu looked at his guard camp commander: "According to my two plans, gather the men and meet at the planned location tomorrow night."

"Yes!" The guard camp commander nodded.

Chief of Staff Zheng Qiang knew Zhao Wei Hu very well. He looked at him with some concern and asked, "If we do this, what if we can't handle it? What if Mo Fei abandons us in the end?! Have you considered it, Commander?!"

"I'm doing this for two purposes! First, Lao Huang and my people must come back. Second, I'll take responsibility for what I did; but no one can force me to take responsibility for what I didn't do! The First District and Lao Mo are fighting, but they're using me as a punching bag. Why?!"

Hearing this, the Chief of Staff could only give suggestions according to his ideas: "Then before the operation, our troops must withdraw, away from the Dragon City's strike range."

"You go and do it." Zhao Wei Hu nodded.

...

One day later, in the evening.

In the mountain warehouse behind the Chi Army base, the lights were dim, and a dense crowd of people, whose numbers could not be seen, were lined up, standing in a straddle stance.

Zhao Wei Hu stood at the front of the crowd and said to everyone, "It's not my style to be beaten without fighting back, nor should it be the Chi Army's style! Ninety-eight soldiers, as well as the people from the capital side, are all our brothers. Losing one is losing one, so we shouldn't give up on them."

"Attention!" The guard camp commander shouted loudly.

In the empty warehouse, the sound of standing at attention echoed.

Zhao Wei Hu waved his hand and shouted, "Someone, distribute the money."

Four men carried money bags into the house and placed them in front of the soldiers.

"Old rules, we fight to kill the enemy for survival, to support our families! Money is indispensable, at least it won't be less on my side." Zhao Wei Hu looked up at everyone and said in a firm voice, "Everyone, take the money, rest for one night, and tomorrow morning, disperse and act separately."

"Yes!!!"

The Chi Army did not decline, but stood at attention and responded with high morale.

"The code name of this operation is Tiger of Sinaloa!" Zhao Wei Hu also stood at attention and saluted everyone, shouting, "The first commander will be me."

The Chi Army was stunned when they heard this, and even the guard camp commander was dumbfounded.

"Execute the order!" Zhao Wei Hu shouted again.

No one refuted, and no one dissuaded. All the soldiers saluted in unison: "The Tiger of Sinaloa will surely stain Dragon City with blood!!"

"Dismissed!" Zhao Wei Hu waved his hand and turned to leave.

That night, Chief of Staff Zheng Qiang had a fierce argument with Zhao Wei Hu, but in the end, he failed to dissuade the commander and could only carry out the next task according to the plan.

...

Two days later.

While Su Tian Yu was on the phone with Da Bai, Yu Ming Yuan walked over and said to him, "Pack up, we and You Yi Fan will go to the Regulatory Committee."

"Okay." Su Tian Yu nodded, suddenly touching his chest and said, "Do I have premature beats? Damn it, I feel particularly panicked today…!"