Chapter 91: The Crucible of Gu (2)

Chapter 91: The Crucible of Gu (2)

On the day I first arrived in Guangzhou, the Black Childrens Party carried out simultaneous terrorist attacks and raids that incapacitated 80% of the Peoples Liberation Army mobile units stationed across the city.

From the authorities perspective, the especially painful loss was that of the armored forces, including tanks and armored vehicles. Without their support, in order to search and purge the Black Childrens Partys base, they would have to accept enormous casualties engaging in hellish urban warfare, sacrificing life for life in the labyrinth of poverty.

Of course, it wasnt that there were no armored forces left at all. According to Gao Shusen, the armored police vehicles were unharmed by the damage the army suffered. However, their numbers were insufficient to guard important intersections across the city.

This is when overdevelopment becomes a problem.

Even within a single district, the residences of the wealthy and the poor were interspersed like a mosaic, which meant there were that many more points that had to be defended for the Partys loyal supporters.

Under these circumstances, immediately deploying additional troops was not easy either. With India making provocative moves along the border, demanding and relying on the worlds support, there were several other cities in similarly urgent situations. The 250 million peasant-workers were powder kegs distributed across every city on the mainland.

When I reached the hunting ground with the kids in tow, Gao Shusen, who had been contacted, came first this time and was waiting for me. With strict security, his fatigued expression brightened after seeing me get out of the car.

Youre here! This way!

His deferential tone was still a bit awkward. Before coming here, I had asked the communist nobleman who joined hands with me to provide all available forces from the Patrol Police to support us, and to take charge of directing things on the surface. With a silent bow, as I drew near, Gao Shusen immediately changed his tone, revealing that his own safety was the top priority.

Chairman. I admit the need for me to make an appearance on the front lines, but I absolutely must ask that you do not secretly use me as bait.

What an annoying bastard. I maintained a calm expression as I replied.

Dont worry. Ive only brought you to a good position to hand over credits.

One more thing. No matter how good the credits, I cannot tolerate excessive troop losses.

You need not worry about that either. We will handle the infiltration and strikes. You simply have to block any gaps from out here like you are now.

After repeatedly receiving assurances from me, Gao Shusen finally asked about the plan.

So how exactly do you plan to penetrate and enter the den of those beasts without any sacrifices? When we dont know where the traps and ambushes are placed, that is.

Rather than answering his question, I calmly pointed out the language the nobleman used.

The den of beastsbe careful with your words, Deputy Secretary. Surely not everyone staying over there is a hoodlum with the Black Childrens Party and Hulongbang, right? You mustnt forget that the vast majority are innocent people whom you as a security official are supposed to protect. (+)[1]TLN: (Hulongbang) is a specific term that refers to a branch or faction within a Triad. It represents a specific faction or stronghold within the criminal organization.

Gao Shusen was flabbergasted by this.

No, is that important right now?

Of course, its important. There is a saying that a leaky pot inside will leak outside too, and there may come a time when a minor slip of the tongue turns your entire reputation into a mirage.

It doesnt matter! All broadcasts go through censorship by default!

It might matter to your static allies who can be involved in censorship.

.

If you think its fine to give them a weakness with just one word, well, do as you please. Even if its not a decisive weakness, quietly keeping it stored away might be a means to open the gate when a real opportunity arises. Something like, Look. The hero of the people, Gao Shusen, was actually nothing more than a reactionary opportunist who disdained the people.'

Hmm.

After hesitating for a bit, Gao Shusen finally nodded reluctantly in a low voice.

Youre right. Thank you for waking me up. I will always bear that in mind.

Please.

Anyway, whats the plan? You did say you were preparing something when we spoke on the phone, but I still dont see how we can penetrate this maze without any sacrifices, when the army and armed police arent just sitting by idly Chairman, someone like you must be aware of the horrors of a poetry war

Unit 1, charge.

The idling vehicle immediately accelerated.

Huh? Wha-

While Gao Shusen flustered about at a loss, the cargo truck with the pedal to the metal passed by me and the communist nobleman and plowed straight into the slums, smashing through the residences of the poor.

Boom boom boom boom! It sounded like thunder racing across the earth. The low-rise dwellings, stained by poverty and time, were demolished at a speed of tens of kilometers per hour. The shoddy structures made of bamboo reinforcement rather than steel, the hollow concrete blocksthey were like styrofoam before the battering charge of the cargo truck exceeding 50 tons gross weight. The swirling dust was like a horizontal sandstorm.

After dashing some forty meters, the now-slowed truck skewed slightly and advanced another ten-odd meters before coming to a stop. This was to make way for the subsequent vehicles that would come in.

This is crazy

Faced with the overwhelming spectacle, the communist nobleman grabbed his head and swore under his breath. After confirming the safety of the driver who sat in the drivers seat of Vehicle 1, I promptly ordered the charge of Vehicle 2. The red taillights Vehicle 1 had turned on served as a beacon amidst the thick dust for the following vehicles.

I guess it wont go around until number 4.

Considering the fragility of the buildings, three charges from a 50-ton vehicle should create a path to their stronghold. The shabby headquarters of the Guangdong Triads ruffians rose like a fortress between narrow alleys and faded roofs. A roughly constructed, five-story building with an uncertain appearance, making it difficult to guess its original purpose.

Whats with the money talk!

When pondered alone, it might be easy to figure out, but Gao Shusen seemed to be paralyzed or his thoughts were lost, preventing him from responding.

Quarrr! The chain of roars resounded again. The charge of the second vehicle started like a wave splitting the broken debris in front of the triangular siege tip, pushing it aside. Following the path of the first vehicle, the second one cleared a new route, almost identical in length.

I waited for the noise to subside before answering Gao Shusens probing.

You can just compensate the victims. When people hear the news, theyll resent the authorities less and be more likely to censure those who received compensation if you give enough money. Im talking around 200,000 yuan per household for homeowners and tenants separately. That should be plenty.

Whos going to give that much money! There are who knows how many wrecked homes!

Obviously youll be giving it. A high-ranking party official selflessly spending his personal wealth for justice. That makes for good optics, doesnt it? Showmanship is a virtue for heroes.

The moment he heard I was talking about money that he would give, Gao Shusens expression curdled. Even compensating 200 households altogether would cost 40 million yuan. A mere 700 billion won.

This wasnt simply about greed. It was a fundamentally different mindset. The vulgar sorts who regarded greed itself as a virtue and believed wealth meant blessing. It was nearly impossible for this kind of person to voluntarily give back money once it entered their hands. In short, Gao Shusens belly was already full. With my tongue in cheek, I said,

Dont worry. Just nominallyitll actually be paid out from our public funds.

Right after I finished speaking, the third gray waterfall flowed. The straight approach to the destination was now complete.

Vehicle 5, which was originally supposed to go last, cut in front of 4 and rolled up before me. Instead of H-beams to add weight, Vehicle 5s cargo hold contained lockboxes full of artworks, antiques, jade carvings, stacks of yuan bills, and Combat Agents from the security team who would infiltrate the enemy interior. I, along with Kyung-tae, also boarded the cargo hold.

I left the gorged communist nobleman with a brief farewell.

Ill see you again shortly.

The nobleman looked at me with a complex expression.

1. TLN: (Hulongbang) is a specific term that refers to a branch or faction within a Triad. It represents a specific faction or stronghold within the criminal organization. Author's Thoughts

Disclaimer:

This novel is a work of fiction! While it may incorporate elements inspired by our "real" historical world, including historical events, settings, and cultures, it is important to note that the story and characters are entirely products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or deceased, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work should be enjoyed and interpreted as a work of fiction and not as a representation of historical facts or reality.

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