Chapter Fifty: Manipulation

Chapter Fifty: Operations

Because the batch of goods needed to be handled promptly, Sun Yanjie had to go find people, so he and Bai Zeshou soon parted ways, agreeing to collect the goods the next day.

That night.

When Bai Zeshou received Mr. Li's urgent meeting signal, he hurried to No. 1 Chunhe Road. Seeing Mr. Li safe and sound, he breathed a sigh of relief and immediately asked with concern, "Mr. Li, what on earth has happened?"

"I've received word that our internal traitor's code name is 'Hunter.' To lure this traitor out, I've devised a plan that requires your cooperation, so I've called you here," Mr. Li explained.

"'Hunter'?" Bai Zeshou muttered softly, then asked, "Just a code name? Is there no photograph or real name?"

"None. Even the code name was relayed to us by our comrade infiltrating the Special Operations Division," Mr. Li replied, shaking his head in regret.

"Our comrade? Could it be that one?" Bai Zeshou asked in surprise.

Mr. Li nodded without elaborating, then detailed the plan to Bai Zeshou.

"By the way, Mr. Li, there's a situation I hope you can investigate to see if it's true," Bai Zeshou said earnestly after hearing the plan, recalling Wu Yangbing's words.

"What situation?"

"Today, the City Defense Command and the Special Operations Division joined forces to set up checkpoints outside the city. They're inspecting goods and people, supposedly searching for one of our comrades who is about to arrive in Shanning. Moreover, the personnel used this time are all from the Special Operations Division's own Guard Corps," Bai Zeshou reported.

In fact, Bai Zeshou was already certain about this situation: the Special Operations Division must have received concrete intelligence, or else they wouldn't mobilize such a force for the search. The security level was exceptionally high, even deploying their own Guard Corps.

"That's impossible. I haven't received any information. Normally, if one of our people enters Shanning, their journey and safety should be arranged by our underground organization," Mr. Li said with a hint of suspicion.

"Could it be because of your arrest? The higher-ups, not knowing who the traitor is, might have refrained from issuing orders to the Shanning underground organization," Bai Zeshou speculated.

"That's possible. It seems I must execute my plan quickly. If the traitor isn't eliminated, even if we receive instructions from above, we won't get them in time," Mr. Li said urgently.

"Mr. Li, I'm confident I can acquire the radio and will have it very soon," Bai Zeshou said with a smile.

"Really?" Mr. Li asked, somewhat incredulous.

"Yes," Bai Zeshou nodded firmly.

"In any case, be careful. Also, regarding our comrade who is about to arrive in Shanning, I hope you can pay close attention. Although we don't know his code name, contact signals, appearance, or itinerary, I still hope you can find him before the Special Operations Division does," Mr. Li said gravely.

"I guarantee I'll complete the mission," Bai Zeshou replied resolutely.

"Do your best. After all, we know so little," Mr. Li said, helplessly.

The next day.

With Wu Yangbing's hand-written order and the men Sun Yanjie had found, Bai Zeshou arrived at the military supply warehouse in the eastern part of the city. The warehouse was close to the checkpoint. After a quick visual estimate, Bai Zeshou noticed that at least fifty or sixty troops were stationed there.

This meant that if anyone tried to force their way through the checkpoint, they'd face fierce resistance from these soldiers, and survival would be unlikely.

He frowned slightly and, led by a soldier, entered the warehouse. Seeing the goods neatly stacked inside, he relaxed—Wu Yangbing apparently hadn't discovered the radio hidden among them.

Next, Bai Zeshou signaled his men to start moving the goods, while he scrutinized the cargo. Soon, he noticed something: among the goods was a box identical in size to the others, but in the gap of its lid, a few strands of cotton poked out.

Bai Zeshou dismissed the workers and opened the box himself. When he saw the square, army-green metal case inside the cotton, he was thrilled—this was undoubtedly the radio.

He then summoned the workers to resume moving the goods. Once half of the boxes had been taken out, Bai Zeshou personally escorted the transport to the warehouse Wu Jian had prepared inside the city.

However, a small accident occurred on the way—a collision with a rickshaw. Bai Zeshou had to get out to handle the situation, which delayed him considerably.

By the time he arrived at the destination, Wu Jian and Sun Yanjie had been waiting anxiously. When their eyes fell on the several truckloads of goods, both broke into smiles.

"Xiao Bai, was the trip uneventful?" Sun Yanjie asked with a grin.

"Of course. This is Shanning, after all. Who would be foolish enough to snatch goods belonging to the Special Operations Division, the Police Bureau, or the City Defense Command?" Bai Zeshou laughed.

"Eh?" Sun Yanjie was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Alright, I'll leave the rest to you. I have other matters to attend to," Bai Zeshou said, watching the workers busy unloading.

"Alright. When this batch is off our hands, I'll treat you to dinner," Sun Yanjie replied, not insisting that Bai Zeshou stay.

"Dinner alone won't do. Yesterday, I agreed with Director Wu Yangbing to invite him in a few days, maybe play a few rounds," Bai Zeshou joked.

Hearing that Bai Zeshou had invited Wu Yangbing, Sun Yanjie's eyes lit up: "No problem, I'll make sure the venue is ready!"

"Alright, I'm off then."

After leaving the warehouse, Bai Zeshou seemingly casually boarded a rickshaw parked by the roadside, then quietly asked the driver, "Ah Hai, did you get the goods? Your rickshaw friends alright?"

"Brother, got it. Luckily, the last truck in the convoy stopped at the corner, blocking the view ahead. The box was big but not too heavy, strapped loosely on the outermost part of the truck. Otherwise, it would've been tricky—so many people around, and broad daylight," Ah Hai replied, still a bit shaken.

"You've hidden everything properly?" Bai Zeshou asked again, uneasy.

"Brother, don't worry, I've hidden it all," Ah Hai nodded.

"Good. Now, take me to the Special Operations Division," Bai Zeshou finally relaxed after securing the radio.

"Alright, hold on tight!" Ah Hai shouted, putting his strength into pulling the rickshaw.