vncnus Chapter 36: The Shocking News About Cai Yuanqi, and Their Own Calculations
Chapter 36: The Shocking News About Cai Yuanqi, and Their Own Calculations
"Oh, what exactly happened?"
"Shaofeng, do you know what our police force will face after '97?"
"A change of dynasty," Shen Shaofeng replied succinctly.
Upon hearing Shen Shaofeng's reply, Cai Yuanqi smiled slightly, cut open a cigar, and slowly heated it with a long match.
"Bingo, Shaofeng, would you be surprised if I told you that the Political Department will be officially disbanded this year?"
Shen Shaofeng took the cigar cutter and toyed with it in his hand: "I don't need to pretend in front of Inspector Cai."
"There are still more than two years until the return. Although the Political Department has not made it public, those who are interested can calculate that it will indeed be around this year."
With a "snap," Cai Yuanqi lit a cigar and took a puff.
"If you were in my current position, how would you manage the entire police force at this point in time?"
After saying that, he leaned back on the sofa, but his gaze never left Shen Shaofeng.
Ask a mere inspector how he would manage the police force if he were the top officer.
Cai Yuanqi's question was a bit abrupt, and Shen Shaofeng did not answer it immediately.
Is it a test, a genuine desire to promote me, a thorough examination, or a deeper purpose?
Shen Shaofeng pondered for a moment and gave a generic answer: "Inspector Cai, I am not in a position to interfere in politics. Given my current position and perspective, it is difficult for me to give a specific answer."
Seeing Cai Yuanqi's slightly disappointed expression, he quickly added, "However, we still have a preliminary, vague idea. It's roughly about cultivating our own people to fill positions in advance, so that once all those foreign big shots return to their countries, we can naturally gain further control over the police force."
After saying that, Shen Shaofeng gave a slightly embarrassed smile: "Inspector Cai, I was just talking nonsense. Please don't take offense if I'm wrong."
"Papa"
Cai Yuanqi, with a cigar in his mouth, clapped his hands.
"Why would I mind? You put it very well."
"However, the mess left behind by the foreigners isn't so easy to take over."
"The political department is going to be disbanded, but not all of them will return home. Some will stay and transfer to other departments; some will go abroad to work for private companies or consulting firms..."
He paused, then looked at Shen Shaofeng: "Guess what these people are staying behind for?"
I bet it's your mother!
After going around in circles for so long, we still haven't gotten to the point!
If you enjoy guessing so much, why don't you host a variety show?
Shen Shaofeng inwardly complained, but he also knew very well that speaking in a cryptic and ambiguous way, allowing subordinates to slowly figure it out, was an essential skill for those in positions of power.
So he pretended to think for a few seconds before answering, "It must be the nails and eyes left behind by the British. That's a traditional skill of theirs."
"That's right."
Cai Yuanqi nodded, his expression becoming extremely serious: "I just received an important message, and you absolutely must keep it a secret after you hear it."
"Understood, Inspector Choi."
Shen Shaofeng thought to himself, "It's finally here."
"Pan Junheng, the current head of the Pan family, went to the UK for business negotiations a little over a week ago."
"Just two days ago, he suddenly disappeared from the public eye."
"I just learned from some top-secret sources in London that a car bombing occurred in London two days ago."
"This case is being secretly investigated by Scotland Yard, and all details are classified as top secret by the British authorities!"
Cai Yuanqi lowered his voice and relayed the information to Shen Shaofeng, word by word.
"hiss!"
Shen Shaofeng was genuinely surprised this time.
The British are so direct! In my previous life, the American government dismantled the French telecommunications giant Alstom, but at least they used legal means.
Could it be Pan Junheng...?
"The Pan family has cultivated deep roots in Hong Kong's political and business circles for three generations, wielding immense influence. Pan Junheng's trip to London was ostensibly to discuss several dock and real estate projects, but in reality..."
Cai Yuanqi pointed upwards with the two fingers holding his cigar and said a word: "North".
Shen Shaofeng thought to himself, "Just as I suspected," and replied, "He wanted to jump ship, so the British got him!"
Cai Yuanqi sneered: "In the eyes of the British, anyone who tries to break free from their control is considered a traitor. I just didn't expect them to be so ruthless and direct."
Shen Shaofeng lit a cigar, his mind racing.
In the plot of "Cold War 2", Choi Yuen-kei is one of the representatives of British interests in Hong Kong.
But Britain is clearly not a monolithic entity.
There is a conservative faction that has made enough money and wants a smooth transition and a glorious retreat.
There are also radical factions that will stop at nothing to maintain their influence.
He carefully considered his words before speaking: "Inspector Cai, was this a unified decision made in London, or did a certain faction act on its own?"
Cai Yuanqi gave Shen Shaofeng a deep look: "You reacted quickly. I personally lean towards the latter."
"If it were a formal decision by the cabinet or MI6, the methods wouldn't be this crude; it's more like some radical factions acting behind the scenes."
Shen Shaofeng gently stroked his brow, pondered for a moment, and said, "There is another possibility: it was his son, Pan Zhiang, who committed the crime... or at least he was one of his collaborators."
"Officer Cai, if my guess is correct, this guy is even more ruthless than Li Shimin!"
With Huang Jiahui gone and Pan Junheng in trouble, who is the biggest beneficiary?
The answer is obvious.
Seeing that Cai Yuanqi remained noncommittal, Shen Shaofeng continued to think quickly:
Why did Cai Yuanqi tell me this level of confidential information?
How should one conduct oneself in such an intense struggle?
How can I ensure that my own interests are maximized?
He stood up and paced back and forth on the soft, comfortable handmade wool rug, constantly adjusting his facial expressions to find the right one.
Finally, Shen Shaofeng stopped in front of Cai Yuanqi and said in a slightly anxious tone:
"Inspector Choi, this is not a good thing for you."
"The Pan family is one of the wealthiest families in Hong Kong, and many large companies follow their lead."
"The British are using such an extreme method, it will scare away a lot of people..."
"As a result, the economy and even social order of the entire Hong Kong Island will be affected."
Cai Yuanqi snorted and continued, "And those who were originally observing and wavering will doubt whether I, as the top leader, can stabilize the social situation and protect them."
Then, he twirled the cigar in his hand and pulled Shen Shaofeng to sit down next to him.
"Shaofeng, I'm very satisfied that you thought of these things. It proves that you're considering things from my perspective."
"However, the reason I called you here so late is not to have you analyze the situation, but to have you do something for me."
"Please give your instructions, Sir Cai."
Shen Shaofeng immediately sat up straight, looking as if he was willing to go through fire and water for Cai Yuanqi.
"First, with Pan Junheng in trouble, the Pan family will definitely be in chaos. I need you to keep a close eye on the Pan family, especially Pan Zhiang, whom you just mentioned, Simon."
"He is Pan Junheng's only son and currently the sole legal heir. I need to know who he has been in contact with recently, and also..."