Break out of the courtyard

After arriving on Hong Kong Island, Mr. Hua declined Mr. Zhang Heping's dinner invitation and instead took a car to the China Resources Building, west of the Hong Kong Peace Hospital.

When he led his bodyguard Xiao Qin to the top floor of the China Resources Building, people were still busy coming and going.

Those who recognized Mr. Hua greeted him politely and quickly stepped aside to clear the way to the main conference room.

"Old Hua is here!"

"Mr. Hua, have you eaten yet? There are still boxed meals in the rest area, would you like us to bring them over?"

Old Hua walked into the large conference room, nodded to Director Wang who had arrived at some point, and then asked Xiao Qin to go with Director Wang to get the boxed lunches. He then walked to the conference table surrounded by monitors.

"You all go about your business, don't worry about me!" Old Hua reached out and pressed the two intelligence officers who were about to get up back into their chairs.

Hua Lao walked around the intelligence personnel controlling the computers, briefly glancing at the images they were monitoring of the square, intersections, streets, and hotel corridors. He casually asked, "Have you noticed anything unusual today?"

Having just received the news, the China Resources representative who jogged over to follow behind Mr. Hua did not reply. Instead, like Mr. Hua, he looked at the thin, middle-aged man sitting at the conference table.

The thin, middle-aged man was engrossed in his computer and didn't notice that Mr. Hua was asking him a question. It was only when his companion tugged at his sleeve and reminded him that the thin, middle-aged man realized what was happening.

"More mercenaries have entered Hong Kong Island, and it seems the Japanese and Koreans are in contact with them!" said the thin, middle-aged man in charge of intelligence in the south, switching the desktop display and pointing to the satellite image of the South China Sea.

"According to news from the Philippines, the US Grand Secretary secretly arrived in the Philippines this afternoon. His entourage has chartered a cruise ship, this very one..."

Hua Lao leaned closer to the monitor in front of him and asked in a deep voice, "Did this ship report to us before entering the country?"

The thin, middle-aged man quickly replied, "It's been reported; their destination is Hong Kong Island!"

Old Hua nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said uncertainly, "They should be here to receive the Lifespan 120 injection. They may not be closely related to the mercenaries from Hong Kong, but we still need to monitor their every move and not let our guard down!"

Hua Lao knew that Zhang Heping was going to sell four doses of Lifespan 120 potion to the Americans because the Lifespan 120 potion needed to be transferred from the Shenzhen Peace Academy.

Furthermore, just a few days ago, Hua Lao asked Zhang Heping about this matter and learned that three of the Longevity 120 potions were exchanged for gold.

"Besides that, there's the unusual personnel movement at the Umbrella Security Company, and the requisition of medicines and blood plasma from Peace Hospital!" The thin, middle-aged man switched the monitor screen to a satellite image of Hong Kong Island, pointing to some buildings marked with red dots as he spoke:
"Their bodyguards and security personnel have already occupied these advantageous positions. If those mercenaries make any moves, they will likely be surrounded and annihilated by the Umbrella Security Company!"

"The only uncertainty now is what weapons Umbrella Security will use to defend against those mercenaries. If it's heavy firepower, it could have a negative international impact!"

"Report!" A young man at the end of the conference table raised his hand and reported loudly, "One hundred black armored vehicles have left Renheyi Residential Area and Umbrella Residential Area, their destination is unknown!"

"Report! The Umbrella Corporation agents at the Yuelai Hotel have gathered in the underground parking garage for unknown reasons!" Another young man raised his hand to report.

Immediately afterwards, people in other positions also raised their hands to report.

"Report: Security guards from the 'umbrella' security detail have gathered at the entrance of Wan Chai Sports Ground for unknown reasons!"

"Report! Security guards from the Arts Center and the Academy of Performing Arts are gathering at the entrance!"

"Report! Security personnel at the Central Ferry Pier are assembling!"

……

Governor's House, Central, Hong Kong Island.

"Your Excellency Governor, is the Grand Secretary of the United States really coming to Hong Kong Island tonight?" Upon hearing this news, Shen Bi was still somewhat bewildered, sitting on the sofa, wondering why this Mr. Little K was coming to Hong Kong Island so secretly without even issuing a public announcement.

"They've already entered the country and should arrive on Hong Kong Island in another four or five hours," the Governor explained. "However, he won't come here, nor will he go to the US Embassy next door. Guess where he'll go?"

"Their sneaking in at this time is clearly not for tomorrow's Virtual Dreams game console launch event," said Shen Bi, former chairman of HSBC, after a moment's thought, frowning.

"Could it be that they came to Hong Kong Island to use the Lifespan 120 potion?"

“The most likely explanation is medication!” The Governor nodded. “I also received information that they brought a shipment of gold with them this time.”

"Have your acquaintances at HSBC keep an eye on things and see if that batch of gold from the US ends up in the Peace Group!"

Shen Bi sat up abruptly, asking uncertainly, "You mean, the Americans might pay for the Lifespan 120 potion with gold?"

“Very likely!” The Governor of Hong Kong appeared confident, but then lowered his voice and said, “I’ve heard that the thousands of mercenaries who have recently come to Hong Kong Island have their eyes on the Peace Group’s gold reserves, which are worth tens of billions of magnesium dollars!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Bi hurriedly took out his phone, wanting to remind Zhang Heping.

"Don't rush!" The Governor hurriedly raised his hand and waved it down twice. "You can go to the Zhang family later and talk to Mr. Zhang in person. Also, find out the real purpose of Xiao Ke's visit."

"Furthermore, please convey to Mr. Zhang that our Hong Kong police and military will definitely ensure the safety of him and his family, and will also protect his property!"

"Of course, if you can pay for the 120-year lifespan potion with gold, please let us know."

……

The Magnesium Embassy in Hong Kong, Central, Hong Kong Island.

"Mr. K's underhanded actions have put us in a very passive position!"

"He told us to pretend we didn't know, but how could we pretend we didn't know! If something happens to him in tomorrow's conflict, this joke will have international repercussions!"

"What exactly are the Japanese islanders trying to do? They wouldn't cause such a commotion just for the Peace Group's gold!"

"Ha! You actually believe what the Japanese islanders say to fool a child? They're clearly after the Virtual Dream game console!"

"The Japanese islanders recruited so many mercenaries just for a game console that's still not fully developed?"

"You're all oversimplifying things!" After a long silence, Curator Alex stood up, took an empty wine glass, walked to the wine cabinet, poured himself a drink, and said coldly, "You haven't connected the accidental deaths of Old Brooks' family to this!"

The group of Americans who had been discussing things so enthusiastically just moments before now all frowned.

After a long silence, the head of Morgan Bank in Hong Kong asked uncertainly, "Does the curator mean that the Japanese people think the deaths of the Bu family are related to Zhang Heping, so they want to take this opportunity to get rid of Zhang Heping's family and strike first?"

Curator Alex did not respond, because that was his guess.

However, he knew more. For example, although the deaths of Lao Bu's family were related to Zhang Heping, they were not caused by Zhang Heping's orders.

Therefore, one can imagine that, to prevent being eliminated by his own people and then used to exchange for a 120-year lifespan potion, the person on the island must quickly eliminate the source of the crisis. "I heard some news today, but I don't know if it's true or false, nor do I know the reason behind it," the Walton family representative said slowly.
"The Japanese islanders previously purchased some gold fragments from the mainland, and they are currently being secretly pursued by the mainland for their return. I've heard that many Japanese islanders have been arrested because of this!"

“Brain-computer interface!” the DuPont family representative said indifferently. “The Japanese islanders discovered the three strange trees on the mainland before we did, so they know that the virtual reality game helmet is related to brain-computer interface and mental power!”

"Furthermore, the gold fragments that the Japanese bought are very likely the most primitive brain-computer interface fragments!"

……

Cheung Family Villa, Victoria Peak, Hong Kong Island.

Because Wei Chunqiao, the head of the Umbrella Security Company, was still lying in Shenzhen Peace Hospital, many security-related matters were reported to Zhang Heping.

Sure enough, Zhang Heping had barely taken a bite of his meal when people started coming to his door to ask for instructions about his work.

"Master, it's not too late to talk after you finish eating!" Tang Wei, the person in charge of Heping Smart Technology Company, stood by the coffee table. He didn't want to disturb Zhang Heping's meal, but Zhang Heping had already brought over a large bowl full of food.

"Get to the point, stop with the nonsense!" Zhang Heping sat down on the sofa and started eating heartily, without asking the others in the living room if they had eaten or not.

Tang Wei dared not delay, as there were people waiting outside. He said in a rapid voice, "China Resources, CITIC, China Travel Service and other domestic companies have been frequently mobilizing satellite resources recently. According to the satellite logs, they are also monitoring those mercenaries!"

"In addition, they are also monitoring the movements of our Umbrella Corporation personnel, which may be detrimental to our final work."

Zhang Heping swallowed a mouthful of food, coughed, picked up the soup bowl that his first wife, Tang Xin, had just brought over, thought for a moment, and said, "When we're finishing up, if necessary, I will intervene in the satellite system. Don't worry about that."

Tang Wei naturally had no doubt about Zhang Heping's hacking skills. The key point was that the space-based early warning system in space was designed by Zhang Heping himself.

Tang Wei continued, "This afternoon, through surveillance footage, we discovered that the Japanese islanders had stockpiled a batch of highly dangerous chemicals a month ago."

"However, not long after we passed the message on to Manager Zhu of the security department, the warehouse of the Japanese people was seized by the Hong Kong police and customs."

Tang's words seemed to be a report on hazardous chemicals, but the key point was the following sentence, which was meant to subtly point out that Zhu Chengguang, the security manager, might have leaked the information.

"Manager Zhu called the police to handle this matter, and he sent me a text message to report it!" Zhang Heping kept his head down and ate his meal, so his expression was not visible, but his voice remained calm and unreadable.

Zhang Heping could naturally sense Tang Wei's ulterior motives. After Zhang Heping replaced his father, Tang Hu, Tang Wei was now only the deputy manager of the security department.

Did Tang Hu have any complaints?

He must have had some doubts, but Zhang Heping treated his son Tang Wei well. He not only taught Tang Wei a lot of computer skills, but also promoted Tang Wei to the position of the head of Heping Smart Technology Company.

Compared to the position of the second-in-command of the security department, it is simply incomparable to the position of the head of a listed company with a market value of hundreds of billions of US dollars.

So, all his resentment about his lack of success was poured into his wine.

In fact, Tang Hu himself knew that Zhang Heping would not allow the father and son to hold high positions at the same time for a long period of time.

After reporting two more things, Tang Wei gave up his seat to someone else and quickly walked outside.

Outside the door, Zhu Chengguang, the security manager, was talking to Tang Hu, Liang Wansong, and other department managers.

When Tang Wei came out, Zhu Chengguang said to Tang Hu with a smile, "If my son were half as capable as your Awei, I would be laughing in my dreams!"

"What he's capable of is all thanks to the boss's excellent teaching!" Tang Hu, though envious, didn't forget to be humble and flattering.

However, the next second, Tang Hu gave Tang Wei a light kick in the butt, saying, "Did I disturb the boss's family's meal by telling you to wait a bit before going in?"

"Hehe!" Tang Wei greeted Zhu Chengguang and the others with a laugh before responding to his father, "Master is sitting on the sofa with his bowl, eating while listening to our report. He should be finished in a few more minutes."

"Uncle Zhu, you guys go ahead with your work, I still need to keep an eye on things at the company."

Seeing his son about to leave, Tang Hu hurriedly reminded him, "Call Xiao Gu and the others along, and be careful on the road!"

"The enemy's target is still unclear. As our eyes and ears, we can't afford to make any mistakes with Awei!" Zhu Chengguang instructed from the side, elevating the matter of Tang Wei taking Xiao Gu's bodyguard team away to a purely official business.

While Zhang Heping was still listening to his subordinates' reports, the Hong Kong police and the Hong Kong Garrison's Eagle Army sprang into action, starting to search the residences of the mercenaries one by one.

At the same time, they also used the fact that they had found a batch of dangerous chemicals in the afternoon as a pretext to arrest many Japanese islanders.

Although they lacked concrete evidence, they were fairly certain that the captured Japanese islanders were connected to the mercenaries, and decided to detain them for 24 hours first.

The reason the Americans are so proactive is twofold: first, Little's entourage is about to arrive in Hong Kong, and they can't afford to let anything happen to him there; second, the mainland capital has called, demanding that the American military guarantee the security of Hong Kong, otherwise…

Of course, there is a third point: the Americans' need for the Lifespan 120 potion is actually the most urgent.

Because their Eagle King looked decades younger after using the Lifespan 120 potion last May, it has been stirring up the nerves of the European aristocracy.

It's worth noting that European nobles have done many foolish things in their quest to appear younger, such as gathering to eat the flesh of mummies!

Don't be fooled by the fact that Europeans seem to be doing nothing; it's because they aren't blacklisted by the Peace Group like the Americans, so they don't need to offer any pledges of allegiance. All they need to do is go to the mainland and earn RMB!

Of course, it would be even better if we could skip RMB and settle directly in gold.

Especially given the surge in gold prices driven by the Peace Group.

If Zhang Heping agrees to use gold to purchase Longevity 120 potions in the future, the price of gold will rise to who knows how high.

But one thing is certain: the higher the price of gold, the lower the weight of gold used to pay for the Lifespan 120 potion.

For the Euromag consortium, which possesses substantial gold reserves and owns numerous gold mines, using gold to purchase Lifespan 120 potions is, in fact, the best currency they privately acknowledge.

Therefore, Shen Bi was sent to the Zhang family on Victoria Peak by the Governor of Hong Kong overnight.

Although Shen Bi did not receive a reply regarding exchanging gold for the Life Extension 120 potion, Zhang Heping asked him when he planned to go to Shenzhen Peace Hospital to try the drug.

Upon hearing Zhang Heping's words, Shen Bi knew that the longevity potion Zhang Heping had promised him still stood, so he couldn't help but say a few more words to Zhang Heping until the bodyguard reported that Xiao Ke and his group had come to visit, at which point he took his leave.

...(End of chapter)