Reborn in 1950: Shorting the Federal Reserve at the Start

"Sir, you have quite a strong grip!"

Shen Jinghong patted the shoulder with a smile and casually pinched the "old farmer's" arm.

What appears to be affectionate is actually a way of confirming something.

The muscles beneath that cotton-padded jacket were taut and as hard as iron.

The old farmer was so stunned by the pinch that he seemed to have been struck by lightning, his whole body stiffening. He stared intently at Shen Jinghong's face, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets, and his honest-looking mask nearly cracked open.

How is that possible?

That's a dose enough to poison a cow!

The needle tip had clearly gone in; he could even feel the resistance as the needle pierced his skin.

According to the script, this kid should be pale, foaming at the mouth, clutching his heart and convulsing on the ground right now.

But now?

Shen Jinghong not only stood firmly, but even that annoying smile didn't change the slightest. Her face was rosy, her eyes were clear, and she could even joke with him?

"I...I've been doing farm work all year round, so I'm heavy-handed, heavy-handed."

The old farmer stammered, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead. Only one possibility remained in his mind—he'd seen a ghost!

Little did he know that within a fraction of a second of the poisoned needle piercing Shen Jinghong's skin...

The system that existed in Shen Jinghong's mind had already sounded a stern air raid siren.

[Beep! Warning! Warning!]

[High concentration of neurotoxin detected! Composition analysis: Modified cyanide mixture. Lethality: 100%.]

[Emergency defense mechanism activated...]

[Deploying stockpiled supplies... Universal antidote (Rank S) has been used!]

Shen Jinghong felt a slight stinging pain in her shoulder, followed by a cool current flowing through her blood vessels and instantly throughout her body.

The feeling was like taking a sip of ice-cold Sprite on a hot summer day.

A refreshing coolness, a feeling of exhilaration.

The toxin, which was enough to kill an ordinary person, was neutralized and decomposed into harmless water and carbon dioxide before it even had a chance to spread through the needle hole.

"Ha, that's all?"

Shen Jinghong sneered inwardly.

Comparing cutting-edge technology to the system?

Your so-called "secret agent medicine" is nothing more than expired rat poison to me.

"It's okay if you're heavy-handed, just be more careful next time."

Shen Jinghong seemed completely oblivious to the other man's unusual behavior. She even kindly helped the "old farmer" adjust the carrying pole on his shoulder, saying, "Grandpa, there are so many people and cars in the city. It must be hard for you to carry this load. Please walk slowly."

After saying that, he turned around again, picked up the book "Yingzao Fashi" (Building Standards), and began to flip through it with great interest.

It was as if the life-or-death assassination attempt just now was really just a trivial little episode.

The old farmer stood there, completely dumbfounded.

He watched Shen Jinghong's unguarded back, the poisoned needle still hidden in his sleeve, but he no longer had the courage to stab a second time.

The unknown is the greatest fear.

This young scholar exuded an unfathomable and sinister aura.

"Thank you... thank you, brother."

The old farmer swallowed hard, suppressing his fear, picked up his load, and like a stray dog, hurriedly squeezed into the crowd.

He needs to leave quickly.

The mission has failed; we must return immediately to report!

Watching the fleeing figure, Shen Jinghong did not give chase.

He remained standing in front of the bookstall, even exchanging a few words of haggling with the owner:

"Boss, this book is missing a page, will you sell it for three dollars?"

"Oh, sir, this is a photocopy of the Song Dynasty edition. I won't sell it for less than five yuan!"

After some arguing, Shen Jinghong paid and tucked the book under his arm.

He pushed up his glasses, and a sharp glint flashed behind the lenses.

"System, target locked."

[Beep! Bio-radar activated. Target: Codename 'Old Farmer'. Distance: 35 meters. Moving southeast.]

In my mind, a clear three-dimensional map instantly unfolds.

The red dot representing the "old farmer" was darting quickly through the complex alleyways, making its way through dead-end alleys where no one was around.

"Run, run as fast as you can."

Shen Jinghong followed slowly, always keeping a distance of about 100 meters.

He was like a leisurely tourist, glancing at the sugar figurines on the roadside one moment and the porcelain in the antique shop the next, seemingly aimless, but actually holding fast to his prey.

"Only when you feel safe will you take me to your lair."

This was Shen Jinghong's plan.

Catching just one snake is pointless; he wants to take down the entire snake den.

We followed that red dot for about half an hour.

The surrounding scenery became increasingly remote, and the once bustling Liulichang Street was left behind. This was an old, dilapidated, and chaotic residential area in the southern part of the city, a melting pot of all sorts of people.

at last.

The red dot stopped in front of a two-story building that looked rather old.

Shen Jinghong stopped in front of a stall selling roasted sweet potatoes, bought one, and while peeling it, glanced up at the building.

Downstairs is a storefront with a black sign with gold lettering. It looks quite impressive, but it also has a gloomy, old-fashioned feel to it.

**[Wenyuan Pavilion]**

"Antique shop?"

Shen Jinghong took a bite of the warm sweet potato, a playful smile playing on her lips.

"The truly wise hide in plain sight. This spy is quite cultured; he knows how to create an elegant hideout for himself."

The "old farmer" looked around to make sure no one was following him, then slipped into the shop.

Not long after, the lights in the shop came on briefly and then quickly went out.

"Found it."

Shen Jinghong patted the sweet potato skin off her hands and didn't rush in.

He's alone now, and although he has a system with him, who knows if there are dozens of submachine guns lurking inside?

Now that the location is confirmed, it's time to call in reinforcements.

"Chen Weiguo".

He spoke softly to the miniature communicator on his collar that looked like a decorative button but was actually produced by the system.

……

Half an hour later.

Shenzhou Bureau, Director's Office.

Shen Jinghong sat on the sofa, wiping the almost invisible needle mark on her shoulder with an alcohol swab.

"Bang!"

The door was suddenly pushed open.

Chen Weiguo stormed in, bringing with him a chill. His face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and his tiger-like eyes were bloodshot, indicating that he had just come back from a mad dash outside.

"Chief! Are you alright?!"

He rushed up to Shen Jinghong, scrutinizing him from head to toe with the same anxious look he had when examining a cracked piece of national treasure porcelain. "Which bastard did this? I'll take my men and kill him right now!"

"What's the rush?"

Shen Jinghong threw the cotton ball into the trash can, slowly buttoned up her shirt, her face as calm as a stagnant pool.

"I'm perfectly fine, aren't I?"

"But……"

Chen Weiguo stared at the needle mark, still shaken. "You said that was cyanide? That's highly poisonous! How could you..."

He didn't dare to continue, but the meaning was clear: How did you survive?

"I'm a chemist, so it's reasonable for me to carry some antidotes with me, right?"

Shen Jinghong made up a reason on the spot; after all, he was the bureau chief, so whatever he said was fine.

He stood up, walked to the map, picked up a red pen, and drew a heavy circle around the location in the south of the city.

"Wei Guo, don't dwell on this."

Shen Jinghong turned around, the gentleness in her eyes vanishing instantly, replaced by a chilling ruthlessness:

"Since they want to play dirty tricks, let's play along."

"Keep a close watch on Wenyuan Pavilion."

"But remember, don't alert them. I don't want to catch a few small fry; I want them to pull out all the spies in the capital themselves."

Chen Weiguo was taken aback, then stood at attention and saluted, his eyes filled with murderous intent:

"Yes! I'll arrange for people to be on guard right away! 24-hour surveillance! Not even a fly will be able to get out!"

"No."

Shen Jinghong shook his head, and a strange smile suddenly appeared on his face.

That smile sent chills down Chen Weiguo's spine, even though he was a tough man who had been on the battlefield.

"It's not just about surveillance."

Shen Jinghong leaned close to Chen Weiguo's ear, lowered her voice, and spoke softly as if she were whispering:

"Go and prepare some things for me. I'm going to put on a good show for them."

"A brilliant scheme to lure the enemy into a trap."

As Chen Weiguo listened, his eyes widened, and he finally couldn't help but swallow, his gaze filled with awe as he looked at his bureau chief.

ruthless.

It's too cruel.

This is hardly the image of a scholar.

This guy is clearly a living Yama who eats people without spitting out the bones!

"Do you understand?" Shen Jinghong patted his shoulder.

"Understood!"

Chen Weiguo grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, looking both ferocious and excited. "Don't worry, Chief, our guard battalion will definitely cooperate with you to put on a good show! We guarantee those bastards will be crying their eyes out!"

"Go."

Shen Jinghong waved his hand.

After Chen Weiguo left, he walked to the window and looked at the sky outside, which was gradually darkening.

As night falls, the lights are on.

This ancient city appears peaceful, but in the shadows, a silent hunt has begun.

"A viper..."

Shen Jinghong murmured the code name, her fingers tapping lightly on the windowsill, making a soft tapping sound.

"You think you're the hunter? Actually, you're the prey being served at the dinner table."

"Tomorrow, I'll show you what...the power of science really means."