My whole family is involved in diplomacy, so you dare to flex your muscles?

Under the cover of night, the neon lights of Beijing still shimmer, and the city remains as prosperous as ever.

The hustle and bustle of Sanlitun is kept out by the heavy wooden doors of the Lao She Teahouse.

In the private room of Haitang, there was no aroma of tea, only a strong smell of anxiety.

When Gu Yun pushed open the door, a man was pacing anxiously in the room.

He was wearing a somewhat wrinkled bespoke suit, with his tie hanging loosely around his neck. When he saw Gu Yun come in, he rushed over as if he had seen a savior.

"Gu! You're finally here!"

The man reached out his hands to hug Gu Yun, but then seemed to think it was inappropriate, so he instead held Gu Yun's hands tightly.

My palms were sweaty.

"Mr. Pierre, it's been a long time." Gu Yun subtly withdrew his hand and gestured to the armchair opposite him.

"Sit down and let's talk. The Biluochun tea here is quite good; it helps to cool you down."

Pierre had no interest in drinking tea.

He was usually a refined and respectable man, but today, his dignity had been shattered by a phone call from across the ocean.

"Gu, I don't have time for tea." Pierre lowered his voice after sitting down, looking like a thieving spy.

"I know you issued a counter-sanctions order today, well done! Seriously, I'm ready to pop some champagne!"

Gu Yun picked up her teacup and gently blew away the foam. "Pierre, you asked me out so late at night, you didn't just want to say a few words of praise, did you? We've known each other for a long time, so just say what you want to say."

Pierre gritted his teeth, took out an unmarked USB drive from his briefcase, and pushed it in front of Gu Yun.

"What is this?" Gu Yun didn't move.

"This is a... pledge of allegiance." Pierre's voice trembled slightly. "Or rather, a plea for help."

Gu Yun put down her teacup, her gaze sharpening: "About what?"

"Regarding the 'Frederick' project," Pierre took a deep breath, as if making a decision.

"You know, that's the industrial jewel of our Gaul, a top-tier energy equipment company. Just like Alstom back in the day."

Gu Yun nodded. Of course he knew.

There have been recent rumors that General Electric of the United States is planning to acquire this company, but there has been no concrete evidence.

"They...those robbers!" Pierre's face flushed red; anger made him lose his composure.

The U.S. Department of Justice secretly arrested one of Frederick's vice presidents at New York airport last week.

The reason given was suspected commercial bribery, but this is simply a frame-up!

They used this to blackmail us, saying that if we didn't sell our core business to GE at a low price, they would fine the company five billion dollars and send all the senior executives to jail!

Gu Yun listened quietly, without any surprise on her face.

This is the standard operating procedure of the United States: using the power of the national judiciary to pave the way for the commercial plunder of its own companies.

"Gu, we're out of options." Pierre slumped back in his chair. "The Élysée Palace is still hesitant, afraid to completely offend the United States."

But we cannot stand by and watch the heart of our nation's industry be ripped out. There's a recording on this USB drive.

"recording?"

"Yes," Pierre lowered his voice, "it was secretly recorded at a business banquet before the vice president was arrested. The people in the recording are the prosecutor in charge of the case in the United States, and Scott."

Gu Yun's pupils contracted sharply.

Scott? This guy got involved too?

"What did they say in the recording?" Gu Yun asked.

"They discussed how to fabricate evidence, how to use the media to smear someone, and..." Pierre sneered.

"And how much 'consulting fee' Scott will get after it's all done. This isn't just political persecution; it's blatant corruption! It's about splitting the spoils!"

Gu Yun picked up the USB drive and fiddled with it in her hand.

This small metal piece is surprisingly heavy.

If this recording is leaked, it will not only turn the "judicial fairness" of the United States into a joke, but also directly ruin Scott's reputation, who stands on the "moral high ground".

More importantly, it will severely damage the so-called "ironclad alliance" relationship between Europe and the United States.

"What do you want me to do?" Gu Yun looked at Pierre. "Why don't you send it yourself?"

"Should we release it?" Pierre smiled wryly. "If we officially release it, it would be tantamount to declaring war on the United States."

As you know, Europe is...very weak right now. We don't have that kind of power.

He raised his head and looked at Gu Yun with eager eyes: "But you are different."

You've already declared war, Gu. You're the one who dares to overturn the table.

In your hands, this thing is a weapon; in our hands, it's a bomb.

Gu Yun remained silent for a moment.

This is indeed a good opportunity, but also a hot potato.

Once used, it means taking the divisive tactics of Europe and America to the extreme.

"Is this thing guaranteed to be authentic?" Gu Yun asked.

"It's absolutely true. If you don't believe me, I can call the vice president's daughter here; she's currently seeking asylum in Beijing."

Gu Yun smiled. He put the USB drive into his suit pocket.

"Pierre, the tea's gone cold, it's time for a refill." Gu Yun picked up the teapot and poured him a cup. "Go back and get a good night's sleep."

At tomorrow's press conference, I will give you, and the world, a surprise.

Looking at Gu Yun's young yet unfathomable face, Pierre finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

He picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

"Gu, do you know what we call you in private?"

"What?"

“‘That thug in the suit,’” Pierre grinned. “But I like that title. You need thugs to deal with hooligans.”

Gu Yun chuckled to himself.

After seeing Pierre off, Gu Yun left the teahouse.

The early spring night breeze was a bit cool, but he felt hot all over.

He took out his phone and sent a message to the director: "At tomorrow's press conference, besides the counter-sanctions segment, I need to add one more element. We want to give our European friends a big gift."

It was already 1 a.m. when I got back to my temporary lodging.

Gu Yun didn't turn on the light and collapsed onto the sofa.

In the darkness, he felt for the USB drive in his pocket.

"Scott, Scott," Gu Yun muttered to himself, "I only wanted to cut off your source of income, but I didn't expect you to deliver your weakness to my door."

Since you enjoy playing dirty tricks so much, then I'll show you what a real "judgment in the sunlight" is like.

Just then, the phone screen lit up.

It was a WeChat message from my grandfather; it contained only one picture.

The image shows four powerful and vigorous characters written in calligraphy: 【纵横捭阖】.

Gu Yun looked at those four words and smiled.

In this world, no allies are truly united.

If the benefits are great enough, and the methods are ruthless enough, even the closest comrades-in-arms can turn into enemies who stab you in the back.

Tomorrow, there will be a good show at the Blue Hall.