Hong Kong variety show: Starting from Cold War 1994

Shen Shaofeng neither confirmed nor denied Henry's so-called personal guarantee.

Anyone who trusts the character of an intelligence chief deserves to live a life of luxury.

Henry stared into Shen Shaofeng's eyes and slowly said, "Shen, you're very smart. But a smart person should understand that you need us more now. Your superior has disappeared, and you're under internal investigation. The Political Department can help you resolve these troubles."

Shen Shaofeng nodded: "So it's a deal. I'll provide clues about Li Wenbin or Huang Jiahui, and you'll provide what I need."

"That's fair. Tell me your terms."

Shen Shaofeng stretched his stiff shoulders and said:

"First, the Special Branch formally notified the Police Force to withdraw all investigations and internal charges against me."

"continue."

"Secondly, your department needs to be lenient in reviewing my character for future promotions."

Henry laughed: "Hey, buddy, I bet there's a third one."

"Third, I need some small tools, such as high-performance listening devices and trackers. After all, you always need some means to find someone."

Henry didn't answer immediately. He hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "Shen, you've overestimated yourself. You'll need us to drop the investigation, provide future support, and even supply high-security equipment."

He shook his head: "I'm sorry, this isn't an equal bargaining chip, I can't accept it."

Shen Shaofeng knew, of course, that the other party wouldn't agree to everything at once; they would ask for an exorbitant price and then try to negotiate it down.

He continued to place his bets: "Mr. Henry, I know what you and your department need most at this crucial moment."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

"It's intelligence, covering all the movements of everyone in Hong Kong, from the rich and powerful to all sorts of people."

Logically speaking, it would be quite laughable to say to the deputy head of the political department that what the other party needed most was intelligence.

But Henry didn't laugh; instead, he listened very attentively.

He knew better than anyone that the Special Branch had begun a reorganization in 1991, codenamed "Abandon Ship," initiated by the last minister.

In short, the entire department was reduced from the original groups A through H to only two groups, S and G, mainly targeting foreign and domestic intelligence. The related funding and personnel were also drastically reduced, and many files were sealed and sent back to London or destroyed on the spot.

Therefore, what the young trainee inspector in front of him said about the Political Department's urgent need for intelligence support through various channels hit him right where it hurt.

Henry, too, wanted to advance his career before officially returning home to step down.

Shen Shaofeng, who had been observing Henry's expression, continued, "What kind of people do we in the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau deal with every day? Gangsters, triad bosses, money changers, underground banks, arms dealers, and those so-called businessmen who tried to launder their money before '97."

"These intelligence channels are something you can't get in return for the cold, hard reports in your archives."

Henry looked even more focused, waiting for Shen Shaofeng to continue.

"My background is clean, and I don't have complicated social relationships to hold me back, which means I'm not likely to attract anyone's attention."

"As a newcomer to the police force, my abilities are evident to all, and the fact that Li Wenbin accepted me so quickly is proof of that."

"Compared to my 'colleagues' placed in other departments, I am more likely to have easy access to certain people and things."

He didn't say "informant" directly, but the word "colleague" made Henry's pupils contract slightly.

Henry finally understood the other person's intention: "You mean, you want to work for us? Be our informant?"

"I don't work for your department," Shen Shaofeng corrected.

"This is for you, Mr. Henry, to provide some observations that may be of value."

"About the inclinations of certain individuals within the police force, or about which major corporation a certain triad is working for, or even rumors circulating in the underworld..."

"Whether the intelligence is valuable or not is for you to judge for yourself with your wisdom. For you personally, this is a low-risk deal with potentially good returns."

"After all, the Political Department may have a limited term, but for someone like you, there is still a long road ahead after returning to China. Having another pair of reliable eyes is never a bad thing."

Shen Shaofeng finally revealed all his chips.

He certainly didn't genuinely want to serve Henry. In his previous life, he had over a hundred foreigners working for him in America, so why would he want to do the opposite in this life?

But the most urgent task is to resolve the troublesome political department before I can make it easier to show my abilities.

The interrogation room was silent for a few seconds.

Finally, a smile returned to Henry's face.

"Deal!" He slowly stood up and walked around behind Shen Shaofeng.

"Click."

With a soft click, the metal restraints on his wrists loosened, and Henry personally unlocked the handcuffs for him.

Then he took out a business card from the wallet inside his suit jacket pocket and gently placed it on the table in front of Shen Shaofeng.

The document contained only two simple lines: an English abbreviation "CH" and a mobile phone number; there was no title or department.

"I can arrange your first two conditions. A written clarification will be sent to the police department, and I will make a note of it in your file."

"As for the tools, someone will contact you later to provide them. Remember, don't use them unless absolutely necessary."

"My subordinates will provide you with alternative ways to contact them, and I'm sure you'll understand which information to share and which to share with me."

"Shen, remember our agreement. You observe for me, and I pave the way for you. If you cross the line, you know the consequences."

"Understood, Mr. Henry. It's a pleasure doing business with you."

Shen Shaofeng flexed his wrist and shook hands with Henry.

[The host independently resolves the internal interrogation for the first time, unlocking the achievement "Talking and Laughing"]

[Reward: Interrogation Skills - Expert Level]

……

The following day, at the headquarters of Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB).

Shen Shaofeng's colleagues were all surprised to see him return unharmed.

"Shaofeng?!"

Yang Bier was the first to jump up from her seat, almost dropping the documents in her hand.

She looked Shen Shaofeng up and down: "You...they just let you out like that?"

Ho Kwok-ching put down his coffee cup: "Fung, are you alright? Did those foreigners from the Political Department give you any trouble?"

"Sister Bi, Roy, I'm fine." Shen Shaofeng smiled, his expression normal, and walked to his desk.

"I just went along with the questioning and explained the situation in Kwai Chung and Gangnam House again. The officers from the Special Branch were a bit serious, but they still followed procedures."

Everyone had obviously heard the legends about the Political Department and found it unbelievable that the Political Department would "follow procedures".

Shen Shaofeng, not wanting them to dwell on the matter any longer, immediately changed the subject: "How are things going with Xiangzai's funeral arrangements?"

Mentioning Cheung-jai immediately sombered the atmosphere in the office.

He Guozheng's eyes were red: "The family came to identify the body yesterday, and Xiangzai's mother fainted from crying... The procedures for the compensation are being processed, but since the head is missing, some procedures are stuck."

Yang Bier whispered, "The few of us are planning to chip in for the funeral money. Although Xiangzai used to be a scoundrel, he..."

Uncle Shi, who was working despite his injuries, slammed his fist on the table: "Damn it, once we find those bastards, I'll definitely avenge Xiangzai!"

Shen Shaofeng took out his wallet, pulled out 1001 yuan and handed it to Yang Bier: "Sister Bier, count me in."

Then he lowered his voice: "By the way, do you have any news about the head?"

……

Of course, the O-Team members didn't know that Lee Man-bin had been shot in the abdomen and had just undergone black market surgery. He was currently lying in a guest room at the secret headquarters of the old man.