Pay a visit

  At midnight, Yi Chen and Tang Hu had a very secretive phone call. They didn't say much, but both parties understood each other's meaning. Within an hour after the call, Yi Chen's subordinates symbolically withdrew from the southern district of London. The people from 'Longmen' slowly dispersed from Chinatown to the bars, nightclubs and other establishments in the south, declaring their control over them.

  Yi Chen and Tang Hu knew that Yi Chen's three subordinates had their own business in the southern district, and the people from 'Long Men' were also careful not to get close to those places. After about three hours, including Zha Li and several other subordinates of Yi Chen, they returned to their own site. Zha Li was puzzled by Yi Chen and Tang Hu's strange actions, wasn't it just a handover of the territory? Why did brothers have to run out of the southern district and then run back? Wouldn't it be enough to directly greet those places that were not their own business and tell them to listen to 'Long Men' in the future?

  Of course, Yi Chen and Tang Hu did not think so. This is a ritual, a symbol, and this step cannot be less.

  After finishing the handover of the territory to 'Longmen', Yi Chen sat for half an hour, but because those few strands of exotic true yuan came out to make trouble again, Yi Chen was annoyed and simply went to sleep.

  Yi Chen was startled awake by Fei Li, who was holding a thick stack of newspapers that reeked of strong ink. She tossed the papers onto Yi Chen's body and clicked her tongue, saying: "Boss, those old men are really ruthless... they dug up all sorts of past accounts, including the current Prime Minister's secret agreement with the US four years ago, and his acceptance of certain illegal benefits. They've exposed everything. These newspapers have just been printed and haven't even been distributed yet."

  Yi Chen suddenly jumped up, casually unfolding a thick newspaper, the eye-catching headline was: "Three thousand soldiers died in vain, who should be responsible for their lives?" Following that, there were hundreds of photos published below of the soldiers' gruesome corpses on that beach.

  Fei Li patted Yi Chen's back, and Yi Chen slapped her hand away, tossing aside the newspaper in his hand to pick up another one. Indeed, the headline read: "Our soldiers, $20 a life." It was about how the current Prime Minister had accepted less than $200,000 in benefits from the Americans before deploying over 10,000 soldiers to Iraq. Everyone knew that no leader would make such a major decision for just $200,000, but people love excitement and chaos. As long as the newspaper says so, many people will be happy to think that way.

  Yi Chen burst into loud laughter, embracing Fei Li and rushing into the bathroom to take a quick shower. He then kissed Fei Li's face and said: "Fei Li darling, stay home and keep an eye on Chekhov and Sally, don't let them get into trouble. I'll take Phil and the other two to visit some people... Haha, those old devils have gotten their way, this time they're really fast! I must leave before the newspaper is published. I won't let them look down on my speed, huh?"

  Fei Li nodded obediently and kissed Yi Chen saying: "Understood, boss. This time our benefits are great, aren't they? You're so enthusiastic."

  He walked out laughing loudly: "Of course, there are great benefits, extremely great benefits. Darling, at the very least, we can do whatever we want in the future, as long as we don't plan to wipe out London with nuclear warheads."

  Jester, who had been lying on the sofa smoking marijuana since early morning, was suddenly lifted up by Yī Chén. "Mr. Phil, take this," he said, "I don't know how big this gentleman's appetite is, so let's bring two million just in case... That old scoundrel Xiūnà, he asked me to help him buy people, but his money hasn't even arrived yet. If he dares to embezzle my share of the money, humph."

  Phil and Goll nodded, took big strides out, Yichen led Jester to the garage first, got in the car. After a while, Phil and Goll each carried a small leather suitcase over.

  Jester said suddenly after the car started: "Boss, the car we're using now doesn't seem very stylish."

  Yi Chen was taken aback: "What did you say? Are we supposed to make a car out of pure gold? Are you going to use a tank engine to drive it?"

  Jester exhaled a mouthful of smoke and yawned, "Not again, solid gold is too tacky. But boss, I saw the magazine Fei Li was reading yesterday, it seems that Mercedes-Benz can customize ultra-luxurious vehicles, why don't we get one too... This way, boss, you can change to a car as long as a train carriage, which matches our current status."

  "Proposal not bad, but you're not being kind, are you? Dear Jester, did you take a liking to my car? Dammit, why don't you just buy one yourself instead of eyeing mine? I'll give you a brand new BMW sports car. Just please stop crashing into police cars. If it weren't for the many underlings we can use as scapegoats, your driver's license would have been revoked long ago."

  Jie Zhe sneered, he indeed had ill intentions, and early on started to covet Yi Chen's white Rolls-Royce, of course wanting to persuade Yi Chen to change vehicles. This way, once the Rolls-Royce returned from Paris, it would immediately belong to him, isn't that a wonderful thing?

  Yi Chen smiled and said: "However, it's good, Gol, let's get things done... For the first time we're customizing a vehicle, so let's make it perfect. I really appreciated the performance of those intelligence agents' armored cars when we ambushed them last time. I want this car to have better bulletproof capabilities than an ordinary armored car, got it? Coincidentally, that batch of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns has already been sold, and the price is good, so we don't need to consider the cost."

  "Boss, do we need to add a little bit of firepower on the vehicle?"

  "No, Phil, we're not making an armored combat vehicle, but a luxurious private car. Make the interior facilities perfect for me and ask them to deliver it in half a year. As for the money... money is no problem."

  Jester's heart was secretly delighted, and with a big mouthful of cloud and mist, he thought to himself, "But didn't Rolls-Royce fall into his hands? Wouldn't it be just a matter of days before he made a comeback?"

  "Boss, Councilor Smith's residence is ahead, shall we pay a visit directly?" Phil asked in a low voice.

  Yi Chen looked at the two-story white building in front of him, shaking his head slightly: "No, it's still a bit too early. Let's wait until the newspaper delivery person arrives, probably after five minutes, and then go in. Maybe the effect will be much better."

  Jester rolled his eyes and looked at the small building in front of him, saying: "This guy is really frugal, boss. Doesn't he have any money? What's the point of being a congressman if you don't have any money?"

  Yi Chen thought for a moment about the information Xiu Na had given him, shook his head and said: "No, how could he not have money? Smith himself has two large enterprises under his control, but he doesn't want to participate in actual management, he's just a behind-the-scenes shareholder. He earns some income every year, then focuses on being a congressman, wholeheartedly climbing the political ladder, this is a great plan, isn't it?"

  Jester burst out laughing and sat up straight, saying: "Boss, then we shouldn't use money to buy people like that."

  Yi Chen nodded and said "uh-huh": "So, how do you plan on dealing with him?"

  Jester said venomously, "We should use two crates of C4 to buy him out. If he has money, then he won't be tempted by our little bit of cash and betray his own camp. We can directly threaten with violence, it might work better."

  "Jester, learn something for once," Yi Chen glared at Jester. "I absolutely won't resort to violent means until the very end. That would mean we've killed someone who could have been our friend, and that's a loss. Death threats? That's an even worse idea - Smith can just call in dozens of police officers to protect him at any time, and then we'll be in big trouble."

  Seeing Jester's incredulous look, Yichun warned him: "Think about it, if we didn't have such great strength, could we deal with ten ordinary people? It's impossible... I've always liked to use my own brain rather than my own hands to get what I want. Being too superstitious about force will only lead to a ruthless downfall, Jester, remember this."

  Jester rolled his eyes and muttered: "So, how did you use your brain to win Mr. Smith's heart, boss?"

  Yi Chen smiled: "I'm not waiting for an opportunity anymore... Oh, this lovely angel, he's here."

  A boy of about eleven or twelve years old, riding a mountain bike, whizzed past and tossed a bundle of newspapers at the Smith's front door, landing on the grass inside. He yelled out loud: "Hey, big news!"

  Two men in black suits, like bodyguards, emerged from the alley, habitually checked a bundle of newspapers, scanned the headlines briefly, and hastily walked away with changed expressions.

  Yi Chen smiled in a low voice: "Great, Mr. Smith has two relatively smart bodyguards, at least they know their boss supports the current prime minister. A clever subordinate can make up for ten who are not, congratulations to Mr. Smith... Ah, is that his lovely daughter?"

  A girl with long brown hair, wearing a white jacket and light blue jeans, rushed out of the house, carrying a denim backpack behind her. She shouted "Mom, goodbye!" as she jumped onto the bicycle parked by the steps and sped out of the gate. The eyes of Yi Chen and others followed her as she turned around, with Jester muttering to himself: "Maybe kidnapping her is also a good idea? If that Smith really loves her."

  "Hey, Jester, you're getting more and more despicable, aren't you? You even dare to suggest kidnapping a little girl! I have to say, you should spend less time hanging out with Mr. Chekhov, or you'll become just like him - a total scoundrel... But, I must admit, it's not a bad idea, I was thinking the same thing earlier."

  Jester rolled his eyes, solemnly drew a cross on his chest and muttered: "God save you, my damn boss."

  Yi Chen smiled, glanced at his watch, and suddenly opened the car door, saying: "Time's up, Phil. You keep an eye on the car and the suitcase. I, Gao Er, and Jie Si are going up, OK?"

  Phil nodded and made an okay gesture with his hand.

  Jester walked slightly behind Yichen on the right, while Gole habitually followed two meters behind Yichen. The three slowly approached the entrance of Smith's house, and Yichen smiled and pressed the doorbell.

  A man in black walked out, carefully sizing up Yi Chen and the others, slowly walking across the lawn from the house to the gate, saying in a low voice: "Gentlemen, the gate is not locked, pressing the doorbell is an unnecessary action... Moreover, this is a private residence, we don't know you, so please leave here."

  Yi Chen smiled and said: "No, I came specifically to visit Mr. Smith."

  The bodyguard furrowed his brow: "Do you have an appointment?"

  "Unless it's the Prime Minister or the King, I don't think I need to make an appointment with anyone in London," said Yee Chung with a self-assured smile.

  The bodyguard was taken aback, unsure what to make of this person called Yichun. Yichun smiled and said: "How about this? You go notify Mr. Smith that a representative of Mr. Huna wants to see him... Is that okay? Oh, right, don't be suspicious of my identity either - I'm also an honored knight of the great British Empire. And the medal I have is the same as the one Mr. Smith received."

  The bodyguard shifted his gaze and nodded: "Alright, come in. But I can't guarantee that the boss will see you."

  Yi Chen walked past him with a nonchalant stride, smiling and saying: "Since I want to see someone, then no one is unseeable. Mr. Jester..." Yi Chen's words stopped Jester, who had originally intended to secretly poke the bodyguard in the stomach.

  Yi Chen didn't have to wait long in the simply decorated living room. Perhaps it was because of Heston's name that Smith came down with a frown, speaking cautiously: "Mr. Yi, what brings you here? I really don't know how Mr. Heston knows someone like you."

  Smith was a cautious man and didn't want to offend Yicun unnecessarily.

  Yi Chen's hand reached into his pocket, and the two Smith bodyguards standing in the corner of the room tensely put their hands on their waists. They had just learned from their boss what kind of person Yi Chen was, and they didn't dare to be careless with someone like him. Who knew what Yi Chen's intentions were? Maybe it was simply to get rid of his own boss, Heston and Smith, who weren't exactly good friends. Meanwhile, Jest and Goll, standing behind Yi Chen on the sofa, had already fixed their fierce gaze on them.

  Yi Chen's hand brought out a cigar, lit it with Jester's lighter, and looked at Smith who had sat down on the sofa in front of him, smiling and saying: "Mr. Smith, I'm being a bit presumptuous, but of course, this is an extraordinary time, we need to speed up our plan, don't we?"

  Smith looked at Yidun strangely and asked: "Want a drink?"

  Yi Chen Hui Jue said: "No, drinking early in the morning is not a way to nourish one's body. Mr. Smith, are your two subordinates reliable? I mean, they won't leak anything, will they?"

  Smith smiled: "No, don't worry, they are my most loyal assistants. Maybe my wife might accidentally leak something, but they won't... Do you have something very important? How about going to my study?"

  Yi Chen lazily got up and shook his head, saying: "No, it's fine here. I don't want to waste your time or my own. You're a big shot, and a big shot's time is precious. As for me, I'm not afraid to belittle myself, but there are many things I need to deal with every day. So, I'll be frank with you, I came here just for a transaction."

  Smith looked at Yidun and finally couldn't help but say with a sarcastic tone: "Ahah, transaction... Sorry, Mr. Yi, I'm not interested in narcotics, has Mr. Xiuna changed his line of work?"

  Yi Chen's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and Smith's sneer suddenly disappeared from his face. A chill ran up his spine as he felt a sense of unease. Yi Chen leaned back in the sofa, speaking in a low voice: "I've never touched drugs, Mr. Smith. Provoking someone like me isn't a good idea, do you understand? Perhaps if we put ourselves on an equal footing and talk, it would be beneficial for both of us."

  Smith was a little regretful, knowing the details of Yidun, why did he still provoke him? He was known for his sharp criticism in Congress, but Yidun, such a thug leader, would not appreciate his talent.

  "OK, sorry Mr. Yi, I'm being sincere in my apology," Smith said, raising his hand. "But honestly, I don't know what kind of deal we can discuss."

  "Have you read today's newspaper? What do you think about those news?"

  Smith's face changed, and he said in a low voice: "Fake news fabricated by political enemies... Obviously someone is manipulating, isn't it? Otherwise, why did almost all the newspapers publish these messages at the same time?"

  "Look, Mr. Smiths, this is the fact. The fact can't be denied. The Prime Minister you support is a hypocrite, an incompetent person, a man who dares not to take responsibility, a... bastard."

  "Your scurrilous attack on the leaders of our great Empire, sir, is not the act of a gentleman."

  "It's only natural to say: 'I'm not a gentleman, at least compared to you... Ah, the leader of the British Empire? Perhaps he won't be for much longer, I believe that."

  Smith's mind was racing with countless thoughts: "Ah ha, you want to convince me to support a possible interim cabinet? Oh... God, this is not something I can decide on, nor should you be involved in. We have our own social division of labor, we need to stick to our own duties, understand? Duties."

  "Damn you, you bastard, still thinking you're better than me?"

  "Your daughter is beautiful, damn it, I shouldn't have said that."

  Smith's face changed color, the sharp air from just now disappeared by more than half. His two bodyguards unconsciously took a step forward... Smith asked in a trembling voice: "What did you do? If, if you..."

  A faint dust fell, and he deliberately dropped the ash on the floor, saying in a low voice: "We haven't done anything yet, because I want to make a deal with you, don't we? You support the current prime minister and have extensive connections in parliament, an enviable figure, huh?"

  Smith gritted his teeth and thought carefully. Since Yidun openly threatened the safety of his daughter, Smith did not doubt that Yidun would harm his own daughter. In any case, he had to consider Yidun's proposal carefully. Of course, although Yidun did not specify what the transaction was, since he mentioned Xue Na, Smith understood everything.

  "Excuse me, do you think the current cabinet can make it through? In the future, more intelligence will be revealed, and the prime minister you support, his halo will be slowly shattered. A noble and elegant lady, after being stripped of all her silk and satin, is actually just a prostitute... Ah ha."

  Smith quickly made a decision that was most beneficial to himself, he looked up at Yichun: "My benefit."

  Yi Chen was stunned for a moment, he didn't expect Smith to change like this, he was an iron-clad supporter in the parliament, even if it was a smooth turn, this was still too fast.

  What benefits? What benefits can he get from him? Well, Yi Chen didn't know that originally they were going to use money to buy him off. Anyway, the people they supported couldn't hold on anymore, so it's better to coerce and entice them a bit later and let these target figures take some money. But Smith directly asked for benefits, so it's not something that can be settled with just a little money.

  "What benefits do you want?" Yi Chen asked cautiously.

  Smith was stunned, and Xuna had never told Yichen that if he supported Xuna, what would he get in return. Smith also thought of it, and Xuna might have planned to buy him off with some money. Smith couldn't help but laugh, he wasn't short of money, and Xuna thought he could be swayed so easily, which was quite ridiculous.

  But Smith's heart suddenly sank, maybe money couldn't move himself, but with Yichen as the weight, that amount was much greater, and Xuna and others were clearly threatening him.

  The thoughts in his mind changed rapidly, and Smith also said cautiously: "You see, we all pursue the improvement of our own status. Otherwise, why do we enter politics? To serve the citizens? Go to hell..."

  Yi Chen laughed: "Yeah, go to hell, who would really join the council for this kind of crappy reason? A higher position, more power, isn't it? Money, of course, is not a thing for you."

  "So, give me something that makes me more satisfied, and I'll support Xun Er. Even I can help him gather people from my camp, which is what he wants, right?"

  Yi Chen felt a bit absurd, as if he hadn't done anything, yet Smith had already become one of Xue Na's people. However, being able to save two million was also a good thing. But Yi Chen couldn't help but say that these politicians were just like prostitutes - untrustworthy.

  He puffed heavily on his cigar, and Yee Dung blew out a smoke ring: "You can talk to Mr. Shuna yourself. If you have time, we can go to Mr. Shuna's estate now."

  Just as he said that, one of Smith's bodyguards' phones rang. The bodyguard answered the phone, listened for a moment, and then quickly walked over to hand it to Smith, saying in a low voice: "It's the Prime Minister calling." After finishing speaking, he glanced at Yichen.

  Yi Chen smiled, probably also knew what was going on. The heavy punches from Xiuna and others made the Prime Minister and others unable to sit still. If they didn't gather their staff to discuss countermeasures, they might really have to step down in defeat, which wasn't something they were happy to see.

  Yi Chen smiled and asked Smith, who had just hung up the phone: "Maybe you're busy today?"

  Smith looked at Yidun and nodded, saying: "Caught off guard, caught off guard, Mr. Yi, perhaps I should entrust you to talk to Mr. Xuna, of course, I won't forget your hard work."

  "Alright, that's good. Please remember what you said today and don't forget... Your daughter is a lovely and adorable girl. Oh, I didn't mean anything else, just sincere praise."

  Smith stood up, grasped Yidun's hand and said: "Yes, she is an angel... Mr. Yi, everything depends on you."

  Yi Chen also looked at him solemnly: "Of course, we are friends now?"

  Smith gripped Yidun's hand firmly: "Of course."

  Dust settles here.

  "In the elevator of Chinatown, Jester complained: 'These guys, they can turn their faces so quickly, Britain is indeed a wonderful place, with both Arthur's rigid knightly aristocracy and these gentlemen without any moral standards, what a great place.'"

  Easy dust leaned against the wall, laughing and saying: "This is a problem, but what does it have to do with us? The more hypocrites in the world, the better for us. Come on, Jester, dear Jester, only God's followers care about etiquette and morality, we don't believe in God, so why bother?"

  Jester stepped out of the elevator with a sly smile, muttering to himself: "Long live Satan, yeah, why bother if they're good people or not."

  A man leaning against the wall opposite the elevator door, smoking a cigarette, burst out laughing: "Haha, Mr. Yi, your subordinate is really interesting, openly declaring himself a Satanist like this, I've been all over the world for so long, and this Mr. Jest is still the first one."

  Jester walked away with a stalk of hemp in his mouth, not even bothering to respond. Yi Chen was taken aback: "Ah, Mr. Zhang, you actually have time to come here? Phil, Gor, get ready, I'll invite Mr. Zhang for lunch... By the way, why are you staying here? Didn't those bastards take care of you?"

  Mr. Zhang shrugged his shoulders and said in a low voice, "Your girlfriend doesn't seem very enthusiastic, she picked up the magazine as if it were a statue... As for Mr. Chekhov... sorry, I really don't have anything to talk about with him, so I came out to smoke."

  Yi Chen smiled wryly, aware of Feili and Chekhov's condition. He apologized repeatedly, extending his hand in a gesture of invitation: "Please, please, what brings you here?"

  Mr. Zhang stood still, looked around and said: "Nothing, this time is also a visit on the way, lunch is not needed, I have something to do at the embassy... Hmm, ask you one question and then I'll leave."

  Yi Chen looked at Mr. Zhang with a sly smile and said, "The situation has changed dramatically recently."

  Mr. Zhang also smiled slyly, stretching out three fingers and saying: "Three people to choose from, I only need you to tell me one name... Xie Na, Huo Jin, Mo Gen, huh? Mr. Yi, if you invest, who will you put your money on? The winds and clouds may change, but no matter how big the waves are, someone always has to reach the other shore."

  Yi Chen raised an eyebrow, a puzzled expression on his face: "These three people are big shots, what do you want to say? If it were me, I would definitely invest fully. With your influence and connections, don't you know the news?"

  "Mr. Zhang exhaled a mouthful of smoke: 'This is not good, our investment is too small, and it's not worth it to invest in three people at the same time. These things must be handled with great care, or else it will become a big scandal... Besides, my men can't possibly know everything, come on, Easy, you're the local dragon, surely there's nothing you don't know? You have dealings with them every day, just give me a little hint... The higher-ups are pressing for intelligence, and I'm just a working stiff too.'"

  Yi Chen stretched out his right hand and said in a low voice: "My old habit, once I stretch out my hand, I never return empty-handed. Give me some benefits."

  Mr. Zhang burst out laughing: "Isn't that too much? Don't you care about your hometown folks? How about I give you ten of the latest main battle tanks? You drive them around London streets, and you'll definitely be in high spirits, traffic police won't dare bother you."

  Yi Chen laughed and scolded: "Damn it, I'm driving a tank on the street? I'm afraid what's waiting for me is the British armored division... Hmm, I've always been someone who doesn't do things without getting something in return, that's my principle, just use something to exchange and that's fine."

  Mr. Zhang flicked off a bit of cigarette ash and said with a smile: "Your several junior fellow disciples have brought some messages, do you want to hear them?"

  Yi Chen's eyebrows rose slightly, and his outstretched hand slowly withdrew. He said cautiously: "I think it's good to let him go... that's just my personal opinion."

  Mr. Zhang also became serious, nodded slightly and said: "Uh-huh, understood. Originally we thought they each had a 33% chance, now Xue Na's chances have risen to at least 50%, maybe more... Alright... Thank you."

  Mr. Zhang smiled and winked, his hand already on the elevator button. As soon as the doors opened, he dropped a sentence: "Your junior said they're all fine, no need to worry." He had already slipped into the elevator and closed the door with a flourish.

  Yi Chen kicked one foot out, lightly kicking the elevator door with a 'ding', and said with a smile: "If I want you to pay the price, can you run away?"

  Mr. Zhang leaned against the elevator, threw away the cigarette butt in his hand, and thought to himself: "Looks like a good friend... Maybe I should bother him more in the future, anyway he's too embarrassed to take my money, and he has so many inside stories. What a gold mine..."