Chapter 345: Deployment

The midnight "harvest" at the North District warehouse was like a massive stone thrown into a dead pond; the splash on the surface was quickly suppressed by Li Ping'an, but the resulting undercurrent surged at the fastest speed toward higher, more secretive levels.

Wang Youfu, together with the scorching "TZ-7" connector, was personally escorted by Chen Jianghe to a temporary detention room behind the Security Department, fitted with double locks and welded‑shut windows.

Li Ping'an worked through the night to write a report whose wording was extremely concise, yet whose facts were clear and whose nature assessment was explicit.

He did not go through the factory office's regular channels; at the first hint of dawn he rode his bicycle himself straight to the District Industrial Bureau's Security Department, and via a special Telephone line gave an urgent oral report to the relevant higher‑level department.

The seriousness of the matter was beyond doubt. Before noon, a joint team composed of personnel from the relevant district departments and units of the City Bureau quietly moved into the Steel Rolling Mill.

There was no fanfare, and it did not even rouse most of the plant's leaders; a secluded office on the second floor of the Security Department was cleared, and a sign reading "Equipment Safety Inspection Project Team" was hung as a cover.

As the plant's Security Department Chief, the case's first discoverer, and its person in charge, Li Ping'an was naturally a core member of the Project Team.

At this moment he stood by the window of the Project Team's office, watching the bustling crowd of workers during the plant's lunch break.

The sun shone brightly; workers carried lunchboxes, joking as they walked toward the canteen, everything seemed normal. Only he knew that beneath this boiling industrial tableau a dangerous crack had already been discovered.

"Lao Li, we understand the situation," said the Project Team leader, a middle‑aged man surnamed Sun, dressed in a plain gray Zhongshan suit, his gaze gentle yet with a hawk‑like sharpness in the depths, from somewhere in the City Bureau. "We've also seen Wang Youfu's preliminary interrogation transcript. He's just a pawn, a money‑greedy fool being used. The key is the line behind him—'Lao Tan'."

Li Ping'an turned, nodded: "Sun's assessment is correct. Wang Youfu's utility has diminished, and the information he provides is limited. Lao Tan is very cautious, leaving few traces. But since he specified the delivery location and time, this is our best—perhaps only—chance to follow the thread."

"The third stone slab east of the old water gate on the moat…" Sun tapped the tabletop lightly. "The spot is cleverly chosen, with moderate foot traffic and relatively open sightlines, convenient for observation and escape. This is the work of an experienced hand."

"Understood." Li Ping'an walked to the simple city map on the wall, pointed to the relevant spot. "I've already assigned trustworthy personnel; since yesterday afternoon we've been conducting covert reconnaissance and deployment around the water gate. Under the pretext of river maintenance and trash removal, we've placed several 'workers' nearby. Additionally, observation posts have been set up on a few high points."

He paused, then added: "However, the other side specified a noon delivery. At that hour, the crowd provides cover but also makes exposure easier. I suspect Lao Tan himself is unlikely to collect the goods in person; he'll send someone, or use a more covert handoff. It could even be a test to see whether Wang Youfu is safe."

Sun nodded approvingly at Li Ping'an: "Your considerations are thorough. We needn't rush; we'll play the long game. Since Lao Tan wants the TZ-7, we'll give it to him. Of course, it must be genuine, but we'll add a few 'small tricks'."

The technical expert beside him, an older comrade with thick glasses and a reticent demeanor, adjusted his lenses and said: "We can produce a replica that looks identical, with minor internal modifications that don't affect appearance, or embed a special traceable marker. This way we won't alert anyone, yet we'll have a chance to track the next link."

"Good!" Sun slammed the table. "Proceed that way. The replica must be fast and realistic. The original will be sealed as evidence. Li Chief, on your side, the deployment must be intensified yet appear loose outwardly and tight internally; it must not alert the other party. Keep Wang Youfu stable for now, tell him the items have been placed as requested so he can 'rest easy'. The rest of the Project Team will act separately: one group will covertly investigate the area around the Dongzhimen freight station based on Wang Youfu's description of Lao Tan's appearance; another group will dig deeper into Wang Youfu's social ties within the plant to see if any other infiltration or exploitation is possible."

The orders were issued clearly, and the Project Team, like a precision machine, began to operate silently at high speed.

Li Ping'an returned to his office, where Chen Jianghe was already waiting, his eyes showing both the excitement of cracking the case and a hint of nervousness.

"Chief, everything's set. At the water gate, on the surface we have six of our people in municipal uniforms, paired two‑by‑two. Four Secret Sentries: two on the second floor opposite the tea house, one in a 'bird's nest' atop a crooked willow by the river, and one disguised as a fisherman in the downstream reeds. All the gear's on," Chen Jianghe whispered in his report.

"Bird's nest?" Li Ping'an raised an eyebrow.

Chen Jianghe sounded a bit embarrassed: "It was Xiao Zhao's idea. He made an oversized straw basket, propped it on a branch, lined it with a padded coat, a person crouches inside, covered with dry grass and twigs, so from below you can't see it at all—just… a bit cramped."

Li Ping'an managed a rare smile: "The method is crude, but if it works, that's enough. Tell the brothers to keep their eyes open but not be overly tense, just work as usual. Pay special attention to anyone who keeps showing up nearby, especially those watching the municipal 'workers' and the stone slab. Do not act rashly; follow orders."

"Understood!" Chen Jianghe took the command and left.

Li Ping'an sat down, massaging his temples. After a sleepless night his mind remained sharply focused, though fatigue was beginning to creep in. He opened a drawer, took out a pack of 'Da Qianmen', lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag. The spicy smoke filled his lungs, giving a slight invigorating effect.

In the afternoon the technical team reported that the replica was finished, virtually indistinguishable from the real thing; only special equipment could detect the implanted micro‑metal code chip and the subtle structural alteration. Li Ping'an inspected it himself and nodded.

That night he re‑interrogated Wang Youfu. Wang Youfu had been held alone for a day, his spirit further sapped. Li Ping'an said little, only telling him: "The items will be placed tomorrow at noon as Lao Tan instructed. You've 'completed' the mission. Stay here honestly, cooperate with the investigation, and you might still secure leniency."

Wang Youfu nodded repeatedly as if clutching a lifeline.

The next day, approaching noon. Near the old water gate on the moat, nothing seemed different from before. Several municipal 'workers' were hammering and clearing silt along the riverbank.

In the tea house, patrons were few and scattered. The crooked willow stretched its fresh green branches in the spring breeze, the massive 'bird's nest' remained motionless. In the downstream reeds, a fisherman in a tattered straw hat seemed to have caught nothing.

The replica, carefully wrapped in oil paper, at 11:50 was slipped into the gap beneath the designated stone slab by a scout disguised as a scavenger, appearing casual.

Time ticked by second by second. The sun gradually rose to the zenith. People came and went by the water gate—passing aunties, playing children, hurried workers.

At 12:10, an old man in a worn cotton coat and a tattered burlap sack shuffled to the riverbank, as if looking for a place to rest. He squatted near the stone slab, rolled a cigarette, puffing rhythmically, his gaze drifting nonchalantly over the surroundings, especially the municipal 'workers'.

After finishing the cigarette, the old man stood, patted his waist, and ambled toward the stone slab. As he passed it, his foot seemed to catch, he staggered, and his hand instinctively braced down, landing squarely on the slab.

His body swayed; muttering curses, he steadied himself and kept walking, soon disappearing around the corner.

"Target sighted! Contact complete! Item retrieved!"

From his angle, it was clear that as the old man braced his hand, he swiftly slipped the oil‑paper packet from under the slab and stuffed it into his roomy sleeve.

"Team One, follow, keep distance, confirm destination. Team Two, alternate cover. Note, the target may be a 'courier'; do not alarm him, let him go back!" Sun, stationed in the tea house, issued the order immediately.

The old man—or rather the 'courier' disguised as an old man—was clearly on guard. He didn't head straight back toward Dongzhimen; instead he wound through the Alley, taking seven turns, occasionally stopping to tie his shoes or buy something, watching behind him.

The trailing scouts were all skilled, using terrain and crowds to alternate their tailing, never exposing themselves.

Eventually the old man looped around, entered a chaotic, crowded courtyard area outside Dongzhimen, and slipped into a courtyard.

"Target entered Alley No. 17 of Yangwei Ba outside Dongzhimen. The courtyard is complex; no 'Lao Tan' detected yet," the report came back.

In the Project Team office, Li Ping'an and Sun exchanged a glance.

The thread was finally grasped. The far end of the vine lay deep within that tangled Alley of fish and dragons.

Next comes an even more patient, meticulous investigation to map the courtyard, locate 'Lao Tan', and uncover any further shadows that may lie behind him.

The hunter is already in position, while the prey in the shadows seems unaware that the channel they painstakingly set up has silently changed hands, becoming a fatal reverse‑tracking clue.

In a calm afternoon, a silent hunt is quietly unfolding in some corner of this sprawling city.