After Zhang Gao finished notifying the two individuals, Tong Hao spoke carefully. “Director, when the former Director last spoke to me, he planned to give 50% of the funds raised each month by the Universe Pan-Hua Ethnic Association to the United Front Work Department’s small treasury. Then, suddenly, he was killed by the Kabas Empire’s battleship.”
Zhang Gao was surprised by this information.
He was not stupid. As soon as Tong Hao mentioned it, Zhang Gao thought the Yinglong Pirate Group’s headquarters might have been behind Zhang Lian’s death. He thought someone might have used others to do it.
Zhang Gao looked at Tong Hao with a mixed expression, his mind working fast.
Zhang Gao did not have big goals. He was greedy, lustful, uneducated, and afraid. His biggest dream was to take over Zhang Lian’s position, get rich, and live an easy, luxurious life.
Now, he was worried the Yinglong Pirate Group might target him next. If that happened, how could he continue his easy life?
Zhang Gao whispered, “Tong Hao, have you told anyone else about this?”
Tong Hao replied firmly, “I used to be the former Director’s secretary, and now I work for you. I would never tell anyone about such sensitive information.”
Zhang Gao felt relieved. He had feared that news of his father’s death would spread. If that happened, someone in the United Front Work Department or the Universe Pan-Hua Ethnic Association could team up with the Yinglong Pirate Group to get rid of him.
Zhang Gao trusted Tong Hao. He knew that if Tong Hao wanted to betray him, he could have done it when he returned from Area S.
“Tong Hao, what should we do now?” Zhang Gao asked, wanting to hear his advice.
Zhang Gao did not know much about the operations of the United Front Work Department and the Universe Pan-Hua Ethnic Association. The secret news Tong Hao had shared made Zhang Gao decide to quickly remove Chang Sha Guangliang, the head of the Security Division, and Shu Yuming, the head of the Operations Division, to protect his position.
“Director, the nine major leaders of the Yinglong Pirate Group act on their own, which is our tradition. Now, you need to demand that their headquarters take action and ask the Kabas Empire for an explanation for the former Director’s death,” Tong Hao suggested.
Zhang Gao frowned and asked, “Tong Hao, wasn’t it the Yinglong Pirate Group that killed my father? Why should I ask the Kabas Empire for an explanation? The Kabas Empire is not something the Yinglong Pirate Group can challenge! Isn’t that asking for trouble? If I do that, they will surely attack me! Let’s just pretend my father was killed by the Kabas Empire and not investigate further. We can continue running the United Front Work Department and the Universe Pan-Hua Ethnic Association as usual.”
Tong Hao thought poorly of Zhang Gao’s cowardice. He thought, This fool wouldn’t even take revenge for his father’s death!
He answered, “Director, no one knows for sure whether the Yinglong Pirate Group was behind the former Director’s death. It’s just our guess. The public information suggests it was the Kabas military that killed him. You need to take a strong stand and make it clear that you want to avenge the former Director. You need to ask for justice.”
“By doing so, you’ll show you are not someone to be ignored. It will stop the heads of the United Front Work Department and the Yinglong Pirate Group’s headquarters from interfering with your department. Don’t worry about whether the Yinglong Pirate Group can fight the Kabas Empire. You’re just showing dissatisfaction and asking for an explanation. If their headquarters cannot give one, we can use this chance to move more funds into the United Front Work Department’s small treasury. That can be compensation from the Yinglong Pirate Group for your loss.”
Tong Hao went on, “As for revenge from their headquarters, you can replace all department heads with people you trust. Besides, since we are in the Biot Federation, the Yinglong Pirate Group cannot reach us. You have no reason to worry.”
Zhang Gao repeated, “Move more funds to the small treasury.” He couldn’t help it. He loved money. Tong Hao’s suggestion struck a chord.
“Haha, Tong Hao, your idea is great. I’ll go along with it. If you want any position or reward, feel free to ask. I’ll promise you anything right now,” Zhang Gao said, trying to bribe him in his awkward way.
Tong Hao, with contempt in his eyes, replied, “It’s my job as the secretary to help the Director. I don’t need any reward. I only hope to continue serving you in the future.”
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At that moment, Zhang Gao’s wrist communicator beeped with an incoming message. He opened it and saw a notification from Clayton First Bank: “Account ZCKLAD2020121221A has just received 10 billion Biot credits. Congratulations, Mr. Zhang Gao, you’ve become our Diamond VIP client. I am your dedicated account manager, Xiao Fangfang, personal ID: XXXXXXXX.”
Zhang Gao smiled, pleased with Lan Ping’s response. He thought to himself, Since this woman is so smart, I’ll let her stay as the head of the finance department.
Tong Hao saw Zhang Gao’s greedy, lustful, and cowardly nature and decided not to stay any longer. He excused himself to handle his own matters.
Zhang Gao didn’t stop him. He was already thinking about how to spend the 10 billion credits.
At the Pan-Hua Tower, 499th Floor, Director’s Secretary Office
“Liu Rong, I have something important to do. If anyone asks for me, tell them I’m not here. Remember, anyone,” Tong Hao said firmly.
The assistant’s voice came through the communicator, “Got it, Secretary Tong.”
Tong Hao released the button, sighed, and said, “Finally, I’ve got this second-generation rich guy back on track.”
He forced himself to focus and pressed a hidden touch screen in his desk.
The screen lit up and showed a password box.
Tong Hao typed in a long password.
The infrared light from the ceiling scanned the whole room and disappeared into the floor.
A mechanical voice spoke, “The space is secure. No surveillance or eavesdropping devices detected.”
Large black metal plates quickly dropped over the door and windows, sealing them tightly.
Tong Hao saw his office turn into a temporary secure room. He felt reassured and kept entering another set of codes on the touch screen.
A personal holographic computer slowly rose from the floor and stopped in front of him.
The holographic screen activated, showing two fields for entering an account and password.
Tong Hao quickly typed the information, then placed his hand on a fingerprint scan screen. The fields disappeared, replaced by a message: “Identity verification in progress…”
The fingerprint scan blinked three times, then the screen displayed: “Identity confirmed. Accessing system…”
Tong Hao eagerly withdrew his hand.
The screen changed, showing many light points. Slowly, the points came together to form an image of a beautiful middle-aged woman—Lan Yiting, the head of the Yinglong Pirate Group’s propaganda department.
Lan Yiting looked serious, very different from her usual calm, detached attitude when meeting with the Yinglong Pirate Group.
“Tong Hao, the situation has changed.
We originally wanted to use the Kabas Empire to get rid of Zhang Lian, which would cause trouble among the nine major families and spark internal conflict. Our organization could then take over the Yinglong Pirate Group and push for the rise of the Pan-Hua ethnic group in the universe. But the Kabas Empire’s public announcement has made things harder. Now many believe the Kabas military killed Zhang Lian by mistake.
What’s the situation on your side?”
After explaining, Lan Yiting asked for Tong Hao’s update.
Tong Hao replied respectfully, “Leader, Zhang Lian’s son, Zhang Gao, has taken over as the new head of the United Front Work Department. From his behavior, he’s an incompetent, scared second-generation rich guy. He doesn’t want to avenge his father or challenge the Yinglong Pirate Group’s headquarters. He just wants to live quietly and enjoy life.”
Lan Yiting asked, “Hmm, Tong Hao, as an important member of our organization, what do you suggest now that things are more complicated?”
Tong Hao answered in detail, “Leader, I think we can continue with the original plan.
I can make Zhang Gao confront the Yinglong Pirate Group’s headquarters, forcing Lei Hengbang to fight the Kabas Empire. Even though it’s publicly known the Kabas military killed Zhang Lian, we can change the story. For example, we could spread rumors that Lei Hengbang betrayed Zhang Lian’s ship route or that he used the Kabas military to kill him.
From a motive standpoint, everyone knows that Zhang Lian and Lei Hengbang didn’t get along, so it would make sense for Lei Hengbang to kill him. Once the rumors spread, Lei Hengbang will have to act to clear his name.
The Yinglong Pirate Group’s retaliation against the Kabas Empire will cause great losses, and the nine families will likely become unhappy with Lei Hengbang. At that point, we can proceed with the original plan.”
“You... Tong Hao, do you realize that this could cause huge losses for the Yinglong Pirate Group and even put the Pan-Hua ethnic group at risk?” Lan Yiting asked, showing some dislike for Tong Hao’s plan.
“Leader, the Yinglong Pirate Group is already beyond saving. Though we seem to be the last armed force of the Pan-Hua ethnic group, we’re just tools for the nine major families to further their own goals. The group no longer cares about the future of the Pan-Hua people.
Leader, if that weren’t true, why would you, one of the nine families, have founded our organization? You must have seen long ago that the Yinglong Pirate Group has no future.
If it’s hopeless, it’s better to tear it down and rebuild!” Tong Hao’s eyes were full of passion.
Lan Yiting looked at him for a moment. She thought, Tong Hao’s abilities are clear, but sometimes he’s too extreme!
Still, she had to admit that Tong Hao had a point.
As the head of propaganda for the Yinglong Pirate Group, Lan Yiting knew a lot about the universe’s political landscape. She had enough information to see that a big conflict was coming, which would create an opportunity for the Pan-Hua ethnic group to rise.
But the Yinglong Pirate Group had already become corrupt and lacked the vision to lead the Pan-Hua people.
The nine major families controlled their own factions and used the United Front Work Department to deceive the descendants of the Pan-Hua ethnic group, collecting donations to fund their lavish lives.
Meanwhile, Lei Hengbang dreamed of founding a new Pan-Hua Empire. The other families resisted his efforts, fearing they’d lose their privileges. The internal strife wasted valuable resources.
To break the deadlock, Tong Hao’s plan seemed the most effective—tear it down to rebuild.
A fight with the Kabas Empire would likely cause massive losses for the nine families, and the internal strife in the Yinglong Pirate Group would surely grow.
Lan Yiting paused before speaking, “Tong Hao, I agree with your plan.”