Chapter 1401 Virus Crisis
Liu Shang didn't know that he had come back from the edge of being exposed. If he hadn't clearly drawn a clear line while staying at Ma Bo's house, he might have had trouble with Huang Qu and others who were hiding in the third courtyard. If there are opportunities for contact, the final list of reports may change. But it was such a mistake that allowed Chen Yixin and Zeng Xiaowen to exclude him from suspicion when they speculated on the origin of the report letter afterwards.
Even when he came to Shandong, which was far away from Haihan's homeland, Liu Shang still maintained a strong fortune. But he didn't know yet that he had dodged another disaster. When Majiazhuang was in a state of panic due to the arrest, he had just completed the task assigned by Zeng Xiaowen and sent the documents to the Zhifu Island headquarters for signature. .
After doing this, Liu Shang got two days of leave, which was a rare benefit for an official of his level. But Liu Shang was not in the mood to enjoy the holiday. He was still thinking about the Haihan troops he encountered at Jiahekou Pier today. At this time, the military transferred two companies to Majiazhuang in the name of changing defenses. What's the real intention?
"At least it's not to catch me." After thinking hard, Liu Shang could only comfort himself with this mentality. He believed that Zeng Xiaowen temporarily arranged this errand for him just to take him away from Majiazhuang. Whether it was for protection or because he was afraid that he would get in the way, the military probably didn't want him to appear in the immigration camp today. Liu Shang actually didn't want to cause too much trouble, so although he wanted to find out the military's deployment arrangements, he wouldn't be unhappy with Zeng Xiaowen's little actions.
Liu Shang decided to take advantage of this trip to go back to his residence to collect his personal belongings. He left in a hurry when he went to Majiazhuang and brought almost no luggage. When you go back after this vacation, you have to remember to bring clothes and daily necessities to avoid inconvenience in life in Majiazhuang.
When Liu Shang finished packing his things and went to have lunch, he met his roommate Su Wei in the cafeteria. Su Yan was very surprised by his sudden appearance: "I heard that you were transferred to work in Majiazhuang. I thought you would not come back for at least a month or two. Did you...make some mistake?"
Liu Shang didn't know whether to laugh or cry and said: "Stop guessing, I came to Zhifu Island to do errands, okay? I have to go back to Majiazhuang after finishing the errands in two days."
"I see. Is the situation in Majiazhuang Immigration Camp okay? I heard that there..." Su Yu lowered his voice and said, "...it seems to be in charge of it by relatives of the chief."
Liu Shang said noncommittally: "It's similar to immigration camps in other places, nothing special."
Su Yu was a smart man and he immediately recognized the smell: "You mean that the problems of immigration camps in other places also exist in Majiazhuang?"
"This is what you said, it has nothing to do with me!" Liu Shang immediately distanced himself from the relationship, but did not refute Su Yu's understanding.
Su Yan naturally understood the meaning of Liu Shang's words, and said thoughtfully: "No wonder the handover of the immigration work got stuck at Majiazhuang. It seems there is some problem!"
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Liu Shang felt that more than just some problems, Ma Bo's problems were simply huge. If he were not Chen Yixin's in-law, the charge of colluding with Ming spies would be enough to get him shot. He just didn't know if his report letter would be effective. If Chen Yixin wanted to continue to protect him, he would have to continue to face this troublesome rural upstart after returning to Majiazhuang.
In fact, it is not that Liu Shang has not considered contacting his colleagues lurking in Majiazhuang to see if there is a possibility of re-establishing contact with the Ming Dynasty's intelligence agency, but the problem is that there is a fool like Ma Bo in the middle, and he really doesn't dare to use himself. Risk your fortune and life. So when he felt that the danger was getting closer, he decisively reported Ma Bo and the several Ming spies he identified. He knew that if he didn't get rid of this group of people, it would be difficult for his work in Majiazhuang to proceed smoothly. Since there was no middle option to choose from, he could only choose a more extreme way of handling it.
The topic of Majiazhuang is relatively sensitive for Liu Shang, and there are too many things that cannot be discussed, so he took the initiative to change the topic and said: "How is the situation here on Zhifu Island? No one will be embarrassed by the things you caused before. You?”
Su Yan said with a smile: "That matter has already been reported to Fort Victory. Who else dares to make a mistake? However, after doing so, the military said that it would thoroughly investigate the previous immigration work, so the arrangement for the handover of authority was stopped again. , I don’t know when it will be restarted.”
"Then you are on vacation these days?" Liu Shangying said: "I also have a vacation these two days, so why not go out for a walk together? There are many places on Zhifu Island that we have never been to."
Su Yu shook his head and said: "I'm not as lucky as you. I still have some time off. I have been transferred to the medical and health department to help organize and care for the soldiers who have been evacuated from Liaodong these days."
Liu Shang said in surprise: "Liaodong? Is this another war with Hou Jin?"
"That's not true. Almost all those who were evacuated from the north this time were sick. The southern soldiers couldn't stand the cold weather in Liaodong. If they fell ill, they had to be sent back to Shandong for treatment." Su Yu sighed: "This is still the case. Known as the strongest special operations battalion in the Army, if they were replaced by ordinary troops, they would probably have more injuries and illnesses! Moreover, the typhoid fever they got was easily contagious, so Zhifu Island was also facing a formidable enemy, and a special camp area was designated. Accommodate sick patients.”
Liu Shang finally understood: "No wonder I saw many people wearing masks when I came back this time. I think it was for this reason."
"Yes, the headquarters has ordered that masks must be worn when entering and exiting the patient area to avoid disease transmission." Su Yu explained: "I heard that 500 pieces of cotton urgently ordered from Shandong have arrived in Majiazhuang. It will be transferred back to Zhifu Island soon to make masks, quilt covers and bed sheets for patients. These things need to be changed and disinfected frequently, so I need to prepare some.”
Su Yu didn't know that Majiazhuang was already in chaos at this time, and the Fengshun, which provided cotton cloth to Haihan, had been surrounded by Chen Yixin's soldiers. Although the fire did not reach the Fengshun in the end, due to such a delay in the arrest, the transfer of this batch of cotton cloth to Zhifu Island would be delayed by at least one more day.
Liu Shang frowned and said: "In this case, it is estimated that the demand for medicines will be great in the near future. Yesterday I saw a medicinal merchant in Majiazhuang transporting a large amount of goods, which may be related to this."
Su Yu nodded and said: "Some of the medicines are not easy to buy. I heard that the military has sent special personnel to pharmacies in various counties in Dengzhou to buy the medicines needed for treatment. Even so, there may not be enough, so We are still trying to purchase the required medicinal materials from other prefectures in Shandong. This matter is currently a key supervision project, and all resources are tilted toward medical care. Basically, those who stayed on the island, including those of us who went north, were transferred to medical care. The department helped." Liu Shang sighed and said, "Since the virus is spreading now, we must be unable to go to many places on the island."
"That's right. The headquarters is worried about the spread of the disease and has ordered martial law on the island. No entry or exit is allowed. Maybe you will have to stay on the island for a few more days when you come back." When Su Wei said this, he lowered his voice again. The voice said: "But even if you can go back to Majiazhuang, the situation on the island cannot be spread freely. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand, I understand!" Liu Shang had been in the system for several months, so he didn't understand what Su Yu's warning meant.
Although Haihan's occupied area in Shandong has been maintained for more than a year, this was based on the fact that the Shandong officials were busy assisting the court in suppressing bandits in the Central Plains and had no time to take care of the small place of Fushan County. In addition, after Haihan occupied this area, he He did not take the initiative to start a war. Instead, he built bridges and roads, encouraged agriculture and business, and managed the place in an orderly manner. Even if the government wants to use force to regain lost territory, it must take into account the people's aversion to war in the Dengzhou area. After all, it has only been a year or two since the Denglai Rebellion, and hundreds of local industries are waiting to be developed, whether it is financial or human and material resources. , simply cannot support a large-scale war.
However, Haihan's rule in the occupied areas was not stable. Since the occupied areas and the Ming-controlled areas were connected on land and lacked effective transportation barriers, it was difficult for Haihan to isolate the society in the occupied areas from the Ming Dynasty. Although the Fushan County Government Office has become a decoration, through trade and immigration, the Ming Dynasty still maintains a high influence in the Haihan occupied area, which will not be completely eliminated in the foreseeable future.
The Ming government has been trying to regain sovereignty through various overt and covert means. If social unrest and political instability occur in the Haihan occupied area, then the Ming Dynasty will most likely take advantage of such an opportunity. enter.
But Liu Shang thought there was something wrong with it, and immediately asked: "Since we have sent people everywhere to purchase drugs in large quantities, how can we hide this matter from the Ming Dynasty? As long as we pay a little attention and find out more about it from those drug dealers, we will not It is difficult to speculate that an epidemic may have occurred in Fushan County.”
Su Yu shook his head and said: "The outside world can at most make such conjectures, but as long as the information is blocked well, it is difficult for them to have any evidence. The news that our country occupied Lushunkou in Liaodong has been consciously let out. Even if the Ming Dynasty officials Even if there is an epidemic, it is difficult to tell whether it is in Shandong or Liaodong. As long as they are not sure, they will not dare to take action easily. "
"That's it." Liu Shang thought carefully and realized that it was indeed what Su Yu said. Although the wanton purchase of medicinal materials will cause the government to notice changes in the occupied areas, it is indeed difficult to make a practical judgment based on this. By the time the government finds out the true situation and slowly prepares to take action, it is estimated that Haihan has already controlled the epidemic and will not leave any opportunities for his opponents to take advantage of.
Su Yan added: "Actually, I have some suspicions. The headquarters is using this to create a mystery, just to induce the Ming Dynasty officials to take action. Think about it, if you were in the other party's position, after getting this information, what would you do? How? ”
"Of course we are taking advantage of his illness to kill him!" Although Liu Shang was a civil servant, his words were not so formal. Regarding the situation raised by Su Yu, he has already thought about it thousands of times in his mind. How to fish in troubled waters and create greater chaos when Haihan society is in turmoil. This can be said to be a compulsory training for every undercover officer. class. As a former elite intelligence officer, Liu Shang has naturally done a lot of homework on this. Similar to natural disasters, plagues, wars, coups, etc. that may cause the foundation of Haihan's rule to shake, he has corresponding action plans in his mind.
"Oh? Then tell me, what a life-threatening method." Su Yu saw that Liu Shang's opinions seemed to be similar to his own, so he also planned to listen to his thoughts.
Liu Shang gave an example casually: "If the security situation in the occupied area is out of control, then we must first create chaos in places with dense crowds of outsiders. Outsiders don't know much about Haihan and are most likely to incite emotions. For example, docks, business stores, etc. There are immigration camps. Let these places become chaotic first to attract the attention of senior officials.”
"Then what?"
"Then they organized manpower to hide in these places. When senior officials arrived to calm the chaos, they launched a surprise attack. Whether they captured or killed the target alive, it would inflict a heavy blow to Haihan. At that time, the Ming army would launch a counterattack into the occupied areas and succeed. The probability is also much greater.”
As Liu Shang was talking, he suddenly felt that this situation was a bit familiar. When he thought about it carefully, there were already many Shandong colleagues hiding in the Majiazhuang immigration camp. If the news of the epidemic spread, these people would cooperate with foreigners to launch a riot in Majiazhuang. , but there is a small chance that it can mess up the local area. However, I met the two companies rushing to Majiazhuang early this morning. There must be no chance to cause trouble now.
"I didn't expect you could see more clearly than me!" Su Yu was surprised when he heard what Liu Shang said. Although he believed that the turmoil in the occupied areas might leave opportunities for Ming to cause trouble, the actions that Ming would take were not as specific as Liu Shang thought. Of course, he could never have imagined that when Liu Shang was considering these situations, he was truly standing in the Ming Dynasty's position and formulating an action plan, which would naturally have higher feasibility.
Liu Shang came back to his senses, waved his hands and said with a smile: "I just made a few random remarks, but don't take it seriously. For someone like me who relies on words to fight, my ideas are definitely different from those of generals who lead troops to fight. Just say something. Just a joke.”
Su Yu said: "Thinking about it on the other hand, if the Ming government really responded to this, then as you said, the first ones to be exposed would probably be the spies lurking in the occupied areas. It's okay to hide those who have been hidden for a month or two, but those who It’s not easy to dig out their true identities after hiding them for a year and a half, so we probably have to use means to expose them.”
The more Liu Shang listened, the more his heart grew cold. He felt that what Su Yu said was very likely to come true. If he had met with his Shandong counterpart in Majiazhuang before, then he would probably have to start an uprising after hearing the news about the epidemic. Being dragged down. Chen Yixin also specially transferred troops from Zhifu Island. He didn't know if he wanted to set a trap for the Ming Dynasty spies to infiltrate on their own.
(End of chapter)