Chapter 38: Hidden Secrets
"Ah, long time no see, Chief Wei Yenwu."
As Wei Yenwu pushed open the door of the waiting room, a courteous old gentleman sitting on the sofa took off his hat and bowed to him.
This was an old man who looked to have seen some years. Even from a Terran perspective, this person was sufficiently aged. His face was covered in wrinkles, his ears and hair were gradually dry and sparse; he looked not too far from the end of his life's journey.
Such an old man, upon meeting, immediately gave a feeling of trustworthiness. After all, who would suspect an old man on the verge of death (行將就木 - xíngjiāngjiùmù)? But it was precisely this seemingly amiable old man who had manufactured countless wars around the world, causing many originally promising endeavors to gradually bleed dry in wars of attrition. And all he had to do was shed a hypocritical tear, then wholly receive those various war orders that could only be conceded to major powers.
This old bastard coming to Lungmen at this time, definitely has no good intentions.
Wei Yenwu looked at the trembling old gentleman before him, a warm smile appearing on his lips, and bowed deeply to him, expressing respect.
"Long time no see, Lord Spencer, Deputy Minister of the Victorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It has been a long time since our last meeting, hasn't it?"
"Yes, about seven or eight years, I reckon. I still remember you didn't have this style of dress back then…"
The old man sat on the sofa, eyes half-closed, seeming to speak with simple dissatisfaction:
"Hmm, such a long time, my mouth is almost dry. Why haven't refreshments been served yet? Is this the way of hospitality in Dong Guo and Yan Country?"
"There is no Dong Guo or Yan Country here, only the Lungmen Free Trade City. We in Lungmen believe in pragmatism above all, seeing is believing, so many aspects are relatively crude. If Deputy Minister Spencer likes, I can have someone bring some tea for your appreciation."
"No need, no need, I already said I'm just here in a private capacity, no need for such fuss. If there's none, then there's none; anyway, this old man isn't here for any political mission, just purely out for a trip. After a while longer, I'll be stepping down and retiring; if any problems arise at this time, I can't bear it. Don't look at me like this; having been Deputy Minister for so long without stepping down, while the Minister has changed several rounds, all relies on this kind of caution and care."
Deputy Minister Spencer stood up, smiling, looking around at the decorations, and asked seemingly nonchalantly:
"By the way, how is that girl Swire doing here with you all?"
"Her meritorious service photo after distinguishing herself some time ago is hanging on that wall over there, you can take a look."
"Yo, little Swire has grown so big?"
Looking at the young lady on the meritorious service album, with her spirited, tiger-like face , Lord Spencer showed a benevolent smile, reached out to touch the head in the photo, just as he did when she was little.
"Is she happy staying in Lungmen? If she needs anything, just let me know, I can find anything she wants for her. And her family and friends all miss Swire very much. Isn't she going back to Victoria to see her friends? So many years have passed, everyone misses her very much."
"Miss Swire is very happy in Lungmen and was recently promoted. She has also made many new friends."
Wei Yenwu said calmly, his hands behind his back:
"She considers Lungmen her home."
"That's good, that's good. As expected of our little Victorian princess. Can ascend to high positions anywhere. Her classmates and friends have always been so many, haven't they?"
"…"
And watching this benevolent scene of the old man wiping the photo frame, a trace of worry flashed across Wei Yenwu's expression.
Lungmen simply couldn't break free from the shackles imposed by Victoria. A young lady from Victoria, bored and wanting to exert influence, could reach a position in the Lungmen Guard Bureau just two steps away from the highest center of power; such a harsh reality made Wei Yenwu's originally ignited ambition also somewhat restrained.
It wasn't about despair or anything else; as a leader who grew up in adversity, Wei Yenwu wouldn't harbor such negative emotions. But thinking about the continuous potential turmoil brought by Victoria's hostility, Wei Yenwu still felt his original thoughts might have been too optimistic. And his own prestige was very likely insufficient to maintain the upcoming chaotic situation.
Over seventy percent of the Lungmen Guard Bureau personnel graduated from Victorian-related institutions; how many among them truly stood with Lungmen?
This wasn't a matter of trust or distrust, but a harsh fact.
If not for the completely unknowing trust of Lungmen Guard Bureau related members, Wei Yenwu wouldn't have idly split off several departments with similar duties, creating a multi-department parallel structure with chaotic management relations. If not forced, who would waste resources on this? But to take the first step, these things also had to be done.
"Ah, by the way, I heard that here in your Lungmen, there seems to be a remarkable figure recently. I saw it when I got off the plane; your Lungmen's construction is quite well done. Such a towering building yet with a certain taste, must be a very good designer. May I have the honor to visit this newest landmark building of your Lungmen?"
"I'm afraid not. Because that is the private domain of Eden Company; even the Lungmen government cannot trespass into private areas."
"Ah, is that so. I thought it was the newest building constructed by Lungmen."
"…"
When it comes to disgusting people, you Victorians are still stronger.
Looking at the regretful Lord Spencer, Wei Yenwu's expression remained impassive, but inwardly he had already cursed this old bastard countless times.
But Wei Yenwu wasn't a fool; Eden and Li Lin were Lungmen's confidence to dare break free from the reins. Fall out with Eden? Fall out with Lungmen's largest and sole exclusive fist-level manufacturing industry and strategic deterrent? Wei Yenwu wasn't crazy yet. But looking at that tower, it indeed was quite grating .
"Well then, in that case, let us incidentally see the helmsman of that rumored Eden Company. To be able to advocate for the construction of such a beautiful building, must not be a person without grace and elegance. I am quite curious about him."
"Possible. But the helmsman of Eden Company will definitely surprise you. Because its true helmsman is merely an ordinary person."
"Oh? That's fine too, we have a famous saying: draw strength from the ordinary."
"Then it certainly won't disappoint you."
Anyway, the helmsman isn't Li Lin.
Disgust me all you want, you won't get to see him.
Wei Yenwu, wearing a perfectly enthusiastic smile, walked ahead, calculating inwardly.
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