If Director Lu exhibited such behavior, I could basically understand Zhao Zhichao's situation. Suddenly, I felt Zhao Shicheng was quite pitiful; he was likely a sacrifice, and most terrifyingly, a self-sacrificing one.
Should I compensate him for something?
This matter is difficult to handle now because I defied Director Lu and became a major suspect. Ye Qingcheng's "Living Yama" group has now turned on me, claiming I am the mastermind behind the theft of national treasures. I can understand them; they are evading responsibility and mitigating their sentences, just like in the past when they sent Zhao Shuirui to the gallows. Honestly, I disdain such tactics. After all, it's like using the Seven Injuries Fist; not only would they not win, but even if they did, they’d still serve seven or eight years in prison. Although I haven't met the "Living Yama" group, judging by their deeds, they are at least the same age as Lin Zhijun, meaning they are now over fifty. Another seven or eight years in prison would render their lives meaningless.
The next day, Lu Yao came to see me. This was the first time I saw him since that day he asked me to separate the safe. Lu Yao looked quite tired, with prominent bags under his eyes.
"Didn't sleep well?"
"I was so moved that you didn't abandon me, I couldn't sleep."
"Is that the truth?" I smiled helplessly.
"It's sort of true, but it's not related to insomnia. Yesterday, Xiao Zi'an sent us some news. After discussing it, we decided to let you make the call.”
"Isn't Xiao Zi'an in Beijing looking for Lu Fan?"
"Yes, Lu Fan was found and negotiations were held. Lu Fan said he could provide the content of that breakup letter, but on one condition: we save Zhao Zhichao."
It seems this is indeed the case. Zhao Shuirui's death wasn't because Zhao Shicheng used his brother as a scapegoat, but because he trusted the wrong person. From Zhao Shicheng's subsequent care for Zhao Zhichao, it's evident he valued his fraternal bond.
Back then, Zhao Shicheng, using his position as an archaeology team leader, dealt in national treasures and manipulated the accounts. Director Lu said he had indeed discovered irregularities in the accounts but lacked the courage to report them due to his career. Judging by Director Lu's current behavior, it's more than just that. Director Lu lied; Zhao Shicheng's accounts must have been flawless. Since Director Lu knew, it implies he was an accomplice of Zhao Shicheng.
They were old neighbors for years, one an archaeology team leader, the other a criminal investigation captain, covering for each other and colluding. The latter half of the letter left by my grandfather mentioned that after the "Living Yama" group stole the general's head, Zhao Shicheng was also in a state of panic. At that time, Zhao Shicheng was no longer the cunning individual described in my grandfather's letter, nor did he exhibit the astute anti-reconnaissance skills.
This is all the truth. Grandpa didn't know about the latent relationship between Zhao Shicheng and Director Lu, nor that Zhao Shicheng had someone strategizing behind him. Later, Zhao Shicheng, believing Director Lu, chose to push the blame onto his brother, as Director Lu's proposed tactic was that the brother was instigated by a mistress. However, the court didn't see it that way, designating Zhao Shuirui as the principal offender, guilty of murder and theft of national treasures, and he was directly sentenced to death.
Only Zhao Shicheng and Director Lu knew about this. Zhao Shicheng also realized it wasn't a mistake. From the beginning, Director Lu intended for Zhao Shuirui to be the scapegoat.
However, Zhao Shicheng had dealt with Director Lu for years and knew the hidden ruthlessness in Director Lu's heart. He couldn't fight against a more powerful force and had to concede. This continued until an unwanted connection entered their lives.
Director Lu and Zhao Shicheng were still neighbors, but Zhao Shicheng was the elder brother, and his children were older than Lu Fan. Their interactions weren't problematic. When Zhao Zhichao came to Zhao Shicheng's home, she was around Lu Fan's age. Due to the superficial relationship maintained by the families, they ignited the spark of young love.
Because of Zhao Shuirui, Zhao Shicheng doted on his niece, Zhao Zhichao, immensely. He forbade Zhao Zhichao from dating the son of their enemy. However, Zhao Shicheng didn't want to reveal the truth to Zhao Zhichao, so he chose to tell Lu Fan the truth.
After Lu Fan learned the facts, he deliberately arranged for that girl from Class Three to break up with Zhao Zhichao. Yet, he still felt Zhao Zhichao had the right to know this secret. Therefore, in their secret base, he left the secret in the form of a breakup letter.
Zhao Zhichao saw that letter.
I shared this analysis with Lu Yao. Lu Yao chuckled, "Lu Fan was too naive. He thought that letter was a secret, but the Sect Master had already guessed it."
Lu Yao was being a bit insincere with that statement, but I didn't mind. Smiling, I changed the subject and asked, "Tukela, have you heard of Teacher Wang Ren?"
"Yes, I have!"
"Teacher Wang Ren told me not to trust you."
"It seems you didn't listen to Teacher Wang Ren."
"Tell me, what secret do you have? What's its connection to Zhao Zhichao?"
Hearing my question, Lu Yao's expression turned awkward. "Indeed, nothing escapes you. It is related to Zhao Zhichao."
Frankly, I wouldn't blame him if Lu Yao didn't reveal his secret, but I felt quite good that he did. I looked at him: "If you didn't have a secret, what you're saying now could have been done by Ye Qingcheng. Having you here, Ye Qingcheng's purpose is simple: transparency. To be honest, I've met Ke Yingying and never thought she was a person with strong emotions. However, her joining 'Zheng Qi' and recommending you as one of the Four Color Aces indicates you have some ability. Also, when Li Jiu assigned you to 'China Style' Raw Emerald Trading Company back then, it wasn't just a banishment, was it?"
"Mm!"
"At that time, my understanding of strategy was indeed incomplete. Teacher Li Jiu said that progressing on all fronts simultaneously was not an easy path. If one persisted, one might soar to the heavens, or be useless for a lifetime. At that time, Teacher Li Jiu said he also had a bottleneck he couldn't break through. Until he grasped the highest realm, he couldn't teach me.
So, he sent me to 'China Style'!"
"Is there anything peculiar about 'China Style'?"
"The legal representative of 'China Style' is a woman named 'Shen Po,' who established a strategist organization. The organization's codename is 'Houlai,' meaning: later, all fate is related to you!"
I frowned upon hearing this: "This 'Shen Po' seems to be a woman who has suffered emotional trauma?"
"I don't know about that. Although she's called 'Shen Po,' she's actually a Japanese woman living in China. She's a neutral party who teaches fated individuals how to become strategists. There are legends about her in Yunnan, saying she raises 'Gu' and can know the past and future. Zhao Zhichao found 'Shen Po' through this legend and became a strategist. Honestly, if Zhao Zhichao hadn't been solely focused on revenge, and had patiently learned from Shen Po, she would probably be more formidable than us now."
"So, 'Shen Po' also has a training program?"
"No, but she started promoting the subject of strategists much earlier than Teacher Li Jiu. Her 'Houlai' only teaches those who are fated."
"How did Teacher Wang Ren know about this?"
"I met Teacher Wang Ren and 'Shen Po' there. Shen Po is the legal representative of 'China Style,' and Teacher Wang Ren seemed to be there for business discussions."
"Are you sure?"
"Not entirely. But I know 'Shen Po' wouldn't target the Sect Master. She has no reason to compete with you. I haven't seen her in years. I heard she's still alive, but she's already in her nineties. At that age, what ambitions could she have? She's long since detached from worldly affairs. Moreover, I think Wang Ren is overthinking it. 'Houlai' is just a pure school, not like 'Logical Paradox' or 'Zheng Qi.' Many who study under 'Shen Po' are legitimate businessmen; some hold official positions, and some are trendsetters of the era. Zhao Zhichao is somewhat of an exception."
I understood. Lu Yao's visit meant he was no longer playing the charade of a weakling. He had admitted his identity as a strategist.
"I have a general understanding of what kind of strategist Zhao Zhichao is, and I also understand your intentions. How about this, we accept Lu Fan's condition and save Zhao Zhichao's life."
"Thank you!"
"Tukela, I'm very curious about one thing. After you integrated those systems, what kind of strategist did you become?" "I completely negate everything and think of all situations in the worst possible way. Therefore, my schemes are always filled with unexpected events, but these unexpected events are beneficial to me, making choices easier."
"It can be like that?" I was genuinely surprised.
"Heh heh!"
"What do you plan to do next?"
"Following your strategic thinking this time, all strategies stem from benevolent choices. The best benefits come from betrayal. It's time for me to betray Director Lu."
I chuckled. Director Lu, it seems, won't be able to retire after encountering us. Speaking of retirement, I suddenly remembered something: "Tukela, have Lin Han arrange for some funding for the psychiatric hospital where Zhao Shicheng is staying, and ask them to give Zhao Shicheng extra care."
Lu Yao didn't understand and looked at me with surprise.
"It's not a strategy, I just feel so sorry for Zhao Shicheng."
Lu Yao smiled slightly, "Then I'll go back and tell Director Lu that. You're not even leaving yourself a last chance and are thinking of a mutually destructive outcome?"
"Fine!"
Director Lu, I'm sorry. Who told you that your clandestine actions were discovered? They used you as a knife; to protect myself, I can only sever this sharp weapon.