Zhao Manxiong breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Not really. This operation at least limited the enemy's alliance and provided us with the opportunity to deploy personnel to win over sway targets and obtain information on the direct leaders and backbone organizations of the hostile organization. , we have initially seen clearly the true face of Liang Cunhou’s so-called military base. Moreover, if we have no losses and have results, it is not a failure. At least at the beginning of the operation, our purpose is only to obtain direct intelligence from the enemy. We must allow them to make mistakes. Maturity requires a process .”
Wu Mu shook his head and sighed softly: "It's too backward. In this backward era, we ourselves have begun to degenerate."
Zhao Manxiong smiled: "One of the main theories of evolution is 'survival of the fittest'. So losing certain abilities is not necessarily 'degeneration', but rather some kind of 'evolution' to adapt to the environment."
Wu Mu did not raise the issue again: "Yang Cao's report has been sent up. She seems to have objections to Xu Tong's actions. I also think it seems a bit too emotional and not decisive enough at the critical moment."
"I have read the report." Zhao Manxiong said: "Of course she has her own reasons for her personal judgment. But as far as I can see: there is no optimal solution or standard answer under the circumstances at that time. The decision made by everyone It may all be different. Since we send them to perform tasks, we must trust their choices and safeguard their decisions within the framework of the rules."
Wu Mu said: "They are very different."
Zhao Manxiong said: "Everyone is a unique individual, and I am happy to have such people in our system. Our organization is currently in a transition period. We are now in an extraordinary period and have to use some extraordinary methods. This is determined by the particularity of the special period. However, this particularity cannot be used from beginning to end, nor can it be used for everything. Do you remember the history of the Stasi that I told you?"
"Remember."
"The Stasi finally achieved 'omnipotence', but it failed to defend the regime - and this is the reason for its existence. This is a good lesson: you cannot put the cart before the horse." Zhao Manxiong lit a fire A cigar, "Our ruling area is expanding. In about twenty years, the Senate will establish a real country. 'Governing a big country is like cooking a small delicacy', and doing everything to the best is not suitable for us, Xu Tong His performance may not be decisive enough according to Yangcao's standards, but I personally admire him."
Wu Mu said: "Building from the bottom to prevent the slightest change?"
Zhao Manxiong nodded in agreement and said: "Liu Fuqing is a representative of the old era. It is easy to use but has no potential and cannot adapt to the changes of the new era. Yangcao is a sharp sword forged by us. He fully accepts our governing philosophy and is extremely loyal." , extremely sharp; Xu Tong is the scabbard, used to store the edge and prevent the sword from going astray. King Arthur pulled out the sword in the stone, and Merlin warned him that the scabbard was worth ten times the sword body, but King Arthur eventually lost his sword The scabbard never hides its edge, so it’s rare to see it forever.”
Speaking of this, Zhao Manxiong slowly spread his fingers and said, "That's why children do multiple-choice questions." After saying this, he suddenly closed his fingers and clenched them tightly.
This was a very thoughtful statement. Wu Mu did not answer his words and said: "Based on all the intelligence, the enemy has probably completed the preliminary integration of forces, and will probably launch a comprehensive counterattack next. But we don't have it now." It is clear whether this counterattack is limited to the Guangdong and Guangxi regions, or whether it will be supported by external forces."
"If I were the Ming emperor or the governor, I would naturally prefer that the internal strength should blossom before the army starts to counterattack. This is also the optimal solution. However, judging from the relevant intelligence provided by the Foreign Intelligence Service, does the Ming court have any Such ability is questionable.”
"In terms of shock to the government and the public, the giant bandits like ours that trapped two provinces are better than the rogue bandits and wild boar skins."
"That's true." Zhao Manxiong said, "We conquered Guangdong and Guangxi and lost two of the eighteen provinces. This was an unprecedented shock to the government and the public. But to the Ming Dynasty court, the Manchu Qing Dynasty wandering outside the Fifth Ring Road was obviously a threat. But bigger.”
In the medieval society that lacked effective means of communication, as long as the capital was captured, it would cause a huge shock and a power vacuum. The central court will protect the capital at all costs. Yuan Chonghuan's death was largely due to his failure to "keep the enemy out of the country" and allow the Eight Banners cavalry to appear under the walls of the capital.
For the Ming Dynasty, where "the emperor guards the country", the lost Guangdong and Guangxi, thousands of miles away, and the Manchu Qing, wandering just a few hundred miles away, are completely two concepts: one is far away, and the other is imminent.
This also resulted in the fact that although the Ming court was "shocked" by the loss of Guangdong and Guangxi, it was actually "discussed but unresolved." Although the Ming court was not at the end of its rope at this time, the Liaodong heavy army group could not be mobilized, and the few remaining mobile corps in the Central Plains had to deal with rogue bandits and were stretched thin.
"...Despite this," Zhao Manxiong said, "we cannot take it lightly. The Foreign Intelligence Service comprehensively determines that Ming Ting may launch a counterattack at the end of this year - the specific scale is unknown."
"so……"
"This can also explain why these opposition forces are suddenly active again." Zhao Manxiong said in a low voice: "On the one hand, they want to seize this opportunity to counterattack, on the other hand, they don't have much time. Our strategy The pace of adjustment is accelerating. The deployment of some anti-bandit forces has begun to be adjusted. The transformation of the grassroots has also begun. Armed work teams in various places have begun to be formed. However, the policies of the Senate are holding back this situation, such as land issues. Until now, the civil gentry has a great say. The differences of opinions within us are too great.
He didn't say what Xie Xiali said, but Wu Mu knew that in the final analysis, the Senate's "New Deal" did not export enough benefits. From this point of view, although the common people will not "rebel", they will not "win food and scenery" either.
It is not enough to just create a "peaceful time", there must also be enough "interests" - whether real or fictitious.
"...So, they won't resist when we come, but it's not difficult if someone instigates them to rebel. After all, the people don't have the ability to think independently, and they have superstitious blind obedience to the traditional dynasty and ruling order. Within a few years of the change of dynasty, The remaining power of the Ming Dynasty is still there.”
"However, policy adjustments and implementation do not happen overnight..."
"It takes time, it takes time," Zhao Manxiong closed his eyes, "You go ahead. There is no need to report to me again before the case is closed - I have other issues to consider now."
"Yes, do you want to go back to Lingao?"
"I'm going to stay here for a while." Zhao Manxiong said, "Lingao is already in the past tense..."
Wu Mu pushed the door open and went out. Zhao Manxiong slowly leaned back on the leather office chair. The sunlight spread on the desk in front of him, bringing a hint of warmth. He suddenly wanted to touch it, but when he Stretching out his hand, the sunlight shifted slightly, still leaving him in the dark, as if he was deliberately avoiding it. Zhao Manxiong smiled bitterly, leaned back, and closed his eyes. Opposite the sunlight, there was only the shadow of Lingao. .
Wu Mu returned to his office. Yang Cao had been waiting for a long time and began to report to him on his recent work.
The most important thing, in addition to Liang Cunhou's case, is the "key cadre training course" recently organized by the civil affairs department. Although this training course is led by the civil affairs department, the Political Security Bureau is also organizing the training. On the one hand, it is to identify "suspicious objects", and on the other hand, it is to provide necessary "security work training" for key personnel.
Many of these people are illiterate. Needless to say, the training work is very arduous, but there is always a beginning.
If their cadre training and placement so far have mainly been concentrated in cities and towns, then the next step is to go deep into rural areas.
"Based on the current intelligence, areas where clan power is not strong currently have a tendency for guilds to proliferate, resulting in many civil and criminal disputes."
"Has the law been promulgated regarding the banning of Taoism?"
"It has been promulgated and the national police are rushing to prepare relevant notices..."
"When the newspaper comes out, you will transfer all relevant materials except the 'white list' to Section 9." Wu Mu said, "Our people will only collect intelligence, and the police and the National Army will carry out the specific suppression operations." Wu Mu said: "I don't know much about this aspect. There are so many different types of gangster sects, including the Tianbing Dao Shenhui. I only paid close attention to it when I heard your report last time. Is there a group specifically responsible for contacting such people?"
"We have a team specifically responsible for the reconnaissance work of the Huidao Sect. However, an intelligence agent lost contact some time ago. His scope of work included instigating rebellion against Xue Tu. He may have died in the line of duty. The instigation should have failed. Combined with the bandits some time ago, Regarding the leak of the official intelligence document, there should be a major operation after Xue Tu completes the integration of underground forces. After the failure of peaceful negotiations, it will inevitably be accompanied by armed struggle. However, our main enemy is not Huidaomen - they in Guangdong and Guangxi The power is the weakest. Far inferior to the clans and gentry landlords."
"The Ming Dynasty will probably organize a major counterattack. These people also have to be on guard... How is the work of the gentry?"
"Everything is progressing according to plan."
Yang Cao said: "Will they accumulate strength and wait for support and rear riots?"
"I think they can't wait. Liang Cunhou's Wu Di has a keen sense of smell. They are like rats in a bellows, feeling the pressure from the outside world. There is not much time left for them, and they will definitely step up their integration in the near future. You can arrange it as soon as possible. Intelligence personnel go in and use controlled materials if necessary. We need to have first-hand information! Obtain their movement direction, hiding place, action plan and time as soon as possible. At the same time, we must strengthen information communication with the military. An operation of this scale is not what we want. I can handle it," Wu Mu said.
(End of chapter)
