Chapter 4: Cold-Blooded Organization

  August 4, 2008, at two o'clock in the morning, the entire capital had already fallen into a peaceful sleep. At this moment, the West Conference Hall of Zhongnanhai was brightly lit, and several generals wearing high-ranking military uniforms sat solemnly in their seats, expressionless, making the atmosphere of the conference hall even more solemn than usual.

  Major Li Yang, from the 9th Division of the Right Military Intelligence Bureau, wore a black suit, furrowed his brow, and was out of place with the calm atmosphere of the entire conference hall. He would occasionally stand up and look out the door, as if waiting for someone.

  Five minutes later, footsteps echoed in the corridor outside the Western Conference Hall. Everyone present stood up respectfully. Li Yang's face changed and he also stood up. The door was slowly opened by a steady force, and an old man with white hair and a Zhongshan suit walked in with a faint smile, nodding his head and saying to everyone: "I'm sorry to call you all here at midnight, please sit down, generals, don't be polite."

  Several people respectfully replied and took their seats. Li Yang's face was anxious, without waiting for the old man to ask questions, he hastily asked: "Chief, why did you change plans at the last minute? Operation Mountain Cat is going very smoothly, our special agents have completed it without a hitch, the military department cannot interfere with the actions of the Military Intelligence Bureau, this is the usual practice."

  "Easy, young Li," the old man said with a slight smile, and this simple action stopped Li Yang's next words. He turned to face several generals beside him and asked, "How is the operation going? Are all the men in position?"

  A middle-aged commander with a dark complexion, about forty years old, replied in a deep voice: "Yes, all personnel are present and will complete the net collection action as soon as they receive the order. Colonel Liu of the Marine Corps is personally overseeing it to ensure its smooth completion. Please rest assured, sir."

  "Yes," the old man nodded slightly and said slowly: "Do you gentlemen have any objections to this action?"

  The soldier's duty is absolute obedience. Several generals remained silent, not responding. Li Yang's forehead was slightly sweating, and he looked at his watch to see that five minutes had passed, causing him to feel tense. He thought for a moment before speaking hastily: "Commander, I understand the severity of the situation. However, I don't think there were any mistakes in this operation. Our Military Intelligence Department 3 and Operations Department 9 worked together seamlessly, covering every step of the way, whether it was intelligence or action, without leaving any loopholes. I don't understand the significance of this mop-up operation. Moreover, the special agents we sent out this time are all elites of the country, who have made countless contributions to the nation. I hope..."

  "Alright, Li Yang, I understand what you said." The old man's face remained unchanged, his emotions unreadable, and he spoke in a low tone: "This time's Mountain Cat operation was done beautifully, and I also understand that your Military Intelligence Department has paid a great price for it. However, as the nation's elite, they should always be prepared to sacrifice their lives for the country at any moment. The first rule of Special Forces is something they should know better than you."

  Li Yang's heart skipped a beat, his brow furrowed tightly. How could he not know the first rule of being a special agent: everything is for the sake of national interest? The meaning contained within this was so rich and profound. Li Yang took a deep breath, thought for a moment, and still refused to give up, saying: "Chief, I understand the importance of this incident, but our agents are all secretly infiltrated, without any records of entering or leaving the country, especially 003, she is infiltrating the US West Sea submarine..."

  "Li Yang!" The commander frowned and said in a deep voice, "You are a soldier of the country, you should understand the duty of a soldier. Don't do things based on personal feelings. Today's matter ends here, dismiss."

  All the generals heard and stood up together, put away the documents on the table, and followed the leader's back to prepare to go out.

  "Commander!" Li Yang suddenly shouted loudly, his voice sharp and clear, echoing back and forth in the Western Conference Hall. Everyone was stunned, not expecting that Li Yang, a small major from the Military Intelligence Department, would have such great audacity, and they all turned their heads in surprise, their eyes fixed on him.

  "Director," Li Yang picked up the file on the desk and rushed to the director's front, his face anxious, his eyes burning with a gambler-like intensity, and said in a deep voice: "In 2002, 003 personally went to Iraq to capture a high-ranking military officer who had defected to the enemy. After three months, he killed 28 high-level terrorist leaders and finally brought the defector back to the country under the enemy's blanket blockade and pursuit, saving the nation's secrets and interests that cannot be estimated; In 2003, 003 participated in the capture of anti-government elements from a non-friendly country, and eventually destroyed three intelligence agencies of the non-friendly country in our country, retrieving the huge secret of the Shanghai financial market, successfully avoiding the new round of economic bombing by Western countries, and was awarded the second-class medal by the whole government; In September 2003, 003 accepted the national assignment, used the beauty trick, and successfully turned against Iran's ace pilot, obtaining the top-secret information of H47; In 2004, he successfully infiltrated the Syrian embassy of our country controlled by terrorists, rescued 37 hostages, killed more than 40 terrorists. And two months later, in the mountains of Syria, he infiltrated the terrorist stronghold, destroyed 21 local buildings, and destroyed an underground munitions factory; In 05...

  "That's enough, General Li!"

  "Chief!" Li Yang roared, saying loudly: "In '06, she stole the base's top-secret attack plan in Afghanistan, but was framed by the enemy and spread rumors of 003's betrayal. The Military Intelligence Department was temporarily misled and sent out more than 20 special agents to capture her. 003 escaped from the national underground prison, barely making it to Chicago after nine deaths, and foiled the enemy's plan, destroying the base's bomber. At that time, you were on the plane heading to Chicago!"

  The leader's face was momentarily stagnant, the solemnity on his face slowly dissipated, and he finally patted Li Yang's shoulder heavily, saying in a deep voice: "Colonel Li, I deeply understand 003's contribution to the country. I also know that she is our country's best and most outstanding super spy. However, all of this cannot surpass national interests. The Mountain Cat operation has touched the sensitive spots of several major powers. Even if our special agents have left no evidence behind, we still cannot let the country bear such risks. We must abandon all members of the Mountain Cat operation team. I am also deeply grieved by this. However, for the benefit and safety of 1.3 billion people in our country, we have to do so. We are the guardians of the nation, and many times, we cannot possess ordinary human emotions."

  He then turned around abruptly and gave a low order to the guard beside him: "From now on, Major Li Yang is not allowed to step out of the West Conference Hall."

  The heavy gate of the Western Conference Hall closed, Li Yang's face was solemn, and his heart also sank.

  "Little poem, you've escaped from so many life-and-death struggles, but this time, can you guess which country you're serving will end up killing you?"

  Time slowly passed by, and the night grew darker.

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