Chapter 129: Gathering
Chapter 129: Gathering
Director Lei was known for his efficiency, and just the next day at noon, he called Chen Chuan to inform him that the Foreign Affairs Bureau had successfully handled the matter, and Director Liu had also agreed to it.
The retrieval mission for Oak Leaf would soon be issued and specifically entrusted to him. The reason was quite compelling; after all, he was the one who took the lead in pursuing those fugitives and bravely faced the risk of gunfire, single-handedly taking down Dumu.
Considering the difficulty of this mission, Director Lei fought for the Foreign Affairs Bureau's full support, ensuring a substantial reward for this commission.
During the commission, the Foreign Affairs Bureau would provide all necessary information, but how it was done would be up to them.
Finally, Director Lei told Chen Chuan that the Secret Sect Review Bureau would use the Flying Head Sect case as an excuse to talk with the exchange delegation, trying to delay their schedule and buy him more preparation time.
Hearing this, Chen Chuan felt more confident. After asking some specific questions, he ended the call.
The next step was to gather a team. Even if the Secret Sect Review Bureau delayed the exchange delegation, they wouldn't stay for long, especially after obtaining the item. They would do their best to return it, so time was of the essence.
During lunch, Chen Chuan approached Luo Kaiyuan, Feng Xiaoqi, and Wei Dong, informing them of a matter he wished to discuss.
The three knew something was up, and after lunch, they headed to Chen Chuan's dormitory.
After they all sat down, Chen Chuan informed them of his decision to accept the retrieval mission for Oak Leaf and extended an invitation, asking if they would join him.
Feng Xiaoqi was enthusiastic. He had never taken on a commission before, and he knew that Chen Chuan had been handling external assignments, which he greatly admired.
Typically, students had to wait until their second or even third year to get such opportunities due to experience and fighting skills. Now, with a significant commission at hand, he was eager to participate.
"Chen and Luo, I couldn't make it to the exchange meeting last time, but this time, please take me with you!" Feng Xiaoqi pleaded.
Luo Kaiyuan replied seriously, "Retrieving the item is the right thing to do. Chen, since you trust me, I'm willing to cooperate with you fully."
Wei Dong's eyes lit up. "Are we fighting someone? Count me in!"
Seeing their agreement, Chen Chuan felt the team was coming together. "Good. Once we receive specific information, we'll meet again. As we might encounter the Maka Exchange Delegation, our strength might not be sufficient. So, I'll look for others to join us. I wanted to let you know first."
The three had no objections. They all lacked experience, and Chen Chuan was the leader, willing to include them in such a significant commission. Naturally, they would follow his ideas and arrangements.
After they left, Chen Chuan called Wei Chang'an. After a brief chat, he brought up the commission.
"Sure, junior, you're way better than me. You managed to get such a commission." Wei Chang'an was impressed. As a commission seeker, he knew how challenging it was to secure a departmental commission. It required extensive connections and networks, and usually, the various commission companies would get wind of it and claim it. Who would be the lucky individual to receive such a commission?
If he could participate in this commission, his chances of becoming a senior commission seeker would increase. He didn't even need the reward; he just wanted to be a part of it. Chen Chuan was doing him a favor.
"Junior, you're taking care of me again. I'm not kidding; I'll put all my other commissions on hold and wait for your notice. Just give me a call, and I'll be there." Wei Chang'an expressed his gratitude.
Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Sure, Wei, let's do that."
In the afternoon, Cheng Zitong called Chen Chuan, informing him that he had spoken to Ren Xiaotian, who would visit the school in the next couple of days.
Chen Chuan felt relieved upon hearing this. Ren Xiaotian's experience and steady approach to tasks increased their chances of success.
Now, he only had to inform Wu Han. At this time, the latter should be in the training hall. So, after leaving the dormitory building, he headed to the training hall, where he successfully located Wu Han. Instead of rushing into the matter, they sparred for over an hour. Afterward, they sat down with bottles of water, and during their chat, Chen Chuan extended the commission invitation.
Wu Han was thrilled. "Junior, I must be a part of this! Just tell me what to do; I'll follow your lead!"
The last time, he had listened to Chen Chuan and participated in eliminating Fang Dawei's group, earning his firearms license. So, he trusted Chen Chuan's judgment.
Chen Chuan nodded. Wu Han, being a firearms license holder, could openly carry guns, making him a valuable addition to the team.
As they hadn't received specific information or set a time yet, Chen Chuan asked Wu Han not to take on other commissions for a few days and wait for his notice, to which Wu Han readily agreed.
Back in the dormitory, Chen Chuan had to consider other matters. With so many people involved and the possibility of leaving Yangzhi City, they needed to prepare vehicles and essential supplies in advance. These items could be easily arranged if he mentioned them to the company.
However, this was his private commission, unrelated to the company. So, he planned to borrow from the company, intending to repay later or deduct the cost from future earnings.
Vehicles and supplies were manageable, but firearms were more complicated. Still, Cheng Zitong should be able to help, and if not, Chen Chuan could obtain the necessary permits from the Foreign Affairs Bureau and then apply for a license from the Patrol Bureau.
The Foreign Affairs Bureau didn't have much influence with the Patrol Bureau, but as long as they provided operational support, the Patrol Bureau could openly issue weapons to them. After all, he had the identity of a Patrol Bureau's descendant, and more importantly, he possessed a firearms license. So, arranging this matter wasn't particularly difficult.
Over the next two days, he was busy with these matters. On the third day, Director Lei called again, informing him that the exchange delegation would depart at the latest in five days.
The Review Bureau had intended to further delay the process, but the delegation's attitude was resolute this time. Staying an extra day or two wouldn't be a problem, but this action was enough to indicate that these people had set a deadline beforehand, and now they couldn't wait any longer.
After sharing some information, Director Lei also provided a suggestion: to observe the checkpoint near the port, as there might be some discoveries.
Chen Chuan thanked him and took note.
Director Lei also conveyed a message from Liu Zhan: "I think it's necessary, after all, we're dealing with an exchange delegation, and our two countries haven't had a falling out. Let's not make things too ugly."
But if the situation is urgent or if there's a threat to personal safety, don't hold back. It's not difficult to implicate the exchange delegation and the Flying Head Sect."
Chen Chuan assured, "Director Lei, rest assured, I'll pay attention to the solution."
Director Lei said, "Go ahead. If you need any help, call me, and I'll figure something out."
Chen Chuan thanked him again and hung up the phone.
By noon that day, he received a thick package containing extensive materials from the Foreign Affairs Bureau about the Maka exchange delegation, including their itinerary and a phone number to contact the Foreign Affairs Bureau directly to confirm the specific schedule.
After carefully reviewing the materials, he picked up the phone and started notifying everyone involved in the commission to gather in his dormitory that evening.
At 6:10 pm, everyone except Ren Xiaotian arrived, including Luo Kaiyuan, Feng Xiaoqi, Wei Dong, Wu Han, and Wei Chang'an.
Chen Chuan knew that Ren Xiaotian wouldn't be able to make it for a while when he called, so he didn't wait. He spread a map out in front of everyone and began explaining the situation.
"The Maka people's exchange delegation wants to return home. After leaving Yangzhi City, they need to go to Yuanwang Port to take a boat. Due to the mudslide in Xiashan, the railway line has been damaged since last year and hasn't been repaired. So, when heading east from Yangzhi City, there's only one road left." He pointed to a long line on the map, "The National Highway."
"I've considered this," Chen Chuan continued, "After obtaining the item, the delegation has two possible plans. One is to use certain connections to send the item directly to the port. Since the port is relatively independent, once they leave Yangzhi City, there won't be any strict inspections.
However, this possibility is low. First, there are checkpoints on the National Highway, and inspections have been tightened in the past two days, making it impossible for them to pass. On both sides of the road are vast wilderness areas with complex conditions, and there are also numerous smuggling groups and nomads.
As foreigners, they wouldn't take such risks to avoid losing the item. Even if they reach the port early, without proper identities, they can't stay there for long. The inspections might not be strict, but it's still risky, especially since the Maka people's ocean liner can't sail back now.
So, the most likely choice is that these people are currently hiding somewhere outside the city, waiting for the exchange delegation to come out and then meeting up before heading to the port together."
At this moment, Luo Kaiyuan raised his head and asked, "Is it possible that the item is already in the hands of the exchange delegation?"
Chen Chuan replied, "I've considered this situation before, but based on the information from the Foreign Affairs Department, the possibility is not high.
Currently, the Government Hall suspects them, and under the pretext of potential attacks on the delegation, they've dispatched a security team to 'protect' them.
The entire delegation is under surveillance every day, and their movements are controlled. All their belongings are subject to inspection, so they wouldn't dare to bring the item directly. At least, they won't do so before leaving Yangzhi. The critical moment will be after they depart and are on their way to the port."
Wei Chang'an studied the map and pondered, "The best way is to find those hidden Maka students."
Chen Chuan agreed, "Yes, the Maka exchange delegation consists of forty-eight people, and the security team has not only martial power but also firearms and armed vehicles. During their journey, it's almost impossible to stop them without using heavy weapons.
Even if we have the capability, for everyone's safety and to minimize the impact, we should avoid direct confrontation with them. So, our options are limited. Stopping the party with the oak leaf before they meet up might be the only way."
At this moment, Feng Xiaoqi had an idea. He raised his head and said, "Everyone, I have a thought."
Chen Chuan gestured for him to speak, "Feng, please share your idea."
Feng Xiaoqi clenched his fist and said, "Can we spread the news that the oak leaf has been found and let the Maka exchange delegation know about it? If they have a way to contact those Maka students, they might try to confirm it. Then, we just need to keep an eye on them, and perhaps they'll help us find the people we're looking for!"
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(End of Chapter)
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