Chapter 12: A scandal and a bang[2]

The moment Zhang Bolin asked for more information, Chi Lian knew that he was hooked. Every police officer longs to break a big case that would put their name out there and make it synonymous with heroism. While Wang Bolin was already a hero, he was not ready to hang up his cape yet. In fact he was under pressure to have more achievements because of his family background.

Before Chi Lian could say more, T4 interrupted her.

"I have an update for you. One is that completely amazing."

She knew that T4 would not be interfering with this meeting unless he had made a very big discovery. She needed some privacy to listen to him attentively.

"Can I use the bathroom before we start?" she asked. Her tone was apologetic and shameful.

"It's okay. Your brothers can be updating me as we wait for you."

To the dismay and unhappiness of the Chi brothers, he stood up and opened the door for their sister like the perfect gentleman.

"She is not handicapped." Chi Wei grumbled.

"What is this about T4?" Chi Lian had locked herself in one of the bathroom stalls.

"So, history of the empire 101."

"Now is not the time for classroom lessons T4. This is an important meeting." T4 had been taking an hour of his time every day to educate Chi Lian on the history of the empire. Today because she was busy, it had yet to do it.

"This is really important so I will go straight to the point. Around two hundred years ago there was a rebellion in the empire. The uncle of the current emperor felt that his family was denied the right to the throne because his younger brother was deemed more responsible and hardworking. Basically he had all the traits of a good emperor so their father chose him as his heir which left the older brother dissatisfied. All his life, he grew up being told he was the next in line for the throne and suddenly it was taken away from him. He was furious and jealous.

So, he staged a coup to overthrow his brother after the death of their father. However, he lost and was executed. His family on the other hand was spared except for a few who were supporting the rebels.

Sparing the offspring of his brother was not a good move because some of them continued to commit treacherous acts like treason and selling out the secrets of the empire.

Most of them were hunted and killed but some managed to escape and changed their identities. Rumor has it that they formed an underground organization whose sole purpose is to amass power strong enough to overthrow the monarchy.

As I was scanning the files in this police station, I came across some pictures of known rebels and one of them was among the men we saw kidnapping Mei-Mei.

I checked as many security footage cameras as I could and you won't believe it." T4 smiled proudly.

"I found him."

Chi Lian looked at the picture of the buff man with short cropped hair and a burn scar on his left arm.

"Are you sure it's him?"

"Yes I am, and I did not just find him, I found the people he is working with as well. They have about ten children locked in a warehouse in Muyu slum."

"Of course it's that place!" She exclaimed. Nothing good ever happens in Muyu slums.

"I think they are planning something really bad." T4 was worried, anxious even.

"They can't be planning anything good if they are kidnapping children."

"From what I can tell, they have vehicles coming in which are carrying some explosive material. I really think they are planning something horrendous. And that corrupt mayor Chu has been there as well."

Chi Lian tied to analyze the situation. What possible connection could exist between the kidnapped children, rebels, explosives and a corrupt mayor?

"This needs some careful thinking." She scratched her chin.

"The empire pays handsomely for any information that leads to the capture of a rebel. I think we should cash in first and then figure out the plan later."

Chi Lian had yet to figure out what was going on so T4 was right, perhaps they should deal with the immediate situation, making the police aware of the presence of a known rebel.

"How much is the reward?"

"Five whole million." T4 was excited.

Chi Lian went back to the office of the commissioner. From the tense atmosphere in the office, it was clear that her brothers had filled in Bolin on the purpose of their presence. He was frowning and clenching his fists.

This was understandable, nobody like a criminal who stealing from children. Little ones were the future of the empire and starving them was akin to making them hate their empire. After all, the empire would have abandoned them first. Such children were easily targeted and recruited by rebels.

"We will plan a raid and arrest them all tonight." Bolin said.

"I am afraid you cannot do that as of yet." Chi Lian took a sit.

"Why?" Boling glanced at her.

"Who authorizes payment of the reward money for anyone that has information on a rebel?"

"Yo_, you_ what do you mean?" Bolin asked. His heart was thundering. News about a rebel would definitely take his career to the next level especially if he captures one.

"Make the call and I will tell you what I know."

Wang Bolin put a call through to his superiors immediately.

Chi Lian could see the quizzing looks in her brother's eyes and she smiled at them calmly. Her smile indicated that they should keep calm and trust her.

Not even an hour had passed when the higher ups arrived one by one. The meeting was quickly moved to the conference room and security at the door was tightened.

The people who arrived announced themselves as agents of the state coming from the office of the prime minister. The Minister of state for security had also come along with them. It was obvious that they were taking this issue very seriously.

The minister was a tall middle aged man whose eyes looked dead. He must have been a former soldier because the air around him was volatile. He seemed to be ready for action at any moment.

"Begin." He looked at Chi Lian.

"Not before I get my money. In fact, you should double it because the information I have is more than what the reward is for."

The minister looked at Chi Lian intimidatingly. His gaze was daring her to reject his orders.

She stared right back at him and refused to look away. She was a former soldier; she had been around such gazes throughout her career. The air in the room was so tense and suffocating that the occupants were afraid to breathe.

When the minister realized that she was not giving in, he angrily ordered the secretary who had come with him to transfer ten million to Chi Lian.

Once T4 approved the transaction, Chi Lian connected her phone to the laptop which was used for presentations.

On the big screen, different pictures appeared. T4 had compiled then from the footage he collected while monitoring the kidnappers.

"Does any of you recognize this man?" she asked.

A gasp was heard in the room.

"He is known as venom, third in command of the rebels." The minister said.

"A while ago, this man and his gang kidnapped children from different orphanages. The children are being held in a ware house in Muyu slum along with a batch of explosives. The corrupt mayor Chu was seen meeting these men. I am not sure about what they are planning yet but I am sure that it's not good."

"Hmm_" the minister tapped his fingers. "Send me everything you have."

"I will do so on the condition that we are allowed to cover the raid exclusively." Chi Lian knew this case had become bigger than they expected. They would be pushed out if the state agents took over.

"You have no right to bargain with me?" The minister was unhappy and impatient.

"I brought the information. You were not even aware that this venom individual was in city B. You either include us or we report this on our news website tonight."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I believe I am." Chi Lian replied. She was not backing down.

"I could have you arrested." the minister threatened.

"And I will add censorship of the press in my article right below the title; Rebels walk among us, the minister of security fails to secure the safety of the citizens of the empire.

"You, You_" the minister stammered and stumbled over his words. He could not believe the audacity of this woman.

Zhang Bolin was laughing silently. He had never seen the tough as nails minister lose his cool even when a gun was pointed to his head and yet one tiny woman was running circles around him.