The Bells of the Upper Forest, Volume 2, Chapter 221, Snow, Smoke, and Cards in the Square

Turn out of the Flowing Wind Slope Corner Gate. Walk through a small patch hidden behind a winter forest. Charter Square. The walk is only a matter of a minute and a half. No one in the clubhouse followed Xu Le. Grass covered with light snow|All around. There is no one who is eye-catching. Things have come to this point. Xu Le knew it well. There was no need for Madame to worry that she would walk away.

There are benches next to the lawn. Iron handrails with anti-technology are carved into miscellaneous patterns. In the past, these benches were a favorite place for the people of the capital. It's cold today. But there were countless empty chairs waiting for Xu Le. He picks a handful at random. Brush away the remaining snow on it. He sat down heavily. His lips pursed vigorously. Kept sipping on cigarettes. A moment of effort. The smoke burns out. He lit another one.

The architectural character and urban layout of the Tokyo Special Administrative Region. Always on the road of solemn and quiet beauty in the vicissitudes of history. Whether it's the official residence of the presidential palace. Capitol Hill Building. Ministry of Finance Way Building. Or this empty Charter Square. The posterity style is rare. Naturally, it's not like any crossroads in Hong Kong. The lantern sign towers into the sky. Three-dimensional light curtains turn night into day. The bustling is dizzying.

Look beyond the corners of the majestic statues of the five groups in the heart of Charter Square. On a street corner in the distance. There is the only hanging light curtain on the charter square. The light curtain that gathers in the air is about 70 meters wide. The area is huge. Federal Television spent a great deal of effort many years ago. before obtaining a license from the Federal Management Council.

At this time, the winter has passed, and Mo Chou = sinks. It was getting dark. The news picture on the large sky light curtain in the distance is much clearer. Today's news is still focused on the news that Ross Medellin's pair of partners have withdrawn from the election. Journalists are responding to the reaction of the populace on the planets of the Federation. Supporters of the Medellín parliamentarian after initial disappointment and even anger. This fact is gradually accepted as well. Because the Medellín parliamentarian did not use the word in anger, either in front of the Ministry of Justice building or in front of the parliamentary building. Instead, he made a big hat of extreme justice and brilliance very sincerely, and put it on his head.

in the news footage. Councillor Medellín was praising Councillor Pabul sincerely, and the people who went on strike around the mountains were praising Councillor Medellín with tears in their eyes. The Parliamentary Spokesman praised the maturity and rationality of the federal people, and the Beijing Chamber of Commerce and Industry praised the wisdom of the Federal Parliament in terminating the hearing. Some experts and scholars are praising the stance of the federal business community in this dispute, and a certain ministry of the federal government is praising the objective performance of academics in this turmoil......

Everyone is praising and blessinging each other. This is a united federation. Perfect Commonwealth. Someone wins. But no one failed. Someone quits. But no one regressed. But no one remembered the editorial office of the Capital Daily that set off this turmoil. Detective of the Medellín Task Force of the Ministry of Justice. There are also those ** military witnesses who came from S Dragon Mountain but became clowns.

Xu Le lit another one. Subconsciously look back. Sheltered by the winter forest. Deep in the lawn. There are cornices and white snow looming in the meantime. That's the Wind Slope. The upper echelons of the Federation gathered. And he was in Charter Square. The party that the people of the Federation are most familiar with. The two are very close to each other, and the class or world they represent. But it's very different. The difference between the heavens and the sky.

Go backwards. He was the second of the youngest lieutenant colonels in the Federation. The youngest first-level technical supervisor of Guoke. In the future, he is destined to become a close associate and subordinate of the president's source. Have a bright future that Donglin orphans can't even imagine. Go ahead. He is a federal fugitive. Wanted by the Charter Bureau. Or hide in the dark for a lifetime or die immediately under a gun. Loner. It is impossible to see the dangerous road ahead.

Xu Le is a stone. For him. This choice is not a difficult one. In fact, he came to Liufeng Slope before today. Their decision has been made. Even if the folder handed over by the butler was so heavy. It's shocking. Unearthing his biggest secret. But he still didn't have the slightest fear. It's a big deal to change the chip on the back of the neck. Run away. And cut it down. Continue the persistence of a small person.

However...... Vigol is in distant Bermuda. Under the control of the other party. This is the only one. It was destined that he could only smoke in silence on the bench after the snow at this time. and unable to react more directly.

Cigarette butts are inserted into the snow to extinguish. Seven cigarette butts were neatly inserted at his feet. He still hadn't figured it out. If you smoke too much, there is no nourishment. There is only a heart-warming burnt taste. He squinted. Looking at the square, there are not many people. Occasionally, I thought: That's it. In the face of the vast shadow of the federal society. Do any more resistance. It really doesn't make much sense.

In fact, I knew that Zhang Xiaomeng was still alive. After a whole year of deceiving myself. He was tired. I don't care about anything. Under the collective unconscious yearning for calm and stability. No one cares about the truth about the Medellín project anymore. No one wants to remember the innocent deaths and injuries in the assassination in Linhai Prefecture and the horror of the concert in the four states around the mountains. Since this society is so forgetful. Why should he remember?

However, a group of people came from the other side of Charter Square. This group of people varies in age. There are men and women. Wear thick clothing. Holding a candle in his hand. Holding up a few photos that are half a meter square. The number of people is small. It looks sparse. There is no momentum. Compared to the George Carlin Youth Army that surrounded the Ministry of Justice building a few days ago. Some of the demonstrators were very lonely.

The small number of demonstrators was silent. Presumably they themselves know it. In the current social environment. These people insist on believing in something. Not what the vast majority of people want to see. The picture they were holding up was small. It's a little blurry from afar. But maybe I can see it clearly. The picture bears the names of the people who died in the terrorist attack at the concert.

The remaining pictures show the child's face. These kids went to see an idol concert. Died under the collapsed stands. After the cold body was dug out. The young face with its eyes closed was covered with black-gray dust. The long eyelashes are quietly placed. A few of them have been broken. There is dead blue. There is pallor. But there is no ruddy color that a child should have. Because they're all dead.

A silent procession approached. Xu Le watched silently. Then he stood up and pulled out the cash he had on his body. It was put in the fundbox. At the same time a few words with the leader of the team.

After the Medellín parliamentarians announced their withdrawal from the general election, those who had supported Pabul were among the councillors. Standing on the opposite side of the George Carlin Youth Army, the crowd dispersed, presumably the simple sympathy of the people for the weak. Reluctant to beat up the overboard, there are very few people who still accuse Medellín of being a baby killer.

"I believe the report of the Capital Daily. But people in the four states around the mountains didn't believe it. Although they are the ones who are afraid this time

hit the biggest victims. ”

The organizer of the march was a middle-aged man. He took Xu Le's cigarette and took two puffs. Said with some sadness: "The relatives of the deceased of these children. There is simply no money to come from the S spaceship. Just elected a representative. But what scared me even more. Some of the families of the deceased still believed that the ** army did it. Medellín, the old bastard, has nothing to do with it. ”

Xu Le didn't say anything. The middle-aged man patted him on the shoulder. Show your appreciation. Then take Liao Liao's companions.|Charter Square after the snow. Another detour began.

Xu Le sat back on the bench. Insert the burned cigarette butt from your lips into the snowdrift near your feet. It's already the ninth, and he hasn't figured it out yet.

He lowered his head and thought for a moment. raised his head and said to Bai Yulan beside him, "I'm out of smoke." Do you still have any?"

I don't know when. Magnolia, who has been waiting for him at the main gate of Liufeng Slope. has come to his side. Magnolia lifted the black strands of her face with one finger. Shook his head. After a moment of silence, he said, "What you just asked me to inquire about. I've already heard about some. The specifics of the Ministry of Justice are unclear. The case team was withdrawn, but no one knew what to do with the evidence. ”

Xu Le scratched his head. Remove a cigarette butt from the snowdrift near your feet. I found that there was no possibility of igniting it again. The first one had to tear the material in the filter mouth in a daze boredly. Secretary Bai is on the line of murder. But after all, they are in different classes. I want to find out these things. It's really difficult.

"I don't know anything about the Capital Daily. Bai Lan stood aside. looked at Xu Le's lowered head. Although not very aware of what happened before. But roughly understood. At this time, Xu Le was puzzled. It must have something to do with the Medellín project.

It was at this time. The phone in Xu Le's arms rang. He didn't look at the caller ID on it. Directly connected and asked, "What's the news?"

"Bob, editor-in-chief of the Capital Daily, was removed. Super clause cited by the Board. He was compensated ten times his salary. Believe me. The editor-in-chief had a hard time finding a suitable job within five years. "On the other end of the phone. Li Xiaotong, the seventh young master of the Li family, sighed and said, "As for the chief reporter you care about, Mr. Wood. Unfortunately, I was in a car accident today. Man did not die. However, he has been admitted to the hospital. ”

Xu Le took the phone. Motionless.

"In the current environment. Any attempt to destabilize the consortment of the Federation. will suffer a powerful blow from a myriad of parties united. In fact, you know it too. The intensity of this blow. My family should be the most contributing. Li Xiaotong continued to say calmly: "According to the news from my side. You have passed the assessment of the lady. As long as you want. You will be able to enter our circle as a corresponding one. In this case. I advise you to calm down. ”

"Thank you. Xu Le said seriously. He Li Seventh Young Master should not be considered a friend. It's the stakeholders. He is the key investment object of Li Xiaotong. Yet at this very moment. The other party is also willing to give him help in these aspects. It should be said that it is full of sincerity.

Li Xiaotong didn't say anything more. Hung up. Sitting on the couch there was silence for a long time. When he first started. The main thing is to invest in the relationship between Xu Le and his family. Later, he mainly wanted to invest in Xu Le. Because he is optimistic about this person, he is like Lin Banshan back then. Have the ability to break the rules. However, at this time, he had some bad omens - even Lin Banshan himself. Facing the current federation from top to bottom. From the elite to the collective consciousness of the people. Presumably, he didn't dare to try his edge at all. Xu Le seemed to have something else in mind.

Alone. No matter how strong the person is. Facing the entire Federation. It's just one person.

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Editorial Department of the Daily News. There was a gloomy cloud. Editor-in-Chief Bob took one last look at his office. Smiled wryly. Accompanied by the sad eyes of many subordinates. Leaving the building on Cabinn Street.

Walk out of the main entrance of the newspaper office. Editor-in-Chief Bob glanced back at the crescent marker on the side of the building. Thinking about the past these days, I don't have many regrets in my heart. All that is possessed in the heart is peace. As a media professional. Do what you should do to have peace of mind. In all conscience.

It's a pity that I still overestimate the power of journalism and underestimate the power of the ubiquitous web of federal society. A few days ago, he and the media were able to spare no effort to launch an attack on the Medellín parliamentarians, because the other big forces in the federation needed to do so themselves. When the two of them have already made an agreement. After the distribution of benefits. These people will be abandoned.

The power of journalism lies in exposing the facts. Inform the population. It's just a pity in this regard. That old guy in Medellin. But it has enough incitement power. The newspaper dismissed itself. It was a matter of course, presumably on the part of the government to appease the mad Medellín supporters. The means that must be sacrificed.

It's just a pity for Wood. This guy would have wanted to continue his own reporting on the Internet. Who knows, but was hit by a speeding car and broke his legs......

It's a pity. Editor-in-chief Bo had a slight pain in his forehead. My heart was cold. A wry smile. Got in the car. Said to the driver: "Go to the hospital." ”

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The building of the Ministry of Justice, not far from Charter Square. At this time, we are in a similar bleak mood. Simultaneous directives from the Presidency and the Federal Congress forced the Medellín team to suspend its investigation. And after the resignation of the Minister of Justice. The independent prosecutor had no choice but to move out of his office.

Xiao Wenjing and Xu Songzi walked through the Ministry of Justice building. I was blown by the cold wind that blew on my face. I almost shivered a few times. He glanced at Xu Songzi's red egg. Wry smiled and buttoned the collar of her trench coat for her. Through this time of working day and night. This is the senior of the First Military Academy. It's more familiar than it was at the beginning. A little more trusted.

"I should be transferred back to the Ministry of Defense. What about you\" Xu Songzi looked at him with a hint of worry, thinking of the day before yesterday after the order of the presidential palace was issued. Those things that Xiao Wenjing secretly hid. The mood is a little heavy.

"The prosecutor's office that should go back. Xiao Wenjing lowered her head slightly. Look at the slush underneath your feet. Suddenly, he frowned. said: "Zhang Xiaomeng, an important witness, left. It's clear that someone has done it if they can be found again. Things may turn around. ”

"All the dossier materials. All have been handed over to the Presidential Palace. It is then archived in a central database. The case is closed. Xu Song hugged his arms tightly. said softly: "No one can find Zhang Xiaomeng now." If found. It is also estimated to be a corpse. ”

"But in fact, there is a lot of evidence. Xiao Wenjing's brows furrowed. "I still want to continue," he said

Go. ”

Matsuko followed him forward. After a long silence. He said, "There is someone who needs me." Feel free to find me. ”

Sharp brakes. Ringing beside a pair of young prosecutors. Two black official cars drove up at a rapid pace. Gliding on the snow stops. blocked their way. Several state investigator officers in dark suits stepped out of the car. One of them looked at Xiao Wenjing and said coldly, "Inspector Xiao." You are involved in a vicious case at the end of November of the 60th year of the Constitutional Era. We ask for your cooperation with our investigation. ”

Xiao Wenjing's face turned slightly pale. glanced at Xu Songzi. Knowing that something is not good. I don't know what's going on.

"I don't understand. Xiao Wenjing looked at the FBI officer. Mei reprimanded: "What case? Even if there is a case." It should also be a matter for the police department. What's the matter with your FBI?"

"You're a federal justice man. And the circumstances of the case are extremely egregious. So the case was taken over by the FBI. The official said coldly: "Suspected of raping an underage girl." I guess we don't need to discuss it on the street, do we?"

Xu Songzi glanced at Xiao Wenjing in astonishment, of course she wouldn't believe it. Vaguely guessed. This matter must be related to the Medellín project. But on what basis did the other party make such a ridiculous accusation?

"Adulterous young girl?" Xiao Wenjing's face turned pale. But there was a hint of anger and excitement. He quickly remembered going home last night. The poor little girl who asked for a ride. However...... Could anyone else in the Federation do such a disgusting and shameless trap? He said angrily: "Shameless! What evidence do you have!"

"You can give your own opinion. I'm just asking you to go back and get investigated. The FBI officer scoffed, "Although no semen has been collected." But it is also possible that it was an attempt. I can remind you. Your skin tissue was found in the victim's fingernails. ”

Xiao Wenjing took a deep breath and didn't want to say anything more. On this snowy evening, he thought of the time when he was investigating the murder of Hushan Road.

He was a prosecutor with great respect for the laws of the state. Although the revocation of the Medellín case made him begin to have a trace of doubt about the legal system of this society. But he still had faith after all, but today he was faced with that ridiculous and terrifying name. He thought to himself about that sunny autumn day. That young officer of Xu Le had told him. There is such a thing as a law. In the hands of a lot of big shots. It's like a toy.

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"The latest news is. Wood was in a car accident. Xiao Wenjing in the task force was charged with a crime. The state of affairs is clear. The two of them are the most persistent. So it has to be suppressed. If you still insist, you will inevitably be oppressed. "On the other end of the phone. Zou Yu's voice was not as calm as usual, so that it was a little indifferent. Rather, with a hint of anxiety. Because she knows Xu Le's character better than anyone else. Knowing that this stinky stone is too unusual.

Xu Le's eyes looked at the nine cigarette butts like plum blossoms in the snowdrift under his feet. Listening to the latest news brought by Zou Yu. The mood is heavy and lonely. Shi Gongzi was not around. The source is not there. In the sea of more than 10 billion people in the Federation, he can only trust Zou Yu. But even so. He still didn't tell the other party. I'm a federal fugitive. And the handle has been firmly held in Madame's hand.

"Lin Banshan can't be contacted. Yu on the other end of the phone said quickly: "I asked someone to find Zhang Xiaohua from Southern Science and Technology." But even he didn't know where Lin Banshan had gone after a month of disappearance. I don't know what urgent business you have in Bermuda. But since I can't tie this person. I don't really have anything I can do.

”

Xu Le asked very seriously: "Except for Lin Banshan." What else can the Federation do to penetrate into the depths of Bermuda? I'm looking for somebody. To be precise, I'm going to save someone. ”

"Lin Banshan is very strong in Bermuda. But the Federation's influence on that side is extremely weak. He's an outlier. Except for him. I really can't think of anyone else," Zou Yu was suddenly silent on the other end of the phone for a long time. Only then did he say slowly: "Of course." If you can find someone from the Xilin Military District. That's another story. ”

Xilin Military District. The 4th Military Region of the Federation. The front line of the Federation and the Empire. Controls the Federation's access to Bermuda's space. It has been controlled by the Zhong family, one of the seven major families of the Federation, for countless years. In the universe of Haohan. The three major forces have their own side in the galaxy. The Bermuda triangular star field is undoubtedly the weakest link in it. But it's the most free and crazy world. With the resources and population of the triangular star field. It's great to survive the confrontation between the Federation and the Empire. In addition to proving that the people there are extremely strong and capable of surviving. There must be a deeper reason.

When facing the Bermuda star field. Whether it is a federation or an empire. can be extremely strong. But no one can really have a deep impact. There is no control to talk about. The only exception is Lin Banshan. This prodigal son from the Seven Families of the Federation. By life and death. Long sleeves are good at dancing. It took six years. In the lower society of the hundred people. It has its own special position and strong strength.

Knowing that Levi was in distant Bermuda. Xu Le's first thought was to rescue this friend who had grown up together since childhood. That's why I thought of seeking Lin Banshan's help through Zou Yu. Although he also thought about it once. Lin Banshan turned out to be a member of the Lin family. But a rush on high-speed rail. Not sure why. He always felt that the man with shoulders like a knife cutting a mountain. The value is expected.

However, Lin Banshan has been missing for a month. Now what other way does Xu Le have? There is also the Xilin Military Region. Since you can find even Lin Banshan. Why didn't the people from the Lin Military Region look for it? Xu Le knew that he was in a hurry to throw himself into the hospital. But I can't care about it so much.

He looked up. Grabbed a handful of snow from his side and smeared it on his face. Let your hot face calm down a little. Took a deep breath. Chase away the figure of the little girl in the white nightdress. Reach into the underwear pocket of the military outfit. I fumbled for a long time. Only then did I find a card that had been somewhat depreciated.

After receiving this card at the Capital Airport. He has always been careful to keep it close to him. Even when he was seriously injured and unconscious. The card didn't leave his side either. to this day. He could only pray that this card would be like the legendary magic card. Summons gods with infinite power.

Dial it according to the string of numbers on the card. It's been a long wait. Xu Le whispered in a slightly hoarse voice, "Hello." I'm looking for Mrs. Zhong. ”

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Isn't it better and better written? Come on. ）