......

Somewhere in Paris, Matisse opened his window, gazing at the dazzling fireworks in the distance, somewhat bewildered:

"What kind of mystery are these Easterners trying to pull now?"

"General, as far as I know, tonight is Chinese New Year's Eve, and they like to set off firecrackers and fireworks at this time."

"This is what Zorn, the adjutant standing behind Mattis, explained."

"Oh? New Year's Eve? Are they planning to use guns as firecrackers and fireworks as celebration?"

Mattis seemed lost in thought, muttering to himself:

"Hmph! The way Easterners think is always so incomprehensible."

"How is the GIGN special forces' offensive going?"

"Reporting to the general, this is the battle report from 5 minutes ago. The four GIGN squadrons that entered District 13 from the northwest have circled around to the enemy's flank and killed over a hundred enemy soldiers. Further battle updates are pending."

"Yes, order the 9th Armored Brigade to advance on District 13 from the due north direction. If necessary, they may fire on civilian houses."

Mattis lit his cigar:

"The armed helicopters dispatched by the Army Aviation Regiment should be arriving soon, right?"

“We’re almost there,” Zorn replied. “The night sky in District 13 should be quite lively tonight.”

“Very good, Colonel Zorn, do you know that the chaos in District 13 today was deliberately staged by the enemy to show us?”

Mattis put the lit cigar to his mouth and took a deep drag:

"This is a unique way of expression used by people from the East."

"A unique way of expressing it?" Zorn wondered.

"Yes, Zorn, do you remember the war our ancestors waged to invade China 140 years ago?"

“At that time, we set fire to their magnificent palace gardens, which were worth more than a country, and reduced them to ruins.”

That garden is called Yuanmingyuan.