The Parker pen that Chen Rou had replaced was still tucked into his chest.
The surreal thing is that Huo Qi was eating braised pork trotters outside, listening to their conversation.
Chen Rou said in English, "No need, I can understand it."
What interested her more were some old photos from Hong Kong and the mainland coastal areas a century ago that she had never seen before, and her compatriots in the photos who were either emaciated or bloated from hunger, but with equally lifeless eyes.
There are many photos of construction sites, and without exception, they all feature Indian supervisors, locals doing the work, while British soldiers stand by, looking imposing and dignified.
Here you'll also find the swords and pistols of various commanders from different periods, the tobacco pipes and tobacco left behind by commanders who liked to smoke, and their correspondence with their wives, and so on.
If their subordinates came to visit, they might flatter them a bit, but outsiders like Chen Rou weren't interested.
However, Colonel Rango was only using this as an excuse to meet Chen Rou; his main purpose was to talk about that pipe.
Just as I walked to the middle of the exhibition hall, there was a vertical glass display case, and in the middle of the case were several large copies of contracts, or rather treaties, though they were marked below as replicas.
There are three in total, the most famous of which is the Treaty of Nanjing.
Colonel Lange was indeed quite arrogant, pointing to the photocopy of the contract and saying, "Nearly a century ago, Hong Kong's development began with the signing of this treaty."
He brought up the opium pipe himself, saying, "In the picture album Miss Nie gave me, your country's Empress Dowager used that opium pipe, which was probably around this time. You probably can't imagine what kind of connection that opium pipe has with me."
Chen Rou turned her gaze from the glass display case back to Colonel Lange, wondering where she should begin if she really wanted to beat him up. She smiled and asked, "What kind of fate?"
Colonel Lango said, "My grandmother was Portuguese, and her family started by producing various firearms and later became a very large arms dealer. Judging from the details of that pipe, I tend to think that it was produced by my grandmother's family."
It seems that not only his grandfather was involved in the opium trade, but his maternal relatives were too.
The opium pipe used by the Empress Dowager was made by her great-grandfather's family, so it was indeed very meaningful.
Chen Rou smiled and said, "Since it has such a special connection with you, I'll take this opportunity to give it to you."
Colonel Lango met with Chen Rou because he wanted to buy back the opium pipe.
His family still has treasured items to this day, and he doesn't lack them, but if it's something that the Empress Dowager used, then it has historical significance, and of course he wants it.
Too many Hong Kong people have spoiled these garrison troops, and they've gotten used to taking things from them.
Colonel Lango couldn't sense the anger Chen Rou was suppressing. Instead, he felt honored that such a beautiful woman was going to give him such a great gift. Besides, it's only polite to reciprocate, so he also planned to give Chen Rou something in return.
These people's habit is to work casually in the afternoon and then have afternoon tea.
He wanted to invite Chen Rou to a very unique place for afternoon tea, where they could chat while drinking.
But from now on, Chen Rou is going to ruin Lin Yong's plans.
She smiled and said, “In Hong Kong, historical artifacts from the Qing Dynasty imperial palace have always been cherished by collectors, especially the personal items of the last empress dowager, the Empress Dowager Cixi. A royal officer had been interested in my opium pipe and had given it to the governor, but since it belongs to your family, I think it’s best to give it to you.”
By the way, the governor is also very fond of Chinese culture and is a collector of antiques and collectibles.
However, Colonel Rango did not have a good relationship with the governor.
His request for the opium pipe was an exchange; Chen Rou offered it as a gift, but he wouldn't accept it for nothing. He would give her something of equivalent value as compensation. However, if a policeman wanted to give it to the governor, that would be considered bribery.
Who was that policeman, and why did he bribe the governor?
Colonel Lango led Chen Rou into a building where a guard had already pressed the elevator button and was waiting.
He gestured for Chen Rou to enter the elevator, and after a rough guess, he smiled and said, "I guess it should be Inspector Gu. He and the Governor have an extraordinary friendship that goes beyond that of superiors and subordinates."
Chen Rou smiled casually and said, "No, no, it's Inspector Lin from the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau..."
She only got halfway through her sentence before raising her lace-gloved hand to lightly cover her red lips, a hint of panic in her eyes. She quickly changed her words, "Because the other party specifically instructed that it was a confidential transaction, and we even have a written agreement, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have revealed his true identity to you, and please don't ask any further questions."
Colonel Rango immediately replied, "Of course, I won't ask another question."
Originally, Mrs. Nie was standing side by side with Colonel Lange after entering the elevator.
But after saying that, she subtly moved to the side, and although her steps remained elegant and her expression remained calm, there was a hint of panic in her eyes.
She didn't say anything, and even specifically said she wanted to keep it a secret, but the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, and Inspector Lam, told her everything she needed to say.
She also successfully piqued Colonel Rango's curiosity, because so far, a large number of the police officers who used to serve them have cut off contact with them.
Last weekend, Gu Sir even appeared at the racetrack with Nie Zhao in public, which means he has also switched sides.
On their side, the most steadfast supporter has always been Inspector Lam from the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB).
Moreover, Lin Sir was a direct participant in many of the major events that followed his return to the workforce.
Because he knows too much, if he were to defect, the blow to the British would be fatal. Of course, Colonel Rango would never allow that to happen. The reason why Inspector Lin wanted to give the Governor an artifact was probably because he was about to defect but was afraid of dying, so he bypassed Lin and directly pleaded with the Governor for leniency.
However, the governor could forgive him, but Colonel Rango could not, and absolutely could not.
Lin Yong only had two choices: either continue working for them after his return, or die.
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