Chapter 246 Returning to China
"Hans..." Schneider slowly turned the family seal ring on his left ring finger, his voice as cold as ice. "Max, I want to know the movements of every core member of their team, especially their criminal records."
Max immediately agreed. "We've conducted a preliminary investigation and it's clear that Hans orchestrated today's events. The person involved is... This is our report on today's situation. Furthermore, based on the information we have so far, Hans may be connected to some criminals and attempting to disrupt public order."
"At the same time, according to our investigation into Hans's financial situation, Hans Group not only sought illegal income but also concealed assets and failed to pay taxes as required."
"Continue the investigation and find solid evidence." Schneider's expression was very sinister.
"They're committing murder! They even tried to kill Erwin. This is unforgivable!"
"Boss, the problem right now is that we don't have any forensic evidence," Max said cautiously. "The clues we have are only indirect connections."
Schneider walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
The amber liquid swayed in the cup, reflecting his sinister eyes.
"The law has its own legal channels. If we really can't obtain judicial evidence, then we have to create evidence. If we can't create evidence, the Carlton family still has its own family ways!" He took a sip of wine, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed a number.
A raspy voice came from the other end of the line: "Klaus? I heard about what happened at the mall today."
"Uncle Franz, I need the help of the 'blacksmith'."
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds: "Why?"
"For the sake of family honor." Schneider looked at his son's sleeping face. "They crossed the line."
After hanging up the phone, Schneider issued a series of instructions to Max: "First, send Erwin and his wife back to the Swiss estate as soon as possible; second, notify our insider in the Federal Criminal Police to conduct a surprise inspection of the Hans Group's tax issues tonight; third..."
He paused, "Be prepared to encircle and eliminate the Hans Group at any time. We cannot allow them to continue to exist."
Max's body trembled: "Yes, boss!"
Schneider held his wine glass, looked out the window and said, "I want Hans's core laboratory to never see the sun again."
At three o'clock in the morning, the few remaining lights in the Hans Group building were all turned off.
At the same time, a shrill alarm suddenly sounded in Hans Laboratory on the outskirts of the city.
The duty officer was horrified to find that all the instruments were heating up at an alarming rate...
When the fire truck arrived, the entire laboratory was engulfed in flames.
The fire chief looked at the seizure order he had just received and silently put away the water gun.
Jiang Haitang didn't know all this. After a fight yesterday, she was exhausted and fell asleep on the bed.
Anyway, everyone in this hotel is safe, and even Hans can't do anything.
After all, there was a problem with the delegation's safety, and Country D was to blame.
Jiang Haitang’s only worry was before boarding the plane, but this was not something she should worry about now.
The next morning, Jiang Haitang had just finished washing up when the hotel front desk called and said Mr. Schneider was already waiting in the restaurant.
The Schneider family had already arrived in the restaurant's private room.
As soon as little Erwin saw Jiang Haitang, he rushed over and hugged her: "Aunt Huaguo! Daddy said you are our family's guardian angel!"
Mrs. Schneider stood up and handed Jiang Haitang an exquisitely wrapped gift box: "This is a small gift from us, please be sure to accept it."
Jiang Haitang opened the box and found an exquisite ladies' watch inside.
Just as she was about to refuse, Schneider raised his hand to stop her. "This is no ordinary gift. Our family crest is engraved on the back of the dial. Presenting it anywhere in Europe will earn you the full support of the Carlton family."
Jiang Haitang looked at the priceless watch in shock. Just as she was about to refuse, Mrs. Schneider spoke again.
"I heard that you went to the mall yesterday to buy gifts for your family. I'm sorry that I ruined your plan in order to save us. I specially prepared some small gifts with special features from Country D. I hope your family will like them." Mrs. Schneider added.
Jiang Haitang immediately said, "Don't be so polite, Mrs. Schneider. I'll be embarrassed if you're too polite."
"Don't be embarrassed. You are our family's benefactor and deserve all our gratitude." Mrs. Schneider said sincerely, "I have sent the gift to your room. Please don't refuse it."
At this time, Schneider handed over another file bag.
"This is a more important thank-you gift. It contains some technical drawings of our company's latest steel rolling mill as a token of our sincerity in our cooperation."
"This is too expensive!" Jiang Haitang exclaimed.
Schneider shook his head: "Compared to you saving our entire family, this is nothing."
"Especially Erwin. I only have this one son and I won't allow anything to happen to him."
Jiang Haitang was silent. It seemed that the love a mother has for her children was not limited to the Chinese.
"Hans Group had an accident last night. Their core laboratory caught fire. Although the official report hasn't come out yet, everyone has heard about it."
Jiang Haitang was shocked, and then she understood what Schneider meant by taking measures.
Perhaps noticing Jiang Haitang's shock, Schneider gently stirred his coffee and said, "Sometimes, competition is just so cruel."
Jiang Haitang looked at Schneider's calm expression and suddenly understood something.
She looked him straight in the eye: "Mr. Schneider, are you sure you want to cooperate with us? This may cause you more trouble."
Schneider raised his coffee cup with a smile: "Ms. Jiang, in Country D, we call this 'venture capital'. Besides, some things are worth fighting for." He turned his gaze to his son who was eating cake, his eyes full of love.
Jiang Haitang didn't say anything else, but smiled and said, "Mr. Schneider, it looks like our safety is guaranteed."
Hans probably doesn't have the energy to deal with them now.
After breakfast, Little Erwin and Mrs. Schneider were about to leave Country D.
When they were about to leave, little Erwin cried and refused to let go: "Auntie, you must come to Country D to see me again!"
Mrs. Schneider said with red eyes: "Our whole family welcomes you to visit us at any time."
"You are also welcome to come to China with Erwin. I will do my best to treat you to Chinese delicacies."
After saying goodbye to the Schneider family, the car was already waiting at the hotel entrance, and Jiang Haitang was about to meet the ambassador.
Vice Minister Zhou will accompany Jiang Haitang to the embassy throughout the visit.
When the car drove into the diplomatic district of Bonn where the embassy was located, Jiang Haitang saw the fluttering five-star red flag through the car window.
In front of this gray-white building built in the 1950s, two guards in Type 65 military uniforms stood upright.
"Vice Minister Zhou, Comrade Jiang Haitang!" The ambassador's secretary came quickly to greet him. He was wearing a neat Mao suit with Chairman Mao's badge pinned to his chest. "Please follow me. The ambassador is waiting for you."
Walking through the red-carpeted corridor, Jiang Haitang noticed a replica of the painting "Such a Beautiful Countryside" hanging on the wall.
The secretary knocked lightly on the wooden door of the office, and a steady voice came from inside.
"Come in."
The secretary opened the door, stood aside, and raised his hand to invite Vice Minister Zhou and Jiang Haitang in.
After entering the room, Jiang Haitang saw an old man with slightly graying temples getting up from behind his desk.
His office was simply furnished: a table covered with green tweed cloth, a world map and a map of China hanging on the wall, and the complete works of Marx and Engels neatly stacked in the bookcase.
"This time when you came to Country D, I never found the time to meet old friends, but I didn't expect that you would bring such a capable young comrade with you. The young people are really formidable!" The ambassador said to Vice Minister Zhou with a smile.
Jiang Haitang could tell that the two of them must have a good relationship.
"I accidentally met this young comrade at the Canton Fair and brought her here despite everyone's objections. She really gave me a lot of surprises!" Vice Minister Zhou praised her generously.
"Sit down, Comrade Jiang Haitang." The ambassador pointed to the rattan chair. "I heard you did something remarkable yesterday."
Jiang Haitang sat down straight, his hands on his knees. "Ambassador, I just did what any Chinese citizen would do."
The ambassador smiled and pulled a brown paper bag from a drawer. "This is a coded telegram just sent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commending your actions in protecting our foreign friends."
He paused, then continued, "But the organization hopes you can explain in detail your contact with Schneider."
Jiang Haitang reported the situation in detail. When he mentioned the technical drawings, the ambassador's pen paused on the notebook.
"I brought this blueprint." Jiang Haitang said, placing the brown paper bag Schneider gave her in front of the ambassador.
"This matter..." the ambassador pondered. "You did the right thing. I won't look at the drawings. You must keep them safe and hand them directly to Director Wang of the Ministry of Metallurgy upon your return. The country will remember your contribution!"
Jiang Haitang knew that it would not be easy to bring the blueprint back, but no matter how difficult it was, he had to bring it back.
She nodded solemnly: "I will try very hard."
Afternoon, airport.
Members of the delegation are undergoing exit inspection.
Jiang Haitang hugged the cover of "Quotations from Chairman Mao" containing the drawings tightly to her chest.
"Comrade, please open your books for inspection." The customs officer said in stiff Chinese.
Jiang Haitang's heart tightened, but she opened the Little Red Book with a calm expression: "This is the work of the great leader."
The customs officers probably knew that the Chinese people had this belief, so they just took a quick look and let it go.
Jiang Haitang waited until she boarded the plane before she finally felt relieved.
She remembered Schneider's words "competition is so cruel", and her heart trembled again.
Along the way, Jiang Haitang was actually a little nervous, fearing that something unexpected might happen.
But finally, they arrived in the country smoothly.
Airport.
Two comrades in military uniforms came to pick us up at the airport.
"Comrade Jiang Haitang," one of the soldiers saluted, "please accompany us to the National Defense Industry Office. The commander wishes to learn about the latest developments in German steel technology."
In the jeep, Jiang Haitang quietly touched the microfilm sewn into her underwear.
Yes, in addition to hiding a copy in the Little Red Book, she also hid a copy in her clothes.
"We're here." The voice of the soldier comrade brought Jiang Haitang back to reality.
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