Munitions Empire

Chapter 2017: Go See the World After 1880

"After a long period of investigation and surveillance, we have gained a deep understanding of the target. If the target possesses high-level counterintelligence skills, then he would have already noticed our presence and swiftly fled, instead of remaining here for what seems like a meaningless charade. This means he probably hasn’t had contact with anyone else," said an exhausted agent in the investigation office of the Imperial Security Bureau.

They had been tracking and observing that figure who often appeared near the Forbidden City. The person was tall and had grown a beard, always wearing sunglasses, appearing quite suspicious.

The target’s counter-surveillance skills seemed lacking, as he hadn’t realized that he was being watched. Yet, because he hadn’t contacted any accomplices, the Imperial Investigation Bureau was somewhat restrained, unable to use their full strength.

"Has he not contacted anyone else?" The officer in charge of the case furrowed his brow and confirmed once more.

"No." The subordinate shook his head, replying affirmatively.

"From the intelligence we have, his daily life is very routine, with almost unchanged daily movement patterns. The places he frequents are mostly suitable for observation and scouting," the investigator marked every building the individual visited on the map, marking them all in red.

On the map, these red dots were very prominent, covering much of the squares near the Forbidden City.

"From these actions, we can clearly see that he is very confident in his shooting skills. Every location he chooses, without exception, offers a wide field of view, convenient for sniping."

Since the exact location of His Majesty The Emperor’s coronation ceremony and His Majesty’s precise position have yet to be determined, the assassin needs to scout many areas.

However, his activity range can be traced, and technical analysis can be conducted. Through these analyses, the Imperial Security Bureau can grasp the individual’s basic action logic.

"We have invited some top snipers for comparative analysis, and they unanimously agree that this person is clearly carefully selecting sniping positions. Every place he visits is the best shooting spot for a specific target," a subordinate laid out photos of places the person had been on the table, introducing each one.

From the angles at which these photos were taken, it seems these spots are indeed excellent sniper positions, indicating the target is a skilled marksman.

Unfortunately, there are even more professionals in this world, and the Tang Empire’s security departments are undoubtedly experts in this field. Whether similar operations or experience in preventing them, the Tang Empire’s security departments are the strongest worldwide.

This isn’t mere boasting but the result of scientific training and ample experience accumulated over time.

"Yet, even though he meticulously chooses sniping positions, we still doubt his ability to succeed. Once His Majesty The Emperor’s coronation location is decided, the surrounding high-rise buildings and optimal sniping spots will definitely be filled with our security personnel. Under such tight security measures, his plan seems likely to fail," an investigator confidently explained to his superior.

"As for whether he comprehends our security protocols or not, we are in the dark. Perhaps he’s unaware of how we guarantee security, which might be why he’s still pursuing these actions. If he knew, he’d probably be quite desperate," another person quipped while sipping tea.

Although tailing such a fool all the time is boring and exhaustive, the team remains spirited in their work. After all, in today’s age, finding a fool in Chang’an daring to assassinate His Majesty The Emperor isn’t an easy task.

The investigation bureau has even established several other investigation teams, starting preventive measures against the possibility that the target is a decoy intentionally placed to attract the Imperial Security Bureau’s attention, each independently investigating other potential assassination attempts on His Majesty The Emperor.

"A pathetic guy indeed, he doesn’t even know his efforts are futile. Actually, we’ve been monitoring him for a long time, with all his actions under our control," putting down the tea cup, the agent gazed at a wall filled with relationships, photos, and evidence, clicking his tongue.

"What about the weapons? How’s the investigation going?" The officer needed to report today’s investigation results and progress to Director Li’ao, so he asked further.

Though there were too many misplaced weapons to fully investigate, it would be much simpler if they knew the weapons’ destination.

Bringing explosives or sniper rifles from the Eastern Continent to the Western Continent isn’t an easy task, so the Imperial Security Bureau has focused its investigation on the Western Continent side.

Meanwhile, strictly controlling illegal weapons entering Chang’an is quite manageable. Given today’s enthusiasm among Chang’an residents and the nobility’s cooperation, it’s truly not difficult to identify if a sniper rifle made it into Chang’an with dangerous intent.

Therefore, the agent responsible for this aspect straightforwardly replied, "Regarding his weapons source, we’ve also traced some leads. Securing a high-precision sniper rifle to bring to Chang’an isn’t an easy matter."

"As we’ve already discerned his intentions, it was easy to locate this weapon’s supplier," he said, placing an ugly photo on the table.

"We’ve already placed this supplier under surveillance; he can’t escape our pursuit. The reason we haven’t taken action yet is our concern that it may startle other dangerous elements." He spoke while pointing at the map where the location of this person was marked.

In terms of identity, this person is a reckless figure in Chang’an City. Gangs have no survival space in this city; he’s merely a ’thug.’

As for how he managed to get his hands on a sniper rifle, it’s actually because he’s also a pawn placed by Sofia in Chang’an.

Having invested with intention over the years and with ample activity funding, he naturally has a bit of capability. It’s just that the Imperial Security Bureau hasn’t captured anyone yet, nor have they obtained a confession indicating the other party is part of Sofia’s faction.

"The biggest issue now is that the opponent has always been operating alone." The officer pinched his chin, stared at the map marks, and said somewhat gloomily.

"Yes. From the current situation, there seems to be no indication that he is in contact with other dangerous elements. It’s estimated they are adopting a cautious mode of individual action, which makes our investigation even more challenging." The subordinates nodded in agreement.

"This puts us in a dilemma. If we take action, we really don’t know if other dangerous elements will notice anything. After all, the opponent might have informants in the same building." The officer continued, pinching his chin.

Others followed suit with nods: "As long as items like curtains or flower pots show anomalies, or haven’t changed for several days, they will detect the fact that their accomplice has been captured. Thus, finding them again becomes even harder. Therefore, we have decided to adopt a more cautious and meticulous action strategy."

"In my opinion, just arrest them outright, why complicate things? As long as we thwart them once, make sure they behave during the coronation ceremony, wouldn’t that suffice?" Tang Mo comfortably enjoyed Yue’er trimming his nails and casually said.

"Your Majesty, we must consider your safety. Leaving such a group of dangerous elements who might make a move at any moment is detrimental to you and the entire Empire," Empress Yulin, the Minister of Internal Affairs, frowned and reminded him.

This was because it was her husband’s, His Majesty The Emperor’s, security issue, how could it be handled lightly? Even if only a single person escapes, it’s enough to make her sleepless and anxious.

"The Empire is so vast, how could we possibly kill all those who wish me dead? In fact, your worries are completely unnecessary because this doesn’t even count as an issue." Tang Mo laughed as he comforted his woman.

He indeed thought so, whether a mafia boss or the Emperor of the Empire, they are essentially the same. Who knows what your subordinates think today, tomorrow it’s impossible to predict.

The more subordinates, the broader the territory, the less likely people’s thoughts will be unified. Some think this way, others think another way. There will always be dissatisfaction, there will always be those with ill intentions.

Some are grateful to you; others are irreconcilably opposed because countless old nobility and landowners were ruined by the Tang Empire’s land policies and economic measures. How could Tang Mo possibly care for all?

"Although that’s the case, we must fulfill our duty as subjects. If we let criminals that threaten the safety of His Majesty The Emperor go free just for our own convenience, that would be derelict of our duty." Yulin knew Tang Mo was concerned for her, not wanting her to labor so hard, so she sighed and said to Tang Mo.

"Actually, there’s no need to do so." Tang Mo handed Yue’er, who held the nail clipper, another hand and continued speaking to Yulin: "In my view, the reform of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is even more important than this pursuit of assassination attempts."

"We have walked a path along the edge of a knife, and we naturally have the ability to solve the issues we face. But our children, our children’s children, may not possess the same wisdom, so we must leave them enough resources as their foundation for survival." Tang Mo spoke while looking at Yue’er, who was meticulously sharpening his nails with a file.

Because Yue’er belongs to the Beast Clan, she hasn’t had her own children until today, making this topic seem somewhat sensitive for this Cat-eared Girl.

But Tang Mo had to speak because it was a matter within the Royal Family, and if he can’t share it with his wives, he really has no one else to confide in.

Speaking of children, Yulin’s face showed a loving expression; she had princes, and one of them is a strong contender for the next Emperor. Tang Mo’s painstaking efforts in reforming the system filled her with warmth and affection.

So she shifted her focus from the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ pursuit of assassins and talked about her recent progress in reducing and splitting the Ministry’s power.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs now holds too much real power, especially since the Empire has unified the world, and strictly speaking, everything that happens belongs to the Tang Empire’s internal affairs.

Even though Yulin is the head of the Ministry, she equally doesn’t wish to see only the Ministry be too powerful. After all, apart from being the Minister, she is a member of the Royal Family.

For the perpetuity of the throne, she undoubtedly stands in favor of weakening ministerial authority. Thus, she has been actively promoting the reform of the Ministry.

Tang Mo was very pleased because with Alice taking action in the finance department and Yulin in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the obstacles to his reform of the Empire’s institutions have reduced considerably.

Relying on his prestige in the Military and his control over the entire court, the internal reforms of the Great Tang Empire are bound to proceed very smoothly.

If we smoothly transition, the Empire, after the unification of the world, will certainly usher in a long period of stability. He is still young and has plenty of time to make all sorts of arrangements.

Once he truly needs to rest, he can pass his position to his son and then, along with his lovers, truly see this world that he conquered.