Munitions Empire

Chapter 2026 - 1888

"The efficiency of this operation is truly unprecedented! Are we setting a new record here?" In the office, an agent exclaimed excitedly, with a hint of disbelief in his tone. With the support of computer data, their efficiency in handling the case had indeed multiplied, especially in a case where nationwide resources could be concentrated. It was simply an exceptionally exhilarating experience.

"Isn’t it?" Another agent responded, a proud smile shining on his face: "We verified all her entry information in just one hour, something unimaginable before."

He paused and added, "Thanks to the help of computers, directly participating in the investigation has improved our efficiency more than a notch. When she entered the country, she dyed her hair and provided a complete set of false identity documents."

"Have they identified the person who provided the information?" the first agent pressed, with a note of seriousness in his voice.

"It’s been clarified!" the second agent replied excitedly: "We notified those on the Eastern Continent side 30 minutes ago. Sofia took the route through Dorne; you know things are quite chaotic over there. The action group has already gone to apprehend people, not just the one providing information, but also those who forged documents and provided identities, none can escape." His tone was firm and decisive, showcasing the powerful methods of the Imperial Security Bureau.

"Have they found her hideout in Chang’an?" the first agent continued questioning, clearly very focused on the progress of the case.

"It’s been confirmed too." The second agent answered: "It’s a private residence of a businessman. He arrived in Chang’an four years ago, which fits our previous assessment of the ’Nails’. Most are immigrants within five years, identities unable to withstand scrutiny, and upon investigation must be linked to the Eastern Continent."

"I see." The first agent nodded thoughtfully, organizing the documents before him and continued asking, "Then it makes sense. Have they caught that person?"

He was about to report the details of this capture operation to Director Li’ao, so he must clarify every detail.

"The action group has reported, the person has been apprehended." The second agent replied, unable to hide the excitement in his voice: "What’s interesting is, this person attempted to approach the Forbidden City the day before yesterday."

"Goodness!" the first agent exclaimed, "Looks like he’s deeply involved too."

"Certainly," the second agent confirmed: "Given the efficiency of the action group, once they display their tools, that person is bound to confess everything."

...

The dim light in the interrogation room cast heavy shadows, with a tense and oppressive atmosphere permeating the air, almost solidifying. The subordinate of Sofia disguised as a businessman was brought in, his hands cuffed to the cold metal chair, body trembling slightly, eyes filled with fear and anxiety. He squirmed uneasily, sweat beading from his forehead, glistening under the dim light.

Frankly, ordinary people have never seen such a scene; anyone with a slight guilty conscience would wet their pants the moment they are brought here.

"I’ll confess everything! I’ll tell you everything I know!" The businessman suddenly shouted hoarsely, his voice trembling to the point of being nearly inaudible, on the verge of collapse. He spoke rapidly, as if trying to pour everything out in one breath to alleviate his inner fear.

The interrogator sat on the opposite side of the table, with a cold expression, eyes sharply fixed on him, saying nothing. He slowly picked up a pen from the table, turning it between his fingers, making a slight "clicking" sound, clear in the silent interrogation room, as if knocking on the businessman’s heart.

Two burly men were placing various tools on a side table, those steel-made items looked like they were for repairing machines, causing great unease for Sofia’s business subordinate seeing them here.

"Speak." The interrogator finally spoke, voice low and cold, devoid of any emotion. His voice, like heavenly music, also allowed the businessman to breathe a great sigh of relief.

"We will determine your charges based on your level of cooperation." Though his tone was calm, it carried immense deterrence, making the businessman tense and anxious again after a moment of relief.

"I will! I will!" The businessman responded eagerly, as if grasping a lifeline. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his voice: "Sofia sent me here four years ago..."

He paused, swallowed hard, and continued: "She gave me several sums of money to run a business here, my identity is just that of a businessman... She hasn’t given me any task orders in these years."

"Continue." The interrogator urged expressionlessly, eyes still tightly locked on the businessman, not missing any subtle changes in his expression.

"About half a year ago..." The businessman stammered, eyes flickering, seemingly recalling something: "She suddenly contacted me..."

He paused again, as if organizing his words: "Living at my place..."

Next to him, the recorder was writing at an incredible speed, jotting down the details of the interrogation. Beside him was a tape recorder and more advanced recording equipment.

His voice grew quieter, almost inaudible: "And then... then she started planning to assassinate His Majesty The Emperor..."

"Continue speaking." The interrogator suddenly interrupted him, his tone growing more severe: "What role did you play in this? What did you do?"

"Sir! I really didn’t do anything!" Sofia’s subordinate dared not connect the assassination of the Emperor with himself, suddenly crying out, his voice filled with despair and helplessness: "I don’t have the guts for that!" He shook his head fiercely, tears flowing from his eyes, blurring his vision.

"Narrate the events! No nonsense!" The interrogator shouted sternly, a touch of impatience in his tone. By now, there was no point in struggling; doomed to die, the only thing left was to fight for a better way of dying.

"I..." The merchant stammered, averting the interrogator’s gaze: "She just asked me to help her plant bombs..."

"How many bombs did you make in total? Where did you install these bombs?" The interrogator pressed on further, his tone growing harsher, as if to penetrate the merchant’s inner world completely. This was the focal point of his interrogation — the whereabouts of the bomb were still unknown. He must investigate thoroughly: "Do you know if any of Sofia’s other subordinates are doing the same thing as you?"

"Sofia brought along a strong man, I don’t know his name, but he was responsible for the second plan, using a sniper rifle to assassinate the Emperor... I, I and, I and Sofia were responsible for the bombs... That’s all I know."

While he was confessing this, someone turned and walked out of the interrogation room, took out their phone, and contacted a colleague from another operational group. With this merchant’s testimony, the other investigation could proceed smoothly.

No one dared to quickly conclude that there were only two assassination teams, but it was certain that the merchant knew about two assassination teams, which had both been arrested now.

Seeing someone leave, the merchant swallowed hard and continued trembling, speaking in a voice almost too low to hear: "I took the bomb to test it out, but the inspection over at the Forbidden City was too strict. I didn’t have the guts to really get close to the Observation Platform..."

He paused, seeming to muster up his courage, and continued: "The money she gave me, for business, all, all lost, where would the extra money come from to bribe the guards..."

"If you’re lying, you’ll suffer a lot more." The interrogator warned, his tone icy and filled with threat.

"I took the money she gave me..." The merchant immediately changed his tune, confessing honestly, his eyes full of fear: "Couldn’t bribe the guards at the Forbidden City, didn’t dare to tell her, just squandered it all myself..."

"Squandered?" The interrogator asked curiously, a hint of suspicion in his tone.

"Ah... Yes, I, I pocketed this money." The merchant hurriedly answered, his eyes flickering. Afraid the interrogator wouldn’t believe him, he explained further: "I have a private property on the outskirts... It’s not so easy to bribe... This is a beheading matter, if I approach to contact for the assassination of the Emperor, isn’t that courting death..."

"Continue confessing." The interrogator found it amusing. All Sofia’s subordinates were like this. What did she have to fight with the Great Tang Empire Security Bureau? After a cold sneer in his heart, he continued to order in an indisputable tone.

"I had no way... dared not explain to Sofia..." The merchant explained, a hint of helplessness in his tone: "So there’s no way to bring the bomb near the Observation Platform, so, so, so I just put it in my shop."

"Location of the shop! Speak!" The interrogator shouted sternly, his tone full of intimidation. Knowing there was still at least one dangerous bomb left in Chang’an City, agents of the Imperial Security Bureau became tense once more.

"At 194-6 Star Street." The merchant said tremblingly, then quickly added, trying to defend himself: "Don’t, don’t worry... I, I didn’t install the detonator..."

He was also afraid the bomb might suddenly explode, blowing his shop sky-high, so he hadn’t installed the detonation device inside the explosives.

"You actually... have quite a sense of security!" The interrogator glanced disdainfully at the other man, then turned his head, ordering his subordinates waiting in the corner: "Immediately send someone to confirm this! Hurry!"

"Sir... I, I really don’t have the, the courage to assassinate His Majesty The Emperor..." The merchant shouted loudly with a crying tone. The door of the interrogation room slowly closed, and his shouting in the corridor abruptly ceased as the door closed.