The next noon, while the xican police were still in chaos over the jailbreak, Song Heping was already in his room twisting open a bottle of ice-cold cola and turning on his laptop.
He went to the news website he had invested in, and sure enough, he found a news report about the jailbreak.
Of course, the lead for the news was provided by Song Heping himself, deliberately intended for publication, and the content naturally t his requirents.
"...A month ago, xico's big drug lord Joaquin along with four other major family drug lords escaped last night from Altiblano Prison, which is known to have the highest level of security in xico. According to informants, several drug lords escaped through a four hundred ter-long underground tunnel..."
"...A shootout erupted between the police and the fleeing drug lords in a residential area near the prison, during which a violent explosion occurred. Reliable sources indicate that several drug traffickers were killed in the firefight, though this information has yet to be further confird..."
Song Heping's lips curled into a smile.
"Reliable sources," "informants."
Not bad.
This Fer really was an old hand in the news business.
Western laws offer quite good protection for these so-called sources of intelligence, and unless it pertains to national security, there's no need for news dia to confirm such reports, aning rumors can be legally fabricated.
Not that this was a fabrication, it was the truth.
Song Heping certainly knew that other than Shorty, the rest were dead.
There were many reasons for letting Fer stir up trouble.
Firstly, the news conglorate he had invested in had just been established and needed more sensational insider scoops.
And in his line of work, he happened to have plenty such material to feed this news tool while also testing the dia's function and power.
Secondly, it was to blur the lines.
So many people escaped from prison, but only Shorty was alive.
The others from the Cartel wouldn't be fools; they would suspect Shorty.
Song would simply toss the hot potato to the xican police, leaving them unable to defend themselves.
The police would definitely hold a press conference and would certainly deny that it was they who killed these drug lords.
But who would believe them?
The first to publish controls the narrative; a repeated lie becos a truth.
This wisdom from China, when applied abroad, is not a bit outdated and can leave the xican police disoriented and overwheld.
After looking at his news website, Song Heping felt very pleased.
At least the money was well spent.
Even when funds were so tight, he insisted on investing in Fer.
Looking now, it seems necessary to continue increasing the investnt to expand influence.
Expanding influence, that is, in fact, to acquire.
Song wasn't expert in this, but Fer and Angel were.
Checking other websites, he saw that so mainstream dia were already reporting the news, showing that it was spreading fast.
Official news organizations usually react slower, which is their fatal weakness.
The rumor has already reached the moon, while the truth is still slowly loading fuel on the launchpad.
Having the news tools in his own hands felt incredibly good.
His phone began to vibrate on the desk.
Looking at it, it was Shorty's number.
"Ha ha."
Song Heping's smile was so wide he could hardly close his mouth.
This guy was more obedient than he had imagined.
He called so soon.
He's safe then.
Song Heping picked up the phone, then jokingly said, "Shorty, feeling safe now?"
"Safe. I had a safe house ready a long ti ago, now I'm hidden away." Shorty didn't beat around the bush, "Boss Song, it will take so ti to liquidate and hand over the goods you want."
What Song Heping wanted was Balrot's entire organization's supply chain and sales network control list.
Only with these could he start to make moves.
"Three days. I'll give you three days. News of Balrot's death will likely be verified by the police soon, and that will be the most chaotic ti for their organization. I need the list, and your assistance. You're very familiar with the people in his organization, convince them to hand over control to ."
"This... "
Shorty obviously had so difficulties.
"Boss Song, it's not that I don't want to do this, but it's a bit difficult... before you were capturing our people, and now you want to take over Balrot's organization..."
"I didn't say I wanted to take over." said Song Heping. "Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you. I'll arrange soone for you. Promote him to the leader's position, say he's your trusted associate, and in your na absorb Balrot's organization and network. As for , I prefer to stay out of sight."
"Recomnd soone? Who?" Shorty obviously didn't expect Song Heping to have such an arrangent, his tone faltered.
"Tell the eting place, and I'll bring him to see you." said Song Heping. "Rember, within one month I want full control over Balrot's sales network, and within two months you'll call another eting with the other four major families. Have their leaders co see personally."
These words made Shorty really doubt.
He drew a sharp breath, wondering if this Song guy was insane!
How dare he?!
He had barely managed to get representatives from the four major families to co when he organized a eting before. None of their leaders ca themselves.
Now this Song guy, who had previously sent people to jail, causing them all to die, as if people weren't already eager to tear him apart, and now expects their leaders to co to a eting personally?!
Wasn't this too early, even for a dream?!
"Boss Song, I don't have that capability..." Shorty said. "Last ti, you directly sent everyone to jail. This ti, except for , everyone else is dead. You want the leaders of the other four major families' groups to et you... No offense, but that's more ludicrous than dreaming."
Song Heping said, "You just do as I say. Just because you can't do it, doesn't an I can't. I will make them accept your proposal to co see , and not just anyone, but their leaders personally. If they don't listen, or don't accept, they will know the cost of going against my will."
"This... "
Shorty found himself at a loss for words.
Song Heping was brimming with confidence, and it didn't seem like he was bluffing.
He also didn't dare to retort too fiercely, after all, this man had a hold on him.
So, he tried to remind him in another way, "Boss Song, from what I know, the assassination bounty on you by the four major families has already reached ten million dollars. I estimate once the death news of Balrot and Little Leva gets out, your bounty might hit new highs."
Shorty reminded Song Heping this way, implying he should be more concerned about his own safety.
The assassination bounty was nearly record-breaking.
How many people out there want to kill you?
And you still want to sit down for a eting?
What are you thinking?!
Song Heping said, "Ten million? Was I that cheap before? Don't they know my worth? Hahaha!"
After a long laugh, Song Heping then beca serious and said, "Shorty, do as I said, no need to ask further. With your intelligence, it's hard to comprehend what I'm doing. In two months, you will know why I dare say this."
"Alright... then I won't disturb you anymore, Boss Song. Within three days, I'll get you the list of Balrot's underground smuggling and sales network as well as all of his properties. Once your guy arrives, I will fully assist him in taking control of Balrot's network."
"What if Balrot's people don't cooperate?" Song Heping asked back.
"Kill!" Shorty didn't hesitate: "The dead are the most obedient."
"Good! A drug lord is still a drug lord!" Song Heping said with a laugh: "Dead n are indeed the most obedient. I like this style!"
After hanging up, Song Heping sat in the chair for a while, then got up and left the room, moving to Barrett's room door to knock.
"Who is it?"
"It's , Song Heping."
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