After observing for half a day, everyone morized the surrounding terrain, then descended the mountain, drove back, and on the way, everyone was silent, pondering rescue thods. However, the guard was too strict, and there was no terrain to take advantage of, making it nearly impossible to infiltrate. Luo Zheng considered that there were only two other paths to take.
Returning to the Embassy, after lunch, they held a eting. After a brief communication, everyone habitually looked at Luo Zheng. In terms of combat, they all believed they were good, but tactically, they were used to listening to Luo Zheng's opinions. Shadow observed this scene and, expecting more from Luo Zheng, also looked over with confidence.
After pondering for a mont, Luo Zheng said, "The likelihood of infiltrating to rescue is almost zero. Currently, there are three things we need to clarify: the first is Ye Laixiang's current situation and where she's being held; the second is the prison guard arrangent and the blueprint of the prison; the third is the surface Guard's defensive layout. Without clarifying these three points, any plan is just talk."
"I tried to gather this information, but I haven't made any progress. There are Guards outside, I simply can't approach. The prison is underground, invisible and inaccessible, so it's impossible to understand the actual situation. Additionally, I've tried to get computer experts to hack into Japan's major institutions, but there's no information on this prison," Shadow said.
"Hiss?" Everyone's expression grew solemn, and they turned to look at Luo Zheng. Given Shadow's eyes, the computer experts he referred to were definitely not simple. If they couldn't find any information, it ant there really wasn't any— at least not backed up on computers. Finding any would be difficult without intelligence. How could they rescue her? Everyone turned to Luo Zheng again.
Luo Zheng too looked serious, deep in thought, staring at the map, his eyes shining brightly. After a while, Luo Zheng suddenly said, "Having no information is indeed troubleso, but it's not out of options. In the end, it's people who do things. We can track down who planned and designed the prison; maybe there are still original drafts? If not, we should watch the people. There are prison guards inside; they have no reason not to go ho for extended periods. Even if they don't go ho, we can figure out a way to make them go ho."
"Eh?" Everyone was surprised to hear Luo Zheng's proposal. Such actions were illegal and, if handled improperly, could provoke a dispute between two countries. They looked at Lan Xue worriedly. Seeing that Lan Xue didn't oppose, they too fell silent.
Shadow's eyes lit up, and looking at Luo Zheng, his appreciation grew. "We're all soldiers and think about technical solutions, how to infiltrate, how to rescue. We've overlooked another aspect. Ghost's thods are sowhat inappropriate, exposure could cause an international dispute, but it seems workable for now. I think it's doable."
"It has a flavor of fighting fire with fire. We abide by the law, but that's dostically. On a mission abroad, we can't care about that much. Whether they are violent offenders or terrorists, for the mission, for our comrades, we're all in. No one should feel burdened," Lan Xue said coldly, decisively agreeing with Luo Zheng's direction.
Once the main direction was set, what remained was execution. Shadow quickly said, "I'm familiar with this place. I'll be responsible for finding the planner. If he has sothing, even if he has an iron mouth, I can make him talk. Don't worry."
"We'll watch the people," added Lan Xue.
"No, that won't do. We can't watch people," Luo Zheng quickly interjected. Everyone was surprised and looked over, wondering what Luo Zheng was suggesting. Luo Zheng glanced at them and explained, "Watching will definitely expose us. Shadow, is there a way to get a list of prison guards? We could have soone else do the watching."
"That's tough; it'll take so ti," Shadow said. Seeing the curiosity on everyone's faces, he explained, "Prison guard identities are not public. I watched the area for a full week and didn't see a single guard leave; military vehicles do often co and go. I think they're smuggled out hidden in the vehicles to avoid exposure."
"That does complicate things." After pondering for a while, Luo Zheng said, "Hurry on that front. As for watching people, I'll think about it. If it's not feasible, then we might have to resort to force. By the way, how's your Japanese?"
"No problem," affird Shadow.
"Here's the plan: we'll start from the outside. You go find the planner, it's best to startle the snake and let others know we're in action," Luo Zheng said, looking serious.
"Eh?" Everyone looked at Luo Zheng in surprise. Normally they'd prefer secrecy, so why let others know? Confused, they all looked at each other until Shadow, curious, pressed, "Why is this?"
"If Japan reacts to the kidnapping, that ans the underground prison hasn't been altered, and finding design blueprints is still useful. If Japan remains unfazed, it indicates the underground prison has been modified, and blueprints are useless. If we don't find the person, we'll expose ourselves, leading to two outcos: one, Japan strengthens its defenses, from which we might glean new insights; or two, Japan makes no move, which ans there are no blueprints, or they're in an absolutely safe place. Which is more likely? Where in Japan is absolutely safe?" Luo Zheng spoke confidently, with an air of authority that commanded respect.
Shadow's eyes brightened, realizing Luo Zheng was using a "startle the snake" tactic. Given the enemy lurked within thick grass, well-defended with no vulnerabilities, startling the snake wasn't a bad idea. Understanding the benefits of this approach, his expression softened as he said, "The Emperor's palace, guarded by Chrysanthemum Ninjas, is absolutely safe."
"How does that compare to the underground base where Ye Laixiang is held? Is there a chance to infiltrate?" Luo Zheng inquired further.
After contemplating for a mont, Shadow affird, "There's no comparison. Above the prison, there are two hundred guards on watch; besides the regular patrols at the Emperor's palace, there are about ten Chrysanthemum Ninjas. It's impossible to infiltrate the prison, but the palace may be feasible. Chrysanthemum Ninjas might be formidable, but just for infiltration and data theft, there's still a chance."
Seizing on a new idea, Luo Zheng asked, "What about kidnapping the Emperor?"
"Ah?" Everyone was sowhat off pace with Luo Zheng's leap in reasoning and taken aback by his bold idea.
"What do you an?" Shadow understood, looking at Luo Zheng in surprise. Kidnapping the Emperor would be a shocking event to the world. Should it be exposed, it would surely lead to war between the two nations. This was beyond anything Shadow had ever considered, and everyone else felt the sa. Was Luo Zheng's audacity too grand? They looked at each other and then back at Luo Zheng.
"Just tell if it's possible," Luo Zheng said nonchalantly.
"The difficulty is imnse; the ten top Chrysanthemum Ninjas are not to be trifled with. Even if the kidnapping succeeds, escape would be impossible; we would likely be caught all at once," Shadow said cautiously.
"So you're saying there's a chance of kidnapping, just no way out, right?" Luo Zheng pressed, his eyes gleaming.
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