The weapon by the pillow

Chapter 56 A Perfect Closed Loop

"Add some spices?"

The slightly overweight man asked, puzzled, "You mean...we should intervene now and make things even muddier? Or...?"

"It's easier to fish in troubled waters."

The old man tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "But the water is too murky, and those who try to fish in troubled waters can easily drown themselves. The 'director' who set up the scheme was too involved, too eager to turn this play into a 'legend.' Live broadcast, sacrifice, online trial, revenge spanning thirteen years... He set up the stage too high, and his ambitions were too great."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Being arrogant makes it easy to leave flaws. He thought he was the only director, but he forgot whose territory this play was set up on."

The fourth brother immediately understood: "You mean...we can 'help' him out? Make his act even more 'loud'? For example...make the evidence that 'Liu Li is not dead' seem more conclusive? Or...make the police...more 'passive'?"

"No."

The old man shook his head, picked up the teapot, and poured himself a cup of tea. "It's not helping, it's 'taking over.' No matter how hard the opera troupe performs, the theater owner still has to control the situation. If the box office is good, it's because the owner is good at managing the business; if the performance is a flop, or if they offend the wrong audience... then it's because the troupe leader is blind and it's time to replace him."

He took a sip of tea and glanced at the three people present.

"I am the director."

The old man's voice was calm, but it carried a lot of weight: "The bigger the trouble they caused, the bigger the trouble I quelled, that's how we showed our abilities, and that's how we... deserved the 'peace and quiet' we were entitled to."

Fangjie stubbed out her cigarette: "What do you need?"

The old man pondered for a moment, then began to make arrangements in a clear and organized manner:

"First, Sister Fang, you can ease up a bit on Cheng Jing's 'tasks'. Let her 'accidentally' discover a reason to return to the scene, such as... a 'minor oversight' in the internal procedures of the Inspectorate, or a 'helpful citizen' providing 'key evidence' of her innocence. Let her come back, but not so easily. Drag her along, let her suffer in a state of 'almost returning' but 'almost'. She's a good knife, but now, we have to hold the handle."

"Understood." Sister Fang nodded. Having followed the old man for many years, a look of understanding flashed in her eyes.

To control a character like Cheng Jing, you can't just suppress her. You have to give her hope while also keeping her under control so that she can play the role she wants at the most crucial moment.

"Second, fourth brother," the old man said, looking at the middle-aged man with glasses, "Those posts online claiming 'Liu Li is not dead,' have our most reliable people pick a few that are 'most reasonable' and 'closest to the truth,' and subtly push them up. We can even... 'accidentally' reveal a little bit of the shady 'routine operations' of Jincheng Company during the Anpingli demolition thirteen years ago, in a vague, suggestive way. Draw the fire towards people like Jin Dafu and Zhang Zhiqiang, let it spread even deeper. But remember, stop there, absolutely do not involve 'the higher-ups.'"

The fourth brother's eyes sharpened: "What if we direct the fire...that way? Won't it burn us?"

"Only when the fire gets bigger can we see who's putting it out, who's fanning the flames, who's trying to cover it up, and who's trying to burn their opponents to death," the old man said calmly. "We'll stay in the shadows and add fuel to the fire. The brighter the fire burns, the more those who are truly afraid of the light will jump out. Once they do, we'll know where to place our next move."

The fourth brother pushed up his glasses: "Understood. Guide public opinion, solidify the crimes of the Jin Dafu Group, and keep everyone's attention firmly focused on that 'bloodshed caused by demolition' thirteen years ago. Make the mastermind look like a tragic vengeful hero, and give the police a 'perfect' target to close the case."

"Third," the old man said, turning to the slightly overweight man, "if those idiots really can't resist going back... then let them go back. But you can imply that going back isn't about killing, but about 're-enhancing the scene.' Clean up Liu Li's body thoroughly, erase all traces. Then... if possible, settle things in that 'second-level secret room.' Take what you can, and if you can't... then destroy it completely."

"Guiding these people will be too difficult! We can only go through overseas channels!" The slightly overweight man's face paled. "Besides, isn't it too dangerous? The police have already surrounded the area! Wouldn't they be walking into a trap if they went back?"

"Walking right into a trap?" The old man chuckled, a laugh devoid of any warmth. "If they're lucky and quick enough, they might escape before the police completely tighten their grip. If they're unlucky... then aren't they ready-made 'murderers'? Kidnapping, murder, creating a terrorist livestream, disturbing public order... all the charges can be pinned on them. A perfect closed loop."

The room fell silent instantly.

There was a faint sound of rain outside the window, just like the sound of tea being poured into a cup.

This way of playing cards is ruthless, but it will definitely work.

"But it's a secret..." Sister Fang reminded her.

"I think they're observing from the shadows, not yet determined to enter! So, we need to use channels to encourage them to go 'unwillingly' and 'believe' they can come back," the old man said slowly. "Smart people are often trapped by the traps they themselves have set. What he can't accept most right now is that his carefully directed play has been ruined by a few 'actors.' If you give him a chance to 'save the performance' and 'eliminate the accident,' he'll take the bait."

The slightly overweight man wiped his sweat: "Yes, I'll arrange it right away."

"Remember," the old man picked up his teacup, his tone turning cold, "be quick and clean. The police aren't fools, and that woman Yang Hong isn't someone to be trifled with either. Before the police can react and truly get to the heart of the matter, clean up the stage, get the actors off the stage, and then... draw the curtain."

"Yes!" the three answered in unison.

The old man waved his hand, indicating that they could leave.

The three of them got up and left the room quietly.

The door closed gently.

He was the only one left in the room. He sat alone in a large rosewood chair, slowly sipping the now-cold tea in his cup.

The tablet screen in front of him had already automatically turned off, reflecting his blurry and aged silhouette.

He reached out, his withered fingers slowly tracing the cold surface of the screen.

"Director..." he murmured to himself, his murky eyes churning with a depth of emotion deeper than the night.

"I set up the stage, wrote the scripts, cast the actors, and managed the performance... I've been performing opera for almost my whole life."

"What kind of actor haven't I seen? What kind of script haven't I revised?"

"You want to put on your own grand show on my stage?"

He shook his head slightly and drank the remaining tea in his cup in one gulp.

"A star is, after all, just a star."

"The stage has collapsed, the play is over, and the lead actor... should take his final bow."

"When the time comes, it will be our turn to take the stage and perform this thrilling and terrifying Empty City Stratagem..." He wondered if all of us actors in room 403 would agree.