Prologue

Great Tang Idyll – Prologue

Year 20XX, afternoon, seated in a hidden room somewhere in the Chinese capital are a group of people as they looked at pictures that flashed by periodically on the screen in front of them.

“This person, Zhang1 Xiaobao,2 male, currently 35 years old, lived in an orphanage as a child in H City, T Province.3 At the age of 6, the orphanage was washed away in a flood and he was pulled out of the water and onto land then by the efforts of the orphanage director who was surnamed Zhang. Director Zhang unfortunately died in sacrifice. Afterwards, the person who those in the orphanage called Xiaobao took on the surname of Zhang and then disappeared.”

A 40-something year old man pointed at the group picture of the orphanage being shown onscreen, singling out a timid looking child to the others. With a screen transition, another picture appeared. It was still that of a child, only the face was a lot older appearing to be around 10 years or so without the shyness seen in the previous picture.

The middle-aged man’s voice sounded again: “This picture was taken of Zhang Xiaobao in the juvenile detention center when he was 9. He was detained as the scale of his theft was too great. A month later, he led a team of over 10 people that were gathered from the juvenile detention center in a successful escape. He then once again disappeared off the records.”

When another picture appeared, the middle-aged man continued lecturing: “This is a photo of Zhang Xiaobao when he was incarcerated at the age of 17. Because he regularly trained his body, he appeared to be in his twenties. According to further research on our part, this was his 3rd time being incarcerated. We only later realized that he was being imprisoned for the sake of entering the prisons. Every time he committed a crime, it was always just enough to sentence him to half a year of detention. With the falsification of his age, no one knew of his minor status.

Everybody, please look at this next picture. This is a photo of him at 24 with his 9th prison entry. Each time he went in, the names he used would all be fake and his appearance would be slightly altered. Our understanding is that his goal with his imprisonment was to learn the skills of the inmates with special abilities.

After each time he was released, he would commit a crime, stealing the fortune of a government official numbering in the tens of thousands as compensation to train his skills. The last time he entered prison was the year he was 26. Due to an inability to locate his previous records, it was only for 3 months and was specifically for the sake of bidding farewell to a ‘Master’ of his.

After this, the crimes he committed increased with the local police being unable to capture him in spite of the outstanding arrest warrant on him. After research by the relevant departments, the skills he learned from his many years of incarceration include pickpocketing, hard qi gong,4lock-picking, driving, financial fraud, physical disguise, vocal alteration, counterfeiting, surveillance and counter-surveillance, wilderness survival, and special combat skills.

Of course, there is also the most important escape technique. During the course of several arrests, our local police discovered that he can jump straight down from a 15 meter height unharmed and can climb up 9 meter high walls bare-handed. He is also adept in criminal psychology, behavioral psychology, social psychology, and other related disciplines. He has been designated as an extremely dangerous criminal.”

Having said this, the middle-aged man sighed lightly. Everyone else also sighed at the same time. Whether they were for Zhang Xiaobao’s criminal records or for his ability and tenacity was unknown.

The exhalation seemed to slightly soothe everyone and the middle-aged man continued lecturing: “After Zhang Xiaobao turned 28, our relevant departments could not find any information on him until last year. Only when data on case after case of international fraud was consolidated did we regain news of him.

After turning 28, Zhang Xiaobao bid farewell to his usual modus operandi of theft and blackmail of government officials to start using the other skills he learned to carry out financial fraud on a ma.s.sive scale. In our country, by using various pretexts, he primarily defrauded senior officials of their own money or through their taking out large bank loans. Overseas, he mainly swindled several financial inst.i.tutions.

For each scam, he changed his ident.i.ty. According to the calculations of the relevant departments, the total amount defrauded has reached the scary sum of 160 billion U.S. dollars. But we are unable to ascertain the location of where this money actually is.”

When everyone heard this number, they all deeply inhaled. Rather than being filled with hatred for criminals, their eyes were filled with a type of admiration they could not give voice to. The middle-aged presenter, who was also reeling in the shock brought upon by this figure, only resumed speaking after some time: “This time, we finally know Zhang Xiaobao’s whereabouts. This morning, we received intelligence that Zhang Xiaobao is already on the plane arriving this afternoon from America to H City, T Province. This time, the name he used is the one he registered with the Civil Affairs department after the flood back when he was 6 years old, Zhang Xiaobao. The ident.i.ty papers he is using are also for the name he registered back then.

We were thus able to get a handle on his ident.i.ty—only we’re not clear of his motive for doing so. Our mission is to arrest him and get the location of that money. According to our people who have been on his tail the entire time, directly after getting off the plane, he went to the orphanage’s old address, which is now the site of a supermarket. To prevent his causing chaos, the strategy for our plan this time is to first approach, then observe, and finally capture.”

At this, the middle-aged man fell silent, his gaze sweeping across the people in front of him to finally rest on a woman in her thirties. Nodding at her, he said: “w.a.n.g Juan,5 this time, the mission of approach and observation will be given to you. Do you have the confidence to finish the mission?”

“Definitely will complete the mission!” The woman called w.a.n.g Juan stood up as she solemnly answered.

However, after everyone had left, a hint of doubt flashed through w.a.n.g Juan’s eyes. In the past, she had taken on many cases and she had always been br.i.m.m.i.n.g over with confidence. But this time, she wavered. Or rather, it could be said to be apprehension. She, who had earned a master’s degree in law at 16 to directly enroll into military school and major in the tactical command disciplines before graduating at the age of 20 and then joined the Women’s Special Ops Unit to study combat and surveillance techniques.

After joining the police department, she specialized in the investigation and solving of major cases, not ever failing a single time. Every single arrested criminal deserved what they got. But this time, she felt uneasy inside. She also had a copy of Zhang Xiaobao’s records and they were more detailed than the Commissioner’s presentation.

Zhang Xiaobao was definitely a criminal. However, his theft was initially from government officials, which gained him a lot of money each time. This only proved that these officials had a lot of money. The later scams mainly defrauded those officials looking for political achievements, the amount of money swindled from them totaling around 30 billion U.S. dollars. The rest of the money was gained from his scams abroad. According to the intentions of the higher-ups, getting their hands on the money was the most important right now.

Other than theft and fraud, Zhang Xiaobao didn’t seem to have any robbery cases on record—and what’s more, no rape cases, either. Based on his abilities, he definitely had the capabilities to do both. What was he actually thinking inside?

Sucking in a deep breath, w.a.n.g Juan made herself try not to think about those things she shouldn’t think about. The orders she received was to approach, observe, and when appropriate, capture. Other considerations were useless. It was best to just get the arrest.

In H City, T Province, a casually dressed man stood in the entrance of a large supermarket. He appeared to be in his thirties. His face was a bit sickly pale face as he motionlessly looked around the supermarket with his eyes while he took a phone call.

“Big Brother6 Zhang, the police there have already made their move. You really don’t want to try somewhere else? Maybe there’s still a chance. If you want to leave, we can immediately arrange for someone to escort you back.” A woman’s voice could be heard on the phone.

“No need to. Any hospitals I could find, I already did. I still have half a month of life left, I wish to die in my hometown. The arrangements have been made for what I ordered?” The man calmly replied.

“Big Brother Zhang, rest a.s.sured. The 4 funds have already been set up. Whether you’re here or not, they will continue operating based on your ideas. We don’t need to run scams anymore. The industries we invested in will double in a.s.sets after a few years. According to your wishes, it will be guaranteed that within 20 years, every child of the homeland will be able to study in well-lit cla.s.srooms and none of the orphanages will be washed away by the floodwaters. Big Brother Zhang, you really don’t want to reconsider? There’s another area you haven’t tried. Folk remedies can be very effective.” The woman’s voice rose again in persuasion.

“It’s too late. I know my own illness. After I’m gone, do a good job. Also, it’s not my wish but my Grandpa Director’s7 wishes. All right, let me indulge my final sentiments about this place for a bit.” The man was still calm in demeanor, his face devoid of any expression after he ended the call as if his surroundings were at a distance very, very far removed from him.

Ten minutes pa.s.sed, half an hour pa.s.sed, an hour pa.s.sed as the ma.s.s of people in front of the supermarket never stopped changing. The only thing unchanging was the man’s posture as he stood there, the pupils that had already lost focus flickering with something unknown within.

“Ever since this supermarket was built 4 years ago, it’s been constantly busy, servicing many customers each day. At the same time, it’s also generated a lot of local tax revenue.” After an unknown amount of time pa.s.sed, a woman’s voice rose at the man’s side.

Upon hearing her voice, the man slowly turned his head to see the delicately pretty face of a woman in her thirties. He said with a slight nod of his head: “Yeah, the supermarket appeared and the previous orphanage then moved to an even more remote place. Wonder how much of the tax revenue has flowed into the pockets of those it shouldn’t flow into? Wonder how much of this money will be spent on these orphans? Who is sipping wine in laughter? Who is crying tears in silence?”

For a time, the woman didn’t know how to answer. After a while, she finally spoke as if unloading a great burden: “You are rather full of worries and sentiments. There are some things you shouldn’t think about. Three years ago, that orphanage relocated. The children live pretty well. There are still good people in this world.”

“Of course, I know this. ￥6,257,9008 was invested in there with a maintenance allowance of 150,000 every year—six people who thought to touch this money died—how could the little brothers and sisters not live well? Whomever touches the money for ‘Grandpa Director’s Orphanage Home,’ dies.” The man smiled as he spoke with disdain.

“Oh? You actually are aware of it in such detail?” The woman asked with astonishment.

“The money I invested, the people I killed—how could I not know of it? Isn’t that right, Ms. w.a.n.g Juan?” The man’s tone of voice calm as ever.

w.a.n.g Juan didn’t think that her cover would be blown the moment she appeared and furthermore, that she would be greeted by name. Deciding to forego any further probing, she immediately reached inside her chest. But before she could get out her gun, a powerful hand had already clamped down on her shoulder. At the same time, the man’s voice sounded: “No need for such bother. It wouldn’t do to disturb others by pulling a gun out in public. In using my real name to return this time, I wasn’t thinking of escape. I’ll go with you and let you successfully completely your mission. What do you say, legendary graduate of the Women’s Special Ops Unit, Ms. Tyrant Flower?”9

w.a.n.g Juan struggled once or twice before discovering there was no way to get free. Nodding, she said: “All right, I hope what you say is true, International Criminal Swindler, Comrade Zhang Xiaobao. Otherwise, don’t a.s.sume that grabbing me will make the snipers let you off easy.”

“Relax. If I wanted to run, I would already have run. In this kind of busy place, what can snipers do? But you guys might be disappointed. The 160 billion is gone but I left 5 million for you guys as payment. 160 billion is the amount you have proof of but the actual sum is far greater. I hope that before I’m executed by the firing squad that you’ll keep me company and I’ll give you guys the 5 million. As a man, I believe the greatest joy is to have a beautiful girl at my side before dying.” Zhang Xiaobao laughingly said as he stared at w.a.n.g Juan’s icy face.

“Where’s the money?” w.a.n.g Juan reflexively asked, in a daze upon hearing that the money was gone.

“You guys will never know. I hear there are a lot of nerve-stimulating chemicals. You guys can test them on me—see if I spill this secret or not. Remember to use a larger dosage. I normally take too much of this type of medicine so smaller doses won’t work.” Zhang Xiaobao removed his hand.

“You do drugs?”

“More or less—not too much of a difference. When I’m in pain, I keep worrying that an overlooked flaw will come up during a swindle or investment so I’d take some medicine to feel better. Let’s go. I’d like to go be with my Grandpa Director as soon as possible. If you’re not in a hurry, you can come with me to the liangfen10 shop at the end of this street for a bowl of liangfen. My treat.

I ate it once the year I was 5. Grandpa Director took me there. It was the most delicious thing I have ever eaten in my life. Ever since then, I haven’t had it no matter how much money I had. Today, I can finally have it. I’ve fulfilled Grandpa’s last wishes. I feel like I’m once again worthy of a bowl. I sent people over to double-check. It’s still the same uncle from that year. Back then, it was ￥2 a bowl. Now, it’s ￥5 a bowl. I hope the taste hasn’t changed.”

Appearing not to realize that he had been captured, Zhang Xiaobao looked in the direction of the street as he spoke, his gaze full of nostalgia.

She didn’t know why. After hearing these words, w.a.n.g Juan felt as if the innermost part of her had been touched. Dazed, the desire to complete her mission finally suppressed any other ideas that shouldn’t have appeared. Seeing that this supermarket entrance had too much foot traffic and considering that there should be fewer people at the liangfen shop so any possible injuries would be reduced in the case of a conflict, she nodded. Wrapping her arm around one of Zhang Xiaobao’s arms, she walked towards the street.

“Don’t move! None of you move! Don’t come near! Whoever comes near me, I’ll blow them all up with me!”

After Zhang Xiaobao and w.a.n.g Juan both took only a few steps, they suddenly heard a voice. The both of them simultaneously looked back, only to see a man in puffy clothing who had one hand tightly gripped on a small child that was less than 2 years old and another hand pressing on something as he vigorously yelled.

w.a.n.g Juan’s first thought was that Zhang Xiaobao wanted to escape and had deliberately arranged for a person to create a distraction. When she turned to look over at him, Zhang Xiaobao’s eyes was flicking back and forth between the child and the man’s other arm. His previously calm expression had unexpectedly changed into one of surprising fury in that instant as he forced the words out of his mouth: “I didn’t arrange for this. I, Zhang Xiaobao, would not deign to use this type of method. Use your ident.i.ty to get the people around here to leave. I’ll think of a way to save the child.”

“That’s no good. I can’t trust you. My mission is to take you back with me. There are other people to take care of anything else.” w.a.n.g Juan hesitated for a bit before she vetoed Zhang Xiaobao’s suggestion.

“If I wanted to run, you wouldn’t even be able to stop me. Save that child, I’ll give you another 150,000.”

“You know that child?”

“No, I don’t know him. I saw the helplessness in his eyes. They’re just like the eyes of the younger brothers and sisters from the orphanage that I saw drowning in the water back then. Only, I survived and they died.”

“It’s still no good. I can’t care about anything outside of the mission. I must make sure that you’re successfully brought back.” w.a.n.g Juan struggled internally for a moment before refusing again.

Just as the both of them were trying to persuade the other, a legion of police had already arrived. Their quick arrival was undoubtedly due to this supermarket being of foreign investment.

“Release the hostage in your hands. If you’re seeking clemency, you can make your requests.” Of the arriving police officers, one must have been of senior rank as he took cover behind a police car using a loudspeaker to yell out at the ‘bandit’ standing in front of the supermarket entrance.

“f.u.c.k your ma’s leniency! Go hide further away! Whoever dares come here, I’ll die together with this child! Money! I want money! And a plane to get me out of here! I want to go to the Vatican!” Still holding the child, the ‘bandit’ loudly yelled back at the police.

“See, the robbers nowadays are all smarter than you cops. They know that what you say are all lies and even know to run to those places that don’t have a very good relationship with our country.11 Now, you should step forward. Whether I can believe it or not, this idiot of a chief actually has dared to arrange for a sniper.” Zhang Xiaobao tried his best not to be agitated as he spoke to w.a.n.g Juan.

w.a.n.g Juan glanced at the loose wire style of the man’s explosive device. Bringing Zhang Xiaobao in tow, she walked in front of the police chief and pulling out her ID, she ordered: “No matter what the circ.u.mstances, the snipers are not allowed to shoot. Protect the hostage’s safety. Get the negotiators to start talks and stabilize the criminal’s mood.”

The police chief also started to react as to what the explosive device was and while he made arrangements for later on the one hand, on the other, he sent people to comfort the child’s parents as they were currently sobbing uncontrollably while they pled to be the one exchanged with the hostage.

“w.a.n.g Juan… Maybe I should go. This person… Let me give him a chance.” Zhang Xiaobao really didn’t wish to wait. He didn’t even care about w.a.n.g Juan, immediately stepping forward as he spoke. w.a.n.g Juan couldn’t pull him back in time and Zhang Xiaobao was already approaching the wary looking bandit as he said:

“Brother,12 I thought you were a smart person but I didn’t think you’d be this dumb. How much money can you scam from grabbing a kid? From your mention of the country you want to run to, you should have some sense. Why don’t you grab me? See what happens if you exchange me for the kid? Look at what this is. Swiss banknotes, Citibank promissory notes, HSBC promissory notes, and a whole mess of other things. Know [Older] Bro’s13 ident.i.ty now? Trade or not—if you do, I’ll fulfill your request. If not, even if you escape today, I’ll spend 10 million in reward money just for your life even if you have the whole run of the world.”

At the same time as Zhang Xiaobao was speaking, he constantly pulled items from his person to throw at the bandit’s feet. The bandit couldn’t help following each item with his gaze before looking up to observe what the person in front of him was wearing, the watch on his wrist, his aura, and then looking at the child in his arms. Finally, he hesitantly nodded.

“No, you can’t go over there. You have to come back with me.” Upon seeing that Zhang Xiaobao really was going to go forward with the exchange, w.a.n.g Juan immediately pulled on Zhang Xiaobao’s arm.

It was too bad that she was a woman whose strength couldn’t compare with Zhang Xiaobao’s. So she was dragged along by Zhang Xiaobao to arrive in front of the bandit. The bandit could care less who came as long as the person’s status was higher. He released the child, grabbing Zhang Xiaobao’s other arm in one go with a triumphant grin on his face.

There were naturally people who came to take the child away to hide in a safe place. The bandit himself feeling that he was the luckiest person, repeated the words he previously yelled to the police outside before telling Zhang Xiaobao: “You have to give me money, too. Otherwise, I won’t let you go.”

“I’ll give your ma the force!”14 Zhang Xiaobao used the moment that the bandit’s attention slackened to pull his arm out of w.a.n.g Juan’s grasp and instantly pressed down on the thumb that the bandit was using to hold down on the explosive device. Cursing, he used his other arm to forcefully wrench the bandit’s arm until it broke with a ‘kacha’ sound.

Just when Zhang Xiaobao was about to take further measures, a large wave of pain suddenly spread through his head as his vision darkened and the hand pressing down on the explosive device couldn’t help but loosen.

As a boom sounded, Zhang Xiaobao’s last thought was that he hadn’t eaten that bowl of liangfen while w.a.n.g Juan’s was wondering if these two were a team after all.