Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

near Whitehall early Thursday morning.

"Is everyone in place?" Smith asked over the microcomm. He was in casual clothes, sitting in a cafe across the street, his eyes fixed on the antique shop.

&34;Team A is in place, monitoring the back door of the store.&34;

&34;Team B is in place and has taken control of all possible evacuation routes in the surrounding area. &34;

&34;Team C is in place and ready to make the arrest at any time.&34;

Smith nodded with satisfaction: "Remember, no one is allowed to act rashly without my order. I will wait for them to meet and catch them on the spot."

"Sir," Thompson lowered his voice, "are you sure there will be action today?"

"Of course," Smith said confidently, "According to the secret letter we intercepted, an important person will come to receive the intelligence today. Brighton will not miss this opportunity."

At ten o'clock in the morning, a black car stopped in front of the antique shop. Brighton got out of the car, adjusted his tie, and walked into the store.

"The target has entered," Smith said into the communicator, "everyone remain alert."

Ten minutes later, a middle-aged man with an oriental face walked into the store.

"That's the cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the UK," Thompson whispered, "We found out during surveillance that he often came into contact with the shop owner."

"Very good," Smith's eyes sparkled, "when they meet, we will..."

Before he could finish his words, a team of London police suddenly appeared from the corner of the street and quickly surrounded the antique shop.

"Damn it!" Smith stood up suddenly, "Who notified the police?"

At this moment, Brighton and the Chinese cultural counselor walked out of the store together. They looked relaxed, talking and laughing, and there was nothing unusual at all.

"Gentlemen," Brighton said to the police, "I was just selecting a Qing Dynasty blue and white porcelain with Counselor Li. The things in this store are very good. Would you like to go in and take a look?"

The policemen looked at each other.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Brighton," the police captain said, "We've received a report of a suspicious person here..."

"Oh?" Brighton said with a smile, "That must be a misunderstanding. The owner of this shop is an important partner in our cultural exchange project. By the way, during the Anglo-Chinese Cultural Week next week, Counselor Li will hold an antique appreciation meeting here. If you are interested, you can also come and participate."

Smith stood across the street and watched Brighton and Counselor Li leave chatting and laughing, and the police also dispersed in disappointment.

"Sir..." Thompson hesitated.

"Someone leaked the news," Smith gritted his teeth, "Someone deliberately notified the police to mess things up!"

"No," Thompson shook his head. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. Look at their performance, their calmness, their composure..."

Smith suddenly thought of something and his face changed drastically: "Could it be..."

At this moment, his communicator rang: "Smith, come to my office immediately!" It was Sir Robert's angry voice.

In the Dragon's Nest, Yan Shuangying was looking at the latest report:

"The operation was completed perfectly. Smith's plan to capture him has failed. The 'cultural exchange' between me and Counselor Li not only resolved the crisis, but also successfully created a perfect identity cover. Now, we just have to wait and see how Smith ends up." - Longyan

"Do you know what you have done?" Sir Robert's office echoed with thunderous roars. "Spying on the Prime Minister's senior advisers without authorization? Arranging arrest operations in Whitehall? Do you want to embarrass MI34?"

&34;Sir, I have sufficient evidence...&34;

&34；证据？&34；罗伯特冷笑，&34；你说的是那家古董店？那个所谓的秘密联络点？&34；他将一份文件摔在桌上，&34；那是英华文化交流项目的重要场所！每周都有各国外交官出入！&34；

"But Brighton's behavior is suspicious," Smith said unwillingly, "He cleaned up the files, sent secret letters..."

"That's enough!" Robert slammed the table, "Brighton is preparing for the British-Chinese Cultural Week next week, so of course we have to sort out the relevant documents. As for the secret letter you mentioned, that was his instruction to the steward of the Scottish manor!"

"No, this must be their disguise," Smith said stubbornly, "If you let me continue investigating..."

"Continue investigating?" Robert's voice suddenly rose, "Do you know how big of a joke today is? The police surrounded a cultural exchange venue and alarmed diplomats from various countries. Brighton has lodged a protest with the Prime Minister's Office!"

&34;That just shows that he is guilty...&34;

"Shut up!" Robert roared, "Your paranoia has seriously affected the work of MI34. From now on, you are suspended for investigation!"

"What?" Smith said in disbelief. "Because I'm tracking down a possible spy?"

"No, it's because of your arrogance and stubbornness!" Robert said coldly, "You believe that Brighton is a spy and ignore all evidence to the contrary. You are immersed in your own reasoning and cannot see the simplest facts."

"What facts? Do you really believe those superficial phenomena?" Smith said excitedly, "This is exactly what the Chinese are best at! They..."

&34；够了！&34；罗伯特厉声打断，&34；你被你所谓的&39；专业直觉&39；蒙蔽了双眼。布莱顿为英格力立下的功劳有目共睹。而你，就因为一些可笑的怀疑，就想毁掉他的声誉？&34；

&34;I...&34;

"Hand over your ID," Robert said without question, "until the investigation is over."

Smith clenched his fists and finally threw the documents on the table: "You will regret it. One day you will find that I am right."

"Get out!" Robert pointed to the door, "Don't let me see you again until the investigation is over."

Smith turned and left, slamming the door.

In the Dragon's Nest, Yan Shuangying was looking at the latest report:

"Smith has been suspended. His arrogance and stubbornness eventually became his fatal weakness. Now, no one will believe his "conspiracy theory" anymore. But this person is determined and I'm afraid he won't give up easily. It is recommended to make arrangements as soon as possible. --Longyan"

A secluded pub in London's West End.

Smith sat alone in a corner, the whiskey in front of him almost empty. During his suspension, he either looked through the surveillance records at home or drank here to drown his sorrows.

But he never gave up his surveillance of Brighton.

"Sir," Thompson quietly sat down beside him, "there's a new discovery."

Smith immediately put down his glass: "Say."

&34;Brighton has been visiting the Prime Minister's home every evening lately.&34;

&34;Is that so strange? He is a senior adviser to the prime minister.&34;

"No," Thompson lowered his voice, "he's going to see the Prime Minister's granddaughter, Miss Mary Churchill. They have dinner together every night."

Smith frowned: "Political marriage?"