296: Chapter 296 White Elephant Trading Company, Weasel Emerges from its Hole

"Sit." The secretary pointed to the chair opposite.

Lin Xiao sat down as instructed, her hands resting on her knees, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

"Lin Xiao, based on your performance during reform and the needs of the recent border situation, the President has personally instructed us to inquire about some information from you." The secretary got straight to the point, their tone calm but carrying pressure. "You once served 'Council of Elders' and were embedded beside Bao Youxiang. Now, we need to know, during the time you worked for Council of Elders, did you come into contact with any personnel, channels, or information related to Thailand? Especially those involving the Thai Army, the royal family, or smuggling and intelligence networks connecting to the Golden Triangle?"

Thailand? The Golden Triangle? Lin Xiao's mind raced. Why ask this suddenly? Did something happen at the border? Is Council of Elders making moves in Thailand again?

Her survival instinct and the desire to redeem herself instantly overwhelmed everything else. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and recalled the details she once thought she would never use again, or had even deliberately forgotten.

"Yes." She raised her head. Her voice was slightly hoarse from not speaking at length for a long time, but her reasoning became clear. "When I was serving Council of Elders, especially in the later stages while working with Bao Youxiang, I came into contact with a... a passage that went through Chiang Rai, Thailand, connecting some of the remaining drug workshops and small armed groups in the Golden Triangle with certain military personnel in northern Thailand. That was not only a channel for smuggling drugs and weapons, but also a covert route for intelligence transmission and personnel movement."

The secretary's eyes brightened slightly, signaling her to continue.

"I remember," Lin Xiao tried hard to recall, "at that time, an envoy sent by Council of Elders, while having a secret talk with me and Bao Youxiang, mentioned their 'long-term layout' in Southeast Asia. He said... 'In the palaces of Bangkok, we have long-term investments; patience will always be rewarded.' At the time, I thought it referred to bribing certain royal advisors or utilizing royal influence. Additionally, he also mentioned some 'old friends' in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, saying that if we encountered difficulties in Northern Myanmar, we could contact the 'White Elephant Trading Company' in Chiang Rai. The people there could help us 'solve problems' or 'pass messages'."

"The White Elephant Trading Company?" The secretary pressed.

"A cover. On the surface, it deals in jade and timber trade, but in reality, it is a peripheral intelligence transfer station and smuggling node for Council of Elders. The person in charge seems to be a Thai-Chinese man named 'Somchai', who is very shrewd and has connections with local police and the garrison. I vaguely remember that once, when Bao Youxiang urgently needed a batch of American-made communication equipment, it was obtained through this line, 'leaked' from a Thai Army warehouse."

Lin Xiao paused, then added: "Also, Council of Elders seems to place great importance on the factional struggles within the Thai Army. They seemed to be particularly optimistic about the 'Young Turks' faction that... it was probably three or four years ago... which included Apirat Kongsompong (the current Army Commander-in-Chief), who was a Major General at the time. They believed they were more radical, more eager for military achievements and international support, and easier to bind with interests."

The secretary quickly recorded this information on an encrypted tablet and exchanged a low-voiced look with a guard nearby.

"Lin Xiao, the information you provided may be of significant value." The secretary looked at her. "The President has instructed that if you are willing to cooperate with subsequent operations and perform meritorious service to atone for your crimes, your performance during reform will receive a major bonus, and your sister's placement and security level can also be correspondingly improved."

Lin Xiao's heart began to pound wildly. An opportunity! This was the opportunity she had been waiting for! "I am willing! I am willing to cooperate! I'll do anything!" She answered almost without thinking.

"Very good." The secretary stood up. "You need to leave here temporarily to cooperate with a secret operation. The specific tasks will be explained to you by the commander in charge of the operation. Remember, this is your only chance. Any failure to cooperate, concealment, or betrayal—you know the consequences."

"I understand! I swear!" Lin Xiao nodded quickly.

A few minutes later, Lin Xiao was blindfolded and taken into an unmarked off-road vehicle. The vehicle drove for a long time, and it seemed they switched vehicles once midway. When the blindfold was removed, she found herself in a simple but well-equipped safe house.

In the room were several men and women in plain clothes but with sharp, capable auras. Among them, a tall woman with a cold, beautiful face and short, pale blonde hair was standing with her arms crossed, sizing her up, her gaze as sharp as a scalpel.

"I am Erica, commander of the 'Shadow Blade' unit." The woman spoke, her voice cold and aloof. "From now on, you are under my command. Your codename is 'Echo'. First, write down and draw out everything you just mentioned regarding the 'White Elephant Trading Company' in Chiang Rai, Thailand, Somchai, and all the nodes, names, contact methods, and possible code words you know related to Council of Elders, the Thai Army, and the remnants of the Golden Triangle forces. The more detailed, the better."

Erica pointed to the paper, pen, and a computer connected to the internal network but specially processed, which were prepared on the table. "You can describe it in any way, drawing relationship diagrams is fine too. We have experts who will analyze it. You have four hours. Afterwards, I need you to map out a path that you believe is the most likely and safest for us to infiltrate that 'White Elephant Trading Company' or contact key figures from our side. Remember, this is not a game. One mistake, and we could die, and you and your sister will absolutely have no future."

Lin Xiao was intimidated by Erica's presence, but even more so, she was struck by the professional, cold, yet powerful aura emanating from 'Shadow Blade' and the woman before her. She nodded vigorously: "I will do my best! I will write down everything I know!"

She sat at the table, took a deep breath, and began to write furiously. Those dust-covered memories, those networks and intelligence once used to harm others, had now become her only bargaining chip for redemption.

On the other side of the safe house, Erica reported to Naypyidaw via an encrypted channel: "'Echo' has been received. Preliminary assessment indicates that the information provided has high credibility and operational value. We have begun screening and locking onto the first batch of targets based on her information. Primary target: the arms broker and intelligence peddler in Bangkok, Valari Zhanlong, nicknamed 'The Weasel'. Based on cross-referencing the fragmented information provided by 'Echo', this person has financial dealings with the 'White Elephant Trading Company', frequently visits Bangkok military clubs, and has had secret contacts with several assistants to the Eagle-side military attachés in Thailand. He is very likely an active intermediary scouted by Council of Elders to connect the Thai Army with external forces."

At the Naypyidaw command center, Zhang Cheng received the briefing.

"Authorize the surveillance and infiltration of 'The Weasel'." Zhang Cheng replied. "Let Lin Xiao fully participate in the analysis; her perspective might uncover details we have overlooked. But maintain the highest level of surveillance; she remains a risk variable. Erica, you have full authority over the pace of the operation. I need to know whose hand is holding the 'remote control' for this border provocation, and which button they are preparing to press next."

"Understood." Erica's reply was short and forceful.

On the border line of the Moei River, night fell.

On the Myanmar side, a forward outpost of the 7th Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division of the Eastern Military Region, codenamed "Nail-7", was built on a small highland overlooking the riverbank and part of the disputed slope. The outpost was constructed of reinforced concrete and sandbag fortifications, garrisoned by a reinforced platoon equipped with heavy machine guns, mortars, and anti-tank missiles. At this moment, the outpost was under light control, with only infrared cameras and night vision devices flickering faintly in the darkness.