"Well your majesty I was going to ask you seeing as you suggested that food policy was not in your nations interests to be negotiated. Or did I misunderstand what you suggested?"

General Secretary Cheng replied "Hmm the seat of our capital in Zhēnzhū is known as the Blue Manor. Our old official residence is the Shun Tsao Palace, that however is more of a museum now as it dates back to the Imperial Era. THe Blue Manor is in South Eastern Zhēnzhū and lies within the city surrounded by a garden, it's a complex of many buildings. What you will see however is mostly artificial garden. I'm not going to lie it's a little sterile for my liking. There is a building however that acts as a secondary administrative building. Its a tower in the city known as Chong Seng tower it oversees mot of the centtral metro area. It sees the hustle and bussle of the city, construction and the hustle and bustle of people living their live, traffic, construction, people rushing to get to whatever plans they have. It reminds me that what policy I enact it effects them, thus keeping me grounded. If that makes sense."

JBSS Special Agent Linhua Deng was in The Defense in the Jiayuanese embassy meeting with ambassador Tien Xiaoming and had their phone patched through to The Secretary Generals Office via many encrypted networks and third party proxy lines. Secretary General Guamin Cheng started the meeting "This whole situation is ridicules." Special Agent Deng replied " Well its not like we are involved directly so far as I can see we are in the clear either way. its not like anyone can link this to us. Their just mercenaries from Tai & Tsung Defence Services. All we did was give that prick Oliver money. It's not like we decided to hire the mercs." Ambassador Xiaoming concurred "Well A private company give him the funds to hire a private army. We aren't responsible for this."

Secretary General Cheng stress sighed " Well that might be true but I still don't like the sound of this bullshit Prince. But whatever He might be an entitled little asshole but he might be a man of pragmatism...At least I hope, otherwise we might have to be more....Firm." Special Agent Deng responded "I doubt we have to. The Morelanders would probably do that for us...Besides Shehua Capital and the other shelf companies will be the ones on the chopping block if this were to go south, either from the Republic or the Heyran Royal family."

Secretary General Cheng responded "Fine, monitor the situation. Ambassador Xiaoming keep this communication line open and Special Agent Deng, have your officers on high alert and on standby encase the little prick Oliver gets any ideas."

Mr Lao asked frankly "Sir, what is it you actually want? I prefer people be frank rather than dancing around formality. Otherwise we will just be wasting time."

Both of the Jiayuanese delegates bowed to both Empress Eventhe and Count Emerson Westwood out of respect. Secretary General Guamin Cheng replied "Mead?...Thats honey wine correct? Anyway, Your majesty my intention today is a discussion over a possible FTA." Secretary of State Wen Yi-Mai added "We are basically here today to begin a constructive relationship between both of our nations. We want it to be constructive, and hope that Jiayuan and Rokkenjima have a solid professional relationship."

Secretary General Guamin Cheng replied "Ah. It's rather nice you say that your majesty. I had a conversation with my Secretary of Commerce concerning such a proposal last week. " Secretary of State Wen Yi-Mai replied "Yes that was a comittee meeting with the Commerce Secretary as well with the Secretary of Immigration and Citizenship." Guamin Cheng responded "Yes, we agreed that a possible visa free program or some specialised visa access program?"

They saw the the Dragon-Emperor and his staff and family walk own the terminal He walked up and greeted the Emperor with a customary bow. "You Highness. It's an honour to receive you. I trust that the journey was a pleasant one? I'm Guamin Cheng Secretary General of the Federal Republic of  Jiāyuán, and this woman next to me is Secretary of State Wen Yi-Mai."She replied "It is a pleasure Your Imperial Majesty. Empress Jing, its and honour to receive you as well. Welcome."

Lao sat down and thought carefully about what he would say he needed to be diplomatic here. "The little prick came to me for financial advice and asked questions about funding some business venture. He was rather vague and wouldn't answer any of my questions about why he really wanted to see me. It wasn't a long meeting he was only there for an hour. As for what his real goals are you'll have to track him down."

Meanwhile across the road in the fake trade van the two agents were listening. Agent Deng was speaking to agent Yuu "This guy is fucking lying." Agent you replied "Probably, but either way our job is to gather intell, did you get the clothes?" Agent Deng responded "Of course." They then drove the van in a side alley that was right next to them and out of sight. and changed into some regular business suits. and walked into the restaurant posing as 2 business colleagues out for lunch at a table just 2 tables besides them on the right. 

Lao merely sighed. He was tired and exhausted. "Consultant huh? I am getting a lot of foreign visitors lately, also I don't recall requesting a table for two Mr Holmes. So tell me what is it you want?" he asked in a somewhat stand offish tone while tangerine chicken with hot rice. Little did he know that after his conversation, the JBSS had Lao's phone bugged in a momentary slip when he forgot his phone and left it at his home the next day after his conversation with the former prince.

Meanwhile across the road there was a van parked opposite to the restaurant on the outside had the name of a electrical maintenance service, however inside where 2 agents from the Jiyayuanese Bureau of State Security, dressed in navy blue jumpsuits to blend in with their surroundings monitoring the conversation on their listening systems. Agent Deng one of the agents spoke to his partner Agent Yuu "First that Prince Oliver prick and now this?" Agent Yuu responded "It seems that our CEO is quite popular." Agent Deng merely chucked "A super rich asshole in charge of one of the largest banks in the Sinosphere popular with foreign super rich assholes popular, I'm so friken shocked" Agent Yuu just sighed and rolled his eyes "Why do you have to be a dick today?" Deng responded "Well I just know the ountain of paperwork we will have to do after this, first Prince Oliver and now the governor of Elysium." Yuu said back "Yeah I know then we both have to fly back to Zhēnzhū  and report back to Zhang, swear to god he makes me want to punch him every time we're together." Deng groaned "Yeah do I have to remind you of the disciplinary report that was filled out about you last month." Yuu rolled his eyes again "What are you my mum?..I am aware, just shut up and listen." 

Agent Deng however noticed something peculiar a slight static and noise interference with Anginer's signal. It would seem that the voice came out more muffled and harder to make out no matter how many times he tuned his signal, they could make out Tien Shan Lao's voice but Anginer's voice needed to be deciphered. Maybe some kind of device or some special function on his phone muffling the signal from their mobile listening post.

Lao smiled with great restraint but kept his composure. "Of course. This isn't amateur hour of course the mercenaries will be Heyran, least chance of this coming back on us...Before you leave I feel like I need to remind you that this never happened. understand?." He shook his hand and had Prince Oliver leave. He then took out a cigarette when he was alone in his office and said under his breath "Arrogant little fuck."

Zhēnzhū, Liaosheng Province, Federal Republic of Jiāyuán, 3:45am

Secretary General Guamin Cheng was sleeping in his bed at the Executive Blue Monor, the official residence of the Secretary General. One of his personal assistants got him up. “Mr Secretary you have a call from the Embassy in Ikan.” Mr Cheng got out of bed Still a little out of it, however he was used to his job by now, he had been Secretary General for only a few months, but he was used to having as little sleep as possible from his earlier career in finance. Secretary General still in his pajama’s replied “A call from our embassy in Arashkai? Did they say what for?” The assistant only answered “They couldn’t give me a reason other than it’s classified.” He merely sighed and went to his office and picked up the phone.

“This is the Secretary General.” There was a younger middle-aged voice over the phone. A middle-aged woman replied “Yes Mr Secretary this is Miyan Dao Yi Ambassador to the Empire of Arashkai. I have news, I’m sorry to wake you up so early but this can’t wait. We received word from the JBSS just a few minutes ago…They’ve found him.”

The Secretary General was confused. “Found who?” The Ambassador responded “Hwung Xiaojin, himself, he’s still alive.” The Secretary General’s Eyes widened and he was more alert, he raised his eyebrow “You absolutely sure?” The Ambassador replied “They were rather emphatic Mr Secretary.” The Secretary simply said “Thank you Ambassador. I’ll call you back.”

He then got on the phone with the JBSS Director Dailou Zhang who picked up the phone “Mr Secretary I was expecting you.” Guamin replied “Good so we don’t have to mince words, If what your agents are saying is true then I want a full dossier on my by this afternoon. “Of course.”he replied.

12:45pm

Secretary Guamin Cheng was reading the dossier: Hwung Xiaojin, the man that led the regime known to the international community as the Vedic Domain of Jiāyuán, on paper it was a clerical state ruled by a council of supposedly wise Buddhist monks. In practise it was a different story. Many of the older generation age 70 and above would remember those times as a horrible nightmare of oppression, war, slavery and religious indoctrination and persecution. If it was true that Hwung Xiojin, the last Grand Bodisattva was alive he would be at least in his early 90’s by now.

According to the dossier he was hiding in a small town known as Ekhet in the rather Tasai Province, Kasra Prefecture, in the Empire of Arashkai. HE slipped in through after the end of the revolution. He assumed the identity of a Hu Taiyeng, a high school teacher with forged credentials and it looks like he had some plastic surgery done so no-one would recognise him. However, his face did still have the similar features and bone structure and as far as the JBSS knows, he never had any children, however he was in a country that didn’t have an extradition treaty with the republic. He thought for a moment, he decided to arrange accommodation with the Jiāyuánese embassy in Ikan in the next week. The thought went through his mind that if they can apprehend him, it would close the book on a very dark period of Jiāyuánese history and give the older generation some closure as anyone above the age of 60 would’ve been impacted in some way from the policies of this brutal and bloodstained former priest.

He couldn’t have the agents act on foreign soil however, he could, but it wouldn’t go over well with Arashkai. There was only one way he can do this. He needed to set up a meeting with Emperor Mishei himself. He used the phone from his office to call the Emperor directly. Waiting on the line.

Lao merely scoffed. But then he shifted his tone. He was known for his blunt and uncompromising tone. "So you want us to bankroll your coup d'état and install SMRC and you in charge and get your crowns back. The payment will be in the form of interest and financial capital we get from the shares we get from the purchase of Heyran companies we purchase in the shortfall. You could've just said that and saved us so much time...We can help you, however this meeting never happened. Understand?"

His personal assistant entered the room with a tray. Lao then gave the young prince a choice. "Now then, there is Green Oolong Tea, Black Oolong Tea, Lady Grey, Earl Grey, East Moreland Breakfast Tea or Darjeeling Tea. Take your pic."

Lao merely smirked "You are certainly amusing, you know for an uppity prince who has no real power anymore, who's country that we can wipe off the map in a matter of a few weeks. Coming over here and barking orders with no context...It's adorable, almost as if you are an actual prince instead of just playing one.Sure you may have another potential partner in this little venture, but I doubt they will be able to bank roll you like we can...Now then, before you have your tea why don't I make you earn it for once, and stop wasting my time and actually tell me what is actually going on?" He replied with a serpent like smile on his face.

The receptionist called the CEO's office. A few minutes later the elevator a middle aged man came out. Charcoal grey suit, white shirt, no tie and shaved head. He approached Prince Oliver. "Prince Oliver Assume?" He said with a smile on his face. "This way" He guided the prince to the elevator and pressed the button to the 30th floor. The floor was mostly other offices  and some boardrooms and then finally his office.


He then opened up a seat for the prince in exile "Please sit." He then sat down himself "So, what does a Prince in exile want with a mere corporate executive such as myself?"

To- High Prince Oliver on behalf of Sua Maiestas Rex Christianissimus Maximus

As the Chief Executive Officer of one of Jiāyuán’s largest financial institutions I will be interested to hear what this venture is. In order to ascertain on how Shenhua National Capital can help or assist. I invite Sua Maiestas Rex Christianissimus Maximus and whomever is part of his delegation to meet in Jiangmai. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

From-Tien Shan Lao, Chief Executive Officer of Shenhua National Capital.