Chapter 222: Dividing the Spoils
Chapter 222: Dividing the Spoils
This Manor was recently purchased by Boss Tang for sixty million US Dollars, with an additional twenty million spent on renovations.
A typical Jiangnan garden-style Mansion was covered by dense trees. Small bridges over flowing water, carved beams and painted rafters, Rockeries, and ponds were all immersed in a lush green landscape.
Large areas of grey roof tiles were arranged in a staggered pattern, making it extremely elegant and secluded.
This Mansion, named Tang Estate, had only recently been completed and was one of Boss Tang's Mansions!
Its purpose, needless to say, was naturally for keeping mistresses and indulging in illicit affairs.
The Helicopter flew low over the Sea Surface. Tang Song sat in the Helicopter, sipping bitter but fragrant coffee from a cup while overlooking the azure Ocean. Watching the waves on the Sea Surface, it had been over two months since the Lyon War. Tang Song had also emerged from the shadows. In everyone's eyes, he was the Agent put forward by the Sacred Shield Brotherhood.
Their view wasn't entirely wrong. The Church, the largest Branch of the Sacred Shield Brotherhood, was a staunch supporter of Boss Tang for certain reasons (a fixed batch of silver-plated gold crosses every year).
Old Weyland, along with his old friend, also stood by him.
Not long ago, Tang Song even rescued the Old Ghost Rider from Blackheart and prevented Blackheart's plan to invade the Mortal Realm.
Within the Sacred Shield Brotherhood, some Elders who possessed supernatural powers also had a good impression of Tang Song.
In León City, after the war against the Aliens, Tang Song subtly gained the support of several major factions within the Sacred Shield Brotherhood.
If the Sacred Shield Brotherhood wasn't such a loose organization itself, perhaps with Tang Song's prestige, he could even have become the Chairman of the Brotherhood.
So, for the past two months, Tang Song, under the halo of the Sacred Shield Brotherhood, has been navigating various cocktail parties and secret meetings.
There were many pretexts for these cocktail parties and secret meetings, but the real purpose was only one: dividing the spoils.
*Cough cough*, of course not! It was merely the post-war distribution of benefits, the weapons and equipment left behind by the Aliens, and the development rights to the Spatial Gate. For these things, several countries had been openly and covertly vying for the past two months.
The number of visits between several Heads of State and Senior Government Officials combined was more than in the past few years.
Of course, not all countries were qualified to share this cake. National strength was the entry ticket. Small Countries like Japan and South Korea didn't even have their independent sovereignty.
It was naturally impossible for them to get a share.
The Japanese Prime Minister and the South Korean President visited the Federation multiple times, shamelessly wanting to join this feast.
But their masters couldn't even eat enough of this cake themselves, let alone spare any for dogs.
Of course, the reason Francis gave for refusing them was legitimate: they were dividing the spoils of war from defeating the Aliens, and your two countries didn't even participate in this "war."
Dividing the spoils of war? The other countries might not agree! With just a few sentences, he sent them away.
There weren't many people truly qualified to divide this cake: the five council members of the World Security Council, plus Wakanda, which intended to ease tensions with the Federation.
On the Lyon Battlefield this time, Wakanda lost over a dozen Vibranium Jets, undoubtedly proving their strength and sincerity to the World Security Council.
They naturally qualified for an entry ticket.
Boss Tang, representing the Sacred Shield Brotherhood and the Mutant group combined, counted as half.
Six and a half people dividing one cake. Even so, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth was implicitly complaining about too many people and somewhat questioning Tang Song's qualifications.
However, Boss Tang's entry ticket was unique. Without that Beast Hide Scroll, the existence of the Spatial Gate wouldn't be a cake, but a time bomb.
On this point, the Senior Government Officials of several countries were very clear.
And the Sacred Shield Brotherhood and the Mutant group standing behind Tang Song meant they couldn't use methods against ordinary people to seize control of the Beast Hide from Tang Song.
Leaving aside others, they couldn't bypass The Church alone.
The Church was not a religious mascot like on Tang Song's first Earth; they genuinely possessed supernatural powers. Since the Beast Hide Scroll connected to Hell, it was possible that Heaven also existed.
Just thinking about the legends of Angels destroying the world in the Bible made these Senior Government Officials shudder and resolve not to provoke these religious fanatics.
Regarding the claim that the Beast Hide Scroll connected to Hell, after technological detection by the top scientists of several countries, no one questioned it.
Just as the Federal Hellboy was not a secret, among the High-level Staff of various countries, they undoubtedly had a clearer understanding of the world's reality than the General Public.
Of course, for Boss Tang, the troubles after becoming high-profile also became apparent. Every day, countless people visited him under various pretexts.
However, this was also the benefit brought by strength plus power and influence. If it were just strength, look at that big oaf in the next village, *cough cough*, Superman from the neighboring DC! Feared by everyone, any organization with a bit of ability wouldn't dare call itself a top DC organization without stockpiling some Kryptonite.
Boss Tang was different. His strength was powerful but not displayed. He was connected to countless organizations behind the scenes. Most crucially, he didn't hog everything! The Brotherhood of Mutants, the Sacred Shield Brotherhood, secretly controlled a Branch of Hydra, had a good relationship with the Avengers, exchanged shares with major federal consortiums, and was also a Councillor in the Federal Congress.
Any single one of these identities, when taken out, would place him at the tip of the pyramid.
"As the ancestors said, a single tree does not make a forest. But it seems Yggdrasil alone supports the Nine Realms, and Galactus is a lone wolf, treating planets as snacks."
"Damn it! It seems I'm still not strong enough. When I truly become powerful...!"
The Helicopter hovered above the hidden Tang Estate. The several Rockeries below slowly moved apart, clearing a spacious landing field.
Tang Song, accompanied by Scarlet Witch Wanda, stepped off the transport craft. Over a dozen bodyguards and Filipina Maids came forward to greet them.
Tang Song led Wanda to a Yard.
This Yard was only about ten meters long and wide, but arranged by expert artisans, several clumps of bamboo and a line of Rockeries surrounded a small flower pavilion.
Large patches of vines covered more than half of the pavilion. A clear spring flowed from beside the pavilion, circled it, and then flowed out beside a Rockery.
In the Yard, a dining table had already been set up. Several chefs wearing tall white hats were preparing delicacies nearby.
This meal considered Wanda's taste, so the chefs on standby at the Manor were Western food chefs.
The main course was steak, accompanied by some fried shrimp balls, white wine steamed mussels, some Western-style seafood dishes, and some Western desserts, plus a cream mushroom soup and a bottle of good quality red wine!
"Your father sent you here about the Utopia matter?"
Tang Song picked up the silver knife and fork and cut the steak on the table. The steak, roasted medium-rare, still sizzled with grease on its surface.
Tang Song looked at Wanda as he cut.
Wanda, her mouth full of a golden-fried shrimp ball, nodded somewhat awkwardly.
Magneto's purpose in calling her here was naturally about the mutant nation founding. More than two months had passed, and the agenda for the mutant nation founding was still under deliberation by the World Security Council.
This couldn't help but make Magneto anxious.
Moreover, he had no connections among the Senior Government Officials. His old friend, Professor X, only told him to wait patiently when he mentioned the matter.
Left with no choice, he sent his daughter to find Tang Song to gauge his opinion.
"For the several member countries of the World Security Council, mutant nation founding isn't a big deal. Tell your father to relax. Only when the benefits are distributed and the cake is cut will the agenda for the mutant nation founding be passed!"
The Spatial Gate base was located within Mexico, in the Leon Urban Area, which had become the focus of attention for several countries.
This area was closest to the Federation, and the Federation had the strongest military strength. According to common sense, the Federation should station troops there.
Unfortunately, none of the six countries, including the Federation's loyal younger brothers, Britain and France, agreed to this proposal.
The representative from China used a very vivid analogy: putting a meat bun near a dog's mouth, it's probably easy to eat but hard to spit out.
So, at this time, a plan acceptable to everyone was needed.
Boss Tang, representing the Brotherhood of Mutants, proposed a plan for mutant nation founding.
The reason was also sufficient: a buffer zone, like placing Israel in the Arab world, using the strength of Mutants to guard the Spatial Gate.
On the other hand, it could also create some trouble for the Federation. (Of course, these words were spoken by Boss Tang during a secret meeting with representatives from China and Russia!) As for the Federation, the White House's explanation to Congress was that they would use the supernatural powers of Mutants to develop the Stars on the other side of the Spatial Gate in the future.
As for the Mexican Government...
In the several World Security Council meetings regarding mutant nation founding, no representative from any side brought up the Mexican Government.
On the contrary, the Federal Government, considering the safety of the Leon Military Base, proposed sending the military to help the Mexican Government Forces eliminate the drug lords within the country.
However, this proposal did not pass. The other countries worried that the Federation was using the pretext of eliminating drug lords to monopolize the Spatial Gate.
While Tang Song explained the reasons behind this to Wanda, he thoughtfully took out a napkin and wiped the oil stain from the Scarlet Witch's mouth.
The Scarlet Witch's cheeks flushed slightly. After a long while, she nodded! The biggest influence of the Lyon War was probably bringing supernatural powers and Aliens into the sight of ordinary people. Of course, the truly Important Figure saw the benefits.
The gleaming Spatial Gate was right there at the Leon Base. One step out of the Solar System, entering the true Interstellar Age!
No country could resist this temptation.
While they were arguing with the Five Great Powers of the World Security Council, they were also thinking of taking shortcuts and finding a method with Boss Tang! After all, in this feast, besides the major countries and Wakanda, Boss Tang's personal figure frequently appeared, like a louse on a bald head, or a firefly in the dark night, extremely eye-catching.
Soon, Tang Song's data was placed on the desks of many countries and intelligence agencies. When Military Intelligence, Section 6 is mentioned, what do you think of first? 007, James Bond! Bond girls! Well, actually, the life of an agent is not as wonderful as imagined, especially for field agents. Hail of bullets, and even death, are minor matters.
Jody greatly admired James Bond, otherwise, she wouldn't have joined this agent department after graduating from the police academy.
Compared to police officers, field agents who are constantly on the edge of life and death are undoubtedly a tough job in peacetime! However, after truly understanding James Bond's files in the archives, she was completely disappointed with this colleague! No, not one, there were several James Bonds, because 007 was a calling card created by Military Intelligence, Section 6, and naturally wouldn't allow mistakes.
As for those who unfortunately died, they naturally couldn't be 007. They might be 005, or 009. 007 is immortal because the Boss of Military Intelligence, Section 6 doesn't allow it.
Jody was sitting on a chair at this moment, with a desk in front of her. Jody was flipping through the data in front of her listlessly.
Just two days ago, she was transferred from field agent to archives administrator, a position envied by everyone in Military Intelligence, Section 6.
Leisurely, safe, and high salary! Over a dozen men in sharp suits, looking very important, watched Jody through surveillance.
One of them, an old man with silver hair, clasped his hands behind his back and said in a condescending tone, "Is that her?"
A Middle-aged Man nodded and said, "Yes, Officer, this is the asset we selected to capture the target. She's also a virgin, with an outstanding appearance. According to our psychological profiling of the target, he has a soft spot for this type of woman!"
Another Middle-aged Man slyly said, "As far as I know, many ethnic Chinese have a virgin complex. We might find an opportunity to arrange a chance encounter for them!"
The old man smiled and heavily patted the shoulder of this oily Middle-aged Man, praising him greatly: "Excellent, arrange for them to meet immediately!"
Perhaps influenced by Boss Tang's previous gossip, there was more than one country with the same idea as the Commonwealth.
Soon after, the entrance of Tang's Building directly became a beauty pageant. Inadvertently, you could see four or five beautiful women with enchanting appearances strolling around.
In the Starbucks and commercial streets around the building, being there felt like being at a Victoria's Secret fashion show!
These beauties, carefully selected by various countries, hoped for a chance encounter, after all, since ancient times, the best way to exert influence has been through pillow talk.
However, Boss Tang rarely appeared at Tang's Building anymore!
In California, Tang Estate, the Scarlet Witch stayed at the Manor for a few days and then went back to help Magneto!
Tang Song lay comfortably on the sofa. Mariko Yashida knelt beside the sofa, massaging his temple. Tang Song put his arm around her waist!
Mariko Yashida flew to the Federation because Senior Government Officials from the Japanese Government had visited Yashida Manor repeatedly recently.
They wanted her to help make connections and put in a good word with Boss Tang, so that Japan could secure an entry ticket.
Mariko Yashida naturally knew her own worth. To put it bluntly, she was just Boss Tang's mistress and had no ability to change Boss Tang's decisions. Moreover, like Weyland Industries, Yashida Corporation had already secured a portion of aviation and firearms orders thanks to Boss Tang.
Annoyed by the constant bothering, Mariko Yashida simply ran to the Federation to seek peace and quiet.
Amidst beeping sounds, someone called the communicator of Boss Tang, who was currently enjoying himself.
Tang Song casually answered. President Francis of the Federation appeared on the screen.
"The matter I promised you last time has been handled." Francis said to Tang Song with a smile, "The World Security Council has agreed to the reorganization of S.H.I.E.L.D. Due to Alexander Pierce's suspicion, the High-level Staff within S.H.I.E.L.D. all need to be re-evaluated.
The future responsibilities of this new department will be focused on interstellar affairs and the management of internal Superhuman. It will have independent judicial procedures, independent armed forces, independent oversight mechanisms, and will be directly accountable to the World Security Council!"
"So, Tang, do you have any suggestions for the new director of this department?" Francis politely sought Tang Song's opinion.
"I think Maria Hill is quite suitable. After all, there are still some old hands within S.H.I.E.L.D. For now, let her concurrently serve as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.!" Tang Song said with a smile! "Since it's a worldwide organization, the name 'Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division' is too petty. Let's just change the name to S.H.I.E.L.D.!
In this Lyon War, people like Hill and Black Widow have ability, but reserve a few High-level Staff positions for me and send a few more people to do the oversight work!"
Unlike the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, the reorganized "S.H.I.E.L.D." this time was a truly international organization.
An elite organization jointly formed by various countries, its external focus is interstellar exploration and defense, and its internal focus is on superpowered crime.
Originally, the position of director was hotly contested by various countries. Some even suggested Tang Song take the role.
But Boss Tang, as the chess player, naturally couldn't be a chess piece.
That's right, for the real High-level Staff, whether it's the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. or those Superhero, they are just chess pieces.
They can be used and discarded at will.
The reason Boss Tang suggested Hill, besides her being one of his own, was because she had the ability. The old hands in S.H.I.E.L.D., plus Hydra Agent, Mutants, and Agent from the five Council Countries, you really couldn't handle them without some ability!
The few positions Tang Song reserved in S.H.I.E.L.D. were naturally for his several leaders.
Recently, the company has been expanding rapidly. Many people are rushing to give the company money, and they also need to prepare for the future Utopia Nation Founding work.
If Utopia is truly built later, infrastructure like water conservancy and electricity will be outsourced to them. These few are almost working non-stop.
Kane is doing better; he is responsible for the security of the starship research base.
Lane is the most tired. Later, there was no other way, so several Instructor from House of Cards were transferred to help with personnel.
Many middle-level management from Tang Group were pulled for training. In the future, they will hold some important positions in Utopia. There's no other way; due to years of political influence, Mutants generally have a very low level of education. Some matters, if handed to them, they really can't handle! It can be said that more than half of Utopia already belongs to Tang! Lane is even planning to form four divisions of mechanized military with Card Soldier as the core!
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is being reorganized, and the power of this organization will expand very quickly. One deputy director position, one armed action team captain position. The deputy director position will be given to Frank, and Lucien will be the Action Team Captain!
I have already coordinated it. Considering the future power of S.H.I.E.L.D., some Werewolf and Vampire will be filled in!"
A Maid carefully mixed a drink nearby and handed it to Tang Song. Mariko Yashida took it and brought it to Tang Song's mouth, taking a sip and feeding it to him.
Tang Song held a video conference while enjoying the warmth and fragrance of Mariko beside him.
"Lane, you are responsible for Utopia. You will serve as the first governor there later! Help Magneto manage Utopia!"
Upon hearing this, Lane collapsed weakly onto the sofa and groaned, "Boss, can you find someone else for the Utopia matter? That place is starting entirely from scratch, it's too difficult!"
Tang Song smiled: "Work hard, I believe in your ability!"
Far beyond the Milky Way Galaxy,
A black starship carefully avoided the meteors and asteroids outside the nebula. They approached a giant planetary system, with about twenty planets orbiting a binary star system.
Hala, this mysterious planet, located in the Large Magellanic Galaxy, is the mother planet of the Kree Empire.
"Stop, who are you?"
"I am Ebony Maw, sent by the Great Eternal Titan Thanos, to visit Commander Ronan! I bring him a message!"
The Black Tongue Advisor smiled as he watched the incoming signal!
The Kree Empire, one of the three great empires in the Universe!
Ronan, a Kree Noble, the Supreme Accuser of the Kree military high command! He was a pure Kree general, brutal and cold-blooded, willing to pay any price to perfectly execute orders.
He was another true "Kree Supremacist." In his eyes, the Kree were the most perfect race among the Stars, and one day, the Kree legions would, under his leadership, rule the entire Milky Way Galaxy, and even the entire Universe.
For other civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy, Ronan always played the role of a destroyer.
He was the Hand of War, the Vanguard of Destruction. Wherever he and his fleet went, flames that would never be extinguished would ignite, drawing everything into his conquest war.
This was a fearsome Warrior.
And Ronan's innate ability was not just in command of fleets to conquer territories; he himself was one of the top powerful Warrior in the Kree Empire.
His invincibility over the past nearly thousand years had earned Ronan multiple commendations from the Kree's Supreme Intelligence. Several years ago, the Supreme Intelligence passed a resolution to integrate all of the Kree's advanced military technology, almost with the entire country's strength, to forge a true divine weapon for Ronan.
That thing was called the "Universal Weapon."
At this moment, it was held in Ronan's hand.
He was taller than most Kree, over 2.5 meters in height. He was very muscular, wearing metal armor like an ancient warrior.
But that armor was the Kree's most advanced defensive armor, specially shaped into this warrior-like image because of Ronan's preference.
His skin was blue, the indigo blue particularly favored by Kree Noble, representing the most perfect bloodline.
His eyes were grey, representing his cold indifference.
He was like the physical embodiment of the Kree's ten thousand years of iron-blooded will to wage war.
This was also his wish; he hoped to become an existence beyond a symbol. He hoped to lead the Kree to the most glorious future.
Even within the Kree Empire, few knew that Accuser Ronan had an alliance with the infamous Thanos!
"The Chitauri have failed, their entire race destroyed by the Great Eternal Titan. Commander Ronan, Thanos hopes you can retrieve the Cosmic Cube and the Mind Scepter for him!"
The Black Tongue Advisor, Ebony Maw, said, looking at Ronan before him! Ronan looked at the star map coordinates displayed on the bridge, his complexion somewhat grim: "No, it's not time yet. I need to get the Power Stone first!"
"The Power Stone belongs to the Great Eternal Titan. Remember that! Ronan!"
(end of chapter)