The Value of Middle School Political Textbooks

"As soldiers, we believe in action over empty talk." General Ross, like many of his kind, displayed the concise and blunt style of an old-school military man even when bickering.

Xiang Qian sneered, pretending not to notice the jab at him being a "talkative" Playboy.

"While I trust that you, General, will uphold your military duty, I must confirm one thing just in case," Xiang Qian said lazily. "Are you clear that my biological endocrine extraction and catalysis technology is the key to the mass production of the Mutant Serum?"

The tone and convoluted phrasing Xiang Qian used were full of the flavor of an elite American lawyer, which left General Ross extremely dissatisfied.

"I think we can get straight to the point."

"No, no, no. I think some things are better said upfront," Xiang Qian laughed flippantly. "Are you clear that whether I continue to provide the relevant technology to develop the Mutant Serum depends entirely on your side's ability to guarantee the safety of my investment in Worthington Industries?"

Veins bulged on General Ross's forehead. "My orders are to do everything in my power to ensure the safety of Worthington Industries. On the soil of the United States, we will do our utmost to protect the legal rights and interests of everyone."

General Ross was, after all, dealing with Xiang Qian for the first time. If it were a member of the Spear Bureau, or someone like Professor X or Magneto who knew Xiang Qian well, they would never have provoked him verbally.

Why on earth would one reach out to poke a hedgehog? Especially when you were the one asking him for something.

"Fine, General. Let's get straight to the point," Xiang Qian said, not pushing his luck, as if he had completely forgotten who had been talking in circles just moments ago. "Can you tell me the specific plan you have for protecting Worthington Industries?"

General Ross felt as if his lifelong supply of patience had been exhausted in this single phone call. Not even the time he let Dr. Banner escape after turning into that big green brute, leading to the failure of the Super Soldier Program, had made him this irritable.

"There is an airborne rapid response unit on Alcatraz Island, and the White House has sent an reinforced company of Marines. The laboratory on the island is under the tightest protection."

General Ross tried to project power by highlighting the massive troop deployment.

Xiang Qian waited for a long time, but when no further details came, he asked in astonishment, "That's it? Two infantry companies? Do you even know who you are dealing with?"

"This is the United States, and we are the most powerful military in the world." In General Ross's view, being on American soil with two reinforced companies supported by complete defensive positions and massive technical equipment was enough to face any threat and remain invincible.

Xiang Qian was almost amused to the point of laughter by General Ross's ignorance. "General, have you never dealt with the mutant problem before? Do you really know what the title 'Magneto' represents, even after he has been silent for ten years?"

"I have been granted full authority to handle the disturbances at Worthington Industries and the mutant threat." General Ross felt his anger being easily stoked again. He had never loathed everything about a person so much—not his tone of voice, nor his contemptuous attitude.

Xiang Qian was indifferent. "Yes, yes, you don't need to emphasize that; my memory is quite good. I still remember the last person who was granted similar authority. What was his name again? Oh, I remember now: William Stryker, right?"

The talent Xiang Qian possessed for inciting disgust in others was now in full effect. "Do you know what your predecessor is most remembered for? What he is most remembered for is his miserable end—his body was found thirty feet under the water at Alkali Lake, already mangled beyond recognition by fish."

Xiang Qian laughed viciously. "The San Francisco Bay is much deeper than Alkali Lake, General."

"What are you trying to say?" Although his temper was flaring, General Ross keenly sensed that there was more to Xiang Qian's words. After receiving authorization for the operation, General Ross had done his homework, and the secret report on the Alkali Lake incident was an indispensable part of it.

Xiang Qian was also quite satisfied with General Ross's reaction. Someone who could control their anger after being provoked and maintain a degree of reason and sharpness was someone who possessed the foundation for continued communication and cooperation.

What smart people hate most are those whose emotions outweigh their reason, because their behavioral logic is unpredictable, and no one knows what they might do.

"Magneto is the most powerful terrorist in American history—perhaps not the most terrifying, but certainly the most powerful." Xiang Qian dropped his flippant tone. "So, to protect my property, I have also found some help."

"Who?" General Ross already had a guess in mind; after all, with Xiang Qian's influence today, his history in the United States had long been dug up clean by those with ulterior motives.

Xiang Qian didn't play any pointless guessing games. "You should have already guessed, shouldn't you? The only ones capable of dealing with Magneto are, of course, his old rivals: the X-Men."

"It's not that we haven't thought about cooperating with them," General Ross said hesitantly. "But like Magneto, they haven't appeared since the Alkali Lake incident. The government feels that because the military attacked the X-Mansion, they don't trust us."

Xiang Qian sneered. "Before judging whether they trust the government, let me ask you: do you trust them? They are, after all, a group of mutants just like Magneto."

"I don't know. They've been gone for nearly ten years," General Ross said. "After William Stryker died, no one knew the location of the X-Mansion anymore. Even though that school recruits students every year, no one knows where they are. Even the parents of the students can't say for sure."

"That is the mutant way—a talent so powerful it invites envy." Xiang Qian smiled happily, with a sense of pride, as that was the school where the elegant beauty taught.

General Ross pressed on, "So, you trust them? Are they willing to make an enemy of Magneto, even if it means going against the mutant cause?"

Xiang Qian replied, "General, since you have become the person with full authority to handle the mutant disturbances, I need to remind you of one thing: there is no such thing as a unified mutant stance."

"So you mean the X-Men will stand on our side?"

Xiang Qian was noncommittal. "Whether they can stand on our side is a problem for me to solve. Your problem, General, is that I need a guarantee from you."

"What guarantee?"

"I need your guarantee, General, that if I persuade the X-Men, when they enter the fray, you will treat them with respect and allow them to play their full role," Xiang Qian's tone was serious as never before. "At least, until Magneto is defeated."

General Ross was silent for a long time. He felt that the last sentence Xiang Qian emphasized seemed to have a deeper meaning. Finally, he replied, "I will not refuse any helpful assistance."

"A wise choice. I will head to the United States tomorrow and have a meeting with a representative of the X-Men in San Francisco. I hope for a good outcome," Xiang Qian said before hanging up. "I hope we have a pleasant cooperation!"

After hanging up, Xiang Qian fell into silent contemplation.

The X-Men were a force that could be united, but their emotions and demands needed to be managed. The U.S. military was a force that could be utilized; those American soldiers would make excellent cannon fodder.

As for Magneto, he was the target destined to be struck down. Until he was defeated, he served as the best adhesive for the various anti-Magneto factions.

Primary contradictions and secondary contradictions; who to rely on, who to unite, and who to strike.

Xiang Qian found that his middle school political and history textbooks were among the most valuable books he had ever read in his life.

Now, Xiang Qian had to go find the force that could provide him with support.