The next noon, while the Mexican police were still in chaos over the jailbreak, Song Heping was already in his room twisting open a bottle of ice-cold cola and turning on his laptop.
He went to the news website he had invested in, and sure enough, he found a news report about the jailbreak.
Of course, the lead for the news was provided by Song Heping himself, deliberately intended for publication, and the content naturally met his requirements.
"...A month ago, Mexico's big drug lord Joaquin along with four other major family drug lords escaped last night from Altiblano Prison, which is known to have the highest level of security in Mexico. According to informants, several drug lords escaped through a four hundred meter-long underground tunnel..."
"...A shootout erupted between the police and the fleeing drug lords in a residential area near the prison, during which a violent explosion occurred. Reliable sources indicate that several drug traffickers were killed in the firefight, though this information has yet to be further confirmed..."
Song Heping's lips curled into a smile.
"Reliable sources," "informants."
Not bad.
This Fer really was an old hand in the news business.
Western laws offer quite good protection for these so-called sources of intelligence, and unless it pertains to national security, there's no need for news media to confirm such reports, meaning rumors can be legally fabricated.
Not that this was a fabrication, it was the truth.
Song Heping certainly knew that other than Shorty, the rest were dead.
There were many reasons for letting Fer stir up trouble.
Firstly, the news conglomerate he had invested in had just been established and needed more sensational insider scoops.
And in his line of work, he happened to have plenty such material to feed this news tool while also testing the media's function and power.
Secondly, it was to blur the lines.
So many people escaped from prison, but only Shorty was alive.
The others from the Cartel wouldn't be fools; they would suspect Shorty.
Song would simply toss the hot potato to the Mexican police, leaving them unable to defend themselves.
The police would definitely hold a press conference and would certainly deny that it was they who killed these drug lords.
But who would believe them?
The first to publish controls the narrative; a repeated lie becomes a truth.
This wisdom from China, when applied abroad, is not a bit outdated and can leave the Mexican police disoriented and overwhelmed.
After looking at his news website, Song Heping felt very pleased.
At least the money was well spent.
Even when funds were so tight, he insisted on investing in Fer.
Looking now, it seems necessary to continue increasing the investment to expand influence.
Expanding influence, that is, in fact, to acquire.
Song wasn't expert in this, but Fer and Angel were.
Checking other websites, he saw that some mainstream media were already reporting the news, showing that it was spreading fast.
Official news organizations usually react slower, which is their fatal weakness.
The rumor has already reached the moon, while the truth is still slowly loading fuel on the launchpad.
Having the news tools in his own hands felt incredibly good.
His phone began to vibrate on the desk.
Looking at it, it was Shorty's number.
"Ha ha."
Song Heping's smile was so wide he could hardly close his mouth.
This guy was more obedient than he had imagined.
He called so soon.
He's safe then.
Song Heping picked up the phone, then jokingly said, "Shorty, feeling safe now?"
"Safe. I had a safe house ready a long time ago, now I'm hidden away." Shorty didn't beat around the bush, "Boss Song, it will take me some time to liquidate and hand over the goods you want."
What Song Heping wanted was Balrot's entire organization's supply chain and sales network control list.
Only with these could he start to make moves.
"Three days. I'll give you three days. News of Balrot's death will likely be verified by the police soon, and that will be the most chaotic time for their organization. I need the list, and your assistance. You're very familiar with the people in his organization, convince them to hand over control to me."
"This... "
Shorty obviously had some difficulties.
"Boss Song, it's not that I don't want to do this, but it's a bit difficult... before you were capturing our people, and now you want to take over Balrot's organization..."
"I didn't say I wanted to take over." said Song Heping. "Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you. I'll arrange someone for you. Promote him to the leader's position, say he's your trusted associate, and in your name absorb Balrot's organization and network. As for me, I prefer to stay out of sight."
"Recommend someone? Who?" Shorty obviously didn't expect Song Heping to have such an arrangement, his tone faltered.