After meeting Shorty, Song Heping went to meet Balrot.
Just like Shorty, Balrot was fiercely hostile, almost as if he wanted to tear Song Heping apart.
But ten minutes later, his attitude stabilized just like Shorty's had earlier.
The meeting ended quickly, and as Ganard personally escorted him to the outside of the prison gates, Song Heping immediately grabbed paper and pen and began to hurriedly sketch.
Ferrari was curious: "What are you doing?"
"Drawing a map." Song Heping focused intently on the paper, his pen moving fluidly, gradually outlining an architectural diagram.
"A map of the prison?" Ferrari finally realized.
Song Heping eventually drew circles on two specific sections of the map, then handed it to Ferrari: "Scan this immediately and send it to Henry. Have him find us the architectural blueprints of this prison in Mexico as soon as possible. I need detailed plans, especially of underground structures like sewers, with precision and no mistakes."
"You're not planning a prison break, are you?!"
Ferrari, astute as ever, immediately grasped Song Heping's intentions.
Such a daring idea greatly shocked Ferrari.
"Are you insane?! This is Mexico! Do you really think the police here are fools? This prison seems to have at least six or seven hundred guards! I just went around the perimeter; it's solid and there are sentries everywhere."
Song Heping said, "That's why I need the sewer blueprints."
Ferrari said, "So you plan to dig a tunnel for the rescue, right?"
Song Heping said, "Why not?"
Ferrari was momentarily at a loss for words.
Digging a tunnel, while sounding clever, is exceedingly difficult to implement.
Setting aside obtaining precise architectural and tunnel plans, even with this information, secretly tunneling into the prison is an immense challenge.
The construction demands are high; the tunnel must be dug precisely under a cell without being detected by the guards.
It's too difficult!
"I think you're insane!"
Song Heping said, "To gain access to Balrot's smuggling resources, we need Shorty's help; there is no other way."
Ferrari said, "Now that Balrot is in prison, his organization must be in chaos. Now is the time to find some key figures in his group, and we can force them to comply using special means."
"Smuggling routes are just a resource; it's useless if we just have them. For instance, knowing how many secret channels they have into the United States, or where their drug submarines are docked, or their delivery routes and schedules, what's the use? Balrot's smuggling network controls at least ten thousand people, how many leaders and executives do we need to catch? How much time would it take to forcefully extract information from them, and even if they agree, the actual operations still have to be handled by them. Once released, can you guarantee they won't betray us?"
Song Heping shook his head: "I've considered all that you mentioned, and came up with only one solution."
"What solution?" Ferrari asked.
A murderous glint appeared in Song Heping's eyes: "Eliminate Balrot."
"What?!" Ferrari nearly screamed, "You kill their boss, and you think his loyal followers won't fight you tooth and nail? Would they still work for you?"
"If no one knows how he died, if it appears that I was helping him, what then?" Song Heping said, "I've already planned this. Once Balrot is dead, the organization will need a new leader, and that's when I can push Barrett to take over."
Ferrari found it hard to believe: "What makes you think you can get Barrett to become the boss?"
Song Heping said, "That's why I need to make a deal with Shorty. Balrot's smuggling group was brought up by him. What if Shorty himself steps in to take over the network and appoints Barrett as the boss?"
"Barrett was a DEA undercover agent before. Can he be the boss?"
Ferrari's eyes widened.
"Why couldn't he?" Song Heping said, "Don't forget, he's had plastic surgery, and now that he's back in Mexico, do you see anyone recognizing his true identity?"
Song Heping patted Ferrari's shoulder: "Trust me, everything is under my control; you just need to do as I say and have Henry find the information I need."
"Alright…" Ferrari knew Song Heping never bragged without cause; if he said something was feasible, then it was. He had no better option than to agree.
The partnership with the CIA meant significant rewards but also great risks.
Making money is like this, the timid starve and the bold may perish.
Refusing to cooperate was an option, but it offered no advantages.
After returning from the prison, Song Heping stayed in the villa he rented, going nowhere.
Every day, he either sat in his room focusing on his laptop as if he was in deep meditation or swam in the swimming pool in the villa's yard, living as comfortably as a tourist.
Ferrari stayed in Mexico for one day before flying to Europe.
He now has a lot of things to handle, establishing a money laundering channel completely unrelated to the "Musician" Defense Company isn't a simple task.
Henry responded quickly.
He swiftly used his former intelligence agency connections to find someone in the Mexico City construction department and, after offering a high price, purchased the relevant prison blueprints.
While Song Heping was planning everything, the eyes of the CIA never left him.
Three days later, Kelly received an intelligence report in her office, detailing Song Heping's recent activities.
After reading the report, the landline rang.
She answered, and it was Deputy Director Pence, asking her to come to his office.
Pence is Kelly's immediate superior, in charge of CIA operational affairs.