Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Seriously, Zhang Dabiao almost slid to the ground. He was still thinking—[Should I just run away today?]

As a result, the two plainclothes officers laughed when they saw Zhang Dabiao's cowardly appearance.

This little guy—he's not very brave either.

Zhang Dabiao asked tremblingly, "You two leaders, please don't joke with me. How could a student like me discuss such important matters?"

[You have to know when to back down. These two leaders are definitely much higher in rank than Director Chen, otherwise Director Chen wouldn't have gone out to avoid suspicion.]

But the two plainclothes officers waved their hands: "Comrade Zhang Dabiao, don't be modest."

"Since we've come to you, we must know something about you."

"Including your statement that your neighbor Jia Dongxu would die, and that the Jia family would falsely accuse you."

The leaders paused at this point, and Zhang Dabiao's heart leaped into his throat.

"Your analysis of their family's lifestyle, behavior, motivations, food crisis, natural disasters, and Jia Dongxu's personal psychological stress is very insightful."

"We met with our colleagues from the court, as well as those from your compound and the steel mill, and we investigated the matter. The final conclusion was that under those circumstances, even if Jia Dongxu hadn't died on the day of the assessment, he wouldn't have been able to hold on for very long afterward."

"Actually, during those years, quite a few people..."

At this point, the older leader shook his head, indicating there was a story behind it.

"Therefore, we are very interested in your 'analysis.' Your analysis may seem whimsical, but it has a certain logical connection. It's just that when it finally happens, it still needs a certain opportunity."

Zhang Dabiao breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing his superior's words.

The other person smiled and lit a cigarette for Zhang Dabiao. Because Zhang Dabiao was too nervous when he picked up the cigarette, he finished it in a few puffs.

"Last time, reporter An Hong compiled your 'prediction' into a document and submitted it. We've seen it, and the higher-ups' assessment of your predictions..."

At this point, the older leader paused again, and Zhang Dabiao tensed up once more—

Can't you just finish your sentence in one go?

The older leader sighed, took a deep drag on his cigarette, and then slowly spoke.

"Many leaders think this is just empty talk and grandstanding, so they don't take it seriously at all."

"But in the end—you predicted it all..."

"Even the details of where the attack took place and when it was withdrawn are basically exactly what you told me."

"So, what do you mean by that...?"

The older leader gestured with his finger towards Zhang Dabiao, who was both amused and exasperated.

Can you just say it all in one go? Can you just say it all in one go?

"I think you're a rather interesting kid."

This was no compliment; Zhang Dabiao's pupils constricted at that moment.

Having money, talent, and good works might get you noticed by ministerial-level leaders, but that's about it.

But if someone higher up says you're interesting, then your entire background has to be thoroughly investigated.

It seems these two are quite influential, otherwise why would Director Chen be out there guarding the gate for them?

Zhang Dabiao thought about it carefully—1. He didn't know if the higher-ups had found out about the grain issue. Zhangjiatun and Qinjiatun always transported grain by manpower, a total of 2000 jin per month. At most, it would be 20 people transporting 100 jin of grain each time.

Actually, it doesn't attract much attention. Every day, people carry large and small bags of grain along that route, and quite a lot of it.

If Zhang Dabiao, like that time-traveling predecessor, immediately sold 10,000 catties of flour and 5,000 catties of pork on the black market and then bought five courtyard houses, there would definitely be trouble. To be honest, the scale of Zhang Dabiao's grain transport is not that big.

2. Regarding the cultural relics, the 100 million yuan purchase of cultural relics to clear out the inventory caused quite a stir, but it was real money, done under the name of Hong Kong businessmen, and through an internal plan of the Ministry of Foreign Trade—the kind of legitimate process with proper documentation, so there was no fear of investigation. Even now, some people are still secretly buying them; the old guard uses these things to exchange for grain. The higher-ups won't pay attention to such trivial matters.

3. As long as the Lou family doesn't reveal their Hong Kong identity, it won't be traceable. Even if they did, it would only mean they have overseas connections. The higher-ups are turning a blind eye to such minor flaws for now; it's not a big deal yet.

So Zhang Dabiao thought about it for a long time, but he didn't think there was any crime that was "certain to lead to death".

At least I won't die now.

The older leader continued, "In addition to the recent deaths of the great Nixon and Nehru of India, you also predicted them with great accuracy."

"So the higher-ups sent the two of us to talk to you this time, to hear your opinion, as a reference for the representatives of the people."

Zhang Dabiao hesitated for a long time, then took a deep drag on his cigarette—

Take a gamble!

This is an opportunity you can't afford not to gamble on!

Zhang Dabiao took this risk so that the country could prepare for certain events in the future!

Since we've come all this way, we should at least do something beneficial for the country.

Zhang Dabiao composed himself: "Well, boss, I was just saying whatever came to mind."

"But once I leave this police station today, I won't recognize anything."

The older leader smiled and said, "Don't worry, we won't make a big deal out of a casual remark from an ordinary citizen. We're just having a chat today."

Zhang Dabiao rolled his eyes at him—[I don't believe you for a second. Try saying that again in two years and see if anyone believes you then.]

The older leader wasn't annoyed; on the contrary, he found Zhang Dabiao's behavior quite amusing and continued to ask with a smile, "So tell me, what do you think of the current leaders of the Soviet Union? How will Sino-Soviet relations develop in the future?"

Zhang Dabiao scratched his head and rolled his eyes.

Suddenly, he pulled out a bottle of Niulanshan Erguotou from his pocket and took two big gulps right in front of the two leaders!

This action stunned both leaders!

Then Zhang Dabiao pretended to say, "I've had too much to drink today, so what I say doesn't count."

"You should remember that."

The recorder (the young leader) now has only one question—did you bring alcohol to the police station?

Why did you bring alcohol?

Where did you take it from?

"This... the Russian bear, the elder brother... no, now it should be called 'socialist imperialism'?" He cautiously observed the other party's expression, and seeing that the older leader had no expression, he became a little bolder.

"I'm just an art student, what do I know about leaders? But, leader, I have a quirk: I love reading the Reference News and the People's Daily, listening to the radio, and listening to the old men in the alleys chatting."

The older leader nodded; he had already learned about it before he came.

Although Zhang Dabiao's position at the Ministry of Foreign Trade was part-time and he was essentially an affiliated expert, he was given the actual treatment of a deputy section chief.

Therefore, in his office at the Red Star Daily Necessities Factory, he had a collective subscription to the "Reference News," which was delivered to him regularly by his three assistants. So he had legitimate channels to learn about these things.

Furthermore, Zhang Dabiao's fiancée, Mu Wanqing, is a student at the Beijing Art Academy. Zhang Dabiao frequents that academy, and university students generally have access to information about international affairs, and they are quite proactive in doing so. Not to mention, given the backgrounds of art students these days, it's normal for them to know a lot.

Therefore, it's normal that Zhang Dabiao knows more about international affairs than the average deputy section chief, and he's far better than those armchair strategists who only know the gist of things after the fact.

What they cared about most was Zhang Dabiao's ridiculously accurate predictions—

Speculation!

Let's talk about what you know.