Su Yu didn't hide anything. He pointed to the list and pondered, "This list is crucial. Through it, combined with some of my unique intelligence sources..."
He didn't explain the existence of the system, simply referring to it as "unique intelligence sources": "I can roughly determine that gentleman's true attitude towards these people on the list and the actual relationships between them."
He paused, then continued, "The people on the list can be roughly divided into several categories: one category is those that gentleman is trying to contact, win over, and corrupt; another category is those he has already successfully corrupted and may have become his accomplices or pawns; and the third category is those that gentleman is wary of, or even hostile towards."
Liu Ping and Li Zhi exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and excitement in each other's eyes.
They had painstakingly developed informants, collected information, and compiled this list, only able to determine that there was a "connection," but Su Yu could directly determine the "nature of the relationship" and that gentleman's attitude?
This "unique intelligence source" was simply too powerful!
"Sir Su, this...this is extremely important!" Liu Ping exclaimed excitedly. "If we can accurately distinguish the categories of these people, we can more precisely grasp that gentleman's movements, and might even find his weaknesses!"
"Exactly." Su Yu nodded. In the past, he would never have so bluntly exposed his abilities.
But now it's completely different; he is a baron.
He's not afraid of this kind of leak at all.
It can be said that times have changed.
Su Yu's gaze returned to the list, and he tapped it with his finger: "I need to select one target from each of these categories that that gentleman doesn't value much."
"Select a target?" Liu Ping asked, somewhat puzzled. "Sir Su, you mean..."
"One person who is hostile/wary but that gentleman might not find threatening; one who is corrupt but is likely just a minor figure, knows little but is easy to break through; and one who is preparing to become corrupt, someone that that gentleman has just begun to contact, with whom he doesn't have a deep relationship yet."
Su Yu continued, "Through in-depth investigation of these three types of people, and even... contact, we might be able to piece together more information about that gentleman from different perspectives, such as what he wants to do on Myron Island? What are his mission objectives? Where might his power structure and weaknesses lie? Only by clarifying these things can we formulate the most effective countermeasures."
To outsiders, Su Yu's thinking was very clear.
He planned to use these three different types of "samples" for cross-validation and information integration to outline the true profile and core mission of this mysterious cultist.
This was a typical strategy of "using a point to break the surface" and "circumventing the enemy."
Liu Ping and Li Zhi nodded repeatedly, their eyes filled with admiration.
Su Yu's idea was bold and meticulous, breaking away from convention.
Just as Su Yu selected three names from the list—a man who worked as a bookkeeper at the dock and was said to be disdainful of the gentleman's "generosity," a young man who frequently drank at the tavern the gentleman frequented and seemed somewhat delirious, and a beautiful widow who had recently arrived on the island, ran a small grocery store, and was eager to expand her network—and was preparing to further discuss with Liu Ping and the others how to contact these three people,
a strange feeling swept over him, and at the same time, the system seemed to have some information.
Su Yu stiffened, subtly raising his head to look at Liu Ping and Li Zhi, then changed his words, saying, "Alright, regarding the selection, I can go directly myself..."
Seeing their slight confusion, he gestured with his hand, saying, "It'll be quick, about an hour. We'll meet again in an hour."
A moment later, Su Yu's finger traced the thin list, and the carriage stopped at a relatively bustling street corner.
Su Yu paid the fare and straightened his dark coat.
He looked up at the three-story stone and wood structure building not far away.
"Raven and Pen Tavern," Su Yu murmured the name on the signboard, his gaze sweeping over the people coming and going.
Just as the intelligence indicated, this was a relatively decent tavern.
It wasn't like the chaotic sailors' bars in the port area, nor like the inaccessible private clubs in the aristocratic district.
The patrons here were mostly well-dressed merchants and clerks, and occasionally a few well-dressed gentlemen carrying canes could be seen entering and exiting.
Strictly speaking, this "Raven and Pen" tavern was an annex to a newly built club.
Originally, when Myron Island was first established, workers and farmers should have arrived first, and only after development reached a certain level would middle and upper-class buildings appear.
However, due to the involvement of many different factions in the "Profession Advancement" ceremony, who directly obtained fiefdoms and thus settled there,
guild and noble buildings appeared first.
Perhaps this is a characteristic of colonization in this world!
Regardless of that, in Su Yu's memories of his previous life, there seemed to be similar places. Some intellectuals or groups of artists would choose a fixed tavern as an informal gathering place. Over time, the tavern would absorb their atmosphere, attracting like-minded or curious visitors.
Of course, it was still open to the public. As long as you were properly dressed and behaved politely, you could find a seat, order a glass of ale or wine, and while away the time.
Nights in this world were not safe; no one would open a business at night.
Taverns, shops, and even factories all followed the rhythm of working at sunrise and resting at sunset.
It was afternoon, the sun was still warm, and it was the hottest time of day.
Su Yu pushed open the door.
The hinges creaked slightly, and the air was filled with the smells of alcohol, tobacco, and food—not unpleasant. Groups of customers sat around long oak tables or small round tables, chatting.
Su Yu's gaze quickly swept across the room, while his ears caught snippets of conversation drifting in.
"...I think the ending of 'The Lone Sail' was too rushed, and the protagonist's transformation lacked sufficient
foreshadowing..."
"You have to consider the pressure of serialization, my friend. With so many words to write every month, maintaining that level of quality is already quite impressive."
"Speaking of new books, did you read last month's 'Winter Love Song'? The writing was quite beautiful, but the plot was a bit..."
Sure enough, the main topic here revolved around literature.
Su Yu wasn't surprised. From the guests' conversations and the occasional newspapers and pamphlets spread out on the table, he could tell that many were genuine literature enthusiasts, and even, based on the basic information flashing through his mind, he recognized a few as somewhat famous poets or novelists.
They were engaged in lively discussion, quoting classical texts, occasionally letting out knowing laughter or heated debates.
Su Yu found an empty seat by the window and sat down, his gaze slowly moving through the crowd. Soon, his eyes settled on a young man sitting alone in the corner.
A young man who looked to be in his early twenties wore a faded, dark coat with slightly worn elbows, over which was a similarly worn linen shirt. In
front of him sat a glass of ale, which seemed untouched, his fingers merely stroking the rough rim.
His hair was slightly disheveled, and his eyes were somewhat unfocused as he gazed at the people in the center of the tavern, engaged in lively conversation, his face displaying a complex expression of envy, inferiority, longing, and a touch of bewilderment.