Chapter 508: The Mole Emerges

The old woman felt a shock in her heart; how could her second son be involved? Though she was reluctant, she knew her third son was lazy and gluttonous and had colluded with bandits; she believed that. But she did not believe the second son would do such a thing, because the second son was the type who couldn't even let out a fart after eight kicks. "You're talking nonsense! My second and third sons were only looking for Liu Ying for money; how could they possibly go to the bandits?"

"Old lady, you are being unreasonable. Let me tell you again: your second and third sons colluded with Accountant Feng in town. They were surrounded by our troops while they were going to deliver a message to the bandits. Your third son was killed in the battle..."

After hearing this, Liu Wangshi panicked and wailed, "If both my sons are gone, how will I live my life!" As she cried, she suddenly stood up, pointed at the Liu mother and daughter, and shrieked hysterically, "You four money-losing goods, you are not allowed to move! If you really must move, leave the bride-price money behind for me to use for my old age!"

Man Yatou became anxious upon hearing this. She jumped off the cart, ran in front of Liu Wangshi, and shouted, "Old woman, keep dreaming! You bully us every day, you snatch whatever good things we have, and you don't care if we live or die. You want me to support you in your old age? No way!"

He Yuzhu saw the scene was chaotic and that quite a few people were gathered around to watch the fun. He also jumped off the cart, walked up to Liu Wangshi, and said, "Liu Wangshi, what you said actually makes some sense. If your second son is also gone, there really will be no one to support you in your old age."

The old woman suddenly raised her head. Seeing He Yuzhu, she seemed to guess who he was. She pointed her finger at him and cursed, "Human trafficker, you're the one who wants to take the four girls away, right? Are you trying to sell them outside for a high price?"

"You actually know my identity. I am someone who performed great meritorious service on the Korean War battlefield. If you slander me again, you won't need to find anyone to support you in your old age—the prison will support you!"

The old woman was stunned upon hearing this, and the hand she was pointing at He Yuzhu was trembling.

Seeing that the opportunity had arrived, He Yuzhu softened his tone and said, "Old woman, although your second and third sons are both involved with bandits, the severity is different. Your second son will at most be sentenced to a few years. If I help you put in a good word, perhaps he could be released. We see that you aren't having an easy time either; if you stop pestering the Liu mother and daughter, I will help you plead for mercy!"

Liu Wangshi rolled her eyes, then raised her voice and said, "Four girls, give me 150,000 each, and from now on, we go our separate ways!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu actually felt it was a good thing. He pulled Man Yatou to the side and whispered, "Girl, give her the money, and while you're at it, make her write a document severing family ties. From now on, she won't be able to cause you trouble."

Man Yatou, however, looked completely unwilling: "But Brother Zhuzi, this old woman has never kept her word. I'm afraid the document won't be of any use..."

"Don't be afraid." He Yuzhu's tone was firm. "Your family's life will get better from now on. Don't worry about this bit of money; I'll cover it for you first." As he spoke, he took out the money.

Man Yatou wanted to take it herself, but He Yuzhu gently pressed her hand down: "If you pay the money, she will immediately go back on her word."

Man Yatou was startled and immediately understood his intention.

Soon, with the Town Mayor as a witness, the document severing family ties was drawn up, and both parties pressed their fingerprints.

The group then set off. Man Yatou wanted to return the money to He Yuzhu, but he stopped her directly: "I'm short a little assistant at the factory; you can just help me with things from now on."

Man Yatou rubbed the corner of her clothes, looking a bit uneasy: "But I don't know many characters!"

He Yuzhu laughed: "It's just passing messages and running errands; you can't even do that?"

Only then did Man Yatou reveal a smile and nod vigorously.

At the City Government temporary office, Li Xiangxiu was intently listening to several people report:

"Xiao Li bought two steamed buns made of mixed flour and one serving of spinach with vermicelli..."

"Xiao Wu bought one steamed bun and one serving of braised pork with preserved vegetables..."

"Xiao Zhao bought two steamed buns, one serving of braised mandarin fish, and one serving of ham and egg rolls..."

Li Xiangxiu suddenly slapped the table: "Keep a close eye on Xiao Zhao after work."

He Yuzhu parked the cart at the factory area and temporarily let Man Yatou's family live in his three rooms, while he went back to stay with He Daqing.

As soon as he entered the door, he was grabbed by He Daqing: "You little brat, your temper is too big! You threw a tantrum and offended everyone in my logistics department!"

He Yuzhu laughed: "Dad, I think you have it backward. It was your logistics department that offended me. From now on, I won't even give you a single scallion. I mean what I say."

He Daqing was stunned upon hearing this and immediately put on a smile: "Zhuzi, don't act on impulse! You helping the logistics department is helping the whole factory. Don't you want to get the factory built quickly?"

He Yuzhu shook his head, not expecting this cheap father to use moral kidnapping: "Dad, it's not like there's no solution to this matter."

"What solution?"

"Remove all the current small leaders and replace them with people I approve of," He Yuzhu said.

Upon hearing this, He Daqing immediately cursed: "You little bastard! That's impossible! Even the Factory Director couldn't do that."

"Then everyone can just gnaw on cornmeal buns!" He Yuzhu said with a smile.

Just then, one of Tian Dan's subordinates suddenly ran over, leaned into He Yuzhu's ear, and said a few words. He Yuzhu then beckoned to He Daqing: "Dad, think carefully about what I said."

He Daqing looked bewildered.

He Yuzhu arrived at a temporary office in the City Government, where Bureau Chief Liu, Tian Dan, Li Xiangxiu, and two local Cadres were present.

After everyone introduced themselves, they moved on to the main topic.

Li Xiangxiu spoke up: "The Commercial Bureau Secretary, Xiao Zhao, is that mole. His family background is poor; he used to often buy two mixed-flour steamed buns in the cafeteria and bring vegetables from home, but recently, he has been eating two dishes every meal..."

Li Xiangxiu recounted the discovery process in detail and added that through tailing him, she discovered that Xiao Zhao went to a grocery store at the government entrance every day. She judged that this was the secret stronghold for the spies.

Tian Dan looked at everyone and said: "The news of Xie Zhuqing's arrest should reach here soon; perhaps those remnants have already defected to An Daiyuan. If Bureau Chief Liu takes action, they might take a desperate risk... This is indeed an opportunity."

Bureau Chief Liu said: "I happen to have a meeting tomorrow. Why don't we use this opportunity to wipe out this group of spies in one fell swoop?"

He Yuzhu asked: "Bureau Chief Liu, what kind of event are you attending?"

"It's the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Machine Tool Factory expansion project!" Bureau Chief Liu said.

"I can protect Bureau Chief Liu's safety and deal with the snipers, but I can't manage the other things!" He Yuzhu said.

"That is enough!" Tian Dan's eyes were shining.

Next, everyone began to study the specific details.

In a civilian house not far from the City Government, An Daiyuan and Duan Yunpeng were meeting with several of Xie Zhuqing's confidants—three men and two women in total.

A young woman with red eyes said: "Major An, our Big Boss was arrested all because of you! If it weren't for you, she would have retired from the world of martial arts..."

"Xie Yunzhu, what you're saying is unreasonable. The Big Boss decided to join us, so we are comrades; we cannot turn back now," An Daiyuan said, shaking his head.

Xie Yunzhu wanted to say something else, but she was pulled back by another girl. That girl sighed softly and said: "Major An, the Big Boss has been arrested; you surely can't do nothing, right? Otherwise, from now on, our group won't listen to you anymore."

An Daiyuan hesitated upon hearing this. After all, Xie Zhuqing's remnants still numbered over thirty people, which was not a small force. Once they were abandoned, it wouldn't be easy to recruit these people who didn't fear death again.

He glanced at Duan Yunpeng and said: "Special Commissioner, my opinion is still that we need to give those people surnamed He a taste of our power."

Duan Yunpeng had originally wanted to rest for a period of time and wait for a good opportunity, but seeing the righteous indignation of Xie Zhuqing's people, he immediately made the decision: "Everyone, don't be anxious. I have an inside line in the government. As soon as there is an opportunity, we will definitely retaliate. At that time, we will still have to rely on everyone!"

"We don't fear death!" Xie Yunzhu said.

"We want to avenge the Big Boss!" several people said in unison.

"Everyone, don't be so loud; this is in the city!" An Daiyuan made a shushing gesture.