Chapter 929: Fishing Out at Sea

As He Yuzhu just stepped into the convalescent villa in Guangdong Province, Secretary Liu came out directly from the living room to greet him, grasped his hand firmly, and beamed with joy.

He Yuzhu felt puzzled; when they spoke on the phone two days ago, his tone had been very serious, so why did he seem like a different person today?

He habitually grinned, leaned in with a cheeky smile, and asked, "Leader, you're glowing with health; you must be in a good mood?"

The smile on Secretary Liu's face vanished; he deliberately put on a stern expression and pointed a finger at him, saying, "You brat, your desire for revenge is too strong." He paused, then laughed again, "However, some people on the island have indeed been a bit arrogant these past few years. Your little stunt actually managed to beat down their arrogant spirit. Judging by the results, you did well!"

Having lived two lifetimes, He Yuzhu saw things as clearly as a mirror. He had caused such a scene this time specifically to "beat the grass to startle the snake," but he couldn't say that out loud.

He feigned ignorance, scratched the back of his head, and gave a simple, honest smile: "So, does that count as a lucky strike? If I can share some of the burden for the family, it is my greatest honor."

Secretary Liu led He Yuzhu into the reception hall, sat down, and said, "However, I still have to criticize you. You aren't young anymore, yet your temper hasn't changed a bit."

"Rivers and mountains are easy to change, but a person's nature is hard to alter! I won't be able to change it in this lifetime!"

"Do you know? You really pushed those people on the island to the edge, and they've asked someone to mediate. They—they even thought it was directed by us officially! They guarantee they won't get involved with that CIA bunch anymore."

"I don't believe it!" He Yuzhu said straightforwardly.

Secretary Liu lit a cigarette and asked, "Why don't you believe it? Tell me."

He Yuzhu didn't hold anything back and poured out everything about how those clowns later recognized M Country and the little Japan as their fathers...

After He Yuzhu finished speaking, Secretary Liu slammed the table, making the teacup lid rattle with a clatter.

He gulped down three cups of cold tea, his chest heaving a few times, before saying in a hoarse voice, "If I had known those bastards were like this, I should have let you deal with them properly..."

He Yuzhu patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Leader. As long as I have breath in me, the moment these people show their heads, I will wring their necks."

Secretary Liu stared at him for a few seconds, nodded slowly, and his expression softened: "As long as I live for one day, I will ensure your safety for one day."

"Thank you, Leader!" He Yuzhu said with a grin.

"Tell me, what exactly is going on in Pudong? The intelligence sent back is all muddled," Secretary Liu said, lighting a cigarette.

He Yuzhu shook his head repeatedly, "Fuxing Electronics Factory, on the surface, is a computer assembly plant, but inside, they actually set up a spy training base. Shooting ranges, Radar stations, everything is there. With that setup, anyone who didn't know would think it was an independent kingdom on some mountain. It's a pity I didn't manage to snatch the data out... Fortunately, those things were all blown up."

After listening, Secretary Liu took out a kraft paper envelope and said, "The higher-ups can't openly commend you, but this is something I brought for you on their behalf."

He Yuzhu squeezed the envelope; it was thick, hard, and the corners poked his hand.

He didn't open it in front of him, but solemnly unzipped his backpack and placed the envelope into the inner pocket.

Secretary Liu watched him put it away before asking, "What are your plans for the next step?"

He Yuzhu chuckled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth: "Those financial groups have tripped me up time and again. If I don't leave them something to remember, they won't know what pain is."

After hearing this, Secretary Liu was silent for a long time, his gaze filled with an indescribable complexity: "I am old, and my sense of the current situation has dulled. However, I trust you. Go ahead and do it... but remember to protect yourself well. Otherwise, your family will encounter more trouble doing business in the future!"

He Yuzhu stood up and said, "Leader, I am not afraid. To deal with those who forget their ancestors, I am willing to go bankrupt. Even if I have to go back to living the bitter life of the fifties, eating cornmeal three times a day, I will accept it."

Secretary Liu nodded and patted his shoulder: "Alright, I understand your intentions. Today, let's not talk about official business. Are you free?"

"I am free," He Yuzhu said.

"Come out to sea with me again tomorrow. I still really want to watch you fish; it's very satisfying. It has a stress-relieving feeling," Secretary Liu said.

He Yuzhu gave a chuckle: "Alright, I'll accompany you. I guarantee I'll give you a good show."

The next day, just as a sliver of white appeared on the sea surface, He Yuzhu and Secretary Liu boarded a large iron-hulled Fishing Boat at the pier.

The ship was over thirty meters long, with fishing nets and ice buckets neatly stacked on the deck. Once the Diesel Engine started, the muffled "thump-thump-thump" sound made the soles of his feet go numb.

Not long after the ship sailed out, several frigates came to guard it on both sides.

The pitch-black gun barrels loomed in the morning mist.

Glancing further into the distance, even small missile ships were following along.

He Yuzhu leaned into Secretary Liu's ear, his voice lowered: "Leader, is this setup for catching whales in Nanhai? Anyone who didn't know would think we were about to fight a naval battle."

Secretary Liu laughed and leaned on the railing, looking into the distance: "We're going to take a turn around Xisha. A few comrades from the military region also want to come along to see the sea conditions."

He Yuzhu understood in his heart that there was a deeper meaning hidden in these words—the higher-ups were likely setting their sights on that stretch of water in Nanhai.

He didn't want to be a chatterbox, so he simply kept his mouth shut and acted as a listener, answering only what Secretary Liu asked.

The ship sailed for two hours before the sun finally popped out from the horizon, baking the azure seawater into a sheet of flowing gold leaf.

He Yuzhu leaned on the railing, the salty, humid sea breeze hitting his face, and he squinted his eyes in comfort.

Secretary Liu walked over and handed him a military-green thermos. He unscrewed the lid, and the scent of tea mixed with heat wafted toward him: "Tell me, what is going to happen on that sea in the future?"

He Yuzhu scanned left and right; it was just the two of them on the deck, and the sailors were all busy at the stern.

He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and said, "Nanhai won't be peaceful in the future. The surrounding countries are just thugs for M Country; they provoke us however their master instructs. M Country, even more so, wants to use this place as a chessboard, sending ships to loiter every few days..."

Secretary Liu listened, his brows knitting tighter and tighter. After He Yuzhu finished speaking, he paced the deck with his hands behind his back for two turns, then suddenly stopped: "With just the army, we can't guard such a large stretch of water. The navy needs to increase its weight."

He Yuzhu nodded and followed the train of thought: "I heard that the Soviet Union is in a mess lately, very chaotic. The dissolution is a matter of these three to five years. When that time comes, can we poach some of their experts who design warships? If needed, our enterprise will pay the salaries."

Secretary Liu's eyes lit up, and he said, "This idea of yours is very, very good."

He Yuzhu struck while the iron was hot: "We must act in advance. Otherwise, by the time those people from Europe and America react, there won't even be any soup left."

Secretary Liu didn't smile; he gazed at the sea for a long time before finally nodding heavily: "When I go back, I will write a letter to the higher-ups."

When the sun began to sink to the west, the ship's speed slowed down, and the roar of the Diesel Engine turned into a low, rumbling sound.

Secretary Liu patted He Yuzhu's shoulder: "We've reached the traditional fishing grounds. Come, show us your skills and let those from the military region open their eyes."

He Yuzhu strode toward the stern. The captain was a dark-skinned, lean Hainan man who was squatting by the bollard smoking a water pipe. He didn't even bother to lift his eyelids when he saw He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu didn't stand on ceremony; he pointed his finger at the light spot on the sonar screen: "Brother, listen to my call in a moment. When I say drop the net, you release it; when I say pull, you winch it."

The captain blew a smoke ring, curled his lip, and revealed teeth yellowed by smoke: "Young man, I've been fishing in these waters for over thirty years. I can smell which patch of water has a catch just by sniffing."

"Listen to him." Secretary Liu had wandered over at some point. His voice wasn't loud, but as soon as the captain heard it, he immediately set his water pipe on the ground, stood up, gestured for He Yuzhu to proceed, and the arrogance on his face vanished completely.