Chapter 100: Dai Li's Desperate Counterattack

Jinhai, the foreign-style mansion on Machang Road.

Inside the side parlor.

Three women were tasting desserts.

Sitting at the very head was the long-absent Miss Hu Die.

"Little Hong, come quickly."

Mei Qiuju stood up and, with a beaming smile, welcomed Hong Zhiyou to the sofa.

"Mrs. Wu, Miss Hu."

Hong Zhiyou bowed to pay his respects.

"Secretary Hong, long time no see."

"I heard from Sister Mei that you like Napoleon cake, so Mrs. Zhu Jiu made it especially for you."

Hu Die picked up a plate of pastries and handed it to Hong Zhiyou.

"Little Hong, you truly have great fortune."

"The Ninth Lady's culinary skills are peerless and rarely shown; if not for Miss Hu speaking up, how would you and I have the luck to taste this?"

Mei Qiuju flattered him with a smile from the side.

"Thank you, Miss Hu, Ninth Lady."

Hong Zhiyou took it and bowed again.

"What are you thanking me for?"

"I heard from Sister Mei that you play mahjong quite well; it just so happens you can accompany us for a few rounds," Hu Die said with a charming smile.

"It's alright, though certainly not as good as you ladies," Hong Zhiyou said politely.

The four of them started playing as soon as they said they would... playing for real.

Basically, Hu Die won every hand of mahjong.

The three of them took turns feeding her tiles and letting her win.

Of course, Hong Zhiyou also fed a few winning tiles to Sister Mei and the Ninth Lady in between.

These women were truly addicted to mahjong.

Once they started, there was no end to it.

Hong Zhiyou was not in a hurry either.

In any case, this earth-shattering scheme of Ma Hansan was not something a small fry like him could resolve.

With the Station Chief's methods, he would certainly be able to stall Ma Hansan.

They played until past nine in the evening.

Only after the household servants had prepared a sumptuous dinner did Zhu Jiu suggest stopping the game.

"You all eat first."

"It's a bit stuffy, I'm going out to get some air."

Hu Die glanced at Secretary Hong, picked up her designer bag, and walked out.

Hong Zhiyou hurriedly followed her out.

"You left in a hurry last time."

"That script of yours is quite good; my friends in Xiangdao who make movies are very interested."

"Also, that piece 'Autumn Whispers' is excellent; Madame Jiang and Miss Kong both like it very much."

Once they reached a quiet spot, Hu Die lit a slender cigarette and exhaled elegantly.

Although she was a big star.

Ever since she became involved with Dai Li, her popularity had long been far from what it once was.

In the eyes of socialites like Madame Jiang, she was merely a small fry who curried favor with the powerful.

However, ever since she presented this piece at the gala.

Madame Jiang, who had always admired and loved Western music, praised her highly, truly recognized her talent, and took the sheet music.

Since then, she had even gone specifically to play for the Madame and exchange thoughts on the piano.

Miss Lingyi even hired her specifically as a piano teacher.

To Hu Die, this was something no gold or jewelry could compare to.

"The Boss appreciates your talent."

"He personally praised you, saying the Juntong Bureau needs a hundred Hong Zhiyous, and he intends to transfer you to the headquarters to take up a post."

"The documents might come down in a few days."

Hu Die rested her chin in her hand, looking at Hong Zhiyou with a smile.

"Go to the headquarters."

"Miss Hu, I, I really can't."

"I'm here mixing with the wives' circle, with no worries about food or clothing, and I can scrape together some wealth."

"If I go to the headquarters, there are factions everywhere and nothing but big shots; with my wild temperament, I'll end up causing trouble for the Boss sooner or later."

Upon hearing this, Hong Zhiyou's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly waved his hands.

"You are such an interesting person; others would be overjoyed to hear they are getting a promotion, so why are you afraid?" Hu Die asked with a charming smile.

"Miss Hu, you don't know."

"Good music requires a free heart."

"In Jinhai, I am a fish swimming in the ocean, free and unfettered, with inspiration colliding in my mind from time to time."

"At the Bureau, I would be tied hand and foot, walking on thin ice every day."

"Let alone creating, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to sleep well."

Hong Zhiyou said with the sycophantic face of a small-minded man.

"I think so too."

"That's why I blocked it for you."

"You are mine; only when you are well can I be well."

Hu Die blew a smoke ring and laughed coquettishly.

With a genius like Hong Zhiyou, once he reached the upper echelons, he would sooner or later become a hot commodity.

By then, what would become of her, Hu Die?

"Miss Hu is wise!"

"To be favored by you is a blessing Zhiyou has cultivated over ten lifetimes," Hong Zhiyou hurriedly bowed to flatter her.

He knew Hu Die wouldn't be stupid enough to let him go to headquarters.

"Your mouth is so sweet, no wonder the ladies like you."

"Flattery alone won't do."

"You have to give me a piece of music from time to time; that request isn't too much, is it?"

Hu Die tapped him lightly with her jade finger and laughed coquettishly.

"Of course, I'll write one tonight when I go back," Hong Zhiyou said happily.

After Hu Die finished her cigarette, perhaps feeling a bit tired, she walked toward a stone bench with her long legs.

Hong Zhiyou rushed a few steps ahead and used his sleeve to wipe the bench clean first.

Hu Die saw this and liked his cleverness even more; her lips curled into a smile like peach blossoms:

"Ma Hansan has arrived, hasn't he?"

"Yes, the Station Chief is having a headache over it," Hong Zhiyou replied.

"Boss Dai still values Station Chief Wu."

"It's just that right now, his days are not easy either."

"The Chairman has been distant and suspicious lately."

"Everyone in the world can see the sinister intention of Ma Hansan's 'borrowing a knife to kill,' so how could the Boss not know?"

"Heh, as for that little business between Ma Hansan and Kawashima Yoshiko..."

Hu Die scoffed, clearly not taking Ma Hansan seriously.

"I knew the Boss's eyes were all-seeing; I suppose he already has instructions?" Hong Zhiyou was overjoyed.

"Of course."

"Ma Hansan is not the issue; the key is the Chairman's attitude."

"Here are a few photos."

Hu Die took the photos out of her bag.

Hong Zhiyou looked at them by the light.

There were three photos in total.

The first one showed two people he didn't recognize.

The second one showed several people, and he only recognized one, Ye Ziming.

The last one was of a young officer talking to a female prisoner in a jail.

"This is?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"This one is a photo of Zhi Ying'er meeting secretly with Li Delin."

"This one is Ye Ziming meeting secretly with Okamura Yasuji's assistant in Shenyang recently."

"This is a photograph of Juntong assassin Ye Zhixiang and Kawashima Yoshiko in a Beiping prison."

Hu Die explained indifferently.

Zhi Ying'er?

Hong Zhiyou had a vague impression of the name.

This was the person in charge of the Japanese Orchid Agency, long responsible for inciting the defection of high-ranking officers like Li, Bai, and Du.

This photograph must appear on Jiang's desk.

Or perhaps in the newspapers; Jiang would inevitably become suspicious.

Could this layout by Ma Hansan be targeting his throne on behalf of the Gui Clique?

The third one is easy to understand.

Release the Japanese puppet agents, let the newspapers report it casually, and Ye Zhixiang, who is responsible for the assassination, will surely be exposed to the world.

Once the Americans and the Soviets start holding people accountable, Ye Zhixiang's meticulous plan will go down the drain.

"I don't understand, isn't Ye Ziming the Boss's trusted aide?"

"If this is published."

"Ye Ziming will become the target of public criticism and will surely die."

Hong Zhiyou asked, puzzled.

"That's right, Ye Ziming was the Boss's trusted aide in the past."

"The Boss intends to compete for the position of Navy Commander."

"Key American officials have already given their tacit approval and promised that as long as the Boss takes office, they will vigorously assist in the development of coastal defense."

"But the Chairman is not happy."

"Chen Bulei has already let out word that he may arrange for Zheng Jiemin to take over the Juntong Bureau in the future."

"Ye Ziming wants to jump to Zheng Jiemin's camp."

"Not only that, his reach is too long, and he has taken too many things he shouldn't have."

"Therefore, it must be Ye Ziming."

Hu Die sneered as she explained.

"Understood." Hong Zhiyou felt a chill down his spine.

The vortex of power is too terrifying.

Especially with the various immortals at the Jingling headquarters fighting, even someone as glamorous and shrewd as Ye Ziming cannot escape being plotted against.

"This photograph of Zhi Ying'er."

"The Chairman currently does not trust the Boss very much; furthermore, if he goes, it would smack of openly defying the superior's will."

"This photograph must be delivered by your Station Chief Wu."

Hu Die reminded him, following Dai Li's exact words.

"Station Chief Wu..." Hong Zhiyou had a moment of sudden realization:

"Understood, I will go back and immediately notify the Station Chief to fly to Jingling."

"Remember, you must say it was bought at a high price from the Red Ticket underground intelligence network," Hu Die said.

"Mm." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"For these two photographs, find some connections and hand them over to the local Red Ticket."

"Let them publicize them extensively in some of the Democratic League-leaning newspapers in Jingling that have great influence."

"Firstly, it is a matter of public opinion."

"Secondly, it can also serve as evidence that this information was obtained from the Red Ticket side, distancing the Boss from it."

Hu Die whispered her instructions.

"Good." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

He walked away in a hurry, but after two steps, he turned back, looking at Hu Die in horror:

"Miss Hu, do I know too much?"

"Only Boss Dai and I know about the photographs."

"You purchased the photographs and promptly discovered the collusion between Zhi Ying'er and the Gui Clique; Boss Dai and Station Chief Wu will claim credit for you," Hu Die smiled.

"Don't worry."

"I'm still waiting for your music." Seeing his face turn pale, Hu Die added a gentle word of comfort.

"Thank you."

Hong Zhiyou turned his head and quickly got into the car.

Sitting inside the car, he was already covered in cold sweat.

Once in the world of intrigue, one is not the master of one's own fate.

He believed that for such a confidential matter, since Dai Li sent Hu Die, there shouldn't be a fourth person who knows.

As long as he can keep Hu Die satisfied.

It won't be long before Boss Dai's plane crashes, Hu Die loses power and leaves the vortex, and he will basically be safe.

Hong Zhiyou returned to the station.

Wu Jingzhong was already as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.

"Station Chief, Zhiyou is back." Yu Zecheng stood by the window and said with great joy.

Soon, Hong Zhiyou walked in.

"Oh my, you're finally here."

"Ma Hansan is making a scene."

"I really can't handle this 'King Ma' anymore." Wu Jingzhong was so anxious he kept clapping his palms.

"Station Chief, you must handle him."

"Please, take the trouble to go to Jingling and meet Mr. Jianfeng."

Hong Zhiyou handed the photographs to Wu Jingzhong.

"Zhi Ying'er and Li Delin?"

Wu Jingzhong narrowed his eyes, and they suddenly lit up.

"Miss Hu Die said that Boss Dai still values you," Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"That's great."

"You play mahjong well."

"You've played your way out of a desperate situation and played your way into a bright future."

Wu Jingzhong excitedly hammered Hong Zhiyou's chest.

Both were smart men; he and Yu Zecheng exchanged a glance and saw Boss Dai's brilliant move.

Yu Zecheng also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Once the photographs are published, the Chairman will be suspicious again.

Never mind assassinating, Ye Zhixiang will be drowned by the spit of the Democratic League bigwigs.

Hong Zhiyou has performed a monumental service for the Jinhai Station and the Red Ticket organization.

It is absolutely a heaven-shaking achievement.

"Zhiyou, the current trouble is that Ma Hansan wants to take the prisoners and return to Beiping overnight."

"If I drag it out any longer, he'll be rolling up his sleeves to spar with me."

Wu Jingzhong still had one major difficulty.

"Station Chief, isn't the public security in Jinhai not very good recently?"

"Let Zhiyou ask Officer Yang and Colonel Xu to seal off the intersections, just say it's for martial law and inspections."

"Those slippery guys in the 94th Army are the best at stalling."

"Dragging it out until dawn is no problem."

"After you go to Jingling and catch a flight back, there will be plenty of time."

Yu Zecheng looked at Hong Zhiyou and suggested with a smile.

"That's right."

"The 94th Army has always been at odds with our Juntong."

"They don't even take me, a local, seriously, let alone Ma Hansan, an outsider 'King Ma'."

"Zhiyou, you take the trouble to make another trip to the 94th Army."

"Zecheng, Yong Jianqiu has vast connections, he knows the Red Ticket."

"You go and hand the photographs of Ye Zhixiang and Ye Ziming to him."

"Tell their people to be quick."

"I want to see these two photographs on the front page of tomorrow's newspaper."

Wu Jingzhong thought for a moment and said.

At this moment of life and death, he couldn't care about what kind of ticket it was.

Survive first, and don't die by the blades of one's own people.

Moreover, the Green and Red sides have always had overlapping areas, and they keep secrets about things they both understand.

"Good, Zhiyou and I will go handle it immediately."

The two of them gladly accepted the order.

They waited for the two to leave.

Wu Jingzhong walked quickly to the reception room.

"Old Wu.

"You really are good at making suggestions; you've been suggesting for hours, and now there isn't even a ghost of a shadow.

"What, is my position as Director really that useless?"

Ma Hansan slapped the armrest of the sofa, pointed at Wu Jingzhong with his finger behind his back, and flared up.

"Director Ma.

"Look at what you're saying; for matters you, old brother, have entrusted to me, how could I, Jingzhong, dare not do my utmost?

"I have already ordered Song Mingjie to bring the person; they are right outside in the car."

Wu Jingzhong raised his hand and smiled.

"That's more like it."

Ma Hansan let out a cold laugh and strode out.

Wang Puchen smiled and nodded at Wu Jingzhong, following closely behind.

Once outside.

Ma Hansan verified the identities against the list, too lazy to even greet Wu Jingzhong, and left in a huff with Wang Puchen and their men.

"Guohua, go to the airport."

Wu Jingzhong watched the motorcade drive away, immediately tucked the photo away, got in the car, and headed straight for the airport.

94th Army.

Xu Zhiwu, with a face full of stubble, draped his military uniform over his shoulders, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, watching his soldiers set up a roadblock.

"Brother Wu, thank you for your hard work.

"Just a small token."

Hong Zhiyou took out two gold bars and stuffed them over.

"You're being too polite.

"What kind of friendship do we have? You've already given me plenty when we play cards.

"For such a trivial matter, you're offering money? What do you take your Brother Wu for?"

Xu Zhiwu laughed heartily.

"Brother Wu, even close brothers must settle accounts clearly.

"One thing is one thing.

"If you really think highly of your brother, just let me win a few more hands next time we play cards."

Hong Zhiyou insisted, stuffing the gold bars into his pocket.

"You little brother!

"Classy.

"Classy!"

Xu Zhiwu pointed at him and laughed, truly fond of him.

"Fine, I'll let you win next time." He shook his military coat and accepted it with a smile.

"Brother Wu, that is Ma Hansan's motorcade.

"Can you stop them?" Hong Zhiyou was quite worried.

"Ma Hansan is nothing.

"Even if Li Zongren came, I'd stop him just the same.

"Watch, I'll show you how I handle him."

Xu Zhiwu sneered with disdain.

"I'll leave it to you, brother."

Soon, Ma Hansan's motorcade arrived at the intersection.

Seeing the checkpoint set up.

He waved his hand coldly at his secretary.

The secretary quickly got out of the car, flashed his credentials, and said to the officer guarding the checkpoint:

"I am from the Beiping Juntong Bureau office; we have an urgent mission, please let us pass."

"Which office?" The officer frowned.

"The Juntong Bureau office," the secretary said.

"Sorry, the city is under martial law; without orders from Army Commander Mou and Commander Chen, I cannot let you pass," the officer said coldly.

The secretary returned to the car window: "Director Ma, they've imposed martial law to welcome the military mediation."

"Martial law, my ass.

"Even the Beiping Military Mediation Headquarters hasn't imposed martial law, and this tiny Jinhai Military Mediation branch is putting on airs." Ma Hansan was about to lose his temper.

Wang Puchen spoke up: "Director, the 94th Army has always been arrogant.

"It's a waste of time to reason with them; just send them off."

Ma Hansan waved his hand, and the secretary took several banknotes from his pocket and walked quickly toward the officer:

"Officer, we are in a hurry to return to Beiping on business.

"A small token, please make it convenient for us."

"Easy enough, you can go." The officer stuffed the money into his pocket and chuckled.

"Thank you, officer."

The secretary returned to the car and smiled at Ma Hansan: "Director, it's done."

The motorcade moved forward.

However, the roadblock showed no sign of being cleared.

"Officer, what's going on?" the secretary leaned out and shouted.

"Get out of the car, and I'll let you pass," the officer said.

"No, I mean the motorcade," the secretary was stunned.

"You didn't make yourself clear.

"Without orders from the Army Commander and Commander Chen, no passage," the officer retorted.

"Hey.

"Playing games on me."

Ma Hansan was furious; he got out of the car himself and walked up to the officer with his hands behind his back:

"Kid, you're not following the rules."

"Who are you?" the officer asked.

"I am Ma Hansan of Beiping!" Ma Hansan shouted angrily.

"Oh, so it's Director Ma." The officer hurriedly saluted.

"Open the gate."

"I can't open it; there are orders from above, Director Ma, please don't make it difficult for me." The officer refused to comply.

"Call your superior over here," Ma Hansan said.

"Pah!"

Xu Zhiwu spat out his cigarette butt and limped over.

"What's the matter?" he asked with a rogue's air.

"I am Ma Hansan, let us pass immediately; otherwise, if important business is delayed, you will bear full responsibility." Ma Hansan pointed at him, throwing his weight around.

"Director Ma.

"Army Commander Mou and Commander Yang gave the same orders.

"If I let one car or one person through, I'll be held responsible too.

"You tell me who I should listen to.

"You're the King of North China, you've got great ability, why don't you go talk to them yourself."

Xu Zhiwu squinted at him and sneered.

"Damn it, I'll shoot you." Ma Hansan was incensed and drew his gun, aiming it at Xu Zhiwu.

The Juntong Bureau was specifically meant to supervise the military.

One had to know that in Beiping, even Li Zongren had to give him face.

He never expected that in Jinhai, he couldn't even handle a few rogue soldiers.

"Suit yourself."

Xu Zhiwu waved his hand.

The soldiers below all aimed their machine guns and submachine guns at Ma Hansan.

After saying that, he was too lazy to pay any more attention to Ma Hansan and went straight back to his car.

"Son of a bitch."

Ma Hansan was humiliated, his face turning livid with rage.

"Forget it, Ma."

"They are a direct-line ace army; I reckon even finding Chen Zhangjie won't be of any use."

"Let's go back to the Jinhai Station first and let Wu Jingzhong resolve it."

"If that really doesn't work, we can just leave tomorrow morning once the martial law is lifted."

Wang Puchen walked over to smooth things over.

"Let's go, find Wu Jingzhong," Ma Han said indignantly.

They returned to the Jinhai Station reception area.

Hong Zhiyou had already gone back ahead of them to wait.

"Secretary Hong, where is Station Chief Wu?" Wang Puchen asked.

"The Station Chief's high blood pressure flared up, so he went back to rest."

"Director Ma, why are you all..."

Hong Zhiyou asked with a look of surprise.

"The road to Beiping is under martial law." Wang Puchen took out his cigarette case and clicked on a cigarette.

"That's troublesome."

"The 94th Army has always been at odds with us; they even beat our men during the matter with the Cao Gang warehouse last time."

"I'm afraid that even if we find the Station Chief, it might not be of any use."

Hong Zhiyou said with a helpless expression.

"How about I call Commander Chen?"

"However, at this hour, I'm afraid he..." Hong Zhiyou added.

"Forget it!"

Ma Han vaguely knew that this was a trap being set.

He waved his hand and returned to the reception room.

"Renchu, they are using tactics against us." He sat down and drank a few mouthfuls of tea in annoyance.

"It's only one night; what could they possibly accomplish?" Wang Puchen smiled.

"That's true."

"Wu Jingzhong and Chen Zhangjie need to sleep."

"The Chairman needs to sleep too."

"No matter what medicine they are selling in their gourds, or what sinister winds and ghostly fires they are fanning behind our backs."

"I don't believe they can turn the world upside down."

Ma Han slammed his teacup down heavily and snorted coldly, refusing to believe in such bad luck.

(End of chapter)