Chapter 101: Turning Hands to Clouds, Covering Hands to Rain

Jingling.

After passing through layers of security checks, Wu Jingzhong walked with hurried steps into the small building on the west side.

Beside the desk, Jianfeng, wearing his hair slicked back, was reading documents.

Seeing his old classmate, he did not rise, but looked up and asked with a smile:

"Jingzhong, what matter is so urgent that you must see me?"

After bowing to pay his respects, Wu Jingzhong glanced at him.

"There are no outsiders here," Jianfeng said, understanding his meaning.

"Ma Hansan is approaching me about Japanese-puppet spies; you know about this, right?" With his life on the line, Wu Jingzhong got straight to the point.

Jianfeng glanced at him, said nothing, and continued to look down at his documents.

Of course he knew.

However, his father had already given his tacit approval.

He had once offered counsel, but it had not been adopted.

Therefore, he could only act as if he knew nothing.

"See for yourself." Too lazy to play guessing games, Wu Jingzhong presented the photos.

Jianfeng picked them up and took a look, his brows knitting together:

"Zhiying Er, General Delin?"

"Ma Hansan has a grudge against Boss Dai, and he has been getting very close to General Delin lately.

"And there is Kawashima Yoshiko.

"Could this be a conspiracy aimed at the Leader?

"You know that the Soviet and American special envoys are in Shancheng.

"The Leader has Du Lumen behind him, but couldn't Stalin support a Delin?

"Once there is a change in Shancheng, it will be you, my old classmate, and the Leader who suffer the consequences."

Wu Jingzhong offered his counsel with deep, pained concern.

"Say no more.

"Wait for me!"

With the current domestic situation as treacherous as shifting clouds, Jianfeng naturally understood the stakes.

He left with quick strides.

He did not return until nearly dawn.

"Jingzhong, the Leader is very gratified by your loyalty and has granted you a verbal commendation.

"Return to Jinhai immediately; you must stop Ma Hansan's plan.

"Chen Bulei will call you later."

Jianfeng gave his instructions with a relaxed expression.

Wu Jingzhong was overjoyed.

He knew that once the Old Man relented, this heavy burden had finally been lifted from his head.

"Unite our will, protect the Leader!

"Jingzhong will only fulfill his duty!"

*Clap.

Wu Jingzhong took a sharp step and saluted the photo of the Leader with solemnity.

Jianfeng watched this, a gentle smile on his face:

"Old classmate.

"The mission is urgent, so I won't keep you for a small gathering.

"When I have some free time later, I might just have to go to Jinhai to find you."

"Very well, until we meet again."

Wu Jingzhong shook his hand, bowed respectfully as he slowly backed away, and only turned to leave once he reached the door.

Classmates are classmates.

No matter how good the relationship, there is a distinction between superior and subordinate.

Rules must be observed.

"This Jingzhong..." Jianfeng watched his retreating figure, his smile growing even more cordial.

Seven o'clock in the morning.

Wu Jingzhong returned to the Jinhai Station.

"Zecheng, Zhiyou, how did things go?" he asked.

"Ma Hansan and Wang Puchen have been waiting for you in the reception room all night," Hong Zhiyou said with a wink and a smile.

"Yong Jianqiu took the photos.

"But he cannot guarantee whether the eight o'clock morning paper can publish them in time."

Yu Zecheng was always steady and never spoke in absolutes.

"Teacher, what about the Leader's side..." Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Jianfeng went to see the Leader himself.

"The Old Man has relented!

"Let's go, let's go meet Ma Hansan!"

Wu Jingzhong smiled contentedly, and with his hands behind his back, he led his two favorite subordinates toward the reception room.

Ma Hansan had not slept all night.

Just as he washed his face to wake up, he saw Wang Puchen smoking with an air of unshakeable composure.

"Renchu.

"This smoking of yours is lethal.

"You might not die from it, but I'll be choked to death by you sooner or later."

Ma Hansan pointed at him and said with an annoyed smile.

"Don't take offense, Director.

"It's just this one habit; Boss Dai scolded me for it too, but I just can't quit.

"The moment I try to quit, I get sick; it's a death sentence."

Wang Puchen flicked the ash from his cigarette and spat a few times into the spittoon.

Ma Hansan watched with cold, irritated eyes.

Too lazy to bother with him, he walked toward the door.

He ran straight into Wu Jingzhong.

"Brother, is your high blood pressure any better?" Ma Hansan asked with a forced, insincere smile.

"Thanks to your concern, Director.

"It was a restless night, and my temples are still throbbing."

Wu Jingzhong frowned and pointed to his head.

"Throbbing.

"That's still better than smelling Renchu's secondhand smoke all night.

"Have those mad dogs under Mou Tingfang been withdrawn?"

Ma Hansan asked with a cold sneer.

"They have," Wu Jingzhong nodded.

"You know, why bother?

"A burden as heavy as the heavens is not something you or I can carry.

"No matter how much you struggle, no matter how capable you are, you still can't hit the sky with a stone.

"I've kept this place, Jinhai, and these people in my heart.

"I'm leaving."

Ma Hansan threw a jab at him, his face darkened, and he prepared to leave.

"No rush."

Wu Jingzhong raised a hand to stop him.

"Heh, could it be that you really intend to hit the sky with a stone, brother?"

Ma Hansan raised an eyebrow, his expression turning sinister.

"I cannot hit it.

"But it can."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at the telephone and smiled faintly.

"What do you mean?"

Ma Hansan's eyes turned cold as he stood in a standoff with Wu Jingzhong.

*Ring-ring!

The phone rang.

"Director Ma, take it, it's for you." Wu Jingzhong lifted his chin, hands behind his back, and sneered haughtily.

"Fine, I'd like to see what tricks you're playing."

Ma Hansan flicked his hand and walked to the telephone, picking up the receiver:

"This is Ma Hansan.

"Oh, it's Mr. Yanji.

"Yes.

"Yes.

"Understood, repeat.

"Cancel the plan immediately, no mistakes allowed!

"Good, goodbye!"

Clack!

Ma Hansan hung up the phone, slowly turned his head, and sneered with a predatory, wolf-like gaze:

"Jingzhong, you have quite the methods."

"You are too kind, Director Ma.

"I am merely sharing the burdens of the Party and State." Wu Jingzhong was utterly unafraid, standing with his hands behind his back, meeting his gaze.

"I underestimated you; you truly have the ability to strike the heavens with a stone.

"Just one night.

"I spent over half a month painstakingly tracking down Yoshiko Kawashima, only for my grand plan to capture the ticket to go down the drain.

"You are a master; I admit defeat."

Ma Hansan walked up to him and said, nodding.

"Old brother, there are many days ahead, and there will always be opportunities to earn merit; don't be discouraged." Wu Jingzhong played dumb and deflected.

"I am very curious, how did you do it?"

Ma Hansan was puzzled and circled around him.

"I had a headache last night, so I went to Jingling to get some medicine," Wu Jingzhong replied.

"So that's how it is.

"You blocked me all night just to go to Jingling to treat a headache.

"Damn it, you actually managed to cure it!

"Little brother, take care of your health; high blood pressure can be fatal sometimes, especially at night.

"Take care of yourself.

"Goodbye!"

Ma Hansan poked his chest, made a few sinister threats, and walked away with a flick of his sleeve.

"Renchu.

"When it comes down to it, the Juntong Bureau belongs to Dai, or perhaps to Mao or Zheng.

"But it will never belong to Li.

"Ma Hansan wants it to belong to Li, but you and I are family; look out for each other in all things, thanks."

Wu Jingzhong pulled Wang Puchen aside and whispered a few instructions.

"Understood."

"Pah!"

Wang Puchen spat on the ground and followed closely behind.

He truly admired Wu Jingzhong in his heart.

The last time he lost a round, it was just a minor scuffle.

Last night, however, was a divine game played by the higher-ups.

Wu Jingzhong, a mere Major General, had actually managed to turn his hands to create clouds and rain.

Impressive.

"Station Chief, the newspapers are here."

Xiao Guohua walked over and handed him several newspapers.

The front pages were all news about Ye Ziming meeting privately with Yasuji Okamura, and Ye Zhixiang conspiring with Yoshiko Kawashima to sabotage the peace talks.

Returning to the office.

Wu Jingzhong turned on the radio.

The Red Ticket and democratic figures were strongly condemning the Juntong Bureau for colluding with the Japanese devils and puppet agents.

The Generalissimo declared that it must be investigated thoroughly to provide an explanation to all parties.

Immediately after, the broadcast reported the news of Ye Ziming committing suicide out of fear of punishment, and Ye Zhixiang being detained for investigation.

Clack!

Wu Jingzhong turned off the radio and sighed:

"Boss Dai's blade is sharp enough; less than half an hour after the paper hit the stands, Ye Ziming is gone."

"I think the phone will be quick too," Yu Zecheng echoed with a smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, the phone rang.

Wu Jingzhong answered with a beaming face:

"Bureau Chief, it's me.

"Yes, a traitor like Ye Ziming deserves to be sliced into a thousand pieces.

"You flatter me, Bureau Chief; Jingzhong is merely doing his duty and would never dare to claim credit.

"Yes, yes.

"Then thank you very much for your kindness, Bureau Chief.

"Miss Hu Die?

"She is here; don't worry about her safety, the situation from last time will absolutely not happen again.

"Alright, I will arrange a plane to send her back to Shanghu tonight.

"Good, goodbye, Bureau Chief."

Wu Jingzhong hung up the phone, straightened his clothes, and announced loudly:

"The Bureau Chief is very satisfied with us; the whole station is commended, and we are awarded a collective third-class merit."

"That's great.

"Is there a bonus? I lost over six hundred US dollars playing cards yesterday.

"Station Chief, this expense should be reimbursed."

Hong Zhiyou asked with a thick-skinned smile.

"You, you, you are all heroes of the Party and State.

"Work with peace of mind; the Party and State will not treat you unfairly.

"Dinner at my place tonight."

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand and readily agreed.

The two hurriedly expressed their thanks.

"I'm off.

"Going home to catch up on sleep; if I don't nap for a bit, my high blood pressure will really flare up."

Wu Jingzhong pointed to his head humorously, said his goodbyes, and left directly.

"What about you?

"Going back to the Station Chief's house, or back to my house?" Yu Zecheng looked at Hong Zhiyou.

Hong Zhiyou closed the Station Chief's office door and locked it, raising his eyebrows as he asked:

"What do you mean?"

"Going back to the Station Chief's house means going back to your father-in-law's house.

"Going back to my house means your biological father's house.

"You choose."

Yu Zecheng teased.

"Then I'd better go back to your house.

"The Station Chief's daughter is too formidable; after staying up all night, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle her," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

Thinking about the "family" that had arrived in the courtyard, people he was completely unfamiliar with, his head began to ache.

But hiding was not a solution in the end.

A fake son still has to meet his biological parents.

The two walked out, chatting and laughing.

"Little Hong, come here for a moment."

Just as they reached the door, Lu Qiaoshan called him and summoned him into the office.

"Little brother, you're something else.

"You arranged for people to be sent down to my Police Department!"

Lu Qiaoshan picked up the documents in his hand and "slapped" them onto the desk.

"Police Department?"

"I don't think so, Old Lu." Hong Zhiyou was completely confused.

"Why are you calling me Old Lu? Use my official title when at work!" Lu Qiaoshan said with a straight face.

Fine.

Plant!

"Department Chief Lu, why don't you give me a hint?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"I'm asking you, what's the deal with Dean Ding's nephew?" Lu Qiaoshan asked coldly.

"Oh."

Hong Zhiyou slapped his forehead, remembering the matter.

"It was my oversight.

"I was so messed up by Liu Xiong before, didn't he flee to Xiangdao?

"Dean Ding did entrust me to ask you to arrange a job for him."

Hong Zhiyou hurriedly apologized.

"Department Chief Lu, the person you..." he asked.

"Since you, my brother, arranged it, what could I do?

"I arranged for him to join the bureau."

Lu Qiaoshan took off his coat, speaking with cold words.

"What position?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"There are many wolves and little meat, so I could only let him sweep the toilets." Lu Qiaoshan gave a dull, dry laugh.

Damn it!

Is my face only worth enough to sweep toilets?

I saved your life twice, for heaven's sake, and you're starting to get arrogant again, aren't you?

"Department Chief Lu, he's Dean Ding's own nephew, please help move him.

"Who doesn't have their troubles? Don't we all have times when we have to ask for favors in a low voice?

"Say no more, two large gold bars.

"I'll pay!"

Hong Zhiyou stopped pretending, searched his briefcase for a long time, but couldn't find any money.

He took a pen and wrote an IOU for Lu Qiaoshan directly.

Lu Qiaoshan looked at the note, his attitude softened, and a smile appeared on his face:

"Look at you, why go through all this trouble?

"I've said it before, we are... brothers.

"How could a brother not give his own brother face? I'll make a call right now and have him transferred to the Finance Section to drink tea."

As he spoke, he smilingly put away the IOU and picked up the desk phone to dial a number:

"Is that Old Xu from the Personnel Section?

"I'm Lu Qiaoshan, that Zhang... Zhang what?"

Lu Qiaoshan gave Hong Zhiyou a low-voiced wink.

"I don't know either." Hong Zhiyou shrugged.

"Ahem.

"Just that guy sweeping the toilets, the one surnamed Zhang, the young man with a lot of acne on his face.

"I think he's been tempered enough.

"Arrange for him to go to the Finance Section as a clerk.

"We'll talk about lunch later, hanging up."

Lu Qiaoshan hung up the phone after a few brief sentences.

"Department Chief Lu, your way of doing things is truly imposing and efficient. Everyone says Ma Hansan is a man of his word.

"In my opinion, here in Jinhai, no one compares to you.

"No wonder everyone is willing to follow you."

Seeing that the coffee was brewed, Hong Zhiyou hurriedly took a cup and offered it with both hands.

"Why call me Department Chief Lu when we're brothers? Call me Brother Shan."

Lu Qiaoshan adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and accepted the coffee with a bright smile.

"Yes, Brother Shan." Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"I'm not bragging.

"Every section or department I oversee is leveled by a single ruler; big or small, things must be decided by me." He crossed his legs and started posturing again.

"Yes, yes." Hong Zhiyou nodded repeatedly.

"Brother, is the liquor supply enough lately?

"My son is selling quite well over in Hankou, you should allocate a bit more."

He paused and said.

"Isn't that just a matter of a word from you, Brother Shan?

"Just speak up if you need more.

"Still at the old price."

Hong Zhiyou patted his chest to guarantee it.

This wasn't a boast; liquor was the one thing he didn't lack right now.

To get rich, Wu Rui had already been using train cars to haul goods to Jinhai.

"Refreshing, thanks." Lu Qiaoshan patted him.

He then whispered:

"Ma Kui might be back this afternoon.

"You're the only one in the station who has a decent relationship with him; you'll need to smooth things over if something happens."

Because of the matter with Shopkeeper Qiu, he had been a bit harsh on Ma Kui.

The two had completely fallen out.

Now that Ma Kui was returning with the "imperial sword" from Boss Dai and Mao Renfeng, heaven knows if he would use public office to settle personal scores.

"Don't worry.

"You helped me with the Liu Xiong matter, brother.

"I will naturally speak up when the time comes."

Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"That's why I say we're brothers, thanks, brother." Lu Qiaoshan smiled warmly.

"I'm off, Brother Shan."

Hong Zhiyou stood up and left.

Just as he reached the door, Lu Qiaoshan called him back:

"Brother, forget about the gold bars. Work is work, but personal favors must be honored.

"Remember to give me a heads-up next time you have something."

"Understood."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

That's more like it; there's finally a bit of human touch.

Just after he left, Sheng Xiang snuck in with a shifty look:

"Brother Shan."

"Close the door." Lu Qiaoshan waved his hand.

"Brother Shan, any valuable intelligence lately?

"Military mediation is coming, and intelligence on the black market changes price every day; we need to release the goods quickly.

"You don't know, the Zhongtong and the Sanqingtuan are all selling; they're making a fortune."

Sheng Xiang closed the door and lowered his voice.

"I have some!

"Take note.

"First: The U. . Seventh Fleet is helping Du Yuming transport troops to Huludao.

"Second: A Red Ticket mole is undercover at Emeifeng, very likely in our Jinhai Station.

"Third: In the near future, Jinhai Station will have a top-secret operation that may deal a devastating blow to the Red Tickets."

Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Brother Shan, is it open-market or black-market goods?" Sheng Xiang asked obsequiously.

"The first two are open-market.

"But there are only copies; Yu Zecheng is currently in charge of the Confidential Section.

"This man is too cunning; he even registers whether a fly is male or female when it flies into the confidential room. The originals are impossible to get.

"I can't tell you the last one yet."

"It is black market goods."

"There is no rush for this; let it sit for a while. In a few days, I will leak a bit of information before selling."

Lu Qiao smiled and took two photocopied documents from the cabinet for Sheng Xiang.

"Understood," Sheng Xiang said.

"Go on."

"The old rules: a thirty-seventy split."

"Remember, there is nothing in Jinmen that I do not know about. Do not try any tricks, or I will wring your neck."

Lu Qiao straightened his face and pointed at him, warning him sternly.

"Brother Shan, we have been working together for so long; don't you know what kind of person I am?"

"Just wait to collect the money."

Sheng Xiang's greasy, aged face smiled more brilliantly than a flower.

After he left.

Lu Qiao walked to the window and observed the movement downstairs through the gap.

Today is Wednesday.

The ones on duty in the guard room are Little Liu and Little Sun.

These two are his people.

They will not check Sheng Xiang's bag.

Watching Sheng Xiang drive out of the main gate smoothly, Lu Qiao closed the window and let out a sigh of relief.

Recently, the equipment room received a batch of new American-style equipment.

Among them are several monitoring vehicles.

They look like ordinary trucks on the outside.

They can monitor radio waves while in motion.

When the time comes, with several vehicles roaming the city twenty-four hours a day, as long as the Red Tickets dare to send telegrams underground, they will be arrested in minutes.

The Station Chief specifically named it: "Sky Net Project."

It means that the net of heaven has large meshes, but nothing escapes.

The vehicles are parked in the warehouse next to the Fifth Primary School.

Besides him and Wu Jingzhong, no third person in the station knows.

Even the drivers and monitors responsible for operating them are new recruits Wu Jingzhong transferred from Shancheng and the Northeast, having no ties to the people here at the station.

Lu Qiao will leak some wind first.

If someone is willing to pay a high price, he can leak a little bit.

If there is no one, it does not matter.

Catching a big Red Ticket fish, he can still get promoted and make a fortune.

Wu Jingzhong has already arranged a vehicle near the Shangquan Society hall.

Once the military mediation representatives move into the hall and send telegrams.

They will be able to decipher and decrypt them immediately.

Technology determines fate.

Lu Qiao turned his head to look at his most prized coffee machine and chuckled softly.

Hong Zhiyou returned home.

Having not been back for a month or so, the inside has changed drastically.

On the west side, a small red-brick house.

Two characters were painted on it in white lacquer:

"Latrine!"

The three-story small Western-style building on the east side has already been built, and the large empty plot of land has been planted with Chinese cabbage and eggplants.

Right next to where Yu Zecheng lives, a chicken coop has also been built.

A few chickens are strolling leisurely in the yard.

A faint smell of chicken droppings permeates with the wind.

Well then.

A pastoral lifestyle atmosphere indeed.

Cuiping is digging soil in a corner of the yard with a woman, chatting and laughing.

"Auntie, let me tell you, if you water these vegetables with night soil, they grow incredibly fast, and the taste is super sweet," Cuiping said, swinging the hoe vigorously.

"Cuiping."

"You look thin, but you have endless strength; your physique is truly good."

The woman followed along at the side and laughed.

"I have practiced martial arts."

"Just wait, in two days when the stone lock arrives, I will lift it for you to see," Cuiping said with a simple, honest smile.

"Mom, sister-in-law, you're busy."

Relying on the original body's memories, Hong Zhiyou walked over with his hands in his pockets and greeted them.

"Zhiyou!"

"Oh my, son, you have changed a lot."

"Cuiping just told me that you are popular with the girls in Jinmen; I didn't believe it."

His mother, He Yinfeng, pulled Hong Zhiyou over and looked him over for a long time.

"Where are Dad and Xiaohui?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a lukewarm smile.

"Xiaohui went to Nankai to attend university."

"It was Director Yu who pulled some strings; he is very capable. With one phone call, he invited the principal to our house for tea, and the principal approved it on the spot," He Yinfeng said vividly.

"Attend that damn university."

"Just causing trouble."

Hong Zhiyou's smile faded, and he cursed out loud.

Nankai University is even more radical than Beiyang University.

There are Red Ticket student unions inside.

These days, university students are parading and causing trouble all day long; it is very easy to get people killed.

Lu Qiao later used machine guns to mow them down in rows.

Do they really think this is child's play?

Hong Zhiyou's original plan was to arrange for Hong Xiaohui to have a clerical job and secure an iron rice bowl once she arrived.

He did not expect that, in a moment of carelessness, she would be swindled into Nankai by Old Yu.

This guy clearly has not given up.

He wants to use his sister's hand to drag him into the water.

Damn that Old Yu!

Today's ten-thousand-word update is finished. Thank you all for your monthly tickets and subscriptions, and thank you to Yongye LIKE for the tip. Good night, big bosses.

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(End of chapter)