Chapter 108: The Divine Teammate Xie Ruo

7: 0 in the morning.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the office.

Today was Monday, and Wu Jingzhong held the regular weekly meeting in the conference room.

Because Xue Dongshan of the General Affairs Section had performed his duties poorly.

Wu Jingzhong stripped him of his position as section chief and transferred him to the Telephone Bureau to serve as the Inspection Section Chief.

The General Affairs Section was temporarily placed under the charge of the Secretariat and handed over to Hong Zhiyou to manage.

"Meeting adjourned."

Wu Jingzhong stood up, and everyone dispersed.

"Congratulations, brother.

"The General Affairs Section is a lucrative department; the Station Chief thinks highly of you."

Lu Qiaoshan pulled Hong Zhiyou aside.

"Brother Shan.

"Isn't the official seal still in your hands?

"You call the shots in the General Affairs Section.

"This is nothing more than having me help you shoulder some miscellaneous tasks." Hong Zhiyou knew what he was thinking.

"You, brother... it's a good thing we are brothers."

Lu Qiaoshan patted his shoulder in appreciation.

"Brother Shan, truth be told, you've been looking haggard lately.

"I still have some velvet antler powder; I'll bring it to you later."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Sigh.

"Can't be helped, the Station Chief has tasks, and I dare not disobey." Lu Qiaoshan sighed in self-pity.

"Don't be like Old Ma.

"Spend more time with your wife; your health is the capital for becoming a Deputy Station Chief." Hong Zhiyou furrowed his brows and teased.

"It's not that simple.

"The Station Chief hasn't appointed a Deputy Station Chief yet, why?

"Isn't it because our contributions aren't enough?

"After finishing this job, it should basically be set in stone."

Lu Qiaoshan whispered with a smile.

"What are you talking about, Old Lu?" The quick-witted Yu Zecheng approached them.

"You guys chat, I'm going to brew tea for the Station Chief first."

Hong Zhiyou was afraid of him and quickly slipped away.

"Talking about the Deputy Station Chief position," Lu Qiaoshan said as he walked.

"No need to think about it, it's definitely yours.

"However, you must be careful of the kind of absurd nonsense that happened last time.

"Captain Ma was captured by bandits, yet he ended up a decorated hero.

"Your people raided the printing plant, and you didn't even get a verbal commendation.

"In my opinion, if Old Ma performs one more meritorious deed, Director Mao will have to submit a report to promote him to Colonel."

Yu Zecheng clumsily stirred up trouble on purpose.

"Brother, that's not fair of you."

Lu Qiaoshan pointed at him and smiled.

"I'm not afraid of being laughed at by you.

"Ma Kui holds a grudge against me because of the Old Manager Qiu affair.

"If he becomes Deputy Station Chief, I won't be able to survive at the Jinhai Station.

"I'm hoping day and night now that you can sit in that position soon.

"With you covering for me, I can at least keep my position as Chief of the Confidential Room."

Yu Zecheng smiled.

"Rest assured, brother.

"Even if Ma Kui becomes a ghost, he won't make it to Colonel.

"I'm off, there's still a pile of things waiting to be reported to the Station Chief."

Lu Qiaoshan waved his hand with a smile and walked away quickly.

Station Chief's office.

Ma Kui and Lu Qiaoshan walked in.

"How did it go?

"I heard there was gunfire over at Tangkou last night," Wu Jingzhong asked.

"We made arrests.

"Tang Simao and Huang Zhong; we lost two brothers, and several were wounded," Ma Kui said in a dull tone.

"Have they confessed?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Tang Simao has confessed.

"Huang Zhong is tough; Old Wu is currently breaking him," Ma Kui said.

"Good.

"You must make this person confess.

"For a period of time, the codename 'Emei Peak' has been very active in Jinhai.

"Headquarters' intelligence analysis suggests that Emei Peak is highly likely to be planted in an important department.

"The Generalissimo and the Ministry of National Defense have issued instructions that there must be a major purge of key political and military systems at all levels, especially those who came from Shancheng," Wu Jingzhong said sternly.

"That's right, the codename Emei Peak was active in Shancheng in the past," Lu Qiaoshan echoed.

"I firmly believe our station is clean.

"But since the superiors have ordered it, we must investigate.

"Director Lu, you are responsible for this matter; conduct individual interrogations, record them, and screen everyone."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

After taking a sip of tea, he continued:

"If you can pry open Huang Zhong's mouth and catch Emei Peak, that will be a remarkable achievement.

"Everyone, get to it."

"Station Chief!

"One person escaped last night," Ma Kui said.

"What happened?

"Wasn't it under tight surveillance? How could someone have escaped?" Wu Jingzhong asked in shock.

"How did they escape?

"Someone tipped them off!" Ma Kui sneered.

"Who?"

"Yu Zecheng!"

Here we go again... Wu Jingzhong curled his lip and asked with forced patience:

"Do you have evidence?"

"I do.

"At 9: 6 last night, Yu Zecheng called Huang Zhong.

"At 9: 5, my men rushed in and exchanged fire with Tang Simao and Huang Zhong.

"It lasted about ten minutes; when we went back in to search, Huang Zhong's wife, Jiang Aimei, had already escaped through a secret passage.

"I ask you, with such a confidential matter and such strict deployment.

"How did Huang Zhong know he was exposed?

"It could only be Yu Zecheng tipping him off."

Ma Kui analyzed loudly.

As he spoke, he asked Wu Jingzhong to move to the monitoring room and played the recording from the Telephone Bureau.

"This is your evidence?" Wu Jingzhong was furious after listening.

"Station Chief, the evidence is conclusive.

"Don't drag it out; isn't this implying for Huang Zhong to run?"

Seeing that they were going to argue again, Ma Kui grew anxious, and his voice rose several decibels.

"Captain Ma.

"Pardon my bluntness, I know you and Director Yu have a grudge.

"But with this kind of recording, even if you handed it to Director Mao, it wouldn't prove that Yu Zecheng is the mole who tipped them off, would it?"

Lu Qiaoshan tapped his glasses with his finger and shook his head with a sneer.

"That's right."

"Previously, Department Chief Lu was busy with the military mediation arrangements, and regarding the Police Department's affairs, it was I who communicated with Department Chief Lu to have Yu Zecheng sent to assist."

"Having him return to the Confidential Room was also my arrangement."

"Is there a problem with this phone call?"

Wu Jingzhong brought up Lu Qiao to serve as proof for his argument.

"That's right."

"Captain Ma wants to shoulder the heavy burden alone; he has taken all the surveillance vehicles, the field agents I specially recruited, and the equipment from my Telecommunications Department."

"I am just an idle person; I can't just dump the Police Department back onto Section Chief Yu and go hide away to enjoy my leisure, can I?"

Lu Qiao was in perfect sync with Wu Jingzhong.

"No!"

"Such an obvious hint, can't you two hear it?"

Ma Kui gritted his teeth, his eyes turning red with anxiety.

"Special Commissioner Ma, then you should take your recording and go find Section Chief Mao to listen to it."

Wu Jingzhong's face darkened, and he flicked his sleeves and left.

"Captain Ma, I know you are eager to perform meritorious service and want to become the Deputy Station Chief."

"But doing it this way, isn't it a bit too hasty?"

Lu Qiao looked at Ma Kui, made a sarcastic remark, and followed closely behind as he left.

"You!"

Ma Kui was so angry his lungs felt like they were about to explode.

At such a sensitive time.

With such an obvious hint.

Why did no one believe him?

The key point was, how did Yu Zecheng know that Huang Zhong had been exposed?

Could it be that Wu Jingzhong really is...

Ma Kui returned to his office in a rage.

Li Ping was waiting with a face full of joy:

"How was it, Captain Ma, did it work?"

"Work, my foot."

"The Station Chief didn't believe it at all."

Ma Kui took off his hat and slammed it heavily onto the desk.

"He doesn't even believe such obvious evidence?"

"I told you Wu... the Station Chief has problems."

"Back then, my teacher and he were sworn brothers, but just because he investigated Yu Zecheng for being a mole, he was unjustly killed in the interrogation room under Wu Jingzhong's orders."

"I suspect the Station Chief is... Emei Peak!"

Li Ping's gaze sharpened, and he said in a deep voice.

"Regarding the autumn incident, Section Chief Mao also gave me some pointers."

"Boss Dai trusts Old Dog Wu very much."

"Without evidence to take up the chain of command, it's hard for Section Chief Mao to speak."

Ma Kui gritted his teeth and tilted his head, feeling very distressed.

"Like this, from now on, don't do any other work; just focus on secretly watching Old Dog Wu for me," Ma Kui ordered.

"Yes, Special Commissioner." Li Ping accepted the order gladly.

Wu Jingzhong returned to his office, sat at his desk with his hands clasped, and pondered.

Yu Zecheng's phone call was indeed suspicious.

But it also made sense.

He had dropped a hint, but hadn't stated it clearly.

The police station had been very chaotic lately, so having him stay away was the right move.

Moreover, Yu Zecheng did not know about the Sky Net Plan.

For someone in the dark, under unknown pressure, to want to distance themselves immediately—given Yu Zecheng's conservative and cautious nature—was completely reasonable.

Conversely.

Once Huang Zhong had an accident in the future.

This phone call could also serve as evidence of Yu's innocence.

Unless he knew about the Sky Net Plan.

The question is, how would he know?

The equipment wasn't registered, and the personnel were recruited from out of town.

Even meals and expenses didn't go through the station's accounts.

Logically speaking, it would be very difficult for Yu Zecheng to know about such a top-secret plan.

Unless someone leaked it.

Wu Jingzhong did not suspect Yu Zecheng right now.

He suspected Ma Kui or Lu Qiao.

Or perhaps the people recruited from outside.

Someone had sold intelligence to the Red Ticket to sabotage his Sky Net Plan.

Just as he was pondering, Lu Qiao walked in.

"Qiao, you came at the right time."

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand, and Lu Qiao hurriedly closed the door.

"Ma Kui says Yu Zecheng leaked the secret; what do you think?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I can't say for sure about Section Chief Yu."

"But Ma Kui or his subordinates definitely leaked it."

Lu Qiao smiled and pulled a photograph out of his pocket.

"Station Chief."

"Last night, someone placed an envelope by the dog hole in the backyard of Huang Zhong's house."

"Unfortunately, it was monitored by my men."

"This is the envelope and the photo."

Lu Qiao handed over the envelope and the photo.

Wu Jingzhong took a look; a sneaky figure was just appearing by the wall, crouching down.

A black trench coat.

A round-brimmed hat.

Judging solely by the build, it seemed somewhat similar to Ma Kui.

"Is this Captain Ma?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a frown.

"Station Chief, there aren't many people in all of Jinhai who like to wear this style of trench coat and hat."

"At this time, the only one who could appear at Tangkou seems to be Captain Ma."

"Take a look at the letter."

Lu Qiao opened the envelope and handed it over.

There was no writing on the envelope.

Only an X.

There was nothing inside.

"What does this mean?" Wu Jingzhong frowned.

"X, I estimate it represents danger."

"The note inside the envelope might have been destroyed by Captain Ma, or perhaps Huang Zhong disposed of it on the spot."

"Or maybe there was no letter at all."

"It was very chaotic when we made the arrests; according to my informant, Captain Ma was the first to charge in, so he had the opportunity to destroy evidence."

Lu Qiao was deliberately casting blame onto Ma Kui.

"If he wanted to destroy it, why keep the envelope?" Wu Jingzhong countered.

"Station Chief, perhaps this is Captain Ma's cleverness."

"If this thing is to be pinned on someone in the future, it will be solid, hard evidence."

"For example, Section Chief Yu."

Lu Qiao laughed.

"Why didn't you arrest him at the time? This is perfect, ironclad proof of Ma Kui communicating with the Red Ticket," Wu Jingzhong said, slamming his fist into his palm and sighing with a frown.

"Station Chief."

"My secret agent was very far away."

"Besides, Ma Kui has dozens of guns in his hands, and he has always been at odds with me.

"You know his stubborn mule temper.

"If he gets agitated, he might just shoot me."

Lu Qiao explained helplessly.

"When was the photo taken, before or after 9: 6?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"9: 6... before."

Lu Qiao bit his lip, hesitated for half a second, then said firmly.

"Are you sure?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Sure!" Lu Qiao kept a straight face.

The photo was actually taken after Yu Zecheng made the phone call.

But that would become evidence for Ma Kui to argue his case.

Therefore, he had to insist it was before 9: 6.

Which meant Ma Kui made the call first.

And Yu Zecheng's call came after.

"Who was on duty with Ma Kui yesterday?" Wu Jingzhong asked again.

"Mi Zhiguo.

"Ma Kui often extorts cigarette money from him; he's used to it," Lu Qiao said with a chuckle.

"That clumsy fool!

"Call Mi Zhiguo.

"No, it's too conspicuous if you go.

"Ma Kui has many eyes around him; it's easy to get exposed.

"Send Secretary Hong; the two of them often play chess together."

Wu Jingzhong cursed, then cupped his chin in thought.

"Yes, Station Chief." Lu Qiao took the order and walked out.

"Secretary Hong, the Station Chief wants you to go in."

When he reached the door, Lu Qiao said.

"Alright, Division Chief Lu."

Hong Zhiyou stood up and walked in.

"Zhiyou, take a look.

"Qiao's men took this in the backyard of Huang Zhong's house last night."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at the photo on the table and said.

"Isn't this Captain Ma?" Hong Zhiyou feigned surprise.

Last night.

He had just arrived at the club when the front desk came over, saying Xie Ruo wanted to see him.

After connecting the call to the room, he realized Old Yu had followed his advice and gone to find Old Xie.

The problem was, this guy had taken Old Yu's money.

And for a moment, he couldn't find anyone to do the job.

Under Hong Zhiyou's reminder, Xie Ruo personally put on a disguise, rushed to Tangkou New Village in the fastest time possible, and pulled off this stunt in the dog hole.

Old Xie was about the same height as Ma Kui.

With the stiff collar of his trench coat popped up, it completely masked his lack of a burly frame.

The angle was also adjusted well.

With just the dim light of the street lamp at night, it was truly impossible to tell the difference.

Truly, high skill makes for a bold heart.

Once he took the money, he would get the job done 100%.

Professional enough!

"Station Chief, what was Captain Ma doing running off to that dump in Tangkou in the middle of the night?" Hong Zhiyou asked, puzzled.

"Don't ask about that for now.

"Call Mi Zhiguo to your office to play chess.

"Ask him what Ma Kui did last night before 9: 6.

"Not a single word can be missed."

Wu Jingzhong tapped the table and instructed sternly.

"Understood, Teacher," Hong Zhiyou said.

After leaving the Station Chief's office, he let out a secret sigh of relief.

Old Yu really has good luck.

He ran into someone like Xie Ruo, who values money over his own life.

If it were him, if he couldn't find anyone, he would rather lose money and ruin his reputation than take such a risk.

It really is: the bold are stuffed to death, while the timid starve to death.

No wonder Old Xie dared to boast: "As long as a bullet doesn't kill me, I'll take the money and keep cooperating."

In the original story, Old Xie later cooperated with Li Ya and betrayed Yu Zecheng.

Hong Zhiyou pondered that it was mostly because that skilled hand of his wife, Wanqiu, had been ruined by Yu Zecheng.

Having eaten sour grapes, he lost his principles and crazily schemed against Old Yu and Cuiping.

But this was also within reason.

Anyone who suffered such a great humiliation would fight for their life.

Soon, he called Mi Zhiguo to the room and set up the chessboard.

"Zhiguo, what were you and Captain Ma doing last night?"

Hong Zhiyou moved his elephant first and asked.

"Brother Hong, I can't say; there's discipline, please understand," Mi Zhiguo said, feeling awkward.

"Fine.

"I'll ask things you can answer.

"Nine-thirty."

Hong Zhiyou switched his questioning method.

"Yes," Mi Zhiguo said.

"Were you with Captain Ma the whole time?" Hong Zhiyou casually poured him a cup of tea.

"I was.

"Captain Ma said he didn't trust the batch of people Lu Qiao recruited.

"He specifically asked me and Li Ping to accompany him to keep an eye on them at all times, to prevent them from playing any tricks."

Mi Zhiguo replied.

"Are you sure it was the whole time?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Sure," Mi Zhiguo nodded.

"Good.

"Did Captain Ma leave at any point?

"Remember, it must be about what happened before 9: 6."

Hong Zhiyou reminded him gravely.

Mi Zhiguo pondered for a long while and said:

"He did leave.

"In the middle, he said he had to go out to make a phone call and buy a pack of cigarettes by the way; he even asked me for the money, I remember it very clearly.

"The time was around 9: 0."

"A phone call?

"Who did he call?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I don't know about that," Mi Zhiguo replied.

"Did he say anything else?" Hong Zhiyou handed him a rare treat... chocolate.

Mi Zhiguo took a bite, his eyes lit up, and memories came flooding back:

"Before he made the arrests, he intercepted a call and said it was made by Director Yu.

"Li Ping has grievances against Director Yu.

"He even said Liu Xiong..."

Hong Zhiyou patted him on the shoulder:

"Don't be afraid, the Station Chief asked me to ask you; with him backing you, just speak up.

"If you do well, who knows, you might be promoted to Deputy Captain just like Qi Physician."

"Yes, Brother Hong.

"Li Ping said he suspects the Station Chief is a Red, and that he killed Liu Xiong just to cover for Director Yu."

"Captain Ma also said that the root of the failure lies entirely with the Station Chief."

"Of course, they didn't explicitly say the Station Chief's name."

"But it wasn't hard to tell from what they were implying."

Mi Zhiguo, always quick-witted, hurriedly seized the opportunity to curry favor.

"Anything else?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"No more."

Mi Zhiguo said.

"Good."

"Remember, don't tell anyone about today's conversation."

"Including Director Yu and Section Chief Lu."

"As for Ma Kui and Li Ping, you must insist that it was I who called you over to play chess."

"Take this money and the chocolate."

"Don't you like Zhang Li from the Confidentiality Section's archives?"

"Take it to give to her, and when you have time, invite her to the Shengping Theater to watch a play."

Hong Zhiyou took two bars of chocolate and one hundred US dollars from his drawer and handed them to him.

"No, brother, you saved my family's life."

"I can't take your money."

"I'll keep the chocolate for my younger sister to eat; Zhang Li has high standards, she likes Section Chief Sheng, she won't look at a poor guy like me."

Mi Zhiguo scratched his head and gave a foolish smile.

Sheng Xiang won't live for many more years... Hong Zhiyou said:

"You deserve to be a bachelor, you're too spineless."

"That flat face of Sheng Xiang's is full of acne pits, oily and greasy, is he better looking than you?"

"Another day I'll get you some good perfume, and when the Station Chief promotes your rank later, you give it to her, and I guarantee you'll win her over."

"Alright, thank you, Brother Hong." Mi Zhiguo accepted it happily.

"Go."

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand to dismiss him.

Upon arriving at the Station Chief's office, Hong Zhiyou reported everything exactly as it was said.

Wu Jingzhong was so angry he slapped the table:

"What a dog, suspecting and slandering me!"

"Go and arrest Li Ping and Ma Kui for me right now."

Hong Zhiyou hurriedly advised: "Don't, Teacher, calm your anger."

"Ma Kui is protected by Director Mao; just based on two sentences and this photo where the face isn't clear, you won't be able to catch him."

"Zhiyou, there is a mole in the house."

"The Sky Net Plan that I built with my own hands, Boss Dai approved both the money and the people; it cost a great price, and it was meant to achieve merit and results."

"If it weren't for Lu Qiao keeping a close watch, Ma Kui would have ruined it."

"Fifty-seven people surrounding one family."

"And he still managed to let one escape."

"Now he even wants to pin the blame on me."

"It is simply outrageous!"

Wu Jingzhong was itching with hatred.

"Teacher, let's not talk about this anymore."

"Wanqiu just called me; Mu Liancheng and his wife invite you to drink tea at the Donghai Teahouse."

"I reckon they saw Wanqiu take off her hat, and they are anxious."

"Teacher, this fishing tactic of yours is truly masterful."

Hong Zhiyou changed the subject and offered a "grand gift."

What he admired even more were Keiko and Mu Liancheng.

He estimated that the goods had not yet finished being transported.

In order to stabilize Wu Jingzhong, he used the matter of Wanqiu's hat to bleed a little more, so as to thoroughly rope in old Wu.

Old Wu probably never dreamed that the fisherman had become the fish.

The one truly holding the rod, in the end, could only be...

"Good."

"Drinking tea, cooling off; life, after all, cannot just be work."

"Let's go, let's go relax."

At the thought of Mu Liancheng's treasures, Wu Jingzhong immediately beamed with joy.

"The Donghai Teahouse is a private estate."

"I heard that Young Marshal Zhang, Lu Jiajia, and the others often went there when they were in Jinhai; the consumption is even higher than at the clubs."

"I'll just take advantage of your status, Teacher, to go and broaden my horizons."

Hong Zhiyou flattered him.

"I won't hide it from you, it's my first time going too."

"Then let us learn from the Young Marshal, taste it, and be a carefree marquis for once."

Wu Jingzhong raised his eyebrows and strode downstairs.

Xiao Guohua drove.

Hong Zhiyou and Wu Jingzhong sat in the back seat chatting.

Just as the car was halfway there, Xiao Guohua looked at the rearview mirror and said sharply:

"Station Chief, someone is tailing us."

"It looks like a car from our station."

"Could they be on a mission?"

"Take a detour and avoid them."

Wu Jingzhong was still very cautious.

After taking a detour, the car behind came out from another alley and followed from a distance again.

It was clearly an experienced tail.

"Station Chief, someone is definitely tailing us," Xiao Guohua said.

"Damn it!"

"Go, let him follow."

"Once I enter the teahouse, I'll have him arrested."

Wu Jingzhong ordered angrily.

There will be another chapter later.

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(End of chapter)