Chapter 112: Ma Kui's Trap

Finding prisoners in jail to act as scapegoats is not something Hong Zhiyou is good at.

But Yu Zecheng and Liao Sanmin are experts at it.

There is absolutely no need for him to rack his brains.

"Station Chief, Department Head Lu has a matter he would like me to ask for your help with," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Lu Qiao?"

"Speak," Wu Jingzhong said, quite surprised.

Lu Qiao is the number two man in the station and has extensive connections; there are very few times he would need to ask for help.

Hong Zhiyou relayed the original request.

Wu Jingzhong let out a cold laugh: "He certainly knows the score."

"He knows about my connection with Zheng Jiemin."

"Fine, call him over."

"A mere section officer is just a sesame seed to the Second Department; it's easy to handle."

Hong Zhiyou called Lu Qiao in.

"Station Chief, did you ask for me?" Lu Qiao asked with a smile.

"Handling an errand for your son."

Wu Jingzhong dialed the number right in front of him:

"Hello, Officer Zheng, it's me, Jingzhong."

"Qiao's son wants to join the Second Department; could you do me a favor?"

"Yes, just because you two are from the same hometown."

"He knows you are upright and didn't dare to ask, so he had to beg me, didn't he?"

"Appoint him as secretary of the Second Department's Inspection Division."

"That's enough, that's enough!"

"Thank you for looking out for us, brother."

"Alright, goodbye."

After hanging up the phone, Wu Jingzhong said:

"Qiao, secretary of the Second Department's Inspection Division, are you satisfied?"

"Satisfied, extremely satisfied."

"Station Chief, thank you so much. In the past, Qiao was ignorant; you are a man of great virtue."

"Qiao is convinced."

Lu Qiao was deeply grateful and bowed ninety degrees to express his thanks.

"Qiao, we are family, no need for formalities."

"Go on with your work."

Wu Jingzhong smiled and waved his hand.

"Yes, Station Chief." Lu Qiao bowed once more and retreated.

After brewing tea for old Wu, Hong Zhiyou arrived at Yu Zecheng's office.

Old Yu was currently... tearing up paper.

It seems he heard the news and was feeling troubled again.

"Old Yu, let's go, time to work," Hong Zhiyou said, waving his hand.

"No rush, keep me company for a while first."

Yu Zecheng collected the paper scraps and stood up to close the door.

"There were gunshots at Tangkou last night."

"Old Huang..."

He looked at Hong Zhiyou with nervous eyes.

"Old Huang must have been caught."

"The Station Chief has a 'Sky Net' plan; Ma Kui made the arrests last night," Hong Zhiyou speculated.

He really didn't know much about this.

One reason was that he didn't want to get involved.

The second was that the Station Chief only leaked a few scattered words.

People were caught.

But exactly who was caught, or how many,

Hong Zhiyou had no idea, nor did he want to ask.

"Sigh!"

Yu Zecheng frowned and let out a sigh.

"Let's go."

"Boss Dai is coming, and the Station Chief wants Liao Sanmin to send some prisoners to the dock union."

Hong Zhiyou didn't want to chat deeply with him, so he stood up and left.

Yu Zecheng followed, his mind in a state of chaos.

They arrived at Shuitun Prison.

"You guys talk, I'm going to the 94th Army to play cards."

Hong Zhiyou gave a brief instruction and turned to leave.

After walking two steps, he looked back at the gloomy-faced jinx:

"Old Yu, don't try to be too clever."

"Things you can think of, Ma Kui and the Station Chief can think of too."

"Everything depends on fate, just wait."

After saying this, he put his hands in his pockets and walked away with a carefree air.

The more chaotic and panicked one is, the easier it is to make mistakes.

He was afraid that if Old Yu and Liao Sanmin put their heads together, they would really think they were Zhuge Liang.

The only one who could save Old Huang was Yu Zecheng.

Because he held a photo left behind by Lü Zongfang, the "Burning Incense to Meet the Buddha" photo.

It wasn't used in the autumn.

That was because Zuo Lan and Deng Ming didn't come, and there was no way to find Section Chief Hao of the Border Region Liaison Office.

But now, the timing, the location, and the people were all right.

The conditions for rescuing Old Huang were already met.

Yu Zecheng went to the backyard.

Liao Sanmin was practicing his martial arts.

"Stop practicing, something happened to Old Huang," Yu Zecheng said.

"What happened?"

"The communication line hasn't been built yet, the matter of Shopkeeper Qiu hasn't passed, and now Old Huang has fallen."

"Old Yu, I suspect there is a traitor in our organization's upper ranks."

Liao Sanmin was furious when he heard this.

"It's very troublesome now."

"Dai Li has come to Jinhai, perhaps with a secret mission."

"Wu Jingzhong wants to earn merit in front of Boss Dai, so he asked you to prepare prisoners for a big operation."

"The location is chosen at the Chenxing Machinery Factory, where the Reds are active."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Did you see Old Huang?" Liao Sanmin asked.

"No."

Yu Zecheng shook his head powerlessly and continued:

"Wu Jingzhong doesn't want me involved in these matters now."

"However, I estimate Ma Kui will use this to find trouble for me."

"We must find a way to rescue Old Huang."

"Ask Zhiyou for help; he has wide connections and knows the ropes," Liao Sanmin said, scratching his temples in distress.

"Forget it, don't force him."

"Last time with Shopkeeper Qiu, it caused him to be suspected by Liu Xiong."

"Wu Jingzhong will likely use Dai Li to stir up trouble, so he won't kill him for the time being."

Yu Zecheng said after taking a deep breath.

"I'm afraid Old Huang won't be able to withstand the torture and will sell you out."

"Not many people can endure the brutal torture of the Military Statistics Bureau."

Liao Sanmin said worriedly.

"Get some medicine."

"They always have times when they doze off, or we could arrange for someone to go in and send Old Huang on his way?"

He suggested, feeling uneasy.

Yu Zecheng glanced at him, and Liao Sanmin curled his lips into a smile:

"Don't look at me like that."

"If one day I am arrested, I hope you can send me medicine too."

As he spoke, he fished a small paper packet from his pocket, inside which was a grey-black, highly toxic pill.

"This is a type of slow-acting medicine."

"After taking it, it will increase the internal hemorrhaging from damaged organs."

"Old Huang has suffered torture, so his body must be damaged."

"That way, even if the poison takes effect, no one will suspect you; they will only think he died from excessive torture."

Seeing the hesitation on his face, Liao Sanmin explained further.

"Hmm."

Yu Zecheng knew.

This was already the final, desperate measure.

At present, the underground organizations in Jinmen and Beiping had just suffered heavy losses.

Especially his own line, which was almost in a state of lost contact.

Relying on people within the organization for a rescue was unrealistic.

The Sky Net Operation was a masterpiece of Dai Li and Wu Jingzhong.

Unless the Chairman intervened.

Otherwise, no matter how powerful one's reach, it would be impossible to save Huang Zhong.

The only way to cut losses in time was to send Huang Zhong on his way.

To ensure the safety of other comrades.

Yu Zecheng took the pill and nodded, saying:

"Let's pick the prisoners first."

"About thirty or so, get the old ones, and clear their files."

"Before twelve o'clock tomorrow noon, arrange for them to be sent into the factory."

"I still have to go greet the boss of the Chenxing Machinery Factory, I'm leaving now."

After finishing, he tucked his briefcase under his arm and left.

Just as he arrived at the station.

He saw Old Luo from the cafeteria pacing in the lobby:

"Director Yu."

He called out to Yu Zecheng as if he had seen a savior.

"Is something the matter, Old Luo?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"It's like this, the Station Chief and Captain Ma have gone out."

"The rules for meals in the interrogation room have always been very strict."

"They must pass through Captain Ma's hands personally."

"Lao Wu and the others have called several times to urge me, but I can't get them in."

"You know what his temper is like."

"If they don't get to eat, he'll slaughter me."

Old Luo pleaded with a bitter expression.

Delivering food?

A good opportunity.

"Oh, I see."

"I'll help you take them in, and I'll ask Division Chief Lu."

"He is also a person in charge of the interrogation room."

Yu Zecheng took the food box and said.

"That works, thanks." Old Luo left happily.

Yu Zecheng carried the food tray up to the second floor.

His office was on the left.

Lu Qiaoshan's was on the right.

Seeing that there was no one in the hallway, Yu Zecheng quickly slipped into his office, closed the door, and opened the food box.

The top three portions were shredded pork with garlic sauce and winter melon stewed with ribs.

These were for Lao Wu and the others.

Underneath was another portion, a bowl of simple corn grits.

This was for the person being tortured to drink.

Perfect.

Yu Zecheng took out the pill as quickly as he could and was just about to drop it into the soup.

He suddenly remembered Hong Zhiyou's warning.

No!

Something is wrong.

This was mealtime.

Logically speaking, Lu Qiaoshan and the Station Chief would go home to eat and return to work at two in the afternoon.

It was also normal for Ma Kui to be out on business.

Even having few people at the station was fine.

But there was one point.

In the second-floor hallway, there was a registration desk.

Someone was required to be on duty there during the day.

So that any urgent matters could be notified to the various departments.

Usually, it was a two-shift rotation.

You Jun was there before twelve in the morning.

Liu Hongbin was there from ten to four.

Anyone wanting to conduct business on the second floor had to pass by the registration desk.

Why were these two people missing today of all days?

It was precisely because they were not there.

That he thought he had found an opportunity to sneak into his office to poison the food.

If the two were on their normal shift.

He would never have dared to carry a food tray into his own office in front of others.

"Not good."

"This might be a trap!"

As soon as Yu Zecheng thought of this, cold sweat broke out all over his body.

He slapped his forehead.

He realized that he had been distracted lately by Cuiping and various dangerous affairs.

He had lost the keen instincts of a secret agent.

"What should I do?"

He put his hands on his hips and looked at the ceiling.

Then he made a prompt decision.

Perhaps Ma Kui was watching him from somewhere at this very moment.

He had to keep acting.

Thinking of this, he threw the pill directly into his tea to dissolve it, then poured it into the potted plant on the windowsill.

Covering the food box, Yu Zecheng carried it out of the office.

He went straight to Lu Qiaoshan's office.

"Division Chief Lu?"

"Old Lu?"

He called out twice, but no one answered.

Yu Zecheng smiled, carried the tray, and walked straight toward the interrogation room on the basement level.

Ma Kui peeked through the door crack, then turned his head to look at Mi Zhiguo and sneered:

"Zhiguo, did you take all the photos?"

"Yes, I took them," Mi Zhiguo said, putting down the camera.

"Yu Zecheng, oh Yu Zecheng.

"I knew you would show your clumsy horse's hoof.

"This time, I'll see how you can escape.

"Who can protect you!

"Zhiguo, let's go, let's go catch them in the act."

Ma Kui gave a triumphant smile, grabbed his hat, clamped it on his head, and walked out.

Mi Zhiguo felt a chill in his heart.

It's over, Director Yu is going to be in big trouble.

Yu Zecheng arrived at the interrogation room and called out:

"Old Wu, time to eat."

Old Wu and the others put down their torture instruments and walked over, rubbing their hands.

"Director Yu, why are you the one delivering the food today?"

"Captain Ma went out.

"Old Luo couldn't get in, so he had to entrust it to me," Yu Zecheng said with a smile.

They had just finished dividing the lunch boxes.

He pointed at the corn grits inside and glanced at Old Huang on the electric chair:

"This is for the prisoner, right?"

"Yes.

"He's been tortured all night; if he doesn't eat something, I'm afraid he won't be able to open his mouth," Old Wu said.

"No wonder you guys are professionals.

"Hurry up and take it over."

Yu Zecheng quietly raised his eyebrows and glanced at Old Huang from the doorway.

He was covered in blood.

He lay on the chair, his head fixed by iron clamps, two large fishhooks pulling at his eyelids to keep him in a sitting position, unable to close his eyes to sleep.

Blood was dripping from the corners of Old Huang's mouth.

His vision was somewhat blurred, but he could tell from the voice that it was Yu Zecheng who had come.

Old Huang secretly thought to himself that this was bad.

He silently prayed to Ma and En, hoping that Yu Zecheng would absolutely not do anything stupid.

"Alright, Director Yu."

Old Wu carried the bowl of grit porridge over.

He used a bamboo tube to scoop up the porridge and was just about to feed Huang Zhong.

Bang!

Ma Kui kicked the door and shouted:

"Stop."

"Yo, Captain Ma is here," Old Wu hurriedly put down the corn grit porridge.

"Put it down for me.

"No one is allowed to touch this bowl of porridge."

Ma Kui shouted loudly.

Then he turned his head and sneered at Yu Zecheng:

"Director Yu, are you very disappointed?"

"Captain Ma, what do you mean?

"I kindly delivered food for you, so what, this also provokes you?" Yu Zecheng found it quite amusing.

"Old Yu.

"You've been waiting for this food delivery opportunity for a long time, haven't you?

"You tipped them off last night.

"And now you're delivering food again.

"What, are you in such a rush to silence him?"

Ma Kui sneered.

"Captain Ma, please watch your language," Yu Zecheng's expression turned gloomy.

"Heh heh.

"I know you are eloquent.

"But this time, no one can protect you!

"No rush.

"First, please sit for a while, Director Yu; when the Station Chief comes to work, we'll chat slowly."

Ma Kui touched the bowl and noted the temperature of the grit porridge.

"You can play slowly.

"I have other things to do."

Yu Zecheng smiled and turned to leave.

"Wait.

"If you leave, this bowl of porridge won't be easily explained.

"Director Yu, please cooperate."

Ma Kui waved his hand, and several men from the action team blocked the door.

"It seems Captain Ma is going to pin something on me again.

"Fine, I'll wait with you."

Yu Zecheng sat down, feigning helplessness.

He secretly rejoiced that thanks to Hong Zhiyou's warning, he was able to abandon the poisoning plan in time.

This was indeed a trap set by Ma Kui.

"Zhiguo, go develop the photos," Ma Kui ordered.

"Yes, Captain Ma," Mi Zhiguo lowered his head and left.

"Director Yu, have some tea.

"Take a look at your comrade; perhaps this will be your last cup of tea."

Ma Kui picked up the inferior tea and poured two cups.

Yu Zecheng smiled and said nothing.

While waiting.

He checked his watch from time to time and sipped his tea.

He unbuttoned his clothes.

He looked at the ceiling.

These expressions of "a guilty conscience" all fell into Ma Kui's eyes.

Ma Kui was ecstatic.

This time, he had finally caught Yu Zecheng's tail.

He heard that Director Dai might come over in the next few days.

Catching a mole is a monumental achievement.

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Wu Jingzhong arrived at the office right on time.

Hong Zhiyou returned after playing cards and went straight in to report:

"Station Chief, I won again."

"Oh, tell me about it.

"Which lady did you win from this time?"

Wu Jingzhong put down his teacup and asked with great delight.

"Not a lady, it was a group of rough men from the 94th Army," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"What's the point of playing with them?

"That bunch of paupers are good at squeezing others, but there's no profit to be squeezed from them."

Wu Jingzhong curled his lips in disappointment.

"There is.

"There's a big profit!

"Isn't Yang Wenquan taking a concubine?

"Now that Boss Dai has already let word out, he is very panicked.

"He hopes you can help put in a good word for him."

Hong Zhiyou closed the door and reported in a low voice.

"Zhiyou, why are you so muddled?"

Wu Jingzhong glared at him, his face stern as he scolded:

"Yang Wenquan has a grudge against me; back when the Canal Gang incident happened, it was already generous of me not to have killed him.

"And now that Boss Dai has finally made a move, you want me to plead for him?

"He certainly thinks highly of himself."

Hong Zhiyou gave a mercenary smile: "Station Chief, it is better to resolve grievances than to harbor them.

"Yang Wenquan is the son-in-law of Yong Jianqiu, and he himself hasn't been shy about taking bribes over the years.

"He said he is willing to offer fifty gold bars.

"Plus fifty thousand US dollars, and some antiques.

"Of course, it's not asking you to guarantee his safety.

"Just asking that he not be locked in the Zhazidong or White Mansion, and that serving his sentence in the Shuitun Prison will suffice."

"Zhiyou, you don't understand the situation here." Wu Jingzhong still shook his head.

He drank a few sips of tea to wash away the grease from his lunch of roast goose:

"The word outside is that Boss Dai has fallen out of favor, is about to be transferred to Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, and the Juntong Bureau is about to be renamed and reorganized.

"He is harboring a lot of fire in his heart.

"Dealing with Ma Kui and Yang Wenquan—one an internal veteran, the other a veteran ace of the garrison—

"What is he aiming for?

"It is to kill the chicken to scare the monkey!

"At a time like this, anyone who dares to interject even a single word is likely to invite trouble."

"Station Chief, I understand.

"You are just worried about Boss Dai, but the knot in his heart has already been untied," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Ah, what can relieve worry, what can resolve hatred?

"Only gold, dollars, and antiques. Zhiyou, no one will turn their back on money."

Wu Jingzhong laughed in a very seasoned manner.

"Yes.

"Since that is the case, there is room for maneuver.

"Right now, Jinmen is suffering from a cholera outbreak.

"Yang Wenquan plans to create some atmosphere in the military to intimidate Boss Dai.

"Isn't it just taking a concubine?

"Officer Yang even found Zhang Tinge and Li Hanyuan to come forward and plead for him.

"If you just casually mention a word, asking for him to be detained in Shuitun Prison first, and wait until the cholera is settled before letting Boss Dai transfer him, wouldn't that work?

"They are only afraid of being taken to Shancheng or the Jingling District that very day.

"It's just a single sentence from you, and the money is in your hands.

"I heard that among those antiques, there is a Forbidden City carved from red sandalwood, vivid and lifelike, made to scale.

"With that kind of craftsmanship, I fear there won't be a second one in this world.

"If you move the Forbidden City home, play the Emperor every night, and smell the red sandalwood fragrance, will you still worry about insomnia?"

Hong Zhiyou said flatteringly.

"Are you sure, just this one sentence?" Wu Jingzhong was still very cautious.

"Sure.

"They just want to survive this current crisis.

"Once the storm passes, the Generalissimo and the Boss's anger subsides, and someone blows a breeze from above, won't it be fine?"

Hong Zhiyou nodded solemnly.

"Hmm.

"That's true, these people have a good relationship with Zhang Zhizhong.

"Alright then, I'll sell him this favor?"

Wu Jingzhong raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile.

"Sell it!

"One sentence in exchange for so much money and antiques.

"What is called 'golden words of authority.'

"Teacher, that is you."

Hong Zhiyou offered up some fragrant flattery.

"Zhiyou.

"Your mouth is getting more and more glib; no wonder Ruirui fell in love with you at first sight," Wu Jingzhong sighed with appreciation.

Back when he was the Chief of General Affairs in the Northeast District, he used to flatter Zheng Jiemin just like this.

Hong Zhiyou was full of the shadow of his own younger self.

Hehe, Ruirui was indeed won over by my blowing... Hong Zhiyou smiled modestly:

"Teacher, this can only mean we are family, it's fate."

As the two were chatting, Lu Qiaoshan walked in quickly:

"Station Chief, it's bad."

"What is it now?" Wu Jingzhong asked with disappointment.

"Ma Kui has blocked Director Yu in the interrogation room.

"He says he tried to deliberately poison Huang Zhong to silence him," Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Hai.

"Why did Yu Zecheng run to the interrogation room to poison someone?" Wu Jingzhong didn't understand.

"It was just a little trick Ma Kui played.

"He had Old Luo give the lunch box to Director Yu.

"Whoever touches his 'shit-pot' is unlucky; Zecheng is honest, he carried it to the interrogation room, and now he's been framed."

Lu Qiaoshan sneered playfully.

"This Ma Kui.

"Fine.

"Let's go take a look; I was just about to interrogate the one surnamed Huang anyway.

"To save him from saying I'm shielding Director Yu again."

Wu Jingzhong snorted coldly and led his men toward the interrogation room.

Big bosses, I've been running around lately for the kids' school enrollment (Jinmen has a new policy, deadline is the 15th), I'm severely sleep-deprived and can't keep my eyes open. I'll try to make up for the missed chapter tomorrow morning; I'll fix the typos tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for the monthly tickets, recommendation votes, and the tips from book friends 2024723110009553 and Maoxuan.

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(End of chapter)