Chapter 133

About to be a father?

Hong Zhiyou was a bit stunned.

This wasn't a surprise.

It was a shock.

He had anticipated this possibility.

He just never expected this day to come so soon.

For a moment, he was caught off guard.

"What's wrong, panicked?"

"You stingy ghost!"

"I know your little thoughts."

"Isn't it just that you're afraid of having to support it and splitting your money?"

"Don't worry, I won't cling to you."

"This young lady isn't lacking that little bit of child-rearing money from you."

Wu Ruirui pouted coquettishly on the other end of the phone.

"Ruirui, how could that be?"

"Money is something you can't take with you when you're born or when you die."

"If I don't leave it to our child, should I hand it over to the Chairman?"

Hong Zhiyou calmed himself and said.

"It's good that you can think that way."

"Enough talk, I have to go sunbathe; the doctor said more sun is good for calcium, which is good for both me and the baby," Wu Ruirui said happily.

Hong Zhiyou suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of being moved.

Ruirui might not be the best woman, but she was definitely the most suitable for him.

"Ruirui, did you miss me?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I didn't miss you."

"I missed the money."

Wu Ruirui giggled, as money-minded as ever.

"Missing the money is good."

"I'm already negotiating; soon you'll have your own castle and winery in Falanxi."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"That's great, what to do, I'm starting to miss you a little," Wu Ruirui immediately became a well-behaved baby.

"Miss where?"

"Hate you, I won't tell."

Hanging up the phone, Hong Zhiyou went to the restroom to wash his face and sober up.

He had to change his way of thinking now.

In the past, Hong Zhiyou winning over Ruirui had an element of using her as a protective talisman.

But now it was different.

Ruirui was carrying his child.

He and Wu Jingzhong had become a real family.

In other words, helping Wu Jingzhong make money was actually making money for his future child.

The two of them were now completely in the same boat.

It didn't matter whose pocket the money fell into.

Or who was playing what tricks.

Whether it was more or less, it was all for the child.

Then, there was no need to hide the arms, Mu Liancheng, and the labeling business from Old Wu anymore.

Proactively revealing it in advance and Old Wu finding out on his own were completely different in nature.

Thinking of this, he wiped his face dry and walked toward the Station Chief's office.

Once inside, Wu Jingzhong was pacing with his hands behind his back.

"Yu Zecheng."

"Teacher, what's wrong?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"The Buddha Niche exchange plan, Deng Ming and I have already had preliminary discussions."

"Now the question is how to explain it to Director Mao."

"Buddha Niche was arranged by me personally."

"Back then, in order to investigate Zecheng... Liu Xiong secretly activated Buddha Niche behind my back."

"That's what led to the Red Ticket excavation exposure."

Wu Jingzhong said, quite troubled.

"Teacher, one word: muddle; two words: bluff," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Bluff?"

Wu Jingzhong's brow furrowed, and he pointed at the telephone:

"I just received news from Zheng Jiemin that the Chairman intends to reuse Mao Renfeng and promote him to Deputy Director of the Military Statistics Bureau."

"Boss Dai was the Deputy Director before he died."

"What does this mean?"

"Zheng Jiemin's seniority is too high; he's a veteran of both the Whampoa and intelligence systems."

"The old man is clearly afraid he'll become the second Dai Li."

"Hanging the title of Director is just to shut others up."

"The one who really handles things is Mao Renfeng!"

Speaking of this, he pinched his brow in distress: "You know, my relationship with the three Maos has always been bad."

"Mao Sen was offended last time."

"Mao Wanli is eyeing my position."

"Mao Renfeng is even more of a notorious smiling tiger, a master of making people's lives miserable."

"Now that he's in charge, and with Ma Kui in the middle, I'm afraid I won't have a good ending in the future."

"Teacher, I think you're overthinking it," Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Mao Renfeng is insidious and cunning, but he understands the rules of officialdom."

"He will definitely blame you for the Buddha Niche affair; that's to establish his authority."

"But at the same time, you are a Major General Station Chief; your seniority is there."

"Even if he's dissatisfied with you, he wouldn't dare do anything, would he?"

"On the contrary, his position isn't stable, so he'll have to find ways to win you over."

"Don't forget, you are the Director of the Anti-Corruption Committee trusted by Jianfeng; if he makes things difficult for you now, he's going against Jianfeng."

"Mao Renfeng isn't that stupid."

Hong Zhiyou said while cutting watermelon and washing fruit for him.

"Taking a step back."

"By the time he settles into his position, Jianfeng's wings will surely have grown."

"Zheng Jiemin, the nominal head, won't just sit by and watch him throw his weight around."

"So, for now and in the future, Teacher, you have nothing to worry about."

He handed the cut watermelon to Wu Jingzhong's side.

Wu Jingzhong ate two pieces; it was cool, crisp, and sweet, and the tension and gloom in his heart gradually dissipated.

He took the towel Hong Zhiyou handed him, wiped his mouth and hands, and smiled with relief:

"What you say makes sense."

"I'll call Director... no, Director Mao right now."

Wu Jingzhong quickly dialed Mao Renfeng's private line:

"Hello, Director Mao, this is Jingzhong."

"Congratulations on your promotion, Director Mao; please look after me in the future."

"Oh, you're too modest."

"My old classmate told me that Director Zheng is at the helm of the Military Statistics Station, and you are in charge of the military."

"Don't worry, Jingzhong will absolutely obey the Chairman's arrangements."

"Wherever you point, Director, Jingzhong will strike, without even blinking!"

After some flattery, Wu Jingzhong got to the point:

"Director Mao, it's like this."

"When Boss Dai was still here, he secretly sent one of our people to Yancheng, via Jinhai."

"His codename is Buddha Niche."

"Not long ago, Buddha Niche was exposed in Yancheng for unknown reasons."

"Now the Red Ticket side is proposing to exchange him for two Red Tickets I captured; I ask for your approval, Director."

Mao Renfeng's angry reprimand came from the other end:

"Wu Jingzhong, did you contact Buddha Niche privately, which led to his exposure?"

"Director, this is a huge injustice."

"I absolutely did not contact Buddha Niche privately."

"Could it be that the intelligence was leaked from headquarters, or was it his own fault?"

"The Red Ticket side is always very strict about checking CC, Sanqing, and so on."

"All of these are possibilities."

Wu Jingzhong immediately stood straight and explained with an innocent face.

After being scolded, he said again:

"Director, the person has already been exposed."

"This Buddha Niche is an old hand from the Qingpu Special Training Class and even participated in the Jinshanwei battle."

"Of the two Red Ticket people, one can't spit out any substance."

"The other has bitten off his tongue and can't dig out any value at all."

"Why don't we just exchange them."

Wu Jingzhong requested.

"Yes, agreed to the exchange!"

"Thank you, Director Mao!"

Hanging up the phone, Wu Jingzhong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead:

"The higher-ups have agreed."

"Of course, Mao Renfeng is just putting on airs; he still has to give Teacher some face," Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Sigh."

"Mao Renfeng is nothing; there's a more headache-inducing matter at hand," Wu Jingzhong said.

"What matter?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Mu Liancheng has run away!"

"It's said he slipped away when Boss Dai was in Jinhai."

"I was overwhelmed by Boss Dai at the time, dealing with the leprosy outbreak and busy with Boss Dai's funeral."

"One thing led to another, and I relaxed my vigilance."

"I actually let this old thing run away."

Wu Jingzhong was so angry he had a headache.

As he spoke, he leaned closer and whispered: "Zhiyou, I heard from the sailors at the warehouse that the old thief's crates took up more than half of the ship's cargo hold."

"You can imagine how many national treasures and fine items that must be."

"Sigh, a tragic loss of half of Jinmen's landscape."

"Oh, my great China, how tragic!"

Wu Jingzhong said, slapping the back of his hand in grief.

Hong Zhiyou answered frankly without a moment's hesitation:

"Teacher, you don't need to worry."

"Did you forget I have an old classmate in the Marine Corps?"

"He has people at the sailor's warehouse and has been keeping an eye on Mu Liancheng's warehouse."

"Last night, because of engine trouble and a storm in the direction of the Ghost Island, the ship had to temporarily divert to Xiangdao to dock."

"Do you remember Young Master Rong who saved Cao Qingming last time?" he asked with a faint smile.

"Hmm."

"The second young master of the Rong family, a true wealthy family in Xiangdao," Wu Jingzhong said.

"It docked at his family's shipyard."

"I have already secretly hinted to Young Master Rong that these crates of Mu Liancheng's are bad assets colluding with the Japanese invaders."

"The Anti-Traitor Committee must confiscate them."

"Young Master Rong, mindful of Teacher's kindness last time, agreed to help detain those crates."

"If all goes well, they should be on their way back to Jinhai by now."

Hong Zhiyou said with a beaming smile.

"Oh my, that's great!"

"Zhiyou."

"If this batch of items were to drift overseas, it would be a misfortune for the country, a misfortune for you and me."

"You've done a great deed that will benefit future generations!"

Wu Jingzhong squinted and squeezed his eyes in joy, slapping his thigh in praise.

"Teacher, the student doesn't seek to leave a name for eternity."

"I just feel that the ancestors' things should remain in the hands of those who cherish and protect them."

"Teacher's sincere love for antiques can move heaven and earth."

"This batch of items should be guarded by a virtuous person like you."

Hong Zhiyou flattered him with his head bowed as usual.

He knew that as his own wings grew stronger, Wu Jingzhong felt insecure.

Whether it was a son-in-law.

Or a capable general.

The more this was the case, the more he had to appear respectful.

The key point.

Whether the items fell into his hands or Old Wu's, in the end, they belonged to his child.

Since that was the case, why not do Old Wu a personal favor?

"Well said."

"Very well said."

"Heaven bless, let this batch of items return to Jinhai quickly."

"Every day it drifts outside, my heart is in a panic."

Wu Jingzhong said, both happy and anxious.

"Teacher, this time the Americans and the Rong family are involved, so we might have to give them a share."

"My meaning is, I've saved up quite a bit of family fortune following you over the past year."

"I'll pay them in US dollars."

"All the treasures will return to you, not a single one missing!"

Hong Zhiyou said respectfully.

"You, is your money enough?"

"Or should I take some from the station, or should I give you some?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Enough."

"If it's really not enough, Ruirui won't watch me starve to death," Hong Zhiyou smiled humorously.

"Good, good!" Wu Jingzhong nodded in appreciation.

He also knew Hong Zhiyou was one of his own.

But the thought of having to reach into his own pocket inevitably made his heart ache.

At his age, he couldn't bear that kind of pain.

Better let the young man bear the pain.

"By the way, Teacher, there's one more thing I want to report to you," Hong Zhiyou said.

"What thing?" Wu Jingzhong said.

"Mrs. Ji of Renji and Jack, the agent for Hennessy, are currently cooperating."

"They've tasted our wine."

"They think the taste is not inferior to imported French red wine at all."

"They want to sell it under their own label."

"The profit is about three times."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Three times?"

"These damn foreign devils, isn't it all brewed from grapes? Are their grapes made of gold? So precious."

While Wu Jingzhong sighed with emotion, he raised his eyebrows and asked in a deep voice:

"Then this business can be done."

"It can be done."

"I've discussed it with Ruirui; we'll pull a train car full this month and label them first."

"Teacher, you just wait to collect the dividends."

Hong Zhiyou said in a deep voice.

"Is there any risk?" Wu Jingzhong asked maturely.

"No."

"Even if there is a risk, it's within a controllable range."

"With the endorsement of Philson, the deputy commander of the Marine Corps, and with the Americans involved, what could happen?"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Hmm, the Americans are very arrogant now."

"You just be responsible for it; I just need to see the money, as long as it's more than what we earned cooperating with Mrs. Ji before," Wu Jingzhong nodded and said.

"Go, that son of the old warlord Wu Taixun, his family background is deep."

"Let Zecheng give him a good beating."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"Don't worry, Director Yu will definitely be able to squeeze something out!" Hong Zhiyou smiled.

Just walked out of the office.

Ran into Xiao Guohua.

"Secretary Hong, as you ordered, the matter of Mrs. Ji's family has been resolved."

"That couple, the man was tortured for several rounds and electrocuted."

"The woman had all her teeth pulled out."

"Even if they get out alive, they'll be half-crippled."

"The two are now locked in the Shuitun Prison, and there are people there continuing to 'serve' them."

Xiao Guohua said with great respect.

"Thank you, Old Xiao, I'll treat you to a meal another day," Hong Zhiyou said.

"What's there to be polite about, it's my duty," Xiao Guohua said.

Arriving at the office, Xiao Guohua handed over the file in his hand:

"Station Chief, found it."

"Mu Liancheng's ship is now in Xiangdao."

"What's very strange is that one of the owners of the shipyard where it docked is Long Er."

"This person is very close to Secretary Hong."

"I can't say Secretary Hong wasn't involved."

He handed over a document.

Then he pointed to the second one and said: "This is the past flow of Renji; Mrs. Ji has been very prominent in Jinhai these two months."

"The best-selling wine is Hennessy's Axe brand."

"Ji Qing is very close to Secretary Hong."

"Among them, there is also Jack, the person in charge of Hennessy in Jinhai."

"The source of the wine might be your Yuezhou winery brand."

"I suspect they are using your wine to sell under a fake label at a high price."

"Hmm, I know," Wu Jingzhong took the document, not surprised.

"I know you and Secretary Hong are very close."

"But work is work, and friendship is friendship; you have to distinguish clearly."

He looked coldly at Xiao Guohua.

"Understood, Station Chief."

"Loyalty to superiors is the subordinate's duty," Xiao Guohua said righteously.

"Hmm, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know."

"Let it end here."

Wu Jingzhong ordered righteously.

"Understood," Xiao Guohua retreated respectfully.

"Zhiyou is still a man of conscience."

"It wasn't in vain that Ruirui got pregnant with the Hong family's seed!"

A faint smile appeared on the corner of Wu Jingzhong's mouth; he took out his lighter, lit the document, and placed it in a porcelain basin.

Mu Liancheng disappeared.

He immediately started an investigation.

Including Ji Qing, who was cooperating with him, mastering the opponent's sales situation, and ensuring everything was under his control.

Even, he knew some inside information about Hong Zhiyou secretly selling arms to the Red Tickets with the Americans.

These had already been investigated thoroughly during Liu Xiong's time.

Wu Jingzhong had once thought about using some methods on Hong Zhiyou to straighten out the kid's crooked ways.

However, it was different now.

Ruirui had this guy's child.

He was about to become a grandfather.

Wu Jingzhong stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and looked at the peace doves flying outside.

He suddenly felt a bit dazed.

He didn't know who was making money for whom.

Hong Zhiyou was making it for him.

He was making it for his grandson.

It seemed that after all the making, it all ended up in the pocket of the one surnamed Hong.

Sigh!

He shook his head and sighed softly.

Thinking that he was about to become a grandfather, and it was the seed of a little fox, he felt a bit comforted.

His father's worldly wisdom, his mother's cleverness.

His own network of relationships.

And enough capital to buy a county.

This child's future wouldn't be bad.

Jinhai Racecourse Road.

Wang De's brothers and Kou Zhengguo were drinking and toasting.

"Brother-in-law, the price of flour has doubled again this month."

"As long as the Civil Affairs Bureau keeps the flour warehouse tight, in my opinion, it will rise another two times in a while."

Wang De's younger brother Wang Bin smiled.

"Brother-in-law, this is the dividend from the factory last month."

Wang Bin said, taking out several envelopes of silver dollars and pushing them over.

Kou Zhengguo was serious and naturally put them into his briefcase.

"Recently, Jianfeng wants to fight corruption, especially in the economic sector; it's like that in Beiping."

"Our person in charge in Jinhai is Wu Jingzhong."

"That's Jianfeng's old classmate; you must be low-key in your actions."

"In my opinion, we should release a batch of goods this week."

"Otherwise, it won't be easy to explain to the higher-ups."

Kou Zhengguo reminded coldly.

"Release what goods."

"These cheap bastards won't starve to death."

"Only when they are hungry and there is panic in the city will the wealthy families be willing to reach into their pockets."

Wang De bit on a cigarette and said disdainfully.

"Money can never be earned enough."

"If you don't give up a little, how can you gain a lot? Listen to me, release a batch of affordable flour tomorrow morning."

"Stabilize the people's livelihood in Jinhai first."

Kou Zhengguo ordered.

"Understood, brother-in-law," Wang Bin nodded and said.

"Understood what."

"Don't forget Prince Wu's share," Wang De said, biting his cigarette sideways, proudly.

As the former personal bodyguard of the warlord's young master.

Don't look at his brother-in-law as the Director of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

In his eyes, he's nothing.

His Prince Wu is Dai Li's sworn brother.

Even if Dai Li is gone, relying on the identity of the old Viceroy's son, who dares not give face in the Pingjin area?

"Brother, don't worry."

"Whoever is missing, Prince Wu's share won't be missing."

"Without him, could this batch of flour from North America pass through the Waterway Inspection Bureau smoothly?"

Wang Bin smiled.

"Good to know."

"Leaving, heard that the little secretary's girlfriend in Jinhai has been discharged from the hospital."

"Prince Wu has taken a fancy to her."

"He's taking her for coffee tonight; I have to go find that woman."

"Leaving."

Wang De extinguished his cigarette and stood up.

"A-De, sit down."

"So impatient!"

Kou Zhengguo glared at him and scolded, then said:

"Dai Li is dead, and now all his past networks are facing a purge."

"You don't hurry to stay away from Wu Taixun at this time."

"What are you going to join the fun for?"

"That woman has a relationship with Secretary Hong."

"Back then, he dared to use methods to go head-to-head with Boss Dai for the sake of a beauty."

"You're provoking him now, isn't that asking for trouble?"

"Yes, brother, if it really doesn't work, just make a few excuses, say that woman's body hasn't recovered yet," Wang Bin also advised.

"You two don't know."

"That little girl has a nice voice, a round body, a rare little beauty."

"Prince Wu has a rule."

"When he's tired of playing, we subordinates also get a share."

"Enough talk, eating the king's salary, worrying about the king's worries."

"I'm leaving first!"

Wang De thought of Wanqiu's graceful figure, and his heart couldn't help but feel a surge of heat.

"Sigh."

Kou Zhengguo shook his head.

"If this continues, sooner or later there will be..."

Before the word "trouble" could be spoken, bang, the door was kicked open, and dozens of strong men in gray Zhongshan suits rushed in with fierce expressions.

(End of chapter)