Chapter 138: Opening the Banquet, Opening the Banquet

Jinhai.

Xu Zhiwu sat in a military vehicle, smoking a cigar.

He saw several small sedans driving over.

He shook the military coat draped over his shoulders and squinted as he stepped forward:

"Stop them."

He walked straight up to the front of Jiang Dongliang's car:

"What's this for?"

"I am Director Dai's adjutant; please let us pass immediately." Jiang Dongliang did not get out of the car, but displayed his credentials.

"I don't care who you are.

"Army Commander Mou has issued an order: city defense exercises are underway. If you want to leave the city, try another day."

Xu Zhiwu took the credentials and tossed them back into the car.

"I have an urgent mission!"

Jiang Dongliang shouted.

"You have a mission? If the Red Ticket comes, are you going to fight it, or am I?" Xu Zhiwu sneered.

"These are Director Dai's written orders and documents. Please let us pass immediately."

Jiang Dongliang had no choice; he got out of the car to explain.

"I don't know anything about any written orders.

"I only recognize the Chairman, the Ministry of National Defense, Commander Chen, and Army Commander Mou.

"If you want to leave the city, go find Army Commander Mou or Commander Chen.

"Damn it all."

Xu Zhiwu spat a thick glob of phlegm at the car and walked away with a limp, not even bothering to pay him any mind.

"Hey!

"What is wrong with you? I..."

Jiang Dongliang's face darkened, and he was about to chase after him to argue.

*Swish, swish!

The soldiers raised their guns in unison.

"Damn it!

"Even Director Dai's word doesn't work here? I'm afraid there's something fishy in Pingjin."

Jiang Dongliang followed Dai Li, and everywhere they went, he was used to being awe-inspiring; for a moment, he was so angry he nearly ground his teeth to dust.

"Adjutant Jiang.

"The 94th Army has always been notoriously wild.

"It's useless for you to waste time here. You might as well go back to the station, have a good meal and a drink, and wait until the exercises are over. It won't be too late then.

"I am a human being.

"I'm not a god like Director Dai; do you expect me to grow wings and fly?"

Wu Jingzhong sat in the back seat with his arms crossed, watching the show with a smile.

"No.

"Director Dai has given orders..."

Jiang Dongliang still wanted to use official jargon, but Wu Jingzhong cut him off directly:

"Then you can just wait here slowly."

Time ticked away, minute by minute.

Jiang Dongliang and the others were starving.

In the meantime, they had people call Chen Zhangjie and the garrison, trying to pass through this Tiger Cage Pass.

But every side just pushed the responsibility onto the others.

They dragged it out until two o'clock in the afternoon.

Xu Zhiwu still had no intention of opening the gate.

"Everyone, we're going to the Bai Mansion; we shouldn't miss this meal.

"Don't wait here to death.

"Do you know how many days Chen Zhangjie and his men are sealing the city?

"Wait if you want to, but my blood sugar is low, so I'm leaving first."

Wu Jingzhong shifted his backside toward the car window, ready to get out.

"Adjutant Jiang, why don't we just go back to the station first?

"The brothers haven't even had a drop of water.

"Just wasting time here isn't the way to do things."

A guard on the side tried to smooth things over.

"Fine, let's head back to the Jinhai Station."

Jiang Dongliang couldn't hold out any longer and gave a gesture.

The motorcade turned around and headed straight for the Jinhai Station.

Inside the station.

Lu Qiaoshan was holding a full station meeting.

In truth, there was nothing of substance.

He just wanted to sit in the station chief's chair and get a feel for it in advance.

"Old Luo, your food expenses have been a bit high lately. The station's budget is tight; you need to cut them down.

"And Section Chief Hou, what is going on with your Telecommunications Division lately?

"The intercepted telegrams—it's been a week and you still haven't decoded them.

"Three days at most. If you can't decode them by then, you can go guard the gate at the post office for me."

Lu Qiaoshan lifted his chin and began to throw his weight around.

"Yes, Division Chief Lu." Hou Yunlai replied with his head bowed.

"Hmm?" Lu Qiaoshan's brow furrowed, and he glared at him fiercely.

"Yes, Acting Station Chief Lu." Hou Yunlai curled his lip and changed his address with displeasure.

"Secretary Hong.

"Record it in the meeting minutes: give him three days." Lu Qiaoshan turned his head to instruct Hong Zhiyou.

"Yes.

"Acting Station Chief Lu." Hong Zhiyou said in a clear voice.

Lu Qiaoshan nodded with satisfaction, his gaze falling on Yu Zecheng.

"Acting Station Chief Lu, rest assured. Today's meeting contents will be filed without fail." Yu Zecheng, very tactful, answered proactively.

"Captain Ma.

"How is the progress on your end?

"The military mediation is almost over. If we don't catch them all in one net now, I'm afraid we won't be able to catch a single fish later."

Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"Almost." Ma Kui snorted coldly, displeased.

"What kind of attitude is that?

"I'm telling you all, from now on, pull yourselves together.

"In the future, everything in this station must have a set of rules.

"As for the assigned tasks, whoever fails to complete them..."

Lu Qiaoshan was just about to make an example of Ma Kui when there was a commotion outside.

"Division Chief Lu, the station chief is back." Someone shouted.

"The, the station chief? Wasn't he sent under escort to Shancheng..."

Lu Qiaoshan went numb instantly.

His seat wasn't even warm yet; how could he be back?

The next second, everyone stood up and scattered in a flurry.

"Little Hong, Old Yu..."

Lu Qiaoshan raised his hand, feeling very unsettled, and was about to call out.

Hong Zhiyou said: "Old Lu, hurry up and go.

"In case the station chief is reinstated, he'll still be counting on you to shoulder the responsibilities of two divisions and the Seventh Section."

"Yes, yes."

Lu Qiaoshan gave an awkward laugh and stood up from the chair, reluctant.

He touched the conference table with lingering attachment, sighed softly, and followed closely behind.

Everyone arrived at the lobby.

They saw Jiang Dongliang following behind Wu Jingzhong with a gloomy face, no longer possessing the arrogant air he had when he was arresting people.

"Adjutant Jiang, this is..." Ma Kui stepped forward and asked.

Jiang Dongliang said coldly:

"The Jinhai labor strike and the military exercises have blocked the roads."

"I haven't heard anything about any exercises?" Ma Kui frowned.

"It's nothing.

"Exercises can't last a lifetime.

"If we don't leave today, we'll leave tomorrow; if not tomorrow, then the day after.

"Station Chief, wouldn't you agree?"

As Ma Kui said this, he looked at Wu Jingzhong with a cold sneer.

At this point, both sides had practically torn off their masks and no longer wanted to pretend.

"Indeed.

"How many lifetimes does a person have? All living beings are but mortals."

Wu Jingzhong smiled, not expecting Ma Kui to understand, and turned to give orders:

"Old Luo, take Adjutant Jiang and his men to the canteen for a meal. Use the highest standard of hospitality."

"Thanks."

Jiang Dongliang and his group were so hungry they were famished, and they left in a hurry.

"Everyone, get out."

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand in annoyance.

Ma Kui and Lu Qiaoshan left quite tactfully.

"Zhiyou, quick, get me something to eat." Wu Jingzhong could no longer hold on, calling out, dizzy and faint.

"Station Chief.

"I've already prepared it for you; it was made by your wife herself."

Hong Zhiyou took out an exquisite wooden food tray.

Inside was a bowl of stewed lamb offal, red-braised pork, and a plate of greens.

And a bowl of white rice.

Wu Jingzhong was starving and didn't care about his table manners, picking up the bowl and wolfing it down.

"Teacher, slow down, don't choke."

Yu Zecheng poured him some warm tea.

"You two are the only ones who are truly thoughtful.

"Zhiyou, is there any news from Qingdao?"

After finishing his meal, Wu Jingzhong wiped his face with a hot towel, his voice returning to a resonant, vigorous tone.

The time was now three in the afternoon.

Logically speaking, there should be some definitive word by now if the plane had been blown up.

"Teacher, the weather in the Su-Wan region is bad.

"Station Chief Liang just called to inform us that the plane has lost contact with the control tower.

"No one knows if it was blown up or not."

Yu Zecheng replied in a low voice.

"Sigh.

"Heaven just loves to torture people."

Wu Jingzhong frowned and asked again:

"What about Liu Yuzhu?"

Hong Zhiyou brought over a washed fruit platter: "Liu Yuzhu boarded the plane. What is certain is that she and the people from air traffic control had been on the plane before takeoff.

"That bunch from the Iron and Blood Youth Corps only answers to Jianfeng.

"It's impossible to get a word out of them."

"Sigh, it's worrying. If Dai Li doesn't die, all our hard work will have been for nothing."

Wu Jingzhong sighed in distress, stood up, and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.

"Teacher, should we ask Jianfeng?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"Don't be foolish.

"This matter is a landmine right now.

"The Juntong Bureau is a massive organization, and Dai Li has many die-hard loyalists under him.

"If handled poorly, something will go wrong.

"Given the Chairman's temperament, he will certainly put on a show of investigating, then find a scapegoat to take the blame to appease the public.

"Calling Jianfeng at a time like this.

"Wouldn't that be putting him on the fire to roast?

"Don't forget, he hasn't ascended the throne as Crown Prince yet."

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand, dismissing the thought.

Hong Zhiyou naturally knew this.

One cannot be too smart, especially in front of one's superior.

One must learn to play dumb like Old Yu, acting enlightened from time to time.

Especially when Wu Jingzhong was feeling lost or losing power, such thoughtful "stupidity" was even more necessary.

"Teacher is wise; it was this student who was shortsighted.

"It's no wonder you oversee the big picture; we are all at ease."

Hong Zhiyou flattered him.

"Wait patiently." Wu Jingzhong smiled with satisfaction.

Soon.

The phones in every office began to ring.

Ma Kui, Lu Qiaoshan.

Jiang Dongliang.

They all received the intelligence at the same time:

Boss Dai's plane had gone missing.

"Zhiyou, go call everyone to the conference room; let's wait for news of Boss Dai together." Wu Jingzhong clapped his hands and stood up.

Conference room.

Wu Jingzhong sat at the head of the table.

Hong Zhiyou carried a thermos and poured tea for all the bigwigs.

"Everyone, I presume you have already heard.

"Boss Dai's plane, which departed from Qingdao, has temporarily lost contact with the ground due to weather conditions.

"The plane departed at twelve noon.

"It is now three o'clock."

Wu Jingzhong clasped his hands on the table and looked at everyone solemnly.

"How could a perfectly fine plane just go missing?" Ma Kui was extremely frustrated.

He had been waiting for Boss Dai to deal with Wu Jingzhong so he could remove the thorn in his side and become the Deputy Station Chief.

"Could it have been hijacked?

"The Red Faction is quite active over in Qingdao.

"He Siyuan and Liang Ruojie were even criticized by the Ministry of National Defense over this matter."

Lu Qiaoshan said in a low voice.

He wanted the Station Chief dead, but he wanted Dai Li dead even more; at least that way he could secure the position of Deputy Station Chief.

"Hijacked!

"Missing!

"Sigh, I'll go light some incense later and ask Heaven."

Wu Jingzhong sighed.

"Everyone, just wait.

"If it's any later, we should have news by dinner time."

He waved his hand, and Hong Zhiyou and the staff from the General Affairs Office brought out fruit platters and pastries.

Eight o'clock in the evening.

Just as everyone's backsides were aching from sitting.

The phone finally rang.

"Hello, it's me.

"Station Chief, it's Director Mao."

Hong Zhiyou answered and handed the receiver to Wu Jingzhong.

Heaven bless, may Boss Dai ascend to heaven.

Wu Jingzhong prayed secretly, stepped forward quickly, and picked up the phone:

"Director Mao, this is Wu Jingzhong.

"What?

"Are, are you sure?

"Then, that means it is true.

"Very well, Director Mao, I await your news."

Hanging up the phone, Wu Jingzhong looked as if he had lost his parents; he turned around with difficulty, his eyes already brimming with tears as he looked at the crowd.

The crowd sensed something was wrong and stood up in unison.

In the silent and solemn atmosphere, Wu Jingzhong choked back a sob and said:

"Everyone, I have just received news from Director Mao.

"Boss Dai's plane has crashed at Mount Dai near Jingling!

"The Jingling Station and Tang Enbo's army have already rushed to the vicinity of Mount Dai to search.

"The situation is not optimistic."

"Director Dai!"

Everyone present could not help but sob.

"Alright, everyone.

"Bury your grief in your hearts and continue to work hard."

Wu Jingzhong took a breath, wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and said sorrowfully.

"Adjutant Jiang!

"Come to my office for a moment."

After saying this, he turned and left the conference room.

Dai Li was dead.

Jiang Dongliang's field.

Jiang Dongliang walked into the office with a heart as cold as ash.

"Where is Boss Dai's written order?

"Take it out!"

Wu Jingzhong sat upright and said majestically.

"What do you want to do?" Jiang Dongliang asked arrogantly.

"Give it to me."

Wu Jingzhong reached out his hand and said.

"Do you think that just because Boss Dai is dead, I wouldn't dare to arrest you?

"Don't forget, I also hold the position of Councilor in the Headquarters Inspection Office; I still have the authority to arrest you."

Jiang Dongliang said coldly.

"Arrest me? Who do you think you are?

"I now seriously suspect that Boss Dai's plane crash has a great deal to do with you."

Wu Jingzhong's face hardened; he slapped the table and pointed at him, shouting.

"Wu Jingzhong, stop your unreasonable entanglement.

"Jinhai is the territory of the Party and State, not yours."

Jiang Dongliang's arrogance remained, and he slapped the table to argue back.

"Unreasonable entanglement?

"Heh."

Wu Jingzhong gave a cold, sinister laugh, stood up, leaned on the desk, and stared fixedly into Jiang Dongliang's eyes:

"You don't admit it has anything to do with you?

"But the Generalissimo, the Ministry of National Defense, and Mao Renfeng do not think so.

"Someone must be held accountable for Boss Dai's death.

"So many people were on that plane; why is it that you, the adjutant, strangely returned to Jinhai and escaped the disaster?

"And you even used the excuse of investigating my anti-traitor work?"

When Wu Jingzhong said this, he pointed at him and shouted coldly:

"What are you trying to do?

"My anti-traitor work was commended by the headquarters back then.

"On this point alone, your argument doesn't hold water."

"I, I..."

Jiang Dongliang was overwhelmed by his imposing manner and for a moment did not know how to respond.

"You must have participated in or known in advance about the plot to frame Boss Dai, or you knew the plane had been tampered with, which is why you took a feather for an arrow and ran to Jinhai to avoid the limelight.

"Confess honestly, who exactly instructed you to murder Boss Dai."

Wu Jingzhong threatened.

"Station Chief Wu, I never touched the plane, and I didn't know Boss Dai's plane would crash.

"You, you shouldn't make false accusations."

Jiang Dongliang's psychological defense broke, and he panicked.

"False accusations?

"I now suspect you deliberately forged Director Dai's written order, complying in public while opposing in private!

"Speak, is it or is it not!"

When Wu Jingzhong said this, he slammed the desk heavily.

Jiang Dongliang trembled all over and nearly fell:

"Station Chief Wu, you mustn't speak nonsense.

"The documents and the written order were all issued by Boss Dai personally.

"If you don't believe me, you can ask Division Chief Gong."

Wu Jingzhong sneered:

"Division Chief Gong? Is he currently having tea with the King of Hell alongside Boss Dai?

"Do you actually have this written order or not?"

While staring him down, Wu Jingzhong took out a stack of US dollars and slammed it onto his chest.

"I, I..." Jiang Dongliang was stunned by this sudden move.

"I'll ask you one more time, do you have it or not?

"Think carefully before you answer."

Wu Jingzhong took out another stack of US dollars and threw it on the desk.

"No, I don't!"

Jiang Dongliang completely collapsed, gritted his teeth, and shouted it out.

He knew very well that with Dai Li and Gong Xianfang dead, this written order was already void, and he could not explain it clearly at all.

Wu Jingzhong had every reason to bite back and accuse him of acting on a fake order.

"What did you come back for?"

Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I, I came back..." Jiang Dongliang was so dizzy and disoriented he could no longer speak.

"Wu Taixun gave a treasure to Director Dai.

"Dai Li forgot to take it when he left.

"You came back to retrieve the treasure for him."

Wu Jingzhong raised his chin and reminded him with a sneer.

"Yes.

"I was ordered by Director Dai to come back and retrieve the treasure, it's just that Wu Taixun..." Jiang Dongliang wiped his sweat and nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

"Wu Taixun will admit it."

Wu Jingzhong sneered, dialed a number, and handed the receiver directly to him.

From the other end came Wu Taixun's panicked and uneasy voice:

"Hello, who is this?"

"This is Jiang Dongliang; this morning I was ordered by Director Dai to return to Jinhai to your residence to retrieve the treasure.

"Mr. Wu should remember, right?

"Good that you remember.

"Have the treasure ready; someone will come to investigate later.

"This thing is what will save your life."

Snap!

He hung up the phone with an air of official authority, turned his head, wiped away cold sweat, and said:

"Station Chief Wu, it's done."

"Very good."

"When the headquarters inspection office investigates you later, just say it exactly like this."

"What they need is a big fish."

"You aren't qualified enough."

"Take this money; if you don't feel settled staying here, you can find Secretary Hong to arrange for you to go to Xiangdao."

Wu Jingzhong patted his shoulder, his smile gentle.

"Thank you, Station Chief Wu, I, I will see how the situation develops first," Jiang Dongliang said gratefully.

As he spoke, he bowed his head and bent his waist like a pug to pick up the US dollars on the floor.

"Go down and rest; later, you will come with me to Shancheng."

A flash of appreciation crossed Wu Jingzhong's eyes.

In this day and age, self-esteem is cheap.

Those who understand the times are the heroes.

Jiang Dongliang had just walked out of the office.

Lu Qiaoshan and Ma Kui, harboring ulterior motives, had long been waiting outside the door.

"Adjutant Jiang, so, how are you handling it?"

Lu Qiaoshan pointed at the station chief's office and asked in a low voice.

"Handling what?" Jiang Dongliang asked, frowning.

"The matter of you arresting Wu Jingzhong for the headquarters' investigation into traitors."

"What, Boss Dai's plane crashed."

"Are you just going to ignore it?"

"You must fulfill his dying wish, bring him to justice, and send him to Jingling for interrogation to comfort the spirit of Boss Dai in heaven."

Ma Kui was anxious and pulled him aside to persuade him.

"Bring him to justice?"

"Did you two get it wrong?"

"I came to Jinhai specifically to visit Station Chief Wu and ask him to be a witness to retrieve Boss Dai's things from Wu Taixun's house."

"When did I ever say I was going to arrest Station Chief Wu?"

Jiang Dongliang sneered as he looked at him.

Once Lu Qiaoshan heard this, he knew there was no hope.

"But you clearly said you were taking him in for investigation at the time," Ma Kui persisted stubbornly.

"Taking someone in, investigating."

"Do you have Boss Dai's documents or warrants?"

"Do you have them, or do I?"

"Ma Kui, the matter of you secretly trafficking tickets and being the important underground figure Emeifeng is still sitting on Boss Dai's desk."

"Clean up your own mess before you talk."

Jiang Dongliang pointed at him and walked away dismissively.

"What is going on?"

"Damn it... how did it get dragged back to me again?"

Ma Kui wanted to chase after him, but Lu Qiaoshan grabbed him:

"Alright, Old Ma."

"With Boss Dai dead, everything is over; you should look out for yourself."

After saying this, he turned and walked away, feeling depressed.

Ma Kui sneered behind his back:

"Look out for myself? Won't you, this acting station chief, also be unable to keep your position?"

Lu Qiaoshan was furious when he heard this and turned back:

"I may not be able to be the station chief."

"But at least I can still be the deputy station chief."

"What about you?"

"Don't forget, with Boss Dai dead, it's most likely Director Zheng will take power."

"There is no place for you in the Jinhai station anymore."

"If I were you, while Mao Renfeng still has a breath left, I'd get the hell out."

After scolding him, Lu Qiaoshan left on his own.

Ma Kui was absolutely furious.

He returned to his office and dialed Mao Renfeng's private line.

After calling many times, the call finally went through:

"Director Mao, Jiang Dongliang has defected."

"Now Wu Jingzhong and Yu Zecheng are teaming up against me; I can't hold on much longer."

"Yes, yes."

"Stop the investigation?"

"Why?"

"Alright... alright."

"Understood, goodbye Director Mao."

Hanging up the phone, Ma Kui tilted his head, frowned, and gritted his teeth.

Dai Li is dead.

Director Mao has lost his backer.

Zheng Jiemin and Jianfeng are both old classmates of Wu Jingzhong.

If he keeps investigating, Director Mao is worried it will invite trouble.

Sigh.

Truly, heaven does not follow human desires.

I don't believe it.

If I can find evidence of Wu Jingzhong and Yu Zecheng trafficking tickets, the Ministry of National Defense and the Chairman cannot sit idly by.

Investigate!

Even if I have nothing left, I must continue to investigate!

Ma Kui gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

Hong Zhiyou sent Jiang Dongliang away and walked quickly to the office:

"Teacher, is it settled?"

Wu Jingzhong stood with his hands behind his back, regaining his air of pointing out the direction of the country: "Yes, letting Jiang Dongliang do that was just a precaution."

"The old man will definitely make a big deal out of Dai Li's affair."

"In my opinion, the ones who will be unlucky are only Li Zongren and Ma Hansan."

"These two have been very close lately."

"Dai Li's death involves Kawashima Yoshiko; Ma Hansan and Liu Yuzhu cannot clear their names."

"It just depends on how long Li Zongren can hold out for him."

"Of course, this is also what the Chairman wants to see; having Li Zongren attract the hatred of the entire Military Statistics Bureau, isn't that exactly what he wishes for?"

"Teacher is truly insightful, hitting the nail on the head," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Politics is also about human affairs."

"Once you figure out the underlying interests, it's as simple as a child eating candy."

After Wu Jingzhong finished speaking, he changed the subject and looked at him with complex eyes:

"Your little girlfriend, it's time to get her out, isn't it?"

"I won't hide it from you, Teacher."

"She and Yang Wenquan got out last night; the two of them were almost killed by Boss Dai," Hong Zhiyou answered truthfully.

"You, you, an act of anger for the sake of a beauty; you can be considered a man of emotion and loyalty!"

"Get her illness treated first."

"Matters of the heart are ultimately secondary."

"With Boss Dai gone, who knows how many troublesome things there will be."

Wu Jingzhong said in a soft tone.

"Understood, thank you for your concern, Teacher," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"It's not concern."

"Only after walking through the gates of hell does a person know the preciousness of life."

"It's not easy for anyone."

Wu Jingzhong stood with his hands behind his back, saying this with deep emotion.

"Wash an apple for me."

"Mao Renfeng might send me to Shancheng to preside over the funeral for Boss Dai."

"I still have matters weighing on me."

"I must first seek a protective talisman; I hope everything will be safe and sound."

Wu Jingzhong laughed and sighed, then dialed the number for Jianfeng:

"Comrade Jianfeng, this is Wu Jingzhong."

"Director Mao wants me to leave Tianjin for Shancheng to preside over the funeral for Director Dai. What do you think..."

"Very well, I understand."

"Thank you."

Hanging up the phone, Wu Jingzhong let out a long breath, his face beaming with joy as he said:

"Jianfeng said I can go."

"He and Zheng Jiemin will provide me with protection."

"That is wonderful."

"With this, I can finally set my mind at ease."

Hong Zhiyou was overjoyed.

The following afternoon.

Wu Jingzhong indeed received a call from Mao Renfeng, ordering him to rush to Shancheng immediately to preside over the funeral for Dai Li.

Hong Zhiyou and his group saw him off to the station entrance.

"Qiaoshan, the work at the station is now handed over to you."

"While I am away, you must lead the overall situation and work hard."

"When I see General Zheng later, I will have some face to show for it."

Wu Jingzhong smiled and patted Lu Qiao on the shoulder, showing that he valued him highly.

There was no help for it; new emperors bring new courtiers.

Once Zheng Jiemin took charge, Lu Qiao would naturally rise with the tide.

One still had to win him over.

He got into the car.

Everyone watched him depart.

Ma Kui's face darkened, and he prepared to leave.

Lu Qiao grabbed him: "Captain Ma, where are you going?"

"Back to the office to work, so that certain people don't stir up trouble again." Ma Kui shook him off with a look of annoyance.

"You're in such a hurry now."

"Is there something you've forgotten?" Lu Qiao reminded him with a smile.

"What thing?" Ma Kui asked.

"If I recall correctly, you seem to owe Director Yu and Secretary Hong a meal."

"I remember now, a grand feast of halal food at Tongfahao."

Lu Qiao said loudly, as if suddenly realizing.

"Did I ever say that?" Ma Kui touched his empty trouser pockets, turned his face away, and began to act boorishly and play dumb.

"You did."

"You said that once the Station Chief went to Shancheng, you would treat everyone to a grand banquet."

"Now that the Station Chief has gone to attend Boss Dai's funeral banquet, shouldn't we be attending yours?"

Lu Qiao said with a malicious, mocking smile.

"Can you even speak like a human being?"

"Whose funeral banquet are you attending?"

Ma Kui's jaw tightened, and he was about to strike.

"Captain Ma, don't be impulsive."

"This is the Acting Station Chief Lu."

"Do you still want your salary for this month?"

Hong Zhiyou hurriedly stopped him.

"Just you wait."

"We shall see."

Ma Kui straightened his cap and left in a rage.

"Captain Ma has such a short temper; he can't take a joke."

"You two, it seems you won't be getting that meal today; I'll treat you another day."

Lu Qiao gave a sinister, soft smile, shook his head, and walked inside.

"Zhiyou."

"I went to see Jiang Aimei today; she is recovering well. Aside from the fact that she will never be able to speak again, there are no other major problems," Yu Zecheng said.

"So?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I want to ask for your help; please lend me a hand," Yu Zecheng said.

"Money," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Mr. Yong gave me an antique last time."

"I will have Long Er appraise it tomorrow; no matter how much it is worth, it is all yours."

Yu Zecheng gritted his teeth and handed over the last valuable item in his home.

"Hmm."

"Mr. Yong's treasures are naturally good things."

"Fine, I agree to this matter."

Hong Zhiyou readily agreed; this deal was definitely a huge profit.

The only person who could save Jiang Aimei was Yu Zecheng.

Hong Zhiyou was helping at zero cost.

The only difficulty was whether the Station Chief still kept the intelligence Liu Xiong had gathered on Yu Zecheng through the Buddhist shrine.

He had the key to the Station Chief's office.

But he absolutely must not open the Station Chief's drawer.

Given Wu Jingzhong's craftiness, who knew what tricks might be in that drawer.

If he opened it rashly and was discovered, he would only chill old Wu's heart.

Besides the intelligence.

How to make both Yu Zecheng and Ma Kui see it in a logical way was also a problem.

However, he already had a rough plan.

Returning to the office.

Hong Zhiyou first went to the Security Section.

He chatted idly with Xiao Guohua.

When the acne-covered Fang Xiaomin walked in, he deliberately said in a low voice:

"Old Xiao, I'm taking these documents."

Just that one sentence.

The voice was so low that Fang Xiaomin could not hear it clearly.

He casually slipped a few silver dollars into Xiao Guohua's pocket.

"Hey, these are just copies of files that old Liu transcribed."

"He was meticulous about everything he did."

"Now that he is gone, these are of no use anyway."

"Just take them; why pay money?"

Xiao Guohua offered some polite resistance.

All of this fell into Fang Xiaomin's eyes. After work, seeing Hong Zhiyou leave, he quickly got up and went to find Sun Xing.

(End of chapter)