Chapter 142: Tell Your Secretary to Shut Up

"Thanks, Acting Station Chief Lu." Yu Zecheng took it and said with a grateful smile.

"Don't be so formal."

Lu Qiaoshan lifted his backside and sat on the sofa, sighing with a warm smile:

"Oh my.

"With Boss Dai gone, the Military Statistics Bureau is bound to change hands, isn't it?"

Yu Zecheng opened the letter while saying: "Indeed. Boss Dai cultivated the Military Statistics Bureau for many years.

"A new Son of Heaven brings new courtiers; the Generalissimo will certainly purge a batch.

"If things go poorly and the Military Statistics Bureau is dissolved, you and I might get fired and, just as the Station Chief said, go home to hold our babies."

"Going home to hold babies won't be necessary.

"The Military Statistics Bureau might have a hard time controlling the 94th Army or Tang Enbo, but it is absolutely a sharp sword against Li Zongren, Bai Chongxi, and their ilk; the Old Man won't let it go.

"I'll make a bet with you all on the upcoming personnel arrangements: Zheng Jiemin will be appointed Director, and Tang Zong will be Deputy Director.

"Mao Renfeng, this Chief, will likely be sidelined."

Lu Qiaoshan chuckled softly.

"Isn't Li Shizhen trying to kick the Military Statistics Bureau out of the police system?

"I think the Police Bureau might become independent, and it will likely be under Tang Zong's responsibility.

"In that case, the Military Statistics Bureau might end up dominated by Director Zheng's faction.

"Old Lu, your position as Deputy Station Chief is secure."

Yu Zecheng flattered him.

"Brother, you are thinking too simply."

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head with a smile and continued:

"I have internal news that Jianfeng is going to vigorously rectify corruption.

"The Chairman has already nodded in agreement; this is a clear move to support him.

"I estimate the intensity won't be small; he will definitely create a stir to establish Jianfeng's authority."

"Rectifying corruption, huh? They wouldn't start with our Jinhai, would they?" Hong Zhiyou feigned great interest to keep the conversation going.

"It's said the first blade will strike the fattest target: Shanghai.

"This is a massive project that requires many hands and trusted aides.

"Most of Jianfeng's Iron and Blood Youth Corps lack seniority, so I estimate he will send the Station Chief to Shanghai to take up a post.

"Don't forget, Shanghai and Hangzhou have always been the base of Dai Li and Mao Renfeng.

"Not even a needle can be inserted, and not even a drop of water can leak in."

"Mao Sen has been too comfortable there all these years; now he will certainly have to move."

Lu Qiaoshan added.

"You mean the Station Chief position will change hands?

"Wouldn't that be you, brother?" Yu Zecheng asked with feigned surprise and flattery.

"No, no.

"According to the rules, a Station Chief must be at least a Colonel, and for places like Jinhai or Shanghai, usually a Major General.

"My rank is right here."

Lu Qiaoshan waved his hand with a smile.

"Acting Station Chief Lu..."

Seeing that Yu Zecheng was about to speak, Hong Zhiyou quickly said:

"You two keep talking; I'll go to the General Affairs Office and pick out a few boxes of tea for you. People from Diannan sent them to the Station Chief.

"He can't finish them, and they're just gathering dust in the warehouse.

"I'll go divide them up for you two."

"Good, good." Lu Qiaoshan nodded happily.

Hong Zhiyou just didn't want to hear about these messy affairs.

According to history, Jianfeng hit a wall while fighting corruption in Shanghai; he couldn't touch big financial cliques like the Kong family at all and eventually had to leave Shanghai in anger.

Cutting off someone's wealth is like killing their parents.

Smashing someone's golden rice bowl is a life-or-death matter.

Jianfeng has a diamond-hard body and is immune to all poisons.

Can the Station Chief do it?

Never mind people like Du Yuesheng; even back then, he didn't want to get involved with Zhang Si of the Boatmen's Gang.

Plus, he has high blood pressure and prostatitis.

With the Station Chief's shrewdness, he wouldn't accompany Jianfeng to Shanghai.

As for Lu Qiaoshan, never mind being Station Chief; once his nemesis Li Ya arrives, even as Deputy Station Chief, he'll only be able to stare helplessly.

Of course.

There was another reason: he knew Old Yu was fishing for inside information, and it wasn't appropriate for him to be present.

Hong Zhiyou still admired Old Yu for this.

He looked honest and gentle, but when he fished for information, it was like spring rain—moistening things silently.

Sure enough, as soon as Hong Zhiyou left, Yu Zecheng leaned in and whispered:

"Old Lu.

"To be honest, Zhiyou and I are even more nervous than you about these Station Chief and Deputy Station Chief positions.

"If headquarters sends some unfamiliar general, we wouldn't even know how to serve them.

"If someone like Liu Xiong or Ma Kui comes again, how am I supposed to survive?

"We are both eagerly hoping for your promotion.

"Following you, if nothing else, we'd get two more suits and pairs of leather shoes every month, and be able to carry a few more bags of rice home."

"I know your thoughts, but the rank is a hard requirement; finding connections is useless," Lu Qiaoshan said, nodding slightly and sighing.

"Not necessarily.

"Last time at the meeting, I heard you say Ma Kui was dealing with some Red tickets.

"You should take over that work.

"Otherwise, like last time, Ma Kui got caught in a bandit den, and headquarters still credited him for it.

"And you, you ran a hundred miles to rescue him.

"Cleaning up underground Red tickets.

"You did all the dirty and tiring work, but when the broadcast commendation came, you didn't even get a mention of 'and relevant personnel of the Jinhai Station.'

"Old Lu, you are too kind.

"I truly feel it's not worth it for you."

Yu Zecheng said with a pained expression.

Lu Qiaoshan looked at him sideways, smiling without a word.

"Brother, don't look at me like that.

"I'm just a Major; what bad intentions could I have?

"I'm just afraid that if the Station Chief is transferred, I want to lean on your big tree to stay cool."

Yu Zecheng said with a smile, his face not turning red and his heart not skipping a beat.

Lu Qiaoshan bit his lip, nodded, and smiled:

"Brother, that's why I say you and I are friends; we can really talk to each other.

"To be honest.

"This is a big game of chess laid out by the Station Chief to wipe out the underground in Jinhai in one go.

"I can't tell you the specifics.

"Old Wu gave a death order; anyone who leaks even a bit will be punished.

"But that female representative from the Military Mediation, Zuo Lan, is the key..."

"Old Lu, I... I just can't forget old feelings," Yu Zecheng explained with a naive smile.

"Forget my ass.

"Ma Kui has been watching that coffee shop for a long time.

"There's a broker surnamed Guan at the front desk who specializes in pulling people to drink to earn the price difference—the one with the slicked-back hair, thin face, and a long face.

"That's a Red ticket element.

"He has been to the Delong Inn.

"You know that inn, right? A Red ticket named Third Young Master used to be with...

"Forget it, look at my mouth.

"I won't say more. I appreciate your and Zhiyou's intentions; whether you earn merit or not depends on fate.

"You should be careful yourself.

"Don't trade your future and your life for your lower half; it's not worth it."

Lu Qiaoshan patted his shoulder and warned him.

Yu Zecheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

What he wanted was the "lower body" effect.

In the past, in Shancheng, he pursued Zuo Lan very aggressively, and the two of them often appeared at each other's units.

A slight investigation would reveal that their feelings were very deep.

Moreover, he was the more proactive party.

Now that the old flame was rekindled, acting a bit more forward, even a little obsessed and slightly foolish, made more sense.

Just as they were talking.

Hong Zhiyou walked in carrying tea leaves.

He divided the paper-wrapped tea cakes among them, three pieces each.

"This is good stuff; even with money, you might not be able to buy it."

"It's perfect for making coffee tea."

"Brother, thanks."

Lu Qiaoshan loved to put on airs and accepted it gladly.

"Old Yu, is there something going on back home?" Lu Qiaoshan asked while speaking.

"Cuiping's cousin got married and asked us to go back."

"You say this letter didn't come early or late."

"It got stuck right when the Station Master went to Jingling, and there's a pile of work in the confidential room."

Yu Zecheng said with some frustration.

"That's right, Captain Ma is in charge of the post office side."

"He is deliberately holding it up for you."

"You say from Jibei to Jinhai, even if you were a snail, this letter would have crawled here long ago."

"Getting it to you right now is nothing more than wanting to disgust you."

Lu Qiaoshan laughed.

"Alright, enough talk, we have a meeting this afternoon, I need to prepare the meeting draft."

Saying this, he stood up, took the tea cakes, and walked out.

"Another meeting."

"Meeting in the morning, meeting when we start work in the afternoon, and a small meeting before getting off work when using the car."

"Old Yu, do you think people can get addicted to meetings?"

Hong Zhiyou glanced toward the door, and seeing that Old Lu had walked far away, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Maybe."

"Sitting up there, how imposing and grand it is."

"If I were the acting Station Master, I would hold meetings too, just to get a taste of being a Station Master."

"In this day and age, it's harder for the intelligence department to get promoted to general than it is to see the Chairman!"

Yu Zecheng joked with a smile.

Immediately, he put away his smile and said seriously:

"Zhiyou, what kind of move do you think Ma Kui is making this time?"

"Simple."

"This letter was sent openly to have Cuiping transferred back."

"If I were Ma Kui, I would have those two defectors intercept her halfway."

"They are all acquaintances, and they were comrades in the same team."

"With that big mouth of your wife, she would spill everything in two sentences."

"If the driver just happens to carry one of those new small tape recorders imported from Germany and records the conversation, that's solid evidence."

"Never mind the Station Master, even the spirit of Boss Dai in heaven couldn't save you."

Hong Zhiyou raised his eyebrows at him and said coldly.

"There is... there is such a tape recorder?" Yu Zecheng was very surprised.

The intelligence tools used by the Juntong Bureau had always been the most advanced.

Monitoring equipment could be smaller than a coin.

As long as the signal wires were laid, one could monitor at any time even in ordinary teahouses or private rooms.

Not to mention micro-cameras.

Those who carried out special missions had all handled them.

But a micro-tape recorder was something Yu Zecheng had truly never seen.

"Yes."

"The Station Master has a Sky Net Project."

"It was personally approved by Dai Li at the time, and a lot of new equipment was specifically bought from the Americans and Germans."

"Don't I currently hold the position of General Affairs Assistant?"

"This morning, I used the excuse of inspecting the warehouse to go in and take a look."

"Among them was a type of micro-tape recorder."

"It's about the size of a small notebook, very convenient to carry."

Hong Zhiyou said.

There were only three in the whole station.

This kind of new equipment was extremely expensive, strictly controlled, and was a case of having a price but no market.

Otherwise, why would Old Xie have cried when Xu Baofeng lost Li Ya's radio? Li Ya really could have torn him apart.

"Ma Kui has already taken two."

"One was approved by the Station Master, and one was taken in the last few days."

"It's clear as day that he's keeping them to deal with you."

After a pause, Hong Zhiyou continued.

"Brother, you've saved my life again." Yu Zecheng was instantly drenched in sweat.

Ma Kui's move could be called incomparably vicious.

If not for Sun Xing leaking the secret, Cuiping would definitely have been trapped completely.

"Give me money." Hong Zhiyou reached out his hand.

"I've already let Long Er exchange the antiques for money, I reckon I'll receive it in these two days," Yu Zecheng said.

"Brother, you have many clever ideas, give me some advice."

"How do I break Ma Kui's move?"

Yu Zecheng poured tea for Hong Zhiyou and asked.

"Money." Hong Zhiyou said.

"I have it, Mr. Yong returned from North America and brought me quite a bit of cash."

"When I go back, I'll give you five hundred US dollars."

"If you can break this crisis, I'll add another five hundred."

Yu Zecheng held up five fingers and said.

"No wonder Cuiping says you're stingy."

"Who do I do business with that doesn't start at four figures?"

"Coming to you, five hundred here, five hundred there, as if you're some rare treasure."

"Three thousand US dollars."

"One cent less, and there's no deal."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Fine, alright." Yu Zecheng said, feeling the pinch.

He still wanted to save some money to help the organization rebuild the transit station and contribute some funds.

"Do you remember when I was caught by Liu Xiong at Xizikou last time?"

"..."

Hong Zhiyou leaned in and whispered the plan.

"Phew."

After listening, Yu Zecheng pointed at him and let out a sigh of relief:

"The Station Master always says we are just cobblers."

"I really am a cobbler, but you are a Jiang Ziya, a Zhuge Liang."

"Stop flattering."

"I want to see the money when I go back tonight."

Hong Zhiyou wasn't buying his act.

Jingling.

The Chairman stood by the railing, gazing at the distant Purple Mountain.

"Father, the men of Mao Renfeng and Tang Enbo have returned."

"Based on some of the remains, as well as the testimonies of Liu Yuzhu and the intelligence agents who returned from Qingdao, Dai Li was indeed on that crashed plane."

Jiang Jianfeng stood beside him and said respectfully.

"Yunong, alas!"

"Back then, starting from Ji'e Lane, Yunong rendered great service against the Red tickets, the devils, and those remnants and high officials of the party-state from Mr. Sun's era."

"It is hateful that I have lost a sharp sword."

Recalling the past, he could not help but sigh.

"Father treated him with the utmost benevolence and righteousness."

"Dai Li's mansions and family assets in Jingling are countless."

"His secretary Ye Ziming alone embezzled hundreds of thousands of US dollars."

"Moreover, this man established his own power base everywhere; throughout the Juntong Bureau, they called him 'Boss,' addressed each other as brothers, and gang-like conduct ran rampant."

"Many municipal and military officials in various places did not even know the party-state or you, Father; they only obeyed the 'Boss's' orders."

"Dai Li did not even hold the Lady in high regard."

"Colluding with Ke Ke and selling out coastal defense is truly the act of a great traitor to the nation."

"Now that he has met with this disaster, it is purely self-inflicted."

Jiang Jianfeng had no fondness for Dai Li and spoke quite bluntly.

"Indeed, human desire has no limits."

"I regarded Yunong as my confidant."

"Yet he regarded me as a fierce tiger."

"The urgent matter now is to concentrate military and financial power to deal with the ticket bandits entrenched in Yancheng."

"We do not need a navy, at least not now."

"The cannons of warships cannot reach the Northwest."

"The Americans are not gods of wealth, much less God; warships and cannons require enormous funds."

"And once built, our coastal defense will be entirely in the hands of foreigners."

"Du Lumen wants me to be Empress Cixi."

"He wants my three hundred million Huaxia citizens to be slaves."

"His wolfish ambition is known to all under heaven."

"It is a pity that Yunong was clever for a lifetime, yet muddled for a moment."

The Generalissimo tapped his cane on the ground, shook his head, and sighed.

"With his death, everything is over."

"Father, public opinion now believes that Ma Hansan is the culprit."

"Should we use this matter to knock Li Zongren down a peg?"

Jiang Jianfeng said.

"Hmm, his position as Director of the Beiping Headquarters is sitting too comfortably."

"Do not investigate too harshly."

"The Red tickets have been trying to win over Li Delin."

"A dog will jump over a wall if pressed too hard."

"Just frighten him and give him a warning."

The Generalissimo sneered and said.

"Understood, Father," Jiang Jianfeng said.

"Also, I actually do not approve of your investigation into corruption."

"If water is too clear, there are no fish."

"Since Mr. Sun began his struggle, this pool of water has been extremely murky."

"This is not something that can be solved in one or two generations."

"However, it is not bad for you to test the bottom line of the party-state and probe the consciences of those people in advance."

"Go."

The Generalissimo turned his head to look at him, his eyes full of expectation.

"Yes, Father."

"I will be mindful of the limits."

Jiang Jianfeng nodded, accepted the order, and left.

"If I do not oppose it, the nation is in danger."

"Conversely, the party is in danger."

"It is difficult."

The Generalissimo gazed at the distant mountain scenery and sighed.

Jiang Jianfeng returned to the official residence.

"Wu Jingzhong has arrived," the adjutant whispered.

"Tell him to come in," Jiang Jianfeng said with a look of joy.

Soon, Wu Jingzhong walked in respectfully and saluted properly.

"Sit, we are old classmates, don't be so restrained."

Jiang Jianfeng smiled and gestured for him to sit on the sofa.

After brewing tea and reminiscing about their school days, Jiang Jianfeng moved to the main topic:

"How is it? Are you used to staying in Jinhai?"

"Quite well. At my age, eating some light soy milk and fried dough sticks is good for health," Wu Jingzhong relaxed a bit, but his posture remained meticulous and upright.

"Father wants me to establish an Anti-Corruption Committee."

"Dai Li and Mao Renfeng have operated in Shanghu for many years; from municipal and military officials down to gangs, everyone scrambled to carry his sedan chair and act as his mouthpiece."

"Now that he is gone, I want to start the surgery from there."

"But I lack someone with seniority to preside over it."

"You are a veteran of the Juntong Bureau with sufficient means, so I want to recommend you as the Shanghu Station Chief to coordinate with my actions."

"What do you think?"

As Jiang Jianfeng spoke, he poured a cup of tea for Wu Jingzhong.

Upon hearing this, Wu Jingzhong nearly died on the spot.

What kind of place is Shanghu?

It is a dragon's pool and a tiger's den.

Five years ago, he would have gone just to fight for a good future.

But now?

As he gets older, being a small, wealthy, and powerful figure in Jinhai is just right.

Going to Shanghu, everyone there is a Bodhisattva.

The Kongs, Songs, and Chens, along with the foreigners, are deeply rooted there.

Investigating corruption is simply going against these masters, isn't it?

If something goes wrong, Jiang Jianfeng will just wipe his hands and be taken away by the Generalissimo.

Who will protect him?

When the time comes, he won't be able to shake off the charges of dereliction of duty or being the scapegoat.

Not to mention, there are many thieves shooting black guns there.

His old classmate Zhang Shi was doing fine in Shanghu, so why did he resign to become a farm owner in Wandao?

That was because he was scared by people shooting black guns.

Is he stupid? To give up his leisurely retirement in Jinhai to run to Shanghu and risk his life.

"I, what opinion could I have?"

"I will just listen to the superiors' decision."

Wu Jingzhong smiled respectfully, then his eyebrows twitched:

"May I, may I go to the restroom?"

"Over there."

Jiang Jianfeng raised his hand and said.

The rest of the time was spent chatting about this matter.

In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Wu Jingzhong went to the restroom six times.

This made Jiang Jianfeng frown.

"I apologize."

"Now that I'm older, my prostate keeps rebelling."

"I have to go to the restroom seven or eight times a night."

"It's an old ailment I caught back in North Manchuria, being chased by the devils, hiding everywhere in the ice and snow."

Wu Jingzhong hurriedly bowed to apologize.

"Have you not seen a physician?" Jiang Jianfeng asked.

"I have.

"My foundation is ruined; the doctor says I can only recuperate slowly.

"Now, as soon as it hits eight or nine in the evening, I am too sleepy to keep my eyes open, and my legs ache after walking just a few steps.

"My daughter even said that once the red tickets are cleared and victory is absolute,

"she would send me to North America to have those foreign doctors treat me."

Wu Jingzhong said with a pained expression.

"Time spares no one."

Jiang Jianfeng smiled, a flash of displeasure crossing his eyes, knowing that Wu Jingzhong was playing the victim to back out.

"Indeed, Jingzhong is untalented.

"I only fear that if I go to Shanghu, I will hold you back.

"Division Chief Shen of the headquarters is young and also has rare, long-standing experience; I think he might be more suitable than I to be the Shanghu Station Chief."

Wu Jingzhong took the opportunity to say tactfully.

"Shen Zui is too flighty; Father does not like him." Jiang Jianfeng shook his head.

"Old classmate, I fear this body of mine..."

Wu Jingzhong said this, then stood up and bowed ninety degrees, saying no more.

That address of "old classmate" touched Jiang Jianfeng's heart.

From the Japanese occupation to the current opposition between the blue and the red.

Too many old acquaintances have passed away.

Wu Jingzhong had traveled from the Northwest to the Northeast in the past; life had indeed been difficult.

Now, approaching fifty with white at his temples, having finally secured a stable position in Jinhai, it was reasonable that he had no heart for further displacement.

Moreover, handling corruption meant facing wolves, tigers, and leopards.

He needed assistants in their prime.

Wu Jingzhong was no longer the iron-blooded youth of the past; now he only spoke of being smooth and worldly, and his work would likely...

Thinking of this, Jiang Jianfeng raised his hand and smiled:

"You and I are not outsiders.

"There is no need for so many twists and turns.

"If you do not want to go to Shanghu, you can just say so.

"If you don't want to go, then don't!"

After pulling Wu Jingzhong to sit down, Jiang Jianfeng smiled gently again:

"Father's intention is to have our old classmate Tingbing take over the Juntong Bureau; he is a Whampoa student and an old secretary of the Fuxingshe, so his background and qualifications are solid enough.

"Back in the Northwest and North China regions, he was your old leader.

"You just continue to stay in Jinhai with peace of mind and be your station chief.

"Of course, you must also keep a close watch on the matter of corruption there.

"Let it blossom in many places.

"We must make arrests in Shanghu, and we must also make them in Jinhai."

"Yes, this subordinate will certainly do his utmost to cooperate with the superior's thunderous operation." Wu Jingzhong immediately stood up and happily accepted the order.

"Mm.

"Let us talk about the matter of Dai Li.

"Has that little secretary of yours met with Ma Hansan?

"There must be an explanation for the matter of Dai Li.

"People like Liang Ruojie, Ma Hansan, and Liu Yuzhu will have to be dealt with sooner or later.

"You must make that secretary shut up.

"Shut up forever!"

Jiang Jianfeng's gaze turned cold as he gave the hint.

Report to all station chiefs: I am currently writing the second chapter, it might be very late, my typing speed really cannot be improved.

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(End of this chapter)