Chapter 148: The Heavens Help the Thieves, Not Me

The group entered the conference room.

Hong Zhiyou returned to the station chief's office first.

Wu Jingzhong was humming a tune in the room with his hands behind his back.

"Teacher, you seem to be in a good mood. You must have gained quite a lot from this trip to Jingling," Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Hmm."

"The gains were not small, at least I wiped your mess clean for you."

"It was fortunate that I managed to get on good terms with Li Zongren."

"The Generalissimo decided to handle it with a cold shoulder."

"Otherwise, not even the Heavenly King himself could have saved you!"

Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and said.

"Thank you, Teacher, for saving my life!" Hong Zhiyou bowed deeply, feeling a warmth in his heart.

He knew that old Wu truly regarded him as a "son" now.

A slight carelessness in this matter would have cost him his head.

The amount of pressure his teacher must have shouldered in Jingling, facing the Generalissimo and Jiang Jianfeng to smooth things over for him.

Of course.

All of this was within Hong Zhiyou's expectations.

Because Li Zongren wanted to be president and had the intention of forcing Jiang to step down.

In fact, he did succeed later on.

If the Jiang family father and son had really made a big issue out of Dai Li's death, Li Delin was no pushover either, and the matter would have been endless.

Information, foreseeing the future.

That was Hong Zhiyou's greatest treasure for survival in this world.

"Saving others is saving oneself."

"I was in a very precarious spot this time too; Jiang Jianfeng insisted on transferring me to Shanghai to be the station chief."

"That place is the old nest of the Kong and Song families."

"The foreigners and gangs there have much deeper roots than in Jinhai."

"If I had stepped in there, I wouldn't even know how I died."

Wu Jingzhong said with a lingering fear, his eyebrows twitching.

"Teacher, how did you break that move?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Thanks to my prostate."

"I rebelled just in time, going to the restroom several times in a row."

"A few rounds of urination washed away all the enthusiasm of my old classmate."

Wu Jingzhong let out a breath and smiled.

"Jinhai is still better."

"Teacher can cover the sky with one hand here; it's solid to stay on your own turf," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Indeed."

"Five years ago, I definitely would have seized this opportunity to accompany Jiang Jianfeng to Shanghai to wrestle with Mao Sen, Kong Xiangxi, and the others."

"Only with the merit of following the dragon can one ascend to the position of prime minister later."

"It's a pity, I'm old, and my body can't take it."

"As for me, it's better to stay in Jinhai and play with some antiques in peace."

Wu Jingzhong curled his lips and chuckled lightly.

"Teacher is wise."

"Money and power, where is the end to such things?"

"Always wanting more, isn't Boss Dai a perfect example?"

Hong Zhiyou smiled while pouring him tea:

"It's not just me saying this."

"Don't look at Zheng Jiemin and Mao Renfeng holding a position over you at headquarters; they might not live as comfortably as you do."

"The Generalissimo has a bad temper; if you don't do the job well, you'll get cursed at."

Wu Jingzhong nodded happily: "Exactly, ascending to prime minister is not as good as guarding one's own territory."

"Guarding one's own territory is not as good as finding peace in a corner."

"At your young age, being able to see this clearly means you haven't studied in vain."

"By the way, I brought a leather jacket for you and Zecheng each."

"The MacArthur style, the one Zheng Jiemin and the others always wear."

"Come to my house for dinner tonight."

"Thank you, Teacher. Director Lu and the others are already in the conference room," Hong Zhiyou said happily.

"Let's go, time for the meeting."

"Now that I'm back, I wonder how many will be happy and how many will be sad."

Wu Jingzhong gave a mocking smile and walked out with his hands behind his back.

Arriving at the conference room.

Lu Qiaoshan, Ma Kui, and Yu Zecheng were already waiting.

Seeing Wu Jingzhong, everyone stood up to salute.

"Sit." Wu Jingzhong sat at the head of the table, feeling completely at ease.

After the meeting concluded briefly.

Lu Qiaoshan and Ma Kui were in no hurry to leave.

Wu Jingzhong dismissed Hou Yunlai and the others, then joked humorously:

"Gentlemen, haven't seen you for a few days, are you looking to catch up on old times?"

"Indeed."

"Everyone wasn't quite used to you not being at the station."

Lu Qiaoshan rubbed his hands together and carefully probed into the main topic:

"Station Chief, with Boss Dai's death, I'm afraid there will be major changes in the personnel arrangements of the Juntong Bureau."

"Yes."

"The Old Man has already proposed Zheng Jiemin as Bureau Chief and Director Mao as Deputy Bureau Chief."

"There have been many adjustments in other stations as well."

Wu Jingzhong smiled.

"You must have been promoted as well."

"I wonder if you are being transferred to the Jingling headquarters or taking up an important position in Shanghai?"

Lu Qiaoshan asked cautiously with a smile.

"Qiaoshan is truly worthy of being an intelligence officer."

"Sitting in Jinhai, yet the news comes from the heavens."

Wu Jingzhong made a witty remark, then his eyes turned cold as he looked at him:

"Headquarters and Jiang Jianfeng did indeed intend to transfer me to Shanghai as station chief."

"But my body is not up to it."

"Plus, I've grown accustomed to working with all of you, so headquarters approved my request to stay in Jinhai."

"Staying here?" Lu Qiaoshan exclaimed in disappointed surprise.

Seeing the murderous intent in the station chief's eyes, he smiled even more painfully than crying:

"Good, staying is good."

"With you in charge, we feel at ease."

Wu Jingzhong, out of consideration for Zheng Jiemin, smiled slightly to comfort him:

"Yes, the current standoff between the Blue and the Red is not optimistic."

"Everyone must be on high alert."

"The station has never had a deputy station chief; I think it's time to consider candidates."

"Qiaoshan, you and Captain Ma are both lieutenant colonels; you both have the qualifications."

"You must seize the time to make new contributions and grasp the opportunity."

"Thank you, Station Chief, I will definitely strive for new merits."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qiaoshan's smile blossomed again.

Ma Kui was still tainted by the ticket incident with Huang Zhong, Boss Dai was dead, Mao Renfeng had lost his influence, and on top of that, this guy had always been working against the station chief.

The deputy station chief position was definitely out of the question for him.

It was clear that the station chief was encouraging him.

Hmm.

Being deputy station chief wouldn't be a loss!

Lu Qiaoshan felt balanced in his heart.

"That's enough.

"Everyone, get back to work.

"Yu Zecheng, go to the Lishun Hotel and book a private room.

"We'll have a gathering for the commissioned officers tomorrow at noon.

"Boss Dai's visit this time has everyone's nerves on edge; it's time to relax a little."

Wu Jingzhong saw Ma Kui sitting there with a face like a corpse, so he hurriedly laughed it off and stood up, ready to leave.

"Understood, Station Chief." Yu Zecheng, who had been busy clapping and smiling, replied.

"Station Chief, wait a moment."

Ma Kui, whose cheeks had been tight and whose head had been twitching left and right, spoke coldly.

"Captain Ma, is something the matter?" Wu Jingzhong asked, frowning.

Everything had been harmonious just a moment ago.

Having a cold, unpalatable meal stuck in the middle was truly a mood killer.

"Station Chief, I am filing a formal report: Yu Zecheng and his wife, Chen Cuiping, are Communist sympathizers." Ma Kui leaned back, threw his hat onto the table, and said.

"A formal report?

"Ma Kui, what kind of game are you playing again?"

Wu Jingzhong was absolutely furious.

Even Mao Renfeng was keeping his tail tucked between his legs these days.

Yet this mad dog he kept was still here, barking and howling wildly.

What a damn fool!

"Station Chief, what do you mean by 'playing games'?

"I am acting under the special commission of Director Mao and the Headquarters Inspection Office to supervise and investigate the Communist sympathizer situation at the Jinhai Station.

"Now that I've finally made some headway, why won't you let me speak?"

Ma Kui sneered, stood up, picked up his hat, and prepared to leave:

"Then I shall go directly to Jingling to report to Director Mao."

Wu Jingzhong lost his temper too, slammed the table, and shouted: "Ma Kui, stop trying to pressure me by constantly name-dropping Director Mao!

"I am warning everyone here: inspection is not about endless, unreasonable harassment; it must be done by the rules.

"Everything must be backed by evidence.

"If anyone is a Red, I will never shield them.

"But if anyone keeps wasting internal resources for no reason, don't blame me for being impolite."

"Station Chief, please don't be angry.

"Captain Ma has been targeting me for more than just a day or two.

"If he says I'm a Communist sympathizer, then let him investigate.

"A clear conscience needs no excuse!"

Yu Zecheng hurriedly smiled to comfort him, then turned to look at Ma Kui:

"Captain Ma, what evidence have you managed to dig up this time?"

"A clear conscience needs no excuse, indeed!"

Ma Kui was not intimidated by Wu Jingzhong and said loudly: "Station Chief, I have already verified it.

"Yu Zecheng is highly likely to be Emeifeng.

"His wife, Chen Cuiping, whose real name is Chen Taohua, was originally the captain of the Third Squad of the Yixian Mobile Corps Commander Brigade.

"Lü Zongfang originally created a fake marriage for him to provide cover.

"This explains why Yu Zecheng's wife was so late in arriving in Jinhai.

"This Chen Cuiping was temporarily arranged by the Red organization.

"She is in a fake marriage with Yu Zecheng.

"Accountant Zhou can testify to this; their relationship is not harmonious, and they fight constantly."

As Ma Kui spoke, he signaled to Sun Xing beside him.

Sun Xing immediately called over Zhou Yafu.

"Zhou Yafu, tell us about the relationship between Yu Zecheng and his wife." Ma Kui ordered coldly.

Zhou Yafu swallowed hard, nervous, and looked at the Station Chief with shifty eyes.

"Speak." Wu Jingzhong nodded.

"Director Yu... Director Yu's relationship with his wife is indeed not good.

"They fight often.

"It always feels very distant, not like a married couple."

Zhou Yafu said in a low voice.

"Captain Ma, first of all, Lü Zongfang is already dead.

"You can use a dead man to make up whatever you want to frame me.

"My marriage certificate has the official seal of the County Magistrate on it; if you don't believe me, you can go to Yixian to verify it."

"As for fighting, can this also be considered evidence?

"By your logic, are married couples in this world forbidden from arguing?"

Yu Zecheng sneered with dissatisfaction.

"Station Chief, have some tea."

Hong Zhiyou refilled the tea for the Station Chief and the others, standing to the side, smiling as he watched the drama unfold.

"Captain Ma, if I may be so bold."

"Director Yu has been away for years, and he and his wife have been separated by great distances; isn't it normal for them to be a bit distant?

"Also, Cuiping isn't used to city life.

"She has some friction with Director Yu.

"This doesn't count as evidence, does it?"

Lu Qiaoshan assumed an air of impartiality and said with a smile.

"Lu Qiaoshan, and you call yourself an Intelligence Division Chief.

"When we studied intelligence, marital relations were always a key part of surveillance.

"Both our Military Statistics Bureau and the Reds have a tradition of husband-and-wife teams.

"Did the instructors at your Nanchang Investigation Section never teach you that?"

Ma Kui said angrily.

"Fine, so marital relations are a key point of surveillance.

"Captain Ma, you said that yourself."

Yu Zecheng smiled slightly, stood up, and said in a booming voice:

"Station Chief, I am filing a formal report: Ma Kui is the high-level Red intelligence agent Emeifeng, who has infiltrated our station!"

"Hmm, internal supervision must be fair and just. State your reasons." Wu Jingzhong sat upright and said.

"Captain Ma.

"I would like to ask: you clearly have a wife, and Miss Zhou is gentle and virtuous, so what is the meaning of you sleeping in the office every day instead of at home?

"Married couples usually make up after a fight.

"You don't even fight; is it because you have something to hide?

"Is it because of your own physical condition, that the marriage is not harmonious?

"Or is it because you are Emeifeng?

"Afraid that if you are with your wife every day, she will discover your secrets."

Yu Zecheng sneered and questioned him.

"You!"

Ma Kui had not expected him to turn the tables.

Yet he had a private ailment he could not speak of.

For a moment, he was both ashamed and annoyed, his face turning bright red with anger.

"Captain Ma, as the person in charge of internal screening and inspection appointed by the Jinhai Station Chief.

"I hope you can answer Director Yu's question seriously.

"This will be crucial to the accusation that you are Emeifeng."

Lu Qiaoshan stared at Ma Kui, smiling coldly, while pulling a pen from his chest pocket and putting on a serious act.

"We fought, and our relationship is bad.

"I find her annoying, is that not allowed?"

Ma Kui turned his head away and explained with hatred.

"I really want to tear your mouth apart!"

Lu Qiaoshan immediately dropped his pen, furious.

"Didn't you just say that fighting is suspicious of being a Communist sympathizer?

"You must explain this clearly to me today."

"Are you or are you not Emei Peak!"

He continued to demand sternly.

"Lu Qiao, don't you dare make a mountain out of a molehill, I..." Ma Kui was getting anxious again.

"That's enough."

"I don't care if you two are having marital discord or whatever else."

"This trivial matter isn't enough to convict anyone."

"If you want to argue, bring out some real evidence."

"I don't have the time to play house with you people here."

Wu Jingzhong raised a hand to stop them, his gaze sweeping sternly across the faces of those present.

"Station Chief, I have other evidence."

"Do you remember that Xiao Wuzi whom Section Chief Liu captured in Yixian?"

"Three people were captured at that time."

"Besides Xiao Wuzi, there was one named Li Gui and one named Qiao Sanmei."

"They are all members of the Yixian Mobile Corps detachment."

"To be precise, they are team members led by Mrs. Yu."

Ma Kui adjusted his breathing, and his tone hardened again.

"Where are they, who captured them, and who handled the transfer—is there a record in Baoding?" Wu Jingzhong asked directly.

"No."

"The people were secretly taken by Section Chief Liu and arranged at the flour mill specifically to deal with Yu Zecheng."

"I only found them a few days ago."

Ma Kui said.

"Sigh, another case of dead men telling no tales," Lu Qiao muttered, shaking his head.

"However, I had Qiao Sanmei record Chen Cuiping's voice on the bus."

"According to Qiao Sanmei's confession."

"Chen Cuiping admitted she is a member of the mobile brigade and confirmed Yu Zecheng's identity; she is truly a key operative planted by the Red Ticket in the Jinhai Station."

"It is highly likely she is Emei Peak."

Ma Kui tilted his head to look at Yu Zecheng, a smug, cold sneer on his face.

"Qiao," Wu Jingzhong's expression turned solemn.

"Captain Ma, where is Qiao Sanmei?" Lu Qiao asked with a smile.

"Qiao Sanmei and Song Fei are escorting Chen Cuiping on the way back."

"They should be arriving at the station around this time."

Ma Kui glanced at his watch and said.

"Good."

"Since that is the case, let us wait for this Qiao Sanmei and the recording," Wu Jingzhong said.

He glanced at Yu Zecheng.

The latter was gently shaking his head, calmly blowing on his tea.

Wu Jingzhong immediately felt much more at ease.

He had just returned from making a military pledge to Jiang Jianfeng to turn the Jinhai Station into a fortress.

If a scandal broke out with Yu Zecheng now.

Jiang Jianfeng was already furious because he had declined the Shanghai Station post; he would lose his position as Station Chief.

"Secretary Hong, you sit down too, don't just stand there," Wu Jingzhong said.

"I won't sit, it wouldn't be proper."

Hong Zhiyou stood to one side and smiled.

"What's improper about it? You are now an assistant in the General Affairs Section, a proper person in charge," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Yes, thank you, Station Chief."

Hong Zhiyou sat down to the side.

After waiting a while, Cao Yong led another section clerk in, running in in a panic:

"Station Chief, Captain Ma, it's bad."

"What happened?" Ma Kui asked, frowning.

"Section Chief Song and Mrs. Yu were intercepted by bandits on their way back!" the clerk reported.

"What!"

Yu Zecheng stood up with a start: "My wife, is she, is she alright?"

"She and Section Chief Song and the others are fine."

"The bandit leader Sitting Tiger said, let us bring twenty gold bars to ransom them."

"If one is missing, he will chop off an arm from each person!"

The clerk said.

"Station Chief, I, I..." Yu Zecheng clutched his head, his world spinning as he collapsed back into his chair.

"Section Chief Yu."

"Quick, call someone from the infirmary."

Hong Zhiyou called out hurriedly.

"Ma Kui, is this the fine work you've done?"

"Clumsy, stupid!"

"The station doesn't have these twenty gold bars, you go raise them yourself!"

Wu Jingzhong glared fiercely at Ma Kui and stormed off.

"Captain Ma, oh Captain Ma, what am I supposed to say about you?"

"Last time you were intercepted by bandits."

"The station spent over a dozen gold bars to ransom you back."

"This time it's your subordinates who were intercepted."

"Is your Action Team colluding with the bandits, or do you think our General Affairs Section has too much funding?"

"What a clumsy tactic!"

Lu Qiao looked at the dejected Ma Kui, shook his head with a contemptuous smile, and left.

"Ma Kui, if anything happens to Cuiping, I will hold you accountable."

Yu Zecheng, supported by Hong Zhiyou, left after dropping that harsh threat.

Back in the office.

Yu Zecheng closed the door, lay on the sofa, and asked in a low voice:

"Zhiyou, Cuiping won't be in any trouble, will she?"

"No, Kong Fang is the second-in-command over there, and Sitting Tiger trusts and values him highly," Hong Zhiyou said.

"I'm just worried about Li Gui and Qiao Sanmei returning."

"The Station Chief's trust in me has its limits."

"These two were left behind by Section Chief Liu; if the recording and the people return, it will be very troublesome."

Yu Zecheng was always deep in thought and could not help but worry.

"Rest assured, Kong Fang can handle such a small matter."

Hong Zhiyou had dealt with Kong Fang before and knew his "professional" capabilities well.

"Sigh, I hope so."

Yu Zecheng said, lying on the bed.

Ma Kui hurried back to his office and pointed at Cao Yong:

"What is going on?"

"How did you get involved with bandits?"

"That area is notorious for bandits; it was just bad luck," Cao Yong said helplessly.

"I don't care."

"Where are Qiao Sanmei, Li Gui, and the tape recorder?" Ma Kui asked angrily.

"Qiao Sanmei was knocked unconscious by a punch from Mrs. Yu on the vehicle."

"She has already been sent to the hospital for emergency treatment."

"But the doctor said there is a high probability of brain death."

"It is impossible to count on her to speak."

Cao Yong said.

"Li Gui was shot dead by the second-in-command on the mountain because he had a foul mouth," he added after a pause.

"What about the tape recorder?" Ma Kui asked, stomping his feet in anxiety.

"The tape recorder was snatched by the bandits."

"I estimate that when we ransom the people, we will have to return it."

"Captain, we must ransom them quickly."

"Otherwise, Song Fei and the others will be in danger."

Cao Yong advised.

"This bunch of bucket-heads, of useless trash!"

"The heavens are helping the thieves, not me!"

Ma Kui gritted his teeth and braced himself against the desk.

A sense of powerlessness welled up.

He could not be rash.

There was still hope.

"At the time, who heard the conversation between Qiao Sanmei and Chen Cuiping?" Ma Kui asked.

"Section Chief Song, perhaps."

"He was the closest to Mrs. Yu and the others," Cao Yong said.

Perhaps Song Fei had heard their conversation.

A tape recorder was not gold or a pig's knuckle; the bandits might not necessarily care for it.

When ransoming the people, he would say a few nice words.

Perhaps that bunch of idiots would return it.

Thinking of this, Ma Kui braced himself and went to the office.

The Station Chief was currently on the phone with the garrison at Qingfengdian.

A moment later, he hung up the phone, pointed at Ma Kui's nose, and cursed:

"Mobile Corps Commander Gao of the Qingfengdian garrison said the bandits' attitude is very tough; at least fifteen gold bars."

"Tell me, who is going to pay this money, and where will it come from?"

"Station Chief, their office was robbed, so of course the station should pay," Ma Kui said.

"Official business?"

"Did I approve or sign off on it?"

"Ma Kui, oh Ma Kui, you won't be satisfied until you've ruined the Jinmen Station, will you?"

Wu Jingzhong shouted.

Ma Kui did not make a sound.

"Station Chief, encountering bandits is just bad luck."

"Why don't we just have the station pay it."

"If we provoke the bandits and they kill the hostages, it will be troublesome."

"After all, Mrs. Yu is still in there."

"The station hasn't developed any deep-cover agents yet; we can just count this Li Gui as the funding for developing a deep-cover agent, and report it to headquarters later to recoup some of the losses."

Hong Zhiyou stepped in to smooth things over.

"Fine."

"You go to Qingfengdian yourself to handle it."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"I'll go too," Ma Kui said, fearing that Hong Zhiyou might swap the tape recorder, and quickly chimed in.

"Fine, then let's go together," Hong Zhiyou readily agreed.

Ma Kui was overjoyed.

The two went downstairs, and Ma Kui took the initiative to act as the driver, heading toward Qingfengdian together.

(End of chapter)