Chapter 15: Discussing the Grand Plan (Seeking Favorites, Seeking Recommendation Votes)

Hong Zhiyou glanced at Liao Sanmin's shoulder boards; his rank was not high.

"Officer Liao, I need to see your Warden Song."

Yu Zecheng produced his documents with a formal air.

Liao Sanmin's expression was somewhat cold:

"Warden Song is out; I am the one in charge here."

"Very well, this is the execution list for tonight.

"Additionally, I need you to release this person."

Yu Zecheng brought out Long Er's file.

Liao Sanmin took a look, then walked inside with one hand in his pocket; when they reached a cell door, Long Er was pacing anxiously inside.

"Long Er, you can go home now." Liao Sanmin tilted his head, and a guard standing nearby immediately opened the cell door.

"Phew."

Long Er took a deep breath, then walked out calmly.

"Officer Liao, thank you.

"Without your care, I would have met the King of Hell long ago."

He bowed deeply to Liao Sanmin.

"I am just doing my job. You are my prisoner, so I must follow the regulations to ensure your safety.

"Besides, without Inspector Huang and these two officials,

"I wouldn't have had the ability to get you out."

Liao Sanmin said indifferently.

"Oh, Old Long, this is Section Chief Yu and Secretary Hong from the Jinhai Station," Inspector Huang hurriedly introduced.

"Gentlemen, a great kindness needs no thanks; I will repay you in the future." Long Er bowed again.

"Why wait for the future? I think today is the day.

"Saving a life from the blade is a joyous occasion; how can we not have a drink together?"

Inspector Huang, well-versed in social graces, immediately laughed it off.

"Fine, how about the Dengying Restaurant?" Long Er said boldly.

"Secretary Hong?"

Yu Zecheng looked at Hong Zhiyou.

He was a newcomer and had a Red intelligence mission on his shoulders, so naturally, the more people he knew, the better.

"I see it's almost mealtime, so I'll take Brother Two up on a drink," Hong Zhiyou agreed aloud.

The single address of "Brother Two" made Long Er's eyes turn red, and he bowed repeatedly:

"I don't deserve it. To have you gentlemen grace me with your presence is the greatest fortune for me, Long Er."

"Officer Liao, care to join us?" Hong Zhiyou looked at Liao Sanmin again.

The corners of Liao Sanmin's mouth twitched.

Hong Zhiyou could tell that he likely did not know Yu Zecheng's identity yet, otherwise, he certainly wouldn't be this cold.

"It wouldn't break any rules, would it?" He paused and asked.

"Officer Liao is overthinking it.

"Our Jinhai Station, the Gendarmerie Headquarters, the Police Bureau, and the Water Tunnel Prison are all part of the same system. We are one family having a meal; I don't think Warden Song or Station Chief Wu would say anything," Huang Zhong said with a smooth smile.

"Then let's go." Liao Sanmin agreed.

He had the same thought as Old Yu: knowing one more person meant one more convenience in the future.

They arrived at a private room in the Dengying Restaurant.

At first, everyone was a bit reserved.

After two rounds of drinks, they loosened up.

Especially when Long Er started talking about old stories from the docks, which Hong Zhiyou and the others listened to with great interest, broadening their horizons.

"Three officers, today Long Er escaped death, all thanks to your righteous rescue.

"If there is ever anything you need from me, just say the word."

Long Er downed a cup of wine in one gulp, cupped his hands, and showed the bottom of his cup boldly.

"Brother Long Er is too kind. From now on, we are all friends.

"More friends mean more paths; we will look out for each other."

Hong Zhiyou raised his glass and finished it as well.

Long Er was the number two figure in the Cao Gang and an important link in his plan to eliminate Master Zhang Si and his son.

If Long Er could control the Cao Gang, which even Wu Jingzhong avoided,

then the sales channels for his and Anderson's business would be open.

Of course, there was another point: Long Er was truly loyal.

In the original story, he helped Yu Zecheng with many things.

Hugging such a thigh would certainly not be a loss.

Yu Zecheng and Liao Sanmin also intended to build a connection.

Both of them could see that Long Er and Inspector Huang were "officials and bandits in one."

Inspector Huang was an old hand at the Police Bureau.

As the saying goes, the bureau chief is like flowing water, but the inspector is like an iron pillar.

Don't look at his low rank; he was the "master" of all the riffraff in Jinhai.

Not to mention the Cao Gang, whose laborers were spread all over Jinhai.

Even the American sailors' warehouses and those rough, tiring jobs had to be done by them.

Let alone the fact that the Cao Gang had many heroes and desperate men.

If they had the help of these two, it would be like having thousands of extra eyes, making intelligence work in Jinhai much simpler.

"Master Long Er is too kind, let us drink together."

Yu Zecheng and Liao Sanmin raised their glasses with a neutral tone.

They drank for a while longer, and Yu Zecheng, in a hurry to handle business at Mu Liancheng's house, left first.

Inspector Huang and Liao Sanmin also had official business and followed shortly after.

Only Long Er and Hong Zhiyou remained in the room.

"Brother Long Er, what are your plans for the future?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Don't think that just because I was in jail, I don't know what's happening outside.

"You are at odds with Young Master Zhang and killed over a dozen of the Cao Gang's best men.

"I won't say much else; since we are sworn brothers, if you need me, just say the word. This life is yours."

Long Er pointed to his chest and said bluntly.

"Thank you, Brother Long Er.

"I do need your help with two things: first, open a warehouse at the Jinhai docks. Second, I need someone I can trust at the American sailors' warehouse.

"If this leaks, I fear neither of us will have a way to survive."

Hong Zhiyou didn't hide anything and brought up the real business.

"Rest assured, I still have a few brothers who would die for me; otherwise, I wouldn't have survived until now," Long Er said.

"Good, my plan is..."

Hong Zhiyou laid out his arrangements one by one.

"These are all small matters. As long as your American friend is reliable, there won't be much of a problem on my end," Long Er nodded after listening.

"Good!

"Brother, this is the number for the Station Chief's office; call this if you need to reach me.

"Just say you're looking for me to buy futures."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Wu Jingzhong will shoot you," Long Er said in surprise.

"He won't.

"He will be very happy to pass the message along," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Little brother, why not call your office phone?" Long Er was puzzled.

"The Military Statistics Bureau has a habit of internal monitoring; the Intelligence Section monitors my phone, and the Station Chief's is safe," Hong Zhiyou explained.

"Little Brother Hong, I think highly of you.

"You are not just a 'cannon king,' your brain is sharp too."

Long Er patted Hong Zhiyou's shoulder hard, his eyes showing a bit more respect.

"Brother... some things are not convenient to say over the phone, so I will tell you now.

"After tonight, when Lu Qiaoshan returns to the station, the news of your release will spread, and the Cao Gang and the Intelligence Section will search the world for you.

"Remember, hide well first. In the next few days, I might need you to go to the Zhang family to sell a batch of goods.

"This will be very dangerous, and you will have to handle it yourself, Brother. Remember, you must hide at No. 1 Changde Road and say I sent you.

"They will take you in."

Hong Zhiyou gave a final instruction.

"Brother Hong!"

"My life was saved by you, so I'll sell it to you," Long Er said without hesitation.

"If you can pull through this wave, I guarantee you'll take back the Cao Gang this month."

"Be extremely careful."

Hong Zhiyou urged.

"I know!" Long Er nodded.

"I'm off, Brother Two."

Hong Zhiyou dared not linger too long and climbed into the car.

He passed by a telephone booth.

Hong Zhiyou dialed a number:

"Hello, is that Old Xie? This is Hong Zhiyou."

"Meet me tomorrow night at eight, at number thirty-six, Lane Two, Hengshan Street."

Hanging up the phone, Hong Zhiyou let out a long sigh of relief.

Everything is ready; the destruction of the Cao Gang is certain.

(End of chapter)