Chapter 154

"Tell me.

"What exactly is going on with that guy surnamed Zhong in the interrogation room?"

Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and asked sternly.

"Station Chief, I didn't expect to catch someone from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics either.

"According to Qi Qi Da Fu's report.

"At that time, Zhou Yunyi was fighting to the death to protect this person, calling him 'comrade' over and over.

"And the direction he was heading was towards our disguised 'Mr. Dong'.

"Who the hell knew this guy surnamed Zhong would be the representative of the Jinhai Economic Investigation Group sent by the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics."

Li Ya scratched his head, distressed.

"What did I say?

"I told you to be careful in everything; if you throw a brick in Jinhai, you might hit a big shot you can't afford to provoke.

"You didn't believe me.

"Now it's fine; the Chairman is furious and had Chen Bulei question me, accusing me of not understanding the big picture and still engaging in the life-and-death internal struggle between the Central Bureau and the Military Bureau.

"He even threatened to strip me of my position.

"Li Ya, oh Li Ya!

"You really are a troublemaker.

"If it weren't for the sake of your late master, I would shoot you dead right now!"

Wu Jingzhong said, furious.

"Station Chief, I'm sorry.

"I, I will explain to Comrade Jianfeng." Li Ya said, pursing his thin lips.

"Yes.

"You found a good backer." Wu Jingzhong said.

"Station Chief, actually, it's not entirely without gains.

"Last night, Yu Zecheng and his wife went to that street; if Zhou Yunyi hadn't turned traitor, they would have definitely entered the hotel.

"I can only say I was defeated by Zhou Yunyi and this Lin Tao.

"This couple never intended to be truly used by us from the beginning.

"My people discovered that Lin Tao has already committed suicide.

"Zhou Yunyi dug a big hole for me before he died."

Li Ya gritted his teeth in hatred.

"Is that the only loss?

"You obtained the codebook for the radio calls; this was originally a fatal trump card. If you hadn't been so impulsive and had hidden it well, you could have done great things in the future.

"Now it's fine; you traded it for a dying woman.

"A worthless local committee member who was already exposed.

"The methods were clumsy; it's simply outrageous."

Wu Jingzhong frowned, suppressing the urge to call him a "stupid pig".

"Yes.

"It's a pity about that 'Dream Butterfly'; the Red Tickets will definitely change their codebook now." Li Ya sighed helplessly.

"Enough.

"Now we need to figure out how to smooth this matter over.

"Let them all come and discuss it."

Wu Jingzhong said.

Soon, the three of them, Hong Zhiyou, walked in:

"Station Chief, Captain Li is here too."

"Sit down, all of you.

"Last night, Captain Li was luring and arresting Red Tickets at the Hongqiao Hotel.

"Unfortunately, because of the betrayal of the local committee member Zhou Yunyi, the operation was botched.

"On the scene, we captured a representative of the Economic Inspection Group sent by the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics to Jinhai.

"Now Ye Xiufeng is filing a complaint with the Chairman.

"I've temporarily shouldered the blame."

"Bureau Chief Mao has given strict instructions that we must investigate to the end.

"Tell me what you think."

Wu Jingzhong looked at the three and asked.

"Station Chief, such a big matter, why didn't my Intelligence Section hear a single whisper of it?

"Zhou Yunyi was always negotiated with by me.

"If I had gone to persuade him, it might not have turned into this situation."

Lu Qiaoshan said, very dissatisfied.

"Qiaoshan, the matter has already happened; let's think of countermeasures." Wu Jingzhong had no heart to bicker over this issue.

"Station Chief.

"The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics isn't necessarily clean either.

"There must have been many people present at the time; we can find a few witnesses to explain the situation on the scene.

"Besides, since this person is a representative of the investigation group, why would he appear at the Hongqiao Hotel at that time?

"Was he trading intelligence?

"Or was he playing around with women?

"Or, he was the contact person for the Red Tickets; these are all possibilities."

Hong Zhiyou was best at this kind of thing.

"Hmm.

"I seriously suspect that Ye Xiufeng is shifting the blame to cover for his subordinates." Yu Zecheng echoed.

"Station Chief, I think you must strongly support Captain Li this time.

"Insist that he was indeed luring and arresting Red Tickets.

"Don't forget that the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics representative surnamed Zhong and the Red Ticket member Zhou Yunyi joined forces to fire at our people.

"They even killed two field personnel from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

"Clearly, we are the ones who suffered; why should we let Ye Xiufeng pin a label on us?

"Isn't he filing a complaint?

"We can file one too, a complaint with solid evidence.

"Don't forget, Captain Li was secretly sent by Jianfeng; I don't believe the biological son's words carry less weight than Ye Xiufeng's."

Hong Zhiyou held up his index finger and said decisively.

Li Ya, listening from the side, felt his heart warm up.

He glanced sideways at Hong Zhiyou, his expression showing less arrogance and more gratitude.

He finally understood why the Station Chief would reuse Hong Zhiyou.

This person really is a flatterer.

But he also possesses a shrewd political mind.

He is an ally worth winning over.

"Hmm, that makes sense.

"Joining forces to fire shots.

"As an investigation group, coveting beauty.

"Li Ya, you must use all resources to find out the background of this guy surnamed Zhong after he arrived in Jinhai.

"Especially whether he has accepted bribes.

"Whether he has had close dealings with certain concubines, and the woman he brought, you must also investigate strictly.

"In addition, his testimony and witnesses regarding the Red Tickets must all be complete.

"For this, I'll trouble Zecheng to put in some effort and settle these matters.

"With these three strikes, I don't believe Ye Xiufeng's mouth will dare to be so hard."

Wu Jingzhong slapped the table and set the tone on the spot.

"Station Chief, rest assured, the affairs of the Jinhai station are my affairs.

"I will go handle it immediately."

Yu Zecheng accepted the order happily.

"Old classmate, thanks." Li Ya said with a smile, putting his hands in his pockets.

"We were classmates, don't be so polite with me.

"Then you all discuss it; I'll go handle it first."

Yu Zecheng smiled harmoniously and walked out quickly.

"Qiaoshan.

"You go and be responsible for contacting the newspapers.

"We must minimize the negative public opinion against us.

"This battle concerns the face of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics; we must win, we cannot lose, understand?"

Wu Jingzhong looked at the dejected Lu Qiaoshan and said.

"Yes, Station Chief.

"Your subordinate will go handle it now."

Lu Qiaoshan endured his displeasure and squeezed out a smile.

Then, he glanced at Li Ya, turned his head, and walked out with a gloomy and cold face.

"Station Chief.

"This Section Chief Lu seems very dissatisfied with me." Li Ya said.

"What?

"You poked a hole in the sky, and you still want people to treat you like a Bodhisattva.

"Be content.

"Go handle your business!"

Wu Jingzhong said with a straight face.

"Yes.

"Thank you, Secretary Hong."

Li Ya smiled slightly and walked out.

"Teacher.

"Captain Li has poked a big hole this time." With no outsiders, Hong Zhiyou said.

"Yes.

"Honestly, I'm in a difficult position.

"I wanted to take this opportunity to send this Buddha back to headquarters.

"But Jianfeng didn't agree.

"He even blamed me for not protecting my subordinates and quitting when things went wrong.

"Thanks to you, you broke the deadlock in time.

"Otherwise, who knows how Ye Xiufeng would have made a scene."

Wu Jingzhong took his teacup and took a sip.

"Also.

"Captain Li is capable, but he's too arrogant and too impatient in doing things." Hong Zhiyou said, sharing intimate words with him.

"Let's use him for now.

"I still trust Li Ya's ability and his loyalty to the Party and State.

"Another thing.

"After all, he wears the halo of being the Crown Prince's personal envoy, which makes it easier for us to talk to the garrison and other government offices.

"Wait until he messes up a few more times, and let's see what face Jianfeng has to keep him here."

Wu Jingzhong nodded and said.

"Yes.

"We should use him while we can." Hong Zhiyou echoed.

"Zhang Xun's old residence, have all those treasures been stored away?" With no outsiders, Wu Jingzhong whispered.

"Stored away.

"Half a warehouse full of treasures, more spectacular than a museum.

"Teacher, if you went, you probably couldn't see them all in ten days and ten nights.

"It's no exaggeration to say.

"Just these alone are enough for us to go to America and buy a hundred, a thousand big farms.

"Don't you always envy the Shanghai Police Chief Zhang Shi for going to Taiwan to become a farm owner?

"As long as you are happy, we can buy farms in North America, France, Xiangdao, Spain, wherever you want; Zhang Shi can't even compare to one of your fingers."

Hong Zhiyou walked behind him and began to massage his shoulders.

"Are, are there really that many?" Wu Jingzhong was so pleasantly surprised he couldn't believe it.

"You'll know once you see them.

"There will only be more than I described." Hong Zhiyou said.

"Zhiyou.

"You know whose these things will be later, right?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"I know.

"They are all for Wu Ruirui's children." Hong Zhiyou said.

"As long as you understand.

"You must be neither arrogant nor rash, and you must be humble and cautious.

"Isn't it only half a basement?

"Keep going.

"We must fill the basement."

Wu Jingzhong turned his head to look at him and smiled happily.

"Yes.

"For the children, I will work hard." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Your approach today was very correct.

"For someone like Li Ya, head-on collision won't work; you have to get along with him well.

"He is very arrogant.

"But the look he gave you just now was very admiring and friendly; did you feel it?"

Wu Jingzhong now liked this "true disciple" prospective son-in-law immensely.

"I felt it, and I'm very happy.

"If Jianfeng's people can become friends, that would be for the best." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Yes.

"Honestly, I'm happy to see them fight a little.

"Otherwise, Li Ya will ride on our heads.

"As for you, stir the mud between all parties.

"It must be a fight without chaos, a fight without injury; only then is it conducive to our control of the situation, understand?"

Wu Jingzhong squinted his eyes and taught him the strategy with enjoyment.

"Yes." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Why do you think Section Chief Yu went to that street last night?

"According to Li Ya's account.

"If Zhou Yunyi hadn't turned traitor at the time, Yu Zecheng would likely have stepped into that hotel.

"Could he be a Red Ticket?"

Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Teacher.

"Even the clumsy Ma Kui knew how to find someone to take the blame after messing up a job.

"Let alone the seasoned Li Ya.

"If it were me, I would have to say the same; you can lose the battle, but you can't lose in words; isn't that very normal?

"Yu Zecheng and Mrs. Yu just went to listen to crosstalk.

"If you really think along these lines, there are many municipal and military officials in the crosstalk venue who like this; you can't label them all as Red Tickets.

"Just because Yu Zecheng is from our Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, we shouldn't look at him differently.

"Crucially, he is currently investigating Wu Taixun.

"Zhu Qiling has already entrusted someone to call me today.

"It's almost time to reach into the pockets; better to have one less thing than one more, don't you think?"

Hong Zhiyou whispered in defense of Yu Zecheng.

"You are sympathizing with him." Wu Jingzhong said.

"No, I am sympathizing with the money." Hong Zhiyou said.

"Alright.

"For the sake of the money, I can only believe he is innocent." Wu Jingzhong nodded.

"How are the arms negotiations going?

"The two major government offices of Zhang Yuan and Baoding are already plotting to attack Zhangjiakou.

"If we can't produce the goods, the Chairman will hold you and me accountable."

After a pause, he brought up business.

"They are already being boxed and loaded; they are all American-made, one batch is surplus from the Marine Corps, and one batch is produced by an arms company in North America.

"My old classmate helped us negotiate a good price.

"We can save another twenty thousand US dollars in total.

"The rice, flour, grain, and oil were transported last night; we didn't dare pass through Baoding and transported them directly via mountain roads to Zhang Yuan."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Excellent.

"I finally understand why the officials in the Ministry of National Defense are fighting for military supply jobs.

"With this turnover..."

Wu Jingzhong didn't say exactly how much he earned.

But since Dai Li died, he has definitely been blessed by the stars, with his pockets full.

"Come to my house for dinner tonight; Wu Ruirui's mother keeps talking about you.

"You must be sensible.

"Come home often when you're free."

Wu Jingzhong reminded him solemnly.

"Alright." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

……

After eating some fruit, Hong Zhiyou returned to his office and began reading the newspaper.

"Brother, are you busy?"

Lu Qiaoshan poked his head in and asked.

"Brother Shan, is something the matter?" Hong Zhiyou put down the newspaper and stood up to welcome him.

"Sigh, nothing.

"It's just that I'm feeling stifled inside." Lu Qiaoshan sighed and said.

"Didn't you go to the newspaper office?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Am I that idle, running errands for Li Ya personally?

"I handed it over to my subordinates.

"He poked such a big hole, and even Ye Xiufeng went out to file an imperial complaint, yet he remained unscathed.

"Brother, I'm afraid there's no hope for me to be deputy station chief."

Lu Qiaoshan said, feeling very unpleasant.

"How can that be? You're too pessimistic, brother.

"The Station Chief is just giving him a chance because he's new here.

"Rest assured, with Li Ya's temperament, he'll inevitably offend people, and there will be times when he falls." Hong Zhiyou said.

"Besides, you are the Intelligence Section Chief.

"What is the Intelligence Section?

"That is the eyes of the action team.

"If Li Ya is blind, what can he accomplish?"

As he spoke, he secretly gave Lu Qiaoshan a hint.

Lu Qiaoshan bit his lower lip and laughed dryly: "Brother, your words have awakened the dreamer.

"That's right, I don't believe Li Ya can still jump around if he's blind."

"Even if he jumps, he's bound to hit a wall." Hong Zhiyou echoed with a smile.

"No wonder we are brothers; we thought of the same thing."

Lu Qiaoshan was laughing, but suddenly his expression turned cold, staring fixedly at Hong Zhiyou:

"Brother, why did you speak for him and help him out today?"

"Brother Shan, let me be blunt.

"You are a lieutenant colonel with Zheng Jiemin protecting you from behind; he is Jianfeng's old classmate, and the two drink tea and chat together every day, so everything is easy to discuss.

"Let's put it this way, even if you broke Li Ya's dog legs, Jianfeng has people to smooth things over.

"Can I do that?

"I can't afford to offend him; if I don't do him a favor today, who knows when he might come for me next time."

Hong Zhiyou said with a look of helplessness.

Having said this, he lowered his voice and said:

"Have you heard?"

"Heard what?" Lu Qiaoshan blinked.

"This luring operation was supposedly aimed at Section Chief Yu.

"Didn't Liu Xiong always investigate Section Chief Yu before?

"Section Chief Liu used to be a counselor at the Qingpu Special Training Class; according to the Station Chief, he and Li Ya were as close as father and son.

"Li Ya came back to take revenge."

Hong Zhiyou said, pretending to be very mysterious.

"No?

"He has this layer of relationship with Liu Xiong?" Lu Qiaoshan was very surprised.

"Hmm, can what the Station Chief says be fake?" Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Then Old Yu is in trouble.

"The hatred of killing a father is irreconcilable." Lu Qiaoshan said.

"So, the one who should be worried is Section Chief Yu, not you.

"What else are you feeling stifled about?"

Hong Zhiyou comforted him in a low voice.

"After hearing you say that, I feel much more comfortable.

"Just wait.

"From today on, I will make Li Ya become Li the Blind."

Lu Qiaoshan curled his lips into a cold smile, stood up, and left.

……

Jinhai, Nanjiang Road.

Nine o'clock in the morning, an auspicious time.

Amidst a burst of firecrackers.

The owner of the Tongyuan Bookstore, Luo Anping, dressed in a blue long gown, cupped his hands and bowed to the neighbors passing by:

"Starting today, the bookstore is officially open for business.

"I hope all neighbors, those passing by, can come and support us often..."

"Shopkeeper, the books are ready; when should we send them to Mr. Yu?"

The tall assistant, trying hard to open his eyes that seemed to never wake up, whispered in his ear.

"Tonight.

"It's inconvenient during the day with many people around."

Luo Anping said.

"Understood." The assistant nodded.

Night fell.

The bookstore assistant Luo Bing carried a cloth bag and carefully arrived at Yu Zecheng's courtyard.

"Knock knock."

He knocked on the door.

Yu Zecheng opened the door, looked at this unfamiliar face, and asked vigilantly:

"Who are you looking for?"

"Mr. Yu, right? I'm an assistant from Tongyuan Bookstore.

"Can I come in and talk?"

As Luo Bing spoke, he tried to squeeze inside.

"I didn't buy any books." Yu Zecheng, however, blocked him outside the door.

"I was sent by Shopkeeper Luo.

"The organization has established a new..."

Before Luo Bing could finish speaking, Yu Zecheng drew his gun and aimed it at his head.

……

(End of chapter)