Chapter 157: Unlucky Lu Qiaoshan

Li Ya had zero tolerance for Red tickets.

Even if it were his own father, as long as he was tainted with Red, he would never let him go.

This was a belief carved into his bones during his time in the special training class.

"Yes, Captain Li."

The subordinate accepted the order and left.

Fuyun Teahouse.

Kong Fang, wearing a long gown, lowered the brim of his hat and whispered: "Secretary Hong, I seem to have been followed. Is it your Secret Service?"

"Yes."

"Being followed is exactly what I wanted."

"Don't panic."

Hong Zhiyou said blandly.

"Hmm."

"I feel at ease working with you; whatever you say, I'll do." Kong Fang said.

"Take it."

Hong Zhiyou took two gold bars out of his pocket and handed them over, feigning secrecy.

"Good."

Kong Fang didn't ask any more questions, cooperated by scanning his surroundings, and tucked them into his sleeve.

"Can I go now?"

"This isn't the mountains; my 'Drilling Leopard' skills aren't useful here, and I'm afraid I won't be able to shake them off." Kong Fang said with some worry.

"No."

"Li Ya wants to cast a long line to catch us; he won't move to arrest you."

"We'll just accompany him in his act."

"Withdraw."

Hong Zhiyou placed a silver dollar on the tea table, got up, and left quickly.

Returning home.

Yu Zecheng was wearing a coat, taking a walk in the courtyard.

His gait was very light.

He must be in a good mood.

"Let's go, let's stroll around the alley twice." Seeing Hong Zhiyou, he welcomed him over.

Once in the alley, Yu Zecheng said while walking:

"Zhiyou, thanks. I met Mr. Dong at the Yong residence tonight."

"No need to thank me."

"For the two of you to meet, Yong Jianqiu gave me ten thousand US dollars."

"Of course, if you want to give a little, I wouldn't mind."

Hong Zhiyou said, lighting a cigarette and taking a puff.

Yu Zecheng smiled and actually took a stack of brand-new US banknotes out of his pocket: "Five thousand US dollars; I owed you three thousand last time, and the remaining two thousand is my thank-you fee."

"Tsk tsk, US dollars are hard to come by on the market right now."

"It seems Mr. Yong didn't give you little."

Hong Zhiyou took them, flicked the edge of the bills with his thumb, and listened pleasantly to the sound of the banknotes flipping.

"He knows you're expensive to deal with, so he gave me quite a bit of money."

"He also gave two antiques as funds for rescuing the Third Young Lady." Yu Zecheng said.

"You're still the lucky one."

"I work myself to death every day, squeezed dry by women, just to earn these few pennies."

"You, on the other hand, have a rich dog specially paying for you."

"Having 'money power' is good; I'm almost becoming your mill-grinding ghost."

Hong Zhiyou glanced at him and said with an envious smile.

"Nonsense."

"You're not a ghost; you're the light, the messenger sent down by the two mentors, Marx and Engels, to save me."

Yu Zecheng smiled.

"Save those words for your wife and Zuo Lan; I get goosebumps listening to them." Hong Zhiyou shook his head and continued walking forward at a leisurely pace.

"Anything else?"

"If not, I still have to go find Old Xie."

"Li Ya is dirt poor now; I just pulled a deal for him tonight, five gold bars."

"It can be seen that this guy has great ambition; he wants to make big money and also wants to be Deputy Station Chief."

"I'm afraid there will be a collision with Old Lu."

"Take some time to blow some wind at the Station Chief's place, saying that Section Chief Lu is in charge of too much. Didn't several things happen at the Waterway Inspection Office recently?"

"If you point it out, the Station Chief will give this piece of fat meat to Li Ya."

Hong Zhiyou whispered.

"We're thinking the same thing."

"Old Lu is a famous smiling tiger; if Li Ya snatches the Inspection Office, the two of them will have to fight for their lives."

"But will the Station Chief agree?"

"He used to be very averse to infighting; aren't Liu Xiong and Ma Kui bloody examples?"

Yu Zecheng said, not very confident.

"He will agree."

"Times have changed; Li Ya was sent by Jiang Jianfeng and is a sword hanging over everyone's head in the station."

"If his energy isn't diverted, he will stare at us, including the Station Chief."

"The best way to deal with a tiger is to bring in another tiger."

"Sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight."

Hong Zhiyou flicked the cigarette butt and exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Great."

"By the way, I brought Xiaohui back."

"She was scared to death."

"Old Five gave her a few slaps, her hair was burned by a soldering iron, and she also took a few lashes on her body."

"If I hadn't gone, she probably would have had her fingernails pulled off."

"These guys really don't give face."

Yu Zecheng sighed and said.

"I'm the one who told him to hit her."

"If he didn't, she wouldn't know the height of the sky and the depth of the earth, and who knows what trouble she'd cause next time." Hong Zhiyou said.

"True."

"Li Ya is watching very closely, and Jiang Jianfeng is a pragmatist who takes everything seriously. These problems that were optional in the Station Chief's eyes in the past will cost lives when they fall into their hands."

Yu Zecheng nodded in deep agreement.

"Does Li Ya know?" Yu Zecheng asked cautiously.

"He knows."

"This matter couldn't be hidden from him at all, so I took the initiative to confess to him."

"He knows Xiaohui just shouted a few slogans and read a few poems by Wen Yiduo, and didn't really get into it."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Hmm, then I'm relieved."

"This old classmate of mine is very cunning and very tricky." Yu Zecheng said.

"Is he as cunning and tricky as you?" Hong Zhiyou asked back.

"You're really boring."

"You say you're going to find Old Xie; will he sell us out?"

"After all, he participated in many things."

Yu Zecheng glared at him and said.

"No."

"He is an exquisite egoist who puts money above all else."

"Let's put it this way: Liu Wensheng will defect."

"Xie Ruolin has to go to the electric chair; he took a harsh set of methods from Old Five, but as long as he doesn't die, he'll definitely still want to do business with us when he gets down."

"This kind of person is reliable."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Fine, be careful."

Yu Zecheng gave an instruction, and they walked in opposite directions.

The "Ghost Alley" where Xie Ruolin lived wasn't far away.

When Hong Zhiyou entered, he heard a woman's charming voice inside:

"You dead ghost, hurry up and come in."

"What's the rush? Everything has to... has to be brewed, right?"

"Brew a ghost."

"Hurry up, I still have to go play mahjong."

It was Xu Baofeng's voice.

"Okay, okay."

Hong Zhiyou started timing.

One.

Two.

Thirty-three!

Not bad, an improvement over last time.

A dozen seconds more.

"Useless thing, don't call me next time, it's like this every time..."

Accompanied by the sound of getting dressed.

Hong Zhiyou dodged to the side.

Soon, Xu Baofeng slammed the door and left in a huff.

Hong Zhiyou waited for a minute or two, estimating that Old Xie had finished tidying up, and then knocked on the door: "Old Xie, it's me."

Xie Ruolin opened the door in his shorts:

"Brother Hong, here to deliver money, eh?"

"You could say that."

"A stench of woman."

"Put on your clothes and let's chat in the courtyard."

Hong Zhiyou waited for him in the courtyard with his hands in his pockets.

Soon, Xie Ruolin walked out with his clothes draped over him: "Speak, what's the matter?"

"I've taken on a job for you."

"In these two days, or maybe tomorrow, Captain Li from our station will come to you to buy intelligence."

"When the time comes, you can kill the price hard."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Li Ya, eh." Xie Ruolin said.

"You're very clear on things." Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"That, that's a must. Our Director Ye and Station Chief Sun now wish they could skin him alive."

"Do you know who the Zhong Wangguo who was beaten to death is?"

"That, that is the brother of our Director Ye's lover."

"Killing someone's brother-in-law and digging up a pile of messy things, the Generalissimo was furious, and you guys were promoted and rewarded."

"Can Ye and Sun not be angry?"

"Just you wait, our Party-Communication Bureau isn't easy to mess with either; sooner or later, we'll cut him down."

Xie Ruolin said, stuttering.

"Cutting him down would be good."

"This kid is now staring at me and Old Yu."

"Sell him some intelligence when the time comes."

"Just say that I'm cooperating with Kong Fang to smuggle arms, and that Kong Fang is an underground transporter for the Red tickets who helped transport things before..."

Hong Zhiyou instructed one by one.

"Rest assured."

"I, I have a sense of proportion. You and Section Chief Yu are my gods of wealth."

"I participated in the Ma Kui and Liu Xiong affairs, so we're in the same boat."

"Selling you out would be like selling out my own father... mother?"

Xie Ruolin patted his chest and said.

"Done."

"As long as you know what's what."

"This is for you."

Hong Zhiyou took a bottle of velvet antler powder out of his pocket and handed it to him.

"What, what is this?" Xie Ruolin asked.

"Northeast velvet antler powder sent by Officer Xiong Shihui to our Station Chief, specifically for boosting Yang and replenishing Qi."

"Eating it is good for you and for women."

"A gift for you."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Don't, don't bother. As a veteran of the romantic scene like me, a man who plays the groom every night, what would I need that for?" Xie Ruolin said with disdain, looking very confident.

"If you don't want it, forget it."

"This is authentic, original deer antler from the deep forest; you couldn't buy it even if you wanted to."

Seeing him putting on an act, Hong Zhiyou made a move to take it back.

"Don't."

"Just kidding. I've been in meetings constantly lately, running back and forth, and I really am feeling a bit drained."

"Thanks, brother."

Xie Ruolin was quick-handed, hurriedly grabbing his hand and laughing shamelessly.

"I'm off."

Hong Zhiyou didn't have the heart to insult him further; he gave him the deer antler powder and walked away quickly.

Xie Ruolin opened the bottle and took a sniff.

The rich scent of deer antler, ginseng, and lingzhi mushroom hit his nose.

He usually studied antiques and mountain goods privately.

One sniff told him it was undoubtedly authentic.

It definitely couldn't be cheap.

Of course, given Hong Zhiyou's stature and status, he wouldn't bother using fakes to trick him.

He was truly treating him as a friend.

"Secretary Hong is a friend worth... worth making."

After stuttering, he returned to his room, hurriedly mixed a large cup, drank it, and immediately felt full of energy, eager to experience the effects.

"Hello, is this Boss Tong?"

"It's Xie Ruolin. Is Xiao Li busy right now?"

"You come... forget it."

"Tell her to finish with her guest, wash up thoroughly, dress a bit more provocatively, and come over to my place for a job."

"Don't, don't worry about your man's business; I'll put in a word."

"Make it snappy."

Xie Ruolin made a call to the madam of the Xiuchun Brothel.

The next day.

Wu Jingzhong arrived at the station with dark circles under his eyes.

"Sigh!"

He sighed and leaned back on the sofa with his eyes closed.

"Teacher, did you not sleep well last night?" Hong Zhiyou hurriedly soaked a hot towel and handed it to him to soothe his face.

"Indeed."

"I went to visit the treasures at the Hexi mansion."

"I didn't finish looking through them all night."

"I just can't get enough of them."

Wu Jingzhong wiped his face and sighed with a smile.

"Teacher, treasures are good, but prolonged inspection can be harmful to your health."

"And they are all old objects; they have a heavy 'earth energy,' and staying in the basement for too long can easily lead to wind-cold ailments."

Hong Zhiyou advised softly.

"Indeed."

"But if I don't look at them, my heart gets itchy."

"How about this: when you have time, pick out a few good pieces and send them to my residence."

"I'll look at them slowly."

Wu Jingzhong reflected on himself.

"Fu Zuoyi is already urging us; has that batch of arms been shipped out yet?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"The shipment can go out tonight."

"The main concern is Sun Lianzhong intercepting it, so we're taking the abandoned mountain roads established by the Red Tickets in the past. There are many bandits there, so we have to make arrangements in advance," Hong Zhiyou replied.

"Hmm."

"Get it done quickly."

"The Chairman is still waiting for them to attack Zhangjiakou."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

Just as they were talking, Yu Zecheng walked in:

"Zhiyou is here."

"Teacher, I have good news."

"Speak quickly," Wu Jingzhong immediately perked up.

"After witnessing the execution yesterday, Wu Taixun and Zhu Jiu were scared out of their wits and expressed willingness to operate privately."

"I met with Zhu Qiling."

"He expressed willingness to pay 30,000 US dollars, plus a few antiques as a guarantee."

Yu Zecheng whispered.

"Is 30,000 US dollars a bit too little?" Wu Jingzhong frowned slightly, not entirely satisfied with how he handled the errand.

"It is a bit low."

"The main issue is that US dollars are hard to exchange right now."

"Otherwise, the upper echelons would all be scrambling for news about the Liquidation Committee, wanting to buy US bonds."

"However, those few items are definitely good things."

"They were collected by Lu Qinzhai in Shaanxi when Mr. Zhu was a high-ranking official of the Beiyang government; they have significant age. Among them is a bronze tree that is truly spectacular and worth quite a lot."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Fine."

"You go and operate it; let Wu Taixun voluntarily confess a few traitors and corrupt officials, and I'll grant him a 'meritorious service in assisting' and handle it leniently."

"Lock him up for three months."

"As for Mr. Zhu's daughter, release her."

Wu Jingzhong thought for a moment and arranged.

"Are we really locking him up?" Yu Zecheng blinked, a bit surprised.

"Really locking him up."

"He is one of Boss Dai's people. We are locking him up firstly to show Mao Renfeng, and secondly to show Jiang Jianfeng."

"To demonstrate our methods and determination."

"Not to mention that we used to eat from the same pot; when it's time to arrest or punish, we will never go soft."

Wu Jingzhong raised his eyebrows and pointed firmly.

As he spoke, his brow furrowed again, and he whispered: "Don't forget, this Wu Taixun and his bodyguard humiliated Secretary Hong."

"Our people are not to be bullied so easily."

"The lesson that needs to be taught must be taught."

"Teacher's sincerity in caring for him—if Zhiyou knew, he would certainly be moved to tears. Does the prison side need to be notified?" Yu Zecheng asked respectfully.

"No need, if they have the ability, let them make their own arrangements."

"How much money you pay determines how much work gets done."

"With me, 30,000 US dollars for three months—it's that simple."

Wu Jingzhong said readily.

"Teacher, I saw this morning that Captain Li has a new recruit."

"It's Chen Hu, the son of the big Hexi landlord Chen Wengong."

Yu Zecheng didn't forget the "errand" and lowered his voice.

"I know, Li Ya just reported it."

"The Operations Team is under his management, so stuffing a person or two is no problem. I've seen the young man myself; he's quite sturdy, so field work is no problem," Wu Jingzhong said.

"By the way, how is the investigation into those bastards at the Waterway Inspection Office colluding in flour smuggling going?" After a pause, he asked again.

"Section Chief Lu has already fired them," Yu Zecheng said hurriedly.

"Bastards, is he just going to fire them and call it a day?" Wu Jingzhong frowned, displeased.

"Teacher."

"To be honest, Section Chief Lu isn't having an easy time; he has too many burdens on his shoulders."

Yu Zecheng praised him on the surface while mocking him underneath, counting on his fingers:

"The Intelligence Section—because it involves telecommunications, the Lieutenant Colonel of the Telecommunications Section, Hou Yunlai, has to listen to him."

"The General Affairs Section—Zhiyou still hasn't received the official seal."

"The Postal Bureau, the Police Department, the Waterway Inspection Office, and the archives and equipment rooms under my Confidential Section are all primarily his responsibility."

"Even when it comes to what vegetables to buy for the cafeteria, Old Luo has to ask him first."

"Except for the Security Section, he manages everything else in the station."

"It's exhausting."

"He is managing a bit too much. Go, call the main department heads to the conference room; it's time to relieve some pressure for Section Chief Lu," Wu Jingzhong said, immediately ordering. He understood the subtext perfectly.

Why was he keeping Lu Qiaoshan?

Wasn't it just waiting for this day of dogs biting dogs?

In the past, letting Lu Qiaoshan bite Ma Kui was a bit of a waste of talent.

But now, using him to bite Li Ya was a fair match.

It was going to draw blood.

Following Yu Zecheng's phone notification.

The heads of various sections arrived at the conference room one after another.

"Zhiyou, today isn't Monday."

"Why is there a sudden meeting?"

Lu Qiaoshan walked quickly in the corridor, caught up with Hong Zhiyou, and asked in a low voice.

"I don't know."

"I drank too much last night and just took a nap in the office," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

Just as they were talking, Li Ya walked over from the other side.

"Brother Hong, what's going on?" he asked.

"Oh, Captain Li." Hong Zhiyou's smile became even brighter.

"I don't know."

"You're the Station Chief's favorite; you don't know either?"

He moved two steps away from Lu Qiaoshan and walked alongside Li Ya.

"Is there some operation?"

"We'll know once we listen."

Li Ya intended to win over Hong Zhiyou, and the two began chatting like old friends of many years.

Lu Qiaoshan was left on the side, his face instantly turning gloomy.

That damn little Hong.

Isn't he being too snobbish?

I'm still a Section Chief and the number two person in the station.

Li Ya arrives, and he can't tell who's the boss anymore?

They arrived at the conference room.

Everyone sat in their respective places.

Because Hong Zhiyou had to take minutes, he still didn't sit down, but stood beside Wu Jingzhong with a pen and notebook, waiting for orders.

"Everyone, we are holding an internal meeting today."

"According to the latest instructions from Director Mao regarding internal affairs, after streamlining the establishment, all departments and sections must achieve precision, coordination, and efficiency."

"Everyone manage your own area well."

"We are implementing a responsibility system; whoever is in charge is responsible, and it must be specifically implemented in every section."

"The personnel issue in our station has always been a trouble."

"That's why we had the recent scandal of internal personnel at the Waterway Inspection Office colluding in smuggling."

"Because of this trivial matter, the Jinhai Station has made the headlines again."

"Director Mao is very angry."

"Therefore, I am announcing new personnel appointments."

Wu Jingzhong set the tone first.

"Zecheng, you announce the new personnel appointments and removals," he pointed to Yu Zecheng.

Yu Zecheng stood up and said solemnly:

"According to the instructions of Director Mao and the Station Chief, the new personnel appointments are as follows:"

"The Intelligence Section is under the responsibility of Lieutenant Colonel Section Chief Lu Qiaoshan."

"The Telecommunications Section is under the responsibility of Lieutenant Colonel Hou Yunlai."

"The General Affairs Section is under the responsibility of Major Hong Zhiyou."

"..."

After reading through, Yu Zecheng finally said:

"Because of the lack of field-grade officers in the station, there are two important departments: one is the Police Department, and the other is the Waterway Inspection Office."

"The Police Department is concurrently headed by Section Chief Lu Qiaoshan."

"The Waterway Inspection Office is concurrently headed by Captain Li Ya."

"The above is the latest personnel arrangement."

(End of chapter)