Chapter 158: Caught

Lu Qiaoshan looked at Li Ya, who was sitting on the right side opposite him, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

In the past, Ma Kui and Hou Yunlai sat in this chair.

These two people, one was as stupid as a pig or dog, and the other was as timid as a mouse.

He could handle them with a little bit of thought.

And now? Li Ya was looking at him coldly, the corners of his mouth slightly raised with a hint of disdain and schadenfreude.

This made Lu Qiaoshan feel very uncomfortable and tormented.

The two stared at each other with cold eyes for a few moments, and Lu Qiaoshan's face grew gloomier.

He knew that this card of Zheng Jiemin could no longer be played in the station.

He came up and fired his own people in the Operations Team.

And now he was taking the Waterway Inspection Office.

Every knife was cutting at the artery.

This was aimed at him; he was starting to openly snatch the position of Deputy Station Chief.

"Qiaoshan, talk about your views."

"Especially regarding the internal ghost selling flour in the Waterway Inspection Office."

"Our work is to constantly summarize and reflect on ourselves so that we can make fewer mistakes."

Wu Jingzhong spoke easily, but his expression was very heavy.

"Station Chief, this is because I wasn't strict in using people; I reflect on it." Lu Qiaoshan stood up and said.

"I recognize your work ability."

"It's just that you have too much on your plate, and you're neglecting one thing for another."

"It just so happens that Captain Li is a capable official; with him sharing the Waterway Inspection Office for you, your work will be much easier in the future."

Wu Jingzhong sat upright and smiled.

"Yes, then, then I'll have to trouble Captain Li." Lu Qiaoshan squeezed out a smile, stood up, and shook hands with Li Ya.

"You're welcome."

Li Ya stood up, one hand in his pocket, leaned forward slightly, and shook hands with a bland tone.

"Personnel arrangements are not child's play."

"Director Mao has very strict requirements in this regard; the functions of each department must be implemented."

"Qiaoshan, hand over the equipment room, General Affairs Section, Inspection Office, including the cafeteria procurement seals, and everything else."

Wu Jingzhong ordered.

"Understood, Station Chief, I will hand them over to them in a moment." Lu Qiaoshan said somewhat unwillingly.

"No need for a moment, do it now."

"You've held the seal of the General Affairs Section for a year; it's time to let go."

Wu Jingzhong's tone sank, allowing no doubt.

"Yes!"

Lu Qiaoshan bit his lip and walked out in disappointment.

A moment later, he brought back many things.

Keys to the equipment room.

Seals for the General Affairs Section, cafeteria procurement office, Waterway Inspection Office, etc.

Under Wu Jingzhong's icy gaze, he handed them over to the persons in charge of each department one by one on the spot.

When it was Hong Zhiyou's turn, he said somewhat bitterly as a joke:

"The seal."

"From now on, we should call you Section Chief Hong."

"As you wish."

"If you're talking from the Station Chief's side, call me Secretary Hong."

"If you're talking from the Jinhai Station side, calling me Section Chief Hong is also fine."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and took the seal from Lu Qiaoshan's hand.

His tone and attitude were not as respectful as in the past, appearing very casual.

Lu Qiaoshan's smile turned cold, and he curled his lips in displeasure, sitting back in his chair.

The world is cold, and people's hearts are not what they used to be.

This bunch of snobbish grandsons.

After the meeting, he returned to his office with a lonely expression.

Once, he was the number two person with two sections and seven departments on his shoulders; who didn't want to come here to have a cup of coffee?

Now...

The police system is reforming.

It won't be long before the Secret Service is kicked out.

By then, he will truly become Section Chief Lu.

On the contrary, Li Ya occupies the lucrative position of the Waterway Inspection Office, and the people surrounding him, like Hong Zhiyou, will become more and more numerous.

And the person has a strong background.

The position of Deputy Station Chief is drifting further and further away.

After the crowd dispersed, Yu Zecheng sat in his chair without moving.

"Zecheng, is something the matter?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"Teacher, I have a request."

"The quality of personnel in our station is uneven, especially the external ones; many lack cultivation."

"Playing cards and gambling are rampant."

"The warehouse on the west side is empty; I want to build a library so that they can be cultivated when they have nothing to do."

"Especially books on intelligence studies."

"For example, your masterpiece, and 'Far East Intelligence Station', which are also good for improving their professional quality."

Yu Zecheng said as he handed the book list to Wu Jingzhong.

Wu Jingzhong took a look, and the prices on the book list were at least twice as high as the general market price.

A copy of Zhu Zi Family Instructions was priced at two hundred and thirty yuan on the market, but Yu Zecheng marked it at seven hundred.

Wu Jingzhong immediately understood.

Yu Zecheng was short of money.

The Confidential Section he was in was far less lucrative than the Police Department or the Inspection Office, and not even as profitable as Sheng Xiang, the reseller.

He could only scrape some money from these corners.

It was shameful to say, but he had received quite a lot of gold and silver treasures recently, yet he had forgotten to give dividends to his two generals.

Originally, the Inspection Office was meant for Yu Zecheng as a reward.

As a result, Li Ya jumped out and messed up his plan.

"Your proposal is very necessary and also very advanced."

"I think we can try it."

"Also, come to my house for dinner tonight with Zhiyou."

"We haven't gathered for a long time; it's time to chat."

Wu Jingzhong handed back the book list and smiled happily.

"Thank you, Teacher." Yu Zecheng stood at attention and bowed.

"Go handle it." Wu Jingzhong nodded with satisfaction.

Walking out of the conference room.

Yu Zecheng breathed a sigh of relief.

He deliberately marked up the prices to show that he was short of money.

Sure enough, when it came to money, Old Wu's guard would drop significantly.

With this excuse, he could go to the bookstore to make contact openly and honestly.

Thinking of this, Yu Zecheng was in a great mood.

Returning to his office.

He was organizing the book list when Lu Qiaoshan walked in:

"Old Yu, can we chat for a moment?"

"Sure, Section Chief Lu, please sit." Yu Zecheng said with a beaming smile.

"Book list?"

"Why, is the station building a library?"

"Tsk tsk, this purchase price is a bit too high."

Lu Qiaoshan looked at him with great surprise.

"Old Lu, I dare not hide it from you."

"I'm too tight on cash; this clean office of mine has no oil, so I can only get some from here."

"This is Jinhai City."

"My salary isn't enough for Cuiping to lose playing mahjong with your wife and the Station Chief's wife."

"If I don't get some, I won't even have money to eat outside."

Yu Zecheng said in a friendly manner.

"Hey, we're all brothers in trouble."

"I heard the Generalissimo accepted Li Shizhen's proposal, and the Police Department is going to be abolished."

"With Boss Dai dead, Director Mao can't say anything either."

"The... Secret Service is getting worse by the day."

"Believe it or not, one day when you wake up, the Secret Service will be abolished."

Lu Qiaoshan sighed with a dejected face.

"You're too pessimistic."

"If the Generalissimo didn't want to use this knife, could he have let Director Mao come up?"

"However, losing the Waterway Inspection Office is indeed very unfavorable for you."

"Think about how many ships enter and leave Jinhai Port every day; just find some trouble, and they have to beg you."

"That's a gold mountain."

Yu Zecheng said with great regret.

"Hey!"

"Bad luck; layoffs and restructuring, and now the iron-blooded Li Ya has jumped out."

"I've run into everything."

"Even Hong Zhiyou has run off. Once the Police Department is abolished, the Intelligence Section will be like the Confidential Section, all clean offices, and my days won't be easy either."

Lu Qiaoshan sighed with emotion.

"Old Lu, endure it."

"People have people above them; some things should be let go if they need to be let go."

"Endure it for now."

"What doesn't happen in Jinhai? Who knows, one day Captain Li might fall himself."

"Won't the wind and water turn back to you?"

Yu Zecheng comforted him.

"By the way, I saw in the newspaper that the Inspection Team of the Garrison Headquarters has destroyed many underground Red-ticket strongholds recently and also raided several traitor warehouses."

"Old Lu, your intelligence has to keep up."

"Don't let this bunch of guys suppress our limelight."

After a pause, Yu Zecheng pointed to the news in the newspaper and deliberately changed the subject.

"If they don't suppress our limelight, should we let Li Ya be in the limelight?"

"If he fires a few more shots, won't he be riding on your and my head to shit and pee?"

"Fine."

"I came here to tell you, especially about Hong Zhiyou, keep your eyes open, don't confuse inside and outside; Li Ya is investigating him."

Lu Qiaoshan patted his shoulder and walked out.

Yu Zecheng shook his head, organized his briefcase, went downstairs, and drove straight to Tongyuan Bookstore.

The clerk who came last time was indeed sent by the organization.

It was also Mr. Dong who guaranteed it.

Only then did he dare to come and make contact.

Arriving at the bookstore.

He happened to see the clerk and the shopkeeper, who had a bald forehead and was wearing a blue long gown, fiddling with the bookshelf.

The bookstore had just opened, and both were busy.

"Shopkeeper." Luo Bing reminded in a low voice, took a rag, and went to the door to stand guard.

"Yo, this gentleman, are you buying books?" Shopkeeper Luo adjusted his glasses and welcomed him with a smile.

Yu Zecheng moved to the other side of the bookshelf and said in a low voice, using the code word handed over by Mr. Dong:

"Shopkeeper, do you have the Huiwen edition of Zhu Zi Family Instructions?"

"Yes, but it's not a single publication; it's bound with the 'Amplified Wise Words'." Shopkeeper Luo said.

"Is it the Republican edition or the Qing edition?" Yu Zecheng asked again.

"Both, which edition do you want?" Shopkeeper Luo said.

"Let me see." Yu Zecheng said.

"Please come inside."

Shopkeeper Luo raised his hand and led him to the cargo warehouse inside.

"Hello, Comrade Zecheng, my name is Luo Anping, sent by Ke Gong from Line One." Luo Anping smiled and reached out his hand.

"I've finally waited for you."

"Hello, Comrade Anping."

Yu Zecheng shook his hands enthusiastically.

"Is it safe for you to come here?" Luo Anping asked.

"It's still considered safe for now."

"I applied for a library plan to the station, and the Station Chief approved it."

"In the future, I can come here openly and honestly."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Great."

"The liaison station hasn't been able to be established, and the higher-ups are worried to death."

"Allow me to introduce myself first."

"I previously worked at the water transport terminal in Hankou."

"I had a one-on-one connection directly with Ke Gong."

"Right now, only Ke Gong knows my information in the Border Defense and Social Affairs departments."

"Therefore, even if I were exposed, the enemy wouldn't be able to dig up anything."

"And for the sake of your safety, as well as to deal with the complex underground situation in Jinhai, from now on, this point of mine will only target you alone."

"Comrade Zecheng, the organization attaches great importance to you."

Luo Anping shook hands with Yu Zecheng again and sighed with emotion.

"I felt it."

"I can't stay here too long; let's talk about business first."

"Jiang secretly ordered the Jinhai Station to purchase military supplies from the Americans and secretly send them to the Zhang Yuan Pacification Office, handing them over to Fu Zuoyi's 12th War Zone. It is highly likely they are going to attack the Jining and Zhangjiakou areas."

"A batch of important supplies from Jinhai and Shanghai is being transported to Subei."

"The Dai Zhiqi Division might be attacking General Su."

"Now Jiang's intention is already very clear: he wants to fight."

"We must prepare quickly."

Yu Zecheng said.

Luo Anping didn't even take out a pen and said directly: "This intelligence of yours is very important; I will report it to the higher-ups in time."

"In addition, there is something that needs your help to identify."

"Please speak."

Yu Zecheng immediately understood that the organization already knew about what he had reported.

"Recently, underground organizations have been destroyed in many places like Xi'an, Luoyang, and Kaifeng, with dozens of people arrested."

"Among them was a Major General-level undercover officer of our Party."

"The intelligence network along the entire Central Plains and Northwest line has been almost uprooted."

"The losses are extremely heavy."

"According to the investigation, the organization has locked onto many suspects, and there is someone in Beiping who is highly suspicious."

Luo Anping said with a frown.

"Who?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"Yuan Peilin."

"This person once followed Wang Shijian to establish an intelligence network."

"Now he is a dual-leader in Beiping; you need to use your means to identify him."

"Once you discover that this person has indeed defected, please report it immediately."

Luo Anping said with worry.

"You must let the comrades in Beiping evacuate as soon as possible," Yu Zecheng said.

"It's already being arranged," Luo Anping said.

"Okay, I understand," Yu Zecheng nodded.

After taking a batch of samples, he left the bookstore, returned to the station, and handed them to Wu Jingzhong for review.

Leaving the Station Chief's office, passing by Hong Zhiyou's office, Yu Zecheng glanced inside and didn't see anyone, guessing he had gone to the naval warehouse again.

How to identify Yuan Peilin?

Hong Zhiyou has extensive connections.

He can even talk to Ma Hansan, Liu Yuzhu, and Wang Puchen.

If Yuan Peilin's defection is true.

Then the newly arrived Beiping Station Chief, Qiao Jiacai, will certainly make a big deal out of this person.

That is Ma Hansan's territory.

After Dai Li died, although this person resigned as Director of the Secret Service Bureau and became Director of the Civil Affairs Bureau, the Secret Service Bureau is still Ma's basic foundation.

Qiao Jiacai is a subordinate of Li Zongren...

Perhaps something can be done here.

Night fell.

Li Ya secretly assembled the key members of the Operations Team at his residence.

"Group One: Da Fu, how is your tracking going?" Li Ya asked.

"Last night, Hong Zhiyou met with Kong Fang again."

"He gave the other party two gold bars."

"This afternoon, Hong Zhiyou secretly loaded a large batch of military supplies and ordnance from the No. 2 pier of the naval warehouse, dozens of trucks, and transported them out in three batches."

"They took a road in the Baoding mountains."

"In the past, that place was long occupied by the Red Ticket guerrillas and is one of the important transit lines for the Red Tickets to enter Yancheng."

"Moreover, last night Hong Zhiyou also secretly visited Yong Jianqiu."

"This person has always been an important friendly merchant of the Red Tickets."

"His daughter is the student union member captured by Section Chief Xiao."

Qi Qi Da Fu reported.

"Exactly."

"In the past, Hong Zhiyou also transported things on the mountain road with this Kong Fang."

"When Section Chief Liu was here, he personally arrested them."

"It's just that Hong Zhiyou burned it with a fire, and no evidence was obtained."

"But that time, Section Chief Liu sent Hong Zhiyou to the electric chair; at that time, everyone thought Secretary Hong was dead for sure for communicating with the Red Tickets."

"Unexpectedly..."

Another subordinate reported.

"In other words, Hong Zhiyou indeed has a suspicion of communicating with the Red Tickets."

"Or rather, he is doing business with the Red Tickets, transporting military supplies and firearms for them?"

Li Ya pondered.

He knew Liu Xiong's vision and methods very well.

Being watched by Liu Xiong, caught in the act, and sent to the electric chair—Hong Zhiyou is highly likely a Red Ticket.

"There is such a possibility," Qi Qi Da Fu nodded.

"Good for you, Hong Zhiyou; you don't do so many businesses in Jinhai, but you have to collude with the Red Tickets."

"You're simply tired of living."

Li Ya touched his chin and ordered his subordinates:

"Assemble the troops, secretly head to the Baoding mountains, follow the convoy, and catch him in the act."

"Captain."

"Last time Section Chief Liu failed, it was because the local garrison came forward and restrained Section Chief Liu, which gave Hong Zhiyou time to burn the evidence."

"If there is no garrison to help, I'm afraid we won't be able to take him down."

Qi Qi Da Fu reminded.

"Don't worry, I will call Sun Lianzhong."

"With so many military supplies and ordnance, I think he will be happy to receive them," Li Ya sneered.

"Captain Li, why don't we report to the Station Chief first?" Song Fei reminded.

"No need," Li Ya raised his hand and interrupted.

Last time they arrested Yu Zecheng, although they watched it themselves, the Station Chief was still uneasy.

Who is Hong Zhiyou?

That is the Station Chief's God of Wealth, his "son-in-law."

If this were reported, Wu Jingzhong would definitely tip him off in secret.

Catch him first and talk later.

When he turns back, he'll treat it as a "surprise" for him.

West of the city.

Hong Zhiyou stood by a small shop, holding the phone:

"Hmm."

"I know."

After speaking, he hung up the phone.

"Secretary Hong, can the convoy go?" an officer in plain clothes walked over and asked.

These cars.

Including the drivers and the people guarding the cars, they were all secretly sent to Jinhai by Fu Zuoyi.

There were nearly three hundred people.

Everyone was dressed as disciples of the Cao Gang, just to ensure the safety of the transport.

"Officer Mu, let's go," Hong Zhiyou raised his hand and said.

The phone call just now was to Mi Zhiguo.

Li Ya is indeed an ungrateful wolf.

He actually sent dozens of people and called Sun Lianzhong to intercept them.

Heh!

Intercept?

Interception is impossible.

Wait for the mess.

He and Kong Fang got into the lead car.

Under Kong Fang's guidance, the convoy left the city.

Two or three hours later, they entered a remote secret path in the mountains.

"Captain Li, the convoy is here," Qi Qi Da Fu crouched in the woods and whispered.

"Great."

"Have Sun Lianzhong's people arrived?" Li Ya asked.

"They are rushing here; they should be here soon," Qi Qi Da Fu said.

"Go."

"Arrange the roadblocks first to delay time."

"There are many people on the other side; try not to engage in a firefight if possible."

Li Ya ordered.

Immediately, the Secret Service Bureau's operations team members went up to arrange roadblocks.

Rolling stones.

Broken trees.

Blocking the mountain road tightly.

"Squeak!"

The lead car braked.

The entire convoy stopped.

Deputy Officer Mu jumped out of the car and shouted: "What's going on?"

"Someone set up a roadblock," Hong Zhiyou got out of the car and said.

"It wouldn't be mountain bandits robbing the road, would it?"

"Damn it, take everything out."

Deputy Officer Mu waved his hand, the soldiers guarding the cars jumped down, and everyone pulled out their pistols from their waists to be on alert.

"There are quite a few Red Tickets."

"Let's go, let's meet them."

Li Ya looked at his watch, guessing that Sun Lianzhong's regular army would arrive soon. Seeing that the roadblocks were about to be cleared, he walked out from the side.

"Brother Hong, where are you going in the middle of the night?"

Li Ya shone his flashlight and shook it at Hong Zhiyou.

"Oh, it's Brother Li."

"I... I'm sending some things to the west," Hong Zhiyou said with a warm smile.

"What things?" Li Ya said.

"Just some wine, rice, and flour," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Is that so?"

"You, go up and search," Li Ya waved his hand and ordered.

"Captain Li, give me some face," Hong Zhiyou grabbed him and said.

"Brother."

"I can ignore whatever you sell in Jinhai."

"But selling things to the Red Tickets is absolutely not allowed."

"This is my bottom line."

Li Ya pushed his hand away, not allowing for discussion.

"Misunderstanding, how could I do business for the Red Tickets?" Hong Zhiyou explained.

"No?"

"Then who is this person?"

"Kong Fang, a former underground transport agent for the Red Tickets, and this road you are taking is also a transport channel for the Red Tickets."

"Isn't this very obvious?"

Li Ya narrowed his eyes and said with a sneer.

Kong Fang immediately pretended to be terrified: "Hong... Secretary Hong, what should we do?"

"Brother."

"Business is business; I appreciate you for the business matters."

"There's no discussion about this."

"Go up and search for me."

Li Ya shouted again.

"Damn it, let's see who dares."

"With just these few broken guns of your Secret Service Bureau, believe it or not, I'll send you to see the King of Hell right now."

Deputy Officer Mu's people immediately blocked them.

"Oh, are the Red Tickets all this arrogant?"

"Is having a gun something to be proud of?"

Li Ya pulled out his gun and fired a few shots into the sky.

Soon, cars drove over from a distance, and countless flashlight beams flashed in the woods.

"Quick, quick!"

I saw soldiers with live ammunition rushing over, surrounding everyone.

(End of chapter)