Chapter 162: The Desperate Struggle of Lu Qiao Shan

Evening, eight o'clock.

Fude Teahouse.

Ma Kui arrived at the private room, where Zuo Lan had already ordered the dishes and fine wine Ma Kui loved.

"Captain Ma, please sit," she said, looking up and smiling as she stood.

"Don't say it, I really am hungry."

Ma Kui tilted his head to look at her, then sat down with a heavy, imposing air.

It was free; it would be a waste not to eat it.

That son of a bitch Lu Qiao Shan had withheld his salary for a year and a half, using the mess at Qingfeng Store last time as an excuse.

With fine wine and meat like this, every meal eaten was one less to be had.

A cup of wine, a bite of meat.

After a few mouthfuls, Ma Kui asked, "Where is the stuff?"

"Comrade Ma Kui, how is Comrade Huang Zhong doing?" Zuo Lan asked with a smile.

"Comrade Ma Kui?" Ma Kui frowned.

"The term 'comrade' isn't necessarily exclusive to your side.

"Don't Jiang Jianfeng and your party members call each other comrades too?

"To have one heart is to share the same ambition, which is what makes one a comrade.

"We are both working to topple Wu Jingzhong, so aren't we comrades?"

Zuo Lan explained with a smile.

"I took him to the hospital today, and as you instructed, I had him make contact with Jiang Aimei.

"You're lucky you were timely.

"She tried to kill herself several times at the hospital, but fortunately, the nurses stopped her in time."

Ma Kui didn't dwell on the title, took a sip of wine, and said.

"These two comrades are very important to us.

"Please, you must ensure their safety," Zuo Lan said gratefully.

"Rest assured.

"I've already spoken to the hospital; they won't die," Ma Kui nodded.

"That's wonderful.

"Thank you, Comrade Ma Kui," Zuo Lan said, overjoyed.

"Where is the stuff?" Ma Kui asked.

"It's ready.

"But I didn't bring it with me," Zuo Lan said.

"What does that mean?

"Are you playing me for a fool!"

Ma Kui's brow furrowed, and he said coldly and angrily.

"Captain Ma, you seem a bit unprofessional.

"Outside the Shangquan Society, there are your people and Lu Qiao Shan's people everywhere.

"The moment I step out, they will be watching me like hawks.

"If such important intelligence were intercepted by them..."

Zuo Lan shook her head slightly and gave a cold smile.

Ma Kui tightened his jaw, shook his head slightly from side to side, and said:

"Hmm, that's true."

"My patience is limited. Where is the intelligence?"

"I stored it in locker number two at Delong Inn. Go pick it up at the usual time, nine o'clock tomorrow night.

"Before Huang Zhong was exposed, that was one of our transit stations. I think you should know that."

Zuo Lan said.

"You've got guts," Ma Kui said.

"The most dangerous place is the safest. You are the captain of the action team; who would dare to suspect you?

"Isn't it only natural for you to go there?"

Zuo Lan smiled and took out a key, handing it to Ma Kui.

"You'd better not play any tricks on me; I wasn't born yesterday."

Ma Kui took it coldly, weighed it in his hand, and put it into his pocket.

"Have I made you happy now?" Zuo Lan asked with a smile.

"Not bad."

Ma Kui glanced at her and began to drink his wine with satisfaction.

"The bill is paid, Comrade Ma Kui. I have things to do, so I'll be going."

Zuo Lan smiled, said goodbye, and rose to leave.

"Wu Jingzhong, let's see how you die this time!"

Ma Kui downed the wine in one gulp, two patches of murderous red flushing his face.

Across the street at Wanjia Restaurant.

Lu Qiao Shan was snapping photos frantically, as if the film cost nothing.

He had already gone through several rolls.

"Ma Kui, oh Ma Kui.

"Let's see you try to argue your way out of this one. I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Lu Qiao Shan waved at Ma Kui across the way, gave a sinister smile, and closed the window.

The next day.

Station Chief's office.

Wu Jingzhong was on the phone, constantly wiping cold sweat with a handkerchief:

"Yes.

"Yes.

"This Li Ya is my student; it is true that I sent him over from Jinhai.

"At the time, Station Chief Chen Xianzhou helped him forge an identity as a progressive revolutionary youth so he could go to Yancheng to study and train for deep-cover work.

"If you don't believe me, you can call the Baoding Police Bureau right now and ask Chen Xianzhou.

"Yes, yes.

"How was I to know he was also a member of the Iron and Blood Youth Corps?

"This matter really has nothing to do with me.

"It's all the fault of my old partner, Liu Xiong.

"Yes, the one who failed to snipe Fu Jie on the street in Harbin back then.

"Li Ya is his apprentice, and they are like father and son. He had been obsessively targeting Yu Zecheng for the assassination of Li Haifeng within the station.

"He kept it from me and secretly sent a telegram to contact Li Ya, which is how this was leaked.

"The trouble now is that Liu Xiong was killed by refugees in Jinhai; there's no one left to verify this.

"Old classmate.

"You must believe me. I couldn't wash myself clean even if I jumped into the Yellow River; I am truly wronged."

As he said this, he saw Hong Zhiyou walk in.

He gestured for him to sit down first.

"Yes.

"Yes, launching this shot against corruption in Jinhai is Jingzhong's duty.

"Jingzhong will strive to achieve new merits and cooperate with your operations in Shanghai.

"Yes, thank you, superior.

"Goodbye!"

Slap!

Wu Jingzhong hung up the phone, his handkerchief soaked through.

"Can you believe it?

"This Buddha Niche is actually one of Jiang Jianfeng's men!

"Eating the Military Statistics Bureau's food while also eating the Iron and Blood Youth Corps' food!

"He's already been transferred directly to headquarters!"

He threw the handkerchief into the trash can and began to curse.

"Teacher.

"What are Jiang Jianfeng's instructions?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Thanks to you and Zecheng investigating Kou Zhengguo this time, you were the first to fire the opening shot against corruption."

"The Old Man and Jiang Jianfeng are in a good mood.

"But Jiang Jianfeng has given instructions: the Jinhai Station intelligence leaks are happening one after another, and it must be investigated thoroughly.

"You tell me.

"What kind of situation is this? Now the whole world knows there is a mole in Jinhai Station!

"If we don't get to the bottom of this, the higher-ups won't let it rest."

Wu Jingzhong said righteously with his hands behind his back.

"Zhiyou, who do you think this mole is?" he asked quietly after sitting down.

Hong Zhiyou noticed that the direction of his gaze was toward the confidential room.

This couldn't really be blamed on Old Wu.

Liu Xiong was his old partner of many years, one tested between life and death.

Liu Xiong's nickname was Pale Hawk.

The venom in those eyes was rare in this world.

Even until his death, he could not close his eyes in peace because of Yu Zecheng.

In the past, Wu Jingzhong could protect Yu Zecheng for the sake of money.

Now that Jiang Jianfeng has pointed it out, it is very difficult for him to continue turning a deaf ear to the matter of the mole.

Of course, this was not Old Wu being heartless.

Wu Jingzhong had always prioritized self-preservation; at a critical moment, it wouldn't be strange for him to abandon not just Yu Zecheng, but even his own "son-in-law."

This is human nature, a survival instinct.

"Master.

"I think it's Ma Kui."

Hong Zhiyou secretly rejoiced that Ma Kui was "courting death at just the right time," otherwise even Yu Zecheng wouldn't be able to pull him out of it.

"Ma Kui?" Wu Jingzhong raised his eyelids and asked coldly.

"Yes.

"Huang Zhong personally identified him as Emei Peak.

"If it weren't for Director Mao stopping it, he could have been put in the electric chair already."

Hong Zhiyou said with a straight face.

"I don't care who he is, he must be held responsible for the intelligence leak at Jinhai Station." Wu Jingzhong pointed at the door, his tone allowing no room for negotiation.

"Yes!

"Please calm your anger first.

"Ruirui said last night that she wanted me to urge you not to get angry, otherwise your blood pressure would easily rise.

"She is still counting on you to see your grandson in the future."

Hong Zhiyou laughed and persuaded him in a low voice.

At the mention of his daughter, Wu Jingzhong's sharp gaze softened instantly.

"You are right.

"The career belongs to the Party and the State, but the body is one's own.

"I must not get angry."

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand, signaling him to take a seat on the sofa.

Hong Zhiyou got up, fetched warm water, and prepared a towel for him.

He also took the opportunity to close the window.

Wu Jingzhong unbuttoned his collar and wiped the sweat from his neck and face, feeling much warmer inside.

"Zhiyou.

"Back when I let Ruirui marry Su Jianhua, her mother was a hundred percent against it.

"I was foolish at the time.

"I came out to make revolution, and I suffered plenty of cold shoulders in official circles, only to grasp one profound truth.

"Social standing must match, and great families last forever.

"Looking at history, from the Li Tang dynasty to the present, which of those who fill high halls doesn't come from a prominent background?

"Don't look at how high Dai Li and Zheng Jiemin have climbed.

"They are still looked down upon by the Jiang, Song, Kong, and Chen families.

"You must have a foundation, money, and backing!

"I count myself lucky to have the Crown Prince Jiang Jianfeng looking after me; when I retire, I can hold a nominal rank of Lieutenant General. As long as the money is there and the social circle is kept up, by the time we reach Ruirui's children's generation, there will be a good foundation.

"Therefore, you and I must take advantage of the car while it still has fuel and put all our strength into building a prosperous empire for the children."

Wu Jingzhong sighed with emotion, then changed the subject:

"Did you pick out the items?"

"I did. Not to mention that the Japanese traitors really had quite a lot; Lin Chaofeng has looked through them. Sixty percent of the top-grade items were extracted, twenty percent of the mid-grade, and the rest along with the low-grade items were all confiscated.

"There were also quite a few gold bars and US dollars.

"However, to make the accounts look better for Jiang Jianfeng, I didn't dare to skim any.

"I figured that this wealth comes quickly.

"It is better not to touch it.

"Wait until we catch a few more corrupt officials and save up a big sum; when we report it to Jingling, Jiang Jianfeng will surely host a banquet to celebrate your success."

Hong Zhiyou said respectfully.

"Hmm.

"Officer Xiong has already sent people from the Northeast Bureau to put Fu Jie's wife on the train.

"You should contact that adjutant as soon as possible and go to Beiping to sound things out."

Wu Jingzhong nodded and said.

"Understood."

Just as Hong Zhiyou was about to leave, Wu Jingzhong called him back, complaining with some resentment:

"It's not easy for Ruirui to be alone in North America, and now that she is pregnant, you should call her more often when you have time.

"I bought some supplements and entrusted the North American station to send them over.

"I counted you in on it too.

"It's your own flesh and blood, put some heart into everything."

"Thank you for the reminder, Master. I will strive to be a good father and partner." Hong Zhiyou said apologetically.

He was truly ashamed.

With his whole mind set on making money, he had indeed been somewhat neglectful.

It was the maternal grandfather who was more thoughtful.

After leaving, he returned to his office and made a call to Xie Ruolin:

"Old Xie, did you get it?

"Good."

With two simple sentences, he hung up the phone.

He walked toward Lu Qiaoshan's office.

Lu Qiaoshan was busy approving documents.

This man, who shouldered the responsibilities of the Seventh Section—no, soon to be the Eighth Section—was truly busy.

One hand was approving documents, while the other was constantly on the telephone.

He made a gesture, signaling for Hong Zhiyou to pour his own coffee.

Hong Zhiyou did not stand on ceremony; he walked to the small cabinet, took out his own dedicated coffee cup, poured a steaming cup of coffee, added sugar, and began to drink slowly.

"You bunch of trash, you can't even catch one person. Within three days, you must catch them for me, or else pack up and get out."

Slap!

Hanging up the phone, Lu Qiaoshan said with a gloomy expression:

"Zhiyou, don't you think the students these days are just idle?

"A bunch of rich young ladies and young masters, eating well and living well—the Party and the government haven't treated them poorly, have they?

"They just have to stir up trouble."

"Recently, a group of university students in Nankai openly supported Li Gongpu in Shancheng, starting some ten-thousand-signature campaign.

"Who is Li Gongpu?

"He is Mao's sharp sword!

"He is a thorn in the side of the Generalissimo!

"This group of students is also joining forces with the Red-ticket local committee unions at the Workers' Stadium and the docks, reciting Wen Yiduo's poems.

"What do they want to do?"

Speaking of this, Lu Qiaoshan was so angry he kept slapping the table.

"They're students, simple and active by nature." Hong Zhiyou was wondering if Hong Xiaohui or Liu Shan might be among them.

"What simple and active!

"In my opinion, they're just full and have nothing better to do."

"Suppression, it must be suppressed."

"Only by making them feel pain will they know what it means to behave and fulfill their duties as students!"

Lu Qiao said with murderous intent in his eyes.

"Old Lu, do you have a grudge against students?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"That's right."

"My father used to be a teacher."

"When the Red Tide broke out in my hometown, our family's house and everything else were confiscated because of our class background."

"The one leading it was a student he favored."

"The human heart is hard to fathom."

Lu Qiao sucked his teeth and said bitterly.

So that's where the root of it lies... Hong Zhiyou hurriedly said: "Just arrest a batch and scare them a little, that will be enough."

"Whatever you do, don't open fire. In a few days, the special plane of the Generalissimo and his Lady will be passing through Jinhai."

"If blood is spilled, some people will use it to make a scene."

"I know, it's just that my hands are tied without authority."

"If it were up to me, I'd kill a few of them, and this bunch would behave," Lu Qiao said coldly.

"Brother, is something the matter?" He composed his emotions and asked with a smile.

"No, I'm a bit tired, just came over to have a cup of coffee."

"The Station Chief said that per Jianfeng's instructions, there have been frequent leaks at the Jinhai Station, and we need to conduct an internal investigation."

"Brother Shan, do you think there really is a mole in our station?"

Hong Zhiyou asked with a look of curiosity.

"A mole?"

Lu Qiao swallowed nervously.

Wasn't he the biggest mole of all?

During Dai Li's last secret mission to Jinhai, he had Sheng Xiang flip it on the black market, netting a clean two thousand dollars and a gold bar.

There were even more miscellaneous bits of intelligence besides that.

"Brother Shan?" Hong Zhiyou saw him dazed.

"Ahem."

"Yes, there must be a mole."

"Not only is there one, but they are right among us."

"Ma Kui!"

Lu Qiao leaned in and whispered.

"Brother Shan, you can't just talk nonsense without evidence. If Ma Kui gets desperate, he'll hit people," Hong Zhiyou said.

"I do have evidence."

"I won't hide it from you, brother, I have it ready."

"But he has Mao Renfeng as his guarantor, and now Director Zheng is like a clay bodhisattva, so I'm afraid of being accused of framing him if I report it."

"You know the Station Chief; he will take the fall if something happens to you."

"You once flew into a rage for a beauty and went head-to-head with Dai Li; he even took the heat for such a big matter from Jianfeng."

"You are his son-in-law."

"I am different; there is still that old grudge with Zhang Si."

"It's already good enough that they aren't targeting me right now and are letting me work."

"To have him go up against Mao Renfeng for me..."

Speaking of this, Lu Qiao shook his head repeatedly.

"That's true."

"With Jianfeng showing his power like this, he has to hand over at least a field-grade officer to be considered sufficient."

"It definitely won't be me."

"It's either you, Section Chief Yu, Ma Kui, or Hou Yunlai."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"That's where the headache is."

"You tell me, how is this Ma Kui so lucky? He was already in the mud, and then Mao Renfeng comes along."

"He might even end up as the Deputy Station Chief."

"He's not someone to mess with."

After agonizing all night and discussing it with his wife Li Guifen, Lu Qiao finally gave up the idea of reporting Ma Kui.

He had taken photos of Zuo Lan and Ma Kui.

But what if Ma Kui, like Yu Zecheng, turned the tables and claimed he was trying to flip Zuo Lan?

No one would have a solution for that.

As for catching Ma Kui in the act, the risk was too great.

There was no order from the Station Chief.

They were of the same rank; if he didn't manage to find any substantial evidence, he might end up taking a few punches from Ma Kui.

That kid's fists were no joke.

"Hou Yunlai is in charge of telecommunications and isn't responsible for specific intelligence, plus his reporting procedures are rigorous."

"Then it can only be a choice between you and Old Yu."

Hong Zhiyou secretly intimidated him.

Sure enough, Lu Qiao's expression changed.

His relationship with the Station Chief was average.

Mao Renfeng wanted to establish his authority, and slaughtering a fellow townsman of Zheng Jiemin to show the master by killing the dog was just right.

The most panic-inducing part was:

The intelligence was indeed sold by him.

If someone on the black market were to finger Sheng Xiang, he would be unable to escape.

"I'm off, Brother Shan."

"Good luck, I really hate to leave this coffee behind."

Hong Zhiyou put down his cup, stood up, and walked away with his hands in his pockets.

Cold sweat seeped from Lu Qiao's forehead.

Hong Zhiyou was the Station Chief's confidant.

If he said this, it probably wasn't without cause.

Could the Station Chief have found evidence of his own misdeeds?

"Sheng Xiang, come over here," Lu Qiao quickly dialed the phone.

Soon, Sheng Xiang walked in with a smile.

Lu Qiao signaled for him to close the door, lowered his voice, and said coldly:

"The station might be investigating something big."

"Don't go to the black market recently."

"Also, if there is any sign of trouble, you must notify me immediately."

"Brother Shan, no, they won't find out about us, will they?" Sheng Xiang was a bit panicked.

"Hard to say."

"Mao Renfeng and Jianfeng are watching very closely now."

"Once they grasp the evidence, it will be hard for us to survive."

Lu Qiao said.

"Damn."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's resign and run away."

"A lot of people at headquarters have resigned and gone into business."

Sheng Xiang said hurriedly.

"Resign my ass."

"You're a bachelor, but my son is in the Second Bureau; I can run, but can my son run?"

"Besides, those people have already made enough."

"With the few coins in our pockets, what kind of business are we going to go into?"

Lu Qiao glared at him and said irritably.

"Then, then what do we do?" Sheng Xiang looked bewildered.

"Get out, get out."

"Just behave yourself for now."

Lu Qiao dismissed him impatiently.

Then, he pulled open the drawer and took out the photos.

There was also the surveillance recording tape he had installed at the Fude Teahouse.

Ma Kui is not a Red ticket.

But within the station, he is the only candidate for Deputy Station Chief who can go toe-to-toe with me.

This is a good opportunity.

But the evidence is not ironclad enough.

At the very least, it cannot seal Mao Renfeng's mouth.

I am currently worried about this.

Little Sun from the security office knocked on the door and walked in:

"Division Chief Lu, there is a letter for you."

Lu Qiao recognized this envelope.

The photos of the secret meeting between Tang Wu of the Gendarmerie Headquarters and the Central Bureau were sent in this kind of envelope.

"Got it."

Lu Qiao waved his hand.

He opened the envelope.

Inside were several original documents.

They were actually the interrogation records from when the Jingling Political Security General Administration arrested Ma Kui back then, as well as Ma Kui's confession records.

Ma Kui had once defected and even betrayed his own people on the Juntong front?

Ironclad evidence.

Absolute ironclad evidence!

The interrogator was named Qin Shuangcheng.

Qin Shuangcheng was the Section Chief of the Operations Section of the Political Security General Administration at the time.

It was he who arrested Ma Kui.

This man was a notorious traitor.

He was also a master of torture and intelligence lines, having killed many Juntong and Red ticket underground agents.

He is still imprisoned in the Jingling Prison.

How did Ma Kui get out?

Did Mao Renfeng vouch for him?

Ma Kui, oh Ma Kui, this is Heaven wanting you to die.

Let's see how your dog master can still protect you.

Lu Qiao's expression suddenly became excited; he took a few deep breaths to control his emotions and dialed Zheng Jiemin's private line:

"Director Zheng, it's me, Qiao."

"I have a piece of intelligence here regarding a traitor from the Political Security General Administration that was not recorded by headquarters."

"Yes, it is Mao Renfeng's bodyguard, Ma Kui."

"He was arrested back then and betrayed our people."

"What is very strange is that this person was actually released and even sent by headquarters to Jinhai to hold an important position in the operations team."

"Moreover, I have also taken photos of him meeting privately with a Red ticket military mediation representative."

"Yes, intelligence, photos, recordings, absolute ironclad evidence."

"And this person is also highly likely to be the important Red ticket operative Emeifeng, belonging to a double agent."

"Yes, there are also witnesses."

"I would like to ask you, Director, for special approval to bring Qin Shuangcheng from prison to the Jinhai Station immediately; I want to nail down Ma Kui's identity this time."

"Okay, thank you, Director."

"Military flight, three o'clock in the afternoon."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Qiao gritted his teeth and hammered the table hard: "It's done, this is truly satisfying."

He knew that Zheng Jiemin would not let go of the opportunity to counter-attack Mao Renfeng.

The Generalissimo has always cared about his reputation.

What he wants is not just a sharp blade.

It must also be a clean blade.

Once it is confirmed that Mao Renfeng privately rescued the traitor Ma Kui and secretly promoted him.

Mao Renfeng, who already has an unstable foundation and extremely poor popularity, will inevitably be attacked by all sides.

Extremely wonderful.

Lu Qiao looked at his watch.

It was only ten o'clock.

A day feels like a year.

No, I must go find Yu Zecheng to probe the bottom of Qin Shuangcheng.

When Old Yu assassinated Li Haifeng back then, he was a colleague of Qin Shuangcheng at the Political Security General Administration.

Perhaps he also knows something about Ma Kui.

Right.

The source of this intelligence is unknown.

The phone call was made a bit too hastily.

I must find Old Yu to verify it.

Lu Qiao slapped his forehead in annoyance and walked quickly toward Yu Zecheng's office.

……

The typist Little Qian pays respects to all respected Station Chiefs, good night!

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(End of this chapter)