Chapter 163: Lu Qiao has made his move

The west side of Nanchizi Street.

Under Li Ya's instructions, as the sound of gunfire gradually thinned, Yuan Peilin and Guo Liang exchanged a look.

"Go and confirm if there is anyone left in the courtyard," Yuan Peilin said vigilantly.

"No need. Once we withdraw, the people from the Secret Service Bureau will come over to finish them off," Guo Liang said in a low voice.

Following the predetermined route, the two climbed over the perimeter wall from the wooden ladder on the west side.

They sprinted all the way and turned into an alley.

Inside, a Beetle sedan had long been waiting.

Li Ya was leaning against the car, waiting.

"Disarm them," he said with a faint wave of his hand.

Subordinates immediately stepped up and disarmed both Yuan and Guo.

"Come with me," Li Ya said, gesturing with his head toward the car.

"Who are you?" Yuan Peilin asked very cautiously.

"Li Ya, Captain of the Jinhai Station Action Team." Li Ya displayed his credentials.

"You are the 'Buddha Niche' who infiltrated Yancheng?" Yuan Peilin was slightly surprised.

"That is indeed me," Li Ya nodded proudly.

"Can you guarantee my safety?

"The Red Ticket's elimination squad is far more formidable than you think," Yuan Peilin asked.

"Rest assured.

"We are also far more formidable than you think.

"Ma Hansan's people here in Beiping are too mixed; there is definitely no way to hide here.

"Go to Jinhai; I will hide you so well that even the Monkey King couldn't find you.

"Get in the car."

Li Ya ordered.

"Alright." Yuan Peilin still understood the reputation of the 'Buddha Niche'.

Beiping was too chaotic.

There was no telling if there were people from the organization within Ma Hansan's ranks or the police bureau.

Going to Jinhai was for the best; the underground organization there had been largely destroyed, making it difficult to coordinate effective, comprehensive tracking and elimination plans. It was far safer than Beiping.

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou arrived early at the Station Chief's office, wiping the desk, boiling water, and having everything prepared.

Wu Jingzhong stepped into the office right on time.

"Ruirui's mother stewed pigeon soup last night; why didn't you come?" As soon as he entered the door, Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I went to collect debts from the American officers while playing cards last night."

After finishing his tidying, Hong Zhiyou wiped his hands and walked over.

"Did you win or lose?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"Lost, about a thousand dollars or so.

"However, the money and the accounts are all settled.

"For the 160,000 in goods, they opened a bill for 300,000. Of the remaining 140,000, 40,000 went to the American officer Philson, and 90,000 is yours.

"And 10,000 went to my old classmate and the little guys who handle the storage."

Hong Zhiyou sat down and said with a low laugh.

"90,000, hmm, not bad." Wu Jingzhong nodded in satisfaction.

"Is it secure? Is it reliable?

"This is money privately allocated by the Generalissimo. If trouble is uncovered, that would be the crime of deceiving the sovereign, and heads would roll," he asked in a low voice.

"Teacher, you don't need to be so nervous.

"Tang Enbo, Dai Zhiqi, and those American-equipped divisions all play like this when procuring military supplies; the Americans are very clear on how this works.

"Besides, the Generalissimo can't audit the Americans' accounts anyway.

"Rest assured, they still want to cooperate with you long-term and won't do anything detrimental to you.

"The money is all in 100-dollar bills; along with the distillery's revenue from last month, I've handed it all over to Ruirui's mother."

Hong Zhiyou said while brewing tea for him.

"That's great.

"I was just worried that Ruirui wouldn't have enough to spend in North America.

"With this expenditure, we can all catch our breath."

Wu Jingzhong let out a relieved breath and laughed.

As the two were chatting, a slightly weary-looking Li Ya walked in and greeted them with a smile:

"Secretary Hong is here."

"Captain Li, you two talk; I still need to go to the confidential room to print the shift change documents."

Hong Zhiyou knew he had business and tactfully withdrew.

"Station Chief, I heard that you and Secretary Hong recommended me for Deputy Station Chief?" Li Ya asked with a smile.

"That's right.

"Most people in the station lean toward Lu Qiao.

"After all, he is a veteran, and having been here for so long, if he hasn't earned merit, he has at least put in the hard work.

"And you have stumbled repeatedly.

"Don't look at the halo of Jiang Jianfeng; everyone is still unconvinced in their hearts.

"However, Secretary Hong thinks highly of you.

"He said you are just new to Jinhai and unfamiliar with the place, but you are capable, and sooner or later you will thrive.

"You have the seniority, the methods, and the backing.

"Right now, Zhangjiakou and Subei are about to start fighting; building merit is only a matter of time, so he strongly recommended that I nominate you as Deputy Station Chief.

"I am bearing the pressure and showing favoritism to lift you up."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and said with great appreciation.

"Thank you, Station Chief. Just wait, I will definitely fire that first shot," Li Ya nodded and said.

"Why thank me? Thank Secretary Hong," Wu Jingzhong said.

"It's all the same, you two are family, aren't you?" Li Ya laughed.

"Was Yuan Peilin retrieved?" Wu Jingzhong brought up the real business.

"Yuan Peilin and his assistant Guo Liang have both been brought back.

"Teacher, I think this is an excellent opportunity to fish out the Red Ticket and their elimination squad in Jinhai City."

Li Ya's eyes shifted, and he had a devious idea.

"Tell me about it," Wu Jingzhong said.

"I plan to hide them in two different places.

"Hide Yuan Peilin in one place and Guo Liang in another.

"Then spread the word and let the Red Ticket come looking.

"As long as it's done realistically enough, we might even fish out the big fish inside the Jinhai Station.

"Haven't Headquarters and Jiang Jianfeng been saying there is a mole in the station?

"Let's use this opportunity to drag them out."

Li Ya proposed.

"Right now, Yuan Peilin is missing, and the Red Ticket side must be very anxious.

"Haste makes waste.

"We will wait at our ease, and it will be the perfect time to catch them in the act."

Li Ya raised his eyebrows and added.

"Hmm.

"Not bad.

"The Red Ticket's elimination squad has always been elusive and persistent.

"It is time to establish some authority over them.

"You arrange the plan; there is no need to report the specific details to me. I can coordinate with Station Chief Qiao in Beiping at any time."

Wu Jingzhong said.

He knew Hong Zhiyou was a smart man and wouldn't get involved in this mess.

That was enough.

As for who else has a guilty conscience, or who is unlucky enough to get involved,

that would be seeking their own death.

By not participating, if there is a leak or the operation fails in the future, he can distance himself.

It saves Li Ya from acting foolishly like Ma Kui, accusing and suspecting him of colluding with the likes of Mu Liancheng or Deng Ming—that was purely having one's brain caught in a door.

"Thank you, Station Chief," Li Ya said happily.

He didn't expect Wu Jingzhong to be so cooperative.

That was fine; he would hide the people himself to ensure safety.

Li Ya had now basically ruled out the suspicion of Hong Zhiyou being a Red Ticket sympathizer.

What remained were Yu Zecheng, Lu Qiao, and the others.

Yuan Peilin was the best bait.

He didn't believe that the fat fish hiding in the station wouldn't take the hook.

"It seems you already have a plan. Speak, how do you want me to coordinate?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"I would like you to have Station Chief Qiao come over.

"It needs to be mysterious, yet reveal just enough flaws to let those hiding in the shadows discover the situation.

"In a word, it must be done naturally."

Li Ya rolled his eyes upward, his cold and arrogant tone having quite the air of lecturing a child.

"Alright, everything will be as you command." After staring at him for two seconds, Wu Jingzhong responded in a listless tone.

"Don't be like that.

"You are my mentor; wouldn't that shorten this student's life?" Li Ya hurriedly apologized with a smile.

Wu Jingzhong gave a cold laugh and picked up the phone:

"Connect to the Bureau line, Beiping 701.

"Hello, brother, it's me. You should come over tomorrow.

"Yes, the person has already arrived in Jinhai, and Captain Li is in full charge.

"It's nothing major, just consider it a business trip.

"Bring your wife along.

"Eat some jianbing guozi, play some mahjong, stroll around the Drum Tower, and enjoy yourselves.

"Alright, I await your arrival."

Hanging up the phone, Wu Jingzhong looked at Li Ya and said:

"Station Chief Qiao has agreed to come.

"He will arrive around twelve noon; you go and make the arrangements."

"Hmm, Station Chief, keep an eye on who in the station is concerned about this matter; that person is very likely the mole hiding within our ranks," Li Ya said.

"Enough.

"Mole, mole, my ears are calloused from hearing you say that.

"You just want to say Yu Zecheng, don't you?

"I will emphasize it one more time: I trust Yu Zecheng very much.

"You can arrest people, but you cannot guess; you must be certain!"

Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and said solemnly.

"Understood, Station Chief," Li Ya nodded.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the confidential room.

Yu Zecheng was blowing on a newspaper.

"Old Yu, amusing yourself?" Hong Zhiyou walked in with his hands in his pockets and asked with a smile.

"That's right.

"With Wu Taixun's resignation and Yong Jianqiu's ransom paid, I don't have much work on my hands."

Yu Zecheng said.

"These are the documents to be distributed and reported; sign them and get it done."

Hong Zhiyou handed the documents in his hand to him and turned to leave.

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave, sit for a while.

"Can you help me inquire about news from Beiping?

"Dozens of people were lost in the Central Plains, and the underground intelligence network suffered a heavy blow. The higher-ups suspect it might be a defection and leak by someone named Yuan Peilin here in Beiping.

"Right now, this person is still presiding over work.

"For such an old comrade, the vetting needs to be meticulous and cautious.

"This person knows a lot of news about Pingjin.

"Once he defects, the consequences will be unimaginable. You have wide connections, please help me inquire."

Yu Zecheng closed the door and said in a low, rapid voice.

Hong Zhiyou looked at him straight on: "Do you think I am very free?

"There is no wall without cracks in this world.

"If I go to inquire about news, the Station Chief will know sooner or later.

"I advise you not to inquire either.

"At least don't inquire within the station; Li Ya is watching you in the shadows at all times, and your every move will be magnified.

"The Station Chief still thinks highly of this person.

"As I see it, transferring Li Ya here also means they are getting serious.

"Keep a low profile.

"If you really want to inquire, you can find Old Xie."

"Understood," Yu Zecheng nodded.

Hong Zhiyou whispered a few more words of caution before leaving.

In the original story, Yu Zecheng asked around and, through a matchbox, deduced that Yuan Peilin was hiding at the Xiuchun Tower.

But this seemingly clever approach was very inappropriate at the moment, and even stupid.

Once Yuan Peilin was truly killed,

Li Ya could easily follow the vine to the melon and discover that Yu Zecheng had a problem.

And with Jiang Jianfeng watching,

and the Station Chief only wanting to make money, if Yu Zecheng were a Red Ticket sympathizer, Wu Jingzhong would likely be unable to protect him, and wouldn't dare to.

Returning to the Station Chief's office.

Wu Jingzhong was busy processing documents and didn't call for him all morning.

Hong Zhiyou sat honestly at the reception desk at the door, boredly reading the newspaper.

Approaching eleven o'clock.

He stood up and entered the Station Chief's office: "Teacher, Ruirui's mother asks, should we send food over at noon today, or will you be coming home to eat?"

"No need, Station Chief Qiao from Beiping is coming over at noon.

"I am going to host him.

"By the way, you go and pick up his wife and bring her to the house for a meal later.

"Also, Station Chief Qiao's wife likes to play mahjong.

"Ma Kui's wife is gone.

"It wouldn't be convenient for Mrs. Lu and Mrs. Yu to go, so you go to the Military Families Association and find two women with a good eye for things to come and keep them company for a game."

Wu Jingzhong ordered.

"Understood," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Remember, don't find anyone too pretty; Ruirui's mother can't stand those women," Wu Jingzhong said, looking at him with a furrowed brow and a pointed meaning.

"Alright," Hong Zhiyou nodded respectfully.

"Mrs. Tian of the Security Brigade, Mrs. Chief of Staff Shen, they are average in appearance and have clean backgrounds.

"They are both wives of high-ranking officers and are familiar with the black market and such; they will have things to talk about.

"Do you think that will work?"

He said.

"That works.

"Go and arrange it now," Wu Jingzhong ordered.

Hong Zhiyou returned to the office and made a phone call.

Eleven-forty.

Qiao Jiacai's car arrived.

"Zhiyou, Qiao Jiacai and I had a good relationship in the past; we had a period of cooperation while in Beiping.

"He is not an outsider, so there is no need to be restrained when you meet.

"But remember, if the topic of Boss Dai or Ma Hansan comes up, absolutely do not take the bait."

Wu Jingzhong called Hong Zhiyou and whispered as they walked.

"Understood, Teacher," Hong Zhiyou accepted the order respectfully.

Downstairs, Wu Jingzhong went up to greet him.

There was a simple exchange of pleasantries between the old friends.

He led the couple into the Station Chief's office.

After closing the door, Wu Jingzhong introduced:

"Station Chief Qiao, let me introduce you, this is Hong Zhiyou, Major Secretary."

"Hello, Station Chief Qiao.

"Hello, Mrs. Qiao."

Hong Zhiyou smiled, bowed, and saluted.

"During the Japanese occupation, General Qiao's reputation in Beiping was far-reaching, making the enemy tremble; he is truly a model for our generation.

"Your wife and the Station Chief's wife suffered brutal torture after being captured back then, yet never bowed their heads.

"Their steadfastness and their will can truly be said to be heroines who do not yield to men.

"I admire you, I admire you!"

After finishing, Hong Zhiyou bowed to show his respect.

He wasn't being deliberately sycophantic.

Qiao Jiacai was a renowned iron-blooded general on the Military Statistics line during the war.

His wife's story was also no secret; these were all matters that had been commended and had official records at Headquarters.

However, later, Old Qiao was framed by Mao Renfeng and Wang Puchen and was detained on Wandao for many years.

"Your name is also like thunder to my ears.

"Eliminating Ke Chengwu, resolving a heart-worry for the Generalissimo, promoted three ranks overnight, a rising star of the Secret Service Bureau.

"Your courage is commendable, and your future is boundless."

Qiao Jiacai patted Hong Zhiyou's shoulder and said with a friendly smile.

"Thank you, Station Chief Qiao.

"It was my duty; I dare not speak of courage," Hong Zhiyou said modestly.

"Look at that, what a smooth talker.

"By the way, Secretary Hong is very familiar with the local area. After dinner, let him take the brother and sister-in-law out for a stroll."

Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"Zhiyou, you go and drive Mrs. Qiao to my house first," he ordered.

"Yes, Station Chief.

"Madam, please."

Hong Zhiyou politely stepped aside and gestured.

After Hong Zhiyou left, Wu Jingzhong and Qiao Jiacai sat down.

"Old Wu, is the person hidden well?

"This person is very important; it concerns whether our brothers can fire the first shot. I have staked my entire future on you, old brother," Qiao Jiacai said.

"Li Ya is a top student of Yu Lexing and Liu Xiong; there is no problem with his craft.

"And he is Jiang Jianfeng's man.

"Right now, the Red Ticket is infiltrating everywhere across the country; you can't be sure if there are their eyes around you.

"Protecting one person is far harder than killing one.

"As I see it, the matter of Yuan Peilin's defection cannot be hidden; the Red Ticket will soon move against him.

"We will only coordinate, not participate.

"If we can earn merit, naturally that is good.

"If we can't earn merit, and Yuan loses his life, that is Jiang Jianfeng's business."

Wu Jingzhong leaned toward his ear and said in a low voice.

"Old Wu, you are still the thoughtful one," Qiao Jiacai suddenly understood and sighed with emotion.

"Sigh.

"I am also at my wit's end.

"Director Mao attaches great importance to this Yuan Peilin and specifically named me to coordinate with you.

"And you are my old comrade-in-arms.

"We two share honor and disgrace together."

Wu Jingzhong said with great helplessness.

"Brother, you are a good hand at killing Japanese and handling intelligence, but you still need to be cautious regarding personnel matters; leaving Beiping early is the right path.

"Right now, the Generalissimo and the Gui Clique are reaching a point of incompatibility.

"With the Americans and the Soviets getting involved in the middle, it is even more chaotic.

"If you don't extricate yourself early, it will be very troublesome in the future."

Having reached this point, Wu Jingzhong gave him a pointer.

"Sigh.

"I am also being roasted on a fire; I want to get down but can't.

"Delin won't let me leave.

"And the Secret Service Bureau can't find a suitable person.

"I'll just take it one step at a time."

Qiao Jiacai shook his head helplessly.

After dropping off Mrs. Qiao, Hong Zhiyou rushed back to the Secret Service Bureau at the first opportunity.

The Station Chief and Qiao Jiacai were still in a secret meeting.

Hong Zhiyou returned to his office.

As soon as he entered the room,

he stood by the window, lit a cigarette, and looked at the pigeons on the opposite roof, lost in thought.

Qiao Jiacai had come.

That meant Yuan Peilin had very likely already been hidden in Jinhai.

As the Chief of the Internal Affairs Section, he checked yesterday's vehicle dispatch.

There was no record of night dispatches.

Strangely, the action team had taken down a Jinhai Red Ticket underground printing plant last night.

The scale was not small.

He had asked Mi Zhiguo, and Li Ya hadn't gone.

It was handled by Qi Da Fu.

When he saw Li Ya in the office today, his complexion was very haggard; could it be that he went to Beiping to pick someone up last night?

Catching the Red Ticket was just a cover for Yuan Peilin's entry into Jinhai.

Hmm.

This is very likely.

After a moment of contemplation, Hong Zhiyou set out the tea tray.

According to Mei Qiuju's daily routine, she was very likely playing mahjong with Cuiping, Mrs. Lu, and another partner in the morning.

When he dropped off Mrs. Qiao just now, he didn't see those two.

But in the morning, he had seen with his own eyes that Cuiping had gone out to the wife's house.

That meant they should have been playing mahjong together in the morning.

It was a temporary measure to have Li Guifen and Cuiping leave.

With the tacit understanding between Li Guifen and Lu Qiao over many years, she would definitely notify Lu Qiao.

Brew tea, receive guests!

Knock knock!

The door rang.

"Come in," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Secretary Hong, not busy, are you?" Lu Qiao asked with a smile.

"Not busy, Old Lu, sit down quickly."

The two sat on the sofa, and Hong Zhiyou brewed tea.

"Station Chief Qiao has come; what do you think, brother?" Lu Qiao asked in a low voice.

"It seems his wife has a chronic illness and came to Jinhai to seek medical treatment," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Bullshit.

"My friend in Beiping told me that there was gunfire on Nanchizi Street last night, and an important Red Ticket stronghold was taken down.

"It is said that a double-leader was captured.

"The Red Ticket is now searching the world for people."

Lu Qiao squeezed his eyes and whispered.

"You, you mean they ran to our Jinhai?" Hong Zhiyou asked in surprise.

"Very likely.

"The Red Ticket's Central Plains intelligence network was destroyed, and many clues point to this Yuan Peilin.

"Once confirmed, he is to be eliminated.

"According to intelligence and my experience, I think the Nanchizi incident in Beiping last night was very likely Yuan Peilin's 'Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell' trick.

"The person has definitely hidden in Jinhai."

Lu Qiao's eyes sharpened, and he said with great certainty.

As he spoke, he looked around:

"Haven't you noticed that someone is missing from the station?"

"Who?" Hong Zhiyou asked, knowing the answer.

"Li Ya.

"Wasn't he nominated for Deputy Station Chief?

"Logically speaking, when a general-level officer like Qiao Jiacai comes, he would definitely show his face.

"My people saw with their own eyes last night that Li Ya went to Beiping.

"Yuan Peilin is in his hands."

Lu Qiao raised his index finger and tapped the table decisively.

"If he is, he is.

"He earns his merit, I earn my money; neither delays the other," Hong Zhiyou pretended to be uninterested.

"Brother, you still don't understand.

"Have you forgotten how he investigated you?

"If he becomes Deputy Station Chief, don't talk about making money; he will watch you so closely you won't even have northwest wind to drink.

"This is not a lamp that saves oil."

Lu Qiao's face stiffened, and he said with displeasure.

"That's true.

"What is your meaning, brother?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"The key to whether Li Ya can become Deputy Station Chief lies in this Yuan Peilin.

"We have to think of a way."

Lu Qiao said.

"No, no, it shouldn't be 'we', but 'you'.

"If Li Ya becomes Deputy Station Chief, I will at most earn a little less; I won't have to worry about food and drink.

"Besides, with the Station Chief covering me, he can't do anything to me.

"But Brother Shan, I lean toward you from the bottom of my heart.

"If Li Ya runs into some trouble, I would be happy to see it."

Hong Zhiyou patted his shoulder and stated his position.

"With those words from you, I am relieved.

"You borrow the excuse of being busy, and let me manage the General Affairs Section for a few days.

"Also..."

Speaking of this, Lu Qiao chuckled and didn't continue.

Even if he didn't say it, Hong Zhiyou understood.

Old Lu was going to sabotage Li Ya and secretly search for Yuan Peilin.

This was a good thing.

In the original story, these jobs were all done by Yu Zecheng.

Lu Qiao, as a veteran from the Nanchang Investigation Section period, would only be more meticulous and devious than Yu Zecheng.

Having him find Yuan Peilin couldn't be more appropriate.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 164 =====