Chapter 165: Treachery and deceit

Li Ya looked upward with a proud, confident, and disdainful look, which Wu Jingzhong secretly took in.

Why did he lift Lu Qiao up in the first place?

Now that Li Ya has stumbled, Lu Qiao is in so much pain he can't stand it.

Toward Li Ya, he must lift him even higher.

This person is blessed by Buddha's light and has a Buddha cushion under his butt; if he isn't lifted high, the fall won't hurt.

"Station Chief.

"My funds are not very sufficient; the people from the Intelligence Division are occupying the cold storage warehouse and the Dehong Hotel.

"They wear designer suits and leather shoes every day and don't do a damn thing. My brothers are out in the wind and sun, and they can't even bear to drink a bowl of mutton soup; this isn't very appropriate, is it?"

Aren't we going to stir up trouble? Li Ya decided to strike first.

"The cold storage warehouse and the Dehong Hotel were taken over by Division Chief Lu from the Japanese, and he has managed them for such a long time.

"It wouldn't be appropriate for you to take them, would it?"

Wu Jingzhong said with his hands behind his back.

"That's fine.

"Then approve funds for me; I have to investigate the Red Ticket and protect Yuan and Guo.

"Just this month, I recruited twenty logistics personnel from the Baoding Military Academy.

"These all cost money."

Li Ya said relentlessly.

"You just took the Inspection Team, and Lu Qiao only has this bit of oil and water left; if you grab it, he will fight you to the death," Wu Jingzhong reminded him with feigned kindness.

"Fight to the death?

"Station Chief, arranging banquets, checking dispatch records.

"What does he want to do?

"He is already taking my life; I can't just take the beating and not fight back."

Li Ya said with a cold snort.

"Alright.

"When I go back, I will have Secretary Hong arrange the handover for you."

"Tell me, how do you want to arrange the next steps? Director Mao and Jiang Jianfeng called me; this Yuan is a golden nugget now, so you must cooperate with him with all your might,"

Wu Jingzhong asked.

Li Ya looked at his watch and arranged:

"The time is still early; at six this afternoon, I would trouble you and Station Chief Qiao to go to Tanggu."

"Go to Tanggu?" Wu Jingzhong frowned.

"That's right.

"Since we are putting on a play, we must make it realistic.

"After arriving in Tanggu, turn back immediately.

"The time then should be around nine in the evening.

"I would trouble you and Station Chief Qiao to rest for a night at the Xiuchun Tower."

Li Ya had long been prepared and stated his plan.

"Understood.

"You want to create the impression that Yuan is in Tanggu, yet is 'actually' in the Xiuchun Tower, feinting twice in a row.

"Fake after fake, making the Red Ticket lock onto the Xiuchun Tower.

"Then use that Guo Liang to fish out the Red Ticket."

Wu Jingzhong pondered for a moment and immediately understood Li Ya's scheme.

"Hmm, this move is indeed high-level; the craft is not bad," he said, his gaze toward Li Ya filled with a bit more appreciation.

"Nothing escapes your discerning eyes," Li Ya laughed.

"I received intelligence from Section Chief Xiao before I came.

"Ye Xiufeng and the Party-Affairs Bureau intend to enter the game secretly to 'help' you; you must be careful."

Wu Jingzhong reminded him.

"Ye Xiufeng?"

Li Ya raised his eyebrows and laughed coldly:

"This Guo Liang is destined to die.

"Whoever dares to step into the Xiuchun Tower is the murderer of 'Yuan Peilin'; I am dying for Ye Xiufeng to come and deliver himself.

"Director Mao is just looking to dampen his prestige.

"Last time, I was able to turn the tables on him.

"This time, I will cook him and the Red Ticket in one pot."

Looking at the murderous Li Ya, Wu Jingzhong suddenly felt he had underestimated this student.

Li Ya's arrogance was not without capital.

Except for Hong Zhiyou who could suppress him, Yu, Lu, and others might not necessarily be able to wrestle with him.

"You have a head for politics, which is very good.

"Remember, you must protect Yuan Peilin well.

"This is the only bargaining chip for you to enter the game from above!

"Without it, your end will be very miserable."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Rest assured, I will watch him like an ancestral ingot; no one will be able to find him," Li Ya curled his lips and said with his hands in his pockets.

"Alright, I'll go back and catch up on some sleep first.

"I'll stroll through the Xiuchun Tower tonight!"

Wu Jingzhong gave a slight smile and rose to leave.

In the car.

He hugged his arms and pondered.

Li Ya understands politics.

But he only understands half of it; this person doesn't understand the key to the matter.

That is, he himself does not want to set up a Deputy Station Chief.

Li Ya cannot see it.

Zheng Jiemin, far away in Jingling, saw it.

This old superior, who had been a partner for many years, touched upon his thoughts.

Therefore, he wanted to use this matter to severely discipline Mao Renfeng, who was in the limelight.

Once Li Ya fails,

Mao Renfeng is very likely to face trouble from the Ministry of National Defense, and even Jiang Jianfeng.

This is also the reason why Lu Qiao, a steady and devious petty person, would openly arrange a restaurant.

Daring to defy the principle he had just established of each managing their own affairs, and once again intervening in the General Affairs Section and the Dispatch Room.

Because Lu Qiao knows.

This is the silent tacit understanding between him and Zheng Jiemin across the distance.

However, the current situation has already become somewhat out of control.

That is, where will Li Ya hide Yuan Peilin?

He knows nothing.

And it is inconvenient to know anything.

This is something Wu Jingzhong absolutely cannot allow.

He must know everything.

Only then can he firmly grasp the initiative and truly become the operator.

Otherwise, he would truly become a supporting actor to Li Ya's bossy behavior.

Li Ya returned to the private room.

With Qiao and Wu present just now, Yuan Peilin and Guo Liang couldn't be at ease and didn't have the nerve to use their chopsticks.

At this moment, the two were very hungry and were eating meat and drinking wine in large mouthfuls.

"Mr. Yuan, I know you are a double-leader of the Pingjin area.

"I want to ask you about a few people."

Li Ya sat down and asked in a low voice.

"Who?" Yuan Peilin gulped down some wine and water.

"Mount Emei, Pebble, and an Ouyang Brother!

"These are all active elements of the Jinhai underground.

"The head of any one of them is worth a thousand gold.

"You are an old veteran of the Red Ticket, one of the builders of the Central Plains intelligence network, a key member of the Yancheng Border Defense, and can face Ke Gong directly; you should know these people."

Li Ya asked.

"Mount Emei and Pebble were trained and secretly dispatched by Ke Gong himself.

"The code name Mount Emei was once active in Shancheng.

"The Ma Kui you captured—the time and destination match up; there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

Yuan Peilin said with cold eyes.

"These match up.

"But I always feel it doesn't make sense; why would Ma Kui bite his own people in the station?

"He even lost his life for it."

Li Ya stated a question that had troubled him for a long time.

"If he didn't bite your people, how could he show his loyalty?

"It's just a means of self-preservation."

Yuan Peilin said.

"Perhaps.

"The code name Mount Emei has disappeared, but I have a premonition that he is still in the Jinhai Station.

"Do you know the Jinhai Station confidential secretary Yu Zecheng?"

Li Ya licked his lips and continued to ask.

"I don't know.

"My rank is high, and I only connect with the upper-level contacts in the Pingjin area, but I know there are indeed two important intelligence agents in Jinhai, though their specific code names are unknown.

"I once made a clear-code call to the intelligence agents in the two places.

"Some came.

"Some didn't.

"The only thing I can confirm is that Mount Emei and Pebble were in Jinhai at the time.

"These two were both Line 1 specialists.

"They had dedicated contacts.

"After the Jinhai underground contact station was destroyed, these two became dead pieces."

Yuan Peilin answered truthfully.

"Alright.

"Then what do you know about Jinhai?

"Pick a few first, create some movement, or else I won't be able to report back."

Li Ya said.

Yuan Peilin's face sank, and he drank several mouthfuls of wine in a row.

He confessed several underground strongholds and key members of the labor movement organization.

"How about it, is that enough for you to show your face?" Yuan Peilin said with a complex expression.

"Enough.

"Da Fu, you are responsible for settling Mr. Guo.

"Mr. Yuan, you come with me."

After the two finished eating, Li Ya stood up and said.

Crossing the suspension ladder.

The two groups went their separate ways.

Li Ya took Yuan Peilin into the car.

Three hours later.

The car headed straight for a theater in the north of the city.

"Why bring me here? Is it that there aren't enough people?" Yuan Peilin frowned and asked.

"I remember that before you joined the revolution, you once stayed in a theater troupe, right?

"When the Japanese were here, you once infiltrated a theater troupe to assassinate the puppet official stationed in Xin'an."

Li Ya asked.

"That's right; before I did the revolution, that was my means of making a living," Yuan Peilin said.

"Can you still sing?" Li Ya asked.

Yuan Peilin didn't make a sound.

"A theater troupe is good for disguises, and the people coming and going are mixed; no one will pay attention to you.

"I will have the troupe leader arrange a separate room for you.

"Usually, you just stay there.

"If you want to show off a few moves, just come out and sing a few lines.

"Who would think that you have returned to your old trade?" Li Ya laughed.

"That's fine," Yuan Peilin thought for a moment and nodded.

"Don't be nervous; there are my people in the theater troupe, and they and the troupe leader will all provide cover for you.

"When meeting people, put on some stage makeup or something.

"No one will recognize you."

Li Ya said.

"I understand all of this," Yuan Peilin said.

"Remember, don't sing too well; just be average in everything.

"Relax your mindset; just treat it as returning to your old trade to live your life."

Li Ya laughed and instructed.

After finishing arrangements with the troupe leader, Li Ya hurried back.

Returning to the station.

Qi Da Fu walked in: "Captain Li, many of Lu Qiao's intelligence agents have been sent out.

"This is to watch us to death."

Li Ya gave a faint laugh: "What's the panic? Let him watch.

"I'll play along with him properly."

Saying this, he took out a pen and wrote a flurry on the paper.

"Find five people; starting tomorrow noon, order meals from these five different restaurants and send them to these five places," Li Ya ordered.

Qi Da Fu took a look and said: "Send to Xiuchun Tower too?"

"Hmm.

"Otherwise, how will Lu Qiao, Ye Xiufeng, and the Red Ticket find 'Yuan Peilin'?" Li Ya laughed.

"Fake and real, real and fake.

"Captain Li, you are truly amazing; you are much stronger than that dog Ma Kui, who only knew how to lose his temper and act recklessly," Qi Da Fu offered a rainbow fart.

"Stop the flattery, go do your job," Li Ya waved his hand.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Hong Zhiyou accompanied Mrs. Qiao to go shopping.

It was called shopping, but it was actually seeing a doctor.

Mrs. Qiao had suffered torture before, and her health had always been poor; coming to Jinhai was mainly to find a famous Chinese medicine practitioner.

After dropping Mrs. Qiao back at 1 Changde Road.

Hong Zhiyou returned to the station.

"Zhiyou, where did the Station Chief go?" Lu Qiao happened to be walking over from the hallway with documents.

"I don't know," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Didn't you follow them to eat at noon?" Lu Qiao wanted to probe him.

"Working lunch, not convenient," Hong Zhiyou shrugged and laughed.

"That's true.

"You are the Station Chief's precious treasure; at this time, he definitely wouldn't let you get involved.

"Let's go, call Old Yu and come to my place for a cup of coffee."

Lu Qiao greeted.

"Not very appropriate during work hours," Hong Zhiyou pointed at his watch.

"The Station Chief is away, so I have the final say.

"Besides, drinking a cup of coffee and discussing work doesn't count as breaking the rules, right?"

Lu Qiao laughed.

"Alright, I'll go call Old Yu."

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the confidential room, and Yu Zecheng was on the phone.

A moment later, he hung up and said with exhaustion:

"It's too difficult.

"Can't stop it."

"He's a newcomer, blind to everything, doesn't understand how deep the water is in Jinhai; let him hit a wall and he'll know," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Do you have any news about Yuan on your side?

"I was thinking if we could pull him, we should; if he falls into Li Ya's trap, it will be too late."

Yu Zecheng still wanted to move.

"No.

"Let's go, go to Old Lu's place for a while; I happen to have something to announce."

The two arrived at Lu Qiao's office.

Steaming hot coffee had already been set out.

Hong Zhiyou took a sip: "Old Lu, why does this taste a bit bland?"

Lu Qiao put down his crossed legs and sighed:

"I won't hide it from you two, I'm currently penniless; I put in as few coffee beans as possible.

"Just wait, in a few days, I reckon even this taste will be gone.

"I'll have to drink tea with you two."

Hong Zhiyou curled his lips, shook his head, and said with a listless tone: "No need to wait a few days; from today on, you can drink tea.

"The Station Chief has ordered you to transfer the cold storage warehouse and the Delong Inn to the Action Team."

"Pfft!" Lu Qiao spat out a mouthful of coffee.

He wiped his mouth and said with surprise and indignation:

"No, this was received by me from the Japanese, and it has always been managed by our Intelligence Division.

"Li Ya just arrived a few days ago, and he wants to grab my rice bowl; on what grounds?"

Yu Zecheng also frowned and spoke up for him:

"That's right, the Station Chief is too biased toward this Li Ya.

"Mistakenly killing a Party-Affairs Bureau key member, sabotaging the plan to suppress the Red Ticket.

"Which one of these isn't a major matter that costs heads?

"Just took the Inspection Team from Division Chief Lu, and the oil and water weren't enough, now he wants to dig into the Intelligence Division's foundation.

"Too presumptuous, too rampant."

He slammed his coffee cup onto the table, feeling very indignant.

"Sigh.

"Leaning against a big tree is good for shade; the Station Chief has to follow him, you two should just look past it," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"It's unfair.

"Back then, Old Lu shouldered two divisions and seven sections, the recognized number two figure in the station; who wasn't convinced?

"What mistake did Old Lu make?

"He isn't Nian Gengyao; why strip him of everything?

"Is he, is that guy surnamed Li going to manage the Intelligence Division and the Confidential Room next?"

Yu Zecheng pointed and said excitedly.

"Old Yu, speak carefully, speak carefully," Hong Zhiyou hurriedly advised.

"Speak carefully about what?

"I said the same thing to his face.

"Oh, just because he has Jiang Jianfeng covering him, he can rob and plunder? Anyway, I am not convinced."

Yu Zecheng took off his coat, draped it on the chair, and rolled up his sleeves.

"This is just the beginning.

"The good show is yet to come.

"This time, capturing Yuan Peilin, just leaking a little bit, you watch, the name of the 'Buddha Niche' will soon resound throughout Jinhai."

Hong Zhiyou added fuel to the fire.

"You two!

"He won't be rampant for long,"

Lu Qiao took a deep breath, his eyes filled with murderous intent, his speech speed was very fast, and his voice was two degrees higher than usual.

"I won't hide it from you.

"I have been instructed by Director Zheng to bring Li Ya down at all costs.

"Doesn't he rely on having Yuan Peilin in his hands?

"Mao Renfeng treats him like a treasure and wants to show his face.

"Not a chance."

"I don't believe this person can drill into the ground,"

Lu Qiao said with a cold, arrogant laugh.

"Understood.

"Old Lu, if there is anything you need us to help with, just let us know," Yu Zecheng said.

"Me too,"

Hong Zhiyou nodded.

When he returned from the Station Chief's house, Wu Jingzhong had already hinted that he should find Yuan Peilin's hiding place as soon as possible.

It must be cautious and confidential.

In some respects, Li Ya was challenging all the key figures in the station alone.

"With those words from you, I am relieved.

"Just wait, within three days, I will be able to drag his fox tail out,"

Lu Qiao said coldly.

"Alright.

"Old Lu, waiting for your good news."

Yu and Hong stood up and left.

"Hello, it's me.

"Have your Inspection Team keep their eyes peeled and watch all the cars in the Jinhai Station, especially the Station Chief's.

"Li Ya might have an operation tonight.

"Rest assured, there will be no lack of benefits for you when the time comes."

Lu Qiao called his fellow townsman Lu Yuxi at the first opportunity.

People from this station couldn't be used.

Fellow townsmen could always be used, right?

The current Inspection Team was a force not to be underestimated, with personnel, equipment, and intelligence facilities that were very sophisticated, vaguely showing a trend of being able to rival the Action Team and the Central Statistics Special Investigation Section.

With such a force, why fear not being able to handle Li Ya?

Early the next morning.

Wu Jingzhong and Qiao Jiacai walked out of the car.

Both of them had exhausted expressions.

"Zhiyou, get two hot towels, and then tidy up the reception room; Station Chief Qiao and I need to catch up on some sleep," Wu Jingzhong said with a yawn.

The two of them had spent the night at the Xiuchun Tower.

Women, they didn't get to enjoy.

That ghostly place was noisy and rowdy, and they didn't get a wink of sleep.

After wiping his face,

Hong Zhiyou withdrew.

Lu Qiao was already waiting at the door: "Zhiyou, where did the Station Chief go last night?"

"Said he just came back from Tanggu, official business, didn't dare to ask," Hong Zhiyou answered truthfully according to Wu Jingzhong's instructions.

"Tanggu?

"Alright, I'll notify you when there is news," Lu Qiao nodded.

Taking advantage of the driver returning to the dispatch room, he took the oil measuring rod downstairs, opened the fuel tanks one by one to measure, and then filled in the data on the form.

"Go, call Liu Pu from the Security Section to me." Returning to the office, Lu Qiao ordered his subordinates.

Soon, Liu Pu walked in: "Division Chief Lu, do you have something for me?"

Lu Qiao picked up the notebook, placed it on the table, and said with a straight face:

"So much oil is missing.

"Where did it run to?"

"No, didn't go anywhere," Liu Pu said.

"Stole oil privately, didn't you?

"Chen Wenbin's subordinates at the Jixian branch station stole oil, and several were just dealt with.

"What, none of you have a memory, right?"

Gasoline was a scarce and good thing right now, and many drivers in public offices made a lot of extra money by selling oil.

"Division Chief Lu, no, I really didn't steal oil," Liu Pu was stunned by his gloomy expression and waved his hands in fear.

"Didn't steal oil?

"Don't think that just because Section Chief Xiao is protecting you, I can't deal with you!

"Is it, or is it not?"

Lu Qiao slammed the table and shouted angrily.

"I'll say.

"I went to Tanggu last night," Liu Pu answered honestly with his head down.

"Using a public vehicle for private use?" Lu Qiao narrowed his eyes, his tone even colder.

"No, it was, it was official business accompanying the two Station Chiefs," Liu Pu said.

"You have quite the nerve, daring to use the Station Chief's name," Lu Qiao snorted coldly.

"I really didn't, if you don't believe me, go ask the Station Chief," Liu Pu answered.

"Still daring to quibble.

"What is this?"

Lu Qiao took a box of Xiuchun Tower matches from his pocket and threw it on the desk.

"Xiuchun Tower.

"Is that a place you can go? Your crime is major!" he scolded severely.

"No, it's not.

"That belongs to the Station Chief's friend, Division Chief Lu, I have an old father and mother above, and a wife and children below, please, please investigate clearly," Liu Pu was so anxious he was about to cry.

"Considering you are usually honest.

"This time, forget it; don't let it happen again,"

Lu Qiao got the answer he wanted and waved his hand.

"Yes, yes, thank you, Division Chief Lu."

Liu Pu bowed repeatedly to thank him.

After dismissing Liu Pu, Lu Qiao took out the matches, and a cold laugh appeared on his face:

"Li Ya, oh Li Ya, good, even bringing the Station Chief along to act.

"Setting up a false formation.

"Hidden in the Xiuchun Tower?

"Catching people off guard, quite high-level,"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 166 =====