Chapter 166: He Deserves to be Sliced to Pieces

Jinhai Station.

Wu Jingzhong sat in his chair, feeling drowsy.

He truly disliked working overtime.

The moment he thought of the many treasures confiscated from Kou Zheng's home, still waiting for him to return and appraise them.

His heart felt as itchy and uncomfortable as if insects were crawling inside.

"Master, why don't you go lie down on the sofa for a while?

"It will probably take a while for Department Chief Lu to make the arrest."

Hong Zhiyou poured out the tea dregs, brewed a fresh cup, and handed it over.

"No more tea.

"I've been running to the restroom enough as it is!"

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand.

"Arresting Ma Kui is not the ultimate goal.

"The issue now is how to prove that it was Ma Kui who leaked the Buddha Niche.

"In my view, Li Ya would not leak the matter of me exchanging telegrams with Liu Xiong.

"Even if he told Jiang Jianfeng about the telegrams, he would absolutely never say that this was the reason for the exposure.

"Because to him, Liu Xiong is as respected as a biological father.

"I understand the bond between them.

"Even if Li Ya were to die, he would not smear Liu Xiong's name."

Wu Jingzhong stood up and paced back and forth in the room.

"It is not intelligence.

"Then someone must have leaked it; including the leak at the Commercial Voucher Club and Boss Dai's secret trip, someone has to account for all of this."

Hong Zhiyou nodded and said.

"Ma Kui cannot deny the Commercial Voucher Club.

"I only gave the list to him alone.

"As for Boss Dai's secret trip, Ma Kui participated in the security detail and his expression was strange during the audience.

"These can also be pushed onto him.

"The key is to find evidence that he leaked the Buddha Niche.

"That is the only effective prescription to appease my old classmate."

Wu Jingzhong rubbed his forehead, looking troubled.

Actually, it's not difficult... Hong Zhiyou added, feeling depressed: "That's right, the Buddha Niche is top secret, how could Ma Kui have known about it?"

Just as they were speaking, Xiao Guohua walked in.

"Master, you stay busy, I will go ask Department Chief Lu about the situation." Hong Zhiyou left in a hurry.

"Go ahead.

"I'm afraid we'll have to pull an all-nighter tonight.

"Go, have... Rui Rui's mother make some late-night snacks; I need to eat when I get back tonight.

"Keep it simple, mutton soup or pig's trotter soup will do."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Understood, Master." Hong Zhiyou took the order and left.

"Station Chief, there is a lead regarding the exposure of the Buddha Niche," Xiao Guohua said.

"Speak quickly," Wu Jingzhong said.

"During the time you went to Shancheng to attend Boss Dai's funeral, I cleared out the secondary files left behind by Section Chief Liu.

"Among them was a copy of the reply telegram regarding the Buddha Niche.

"I was afraid it wasn't safe, so I handed it to Secretary Hong."

Xiao Guohua reported.

"Are you implying that Zhiyou leaked the secret?

"What would he gain from that?

"Does he want to go eat dust on the Loess Plateau, or is he short on money and desperate for this bit of intelligence money?"

Wu Jingzhong's brows furrowed, and he said with displeasure.

"I, I didn't mean that." Xiao Guohua was frightened by his stern gaze.

"Secretary Hong certainly wouldn't leak the secret."

"There was someone else present at the time, and I suspect that person was the one who caused the trouble."

He hurriedly explained.

"Who?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Fang Xiaomin."

"When I was handing over the files to Secretary Hong, I suspect Fang Xiaomin heard the commotion," Xiao Guohua said truthfully.

"You were discussing the Buddha Niche?" Wu Jingzhong's eyes widened, and he pointed at him, speaking coldly.

"No.

"Station Chief, we certainly understand the rules.

"Fang Xiaomin has been getting close to Ma Kui and Sun Xing in secret.

"I asked the people in the dormitory.

"Fang Xiaomin went to find Sun Xing at the time, and Sun Xing took him to see Ma Kui; it is very likely that was when the intelligence was revealed.

"Furthermore, I asked Wang Quanfa, who was guarding the building that night.

"He revealed that Ma Kui invited him to drink.

"And then smashed him unconscious with a wine bottle.

"I suspect that Ma Kui took that opportunity to sneak into Secretary Hong's office and steal a look at Section Chief Liu's copy of the telegram regarding the Buddha Niche.

"That is what led to the exposure of the Buddha Niche."

Xiao Guohua analyzed.

"The problem is, since Fang Xiaomin didn't hear you discussing the Buddha Niche.

"Why would Ma Kui take such a huge risk to knock out Wang Quanfa and steal intelligence?"

Wu Jingzhong had always been meticulous, and his gaze was aggressive as he asked.

"Station Chief.

"Ma Kui has been investigating the matter between you and Mu Liancheng.

"He has secretly investigated with Li Ping many times, and even boasted in the action team that you are Emei Peak, the number one traitor of the Jinhai Station.

"Mi Zhiguo, Wen Shiming, and Song Fei can all testify to this.

"There are also things left behind by Li Ping in those files.

"Ma Kui might have been trying to find some clues within them."

Xiao Guohua did not dare to look him in the eye and spoke in a low voice.

"Call Wang Quanfa over," Wu Jingzhong said.

Wang Quanfa arrived at the Station Chief's office, trembling with fear.

"Tell me about Ma Kui inviting you to drink," Wu Jingzhong said with authority.

Wang Quanfa confessed everything in detail.

"Drinking while on night duty, you have quite some nerve.

"It seems I have been too indulgent and too kind to you all, is that right?"

Wu Jingzhong pointed at his nose and scolded him.

"Station Chief, I was just set up by Ma Kui.

"He never invites me to drink.

"Who in the station doesn't know that Ma Kui is a notorious miser, the kind who makes others pay for his cigarettes when he's out?

"That night, he deliberately bought roast chicken, pig's head meat, and two bottles of good wine.

"He even used his wife to provoke me; it was clear he wanted to get me drunk... with ulterior motives."

Wang Quanfa wasn't stupid; he hurriedly dumped everything onto Ma Kui.

"What happened later?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I was very drunk at the time.

"I... I don't know why, but Ma Kui smashed my head with a wine bottle.

"I was dazed and saw I was bleeding, so I wanted to go to the infirmary.

"Then I saw Director Yu and Ma Kui arguing at the door of Secretary Hong's office.

"Director Yu even pulled out his gun.

"I was afraid Director Yu would punish me, so I didn't dare to go up and hid in the office to watch for a bit."

Wang Quanfa confessed everything.

"You mean to say, Yu Zecheng was there too?" Wu Jingzhong was very surprised.

"Yes."

"Director Yu came later."

"The two of them didn't know why, but they started arguing."

"It didn't last long."

"Ma Kui entered Secretary Hong's office again, and then the two of them left."

Wang Quanfa reported truthfully.

"Deduct three months of salary first."

"If you dare to drink on duty again, you will be fired immediately."

Wu Jingzhong glared coldly at Wang Quanfa and said.

"This subordinate knows his mistake." Wang Quanfa replied with his head lowered.

"Call Secretary Hong and Yu Zecheng to me." Wu Jingzhong ordered Xiao Guohua again.

Soon, the two walked in.

"Secretary Hong, are the copies left by Liu Xiong and Li Ping all with you?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Yes."

"At that time, you went to Shancheng for the funeral, and I didn't dare to enter the Station Master's office for those few days, so I had Section Chief Xiao store all the copy documents with me." Hong Zhiyou replied respectfully.

"Director Yu, now you answer me."

"Why did you appear in Hong Zhiyou's office that night?"

"What did you talk about with Ma Kui?"

Wu Jingzhong kept a straight face and questioned him sternly.

Yu Zecheng's heart pounded wildly.

When Wu Jingzhong usually addressed him by his title, it carried murderous intent, so he had to answer cautiously.

"That night, Zhiyou told me to deliver a report to the Naval Club for him."

"I arrived at his office."

"Seeing the door open and a flashlight beam inside, I drew my gun and walked in."

"I happened to see Ma Kui pulling open his drawer and looking at some documents."

Yu Zecheng answered sternly.

"Looking at some documents?"

Wu Jingzhong's brows furrowed, and he asked coldly: "What documents?"

"It was a report regarding a secret agent named Buddha Statue sent by Section Chief Liu to Yancheng to investigate me, Zuo Lan, and Situ Guangzong."

"Oh."

"It was Captain Ma who asked me to look at it."

"He finished reading it first, then showed it to me, saying that when I assassinated Li Haifeng in Jingling, Zuo Lan happened to go to Jingling from Shancheng as well."

"Then he said I must have been in contact with Zuo Lan at that time."

"I denied it, and we started arguing at the door."

"The two of us almost drew our guns."

"Station Master, I am truly wronged."

"This Ma Kui is just a mad..."

Yu Zecheng became a bit agitated when he said this.

"Enough!"

Wu Jingzhong cut him off and said coldly:

"Now is not the time to discuss you and Zuo Lan."

"Are you sure Ma Kui read the telegram about Buddha Statue?"

"Sure." Yu Zecheng nodded.

"Then it all adds up."

"The Merchant Voucher Hall, Boss Dai's secret mission, Buddha Statue—it was all Ma Kui's doing!"

Wu Jingzhong lifted his chin, very satisfied with this result.

Although his intuition told him.

That there might be something fishy between Hong Zhiyou and Yu Zecheng.

But that was not important.

Handing Ma Kui over to take the fall was a joyous event for everyone.

"This damn beast."

"He's addicted to leaking secrets; Ma Kui has always been short on cash, he must have stolen and sold intelligence."

Xiao Guohua said angrily.

"Nonsense."

"What stealing and selling intelligence."

"He is intentionally leaking intelligence to the Reds."

"Mount Emei!"

"He should be sliced to death!"

Wu Jingzhong said coldly.

Just as they were speaking, Lu Qiaoshan walked in with a joyful face:

"Yo, everyone is here."

"Station Master, as expected, Ma Kui followed the instructions of that female Red representative and went to the Delong Inn for a secret handover of intelligence."

"Right at locker number two, I caught him red-handed."

"It is absolutely a case of catching the person and the stolen goods."

"Arrest Ma... Captain Ma?" Yu Zecheng looked puzzled.

"Good, Qiaoshan has worked hard."

"In this way, it's too late today, and I'm not in the mood to waste time with him."

"You have Old Five turn up the heat on him first."

Wu Jingzhong ordered with one hand behind his back.

"Station Master, will torture be..." Lu Qiaoshan felt a bit guilty.

"What are you afraid of?"

"It has just been verified that Ma Kui stole the telegram about Buddha Statue."

"The Buddha Statue matter was personally designated by Jiang Jianfeng, and as the prime suspect, torture is a necessary means."

"Let's leave it at that for now."

"Zhiyou, come with me."

Wu Jingzhong gave Yu Zecheng a complex look, turned around, and walked out.

Arriving downstairs.

Hong Zhiyou drove himself, and Wu Jingzhong got into the passenger seat.

"Zhiyou, do you think Buddha Statue was leaked by Ma Kui?" he asked.

"Teacher, it must be Ma Kui."

"And it can only be Ma Kui."

"He has been investigating you in secret, wanting to topple you to help Mao Wanli sit in the position of Jinhai Station Master, and then use the merit of supporting the dragon to become the Deputy Station Master himself."

"This is a well-known fact."

"Betraying Buddha Statue, with Mao Renfeng and Jiang Jianfeng both targeting you, is undoubtedly an excellent move."

Hong Zhiyou answered without hesitation.

He knew that Wu Jingzhong had become suspicious of Yu Zecheng.

But he could not take the bait on this point at all.

Some things can be understood in one's heart, but saying them out loud is another matter entirely.

"Yes."

"This damn Ma Kui, his desire to destroy me never dies."

Wu Jingzhong looked at his "son-in-law," knowing that this kid had already grasped his "essence," and it was impossible to expect him to say anything more.

It's fine not to say anything.

Let it be, it's undoubtedly Ma Kui.

"Why did you have Yu Zecheng go to your office at that time?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Teacher, this was purely a coincidence."

"You weren't there."

"Ruirui's mother didn't feel at ease, so she gave me the accounts for Renji from last month."

"I went to find Ji Qing to split the accounts."

"But the account book was left at the station, and I was being pestered by several ladies to play mahjong at the time, so I really couldn't leave, and I had Director Yu do it for me."

"Who would have thought that Ma Kui would dare to enter my office."

"To tell you the truth, if it weren't for Wang Quanfa's confession, I still wouldn't know that Ma Kui had entered my office."

"However, please rest assured, my ledgers are all recorded in code."

"Except for me, Ma Kui and Director Yu wouldn't understand them even if they held them."

Hong Zhiyou justified himself.

"Why didn't you say Yu Zecheng confessed sooner?" Wu Jingzhong asked with dissatisfaction.

"Master."

"He was afraid."

"Yu Zecheng has always been meticulous, and it was Buddha Shrine who was investigating his files."

"Who wouldn't be panicked in that situation?"

"Furthermore, if Ma Kui saw it, he would make a scene, which would be disadvantageous to himself."

"And now Mao Renfeng is in power."

"He dared not offend Ma Kui even more."

"In terms of self-preservation, if it were me, I would have kept it buried in my stomach too."

Hong Zhiyou said with a sympathetic smile.

"Hmm."

"If he is afraid, I am not worried."

"I only fear he harbors other intentions."

Wu Jingzhong remarked coldly.

"Forget it, let's not talk about these trivial matters."

"How is the situation with Mu Liancheng?"

Turning his head, he asked again with a smile in his eyes.

"The goods have already been cleared out."

"It is said they could fill several large rooms."

"Rong Bin specifically found a large ship to transport them to Yuezhou, then chartered a special train from there to Jinhai."

"They should have passed Hengyang by now."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Excellent, we have finally dug out the belongings of this dog traitor." Wu Jingzhong slapped his thigh in delight.

"Master."

"According to your instructions, I had Long Er and an acquaintance at the pawnshop pick out a few average items; one portion was sent to the elder of the Rong family."

"One portion was sent to He Xian in Aodao."

"Station Chief Xie also received a portion."

Hong Zhiyou continued.

"Hmm, that is as it should be."

"In the future, if we ever need to go to Xiangdao or Aodao, these people will be useful."

Wu Jingzhong nodded in approval.

"The trouble now is that once Fu Jie's family assets are brought over, there will be no place to put them in the basement of your other villa, Master."

"We need to find a house quickly, and there is design work to be done."

"This needs to be put on the agenda."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"No need."

"Zhang Xun has a residence at No. 6 in the Hexi German Concession."

"It is said that a warehouse was specifically built underground, and even bombs cannot blow it open."

"His wife and concubines are either dead or have run off, and his son Zhang Mengchao is a notorious playboy, skilled in all the vices of drinking, gambling, and whoring."

"I hear he is very short on cash lately, so we can set our sights on that."

Wu Jingzhong folded his arms and smiled with calculating wisdom.

"Hmm."

"I have also heard of this Young Master Zhang; he is the son-in-law of Zhang Zuolin."

"He once lost a Western-style building worth tens of thousands of silver dollars on the racetrack in a single night of gambling."

"In the Jinhai circle, he is a famous spendthrift."

"This kind of person is the easiest to deal with."

"Within three days, leave it to me, and I guarantee I will get that residence for you."

Hong Zhiyou promised with full confidence.

"Hmm."

Wu Jingzhong nodded with satisfaction.

Having a capable assistant really makes a difference.

Often, he only needs to provide a lead, and things go exactly as he wishes.

It saves effort and worry.

Arriving at the villa.

Hong Zhiyou changed his shoes with the familiarity of a regular.

Mei Qiuju was sitting on the sofa knitting small embroidered shoes for a child.

"Wow, it smells so good."

"Mistress, what delicious thing have you made?"

Because of the relationship with Rui Rui, calling her 'sister-in-law' was no longer appropriate.

'Mistress'—it had a 'mother' in it, yet wasn't quite 'mother-in-law,' it was just right.

"Pig trotters soup." Mei Qiuju looked up and smiled.

"Isn't it mutton soup?" Wu Jingzhong frowned.

"Drinking mutton soup in the middle of the night, aren't you afraid of getting internal heat?"

"Zhiyou is from Zhe, they aren't used to drinking mutton soup there."

Mei Qiuju rolled her eyes at him and smiled.

Wu Jingzhong pursed his lips; although unhappy, he couldn't say anything.

"Thank you, Mistress." Hong Zhiyou said.

"What are you thanking me for? We are all one family; I was afraid you wouldn't come."

"Chou'er, bring it out."

Mei Qiuju gave an indulgent smile and turned to shout toward the kitchen.

Soon, Chou'er brought out the pig trotters soup simmered in an earthenware pot.

Hong Zhiyou washed his hands and sat at the table to drink it.

Wu Jingzhong found it too greasy; after a few sips, he went straight to look at his treasures.

"Zhiyou."

"When are you and Rui Rui getting married?"

"You already have a child; it's not good to keep dragging it out like this."

Mei Qiuju sat down opposite him and asked with a smile, looking somewhat worried.

She actually cared quite a bit about this.

Hong Zhiyou's status was rising day by day.

Old Wu had revealed in private that this kid had quite a lot of US dollars and gold in his pockets, and he was making a fortune secretly selling arms with people like Long Er.

And Rui Rui?

She was basking in the glory of Major General Old Wu.

Hong Zhiyou currently had to rely on Old Wu.

But after all, she had been married before.

If one day Old Wu stopped working, wouldn't this girl's value depreciate?

"Mistress, I would like to marry her."

"But she won't marry."

"You know Rui Rui's personality; she is free-spirited and casual. Once she decides on something, ten cows couldn't pull her back."

Hong Zhiyou replied with a helpless, bitter smile, following the script he had discussed with Rui Rui.

"That's because you haven't earned enough money yet."

"She loves money; if you let her manage the household, she'll definitely marry you."

No one knows a daughter better than her mother; Mei Qiuju understood her daughter's little preferences.

"That is also a reason; I will save up a bit more and then discuss it with her." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

Actually, Mei Qiuju was overthinking it.

The feelings between him and Wu Rui Rui were still very sincere and solid.

Loving money is one thing.

But being together was absolutely comfortable and easy.

As for marriage, Hong Zhiyou currently does not consider it at all.

That piece of paper is a tightening headband.

Once worn, many of the tricks of this Monkey King of his will no longer work.

For Wu Rui, who loves money as much as her own life, this is also hard to accept.

A marriage certificate.

A mountain of gold.

She knows clearly how to choose.

Especially after having a child, it is even less difficult to decide.

"As long as you know what you're doing." Mei Qiuju said no more.

……

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou got up early.

Because he has to practice martial arts with Wang Cuiping, he has rarely slept at the club at night recently, just making do in the attic at home.

It was the little sister who didn't come back again last night.

No need to guess, she went to get a room with Liu Shan again.

Once this sort of thing starts, men and women just can't stop that craving.

Hong Zhiyou is an experienced person, so he is too lazy to manage it and just lets them be.

Arriving at the courtyard.

Wang Cuiping was standing in a horse stance practicing punches.

Hong Zhiyou followed by first relaxing his muscles, then standing in a horse stance, and regulating his breath.

Needless to say.

It is worthy of being what the grandmaster Sun Lutang taught.

After practicing, Hong Zhiyou could clearly feel that his physical strength and spirit were much better than before.

If he didn't run into a "white bone spirit" like Ji Qing.

He was becoming increasingly adept at handling ordinary ones like Wan Qiu and Mrs. Fang.

"Starting today, we practice with stone locks and leg weights!"

"Once you can walk like the wind with leg weights, we will start practicing on the stakes."

"Once you know how to step on the stakes, I guarantee that when you get into a fight, you'll run faster than a rabbit, and six or seven ordinary people won't be able to surround you."

"As for this courtyard wall of ours, you'll be able to kick your way up in two or three moves."

Wang Cuiping picked up two stone locks, lifted them easily twice, and then threw them in front of Hong Zhiyou.

"So high, can I climb up?"

Hong Zhiyou pointed at the nearly three-meter-high courtyard wall, feeling a bit incredulous.

"Watch closely."

Wang Cuiping adjusted her nose bridge, took a slight breath, stepped back two paces, and then suddenly exerted force.

Only to see her feet go "slap, slap" against the wall, and she shot upward as if she had grown wings, then her hands grabbed the wall, and with a burst of strength, she easily sat astride it.

"How about that?"

"Would your senior sister lie to you?"

Wang Cuiping sat on the wall and laughed triumphantly.

Hong Zhiyou was stunned.

If he could learn this, when the Boatmen's Gang was hunting him down, he could have just flipped over the courtyard wall and slipped away into the darkness long ago.

Would he have needed to throw a grenade in the street?

And for future dates, he could choose the second or third floor, and if anything happened, he could just jump out the window and run.

Damn!

A divine skill for saving one's life.

"Sister-in-law, there is a cocktail party at the Naval Club tonight. I suspect someone might want to target me, so could you accompany me?" Hong Zhiyou asked while lifting the stone locks with a ferocious expression.

Last night, he received a call from Ji Qing.

The person in charge of Hennessy, Powell, is coming to Jinhai. It is likely that Zhao Chuncheng and the Longdong Company headquarters reported Jack, which alarmed Powell, and he wants to come and sound things out.

In other words, what Powell and the Hennessy company care about is money.

They are here to see whose connections and fists are harder.

And who can better represent the company headquarters' distribution rights in Jinhai.

Zhao Chuncheng will not admit defeat in this round.

Hong Zhiyou will certainly not lose either.

Sparks are very likely to fly between the two sides at this cocktail party, so Hong Zhiyou must find someone to hold the fort.

……

There will be another update later.

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(End of chapter)