Chapter 173: Accept everything

"Speak quickly." Wu Jingzhong said happily.

The Hong Zhiyou of now was not the greenhorn who had just arrived at the station.

His insight, strategy, and connections had matured under his own influence and help.

In the past six months, he had shared many worries for him.

He had already become an indispensable advisor.

"Teacher, as long as Dong Cheng holds on, you just insist that Yuan Peilin must come out to identify Dong Cheng."

"In this way, Yuan Peilin will have to appear."

"As long as he shows his face, we won't have to worry about finding a way to shut him up."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"This plan isn't very brilliant."

"Fortunately, Wan Lilang is dead, and these broken materials can be considered dead without proof."

"Furthermore, Jiang Jianfeng has always cherished heroes like Yu Zecheng who have performed great services."

"He is stubborn and very rigid."

"It is indeed possible for him to let Li Ya invite Yuan Peilin out."

"I'm just afraid Li Ya will persuade him, and we'll be happy for nothing."

"You still have to make two-handed preparations. I'll let Li Ya provide evidence on my side, and you have to speed up finding Yuan Peilin on your side."

"To plan a big situation, one must never fall into passivity."

"The initiative must always be in one's own hands."

"Why were we in such a rush this time? Isn't it because we were unprepared?"

Wu Jingzhong paced with his hands behind his back, criticizing himself.

"Yes."

"It's because we underestimated Li Ya."

Hong Zhiyou nodded, "I'll contact Xu Yuanshan's wife right away."

"Don't use the office phone, find a safe public phone booth, don't let Li Ya catch any handle." Wu Jingzhong reminded him flawlessly.

"Understood."

Hong Zhiyou accepted the order and left.

Arriving at a public phone booth, he called Xu Yuanshan's wife and gave her a few hints.

Xu Yuanshan was a high-ranking official in the Executive Yuan.

He had wide connections.

As long as money and feelings were in place, let alone finding Xiong Shihui, it wasn't impossible to get a word to the Chairman.

Zhang Qun, Chen Bulei, Zhang Zhizhong—these were all people shaking in front of the Chairman every day.

Wouldn't it be easy to pass a word?

After making the call, he returned.

Passing by Lu Qiaoshan's office, Lu Qiaoshan pulled him in:

"Little brother, let's chat."

"I've checked the files, this person is indeed Dong Cheng, an absolutely heavyweight Red figure."

"Li Ya is so blatant in catching people."

"Even daring to take action against an old veteran of the Executive Yuan like Xu Yuanshan, he must have received permission from Director Mao and Jiang Jianfeng."

"I just called Director Zheng."

"He told me to give up this competition for Deputy Station Chief. Sigh, I'm out of the game."

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head, looking dejected.

"That won't do."

"The two sections and seven departments in the station are all looking forward to you holding on."

"If you fall, won't it all become Li Ya's?"

"You must have a chance."

"Besides, intelligence and action have never been separated."

"If Li Ya becomes Deputy Station Chief and manages the action team, he will definitely take a knife to the intelligence section."

"By then, will there be any room for you in Jinhai?"

Hong Zhiyou said, feigning heartache and indignation.

"I know all this, but the situation doesn't allow it."

"Director Zheng said if I really can't make it, I should be transferred back to the Nanjing headquarters, at least I'll have a meal."

Lu Qiaoshan said with a mournful expression.

"My Mountain Brother."

"Why don't you understand?"

"You are the number one founding hero of the Jinhai Station reconstruction, how can you just leave? Handing over the great rivers and mountains to a guy who eats dirt in Yancheng."

"Besides, Director Zheng is having bad luck right now."

"Can Mao Renfeng let you go if you go to Nanjing at this time?"

"Shen Zui, the section chief, is he not qualified enough?"

"Boss Dai's favorite, a Major General section chief of Juntong, Mao Renfeng threw a small shoe at him, and he ended up picking mushrooms in Diannan."

"If you go to headquarters at this time, you won't even be in line to serve tea and pour water."

"I bet you'll be tasked with scrubbing all ten bathrooms in the headquarters building, do you believe it?"

Hong Zhiyou was afraid he would really run away, so his words were sharp and intense.

"Little brother, I know you care about me."

"But I have no choice right now."

"Dong Cheng was caught. It is said that Mao Renfeng already opened champagne to celebrate last night, and Jiang Jianfeng is adding fuel to the fire. Director Zheng can't hold on."

"The news just came, the appointment and removal letter will have to be approved in at most two days."

"Maybe Li Ya will even be promoted."

"Sigh, my fate is the nation's fate. You say, how can a despicable and shameless petty person like Li Ya have such good luck and ruin the scenery for you and me?"

"If I had known, I shouldn't have facilitated Jiang Aimei's exchange plan."

"Let him dig caves in Yancheng for a lifetime and eat dirt for a lifetime."

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head, regretting it so much his intestines turned green.

"Old Lu, don't be so pessimistic, man proposes, God disposes."

"Let's make a big deal out of it."

"Burn the fire brighter, Yuan Peilin can't hide, he will naturally jump out."

"Once this person dies, whatever Dong Cheng, whatever great achievement, it's all bullshit."

Hong Zhiyou said coldly.

"How to burn it?" Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"Same old rule, you go and arrest the troupe leader."

"Go against Li Ya openly."

"He interrogates Dong Cheng in the left room, you interrogate that troupe leader in the right room."

"Mess up his heart, and he will naturally reveal his flaws."

"It just depends on whether you can let go."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"What do I have that I can't let go of?"

"I investigated the motorcade, followed the food delivery, Li Ya knows clearly."

"The intelligence of Xiuchun Tower, wasn't it a trap he dug for me? It made me look like a mess."

"If I don't get this field back, I won't be able to sleep soundly for the rest of my life."

"Since there is no way out, then fight for it."

"I'll fight him."

"Wait, I'm going to catch people right now."

Lu Qiaoshan's eyes turned fierce, he rubbed his hands and regained his fighting spirit.

"I'll wait for your good news." Seeing him regain his spirit, Hong Zhiyou left the intelligence section.

He didn't rush to report to the Station Chief's office.

Instead, he looked at the time and stood in the corridor on the first basement floor for a while.

Soon.

He saw Old Wu walking up from the basement with blood-stained sleeves.

"Brother Five, where are you going?"

Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile, pretending it was a coincidence.

"Eat."

"I have to eat early, this is the Station Chief's rule."

"It's just to avoid this bloody smell affecting everyone's appetite." Old Wu said.

"Let's chat."

Hong Zhiyou glanced and the two walked outside.

Arriving at a quiet place.

Hong Zhiyou took out a handful of silver dollars and stuffed them into his pocket: "How did Liu Xiong die?"

"I, I hammered him to death." Old Wu was a bit confused.

"Do you know the relationship between Li Ya and him?" Hong Zhiyou asked again.

"Seems like Section Chief Liu brought him along during the Qingpu class." Old Wu answered.

"Not just brought along."

"They were as close as father and son. So, once he knows you killed Liu Xiong, do you still have a way to live?"

"Do you know who you should listen to in the station?"

Hong Zhiyou touched his chest with another small gold bar.

"K-know, know."

"Naturally, I listen to Secretary Hong." Old Wu's forehead broke out in cold sweat.

"Nonsense."

"Listen to Director Zheng at headquarters, listen to Department Chief Lu."

"Just don't listen to me, understand what I mean?"

Hong Zhiyou frowned and said coldly.

"Understood."

"Listen to Director Zheng and Department Chief Lu." Old Wu nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

"Department Chief Lu is in trouble now."

"You know this without me saying."

"Pass a word to Dong Cheng, let him hold on to death, keep his mouth shut, Department Chief Lu doesn't want him to open his mouth."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Rest assured, I will pass the word to 'Department Chief Lu'."

Old Wu understood the taste and emphasized the three words "Department Chief Lu" heavily.

"Go."

Hong Zhiyou tucked the small gold bar into his shirt pocket.

He had just left.

Xiao Guohua walked out from the dark on the other side and called Old Wu.

They whispered a few words.

The two separated.

Returning to the office.

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand hurriedly: "Zhiyou, go, call Li Ya over."

Then, he whispered:

"Xiong Shihui pleaded for mercy, Jiang Jianfeng let Li Ya release the person."

"Great."

"At least we broke one of Li Ya's moves."

"I'll go call him."

Hong Zhiyou walked quickly to the action team.

Li Ya was leaning against the desk, lecturing his subordinates.

"Captain Li, busy?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"You guys go down first." Li Ya waved his hand.

"The Station Chief wants you to go to his office." Hong Zhiyou said.

"No rush, drink some hot water first."

Li Ya smiled, picked up the thermos, and poured a cup of boiling hot water for Hong Zhiyou.

"Captain Li, why not drink tea?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"My stomach was ruined over there."

"My stomach gets acidic whenever I drink tea."

"The doctor said to drink more hot water and slowly nurture it."

Li Ya sat down and crossed his legs.

"Captain Li, this time you caught two big fish, you're going to fly high."

"I think the position of Deputy Station Chief is stable."

Since he wasn't in a hurry, Hong Zhiyou was even less so.

Anyway, the Station Chief hated people who were late.

Cooperating to give Li Ya a bad review, why not?

"Stable or not, anyway, I can't let that petty person Lu succeed."

"From the first day I came, he's been disgusting me in various ways."

"Does he really think I'm made of mud?"

Li Ya sneered.

"This water is too hot, I don't think you can finish it in half an hour, let's go to the Station Chief first." Hong Zhiyou stood up.

"Fine, let's talk while we walk." Li Ya twisted his stiff neck and said.

Walking outside, Li Ya asked in a low voice:

"Little brother, do you know how much money it usually takes to protect someone?"

"Oh, I mean gold bars."

Hong Zhiyou immediately understood, the Station Chief must have shared the loot with Li Ya.

"It depends on who is being protected and who is doing the protecting." He said.

"No money, basically a dead person."

"The other side has plenty of money."

Li Ya wasn't stupid enough to say it directly.

"Then how about five to ten gold bars per head."

"If you know how to negotiate, more than ten is also very possible."

"Why, someone asked you to handle something?"

Hong Zhiyou pretended not to know.

Li Ya's face instantly tightened and turned blue.

To avoid disaster, Sun Chuanzhi of the Dangtong Bureau would definitely pay a heavy price.

In other words.

These seven people he caught were worth at least thirty gold bars.

Or seventy or eighty.

Even over a hundred gold bars.

And he only got a mere seven.

Not even ten percent.

Old thief, bullying people too much!

"Oh, forgot to say, it has to be big yellow fish." Hong Zhiyou added another sentence.

"Little brother hasn't done this business less." Li Ya forced a smile.

"Not bad."

"Captain Li, if you have anything you need me for, just speak up." Hong Zhiyou said readily.

"I heard you know people on the Sales Committee, can you get US dollar bonds?" Li Ya continued to ask while walking with his hands behind his back.

This was news he had fished out of Mi Zhiguo's mouth.

Li Ya knew Mi Zhiguo was close to Hong Zhiyou.

It was very likely an eye planted by his side.

Eyes also have the benefits of eyes.

Mi Zhiguo was a big mouth, occasionally he could fish out news about Hong Zhiyou from his mouth.

Likewise, he could use Mi Zhiguo to reverse-mislead Hong, Yu, and others.

Wasn't the troupe matter just like that?

"Those people on the Sales Committee can't be trusted."

"Fake news is everywhere."

"To really buy US dollar bonds, you have to find professional brokers. A group of people from the American Seventh Fleet and the Marine Corps are flipping bonds, and they only cooperate with this kind of person."

"If you are interested, I can introduce one to you."

Hong Zhiyou knew the fish had taken the bait.

"Good."

"Money is like paper now, the Americans are the only ones who are big, being able to buy is definitely a steady profit."

"Thanks, little brother."

When it came to raking in money and getting rich, Li Ya had done his homework.

"I'll give you a phone number."

"However, he only accepts US dollars."

Hong Zhiyou took out a pen, swish-swish, wrote down Xie Ruolin's phone number and handed it to Li Ya.

"Thanks." Li Ya accepted happily. 【

"No need for formalities."

Hong Zhiyou looked at him, his smile extremely friendly.

Li Ya was using Mi Zhiguo to fish for information from him.

Hong Zhiyou was happy to output a wave of counter-information.

And just like that, Li Ya took the bait.

As long as he could confirm tonight that Li Ya knew absolutely nothing about opera,

then listening to operas and wooing Xiao Yunxian could basically be concluded as an act.

He arrived at the Station Chief's office.

At the thought of Wu Jingzhong pocketing his gold bars, Li Ya's face soured, and he said with a forced smile, "Station Chief, did you look for me for something?"

"It wasn't me who looked for you."

"It was Jianfeng."

"He asked you to come and take a call, why are you dragging your feet?"

Wu Jingzhong asked with annoyance.

"I was delayed by something, excuse me." Li Ya raised his hand.

Wu Jingzhong connected the call to Jianfeng again:

"Old classmate, Li Ya has arrived."

"You can speak to him yourself."

After saying this, he handed the receiver to Li Ya.

Then he made a gesture, and the two of them walked outside.

They walked two steps.

Wu Jingzhong looked back and saw Li Ya take his hand out of his pocket, standing as respectfully as a grandson, and he couldn't help but feel annoyed.

"Comrade Jianfeng, this is Li Ya."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

Wu Jingzhong's brow darkened, and he flicked his hand and strode out.

"A wolf from Zhongshan, you can't tame it." He glanced at Hong Zhiyou and sighed.

"His body is in the Cao camp, but his heart is with the Han."

"I used to think Captain Li was arrogant and aloof, and I felt he had quite a personality."

"Now it seems, it depends on who he's dealing with."

Hong Zhiyou echoed.

"Indeed."

"I don't think there's a single person in this station who catches his eye."

"And he's just an Operations Captain."

"If he were to become Deputy Station Chief, I'm afraid he wouldn't even tolerate me."

Wu Jingzhong sneered.

"Hurry up." He patted Hong Zhiyou.

Just as they were speaking,

Lu Qiaoshan was seen walking over with hurried steps, reporting in a gentle voice:

"Station Chief, a while ago our telecommunications vehicle monitored an intelligence network point, and the Intelligence Division locked onto a Red Ticket liaison. We discovered he has connections with an opera troupe in Drum Tower."

"I have already arrested the troupe leader."

"What do you think..."

"A small liaison, just drag him in and interrogate him." Wu Jingzhong said.

"Station Chief."

"The problem is that Captain Li frequently goes to this place to listen to operas, and he is even dating the troupe leader's apprentice, Xiao Yunxian."

"Should we seek Captain Li's opinion?"

Lu Qiaoshan reminded him.

Wu Jingzhong immediately understood; Lu Qiaoshan was investigating Yuan Peilin and making a final desperate attempt.

"Then drag him to the interrogation room." Wu Jingzhong thought for a moment and ordered.

He had originally wanted Lu Qiaoshan to take the person to the basement for a private interrogation.

But then he thought that only he had the authority to use the basement.

If Li Ya found out, it would be equivalent to tearing off the mask, and there was no need for that.

It's all about human relationships and worldly wisdom.

Matters of face still need to be maintained.

"Thank you, Station Chief." Lu Qiaoshan was overjoyed.

Returning to the Station Chief's office.

Wu Jingzhong looked at Li Ya and asked with a smile: "Finished your call?"

"Finished."

"Xu Yuanshan has quite some ability; he pleaded for mercy all the way to Xiong Shihui, and Jianfeng told me to release the person." Li Ya frowned and said.

"Release him."

"This person's roots are too deep; without solid evidence, interrogating him will only lead to trouble."

Wu Jingzhong narrowed his eyes and said with a look of concern.

"Fine."

"I'll release him." Li Ya said.

"And there's Dong Cheng; Wan Lilang is already dead, and the authenticity of the material in your hands can no longer be determined."

"Xu Yuanshan has been making a scene."

"He is deeply involved in the cultural circles and has significant influence among students and public opinion."

"This is this morning's newspaper, take a look."

Wu Jingzhong took out a newspaper and handed it to Li Ya.

The front page was denouncing the secret agents of the Confidentiality Bureau.

"Heh, the person we caught last night, without anyone knowing, is already in the papers this morning."

"I don't think this is a Confidentiality Bureau."

"Let's call it the Leakage Bureau."

"Fine, someone wants to go against me, I'll take it all on."

Li Ya gave an arrogant smile, squinting at Wu Jingzhong and saying:

"Jianfeng has instructions: until he is properly vetted, Dong Cheng cannot be released."

"Understood!" Wu Jingzhong nodded.

Then he pointed at Li Ya and said in a deep voice: "The key now is that Xu Yuanshan's fuss has made it into the papers, and the Red Ticket side will certainly guess that Yuan Peilin's death was faked."

"Once he is killed, confirming Dong Cheng's identity will be up in the air."

"Such a great achievement, won't the Deputy Station Chief position you have in your grasp go down the drain?"

"What do you mean?" Li Ya asked.

"I mean, secretly invite Yuan Peilin to the station for a face-to-face confrontation and testimony."

"Get the testimony, match the statements."

"You make your merit and become Deputy Station Chief, and we'll just throw the person to Beiping; whether he lives or dies will have nothing to do with us."

"You don't want him to die in Jinhai, do you?"

"That would be very troublesome."

Wu Jingzhong winked and reminded him with a shrewd look.

"Teacher's words make sense."

"Then I'll take this Yuan out for a walk." Li Ya raised his eyebrows and sneered.

Watching Li Ya leave.

A cold sneer appeared on the corner of Wu Jingzhong's mouth.

Finally, he had trapped this little brat.

As long as Yuan Peilin dared to show his face, he was a dead man!

As soon as Li Ya returned to the Operations Team, Gao Yuan greeted him: "Boss, something happened."

"Lu Qiaoshan arrested Troupe Leader Liao, saying he's a Red Ticket collaborator, and dragged him to the basement."

"What are you panicking about?" Li Ya curled his lip, picked up the water that had cooled down, and took a sip.

"Doesn't he just want the person?"

"I'll hand Troupe Leader Liao over to him."

Li Ya said indifferently.

Jinhai Station.

Interesting.

The Station Chief is cheating him out of money.

The small-minded people below are ganging up to oppose him.

Getting into the papers.

Arresting Troupe Leader Liao.

Don't they all just want Yuan Peilin to appear?

He just wouldn't give them what they wanted.

Let's see who laughs last.

As for Troupe Leader Liao, he was already seriously ill and didn't have many years left to live.

When his son committed murder years ago, it was he himself who bailed him out.

Where he is, what he's doing.

Only he himself knew.

Therefore, Troupe Leader Liao would rather die than betray Yuan Peilin.

Otherwise, why would he go through so much trouble?

Dating, listening to operas.

You think he's just playing around?

Interrogation room.

Lao Wu threw away the bloody horsewhip in his hand, lit a cigarette, and leaned against the wall to take a few puffs.

He glanced at Dong Cheng, feeling troubled in his heart.

For a long time, Lao Wu had received many benefits from Hong Zhiyou and admired him from the bottom of his heart.

Passing on a word was nothing.

The key was that Section Chief Xiao had hinted to him that the Station Chief had other arrangements.

Therefore, the words Secretary Hong had entrusted were no longer necessary.

Sigh!

He sighed slightly, smoked the cigarette down to his fingers in a few big puffs, and then reluctantly threw it on the ground.

"Lao Wu, Section Chief Lu wants you to go to the room next door."

A staff member shouted.

Lao Wu pulled himself together and went to the next room.

"Section Chief Lu." He greeted him, his gaze falling on the thin and gaunt Troupe Leader Liao.

"Don't ask yet."

"Let him suffer a bit first."

Lu Qiaoshan sneered and ordered.

Lao Wu skillfully picked up the whip and gave Troupe Leader Liao a brutal beating.

"Officer, you, what exactly do you want to ask?"

"I, I'll say everything."

"Please, stop hitting me."

Troupe Leader Liao's face was covered in blood, and he begged for mercy in pain.

"You all go out first."

Lu Qiaoshan smiled and waved for everyone to retreat.

"Did Li Ya give you someone to hide in the opera troupe?" Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"Who is Li Ya?" Troupe Leader Liao was puzzled.

"Captain Li."

"Oh, it's him, I remember now, he did arrange for someone to join the opera troupe."

"This person doesn't like to talk much."

"He usually lives in the backyard and doesn't come out much."

"Because it was arranged by Captain Li, we didn't dare to order him around too much; it was only when we were really busy that we'd let him help collect props and gear after the show."

Troupe Leader Liao answered suddenly.

"I really want to tear your mouth apart!"

"Last time Detective Li went to investigate, didn't you say everyone was accounted for and there was no one?"

Lu Qiaoshan's expression changed instantly, and he roared right in his face.

"I, I... Captain Li gave instructions not to say anything." Troupe Leader Liao said.

"Do you know who that person is?" Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"I don't know, he just said his name was Old Lin." Troupe Leader Liao said.

"Old Lin."

"Yuan Peilin, that must be it."

"So he really was hiding in the opera troupe."

Lu Qiaoshan gave a dry laugh, closed his eyes, and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Where is he hiding?" he asked.

"Right in the woodshed in the back." Troupe Leader Liao said.

"Good."

"Lao Wu, come in."

Lu Qiaoshan waved his hand and said.

"Section Chief Lu, what are your orders?" Lao Wu walked in.

"Keep hitting him for me."

Lu Qiaoshan glared at Troupe Leader Liao, snorted coldly, and strode toward the Station Chief's office.

Finally, his luck was turning.

Li Ya, oh Li Ya.

No matter how cunning you are, didn't I still dig you out?

Let's see how you become the Deputy Station Chief.

(End of Chapter)