Chapter 175

Interrogation room.

Wu Jingzhong sat at the head, Hong, Yu, and others were lined up on the left and right, while Li Ya leaned against the door, looking worried.

Lu Qiaoshan took it all in, his heart wild with joy.

Li Ya panicked.

It seems he didn't catch the wrong person; heaven is helping me.

"Section Chief Lu, speak." Wu Jingzhong looked at Lu Qiaoshan.

"It's like this, while monitoring Xu Yuanshan's residence, we discovered this person."

"Suspecting he might have had contact with Dong Cheng."

"After investigation, we discovered he was hiding in the opera troupe in Drum Tower."

"The troupe leader of the neighboring opera troupe also confessed truthfully."

"It can be said that we caught them red-handed."

Lu Qiaoshan was smug, his voice two notches higher than usual.

"Captain Li, aren't you looking for someone to confirm Dong Cheng's identity?"

"Qiaoshan has done you a great favor."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at Li Ya and smiled.

"Section Chief Lu, thanks." Li Ya said expressionlessly.

"That's right."

"The group is a family, comrades are limbs."

"We must watch and help each other, that's the only way to get twice the result with half the effort."

Wu Jingzhong nodded with a smile.

"Yes, then should we see who he is?" Lu Qiaoshan smiled brightly.

"Hmm." Wu Jingzhong waved his hand.

The interrogation room staff on the side walked up to the prisoner.

Everyone's heart was in their throat.

The interrogator pulled off the person's hood, but it was a young, panicked face.

"This..."

Lu Qiaoshan pointed his hand, stunned.

Yu Zecheng and Hong Zhiyou also felt their hearts go cold.

They couldn't even understand what medicine Li Ya was selling in his gourd.

"Qiaoshan, interrogate him."

Wu Jingzhong suppressed his inner disappointment, his smile still peaceful.

"Speak."

"Are you a Red Ticket, what is your mission in Jinhai?"

Lu Qiaoshan grabbed the person by the collar, gnashing his teeth, wishing he could chew him alive.

"Li, Brother Li, save me." The person was scared out of his wits, trembling like a sieve, his eyes dodging as if he had seen a group of ghosts.

"Brother Li?"

"Calling him quite affectionately."

"Captain Li, what exactly is going on here?"

Lu Qiaoshan looked coldly at Li Ya.

"Section Chief Lu, I don't know where your intelligence came from."

"This person's name is Zhang Wenshun."

"He is the older brother of a friend of mine; a while ago, I was entrusted by this friend to bring him to the opera troupe to make a living, is there a problem?" Li Ya said.

"Make a living."

"Then why hide sneakily in a broken woodshed?" Lu Qiaoshan shouted.

"How should I put it?"

"This person previously suffered from hysteria, oh, in the words of a foreign doctor, it's called a psychological illness."

"Afraid of contact with people."

"As soon as he sees people, he gets nervous, sometimes he even has seizures and foams at the mouth."

"You know, in the hometown, people who can't work the fields can't support themselves."

"So, I specifically instructed the troupe leader to take him in and give him a bite to eat."

"Usually, he lives in the woodshed and doesn't see people much."

"Is there a problem?"

Li Ya raised the corner of his mouth and asked coldly.

"No problem."

"Maybe the intelligence on my side had a problem."

"However, the friend Captain Li mentioned, I wonder who it is?"

"You haven't been in Jinhai for many days, and you're helping people find work; this person must have a close relationship with you."

Lu Qiaoshan sucked his teeth and didn't argue further.

"This is my private business, no need to tell you."

"But if you want to know, I can say."

"As the Station Chief said, the group is a family, you are the senior brother, no need to hide it from you."

Li Ya walked up to Lu Qiaoshan, stared into his eyes, and smiled sarcastically:

"This person's name is Xiao Yunxian."

"She is my girlfriend I met in the opera troupe, are you satisfied with this answer?"

"So it's the brother-in-law, then there's no problem." Lu Qiaoshan adjusted his glasses and said.

"However, I am very curious."

"The Intelligence Division is not the Cao Gang, we don't collect protection fees, right?"

"Section Chief Lu first sent police to investigate the opera troupe, and now went to arrest my friend."

"Wouldn't it be targeting me?"

"Or are you looking for someone, going back and forth like this, look at how anxious you are, your complexion has aged a bit."

"Section Chief Lu, don't work too hard, once you're of age, you have to meddle less."

Li Ya used a double entendre, pointing at the Station Chief as well.

"I said, I went there to investigate Red Tickets." Lu Qiaoshan's face fell, and he said coldly.

"Alright, alright!"

Wu Jingzhong quickly raised his hand to smooth things over.

"Since it's a misunderstanding, unrelated to Dong Cheng, and it's Captain Li's future brother-in-law,"

"then let them both go."

He ordered.

"Yes, Station Chief." Lu Qiaoshan nodded.

With a wave of his hand, someone immediately released the troupe leader and Zhang Wenshun together.

"Alright, go busy yourselves."

Wu Jingzhong gave a look, and everyone retreated, leaving only Li Ya.

"This Dong Cheng must be interrogated faster."

"After Xu Yuanshan went back, he went to Jingling overnight to lobby at the Ministry of National Defense; if you don't identify him quickly, what if some high-ranking official at the Ministry of National Defense gives in?"

"You won't be able to keep this person."

He whispered to remind Li Ya.

"Station Chief, I just don't understand."

"The confession from Yangjia Village and the investigation report from the Wang Wei Political Security Headquarters back then are in black and white, and they have stamps, why does no one recognize them?" Li Ya shook his head, very puzzled.

"Because the one you are identifying is Yu Zecheng."

"In terms of relationship, you are alumni, classmates."

"In terms of identity, he is a hero who assassinated Li Haifeng alone, personally received commendations from Boss Dai, and ate meals with Boss Dai."

"Evidence that even Jianfeng doesn't dare to believe, you take it out and shout about it."

"Just based on these few scraps of paper you don't know where you got, a dignified major officer becomes a Red Ticket?"

"Li Ya, how do you expect the superior and the Party-State to handle themselves?"

"This is only because Boss Dai is gone, otherwise you would certainly be severely punished."

Wu Jingzhong said with an unhappy expression.

"Sigh!"

"This Wan Lilang, he died at the wrong time." Li Ya said.

"What do you want to do about this Dong Cheng?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I found an eyewitness from Yang Village."

"He once saw Yu and Dong Cheng."

Li Ya said.

"Better forget it."

"It's been a few years, and that village suffered from a plague."

"The person you brought back doesn't count."

"If they bite back and say you framed them, how will you defend yourself?"

Wu Jingzhong saw that he was hiding Yuan Peilin and not letting go, so he was too lazy to waste energy.

"Also true."

"Then send this Dong Cheng to Jingling."

"Hand him over to the people there to handle."

Li Ya saw the old man wasn't acting anymore, so he had to give up.

"You handle it."

"My opinion is, internal vetting is very necessary; when you have time, interrogate this Dong Cheng separately again."

"Make the conditions better."

"Sometimes a person's will collapses in an instant."

"If you manage to persuade him, won't this merit be in your own hands?"

"Yuan and Dong, two merits, you might just be promoted to colonel."

Wu Jingzhong smiled and ordered.

"Yes, can't let him off so easily."

"Thank you, Teacher, for your guidance."

Li Ya said gratefully.

Returning to his office.

Wu Jingzhong picked up the folder on the table and slammed it hard onto the table:

"Trash!"

"Losing his touch again and again, what senior brother from the Nanchang Investigation Section, I'm ashamed for him."

At the thought of Yuan Peilin still living happily in the shadows, he was furious.

"Teacher."

"Can only say everyone underestimated Li Ya."

"A chain of schemes, a scheme within a scheme!"

"As expected of someone who has read the Thirty-Six Stratagems, this set of moves, not to mention Section Chief Lu, even I was dizzy."

"Calm down."

"There will always be opportunities, he can't hide the one surnamed Yuan forever."

Hong Zhiyou quickly served him tea.

"He is now using Jianfeng as an imperial edict."

"Did you hear, in the interrogation room, he was pointing at me, complaining I'm old and meddling."

"The little bastard, his wings are really getting stiff."

Wu Jingzhong said angrily.

"Sigh."

"Zheng Jiemin called me; he has already signed the commendation and promotion orders."

"He will use the excuse of an official assignment to go to Xi'an for two days, to buy us the final time."

"If we still can't find Yuan Peilin."

"Li Ya's position as Deputy Station Chief will be set in stone."

After a pause, he continued.

Hong Zhiyou's expression became solemn.

Li Ya is indeed hard to deal with.

Assassination!

Just caught an important person, if Li Ya dies in Jinhai.

Jianfeng will absolutely make many heads roll.

Can't kill.

Playing, Li Ya played the whole station in circles with his own strength.

He hasn't even sat in the Deputy Station Chief position yet, and he already dares to challenge the Station Chief.

If he really sits in it.

Hong Zhiyou felt he would turn the Jinhai Station upside down.

If things go wrong, he might even have to pay back that big slap.

No way.

No matter what, we must find Yuan Peilin.

"Teacher, I'll go sit with Section Chief Lu." Hong Zhiyou said.

"Go."

"You three cobblers should also think of a way."

Wu Jingzhong said.

Also?

Hong Zhiyou seemed to hear a hint of subtext.

But thinking about it, Wu Jingzhong is so shrewd, how could he give up?

He must be hiding a secret move.

It's just that what this secret move is, is unknown.

Once he left.

Wu Jingzhong called Xiao Guohua in.

"Guohua, how is the preparation on Lao Wu's side?" He asked in a deep voice.

"Station Chief."

"Everything is arranged, and the item has been given to Lao Wu."

"As long as Captain Li dares to interrogate him alone,"

"I believe Dong Cheng will make a choice."

Xiao Guohua said.

"Hmm."

"I observe this person's features are upright, and after eating so many sets of beatings, he is still laughing and talking; he is indeed a tough character worthy of admiration."

"Sending him off in this way can be considered giving him a little final dignity."

Wu Jingzhong nodded and said.

"In addition, this person Lao Wu cannot be kept."

"Liu Xiong was his doing."

"Now Dong Cheng is also him."

"If Li Ya investigates carefully later, it's hard to guarantee this person won't loosen his lips."

"Don't forget, he is a guy who is proficient in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling."

"A person full of loopholes is absolutely unreliable."

After taking a sip of tea, a cold glint flashed in Wu Jingzhong's eyes, and he ordered.

"Understood."

"I will make Lao Wu shut up forever tonight." Xiao Guohua respectfully accepted the order.

"Go."

Wu Jingzhong nodded.

Regarding Li Ya, his mind was clear.

Competing with others is nothing more than meeting moves with moves.

The Yuan Peilin move cannot be dismantled for now.

Then dismantle the other move, Dong Cheng.

This person's importance is no less than Yuan Peilin's.

If Dong Cheng dies in Li Ya's hands.

What kind of situation will that be?

Not to mention breaking the game, at least it can provide Zheng Jiemin with a good excuse to delay the promotion order for a few days.

It's just a pity for Lao Wu.

A good executioner, proficient in torture, used for so many years.

Interrogation room.

"Xiao Li, go, buy a pack of cigarettes for your brother."

Lao Wu took a large handful of bills from his pocket and stuffed them to another interrogator.

"Yes, Brother Wu." Xiao Li accepted the order happily and left.

Lao Wu quickly walked to the door, looked left and right, and after confirming no one was there, he quickly returned to the interrogation room and walked up to Dong Cheng.

"Mr. Dong." Lao Wu called out to the semi-conscious Dong Cheng.

Dong Cheng opened his eyes and looked at him.

"Captain Li wants to send you to Jingling."

"But you know, even if someone can protect you, after suffering for so many days and being on the electric chair,"

"at your age of nearly sixty, living is also suffering."

"So, someone wants to give you a quick end."

"You understand what I mean, right?"

Lao Wu said.

"Thanks." Dong Cheng smiled faintly.

His first reaction was Yu Zecheng.

Relief is often the best way to rescue.

"This pill is wrapped in wax; later Captain Li will come to interrogate you personally, take the opportunity to bite the wax pill, and the pill will take effect immediately."

"This kind of medicine will cause an acceleration of blood flow, leading to increased internal bleeding."

"At that time, you can express your emotions more intensely."

"It's best to force him to take action against you."

"You understand what I mean, right?"

"This can also be considered your last chance to take revenge on Li Ya."

Lao Wu said in a low voice.

"I understand." Mr. Dong opened his mouth and took the pill, held it under his tongue, and nodded.

After Lao Wu finished giving instructions, he walked out.

"Binzi, Ali, let's go, let's go to the cafeteria to eat."

"I heard there's braised pork for dinner tonight."

"Damn it, finally Lu Qiaoshan isn't in charge of the General Affairs Section, brothers can eat good wine and meat now."

"You, stay behind and keep an eye on things for me."

"I'll swap with you later."

Lao Wu shouted, called the people on the left and right in the interrogation room, and walked out together.

The interrogation staff member who stayed behind had secret dealings with Li Ya.

Sure enough, as soon as Lao Wu left, that person went to the Operations Team.

"Captain Li, Brother Wu and the others went to the cafeteria." That person reported.

"I know."

"Go take a look."

Li Ya stood up and got a pile of files from the drawer.

These were carefully prepared by him.

Materials identifying Yu Zecheng as Mount Emei.

He wanted to interrogate him secretly and alone.

Regardless of whether Dong Cheng admitted it or not.

Li Ya had to force him to sign these papers.

For no other reason.

He had secretly investigated Tang Bin of the Gendarmerie Headquarters.

Tang Bin usually had no connection with the Zhongtong.

Wu Jingzhong's judgment that Teacher, Ma Kui, and Tang Bin, Zhongtong had connections, was just a photo.

The person in the photo was a well-known shill in the Zhongtong.

The Confidentiality Bureau also had such shills.

For example, Sheng Xiang.

In other words, there were many suspicious points about Liu Xiong's death.

And the most fundamental thing was that he had been biting Yu Zecheng, and even arrested Secretary Hong and Yu's wife.

Hong Zhiyou might not be a Red Ticket.

But Li Ya dared to be sure that this person was at least doing business with the Red Tickets.

If Yu Zecheng was a Red Ticket.

Then wouldn't all of this be logical?

Otherwise, how could their relationship be so intimate?

Therefore, Li Ya boldly speculated that Ma Kui and Liu Xiong lost their touch while investigating Yu Zecheng and lost their lives.

It was definitely not collusion with the Zhongtong or Red Ticket collaboration.

He had checked this against Ma Kui's belongings and past Red Ticket investigation records.

This person could be said to be near-fanatical about catching Red Tickets.

He was the same type of person as his own mentor, Liu Xiong.

Collaboration was absolutely impossible.

There was only one result: Yu Zecheng was the real Mount Emei.

Hong Zhiyou was an accomplice.

The Station Chief was extremely likely to have been blinded by these two because of money.

He had to properly clean up the Jinhai Station.

Taking the materials, Li Ya hurried to the interrogation room.

These things could not have outsiders present.

"You watch outside, notify me immediately if someone comes."

Li Ya gave instructions to the interrogation staff at the door and walked in with the folder tucked under his arm.

"Thirsty?"

"Drink some water."

He walked up to Dong Cheng with warm tea.

"Thanks, not thirsty." Dong Cheng said weakly.

"Mr. Dong, I stayed in Yancheng, heard of your name, and have always admired you."

"You should know that your organization has more important missions waiting for you to do."

"Dying in Jinhai like this, you're not reconciled, right?"

Li Ya's tone was gentle, and his attitude was very respectful.

"I died."

"The organization will naturally have more suitable candidates to do what I should do." Dong Cheng's smile remained.

"Don't give me that."

"As long as you sign these materials, I can arrange for you to leave."

"I've even thought of the reasons for you."

"The Red Tickets sent me ten gold bars, and I was greedy for money and released you."

"Of course, you can also choose not to cooperate with me."

"I will beat you up, and then grab your hand and sign it on this."

Li Ya patted the file in his hand and said.

"In other words, I have to sign even if I don't want to." Dong Cheng said.

"Smart, that's what I mean."

"I checked your file; your wife and daughter are both working in the organization's organs."

"Live."

"Your situation, no need for me to say, should have already been reported to your organization by someone."

"According to your organization's discipline, you held out for so many days and didn't confess a word, you are already very qualified; going back, you'll just do a little less work."

"At least you can be reunited with your family and hold your grandson, right?"

Li Ya smiled.

"You are very familiar with... our organization's discipline, not bad for someone who stayed in Yancheng." Dong Cheng said, picking up the teacup and drinking a few sips.

This action gave Li Ya hope.

He smiled even more brilliantly: "Ashamed, haven't made any merits yet, and was dug out by your people."

"In Yancheng, only Jinhai contacted me."

"And it was related to investigating Yu Zecheng."

"If I haven't guessed wrong, he is the 'Mount Emei' who replaced Lu Zongfang's codename, right?"

Dong Cheng smiled and said nothing.

"Sign it, you're free." Li Ya handed over the file.

"Good."

"But your reason for accepting gold bars and releasing people is not very mature."

"I am a person named by your high-level officials, and you are an active anti-Red Ticket element, counting on me to make merits and get promoted, how could you destroy your own future because of a few gold bars?"

"This reason wouldn't even fool a three-year-old."

Dong Cheng reminded him.

"You're right, then it's an order issued by the Ministry of National Defense, someone above wants to rescue you."

"I know, even the Second Department and the people around the Chairman have many of your people."

"This is possible."

"General Chen wasn't redeemed back by you guys just like that?"

Li Ya thought for a moment and said.

"This reason is acceptable." Dong Cheng nodded.

"Then sign it."

"After signing, I will send you away personally." Li Ya said.

Dong Cheng picked up the file.

Just when Li Ya thought he was going to sign, Dong Cheng suddenly grabbed the file and tore it into pieces.

Crack.

Crack.

The sound of paper tearing was like slaps on Li Ya's face.

He had always been strong and proud.

Coming to Jinhai, he lost his touch again and again, not to mention getting a big slap from Hong Zhiyou.

Now, a dying Dong Cheng also dared to play him like a monkey.

Too hateful.

"You stubborn dog!" Li Ya was furious, grabbed his collar, and threw a few old punches.

"Woo!"

Dong Cheng was beaten until his eye sockets burst and his face was covered in blood.

But he was still smiling.

A gentle, calm smile.

This irony was like a sharp knife, crushing Li Ya's self-esteem into powder.

He beat Dong Cheng frantically like a madman.

That spring-breeze-like smiling face was beaten until the cheekbones and chin were fractured, and his face was a mess.

No cursing.

No slogans loyal to faith.

No final words to say goodbye to the world.

Only a smile that made all executioners extremely cold and fearful.

Dong Cheng knew the opportunity had come.

He took the opportunity to bite the wax pill, swallowed the medicine water along with the blood into his throat, and made the final choice of his life.

"I'll let you laugh."

"Let you laugh."

"..."

Li Ya punched one after another.

After hitting him more than a dozen times, he found that Dong Cheng's eyes seemed to freeze, gradually losing their luster.

He let go, and Dong Cheng's head tilted and he slumped on the chair.

"Bad!"

Li Ya shouted in alarm.

Reaching out to check his breath, he was already breathless.

(End of Chapter)