Chapter 180: Lifting a Rock Only to Drop It on One's Own Feet

"Yong Jianqiu, this person has close ties with the Reds; is this Yu Zecheng's fox tail showing again?" Li Ya muttered to himself.

"Maybe he feels you've lost power and no one in Jinhai is watching him, so he's acting rashly." Gao Yuan said.

"Possible.

"Under high pressure for a while, the Reds have been very passive.

"They must have accumulated quite a few tasks.

"They should be moving.

"It's just that I haven't left yet; wouldn't it be too impatient?"

Li Ya sneered.

"Captain Li, shall we arrest them?" Gao Yuan said.

"Go.

"Let's go see."

Li Ya took his sidearm and called out.

Mawang Town.

Yu Zecheng sat in the car, whispering with Kong Fang.

The car reached the fork in the road, and just as it started and drove less than a mile, Li Ya's several Beetle cars blocked the front.

A group of people got out, directly opened the gun bolts, and lined up in formation.

"Officer, is... is something the matter?" Kong Fang jumped out of the car, nodding and bowing respectfully.

"Yo, it's Captain Li."

He looked closely and recognized it was Li Ya.

"It's you again, Red traffic agent.

"Last time you were transporting military supplies for Fu Zuoyi; who are you transporting things for this time?"

Once Li Ya saw it was him, he was even more convinced that this batch of goods was problematic.

"Captain Li, I can't say; you understand." Kong Fang whispered in a deep voice.

"I understand.

"Yong Jianqiu had you transport it to the bandit area, right?

"Red supplies!

"Open it and let me see."

Li Ya waved his hand to order.

Gao Yuan and two other subordinates climbed onto the car and used knives to scrape open several sacks to see:

"Boss, inside are cotton clothes, rice, and salt."

"Right now, the people in Jinhai City can't even get enough to eat, and you still dare to smuggle daily necessities; hmm, American goods, the cotton is quite soft, all good stuff."

Li Ya checked one at random.

"Take everyone and the cars to the station!" He didn't want to talk nonsense and ordered.

"Wait.

"Captain Li, I have an acquaintance on my side, please be accommodating."

Kong Fang took out a stack of silver dollars and handed them over.

"Acquaintance?

"Who?" Li Ya raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Captain Li, it's me." Yu Zecheng then got out of the car and smiled fawningly.

"Director Yu.

"Actually, I guessed it; at this time of day, only you would dare to transport things to the bandit area.

"Before, I said you were a Red, and you argued in every possible way.

"Now that you've been caught red-handed, what else do you have to say?"

Li Ya looked at Kong Fang, then at the supplies, and finally questioned Yu Zecheng directly.

"Captain Li.

"Look at what you're saying; you also know that the Secret Service Bureau has some private business.

"This batch of goods is urgent; why don't you let it pass first, and I'll explain it to you slowly.

"Take them away."

Yu Zecheng said while ordering.

"Let's see who dares!"

Seeing the driver about to get in the car, Li Ya fired a shot into the sky.

"Captain Li, we're all eating from the same pot; be accommodating and give an old classmate some face, let the convoy go." While Yu Zecheng smiled, his eyes turned cold.

"Old classmate?

"In this matter of Yuan Peilin, you haven't been colluding with Lu Qiaoshan in secret, have you?"

"Did you consider our school friendship?

"I haven't left yet, and you're already so impatient.

"Fine, I'll stand the last guard for Jinhai Station.

"Let's peel off your skin first."

Li Ya stared at Yu Zecheng with a sinister smile and turned to order:

"Today, even the Heavenly King himself won't be able to protect this batch of goods.

"Take it all back."

"Li Ya, this batch of goods..." Yu Zecheng still wanted to explain.

"You'll have your chance to talk later!"

Li Ya poked Yu Zecheng's chest, sneered, and turned back to the car.

Yu Zecheng had no choice.

Transporting daily necessities required the signature of the Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau.

From the surface, he was indeed crossing the line.

Of course, letting Li Ya catch him was part of the plan.

Returning to the Secret Service Bureau,

Li Ya took Yu Zecheng directly to his office.

"Interrogating a field officer requires the Station Master's approval.

"We were classmates; I won't make it difficult for you.

"Sleep in the office tonight, and we'll deal with you tomorrow morning when the Station Master returns.

"You two watch him.

"No phone calls allowed, no bail."

Li Ya ordered Gao Yuan and two other subordinates, and after saying that, he went back to sleep.

"Two brothers, sit on the sofa for a while.

"If you're thirsty or sleepy, make your own tea."

Yu Zecheng pointed to the thermos, took his coat off the wall, draped it over himself, and lay down on the sofa to sleep.

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the station.

Mi Zhiguo walked two quick steps and whispered: "Secretary Hong, Director Yu was detained by Li Ya last night." 【180-8

"I understand." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

He went straight to Lu Qiaoshan's office: "Acting Station Chief Lu, have you heard?"

"Heard what?" Lu Qiaoshan played dumb.

"Old Yu was detained by Li Ya last night," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Oh, I heard. They say he was caught red-handed by Li Ya while reselling civilian supplies," Lu Qiaoshan replied in a flat, indifferent tone.

"You are the acting station chief, and Li Ya has already been suspended.

"He has no authority to conduct operations.

"Even if he were to arrest someone, he should have reported it to you, right?"

Hong Zhiyou asked in a deep voice.

"Brother, this was a case of catching him with both the person and the stolen goods.

"I just went to take a look.

"Guess what?

"The bottom was packed with nothing but white sugar; these are strategic and civilian-use supplies more precious than gold, at least two or three tons of them.

"How much would this be worth once resold?

"You tell me, this Section Chief Yu, who usually looks so quiet and unassuming, has such guts and such a ruthless hand.

"Oh, he found a fat piece of meat and didn't say a word.

"Now that he's in trouble and wants to get bailed out, he remembers me. Am I that cheap?"

Lu Qiaoshan curled his lip, sounding both sour and jealous.

"Old Lu, Old Yu is one of our own. Who doesn't have a little side business, right? Let's help him out first," Hong Zhiyou advised with a smile.

"If he had just tipped me off, I have people in the City Defense Bureau's dispatch office; it would have been a simple matter of a single word to send it out of the city easily.

"Eating alone?

"Wanting to stuff every benefit into his own pocket—is there really such a good deal?

"Heaven is watching."

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head, pointed at the ceiling, and snorted coldly.

In this day and age, the most profitable things are reselling white sugar and arms.

Among them, white sugar is even rarer than arms.

Black marketeers, garrison troops, and municipal profiteers are all racking their brains to find ways to resell white sugar.

Lu Qiaoshan had spent no small amount of effort, but he had no connections.

When he saw the two trucks packed with nothing but snowy white sugar that morning, he felt so frustrated he couldn't even taste his coffee.

"Old Lu, you this..."

Hong Zhiyou wanted to say a few more words, but Lu Qiaoshan waved his hand impatiently:

"Little Hong, don't you worry about this matter.

"I have a meeting at the Gendarmerie Headquarters, so I won't keep you company.

"The station chief will be back at nine; we'll see how the old man handles it then."

Having said that, he patted his file folder, stood up, and walked out.

Hong Zhiyou followed him out.

Watching Lu Qiaoshan go down the stairs, he sighed slightly in his heart.

He had thought that after going through the Li Ya incident, everyone would be united against a common enemy and their feelings would have warmed up.

Now it seems he overestimated Lu Qiaoshan.

This man is too narrow-minded.

He has methods, but no vision.

Whenever he encounters benefits, he haggles over every penny and only takes in, never gives out.

He cannot be led, and he cannot be tamed.

He arrived at the confidential room.

Yu Zecheng was leisurely reading a newspaper and drinking tea.

"Secretary Hong." Gao Yuan greeted him.

"Look at those dark circles from staying up all night; you two didn't really watch him all night, did you?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Captain Li gave the orders; we didn't dare to be negligent," Gao Yuan said expressionlessly.

"Alright, keep watching.

"Old Yu, here is your breakfast; your wife asked me to bring it." Hong Zhiyou placed the breakfast on the table and turned to walk out.

Yu Zecheng didn't stand on ceremony and began to eat as if no one else were there.

Gao Yuan gave his men a look and returned to the action team.

Li Ya was drinking tea.

"Is there anything unusual about Yu?" he asked.

"He seems very nervous.

"Although he looks very calm, his hands were shaking while he was eating noodles," Gao Yuan said.

"It's right that he's nervous.

"This batch of goods must have been sold to the Red Party.

"That Kong Fang was a courier for the Red Party before, but don't use torture yet; this person has transported arms for Fu Zuoyi, so wait for the station chief to return before making a decision."

Li Ya had suffered a few losses and had learned his lesson.

Arrest when you should arrest, interrogate when you should interrogate.

But the methods must be gentle; absolutely no overreacting.

Nine o'clock.

Wu Jingzhong returned, beaming with joy.

As soon as he entered the office, he called out to Hong Zhiyou: "Zhiyou, go call them all to the conference room; I have something to announce."

Hong Zhiyou took the order and called everyone to the conference room.

Wu Jingzhong sat at the head of the table and looked around: "Where is Section Chief Yu?"

"Station Chief, Section Chief Yu was detained by Captain Li, and he is currently in solitary confinement in his office."

Lu Qiaoshan, who had rushed back in time, said with a smile.

"What's going on?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Section Chief Yu is suspected of reselling civilian supplies and was caught red-handed by my men.

"Don't worry, since you weren't here, we didn't interrogate him or use torture; he's perfectly fine."

Li Ya looked at Lu Qiaoshan and said calmly.

"Captain Li, shouldn't you be at home resting? Why are you meddling in civilian supplies and city defense inspections again?" Wu Jingzhong said.

"My subordinate discovered it, so I went over to take a look," Li Ya said flatly.

"It's good that you're here.

"Zhiyou, put the matter of reselling civilian supplies aside for now; call Zecheng over for the meeting."

Wu Jingzhong ordered.

After Yu Zecheng took his seat, Wu Jingzhong looked around at everyone and said:

"According to the opinions of the headquarters and Jiang Jianfeng, I announce the following personnel adjustments for the Jinhai Bureau of Investigation and Statistics."

Everyone hurriedly sat up straight.

Lu Qiaoshan, in particular, was all smiles, his heart pounding wildly, feeling incredibly excited.

If his guess was correct, Li Ya's punishment had arrived.

Under the gaze of everyone, Wu Jingzhong said slowly:

"Regarding Captain Li's mistake that led to the death of Dong Cheng.

"And the fact that Yuan Peilin went out without authorization, for which Captain Li bears major responsibility for lax supervision, the headquarters' handling of Li Ya is as follows:

"One: Suggest revoking the application for Li Ya's position as deputy station chief, and at the same time, record a major demerit.

"Two: Retain his position while under observation, suspend his salary for half a year, and cancel all performance bonuses and awards within three years; he shall not be promoted or commended."

Having said this, he took a sip of tea, taking in everyone's reactions.

Lu Qiaoshan's expression turned ugly.

He had thought the headquarters would immediately escort Li Ya to the Inspectorate to receive punishment, or even face a military tribunal and be executed.

He didn't expect it to be just a mere major demerit.

Suspending half a year's salary—these were painless punishments.

"Station Chief, please continue," he said, suppressing his dissatisfaction and forcing a smile.

"Ahem.

"Three: After research by the headquarters and the suggestion of Jiang Jianfeng, Li Ya is to remain in Jinhai under observation, continue to serve as the action team captain, and atone for his crimes through meritorious service."

Wu Jingzhong stated the final point unhurriedly.

Hong Zhiyou breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

Fortunately, Li Ya didn't leave.

If Mao Renfeng were to send someone else, the Jinhai Station would be in real trouble.

"Remain in Jinhai under observation?

"Station Chief, is that what Director Zheng... meant too?"

Lu Qiaoshan stood up as if struck by lightning.

"Yes!

"This is the meaning of both directors," Wu Jingzhong nodded.

"This..." Lu Qiaoshan stood frozen on the spot, looking at Li Ya in disbelief.

Li Ya smiled and nodded at him very politely:

"Section Chief Lu, we are still colleagues in the future; I hope for your continued guidance."

Guidance, my foot.

Lu Qiaoshan pulled a long face and sat back down in his chair.

"Next is the internal adjustment of our station.

"Captain Li has been overworked recently, so he will no longer concurrently hold the equipment room and dispatch office; these will be transferred to Zecheng.

"The cold storage warehouse and Delong Inn will be returned to Qiaoshan for management.

"The Waterway Inspection Section will be concurrently managed by Hou Yun of the Telecommunications Section.

"Does anyone have any objections?"

Wu Jingzhong looked at everyone and said.

"Thank you, Station Chief," Yu Zecheng was the first to stand up and express his thanks.

Although Lu Qiaoshan was extremely unhappy, once he thought about his two little money bags returning, he hurriedly stood up and accepted the order after a brief moment of shock.

Li Ya sat in his chair, his face full of indignation and displeasure.

Now it's a mess.

Not only did he fail to show his face, he exposed his backside.

The deputy station chief position went down the drain, and his salary was suspended.

Even his side income was taken away; this was no different from being plucked clean.

Fortunately, he had a truckload of white sugar.

Once resold, earning enough for a small house wouldn't be a problem, enough to cover his expenses for half a year of lying low.

"Does anyone else have any questions?

"If not, let's adjourn the meeting."

Wu Jingzhong said with a stern, faint smile.

"Station Chief, please interrogate Section Chief Yu about his private smuggling of civilian supplies," Li Ya said, trying to keep his spirits up.

"Smuggling civilian supplies? What's going on?" Wu Jingzhong asked, feigning sternness.

"Station Chief, this... can I say it?" Yu Zecheng said, looking troubled.

"It's like this.

"Isn't Comrade Stalin of the Soviet Union having a birthday soon?

"Chief Xiong of the Northeast, as the head of the delegation, thought about sending them some gifts, and the list included two thousand tons of white sugar.

"Chief Xiong couldn't collect it in time, so he entrusted people everywhere to gather white sugar.

"So I..."

Yu Zecheng said with a helpless look.

"White sugar?

"Wasn't it cotton clothes and rice?" Li Ya's heart skipped a beat.

"On the surface, it was cotton clothes and rice, but underneath, it was all packaged white sugar.

"A total of two tons."

Yu Zecheng replied.

"Since it was supplies requested by Chief Xiong, why not use sea transport instead of going through the trouble of packaging it for land transport? Isn't this redundant?

"Also, this Kong Fang is a Red Party secret agent.

"These are all ironclad facts.

"Section Chief Yu, don't you think your excuse is too clumsy?"

Li Ya sneered.

"I also received notice about Chief Xiong collecting white sugar.

"But Li Ya is right; why not use the sea route?"

Wu Jingzhong tapped the table and asked.

"At present, white sugar is not only a civilian supply but also a strategic material.

"Chief Xiong was afraid that if he used sea transport, Chief Du in Huludao would peel off a layer, and he wouldn't be able to complete the mission assigned by his superiors.

"Furthermore, the Generalissimo is currently applying for military aid from the Americans, and it would be unfavorable to the situation if the secret dealings with the Soviet Union were made public at this time.

"Therefore, the white sugar collected from various places was all transported to the Northeast via Shanhai Pass."

Yu Zecheng explained everything.

"Then this Kong Fang..." Li Ya asked, rolling his eyes.

"Kong Fang is an informant I developed; I already explained this to Captain Li last time in Baoding," Hong Zhiyou interjected.

"So that's how it is."

Li Ya didn't act rashly or argue, but pursed his lips and said:

"Then, why not trouble the station chief to call Chief Xiong to confirm?

"If the situation is true, then release him."

"Fine, how could I dare disobey your orders?" Wu Jingzhong stood up lazily and said.

"Station Chief, I am currently a man under indictment; being able to stay this time is all thanks to your strategic planning. You saying that is taking years off my life.

"My subordinate was just following routine procedure, wanting to clear Section Chief Yu's name."

Li Ya hurriedly bowed and said.

Wu Jingzhong led the others back to the office and, in front of Li Ya, dialed Xiong Shihui's number:

"Hello, is this Chief Xiong? I am Wu Jingzhong.

"It's like this, did you entrust Section Chief Yu of our Jinhai Station to transport two tons of white sugar across Shanhai Pass?

"Good, I understand.

"Sorry to bother you."

After hanging up, Wu Jingzhong looked at Li Ya and said: "Chief Xiong confirmed it is true; Captain Li, release him."

"Yes, Station Chief!

"Section Chief Yu, I'm sorry, just routine procedure."

Li Ya said with an apologetic look.

"It's fine, as long as Captain Li is happy," Yu Zecheng said with a forced smile.

"Li Ya, next time, before you understand the situation, pay attention to your tone and wording; don't say things like 'ironclad facts' in front of people.

"I've said before that the Jinhai Station is a team, a family; only when everyone is twisted into a rope can we exert strength.

"Do you remember?"

Wu Jingzhong criticized Li Ya mercilessly in front of the three of them.

A dog in the water must be beaten, otherwise, it won't know pain.

"Yes, Station Chief," Li Ya said, completely deflated, hanging his head.

"Go," Wu Jingzhong waved his hand wearily.

"Teacher, how should this batch of supplies be handled?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"What else can we do?

"Send it through the pass, transport it to Chief Xiong."

Wu Jingzhong ordered.

"Understood, Station Chief," Hong Zhiyou said.

After leaving the station chief's office, Li Ya walked quickly: "Secretary Hong, a word, please."

The two reached a quiet spot, and Li Ya asked anxiously:

"Secretary Hong, has that batch of my white sugar been sold?"

"It could have been sold, but now it's ruined," Hong Zhiyou said unhappily.

"What do you mean?

"How is it ruined? That's my entire life savings!" Li Ya panicked.

"You know that now.

"Do you know who was buying this batch of white sugar?

"Old Master Wang of the Northeast; he offered double the price just to buy it and sell it to Xiong Shihui as a favor.

"I'm not familiar with the connections in the Northeast.

"It was hard enough to entrust Section Chief Yu to find Yong Jianqiu to find a way.

"Section Chief Yu, for my sake, originally wanted to escort the goods out of the pass himself.

"But you, you went and ruined the deal directly.

"For this trip, I spent manpower and money to package it with great difficulty; I spent a lot on cotton and rice alone, not to mention the bribes for all the ghosts and monsters along the way.

"Now it's great, nobody gets to earn anything.

"Everything is finished.

"When Old Master Wang and Xiong Shihui ask later, you go and answer for it.

"Anyway, you have Jiang Jianfeng, right?"

Hong Zhiyou sneered and walked away.

"You, you said this batch of goods was mine!"

Li Ya was stunned, stood frozen for several seconds, and hurriedly chased after him:

"Oh my, Secretary Hong, why didn't you tell me in advance?"

"You didn't ask.

"Besides, do I have to report to you when I do business?

"If you hadn't been meddling, the goods would have passed the pass by now, and the money would be in hand."

Hong Zhiyou said angrily.

"Then what should we do now?

"Brother, my entire life savings are in it; if these goods can't get out of the pass, they'll be stuck in my hands," Li Ya frowned and said.

"Isn't that perfect?

"You can eat the white sugar as your meal," Hong Zhiyou sneered.

"Brother.

"Let's not say angry words; this time I was wrong.

"Think of a way, let's send this batch of goods out of the pass and get the money."

Li Ya's tone was extremely pleading.

Gritting his teeth, he said, "I'll give you another twenty percent of the profit, how about that?"

"Is this a matter of money?

"Now nobody is willing to transport goods; inside and outside the pass, there are bandits and soldier-bandits everywhere. Without the Yong family's connections, these goods would be robbed halfway.

"Why did I want Section Chief Yu to go? Because he has a good relationship with the Yong family.

"And my informant, who was a Red Party member and also a bandit, is well-connected, but you insisted on saying he was a Red Party member and locked him up.

"I can't handle this matter anyway.

"You're capable, go find whoever you want."

Hong Zhiyou acted like he was washing his hands of the matter and walked faster and faster.

"Brother.

"Let's talk nicely; without this truck of white sugar, I'll only be able to drink the northwest wind.

"You have to show me a clear path."

Li Ya chased after him and said.

"The solution is very simple.

"Go beg Old Yu.

"Let him help you continue to escort it through the pass; that's the only way, you figure it out yourself."

After Hong Zhiyou finished speaking, he ignored him and walked away quickly.

"Find Yu Zecheng?"

Li Ya was so embarrassed he could almost crush his teeth.

He was the one who arrested him.

Now he has to go and beg him.

Even Li Ya himself felt it was something no human would do.

Sigh.

In order not to eat dirt, he had to bite the bullet and beg.

He took a deep breath, straightened his body, and headed to the confidential room.

(End of chapter)