Chapter 181: Ma Kui Has Fled

Yu Zecheng returned very late.

Just as he entered the room and rolled up his sleeves to eat a hot dumpling, Hong Zhiyou walked in.

"Old Yu, sister-in-law, you're here."

"How is the matter with Wu Taixun going?"

Hong Zhiyou sat down as if he were at home, reached out to grab a dumpling, and asked while eating.

"That guy is still struggling, looking everywhere for connections."

"Tomorrow I have to use some methods on him."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Let's not talk about him. My sister has been led astray by Yong Manzhu."

"A few days ago, she just participated in the ten-thousand-person signature drive in response to Li Gongpu."

"And the Wen Yiduo poetry reading at the docks."

"This is the book she is reading right now."

Hong Zhiyou raised his hand and tossed the small book onto the table.

"What book is this?" Cuiping peeled a few cloves of garlic, handed them to Yu Zecheng, and asked, poking her head forward.

"'Serve the People', written by Mr. Mao," Yu Zecheng said.

"Mr. Mao, huh."

"What does it say? You, you hurry up and read it to me." Cuiping stood up straight immediately and urged Yu Zecheng.

Yu Zecheng glared at her.

Cuiping pursed her lips and sat back down.

"It's very troublesome."

"Tomorrow I will go find Mr. Yong and the third young lady to talk, to see if I can break off their connection."

Yu Zecheng said after a moment of contemplation.

"I am thinking of publishing a notice in the newspaper to sever ties with them. Do you think that is feasible?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"No way."

"How can you be so heartless? These are your blood relatives, your closest kin."

"Isn't it just the Red ticket?"

"Striving for ideals, isn't that a good thing?"

Cuiping rolled her eyes from the side and said with dissatisfaction.

"Cuiping!" Yu Zecheng raised his voice.

"I, I'm going to hang the laundry."

Cuiping knew she had said too much and obediently went downstairs.

"I think it's feasible."

"However, you had best seek the Station Master's opinion."

"If he agrees, then you publish the notice."

"But my suggestion is, Xiaohui is still young; try to dissuade her as much as possible first."

"How about this, the next time there is an activity."

"Have the Action Team catch her and bring her back, and just scare her in the interrogation room."

Yu Zecheng thought for a moment and said.

"If only scaring her would work."

"You forget, Yong Manzhu was even tortured, and now she's working even more enthusiastically."

Hong Zhiyou shook his head speechlessly.

"That is her family tradition; your situation is different."

"Wait and see first, don't be hasty."

"If you lack human sentiment, the Station Master will stop trusting you."

"Don't forget his favorite saying: politics without human sentiment is short-lived."

"Everyone can understand you not wanting a father who drinks, gambles, and visits brothels."

"If you even abandon your own mother and sister, would the Station Master still dare to trust you?"

"Would he not suspect that if he himself were in trouble later, you would be the first to distance yourself?"

Yu Zecheng asked a series of questions.

Hong Zhiyou patted his forehead and said gratefully, "It's all this Hong Xiaohui's fault, she made me so angry I lost my head."

"Old Yu, you are right."

"This sister, I can't throw her away; I have to save her."

"The person involved is confused, while the bystander is clear."

"Sun Ma is watching at all times. In the future, don't be so cold toward your mother and Xiaohui."

"Every move you make is under the Station Master's surveillance."

"Don't forget, he is an expert in intelligence."

Yu Zecheng poured out all the words he had been holding back for a long time.

"Mm, I understand."

"I'm leaving."

Hong Zhiyou stood up and said.

"Don't go yet, you haven't paid the consultation fee," Yu Zecheng joked, calling him back.

"I'll treat you to breakfast tomorrow."

Hong Zhiyou got up and went downstairs.

Just as he stepped out, he saw Sun Ma appear in the corridor like a ghost.

"Sun Ma, you haven't rested yet?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Not yet. I'm getting old and don't need as much sleep, so I was getting some air in the courtyard," Sun Ma said.

"I'm usually busy, and the work pressure is high."

"Please help look after my mother."

Hong Zhiyou felt in his pocket, and fortunately, he had two silver dollars left, which he pressed directly into Sun Ma's hand.

"Don't worry, we are all family."

Sun Ma accepted them and returned to her room.

As soon as Hong Zhiyou left, Cuiping stomped upstairs.

"Old Yu."

"If Xiaohui becomes one of our people, wouldn't Secretary Hong be even more tied to us?"

"Are you stupid? You're even helping him get out of it."

As soon as she saw Yu Zecheng, Cuiping started complaining.

"What do you know?"

"I have worked under Wu Jingzhong. He is not only skilled at intelligence but has also studied psychology."

"He will never unconditionally trust anyone."

"Let alone that Hong Zhiyou isn't his son-in-law."

"Even if he were his own son-in-law, it would be very troublesome if he were suspected of having Red ties."

"A centrist like Hong Zhiyou is our trump card and our support."

"If he goes down, many things will be very difficult to handle."

"He can get us arms, medicine, and supplies; is that something Hong Xiaohui can trade for by shouting a few slogans?"

"He can save Shopkeeper Qiu and Jiang Aimei; is that something Hong Xiaohui can compare to?"

"In struggle, one must distinguish between people and prioritize what is important."

"Do you understand?"

Yu Zecheng explained to Cuiping with a straight face.

"If you put it that way, then I understand," Cuiping nodded repeatedly after being lectured.

"Alright, let's sleep."

"I'll apply the plaster for you."

Yu Zecheng got up and warmed the medicinal plaster on the copper kettle.

Cuiping's pretty face flushed slightly, a trace of inexplicable shyness and joy in her heart, and she lowered the clothing from her shoulder.

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the station early to wipe tables, cut fruit, and boil water for tea.

A moment later, Wu Jingzhong walked in.

"How is the matter with Mu Liancheng going?"

He asked while taking off his coat.

"It should take about two days by train to reach Jinhai."

"I am following up on the matter of Zhang Mengchao."

"I will strive to have him vacate the house before the train arrives."

Hong Zhiyou replied.

"Hmm."

"You must hurry; the matter of the wife and daughter of Pu Jie in Beiping should also be handled."

"These are all old things."

"If they stay out there even one day longer, should they run into any trouble, the loss would be immense."

"Sigh, just because of this, I was so worried last night I didn't sleep a wink."

Wu Jingzhong frowned and said half-jokingly.

"Don't worry, Teacher, I will hurry."

"Do you have a meeting this morning?"

"No meeting. You should take a nap on the sofa, I won't brew tea."

Hong Zhiyou said with great perceptiveness.

"How could there not be one?"

"The Old Man is determined to fight."

"The Ministry of National Defense sends people to the Garrison Command to inspect every other day."

"Every time they come, there must be a meeting."

"And I must be present at every meeting."

"It's the same old routine back and forth, it's very annoying."

Wu Jingzhong shook his head in annoyance and said.

"Shall we let Section Chief Lu go instead?" Hong Zhiyou suggested.

"He certainly likes to show his face and join in the excitement."

"However, there are more pressing matters to attend to right now."

"Enough of that, brew the tea, I need to refresh myself."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at the teacup and said.

Hong Zhiyou immediately realized that the pressing matter that could be handled by Lu Qiaoshan.

Might just be that plan of Ma Kui and the others.

"Very well."

Hong Zhiyou didn't think further, brewed the tea, stood to one side, and said in a low voice:

"Teacher, there is something I would like to report to you."

He told the story of his younger sister in full detail.

"That is very dangerous."

"You are my man now; although this little matter won't bring you down."

"I am afraid that people with ulterior motives will use it as a pretext."

"You must keep your sister under control."

Wu Jingzhong frowned and said sternly.

Hong Zhiyou noted his choice of the word "control."

Instead of "shut up."

"Additionally."

"You can try to win over your sister; isn't she close to the Red Tickets?"

"Develop her into one of our people."

"Go and probe for intelligence."

"Who knows, it might even earn you some merit."

Wu Jingzhong advised him.

"I will try." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

After drinking a cup of strong tea, he gathered his spirits, stood up, and said: "I'm leaving, tell Xiao Guohua to prepare the car."

"Very well."

Hong Zhiyou followed him as he walked outside.

"I heard that Section Chief Xiao's daughter boarded a plane to Jingling early this morning?" Wu Jingzhong said as he walked.

"Yes."

"That's right, she will fly to Yuezhou later; Rongbin will send someone to pick her up and take her directly to St. Mary's Hospital in Xiangdao."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Your network of connections is quite well-developed now." Wu Jingzhong looked at him with a half-smile.

"That is all thanks to your blessing, Teacher." Hong Zhiyou said humbly.

"If you are so attentive to outsiders, you must be even more attentive to those around you."

"Money and interests are certainly important."

"But family affection is also priceless."

Wu Jingzhong said lightly.

"Yes, student will keep that in mind." Hong Zhiyou lowered his head and replied.

Sure enough, he had been careless.

It must have been Sun Ma who revealed his living situation to the Station Chief.

Wu Jingzhong had his own ideas.

Just as they reached the first floor, they saw Lu Qiaoshan rushing over, looking slightly flustered:

"Station Chief, something has happened."

"What happened?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Ma Kui has escaped." Lu Qiaoshan said.

"How could he have escaped? Where are your men?" Wu Jingzhong said angrily.

"According to the leader of the escort team."

"Someone laid an ambush on the train and exchanged fire with our men."

"That person had excellent marksmanship and was a martial arts expert."

"Four of our men were shot dead."

"Two had their necks snapped by brute force."

"Another was shot."

"And one was killed by a thrown flying knife."

"Killed by a thrown flying knife?" Wu Jingzhong found it unbelievable.

"Yes."

"The knife was stuck in his throat; the body is at the Military Hospital. Would you like to go and see it?"

"Oh, right, there are also Zhou Yafu and Fang Xiaomin."

"They were... killed by the other side during the exchange of fire with the escort team."

Lu Qiaoshan said.

"The people are already dead, what is there to see."

"I just want to know the situation regarding Ma Kui."

Wu Jingzhong asked with his hands behind his back.

"According to the escort team leader, he fired three shots, one of which hit Ma Kui in the shoulder."

"But because the preparations for the escort were insufficient."

"The bullets were not poisoned, allowing Ma Kui to escape."

Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Not careful enough."

"Zhiyou, call Section Chief Hou and have him attend the meeting on my behalf."

"Tell Zecheng to come to my office; we need to discuss this matter thoroughly."

Wu Jingzhong gave his instructions and returned to his office, filled with worry.

"Gentlemen."

"The situation is very troublesome; Bureau Chief Mao specifically named this Ma Kui..."

"Where do you think he will go?"

After Yu Zecheng entered, Wu Jingzhong clasped his hands and asked the few present.

"Could he have gone to find Bureau Chief Mao?" Lu Qiaoshan said with a nervous expression.

Ma Kui had never admitted to being Emei Peak.

That document was something he had forced a bloody thumbprint onto while Ma Kui was knocked unconscious.

Once Ma Kui ran to the Jingling headquarters to cry injustice, he would be unable to escape the blame.

"Could he have returned to his hometown in Hankou, or gone to find Zhou Gendi in Shanghu?" Hong Zhiyou replied in a perfunctory manner.

"It is also possible that the one who saved him is the Red Ticket."

"Playing along with the enemy's ruse."

"He might already be racing toward Yancheng by now."

"Emeifeng."

"He dug up the Buddhist shrine and revealed Dai Li's secret mission."

"He is a great contributor."

"The Red Ticket will certainly do everything in their power to escort and protect him."

Yu Zecheng analyzed with a straight face.

Wu Jingzhong looked at him with a complex expression: "Running back to Yancheng would actually be a good thing. In that case, try to find a way to ask that old flame of yours and see if she can provide any accurate information."

He paused, sighed, and said with concern:

"What I am worried about now is whether Ma Kui will run back."

"You all need to think about it."

"He is the type of person who, if a wild dog on the side of the road bites him, he has to bite it back."

"Having suffered such a major loss this time, will he run back to carry out revenge?"

"Don't forget, he still has a top-tier assassin by his side."

"Such a person is impossible to guard against."

"Yes, we must be careful," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Especially Director Yu and Section Chief Lu."

"One of you is in a life-or-death feud with him."

"The other once tore his mouth apart."

"Ma Kui has taken a heavy blow this time; it is most likely he will seek revenge on you two."

Hong Zhiyou looked at the few people and said.

"Lu Qiao, you immediately have Li Hanyuan issue a wanted notice and hunt for Ma Kui throughout the city."

"Zecheng, go and question Zuo Lan."

"Zhiyou, you have a good relationship with Ma Kui's wife; call her and make some inquiries."

Wu Jingzhong gave his orders one by one.

Seeing that Hong Zhiyou seemed to have something to say, he waved his hand to dismiss the others.

"Teacher, there is someone who might know information about Ma Kui and that assassin," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Who?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Sun Xing."

"Last time, Ma Kui sent him to tail you, and he didn't dare use the station's car."

"He had Sun Xing go to an alley to find a man named Zhan Qinghe."

"I suspect this Zhan Qinghe is the assassin who rescued Ma Kui."

Hong Zhiyou pondered.

"Use all resources and have someone investigate Zhan Qinghe immediately."

"Find and eliminate this person."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at Hong Zhiyou and gave the order sternly.

"Yes, Teacher."

Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

The strength of the Juntong Bureau cannot be underestimated.

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

Zhan Qinghe's background had been thoroughly investigated.

This man was once a member of the Loyal and Righteous National Protection Army, possessed great skills, and was especially adept with throwing knives.

During the Japanese occupation.

He spent some time in Jingling and once attempted to assassinate Zhou Fuhai; after failing, his whereabouts became unknown.

Hong Zhiyou speculated that it was highly likely Ma Kui had saved him during that period.

Or that they had some connection.

Ma Kui was definitely going to return to Jinhai.

His target was Zuo Lan.

It could also be Yu Zecheng.

The reality was actually quite different from the original story.

For example, Shopkeeper Qiu.

Therefore, Hong Zhiyou did not have absolute certainty about many things.

At night.

Hong Zhiyou went directly to the Cao Gang.

The matter of Mu Liancheng had been resolved.

Long Er had brought Zhou Yan back to Jinhai, which for Hong Zhiyou was like timely rain.

"Second Brother, Old Zhou, you two are well-traveled and knowledgeable in the underworld."

"Do you know a man named Zhan Qinghe?"

Hong Zhiyou asked straight to the point.

"Never heard of him," both shook their heads.

Hong Zhiyou told them about the matter of Zhan Qinghe.

Both were greatly shocked.

"Truly, a hidden master."

"Finding such a person might be troublesome."

"However, there is no need to rush."

"Bring paper and brush."

After Zhou Yan sighed, he ordered.

Someone immediately brought brush and ink.

He quickly drew several landmarks on a white sheet of paper.

Jinhai Station, the Shangquan Society.

Yu Zecheng's small courtyard.

The residences of Wu Jingzhong and Lu Qiao.

"Little Hong, if an assassin wants to stake someone out, he must need observation and timing."

"If we narrow the targets down to Wu Jingzhong, Zuo Lan, Yu, and Lu."

"According to the map."

"He will most likely hide in these few areas."

"If it were me."

"I would choose to be here, and here... these few places."

"Of course, the best way to stake out is to counter-stake."

"The opponent is disguising himself to scout the location."

"We can also counter-scout, but this requires extremely high visual acuity and intuition."

"It is very difficult for an ordinary person to do."

Zhou Yan said.

"Old Zhou, how many experts like you are there in the Cao Gang?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

Long Er laughed: "Little brother, don't joke. In all of Jinhai, or even the whole country, you can't find many experts like Old Zhou, can you?"

"However, there are still a few good hands; I can assign them all to you."

"That's great."

"Perhaps I can find Ma Kui."

A fragment suddenly flashed through Hong Zhiyou's mind, and he smiled happily.

(End of chapter)