Chapter 183: Internal Strife Reaches Boiling Point

"Brother Shan, you, aren't you making things difficult for me?" Lu Qiaoshan asked with a forced, fawning smile.

"Difficult?"

"Xizi, your rank is getting higher and higher, but your brain is getting stupider."

"Think it over slowly."

"Once you've figured it out, we'll come back here to skim some more next time."

Lu Qiaoshan picked up his coat and stood up, preparing to leave.

He was truly fuming inside.

It was one thing for Li Ya to sabotage him.

But now, a dog he had raised himself was bullying him too.

Recently, just from the kickbacks Lu Qiaoshan had taken from the scalpers, he had bought two new properties and was even keeping a female university student.

A single gold bar, and a tiny one at that.

Was this how one dismissed a beggar?

If he didn't use some methods, this guy would be just like Li Ya, with his dog tail likely wagging up to the heavens.

"Brother Shan!"

"Brother Shan, I'll skim!"

Lu Qiaoshan gritted his teeth and shouted, raising his hand.

He knew this wasn't just about intelligence.

If Lu Qiaoshan walked out today, their relationship would definitely be severed.

Without Brother Shan.

With only those bird-brained subordinates in the Inspection Team who did nothing but eat, drink, whore, and gamble, he had no chance of earning any merit.

"Skim!"

Lu Qiaoshan raised his hand.

"Brother Shan, I was wrong."

"You, you give me one more chance."

Looking at the bubbling hotpot, cold sweat seeped from Lu Qiaoshan's forehead.

"Skim!" Lu Qiaoshan roared.

"Fine, I'll skim, I'll skim!"

Lu Qiaoshan took a deep breath, his head covered in cold sweat, and slowly reached his hand into the pot.

The scalding steam, the churning lamb slices.

A wave of burning pain shot through his hand.

The moment his fingers touched the boiling soup, he hissed and pulled back.

"Brother Shan, I, I really know I was wrong."

"We are from the same hometown, we are brothers."

"Please, let me go."

Lu Qiaoshan didn't speak, only smiled coldly at him.

Seeing no other way, Lu Qiaoshan reached his hand toward the pot once more, his face full of terror.

Just as he hesitated.

Lu Qiaoshan grabbed his hand and shoved it into the bottom of the pot, roaring like a hideous demon:

"I'll let you be blind as a dog."

"I helped you get promoted and rich, and this is how you treat me?"

"One gold bar!"

"Are you dismissing a beggar!"

"Ah!" Lu Qiaoshan let out a pig-like shriek.

"Does it hurt?" Lu Qiaoshan stared at him and asked fiercely.

"It hurts, it hurts."

"Brother Shan, I know I was wrong, I, I'll give you the property on Tang Shan Road." Lu Qiaoshan jumped and shouted.

"Just this?"

"Think clearly before you speak, or your dog paws will be cooked." Lu Qiaoshan sneered.

"I'll offer you ten more gold bars, the big ones, two thousand US dollars."

"Brother Shan, really."

"This is all I have left, I'll give it all to you."

Lu Qiaoshan shouted.

Only then did Lu Qiaoshan let go.

Lu Qiaoshan pulled his hand back, tears streaming down his face.

"One shouldn't be too greedy in life."

"Heaven has eyes; if you want everything, you'll face retribution."

Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Understood, understood, Brother Shan." Lu Qiaoshan nodded repeatedly while clutching his hand.

"At three o'clock this afternoon, at the Ma Family Ancestral Hall in Mawang Town, someone from the 94th Army is smuggling military supplies; you bring your men there on time."

"Remember, the 94th Army is very arrogant."

"Once you catch the leader and seize the supplies, leave immediately; do not get entangled with them."

"Li Ya's people will arrive at three-thirty."

"You only have half an hour, understand?"

Lu Qiaoshan instructed coldly.

"Understood, thank you, Brother Shan." Lu Qiaoshan nodded gratefully.

"Today's hotpot is not bad."

"Eat slowly."

Lu Qiaoshan used his chopsticks to fish out the gold bar, tucked it into his pocket, and walked away.

What a piece of work.

With this cowardly nature, he still wanted to eat alone.

Heh.

……

Two-thirty in the afternoon.

Wu Jingzhong was approving documents.

Hong Zhiyou, feeling bored, returned to the new office of the General Affairs Section, poured a cup of tea, and picked up a newspaper to pass the time.

After waiting for about ten minutes.

The phone rang.

Hong Zhiyou picked up the phone:

"It's me."

"Good, I understand."

Hanging up the phone, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Old Xu's plan was about to be implemented.

The Intelligence Section had an informant in the 94th Army; it was from back when Master Zhang Si was alive, and Lu Qiaoshan had used their then-entangled relationship to plant him there.

Old Xu had actually known about this for a long time.

Now it was just the right time to use it, leaking the intelligence to Lu Qiaoshan through this secret line.

Ring-a-ling.

The phone rang again.

Hong Zhiyou answered, "Understood, Station Chief."

Hanging up, he headed straight for Li Ya's office.

Li Ya was looking at the menu for Dehong Restaurant, thinking about what he could eat that night.

He was in urgent need of a delicious meal.

Things had been too unlucky lately.

Major operations had come up empty every time, letting the Inspection Team take the lead.

Wu Jingzhong, who had previously held high hopes for him, hadn't shown him a single smile lately.

If he didn't pull off something big.

He feared the Delong Inn would have to change hands.

"Captain Li, the Station Chief wants to see you," Hong Zhiyou said, knocking on the door to remind him.

"Do you know what it's about?"

"Brother, to be honest, I'm truly afraid lately, and I have no face to see the Station Chief."

"Since I ate those dumplings of yours and got started."

"It's almost the New Year, and I haven't managed to pull off a single thing."

"I heard last night that the Station Chief went to inspect the Delong Inn; it's just like when Lu Qiaoshan's place caught fire, didn't it just burn a quilt?"

"If he picks at any little flaw, wouldn't the inn change hands again?"

"I have no salary now, living entirely on these side jobs."

"Sigh!"

Li Ya sighed and said.

As he spoke, he pointed to the dark-colored Zhongshan suit he was wearing:

"Losing my touch again and again, I don't even have the face to wear a suit anymore!"

"There are many factions in intelligence work now."

"Political Science, Whampoa, CC, and the black market."

"The Inspection Team has sufficient funds, so their channels are naturally more accurate."

"Captain Li, don't worry, this is just a streak of bad luck; there will always be a time when your luck turns."

Hong Zhiyou said with a smile to comfort him.

"I hope so."

Li Ya gave a bitter smile and walked outside.

Arriving at the door of the Station Chief's office.

Hong Zhiyou opened the door but didn't follow him in.

As soon as Li Ya entered, he saw Lu Qiaoshan drinking tea with the Station Chief, the two of them chatting and laughing, and his heart felt a hundred kinds of bitterness.

Damn villain.

He had ruined his chance at being Deputy Station Chief.

And caused him to lose a truckload of white sugar.

Calling it a blood feud wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Sooner or later, he'd deal with him!

"Department Chief Lu is here too."

Li Ya smiled with superficial politeness, "Station Chief, did you look for me for something?"

"Li Ya is here, sit down quickly."

"Qiaoshan just received some new intelligence, Qiaoshan, tell Captain Li about it."

Wu Jingzhong finished speaking, crossed his arms, and watched the two of them with a beaming smile.

This scene was just too wonderful.

"Captain Li, it's like this."

"Recently, the theft of military supplies has been rampant, and Army Commander Mou has already requested the Station Chief to assist in investigating the stolen supplies."

"Someone reported that officers from the 94th Army are reselling supplies at the Ma Family Ancestral Hall in Mawang Town."

"The main suspect can now be confirmed; it's related to a patrol squad leader under the 36th Regiment."

"This man is named Lin Jusheng; whenever he is on duty at the garrison warehouse, supplies are bound to go missing."

Lu Qiaoshan said in a gentle, unhurried tone.

"Catch him, we must catch him."

"Why is the Red Banditry growing stronger day by day? Isn't it because the interests of the Party and State are being ruined by these parasites?"

Li Ya frowned and said.

"Yes."

"According to our intelligence, Lin Jusheng and a group of officers will be conducting a supply transaction at the Ma Family Ancestral Hall at three-thirty this afternoon."

"There is still enough time."

Lu Qiaoshan glanced at his watch and smiled at Li Ya:

"Captain Li, this is a case personally named for supervision by Army Commander Mou and Commander Chen Zhangjie; if you can crack it, it will surely be a great merit."

"Good luck."

"Thanks, I'll go arrange the manpower right away." Li Ya looked at his watch and cursed inwardly.

A three-thirty affair, and he was only being notified now.

It would take time to rush over, and setting up the surveillance would be very tight.

"Li Ya, pay attention to safety."

"The 94th Army is very arrogant, try not to have any conflicts."

Wu Jingzhong reminded him.

"Understood."

Li Ya turned and walked out.

"Captain Li is going to earn a great merit this time." Lu Qiaoshan's smile was extremely bright.

"Qiaoshan, Captain Li is a very serious and proactive person when it comes to work."

"The station needs such a capable and hardworking person."

"The matter of the Deputy Station Chief is in the past; he has been knocked down to the bottom now and can no longer compete with you."

"We are all from the same station, and you are an old hand who helped build it, so you should help him more."

Wu Jingzhong said with a faint smile and a hint of advice.

"Yes, yes!" Lu Qiaoshan nodded with his legs crossed.

"Station Chief, it's really not that I'm targeting him."

"It's just that Captain Li is too much."

"The equipment room said it belongs under Director Yu's management, but he's still like before, taking whatever he wants without signing for it."

"For example, the monitoring equipment, the tape recorders, those are indispensable equipment for our Intelligence Section."

"He takes them and doesn't return them."

"Director Yu has urged him several times, but he just keeps them in his hands like some ancestral treasure, clutching them to death."

"Oh, so what if he joined the Iron-Blooded Youth League, it's nothing special."

"Jiang Jianfeng didn't teach him to take things without returning them or to forcibly occupy internal resources."

"This person is really... sigh."

"My intelligence agents are annoyed to death by him; many of them don't report information they've gathered, just waiting to see him make a fool of himself."

"But over this past month, they've seen plenty of jokes."

"It's only because Captain Li is thick-skinned; if it were me, I wouldn't have been able to stay."

Lu Qiaoshan complained, shaking his head and sneering repeatedly.

"This is your problem."

"I've said before, the family is a group, colleagues are like limbs."

"If he has faults, you, as the older brother, should communicate with him more; internal contradictions should be resolved internally." Wu Jingzhong frowned.

"Yes, yes."

"When I have time, I'll have a good talk with Captain Li."

"Station Chief, what about the equipment?"

Lu Qiaoshan gave a perfunctory reply and moved to the main topic.

"Let him occupy it if he wants."

"It's just a few sets of equipment, isn't it?"

"The cold storage warehouse hasn't earned less; later, squeeze out some revenue and set up a set for yourself." Wu Jingzhong said dismissively.

"I..." Lu Qiaoshan's eyes widened, and he was stunned.

So I only have this little private treasury, and I have to hand it over?

Li Ya must be your own son!

"Station Chief, I saw the notice issued by Director Mao to all stations yesterday regarding filling the establishment."

"Our station is still missing a Deputy Station Chief."

"Last time, Li Ya ruined his craft and lost his eligibility to apply."

"This time, it should be time to change people."

"Look at you, busy with ten thousand things, you have more gray hair than when you first arrived."

"It's time to find someone to share your heavy burden."

"Otherwise, working so hard, everyone feels bad."

Lu Qiaoshan suppressed his anger, put down his crossed legs, leaned in closer, and persuaded with a fawning smile.

"Yes."

"Director Mao was still calling this morning to urge this matter."

"It's a real headache."

"Qiaoshan, who do you think is suitable?"

Wu Jingzhong asked with a frown.

"What's there to have a headache about?"

"Li Ya is already out of the running."

"The candidate for Deputy Station Chief, according to the rules of the Confidential Bureau, must be at least a Lieutenant Colonel."

"In the station, there's only Old Hou and me."

"You can just pick anyone."

Lu Qiaoshan's smile became even brighter.

Wu Jingzhong stood up and walked to the window with his hands behind his back:

"Qiaoshan, you also know my relationship with Director Zheng."

"We are classmates and old partners, we can be said to be of one mind, sharing honor and disgrace."

"You are from the same hometown as him, so you can be considered one of our own."

"You also know that last time I recommended you, but Jiang Jianfeng and Director Mao intervened, which is why Li Ya was reported."

"This time I wanted to recommend you."

"It should be your turn to be this Deputy Station Chief."

"But Hou Yunlai came to me last night and said he was willing to take on the position of Deputy Station Chief to share my worries."

"He came out of the Lin Li Class."

"His rank and seniority are sufficient, and the key is that he has a good reputation and good connections within the station."

"This makes me very conflicted."

Wu Jingzhong turned around, clapping his hands together with a frown.

"Hou Yunlai wants to be Deputy Station Chief?" Lu Qiaoshan was numb.

With Old Hou's personality, he wouldn't let out a fart even after three beatings.

He would hide if he could.

How could he possibly want to be Deputy Station Chief and look for trouble?

That damn Old Wu is clearly looking for an excuse not to let himself get promoted.

Both are old foxes, and Lu Qiaoshan knew it well.

He had Zheng Jiemin as his backer, and Wu Jingzhong was afraid of him getting promoted.

Furthermore, because of the Master Zhang Si affair, the two had a deadly grudge, and this matter could never truly be resolved.

It's difficult.

"Station Chief, how about asking Director Zheng what he thinks?"

Lu Qiaoshan's smile remained warm.

"Qiaoshan, why don't you understand?"

"Last time with the Li Ya Deputy Station Chief affair, Jiang Jianfeng, Director Zheng, and Director Mao were all involved, and it already looked very ugly up there."

"If you go and ask Director Zheng at this time, wouldn't that put him in a difficult position?"

"Also, don't forget that last time Director Mao was a firm supporter of Li Ya."

"If I report you, whether he signs it is another matter."

"Of course, I wouldn't oppose reporting you."

Wu Jingzhong began to work on Lu Qiaoshan with a straight face.

"Then report it." Lu Qiaoshan knew he couldn't get around the old fox and said directly.

"My meaning is, let's have a vote within the station."

"Let everyone choose."

"It's a democratic system, the Americans love this, and if the people below choose, Director Mao won't object."

"What do you think?"

Wu Jingzhong's eyes flashed with a cunning light as he spoke.

"Vote." Lu Qiaoshan swallowed his saliva and became nervous.

"Why, with your seniority, as a founding member of the station."

"Are you afraid you won't be able to win a vote against a Hou Yunlai?"

Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"I..." Lu Qiaoshan was momentarily at a loss.

"Public opinion is the direction."

"If the whole station really supports you, Mao Renfeng won't be able to find fault."

"Everyone will be convinced."

"Regardless, I'll cast my vote for you first."

Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"Fine, then let's choose."

"Thank you, Station Chief." Lu Qiaoshan said with a helpless, bitter smile.

"You go back and rest first, wait for Li Ya to return, and come over together to celebrate the merit." Wu Jingzhong said.

"Good!"

Lu Qiaoshan turned and walked out with a gloomy face.

"Guohua, call Hou Yunlai in." Wu Jingzhong ordered.

Soon, Hou Yunlai walked in.

"Yunlai, sit." Wu Jingzhong raised his hand, his smile extremely kind.

"Eat some fruit."

He set out the fruit platter and took a piece of watermelon for Hou Yunlai.

"Station Chief, there's still watermelon in this season." Hou Yunlai was flattered.

"It was air-freighted from Southeast Asia."

"Taste it."

Wu Jingzhong said.

Hou Yunlai ate two pieces very embarrassedly, wiped his mouth, and smiled honestly:

"Station Chief, did you look for me for something?"

"I heard you want to be Deputy Station Chief?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"No, Station Chief, I swear to Heaven, I absolutely have no inappropriate..." Hou Yunlai was so scared he sprang up, explaining with a panicked face.

He didn't like to show off, which didn't mean he was stupid.

On the contrary, he stood in the shadows and saw the station clearly.

Everyone in this station was an outsider.

Ma Kui, Lu Qiaoshan, Li Ya, all fighting until they were bloody, weren't they all being played in the palm of the Station Chief's hand?

The true iron triangle in this station was only Wu, Hong, and Yu.

Except for Hong and Yu, whoever wanted to be Deputy Station Chief was just seeking their own death.

With this deadly matter, how could Hou Yunlai not panic?

"Yunlai, but you are a Lieutenant Colonel!" Wu Jingzhong's gaze sharpened as he looked at him.

Hou Yunlai froze in place.

An innocent man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime.

The Station Chief wanted him to forcibly compete with Lu Qiaoshan.

"Only you can be Deputy Station Chief." Wu Jingzhong tapped the table with his finger, his tone unquestionable.

"But I... can't compete with Lu Qiaoshan." Hou Yunlai said.

"Try."

"A station-wide vote, Lu Qiaoshan might not necessarily be able to win against you." Wu Jingzhong said.

"Subordinate obeys orders, I will listen to the Station Chief's arrangements."

Hou Yunlai replied.

"Hmm, go." Wu Jingzhong nodded with satisfaction.

"Teacher, relying on Hou Yunlai, I think there's an eighty percent chance it won't work." Hong Zhiyou walked in, took a piece of watermelon, and said while eating.

"I know."

"Zheng Jiemin has already nominated Lu Qiaoshan."

"Don't forget, he is also the Director of the Second Department, and it is said that in March next year, he may be promoted to Executive Vice Minister of the Ministry of National Defense."

"At that time, the Confidential Bureau will truly become his subordinate unit."

"Mao Renfeng guessed my thoughts."

"He wants Mao Wanli to come, isn't it because he covets this piece of fat meat?"

"Since he can't eat it for the time being."

"He will definitely support Lu Qiaoshan, stir up the Jinhai Station, and even make me, Lu Qiaoshan, and Zheng Jiemin fight it out until both sides are injured."

"At that time, he will reap the benefits."

"The reason I let Hou Yunlai compete with Lu Qiaoshan is just to make my attitude clear: I don't like Lu Qiaoshan!"

"Even if he gets up there, I won't be polite."

"If you are polite at this time, when contradictions arise later, people will pick at your flaws and say you intentionally sabotaged the group."

"I have the knife right here now."

"If you insist on helping him up, don't blame me for being heartless."

Wu Jingzhong pointed his hand, full of dominance.

"Teacher is wise." Hong Zhiyou really hadn't considered this layer.

"Zhiyou, let's make a bet."

"Lu Qiaoshan will definitely go to intimidate Hou Yunlai, and even use dirty methods."

"Within three days, Hou Yunlai will ask for leave."

Wu Jingzhong said with a confident smile.

"Teacher means..." Hong Zhiyou seemed to have pondered a bit.

"We still have a month."

"If Li Ya can topple Lu Qiaoshan."

"Lu Qiaoshan intimidating Hou Yunlai will be one of the pieces of evidence for his crime later."

"Everything must be planned first; whether it succeeds or not, dig a hole for him and wait."

"Whether he jumps or not is a matter for later."

Wu Jingzhong said with a deep frown and a smile.

"Student has learned." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

……

Lu Qiaoshan returned to his office and immediately dialed Zheng Jiemin:

"Director Zheng, it's me, Qiaoshan."

"I mentioned the Deputy Station Chief matter to Wu Jingzhong today, he let..."

"Good, I understand."

"Get up there first and then we'll see."

"Thank you for your guidance, goodbye."

Hanging up the phone, Lu Qiaoshan paced in the room.

Director Zheng's meaning was that everything must be stable.

There is no unchanging situation in this world.

Don't underestimate this internal election.

Once someone else is truly elected, if they can get a word in at the Ministry of National Defense or even the Attendant's Office, they might get promoted without anyone knowing.

The key is that a villain like Mao Renfeng is extremely good at changing his mind at the last minute.

This kind of thing cannot be risked.

Also, even if Hou Yunlai is rejected by the two directors, and they re-apply, who knows how many troublesome things there will be.

No.

There is only this one chance, it must be seized.

Thinking of this, Lu Qiaoshan looked around, went into the room, took a bag of coffee beans, and walked to Hou Yunlai's office.

Hou Yunlai was currently feeling uneasy.

Just as he sat down, before his hanging heart could be put down, Lu Qiaoshan walked in and asked with a beaming smile:

"Old Hou, not busy, are you?"

"Department Chief Lu, sit down quickly." Hou Yunlai stood up and respectfully welcomed him to sit.

"Old Hou, I heard from the Station Chief's tone that you want to run for Deputy Station Chief?" Lu Qiaoshan asked with a cold smile.

"I, I do have this thought."

Hou Yunlai felt bitter inside and answered while biting the bullet.

"Look at you, how leisurely it is to receive telegrams every day."

"This Deputy Station Chief position has too much work to do, it's exhausting, and there's a troublemaker like Captain Li below."

"The water here is too deep, listen to a word of advice from your brother, you can't handle it."

"Be careful of drowning when the time comes!"

Lu Qiaoshan patted his shoulder, his eyes fierce.

"Old Lu, don't you know me yet?"

"I am really..."

Hou Yunlai didn't dare to speak clearly, shaking his head and sighing repeatedly.

"I know you don't want to be Deputy Station Chief."

"It's someone else who wants you to do it."

"But there are many ways not to do it, for example, getting sick, for example, having a car accident, someone in the family dying."

"You have to pick one."

Lu Qiaoshan was truly anxious, so his speech was naturally more direct.

"Department Chief Lu, you, are you threatening me?" Hou Yunlai said in a panic.

"Think whatever you want."

"I'll put it here, I'm determined to be this Deputy Station Chief, whoever dares to interfere, even the Generalissimo won't be able to protect them!"

Lu Qiaoshan sneered.

"I, I know what to do." Hou Yunlai said.

"Good to know."

"When the sun rises tomorrow, I don't hope to see you anymore."

"Understand what I mean?"

Lu Qiaoshan leaned into his ear and said.

"Understand, I understand."

"I promise you, before you become Deputy Station Chief, you won't see me again."

Hou Yunlai nodded and sighed.

"Good."

"Old Hou, then see you another day."

"Go home and taste the coffee, people must keep up with the times, otherwise they will be eliminated sooner or later."

Lu Qiaoshan hinted and left with a smile.

Just after he left.

Xiao Guohua turned from the other side of the hallway, looked at Hou Yunlai expressionlessly: "Did you record it?"

"Recorded, recorded."

Hou Yunlai hurriedly handed over the radio that had been covered by a cloth on the side.

"Section Chief Xiao."

"For the sake of our friendship, give me a clear path."

"Brothers are really having a hard time now."

"Lu Qiaoshan's words imply that as long as I dare to compete for Deputy Station Chief, he will take dark measures against me."

"His roots in Jinhai are deeper than mine."

"Especially his relationship with the gangs."

"If I stay any longer, I'll have no way to live."

Hou Yunlai pleaded with a face full of sorrow.

"Then do as he says."

"The Station Chief will approve."

Xiao Guohua finished speaking and turned away.

Returning to the office, Wu Jingzhong listened to the recording once and said to Hong Zhiyou:

"See?"

"The hole was just dug, and he was in a hurry to jump in."

"People are easily blinded by interests, this is a living example."

As he spoke, he locked the tape into the drawer.

"Teacher, Captain Li should be back too, I'll go call Department Chief Lu over." Hong Zhiyou smiled and stood up.

"Go." Wu Jingzhong nodded.

Hong Zhiyou knew, a truly good play.

A fuse to ignite this internal strife was about to burn.

……

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 184 =====