Chapter 184: Sun Ke Passes the Buck

Shangquan Society.

Guan Jun got out of the car and gave a slight nod to the guards on duty; the guards consciously let him pass.

Once inside.

Zuo Lan was quite surprised to see him: "Mr. Guan, why have you come?"

"Mr. Yu has important information he cannot send out.

"The transit station has yet to be restored, and now Jinhai is in chaos because of Ma Kui.

"You are about to withdraw from here as well.

"He wants to seize the time to meet with you."

Guan Jun looked at him and said.

"Where?" Zuo Lan did not doubt him.

"Laifuli Hotel," Guan Jun replied with a straight face.

"Why go to Laifuli? Isn't that a bit out of the way?" Zuo Lan's beautiful brows furrowed.

"There is no other way.

"The two of you meeting has been targeted by Ma Kui.

"The Rose Cafe has already been compromised.

"I have delivered the message; I have things to do, so I am leaving."

Fearing that saying too much would lead to loopholes, Guan Jun left quickly.

Zuo Lan rested her chin on her hand, biting her lip gently as she thought.

When Director Deng Ming was about to leave, he had specifically instructed that the intelligence lines in Jinhai were not reliable and that one must be careful in all matters.

Except for Yu Zecheng.

Everything else could not be blindly trusted.

Guan Jun had stayed in Jinhai for a long time and was a local.

After Shopkeeper Qiu left.

The people on the intelligence line here were very loose.

Zuo Lan had come from Yancheng and did not have a deep understanding of these people's situations.

Going rashly might be dangerous.

But if she did not go, Zecheng would be left waiting in vain.

For him to make an appointment with her so late and at such a dangerous time, there must be extremely important intelligence.

Thinking of this.

Zuo Lan decided to go after all.

She checked her sidearm, hailed a rickshaw, and headed straight for Laifuli Hotel.

"Get out."

In the back alley of the hotel, Zuo Lan got out of the rickshaw.

She had received specialized training and had a certain awareness of anti-surveillance.

After carefully observing her surroundings.

She walked into the alley.

She happened to run into Yu Zecheng, who was walking from the other side.

"Zecheng!"

"Zuo Lan."

Both of them were overjoyed.

"How did you come?" Yu Zecheng looked at her and asked in a low voice according to protocol.

"I received notice from Guan Jun; he said you had important intelligence for me, so I rushed over," Zuo Lan said.

"That's strange.

"I didn't tell him I wanted to send you intelligence.

"He was the one who said you were in a hurry to meet me, possibly about the Ma Kui matter."

Yu Zecheng frowned and whispered.

"Oh no, Guan Jun has defected," Zuo Lan realized immediately.

"Run!"

The two were just about to leave.

When they heard a cold, sinister voice: "Run? Where do you think you're going? Put your hands up."

The two turned back to look.

They saw Ma Kui holding a submachine gun in both hands, emerging from the side of the alley:

"Don't move, throw the guns you have on you over here."

"Captain Ma, I hope you've been well," Yu Zecheng said, half-raising his hands and forcing a calm smile.

"Cut the damn crap.

"American submachine gun, do you want to try it out?

"Rat-tat-tat!"

Ma Kui fired a burst at their feet, scaring Yu Zecheng and Zuo Lan into jumping back.

"Throw the guns over."

"Ca-Captain Ma, don't be impulsive, let's talk this over properly.

"I'll hand it over, I'll hand it over."

Yu Zecheng and Zuo Lan exchanged a glance, drew their guns, and slowly placed them on the ground.

They had no choice at all.

Ma Kui was skilled, and he was holding a submachine gun.

Moreover, he had come with a death wish; his emotions were very unstable, and he was highly likely to go to extremes.

"I have already recorded what you two just said.

"Now, I'm afraid the two of you will have to come with me."

Ma Kui held the gun in one hand and patted the small basket hanging from his waist with the other.

Yu Zecheng cursed inwardly.

Last time, Ma Kui had borrowed a miniature recorder from the equipment department and never returned it.

Now that he had recorded their voices.

And he and Zuo Lan were being held captive, this was very troublesome.

"Captain Ma, where are we going?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"Where?

"Back to the station, to the headquarters inspection office to see Director Mao.

"Explain all these shady dealings of yours clearly to me.

"Mount Emei!"

Ma Kui said through gritted teeth.

"Ma Kui, even if you go back, you're a dead man. You've betrayed the Juntong Bureau; would Mao Renfeng dare to speak for you?

"Leave now.

"We'll pretend we never saw you."

Zuo Lan attempted a psychological attack.

"Dead.

"Do you think I'm afraid of death?

"I didn't think about staying alive when I came back this time.

"I have only one goal: to fight you Reds to the bitter end and tear off this foul-smelling hat of Mount Emei!"

Ma Kui's face was bulging with veins as he shouted.

"Move!"

He roared impatiently.

"Zuo Lan, let's go."

Yu Zecheng hung his head, avoiding Ma Kui's gaze, fearing he would provoke this mad donkey.

"Sister-in-law, Little Lin, they've bumped into each other.

"I'll leave the rest to you."

Hong Zhiyou peeked into the alley from the entrance and pulled his head back in fright.

"You really are something.

"Knowing Old Yu is in danger, you still sold him out."

Cuiping glared at him with great dissatisfaction.

"Because only they can draw Ma Kui out.

"And, only with them, Ma Kui won't kill them on the spot."

Hong Zhiyou explained indifferently.

"Lin, you crouch down and wait for the chance to strike."

"Sister-in-law, handle it as you see fit."

He instructed again.

In fact, the Station Master had planted quite a few people near Laifuli.

There were too many eyes and ears.

Or if they heard something, it would be unfavorable for Yu Zecheng.

Blocking them here, the space and the people were just right.

It was a hundred times better than waiting a few more days until Ma Kui was driven to a dead end and targeted Yu Zecheng and Zuo Lan with an assassination attempt.

"Leave it to me."

Cuiping took a deep breath, suppressed her chest which was still aching faintly, and calmed herself slightly; without the slightest fear or hesitation, she flashed out.

"Yu Zecheng, you shameless bastard, sneaking around behind my back to find a wild woman."

As soon as they met, she let out a lion's roar.

Ma Kui was startled by this sudden scene and nearly pulled the trigger.

"Cuiping, you, why are you here!" Yu Zecheng's heart hung in the air.

"Why am I here?

"I was wondering why you've been fine lately, always sneaking out in the middle of the night.

"So it turns out you were looking for a wild woman.

"You shameless thing."

"Slap!"

Cuiping raised her hand and gave Yu Zecheng a slap.

"I!"

Yu Zecheng was stunned by the blow.

"Big sister, you've misunderstood..." Zuo Lan tried to explain.

"Slut, bitch, shameless!" While Cuiping shouted at her, she blinked her eyes.

"Good, the domestic flower and the wild flower have bloomed together.

"It's perfect that you're here.

"One Mobile Corps Commander, one genuine Red Ticket, plus one Emei Peak.

"I've caught three big fish in one net.

"It's worth it."

Ma Kui sneered and aimed his gun at the three of them.

"Move!

"Go to the office of Sun Chuanzhi of the Dangtong Bureau." He shouted.

"Captain Ma, even if we are to confront each other, we should go to the Station Master's office; what is the meaning of finding the Dangtong Bureau?

"Our two sides are like fire and water.

"If you do this, Director Mao will look very bad."

Yu Zecheng said, raising his hands while walking, looking puzzled.

"I don't trust Wu Jingzhong.

"I even suspect that he is Emei Peak.

"I'm afraid that once I enter the gates of the Jinmen Station, I'll be locked up by him."

Ma Kui snorted coldly, his gun barrel flicking outward:

"The Dangtong Bureau is fine.

"They are dying for us to have internal strife.

"I'll go to them, we'll all play together, and be handed over to Ye Xiufeng.

"Make a big scene out of this.

"I don't believe the Chairman can just ignore it."

Cuiping took over the conversation:

"Brother Ma, I don't care about any Dangtong Bureau or Juntong Bureau, and I don't care who is a Red Ticket.

"You help me shoot this little bitch."

"Big sister, please watch your language." Zuo Lan frowned.

"Your family matters should wait until you see the Chairman." Ma Kui sneered.

"Bitch."

"Who are you calling names?"

In this short moment, Cuiping and Zuo Lan began to push and shove each other.

"Enough!

"All of you, shut the hell up."

Ma Kui picked up his gun and roared.

"Today I'm going to tear you apart, you little bitch."

Cuiping wouldn't listen to him and shoved Zuo Lan hard.

Zuo Lan lost her footing and stumbled toward Ma Kui.

Ma Kui didn't know whether to catch her or dodge.

Coincidentally, Zuo Lan blocked his line of sight.

A cold glint appeared in Cuiping's eyes.

Through Zuo Lan, she raised her leg high like a thunderbolt and kicked with stability, precision, and ruthlessness.

Ma Kui came to his senses, only to see a black cloth shoe appear beside Zuo Lan's ear.

It was too late to dodge.

He was hit squarely in the temple by this powerful kick.

His vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud, falling unconscious.

"Ms. Zuo Lan, are you alright?"

Cuiping asked with a smile.

She had seen Zuo Lan a few times and knew she was a female representative of the Red Tickets and one of their own.

"I'm fine." Zuo Lan smiled gently.

Yu Zecheng searched Ma Kui's body with the fastest speed.

He found the tape recorder and stuffed it into his pocket.

"Zuo Lan, you go back quickly.

"If someone runs into you, it won't be easy to explain later."

Yu Zecheng instructed.

"Alright.

"Then you two be careful."

Zuo Lan nodded, glanced at Yu Zecheng, turned around, and walked quickly to the other side of the alley.

"Escort her back."

On the other side, Hong Zhiyou made a gesture.

Lin Tian understood, stepped on the courtyard wall, and flew off, chasing after Zuo Lan in a few leaps.

Hong Zhiyou walked into the alley.

"Zhiyou, how should we handle this?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"Keep him.

"Capturing Ma Kui is a great merit, as Director Mao said.

"I believe the Station Master won't let him live this time.

"If you want to be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, you can't do it without accumulating merit; headquarters will block you."

Hong Zhiyou thought for a moment and said.

"But he knows many things." Yu Zecheng frowned.

"He also knows many things about the Station Master.

"Without the recording.

"Whatever Ma Kui says is just fart.

"Besides, has he bitten you less in the past? One more time won't make a difference.

"Leave it to the Station Master to handle!"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"The Station Master intends to promote you; wouldn't you feel bad if you gave this to me?" Yu Zecheng said, beckoning Hong Zhiyou to come over and help carry the man.

"Senior Sister, give him another kick.

"It's best if he stays unconscious for a while longer."

Hong Zhiyou said, feeling a bit uneasy.

"No need."

"I used ten percent of my strength in that kick; he won't be waking up for three or five days."

Wang Cuiping was very confident in her leg techniques.

"Better give him another kick, just to be safe," Hong Zhiyou insisted.

"Fine."

Wang Cuiping aimed at Ma Kui's temple and kicked him again.

The two of them carried Ma Kui into the car.

"Where to?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"To the Hengshan Hall to watch a play," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

Hengshan Hall.

Sun Ke was mingling with various military and political bigwigs.

"Gentlemen, my visit to Jinmen this time is at the behest of the Chairman."

"Now that the invaders have left, the world is in urgent need of peace and order."

"The Chairman's meaning is that to resist the Reds, one must first pacify the interior, and to pacify the interior, the North and South must be of one mind."

"Currently, Commander Hu is eyeing Yancheng."

"I sincerely hope everyone can be of one heart and mind to assist the Chairman in his great cause."

Sun Ke raised his glass to the crowd.

Just as he was speaking eloquently.

In the corner, a waiter pushed a dining cart inside.

On it were fine wines and pastries.

This person was none other than Zhan Qinghe.

His father had followed Kang Youwei and was a well-known "Royalist."

After the Royalist movement failed, he was beheaded by the revolutionaries.

Therefore, the things Zhan Qinghe hated most in this life were the Three Principles of the People and people like Sun and Huang.

In the past, he had once pursued and tried to kill Mr. Sun in Xiangdao.

Unfortunately, he did not succeed.

While in exile in Hankou, he had been supported by Ma Kui's father, and the two were as close as brothers.

Therefore, Zhan Qinghe did not hesitate to risk his life to save Ma Kui on the train.

Now, decades later, Mr. Sun had long since passed away.

For a long time, Zhan Qinghe had let go of his hatred, living a peaceful life at home in Jinmen, enjoying his twilight years.

However, Sun Ke's arrival gave him hope for revenge.

He couldn't kill the father.

The son shouldn't be a problem, right?

The venue's security was very tight.

Zhan Qinghe had no way to bring a gun inside.

But to him, whether he had a gun or not was unimportant.

A chopstick or a knife and fork in his hands could become the sharpest of murder weapons.

There were many people around Sun Ke.

He pushed the dining cart, dealing with guests while slowly moving closer.

Very quickly.

He found a good position.

Just as his hand quietly reached for a dinner fork, preparing to strike Sun Ke's throat.

An axe flew through the air.

It nailed itself right into the dining cart.

"Zhan Qinghe!"

A waiter was seen taking off his hat, another short axe appearing in his hand.

The sudden turn of events caused chaos in the hall.

"Director Sun, go!"

Wu Jingzhong took the opportunity to block Sun Ke.

Lu Qiaoshan and the other members of the action team formed a human wall, shielding Sun Ke as they retreated quickly toward the passageway.

"Don't let him get away."

Zhan Qinghe grabbed a dinner knife, wanting to pursue.

Zhou Yan flashed in from the side, his short axe dancing in a way that left no gaps, firmly blocking Zhan Qinghe's path.

Zhan Qinghe was exceptionally skilled.

For a moment, he could not do anything to Zhou Yan, and he roared in frustration:

"Axe Gang."

"You are Wang Yaqiao's men."

"Since that is the case, why not join me in killing this evil thief?"

"I am acting on someone's behalf."

"Furthermore, Mr. Wang does not oppose the Three Principles of the People," Zhou Yan replied coldly.

"Damn it!"

Zhan Qinghe was filled with hatred.

He realized his actions had long been guessed by the Jinmen Station.

Wu Jingzhong protected Sun Ke as they arrived at the VIP room.

"Jingzhong, is it safe here?" Sun Ke asked nervously.

"Director, rest assured, my men are blocking the entrance, and they all have guns."

"He cannot break in."

Wu Jingzhong replied efficiently.

"Do you know the assassin's background?" Sun Ke asked.

"I do."

"From the moment you set off from Jingling, he had his eyes on you."

"This person is the son of Zhan Tinglu."

"You know, Zhan Tinglu was a Royalist; when the New Army attacked Wuchang, he was serving in the Viceroy's office and was beheaded after being captured."

"Therefore, this person has always harbored hostility toward Mr. Sun and Mr. Huang."

"He even once engaged in assassination attempts with remnants of the Manchu Qing in Xiangdao."

"This time, he came specifically for you."

Wu Jingzhong answered respectfully.

"You had arrangements made early on, why didn't you take him down sooner?" Sun Ke was quite displeased.

"Director Sun."

"This man is highly skilled and elusive."

"If he could have been caught, he would have been caught long ago."

"Ever since you arrived, Jingzhong has been worried day and night, and in order to confuse the opponent, I did not hesitate to mobilize the entire city's forces."

"Today, with this villain eliminated, you can sleep soundly from now on, Director."

Wu Jingzhong replied with a look of concern.

As he was speaking, intense gunfire erupted downstairs.

Soon, Lu Qiaoshan walked in:

"Director Sun, Station Chief."

"The assassin has been shot dead; his identity has been verified as Zhan Qinghe."

"Excellent!"

"Such an ignorant fool deserved to die long ago."

Sun Ke clapped in praise.

"Jingzhong, you have worked hard; when I return, I will certainly report your merits to the Chairman and Jiang Jianfeng."

Turning his head, he heaped praise upon Wu Jingzhong.

"For Jingzhong to serve my superiors, how could I dare call it hard work?" Wu Jingzhong bowed respectfully.

He knew well that Sun Ke now enjoyed the deep trust and favor of the Chairman and Jiang Jianfeng.

By clinging to this powerful figure.

He would have one more person to speak for him in the government later on.

"How do you intend to handle this Zhan Qinghe?" Sun Ke regained his composure, returning to his shrewd and profound self.

Wu Jing knew his secret agenda, but he could not say it aloud:

"Assassinating a high-ranking official of the Party and State is a crime deserving death."

"Not enough."

"Wu Jing, you must understand that the Red tickets are rampant in the country now, and internally, there are countless factions."

"The Americans have been pressuring the Generalissimo to implement a democratic constitution, end the period of political tutelage, and establish a presidential cabinet system."

"They are using this as leverage to halt military aid."

"Right now, Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi's Guangxi Clique are very arrogant."

"Especially Li Zongren, who is very close to the Americans and the Japanese; Bai Chongxi is fanning the flames with many Party and State elders, and the Generalissimo's situation is very difficult."

Sun Ke hinted at this, hoping Wu Jing could understand the intentions from above.

"I am dull-witted, Wu Jing, and request the President's instruction."

Wu Jing feigned a low profile and played dumb.

He knew very well.

From the Generalissimo on down, this group of people were all old foxes; once some words were spoken, if something went wrong in the future, one would have to take the fall.

Wu Jing was very slick at playing this game and naturally would not fall into Sun Ke's trap.

Sun Ke frowned slightly and had no choice but to say it himself:

"I suspect, is this Zhan Qinghe someone sent by Li Zongren to assassinate me?"

Wu Jing immediately realized and said: "That is very possible."

"Whenever the Americans mention constitutional government, this group of people is the most excited."

"Furthermore, with your prestige, you should at least be the Vice President."

"Whether for the main position or the vice position, Li Zongren has reasons to be against you."

"Yes, if we could use this person to stir up some trouble, I think the Generalissimo would be happy to see it." Sun Ke nodded and smiled.

Wu Jing said in a deep voice: "Please give your instructions, President Sun."

"Since it was instigated by Li Zongren, is there any correspondence or the like?" Sun Ke asked.

"I reckon not."

"Wouldn't letters leave behind evidence?" Wu Jing said with a straight face.

"Foolish."

"Evidence is exactly what is needed."

"I heard there is a calligraphy master in Jinmen who can imitate the styles of a hundred masters."

"Can't you put your mind to it?"

Sun Ke pointed at him and asked in a deep voice.

Wu Jing felt a massive headache.

Sun Ke patted his backside and left.

The problem was that he had to stay in Jinmen; Li Zongren was the Director of the Beiping Headquarters and had people like Ma Hansan to support him—if he really started looking for trouble, it would be a huge headache.

"Wu Jing!"

"You are a classmate of Jiang Jianfeng and the sharp sword of Jinmen; if you don't share the burdens of your superiors now, when will you?"

"Fine, you don't have to listen to me."

"How about I call Jiang Jianfeng right now?"

Sun Ke's face turned cold as water.

"I, I will try." Wu Jing said, biting the bullet.

"Lu Qiao!"

He looked at Lu Qiao, who was keeping his head down and playing dead to the side.

"Station Chief." Lu Qiao's scalp went numb, and he smiled awkwardly.

"Don't you have a cousin who is the owner of the Listening Rain Pavilion?"

"He must be familiar with these people who write."

"This matter is handed to you."

"By tonight, you must see a secret letter written by Li Zongren to Zhan Qinghe."

Wu Jing directly dumped the pot onto Lu Qiao.

"Station Chief, I, my words carry little weight, how am I qualified to handle such a major task?" Lu Qiao was about to cry.

"President Sun."

"Let me introduce you, this is Lu Qiao, the Lieutenant Colonel and Chief of the Intelligence Section of the Jinmen Station."

"He is a fellow townsman of Director Zheng."

"He is an old hand from the Nanchang Investigation Section era."

Wu Jing said.

"Nanchang Investigation Section."

"A fellow townsman of Zheng Jiemin."

"Section Chief Lu, your qualifications are very solid; if Director Zheng knew you were worried about the Party and State and actively sharing the burden, he would certainly be very gratified."

"Rest assured, I will personally request rewards for you all from the Generalissimo."

Sun Ke made the decision on the spot.

"I!"

Lu Qiao looked at Sun Ke, then at Wu Jing, and was completely stunned.

(End of chapter)