Chapter 19: So We're Fellow Countrymen Now? (Seeking Collections and Recommendation Votes)

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou was at his usual post at the reception desk outside the Station Master's office.

Before long, Yu Zecheng, dressed in a sharp suit and carrying a briefcase, arrived at the door.

"Director Yu," Hong Zhiyou said, rising to his feet.

"Secretary Hong, is the Station Master in?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"He is."

Following protocol, Hong Zhiyou took his briefcase and performed a brief search.

Yu Zecheng walked inside.

A while later, Yu Zecheng emerged, his expression as steady as ever.

He gave Hong Zhiyou a look.

Hong Zhiyou quickly followed him.

Once inside the confidential room, Yu Zecheng let out a sigh and sat down on the sofa.

"What's wrong, Director Yu?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Do you know Mu Liancheng's niece?" Yu Zecheng asked.

Hong Zhiyou smiled: "I do."

"The Station Master wants me to court her, and even urged me to take her as a concubine.

"You tell me, my wife is arriving soon, isn't that ridiculous?

"The key is, Miss Wanqiu is cold as ice toward me.

"You're an expert at this, can you take this task off my hands?"

Yu Zecheng loosened his tie and grumbled in a low voice.

"When is the Station Master going to the Mu residence again?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Tomorrow.

"Mu Liancheng has invited the Station Master to play tennis," Yu Zecheng said.

"Easy enough. When you get to the Mu residence, give me a call.

"I'll take care of this for you," Hong Zhiyou said.

"That's great.

"I knew you'd have a way. I'm off, I still have to go talk to her."

Yu Zecheng gave a bitter smile, stood up, and left.

Hong Zhiyou returned to the duty desk.

Soon, Liu Xiong strode over.

Hong Zhiyou went in to pour tea for the two of them, and Wu Jingzhong waved him away as usual.

Damn it, when will I ever get treated like a favorite son?

Once those two closed the door, they whispered inside for ages; who knows what they were talking about?

Wu Jingzhong was very keen on catching Red agents these days.

Anything Liu Xiong handled personally was usually important intelligence.

However, Hong Zhiyou had no interest in such things.

His current concern was eliminating the Zhang family.

By tonight at the latest, Ma Kui would take the bait; all he had to do was remain patient.

"Secretary Hong, I'm going to the Gendarmerie Headquarters for a meeting.

"It's hot outside, you go back to the office and rest.

"If any documents come in, just keep them with you, and I'll look at them when I get back."

Soon, Wu Jingzhong and Liu Xiong walked out.

"Yes, Station Master," Hong Zhiyou said, rising to acknowledge the order.

He returned to the office.

In this day and age, there were no computers or mobile phones.

Hong Zhiyou could only pass the time by listening to the radio and reading the newspaper.

It was past ten o'clock.

Rapid footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Hong Zhiyou walked to the door, and Lu Qiaoshan also poked his head out to look.

They saw Ma Kui rushing out in a flurry.

"Section Chief Lu, it looks like Captain Ma has work to do again," Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

Lu Qiaoshan was truly worthy of being the Intelligence Section Chief; his information was extremely up-to-date.

He glanced around and whispered:

"They say a Red agent special envoy has come over from Beiping. It's a big fish."

"If Old Ma catches a big fish, you two might just get a promotion," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Bullshit!

"He hides things so deeply. I leak whatever intel I have to him, but he—who knows where he digs up his scraps—has his tail stuck up in the air,"

Lu Qiaoshan cursed.

Could it be that Old Xie had already made contact with Ma Kui?

Hmm.

It's possible.

That guy has always been proactive when it comes to making deals.

The second step of the plan is looking promising.

"Section Chief Lu, it's because you're both Lieutenant Colonels; peers are always rivals," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Come over, have a drink with me."

Lu Qiaoshan beckoned.

After what happened last night, he was keen to get closer to Hong Zhiyou.

They entered the office.

Lu Qiaoshan brewed two cups of hot coffee.

"Hmm, the taste is good, better than what they have at the club."

Hong Zhiyou praised it sincerely.

"Ethiopian coffee beans, my son sent them," Lu Qiaoshan said with a proud smile.

"Very Western.

"No wonder the brothers in the dormitory all want to follow you," Hong Zhiyou said.

"How so?" Lu Qiaoshan asked quickly.

"Ma Kui is poor, and he likes to hit people.

"Unlike you, Section Chief Lu, everyone under you wears suits, and there's never a shortage of tips or bonuses.

"The station is missing a deputy.

"In my opinion, no matter how many merits Ma Kui racks up, he won't get it if he doesn't have the support of the people.

"Section Chief Lu just needs to sit tight and wait."

Hong Zhiyou laid on the flattery.

"You kid..." Lu Qiaoshan crossed his legs and pointed at Hong Zhiyou, clearly pleased.

"You're from Zhejiang, I'm from Yuedong.

"Director Yu and the others are all Northerners; we two are fellow Southerners.

"Understand?"

Lu Qiaoshan raised his eyebrows to signal.

"Understood. I appreciate your kindness; if you need anything in the future, just give the word," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Don't wait for the future, about the foreign liquor..." Lu Qiaoshan started to say, but Hong Zhiyou shook his head.

"Rest assured, I check this room eight times a day; there are no bugs.

"In this station, I'm the only one who monitors others."

Lu Qiaoshan dismissed his concerns.

"Section Chief Lu, shall I make the call now?" Hong Zhiyou pointed at the telephone.

"Go ahead, it's safe," Lu Qiaoshan said, delighted.

Hong Zhiyou dialed Fang Min's number directly.

As soon as it connected, there was heavy breathing on the other end.

Damn, this slut really can't go without a man.

"It's Hong Zhiyou," he said.

"You dead man, you stood... stood me up," the sound of rhythmic thumping was audible on the other end; the perverted woman was acting even more coquettish.

Cheap slut, she's using me to get her kicks.

I'll have to beat her ass later.

"After you finish up later, handle a real task: go to the Navy Club to meet with Lady Lu and deliver ten cases of foreign liquor to her.

"Make sure it's a name brand.

"The kind they drank when Ma Xieer came last time.

"Give her the friend-of-a-friend price."

Hong Zhiyou instructed.

"Got it, but you'll have to make her wait a while; I'm not finished having my fun yet," Fang Min said coquettishly.

Your sister... Hong Zhiyou decisively hung up the phone.

He wasn't about to let that woman get a free ride.

"Division Chief Lu, have your wife go to the Navy Club in an hour; someone there will make arrangements.

"Are ten cases enough?"

Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Enough, more than enough!

"Oh my, brother, you really have incredible connections; I clearly underestimated you.

"Come, I'll toast you with this coffee as an apology."

Lu Qiaoshan raised his coffee cup, his smile carrying a touch more flattery.

Foreign liquor was a rare commodity.

That Hong Zhiyou could procure ten cases so casually—was this ability not stronger than that of Fourth Master Zhang?

"I don't have any real ability; I'm just relying on the station chief's prestige to leverage a few connections I've gathered in the social scene," Hong Zhiyou said modestly.

"That's not how it is at all.

"There are plenty of high-ranking officials in the garrison and the Garrison Command, yet ten cases of foreign liquor are harder to get than ten truckloads of munitions.

"You really take me for someone who hasn't seen the world, brother."

Lu Qiaoshan offered a compliment and changed the subject:

"By the way, you haven't been assigned housing yet, have you?"

"No."

"I'll go have a word with Section Chief Xue of the Internal Affairs Section later.

"Right now, there are quite a few houses vacated by traitors and foreigners—detached houses, townhouses, villas, you name it. Take your pick."

Lu Qiaoshan said readily.

"Division Chief Lu, you won't tear my mouth open this time, will you?" Hong Zhiyou quipped.

Lu Qiaoshan squinted and smiled, "Are you holding a grudge, brother?"

"I wouldn't dare, just joking.

"The housing matter isn't urgent; let's just focus on staying alive for now. About the Canal Gang..." Hong Zhiyou started but stopped himself.

"Brother, don't you worry.

"I can tell by your face that you're destined to live a long life," Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Oh, Division Chief Lu knows how to read faces?" Hong Zhiyou feigned surprise.

"What do you think?"

The two of them laughed, sharing a tacit understanding.

Just as they were chatting.

The guard walked in.

"Division Chief Lu, Ma Kui's wife is here; she says she wants to see him," the guard said.

"Captain Ma is out; tell her to go back," Lu Qiaoshan said, frowning.

"She... she said if Captain Ma isn't here, she'll see Secretary Hong instead." The guard glanced at Hong Zhiyou.

"Mrs. Ma is new to the area, and Captain Ma asked me to take her to the club to see the sights," Hong Zhiyou explained, noticing Lu Qiaoshan's strange look.

"It's good to be young; you're quite popular.

"Go on then."

Lu Qiaoshan teased with a smile.

(End of chapter)