Chapter 191: Mr. Yong

"Get out, right now, immediately."

"Mr. Yu, I really am..."

Luo Bing still wanted to speak, but Yu Zecheng had already opened the safety catch.

He hurriedly raised his hands and retreated cautiously: "Sorry, sorry to, to bother you."

Bang!

The door slammed shut heavily.

"Old Yu, this person was sent by the organization, why did you..." Cui Ping was very confused.

"The radio station has been destroyed.

"There is no way to agree on security protocols for meetings, passwords, and so on.

"Right now, anyone, friend or foe, could be impersonating someone from the organization.

"Of course, they can only choose this kind of forceful approach, but we had best not trust it."

"The more it is a time like this, the more cautious and careful we must be.

"Remember, the next time this person comes, tell him to get lost directly.

"Especially when I am not at home."

"If he tries to pester you for information, just call me, and I will drag him to the Secret Service Bureau for a workout."

Yu Zecheng instructed solemnly.

"Mm, I know.

"Sigh, if only he really were from the organization; Jinmen needs a breath of fresh air.

"By the way, I've noticed Hong Zhiyou acting all mysterious lately.

"I heard from the wives at the Military Dependents Association that he has been dealing with the Americans recently.

"Do you think the Station Chief has assigned him some task?"

Cui Ping scratched her neck and asked.

"It's possible.

"The situation is now on a hair-trigger; in Ludong, the Northeast, North China, and Shangan, a spark could set off a conflict at any time.

"Intelligence regarding this is more precious than gold.

"Tomorrow I will go find Long Er to ask about it."

Yu Zecheng thought for a moment and said.

"Do you think the Station Chief doesn't trust you anymore?" Cui Ping asked.

"Trust is out of the question.

"He won't trust anyone.

"It's just that for now, he still has use for me, and not telling me about many things can be considered a form of protection.

"Li Ya has arrived, and he is also a headache for him."

Yu Zecheng said indifferently.

In truth, he suspected the Station Chief had already guessed his identity.

It was just that, hindered by the need to deal with Yong Jianqiu and others to rake in money, he chose to shield him in secret, even going so far as to eliminate Liu Xiong for that purpose.

But Li Ya was harder to deal with than Liu Xiong.

Therefore, the Station Chief chose to put him on ice.

"Anyway, the transit station is paralyzed, so it's just as well not to participate in anything.

"Sleep."

Cui Ping lifted the quilt, lay down, and soon the sound of snoring began.

Hong Zhiyou was busy until very late before returning home.

Fortunately, the Americans didn't have a high tolerance for alcohol, so he didn't drink too much.

Just as he entered the room, Hong Xiaohui hurriedly hid the book in her hand behind her back: "Brother, why are you back today? Didn't you go to the Mu family?"

"No.

"Are parades and rallies meaningful?" Hong Zhiyou sat down, poured a cup of tea, drank two sips, and asked.

"Brother, how can you call that 'meaningful'?

"This is what our generation of youth ought to do.

"Shedding blood and sacrificing our lives to struggle for the cause of human equality for a lifetime.

"This is what our Senior Student Guo said."

Hong Xiaohui was clever and quirky, and began to propagate the opposite to her older brother.

"Senior Student Guo?

"Guo Youliang and Xu Zhao?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Brother, you know them?" Hong Xiaohui said happily.

"They are your standard-bearers, after all," Hong Zhiyou said.

Guo Youliang was the person in charge of the underground Student Union.

Xu Zhao was a city councilor.

Both of these men were important standard-bearers for the Red propaganda front.

Unfortunately, in the end, they became casualties of the struggle between Wu Jingzhong and Li Ya as they schemed against Lu Qiaoshan, causing immeasurable losses to the Jinmen underground organization.

"Brother, what is it that you do?

"Sister Manzhu invited me to her house today and mentioned you to me," Hong Xiaohui said.

"What did she say about me?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"She said you are her friend.

"That you are a good person, and except for being a bit lecherous, everything else is great," Hong Xiaohui said.

"I am a good person?"

Hong Zhiyou felt quite surprised; he hadn't expected to hear that word from the Young Lady.

He had expected it to be secret agent, bully, or big scoundrel.

"Mm.

"That is exactly what she said.

"When she mentioned you, her eyes looked like they had stars in them; they were so bright.

"Brother, you are too amazing.

"Do you know every pretty girl in all of Jinmen?"

The look Hong Xiaohui gave her brother was full of admiration and a bit of playfulness.

"Just about.

"You keep watching, I'm going to the Yong family."

Hong Zhiyou was too lazy to try and persuade her.

It was just like how he could never wake someone who was pretending to be asleep.

He would give her a "set meal" later.

Letting her suffer through it was far better than saying a thousand or ten thousand words.

The Yong family.

Yong Jianqiu had returned from North America, and with no miscellaneous matters to tie him down, he had clearly put on quite a bit of weight.

"Dad, a few days ago, Guo Youliang and I held several poetry readings for Wen Yiduo at Nankai and Beiyang.

"We also organized a speech at the docks with Councilor Xu.

"The underground Student Union is developing quite well now.

"We have also formed a linkage with the student unions in Beiping, Ludong, Baoding, and elsewhere.

"Once Jiang acts perversely, we can organize large-scale parades at any time."

Yong Manzhu reported to Yong Jianqiu very calmly.

"My third child has grown up; she finally looks like a fighter," Yong Jianqiu looked at his daughter with affection.

"I heard quite a bit of news while I was in North America this time.

"The Americans are uniting with the British, French, and other Western powers to increase their support for Jiang.

"The future situation is not very favorable for us."

He paused, sighed, and said.

"Dad.

"The Nationalist Army has weapons and equipment, but we have the support of the common people.

"Wasn't Liu Bang just a grassroots commoner? Facing the iron cavalry of the Great Qin, didn't he still make them throw away their armor and flee?

"We will definitely win."

Yong Manzhu said with great confidence.

"Mm.

"Manzhu, you still need to pay attention to your strategy of struggle."

"Currently, Commander Fang of the Jinhai Gendarmerie Headquarters and Wu Jingzhong of the Jinhai Station belong to the moderate faction, and the garrison is connected to your brother-in-law, so everyone mostly turns a blind eye to the student protests.

"But as the situation becomes increasingly intense, if a hawk-like figure comes from above, there might be a bloody crackdown.

"Therefore, you must still be careful.

"You can appropriately distribute easy-to-understand leaflets among workers and commoners.

"Large-scale gatherings and parades should be kept to a minimum.

"This is also for the safety of you and those friendly individuals."

Yong Jianqiu reminded her.

"By the way, give Hong Zhiyou a call and have him come to the house; later, a friend of mine will be coming through the underground secret passage," he added after sipping his tea.

"Dad, I am not calling him.

"I recently developed his younger sister into an activist for the Student Union.

"I heard from Hong Xiaohui that Hong Zhiyou is furious and has threatened to strangle me.

"If I look for him now, he definitely won't pay me any mind."

Yong Manzhu pouted and said.

"Foolish!

"How could you develop Hong Xiaohui?

"This will make Hong Zhiyou feel that we are deliberately dragging him into the water.

"He is a centrist with many conveniences more flexible than those of an insider; if you drag his sister into this, he will be dyed red even if he wasn't before.

"If he is suspected in the future, how can he help us get things done?"

Yong Jianqiu frowned upon hearing this.

"Dad.

"I didn't want to either, but Xiaohui is very active and enthusiastic; every time I see her, I think of myself from a year ago," Yong Manzhu explained with some helplessness.

"So, you want her to sit in the electric chair at the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics too?

"Starting tomorrow, immediately have the Student Union expel Hong Xiaohui.

"Refuse her participation in all Student Union activities.

"This is to protect Hong Zhiyou, do you understand?

"There are many ways to struggle.

"Propaganda is a struggle.

"Connections and transporting supplies are also struggles.

"It is very important to weigh the location and time, and to distinguish between the primary and secondary.

"This is the quality a mature fighter should have.

"Otherwise, your struggle is blind and paranoid.

"Without Hong Zhiyou, if you just shout slogans, can Old Jiang give you medicine, food, guns, and ammunition?"

Yong Jianqiu said with some annoyance.

"Dad.

"I was wrong, I know what to do now," Yong Manzhu said softly, hanging her head.

Just as they were speaking.

The bodyguard outside the door walked in: "Master, Hong Zhiyou from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics is here to see you."

"Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives.

"Quickly invite him in."

Yong Jianqiu said with great joy.

Hong Zhiyou walked in carrying gifts.

"Mr. Hong, what wind blew you here? Please, take a seat," Yong Jianqiu said, raising his hand.

"That would naturally be the fragrant wind of the Third Young Lady.

"I am here specifically to thank the Third Young Lady for successfully developing my sister."

Hong Zhiyou glanced at Yong Manzhu and said with a half-joking, cold smile.

"Secretary Hong, the matter with your sister is a misunderstanding; I have just strictly warned my daughter to have her cut off all of Xiaohui's activities with the Student Union," Yong Jianqiu hurriedly explained.

Yong Manzhu rolled her eyes at Hong Zhiyou, not chattering or acting in opposition as she had before.

"Forget it.

"It is already too late.

"Mr. Yong, having returned from North America this time, you must have taken quite a few US dollars from your eldest daughter's pocket, right?"

Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"That is naturally necessary," Yong Jianqiu said, speaking to him very casually.

"Hurry and give some to Old Yu.

"He owes me several thousand US dollars and keeps stalling on the debt.

"By the way, there is a deal recently.

"A batch of firearms, medicine, and flour arrived from the Americans; it was originally bought for Fu Zuoyi, but I privately kept a portion, intending to sell it to you.

"It just so happens that inspections have been loose lately, so you can take the opportunity to transport a portion to the border region."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"That is great.

"These are exactly what we are most lacking right now," Yong Jianqiu said with great joy.

"The price remains the same as before.

"You can settle the payment with me after the goods arrive," Hong Zhiyou said.

"No problem.

"I would even feel at ease paying you in full in advance," Yong Jianqiu said readily.

"That is not necessary, let's follow the rules," Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Giving it to Fu Zuoyi, is this to attack Zhangjiakou?" Yong Jianqiu asked with a frown.

"I reckon there will be a fight."

Hong Zhiyou pondered for a moment and replied.

In the two major public offices of Zhangyuan and Baoding, there are major general-level staff officers who are red agents.

Even if he doesn't say these things, those above will still know.

"This batch of supplies and weapons of yours is very important.

"I will report it to those above.

"By the way, I would like to ask you to meet someone."

Yong Jianqiu said.

"I only want to see the Third Young Lady," Hong Zhiyou said, his gaze turning toward the youthful and moving Yong Manzhu, cleverly refusing.

He is just a businessman.

Helping where he can is enough; being able to obtain military supplies and materials at this time, especially penicillin, which is more expensive than gold, is already doing his utmost.

There is no need for deeper involvement.

"I understand what you mean.

"It is just that the underground organization in Jinhai is paralyzed, and the radio station was destroyed by Li Ya; it will take time to replace the codebooks and such.

"We cannot make calls in plain text.

"This has led to the organization members having to remain silent.

"But the intelligence work in Jinhai cannot wait.

"Therefore, those above have sent a reliable person who is also very familiar with Yu to come and vouch for him, to reconnect this line.

"Yu has always been cautious.

"Compared to our internal comrades, in this complex situation, he trusts you, a third-party individual, more.

"Mr. Hong, I must trouble you."

Yong Jianqiu cupped his hands and said with utmost sincerity.

"Is there money?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Three thousand US dollars," Yong Jianqiu said readily.

"Money-grubber," Yong Manzhu muttered, glancing sideways.

"Three thousand US dollars to pass a message, this deal can be done.

"Also, I remember the peach blossom pastries the Third Young Lady made last time tasted quite good.

"I wonder if I might have the honor of tasting them again?"

Hong Zhiyou looked at her and said with a smile.

"Manzhu, go make some," Yong Jianqiu ordered.

"You have quite high demands.

"I'll make them, but don't blame me if they don't taste good."

Yong Manzhu stood up and said.

"As long as it is made by the Third Young Lady, I, Hong, will love to eat it," Hong Zhiyou said.

After a few pleasantries, he followed Yong Jianqiu upstairs.

Knock, knock!

Yong Jianqiu tapped lightly on the partition a few times.

The door opened.

A middle-aged man with graying hair combed back, a square face, and a gentle appearance walked out.

"Let me introduce you; this is the Foreign Affairs Director of the Border Defense, Mr. Dong Cheng."

"Mr. Dong, this is a friendly contact, Hong Zhiyou."

Yong Jianqiu introduced the two to each other.

"Mr. Dong, I really didn't expect you to actually come to Jinhai."

"Last night, Li Ya even used your name to almost hook Old Yu."

Hong Zhiyou reached out to shake his hand and said.

"When the enemy is in chaos, I act; the highest form of warfare is to attack the strategy."

"Even if I say I'm here now, I reckon your people at the Secret Service Bureau wouldn't believe it."

"I came to see you in the hope that you could arrange a meeting so I can see Comrade Yu Zecheng."

Dong Cheng smiled.

"Three thousand US dollars might not be enough," Hong Zhiyou said.

"I'll offer ten thousand," Yong Jianqiu readily increased the price.

"Hmm, there are quite a few secret agents around Yu Zecheng right now. How about this: tomorrow I will have Old Yu come here to meet you," Hong Zhiyou thought for a moment and replied.

If he arranged it outside and something went wrong, who would bear the responsibility?

At Yong Jianqiu's house, even if they were caught, it would be their own security loophole, and it would have nothing to do with him.

If he could avoid getting involved, he would try his best to stay out of it.

"That works too, then it's settled," Dong Cheng said.

"You two talk."

Hong Zhiyou did not want to negotiate too much and quickly went downstairs.

"Hey, Mr. Hong is very cautious," Dong Cheng smiled.

"Yes, otherwise how could he be so highly valued by the key personnel on the Number One Line? For such friendly contacts, we must provide key protection."

"Meeting here is fine too."

"I've been feeding Wu Jingzhong for over a year now; I imagine he won't come here to search."

Yong Jianqiu nodded and said.

Hong Zhiyou went downstairs, and Yong Manzhu brought over a plate of pastries, lifting her chin as she said:

"Here, yours."

"This doesn't look like peach blossom pastry," Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Of course not."

"How could I make it in such a short time? I'll send it over to you next time I make it," Yong Manzhu said.

"Alright."

"Then I'm leaving," Hong Zhiyou said.

As he spoke, he glanced at Yong Manzhu's chest: "Still hasn't changed."

"Hasn't changed?"

Yong Manzhu was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood, her pretty face turning red as she scolded: "Is that all you have in your eyes, just a woman's assets?"

"And the buttocks."

"Also haven't changed," Hong Zhiyou said.

"You stinking pervert!" Yong Manzhu was so angry she gritted her teeth.

"I hope next time I see you, you'll have changed more."

"More mature."

Hong Zhiyou gave her a reminder with a double meaning and got into the car.

"Mature?"

"Only knows how to look at those things."

"Superficial man!"

Yong Manzhu huffed, turned around, and went back inside.

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the station.

Wu Jingzhong was reporting to Jiang Jianfeng:

"Old classmate, Ye Xiufeng is just panicking, so he bit me first."

"It's all been investigated clearly."

"It's the Economic Investigation Group of the Dangtong Bureau, collecting gold and silver in Jinhai; both human and material evidence are present."

"And this Zhong Wangguo."

"He's only been stationed in Jinhai for a few days and has already gotten together with the traitor Liu Qingsheng's concubine."

"The two are inseparable."

"The key is that when at the scene, the Red Ticket Regional Committee protected him with their lives, and Zhong Wangguo even drew his gun and fired back, killing two of my internal administrative staff."

"Even more were wounded; the deputy captain of the action team even had his arm shot through."

"These are top-tier talents from Luojiawan; every one that dies is one less."

"Old classmate, you must seek justice for me and Captain Li."

Wu Jingzhong shouted his grievances on the other end of the phone.

"Yes."

"Don't worry, the evidence is conclusive."

"If Ye Xiufeng still tries to bite me, I am willing to fly to Jingling with Captain Li to confront him in person!"

He continued.

"Yes, yes."

"I understand."

"Thank you, Chairman, thank you, old classmate. In this anti-corruption drive, Jingzhong fears no one; I will surely draw my sword first and achieve new merits."

"Okay."

"Goodbye."

Hanging up the phone, he took out a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, then said angrily:

"That damn Ye Xiufeng."

"I have no grudges or enmity with him."

"The evidence is right in front of him, yet he still insists that I sent people to intentionally assassinate Zhong Wangguo."

"He is determined to put me to death."

"If it weren't for Jiang Jianfeng being able to speak directly to the Old Man, I would have really fallen into his hands this time."

Hong Zhiyou handed him tea and comforted him:

"Teacher, Jinhai is a fat piece of meat; who wouldn't want it?"

"The Dangtong Bureau finally managed to get the title of an Economic Investigation Group and threw their weight around in Jinhai, only to have it ruined by Captain Li."

"It's understandable that Director Ye is furious."

"In the end, it was still Captain Li who stirred up the trouble."

"This Li Ya is not a simple character," Wu Jingzhong sighed.

"Let's not think about that."

"Teacher, I heard last night that Yong Jianqu returned, so I specifically used the Young Lady's name to go see him."

"He returned from North America."

"His eldest daughter runs mines and digs for gold; it's said she brought back quite a lot of US dollars and rare items."

"Didn't his daughter hold some Wen Yiduo poetry reading with Guo Youliang last time?"

"We can bring her in, scare her a bit, and get some more."

"As long as his precious third daughter is here, she is our endless money bag."

Hong Zhiyou leaned in and offered a "bad idea."

"Your memory is still good; if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten this wealthy landlord."

"It's good that he's back."

"His daughter runs mines; isn't that all blood and sweat money earned from our Chinese laborers?"

"We must take this money; we must extract wealth for the people and act on behalf of Heaven."

Wu Jingzhong furrowed his brows, squinted his eyes, and said solemnly.

"Yes, yes, we must act on behalf of Heaven."

"Why not let Section Chief Xiao go and make the arrest? If Captain Li goes, and he decides to play for real and kills someone, it will be troublesome."

"I am truly afraid of him."

Hong Zhiyou suggested.

"That makes sense; capture him but don't use torture, just scare him a little.

"Everyone already understands this without it being said.

"If you take action again, that would be going too far and unreasonable.

"I am a person who still values personal ties."

Wu Jingzhong nodded and said.

"Yes, if he gets scared and runs abroad, we won't be able to keep a leash on this old miser in the future," Hong Zhiyou echoed repeatedly.

"Have Section Chief Xiao go make the arrest," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Once he is caught, have Director Yu handle the negotiations.

"He is ruthless.

"It's the same old rule: I stir up trouble, he gets the money," Hong Zhiyou added.

"Very good.

"Let's do it that way!

"Go make the arrangements."

Wu Jingzhong readily agreed.

"Station Chief, when we make the arrest, could we catch one more person?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"Catch who?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"My younger sister... Hong Xiaohui," Hong Zhiyou took a slight breath and said, looking somewhat helpless.

(End of chapter)