Chapter 195: Everyone Has a Good Abacus

"Who is it that dares to run wild on my turf?" The one who rushed over was Sun Hao, the deputy regimental commander of the 11th Group Army, who was closest to this location.

Adjutant Mu's expression changed.

His first reaction was that Sun Lianzhong wanted to intercept the goods.

Before coming, Fu Zuoyi had emphasized repeatedly that no conflict must occur.

Especially that it must not be revealed that these supplies were being transported to Zhangyuan.

After all, this was a secret mission from the Generalissimo.

It would be better to be taken for Communists than to slap the Old Man in the face.

If taken for Communists, the Old Man could bail them out.

Slapping the Old Man in the face, however, would lead to a firing squad.

"Captain Li, what is going on here?" Commander Sun asked.

"Commander Sun, this man is named Hong Zhiyou, and he is a secretary at our Jinhai Station.

"I currently suspect him of colluding with the Communists to transport military supplies.

"I think you should also know what this road is used for, right?"

Li Ya glanced at Hong Zhiyou and said coldly.

"Commander Sun, could you make things convenient? I would like to..." Hong Zhiyou wanted to pull him aside to use his "money power."

"Don't try that stuff with me.

"Supplies are rare commodities these days; anyone who dares to smuggle military supplies is stealing our rations and endangering our lives.

"Search them."

Commander Sun waved his hand and shouted.

"Yes."

Hong Zhiyou glanced at Kong Fang; both of them looked like defeated roosters, utterly dejected.

"Sir, the top is full of military supplies, firearms, and medicine.

"They are all good American-made things.

"The flour is also in imported packaging with foreign writing!"

A soldier reported immediately.

"Military supplies, firearms, medicine—any one of these is enough to cost you your heads.

"You still dare to be stubborn?"

Commander Sun pressed his gun against Hong Zhiyou's forehead.

"I want to see Station Chief Wu Jingzhong," Hong Zhiyou feigned trembling and panic.

Seeing this scene, Li Ya couldn't help but feel smug:

"Brother Hong, I know you are the Station Chief's future son-in-law.

"But no one can protect you in this matter.

"Stay at the Baoding Pacification Office for a few days first; once everything is confessed clearly, you will naturally see the Station Chief."

"Take them all away, damn it." Commander Sun waved his hand.

"Mu..." A soldier here wanted to reveal their identities, but was glared back by Adjutant Mu.

Adjutant Mu was very sensible, taking the lead in handing over his weapon and crouching on the ground with his hands on his head.

In any case, Commander Fu and the Generalissimo would have to get them out.

Sun Lianzhong wouldn't dare to eat them, would he?

The soldiers swarmed up.

Those driving the vehicles.

Those grabbing the people.

Everything was arranged clearly, and they rushed toward Baoding.

Hong Zhiyou and Kong Fang were tied up behind their backs; Hong Zhiyou whispered, "Old Kong, don't panic, nothing will happen."

"I know.

"With you here, at most we'll get a beating, but we definitely won't die,"

Kong Fang said.

They arrived at the Baoding Pacification Office.

When Sun Lianzhong saw so much equipment and supplies, he was excited and kept praising them.

He immediately held a banquet to reward Li Ya and the people from the Secret Service Bureau.

"Commander Sun.

"The supplies are yours, the people are mine.

"Can you arrange a plane? I want to take them to Jingling overnight.

"Some things are hard to explain once we get back to Jinhai."

Li Ya, having eaten and drunk his fill, requested of Sun Lianzhong.

"Brother, colluding with the Communists is a major matter. If you take the people away directly, I won't be able to explain many things later.

"So, if you want to interrogate or question them, do it here first.

"Rest assured, whether it's Wu Jingzhong or the King of Heaven himself, I will block for you.

"Once you've interrogated them and have a case, report it to Wu Jingzhong, and then send them directly to Jingling.

"That also follows procedure.

"I know Wu Jingzhong; his roots run deep.

"Even if you want to report to Jiang Jianfeng, you cannot bypass your direct superior, otherwise you won't be able to stay in Jinhai in the future."

Sun Lianzhong advised him smoothly.

Just in the time it took to eat a meal, several trusted subordinates had come to plead for Hong Zhiyou.

It was clear this man had deep connections.

Crucially, Sun Lianzhong did not want to offend Wu Jingzhong.

That man was a classmate of Jiang Jianfeng and Zheng Jiemin, and the Secret Service Bureau was there to keep the military in check; there was no need for this.

He needed the military supplies.

But he definitely couldn't take the blame.

If there was going to be trouble, let it happen at the camp; once it was over, Li Ya could go fight it out with Wu Jingzhong himself.

As for who this batch of Hong Zhiyou's goods was being transported to.

The Communists.

The Zhangyuan Office?

Sun Lianzhong didn't care at all.

Soldiers don't need to talk about too much logic.

If it passes through your territory and you catch it, then it's yours.

Isn't that how the Central Army grabs territory?

This was also a rule the Generalissimo had always tacitly approved of.

"Fine, since you've spoken, I'll interrogate them here." Li Ya knew these group army commanders were all old foxes, so he had no choice but to give up.

"Boss, can we speak aside?" Mobile Corps Commander Gao, stationed at Qingfengdian, leaned in and said.

Sun Lianzhong walked to the inner room: "I know you want to plead for him; smuggling arms is a serious crime, and this is a capital offense."

"Boss.

"This Hong Zhiyou has very strong connections; he has ties to everyone, black and white, left and right.

"He has especially deep roots in Xiangdao.

"The Rong family, the Zhigong faction.

"By the way, he also has a very good relationship with Commander Philson of the U. . Marine Corps.

"He has American classmates.

"I've helped him before, and this man is very generous.

"Even Ma Hansan acknowledges his status.

"Look at these things, all American-made; this isn't something that can be done just with money.

"Li Ya wanting to arrest and interrogate him is an internal matter for their Secret Service Bureau, and it's Wu Jingzhong's business.

"Why should we get involved?

"Just give Secretary Hong and that group some food and drink, keep an eye on them so they don't get beaten or killed, and that's enough.

"Let Wu Jingzhong and his people handle it themselves."

Gao Zhiqi advised.

"Hmm.

"What you say makes sense; actually, that was my intention as well.

"Go and arrange it.

"I can't stay awake anymore, I'm going to sleep."

Sun Lianzhong deliberated for a moment, then yawned and gave his instructions.

"Captain Li, there's no rush with the interrogation."

"Someone, get Secretary Hong and the people outside some good wine and food."

With an order from Gao Zhiqi, Hong Zhiyou was taken to the inner chamber.

Hong Zhiyou stood on no ceremony, eating and drinking as he pleased.

"Old Gao, do you have a cigarette?" After finishing, he wiped his mouth and reached out to ask.

Gao Zhiqi fished out a pack of cigarettes and matches and handed them to him:

"Brother, you really are a strange one.

"Your head is about to be moved, yet you can still eat with such relish."

"I'm not dead yet, am I?

"Thanks, brother. Another day, I'll treat you to something fancy." Hong Zhiyou lit a cigarette and smoked it with calm composure.

"For whom?" Gao Zhiqi asked curiously.

"Don't ask; asking will only lead to trouble," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Understood.

"I've already put in a word. If Li Ya dares to use torture, you just shout to the guards outside.

"Here on my own turf in Baoding,

"I can't say much else, but I can certainly ensure you remain unscathed."

Gao Zhiqi said quite loyally.

Last time, when rescuing people from bandits, Hong Zhiyou had handed him six thousand US dollars in one go.

Gao Zhiqi knew this guy was truly capable.

"Thank you, brother. I will surely repay this in the future," Hong Zhiyou said, reaching out to shake his hand.

"Alright.

"I'm off."

Gao Zhiqi smiled and turned to walk out.

Li Ya walked in with his hands in his pockets: "Secretary Hong, your capabilities are truly great; you even have pull in Baoding."

"In this day and age, who would turn their back on money?

"Except for you, Captain Li.

"I just earned you five gold bars last night, and today you come to claim my life."

Hong Zhiyou looked at him and said with a half-smile.

"Brother, I don't want to either.

"I've said it before, I genuinely want to be friends with you, and I admire and am grateful to you.

"But when it involves the Reds, I just can't wrap my head around it.

"I hope you understand."

Li Ya took a slight breath, expressing his helplessness quite sincerely.

"Are you so certain I am a Red?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Not entirely certain.

"But Liu Xiong is certain, and I believe he wouldn't be wrong.

"Last time at Gazikou, you were transporting goods for the Reds.

"But you destroyed them.

"Now, with both human and material evidence present, what else can you quibble about?

"That Kong Fang outside is a Red courier.

"You've also met Yong Jianqiu; this guy is a comprador who specializes in laundering for the Reds, and this batch of supplies is traveling along a Red transport line.

"Isn't it all plain to see?"

Li Ya circled around him as he spoke.

"These are all your conjectures.

"Kong Fang left the organization long ago; he is a bandit now, and my informant.

"There's no point in saying more about the rest.

"You'll naturally know who this batch of military supplies is for by tomorrow morning.

"If there's nothing else, get some rest early."

Hong Zhiyou raised his hand and said.

"Do you think I have no way to deal with you just because you won't confess?" Li Ya sneered.

"You never had a way to deal with me to begin with.

"Send me to Jingling?

"Can you even walk out of this military camp?"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Stealing and selling military supplies, colluding with the Reds—these are capital crimes.

"And these are high-grade goods swindled from the Americans; with such large-scale transport, do you think the superiors will sit idly by?

"If Jianfeng calls Sun Lianzhong, does he dare keep you?"

Li Ya's mouth curled slightly as he played his trump card.

"Jianfeng will make the call.

"Why don't we both wait for the call?

"Let's see if you can take me out of this military camp."

Hong Zhiyou stared at him and smiled with calm indifference.

"I just love how confident you are.

"Fine.

"I hope your mouth is still this tough by tomorrow morning."

Li Ya said coldly.

Then, in front of Hong Zhiyou, he walked to the telephone and dialed Jianfeng's secret private line:

"Connect me to line one.

"Alright, I understand.

"Thank you."

Hanging up the phone, Li Ya looked at Hong Zhiyou and said:

"Comrade Jianfeng has just been summoned by the Leader; you're quite lucky.

"Then we shall see the truth of the matter tomorrow morning.

"Brother Hong, perhaps this is your last night; enjoy it well.

"Good night."

Li Ya shrugged with a hint of apology.

It was from the heart.

He truly wanted to be friends with Hong Zhiyou and become brothers.

Unfortunately, they were not on the same path.

"I will enjoy it, thanks." Hong Zhiyou smiled faintly and walked over to the bed to lie down.

Zhangyuan Pacification Commissioner's Office.

The adjutant walked hurriedly into the war conference room.

"Commander, something has happened.

"The supplies shipped from Jinhai have been intercepted by Sun Lianzhong's men," the adjutant whispered.

"Everyone, let's stop the discussion here for today; go back and rest." Fu Zuoyi dismissed the staff officers and officers under his command.

"Are you certain they were intercepted?" Fu Zuoyi frowned.

"Certain.

"Our men, along with Secretary Hong from the Confidentiality Bureau, have all been detained," the adjutant nodded.

"Detained."

Fu Zuoyi paced with his hands behind his back, nodding slightly.

"Let them be detained.

"It's better that they are.

"If Sun Lianzhong wants to fatten himself up like a pig, let him eat.

"Once he's fat, he'll be just right for the slaughter.

"Do not make this public; just pretend we don't know.

"Without ammunition, supplies, and medicine, how can one fight a war? I believe the Leader himself will be able to understand Fu's difficulties."

Fu Zuoyi paced a few steps and smiled with deep, calculating cunning.

He had no interest in internal fighting.

He wanted even less to be cannon fodder for Jiang; last year, Sun Lianzhong suffered a huge loss fighting in Handan.

Isn't it because the direct line loves to snatch credit and show off?

Let them be.

"What about that person?"

"I'm afraid they'll be executed as Red agents," the adjutant reminded.

"They won't."

"Wu Jingzhong and the Jianfeng Society will intervene," Fu Zuoyi said.

Night, ten o'clock.

Wu Jingzhong was soaking his feet, fiddling with a porcelain bottle in his hand; at the thought of that vault full of treasures, the corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably.

"Old Wu."

"I heard at the Military Dependents' Association today that He Zhiyuan from headquarters has left, gone to Xiangdao to do business," Mei Qiuju said while knitting a sweater on the side.

"Who?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"He Zhiyuan, you forgot? Back at the Northwest Bureau, that flat-top who kept calling you 'Big Brother' and clinging to your leg," Mei Qiuju reminded him.

"Oh, him."

"Getting on in years, my memory really isn't what it used to be."

"He Zhiyuan was just like Li Ya back then, full of loyalty and righteousness for the Party and State."

"Even such a 'loyal subject' has run off, sigh."

Wu Jingzhong put down the antique, shook his head, and sighed.

"These days, where are there any loyal subjects left? Liu Xiong is so upright, yet Li Ya, whom he taught, still learned to help people pull strings and take bribes."

"Playing mahjong today, Mrs. Lu said Li Ya helped the son of that Hexi wealthy landlord, Chen something, get a position in the Action Team, and pocketed five gold bars for it."

"And Zhiyou was the one who made the connection."

Mei Qiuju chatted about household matters on the side.

"Zhiyou was right to do that."

"It's just personnel, it doesn't matter who does the job."

"Water that is too clear has no fish; everyone is murky, so no one should judge anyone else. It's fine."

Wu Jingzhong nodded with a smile.

"Old Wu, you say we've saved up so many treasures, shouldn't we leave?"

"If we drag it out like this, I'm afraid it'll be noticed by others if we're too late."

Mei Qiuju said.

"No rush."

"He Zhiyuan was forced away by Mao Renfeng."

"Mao Renfeng, that smiling tiger, loves to play clever; he never says anything openly, but he's an expert at setting traps in the dark."

"It's not time for us to leave yet."

"Jianfeng's fortune is flourishing, and his influence is rising fast."

"If I give up my position now, when will my vault in Hexi ever be filled?"

Wu Jingzhong shook his head and said.

"That's true."

"When our child grows up, she won't even need to go to a museum; just crawling into her grandfather's vault would be more eye-catching than the Forbidden City." Mei Qiuju's eyes lit up whenever she mentioned her grandchild.

"Who are you knitting this sweater for again?"

"Didn't you just finish one a while ago? Let's be clear, Rui Rui won't wear these things of yours; she only loves those trendy items from the Americans. You're just wasting your effort."

Wu Jingzhong smiled and asked.

"It's for Zhiyou's younger sister."

"We're family, and they aren't lacking for food or drink, so knitting a sweater is just a gesture of goodwill."

"Idle hands make for idle time, right?"

Mei Qiuju laughed.

"Hmm."

"Take his mother to the hospital for a check-up another day; after all, she is the child's grandmother."

"Coming from the countryside, they have taboos about these things."

"Someone has to take her."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Got it, stop looking at that and hurry up and sleep." Mei Qiuju put down the yarn, got up to get him a towel, and poured water.

Wu Jingzhong put on his slippers and was just about to head into the bedroom to sleep when Xiao Guohua's voice came from outside the door:

"Station Chief, Director Yu is here with an urgent matter to see you."

"Let him in."

Wu Jingzhong said.

Soon, Yu Zecheng walked in with a flustered expression:

"Station Chief, it's bad."

"Secretary Hong just called me, saying he was arrested by Captain Li and Sun Lianzhong's men. I don't know the specifics, but he said to ask you to call Jingling for help."

"Li Ya!"

"An idiot even stupider than Ma Kui, it's always the thing you fear most that happens!"

Wu Jingzhong was so angry that his lingering sleepiness vanished completely.

This was an errand for the Chairman.

If it were ruined in his hands and delayed the plan to attack Zhangjiakou, he would lose his head.

"Teacher, what exactly happened? Didn't Captain Li just have Western food with Zhiyou and act like brothers? Why did he run to Baoding to make arrests?" Yu Zecheng asked, completely confused.

"An ungrateful white-eyed wolf."

"The Chairman secretly ordered me to transport arms for Fu Zuoyi, specifically using the Red agents' route just to avoid Sun Lianzhong's Eleventh War Zone."

"Now look, Li Ya is being suspicious and has blocked the way in Baoding."

"The people, the supplies, and the firearms have all been swallowed by Sun Lianzhong."

"How am I supposed to answer to Fu Zuoyi and the Chairman?"

Wu Jingzhong paced the room in annoyance.

"Teacher, we can't wait."

"We must call Fu Zuoyi and let him go demand them himself."

"Furthermore, ask Commander Sun for the people."

"If Li Ya interrogates them in Baoding, it will be troublesome if he uses torture and hurts Zhiyou."

Yu Zecheng said worriedly.

"You're right."

Wu Jingzhong nodded.

Sun Lianzhong is a direct subordinate and has always been arrogant; relying solely on the name of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics won't get the people back.

Moreover, this was Fu Zuoyi's business to begin with.

It is better to distance himself first, let them fight it out, and have them alert the Chairman, rather than him going to ask for help himself.

Thinking of this, he dialed the number for the Zhangyuan Office:

"This is Wu Jingzhong of the Jinhai Station, please put me through to Commander Fu."

"Please accommodate me, just say I have an urgent..."

Before he could finish, the other side hung up the phone.

"Son of a bitch."

"Fu Zuoyi is playing dead and won't take the bait; now we're in trouble," Wu Jingzhong said.

"He probably wishes this shipment of arms would get hijacked."

"Zhangjiakou is Nie's home turf."

"If a real fight breaks out, it'll be harder to chew than Handan, and there will be blood."

Yu Zecheng said from the side.

"Indeed."

"Right now, the Chairman is being pressured step by step by the Americans to implement constitutional government and elect a president."

"Once the Americans cast this hook, everyone below wants to go up and take a seat."

"The Chairman is trying every possible way to make side-line figures like Li Zongren and Fu Zuoyi go charge into battle, while preserving his trusted direct subordinates like Sun Lianzhong and Hu Zongnan."

"They aren't stupid either."

"They just stall and demand things; if they don't get them, they don't move."

"Look, isn't this the performance starting now?"

Wu Jingzhong slapped his palm, his head aching severely.

"Teacher, what should we do then?" Yu Zecheng knew the matter was serious and asked cautiously.

"Whoever's dog it is, they should manage it."

"What else can we do?"

"I can't manage it anyway; let certain people come and manage it themselves."

Wu Jingzhong was thoroughly annoyed with that idiot Li Ya.

He took a slight, deep breath and walked over to the telephone.

Yu Zecheng very tactfully went to the balcony with Mei Qiuju.

"Zecheng, what on earth is going on?

"I just heard that Zhiyou found a deal involving five gold bars for Li Ya and even treated him to a Western-style meal.

"How could he turn on his own people like this?"

Mei Qiuju asked with a face full of worry.

"Mistress, Li Ya is just like Liu Xiong; he doesn't care about personal ties, only about black and white.

"People like them see everyone as a red ticket.

"If they don't draw blood, they won't let go."

Yu Zecheng shook his head and said.

"That goddamn wretch.

"What a waste of the pair of leather shoes I gave him.

"If Zhiyou loses even a single hair, I'll rip his head off."

At the thought that Zhiyou might get beaten or even executed, Mei Qiuju couldn't help but get red-eyed with anger.

"Mistress, there is no need to worry.

"I spoke with people over there before I came.

"They said Commander Sun gave the word to keep him at the public office and let Li Ya interrogate him on the spot, and that he's being well-fed and looked after; he won't be beaten," Yu Zecheng said.

He knew that Hong Zhiyou was transporting arms for Fu Zuoyi.

But he was completely unaware of this particular act.

However, after a moment's thought, he understood Hong Zhiyou's intention.

To use the Chairman's hand to remove Li Ya, this stumbling block.

High.

It really is high.

Thinking back to when Shopkeeper Qiu dragged Hu Die into the water.

And the Ma Hansan assassination incident, "harmonizing" from afar with Boss Dai.

It made Yu Zecheng have to sigh.

In today's chaotic world, only someone as skilled and bold as Hong Zhiyou could play such a high-level game.

On this side, after calming his mood and organizing his words, Wu Jingzhong dialed the direct line to Jianfeng:

"Hello, connect me to Jianfeng.

"Please pass on the message that I am Wu Jingzhong from the Jinhai Station, and I have an extremely urgent matter to report.

"If he isn't there, I will wait.

"I will wait until he returns the call."

(End of chapter)