Chapter 197: Nomination for Deputy Station Chief

"Station Chief, how was this person captured?"

Li Ya smiled and tucked the photo into his suit pocket.

"Back when Boss Dai was in charge, he secretly infiltrated an important figure in the Beiping underground organization.

"Yuan Peilin was a newcomer, so he naturally needed a helper.

"And so, his whereabouts were already in the hands of Wang Puchen and Ma Hansan.

"Yuan is indeed quite capable.

"He was very effective at purging the underground in Beiping.

"It's just that while the Dao is a foot high, the devil is ten feet tall; he never escaped our grasp.

"Some time ago, Hu Zongnan's military deployment in Xi'an was leaked.

"The Chairman was furious and demanded that the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics cooperate fully to ruthlessly eradicate the Red Ticket underground organizations in the Central Plains.

"The Beiping side played this trump card.

"It's very powerful.

"It dealt an almost devastating blow to the underground organizations in the Henan and Shaanxi-Gansu regions.

"Director Mao now places great importance on this person.

"Qiao Jiacai, having just taken office, is counting on Yuan Peilin to make a big splash in Beiping as well.

"In a word, this man is a hot commodity.

"You must come up with a foolproof plan to safely smuggle him from Beiping to Jinhai and keep him hidden.

"This is a great opportunity for you to show off your skills."

Wu Jingzhong's mouth was dry from talking, so he sipped some tea to moisten his throat and said.

"I see.

"But I've heard this man is a notoriously tough nut to crack.

"During the Ji'e Lane period, he was already at odds with you and Boss Dai.

"I read some files when I was at headquarters.

"This man was subjected to interrogation three times and endured it all; he was even commended within the Red Ticket ranks and earned the nickname 'Body of Steel.'

"Why is he willing to be a traitor this time?"

Li Ya was very interested in Yuan Peilin.

"People, once they get older, their mindset toward life and death changes.

"Not to mention others, just look at me.

"Back when we were fighting the Japanese, I was in the Northeast, living with my head on the line, carrying out assassinations and bombings; in my eyes, any Japanese devil or puppet traitor was just grass.

"When we were assassinating Puyi, your Master and I were chased for several blocks.

"I took a bullet in the shoulder.

"At the time, I was ready to use a grenade to end it, but in the end, I managed to save my life.

"Was I afraid back then?

"Not at all. I just felt that if I took one out, I'd broken even, and eighteen years later, I'd still be a good man."

At this point, Wu Jingzhong frowned and laughed at himself:

"And now?

"A case of prostatitis keeps me restless and uncomfortable all day long.

"People, once they get old and that hot-bloodedness fades, they start to cherish their lives.

"I am like this, and you will be too in the future.

"Yuan Peilin is also afraid of death.

"Station Chief Qiao didn't even use torture; he just had Yuan's confidential secretary show up, and the guy became obedient and honest.

"The more someone has been tortured, the more they know that you can't hold out forever and will eventually spill.

"Cooperating means suffering less.

"Yuan is a smart man."

"Understood, it seems faith isn't omnipotent after all." Li Ya nodded.

"Qiao and I have already drafted a plan; he will tell you when you get to Beiping.

"Go on, while you still have that hot-bloodedness, play this card well and make a name for yourself.

"When the time comes, I will personally go to Jingling to toast you and claim credit with Director Mao."

Wu Jingzhong encouraged him gently.

"Yes, Station Chief." Li Ya accepted the order.

"Remember, go in secret and don't use the people from the Action Team.

"Let Qiao Jiacai send his own people to carry out the operation.

"If there are any slip-ups, it has nothing to do with our Jinhai Station; it will be Qiao Jiacai and Ma Hansan's problem."

Wu Jingzhong leaned in to give him the secret instructions.

"Understood. No wonder you are my teacher and my Station Chief." Li Ya raised his eyebrows, nodding in complete submission.

"Go." Wu Jingzhong patted his shoulder.

"Station Chief, thank you for the Baoding matter. If it weren't for your testimony and kind words, I'm afraid Zhang Qun would have had me executed on the spot." Li Ya bowed ninety degrees in gratitude.

"I've said it before: internal investigations are allowed, but they must follow procedure.

"In the future, if you have any moves, you must report them in advance.

"That way, I can coordinate with you and we can handle things together.

"Jianfeng has influence.

"But don't forget, water from afar cannot quench a fire nearby; in Jinhai, the only one who can protect you is me, your teacher."

Wu Jingzhong said with emotion.

"Understood.

"Your student will certainly perform a miraculous feat to bring honor to you and the Jinhai Station." After bowing again, Li Ya walked out, full of fighting spirit.

Wu Jingzhong stood where he was, hands behind his back, watching him, his gaze gradually turning cold.

He was at his wit's end.

Such a big matter, and one phone call from Jianfeng had saved him.

He hadn't shouldered even the slightest bit of responsibility.

What could he do?

He couldn't drive him away.

Since he couldn't drive him away, he would make him useful.

When it came to fighting, he wasn't great, but when it came to winning people over, playing power games, and balancing interests, he didn't think he was any worse than those old foxes in the Ministry of National Defense.

……

Hong Zhiyou returned from Zhangyuan in the afternoon.

In the building, he happened to run into Li Ya, who was wearing a brand-new suit with his hair slicked back meticulously, arguably the second-best-looking man in the station after him.

"Brother, you're back. Did everything go smoothly with Commander Fu?" Li Ya took the initiative to greet him with a smile.

"Thanks to Captain Li's blessing, the supplies were received and the people were released."

Hong Zhiyou smiled faintly.

"Brother, I was truly misled by Qi Physician.

"Rest assured, I have already told the Station Chief to stop all investigations into you from now on.

"I apologize for what happened last night."

Li Ya took the initiative to reach out his hand.

"Brother, I was also impulsive this morning.

"How about I treat you to dinner tonight to apologize properly."

Hong Zhiyou also followed suit, graciously offering a way out.

One had to use completely different strategies for Li Ya and Lu Qiaoshan.

Lu Qiaoshan had to be flattered.

Li Ya required a carrot and a stick.

In the original drama, after Yu Zecheng slapped him, Li Ya was obedient for a time, even offering to cancel the investigative cooperation with Xie Ruo.

So Li Ya was not the type of person who didn't know the times like Ma Kui.

On the contrary, this man could bend and stretch, and had a certain level of shrewdness and ability to discern the political situation.

Hong Zhiyou believed that this slap had also brought him to heel.

Crucially, he had the backing of the Chairman and Jianfeng.

No matter how suspicious Li Ya was, he wouldn't dare to play these games with him openly again.

"Not at all, I'll treat you another day.

"I'm off, brother."

Li Ya smiled, shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked away with a light step.

Hong Zhiyou shook his head slightly with a smile, entered the Station Chief's office, and gave a brief report to Wu Jingzhong.

"Did Li Ya apologize to you?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"Hmm."

"It seems the Master has given him some pointers," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Indeed."

"This person has ability and connections; you must not offend him."

"I have a troublesome matter right now; I need you to advise me."

Wu Jingzhong sat down, clasped his hands, and said.

"Master, please speak," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Sigh, in the blink of an eye, it has been nearly two years since I came to Jinhai."

"Director Mao mentioned the organizational structure last time; the station must appoint a Deputy Station Chief."

"Who do you think should be nominated?"

Wu Jingzhong asked.

"It certainly cannot be me," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile, brushing the idea aside.

"Indeed."

"I had thought about us two sharing the burden, but then I realized that a tall tree catches the wind, and it would be very disadvantageous for you."

"For the sake of long-term considerations, until you are transferred from the station, you can only remain at the Major rank."

Wu Jingzhong nodded, very satisfied with his "son-in-law's" understanding of the big picture.

"Master, I understand clearly."

"With you here, there is no lack of power; I will just focus on making money for the children."

Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

"That is correct."

"Then tell me, who do you think is more suitable to be nominated in the station?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Li Ya, perhaps," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Li Ya?"

"I thought you would say Lu Qiaoshan or Yu Zecheng," Wu Jingzhong was quite surprised.

"Lu Qiaoshan has Zheng Jiemin behind him."

"But the one in charge now is Director Mao; if you nominate him, Director Mao will certainly not approve it."

"Furthermore, this person once colluded with Zhang Si in an attempt to harm you."

"That is an ironclad fact."

Hong Zhiyou stated the reasons carefully, then changed the subject:

"As for Section Chief Yu, his rank is not high enough."

"He is impeccable in other respects; his assassination of Li Haifeng shocked the whole country, and even Jiang Jianfeng and Director Mao acknowledge him."

"As for Hou Yun, he is afraid of taking on responsibility. Even if you give it to him, he won't do it."

"Therefore, after calculating, there is only Li Ya left."

"His military rank, seniority, and background are all sufficient."

"If you nominate him, Jiang Jianfeng will even be pleased."

Wu Jingzhong shook his head and said:

"That is the logic."

"But you must know that a Deputy Station Chief has real power; Li Ya will then have the authority to deploy various departments, which is what Jiang Jianfeng is happy to see."

"I could be sidelined at any time and become a clay bodhisattva."

"One rank higher in officialdom can crush a person."

"Lu Qiaoshan and Yu Zecheng would lose the ability to fight him."

"This is not conducive to my balancing the situation."

"It is quite troublesome," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Director Mao wants me to submit the candidate for Deputy Station Chief tonight; what do you think I should do?" Wu Jingzhong frowned and said in distress.

"Master, I think you should just nominate Li Ya."

"But the prerequisite is to sound out Lu Qiaoshan."

"Hint at your own helplessness."

"I think Lu Qiaoshan will definitely be dissatisfied, and Zheng Jiemin will not agree either."

"No one is willing to be a clay bodhisattva."

"Lu Qiaoshan is the nail Zheng Jiemin embedded in Jinhai, and even more so, the face of the Old Cantonese Faction."

"Li Ya has only been here a few days and is already becoming Deputy Station Chief."

"Zheng Jiemin will certainly make an issue of this, and might even find fault with Mao Renfeng."

"As for Jiang Jianfeng, they are also classmates."

"And they are both in Jingling; there is nothing that cannot be resolved over a meal of tea and snacks."

"Plus, Li Ya has been making mistakes repeatedly."

"Just on the Baoding matter alone, if Zheng Jiemin lays it out on the table, Jiang Jianfeng will be in the wrong."

"I think Li Ya won't be able to take the position."

"This matter of the Deputy Station Chief can continue to be dragged out."

Hong Zhiyou finished cutting the fruit, took a piece of watermelon, and handed it over.

Wu Jingzhong took two bites, looked at him, and smiled with a gentle gaze:

"Sigh."

"I am old; this brain of mine is far less useful than you young people."

"Let's do as you say."

"Go to the confidential room and have them send a telegram to Director Mao, formally nominating Li Ya."

"Also, you must pass this between Li Ya and Lu Qiaoshan, gain enough benefits and good favor for yourself, and let them fight even more fiercely."

"Master is still the most thoughtful; since Section Chief Lu happens to be here, I will go have a chat," Hong Zhiyou said as he stood up.

"Take this with you."

"Qiaoshan has been holding back anger lately; send some melon to help him cool off."

Wu Jingzhong pointed to the remaining half of the watermelon and said.

"Understood."

Hong Zhiyou carried the watermelon and walked out.

Wu Jingzhong smiled slightly and began to munch on the watermelon in large bites.

So sweet!

"Old Yu, are you busy?"

Passing by the entrance of the confidential room, he called out to Yu Zecheng.

"Yo, where did the watermelon come from?" Yu Zecheng put away his fountain pen, tucked it into his breast pocket, and asked with a smile.

"The Station Chief rewarded me."

"Let's go, shall we go find Old Lu and eat it together?"

Hong Zhiyou tilted his head and said.

"Alright, this melon only tastes sweet when eaten with many people," Yu Zecheng agreed happily.

He liked it best when Hong Zhiyou called him to do things.

If it wasn't for something pleasant to hear.

It was for a good deal.

Arriving at the Intelligence Section office.

Lu Qiaoshan was resting his hands on the desk, holding his hair in a daze.

Without the matters of the Waterway Inspection Section and the Police Section, he was now feeling very uncomfortable being idle.

Even the section-level cadres who used to come over to beg for coffee.

Now, not a single one of them was to be seen.

It was truly heartbreaking.

"Old Lu, are you busy?" Hong Zhiyou walked in carrying the melon.

"What wind blew the two of you here?" Lu Qiaoshan raised his eyelids and asked with a cold laugh.

"Old Lu."

"The two of us came over to keep you company and chat."

Hong Zhiyou placed the watermelon on the desk, took out a fruit knife, and cut it open with a snap.

"Sigh, my place here is now a cold office, a cold bench; I'm afraid the two of you won't be comfortable sitting here."

"The two of you should please head back."

"The Action Team's benches are warm; you can go there and find Team Leader Li to eat."

"This melon is of good quality; he will surely like it."

Lu Qiaoshan chuckled coldly.

"Old Lu, don't be like that."

"I came over today not just to bring you melon, but because I wanted to have a heart-to-heart with you, brother."

"My current job is not easy to handle."

"The Station Chief said we have to give face to Jianfeng and help boost Li Ya's position."

"Me giving you the cold shoulder, wasn't that all just an act for Li Ya to see?"

Hong Zhiyou explained with a helpless look on his face.

"Is that so."

"This position needed boosting, but after all that boosting, I've been boosted right out of a job."

"I've lost the two lucrative departments, the Police Division and the Inspection Division, and this phone hasn't rung all morning; you tell me, if I have to rely on digging up gossip every day, isn't this life just a dead end?"

Lu Qiaoshan said gloomily.

"Have a piece of melon first to cool your temper." Hong Zhiyou hurriedly handed over the watermelon.

"Old Lu, don't be so pessimistic."

"You are the second-in-command with the most seniority in our station."

"In terms of reputation, ability, and connections, you are our big brother and the future Deputy Station Chief."

Yu Zecheng took a piece of melon, took a bite, and praised it:

"Old Lu, eat up."

"This melon is guaranteed sweet."

"Deputy Station Chief, my foot!" Lu Qiaoshan took a piece and bit into it unhappily.

"Division Chief Lu, have you heard?" Hong Zhiyou asked in a low, probing voice, imitating Lu Qiaoshan's tone.

"What now?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"Isn't Bureau Chief Mao at headquarters carrying out a reorganization? The candidates for Deputy Station Chief have to be submitted, and today is the final deadline," Hong Zhiyou said.

"I heard, but the Station Chief hasn't said a word, and now that I'm sitting on the bench, I don't dare ask."

"Tell me, who do you think it will be?"

Lu Qiaoshan asked hurriedly.

"There are only three Lieutenant Colonels in the station; Hou Yunlai doesn't want to do it, so isn't it just you and Captain Li?"

"Anyway, Zhiyou and I are just two lowly Majors, so we have no chance."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Zhiyou, the Station Chief listens to you; you should help put in a good word for Old Lu." He turned his head to look at Hong Zhiyou.

"That's right."

"Little brother, this is the only chance for your brother here to make a comeback." Lu Qiaoshan also became anxious.

"Old Lu, what kind of relationship do we have? How could I not put in a word?"

"The problem is, Li Ya wants it too."

"He is Jianfeng's man; who can afford to offend him?"

"Why do you think the Station Chief had me bring this melon? Isn't it because he hopes you'll cool your temper and keep a steady mindset, Division Chief Lu?"

Hong Zhiyou looked at Lu Qiaoshan and shook his head slightly.

"You... you mean the Station Chief chose... chose Li Ya?" Lu Qiaoshan trembled all over, and his face instantly collapsed.

"Yes."

"Old Lu, the Station Chief is on your side; after all, he's used to you and knows you inside and out."

"But he can't withstand Li Ya's powerful backing."

"Sigh, it's good to rest under a big tree; brother, try to look at the bright side."

Hong Zhiyou sighed and said.

"No."

"How many days has Li Ya even been here?"

"Regarding the Ye Xiufeng affair, he botched the trap for the Red agent, and it was your little brother here who smoothed it over for him."

"Last night, he almost ruined the Chairman's grand plan to attack Zhangjiakou."

"And he still has the nerve to suggest himself for Deputy Station Chief."

"That is... that is too unscrupulous, too arrogant."

Yu Zecheng's expression instantly became indignant.

"There's no help for it."

"The Station Chief's original nomination was for Old Lu."

"I don't know what Li Ya said behind closed doors, but the Station Chief changed the name at the last minute."

"To be honest, this list is likely already on Bureau Chief Mao's desk."

Hong Zhiyou shook his head helplessly.

"From now on, everyone just wait to suffer."

"Enough said, eat melon, eat melon."

Hong Zhiyou urged.

"Too much."

"Too despicable."

"It wasn't enough to eat what was in my mouth, now he wants to ride on top of me too."

Lu Qiaoshan wiped his mouth and shook his head repeatedly.

"You two, if I remember correctly, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics is still surnamed Zheng," he sneered with a gloomy face.

"Yes, that must be the case."

Yu Zecheng nodded and said.

"Although Bureau Chief Zheng doesn't manage daily affairs, don't forget, he holds the power of personnel appointments and removals."

"Li Ya is pushing people too far."

"I don't believe Jianfeng would dare to forcefully promote a fool like Li Ya at such a sensitive time."

"You two, just wait; he won't be able to become this Deputy Station Chief."

Lu Qiaoshan bit his lip, deciding not to remain silent anymore and to put up a fight.

He had plenty of ways to deal with Li Ya.

But that required a process and time.

Once Li Ya secured the position of Deputy Station Chief, all his plans would go down the drain.

"Old Lu, it really has to be you."

"Our future is all in your hands, brother."

Yu Zecheng and Hong Zhiyou hurriedly flattered him.

"Eat melon!"

Lu Qiaoshan threw caution to the wind; instead, he felt relaxed and began to eat the watermelon in large bites.

After the two left the office.

He closed the door and quickly dialed Zheng Jiemin's private line:

"Bureau Chief, this is Qiaoshan."

"Wu Jingzhong has nominated Li Ya for Deputy Station Chief; the situation is very unfavorable for me now."

"Mao Renfeng has always been cautious; he definitely stands with Jianfeng."

"You know, I was just about to reach it, and at the last moment, it was snatched away; your subordinate is truly unwilling to accept this."

"I hope you, Bureau Chief, can uphold justice."

"Yes, this Li Ya almost ruined the Chairman's military plan and incited infighting between the Sun and Fu families; Zhang Qun flew to Baoding personally, and if it weren't for Jianfeng, he would have been executed on the spot as a Red agent."

"I suspect this person has already been compromised in Yancheng."

"The Reds killed two birds with one stone: they saved Jiang Aimei and took the opportunity to secretly send Li Ya to Jinhai, using Jianfeng's name to engage in sabotage against our Party and military plans."

"Yes, your subordinate will definitely find evidence of Li Ya's collusion with the Reds as soon as possible."

"I hope for your kind words, Bureau Chief."

"Alright, goodbye."

Hanging up the phone, Lu Qiaoshan bit his lip, his suspended heart relaxing quite a bit.

The Jiang family father and son have always been suspicious.

Once Li Ya is labeled as colluding with the Reds.

Plus the fact that Li Ya did indeed stay in Yancheng, Jianfeng would certainly become suspicious.

If Bureau Chief Zheng puts in a few more words.

He doesn't believe Li Ya will still be able to become Deputy Station Chief.

(End of chapter)