Chapter 200: The Deceptive and Unpredictable Divine Game

"Old Lu, the General Affairs Section isn't something you can just manage whenever you want, but here, everything is just a matter of a word from you, brother." Hong Zhiyou used deflection to avoid a direct stance.

"You, you're too cunning."

"I know you, little brother, are afraid that if I fall, you'll be implicated."

"You underestimate your brother Shan."

"Within three days, I can dig out the one who believes in the Reds, believe it or not."

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head, sighing with a cold, sinister smile.

"With your methods, brother, of course I believe it." Hong Zhiyou nodded with a look of certainty.

"However, aren't you afraid I'll sell you out?"

He raised his eyebrows and chuckled.

"No."

"If you wanted to sell me out, there would have been no need to save me in the first place."

"I believe you also understand that Li Ya is merely a chess piece of Jianfeng."

"And I am a fellow townsman of Director Zheng."

"Director Zheng is a man who values personal ties."

"Yes, today he was outmaneuvered by the Old Man and lost ground to Mao Renfeng."

"But who is to say he won't transform overnight and become the Minister of National Defense?"

"Not to look too far ahead, Director Zheng's younger brother, Zheng Tingfeng, has already been transferred to the 94th Army as Deputy Corps Commander, and it won't be long before he takes the full position."

"When that time comes, without me, will the people you know still have any sway?"

"The most important point is, don't forget that Director Zheng is also a classmate of Jianfeng; they have a bond forged in life-and-death, even deeper than his relationship with the Station Chief."

"Could an old classmate really be worth less than a pawn that keeps making mistakes?"

"Don't forget, Jianfeng values competence."

"Li Ya wrongly killed Ye Xiufeng's men and sabotaged the military procurement; he has endured it again and again."

"If he loses Yuan Peilin as well, can Jianfeng still endure it, and will he still value him?"

"I suspect he might even have Li Ya arrested as a Red agent!"

Killing intent filled Lu Qiaoshan's eyes as he said in a low voice.

"That makes sense."

"Success comes from Yuan, and failure comes from Yuan; I wish you success."

Hong Zhiyou stood up and shook his hand.

"It's about time for a meal."

"Perhaps this move will reveal the bottom line."

"Let's go, please help me announce it."

Lu Qiaoshan gave a sinister smile and gestured for Hong Zhiyou to walk out.

Hong Zhiyou arrived outside the Station Chief's office and knocked on the door:

"Station Chief, Division Chief Lu has an urgent matter to discuss."

"Let him in." Wu Jingzhong responded from inside.

"Go ahead."

Hong Zhiyou pulled the door open, with no intention of entering.

Lu Qiaoshan winked at him and walked in alone.

"Station Chief, Station Chief Qiao." Lu Qiaoshan bowed and greeted them.

"Station Chief Qiao, let me introduce you."

"This is the number two figure of our Jinhai Station, Intelligence Division Chief Lu Qiaoshan."

"He is a veteran of the Nanchang Investigation Section."

"And a fellow townsman of Director Zheng."

Wu Jingzhong introduced him with great emphasis.

"In the presence of you and Station Chief Qiao, Qiaoshan is willing to serve as a vanguard, charging into battle to await your orders." Lu Qiaoshan said with a slick smile.

"No need to be so formal."

"In a few more years, us old bones will have to retire, and then the Party and State will have to rely on you to shoulder the heavy burdens."

Qiao Jiacai reached out his hand.

Lu Qiaoshan hurriedly shook it with both hands, smiling brightly: "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."

"Is there something up?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"The Red agent built a grave for Ma Kui at the Jizhong Martyrs' Cemetery."

"Ma Kui's wife, Zhou Gendi, called from Shanghai saying the Red agent Jizhong Committee wants a few photos of Ma Kui for memorial and propaganda purposes."

Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Oh."

"We cleaned out Ma Kui's house quite thoroughly before, and Zhou Gendi left in a hurry, so she didn't take any photos of Ma Kui." Lu Qiaoshan added.

"How preposterous!"

"They plant spies in my station to cause sabotage, and they still have the nerve to hold a memorial?"

"It is simply too deceptive."

"Tell that stupid woman to get lost!"

Wu Jingzhong put his hands behind his back, glaring and scolding.

"Yes, it is quite excessive."

"I will call Mrs. Ma back right now."

After Lu Qiaoshan finished speaking, he raised his hand and looked at the two of them with a smile:

"Station Chief, it's rare for Station Chief Qiao to visit Jinhai, and it's almost time for a meal; how would you like to arrange it?"

Wu Jingzhong and Qiao Jiacai exchanged a glance, both with a look of caution in their eyes, then turned to look at Lu Qiaoshan and asked indifferently:

"Qiaoshan, what arrangements do you have?"

"A new Halal restaurant called Fumanlou has opened on Fuxing Road, and the food has a good reputation; would you like me to book a table?" Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"Jinhai's Halal food is quite good, would you like to try it?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"A restaurant might not be very convenient, right? Isn't there another friend coming?" Qiao Jiacai frowned.

"Is there a quieter place?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Yes."

"There are private courtyard-style luxury rooms specifically for high-ranking officials to dine and discuss matters."

"This restaurant was opened by a relative of Gu Zhutong."

"The intention was for it to be booked specifically for municipal officials, high-ranking military personnel, and literary celebrities to dine."

"The interior decor is even more high-end than the Donghai Tea House."

"The privacy is excellent."

"At worst, we can just book all the connecting courtyards so no one will disturb the two of you."

Once Lu Qiaoshan heard this, he knew there was a chance and hurriedly continued to push the suggestion.

"Division Chief Lu is truly thoughtful."

"Station Chief Wu, you two decide on the arrangements."

Qiao Jiacai smiled and kicked the ball to Wu Jingzhong.

At such a sensitive time.

Lu Qiaoshan being so pushy again and again is likely to cause trouble.

However, this was Wu Jingzhong's personal business.

He saw through it but chose not to speak.

"Fine, go ahead and book it." Wu Jingzhong made the decision readily.

Once Lu Qiaoshan left.

His eyes became gloomy and cold.

In his heart, he felt both relieved and helpless.

What he was relieved about was that it wasn't Yu Zecheng or Hong Zhiyou; Li Ya's tactic of luring the snake out of its hole hadn't lured his own people.

What he was helpless about was that Lu Qiaoshan was definitely not a Red agent.

This person was just here to ruin Li Ya's affairs.

Purely the work of a petty mind.

Sigh!

That's fine too; let them fight it out, and he could just watch the show with peace of mind.

In any case, the one who would ultimately cover the bottom was Jianfeng.

He had a big head and broad shoulders; even if the sky fell, he could hold it up.

Lu Qiaoshan walked out and gave Hong Zhiyou a slight smile, signaling that the mission was accomplished.

As long as Wu Jingzhong went to the restaurant he had arranged.

He could then determine whether Yuan Peilin was hiding in Jinhai.

Moreover, he had an informant in Jinhai there, who could further track Yuan Peilin's whereabouts.

Hong Zhiyou responded with a smile.

Old Lu's little schemes were likely to come to nothing.

He sat quietly at the reception table, waiting for the Station Chief to summon him.

A moment later, he saw Wu Jingzhong and Qiao Jiacai walk out.

"Station Chief Qiao, you go to the car and wait for me for a moment first," Wu Jingzhong said.

Qiao Jiacai left first.

"Zhiyou, don't go to the working lunch this noon.

"Don't stir up trouble."

Wu Jingzhong signaled in a low voice.

"Understood, Teacher." Hong Zhiyou stood straight and accepted the order.

"Also, for that batch of inventory seized from the Dahe Maru, go to the warehouse and count it, then pick two valuable items.

"Landscape paintings, brushes and ink—the kind of things scholars love to use.

"Station Chief Qiao has a scholar's temperament in his bones.

"He won't want anything else, but he'll fall for this refined stuff."

Wu Jingzhong tapped his chest, giving detailed instructions.

"Very well, I will go handle it now," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Mm."

Wu Jingzhong walked quickly downstairs.

"Zhiyou, where are you eating at noon?" Yu Zecheng asked, poking his head out of his office.

"I'm going to Rui Rui's mother's place.

"The Station Chief said to have me accompany Mrs. Qiao around Jinhai City this afternoon," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Wait for me, let's walk a bit together."

Yu Zecheng "slapped" the office door shut and walked over.

"You were the one who gave the advice about Mrs. Ma, right?" Hong Zhiyou asked straight to the point as they walked.

"Yes.

"This was Zuo Lan's idea; I originally wanted to go in and sound things out.

"I chose Fumanlou as well.

"But didn't you warn me?

"It just so happened that Old Lu wanted to target Li Ya, so I passed this errand to him."

Yu Zecheng smiled.

"It's hard to say whether Yuan Peilin has come to Jinhai or not.

"But I suspect this might be a trap set by Li Ya.

"If you ask too much, you'll invite trouble."

Hong Zhiyou nodded and said.

In fact, given Yu Zecheng's prudence, he probably wouldn't have done such a foolish thing even without the reminder.

In the original scenario, he was likely pushed to the limit by Luo Anping.

That was why he risked exposure to snoop around the station.

"Understood." Yu Zecheng nodded.

"Lu Qiaoshan is about to openly battle Li Ya.

"You'd best cut off contact with that side for now, including clear-text and coded radio calls.

"This round is a game for immortals; we can't afford to play.

"I received a call from Old Xie this morning.

"The Dangtong Bureau knows about Yuan's news.

"Ye Xiufeng suffered a huge loss at Li Ya's hands last time, so he's definitely going to get it back from Li Ya.

"He can face the Chairman directly; he has much more weight than our Bureau Chief Mao.

"If Li Ya messes this up, he might lose his head."

Hong Zhiyou whispered as they walked.

"Bureau Chief Ye is entering the game too?

"The Red Tickets, the Confidentiality Bureau, and the Dangtong Bureau are all mixed up in this; I'm afraid Yuan won't be able to fly away this time.

"What do you think the Station Chief's attitude is?"

Yu Zecheng asked.

"The Station Chief is likely just playing along.

"He is happy to see Lu Qiaoshan take the lead.

"Don't underestimate this Deputy Station Chief position; Mao Renfeng tacitly approved of Li Ya, a person who keeps making mistakes, replacing Lu Qiaoshan—isn't that a direct slap in the face to Zheng Jiemin?

"Lu Qiaoshan must have received instructions, which is why he dared to openly play against Li Ya.

"The Station Chief actually doesn't want to appoint a Deputy Station Chief.

"If he wanted to, he would have done it long ago.

"He was forced into this by some bullshit restructuring from Mao Renfeng.

"Besides, if Li Ya becomes Deputy Station Chief, the Station Chief won't have an easy time either.

"Doesn't Li Ya want to jump?

"He'll just lift Li Ya higher, so he falls even harder later.

"Even if he doesn't die, he'll have to completely abandon the idea of being Deputy Station Chief.

"As long as Li Ya messes up.

"With Ye Xiufeng and Zheng Jiemin finding fault at the same time, even Jiang Jianfeng won't be able to protect him.

"Just watch, this show is going to be spectacular."

Having spent a long time as the "father and son" with Wu Jingzhong, Hong Zhiyou had long since thoroughly understood the old man's mind.

"You really are Zhuge Liang; it feels like you can foresee a hundred... days ahead," Yu Zecheng laughed.

"Alright, I have to go accompany the ladies for lunch.

"I'm off."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and got into the car.

Lu Qiaoshan stood by the window.

He watched the Station Chief and Qiao Jiacai get into the car.

A short while later.

After checking his watch and estimating the travel time, he put down his coffee cup and dialed a number:

"Hello, it's me.

"Have Station Chief Wu and the others arrived?

"Good, I know.

"Wait a bit longer; if they haven't arrived in half an hour, call me back."

They didn't go?

Were they delayed?

Half an hour later, the phone rang.

"Good, I know."

Hanging up the phone, Lu Qiaoshan gritted his teeth and hissed:

"They didn't go?

"Playing it quite cautiously, aren't you.

"Li Ya, you think you can hide?

"Interesting, I'll play with you slowly!"

Noon.

Yu Zecheng returned home.

Wang Cuiping had already prepared lunch.

"Old Yu, did you find that traitor?" She asked while serving rice for Yu Zecheng.

"No.

"No one came to the bookstore today, right?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"No," Wang Cuiping nodded and said.

"Eat quickly, the weather is nice today; let's go for a stroll after eating." Yu Zecheng picked up his bowl and began eating heartily.

"I was playing mahjong at the Station Master's house yesterday.

"Mrs. Lu and Sister Mei said that you used to be in a relationship with Zuo Lan.

"You wouldn't admit it before, but now it seems you two were truly an item.

"Were you truly in love, or was it just a mission like with me?"

Cuiping glanced at him and asked with a hint of bitterness.

Yu Zecheng nearly choked.

He pretended to drink his soup.

"Well, speak up?" Cuiping hammered him, refusing to let it go.

"Yes!

"We were truly in love; if I had stayed in Shancheng back then, perhaps we would be married by now, and our child would be two years old."

Yu Zecheng did not hide it from her.

"So it's true.

"She is so beautiful and capable.

"If I had known you were lovers, I wouldn't have slapped you last time.

"You really are something, not even going to see her off when she returned to Yancheng.

"If I had known you were lovers, I would have told her that night that we were fake.

"That way, she could have returned with peace of mind.

"Instead of always worrying about a heartless fellow like you."

Having heard the definitive answer, Cuiping said in a dejected tone.

Yu Zecheng looked at her.

He wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.

After finishing the meal.

The two arrived at the back street.

A plaque with the *Family Instructions of Zhu Zi* hung at the entrance.

"Let's go in and buy a calligraphy copybook."

Yu Zecheng pulled her inside.

Cuiping stayed outside to keep watch, while Yu Zecheng and Luo Anping entered the warehouse.

"Comrade Zecheng, is there any news on Yuan Peilin?" As soon as they met, Luo Anping asked anxiously.

"No.

"This person is hiding very deep; it will be hard to find him for a while," Yu Zecheng said.

"How can you not have any?

"The situation is very urgent now; Yuan knows the information of many comrades in the Central Plains intelligence network.

"Hundreds of comrades in Luoyang, Xi'an, and Beiping don't know whether to withdraw or stay.

"I received news.

"Qiao Jiacai came to Jinhai secretly this morning; it is highly likely that Yuan is in the hands of your Confidentiality Bureau.

"You are Wu Jingzhong's favorite, the Chief of the Confidentiality Office.

"How can you have no clues at all?

"I'm anxious!"

Seeing his cold expression, Luo Anping couldn't help but get agitated.

"Old Luo, the situation is very critical now.

"The Dangtong Bureau has also intervened.

"And this is very likely a trick by Li Ya, specifically targeting me and you.

"Let's wait and see; don't act rashly."

Yu Zecheng reminded him with patience.

"Lives are at stake, and you want to wait and see?

"How can you, a comrade, retreat at the first sign of difficulty?"

Luo Anping had not dealt with Yu Zecheng before, and he couldn't help but question his working style and ability.

"This is not called retreating.

"The mission Ke Gong gave me is to lurk, not to be a tiger-hunting hero who walks into the tiger's den knowing full well it's there.

"Do not act without authorization.

"This is highly likely a trap; let the muddy water settle first, and I will find a way then, okay?"

Yu Zecheng frowned.

He was equally dissatisfied with Luo Anping's work.

When Shopkeeper Qiu was here, he always made his safety the top priority.

But this Luo Anping seemed to only see the mission in his eyes.

This approach made him very repulsed.

Especially during such treacherous times.

"Forget it.

"You go back first; I'll find a way myself," Luo Anping waved his hand, saying with a belly full of anger.

"Do not act.

"Before there is definitive news about Yuan Peilin, I will suspend contact with you.

"Comrade Anping, I hope you consider this carefully."

Yu Zecheng darkened his face, stood up, and walked out.

He knew the organization in Jinhai must still have capable people.

Moreover, there are many experts in the black market.

Intelligence can always be obtained.

He was only afraid that Comrade Luo would fall into Li Ya's trap.

Yu Zecheng had said all that needed to be said.

He was just a small lurker and had no authority to command Luo Anping.

Nor did he have the power or channels to report to the higher-level organization.

Sigh.

Let everyone face their own fate.

"Bang!"

Looking at Yu Zecheng's back, Luo Anping slammed his fist heavily onto the table.

After leaving the bookstore.

Cuiping saw that his expression was off, "Old Yu, what's wrong?"

"Nothing.

"Cuiping, the situation is very bad now; we might be exposed at any time.

"We need to prepare for evacuation."

Yu Zecheng let her hold his arm, whispering as they walked.

Once Luo Anping fell into the trap.

He would be exposed; this point had to be considered.

"Does this Yuan know you?" Cuiping was shocked.

"No.

"Don't come to the bookstore for a while; Jinhai is not peaceful, and I always have a bad premonition that something might happen."

Yu Zecheng shook his head, feeling a bit tired, and offered no further explanation.

By the Haihe River, inside a small eatery.

Li Ya sat by the window, watching the steamships on the river.

Sitting opposite him was a middle-aged man wearing a wide-brimmed hat and gray cloth clothes; his hat brim was pulled very low, making his large, sallow-yellow nose look particularly striking.

This person was none other than Yuan Peilin.

Beside him was Guo Liang.

"When will they arrive?" Yuan Peilin asked.

"Soon.

"The two Station Masters are hosting a welcome banquet for you; only you, Mr. Yuan, have this kind of face."

Li Ya smiled.

"You are very unprofessional," Yuan Peilin slammed his wine glass onto the table, saying with dissatisfaction.

"Don't worry, there are no outsiders.

"I have booked the entire second floor under the guise of renovations.

"The downstairs is sealed off with wooden bars, so outsiders cannot come up."

"The Station Master and the others will come over via the suspension ladder from the opposite attic; I put quite a lot of thought into this meal for you."

Li Ya sneered faintly.

"Mr. Yuan, Captain Li is a veteran of the Qingpu Special Training Class, a top student of Yu Lexing, participated in the Battle of Jinshanwei, and is one of the few Party-State elites who has operated undercover in Yancheng."

"You need not doubt his skills."

Guo Liang said from the side.

Yuan Peilin then picked up his wine glass again and took a sip.

"Boss."

A moment later, Qi Physician walked over and whispered a few words into Li Ya's ear.

Li Ya frowned slightly, feeling quite surprised and disappointed.

"Understood, you may go," he said with a wave of his hand.

Soon.

Wu Jingzhong and Qiao Jiacai, guided by guards, walked over from the suspension ladder of the opposite attic.

After a brief, warm exchange of pleasantries.

Wu Jingzhong had no appetite to pick food from the same bowl as Yuan Peilin.

That disdainful attitude, which came from the bottom of his bones, made Yuan Peilin feel deeply uncomfortable and humiliated, yet he was helpless.

He moved his chopsticks a few times just to go through the motions.

Wu Jingzhong and Qiao Jiacai called Li Ya outside:

"Have the arrangements been made?"

"Yes."

"I plan to arrange for Guo Liang to go into the Xiuchun Pavilion, as for Yuan..." Li Ya smiled and did not finish.

Wu Jingzhong did not ask.

"Won't the Xiuchun Pavilion be too conspicuous?" Qiao Jiacai asked with a frown.

"The most dangerous place is often the safest."

"My men will disguise themselves and go in, setting only hidden sentries."

"Besides, this man surnamed Guo has no value left; acting mysterious is just to look more professional, so as to use this bait to lure the Red Ticket into taking the hook."

Li Ya said.

"I think it's feasible." Qiao Jiacai nodded in satisfaction.

"What do you need us to do?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I would trouble the two of you to go to the Xiuchun Pavilion tonight."

"What I am more interested in now is not the Red Ticket in the city, but the mole in the station," Li Ya said.

Upon hearing this.

Qiao Jiacai yawned: "In that case, you two chat first; I'm going to Station Master Wu's house to catch up on some sleep."

"I stayed up half the night; at my age, if I don't get some sleep, my soul will fly away."

Saying this, he left first.

"Who is the mole you are talking about?" With no outsiders present, Wu Jingzhong asked with a cold gaze.

"Yu Zecheng," Li Ya said.

"Then you guessed wrong; the one who came to scout was Lu Qiaoshan," Wu Jingzhong said, standing with his hands behind his back and looking out the window.

"I heard."

"He is still at the dispatch office inquiring about my whereabouts last night."

"Heh, that is strange."

"The one who should appear doesn't, and the one who shouldn't appear is rushing to be an eyesore."

Li Ya frowned and said.

"Lu Qiaoshan is no pushover."

"You had better hide Yuan Peilin well."

Wu Jingzhong gave a perfunctory reminder.

"Rest assured."

"I guarantee that starting tonight, this person will disappear; except for me, no one will be able to find him."

A trace of a disdainful smirk appeared at the corner of Li Ya's mouth.

Lu Qiaoshan.

If I show respect, he is a senior brother.

If I don't respect him.

What is he? Is he worth playing with?

(End of chapter)