Chapter 201: Deception and Counter-Deception

Li Ya cast a proud, confident, and disdainful glance upward, which Wu Jingzhong took note of in his heart.

Why had he supported Lu Qiao in the first place?

Now that Li Ya had tripped him, Lu Qiao was in unbearable pain.

As for Li Ya, he needed to be lifted even higher.

This man was bathed in Buddha's light and sat on a lotus throne; if he weren't high up, a fall wouldn't hurt him.

"Station Chief."

"My current funding is quite insufficient. The people in the Intelligence Section are occupying the cold storage warehouse and the Dehong Hotel."

"They wear designer suits and leather shoes every day, doing absolutely nothing. My brothers are out there braving the wind and sun, and they can't even afford a bowl of mutton soup. This doesn't seem right."

Wasn't he looking to stir up trouble? Li Ya decided to strike first.

"The cold storage warehouse and the Dehong Hotel were taken over from the Japanese by Section Chief Lu, and he has managed them for a long time."

"It wouldn't be appropriate for you to take them, would you?"

Wu Jingzhong said with his hands behind his back.

"That's fine."

"Then you must approve my funding. I have to investigate the Red agents and protect both Yuan and Guo."

"Just this month alone, I recruited twenty support staff from the Baoding Military Academy."

"All of this costs money."

Li Ya insisted relentlessly.

"You just took the Inspection Team; that's all the profit Lu Qiao has left. If you snatch more, he'll fight you to the death," Wu Jingzhong warned, feigning good intentions.

"Fight to the death?"

"Station Chief, arranging banquets, checking dispatch records."

"What is he trying to do?"

"He is already trying to take my life; I can't just take the beating without fighting back, can I?"

Li Ya snorted coldly.

"Fine."

"When you go back, I will have Secretary Hong arrange the handover for you."

"Tell me, how do you plan to arrange the next steps? Bureau Chief Mao and Jiang Jianfeng have both called me. This Yuan is a golden nugget now; you must cooperate with him with all your might."

Wu Jingzhong asked.

Li Ya glanced at his watch and arranged:

"It is still early. At six this evening, I must trouble you and Station Chief Qiao to make a trip to Tanggu."

"Go to Tanggu?" Wu Jingzhong frowned.

"That's right."

"Since we are putting on a show, we must make it look real."

"After arriving in Tanggu, we will immediately turn back."

"The time then should be around nine in the evening."

"I will trouble you and Station Chief Qiao to rest for the night at the Xiuchun Pavilion."

Li Ya had long been prepared and laid out the plan he had in mind.

"I understand."

"You want to create the impression that Yuan is in Tanggu, yet he is 'actually' at the Xiuchun Pavilion, feinting twice in a row."

"By faking it again and again, you will force the Red agents to lock onto the Xiuchun Pavilion."

"Then, using that Guo Liang, you will lure out the Red agents."

Wu Jingzhong pondered for a moment and immediately understood Li Ya's strategy.

"Hmm, this move is indeed quite brilliant; the craftsmanship is good." He could not help but look at Li Ya with a bit more appreciation.

"Nothing escapes your discerning eyes," Li Ya laughed.

"Before I came, I received intelligence from Section Chief Xiao."

"Ye Xiufeng and the Dangtong Bureau intend to enter the fray secretly to 'help' you. You must be careful."

Wu Jingzhong warned.

"Ye Xiufeng?"

Li Ya raised his sword-like eyebrows and sneered:

"This Guo Liang is a dead man."

"Whoever dares to step into the Xiuchun Pavilion is the murderer of 'Yuan Peilin'. I am just hoping Ye Xiufeng comes to deliver himself."

"Bureau Chief Mao has been wanting to deflate his arrogance."

"Last time, I was able to turn the tables on him."

"This time, I will wipe out both him and the Red agents in one go."

Looking at the murderous Li Ya, Wu Jingzhong suddenly felt he had underestimated this student.

Li Ya was arrogant, but not without the capital to be so.

Aside from Hong Zhiyou, who could suppress him, the likes of Yu and Lu might not really be able to go toe-to-toe with him.

"You have a mind for politics, which is very good."

"Remember, you must protect Yuan Peilin well."

"This is the only bargaining chip you have to enter the game from above!"

"If you lose it, your end will be miserable."

Wu Jingzhong cautioned.

"Don't worry, I will watch over him like an ancestral treasure; no one will ever be able to find him." Li Ya curled his lip, shoved his hands in his pockets, and smiled.

"Good, I'll go back and catch up on some sleep."

"I look forward to visiting the Xiuchun Pavilion tonight!"

Wu Jingzhong smiled slightly, stood up, and left.

Once inside the car.

He crossed his arms and began to ponder.

Li Ya understood politics.

But he only understood half of it; this man did not grasp the key to the matter.

That was that he himself did not want to appoint a Deputy Station Chief.

Li Ya could not see it.

Zheng Jiemin, far away in Jingling, saw it.

This old superior, with whom he had partnered for many years, had touched upon his true intentions.

Therefore, he wanted to use this incident to severely discipline the high-flying Mao Renfeng.

Once Li Ya failed.

Mao Renfeng would very likely face attacks from the Ministry of National Defense, and even Jiang Jianfeng.

This was also the reason why a steady and treacherous villain like Lu Qiao would brazenly arrange a restaurant.

And why he dared to defy the principle of "each manages their own affairs" that he had just established, to interfere with the General Affairs Section and the Dispatch Office again.

Because Lu Qiao knew.

This was a silent, unspoken understanding between him and Zheng Jiemin.

However, the current situation was already somewhat out of control.

That was, where would Li Ya hide Yuan Peilin?

He knew nothing.

And it was inconvenient to know anything.

This was something Wu Jingzhong absolutely could not allow.

He had to know everything.

Only then could he firmly grasp the initiative and truly become the operator.

Otherwise, he would really become a supporting character being bossed around by Li Ya.

Li Ya returned to the private room.

Just now, with Qiao and Wu present, Yuan Peilin and Guo Liang could not be at ease and did not feel comfortable picking up their chopsticks.

At this moment, the two were very hungry and were eating meat and drinking wine in large gulps.

"Mr. Yuan, I know you are a dual-leader in both Ping and Jin."

"I would like to ask you about a few people."

Li Ya sat down and asked in a deep voice.

"Who?" Yuan Peilin gulped down some wine and asked.

"Emei Peak, Pebble, and also an Elder Brother Ouyang!"

"These are all active members of the underground in Jinhai."

"The head of any one of them is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

"You are a veteran of the Red agents, a former builder of the intelligence network in the Central Plains, and a key member of the Yancheng Border Defense. You should be able to face Ke Gong directly, so you should know these people, right?"

Li Ya asked.

"Emei Peak and Pebble were personally trained and secretly dispatched by Ke Gong.

"The codename Emei Peak was once active in Shancheng.

"The Ma Kui you captured, the timing and the locations all match up; there shouldn't be any problems, right?"

Yuan Peilin said with a cold gaze.

"These do match up.

"But I always feel it doesn't make sense; why would Ma Kui bite his own people at the station so hard?

"He even lost his life for it."

Li Ya voiced a question that had been bothering him for a long time.

"If he didn't bite your people, how could he show his loyalty?

"It was just a means of self-preservation."

Yuan Peilin said.

"Perhaps.

"The codename Emei Peak has disappeared, but I have a premonition that he is still at the Jinhai Station.

"Do you know the Jinhai Station confidential secretary, Yu Zecheng?"

Li Ya pursed his lips and then asked.

"I don't know.

"My rank is high, and I only make contact with handlers in Pingjin, but I do know there are indeed two important intelligence agents in Jinhai, though their specific codenames are unknown.

"I once broadcasted an open-code call to intelligence agents in both places.

"Some came.

"Some didn't.

"The only thing I can be sure of is that Emei Peak and Pebble were in Jinhai at that time.

"These two were both Line One specialists.

"They had dedicated contacts.

"After the Jinhai underground contact station was destroyed, these two became dead pieces."

Yuan Peilin answered truthfully.

"Alright.

"Then what do you know about this side in Jinhai?

"Point out a few first to create some movement, otherwise it's hard for me to report back."

Li Ya said.

Yuan Peilin's expression darkened, and after downing a few mouthfuls of wine.

He disclosed several underground strongholds and key personnel of the labor movement organization.

"How about that, enough for you to show your face, right?" Yuan Peilin said with a complex expression.

"Enough.

"Physician, you are responsible for settling Mr. Guo.

"Mr. Yuan, you come with me."

After the two had finished eating, Li Ya stood up and said.

They crossed the gangway.

The two groups went their separate ways.

Li Ya took Yuan Peilin into a car.

Three hours later.

The car headed straight for a theater in the north of the city.

"Why bring me here? Are you worried there aren't enough people?" Yuan Peilin frowned and said.

"I remember that before you joined the revolution, you once spent time in a theater troupe, right?

"When the Japanese were here, you once infiltrated a theater troupe to assassinate the puppet official stationed in Xin'an."

Li Ya asked.

"That's right, before I joined the revolution, that was how I made a living." Yuan Peilin said.

"Can you still sing?" Li Ya asked.

Yuan Peilin didn't make a sound.

"A theater troupe is good for disguises, and the people coming and going are diverse; no one will pay attention to you.

"I will have the troupe leader arrange a separate place for you to stay.

"You just stay there usually.

"If you want to show off your skills, just come out and sing a few lines.

"Who would think you've gone back to your old profession?" Li Ya laughed.

"That works." Yuan Peilin thought for a moment and nodded.

"Don't be nervous; there are my people in the theater troupe, and they and the troupe leader will provide cover for you.

"When you see people, put on some stage makeup or something.

"No one will recognize you."

Li Ya said.

"I understand all of this." Yuan Peilin said.

"Remember, don't sing too well; just be average in everything.

"Keep your mindset relaxed, just treat it like you've returned to your old trade to make a living."

Li Ya smiled and exhorted.

After finishing the arrangements with the head of the theater troupe, Li Ya hurried back.

Back at the station.

Qi Physician walked in: "Captain Li, many intelligence agents from Lu Qiaoshan's side have been sent out.

"This is to keep a close eye on us."

Li Ya smiled faintly: "What's the panic? Let him watch.

"I'll accompany him in a good performance."

As he spoke, he took out a pen and scribbled on a piece of paper.

"Find five people, starting from tomorrow noon, order meals from these five different restaurants and have them sent to these five places." Li Ya instructed.

Qi Physician took a look and said: "Sending to the Xiuchun Pavilion too?"

"Yes.

"Otherwise, how can we let Lu Qiaoshan, Ye Xiufeng, and the Red Ticket find 'Yuan Peilin'?" Li Ya laughed.

"False is true, true is false.

"Captain Li, you are truly amazing, much better than that dog thing Ma Kui who only knew how to lose his temper and act blindly." Qi Physician offered some flattery.

"Stop the flattery, go do your job." Li Ya waved his hand.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Hong Zhiyou accompanied Mrs. Qiao to go shopping.

It was called shopping, but it was actually for medical treatment.

Mrs. Qiao had been tortured before and her health had always been poor; coming to Jinhai was mainly to find a famous traditional Chinese physician.

After sending Mrs. Qiao back to No. 1 Changde Road.

Hong Zhiyou returned to the station.

"Zhiyou, where did the Station Chief go?" Lu Qiaoshan happened to walk over from the hallway holding some documents.

"I don't know." Hong Zhiyou said.

"Didn't you go to lunch with him?" Lu Qiaoshan wanted to fish for information.

"Working lunch, not convenient." Hong Zhiyou shrugged and smiled.

"That's true.

"You are the Station Chief's precious treasure, he certainly wouldn't let you get involved at a time like this.

"Come, let's call Old Yu and go to my place for a cup of coffee."

Lu Qiaoshan invited.

"It's not very good during office hours." Hong Zhiyou pointed at his wristwatch.

"The Station Chief isn't here, I'm in charge.

"Besides, having a cup of coffee and discussing work doesn't count as breaking the rules."

Lu Qiaoshan laughed.

"Fine, I'll go call Old Yu."

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the confidential room, and Yu Zecheng was on the phone.

A moment later, he hung up and said somewhat exhaustedly:

"It's too difficult."

"Can't stop it."

"He's a newcomer, completely in the dark, and doesn't understand how deep or shallow the waters in Jinhai are; let him hit a wall and he'll know," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Do you have any news about Yuan on your end?"

"I was thinking we should pull him up if we can; it would be too late if he falls into Li Ya's trap."

Yu Zecheng still wanted to make a move.

"None."

"Let's go, let's go sit with Lu Qiao for a while; I happen to have something to announce."

The two arrived at Lu Qiao's office.

Steaming hot coffee had already been set out.

Hong Zhiyou took a sip: "Old Lu, why is this flavor a bit weak?"

Lu Qiao put down his crossed legs, sighed, and said:

"I won't hide it from you two, my pockets are empty, so I put in as few coffee beans as I could.

"Just wait, I reckon in a few days even this bit of flavor will be gone.

"I'll have to drink tea with you all."

Hong Zhiyou curled his lip, shook his head slightly, and said with a lack of interest: "No need to wait a few days, starting from today you can drink tea.

"The Station Master has ordered you to transfer the cold storage warehouse and Delong Inn to the Action Team."

"Pfft!" Lu Qiao spat out a mouthful of coffee.

He wiped his mouth, surprised and indignant:

"No, this was something I took over from the Japanese, and it has always been managed by our Intelligence Section.

"Li Ya has only been here a few days, and he wants to snatch my rice bowl; on what grounds?"

Yu Zecheng also frowned and spoke up in injustice:

"That's right, the Station Master is too biased toward this Li Ya.

"Accidentally killing a key member of the Dangtong Bureau and sabotaging the plan to suppress the tickets.

"Which one of these isn't a capital offense?

"He just took the Inspection Team from Section Chief Lu, and that wasn't enough profit, now he wants to empty out the Intelligence Section's assets.

"Too presumptuous, too rampant."

He slammed his coffee cup down, looking very indignant.

"Sigh.

"Leaning against a big tree makes for good shade; the Station Master has to go along with him, you two should look at it more openly," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"It's unfair.

"Back then, Old Lu shouldered two sections and seven departments, the recognized number two figure in the station; who wasn't convinced?

"What mistake did Old Lu make?

"He isn't Nian Gengyao, why strip him of everything?

"Is he, is that Li fellow going to manage the Intelligence Section and the Confidential Room next?"

Yu Zecheng pointed excitedly and said.

"Old Yu, watch your words, watch your words," Hong Zhiyou hurriedly advised.

"Watch what?

"I'd say the same thing to his face.

"Oh, just because he has Jiang Jianfeng covering for him, he can just rob and plunder? Anyway, I'm not convinced."

Yu Zecheng took off his coat, draped it over the chair, rolled up his sleeves, and said.

"This is just the beginning.

"The good show is yet to come.

"This time we caught Yuan Peilin, just let a little bit leak out, and you'll see, soon the great name of Buddha Niche will resound throughout all of Jinhai."

Hong Zhiyou added more fuel to the fire.

"You two!

"He won't be able to be rampant for much longer."

Lu Qiao took a deep breath, his gaze filled with murderous intent, his speech extremely fast, and his voice two degrees higher than usual.

"To tell you the truth.

"I am acting under the instructions of Bureau Chief Zheng this time to bring Li Ya down at all costs.

"Doesn't he just rely on having Yuan Peilin in his hands?

"Mao Renfeng treats him like a treasure and wants to show his face.

"Not a chance."

"I don't believe this person can just crawl into a crack in the ground."

Lu Qiao sneered proudly.

"Understood.

"Old Lu, if there's anything you need our help with, just say the word," Yu Zecheng said.

"Same here."

Hong Zhiyou nodded and said.

When returning from the Station Master's house, Wu Jingzhong had already hinted that they must find the hiding place of Yuan Peilin as soon as possible.

It must be cautious and confidential.

In some respects, Li Ya was taking on all the key members of the station by himself.

"With those words from you two, I can rest easy.

"Just wait, within three days, I'll be able to drag his fox tail out."

Lu Qiao said coldly.

"Good.

"Old Lu, waiting for your good news."

Yu and Hong rose to leave.

"Hey, it's me.

"Tell your Inspection Team people to keep their eyes peeled, watch every car in the Jinhai station, especially the Station Master's.

"Li Ya might have an operation tonight.

"Don't worry, there will be plenty of benefits for you when the time comes."

Lu Qiao immediately called his fellow townsman Lu Yuxi.

People from this station couldn't be used.

A fellow townsman could always be used, right?

The current Inspection Team was a force not to be underestimated; its personnel, equipment, and intelligence devices were all very sophisticated, vaguely showing a trend of being able to rival the Action Team and the Zhongtong Special Investigation Section.

With such a force, why fear not being able to handle Li Ya?

The next morning.

Wu Jingzhong and Qiao Jiacai stepped down from the car.

Both of them looked exhausted.

"Zhiyou, get two hot towels, then clear out the reception room; Station Master Qiao and I need to catch up on sleep," Wu Jingzhong said while yawning.

Last night the two of them stayed at the Xiuchun Tower all night.

As for women, they didn't get to enjoy any.

That damn place was so noisy and chaotic that they didn't manage to close their eyes at all.

After wiping his face.

Hong Zhiyou stepped out.

Lu Qiao was already standing at the door waiting: "Zhiyou, where did the Station Master go last night?"

"He said he just came back from Tanggu, official business, I didn't dare to ask," Hong Zhiyou answered truthfully according to Wu Jingzhong's instructions.

"Tanggu?

"Alright, I'll notify you when there's news," Lu Qiao nodded.

Taking advantage of the driver returning to the dispatch room, he took the oil dipstick downstairs, opened the fuel tanks one by one to measure, and then filled in the data on the chart.

"Go, call Liu Pu from the Security Section for me," returning to the office, Lu Qiao ordered his subordinate.

Soon, Liu Pu walked in: "Section Chief Lu, you were looking for me?"

Lu Qiao picked up the notebook and placed it on the table, saying with a straight face:

"So much oil is missing.

"Where did it go?"

"No, didn't go anywhere," Liu Pu said.

"You stole the oil privately, didn't you?

"Subordinates of Chen Wenbin at the Yixian branch stole oil, and several have just been dealt with."

"What, none of you have any memory, is that it?"

Gasoline was a scarce and valuable commodity at the moment; many drivers for public offices made quite a bit of extra money by reselling it.

"Division Chief Lu, no, I really didn't steal any gas." Liu Pu was stunned by his sinister expression and waved his hands in a panic.

"You didn't steal gas?

"Don't think that just because Section Chief Xiao is protecting you, I can't deal with you!

"Is it, or is it not?"

Lu Qiao slammed the table in anger.

"I'll talk.

"I went to Tanggu last night." Liu Pu lowered his head and answered honestly.

"Using a public vehicle for private business?" Lu Qiao narrowed his eyes, his tone growing colder.

"No, it, it was to accompany two Station Chiefs on official business," Liu Pu said.

"You've got some nerve, daring to use the Station Chiefs' names," Lu Qiao snorted coldly.

"I really didn't, if you don't believe me, go ask the Station Chiefs," Liu Pu replied.

"Still daring to quibble.

"What is this?"

Lu Qiao pulled a box of matches from Xiuchun Pavilion out of his pocket and threw it onto the desk.

"Xiuchun Pavilion.

"Is that a place you can go to? Your crime is grave!" he scolded sternly.

"No, it's not.

"That belongs to a friend of the Station Chief. Division Chief Lu, I have an elderly father and mother above, and a wife and children below; I beg, I beg you to investigate this clearly." Liu Pu was so anxious he was about to cry.

"Considering you are usually quite honest.

"I'll let it slide this time, but don't let it happen again."

Lu Qiao had obtained the answer he wanted and waved his hand.

"Yes, yes, thank you, Division Chief Lu."

Liu Pu bowed repeatedly to express his gratitude.

After dismissing Liu Pu, Lu Qiao took out the matches, a cold sneer appearing on his face:

"Li Ya, oh Li Ya, very good, even getting the Station Chief to play along.

"Setting up a smokescreen.

"Hiding the person at Xiuchun Pavilion?

"Taking me by surprise, quite clever."

(End of chapter)