Chapter 206: Getting Down to Business

The Dangtong Bureau office.

Sun Chuanzhi's face was gloomy as he paced back and forth in the room, restless.

"Director, I've found out."

"Yuan Peilin is dead."

"Our assassination plan was a complete success; the Bureau Chief will surely be very satisfied with this birthday gift of yours."

Wei Jin walked in, feigning a joyful expression to report and claim credit.

"Yuan Peilin is dead, yes."

"I'm asking you, where are the people you sent?" Sun Chuanzhi asked coldly.

"The people? I told them to go hide in other provinces for two months after completing the mission."

"They'll come back once the heat dies down."

"I reckon they've flown far away by now."

Wei Jin played dumb.

"Let me tell you, the people you sent are currently drinking tea in Wu Jingzhong's electric chair."

"All because of your bullshit honey trap."

"Not only was Zhu Yan dragged off to be slept with for nothing, she even met a tragic end."

"As for the remaining seven people."

"They're a bunch of losers too; right now Wu Jingzhong is stepping up the interrogation, insisting that it was Director Ye who ordered me to do it, and he's threatening to report it to the Ministry of National Defense and the Generalissimo."

"Once that news is submitted, Director Ye will be falsely accused and will surely fly into a rage."

"When that time comes, you and I can just wait to be fired and face the firing squad."

Sun Chuanzhi pointed at him and cursed him out.

"Seven people?"

"I clearly only sent three people; Zhu Yan is already dead, where did the other five come from?" Wei Jin frowned, confused.

"Do you even need to think about it?"

"Those five must be Red agents, and they were the ones who did the killing."

"The Secret Service Bureau hates us even more than they hate the Reds."

"It's obvious they want to pin this whole mess on me."

Sun Chuanzhi said, extremely annoyed.

"Director, we can't just let them splash dirty water on us like that; we should report it to headquarters and ask them to send someone to investigate and mediate," Wei Jin suggested.

"No wonder they say you have a pig's brain."

"Wu Jingzhong caught us red-handed; if he takes it up the chain, Director Ye won't be able to wash himself clean even if he jumps into the Yellow River."

"Do you know why Wu Jingzhong is holding back and not reporting it?"

"He's waiting for me to show my hand."

Sun Chuanzhi put his left hand on his hip and rubbed his aching temple with his right, simply speechless.

To be saddled with such a pig of a subordinate.

It was truly the height of bad luck.

Why didn't he have a reliable subordinate to help him rake in money and solve problems?

Wait.

Wu Jingzhong had a "Jinhai Insider" named Hong Zhiyou.

Didn't he have a "Money Insider" named Xie Ruo himself?

How could he have forgotten this kid?

"Get out, get out, get out—go call little Xie here," Sun Chuanzhi waved his hand impatiently.

"Yes."

A flash of jealousy crossed Wei Jin's eyes, and he walked out, feeling disgruntled.

He just couldn't understand it.

Xie Ruo, a bumpkin with an ordinary background, no connections, and no faction, who was also a stutterer—why did everyone in the station revolve around him?

"Little Xie, the Director wants you to come to his office," Wei Jin said to Xie Ruo, who was organizing files in the archives.

"Oh, it's Section Chief Wei."

"Section Chief, Master Mei's disciple is opening a show at the Shengping Theater soon."

"I managed to get two tickets for you."

"You and your wife can go listen when you have time."

"Please, do me the honor of accepting them."

Xie Ruo chuckled, pulled out two theater tickets, and handed them over.

"How did you know I like listening to opera?" Wei Jin raised an eyebrow at him.

"Your wife comes from a scholarly family and is a true old Beiping native; how could she not love this?"

"Section Chief Wei."

"I, I don't have much talent, and I don't have any rank."

"I'm just a lowly laborer who runs errands."

"I hope you'll look after me in the future."

Xie Ruo said with a fawning smile.

Wei Jin had originally been quite annoyed with this guy, but upon hearing this, his anger dissipated quite a bit.

On second thought, it was true.

This kid was nothing; was it worth his time to be jealous of him?

"Go on then."

Wei Jin waved his hand dismissively and turned to leave.

"Pah!"

"What a piece of work."

Xie Ruo stared at his retreating back and spat.

He arrived at the office.

Sun Chuanzhi hurriedly greeted him: "Close the door, little Xie, come over here."

The two went to the sofa.

Sun Chuanzhi poured him tea himself and said with a smile: "Little Xie, how many years have you been with me?"

"Back when Jinhai was liberated and you came to take charge, I was already working as a clerk in the archives."

"It's, it's been two years."

Xie Ruo smiled respectfully, yet with a touch of intimacy.

"I remember now."

"Back then, Director Liu was the one in charge, and I was the deputy director."

"He used to make fun of your stuttering all the time and even considered firing you."

Sun Chuanzhi pointed at him and laughed heartily.

"Right, it was still called the Zhongtong back then."

"It was you, you protected me; otherwise, I would have been kicked out long ago."

"In my heart, you are like my second father, my own big brother."

Xie Ruo's eyes reddened, and he stood up to bow to him.

"Sit, sit."

"You are my man; today, let's have a heart-to-heart talk between brothers."

"You've helped me a lot these past two years, and I've seen your capabilities; our Dangtong Bureau isn't like the Secret Service Bureau where promotions and rank adjustments are a huge hassle."

"Within our own ranks, as long as someone is proactive and ambitious."

"I can still call the shots on promoting someone to a section chief or something similar."

Sun Chuanzhi first dangled a big carrot, crossed his legs, lit a cigarette, and continued:

"Do you know why Wu Jingzhong's position gets more stable by the day?"

"Why he'd rather stay in Jinhai than go to Shanghai with Jianfeng to get a promotion and a raise?"

"Sub... subordinate doesn't know, please enlighten me," Xie Ruo feigned ignorance.

"To tell you the truth, Wu Jingzhong rakes in more privately than a group army commander; who in Jinhai doesn't go to him to get things done?"

"Even our core interests—the municipal departments, the garrison, and even the foreigners' dividends—he's got his hands in everything, making a fortune."

"Why?"

"Isn't it because he has a 'Jinhai Insider' secretary who specializes in drumming up business?"

"Little Xie, I don't think your brains or methods are any worse than that Secretary Hong's."

"You need to learn from him; you can't just flip intelligence."

"That stuff isn't worth much."

"You need to be like Hong Zhiyou and set up your own operation."

Sun Chuanzhi tapped the table, giving him a clear hint.

"Director, with your word, I... I can try," Xie Ruo said with a smile.

Yet in his heart, he was sneering repeatedly.

Who is Hong Zhiyou?

He has American classmates.

He has the backing of the big brothers of the Boatmen's Gang.

He is the son-in-law of Wu Jingzhong.

Even he himself relies on him for meals.

The key is, you, Sun Chuanzhi, cannot compare to old Wu at all.

Timid as a mouse, failing at everything you do, only knowing how to mess around with women.

The Dangtong Bureau in Jinhai can't grasp the situation or dig deep, yet you want to risk your life to set up a stall?

"Hmm."

"That's right, there is a job right now that needs you to operate," Sun Chuanzhi said with a smile.

"Director, please speak," Xie Ruo said.

"Your last piece of intelligence was very accurate; Yuan Peilin was indeed hiding in the Xiuchun Pavilion, but Wei Jin messed it up last night," Sun Chuanzhi said.

"Was Yuan Peilin killed by the Red Ticket?

"That's a good thing!

"How is it messed up?"

News from the Xiuchun Pavilion was sealed very tightly; Xie Ruo truly hadn't heard a whisper.

"The person was killed by the Red Ticket.

"It has nothing to do with us.

"The three idiots Wei Jin sent, Zhu Yan was slept with for nothing and even lost his life.

"The other two were caught red-handed.

"Now Wu Jingzhong is counting all seven captured Red Tickets against us.

"What do you say we should do?"

Sun Chuanzhi asked, raising his hands in distress.

"Director, this matter is very troublesome.

"Yuan Peilin is a golden nugget of the Confidentiality Bureau, and the person in charge of this matter is Li Ya, a disciple of Jiang Jianfeng.

"If this is poked up to the top.

"Director Ye can barely protect himself; the matter of Zhong Wangguo last time hasn't settled yet, and now he's landed in this, he will definitely pull... pull you out to take the blame."

Xie Ruo frowned and said, hitting the nail on the head.

"Yes, that's why I wanted to entrust you to smooth this matter over.

"Wu Jingzhong's tone is very firm.

"But he has sealed this matter off now; what do you think he means?"

Sun Chuanzhi actually guessed it, but he wanted to hear Xie's opinion.

"It's very simple.

"He wants to digest it internally in Jinhai.

"The ones who took action with the Red Ticket must be the Traitor-Elimination Squad.

"Wu Jingzhong doesn't want to offend this group of people.

"He wants even less to be used as a gun by Mao Renfeng to openly go against Ye Xiufeng.

"Therefore, he has left enough room for maneuver.

"It just depends on whether you, Director, are willing to reconcile."

With this analysis from Xie Ruo, he didn't even stutter.

"You know Hong Zhiyou?" Sun Chuanzhi said.

"I do."

"Good, talk to him; as long as the conditions are reasonable, everything can be discussed," Sun Chuanzhi said.

"Yes, Director," Xie Ruo accepted the order.

"There are no outsiders, call me brother.

"Little brother, whether I can survive this disaster depends entirely on you."

Sun Chuanzhi held Xie Ruo's hands with both of his, entrusting him solemnly.

"Rest assured.

"I, I will definitely negotiate it for you."

Xie Ruo accepted the order and left.

Tongyuan Bookstore.

Yu Zecheng walked in.

This time he didn't bring Cuiping.

For no other reason than fearing Cuiping would beat up Shopkeeper Luo.

After a simple exchange of glances, the two came to the warehouse in the back.

"Comrade Zecheng.

"Last night, comrades from the Traitor-Elimination Squad infiltrated the Xiuchun Pavilion and successfully assassinated Yuan Peilin.

"Unfortunately, the people from the Traitor-Elimination Squad were captured.

"I called you here because..."

As soon as they met, Luo Anping spoke first.

Before he finished speaking, Yu Zecheng interrupted him:

"The assassination failed.

"The person they killed last night was a man named Guo Liang.

"He is Yuan Peilin's assistant.

"This is a trap set by Li Ya, with the purpose of luring out the assassins from the Traitor-Elimination Squad and the Dangtong Bureau.

"You have fallen into a trap."

"What?" Luo Anping was shocked and horrified.

"Comrade Yu, are, are you sure?" He supported his forehead and asked, unable to believe it.

"I am sure.

"Right now, Yuan Peilin is in Li Ya's hands; besides him, not even Wu Jingzhong knows.

"I warned you..."

Yu Zecheng shook his head and did not continue to strike him down.

Luo Anping instantly lost all his spirit and vitality, collapsing powerlessly into his chair, muttering to himself:

"No, that can't be.

"You must have made a mistake."

Yu Zecheng glanced at him and did not argue.

"Shopkeeper."

At this moment, Luo Bing's voice came from outside the door.

"Come in," Luo Anping said.

Luo Bing leaned into his ear and whispered a few words.

The blood drained from Luo Anping's face; after Luo Bing left, he stood up and bowed to apologize to Yu Zecheng:

"Comrade Zecheng, the organization has confirmed it.

"Your warning was correct.

"It was my carelessness and arbitrary decision that harmed the comrades of the Traitor-Elimination Squad.

"I take full responsibility.

"At the same time, I express my apologies to you."

Yu Zecheng said calmly: "Old Luo, now is not the time to discuss responsibility.

"You just arrived in Jinhai and are unfamiliar with the people and the environment here; it is inevitable that mistakes will happen.

"The most urgent priority is to rescue the comrades of the Traitor-Elimination Squad.

"Wu Jingzhong now wants to use the death of 'Yuan Peilin' as a pretext to find trouble for the Dangtong Bureau and Ye Xiufeng.

"This is also a golden opportunity for our rescue.

"Wu Jingzhong wants to make money from this, the Dangtong Bureau will definitely have to bleed, and our side is no exception.

"You must raise funds as soon as possible.

"So I can go buy the people."

"Funds?" Luo Anping frowned, feeling somewhat troubled.

"To tell you the truth, the organization's funds are very tight.

"I still owe the bookstore and the landlord for the bills; you think about it, how many US dollars does it take to redeem one person?"

He asked in a low voice.

"At least five thousand, maybe ten thousand at most," Yu Zecheng said.

"Ah!

"This is even harder than raiding the execution ground," Luo Anping said, his face full of bitter distress.

"There are ways to manage even without money.

"Make those comrades insist that they are from the Dangtong Bureau.

"Let Ye Xiufeng foot the bill."

Yu Zecheng thought for a moment and said.

He had originally wanted to find Yong Jianqiu.

But Zhangjiakou had been lost, the battle lines in the North China region were being further compressed by the 11th and 12th Group Armies, and the Nationalist Army was also launching a frantic counterattack against General Su in Subei.

The flames of war were growing more intense by the day.

Medicine, munitions, and food were like a bottomless pit.

Buying from the black market or the Nationalist Army always meant paying a premium, and one still had to grease palms on all sides for transport.

Even with Mr. Yong's daughter mining in North America, he was stretched thin.

"Sigh.

"It's all my fault!"

Luo Anping slapped his thigh in frustration, then said with eyes full of expectation:

"Comrade Zecheng, everything depends on you."

Yu Zecheng nodded, then walked out silently and steadily.

……

Returning to the station.

Yu Zecheng looked around and came to Hong Zhiyou's office.

"Old Lu is here too," he said with a smile as he greeted them.

"Nothing much, just came over to vent a little.

"Have you heard?"

Lu Qiaoshan asked with a smile.

"What?" Yu Zecheng looked curious.

"Li Ya has hired two cooks.

"One Sichuan cuisine chef.

"One Anhui cuisine chef.

"It's said he wants to hire the head chefs for all eight major cuisines.

"Our Captain Li, with Yuan Peilin lost, still has the heart to study fine food."

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head in disdain.

"Food is the paramount necessity of the people, after all.

"Even the incorruptible official Hai Rui had times when he had to buy pork."

"Captain Li has eaten too much loess in Yancheng; it's understandable he wants to improve his meals," Yu Zecheng said with a laugh.

"That's not all.

"Whose house is Li Ya living in?" Lu Qiaoshan blinked and gave a dry laugh.

"Whose house is Li Ya living in?" Lu Qiao blinked and gave a dry laugh.

"Zhiyou personally furnished the place for him," Yu Zecheng said.

"My people in the Action Team say.

"Li Ya invites them over for meals at home, and he still keeps the photo frame that Zhou Gendi didn't take away by his pillow.

"He hugs it every day to have sweet dreams.

"You'd think a man who looks decent and holds an important position would just marry a wife of his own, wouldn't you?

"He just does these kinds of sordid things.

"A petty person is a petty person; no matter how much hair gel he uses or how sharp his suit is, he can't hide that rustic air."

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head and scoffed.

"That is indeed a bit excessive; he's not afraid of Ma Kui coming to find him at night," Yu Zecheng teased.

"That's why the ancients said that satiety and warmth lead to desire.

"When a person has been poor for too long, among wine, women, wealth, and temper, women are always a matter for after one is fed and clothed.

"Nowadays, marrying a wife means taking on her whole family—parents, brothers, and sisters—you can't ignore them, and that all costs money.

"Captain Li doesn't marry, just finds joy in a photo; that's what you call economical."

Hong Zhiyou was amused as he listened.

You have to say.

Li Ya had the right awareness when it came to settling down and starting a family.

"By the way, Old Lu, how is the interrogation of Qi Physician going?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"That goes without saying.

"His mouth has been torn to shreds; it finally vented some of the pent-up anger in my heart.

"Besides, whether we interrogate him or not, the matter is already settled.

"It must be that Qi Physician colluded with the Dangtong Bureau and caused Yuan Peilin's death.

"That is the Station Chief's intention as well.

"No choice, someone behind him is Jianfeng; with such a big incident, Qi Physician has to be the scapegoat."

Lu Qiaoshan's eyes turned sharp, then he immediately smiled gently again.

"The art of being an official: sacrifice the small to protect the big," Yu Zecheng said.

Hong Zhiyou refilled their tea.

He could see that Yu Zecheng had something on his mind.

However, since Old Yu wasn't in a hurry, he naturally didn't need to be either.

Listening to the gossip was quite pleasant too.

"I find it very strange.

"You say Yuan being killed is such a big deal, why is the Station Chief covering it up instead of reporting it?"

Speaking of this, Lu Qiaoshan lowered his voice:

"I called Director Zheng.

"He told me not to get involved.

"What do you think that means?"

"What does it mean? The higher-ups probably don't want to make a scene," Yu Zecheng knew but didn't say, leading Lu Qiaoshan to spill it himself.

"What does that mean? The higher-ups don't want to make a big scene, right?" Yu Zecheng knew but didn't say, leading Lu Qiao to spill it himself.

"We and the Zhongtong are mortal enemies; with such a good opportunity, would Mao Renfeng let it go?

"In my opinion, the one who died at Xiuchun Tower wasn't Yuan Peilin."

Lu Qiaoshan expressed his view.

"Old Lu, you mustn't talk nonsense.

"A trap carefully laid by the Station Chief and Station Chief Qiao, how could it be fake?"

Hong Zhiyou reminded him with a straight face.

"I didn't believe it at first either.

"But the facts are right there; I was also fooled by Li Ya and the others.

"Just you wait, once the Dangtong Bureau matter is settled.

"Li Ya will definitely perform another great service.

"This man is devious."

Lu Qiaoshan said this, then stood up and said:

"Enough talk, the Station Chief told me to go to the Minzheng Bureau for a meeting; it's almost time."

"Old Lu, and you say the Station Chief doesn't value you.

"Many people dream of being able to show their faces at meetings.

"All these meetings, big and small, and all the important matters are handled by you."

Yu Zecheng teased.

"Ha, a life of toil.

"I'm off!

"Just wait, for daring to play me, I'll eventually get back the craft I lost; Yuan Peilin can't stay hidden forever."

Lu Qiaoshan dropped a harsh threat and walked out.

"Something up?" Hong Zhiyou closed the door and poured out Lu Qiaoshan's leftover tea as he asked.

"Something up?" Hong Zhiyou closed the door, poured out the leftover tea of Lu Qiao, and asked.

"Yes."

"I've touched base with the higher-ups; they don't have the money to ransom the people," Yu Zecheng said helplessly.

"No money? Then what's there to talk about?"

"The Station Chief isn't running a Buddhist hall."

Hong Zhiyou looked at him and rolled his eyes in silence.

"They really don't have the money."

"Mr. Yong is also strapped for cash right now."

"I'm truly at my wit's end."

"How about we just pin the head count on the Dangtong Bureau and let them cough up the money?"

Yu Zecheng smiled, as if discussing a business deal.

"That's the only way, then."

"I'll go talk to the Station Chief and see if he'll loosen his grip."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"I'm counting on you, brother," Yu Zecheng said gratefully.

Arriving at the Station Chief's office, Wu Jingzhong was busy reviewing documents.

"Station Chief, the Dangtong Bureau reached out to me, and Sun Chuanzhi expressed a willingness to pay the ransom," Hong Zhiyou said.

"He's finally showing some sense."

"How does he want to pay it?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"He said he's willing to offer ten gold bars per person to redeem his two subordinates," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Two?"

"Has the Red Ticket side been contacted?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I had Mr. Yong pass a message to the Red Ticket side, and they said... they said they can't come up with the money," Hong Zhiyou said.

"The Red Ticket side has no money?"

"Doesn't Yong Jianqiu have mines at home? How could he be short on cash?" Wu Jingzhong snorted with dissatisfaction.

"The fighting has been tight lately."

"Yong Jianqiu has invested most of his family assets, so he really can't spare the cash for turnover."

"Teacher, here is what I'm thinking."

"Whether Yong Jianqiu has money or not, let's set that aside for now."

"Department Chief Lu has already called Bureau Chief Zheng to ask."

"He has already deduced that Yuan is not dead."

"Given his relationship with Li Ya, this news will spread sooner or later."

"So, for every day this person stays in our hands, he depreciates in value, until eventually, he'll be worth nothing."

"It would be better to take advantage of Sun Chuanzhi's urgency to put out the fire and bundle them all together for him."

"The Dangtong Bureau has plenty of money."

"That Zhong Wangguo from the Jinhai Economic Investigation Group—it's said that the property seized from his home filled an entire truck, and the gold bars and US dollars were countless."

"Sun Chuanzhi has always only taken in and never paid out; he definitely has plenty of wealth."

"At worst, we'll just fleece him hard."

"Besides, whose money we're taking doesn't really matter."

"We'll do the Red Ticket's anti-traitor squad a favor; those people are not to be trifled with, so consider it building a bit of goodwill."

Hong Zhiyou persuaded him in a soft, harmonious tone.

"Sigh, these people—they have money to buy arms and intelligence, but when it comes to ransoming people, they play dead."

"Fine, we'll just have to make Sun Chuanzhi pay."

"Tell him: no stalling, no tricks, and don't force me to go to the Dangtong Bureau to drag him out!"

Wu Jingzhong pointed at the ceiling and said "don't" three times in a row; his attitude was quite firm.

"Don't worry, Teacher; Sun Chuanzhi is a frightened bird right now."

"As for the price, I'll have Section Chief Yu negotiate it."

"When it comes to collecting the money, I'll have Long Er go."

"Even if someone investigates this later, we'll just say the people from the Cao Gang discovered Sun Chuanzhi was keeping a mistress and embezzling, and they blackmailed him privately."

"It will have nothing to do with you or the Jinhai Station."

"You releasing them afterward will just be because the investigation cleared up that Guo Liang was accidentally killed while fighting over a prostitute."

Hong Zhiyou had already prepared the pretext.

Wu Jingzhong smiled with satisfaction: "Not bad, you're becoming more and more like me back in the day."

"However, saying he was killed for fighting over a woman isn't quite appropriate."

"Just say it was an assassination by the Red Ticket."

"Since he was a mole anyway, consider it the Red Ticket contributing the money for five heads, and we'll gift them a good reputation for anti-traitor work."

"Goodwill, after all, is something that must be built."

"Yes, Teacher is wise," Hong Zhiyou said with respectful flattery.

Three days later.

Outside Liujia Town.

Wearing sunglasses and a Tang suit, the extremely cold-looking Long Er got out of the car and walked toward Xie Ruo.

Xie Ruo took a small black leather suitcase from the car and handed it over to this underworld boss with great deference:

"Boss Long, thank you for your trouble."

Long Er adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, scanned the contents of the case to confirm the goods were correct, and without another word, got back in the car and left.

Xie Ruo shrugged self-deprecatingly.

Sun Chuanzhi even wanted him to be the next Hong Zhiyou.

But Hong Zhiyou and Long Er were as thick as thieves.

And himself?

In Long Er's eyes, he wasn't even worth a fart.

Sigh.

Comparing people only leads to frustration.

Xie Ruo shook his head, turned, and got into the car.

Jinhai Station, Station Chief's office.

"Station Chief, this is what Long Er brought."

"Please count it."

Yu Zecheng handed over the suitcase.

Wu Jingzhong glanced at it and said with pleasant surprise: "Why is there so much?"

"Teacher, Section Chief Yu drove the price up to fifteen bars per person, five more than originally planned," Hong Zhiyou explained from the side.

"What a pity."

"Had I known this guy had so many gold bars hidden at home, I could have squeezed him for twenty per person."

"This student is incompetent and has disappointed you, Teacher."

Yu Zecheng sighed with great regret.

"Sigh."

"Not disappointed, not disappointed at all."

"Zecheng, do you know why I've been distancing myself from you lately?"

Wu Jingzhong closed the case and pulled him over to sit on the sofa.

"This student understands a little."

"Because of the Liu Xiong and Ma Kui incidents, I was somewhat implicated by the suspicion of being a Red Ticket."

"You were protecting me by having me stay away from the controversy, Teacher."

Yu Zecheng replied respectfully.

"Exactly," Wu Jingzhong said with a knowing smile.

"You and Zhiyou are like my left and right hands; both are indispensable."

"You are my own family."

"Suffering a little grievance or taking a small loss is all a family matter; when the time is right, it can be made up."

"Unlike some outsiders, who have to be handled with care."

"If you offend them, they'll hold a grudge."

"So, when things happen, I can only wrong you and Zhiyou; do you understand what I mean?"

Wu Jingzhong patted the back of his hand and said.

"This student understands," Yu Zecheng nodded.

"Come to my house for dinner tonight," Wu Jingzhong nodded with satisfaction.

After taking a sip of tea, he brought up the real business:

"The current problem is that Yuan Peilin is still in hiding.

"No one knows except Li Ya.

"I have tried to fish for information a few times, but this guy is very cunning and doesn't quite trust me.

"Now I am handing this task over to the two of you.

"Today I will use some methods on Li Ya, and you two must find this Yuan Peilin within three days and make him disappear forever.

"Otherwise, even if I want to stop it, I won't be able to keep Li Ya as the deputy station chief."

"Yes!"

The two officers accepted the order in unison.

"You may go, and send Li Ya in.

"Zheng Jiemin and I need to have a good talk with him today."

Wu Jingzhong's eyes sharpened, and he gestured with his chin.

The two tactfully withdrew.

Soon, Li Ya walked in.

Wu Jingzhong beckoned with a beaming face: "Come, have some fruit, I have some good news to tell you."

(End of chapter)