Chapter 217: You cannot engage in a losing business

No. 1 Changde Road.

Hong Hong Zhiyou got out of the car and headed straight for the villa's main hall.

Mei Mei Qiuju was coaxing her granddaughter to sleep with a face full of doting happiness. Hong Hong Zhiyou paused, leaned in close, and kissed the little girl.

"Mom, thank you for your hard work," he said gratefully.

"What hard work? It's my own grandchild, she's precious," Mei Mei Qiuju laughed.

"Don't keep holding her; you'll end up with frozen shoulder. If it's too much, just let Chou'er hold her," Hong Hong Zhiyou said with concern.

"You don't understand.

"This child is like a calf; you have to be like a cowherd, holding her from the time she's small. Even when she grows up, she won't feel heavy.

"Besides, I don't feel at ease letting others hold her.

"What if they drop her or bump her? What then?"

Mei Mei Qiuju said while gently rocking the baby.

"Alright."

Hong Hong Zhiyou pinched the baby's tiny feet and asked with a smile, "Where is Master?"

"He came back and teased the child for a long time. I'm afraid he just fell asleep," Mei Mei Qiuju said.

"Then I'm afraid he won't be able to sleep anymore.

"Mom, give the child to me, you..."

Hong Hong Zhiyou smiled and pointed toward the bedroom door.

Wu Wu Jingzhong's bedroom was not a place just anyone could enter.

If things went wrong, he would be a second Cao Cao.

He would barge in and be executed as an example.

Of course, maintaining a proper distance to show respect was also very necessary; this way, with the distinction between superior and subordinate, everyone felt comfortable interacting.

Many things are often ruined by being casual or indifferent.

Surviving in these chaotic times, the most essential thing Hong Hong Zhiyou learned from Wu Wu Jingzhong was: "Human affairs."

Never forget to fathom the human heart at any moment, and be meticulous about details.

Think ten steps, a hundred steps ahead for every single step taken.

Only in this way can one live longer and stand more firmly.

"Just go knock on the door yourself; he trusts you even more than he trusts me now," Mei Mei Qiuju laughed.

"Mom.

"You'd better go," Hong Hong Zhiyou said.

"You child..."

Mei Mei Qiuju smiled and reluctantly handed the baby to him.

She walked inside and knocked on the door.

"Old man, it's me.

"Are you asleep?

"Hong Zhiyou has an urgent matter and needs to see you."

She called out while knocking.

A moment later, Wu Wu Jingzhong rubbed his throbbing temples and opened the door.

"Hong Zhiyou has been here for a while, but he was afraid of waking you, so he's been waiting outside," Mei Mei Qiuju didn't forget to put in a good word for her son-in-law.

Hong Hong Zhiyou felt immensely grateful in his heart.

If nothing else, this mother-in-law of his was truly impeccable.

"Pour some tea," Wu Wu Jingzhong said.

"Chou'er, pour some tea, some strong Tieguanyin," Mei Mei Qiuju called out.

"You two talk."

She took the baby from Hong Hong Zhiyou's hands and went to Rui Rui's room.

Soon, Chou'er brought up the freshly brewed strong tea.

After Wu Wu Jingzhong took two sips, Hong Hong Zhiyou said, "Master, Captain Li has succeeded.

"James was caught in the act of adultery, fled in a panic, and died from a fall.

"Mei Mei Yingxue and James's translator, Charlie Cao, have already been locked in the interrogation room.

"Captain Li doesn't know how to handle it now, so you might need to go to the station."

"Excellent," Wu Wu Jingzhong smiled happily.

"With that temperament of Li Ya's—where he thinks he's first, Jiang Jianfeng is second, and the Director-General is only third—we absolutely cannot let him receive a commendation and be promoted to Colonel.

"Otherwise, he won't just be eyeing the Deputy Station Chief position; he'll be eyeing mine.

"This time when I went to Jingling, Jiang Jianfeng was clearly not as close to me as before, mostly because he thinks I'm old and haven't handled things as he wished, not as useful as the Iron-Blooded Youth Corps.

"You've spent so much money on that foreign Colonel, it's time to make something of it."

He paused and frowned as he spoke.

"Understood," Hong Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"I won't go to the station.

"It's best if you and I touch as little as possible on the matters inside.

"Let Zecheng handle it; he is the Deputy Station Chief and wasn't involved in the operation. Just have him handle it as an international espionage case.

"This can also temper him and raise Zecheng's prestige.

"Once it's handled well, his momentum and reputation will be able to suppress Li Ya. With a name registered with Jiang Jianfeng and the headquarters, even if they want to promote Li Ya to take his place, they'll have to weigh it carefully."

Wu Wu Jingzhong said, leaving nothing out.

"Master is truly a living Buddha; you see everything in all ten directions clearly," Hong Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Politics, after all, is a big dyeing vat.

"When you reach my age, after being soaked in the oil, you'll also be able to handle things with ease," Wu Wu Jingzhong said.

"Alright, I'll head back to the station now," Hong Hong Zhiyou stood up and said.

"Look, you forgot again.

"Public and private matters must be kept distinct. Party and state affairs can be handled sooner or later, but if you neglect your own family, you'll chill people's hearts.

"You're not Great Yu; you've already reached your own door, go take a look.

"Women are delicate during their postpartum month; spend more time with her."

Wu Wu Jingzhong frowned and called him back.

"Yes, yes."

Hong Hong Zhiyou accepted the order with shame.

In the inner room.

Mei Mei Qiuju was holding the child and talking to Rui Rui.

"Rui Rui, you were truly right to find Hong Zhiyou.

"Before, I was afraid that since he's an only son, he would neglect you because you gave birth to a daughter.

"I didn't expect him to be so fond of the girl.

"The stone in my heart has finally fallen. Back then, your grandmother's knot wasn't untied until she died; if it weren't for your grandfather and your father doting on you...

"I even had thoughts of holding you and jumping into the river back then."

Mei Mei Qiuju spoke of the past, still with a face full of bitterness and lingering fear.

"Hong Zhiyou, this child is truly our family's lucky star; she's cured my heart disease too," she said, patting her chest.

"Mom, he's best at putting on an act, don't praise him anymore. If you praise him any more, he won't be able to tell north from south," Wu Ruirui joked.

"Hong Zhiyou isn't acting.

"Mom's judgment of people isn't wrong. From the first time he came to our house, he was respectful to your father, and now that his wings are hardened, he's still exactly the same.

"He's also very close to me; he sends whatever I'm thinking of.

"That's truly thoughtful, much more filial than you.

"If he weren't sincere, how could those generals, high-ranking officials, and the Rong and Song families—with their high thresholds—associate with him?

"And that gang leader in Shanghai, Du Yuesheng, he's sworn brothers with Boss Dai, he's a man who has seen the world.

"Last time he came to Jinhai on business, he made a special trip to visit your father.

"That was all for Hong Zhiyou's sake.

"If he were treacherous and slippery, would these shrewd people acknowledge him?"

Once she started talking about her son-in-law, Mei Mei Qiuju had endless good things to say.

Whenever the Young Master is mentioned, Mei Mei Qiuju has endless good things to say about him.

"Your son-in-law is the best, better than me, your daughter, right?"

Wu Ruirui laughed.

"That's how it is. With your temperament of squatting outside and not being seen twice a year, you really aren't as thoughtful as Hong Zhiyou," Mei Mei Qiuju said.

As the two were talking, Hong Hong Zhiyou walked in: "Mom, Rui Rui, what are you chatting about so happily?"

"You two talk."

Mei Mei Qiuju smiled and walked out holding the child.

Hong Hong Zhiyou leaned against her side and gave her a loud kiss: "Great hero, what book are you reading?"

"Economics.

"You have so many industries, I have to be a big boss, I have to manage and control them, refine my skills in advance, so I can suppress those other flowers and weeds later."

Wu Ruirui blinked and said.

She knew some things were unavoidable.

"Insightful, worthy of being the head of my Old Hong family.

"In the Qing Dynasty, you'd be the Empress, and all those concubines and noble ladies would only be fit to pour tea and water for you."

Hong Hong Zhiyou nodded solemnly.

"That's a must," Wu Ruirui laughed.

"Later, Empress Wu, invest a bit more money into my industries; making them big and strong depends entirely on you," Hong Hong Zhiyou said.

"Shrewd!

"Has the matter with Mei Yingxue been resolved?"

Wu Ruirui asked with a pout.

"The person has been caught. With Li Ya's temperament, I estimate she'll have a miserable time," Hong Hong Zhiyou said.

"Serves her right.

"Be careful, stay far away from matters involving the Jiang father and son in the future.

"This is also Father's meaning.

"By the way, Mrs. Yu gave me a pair of bracelets, they aren't cheap.

"I was thinking it's not easy for their family to make money, find a way to return them."

Wu Ruirui said.

"No need.

"Old Yu takes advantage of me, it's all in the tens of thousands of dollars.

"Just accept them with peace of mind."

Hong Hong Zhiyou said.

"Ah, so much? If I'd known, I would have made her pack a big red envelope for the baby," Wu Ruirui pouted, feeling the pinch.

"Little money-grubber.

"Don't corrupt my daughter.

"By the way, my mom said it's time to name the child. My dad was planning to name her, but she wouldn't let him, saying she was afraid you'd overthink it."

Wu Ruirui added.

"As for the name, anyone can name her, let Master name her.

"I'm leaving, there's a pile of things at the station."

Hong Hong Zhiyou stood up and said.

"Kiss me," Wu Ruirui said.

"Where?" Hong Hong Zhiyou was overjoyed.

"Get lost!"

Wu Ruirui felt a strange pain in her cheek and kicked him away.

Hong Hong Zhiyou drove back to the station.

"Where's the Station Chief?" Li Ya rushed over immediately.

"The Station Chief stayed up all night and caught a cold from the wind, so he fell ill as soon as he returned this morning. He instructed that the espionage case, including the station's routine work during his sick leave, is to be fully handled by Deputy Station Chief Yu," Hong Hong Zhiyou said.

"This... how did he fall ill?

"We plant the trees, and Deputy Station Chief Yu enjoys the shade; this benefit is too easy to reap.

"If nothing else.

"You, brother, have been saddled with the reputation of having a wife in confinement and messing with your sister-in-law.

"I won't even mention that; my fiancée cheated and is a foreign spy—this is both green and stinking.

"So we did the dirty work, and Deputy Station Chief Yu gets the ready-made results?"

Li Ya was furious.

"What can be done? You were the one who insisted the Station Chief go to Jingling overnight.

"Think about how old he is, and how old we are.

"As for the reputation, let it stink.

"Anyway, you've made a great contribution; even if it stinks, it's a fragrant stink. I'm the one who's truly stinking. Can Jiang Jianfeng and Bureau Chief Mao even know I was involved?"

Hong Hong Zhiyou laughed.

Li Ya looked at him sideways, nodded, and said: "That's true, let him be responsible then.

"James is dead.

"Now I don't even know how to wipe up this pile of shit.

"You, brother, must help me; don't let Deputy Station Chief Yu dump the blame on me, that would be too chilling."

"That shouldn't happen, haven't you two been getting along quite well lately?" Hong Hong Zhiyou said.

"You don't understand.

"That batch of goods Ma Ma Hansan seized, I suspect Deputy Station Chief Yu dumped them.

"If it really was him, wouldn't that make us enemies?

"He's so good at acting."

Li Ya shook his head and said tentatively.

He wasn't sure about this batch of goods either, after all, Mei Mei Yingxue...

"No.

"I asked, those were Ma Ma Hansan's goods. You're just being suspicious; don't keep staring at Old Yu. At least he's our superior now, and your old classmate.

"Reasonably speaking, you two should be closer than I am to him."

Hong Hong Zhiyou knew this guy's devious thoughts and went along with the flow.

"Is that so?

"Then I'm relieved," Li Ya nodded.

If there was still a "clean person" in this station, Li Ya felt it could only be Hong Hong Zhiyou.

Compared to someone who likes power and colluding with the Red Party, someone who likes money is simply too clean.

Li Ya himself liked money.

Therefore, he was more willing to deal with Hong Hong Zhiyou most of the time.

"Fine, I'll go to the interrogation room first. You get a plan for handling James's matter with Deputy Station Chief Yu as soon as possible," Li Ya instructed, then walked away unhappily with his hands in his pockets.

Hong Hong Zhiyou arrived at the door of Yu Zecheng's office.

"Why are you standing there? Not coming in?" Yu Zecheng looked up and said.

"Tsk tsk.

"The Deputy Station Chief's office is much more impressive than the Confidentiality Section Chief's office used to be.

"Changing offices, it's spacious and grand, I'm not even used to it."

Hong Hong Zhiyou stood at the door and joked.

"You, you speak so well. You haven't been back to the courtyard lately; your sister-in-law has been nagging about not seeing her little junior brother for three days, we've been missing you," Yu Zecheng capped his pen and stood up with a smile.

"Cut it out.

"Senior sister missing me is true, but you? Forget it.

"If you miss me, it must be because you're here to scrape money or stir up trouble again."

Hong Hong Zhiyou sauntered in.

"Is there something up?" Yu Zecheng asked.

He was very smart; he knew the Station Chief and Li Ya had been busy with big matters lately, arriving and leaving work on time every day, not asking or saying a word, but in fact, his intelligence was as clear as a mirror.

Luo Luo Anping's instructions from the organization were very clear: not to say assist, but at least they were hoping Li Ya and Hong Hong Zhiyou would succeed in the military aid matter.

Yancheng was currently surrounded by Hu Hu Zongnan.

The troops in the Northeast, South China, and Central China were also lacking guns, cannons, clothing, and food.

If military aid was cut off, Old Jiang would be uncomfortable, and the organization's organs would be even more uncomfortable.

If there was military aid, Old Jiang would get eight, and the organization, through transshipment and preparation, would at least get two.

With this two, the wise men in Yancheng could defeat this eight.

Without this two, they could be starved into collapse.

"Li Ya's matter is done.

"Now the recording, the on-site bribery money, the contract, and the witness, the spy Mei Mei Yingxue, are all ready.

"And that Deputy Observation Group Chief is also dead.

"The news hasn't spread yet.

"The Station Chief's meaning is to hand it over to you to handle."

Hong Hong Zhiyou didn't beat around the bush and said directly.

"Yes.

"Regarding the spy matter, we must say that the Station Chief and Captain Li noticed her as soon as she returned to the country, and captured her with a plan. It would be best if we could get some North American telegrams and top-secret documents that the Station Chief had already collected evidence of before she returned.

"Otherwise, since Mei Mei Yingxue is the Station Chief's niece, I'm afraid someone will make an issue out of Master and Li Ya."

Yu Zecheng hit the nail on the head.

Hong Hong Zhiyou leaned back and lit a cigarette, laughing:

"Master truly didn't trust you in vain; I was thinking the same thing as you.

"When formulating the plan, I had already entrusted Mr. Situ in North America to get some.

"Then the North American Station Chief and the intelligence stations in Europe also spent a lot of money to get some signed materials.

"The dates are all in November.

"The Station Chief made copies earlier and reported them to Jiang Jianfeng and Bureau Chief Mao."

"It seems I was overthinking it," Yu Zecheng laughed.

"Overthinking is good. The Station Chief focuses on details; I will convey these words to you," Hong Hong Zhiyou said.

"What should I do?" Yu Zecheng didn't act arrogant; caution was a gene carved into his bones.

"Quick and decisive.

"You only need to insist on one thing: Li Ya was carrying a gun at the scene of the adultery capture and pointed it at James.

"The testimonies of Mi Mi Zhiguo and other section members must also be guided to corroborate this point.

"I will have the Observation Group Chief, Mr. Kennard, use this point to bite Li Ya hard and make sure he can't flip over.

"Otherwise, Jiang Jianfeng is very likely to promote him to Colonel.

"Everyone will be in trouble."

Hong Hong Zhiyou looked around and said in a low voice.

Hong Hong Zhiyou looked around in all four directions and said in a low voice.

"Let's go."

Seeing Hong Hong Zhiyou didn't stand up, he turned his head and urged.

"The young couple is having private time now, it wouldn't be appropriate for us to go, would it?

"What if they're stripping each other and fighting? Do you look or not?

"Mei Yingxue's figure, be careful, I'll go back and tell Senior Sister."

Hong Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"You think I'm like you, specifically fond of this?" Yu Zecheng rolled his eyes, sat back down, and the two started playing chess.

"Yancheng is in a tight spot, we received intelligence that Hu Hu Zongnan is expected to launch a major attack before March next year, and the Director-General has already appointed him as 'Viceroy of Shaanxi and Gansu', with military supplies and provisions prioritized at the highest level.

"The net has already started to be cast from Lanzhou, then to Southern Shaanxi and North China, setting up a posture to decide the outcome in one battle.

"Provisions are tight.

"Not only that, Wang Wang Puchen, following Bureau Chief Mao's orders, is frantically clearing out our underground organization's transportation lines along the Beiping-Tianjin line; the line I built last time has been blocked again.

"Hong Zhiyou, right now, besides the sky-high-reaching 'reseller' line in Ma Ma Hansan's hands, there's no other way to go.

"Honestly, whenever I think of the Yancheng headquarters and the key officials being in crisis at all times, I can't sleep all night.

"At this critical moment of life and death, you must think of a way."

Yu Zecheng's tone was low, almost pleading.

"First, let me correct you: it's you, not us," Hong Hong Zhiyou said.

"If this military aid can be secured, I will mention it to General Fiersen, at least provide 200,000 US dollars in supplies, and just do a big one for you."

Hong Hong Zhiyou naturally couldn't do James's matter for nothing, so he simply gave this benefit to Yu Zecheng.

"200,000 US dollars in supplies.

"Good, good.

"In that case, allocate rice, flour, medicine, and firearms in a 6:2:2 ratio.

"First ensure there's food, and guarantee the living strength before anything else."

Yu Zecheng said happily.

"You say it lightly, 200,000 US dollars in supplies, even if Ma Ma Hansan transports them, it will be very troublesome, and there's Wang Wang Puchen staring at him.

"Also, to transport 200,000, just to grease the palms of Ma Ma Hansan and those monsters and demons he associates with, you'd need to prepare at least 50,000 US dollars.

"Let's put it this way, the supplies enter Yancheng, but my pockets will truly be scraped clean by you.

"I'm not like you, making contributions anonymously.

"You at least have to let the higher-ups know."

Hong Hong Zhiyou rolled his eyes at him and said.

Seeing Yu Zecheng blinking his small eyes, he added:

"It's almost New Year's. Since Rong Bin, that kid, has acknowledged me as his big brother, shouldn't he come over to give some gifts and pay a visit?"

"Oh!"

Yu Zecheng understood immediately and laughed.

He was still wondering how he could thank Hong Hong Zhiyou for such a huge amount of funding, even if he sold himself.

So it was here.

"Don't worry, I'll try to apply for a call with the higher-ups in the next few days, state your contribution in person, and convey your longing for Rong Bin all at once," Yu Zecheng laughed.

"That's more like it," Hong Hong Zhiyou laughed.

He never leaves empty-handed and never does a losing business.

Smashing money on Ma Ma Hansan, he wasn't afraid even if Old Ma wanted more.

It's very simple.

Liu Liu Yuzhu's inspection in Xiangdao was very successful, and Old Ma's first batch of assets had already started to be transferred to Xiangdao one after another.

Old Ma blocks him.

He turns around and slaughters Old Ma; they pit against each other, he won't lose money.

And the Rong family.

Those are businessmen; you can't maintain relationships just by talking. Hong Hong Zhiyou was working so hard also considering this point.

Otherwise, how could he borrow US dollars at an ultra-low interest rate from the Rong family's foreign bank?

"Hmm.

"I think Captain Li's interrogation should be about done, let's go take a look."

Hong Hong Zhiyou said.

While walking, Yu Zecheng said in a low voice:

"Luo Luo Anping found someone to notify Guo Guo Youliang.

"It's not the kind you think.

"They are in a normal romantic relationship; your sister is simply pursuing our ideals and beliefs, and Guo Guo Youliang is both a friend and a guide to her."

"Has no one warned him?" Hong Hong Zhiyou said.

"We did.

"The person sent didn't know your influence on the organization, and we couldn't explain it in detail.

"Guo Guo Youliang feels that Xiao Hui is a like-minded comrade and a new force for the revolution.

"He's right to think so.

"Moreover, if we spoke too deeply, I'm afraid it would be even more disadvantageous to your and my identities."

Yu Zecheng said truthfully.

"If heaven wants to rain, and a mother wants to remarry, let her be," Hong Hong Zhiyou had already reported to Wu Wu Jingzhong many times anyway.

Old Wu also knew the inside story well.

Since that was the case, if he couldn't control it, then let it be.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 218 =====

(End of chapter)