Chapter 219: Internal Strife Reaches Boiling Point

"Brother Shan, you, aren't you making things difficult for me?" Lu Qiao said with a bitter, fawning smile.

"Difficult?"

"Xizi, your rank keeps getting higher, but your brain is getting stupider."

"Think it over slowly."

"Once you've figured it out, we'll come here to fish again next time."

Lu Qiao picked up his coat and stood up to leave.

He was truly furious inside.

It would be one thing if Li Ya were trying to screw him over.

But now, a dog he raised himself was bullying him too.

Recently, Lu Qiao had used the kickbacks he took from the scalpers to buy two new houses and even kept a female college student as a mistress.

A single gold bar, and a small one at that.

Was he trying to brush off a beggar?

If he didn't use some methods, this guy would be just like Li Ya, with his tail wagging up to the sky.

"Brother Shan!"

"Brother Shan, I'll fish it out!"

Lu Qiao gritted his teeth, raised his hand, and shouted.

He knew this wasn't just about intelligence.

If Lu Qiao left today, their relationship would definitely be severed.

Without Brother Shan.

With only those bird-brained subordinates in the Inspection Team who did nothing but eat, drink, whore, and gamble, he had no chance of earning any merit.

"Fish it out!"

Lu Qiao raised his hand and said.

"Brother Shan, I was wrong."

"You, you give me another chance."

Looking at the bubbling hotpot, cold sweat seeped out on Lu Qiao's forehead.

"Fish it out!" Lu Qiao shouted sternly.

"Alright, I'll fish, I'll fish!"

Lu Qiao took a deep breath, his head covered in cold sweat, and slowly reached his hand into the pot.

The scalding steam, the churning mutton slices.

A wave of burning pain shot through his hand.

As soon as his fingers touched the boiling broth, he hissed and pulled them back.

"Brother Shan, I, I really know I was wrong."

"We're from the same hometown, we're brothers."

"Please, let me off."

Lu Qiao didn't speak, just smiled at him coldly.

Seeing there was no other way, Lu Qiao reached his hand toward the pot again, his face full of terror.

Just as he was hesitating.

Lu Qiao suddenly grabbed his hand and pressed it into the bottom of the pot, shouting like a ferocious demon:

"I'll let you be blind as a dog."

"I helped you get promoted and get rich, and this is how you treat me?"

"One gold bar!"

"Are you trying to brush off a beggar!"

"Ah!" Lu Qiao let out a scream like a slaughtered pig.

"Does it hurt?" Lu Qiao stared at him and asked fiercely.

"It hurts, it hurts."

"Brother Shan, I know I was wrong, I, I'll give you the house on Tangshan Road." Lu Qiao jumped and shouted.

"Just this?"

"Think clearly before you speak, or your dog's hoof will be cooked through." Lu Qiao sneered.

"I'll honor you with ten more gold bars, the big ones, two thousand dollars."

"Brother Shan, really."

"That's all the family wealth I have left, I'll give it all to you."

Lu Qiao shouted.

Only then did Lu Qiao let go.

Lu Qiao pulled his hand back, tears streaming down his face.

"You can't be too greedy in life."

"Heaven has eyes; if you want everything, you'll face retribution."

Lu Qiao said.

"Understood, understood, Brother Shan." Lu Qiao clutched his hand and nodded repeatedly.

"Three o'clock this afternoon, at the Ma Family Ancestral Hall in Mawang Town, someone from the 94th Army is smuggling military supplies; you bring your men there on time."

"Remember, the 94th Army is very arrogant."

"Once you catch the leader and seize the supplies, leave immediately; do not get entangled with them."

"Li Ya's men will arrive at three-thirty."

"You only have half an hour, understand?"

Lu Qiao instructed coldly.

"Understood, thank you, Brother Shan." Lu Qiao nodded repeatedly in gratitude.

"The hotpot today was not bad."

"Eat slowly."

Lu Qiao used his chopsticks to fish out the gold bar, tucked it into his pocket, and walked away.

What a piece of work.

With such a cowardly nature, he still wanted to eat alone.

Heh.

Two-thirty in the afternoon.

Wu Jingzhong was reviewing documents.

Hong Zhiyou, feeling bored, returned to his new office in the General Affairs Section, poured a cup of tea, and picked up a newspaper to kill time.

He waited for about ten minutes.

The phone rang.

Hong Zhiyou picked up the phone:

"It's me."

"Good, I understand."

Hanging up the phone, a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Old Xu's plan was about to be implemented.

The Intelligence Division had an informant in the 94th Army; that was back when Zhang Si was still alive, and Lu Qiao had planted him there by taking advantage of the chaotic relationships at the time.

Old Xu had actually known about it for a long time.

Now it was just the right time to put it to use, using this secret line to leak the intelligence to Lu Qiao.

Ring-ring.

The phone rang again.

Hong Zhiyou answered, "Understood, Station Chief."

Hanging up the phone, he headed straight for Li Ya's office.

Li Ya was looking at the menu for Dehong Restaurant, thinking about what he could eat that night.

He was in urgent need of a delicious meal right now.

Things had been too unlucky lately.

Every major operation came up empty, letting the Inspection Team take the lead.

Wu Jingzhong, who had originally placed high hopes on him, hadn't shown him a smiling face recently.

If he didn't pull off a big job soon.

He was afraid the Delong Inn would have to be sold.

"Captain Li, the Station Chief wants to see you," Hong Zhiyou said, knocking on the door to remind him.

"Do you know what it's about?"

"Brother, to be honest, I'm truly afraid lately, and I have no face to see the Station Chief."

"Ever since I ate those dumplings of yours, I've been opening up."

"It's almost the New Year, and I haven't managed to pull off a single thing."

"I heard last night that the Station Chief went to inspect the Delong Inn; it's just like that fire Lu Qiaoshan had back then—didn't it just burn a quilt?"

"If we just pick a few faults, couldn't the inn be transferred again?"

"I don't have a salary right now, and I'm living entirely off these side earnings."

"Sigh!"

Li Ya sighed and said.

As he spoke, he pointed to the dark-colored Zhongshan suit he was wearing:

"I keep losing my touch; I'm even too ashamed to wear a suit now!"

"There are many factions involved in intelligence work now."

"The Political Science clique, the Whampoa clique, the CC clique, and the black market."

"The Inspection Team has sufficient funds, so their channels are naturally more accurate."

"Captain Li, don't be anxious; this is just a run of bad luck, and your fortunes will turn around eventually."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and comforted him.

"I hope so."

Li Ya gave a bitter smile, raised his hand, and walked outside.

He arrived at the door of the Station Chief's office.

Hong Zhiyou opened the door but did not follow him in.

As soon as Li Ya entered, he saw Lu Qiaoshan drinking tea with the Station Chief, the two of them chatting and laughing, and he felt a bitter taste in his heart.

That damn villain.

He ruined his chance at becoming Deputy Station Chief.

And he caused him to lose a truckload of white sugar.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a blood feud.

Sooner or later, I'll deal with him!

"Section Chief Lu is here too."

Li Ya put on a polite smile, "Station Chief, did you need me for something?"

"Li Ya is here, sit down quickly."

"Qiaoshan just received some new intelligence; Qiaoshan, tell Captain Li about it."

Wu Jingzhong finished speaking, folded his arms, and watched the two of them with a smile.

This scene was truly spectacular.

"Captain Li, it's like this."

"The theft of military supplies has been rampant recently, and Army Commander Mou has already requested the Station Chief to assist in investigating the stolen goods."

"Someone reported that officers in the 94th Army are reselling supplies at the Ma Family Ancestral Hall in Mawang Town."

"The main suspect has now been identified, and it involves a patrol squad leader under the 36th Regiment."

"This person is named Lin Jusheng; whenever he is on duty at the military warehouse, supplies are bound to go missing."

Lu Qiaoshan spoke in a gentle, unhurried tone.

"Arrest him, he must be arrested."

"Why is the Red Bandit force growing stronger by the day? Isn't it because the interests of the Party and State are being ruined by these parasites?"

Li Ya frowned and said.

"Yes."

"According to our intelligence, Lin Jusheng and a group of officers will be trading supplies at the Ma Family Ancestral Hall at 3: 0 this afternoon."

"There is still enough time."

Lu Qiaoshan glanced at his watch and smiled at Li Ya:

"Captain Li, this is a case personally designated for supervision by Army Commander Mou and Commander Chen Zhangjie; if you can crack it, it will surely be a great merit."

"I wish you success."

"Thanks, I'll go arrange the manpower right now." Li Ya looked at his watch and cursed inwardly.

It's a 3: 0 job, and they are only notifying him now.

It will take some time to rush over, and setting up the surveillance and such will be very tight.

"Li Ya, stay safe."

"The 94th Army is very arrogant; try not to let a conflict break out."

Wu Jingzhong reminded him.

"Understood."

Li Ya turned and walked out.

"Captain Li is going to perform a great service this time." Lu Qiaoshan's smile was extremely bright.

"Qiaoshan, Captain Li is still very serious and proactive about his work."

"The station needs such a capable person who is willing to do the hard labor."

"The matter of the Deputy Station Chief is in the past; he has been knocked down to the bottom now and can no longer compete with you."

"We are all in the same station, and you are a veteran who helped build it, so you should help him more."

Wu Jingzhong said with a faint smile and guidance.

"Yes, yes!" Lu Qiaoshan nodded with his legs crossed.

"Station Chief, it's really not that I'm targeting him."

"It's just that Captain Li is too much."

"The equipment room is under Director Yu's management, but he still acts like he used to—taking whatever he wants without signing for it."

"For example, the monitoring equipment and tape recorders are indispensable gear for our Intelligence Section."

"He takes them and never returns them."

"Director Yu has urged him several times, but he just keeps them in his hands like they are some ancestral treasure, clutching them to death."

"Oh, so he joined the Iron and Blood Youth Corps, big deal."

"Jiang Jianfeng didn't teach him to take things without returning them or to forcibly occupy internal resources."

"This person is really... sigh."

"My intelligence agents are annoyed to death by him; many of them have information but don't report it, just waiting to see him make a fool of himself."

"But over this past month, I've seen plenty of jokes."

"Only Captain Li has such a thick skin; if it were me, I wouldn't be able to stay."

While complaining, Lu Qiaoshan shook his head and sneered repeatedly.

"That is your problem."

"I have said before: the family is the group, and colleagues are like brothers."

"If he has faults, you, as the older brother, should communicate with him more; internal conflicts should be resolved internally." Wu Jingzhong frowned and said.

"Yes, yes."

"I will have a good talk with Captain Li when I have time."

"Station Chief, what about the equipment?"

Lu Qiaoshan gave a perfunctory reply and moved to the main topic.

"Let him keep it if he wants."

"Aren't they just a few sets of equipment?"

"The cold storage warehouse hasn't earned any less; just squeeze some revenue out of it later and set up a dedicated set for yourself." Wu Jingzhong said dismissively.

"I..." Lu Qiaoshan's eyes widened, and he was stunned.

My little treasury is only this big, and I still have to hand it over?

Is Li Ya your own son!

"Station Chief, I saw the notice issued by Bureau Chief Mao to all stations yesterday regarding filling the vacancies."

"Our station is still missing a Deputy Station Chief."

"Last time, Li Ya messed up his work and lost his eligibility to apply."

"It's time to change people this time, right?"

"Look at how you are busy with a thousand things a day; you have more gray hair than when you first arrived."

"It's time to find someone to share your burden."

"Otherwise, everyone feels bad seeing you work so hard."

Lu Qiaoshan suppressed his anger, put down his crossed legs, leaned in closer, and persuaded him with a fawning smile.

"That's true."

"Bureau Chief Mao was still calling to urge this matter this morning."

"It's a real headache."

"Qiaoshan, who do you think is suitable?"

Wu Jingzhong asked with a frown.

"What's there to have a headache about?"

"Li Ya is already out of the running."

"According to the rules of the Secret Service Bureau, a candidate for deputy station chief must be at least a lieutenant colonel."

"In the station, there's only old Hou and me."

"You can just pick whoever you want."

Lu Qiao's smile became even brighter.

Wu Jingzhong stood up and walked to the window with his hands behind his back:

"Qiao Shan, you also know the relationship between me and Director Zheng."

"We are former classmates and old partners; you could say we are of one mind, sharing in both glory and disgrace."

"You are from the same hometown as him, so you can be considered one of his own."

"You also know that last time I recommended you, but it was Jiang Jianfeng and Director Mao who intervened, which is why Li Ya was reported."

"This time, I wanted to recommend you."

"It is only right that you should be this deputy station chief."

"But Hou Yunlai came to me last night and said he was willing to take on the post of deputy station chief to share my burdens."

"He is a graduate of the Linli Class."

"His military rank and qualifications are sufficient, and most importantly, he has a good reputation and good connections within the station."

"This puts me in a very difficult position."

Wu Jingzhong turned around, clapped his hands together, and frowned.

"Hou Yunlai wants to be deputy station chief?" Lu Qiao was stunned.

That old Hou had the kind of personality where you could hit him three times and he wouldn't even let out a fart.

He would usually avoid such things if he could.

How could he possibly want to be deputy station chief and look for trouble?

That damn old Wu was clearly just making excuses because he didn't want him to get promoted.

They were both old foxes, and Lu Qiao was well aware of this.

He had Zheng Jiemin as his backer, and Wu Jingzhong was afraid of him getting promoted.

Furthermore, because of the matter with Master Zhang Si, the two had a deadly grudge that could never truly be resolved.

It was difficult.

"Station Chief, then why not ask Director Zheng and see what he thinks?"

Lu Qiao's smile remained warm.

"Qiao Shan, why don't you understand?"

"Last time with the Li Ya deputy station chief affair, Jiang Jianfeng, Director Zheng, and Director Mao were all dragged into it, and things already got very ugly at the top."

"If you go and ask Director Zheng at a time like this, wouldn't that put him in a difficult position?"

"Also, don't forget that last time, Director Mao was a firm supporter of Li Ya."

"Even if I report you, whether he will sign off on it is another matter."

"Of course, I don't object to reporting you."

Wu Jingzhong began to work on Lu Qiao with a straight face.

"Then let's report it." Lu Qiao knew he couldn't get around the old fox, so he said directly.

"My meaning is, let's hold a vote within the station."

"Let everyone choose."

"It's democracy; the Americans love this sort of thing, and if the people below choose him, Director Mao won't object either."

"What do you think?"

Wu Jingzhong's eyes flashed with a cunning light as he spoke.

"A vote." Lu Qiao swallowed hard and became nervous.

"What's wrong? With your qualifications as a founding member of the station."

"Are you afraid you won't be able to beat Hou Yunlai in a vote?"

Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"I..." Lu Qiao was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Public opinion is the direction of the people."

"If the whole station really supports you, even Mao Renfeng won't be able to find fault with it."

"Everyone will be convinced."

"Regardless, I will cast my vote for you first."

Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"Fine, then let's have an election."

"Thank you, Station Chief." Lu Qiao said with a helpless, bitter smile.

"Go back and rest first; when Li Ya returns, we'll all celebrate together," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Alright!"

Lu Qiao turned and walked out with a gloomy face.

"Guohua, call Hou Yunlai in," Wu Jingzhong ordered.

Soon, Hou Yunlai walked in.

"Yunlai, sit," Wu Jingzhong said, raising his hand with an extremely kind smile.

"Have some fruit."

He set out a fruit platter and picked up a piece of watermelon for Hou Yunlai.

"Station Chief, there's still watermelon in this season?" Hou Yunlai was flattered.

"It was air-freighted from Southeast Asia."

"Try it."

Wu Jingzhong said.

Hou Yunlai ate two pieces in embarrassment, wiped his mouth, and smiled honestly:

"Station Chief, do you have something for me?"

"I heard you want to be deputy station chief?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"No, Station Chief, I swear to heaven, I absolutely have no improper..." Hou Yunlai jumped up in fright and explained with a panicked face.

He didn't like to show off, but that didn't mean he was stupid.

On the contrary, he stood in the shadows and saw everything in the station clearly.

Everyone in this station was an outsider.

Ma Kui, Lu Qiao, and Li Ya were all fighting until they were bloodied; weren't they all being played by the Station Chief in the palm of his hand?

The true iron triangle in this station was only Wu, Hong, and Yu.

Except for Hong and Yu, anyone who wanted to be deputy station chief was just seeking their own death.

With such a deadly matter, how could Hou Yunlai not panic?

"Yunlai, but you are a lieutenant colonel!" Wu Jingzhong looked at him with a stern gaze.

Hou Yunlai froze in place.

An innocent man is guilty only because of his treasure.

The Station Chief was forcing him to go head-to-head with Lu Qiao.

"Only you can be the deputy station chief," Wu Jingzhong said, tapping his finger on the table with an unquestionable tone.

"But I... I can't compete with Lu Qiao," Hou Yunlai said.

"Try it."

"In a station-wide vote, Lu Qiao might not necessarily be able to beat you," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Subordinate accepts the order; I will follow the Station Chief's arrangements completely."

Hou Yunlai replied.

"Mm, go ahead," Wu Jingzhong nodded with satisfaction.

"Teacher, relying on Hou Yunlai, I don't think there's an eighty percent chance of success," Hong Zhiyou walked in, picked up a piece of watermelon, and said while eating.

"I know."

"Zheng Jiemin has already nominated Lu Qiao."

"Don't forget, he is still the director of the Second Department, and it is said that he may be promoted to Permanent Vice Minister of the Ministry of National Defense next March."

"By then, the Secret Service Bureau will truly become his subordinate unit."

"Mao Renfeng has guessed my thoughts."

"He wants Mao Wanli to come; isn't that just coveting this piece of fat meat?"

"Since he can't eat it for the time being."

"He will definitely support Lu Qiao, stir up the Jinhai Station, and even make me, Lu Qiao, and Zheng Jiemin fight each other until both sides are injured."

"At that time, he will sit back and reap the rewards."

"The reason I let Hou Yunlai compete with Lu Qiao is just to make my attitude clear: I don't like Lu Qiao!"

"Even if he gets the position, I won't be polite."

"If you are polite at this time, when conflicts arise later, people will pick on you and say you intentionally destroyed the group."

"My knife is already laid out here."

"If you insist on helping him up, then don't blame me for not showing mercy."

Wu Jingzhong gestured with his hand, full of domineering spirit.

"Master is wise." Hong Zhiyou truly hadn't considered this layer.

"Zhiyou, let me make a bet with you.

"Lu Qiaoshan will definitely go to intimidate Hou Yunlai, and might even use dirty tactics.

"Within three days, Hou Yunlai will ask for leave."

Wu Jingzhong smiled confidently.

"Master means..." Hong Zhiyou seemed to have pondered it a little.

"We still have one month.

"If Li Ya can topple Lu Qiaoshan.

"Lu Qiaoshan's intimidation of Hou Yunlai will be one of the pieces of evidence for his crimes in the future.

"Everything must be planned first; whether it succeeds or not, dig a pit for him first and wait.

"Whether he jumps or not, that is a matter for later."

Wu Jingzhong knitted his brows and smiled.

"The student has been taught." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

Lu Qiaoshan returned to his office and immediately dialed a call to Zheng Jiemin:

"Director Zheng, it's me, Qiaoshan.

"I mentioned the matter of the deputy station chief to Wu Jingzhong today, he let..."

"Okay, I understand.

"I'll go up first and then talk.

"Thank you for your guidance, goodbye."

Hanging up the phone, Lu Qiaoshan paced in the room.

Director Zheng's meaning was that everything must be stable.

There is no unchanging situation in this world.

Don't underestimate this internal election.

Once someone else is truly elected, if they can put in a word at the Ministry of National Defense or even the Aide-de-Camp Office, they might just get promoted without anyone knowing.

The key is that a petty person like Mao Renfeng is extremely good at changing his mind at the last minute.

This kind of thing cannot be risked.

Also, even if Hou Yunlai is rejected by the two directors, and then reapplies, who knows how much trouble there will be.

No.

There is only this one chance, it must be seized.

Thinking of this, Lu Qiaoshan looked around, entered the room, took a bag of coffee beans, and walked toward Hou Yunlai's office.

Hou Yunlai was currently feeling anxious and uneasy.

Just as he sat down, his heart still hanging, Lu Qiaoshan walked in and asked with a beaming smile:

"Old Hou, not busy, are you?"

"Division Chief Lu, please sit." Hou Yunlai stood up and respectfully welcomed him to sit.

"Old Hou, I heard from the station chief's tone that you want to run for deputy station chief?" Lu Qiaoshan asked with a cold, sinister smile.

"I, I do have that thought."

Hou Yunlai cursed inwardly and answered while biting the bullet.

"Look at you, how leisurely it is to just receive telegrams every day.

"This deputy station chief position requires too much work, it's exhausting, and there are troublemakers like Captain Li below.

"The water here is too deep, listen to a piece of advice from your brother, you can't handle it.

"Be careful of drowning when the time comes!"

Lu Qiaoshan patted his shoulder, his eyes fierce.

"Old Lu, don't you know me yet?

"I am truly..."

Hou Yunlai dared not speak clearly, shaking his head and sighing repeatedly.

"I know you don't want to be deputy station chief.

"It's someone else who wants you to do it.

"But there are many ways not to do it, for example, getting sick, for example, having a car accident, or someone in the family dying.

"You have to pick one."

Lu Qiaoshan was truly anxious, so his speech was naturally more blunt.

"Division Chief Lu, are, are you threatening me?" Hou Yunlai said in a fluster.

"Think whatever you want.

"I'll put my words here, I am determined to be this deputy station chief, whoever dares to interfere, even the Generalissimo cannot protect him!"

Lu Qiaoshan sneered.

"I, I know what to do." Hou Yunlai said.

"Good if you know.

"When the sun rises tomorrow, I don't hope to see you anymore.

"Do you understand my meaning?"

Lu Qiaoshan leaned into his ear and said.

"Understand, I understand.

"I promise you, before you become deputy station chief, you won't see me again."

Hou Yunlai nodded and sighed.

"Good.

"Old Hou, then see you another day.

"Go home and taste the coffee, people must keep pace with the times, otherwise they will be eliminated sooner or later."

Lu Qiaoshan hinted, and left with a smile.

Just after he left.

Xiao Guohua turned over from the other side of the corridor and looked at Hou Yunlai expressionlessly: "Did you record it?"

"Recorded, recorded."

Hou Yunlai hurriedly handed over the radio that was blocked by a cloth on the side.

"Section Chief Xiao.

"Considering our friendship, please show me a clear path.

"We brothers are really having a hard time now.

"Lu Qiaoshan said in so many words that as long as I dare to compete for deputy station chief, he will strike at me.

"His roots in Jinhai are deeper than mine.

"Especially his relationship with the gangs.

"If I stay any longer, I won't have a way to live."

Hou Yunlai pleaded with a face full of misery.

"Then do as he says.

"The station chief will approve it."

After Xiao Guohua finished speaking, he turned and left.

Returning to the office, Wu Jingzhong listened to the recording once and said to Hong Zhiyou:

"See that?

"The pit was just dug, and he was in a hurry to jump in.

"People are very easily blinded by their own interests, this is a living example."

Saying this, he locked the magnetic tape into the drawer.

"Master, Captain Li should be back too, I'll go call Division Chief Lu over." Hong Zhiyou smiled and stood up.

"Go." Wu Jingzhong nodded.

Hong Zhiyou knew, a truly good show.

A fuse that would ignite this internal strife was about to burn.

(End of chapter)