Chapter 221: The Clam and the Snipe Fight, the Fisherman Reaps the Profit

"Old Xie, there is one thing I don't understand."

"Since Ye Xiufeng has issued a 'kill' order at your Dangtong Bureau, why don't you handle it yourself?"

"If you were to catch him, your Bureau Chief Ye would at least have to promote you to major."

Yu Zecheng picked up a chopstick of mutton, swished it in the pot, and asked while dipping it in sauce.

"I'm... stupid."

"Ji Weimin dares to pull a stunt like this; who knows how many high-ranking officials and Bureau Chief Ye himself are involved."

"Whoever catches him openly represents someone who might very well uncover the inside story."

"Don't even think about being rewarded; being eliminated is a certainty."

"These people have nothing but benevolence and morality on their lips, but... their hearts are full of knives and poison."

"Knowing too much is a one-way ticket to death!"

"Therefore, this matter can only be done by you."

Xie Ruo gave a dry laugh.

As he spoke, he put down his chopsticks, walked to the stair railing, and stuck his left leg into the balustrade.

Then he suddenly gave it a fierce twist.

"Ah!"

Accompanied by a miserable scream, his body flipped over and he tumbled down several stairs.

Hong Zhiyou and Yu Zecheng were both stunned.

The two hurriedly went up to him: "Old Xie, what... what is this?"

"Help me up!"

"Let's, let's continue chatting, continue eating."

Xie Ruo said with a face twisted in pain.

"Where is the bruise medicine?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Don't... don't."

"That stuff smells strong and will ruin my appetite."

"Don't waste these few plates of finely sliced, good mutton."

Xie Ruo wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said.

"Old Xie, what, what kind of act is this?" Yu Zecheng also started stuttering.

"Last time I helped Sun Chuanzhi buy fake intelligence from your side."

"Over a dozen gold bars."

"It turned out to be fake."

"It also caused his little lover Zhu Yan to be killed, and then it cost nearly a hundred gold bars to ransom her."

"He hates me even more than he hates Wu Jingzhong now."

"If I don't limp, the errand of catching Ji Weimin will definitely fall on my head."

"I call this trading a leg for my life."

Xie Ruo narrowed his eyes and began to laugh in a very mercenary way.

"Old Xie, since that's the case, you might as well just resign," Hong Zhiyou suggested.

If it were him, encountering such a life-threatening matter.

He would definitely have slipped away at the first opportunity.

"Little brother, I'm not like you, having a powerful father-in-law who has connections in the underworld, the business world, and the government, with a solid foundation overseas and in Xiangdao."

"I'm poor and have no background."

"Why should I sit at the same table as you?"

"Isn't it because I, Old Xie, dare to risk my life and am professional enough?"

"Without the signboard of the Dangtong Bureau, many things won't work, and I won't be able to make money; how is that any different from... being dead?"

Xie Ruo's eyes turned slightly red as he rubbed his fingers.

"Old Xie, why don't you sell wine overseas for me?"

"The way you play things, sooner or later someone will shoot you in the back."

Hong Zhiyou truly cherished this eccentric genius.

"We'll... we'll see."

"I reckon it won't be long."

"I won't hide it from you two, I've had contact with the Nationalist side, the Red side, and the Democratic side."

"Those Red people, their word is truly as good as gold."

"No matter what the matter is, whether you have to fill it with your life or smash it with mountains of gold and silver, it must be accomplished."

"Look at us, the roots are completely rotten."

"Ye Xiufeng, Mao Renfeng, and Bai Chongxi are all solely focused on their own schemes."

"If it goes on like this, I think it's looking grim."

"Once Jinhai turns Red, I'll work as an assistant for Little Brother Hong and go sell wine for you in Xiangdao."

Xie Ruo raised his glass to toast the two of them.

Immediately, he looked at Yu Zecheng with a grin:

"Staying behind probably isn't bad either."

"It's all good, it's all good!" Yu Zecheng lifted his chin and raised his glass.

There are some things that everyone understands without speaking.

But they absolutely cannot be said out loud.

After the meal.

The two went home separately.

"Zhiyou, I reckon there will be a morning meeting tomorrow."

"Regarding the Ji Weimin matter, should I strive for it?"

Yu Zecheng waited in the courtyard, glanced at Sun Ma's room, walked to a corner, and asked in a low voice.

"No need to strive; this matter will fall on your head anyway," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Why?" Yu Zecheng was puzzled.

"Catching Ji Weimin is an order from the Chairman himself."

"This is an immense merit."

"If Lu Qiao managed to get his hands on it, not even the King of Heaven could stop him from becoming the deputy station chief."

"As for Li Ya."

"He's a good hand at operations, but with Lu Qiao holding him back, he can't do anything."

"Therefore, the only person the station chief can use is you."

Hong Zhiyou analyzed.

"At the same time, this is also an opportunity for you," he smiled and looked at Old Yu.

"We'll see."

"I don't dare to think about such a good thing."

Yu Zecheng smiled and went back into his room.

Hong Zhiyou entered the house.

Xiaohui was reading a book.

Hong Zhiyou's brow furrowed as he stepped forward to glance at *China's Destiny*.

Hmm, this is very good.

"Back quite early today?" Hong Zhiyou poured a cup of tea and chatted for a bit.

Since entering the interrogation room last time, the younger sister had lost some of her wildness and gained more stability.

It seems that no matter what you say, it's really not as effective as Old Wu giving her a few slaps.

"Yeah."

"Didn't you tell me to go out less? So I came back early to keep Mom company," Hong Xiaohui said.

"Has Liu Shan come to look for you recently?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Brother, I told you... oh, he did, I get along pretty well with him at school."

"Didn't you say Liu Shan has a future?"

"Anyway, there's no harm in making a friend, right?"

"As for things later on, we'll see."

Hong Xiaohui said playfully.

"Hmm, as long as you have that realization."

"Xiaohui."

"Brother only has you as a sister; I just want you to live, to live well."

Hong Zhiyou patted her head, smiled with relief, and went upstairs.

Just as he left.

Hong Xiaohui hurriedly flipped open the book; the cover was "China's Destiny," but inside there was another mystery, filled with red energy.

"Brother, there are many ways to live."

"How could this world ever be good?"

"They say you are the number two secret agent in Jinhai City..."

She murmured in a low voice.

Hong Zhiyou stood in the corner of the hallway, coldly watching the slender figure downstairs.

After a long while, he walked quickly upstairs.

He picked up the phone and dialed a number:

"Hello, it's me."

"How have you been lately?"

"Guo Youliang?"

"Okay, I understand."

"Thank you, see you at the teahouse tomorrow."

"Hey!"

Hong Zhiyou pushed open the window and sighed softly while looking at the night sky.

The next day.

After finishing his cultivation, Hong Zhiyou got straight into Yu Zecheng's car.

"Old Yu, Xiaohui is with Guo Youliang."

"I asked Vice Principal Li last night; they have been very close lately, and it is very likely they are dating."

"Could it be a trap set by Guo Youliang?"

"I have no doubt that Guo Youliang already knows my identity."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Zhiyou."

"I am not familiar with the Student Union, the Regional Committee, or the labor movement side of things."

"Besides, to ensure my concealment, I cannot go and pass messages for you; that would easily lead people to me."

"Young people are often more radical than us."

"Xiaohui was not scared by the torture in the interrogation room; she will only become stronger."

"Compared to most students, she is already a very excellent fighter."

"Since she has chosen the light, then accept it and resign yourself to fate."

Yu Zecheng glanced at him and said helplessly.

"The problem is, what do I do?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"Report it to the Station Master."

"Then let nature take its course."

"Although progressive student groups are monitored, they haven't been classified as 'red tickets' to the point of being hunted down."

"Isn't it just holding rallies and shouting slogans?"

"I assume Li Ya and the others won't go so far as to blow this out of proportion."

Yu Zecheng said.

"That's all I can do." Hong Zhiyou shook his head.

Arriving at the station.

As soon as the two walked to the second floor, they were pulled into the Intelligence Division office by Lu Qiaoshan:

"Have you heard?"

Lu Qiaoshan asked with a solemn face.

"Heard what?" Yu Zecheng blinked and asked.

"Ji Weimin of the Party Bureau used his position as the head of the Ludong Economic Investigation Team to collude with local theater officers to resell large quantities of military supplies, and after being reported, he fled with the funds."

"The Generalissimo was furious and ordered Director Mao to solve the case within a time limit."

"Now all stations across the country have mobilized."

"This is a big fish the Generalissimo wants."

"Think about Brother Hong, he handled Ke Chengwu and was promoted three ranks."

"This Ji Weimin is the same; whoever catches him will be promoted at least one rank, can show their face before the Generalissimo, and who knows, might even get a meal out of it."

"That would be directly..."

Lu Qiaoshan made a gesture of soaring into the sky.

"Such an important task certainly won't fall to the two of us."

"Besides, arrest operations have always been the responsibility of Captain Li and you."

"Brother Shan, congratulations in advance."

Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

"Brother."

"Not necessarily."

"The matter with Fourth Master Zhang has created an irreparable rift between the Station Master and me."

"Isn't pushing Hou Yunlai out to challenge me proof of that?"

"He certainly won't give me such a great merit."

"At most, he'll let me assist."

"This job will definitely fall into Li Ya's hands."

Lu Qiaoshan cupped his hands together like a megaphone and said.

"The problem is that Captain Li has a disciplinary order against him; even if he performs a meritorious service, it's useless," Yu Zecheng frowned and said.

"Ha."

"Whether there is a penalty or not, isn't it just a word from the Old Man?"

"He is one of Jiang Jianfeng's men."

"If he catches Ji Weimin, Jiang Jianfeng will surely praise Li Ya to the heavens in front of the Old Man."

"By then, don't talk about Deputy Station Master; he might even be given the position of Station Master with a wave of a hand."

Lu Qiaoshan said with an exaggerated expression.

"No way, a Class A station master must at least be a general," Hong Zhiyou said.

"He is a general."

"Don't forget those bullshit generals sent to Xiangdao and overseas; in terms of qualifications, how many are older than you or me?"

"When Boss Dai was around, with a single 'the mission requires it,' he could be commissioned as a Major General in a minute."

"Li Ya stayed in Yancheng and was a failed infiltrator, but because of this little mess, he is treated as some kind of bullshit hero by Jiang Jianfeng and that bunch at the Ministry of National Defense."

"Catching Ji Weimin would be even more incredible."

"Being conferred as a general is not impossible."

Lu Qiaoshan said.

Yu Zecheng looked at Hong Zhiyou and said nothing.

"Old Lu, what do you mean?" Hong Zhiyou understood and asked on his behalf.

"My people reported that Li Ya called Jiang Jianfeng from his office last night, and this morning he was organizing his men and drew three hundred rounds of ammunition from your equipment room."

"This clearly shows he is going to make a big move."

"My meaning is, whoever among you and Zhiyou takes on this job."

"I, your brother, will definitely do my best to cooperate."

Lu Qiaoshan's gaze wandered between the two.

"Count me out."

"Dancing with women is fine, but catching people..."

Hong Zhiyou shook his head and smiled.

"Then Old Yu."

"You must take it on," Lu Qiaoshan pointed at Yu Zecheng.

"Don't, don't, I am just a small Major Director of the Confidentiality Room; following behind you and Captain Li to listen to orders is fine."

"This kind of 'big battle' is not my turn to take charge of alone."

Yu Zecheng was as humble as ever.

"Brother, my position as Deputy Station Master is already set in stone."

"Director Zheng has already nominated me."

"Mao Renfeng has nodded."

"This is the last of the eighty-one tribulations; you must carry this for your brother."

"Don't forget, compared to Li Ya's bullshit hero status."

"You are a genuine hero who was personally certified and commended by Boss Dai for single-handedly killing Li Haifeng."

"In terms of seniority, you and Li Ya are classmates."

"You are perfectly capable of doing this job."

Lu Qiao urged him with all his might.

The more anxious he became, the more modest Yu Zecheng acted.

Finally, when Lu Qiao was so anxious he was stamping his feet and wanting to hit someone, Yu Zecheng said unhurriedly:

"Old Lu, since you put it that way, I will give it a try."

"Let's get this straight first: I can take the heat for you."

"But you must give me your full support regarding intelligence."

"If I catch him, it will be a blessing for the Party and the State."

"If I don't catch him, don't blame your brother for being incompetent."

"Rest assured, he will definitely be caught," Lu Qiao said, patting him on the shoulder.

"Then the two of us will be off."

"Oh, you don't mind if I bum a cup of coffee, do you?"

Yu Zecheng laughed.

"Of course, from now on, you two can treat this as a coffee shop; come by often if you have nothing to do, and pour it yourself whenever you want a drink," Lu Qiao said, pointing at the coffee that had just been ground and brewed.

Yu Zecheng took a cup, and the two of them each poured one and left.

"Heh."

"Catch him, a blessing for the Party and the State."

"In your dreams!"

Lu Qiao gave a light scoff.

He only wanted Yu Zecheng to take the heat for Li Ya; he never intended for Yu to get the credit.

Is Ji Weimin really that easy to catch?

If there is intelligence, can't I, Laozi, catch him myself?

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the Station Chief's office and went about his daily routine of wiping the desk.

Making tea.

Cutting fruit.

Before long, Wu Jingzhong walked in with his hands behind his back and said hurriedly: "Zhiyou, stop wiping."

"Call Lu Qiao and Li Ya... oh right, and Director Yu to the conference room; I need to hold an emergency meeting."

"Understood, Master."

Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

He noticed that the Station Chief used the title "Director Yu."

Usually, it was only when he was assigning official business or important tasks that he would address Yu Zecheng by his title.

It seemed the Station Chief's thoughts were the same as his own.

He intended to help Yu Zecheng move up.

Wu Jingzhong pulled open a drawer, felt for two gold bars, and stuffed them into his pocket.

Yesterday, by letting that man surnamed Xu go, Yu Zecheng had made quite a bit of extra money.

During dinner last night, he had originally intended to share some of it.

As it turned out, they were so busy chatting about fun things and making money that he forgot to give it to him.

It just so happened that the Ji Weimin case broke.

If he could use this opportunity to push Yu Zecheng forward, then everything would be perfect.

Of course, catching Ji Weimin was difficult.

But there was at least some hope, so it was worth a try.

"First arrive at Guanzhong to be the King..."

He tucked the gold bars away, hummed a little tune with his hands behind his back, and walked out of the office.

He arrived at the conference room.

Several key officers were already seated.

Seeing Wu Jingzhong, the group stood up in unison to greet him.

"Sit."

"Has everyone heard?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"The Station Chief must be talking about the Ji Weimin affair."

"I heard about it last night; that parasite of the nation even dared to swap out hundreds of thousands of winter uniforms for the frontline soldiers—he truly deserves to be hacked into a thousand pieces."

Li Ya was not one to talk much, but he was showing his attitude and his willingness to take on the mission to the Station Chief.

"Indeed."

"The stench of this matter has spread all over the world; even the Americans have smelled it, and Du Lumen has specifically summoned the Ambassador to question him."

"And they have expressed doubts about our military aid."

"The face of the Party and the State has been swept away, and the Generalissimo is absolutely furious."

"Ye Xiufeng has a guilty conscience; he calls for a strict investigation on the surface, but in reality, he is dragging his feet."

"The Generalissimo has now handed the arrest work over to the Secret Service Bureau."

"Gentlemen, the time has come to perform meritorious service and receive rewards."

"Come, let us discuss who should take on this job."

Wu Jingzhong looked at everyone with a smile.

"Station Chief, catching people has always been the job of my Action Team."

"Does this even need to be asked?"

"As for such a parasite, I am determined to catch him."

Li Ya tilted his head, not even bothering to feign modesty.

"Very well, then Li..."

Wu Jingzhong looked at the group, deliberately pretending he was about to make a final decision.

"Captain Li, you are currently under a cloud of suspicion; is it appropriate for you to catch Ji Weimin?" Lu Qiao spoke up with a smile.

"What is inappropriate about it?"

"The higher-ups only said I couldn't be promoted or commended; they didn't say I wasn't allowed to catch Ji Weimin."

"Besides."

"If I perform meritorious service while under a cloud of suspicion, how else would I earn my merit?"

Li Ya sneered.

"The problem is, you were the one who killed Dong Cheng."

"And you were the one who lost Yuan Peilin."

"If you go to catch Ji Weimin, who knows if you'll let Yuan Peilin run away again."

"Judging by what has happened in the past."

"I acknowledge Captain Li's ability to catch the likes of student unions, labor movements, and printing shops."

"But when it comes to catching big fish."

"Honestly, I haven't seen any skill to speak of."

"Oh, you're good at hiding people, I suppose."

"As for catching people... you've made quite a fool of yourself this past month, haven't you?"

"I'm afraid if the Station Chief gives this job to you, the Jinhai Station will become a laughingstock in the future."

Lu Qiao sneered.

"You man surnamed Lu, you!"

Li Ya was about to die of anger.

"Li Ya, Qiao Shan is right."

"You have lost your touch repeatedly, and everyone from the station staff up to the Headquarters is already very dissatisfied."

"The arrest of Yuan Peilin concerns the face of the Party and the State; it cannot tolerate the slightest bit of carelessness."

"In my opinion, while Captain Li's heart is commendable, as for the operation, it would be better to select someone else to be in charge."

Wu Jingzhong stated his position.

"Someone else, who?"

"Division Chief Lu?"

Li Ya asked with dissatisfaction.

"Station Chief, your subordinate is willing to share the burden for the Generalissimo and for you," Lu Qiao said, shamelessly lobbying for the role.

"Qiao Shan, you are responsible for intelligence; if you take on catching people as well, you will inevitably neglect one thing for another and be prone to mistakes."

"In my opinion, let Zecheng go."

"He is a young warrior who assassinated Li Haifeng and was personally commended by Boss Dai."

"In terms of seniority, he is a classmate of Captain Li and an old hand from the Qingpu Class."

"What do you two think?"

Wu Jingzhong didn't even look at Hong Zhiyou, only asking Li and Lu.

Although Hong Zhiyou was now a Section Chief and had the qualifications to take a seat.

But he would not cause trouble for his own "son-in-law" by doing such an offensive thing.

"Station Chief, if it is Director Yu, I have no objections," Lu Qiao smiled.

"Captain Li, what about you?"

Wu Jingzhong looked toward Li Ya.

Li Ya looked at Yu Zecheng, his expression somewhat resentful and unpleasant.

He was very clear.

Even if he obtained the qualifications himself, Lu Qiao would definitely drag his feet and trip him up.

It would be better to do Yu Zecheng a favor.

Thinking of this, he forced a smile and said, "As for Director Yu, I have no objections."

"Alright, then it is settled.

"The work of capturing Ji Weimin is handed over to Zecheng to be responsible for, meeting adjourned."

Wu Jingzhong nodded and made the final decision.

(End of chapter)