Chapter 224: You, You Are Too Sly

Wu Jingzhong walked hurriedly to the basement.

Inside the interrogation room.

Ji Weimin, wrapped in a cotton coat, was tied to a chair, shivering all over.

Wu Jingzhong gave a look.

Hong Zhiyou closed the door well and went outside to keep watch.

The person inside was a God of Wealth.

If one could pry his mouth open, one could fish out quite a lot of things.

"Ji Weimin."

"We met before at the National Defense Force regular meetings." Wu Jingzhong poured him a cup of hot water, pulled up a chair, and sat down opposite him with his legs crossed.

"Yes, yes, we have met." Ji Weimin held the hot water with both hands and hurriedly sipped it.

"The news of your arrest has already spread."

"The Jingling Secrecy Bureau headquarters and the special envoy of Ye Xiufeng have already arrived in Jinhai."

"We have no interest in the National Defense Force or the garrison."

"However, intelligence unfavorable to Ye Xiufeng is a different matter."

"Director Mao's intention is for me to give you a good roasting."

"Our house rules are about the same; as an old hand of the Party Affairs Bureau, you should be clear about this interrogation business."

"These all have to be gone through."

Wu Jingzhong pointed to the roaring stove nearby and said.

"Station Chief Wu, I, with my delicate skin and tender flesh, won't I meet the King of Hell after going through this once?"

"You, you send me to Jingling."

"Just let the military tribunal judge me, I beg you."

Ji Weimin had lived in luxury for many years; as soon as he saw those blood-stained torture instruments, his face began to tremble with fear.

"Send you to Jingling?"

"Fine, I'll go ask the Heavens."

Wu Jingzhong gave him a faint smile, glanced at Hong Zhiyou, and with his hands behind his back, went to the monitoring room next door.

There were some things he found inconvenient to say.

Only Hong Zhiyou could say them.

"Mr. Ji, relax."

Hong Zhiyou pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Ji Weimin with his legs crossed.

"My name is Hong Zhiyou."

"I am Station Chief Wu's secretary; your sister should have mentioned me to you."

He lit a cigarette and handed it to Ji Weimin.

Ji Weimin stretched his head to take it, took a few quick puffs, and flattered him:

"She mentioned you, you, you are the Jinhai expert."

"She even told me to find you to pull strings and use your path to go to Xiangdao."

"Alas, it is I who was too conceited."

"If I had found you, who knows, I might have already been in Xiangdao or abroad by now."

Hong Zhiyou tapped his leather shoe, leaned his body slightly to the side, and said: "You can be considered a person with eyes and ears everywhere. Since you think so highly of me, I won't beat around the bush and will speak plainly."

"You want to go to the military tribunal?"

"It is because you have extensive connections in the National Defense Force and someone will protect you. I believe there is a high probability you can be saved, at least you won't eat a bullet."

"But the premise is that you can make it to Jingling alive."

"Wha, what do you mean?" Ji Weimin said in a panic.

"Ye Xiufeng's special envoy has already arrived in Jinhai."

"If I am not mistaken, your own people will offer me a sky-high price to silence you."

"You know, certain people want you dead more than we do."

"Making you die is very simple."

"For example, suicide out of fear of punishment!"

"The reason is sufficient, and no one can pick out any faults, including the Chairman."

Hong Zhiyou adjusted his newly fitted gold-rimmed glasses; a ruthless look shone through his refined and gentle smile.

"I, I know."

"I understand the rules. Secretary Hong, I won't hide it from you, Secretary-General Kuang of the headquarters will protect me."

"He can speak to the Chairman and He Yingqin."

"As long as you can let me live to reach Jingling, I beg, I beg you..."

Ji Weimin held the water cup and pleaded.

"This matter is not difficult to say, but it is not easy either."

"Our Station Chief Wu is a scholar-general; he has always been lenient toward his subordinates and those who have committed crimes."

"He doesn't like to use these messy things."

"Saving you from physical suffering is just a matter of a single word."

"Sending you to Jingling is also not difficult."

"You know, his roots are no worse than Ye Xiufeng's."

Hong Zhiyou said indifferently.

"Yes, I understand."

"Station Chief Wu can speak to Jiang Jianfeng and Zheng Jiemin."

"He is a top-tier general, a truly powerful figure with connections to the heavens."

"Secretary Hong, as long as you can protect me, I, I am willing to agree to any of Station Chief Wu's conditions."

Ji Weimin nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

"Tell me about the origin of that suitcase of US dollars." Hong Zhiyou pressed him bit by bit.

"Fifteen thousand US dollars were laundered from foreign exchange, and some were obtained from foreign banks."

"These all have records."

"The other tens of thousands of dollars were exchanged through people on the black market."

Ji Weimin said.

"To be able to get so many US dollars at this time, it could only be the Kong and Song families."

"No wonder people outside call you the Ji God of Wealth."

"This money must be handed over."

"If you want to go to Jingling in one piece, empty words won't work; only real gold and silver will."

Hong Zhiyou raised his eyebrows and tapped his chin lightly.

"Understood, understood."

"I, I have a house in Jinhai, inside there are some antiques, calligraphy and paintings, opium, gold bars, and other hard currencies that I have collected."

"There are also two houses in Qingdao with quite a lot of things in the basement."

"These are all treasures I didn't have time to move out."

"I know your Station Chief Wu is also an expert; he, he will definitely be satisfied if he digs them out."

Ji Weimin said.

"Speak." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Fi, first let's talk about the ones in Qingdao."

"I must ensure that you can guarantee my personal safety."

"As for the private stash in Jinhai, unless I see the escort order issued by the National Defense Force and the Secrecy Bureau, I would rather let those treasures rot in my stomach."

Ji Weimin said.

"Hmm, very fair." Hong Zhiyou agreed.

Ji Weimin quickly stated the addresses of the two houses in Qingdao.

After Hong Zhiyou memorized them, he came to the monitoring room next door.

"Erase the recording first." Wu Jingzhong pointed to the equipment and said.

Hong Zhiyou had watched plenty of "Far East Intelligence Station," and soon operated it skillfully, clearing the interrogation recording from just moments ago.

After ensuring safety.

He looked at Wu Jingzhong: "Teacher, what do you think?"

"Tsk!"

"This person is very troublesome."

"He has been too greedy."

"Countless eyes across the country are watching... you say, with so many treasures, if I don't take them, they will be smuggled abroad by pests like Lu Qinzhai, and I would feel pained and guilty."

"If I do take them, who knows if I'll get into trouble."

Wu Jingzhong stood up, put his hands behind his back, frowned, and clicked his tongue.

He is greedy.

But he still keeps a mental ledger of what can be taken and what cannot.

"Yes, right now the Generalissimo is raising military funds, and cracking down on corruption is a means to that end.

"Ji Weimin is such a fat fish.

"Whoever dares to take a bite is snatching food from the mouths of the Generalissimo and the Central Army.

"That is bound to lead to big trouble.

"Master, that one box of money alone contains as much as 200, 00 US dollars; it's enough to cover the military procurement and supply expenses for one of Fu Zuoyi's war zones."

Hong Zhiyou followed up with a pained expression, his brows knit.

"Two hundred thousand!

"Where did this guy find so many US dollars?" Wu Jingzhong was also left speechless.

"He plays for the big picture.

"He inevitably has dealings with foreign firms, so his channels for making money are naturally broad," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Master, there is room to maneuver with this batch of money."

Hong Zhiyou looked around and lowered his voice even further.

"How to maneuver? The money taken out by foreign firms is very easy to trace," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Only 150, 00 US dollars of it is documented and traceable.

"The rest was laundered by Ji Weimin from the black market.

"It is said there must be several tens of thousands of US dollars.

"We can set aside 20, 00 in black market cash to be confiscated, and we can hold back the remaining few tens of thousands.

"Even if headquarters has capable people to investigate the black market,

"20, 00 US dollars is not a small amount, and it is not easy to scrape together.

"Headquarters will instead feel that we are clean and honest, even turning in the black money.

"Taking a little less to ensure safety is quite good."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Makes sense.

"In this day and age, what can bring in tens of thousands of US dollars all at once?

"What do you think about the antiques in his several residences?"

Wu Jingzhong was very satisfied with this suggestion.

"In my opinion, those residences have most likely already been targeted; if we take them..." Wu Jingzhong shook his head and said.

"Master.

"These are like hot irons or poison; swallowing them will definitely lead to trouble.

"My suggestion is to turn them in.

"Including the items in his private residence in Jinhai.

"But we can extract some of the truly valuable pieces.

"Every piece we can take is one less lost.

"As for antiques, a single authentic, old piece—perhaps a small bowl—might be worth more than that whole cartload of bottles and jars.

"As for calligraphy and paintings, try not to take a single one.

"The people in Jingling like to affect an air of refinement; if you leave all the good ones,

"those people will naturally think we are kind and upright.

"If we pull out three or five pieces, this job of ours won't have been done in vain!"

Hong Zhiyou said.

Wu Jingzhong wore a smile and nodded with gratification:

"That is what I was thinking too.

"You also know that I have never been very interested in calligraphy and paintings; those things are hard to maintain and troublesome.

"Let's do as you say."

"Master, after finishing this job, your relationship with Jiang Jianfeng will surely be stable; that is the real benefit," Hong Zhiyou smiled and said.

Last time, regarding the matter of Deputy Station Chief Li Ya, the three old classmates had a very unpleasant falling out.

This time is the perfect opportunity for reconciliation.

"Indeed!

"Jiang Jianfeng cannot tolerate sand in his eyes and hates corruption most of all; we not only caught Ji Weimin and fulfilled the Generalissimo's mission,

"but we also turned in the stolen goods in a clean and honest manner.

"He will have to look at us with new respect."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"For the matter of picking the items, let Yu Zecheng handle it; he is relatively steady in his work," he said after a pause.

Hong Zhiyou knew that Wu Jingzhong did not want him to get involved.

Furthermore, he wanted to increase Yu Zecheng's merits.

Arresting the person and clearing the stolen goods are both major achievements.

In this way, the position of deputy station chief would be secure.

"Understood," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"There is another troublesome matter right now; Ye Xiufeng has sent an envoy named Li Wensen to Jinhai.

"This person is an old acquaintance of mine.

"Nominally he is visiting a friend, but in reality, he is a lobbyist.

"I reckon he will promise me quite a few benefits, wanting to kill this Ji Weimin; being caught in the middle is very difficult for me."

Wu Jingzhong brought up another vexing matter.

"To tell the truth, with things being the way they are now, people's hearts are restless, and I really don't want to offend anyone.

"Especially petty people like Ye Xiufeng and Mao Renfeng!"

He frowned and said.

"Master, soldiers come to block and water comes to cover; how about you let me meet this Mr. Li," Hong Zhiyou said.

"That works too.

"He originally wanted to invite me to dinner today.

"I declined; I will see him after we finish seizing the stolen goods.

"At that time, you will accompany me."

"No matter what conditions Ye Xiufeng promises, do not agree.

"It is best to kick this difficult problem back to Li Wensen.

"Our advantage here is that we aren't interrogating or asking about anything; we don't know anything about Ye Xiufeng's business.

"As for Ji Weimin going to Jingling, he can sell to whoever he wants.

"Since Ye Xiufeng is so capable, he can find someone over there to plug Ji Weimin's mouth."

Wu Jingzhong said with seasoned cunning.

"Very well," Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

The two returned to the office.

Wu Jingzhong picked up the telephone receiver but did not rush to dial:

"My intuition tells me that Ji Weimin's truly valuable things must be in Jinhai."

"Hmm, very likely; it's easier to resell and offload in Jinhai," Hong Zhiyou agreed deeply.

"I must ask Jiang Jianfeng to step in and get the order to transfer him; otherwise, this guy won't spill," Wu Jingzhong said.

As he spoke, he dialed the rotary phone, and after the connection was made, he said:

"Wu Jingzhong, Station Chief of the Jinhai Station of the Secret Service Bureau, requesting the Number Two Residence, please transfer."

Soon, Jiang Jianfeng's voice came from the other end.

Wu Jingzhong hurriedly reported:

"Yes.

"Yes, yes.

"It is that Yu Zecheng who shot Li Haifeng.

"It is him.

"From investigation to arrest, it took less than twenty-four hours.

"The person is now at the Secret Service Bureau, completely unharmed.

"This is what I am thinking.

"Ji Weimin knows too much; once it is exposed by someone, it will damage the face of the Party and the State.

"Whether it is the Jinhai Station or the Secret Service Bureau headquarters, in my opinion, it is better not to inquire.

"Hand him directly to the Generalissimo and you to deal with.

"Rest assured, the stolen goods are already being seized; he is quite cooperative for fear of torture.

"Good."

"Then have the people and the stolen goods immediately escorted to Jingling, to be taken over by the Official Residence Security Office."

"I shall sit and wait for the handover notice from you and Bureau Chief Mao."

"Rest assured, the Yuan Peilin incident will absolutely not repeat itself."

"I will personally accompany the military police and the military aircraft for the transport to Jingling!"

"Good, see you in Jingling!"

Hanging up the phone, he turned his head and smiled: "Jiang Jianfeng has agreed."

"Hong Zhiyou, have Section Chief Yu and Section Chief Xiao recover the stolen goods as soon as possible, and get this merit finalized early!"

Jiang Jianfeng's efficiency in handling matters was very high.

An hour later, the order from headquarters arrived.

Wu Jingzhong took the order and met with Ji Weimin.

The latter honestly confessed his residence in Jinhai.

Over the next two days, Yu Zecheng led the men from the Security Section to recover the stolen goods in two directions: Jinhai and Qingdao.

The amount Ji Weimin had embezzled exceeded everyone's imagination.

Just clearing, checking, and registering the stolen goods took another two days.

By the time it was thoroughly cleared, five days had already passed.

Early morning.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the station.

Passing by the Intelligence Section, a hand reached out from the side.

Just as expected, Brother Shan was going to treat him to coffee again.

"Little brother, let's chat for a bit."

Lu Qiaoshan raised his hand to invite him to sit.

"Brother Shan, looking at your complexion, did you not sleep well last night?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Indeed."

"It's too petty; from the investigation to the recovery, the whole process was kept airtight."

"Even Bureau Chief Zheng was kept in the dark, and the Station Master was told to go directly to Jiang Jianfeng to issue the order."

"Isn't this clearly showing that they didn't want me to know?"

"Sigh!"

"This is clearly intended to forcefully prop up old Yu for the promotion."

Lu Qiaoshan sighed with emotion.

"It's not that they are keeping it from you; the matter of Ji Weimin was personally ordered by the Generalissimo, so the order naturally had to go through the Official Residence."

"Old Lu, try to look at the bright side."

"Old Yu doesn't have that many devious schemes!"

"Besides, even if the Station Master recommended him, Bureau Chief Zheng wouldn't approve it, so aren't you just worrying for nothing?"

"Don't forget, Section Chief Yu is a favorite of Boss Dai."

"Jiang Jianfeng has always disliked Dai."

"With a Bureau Chief Zheng and a Jiang Jianfeng blocking the way, let alone catching a Ji Weimin, even if he razed Yancheng to the ground, he still wouldn't be able to become the Deputy Station Master."

Hong Zhiyou chuckled lightly.

"Little brother, you are a wonderful person; your words are truly pleasant to hear."

"The stuffiness in my chest has eased quite a bit."

Lu Qiaoshan pointed at him and smiled, then immediately whispered:

"I heard the stolen goods Ji Weimin embezzled filled five large trucks!"

"All of it is valuable stuff."

"If we just leaked a fingernail's worth, it would be enough for us to eat and drink for a year."

"Sigh."

"A miscalculation; if I had known, I should have fought hard to take it on."

"I was just soft-hearted for a moment."

As they were speaking, Yu Zecheng walked in, baring his large front teeth and squinting his eyes in a fawning, radiant smile:

"Section Chief Lu, you don't mind if I ask for a cup of coffee, do you?"

"There is coffee, I'm just afraid you, little brother, wouldn't look down on it," Lu Qiaoshan said, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling with a sarcastic tone.

"Not at all."

"If it weren't for your strong recommendation, Section Chief Lu, how could I have had the opportunity to perform such a merit?"

"Old brother, you are my benefactor."

Yu Zecheng smiled.

"Well, you two chat, I'll first..." Seeing this, Hong Zhiyou stood up to leave.

"Don't."

"There are no outsiders here, if you have something to say, say it openly," Lu Qiaoshan said with a gloomy face.

"Yes."

"Zhiyou is not an outsider, so I will speak directly."

Yu Zecheng smiled and whispered:

"Old brother, this time when I was clearing out the stolen goods from Ji Weimin's private residence in Jinhai, I specifically set aside a valuable item and a crate of opium for you."

"I know you don't touch these things."

"I have already entrusted people from the Boatmen's Guild to exchange them for gold bars, and I just passed by your house on the way here and already gave them to your wife."

Lu Qiaoshan's originally stern face instantly broke into a smile, and he shook his finger at him:

"You, you are too cunning, too cunning."

Saying this, he uncrossed his legs: "I'll go pour you some coffee."

Once the coffee was served, the three of them became good brothers again.

"With so many things, you didn't keep any for yourself?" Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"Old brother, this is someone the Generalissimo wants."

"The Dangtong Bureau, headquarters, and the military police are all watching; even the Station Master's... I didn't dare to touch, as long as you don't think it's too little, old brother."

"I truly want to repay your kindness in promoting me."

Yu Zecheng leaned forward and said in a low voice.

"Old Yu, it is good that you have this heart."

"I didn't help you in vain."

Lu Qiaoshan said with satisfaction.

"Indeed."

"You are a senior Lieutenant Colonel, and I am one of Boss Dai's men; currently, I am disliked by Zheng and Mao, and loathed by Jiang Jianfeng."

"Even if I were promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, in terms of seniority, reputation, and background, I am not qualified to compete with you for Deputy Station Master, right?"

"Aren't I still just material to be your subordinate, old brother?"

Yu Zecheng took the opportunity to win him over.

He knew that at this point, Li Ya was basically offended to the end.

With the knot of Liu Xiong between them, the two of them would only have endless conflict.

If he were to offend Lu Qiaoshan as well, the days ahead would be very difficult.

"It's good that you know your place," Lu Qiaoshan crossed his legs, very satisfied with Yu's attitude.

"That's right, Old Lu."

"If this job had been done by Li Ya."

"Believe it or not, Jiang Jianfeng would be bragging about him nationwide right now, and the Deputy Station Master position would be handed down tonight."

"When brothers are of one mind, their sharpness can cut through metal."

"Old Lu, Old Yu has truly performed a great merit for you this time."

Hong Zhiyou chimed in to agree.

"Look at how sweet that mouth is, you say all the good things, as if I am a villain, jealous of my own brother; am I that kind of person?"

Lu Qiaoshan's resentment vanished, and his face was full of smiles.

"I won't say anything else, I will use coffee instead of wine to toast Brother Shan," Yu Zecheng said, raising his cup.

They chatted to their hearts' content.

The two walked out of Lu Qiaoshan's office.

"Section Chief Hong, the Station Master asked me to notify you to go to his office," said an officer from the Security Section.

"Understood."

Hong Zhiyou nodded.

Arriving at the office, Wu Jingzhong was rarely wearing a light gray, shiny-material suit, with his hair slicked back tightly against his scalp.

Usually, this attire meant there was a situation.

"Zhiyou, we cannot drag things out with Li Wensen any longer; I have an appointment to have tea with him at the East Sea Tea House."

"Let's go, follow me to meet Ye Xiufeng's special envoy."

Wu Jingzhong said with a smile.

The two arrived at the tea house.

A middle-aged man wearing a traditional Chinese tunic suit with a fair complexion hurried up to greet them.

"Station Chief Wu, long time no see, you are as distinguished as ever," Li Wensen said, raising his hand in high praise.

"Not at all."

"I am tied up with paperwork; I cannot compare to you, my old friend, for being so carefree and at leisure."

Wu Jingzhong said politely.

After briefly introducing Hong Zhiyou, the three took their seats; Wu and Li exchanged pleasantries and reminisced for a while before turning to business.

"Old Wu."

"One does not visit a temple without a cause; I believe you know the purpose of my visit this time."

Li Wensen said with a smile.

"My friend, do you take me for Zhuge Liang?"

"I came here with the sincere intention of inviting you for tea to reminisce as old friends; I truly know nothing of any 'temple' business."

Wu Jingzhong, wanting to seize the initiative, deliberately refused to take the bait.

He had no intention of discussing it at all.

Not to mention the fact that the Dangtong Bureau and the Secret Service Bureau were at odds like fire and water.

Even if Ye Xiufeng were his own father, there would absolutely be no room for negotiation on this matter.

Coming here was truly just to drop a hint to his old friend, Li Wensen.

And by the way, pass Ye Xiufeng's difficult problem to Li Wensen and let him deal with it.

"You."

"Fine, then I will speak plainly."

"Director Ye Xiufeng would like to entrust me to ask you for a favor."

"Regarding the Ji Weimin case, you should have finished counting the illicit goods on your end, and it should be time to escort him to Jingling, right?"

"Director Ye's meaning is that this matter has too great an impact."

"We are all subordinates, so let's not cause the Old Man any trouble."

"Besides, if anything were to leak out, wouldn't it damage the reputation of the Party and the State?"

"Director Ye suggests settling the Ji Weimin matter in Jinhai; it would be an explanation to the Leader and to the Party and the State. What do you say, my friend?"

Li Wensen asked with a smile.

"My friend, I have no dealings with the Dangtong Bureau."

"Ye Xiufeng is not my director."

Wu Jingzhong shook his head and said.

"I understand the rules."

"Director Ye's secretary has always admired you and knows you like antiques."

"He specifically had me bring a few pieces."

"To say nothing else, they are worth at least five times the value of that mansion of yours on Changde Road."

"My friend, for the sake of our years of friendship, please be accommodating."

Li Wensen said.

"Oh my."

"My prostatitis is acting up again."

"You two chat, I'm going to the restroom."

"Secretary Hong, entertain Mr. Li well; he is my honored guest, so make sure he has good tea and good company."

Wu Jingzhong gave Hong Zhiyou an instruction, stood up with an apologetic smile, and left the table.

In the private room, only the two of them remained.

Hong Zhiyou smiled and stood up to refill Li Wensen's tea:

"Mr. Li, do you know what kind of tea this is?"

"I know, West Lake Dragon Well, the Leader's favorite tea," Li Wensen said.

"Then you should drink a few more cups."

"Once this village is passed, there won't be this shop," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Seeing the unkind look in his eyes, Li Wensen could not help but frown.

"Because your death is imminent!"

(End of chapter)