Chapter 225: Secretary Ye Will Be Grateful to You

"Secretary Hong, what do you mean by that?" Li Wensen asked, frowning in displeasure.

"Mr. Li, how much has Ye Xiufeng paid you?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"..." Li Wensen's face twitched, and he was left speechless.

"Even Du Lumen knows about the Ji Weimin affair.

"Right now, the Generalissimo is suppressing the rebellion, and the local areas are nearly being torn apart. Isn't it foolish of you to come here as a lobbyist for Ye Xiufeng at a time like this?

"I ask you, what would happen if Ji Weimin died in Jinhai?"

Hong Zhiyou's expression turned stern, his tone sharp and unsparing.

"The, the Generalissimo would be... absolutely furious," Li Wensen said.

"Correct.

"If Ji Weimin dies, many people will breathe a sigh of relief.

"But this matter will definitely be investigated to the end.

"Station Chief Wu cannot afford to take the blame for this.

"Let alone your pittance of money, even if you gave him the entire city of Jinhai, he wouldn't dare accept it.

"Once the investigation begins, do you think you can escape?

"Think about why it was Ye Xiufeng's secretary who sent you to run this errand, and not Ye Xiufeng himself.

"Because whoever touches this matter dies!"

Hong Zhiyou tapped his index finger on the table, issuing a grave warning.

Li Wensen lowered his head to drink tea, remaining silent.

"If I were Ye Xiufeng, the moment you left Jingling, I would have silenced that secretary.

"If my guess is correct.

"You won't be able to see that secretary anymore.

"There is a telephone next door; you can go and ask."

Hong Zhiyou said.

Li Wensen stood up and went to the next room, picked up the phone, and dialed a number:

"Hello, get me Secretary Zhou.

"Secretary Zhou is on a business trip?"

His whole body trembled, "Fine, I understand."

Bang!

Li Wensen slammed the phone down.

As Ye Xiufeng's secretary, Secretary Zhou rarely went on business trips.

Yet he had to leave Jingling at this critical juncture.

Nonsense!

I fear that just as Hong Zhiyou said, he is already buried three feet under.

Damn it!

Li Wensen braced his hands on the table, his eyes flashing with angry light:

"Damn it, that bastard Ye Xiufeng really is going to kill me to silence me."

What should he do?

He pursed his lips, his entire being gripped by panic.

Once he succeeded in his lobbying and the news of Ji Weimin's death spread, Ye Xiufeng would certainly move against him at the first opportunity.

He looked around.

The waiters in the lobby, the front desk, the cleaners.

Everyone seemed to have become suspicious.

Perhaps there was a hitman from the Dangtong Bureau among them.

When it comes to assassinations, the Zhongtong methods are no worse than the old Juntong ones.

Thinking of this, he wished he could slap himself twice.

How could he have been so blinded by greed as to be persuaded by Ye Xiufeng's secretary?

Money is the death of a man.

Li Wensen returned to the private room with trembling legs, looking at Hong Zhiyou, whose eyes were bright, spirited, and filled with immense confidence:

"Secretary Hong, Se, Secretary Zhou is on a business trip."

"Do you believe my words now?

"Do you know why Station Chief Wu came to this appointment today? He could have completely ignored you; whether you live or die is none of his concern.

"The only reason he came to drink this cup of tea was out of respect for past friendship.

"Mr. Li, you had better take care of yourself."

Hong Zhiyou sneered and stood up to leave.

"Secretary Hong, wait.

"Save me!

"My heart is in chaos, I have lost my head, I beg you to pull me out of this."

Li Wensen's expression turned to shock; he sprang up from his chair like a rabbit and blocked the door with his arms.

"Don't.

"You are considered a person of status in Jingling; how would a lowly secretary like me have the qualifications for that?" Hong Zhiyou smiled faintly.

"No.

"You are an expert on Jinhai, you know the Americans, and you even transported military supplies for Fu Zuoyi.

"I know you are a man of great ability.

"Brother, I know that Ye Xiufeng wants to silence Ji Weimin, and he won't let me go either.

"I beg you, show your brother a way out."

Li Wensen cried out in panic.

"Mr. Li, don't be like this. You are brothers with the Station Chief; by seniority, I should call you uncle.

"If you want to live, it's actually quite simple..."

Hong Zhiyou said this, looking at him with a smile.

"You, you must tell me." Li Wensen said urgently.

"Since you have heard of my reputation, Mr. Li, you should know the rules of Jinhai—my rules!" Hong Zhiyou took off his gold-rimmed glasses, breathed on them, and began to wipe them gently with a silk cloth.

"I, I understand.

"Money.

"I will..."

Li Wensen was just about to speak when Hong Zhiyou interrupted him:

"First, you cannot touch a single cent of Ye Xiufeng's things. You must return to Jingling and return every bit of it; this is the prerequisite for saving your life."

He saw through it at a glance: this Li Wensen was obsessed with money.

Otherwise, how could he be stupid enough to take this job?

And even at this point, he still wanted to use Ye Xiufeng's money to bribe the Station Chief to buy his life—it was simply courting death.

"I, I didn't mean that."

Li Wensen gave an awkward laugh, held up five fingers, and said quite impressively:

"I am willing to pay to avert this disaster. You know that Station Chief Wu and I are close friends. I, I am willing to pay five thousand US dollars; I beg Secretary Hong to show me the way."

Five thousand!

Do you have to be so heavy-handed?

Making it seem like the Station Chief and I have never seen money before.

"Isn't your life a bit too cheap?" Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Six thousand?

"Ten thousand!"

Li Wensen gritted his teeth and went all in.

"Good things come in pairs, let's make it twenty thousand." Hong Zhiyou knew that US dollars were hard to come by right now, and if he asked for more, he might not be able to scrape it together.

"Twenty thousand US dollars.

"Are, are you sure you can save my life?"

Li Wensen was trembling with the pain of losing the money.

"I am not sure," Hong Zhiyou said truthfully.

"But it seems you have no choice!

"You can also leave, go back now and report to Ye Xiufeng, and see if he will silence you." Hong Zhiyou leaned back and lit a cigarette, taking a puff.

"Not sure?

"Then if I spend the money, and what if..."

Li Wensen was starting to get angry.

However, Hong Zhiyou only looked at him with a smile.

"Good!

"Twenty thousand US dollars!" Li Wensen said.

"Make a call and have someone deliver it to the second floor of the Longhua Hotel; someone is waiting there," Hong Zhiyou said.

"You're ruthless."

Li Wensen walked out again.

"I've made the call.

"My... friend has already taken the money to the hotel." A moment later, he walked back in with a gloomy face.

"Not a friend.

"It's a lover."

Hong Zhiyou corrected him.

"You!" Li Wensen really wanted to smash his gold-rimmed glasses.

"Alright.

"Now let's talk about your business.

"After you leave here, report the good news to Ye Xiufeng immediately; just say the matter has been accomplished."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"You are going to..." Li Wensen was overjoyed.

"This is not something you should ask about.

"After you return to Jingling, return Ye Xiufeng's things and just say that Station Chief Wu has accepted his good intentions; just that one sentence.

"Don't say anything else.

"Don't do anything else; just eat, drink, and wait for news at home.

"Ye Xiufeng will be grateful to you."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Just, just this one sentence?" Li Wensen widened his eyes, feeling a bit dazed.

"Yes.

"Only this one sentence!"

Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Kid, you had better not lie to me; I'm not someone to be trifled with." After taking a deep breath, Li Wensen regained his composure.

"We shall see."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

As they were speaking, Wu Jingzhong pushed the door open and walked in with a beaming smile:

"Wensen, my apologies, this back of mine is not cooperating.

"Secretary Hong, you haven't neglected Mr. Li, have you?"

"Not at all, not at all. I had a great chat with little Hong and benefited a lot.

"Old Wu, with such a capable official under you, it's no wonder other station chiefs are replaced like a revolving door, while you alone sit firmly on the fishing platform, watching the winds and clouds rise with a smile."

Li Wensen sighed with a hint of jealousy.

Currently, the Jinhai Station was a place of immense wealth, and Wu Jingzhong's subordinates were so capable and had even cracked the major case of Ji Weimin; it was truly enviable to be so successful.

"Not at all.

"Old Li, I still have matters at the station, let's talk another day."

After exchanging a few polite words, Wu Jingzhong had no interest in chatting with him, so he rose to take his leave.

Back at the station.

Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile: "How did the chat go?"

"Earned twenty thousand US dollars for nothing," Hong Zhiyou said.

"I know Li Wensen; twenty thousand US dollars is no different from taking his life."

Wu Jingzhong smiled, sipped his tea, and then clasped his hands together and continued:

"Ji Weimin will definitely die.

"If Ye Xiufeng can't even see this, it can only be said that he is too deeply involved and acted too hastily."

"Indeed.

"They are inside the game, so naturally they don't see as clearly as we do from the outside.

"Let's go, back to the station.

"I'm still waiting for the surprise Zecheng has for me."

Wu Jingzhong glanced at his watch, feeling impatient.

Arriving at the station.

Wu Jingzhong immediately summoned Yu Zecheng.

"How was it? I heard you seized five full trucks of stolen goods; didn't you count them properly?" He beckoned Zecheng to his side and asked in a low, prying voice.

"Teacher, how could your student not carefully inventory the things you entrusted to me?

"I had Appraiser Lin disguise himself as a field agent from the Security Section.

"We stayed in the warehouse all night last night; the things inside were spectacular. I inventoried them with him all night until my eyes were almost blind.

"And let me tell you, there are quite a few good things.

"Among them is a jade-seated golden Buddha, over a foot tall; Appraiser Lin says it was a treasure of Liu Yu of the Eastern Jin dynasty, and its value is almost immeasurable.

"There is also a pair of small bowls used by the Qianlong Emperor.

"Yes, and several other items are valuable antiques.

"Appraiser Lin said those few items alone are no worse than the five trucks of treasure outside.

"I set them aside when I was clearing the warehouse and have already had them sent to your residence in Hexi; Section Chief Xiao and your wife received them personally."

Yu Zecheng said respectfully.

"Excellent!

"Zecheng, your efficiency in arresting people and clearing the stolen goods this time is very high; it's a waste of your talent to keep you in the Confidential Room.

"I will immediately file a promotion report for you to be rewarded for your meritorious service."

Wu Jingzhong slapped his thigh, ecstatic.

"Thank you for your cultivation, Station Chief." Yu Zecheng puffed out his chest and said happily.

"Hey.

"Cultivation by the Party and State, personal performance.

"It's also thanks to it being you; if it had been Li Ya, it might have ended in a mess.

"He and Lu Qiaoshan don't get along!"

Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"It is all due to your wise leadership, Station Chief; your subordinate has merely basked in your glory," Yu Zecheng said, not daring to take any credit and maintaining a very respectful attitude.

"You are too polite.

"Later, invite Lu Qiaoshan, Hong Zhiyou, and Li Ya for a meal.

"Human relations still need to be handled properly.

"I am going to Jingling this afternoon to see the two bureau chiefs, Jiang Jianfeng and Zheng, to finalize your rank as a Lieutenant Colonel first.

"Then we'll see if we can secure a nomination for Deputy Station Chief."

Wu Jingzhong said in a deep voice.

He was finding this blade increasingly easy to use.

He used to feel that Yu Zecheng was not clean and had some misgivings.

But in the current situation, there were few clean people left from top to bottom; only money was the absolute truth.

Just shouting slogans was useless.

Whoever could bring him gold, US dollars, and antiques.

Was a useful person.

A useful person was... one of his own.

As for whether he was black or white, blue or red, that was secondary.

"Thank you, Station Chief.

"Your student only wishes to follow you to the death; wherever you go in the future, your student will follow, and I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Yu Zecheng raised his hand in a military salute to express his determination.

"Alright, alright.

"Do you think I don't know what's on your mind?

"I have already had your teacher's wife prepare hot pot; tonight you bring Wang Cuiping and Hong Zhiyou to my house for mutton hot pot. I still have to go to Jingling later, so notify them to go to the conference room; I will give brief instructions."

Wu Jingzhong narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Yes!"

Yu Zecheng accepted the order.

"Zhiyou, it's time for the meeting." Arriving at the General Affairs Section, he was the last one to notify Hong Zhiyou.

"The Station Chief is going to Jingling to personally request a commendation for me.

"He even said he would lobby for my nomination as Deputy Station Chief.

"This time, I owe it all to you.

"You, do you think I have a chance at competing for it?"

As they walked, Yu Zecheng said gratefully.

"Of course.

"In a moment, the Station Chief will definitely have Lu Qiaoshan stay behind to hold the fort.

"Remember, we are going to swap seats in a moment.

"You must not sit in the row on the Station Chief's left side today.

"You must sit on the right side next to Lu Qiaoshan; I will sit across from you to draw Lu Qiaoshan's gaze away.

"You cannot just echo what others say like you did in the past.

"When the time comes, once the Station Chief makes the announcement, you must put on an expression of displeasure, gloom, and unwillingness.

"You must let Li Ya see it."

Hong Zhiyou said in a low voice.

"Okay."

Without needing to ask for the reason, Yu Zecheng agreed immediately.

He now had absolute trust in Hong Zhiyou.

Just as he did with Zuo Lan and Wang Cuiping.

Even more so than with Luo Anping, Jiang Aimei, and Qiu Ji, who were his own people.

It was a tacit understanding that came from the soul.

Yu Zecheng even once suspected that Hong Zhiyou was either a member of the organization.

Or a divine being sent by the heavens to assist him.

As long as this person was around, he had infinite strength and a sense of security; even if he were deep in a dead end, he would not despair.

"Why do you keep staring at me?"

As they walked, Hong Zhiyou felt through his peripheral vision that Yu Zecheng had been watching him the whole time.

He turned his head and met Yu Zecheng's incredibly complex and fervent gaze.

"Nice glasses, they suit your dashing temperament; I reckon quite a few pretty women have been charmed by you again," Yu Zecheng laughed.

"Just don't let yourself get charmed," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Get lost.

"No matter how tender your face is, can it be more tender than Zuo Lan's?"

Yu Zecheng said with a low, disdainful tone.

"At least it's better than your Big Mouth at home."

Hong Zhiyou also gave him a dig.

At the mention of Wang Cuiping, Yu Zecheng touched his face and didn't dare to tease further.

"Heh heh!"

Hong Zhiyou chuckled and walked quickly into the conference room.

Inside, Wu Jingzhong sat at the head of the table.

Because it was a small meeting.

Only four people came, including Lu and Li.

Lu Qiaoshan sat in the first chair on Wu Jingzhong's right side as a matter of course.

Li Ya sat in the first seat on the left.

Originally, ever since Hong Zhiyou was promoted to field officer and Chief of General Affairs, he had sat to Lu Qiaoshan's subordinate side, and Yu Zecheng sat on the left side with Li Ya.

But today, Hong Zhiyou sat directly on the left side, shoulder-to-shoulder with Li Ya.

After pretending to be briefly stunned, Yu Zecheng sat down on Lu Qiaoshan's side.

Wu Jingzhong frowned slightly but did not ask for details.

Lu Qiaoshan, however, smiled.

He thought to himself that Yu Zecheng was sensible, as he had given gifts and was now openly sitting with him instead of giving Li Ya face.

Li Ya squinted his eyes and glanced sideways, feeling disdainful and indifferent.

Wu Jingzhong sipped his tea, cleared his throat, and said directly:

"The Jinmen Station hasn't had an easy time in the past.

"Too many shameful scandals have occurred.

"From the leak incident during Liu Wensheng and Boss Dai's trip to Jinmen, to the cases of Dong Cheng and Yuan Peilin, it has at one point become the laughingstock of the Ministry of National Defense.

"I, along with all of you, have lost face."

Wu Jingzhong looked at Li Ya and said.

Li Ya glanced at the ceiling, sucked on his cheek, and pretended not to hear.

"This time, Director Yu has captured the national traitor Ji Weimin and achieved a miraculous feat, which is truly gratifying to the people.

"Following the instructions of Jiang Jianfeng and the headquarters, I will personally escort Ji Weimin to Jingling.

"The work at the station will be temporarily handled by Division Chief Lu."

Wu Jingzhong then looked at Lu Qiaoshan.

"Yes, Station Chief," Lu Qiaoshan nodded with a faint smile.

"Ahem!"

Hong Zhiyou coughed a few times at the right moment, attracting Lu Qiaoshan's attention.

At the same time, Yu Zecheng frowned slightly, a flash of displeasure and disdain crossing his face.

And this was caught perfectly by Li Ya, who was sitting across from him.

Wu Jingzhong saw it too.

But he couldn't be bothered with the petty schemes of these brats, so he stood up and walked straight out.

"Little Hong, let's go, let's go have a cup of coffee."

Once the Station Chief left, Lu Qiaoshan became spirited again and stood up to call out.

"Okay," Hong Zhiyou readily agreed.

"Director Yu, would you like to go have a drink?" Lu Qiaoshan asked with a gentle smile.

"Division Chief Lu, I still have some things to do, let's do it next time."

Yu Zecheng refused with a smile.

A flash of displeasure crossed Lu Qiaoshan's face, and he turned and walked out.

As soon as he left, Yu Zecheng's expression immediately turned gloomy.

Realizing that Li Ya was still there, he quickly resumed his smiling appearance: "Captain Li, let's go, Section Chief Xiao will be coming to lock the door soon."

"Let's go!"

Li Ya took all of this in, smiled, and walked out with one hand in his pocket.

Returning to the office.

Li Ya's eyes became bright and sharp; he pursed his lips and began to ponder.

In the past, he had always seen Yu Zecheng as quiet and reserved.

Especially in his respectful attitude toward Lu Qiaoshan; particularly regarding the Yuan Peilin affair, the two were almost as close as thieves.

Now it seems that the two are not of one mind.

"When Yu heard that Lu Qiaoshan would be in charge of the station's work, that look in his eyes clearly showed ambition.

"Hmm.

"Also, after capturing Ji Weimin, a promotion in rank is definitely inevitable.

"Once Yu Zecheng becomes a Lieutenant Colonel, he will have the opportunity to be nominated as Deputy Station Chief.

"He wants to be Deputy Station Chief.

"If you want to do it, you have to say it; if you don't say it, how will others know?"

Li Ya rubbed his chin, having already sensed an opportunity.

He didn't like Yu Zecheng.

But he liked Lu Qiaoshan even less.

Yu Zecheng was at least a fellow disciple; with the Station Chief there, there was always room for mediation in everything.

Lu Qiaoshan was different.

He was part of the Old Cantonese clique, loved to give people a hard time, and loved to make things difficult.

Even now, he was still suffering his indignities every day.

If he really became Deputy Station Chief, would there still be a place for him at the Jinmen Station?

Li Ya was unwilling to leave Jinmen.

Everything he fantasized about was here.

Gourmet food, gorgeous clothes, and of course, beautiful women.

He had not enjoyed enough yet.

He had not yet seen the day when the mountains and rivers were unified, when the children had books to read and clothes to wear.

Therefore, Jinhai was his soul.

Whoever wanted to take his soul, he would take that person's life.

In any case, there was no hope for him to become the deputy station chief.

If he had to choose one of the two disgusting flies, Yu and Lu, to swallow.

The one Li Ya chose was... Yu Zecheng!

(End of chapter)