Chapter 226

"Chef Guo, you go to the security room and wait first; I will go and report to the Americans."

"You know, I don't have the final say here now."

Zhang Jing was as kind as usual.

"Fine, thank you, Adjutant Zhang," Guo Dainan said gratefully.

He went straight to the security room.

Inside, Anderson was chewing a cigar, reading "Water Margin."

After becoming more proficient in Chinese, he became obsessed with novels.

"Journey to the West," "Water Margin," and "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"—he was so hooked that he rarely played mahjong anymore.

"Officer, I am a chef from Jingling, and I need to go out to buy vegetables."

Guo Dainan nodded and bowed, looking for something to say.

Anderson just pretended not to understand and was too lazy to pay attention to him.

He only listened to Hong Zhiyou.

For others, even if Chairman Jiang came, it would be useless.

Guo Dainan sat on a chair to the side, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles.

He only hoped that the poison Mao Renfeng gave was slow-acting.

Moreover, Lin Tai had not yet drunk that cup of black tea coffee.

Once the incident was exposed, it would be too late for him to run.

At the same time, Guo Dainan hated Hong Zhiyou to the core.

Originally, Mao Wanli had already found a secret agent in the Confidentiality Bureau; as long as he poisoned them, he could leave immediately.

Now it was good, he had brought a bunch of foreign devils who didn't understand the language.

"No, if I wait any longer, I might lose my life," Guo Dainan felt increasingly anxious.

Thinking for a moment, he walked over with a face full of smiles, took out a handful of silver dollars from his pocket, and held them out with both hands:

"Officer."

"I'm going out to buy vegetables; please accommodate me."

"WHAT?" Anderson took the money and put it into his pocket.

"Mai... mai cai."

Guo Dainan imitated the foreigner's pronunciation and gestured.

Anderson pursed his lips and shook his head, indicating he didn't understand.

"Officer, then, then I'm leaving."

Guo Dainan just assumed he had agreed and turned to slip away.

"NO!"

Anderson drew the pistol from his waist and aimed it at him.

Then, he pointed to the stool.

"Officer, I..." Guo Dainan was depressed to death.

Anderson smiled and holstered his gun.

Guo Dainan could only sit back down dejectedly.

Inside the luxurious suite.

The Song sisters laid out breakfast.

Madam Jiang reached out habitually to take the coffee, but Cuiping stopped her:

"Madam, Secretary Hong has ordered that no food or drink from the hotel, including water, is to be consumed."

"Didn't you check yesterday afternoon and evening?"

"The food they made had no problems."

"And these chefs have been with me for many years, like family; I brought them when I traveled before, and there has never been a mistake."

"Aren't you being too cautious?"

Madam Jiang frowned and said with dissatisfaction.

Thinking that she was always the one giving orders, being restricted like this all day long, she inevitably had some small temper.

"Madam, protecting you both is our duty; please don't make it difficult for me."

While Cuiping was speaking, Zhou Yan to the side brought up a cage containing some small mice for testing poison.

"Little sister, it's not easy to do this job; you should listen to her," Lin Tai advised gently.

Zhou Yan took the food one by one and put it on a plate with a small knife and fork.

Then, he fed it to the white mice.

Madam Jiang said no more, watching coldly from the side with a gloomy face.

The pastries and the like were all non-toxic.

Sugar-free coffee.

After injecting it with a syringe, the white mouse also showed no abnormalities.

When Zhou Yan took the black tea coffee again and fed it to the white mouse.

The white mouse, which had been jumping around, immediately convulsed all over, foamed at the mouth, and after kicking a few times, lost its life.

"This, this..." Madam Jiang's beautiful face turned pale, and she couldn't help but gasp.

Lin Tai also frowned.

"Don't be anxious."

Out of caution, Zhou Yan took another white mouse and fed it the same dosage.

Sure enough, the white mouse died immediately again.

"It is very clear that this cup of coffee has been poisoned with a deadly toxin," Zhou Yan said solemnly.

"Someone is plotting to poison the gentleman," Zhang Jing said coldly.

"Isn't this very normal?"

"Your chefs have been in Jingling for a long time; Mao Renfeng found an opportunity to infiltrate and threaten them, so what wouldn't they do?"

"If it weren't for Secretary Hong's meticulousness, I'm afraid the tragedy would have already happened."

"Madam, you are a person who has seen the world; you should know that human hearts are fickle and worldly affairs are unpredictable."

Zhou Yan said coldly.

"Thank you both," Lin Tai remained calm and bowed slightly to the two to show her gratitude.

"Zhang Jing, immediately arrest everyone in the kitchen," Madam Jiang came back to her senses and ordered.

"Madam."

"Guo Dainan from the kitchen just applied to go out and is currently in the security room."

"I suspect he did it and wants to escape."

Zhang Jing said.

"Go quickly, don't let this thief run away," Madam Jiang ordered.

Zhang Jing immediately went outside, called the attendants, and came to the security room.

Guo Dainan was sitting on the chair holding his head.

"Mr. Anderson, this person is suspected of attempting to assassinate the two ladies; I want to take him away," Zhang Jing said.

"Take him away?"

"No."

"I promised Secretary Hong that I would be fully responsible for him."

Anderson said fluently.

Guo Dainan raised his head, stunned.

This damn foreign devil could actually speak Chinese.

Damn it, he was playing him.

"Can I make a phone call?" Zhang Jing asked.

"Of course."

Anderson stepped aside.

Zhang Jing quickly dialed the phone to Hong Zhiyou's office and reported the situation:

"Fine."

"Fine."

"I know, thank you for your hard work."

Hanging up the phone, he frowned at Anderson: "Secretary Hong's meaning is for you to take the person to the Marine Corps first, have your people execute the interrogation, and he will arrive later."

"OK."

Anderson gestured, and soldiers immediately stepped forward to detain Guo Dainan.

"Adjutant Zhang."

"I cannot go to the American base."

"They will kill me."

"I beg you, for the sake of our friendship over the years, let Madam spare my life."

"Send me to Jingling, the Confidentiality Bureau Inspection Office, the Second Department, or the Military Court, all are fine."

Guo Dainan panicked and began to beg loudly.

He dared to do this job.

Besides his family being threatened, there was also the temptation of profit.

Kill Lin Tai, make a great contribution.

Mao Wanli had painted a big picture for him, saying that as long as the mission was completed, the Chairman and Jiang Jianfeng would reward him, and he could also be transferred into the Confidentiality Bureau.

And he specifically emphasized.

Once caught, he must deny it firmly.

As long as he returned to Jingling, the headquarters would do everything possible to protect him.

Therefore, Guo Dainan had this move.

Now it was good, the person was taken to the Marine Corps; let alone Mao Renfeng, even if the Chairman went, he might not be able to get the person out.

It was a dead end.

"How about this, I will ask Madam for instructions first, and wait until Secretary Hong arrives to make a decision, how about that?" Zhang Jing said in a deep voice.

As an attendant, he knew very well that this person was highly likely sent secretly by the Chairman.

If that was really the case.

If interrogated too much, it would cause trouble.

"Please do as you wish," Anderson smiled.

Zhang Jing had just left.

Anderson gestured, and several soldiers pushed Guo Dainan out, shoved him into a car, and headed straight for the Marine Corps.

He didn't care what these people from the Nationalist Government thought.

He only knew that Hong Zhiyou had paid a high price to invite him.

If you take the money, you have to do the job.

If anyone from the Nationalist Government has something to say, go find Commander Ke Ke or Commander Philson.

"Madam, Guo Dainan was trying to escape and was detained by the Americans; Secretary Hong wants to hand the person over to the Americans for interrogation; what is your meaning?" Zhang Jing walked in and said in a deep voice.

"Hand over to the Americans?" Madam Jiang began to ponder.

She was very angry that Guo Dainan had poisoned her sister.

But she knew even better that as an "old man," Guo Dainan doing this was mostly under secret instructions from above.

Once exposed, it would be very unfavorable to Jiang.

Protecting her sister was one thing, but she also had to consider the face of Jiang and his son.

"No, in my opinion, it's better to detain him first and hand him over to Jingling for disposal," Madam Jiang said.

"Understood," Zhang Jing accepted the order.

Outside, he saw that Guo Dainan was already gone.

"Where is he?" he asked Anderson.

"Taken away, to the Marine Corps," Anderson said, chewing his cigar.

"You!"

Zhang Jing was almost angered to death.

Just as he was about to flare up, Hong Zhiyou walked in.

"Guo Dainan was taken away by the Americans; Madam wants you to send the person to Jingling immediately," Zhang Jing said.

"The person will definitely be sent to Jingling."

"Handing him over to the Americans is also to protect his safety; Adjutant Zhang, don't worry."

Hong Zhiyou smiled lightly.

Arriving at the suite.

Madam Jiang was very displeased to hear that the person had been taken away.

"Mr., may I have a private word with Madam?" Hong Zhiyou bowed and asked with a smile.

"Fine, you talk."

Lin Tai turned and entered the inner chamber.

Zhang Jing, Cuiping, and the others tactfully retreated.

"You have a lot of nerve!" Madam Jiang scolded angrily.

"Madam."

"You have your considerations, and I have my difficulties."

"The current matter is that if we don't interrogate it clearly, someone will use this to make an issue of the Jinhai Station."

"I know what you are considering."

"The Chairman has always been magnanimous and upright; in my opinion, this is someone fanning the flames behind the scenes."

Hong Zhiyou said, turning the two cups of coffee on the table around.

"Someone instigated Guo Dainan to attempt to assassinate you, Madam."

He said in a deep voice.

Madam Jiang understood instantly.

With the two cups of coffee swapped, the nature of the event changed completely.

Guo Dainan assassinated her.

This was something the Chairman and Jiang Jianfeng would never allow.

And no one would dare to link the assassination attempt to the Chairman and Jiang Jianfeng anymore.

This could preserve the face of the Jiang father and son and prevent others from having an excuse to criticize.

At the same time, it could help her deter those rats who wanted to assassinate her sister.

"Madam, you don't like certain people."

"I don't like them either."

"They want Mr. Lin Tai dead, and they also want Station Chief Wu and me dead."

"I am not a meddlesome person."

"I am just meeting moves with moves to protect the two ladies."

"Once this person returns to Jingling, he will definitely spout nonsense and frame Bureau Chief Mao, including Jiang Jianfeng, and even the Chairman."

"Mao Wanli is currently hiding in Jinhai."

"I believe this is his own selfish act and has nothing to do with the Jingling headquarters or the superiors."

"In addition, Kang Ze has also returned from abroad."

"He and Jiang Jianfeng are mortal enemies."

"It is entirely possible that he wants to frame Jiang Jianfeng for something."

Saying this, Hong Zhiyou restored the coffee to its original state.

"Madam, you are as wise as the sea."

"You should know that Station Chief Wu and I have no ill intentions toward you, and only wish for your sister and you to be safe and sound."

"But Station Chief Wu has his own difficulties."

"Please be understanding."

Hong Zhiyou kicked this difficult choice back to Madam Jiang.

If she said it was sent by Kang Ze.

Then it was an assassination of Lin Tai to frame Jiang Jianfeng; in this way, the Jiang father and son would have to withdraw the order to assassinate.

If it was Mao Wanli.

Then it was an assassination of Madam, which could also preserve the face of the Jiang father and son.

The scapegoats would be Mao Renfeng and his nephew for their incompetence.

But either way, it could allow Wu Jingzhong to successfully escape and avoid punishment.

"Can't it be sent directly to headquarters and handled internally?" Madam Jiang was silent for a moment and asked.

"No."

"Because the assassin is still in action."

"Madam, you don't want your sister to be assassinated endlessly, right?"

"I dare to suggest that you can use this matter to point something out to those above."

"This person is locked in the Marine Corps, which is your intention, and has nothing to do with me."

"You hold this person, and in the future, if those rats in the Military Statistics Bureau want to move against your sister, you can make them hurt!"

"Similarly, I think the Chairman and Jiang Jianfeng will also clearly understand your stance, Madam."

"Forgive me for being blunt."

"Over the past few years, you have exhausted your efforts, always playing tai chi in the middle; why do such assassination attempts never stop?"

"It's very simple, because those above feel you have no strength."

"Or rather, your determination to protect your sister is not obvious enough."

"Shen Zui dared to assassinate Lin Tai again and again because those people felt you were weak, and even felt that your protection of your sister was only verbal and you wouldn't take real action."

"Then this time is the perfect opportunity to show your strength and attitude."

"You must draw your bayonet, see red, see blood, and thoroughly stop this crooked trend."

"Don't forget, the Nationalist Government cannot do without you."

"You are the honored guest of North America."

"It is understandable for you to maintain the dignity of the Nationalist Government and the Chairman."

"But don't forget, you yourself are also the dignity of the country and a heavy weapon of the country."

"Behind you are Truman and the North American printing press."

"Mobilizing the U. S. military to shake this mountain and seek this little bit of family appeal, isn't that very normal?"

"I believe the Chairman will understand your painstaking efforts."

"From now on, there will be no more petty people!"

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand and advised solemnly.

Madam Jiang looked at this young man, feeling it was unbelievable.

She had been depressed about this for a long time.

She had expressed her dissatisfaction with the Jiang father and son's assassination of her sister both openly and secretly.

But she had never been able to stop this trend.

Now Hong Zhiyou had pointed it out with one needle hitting the blood.

In the final analysis, it was because her attitude was not tough enough, and she had not used her strength to talk to the Jiang father and son.

Jiang and Song, Jiang and Song are not separated.

Her sister was the widow of Mr. Sun; whether out of the gratitude for Mr. Sun's legacy or her own marital relationship, Jiang could not commit such base and unjust acts because of political prejudice.

This was also a fact recognized by the whole country.

It even once made the world laugh and feel puzzled.

This was Lin Tai.

Anyone could assassinate her, but he, Chiang Kai-shek, could not!

It was time to use strength to show her attitude.

"You are not old, but you see things clearly."

"No wonder Ziliang praises you endlessly, and Yu Xuan, who is arrogant, looks at you differently."

"Secretary Hong, then let it be as you said."

"Hand the person over to the Marine Corps for interrogation."

"Tell your Station Chief Wu that it was my idea and has nothing to do with your Jinhai Station."

"But the interrogation results must be handed to me."

Madam Jiang said.

"Understood," Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

"You go down," Madam said, feeling a bit tired.

Hong Zhiyou retreated.

Lin Tai walked out from inside.

Madam Jiang's eyes turned red, she rushed forward a step, and hugged her tightly:

"Sister, I'm sorry."

"Don't say that; you and Ziwen and the others have not had it easy either; without you, I might not be alive today," she had heard Hong Zhiyou's words.

"No, it's that I didn't do well enough," Madam choked up softly.

"Sigh!"

Lin Tai sighed softly, patting her little sister's back gently.

Family and country, country has its national conditions, family has its private feelings.

Her little sister was bound by both, how difficult it was.

Sisters are of one heart, everything is understood without words.

Hong Zhiyou returned to the Jinhai Station and reported to Wu Jingzhong immediately.

"Great."

"With this matter in Madam's hands, we are liberated."

"The Chairman and Jiang Jianfeng are not fools."

"No matter how you say some things, loopholes will be picked out."

Wu Jingzhong said happily.

"What I am worried about now is Mao Wanli."

"Guo Dainan was caught and taken away by the Americans; if he can't get the person out, this matter will be exposed."

"If it were me, I would take a risk."

"Kill Lin Tai and make a great contribution to the Chairman."

"Even if he is punished because of public opinion for now, he can completely go abroad for a turn like Kang Ze; when the time comes, he will inevitably be promoted and reused after being gilded," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Hmm."

"This is also the routine means for the Chairman to deal with 'meritorious officials,' cold first then hot, must be guarded against."

"Tonight is the reception."

"Madam."

"Jinhai is indeed not peaceful right now; out of safety considerations, I think it would be best for us to return to Jingling as soon as possible," Zhang Jing suggested.

"Foolish."

"The Chairman is currently in a difficult situation; since I have come, there is no reason to leave."

"Besides, which trip has been without these kinds of things?"

"Tell Wu Jingzhong to strengthen security."

"However, the original three-day schedule can be shortened to two days."

"Tonight, hold a reception for the military, political, and business circles. Especially those Party-State elders and famous democratic figures in Beiping and Tianjin; make sure to invite them as much as possible," Madam Jiang instructed.

"Yes, your subordinate will go make arrangements," Zhang Jing accepted the order.

Upon arriving at the lobby.

Hong Zhiyou was arranging security matters for the hotel, speaking fluent English with Anderson and the captain leading the team.

Soon, fully armed soldiers were guarding every key point of the hotel.

Including the rooftop, which was patrolled and guarded by soldiers twenty-four hours a day.

"Why are there American soldiers?" Zhang Jing asked.

"You are also in security; you should know that our culture is a society of human relationships."

"As long as there is any human relationship, you can mix in by bribing someone with money."

"They won't."

"The language barrier."

"And their officers have already been given enough rewards, so there are no human relationships."

"Just treat them as a bunch of heartless gatekeeping... machines," Hong Zhiyou glanced at Anderson, the Chinese interpreter, and swallowed the word "dogs" that was on the tip of his tongue.

"But this is inconsistent with the security plan I submitted to the Madam," Zhang Jing frowned.

"Plans can't keep up with changes."

"Take me to see the Madam immediately."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Please follow me."

As a member of the inner guard, Zhang Jing naturally knew some things about Hong Zhiyou.

The Chairman had secretly ordered this person to transport military supplies to Fu Zuoyi.

Currently, he also had the heavy responsibility of raising funds with Yu Xuan.

Everyone knew Hong Zhiyou had connections with the Americans.

He had even been invited by Ambassador Smith and Commander Cole in Jingling.

However, seeing it today, Zhang Jing realized the rumors were not false.

Hong Zhiyou could command the arrogant American military at will, and the key was that those American soldiers seemed very happy to serve, obeying him absolutely, as respectfully as they would their own commander.

It was simply incredible.

Upon arriving at the inner chamber.

The two Madams were sitting and chatting over tea.

"Madam, Secretary Hong requests an audience," Zhang Jing stepped forward to report.

"Let him in," Madam Jiang said.

She didn't know Hong Zhiyou.

But Yu Xuan was extremely close to him, as if he were her own son.

Yu Xuan had praised Hong Zhiyou many times.

Coupled with the route change today, Madam Jiang had a very good impression of Hong Zhiyou.

"Madam."

"May I have a few words with the two of you alone?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"Alright."

"You all may leave," Madam Jiang said.

"Madam, the situation in Jinhai is very unfavorable."

"Li Zongren's Beiping Headquarters has many people who have arrived in Jinhai; this is aimed at you."

"I am even more worried that it is aimed at the Chairman."

He turned and bowed to Lin Tai.

"Tell us," Lin Tai smiled faintly.

"Former members of Kang Ze's special service unit have secretly entered Jinhai."

"I suspect they want to assassinate the Chairman and frame Jianfeng."

"There is even more unfavorable news; according to reliable information, Mao Wanli has arrived in Jinhai, bringing many elite subordinates, and their specific movements have not been reported to Jinhai."

"I currently cannot figure out his movements."

"But... he might be here to secretly protect the two Madams," Hong Zhiyou said vaguely.

There were some things everyone knew in their hearts.

Madam Jiang knew better than anyone what Mao Wanli was here for.

But it absolutely could not be said out loud; that would be a slap in the face to the Chairman and Jianfeng, as well as the Madam herself.

Sure enough, Madam Jiang's brows furrowed tightly, and she became angry:

"What on earth do these rats raised by Dai Li want to do?"

"Having one Shen Zui is not enough."

"Now another Mao Renfeng has come!"

"Find a way to find them; my sister and I don't need their protection, tell them to get as far away as possible."

"Yes," Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

He knew that with just this one sentence, no matter what scheme Mao Renfeng had, he would never have a good outcome in front of the Madam again.

Using four ounces to move a thousand pounds, nothing more than this!

"However, they are elites of the old military intelligence; Jinhai is a big city, and finding them is undoubtedly like looking for a needle in a haystack."

"Out of safety considerations."

"From now on, the security of this building will be taken over by the U. S. Marine Corps."

"At the same time, there will be guards every twenty steps on the street outside, all taken over by the 94th Army."

"In addition, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, the Police Bureau, the Party-State Bureau, and the Inspection Division will only provide nominal protection and will not participate in any specific security actions."

"The purpose is to prevent people with ulterior motives from colluding or bribing."

"For the sake of safety, I would like to request an order from the two Madams: from now on, all security will be my responsibility, including your aide Deputy Aide Zhang, the chefs, waiters, etc."

"They must accept strict monitoring."

"My people will be fully responsible for your safety, including food, etc."

"I ask for the two of you to approve."

After a pause, Hong Zhiyou said righteously.

"This..." Without Zhang Jing, Madam Jiang always felt uneasy.

"Can Zhang Jing stay?" she asked.