Chapter 227: Must Carry Him Away

A small courtyard.

Yu Zecheng was holding a hammer and nails, repairing the bed.

"It's all your fault, you fake prude.

"You're eager to shake it twenty-three days a month; never mind the bed, even a real person would be shaken to pieces by you."

Cuiping stood to the side, arms crossed, bickering with him.

"It does seem like a bit much.

"When we first arrived, shaking it was fine, but now that we're an old married couple, hmm, we do need to show some restraint."

Yu Zecheng expressed his agreement.

"Are you still talking?

"Today at the Station Master's wife's house, she was knitting a sweater for her grandson and asked me about it.

"She asked why we don't have children.

"She also said that for the internal staff of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, the headquarters offers rewards, and you can even get a promotion and a raise."

Cuiping said.

"There is such a regulation.

"Dai Li came up with it.

"Why do you think they brought you here? Once a man has a wife and children, it's like a kite; the string is firmly gripped in their hands.

"Do you think they wouldn't want us to have children?

"Dai Li was a man who understood human nature and would stop at nothing. It's fortunate he died; otherwise, our lives would be even harder to endure.

"By the way, how did you answer?"

Yu Zecheng sighed twice, then asked.

"I originally thought that since you're a grown man, I couldn't make you lose face, so I wanted to say it was me who couldn't.

"But then I had a second thought, that's not right either.

"With a physique as strong as an ox like mine, there's no reason I couldn't have children.

"Besides, what if she dragged me to a foreign devil's hospital for a checkup?

"I thought it over carefully; no, you have to take the blame. It's better for you to be the one who can't than for me to be the one who can't.

"She couldn't possibly drag you to the hospital for a checkup, could she?"

Cuiping answered very seriously from the side.

Yu Zecheng put down the hammer and stared straight at her.

"W-what's wrong? Did I say the wrong thing again?" Cuiping was a bit panicked.

"No.

"You did very well. Knowing how to think is progress.

"Comrade Cuiping, it seems you are gradually adapting to this job."

Yu Zecheng smiled and continued to stare at the bed.

"Phew, you scared me to death.

"How about that? I told you, as a dignified Mobile Corps Commander Captain and President of the Party Group Association, I could handle this task."

Cuiping became smug again.

"Yes, yes.

"You're so capable. You can cut off a Japanese devil's head, and Ke Chengwu, whom even the Generalissimo couldn't handle, was easily taken down by you." Yu Zecheng nodded repeatedly.

"Glad you know it." Cuiping turned up her nose, tilted her head, and laughed happily.

"Let's talk business.

"Since you caught Ji Weimin this time, will headquarters let you be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and become Deputy Station Master?"

Seeing him busy for quite a while, Cuiping poured him a cup of warm water.

"Promotion is certain.

"This concerns the Generalissimo's face. Even if Jiang Jianfeng doesn't like me, he has to give his old man some face.

"As for becoming Deputy Station Master, the Station Master will definitely fight for it for me.

"But Zheng Jiemin won't let it happen.

"Right now, the civil war is intensifying. Our base is close to Beiping and Jinhai; who knows, maybe in the time it takes to sleep, Beiping and Jinhai will be liberated.

"So now, these lucrative places like Jinhai, Shanghu, and Beiping—

"The municipal government, the garrison, the Gendarmerie Headquarters, the City Defense Bureau."

"Never mind a deputy-level position; even the heads of the lower sections and divisions, or even deputy section-level roles, are already being fought over until heads are broken.

"Everyone wants to take advantage of the final time to rake in a fortune.

"When Ke Shufen had her birthday this year, Lu Qiaoshan gave away almost his entire net worth. It's said he even made his son, Lu Ming, kowtow to Ke Shufen and acknowledge her as a godmother.

"Otherwise, when Li Ya was nominated for Deputy Station Master, Zheng Jiemin wouldn't have stepped in personally.

"Now Li Ya has already fallen.

"Zheng Jiemin has no reason to spit out the fat meat that's already in his mouth.

"Unless Lu Qiaoshan suddenly dies, or does something as stupid as Li Ya that pierces the sky.

"Otherwise, this Deputy Station Master position is definitely going to him."

Yu Zecheng shook his head and said.

"How about I find a secluded corner tonight and blow his head off with a shot.

"When you need to be ruthless, you have to be ruthless.

"If you become Deputy Station Master, Li Ya and his lot won't dare to investigate us."

Cuiping said.

"Don't be ridiculous.

"I've just been promoted, and if Lu Qiaoshan gets shot, I'll be in trouble even if I'm innocent.

"Besides, there's no one Li Ya doesn't dare to investigate.

"Didn't Ma Kui investigate the Station Master?

"And Li Ya has Jiang Jianfeng behind him. You can't go to the Nanjing Residence to assassinate him, can you?"

Yu Zecheng rolled his eyes at her and said.

"Assassinate then, what's there to be afraid of?

"It's just that there are no conditions.

"If there were conditions, if they dared to appear in my line of sight, I'd guarantee I'd take their heads with one shot."

Cuiping said unconvinced.

Yu Zecheng smiled and shook his head: "They are surrounded by secret agents everywhere. You can't bring in guns, axes, or throwing knives; otherwise, Old Zhou and the others would have succeeded long ago."

Knock, knock!

Just as they were talking, a knock came from the door downstairs.

"Someone's here."

The two tidied up briefly and went downstairs.

"Who is it?"

Yu Zecheng drew his service pistol and asked vigilantly, one hand on the doorknob.

"It's me." Li Ya's voice came from outside the door.

Yu Zecheng put the gun in the shoe cabinet drawer and opened the door, beaming:

"Oh, it's Captain Li, a rare guest."

"Captain Li, excuse the mess, we didn't have time to tidy up the house." Cuiping tidied the sofa briefly from the side.

"Where?

"This is what you call a lively atmosphere of life; unlike me, a lone wolf, cold and desolate." Li Ya smiled.

"You're not a lone wolf.

"I went to play cards, and those ladies said you have a girlfriend in the opera troupe who sings the *huadan* role, and she's very beautiful.

"When the old master of Mobile Corps Commander Tian's wife's family had his birthday, they even invited her to perform."

Cuiping said.

"You mean Xiao Yunxian.

"We broke up.

"I was blind last time, mistaking Old Yu's good intentions for a donkey's liver and lungs; the sugar deal went down the drain.

"Then I lost Yuan Peilin.

"The money is gone, and there's no hope for promotion.

"She looked down on me for having no future and went off to eat and drink well with a rich young master."

Li Ya sighed self-pityingly.

"Cuiping!

"You really are bringing up the pot that isn't boiling.

"Go upstairs."

Yu Zecheng scolded with a twitch of his eyebrows.

"My apologies, Captain Li." Wang Cuiping gave an awkward laugh, shot a quiet glare at Yu Zecheng, and went upstairs.

"Captain Li.

"The woman from the countryside doesn't know any better; please don't take it to heart."

Yu Zecheng welcomed him to the sofa and poured tea to apologize.

"Ah, since ancient times, passion has always left behind regrets.

"Women in theaters and brothels are often fickle; it's just playing a part, I've come to terms with it.

"I actually envy you; your wife is virtuous, and you are in perfect harmony."

Li Ya laughed.

"Not at all, we argue often too.

"Let's not talk about that.

"Captain Li, it's so late, is something the matter?"

Yu Zecheng smiled and asked.

"Nothing much, just feeling a bit stifled.

"You know, I arrived late, and besides you, my old classmate, I don't have any other friends.

"I came over to have a chat, I hope I'm not intruding."

Li Ya crossed his legs, leaned back into the sofa, and said.

"Not at all.

"We are classmates from the Qingpu Class, disciples personally mentored by the Station Chief.

"In terms of relationship, there is no one closer than us.

"I'm always hoping you'll come by to visit."

Yu Zecheng said hurriedly.

"Old Wu is dead, did you know?" Li Ya asked.

"Old Wu?

"I know, last time he got into a conflict at the casino, was stabbed twice by some drunkard, and then he vanished. Department Chief Lu was even asking me about it a few days ago."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Lu Qiaoshan asked you?

"Is that true?"

Li Ya's brow furrowed as he captured this important piece of information.

"It's true, there's nothing I can't say.

"Department Chief Lu came to me because Old Wu owed money to the station, from a long time ago, back when Department Chief Lu was also in charge of the General Affairs Section.

"Director Mao is carrying out reforms now, isn't he?

"Everyone is responsible for their own area, and Lu Qiaoshan has to clear up all the old accounts, including those of the late Zhou Yafu.

"Old Wu's accounts don't match up, so of course he's anxious."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Oh, if you don't believe me, you can ask people from other sections.

"The interrogation room, the security section.

"Department Chief Lu has asked many people."

He paused, then added.

"How much could Old Wu possibly owe?

"Asking around everywhere, he's just a dog jumping over a wall in desperation; he must have done too many guilty things."

Li Ya's eyes turned cold, and he sneered.

"No.

"Captain Li, that look of yours makes me very nervous.

"I didn't say anything wrong, did I?"

Yu Zecheng asked hurriedly.

"The day I interrogated Dong Cheng, someone set a trap for me.

"Old Wu deliberately cleared out the interrogation room, waiting for me to walk into it.

"Do you remember who was responsible for handling Dong Cheng's body?

"And who handled Yuan Peilin's body?

"Who put it in the newspaper?"

Li Ya sneered and asked.

"Yuan Peilin's body, I know about that, it was Detective Li from the police station.

"As for Dong Cheng's body, I really don't know who the Station Chief arranged, didn't you accuse me of it back then?

"I didn't dare say a single word the whole time.

"I didn't have the heart to go asking around."

Yu Zecheng said.

"I was misled by others at the time.

"Let's not talk about that.

"Let's talk about these two bodies; after Yuan Peilin was killed, the first person to arrive at the hospital was Lu Qiaoshan.

"According to my people, he even brought a camera.

"Such a secretive matter, and it was in the papers early the next morning, almost putting me to death.

"Never mind Yuan Peilin.

"Let's talk about Dong Cheng; I admit I was provoked at the time and used heavy hands.

"But his body was handled by Lu Qiaoshan.

"He had it burned overnight.

"Immediately after, Old Wu was stabbed at the casino.

"Isn't it obvious that something is fishy?

"I suspect Dong Cheng was very likely misled or poisoned.

"Otherwise, why would the body have been handled so hastily?

"I went to great lengths to pull Old Wu back from the gates of hell.

"Old Wu had already promised me he would tell me about Dong Cheng in a couple of days.

"And then tonight, he gets stabbed.

"One thing after another, isn't it obvious?

"This is no longer about stopping me from becoming Deputy Station Chief; this is about taking my life."

Li Ya narrowed his eyes and let out a cold, mocking laugh.

"Captain Li, if that's how you see it, Dong Cheng's death certainly has its mysteries.

"Wait, when you were nominated for Deputy Station Chief, I, I and Old Lu...

"Old classmate.

"One thing is one thing, I did speak up for you, but I know nothing about the Dong Cheng affair."

Yu Zecheng was so panicked he stood straight up.

"Sit, sit.

"We have a misunderstanding.

"You helped me transport sugar, and I misunderstood you.

"You didn't want me to be Deputy Station Chief and colluded with Lu Qiaoshan.

"We're even now.

"I know Dong Cheng's death has nothing to do with you; someone is specifically digging a hole for me, trying to bury me alive.

"I just won't let them have their way."

Li Ya gestured like a host, crossing his legs and pressing his hand down.

"You, you scared me to death.

"Old brother, you are a member of the Iron and Blood Youth Corps, with Jiang Jianfeng behind you; even if Yuan Peilin was killed, or even if Jinhai City was lost by you, who could touch you?

"I'm different; just because I shot Li Haifeng, I was highly regarded by Boss Dai, but now Jiang Jianfeng, Zheng, and Mao all look at me with disdain.

"If they pin even a sesame-seed-sized matter on me, my head might be gone."

Yu Zecheng said with lingering fear.

"Old Yu, if I suspected you, I wouldn't have come tonight.

"Really.

"I truly consider you and Secretary Hong as friends."

Li Ya laughed.

"Then I thank you.

"Old classmate, look at me, I struggled my way out of the Jibei countryside, risked my life to shoot Li Haifeng, and was shot several times.

"I barely managed to save my life, and now I'm just following my teacher to earn a living and live like a normal person."

"You say that as soon as you arrived, you wanted to smash my rice bowl."

"Can I not be afraid?"

"If it were you, not to mention being thrown into jail, even if you were just transferred away from Jinhai, would you be willing?"

Yu Zecheng rolled up his sleeves, assuming a posture of heart-to-heart sincerity, and leaned in to ask earnestly.

"Jinhai is a paradise on earth."

"To tell you the truth, being transferred out to be some general or station chief is really not as good as being a section chief in Jinhai."

"You know Section Chief Shen, right?"

"Mao Renfeng sent him off to Yunnan."

"Before he left, he had submitted reports several times, wanting to go to Shanghu or Jinhai, even saying that he would be fine with a deputy position."

"Mao Renfeng simply wouldn't approve it."

"So, I understand your feelings, brother."

"Let's consider this matter settled between us."

Li Ya felt the same way, reached out to shake hands with Yu Zecheng, and said.

"Yes, that's how we two should be."

"Look at the Station Chief, Zheng Jiemin, and Jiang Jianfeng; aren't they classmates too?"

"Their relationship is so solid."

"Why is it that when it comes to us, the classmate relationship turns into enmity?"

Yu Zecheng placed his left hand on top, gripping Li Ya's hand and shaking it vigorously.

"That's right."

"Our relationship must be strengthened; don't let some petty people take advantage of the situation."

Li Ya withdrew his hand, eyed Yu Zecheng, paused, and said:

"Old Yu, today I saw that after the Station Chief said he was going to Jingling, he let Lu Qiaoshan take charge of the station's work; you didn't seem very happy about that, did you?"

"Me? My depth of character is truly not that great, you saw right through me." Yu Zecheng shook his head with a bitter smile while refilling his tea.

"You performed a great service in the matter of Ji Weimin."

"Once your Lieutenant Colonel rank comes down, you will be of the same rank as me and Lu Qiaoshan, and you will have the qualifications to be nominated as deputy station chief."

Li Ya said.

"No, no."

"I only dare to think about it."

"In terms of seniority and connections, what virtue or ability do I have to fight you two for this chair? Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?"

Yu Zecheng waved his hand with a smile, then leaned in and whispered:

"Have you heard?"

"Hou Yunlai went back to his hometown; the Station Chief originally wanted a democratic vote within the station, but Lu Qiaoshan went to have a cup of tea with him, and the man just ran off."

"Still don't see it clearly?"

"Lu Qiaoshan is determined to have the deputy station chief position."

"I..."

Yu Zecheng shook his head and waved his hands repeatedly.

"I messed up the Yuan Peilin affair, so there's no hope for me to be deputy station chief."

"But I can't stand the petty ways of that man surnamed Lu."

"Don't worry, as long as you want to be it, I can lift you up there."

Li Ya said.

"Captain Li, don't, I can only dream about being deputy station chief."

"So what if I performed a service and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel?"

"Director Zheng doesn't like me."

"Director Mao even wishes he could kill me; you've heard about Mao Sen sending people to Jinhai to flip antiques, right? That was ruined by me accidentally bumping into it."

"If the Station Chief hadn't protected me back then, Wang Puchen would have taken me straight to Beiping for a secret execution."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Zheng Jiemin is going to be transferred to the Ministry of National Defense as Vice Minister in March."

"Mao Renfeng is just acting out of petty spite."

"This time you have relieved the worries of the Leader, so the Station Chief will definitely speak to Jiang Jianfeng to nominate you."

"When the time comes, Jiang Jianfeng will inevitably ask me about your performance and situation in Jinhai."

"I will spare no effort to recommend you."

"As long as Jiang Jianfeng nods, what do Mao Renfeng and Zheng Jiemin count for?"

Li Ya smiled with disdain.

"In one word, do you want to be it or not?" He looked at Yu Zecheng sternly.

"Deputy station chief, who wouldn't want to be that?"

"What is the point of coming out to shed blood and sacrifice one's life, if not to seek an official position and bring honor to one's wife and children?"

Yu Zecheng hurriedly stated his position.

"Fine, with that word from you, I can rest easy."

"Just wait."

"I will guarantee you this deputy station chief position."

Li Ya stood up, put one hand in his pocket, patted him, and walked out.

"Old classmate, walk slowly, let me see you out."

Yu Zecheng hurriedly chased after him with a fawning expression.

He didn't return to the house until he had seen Li Ya into his car.

"Old Yu."

"I just heard Li Ya say he wants to guarantee you as deputy station chief; is, is this true?"

Cuiping trotted downstairs and asked happily.

"Hmm, it's possible."

"This man holds a grudge; Lu Qiaoshan put him in a difficult spot, so he definitely wants to retaliate."

Yu Zecheng said.

"That's great."

"If you become deputy station chief, you'll be the number two person in the station, and you'll be able to get your hands on any classified document." Cuiping was overjoyed.

"It's not that simple."

"And you should just listen to this; there's no need to take it seriously."

"Zheng Jiemin has already nominated Lu Qiaoshan, and I am from the 'Dai Faction,' not leaning toward either side, so I reckon it will be hard for Li Ya to push this through." Yu Zecheng said.

"Hey."

"You say that damn Dai Li, why couldn't he die sooner or later?"

"If he had died sooner, he could have harmed fewer of our comrades."

"If later, it wouldn't have been too late for him to at least protect you until you became an official before crashing his plane."

"Really."

Cuiping said with annoyance.

Yu Zecheng smiled and said nothing.

Whether Dai Li died sooner or later didn't matter; his death was a cause for universal celebration.

"By the way, which faction do you say the Station Chief belongs to?"

After going upstairs, Cuiping asked curiously.

"The Station Chief?"

Yu Zecheng had truly never considered this question.

The Station Chief seemed to be adept at handling all sides.

Jiang Jianfeng, Zheng Jiemin, Shen Zui, Xie Ruo; it seemed that apart from Mao Renfeng, there was no one he couldn't get along with.

But then again.

No matter how slick or how well-versed in worldly wisdom one is.

Isn't there still a Mao Renfeng he could never get past?

"Let's sleep."

Yu Zecheng said no more.

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the station and went to the Station Chief's office as usual to clean and wipe down the tables, chairs, sofas, and tea sets one by one.

The Station Chief was not there.

He called Yu Zecheng into the office to play chess as usual.

"Zhiyou, Li Ya said he wants to help me get promoted."

"Do you think it's credible?"

Yu Zecheng asked in a low voice.

"Credible.

"This Deputy Station Chief position will be yours," Hong Zhiyou nodded and said.

"Then I shall accept your auspicious words, you half-immortal," Yu Zecheng laughed.

"I am not joking.

"Has Lu Qiao arrived?"

Hong Zhiyou placed a piece, his eyes gleaming with the luster of wisdom.

"He has.

"I heard that Lao Wu died, and he ran to the hospital first thing this morning.

"You talk about this Lu Qiao.

"Isn't it just owing the General Affairs Section a little money? Is it worth pursuing it so tightly?"

Yu Zecheng was quite puzzled.

"That is what you call being blinded by greed.

"Lao Wu is dead, and according to Director Mao's instructions, he has to cover a percentage of those deficits.

"Although it is only a few dozen silver dollars.

"But given Lu Qiao's temperament, he must see the person alive or the corpse dead; if he doesn't see Lao Wu dead, he can keep denying it and dragging it out.

"For the sake of these few dozen silver dollars, he will definitely go to examine the corpse."

Hong Zhiyou had long since seen through this man.

"Sigh.

"Money really does blind people.

"Li Ya is currently suspecting that Lu Qiao colluded with Lao Wu to play tricks regarding the Dong Cheng matter.

"He is rushing off to examine the corpse at a time like this.

"Doesn't this just make Li Ya more certain that he did it?"

Yu Zecheng shook his head and said.

"That is why they say, some people are shrewd for a lifetime, but foolish for a moment," Hong Zhiyou said.

This was exactly the effect he wanted.

It could be said that the timing was also a stroke of luck.

The Station Chief had gone to Jingling, and furthermore, regarding the matters of Dong Cheng and Yuan Peilin, his stance had always leaned toward Li Ya.

Therefore, with the two factors combined.

In Li Ya's view, the suspicion was actually the lightest.

It was Lu Qiao, on the other hand, who was throwing himself into the fray for money, which just happened to let Li Ya "confirm the facts."

Action Team.

Li Ya had his legs propped up on the desk, eyes closed, listening to music.

Gao Yuan walked in: "Captain Li, just as you expected, Lu Qiao went to the hospital and personally examined the corpse."

"Heh heh.

"It really was him.

"He was afraid the assassin didn't do a clean job.

"Lu Qiao, you really are shameless.

"Time and again you ruin my plans.

"If I don't take you down this time, I won't be surnamed Li!"

Li Ya sneered, clenching his fists tightly.

(End of chapter)