Chapter 229: Have a Safe Journey

After Hong Zhiyou greeted the General Affairs Section, he returned to the Station Chief's office.

Wu Jingzhong was on the phone, his laughter hearty:

"Old Li, why be so polite? We've been old friends for years; how could I not help you?

"This trip to Jingling was truly too rushed. To see the Chairman, I spent an entire day in the guard room, not even daring to drink a sip of water.

"Next time, next time I go to Jingling, I will certainly keep your appointment.

"No need to come to Jinhai.

"Alright, take care, goodbye."

Snap!

Wu Jingzhong hung up the phone and turned to look at Hong Zhiyou:

"Li Yanshen has passed the test with Ye Xiufeng.

"That pig-brained fool, blinded by greed—how could Ji Weimin possibly be tried in public?

"He was taken to Jingling and tried directly by Zhang Qun himself.

"The trial finished that same day, the stolen goods were verified, and that night he hanged himself in prison with his shoelaces."

"It's good that he's dead. If he weren't, I'm afraid many people, including the Chairman, wouldn't be able to sleep." Hong Zhiyou finished slicing the fruit and served it.

"Indeed.

"Too many people are involved—the Ministry of National Defense, the local war zones, the Dangtong Bureau. Right now, anyone with a bit of sense can see that the Chairman couldn't possibly be fighting corruption at this juncture.

"If you don't fight it, the nation falls; if you do, the Party falls.

"Without the Party, what would Jiang, Song, Kong, and Chen need this nation for?

"Why arrest Ji Weimin? That was the Old Man wanting to slaughter someone to appease the hearts of those parasites.

"There's no other way.

"The war still needs people to fight it, and the institutions still need to function.

"Everything must be viewed from the big picture.

"Just watch, when the country is unified in the future, the Old Man will definitely settle old scores with this bunch. For now, he's just putting their minds at ease."

Wu Jingzhong, well-versed in human nature, had long seen through everything.

"Indeed.

"With Ji Weimin dead, Ye Xiufeng has escaped a disaster.

"Li Yanshen's twenty thousand US dollars can be considered tuition paid to you."

Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Let's not talk about him. What do you think about tonight's affair?

"We just caught a Ji Weimin, and now a 'Northern No. 1' has popped up.

"If this is caught..."

The smile on Wu Jingzhong's face gradually froze.

"If this is caught.

"Zheng Jiemin could blow Lu Qiaoshan up to the heavens with praise.

"Jianfeng might use this to pull Li Ya out of the pit once again.

"Only we are the true losers."

Hong Zhiyou shook his head and gave a bitter smile.

"Indeed.

"That dog Lu Qiaoshan, he hasn't even become the Deputy Station Chief yet, and he's already crossing his legs in front of me.

"This person is shameless when it comes to soliciting and claiming credit.

"He will fight over even the smallest scrap of profit, not even leaving others a path to survive."

Wu Jingzhong frowned, paced twice with his hands behind his back, and clicked his tongue:

"Regarding Yu Zecheng's matter, I talked until my mouth went dry in Jingling, yet I couldn't get him promoted. Lu Qiaoshan probably doesn't know how much he's laughing at me in his heart.

"Sigh.

"This 'Northern No. 1' has come at the wrong time.

"A few days earlier, if I'd let Zecheng scoop up this credit, his position as Deputy Station Chief might have been secure.

"As it stands, it's unfavorable for me."

He shook his head slightly and looked at Hong Zhiyou with a frown:

"What is your take?"

"Master, I don't usually pay much attention to arrest operations and rarely participate, so I'm truly not very familiar with these things.

"Why not hear Director Yu's opinion?"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Hmm, go call Zecheng in," Wu Jingzhong said.

Having caught Ji Weimin and with the offering of the Buddha later, he now trusted Yu Zecheng's ability and loyalty immensely.

Soon, Hong Zhiyou brought Yu Zecheng in.

"Zecheng, sit down quickly.

"Have some fruit first."

Wu Jingzhong ordered warmly.

Yu Zecheng did not stand on ceremony with him; he sat down, ate for a while, and began to chat.

"Master, were you nervous when you saw the Chairman?

"Last time at the dinner table, Director Shen Zui said that the people he feared most in his life were Ke Shufen and the Chairman.

"He said the Chairman is stern and humorless, and if provoked, he would curse and chase people with a cane.

"He also criticized him many times for being flighty, calling him a 'mischievous monkey'."

Yu Zecheng asked with a smile.

People love hearing good things most of all.

What Wu Jingzhong found most glorious right now was not the assassination of Fu Jie in Harbin back in the day, but the three "good" words he received when he had an audience with the "Son of Heaven."

Yu Zecheng was very good at handling such things.

Sure enough, Wu Jingzhong, who had just been showing off on the phone with Li Yanshen, became interested again:

"How should I put it?

"The Chairman was, after all, the Principal of Whampoa, so he is still very upright.

"He speaks very little.

"And he doesn't like to smile much.

"Recently, the Red tickets have been growing stronger, and the old gentleman is busy with a thousand tasks; his aging is visible to the naked eye.

"To tell you the truth, I found him quite approachable; it was far less nerve-wracking than seeing Boss Dai.

"The Chairman has a human touch.

"Boss Dai does not.

"Don't talk about whether you're a 'Dai faction' member or not; if you disagree on a single point, he'll turn on you and take your life."

Wu Jingzhong said with a smile.

"When it comes to leaders, the one with the most human touch is definitely you, Station Chief.

"Whoever can follow you has the blessing of eight lifetimes."

Yu Zecheng began his routine flattery.

"Zecheng, what do you think about the 'Northern No. 1' affair tonight?" Wu Jingzhong smiled and brought up the main business.

"Master.

"Something doesn't feel right.

"Looking at the classified archives kept from before, there have been no telegrams directly calling 'Deep Sea'.

"Furthermore, the 'Old Kite' signed on the documents is Huang Zhong and his wife; I won't even mention Jiang Aimei.

"According to the organizational principles of the Red tickets, Huang Zhong has been subjected to interrogation; he would have a period of cold storage and screening. It's impossible for him to return to work so quickly and become a person issuing orders.

"Oh.

"Of course, one cannot rule out that the Red tickets truly have no one left to use in the Jinhai area.

"Sending Huang Zhong back is also possible."

Yu Zecheng analyzed with seasoned expertise.

Before the meeting today, he had been pondering where Li Ya got the confidence to topple the rising star Lu Qiaoshan.

Until the operation appeared tonight, he could roughly guess that this was most likely a trap set by Li Ya.

Clearly, Lu Qiaoshan had fallen into the trap.

Of course.

How this will play out.

Only after Li Ya returns from his mission will we know.

"Master, could it be that Team Leader Li..."

Hong Zhiyou was just about to speak when Wu Jingzhong waved his hand:

"We don't know anything."

"Don't ask, don't care."

"Just go ahead and hold the celebration banquet."

With Yu Zecheng's corroboration, the shrewd Wu Jingzhong had already guessed a thing or two.

"Yes."

"In any case, since Section Chief Yu has been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, we can eat this meal with a clear conscience," Hong Zhiyou said.

7: 5 PM.

Li Ya walked into the small courtyard.

Tang Simao had already packed his luggage and was waiting in the yard:

"Captain Li, I am ready."

"Good, come with me." Li Ya took him and got into the car.

"The telegram from last night—the Red Ticket side has already caught wind of it.

"They are searching for you everywhere.

"They have their people at the docks and the train station.

"If you try to leave from there, you might run straight into them; you'll have to change your route if you want to get to Hankou."

Li Ya said while driving.

"I expected as much.

"Old Kite couldn't have been sent back to Jinhai; once the signature appeared, they would surely guess it was me.

"Captain Li, what should I do now?"

Tang Simao was starting to panic.

"Since I came to pick you up, I naturally have a way.

"Just follow me."

Li Ya smiled and drove the car to the desolate outskirts.

Then, through the car window, he pointed to a small, covered boat with an oil lamp lit in the distance.

"Do you see that boat across the way?

"After you get down there, flash this flashlight on and off three times, and the boat will come over.

"Once you get on, don't speak; he will take you away.

"I have already arranged everything; you will return to Hankou as you wished and see your little girlfriend."

Li Ya handed him a flashlight.

"Thank you, Captain Li," Tang Simao said gratefully.

"Be on your way."

Li Ya nodded.

The two got out of the car, and Tang Simao carried his suitcase to the riverbank.

Li Ya followed a few paces behind him, putting on his gloves in a slow, unhurried manner.

Idiot!

He sneered inwardly, pursed his lower lip, a look of contempt and ruthlessness rising on his face, and drew a silenced pistol, aiming it at Tang Simao.

"Tang Simao!"

Li Ya shouted.

Tang Simao turned his head and saw Li Ya holding a gun.

"Li..."

Before he could finish, Li Ya pulled the trigger repeatedly.

Bang! Bang!

Blood bloomed on Tang Simao's chest, and he collapsed into a pool of blood.

Li Ya quickly stepped forward to check Tang Simao's pulse and examine the bullet holes.

Although this gun was a "dead gun" bought on the black market.

And it was a new-model pistol used by the U. . military.

Even if someone found the body and dug out the bullets, they wouldn't be able to trace anything.

After confirming the person was dead, for safety's sake, he casually tossed the gun far into the river.

Returning to the car.

He changed his mud-stained leather shoes as quickly as possible, and when he drove back into the city, he casually tossed them to a beggar.

Bang!

Arriving at the back street of the Longhua Hotel.

Li Ya stepped out of the car and glanced at his watch: 7: 0 PM.

Nothing was delayed.

"Have the people from the Inspection Team gone in?" Li Ya asked haughtily.

"Captain Li, they started arranging plainclothes officers to monitor the hotel perimeter at 6: 0 PM, and Lu Yuxi took his men inside a few minutes ago," Gao Yuan replied.

"No rush, let's wait a few minutes."

Li Ya said with a smile.

After waiting a while, at exactly 8: 0, Li Ya waved his hand and led several capable agents from the Confidential Bureau inside at a brisk pace.

Lu Yuxi and the others were dressed in suits and ties, pretending to be travelers waiting for someone.

Waiting for the fat fish, "Northern No. 1" and "Deep Sea," to fall into the net.

Seeing an unexpected obstacle emerge.

Lu Yuxi's brow furrowed, and he cast a calm, sideways glance at Li Ya from over the top of his newspaper.

He checked his watch.

The time was exactly 8: 0.

Brother Shan had clearly told Li Ya 8: 0.

How could they have arrived early too?

Lu Yuxi felt something was wrong, put down the newspaper, stood up, walked to the hotel front desk, picked up the telephone, and dialed the number for Lu Qiaoshan's office:

"Hello, Brother Shan.

"Why did Li Ya's people arrive at 8: 0?

"Alright, I understand."

Lu Yuxi hung up the phone, returned to the sofa, and signaled to the few men from the Inspection Team:

"The situation is wrong, we're pulling out."

"No, Brother Xi, we're already here, why be afraid of him? Let's just snatch them," one of Lu Yuxi's underlings whispered.

Lu Yuxi glared at him fiercely:

"Fool, they are the Military Statistics Bureau, the Confidential Bureau; in the past, even our Inspection Team was under their command."

After Dai Li died, the Military Statistics Bureau was renamed the Confidential Bureau, and its power shrank significantly.

They were kicked out of the police and headquarters inspection and intelligence systems.

For instance, the Inspection Team became independent and is now managed by the headquarters itself.

But the intention behind the Generalissimo promoting Mao Renfeng remains clear: to keep this sharp blade to restrain the various war zones and garrisons.

Therefore, the Confidential Bureau still holds a certain degree of supervisory power over the military.

On the surface, the Inspection Team and the Confidential Bureau's Action Team are units of equal rank, but in reality, the people from the Confidential Bureau are a cut above the Inspection Team and have the authority to supervise and arrest.

To openly snatch people from Li Ya—Lu Yuxi wouldn't dare, even if he had a hundred guts.

"It's past 8: 0, the person hasn't come; it seems someone has startled the snake.

"Those few people across the way are acting suspicious.

"Go, take them all away."

Li Ya sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, staring at Lu Yuxi and sneering.

"Run!"

Lu Yuxi whispered to himself and turned to flee.

Several action team members rushed in from outside, their guns all aimed squarely at them.

"Disarm them," Li Ya ordered.

"Captain Li, we are from the Inspection Team, you—you should look carefully," Lu Yuxi hurriedly pulled out his credentials and said with a fawning smile.

"Inspection Team?

"I'm here specifically to arrest you lot from the Inspection Team.

"Take them away!"

Li Ya hated these fools to the core; with a wave of his hand, he had them taken away immediately.

Intelligence Division office.

Lu Qiaoshan hung up the phone and frowned in thought.

How could Li Ya have arrived early?

Hmm.

That's normal.

It stands to reason that Li Ya would be more guarded after the Inspection Team snatched up the arrests several times in a row.

Even if he had gotten there first and captured Northern No. 1 and Deep Sea, earning massive merit, so what?

Director Zheng has already made the nomination.

Director Mao has already approved it.

Once the meeting at headquarters concludes tomorrow morning and it is confirmed, the official appointment documents will come down.

He, Li Ya, is carrying a load of sins on his back.

Arrests at eight.

Interrogations take time, right?

The Red agents have always been tough nuts to crack.

Screening, finding witnesses.

Confessions!

Signatures!

Verification!

Running through this whole procedure, the fastest it could be is daybreak.

Jiang Jianfeng wouldn't be so bored as to...

Heh!

Li Ya, the timing is on my side, not yours.

Even if you have a thousand skills, my fortune is flourishing, so what can you do to me?

In this life, I, Laozi, have got you pegged!

Thinking of this, the heart that Lu Qiaoshan had been holding in his throat settled back down.

He would just enjoy tonight's celebration with peace of mind.

Lu Qiaoshan arrived at the Station Chief's office: "Yo, the Station Chief is here."

Wu Jingzhong immediately put on a look of enthusiasm:

"Qiaoshan, you've come at a good time.

"The hotel just called me; everything is prepared, and we can start the banquet as soon as we get there.

"Quick, have some fruit to whet your appetite first."

"Thank you, Station Chief.

"It's already eight-thirty; if Captain Li is successful, he should have already captured Northern No. 1 and Deep Sea by now."

Lu Qiaoshan sat down, picked up a piece of watermelon, and said while eating.

"Good.

"Three happy events at once; everyone must drink a few more cups tonight."

Wu Jingzhong said with great joy.

Just as they were speaking.

Bang!

Li Ya pushed the door open heavily, stormed in with a gloomy face, and tossed his gun onto the coffee table:

"Station Chief!

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, I've come up empty-handed again."

"What happened?" Wu Jingzhong asked sternly.

"To catch Northern No. 1, I went to the hotel at eight to set up surveillance, but the Inspection Team had already set up their own at seven-thirty and were waiting there.

"By eight-thirty, there wasn't even a ghost in sight.

"Clearly, they were alerted and scared off."

Li Ya spoke of the matter in the most serious terms first.

"The Inspection Team again? What the hell are they trying to do!" Wu Jingzhong slapped the table in annoyance.

"Station Chief, perhaps it's just a coincidence.

"Otherwise, how could they have known about such important intelligence?"

Lu Qiaoshan said with a smile.

"Division Chief Lu, please tell me, what is a 'hell of a coincidence'?

"Once is a coincidence.

"How many times has this been now? Whenever there is an operation, the Inspection Team inevitably intercepts it.

"As the Intelligence Division Chief, shouldn't you give everyone an explanation?

"Is this the level of the Nanchang Investigation Section?

"You might as well rename your Intelligence Division the Interception Division!"

The anger Li Ya had been suppressing for a long time finally erupted.

"You have no right to speak to me like that.

"I've said it before, keep your subordinates in check.

"Lest they work for the enemy."

Lu Qiaoshan remained as steady as Mount Tai and said coldly.

"Work for the enemy!

"Well said..."

Just as Li Ya was about to lash out at him, Wu Jingzhong slapped the table: "Enough! I think you two must have been enemies in a past life, arguing endlessly all day long, aren't you?"

"Indeed.

"Division Chief Lu, Captain Li, both of you, calm down."

Hong Zhiyou served tea to Li Ya.

"Division Chief Lu, you speak." Wu Jingzhong looked coldly at Lu Qiaoshan.

"Station Chief, my intelligence is absolutely flawless.

"You can go to the Telecommunications Division to check.

"The decryption is also very precise.

"There are archives."

Lu Qiaoshan pointed with his hand and said dismissively.

"The intelligence is fine.

"But your heart and your brain have problems!"

Li Ya let out a dry laugh.

As he spoke, he shoved both hands into his pockets, lifted his chin, straightened his chest, and bit his lip, saying:

"Station Chief, out of curiosity about the Inspection Team's professionalism in intercepting us, I went ahead and invited the Inspection Team's Squadron Leader, Lu Yuxi, back here.

"It's rare for us to be gathered together today.

"People from the Qingpu Class, the Nanchang Investigation Section, all sorts of signature groups are here.

"Let's have Lu Yuxi give us a good lesson and teach us what a 'hell of a coincidence' is."

Xizi had been caught!

Lu Qiaoshan's expression changed instantly, and his eyes grew somewhat panicked.

"Stop with the sarcasm, bring the person in." Wu Jingzhong glared at Li Ya and said.

"Secretary Hong, please go to the interrogation room and bring the person here.

"I need to keep an eye on certain people."

Li Ya stared fixedly at Lu Qiaoshan, but his words were directed at Hong Zhiyou.

"Yes, Captain Li."

Hong Zhiyou walked out sternly.

How should one describe this melon?

It is sweet.

But it lacks a bit of flavor.

Honestly, Li Ya's methods are not particularly clever; given Lu Qiaoshan's experience, it is impossible that he would simply believe that the Old Kite would return to Tianjin.

Deep Sea would be called by telegram.

Northern No. 1 is even less likely to be uncovered so easily.

The truth might be that Lu Qiaoshan simply doesn't care.

Because whether the intelligence is true or false is unimportant.

It was received and decrypted by the Telecommunications Division; there are archives.

He can just take the intelligence and go find Li Ya.

Once the timing is shifted, true or false, Li Ya is bound to fail and lose face.

That is enough.

Perhaps Lu Qiaoshan only viewed this as a congratulatory gift for his own promotion to Deputy Station Chief tomorrow.

Yet he overlooked a fatal detail.

This telegram was a deliberate setup by Li Ya.

One can only say, if you walk by the river often enough, you are bound to get your shoes wet.

Lu Qiao was immersed in the joy of his promotion, and in a moment of carelessness, he committed a fatal error.

He arrived at the interrogation room.

Lu Yu had already been subjected to a brutal round of torture.

The newly appointed head of the interrogation room was named Lu Baoxing; he was in his early thirties, and despite his youth, he was even more ruthless than Old Five.

In just this short while, Lu Yu had been beaten until his skin was torn and flesh mangled, his white shirt covered in bloodstains.

"Yo, Secretary Hong is here."

Hong Zhiyou was easygoing, and the people in the interrogation room all liked seeing him.

Never mind whether he lent them money or not.

Just exchanging a few words with him made one feel familiar and close.

"Brother Lu, has he confessed?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"He has!"

Lu Baoxing handed over the interrogation record.

"He is truly a fellow townsman of your Brother Lu.

"He even confessed to being treated to a barbecue last year in the twelfth lunar month.

"Let's go."

Hong Zhiyou looked at the dense interrogation record, and there were only two words for it... authentic!

(End of chapter)