Chapter 235: Give Me Face, and I Shall Take It

"Hong Zhiyou?"

Mao Renfeng frowned slightly.

This man was a trusted subordinate of Wu Jingzhong and was very well-connected in Jinhai.

But to say he was someone who could make Mr. Chen Bulei come in person, and require him, the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, to act as a guarantor, seemed far from qualified.

"Mr. Chen Bulei.

"Did I hear you correctly? The person you want me to protect is that field officer from the Jinhai Station?"

Mao Renfeng said "field officer" very clearly.

The people who could make him provide personal protection were the likes of the Generalissimo, Jiang Jianfeng, or high-ranking officials like Zhang Zhizhong.

What kind of nobody was a mere field officer?

It truly puzzled him.

"You heard correctly, it is him.

"Military supplies are currently in an emergency. The Generalissimo has asked the Jiangzhe Chamber of Commerce to raise funds, and now the British, the French, and even the Soviets only recognize US dollars.

"The Jiangzhe Chamber of Commerce has limited US dollars on hand.

"Young Master Yu has already reached a cooperation agreement with Hong Zhiyou.

"He is to help raise one hundred thousand US dollars of that sum.

"Therefore, this person is of vital importance."

Chen Bulei said.

"I think Young Master Yu is overthinking it. This man is deeply entrenched in Jinhai and is also Wu Jingzhong's secretary; I'm afraid it's not my turn to protect him," Mao Renfeng laughed.

At the same time, he was secretly shocked in his heart.

This Hong Zhiyou's capability was too great.

Once he was linked with the Yu family, he would be an "emissary of the Son of Heaven" in the future.

But fortunately, this person was only a small major.

He wouldn't pose a threat to his own little territory.

"Not so.

"This person has gone to Shanghu.

"He might have dealings with Du Yuesheng, and Mao Sen is familiar with that area.

"What you need to do is have Mao Sen ensure his safety.

"No matter what he intends to do, the Hangcheng and Shanghu stations must assist with all their might to ensure he returns safely to Jinhai to raise the military funds.

"This shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"

Chen Bulei said.

"May I ask, Mr. Chen, is this the opinion of Young Master Yu, or... from above?" Mao Renfeng asked.

"Is this your first day on the job, Director Mao?"

Chen Bulei frowned, dissatisfied.

"Understood.

"Mr. Chen, a single phone call from you would have sufficed for such a small matter; why trouble yourself to make this trip?"

Mao Renfeng narrowed his eyes and smiled, wanting to confirm the importance of this matter.

"Why did I come?

"It's because I'm afraid you won't take this person seriously enough.

"You must have Mao Sen be on high alert. If anything happens to Hong Zhiyou, you can go help handle foreign exchange and ask the foreigners for US dollars in the future."

Chen Bulei instructed.

Some matters were military secrets, and he could not disclose them to outsiders.

But this Hong Zhiyou was too important to the current situation.

First, he was familiar with the Americans and could obtain US dollars and supplies.

Second, he had transported arms for Fu Zuoyi, and he had handled the matter well.

Moreover, Fu Zuoyi had an excellent impression of him, and this time, when requesting four hundred thousand US dollars in military supplies, he specifically named Hong Zhiyou of the Jinhai Station to assist with the transport.

The Americans had been urging the Generalissimo to implement constitutional government.

To exert pressure, they had significantly cut military aid, especially by tightening the flow of foreign exchange.

People like Kong and Song had US dollars, and the Jiangzhe financial clique didn't lack them either, but most of it was pocketed and transferred to estates all over North America.

Coupled with the high calls for Li Zongren to be elected president.

Many people had ulterior motives and were even less willing to pay.

If it weren't for Hu Zongnan fighting a beautiful battle in Shanbei, this group would have run away already.

Therefore, the four hundred thousand US dollars that were usually unremarkable.

At this critical moment, had actually become a major difficulty.

Hong Zhiyou was a temporary "firefighter."

"Director Mao, I have handed the person over to you; you must be responsible if anything goes wrong."

Chen Bulei pointed at him and stood up, preparing to leave.

"Rest assured, I will issue an order to Mao Sen immediately, telling him to spare no cost to ensure Hong Zhiyou returns safely to Jinhai," Mao Renfeng patted his chest to guarantee.

Mao Sen still had the final say in Shanghu.

Wang Xinheng was not an outsider either.

And there was the protection of the Yu family's Jiangzhe financial clique.

Even if Hong Zhiyou poked a hole in the sky, Mao Renfeng could ensure he left Shanghu without losing a single hair.

After seeing Chen Bulei off, Mao Renfeng returned to his office.

"Uncle, why did Mr. Chen Bulei look for you..." Mao Wanli asked impatiently.

"You wouldn't believe it if I told you.

"He wants us to protect someone. Guess who this person is?

"Hong Zhiyou!"

Mao Renfeng said.

"Hong Zhiyou!" Mao Wanli's eyes rounded, and his whole body went numb.

He and Mao Sen were plotting to assassinate Hong Zhiyou just yesterday.

The key was that something big happened in Shanghu last night.

Early this morning, he had spoken on the phone with Mao Sen's secretary.

It was highly likely that Hong Zhiyou had already been hacked to death by Du Yuesheng at the Green Gang headquarters.

Now the superiors wanted to protect this person.

What the hell was he supposed to use to report back?

If things went wrong, his head might even be taken off.

"What's wrong?" Mao Renfeng asked, frowning as he saw his hesitation and change in expression.

"Nothing."

Mao Wanli took a deep breath and answered with a smile.

He was glad he had left Hangcheng yesterday and had not participated in the specific affairs.

Even if headquarters held someone accountable, it had nothing to do with him; it was all Mao Sen and Du Yuesheng's business.

Sigh.

Brother Sen was in for big trouble.

But let him be in trouble; as long as it didn't fall on him, it was fine.

"Didn't you just say you had something to say?

"Go ahead."

Mao Renfeng said.

"No, I, I just wanted to ask what you wanted for lunch. A new restaurant opened on Zhongshan Road, and the taste is not bad. Should I go book a private room?" Mao Wanli hurriedly blathered.

"No need.

"I've had an upset stomach lately, so I'm out of luck for good food."

Mao Renfeng smiled.

Taking a sip of tea, he continued: "How about this, you take the trouble to fly to Hangcheng immediately to meet up with Mao Sen, and the two of you go to Shanghu in person to see Hong Zhiyou and deploy specific security measures."

"Uncle, I, I don't think I should go, right?

"I just rushed back from Hangcheng, and I haven't even had a chance to sit down yet."

Mao Wanli chuckled dryly.

"You don't understand.

"We have a rift with Wu Jingzhong, and if we send someone else, they won't be attentive.

"You saw Mr. Chen Bulei come in person; I don't need to emphasize the importance of the matter again, do I? I'm arranging a plane for you now; fly to Hangcheng immediately."

Mao Renfeng's face darkened as he said solemnly.

"Alright, fine."

Mao Wanli bit the bullet and accepted the order.

……

Twelve o'clock noon.

Mao Wanli flew back to Hangcheng.

Mao Sen was in his office making a phone call, trying to confirm the matter regarding Hong Zhiyou.

The Garrison Headquarters had kept this matter under very tight wraps.

Up until now, Du Yuesheng was still being detained.

It was only rumored that two corpses had been hauled away.

As for whether it was specifically Hong Zhiyou, even his mole inside the headquarters could not find out.

"Wanli, why have you returned?"

Seeing Mao Wanli, Mao Sen was very surprised.

"What about that Hong Zhiyou?" Mao Wanli asked impatiently the moment they met.

"He is likely dead.

"Last night he went to the Green Gang headquarters; I heard Du Yuesheng drew a blade and people died.

"Now, the person is nowhere to be found, and the corpse is nowhere to be seen."

Mao Sen replied.

"Oh no!"

Mao Wanli slapped the back of his hand, "My Station Chief Mao, a major disaster has occurred.

"Chen Bulei went to see my uncle this morning, saying the Old Man has given instructions for this Hong Zhiyou to raise military funds, and specifically named you and Wang Xinheng to protect Hong Zhiyou so that no mishaps occur.

"You say this person died in Shanghu.

"If Du Yuesheng can't cover it up and sells you out, then it's all over."

"What?" The usually steady and somber Mao Sen also changed color in shock.

"I don't want to believe it either.

"But one thing led to another, it's just that coincidental," Mao Wanli said.

"Wanli.

"There is no time to lose; you and I must rush to Shanghu immediately, go to the Garrison Headquarters, and see the person if he is alive, or the corpse if he is dead.

"Otherwise, both of us are finished."

Mao Sen noticed that he had previously said "you" instead of "we," and with a cold smile, he dragged him into it again.

"Let's hope heaven protects us.

"Sigh.

"It was so hard to finally get a chance to stab Wu Jingzhong, and it ended up stabbing ourselves instead."

Mao Wanli shook his head.

The two immediately drove straight to Shanghu.

……

Shanghu Garrison Headquarters.

Du Yuesheng and Staff Officer Li were eating hot pot and drinking fine Huadiao wine.

"Old Li, you've been busy all night, arresting people and hauling corpses, how much did Secretary Hong give you?" Du Yuesheng asked with a smile.

"Take a guess?" Staff Officer Li blinked and smiled.

"Two gold bars at least, you are a big shot at the Garrison Headquarters after all," Du Yuesheng said.

"Too low.

"Ten times that."

Staff Officer Li said with a look of pride.

"For just this bit of work, twenty gold bars?" Du Yuesheng was quite surprised.

"That's right, and they are large gold bars.

"Oh, right.

"There was also a truckload of red wine and ten packets of silver dollars, which I had Manager Yin drive directly to the barracks.

"I distributed them to the men who handled the work.

"I won't lie to you, in just this one night's work, my brothers were all beaming with joy; there isn't one who doesn't think well of Hong Zhiyou.

"I used to think Yu Xuan was generous enough in how he handled things.

"But after meeting the 'Northern' faction, I finally know what true generosity is.

"They really don't treat money as money.

"They aren't afraid of you not wanting it; they are only afraid you won't dare to take it.

"People say the first time is strange, the second time is familiar, but with him, you have to be familiar the first time.

"If you aren't familiar, he'll use money to smash you until you are.

"Honestly, if he had said a few more words, I could have taken off this uniform and gone to work for him.

"Sigh!

"No wonder my old brother Yang Wenquan, such a shrewd and mercenary person, would open his heart to this kid and treat him like a biological brother."

Staff Officer Li said with a look of admiration.

"Indeed.

"In the past, everyone rumored that he had forcefully rescued Yang Wenquan from the hands of Dai Li.

"There were even people saying he acted in a fit of rage for a beauty, playing a rival to Boss Dai for a woman, and including the time the Boss's plane crashed, some said Hong Zhiyou had colluded with Ma Hansan.

"At first, I thought this was all nonsense.

"My sworn brother is the Cold-Faced Demon King; what is a secretary to Wu Jingzhong?

"After this incident, my eyes have been opened.

"There really is a Fan Li reborn in this world, slick and smooth, capable of handling everyone."

Du Yuesheng was also sighing endlessly.

"Old Du, did he give you any benefits?" Staff Officer Li asked.

Du Yuesheng smiled and said nothing.

Hong Zhiyou had directly given him the agency rights for the Yuezhou Winery in Sham Shui Po, Xiangdao.

Sham Shui Po was no small place.

And he had also given him a business card of the head of the Rong family.

Du Yuesheng had inquired; this Yuezhou winery was the origin of the Axe brand, which was extremely popular in Shanghu right now, and even Song Ziwen was pushing this brand.

With the Rong family's support, opening up the market in Xiangdao was only a matter of time.

In other words.

Hong Zhiyou had directly bestowed upon him a golden rice bowl.

Once you pick it up, there is meat and vegetables.

And it's still hot!

Moreover, Hong Zhiyou had a massive Cao Gang behind him.

If the resources of the Cao Gang and his own Green Gang were integrated.

With his own fame and the strength of both gangs.

Tapping into Hong Zhiyou's connections within the Zhigong lineage, even if he continued to do underworld business in Xiangdao and established his own halls, he would inevitably be able to carve out a piece of the world.

Du Yuesheng, who had always been hesitant and lost about the future.

After just one short night, he suddenly found that it didn't seem so difficult anymore.

A noble person indeed!

"Old Du, you say we played a trick on Mao Sen this time, will there be trouble?" After drinking two cups, Staff Officer Li asked with a darkened expression.

"No.

"Secretary Hong left a backup plan; Mao Sen won't just not blame us, he might even be grateful," Du Yuesheng laughed.

"Don't forget.

"No matter how capable Mao Sen is, he is still human.

"Hong Zhiyou is a human genius.

"How can a human fight against a human genius?"

Du Yuesheng squinted his eyes and smiled.

As the two were talking, a guard walked in:

"Chief of Staff, Hangcheng Station Chief Mao Sen requests an audience."

"See, speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives," Du Yuesheng said.

The two hurriedly went outside to welcome him personally.

"Station Chief Mao, what wind blew you here? A rare guest, a rare guest indeed," Staff Officer Li stepped forward to greet him politely.

"Staff Officer Li, the wind that blows me here is naturally the north wind."

Mao Sen smiled and turned to look at Du Yuesheng:

"Old Du, I heard that there was a bloody incident in the Green Gang last night, and Staff Officer Li even mobilized the army; I wonder if it is true or false?"

"You, Old Du."

"You didn't even give a heads-up when you had something to do, just ran over here to eat meat and drink wine."

"Station Chief Mao learned about what happened last night and didn't sleep a wink in Hangcheng, fearing that Staff Officer Li had a misunderstanding with you."

Mao Wanli stood to the side, looking very displeased, annoyed that Du Yuesheng hadn't even made a phone call.

"How could that be?"

"Who is Mr. Du? He is an honored guest of Boss Dai and Station Chief Mao; even if I were given a hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare slight him."

Staff Officer Li very tactfully flattered Mao Sen.

"As long as there isn't one."

"Old Du, I heard two people died last night; is that true or false?"

Mao Sen stopped the pleasantries and asked directly.

"It is true that two were dealt with," Du Yuesheng nodded and said.

Mao Sen's expression grew tense: "Could it be Secretary Hong from Jinhai and his entourage?"

When Hong Zhiyou arrived in Hu, he had made three phone calls, insisting that Du Yuesheng must take this person down.

As it turned out, a life was lost that very night.

It even alarmed the Garrison Headquarters.

Aside from Hong Zhiyou, he really couldn't think of anyone else it could be.

"Secretary Hong?" Staff Officer Li feigned a look of confusion as he looked at Du Yuesheng.

Du Yuesheng hurriedly explained with a smile: "Station Chief Mao has misunderstood."

"What I dealt with last night were two scoundrels from the Green Gang who were colluding with the garrison to resell military supplies."

"Isn't Staff Officer Li currently in charge of this area?"

"He went to the Green Gang warehouse just to mop up the military supplies hidden by those two and their remaining accomplices."

"And incidentally asked me to come over to act as a witness."

"I never imagined this little matter would alarm Station Chief Mao; it is my fault, Du's fault."

As he spoke, he cupped his hands to Mao Sen in apology.

"Since that is the case, why didn't you answer the phone?" It was a false alarm, and Mao Wanli said with some annoyance.

"You two, you've wronged Mr. Du on this."

"Taking inventory of supplies, making arrests, recording statements, and testifying."

"This workload has kept me so busy I haven't even had a moment to catch my breath, and it's still not fully sorted out."

Staff Officer Li smoothed things over with a smile.

"Du..." Mao Wanli wanted to press further, but Mao Sen raised his hand to stop him.

"Where is Secretary Hong now?" he asked.

"He took people and flew back to Jinhai last night," Staff Officer Li said.

"He went back?"

Mao Sen frowned.

"He went back!" Du Yuesheng also nodded.

Mao Sen was silent for a moment, his eyes looking gloomily at the two of them.

The hair on the backs of Staff Officer Li and Du Yuesheng stood up.

This was the "Mao-bone-chilling" butcher Mao Sen, who killed without blinking an eye.

"It's good that he left."

"Old Du, Staff Officer Li, thank you."

Mao Sen suddenly laughed and shook hands with the two to say goodbye.

"Station Chief Mao, please be magnanimous," Du Yuesheng said, holding his hand and patting it lightly.

"I still have to fly to Jinhai immediately; I will invite you both for tea another day."

Mao Sen did not linger and turned to leave.

Once in the car, Mao Wanli said indignantly: "They are teaming up to play us for fools!"

"Hong Zhiyou!"

Mao Sen closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then opened them and said:

"This person is extraordinary."

"He handled this matter very properly."

"Properly?" Mao Wanli was confused.

"He didn't want a direct confrontation with us, so he played this 'golden cicada shedding its shell' trick."

"Having Mr. Yanjie pressure Bureau Chief Mao was his way of telling us that he is not someone we can touch."

"If things really turned ugly, the only ones who would lose face would be us."

"Our mistake was continuing to treat him as a lackey of Wu Jingzhong."

"In reality, he is no longer someone we can touch."

"Calling me 'teacher' and sending gifts from the head station—this is giving us the utmost face and respect."

"Wanli."

"You can give up on the Jinhai territory."

"We can't handle that place anymore."

Mao Sen sighed softly after finishing.

In the north, Hong Zhiyou works for Fu Zuoyi.

In the south, he is on good terms with the Rong family of Xiangdao, the Jiangzhe financial clique, and Song Ziliang.

Someone who eats from all four directions like this—whoever touches him dies.

"Is this kid really indestructible?" Mao Wanli was somewhat unconvinced.

"Not entirely."

"Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; running errands for the Old Man, doing it well is just your duty, but failing means being the scapegoat or losing your head."

"Furthermore, the high-level players can't touch him."

"That is because Mr. Yanjie has already let us know his mission."

"Those in the low-level games might not necessarily know."

"Like Lu Qiaoshan, or Ma Hansan, or certain people in the Dangtong Bureau; these people only look at immediate interests and stop at nothing to get things done."

"Just wait, there are plenty of people who will deal with him."

"For example, the likes of Li Ya and Lu Qiaoshan."

Mao Sen said blandly.

"Hmm."

"Someone in the Dangtong Bureau has put up a thousand taels of gold for his head."

"Du Yuesheng doesn't dare make a move."

"But there are plenty of people in Jinhai and Beiping who want to earn that money."

"Besides, I heard Ye Xiufeng is already planning to send that person to Jinhai to battle Hong Zhiyou."

"Hong Zhiyou won't be enjoying his glory for many more days."

Mao Wanli also nodded.

"Has Lu Qiaoshan been sentenced?" Mao Sen asked.

"Sentenced, my foot. He was taken away by Zheng Jiemin. After the New Year, Zheng Jiemin will be promoted to Deputy Minister of National Defense, and Lu Qiaoshan will definitely return to Jinhai to settle the score," Mao Wanli said.

"Hmm."

"I know Lu Qiaoshan; he's an old hand from the Nanchang Investigation Section days, and he still has some tricks up his sleeve."

"Having suffered this setback in Jinhai, he will surely become a thorn in the side of the Jinhai Station in the future."

"In my opinion, if Hong Zhiyou is to perish, it will surely be at the hands of this man."

"Let's wait and see how things develop."

Mao Sen sighed heavily.

"Are we returning to Hangcheng?" Mao Wanli asked.

"Back to Hangcheng first; I need to prepare some things," Mao Sen said.

"Prepare things?" Mao Wanli didn't understand.

"Hong Zhiyou gave us plenty of face this time, so we must be decent in return."

"This time he brought me quite a few good things on behalf of Wu Jingzhong."

"I must return them in full."

"And I have to add a few more for him and Wu Laogou."

Mao Sen said.

"There's no need; you haven't been scared by his 'Imperial Envoy' title, have you?" Mao Wanli frowned.

"Scared?"

"Can you guarantee that Du Yuesheng won't jump out and accuse us of trying to murder him?"

"Just because he left without saying a word doesn't mean he won't pursue it."

"Zheng Jiemin has always wanted to take a knife to you and me."

"If Wu Jingzhong makes an issue of this, and with Yu Xuan fanning the flames in front of the Generalissimo, Director Mao and we will be in a very passive position."

"Staying silent is leaving us a way out."

"Our dispute with Wu Jingzhong is nothing more than a conflict sparked by a few antiques."

"The other thing is the position of Deputy Station Chief."

"Now that Yu Zecheng has already taken the seat, there is no need to fight over this grudge."

"It is a good opportunity to use this matter to ease the relationship."

Mao Sen said.

"Wanli."

"Sometimes you cannot count on Director Mao for everything."

"What about Boss Dai?"

"His influence reached the heavens; who did not fear him?"

"A god-like figure, yet did he not vanish just like that?"

"There are no eternal victors in this world, only interests that go round and round."

"Hong Zhiyou is a businessman."

"In the eyes of a businessman, there is only profit, no black or white, no right or wrong, and certainly no enemies."

"At the very least, we are not his true enemies."

Mao Sen was skilled in psychological manipulation and saw things very thoroughly.

"I still have matters to attend to; I am returning to Jingling to report back. If you want to go to Jinhai, go yourself!"

Mao Wanli, however, could not be bothered to listen to this talk; he got out of the car, boarded another vehicle, and left on his own.

"Hey!"

"Mud cannot be plastered onto a wall!"

Mao Sen sighed gloomily.

This person is too stubborn; it is hard for him to accomplish great things.

With such a state of mind, how can he compete with Wu Jingzhong and Hong Zhiyou?

I am afraid he will never have hope for the Jinhai position in this lifetime.

(End of chapter)