[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-spy-survival-guide":3,"chapter-spy-survival-guide-spy-survival-guide-chapter-25":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Spy Survival Guide",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2366341,4634,"Chapter 25: Consolidating the Will, Protecting the Teacher","spy-survival-guide-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>\"Zhiyou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My life is entirely in your hands, you, you must...\" Lu Qiao gripped Hong Zhiyou's hand, his knees buckling as he nearly knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Lu, don't panic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I wanted to kick you while you were down, I wouldn't have risked my life to save you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou helped him sit back on the sofa, then stood up, cradling his elbow as he paced slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The answer is very simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were escorting a criminal back to the station when the thug suddenly broke free and took you hostage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not logical, it doesn't hold up,\" Lu Qiao shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could someone of my rank be escorting him personally? Where were the guards and the military police?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Station Chief won't believe it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ma Kui might not believe it, but the Station Chief must,\" Hong Zhiyou analyzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did he let you go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To put it bluntly, the Station Chief never wanted to make a scene with the Canal Gang; the lack of guards and military police only shows that you understand the superior's intent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were held hostage and extorted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then you came to me for money to pay the ransom, a firefight broke out, and I killed them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I held a grudge against the Canal Gang and fired an extra shot; it's as simple as that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, rubbing his nose as he explained in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Station Chief might understand why there were no guards for the escort.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But as for being held hostage and extorted, Ma Kui will definitely make a big deal out of it; who in the entire station doesn't know I'm close with Fourth Master Zhang? How could the people he sent extort me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, you are the Station Chief's favorite, but I am not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss Dai and Zheng Jiemin are like fire and water.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Station Chief has never treated me as one of his own; haven't you seen how he suppresses me at every turn?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm afraid he'll use this as an excuse to get me killed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiao was terrified, beads of sweat seeping out on his forehead again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why couldn't it be extortion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone is afraid of death; it makes perfect sense for a criminal to be driven to desperation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rest assured, as long as you don't communicate with the Reds and don't betray us, the Station Chief won't touch you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Jinhai Station has just been rebuilt; the atmosphere is so good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If he gets rid of you and the higher-ups send another Bodhisattva, wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trust me, this matter won't even cause a ripple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the contrary, you've had a falling out with the Canal Gang; the Station Chief would be happy enough to set off two strings of firecrackers to celebrate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You show your loyalty to the Station Chief, and I guarantee you'll be safe and sound.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou patted his shoulder to comfort him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, my life is all in your hands now,\" Lu Qiao's voice choked with emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've mixed up the seniority.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes, little brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui went to the Station Chief's office early in the morning to report on last night's events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong was indeed furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not at the matter itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly did not want to offend the Canal Gang; he even felt nauseated just hearing those two words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had intended for Lu Qiao to just deal with two people to shut Ma Kui up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought this trivial matter would be endless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was in a hurry to play tennis with Mu Liancheng and squeeze him for money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that Ma Kui threatened to report it to Mao Renfeng and the Headquarters Inspectorate, forcing him to pretend to take it seriously and handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encountering such a stubborn, blockheaded subordinate is truly a headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief, I guarantee you there is something going on here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I even suspect that Lu Qiao and the Canal Gang have connections with the Reds; otherwise, why have my recent operations failed in connection with the Canal Gang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's clearly someone tipping them off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui now looked at everyone as if they were Reds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Department Head Lu were a Red, would the Canal Gang still need to kill him?\" Wu Jingzhong countered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An internal conflict.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Canal Gang was being watched by me, and they were afraid Department Head Lu would leak secrets, so they took the opportunity to get rid of him and silence him,\" Ma Kui stated his speculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of person is Lu Qiao?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone who takes bribes, wears gold and silver, and is petty-minded.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not Xu Enzeng, having a Qian Zhuangfei by my side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Lu Qiao were a Red, I think you look more like one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong was extremely irritated seeing him go on and on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief, you say I... I am...\" Ma Kui was stunned, his heart turning cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never expected that after risking his life to catch Reds, Wu Jingzhong would actually suspect him of being a Red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven and conscience are my witnesses, his blood is the color of the Blue Sky and White Sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will have Li Hanyuan investigate this clearly. Get out!\" Wu Jingzhong pointed toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui gritted his teeth, put on his hat, and walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain Ma,\" Hong Zhiyou, who was working at the door, stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slap!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui slapped his own face hard twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm just a dog, a stupid dog!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled at Hong Zhiyou, tears rolling from his bloodshot eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tough guy Ma Kui was crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Ma, you are truly wrong this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Station Chief is right; how could Lu Qiao possibly be a Red?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he even worthy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou watched Ma Kui leave, feeling inexplicably sad about this gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Secretary Hong, call Department Head Lu over,\" Wu Jingzhong shouted toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou called Lu Qiao over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fellow walked in with his legs trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he entered, Wu Jingzhong slammed his pistol onto the table and cursed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ma Kui says you are a Red; how do you explain last night's events?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don't have a good explanation, I'll shoot you dead right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiao insisted firmly that it was extortion and a kidnapping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just felt that Fourth Master Zhang was too arrogant; he wanted to assassinate you and Secretary Hong, so I wanted to draw a line with him, which is why I was extorted and threatened,\" Lu Qiao, in order to save his life, decisively revealed a major secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They dare to kill me?\" Wu Jingzhong sneered, not overly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief, I swear my loyalty to you and to the Party-State.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you really suspect I am a Red, then just shoot me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiao straightened his posture, becoming impassioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get out,\" Wu Jingzhong waved his hand in annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't quite believe the nonsense that the Canal Gang dared to kill him, taking it only as Lu Qiao's \"pledge of allegiance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy was Zheng Jiemin's man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could neither kill him nor use him deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little pressure was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Station Chief.\" Lu Qiao knew he had passed the test, glanced at Hong Zhiyou, and walked out with his head lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did you fire your gun?\" Wu Jingzhong asked, arms crossed, looking at the large characters on the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consolidate the will, protect the Leader!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain Ma has been under a lot of mental pressure lately; he sees everyone as a Red.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keeping the killer will affect the unity of the station. You are busy with a thousand tasks, this kind of trivial matter...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moreover, Department Chief Lu has already realized his mistake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is a good thing that he can cut ties with the Boatmen's Gang and that the station is united from top to bottom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou replied indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did the right thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only a fool like Ma Kui would think Lu Qiao is a red ticket.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a good thing Lu Qiao didn't die, otherwise the higher-ups might have sent some damn imperial envoy to watch over my work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My little refined hobby would likely be completely ruined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong clapped his palms together and curled his lips into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unite our will, protect the leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A student's responsibility is to protect you, Master, to relieve your worries and share your burdens, even if it means death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou stood at attention and saluted again, putting on an act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he finished speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phone on the desk rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong answered it, his expression changing abruptly: \"I am he, who are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his brows knit together, and he looked coldly at Hong Zhiyou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hesitating for two seconds, he still handed the receiver to Hong Zhiyou: \"It's for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Station Chief.\" Hong Zhiyou took it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call was from Long Er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter on that end had already been settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything is ready, except for the east wind; it is time to initiate the final step of the plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tonight, as scheduled!\" Hong Zhiyou said simply, then hung up the phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have some nerve, having calls made all the way to me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong’s eyes were like knives; with one hand behind his back and the other pointing at Hong Zhiyou, he roared sternly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1576,"2026-06-25T10:22:48.848Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","b2508efcb86b575b1e9ad07da483c8f62035f7f0cdf5218c524b440e1cec0ed0","spy-survival-guide-chapter-26","spy-survival-guide-chapter-24",395,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fspy-survival-guide-cover.jpg"]