Chapter 250: Jianfeng's Instructions

11: 0 PM.

Having shed his exhaustion and reluctance upon Mei Yingxue, Li Ya sighed softly and even lit a post-coital cigarette, a rare occurrence for him.

"What's wrong, Brother Ya?

"Are you still upset about my uncle's punishment?

"It's all my fault.

"I shouldn't have brought it up to you."

Mei Yingxue snuggled into Li Ya's arms, blaming herself in a pitiful manner.

"Xue'er, it has nothing to do with you.

"I'm just furious that I couldn't kill him with one shot.

"In front of the Station Chief, that lecher still spoke with such righteous indignation, insisting that you seduced him—it nearly killed me with rage."

Li Ya said angrily.

"That man is truly shameless.

"He, he even took out... he even rubbed against me.

"If I hadn't struggled with all my might, I would have..."

Mei Yingxue pretended to be too ashamed to continue.

"Is that so?

"He, he actually rubbed against you, are you sure?" Li Ya asked.

"Brother Ya, I, how could I lie to you?

"Forget it.

"At least he didn't succeed.

"If I keep making a scene, who knows how my uncle will continue to favor him."

Mei Yingxue pretended to be understanding.

"Indeed.

"Birds of a feather flock together; those two, father-in-law and son-in-law, are more cunning than ghosts.

"Hong Zhiyou nearly killed me with a shot, and he doesn't mention a word of it.

"As for me.

"I was reported directly to headquarters and received a major demerit.

"Sigh.

"My salary is suspended, and I accept that.

"I was hoping to perform new meritorious service to offset the punishment, but now, the old one hasn't gone and a new one has arrived; I'm afraid there's no hope of advancing in this life.

"After today's incident, the grudge between me and Hong Zhiyou can never be resolved.

"And with Wu Jingzhong favoring him.

"Xue'er, I'm afraid I can't stay at the Jinhai Station anymore."

Li Ya puffed on his cigarette, looking lost and pained.

Mei Yingxue was ecstatic.

She had been waiting for the right moment to lobby Li Ya.

The moment she had longed for had finally arrived.

"Why don't you apply for a transfer to headquarters, or somewhere else?

"Anyway, a woman follows her husband wherever he goes; I'll follow you wherever you go."

Mei Yingxue played it safe, speaking in a very sweet and virtuous manner.

"I've thought about that long ago.

"Good places now, like Hankou, Yuezhou, Xiangdao, Hangcheng, and Shanghu, are all fully occupied; they can't even distribute positions among their own people, let alone accommodate an outsider like me.

"Ever since the Yuan Peilin incident, in the eyes of headquarters and the generals everywhere, I am now considered incompetent.

"No one will want me.

"I've consulted the personnel department at headquarters; the only places I can go are remote areas like Qinghai or the Northeast, or serve as cannon fodder for Hu Zongnan and Station Chief Hou, doing jobs like posing as civilians or using fake tickets to sneak into Yancheng to die.

"Once I leave Jinhai, it's no different from being dead.

"If this place won't keep me, there's nowhere else for me to go.

"I am truly at a dead end now."

Li Ya sighed heavily.

So that was it. Mei Yingxue felt relieved and uttered that long-awaited sentence: "Why, why don't you come with me to England? My father has businesses there.

"We can go into business.

"Don't worry, the English are very welcoming; you'll be able to hang out with them in no time."

"I, can I?" Li Ya appeared slightly tempted.

"Of course.

"Which high-ranking official isn't sending their family abroad these days?

"The children of Jiang Song, Kong, and Chen are all in North America, aren't they?

"If you don't want to go to England, we can always go to North America together later."

Mei Yingxue sat up straight and began her lobbying in all seriousness.

"Wouldn't that make me a kept man?" Li Ya said, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

"How could that be?

"People like you are most sought after in England.

"Do you remember when I asked my classmate to borrow money for you last time?"

Mei Yingxue asked with a smile.

"Yes." Li Ya nodded, secretly pressing the miniature recorder under the pillow.

Then, he adjusted his sitting posture to avoid pressing on it.

He had tested it before; this newly improved recorder had excellent performance and could record normal speech very clearly.

"He is the deputy head of the international observation group sent by the British royal family.

"Their trip is to investigate the truth about the Nationalist government's mineral resources, in order to cut off military aid from North America.

"This is also the intention of the royal family and the upper echelons of North America.

"I heard my classmate mention last time that as long as they can get the data on this, exposing the Nationalist government's false propaganda, they can provide a reward of 100, 00 US dollars.

"Not only that, for someone like you who manages the data of the Agricultural and Mining Bureau and is a key member of the Jinhai Station, if you can testify in court, the reward from the royal family will be even more generous.

"Who knows, they might even award you a medal.

"By then, with British citizenship and spending US dollars, living the life of the elite, we two will truly be a pair of immortal lovebirds.

"There will be no need to live by the whims of my uncle and his bunch of country bumpkins."

Mei Yingxue began to boast.

"Is it... really that good abroad?" Li Ya smacked his lips and asked.

"Of course.

"The moon in England is rounder than it is here.

"The air there is filled with the scent of birds and flowers; it's all sweet.

"The people there are warm and outgoing, and they love making friends.

"Once you go, you'll know what a true paradise is!"

Mei Yingxue described it with a look of intoxication.

Trying to bully me because I'm uneducated? It's not like I haven't seen pictures of the smoggy Industrial Revolution in London.

Li Ya cursed inwardly, while appearing tempted:

"Since you put it that way, it does seem like a viable path."

"Of course.

"Darling, the most important thing is that we can be together.

"When the time comes, I'll have a bunch of kids for you, and we'll live in a villa with a beautiful garden, eating barbecue—just imagine what kind of life that would be."

Mei Yingxue continued to paint a grand picture for him.

"Yingxue, it still won't work.

"According to what you're saying, I'd just be sitting around eating up my savings.

"In this life, I only know how to be a secret agent; I wouldn't be able to do any other work in England."

Li Ya said, looking troubled.

"That's where you're wrong.

"James has another identity; he is an intelligence officer for MI6. If you are willing to come to England with me, he can fully invite you to join MI6.

"That is the most mysterious and high-end intelligence agency in the world.

"Your Military Statistics Bureau and Confidentiality Bureau are just child's play compared to them.

"Don't you want to go there and show off your skills?"

Once this fool Mei Yingxue got carried away, she spilled everything.

Li Ya was waiting for exactly this; he frowned and continued to lure her into the trap:

"Xue'er, do you know what you are saying?"

"You are committing treason, engaging in espionage to sabotage the National Government's military aid; if you get caught, it's a capital crime."

Mei Yingxue curled her lip in disdain:

"Pah."

"You are such a rigid thinker. These days, so many people go abroad; don't the Jiang, Song, Kong, and Chen families also immigrate to North America? The things they leak are immeasurable."

"You're only leaking a bit of data; it's a sesame-seed-sized matter."

"Who cares about you?"

As she spoke, she kissed Li Ya: "Darling, opportunity knocks but once; this is just my classmate. If it were someone else, where would you find such a ladder to the clouds?"

"Xue'er, you're right."

"Trees die if moved, but people thrive."

"Since I can't stay in Jinhai any longer, if I can get into the Sixth Bureau, I, I can consider it."

After hesitating for a few seconds, Li Ya finally made up his mind.

"However, I need to have a face-to-face meeting with James to ensure the benefits I can get."

"In any case, he has to provide some advance payment to show his sincerity."

Li Ya felt this might also be a good opportunity to make a big profit.

"Great!"

"I will meet with James tomorrow to fight for the maximum benefits for us."

"Then we'll set a time for you two to meet."

Seeing that she had persuaded Li Ya, Mei Yingxue trembled with excitement.

"Baby, now that we are both prospective husband and wife and comrades, tell me the truth: do you also have ties to the Secret Intelligence Service?" Li Ya asked.

"Don't hide it from me; if you do, I'll feel more at ease." Fearing Mei Yingxue would overthink it, he added.

"Hmm."

"Actually, I became an external employee of the Sixth Bureau back in college."

"But it was the unofficial kind."

"I haven't received much orthodox training; to be honest, this trip back to Jinhai to get the data is my first mission."

"By some twist of fate, I met you, Brother Ya."

"Perhaps this is destiny."

"God has destined us to be together forever."

Mei Yingxue said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Destiny my foot, you jinx, you slut.

If it weren't for Jiang Jianfeng and the Station Chief intentionally trying to pull him up, he would have been secretly executed by people sent from Jingling long ago.

"With those words from you, I can rest easy."

"Cheers to the future."

Li Ya reached out to the nightstand to grab the red wine and wine glasses, and the two drank for a while.

Borrowing the liquid courage, the two went wild again.

Mei Yingxue let her guard down.

Her true colors as a loose woman were fully revealed; her lovely voice and various tricks made Li Ya truly have the urge to marry her.

"Brother Ya."

"It's getting late, I have to go home."

Mei Yingxue couldn't wait to report this good news to James.

"Alright."

"Do you want me to see you off?"

Li Ya feigned reluctance as he got up to see her off.

"No need, I'm driving, it's safe."

Mei Yingxue gave a sweet smile, wiggled her hips, and got into the car.

Li Ya stood at the doorway and watched her leave.

"Mei Yingxue, oh Mei Yingxue."

"I thought you were so formidable, but I didn't expect you to be a fool."

"It seems the British Secret Intelligence Service is nothing more than this!"

Li Ya sighed coldly and returned inside.

He quickly picked up the phone and dialed Wu Jingzhong's number:

"Oh, is that Chou'er? Please help me call the Station Chief."

"I know it's very late."

"But I have an extremely urgent matter to report."

"Hello, Teacher, it's me. Is Secretary Hong awake?"

"Can you two come to the station? I have important matters to report."

After receiving an affirmative reply from Wu Jingzhong.

Li Ya drove to the Jinhai Station.

No. 1 Changde Road.

Wu Jingzhong was yawning while drinking tea, looking at Hong Zhiyou, who had a bandage wrapped around his head: "It seems Li Ya has succeeded. Let's go and listen."

"Teacher, did Li Ya and I play this a bit too big this time? It has damaged your family reputation and prestige."

After getting into the car, Hong Zhiyou pressed his still-aching head and winced.

"Face is a small matter."

"As long as Wu Rui knows the truth, nothing else is important."

"I gave Li Ya a major demerit; Jianfeng probably won't protect him, so his life is pretty much set. Stabilizing the Jinhai Station and seizing the time to make some easy money is what's most important."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"Hmm, if Teacher has no objections, then I am relieved," Hong Zhiyou nodded and said.

"It's just that your head was injured in vain."

"Whether this matter succeeds or not, there's no way to claim credit for you."

"If we were really to reward based on merit, you and Li Ya would be promoted at least one rank. Even if I stop working in the future, you would at least be a department head if sent out."

"What a pity."

Wu Jingzhong looked at Hong Zhiyou and couldn't help but clap his hands in regret.

"It doesn't matter."

"As long as the task is completed, this small injury is nothing," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Nonsense."

"The task belongs to the Party-State, but your body belongs to the children, to Wu Rui, and to yourself. You must distinguish between public and private."

"Have you thought about it?"

"What if something happens to you? What would Wu Rui and the children do?"

"In the future, you must consider everything thoroughly."

When Wu Jingzhong said this, he couldn't help but sigh:

"I've been rolling and crawling for so many years, following big demons and old foxes like Boss Dai and Zheng Jiemin, and after all this time, I've only figured out eight characters!"

"Which eight characters?" Hong Zhiyou knew, but he had to pretend to be very curious.

"If a man is not for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him!"

"Why are the Jiang, Song, Kong, and Chen families willing to revolt? They are all funneling mountains of gold and silver to North America, taking care of their descendants for ten generations."

"We don't need to talk about ten generations, but at least we have to take good care of Wu Rui and the children."

"Someone like Li Ya is just a reckless brute and a fool!"

"Do you understand?"

Wu Jingzhong tapped his chest and said solemnly.

"The student understands," Hong Zhiyou said, accepting the lesson.

When they arrived at the station, Li Ya was already waiting.

After entering the Station Chief's office, he pressed the recorder directly, and Mei Yingxue's clear voice came from it.

"Teacher, this evidence is clear and explicit, right?" Li Ya sucked in his cheeks, lifting his chin proudly.

"Not bad."

"Captain Li, this cellar wasn't dug in vain; the fruits are abundant."

"You've worked hard."

"I will take the recording tape to Jingling tomorrow morning and report to Jianfeng in person."

"I will definitely claim credit for you then."

Wu Jingzhong praised.

"Teacher, don't wait until tomorrow morning; why not go overnight?"

"Mei Yingxue agreed to help me make an appointment with James tomorrow."

"If you and the higher-ups don't set a clear tone, I can't determine the next step of the operation."

Li Ya looked at Wu Jingzhong with his eyebrows slanted, his hands in his pockets, swaying his body from side to side as he spoke.

Wu Jingzhong stared at him for a few seconds, then laughed, slapped the table, and said readily:

"Good."

"Hong Zhiyou, contact the Garrison Headquarters immediately and have a military plane prepared for me; I am flying to Jingling right now."

"Thank you, Master." Li Ya nodded with satisfaction.

"Li Ya, your face is looking quite haggard from being worn down by that woman; go back and wait for news. I will try my best to be back before dawn," Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Very well, then I shall await the good news." He bowed slightly, shook his head, and walked out with his hands in his pockets.

"Did you see that?"

"The matter isn't even finished yet, and that arrogance of his is already starting to show."

"Go make a backup of this cassette tape."

"Although Li Ya only said those things to lure Yingxue into speaking."

"But besides us and Jianfeng, who can prove it?"

"This thing can elevate him right now."

"But it can also send him to his death in a minute."

"Colluding with spies, conspiring to sabotage military aid, lusting after beauty, fawning over foreigners, and attempting to join the Secret Intelligence Service—any one of these crimes would be enough to ruin him."

Wu Jingzhong snorted coldly.

"This student understands." Hong Zhiyou nodded and immediately went to the equipment room to make the backup.

One hour later.

Hong Zhiyou drove Wu Jingzhong to the airport.

By the time they arrived in Jingling, it was nearly three in the morning.

Jianfeng had already sent a special car to wait at the airport.

They headed straight for the Number Two Official Residence.

After a simple wash and tidying his appearance, Wu Jingzhong marched into the residence and bowed respectfully: "Jinhai Station Chief Wu Jingzhong requests an audience with Comrade Jianfeng."

Jianfeng was very satisfied with his use of the word "Comrade."

This showed that Wu Jingzhong had completely abandoned Dai Li's ways and his heart was turned toward him.

"Old classmate, sit down."

"I had the kitchen boil some lean meat porridge; let's eat together."

"Back in the Soviet Union, I remember we ate rye bread and drank milk every day; the two of us have been craving a bowl of authentic lean meat porridge like this."

Jianfeng smiled and gestured for him to take a seat.

"Indeed."

"Conditions were tough back then, unlike now where you can eat anything from all over the world."

"Recalling the bitterness to appreciate the sweetness is a person's duty."

Wu Jingzhong sat down and sighed with a smile.

"Hmm."

"Many people in the Party-State are not honest now; for example, certain people sympathize with the Red Tickets and run around for them under the name of Party-State giants."

"Such people have forgotten their duty."

"Forgotten who she is!"

Jianfeng appeared to be making small talk, but he brought up the real business right away.

Cold sweat broke out on Wu Jingzhong's back.

This was effectively a clear instruction on how to act on the third of next month.

It seemed this was also the will of the Chairman.

"Jingzhong is ignorant."

"I do not know who you are referring to when you say 'she'?"

Wu Jingzhong shifted uncomfortably, leaned forward, and asked with a smile.

"You, Jingzhong, are too slippery." Jianfeng smiled and pointed at him, not pressing the matter further.

Some things could not be spoken aloud, even between a father and him.

Wu Jingzhong sat up straight and said in a loud voice: "Jingzhong only knows that I will strike wherever the Chairman and you point, regardless of who she is, whether she is a giant or a veteran."

"Hmm."

Jianfeng nodded noncommittally. "The matter you reported tonight is very important; Father has been unable to sleep at night recently because of the military aid and the war of public opinion with these foreign devils."

"Did you bring the item?"

Wu Jingzhong handed over the tape recorder.

After listening to it, Jianfeng turned it off calmly.

"Do you have any instructions?" Wu Jingzhong looked at him.

Jianfeng looked back at him.

If he could give instructions, he wouldn't have had to go through so many detours.

Wu Jingzhong was no fool; of course, he wasn't asking for instructions regarding James and Mei Yingxue.

This matter could only be borne by Li Ya alone.

No one else on the outside knew about it.

Jianfeng knew he was asking how to handle Li Ya.

Silence him.

Or reward him!

Jianfeng stood up, paced a few steps with his hands behind his back.

"Li Ya participated in the Jinshanwei battle and infiltrated Yancheng alone; he has rendered service to the Party-State."

"Although he made a mistake."

"But I see that he is still loyal to the Party-State."

"Right now, the Red Tickets are powerful; Father has already sent Chen Jicheng to Beiping to keep an eye on the Jin-Sui Army Group, and you need a sharp blade in Jinhai to keep an eye on Chen Zhangjie."

"I think Li Ya is quite suitable."

"When it comes to managing subordinates, it is better to be lenient."

Jianfeng turned his head and said.

"Li Ya was able to achieve initial results, and your secretary also contributed, didn't he?" He paused and looked at Wu Jingzhong.

Wu Jingzhong cursed his ancestors for eighteen generations in his heart.

While talking about Li Ya, he had dragged his own son-in-law into it.

It was clear that if things went well, Li Ya would land safely.

If they didn't go well, Hong Zhiyou would be buried along with him.

This was a roundabout way of forcing Wu Jingzhong to do his utmost, or else his family would be destroyed.

A single sentence, killing without drawing blood.

"This subordinate understands."

"I will return to Jin immediately and begin the next step of the operation."

Wu Jingzhong stood up and respectfully accepted the order.

"No rush."

"Finish the porridge before you go," Jianfeng said with a smile.

"Better not."

"I'm afraid if I drink too much, my prostate will rebel."

"I'll drink a little; I can catch up on some sleep on the plane."

Wu Jingzhong didn't want to stay a moment longer; he just wanted to return as soon as possible.

Jianfeng had been by the Old Man's side for too long.

His political maneuvering was becoming increasingly refined and seasoned.

He had lost some of his human touch and was no longer as easy to fool as before.

"Hmm, go then. I wish you success," Jianfeng said.

"Thank you."

Wu Jingzhong bowed and retreated.

Back in Jinhai.

It was already six-thirty in the morning.

Wu Jingzhong's eyes were so blurry he couldn't even open them.

Hong Zhiyou hurriedly brought him a warm towel to wipe his face.

"Master, what instructions did the superiors have?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Jianfeng is inclined to keep Li Ya."

"And damn it, you were dragged into it as well. Sigh, anyway, since we're already involved, we might as well do our best to handle the task."

Wu Jingzhong sighed and said.

"That plan Wu Rui mentioned to me last time, do you think it's feasible?"

"Today is the first."

"The day after tomorrow, the Chairman is flying to Shenyang."

"We still have to arrange security for the Lady's transit through Jinmen; no matter how you look at it, it's best to act today."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Hmm."

"Just follow Wu Rui's suggestion."

"It has to work, even if it doesn't."

"Call Li Ya and Ding Defeng immediately and tell them to get over here right now!"

Wu Jingzhong ordered.

(End of chapter)