Chapter 251: Secretary Hong, I am convinced

Jinhai Station conference room.

Wu Jingzhong sat upright at the head of the table.

Li Ya, Fei Chunlai of the City Defense Bureau, Ding Defeng, and Hong Zhiyou sat on either side.

"I have called you here today for a closed-door secret meeting.

"Director Ding, leprosy has recently resurfaced in Jinhai; as the director, you must take action."

Wu Jingzhong did not waste a single word, getting straight to the point.

Ding Defeng was stunned: "Station Chief Wu, I haven't received any reports of leprosy cases; are you perhaps mistaken?"

"If I say there are, then there are.

"Are you the one working in intelligence, or am I? By the time your pig brain reacts, it will have already spread."

Wu Jingzhong frowned and scolded.

This stupid pig, does he not understand what a closed-door meeting means?

Below the table, Hong Zhiyou hurriedly kicked Ding Defeng.

"Oh, yes, yes.

"I received the reports last night and was just about to report it to you and Mayor Zhang.

"Station Chief Wu, I woke up with low blood sugar this morning and my brain is a bit foggy; please, please don't blame me."

Ding Defeng reacted quickly, stood up, and bowed to apologize.

"Low blood sugar is fine; there is mutton soup for breakfast at the station, go have a bowl later.

"If your brain is going to break, then your time as director should come to an end."

Wu Jingzhong said half-jokingly.

"Yes, yes!" Ding Defeng nodded repeatedly.

"Leprosy spreads very quickly.

"It must be cut off at the source; the earlier the intervention, the better.

"My meaning is to immediately carry out isolation and disinfection work at all major hotels, major public places, including all municipal units, and the Bureau of Confidentiality."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"I... should I report this to Zhang Tinge and Du Jianshi?" Ding Defeng asked.

Epidemic prevention has always been the responsibility of the municipal government.

When leprosy is rampant, the Bureau of Confidentiality sometimes takes charge of supervising whether each agency is executing its duties diligently.

And mobilizing the City Defense Bureau, coordinating with the Garrison Command, the Gendarmerie Command, and the garrison troops to carry out necessary blockades.

But to say that Wu Jingzhong would take the lead in doing this was indeed a bit overstepping his authority.

"No need.

"I have already spoken with both Zhang and Du over the phone.

"After you finish your mutton soup, go back to the hospital and organize the work immediately."

Wu Jingzhong's gaze shifted to Fei Chunlai:

"Director Fei, your task is to mobilize the City Defense Bureau and coordinate with the Gendarmerie to assist Director Ding in carrying out the blockade and disinfection.

"This is the list of key units to be blockaded that I have compiled.

"Take a look."

He waved his hand, and Hong Zhiyou immediately distributed the documents to those present.

"Forgive my boldness in asking, Station Chief Wu, does this matter have the approval of our superiors and the instructions of Commander Chen?" Fei Chunlai asked cautiously.

The places marked on this are all clubs for foreigners.

These people are not to be trifled with.

Once the foreigners make a scene, I fear it will be very troublesome.

Moreover, mobilizing the City Defense Bureau requires an order from the Garrison Command.

He had no obligation to be responsible to Wu Jingzhong.

If something goes wrong, whose responsibility would it be?

"No.

"I said this is a closed-door secret meeting.

"Time is short, you just need to execute it; Chen Zhangjie will call you.

"If any problems arise, my Jinhai Station will take responsibility."

Wu Jingzhong narrowed his eyes and said coldly.

"Understood, I will certainly carry out Station Chief Wu's instructions with all my strength." Fei Chunlai accepted the order solemnly.

They were all old hands.

Whether it is leprosy or not is not important.

Since it is Wu Jingzhong taking the lead, it must be secret work.

As long as Chen Zhangjie nods, he will just follow suit.

"Everyone, this matter is of great importance. This operation must be swift, and secondly, it must be kept secret.

"I cannot say much else.

"I will say this: if this matter is botched, everyone here, including myself, will lose their heads. Do you understand what I mean?"

Wu Jingzhong scanned the group and said sternly.

"Understood."

The four said in unison.

Walking out of the office.

Ding Defeng pulled Hong Zhiyou to the side: "Brother, I really thank you today; I drank too much last night and my head is still spinning."

"Old Ding, your awareness really needs some work," Hong Zhiyou reminded him.

"Yes, yes.

"Now that public opinion hasn't stirred up yet, will I have trouble if I go after the foreigners' clubs?"

Ding Defeng frowned and asked.

"Don't worry, it's only past six o'clock.

"The first edition of the morning paper will be out soon."

Hong Zhiyou had already arranged it; several newspaper offices had worked through the night to change their front pages and reprint them, and soon the news of the leprosy outbreak in Jinhai would spread through every street and alley.

"Then I can rest easy.

"Sigh, my head hurts terribly, I'm going to go drink a bowl of mutton soup."

Ding Defeng smiled in relief.

"You're really going to drink it?

"Go handle your business quickly; if this isn't done well, the old soy milk at the Shuitun Prison will be all you get to eat."

Hong Zhiyou rolled his eyes and said.

"Hehe, yes, going now.

"I'll rely on you to put in a good word for me with Station Chief Wu."

Ding Defeng gave an awkward laugh and hurried away.

Hong Zhiyou returned to his office and waited for a while before the phone rang.

He picked it up:

"Good, I understand, I'll be there immediately."

He hung up the phone.

He walked to the window, saw Li Ya go to the cafeteria, and then hurried to the operations team office.

"Gaoyuan, where is Team Leader Li?" he asked with a smile.

"Team Leader Li went to the cafeteria," Gaoyuan said.

"This month's labor insurance and uniforms have arrived; come with me to the warehouse to collect the brothers' uniforms," Hong Zhiyou said with a gentle smile.

"Understood, Secretary Hong."

Gaoyuan stood up and followed him to the warehouse.

As soon as they entered, they saw Wu Jingzhong standing with his hands behind his back in the dim light.

"Station Chief?" Gaoyuan hurriedly saluted.

Wu Jingzhong turned around slowly and said with authority: "Gaoyuan, you graduated from the Baoding Police Academy and were promoted into the team by Team Leader Li himself.

"You have been at Jinhai Station for one year and four months."

"Yes, Station Chief." Gaoyuan felt inexplicably nervous.

"In the past, you helped Li Ya track me a total of seventeen times.

"Three times you sent people to attempt to install wiretaps in my residence in Hexi.

"You also established a monitoring point on the second floor of a civilian house near my residence.

"And on the street where Deputy Station Chief Yu's wife often buys groceries, you set up a newspaper stand and a tea stall, specifically to monitor him."

Wu Jingzhong said expressionlessly.

Cold sweat seeped out on Gaoyuan's forehead, and his legs began to tremble.

"I ask you, what is the slogan of the Secret Service Bureau?" Wu Jing asked.

"Con... condense our will, protect the leader!" Gao Yuan began to stutter.

"I see you are plotting a counter-attack and scheming against your superior.

"Not to mention you deliberately sent a spy to approach Hong Xiaohui at the school.

"Deputy Station Chief Yu and I are the direct leaders of the Jinhai Station, and we are the immediate superiors of you and Li Ya.

"If you dare to monitor your superiors today, tomorrow you will dare to plant a bomb in my car.

"Is this how you, how you protect your superior?

Wu Jing's eyes turned cold, and he shouted sternly.

As he spoke, he raised a hand, and Hong Zhiyou drew his service pistol and handed it over.

Wu Jing opened the safety, *click*, chambered a round, and pressed it against Gao Yuan's forehead:

"Speak, are you a secret agent sent by the Red Party?

"Did you leak the news about Yuan Peilin?

"And, did you silence Tang Simao and Lao Wu?"

*Thump!

Gao Yuan's legs went weak, and he couldn't help but kneel down:

"Station Chief, your subordinate knows nothing."

"Still daring to be stubborn?

"I'll shoot you dead with one bullet." Wu Jing shouted.

"Gao Yuan.

"I know Li Ya told you that internal monitoring is a tradition of the Secret Service Bureau.

"But ever since Boss Dai established the family law, there has never been a precedent of a subordinate monitoring a station chief.

"It is understandable that you monitor Deputy Station Chief Yu and me.

"But monitoring the station chief, there is no logic in that.

"Don't forget that the leather shoes, uniform, and the salary in your pocket are all given by the station chief.

"By the way.

"I heard that your father had his leg broken by someone back home because of a homestead.

"Your mother is in poor health.

"You also have a younger sister who is about to take her entrance exams, right?

"If the station chief shoots you now, Li Ya will only say you brought it upon yourself, and in the end, the only ones who will be sad and suffering are your family members.

"The station chief has always been benevolent; you still have a chance.

"Speak."

Hong Zhiyou advised gently from the side.

At the thought of his family, Gao Yuan's tears fell wildly, and after taking a slight breath, he said:

"I, I will speak!

"Captain Li met with Tang Simao alone the last time.

"As for Yuan Peilin, I... I have truly never met him.

"Monitoring you and Deputy Station Chief Yu was arranged by Captain Li.

"Li Ping, a former staff member of the Security Section, has a younger brother named Li Chong at Beiyang University; Li Ping once gave his brother some things.

"After Captain Li obtained them, he suspected that Section Chief Liu's death was related to you, Station Chief, and Deputy Section Chief Yu.

"And Lao Wu, he was indeed saved by Captain Li.

"Captain Li said there was something suspicious about Dong Cheng's death, so he followed and saved Lao Wu.

"Lao Wu was originally going to spill the beans.

"But he was silenced by someone beforehand.

"Also, monitoring you and Secretary Hong, these were all instructed by Li Ya."

Gao Yuan confessed everything in one go.

"Li Chong?

"Who else knows about this?" Wu Jing frowned.

Wu Jing understood Li Ya; this man could endure and was very capable. Aside from being unable to hide his arrogance, he was quite good at putting on an act in other aspects.

Back at the Qingpu Class, he and Liu Xiong were like father and son.

Once he confirmed that he knew who had eliminated Liu Xiong, he would definitely seek revenge.

"Except for me, no one knows.

"No.

"Captain Li doesn't know that I have already learned of this matter either.

"I was contacting our people in the student movement at Beiyang University one time and accidentally stumbled upon this, which is how I learned of Li Chong's identity."

Gao Yuan replied.

"Very good.

"Do not mention this matter to anyone else; let it rot in your stomach." Wu Jing said.

Upon hearing this, Gao Yuan let out a secret sigh of relief, knowing he could live.

"I will not punish you today.

"There is a major matter at hand that needs to be handled immediately.

"Remember, you will do this..."

Wu Jing gave detailed instructions.

"Station Chief, that, that is a foreigner, I..." Gao Yuan looked terrified after hearing this.

"Just treat him as a lowly dog.

"Secretary Hong!"

Wu Jing gestured with his chin and walked out first with his hands behind his back.

"Do you know why the station chief has always known about your monitoring but only confronted you today?

"Because the station chief has read your resume.

"You are the most outstanding graduate of the Baoding Police Academy and have a heart full of patriotic fervor; he cherishes talent.

"Now that the foreigners want to cut off our military aid, the country is in crisis.

"You must step forward.

"Be smart when you do it, and bring Captain Li along.

"He has Jianfeng behind him, and even if the British pursue accountability, the station chief will do his utmost to push the whole matter onto the entire Action Team and Captain Li, rather than you alone.

"Therefore, you have no need to worry about your safety."

Hong Zhiyou pulled him to sit on a wooden stool nearby.

He casually took a deed, a few gold bars, and a stack of US dollars out of his briefcase and handed them over:

"The thugs from the Cao Gang have already gone to your hometown. If they are fast, the people who bullied your father have already had their legs broken, and the house should have been burned down.

"This is a two-story old Western-style house on Jinnan Road.

"To avoid suspicion, the name I registered on it is your cousin who went to North America as a laborer; this cousin of yours indeed has some wealth in Chinatown now.

"It was he who transferred this house to you.

"This is the official transfer document.

"After this matter settles down, next August or September, you can bring your parents and sister directly to Jinhai to live a good life.

"I have shares in the Longxing Bank in Jinhai.

"In the future, for your parents' medical expenses and your little sister's schooling costs, you can borrow money from there, and I will settle the accounts.

"Of course, you must appear greedy in your daily life; you can engage in some small private business and appear to be working desperately to pay off the debts and medical expenses to the bank.

"I observe that Li Ya is a man who values filial piety, so even if he finds out, he won't say anything.

"And the house, you don't need to worry either.

"That house is not in a prime location and is not large. When Li Ya investigates by next August or September, with the formal transfer documents and property registration, you will have a reasonable explanation.

"His reach isn't long enough to extend to North America, and he won't be bored enough to get to the bottom of a small house."

"As for your sister.

"If she wants to go to school, I can have Deputy Station Chief Yu arrange for her to go to Nankai or Beiyang University.

"Or you can just go directly to Li Ya and have him handle it for you.

"If you need funds, get them from the bank or come directly to me.

"How about it, is this arrangement satisfactory?"

Hong Zhiyou looked at him and asked with a smile.

Gao Yuan was stunned after hearing this.

The things he had wanted to accomplish his whole life—revenge, filial piety to his parents, helping his little sister attend university—things Li Ya had promised him with no end in sight, had actually been accomplished by Secretary Hong in a single night without anyone noticing.

The key was that the person had handled this errand flawlessly.

He could accept it with a clear conscience.

He was not afraid at all that Li Ya would find any clues and discover that he had defected.

"Secretary Hong, Gaoyuan is convinced!"

"Convinced!"

"Thank you!"

Gaoyuan was overcome with gratitude and fell to his knees before Hong Zhiyou with a thud.

The one who beat his father was a local village squire.

His son-in-law was in the county security brigade, and he also had people in the county government.

The reason Gaoyuan joined the Confidentiality Bureau and swore to serve to the death was because Li Ya promised to avenge him.

But ever since making that promise, Li Ya had completely cast the matter to the back of his mind.

"Get up."

"After your parents arrive in Jin, you don't need to worry about anyone causing trouble."

"If those people from Baoding dare to come to Jinhai to pick a fight, I guarantee you, I will ask the Baoding Security Commander to dig up their family's ancestral graves for three generations and have every last one of them locked up in the Shuitun Prison."

"I still have that much capability."

Hong Zhiyou had almost arranged for all of his concerns to be addressed.

"Secretary Hong, thank you."

"From today on, this life of mine, Gaoyuan, is yours."

Gaoyuan wiped away hot tears and gave Hong Zhiyou a military salute.

"Don't."

"This is the first time someone has saluted me; it feels quite strange." Hong Zhiyou pulled his hand down and smiled.

"No."

"You are my superior officer."

"To be loyal to the Party and State, one must first be loyal to one's superior officer; I heard you say exactly that to the Station Chief when I was washing the car last time," Gaoyuan said with some embarrassment.

"I am not a superior officer."

"If you are willing, you can call me 'brother' in private from now on."

Hong Zhiyou patted Gaoyuan and said.

"Hey, brother," Gaoyuan called out from the bottom of his heart.

Hong Zhiyou possessed a certain charm.

It had to do with money and capability.

Furthermore, it was his approachability, which made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze; it gave them a great sense of security, making them unconsciously want to draw close to him and go through fire and water for him.

"From today on, the Station Chief and I are your greatest backers."

"Li Ya is a man with many schemes."

"You are currently the person he trusts most, and this is a good opportunity."

"Your performance must be the same as usual."

"Do what you are supposed to do."

"Continue monitoring where you should monitor, and strike where you should strike; using a sap is all acceptable."

"Of course, the Station Chief, Director Yu, and I might also find fault with you."

"An excellent agent must be mentally prepared for these things."

Hong Zhiyou tapped him on the chest, signaling him not to feel too much pressure.

"Yes."

"I haven't been here today, and I haven't seen you or the Station Chief," Gaoyuan replied.

He was naturally very sharp and clever.

He understood as soon as it was pointed out.

"Very good."

"Take the labor supplies."

"Take the old ones, soap, matches, and anything expired—take them all out."

"That way, if Li Ya asks where you went, your timeline will match up."

Hong Zhiyou analyzed the details, leaving nothing out.

Gaoyuan was secretly impressed to the point of total admiration.

He suddenly felt a strange sense of pity for Li Ya.

Captain Li was very strong.

But it seemed he had picked the wrong opponent.

Gaoyuan was not familiar with Director Yu.

But the Station Chief and Hong Zhiyou were nearly demonic in their intelligence, their discerning eyes seeing through everything; how could an ordinary person possibly deal with them?

After making the arrangements, Hong Zhiyou left the warehouse.

"Is everything arranged?" Wu Jingzhong asked upon returning to the Station Chief's office.

"Yes."

"Li Ya promised empty checks, while we are doing real things; there is no reason for Gaoyuan not to listen to us," Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Yes."

"This matter with Liu Xiong still needs to be cleaned up more thoroughly."

"Tell me, what do you think is in those things Li Ping handed over to Li Chong?"

Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I don't think there will be any hard evidence."

"Li Ping was working under Ma Kui at the time."

"Ma Kui himself was unreliable, rash, and never accomplished a single thing."

"They were mainly targeting Deputy Station Chief Yu."

"Only Old Five knew about Liu Xiong's death."

"Li Ping hadn't actually uncovered any leads."

"Even if Li Ping was just bragging or guessing, even if Liu Xiong gave him something, it couldn't possibly point to you; it would mostly be black material on Deputy Station Chief Yu."

Hong Zhiyou analyzed.

"You cannot underestimate bragging and guessing."

"If he left behind some speculative evidence or a suicide note, and it fell into the hands of someone like Li Ya, who is very calculating and has ulterior motives, that little seed could grow into a towering tree."

"You must know that there is no such thing as a seamless plan in this world."

"Whatever is done, it will leave a trace."

"At the very least, Guohua knows quite a few things."

"God knows if Li Ya, with his constant rambling, might dig something up."

"The way he has been looking at me lately doesn't feel right."

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand and frowned.

"Teacher, Section Chief Xiao is absolutely loyal to you," Hong Zhiyou said, speaking well of him when he saw the murderous intent in Wu Jingzhong's eyes.

Immediately, he smiled: "As for Captain Li, that goes without saying; he looks at everyone as if he is the greatest under heaven and everyone else is just grass."

"That is not what I meant."

"I remember you know that scalper from the Dangtong Bureau?" Wu Jingzhong raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Yes," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Doesn't Beiyang University have Li Ya's secret agents?"

"Have him find someone from the Dangtong Bureau and pick a suitable time to meet with that Li Chong."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Wu Jingzhong said.

"Understood."

"Liu Xiong previously had 'collusion' with the Zhongtong, and now Ye Xiufeng and Sun Chuanzhi hate you to the bone; it is very normal to stir up some discord," Hong Zhiyou said, catching the implication.

"Yes," Wu Jingzhong smiled and nodded several times.

A father-in-law and son-in-law of one mind, their strength can cut through metal.

This son-in-law was truly handy to use.

"The morning papers should be distributed; Jinhai City will be lively soon."

"I haven't slept all night and can't hold on anymore."

"You stay here and hold the fort."

"Once there is good news that Li Ya has succeeded, report it to me immediately."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Teacher, once Yingxue is caught, how, how should we handle her?" Hong Zhiyou asked, finding it difficult.

Wu Jingzhong turned his head and looked at him coldly:

"Is that even a question? Put away that soft-heartedness of yours."

"For a woman like this who has no country and no home, her conscience was eaten by dogs long ago; sympathizing with her is a disgrace to the Party and State, and to us."

"I feel sick just hearing her name now."

"Follow the procedure as usual!"

"Do whatever needs to be done; once the confession is obtained and the transcript is ready, I will then request instructions from Jiang Jianfeng."

"Understood!"

Hong Zhiyou nodded solemnly.

(End of chapter)