Chapter 253: Zheng Jiemin comes to Jinhai

"Coral, where is my coral?"

Ke Shufen panicked.

A careful check.

Except for the blood coral, a pair of jade bracelets was also missing.

Fortunately, the thief didn't know the goods, and the paintings, calligraphy, and several pieces of porcelain were left behind.

Fortunately, the several thousand US dollars she had won playing cards recently were placed in another room.

Ke Shufen totted it up.

It was okay.

Antiques, paintings, plus several thousand US dollars.

Odds and ends.

It was estimated that there was at least twenty or thirty thousand US dollars in profit.

What a pity, the damn thief.

Took away the most valuable blood coral; otherwise, it would have been a solid fifty thousand US dollars in income, and this trip wouldn't have been in vain.

Wu Jingzhong indeed had good things.

Must continue to scrape.

Ke Shufen suddenly saw the note on the table, and the hair on her body couldn't help but stand up again.

The other party was a bandit who killed without blinking.

Last time, killing a chicken.

This time, releasing snakes.

Next time, he might take her life.

Ke Shufen loved money.

But she wasn't stupid; there would be plenty of time in the future, and money could be scraped slowly.

But there was only one life.

To be accounted for in the hands of a bandit would be too much of a loss.

"Chief of Guards Fang."

Having calculated it clearly, she walked out the door and called.

"Madam, what are your orders?" Chief of Guards Fang said.

"Arrange a plane immediately; I'm returning to Jingling right now," Ke Shufen ordered.

"Yes, Madam."

Chief of Guards Fang accepted the order.

Turning his head, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally going back; if he stayed any longer, his rice bowl would definitely be smashed.

Jingling.

Zheng Jiemin sat on the sofa, closing his eyes to rest his mind.

"Old Zheng, let me tell you, if it weren't for that damn bandit, I would have brought that red coral back.

"You don't know, that color, tsk tsk!

"I'm telling you, Wu Jingzhong has no shortage of treasures.

"And Jinhai City.

"Don't look at Jingling as the capital; compared to Jinhai, it's nothing; that side is very Westernized.

"Rich people are everywhere.

"When playing cards, they use US dollars directly."

"I scraped nearly ten thousand US dollars at the card table.

"Hey, if you don't go, you don't know.

"That side is truly full of gold; your old partner Wu Jingzhong has scraped so many things he has nowhere to put them, and he even took over Zhang Xun's mansion to use as a private treasury.

"You are..."

Ke Shufen was showing off her "harvest" while chattering endlessly.

"Enough.

"You've been calculated against and don't even know it.

"Fang Yuan told me everything.

"Who do you think that bandit is?

"That is Wu Jingzhong's man, wanting you to leave quickly.

"He couldn't bear to part with the red coral, so he already took it back; what he could give you is just this bit, understand?"

Zheng Jiemin opened his eyes and interrupted her impatiently.

"You, you mean that bandit is a man sent by Wu Jingzhong?" Ke Shufen was full of disbelief.

"Do you think people welcome you?

"If he hadn't sent him, could you still be standing here talking to me?"

Zheng Jiemin said.

"Watch your tone when you speak; who are you talking to? What are you shouting about?" Ke Shufen was displeased.

"Yes, yes.

"Am I not reminding you?" Zheng Jiemin suppressed his anger and hurriedly put on a smiling face, returning to his henpecked state.

"Wu Jingzhong!

"Isn't this bullying people too much?

"What are we waiting for? Let's go, fly to Jinhai immediately and confront him face to face."

Ke Shufen had never suffered such slights and flew into a rage.

"Confront face to face?

"Why, do you think it's reasonable to ask people for money?

"Wu Jingzhong is not Ma Hansan.

"Who doesn't know that Jinhai is a lucrative place? Do you think I, Mao Renfeng, or even Jiang Jianfeng haven't had thoughts? No matter who proposed replacing Wu Jingzhong, they were all blocked by the Generalissimo.

"Currently, the war is tight, and they are deeply involved with the Americans.

"Military aid, supplies, we all can't do without the support of the American side.

"Especially his son-in-law, Ke Ke, who thinks highly of him and is brothers with the Marine Corps commander.

"Even my good friend Ambassador Smith advised me not to touch this person.

"If people give it, you just accept it.

"If people aren't willing to give, and you go to grab it hard, it won't look good. After all, he and I have been classmates and partners for many years, so we still need to keep up appearances."

Zheng Jiemin persuaded in a soft voice.

"So we just swallow this anger?" Ke Shufen said indignantly.

"Hey.

"Let's swallow it for now.

"Besides, didn't Old Wu give you twenty or thirty thousand US dollars worth of things?

"Do you think the ladies at the card table are all fools, with too much money to burn, rushing to send you money?

"That was all Wu Jingzhong's arrangement.

"Let's leave it at that."

Zheng Jiemin said, feeling somewhat annoyed.

"Sit down; I have something to tell you," he said, raising his hand.

"What is it?" Ke Shufen could also see that he had something on his mind.

"A man named Li Ya at the Jinhai Station lost the medicine sent by the devils to Hu Zongnan's troops, worth nearly two hundred thousand US dollars.

"He is Jiang Jianfeng's man..."

Before Zheng Jiemin finished speaking, Ke Shufen interrupted sharply:

"I know him.

"He was the one who ruined Lu Qiaoshan's good deed in Beiping last time.

"A clown!"

Zheng Jiemin took over the conversation: "He is a clown, but he is also a good dog raised by Jiang Jianfeng.

"Now the medicine is lost, and the Generalissimo and Jiang Jianfeng don't want to offend Hu Zongnan, nor do they want to pay, so this sum of money has been dumped on my head.

"They say I was lax in supervising military supplies and ordered me to get the medicine within seven days.

"The key is they won't give money.

"They allocated one hundred thousand US dollars to the Military Supplies Department, but want two hundred thousand US dollars worth of goods.

"This is a difference of one hundred thousand US dollars.

"And it's not one hundred thousand legal tender.

"The old man is giving me a hard problem."

Zheng Jiemin sighed with a headache.

"How could it be like this?

"The old man has always trusted you very much, even more than Kang Ze or Dai Li; you've only been Deputy Minister for a few days, how could he turn his face so quickly?"

Ke Shufen frowned in confusion.

"Politics is like water and fire; it is all heartless.

"Integrating the police and security systems has offended people.

"That villain Tang Zong reported me to the Generalissimo, saying I was getting too close to the Americans.

"Just after the report was made, Ke Ke invited me to visit the ship, and Ke Ke and He Yingqin named me to go.

"Hey, this is to set me up and make me walk Dai Li's old path."

Zheng Jiemin said with worry.

"Dai Li?" Ke Shufen was a bit puzzled.

"Isn't Dai Li just because he got too close to Ke Ke and wanted to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy?

"Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you so much.

"Seal these things up well.

"Return them to Wu Jingzhong intact, and pick a few valuable things from the warehouse; I will personally go to Jinhai to apologize to my old classmate."

Zheng Jiemin said.

"You are going to apologize to him, and you have to give him gifts? Zheng Jiemin, have you gone crazy?" Ke Shufen immediately started cursing.

"Shufen.

"The Generalissimo only gave me one hundred thousand US dollars, but wants two hundred thousand US dollars worth of medicine.

"Where am I supposed to get this one hundred thousand US dollars?

"Given the current situation, where am I supposed to get so much penicillin?"

"I have to find Wu Jingzhong."

Zheng Jiemin said helplessly.

"Must you find him?

"He was just an errand boy for you back then; wouldn't it be too..."

Ke Shufen always felt it wasn't quite right.

"If you find someone else.

"People will be polite to you to your face, but who knows what kind of traps they'll set behind your back, hoping I won't complete the mission and get punished.

"Hey, a new official has three fires.

"This first fire was extinguished in Beiping; I don't know how many people are waiting to see me make a fool of myself.

"Now bad things are following one after another.

"Everyone wants to step on me."

Zheng Jiemin shook his head and said.

"Wu Jingzhong is greedy for money, but this person has followed me for many years and is a former classmate; I still know a little about him.

"He is slick and emphasizes human sentiment in everything.

"In this world, there aren't many people with a human touch left.

"Perhaps only he is willing to pull me, this old brother, up."

After drinking a few cups of tea, he sighed leisurely.

"Hey.

"A wasted trip, and I have to pay Old Dog Wu an extra sum.

"If you want to go, you go; anyway, I don't want to go to Jinhai again in this life."

Ke Shufen curled her lip and stomped upstairs.

The next day.

Zheng Jiemin carried several carefully selected antique playthings and personally flew to Jinhai.

He didn't rush to see Wu Jingzhong, but first summoned Lu Qiaoshan.

"Qiaoshan, you really know how to find a place.

"Quiet, spring flowers blooming, suitable for being an idle person."

Zheng Jiemin sat in the flower garden and asked lazily with a smile.

"Deputy Minister, you can't be idle; if you are idle, the Generalissimo's side won't turn," Lu Qiaoshan stood aside and said respectfully with a smile.

"Sit.

"Sheng Xiang has been arranged to go in; after your secret mission this time is completed, what are your plans?" Zheng Jiemin asked.

He also had eyes and ears in Jinhai.

He knew that Lu Qiaoshan had dealings with Hong Zhiyou and had even eaten a simple meal at Wu Jingzhong's house.

"To tell you the truth.

"Jinhai is indeed a tight place, one radish for one pit.

"Since I left, there haven't been many people who recognize me.

"I won't hide it from you.

"Coming here is difficult; doing anything requires begging others.

"Not to mention there is a deadly rival, Li Ya, who guards against me like a thief all day; outside my room, there are people squatting every night.

"Deputy Minister, after completing the mission, I apply to return to Jingling to continue serving tea and pouring water for you."

Lu Qiaoshan said with a sincere face.

He was a smart man.

Hong Zhiyou had also tipped him off that he shouldn't have even the slightest thought of staying in front of Zheng Jiemin.

Zheng Jiemin was very satisfied with this answer.

However, he sighed on his lips:

"Returning isn't necessarily a good thing either.

"That Li Ya at the Jinhai Station has killed a return horse gun on me again; Hu Zongnan and Jiang Jianfeng dumped the mess of the lost medicine on my head.

"I also have to beg others.

"You call Wu Jingzhong and tell him to come see me."

Zheng Jiemin ordered.

"Yes, Deputy Minister," Lu Qiaoshan accepted the order and went into the inner room to tip off Hong Zhiyou.

Jinhai Station.

Wu Jingzhong stood by the window with his hands behind his back, humming a little tune and looking at the delicate flowers in the garden.

Once spring comes, everything recovers.

It's delightful.

Ke Shufen has left.

Finally, he can spare some time to grind down this stubborn stone, Li Ya.

"Teacher, Deputy Minister Zheng has arrived and summoned you to see him," Hong Zhiyou walked in quickly and said in a low voice.

"Where?"

Wu Jingzhong's smile faded, and he asked solemnly with narrowed eyes.

"At a private residence of Lu Qiaoshan; I'm afraid it will take thirty or forty minutes by car," Hong Zhiyou said.

"So remote.

"Not entering the station, not entering the house; it seems the old man has given him a hard problem, and he has something to ask of us."

Wu Jingzhong raised the corner of his mouth slightly, already understanding.

"Let's go, go see my old leader," he smiled and walked out first.

Got in the car.

Wu Jingzhong sat in the back seat and said in a deep voice:

"Compared to many people in the Party-State, Zheng Jiemin still has a bit of human touch.

"His greatest strength is that he can pick it up and put it down.

"If he suffers a loss, he dares to admit it.

"As long as it's beneficial, even if you killed his biological father, he can eat from the same pot as you.

"Back then in the Fuxing Society, Boss Dai was the Director, Tang Zong was the Secretary, Zheng Jiemin was the Deputy Director, and there were a bunch of people like Yu Lexing.

"In the end, Boss Dai fell out with Tang Zong and Yu Lexing.

"Only with Zheng Jiemin was it ten years like one day.

"Even my level of skill was largely learned from him when I was in Lanzhou.

"A truly smart man, an old big brother."

Wu Jingzhong recalled the past and couldn't help but feel very emotional.

"Teacher.

"We drove Ke Shufen away this time; won't Deputy Minister Zheng make things difficult for you?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"No.

"I've already spat out what I should spit out; it's enough to stop at the point.

"He is a sensible person and will know."

Wu Jingzhong said.

Arrived at Lu Qiaoshan's small courtyard.

Wu Jingzhong got out of the car, walked a few quick steps, and greeted him with a beaming face:

"Deputy Minister Zheng, old classmate, old leader, hoping for stars and moons, looking forward to you coming to Jinhai once, finally I've waited for it."

"Jingzhong, come, sit quickly," Zheng Jiemin stood up and greeted.

Wu Jingzhong observed his complexion, and the address became more intimate:

"Old big brother, let me introduce you; this is my secretary Hong Zhiyou, and also Ruirui's boyfriend."

"I know, the Jinhai expert.

"Shen Zui has mentioned him to me more than once; young and promising," Zheng Jiemin smiled.

"Seen Chief Zheng."

Hong Zhiyou stood at attention, chest out, and saluted respectfully.

"Sit together.

"Qiaoshan, serve... tea," Zheng Jiemin waved his hand.

"Let me do it.

"Deputy Minister, Teacher, you talk."

Hong Zhiyou went into the inner room to make tea very sensibly.

"You must know about Jingling's affairs.

"That Li Ya at your station lost the medicine, and Jiang Jianfeng dumped the shit basin on my head.

"Now Tang Zong is reporting me.

"He Yingqin is pushing me to see the Americans, and the Generalissimo has a great prejudice against me."

Zheng Jiemin complained.

"Old brother, don't worry; if there's anything you need Jingzhong for, just speak up," Wu Jingzhong patted his chest and guaranteed.

"Hmm.

"We are old partners; it's enough for you to know many things in your heart.

"Now many people want to step on me to death.

"But I know you won't.

"Shufen came to Jinhai this time; I had advised her, but she was bewitched by Qiaoshan, and that bit of selfishness flared up.

"You also know, in our house, she has the final say.

"Even the Heavenly King couldn't control her temper.

"And so, it hurt our brotherly friendship.

"Not a single item is missing; I've brought them all back for you," Zheng Jiemin pointed to the suitcase and said.

"Old leader, if you say it like that, you are shaming Jingzhong and insulting sister-in-law.

"These things were given to sister-in-law with my sincere heart.

"I dare to swear to heaven, to the Generalissimo.

"If you take them back, wouldn't it chill sister-in-law's heart, making it seem like sister-in-law covets my bit of broken stuff.

"It hurts feelings, it hurts feelings."

Wu Jingzhong hurriedly refused.

"If you can think of your sister-in-law like this, I'm relieved.

"Hey.

"After so many years, only we two old brothers have remained consistent.

"Do you still remember that sentence I said to you when you were transferred from the Director of the Eighth War Zone Inspection Office to the Northeast District?"

Zheng Jiemin asked with a smile.

"I remember.

"You said, eating from the same pot, but the chopsticks held are different, some long and some short.

"Fighting for food and grabbing food is inevitable.

"When necessary, one should yield and retreat; one must not ruin brotherly feelings.

"Struggle is a means of survival in officialdom; as long as we sit together, we are still old brothers."

Wu Jingzhong repeated it word for word.

"That's right.

"I've said this to many people.

"But many people only talk about struggle, not unity.

"Jingzhong, only you still talk about human sentiment."

Zheng Jiemin pointed at Wu Jingzhong and said with great emotion.

There is always a mountain higher than a mountain; don't look at his great success in officialdom, he has suffered a lot of anger in secret.

Including his old classmate Jiang Jianfeng.

"I am different from them.

"You are my elder brother, my teacher. Jingzhong can have today, all thanks to the old brother's careful promotion and teaching back then; I can sit firmly in Jinhai, largely because the old brother is lifting me up from behind.

"Whenever Wu Jingzhong is mentioned, who doesn't think... that is your classmate, your old subordinate, your old brother.

"It is precisely because you are there that others have scruples.

"Not to mention others, San Mao has always been thinking about this chair of mine."

Wu Jingzhong's eyes were slightly red, and he said with deep affection.

"It's very good that you can see this point; I haven't protected you for so many years in vain.

"Currently, Mao Renfeng is highly valued, and Jiang Jianfeng has developed a rift between you and me; if we two old brothers don't huddle together for warmth, let alone your Station Chief position.

"Even my Deputy Minister position won't be secure."

Zheng Jiemin was also sighing endlessly.

"Understood.

"If the old brother has any difficulties, just speak up; Jingzhong will definitely go through fire and water." After talking about feelings, Wu Jingzhong went straight to the point.

"The old man left me a gap of one hundred thousand US dollars in military funds.

"You know, it's not that I don't have one hundred thousand US dollars, but if I have to pay out of my own pocket, given your sister-in-law's temperament, she's afraid she'll jump off a building.

"Furthermore, medicine is hard to get right now.

"Must find the Americans.

"I asked Ambassador Smith in Jingling, and his suggestion is to find Commander Philson and let him assist in urgently requisitioning medicine from the Ghost Island, Southeast Asia, Xiangdao, and other places to cope with Hu Zongnan's front-line supplies."

Zheng Jiemin said.

"Hmm, the time given by the Generalissimo is too rushed; this matter can only be handled this way.

"The Americans are now the big daddy of the devils.

"As long as a word is put in here, that side is not a problem.

"The British Governor of Xiangdao is also one family with the Americans; if we urgently airlift it from Yuezhou, there should still be hope of completion."

Wu Jingzhong calculated and said.

"The problem now is how to get the one hundred thousand US dollars.

"This is the key to the problem."

Zheng Jiemin tapped the table with a headache.

"Old brother, don't panic.

"In my opinion, this matter is not about the one hundred thousand US dollars, but about the medicine.

"How about this?

"How many boxes of penicillin did Hu Zongnan lose? We will make up for all of them, not a single injection missing.

"But we can move our hands and feet on this medicine.

"For example, dilute it a bit.

"Change one dose into two.

"In this way, can't one hundred thousand US dollars accomplish a two hundred thousand US dollar task?"

Wu Jingzhong said in a low voice.

"That is a method.

"But I'm afraid it won't pass the drug supervision level; if it's really sent to the front line and can't cure the disease, and it's investigated later, it will cost heads," Zheng Jiemin frowned and said.

"Old brother, you're overthinking it.

"Penicillin is for anti-inflammation; what is the environment of a field hospital?

"It's dirty, messy, and poor.

"Not to mention that a lower drug efficacy can still cure the disease.

"Even if it can't be cured, you can push it off by saying they used the medicine improperly, didn't pay attention to medical hygiene, etc., causing secondary infection.

"Anyway, with the Americans endorsing it, does the National Government dare to investigate the Marine Corps?"

Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"I had people do experiments at the Army Hospital.

"For one penicillin, as long as there is half the efficacy, it can achieve an anti-inflammatory effect.

"You just rest assured."

After a pause, he said again.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 254 =====

(End of chapter)