Chapter 253: Don't Do Business at a Loss

No. 1 Changde Road.

Hong Zhiyou got out of the car and headed straight for the villa's main hall.

Mrs. Kang was coaxing her granddaughter to sleep with a face full of doting affection and happiness; Hong Zhiyou paused his steps and leaned in to kiss the little girl.

"Mom, thank you for your hard work," he said with gratitude.

"What hard work? She's our own child, she's precious," Mrs. Kang laughed.

"Don't keep holding her, you'll end up with periarthritis of the shoulder. If it's too much, just let Chou'er hold her," Hong Zhiyou said with concern.

"You don't understand.

"This child is like a calf; you have to be like a cowherd and hold her from the time she's small, so even when she's bigger, she won't feel heavy.

"Besides, if I hand her to someone else, I don't feel at ease.

"What if she gets dropped or bumped?"

Mrs. Kang said while gently rocking the baby.

"Alright."

Hong Zhiyou pinched the baby's little feet and asked with a smile, "Where is Master?"

"He came back and teased the child for a long time; he's probably just fallen asleep now," Mrs. Kang said.

"Then he probably won't be able to sleep.

"Mom, give the child to me, you..."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and pointed toward the bedroom door.

Wu Jingzhong's bedroom was not a place just anyone could enter.

If things went wrong, one might end up like a second Cao Cao.

If he barged in, he might be made an example of and executed.

Of course, maintaining a proper distance to show respect was also very necessary; with this clear hierarchy, everyone felt comfortable interacting.

Many things are often ruined by being too casual or indifferent.

Surviving in these chaotic times, the most essential thing Hong Zhiyou learned from following Wu Jingzhong was: "Human affairs."

Never forgetting to fathom the human heart, and being meticulous about details.

Thinking ten steps, even a hundred steps, ahead for every single step taken.

Only in this way can one live longer and stand more firmly.

"You can just go knock on the door yourself; he trusts you even more than he trusts me now," Mrs. Kang laughed.

"Mom.

"You should go instead," Hong Zhiyou said.

"You child..."

Mrs. Kang smiled and reluctantly handed the baby to him.

She walked inside and knocked on the door.

"Old man, it's me.

"Are you asleep?

"Zhiyou has something urgent to see you about."

She called out while knocking.

A moment later, Wu Jingzhong rubbed his throbbing temples and opened the door.

"Zhiyou has been here for a while, but he was afraid of waking you, so he's been waiting outside," Mrs. Kang didn't forget to put in a good word for her son-in-law.

Hong Zhiyou felt deeply grateful in his heart.

If nothing else, this mother-in-law of his was truly beyond reproach.

"Pour some tea," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Chou'er, pour some tea, make it strong Tieguanyin," Mrs. Kang called out.

"You two talk."

She took the baby from Hong Zhiyou's hands and went to the room where Wu Rui was.

Soon, Chou'er brought over the freshly brewed strong tea.

After Wu Jingzhong took two sips, Hong Zhiyou then said, "Master, Captain Li has succeeded.

"James was caught having an affair, fled in a panic, and died from a fall.

"Mei Yingxue and James's interpreter, Charlie Cao, have already been locked in the interrogation room.

"Captain Li doesn't know how to handle it now; you might need to go to the station."

"Excellent," Wu Jingzhong smiled happily.

"With that temperament of Li Ya's—where he thinks he's first, I'm second, and even the Chairman has to be third—we absolutely cannot let him get commended and promoted to Colonel.

"Otherwise, he won't just be eyeing the Deputy Station Chief position, but my own seat.

"This time when I went to Jinling, Jiang Jianfeng was clearly not as close to me as before; most likely he thinks I'm old and haven't handled things as he wished, and that I'm not as useful as the Iron and Blood Youth Corps.

"You've spent so much money on that so-called Corps Commander foreigner, it's time to make something of it."

He paused and frowned as he spoke.

"Understood," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"I won't go to the station.

"It's better if you and I touch this matter as little as possible.

"Let Yu Zecheng handle it; he is the Deputy Station Chief and was not involved in the operation, so just let him handle it as an international espionage case.

"This can also temper him and raise Yu Zecheng's prestige.

"Once it's handled well, his momentum and reputation will be able to suppress Li Ya, and with a name registered with Jiang Jianfeng and headquarters, if they want to promote Li Ya to take his spot, they'll have to weigh it carefully."

Wu Jingzhong said, leaving nothing out.

"Master is truly a living Buddha; you see in all directions, and everything is clear at a glance," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Politics, after all, is a big dyeing vat.

"When you reach my age, after being soaked in the oil long enough, you'll also be able to handle things with ease."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"Alright, I'll head back to the station now," Hong Zhiyou said as he stood up.

"Look, you forgot again.

"Public and private matters must be kept separate; the Party-State's business can be handled sooner or later, but if you neglect your own family, it chills the heart.

"You aren't Yu the Great; you're already inside the house, go take a look.

"Women are delicate during their postpartum recovery, spend more time with her."

Wu Jingzhong frowned and called him back.

"Yes, yes."

Hong Zhiyou accepted the order with shame.

In the inner room.

Mrs. Kang was holding the child and talking to Wu Rui.

"Wu Rui, you were really right to choose Hong Zhiyou.

"Before, I was afraid that because he's an only son, he might neglect you because you gave birth to a daughter.

"I didn't expect him to like the little girl so much.

"The stone in my heart has finally fallen to the ground; back then, your grandmother's knot wasn't untied until she died, if it weren't for your grandfather and your father doting on you.

"I even had thoughts of holding you and jumping into the river back then."

When Mrs. Kang spoke of the past, she still had a face full of bitterness and lingering fear.

"Hong Zhiyou, this child is truly our family's lucky star; he's cured this heart disease of mine," she said, patting her chest.

"Mom, he's best at putting on an act, stop praising him, or he'll lose his sense of direction," Wu Rui joked.

"Hong Zhiyou isn't acting.

"Mom's judgment of people isn't wrong; from the first time he came to our house, he was respectful to your father, and now that his wings have hardened, he's still exactly the same.

"He's also very close to me; he sends whatever I'm thinking of.

"He's truly thoughtful, much more filial than you.

"If he weren't sincere, those generals and high-ranking officials outside, and the Rong and Song families—how high are their thresholds, would they be able to associate with him?

"And that gang leader in Shanghai, Du Yuesheng, he's sworn brothers with Boss Dai, he's a man who has seen the world.

"Last time he came to Jinmen on business, he even made a special trip to our house to visit your father.

"That was all for Hong Zhiyou's sake.

"If he were treacherous and slippery, would these shrewd people acknowledge him?"

Once she started talking about her son-in-law, Mrs. Kang had endless good things to say.

"Fine, fine.

"Your son-in-law is the best, better than me, your own daughter, right?"

Wu Rui laughed.

"It's true, with your temperament of squatting outside and not being seen twice a year, you really aren't as considerate as Hong Zhiyou," Mrs. Kang said.

As the two were talking, Hong Zhiyou walked in: "Mom, Wu Rui, what are you chatting about so happily?"

"You all chat."

Mei Qiuju smiled, held the child, and walked out.

Hong Zhiyou leaned against her side and gave her a fierce peck: "Great contributor, what book are you reading?"

"Economics."

"With so many businesses of yours, I have to be a big shot at the very least, I have to hold and manage them, so I'm studying in advance to be able to suppress those other flowers and grasses later on."

Wu Ruirui blinked and said.

She knew some things were unavoidable.

"Insightful, worthy of being the head of my old Hong family."

"If this were the Qing Dynasty, you would definitely be the Empress, and any concubines or noble consorts would only be fit to serve you tea and water."

Hong Zhiyou nodded with a straight face.

"That's a must," Wu Ruirui laughed.

"Later, Lady Wu, invest more money into my businesses; making them big and strong depends entirely on you," Hong Zhiyou said.

"You sly fox!"

"Has the matter with Yingxue been resolved?"

Wu Ruirui asked coquettishly.

"The person has already been caught; given Li Ya's temperament, I reckon she will have a miserable time," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Serves her right."

"You be careful, stay far away from matters involving the Jiang family father and son in the future."

"This is also Father's meaning."

"By the way, Mrs. Yu sent me a pair of bracelets; they weren't cheap."

"I was thinking it's not easy for their family to scrape together money, so you think of a way to return them."

Wu Ruirui said.

"No need."

"Old Yu of their family takes advantage of me, always in the tens of thousands of dollars."

"You can just accept them with peace of mind."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Ah, that much? If I had known, I would have made her give the baby a big red envelope too," Wu Ruirui pouted, feeling the pinch.

"Little money-grubber."

"Don't lead my daughter astray."

"By the way, my mom said it's time to name the child; my dad is eager to name it, but she won't let him, saying she's afraid you'll overthink it."

Wu Ruirui added.

"As for the name, anyone can pick it, let the teacher pick it."

"I'm leaving, there's still a pile of things at the station."

Hong Zhiyou stood up and said.

"Kiss me," Wu Ruirui said.

"Kiss where?" Hong Zhiyou was overjoyed.

"Get lost!"

Wu Ruirui's cheek felt inexplicably sore, and she kicked him off with one foot.

Hong Zhiyou drove back to the station.

"Where is the Station Chief?" Li Ya rushed over immediately.

"The Station Chief stayed up all night and then caught a draft, so he fell ill as soon as he went back this morning. He instructed that the spy case, including the station's routine work during his sick leave, is to be fully handled by Deputy Station Chief Yu," Hong Zhiyou said.

"This... how did he just fall ill?"

"We plant the trees, and Deputy Station Chief Yu enjoys the shade; these benefits are too easy to reap."

"Not to mention anything else."

"You, my brother, have been saddled with the reputation of having a wife in postpartum confinement while messing with your sister-in-law."

"I won't even mention that my fiancée cheated and is a foreign spy; this whole thing is both green and stinking."

"So we did all the dirty work, and Deputy Station Chief Yu gets to eat the ready-made meal?"

Li Ya was furious.

"What can you do? You were the one who insisted the Station Chief go to Jingling overnight."

"Think about how old he is, and how old we are."

"Let the reputation stink if it must."

"Anyway, you've made a great contribution; even if it stinks, it's a fragrant stink. I, on the other hand, am truly stinking. Can Jianfeng and Bureau Chief Mao even know that someone like me was involved?"

Hong Zhiyou laughed.

Li Ya looked at him sideways, nodded, and said: "That's true, let him be responsible then."

"James is dead."

"Now I don't even know how to wipe up this pile of crap."

"You, my brother, must help me; don't let Deputy Station Chief Yu dump the blame on me, that would be too disheartening."

"It shouldn't come to that, haven't you two been getting along quite well lately?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"You don't understand."

"That batch of goods Ma Hansan seized, I suspect Deputy Station Chief Yu was the one who offloaded it."

"If it really was him, wouldn't that make us enemies?"

"He is so good at putting on an act."

Li Ya shook his head and said, half-probing.

He wasn't sure about this batch of goods either, after all, Mei Yingxue...

"No way."

"I've asked, those were Ma Hansan's goods. You are just being suspicious; don't keep staring at Old Yu. After all, he is our superior now, and even more so, your old classmate."

"From a reasonable perspective, you two should be closer than I am to him."

Hong Zhiyou knew this guy's devious thoughts and went along with the flow.

"Is that so?"

"Then I can rest easy." Li Ya nodded and said.

If there was still a "clean person" in this station, Li Ya felt it could only be Hong Zhiyou.

Compared to someone who likes power and colluding for red bills, someone who likes money is simply too clean.

Li Ya himself liked money.

Therefore, in many cases, he was more willing to deal with Hong Zhiyou.

"Alright, I'm going to the interrogation room first; you get a plan for handling the James matter with Deputy Station Chief Yu as soon as possible," Li Ya instructed, then walked away unhappily with his hands in his pockets.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the door of Yu Zecheng's office.

"Why are you standing there? Not coming in?" Yu Zecheng looked up and said.

"Tsk tsk."

"The Deputy Station Chief's office is definitely more impressive than the Confidentiality Section Chief's office used to be."

"Changed offices, it's spacious and grand; I'm not even used to it."

Hong Zhiyou stood at the door and teased.

"You, you sure have a way with words. You haven't been back to the courtyard lately; your sister-in-law has been nagging about not seeing you, her little junior brother, for three days. We've been missing you," Yu Zecheng capped his pen, stood up, and laughed.

"Cut it out."

"Sister missing me is real, but you? Forget it."

"If you're missing me, it's definitely because you're here to scrape up money and stir up trouble again."

Hong Zhiyou sauntered in.

"Anything up?" Yu Zecheng asked.

He was very clever, knowing that the Station Chief and Li Ya were busy with big things lately. He clocked in and out on time every day, not asking or saying a word, but in fact, he understood the intelligence like a clear mirror.

Luo Anping's communication of the organization's instructions was very clear: not to say assist, but at least they were hoping Li Ya and Hong Zhiyou would succeed in the military aid matter.

Yancheng was currently being surrounded tightly by Hu Zongnan.

The troops in the Northeast, Huanan, and Huazhong were also short of guns, artillery, clothing, and food.

If military aid was cut off, Jiang would be uncomfortable, and the organization's organs would be even more uncomfortable.

If there was military aid, Jiang would take eight, and the organization would at least get a two through transshipment and preparation.

With this two, the wise men in Yancheng could defeat that eight.

Without this two, they could be starved to collapse.

"Li Ya's matter has been accomplished."

"Now the recordings, the on-site bribery money, the contracts, and the witness, the spy Mei Yingxue, are all ready."

"And that Deputy Observation Group leader is also dead."

"The news hasn't spread yet."

"The Station Chief's intent is to leave the handling of this to you."

Hong Zhiyou did not beat around the bush and said directly.

"Indeed.

"Regarding the spy matter, we must say that the Station Chief and Captain Li took notice the moment this woman returned to the country, and captured her by strategy; it would be best if we could obtain some North American telegrams and top-secret documents for which the Station Chief had already collected evidence before she returned.

"Otherwise, since Mei Yingxue is the Station Chief's niece, I fear someone might make an issue out of the Master and Li Ya."

Yu Zecheng struck at the heart of the matter.

Hong Zhiyou leaned back, lit a cigarette, and smiled:

"The Master truly did not trust you in vain; I was thinking the same thing as you.

"When the plan was being formulated, I had already entrusted Mr. Situ in North America to procure some documents.

"Then the North American Station Chief and the intelligence stations over in Europe also spent a great sum to get some signed materials.

"The dates are all in November.

"The Station Chief made copies earlier and reported them to Jiang Jianfeng and Bureau Chief Mao."

"It seems I was overthinking it," Yu Zecheng laughed.

"Overthinking is good; the Station Chief values details, and I will convey these words of yours," Hong Zhiyou said.

"What should I do?" Yu Zecheng did not act presumptuously; caution was a gene carved into his bones.

"Act swiftly and decisively.

"You only need to insist on one thing: that Li Ya was carrying a gun at the scene of the adultery arrest and pointed the gun at James.

"You must also guide Mi Zhiguo and the other staff members to corroborate this point in their testimonies.

"I will have the Observation Group leader, Mr. Kennard, use this point to bite Li Ya hard and ensure he cannot recover.

"Otherwise, Jiang Jianfeng is highly likely to promote him to Colonel.

"Then we will all be in deep trouble."

Hong Zhiyou looked around and said in a low voice.

"I know what to do," Yu Zecheng said, standing up.

"Let's go."

Seeing that Hong Zhiyou did not stand up, he turned his head and urged him.

"The young couple is having some alone time right now; it wouldn't be appropriate for us to go.

"What if they are stripped bare and fighting? Would you watch or not?

"With Yingxue's figure, be careful I don't go back and tell the Senior Sister."

Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Do you think I'm like you, with a special taste for this?" Yu Zecheng rolled his eyes, sat back down, and the two began to play chess.

"Yancheng is in a tight spot; we received intelligence that Hu Zongnan plans to launch a major offensive before March of next year, and the Generalissimo has already appointed him 'Viceroy of Shaanxi and Gansu,' with the highest priority for the allocation of armaments and provisions.

"They started casting their net from Lanzhou, then to Southern Shaanxi and North China, setting up a posture to decide the fate of the world in one battle.

"Provisions are tight.

"Not only that, Wang Puchen, acting on Mao Renfeng's orders, is frantically sweeping our underground organization's communication lines along the Pingjin front; the line I established last time has been blocked again.

"Zhiyou, right now, apart from Ma Hansan's all-powerful scalper line, there are no other paths to take.

"Honestly, whenever I think of the Yancheng headquarters and the key personnel being in constant crisis, I can't sleep all night.

"At this moment of life and death, you must think of a way."

Yu Zecheng's tone was low, bordering on pleading.

"Let me correct you first: it is 'you,' not 'us,'" Hong Zhiyou said.

"If this military aid is secured, I will mention it to General Fiersen to provide at least 200, 00 US dollars' worth of supplies; we might as well do something big for you."

Hong Zhiyou naturally could not work for nothing regarding the James affair, so he simply gave this benefit to Yu Zecheng.

"200, 00 US dollars in supplies.

"Good, good.

"In that case, allocate the rice, flour, medicine, and firearms in a ratio of six, two, and two.

"Let's ensure there is food and preserve our vital forces first."

Yu Zecheng said joyfully.

"You make it sound easy; even if Ma Hansan transports 200, 00 dollars' worth of supplies, it will be very troublesome, and there is still Wang Puchen watching him.

"Also, to transport 200, 00, just to grease the palms of Ma Hansan and the monsters and demons he associates with, you have to prepare at least 50, 00 US dollars.

"Let's put it this way: the supplies will enter Yancheng, but my pockets will truly be scraped clean by you.

"I'm not like you, making silent, anonymous contributions.

"You at least have to let the higher-ups know."

Hong Zhiyou rolled his eyes at him and said.

Seeing Yu Zecheng blinking his small eyes, he added:

"It's almost the New Year; since Rong Bin, that kid, has acknowledged me as his big brother, shouldn't he come over to give some gifts and pay a visit?"

"Oh!"

Yu Zecheng understood immediately and began to laugh.

He was still wondering how he could ever thank Hong Zhiyou for such a huge amount of funding, even if he sold himself.

So that's where it was.

"Don't worry, I will try to apply for a call with the higher-ups in the next few days to state your contributions in person, as well as your longing for Rong Bin," Yu Zecheng laughed.

"That's more like it," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

He never left empty-handed and never did business at a loss.

Smashing Ma Hansan for money—he wasn't afraid even if the old man wanted more.

It was very simple.

Liu Yuzhu's inspection in Xiangdao was very successful, and the old man's first batch of assets had already begun to be transferred to Xiangdao one after another.

The old man was holding him back.

He would turn around and fleece the old man; they were cheating and killing each other, so he wouldn't lose money.

And there was the Rong family.

They were merchants, after all; you couldn't maintain a relationship just by talking, and Hong Zhiyou was working so hard partly because of this.

Otherwise, how could he get US dollar loans at ultra-low interest rates from the Rong family's foreign-funded bank?

"Hmm.

"I think Captain Li's interrogation should be about finished; let's go take a look."

Hong Zhiyou said.

As they walked, Yu Zecheng said in a low voice:

"Luo Anping found someone to notify Guo Youliang.

"It's not the kind you think.

"They have a normal romantic relationship; your younger sister is simply pursuing our ideals and beliefs, and to her, Guo Youliang is both a friend and a guide."

"Did no one warn him?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"They did.

"The person sent didn't know your influence on the organization, and we couldn't explain it in detail.

"Guo Youliang feels that Xiaohui is a like-minded comrade and a new revolutionary force.

"He is right to think so.

"Moreover, if we spoke too deeply, I fear it would be even more detrimental to your and my identities."

Yu Zecheng said truthfully.

"If heaven wants to rain, or a mother wants to remarry, let her be," Hong Zhiyou thought, having already reported it to Wu Jingzhong many times anyway.

Old Wu was also well aware of the inside story.

Since that was the case, if he couldn't control it, he would just let it go.

……

(End of chapter)