Chapter 261: The Work is Meticulous

"Very well, proceed as planned." Lady Jiang was silent for a moment, but ultimately agreed.

"Attendant Zhang, from now on, the three of you are responsible for the personal safety of the two ladies.

"Leave all the riffraff to me.

"Furthermore, apart from going out, the two ladies may move about the hotel as they please these next few days, including hosting social gatherings and handling matters such as press interviews."

Hong Zhiyou said efficiently.

"Understood.

"Thank you for your hard work, Secretary Hong," Lin Tai said.

"Senior Sister, come out for a moment."

Hong Zhiyou turned and called Cuiping out.

"You know who that is, right?" Hong Zhiyou was afraid she might impulsively finish off Lady Jiang.

"I know.

"The highly respected Mr. Lin Tai.

"I know what you want to say, and I am not the type to lay a hand on a woman.

"Don't think of me as that stupid.

"I am well-tested now, too.

"Rest assured, Old Yu already nagged me all night last night."

Cuiping laughed readily.

"Alright, then I can rest easy," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Please call Attendant Zhang over, Senior Sister."

He instructed.

Soon, Zhang Jing walked out.

"Brother Zhang, the waiters and cooks you brought are all from Jingling.

"I am worried that some among them might have been bought off by Mao Renfeng.

"For the sake of safety,

"I will personally deliver meals to the two ladies.

"Ask the two ladies what they would like to eat later—Jinhai halal food, or perhaps Sichuan, Cantonese, or even Western cuisine; I will have my family prepare it personally," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Very well.

"But the ladies are accustomed to the taste of their private chefs; if it happens not to be to their liking..."

Zhang Jing frowned.

"There is no 'to their liking' or not; they aren't living here, it's only for these two or three days.

"Besides, it's not as if we are making them eat chaff and bran.

"For safety's sake, they will have to make do."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Fine, I will ask them later, and if it is feasible, I will call you with the menu," Zhang Jing thought for a moment and said.

"Also.

"As for the kitchen, let them do as they usually do.

"Just don't let them touch the food.

"To avoid any rats causing trouble inside."

Hong Zhiyou instructed again.

"Understood." Zhang Jing knew the importance of the matter and agreed very cooperatively.

If anything were to go wrong,

he would be the first to lose his head.

"I am heading back to the station now; I will be sleeping in the office for the next few days, so contact me at any time.

"Additionally, if there is any situation, you can contact Anderson.

"He is working in the security room on the first floor and is responsible for coordinating with the Marine Corps.

"Don't worry about his Chinese; he speaks it very well."

After giving detailed instructions, Hong Zhiyou finally left.

Once outside,

he did not return directly to the station but turned into an alley.

A signal reconnaissance vehicle was parked inside.

Yu Zecheng and Li Tongshan were looking at a map and discussing.

"Zhiyou, you've come at just the right time.

"This is the architectural map near the hotel. Once night falls, we plan to go along this perimeter and start checking house by house for high ground and suitable sniper positions."

Li Tongshan said.

"Correct, the distance must be extended by at least three hundred meters beyond the range of the best modern sniper rifles.

"We must not give the assassin any sniper vantage point.

"Furthermore, out of caution regarding the individual combat strength of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Mobile Corps personnel, I suggest that each point be staffed by at least three people for coordinated clearing.

"If necessary, clear the residents out and settle them elsewhere first; those who cause trouble or make noise should be thrown into the Shuitun Prison.

"In short, spare no human or material resources to ensure the safety of the ladies.

"Do you have enough manpower?"

Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I only brought over a thousand brothers this time.

"After sealing off the nearby streets, there will be over four hundred left.

"This area is quite prosperous, with many residential houses and commercial buildings nearby; it will be very difficult to seal it off and move people out with such precision."

Li Tongshan said.

"In that case, you take charge of this area.

"Leave this half to me to arrange," Hong Zhiyou thought for a moment and said.

"If that's the case, then there's no problem," Li Tongshan nodded happily.

"Colonel Li, thank you for your hard work.

"I will treat you to tea at the Donghai Tea House later," Hong Zhiyou said gratefully.

"Why be so formal?

"If you really want to help me, just arrange for my daughter to get into the Army Hospital; she is studying medicine and will graduate soon."

Li Tongshan was polite in his speech, but immediately asked for a favor.

"I'll take care of it.

"Aside from the Dean, she can choose any position she wants at the Army Hospital.

"Deputy Director in one year, Deputy Dean in three.

"After six years, once she is settled in, the Army Hospital will basically be yours.

"If you still aren't satisfied, didn't Mu Liancheng donate a hospital? I'll buy it later and make her the Dean."

This was nothing to him; Hong Zhiyou agreed readily.

"No, no.

"It's better to hold a government position; the Army Hospital is fine."

Li Tongshan said hurriedly.

"Then I will leave this to you; Deputy Station Chief Yu and I will head back first," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Rest assured.

"I will be sleeping in this vehicle for the next few days.

"Not even a fly will be able to appear within the sniper range."

Li Tongshan patted his chest in assurance.

"Thank you, Brother Li."

Hong Zhiyou said politely, and he and Yu Zecheng got out of the car.

"Ah.

"Old Xu was right; Secretary Hong is truly the number one philanthropist in the world."

Li Tongshan slapped his thigh in excitement.

No wonder Officer Yang and the Americans all liked dealing with Hong Zhiyou.

He really was someone who granted every request.

The key was that asking him felt natural, just like eating or drinking, without needing to be subservient.

He didn't put on airs or make things difficult; he could arrange things with ease.

It was as warm as a spring breeze, making one feel comfortable.

Who wouldn't like a person like that?

Hong Zhiyou returned to the station.

"Old Yu, Li Tongshan does not have enough men."

"I have looked at the position of this remaining area; it is mostly occupied by high-rise buildings, and it faces the back garden."

"Given the habit of the two ladies of having afternoon tea."

"It is highly likely they will go to the garden."

"Your Elimination Squad members are all experts at assassination, and likewise, masters of counter-assassination."

"I will leave the sniper points in this area to you."

Hong Zhiyou sat down and ordered, looking quite exhausted.

"Understood."

"Protecting her is our duty to begin with."

"I will trouble you and the Station Chief."

Yu Zecheng said.

"It is no trouble."

"To protect Mr. Lin Tai, not to mention how many favors I have used up, just the silver dollars alone filled two baskets."

"You will have to reimburse me for all of this later."

"The Elimination Squad lost its touch last time; this is a perfect chance to get it back from Mao Wanli."

"Go get to work."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and said.

To him, protecting Lin Tai was secondary.

The main thing was to keep Old Wu's rice bowl and his own future secure.

As for this, no matter how much was spent, it could all be earned back.

Of course, if he could find some capital from the Red Ticket side, that would be even better.

"It is only right."

"I will go make the arrangements now."

Yu Zecheng said hurriedly.

Operations Squad office.

Li Ya sat with his eyes closed, listening to a popular tune.

He had no part in this operation.

He was happy to be idle.

Moreover, he already had a plan in his heart to get rid of Lin Tai.

For now, he just needed to watch the show.

"Captain."

"Hong Zhiyou has sent the 94th Army to blockade the area around the International Hotel, and at the same time, all the security inside is being handled by the Marine Corps."

"As for that hotel now, let alone a person, not even a fly could fly inside."

Gao Yuan reported.

"Using the Americans to do the job."

"Hmm, this move is indeed high; without people from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, Mao Wanli has no way to use those underhanded tricks."

"This guy Hong Zhiyou really has some skills."

Li Ya opened his eyes and sneered.

"No matter how skilled he is, he is still like clay when he meets you," Gao Yuan flattered.

"Have the people who went to investigate the explosion site returned?" Li Ya asked.

"They have returned."

"They are currently in the laboratory; I estimate they will be able to find out soon."

Just as Gao Yuan was speaking, Yucheng walked in.

"Captain Li, it has been verified. Judging by the power of the explosion at the scene, the type of explosive is highly likely the same as the one taken from the equipment room," Yucheng reported.

"Has the driver's identity been verified?" Li Ya asked.

"It cannot be checked."

"His head was blown into a rotten watermelon, and we don't know if he was a special envoy from Jingling, or from the station, the Inspection Office, or the garrison; I am afraid our authority is not enough to find out."

Yucheng replied.

"Quite powerful."

"I will go take a look."

Li Ya sneered, stood up, and walked out.

He needed to get to the equipment room as soon as possible to confirm the time the explosives left the warehouse.

In this way, the case of Hong Zhiyou colluding with the suspected Red Ticket Yu Zecheng in an attempt to assassinate the lady would have a foundation.

When the time came, he would secretly hand it to Mao Renfeng and frame Yu Zecheng; wouldn't this Deputy Station Chief position be his then?

He was already a Colonel now.

How could a Colonel be subordinate to a Lieutenant Colonel?

Furthermore, when James died, didn't Yu Zecheng rush to get the testimonies of Mi Zhiguo and others just to create evidence that he had coerced James into jumping off the building at gunpoint?

Playing dirty, who wouldn't know how?

Besides, as long as he assassinated Lin Tai when the time came, and Jiang Jianfeng promoted him, wouldn't he rise up?

"Old classmate, you are not quite on my level if you want to fight me openly."

A sneer appeared on the corner of Li Ya's mouth.

He was not like Ma Kui; he understood a bit about politics.

Especially after these few internal fights at the Jinhai Station, he had gained quite a bit of experience after stumbling repeatedly.

Just as he arrived at the equipment room.

He saw Hong Zhiyou talking to Old Cao.

"Zhiyou, didn't you go to the International Hotel? Finished so soon?" Li Ya greeted with a smile.

His target was mainly Yu Zecheng.

As for Hong Zhiyou.

He did not target him intentionally, but since he got involved, one could only say this guy was unlucky.

"Just finished, came back to return something."

Hong Zhiyou said, putting back a package identical to the one from yesterday.

Li Ya, who had been smiling on the side, frowned slightly and asked with an unnatural smile:

"Brother, what is it? So heavy?"

"I won't hide it from you, brother, it's explosives," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Explosives?" Li Ya pretended to be enlightened.

"A friend of mine got a small private mine at the Tangshan Mining Bureau and wanted to open the mountain, so he asked me to get a sample to test the power."

"The explosives were taken."

"But then Jinhai was placed under martial law, and he was afraid the garrison would find trouble, so he brought them back to me."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and said.

As he spoke, he called out:

"Old Cao, returned completely untouched, remember to register it back into the warehouse!"

"Captain Li, I have things to do, I will be going first."

He gave Li Ya a slight smile and walked away with his hands in his pockets.

"Check it."

"Is it the same one from yesterday?"

"The serial number and everything, hurry."

Li Ya's face sank as he ordered.

Old Cao opened it and checked it carefully, pointing at the explosive package:

"That is right, the code and label are all there, even the seal has not been broken."

"I see."

Li Ya gritted his teeth.

He turned around, walked into an empty corridor, and smashed his fist hard against the wall:

"Damn it."

"This kid kept an ace up his sleeve; he didn't use the station's explosives."

"The work is meticulous."

Immediately, he winced in pain and shook his hand.

The driver was blown to bits, so it was not convenient to investigate.

The clue of the explosives was also broken.

Damn it, he had been happy for nothing.

"No rush, no rush."

"Observe the situation first; when the time comes to eliminate Lin Tai, the Station Chief might not be able to hold onto his position securely."

"If Jiang Jianfeng happens to show mercy, it's even possible for me to become the Station Chief myself."

"Stay steady!"

Li Ya took a deep breath and returned to the office.

Jinhai.

A dilapidated small hotel.

Mao Wanli stood by the window, his expression terrifyingly gloomy.

Since he started working in intelligence, he had never seen such a strange affair.

Having the garrison seal off the streets was considered a standard security measure.

But having the American military act as security guards—what was that supposed to mean?

The spies he had planted in the Jinhai Secret Service Bureau in advance were now completely useless.

Not only that.

These lazy garrison troops were acting as if they had been injected with stimulants, going door-to-door to seal buildings and drive away merchants and commoners.

The two teams of snipers he had dispatched—

One team was killed on the spot.

The other team had vanished without a trace, their fate unknown.

Even the Secret Service Bureau couldn't dig up a shred of information.

He wanted to take a potshot.

There was no opportunity.

He wanted to send an assassin inside, but that was a no-go.

Even trying to get wind of any news was difficult.

Those American soldiers didn't understand Chinese at all; even if he wanted to bribe them, he wouldn't know how to start.

Where was he supposed to find someone fluent in foreign languages on such short notice?

"Director."

"Just received word, the Lady and Lin Tai are hosting a social gala for all circles at the hotel tomorrow night at eight."

"The list of attendees, including democratic figures like Zhang Lan, high-ranking officer representatives from Beiping and Baoding, as well as students, reporters, and progressive women, has already been finalized."

His trusted subordinate reported cautiously, seeing his poor expression.

"So fast."

"It seems tomorrow night will be one of our few remaining opportunities."

"Once the meeting is over and they board the plane, it will be difficult to intercept Lin Tai again."

Mao Wanli frowned and sighed.

Suddenly.

He looked up at the crescent moon in the sky, his brows suddenly relaxed, and he laughed out loud:

"The wind has stopped, the moon is bright."

"Tomorrow should be a sunny day."

"This wind blew well."

"Director, this subordinate doesn't understand." Qin Bin, the trusted aide at his side, was a bit confused.

"The Lady has always had the habit of drinking tea; after so many overcast days, she will surely go to the flower garden to soak up the sun."

"If I recall correctly, the Daily Building is over by the flower garden."

"Once they appear in the flower garden, what are the chances of you successfully shooting Lin Tai if you set an ambush in the Daily Building?"

Mao Wanli asked impatiently.

"Hmm."

"If the wind is light, with the latest American sniper rifle I have in hand, the accuracy for killing him at that distance is very high."

"Even if I don't hit his head, hitting his body with the power of a sniper rifle, and coating the bullet in poison—"

"It would be enough to take her life."

Qin Bin pondered for a moment and said.

"Very good."

"Tomorrow, find a way to sneak into the building and wait for the opportunity to act."

Mao Wanli instantly regained his vigor.

"But the people in that building were already ordered to be cleared out by the Secret Service Bureau."

"To get in, it's easy to be checked if I don't have an identity."

Qin Bin said.

"Rest assured."

"That building is guarded by people from the Secret Service Bureau."

"We have a mole inside; he will let you in."

"Additionally, I will have someone make you a reporter's identity overnight; just say you are going back to retrieve materials, and find any excuse to get in and hide."

Mao Wanli had already calculated everything without a single omission.

"This subordinate accepts the order." Qin Bin nodded.

"You are the backup plan."

"Let the cook make the first move; give him the signal tonight so he can poison the breakfast tomorrow."

"If that goes smoothly, it will save you from taking this risk."

"After all, assassinating Lin Tai will be very troublesome if it's traced back to us; Shen Zui was never given important responsibilities precisely because of this reason."

Mao Wanli said.

"Thank you for your consideration, Director; I will go make the arrangements now."

Qin Bin accepted the order.

Night.

The cook Guo Danian stood by the window.

He was waiting for the signal.

People, after all, are afraid of death.

Agreeing to Mao Wanli's assassination of Lin Tai this time was also out of helplessness.

Aside from the hatred for his sister being killed by the Red Ticket Purge Squad—

It was even more because his family was held in the hands of Mao Wanli and his gang of shameless scoundrels.

He had no choice at all.

He only hoped that the damned signal would never appear, allowing him to return to Jingling safely.

However, the more one fears something, the more likely it is to happen.

Fireworks suddenly shot up into the sky.

They were set off three times in total.

This was the signal Mao Wanli had agreed upon with him, telling him to take action.

Guo Danian stood by the window and secretly gritted his teeth.

He really wanted to light a cigarette.

But thinking of how the Lady couldn't stand the smell of smoke, he forcibly held back.

Guo Danian began to organize his thoughts.

He had been at the hotel for two days.

The Lady and Lin Tai had not grown suspicious of him.

The meals he had sent up in the past had all been consumed.

"Hoo!"

He took a deep breath, opened the cabinet to take a look, and the small packet of poison pressed at the bottom was still there.

It was a coincidence, really.

The Lady and Lin Tai had different breakfast habits.

The Lady liked to drink pure, handmade, sugar-free coffee.

Lin Tai liked to drink coffee brewed with black tea.

This way, he didn't have to worry about harming the Lady, who had always treated him well.

"Lin Tai, oh Lin Tai."

"I'm sorry, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for blocking someone else's path."

"If you want to blame someone, blame that damned Mao Wanli for kidnapping my wife and daughter."

Guo Danian said silently in his heart.

As the last glow of the fireworks dissipated.

The chill in his eyes faded, and he quickly returned to the room.

……

The next morning.

The two ladies got up to wash and apply their makeup.

Wang Cuiping was inside the room.

Zhou Yan and Zhang Jing were waiting outside the door.

"Did you really try to assassinate the Chairman?" Zhang Jing asked, frowning as he had nothing to do.

"I did.

"But I couldn't even touch his shadow; he is too cunning. Wang and I missed our chance several times."

Zhou Yan replied with no expression.

"I'm curious, how did someone like you end up doing this kind of work?" Zhang Jing chatted, also trying to probe for information to raise the security level for this person.

"A scholar dies for one who appreciates him.

"Secretary Hong built a tomb for old Wang.

"He is also one of the few people who mentions Wang from the bottom of his heart with respect.

"I have met many people.

"But someone who treats others with such sincerity like Secretary Hong is rare in this world today."

Zhou Yan said very calmly.

"Hong Zhiyou, he really..." Zhang Jing smacked his lips, not knowing how to evaluate him for a moment.

Just as they were talking.

Wang Cuiping opened the door and said:

"Notify the kitchen to prepare breakfast."

"Yes."

Zhang Jing went to pass on the message.

When he returned to the room, the two ladies were chatting with graceful manners.

The weather was nice today.

A strong wind overnight had blown away the smog.

The sun shone through the window, quiet and peaceful.

Soon.

Guo Danian pushed the food cart to the door.

"Attendant Zhang, the two ladies' breakfast is ready," he said respectfully.

"Got it.

"You all have worked hard.

"Also, prepare the breakfast for the American military in the building, and make sure not to be negligent."

Zhang Jing instructed.

"Yes, the lady gave instructions long ago.

"The toast and sandwiches will be ready soon.

"By the way, we are running low on ingredients.

"I would like to go purchase them myself; the lady has high standards for butter, and I'm afraid the ones delivered from outside won't suit her taste."

Guo Danian said.

"Sure.

"I'll go tell Anderson to let you pass."

Zhang Jing smiled and agreed readily.

……

(End of chapter)