Chapter 263: Captain Li Fails Again

The sun was shining brightly over Jinmen, and the sea was calm and the rivers clear.

Twelve o'clock noon.

Qin Bin, wearing a worker's cap and with a camera hanging around his neck, arrived at the newspaper building.

Wang Ping and Niu Xingui of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics were guarding the entrance, setting up a table to eat a light meal.

Don't let the soldiers outside looking like they were facing a formidable enemy fool you.

To them, this was just a good job for slacking off.

"What are you doing?

"Who do you think you are, barging in like that?

"Didn't you see the martial law? Get lost, quick."

Seeing Qin Bin, Niu Xingui put down his chopsticks and shouted bossily.

"I am a reporter for the Jinmen Daily, here to pick up some things; I ask that the two of you be accommodating."

Qin Bin showed his credentials.

The two did not recognize Qin Bin, but upon seeing the serial number, they immediately understood that this was someone sent by Mao Wanli.

"Make it quick, then."

Niu Xingui waved his hand and let him inside.

"Old Niu, do you think this guy can pull it off?" Wang Ping grabbed a handful of edamame, rubbed them, and started eating.

"Who cares.

"Director Mao has already paid us anyway.

"If he can't kill Lin Tai, he can go back where he came from; it doesn't bother us, and this money is free for the taking.

"If he does kill him, we'll be meritorious officials too.

"Director Mao said he'd transfer us to headquarters to live the high life when the time comes.

"Either way, it's a win."

Niu Xingui chuckled dryly.

Qin Bin entered the hallway, carrying a new American-style sniper rifle in his hand, looking around vigilantly as he walked.

The utility room at the corner of the second floor.

The door was left ajar.

Sun Cheng watched that figure coldly.

He's here!

As the top blade of the Anti-Traitor Squad, he had lost his touch during the assassination of Yuan Peilin at the Xiuchun Tower last time and was even captured by the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, but thanks to Secretary Hong, he was bailed out.

However, after that disaster, he was basically a spent force.

Wu Jingzhong and Li Ya knew full well he was a red agent, but just to make money, they counted him as a Nationalist agent and released him under Sun Chuanzhi's name.

Once on the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics' blacklist, he could no longer work for the organization, and being unable to contact Shopkeeper Luo, he became a useless, discarded piece.

Fortunately.

Hong Zhiyou had him follow Zhou Yan in the Boat Gang to earn a living, and he was quite happy.

Crucially, he knew Secretary Hong was "friendly forces."

He had no psychological burden working for Hong Zhiyou, and the organization tacitly approved of it.

Today was the first job he had done for Hong Zhiyou.

Shopkeeper Luo had also approved it.

Sun Cheng would never allow himself to fail.

He reached back and grabbed a hammer.

Secretary Hong wanted him alive.

Using a knife was not appropriate.

He moved as nimbly as a cat, creeping over with light steps.

Inside the room on the fourth floor.

Qin Bin skillfully assembled the sniper rifle and squinted his eyes to begin testing the sniping distance.

After holding up his thumb to make a rough reference measurement.

He curled his lip and sneered.

At this distance, as long as Lin Tai dared to appear in his line of sight, he wouldn't dare guarantee a headshot, but hitting the chest or back was absolutely foolproof.

Just as he was secretly gloating, a sudden chill came from behind him.

It was the crisis of being locked onto.

As an elite agent of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, Qin Bin realized something was wrong.

His hand quickly reached for the pistol at his waist.

Just as he was about to turn and fire.

A large hammer came smashing toward his face.

Bang!

With just one blow, Qin Bin's body tilted and he collapsed to the ground.

"That's it?"

Sun Cheng sneered and retreated.

Ten minutes later.

Yu Zecheng led a few men to the newspaper building.

"Deputy Station Chief Yu!"

Niu Xingui and his companion hurriedly stood up to greet him.

"How is it? Nothing wrong, right?" Yu Zecheng asked with a smile.

"Nothing, nothing," Wang Ping said.

"You two keep eating; I'll take them up to inspect. It's a special period now, we can't be careless."

Yu Zecheng said as he prepared to leave.

"Deputy Station Chief, you are a busy man.

"We just finished patrolling, not even a fly has gotten in, you can rest assured."

Niu Xingui chuckled.

"Is that so?

"Is that what Mao Wanli told you to say?

"Take them."

Yu Zecheng's smile faded as he gave the order.

Immediately, agents stepped forward to disarm and detain the two.

"Deputy Station Chief Yu, we..." Niu Xingui still wanted to beg for mercy.

Yu Zecheng had no time to deal with him; he waved his hand and led the rest of the men upstairs, soon discovering Qin Bin, who was covered in blood and unconscious.

He reached into Qin Bin's pocket and, after checking his credentials, said:

"Carry him to the car and take him to the Jinmen Station."

Back at the station.

Yu Zecheng had just brought the man in when he ran into Li Ya.

"Deputy Station Chief Yu, what is this about?" Li Ya asked with a smile.

"Captain Li.

"These two were derelict in their duty, actually letting an assassin sneak into the newspaper building.

"The sniper rifle was already set up at the scene.

"If I hadn't discovered it in time, the Lady would have been in danger."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Captain Li, please, for the sake of the time we spent under your command, help us plead for mercy.

"We were guarding downstairs the whole time, we really don't know when the assassin snuck in."

The two hurriedly begged for mercy.

"Assassinating the Lady, this is a matter of the utmost importance.

"Accomplices must be severely punished.

"Deputy Station Chief Yu, you go ahead with your work, I won't disturb you."

Li Ya glanced at the two, smiled disdainfully, and walked away with his hands in his pockets.

As he turned, a shadow immediately clouded his face.

Mao Wanli, that idiot, was a famous figure in the Military Statistics Bureau.

How could he fail one after another?

Was he going to be forced to take action himself?

"Damn idiot!"

Li Ya glanced at his watch; there wasn't much time left for Mao Wanli.

Hopefully, the wisdom of the Chairman could bless him with success.

Yu Zecheng escorted the person to the Station Master's office.

Wu Jingzhong was drinking tea with Hong Zhiyou.

"Station Master, we caught an assassin at the scene.

"These two were derelict in their duties, so I brought them along as well."

Yu Zecheng reported.

"You two are veterans of the station, how could you make such a low-level mistake?" Wu Jingzhong frowned and said.

"Station Master.

"We were patrolling the hallway and thought about grabbing a bite to eat; heaven knows where he slipped in from.

"Station Master, he really has nothing to do with us, please believe me."

Niu Xingui and his companion pleaded bitterly.

"How about this.

"They are also veterans of the station; as long as the assassin is caught, just deduct two months of their salary.

"In such a large building, who doesn't have a moment where they doze off?

"Deputy Station Master Yu, what do you think?"

Wu Jingzhong said with his usual leniency.

"Since it is the Station Master's decision, this subordinate has no objections," Yu Zecheng said.

"Niu Xingui, you two may go down now.

"Be more careful next time."

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand and said.

The two retreated, full of gratitude.

"Let's go.

"Let's interrogate him."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

They arrived at the interrogation room.

Wu Jingzhong went to the room next door to listen in.

Yu Zecheng and Hong Zhiyou were in charge of the interrogation.

"Baoxing!" Yu Zecheng ordered.

Lu Baoxing splashed water to wake Qin Bin up, and without saying a word, he first gave him a brutal beating, leaving Qin Bin half-dead.

"Speak, who sent you?" Yu Zecheng asked.

Qin Bin was a trusted aide of Mao Wanli.

He knew that as long as he was in the Secret Service Bureau, these people could do nothing to him.

Bureau Chief Mao would eventually be able to get him out.

"Not talking.

"Use the electricity," Yu Zecheng said expressionlessly.

"After being electrocuted, all the organs in a person's body will be permanently damaged.

"For instance, you will never be able to play with women again.

"Heart failure.

"Even if you hire the best doctors in the world, it is impossible to fully recover."

Hong Zhiyou stood to the side with his hands in his pockets, providing the scientific explanation.

Qin Bin swallowed hard, starting to feel nervous.

"I know who sent you.

"Kang Ze, right?"

Hong Zhiyou guided him.

Qin Bin was stunned, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

Since the Lady wanted to kill the chicken to scare the monkey regarding that cook from the Marine Corps, she would definitely obtain evidence against Mao Wanli and Mao Renfeng.

Therefore, Hong Zhiyou had to obtain "evidence" against Kang Ze.

Only in this way could the Station Master dispel the concerns of Jiang Jianfeng.

"Kang Ze attempted to assassinate Lin Tai and frame Jiang Jianfeng, using the party elders and public opinion to retaliate against Jiang Jianfeng, am I right?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I want to make a phone call to Bureau Chief Mao..." Qin Bin couldn't figure out what was going on behind the scenes.

"Nonsense.

"How would Bureau Chief Mao know a person like you?

"Could it be that you still want to shift the blame onto the Secret Service Bureau?

"Speak, are you from the Mobile Corps?"

Hong Zhiyou raised his hand and slapped him across the face.

"It seems you are still not clear-headed.

"Listen clearly, this is the Secret Service Bureau.

"Take your brain out from your heels, wash it clean, and then answer: who exactly sent you?"

Hong Zhiyou was not in a hurry; he lit a cigarette and started smoking.

Qin Bin pondered carefully.

He suddenly understood Hong Zhiyou's words.

If he said it was Kang Ze, it would protect the two Maos, and they would still have a chance to bail him out.

If he implicated Director Mao, he feared it would be difficult to even walk out of the Jinhai Station.

"Yes, I, I am from the Ganxi Mobile Corps, acting on Kang Ze's orders to assassinate Lin Tai and frame Jiang Jianfeng."

This answer was not hard to choose; Qin Bin decisively confessed.

"Straightforward.

"Can you still write?" Hong Zhiyou lit a new cigarette and handed it to him.

"I can."

Qin Bin took it and inhaled deeply, then said.

"Write it down.

"It's best to be detailed, including what conditions Kang Ze promised you and what he said; don't leave out a single word."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and reminded him.

Qin Bin, with the cigarette in his mouth, began to write with trembling hands.

Soon, a complete confession, signed and fingerprinted, was produced.

It was a mix of truth and lies, but it looked authentic.

"Deputy Station Master Yu, take a look." When there were outsiders present, Hong Zhiyou gave Yu Zecheng plenty of face.

Yu Zecheng took it, glanced over it, and efficiently ordered:

"Lock him up first, and don't let him go short on food and drink."

"Yes, Deputy Station Master Yu," Lu Baoxing said respectfully.

The two stood up and went to the Station Master's office, handing the materials to Wu Jingzhong.

"It looks the part.

"It seems he is a death-sworn follower of Mao Wanli," Wu Jingzhong scanned the confession with his four fingers and sneered.

"Station Master.

"Should we contact Bureau Chief Mao or Jiang Jianfeng to have them stop the assassination mission?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"Are you in such a hurry?" Wu Jingzhong raised his eyebrows and looked at him.

Yu Zecheng realized he had made a mistake; he was too concerned about Lin Tai's safety.

"This subordinate was just thinking that it's better to avoid extra trouble," Yu Zecheng smiled without changing his expression.

"Don't report it yet.

"The time is not right.

"If we let Mao Wanli off the hook just like this, he will definitely harbor evil intentions again in the future.

"The opportunity is rare; this time we must nail him down for good.

"Keep the materials for now.

"Let Mao Wanli jump around a bit more."

Wu Jingzhong had tolerated the three Maos for a long time; how could he let it go easily?

"That Niu Xingui will definitely tip off Mao Wanli.

"Mao Wanli is now at a dead end; he will definitely make a desperate move tonight.

"He will either look for Li Ya.

"Or he will look for Sun Xing, a former subordinate of Mao Renfeng.

"Zecheng, you go and keep an eye on things; it would be best if you could get evidence of Li Ya meeting with Mao Wanli.

"Li Ya received true instruction from Liu Xiong and Yu Lexing in terms of assassination.

"And he is the Action Team Captain."

"No one knows what cards he is holding."

"See if you two can pull some strings to make it impossible for him to launch his operation tonight."

"He is about to succeed."

"I take the blame, he gets the promotion—don't even think about such a good deal!"

Wu Jingzhong said sternly with his hands behind his back.

"Yes, Hong Zhiyou and I will go make arrangements right now," Yu Zecheng replied, accepting the order.

Niu Xingui left the Confidentiality Bureau in a panic.

Arriving at a small inn, he glanced around and picked up the landline:

"Hello, something has happened."

"That person was caught and is now in Wu Jingzhong's hands; he is being interrogated right now."

"Arrange a meeting with him?"

"Is that possible?"

"Alright, since you are so confident, I will help you try to arrange it."

After hanging up the phone, Niu Xingui paid, turned to the side to buy a popsicle, and ate it in the middle of winter to cool his heart; his mood instantly calmed down.

Inside the inn.

Lin Tian watched Niu Xingui leave, then dialed a number with a cigarette in his mouth:

"Wanhua Inn, extension two."

With just that one sentence, he hung up the phone.

At the station.

Hong Zhiyou walked quickly into the Station Master's office:

"Teacher, through the telephone exchange and the U. . military's advanced positioning technology, we have successfully locked onto Mao Wanli's location."

"Excellent."

"Don't make a sound yet; Niu Xingui wants to find Li Ya, and this is our opportunity."

"Additionally, you can quietly go and make arrangements in that vicinity."

"Li Ya has only one hobby now: eating!"

"Mao Wanli must have done his homework."

"Find a hidden, obscure restaurant with good food in that alley and make some arrangements in advance."

"As long as we can capture evidence of Li Ya and Mao Wanli meeting."

"Furthermore, keep Li Ya from participating in the final assassination operation tonight."

"This will basically complete the security work for Jinhai."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Yes," Hong Zhiyou acknowledged the order.

Niu Xingui returned to the Jinhai Station.

Mao Wanli had told him to arrange a meeting with Li Ya.

Captain Li had always been arrogant; how could he possibly meet him in the current situation?

Sigh, he didn't know where he got his confidence from.

Niu Xingui arrived at the Action Team with a "try it and see" attitude.

"Captain Li, busy?" he asked with a nod and a bow.

"Something up?"

Li Ya was flipping through receipts from a dozen restaurants in his hand, worrying about what to eat for dinner.

Having experienced the great ups and downs last time, he saw through many things now.

Let the sky fall or the earth crack, he must never let down his own stomach.

Even if he died in the next second, he would be a well-fed ghost.

"It's like this."

"Director Mao Wanli from headquarters has come to Jinhai and wants to meet with you, Captain Li," Niu Xingui whispered.

"Meet me?" Li Ya pressed his fist against his lips, his eyes darting upward as he stared at him coldly.

"You wouldn't be unaware that the Station Master and Mao Wanli have a very stiff relationship, would you?"

"What, trying to drag me into the water?"

He sneered.

"I know."

"I told him the same thing, that you definitely wouldn't meet him, Captain Li."

"He insisted that you would."

"The address..."

Niu Xingui whispered the address.

"You can get lost now," Li Ya waved his hand.

He pursed his lips and began to ponder carefully.

Mao Wanli had even called him directly.

Clearly, he was at his wit's end and had no other options.

If he didn't meet him, he would have to go to the assassination operation tonight by himself.

Jiang Jianfeng was not someone easily fooled.

After thinking about it, Li Ya decided to meet him and point Mao Wanli toward a clear path.

After all, the risk of going to the assassination himself was simply too great.

This job was best left for him to finish.

Six o'clock in the evening.

Mao Wanli, dressed in a black long gown and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sat in a small fish shop in the alley drinking wine.

Soon, Li Ya walked in.

"Brother, long time no see," Mao Wanli said, looking up.

"I don't think we're that close," Li Ya sneered.

"Buddha Niche, waiting for a miraculous achievement in wartime."

"We are both people of Boss Dai; didn't we see each other at the Jingling headquarters last time?"

"Alright, no more nonsense."

"The people I brought this time have all been wiped out, and the most important one was detained by the Marine Corps."

"The Lady wants to keep an eye on this matter personally."

"Director Mao feels that this matter is bound to explode."

"Right now, we have no choice but to keep going down this dark path."

"You are the person Jiang Jianfeng planted beside Wu Jingzhong."

"I believe Jiang Jianfeng must have given you instructions as well."

"Therefore, we both have a responsibility to assassinate Lin Tai."

"Captain Li, I need your help now."

Mao Wanli said solemnly.

"Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about."

"If I remember correctly, Director Mao has a secret contact in Jinhai named Sun Xing."

"He originally came to Jinhai following Ma Kui."

"He is currently a spare piece in the Jinhai Station; if you throw some money at it, these things should be easy to handle."

Li Ya said.

As he spoke, he picked up his chopsticks and began drawing a map on the table with wine.

"There is a sewage channel under the International Hotel, and there is an abandoned lotus pond across from the garden."

"If you enter through the sewage outlet of the lotus pond, you will have a chance to sneak in."

"At that time, you can plant explosives, shoot from the shadows, or use poison."

"However, my suggestion is that it's best not to use things like bombs."

"Don't end up taking the Lady down with you without even hurting Lin Tai."

He reminded him softly.

"Since you know the secret passage, why don't you do it yourself? Or go find Sun Xing?" Mao Wanli frowned.

"Why should I do it?"

"Jiang Jianfeng told me to wait for an opportunity, and I haven't found the right one yet."

"But you are different; whether the timing is right or not, you have to push through."

"Take a gamble."

"What if it succeeds?"

"Go to Xiangdao or abroad for a tour to gild yourself, and you should be promoted to Major General. By then, won't the Jinmen Station be yours?"

Li Ya said while eating.

The fish stew at this place was very authentic; it was not only fresh but the flavor was just right.

For someone who loved good food.

Li Ya couldn't help but indulge in a few extra bites.

Mao Wanli, however, was in no mood to eat, and had barely touched his chopsticks.

"Alright, Brother Mao, thank you for your hospitality, I should be going."

Li Ya did not dare to linger too long; he hurriedly shoveled a few more bites into his mouth, grabbed the coat hanging on his chair, and walked outside.

Just as he walked out of the alley, he stepped on the gas to head home, intending to prepare a contingency plan.

Li Ya suddenly felt unbearable abdominal pain and a chill throughout his body, causing his muscles and nerves to tense up and twitch violently.

Especially his stomach.

It was a signal that it was about to collapse.

Not good, he had eaten something that upset his stomach.

Although he had received specialized emergency training.

This was definitely an abdominal pain and diarrhea he had never experienced before.

Li Ya let out a shout and stopped the car right in the middle of the road, intending to jump out and find a restroom in a shop.

Pfft!

It was already too late.

The dignified Captain Li had soiled his pants.

(End of chapter)