Chapter 264: Mao Wanli Arrested

"Damn it..." Li Ya couldn't hold it back; it was like a mountain torrent erupting.

For a long while.

He felt his entire pant leg and the inside of his leather shoe were a sticky mess.

The stench was nearly suffocating.

Fortunately, he was in the car; if this had been on the street... Li Ya, who was always fastidious, felt a wave of bitter discomfort on his face and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He rolled down the car window, not daring to sit down.

Half-crouching, he drove the vehicle home through the sickening sensation.

As soon as he entered the house.

His stomach churned and his head throbbed.

Li Ya hurriedly found the toilet.

Once he squatted down, he couldn't get back up; the diarrhea was endless.

Half an hour later, Li Ya's legs were cramping from squatting, but the urge still wouldn't stop.

Not only that.

He began to feel chills, tremors, and a fear of cold, his whole body aching and weak.

He immediately understood that he had been poisoned.

Mao Wanli!

That despicable, shameless villain.

Li Ya bit his lip, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

Just now at dinner, Mao Wanli had only sipped some tea and barely touched his chopsticks.

Now that he thought about it, he had clearly put poison in the food.

This pair of uncle and nephew were notorious villains.

Using the excuse of a mission assigned by Jianfeng, he had pried out the secret passage to infiltrate the International Hotel, and fearing that Li Ya might change his mind at the last minute and steal the credit, he had poisoned the pot.

This was to ensure he couldn't participate in the assassination mission tonight.

He had originally been with the Juntong Bureau, later switching to Jianfeng's Iron-Blooded Youth Corps.

When he was first proposed for Deputy Station Chief, Mao Renfeng had constantly obstructed it.

Now he was already a Colonel.

If he performed another great service, it was highly likely he would be promoted to Major General; by then, what place would there be for Mao Wanli at the Jinhai Station?

Therefore, this villain had struck first to gain the advantage.

Yes!

It must be like this.

You bastard!

Damn your eighteen generations of ancestors!

Li Ya knew he had been played.

With this anger, he felt the world spinning and his vision going black.

No, he had to get to the hospital immediately.

Otherwise, he would lose his life.

He couldn't care about washing off the filth on his body; he crawled and dragged himself with difficulty to the side of the bed in the bedroom, trembling as he grabbed the phone:

"Hello, is this Director Ding?

"Send, send an ambulance to my house immediately, I'm dying.

"Hurry!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt all his strength drain away, his vision went black, and he fainted.

5: 0 PM.

Wu Jingzhong tidied up a bit, preparing to go home to hold his grandson.

Even though the little girl was a "night crier" and noisy as could be.

Old Wu couldn't get enough of her.

"Sir, Captain Li has been admitted to the hospital," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Is it serious?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Serious.

"I reckon he'll have to be on an IV drip for a few days.

"But don't worry, he won't die."

Hong Zhiyou answered calmly.

"That's good.

"The Americans love to mess with these malicious, self-defeating drugs.

"Take some time to visit him at the hospital; since you're colleagues, you should show some concern."

Wu Jingzhong gestured as he spoke.

As he said this, he let out a sigh and remarked with emotion:

"An IV drip is good.

"Resting is better than him going out to kill and set fires.

"Alright.

"I have to go.

"I'll leave the station affairs to you and Zecheng; I have to go back to hold Nini.

"Even though she's a night crier, I miss her terribly after not seeing her all day.

"You watch your safety and finish up early.

"Mao Wanli hates you no less than he hates me."

Wu Jingzhong gave a few instructions with a smile and walked away with his hands behind his back.

Hong Zhiyou saw him to the station entrance.

Under the tight escort of Xiao Guohua and the others, Wu Jingzhong's motorcade drove toward 1 Changde Road.

Back in the office.

He picked up the phone and dialed a number:

"It's me.

"There's a problem with last month's financial expenditures; come over here."

Soon, Sun Xing walked in.

"Secretary Hong." Ever since he was kicked out of the action team by Li Ya, he had been promoted to financial accountant by Hong Zhiyou.

"Sit.

"Have something to eat first."

Hong Zhiyou took some foreign candies and biscuits from the drawer, handed him tea, and tossed him a cigarette.

"How is it, are you used to being an accountant?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Nothing to get used to.

"It's just that I have to be on edge, terrified of making a calculation error.

"Deputy Station Chief Yu doesn't allow a single decimal point to be wrong in the finance department, so the people in the finance section spend all day just checking accounts," Sun Xing complained.

"Old Yu just has that temperament.

"You were a meritorious official in the Ma Kui affair; it is indeed a waste of your talents to make you an accountant."

Hong Zhiyou didn't bring up the main business immediately and chatted very cordially.

"No.

"If it weren't for you, I reckon I'd have been kicked out by Li Ya to watch the gate.

"Following that plague god Li Ya was truly the worst luck of my life."

Sun Xing laughed.

"Do you want to go back to headquarters?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I don't.

"I saw Ma Kui's end clearly enough.

"Sent by Mao Renfeng to be used as a pawn, the first person to silence him when something went wrong would be Mao Renfeng.

"It's best if he doesn't look for me; following him, you never know when you'll die.

"Following you, I can at least sleep soundly every night."

Sun Xing puffed on his cigarette and smiled faintly.

"Are you familiar with Mao Wanli?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Familiar.

"I used to work for him before Director Mao promoted me," Sun Xing said.

"He is currently lurking in Jinhai.

"You know what he's here for."

"The Jinhai Station has broken his Dharma, he is now at a dead end, and it is highly likely he will come looking for you."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"No, why would he look for me?

"Secretary Hong, I swear I have absolutely no connection with him."

Sun Xing panicked upon hearing this.

He knew with his toes what Mao Wanli had come to Jinhai for.

Having stayed with this bunch of old foxes at the Jinhai Station for so long, he had learned a thing or two through osmosis.

Getting involved in this kind of matter, a small fry like him would definitely be cannon fodder.

"Don't be nervous.

"I know you have no connection with him.

"But he was your former superior and represents the will of Director Mao. If you refuse, given the vindictive nature of the Mao uncle and nephew, they certainly won't let you off."

Hong Zhiyou crossed his legs, held a cigarette, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said.

"That's true.

"These persistent ghosts—Secretary Hong, you have great wisdom, you must help me." Sun Xing requested with a frown.

"Do you trust me?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I do, of course I do." Sun Xing said.

This statement came from the bottom of his heart.

Hong Zhiyou never made things difficult for others, acted with integrity, and had the power of money; there wasn't a single person in the station who didn't admire him.

Just like when he turned against Ma Kui.

Hong Zhiyou had given plenty of money.

And he had handled things cleanly afterward.

"You cannot dodge this hurdle.

"If you don't comply, according to the house rules of the Secret Service Bureau, they won't let you off.

"If you do comply, doing this job will most likely lead to death."

"So we must come up with a compromise to ensure you don't die."

Hong Zhiyou leaned back on the sofa and exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Secretary Hong, please instruct me." Sun Xing said.

"You must take this job.

"But don't take action; as long as the two ladies are unharmed, I can get you out.

"It's just that this matter has huge repercussions, and it will be difficult for you to get out unscathed.

"You might be captured by the American military and subjected to cruel interrogation.

"The only thing I can do is ensure they don't use electric shocks, waterboarding, or the like.

"Physical suffering is unavoidable.

"Because without torture, you won't be able to satisfy the interrogators.

"The people who might interrogate you then include Jiang Jianfeng, the Lady, Director Mao, and even Commander Chen.

"Remember, only bite at Mao Wanli.

"Just say that for the sake of the Jinhai Station Chief position, he privately ordered you to frame the Station Chief; don't mention a single extra word about anyone else.

"Especially do not target the Generalissimo or Jiang Jianfeng.

"If they ask if anyone else instigated you, you must never drag Director Mao into it.

"Once you hold out, the rest will be simple.

"I will use my connections to have the local Jinhai judiciary handle you; you might have to spend a year or so in the Shuitun Prison, and I will make arrangements there.

"I will also arrange for people to disguise themselves as prisoners to protect you twenty-four hours a day.

"After half a year, I will use the excuse of you being ill to bail you out to go to Xiangdao for treatment.

"I have a house there; if you don't mind, you can go there and be my steward first. Don't worry about women or money; it will absolutely be a life of luxury."

Hong Zhiyou held the cigarette in his mouth, speaking slowly to ensure he remembered it clearly.

"Must it be like this?" Sun Xing asked with a tense face.

"You don't have to do it this way.

"You can improvise and pretend you never saw me today."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"If I go there, will they hunt me down?" Sun Xing said.

"If you stay in Jinhai or go to Jingling, will they not hunt you down?

"You are also an old Secret Service hand.

"We cannot control others, but I can only say that if you go to Xiangdao, the Secret Service Bureau's power there is not strong, and Xie Ruo is a close friend of the Station Chief; he will secretly tip you off.

"Furthermore, there are the Rong family and the elite of the Cao Gang there; you will at least be safer there than in Jinhai.

"Think it over carefully."

Hong Zhiyou stubbed out his cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke.

"If someone else said this, I definitely wouldn't believe it, but Secretary Hong, I believe you." After a moment of contemplation, Sun Xing looked at him with a firm gaze and said.

"Good, I'll go to Xiangdao.

"Anyway, my parents were long ago killed by the Japanese devils; I have no attachments, and I've long wanted to go outside to see the world and live a life of luxury."

He laughed heartily.

"Go with peace of mind.

"As for your parents, during the Qingming and Cold Food festivals, I will entrust someone to visit their graves and burn paper money.

"Prepare yourself; I estimate Niu Xingui will come looking for you soon.

"Also, if Mao Wanli asks you what Captain Li is doing.

"Just say straight out that he has a stomachache and is hospitalized."

Hong Zhiyou said with a smile, urging him.

"Thank you."

Sun Xing stood up and bowed deeply to Hong Zhiyou.

Hong Zhiyou nodded slightly.

Sun Xing returned to the finance office.

Before long, Niu Xingui sauntered into the finance office.

He was almost numb.

He had just delivered a message for Li Ya, and now Mao Wanli had entrusted a secret agent to pass on another word.

"Accountant Sun, not off work yet?" Niu Xingui asked with a smile.

"No, is there something?"

Sun Xing asked with a cigarette in his mouth.

"Director Mao wants you to do a job." Niu Xingui handed over a slip of paper.

Mao Wanli was not stupid.

It was naturally best if such matters were not delivered face-to-face.

If Sun Xing were to be caught, a slip of paper wouldn't prove anything.

"Are you sick in the head?

"Director Mao is far away in Jingling.

"Besides, I am now a person of the Jinhai Station, what job?"

Sun Xing's face darkened, and he crumpled the paper into a ball and smashed it into Niu Xingui's face.

"Just say whether you followed Director Mao before or not." Niu Xingui said with a cheeky grin, not annoyed.

"So what if I did?" Sun Xing asked.

"Then Director Mao has an order, will you obey or not?" Niu Xingui asked again.

"That goes without saying.

"But it depends on what the order is; if you ask me to go kill Stalin or Du Lumen, forget it." Sun Xing sneered.

"It won't come to that.

"I'm just a messenger, you should just take it."

Niu Xingui handed the paper over again.

"Get out, get out, get out.

"Are you brain-damaged? What evidence do you have to prove this is Director Mao's order?

"Also, Director Mao is far away in Jingling.

"If there is an order, it can be negotiated and relayed to me through the Station Chief.

"Does it need a dog like you to pass the message?

"Trying to use me.

"When I was working under Director Mao, you were still playing with mud."

"Get lost, or I'll slap you silly."

Sun Xing cursed viciously.

"Hey, you... fine, fine, I'll get lost, alright?"

Seeing Sun Xing raise his hand to strike, Niu Xingui could only slink away.

After leaving the station, he went to make a phone call:

"Hello, I've delivered the item.

"But he doesn't believe it. We're both old Juntong; let alone him, even I wouldn't believe it if I saw just a slip of paper.

"Yes, you left a mark on it.

"The problem is, he won't even look at it.

"You should at least call him yourself.

"This kid is impervious to reason; I'm truly at my wit's end.

"Why don't you figure out a way yourself."

Niu Xingui complained bitterly.

"Fine."

A moment later, he returned to the finance office, dejected.

Sun Xing was just about to get off work.

Niu Xingui had learned his lesson this time and spread the slip of paper out directly in front of him:

"Accountant Sun, there are too many eyes and ears at the station, let's not pull each other around. See for yourself if this is Director Mao's handwriting.

"If it is, then just do as you're told."

Sun Xing leaned in to take a look, frowning with a cold sneer: "It does look like it, but handwriting can be forged.

"If you really were sent by Director Mao, that's easy—take me to see him."

"You..." Niu Xingui was stunned.

"Wait here, I'm going to make a call.

"The station's phones are all monitored; I have to go outside to call," he said in distress.

"No need.

"The finance office used to be managed by Secretary Hong; the monitoring equipment inside was removed long ago.

"Just use my desk phone."

Sun Xing called out to stop him.

Niu Xingui didn't feel it was very secure, but thinking about how many times he had run back and forth, he was truly exhausted and was happy to agree.

Soon, he connected to Mao Wanli's desk phone.

"Talk to Director Mao yourself." He handed the receiver to Sun Xing.

"I am Sun Xing.

"Director Mao.

"You, you finally remembered your subordinate," Sun Xing said, looking slightly moved.

After Mao Wanli assigned the task.

He replied solemnly: "Yes, yes.

"Are you sure you want to severely injure Lin Tai, or do you want his life?"

Sun Xing asked, feigning confusion.

"Understood.

"Assassinate Lin Tai!

"This subordinate will certainly complete the mission, assassinate Lin Tai, and not fail Director Mao's trust!"

Sun Xing replied solemnly.

Hanging up the phone, he smiled: "Old Niu, don't speak of today's events to anyone, otherwise you know the consequences."

"I know, I know.

"Once you finish this job, we'll head back to Jinling with Director Mao together. I hope you'll look after me in the future, brother."

Niu Xingui said.

"Easily done."

"You go now, I have many preparations to make, so I won't keep you."

Sun Xing instructed.

"Got it, you get to work, I'll wait for your good news." Niu Xingui walked out, swaying his shoulders.

Monitoring room.

Yu Zecheng put down the headphones and saved the recording sample.

Then, he stood up, opened the door, and instructed Xiao Guohua outside:

"Section Chief Xiao, arrest Niu Xingui immediately and deal with him according to agency rules."

"Understood."

Xiao Guohua took the order and left.

Yu Zecheng turned back into the monitoring room to collect evidence professionally.

Niu Xingui had to disappear.

Mao Wanli had limited power he could mobilize in Jinhai.

Even if he were suspicious of the address the call was dialed to, he had neither the time nor the authority to investigate.

He could only bite the bullet and let Sun Xing carry out this errand.

The prerequisite was that Niu Xingui had to be silenced forever.

He could not be found by Mao Wanli.

Otherwise, he might call off the plan at any moment, thereby ruining Hong Zhiyou's layout.

Evening.

The Lady held the reception in the hotel lobby as scheduled.

In addition to democratic figures and military and political officials from the Ping-Jin-Ji region, there were also reporters, students, and business representatives from Jinhai.

Mao Wanli wasn't entirely out of ideas.

He had people pose as reporters, installing modified pistols inside cameras, attempting to sneak into the venue to complete the assassination.

However.

Hong Zhiyou's security was infuriating.

This guy had the Americans use advanced inspection equipment; anyone entering with any metal items, including canes and cameras, had to go to the security room for a thorough check.

Soon.

The two agents Mao Wanli had arranged were ferreted out and dragged into the U. . military base.

Hotel.

Mao Wanli paced the room restlessly.

Immediately, he walked to the table, picked up the desk phone receiver, but put it back down just as he was about to dial.

Since Qin Bin was arrested, he hadn't been able to get through to his older brother or Mao Sen.

Mao Wanli knew.

They were cutting ties with him.

Right now, unless he could assassinate Lin Tai, he was nothing but a discarded pawn.

Thinking of this, he slammed his fist onto the table, feeling a sense of frustration and anger at being betrayed by his brother.

"Director."

Soon, a subordinate walked in quickly.

"How is it? Did the reporters with the cameras get in?" he asked with a look of anticipation.

The subordinate shook his head.

The atmosphere was silent for two seconds, then he continued:

"The U. . military is using a new type of detection instrument that can detect metal components. The reporters' cameras, as well as the knives and pistols two of them hid in their backpacks and canes, were all turned up.

"The people were taken away by the Americans on the spot.

"They're probably being tortured by now."

The subordinate looked dejected and dared not speak further.

"Damn it!

"Heaven does not help me.

"What exactly does that damned Wu Jingzhong and his dog of a son-in-law want to do?

"These are the instructions from the Generalissimo and Jiang Jianfeng; do they want to rebel and disobey orders?" Mao Wanli, on the verge of a mental breakdown, roared while slamming the table.

He was full of resentment now.

Toward the Generalissimo, toward the Bureau Director.

Logically, the Jinhai station should have been fully cooperating with him on this matter.

Now look at this.

He boasted of being a sharp sword of the old Juntong Bureau, the successor to Dai Li, yet after exhausting every underhanded trick, he could not even catch a glimpse of Lin Tai.

"Director, let's wait for news from Sun Xing," his confidant said.

"That is all we can do."

"I hope Sun Xing can fulfill the Chairman's wishes and successfully complete this mission."

"Otherwise, I fear neither you nor I will be able to escape unscathed."

Mao Wanli sighed heavily.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a chorus of dog barking erupted in the alley, and the clatter of military boots made the entire old alley hum with noise.

Mao Wanli poked his head out to look.

He saw over a hundred fully armed American soldiers standing guard everywhere.

One squad was heading straight for the building.

"Director, this is bad, the American troops are here," his subordinate said, drawing his sidearm immediately.

"What are you panicking for?"

"These are Americans; if you open fire, they will kill you without a second thought."

"As a dignified Colonel of the Secret Service Bureau, I shouldn't be afraid of them."

"Let's see what kind of tricks they are up to."

Mao Wanli had not lost his senses, so he quickly ordered his subordinate to put the gun away.

……

(End of chapter)