Chapter 267: Biting Li Ya Hard

Regarding struggle, Wu Jingzhong had always been clear-headed.

He did not believe a word of Mao Renfeng's nonsense.

Shedding tears in front of others while stabbing them in the back was the usual tactic of a smiling tiger.

Shen Zui had believed that nonsense and was so hoodwinked that his guts turned green with regret.

To thoroughly dispel the Three Maos' covetousness toward Jinhai, Mao Wanli had to be nailed down so that he would never dare to harbor the slightest thought about this land again.

Soon, Sun Xing was brought up under guard.

"Jianfeng, you ask," Lady Jiang said coldly.

"Sun Xing, is your mind clear? Can you speak?" Jianfeng asked.

"I can." Sun Xing nodded, looking slightly pained.

"Speak, who ordered you to sneak into the hall to assassinate the two ladies?" Jianfeng asked.

"No, no one."

Sun Xing's eyes drifted toward Mao Renfeng.

Every hair on Mao Renfeng's body stood on end; his expression changed slightly as he interjected:

"Sun Xing, in front of the Lady and Jianfeng, think carefully before you speak."

The cold voice was filled with threats.

"Director Mao, I didn't ask you to interrogate him, did I?" the Lady said, frowning in displeasure.

"Yes."

Mao Renfeng glared at Sun Xing with a chilling gaze and lowered his head.

"Raise your head. You only need to tell the truth. With me here, no one can threaten you," the Lady said.

"It is, it is Mao Wanli, Director Mao," Sun Xing said.

A look of shock flashed across Mao Renfeng's eyes, and his heart dropped straight into an ice cellar.

"Is there any evidence?" Jianfeng asked.

"Yes.

"Niu Xingui from the Confidentiality Bureau found me and gave me a note from Director Mao.

"It has Director Mao's handwriting on it; you can have someone verify it.

"There is also his usual symbol, a five-petaled plum blossom.

"Because I hadn't done a job for the headquarters in a long time and this matter was of great importance, I specifically had Niu Xingui call Director Mao.

"Director Mao confirmed the assassination details with me over the phone."

Although Sun Xing's tone was weak, the desire to survive in his eyes was strong.

"Jingzhong, can the phone records be checked?" Jianfeng turned to look at Wu Jingzhong.

"Yes.

"Following Director Mao's instructions, our station has unified internal monitoring among all departments. Because the finance office handles critical matters, it is equipped with recording devices.

"You can have the people from the monitoring room retrieve the recording."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"Call someone to retrieve it immediately," Jianfeng ordered.

Soon, someone delivered the phone recording.

"Have it verified." Jianfeng had always been a man of principle; even when acting, he followed the script.

Someone was immediately assigned to verify the recording.

"Lady, Jianfeng, according to the preliminary verification of the recording, it is a call between Director Mao and Sun Xing. The telephone bureau also has precise records, and the call was indeed made from Director Mao's residence at 38 Hulu Lane.

"However, for further verification, we must go to the Jingling headquarters to use more advanced technical equipment."

The person who came to verify it reported truthfully.

"How did you know about the secret tunnel under the hotel?" Jianfeng continued to press.

"Director Mao told me.

"I don't know the specific source; he said to sneak in through the secret tunnel while Lin Tai was giving his speech..."

Sun Xing said every word without omission.

Mao Renfeng was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Wanli was a fool.

Even if he had no other options, he shouldn't have called the Jinhai Station directly; wasn't this walking right into a trap?

Sigh!

"Jingzhong, did you record it?" Jianfeng asked.

"It has all been recorded," Wu Jingzhong said efficiently.

"Then take him away," Jianfeng said.

"Wait.

"Besides Mao Wanli, has anyone else given you instructions?

"Don't be afraid, no matter who it is, you can say it.

"I can guarantee your safety."

The Lady stopped Jianfeng and interjected.

Both Jianfeng and Mao Renfeng's hearts skipped a beat.

The Lady had the backing of American public opinion and power.

Once this blew up, even the Generalissimo couldn't cover it up, and with Lin Tai's influence, it would be very difficult to resolve.

Right now, he had finally managed to accumulate some prestige and looked like a successor.

If he were to fall out with the Lady over this and lose American aid, that would be troublesome.

"Speak," the Lady's tone grew heavier.

"No.

"I originally followed the headquarters special agent Ma Kui to Jinhai. After Captain Ma was exposed as the Red agent Emeifeng, although I wasn't punished, I was always a sidelined piece.

"Director Mao contacted me directly and suddenly."

Sun Xing said truthfully.

"Take him away.

"Call Guo Danian up," the Lady ordered.

Jianfeng and Mao Renfeng looked at each other, both secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

Guo Danian was soon brought in under guard.

He confessed even faster; the Lady played an emotional card, and he told everything.

After both witnesses were taken away, the group began to discuss.

"Commander Chen, what is your opinion?" Jianfeng looked at Chen Zhangjie.

"I will listen to the Lady and you," Chen Zhangjie stated his position.

"Director Mao, the situation is basically clear now. Mao Wanli is suspected of assassinating Lin Tai, and both human and material evidence are complete. You are relatives and his direct superior; what do you think?" Jianfeng said.

"Lady, Comrade Jianfeng, I am completely unaware of this matter.

"I only found out that Wanli had come to Jinhai after the incident occurred.

"He, he was just influenced by Dai Li's old ways, which is why he did something stupid," Mao Renfeng explained.

"Then, did he come to assassinate Lin Tai, or me?"

The Lady looked coldly at him and Jianfeng, then rose and left.

This sentence was like a thunderclap, leaving everyone present stunned.

Targeting Lin Tai could be explained by different political stances.

If they were plotting to assassinate the Lady, no one could shoulder that responsibility.

Not to mention anything else, they wouldn't even be able to get past the Generalissimo.

It was clear that the Lady was playing for real this time.

……

Jinhai Station.

Wu Jingzhong shook his sore wrist: "I haven't written this much in many years.

"What about Niu Xingui?"

"He has been dealt with; at a time like this, it's better to avoid extra trouble.

"If we interrogate too much and it really drags Jianfeng into it, I'm afraid it will cause trouble for the Master."

Hong Zhiyou replied.

"Hmm, once a woman becomes impulsive, she easily loses her reason; cooling things down appropriately is a good thing," Wu Jingzhong nodded.

"Also, you need to give Li Ya a warning.

"The opportunity is rare.

"At the very least, you must make him dampen his spirit in front of Jianfeng.

"Go to the hospital and see him.

"Jianfeng might meet with him tomorrow."

After a pause, Wu Jingzhong reminded him.

"I'll go right away," Hong Zhiyou said.

"By the way, regarding Yu Zecheng bravely capturing the assassin to protect the Lady, you must find the media and have it reported properly.

"Right now, the Lady is throwing a tantrum, and Jiang Jianfeng will certainly have to offer some benefits to appease her.

"One promotion, one demotion.

"Li Ya's little Colonel halo is about enough."

Wu Jingzhong nodded and gave another instruction.

"The Master considers the overall situation; it is foolproof," Hong Zhiyou flattered.

"Go.

"Keep people under watch first, and wait for Jiang Jianfeng's summons."

Wu Jingzhong said.

Hong Zhiyou bought a fruit basket and arrived at the Lujunyi Academy.

Li Ya, who had his stomach pumped and had been on an IV drip all night, was terrifyingly pale; he looked like a frost-bitten eggplant, withered and with unfocused eyes.

"Captain Li.

"My apologies, the Station Chief, Director Yu, and I knew you were hospitalized and wanted to rush over immediately, but who would have thought such a major incident would occur.

"Jiang Jianfeng and Director Mao have both come over.

"We just finished hosting them, so I'm only now finding time to see you; please don't take offense."

Hong Zhiyou set down the fruit basket and said with an apologetic smile.

"Jiang Jianfeng came?" Li Ya, who had been dazed, was so startled he sat straight up.

"Indeed.

"You say, Jiang Jianfeng needs you most right now, so how did you end up falling ill?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"Sigh.

"Don't mention it, I've just had a run of bad luck, encountering a true villain."

Li Ya gritted his teeth in hatred.

He was convinced that Mao Wanli was afraid he would go back on his word and go assassinate Lin Tai himself to claim the credit, which was why he had poisoned the pot.

This kind of poison acted very quickly.

There were other diners in the shop at the time.

Many pots were scraped clean, yet no one else got a stomachache.

Only he had suffered so severely, nearly losing his life.

The hospital test results also proved it was poisoning.

Aside from the Secret Service Bureau, Li Ya couldn't think of anyone else but a low-life like Mao Wanli.

"Have you read the newspaper?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Don't mention it.

"I don't even have the strength to hold a newspaper.

"Only just now have I regained some clarity; everything I look at is blurry."

Li Ya wasn't stupid; he didn't dare mention that he had met with Mao Wanli.

"Jiang Jianfeng and Director Mao came.

"No, it couldn't be that Lin Tai is already..." Li Ya said, both shocked and delighted.

"No.

"It's that the assassin has been caught.

"Guess who it is?"

Hong Zhiyou smiled and habitually reached into his pocket for a cigarette, but just as he took it out, he put it back.

"Who?" Li Ya asked nervously.

"Our Secret Service Bureau accountant, Sun Xing, the one who used to run errands for Ma Kui," Hong Zhiyou said.

"He hid well enough.

"Then, then did he implicate Director Mao?" Li Ya forced a smile and asked uneasily.

"He confessed.

"There's also the Lady's cook, Guo Danian; all the evidence points to Mao Wanli.

"Jiang Jianfeng is currently investigating this matter.

"This case is very important.

"To summarize it in ten words: the Lady is very angry, and the consequences are very serious."

Hong Zhiyou started by trying to scare him.

"Mao, Mao Wanli?" Li Ya was indeed panicked.

"He has been arrested.

"I expect Jiang Jianfeng and Director Mao will interrogate him today.

"Anyone involved with him will be in big trouble.

"I came to see you today to ask if you have had any private contact with Mao Wanli.

"If you have, it will be very troublesome."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"I have not," Li Ya answered without thinking.

"Very well.

"Then the Station Chief and I can rest easy.

"Right now, no one dares to protect Mao Wanli, for fear he might act like a cornered dog and bite everyone."

Hong Zhiyou stood up, left Li Ya behind, and walked away.

Li Ya sat on the bed, terrified to his core.

He had, in fact, met with Mao Wanli.

He had even given Mao Wanli a map of the secret passage.

If he were implicated, the matter would directly involve Jiang Jianfeng.

The little bit of favor he had painstakingly accumulated with Jiang Jianfeng had all gone down the drain!

Damn it!

A useless fool who ruins everything he touches!

International Hotel.

Mao Renfeng was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, and his usually steady pace had become unsteady.

Having struggled and climbed for so many years in Jingling.

Mao Renfeng knew very well that when those in power suffer losses, they would kick away their lackeys and hounds without hesitation.

How did Boss Dai die?

Others might not know, but could he not guess?

With Dai Li's caution, it would be very difficult for outsiders to tamper with the plane.

It could only be the air traffic control center in Qingdao.

The person in charge there was from the Iron-Blooded Youth Corps.

Boss Dai, after all.

The person the Chairman trusted most, who was once even closer than the Lady—he was discarded just like that, without the slightest bit of sentiment.

What did a mere Mao Wanli count for?

Once the Lady insists on pursuing this.

Wanli wouldn't just be disciplined; he might even lose his life.

After all, assassinating Lin Tai and assassinating the Lady were two completely different matters in nature.

The former was tacitly approved by the Chairman.

The latter would be cutting off the lives of the Jiang father and son.

Thinking of this, he stood up and walked toward the room on the third floor, where guards were stationed at the door.

"I need to ask some questions." Mao Renfeng glanced at them and understood the situation.

Jiang Jianfeng had persuaded the Lady to send the Americans away.

This was creating an opportunity and room for him to maneuver.

If things couldn't be contained.

He might even have to turn the blade inward and send Mao Wanli on his way.

"Sixth brother, how could you be so rash and foolish?

"Why did you call the Secret Service Bureau directly?

"And that cook, Sun Xing, they are both insisting it was you; why didn't you handle the aftermath before acting?

"The Lady has a very deep prejudice against you now.

"If this matter isn't handled well, you will be in big trouble."

Mao Renfeng closed the door and began to berate him roundly.

"Big Brother, I have no choice either.

"Who would have known the Americans were in charge of security? My entire plan was thrown into chaos.

"It was also those seven characters of yours. Besides, if it weren't for your 'succeed or die for the cause,' I wouldn't have gone to find Sun Xing and Li Ya," Mao Wanli said with a helpless look.

"What seven characters? It's six characters.

"No wonder Boss Dai always hoped you would go to the United States for advanced studies while he was still alive.

"So rash and impulsive, and you still want to be the Jinhai Station Chief."

Mao Renfeng said, annoyed.

As he spoke, his short, thin eyebrows sank: "Wait, you just said you looked for Li Ya?"

"Yes.

"He was the one who told me about the secret passage into the International Hotel."

Mao Wanli said.

As they spoke, their eyes met, and a gleam of joy instantly appeared.

"Li Ya is one of Jiang Jianfeng's men.

"If you bite onto Li Ya, you'll drag Jiang Jianfeng into this," Mao Renfeng laughed.

"Exactly.

"If the Lady still refuses to see reason and Jiang Jianfeng wants to execute me in secret, I can at least drag Li Ya down with me; I won't be so lonely on the road to the Yellow Springs.

"If the Lady is wary of Jiang Jianfeng and the repercussions and lets us go, then both Li Ya and I will have a way to live."

Mao Wanli laughed along with him.

"Tonight, during the interrogation, you must bite onto Li Ya in front of the Lady, just as Sun Xing bit onto you.

"Little Brother, whether you can survive depends entirely on fate. May our Mao family ancestors bless you."

Mao Renfeng patted his shoulder, stood up, and walked out.

……

Jinhai Station.

Hong Zhiyou was on the phone:

"Good, I understand.

"Thank you."

After hanging up, he went to Wu Jingzhong's office.

"Teacher, Zhang Jing just called me. Mao Renfeng has gone to see Mao Wanli. Regarding the American military security, I privately touched base with the Lady, and she agreed to withdraw them," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Hmm, he had to see him.

"If he didn't, it would be a dead end.

"Mao Wanli will definitely implicate Li Ya.

"To protect his sixth brother, Mao Renfeng will certainly gamble on dragging Li Ya into the water," Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"Yes.

"If Li Ya is dragged in, Jiang Jianfeng won't be able to stay clean.

"Mao Renfeng is really going all out and taking a desperate risk," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Indeed.

"Jiang Jianfeng isn't stupid.

"As long as Mao Wanli dares to bite Li Ya, that is a slap in Jiang Jianfeng's face.

"Even if he manages to save Mao Wanli and Li Ya in the end, Mao Renfeng has thoroughly offended Jiang Jianfeng with this move.

"It will be difficult for Mao Wanli to climb any higher.

"Not to mention Li Ya; Jiang Jianfeng will definitely punish him.

"When the time comes, I will propose stripping him of his Colonel rank.

"Without that title to hook him, he won't be able to stir up trouble, and Jinhai Station can finally be truly peaceful."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"Teacher is wise. No matter the result, Jinhai Station will profit greatly from this," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"That is why they say, man proposes, Heaven disposes.

"Don't always think about taking advantage of others; in the end, you never know when disaster might fall on your own head."

Wu Jingzhong said, squinting his eyes.

"Teacher, Bureau Chief Mao is here," Yu Zecheng walked in to report.

"Zecheng.

"Go to the warehouse and pick out a few good things.

"I expect this matter will be resolved soon. Prepare a little something for the two Maos when they leave.

"If you slap someone without giving them a date, it's hard to clean up the mess later,"

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Yes."

Yu Zecheng took the order and walked out.

"Let's go, accompany me to see Bureau Chief Mao," Wu Jingzhong ordered.

They arrived at the reception room.

Mao Renfeng was drinking tea. Seeing Wu Jingzhong, he took the initiative to stand up and greet him:

"Jingzhong, I have just received some major intelligence that I must discuss with you."

"Bureau Chief Mao, please speak. Your subordinate is all ears," Wu Jingzhong said respectfully.

"I just saw Wanli.

"He revealed a shocking piece of news: the secret passage used to infiltrate the hotel was provided by your station's Action Team Captain, Li Ya, and Li Ya had the intention to carry out the plan all along.

"Station Chief Wu, if this is investigated, it will be unfavorable for you."

Mao Renfeng didn't mention Jiang Jianfeng at all, trying to indirectly implicate Wu Jingzhong as well.

"Bureau Chief Mao, you are overthinking it.

"Li Ya is a member of Jiang Jianfeng's Iron-Blooded Youth Corps. He handled the previous spy case on his own, and I only followed his instructions.

"I have recorded every important station matter in the files.

"Whether I ordered Li Ya or he acted on his own, it is all clear at a glance."

Wu Jingzhong smiled and didn't take the bait at all.

"The problem is exactly there. You say he implicated Li Ya, which makes Jiang Jianfeng lose face," Mao Renfeng said, troubled.

Wu Jingzhong knew he wanted to get the words out of his own mouth so that if there were any slip-ups later, he could blame them on him.

He had already experienced these traps and pitfalls before.

"Bureau Chief Mao, Mao Wanli is your sixth brother; it's not appropriate for an outsider like me to interfere.

"Besides.

"You and Jiang Jianfeng are the chief investigators for this matter. What business is it of mine to be chattering here?

"You should talk directly to Jiang Jianfeng."

Wu Jingzhong refused with a face full of smiles.

Old turtle... Mao Renfeng cursed inwardly and didn't ask any more questions.

After Wu Jingzhong left, he furrowed his brows and fell into deep thought.

He had to report directly to Jiang Jianfeng.

Jiang Jianfeng might very well take the opportunity to eliminate Li Ya before Mao Wanli could finish his testimony.

Then he would have a case with no evidence.

Mao Renfeng didn't dare to gamble with his sixth brother's life by betting on the mercy of those in power.

Instead, he would reveal it suddenly.

With the Lady present, Jiang Jianfeng wouldn't be able to deny it even if he wanted to.

Yes, that's the only way.

……

Eight o'clock in the evening.

The interrogation team arrived at the hotel conference room once again.

Mao Wanli was brought in.

Jiang Jianfeng glanced at this "old veteran" of the Juntong and said in a deep voice:

"Show him the materials."

Mao Wanli took the materials handed over by Wu Jingzhong, frowned, and said: "Most of it is true."

"Who sent you to assassinate me and my sister?" the Lady asked coldly.

"No one.

"I am a follower of Boss Dai, and I wanted to take this opportunity to fulfill the Boss's last wish, nothing more.

"Furthermore, I have no intentions against the Lady, nor would I dare to have any such thoughts.

"I can swear this to the Chairman."

Mao Wanli swore an oath to the picture frame on the wall.

"Sun Xing said that you were the one who told him about the secret passage.

"How did you know?

"You shouldn't be familiar with Jinmen, are there any other accomplices?"

The Lady asked again.

"There is... Li Ya from the Jinmen Station!" Mao Wanli said.

"Nonsense!"

Jiang Jianfeng slammed the table and stood up.

(End of chapter)