Chapter 268: Chen Taohua

"Qiaoshan!"

"Old Lu!"

Wu and Hong hurriedly helped Lu Qiaoshan up.

Hong Zhiyou hurriedly called the duty doctor from the infirmary.

After a good deal of pinching, Lu Qiaoshan slowly woke up.

"Old Lu, how is it? Do you want me to send you to the hospital?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"No, no need."

"Just tired from these past few days."

Lu Qiaoshan said weakly.

He didn't have the guts to curse Zheng Jiemin as a thief in front of Wu Jingzhong.

"Alright then, Zhiyou, you help Qiaoshan back to his office, draw some nutritional expenses from the station's accounts; he should rest and recuperate."

"He's a hero of the Party and State."

"We must value and protect him."

Wu Jingzhong instructed solemnly.

"Yes!" Hong Zhiyou took the order.

He helped Lu Qiaoshan back to his office.

Lu Qiaoshan drank some water, and the light gradually returned to his eyes.

"Old Lu, you are the practitioner of Deputy Zheng's 'Opinion Paper on Anti-Red Studies', the anchor of our Jinhai; you must take care of your health."

"Look at Li Ya, you drove the students home, look at the life he's living."

"Beef noodles for breakfast."

"Fumanlou for lunch."

"Western restaurant for dinner."

"Just in this short time, he's off playing tennis with female college students again."

"At your age, you should pay attention to your health."

Hong Zhiyou said with concern.

Practitioner?

I am the founder of the theory!

At the mention of this, Lu Qiaoshan clutched his chest again, his face turning painful.

This matter was too disgusting.

He couldn't talk about it, and there was no way to report it.

He had to act like a grandson, pretend he knew nothing, and applaud.

Lu Qiaoshan felt bitter and stifled inside.

"Sigh."

"Stop talking, Zhiyou, I want to be quiet."

Lu Qiaoshan lay on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling with hollow eyes.

Hong Zhiyou returned to the Station Chief's office.

Wu Jingzhong was humming a little tune, fiddling with the potted plants on the windowsill.

"The old man's mood seems quite good." Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Yes."

"Li Ya is frustrated, Lu Qiaoshan is internally injured."

"Two tigers fighting, already mutually wounded; this is a good thing."

Wu Jingzhong put down the scissors and turned around with a smile.

"What happened to Lu Qiaoshan?" Hong Zhiyou didn't understand.

"Haven't you seen it yet?"

"His expression when he saw the suggestion paper was like seeing a ghost."

"I know Zheng Jiemin."

"He's okay at intelligence, but when it comes to theory, with the little ink in his belly, he doesn't have this level."

"In my opinion, this thing was mostly concocted by Lu Qiaoshan."

"Now that the defense studies have just had results, it was snatched and claimed by Zheng Jiemin, making wedding clothes for others with his painstaking work."

"With Lu Qiaoshan's petty nature, he can worry about this one thing for a lifetime; I'm afraid he'll live ten years less."

Wu Jingzhong insightfully pointed out the reason.

"Understood, so the Teacher was deliberately provoking him just now." Hong Zhiyou said.

"Yes."

"He has always been self-righteous; letting him suffer a loss and see Zheng Jiemin's true face is also good."

"This person is like Li Ya, both to be used and to be suppressed."

"They can't be allowed to stop fighting for a moment; if they are idle, they'll make trouble."

Wu Jingzhong laughed confidently.

Intelligence Division office.

Just after Hong Zhiyou left, Sheng Xiang slipped in, just in time to see Zhang Li applying a hot towel to Lu Qiaoshan's forehead.

He couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable inside.

When Zhang Li was fawning over him before, Sheng Xiang really hadn't taken it to heart.

Now that she had become Division Chief Lu's secretary, going out to drink and play cards with foreigners every few days, wearing silk stockings and skirts, she was becoming increasingly womanly.

It's just a pity.

This woman was extremely snobbish and no longer looked down on him.

"Division Chief Lu, you're enjoying a beauty's favor." Sheng Xiang leaned in with a fawning face.

"If you have something to say, say it; if you have a fart, let it out." Lu Qiaoshan scolded weakly.

"Cough, cough." Sheng Xiang glanced at Zhang Li.

"Division Chief Lu, I'll go change the hot water for you." Zhang Li tactfully carried the basin and walked out.

"Brother Shan, Shang Bo is urging."

"He said if you don't want it anymore, he'll sell the intelligence to the Red tickets."

"Right now, the Red tickets are anxious to protect Deep Sea, and the price is getting higher and higher; if you don't act now, it'll be too late."

Sheng Xiang helped him up and whispered.

"No need."

"I've been promoted to Colonel, but to be promoted to Major General, just catching Deep Sea isn't enough."

"Besides, no one gets promoted one after another."

"The earliest would be five years from now."

"Whoever wants to buy it, let them buy it."

Lu Qiaoshan said disheartenedly.

"Brother Shan, Shang Bo asked me to tell you, it's best if you buy this intelligence yourself."

"He revealed two points."

"First, Deep Sea is lurking in the Jinhai Station."

"Second, this person has a very strong background, is very prominent, and is someone you are absolutely interested in."

"For him, even if it means bankruptcy, it's worth it."

Sheng Xiang passed the message.

Shang Bo had promised that as long as this intelligence could be sold, he would give him twenty percent.

Could Sheng Xiang not risk his life?

Anyway, Old Lu was a miser, so why not make some money.

"Is it Li Ya?" Lu Qiaoshan threw off the towel on his forehead and sat up in shock.

"I can't say for sure."

"Anyway, that's what Shang Bo said."

Sheng Xiang didn't dare say too much.

"The only one who has been very prominent lately is the national traitor Li Ya."

"Is Li Ya Deep Sea?"

Lu Qiaoshan pondered.

"This is very likely."

"With all the bastard things Li Ya has done, he's highly suspicious."

Sheng Xiang frowned and said.

Since entering the station, Li Ya had done many things that were hard for ordinary people to understand, so saying he was a Red ticket really wasn't an injustice.

"How much money does Shang Bo want?" Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Thirty gold bars!" Sheng Xiang said.

"Thirty bars?"

"Last time it was twenty, why did it go up so much?" Lu Qiaoshan said angrily.

"Because it's exclusive top secret."

"The Red tickets have to grab it to protect Deep Sea."

"Li Ya is also grabbing it, probably wanting to destroy the evidence."

As he spoke, he leaned into Lu Qiaoshan's ear, his voice even lower.

"If you can really prove Li Ya is a Red ticket, then this intelligence is worth any amount of money."

"But this price is really hard to accept."

"Doing business can't be too impatient; drag it out first, wait for him to be stuck with it and lower the price."

Lu Qiaoshan instructed.

"Got it." Sheng Xiang took the order happily.

Mao'er Hutong.

Li Ya walked slowly into the small courtyard with his hands in his pockets.

"Yo, Team Leader Li is here, I've been waiting for a long time." Shang Bo hurried to welcome him.

"Do you have intelligence on Deep Sea?" Li Ya asked while walking.

"That's right."

"Received from Old Wolf, the only copy, this is the only one in all of Jinhai." Shang Bo said.

"How much money?" Li Ya asked.

"Thirty yellow fish, big ones!" Shang Bo laughed.

"Thirty bars, you must not have woken up yet." Li Ya said angrily.

"Team Leader Li, don't doubt it, there are plenty of people buying."

"This is the most famous Red ticket secret agent in Jinhai after Mount Emei."

"Crucially, he's hiding in your Jinhai Station."

"How about that, heavy enough, right?"

Shang Bo said.

"Jinhai Station, who is it?" Li Ya narrowed his eyes and became cautious.

"Brother, is this your first day in this business?"

"Let me tell you, can this intelligence still be called intelligence?"

"If you want to know, you have to take this out."

Shang Bo rubbed his fingers, gesturing for money.

"I can only give you ten gold bars, at most add another thousand US dollars, give me some face, how about that?" Li Ya asked.

"Team Leader Li."

"I also want to give you face."

"But face can't be eaten as a meal; right now, prices in Jinhai change every day, if you don't have real gold and silver, you'll go hungry."

"Brother is also from Yancheng, you should know what it's like when there's no grain in the vat."

Shang Bo sneered.

"I only have this much on hand."

"How about this, you take it first and owe me the rest, and I'll pay it back slowly."

Li Ya frowned, troubled.

"Sorry, then I can't help you!"

"Team Leader Li, I'll say it again."

"If you don't buy it, there are plenty of people who will; don't regret it later." Shang Bo stared at him, his sneer mixed with a bit of playfulness.

Li Ya didn't say any more nonsense and turned to leave.

Money, he didn't have.

Who Deep Sea was, he had already guessed.

Yu Zecheng.

Anyway, he already had a clue, no need to be this sucker.

"Team Leader Li, don't regret it!"

Shang Bo shouted behind him.

Hehe.

Regret!

Once I confirm the relationship between Wang Cuiping and Chen Qiupin, I'll catch you and beat you, then we'll see if you still dare to ask for gold bars.

One Xie Ruolin.

One Shang Bo.

Neither of you will escape the electric chair.

"Stupid bird!"

Li Ya spat and turned out quickly.

Returning to his office.

He took out Yu Zecheng's file, along with Ma Kui and Liu Xiong's data, and started taking notes on paper.

No matter how he looked at it, both he and his wife were highly suspicious.

But the investigation had made no progress.

The Teacher was right.

Everything must be supported by evidence; just saying it with one's mouth is useless.

Especially when facing an opponent as cunning as Yu Zecheng.

Just as he was worrying, the phone rang.

Li Ya picked it up: "Okay, I know."

He drove to the dilapidated small courtyard in Nankai.

Tang Dachun was already waiting.

"Team Leader Li, someone from the Butcher's side came out to purchase supplies, and brought the intelligence along."

"These are the photos and materials you wanted."

Tang Dachun handed him a file bag.

"Hard work."

Li Ya took out a handful of loose US dollars and handed them to him, not lingering too long, and hurried away.

Returning to his office.

He quickly opened the file bag.

The first document was Chen Qiupin's, the background relationship was very clear.

From Weitou Village.

Two years younger than Cuiping.

Older sister Chen Taohua, was the captain of the Second Mobile Corps Commander Battalion in Yixian, and had served as the Youth League branch secretary.

Li Ya's gaze fell on the photo again.

Chen Qiupin was in military uniform.

Except for a smaller mouth, she was almost a carbon copy of Cuiping.

Chen Qiupin.

Chen Taohua?

Wang Cuiping?

Sure enough, they were sisters.

This was as Red as it could get.

Li Ya couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Of course, he soon ran into trouble again.

Just a photo wouldn't make Yu Zecheng admit it.

Moreover, this was just an investigative document, without the original proof of Chen Taohua's identity.

Below was another one, about Zuo Lan.

Injured and missing, life or death unknown?

Not much nutritional value.

Li Ya touched his mouth with his fist, cold light flashing in his eyes as he made up his mind.

If he combined it with the intelligence in Old Shang's hands, maybe there would be a chance.

He quickly went to the Station Chief's office.

Wu Jingzhong was bowing his head to approve documents, he didn't look up, asking:

"Is something the matter?"

"Teacher, I went to the black market to buy intelligence today and got an accurate source."

"Deep Sea is lurking in our station."

"So, I want to apply for another fund to buy this intelligence."

Li Ya said.

"Are you sure it's in our station?" Wu Jingzhong put down his pen and said solemnly.

"The other side is very certain and asked for a high price."

"Teacher, since the time of Boss Dai, it has been rumored that the Jinhai Station has a Red ticket secret agent, and the superiors and headquarters attach great importance to this matter."

"Right now, we are repeatedly unsuccessful on the battlefield, a large part of the reason is because of the leakage of intelligence."

"If we can dig out Deep Sea, it will surely be a victorious battle to deter the arrogant arrogance of the Red tickets."

Li Ya said confidently.

"High price?"

"How high?" Wu Jingzhong frowned.

"Thirty gold bars." Li Ya said.

"Li Ya."

"Whether Deep Sea is in our station, I don't know."

"You are probably being bewitched by those guys who sell intelligence."

"They are famous for forging intelligence."

"Isn't this just some marketing tactic?"

"Today they say Deep Sea is in the station, tomorrow they'll say Ouyang Dage, Lou Shanguan, these people are also in the station."

"This person could be Deputy Station Chief Yu, could be Lu Qiaoshan."

"It could also become me, become you."

"This kind of thing cannot be believed."

"You are a senior intelligence officer, you should have this common sense."

"In my opinion, you just have too deep a prejudice against Deputy Station Chief Yu."

"Turn your mind to work, is the student work group built?"

"How many underground unions and traffic stations of the Red tickets have you investigated?"

"This is the top priority of your work."

Wu Jingzhong frowned very dissatisfiedly and pointed at him.

"Teacher..." Li Ya still wanted to speak.

Wu Jingzhong raised his hand to stop him: "If you really want intelligence, investigate it yourself, grab it yourself, I really can't pull out a penny from my pocket."

"Fine."

"But I want to go to your house tomorrow, I hope you can greet your wife."

Li Ya curled his lips helplessly.

"Eating by your own ability, I support it."

"It's settled."

Wu Jingzhong nodded.

Li Ya saw Wu Jingzhong bowing his head to approve documents, gave him a cold look, and then turned to leave.

How could he not be testing Wu Jingzhong.

Under normal circumstances, Wang Cuiping would go to the Station Chief's house to help look after the children, or accompany them to play mahjong or go shopping.

He had only told the Station Chief about dealing with Cuiping.

If Wang Cuiping didn't go tomorrow.

Then there was only one possibility, the Station Chief had tipped off Yu Zecheng, and they were in league.

This would be interesting.

The next day.

Yu Zecheng finished breakfast, picked up his briefcase, and prepared to change his shoes.

"Old Yu, Secretary Hong said Li Ya has been watching us lately, told us to be careful."

"Do you think I should still go to the bookstore and the Station Chief's house?"

Cuiping asked while tidying up the bowls and chopsticks.

"What did he say?" Yu Zecheng asked while brushing his leather shoes.

"He said I'd better act as usual, do what I usually do." Cuiping said.

"Then listen to him."

"Go to the Station Chief's house as usual."

"Regarding family matters, if anyone asks, like about our marriage, or your sister, answer as you should."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Hmm, understood, my sister just got separated during the Japanese trouble years ago, haven't seen her in some years." Cuiping nodded.

"Right."

"Li Ya is very cunning."

"No matter what he says, don't take it seriously, treat it with a normal heart."

"Remember?"

Yu Zecheng was very afraid Li Ya would ask about Cuiping's sister.

"Rest assured, I'm not stupid." Cuiping laughed.

Cuiping arrived at the Station Chief's house.

The Station Chief's house had a full staff of cooks and servants, plus a girl named Chou'er who had been there for many years, so Cuiping didn't have to do anything.

Wu Ruirui.

Besides feeding the child, most of the time she was reading or drawing.

Cuiping only had to accompany Mei Qiuju to talk, chat, and help change the baby's diapers.

"Sister, you shouldn't have come today."

Just after sitting down and washing her hands, Mei Qiuju rolled her eyes.

"Sister Mei, what, what do you mean?"

"You don't welcome me anymore."

Cuiping knew she had a good heart, so she deliberately acted dumb.

"Silly sister, I don't mean that."

"Didn't you often say your stomach hurt lately?"

"I was thinking, you should rest more at home."

Mei Qiuju hurriedly laughed and smoothed it over.

"No need, it stopped hurting long ago."

"I'm not like Wu Ruirui who can draw and knows foreign languages; with my personality, I can't stay cooped up at home."

Cuiping looked at Wu Ruirui who was watering flowers and said with envy.

"What's the use, can't eat it as a bun, just idle toys." Mei Qiuju said.

They chatted for a while.

Chou'er walked in: "Madam, Team Leader Li is here."

"Li Ya is here, please invite him in." Mei Qiuju glanced at Cuiping and smiled uncomfortably.

Wu Ruirui put down her brush and returned to her room.

Don't ask what shouldn't be asked.

Don't listen to what shouldn't be listened to.

Don't see people who shouldn't be seen.

This is the family style.

Soon, Li Ya walked in carrying gifts.

"Teacher's wife, sister-in-law, Wu Ruirui."

"Knowing that Wu Ruirui needs to replenish her body after giving birth, I specially bought a few bags of local eggs, please accept this little token." He greeted politely.

"You're here, why buy things, you're not an outsider." Mei Qiuju waved her hand, and Chou'er hurriedly took them.

"Team Leader Li is thoughtful." Cuiping busied herself and poured him tea.

They chatted for a while.

Mei Qiuju stood up and said: "The child is crying, I'll go take a look, you two chat."

"Teacher's wife, you go ahead." Li Ya stood up respectfully.

Cuiping was just about to follow, but Mei Qiuju glanced at her: "Sister, you entertain Li Ya for me, I'll be back in a moment."

"Okay, sister-in-law." Cuiping sat back down.

"Mrs. Yu, you've been in Jinhai for quite a while, right?" Li Ya asked with a smile.

"Anyway, longer than you." Cuiping chatted with him, not letting him have the upper hand.

She had thought about it, Li Ya didn't get along with her Old Yu.

As a "village woman", she had to protect her man, so she couldn't be too polite.

"Not necessarily."

"I came to Jinhai before the restoration, when Station Chief Chen was in charge."

"After that, I went to Yancheng."

"Didn't your Old Yu tell you?"

Li Ya raised his eyebrows and started fishing for information.

"Lu Qiaoshan said it at my house."

"Heard a bit."

Cuiping said.

"What did you hear?" Li Ya asked hurriedly.

"Said you aren't a thing, ungrateful."

"Eating dirt in Yancheng, paying people to get you swapped back from Xi'an, and you still managed to drive people away."

Cuiping curled her lips and said.

Li Ya was furious.

He took a slight breath, crossed his legs, and asked:

"Sister-in-law, you haven't been home for a long time, right? Commander Fu has taken back Yixian, it's much more convenient to go back now than before."

"Yeah."

"Before, when I went back, I was robbed by bandits."

"But there's nothing much to see, my parents died falling into a mountain ravine while fleeing the Japanese, only an aunt left, don't know if she's still there."

Cuiping said.

"Not right."

"I've seen the file, you should still have a sister."

Li Ya glanced at her and asked in a deep voice.

"There is one, got separated during the Japanese trouble, haven't heard from her in some years, reckon she's long gone."

"No, why do you keep asking about my family?"

"What's up, want me to help you play matchmaker?"

"First off, I can play matchmaker for anyone, but not for you."

"Who in Jinhai doesn't know about Miss Mei's affair?"

Cuiping was quick-tongued and sharp, not letting him have his way.

"I have a photo here, maybe you can take a look." Li Ya knew he couldn't get any solid information, so he took out Chen Qiupin's photo from his pocket and handed it over.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 269 =====