Chapter 27: Officers Must Not Take Concubines

Downstairs.

Wu Jingzhong and Mu Liancheng returned to the hall after finishing their tennis match.

Keiko had already prepared tea, a fruit platter, and snacks.

"Zecheng, where is Miss Wanqiu?" Wu Jingzhong sat down, taking a hot towel to wipe his face and clean his hands.

"She was just here..." Yu Zecheng said hurriedly.

Wu Jingzhong gave him a subtle, sharp glare.

What a damn waste of space!

He had been talking to her for days and still couldn't even win over a woman.

He had always suspected that Mu Liancheng was holding something back.

Those treasures were definitely hidden in some dark corner; you couldn't get a miser like that to cough them up just by raiding his house or forcing a confession.

He had counted on Yu Zecheng to get some solid information out of Wanqiu, but it seemed he couldn't count on that either.

Yu Zecheng met his gaze and lowered his head in shame.

"Station Chief Wu, young people need time to build a relationship, let's take it slow.

"Section Chief Yu is a Major with a bright future; Wanqiu will come to understand that."

Mu Liancheng chimed in with a forced smile.

"I hope so." Wu Jingzhong sighed.

Immediately, he turned a sharp gaze toward Mu Liancheng:

"Proprietor Mu, let's talk about you. Your distillery in Yuezhou has some major problems."

"Station Chief Wu, what... what is wrong with the distillery?" Mu Liancheng panicked.

"The people over there sent a telegram saying your distillery is suffering from severe operating losses, and there is a huge funding gap for equipment, estate maintenance, and so on.

"You specifically found a mess for me to clean up, didn't you, brother?"

Wu Jingzhong tilted his head and tapped the tea table, his gaze cunning and cold as a wolf's.

"This..."

Facing this man-eating tiger, Mu Liancheng didn't know how to respond.

The distillery's products had always sold well and were very popular among the upper echelons of the municipal government and the garrison in Xiangdao and Yuedong.

If only the Japanese hadn't been so incompetent.

He had originally planned to open a branch in Xiangdao.

How the hell did it become a mess just days after changing hands?

To extort money to this extent—did they have no shame left?

Bastard!

Mu Liancheng looked at Keiko, feeling somewhat at a loss.

"Station Chief Wu, this matter is indeed our oversight, and we have caused you trouble.

"How about this: you name a figure, and we will cover the deficit for you right now."

Keiko understood and asked in a soft, gentle voice.

As she spoke, this still-charming woman deliberately leaned forward, exposing a large portion of her snowy white chest before Wu Jingzhong.

Yu Zecheng, standing to the side, was startled.

Wu Jingzhong swept his gaze over her without the slightest ripple of emotion.

He had long since passed his playboy days; apart from money and antiques, nothing else caught his eye.

"Zecheng, I don't understand business matters, you handle it..."

Before Wu Jingzhong could finish his sentence, he saw Hong Zhiyou walking over with Wanqiu, the two of them chatting and laughing.

"Secretary Hong?" He frowned and barked.

"Station Chief? Why are you here? I—I hope I haven't interrupted official business." Hong Zhiyou appeared flustered.

Wu Jingzhong's expression remained cold; he gestured for Yu Zecheng to continue.

Yu Zecheng stood to the side, hands clasped, and said: "I have reviewed the reports sent from Yuezhou.

"Aside from a batch of machinery that needs replacement and repair, as well as account deficits, when you add it all up, it comes to at least...

"Twenty thousand US dollars!"

"Twenty thousand US dollars!" Mu Liancheng's eyes went wide.

He wasn't short on money.

But this was too much; it really stung.

"Cough, cough!" Wu Jingzhong almost choked on his tea as well.

On the way over, he and Yu Zecheng had agreed on five thousand US dollars—a small, steady stream of income.

Who knew Yu Zecheng would open his mouth and multiply it several times over? He was even more ruthless than himself.

"Station Chief Wu, twenty thousand US dollars... isn't that too much?" Mu Liancheng pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his sweat incessantly.

"Proprietor Mu used to deal in shipping and foreign trade; US dollars should be the last thing you're short of.

"Of course, if you think it's too much, Station Chief Wu can return this mess to you.

"Think about it carefully."

Yu Zecheng said with a forced, insincere smile.

"Fine, twenty thousand US dollars is no problem." Keiko made the decision.

She stood up and went into the inner room.

Soon, she returned with two stacks of brand-new hundred-dollar bills.

Wu Jingzhong and Yu Zecheng were both stunned.

Hong Zhiyou had only two words for it: truly wealthy.

There were many people in Jinhai who could produce twenty thousand US dollars, but to produce them in new, hundred-dollar denominations was rare.

US dollars were valuable right now.

Most of what circulated on the market were 10s and 20s.

Even black market dealers like Section Chief Xu or Long Er found it hard to get their hands on hundred-dollar bills.

"Station Chief Wu, the money is here, please accept it.

"As for the label of traitor on Mr. Mu, I leave that to you."

Keiko bowed gracefully, offering a reminder.

"I have my own arrangements regarding the traitor matter, Secretary Hong." Wu Jingzhong suppressed his joy and waved his hand with a cold expression.

Hong Zhiyou picked up the crisp, fragrant US bills.

He checked them carefully, and after confirming they were genuine, he nodded and handed them to Yu Zecheng.

Old Yu expressionlessly tucked them into his bag.

"Station Chief Wu, have some tea."

At noon, Wu Jingzhong and his golden dual pistols enjoyed a lavish seafood feast at Mu Liancheng's home.

After the meal.

Wanqiu prepared fruit and drinks.

Wu Jingzhong went to the balcony and sat under a parasol, looking out at the mountain scenery:

"Secretary Hong, come here."

The others tactfully withdrew.

"Station Chief." Hong Zhiyou leaned in, bowing slightly.

"Sit." Wu Jingzhong picked up a glass of mango juice and handed it to him:

"How did you end up here?"

"Miss Wanqiu is my girlfriend. The last time I was hunted by the Cao Gang, I spent the night here." Hong Zhiyou replied, holding the drink.

"Then why didn't you say so earlier?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Mu—Mu Liancheng is a traitor, I was afraid of affecting my progress." Hong Zhiyou said timidly.

"You child, really.

"Traitor or not, what does it matter? I'm asking you, how far has your relationship with his niece gone?" Wu Jingzhong leaned forward and asked.

"Quite well."

"How well is 'quite well'? Have you slept together?

"We're both men, don't be coy, answer honestly." Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and asked with a laugh.

"We... we have." Hong Zhiyou said.

"Tsk!"

Wu Jingzhong slapped the back of his hand, delighted: "I told you you were a veteran in the game of love; you can't be too gentle with these young girls.

"Section Chief Yu has been courting her for half a month and hasn't made any headway.

"It just so happens that Mu Liancheng wants his niece to marry into our Juntong station.

"I think you're a good fit; it'll be you."

"Station Chief, will Section Chief Yu... will he have any objections?" Hong Zhiyou asked deliberately.

"What objections could he have?"

"In a few days, my wife from back home is coming to Jinmen."

"Besides, it is against the law for an officer to take a concubine."

"Even if he had objections, I could not agree to it."

Wu Jingzhong said in a low, solemn voice.

Heh.

So you do know it is against the law for an officer to take a concubine... Hong Zhiyou looked respectful and grateful:

"Thank you, Station Chief, for your consideration."

Wu Jingzhong crooked his finger, and Hong Zhiyou leaned in closer.

He whispered: "Don't even mention these jars and pots; I have a hunch that Mu Liancheng definitely has a large stash of good treasures hidden away."

"Those are all the property of the Party-State; if even a fraction is lost, you and I will be sinners."

"Zhiyou, you should have a good talk with that young girl."

"Strive to dig up all of Mu Liancheng's secrets for me."

"Yes, to serve the Party-State, this student will not shirk his duty." Hong Zhiyou stood up abruptly and saluted with a military gait.

"Sit, sit down."

Seeing his beloved subordinate was so sensible, Wu Jingzhong was extremely satisfied.

"Tell me honestly, are you here today to compete with Director Yu?" He looked at Hong Zhiyou with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Hong Zhiyou looked at Wu Jingzhong.

The old fox's gaze was profound.

He realized this was not a simple question.

If he answered incorrectly, it would be a disaster for him and for Yu Zecheng.

(End of chapter)