Chapter 270: Ill-Gotten Gains Must Be Seized

Lu Qiao walked into the Ministry of National Defense building with a light, brisk step.

Zheng Jiemin was looking at a map.

"Report!" Lu Qiao walked in, stomped his leather shoes, and saluted.

"Qiao Shan, you've come at just the right time.

"We are entering March immediately.

"Hu Zongnan's six-route, 230, 00-strong army has finished assembling; they will launch a total offensive against Yancheng in a few days. The entire Party and State are holding their breath, waiting for this one battle."

Zheng Jiemin spoke to him in Cantonese.

That is the one good thing about being from the same hometown; conversation is convenient and intimate.

"Indeed.

"The Red Faction has been surrounded for so long, they are starved to the point of collapse; this is a one-sided war.

"It is only because people like Fu Zuoyi are not cooperating.

"In my view, this war should have been fought long ago; it has been dragged out until now for no reason.

"Hu Zongnan is likely to make a great name for himself this time."

Lu Qiao smiled with a hint of jealousy.

This was a great achievement that would leave his name in the history books; after this battle, Hu Zongnan would surely soar to the skies.

"Indeed.

"In the past, in Huadong, the National Army suffered repeated setbacks, and the Generalissimo was once extremely furious.

"It is time to regain some face.

"Qiao Shan, when Hu Zongnan starts the fight, the Second Bureau's intelligence line must also have some highlights.

"That Ma Hansan in Beiping relies on Li Zongren to act lawlessly; Dai Li wanted to move against him while he was still alive, but unexpectedly, he passed away first.

"The Generalissimo has long found this man an eyesore.

"Mao Renfeng is too cautious and dawdling in his work; my intention is for you to go to Beiping to clean things up. It would be best if you could finish off Ma Hansan, but even if you cannot, you must at least make him lose a layer of skin."

Zheng Jiemin stood with one hand behind his back, giving his orders with majesty.

"Rest assured, my lord, Qiao Shan will certainly give his all and make Ma Hansan pay dearly," Lu Qiao said righteously.

"Wrong.

"He won't even have a pocket left; he will have to leave with nothing!

"By the way.

"Your sister-in-law returned to Beiping yesterday; when you have time, go see her," Zheng Jiemin changed the subject and said indifferently.

"Sister-in-law went to Beiping?

"It's so cold this time of year," Lu Qiao said casually with a smile.

Zheng Jiemin could not help but frown and pout, feeling displeased.

How could he not understand what was being said?

In this world, sensible people like his old partner Wu Jingzhong were, after all, few and far between.

"Sigh, it is all for the sake of money.

"You know that I have always been incorruptible; if you are not incorruptible, you have no prestige, and your words carry no weight.

"Why does the Generalissimo repeatedly entrust me with heavy responsibilities?

"It is precisely because of these two words."

Zheng Jiemin turned around, pointed at the "Integrity" plaque behind him, and said with a solemn face.

"Indeed.

"It is said that these two words were inscribed by the Generalissimo himself for you.

"If everyone in the Party and State were like you, the Generalissimo and Jiang Jianfeng would not have to worry about corruption."

Lu Qiao still did not grasp the true essence and spoke in a disjointed manner.

"Sigh.

"Every family has its own difficult scriptures to recite.

"When water is too clear, there are no fish; when an official is too honest, there is no surplus.

"Your sister-in-law complains every day that we cannot make ends meet at home; that is why she is throwing a tantrum and ran off to Beiping.

"She is Lu Ming's godmother; when you go to Beiping, persuade him."

Zheng Jiemin sighed leisurely and hinted again.

"Understood.

"I will certainly persuade Lady to return," Lu Qiao said.

"How will you persuade her?" Zheng Jiemin was about to lose his temper; his gaze became sharp, staring straight at this dense fool.

Lu Qiao felt his hair stand on end under the stare and was a bit bewildered.

Soon, he licked his lips and smiled:

"This subordinate understands.

"Ma Hansan is known as the King of North China and the number one profiteer in the North; his family fortune could rival that of Heshen.

"Kill Heshen, and Jiaqing gets fat.

"Kill Ma Hansan..."

Lu Qiao had, after all, spent a long time with Wu Jingzhong and quickly reacted.

"That's it.

"For a massive corrupt official like this, you must strike hard.

"Now that a bunch of people are watching Ma Hansan, you must seize the opportunity as soon as possible.

"I appoint you as the Special Inspector of the Second Bureau; lead the inspection team to Beiping overnight, attached to the Beiping Garrison Headquarters.

"Remember: be precise, ruthless, and fast.

"Kawashima Yoshiko is still locked in prison; this Japanese spy has significant influence and a certain amount of international public opinion. The Generalissimo's intention is to have her interrogated thoroughly.

"Go as an inspector to preside over the interrogation, and use the matter of the Japanese woman to properly clean up Ma Hansan.

"If there are any issues, you can discuss them with your sister-in-law.

"Do you understand?"

Zheng Jiemin, fearing he would not grasp the full meaning, gave him a hint.

"Understood. Lady has always been virtuous and possesses great wisdom; this subordinate will certainly follow her guidance," Lu Qiao said with a knowing smile.

"By the way, the student protests in Jinhai, and the many matters of the Confidential Bureau..." He had not forgotten his real business.

"Put the Jinhai matter aside for now.

"Once you fire that shot in Beiping, then go to Jinhai; that will be returning home in glory.

"Thinking about Jinhai now is ill-timed; without merit, there is no prestige, and people will not fear you.

"Once you have handled an old veteran like Ma Hansan, then make a bloody, unexpected return; Wu Jingzhong will be scared to death."

Zheng Jiemin picked up his booklet, glanced at it, tossed it aside, and said.

"Yes." Lu Qiao received the order and left, feeling somewhat dejected.

Zheng Jiemin frowned slightly.

Lu Qiao had ability and brains, but he had chosen the wrong opponent.

His old partner Wu Jingzhong was a thousand-year-old fox.

Even he himself had suffered a loss over the deputy station chief matter; he feared that if Qiao Shan went to Jinhai, he would have little chance of winning, and might even end up sacrificing his political future.

However, Zheng Jiemin had no intention of stopping him.

Lu Qiao was a good blade, and it was time to prick Wu Jingzhong and let him know pain.

Last time, for Shufen's birthday.

Wu Jingzhong played dumb and only sent two pieces of warehouse junk.

The old rascal had made a fortune in Jinhai, yet he was trying to dismiss him with such a pittance.

Once he knew pain.

He would naturally remember his old classmate and old superior.

Jinhai.

Early spring, the sun was warm.

Wu Jingzhong was holding Lele and taking a walk in the garden; as he walked, he beamed with joy and teased her:

"Come, little Jinfeng, call me Grandpa."

Mei Qiuju and Rurui both pouted, pretending they did not hear.

Old Wu was just an old stubborn mule.

He just felt that Jinfeng was the right name.

He could not be bothered to care what Rurui thought; each would call her what they wanted.

"Teacher, someone from Jingling has come and wishes to see you," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Who?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Yang Shuhui," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Yang Shuhui?"

"Zhou Fohai's wife!" Wu Jingzhong asked in surprise.

"Yes, didn't the Supreme Court's Chief Justice Jin Shiding and Chen Shengzu sentence him to death last year? He refused to accept it and wanted to appeal, right?

"Zhou refuses to accept it.

"A few days ago, the first tribunal announced that the verdict was down, still upholding the death penalty.

"Yang Shuhui panicked.

"Word had been put out that even if it meant bankruptcy, she had to save Zhou Fohai's life.

"This woman searched all over the Ministry of National Defense in Jingling, but no one dared to take on this matter."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"A dog of a traitor, having eaten his fill of human blood buns, now wants to save his life, ha." Wu Jingzhong sneered.

"That's right.

"People like this wouldn't be a pity to die a hundred times over." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"How did that woman find her way to Jinhai?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

He gave a look, and Mei Qiuju hurriedly took the child away.

"She knows you and Jiang Jianfeng are old classmates.

"She wants to beg you to facilitate this matter; as long as Zhou's life can be saved, she will do anything."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"What do you think?" Wu Jingzhong stopped in his tracks and looked at him.

"Teacher, I think Zhou Fohai deserves to die and must die, but his money is innocent.

"That is all the hard-earned wealth of the common people.

"If we don't squeeze it out now while Yang Shuhui is muddled.

"Once she thinks it through and casts Zhou to the back of her mind, she will very likely roll up the money and fly abroad.

"Teacher, once the capital is gone, it will be difficult to dig the money back from abroad.

"I think you can bring this up with Jiang Jianfeng."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Leave, how can he leave?

"His home has already been raided clean." Wu Jingzhong hummed.

"Teacher, people like Zhou Fohai and Mu Liancheng have eyes on the back of their heads; a home raid can never be thorough. You can only say that one does their best to seize what they can.

"Isn't it just right that the higher-ups have been asking me to raise funds to privately purchase arms from the American military for Fu Zuoyi?

"Draining Zhou Fohai dry can produce another sum.

"Teacher, you keep some, and I can hand over the rest to complete the task."

Hong Zhiyou said.

Right now, Yu Zecheng is urging for supplies and arms every day.

Those Americans only recognize money, not people; it must be cash on delivery.

Hong Zhiyou himself doesn't have that much liquid cash.

Furthermore, he doesn't have the great righteousness to invest his entire fortune into this matter like Yong Jianqiu.

Where will the money come from?

It must come from the pocket of the Generalissimo.

Now that the Generalissimo and Jiang Jianfeng have just tossed out a demand to raise funds, it is clear they are unwilling to pay.

Then this money can only be paid by traitors like Zhou Fohai and Ding Mocun.

Once the money is squeezed out, buy the arms.

Manipulate the prices in secret; what the Nationalist Army gets on the surface is actually a sixty-forty split.

The other forty percent flows into Yanbian and the Northeast.

The key is that Hong Zhiyou is very clear that the Generalissimo would never let this bunch of dog traitors live.

Historically, Zhou Fohai's death sentence was indeed commuted by Jiang.

Moreover, he died in prison the following year.

Kill the traitor to seize his wealth, and use it for the military.

Perhaps that is exactly what the Generalissimo is thinking?

"During the Japanese occupation, the mountains of gold and silver that Zhou Fohai and Ding Mocun raked in were enough to make even Boss Dai jealous.

"I estimate that in their hands, there is a massive fortune worth at least several hundred thousand US dollars.

"As for precious cultural relics, they are countless.

"You are right.

"The things of our ancestors and the common people must absolutely not be rolled away by this woman.

"They must be squeezed out!

"However, this person's reputation is too foul; it is not convenient for you or me to come forward. If someone catches us by the pigtail, that is a matter of losing one's head.

"We must find a middleman, preferably someone who can pass it through several hands, someone who can completely exclude you from it.

"This person must have some reputation and be able to speak in front of the Generalissimo.

"And they must have the guts to take this money.

"This kind of person is not easy to find."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"There actually is such a person.

"Do you remember when Sun Ke came to Jinhai and had someone forge Li Zongren's handwriting?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Liu Yunchen!

"That calligrapher?" Wu Jingzhong raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Yes.

"He is a close friend of Chen Bulei, and this person is a hypocrite who privately indulges in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling. He spends money like water and his wallet is chronically empty.

"Let him talk to Yang Shuhui.

"Once it's settled, have Chen Bulei convey it to the Generalissimo.

"This way, we collect Yang Shuhui's money.

"And the Generalissimo squeezes another sum of arms fees out of him; isn't that a happy ending for everyone?

"And you can rest assured, the middleman I found is absolutely reliable.

"No matter how they investigate, they won't be able to trace it back to me."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Good, I trust you with matters; go ahead and do it." Wu Jingzhong said.

"By the way, there is one more thing.

"Lu Qiaoshan has led a Ministry of National Defense Second Bureau inspection team and has already arrived in Beiping.

"It is said they are here to oversee the interrogation of Kawashima Yoshiko.

"Additionally, they might be moving against Ma Hansan."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"That is very likely.

"That insatiable wife of Zheng Jiemin came to Beiping to stake out the place before the new year. I know this woman; she never leaves empty-handed.

"Since she has come, she won't leave until she has drained Ma Hansan dry."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"Teacher, I think we need to pull Ma Hansan back from the brink.

"Ma Hansan is about to collapse.

"His money will definitely be pried away by Zheng Jiemin digging three feet into the ground.

"We are still counting on him to transfer money to Xiangdao."

Hong Zhiyou frowned and said.

"That is fine.

"This Lu Qiaoshan, in my view, is here with ill intent. When you went to Jingling to talk to him, just based on his attitude toward me, this person is not someone who can be tamed.

"You go to Beiping first to sound him out.

"Lu Qiaoshan is a new official taking office, and he will surely want to achieve results.

"We must make him like Li Ya, failing at the very first shot.

"Then his spirit will be gone."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"Yes!" Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

"No rush, get Yang Shuhui's money in hand first before you go; let Ma Hansan trade a few blows with him first." Wu Jingzhong said.

……

Hong Zhiyou took a few detours and entrusted someone to pass the word to Liu Yunchen.

This guy was indeed greedy for money.

He agreed immediately and met with Yang Shuhui through a middleman.

After the terms were settled.

Liu Yunchen flew to Jingling that very day to meet with Chen Bulei.

Conversations between scholars are simple.

Once patriotic sentiment and national righteousness were brought up, Chen Bulei was deeply moved and immediately agreed to submit a petition to the Chairman.

As expected.

The Chairman had long intended this and immediately issued instructions to the High Court to commute Zhou Fuhai's death sentence and imprison him instead.

Everything could be described as water flowing to form a channel.

……

Jinhai Station.

Wu Jingzhong was in the middle of a conversation with Yu Zecheng.

"Teacher."

"This is the commission brought back by the middleman."

Hong Zhiyou carried a leather suitcase into the room, and upon opening it, the inside was filled with bars of gold, so bright they made one's eyes ache.

"So much?" Even Wu Jingzhong was greatly astonished.

"One hundred jin of gold," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Zhou Fuhai is very clever; he converted most of his assets into gold, a full ton of it, almost catching up to the reserves of the Jinhai branch."

"This gold is currently stored at the Jinhai Port docks."

"It is fortunate that you, Station Chief, had me keep a close watch on Yang Shuhui, allowing us to dig it out while she was in the middle of transferring it."

"Otherwise, if it had dragged on for a while longer, it would very likely have been transferred overseas."

Yu Zecheng chimed in.

"You did a good job on this task."

"The Chairman has specifically commended Chen Bulei, and at the same time commended Zecheng for his meritorious service in investigating the gold, along with the previous incident of pouncing on the assassin, recording two merits in a row."

"It is a pity, however, that because Jiang Jianfeng has a prejudice against you, he did not grant you a promotion in rank."

"Otherwise, you should have been a Colonel and Deputy Station Chief by now."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at Yu Zecheng, shaking his head with a sigh.

"Teacher, what rank the student holds is not important; as long as I can serve by your side, that is enough," Yu Zecheng said with a humble smile.

"Take this, this is yours."

"If the Chairman won't reward you, I cannot treat a meritorious official unfairly."

Wu Jingzhong smiled, took out two gold bars and handed them to Yu Zecheng, then closed the lid and tucked the suitcase under the coffee table.

He did not give any to Hong Zhiyou.

They were family; there was no need to divide it, it all belonged to Lele.

"Many thanks, Teacher," Yu Zecheng said, overjoyed.

"Have you heard about the situation in Beiping?" After the three of them sat down, Wu Jingzhong asked with his arms crossed.

"What situation?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"About Lu Qiaoshan."

"Acting on orders from Zheng Jiemin, this man has been very heavy-handed in his reorganization in Beiping."

"It is said that when interrogating Kawashima Yoshiko, he took the seat of honor, and even the special envoy sent by Li Zongren, as well as Qiao Jiacai and Wang Puchen, had to sit on the sidelines."

"Look at the airs he is putting on; he really thinks of himself as an imperial envoy."

Wu Jingzhong sneered.

"He is also spreading rumors everywhere."

"Saying I have major problems—what could I possibly have done?"

"Isn't it just that little private matter regarding Mu Liancheng?"

"A dog that cannot be tamed."

"I let him off the hook regarding the Zhang Si matter."

"He leaked secrets, and I didn't even subject him to torture; he doesn't know what's good for him, and now he turns around and wants to bite me."

"Isn't this just a damn beast?"

Wu Jingzhong cursed, his fingers trembling with irritation.

"It seems that Officer Zheng has given him quite a lot of power this time."

"Teacher, I... I snatched his position as Deputy Station Chief; do you think he will take action against me too?"

Yu Zecheng said.

"What is there to fear?"

"Isn't he just an inspector?"

"You are afraid."

"There is someone next door who is even more afraid than you."

"Zhiyou, go pay Li Ya a visit; he still has some skills."

"If you two join forces, who knows what you might be able to stir up."

"In a word, he can show off his prestige wherever he likes, just don't let him come to Jinhai."

Wu Jingzhong ordered.

He was feeling somewhat panicked inside.

Lu Qiaoshan knew many of the station's inside secrets.

Especially since he had long been in charge of the crucial Intelligence Division.

Not to mention anything else.

During the military mediation period, Lu Qiaoshan was well aware of how he had used General Zhang Luolin's mission's high expenses at the club to line his own pockets.

And other things like Mu Liancheng, and all the money he had taken for favors these past few days.

If he were to expose a few of these, it would be very hard to bear the consequences.

"Yes, Teacher."

"It just so happens that the first batch of military aid for Fu Zuoyi has already been sent out."

"I have some free time recently, so I can just take a trip to Beiping with Captain Li."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"How about I accompany you?" Yu Zecheng offered.

"Don't."

"You have no open conflict with Lu Qiaoshan."

"There is no need to get yourself involved; if things really come to a head, it is always good to have an extra person to speak up."

Wu Jingzhong stopped him.

"Let Li Ya go."

"He is Lu Qiaoshan's mortal enemy; he will definitely strike hard," he added.

"Understood," Yu Zecheng replied.

After leaving the office, Yu Zecheng whispered as they walked:

"Will this Lu Qiaoshan be a problem for us?"

"He will!"

"It is obvious that once Zheng Jiemin gets a taste of the fat in Beiping, he will want to take Jinhai as well."

"At the very least, he will try to fix the Station Chief."

"At worst, he will have the Station Chief dismissed."

"At best, he will reach some sort of consensus, letting Lu Qiaoshan return as Deputy Station Chief or continue as Intelligence Division Chief, openly planting a nail to get a share of the spoils."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Then we must think of a way; we must not let him kill his way back to Jinhai, as that would mean bloodshed," Yu Zecheng said worriedly.

"By the way."

"Thank you for the matter of the arms."

"Did you listen to the radio last night?"

"The organization's radio station broadcasted a clear call, explicitly praising me and related friendly individuals—they were talking about you."

"This batch of arms and medicine you provided was truly a timely rain."

"Hu Zongnan has already started the attack."

"It is said that the planes and artillery haven't stopped from morning till night."

"The entire Yancheng has almost been turned upside down."

"The soldiers are in desperate need of these things right now."

Yu Zecheng whispered his gratitude.

"Am I sick? Why would I listen to your radio station for no reason?" Hong Zhiyou rolled his eyes at him.

"Don't thank me."

"If you want to thank someone, thank that ton of gold from Zhou Fuhai."

"Thank the Chairman for his generosity."

"Six for the Nationalist Army, four for you; this is already the limit of what I can manipulate. Just counting this job as the toll for the transport line and the commission for General Fiersen, I've only earned enough for a pack of cigarettes."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"However, you had better pray that I can get rid of Lu Qiao."

"Ma Han is about to reach his breaking point over there."

"Lu Qiao has his eyes on this transport line; once it's investigated, the transport line will be completely severed."

"By then, even if I can get the supplies, I won't be able to transport them in."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"This old Lu."

"He really never does anything decent."

"Fine, I won't hold you up any longer; you should hurry and go find Captain Li."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Finding him? Wouldn't that be lowering my own status?"

"If you cling to someone, they won't take you seriously."

"He has to be the one to come find me; wouldn't it be better to fish for a favor that way?"

Hong Zhiyou laughed and said.

"You."

"You've really become a sly fox."

Yu Zecheng was convinced.

He himself was a person who was very particular about details.

But compared to Hong Zhiyou, who was still nitpicking details when things were already at a critical juncture, there was truly no one like him.

Hong Zhiyou returned to his office.

He drank tea, smoked, and read magazines.

He simply didn't believe it.

If the Emperor isn't anxious, how could the eunuch not be?

How could Li Ya not come knocking on his door voluntarily?

(End of chapter)