Chapter 271: Killing Two Birds with One Stone

The Operations Section office.

Li Ya is very panicked right now.

Regarding the previous assassination, he was nearly dragged down by Mao Wanli.

Although Jiang Jianfeng said "not to let it happen again."

But this time, for the investigation into the gold reserves of Zhou Fuhai, the Station Chief was directly instructed by Jiang Jianfeng to handle the matter, and the person handling it was Yu Zecheng, someone Jiang Jianfeng holds in suspicion.

Clearly, he has once again lost the trust of Jiang Jianfeng.

He looked at the commendation order and the Third-Class Cloud Banner Medal hanging on the wall, feeling very uneasy in his heart.

They hadn't even stayed warm yet.

He had been cast into the cold palace again.

Without the protection of Jiang Jianfeng, this time Lu Qiaoshan is making a big scene in Beiping, interrogating Kawashima Yoshiko and rectifying corruption, with the spearhead pointed directly at Ma Hansan.

Ma Hansan, of all people.

He dares to touch anyone, no matter how deep their roots.

Once he kills his way to Jinhai, he will definitely deal a fatal blow to him.

Li Ya knows that he has quite a few bad debts on his hands.

Just the death of Dong Cheng alone, the investigation has been restarted.

And the repeated sabotage of military supplies transport.

In the past, he was accused to his face by Lu Qiaoshan of being a communist agent; if this kid insists on pinning that label on him, without Jiang Jianfeng's protection, this hurdle is inescapable.

Not to mention anything else.

Being invited for tea three times a day is more than he can bear.

Li Ya is waiting.

Waiting for the Station Chief to make a move, or for Yu Zecheng or Hong Zhiyou to make a move.

It is no secret that Lu Qiaoshan has been making threats against the Station Chief everywhere.

If he waits for the Station Chief to act, he won't have to be so passive.

"How is it, has Secretary Hong come out yet?" Li Ya asked.

"He has.

"He was chatting and laughing with Deputy Station Chief Yu," Gao Yuan said.

"At a time like this, they still have the heart to chat and laugh?" Li Ya frowned and said.

"I understand, you go ahead first.

"Tell the Third Section to keep a close eye on things in Beiping, and contact me immediately if there is any movement."

He instructed.

Once Gao Yuan left, Li Ya took a small box out of his pocket; he opened it to reveal a jade bracelet of excellent quality.

This was originally a gift Li Ya had prepared for a visit to Yu Zecheng, after the Station Chief advised him to get closer to him.

But later he thought it wasn't worth it.

Yu Zecheng became Deputy Station Chief; without his own support, could he have attained the position?

Logically, he should be the one thanking him.

Why should he be the one paying out of his own pocket?

Therefore, Li Ya had never been willing to give it away.

As it happens, it has come in handy now.

He picked up the box and walked quickly to Hong Zhiyou's office:

"Secretary Hong, are you busy?"

"Not busy, I'm just idling," Hong Zhiyou put down his magazine and said with a relaxed face.

"About the matter in Beiping..." Li Ya hesitated, looking at him sideways.

"You're talking about Old Lu, right?

"Don't overthink it, this is aimed at our station.

"Interrogating Kawashima Yoshiko, the Japanese side, and those old war criminals like Okamura Yasuji who have been operating for years—the Ministry of National Defense, the Party Affairs Bureau, they've pulled strings everywhere.

"They've even sent kind words all the way to the Generalissimo.

"Nothing works; it must be a death sentence, and it has to be a public execution, reported internationally.

"Look at how iron-fisted that approach is.

"This is killing the chicken to scare the monkey, and they're treating us like the monkeys."

Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Don't you think he's afraid of offending people by doing this?

"Ma Hansan is a veteran at playing dirty."

Li Ya swallowed hard and frowned.

"He's under the Beiping Garrison Headquarters, who dares to touch him?

"Who doesn't know that he is the first fire Zheng Jiemin lit after becoming Deputy Director?

"Who would dare to touch him at a time like this? Wouldn't that be slapping Zheng Jiemin in the face?"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Do you think he will really kill his way back to Jinhai?" Li Ya asked.

"That's for certain.

"Think about it, Lu Qiaoshan left with hatred.

"With his temperament, do you think he would be at ease without making a return strike?"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Aren't you worried about the Station Chief?

"He is, after all, the father of Ruirui.

"Lu Qiaoshan is making threats everywhere, saying he wants to investigate the Station Chief," Li Ya said.

"No need to worry about that.

"Lu Qiaoshan represents the will of Zheng Jiemin; Director Zheng and the Station Chief are old classmates, and they were once old partners—their relationship is very good.

"If things really get heated, just send some things to Ke Shufen, and this hurdle will pass."

Hong Zhiyou smiled, not mentioning how Li Ya had kicked Lu Qiaoshan while he was down.

That would be too low-class.

It is better to let people speak for themselves than to speak about them.

It is better to be harmonious and speak well than to speak of evil.

This is the secret Wu Jingzhong taught by example.

Just like how Mao Renfeng and Mao Wanli were always aggressive, but when Mao Renfeng was in an awkward position, Wu Jingzhong always maintained a respectful attitude, protecting the other party's face.

Without the slightest air of victory or showing off.

Making people feel comfortable even when they lose.

And even having them turn around to treat you as a confidant and be grateful.

Li Ya became even more panicked upon hearing this.

The Station Chief has a way to get out of it, but he doesn't.

"Secretary Hong.

"To tell you the truth, I used some small tricks when I sent Lu Qiaoshan away.

"That hatred of his will definitely be aimed entirely at me when he returns this time.

"If the Station Chief doesn't step in to mediate, I will be in a very difficult position."

Li Ya stopped pretending and said truthfully.

"That can't be, you are a member of the Iron Blood Youth League; how would Lu Qiaoshan dare to actually touch you?" Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Don't mention it.

"This time with the assassination of Lin Tai, I was screwed over by Mao Wanli.

"Plus the matter of finding female college students and the drinking and carousing was reported up, and Jiang Jianfeng no longer trusts me.

"It's a miracle I wasn't expelled from the Youth League."

Li Ya said with a bitter smile.

"Captain Li, don't be so pessimistic.

"Even if Jiang Jianfeng doesn't care about you, how could the Station Chief not care about you?

"Don't forget, you are his student.

"The Station Chief's intention is for you and me to take a trip to Beiping.

"To quietly give Lu Qiaoshan a hand.

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Hong Zhiyou said with a wink.

"Brother, I am, after all, an honor student from the Qingpu Class; I'm certainly not as good at business as you, but when it comes to setting traps, I still understand a thing or two.

"Listening to your tone, it sounds like you already have an idea?"

Li Ya asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hmm."

"It is very simple to get rid of Lu Qiaoshan."

"First, from the inside."

"Second, from the outside."

"As for internal matters, Lu Qiaoshan loves money, and there must be people in the inspection team he brought who also love money."

"If they accept bribes, what would happen if the newspapers stirred it up?"

"As for the outside."

"The bigger the moves Lu Qiaoshan makes this time, the more people he will offend."

"The most important thing right now is the siege of Yancheng."

"If we can stir up some trouble involving Hu Zongnan and Fu Zuoyi, and disrupt the military morale of these high-ranking officials, would the Chairman still tolerate his reckless behavior?"

"Not only that, Ke Shufen is right in Beiping."

"If she cannot get any kickbacks, and Lu Qiaoshan continues to cause such a mess, she will certainly go to Zheng Jiemin to whisper in his ear and make Lu Qiaoshan pay the price."

"When the forces from all sides descend at once, even if Lu Qiaoshan had three heads and six arms, he would not be able to withstand it."

Hong Zhiyou said indifferently.

"That makes sense."

"But how can we drag the two officers, Hu and Fu, into this?" Li Ya asked happily.

"That is something you must ask Ma Hansan."

"He is familiar with the officers of every group army; dragging one or two of them into this is a very simple matter."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"That is great."

"You and I should leave for Beiping immediately!" Li Ya was overjoyed.

"Captain Li."

"You are more familiar with Beiping than I am, so you should lead the team this time." Hong Zhiyou was in no rush to depart.

Li Ya understood instantly and hurriedly said:

"No, I am not familiar with Ma Hansan."

"How about this, you take full command of this operation, and I will be your assistant; wherever you point, I will strike."

"Fine, then it is settled, let us go." Hong Zhiyou said.

Beiping.

Early spring, the wind had been blowing for an entire day.

Ma Hansan, who had originally caught a cold, felt his mood worsening.

Nine o'clock in the evening.

He dragged his exhausted body and returned to his private residence, shivering.

"Yuzhu."

"Quick, bring me a basin of foot-washing water, make it hot, and boil a bowl of ginger sugar water to help me drive away the cold." Ma Hansan shouted.

Soon, Liu Yuzhu had everything prepared.

Ma Hansan soaked his feet and sipped the sugar water, only then feeling like his soul had returned:

"Sigh, this Lu Qiaoshan is truly not a decent person."

"Over such a trivial matter, he interrogates me eight or nine times a day."

"He sits in a high-backed chair, while he only gives me a folding stool."

"Each questioning lasts an hour or two, going around in circles, repeating the same few sentences."

"At this rate of interrogation, my old bones will be dismantled by him sooner or later."

"Director Ma, I heard Ke Shufen has arrived. Could Lu Qiaoshan be torturing you on purpose because he wants you to... why don't we just send him something to send him away?" Liu Yuzhu frowned and said.

"You are thinking too simply."

"These people are tigers; it is fine if they haven't tasted meat, but once they smell blood, they will not let go. No matter how much you feed them, it will never be enough to satisfy them." Ma Hansan said.

"Then what should we do?"

"Sigh, if I had known, you should have listened to me. We could have gone straight to Xiangdao; we could be drinking tea on the island right now, looking at the sea view, how nice that would be." Liu Yuzhu said.

"Yuzhu, you do not need to worry too much."

"I, Ma Hansan, am not someone anyone can just manipulate. Even Dai Li could not kill me, so what is he, Lu Qiaoshan?"

Ma Hansan said.

"Do you know why I am on the Chairman's blacklist, yet he has only been tapping me on the wrist and still lets me hold a high position to this day?" Ma Hansan asked with a smile.

"This subordinate does not know." Liu Yuzhu said.

"Because this position is one that only I can fill."

"What kind of place is Beiping?"

"It is a transit station for grain, fodder, and military equipment."

"The Northeast needs grain, Hu Zongnan and Sun Lianzhong need grain, and Fu Zuoyi needs it too."

"Who should this grain actually be given to?"

"That is a great art in itself."

"Soldiers cannot go a day without food, and these people are all big shots with guns in their hands."

"The Central Army, the Gui Clique, and the Jin-Sui Clique are already fighting fiercely."

"If one thing goes wrong, let alone fighting the war, our own people will start fighting each other first."

"Only I, Ma Hansan, can stand in this position."

"For the Central Army, I give every single bit."

"For the Jin-Sui Clique, if it is a little short, I use my own money to make up for it, so that none of their soldiers go hungry."

"Hehe."

"He, Lu Qiaoshan, wants to move against me, but the time has not yet come."

"At the very least, we must wait until Hu Zongnan completely wipes out the Red Tickets and the world is unified."

Ma Hansan laughed.

"But them wearing you down every day is not a solution either."

"Today it is questioning."

"Another day, it might turn into torture."

Liu Yuzhu said.

"He cannot keep this up for long. There are many who want me dead, but even more who want me alive."

"Do not worry."

"Someone will take action to deal with him."

"That man surnamed Lu should not think about getting a single cent from me."

Ma Hansan leaned back in his chair and said with narrowed eyes.

Just as he was speaking, the guard walked in:

"Director Ma, someone outside sent a letter."

"A letter?" Ma Hansan asked.

Just as he was about to reach out to take it, Liu Yuzhu called out to him, put on white gloves, and then took it: "Director Ma, it is better to be careful at a time like this."

As she spoke, she moved further away and carefully opened it:

"The old place!"

"The old place?"

"What old place?" Ma Hansan was a bit confused for a moment.

"Could it be Hong Zhiyou?"

"The place where we first met him."

"Now that the phones are all being monitored, besides him, no one would risk contacting you."

Liu Yuzhu analyzed.

Hong Zhiyou and Ma Hansan had a history of working together.

He was certainly the one who least wanted Ma Hansan to die.

"Let us go, then let us go see this old friend."

"Two cars."

Ma Hansan said.

Once outside, he and Liu Yuzhu each got into a car.

After circling around for a long time, they finally shook off their tails.

They arrived at the small alley house where they had first met Hong Zhiyou.

Creak!

Ma Hansan pushed the door open and walked in, instinctively drawing his gun with vigilance.

"Old brother, no need to be nervous, it is me."

Hong Zhiyou walked out from behind the door and closed it behind him.

"Brother, at a time like this, you are the only one who would come to see me," Ma Hansan said with a smile.

Once inside, he lit an oil lamp.

"Brother, how is your situation over here?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"The situation is very bad.

"Lu Qiaoshan is intensifying his torment of me.

"Although I am still in my position, given his methods, I fear he will turn up the pressure on me next."

Ma Hansan's expression remained calm; after all, he was a man who had seen great storms.

"Can you hold out?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"With these old bones of mine, I won't last many more days.

"But rest assured, you can take my life, but you won't get a cent from me.

"That man surnamed Zheng wants to squeeze grease from me, but he has miscalculated."

Ma Hansan sneered.

"Brother.

"I checked the list, and among the inspectors coming to Beiping this time, there is one named Zhang Zhiping.

"This man is an old fox.

"Do you think you could give him some money and get him to take the bait?"

Hong Zhiyou said.

"I understand what you mean.

"Lu Qiaoshan must have set rules for them, but he likely lacks the guts to reach out for anything involving me."

Ma Hansan said.

"Brother, aren't you looking at this too narrowly?

"Lu Qiaoshan isn't only targeting you with his cleanup in Beiping this time.

"Aren't there also people from the Beiping City Defense Bureau and the Grain Bureau?

"I have studied it carefully.

"There is a man named Liang Yueshan at the Grain Bureau who has acquaintances in Jingling who know Zhang Zhiping.

"You could find someone to lobby his family and, using that personal connection, arrange a meeting with Zhang Zhiping.

"Give enough money.

"Gold bars, US dollars—the more, the more conspicuous, the better.

"As long as we can capture evidence of Zhang Zhiping accepting bribes from Liang Yueshan's family, we can drag Lu Qiaoshan down with him."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"A fine strategy, brother," Ma Hansan blinked, pondered for a moment, and said happily.

The newspaper media won't care whether Lu Qiaoshan is taking bribes.

As long as the inspection team has taken money.

Once the papers stir it up, they won't have a leg to stand on.

If those inspecting corruption are corrupt themselves, who are you here to investigate?

The common people of Beiping won't stand for it either.

"Relying on this alone is not enough.

"Lu Qiaoshan will very likely publicly punish Zhang Zhiping to quell the storm.

"To truly hurt him to the bone, we must involve people like Hu Zongnan.

"Isn't he likely going to use torture?

"You endure some suffering.

"When you can no longer hold out, confess one name.

"I think it should be one of Hu Zongnan's men. Didn't Hu Zongnan just get married not long ago? I hear he is very doting on his Western-educated wife. Among the officers you know, are there any who have connections through his wife?

"Not direct relatives.

"Just someone on the periphery who also holds an important position.

"Once such a person is caught, it will affect military intelligence and allow us to ask Hu Zongnan's wife to intervene, which will give Hu Zongnan a real headache.

"Once the General is enraged, Lu Qiaoshan's days will be numbered.

"After all, the attack on Yancheng is imminent.

"If Lu Qiaoshan ruins the Commander-in-Chief's grand military plan, ten heads wouldn't be enough to pay for it."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Let me think," Ma Hansan said, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.

"I have it.

"The First Ace Army has a deputy logistics chief named Ye Tianhua.

"He is a fellow townsman of Mrs. Hu from Songyang, Zhedong.

"This man is notorious in the circle for reselling military supplies, and in a few days, a batch is scheduled to pass through a warehouse under my secret control.

"If we can catch him red-handed, let's see how Lu Qiaoshan handles the interrogation."

Ma Hansan's mind turned, and he quickly thought of a suitable candidate.

"Hmm.

"You certainly can't be the one to make the arrest.

"It must be a heavyweight figure who makes the arrest personally, so that it will be difficult for Lu Qiaoshan to release the person privately."

Hong Zhiyou said, rubbing his forehead.

"Then it can only be Qiao Jiacai or Wang Puchen," he said after a pause.

"Let it be Wang Puchen.

"Qiao Jiacai is one of Officer Delin's men.

"If he steps forward, the higher-ups will surely think he is deliberately trying to save me, and if it provokes the Commander-in-Chief's resentment, I will only die faster.

"I know my own situation.

"Zheng Jiemin wants money.

"But the only one who can take my life is the Commander-in-Chief, and it is not yet time for that."

Ma Hansan said.

"Brother, you are truly clear-headed.

"It's just that Wang Puchen is not easy to handle," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Indeed.

"This fellow was brought in by Mao Renfeng; he used to follow my lead in everything, and even though I am no longer the Beiping-Tianjin Director, he still treats me with great respect.

"But I know clearly that if one day I am to face the guillotine, it will surely be this man's doing.

"If I go to him, he will likely just smoke a cigarette and play dumb.

"Brother, you have a silver tongue.

"It all depends on you."

Ma Hansan shook his head, looking helpless.

"I will try.

"Perhaps there is some hope."

Hong Zhiyou pondered.

Wang Puchen is Mao Renfeng's confidant.

Mao Renfeng and Zheng Jiemin have always been at odds.

Zheng Jiemin was appointed Deputy Minister of National Defense, and his first fire was lit in Beiping; I suspect the person who most wants this fire extinguished is Mao Renfeng.

Catching Ye Tianhua and making Lu Qiaoshan cross paths with the current red-hot figure Hu Zongnan is something Mao Renfeng would likely be very happy to see.

After all, such opportunities do not come often.

Moreover, Wang Puchen's status is just right.

His rank is higher than Lu Qiaoshan's.

He is also considered a veteran in the Secret Service Bureau.

His authority is sufficient.

"Alright, then it is settled.

"I will go find Liang Yueshan's family and have him bribe Zhang Zhiping.

"Brother, you go persuade Wang Puchen.

"When Ye Tianhua comes to Beiping, we will catch him with the stolen goods at the warehouse."

Ma Hansan felt much better after the chat.

"Very well.

"Brother, be careful in everything, and try to hold out for a few more days before confessing.

"If you confess too quickly, it will be easy to see it's a fake.

"Don't forget, you are a veteran of the Military Statistics Bureau."

Hong Zhiyou instructed half-jokingly.

"What old Juntong Bureau.

"The moment Boss Dai's plane took to the sky, the Juntong Bureau passed away from this world.

"Enough talk, I have to go.

"Lest Lu Qiao's spies set their sights on you."

After Ma Han finished speaking, he walked away quickly.

Hong Zhiyou followed closely behind him.

He found a public telephone booth and dialed the number for Wang Puchen's home.

Wang Puchen had always been low-key.

Not many people knew the number for old Wang's home.

As it happened, Hong Zhiyou was one of them.

(End of chapter)