Chapter 272: The Duel Between Lu and Li

Hong Zhiyou picked up the phone and dialed Wang Puchen's number:

"Hello, Inspector Wang?"

"This is Hong Zhiyou. Is it convenient to meet?"

"I see."

"Alright."

Hanging up the phone, Hong Zhiyou was stunned.

That old fox Wang Puchen didn't even offer a polite word, starting right off with "not convenient."

Clearly, old Wang was going to play dead and stay out of it again.

But was that even possible?

Hong Zhiyou came to his senses and let out a cold, internal laugh.

Inside the courtyard house.

Wang Puchen sat in a small room by the window, puffing on cigarettes one after another.

As the night wind blew, his worries grew more tangled.

He knew deep down how firmly Ma Hansan's roots were planted.

Lu Qiaoshan's "blunt and aggressive" style of play would never be enough to kill Ma Hansan.

The key was that there were people who didn't want Ma Hansan to die.

That person might be Fu Zuoyi, or perhaps Li Zongren.

It was even more likely to be the Generalissimo.

Zheng Jiemin wanted money.

And Ma Hansan was notoriously stingy with his wealth, even at the cost of his life.

Zheng Jiemin might only see Ma Hansan as corrupt and wealthy, but Wang Puchen had followed Ma Hansan for a long time and knew well that while he did line his pockets, he was also supporting hundreds of thousands of troops and the people of Beiping.

Balancing the bowl of people's livelihoods and military supplies had always been a difficult task.

The fact that Fu Zuoyi's soldiers still had food to eat and the common people could still put some flour paste in their pots to this day was all thanks to Ma Hansan.

The Generalissimo's wisdom reached the heavens; he could naturally see this.

Zheng Jiemin, however, might not see this layer.

He was too presumptuous.

Wang Puchen had a very clear sense of his own position: follow his fellow townsman Director Mao firmly, and take his lead from Mao Renfeng in all things.

At the same time, he had to constantly fathom the Old Man's holy will.

Always be vigilant, ensuring he got things done without ruining them, and avoided disasters by not causing trouble.

"Renchu, still not asleep?"

"Smoke less. Every time you cough, the children and I feel uneasy."

His wife walked in and set down a cup of tea for him.

"Sigh."

"It's all this fuss over Ma Hansan."

"You go get some rest. I'll sleep as soon as I finish this one."

Wang Puchen smiled faintly, as gentle and calm as ever.

After his wife left.

He pondered for a few seconds, quickly stubbed out the cigarette, and dialed Mao Renfeng's private line:

"Hello, Director Mao?"

"The situation here in Beiping is a bit chaotic."

"Yes, Kawashima Yoshiko has been sentenced. Lu Qiaoshan personally sat in to pressure the judge, and the death sentence will be carried out next year."

"Also, Hong Zhiyou from the Jinhai Station has secretly arrived in Beiping."

"It looks like he wants to save Ma Hansan and set up a rival show against Lu Qiaoshan."

"He wants me to arrest Ye Tianhua, a military supply officer for Hu Zongnan."

"This man is indeed involved with the situation here in Beiping and has facts against him for reselling supplies; it must be a move by Ma Hansan to sell out Ye Tianhua."

"Correct, Lu Qiaoshan's office is set up in Chen Jicheng's headquarters."

"The Second Bureau, after all, oversees the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics; I have to take orders."

"I wanted to hear your thoughts."

"Right, understood."

"Director Mao, get some rest early."

Hanging up, Wang Puchen habitually picked up his cigarette case, touched one to his lips, thought for a moment, and then laboriously put it back.

Director Mao's instructions were very vague.

Just one sentence: do your duty well.

Such ambiguous words required careful deliberation.

This was the Generalissimo's style.

Boss Dai learned from the Generalissimo, and Director Mao learned from Boss Dai; they never laid their cards on the table.

This way, if the subordinates succeeded, they took the credit.

If they failed, they had no blame; everything was just the subordinates acting on their own initiative.

Wang Puchen fell into deep thought.

In the end, he took that cigarette back out and lit it.

Soon, he had cleared his train of thought.

Everyone wanted a bite of the fat meat that was Ma Hansan, including the Generalissimo.

Zheng Jiemin wanting to eat it all alone was absolutely impossible.

Director Mao had let him cultivate in Beiping for so long; there was no reason to hand Ma Hansan over to someone else.

"Do your duty."

Right now, Lu Qiaoshan was frantically gathering evidence of Ma Hansan and his associates reselling civilian and military supplies.

He had a duty to assist.

Wang Puchen knew of Ye Tianhua.

A favorite of Hu Zongnan, the First Army supply officer most valued by the Generalissimo, who had always been on very close terms with Ma Hansan.

Wang Puchen saw through Hong Zhiyou's intentions at a glance.

Arrest Hu Zongnan's man, and use Hu's hand to strike back at Lu Qiaoshan.

It wasn't exactly brilliant, but it was one of the few moves available right now.

According to procedure, as long as there were facts of corruption against Ye Tianhua, he could make the arrest.

This way, he wouldn't offend Zheng Jiemin, yet could indirectly cooperate with Hong Zhiyou to keep the fat meat of Ma Hansan from falling into the mouths of outsiders.

But he must never join forces with Hong Zhiyou.

Not even in the slightest.

Wang Puchen only did things he was certain of and had a firm grasp on.

Never put yourself in a position of unknown risk.

This was the survival experience he had gleaned since the old days of the Military Statistics Bureau.

Having made up his mind, he stubbed out the cigarette:

"Time to sleep!"

Hong Zhiyou returned to a hidden house in a small alley.

Li Ya was reading a newspaper.

"How did it go, Zhiyou?" He put down the paper and asked impatiently.

"It's settled with Ma Hansan."

"Hu Zongnan's supply officer Ye Tianhua will come to Beiping for a transaction, and Ma Hansan has sold him out."

Hong Zhiyou didn't hide it from him.

"That will only be convincing if Wang Puchen or Qiao Jiacai step in."

"Otherwise, Lu Qiaoshan will just turn around and let the man go."

Li Ya was indeed an intelligence elite; his brow furrowed as he saw the crux of the matter.

"Mm."

"I called Wang Puchen."

"He didn't commit."

"But I feel it should work. Mao Renfeng doesn't even let the station chief off; would he let Zheng Jiemin swallow Ma Hansan all by himself?"

"Let's wait and see."

"If Inspector Wang doesn't arrest Ye Tianhua, we'll think of another way then."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Mm, with you stepping in, I'm relieved."

"The Third Section has a branch office in Beiping."

"If it really comes to it, I will lead a team to make the arrest myself; no matter what, I must pin this pot firmly on Lu Qiao."

Li Ya sucked on his teeth and said coldly.

Hong Zhiyou could tell that he was truly afraid and anxious, even to the point of being like a cornered dog jumping over a wall.

A good opportunity.

If Li Ya were willing to jump out on his own, that would be for the best.

Who knows, he might be able to get some leverage to hold in his hands.

At the very least, if he helps him succeed, he could also earn a bigger favor.

"Can it be done?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"It can be done.

"Lu Qiao is in charge of inspection for both Beiping and Jinhai.

"There are people in Jinhai who have dealings with Ye Tianhua; when the time comes, I will arrest them, display them publicly before the Central Daily News and other press, and push the matter onto Lu Qiao.

"Let's see how he handles it."

Li Ya curled his lip and said with a smile.

"It seems Captain Li has had this planned for a long time," Hong Zhiyou said.

"I wouldn't call it a plan.

"I just feel that betting one's life on someone like Wang Puchen is not very reliable; it's safer to take action oneself."

Li Ya shoved his hands into his pockets and said with a look of disdain.

Then you damn well told me to leave it to you and not to worry, damn it, were you playing with me... Hong Zhiyou nodded repeatedly: "Captain Li is right, your fate is determined by you, not by heaven."

"But don't be in a hurry yet, Ye Tianhua still needs two days to arrive.

"You make the arrangements first, and first see what the situation is like on Ma Hansan's side."

"Done, it's getting late, you go get some rest first." Li Ya turned and walked out.

Returning to his room.

Li Ya rested his hands behind his head, a faint, cold smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

He was no reckless man who acted on impulse.

The reason he wanted to cross swords with Lu Qiao head-on.

Firstly, it was forced by survival.

Secondly, he wanted to show his face before Jiang Jianfeng and prove his own value.

Li Ya still couldn't fathom the true significance of Ma Hansan in Beiping.

But he knew one thing.

Jiang Jianfeng hadn't made a sound.

Logically speaking, after the death of Boss Dai, Jiang Jianfeng could have started his crackdown on corruption from Beiping.

But he didn't.

On the contrary, apart from ordering the Beiping banks and experts to immediately formulate an "economic reform" plan, he had taken no other action here.

Not just Beiping.

Even in Jinhai, the anti-corruption drive only let Wu Jingzhong stir things up for a while before there were no follow-up actions.

What does this mean?

Beiping and Jinhai need stability.

At least for the moment, they do.

This is perhaps the Chairman's intention; otherwise, given Jiang Jianfeng's nature of not being able to tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes, it would be impossible for him to leave a massive corrupt official like Ma Hansan sitting in Beiping without asking questions.

The answer is that Jiang Jianfeng does not want to move against Ma Hansan.

Or rather, he wants to, but the conditions and timing are not yet right.

For Zheng Jiemin to come here to grab a piece of the meat at this time is somewhat impatient.

If he could checkmate Lu Qiao, Jiang Jianfeng would surely look at him with new eyes.

Yes!

It must be like this.

Hong Zhiyou left the room.

He found an old restaurant nearby, ordered a copper pot, and started shabu-shabu with mutton.

With the dipping sauce and cilantro, he pondered while eating large mouthfuls of meat.

This man Li Ya is very cunning.

Although arrogant, he is not stupid.

He chose to openly play a game with Lu Qiao for only one reason: either he received secret orders from Jiang Jianfeng, or he wants to show his face before Jiang Jianfeng.

Needless to say.

If it's the latter, this guy still has some political awareness and hit the mark by accident, right in line with Jiang Jianfeng's wishes.

The situation in Beiping is too complex.

Li Zongren of the New Guangxi Clique is stationed at the field headquarters.

Fu Zuoyi of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Clique is stationed in Zhangyuan.

These two major forces have almost surrounded Beiping.

Now that the Chairman's entire focus is on the Northeast and Yancheng, the stability of Beiping is extremely important; if these two parties have ulterior motives and open a few gaps, the Red Army could borrow the way into the Northeast.

If they were to turn their guns around, Hu Zongnan wouldn't even need to fight; relying solely on Sun Lianzhong's 12th Group Army would not be enough to stop these two.

If Li Ya can protect Ma Hansan.

That would surely be a great merit for Jiang Jianfeng.

This won't do.

I cannot let Li Ya gain momentum.

This guy is the type to wag his tail; once he gains momentum, Old Yu or even the Station Chief will surely have a pile of trouble again.

Thinking of this, Hong Zhiyou called out:

"Shopkeeper, check."

After paying the bill, he found a Western restaurant that hadn't closed yet and made a call at the front desk:

"Hello, Old Xie.

"Do me a favor..."

He hung up the phone.

He returned to his room, covered himself with the quilt, and fell asleep.

Early morning.

Lu Qiao, dressed in a Tang suit, was practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard.

This is what he learned from Zheng Jiemin.

Old Zheng practices for an hour or so every morning.

Lu Qiao followed suit, and it must be said that after practicing for over half a year, his energy and spirit have truly increased.

"Section Chief Lu, there is someone outside named Sheng Xiang who says he wants to see you," the guard reported after walking in.

"Heh.

"He really is persistent.

"Tell him to come in."

Lu Qiao finally remembered this old partner of his.

"Brother Shan.

"Long time no see, you, you really are glowing with health and exuding an air of nobility."

Upon meeting, Sheng Xiang rubbed his hands together, fawning and flattering with an uneasy smile.

Lu Qiao's face was cold, as if he hadn't heard, and he continued to move through his Tai Chi.

"Brother Shan, you, you are really successful now.

"I, on the other hand, am miserable.

"Although I'm still in the Archives Section, without your intelligence sources, that meager salary isn't even enough for my family's expenses.

"It's better to follow you, Brother Shan.

"Brother Shan, for the sake of our past friendship, give your brother a chance and let me follow you.

"That way we can cooperate; before it was seven for you and three for me, now it's eight for you and two for me.

"What do you think?"

Sheng Xiang was afraid he would be kicked out, so he spoke as fast as a machine gun.

"What are you?

"Is 'Brother Shan' something you can call me?

"Use my title!"

Lu Qiao scolded with a cold glare.

"Yes, Shan... Director Lu, Inspector Lu," Sheng Xiang said.

"Get lost."

"I have nothing to talk to you about."

Lu Qiao Shan took the warm towel handed to him by his subordinate, wiped his face, and walked away while speaking.

He truly had nothing to talk about.

Given his current status, was he supposed to be so bored that he would reminisce with him about selling intelligence?

As for selling intelligence.

If he could fight his way back to Jinhai, Sheng Xiang would still be of some use.

If he couldn't fight his way back to Jinhai.

Back in Jingling, there were plenty of people in the upper echelons of the Ministry of National Defense selling intelligence; it wouldn't be his turn to take a bite of that meat.

Lu Qiao Shan disdained to speak much to people who had no value.

Moreover, Sheng Xiang kept calling him "brother" and "Brother Shan," which was very demeaning and low-class, and this greatly annoyed the already arrogant Lu Qiao Shan.

"Director Lu, you, you wait a moment."

Seeing the guards about to come up to chase the man away, Sheng Xiang grew anxious.

Lu Qiao Shan, however, could not be bothered to pay him any mind.

"Director Lu, I have top-secret intelligence to report," Sheng Xiang shouted.

"Top-secret?"

"How top-secret is it?"

Lu Qiao Shan stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and asked.

"Li Ya has come to Beiping."

"It is highly likely that he is specifically targeting you," Sheng Xiang said.

Last night, he was drinking with the profiteer Xie Ruo from the Dangtong Bureau; old Xie got drunk, and he inadvertently tricked this news out of him.

"Heh."

"Li Ya has come to Beiping."

"I haven't even gone to look for him, yet he has delivered himself to my doorstep."

Lu Qiao Shan walked back, put his hands on his hips, and laughed disdainfully.

"Director Lu."

"You must be careful; this man Li Ya is very devious," Sheng Xiang said.

"I be careful?"

"What do I have to be careful about!"

Hearing him speak, Lu Qiao Shan always felt inexplicably irritated and uncomfortable; he sank his face and said displeasedly:

"I am an inspector of the Second Department of the Ministry of National Defense, holding a concurrent post at the Garrison Headquarters; what can those low-life tricks of his do to me?"

"It's not that I look down on him."

"Right now, crushing him is as simple as crushing a small ant."

"Yes, yes!" Sheng Xiang hurriedly echoed.

"You go back first and wait for my news."

"Sooner or later, I will return to Jinhai!"

"Remember to keep your mouth shut; you are not to say a single word of what shouldn't be said outside."

"Otherwise, don't blame me for tearing your mouth apart!"

Lu Qiao Shan waved his hand, dismissing him.

"Understood."

"Understood."

"Shan... Director Lu, then I shall await your arrival in Jinhai."

Sheng Xiang nodded and bowed as he retreated.

Hmph!

Not bad, he is still a decent dog; he has a bit of loyalty.

"Li Ya!"

"Last time you ruined my chance at being Deputy Station Chief, and this time you want to come and pull another trick."

"Heh heh, you still want to mess with me? I'll take it all on!"

Lu Qiao Shan's eyes turned sharp, and he thought to himself.

"Li Zhong!"

He turned his head and called out.

A capable, middle-aged staff officer walked over: "Director Lu, what are your orders?"

"Investigate someone for me."

"Li Ya of the Jinhai Station; see where he is hiding. You must dig him out; this person is more dangerous than Ma Hansan."

"Once you find him, tell me immediately."

"Oh, right."

"This person likes fine food; have people go around to the restaurants more often."

Lu Qiao Shan instructed.

After thinking for a moment, he walked quickly back into the room and made a phone call:

"It's me. You check where Li Ya has gone."

"The Third Section is in Beiping, right?"

"Alright, I know."

Having said that, Lu Qiao Shan hung up the phone.

After all, he was an old hand at the Jinhai Station and had many old acquaintances; it might be hard to ask about others, but finding someone from the Jinhai Station was a sure thing.

Li Ya!

Let's see how I play you to death this time!

"Director Lu, Lady Zheng wants you to go over there," a subordinate reported at the door.

"I know," Lu Qiao Shan said.

"Stupid woman, isn't she being too impatient for money? Is Ma Hansan really that easy to deal with?"

He muttered and cursed a few times.

After buying a fruit basket, Lu Qiao Shan composed his expression, bared his teeth at the mirror to restore a beaming, spring-like demeanor, and drove straight to the courtyard house where Ke Shufen was staying in Beiping.

The courtyard house looked ordinary from the outside.

But inside, it was magnificent and luxurious, with all the tables and chairs made of pear wood.

The antiques and porcelain were all genuine old items.

And this was just the most low-key of Ke Shufen's many luxury residences in Beiping.

"Sister-in-law," Lu Qiao Shan asked after her with a face full of smiles.

Ke Shufen was watering flowers in the courtyard; the noble lady rolled her eyes at him and said displeasedly:

"Qiao Shan, you've been in Beiping for quite some time now, haven't you?"

"Yes, it's just that I've been organizing the materials on Kawashima Yoshiko; there are people in the court who took the Japs' money, and Okamura Yasuji is also lobbying."

"I withstood a great deal of pressure to sentence her to death, to give our fellow countrymen back home an explanation."

Lu Qiao Shan was intentionally spouting nonsense.

"I have no interest in the affairs of the Jap woman."

"I also have no interest in who you are giving an explanation to."

"I heard that Ma Hansan is still directing grain transport at the station today; you've been investigating for so long, yet the man is still jumping around alive and well—this isn't right, is it?"

Ke Shufen said with a sarcastic, mocking laugh.

"Lady, I am currently finding evidence on Ma Hansan..." Lu Qiao Shan just wanted to explain.

Ke Shufen directly interrupted him:

"By the time you find it, Hu Zongnan will have already triumphed in Yancheng."

"Don't forget, Ma Hansan is now a government official, not some intelligence station chief of your Second Department or the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics."

"With your dawdling, Ye Xiufeng's Dangtong Bureau would have already intervened long ago."

"What were you sent here for?"

"To wear a suit and tie and show off your authority every day?"

She had always been accustomed to speaking sharply and treated Zheng Jiemin's subordinates like household slaves, so naturally, she wouldn't give Lu Qiao Shan a pleasant look.

Otherwise, even someone as senior as Shen Zui would hide from her like a mouse seeing a cat.

She was truly asking for money, and if you didn't give it, she would lash out.

"Lady, please, please give your instructions."

Lu Qiao Shan was already used to being lashed out at and bit the bullet to ask.

"Doesn't your Military Statistics Bureau have many methods?"

"Use something harder."

"Once Ye Xiufeng intervenes, the Dangtong Bureau has more reason than you to take over Ma Hansan."

"I don't care how tough that man surnamed Ma is."

"He must be taken down as soon as possible!"

"If I don't see results soon, I think you can stop being an inspector."

Ke Shufen said with a bossy air.

"Yes, yes!"

"Your subordinate will definitely take down Ma Hansan as soon as possible," Lu Qiaoshan said, bowing his head to accept the order.

"The wind is strong in Beiping in early spring; my skin can't handle being rushed."

"Go."

Ke Shufen curled her lip, gave a cold laugh, and went inside.

Damn it!

How did Old Zheng end up marrying a shrew like you?

A lifetime of reputation...

Bah!

The husband sings and the wife follows!

Scum of the party and state!

Lu Qiaoshan walked out the door, cursed bitterly, spat on the ground outside the window, and drove away.

Beiping.

Ma Hansan, having just finished being questioned, returned to his office.

He was truly tired.

On one hand, he had to find ways to raise grain for Fu Zuoyi, and on the other, he had to figure out how to squeeze a bit more from the common people to plug these holes.

He, Ma Hansan, couldn't possibly be the one doing business at a loss.

After being busy with all this, he still had to endure endless interrogations upon returning.

This life is truly... impossible to live.

"Director Ma, Liang Yueshan's wife is here; she says she wants to see you," Liu Yuzhu said as she walked in to report.

"Tell her to come in," Ma Hansan said, rubbing his brow to pull himself together.

Soon, Mrs. Liang walked in, and as soon as she entered, she fell to her knees before Ma Hansan:

"Director Ma, you, you have to save my Old Liang.

"The people from the inspection team tortured him last night.

"I went to see him today, and he was beaten to the point of being nearly dead.

"Director Ma, you are his old superior; if you don't save him, Old Liang is finished."

"Sister-in-law, get up and speak," Ma Hansan hurriedly helped her up.

It was expected.

Liang Yueshan was the Deputy Director of the Grain Bureau and his own direct confidant and subordinate.

Since Lu Qiaoshan couldn't chew through him, he would definitely take his anger out on Liang Yueshan.

However, Ma Hansan was not afraid.

His smuggling and reselling were all handled through several intermediaries; he didn't deal directly with Liang Yueshan. Even if Lu Qiaoshan beat him to death, he wouldn't be able to get any useful evidence.

"Director Ma, you, you must save him," Mrs. Liang sat down on the sofa and choked out.

"There is a way to save him.

"I heard your Old Liang has a friendship with Deputy Team Leader Zhang Zhiping of the inspection team?"

Ma Hansan asked with a smile.

"Deputy Team Leader Zhang?

"Yueshan did mention it once, saying he had a classmate who is a fellow townsman of Deputy Team Leader Zhang, and their relationship is quite good," Mrs. Liang said, suddenly realizing.

"Doesn't that settle it?

"I'm in a position where I can barely protect myself now; you find that classmate of his to act as an intermediary and invite Zhang Zhiping to a meal.

"Show enough sincerity.

"Releasing someone is just a matter of a single word, isn't it?

"Don't underestimate a deputy team leader.

"He has been with Director Zheng since the liberation of Nanjing; Lu Qiaoshan has only been there a few days, and there are few in the inspection team who truly listen to him.

"Go."

Ma Hansan stopped at the right point.

"Understood.

"Thank you for your guidance, Director Ma, thank you."

Mrs. Liang bowed several times and retreated.

"Yuzhu.

"Call Secretary Hong and tell him to keep an eye on Mrs. Liang.

"The fish has taken the bait."

Ma Hansan said.

"Understood," Liu Yuzhu said.

"Right.

"Remind him to let Li Ya do it.

"Avoid these dirty jobs whenever possible.

"I'm already too stained to be clean, but he, my younger brother, shouldn't follow in my footsteps; while he's still working for the Jiang family father and son, he should cherish his relatively clean reputation.

"Who knows when he'll end up like me, discarded once the task is done."

Ma Hansan sighed deeply.

He wasn't born to do this kind of work either.

When Beiping was liberated, why didn't Dai Li ask his own faction and confidants to take charge, instead insisting on making him shoulder the role of Director of the Juntong Beiping-Tianjin Office?

To put it bluntly, it was because people like Li Zongren and Fu Zuoyi were hard to manage.

They needed someone like him to do the dirty work.

The first batch of military supplies resold to Fu Zuoyi was directed by Dai Li.

The Generalissimo wanted to appease the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army but was afraid the direct-line troops wouldn't stand for it; he pushed it back and forth, and all military equipment and supplies for Fu Zuoyi still had to pass through his own hands.

Now it's a mess.

Lu Qiaoshan has arrived at his doorstep, and he hasn't heard a peep from the Old Man or Jiang Jianfeng.

Ma Hansan understood.

They were watching a show.

They were waiting for him to suffer enough before jumping out to play the good guy, making him feel overwhelmed with gratitude.

The art of imperial statecraft!

(End of chapter)