Chapter 273: I'll Take It All

Jingling.

Jiang Jianfeng stepped into the room; the Supreme Leader was looking at a sand table.

Hearing footsteps, he could not help but slightly furrow his brows.

"Walk more slowly and steadily.

"Those who achieve great things must have a calm mind and clear wisdom.

"Pay attention to details in all things.

"If you are not steady, you will have no dignity, and others will neither respect nor fear you in their hearts."

The Supreme Leader did not turn his head, saying indifferently.

"Yes, Father." Jiang Jianfeng took a slight breath and straightened his chest.

"We are about to enter March. Hu Zongnan will hold a swearing-in ceremony tomorrow. Six columns of troops, two hundred and thirty thousand men, will advance on Yancheng together. No matter what, we can turn it upside down." The Supreme Leader smiled and pointed at the sand table.

"Indeed.

"If this battle is won, the Red Bandits will have no place left to hide.

"Our army can take advantage of the surging morale to capture the majority of the Red Bandits in East China, Central China, and the Northeast in one go.

"In this way, the nation can be secured."

Jiang Jianfeng also said with excitement.

"Order Hu Zongnan by telegram to go all out. Whatever supplies and military equipment are needed, provide them without hesitation. At any cost, Yancheng must be taken," the Supreme Leader said.

"Yes, Father," Jiang Jianfeng said.

"There are two more matters that require Father's decision.

"Kang Ze has visited many White House officials in North America and is very fond of constitutional government. Since returning, he has been actively campaigning in Jingling.

"This man has always considered himself your shadow, spreading word that he wants to seek the position of Vice President in the future constitutional government.

"What do you think..."

He asked in a low voice.

"Kang Ze has rich experience in political work. He performed great service in the bandit suppression in West Jiangxi back then.

"You must put personal grievances aside.

"He is a meritorious official; you cannot block everyone's path.

"After finally traveling a great circle abroad, it would be unreasonable for the people below to see him return without a chair.

"Besides, you are already the Director of the Second Department of the Youth Corps; Kang Ze cannot stir up any trouble there. The Legislative Committee will be elected next month; give him a seat as a Legislative Yuan member and a standing committee member of the Party Headquarters.

"You can also let him continue as an executive committee member for the Youth Corps.

"Since you are doing a favor, give the kindness in full."

The Supreme Leader glanced at him, his tone calm.

"Yes, Father." Jiang Jianfeng nodded respectfully.

"Additionally, Zheng Jiemin sent Lu Qiaoshan to Beiping as an inspector of the Second Bureau to discipline Ma Hansan.

"According to my people's reports, Lu Qiaoshan is making big moves.

"First, he pressured the Beiping court to sentence Kawashima Yoshiko to death.

"Now he might be about to take heavy action against Ma Hansan.

"I am afraid Ma Hansan will not be able to hold out, and if Beiping becomes unstable, Li Zongren and Fu Zuoyi will have ideas."

He reported again.

"Let the sentence on Kawashima Yoshiko stand.

"As for Okamura Yasuji, communicate with the Americans and let the International Military Tribunal loosen its grip. This man was the most experienced commander in suppressing bandits in North China and East China. The Ministry of National Defense staff group suggests hiring him as a special commissioner to guide our army in bandit suppression.

"I think it is feasible."

The Supreme Leader said.

"Father, this is not good.

"Okamura Yasuji is a Class-A war criminal, an executioner whose hands are stained with blood," Jiang Jianfeng immediately objected.

"Let's wait and see.

"If Hu Zongnan can wipe out the Red Bandits, this matter will be dropped.

"If he cannot, Okamura Yasuji still has value.

"The Red Bandits are growing stronger by the day. The common people along the North China and Huaihai lines would rather risk beheading to transport grain for them. This is a sign of losing the hearts of the people.

"Once that group escapes the encirclement, they can turn around and conjure up a hundred thousand or a million soldiers for you.

"Time waits for no one."

The Supreme Leader sighed and said.

He trusted Hu Zongnan.

But for some reason, he always felt uneasy and unsettled in his heart.

During the first and second cooperation between the Blue and Red, and during the Double Tenth Negotiations, he had dealt with that person. Regardless of his bearing or ambition, he was truly no ordinary person, which was worrying.

Jiang Jianfeng remained silent.

The Supreme Leader did not try to persuade him.

Jiang Jianfeng had principles and spirit; this was a good thing.

It was just that the Party and State were currently suffering from a severe illness, and he had to resort to various folk remedies and unorthodox methods, using heavy and potent medicine to "save his life" first.

As for whether he would be reviled for ten thousand years or leave a name in history, it was worthless in the face of the great cause.

"Father, Zheng Jiemin's wife, Ke Shufen, has gone to Beiping.

"Should I have a word with Zheng Jiemin... and tell him to stop while he's ahead?"

Jiang Jianfeng asked.

"Do you think Zheng Jiemin doesn't know?

"His integrity is just a show for outsiders.

"Do you know why I allow it?

"Because Zheng Jiemin doesn't take it out of the country. Since that's the case, why not let him take it?

"Banks nowadays are unreliable; foreigners and stocks are even less trustworthy.

"That Hong... whatever his name is in Jinhai, how did he raise the money? Wasn't it by conspiring with the Americans to cut the purses of those wealthy families?

"Let Zheng Jiemin take it.

"Let the Wu Jingzhongs all take it.

"Their conscience is far cleaner than the Kongs, Songs, and Chens. The more they take, the better.

"At present, everything is focused on the war. We will deal with political affairs after the world is at peace.

"The one surnamed Hong cuts the wealthy, and you then cut Zheng Jiemin and the others.

"This money will ultimately still be circulating in our own palms."

The Supreme Leader said earnestly.

"Understood." Jiang Jianfeng lowered his eyelids.

He still held a different view.

The war must be fought.

The economy must be grasped.

Just fighting wars without tackling corruption and revitalizing the economy would only further lose the hearts of the people and provide a natural breeding ground for the Red Bandits; it was merely treating the symptoms rather than the root cause.

"Then Ma Hansan..." Jiang Jianfeng said.

"Let him suffer a bit first and cough up some for Zheng Jiemin.

"We can fish him out later.

"In this way, this King of North China will work more wholeheartedly."

The Supreme Leader said.

"Yes, Father," Jiang Jianfeng said.

The next day.

The office building of the Ministry of National Defense Inspection Group.

Deputy Team Leader Zhang Zhiping was reviewing Ma Hansan's materials.

"Chuntang, can you see if this person can be delayed for a while?" Zhang Zhiping pulled out Liang Yueshan's materials and handed them to the other deputy team leader, Li Chuntang.

"Liang Yueshan?

"This man is Ma Hansan's trusted subordinate.

"Team Leader Lu probably won't agree."

Li Chuntang said.

"I have read his materials; they are of no significance in pointing the finger at Ma Hansan.

"If we continue to interrogate him, there will be no results.

"How about this, stop the torture for now and let him go home first.

"Let's wait until we collect more favorable evidence before interrogating him again."

Zhang Zhiping said.

As he spoke, he pulled his chair closer to Li Chuntang and whispered:

"When I return to Jingling, I will treat you to a meal, brother."

Matters in officialdom are nothing more than you helping me and me helping you; since everyone has been old colleagues for many years, a single hint is naturally enough to understand.

Li Chuntang agreed quite readily: "Fine."

"You are the first deputy team leader, so it is your call."

"Little Liu, go to the interrogation room and release Liang Yueshan," he instructed.

Outside, Lu Qiaoshan, who was full of suppressed anger, got out of the car and walked quickly toward the office building with his briefcase tucked under his arm.

Just as he reached the entrance, he saw two clerks helping Liang Yueshan walk out.

"What is going on?"

"Who let him out?"

Lu Qiaoshan hurriedly shouted to stop the two of them.

"It was ordered by Deputy Team Leader Zhang," the clerk said.

"Deputy Team Leader Zhang?"

Lu Qiaoshan frowned, initially wanting to drag the person back.

On second thought, he pondered for a moment, rubbed his chin with his fingers, and looked at Liang Yueshan coldly, saying:

"Since it is the intention of Deputy Team Leader Zhang, then release him."

"Thank you, Inspector Lu," Liang Yueshan said gratefully, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

Last night, his wife had gone to Jingling overnight to give a gift to his old classmate, and he had not expected to be released today.

Director Ma had indeed pointed him toward a bright path.

Lu Qiaoshan returned to his office with a gloomy face.

The internal power struggles in Jingling were far more intense than in Jinhai.

Lu Qiaoshan was the Deputy Chief of the Sixth Division and concurrently the Chief of the Intelligence Section.

But above him was the Chief of the Sixth Division, Han Guoqing; Han Guoqing was a veteran who had sat in the Sixth Division for many years and was naturally very dissatisfied with Lu Qiaoshan's rocket-like promotion.

Moreover, Han Guoqing had a very good relationship with Sun Ke and Zhang Qun.

In terms of background, he was not at all inferior to Lu Qiaoshan.

Therefore, the two had never gotten along well.

Why did Zhang Zhiping wave his hand and dare to make a private decision to release someone without the signature of himself, the team leader?

It was simply because he was one of Han Guoqing's people.

"Li Zhong, check the call records from last night and the whereabouts of Deputy Team Leader Zhang," Lu Qiaoshan said in a deep voice.

Lu Qiaoshan came from an intelligence background.

What he was best at was wiretapping and tailing.

Upon arriving in Beiping, the telephones in the inspection team's office building had long since been secretly bugged by him.

Soon, Li Zhong returned:

"Chief Lu, I have checked clearly; last night, Liao Haoyun from the Jingling Political Security Bureau called Zhang Zhiping."

"Liao Haoyun and Liang Yueshan were once classmates."

"Liang Yueshan's wife rushed to Jingling last night to plead with Liao Haoyun."

After listening, Lu Qiaoshan raised the corner of his mouth and smiled: "Heh, so it originated here."

"I know now, you may go first."

After Li Zhong left, Lu Qiaoshan's face was full of gloom, and his eyes flashed with a fierce light:

"Very well, Zhang Zhiping, I was just worrying about not having a chance to deal with you."

"You are rushing to your own death."

"Playing games with me, you are still a bit too green."

Just as he was pondering, another subordinate knocked and walked in, approaching to report in a low voice: "Chief Lu, that Li Ya you asked me to watch has gone to Six Happiness Teahouse."

"I asked the proprietor privately."

"The proprietor said that Li Ya showed his credentials from the Confidential Bureau and, along with a few people from the Third Section, disguised himself as a waiter in the shop."

"As for what exactly they want to do, the proprietor didn't dare to ask and couldn't find out."

"Six Happiness Teahouse?" Lu Qiaoshan frowned.

Back then, it was at Fortune Teahouse that he was set up by Li Ya.

Could it be that he wanted to pull the same stunt today?

That's not right.

He didn't have an appointment today.

What kind of medicine is this guy selling in his gourd?

Lu Qiaoshan frowned.

"Old Lu, not busy, are you?" Just as he was muttering, Zhang Zhiping stood at the door and asked with a smile.

"You may go first."

Lu Qiaoshan instructed the clerk, then rose to greet him with a face full of enthusiasm, as warm as a spring breeze: "Old Zhang, hurry, the coffee is almost brewed, have a cup."

"No thanks, last time I had a cup here, my heart beat violently and I felt nauseous; I almost thought I had been poisoned."

"I don't have the fortune to enjoy such good things; you should savor it slowly, brother."

Zhang Zhiping smiled and sat down with his legs crossed.

"Is there something?"

Lu Qiaoshan hated it most when others talked about his coffee and crossed their legs higher than he did; the smile on his face could not help but distort.

"It's like this, Chuntang and I discussed it briefly this morning and felt that nothing of value could be interrogated from Liang Yueshan, so we released him."

"I came over to report this matter to you."

Zhang Zhiping said, habitually bouncing his leather shoes.

"What is there to report? You are an old hand of the Sixth Division, a big brother."

"Isn't it just one Liang Yueshan?"

"In the future, for such small matters, you can just handle it as you see fit, brother."

Lu Qiaoshan was annoyed to see this, but he remained all smiles with a tone of being easy to talk to.

"Fine."

"With your word, brother, I can rest easy." Zhang Zhiping stood up and straightened his jacket, preparing to leave.

"Why be so polite? We are all our own people."

"When we are out working, we have to stick together for warmth; otherwise, how can we capture Ma Hansan and go back to report to Deputy Minister Zheng?"

"What do you want to eat at noon? I'll tell the cafeteria to make it for you."

Lu Qiaoshan smiled and saw him to the door.

"No need."

"I have a meal appointment with a friend here in Beiping at noon."

"Want to go together?"

Zhang Zhiping was very satisfied with Lu Qiaoshan's humble attitude and asked with his chin raised.

"Forget it."

"In case it's a romantic confidante, I would be a real mood-killer if I went," Lu Qiaoshan said.

"I'm off!"

Zhang Zhiping waved his hand and walked away with his hands in his pockets.

Staring at his back, the smile on Lu Qiaoshan's face vanished instantly, and he spat: "Dog thing!"

"Putting on airs in front of me."

"Sooner or later, you'll get yours."

Wait, Lu Qiaoshan suddenly realized.

Zhang Zhiping has a meal appointment?

Li Ya went to Six Happiness Teahouse again.

Could there be... Lu Qiaoshan pondered, his eyes suddenly lighting up, vaguely as if he had captured something.

He walked quickly back to his desk, took out paper and pen, and began to write and draw.

Liang Yueshan asked someone to find Zhang Zhiping.

If Li Ya is setting a trap for Zhang and catches him, the reputation of the inspection team will be ruined; by then, once the media and newspapers hype it up, he, as the inspection team leader, will be unable to shirk the blame.

"Wonderful."

"Wonderful!"

"It's been so long, Li Ya's brain has grown; his moves are getting more and more vicious, and he's learned to trap people in circles."

"Playing games with me, are you?"

"I'll play along with you properly."

As his thoughts shifted, Lu Qiaoshan couldn't help but grin with delight.

He was just worrying about not finding a way to deal with Zhang Zhiping.

Isn't this just someone handing him a pillow when he's sleepy, a perfect coincidence?

In the alley.

Hong Zhiyou was gnawing on a braised chicken foot with great relish.

Li Ya curled his lip and smiled: "What's so good about this stuff? If you're going to eat, eat big fish and meat; only then will your stomach feel satisfied."

"You've developed a psychological trauma from hunger."

"Is it a large portion that fills you up?"

Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"You could say that. Anyway, whenever I think about being able to eat my fill and eat well, I feel like this life hasn't been lived in vain," Li Ya said with a shrug.

"Liang Yueshan has been released."

"To show her gratitude to Zhang Zhiping, Mrs. Liang invited him to eat at the Sixi Teahouse."

"My people reported this morning."

"Mrs. Liang has exchanged quite a few gold bars and US dollars these past few days; the bribe should be traded this noon."

He swallowed his saliva, took another chicken foot, and said while gnawing on it.

"That's great."

"Take him down, and no matter how arrogant Lu Qiaoshan is, he'll have a hard time."

"I'll have Ma Hansan arrange the manpower right now."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Don't."

"I've already arranged everything. Ma Hansan's subordinates are a chaotic mess with all sorts of people; if they mess it up, wouldn't we miss a golden opportunity?" Li Ya said hurriedly.

"I'm just worried about your safety." Hong Zhiyou had been waiting for these words, though he sounded very polite.

"Brother."

"I appreciate your kind intentions."

"This is a matter between me and Lu Qiaoshan; I must personally nail him to Beiping."

Li Ya pursed his lips, his hatred like iron.

"Then I wish you a triumphant opening, brother," Hong Zhiyou said.

Noon, Sixi Teahouse.

Li Ya disguised himself as a teahouse waiter and began running around busily in the shop.

Around twelve o'clock.

Mrs. Liang walked to the counter, swaying her hips: "Shopkeeper, the surname is Liang; I booked a private room this morning."

"Ah, it's Mrs. Liang."

"The private room has been reserved for you, please."

"Waiter, take the lady to her room."

The shopkeeper glanced at Li Ya and ordered.

As a top student of the Qingpu Class, Li Ya was also a master of disguise and reconnaissance. He said with a beaming, amiable face:

"Madam, please, this way."

Leading Mrs. Liang to the private room, Li Ya pushed open the door and said:

"How is this one? Quiet and clean."

"It's alright."

The private room exuded the mixed scent of food and grease that had seeped into the wooden table over the years; Mrs. Liang wrinkled her nose in slight discomfort.

"Alright, Madam, the shop's specialty dishes are all on the wall; please take a look and order."

Li Ya bowed and handed over the menu and a pen.

"You choose for me. Just pick the best and most expensive ones."

"Also, serve the best tea."

"I am hosting a distinguished guest; if the hospitality is poor, it's possible your teahouse might be torn down."

Mrs. Liang ordered arrogantly.

As the wife of a bureau chief in a popular government office, she was used to being pampered and naturally had to put on airs.

"Rest assured."

"No one who has visited our shop has ever been dissatisfied."

"Please sit for a moment, I'll go prepare it for you right away."

Li Ya walked out quickly.

Soon, Zhang Zhiping walked in clutching a briefcase and looked around:

"Boss, I am a friend of Mrs. Liang."

"Sir, please follow me."

Li Ya smiled and led him into the private room, then closed the door properly.

Soon.

Li Ya had a waiter—played by his subordinate—bring in the dishes.

He went straight to the utility room on the second floor.

"How is the signal?" Li Ya asked.

"No problem."

The agent handed the headset to Li Ya.

Li Ya sat down; Mrs. Liang was expressing her thanks in a gentle, soft voice.

"Are all the dishes served?"

Inside the private room, Zhang Zhiping said.

"Sir, there is still one charcoal-grilled mutton dish left," the waiter said.

"No need to serve it."

"Without my orders, no one is allowed to enter."

Zhang Zhiping flashed his inspector's credentials.

"Yes, yes, Officer," the waiter nodded hurriedly, terrified.

"Section Chief Zhang, this time my old Liang's matter relied entirely on your benevolence to be preserved."

"This is a small token of our appreciation; I hope you will accept it."

Mrs. Liang took out a delicate small leather suitcase. Upon opening it, it was full of gleaming gold bars and over a dozen thick stacks of ten-dollar US banknotes.

Zhang Zhiping took a glance, closed it, and accepted it.

Mrs. Liang bent down gracefully to pour him tea.

Her attire today was exceptionally eye-catching: a white hollow-out shawl over a deep blue floral cheongsam, wrapping her mature, curvaceous figure in a way that accentuated her curves.

Especially the arc of her chest and her perky hips as she poured the tea made Zhang Zhiping swallow his saliva in secret.

Mrs. Liang was not particularly beautiful.

But her makeup was elegant and she was very feminine—not in a seductive, alluring way, but in a way that made one feel pity and an urge to crush her.

"Madam, I, I'll do it myself."

Taking advantage of the moment to grab the teapot, he took the opportunity to stroke her snow-white jade hand.

Mrs. Liang trembled all over.

Meeting his eyes, she saw Zhang Zhiping's eyes shining with greed and lust.

"Section Chief Zhang, let's eat first," Mrs. Liang said, her pretty face flushing, feeling slightly panicked.

"Eat, yes, let's eat."

Zhang Zhiping, whose hair was thinning and combed back neatly, wearing round-rimmed glasses, nodded with a beaming smile.

Just as he picked up his chopsticks, Zhang Zhiping deliberately let his hand slip and cried out "Oops" as the chopsticks fell to the floor.

He dove under the table, pretending to pick up the chopsticks.

He caught a glimpse of Mrs. Liang's long, jade-like legs wrapped in smooth silk stockings beneath her cheongsam.

And a section of snow-white feet in purple-pink high heels.

His original thoughts were like a pot of boiling oil, becoming increasingly restless.

Seeing him taking forever to pick up the chopsticks and not wanting to urge him, Mrs. Liang, thinking of his predatory gaze just now, could only subconsciously cover the hem of her cheongsam to prevent exposure.

This ladylike action only further incited Zhang Zhiping's lust.

He swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his wicked heart rising, and he suddenly grabbed Mrs. Liang's foot, took off the high heel, and began gnawing on it.

(End of chapter)