Chapter 274: This Shot, Turning Defeat into Victory

"Ah!"

Lady Liang had seen plenty of lecherous men in official circles.

But she herself was relatively clean, without much scandal, and for a moment, she did not know how to conduct herself.

At a loss, she kicked Zhang Zhiping away, darted to the side barefoot, and said with a trembling voice:

"Zhang, Section Chief Zhang, don't mess around."

"My lady.

"It's like this: Old Liang's matter is just the beginning.

"We have already verified that he is suspected of reselling civilian supplies, and there is even evidence of him transporting grain to the Red Party.

"Releasing him is only temporary.

"Once we continue the investigation, he will certainly have to undergo interrogation.

"I think you know better than I do what your husband has done.

"Coming to Beiping this time, the higher-ups issued a death order: corruption must be punished severely without leniency.

"My lady, it's quite possible Liang Yueshan is headed for the guillotine."

Zhang Zhiping smiled.

As he spoke, he smelled the lingering scent on his palm and said with a wicked grin:

"My lady, you are truly beautiful today.

"You know, sometimes for a man, beauty is more useful than money.

"From the moment you walked into the room, I knew we were fated.

"Be with me once.

"I guarantee your Old Liang will be safe and sound.

"How about it?

"Spending time with me won't cost you a piece of flesh or a layer of skin, and you can preserve your wealth and status for the rest of your life. Isn't this a very worthwhile trade?"

"I, I!" Lady Liang was somewhat persuaded.

She had dealt with other wives in her circle.

To further their husbands' careers and businesses, many had slept with others.

If Old Liang went inside, the whole family would fall apart.

Zhang Zhiping had done this sort of thing many times; seeing her hesitant attitude, he knew he had succeeded, so he forcibly pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.

Lady Liang pushed and shoved a few times at first.

But when the feeling took over later on, she became half-willing.

Ignoring the table full of food, the two began to get intimate in the private room.

……

"What a pair of shameless dogs."

Li Ya, who had once worn green cotton socks, was furious as he listened from the monitoring room.

He threw off his headphones:

"Let's go, follow me to make the arrest!

"Remember, take photos on the scene, focus on the key points.

"Do you understand what I mean?"

"Understood, Captain Li." Gao Yuan, Yu Cheng, and the others had caught adulterers before; they were experienced hands at this.

Inside the private room.

Lady Liang was sitting on Zhang Zhiping's lap.

Right in the heat of it.

Li Ya kicked the door open and walked in.

"Collect the evidence!"

He waved his hand.

Gao Yuan and the others brought their cameras close and began snapping away from all angles.

Lady Liang jumped up in fright and hurriedly pulled her cheongsam down to tidy herself.

But she had moved too abruptly.

Zhang Zhiping nearly broke something and let out a muffled groan of pain.

While covering himself and pulling up his trousers, he shouted:

"Who are you people!"

"Don't ask us, who are you?" Li Ya asked with a smile.

"I am a commissioner from the Inspection Group; if you're smart, get out quickly." Zhang Zhiping flashed his credentials and spoke in an official tone.

"Inspector Zhang, you are exactly who we are looking for.

"Accepting bribes, molesting a woman.

"The evidence is solid, come with us."

Li Ya chuckled dryly.

"Who, who exactly are you people?" Zhang Zhiping asked in a low voice.

"Li Ya from the Jinhai Station Action Team." Li Ya smiled coldly.

"From the Jinhai Station?

"What is the Jinhai Station doing running to Beiping?

"Captain Li, we have no grudges between us, there's no need for this, right?"

Zhang Zhiping was completely bewildered.

"There is a need.

"If you want to blame someone, blame Lu Qiaoshan.

"Since I have a grudge against him, and he wants to show off, I'm not happy about it, so I can only wrong you."

Li Ya gave a disdainful smile and opened the suitcase.

"Heh, quite a lot of stuff here, enough to buy a big mansion and a car.

"Taking money is one thing.

"But sleeping with someone else's wife, that's going too far."

As he spoke, Li Ya gritted his teeth and drove a knee into his waist.

"Ah!"

Zhang Zhiping's legs went weak from the pain, and he collapsed to the floor.

"And you!"

Li Ya raised his hand and slapped Lady Liang across the face: "Slut!"

Ptooey!

He spat, waved his hand, and said, "Take them both away."

Once in the car.

Wearing handcuffs and looking utterly disheveled, Zhang Zhiping pleaded:

"Captain Li, I, I was wrong.

"Give me a chance, I'll give you however much money you want."

Li Ya couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind.

This wasn't a matter of money.

If he didn't get rid of Lu Qiaoshan, his own survival was in question.

Money could be earned slowly.

But one only has one life; there was no room for negotiation on this.

"Captain Li, where are you taking me?" Zhang Zhiping asked.

"Where am I taking you?

"No rush.

"Rest for the night first; once the photos of you two are developed tomorrow, I'll send you back to the Inspection Group."

Li Ya drove the car into the Third Section's station and locked the people inside.

Then, he hurried to have the photos developed.

Having dealt with Zhang Zhiping.

Li Ya returned to the small residence.

"Zhiyou, I've caught the man, and the evidence is fully secured, including these bribes." Li Ya handed the suitcase to Hong Zhiyou.

"I won't look at it.

"Isn't Captain Li a bit short on cash lately?

"You can take a portion appropriately.

"Money like this, it would be a waste not to take it."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"That's true."

"I was blackmailed by Ma Hansan last time, and I still haven't recovered from it."

"Then this money, I, should I take some?"

Li Ya raised an eyebrow and said.

"Take it," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

"Better not, in case some things become hard to explain later." Li Ya was only testing him and didn't actually take it.

If he wanted to take money, he wouldn't do it in front of Hong Zhiyou.

On the way here, he had already skimmed two gold bars and a stack of U. . banknotes from this money.

"Suit yourself; if you're really short on cash, you can go borrow from that money shop I introduced you to last time," Hong Zhiyou said.

"You've already found the reporters and newspaper offices on your end, right?"

Li Ya asked.

"Rest assured."

"Including many media outlets with foreign capital participation, they have all been invited."

"I guarantee I'll make the scene lively for you when the time comes."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Good, thank you for your trouble, brother," Li Ya nodded.

He turned and walked outside.

Upon reaching the doorway, he suddenly turned his head:

"Zhiyou, I didn't misjudge you; I've decided to be friends with you, brother."

"Thank you."

"We are... brothers!" Hong Zhiyou nodded at him with a serious expression.

"I'm off."

Li Ya walked out with his hands behind his back.

"Brother?"

Hong Zhiyou curled his lips in self-mockery.

If he guessed correctly, Sheng Xiang had already notified Lu Qiaoshan, and the other side should have prepared a countermeasure.

As for what kind of move it is, he would know tomorrow.

Old Lu, I've given you the opportunity.

You better not be useless.

Inside the office.

Lu Qiaoshan was stepping up the collection of evidence against Liang Yueshan.

"Team Leader, this is the evidence of Liang Yueshan's corruption and collusion; please take a look," Li Zhong handed over a stack of materials.

Lu Qiaoshan picked out a few to look at:

"Good, I know now; you may go down first."

After Li Zhong left, he quickly closed the office door, picked up the phone, and dialed Zheng Jiemin's private line:

"Vice Minister, this is Qiaoshan."

"Currently, we are investigating Liang Yueshan, a capable subordinate of Ma Hansan, and we have already collected quite a bit of solid evidence; it will soon be time to bleed Ma Hansan."

"But there is a mole inside our inspection team."

"Zhang Zhiping went behind my back and released the person early this morning."

"Moreover, it seems he was followed by Ma Hansan's people, which puts me in a very difficult position now."

"I want to investigate corruption."

"But there is already corruption within my own ranks."

"If Ma Hansan and the major newspapers use this to shut my mouth later, I won't be able to continue this inspection."

"Mm, mm."

"Good, thank you, Vice Minister; the wind is strong in Jingling these two days, please take care of your health."

He hung up the phone.

Lu Qiaoshan let out a long sigh of relief.

Official Zheng's meaning was very clear: the arrow is on the string and must be fired.

He had already bitten into this tough bone that is Ma Hansan, so he had to tear off a few pieces of meat regardless; if the first fire of a new official is extinguished, it would make him, the Vice Minister, lose face when it reaches Jingling.

Furthermore, anti-corruption is also something Jiang Jianfeng has been pushing hard.

To back down at this time would not only invite ridicule, but he also wouldn't be able to answer to Jiang Jianfeng.

Lu Qiaoshan, however, knew.

Answering to Jiang Jianfeng wasn't the important part.

The key was being afraid of not being able to answer to his wife.

With the order, Lu Qiaoshan felt at ease.

Zhang Zhiping still hadn't returned.

It was highly likely he had been taken away by Li Ya.

What kind of move would be made tomorrow?

Heh heh.

Let the winds blow from all directions, I will... Lu Qiaoshan, with murderous intent in his eyes, took his service pistol from the drawer, clicked it to load, flicked his hand, and made a "biu" sound while mimicking a shot.

The next day.

In front of the inspection team's office building.

Media from major newspaper offices gathered, numbering over a dozen, including authoritative papers like the Central Daily News.

Besides the newspapers.

There were also progressive student groups and representatives from the business community.

"Section Chief Lu, this is bad."

Li Zhong rushed into Lu Qiaoshan's office.

"Panicking like this, what kind of decorum is this? What happened?" Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"Outside is surrounded by reporters and students."

"They say you have a meeting and exchange session today specifically targeting the corruption case involving Beiping's livelihood and military supplies."

"They are all waiting for you now."

"But I checked your schedule and there is no such plan."

Li Zhong said.

"Indeed."

"This is someone wanting to hold a press conference for me, letting me show my face in front of the people of the whole country."

"That works too."

"Then let's go and show it."

Lu Qiaoshan smiled, closed his fountain pen, straightened his tie and attire, and walked toward the lobby.

Arriving at the entrance.

The large newspaper offices were naturally at the front.

Such as the Beiping Central Branch, the Beiping Daily, etc.

"May I ask when Chief Inspector Lu will arrive?"

"That's right, we want to see Chief Inspector Lu."

A reporter urged impatiently.

"Everyone, don't crowd; our team leader will be here immediately, please stay calm," the guards at the door maintained order.

Soon, Lu Qiaoshan walked over with high spirits, smiling and bowing to everyone.

"Everyone, feel free to ask any questions," Lu Qiaoshan smiled at everyone as if bathed in a spring breeze.

"Team Leader Lu, may I ask what your attitude toward corruption is? You've been in Beiping for so many days, does the working group have any results to announce to everyone?"

The first to speak was a reporter from the Beiping Central Branch.

For this one sentence, someone had given her a large yellow fish (gold bar).

"Zero tolerance."

"Absolute zero tolerance!"

"No matter who it is, anyone who dares to disregard the interests of the party, the state, and the people must be severely punished without leniency."

Lu Qiaoshan raised his right index finger and answered with resonance and force.

"I heard that Liang Yueshan of the Grain Bureau was released by you."

"Nowadays, grain prices change every day, and the common people can barely afford their next meal; where exactly did so much grain deficit go?"

"May I ask if the inspection team has already found any clues?"

A reporter from the Yanjing Daily asked.

"That's right, hand over Liang Yueshan."

"Who in all of Beiping City doesn't know that Liang Yueshan lives in a mansion and drives a nice car? Even his dogs eat better than the common people. Why should he be rolling in wealth while we have to go hungry?"

"Hand over Liang Yueshan."

The commoners watching the spectacle in the back began to jeer and shout.

For a moment, the crowd was filled with righteous indignation.

"Liang Yueshan, you say?" Lu Qiaoshan put on a troubled expression.

"Speak up! Where is Liang Yueshan? We want to skin that bastard alive!"

The people below grew even more boisterous.

"Let me tell everyone where Liang Yueshan is." Li Ya emerged from the crowd, grabbed Liang Yueshan, and dragged him before Lu Qiaoshan.

"Everyone, my name is Li Ya, and I am the captain of the Action Team of the Jinhai Station of the Secret Service Bureau.

"Recently, while investigating the distribution of grain from the Jinhai reserves, the trail led to Beiping.

"Last month, Liang Yueshan colluded with underground black-market merchants to resell eight thousand tons of rice shipped from the Jinhai docks.

"This man is truly guilty of heinous crimes!

"Yet, for such a man, whose crimes are monstrous and whose evidence is ironclad, he was released due to the incompetence of the Inspection Group and because some people accepted bribes.

"Everyone, tell me, is there any law or discipline left?"

Li Ya shouted with a look of righteous indignation.

"That's right, the Inspection Group is committing crimes and accepting bribes.

"Get out of Beiping!"

Those inside who had been bought off by Ma Hansan earlier began to shout.

"Everyone.

"Do you know who let Liang Yueshan go?

"It was this man here.

"His name is Zhang Zhiping, and he is the deputy leader of the Inspection Group.

"Yesterday, while I was following a lead, I happened to catch him accepting a bribe from Liang Yueshan's wife, and furthermore, he was having an illicit affair with Mrs. Liang.

"These are the photos.

"Everyone, take a look!"

Li Ya took out the developed photos and handed them out one by one to the reporters and representatives at the scene.

A sudden uproar broke out in the crowd.

Zhang Zhiping covered his face, his head hanging low, wishing he could crawl into a crack in the ground.

"Captain Li, long time no see."

Lu Qiaoshan looked at the triumphant Li Ya, his smile remaining calm.

"I appreciate you thinking of me," Li Ya laughed.

As he spoke, he turned to incite the crowd: "Everyone, the Inspection Group must give you all an explanation."

"That's right.

"They must give us an explanation!"

Below, there was another uproar.

"Everyone, please be quiet. I can answer any questions you have.

"Can everyone please not crowd or make noise?"

Lu Qiaoshan waved his hand and shouted.

"Chief Inspector Lu, your internal staff has accepted bribes and sexual favors to release Liang Yueshan. How do you explain this?" After the noise died down slightly, a reporter asked.

"I had no knowledge of the release of Liang Yueshan.

"It was a decision made privately by Deputy Leader Zhang Zhiping behind my back.

"There are records of this in the archives, and there are multiple witnesses."

Lu Qiaoshan said.

"The Inspection Group is incompetent and accepts bribes; that is an ironclad fact, isn't it?

"Is Inspector Lu trying to use a Taiji move to shirk responsibility?"

Li Ya questioned.

After figuring out the attitude of Jiang Jianfeng, he felt more and more that what he was doing was right.

Jiang Jianfeng hated corruption.

But he did not want to move against Ma Hansan.

By holding up the banner of anti-corruption himself while simultaneously getting rid of Lu Qiaoshan, he was also indirectly protecting Ma Hansan.

This perfectly aligned with the wishes of his superiors.

The louder the outcry, the more likely it would be heard by Jiang Jianfeng.

"Of course not.

"I have said before that our Deputy Chief Zheng and the Inspection Group have no upper limit on the intensity of our crackdown on corruption.

"Even if we have to cut into our own ranks, we will never show the slightest mercy.

"Everyone, what I have in my hand is ironclad evidence of Liang Yueshan's corruption.

"We will definitely put this man on public trial to give everyone an account.

"As for this Deputy Leader Zhang Zhiping, he knowingly broke the law, accepted bribes and sexual favors—his crimes are compounded. A person like this is absolutely not allowed to remain in our Inspection Group.

"We must also execute one to warn a hundred, and give the people of Beiping an account."

Lu Qiaoshan said with a voice like a tolling bell, his expression stern.

"Execute one to warn a hundred?

"Lu Qiaoshan, what are you trying to do?

"I am a deputy-division-level official. Even if I am guilty, I must be handed over to the High Court for trial. You—you have no authority to punish me."

Zhang Zhiping panicked slightly and began to argue his case.

"No.

"A black sheep like you is a disgrace to the Party and State for every extra day you live.

"According to the opinions of Comrade Jiang Jianfeng at the anti-corruption seminar, and the determination expressed by Deputy Chief Zheng to severely punish corruption, I now declare that Zhang Zhiping has knowingly broken the law, and the evidence of his accepting bribes is ironclad.

"I hereby order his immediate execution to restore the integrity of the Party and State!"

As Lu Qiaoshan spoke, he drew his service pistol and pressed it against Zhang Zhiping's forehead.

"Lu Qiaoshan, you—don't do anything rash.

"I have rendered service to the Party and State; I shed blood in the Defense of Hengyang.

"I want to see Chief Han.

"I want to see General Bai Chongxi.

"I want to see the Chairman and Jiang Jianfeng!"

Under the fear of death, Zhang Zhiping screamed at the top of his lungs.

"Gentlemen.

"For the sake of the people of Beiping, Qiaoshan is willing to use blood today to declare my resolve; I swear to be irreconcilable with corrupt elements.

"This shot is fired for the people of Beiping who are currently suffering from hunger and cold!"

Lu Qiaoshan looked righteous and awe-inspiring.

"Bang!"

He pulled the trigger.

In front of hundreds of people, he executed Zhang Zhiping with one shot at the entrance of the hall.

"Good!

"Team Leader Lu is a good man.

"This is the kind of good official we, the common people of Beiping, need!"

The eyes of the common people were sharp; no matter how loud the people hired by Ma Hansan shouted, they were quickly drowned out by the voices of the onlookers.

Originally, Li Ya and Ma Hansan had wanted to use the situation to smear Lu Qiaoshan.

They never expected that it would instead allow Lu Qiaoshan to gain great acclaim.

Fresh blood splattered onto Li Ya's face.

It felt a bit hot and numb.

Li Ya came to his senses, only to see Lu Qiaoshan acting as if he were the reincarnation of Judge Bao, accepting interviews from major media outlets and the cheers of the common people.

This... Li Ya was stunned.

No, how did a perfectly good hand of cards end up being played like this?

"Everyone.

"Qiaoshan is busy with official business, and there are still a pile of corrupt elements waiting to be dealt with, so I won't chat with you all any longer.

"I ask for everyone's understanding."

Lu Qiaoshan immediately clicked his heels and gave a standard military salute in all directions.

This drew another round of cheers from the onlookers.

After finally waiting for the crowd to disperse, Lu Qiaoshan walked over to the bewildered and resentful Li Ya:

"Captain Li, the cafeteria is serving vegetarian dishes for lunch; would you like to stay and have a simple meal with us?"

"Stop pretending, you reek of corrupt coffee," Li Ya said.

"Everyone is about the same.

"Those who drink tea aren't necessarily any better off.

"I fell into your hands last time, but it was only because I was careless; that must have made you happy for a long time.

"Don't be in such a hurry.

"From the day I fell, I told myself that I must get back up from exactly where I tripped.

"Today's performance isn't to prove how clumsy you are.

"It's to tell you that your Brother Shan is always your Brother Shan; you aren't qualified to play games with me!

"Just wait, once I'm done with Ma Han, the next stop is Jinmen.

"That means you and Wu Jing!"

Lu Qiao took off his glasses, wiped them, put them back on, and stared at Li Ya with a cold sneer.

"Lu Qiao.

"Don't get happy too early either.

"We've barely even started.

"Why don't we wait and see; you won't be able to show your face, nor will you be able to go to Jinmen!

"I was able to take you down once.

"I can take you down twice, three times, a hundred times!"

Li Ya stepped closer to him and said through gritted teeth, refusing to show weakness.

"Fine.

"Then let's wait and see, and see who finishes first!"

Lu Qiao's tone suddenly became lighthearted.

After dropping that line, he ignored Li Ya and walked away quickly.

Damn it!

Li Ya cursed and walked away quickly.

He refused to believe that with the help of two cunning foxes like Hong Zhiyou and Ma Han, he could still suffer a defeat in Beiping.

……

(End of chapter)