Chapter 28: Big Fish Confesses, Old Yu is in Danger (Seeking favorites, recommendation tickets)

"Yes!"

Hong Zhiyou answered without hesitation.

"Why? You are both my right-hand men," Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"Station Chief, Director Yu is your student; a teacher for a day is a father for life.

"Furthermore, he once revealed to Captain Ma that Boss Dai had invited him for a casual meal and held him in high regard.

"What a prestigious honor that is.

"As for me, I have no connections or background. I call you teacher, but in reality, I am nothing.

"Therefore, I can only strive for merit and perform meritorious deeds; only in this way can I obtain your protection and promotion."

Under Wu Jingzhong's gaze, Hong Zhiyou said this with genuine sincerity.

"Do you really think so?" Wu Jingzhong asked solemnly.

"If I, your student, have spoken even half a lie, I shall cut myself off from the Party and State."

Just as Hong Zhiyou was about to stand up to swear an oath, Wu Jingzhong hurriedly pressed him down and smiled faintly:

"Young man, your heart to perform meritorious deeds and be loyal to the Party and State is commendable.

"It is just that the station needs unity.

"Later, you must explain things clearly to Director Yu.

"Only by pulling in the same direction and twisting into a single rope can we strengthen the cause of the Party and State."

"Yes, Station Chief," Hong Zhiyou said, accepting the instruction.

"Alright, return to the station.

"Great Franklin! (The big head printed on the hundred-dollar bill)

"Today is a good day. You and Zecheng must come to my house tonight for a good drink," Wu Jingzhong ordered, then walked away with his hands behind his back, feeling satisfied.

Hong Zhiyou breathed a sigh of relief.

Wu Jingzhong was too cunning.

Just now, if he hadn't answered that question well, one of them—either he or Old Yu—might have ended up marginalized.

Wu Jingzhong loved to play with power.

What an "Emperor" fears most is being propped up like a clay idol.

If Hong Zhiyou did not target Yu Zecheng but instead colluded with him, Wu Jingzhong would be blind and deaf.

This is the great taboo of those in power.

Therefore, Wu must ensure they have friction, engage in internal strife, and supervise each other.

Only in this way can he maintain control over all sides.

Hong Zhiyou was eager for merit, so Yu Zecheng would inevitably be dissatisfied.

This was exactly what Wu Jingzhong wanted to see.

Including his later use of the Deputy Station Chief position to sit on the mountain and watch the three tigers—Li, Lu, and Yu—fight, it meant the same thing.

If Hong Zhiyou hadn't watched "Lurk" over a dozen times, he would have fallen into the old fox's trap.

"Director Yu, let's go together."

Hong Zhiyou went downstairs, called out to Yu Zecheng, and got into the car.

The car drove to a quiet lakeside.

Hong Zhiyou braked: "Old Yu, let's chat."

The two paced by the lake.

"Secretary Hong, thanks.

"Today I finally made a comeback. You don't know how I've been living lately; the Station Chief wanted to tear me apart.

"I don't have to accompany Miss Mu anymore either.

"You've done me a huge favor."

Yu Zecheng was genuinely grateful.

"Director Yu, you are a Major and my senior.

"And you have the Station Chief as your backer.

"To be honest, I'm trying to curry favor with you, so this little matter is nothing at all," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"You also have a bright future, brother..."

The two engaged in mutual flattery.

"By the way, Director Yu is a veteran of the intelligence department; do you have any unconventional channels?

"I have a friend who has a batch of arms and medicine on hand.

"Left behind by the Japanese, all good stuff, and he's anxious to offload it."

Now that the Cao Gang was on the verge of collapse, the matter entrusted by Anderson should be put on the agenda.

"Arms and medicine?

"Brother, you are very bold. This isn't the Beiyang era; smuggling these things will cost you your head," Yu Zecheng said in shock.

"But this stuff also makes money.

"You get promoted and I get rich, isn't that good?" Hong Zhiyou laughed, looking very money-minded.

He knew that Yu Zecheng was in urgent need of these things right now.

And he had already determined that he belonged to the type of person who wants money over face.

So, he simply laid his cards on the table.

"Don't mess around.

"If you really treat me as a friend, don't mention this again.

"I have something to do on Kunshan Road; it's close by, so I'll walk a few steps. You go back yourself."

Yu Zecheng refused without hesitation.

"Alright, Director Yu, think about it." Hong Zhiyou didn't force it and returned to the roadside to drive away.

Old Yu was too cautious.

But it didn't matter.

Without Old Yu, there was still Liao Sanmin.

I'll go check out the handsome Liao.

Yu Zecheng put his hands in his pockets and paced along the lakeside path.

He had just arrived at the station and didn't know the background of these people.

Friends?

It was nothing more than mutual exploitation to facilitate gathering information.

Yu Zecheng even suspected that Hong Zhiyou was sent by the Station Chief to test him.

This person is very dangerous!

Must be vigilant and careful.

However, the border region was currently lacking weapons, especially medicine, which was strictly controlled in the Nationalist-controlled areas and was hard to come by for any price.

If Hong Zhiyou really had a way, it would be an opportunity.

It's just that he couldn't openly cooperate with him, nor could he find someone else to negotiate.

Once it was a trap set by Wu Jingzhong.

Whoever went would be watched to death.

What should he do?

He didn't dare to eat the fat meat right in front of his mouth.

Yu Zecheng felt inexplicably distressed.

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Hong Zhiyou drove back to the station.

As expected, Liao Sanmin also refused.

These Red spies were sharp as tacks, each one guarding against him like he was a thief.

Why is it so hard to raise a flag and earn some pocket money?

Just arrived at the station.

Before he could even sit down, Hong Zhiyou was called into the Station Chief's office.

"Secretary Hong, go notify Captain Ma to clear out the interrogation room. From now on, without my order, no one is allowed to go near the interrogation room," Wu Jingzhong ordered.

"Yes!"

Hong Zhiyou knew this meant they were going to interrogate the Red spy.

Half an hour later.

Hong Zhiyou accompanied Wu Jingzhong to the interrogation room.

He saw a person sitting in the electric chair.

Covered in blood, hair disheveled, face unrecognizable.

Liu Xiong and several burly men were using sticks and whips, and there was a red-hot branding iron nearby.

"Has he confessed?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"No, he's stubborn as a mule; he hasn't let out a single word," Liu Xiong said.

"Then what are you waiting for? Continue." Wu Jingzhong was no saint.

Liu Xiong picked up a glowing red branding iron and slammed it into the man's body.

"Ah!"

Accompanied by the stench of burning flesh and black smoke, the man began to twitch and scream in agony.

"Liu Wensheng.

"53 years old, from Baoding.

"You were once an important figure in the Beiping local committee, using the alias Yang Ping'an, and taught at Yanjing University. This time, you came to Jinmen specifically; nominally, it was a transfer to Beiyang University, but in reality, you were in charge of underground work for the Red Tickets.

"Am I right or wrong?"

Wu Jingzhong walked to his side and asked in a deep voice.

"I, I don't know what you're talking about.

"My name is Yang Ping'an, I am a professor at Yanjing University, and I am going to Beiyang University to teach under the transfer order of Minister Zhu Jiahua of the Ministry of Education. I, I am friends with Mr. Chen Bulei.

"This is torture and forced confession.

"I want to see Minister Zhu, I want to see Mr. Yanji!"

Liu Wensheng screamed hoarsely at the top of his lungs.

"Hmph!

"This is the Juntong Bureau station, not Lady Jiang's parlor.

"If you dare to be stubborn again, I'll blow your brains out with one shot."

Wu Jingzhong grabbed his hair and roared sternly.

"You, you are..." Liu Wensheng still wanted to argue.

Liu Xiong and the others gave him another brutal beating.

"Professor Liu, I know you have a daughter working at the Yanjing University library.

"You are also quite the romantic; you remarried a female college graduate even younger than your daughter. She is very beautiful, sensible, and looks a bit like Hu Die, right?

"Congratulations, you are about to be a father again.

"This is the pregnancy report from the hospital."

Wu Jingzhong let out a cold laugh, took a check-up slip out of his pocket, and held it up.

"You, you..." Liu Wensheng became anxious.

"Do you know why I only interrogated you today?

"I just had them secretly transported from Beiping. I was afraid of alerting the Red Tickets; it was quite a lot of trouble.

"But don't worry, they are doing very well right now."

Wu Jingzhong said unhurriedly.

"They, they are innocent. If you want to kill or butcher someone, come at me." Liu Wensheng was clearly panicked.

"Look, why are you in such a rush?

"They are doing just fine at the Astor Hotel; I've already spoken to them.

"Once your work is arranged, I will let your whole family reunite.

"However, they seem to still be in the dark.

"You wouldn't want them to know that you are a Red Ticket, would you?"

After Wu Jingzhong finished speaking, he beckoned to Hong Zhiyou.

Hong Zhiyou opened the box.

"Mr. Liu, this is the deed to a three-story mansion on Guilin Road.

"This is your reward."

Inside were ten large gold bars, plus two thousand dollars in rolled-up bills.

"As long as you cooperate with us, these are all yours.

"You and your beautiful wife, daughter, and future child can become true elites in this colorful world.

"No longer needing to live in fear, the four of you can enjoy family happiness; wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Wu Jingzhong retracted his edge, his friendliness like that of a neighborly old woman playing matchmaker.

"Wuu wuu!"

Liu Wensheng lowered his head and burst into tears.

"What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and untie Mr. Liu and bring him some tea." Wu Jingzhong gave a look.

Hong Zhiyou immediately brought over tea.

After crying for a while, Liu Wensheng held the cup and gradually calmed down:

"Fine, I'll confess!"

Damn it.

This dog of a man folded after just a few words; he's nowhere near as good as Shopkeeper Qiu.

It's truly embarrassing.

Trash!

Useless!

Hong Zhiyou cursed Liu Wensheng in his heart, and his head began to ache.

With Liu Wensheng folding like this, Old Yu might be exposed.

The melon isn't ripe yet, and Old Yu is already going offline.

How am I supposed to eat it?

Dear big shots, rolling on the floor as usual, begging for a wave of investments, recommendation votes, tips, and the like. Mwah.





(End of chapter)