[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-spy-survival-guide":3,"chapter-spy-survival-guide-spy-survival-guide-chapter-284":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Spy Survival Guide",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2366600,4634,"Chapter 284: This Money Burns the Hands","spy-survival-guide-chapter-284",284,"\u003Cp>\"Brother Shan, you're returning to the Secret Service Bureau. Hey, I was wondering why you suddenly returned to the old residence; so that's what it was for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should have said so earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, your brother, would have had everything tidied up for you in advance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuxi hurriedly turned back, bowing and scraping with a fawning expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think I came back to Jinmen just to fool around?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not bragging.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Six months, half a year at most, and the position of Deputy Station Chief of the Jinmen Station will be mine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiao sat with his legs crossed, saying this with a cold, arrogant look on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't just blowing smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Yu Zecheng's identity, plus the trouble caused by Shopkeeper Qiu, Huang Zhong, and his wife, Yu Zecheng's seat as Deputy Station Chief was far from secure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the war intensified, and with Jinmen serving as a transit base for grain and supplies, the competition with the Red side would inevitably sharpen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ya would also be heavily relied upon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When that time came, the first person he would investigate would be Yu Zecheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, even if the Station Chief could protect Yu Zecheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng would still be no match for Li Ya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Lu Qiao was certain that as soon as Li Ya started acting up, Wu Jingzhong would very likely support him to become the Deputy Station Chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also a means of protecting Yu Zecheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wu was still quite partial to this student of his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deputy Station Chief!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Shan, you're going to be Deputy Station Chief?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuxi's voice began to tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To tell you the truth, Station Chief Wu invited me back to Jinmen this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know why the Secret Service Bureau's Intelligence Division has never appointed a Chief?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiao's face darkened as he put on a show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it... is it specifically reserved for you, Brother Shan?\" Lu Yuxi asked in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems you aren't completely stupid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xizi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't think that just because you've become a Deputy Team Leader you're something special; in this part of Jinmen, you can't handle the game.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But your Brother Shan is still your Brother Shan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe one of these days I'll go to the Garrison Headquarters for a meeting and have a chat with your Chief Bai.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiao tapped the table hard with his fingers and glared coldly at Lu Yuxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In Jinmen, who doesn't know you, Brother Shan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was brought up by you, after all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it weren't for you, Brother Shan, back then, where would Xizi be today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuxi nodded and smiled like a chicken pecking at rice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as you know your place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back at the Secret Service Bureau, I can understand you selling your brother out in front of Li Ya and Wu Jingzhong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want to keep getting by in Jinmen in the future, you need to keep your eyes sharp and know your place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Shan can help you get up there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I can have you taken down in a minute!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiao reached out to brush off his shoulder and sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood, understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, we're all family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your business is my business, Xizi's business. Tell me, what is it? Xizi will definitely get it done perfectly for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuxi didn't dare to put on airs anymore and hurriedly asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go and find out the market situation; see who is selling penicillin, and buy as much as you can for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In short, I need to know the batch numbers of the medicine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiao instructed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's simple. We have informants in the black market; I'll have them check right away,\" Lu Yuxi replied, accepting the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chief Lu, the inspection is complete; there are no listening devices.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a staff member walked over with the equipment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiao nodded and waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Shan, then, then I'll be going. Get some rest early,\" Lu Yuxi bowed and walked away quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dog of a thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still can't keep you in line!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiao cursed in a low voice at his retreating back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regaining his composure, he quickly picked up the phone and dialed Sheng Xiang's number:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, a batch of penicillin might have just entered the black market.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go and ask that scalper from the Dangtong Bureau.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See if you can get the batch numbers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Buy what? Do you have the money?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only buy the numbers, don't buy the medicine; this isn't something we can afford to speculate on right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go find out right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hanging up, he dialed Hong Zhiyou's number:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Zhiyou, do you have any news on your end?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet, I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, notify me the moment you have news.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou put down the phone, took the child from Mei Qiuju's arms, and began to soothe him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already been in contact with the Deputy Adjutant Sun who was by Fu Zuoyi's side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The war was currently at a stalemate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The organization's organs had shifted following the strategic abandonment of Yancheng, temporarily losing contact with local organizations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, even Yu Zecheng found it difficult to contact manpower for the time being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Li Ya's group had over a hundred men, all sent by Hu Zongnan's garrison troops, each one well-armed and elite among elites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hijack the medicine was equivalent to fighting a small-scale ambush battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment, only Deputy Adjutant Sun could pull it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for whether he found trusted soldiers or secretly contacted the guerrillas in his jurisdiction, that was not something Hong Zhiyou could speculate on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, being able to lurk by Fu Zuoyi's side meant he was no ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of safety considerations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not send a telegram to inquire with Deputy Adjutant Sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only wait patiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It dragged on until 10:30 at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou finally got the little beast to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhiyou, you must be exhausted, go get some rest,\" Mei Qiuju said, taking the baby with a look of pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should get some rest early too,\" Hong Zhiyou said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh, it's my fault, I got used to holding him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now this baby has to be held and rocked to sleep; it doesn't work unless you rock him for an hour or so.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Qiuju said with a self-reproachful smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Children are all like that,\" Hong Zhiyou said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned off the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat on the balcony and smoked for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If luck was on his side, Deputy Adjutant Sun should have succeeded long ago; at this hour, if Li Ya's car drove fast, he should be arriving in Jinmen soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing medicine was such a huge matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would definitely be driven mad and would report to the Station Chief immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By twelve o'clock, there was still no movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou could not hold out any longer and went to bed to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eleven o'clock in the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ya hurried back to the station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night was simply a nightmare for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the medical supplies were hijacked, and he had an unpleasant falling out with Zhou Li and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even worse, the car broke down halfway there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He curled up in the car and slept for the night, and only managed to escape after hitching a ride on a local villager's ox cart into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was quite the ordeal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now had he managed to rush back to Jinhai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the station, Li Ya did not care about his messy hair or the dust covering his body, and walked quickly toward the station master's office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain Li, back from Xi'an so soon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng happened to be returning from a meeting and greeted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ya’s face was livid, and he ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reaching the station master's office, he could not be bothered to knock and pushed the door open to walk in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou was in the middle of talking to Wu Jingzhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door swung open heavily, and both of them were startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain Li, this is...\" Hong Zhiyou feigned surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I apologize, this transport mission... failed.\" Li Ya pursed his lips and said, feeling very unwilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?\" Wu Jingzhong was greatly alarmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't the trains stop running?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I discussed taking the mountain road with Deputy Zhou, fearing that Fu Zuoyi's men would intercept us, so I specifically chose a hidden transport route used by the Red Tickets in the past.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As a result, halfway there, we were hijacked by bandits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ya said with a depressed look on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bandits?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hijacked!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhou Li had over a hundred men, all armed with guns, and they still let themselves be hijacked by bandits? Am I seeing ghosts?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong said incredulously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wanted to fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the bandits had artillery, and I was afraid of blowing up the medicine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Furthermore, this bunch of people are cowards; as soon as the bandits shouted, they threw down their guns and ran.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Master, this man surnamed Zhou has been at odds with me the whole way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who knows what he will say when he gets to Hu Zongnan's side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have to help me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ya was truly panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was over a hundred thousand dollars worth of medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the fierce fighting at the front lines now, the value of the medical supplies was immeasurable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Zongnan would surely skin him alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Ya, oh Li Ya, how could you take the Red Tickets' transport route?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you afraid people won't think you're 'red' enough?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Whampoa clique is already at odds with Boss Dai, and they were mortal enemies during the Juntong era. How do you expect me to go and plead with Hu Zongnan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong was so angry he cursed out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh, I didn't expect...\" Li Ya curled his lip and could not continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now is not the time to assign blame. The most urgent task is to stabilize Hu Zongnan's people, discuss how to shoulder this together, and figure out how to report back to Commander Hu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Otherwise, if it all falls on Captain Li's head alone, it will lead to a major disaster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou proposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Ya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are Zhou Li and his men?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where did they run off to? Hurry and find them,\" Wu Jingzhong said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This, they are likely already in Xi'an by now,\" Li Ya said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am out of options.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You go back first and wait for news from Hu Zongnan's side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If he lost the medical supplies, his subordinates handled things poorly, so he might not dare to make a scene.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If he doesn't make a scene, consider yourself lucky.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If he wants to cause trouble, we will find Jiang Jianfeng then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he could speak to Hu Zongnan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just did not want to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would use this incident to test Jiang Jianfeng's bottom line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jiang Jianfeng still insisted on protecting Li Ya,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then it meant the next step might be to transfer him or replace his position as station master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong would then have to let Lu Qiaoshan return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To continue tearing at and fighting with Li Ya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, then I will go first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher, I am counting on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ya walked out with his hands in his pockets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhiyou, is that deputy of Fu Zuoyi reliable? He won't leak anything, will he?\" Once Li Ya left, Wu Jingzhong asked in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not afraid even if he does.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He only knows my codename.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The call was made from a public booth, and other than passing the tip, I didn't say a single other piece of information.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if he gets caught, he won't be able to implicate me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou answered in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\" Wu Jingzhong nodded at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was always at ease with how Zhiyou handled things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher, can Li Ya survive this hurdle?\" Hong Zhiyou asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think it's doubtful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hu Zongnan is still outwardly boasting about various achievements every day, but from the information we have gathered on our intelligence lines, he has been suffering consecutive defeats in places like Qinghuabian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They want a full-scale offensive, blossoming on multiple fronts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Red Tickets won't fight him head-on; they gather their five fingers into a fist and specifically target his weaknesses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is now exhausted from running around.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is unfamiliar with the terrain, can't outrun them, and can't find them when he wants a decisive battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mobile Corps Commander warfare... how can this possibly be unsolvable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong said with a frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This war is indeed not easy to fight,\" Hong Zhiyou nodded and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hu Zongnan is frustrated and angry; he will definitely look for a scapegoat and find all sorts of reasons to shirk responsibility later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Ya won't be able to shake off this blame.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Delaying military intelligence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If they find out he was reselling something, that is a capital offense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Jiang Jianfeng wants to protect him, we will be in trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Jiang Jianfeng doesn't protect him, Li Ya will just have to be discarded.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I would rather Mao Renfeng send a Mao Wanli than have another person from the Iron-Blooded Youth Corps come here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Mao Wanli comes, it's nothing more than wanting money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Iron-Blooded Youth Corps, they want this chair of mine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong held up his index finger, annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the Master says is very true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiang Jianfeng just became the director of the Second Division of the Three People's Youth League a while ago; the Generalissimo is clearly determined to have him expand the League and cultivate it into an intelligence force loyal only to Jiang Jianfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once this fat piece of meat that is Jinhai is swallowed, it will be of great benefit to expanding his influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And someone like Li Ya, who has the seniority, the merits, and the methods, is indeed the most suitable candidate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We do have to be on guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It would be best if we could stall for another year or two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To buy us some time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In another year or two, liberation will come, and by then, Jinhai Station can be left for Jiang Jianfeng and Li Ya to play with at their leisure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've thought it over; if Li Ya can still survive this time, I'll have Lu Qiaoshan brought back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you picked out the gift on your end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it's convenient, go pay a visit to Ke Shufen today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong instructed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, are you going?\" Hong Zhiyou asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won't be going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If someone comes to snatch money and I still deliver myself to their doorstep to kiss their backside, it will only make people think I'm easy to bully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if this money is given to her, it must be done in a way that makes her feel terrified and makes the money burn her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you understand what I mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong said coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"While I deliver the money to her, I will also arrange a little show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for Tang Zong, I'll leave that to you, Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For Tang Zong, just find any passerby to whisper in his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's a petty man, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's addicted to writing reports; who knows, he might already be preparing black material on Zheng Jiemin right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must communicate well with Cole as soon as possible and invite Zheng Jiemin to Qingdao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm worried that Zheng Jiemin won't take the bait,\" Hong Zhiyou said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zheng Jiemin has been very high-profile lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He Yingqin is very dissatisfied with him, and he will have Zheng Jiemin transferred there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as he goes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To the Qingdao Naval Base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't forget, that is where Boss Dai met his end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once Tang Zong's little report whispers in his ear, Zheng Jiemin's days will be difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if you make things difficult for his wife on your end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It will be hard for him to get his fill of this land in Jinhai.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, with you planning and strategizing, I see Jinhai as stable as Mount Taishan,\" Hong Zhiyou offered his usual sycophancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stable as Mount Taishan is a tall order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's just meeting every move with a counter-move.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled and waved his hand, signaling for Hong Zhiyou to go attend to his duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou drove straight to the Marine Corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Philson replaced General Butler as the commander, the demeanor of the Marines had become noticeably more relaxed and undisciplined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In broad daylight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually saw a woman coming out of the barracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hong, my dear friend, come quickly and taste this New Zealand wine sent to me by General Milai at headquarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From his own winery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When it comes to making, selling, and tasting wine, you are the most professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come, have a taste.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he entered the barracks, Philson, flushed with drink, greeted him enthusiastically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou tasted a few sips and naturally offered some praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he stated his request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Philson agreed readily: \"My brother, for such a small matter, you just need to give General Cole a call; there's no need for me to even step in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he turned and went inside to make the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He soon returned and said: \"Commander Cole has already agreed; next Wednesday he invites your Ministry of National Defense to visit and exchange at the naval base, and he specifically requested that his good friend General Zheng Jiemin lead the team.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks, General.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou bowed to show respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hong, don't be like that, we are friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Friends are meant to help each other and make lots of money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Philson draped his arm over his shoulder, walking outside while drunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General, please stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You keep drinking, I have things to do, so I'll be going.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou knew he would drink endlessly, so he quickly took off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went straight to Ke Shufen's mansion by the Haihe River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam, Secretary Hong from Jinhai Station is here,\" the guard reported in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that the Jinhai expert that Shen Zui speaks so highly of?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Call him in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to see just how 'expert' he really is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ke Shufen sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou walked in slowly, bowing slightly with neither servility nor arrogance: \"Madam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is Wu Jingzhong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why didn't he come?\" Ke Shufen asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Master Wu has gone to a meeting; as soon as he is free, he will certainly come to pay his respects to you, Madam,\" Hong Zhiyou said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know now, you can go back,\" Ke Shufen said with a dissatisfied pout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Spring in Jinhai is damp, and it is easy to catch a cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Master Wu entrusted me to bring you some medicinal herbs to ward off the cold and dispel dampness; I hope you will kindly accept them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou took out a box and placed it on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Medicinal herbs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is Wu Jingzhong wishing me ill?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sneered and reached out to open it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she opened a corner, she saw a coral tree, bright red as blood and a foot tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I accept this thoughtfulness from Jingzhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank Station Master Wu for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ke Shufen immediately changed her expression, becoming all smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jinhai has plenty to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard you like to watch opera; Mr. Mei happens to be free and will be performing in Jinhai soon, and I have already secured tickets for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou handed over the ticket stubs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I haven't heard that Mr. Mei was going to perform?\" Ke Shufen was a veteran opera fan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps he suddenly decided to perform?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are here, Madam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is the honor of our Jinmen City; who would dare not show respect, and Master Mei is naturally no exception.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Master Mei already had this plan to come and perform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou only had to let Yong Jianqiu drop a hint, and the matter was settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad, you are quite interesting.\" Ke Shufen's mood improved significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does the Lady usually like to play mahjong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are several ladies from the business and military circles at the Navy Club who admire you very much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They want to entrust me to invite you to play a few rounds of mahjong together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the Lady has free time and is willing to give Zhiyou this small favor, you can go over and sit for a while when you are free.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drink some tea and play a few rounds to pass the time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou said with a gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ke Shufen loved hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly Hong Zhiyou acting as the bridge to give her an opportunity to make money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it turned into her doing Hong Zhiyou a favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such a sweet mouth, who wouldn't like him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you suggested it, I naturally must give you this bit of face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's just that my card skills have always been poor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do they play for high stakes, and how is their skill? You know that your Chief Zheng is incorruptible, and I don't have that much money to spend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ke Shufen laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They play for very high stakes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A single round can be hundreds, or even thousands of US dollars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But their skills are truly not that great.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With the Lady's noble air and luck, once you sit down there, you will surely sweep the board.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou smiled even more brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, then I will listen to little Hong and play a few rounds with them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just arrange the time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Ke Shufen felt at ease immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will go arrange it right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for dining, Lady...\" Hong Zhiyou asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no need to trouble yourself with that, I can arrange it myself,\" Ke Shufen said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady, this is my number, one for the office, one for home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am at your beck and call twenty-four hours a day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See you later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, go on with your work.\" Ke Shufen waved her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Hong Zhiyou left, she couldn't wait to open the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, besides a piece of red coral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were also quite a few antiques and paintings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a stack of US banknotes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were as many as five thousand US dollars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was likely meant to be gambling capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man certainly knows how to handle things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one piece of red coral and a few ink paintings were far from enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ke Shufen gave a cold smile and put them away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou left the residence and returned to the car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you figure it out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Lin Tian, who was sitting in the passenger seat, slouching with a cigarette in his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've finished scouting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't mind the few bird guards; one can enter and exit easily. As long as you give the word, I can get the things back tonight.\" Lin Tian had already scouted the surroundings of the residence while Hong Zhiyou was visiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet, let her enjoy it for two days first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Station Chief and I share the same sentiment: giving gifts is fine, but if anyone wants to forcefully take from our pockets, there's no way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, this woman is very arrogant. You find an opportunity later to provoke her, then retaliate against her. Make her feel fear so that she has no choice but to beg the Station Chief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Specifically, like this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou leaned into his ear and gave instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rest assured.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will make this trip to Jinmen the nightmare of her life!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian sneered coldly and menacingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4007,"2026-06-25T10:22:50.793Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","7885d4d498b8fd11308aaa3cce0be045d5a117cacc2f98faf357953fa6bfe937","spy-survival-guide-chapter-285","spy-survival-guide-chapter-283",395,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fspy-survival-guide-cover.jpg"]