Chapter 288: Must Get Out Within Three Days

The next day.

Jinhai Station.

Wu Jingzhong was listening to the radio, which was playing a Red Ticket station broadcast.

"Master, Captain Li is currently conducting an internal purge; he might have an opinion if he hears you listening to this," Hong Zhiyou said softly as he handed over tea.

"I'm not listening to that.

"Should I listen to those bullshit war reports from Hu Zongnan every day?

"Can the Central Radio Station even be listened to nowadays?

"It's all fake news!"

Wu Jingzhong said with annoyance.

"That's true.

"Not to mention that you don't like listening to it, Master, I don't like it either.

"I think the likes of Hu Zongnan can only rely on these fake, grandiose, and empty news reports to fool the common people and the Americans."

Just as they were speaking, Li Ya walked in with a smile.

He was a secret agent, after all; his ears were quite sharp.

Fortunately, Hong Zhiyou spoke with discretion; while it seemed like he was bad-mouthing Li Ya, he was actually praising and building him up.

Otherwise, given Li Ya's temperament, he would have already thrown a tantrum.

Having said that, Hong Zhiyou actually admired Li Ya quite a bit.

The man was arrogant and dabbled a bit in wealth and women.

But at his core, he was loyal to the Party-State, could still distinguish right from wrong, and retained some of the character of an angry youth.

For instance, he had always been very dissatisfied with the likes of Hu Zongnan and Du Yuming.

He also dared to speak out against certain current ills.

Such a person would be considered someone with backward awareness who needed further sublimation on the Red Ticket side, but in the Party-State, he definitely counted as a "clear stream."

"Li Ya, sit," Wu Jingzhong said, raising his hand.

"How is it? Is the internal investigation going smoothly?

"Right now, internal investigation alone is not enough.

"The war at the front is in full swing; you must continue to strike hard externally, destroy the Red Ticket's transit stations, and cut off their connections to Yancheng and the Northeast."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Yes.

"It's just that I'm a bit overwhelmed.

"The Intelligence Division was handed over according to your instructions, but Director Sheng has been at it for two days now and is still familiarizing himself with the work; he's been slow to get things running."

Li Ya had quite a few complaints.

From the bottom of his heart, he looked down on Sheng Xiang; what kind of person was he to be on equal footing with him?

"Sheng Xiang used to manage archives; it always takes a process of adaptation to switch to the intelligence line.

"Furthermore, he is also an old hand who came out of Luojiawan.

"He has the work capability.

"Don't be impatient; give him some time."

Wu Jingzhong smiled.

He was neither enthusiastic nor opposed to catching Red Tickets.

Therefore, he let Sheng Xiang drag his feet.

"Master.

"I heard the American military recently received a new batch of equipment.

"Our Jinhai has always been an active area for the Red Tickets; it's time to upgrade our equipment, especially the signal monitoring vehicles. It is said that this new batch of vehicles can expand the detection range to a radius of two kilometers.

"With this, we can have several vehicles patrolling the city at fixed times and locations twenty-four hours a day.

"We'll catch them every time.

"The Red Ticket's intelligence system will be finished."

Li Ya said.

"Heh, you have to admit, the Americans' brains are really quite good; they can always tinker with something fresh," Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"Technology, after all.

"This thing is like raising a Gu; the more you occupy the initiative, the stronger you are.

"They have Einstein.

"What do we have? Constant warfare; we don't even have a proper research department.

"Everything has to be begged for from others.

"It's truly stifling.

"I was just born in the wrong era; my burning passion can only be used for infighting. If it were a peaceful and prosperous age, I would also build a few atomic bombs and drop eight or ten of them on the devils' heads."

Li Ya shrugged, feeling quite indignant.

"Infighting is also a pleasure.

"Fine.

"It's rare for Captain Li to have such ambition; however much you want, I approve it.

"However, monitoring equipment and the Equipment Division have always been the responsibility of the Intelligence Division.

"You make a list for Sheng Xiang and let him sign off to negotiate."

Wu Jingzhong said with a smile.

"Master, can't you just approve it? Why let it pass through his hands? It's a waste of time," Li Ya said unhappily.

"Look, here we go again.

"I've said it before: comrades are like limbs, the organization is like a family.

"Sheng Xiang was sent down by headquarters and has official appointment papers; no matter how much you look down on him, he is still the Intelligence Division Director.

"Since that's the case, you must maintain good colleague relations.

"Don't trip him up; only by working with one heart and one mind can you achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and said solemnly.

"Fine.

"Since you've said so, I'll give him this face."

Li Ya raised his eyebrows in disdain, bowed slightly, and walked out with his hands in his pockets.

Just as he reached the door, Yu Zecheng happened to walk in:

"Captain Li, wait, I happen to have something to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Li Ya, having gained power and being valued by Jianfeng, was too lazy to even address Yu's position.

"According to procedure, documents borrowed from the station cannot be kept for more than twenty-four hours; the files you took must be returned to the Confidential Division as soon as possible," Yu Zecheng said.

"Return them?

"With so many files, how can I finish reading them in a day?

"In a few days."

Li Ya coldly refused.

"Don't.

"Rules are rules; Captain Li, don't make things difficult for me.

"How about this: you return them first, and after the filing is signed off, I'll have Section Chief Qin send them over to you again.

"From now on, we'll borrow and return them daily."

Yu Zecheng was also getting serious.

His usual image at the station was steady, and he was even a bit rigid when it came to work discipline.

Li Ya stared at him intently.

Yu Zecheng was all smiles, not yielding an inch.

The war between them had begun from the moment the Station Master pushed them out to preside over the joint trial of the spy case, leaving Li Ya with a handle.

There was no turning back.

There was no room for maneuver.

It was only a matter of life or death.

Li Ya glanced at Wu Jingzhong.

Wu Jingzhong was talking to Hong Zhiyou and didn't even look their way, acting as if he hadn't heard their argument.

"Fine.

"You're the Deputy Station Master; you have the final say.

"Deputy Station Master Yu, enjoy this position well."

Li Ya tilted his head with a smile and turned to walk out.

"Enjoyment is out of the question.

"I'll just ring the bell as long as I'm a monk."

Yu Zecheng said a flat sentence and turned into the Station Master's office.

"Master."

"Ke Shufen has arrived, and she was stopped by our guards."

He came in to report.

"You, you have the heart to bicker, why didn't you say so earlier?

"This woman is not someone to be trifled with.

"Zhiyou.

"Let's go, come with me to welcome the Vice Minister's wife."

Wu Jingzhong straightened his clothes and stood up.

"Yes." Hong Zhiyou readily accepted the order.

Soon, Wu Jingzhong arrived in front of the building and saw Ke Shufen, who was fuming with anger.

"Station Master Wu, what great official authority you have; one has to file a report just to see you." Seeing Wu Jingzhong, she hummed with dissatisfaction.

"You have no sense.

"Do you know who this is?

"This is the wife of Vice Minister Zheng; apologize at once."

Wu Jingzhong's face darkened as he scolded the guards.

"Madam Zheng, my apologies."

Several guards hurriedly bowed to apologize.

"Next time, keep your eyes peeled for me; get out of here." Wu Jingzhong waved his hand.

"Sister-in-law, why have you come?" Turning to look at Ke Shufen, he immediately changed his expression.

"Why have I come?

"Last night, someone broke into my bedroom and openly threatened and intimidated me; are you going to handle this or not?" Ke Shufen said.

"How outrageous!

"Who has such guts!

"Secretary Hong, what is going on?"

After entering the reception room, Wu Jingzhong asked Hong Zhiyou and the security chief for Ke Shufen with a stern face.

"I, I don't know.

"The police station had people arranged on the perimeter for the Madam; this matter should be asked of Bureau Chief Bai."

Hong Zhiyou also wore a look of astonishment.

"The police are useless.

"The police system is under the charge of Tang Zong, and he is at odds with Minister Zheng; how could the security possibly be adequate?

"You, you missed the mark!"

Wu Jingzhong pointed at Hong Zhiyou and criticized him with feigned displeasure.

"Yes, this subordinate will make other arrangements immediately." Hong Zhiyou said hurriedly.

"Sister-in-law, please don't be angry; this matter is also Jingzhong's fault.

"Recently, Jiang Jianfeng and headquarters have issued directives, and the station's work is busy; we simply cannot spare the manpower.

"It is my fault for the poor arrangement, causing you to be frightened."

Wu Jingzhong said apologetically again.

"It has nothing to do with Secretary Hong.

"Yesterday at the Shengping Theater, I encountered a drunkard and had a bit of an unpleasantness.

"Chief Fang said that the drunkard was most likely a bandit from the Guandong Mountains.

"I don't care which mountain the bandit is from.

"Within three days, you must catch the person for me!"

Ke Shufen ordered imperiously.

"Yes, yes.

"As long as Sister-in-law can vent your anger, three days it is; I guarantee I will catch the person for you."

Wu Jingzhong agreed very readily.

"Hmm, that's more like it; you have a bit of your old self back." Ke Shufen nodded in satisfaction.

"That is true.

"In front of you and Big Brother, Jingzhong will always be a younger brother.

"Over these years, if not for Big Brother's promotion and care, could Jingzhong have today?

"I remember it all."

Wu Jingzhong patted his chest and smiled obsequiously.

"It is good that you know it in your heart.

"When will you take me to see Zhang Xun's residence?

"You know, I just like some old artifacts; Zhang Xun was a famous person after all, and if I don't take a look, my heart will always be itching." Ke Shufen said.

"How about we go after catching the bandit.

"Sister-in-law, you have seen it too.

"I am so busy that I am running around in circles; I really cannot spare the time right now."

Wu Jingzhong clapped his hands and said with great difficulty.

"Fine then, it doesn't matter if it's these three days anyway; you and that residence aren't going anywhere." Ke Shufen jabbed at him with sharp words.

"Yes.

"Yes!

"Sooner or later, definitely."

Wu Jingzhong nodded repeatedly.

"You go get busy, I still have to go play cards.

"By the way, tell Qiuju to come and play a few rounds with me; even if she is busy holding her granddaughter, she shouldn't be so busy that she doesn't have time for a few rounds of cards.

"I'm afraid that being busy is just an excuse, and that the affection has faded is the truth."

Ke Shufen gave him an arrogant look, stood up, swayed her hips, and walked out.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare.

"I will call her right now.

"Take care, Sister-in-law."

Wu Jingzhong personally saw her out of the station.

"Three days.

"Can we get rid of her in three days?"

Returning to the room, Wu Jingzhong asked Hong Zhiyou.

"Last night was just an appetizer.

"Tonight, that piece of red coral should be back.

"With her stingy nature, she won't last three days before she has to pack up those paintings and calligraphy and make a quick escape."

Hong Zhiyou answered with great confidence.

"That is good.

"I am truly annoyed to see this woman.

"Wanting money but having no shame!

"That is exactly the kind of person she is!"

Wu Jingzhong said with great displeasure.

"Master.

"You say it is truly strange; Zheng Jiemin prides himself on integrity, yet his wife is notorious.

"Does the Leader truly not know?"

Hong Zhiyou was quite puzzled.

"How could he not know?

"Including me, those above are likely perfectly clear about it.

"The Leader's thinking is actually very simple.

"Money belongs to the common people and the big capitalists, not to him, Jiang.

"Being able to embezzle is a skill.

"Rather than letting the Kongs and Songs take it to North America, it is better to keep it circulating in the hands of people like us, in exchange for practical service.

"Besides, the money is in the hands of people like us.

"Once the world is at peace and Jiang Jianfeng takes power, it is not as if it can be taken away just like that.

"But does he, Jiang Jianfeng, dare to take it from Kong Xiangxi or Song Ziwen?

"Once the money of those people enters their pockets, you cannot extract a single cent.

"Therefore, the Leader's thinking is very simple.

"Embezzlement is fine, but the facade must be clean, and things must be done beautifully."

"Time to slaughter the ripe ones!"

Wu Jingzhong said very insightfully.

"That is indeed a method." Hong Zhiyou felt it made great sense.

It was just that the father and son of the Jiang family had been defeated too quickly.

If they had truly sat firmly, given Jianfeng's temperament, he really would have swung the sickle to start harvesting.

"Isn't Li Ya looking to buy equipment?

"Let Sheng Xiang handle it.

"This man is insatiably greedy and likes to take small advantages; when the time comes, let Li Ya catch him and strip him of his position as Chief of the Intelligence Section.

"Once Zheng Jiemin and his wife covet Jin Hai, Lu Qiaoshan's return will be secure.

"Of course, you must tip off Lu Qiaoshan about this matter.

"We should avoid being the bad guys whenever possible."

Wu Jingzhong instructed in a low voice.

"Understood!" Hong Zhiyou nodded.

Li Ya took the list and report and went straight to the Intelligence Section office.

Sheng Xiang was smoking.

"Yo, Captain Li is here." Seeing Li Ya, he hurriedly stubbed out his cigarette and stood up.

"This is the equipment I need.

"The Station Chief said this is your Intelligence Section's business, so take it and go talk to the Americans.

"You can draw the funding and procurement costs from Deputy Station Chief Yu.

"I have only one requirement: the faster, the better."

Li Ya narrowed his eyes and looked at him coldly as he spoke.

"Captain Li, don't you worry.

"I certainly won't delay your affairs."

Sheng Xiang said hurriedly.

Once Li Ya left, he couldn't help but feel ecstatic.

He hadn't expected that just two days into the job, he would land such a big task.

He had spent years hanging around the black market.

He even had acquaintances among the Americans.

Right now, American-style equipment was a rare commodity, and the prices weren't very transparent; there were plenty of opportunities to take kickbacks in between.

"Tsk tsk, there's even a signal vehicle.

"After this order, wouldn't there be tens of thousands of US dollars?

"Just skimming a little off the top..."

Sheng Xiang was so happy he was almost losing his sense of direction.

Over the past half year, he had been hanging around Jingling with Lu Qiaoshan; his rank had been raised by Lu Qiaoshan and Zheng Jiemin, but his pockets were tight, far less comfortable than when he was living in Jin Hai.

Now he had landed a lucrative position, managing the cold storage and the equipment room.

And there was a constant stream of intelligence.

This was an endless supply of wealth.

He picked up the phone, habitually wanting to discuss it with Lu Qiaoshan.

They had agreed before coming here that he would be in the open, Brother Shan would be in the shadows, and they would join forces to deal with Li Ya and make money.

Just as he picked it up, Sheng Xiang put it back down and lightly slapped himself across the face.

"Are you stupid?

"Why tell him? With old Lu's loose lips, the lion's share would end up being his again, and I wouldn't even get to drink the soup."

Afternoon.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at Lu Qiaoshan's garden cottage.

"Have you heard?" Hong Zhiyou crossed his legs and sipped some coffee.

"Heard what?" Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"Didn't Sheng Xiang tell you?" Hong Zhiyou set down his coffee cup, lowered his head, lit a cigarette, and took a puff.

"Sheng Xiang?

"Brother, stop keeping me in suspense, just tell me." Lu Qiaoshan was anxious.

"Li Ya has applied for a batch of new reconnaissance equipment.

"There are four signal tracking vehicles alone.

"There are also plenty of tape recorders and other miscellaneous things.

"After this whole procurement, it'll cost at least tens of thousands of US dollars.

"According to our station's management system, this job used to be yours, but now it's fallen to Sheng Xiang.

"What, didn't your puppet lackey report this to you?"

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand and asked with a smile.

"There's such a good thing?

"Damn it, this kid didn't tip me off at all.

"He's grown wings and wants to eat alone behind my back."

Lu Qiaoshan slapped the table, his teeth itching with hatred.

"People, you know.

"Everyone has selfish motives; it's normal for Sheng Xiang to want to make a little," Hong Zhiyou said.

"However, this is an opportunity for you."

He looked at Lu Qiaoshan.

Lu Qiaoshan nodded in understanding: "That's right.

"I was just worrying about how to get rid of him; haha, hasn't this just been delivered to my doorstep?

"I know who he's trading with among the American military.

"But I might need you to step in and cooperate."

"Hmm, go ahead." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

Lu Qiaoshan leaned in and whispered for a while.

"Old Lu, I have to say it's still you; it looks like Sheng Xiang won't be able to eat this hot meal after all." Hong Zhiyou laughed after hearing it.

"I hate these kinds of petty people who don't value loyalty the most.

"Since he is unrighteous, don't blame me for being heartless.

"Let's wait and see."

Lu Qiaoshan rubbed his chin and said with a cold laugh.

Night fell.

Around the residence of Ke Shufen, police and secret agents from the Confidentiality Bureau were deployed in a tight perimeter.

When the night grew deep and quiet.

Lin Tian moved like a ghost; taking advantage of the guards dozing off, his figure flashed as he leaped over the high wall and headed toward Ke Shufen's bedroom.

This woman was indeed shrewd.

She had the guards stay in her own room to catch people.

While she herself squeezed into a bed with the maid to sleep.

Not only that.

She had also moved the jewelry and paintings that Hong Zhiyou had given her, as well as the US dollars she had won, under the bed in the maid's room.

However, how could this little scheme be hidden from Lin Tian?

When she was moving things inside in the afternoon, Mi Zhiguo and the others responsible for security and defense had already reported it to Hong Zhiyou.

After a little analysis, her calculations were seen clearly.

Lin Tian slipped into the room like a nimble cat.

He opened the box and took the red coral.

He then grabbed a snake-skin bag and stuffed several non-venomous grass snakes into Ke Shufen's quilt.

After doing this.

He took out a blood-written note he had prepared and nailed it to the head of the bed.

"If people do not offend me, I will not offend them.

"If people offend me, I will surely offend them back!"

Having finished all this, Lin Tian climbed onto the rafters, lifted the roof tiles, and disappeared into the vast night after a few leaps across the roof.

Midnight.

Ke Shufen was sleeping in a daze.

She felt something cold and clammy wriggling on her body.

"Xiu'er, Xiu'er."

She called out to the maid.

Seeing the maid did not respond, she reached out and swiped, feeling as if she had grabbed something.

A bone-chilling cold instantly brought her to her senses.

Immediately after.

She felt it on her neck and inside her pant legs.

Cold, slithering things were wriggling everywhere.

"No!"

Ke Shufen kicked the maid away and reached out to pull the lamp cord by the head of the bed.

The light turned on.

She saw over a dozen snakes in the bed.

This knowledgeable woman instantly turned into a shrew, her ear-piercing scream shattering the night sky.

"Ah!"

……

Wei Changhe and the nearby Secret Service Bureau staff rushed into the room.

When they saw the bed full of snakes.

And the blood-stained note at the head of the bed.

Everyone gasped in horror.

"Captain Fang, Section Chief Xiao, Detective Li, is... is this what you meant by not even a fly could fly in?"

Ke Shufen was trembling all over, her face deathly pale, her voice stuttering.

"My Lady.

"My subordinates have been keeping watch outside all night, without even blinking an eye.

"This person..."

Captain Fang truly had grievances he could not voice.

"Yeah, could this person have crawled out from the ground? Since tonight, we haven't even seen a cat, so how did they get in?"

An ignorant fellow from the security section blurted out.

"My Lady, these bandits and eccentric martial artists are always vengeful.

"Their methods are bizarre and varied.

"They can pull off any kind of underhanded trick.

"It is truly impossible to guard against.

"Please check if any valuables are missing; if it really comes to it, we shall change our lodging tomorrow."

Xiao Guohua said.

"Change our lodging.

"You lot are so many grown men and can't even keep an eye on one thief.

"Even if I moved into the Forbidden City, wouldn't he still be able to find me?"

Ke Shufen scolded irritably.

After the snakes were cleared away, she sent everyone out and opened her trunk.

The precious blood coral, a foot tall, that Hong Zhiyou had given her was gone.

……

(End of chapter)