Chapter 292: The Station Chief position is in play

"Zhiyou, you're worthy of being one of our own; you understand me." Yu Zecheng rested his hand on the sofa cushion and looked at Hong Zhiyou with a smile.

Hong Zhiyou adjusted his glasses, curled his lip, turned his head away, and couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him.

"You aren't nearsighted; why do you always wear glasses?"

"Oh."

"I remember now, you bumped into your nephew's glasses."

Yu Zecheng's cold, humorous soul-searching question.

"If you can't speak properly, no one will treat you as a mute."

"I have a gold chain on mine; does he have one?"

Hong Zhiyou took off his gold-rimmed glasses with the chain in annoyance and stuffed them into his pocket.

"If I were you, I'd hurry up and have Chen Nushi Yan call Qian Siming."

"If Li Ya puts poison in the fruit, you'll probably be too late by now."

He took a sip of tea and pulled back his sleeve to look at his wristwatch.

"Right, right."

"It must be hurried; don't go yet, I haven't finished giving instructions."

Yu Zecheng was afraid he would run off, gave an instruction, and hurriedly picked up the phone to dial the number:

"Cuiping."

"I won't be back for lunch today; you go buy the calligraphy practice paper yourself later."

"Remember, you can't eat lunch."

"I see it's going to rain; you need to hurry up, go early and come back early."

"That's it, hanging up."

"My senior sister should have taken the job long ago; it's just that you don't trust her." Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Her?"

"Don't mention it; last time I let her do something, she got into a fight with some petty thieves halfway, lost the stuff, and it was Li Ya who went to the police station to bail her out."

"Fortunately, the stuff was picked up by one of our own."

"It almost scared me to death."

Yu Zecheng shook his head with lingering fear and smiled.

"Those from the mountains are like that; they are good hands at fighting the Japanese, but fine work takes time."

"Tell me, what is your second step?"

Hong Zhiyou asked.

"You find a newspaper office and leak the news that Professor Qian is being poisoned, to deter Li Ya, and by the way, let Lu Qiaoshan strengthen his defenses."

"No matter what, ensuring Professor Qian's safety is the top priority."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Hmm, I can arrange that."

"However, relying on this move to make Lu Qiaoshan abandon the idea of fishing for merit is probably very difficult."

"Forget it, let's wait until Chen Nushi arrives in Jinhai."

Hong Zhiyou touched a cigarette, and just as he was about to light it, he put it back.

"Cough, cough."

Yu Zecheng started coughing again, rubbing his throbbing, painful temples, a look of agony appearing on his face.

Undercover work really isn't something an ordinary person can do... Hong Zhiyou sighed lightly in his heart.

Yu Zecheng had been under high pressure for years.

Inside the station, there were the suspicions and cold arrows of Li Ya and Lu Qiaoshan.

Outside the station, the reconstruction of the local committee had suffered heavy losses over the past six months, and the children of the student union had repeatedly been shot by Lu Qiaoshan.

As the leader of the transit station, Yu Zecheng, who had always been heavy-hearted, bore immense pressure from the organization and his conscience.

He had been to the hospital several times this year, had become much thinner, and his hair had turned quite white.

"Haven't seen a doctor?"

"When you have time, go to Jingling, find Shopkeeper Qiu, and have him write you a prescription to recuperate." Hong Zhiyou frowned and said.

"Forget it, I won't go and harm him."

"Besides, my illness is here; taking medicine might not be effective."

Yu Zecheng pointed to his chest and smiled bitterly.

"You're asking for it."

"Eat when you should eat, sleep when you should sleep; why think so much?"

Hong Zhiyou stood up and said.

"I have to think."

"One slip, and I don't know how many heads will roll."

"Fortunately, there are consecutive victories in the Northeast and East Shandong; when the army truly fights into Jinhai City, my heart will be at ease." Yu Zecheng smiled.

"Can't get through to you; I'm leaving." Hong Zhiyou said.

"That American military ration canned food last time was good, simple and filling; the front line is in urgent need of this, can you get another batch?" Yu Zecheng pulled him back and asked in a low voice.

"Forget it."

"You already owe me over fifty thousand US dollars."

"If business continues like this, I'll have to go bankrupt."

Hong Zhiyou refused without even thinking.

"Money, we are raising it."

"The Rong family wants to raise money to buy airplanes, they can't spare any money, and Mr. Yong's money is also tied up in arms."

"My transit station here, the bookstore's expenses exceed its income, and I still have to support the printing plant and the student union's funds; Old Luo is so poor he can't even pay the rent. If it weren't for me being able to get oil, flour, and rice from the station, it would have folded long ago."

"You get the goods first; when we get through this hurdle, we will definitely pay you back every cent."

"The darkest moment before dawn, just this one last push; everyone grit their teeth, okay?"

Yu Zecheng urged helplessly.

"I'm having a hard time too."

"With the war going like this, rich people are running to North America, liquor sales have clearly slowed down, and white sugar isn't selling either."

"Last time I pulled five truckloads of white sugar to Hankou."

"They said they wanted it, but they stood me up, and it almost all went to waste; just this one trip, including Old Xie and that idiot from the Action Team, we lost seven or eight thousand US dollars."

"Besides, you know the Americans' rules."

"They don't care if you can sell it or not; it's always money first, goods later, and I'm tight on cash too."

Hong Zhiyou also complained to him.

Doing business with the red-tickets is truly hard work; selling at a loss means having to find money elsewhere to make up the difference, and it has to go through several hands to not lose money or make a small profit.

It's truly exhausting.

"Think about it, these are all recorded in the book of Line One; when liberation comes in the future, you will be a great hero."

"The Party and the people will remember you."

"Just this once, the last time, next time I guarantee we'll pay the money in full."

Yu Zecheng lobbied like a piece of sticky candy.

"How many 'last times' have you had?" Hong Zhiyou said unhappily.

"Just this last time!"

"If we can't pay the money next time, I'll let my senior sister pass on some real skills to you." Yu Zecheng said solemnly.

"Stop talking nonsense."

"My senior sister passing skills to me, does it need your 'letting'?"

"Let's get this straight, last time, okay? I can pay in advance, but next time the money must be paid in full."

"With that mouth of yours, after liberation, you should just go be the Minister of Propaganda."

Hong Zhiyou couldn't win against him and agreed reluctantly.

"Thank you."

"I will definitely report your matter to the organization."

"Just wait to hear the commendation on the radio." Yu Zecheng smiled.

"Who cares?"

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand and left.

Business matters are actually investments.

He secretly dumped goods to the red-tickets, and the Rong family was also increasing their investment in the construction of the Xiangdao wharf and his private island, investing quite a bit of connections and human resources.

Both sides were making a tacit contribution.

Actually, when converted, he was the one who gained the benefits.

As for the political benefits, there were even more; returning in the future, at least there would be an account here, and there would be benefits in the end.

Can't lose!

Morning.

Qian Siming had cervical spondylosis, and Liu Shan was massaging him.

After the massage was about done.

Lu Ming, who was hiding to be idle, walked in carrying groceries.

Liu Shan, whose hands were sore, hadn't had time to rest before being sent to the kitchen by Lu Ming again.

Qian Siming spent most of his time reading.

Lu Ming was happy to be idle, took a newspaper, and started reading in the kitchen.

Liu Shan, while slicing fish, cursed his ancestors for eighteen generations in his heart.

Damn it, isn't it just having a powerful father... I wish I had one too.

Just as he was muttering, the phone rang.

Liu Shan wiped his hands and subconsciously wanted to rush out.

Lu Ming stopped him: "I'll go."

Qian Siming clutched his old waist and had just stood up from the sofa when Lu Ming grabbed the receiver first:

"Yes, who are you?"

"The Professor is resting after the journey and isn't seeing just anyone; can you be clearer?"

"Chen Nushi from Yanjing University, right?"

"Good, I'll ask."

He covered the receiver and said to Qian Siming: "Teacher, Chen Nushi from Yanjing University; she says she was a colleague of yours at Nankai University in the past."

"Give it to me." Qian Siming smiled faintly and took it:

"It's me."

"Long time no see."

"Good, I understand, thank you."

"What, you want to come over?"

"Better not; it's a long way, and your health has always been poor. I have people taking care of me here, not few, two of them."

"Really don't need to."

"Is that so, alright."

"Tomorrow morning at eight, I will await your arrival."

After hanging up, he looked at Lu Ming and said: "Cao Fang, tomorrow you go buy a bouquet of carnations for me; a friend is coming over."

"Teacher, Chen Nushi has a deep relationship with you; you just returned to the country, and she's in such a hurry to visit you." Lu Ming smiled.

"Yes."

"An old friend from the Nankai period."

"Professor Chen has a very deep foundation in Chinese studies; you can ask her for advice then."

Qian Siming pointed at him and smiled.

"The student would be delighted." Lu Ming said respectfully.

They chatted for a while.

Liu Shan served the dishes to the table, "Teacher, it's time to eat."

"Hmm."

Qian Siming nodded with satisfaction, hesitated slightly, and said:

"You two eat, I'm not hungry yet."

Chen Yan had just reminded him on the phone that someone had tampered with the food, and she expressed that she would come over to visit and take care of him personally.

How would a female professor know so much?

It was very clear that she was highly likely a red-ticket.

Even though Qian Siming had warned that there were secret agents by his side, the other party insisted on coming.

There must be a plan.

"Teacher, if you don't eat, how can we have the nerve to pick up our chopsticks?" Liu Shan scratched his head and smiled honestly.

"It's fine, you eat; you aren't outsiders, no need to be restrained." Qian Siming said.

"Alright."

The two of them were truly a bit hungry.

Watching the two of them fill their bowls and reach out with chopsticks to pick up food, Qian Siming hurriedly stopped them:

"Wait."

"Teacher, what's wrong?" The two looked at him, puzzled.

Qian Siming was also confused.

Logically speaking, these two were secret agents, and if they had tampered with the food, there was no reason for them to eat it themselves.

He had originally just wanted to bluff.

He didn't expect these two to really eat.

He hated the Nationalist government, but after all, these were two young lives that had gone astray; if there really was poison, he couldn't just watch them get poisoned.

"There are many people who want me dead."

"I'm just afraid someone has tampered with the food." Qian Siming pointed to the dishes and said.

"Teacher, heaven and earth are my witness, I, how would I dare to be disrespectful to you..." Liu Shan hurriedly stood up to defend himself.

"Liu Shan, don't get excited."

"I'm not talking about you; it could also be people outside."

"In any case, it's better to be careful."

Qian Siming waved his hand, signaling him to sit down.

"You mean someone tampered with the groceries we bought?" Lu Ming reacted immediately.

"We'll know if we test it." Qian Siming said.

"Teacher, please wait."

Lu Ming found a food tray, brought the food out, and went to the alley to say to two Intelligence Section officers on duty:

"You two go find a dog."

Soon, someone brought a dog.

The dog ate less than half before convulsing and falling to the ground, white foam spilling from its mouth.

"Someone poisoned it."

"How dangerous!"

Lu Ming broke out in a cold sweat all over.

Fortunately, they hadn't eaten; otherwise, he would be the one dead by now.

Did Liu Shan poison it?

Doesn't look like it.

If Liu Shan poisoned it, it would be a dead end, and besides, he was the first to pick up his chopsticks.

If Professor Qian hadn't stopped him, Liu Shan would have eaten the food.

It wasn't Liu Shan.

And they bought the groceries themselves.

Then there was only one possibility: the vegetable vendor was the problem.

He was just about to give an order when he saw Lu Qiaoshan leading a group of people, including Doctor Liao from the Confidential Bureau, rushing over.

"Are you alright?"

Lu Qiaoshan walked over, squeezed Lu Ming's shoulder, and said with concern.

"I'm fine, Father... Section Chief Lu, why are you here?" Lu Ming said.

"I monitored Qian Siming's phone call."

"It's good that you're fine."

"Is Professor Qian alright?" Lu Qiaoshan breathed a sigh of relief.

"He's fine." Lu Ming said.

"Section Chief Lu, the vegetable vendor must have poisoned it; we must hurry and catch him." He reacted and said.

"Too late."

"I just came from that side; he escaped long ago."

"Li Ya collected poison from the equipment room."

"It must have been him who made the move."

Lu Qiaoshan said coldly.

"Father, this is too dangerous."

"If they can poison us today, who knows what methods they'll use tomorrow."

"If it really doesn't work, let's just make a move early and transport Professor Qian to Wandao."

Lu Ming suggested.

"What's the rush?"

"This little matter of Li Ya's is easy to solve."

"Isn't there a female professor from Yanjing coming tomorrow?"

"She didn't come early or late, and she actually knew about the poisoning; being so omnipotent, she must be a red-ticket."

"Maybe she's a big fish."

"Catch Chen Nushi, and you'll have the first merit."

"Jinhai is just like this; be careful in everything, you'll get used to it."

Lu Qiaoshan straightened his son's collar and instructed him gently.

"Alright." Lu Ming nodded.

"Take a deep breath, go." He patted his son's back.

After Lu Ming left, Lu Qiaoshan turned to instruct Sheng Xiang: "You arrange two people to check where the tap water in this area is pumped from; if it's a well, assign people to watch it in shifts twenty-four hours a day."

"In addition, check the favorable shooting points, high points, etc., near Professor Qian's house."

"Don't leave any assassination blind spots."

"Understood, Brother Shan." Sheng Xiang accepted the order.

In the afternoon, Lu Qiaoshan returned to the station.

He happened to run into Li Ya in the corridor.

"Captain Li, busy, are you?" Lu Qiaoshan said.

"Something up?" Li Ya asked with a smile, hands in his pockets.

"The move this morning was not bad." Lu Qiaoshan said with a forced smile.

"What does Section Chief Lu mean? I don't understand." Li Ya raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Don't understand, doesn't matter."

"I have already invited witnesses from near the vegetable vendor, and the portrait artist has already drawn the person; the witnesses have identified two of them."

"Catching them is only a matter of time."

"Murdering a scientist personally appointed by the Ministry of National Defense—this probably isn't Jianfeng's instruction or original intention, right?"

Lu Qiaoshan took off his glasses, breathed on them, and wiped the lenses.

"Then I wish you an early capture of those people." Li Ya nodded and said.

"Thank you."

Lu Qiaoshan put on his glasses and turned to leave.

Passing by Yu Zecheng's office, he paused to ponder for a moment, then walked quickly to the door and knocked:

"Old Yu."

"Group Leader Lu, quick, please come in." Yu Zecheng understood the situation and addressed him with the higher title, rising to welcome him.

"Old Lu, it's been a while since you came to sit with me; is it because you dislike that I don't have coffee here?"

He led Lu Qiaoshan to sit on the sofa.

"Not at all, I drink tea too."

"It just so happens the Station Chief isn't here; it's a rare small gathering, let's call Zhiyou over to chat over a pot." Lu Qiaoshan suggested with a smile.

"Good suggestion." Yu Zecheng got up and called Hong Zhiyou.

A flash of craftiness crossed Lu Qiaoshan's eyes behind his lenses.

He had been in the Jinhai Station for so long.

Especially during the period he was away, he had been silently observing the station's affairs as an outsider.

As the saying goes, the bystander sees clearly.

Back when Ma Kui was labeled as Mount Emei, besides himself wanting to be Deputy Station Chief and the Station Chief being in a hurry to distance himself from the relationship with Mu Liancheng, Yu Zecheng had also played a big part in it.

To be precise, he was Ma Kui's direct opposite.

Lu Qiaoshan had a rough idea that Yu wasn't clean.

This also explained why Hong Zhiyou could use the red-ticket transit line.

Lu Qiaoshan had originally wanted to kill Yu Zecheng.

It was just that this guy had consciously stepped down from the Deputy Station Chief position, which could be considered him being sensible.

He came here with the intention of revealing the "crisis" situation of Professor Qian.

To let Yu Zecheng's side tighten up, send more people to rescue Qian Siming, so that his son Lu Ming could harvest the "heads."

Soon, Hong Zhiyou walked in.

"Close the door." Lu Qiaoshan instructed.

Hong Zhiyou closed the door and locked it.

"What is it, Old Lu, do you have instructions?" Hong Zhiyou sat down with a smile.

"Have you heard?" Lu Qiaoshan crossed his legs and looked at the two.

"Heard what?"

Hong Zhiyou and Yu Zecheng looked at each other.

"Li Ya collected poison from the equipment room and had someone pose as a vegetable farmer to poison Qian Siming; thanks to Lu Ming's alertness in discovering it in time, otherwise I would be collecting Qian Siming's corpse by now." Lu Qiaoshan said.

"This is outrageous."

"Professor Qian is a high-level intellectual that the Ministry of National Defense has specifically named to be transported."

"Isn't Captain Li confused?"

Yu Zecheng said, his indignation hard to calm.

"Hey, what's confused? Using public office for private revenge, a petty person's character." Lu Qiaoshan sneered.

"Is there evidence?" Hong Zhiyou interjected.

"Done by a professional; catching people won't be that easy for a while."

"Without catching the person, he won't admit it." Lu Qiaoshan said.

"That's true."

"He is Jianfeng's favorite; without evidence, who can do anything to him." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"No rush."

"Dealing with him is simple; what I'm worried about now is that he will make another move on Qian Siming."

"This kind of petty person has dark methods; I'm afraid it's hard to guard against."

Lu Qiaoshan drank some tea and glanced at Yu Zecheng without leaving a trace.

"If it really doesn't work, let's report it to the Station Chief and have him directly report to Jianfeng, making Li Ya abandon his stupid behavior." Yu Zecheng pretended not to see and said.

"Difficult."

"Haven't you noticed that the Station Chief has been skipping work and arriving late recently?"

"It's very clear that the Station Chief's energy can't keep up; he won't necessarily care about these trivial matters, so let's not add trouble for him." Lu Qiaoshan laughed with a scoff.

"Yes."

"Last time I went to the hospital for a check-up, the doctor said he has high blood pressure, fatty liver, prostatitis, a bunch of ailments; the Station Chief truly has lost his spirit, saying he'll resign and retire by 1949 at the latest."

"Counting on my fingers, that's only a year away."

Hong Zhiyou also let out some wind, so that Lu Qiaoshan and Li Ya would "bite" each other more fiercely and urgently.

Sure enough, when Lu Qiaoshan heard this, his eyes lit up: "Zhiyou, can what you say be true?"

"Old Lu, you ask that."

"Zhiyou is the Station Chief's son-in-law; could it be fake?" Yu Zecheng smiled.

"Yes, yes."

"You two, you say when the Station Chief retires, who can..." Lu Qiaoshan pointed toward the Station Chief's office.

"I heard the new Station Chief who came up in the Shancheng Station is a Colonel officer in his forties."

"And the Shanghu Station, originally the one who should have come up was the Deputy Station Chief."

"It's just that the operation wasn't in place, so headquarters parachuted someone in."

"The form now is different from the past."

"In order to coordinate strategic materials, the Committee Chairman tends to promote from deputy positions for Class A stations; firstly, it saves the familiarity and coordination time of parachuted leaders, and secondly, deputy positions that have been deeply cultivated locally handle things more conveniently and concisely."

"In my view, whoever between you and Li Ya can sit in the Deputy Station Chief position, when the Station Chief retires next year, that position will be whoever's."

Yu Zecheng analyzed.

"Yes."

"Before, Class A stations had dead rules; they had to be garrisoned by General-rank officers, so they could only be parachuted."

"Now that the war has started, it has given us an opportunity."

"In other words, whoever can get the Deputy Station Chief position, along with the Station Chief position, will have it all wrapped up in one basket, right?"

Lu Qiaoshan lowered his voice and looked at the two.

"Old Lu, it's not us, just you and Li Ya."

"I am a Lieutenant Colonel, Zhiyou is a Major."

"We have no chance."

Yu Zecheng waved his hand.

"In my view, this war will have to be fought for another ten or twenty years; Old Lu, you might be able to sit until you're seventy." Hong Zhiyou smiled and gave him "encouragement."

"Seventy is not likely, but ten or eight years is certain."

"Now that the red-tickets have risen, it's not easy to suppress."

"No matter, being able to sit for ten or eight years is enough."

Lu Qiaoshan smiled confidently.

"Old Lu, looking at this posture, you... you have a plan?" Yu Zecheng asked in surprise.

"Haha."

"Can't say now; if I say it, it won't work."

"You'll know when the time comes."

Lu Qiaoshan laughed and waved his hand.

He held the card of Tang Dachun in his hand, as well as the "Deep Sea" intelligence worth thirty gold bars that he had confiscated from Shang Bo's home some time ago.

Once revealed, Li Ya would definitely die.

Moreover, Shang Bo was still locked up in the Garrison Command prison.

Although it was a bit of a loss of character, like Li Ya interrogating Xie Ruolin, but in this day and age, who would have trouble with thirty big yellow fish?

With Li Ya setting the precedent, character and such were already worthless.

If you can rob, rob; buying is absolutely impossible.

"By the way, Little Hong."

"I have one more thing for you to do; release the news that the Confidential Bureau poisoned Qian Siming."

"Let those newspapers publish it."

Lu Qiaoshan had already put on the majesty of a Station Chief and raised his hand to instruct.

"Old Lu, this will make the station stink; if Director Mao and the Station Chief find out, I'm afraid they'll be furious." Yu Zecheng pretended to be in a dilemma and urged him to stop.

"It must be released."

"The Station Chief has a scale in his heart; he naturally knows who did it."

"When Director Mao and Jianfeng ask, I'll see how he can still calculate his little abacus."

"This is called... fighting poison with poison."

Lu Qiaoshan spread his hands, feeling very relaxed.

"Fine, I'll arrange it."

"But let's get this straight, if something happens, Old Lu, you have to take responsibility; Old Yu is a witness." Hong Zhiyou had intended to publish it anyway, so it hit the mark.

"Rest assured, I'll take responsibility." Lu Qiaoshan said.

Seeing that the chat was about done, he patted the sofa armrest and stood up: "Leaving."

After Lu Qiaoshan left, Hong Zhiyou asked: "Has Chen Yan set off?"

"Arriving in Jinhai at eight tomorrow morning." Yu Zecheng said.

"Hmm, you have to be alert; the Garrison Commander's daughter's phone call can't be delayed, it's best if Chen Zhangjie can rush to bail her out as soon as possible."

"Otherwise, with Lu Qiaoshan's ruthlessness, I'm afraid Professor Chen won't escape some physical torture."

Hong Zhiyou reminded him.

"Yes, if Commander Chen doesn't arrive in time... we must have a contingency plan."

"Look..."

Yu Zecheng pondered slightly and leaned in to lay out the plan.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 293 =====