Chapter 328: The Station Chief Position is Looking Promising

"Zhiyou, you truly are one of our own; you understand me." Yu Zecheng rested his hand on the sofa cushion, looking at Hong Zhiyou with a smile.

Hong Zhiyou adjusted his glasses, curled his lip, and turned his head away, too lazy to engage with him.

"You aren't even nearsighted, why do you keep wearing those glasses?"

"Oh."

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

Yu Zecheng's deadpan, soul-searching interrogation.

"If you don't know how to talk, no one will mistake you for a mute."

"Mine has a gold chain; does he have one?"

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

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

"If Li Ya happens to put poison in the fruit, it'll probably be too late by now."

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

"Right, right."

"We must hurry. Don't go yet; I haven't finished giving my instructions."

Fearing he would run off, Yu Zecheng gave a quick instruction and hurriedly picked up the phone to dial a number:

"Cuiping."

"I won't be back for lunch today. As for the practice paper, go buy it yourself later."

"Remember, you cannot eat lunch."

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

"That's all, 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 even mention it. Last time I let her go do something, she got into a fight with some petty thieves halfway there and lost the goods. It was Li Ya who had to go to the police station to bail her out."

"Fortunately, it was one of our own who picked it up."

"It nearly 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 delicate 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 has been poisoned to intimidate Li Ya, and incidentally, make Lu Qiaoshan increase his guard."

"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 give up his idea of fishing for merit will be very difficult."

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

Hong Zhiyou reached for a cigarette, but 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.

The life of an undercover agent really isn't something an ordinary person can handle... Hong Zhiyou sighed inwardly.

Yu Zecheng had been under high pressure for years.

Inside the station, there was the suspicion and backstabbing from Li Ya and Lu Qiaoshan.

Outside the station, the local committee had suffered heavy losses over the past six months, and the students from the Student Union were repeatedly 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 own conscience.

He had been to the hospital several times this year; he had grown much thinner, and his hair had turned quite a bit whiter.

"Haven't you seen a doctor?"

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

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

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

Yu Zecheng pointed to his chest and smiled bitterly.

"You're just asking for this."

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

Hong Zhiyou stood up and said.

"I can't help but think."

"One moment of negligence and who knows how many heads will roll."

"Fortunately, there have been successive victories in the Northeast and Ludong. Once the army truly enters Jinhai City, my heart will finally be at ease," Yu Zecheng smiled.

"I can't get through to you. I'm leaving," Hong Zhiyou said.

"That American military ration canned food from last time was good; it's simple and filling. The front line is in urgent need of this. Can you get another batch?" Yu Zecheng grabbed him and asked softly.

"Forget it."

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

"If we keep doing business like this, I'll be bankrupt."

Hong Zhiyou refused without a second thought.

"We are raising the money."

"The Rong family is raising money to buy planes, so they can't spare any, and Mr. Yong's money is tied up in military supplies."

"My transit station here, the bookstore is operating at a loss, and I still have to support the printing plant and the Student Union's expenses. Old Luo is so poor he can't even pay the rent; if it weren't for me getting flour and rice from the station, the whole thing would have folded long ago."

"You get the goods first; once we get over this hurdle, I will definitely pay you every cent."

"It's the darkest hour before the dawn, just one last push; everyone, let's grit our teeth, okay?"

Yu Zecheng persuaded him helplessly.

"I'm in a tough spot too."

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

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

"They promised to take it, but then they bailed on me. It was almost a total loss. Just on this trip, including Old Xie and that fool 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 cash first, goods later. My own hands are tied,"

Hong Zhiyou also complained to him.

Doing business with the Reds is truly exhausting. If you sell at a loss, you have to find money elsewhere to make up the difference, and it takes several hands to avoid a loss and make a small profit.

It is truly heart-wrenching and exhausting work.

"Think about it, all of this is recorded in the Line One ledger. When liberation comes, you will be a great hero."

"The Party and the people will remember you."

"Just this once, the last time. Next time, I guarantee the money will be paid in full."

Yu Zecheng lobbied him like a piece of sticky toffee.

"How many 'last times' has this been?" Hong Zhiyou said unhappily.

"Just this last time!"

"If I can't pay the money next time, I'll have your senior sister pass on more real skills to you," Yu Zecheng said solemnly.

"Stop talking nonsense."

"My senior sister passing skills to me, do I need your 'permission'?"

"Fine, this is the last time. I can pay in advance, but next time the money must be paid in full."

"With that mouth of yours, you should become the Minister of Propaganda after liberation."

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

"Thank you."

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

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

"Who cares about that?"

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand and left.

Business, in essence, is just investment.

He secretly funneled goods to the Reds, and the Rong family was also increasing their investment in the Xiangdao wharf and his private island construction, pouring in quite a bit of connections and human resources.

Both sides were making a tacit contribution.

In fact, when it all added up, he was the one who gained the benefits.

As for the political benefits, those were even greater; having a record like this for when he returned in the future would ultimately be beneficial.

He wouldn't lose!

Morning.

Qian Siming has cervical spondylosis, and Liu Shan is massaging him.

Once the massage was nearly finished.

Lu Ming, who had been avoiding work, walked in carrying groceries.

Liu Shan, whose hands were sore, hadn't even had a chance to rest before being sent off to the kitchen by Lu Ming.

Qian Siming spends most of his time reading.

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

As Liu Shan sliced the fish, he secretly cursed Lu Ming's ancestors for eighteen generations.

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

Just as he was grumbling to himself, the phone rang.

Liu Shan wiped his hands and instinctively moved to rush out.

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

Qian Siming was clutching his lower back and had just stood up from the sofa when Lu Ming grabbed the receiver first:

"Yes, who is this?

"The professor is exhausted from the journey and is recuperating; he isn't seeing just anyone. Could you be more specific?"

"Ms. Chen from Yanjing University, is it?

"Alright, I'll ask."

He covered the receiver and said to Qian Siming: "Teacher, it's Ms. Chen from Yanjing University. She says she used to be your colleague at Nankai University."

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

"It's me.

"Long time no see.

"Alright, 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 here to take care of me—not just one, but two.

"Really, there's no need.

"I see, alright then.

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

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

"Teacher, Ms. Chen must have a deep relationship with you. You've only just returned to the country, and she's already in such a rush to visit you," Lu Ming said with a smile.

"Indeed.

"An old friend from the Nankai days.

"Professor Chen has a very profound foundation in Chinese studies; you can ask her for some pointers when the time comes."

Qian Siming pointed at him and smiled.

"This student would be honored," Lu Ming said respectfully.

They chatted for a while.

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

"Mm."

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

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

Chen Yan had just warned him over the phone that someone had tampered with the food and had expressed her intention to come over in person to visit and look after him.

How could a female professor know so much?

Clearly, she was highly likely to be a Red agent.

Even though Qian Siming had warned that there were secret agents around him, the other party insisted on coming.

There must be a plan in place.

"Teacher, if you don't eat, how could we have the nerve to pick up our chopsticks?" Liu Shan scratched his head and said with a foolish smile.

"It's fine, you two eat. We aren't strangers, no need to be formal," Qian Siming said.

"Alright then."

The two of them, Liu Shan and Lu Ming, were actually quite hungry.

Seeing the two of them filling their bowls and reaching out to pick up the food, Qian Siming quickly stopped them:

"Wait."

"What is it, Teacher?" The two looked at him, puzzled.

Qian Siming was also confused.

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

He had originally just wanted to bluff them.

He hadn't expected them to actually eat it.

He hated the Nationalist government, but they were, after all, two young lives who had gone astray. If it were truly poisoned, he couldn't just watch them get poisoned.

"There are many people who want me dead right now.

"I'm just afraid someone might have tampered with the food," Qian Siming said, pointing at the dishes.

"Teacher, heaven and earth as my witness, how could I ever dare to be disrespectful to you..." Liu Shan quickly stood up to defend himself.

"Liu Shan, don't get excited.

"I'm not talking about you; it could also be someone from the outside.

"It's always 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 immediately realized.

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

"Teacher, one moment."

Lu Ming found a food tray, brought the food out, and went to the alley to tell the two intelligence department officers on duty:

"You two, go find a dog."

Soon, someone brought a dog over.

The dog had eaten less than half when it began to convulse and collapsed, white foam spilling from its mouth.

"Someone poisoned it.

"That was close!"

Lu Ming was so shocked he broke out in a cold sweat.

It was a good thing they hadn't eaten; otherwise, he would be the one dead right now.

Was it Liu Shan who poisoned it?

It didn't seem like it.

If Liu Shan had poisoned it, it would be a death sentence for him, and besides, he was the first one to reach for the chopsticks.

If Professor Qian hadn't called out to stop them, Liu Shan would have already eaten the food.

It wasn't Liu Shan.

And he had bought the groceries himself.

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

Just as he was about to give an order, he saw Lu Qiaoshan leading a group of people over, including Physician Liao from the Secret Service Bureau.

"Are you alright?"

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

"I'm fine, Dad... Director Lu, why are you here?" Lu Ming said.

"I was monitoring Qian Siming's phone calls.

"I'm glad you're alright.

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

"He's fine," Lu Ming said.

"Director Lu, the one who poisoned the food must be the vegetable vendor; we need to go catch them immediately," he realized and said.

"Too late.

"I just came from that direction; they've long since vanished.

"Li Ya picked up a reagent from the equipment room.

"It must have been his doing."

Lu Qiaoshan said coldly.

"Dad, this is too dangerous.

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

"If it really comes to it, we should just go ahead and transfer Professor Qian to Wandao sooner,"

Lu Ming suggested.

"What's the rush?"

"Li Ya's little matter is easy to resolve."

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

"She doesn't come early or late, yet she actually knows about the poisoning; to be so well-informed, she must be a Red Ticket."

"She might just be a big fish."

"If you capture Ms. Chen, the credit will be yours."

"That's just how Jinhai is; be careful in everything, you'll get used to it."

Lu Qiaoshan straightened his son's collar and gave a gentle exhortation.

"Alright." Lu Ming nodded.

"Take a deep breath, go on." He patted his son on the back.

After Lu Ming left, Lu Qiaoshan turned his head and instructed Sheng Xiang: "Arrange two people to check where the tap water pump in this area draws its water from; if it's a well, assign people to keep watch in shifts twenty-four hours a day."

"Additionally, check for favorable shooting points, high ground, and so on near Professor Qian's house."

"Do not leave any blind spots for assassination."

"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 hallway.

"Captain Li, you're busy, I see," said Lu Qiaoshan.

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

"That was a nice move this morning," Lu Qiaoshan said with a forced smile.

"I don't understand what you mean, Division Chief Lu," Li Ya said, raising his left eyebrow.

"If you don't understand, that's fine."

"I have already requested witnesses from near the vegetable vendor, the sketch artist has already drawn the people, and the witnesses have identified two of them."

"Catching them is only a matter of time."

"Plotting against a scientist personally appointed by the Ministry of National Defense—this surely isn't Jiang Jianfeng's instruction or intention, is it?"

Lu Qiaoshan took off his glasses and breathed on the lenses to wipe them.

"Then I wish you success in catching those people soon," Li Ya said with a nod.

"Thank you."

Lu Qiaoshan put his glasses back on 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."

"Section Chief Lu, quick, please come in." Yu Zecheng, very tactful, raised the formality of his address and stood up to welcome him.

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

He led Lu Qiaoshan to sit on the sofa.

"Not at all, I drink tea as well."

"Since the Station Chief happens to be out, it's a rare chance for a small gathering; let's call Hong Zhiyou over to chat over a pot of tea," Lu Qiaoshan suggested with a smile.

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

A flash of cunning light flickered in the eyes hidden behind Lu Qiaoshan's lenses.

He had been in the Jinhai Station for so long.

Especially during the time 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 branded with the label of Emei Peak, besides his own desire to be Deputy Station Chief and the Station Chief's urgency to distance himself from the Mu Liancheng affair, Yu Zecheng had also played a major role in it.

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

Lu Qiaoshan had a rough idea in his heart that Yu was not clean.

This could also explain why Hong Zhiyou was able to utilize the Red Ticket's transport lines.

Lu Qiaoshan had originally wanted to ruin Yu Zecheng.

It was just that this fellow had consciously stepped down from the position of Deputy Station Chief, so he could be considered sensible.

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

To make Yu Zecheng's side step up their efforts and send more people to rescue Qian Siming, so that his son Lu Ming could reap the "head count."

Soon, Hong Zhiyou walked in.

"Close the door," Lu Qiaoshan instructed.

Hong Zhiyou closed the door and locked it.

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

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

"Heard what?"

Hong Zhiyou and Yu Zecheng exchanged glances.

"Li Ya obtained poison from the equipment room and had someone disguise themselves 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 right now," said Lu Qiaoshan.

"That is outrageous."

"Professor Qian is a high-level intellectual specifically named by the Ministry of National Defense to be evacuated."

"Is Captain Li not being foolish?"

Yu Zecheng said, his indignation hard to suppress.

"Hah, foolish? Using public office for private vendettas, the conduct of a petty person," Lu Qiaoshan sneered.

"Is there evidence?" Hong Zhiyou interjected.

"It was done by professionals; it won't be that easy to catch them for a while."

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

"That's true."

"He is a favorite of Jiang Jianfeng; who can do anything to him without evidence?" Hong Zhiyou nodded and said.

"No rush on that."

"Dealing with him is simple; what I'm worried about now is that he will strike at Qian Siming again."

"Such a petty person uses dark methods; I'm afraid it's hard to guard against."

Lu Qiaoshan took a sip of tea and glanced at Yu Zecheng without leaving a trace.

"If it really comes to that, let's report it to the Station Chief and have him report directly to Jiang Jianfeng to make Li Ya abandon his foolish behavior," Yu Zecheng said, pretending not to notice.

"Difficult."

"Haven't you noticed that the Station Chief has been skipping work or arriving late from time to time recently?"

"It's very obvious that the Station Chief's energy is failing; he won't necessarily care about these trivial matters, so let's not add to his troubles," Lu Qiaoshan scoffed with a laugh.

"That's true."

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

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

Hong Zhiyou also leaked some information to make Lu Qiaoshan and Li Ya "fight" more fiercely and urgently.

Sure enough, as soon as Lu Qiaoshan heard this, his eyes lit up: "Zhiyou, are you certain about this?"

"Old Lu, what a question to ask."

"Zhiyou is the Station Chief's son-in-law, how could it be false?" Yu Zecheng laughed.

"Yes, yes."

"You two, you say that once the Station Chief retires, who could..." Lu Qiaoshan pointed toward the direction of the Station Chief's office.

"I heard that the new Station Chief who took over the Shancheng Station is a colonel in his forties."

"And the Shanghu Station, the one who should have taken over was also the Deputy Station Chief."

"It's just that the maneuvering wasn't in place, so headquarters air-dropped someone."

"The situation now is different from the past."

"In order to coordinate strategic materials, the Generalissimo tends to promote from deputy positions for Grade A stations; firstly, it saves the time for air-dropped leaders to familiarize themselves and coordinate, and secondly, deputies who have cultivated deep local roots handle matters more conveniently and concisely."

"In my opinion, whoever between you and Li Ya can sit in the Deputy Station Chief position, once the Station Chief retires next year, that position will be theirs."

Yu Zecheng analyzed.

"That's right."

"In the past, for Grade A stations, that was a rigid rule; it had to be a general in command, so it could only be an air-drop."

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

"In other words, whoever can get the Deputy Station Chief position gets the Station Chief position as a package deal, right?"

Lu Qiaoshan lowered his voice and looked at the two of them.

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

"I am a lieutenant colonel, Zhiyou is a major."

"We have no chance."

Yu Zecheng waved his hand and said.

"In my opinion, this war will still be fought for another ten or twenty years; Old Lu, you might just be able to sit there until you're seventy," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile, "cheering him on."

"Seventy is unlikely, but ten or eight years is certain."

"The Red tickets are rising now; it's not easy to suppress them."

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

Lu Qiao smiled confidently.

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

"Haha.

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

"You'll know when the time comes."

Lu Qiao laughed and waved his hand.

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

Once revealed, Li Ya would surely die.

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

Although it was a bit of a blow to one's character, just like Li Ya torturing Xie Ruo, in this day and age, who would turn their back on thirty gold bars?

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

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

"By the way, little Hong.

"I have one more thing for you to do: spread the news that the Secret Service Bureau poisoned Qian Siming.

"Let those newspapers publish it."

Lu Qiao had already assumed the airs of a station chief, raising his hand to give orders.

"Old Lu, doing this will ruin the station's reputation. If Director Mao and the station chief find out, I'm afraid they'll be furious." Yu Zecheng feigned difficulty and shook his head to advise him.

"That's exactly why it must be spread.

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

"When Director Mao and Jiang Jianfeng inquire about it, I'd like to see how certain people can still play their little schemes.

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

Lu Qiao spread his hands, looking very relaxed.

"Fine, I'll arrange it right away.

"But let's be clear, if something happens, you have to take responsibility, Old Lu; Old Yu will be the witness." Hong Zhiyou had intended to publish it in the papers anyway, so this played right into his hands.

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

Seeing that the conversation was about finished, he patted the sofa armrest and stood up, saying, "I'm off."

Once Lu Qiao left, Hong Zhiyou asked, "Has Chen Yan set off?"

"She arrives in Jinhai at eight tomorrow morning," Yu Zecheng said.

"Hmm, you must be vigilant. Make sure the call from the Suppression Headquarters' daughter isn't delayed; it's best if Chen Zhangjie can arrive to bail her out immediately.

"Otherwise, given Lu Qiao's ruthlessness, I'm afraid Professor Chen will inevitably suffer physical torture."

Hong Zhiyou reminded him.

"Yes, in case the Commander doesn't arrive in time... we need to have a contingency plan.

"What do you think..."

Yu Zecheng thought for a moment, leaned in closer, and laid out the plan in its entirety.

(End of chapter)