Chapter 337: Old Lu's Chance for a Turnaround

Wu Jingzhong understood Yu Zecheng; he was steady in his work and left no loose ends.

The key was that he and Hong Zhiyou were deeply bound together.

With the things those two planned, it was very difficult for Li Ya and Lu Qiaoshan to handle this combination on their own.

The three of them arrived at the interrogation room.

Li Ya smiled, nodded in greeting, and ushered Wu Jingzhong to the center of the interrogation table.

Everyone took their seats.

Hong Zhiyou poured tea for the gentlemen, pulled up a small stool, and sat specifically by the door to smoke, so as not to bother old Wu with the fumes.

"Speak up, who exactly are you two?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a half-smile.

"Station Chief.

"These two are the shopkeeper and the clerk of the Tongyuan Bookstore.

"A few days ago, I received intelligence that someone reported Director Yu as a Red agent, claiming he had ties to this bookstore.

"I pondered that Director Yu is a hero of the Party-State who killed Li Haifeng; how could he suffer such an unfounded grievance?

"So, I invited these two back for an investigation.

"I swore to restore Director Yu's innocence.

"As it turns out, these two really do have something to say. Since it involves Director Yu, for the sake of impartiality, I had no choice but to invite you, Station Chief, over."

Li Ya had learned his lesson after suffering a few setbacks; he didn't target Yu Zecheng directly and spoke very smoothly.

"Captain Li, you've worked hard." Yu Zecheng smiled and saluted him.

"It's only right; we are old classmates.

"I must see justice done for you."

Li Ya smiled without a hint of shame.

"Shopkeeper Luo, let's talk about the contact point first." He turned his head to ask Luo Anping.

"I was indeed sent by my superiors to set up a station there." Luo Anping nodded.

"Hmm, who is your contact?

"Is it Director Yu?"

Li Ya pointed at Yu Zecheng and asked.

Wu Jingzhong's eyes narrowed sharply, and he stared fixedly at Luo Anping: "You had better think clearly before you speak!"

"I, I cannot say.

"If I say it, they will kill me." Luo Anping began to shout.

"If you don't speak, you're a dead man." Wu Jingzhong said coldly.

"Shopkeeper, just say it.

"Station Chief Wu, I've confessed everything; my superior is Xie Ruo of the Party-State Investigation Bureau." Luo Bing volunteered.

"Xie Ruo?

"How is that possible? You damn fool, stop spouting nonsense here." Li Ya grabbed him by the collar and growled in annoyance.

"Captain Li, I, I really am not spouting nonsense.

"Station Chief Wu, it really is Xie Ruo from the Party-State Investigation Bureau. He had me set up a station in this vicinity specifically to monitor Director Yu and you, Captain Li.

"There are several good restaurants on this street that you often visit.

"My men even installed listening devices in the private rooms of Tongfu Teahouse and Hongyun Teahouse just to eavesdrop on your conversations and extract useful information."

Luo Anping confessed everything in one breath.

"Damn it!

"Is this Xie Ruo the same profiteer that Captain Li interrogated last time?"

Wu Jingzhong slapped the table in annoyance.

"Station Chief.

"This person specializes in trafficking intelligence on the black market. It is entirely possible that he wanted to steal intelligence from our mouths and then sell the recordings for a high price." Yu Zecheng said.

The infighting between the Party-State Investigation Bureau and the Secret Service Bureau was nothing new.

Mutual surveillance was a common occurrence; at most, both sides would protest tacitly. While there had been incidents of guns going off and people being arrested, that was unlikely now.

Under the high pressure of the Generalissimo, everything was now being downplayed.

This was also the source of the confidence that allowed old Xie to sell whatever he wanted.

"Immediately send someone to the teahouse to see if it's true." Wu Jingzhong ordered.

Soon, someone made a call, ordering the nearby undercover agents to carry out the task.

Ten minutes later, Hong Zhiyou tilted his head to listen to the report from outside the door, then stood up and said:

"Station Chief, it's true."

"The Party-State Investigation Bureau!

"Damn them, they've actually targeted me.

"We'll deal with them later. Li Ya, continue your questioning."

Wu Jingzhong cursed a few times and gave the order.

Li Ya's heart sank halfway upon hearing this; he knew he had wasted his effort again.

He gritted his teeth and glared at Luo Anping:

"I'm asking you, what's the deal with the coffin shop?

"Was it you who carried out the transfer of Qian Siming?"

Luo Anping hurriedly cried out his innocence: "Station Chief Wu, we do know something about the Qian Siming affair; it was Section Chief Lu Qiaoshan who asked the Party-State Investigation Bureau to assist, with the goal of safely transferring Qian Siming.

"We did go to the coffin shop to buy coffins, but we handed them all over to Section Chief Lu.

"As for the specific plan, when the day of the transfer arrived, Lu Qiaoshan didn't trust us at the last minute and didn't notify us to participate at all."

Saying this, he raised his hand and swore:

"Station Chief Wu, every word I say is true.

"If there is half a lie, may I be struck by lightning."

"Bullshit!" Li Ya cursed loudly.

He turned his head and said: "Station Chief, I suspect they are Red agents. The day Lu Qiaoshan lost Qian Siming, several funeral processions appeared.

"The coffins used were all from the same shop, and the owner of that coffin shop disappeared after delivering the coffins.

"Not only that, this person's handwriting is identical to the handwriting of the Red agents in the Langfang Traffic Station.

"It was personally authenticated by Master Liu Yunchen; it definitely cannot be fake."

"No, we really are field agents for the Party-State Investigation Bureau. If you don't believe me, call our Director Sun." Luo Anping said according to Xie Ruo's instructions.

"An excuse.

"Station Chief, he is changing the subject..." Li Ya was getting anxious.

"Captain Li, let's forget about Liu Yunchen's authentication.

"What kind of master is he? He's just fishing for fame.

"That degenerate gambler will do anything for money.

"His authentication cannot be taken seriously."

Wu Jingzhong smiled and waved his hand, then suggested:

"However, as you think, we cannot wrong a good person, nor can we ever let a Red agent go.

"Proving whether what he says is true or false is actually simple.

"Contact the Headquarters Inspection Division and ask Lu Qiaoshan, won't we know then?"

"Hmm, that's a good idea." Yu Zecheng nodded in agreement.

"Fine, let's ask then." Li Ya couldn't think of a better idea for the moment.

Wu Jingzhong stood up, walked to the side, picked up the phone, and deftly dialed the number for the Inspection Division:

"Jinhai Station connecting to the Headquarters Inspection Division.

"Director Mao, it's me, Jingzhong.

"It's like this, I would like to have a few words with Lu Qiaoshan, and I ask for the Director's approval.

"Good.

"Thank you, Director Mao. I will visit you in Jingling another day."

Jingling.

Lu Qiaoshan, dressed in prison garb, had temples already stained with white frost; he looked weary and bitter, no longer possessing his former elegance.

The pain of losing a son.

The ups and downs of his official career.

He had held a winning hand, but before he could even play it, the situation suddenly changed, and he became a prisoner.

And he had fallen into the hands of that villain Li Ya once again.

Every time he thought of this, Lu Qiaoshan felt endless hatred.

It was just that the one who arrested him was Mao Renfeng.

Mao Renfeng had always fought tooth and nail with Zheng Jiemin and had compiled a pile of incriminating evidence against him; once he stood trial, the probability was high that he would be "executed after the autumn" along with Ma Hansan.

As Guifen begged everyone for help, Zheng Jiemin never once offered a helping hand.

Lu Qiao accepted reality helplessly.

He was now a useless discarded pawn; not only had his academic work been exploited by Zheng Jiemin, but now his life was on the line as well.

Sigh!

He sat on the cold iron bed, watching the sunlight filtering in from outside the window, and let out a heavy sigh.

There was no chance left.

It was completely over.

"Lu Qiao, you have a phone call," the prison guard shouted, tapping the iron bars with a baton.

Lu Qiao walked with a staggering gait to the prison office and answered the phone.

On the other end was the deep, resonant voice of Wu Jingzhong:

"Qiao, Captain Li has caught two people, suspecting they are Red agents involved in the case of Qian Siming's transfer.

"But these two are very stubborn, claiming they are from the Dangtong Bureau.

"They say they were acting under your orders to buy coffins at the coffin shop; is there any truth to this?"

Coffins?

He had never ordered anyone to buy coffins; he had commissioned them personally.

Lu Qiao understood instantly.

Li Ya had caught the people who had actually moved Qian Siming.

This dog was about to make a great contribution.

"Station Chief, is Captain Li nearby?" Lu Qiao asked.

"Li Ya, come over and listen in. Qiao, speak up," Wu Jingzhong instructed from the other end.

"Station Chief.

"These two people were indeed mobilized by me in the name of the Inspection Group, and the Dangtong Bureau was providing assistance.

"The two coffins I used to transfer Qian Siming were also negotiated by me."

Lu Qiao instantly regained his spirit, his voice becoming deep and steady.

"Good, goodbye."

Soon, he hung up the phone, a cold sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Heh.

Even if I'm going to die, you still want to step on me.

Li Ya, oh Li Ya.

You want to make a contribution? Not a chance.

Lu Qiao, who had been suppressed for a long time, felt much better instantly.

He dragged his heavy legs and was just about to stand up and leave.

A person walked in from outside, took off a wide-brimmed hat, and revealed a bronze-colored face with a long, narrow scar:

"Uncle Lu, don't be in such a rush to leave, let's chat for a bit."

Lu Qiao stared at him for a long while, his eyes suddenly sharpening: "Zhang Shaojie, you are the eldest son of Fourth Master Zhang?"

Fourth Master Zhang had been shot dead on the spot by Hong Zhiyou.

His two sons, the arrogant and domineering Zhang Shaobai, had followed his father to the underworld.

As for this eldest son, Zhang Shaojie, he had been a classmate of Lu Ming at the Whampoa Military Academy and had later held a post in Jingling, but after the fall of the Zhang family, this kid had resigned and disappeared.

Now, this face full of murderous aura was chilling, and one could imagine he had been through a lot.

"It's rare that Uncle Lu still remembers me.

"I heard about Lu Ming's affair; have you never thought about revenge?"

Zhang Shaojie smiled.

"How could I not?

"It's just that I am now a prisoner, my days are numbered, so how can I talk about revenge?" Lu Qiao shook his head and sighed.

"Actually, it's not hard to leave.

"Now that the Northeast students are entering the pass, the 'July 5th' blood case from a while ago is in an uproar, and the current Jinhai has long become a powder keg; as long as someone lights the fuse, it will explode.

"I can help you light that fire.

"When the time comes, there will naturally be people to speak for you and have you transferred back to Jinhai to take charge of the overall situation.

"Don't forget, the current situation is not what it used to be; the Leader needs you, this sharp blade, more than ever.

"You regaining your freedom is only a matter of time."

Zhang Shaojie touched the scar on his cheek and said indifferently.

"What do you need me to do?" Lu Qiao said.

"Cooperate with me to eliminate Hong Zhiyou and Wu Jingzhong," Zhang Shaojie said.

"No problem, and I already have a plan," Lu Qiao said.

"Good.

"Then let our two families cooperate once more," Zhang Shaojie said, extending his hand.

"I'll wait for your good news," Lu Qiao said, shaking his hand with great joy.

"Nephew, where have you been all these years?"

Having reached an agreement, Lu Qiao asked.

"I went to Southeast Asia.

"Uncle Lu, cheer up, good things are coming," Zhang Shaojie patted him, put on his hat, and walked out.

Immediately, a prison guard pushed the door open and walked in:

"Lu Qiao, it's time to return to the cell."

……

Interrogation room.

Wu Jingzhong hung up the phone, returned to his seat, looked at Li Ya, and said:

"Captain Li, the facts are clear; these two are field agents from the Dangtong Bureau."

"Station Chief, I want to interrogate them again," Li Ya said, feeling somewhat unwilling.

Just as he was speaking, a staff member walked in:

"Station Chief, the Dangtong Bureau is here to demand the release of the prisoners."

"They still have the nerve to come and demand people?

"Let's go, bring the people and let's go meet them," Wu Jingzhong ordered.

Lu Baoxing hurriedly took off the handcuffs for the two, and they escorted them together toward the Station Chief's office.

Yu Zecheng walked in the back, looking at the blood-covered Old Luo, feeling relieved despite the distress in his heart.

Lu Qiao had indeed not fulfilled Li Ya's wish.

Hong Zhiyou had won the bet again.

When they arrived outside the Station Chief's office, Xie Ruolin was already waiting.

"Station Chief Wu."

Xie Ruolin asked with a polite bow.

"You've got some nerve, planting eyes right under the nose of the Secret Service Bureau," Wu Jingzhong said, looking at him with authority.

Xie Ruolin was not intimidated; it was all just acting.

Besides, there were plenty of people in the Ministry of National Defense selling intelligence who held higher ranks than Wu Jingzhong, and it wasn't as if he hadn't seen them before.

"Station Chief Wu, the Secret Service Bureau and the Dangtong Bureau monitoring each other... that... that's an old tradition from the days of your Boss Dai.

"Aren't you also planting eyes on our side?

"It's just work, everyone should... understand."

Xie Ruolin stuttered, neither humble nor pushy.

"Understand?

"Do you believe I'll execute these two right now?

"Tell your Sun Chuanzhi to come and talk to me.

"You insolent thing!"

Wu Jingzhong pointed at his nose and cursed loudly.

"Station Chief Wu, don't... don't be impatient, isn't he calling now?"

Just then, the phone rang, and Xie Ruolin pointed at the telephone.

Wu Jingzhong answered with a gloomy face: "It's me.

"Heh, you're quite something, brother, planting secret lines right under my eyelids.

"I'm warning you, you'd better keep your hands clean.

"Otherwise, I'll have you arrested right now, and we'll see each other at the Military Law Department!

"Bang!"

Wu Jingzhong slammed the phone down.

He was acting, but not entirely.

In terms of age and seniority, Sun Chuanzhi was not his equal; by putting on the airs of a veteran of the Military Statistics Bureau, the other party could only take it.

"Station Chief Wu, may the people be taken away now?" Xie Ruo asked.

"Get lost."

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand impatiently.

"Thanks."

Xie Ruo nodded with a smile and led the two of them out.

"Station Chief, this..." Li Ya was fuming, but could only watch them leave.

"Li Ya, surveillance and wiretapping are minor matters. Right now, Ye Xiufeng has just been elected as a National Assembly representative and is a leader of the National Assembly Presidium; he is currently highly valued by the Chairman.

"Furthermore, the Chairman has repeatedly stressed the need for sincere unity and a ruthless crackdown on Red tickets.

"Falling out with the Dangtong Bureau over two ants at this time is truly unwise. You have beaten and interrogated the people as you should have, and Lu Qiaoshan and Sun Chuanzhi have also provided guarantees; there is no point in continuing the interrogation.

"It doesn't matter if you made a wrong arrest; at least you have cleared Zecheng's name, haven't you?"

Wu Jingzhong's expression softened as he comforted Li Ya.

"Captain Li!

"If not for you, I would have become a Red ticket person and a traitor to the Secret Service Bureau again. Many thanks for clearing my name.

"I'll treat you to a drink tonight."

Yu Zecheng looked at Li Ya with a smile.

"No need.

"We are old classmates, helping each other is only right.

"Next time someone reports you or your... wife, I will help you clear your name again."

Li Ya emphasized the word "wife" heavily.

"Good, I will have to trouble Captain Li with the purity of our household then." Yu Zecheng nodded.

After speaking, Li Ya didn't even say goodbye; he shoved his hands into his pockets, held his head high, and walked out with a face full of gloom.

"Zecheng.

"There is no smoke without fire. You must be cautious in your words and deeds, regulate your own behavior more, and don't keep letting people stir up trouble."

Wu Jingzhong looked at the "trouble" he had personally brought in, feeling as bitter as if he had eaten coptis.

"Yes, Master, I will be careful," Yu Zecheng nodded and said.

"Alright, you two go get busy. I need some quiet; this Li Ya has given me a headache," Wu Jingzhong said, waving his hand irritably.

"Sorry to trouble you, Master, please rest."

Yu Zecheng bowed, and just as he was about to leave, Wu Jingzhong thought for a moment and called out:

"After all, you did beat Sun Chuanzhi's people; you still need to maintain a decent facade. Take some time to visit this man surnamed Luo at the hospital and give him some money to settle the matter completely."

"Understood, Master." Yu Zecheng knew that Wu Jingzhong was giving him a legitimate opportunity to see Luo Anping, and he couldn't help but feel deeply grateful.

After the two retreated, Wu Jingzhong sighed with a headache:

"A mentor is like a father; I haven't even been this concerned or had such a headache over my own daughter.

"Sigh, what a nuisance!

"I suppose it's the debt I have to pay for betraying the Reds back then."

"Zhiyou, will Old Luo and the others be in trouble over at Sun Chuanzhi's side?" Upon arriving at Hong Zhiyou's office, Yu Zecheng asked in a low voice.

"They won't.

"Sun Chuanzhi is a smart man. When someone gives him cash and US dollars at a time like this, he will naturally get things done," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Does Old Luo need to be relocated?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"That depends on your thoughts.

"Since they have been labeled as Zhongtong, Li Ya will at most keep them under surveillance; it will likely be very difficult for him to arrest them.

"But we cannot rule out Li Ya taking underhanded shots or playing dirty out of spite.

"If you can relocate them, try to do so."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Alright," Yu Zecheng nodded.

Establishing a transit station is indeed not easy, but for the sake of Old Luo's safety, they have no choice but to relocate.

Dangtong Bureau.

Sun Chuanzhi sat at his desk, wiping his glasses.

Knock, knock.

"Come in," he said in a deep voice.

Soon, Xie Ruo walked in carrying a briefcase with a face full of smiles:

"Director, I've brought the people back. Do you want to see them?"

"Why would I want to see those messy people? Send them packing," Sun Chuanzhi said.

"Yes.

"By the way, this is what they asked me to present to you."

Xie Ruo opened the briefcase and took out five large and five small gold bars, along with three thousand brand-new US dollars.

Sun Chuanzhi's eyes lit up with greed.

Ever since he was heavily swindled by Wu Jingzhong, he hadn't recovered his losses. Plus, with the world in chaos, US dollars and gold were scarce; he hadn't seen such a windfall in a long time.

"Little Xie.

"Does Wei Jin know about this?" he asked.

"Hard to say.

"I'm just afraid Section Chief Wei might get involved and stir things up," Xie Ruo said.

"This person is very troublesome.

"He has been with me for a long time and has connections above, so I can't move against him, yet he loves to meddle in everything.

"A headache, a real headache.

"If everyone were like you, wouldn't all these problems disappear?"

Sun Chuanzhi shook his head, feeling annoyed.

"Director, it's actually not difficult.

"Isn't there a military weapons exhibition held by the Americans tomorrow?

"Section Chief Wei has always been very interested in guns, cannons, and such; why not let him go attend that?"

A sly smile appeared at the corner of Xie Ruo's mouth.

"Is it reliable?" Sun Chuanzhi asked directly, without pointing it out.

"Reliable.

"It's run by the US military; even if Bureau Chief Ye came, he couldn't find fault with it," Xie Ruo said.

"Very well, go ahead and arrange it.

"Stay and have some tea with me first.

"Your sister-in-law has been instigated by those ladies lately and wants to go to Xiangdao.

"Isn't Hong Zhiyou very well-connected over there? Help me inquire if there are any decent plots of land or houses in Xiangdao and have him provide some recommendations."

Sun Chuanzhi said.

(End of chapter)