Chapter 338: Can't Play You to Death

"Director, going to Xiangdao is absolutely... yes, the right thing to do."

"You know what kind of state the National Government is in, don't you?"

"In the past, they could still rely on newspapers and radio to fool the common people, but now the people in Huaihai and the Northeast would rather go hungry than exhaust their family resources to support the Red Tickets."

"The Northeast and Ludong have been utterly defeated."

"Hong Zhiyou once made a deduction with me that at the latest by '49, Jinhai will be lost."

"By this calculation, that's only about half a year away."

"If we don't leave, staying here means certain death."

"Besides, the Red Tickets are skilled at surprise attacks; who knows if we might wake up one day as prisoners."

"My wife suggests going to Xiangdao, and I support it with both hands."

Xie Ruolin sat down on the sofa, picked up an apple, took a bite, and said.

Sun Chuanzhi smiled: "'49? That's a bit exaggerated, isn't it?"

"I used to think so too."

"But you can't argue with the accuracy of 'Half-Immortal Hong'."

"He said Du Yuming and Chen Cheng couldn't hold Siping, and they definitely couldn't; I didn't believe a bunch of mud-legged peasants could beat a U. . equipped ace army either, but didn't they lose it?"

"He said the exchange rate would collapse and told me to hoard gold early and try not to accept legal tender."

"And look, legal tender has become waste paper now."

"Also, he told me to build a good relationship with Fu Zuoyi's subordinates, and sure enough, Fu Zuoyi became the King of Beiping."

"Who could have guessed that the Generalissimo wouldn't use Sun Lianzhong, but would let someone from the Jin-Sui clique take charge of the overall situation?"

"You have to admire him."

Xie Ruolin sighed in total admiration.

"Heh, looking at it this way, he really is a 'Half-Immortal Hong'."

"Little Xie, are you going?"

The Dangtong Bureau had no real foundation in Xiangdao, and Sun Chuanzhi was still a bit hesitant about going there.

"In any case, I'm following you, Director."

"Without you, how could I have the wealth and future I have today? Your subordinate has decided to stick with you for this lifetime."

"Wherever you and your wife go, I will follow."

Xie Ruolin put down the apple and said solemnly.

"Good, I really didn't misjudge you."

"'Dang-Xie Protects Hong'; you and Hong Zhiyou are the Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix of Jinhai. With you helping me, my brother, I have no worries."

"Honestly, without your brain, I really wouldn't feel confident about things on the outside."

"Brother, what is your relationship with Hong Zhiyou exactly?"

Sun Chuanzhi praised him with satisfaction.

"Not bad."

"The kind where as long as the money is there, the task will definitely be done," Xie Ruolin didn't dare to say too much.

He had bragged too much.

If the task couldn't be done later, he would be slapping his own face.

"Fine."

"Find some time to take your sister-in-law to see him and have him help scout and purchase property in Xiangdao, so we are prepared to transfer at any time."

"I heard Mrs. Wu and her family have already gone over."

"They even bought an island; we need to hurry too."

"Don't let it be like you said, where one day I open my eyes and the city walls are covered in big red flags; wouldn't my whole life's work be for nothing?"

Sun Chuanzhi clapped his palms together and said with a humorous tone.

"Your subordinate will go right away..." Xie Ruolin stood up, just about to express his stance.

The door opened, and Investigation Section Chief Wei Jin walked in with long strides, questioning him straight to the point:

"Director, what is going on with the Tongyuan Bookstore?"

"What do you mean 'what is going on'?"

"Can you learn some manners before coming in next time and knock to ask for permission?"

Sun Chuanzhi was interrupted in his good mood and said with some annoyance.

"The Investigation Section is responsible for liaising with Lu Qiaoshan, but these two people from Tongyuan Bookstore were involved in the Qian Siming transfer case; as the person in charge, I was completely unaware."

"Xie Ruolin, you, a man in charge of internal affairs, are overstepping your bounds too much."

Wei Jin said, furious.

He was no longer the same person he was when he handled the Yuan Peilin case at the Xiuchun Tower.

Since his sister married the son of a high-ranking official at the Dangtong Bureau headquarters, his status had risen with the tide, and his arrogance grew day by day.

Especially now that the Bureau was very active in catching Red Tickets, and Ye Xiufeng had the intention of selecting a capable official to replace Sun Chuanzhi, Wei Jin was openly and secretly working against Sun Chuanzhi, eyeing the Director position.

He often made decisions on operations without reporting them, which made Sun Chuanzhi extremely angry.

"Section Chief Wei, it doesn't necessarily mean that just because something involves the Inspection Group, it must be the Investigation Section."

"There are so many people in the Dangtong Bureau."

"It doesn't necessarily have to be people from the Investigation Section."

"Who... who doesn't have a few secret lines or field agents?"

Xie Ruolin retorted with his left hand in his pocket, wearing a fake smile.

He was able to be trusted by Sun Chuanzhi and climbed to the position of Internal Affairs Section Chief largely because he stood firmly on Sun Chuanzhi's side.

This was also the experience Hong Zhiyou had taught him.

Many people say that one should be on good terms with everyone.

Little do they know, the prerequisite for being on good terms with everyone is that you must have the ability, and people must be willing to buy what you're selling.

Xie Ruolin knew he had no background, so he imitated Hong Zhiyou by clinging to Wu Jingzhong's leg and following Sun Chuanzhi all the way to the end, which was how he reached his current status.

He knew even better that to be loyal to a superior, just shouting slogans wasn't enough; he had to be a shield.

"Enough."

"Wei Jin, those two people were arranged by me. Is there a problem?" Sun Chuanzhi said with his hands behind his back, dissatisfied.

Wei Jin's cheeks tightened; he stared at the tips of his leather shoes, sneered, and nodded:

"No problem."

"But next time, for matters involving operations, please let the Director keep me informed. If I accidentally arrest the wrong person or kill someone, that wouldn't be good."

"Do you have something else?" Sun Chuanzhi said.

"The U. . military has a weapons exhibition tomorrow, and our Dangtong Bureau is also on the invitation list. I wonder how the Director has arranged it?" Wei Jin said.

This exhibition was hosted personally by Ke Ke.

Invited guests included key officials from the Ministry of National Defense, and those attending from Jinhai included Chen Zhangjie, Zheng Tingfeng, Fang Jie, and Wu Jingzhong—all of them high-ranking officials.

Being able to attend such an occasion represented the face of the organization.

How could Wei Jin miss such an opportunity?

If he could show his face in front of Ke Ke and get on the U. . military's boat in the future, with the recommendation of the Americans and Bureau Chief Ye, wouldn't the Director position be secure?

Therefore, he had to fight for it.

"Wei Jin, aren't you busy with the municipal party file audit recently?"

"I think it's better if Little Xie accompanies me."

Sun Chuanzhi pondered for a moment and said.

Xie Ruolin winked at Wei Jin with a smug look on his face.

Wei Jin's face turned livid instantly, and he didn't give an inch: "Director, the audit of files can be done by the staff below. It just so happens I have nothing to do these two days; why not let me accompany you instead?"

"I've already submitted the list; it wouldn't be appropriate to change it now." Sun Chuanzhi said, looking troubled.

"Director."

"I am the Investigation Section Chief; weapons, assassinations, and combat are my specialties."

"Section Chief Xie only knows how to resell some intelligence and make some money."

"It wouldn't be good for a layman to watch the experts' show, would it?"

Wei Jin argued forcefully.

As he spoke, he gave a cold sneer: "How about we ask Bureau Chief Ye to decide?"

"No need."

"Little Xie, haven't you been complaining about headaches lately?"

"Take some time to go to the hospital for a check-up and rest for two days."

Sun Chuanzhi, who had been serious just a moment ago, immediately became all smiles and discussed it with Xie Ruolin.

"Alright."

"Then I'll trouble Section Chief Wei." Xie Ruolin's eyes dimmed, and he said helplessly.

"You're welcome."

Wei Jin gave an arrogant smile and walked away with his head held high like a victor.

"Dog thing, he uses Ye Xiufeng to pressure me at every turn, but with his little brain, he's still too green to fight me." Sun Chuanzhi slapped the table and said.

Wei Jin is still a very cunning fellow.

If he were sent directly to the exhibition, this fellow might even grow suspicious.

For a person like this, one must treat him like teasing a dog; the bone cannot be fed directly, he must be kept hungry so he comes to snatch it, and this way, even if it contains deadly poison, he will find it delicious when he eats it.

"The Director's methods are beyond what we can reach; I have... I have learned," Xie Ruo said, offering up some flattery.

"Can Hong Zhiyou handle those Americans?

"If we can't finish this fellow off and let him show his face, we will be lifting a rock only to drop it on our own feet."

Sun Chuanzhi said with some worry.

"Director, rest assured, Secretary Hong has never broken a promise," Xie Ruo answered with great confidence.

"That is good.

"You may go about your business."

Sun Chuanzhi nodded.

Nanhu Lane.

Inside a small eatery.

Li Ya lowered the brim of his hat as he walked in and went straight to a private room on the second floor.

Wei Jin had been waiting for a long time:

"Captain Li, you are finally willing to come see me."

"Section Chief Wei, before, we were not of the same family, did not enter the same door, and could not pee into the same pot," Li Ya said as he sat down.

"Then why can we meet now?" Wei Jin asked with a smile.

"It is no longer the Military Statistics Bureau and the Central Statistics Bureau; you and I are both serving the Party-State, and strictly speaking, we are on the same path because we are both very interested in catching Red agents.

"Unlike some people who only care about promotion and wealth," Li Ya said with indignation.

"That is correct.

"Wu Jingzhong and Hong Zhiyou have lined their pockets completely.

"Sun Chuanzhi and Xie Ruo are also raking in gold and silver.

"Only we are truly concerned about the future of the Party-State."

Wei Jin also sighed with emotion.

"I have come for two things.

"Are Luo Anping and his nephew from the Tongyuan Bookstore arranged by your Party-State Bureau?

"I asked Lu Qiaoshan, and he said yes.

"But I cannot trust his words; he has a life-and-death grudge against me, and since he is about to meet the King of Hell, he naturally would not want to see me gain any advantage.

"Your Investigation Section is responsible for operations, so I want to know the real inside story."

Li Ya asked very shrewdly.

"Bullshit arrangement.

"Previously, I was the one always liaising with Lu Qiaoshan; suddenly two secret lines appeared, so someone must have spent money to have Xie Ruo operate this.

"Do you believe that Sun Chuanzhi cannot even name them?"

Whenever this matter was mentioned, Wei Jin would get furious.

"I believe it.

"I even know who asked Xie Ruo to operate it," Li Ya picked up the wine pot and poured him a cup.

"Who?" Wei Jin asked.

"Our Confidentiality Bureau Confidentiality Office Director Yu Zecheng.

"He is Mount Emei.

"He is also the current Deep Sea.

"These two are the Red agent couriers who were in contact with him; unfortunately, Lu Qiaoshan and your Director Sun disregarded the interests of the Party-State and, for their own selfish reasons, let them escape a disaster in vain.

"It is hateful."

Li Ya took a hard sip of wine and said.

"Is Mount Emei not Ma Kui?" Wei Jin frowned and asked.

"It is definitely not Ma Kui!

"By the way, I want to entrust you with one thing.

"Before I came, you were still the Central Statistics Bureau.

"Ma Kui and Tang Wu of the Gendarmerie Headquarters once implicated our Security Section Chief Liu Xiong because they colluded with people from your Central Statistics Bureau.

"It led to him suffering a disaster on the street due to alcoholism.

"You are an old-timer, you should know some inside information."

Following several failed attempts to capture Yu Zecheng, Li Ya once again began to doubt the truth.

"Is the photo still there?" Wei Jin slowly swirled his wine glass and asked with a frown.

"Yes.

"I have always carried it with me.

"To tell you the truth, Liu Xiong was my mentor, closer than father and son, so please put in the effort, brother."

Li Ya took out the photo of Tang Wu meeting with a Central Statistics Bureau staff member from his pocket.

"I know this person.

"His name is Ma Tengfei.

"He is an old hand at the Central Statistics Bureau, selling intelligence and making fake documents; he is the same type of trash as Sheng Xiang from your Confidentiality Bureau.

"However, this dog thing earned enough money and resigned long ago.

"I will go back and check; I should be able to find him and dig out some leads.

"It is not a difficult task; leave it to me."

Wei Jin looked at it for a few moments and agreed very readily.

"Thank you for your hard work, brother.

"Sigh, if you were at the helm of the Party-State Bureau, there wouldn't be so many problems in Jinmen," Li Ya said, feeling as though they had met too late.

"Soon.

"At the latest by next year, Sun Chuanzhi will have to get out; I have already worked out the connections on my end.

"If Captain Li can sit in the position of Station Chief, we will join forces.

"Jinmen will be a pure land, and not a single Red agent will be able to survive."

Wei Jin clinked his glass with him, also feeling a mutual appreciation.

"It is almost time on my end as well.

"Wu Jingzhong is resigning next year, and Lu Qiaoshan is about to be sentenced, so the Deputy Station Chief position is already within my grasp.

"Brother, if we integrate our resources, the future is promising.

"Come, bottoms up."

Li Ya raised his glass and said.

In the afternoon.

Yu Zecheng walked into Hong Zhiyou's office and knocked on the door:

"Zhiyou, approve some money for me.

"Come with me to the hospital to see the people from the Tongyuan Bookstore."

"I won't go," Hong Zhiyou said as he stood up.

"You have to go.

"Otherwise, Captain Li will use this matter to make a fuss again," Yu Zecheng said in a low voice.

"Fine."

Hong Zhiyou nodded.

After getting the money, the two drove straight to the hospital.

Luo Anping was wrapped in gauze all over and was receiving an intravenous drip for inflammation.

Lu Baoxing had not used lethal force, but the flesh wounds were still not light.

"Shopkeeper Luo, are you alright?" Yu Zecheng walked in and greeted him.

"Luo Bing, you go out first," Luo Anping ordered.

Luo Bing walked out, while Hong Zhiyou sat on a chair in the hallway, boredly flipping through a newspaper.

"Old Luo, how are your injuries?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"Why did you come? You shouldn't be coming to see me at this time," Luo Anping frowned and said.

"It is fine, the Station Chief sent me.

"Li Ya injured you.

"Since you are Sun Chuanzhi's man, and it was a mistake to arrest and injure you, our Confidentiality Bureau must express our apologies.

"I am here under orders."

Yu Zecheng smiled, opened his briefcase, took out several gold bars and a stack of US dollars from inside, and handed them to him.

"This is the last of my personal assets; since you are transferring, help me turn it over to the organization," Yu Zecheng said.

"Alright."

"Comrade Zecheng, I really hate to leave."

"Truly."

"In the past, we had some friction at work, but now I am very happy to accept your leadership."

"Once I leave, I don't know when we will meet again."

"Especially with the current high-pressure situation of ticket clearing, and Li Ya biting so hard."

"Comrade Zecheng, I..."

Luo Anping's eyes turned red, and he held Yu Zecheng's hand, feeling sentimental.

"There is no banquet in the world that doesn't end."

"I will find a way to get you transferred out as soon as possible."

"I cannot stay here too long."

"Take care, Old Luo."

Yu Zecheng patted his hand, wanting to let go.

"Alright."

"Comrade Zecheng, you must, you must take care."

"Stay alive, and we shall meet at liberation."

Luo Anping gripped his hand tighter, his eyes full of reluctance and worry.

He knew that Yu Zecheng was already on the verge of exposure and could be in mortal danger at any moment.

Perhaps this parting would be the last time they ever saw each other.

"Mm."

"Goodbye."

Yu Zecheng had wanted to ask about joining the Party, but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back.

He did not drag things out and stood up to leave quickly.

Luo Anping watched Yu Zecheng's increasingly weary back, a sense of sorrow rising in his heart, his eyes stinging.

Comrade Zecheng, it hasn't been easy!

At the door, Yu Zecheng gave a firm smile and nodded at Luo Bing.

Luo Bing bowed deeply to him.

Everything was understood without words.

"Zhiyou, can Shopkeeper Luo be transferred smoothly?" Yu Zecheng asked after getting into the car.

"Rest assured, I have already arranged it."

"They can leave at any time."

"They are being picked up by a military vehicle from the Beiping Pacification Headquarters; no one dares to check it, and the driver has credentials from the General Staff Department, so they can pass through checkpoints smoothly."

Hong Zhiyou said after getting into the car.

"That's great, thanks."

"Sooner is better than later, how about tonight?" Yu Zecheng said.

"That works."

"No one can touch people from the Pacification Headquarters right now; even if Li Ya finds out, he can only watch them go," Hong Zhiyou said.

The military vehicle was arranged by Fu Zuoyi's aide, Sun Wenjing, and belonged to the General Staff Department; the soldiers providing protection were also "Red Tickets" developed by Sun, absolutely hardcore.

Safety was well-guaranteed.

"Are you going to the weapons exhibition tomorrow?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"Let Li Ya go."

"Don't fight him for such attention-seeking matters."

"He is currently obsessed with the Station Chief retiring so he can seize power; there is no need to provoke him."

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand and said.

Although there would be a good show tomorrow, it was not very important to him.

It was optional to watch, so he wouldn't join the crowd.

"Sigh."

"This Li Ya is like a mad dog now, staring at me and biting."

"He wants to use me as a stepping stone for his promotion."

"It's truly annoying."

Yu Zecheng rubbed his temples, looking quite troubled.

"Endure a little longer, trust me, just hold on for half a year and he won't have a show to put on," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

While speaking, he turned his head and saw that Yu Zecheng had actually fallen asleep leaning against the seat.

No need to guess, this brother who was used to digesting things alone had likely not slept soundly for a long time because of the matter with Zuo Lan.

Damn it.

Underground work is truly not meant for humans; without a body of steel and iron, one simply cannot hold up.

Hong Zhiyou muttered to himself.

He drove the car to a quiet little lake, got out to smoke, and took a boring walk.

After staying for about an hour, he returned to the car.

He saw that it was almost time to get off work.

Well, no need to return to the station.

He slowed down and drove leisurely toward the small courtyard.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, Cuiping came out to greet them; just as Hong Zhiyou was about to wake Yu Zecheng, Cuiping made a gesture: "Shh, it's rare for him to sleep, let him sleep."

"Alright."

Hong Zhiyou got out of the car on tiptoes.

"Sigh, ever since hearing the news of Zuo Lan's sacrifice, Old Yu has lost his soul."

"He still looks somewhat human when he's at the station with you all."

"When he gets home, he doesn't say a word, just like a piece of wood."

"If this continues, his health will collapse sooner or later; help me persuade him."

Cuiping sighed and said.

"I can't persuade a stubborn person like him."

"Just let him digest it."

"Senior Sister, are you going to Xiangdao? If you want to go, you need to hurry; I'll arrange a plane for you."

Hong Zhiyou brought up the serious matter with her.

"What are you thinking?"

"My Old Yu said that once liberated, I can at least be a township head, and I'm waiting to be a township head."

"What's so good about Xiangdao? It's just a world of glitz."

"Isn't it better to stay and contribute to the revolution?" Cuiping rolled her eyes at him.

"Forget it, we have no common ground; I am leaving regardless," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Go then."

"Anyway, you have money; donating more money to build bridges and pave roads in the future is also part of the revolution, that's what Old Yu said."

"You are our hero."

"In the future, ships, docks, and such will still play a big role."

Cuiping punched him and laughed.

"You all have become addicted to squeezing my oil, counting on fleecing the wealthy, huh?" Hong Zhiyou widened his eyes and laughed.

"That sounds terrible."

"Contributing to the country doesn't distinguish between you and me."

"I don't have money, so I put in effort."

"You have money, so you donate."

"You really need to learn from your sister regarding this awareness."

Cuiping hummed.

Just as they were talking, Yu Zecheng opened the car door and stepped out.

"What are you chatting about, so happily?" Yu Zecheng asked with a smile.

"Chatting about contributing to the people; this kid isn't quite enlightened, I have to give him a good lesson." Seeing him smile, Cuiping was also happy.

"You should save this lesson for Old Yu."

"I'm taking off first."

Hong Zhiyou was a liberal arts student, after all; he had already memorized enough political lessons.

"Don't, Junior Brother, he's a wooden person once you leave; stay for dinner, I happen to have a big matter to discuss with you both," Cuiping called out to him.

(End of chapter)