Chapter 341: He Has Changed

Lu Qiao had been released from prison.

He bathed and dyed his hair.

Dressed in a suit and leather shoes, Lu Qiao met the long-absent Zheng Jiemin in the office of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of National Defense.

"Qiao Shan, sit down quickly."

"Sigh, you have suffered after being locked up for so long."

Zheng Jiemin greeted him in a kind and gentle manner.

"I wouldn't dare, it is Qiao Shan who is incompetent and failed to live up to the Vice Minister's trust," Lu Qiao said respectfully.

"After your incident, Guifen came to see me.

"I have been actively running around for your case these past few days, but Mao Renfeng made a mountain out of a molehill and insisted on using you as an example.

"Your trial was originally scheduled for next month, and the intention from above was to execute you by firing squad to set an example.

"I went to see the Chairman time and again to plead your case, and he finally nodded, which is how I managed to fish you out of the gates of hell.

"Qiao Shan, I have exhausted every possible means to protect you."

Zheng Jiemin said with a look of difficult emotion.

Even he had not expected that Lu Qiao could still emerge from the gates of hell.

Moreover, it was Yu Jishi himself who had issued the order.

Since that was the case, this favor would naturally fall to him.

Lu Qiao's eyes turned slightly red, and he bowed ninety degrees: "Qiao Shan thanks the Vice Minister for the grace of saving my life; I will repay you with my death."

"Qiao Shan, how is your health? Can you still handle it?" Zheng Jiemin asked with a smile.

"I can handle it. I exercised every day in prison; look at me, I am full of vigor," Lu Qiao shook his limbs and said with a hearty laugh.

"Hmm.

"It is good that you have this spirit. Have you heard about the situation in Jinhai?" Zheng Jiemin nodded and asked.

"What situation?" Lu Qiao feigned ignorance.

"The students are making trouble again. Some students suspect they were poisoned to death by the Secret Service, and Chen Zhangjie's Garrison Brigade even opened fire.

"You have experience in dealing with students.

"I intend to transfer you back to quell the student unrest. What do you think?"

Zheng Jiemin said.

"Rest assured, Vice Minister, Qiao Shan will certainly complete the mission," Lu Qiao quickly stood at attention and saluted.

"Go ahead and do it boldly; if the sky falls, I will hold it up for you.

"Additionally, there are some things you need to know.

"Chen Jicheng has left Beiping, and Fu Zuoyi now wields immense power; the Chairman has hidden concerns.

"When you go to Jinhai, make a big scene.

"Make it so that Chen Zhangjie cannot step down. Do you understand what I mean?"

Zheng Jiemin instructed.

"Understood," Lu Qiao nodded.

"Hmm.

"Go."

Zheng Jiemin had originally wanted to mention the business in Jinhai, but upon second thought, Lu Qiao was not the right person for that, and Hong Zhiyou had already gotten involved with Ke Ke, so he could only abandon the idea of making money.

Jinhai Station.

Wu Jingzhong was playing with a snuff bottle.

Li Ya hurried into the station chief's office:

"Teacher, Lu Qiao is back. He is posted as an inspector of the Second Department at the Garrison Headquarters, specifically sent to suppress the protests.

"I heard that just today, upon arriving, he dealt with several officers who were ineffective in their suppression.

"Thunderous methods, very forceful indeed."

"Indeed, thunderous methods; he has returned bearing the Imperial Sword.

"However, he is targeting students; once the commotion dies down, he will leave. He won't be able to stir up any major waves."

Wu Jingzhong's expression was relaxed, without the slightest hint of tension.

"Teacher.

"In my opinion, targeting the students is a pretense; he is coming for our Secret Service.

"Last night, he had people arrest Xiao Yunxian and Tang Dachun.

"And a group of former Secret Service agents who were previously laid off."

Li Ya said with his brows tightly locked.

"So what?" Wu Jingzhong raised his eyebrows and looked at him.

"Those laid-off agents once followed me to participate in intercepting Fu Zuoyi's military supplies in Baoding.

"And Xiao Yunxian, the head of the opera troupe.

"When I hid Yuan Peilin, the troupe leader was aware of it.

"Also, I used Xiao Yunxian's brother to provide cover for Yuan Peilin in the woodshed.

"If these people provide false testimony against me, the death of Yuan Peilin will be firmly pinned on me.

"Especially that Tang Dachun.

"He was originally a sharp weapon I controlled, a liaison with the Yancheng mole. If this person starts spouting nonsense, I won't be able to clear my name even if I jump into the Yellow River,"

Li Ya said gloomily.

"Look at the stupid things you've done. Now you know how to panic?

"There was a Yancheng mole liaison, why didn't you report it?"

Wu Jingzhong slapped the table and pointed at him.

"Teacher, I..." Li Ya was speechless.

"I think you are doomed.

"Think carefully about how to get through this," Wu Jingzhong said with a cold gaze.

Last time, Li Ya had filed a complaint against Lu Qiao to Fu Zuoyi, and Lu Qiao had been locked up for nearly half a year; no one could swallow that kind of grudge. This time, he was afraid Lu Qiao would skin Li Ya alive.

Li Ya's brows locked; he was truly panicking.

After the Three People's Principles Youth League was banned, Jianfeng had not given him any further instructions.

In some respects, he had already become an abandoned pawn.

Without Jianfeng's protection, and with a pile of "evidence," Lu Qiao would surely try to kill him.

"This damn guy, he was already standing at the gates of hell, yet he still managed to escape back.

"Heaven wants to destroy me."

Li Ya said hatefully.

"Is it Heaven?"

Wu Jingzhong's heart skipped a beat.

First, Li Erbao was poisoned and silenced, then someone used public opinion to try to replace him and Chen Zhangjie, and now Lu Qiao had happened to return.

All of this seemed too coincidental.

No, this was highly likely a meticulously planned trap.

"Teacher.

"I also heard that Lu Qiao arrested Mu Liancheng's former butler, Pang Qing... and also called Mu Wanqiu in for questioning.

"I fear he is not just targeting me, but you as well."

Li Ya raised his eyebrows at Wu Jingzhong and said unhurriedly.

"There is such a thing?" Wu Jingzhong's eyes widened, and he demanded sternly.

"Absolutely true.

"If you don't believe me, ask Zhiyou; isn't he close with Mu Wanqiu?

"That man surnamed Lu is now a mad dog, biting whoever he catches.

"Teacher, if we don't fight back, I fear the Secret Service will be wiped out by him entirely."

A cold sneer appeared on the corner of Li Ya's mouth.

"Isn't it just that little matter regarding that dog traitor Mu Liancheng?

"You first send someone to keep an eye on him."

Wu Jingzhong smiled as if it didn't matter.

"Go, find Secretary Hong and bring him to me," he added.

"Secretary Hong is not in the office," Li Ya said.

"Hmm," Wu Jingzhong waved his hand.

Garrison Headquarters, Inspection Group Office.

Lu Qiao was working with his head down; a thick stack of materials was piled on his desk.

*Cough, cough.

Suddenly, a sharp pain struck his chest, and he could not help but cough violently.

Lu Qiao felt a fishy sweetness in his throat; he covered his mouth with a handkerchief, and when his coughing subsided, he looked at the large bloodstain on the handkerchief, his pale face turning even gloomier.

Ever since he was first recorded by Li Ya, and after the position of Deputy Station Chief and his future prospects were ruined, he had been harboring a fire in his heart, and his health had collapsed along with it.

Then came Beiping.

Then came losing Qian Siming and being reported by Li Ya and imprisoned.

He had fallen into the hands of that scoundrel Li Ya three times.

Added to that were the successive blows of being swindled out of his family fortune by Lin Sufang and the grief of losing his son.

Lu Qiao's health had long since collapsed.

Especially during these six months in prison, where he suffered daily, unable to sleep, deprived of nutrition, and cut off from medicine, his various illnesses had worsened, and he had long since reached the point of exhaustion.

This time, coming to Jinhai.

He was determined to stake his last breath and make one final gamble.

To send Li Ya, Wu Jingzhong, and Yu Zecheng all to the guillotine, to avenge his son, and if he could fulfill his dream of becoming a Station Chief, he would have no regrets even in death.

"Inspector Lu, Hong Zhiyou from the Confidentiality Bureau is here; will you see him or not?" Peng Chengtao walked in, his demeanor much more respectful than in the past.

He was not stupid.

In the past, when old Lu came, it was to be stationed somewhere to get promoted and get rich.

This time, he had returned carrying the Imperial Sword to kill.

Whoever crossed him would be courting death.

"Hong Zhiyou?

"How is the interrogation of Miss Mu going?" Lu Qiao asked in a deep voice.

"She does admit that Station Chief Wu had contact with Mu Liancheng, but she is unclear about whether there was bribery or if anything was sent," Peng Chengtao said.

"I see. You go down first; don't be in a hurry to release her. I still need to personally interrogate her myself. Tell him to come in," Lu Qiao thought for a moment and said.

Hong Zhiyou walked in and laughed loudly:

"Brother Shan, long time no see.

"I knew you were destined for great wealth and would surely turn misfortune into luck; look at you, promoted and back to kill again."

"Brother, sit." Lu Qiao stood up and led him to the sofa.

"Sigh, ups and downs, rise and fall.

"Promotion is not the word for it; I am certainly here to kill a few. If the blade doesn't see blood, I would be failing the Chairman's grace.

"Honestly, in Jinhai, only you still have a sense of human kindness.

"During my time in prison, your sister-in-law was helped by you quite a bit. Thank you."

He raised his hand and poured good tea for Hong Zhiyou.

"Sigh, it is shameful to say.

"I am fine in Jinhai, but in Jingling, I am truly powerless. Sister-in-law looked for me, and I looked for people at the time... but you, Brother Shan, are a lucky man with heaven's protection."

Hong Zhiyou said with a look of guilt and emotion.

"You have a heart, you have a heart. This brother appreciates it," Lu Qiao said, patting his shoulder.

While he was in prison, he knew who was truly acting and who was just pretending on the outside.

"Why not register with the Confidentiality Bureau this time you're back?

"The office on the third floor is still reserved for you. We can go there to drink coffee and chat when we have nothing to do," Hong Zhiyou said.

"The Confidentiality Bureau?"

Lu Qiao, who had been full of smiles, instantly turned gloomy and serious, pointing at Hong Zhiyou:

"Except for you, there isn't a single good person in that place.

"Not to mention Li Ya, he must die.

"As for the Station Chief, his tai chi methods aren't that brilliant. I'll put it this way: for the sake of our past friendship, he had better resign voluntarily; that way he can still preserve some dignity.

"Otherwise, it's hard to say.

"As for Yu Zecheng, heh..."

Lu Qiao let out a dry laugh.

"No, old Lu, aren't you here to deal with the students?

"Why are you turning your blade on your own people?"

Hong Zhiyou frowned.

"Your own people? Brother, doesn't your conscience hurt when you say that?

"You are all getting rich, each and every one of you enjoying comfort and ease.

"And me? My son is dead, most of my life's fortune has vanished into thin air. Do you have no idea what you all did during this time?"

Lu Qiao tapped the table and said sternly.

"Let me tell you, dealing with the students is a side job.

"The main thing is to deal with the Jinhai Station's corruption, collusion with the Red ticket, and other such matters.

"Each and every one of them must be cleaned out.

"This is the intention of the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Affairs Bureau. Once evidence is found, they will be arrested and interrogated immediately. They can go eat cockroaches in the Shuitun Prison for me.

"Just now... I talked to Chen Zhangjie; he must be honest."

He waved his finger, his tone becoming increasingly majestic and arrogant.

"Understood, Brother Shan, you are the true imperial envoy this time," Hong Zhiyou nodded and said.

"Anything else?" Lu Qiao leaned back on the sofa, looking at him with a half-smile.

"Wanqiu's old maid said she was summoned by your people.

"Brother Shan.

"We are our own people; Wanqiu has been unwell lately, give me some face and let me take her back," Hong Zhiyou smiled.

As he spoke, he handed over a bundle of US dollars.

"Brother, I'm not playing that game this time I'm back," Lu Qiao smiled and actually pushed the money back.

With his current health, money was of little use.

In the past, he had been bound and tormented by this stuff, but now that he could finally let go, how could he be shackled again?

"The current situation is turbulent; sister-in-law still needs to cover daily expenses for firewood, rice, oil, and salt."

Hong Zhiyou added another small stack of US dollars.

"Don't trouble yourself with that, brother," Lu Qiao remained unmoved.

His son was dead.

He himself did not have much time left.

His parents didn't have many years left either, and he didn't expect Guifen to remain a widow for him.

Since that was the case, why leave money for her to benefit someone else who would take his place?

"Alright.

"About Wanqiu..." Hong Zhiyou said.

"I said, we are brothers.

"I have to give you this much face. Come with me."

Lu Qiao stood up and headed toward the interrogation room.

Inside, Wanqiu was sitting on the electric chair, trembling and wiping her tears with a silk scarf:

"Officer, I am just a small woman. How could I possibly know about the affairs between my uncle and Station Chief Wu?

"I was seriously ill at the time, and my uncle could abandon me without even saying a word.

"Do you think I could know anything?"

"You..." Peng Chengtao was just about to ask a question when Lu Qiao walked in.

"Old Peng, you go down first," Lu Qiao ordered.

"Zhiyou." Seeing Hong Zhiyou, Wanqiu was overjoyed.

"Don't be afraid," Hong Zhiyou smiled slightly.

"Miss Wanqiu.

"I have a few questions for you.

"Station Chief Wu and your uncle..."

Lu Qiao had just started when Wanqiu said: "Inspector Lu, I, I really don't know about the affairs between them."

Lu Qiao smiled gently, took out a small tape recorder, and pressed it: "Don't be afraid.

"I'm not asking about their transactions.

"How many times did they meet?

"Where did they meet?"

"Wanqiu, answer truthfully," Hong Zhiyou reminded her calmly.

"I know of three times.

"The first time was at my home.

"The second time was at the Donghai Tea House; my uncle asked me to go eat with them, but I didn't go.

"The third time was also at home; they were having a meeting on the roof."

"I am not clear on the specifics of what was discussed."

Wanqiu said truthfully.

"Very good."

"During the military mediation period, did your uncle meet with Wu Jingzhong?" Lu Qiao asked.

"I cannot recall," Wanqiu said.

"Don't be anxious, think slowly; I believe you can figure it out," Lu Qiao said.

Wanqiu glanced at Hong Zhiyou.

The latter nodded slightly.

"I remember now, it seems they did meet once."

"My uncle was a classmate of the then-military mediation director, Deng Ming."

"He did meet with Deng Ming."

"It was probably the day before he met with General Deng that Station Chief Wu sought out my uncle."

Wanqiu thought for a moment and said.

"Are you certain?" Lu Qiao was overjoyed.

"Certain," Wanqiu nodded.

"Snap!"

Lu Qiao stopped the recording, nodded with a sinister smile, and whispered: "So that's how it is. I was wondering why the Red Ticket knew the personnel list of the Shangquan Society so clearly."

"Ma Kui really died unjustly."

"Miss Wanqiu, you may leave now," Lu Qiao said.

"Thank you, Department Chief Lu," Wanqiu said with a bow.

"Why so formal? We are our own people; it was just a routine inquiry."

"I may need to find you again later, so please cooperate," Lu Qiao said with a smile.

"Very well," Wanqiu nodded.

"Brother Qiao, thanks. Shall we gather at Hongfu Teahouse tonight? Since you've come, I must host a welcome dinner for you," Hong Zhiyou said.

"No, no."

"I'm getting old and can't handle greasy food. Eating the work meal at the Garrison Headquarters is just fine for me," Lu Qiao said.

"Brother Qiao, are you staying here as well?"

"I have a quiet old house on Taishan Road; why don't you stay there first?"

Hong Zhiyou asked tentatively.

"Your sister-in-law is in Jingling, and I am quite comfortable staying in the guest room alone. Don't trouble yourself, brother," Lu Qiao still refused with a smile.

"Alright then," Hong Zhiyou said.

"By the way, take a message back to Li Ya and tell him to prepare a few more sets of thicker clothes," Lu Qiao instructed.

"What does that mean?" Hong Zhiyou did not understand.

"You will know when the time comes," Lu Qiao said.

"Fine, I'll wait to see the show."

Hong Zhiyou took Wanqiu by the hand and walked out.

From afar, he heard Lu Qiao ordering Peng Chengtao: "From the moment they attack the grain store, they are bandits and robbers. Why waste words? Just kill them."

"Is he, is he going to take action against the students?" Once home, Wanqiu said.

"Yes."

"Lu Qiao has changed."

"He doesn't want money, he doesn't want houses; he has come back to risk his life."

Wanqiu was also full of confusion: "That's right. In the past, Lu Qiao only thought about promotion and wealth."

"Logically speaking, if the Generalissimo really gave him special authority, given his character, he should be looting as much as possible, trying to do the job beautifully, and seeking a promotion."

"Also, the feeling he gives off this time is very different."

"How is it different?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Very calm."

"It's as if he has seen through the chaos of the mortal world, yet at the same time, it makes one feel terrified—a terror that comes from the depths of the soul."

Wanqiu analyzed with a woman's unique perspective.

"You are right; he has become increasingly terrifying."

"Everything in this world, except for life and death, is but dust."

"Perhaps..."

Hong Zhiyou thought for a moment, stood up, walked to the telephone, and dialed a number:

"Hello, sister-in-law, it's me, it's Zhiyou."

"Why didn't you come over with Brother? I heard the news and prepared a house for you right away."

"Yes, I saw Brother Qiao today. His complexion was very poor, and he kept coughing."

"You know how chaotic Jinhai is right now, and Brother Qiao just got out of prison. Without a decent place to stay, proper nutrition, or someone to look after him, how can that work?"

"I was thinking of arranging something for him, but he won't have it."

"Oh, is that so?"

"That is indeed a troublesome matter. I know people at the Saint Mary's Hospital in Xiangdao; why don't we find a time to have a foreign doctor there take a look?"

"Alright."

"Don't be too sad; I will try my best to persuade Brother Qiao."

"I won't disturb your rest anymore. Goodbye."

He hung up the phone.

Hong Zhiyou looked at Wanqiu: "Lu Qiao suffers from severe heart disease and tuberculosis. His heart disease has flared up several times, and according to Li Guifen, he nearly died in prison."

"Perhaps this is why he has become indifferent to everything and is solely focused on revenge."

"Yes. When a person is no longer afraid of death, what else would they fear? Zhiyou, he won't investigate you, will he?" Wanqiu asked worriedly.

"It is entirely possible."

"His investigation of the Station Chief is, in fact, an investigation of me. Once Old Wu falls, I won't fare well either," Hong Zhiyou replied very firmly.

"Then, then my answer today..." Wanqiu was startled.

"It doesn't matter."

"These are all minor matters; the Station Chief has at least that much preparation," Hong Zhiyou hugged her and whispered comfortingly.

Wanqiu was ill.

Tonight, there was no elegance.

Hong Zhiyou held her like a kitten as they fell asleep.

Just as he closed his eyes, ready to sink into dreams.

BIU.

BIU.

Rat-tat-tat!

Gunfire erupted throughout the city.

"Zhiyou, it sounds like it's over at Beiyang University. Could Xiaohui be in danger? You must find someone to contact her quickly; be careful not to let Lu Qiao target her," Wanqiu was also jolted awake and said worriedly.

(End of chapter)