Chapter 356: Wu Jingzhong and Yu Zecheng Meet

"I should go. You need to be careful." After finishing his steamed bun, Yu Zecheng stood up and said.

"Zecheng, you be careful too." Zuo Lan nodded.

Yu Zecheng left quickly.

He returned home.

Hong Zhiyou returned after two in the morning again.

Yu Zecheng was truly worried for him.

To outsiders, Hong Zhiyou was handsome, wealthy, highly valued by Jiang Jianfeng, and a general at a young age—the quintessential child of destiny.

In reality, Yu Zecheng knew he lived a life more exhausting than a donkey at a landlord's house.

During the day, he had to flatter the Jiang father and son in the office while also playing mind games with Mao Renfeng.

At night, there were all sorts of social engagements; he often accompanied Kong Lingwei and that group of wealthy people playing mahjong, dancing, and drinking until two or three in the morning, sometimes even pulling all-nighters.

Compared to his time in Jinhai, where he ate and drank well, made money, worked out, and had beauties by his side,

Hong Zhiyou, now burdened by worldly affairs, looked significantly worse.

Wow!

Yu Zecheng stood by the railing on the second floor of the backyard, silently watching Hong Zhiyou retching violently.

He had originally intended to discuss meeting Vice Minister Wu with Hong Zhiyou.

On second thought, he firmly dismissed the idea.

Wandao was a place where the situation was far too complex.

The water was too deep.

He had better not drag Zhiyou into it.

He would work alone.

Like when he dealt with Li Haifeng, he would be a lonely warrior.

Even if he were caught one day, at least it wouldn't implicate Zhiyou and the Station Chief.

"Have you seen enough?

"Can you pour me a glass of water!"

Hong Zhiyou shouted at him.

"Oh." Yu Zecheng snapped out of it and hurriedly went over to help him into the room.

"Why did you drink so much?" He poured Hong Zhiyou a cup of hangover tea, frowning with concern.

"No choice, this group of people is too crazy.

"It's financing, after all.

"If I don't drink a few more cups, Madam Jiang will dump the burden of this money on me.

"Last time, I ruined Kong Lingkan's plans on Ghost Island, and Madam's prejudice against me has only deepened. She personally oversees the Yuanshan Hotel; if I don't work hard, she'll go whispering in the President's ear again.

"Drink more, raise more money, and at least make her feel I still have some value.

"Enough to help us hold on until we leave Wandao."

Hong Zhiyou said with a helpless, bitter smile.

"Zhiyou, why don't you just leave?" Yu Zecheng said solemnly.

"That's right!

"Make a call to MacArthur, have him find a pretext to transfer you to Tokyo again, and then you can detour back to Xiangdao.

"Jiang Jianfeng wants to use the two of us to hold you by the throat.

"Then let it be as he wishes; we will stay here, and when the time comes, he can kill or skin us as he pleases.

"At my age, do you think I'm afraid of death?"

Without anyone noticing when, Wu Jingzhong had walked over, draped in a coat, his face full of resolve.

In his life, he had amassed so many antiques that he hadn't seen enough of them yet, and his greatest wish for the rest of his life was for Wu Rui to give him a big, fat grandson to inherit the family business.

To drink tea, raise the child, and look at those treasured antiques.

However, he now knew that this small wish was likely hanging by a thread.

From the moment Hong Zhiyou called him "Dad," Wu Jingzhong had made up his mind: his dream of retiring in Xiangdao could be shattered, but he absolutely could not let Zhiyou be trapped here, driven and toyed with by others.

He certainly needed Zhiyou, but Wu Rui, Chen Qiuping, and the child needed him more.

"Dad!

"What's wrong with you two tonight?

"I once made a promise to Wu Rui and my senior sister: no matter where we go, we came as three, and we will return as three—not one can be missing!

"I must bring you all out of Xiangdao completely intact."

Hong Zhiyou wiped the tea stains from the corner of his mouth, his eyes like iron.

"If things go on like this, I'm afraid you won't live long." Wu Jingzhong sighed heavily.

As he spoke, he looked at Yu Zecheng with complex eyes.

Yu Zecheng's eyes were slightly red, and he licked his lips uneasily; he could not face Wu Jingzhong's gaze.

He was here to lurk, with a mission to fulfill.

But if he made a move, it would implicate Hong Zhiyou.

"Sleep.

"In this life, the worst that can happen is death; let fate decide."

He waved his hand and walked quickly back into the room.

"Heaven and earth are vast, but sleep is the greatest.

"Sleep."

Hong Zhiyou spread his hands and left with a smile.

The next day.

Yu Zecheng went about his daily work, handling important matters.

It was almost time to get off work at noon.

After hesitating for a moment by the telephone, he suddenly grabbed the receiver and dialed the office of the Vice Minister of the Guofang Force: "Hello, is this Vice Minister Wu?

"Greetings, Vice Minister. I am Yu Zecheng from the Investigation Section of the Inspection Department of the Data Group.

"It's like this: there is an order from Bashengyuan for the Investigation Section to assist Director Zheng Jiemin of the Second Group of the Executive Yuan in auditing defense expenditures. If it is convenient for you, may I visit your office?

"Good!

"See you at the office at two in the afternoon."

Yu Zecheng hung up the phone.

Checking his watch, he went to the Inspection Department office.

Wu Jingzhong saw him and smiled: "You came just in time. A new Halal restaurant has opened on Jinan Road. I haven't had hot pot in a long time; let's go try it together."

"By the way, Master, where is Zhiyou?" he asked.

"He was called to Bashengyuan by Jiang Jianfeng for lunch.

"They are urging for the second batch of grain to be sent from Tokyo."

Wu Jingzhong smiled.

"What have you been busy with lately?" Wu Jingzhong asked after they arrived at the restaurant.

"Originally, it was to catch Old Zheng.

"But Zhiyou hasn't provided much information, and I haven't been able to get any leads on my end, so I am currently assisting Director Zheng in auditing the Guofang Force's expenditures.

"The grain has arrived, and the loans have arrived too.

"Jiang Jianfeng cares very much about this chance to turn things around and is keeping a tight grip on the military and defense. He has already executed several officers, just for fear that this last bit of family assets will follow in the footsteps of the past."

Yu Zecheng smiled.

"Hmm, auditing is good; this is what you are good at.

"Why catch red tickets?

"It doesn't suit you."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and smiled with satisfaction.

Yu Zecheng looked at him, smiled slightly, and didn't dare to speak.

Bashengyuan.

After Jiang Jianfeng and Hong Zhiyou finished eating, they took a walk in the garden.

"A rare sunny day.

"Since coming here, the sea breeze is strong and it's very damp; the old cold illness I suffered from in the Soviet Union has flared up again, especially these two legs—they ache faintly whenever it's cloudy.

"People need to sun themselves from time to time; only by living in the sunlight can one feel refreshed."

Jiang Jianfeng said as he walked with his hands behind his back.

"Yes, this subordinate has also been suffering from stomach problems lately; now I get an upset stomach if I eat just a little too much." Hong Zhiyou said truthfully.

"That's because of the drinking.

"This work for Madam is truly exhausting for you.

"The money is almost gathered; I will put in a word for you to withdraw from that fund-raising committee of hers." Jiang Jianfeng said.

"Thank you, Director." Hong Zhiyou said with great joy.

"It's like this: Mao Renfeng and Ye Zhixiang have proposed an economic secret war.

"Currently, the mainland lacks gold and supplies, and they want to use the method Dai Li used in the Japanese-occupied areas back then: printing counterfeit currency.

"We will use the counterfeit money to buy their few remaining supplies and disrupt their market.

"Once their economy collapses and internal chaos arises, we will have a chance for a counterattack.

"What do you think?"

Jiang Jianfeng asked.

Back when he was "beating tigers" in Shanghai, he had deeply felt the pain of the economy.

Once prices soared, the common people would face famine.

That kind of panic spreading was no less than dropping an atomic bomb over a city.

"This move is brilliant.

"Director Mao still has some methods." Hong Zhiyou agreed happily.

In fact, this matter was a joke.

Ye Zhixiang and the others had good ideas.

But they printed denominations that were too large, leading to the exposure of a large number of agents sent out to spend the money, and a huge wave of them were caught by the mainland.

They were pure idiots who lifted a rock only to drop it on their own feet.

"I don't trust them; why don't you handle this matter?" Jiang Jianfeng said.

"Director.

"I am currently catching Old Zheng and am afraid I can't spare the hands.

"Furthermore, Section Chief Ye has just secretly defected and is eager to show merit; if I intervene now, he will think you don't trust him.

"Also, I am, after all, working in the Inspection Department of the Baomiju, and Mao Renfeng is already very unhappy.

"If I ride over his head again, the relationship will become even more rigid, and he will be even more of a hindrance.

"Why don't we leave this matter to Section Chief Ye?"

Hong Zhiyou declined tactfully.

Jiang Jianfeng paced for a few steps, thought about it, and nodded: "That works too. You still have work to do on Madam's side, and the burden on you is indeed a bit heavy, so let Ye Zhixiang handle it."

"Thank you, Director." Hong Zhiyou said hurriedly.

"By the way, when will you have Wu Rui bring Lele to the island?

"Now that you have settled down here.

"You can let them come over to stay for a while; don't say I didn't tell you, this uncle-grandfather of mine also misses that little one quite a bit."

Jiang Jianfeng suddenly turned to look at him, his smile mixed with a bit of majesty.

F*** your eighteen generations of ancestors!

"Director, it's difficult right now. Wu Rui has to manage the business, especially the shipping route between the shipyard, Tokyo, and Wandao, which has not been very smooth.

"And now that there is a maritime ban, customs clearance is too difficult.

"Leaving the port requires approval from the Guofang Force.

"It also requires Vice Minister Wu's order and a pile of signatures, so I won't have them come for now.

"Mainly, my health hasn't been very good lately, and I haven't completed the tasks you assigned; even if they came, I wouldn't have time to accompany them, and that would only lead to resentment.

"Once I catch Old Zheng and thoroughly implement this year's remaining funds and grain, it won't be too late to pick them up."

Hong Zhiyou said, half-complaining.

"Alright, then it's settled. By next spring at the latest, you must bring them over to see the new city of the Party-State." Jiang Jianfeng pointed at him and said.

"Yes, Director." Hong Zhiyou saluted and accepted the order.

Walking out of Bashengyuan, his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

The Jiang father and son were truly f***ing ruthless.

Old Wu and Yu Zecheng weren't enough; they even wanted to use Wu Rui and her daughter to hold him hostage.

No matter what, when the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally go straight; he would drag it out for a few months if he could.

In the afternoon, Hong Zhiyou returned to the office.

"Master, where is Zecheng?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"He went to the Guofang Force." Wu Jingzhong said.

"He went to the Guofang Force?

"When?"

Hong Zhiyou was startled.

"What's wrong? Didn't you ask him to handle the audit of the Guofang Force's military expenditures?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Inside the Guofang Force..."

Old Wu was sharp; he immediately stood up and pointed, asking.

"No?

"I have something to find him for. Master, how long has he been gone?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"More than half an hour." Wu Jingzhong said.

Hong Zhiyou checked his watch; by now, Yu Zecheng had probably already made contact with Vice Minister Wu.

"Sigh, what must come will come."

Hong Zhiyou muttered to himself.

However, the military deployment map of the island was indeed a miraculous achievement, and it had vital historical significance for the subsequent liberation of the Zhoushan Islands.

Sigh!

As long as he killed Chai Qian, he could protect Old Yu and Vice Minister Wu.

He would just have to risk his life to accompany the gentleman!

Guofang Force, Vice Minister's office.

"Zecheng, sit.

"Since we parted in Fuzhou, although we both serve the National Government, I didn't expect we would only meet today."

Wu Zhiqing signaled for Yu Zecheng to sit and poured him tea.

"Thank you, Vice Minister." Yu Zecheng said respectfully.

"I am here this time under the instructions of Jiang Jianfeng and Director Zheng; I hope you don't mind, Vice Minister." He added.

"Official business is official business; everyone performs their duties.

"These are the expenditures; take a look."

Wu Zhiqing took out a thick financial ledger and handed it to Yu Zecheng.

Yu Zecheng looked at it carefully for a few moments and said: "It's too thick; I'm afraid it will take two or three days to reconcile. Can I take it back to the Baomiju?"

"No.

"The accounts of the Guofang Force are also confidential. Your people can work and reconcile the accounts here.

"If I let you take it to the Baomiju and something goes wrong, I won't be able to explain it to the President."

Wu Zhiqing said solemnly.

"Alright." Yu Zecheng said.

After the tea was finished, Wu Zhiqing stood up and said: "Your people have arrived; contact the General Affairs Department directly. I have other matters, so I won't accompany you."

"Vice Minister Wu, wait a moment.

"I heard the wontons here are good, but I wonder how they compare to the Guiji ones back home?"

Yu Zecheng suddenly looked at him and said in a deep voice.

Wu Zhiqing's eyes sharpened, and he looked at him coldly.

This was his second-tier dedicated code, which would only be activated in an emergency during a designated meeting; even Chai Qian didn't know it, only Ms. Zhu Yan sent by the Huadong Bureau knew.

How did Yu Zecheng know?

It was rumored that there were red tickets at the Jinhai Station.

"That depends on what kind of filling you like?" Wu Zhiqing asked.

"Thin-skinned carrot and mutton filling.

"Must add dried shrimp!"

Yu Zecheng said.

"Comrade Zecheng!" Seeing that he hadn't missed a word, Wu Zhiqing hurriedly sat down next to him.

"Vice Minister Wu, I never imagined that we would actually..." Yu Zecheng held his hand, extremely excited.

"I was wondering why Mao Renfeng was targeting you everywhere; so that's why.

"Is Comrade Zhu Yan..."

Wu Zhiqing asked.

"She is fine, but because of the martial law, and to ensure your safety, she could only entrust me to come here.

"My code name is Deep Sea, and I belong to Line One; I do not belong to the Huadong Bureau.

"I am currently still safe."

Yu Zecheng said.

"You are Deep Sea!" Wu Zhiqing was quite surprised.

He never imagined that Deep Sea, who had repeatedly made miraculous contributions on the intelligence front, was actually Yu Zecheng.

Immediately, he became worried again.

Yu Zecheng had come risking his life.

If he continued to lurk, even if everyone on Wandao were caught, he could probably still be preserved.

But now, his safety was tied to his own.

"The failures in Jinmen and Zhoushan have made the higher-ups urgently need the military deployment map. I can't reach it at all from my side; I can only rely on you." Yu Zecheng said.

"Rest assured, Ms. Zhu Yan had already tipped me off before.

"I have long been prepared.

"Put on these shoes."

Wu Zhiqing pulled open the cabinet under the desk, took out a pair of leather shoes, and handed them to him.

"Two maps, right in the soles.

"You are Jiang Jianfeng's man; people outside won't dare to search you strictly.

"Comrade Zecheng, I'm counting on you."

Wu Zhiqing patted his shoulder and said.

"Rest assured." Yu Zecheng nodded.

"Vice Minister, Chen Da is arrested; he is highly likely to confess clues about Old Zheng. Mao Renfeng has secretly set up a net. Once Old Zheng is arrested, you will be in great danger.

"It is inconvenient for me to come forward; it would be best if you and the comrades of the Huadong Bureau could protect Ms. Zhu and Old Zheng and help them leave Wandao."

He urged him again, worried.

"Old Zheng is very stubborn; he is unwilling to return to the mainland, saying he wants to fight to the end.

"I have issued an order, but he is unwilling to leave.

"No matter what, first ensure that Comrade Zhu Yan sends the intelligence back to the mainland."

Wu Zhiqing urged.

"You must absolutely not intervene in these matters.

"Comrade Zecheng, once the Huadong Bureau line is wiped out, you will be the organization's last spark.

"Jiang currently trusts me extremely; I will not be in danger in the short term.

"It is you who must take care of yourself.

"In the future, unless there is a matter of heaven-shattering importance, do not come to see me again."

He held Yu Zecheng's hand and patted it hard several times.

"Take care." Yu Zecheng nodded.

After saying this, he turned and left.

"Someone, from now on, whenever anyone from the Investigation Section of the Inspection Department comes to check the accounts, block them outside and don't let them in; tell them to go directly to the General Affairs Department."

Staring at Yu Zecheng's back, Wu Zhiqing deliberately shouted at the guards outside, then slammed the door shut.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 357 =====