Chapter 359: Old Zheng Confessed

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou brought breakfast early and entered the large office.

Wu Jingzhong was studying antique books.

Ever since Hong Zhiyou made contact with MacArthur and became an indispensable pawn for the Jiang family,

Wu Jingzhong knew that Zhiyou was now playing a high-end game.

He himself was finding it hard to be of any use.

You can't help but admit you're getting old.

He simply stopped pretending and entered a state of "fishing in troubled waters," either dozing off or playing with antiques until it was time to get off work.

He didn't even care or ask what his confidants like Xiao Guohua were doing.

"Master, there's a good mutton soup place at the vegetable market; I bought you a bowl, and two pork-stuffed sesame seed cakes. Try them." Hong Zhiyou was as respectful and thoughtful as ever.

He was also particular about how he addressed him.

At work, he called him "Master"; at home, he called him "Dad."

"Great, you really understand me.

"This is exactly what I was craving."

Wu Jingzhong smiled, squinting his eyes, and began to enjoy his breakfast.

"Master, the next period of time might be very turbulent.

"It's too dangerous here.

"We must be prepared to retreat at any time.

"Privately, I will have Xie Ruolin give MacArthur 200,000 US dollars to invite him and General Randall to Wandao, and then forcibly have them take us out.

"However, for the sake of safety, you might have to suffer a little.

"I want to take you away under the pretext of returning to Xiangdao for medical treatment."

Hong Zhiyou said in a deep voice.

"As long as I can leave Wandao, short of death, I don't mind if you cut off an arm or a leg." Wu Jingzhong said with great joy.

Politics is cruel and bloody.

He had understood this principle many years ago.

If he had to pay a price to leave, that would be even better.

"Hmm, I'll observe the timing first." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

In fact, the President kept a tight grip on officials.

For example, Zheng Jiemin and others later applied to go to the US, but were all rejected.

After Wu Jingzhong finished breakfast, Hong Zhiyou cleaned up and returned to his inspection room.

As soon as he sat down, Ye Zhixiang walked in:

"Inspector Hong, the Bureau Chief wants you to go over."

"Is it 'let' or 'please'?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Naturally, I am 'pleasing' you.

"But he did indeed say 'let'." Ye Zhixiang shrugged and smiled.

"It seems he still isn't used to it." Hong Zhiyou smiled.

Arriving at the Director's office.

Mao Renfeng, wearing a mask, greeted him with a smile: "Zhiyou, quick, please sit."

"What is this for, Director?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Sigh.

"Fever and cold; ever since coming to Wandao, this body has been like it's possessed, getting worse day by day." Mao Renfeng smiled.

"Then you must take care of yourself.

"I know a doctor; would you like me to recommend him to you?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Autumn?" Mao Renfeng looked at him with a half-smile.

"Naturally, I know Autumn.

"However, he hasn't grown wings and can't fly over." Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Inspector Hong, I asked you here today because I want you to assist me with a matter." Mao Renfeng said.

"What matter?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Zou Yuan and several team members from the Third Section action team went missing while performing a mission near Quanzhou Street last night.

"I know Inspector Hong is very well-connected with the gang forces on Wandao.

"Why don't you find them for me?"

Mao Renfeng stared at him, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"Alright.

"A small matter.

"However, the result might not be very optimistic.

"So many people have been killed at Machangting; if it's a red ticket retaliation, they've probably already crossed the Naihe Bridge by now."

Hong Zhiyou smiled, leaned back, and said very relaxedly.

"If they are dead.

"No matter who it is, don't let me find them, otherwise I will definitely wipe out their entire family."

Mao Renfeng said, his dominance leaking out as he pointed at Hong Zhiyou.

"Hmm, Director Mao is capable of that." Hong Zhiyou pulled out a chair, stood up, and said.

"Director, is there anything else?

"If not, I'll go first."

Hong Zhiyou put his hands in his pockets and, relying on his height, looked down at him.

This made Mao Renfeng, who was originally a head shorter, very uncomfortable; his momentum faded, and he waved his hand unhappily:

"Go, go."

As soon as Hong Zhiyou left, the murderous intent in Mao Renfeng's eyes intensified; immediately, he smiled slightly, stood up, went downstairs, got into his car, and headed straight for Bashengyuan.

Bashengyuan.

Director's office.

Jiang Jianfeng had recently become obsessed with the sound of gunfire coming from Machangting.

It gave him a strong sense of security.

Wan An walked in: "Director, Director Mao requests an audience."

"Let him in.

"Remember, search him.

"From now on, whoever enters Bashengyuan must have security checks done." Jiang Jianfeng ordered.

"Yes, Director." Wan An said.

Mao Renfeng was brought into the reception room.

From top to bottom, he was given a security check.

This made the high-ranking official very angry.

Mao Renfeng even believed this was Jiang Jianfeng's deliberate retaliation.

With a belly full of fire, as he reached the door of the office, he took a slight breath, put on that honest smile, and walked in: "Director."

"Director Mao, what wind blew you here?

"Sit, sit."

Jiang Jianfeng was still very polite on the surface.

"Director.

"There are two things I must report to you.

"Previously, we interrogated Chen Da, and he confessed Old Zheng's address: 26 Quanzhou Road.

"Last night, Zou Yuan of the Third Section followed the hostess of 26, Xu Li.

"He discovered that she highly likely contacted Old Zheng.

"In fact, my people also saw a suspected Old Zheng in disguise at the scene and reported the situation via phone."

Mao Renfeng said.

"That's good news; was he caught?" Jiang Jianfeng asked.

"The situation is not looking good.

"After my people tracked Old Zheng, they all disappeared and have had no whereabouts since.

"Zou Yuan mentioned on the phone that he saw another group of people also following Xu Li; I want to ask, are they your people, Director?" Mao Renfeng said.

A flash of displeasure crossed Jiang Jianfeng's face.

What does that mean?

Suspecting he deliberately intercepted?

That he privately swallowed Old Zheng and hid him?

"I haven't received any relevant reports yet." Jiang Jianfeng said.

"Could it be Hong Zhiyou's people?

"He has been very mysterious lately, secretly investigating Old Zheng's whereabouts." Mao Renfeng asked again.

"I'll ask him later; is there anything else, Director Mao?"

Jiang Jianfeng saw him wearing a mask, his complexion very poor; it was obvious he was sick with a cold.

Now was the peak season for autumn viruses.

It was better to send Mao Renfeng away as soon as possible to avoid being infected.

"Yes.

"People from the Tokyo Station reported that Hong Zhiyou, under the guise of transporting grain for the National Government, is privately reselling it to the mainland.

"There are as much as 100,000 tons.

"Such an obvious act of selling out the party, Director, you must investigate."

Mao Renfeng said.

"Is there direct evidence?" Jiang Jianfeng asked.

"No, but my people are secretly investigating; sooner or later, we will get the handle." Mao Renfeng said.

"Then wait until you get the handle before talking.

"Director Mao, Hong Zhiyou is currently the Inspector designated by the President.

"Without evidence, it is very difficult for me to handle many things."

Jiang Jianfeng tapped the table lightly and said.

Mao Renfeng had always been disobedient about his seniority and had repeatedly excluded the Data Group in secret; he just happened to take the opportunity to knock him down a peg.

"Alright.

"Then I won't disturb the Director; goodbye."

Mao Renfeng was snubbed and stood up to leave.

He hadn't gone far when Jiang Jianfeng shouted: "Wan An, burn vinegar, kill the germs!"

Mao Renfeng, not far away, shook his body and quickened his pace.

The office was soon filled with the smell of vinegar.

Jiang Jianfeng took the time to come to the backyard, and Wan An followed by his side:

"Director.

"Hong Zhiyou is indeed selling grain."

On the Tokyo trip, he was unhappy with Hong Zhiyou on the surface, but he still admired him in his heart.

But in official business, Wan An was only loyal to Jiang Jianfeng; he said what he had to say and never favored anyone.

"Let him earn!

"It's not normal for a businessman not to seek profit; let him sell some, as long as he doesn't sell out the party-state.

"This is also the President's intention.

"If I couldn't see through this little alienation tactic of Mao Renfeng, wouldn't I be failing the President's teachings?"

Jiang Jianfeng said with his hands behind his back, smiling proudly and indifferently.

"Yes!

"Hong Zhiyou's greed for money is true, but he does get things done.

"Back in Tokyo, I saw him eating and drinking all day and thought he was just wasting time; I didn't expect he would really settle MacArthur in the time it takes to eat a meal.

"And he even put Kong Lingkan in a difficult spot.

"I heard Kong Lingkan was furious in North America and threatened a million-dollar reward to eliminate Hong Zhiyou."

Wan An smiled.

"Kong Lingkan, a clown, a thief of the party-state.

"He couldn't eliminate Hong Zhiyou in Shanghai back then, and it's even more impossible in North America.

"Not worth worrying about."

Jiang Jianfeng waved his hand and smiled.

"By the way, give Inspector Hong a call; there must be an account for Old Zheng's matter.

"This person is too important.

"Dead or alive, there must be a result, otherwise there's no way to explain it to the President."

He paced a few steps and ordered again.

"Yes, Director." Wan An accepted the order.

Half an hour later.

Hong Zhiyou came to the office.

"Director, such a strong smell of vinegar." After the greeting, Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Mao Renfeng came.

"You look at this person; he's sick and has nothing to do, yet he has to come to me for a turn.

"I highly suspect his intentions." Jiang Jianfeng sighed.

"Let me guess.

"He must have come to report me." Hong Zhiyou raised his eyebrows and smiled.

"Right.

"He said you were smuggling grain in Yokohama Port to sell to the mainland; is there such a thing?" Jiang Jianfeng asked.

"A pack of lies.

"Absolutely not; I just helped the Rong family flip some low-priced broken rice and earned a little money for bridging the gap.

"The Rong family said they were flipping it to Malaysia and Singapore.

"Of course, it's possible it was flipped to the mainland."

Hong Zhiyou said very straightforwardly.

"A little broken rice, that's not a big deal." Seeing that he was quite honest, Jiang Jianfeng didn't point out or investigate further, cutting off that little path of wealth that he could accept.

"Mao Renfeng also said you snatched Old Zheng from the Third Section.

"Did your people kill Zou Yuan of the Third Section?"

His tone became stern.

"Director, I am, after all, from the end of the Jun-Tong, not to mention family law, let alone national law.

"Even if you gave me a thousand guts, I wouldn't dare to move people from the Baomiju.

"That's something to be shot for.

"However, I did send people to follow Xu Li, and my people did see a person suspected to be Old Zheng in a remote alley." Hong Zhiyou said.

"Quick, tell me." Jiang Jianfeng said.

"At that time, the Baomiju people had already caught Old Zheng.

"My people went up to ask for the person and were forced away by Zou Yuan with a gun; they saw with their own eyes Zou Yuan escorting a beggar away.

"I have reason to suspect that Director Mao is playing 'thief calling thief' and striking first."

Hong Zhiyou analyzed.

"'Thief calling thief'?

"You mean Mao Renfeng secretly detained Old Zheng?" Jiang Jianfeng said.

"Highly likely.

"He has always been exclusive of the Data Group, considering himself the President's eyes and ears; it's highly likely he is interrogating him privately, waiting to catch a bigger fish before going to claim credit.

"To highlight his unshakable status in the intelligence system.

"I even suspect that Zou Yuan and the others have already been silenced by him."

Hong Zhiyou thought deeply and slowed his speech.

"Hmm, it does sound like Mao Renfeng's insidious style.

"What is your suggestion?"

Jiang Jianfeng still appreciated Hong Zhiyou's brain.

"Director.

"I think we definitely won't be able to get Old Zheng.

"But can we ask for that Xu Li?" Hong Zhiyou said.

If Xu Li hadn't spat out any important intelligence, perhaps there was still a chance to close the loop.

"No need.

"Xu Li has been in the Baomiju for so many hours; if a little golden canary has any resolve, she probably would have spilled everything by now; no need to go and fight Mao Renfeng over this." Jiang Jianfeng waved his hand.

Hong Zhiyou's heart skipped a beat.

How did Jiang Jianfeng know Xu Li was a little golden canary?

On second thought, he understood.

Gu Zhengwen was a secret spy buried by Jiang Jianfeng beside Mao Renfeng.

In other words, Xu Li had already confessed.

This was within expectations.

Very few people could survive the torture of the Baomiju.

Like Yuan Peilin, who had survived three times and received internal commendations, he was simply a man of steel.

Even so, he still didn't survive the fourth time and surrendered voluntarily.

It was normal for Xu Li to confess.

What Hong Zhiyou was worried about was whether she had revealed fatal intelligence.

Because Jiang Jianfeng had a habit.

Every time he was in a great mood, the corners of his mouth would tilt slightly to the left when he spoke.

When he was in a bad mood, his eyelids would droop when he spoke, appearing colder than usual.

This was something Hong Zhiyou had personally observed every day in Shanghai.

It was very subtle, but it was absolutely proven by data.

The situation was not looking good.

"Yes." Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

"Zhiyou, do you think..." Jiang Jianfeng stopped mid-sentence, finally waved his hand and smiled:

"Forget it, let's not talk about work.

"Mao Renfeng took Old Zheng, so let him have it; if he isn't willing to serve me, serving the party-state is the same."

"Director is wise." Hong Zhiyou said.

Returning to the Baomiju.

As soon as he entered the lobby, he saw Ye Zhixiang escorting a woman in a cheongsam, her face pale, walking out.

Without looking, Hong Zhiyou knew this was Xu Li.

This woman had confessed.

And it must be very important intelligence.

Otherwise, Mao Renfeng wouldn't have let her go so easily.

"Section Chief Ye, what is this?" Hong Zhiyou greeted with a smile.

"If Inspector Hong wants to know, go ask Director Mao."

In front of outsiders, Ye Zhixiang was as arrogant toward him as ever.

Hong Zhiyou shook his head, smiled, and walked straight away.

Arriving at the third-floor office.

Yu Zecheng followed him in: "Zhiyou, I just saw Ye Zhixiang drive away, sending several cars; it looks like there's a secret operation."

"The situation is very bad; Xu Li highly likely confessed.

"Come, go somewhere with me."

Hong Zhiyou knew he couldn't drag it out any longer.

"Where to?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"You'll know when we get there." Hong Zhiyou said.

Downstairs.

The two got into the car, and Hong Zhiyou drove straight to the Bolero Western Restaurant.

They ordered two Western meals.

"You didn't just come here to treat me to a meal, did you?" Yu Zecheng asked, puzzled.

"Do you have an appetite?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"It's only ten o'clock, and with you being so jumpy, how could I eat?" Yu Zecheng said.

"Then eat a little, and we'll pack the rest."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

Soon, the two dealt with it casually; after the waiter packed the rest, Hong Zhiyou drove toward the south, and after confirming there were no tails behind them, he drove directly into an old warehouse.

"Change clothes first." Hong Zhiyou said.

The two changed into Tang suits with copper coin patterns like gang bosses, and Hong Zhiyou, with a pipe in his mouth, walked in swaggeringly.

Inside was a chair, and a man with a cloth stuffed in his mouth was tied up tightly.

It was Comrade Chai Qian.

"You're here."

Xiao Guohua walked up and tore the rag from his mouth.

"Who are you people, why are you kidnapping me?" Comrade Chai Qian struggled and shouted.

"Who am I? Can't you tell?

"Someone said you were very valuable.

"Very heavy.

"But in this young master's eyes, your outfit is like a beggar's; you don't look valuable at all?

"Old Xiao, did you kidnap the wrong person?"

Hong Zhiyou sat down in the chair, leaning back arrogantly with his legs crossed.

"Shouldn't be?

"The other party told me to kidnap him, saying he was worth several thousand US dollars." Xiao Guohua frowned.

"I don't think so either." Hong Zhiyou took out a portrait, looked at it, and shook his head.

"Dispose of him, to avoid trouble."

He stood up and was about to leave.

"Wait, let's talk." Comrade Chai Qian shouted.

He had seen with his own eyes Xiao Guohua kill Baomiju people and bury them directly in the mountains.

With this order, could he still live?

"What do you mean?" Hong Zhiyou stopped and frowned.

"Can you untie me?" Comrade Chai Qian asked.

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand, and Xiao Guohua untied the hemp rope on his body.

"Ouch."

Comrade Chai Qian groaned a few times, loosened his hands and feet, and then ripped off his wig and the black-and-white stubble on his face, rubbing off the dirty makeup, instantly becoming a middle-aged man.

"Hmm, this looks a bit more like it; can you talk now?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"I want to eat steak." Comrade Chai Qian said.

"Old Yu." Hong Zhiyou said.

Yu Zecheng finally understood the meaning of Hong Zhiyou eating Western food and opened the package to hand it to Comrade Chai Qian.

Comrade Chai Qian devoured it: "Is there red wine or Coke?"

"Yes."

Hong Zhiyou snapped his fingers, and someone immediately poured him fine wine, even thoughtfully sending him a pair of chopsticks.

Comrade Chai Qian ate slowly, one sip of wine, one bite of meat.

Hong Zhiyou wasn't in a hurry either.

After a while, Comrade Chai Qian finished eating and said directly: "You guys don't have to pretend anymore; you're from the Data Group, right?"

"Good eyes, worthy of being Old Zheng!" Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"That's right, I am the person in charge of the Wandao Work Committee, Comrade Chai Qian, code name Old Zheng." Comrade Chai Qian exhaled slightly, his whole body relaxing completely.

"You, you are Old Zheng!"

Yu Zecheng was struck by lightning, trembling all over, and even moved his chair back a few inches, making a harsh scraping sound on the floor.

"You've fallen into our hands, what else is there to say.

"If you get beaten, you confess.

"If you eat a good meal, you also confess.

"Why wouldn't I choose the latter? The red wine is not bad!"

Comrade Chai Qian smiled very relaxedly.

(End of chapter)