Chapter 363: Cuiping Gets Married

"Special Commissioner Bao, a pleasure, a pleasure." Wu Jingzhong stepped forward with a loud, hearty laugh.

"Station Chief Wu, you are too kind."

"You are a senior, and I, Donglin, have come to Jinhai this time to learn from you. I hope you will not hesitate to provide guidance and support." The special commissioner stepped forward humbly to shake his hand.

He was very clear that the general-rank officer before him was no ordinary person.

Among the few Grade A stations in the country, the station chiefs had been rotated several times over, yet this one was not only as steady as Mount Tai, but even Bureau Chief Mao found it harder than ascending to heaven to insert a deputy station chief into his ranks.

He had finally managed to win over Li Ya.

Before the deputy station chief's seat was even warm, he had been blown to ashes.

Bao Donglin was very clear about this.

He had been down on his luck for eight lifetimes and was not valued by Mao Renfeng, which was why he had been sent into this muddy water.

"Special Commissioner, I still have to go to the Garrison Headquarters for a meeting. Commander Chen has strict military law and is pressing me."

"If you have any business, discuss it with Zecheng and Secretary Hong."

"When I return tonight, I will properly host a welcome banquet for you."

Wu Jingzhong had no desire to touch the bullshit Sparrow Plan, nor did he have the heart to engage in idle chatter with this jinx, so he simply shook his hand and spoke.

"Station Chief Wu, please go ahead with your work." Bao Donglin said hurriedly.

"Secretary Hong, Section Chief Yu, please sit."

"I heard quite a bit about you two back in Jingling. Section Chief Yu killed Li Haifeng and captured Ji Weimin; you are a meritorious official of the Party and State."

"And Secretary Hong goes without saying; after eliminating Ke Chengwu, you were promoted three ranks in a single night."

"Following Jianfeng to Shanghai to 'beat the tigers,' you dealt a heavy blow to the Kong family and Wang Chunzhe, which is known to all under heaven."

"With a flourishing business and a promising future, you are truly a model for others."

"It truly makes this brother envious."

Bao Donglin was very good at handling people; in two sentences, he had closed the distance.

"Not at all."

"Brother, you are a favorite of Bureau Chief Mao and are well-informed at headquarters."

"We hope for your guidance."

Yu Zecheng very skillfully went with the flow, and they mutually addressed each other as brothers.

"Special Commissioner, would you like tea or coffee?" Hong Zhiyou had finished washing the fruit and set it out first.

"Tea, I suppose."

"This... is there watermelon in winter?" Bao Donglin was quite surprised.

At headquarters, he was merely a section chief under a branch office.

He had a little power.

But in Jingling, he was the type of person you would hit if you threw a brick at random; there really wasn't much profit to be made.

"Yes."

"It was air-freighted from Southeast Asia. Please, have a taste."

Hong Zhiyou greeted him while lighting a cigar and handing it to him.

"A cigar, I'll take one."

This thing was not cheap. Bao Donglin feigned expertise and took a big puff, immediately choking until his lungs hurt, and he began to cough violently.

"Brother, this cigar is different from others."

"A while ago, a friend of mine brought it back specifically from London. It's called Romeo y Julieta, the same kind that Churchill used to smoke."

"It has a strong kick and is hard on the lungs; you shouldn't inhale it. You have to let it linger in your mouth to savor the softness and aroma."

Hong Zhiyou hadn't expected that this special commissioner had never even smoked a cigar, so he hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

"Oh."

"I was just saying, why is it different from other cigars? It's got a kick, a real kick!" Bao Donglin hurriedly chuckled to save face.

"Yes, yes."

"Zhiyou was careless; he should have informed the Special Commissioner beforehand." Yu Zecheng smiled and gestured toward Hong Zhiyou.

"My fault."

"At the welcome banquet tonight, I will certainly punish myself with three cups."

Hong Zhiyou said with a straight face.

The three of them laughed, and the relationship and atmosphere were instantly established.

"To be honest, the station chief is in meetings from morning till night. If you have anything to ask, just ask me and Zhiyou."

"We will certainly tell you everything we know and are at your command."

Yu Zecheng brought up the real business.

Bao Donglin put down the watermelon rind, wiped his mouth, exhaled a puff of cigar smoke, and then said:

"You two, Bureau Chief Mao sent me down this time for two things."

"First, to thoroughly investigate the defection of Ma Ben's plane to Jinzhou."

"Second, Li Ya of your station submitted a sleeper list to Bureau Chief Mao before he died."

"With Li Ya gone, Bureau Chief Mao wants me to take over this operation."

"You two, every single one of these is a difficult task."

"Do... do you have any brilliant ideas?"

Yu Zecheng took over the conversation: "Brother, since we are not outsiders, I will speak plainly."

"The Red Tickets have been deeply rooted in Jinhai for many years and have infiltrated very deeply. When Deputy Station Chief Li Ya went out, his security was on the same level as Boss Dai's; they were all elite guards retired from the training corps."

"And what was the result? He was blown to smithereens."

"A colonel-level officer, and to this day the police bureau hasn't found a clue. Tang Zong and Bureau Chief Mao don't even bother to ask anymore; his death was for nothing."

"And then there's Ma Ben; that was a military plane from the headquarters, and it went straight to Jinzhou."

"Haven't you seen the pattern yet?"

"The situation in Jinhai is too complex, the water is too deep, and it's too dangerous."

"People drown here without even a ripple."

"You come here as a stranger to the place, isn't that... sigh, honestly, we are all avoiding this assignment."

Yu Zecheng tapped his palm with the back of his right hand, looking grave and mysterious as he spoke.

"Sigh, indeed."

"I did my homework before coming, and I know something about the situation in Jinhai. I really didn't want to come."

"Nowadays, anyone with connections or a way out is running to Yuezhou or Xiangdao. I was just unlucky enough to be tapped by Bureau Chief Mao."

"Two brothers, you must give me some advice."

Bao Donglin shook his head, looking depressed.

"No, no."

"The Ma Ben incident was definitely the work of the Red Tickets, no doubt about it."

"The Sparrow Operation is top secret. For us to give you advice would violate the bureau's procedures."

"If Bureau Chief Mao found out, he would have us executed."

Yu Zecheng hurriedly waved his hands.

He knew very well that one cannot eat hot tofu in a hurry.

Furthermore, even if he wanted to take over the Sparrow Plan, he would need the consent of Wu Jingzhong and Mao Renfeng.

"That's true."

"Sigh!"

"A bitter assignment." Bao Donglin sighed.

That night.

Yu Zecheng returned home reeking of alcohol.

"Why did you drink so much?" Cuiping asked.

"Headquarters sent a special commissioner down to take over Li Ya's Sparrow Plan."

"Tonight, Zhiyou and I plied him with drinks, and we managed to learn a bit."

"The situation is even worse than we imagined."

"Before Li Ya died, he had already laid out an intelligence network. It's said there are over forty people, and these people were all in single-line contact with Li Ya."

"The main purpose of leaving them behind is that once Jinhai is liberated, these people will secretly steal intelligence, carry out sabotage, and assassinate high-ranking military and political officials."

"Some missions have already been distributed."

"If we don't get the list as soon as possible and let this group of enemy agents remain hidden, I'm afraid Jinhai will never know peace."

Yu Zecheng took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose as he spoke.

"Can you steal the list?"

"Or become the special commissioner's assistant; wouldn't that give you a chance?" Cuiping said.

"I hinted at it to Bao Donglin at the dinner table."

"He will definitely mention it to the station chief tomorrow."

"I hope this assignment falls to me." Yu Zecheng smiled.

"Go take a bath; I have some serious business to discuss with you too," Cuiping said.

"Then let's talk first," said Yu Zecheng.

"No, take a bath first," Cui Ping's voice softened a little.

"Alright, alright then," Yu Zecheng vaguely felt that something was not quite right.

However, seeing Cui Ping glare at him, he didn't dare to dawdle and hurried to the bathroom.

After bathing.

Cui Ping had prepared a clean shirt and a Zhongshan suit for him.

"Is, is someone coming to the house, or..." Yu Zecheng was a bit bewildered.

"Put them on."

Cui Ping said.

"Okay, okay."

Yu Zecheng took the clothes inside and soon walked out looking neat and proper.

Cui Ping patted the bed, looked at him, and said seriously: "Comrade Zecheng, I want to live a real life with you."

"What?"

"Cui Ping, have, have you been drinking too?" Yu Zecheng asked in astonishment.

"Stop playing dumb here."

"You know how I feel about you."

"I don't want to keep hiding it anymore. Having worked with you for so long, I don't know if you've taken a fancy to me, but I've certainly taken a fancy to you."

"Besides, you know I'm a young woman; according to the customs of my hometown, having been husband and wife with you for several years, I have no face to marry anyone else but you."

"I've been acting as your maid every day, living in fear alongside you, and if we just part ways like this in the end, I'll feel cheated."

"I'm not reconciled to that in my heart."

"Old Yu, there is only one Zuo Lan in this world, and she has already sacrificed herself."

"I know you look down on me."

"I'm uneducated and not as pretty as her; I admit all of that."

"Today, I just want to try, to take a gamble."

"If you have me in your heart, let's get married tonight; that way, when liberation comes, we will still be a family."

"If you don't have me in your heart."

"Then cut off this thought of mine, bite the bullet and let's part ways, so I can give up."

"I've finished speaking, you decide what to do."

Cui Ping's eyes were misted with tears as she gazed at him.

"Cui Ping, this, this is too sudden, I, I..." Yu Zecheng blinked, at a loss for what to do for a moment.

"You're doing this again!"

"Yu Zecheng, can you be decisive like a man for once and give me a straight answer?" Cui Ping became annoyed.

"Cui Ping, don't cry, listen to me."

"Yes, liberation is coming soon."

"But this is the most dangerous time; do you know what might happen tomorrow?"

"Will Mao Renfeng and Wu Jingzhong force me to evacuate? Will they do to me what they did to Li Ya—one bomb to end it all?"

"Can you guarantee that we will be able to see each other after liberation?"

"China is so vast; perhaps once we part, we will never see each other again in this lifetime."

"You have a bright future ahead of you."

"There's no need to gamble on me at this time and waste your youth."

"To be honest, I, I am truly afraid; it wouldn't be fair to you if you spent the rest of your life holding my photo frame, it wouldn't be fair."

Yu Zecheng pursed his lips and shook his head.

"Old Yu."

"I have issued certificates of honor to family members, and not one of those women complained."

"You want me to hold a photo frame? The prerequisite is that you have to want to marry me first."

"Yu Zecheng, I will not marry anyone but you in this life."

"Are you, or are you not willing to marry me!"

Cui Ping wiped her tears, her eyes turning anxious.

Yu Zecheng looked at Cui Ping; her gaze was so firm and full of strength.

Suddenly, the fear, guilt, family affection, and love buried deep in his heart surged together like a torrent, making his blood boil.

He knew it was time to speak his heart.

It was time to give Cui Ping an answer.

Zuo Lan was like his faith, already buried in the deepest part of his heart.

And Cui Ping was already an indispensable part of his life.

She was family.

She was the daily necessities of life.

Perhaps not as romantic as his love for Zuo Lan, but it was a bond of life and death.

It was time.

Yu Zecheng suddenly hugged Cui Ping, with immense strength and affection: "Cui Ping, I am willing, I am willing, I am willing!"

Cui Ping was stunned.

She never dreamed that she would really wait for this moment.

"Old Yu, are you not lying to me?" Cui Ping sobbed softly.

"No."

"Cui Ping, I swear to heaven, I am sincere," said Yu Zecheng.

"At least you have a conscience."

"Let's go!"

Cui Ping opened the wardrobe, took out the red silk she had bought long ago, changed into a qipao, and led Old Yu downstairs.

"We are getting married tonight."

"Alright, let's get married."

After holding a simple ceremony, Cui Ping pulled Yu Zecheng into the covers.

"Cui Ping, this, this isn't very good, will it violate discipline?" Yu Zecheng was somewhat flustered.

"What discipline?"

"When liberation comes, we'll report it to the organization."

"Besides, didn't Li Ya always use the fact that I was a virgin against me?"

"Today, let's plug that loophole."

"To save people from finding leverage later."

"Hurry up, dawdling like a woman; today, I am going to be a real woman too."

Cui Ping would not let him off.

The next day.

Yu Zecheng walked downstairs with a pale face and weak legs.

Cui Ping made breakfast, her face glowing.

Yu Zecheng finished washing up and sat down to eat breakfast.

"Why so extravagant today, two eggs?" he laughed.

"To help you replenish your body."

"By the way, go to the station and find my junior fellow apprentice; he has plenty of nutritional supplements. Replenish your energy well. It seems to be my time of the month these few days, so let's strive to pass on the Yu family line."

"This is serious business, remember that."

Cui Ping said, tapping his head.

"I know," Yu Zecheng nodded with a smile.

"They were shelling outside the city again last night."

"I reckon the fighting will start soon."

"Get it done quickly, and then we'll slip away."

After Old Yu finished breakfast, Cui Ping handed him his clothes and bag.

"Hmm," Yu Zecheng nodded.

"Stay safe," said Cui Ping.

Station Master's office.

Wu Jingzhong and Bao Donglin had a detailed discussion.

"Brother, the rules are the same as when Li Ya was here: I don't know anything, and I don't want to know. You are the special envoy and have full authority to make decisions, just report directly to Director Mao."

"I wish you success in your infiltration."

Wu Jingzhong reached out his large hand and shook hands with him.

"Alright, thank you, Station Chief Wu."

Bao Donglin walked out with a look of frustration on his face.

He had wanted to pull Wu Jingzhong into this together, but it turned out old Wu wouldn't touch it at all.

This time, he was truly in an unfamiliar place, and everything was difficult.

"Sigh.

"It's already come to this, and you still don't see it clearly.

"Why was the Northeast lost?

"Why has the war turned out like this today?

"Is that something that can be solved by a few petty agents sneaking around, planting a few bombs, and firing a few potshots?

"They are all cards that can't be brought out into the open."

"The roots have rotted through.

"And they are still daydreaming.

"They want to drag me into the water; whether I can make money or get promoted, I just hope I never have to deal with Mao Renfeng for the rest of my life."

Wu Jingzhong snorted coldly.

"Teacher, Bao Donglin hasn't seen much of the world. If he could see things as clearly as you do, he would have been lying in a hospital in Jingling playing dead by now," Hong Zhiyou said, shaking his head with a smile.

"Let's not talk about this bullshit Oriole Plan anymore.

"How is the surveillance on Vice Prefect Qian going?

"This traitorous dog should have hoarded quite a lot of gold and antiques in his basement.

"We cannot just sit by and watch the Americans use their banknotes to wash away our truly valuable things."

Wu Jingzhong said.

"Teacher is right.

"If the Jiang, Song, Kong, and Chen families understood this principle, the common people wouldn't be unable to even afford a meal," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"I don't understand economics.

"I just know that most of the gold, silver, and antiques were passed down by our ancestors generation after generation.

"The things of our ancestors cannot be lost."

Wu Jingzhong said sternly.

"Vice Prefect Qian is secretly plotting to transfer and transport them to North America.

"His son is a military attaché at the embassy, he has people in the military, and he has connections with the senators, congressmen, and the military over there.

"Otherwise, they wouldn't have let him be a comprador.

"It's not easy to deal with him openly."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"What's this about being open? Kill the person first, then take the gold bars and antiques out of his basement, and then use explosives to blow it up, claiming it was hit by stray shells from the Reds.

"Didn't shells fall over there a few days ago?"

Wu Jingzhong snorted coldly and gave the order.

"Yes," Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

"Make sure not to damage those treasures.

"Also, the plane must be arranged as soon as possible; I am truly afraid of getting stuck in Jinhai when the time comes."

Wu Jingzhong reminded him again.

"Teacher, rest assured, Anderson has stayed behind, and he will personally fly the plane south when the time comes," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Hmm," Wu Jingzhong nodded.

"Go, call Zecheng in; I have a few words to discuss with him."

He waved his hand and said.

Soon, Yu Zecheng walked in: "Teacher, you have orders for me?"

"Bao Donglin wants you to be his assistant and help him implement the Oriole Plan, to weave the net that Li Ya left behind.

"What is your opinion?"

Wu Jingzhong narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice.

"Teacher, the special commissioner is in an unfamiliar place, and this is an order from headquarters. How about I stay behind to infiltrate and assist him in executing the Oriole Plan?"

Yu Zecheng knew this answer was inappropriate, but this was indeed a rare opportunity.

If he could become the person in charge, he could legitimately get his hands on the list.

"Is infiltration fun?" Wu Jingzhong looked at him coldly.

"That's a life-threatening business!"

As he spoke, he pointed at Yu Zecheng:

"You had better think clearly."

"I..." Yu Zecheng looked at Wu Jingzhong, his heart trembling violently.

Wu Jingzhong was warning him.

"I, I will listen to Teacher's arrangements," Yu Zecheng said.

"Hmm.

"That's right.

"Right now, a great battle is imminent in Jinhai. While you can still leave, let Cuiping go first.

"To save us from being in a rush when the time comes."

Wu Jingzhong's tone seemed like a discussion, but in reality, it was extremely stern.

He truly did not want Cuiping, a woman stupid enough to belong in a museum, to continue following Yu Zecheng.

A pile of troublesome matters.

Whether it was continuing south to be an official or going to Xiangdao to do business.

A woman who might end up in the electric chair at any time is a ticking time bomb.

She absolutely could not be kept by his side.

"Alright, Teacher, I have the same intention.

"Within these few days, I will definitely arrange for her to leave."

Yu Zecheng hurriedly accepted the order.

"Hmm, you go get busy," Wu Jingzhong waved his hand and said.

After Yu Zecheng left, Wu Jingzhong's eyes turned vicious in an instant, his face covered in gloom.

This Yu Zecheng really has an addiction to infiltrating.

Wanting to stay behind? Not a chance!

"Section Chief Xiao, come over here for a moment."

Wu Jingzhong picked up the phone and dialed the number for the Security Section.

After Xiao Guohua entered, he gestured, and Xiao Guohua quickly closed the door.

"I am entrusting you with a top-secret mission. Once we evacuate Jinhai, you must go to Section Chief Yu's house immediately. Tell him I told him to go to the airport; if he agrees, that's best.

"If he dares to resist or refuse, execute him on the spot immediately.

"Remember, you must not tell Zhiyou.

"His relationship with Yu Zecheng is too close.

"This matter must absolutely not be leaked."

Wu Jingzhong instructed sternly.

"Yes, Station Chief," Xiao Guohua accepted the order.

(End of chapter)