Chapter 373: Lucky Escape

Wan An opened it and began to flip through it carefully.

Soon, he found the intelligence regarding the Jinhai side: "It's still here."

"Look again, for Yu Zecheng's," Jianfeng said, his face showing joy as he gestured.

Wan An quickly pulled out a thick stack of black files concerning Yu Zecheng.

Jianfeng took them personally and began to compare them one by one against the contents of the list sent by Xu Zhidao's telegram.

Not a single sheet was missing.

Hong Zhiyou had not touched the materials inside at all.

Thinking of this.

Jianfeng finally understood why Hong Zhiyou had sent Wu Rui to Xikou.

Wu Rui coming here was purely to show gratitude to him.

Or rather, Hong Zhiyou did not believe that Xikou or he himself would pose a threat to him.

There was only one reason: he had a clear conscience and trusted him.

It was he himself who had been overthinking.

A chaotic age reveals the loyal ministers!

Once, on the parade ground of the Whampoa Military Academy, those officers raised their fists to swear loyalty to his father, yet the number of traitors was countless.

The former Li Ya stood under the party flag making solemn vows, only to turn around and defect to Mao Renfeng.

On the trip to Shanghu, from top to bottom, not a single person responded to or thought well of him, save for Hong Zhiyou, who traveled thousands of miles to Shanghu to share his joys and sorrows and forge ahead with him.

He had money and the backing of the Americans; he had absolutely no need to go to Shanghu to risk his life with Kong Lingkan and the Lady.

It was only because of the word "comrade."

Hong Zhiyou went.

Now that his father has been defeated and stepped down, those who lean toward Li Zongren, watch the fire from across the river, trim their sails to the wind, or harbor ulterior motives are countless.

Yet it was Hong Zhiyou who risked his life to sneak back to Jingling, lobbying Xu Zhidao right under Li Zongren's nose and planning everything from the burning of the Hong Family Shrine.

If he were not a loyal minister and a good general, how could he repeatedly risk his life and disregard his own safety?

One must know that Hong Zhiyou is not some desperate outlaw who cannot afford a meal and can be bought for a silver dollar or two.

He has a million-dollar fortune and many beautiful women by his side.

It is no exaggeration to say that he could live a life even more carefree and happy than his own.

To risk so much, what is he after?

Only the two words: loyalty.

"Wan An, what do you think?" Jianfeng closed the materials and looked at the chief attendant who had followed him for many years.

"Hong Zhiyou ruined Li Zongren's plan for a north-south division; the Gui Clique would love to skin him alive and pull out his tendons.

"Yet at such a time, he dared to sneak back to Jingling and successfully completed the mission.

"He claims no credit, shows no arrogance, and even more so, did not tamper with the materials.

"A gentleman's demeanor, living up to expectations; this subordinate admires him to the extreme."

Wan An exclaimed with heartfelt admiration.

"Hmm.

"Zhiyou is a decent man," Jianfeng also nodded with emotion.

"Tell them to come in; it's time to eat."

He ordered.

"Yes!"

Wan An took the order and walked out.

Hong Zhiyou was holding the baby, accompanying Rui to admire the long corridor and the rockery.

"Mr. Hong, dinner is ready; Comrade Jianfeng invites you." Wan An walked over, his expression having lost some of its arrogance and gained some admiration and respect.

"Very well, thank you, Chief Attendant Wan."

Hong Zhiyou nodded and returned to the living room.

The meal was still simple.

There was an extra dish of braised pork, a dish of sweet and sour carp, and a portion of paste made from potatoes, yams, and taro for the baby to eat.

Hong Zhiyou, as usual, used the serving chopsticks to pick up food and serve rice first, then began to eat.

"Zhiyou, what are you doing!

"The superior hasn't picked up his chopsticks yet."

Wu Rui kicked him under the table and whispered a reminder.

"No matter, no matter." Jianfeng was already used to it and waved his hand with a smile.

"Director, you may dine."

After eating half a bowl and waiting a moment, Hong Zhiyou said.

Wu Rui hurriedly and perceptively helped serve the rice.

Halfway through the meal, Jianfeng put down his chopsticks and said:

"Zhiyou.

"I have read the intelligence from the Jinhai side and have also received secret reports from Li Ya, all of which indicate that this Yu Zecheng is problematic.

"Li Ya is already dead, and his character was despicable.

"You have an excellent relationship with Yu Zecheng, so I would like to hear your opinion."

Hong Zhiyou knew the time to decide Yu Zecheng's fate had arrived, and after a moment of contemplation, he said: "Director, I have never felt that the Jinhai Station had any so-called Red agents.

"Nor do I believe that the Party-State's defeat north of the Yangtze was merely due to intelligence failures.

"The root cause lies in internal strife and the consumption of internal resources.

"Take Ma Kui, Li Ya, and Lu Qiaoshan; pick any one of them, and their professional ability was formidable; they were all veteran elites.

"But in the end, they all died.

"They died from internal strife.

"When I was there, Ma Kui, in order to topple Lu Qiaoshan, violated family rules and colluded with the Zhongtong.

"Li Ya repeatedly plotted against Lu Qiaoshan using recordings.

"Did Lu Qiaoshan have faults?

"Yes, he merely leaked intelligence to the Inspection Team, which at most was a matter within the Party-State's internal system and did not delay external operations.

"But if he and Li Ya were not fighting internally and were of one mind, would he have needed to leak intelligence to the Inspection Team?

"No, the two of them would have been seamless, making the external enemy tremble.

"Likewise, because of internal strife, Lu Qiaoshan frequently reported Li Ya for misconduct and secretly undermined him.

"One side was in charge of operations, and the other was in charge of intelligence.

"Intelligence is the eye, and operations are the hand.

"Yet for personal gain, the two disregarded the Party-State's great cause and fought frequently, ending up with the eyes blinded and the hands crippled, leaving the once-sound Jinhai Station severely damaged.

"Orders were hard to execute, and strength was hard to apply.

"This sad and lamentable strange phenomenon is present in almost every system of the Party-State.

"From the Juntong and Zhongtong to the municipal government and the military, it is all like this.

"It is truly heartbreaking."

When Hong Zhiyou said this, his eyes were slightly red, and he let out a long sigh.

"Go on," Jianfeng put down his chopsticks and signaled.

"Director, this is our flaw.

"Conversely, the Red agents have a unified faith and tenacious will, always able to gather sand into a tower and twist strands into a rope.

"This is the root gap between the two.

"It is also where the true flaw of the Nationalist Government lies.

"Therefore, I do not believe Yu Zecheng is a Red agent.

"Assassinating Li Haifeng, arresting Ji Weimin.

"Including building the library within the station, foreign affairs negotiations, and so on, he had quite a few achievements and ideas when he served as deputy station chief.

"The reason he was repeatedly attacked was merely because he was the station chief's student and had outstanding ability, which hindered others' paths to promotion.

"Also, when he once assassinated Li Haifeng, he was shot and wounded by Qin Shuangcheng of the Political Security Bureau at the Shaanxi Guild Hall.

"This might have been related to Zuo Lan.

"According to the previous interrogation records of him by Ma Kui and Li Ya, Yu Zecheng did not know at that time that Zuo Lan and Lü Zongfang were Red agents; Zuo Lan asking him to go to the Shaanxi Guild Hall was not inherently blameworthy.

"One cannot say that just because Zuo Lan was a Red agent, he must also be a Red agent because he went to the Shaanxi Guild Hall.

"It is precisely because of these things that although Yu Zecheng had outstanding ability, he was repeatedly unable to display his talent and ended up just managing files.

"A Juntong elite who entered the profession in '37 and had died for the country, just because of internal attrition and suppression, spent years being timid, walking on thin ice, and unable to move an inch.

"It is truly a pity.

"And this was the station chief's student; if it were anyone else, I fear they would have been wrongly killed hundreds of times over.

"We always say the Red agents have talent.

"What about our talent?

"In the various major departments and systems, how many pearls of talent like Yu Zecheng have been covered in dust?"

Hong Zhiyou clenched his fist and continued speaking.

Seeing Jianfeng nodding repeatedly, Wu Ruirui, standing to the side, was stunned.

She had always known that Hong Zhiyou had a way with coaxing women.

She had not expected him to be just as eloquent as a flowing river when discussing major affairs.

This guy was truly talented!

"What you have said is also a matter that pains me.

"Not to mention the likes of the Guangxi and Guangdong cliques such as Li Zongren, Bai Chongxi, and Chen Hanhun, but what of Mao Renfeng, Kong Xiangxi, and Kong Lingkan? Are they not the same?

"During my trip to Shanghai, the economy was thriving, and currency reform held promise.

"A perfectly good game of chess was ruined by these people, just like that.

"With infighting never ceasing, it is hard to accomplish great things."

Jianfeng sighed with deep empathy.

"However, you believe Yu Zecheng is not a Red agent; could it be because your relationship is too close?"

Jianfeng had not been completely swayed by his flattery.

"The Director is absolutely right.

"That is also a possibility; after all, I only have common eyes."

Hong Zhiyou smiled, his tone becoming more relaxed.

One cannot speak too definitively.

One must always leave a way out; if Old Yu were to truly explode, he would have a retreat.

"Hmm, eat a bit more; times are difficult, so try not to waste anything."

Jianfeng did not provide an answer, but smiled slightly and changed the subject.

After the meal.

Hong Zhiyou prepared to stand up and take his leave.

"Director.

"May, may we take a photo with you?"

Wu Ruirui took a camera out of her bag and gathered her courage to ask.

"Ruirui, don't be impolite.

"The Director is busy with ten thousand tasks; how would he have the time..." Hong Zhiyou frowned and glared at her.

"It is fine.

"You are not outsiders.

"Wan'an!"

Jianfeng called out toward the outside.

Wan'an walked in, took the Polaroid from Wu Ruirui, first took a few shots of other things to ensure the camera was safe, and then said: "It is ready."

"Come, Lele, let your great-uncle hold you."

Jianfeng reached out his arms toward the chubby Lele and smiled.

"Director, this, how could we deserve this." Hong Zhiyou and his wife said, trembling with fear.

"When I was at the Moscow Sun Yat-sen University, Old Wu and I were classmates and roommates.

"Back then, we were as close as brothers.

"Old Wu is the big brother, so this title of great-uncle is well-deserved."

Jianfeng laughed heartily.

"Lele, hurry, call him great-uncle." Overjoyed, Wu Ruirui hurriedly handed the child to Jianfeng.

"Wu, wu-wa-wa."

Lele sucked on his finger, babbling.

"Director, this child is late to speak." Ruirui said hurriedly.

"Late to speak is good, it means he is smart; Xiaozhang was the same when he was young.

"Come, you two stand next to me."

Jianfeng beckoned.

Hong Zhiyou and Wu Ruirui stood on the left and right of Jianfeng.

Click!

Wan'an pressed the shutter, and once the photo came out and he confirmed Jianfeng's image was fine, he handed it over.

"Thank you, Chief Attendant Wan." Hong Zhiyou said as he took it.

Wan'an nodded slightly and stepped to the side.

"Director, it is getting late.

"Please rest early, we will not disturb you further."

Seeing that the time was about right, Hong Zhiyou took his wife and child to take their leave.

"Wan'an, you heard everything outside just now; what do you think of these materials?" Jianfeng asked.

"This subordinate feels that what Hong Zhiyou said is relatively objective.

"First, Hong's seniority and rank make it impossible for him to participate in the struggle for the deputy station chief position at the Jinhai Station.

"Therefore, as an observer, he can see things more clearly.

"Furthermore, the Jinhai Station's past intelligence work has been remarkably successful; at least in Jinhai, there were no instances of generals defecting early, and Chen Zhangjie and Sun Chuanzhi fought to the bitter end.

"This shows that the underground work of the Red agents in Jinhai was a failure.

"In other words, compared to other places like Wang Puchen's Beiping or Wen Qiang's Northeast, the intelligence work in Jinhai, which was overseen by Wu Jingzhong, was very well done.

"This does not match the appearance of a station being riddled with holes like a sieve.

"Compared to the vague 'criminal evidence' left over from the old Military Statistics Bureau era before the liberation regarding Yu Zecheng, the 'criminal evidence' in Li Ya's file is actually more authentic.

"Such as repeatedly sabotaging military aid, wiping out the core members of the political academy, and the exposure of Okamura Yasuji's southward movement, etc.

"Combined with the fact that Li Ya couldn't wait to defect to Mao Renfeng during the period you were not using him, and continued to sow discord within the Jinhai intelligence system, the possibility that he is a Red agent is significantly higher.

"But if the action team leader and the confidential section chief of a station were both Red agents, Wu Jingzhong would not have been able to achieve such remarkable results.

"Therefore, I am more inclined to agree with what Hong Zhiyou said.

"How could there be so many Red agents in the Jinhai Station? It is all just the result of infighting and internal attrition."

Wan'an analyzed carefully.

After listening, Jianfeng stroked his chin.

Wan'an had followed him for many years and served as his personal guard.

In the past, he had no dealings with Hong Zhiyou.

As an observer, his analysis was naturally credible.

It seemed it was time to put an end to these matters.

Hong Zhiyou and Ruirui returned home.

As soon as they entered the door, Chou'er took the sleeping Lele away.

"How did the talk with Jianfeng go? Did you pass this hurdle?" Wu Jingzhong asked impatiently.

"Dad.

"Look."

Wu Ruirui handed the photo of their family of three with Jianfeng to Wu Jingzhong.

Then, she reported everything that happened that evening in detail.

Wu Jingzhong leaned back in his rattan chair, took a sip from the spout of his small purple clay teapot, and said with a smile:

"I know Jianfeng quite well.

"He is meticulous and has always been decisive in his actions.

"He is cold and ruthless toward his enemies.

"Back when he was in the Soviet Union, he did not hesitate to publicly criticize the Generalissimo and sever their father-son relationship.

"After returning, in Ganxi, he spared no effort to flatter the Generalissimo and, disregarding past sentiments, carried out multiple purges of the Red areas in Ganxi.

"Of course, toward friends and subordinates, he also has a gentle and approachable side.

"Think about the Soviet farm girl he married; he has remained as loving as ever to this day, never wavering despite his high position and the temptations of the world.

"This shows that he is also a man of sentiment.

"Since he was willing to lower his status to be Lele's great-uncle, our family is currently safe."

"Regarding Yu Zecheng, what was Jianfeng's stance?" He asked again.

"Jianfeng's attitude was very vague; he did not state a direct position." Hong Zhiyou replied.

"That is still a problem." Wu Jingzhong said.

"Just wait, I estimate there will be a result after the next summons." Hong Zhiyou said.

"That is true.

"Forget about him, let's sleep!"

Wu Jingzhong couldn't be bothered to think about it anymore; he put down the teapot and walked away with his hands behind his back.

Hong Zhiyou returned to the bedroom.

"Darling, your eloquence today was truly charming; how can you be so amazing?"

"Only now do I realize that this mouth of yours isn't just for coaxing women."

"It's even worth a hundred thousand elite troops."

As soon as he entered, Wu Rui wrapped her arms around his neck, transforming into a little fan girl, and demanded a kiss.

"No matter how good I am at blowing hot air, I'm not as capable as you."

Hong Zhiyou blinked with a wicked smile.

"You're annoying!" Wu Rui's pretty face flushed, and she laughed coquettishly.

As she spoke, she took off her high heels and earrings, grabbed a bathrobe, and headed straight for the bathroom to turn on the faucet.

"We just ate a meal, are you washing again? Aren't you bored?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"Since you're so good at blowing hot air, I have to be a bit particular."

Wu Rui smiled sweetly, wiggling her curvy hips for the day.

Sigh!

Poor old kidneys.

……

Several days later.

Hong Zhiyou, sporting two dark circles under his eyes, personally drove Rui, Chou'er, and Lele to the airport.

With this mother and daughter here, many things were ultimately hard to handle freely.

Furthermore, his kidneys couldn't take it.

Wu Rui had another little motive for coming.

With Xie Ruo and Ji Qing making a fortune selling houses in Xiangdao, Rui was a bit anxious.

This trip, besides keeping Hong Zhiyou company, was also to try and conceive a boy.

Therefore, she had been endlessly tossing Hong Zhiyou about these past few days.

Fortunately, Jiang Jianfeng had already given the word, and Hong Zhiyou finally sent this mother and daughter onto the plane.

Returning to the residence, Hong Zhiyou let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if a burden had been lifted.

He promised that for this month, he wouldn't even glance at another woman.

"Sigh, three months have passed in a flash; when will these days ever end?" Wu Jingzhong sighed.

"Soon..."

Yu Zecheng, who was to the side, was just about to speak when the phone rang.

He picked it up:

"Yes."

"Understood, I'll be there immediately."

Hanging up the phone, Yu Zecheng said, "Station Chief, Jiang Jianfeng wants the three of us to go over."

"What was bound to come has come."

"Then let's go."

Wu Jingzhong glanced at Yu Zecheng and stood up.

The three of them arrived at the main hall.

Jiang Jianfeng was processing documents; without raising his head, he pointed to the sofa: "You all sit first."

The three of them sat down.

Upon seeing the documents piled on the coffee table, the top one was clearly labeled: "Investigation Report Regarding the Case of Yu Zecheng of the Jinhai Station Being Emeifeng."

For a moment, even someone as seasoned as Wu Jingzhong felt cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

Although Yu Zecheng remained calm, his Adam's apple trembled as he swallowed, clearly showing inner panic.

The three exchanged a look, all feeling uneasy.

A dozen minutes later.

Jiang Jianfeng closed his fountain pen and walked over; the three hurriedly stood up to greet him.

"Sit."

"Last time, Zhiyou and I had a heart-to-heart talk, and I was deeply moved."

"Looking at the war situation, the retreat to Wandao must be accelerated."

"The Party and State are currently in dire need of talent."

"As the saying goes, do not suspect those you employ, and do not employ those you suspect."

"You are all people I trust, especially Jingzhong; in the future, you will all be my right-hand men."

"Let the past be the past."

"From today on, I have no suspicions, and you gentlemen have no divided loyalties; this fire can serve as proof."

Jiang Jianfeng picked up the materials on the table, threw them into a basin sprinkled with kerosene, and then struck a match, burning the intelligence related to Jinhai on the spot.

"Jingzhong is willing to pledge his life to loyalty, with unwavering devotion." Wu Jingzhong stood at attention and saluted.

"Willing to pledge life to loyalty, with unwavering devotion."

Hong and Yu also echoed the sentiment.

"Very good."

"Wait patiently."

Jiang Jianfeng nodded solemnly.

……

Returning to the residence.

Wu Jingzhong immediately called Hong and Yu to the garden in the back to prevent any eavesdropping devices.

"Jiang Jianfeng played this hand well."

"It looks like we must go to the island." Wu Jingzhong said.

"Let's go."

"It's just as well for me to go over and get familiar with things so I can do business in the future." Hong Zhiyou said.

"But the problem is, once on the island, there's no way back."

"That's not like here, where we can run at any time if something goes wrong."

"If something happens in that place, we'll be like turtles in a jar, just waiting to die."

"Zecheng, are you going?"

"You might never see Wang Cuiping again in this lifetime."

"If you don't want to go, there's still time; we can always find a way."

Wu Jingzhong's eyes sharpened as he looked at Yu Zecheng.

Yu Zecheng hesitated slightly.

Shopkeeper Qiu had already conveyed the organization's intent, hoping he could continue to lurk by Jiang Jianfeng's side.

To hear thunder in a silent place.

To perform miraculous deeds in a silent place.

Now that Jiang Jianfeng was finally able to "let bygones be bygones," how could he miss such a heaven-sent opportunity?

"Teacher, I am willing to follow you to the island." Yu Zecheng said.

"Good, good, very good!"

"If you want to go, then go."

Wu Jingzhong stared at him and began to laugh.

This damn thing had become like a dog-skin plaster.

Sigh.

Can't shake him off, and killing him would have endless repercussions; if things go wrong, it might even affect the business in Xiangdao.

It's truly difficult on both ends.

……

(End of chapter)