Chapter 38: Human Sentiment is Politics

"Commander Chen, since this is a closed-door meeting, I presume you already have some profound insights." Mou Tingfang lit a cigarette, took a slow drag, and said.

"First, regarding the matter of Army Commander Yang's reckless talk about assassinating Station Chief Wu, I believe it is open to debate."

"Officer Yang was at a drinking party at the time."

"The friction between the Juntong Bureau and the garrison troops has not been a matter of just a day or two."

"A few drunken words shouldn't be elevated to such a serious level."

"What do you think, Station Chief Wu?"

Chen Zhangjie smiled and stepped in to mediate.

"Yes, yes, drunken talk."

"I was drunk at the time. Station Chief Wu, I assure you this matter is purely a misunderstanding."

"It was my foul mouth; I truly hope for your magnanimity."

Yang Wenquan came to his senses, and disregarding any face, he hurriedly stood up and slapped himself twice.

"I, Wu, am a newcomer here and have no prior grievances with Officer Yang."

"I assume Officer Yang would not go that far."

Wu Jingzhong said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Wine and lust embolden a man. Officer Yang, you must be cautious in your words and actions in the future. Not everyone has a heart as magnanimous as Station Chief Wu's," Chen Zhangjie reminded him.

"Yes, Wenquan has learned his lesson." Yang Wenquan nodded repeatedly.

"But how do you explain the matter of colluding with the Cao Gang to resell military supplies?" Wu Jingzhong asked in a deep voice.

"Commander, Station Chief Wu."

"I, Yang, have never engaged in any resale. It was Zhang Si of the Cao Gang who stole military supplies from my unit."

"Thanks to Station Chief Wu's keen observation, a villain like Zhang Si must be eradicated completely!"

Yang Wenquan's expression turned stern as he spoke righteously.

Wu Jingzhong gave a cold smile: "Since that is the case, shouldn't Army Commander Yang give an order to Colonel Xu?"

Yang Wenquan understood immediately and walked quickly to the side to pick up the phone:

"This is Yang Wenquan."

"Colonel Xu, it has been verified that Zhang Si stole military supplies from our unit. Execute him and his accomplices on the spot immediately."

"Also, convey my thanks to my colleagues at the Jinhai Station."

"Everything that follows will be handled by the Jinhai Station."

"Army Commander Yang is truly decisive; I admire that." Wu Jingzhong curled his lip and said sarcastically.

Cold sweat broke out on Yang Wenquan's forehead:

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. It is all thanks to Station Chief Wu's sharp eyes."

"Gentlemen, the civil war is imminent."

"The Americans are about to start some military mediation again. We must share the worries and burdens for the Generalissimo; we must not harbor internal discord."

"In the future, we must cooperate sincerely and create new merits together."

Chen Zhangjie stood up, glared at the two, and said righteously with a smile.

"Commander Chen, rest assured. I, Mou, guarantee that orders will be followed and actions will yield results." Mou Tingfang stood up and saluted.

Yang Wenquan also gave his guarantee.

"I will keep this cassette tape in my custody. This matter ends here!" Chen Zhangjie happily made the final decision.

With it, he had a hold on the 94th Army; he, the commander, was finally not just a figurehead.

This performance was not in vain.

A huge, huge profit.

It really takes clever people like Old Wu to pull off such things.

Mou Tingfang and Yang Wenquan had suffered a silent loss and had no way to voice their grievances.

Who told them to let someone get a hold of their lifeline?

……

The Zhang family of the Cao Gang.

Xu Zhiwu hung up the phone and looked at Hong Zhiyou with a very unpleasant feeling:

"You kid are something else!"

After speaking, he stood at attention and gave Hong Zhiyou a military salute:

"On behalf of Army Commander Yang, I thank you!"

"Colonel Xu, you are too kind. Uncovering the Zhang Si military supply theft case this time is surely a great merit."

"If it weren't for Brother Xu arriving to relieve us, the Marines and I might have been in danger."

"In the Jinhai Station's report, I will claim the top merit for Colonel Xu!"

Hong Zhiyou returned the salute, then leaned in and whispered:

"As for the goods in the pier warehouse, I will save your and Army Commander Yang's share. Brother, wait for my call."

Xu Zhiwu looked at him in surprise.

What was he risking his life for, if not to make some money?

He had thought this job would be a total loss, and he might even face a military tribunal.

He didn't expect to gain merit and still get a share.

Old Xu was momentarily overwhelmed by the favor.

"Brother, I will remember this favor."

"If you need anything in the future, just call!"

Coming to his senses, he gave a rough laugh and reached out his large hand to pat Hong Zhiyou's shoulder hard.

"Good, good!"

Damn, does he practice Iron Sand Palm? It hurts so much... Hong Zhiyou's smile was uglier than crying.

"Withdraw!"

Xu Zhiwu waved his hand and led his men away.

Once they were gone.

Hong Zhiyou sat down on a chair, his whole body nearly collapsed.

Fortunately, the Station Chief and Commander Chen were effective, or he would have been finished today.

"Hong, you are simply amazing, just like an an... angel, capable of anything." Anderson covered his bleeding mouth and flattered him through the gaps in his teeth.

"Stop the mushy talk."

"If you had started shooting earlier, you could have let people set off fireworks."

"What the hell were you doing?"

Hong Zhiyou took the tea handed over by Long Er and asked with dissatisfaction while drinking.

"To tell you the truth."

"Zhang Si is very fat. Colonel Fiersun's intention was to capture him alive, interrogate him secretly, and dig out his treasures."

"So, I couldn't fire my gun."

Anderson spread his hands helplessly and told the truth.

Hong Zhiyou glared at him.

These damn foreigners had stayed in Jinhai for so long that they had actually become experts at extortion.

Wu Jingzhong had sent him here with the intention of capturing him alive as well.

If Master Zhang Si hadn't brought Xu Zhiwu here.

He would probably be enjoying a "set meal" in the interrogation room by now.

But since Colonel Xu came, Master Zhang Si had to die!

If he didn't die, Yang Wenquan and the Cao Gang would swallow his bones and residue.

Hong Zhiyou had no other choice!

But it didn't matter; the Americans wouldn't get to eat this piece of fat meat.

The Station Chief and he still had a chance.

After all, there was still the second young master of the Zhang family.

"Steward Tu, where is the ledger for the military supplies?" Long Er asked.

The steward on the side took it out tremblingly.

"Who is responsible for the transport and handover?" Long Er looked at the terrified crowd below.

"I am!"

A middle-aged man in a long gown wearing glasses replied in a low voice.

"Mr. Ji, from today on, the Cao Gang will be taken over by me, Long Er."

"Past matters will not be pursued."

"You all stick to your duties and do what you should do."

"Old Zhou, why haven't you told your men to put away their axes?"

Long Er put his hands on his hips and laughed loudly.

"Yes, Master Long!" The crowd was overjoyed and hurriedly took the order.

Who doesn't know that Long Er keeps his word and is loyal to his friends; with him around, the Canal Gang won't collapse.

"Carry Fourth Master Zhang out, arrange the funeral properly, and bury him with honors."

Long Er sighed and gave the order.

"Yes, Master Long." The crowd shouted in acknowledgment.

"Secretary Hong, thank you; I owe you another favor, Long." After the people dispersed, Long Er said gratefully.

"Second Brother, why say such things between brothers?"

"Besides, without Second Brother's support, I wouldn't be able to do business in the future either," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

"You have a sense of humanity."

"Enough said, from now on we are blood brothers, sharing fortune and fate!"

Long Er smiled and gave Hong Zhiyou's shoulder a heavy pat with his large hand.

Oof!

Hong Zhiyou's body swayed, and he let out a muffled groan.

Why do you roughnecks all like to pat shoulders?

It really is going to be the death of me.

……

Hong Zhiyou returned to the station.

Wu Jingzhong was waiting, his face full of joy.

"Zhiyou, how did it go?" he asked impatiently.

"Long Er is already digging up the bottom of Fourth Master Zhang's affairs."

"Station Chief, rest assured; I won't speak for anything else, but the old treasures will definitely be yours."

"Additionally, the 94th Army's munitions were sold on schedule; they should be out at sea by now, still divided according to the previous arrangement."

"Long Er's share and mine, I took the liberty of gifting to Yang Wenquan and Xu Zhiwu."

"And I promised to claim credit for Colonel Xu for suppressing the bandits."

"After all, the more friends you have, the easier the road is to travel."

"What do you think, Station Chief?"

Hong Zhiyou clasped his hands and asked for instructions with a smile.

"Well done."

"Human sentiment is politics; you understand that at a single hint."

"I spared Yang Wenquan's life today, but I also worry he's harboring malice in secret; after all, having suffered such a big loss, no one could endure it."

"These people have many guns and many soldier-thugs."

"If we can become friends, that would be for the best!"

Wu Jingzhong praised him repeatedly, expressing his sincere approval.

"But wouldn't that be a grievance to you?" Immediately after, he feigned a look of heartache.

"As a student, I serve my superior; I do not covet private gain."

Hong Zhiyou, very tactful, stood at attention, saluted, and shouted the slogan.

"The bandit's things—it would be a waste not to take them."

"You should still take your private share, just be more discreet about it."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and smiled with a tacit understanding.

"Nothing can be hidden from you, Teacher." Hong Zhiyou scratched his head with a foolish grin.

"Ah, with Yang Wenquan and Fourth Master Zhang gone, the sky over Jinmen is clear."

"Finally, you and I can breathe a sigh of relief in the future."

"I collect antiques, you roam the world of romance; this is the life a person should lead."

Wu Jingzhong was in a great mood and spoke his mind with a smile.

These words sound a bit familiar.

It seems to be the treatment Old Yu received later on.

Hong Zhiyou was certain that at this moment, Old Wu truly considered him one of his own.

"By the way, Director Yu caught that Zhang... whatever his name is."

"Who do you think should interrogate him?"

Wu Jingzhong asked with his hands behind his back.

"Director Yu caught him, let him interrogate him," Hong Zhiyou said.

"He won't do; his heart is too kind, his methods aren't ruthless enough, and he won't be able to squeeze out the hard goods." Wu Jingzhong shook his head and waved his hand.

"You go?" He looked at Hong Zhiyou.

"Teacher, I'm fine with playing around with women, but I really can't do this," Hong Zhiyou politely declined.

"You can't?"

"Which time you killed someone wasn't a headshot? You dared to execute Zhang Si in front of Colonel Xu's thousand-plus men."

"If I hadn't stopped Yang Wenquan in time, I'd be collecting your corpse right now."

Wu Jingzhong rolled his eyes at him, smiling in a way that wasn't quite a smile.

"No wonder they say you are a living Buddha, Teacher, saving all living beings."

Hong Zhiyou knew he was giving him a pointer and hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Immediately, his eyes darkened, and he suggested:

"I recommend someone, a veteran, whose methods are absolutely ruthless enough."

"Who?"

"Lu Qiaoshan!"

……

Dear big bosses and beauties, if you have monthly tickets or tips, give us a hand; let's charge up the new book rankings and let Hong Zhiyou and Old Yu and the others show their faces too, mwah.

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(End of chapter)