Chapter 381: Heading to the Ghost Island

"If you have any other requests, feel free to bring them up. As long as it's within my power to accommodate, I can satisfy you," Jianfeng said with a smile, seeing that he was not resistant.

"Director."

"Your subordinate dares to ask... would it be possible to take a photograph with the Chairman?"

"Being in a foreign land, with the protection of the leader's great power, my heart can remain as firm as diamond and steel, unwavering in my resolve."

Hong Zhiyou requested solemnly.

"Oh?" Jianfeng was both gratified and quite surprised.

"Is that your only request?" he asked.

"Yes!" Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"Very well, I can put in the request for you, though it's hard to say if Father will have the time to see you," Jianfeng said with a smile.

"Thank you, Director." Hong Zhiyou was overjoyed.

Jianfeng walked over to his desk and picked up the phone: "Director Yu, please connect me to the President."

"Father, it's me."

"Hong Zhiyou has a presumptuous request before he departs; he wishes to meet with you and take a photograph. I don't know if it is convenient for you, Father."

"Very well, I understand!"

Hanging up the phone, Jianfeng smiled:

"Zhiyou, Father has agreed, but not now. It will be on the day you return triumphantly with the grain; he will personally host a banquet to celebrate your success."

"You must strive for it!"

"Yes, Zhiyou will certainly not fail the mission," Hong Zhiyou said, bowing.

"When you arrive at the land of the devils, Wan'an will contact the local Bureau of Investigation liaison station. Our intelligence agencies will do their utmost to gather information from all areas regarding that side to ensure your safety," Jianfeng said.

"Director."

"May I refuse?"

"I do not wish to have contact with people from the Bureau of Investigation."

"You know that Mao Renfeng has a grudge against me and Station Chief Wu."

"On my trip to the Ghost Island, I don't expect him to help me; it would be good enough if he didn't secretly send people to assassinate me there."

Hong Zhiyou said very bluntly.

"That is indeed a problem." Jianfeng was silent for a moment, then nodded.

It was not just the connection to Wu Jingzhong.

He was currently fighting fiercely with Mao Renfeng, and since Hong Zhiyou was his own top general and had just performed a great service, Mao Renfeng was likely wishing to get rid of him as soon as possible.

On Wan Island, Mao Renfeng would not dare to make a move.

But once he went to the Ghost Island, the situation would be hard to say.

"Very well."

"When you are away, be extra careful!" Jianfeng thought for a moment; it seemed there really wasn't any other safety plan he could offer.

"Thank you, Director." Hong Zhiyou bowed and left.

"Wan'an."

Once Hong Zhiyou had left, Jianfeng called the Chief Attendant in.

"Director, you summoned me?" Wan'an asked respectfully.

"I have decided to send you to accompany Hong Zhiyou to the land of the devils to have a look."

"After you arrive, you must ensure his safety."

"Additionally, observe and record more, but do not intervene or interfere in his actions on the Ghost Island."

"Regardless of whether he can purchase the grain or not, you must bring him back alive."

"Do you understand?"

Jianfeng instructed.

"Your subordinate understands. If Secretary Hong has any trouble, it will only be if I, Wan'an, am already dead!" Wan'an said solemnly.

Bureau of Investigation Wanbei Station.

After Wang Kun was executed, Ma Jun succeeded to the position of Operations Team Leader.

The Wanbei Station was considered officially integrated.

Of course, Wu Jingzhong was just putting on a show of being in charge; in reality, there were still many of Mao Renfeng's eyes and ears in the station, and he could not truly risk his life like he did during the puppet Manchukuo era.

"Zecheng, has Zhiyou not returned yet?" After simply finishing his work, he sat on the sofa and began eating fruit.

"He should be back soon." Yu Zecheng glanced at the time.

"I remember you also received the Cloud Banner Medal in the past, right?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Third-class Cloud Banner," Yu Zecheng said.

"A third-class Cloud Banner Medal—that's the highest level for a field officer, one grade higher than Sun Liren. Boss Dai was truly generous," Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"Commended by the Chairman, personally awarded by Boss Dai."

"When Tianjin was about to be liberated... or rather, when it fell, Cuiping sold it on the black market. It wasn't much, just about two hundred silver dollars."

Yu Zecheng said nonchalantly.

"Indeed."

"Who cares about these pieces of scrap metal now?"

"Look at those who were once riding high on the mainland; no matter how high their rank or how many medals they had, once they reached Wan Island, they became stray dogs, struggling to get by day by day."

Wu Jingzhong sighed pragmatically.

"Now they want to use this same trick to fool Zhiyou into risking his life; it's truly..."

Before Yu Zecheng could finish his sentence, Hong Zhiyou, dressed in military uniform, walked in and chuckled:

"Who did you sell it to for two hundred silver dollars?"

"Mine isn't worth as much as yours; help me offload mine for a hundred silver dollars too."

He casually tossed the medal onto the table.

Wash hands, eat melon!

"A hundred New Taiwan dollars would be no problem," Yu Zecheng teased.

"Deal!" Hong Zhiyou agreed readily.

"Zhiyou, are you really going to the devils' home? Have the personnel been confirmed?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"I have to go. The Old Man brought it up; even if I didn't agree, they would force me to go at gunpoint," Hong Zhiyou said.

"As for personnel, just one Wan'an."

He took a bite of watermelon and shrugged.

"He is there to monitor you," Wu Jingzhong said.

"It doesn't matter; I'm going there to get things done."

"Teacher, later on, Luo Youzhang's wife will come to you to plead for mercy. I have already hinted to them that antiques would be best."

"These locals have quite a few good items in their hands."

Hong Zhiyou said.

If this were in Jinhai, Wu Jingzhong's eyes would have lit up long ago, but at this moment, he was uninterested:

"It's useless to have them; I can't take them away, and it might just give people leverage against me."

"Leverage is exactly what we want them to have."

"Why did Jianfeng let Wan'an follow me? Isn't it because he's afraid we'll run away?"

"If we don't settle our hearts, they won't let us leave; on the contrary, the surveillance will become even stricter."

"So, you should accept whatever you can, and you, Old Yu, should go and solicit business as you please."

"You must be like you were in Jinhai—willing to fish for profit and daring to do so."

"Only then will they put their minds at ease!" Hong Zhiyou said.

Wu Jingzhong's brow furrowed.

He knew the logic of Wang Jian asking for gold and silver all too well.

He had originally thought he would be leaving soon.

Now, judging by Hong Zhiyou's tone, leaving the island in the short term seemed impossible.

Just as they were speaking.

The phone rang, and Hong Zhiyou answered:

"Yes."

"Good!"

After hanging up, he smiled:

"Teacher, the wife of Luo Youzhang from the Dazhu Gang has arranged to meet you at the Bolero Western Restaurant."

"Take her to the reception room first," Wu Jingzhong ordered.

"Zecheng, you go and negotiate."

"If there are antiques, make sure there are certificates of authenticity from local reputable antique shops," he pointed at Yu Zecheng and ordered efficiently.

"Understood."

Yu Zecheng took the order and left.

Half an hour later, Yu Zecheng returned carrying a suitcase:

"Teacher, I have obtained the items; please inspect them."

Wu Jingzhong's eyes lit up instantly, the "bloodline" deep in his bones awakened, and he took it and deftly unlatched the lock.

Inside were ten gold bars.

A pair of beautiful, exquisite Chenghua chicken cups.

He took out the appraisal certificate from the local Ten Thousand Treasures Studio to check it, then walked to the window to carefully examine the chicken cups.

The walls of the cups were as thin as cicada wings, small and delicate, and felt extremely light in his hand.

Having played with antiques for so long, he could tell roughly whether they were real or fake at a glance.

They should be authentic Chenghua pieces.

These were truly good things.

Another fine dowry secured for little Jin Feng.

"Oh my.

"Even such a small hobby of mine has been completely figured out."

Wu Jingzhong clicked his tongue a few times, put away the treasures, slapped his thigh, and laughed heartily:

"I will call Jiang Jianfeng right now."

He picked up the phone and dialed Jiang Jianfeng's number:

"Hello, Director, it's me, Jingzhong.

"It's like this.

"Regarding Luo Youzhang and Gu Youniu, who are being held in the Wanbei prison, I have reviewed the reports and they were misled by Lin Dingli; we have interrogated them here, and they were indeed tricked into handling transport.

"Now that the market has been rectified, the hard-line methods have been seen by the gangs and the people of Wanbei.

"As for public relations, we need a softer touch.

"This Luo Youzhang said they are willing to vigorously promote the Director's new Wanbei economic announcement, and there are quite a few gangs of all sizes in Wanbei now.

"We do indeed need a propaganda ambassador who can speak their language.

"In my opinion, since these two have no major crimes, we might as well release them.

"Director, what do you think?

"Very well.

"Thank you, Director!

"Goodbye!"

Hanging up the phone, Wu Jingzhong said with delight: "Jiang Jianfeng has agreed to release them.

"Zecheng, you two go and pick them up."

"Understood, Teacher." The two accepted the order.

……

"Sure enough, only antiques can awaken Teacher's fighting spirit.

"For a moment, I felt like I was back at the Jinhai Station."

In the car, Yu Zecheng laughed.

"Indeed.

"If he doesn't move, Jiang Jianfeng's heart will not be at ease," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Zhiyou, when you get to the Ghost Island, please try to inquire about news of Cuiping.

"Her other name is Chen Taohua.

"According to organizational principles, she might have resumed her original name and been assigned elsewhere.

"It should be possible to find out."

Yu Zecheng said while driving.

"I advise you not to get your hopes up too high.

"There are at least a thousand secret agents lurking on the mainland now, and they are cracking down hard on enemy agent activities there; unless I can run into people like San Min or Manager Qiu, I can't ask around.

"If others go to inquire, they might end up being arrested as agents themselves."

Hong Zhiyou shook his head and said.

"Alright." Yu Zecheng pursed his lips, his eyes unable to hide his longing.

Arriving at the prison.

Long Tao had already released the prisoners and was smoking and talking with Luo Youzhang and Gu Youniu.

"Warden Long." Hong Zhiyou greeted him.

"Secretary Hong, Section Chief Yu.

"Comrade Jiang Jianfeng has given the order, so I am handing them over to you; please sign here." Long Tao handed the clipboard to Yu Zecheng.

Yu Zecheng signed quickly: "Thank you for your hard work."

"Old Long, thanks for your trouble."

Hong Zhiyou stepped forward, pulled him aside, and slipped a stack of bills into his pocket.

"Secretary Hong, there's really no need.

"Given our friendship, I can't take advantage of you just for doing my job; that would be too petty," Long Tao laughed.

"Enough, don't be so formal with me.

"Wanbei isn't as easy to make money in as Shanghu; even I am living off my savings, let alone you!"

Hong Zhiyou patted his shoulder.

As he spoke, he said to Luo Youzhang:

"Master Luo, Warden Long is a man of his word.

"In the future, if anyone from your side in Wanbei gets brought in and needs a favor, you can look for him."

Luo Youzhang quickly and understandingly expressed his gratitude: "Of course, of course!

"In our line of work, this is where we end up most often; I hope for Warden Long's continued care in the future."

"Easy to say, easy to say," Long Tao said happily.

His current position was actually a very lucrative one.

But a lucrative position requires connections; without someone to bridge the gap, and being a newcomer, he might not only fail to make money but end up falling into a trap.

Since Hong Zhiyou had spoken up, it meant this Fatty Luo was reliable.

Letting him act as an intermediary would give him a way to generate income.

"Gentlemen, I won't disturb you any further.

"Youniu, let's go."

Seeing the gang's car arrive to pick them up, Luo Youzhang took Gu Youniu and took his leave.

"Youniu is truly a talent.

"He managed to blend into the core of the Dazhu Gang so quickly."

On the way back, Yu Zecheng laughed.

"Yes.

"This kid is very smart, especially with his linguistic talent; he started learning Minnan dialect back in Xikou, and now he speaks with such a local accent that no one suspects he came from the mainland," Hong Zhiyou said with an approving look.

"His acting is good too.

"From the Li Ya of the past to the Fatty Luo of today, everyone is being played in circles."

Yu Zecheng said.

"Just wait, this kid will sooner or later make a name for himself here," Hong Zhiyou said.

……

Bashengyuan.

Wan An walked quickly into the office to report:

"Director, Hong Zhiyou and the others have taken the people away.

"This Luo Youzhang is a notorious scalper in the black market; letting him go is like releasing a tiger back into the mountains."

"No matter, we let go of one Luo Youzhang and gained one Wu Jingzhong; isn't that quite good?" Jiang Jianfeng laughed.

"Subordinate does... does not understand.

"I heard that Luo Youzhang's wife bribed Wu Jingzhong; Director, you are the one who detests corruption the most," Wan An said, very puzzled.

"After experiencing so much, I have come to see some things differently.

"Greed is human nature.

"This matter cannot be eradicated, nor can it be killed off completely.

"It depends on who is being greedy.

"The Kongs and the Songs, no!

"But Wu Jingzhong, I can accept it.

"Since Wu Jingzhong arrived on Wandao, he has been slacking off and just drifting, waiting to retire off the island.

"Now that he has taken the initiative to be greedy, it shows he has recognized the reality and has started to seek profit while in his position.

"This is a good sign."

Jiang Jianfeng smiled, took a sip of tea, and continued:

"I understand this classmate and old brother of mine well enough."

"He may be greedy, but he actually gets things done."

"Let him be greedy; if Hong Zhiyou manages to negotiate this deal and manages to shave off even ten percent of the price, the money saved for the National Government would be enough for Wu Jingzhong to be greedy ten, a hundred, or even a thousand times over."

"He is greedy, but the National Government does not lose out."

"Besides, if he is greedy, he will leave behind evidence."

"If there ever comes a day to deal with him, it will be all the easier."

"This subordinate understands," Wan An said.

"Wan An, your brain is not suited for playing politics, so this time when you go to the land of the devils, you must be cautious in your words and actions."

"Learn from and consult with Hong Zhiyou more."

"Being humble will always have its benefits."

Jiang Jianfeng exhorted earnestly.

"Yes," Wan An acknowledged the order.

Eight o'clock the next morning.

Hong Zhiyou and Wan An boarded the plane to the Devil Island.

Eleven o'clock.

The two checked into the Tokyo Grand Hotel.

"Secretary Hong, I have checked; the Devil Island's Minister of Economy is named Ikeda Sugikami."

"Since September, this person has borrowed nearly one billion US dollars in loans from North America, and by relying on this huge sum to secure people's livelihoods, he has forcibly suppressed Tokyo's skyrocketing prices."

"Two-thirds of their grain is purchased at low prices from North America."

After checking the room, Wan An said in a low voice.

"You mean you are worried they might obstruct us?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a faint smile.

"Yes!"

"This is their territory; if they play any tricks, we will be in a lot of trouble," Wan An nodded and said.

"The boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge!"

"Let's wait and see."

Hong Zhiyou said.

The devils of today are recovering from the trauma of defeat, and with strong support from North America, their economy is improving.

But in the final analysis, their lifeline is in the hands of the Americans.

For Hong Zhiyou, it was not a big problem.

"I have already notified the North American Embassy here on the Devil Island."

"There is a cocktail party tonight."

"Ikeda Sugikami will be there too; we will know once we meet him then."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Right, I have to go out at noon; there is a restaurant downstairs," he instructed.

"Alright, stay safe," Wan An nodded and left the room.

Hong Zhiyou took a shower and changed into clean clothes.

He went downstairs.

A black Studebaker sedan was already waiting.

"Damn it, I... I finally get to see you."

Xie Ruo held a cigar in his mouth and winked at Hong Zhiyou with a bright smile.

That's right.

Old Xie was one of Hong Zhiyou's trump cards.

(End of chapter)