Chapter 39: Old Lu Turns the Tide

"Lu Qiao!"

"Why would you think of him?"

Wu Jingzhong asked with a subtle expression and a faint smile.

"Station Chief, Division Chief Lu already knows he was wrong."

"Now that the Boatmen's Guild has been eliminated and Zheng Jiemin is far away, Lu Qiao is without support; he is a tiger without claws or fangs."

"It would be better for you to offer him a way out and let Division Chief Lu step down."

"With such a favor, he will surely deal a lethal blow to Zhang Shaobai; there will be no worry about him not confessing."

"When the time comes, you can reward Lu Qiao a little, and he will surely be filled with gratitude."

Hong Zhiyou analyzed while pouring him tea.

He knew that this was exactly what Wu Jingzhong was thinking.

The old fox wouldn't say it himself.

He insisted on making him say it.

It was clearly a test of his social acumen.

"A unified station is the only way to have a clear sky and bright earth," Hong Zhiyou added with a smile.

"You are right."

"Politics without human touch is short-lived."

"Currently, the Red tickets are rampant, and the Generalissimo attaches great importance to Jinhai."

"Although Lu Qiao is a petty man, his professional skills are solid; he is an old hand in the intelligence line and still has some use."

Greedy as Wu Jingzhong was, he never slacked off in his official duties.

"Go, call Division Chief Lu over," he ordered.

"Yes!"

Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

"Brother, how is it? Has Zhang Si been caught?" As soon as he entered the room, Lu Qiao asked impatiently.

"Rest assured, I shot him dead with my own hands," Hong Zhiyou smiled.

"Great!"

"I was just afraid that this dog thief wouldn't die and would spout nonsense with his bird mouth, pinning the blame on me," Lu Qiao let out a long sigh of relief.

"There is still blame to be pinned, and a large portion at that."

"Zhang Shaobai has been caught by Director Yu, and I fear his mouth is a hundred times fouler than his father's."

Hong Zhiyou shook his head and said.

"Damn it!"

"To save his life, what wouldn't that kid say?"

"If Ma Kui is allowed to interrogate him, he will surely pin everything, real or imagined, on me."

"I won't even know how I died when the time comes."

Lu Qiao was anxious and flushed.

"What are you panicking about? The Station Chief decides who interrogates."

"The Station Chief wants you to go to his office."

Hong Zhiyou comforted him unhurriedly.

"Brother, my life or death depends on this one trip. Wish me luck," Lu Qiao smiled bitterly, buttoned his clothes, and stood up to leave.

"Wait, rinse your mouth."

"You've been holding in a lot of fire these past few days; don't offend the Station Chief with your breath."

Hong Zhiyou reminded him, looking at Lu Qiao's dry lips and bloodshot eyes.

"Yes, yes. Let my brother see me make a fool of myself."

Lu Qiao gave an awkward laugh, chewed on some dry tea leaves, gulped them down with warm water, wiped his face, and then headed toward the Station Chief's office.

Hong Zhiyou returned to his office.

A while later, he saw Lu Qiao walking in with high spirits.

As soon as he entered the door.

Without a word, he bowed deeply to Hong Zhiyou.

"Brother Shan, what are you doing?" Hong Zhiyou hurriedly returned the bow.

"Zhiyou, you are a gentleman and my benefactor."

"Twice, you've saved my life twice."

"I won't say anything more; from now on, you and I are brothers, blood brothers."

"I believe that," Hong Zhiyou's smile was clear.

"Ahem!"

Lu Qiao shook his suit, began to reveal his petty nature again, and waved his finger while putting on airs:

"The Station Chief didn't demote me; I'm still the Intelligence Division Chief."

"Furthermore, the matter of interrogating Zhang Shaobai has also been handed over to me... for... full authority."

"Ma Kui has no part in it!"

Being in charge is fine, but could he stop spitting while emphasizing the words "full authority"?

"Congratulations, Division Chief Lu! Those who survive a great disaster are bound to have future blessings!" Hong Zhiyou stepped back, not sparing any flattery.

"Ah, this was a blessing in disguise."

"With the Boatmen's Guild gone, I am now the Station Chief's man. Once I finish interrogating Zhang Shaobai, my position will be secure."

Lu Qiao waved his hand and smiled brightly.

"That's great. I'm waiting for you to become the Deputy Station Chief and lead your brothers to promotion and wealth," Hong Zhiyou said in a low voice.

"Just wait, it will happen," Lu Qiao narrowed his eyes, looking extremely pleased.

"Old Lu, you understand the Station Chief's intent, right?" Chatting is one thing, but the real business still needed to be pointed out.

"I understand."

"Don't worry, I've stripped the Zhang family down to their soles."

"Want to go take a look together?"

"That Zhang fellow has caused you no small amount of disgust."

Lu Qiao tilted his head, a fierce glint appearing in his eyes.

"No."

"I'd rather take a nap than waste words with him," Hong Zhiyou said with disdain.

Slapping faces is satisfying.

But going to show off in front of a dying man is too childish.

Furthermore, since the Station Chief gave this job to Lu Qiao, it's best to avoid it if possible.

"Alright, I've worn you out these past few days."

"You rest, I'll treat you to a meal another day."

Lu Qiao said a few polite words, tucked his hands into his pockets, and left lightly.

I have to say, Lu Qiao is truly ruthless.

Zhang Shaobai was tortured to the point of near-death and even confessed where his family's ancestral graves were located.

After the confession, he attempted to "escape" while being transported to the Shuitun Prison and was shot dead on the spot by Lu Qiao.

Subsequently, through the behind-the-scenes maneuvering of Long Er and Hong Zhiyou, Wu Jingzhong received the largest share of the spoils from the anti-Boatmen's Guild operation.

They hauled away a whole truckload of antiques alone, not to mention the gold bars, US dollars, and opium he also took.

This is not even counting the arms payments from the south that had yet to be settled.

In this wave, Old Wu could be said to have filled his pockets to the brim.

That evening, Wu Jingzhong invited Yu Zecheng and Hong Zhiyou to his home for a casual meal and, with a wave of his hand, rewarded each of them with three large gold bars.

Lady Mei even personally had high-end suits and leather shoes tailored for the two of them and gifted them several boxes of coffee specially purchased from Xiangdao.

The warmth was truly like that of a family.

Wu Jingzhong's favor was not the only one; others were not idle either.

Lu Qiao invited them to dinner.

Zhang Tinge and Du Jianshi invited them to play tennis.

Even Yang Wenquan and Xu Zhiwu treated Hong Zhiyou to a meal and gifted him two fine German-made pistols.

Hong Zhiyou's connections in Jinhai were nearly maxed out.

Over the next week, as the final payments for the arms arrived, the "God of Wealth" was kept busy flying around.

The Garrison Headquarters, the municipal government, and the garrison troops—he was busy delivering gift packages to all the big shots.

It got to the point where the club ladies and Wanqiu were calling every day to urge him.

Early morning.

Hong Zhiyou climbed up from the sofa.

His secret stash had been surging lately, and his hair had grown quite a bit too.

He took out the hair wax Zhou Gendi had given him, slicked his hair back, and instantly the vibe was there; he really looked a bit like a young master.

After finishing his hair and eating breakfast, Hong Zhiyou hummed a little tune as he arrived at the building.

"It wasn't easy, but Old Wu finally gave it to me."

Click!

He weighed the key in his hand and unlocked the station chief's office.

Routine cleaning, boiling water.

The desk drawer... hold it, I am not Xie Ruo or Yu Zecheng; stealing that stuff isn't worth two cents anyway.

Eight o'clock.

Wu Jingzhong arrived at work on time.

Hong Zhiyou was already sitting upright at the reception table on duty, showing not the slightest bit of slack despite his "merit."

"Station Chief." He stood up to greet him.

Wu Jingzhong nodded slightly, very satisfied with his performance: "Come in, I have something to tell you."

"Didn't sleep well last night?" As soon as he sat down, Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile.

"The screen window was blown open by the wind; I didn't notice it during the day, but at night the mosquitoes swarmed in to bite, so I didn't sleep well all night," Hong Zhiyou said with a wry smile.

"Sigh, it won't do without a woman to take care of you; it's time to take a wife," Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"Wanqiu is still young, and besides, the traitor label on Mu Liancheng..."

Before Hong Zhiyou could finish his sentence, Wu Jingzhong interrupted him:

"That traitor's little girl has a bad background; how can you take a mere act seriously?"

No, there was a hidden meaning in his words.

This was him about to assign a task!

"Didn't you tell me to marry her last time?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a bold smile.

"Women are like clothes; after wearing them twice, the novelty is gone, and they should be tossed when it's time to toss them," Wu Jingzhong narrowed his eyes and hinted.

Damn it, why don't you toss that cotton-padded coat from the countryside you've been wearing for decades?

"But I've known Wanqiu for less than a month..." Hong Zhiyou played dumb.

"Why don't you understand?

"You are my man, and your future is limitless.

"A traitor will affect your progress.

"Let me show you something!"

Wu Jingzhong pulled open a drawer and took out a document from inside.

(End of chapter)