Chapter 395: Lao Zheng Has Confessed

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou brought breakfast early and entered the large office.

Wu Jingzhong was studying antique books.

Ever since Hong Zhiyou made contact with MacArthur, he had become an indispensable pawn for the Jiang family.

Wu Jingzhong knew that Hong Zhiyou was playing a high-stakes game now.

He himself was hard-pressed to be of any use.

One has to admit when one is getting old.

He simply stopped pretending, fully entering a state of slacking off; he would either doze off or play with antiques, waiting until it was time to get off work.

He even stopped caring or asking about what his confidants like Xiao Guohua were doing.

"Master, there's a place near the wet market that has good lamb offal soup. I bought a portion for you, and two pork-stuffed flatbreads too. Please have a taste." Hong Zhiyou was as respectful and thoughtful as ever.

He was also particular about how he addressed him.

At the office, he called him Master; at home, he called him Dad.

"That's great, you really understand me.

"This is exactly what I was craving."

Wu Jingzhong squinted and smiled, enjoying his breakfast.

"Master, the coming period might be very turbulent.

"It's too dangerous here.

"We must be prepared to retreat at any time.

"Privately, I will have Xie Ruo pay MacArthur two hundred thousand US dollars to invite him and General Randall to Wandao, and then forcibly ensure our exit.

"However, for the sake of safety, you might have to suffer a little.

"I want to take you away under the guise of returning to Xiangdao for medical treatment."

Hong Zhiyou said in a deep voice.

"As long as I can leave Wandao, aside from death, even if you cut off an arm or a leg of mine, it's no problem," Wu Jingzhong said with great joy.

Politics is cruel and bloody.

He had understood this truth many years ago.

If he could leave by paying a price, that would be for the best.

"Hmm, I will observe the timing first," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

In fact, the Generalissimo kept a very tight grip on his officials.

For instance, when Zheng Jiemin and others later applied to go to the US, they were all rejected.

After Wu Jingzhong finished his breakfast and Hong Zhiyou cleaned up, he returned to his own inspection office.

Just as he sat down, Ye Xiang walked in:

"Inspector Hong, the Bureau Chief wants you to go over."

"Is it 'wants' or 'requests'?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"I, of course, am requesting.

"But he did indeed say 'wants'." Ye Xiang shrugged and smiled.

"It seems he still isn't used to it," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

He arrived at the Bureau Chief's office.

Mao Renfeng was wearing a mask, greeting him with a beaming smile: "Zhiyou, quickly, please sit."

"What is this, Bureau Chief?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Sigh.

"A fever and a cold. Ever since I came to Wandao, this body has been like it's cursed, getting worse by the day," Mao Renfeng smiled.

"Then you must take good care of yourself.

"I know a physician, shall I recommend him to you?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Qiu Ji?" Mao Renfeng looked at him with a look that was not quite a smile.

"I naturally know Qiu Ji.

"But he hasn't grown wings, so he can't fly over here," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Inspector Hong, I asked you here today because I want you to assist me with a matter," Mao Renfeng said.

"What matter?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Zou Yuan from the Third Division's action team and several team members went missing last night while executing a mission near Quanzhou Road.

"I know Inspector Hong is very well-connected with the gang forces in Wandao.

"Why don't you find them for me?"

Mao Renfeng stared at him, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"Sure.

"A trivial matter.

"But the result might not be too optimistic.

"So many people have been killed at Machangting; if it's retaliation by the red agents, I'm afraid they've already crossed the Naihe Bridge by now."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and leaned back, saying in a very relaxed manner.

"If they are dead.

"No matter who it is, don't let me find them, otherwise I will surely wipe out their entire family."

Mao Renfeng pointed at Hong Zhiyou, his domineering aura leaking out.

"Hmm, Bureau Chief Mao is capable of that," Hong Zhiyou pulled back his chair and stood up.

"Bureau Chief, is there anything else?

"If not, I'll be going."

Hong Zhiyou stood with his hands in his pockets, using his height to look down on him.

This made Mao Renfeng, who was a head shorter than him, very uncomfortable; his momentum waned as he waved his hand in displeasure:

"Go, go."

After Hong Zhiyou left, the murderous intent in Mao Renfeng's eyes intensified; immediately, he smiled slightly, stood up, went downstairs, got into his car, and headed straight for Basheng Garden.

Basheng Garden.

Director's office.

Jianfeng had recently become obsessed with the sound of gunfire coming from Machangting.

It gave him a strong sense of security.

Wan An walked in: "Director, Bureau Chief Mao requests an audience."

"Let him in.

"Remember, he must be searched.

"From now on, no matter who it is, anyone entering Basheng Garden must be properly secured," Jianfeng instructed.

"Yes, Director," Wan An said.

Mao Renfeng was brought into the reception room.

From top to bottom, he was given a security check.

This made the high-ranking official furious.

Mao Renfeng even thought this was Jianfeng's deliberate retaliation.

Holding back a belly full of fire, when he reached the office door, he took a slight breath, put on that honest, smiling face, and walked in: "Director."

"Bureau Chief Mao, what wind blew you here?

"Sit, sit quickly."

On the surface, Jianfeng was still very polite.

"Director.

"There are two things I must report to you.

"Previously, when we interrogated Chen Da, he confessed the address of Lao Zheng, 26 Quanzhou Road.

"Last night, Zou Yuan of the Third Division followed the mistress of number 26, Xu Li.

"He discovered that she very likely made contact with Lao Zheng.

"In fact, my men also saw someone suspected to be a disguised Lao Zheng at the scene and reported the situation via phone."

Mao Renfeng said.

"That's a good thing, was he caught?" Jianfeng asked.

"The situation is not looking good.

"After my men pursued Lao Zheng, they all went missing and have had no trace since.

"Zou Yuan mentioned on the phone that he saw another group of people also following Xu Li; I would like to ask, were they the Director's men?" Mao Renfeng said.

A trace of displeasure flashed across Jianfeng's face.

What does that mean?

Suspecting he deliberately intercepted them?

That he privately swallowed up Lao Zheng and hid him away?

"I haven't received any relevant reports yet," Jianfeng said.

"Could it be someone from Hong Zhiyou's side?"

"He has been acting mysterious lately, investigating Zheng's whereabouts in secret," Mao Renfeng asked again.

"I will ask him later. Does Bureau Chief Mao have anything else?"

Jianfeng saw that he was wearing a mask and looked very frail; it was clear he had caught a cold.

It is currently the peak season for winter viruses.

It would be best to send Mao Renfeng away as soon as possible to avoid being infected.

"Yes."

"People at the Tokyo Station report that Hong Zhiyou is using the excuse of transporting grain for the National Government to privately resell it to the mainland for kickbacks with the Rong family of Xiangdao."

"There are as many as one hundred thousand tons."

"Such blatant profiteering is something the Director must investigate."

Mao Renfeng said.

"Is there any direct evidence?" Jianfeng asked.

"No, but my people are investigating in secret; we will get the proof sooner or later," Mao Renfeng said.

"Then let's wait until you have the proof before we talk."

"Bureau Chief Mao, Hong Zhiyou is currently the Inspector appointed by Father."

"Without evidence, it is very difficult for me to handle many things."

Jianfeng tapped the table lightly and said.

Mao Renfeng had always been dissatisfied with his own seniority and had repeatedly excluded the Data Group in secret; this was a good opportunity to take him down a peg.

"Very well."

"Then I won't disturb the Director any further. Farewell."

Mao Renfeng was snubbed and rose to leave.

Before he had walked far, Jianfeng shouted: "Wan'an, burn vinegar, disinfect!"

Mao Renfeng, not far away, shuddered and quickened his pace.

The office was soon filled with the smell of vinegar.

Jianfeng took a moment to go to the back garden, with Wan'an following at his side:

"Director."

"Hong Zhiyou is indeed selling grain."

During the trip to Tokyo, he was annoyed with Hong Zhiyou on the surface, but he admired him in his heart.

But in official matters, Wan'an was only loyal to Jianfeng; he spoke the truth and never took sides.

"Let him earn!"

"It is abnormal for a businessman not to pursue profit. Let him sell a little; as long as he doesn't sell out the Party and State, it's fine."

"This is also Father's intention."

"If I couldn't see through this little wedge-driving scheme of Mao Renfeng's, wouldn't I be failing Father's teachings?"

Jianfeng stood with his hands behind his back and smiled proudly.

"Yes!"

"It is true that Hong Zhiyou is greedy for money, but he does get things done."

"Back in Tokyo, I saw him eating and drinking all day and thought he was just slacking off, but I didn't expect him to handle MacArthur in the time it takes to eat a meal."

"He even managed to corner Kong Lingkan in the process."

"I heard that Kong Lingkan was furious in North America and threatened a million-dollar bounty to get rid of Hong Zhiyou."

Wan'an laughed.

"Kong Lingkan, a clown, a thief of the Party and State."

"He couldn't get rid of Hong Zhiyou in Shanghai, so it's even more impossible in North America."

"Not worth worrying about."

Jianfeng waved his hand and smiled.

"By the way, give Inspector Hong a call; we still need an explanation regarding Zheng."

"This person is too important."

"Dead or alive, there must be a result, otherwise I won't be able to answer to Father."

After pacing a few steps, he gave further instructions.

"Yes, Director." Wan'an accepted the order.

Half an hour later.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the office.

"Director, such a strong smell of vinegar." After the greeting, Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Mao Renfeng was here."

"You know this man, he has nothing to do when he's sick, yet he insists on coming here to circle around me."

"I highly suspect his motives," Jianfeng sighed.

"Let me guess."

"He must have come to report me," Hong Zhiyou raised his eyebrows and smiled.

"Correct."

"He said you were smuggling grain at Yokohama Port to sell to the mainland. Is there any truth to this?" Jianfeng asked.

"Complete nonsense."

"Absolutely not. I only helped the Rong family move some low-priced broken rice and earned a middleman's fee."

"The Rong family said they were moving it to Malaysia and Singapore."

"Of course, it is possible they moved it to the mainland."

Hong Zhiyou said very straightforwardly.

"A little broken rice is not a big deal." Seeing that he was quite frank, Jianfeng did not press further to avoid cutting off his acceptable path to wealth.

"Mao Renfeng also said you snatched Zheng from the Third Bureau."

"Did your people kill Zou Yuan of the Third Bureau?"

His tone became stern.

"Director, I came from the end of the Juntong era, after all. Not to mention family rules, let's talk about national law."

"Even if you gave me a thousand guts, I wouldn't dare touch someone from the Secret Service Bureau."

"That is punishable by execution."

"However, I did send people to follow Xu Li, and my people did see someone suspected to be Zheng in a remote alley," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Tell me more," Jianfeng said.

"At that time, the people from the Secret Service Bureau had already captured Zheng."

"My people went up to ask for the person and were forced away by Zou Yuan at gunpoint. They saw with their own eyes that Zou Yuan escorted a beggar away."

"I have reason to suspect that Bureau Chief Mao is playing the 'thief crying stop thief' game to strike first."

Hong Zhiyou analyzed.

"Thief crying stop thief?"

"You mean Mao Renfeng secretly detained Zheng?" Jianfeng said.

"Very likely."

"He has always been exclusionary toward the Data Group and considers himself the eyes and ears of the Leader. It is highly likely he is interrogating him privately, waiting to catch a bigger fish before claiming credit."

"This is to highlight his unshakable status in the intelligence system."

"I even suspect that Zou Yuan and the others have already been silenced by him."

Hong Zhiyou thought deeply and slowed his speech.

"Hmm, that does sound like Mao Renfeng's insidious style."

"What do you suggest?"

Jianfeng still admired Hong Zhiyou's brain.

"Director."

"I think we definitely won't be able to get Zheng."

"But can we ask for that Xu Li?" Hong Zhiyou said.

If Xu Li hasn't spilled any important intelligence yet, there might still be a chance to close the loop.

"No need."

"Xu Li has been in the Secret Service Bureau for so many hours. If a little canary had any resolve, she would have confessed by now. There's no need to go and lock horns with Mao Renfeng over this," Jianfeng waved his hand and said.

Hong Zhiyou's heart skipped a beat.

How did Jianfeng know Xu Li was a little canary?

Upon reflection, he understood.

Gu Zhengwen was the secret agent Jianfeng had planted beside Mao Renfeng.

In other words, Xu Li had already confessed.

This was within expectations.

Very few people can survive the torture of the Bureau of Confidentiality.

Someone like Yuan Peilin, who survived it three times and received internal commendations, was truly a man of steel.

Even so, he still didn't survive the fourth time and voluntarily confessed.

It is normal for Xu Li to confess.

What Hong Zhiyou worries about is that she revealed fatal intelligence.

Because Jiang Jianfeng has a habit.

Whenever he is in a great mood, the corner of his mouth will tilt slightly to the left when he speaks.

When he is in a bad mood, his eyelids will droop when he speaks, making him appear colder than usual.

This is what Hong Zhiyou has observed personally from his daily life in Shanghai.

It is very subtle, but it has absolutely been proven by data.

The situation is not looking good.

"Yes," Hong Zhiyou acknowledged the order.

"Zhiyou, do you think..." Jiang Jianfeng stopped mid-sentence, finally waving his hand with a smile:

"Forget it, let's not talk about work.

"If Mao Renfeng has taken Zheng, then so be it; if he is unwilling to serve me, it is the same if he serves the party-state."

"The Director is wise," Hong Zhiyou said.

Returning to the Bureau of Confidentiality.

As soon as he entered the lobby, he saw Ye Xiangzhi escorting a woman wearing a cheongsam with a pale face walking out from inside.

Without looking, Hong Zhiyou knew this was Xu Li.

This woman had confessed.

And it must be very important intelligence.

Otherwise, Mao Renfeng could not have let her leave so easily.

"Section Chief Ye, what is this?" Hong Zhiyou greeted with a smile.

"If Inspector Hong wants to know, go ask Director Mao."

In front of outsiders, Ye Xiangzhi was as arrogant toward him as always.

Hong Zhiyou shook his head and smiled, walking straight away.

Arriving at the third-floor office.

Yu Zecheng followed right behind him: "Zhiyou, I just saw Ye Xiangzhi drive away, he sent several cars, it looks like there is a secret operation."

"The situation is very bad, Xu Li has most likely confessed.

"Let's go, come with me to a place."

Hong Zhiyou knew he could not delay any longer.

"Where to?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"You'll know when we get there," Hong Zhiyou said.

Arriving downstairs.

The two got into the car, and Hong Zhiyou drove straight to the Bolero Western Restaurant.

He ordered two Western meals.

"You didn't just come here to treat me to a meal, did you?" Yu Zecheng asked, puzzled.

"Do you have an appetite?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"It's only ten o'clock, and with you being so jumpy, how could I eat?" Yu Zecheng said.

"Then eat a little, we'll pack the rest later."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

Soon, the two casually ate a few bites, and after Yu Zecheng had the waiter pack the rest, Hong Zhiyou drove toward the south. After confirming there were no tails behind them, he drove directly into an old warehouse.

"Change clothes first," Hong Zhiyou said.

The two changed into Tang suits with copper coin patterns like gang bosses, and Hong Zhiyou walked in swaggeringly with a pipe in his mouth.

Inside, there was a chair, and a man with a rag stuffed in his mouth was tied up tightly.

It was exactly Chai Qian.

"You're here."

Xiao Guohua walked up and pulled the rag out of his mouth.

"Who are you people, why are you kidnapping me?" Chai Qian struggled and shouted.

"Who am I? Can't you tell?

"Someone said you are very valuable.

"Very important.

"But this young master thinks, your outfit looks like a beggar's, doesn't look like you're worth much?

"Old Xiao, did you kidnap the wrong person?"

Hong Zhiyou sat down on a chair, leaning back arrogantly with his legs crossed.

"That shouldn't be, right?

"The other party specifically told me to kidnap him, saying he could be worth several thousand US dollars," Xiao Guohua frowned and said.

"I don't think so either," Hong Zhiyou took out a portrait, looked at it, and shook his head.

"Dispose of him, to save us from trouble."

He stood up and was about to leave.

"Wait, we can talk about this," Chai Qian shouted.

He had seen with his own eyes Xiao Guohua finish off people from the Bureau of Confidentiality and bury them directly in the mountains.

If he gave the order, how could he survive?

"What do you mean?" Hong Zhiyou stopped and asked with a frown.

"Can you untie me?" Chai Qian asked.

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand, and Xiao Guohua untied the hemp rope from his body.

"Ouch."

Chai Qian groaned a few times, loosened his hands and feet, then ripped off his wig and the stubbly black-and-white beard, rubbed off the dirty makeup on his face, and instantly became a middle-aged man.

"Hmm, now you look a bit like him, can you talk now?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"I want to eat steak," Chai Qian said.

"Old Yu," Hong Zhiyou said.

Only then did Yu Zecheng understand the meaning of Hong Zhiyou's Western meal, and he opened it and handed it to Chai Qian.

Chai Qian wolfed it down: "Is there red wine or cola?"

"Yes."

Hong Zhiyou snapped his fingers, and someone immediately poured him fine wine, even thoughtfully providing him with a pair of chopsticks.

Chai Qian ate slowly, one sip of wine and one bite of meat.

Hong Zhiyou was not in a hurry.

After a while, Chai Qian finished eating and said directly: "You don't have to pretend anymore, you're from the Data Section, right."

"Good eye, worthy of being Old Zheng!" Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"That's right, I am the person in charge of the Taiwan Work Committee, Chai Qian, codenamed Old Zheng." Chai Qian let out a slight sigh of relief, and his whole body completely relaxed.

"You, you are Old Zheng!"

Yu Zecheng was struck by lightning, his whole body trembled, and he even moved his chair back a few inches, making a harsh scraping sound on the floor.

"Since I've fallen into your hands, what else is there to say?

"If you get beaten, you confess.

"If you get a good meal, you also confess.

"Why wouldn't I choose the latter? The red wine is not bad!"

Chai Qian laughed in a very relaxed manner.

(End of chapter)