Chapter 4: The Smiling Tiger Lu Qiaoshan (Please bookmark, please recommend)

Leaving the restaurant, Hong Zhiyou drove to the mansion at No. 1 Changde Road.

This area used to be the British Concession.

With the foreigners gone, those mansions became hot commodities for high-ranking officials.

When it came to grabbing things, no one could out-grab the Jinhai Station.

The No. 1 mansion, with its superior geographical location, was a testament to Wu Jingzhong's iron-fisted rule.

Hong Zhiyou handed the gifts from the Kang family to the Station Master's wife, Sister Mei, and after some flattery and pleasantries, he took his leave and returned to the station.

Passing by the Confidentiality Section, Old Yu was busy lecturing his subordinates.

The door was open.

A new official brings new policies; this was a show for the others to see.

After all, the station had just been rebuilt, and Hong Zhiyou, as the concurrent director, lacked a strong backer and had to spend his days busy playing mahjong with the wives.

Ma Kui and Lu Qiaoshan didn't give him the time of day at all, treating the staff of the Confidentiality Section like whores to be used at will, and even the review of confidential documents was done quite casually.

Yu Zecheng was different.

With the rank of Major and being the Station Master's student, no one dared to slight him.

Hong Zhiyou nodded slightly in greeting and returned to his office.

His office was right next to the Station Master's office.

But most of the time, he was serving tea and water, or standing guard at the registration desk in the hallway, ready to take orders.

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

The Station Master walked out of his office, escorted by Liu Xiong.

Hong Zhiyou exchanged a look with him, signaling that it was done.

Wu Jingzhong's eyes held appreciation, and he left in high spirits.

"Director Yu, has your accommodation been arranged?"

As he walked out, Yu Zecheng came out carrying his briefcase.

"It's arranged, just two streets away on Taishan Road. Secretary Hong, feel free to come over as a guest when you have time." Yu Zecheng's smile was warm.

"I will, goodbye Director Yu."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and said goodbye.

Yu Zecheng left by car.

The Jinhai Station was a "flagship" unit; if nothing else, it had large grounds, plenty of cars, and sufficient funding.

Not to mention department directors like Old Yu, even Ma Kui's deputy, Qi Physician, and Lu Qiaoshan's lackey, Sheng Xiang, were assigned their own cars.

"Secretary Hong, has the Station Master left?"

Just as he was about to leave, Lu Qiaoshan called out to him.

"Just left!" Hong Zhiyou replied.

"This is the procurement list for logistics; have the Station Master sign it first thing tomorrow morning." Lu Qiaoshan heartlessly shoved the report into Hong Zhiyou's arms and ducked into his car.

"Oh, right, write a report on the placement of major enterprises and equity distribution for the Coordination Committee; I want to see it."

He poked his head out again to give the order.

"Director Lu, the Coordination Committee matters are handled personally by the Station Master." Hong Zhiyou reminded him.

"I really want to tear your mouth apart!"

Lu Qiaoshan's face stiffened, then he pointed at him:

"Do you think I don't know what kind of tricks you have up your sleeve? You've probably given all the Party-State's property to those women!"

"The report, I must see the report first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Yes, Director Lu!" Hong Zhiyou nodded.

Lu Qiaoshan stared at him unblinkingly, and only after seeing him standing respectfully did he wave for the driver to start the car.

His narrow phoenix eyes under his round-rimmed glasses were extremely sinister and ruthless.

Keep showing off, you'll be eating a lead bullet sooner or later... Hong Zhiyou watched him go politely.

Once Old Lu was gone, he turned and walked toward the dormitories in the back.

The dormitory was a row of old, single-story houses, with a large warehouse built on the side for indoor shooting, combat, and other training.

Arriving at Dormitory No. 3, there were eight bunk beds inside, capable of accommodating sixteen people.

As soon as he entered, the pungent smell of stinky feet mixed with sweat hit his nose.

Mi Zhiguo, Chen Beifa, Liu Genbao, and a few other young men were shirtless, eating steamed buns with cabbage and vermicelli.

"Brother Hong!" The few of them quickly stood up to greet him.

"So plain?" Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"You're telling me, the brothers run their legs off all day. We used to have a few pieces of braised pork at night, but now it's just cabbage stalks every meal," Mi Zhiguo complained.

"I heard from Old Luo in the cafeteria that Director Lu has been pocketing it for himself."

"That damn thief from Guangdong, he's held back our field allowances for two months, and they still haven't been issued."

"Secretary Hong, why don't you report it to the Station Master?"

The few of them started chattering and gossiping.

"Don't start, if I had that kind of ability, I wouldn't be squeezed in here with you guys."

Hong Zhiyou joked, opened the bag, and took out the leftovers and good wine he had packed from the restaurant, placing them on a stool.

"Wow, roasted lamb chops, roast chicken..."

The few of them quickly gathered around to eat and drink.

"Brother Hong, if only you were in charge of the General Affairs Section, the brothers would be living the high life with you."

"Exactly, that guy surnamed Lu is a miser, and Captain Ma is all talk and no action. He promised me a silver dollar for the trip to Yixian, and I haven't seen a shadow of it yet."

"Don't even get me started, last time I was out in the field, I paid for the meals and cigarettes myself, and they wouldn't reimburse me when I asked."

The few of them started complaining indignantly while they ate.

Hong Zhiyou sighed in his heart... Sigh, you guys are really wronging Captain Ma.

Ma Kui really had no money.

He wasn't corrupt, or at least, not very corrupt.

After he was arrested, Zhou Gendi didn't even have a settlement fee, which showed his family finances weren't wealthy.

Furthermore, Lu Qiaoshan was at odds with Ma Kui, controlling the General Affairs Section and holding both logistics and finances in his hands. Never mind reimbursements; even the salaries and field allowances for Ma Kui's men were deducted under various pretexts.

Moreover, Lu Qiaoshan was a notorious smiling tiger who loved to put on airs and flaunt his seniority.

Other departments were all dressed in plain, coarse-cloth Zhongshan suits.

Only his Intelligence Section had everyone in shiny Western suits and ties, living in four-person rooms at the east end that were warm in winter and cool in summer, and even the pistols issued for field duty were the latest American models.

According to the station's regulations, Hong Zhiyou, as the Station Master's secretary, could apply for housing and a car.

But without a rank or a faction, Lu Qiaoshan looked down on him, treating him as a piece of scrap used only for serving tea and water.

So, let alone housing or a car, even his dormitory was the worst one assigned.

No wonder the original owner slept in the office every day; at least it didn't stink and there was no snoring in his ears.

Not to mention the original owner, look at Old Yu—a Major and the Station Master's student—what of it? Didn't he only get an old courtyard house left behind by a traitorous teacher, and he still had to squeeze in with Accountant Zhou and Old Xie?

You have to know that Ma Kui lived in a European-style mansion.

As for Lu Qiaoshan himself, his mansion on Guilin Road was no smaller than the Station Master's.

It was clear he still looked down on Yu Zecheng, finding him an eyesore for managing the Confidentiality Room.

Of course, no matter how much resentment everyone had, it was useless.

Who told them he was a fellow townsman of Officer Zheng? Even the Station Master had to give him three points of respect.

"Alright, stop yapping, if Old Lu finds out, you'll be in big trouble."

Hong Zhiyou gave a few instructions, went to the training room to practice boxing, and fired over a hundred rounds to test the original owner's skills.

The original owner looked average on the outside, but inside he was all lean muscle.

His explosive power and marksmanship were both quite good.

Not only could he easily handle women like Mrs. Kang, but he probably wouldn't drop dead from a "Diamond Kick" from Zhang Zui either.

Being young is great.

After a shower, he changed into clean white clothes, white leather shoes, a black bow tie, and added his glasses—a perfectly refined, elegant, and dashing gentleman.

He had to be at least a bit more handsome than Old Yu.

He didn't believe he couldn't win over a little pure-hearted girl like Wanqiu who was desperate to survive.

Just as Hong Zhiyou was about to leave, he saw Ma Kui shouting at the dormitory entrance:

"You bunch of pigs, hurry it up! If you let the rabbit run, I'll break your legs."

"Captain Ma, busy?"

Hong Zhiyou greeted him.

This Operations Captain was in the habit of wearing a round-collared secret agent cap.

His build was burly and robust, his jaw muscles were firm, and his bloodshot eyes were extremely sharp, just like a tireless fighting dog.

"Yeah, not like you, little brother, with your good life, lingering among the flowers all day," Ma Kui laughed.

"It's just that I lack the ability, so I can only do some external affairs," Hong Zhiyou said modestly.

"Dressed quite sharply."

"Perfect, my wife has a train at 7 tonight; if I can't make it back in time, little brother, help me go pick her up at the station."

"She loves everything trendy; you two will surely get along."

Ma Kui looked him over, then pulled a photograph from his pocket and handed it to Hong Zhiyou.

No way, is he forcing an opportunity on me?

Hong Zhiyou looked at the charming and elegant Mrs. Ma in the photo and gave a dry laugh:

"Captain Ma, this... this isn't appropriate, is it?"

"What's inappropriate about it?

"If you can pick up Director Yu, why can't you pick up my wife?

"Heh, it seems my face as a captain just isn't as useful as the Station Master's."

Ma Kui's face darkened, looking somewhat displeased.

"Don't say that!

"Captain Ma, you are my senior, a Lieutenant Colonel.

"Rest assured, your wife is in my hands; I guarantee I'll arrange everything perfectly."

Hong Zhiyou immediately straightened his posture.

"Thanks! I'll treat you to a drink another day."

Ma Kui patted him on the shoulder and led his group away at a brisk pace.

(End of chapter)