Chapter 43: A Stupid Woman

"Hong Zhiyou?" Zhou Yunyi frowned slightly.

The name sounded somewhat familiar, but he didn't have much of an impression of it.

"He is a favorite of Wu Jingzhong.

"He has connections with the garrison, the Americans, and the Waterway Gang; he is very well-connected.

"If we could have his help, obtaining ordnance and medicine shouldn't be difficult."

Yong Manzhu had clearly done her homework.

"Are you sure?" Zhou Yunyi asked.

"I've inquired; Hong Zhiyou is a notorious lecher.

"His intentions in sending a calling card at this time are self-evident," Yong Manzhu said with quite a bit of disdain.

"Hong Zhiyou is a man from the Jinhai Station.

"No."

"It is too dangerous to associate with such a person," Zhou Yunyi shook his head and refused.

Yong Jianqiu nodded in deep agreement: "San'er!

"You have just joined the organization and don't understand the dangers within; it's better not to get involved."

"Dad, which soldier isn't forged through tempering?

"Even if it means bleeding or sacrifice, your daughter will never blink an eye."

Yong Manzhu curled her lips, her attitude very firm.

She had lived a life of luxury since childhood and always felt that life was like a stagnant pool.

Ever since she learned her sister was a Red agent and her father was a friendly merchant, her burning passion had been ignited every moment, and she dreamed of becoming a heroine.

"Besides, our family smuggling ordnance and medicine is an old tradition.

"Dad, you are old friends with Uncle Kong and Mr. Dai.

"Even if they caught me, at most I'd just be printing leaflets or reselling some goods.

"With them shielding me, who in Jinhai would dare touch me?"

Yong Manzhu argued coquettishly.

"You don't understand..." Yong Jianqiu was just about to lecture her when the door rang.

Knock, knock!

"Master, Mr. Hong is here," the butler, Old Liu, called out softly from outside the door.

"Mr. Zhou, you leave through the secret room first."

Yong Jianqiu didn't answer, first arranging for Zhou Yunyi to leave.

"Old Liu, clean up."

A moment later, he opened the door and gave the instruction.

The father and daughter immediately went downstairs.

The butler, Liu Zhong, was over sixty and had been with the Yong family for decades; he was long treated as one of the family.

This slightly hunched, honest-looking butler entered the tea room.

While clearing the tea tray, he noticed an extra cup on the table.

Liu Zhong picked up the cup and sniffed it, his brow furrowing: "Smell of smoke?"

The Master and Young Lady did not smoke.

Someone had been here!

That shouldn't be; there were no guests today.

Could it be...

Liu Zhong's gaze swept around the tea room, and he felt a secret joy in his heart:

"Master, forgive me, but I too was forced into a corner; I have no choice but to rebel."

Hong Zhiyou carried his gifts and arrived at the Yong residence.

It was worthy of being a great wealthy family from the Beiyang era.

It was full of Chinese-style luxury.

The furniture was all high-end wood.

Inside the house, the various porcelain pieces were clearly not ordinary items at a glance.

Even if they had declined, they were still rich.

"Mr. Hong!" Yong Jianqiu came forward, cupping his hands in greeting.

Hong Zhiyou glanced at the two of them.

Yong Jianqiu was dressed in a Tang suit, his build thin, his appearance scholarly and fair, with a gold chain on his glasses—a typical big-shot businessman.

Yong Manzhu was in a white dress.

Her figure was tall, her oval face fair and rosy, her almond eyes dark and bright; she looked a bit like Yingbao.

Moreover, her chest was just as barren.

Almost graduating from university and still this size, she probably didn't have much room for development.

Thumbs down!

"Mr. Yong."

"I have long heard that the Yong family has three golden flowers, but I don't know who this young lady is..."

Hong Zhiyou asked with a graceful smile.

"This is my third daughter, Manzhu," Yong Jianqiu introduced.

"Mr. Hong, are you a reporter for the Jinhai Daily?" Yong Manzhu blinked and asked with a smile.

"Yes.

"The newspaper office wants to interview Elder Yong..."

Hong Zhiyou professionally took out his credentials, paper, and pen.

Everyone understood each other without speaking.

After finishing the interview with polite pleasantries, Yong Jianqiu said:

"Manzhu, you young people chat, I'm going upstairs to rest for a while."

"Mr. Hong, let's go for a walk in the back garden," Yong Manzhu suggested.

The back garden.

The two walked slowly, and Hong Zhiyou began to flirt:

"What does Miss Manzhu usually like?"

"I like selling arms."

Yong Manzhu turned her head, her beautiful eyes looking straight at him:

"You are a man from the Jinhai Station, a friend of Long Er and the Americans.

"Officer Yang is pursuing my second sister.

"Last time he came, he said you and the Americans swindled him out of a large batch of military supplies.

"He also said there is nothing in Jinhai you can't get done.

"Is that right?"

No, Miss, are you always this direct?

"What do you mean swindled? That was property of the Party-State," Hong Zhiyou corrected with a smile.

"Just tell me if you'll sell or not.

"I'll offer a profit 20% higher than the market rate, how about that?" Yong Manzhu playfully held up two fingers.

"Third Young Lady, listen carefully.

"Standing before you is a Lieutenant of the Jinhai Station, secretary to Station Chief Wu, the Jinhai... please mind your language," Hong Zhiyou felt this conversation couldn't go on.

"What are you afraid of?

"My family was a major arms dealer during the Beiyang era.

"Even in front of your Station Chief Wu, I would bargain just the same.

"Old Yang said that everyone up and down is reselling military supplies now.

"Whose money you earn is still earning money, why don't we cooperate?"

Yong Manzhu felt that for a petty person like Hong Zhiyou, there was nothing money couldn't solve.

Stupid woman!

"No," Hong Zhiyou shook his head and refused.

"I'll offer 30% more.

"40%.

"50%."

Yong Manzhu tilted her proud chin and continued to raise the price.

"How about you sell yourself to me instead?"

Hong Zhiyou suddenly pinched her hip and asked with a wicked smile.

"You, bad guy, scumbag," Yong Manzhu was so scared she nearly screamed.

"Rest assured, I won't get any crumbs on you!"

"The texture is too coarse, I have no interest."

"Third Young Lady, goodbye!"

Hong Zhiyou let out a dry laugh and took off running.

All he wanted now was to get as far away from this crazy woman as possible.

This was no longer the Northern Warlord era; trafficking military supplies and medicine was a capital offense.

Never mind fifty percent.

He wouldn't dare sell them even for ten times the price.

Not to mention that the Yong family was already being watched closely by Ma Kui.

Does someone of this caliber even deserve to be a Red Ticket?

Truly, she is staring death in the face without even knowing it.

Yong Manzhu was relentless; she had never suffered a loss in her life.

Who wouldn't pamper and indulge him?

She angrily lifted her skirt and chased him to the door:

"What do you mean? Are you selling or not?"

"Take your head out of your heels and go wash it properly." Hong Zhiyou didn't bother to entertain her and opened the car door to get in.

"Mr. Hong, Miss, what would you like for dinner?"

Liu Zhong happened to walk out and called out from the doorway.

Hong Zhiyou glanced at him, ducked into the car, stepped on the gas, and fled in a panic.

Back at the station.

Wu Jingzhong was preparing to get off work.

"What, couldn't get a date for a few drinks?

"I heard the three young ladies of the Yong family are all great beauties.

"Young ladies from wealthy families are usually quite bold."

Seeing Hong Zhiyou looking listless, he put down his briefcase and asked with a smile.

Hong Zhiyou answered truthfully, not daring to hide anything.

"A clumsy woman!

"The Yong family has always eaten from all sides; they certainly have dealings with the Red Tickets.

"To deal with such a stupid woman, one must be simple and brutal."

Wu Jingzhong sneered, then waved his hand:

"Doesn't she want to buy military hardware and medicine?

"Sell it!

"The Red Tickets are now like a dog jumping over a wall in desperation; we will use this batch of arms to wipe them all out."

"Station Chief, the problem is that we don't have any arms either," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Didn't Long Er leave some behind after raiding the wharf warehouse?

"Doesn't your American friend have any connections?"

Wu Jingzhong looked at him with a half-smile.

"Station Chief, Yang Wenquan dumped all that stuff to the Gui Army; haven't the accounts already been settled?

"And don't even mention the American; General Butler is a stubborn mule, he guards those things tighter than a family heirloom.

"I really have no way."

Hong Zhiyou laughed naturally.

Wu Jingzhong knew nothing about the arms.

Old Yu and Liao Sanmin wanted to make a contribution and wouldn't sell to him; Wu Jingzhong was clearly fishing for information.

"Is that so?"

Wu Jingzhong's eyes darkened as he stared at him coldly.

"Teacher, if a student like me could just pick up some of your scraps, I'd be wealthy enough.

"Why would I risk my neck doing this kind of thing when I could be living a good life? Wouldn't that be insane?" Hong Zhiyou explained, feigning nervousness.

"It's good that you know.

"You're quite something now; you're familiar with the garrison, the wharf, and the municipal government—your words carry more weight than mine as Station Chief.

"Word on the street is that they don't call you the Artillery King anymore, but the Jinhai Expert!"

Wu Jingzhong pointed at him, half-joking.

"Teacher, being the Jinhai Expert is too tiring; I prefer being the Artillery King.

"Besides, isn't all of that just relying on your prestige?

"From tomorrow on, I will stay by your side every step of the way, dedicating my life to serving you tea and water."

Hong Zhiyou chuckled and began to flatter him.

"It's good to have ability.

"You can accomplish great things!"

A loud drum doesn't need a heavy hammer; Wu Jingzhong had made his point, so he picked up the desk phone and dialed a number:

"Commander Chen? This is Wu Jingzhong.

"The station needs to borrow a batch of military supplies for a mission.

"Don't worry, those broken fire-sticks of yours are useless to me; I'll return them to you as soon as I catch the people."

(End of chapter)