Chapter 45: You Are Truly a Red Ticket

"Old Lu, calm down." Hong Zhiyou poured some tea for the two of them.

"That's right, it's against the rules for a field officer to visit a brothel."

"Captain Ma isn't usually that kind of person."

"Old Lu, where did you hear that rumor?"

Yu Zecheng followed up by fanning the flames.

"Mi Zhiguo confessed it himself, how could it be fake?" Lu Qiaoshan said, his eyes widening.

"Could it be... a mission?" Yu Zecheng said, sitting up straight.

"Bullshit mission."

"He went to find Liu San, a notorious piece of trash from Drum Tower."

"I am concurrently in charge of the Police Affairs Division, after all."

"That kid is a complete degenerate who drinks, gambles, visits brothels, and swindles."

"He visits the police station more often than his own home."

"He's the kind of scum even Li Hanyuan is too lazy to arrest; what kind of mission could he possibly be on?"

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head and sneered.

"Liu San?"

"I think I've heard of him. If that's really the case, Captain Ma is breaking the rules." Hong Zhiyou nodded in agreement.

"Ma Kui is really something."

"He pulled out the wiretap I installed in the Action Team."

"It was agreed that I would be responsible for internal surveillance."

"Now look, the Station Chief is playing deaf and dumb. You'll see, Ma Kui is bound to ruin things."

Lu Qiaoshan nodded, grinding his teeth as he said this with resentment.

"Alright, Old Lu."

"You just survived a disaster, don't take it so to heart."

"Out of sight, out of mind!"

Yu Zecheng advised.

"I just can't stand the sight of Ma Kui acting like a petty villain who's gotten his way!"

"You're right, out of sight, out of mind."

"Watch how I keep a close eye on him!"

Lu Qiaoshan gave a sinister laugh, tucked his files under his arm, and walked out.

"Hey, Old Lu, did you approve the funds for Mi Zhiguo?" Hong Zhiyou called out, chasing after him.

"Approve my foot!"

Lu Qiaoshan waved his hand behind his back and stomped down the stairs, grumbling.

"I should be going too. I'll be waiting for the good news tonight about you catching those people from Xiangdao." Hong Zhiyou turned his head to greet Yu Zecheng.

"Mm." Yu Zecheng nodded with a smile.

He walked to the door.

Watching Hong Zhiyou's figure disappear, Yu Zecheng's expression changed, and he quickly put on his coat.

He understood Ma Kui.

Smoking opium and visiting brothels didn't seem like something he would do.

Why would he want to be sworn brothers with a hoodlum?

Also, what kind of mission was Hong Zhiyou actually carrying out?

As for the batch of arms in his hands, he didn't know if Liao Sanmin could really contact his own people.

So many things to worry about!

He felt danger lurking everywhere.

No, he had to find Shopkeeper Qiu immediately!

Huaishan Road, Xuanji Pharmacy.

Yu Zecheng stood in a corner, feigning a runny nose and sneezing a few times before hurrying into the shop.

Today, the sign for buying tiger bones was hung up.

Once inside, after confirming the code, the two went to the backyard.

"Old Yu, you speak first." Shopkeeper Qiu poured him some tea.

"There's a lot going on."

"The Station Chief and Ma Kui are brewing something big lately, and the intelligence I've gathered so far is very fragmented."

"There's someone you must pay attention to: Liu San from Drum Tower."

"Ma Kui has been getting very close to him recently."

"Also, Hong Zhiyou—I checked the Field Division's log archives, and it's highly likely he went to Yong Jianqiu's house."

Yu Zecheng spoke as fast as he could.

"I've noted that."

"Go on." Shopkeeper Qiu nodded.

"Hong Zhiyou has a batch of American arms and medical supplies he's anxious to sell. See if you can find a way; it would be best if we could buy them."

"If you can't buy them, don't force it."

"This man is very dangerous; he is very likely a spy for the Station Chief."

Yu Zecheng said cautiously.

"I was just about to tell you about that."

"The organization has specifically sent someone to handle the issue of these arms and medical supplies."

"He needs to obtain accurate information about Hong Zhiyou."

"The person is right here with me; let's meet."

Shopkeeper Qiu smiled and said in a low voice.

"Is that appropriate?" Yu Zecheng frowned.

His identity was top secret within the Red Ticket, reporting directly to Ke Gong on the Number One Line.

According to discipline, other than the single-line contact, organization members should avoid meeting whenever possible.

"It's appropriate!"

"This comrade is also on the Number One Line and is very reliable." Shopkeeper Qiu affirmed.

As he spoke, he stood up and knocked twice on the wall at the back.

The door opened from the inside.

A large man with a thick beard, wearing a large round hat and a black trench coat, walked out.

Upon seeing Old Yu, his expression was one of immense surprise and joy:

"Director Yu?"

"Who are you?" The inner room was dim, and Yu Zecheng didn't recognize him at first.

The man said with great joy:

"Old Yu, it's me, Sanmin."

"Sanmin!" Yu Zecheng shook his hand, feeling incredibly moved.

Previously, when Liao Sanmin had recited poetry, Old Yu had been quite frightened.

He had suspected that this guy was either Red Ticket.

Or a secret agent.

He hadn't expected him to truly be his comrade.

A comrade and a friend—there was no better surprise in the world than this.

"Old Yu, this is great."

"Every time I dealt with you, I was so suppressed by that cold intensity of yours that I didn't dare to speak."

"Today, I can finally speak freely."

Liao Sanmin gripped Yu Zecheng's hand tightly, unwilling to let go for a long time.

"Two comrades, this place is not safe. Hurry up and discuss the important business." Shopkeeper Qiu reminded them sternly.

"Old Yu, I heard the intelligence you just provided."

"To be honest, the person I'm looking for to buy the arms from Hong Zhiyou is none other than Yong Jianqiu."

"Mr. Yong is one of our own."

Liao Sanmin said.

"Hong Zhiyou is currently making contact with the Yong family."

"Ma Kui contacting Liu San at this time—I'm afraid he's going to do something against Mr. Yong." Yu Zecheng analyzed.

"There are two lines now."

"One is the third young lady of the Yong family; she is openly negotiating the deal with Hong Zhiyou."

"The secret line is Yong Jianqiu himself dealing with Hong Zhiyou and Long Er."

Time was short, so Liao Sanmin's explanation was very vague.

"Is he reliable?"

"Mr. Yong is a major comprador and a treasure to the organization; we cannot afford to get him involved," Yu Zecheng said with some worry.

"Hard to say."

"Right now, the Border Region has already entered into a localized war with Hu Zongnan, and arms and medicine are urgently needed."

"Most of the transport lines are blocked; we can only use Mr. Yong's channels."

"He is an old acquaintance of Kong Xiangxi and Dai Jitao..."

Liao Sanmin said.

"Then he must be protected even more; we must find out as soon as possible what exactly Ma Kui and Liu San are trying to do."

"Also, we must be careful with this person, Hong Zhiyou."

"I always feel like he is digging a pit for me."

Yu Zecheng rubbed his brow and said with a headache.

"Digging a pit?" Liao Sanmin's thick brows sank.

"That's right."

"Last time, when we arrested Liu Wensheng, it was he who reminded me to go to the archives."

"This time, with Ma Kui and Liu San, it was also he who arranged for someone to find Lu Qiaoshan."

"And then, sure enough, Lu Qiaoshan spilled the beans."

"Once is a coincidence, but twice is very suspicious."

As an intelligence officer, Yu Zecheng never believed in coincidences.

"Old Yu, have you thought about this?"

"If Hong Zhiyou wanted to sell you out, you would have been finished during the Liu Wensheng affair."

"A cunning old fox like Wu Jingzhong—if he were to suspect you, no matter how much money you made for him, you'd still face a firing squad!"

"Don't forget your relationship with Zuo Lan; your wife's region is in Mount Taixing."

Liao Sanmin answered matter-of-factly.

Yu Zecheng's affair with Zuo Lan was no secret; one only had to ask around a little to find out.

When Liao Sanmin first had to deal with him, he had naturally done his homework.

Cold sweat broke out on Yu Zecheng.

A bystander sees clearly; at this moment, he realized he was full of holes.

"Is there a possibility that Hong Zhiyou is one of our own?"

"Don't forget the poem by Wen Yiduo."

"He also said to let us treat him as a red ticket."

"He pointed you in the right direction to help you in secret; otherwise, with just one Liu Wensheng, our Jinmen organization would have been completely wiped out."

Liao Sanmin smiled and asked in a low voice.

"Or perhaps, he is simply doing it for money and wants to cooperate with us."

"Protecting you and protecting the organization is a way of showing goodwill to us."

"This is like Secretary Hong's character—interests come first."

He touched his nose and analyzed further.

"Sanmin, Hong Zhiyou is very good at acting; you cannot be swayed by emotions," Yu Zecheng solemnly warned.

"I asked Long Er."

"Long Er told me very firmly that Hong Zhiyou is very loyal and is a true gentleman."

"Long Er has been knocking about the docks; what hasn't he seen of the world?"

"For a man who licks blood off the edge of a blade to say such things..."

"I believe Hong Zhiyou is reliable, and this deal can be initiated."

Liao Sanmin had previously thought someone else was coming.

Since this was a deduction Yu Zecheng had stated himself, after putting it together, he felt he could make the final decision.

"Regardless, we should still be careful."

"By the way, we need to deal with a batch of traitors recently."

"If there is anything, you can call my office directly, or I can come to the prison to find you."

Yu Zecheng was cautious by nature; after giving these instructions, he prepared to leave.

"Old Yu, be careful in everything."

Liao Sanmin stepped forward and smiled as he entrusted him with this.

"Mm, you too." Yu Zecheng nodded and left quietly.

"Shopkeeper Qiu, trouble yourself to find Liu San!"

"You must figure out what medicine Ma Kui is selling in his gourd."

"This concerns the deal and Mr. Yong's safety; I hope you handle it with caution and speed."

Liao Sanmin put on his hat and gave the order.

"Understood, rest assured," Shopkeeper Qiu promised.

Liao Sanmin slipped into the doorway and disappeared from sight.

(End of chapter)