Chapter 56: Chess Rivals

"I didn't participate in the specific affairs. Why don't you write the report, and I'll send it?" Wang Puchen said.

"There is one ready-made."

Hong Zhiyou took out the report Yu Zecheng had already written and handed it over.

"Jinhai, it really isn't simple.

"If you're a dragon, you must coil; if you're a tiger, you must crouch.

"Senior Wu's methods—Puchen has truly learned a lesson today."

Wang Puchen sighed with emotion and went to send the telegram himself.

After sending it, he didn't want to stay in this godforsaken place for even a second.

Hong Zhiyou personally escorted him downstairs.

Wang Puchen opened the trunk and frowned slightly: "Take your things away.

"Station Chief Wu is a man who values peace and detachment.

"I, Wang, do not wish to give others grounds for gossip."

"Yes." Hong Zhiyou took out the box.

"You old thief Wu, you certainly know how to wash your hands clean.

"You had me write the report, and you still want to set me up before you leave.

"If something goes wrong later, and the blame for me privately accepting bribes from the Jinhai secretary to seek credit is dumped on me, I wouldn't be able to wash myself clean even if I jumped into the Yellow River.

"A senior is a senior; ruthless and venomous indeed."

Wang Puchen paused and looked at the station chief's office on the second floor.

The light was on.

He knew Wu Jingzhong was watching from behind the curtains.

The two of them were "exchanging blows" from a distance like this.

In the end, Wang Puchen didn't say a word and climbed into his car.

He left!

"Phew!

"Renchu is a sensible man."

Wu Jingzhong drew the curtains, the sharp glint in his eyes receding.

"Zhiyou handled that beautifully," Yu Zecheng laughed.

"Being smart isn't necessarily a good thing.

"Secretary Hong is a man from Hangcheng.

"You are my man; don't let a newcomer get ahead of you." Wu Jingzhong pointed at him.

"Please instruct me, Teacher," Yu Zecheng said.

"There is a habit of mutual supervision within the Military Statistics Bureau; you must keep an eye on him.

"Especially his dealings with the Cao Gang (Grand Canal Boatmen's Guild)."

"I heard that Long Er does a very large business; there must be no shortage of silver in his pockets.

"Don't you have any ideas?"

Wu Jingzhong raised his eyebrows, hinting.

Yu Zecheng replied with an unperturbed expression: "That's simple; find a reason to take him down."

"Take him down for what?

"Investigate Long Er's capital flow, and plant more informants at the docks; it would be best if you could bribe a few of his close confidants," Wu Jingzhong said.

Ever since he got a car full of treasures from Zhang Si's house.

Wu Jingzhong had been convinced that the Cao Gang was a cornucopia; it would be a huge loss not to take from it.

"The student understands," Yu Zecheng accepted the order.

"And Secretary Hong, he must also be investigated," Wu Jingzhong said with a cold, grim look.

"Yes!" Yu Zecheng nodded.

Just as they were speaking, Hong Zhiyou walked in.

Wu Jingzhong immediately greeted him with a smile:

"Zhiyou, you have relieved a great worry of mine this time.

"Tonight, you and Zecheng, come to my house for dinner together!"

"Serving the officer is my duty," Hong Zhiyou bowed modestly.

After some idle chatter.

Ma Kui and Lu Qiaoshan walked in.

By this time, it was already eight o'clock in the morning.

Hong Zhiyou had someone send breakfast to the conference room.

"Congratulations to everyone; this operation was a complete success.

"I have already requested credit for you all from Boss Dai.

"Especially Captain Ma and Qiaoshan; you have rendered great service this time."

Wu Jingzhong sat at the head of the table and stood up to offer congratulations.

Everyone applauded.

Lu Qiaoshan was all smiles, nodding in thanks to everyone.

"Thank you, Station Chief," Ma Kui said in a flat tone.

"Station Chief, these are the photos for the newspaper; please take a look." Lu Qiaoshan took out the urgently developed photos and handed them over.

"Revolution is, after all, a matter for young people.

"We don't need these.

"Secretary Hong, burn them later, along with the negatives."

Wu Jingzhong frowned, picked out the photos containing old people and children, and handed them directly to Hong Zhiyou.

Hong Zhiyou accepted the order and put them into his briefcase.

Ma Kui let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"Station Chief, doesn't it look less impressive if there aren't enough people?" Lu Qiaoshan asked with a displeased smile.

He had intended to use these photos to get at Ma Kui.

Or, to smear Ma Kui's reputation.

He hadn't expected the old thief Wu to destroy them directly.

"Qiaoshan, this kind of thing disturbs people's hearts.

"If old people and children are labeled as bandits, it looks like a frame-up; the newspaper's censorship won't publish it," Wu Jingzhong explained nonchalantly.

"Right, alright." Lu Qiaoshan felt worse than if he had swallowed a dead fly.

"Captain Ma, you have injuries; stay home and rest for the next few days."

Wu Jingzhong smiled and dismissed the wounded soldier, Ma Kui.

"Everyone, there is still one difficult problem; how should we handle the Yong father and daughter?" Wu Jingzhong looked at the three "stinky cobblers."

Needless to say, they had survived a great disaster tonight.

It was thanks to these three, who were far superior to Zhuge Liang.

"Let Section Chief Lu interrogate them.

"Last time he interrogated Zhang Shaobai, he was accurate with every interrogation," Yu Zecheng said, looking at Lu Qiaoshan.

He knew Mr. Yong was an important Red agent.

The station chief would never let Lu Qiaoshan interrogate him.

Saying this was nothing more than a favor.

Sure enough, Lu Qiaoshan gave him a grateful look and hurriedly volunteered:

"Station Chief, leave it to me. Don't worry, I'll make him spit out even the marrow from his bones."

"Qiaoshan, you've been traveling all night; go home and rest," Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"That... that's fine, I'll head back first."

Lu Qiaoshan was caught off guard, stunned, and left in low spirits.

"Section Chief Lu's methods are too ruthless; this person cannot be subjected to torture.

"In that case, I will go meet him personally."

Wu Jingzhong buttoned his collar and stood up.

The three of them arrived at the reception room.

Yong Jianqiu and his daughter were drinking tea.

"Mr. Yong, hearing your name is not as good as meeting you in person; let's talk," Wu Jingzhong's eyes sharpened as he sneered.

"Please ask your questions, Station Chief Wu," Yong Jianqiu said calmly.

"Let's talk about your affairs first.

"How do you explain the private purchase of military supplies and the transaction with Red agents?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I have been in this line of work for many years.

"It can't be called a private purchase; what I bought was a batch of discarded military supplies and medical materials phased out by the Garrison Headquarters through the Jinhai Station."

"I was commissioned by the 48th Army under General Li Zongren, specifically the unit of Zhang Guangwei, to make this purchase."

"The plan was to transport them to Hanyang for repairs and then replenish the 48th Army's ordnance."

"Unfortunately, they were hijacked as soon as they reached Mawang Town."

"Station Chief Wu, I paid the full amount. Now that both the people and the goods are lost, shouldn't you provide some compensation?"

Yong Jianqiu smiled, unhurried and composed.

"Don't you dare try to pressure me with Li Zongren!" Wu Jingzhong retorted angrily.

"If Station Chief Wu doesn't believe me, you can send a telegram to inquire with General Li Zongren and Division Commander Zhang," Yong Jianqiu said.

Wu Jingzhong did not rise from his seat.

Li Zongren's Guangxi Army had always been suspected of having ties to the Reds.

Moreover, to question Li, one could only do so through a special envoy of the President or by asking him directly.

He had accepted money for this private arms deal.

It was not advisable to investigate this matter too deeply.

"What is the deal with the tunnel in your house?"

"According to your steward Liu Fu, the tunnel is a place where Red agents meet," Wu Jingzhong said, crossing his arms and questioning him in a deep voice.

"A tunnel?"

"I forgot to mention, during the Beiyang era, my residence was a place of refuge for President Feng."

"Naturally, it is full of hidden mechanisms."

"Before your men went in, I warned them repeatedly, but they didn't listen."

"Regarding that, I can only express my regret."

Yong Jianqiu calmly picked up his teacup to moisten his throat, completely unfazed by Wu Jingzhong's murderous aura.

"As for Steward Liu."

"How can the words of such a scoundrel who slanders his master be trusted?"

"If Station Chief Wu does not believe me, you are welcome to have him confront me face-to-face."

After a pause, he continued.

There was no need to think; Liu Fu had certainly been silenced.

Wu Jingzhong was so angry his face looked like frost.

Yong Jianqiu, on the other hand, remained calm and collected.

Hong Zhiyou finally witnessed the formidable nature of the Reds.

Wu Jingzhong was seasoned and ruthless.

Yong Jianqiu was even more flawless.

The two were truly evenly matched opponents.

"It seems you won't confess."

"Shall we go somewhere else to chat?" Wu Jingzhong's words were filled with threats.

"No rush!"

Yong Jianqiu smiled faintly.

At that moment, the telephone rang.

"Hmm." Wu Jingzhong tilted his head.

Hong Zhiyou answered it, then picked up the receiver and handed it to Wu Jingzhong:

"Station Chief, it is Mr. Kong."

(End of chapter)