Chapter 57: Interrogating Yong Manzhu

On the other end of the line was Kong Xiangxi, one of the four great tycoons.

Although Kong had already stepped down from his key government posts, he controlled the economic lifeline and still held immense influence with the superiors.

Otherwise, there would not have been the embarrassment Jiang Jianfeng later faced in Shanghai.

"Ah, Dean Kong, it is me, I am Wu Jingzhong."

"Yes, yes!"

"There is no need to trouble Director Dai or Chief Mao; this matter has already been investigated, and it is merely a misunderstanding."

"Rest assured, not a single hair has been touched, and we are treating them with good tea and cigarettes."

"Yes, sorry to trouble you."

"Yes, we will release them immediately, absolutely no delay!"

"Please rest assured, Dean Kong!"

"Again..."

Wu Jingzhong's face was full of sycophancy, but before he could finish, the other side had already hung up.

In front of these party-state titans, he was nothing but a fart!

"Mr. Yong, you have found a good backer."

Wu Jingzhong acted as if nothing had happened, smiling as he raised his hand and said:

"You have been startled."

"The matter of the munitions and medicine is indeed a misunderstanding; I will immediately have the garrison and the Security Brigade capture the bandits of Mawang Town to give you an explanation."

"Can we leave now?" Yong Jianqiu stood up and asked.

"You may."

"However, your daughter must stay behind to assist with the investigation."

"We have witnesses at the Beiyang University Union and the printing plant who testify that your daughter has ties to the Red Tickets."

"The materials have already been compiled and can be submitted to Jingling at any time."

"Of course, if Mr. Yong feels that I am handling this improperly, you are welcome to seek redress from Mr. Delin, Dean Kong, Director Dai, or the Generalissimo."

Wu Jingzhong said with a forced, insincere smile.

For things without evidence, one bites the bullet and accepts it.

For things with evidence, one must make a scene.

Otherwise, the reputation of the Jinhai Station cannot be established.

"Manzhu is young and inexperienced."

"She was deceived by the Red Tickets; I ask Station Chief Wu to investigate clearly."

Yong Jianqiu looked at his daughter and explained.

"Whether she was deceived or is sincere, we will only know after interrogation and investigation."

"Mr. Yong, please."

Wu Jingzhong's face darkened as he gestured for his guest to leave.

"Father." Yong Manzhu panicked.

"Manzhu, don't be afraid."

"Father will find a way." Yong Jianqiu hugged his daughter, his eyes filled with bitterness.

"Dad, I, I am not afraid!"

Yong Manzhu bit her lip, tears sliding from her eyes.

"Good girl."

Yong Jianqiu patted her shoulder and walked out with firm steps.

He knew the Jinhai Station was a human hell.

With the methods of the Military Statistics Bureau, his daughter would likely suffer endless torture.

However, revolution ultimately requires bloodshed.

He had long anticipated this day.

And he had long prepared for the destruction of his family.

"Take her to the interrogation room," Wu Jingzhong ordered.

"Interrogation..."

Yong Manzhu's face turned pale, and she looked at Hong Zhiyou for help.

Hong Zhiyou shrugged and smiled, unable to help.

Returning to the station chief's office.

Hong Zhiyou looked at Old Yu.

Yu Zecheng wore a smile, his expression very calm.

Yong Jianqiu being safe was the greatest victory of this operation.

As for Yong Manzhu.

She did not know much.

For the sake of his own safety, he could not say anything.

Old Yu is truly cunning... Hong Zhiyou feigned a lustful interest and asked in a low voice with a laugh:

"Station Chief, you aren't really going to interrogate Miss Yong, are you?"

"After all, she is with Kong..."

"What can Kong Xiangxi do to me?" Wu Jingzhong scolded coldly with a long face.

"That damn Yangtze Company of his has angered both heaven and men; the common people would love to skin him alive."

"How did Huang Yanpei blast him at the 12th Plenary Session of the 5th Central Committee back then?"

"How did the Americans deal with him?"

"Right now, the two Chens and Zhang Qun are guarding against him like a thief, and Jiang Jianfeng and Boss Dai also want to use him as a target."

"He hasn't even wiped his own ass clean, yet he dares to meddle in my affairs?"

He pointed a finger at the sky and cursed the old thief Kong.

"Yes, yes!"

"He is too lacking in discretion."

"His hand reaches too far, breaking the rules."

The two "Gods of Wealth" hurriedly echoed him like chickens pecking at rice.

Hong and Yu were long accustomed to Wu Jingzhong "cursing the streets" to vent his anger.

Cursing is one thing, but one still has to be cowardly when necessary.

After venting, Wu Jingzhong drank some tea, and a smile appeared on his face:

"That young lady must be put through the wringer."

"So many people died in the station; the medical expenses and pensions are a huge expenditure."

"Boss Dai is currently claiming credit with the Generalissimo, so we cannot add trouble for our superiors."

"You two, do you understand what I mean?"

"We understand!" The two nodded.

Having messed up this time, it would be a miracle if Boss Dai didn't give them a severe beating.

As for the funding.

The assets of the Japanese and traitors seized and confiscated in Jinhai were more than enough to pay the pensions and keep the station staff wealthy for three generations.

Wu Jingzhong investigating Red Tickets was a lie; it was obvious he had become addicted to selling munitions for US dollars.

He was trying to extort Yong Jianqiu and wouldn't take a loss at all.

"Yong Jianqiu is an old Beiyang comprador; I heard that in the past, he would send gifts to Tang Shaoyi and Zhu Qiling by the cartload."

"Even a broken ship has three pounds of iron."

"Can his family be short of treasures?"

Wu Jingzhong knitted his brows and smiled with mercenary greed.

"That's right, these old Beiyang remnants are never short of antiques and gold bars." Yu Zecheng agreed deeply.

"His daughter and son-in-law run mines in San Francisco and have plenty of US dollars," Hong Zhiyou added.

"Exactly!"

Wu Jingzhong clapped his hands in delight, then his eyes turned sharp:

"These rich bastards and capitalists all have blood money squeezed from the common people."

"Privately aiding the Red Tickets is even more unforgivable."

"I think this person is ten thousand times more detestable than Mu Liancheng!"

Saying this, Wu Jingzhong brought his hand down and declared loudly:

"We will get the station's funding from him."

"Secretary Hong, you are familiar with him."

"Take him down."

"Take him down hard!"

"Yes, Station Chief." Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

"Alright, after a night of tossing and turning, my prostate is acting up again; I need to go back and rest."

"You two, put in some effort and start the interrogation of that young lady immediately."

"Listen well, there must be blood."

"Otherwise, that wealthy dog won't feel the pinch and won't open his wallet."

"Yes, Station Chief." Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

The two arrived at the interrogation room.

Yong Manzhu sat on the electric chair, with several rough men holding horsewhips.

Chili water.

Branding irons.

Everything was prepared one by one.

Yong Manzhu's face was deathly pale, a dense layer of cold sweat covering her beautiful face.

"Old Yu, how should we handle this?" Hong Zhiyou stood at the doorway and took a look, not rushing to go in.

Such a fine young woman.

A budding red heart, yet she had to suffer such tribulation.

How rugged the path of revolution is.

Sorry about this... Yu Zecheng silently pitied Miss Yong for a few seconds in his heart.

"The Station Chief said there must be blood."

"Then let's get to it."

He smiled with an indifferent expression.

"True, young people these days don't know the immensity of heaven and earth; it's good to teach her a lesson," Hong Zhiyou nodded and said.

"Heh!"

"Didn't you just graduate from the special training class? Don't act so mature, you little brat."

Yu Zecheng nudged him and teased.

He paused and said, "Didn't you pursue her before?"

"I heard Miss Yong had a very good impression of you, following you all over the courtyard."

Hong Zhiyou knew Old Yu was probing him.

"Her figure isn't hot, no interest."

"Enough, today I'll let her know why the flowers are so red!"

He laughed it off and sat in the side seat.

"Yong Manzhu, according to the identification by Liu Yong from the Student Union and Li Debao from the printing factory, you have had close dealings with the Red Tickets."

"This is the testimony, take a look."

Yu Zecheng sat in the main seat, following the routine procedure.

"I don't know."

"I just thought it was fun, going to street protests with them and shouting slogans."

"I don't know anything about the Red Tickets you're talking about."

Yong Manzhu was not stupid; she shook her head and said.

"Speak, who is the superior you usually contact?" Yu Zecheng asked a question with no substance.

"I don't know who you're talking about?"

"I contact many people."

"For example, Secretary Hong."

"He couldn't possibly be a Red Ticket!"

Yong Manzhu gave Hong Zhiyou a pale smile.

"I really want to tear your mouth apart." Hong Zhiyou directly offered up Old Lu's "quotations."

Yong Manzhu curled her lips and didn't dare to make another sound.

"It seems you won't confess unless we use some tools."

"Old Wu, apply the torture."

Yu Zecheng ordered with an expressionless face.

Old Wu, the interrogator on the side, picked up the red-hot branding iron and blew on it, sparks flying.

Yong Manzhu panicked instantly, her eyes wide open, her whole body trembling like a sieve.

"You, you dare to act recklessly, I'm going to tell Uncle Kong." She screamed.

"Hehe, it's useless no matter who you look for."

"Do you think the Juntong Bureau is playing games with you?"

Old Wu, with a face full of whiskers, gave a cold, sinister smile and swung the branding iron toward her chest.

The position was deliberate.

What they wanted was to cut off the next generation's rations.

"Brother Wu."

"Don't scare her; it'll be hard to clean up if you cripple her."

"Let me do it."

Hong Zhiyou stood up and walked in front of Yong Manzhu.

He had good connections and called everyone "brother."

He usually treated this bunch of ruthless laborers in the station to good wine, food, and small change.

"Fine, you do it."

Old Wu tactfully threw the branding iron into the water and retreated to the side to smoke.

Hong Zhiyou squatted down and took off Yong Manzhu's shoes and socks.

Then, holding her snow-white feet, he winked and smiled roguishly:

"Tsk tsk, so smooth, so beautiful."

"Miss Yong, since you are so naive."

"I can only use the 'no-shoe' torture!"

(End of chapter)