Chapter 64: The Red Coral Theory

Yu Zecheng had not yet spoken.

Ma Kui raised his hand and slapped Shopkeeper Qiu across the face, then sneered:

"Old Yu, he says he knows you."

These words were vicious.

If Shopkeeper Qiu said he didn't know him, it would be obvious he was covering for Yu Zecheng.

If he said he did, Ma Kui would have a pretext.

"I've been to the pharmacy to get medicine; it's only natural he recognizes me," Yu Zecheng said with a faint smile.

"Is that so?

"The pharmacy is full of people coming and going, why would he recognize only you?" Ma Kui pressed relentlessly.

"I remember now.

"Last time I went, I was missing one ingredient, so I left my phone number.

"Besides, I sometimes drive there.

"Not many people in Jinmen can drive; it wouldn't be strange for him to remember me."

Yu Zecheng replied with a smile as breezy as spring.

"It seems Section Chief Yu visits quite often?" Ma Kui scoffed.

"Captain Ma must have never had rhinitis.

"It keeps coming back, and Chinese medicine has to be taken in courses.

"To tell you the truth, I was planning to go today."

Yu Zecheng was no pushover; the two were locked in a battle of wits.

"Is that so?

"Then I'll have to ask this miracle doctor," Ma Kui said.

"Captain Ma, I'm curious, is there a problem with me going to a pharmacy to get medicine?" Yu Zecheng's smile turned cold.

"There is!

"This man is a Red agent," Ma Kui said decisively.

"I am not a Red agent, I am just a local physician; you are framing me, this is persecution.

"I want to report you to your superiors."

Shopkeeper Qiu hurriedly shouted.

He was reminding Yu Zecheng not to be tricked by Ma Kui.

"Ma Kui, are you implying I'm a collaborator?

"Show me the evidence!"

Yu Zecheng was furious.

"I will naturally investigate the evidence," Ma Kui said with his head held high.

"So that means you have no evidence?

"You call me a collaborator without evidence? Ma Kui, what do you think the station rules are!"

Yu Zecheng grabbed Ma Kui by the collar and roared.

"What is going on here?

"Making such a racket, what kind of decorum is this?" Wu Jingzhong and Lu Qiaoshan walked over.

"Captain Ma just opens his mouth and says I'm a collaborator.

"I went to a pharmacy, how did I become a Red agent?

"Station Chief, this is a matter of life and death!"

Yu Zecheng's eyes turned red, and his whole body trembled with anger.

"Zecheng, don't be angry.

"Isn't this just Captain Ma's standard operating procedure?

"You tell me, in this station, who in his eyes isn't a collaborator."

Lu Qiaoshan chuckled, fanning the flames from the side.

"Station Chief, Liu Wen..." Ma Kui tried to argue.

Wu Jingzhong raised a hand to stop him:

"Hasn't the person been caught?

"Interrogate him first."

He paused, remembering that Yu Zecheng was "on official business," and added:

"If there's nothing, release him quickly.

"Take him away."

Ma Kui glanced at Yu Zecheng and escorted Shopkeeper Qiu to the interrogation room.

"Zhiyou, Zecheng, has Yong Jianqiu been bled dry?"

As soon as they entered the inner office, Wu Jingzhong asked impatiently.

"Section Chief Yu handled the negotiations, let him tell you," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

"Yong Jianqiu is willing to part with three family heirlooms and twenty thousand US dollars.

"Among them is a red coral tree left over from Shi Chong of the Western Jin Dynasty; it's several feet tall and spectacular, and its value is said to be immeasurable.

"The other two pieces are also extraordinary.

"Zhiyou and I have already moved the items to the house, and Lady received them personally."

Yu Zecheng leaned in closer and whispered.

Hong Zhiyou hurriedly closed the door.

"Good, good!

"The story of Shi Chong and Wang Kai competing in wealth has been a legend for ages; I never expected such treasures would one day fall into our... Party's hands.

"Zecheng, you have performed a great service this time.

"It's a pity, with Kong Xiangxi in the way, otherwise, such wealthy dogs should have their entire families wiped out!"

Wu Jingzhong was both delighted and regretful.

"Station Chief, it's best to stop while we're ahead.

"Kong Xiangxi may be down, but he's not dead.

"Even a rabbit will bite when cornered; if Yong Jianqiu decides to donate all his treasures to the Kong and Song families out of desperation, it might be hard to handle."

Yu Zecheng advised with the caution of a statesman.

"Sigh, sigh, sigh!"

Wu Jingzhong sighed several times, clenched his fist and struck his palm, gritting his teeth:

"Zecheng is right, we'll look for another opportunity later.

"I don't believe the Monkey King can jump out of the Five Finger Mountain.

"As long as he is in Jinmen, we will eat the elephant like ants, bit by bit; the Party-State's property must not remain in the hands of such Red agents."

"Station Chief is wise," Yu Zecheng and Hong Zhiyou hurriedly agreed.

"You, the negotiation expert, have you been among the women again?" Wu Jingzhong sniffed and looked at Hong Zhiyou.

"Station Chief, I went to see Mrs. Ji of Renji.

"It's a done deal.

"The time is set for nine o'clock tonight, she will go to your house."

Hong Zhiyou said with a lighthearted smile.

"Excellent."

Double happiness... Wu Jingzhong was so excited he slapped his thigh.

"Sit, this is Pu'er tea sent to me by Station Chief Shen from Diannan, just right to open and celebrate."

He loved his two subordinates dearly now, took out a tea cake, and personally broke off pieces to brew tea for them.

"Station Chief.

"Regarding Captain Ma's matter, you must judge fairly.

"He is crude; if he resorts to torture to force a confession and reports it to Director Mao.

"I wouldn't be able to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River.

"By then, forget about enjoying the good life with you, I'm afraid I won't even see tomorrow's sun."

Yu Zecheng held his teacup, looking aggrieved and worried.

"Section Chief Yu, it's nothing.

"Ma Kui just likes to spout nonsense; last night he even said I met with Yong Jianqiu and suspected me of being a collaborator.

"Just treat his words like a fart."

Hong Zhiyou secretly helped from the side.

"It's different.

"He said it today in front of so many people at the station.

"If this isn't cleared up, I, I..."

Yu Zecheng's acting was explosive; he took off his glasses and choked up, unable to continue.

"That's enough!

"You said it yourself, so many people are watching.

"Let him interrogate first."

Wu Jingzhong offered a word of comfort, then tapped the table:

"If you are innocent, what are you afraid of?

"If Ma Kui can't find anything, wouldn't that be the perfect time for you to slap him across the face?

"It would also teach him a lesson, so he stops barking like a dog all day and annoying me."

"Alright." Yu Zecheng was simply speechless.

Hong Zhiyou was also at a loss.

He could not say too much, or it would arouse Wu Jingzhong's suspicion.

He even suspected.

If not for today's timely rain to pull old Yu back, Wu Jingzhong's attitude would have leaned toward Ma Kui.

This guy is unscrupulous when it comes to catching Red Tickets and killing people.

But for now, judging by old Wu's mood, as long as Shopkeeper Qiu can hold out, he will definitely protect Yu Zecheng at all costs.

After all, the power of the Red Coral theory is no less than that of the Jade Throne Golden Buddha and the Stutz Bearcat.

"Zhiyou, go and bring the Young Lady out.

"Let her roll home.

"Remember, warn her: if she dares to act up again, I will serve her with the heavy torture."

Wu Jingzhong pointed his hand and ordered with murderous intent.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the interrogation room.

"Release the prisoner."

Lao Wu dared not delay and released Yong Manzhu.

Because her ten toes had been injured, she walked very slowly.

Hong Zhiyou simply bent over, carried her on his back, and walked outside.

Anyway, everyone in the station knew he had always been tender toward the fair sex, so he wasn't afraid of people's suspicions.

When they reached the station entrance, Yong Jianqiu was already waiting in the car.

"The Station Chief has ordered: if you dare to act up again, you won't be so lucky next time.

"Miss Yong.

"Being a Red Ticket isn't easy, is it? Don't be reckless; just stay home, play your piano, and drink your coffee.

"When you've recovered, call me, and I'll teach you how to be a woman."

Hong Zhiyou placed her in the car and gave a word of caution.

"You dog secret agent!"

Yong Manzhu used all her strength and said with hatred.

"Manzhu!"

Yong Jianqiu reprimanded her sharply.

Then, he bowed to Hong Zhiyou:

"Thank you, Secretary Hong."

"No need. In the future, if there are more coral trees, just give me one." Hong Zhiyou smiled and waved goodbye.

"There will be."

Yong Jianqiu drove away.

……

Yu Zecheng returned to his office.

He was very panicked now, very panicked.

Shopkeeper Qiu had been caught.

He was in danger of being exposed at any moment.

The Station Chief's attitude was ambiguous; he had no intention of protecting him openly.

This won't do.

He must rescue Shopkeeper Qiu as soon as possible.

Otherwise, with Ma Kui's methods, Shopkeeper Qiu would be crippled if not killed.

He paced back and forth in the room.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck.

While in the car, Hong Zhiyou had mentioned that the Station Chief's wife, Mei Qiuju, had recently been suffering from rhinitis and had asked him to find the other wives to inquire about local folk remedies in Jinhai.

Hong Zhiyou must know the inside story.

He was giving him a hint.

What to do?

He could not contact Sister Mei directly; that would be walking right into a trap.

He paused.

Yu Zecheng thought of someone.

Someone Shopkeeper Qiu had said could be used at a critical moment.

……

The second update is here!! Thank you to the big bosses for your strong support, mwah.

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(End of chapter)