Chapter 79: Shen Zui (Please Subscribe, Monthly Tickets)

"Murder!"

The rickshaw puller shouted in alarm.

The panic of the passersby soon attracted a patrolling policeman blowing his whistle.

Hong Zhiyou squeezed into the crowd.

He took a few close looks at Chen Meizhi; her eyes were rolled back, she had no breath left, and she was thoroughly dead.

Old Zhou's technique is truly superb.

It is said that the Red side's assassination squad also has countless capable people.

The "Old Seven" who assassinated Yuan Peilin likely has skills no worse than Old Zhou's.

Hong Zhiyou felt more and more that helping Old Yu and dealing with Yong Jianqiu was a wise decision.

In case he ever gets in too deep and ends up on an assassination squad's list later, he would have a whole crowd of people to protect him.

Ensuring Old Zhou had succeeded, Hong Zhiyou drove away quickly.

When passing by Old Yu's residence.

He saw Section Chief Xiao directing masons and using searchlights, building the house with great enthusiasm.

One can only say that having money and power is good.

With a single order from the Station Chief, in just a few days, the two-story small villa with an attic was nearly finished.

"Section Chief Xiao, you've worked hard, still busy?"

Hong Zhiyou stepped forward and offered a cigarette.

Xiao Guohua is different from Liu Xiong.

Although both are Wu Jingzhong's trusted aides, he is more approachable.

And he has a family, unlike Liu Xiong who is a lone wolf.

"No choice, who told you to be Secretary Hong."

Xiao Guohua smiled, leaned in, and lit the cigarette to take a puff.

"You don't know that the Station Chief and his wife treat you like their own son now; they're just short of marrying their own daughter to you.

"Listening to the wife, the Station Chief also intends to play matchmaker between you and Yingxue.

"Perhaps in a while, you'll be the Station Chief's nephew-in-law, how can I not come to supervise the work."

Hong Zhiyou has a natural sense of affinity, and Xiao Guohua couldn't help but chatter a bit more.

"I heard your wife gave birth to a second child some time ago?

"Old Xiao, you aren't being a good friend, not even telling everyone."

Hong Zhiyou pulled a handful of US dollars from his pocket and stuffed them directly into Xiao Guohua's pocket without looking.

"Secretary Hong, this..." Xiao Guohua tried to decline.

"Don't.

"This is a gift for the child, you must accept it.

"Wages at the station haven't risen, and expenses in Jinhai are high.

"I know you do the hard labor, take it, and buy some nutritional supplements for your wife and child."

Hong Zhiyou patted him quite straightforwardly.

"Thank you, Secretary Hong!" Xiao Guohua bowed gratefully.

"You're too polite.

"You are an old hand brought by the Station Chief, my senior.

"I hope for your guidance in the future.

"Keep busy, I'll be going."

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand with a smile and got into the car.

If he could take out Liu Xiong and help Old Xiao get promoted?

Feasible.

He needs to plan it out.

Back at the hospital.

Yu Zecheng was eating nourishing soup from a thermal bucket.

Sister Mei was smiling on the side, her gaze as loving as if she were looking at her own younger brother.

"Zecheng, pig trotter soup, I had Chou'er stew it for you.

"How is it, are you used to the sweet flavor?

"If not, I'll have it changed to savory tomorrow."

The men were helpless because of Liu Xiong, so she had to step in and play the emotional card.

"Sister-in-law, making you run so far late at night, what Zecheng is drinking isn't just soup, it's your immense kindness," Yu Zecheng flattered with a smile.

"Hey, family doesn't talk about two different things," Sister Mei laughed.

"Sister-in-law, you're too biased.

"You have some for Old Yu, but none for me," Hong Zhiyou happened to walk in and joked.

He understood the Station Chief and Sister Mei.

They liked him to be close and ask for things, so acting a little cheeky occasionally made things even more harmonious.

"Could I leave you out?"

Sister Mei smiled and pointed to another thermal bucket.

"Sister-in-law, why did you come alone?" Hong Zhiyou was hungry, so he asked casually while eating.

"Him? He went to Beiping to pick someone up.

"Ma Hansan refused to release the person, so Little Shen, who was supposed to fly directly to Jinhai, had to divert to Beiping.

"You say this Ma Hansan is just too bold.

"Daring to challenge even Boss Dai's words, he really doesn't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth."

Sister Mei didn't treat him as an outsider and said it directly.

Hong Zhiyou was stunned.

He knew Ma Hansan was very arrogant.

But he didn't expect that for the sake of money, Old Ma would actually pick a fight with Boss Dai.

"Little Shen?" Yu Zecheng didn't quite understand and interjected from the side.

"It's Shen Zui, the Chief of the General Affairs Division in the Bureau.

"Don't look at his high rank and seniority.

"Back then, when he followed his brother-in-law, my Old Wu, and the Qiao family to assassinate the Japanese, his methods were ruthless.

"The Generalissimo and the Bureau Chief both like him.

"It's just that he was impulsive and eager for merit, and he intimidated and assassinated Lin Tai, which made Madame Jiang hold a grudge; otherwise, Mao Renfeng wouldn't have had a chance!"

When Sister Mei spoke of Shen Zui, she didn't treat him as an outsider at all.

"So it's Division Chief Shen.

"The Station Chief went to Beiping, he won't suffer a loss, will he?"

Yu Zecheng realized.

"With Division Chief Shen there, Ma Hansan wouldn't dare!" Sister Mei didn't believe in such things.

"Sister Mei, it's getting late, let me take you back.

"I'll head back to the station later and wait for the Station Chief's call at any time."

Hong Zhiyou quickly cut the conversation short.

Mei Qiuju also realized she had leaked information and hurriedly smiled:

"Alright then, Zecheng, you two get some rest, I'm going back.

"Don't bother seeing me off, I have a driver."

Hong Zhiyou saw her downstairs and watched the car drive away before returning to the ward.

"Done, finished him on the street," Hong Zhiyou made a neck-slitting gesture toward Yu Zecheng.

"Whew!"

"Zhiyou, why did the Station Chief go to Beiping?" Yu Zecheng asked.

"I helped Ke Gong take on a big job, one hundred thousand US dollars.

"Originally, the person could have arrived in Jinhai today.

"God knows Ma Hansan is so arrogant that he won't even listen to the Boss's words.

"Who do you think is more formidable, Old Wu or Ma Hansan?"

Hong Zhiyou found it inexplicably amusing to think of the two old foxes clashing.

No... Yu Zecheng suddenly felt, why is Hong Zhiyou even more 'Red' than himself?

He, this ace of the First Line, hadn't heard a single whisper of this.

Sure enough, people who walk the gray areas are just more useful.

For people like Hong Zhiyou, the Red side needs a hundred of them!

"Hard to say.

"The Station Chief is meticulous, Ma Hansan is bold."

"One is as steady as Mount Tai, the other is the King of North China."

"Both are stingy, both are ruthless."

Yu Zecheng squinted his eyes and smiled.

"Hey, I've been guarding you, this patient, every day; now everything I eat tastes like disinfectant."

"I'm off!"

Hong Zhiyou put down the unfinished pig's trotter soup, wiped his mouth, and prepared to slip away.

"Don't."

"I've been lying down all day; it just so happens someone brought a chess set, keep me company for a game."

Yu Zecheng hurriedly called out to stop him.

"How much money do you still have on you... in cash?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

At the mention of chess, he thought of Mi Zhiguo.

Last time he swindled the man, Lu Qiao didn't approve the slip and even gave him a slap.

The money for his father's medical treatment still hasn't been settled.

"What do you need money for?" Yu Zecheng picked up his jacket and held it to his chest.

He was truly terrified of being fleeced by Hong Zhiyou.

He still owed twenty thousand US dollars and five gold bars.

"To pay for Mi Zhiguo's father's medical treatment," Hong Zhiyou said.

"To pay for his father's treatment, why do I have to empty my pockets?" Yu Zecheng said unhappily.

"Playing dumb, are we?"

"The man took a slap from old Lu and leaked a Liu San; it's not excessive to ask you for a sum," Hong Zhiyou said in a low voice.

"Yes, yes!"

"Isn't it that I've been scared stiff by your fleecing?"

"The Station Chief always says I'm a ruthless extortionist, but compared to you, little brother, I'm not even worth a hair."

Yu Zecheng very readily emptied his pockets clean.

A few silver dollars, loose US banknotes, and legal tender.

He didn't even look and gave it all to Hong Zhiyou.

"You chip in a bit too, put it on my tab later."

"You're close with Director Ding; say a word later and find a better physician to treat his father."

Yu Zecheng felt it was a bit stingy, so he gave further instructions.

"Bad company."

"Am I a damn lackey? All these connections are being used for your errands."

Hong Zhiyou grumbled.

He had to remember to remind Mi Zhiguo not to be greedy for those matches and soap, or else he'd get "BANGED" again.

"I'm your lackey, alright? Once I'm better, just give me the orders," Yu Zecheng apologized sincerely.

Hong Zhiyou didn't pay him any mind and went downstairs.

Just as he reached the second floor, he saw Ding Defeng smoking at the corner.

"Secretary Hong." Seeing Hong Zhiyou, he hurriedly waved.

"Director Ding, something up?"

The hospital was an important department, and who doesn't get a headache or fever? Hong Zhiyou immediately put on a business smile.

"The matter I entrusted Mrs. Kang to tell you last time?" the Mediterranean-haired director asked with a fawning smile.

"Matter?"

"Oh, she mentioned it. I've been busy these past two days and forgot."

"Tell me, what is it?"

Hong Zhiyou cursed the stinky woman inwardly for being greedy for pleasure and forgetting things, but he always protected her in speech.

"My nephew just graduated from the Baoding Police Academy and wants to find a job at the Jinhai Police Bureau. I ask Secretary Hong to show your magic and smooth things over with Section Chief Lu," Ding Defeng smiled.

Hong Zhiyou didn't speak, rubbing his fingers.

"Two hundred silver dollars."

"Plus one gold bar, how about that?"

"Cleaning latrines or standing on the street is fine, as long as there's a position."

"You know, these days without a proper post, it's hard to find a wife; families with even a little status look down on you."

"I'm also being forced by my elder sister with no other choice; I ask Secretary Hong to accommodate me."

Ding Defeng said.

"Add another gold bar."

If it weren't to sell a favor to Lu Qiao, Hong Zhiyou really wouldn't look at such small-time business.

"Done, done."

Ding Defeng hurriedly went into his office and grabbed a bag.

Hong Zhiyou took a glance: "Things are busy at the station lately; in a few days, tell your nephew to go directly to the police bureau to report."

"Also, I have a matter to ask of you, old brother."

"I have a friend whose father is ill; trouble you to call a vehicle to bring him over and arrange a better doctor."

Hong Zhiyou took a fountain pen from his pocket, scribbled an address, and handed it to Ding Defeng.

"Secretary Hong's handwriting is truly like the man himself, full of spirit."

Ding Defeng flattered him, then patted his chest to express his stance:

"I will go pick him up personally right now."

"Using the best doctors, the best medicine."

"I guarantee he'll be cured."

"Also, give this to him and say it's from Section Chief Yu." Hong Zhiyou took out old Yu's loose change and added fifty US dollars, slapping it into Ding Defeng's hand.

"Understood." Ding Defeng put it in his pocket and went off to handle it efficiently.

Hong Zhiyou went to the Falanxi Club and opened a room.

Quietly.

He slept soundly for the night.

The next day.

Eight o'clock in the morning.

He returned to the station on time for work.

Station Chief's office.

Wu Jingzhong was drinking tea and chatting with a young military officer.

"Station Chief, we have a guest." Hong Zhiyou stepped forward and saluted.

"Come, Secretary Hong, let me introduce you."

"This is the beloved general of the Chairman and Boss Dai, Section Chief Shen Zui."

Wu Jingzhong introduced with a beaming smile.

"Section Chief Shen, I have long admired your name; it is like thunder to my ears." Hong Zhiyou hurriedly stood at attention and saluted.

"Zhiyou, you and I are of the same generation, no need for formalities."

"Crack."

He picked up a walnut with one hand and crushed it into fragments with a casual squeeze.

"It is rumored that General Shen's martial arts are astonishing; it is truly no false report. Today I have had my eyes opened." Hong Zhiyou hurriedly offered rainbow-colored flattery.

"Haha, it's not fit for high society, just barely enough to deal with the devils."

"Sit."

Shen Zui smiled, feeling very pleased, and raised his hand to call out in a familiar manner.

"Yes!" Hong Zhiyou sat down properly.

Wu Jingzhong wore a faint smile on his face.

He knew Shen Zui's habits and didn't mind.

After all, he is young; his temperament is still impulsive and flamboyant.

"Zhiyou, the people have been brought back."

"Call old Wu and interrogate them strictly, especially that Li Guanhua; this person is a traitor through and through."

"After the confession, have them sign and press their thumbprints; all assets are to be confiscated."

"Also, screen out the few innocent ones; we must still be fair and just in our work."

Wu Jingzhong gave the order, then turned to look at Shen Zui:

"Special Envoy, is there any problem with my arrangement?"

"What Special Envoy? With you, old brother, I will always be the little brother."

"You handle it."

Shen Zui grabbed a handful of walnut meat and stuffed it into his mouth.

Wu Jingzhong was very efficient in his work.

After some harsh interrogation by Old Five, those people from the Chamber of Commerce, whose backgrounds were not clean to begin with, gave everything up after being worn down.

Wu Jingzhong directly sent military police to Beiping to raid their homes overnight.

The next morning, they brought back a full ten truckloads.

"Brother, let Secretary Hong count them."

"He is a sensible man."

"To avoid missing anything and making it hard to report to the Bureau Chief."

Looking at the treasures and household items piled up in the square behind, Wu Jingzhong felt a pain in his liver.

"I'll listen to you."

"Back when we were dealing with the Japanese, I never suffered any losses following your brother-in-law, you, and Old Qiao."

"I trust the way you handle things, brother."

Shen Zui said, understanding the implication.

"Zhiyou, count them clearly."

"The Bureau Chief will want to inspect them later."

Wu Jingzhong stood on the steps and shouted.

"Don't worry, I guarantee not a single piece will be missing, and everything is registered clearly," Hong Zhiyou replied, accepting the order.

Six o'clock in the afternoon.

The convoy went to the train station and was sent directly to Jingling.

Hong Zhiyou returned to report.

"Station Chief, Director Shen."

"The items have already been shipped away," he reported, standing straight.

"Nothing was left behind, right?" Wu Jingzhong asked, raising his eyebrows in a hint.

"Oh."

"A few pieces were damaged during transport from Beiping."

"I was afraid it would be hard to account for, so I didn't register them."

"Some were loaded onto trucks and handed over to Director Shen's guards to be taken to Shanghai for repairs."

"I kept the others."

"There are many skilled craftsmen in Jinhai; it won't be too late to hand them over after they are repaired."

Hong Zhiyou reported with a straight face.

"Not bad."

"Secretary Hong, no wonder Station Chief Wu always praises you for being shrewd and capable."

"Handing over damaged goods would only annoy the Bureau Chief, wouldn't it?"

Shen Zui laughed.

"That's true, that's true."

"Sharing the burden for the Bureau Chief is our duty," Wu Jingzhong also agreed happily.

"Alright, I'm going back to report."

"Brother, watch out for Mao Renfeng; that Ma Kui under your command is shouting about being wronged in the Inspection Office every day."

"Who knows what kind of trouble he might stir up."

"By the way, where is that righteous man who assassinated Li Haifeng?"

Shen Zui stood up and asked one more question.

"Ma Kui drove him to a mental breakdown; he's dazed and lying in the hospital," Wu Jingzhong sighed.

"Alas, the Party and State are being consumed by internal friction from people like Mao Renfeng."

"Otherwise, would the Red agents dare to be so rampant?"

"They even dare to make wild accusations against field officers personally commended by the Bureau Chief."

"I'm off!"

Shen Zui shook his head and sighed, walking away with his hands behind his back in an old-fashioned manner.

Wu Jingzhong and Hong Zhiyou saw him all the way to the station.

"Zhiyou, what exactly was damaged?"

On the way back, Wu Jingzhong asked with a smile he could no longer suppress.

"When clearing the warehouse, I invited several old appraisers from Jinhai."

"There were a few exceptionally good pieces I didn't dare to keep."

"I gave Director Shen a Tang Dynasty gold Buddha and a Yuan Dynasty wide-mouthed vase; those were the big items."

"I only kept two small trinkets for you."

Hong Zhiyou said in a low voice.

"You..." Wu Jingzhong curled his lip, and his face fell.

"Don't be anxious, Teacher."

"That pair you have are chicken-cup bowls from the Chenghua era, and they are a matching pair."

"The appraisers said they are worth a fortune and are great for collecting."

"There are also items used by the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty."

"I don't know much about it, but the old gentlemen said the total value is at least twice that of the big items Director Shen got."

Hong Zhiyou explained with a smile.

"Phew."

Wu Jingzhong felt relieved and pointed at him, praising him with a smile:

"I can still trust you when it comes to getting things done."

"Well done!"

"Serving my superior, how could I not give one hundred percent of my heart," Hong Zhiyou said modestly.

"That relative of mine, did you pick them out?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I did."

"I've arranged for them to be in the reception room, and I'll send them back to Rongbin this afternoon."

"I won't hide it from you, Teacher, they paid the final installment two days ago and were just waiting for this final blow."

Hong Zhiyou said with a shrewd smile.

He knew Wu Jingzhong had sent Liu Xiong to dig up his background, so it was better to be honest.

"Hmm." Wu Jingzhong nodded with satisfaction.

"You've won quite a bit of money playing cards with the ladies over these past few months."

"It's time to settle down."

Wu Jingzhong prodded him with a pointed remark.

"I haven't met the right one yet."

"Teacher, about Wanqiu's label as a traitor..." Hong Zhiyou still felt he should fight for his little darling.

"That kind of woman is a femme fatale; you must stay away from her."

"Once Mu Liancheng is dealt with, let her go wherever it's cool."

"Yingxue is a graduate of Cambridge University."

"Very modern, and she doesn't look any worse than Mu Liancheng's niece."

"I think highly of you; we'll talk and see when you meet."

Wu Jingzhong turned his head and whispered instructions.

"Yes, Station Chief, I hope I have that good fortune," Hong Zhiyou accepted the order happily.

He knew Old Wu wouldn't remove the label for Wanqiu.

It was a good thing he had a backup plan.

"Let's go, to the hospital."

"The autumn weather is crisp today; back in the Qing Dynasty, this would be the perfect season for executions at the vegetable market."

"Our Jinhai Station should execute a batch too."

Wu Jingzhong directly ordered the driver to divert to the Army Hospital.

Hong Zhiyou sighed inwardly.

Shopkeeper Qiu's head, I'm afraid, is hard to save.

Boss Dai, it all depends on you!

Report to all the big bosses, the 20, 00-word update for the first day is finished. Thank you all for your subscriptions, monthly tickets, and recommendation tickets.

Thanks to WRGG18 for the tip, much appreciated.

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(End of chapter)