Chapter 89: Executing Wanlilang

"Caught him so quickly?" Wu Jingzhong asked with a frown.

"The kid went into Yixian to buy grain, and Section Chief Xiao devised a plan to arrest him in secret.

"We found over a dozen silver dollars on him.

"Station Chief, how could a villager have so much money?

"This is clearly someone out buying supplies for the guerrillas in the mountains," Liu Xiong said.

"One cannot rely on guesswork for everything.

"Interrogate him first!

"We'll talk once you've gotten something out of him," Wu Jingzhong said in a deep voice.

"Understood," Liu Xiong acknowledged the order.

"Check, check.

"All you know is checking from morning till night. Back in our village, everyone used to pool a dollar together to buy grain.

"So what if he had a dozen silver dollars?

"Sooner or later, you'll have checked everyone into nothing, and then you'll be happy."

Once Liu Xiong left, Mei Qiuju began to grumble.

"Catching Red Tickets is basic work.

"Section Chief Liu is just doing his job."

Wu Jingzhong offered an explanation, though it left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Doing your job, my foot.

"Looking at the big picture, Boss Dai sends Ye Ziming to be brothers with the Japanese every day, and Zhou Fuhai and Ding Mocun are still living like lords in the White Mansion with a bunch of women waiting on them.

"Looking at the immediate situation, Li Zongren's rank is no higher than yours, and isn't he flirting with the Red Tickets too?

"You've only got this little business in your pocket, yet you insist on tossing it all away.

"Are you stupid?

"Keep checking; sooner or later, you'll have checked this home into nothing, and then you'll be happy."

Mei Qiuju picked up a towel and threw it at him in annoyance.

"The Jinhai Station is a fortress personally designated by the Generalissimo.

"To resist foreign aggression, one must first ensure internal stability.

"The Red Tickets must still be investigated."

Wu Jingzhong toyed with a bronze pot and sighed softly.

He had made up his mind.

If Liu Xiong pulled any more stunts over this matter, he wouldn't blame him for turning hostile.

……

Hong Zhiyou drove and dropped Zhou Gendi off at her door:

"Sister-in-law, we're home. Get some rest early."

"Thank you for tonight. I haven't been this happy in a long time."

Zhou Gendi had enjoyed the long-lost spotlight, and her mood was quite good.

"How will you thank me?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"However you want to be thanked—on your stomach, on your back, I'm fine with anything," Zhou Gendi said, her eyes melting with seduction, no longer bothering to hide her hunger.

"Oh my, you're a quick learner," Hong Zhiyou pinched her slender waist and laughed lewdly.

"How could I not be?

"I'm all alone, with no one to cherish or love me.

"Leaving this good figure and good frame to go to waste—in a few more years, I'll be old."

Zhou Gendi had also come to terms with things.

She couldn't count on Ma Kui; she had to fight for her own happiness and money.

"Come inside. I feel like I'm burning up like a furnace; I'm about to explode."

She had drunk quite a bit tonight, her face was flushed, and her speech was becoming increasingly bold.

"My dear sister, can you not be so addicted?

"You've held out for so many years, why rush now?

"Captain Ma is coming back, and an imperial envoy is not someone I can afford to provoke,"

Hong Zhiyou flicked her delicate nose and teased.

"I don't want to wait even a second; I want you right now," Zhou Gendi cupped his face and whimpered coquettishly.

"You really are a vixen.

"Here is money for cards; if you run out, come find me."

Hong Zhiyou took out his newly bought wallet and stuffed the few hundred dollars inside into her hand all at once.

"You really are a fool.

"When people go to the Yingchun Pavilion, they pay money to get served.

"You give me money—what are you after?"

Zhou Gendi was both happy and annoyed.

She loved money, but she also wanted to love a man.

"You'll know when the time comes.

"Just endure it a little longer.

"There will be plenty of food and drink for you."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and turned to leave.

"All desire, no guts."

Zhou Gendi curled her lip, her high heels clicking as she swayed her hips up the steps.

"Damn it, daring to call me a thief.

"Sooner or later, I'll make you call me Daddy!"

Hong Zhiyou stared at her swaying hips, swallowed hard, and dove into his car.

……

Back in the courtyard.

After a shower, he had just laid down.

The bed of the couple upstairs began to creak incessantly again.

"Old Zhou, does it sound good?" Hong Zhiyou flipped through a boring magazine and glanced at Zhou Yafu, who was swallowing hard.

"Ahem...

"You say, why is Mrs. Yu so quiet? It always feels like something's missing," Zhou Yafu said, still wanting more.

"Silent tigers are the ones that eat people," Hong Zhiyou chuckled dryly.

"That's true.

"With Mrs. Yu's skills, she could sit Director Yu to death," Zhou Yafu laughed obscenely.

"Keep listening then."

Hong Zhiyou shook his head, put on his clothes, got up, and walked out.

"Son of a bitch, if only I could play cards with the wives every day.

"Heaven has no eyes, and the Station Chief is unfair,"

Zhou Yafu sighed.

Then, he pulled his secret stash from under the pillow and counted it.

Four silver dollars left.

The monitoring bonus Liu Xiong promised hadn't been paid yet.

This month's salary had already gone to four trips to the Yingchun Pavilion.

Sigh.

If he went again, he wouldn't even have money to eat; he'd have to go back to playing cards with Mi Zhiguo and Chen Genbao.

Better save it.

When he had money later and became a section chief or deputy station chief, wouldn't women be his to play with as he pleased?

"Adi, I like you..."

He grabbed two tissues, dove under the covers, and listening to the creaking, closed his eyes and laughed lewdly.

Tonight, Mrs. Ma's seductive, big bottom, those breasts, that face—it was truly something.

"Adi!"

……

The night grew deep.

Hong Zhiyou drove straight to the Yong residence.

Yong Jianqiu opened the door to welcome him personally.

"Where is Miss Manzhu?" Hong Zhiyou asked, hands in his pockets, looking around the hall.

"She went to her sister's place."

"My daughter married Officer Yang some time ago," Yong Jianqiu said indifferently.

Hong Zhiyou looked at him without offering an opinion.

He only felt a bit of pity for the second young lady in his heart.

"Are there still military supplies and medicine?" Yong Jianqiu had no time for sentiment and got straight to the point.

"Yes.

"But they can't be transported recently; Liu Xiong from the Security Section has his eyes locked on me.

"The South Wind Company has also run into trouble.

"If this person isn't dealt with, the deal can't be discussed."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Sigh, the border region is in a tight spot," Yong Jianqiu sighed with worry.

He had money but nowhere to spend it.

Hong Zhiyou had money but no way to earn it.

"You need to be alive to spend the money you earn, sorry," Hong Zhiyou shrugged, indicating he couldn't help.

"Do you want me to find someone to finish off this Liu Xiong?" Yong Jianqiu was out of options.

"I know your people are very capable.

"But this man is an old hand from Chicken Goose Alley, very cautious in his daily life; the key is that if you really silence him, Wu Jingzhong will suspect me and Yu Zecheng first.

"He might even root you out entirely.

"Never underestimate the Juntong Bureau; after all, Jinmen is the territory of the Party-State, and the 94th Army is no pushover.

"Let's be clear, I can't find a second Hu Die to save the day."

Hong Zhiyou waved his hands quickly, urging him to abandon that thought.

This was no longer the Japanese occupation period where one could act without restraint and profit from killing a Japanese soldier.

In fact, both the Green and Red sides had always maintained restraint regarding the assassination of key officials.

Both sides had talent and ruthless hands.

Neither side was stupid.

Sometimes, killing one person only invites greater trouble.

"Then what should we do?" Yong Jianqiu had the power of money, but he truly lacked experience in this area.

"Wu Jingzhong will get rid of him.

"Just like back then, when he couldn't stand it anymore and got rid of Master Zhang Si.

"However, I need you to help me stir up some trouble.

"Can you exert some influence on that road at Xizifeng?" Hong Zhiyou picked up a pear and took a bite.

"That depends on how much influence you need," Yong Jianqiu said.

"In two days, Wu Jingzhong will have a shipment of liquor passing through Xizifeng on its way to Jinmen.

"Have your friends help create the illusion that there are bandits active nearby.

"The louder the rumors, the better."

Hong Zhiyou said while eating.

"No problem, we have our people in the garrison there; I'll have them loosen the reins and let the bandits come down a few times to stir up trouble.

"Bandits are always most willing to do that kind of thing."

Yong Jianqiu agreed readily.

"Thanks, Mr. Yong." Hong Zhiyou stood up to leave.

"Wait, there's one more thing I'd like to ask for your help with," Yong Jianqiu called out to him.

"Senior Du Xinwu has a friend of a different generation from Cangzhou named Li Jinghua.

"He has a nickname you should have heard of: Swallow Li San."

Yong Jianqiu said.

"Didn't he die in a Beiping prison long ago?" Hong Zhiyou had heard of this person.

"Li Jinghua has a disciple named Lin Tian.

"He is one of our..."

Before Yong Jianqiu could finish, Hong Zhiyou interrupted immediately: "He is one of your people."

"Don't talk nonsense, people will die."

"Yes!" Yong Jianqiu gave an apologetic smile and continued:

"Not long ago, there was a traitor at the Baoding traffic station, and Lin Tian was caught while transporting supplies.

"I know your Station Chief Wu has deep roots.

"Old Master Du hopes you can pull some strings to save this man."

"Hu Zongnan is currently blockading very fiercely, and the transport of supplies is a key focus for the Juntong Bureau; this is very difficult to handle," Hong Zhiyou feigned difficulty.

"Is there anything in Jinmen that can stump you, Secretary Hong?

"Gold, US dollars, antiques—just name your price.

"Money is no object."

Yong Jianqiu looked at him and said with grand generosity.

"Does this person hold an official position?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Yes.

"He is a low-level officer in the Baoding Security Brigade garrison," Yong Jianqiu said.

"Fine.

"As long as he has an official status, he can survive; no matter who identifies him, tell him to insist that he was only involved in stealing military supplies.

"But it's impossible to get out of this completely.

"Go to the Shuitun Prison and be a big shot for a year or two."

Hong Zhiyou thought for a moment and said.

"Fine.

"Old Master Du said that as long as his life is saved, that's enough.

"He is currently rushing here from Cili; if you can save Lin Tian, the old gentleman might even see you.

"He is a true divine physician.

"The Thousand-Hammer Ointment—without some personal favor, you couldn't buy it even with a fortune."

Yong Jianqiu said in a low voice with a smile.

"Then I shall await Old Master Du," Hong Zhiyou finished the conversation and stood up to leave.

Just as he reached the door.

A car drove in.

A woman with a shawl draped over her was hunched over, waiting for Yong Manzhu to get out of the car.

"Let me."

Hong Zhiyou walked over with a smile.

"Can you carry me?" Yong Manzhu asked.

"Try me."

Hong Zhiyou opened his arms.

"Men and women should keep their distance," Yong Manzhu gave a playful smile and sat on the edge of the car seat, not moving.

"Shouldn't the new era be about men and women working together without getting tired?"

Hong Zhiyou said as he scooped her up by the waist.

"Who's working with you? You're a dog secret agent, and I am..."

Yong Manzhu tilted her chin, her eyes sparkling like jewels as she stared at him.

This person was like a riddle, full of mystery.

He was clearly a scoundrel in love.

A corrupt bureaucrat who came to the house to extort them every other day.

Yet, her father and sister both treated him differently; judging by her sister's tone, she even wanted her to date him.

She really didn't know what they were thinking.

"Don't try to charm me; I'm insulated against you.

"Carrying you is just to make it easier to report back."

Hong Zhiyou chuckled and placed her on the sofa.

As she landed.

He pinched her shapely bottom.

He couldn't help it; a thief never leaves empty-handed, and if he didn't take a little advantage, Hong Zhiyou would feel like he was losing out.

"You!

"Scoundrel!"

Yong Manzhu pouted and glared at him.

"Better to be a scoundrel; once you're rotten, you stick to whoever you touch."

"Only a sweet, naive person like you would let others hoist you up on a high wall to be a bodhisattva."

Hong Zhiyou pinched her cheek and left with a flourish.

"Ahem!"

Yong Jianqiu felt secretly ashamed.

"Dad, that dog secret agent is bullying me again." Yong Manzhu was furious.

"That's not bullying, it's care."

"In this day and age, a kind and capable person like Secretary Hong is as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns."

Yong Jianqiu watched the retreating back and sighed heavily.

At night.

An autumn rain fell.

Liu Xiong arrived at the abandoned warehouse of the Military Police with an umbrella.

Ma Kui was drinking and chatting with a burly military officer whose back of the head looked like it had been plowed.

"Old Liu, you're here," Ma Kui said, standing up.

"Why hasn't the Imperial Envoy returned to the station, instead hiding here in the Military Police warehouse gathering dust?" Liu Xiong glanced around; it was dilapidated and broken, indeed a good place to hide.

"Old Ma, Section Chief Liu, you two talk." The officer wiped his mouth and prepared to leave.

"Old Tang, I'll find you if there's anything else." Ma Kui nodded coldly.

"Old Liu, Yu Zecheng and the one surnamed Qiu are Red Tickets."

"I was set up by someone; you're a Grey Hawk, you can't possibly not see that, right?"

Ma Kui sat down, picked up a piece of pig head meat, and chewed as he spoke.

"I know."

"Inspector Huang, Qiu Ji, Yu Zecheng, and that Secretary Hong all set the trap together." Liu Xiong nodded.

"I just don't understand, the Station Chief is a veteran in the intelligence world, how could he not see it?" Ma Kui frowned, his pickled pig ears crunching loudly as he chewed.

"Your methods were too clumsy; there was no evidence," Liu Xiong said.

Sigh, it wasn't that the Station Chief couldn't see it.

It involved the Lady and Hu Die.

The pressure from above was too great; even if he saw it, he couldn't say it.

He was well aware of this.

Yu Zecheng was someone Dai Li had personally named.

That was why Liu Xiong spared no effort in searching for evidence to relieve Wu Jingzhong's worries.

"I'm not going back to the station this time."

"You and I are on the same path."

"I came back this time to join forces with you to find evidence against Yu Zecheng."

"You stay in the light, I'll stay in the dark; it'll be easier to get things done."

Ma Kui said coldly.

"What evidence?" Liu Xiong asked.

"Yu Zecheng's relationship with Lü Zongfang when he was in Jingling."

"He was once saved by Boss Tie of the Shaanxi Guild Hall; the Shaanxi Guild Hall was later taken down by Wan Lilang, and it has been confirmed that it was a transit station for Red Tickets."

"It has nothing to do with Situ Guangzong."

"Everything was a pretext fabricated by the Red Tickets."

Ma Kui took a sip of wine and said coldly.

"Evidence?" Liu Xiong repeated.

"I had already found a witness, Meng Jun from the Army Hospital."

"His wife can confirm that Meng Jun saved Yu Zecheng at the guild hall."

"It's just a pity that Shopkeeper Qiu set a trap and framed me."

"By the time I returned this time, Mrs. Meng had already been silenced, and that military doctor resigned a few days ago; his whereabouts are unknown."

"Otherwise, with this one point, I could have nailed Yu Zecheng."

Ma Kui said through gritted teeth.

"I didn't come here to listen to your nonsense." Liu Xiong had no interest in such dead evidence.

"There's one more person."

"Wan Lilang."

"He personally searched the guild hall, investigated Situ Guangzong, and found some residual documents with his subordinates."

"Wan Lilang and his subordinate, Section Chief Qin, investigated, and Situ Guangzong never even went to that street where the guild hall was that day."

Ma Kui said decisively.

"How do you know that?" Liu Xiong asked, frowning.

I heard them say it with my own ears... Ma Kui put down his chopsticks, annoyed:

"Why do you ask so much?"

"As long as we catch Wan Lilang, won't everything be clear?"

"Wan Lilang is now the Director of the Shanghu Station; he's not easy to catch." Liu Xiong shook his head.

"Hmph, the headquarters' list for purging traitors will be out soon."

"He's on it."

"You and I must act early, otherwise he will definitely run."

"I heard wind from Mao Sen's side that Wan Lilang is already preparing to run."

Ma Kui sneered and took a sip of wine.

"Fine, I'll try my best to arrange it," Liu Xiong said.

Wan Lilang, the little driver Xiao Wuzi.

He didn't believe that with a two-pronged approach, Yu Zecheng wouldn't be exposed.

A beautiful morning begins with waking up in Wanqiu's arms.

Hong Zhiyou finished breakfast and arrived at the station to wipe the tables as usual.

"Zhiyou, go, call Director Yu over," Wu Jingzhong said with a smile.

Hong Zhiyou called Yu Zecheng over.

"Station Chief, do you have something to see me about?" Yu Zecheng asked with a respectful smile.

"Yes."

"Eat!"

Wu Jingzhong smiled and took out an exquisite wooden steamer from underneath; upon opening it, there were two portions of fine breakfast:

"Rice noodle rolls."

"The Yuedong chef your sister-in-law brought over made them; she insisted I bring some for you to taste."

"I'm not used to eating them anyway; I prefer that mutton soup and flatbread."

"You two hurry up and taste them while they're hot."

Must say, the taste wasn't bad.

After the two finished eating, they sat on the sofa together drinking tea.

"In a while, you two come with me to meet someone."

"From Jingling."

Wu Jingzhong said in a low voice.

Hong Zhiyou gave him a look, and Yu Zecheng understood and stood up:

"Station Chief, I'll go urge the various sections for their documents first; you two talk."

"Zhiyou, is there something?" Wu Jingzhong asked happily.

Every time these two boys came to talk to him about private matters, it was guaranteed to be about delivering money.

"Station Chief, I went to the Yong family to date last night, didn't I?"

"Yong Jianqiu wants to ask you to bail someone out."

Hong Zhiyou explained Yong Jianqiu's matter in detail.

"The bureau is quite strict about cracking down on the resale of supplies right now."

"Those who dare to resell goods to the border regions at this time are mostly Red Tickets."

"Zhiyou, going against the current will capsize the boat; we can't do just any job."

Wu Jingzhong tapped the table to remind him.

"Teacher, this person is a garrison soldier, not a Red Ticket; aren't there plenty of people like the 94th Army reselling supplies?"

"Besides, if you don't bail him out."

"Du Xinwu knows quite a few Party-State elders."

"If he goes to find Sun Ke, even Station Chief Wang of Baoding would have to release the person obediently."

"Yong Jianqiu is willing to offer you fifty thousand US dollars."

"It's just a matter of you making a phone call to Station Chief Wang."

"Moreover, there is no need for you to release him on bail."

"Just follow the procedure to transfer him to Shuitun Prison, give him a lighter sentence, and then have Section Chief Yu ask Liao Sanmin to look after him."

"Neither you nor Station Chief Wang will take any risks."

"It's money for nothing, why not take it?"

Hong Zhiyou lobbied in a low voice.

"Are you sure? No bail, just sentencing and transfer?" Wu Jingzhong raised an eyebrow, already tempted.

"I am sure," Hong Zhiyou said.

"I'll give it a try."

A smile appeared on Wu Jingzhong's face as he picked up the telephone and dialed the number efficiently:

"It's me, Wu Jingzhong."

"Brother, do you have a man named Lin Tian there? Yes, the one caught for reselling military supplies."

"Oh, brother, where did all these red bills come from?"

"This person has connections to Du Xinwu and knows Dean Sun; you'll have trouble if you interrogate him too much."

"Yes, just hand him over to me."

"No need to release him, would I ever cause you trouble, brother?"

"Just say Baoding Prison is full, so he's being transferred to Shuitun Prison; sentence him as you should, and let him serve his time."

"Yes, yes."

"Alright then, thank you, brother."

"Didn't your daughter graduate from Nankai? The Police Department is missing a Section Chief for the Archives Division, let her go there to gain some experience."

"There's nothing inappropriate about it."

"Won't the future of the Party-State have to be handed over to the children sooner or later? Just consider it early training; start her as a deputy section chief, and she can be promoted to full section chief next year!"

"If she doesn't like the work, she can pick any position at the Municipal Government."

"We're old friends, why stand on ceremony with me? It's settled."

"Clack!" Wu Jingzhong hung up the phone.

"Done."

"Later, have Section Chief Yu go to Shuitun Prison to handle the procedure."

"Tell Liao Sanmin to be careful; don't let him die in prison like last time."

Wu Jingzhong still had a conscience when taking money to get things done.

"Station Chief, your powers are truly vast," Hong Zhiyou offered some flattery.

"You keep working hard."

"When I retire in the future and you sit in this chair, you will be just as powerful," Wu Jingzhong encouraged him with a smile.

"Station Chief, I will follow you wherever you go."

"If you retire, I will go to Yuezhou or Xiangdao with you."

"If I stay behind, I'll just get killed."

"Besides, I'm still just a Lieutenant; a Major General is like the moon in the sky, visible but unreachable."

Hong Zhiyou peeled an orange for him while flattering him.

"Who says there's no merit to be had?"

"Wan Lilang from Shanghu has fled; this man knows many of Boss Dai's private affairs."

"Now Ye Xiufeng is searching the world for him, hoping to find dirt on the Boss."

"If you catch him, Boss Dai will promote you in a heartbeat."

Wu Jingzhong took the orange, gave him half, and lowered his voice.

"That's great, thank you for the tip, Teacher," Hong Zhiyou was overjoyed.

"Whether you succeed or not depends on your own skills," Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"By the way, Teacher."

"Yesterday, when I went to meet with Rong Bin's people from the Cao Gang, someone followed me. Nothing will go wrong, will it?"

Hong Zhiyou paused, looking worried.

Wu Jingzhong pondered for a moment.

Hong Zhiyou was very well-connected in Jinhai.

He was familiar with the garrison and the gangs; no one would mess with him.

The Garrison Command's Inspection Division didn't have the spare time.

The Military Police were under his own command.

Sun Chuanzhi of the Zhongtong was a cowardly wretch; even with ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare investigate his own secretary.

The only possibility was Liu Xiong.

Sigh.

This man was truly something else.

Hard to deal with.

"You are my man, what could possibly happen?"

"Don't worry, if the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you."

Wu Jingzhong raised his eyebrows and said proudly.

"Thank you, Teacher. Your student knew that following you was the right choice," Hong Zhiyou said respectfully.

From this tone, he knew that Wu Jingzhong knew it was Liu Xiong's doing.

This was also why he didn't directly reveal Chen Genbao.

Some things, once said, become an open hand; it would make things difficult for his superior, leaving no room for maneuver.

No rush, let the bullets fly a little longer.

He didn't believe that the upcoming "double-gun chain" wouldn't kill Liu Xiong.

Noon.

Wu Jingzhong personally took Yu Zecheng and Hong Zhiyou to the Falanxi Club.

In a luxurious private room.

A middle-aged man wearing a long gown, slightly plump, was holding two foreign women and listening to music, enjoying himself.

"Old Wu is here."

Seeing Wu Jingzhong, he waved his hand, and the women and guards all retreated.

"Mr. Ye, has your trip to Jinhai been pleasant?"

"You two, let me introduce you; this is Mr. Ye Ziming, a special envoy for Boss Dai."

"Mr. Ye has great influence."

Wu Jingzhong introduced them with a smile.

"You are the Crab, the Qingpu hero who assassinated Li Haifeng and was personally commended by Boss Dai," Ye Ziming recognized Yu Zecheng at a glance.

It was Yu Zecheng who had used Wan Lilang's radio to send the telegram back then.

This was also why he had specifically requested Yu for this mission.

"Back in Jingling, many people thought I had died for the country; it was thanks to Officer Ye for testifying for me and recommending me to return to Shancheng to receive the award."

"Without you, there would be no Zecheng today."

"Thank you, Officer Ye."

Yu Zecheng bowed deeply.

"It is the cultivation of the Party-State," Ye Ziming laughed.

"This must be Secretary Hong; Section Chief Shen and Miss Hu Die have mentioned you quite a bit."

"Young and promising, with a bright future."

Ye Ziming shook hands with both of them.

"Thank you, Officer. Your student will strive for new merits," Hong Zhiyou shook hands with both hands, nodding and bowing.

"Sit."

"I came this time to capture Wan Lilang. This man betrayed the country for glory; he is the number one traitor on the execution list personally named by the Leader."

"According to intelligence, Wan Lilang has fled and is highly likely to be escaping to Wannan with his mistress."

"Of course, that is the public information."

"I have reliable intelligence that Wan Lilang will openly send people with assets to Wannan to confuse pursuers, while he himself will likely come to Jinhai to board an American merchant ship and flee overseas."

"We have already made arrangements with General Butler."

"I heard Secretary Hong has classmates in the Marine Corps."

"That is perfect for carrying out the capture mission."

"Remember, once you catch Wan Lilang, execute him on the spot; you must not let this man leave Jinhai alive."

Ye Ziming ordered coldly.

"Yes!"

The two received their orders.

Wu Jingzhong spoke a few more private words inside.

A moment later, he walked out.

"Ye Ziming is notoriously demanding; you two must handle this matter cleanly, or it will be hard to answer to Boss Dai," Wu Jingzhong cautioned as he walked.

"Yes."

"Master, would it be better to let Section Chief Liu execute this?"

"He is a veteran and more skilled in this area."

Yu Zecheng asked.

"No."

"He doesn't know the Americans, and he has urgent matters at hand right now."

"Ye Ziming once swore brotherhood with Wan Lilang in private."

"Wan Lilang was originally hiding in Wannan."

"I don't know what Ye Ziming said to him, but he tricked him into coming to Jinhai, wanting to smuggle him to North America."

"In this day and age, people's hearts are hard to fathom."

Wu Jingzhong gave Yu Zecheng a meaningful look, and after finishing, he walked away with his hands behind his back.

"What did the Station Chief mean?"

"Is he saying our hearts are hard to fathom?" Yu Zecheng stood frozen in place, inexplicably terrified.

"Not us, it's you, alright?"

"Who told you to let Liu Xiong stumble upon your wife's landmine."

"Let's go, finish off Wan Lilang first, and wipe the shit off our backsides before anything else."

Hong Zhiyou draped an arm over his shoulder and walked outside.

"Sigh, the expensive bronze ware I gave Mr. Yong was given for nothing; this trick of yours isn't working either." Yu Zecheng shook his head and sighed.

"Not working?"

"You and your wife would be on the electric chair right now."

"Let's go, go catch someone and earn some merit."

Hong Zhiyou urged him into the car.

"Station Chief." As Wu Jingzhong returned to the station, Liu Xiong buzzed over like a fly.

"What is it?"

He suppressed his irritation and asked with a gentle smile on his face.

"That little guy Xiao Wuzi refuses to confess."

"He insists that Mrs. Yu is just a pig farmer," Liu Xiong said, troubled.

"Then she is a pig farmer."

"Release him immediately, send him back quietly, and make sure he keeps his mouth shut."

Wu Jingzhong really did not want to investigate anymore.

Just because of this damn trivial matter, he gets nagged by his wife every day when he gets home.

It's annoying as hell!

"The problem is, this kid is not an ordinary person."

"He really is a farmer."

"Even if it were his own mother or grandmother, after being tortured for a night, they should have confessed by now."

"He won't confess; he refuses to say a word."

"A typical die-hard."

Liu Xiong frowned.

"What do you want to do?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"Directly arrest Mrs. Yu for interrogation," Liu Xiong said.

"That is absolutely out of the question."

"I have said that I trust Yu Zecheng."

"He is a student I brought up myself, and I was the one who handpicked him."

"If we arrest his wife without evidence and he makes a scene, wouldn't our Jinhai Station become a laughingstock?"

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand to reject the foolish proposal.

"Keep this person locked up for now; there is an urgent matter at hand."

"Wan Lilang has fled from Shanghu, and according to headquarters intelligence, his target is Wannan."

"Lu Qiaoshan should have received the telegram by now."

"You and Lu Qiaoshan take your men immediately and go to Wannan to make the arrest!"

Following Boss Dai's instructions, Wu Jingzhong created a diversion to make Wan Lilang feel that Jinhai was safe.

It was the perfect opportunity to transfer Liu Xiong away and have some peace for a few days.

"Station Chief."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lu Qiaoshan walked in with intelligence in hand, looking grave.

"Qiaoshan, it's about Wan Lilang, right?"

"A massive merit; it all depends on whether you two can seize it. Take your equipment immediately and dispatch men to Wannan."

Wu Jingzhong ordered sternly.

"Understood."

"This subordinate will definitely complete the mission." Lu Qiaoshan felt deeply favored and honored.

Liu Xiong was also happy to agree.

Ma Kui happened to want him to catch Wan Lilang, so this was the perfect opportunity.

"By the way, Station Chief, where are Secretary Hong and Section Chief Yu?"

"Should we take them with us?"

Lu Qiaoshan looked around, feeling a bit uneasy.

"They went to the Shangquan Society to scout the area."

"Besides, these two have too little experience; they aren't suitable for this kind of mission. It would be very troublesome if something went wrong."

"For big tasks, I still have to count on veterans like you."

Wu Jingzhong knew his ulterior motives and explained sternly.

"Yes!" Lu Qiaoshan was overjoyed and immediately accepted the order.

Jinhai.

Wan Lilang, disguised, stepped onto the American merchant ship.

The broad deck.

The clean cabin.

Seagulls cried, and the breeze was salty and damp.

His heart, which had been hanging for days, felt a little more at ease.

He had long since transferred his money.

He had also found a scapegoat in Wannan.

He had even fooled his mistress into going to Wannan to serve as a pawn.

Thanks to his sworn brother from back in the day, Ye Ziming, for coming up with this plan to deceive everyone.

"Sir, please show us your ticket."

A moment later, a foreigner dressed in crew attire walked over and said in broken Chinese.

"Alright."

Wan Lilang took out his fake documents and ticket and handed them over.

"Thank you."

The crew member checked them, returned them politely, and walked on.

Wan Lilang watched him vigilantly for a long while, and seeing that the man was still checking other people's tickets, he felt slightly more relaxed.

Toot.

Toot.

Black smoke billowed.

Accompanied by the long blast of the whistle, the merchant ship was about to set sail.

Just then, two middle-aged men carrying suitcases walked in.

"Make way!"

One person pushed through the aisle with his luggage.

The other followed behind him.

Wan Lilang frowned in annoyance.

He vigilantly reached his hand into his bosom, but unfortunately, he did not feel his gun.

There had been a security check when boarding the ship.

Fearing trouble, he had thrown the gun into the sea.

Just as he was feeling uneasy.

Another person drew a pistol equipped with a silencer and aimed it at his forehead.

"Biu, biu!"

Two shots struck the skull dead center.

That person then fired two more shots into Wan Lilang's heart area.

Wan Lilang's body convulsed, and he collapsed into a pool of blood.

The smell of blood permeated the air.

Someone in the cabin began to scream.

The two perpetrators lowered their hat brims and squeezed through the crowd amidst the screams and panic.

They reached the side of the ship.

The merchant ship's security guards blew their whistles and began to maintain order.

"This way."

Anderson, disguised as a sailor, waved at the two of them.

"Done."

Hong Zhiyou took off his gloves, pulled out a stack of U. . dollars, and stuffed them into Anderson's pocket.

"Pleasure doing business."

"I will take you away."

Anderson led the two of them off the ship quickly.

The two drove to a secluded spot, nimbly changed out of their clothes and hats, threw them into a pre-prepared gasoline drum, and burned them until nothing remained.

They arrived at the hotel.

Wu Jingzhong and Ye Ziming were chatting.

"How was it, did it go through?" Ye Ziming asked impatiently.

"Two shots to the head, two shots to the heart; Director Yu was the one who pulled the trigger." Hong Zhiyou did not dare to guarantee it.

"Good."

Ye Ziming picked up the desk phone and immediately called the people on the other side to verify.

(End of chapter)