Chapter 90: If You Do Not Enter the Tiger's Den, How Can You Catch the Tiger's Cub?

"Good."

"Understood."

Ye Ziming hung up the phone after a few brief sentences, then began to applaud:

"Congratulations to you both, for successfully eliminating the traitor and performing a monumental service!"

After a few polite exchanges, Ye Ziming looked at the two of them, his face serious as he said:

"Because this traitor-elimination plan requires secrecy, you two may not be able to receive official commendations for your service.

"But please rest assured, Boss Dai will certainly record this achievement for you in the merit book!"

"For the Party-State, for Boss Dai, this student dares not speak of merit."

Yu Zecheng hurriedly demurred.

"This is a small token of appreciation from Boss Dai for you.

"You two have worked hard!"

Ye Ziming took out gold bars and distributed them to the two.

One bar each.

It was... a small yellow fish.

What a monumental service!

It probably wasn't even enough for Ye Ziming's tips to foreign girls in a single night.

Leaving the hotel.

Wu Jingzhong looked at the two dejected men and smiled, comforting them:

"What is it? Are you not happy after performing a service?"

"Station Chief, Boss Dai's reward is too stingy.

"The errand money you usually give us is more than this."

Hong Zhiyou complained, praising one while stepping on the other.

Wu Jingzhong was overjoyed to hear this and laughed heartily:

"You don't understand.

"In this day and age, if you aren't a trusted confidant, people would rather throw money at a beggar than give you an extra cent.

"Even with this, Ye Ziming is likely feeling the pinch.

"Take Boss Dai, for example; he has given Ye Ziming so much gold and silver treasure, but would he give me a single cent?

"So, one must rely on oneself."

"Understood, we are just the teacher's trusted confidants." Yu Zecheng flattered him unobtrusively.

Wu Jingzhong nodded with satisfaction.

Noon.

He spent his own money to treat the two to an expensive seafood meal.

It counted as a reward for the two boys.

By the time they returned to the station, it was already past three in the afternoon.

Just as they sat down on the sofa, Lu Qiaoshan and Liu Xiong walked in, looking thoroughly depressed.

"Zecheng, you two go down first; the survey of the Shangquan Society Hall needs to speed up.

"General Zhang Luolin has called several times, demanding we finalize the negotiation site as soon as possible."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Yes."

The two took their orders and walked out.

"Well, did you two succeed?" Wu Jingzhong looked at them and asked with a smile.

"Station Chief, don't even mention it.

"As soon as we entered Ludong, the people hosting us there said Wan Lilang had already been executed."

Lu Qiaoshan sighed in deep frustration.

"It might have been the work of the Wannan station; they were the closest.

"Or it could have been Mao Sen's people.

"Station Chief Mao is a famous 'hound,' and since Wan Lilang slipped away right under his nose, he might have been trailing him all along."

Wu Jingzhong analyzed logically.

"Sigh, who knows." Lu Qiaoshan shook his head repeatedly.

"It is a pity..."

Wu Jingzhong was just about to comfort the two when the phone rang.

"Good, understood."

Hanging up the phone, he announced in a booming voice:

"Just received news, Wan Lilang was executed on an American merchant ship at the Jinmen port."

"Jinmen?

"That's right at our doorstep, and we didn't hear a whisper.

"Didn't headquarters intelligence say he was in Wannan?"

Lu Qiaoshan was greatly astonished.

"We cannot fathom the thoughts of those in high positions.

"As for this kind of dog traitor, let him die wherever he wants, let him go with the wind.

"Alright, pull yourselves together and get back to work.

"There will be plenty of opportunities for merit in the future."

Wu Jingzhong stood up and dismissed the two.

Secretary's office.

Yu Zecheng and Hong Zhiyou were drinking tea.

The radio was reporting on the execution of Wan Lilang.

The two looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

With Wan Lilang dead.

The direct evidence of Yu Zecheng's red tickets was basically destroyed.

*Slurp!

Yu Zecheng winked at him and deliberately slurped his tea loudly, venting the long-suppressed frustration in his heart.

Still so cheeky, Hong Zhiyou was just about to tease him.

"Chatting, are we?"

Lu Qiaoshan walked in.

"Section Chief Lu, what's wrong?

"Did you botch a job again? Your face looks so grim." Yu Zecheng stood up and moved to the side, yielding the main seat to this face-conscious man.

"Don't mention it!"

Lu Qiaoshan sat down heavily, crossed his legs, and slammed a file onto the table.

"It used to be Ma Kui... and the Station Chief leaving their tails exposed, now it's my turn.

"I wanted to pursue Wan Lilang and gain some capital for promotion.

"Turns out he hid in Jinmen, and like a fool, I did all that work for nothing.

"What's even more infuriating is that I already paid out the reward money to those brats!"

After venting his temper, Lu Qiaoshan curled his lip and spat out three words:

"A bloody loss!"

"It's no big deal, just go find the Station Chief later to make up for it." Hong Zhiyou poured him tea and comforted him.

"Make up for what?

"It'll be good enough if he doesn't deduct my salary. Isn't public security in Jinmen poor lately?

"The looting and smashing are being blamed on me too.

"This is still lingering from the Fourth Master Zhang affair; he's dissatisfied with me."

Lu Qiaoshan sucked his teeth and nodded with a cold laugh.

"It's fine, didn't Section Chief Liu also fail to get the job?

"You and he are the only two lieutenant colonels in the station now.

"Since neither of you performed a service, you've won." Yu Zecheng said.

"How so?" Lu Qiaoshan asked with a smile.

"Who doesn't know that you, Section Chief Lu, have great connections and strong capabilities, holding down two sections and seven departments, supporting half the sky in the station.

"The advantage is all yours; if the Deputy Station Chief isn't you, then who is it?

"It's a lock!"

Yu Zecheng tilted his chin, secretly fishing for information while he flattered him.

Hong Zhiyou stood to the side, silent.

I have to say, old Yu really has a knack for this.

His words were linked one after another, and before he knew it, he had hooked Lu Qiao.

"Nothing much going on."

Lu Qiao uncrossed his legs, pulled the door shut, and sat closer to the two of them, whispering:

"To promote Liu Xiong, the Station Chief dug up some mountain bumpkin from somewhere, claiming he's a key member of the Jibei Mobile Corps Commander Force; once he confesses, it'll be a monumental achievement.

"Monumental, my ass.

"I have my own people in Liu Xiong's Security Section.

"He's just a common civilian Section Chief Xiao grabbed in Yixian.

"Just because the man had a few extra silver dollars in his pocket, he's insisting the guy was buying supplies for the mountains.

"Damn it, have red tickets and guerrillas become so worthless now?"

Lu Qiao looked at the two of them, complaining unhappily.

Yu Zecheng's heart skipped a beat, but he continued to fan the flames with a smile on his face:

"Hey, who can blame him when the man is the Station Chief's sworn brother.

"There's only one vacancy for Deputy Station Chief.

"Zhiyou and I don't have the rank, and now that Captain Ma is gone, you're the only one left.

"Boss Dai doesn't get along with Officer Zheng either.

"If the Station Chief doesn't back him, who would he back?

"Old Lu, try to look at the bright side."

Lu Qiao gritted his teeth bitterly:

"Just wait. Isn't he a 'Grey Eagle'?

"Watch how I keep my eyes on him; sooner or later, I'll make him a dead eagle—a fly!"

After saying this, he stormed out.

"From Yixian, Secretary Hong..." Yu Zecheng looked toward Hong Zhiyou.

Hong Zhiyou remained expressionless, picked up his tea, and poured it into the wastebasket:

"Director Yu, please!"

"Just go and inquire about it, one gold bar," Yu Zecheng said.

He had a guilty conscience and was a target of Liu Xiong's strict investigation, so he wasn't fit to go snooping.

It had to be the Station Chief's beloved future nephew-in-law who stepped up.

"Get out!

"You're a god of plague, bringing endless bad luck.

"From now on, I don't know you.

"Go wherever it's cool.

"Please, go."

Hong Zhiyou pushed him out of the office without a word and slammed the door shut.

"Hong..."

Yu Zecheng raised his hand, then let it drop dejectedly.

One second he was celebrating the death of Wanlilang.

The next second, Liu Xiong was stirring up trouble back in his hometown of Yixian.

This hellish life really had no end.

Not to mention that Hong Zhiyou was just a man who loved money.

Even his own comrades would be annoyed if things were like this every day.

He took off his glasses, rubbed his temples in frustration and depression, and walked back to his office with unsteady steps.

Hong Zhiyou stood by the window, hands on his hips, and let out a few breaths.

Old Yu's situation wasn't a big problem for now.

It was very likely that Cuiping had slipped up.

Sigh.

Let it be a slip-up.

He could barely protect himself as it was.

Before getting rid of Liu Xiong, he'd better not wade into these muddy waters.

Hong Zhiyou still wanted to live a few more years.

Just as he planned to go out and find some work to avoid Yu Zecheng,

Wu Jingzhong pushed the door open and walked in: "Come to my office for a moment."

Once inside, Wu Jingzhong gestured with his chin.

Hong Zhiyou understood and closed the door.

"Teacher, what's wrong?" Seeing his unhappy expression, Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Your sister-in-law just got a call from Mrs. Ji.

"There are bandits causing trouble around Xizifeng, and the goods were seized by them.

"Ten or so trucks—that's all money."

Wu Jingzhong said irritably.

"Quickly have the local Security Brigade and the garrison step in to resolve it," Hong Zhiyou feigned shock.

"Them?

"They're all in on it together; once it passes through their hands, at least half will be gone.

"Don't you know Yong Jianqiu?

"He's in business, familiar with both the guerrillas and the bandits; have him use some connections to negotiate with the bandits and bring it all back, not a single bottle missing."

As Wu Jingzhong said this, he pulled on his sleeve and lowered his voice:

"Officers aren't allowed to do business.

"If this gets out, the Generalissimo and Boss Dai might just use me as a scapegoat.

"I only have this small business; I can't afford to lose it.

"Zhiyou, you must take our own affairs to heart."

"I, I'll try," Hong Zhiyou feigned difficulty.

"Teacher, why are you moving so much cargo this time?" He asked after taking a sip of tea.

"Sigh, every family has its own troubles.

"It's all because of that good-for-nothing son-in-law of mine.

"He's got Rui-Rui wrapped around his finger; instead of running the distillery properly, he's obsessed with all sorts of schemes.

"Now the capital flow is stuck.

"Liquor here turns into cash quickly, doesn't it? He's working me to death finding jobs.

"Sigh, I really am saddled with a living debt."

Wu Jingzhong sighed helplessly.

Everything has its match.

Old Wu had been wise his whole life, yet he never expected to be so thoroughly manipulated by his son-in-law.

"What are you laughing at?"

Seeing Hong Zhiyou laughing without speaking, he frowned and asked.

"I just feel that you, Teacher, are too partial to your daughter and son-in-law.

"I haven't even left for Aodao yet, and now there's another task.

"I'm afraid I'll have to be like the Monkey King and use a cloning technique to keep up with it all."

Hong Zhiyou joked with a smile.

"Sigh, I won't hide it from you.

"If it weren't for the fact that Rui-Rui has her heart set on him, I would have shot that kid dead by now.

"Once Yingxue arrives and you two are together, it will be our own family affair in the future.

"Work hard and go make the trip yourself."

Wu Jingzhong was at his wit's end and requested kindly.

"Teacher, let me be clear first.

"This business might involve red ticket middlemen; if something goes wrong, you have to cover for me.

"Section Chief Liu is already biting at my heels.

"If I'm caught red-handed, he'll execute me on the spot."

Hong Zhiyou said with deep concern.

"He wouldn't dare!

"You go handle the business first and make sure the liquor is safe," Wu Jingzhong said with murderous intent.

"Understood."

Hong Zhiyou walked away with quick steps.

Passing by Yu Zecheng's office, he saw him tearing up paper again.

Meeting Yu Zecheng's resentful little gaze, Hong Zhiyou was so startled he took two steps in one, quickly slipping away.

……

In the afternoon, Yu Zecheng went to the prison to settle Lin Tian, and Hong Zhiyou drove straight to the Yong residence to report.

Yong Jianqiu was currently entertaining a guest.

It was an elderly man with salt-and-pepper hair, a lean build, and a vigorous spirit.

"Secretary Hong, you've come at just the right time."

"This is Elder Du."

Yong Jianqiu stood up to make the introduction.

"The name of Senior Du is like thunder to my ears; a true hero of the highest order. I have long admired you." Hong Zhiyou bowed respectfully with cupped fists.

"Regarding Lin Tian's matter, many thanks, young friend."

"I heard from Mr. Yong that you are acquainted with the Rong family lad and wish to do business over there?"

Du Xinwu spoke very humbly, just like a grandfather from next door, without any of the biting, oppressive aura of a master.

"Yes."

"Running errands for others every day is, after all, not a long-term plan."

"It is rare that Mr. Yong is willing to guide me, so we discussed it a little."

Hong Zhiyou answered steadily.

"In my earlier years, I followed General Song and Mr. Sun across the country, and I made quite a few friends."

"Although I haven't kept in touch in recent years."

"But I imagine I should still have a bit of face over there."

"Mr. Yong said that in your work, you recognize money but not people."

"I have no money, but my connections can serve as a substitute. This thumb ring was gifted to me by Mr. Sande back in the day."

"He has many disciples and grand-disciples in Aodao and Xiangdao."

"When necessary, you can use it to ask for a favor."

Du Xinwu took off the black thumb ring from his hand and handed it to him.

"Elder Du, this—this is too precious; I cannot accept it." Hong Zhiyou knew who Mr. Sande was and dared not take it.

"Accept it."

"It's of no use sitting with me."

"Additionally, take these medicinal plasters and Thousand-Hammer Pills. When suffering from heavy blows or serious injury, use them with musk for external application and internal consumption; they may save your life."

Du Xinwu then took out a gourd-shaped porcelain bottle and a stack of pungent medicinal plasters, handing them to him.

"Elder Du, this is far too generous." Hong Zhiyou was truly flattered.

"Sigh."

"Mr. Sun and Mr. Song are already gone."

"I am old, too, and don't have many years left to live."

"Mr. Yong thinks highly of you; many things can only rely on you young people now."

"Alright, the matter here is finished, I must return to Xiangnan."

Du Xinwu bowed slightly to the two of them and left with a light step.

Hong Zhiyou and Yong Jianqiu bowed to see him off.

"That person of yours is about to explode again." Arriving at the small hut, he hit Yong Jianqiu with a thunderbolt right off the bat.

"Wasn't Wanlilang removed?"

Yong Jianqiu did not know Yu Zecheng's code name or the specific line he was on, but he knew this person was a comrade on the inside, and for a moment, he could not help but feel anxious.

"His wife, Wang Cuiping, has been exposed."

"Liu Xiong caught someone from Yixian; I suspect it's the carriage driver."

"The lad was caught while buying grain; he had silver dollars on him, but they shouldn't have found any guns or the like."

"They are still interrogating him."

"But with the methods of the Juntong Bureau, it's only a matter of time before he talks."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Sigh, Shopkeeper Qiu just left, and the transit station hasn't been established yet; this is trouble."

"If it really comes to it, should I go to the local committee?"

Yong Jianqiu had a sudden inspiration and asked.

"Why go to them? To raid the execution ground or attack the Jinhai Station?"

Ever since Liu Wensheng appeared, Hong Zhiyou did not quite trust the people on that line.

Of course, this could not be blamed on them.

Engaging in printing, labor unions, academic societies, and red propaganda—many of these were matters out in the open.

The risk of being infiltrated and tracked was extremely high.

"Can we buy him out?" Yong Jianqiu could only resort to his "money power."

"No."

"Liu Xiong doesn't care for money, and if he bites down on something, even Wu Jingzhong can't untie the knot."

"If you go and throw money at him, he will only be more convinced that Yu Zecheng has a problem."

"Right now, it is the Station Chief who wants to protect Yu Zecheng."

"As long as Liu Xiong has no evidence, he cannot move."

"In other words, we can only hope that he can hold on and make it through."

Hong Zhiyou had already considered this problem when he came; it was fundamentally unsolvable.

Shopkeeper Qiu was able to get out alive.

Purely because he bit onto the two great deities: the Station Chief's wife and Hu Die.

The carriage driver, Xiao Wuzi, was just a stubborn fool; who could he bite onto?

"This……"

Yong Jianqiu was so worried his brows were tightly locked, and he paced back and forth.

"Alright, you're making me dizzy with your pacing."

"Let's settle my matter first; is Wu Jingzhong's cargo alright?" Hong Zhiyou said.

"It has to have some trouble."

"What kind of bandits don't rob? At the very least, damage one of his trucks so you can justify it." Yong Jianqiu said.

"That's true; that's why you're an old hand at this."

"Everything will proceed according to plan; find someone sharp."

"Remember, it must be a Red ticket."

"And one who is already exposed, watched closely by the Juntong Bureau, the kind used to cast a long line to catch a big fish."

"They must be sharp and able to adapt."

"Have them take me to the Xizifeng side to demand the convoy."

"Only in this way can I lure Liu Xiong out." Hong Zhiyou said.

"You will be at risk if you do that." Yong Jianqiu said.

"Of course I will."

"If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger's cub? You can't take this man down without taking some risks."

"When the time comes, the person you send must escape; they cannot be caught in the act."

"As long as that person isn't captured."

"Liu Xiong can't do anything to me."

Hong Zhiyou was still confident in his plan.

"Good."

"I will arrange it immediately."

"When are you setting off?" Yong Jianqiu asked.

"Tonight, I suppose."

"It's more reasonable to make contact at night." Hong Zhiyou said.

……

At night.

Hong Zhiyou went directly to the Station Chief's house.

"Station Chief, Yong Jianqiu has found someone; it's a Red ticket named Kong Fang."

"Before this person joined the guerrillas, he was sworn brothers with the bandit leader of Xizifeng; their relationship is ironclad."

"Later, he was injured and transferred to the Jinhai local committee to work as a transport courier."

"He can run that route with his eyes closed."

Hong Zhiyou, having eaten until he was seventy percent full, put down his chopsticks and spoke of the serious business in a low voice.

Mei Qiuju stood at the doorway keeping watch, to prevent anyone from the Security Section from barging in.

"Are you sure about this?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I am," Hong Zhiyou said.

"They won't talk nonsense, will they?"

"It will be very troublesome if this gets out," Wu Jingzhong said worriedly.

"The one leading this is Long Er.

"It is his company's liquor, the people from the Boatmen's Gang are going with me to transport it, and the red tickets were also invited by Long Er.

"I am going over to help as a friend of Long Er.

"It has absolutely nothing to do with you."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

Wu Jingzhong let out a satisfied breath, nodded, and smiled:

"Zhiyou, I still trust you very much.

"Handle this errand well, and my niece Yingxue will be yours.

"If she doesn't submit, you'll have to tie her up if you have to.

"These are your sister-in-law's exact words; she has taken a liking to you and won't trade you for anyone else."

Mei Qiuju turned her head and nodded with a bright smile.

"Then I shall wait to become your son-in-law," Hong Zhiyou smiled even more brightly.

"Go.

"I won't sleep tonight, waiting for your good news."

Wu Jingzhong said happily.

"Wait."

Mei Qiuju took an amulet tied with a red string out of the drawer.

"Zhiyou, take this with you and stay safe.

"Remember, if there is danger, you can abandon the goods, but you must come back safely."

Mei Qiuju personally placed it around his neck and urged him gently.

"Thank you, sister-in-law," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

He tucked the amulet inside his inner garment and walked out quickly.

"Old Wu, why do you think my eyelid keeps twitching?

"Nothing will happen to Zhiyou, will it?"

Mei Qiuju walked in, feeling uneasy.

"He has connections in the underworld, the government, the red, and the green; what could possibly happen to him?

"It is I who have a problem now.

"Ruirui is asking me for money again, demanding eighty thousand US dollars the moment she opens her mouth; even if I went and robbed Kong Xiangxi's bank, I couldn't conjure up that much."

Wu Jingzhong slapped the table in annoyance.

"I told you before that Su Jianhua was unreliable.

"You insisted that our family's background wasn't as good as theirs and that we had to climb the social ladder and marry into a wealthy family.

"Now look, we're stuck with such a spoiled brat."

Mei Qiuju rolled her eyes at him and complained.

"What is the use of saying all this? Go and scrape the money together," Wu Jingzhong said unhappily.

……

The night was deep.

Hong Zhiyou met with Kong Fang at the corner.

The two whispered to each other.

Then, they got into a car together.

In the corner, another figure disappeared quickly.

He quickly went inside the house and made a phone call:

"Section Chief Liu, I've hooked a big fish.

"Secretary Hong from the station met with Kong Fang, and they took a car heading south together.

……

Dear commanders, today's 13, 00-word update is delivered. See you tomorrow. I continue to ask for monthly tickets and tips (I'm at zero). Thank you, everyone.

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(End of chapter)