Chapter 96: Outlasting Liu Xiong

Evening.

The sea breeze blew gently.

By the pier, fishing boats swayed softly with the waves.

Old Six Seafood Restaurant.

Under a large iron shed, over a dozen tables were set up.

Business was usually very brisk.

However, tonight it was desolate and cold, with only a few lonely fishing lights.

"The place Uncle chose is quite remote, isn't it?"

Wu Rui and Hong Zhiyou walked in, fanning away the pungent smell of fish.

"Rui, you don't understand.

"To eat seafood, you have to pick the pier.

"Don't look at its remote location; the goods are fresh and the taste is great."

Mei Shao introduced while calling out to the boss:

"Old Six, the usual. Steamed, grilled, iron-plate, and raw-marinated, one of each."

"Coming right up."

The boss inside responded.

A short while later, a table full of fresh seafood was laid out.

"Little Hong, how does the seafood in Xiangdao compare to the taste in Jinmen?" Mei Shao asked with a smile.

"To tell you the truth.

"I've only eaten seafood once, and that was when the Station Chief treated me.

"He's stingy; not like Uncle, who lets people eat to their heart's content."

Hong Zhiyou picked up a halved lobster and tucked into it with the garlic vermicelli.

"As long as you like it.

"This is the account book. Take another look so you can report back to your brother-in-law." Mei Shao took out the account book and placed it on the table.

"Uncle should know that the Station Chief loves money," Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Who doesn't love money?

"I love it too." Mei Shao pretended not to understand.

"The deficit in the accounts is too large; Uncle should make it up.

"Otherwise, I won't be able to report back."

Hong Zhiyou said while eating.

"I can understand that.

"With the company turned into this state by Jianhua, I, as the Assistant Manager, also have a responsibility.

"Tell me, how much needs to be made up?"

Mei Shao felt that if it were within fifty thousand US dollars, he could bleed a little to settle the matter.

"Three hundred thousand US dollars," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Are you crazy?

"With that kind of money, who would still work for the Wu family?" Mei Ziyi barked like a brainless dog.

"Secretary Hong, I really don't have three hundred thousand."

Mei Shao glared at his son and smiled faintly.

"No, you do."

Hong Zhiyou stopped chewing, raised an eyebrow, and stared fixedly at him.

Mei Shao felt his skin crawl from the gaze: "What do you mean?"

"You made quite a bit of money from those antiques the Station Chief shipped from Jinmen, didn't you?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"Haven't you already seen the account book?

"Every penny is accounted for; it's written clearly."

Mei Ziyi, young and hot-headed, slapped the table and shouted.

"He's anxious.

"He's anxious."

Hong Zhiyou smiled, tossed the lobster aside with disinterest, and wiped his mouth.

He waved a hand.

Chen Da and Zhang Da walked out from the shadows, escorting someone.

It was none other than Assistant Manager Tu, who was in charge of flipping antiques.

The man was already beaten until he was covered in blood.

"Mr. Mei, I'm sorry, I, I really couldn't hold out any longer," Assistant Manager Tu said, his voice choked with sobs.

Mei Shao's expression shifted slightly.

Mei Ziyi was so nervous he almost stood up, but was glared back into his seat.

"Interesting, planting a mole right under my nose."

"However, do you think this is the Juntong Bureau?

"Where you can just grab someone off the street and force a confession through torture.

"Sorry, I don't know this person."

Mei Shao was indeed an old hand; he picked at the vermicelli with his chopsticks, slurping and smiling.

"You don't know him.

"That's fine."

Hong Zhiyou leaned back, lit a cigarette, and exhaled faintly:

"The Station Chief once said.

"He still has feelings for you.

"You should think about it carefully.

"Before this meal is finished, you still have a chance."

"Young man, I really don't like your tone.

"You don't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth!"

Mei Shao suddenly grabbed a wine bottle and smashed it fiercely on the ground.

Crash!

Over a hundred burly men swarmed out from the small houses surrounding the pier.

The man in the lead had a long, narrow scar on his face.

It was Peng Tao, the boss of Sham Shui Po.

"Godfather," Mei Ziyi said with great joy.

"Old Peng, you're here," Mei Shao said.

Chen Da and Zhang Da let go of Assistant Manager Tu and stood guard in front of Hong Zhiyou, one on each side.

"Uncle, what are you doing?"

Wu Rui did not know about Hong Zhiyou's layout, and her expression was inevitably flustered.

"Rui.

"Your brother-in-law is a poor judge of character; this Secretary Hong is a traitor.

"Uncle has no choice but to 'clear the ruler's side' and share the burden for your father."

Mei Shao sneered, then looked at Hong Zhiyou with the air of someone who had already won:

"Young man, try to have a better memory in your next life."

"Is that so?"

Hong Zhiyou looked at him, his smile growing even brighter.

"Old Peng!

"Do it!" Mei Shao ordered.

Peng Tao casually grabbed a beer bottle.

Crack!

It smashed heavily onto Mei Shao's head.

"Old Peng, you..." Mei Shao felt dizzy and lightheaded; one touch of his cheek revealed it was covered in blood.

Peng Tao was a man of few words and ruthless actions.

He picked up another wine bottle and smashed it on his head again.

Mei Shao shook his head, his body going limp, unable to stay seated.

"Godfather, what, what are you doing?" Mei Ziyi asked, trembling.

"Crack!"

Peng Tao sneered, and another wine bottle blossomed on Mei Shao's head.

"Three hundred thousand US dollars, Uncle, do you have it, or not?" Hong Zhiyou asked, leaning in closer.

"No, nothing," Mei Shao said, dazed.

"Alright then."

Hong Zhiyou snapped his fingers.

Chen Da pulled out a pistol with an expressionless face.

Bang!

He fired a shot straight into the left temple of Mei Ziyi.

"Ugh."

Mei Ziyi groaned, slumped down at the feet of Wu Ruirui, and smeared her legs with blood.

Ah!

Wu Ruirui was terrified.

Screaming, she jumped to Hong Zhiyou's side like a rabbit.

"You have another daughter named Yingxue."

"My wife said that even if we have to tie her up, she must marry me."

"I've seen her photo; her figure and appearance are just to my taste."

"I like her very much!"

Hong Zhiyou smiled at Mei Shao, looking harmless.

Bang! Bang!

Chen Da raised his gun and fired a few more shots into the still-twitching Mei Ziyi.

"In Jinmen, social connections can get many things done."

"But here, violence seems to be more effective."

Hong Zhiyou adjusted the rimless glasses that Ruirui had given him, picked up the king crab, and began eating the meat dipped in sauce.

It was as if his subordinate had just swatted a fly.

"Cough up some money, Uncle!"

"Help me out?"

"Otherwise, it will be very difficult for me to handle things."

He looked at Mei Shao while eating.

"I, I will pay."

A refined scoundrel... Mei Shao was in unbearable pain.

He immediately sent people to fetch money, while others went to his home to open safes, hidden compartments, and secret rooms.

Wu Rui stood guard by the restaurant's telephone.

She kept giving instructions and confirming details.

Before long, Zhang Daliang pulled up a cart full of things.

Cash, gold bars, and antiques were all thoroughly looted.

Along with them, the property deeds and seals were brought over as well.

"Uncle, sign here."

Wu Ruirui handed over the contract that had been prepared earlier.

"Consider yourself ruthless."

Mei Shao signed and stamped the documents, transferring everything over.

Half an hour later.

After the hired notary and lawyer from the Hong Kong government confirmed everything repeatedly.

The property settlement and transfer were complete.

"Mr. Peng, thank you for your hard work."

"Take this money to buy tea for your brothers."

Hong Zhiyou tilted his head, and Wu Ruirui reluctantly took out a stack of money and handed it to Peng Tao.

"Thanks."

The scar on Peng Tao's face twisted as he smiled and took the cash.

With a wave of his hand, he led his men to carry Mei Ziyi's corpse into the car and drove away.

"Someone, watch my uncle."

"Bring him back to Jinmen in a few days," Hong Zhiyou ordered.

Wu Jingzhong had always been very cryptic when he spoke.

He hinted for Hong Zhiyou to kill.

But he never once explicitly said to kill anyone.

This was very troublesome.

If Su Jianhua were killed, Sister Mei wouldn't feel heartbroken; after all, she had always opposed Ruirui marrying that spendthrift.

But Mei Shao was different.

He was her own brother, and also her heart and soul.

Old Wu had waved his hand and ordered him to be finished off.

If Hong Zhiyou actually did it, when Sister Mei made a scene later, Old Wu would definitely pin the blame on him.

Some blame can be shouldered.

Some blame must absolutely not be shouldered.

Even if Old Wu scolded him for being incompetent, it would only be temporary.

But being nagged by a woman in his ear every day...

Or if one day Old Wu started missing his brother-in-law again, Hong Zhiyou's "recklessness" would be magnified infinitely.

Wu Ruirui was afraid of trouble.

She escorted Mei Shao back to Yuezhou overnight.

She wanted to wait for the storm over Su Jianhua to pass before returning to Xiangdao.

Hong Zhiyou remained in Xiangdao.

The next day, he went to see Rong Bin.

He obtained the bank account, which was registered as a local account.

And he went with Mr. Ji to register a shipping company.

The company was named "Longxing."

Long Er had chosen the name; it was simple and rustic.

The first batch of several hundred Cao Gang disciples had also arrived at the shipyard.

With Old Zhai and the Rong family backing them, plus the ferocity of the Cao Gang disciples, establishing a firm foothold was not a problem.

"Young Master Rong, what is your stake in Longxing?"

By the seaside, Hong Zhiyou stood with his hands on his hips, looking at the distant "Longxing" shipyard, and asked with a smile.

"It's very reasonable."

"I'll give you another ten percent; I'll take fifty, you take twenty."

"With over half the equity, I'll be the one calling the shots anyway."

Rong Bin stood with his hands behind his back and laughed heartily.

"You still don't trust Long Er, do you?" He turned his head to look at Hong Zhiyou.

"No."

"I trust him, but Long Er lacks a bit of boldness when it comes to business."

"And he is a man who is attached to his old home."

"It's unrealistic to expect him to stake everything he has and run to Xiangdao."

"Just this twenty or thirty percent of the capital has almost emptied his life savings."

"In his eyes, this isn't an investment; it's repaying me for saving his life."

"Because he never even thought the fleet could make money."

"He's purely playing along to keep me company, just out of loyalty."

Hong Zhiyou picked up a stone and threw it hard into the sea.

"Human sentiment must have a limit."

"Crossing it hurts the relationship."

"It's rare to meet someone like Long Er, and I don't want to lose this brother."

Bang!

The stone landed in the sea, splashing water.

"You're right."

"Business is business, and feelings are feelings."

"For the sake of your brotherhood, I can only work my life away."

"When Long Er sees the piles of money, I believe he will be grateful to you."

Rong Bin adjusted his glasses and followed Hong Zhiyou to throw stones together.

"Mr. Mao has already announced that he is going to Shancheng to negotiate with Jiang.

"The undercurrents are already surging.

"Mr. Wu has issued instructions to all friendly colleagues in the underground and the Democratic League to spare no cost and take the highest level of precautions to prevent trouble before it happens; Mr. Mao's safety must be ensured.

"Brother Hong, I will take care of the money and the business.

"Whether it's friendship or business.

"Don't you have to give me a hand?"

Perhaps because he had exerted too much force, he sat on the ground and reached out to Hong Zhiyou.

"Within the scope of safety, for the sake of the ten percent stake you gave me, I can try.

"Outside of safety, I'm sorry.

"Between money and life, I prefer the latter."

Hong Zhiyou answered very rationally.

"Deal.

"As long as you are willing to act, that's enough." Rong Bin grabbed Hong Zhiyou's hand.

Hong Zhiyou smiled and pulled him up.

"When are you leaving?" Rong Bin asked.

"In a few days.

"There is a nail in the Jinhai Station; if I don't pull it out, I can't do anything," Hong Zhiyou said.

"The sooner the better.

"Mr. Mao's safety..." Rong Bin swallowed his words as they reached his lips.

"I know.

"Are there any operational funds?

"Jinhai is too far from Shancheng; if there is an operation, it will mostly be coordinated by Jingling, Shanghu, and Hankou.

"These all require large sums of money to buy and sell intelligence."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"It's already prepared.

"Fifty thousand US dollars and ten large gold bars are in your trunk.

"If everything goes smoothly for Mr. Mao, I will deposit another one hundred thousand US dollars into your account later."

Rong Bin said generously.

"Hey.

"I really envy your 'money power.'

"I'm off, my Young Master Qian!"

Returning to Yuezhou.

Hong Zhiyou and Wu Rui started living a shameless and uninhibited life.

The Double Tenth was certainly important.

But as long as Liu Xiong was not dead and safety could not be guaranteed, Hong Zhiyou would not take any action.

On this trip to Xiangdao, both he and Wu Rui had made a fortune.

After tallying up Mei Shao's mansion, gold bars, US dollars, and savings, there was over one hundred thousand US dollars.

Wu Rui temporarily shut down the company in Xiangdao.

Hong Zhiyou said that in four years, he would resign and come to the port specifically to do business with her.

She decided to take a gamble.

First, she would expand the winery's private label and accumulate enough cash flow.

When the time came, she would play a big game with Hong Zhiyou.

This delay dragged on for several more days.

Wu Jingzhong had called seven or eight times to urge him.

All of them were blocked by Wu Rui, who claimed the company was busy.

"Zhiyou.

"My mother called today and said my father has been in a very bad mood lately, and his high blood pressure has flared up again."

In bed, Wu Rui pressed against Hong Zhiyou's face and said worriedly.

"What's wrong?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"What else could it be? No one is making money for him anymore.

"My mother said that Director Yu helped Old Zhang get a lot of treasures and US dollars.

"He called to ask for the person, but Mr. Zhang wouldn't give him up.

"Director Yu doesn't want to come back either.

"My father is furious.

"You're hiding here with me, and it's not just because I'm good in bed, right?

"You're also hiding from my father to get some peace?"

Wu Rui blinked and smiled coquettishly, having already seen through everything.

"The young lady is wise.

"Let me put it this way: I would rather be chased and hacked by the big bosses in Xiangdao than return to Jinhai Station.

"That security section chief Liu Xiong is like a mad dog, chasing me to bite me every day.

"If I go back, I'll die at his hands sooner or later."

Hong Zhiyou kissed her and poured out his grievances.

"Isn't my father's birthday in a few days?

"I'll tell my father that if Liu Xiong doesn't die, we won't go back to celebrate his birthday."

Wu Rui said playfully.

"Don't.

"What doesn't your father know?

"If you say it deliberately, it will look like I'm intentionally snitching," Hong Zhiyou hurriedly dismissed her idea.

"Alright.

"Then we'll wait for news; if Liu Xiong dies, we'll go back.

"If he doesn't die, that's fine too; you can stay here and be my dew-drop spouse."

Wu Rui was happy in her heart and hugged Hong Zhiyou even tighter.

Jinhai, Garrison Headquarters.

Wu Jingzhong had just finished a meeting.

He saw Zhang Tinge and Yu Zecheng walking out, chatting and laughing.

"Station Chief Wu!" Zhang Tinge raised his hand to greet him.

"Station Chief." Yu Zecheng nodded in a very professional manner.

"Oh my.

"You used to call me teacher, now you call me station chief; it's different once you've climbed to a high branch."

Wu Jingzhong looked at him and sighed sourly.

"Station Chief, look at what you're saying.

"Without your cultivation, could this student have today?"

Yu Zecheng hurriedly stood at attention, feigning a respectful attitude.

"Is that so?

"Why do I see you looking radiant, wearing a small suit, and even wearing gold-rimmed glasses?

"Are you so happy you've forgotten your home?"

Wu Jingzhong stood with his hands behind his back, circling him slowly with a cold sneer.

"Teacher, the student's heart is with you at all times.

"It's just that Cuiping has a knot in her heart.

"She's afraid I'll follow in the footsteps of Little Wuzi.

"I ask for Teacher's understanding."

Yu Zecheng lowered his voice to explain.

"Old Wu, don't be so stingy.

"You've only borrowed him for a few days, and you're already heartbroken and want him back.

"Zecheng, there's a press conference at noon, let's go quickly."

Zhang Tinge was afraid Old Wu would snatch him away, so he pulled Yu Zecheng away.

Wu Jingzhong stood on the steps.

Watching Yu Zecheng and Zhang Tinge leave while chatting and laughing, he couldn't help but feel a suffocating discomfort in his heart.

The beloved subordinate he had personally cultivated had just been handed over so cheaply to someone surnamed Zhang.

Returning to the station, he unbuttoned his coat while shouting:

"Secretary Hong, bring tea, and get me a bowl of tortoise jelly to help cool my temper."

"Secretary Hong?"

He called out twice, but no one answered.

Only then did Wu Jingzhong remember that Hong Zhiyou had left a long time ago.

"Station Chief, do you have any instructions?"

Li Ping walked in and asked with a blank expression.

"Pour me a cup of tea."

Seeing this poker face, Wu Jingzhong felt even more irritable.

"Very well, Station Chief."

Li Ping poured the tea and handed it to Wu Jingzhong.

Wu Jingzhong just took a sip.

Pfft!

He spat it out in one mouthful and cursed loudly:

"Idiot!

"Are you trying to scald me to death?

"A bunch of useless trash, I can't even drink a cup of tea now."

In the past.

Hong Zhiyou would check the schedule and have warm tea ready right on time.

Fruit would only be cut when it reached the doorway.

Absolutely fresh.

Now, there is no fruit.

The tea is hot enough to scald someone to death.

And there is this sour face of Li Ping's.

It's truly infuriating.

"Station Chief, I'll cool it down for you right away." Li Ping hurriedly turned on the fan.

"Unite the will, defend the leader.

"Is this how you all defend?

"Defending and defending, until not even a ghost of a shadow is left."

Wu Jingzhong turned his head to stare at the large characters on the wall, muttering to himself.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

He grabbed the teacup and smashed it hard against the floor:

"Get out.

"Get the hell out."

He pointed at Li Ping and scolded.

Li Ping was stunned with fear.

"Still not leaving?"

Lu Qiaoshan happened to walk in and gave Li Ping a wink.

Li Ping scurried away.

"Station Chief, the Red ticket representatives have already arrived in Jinmen; as per your instructions, I have arranged for the Shangquan Society hall.

"Previously, Section Chief Yu and Secretary Hong had arranged for people there.

"They installed monitoring equipment.

"Now that they are gone, I'm not quite clear on which specific areas these people are managing.

"Should I withdraw them and make new arrangements?

"To avoid wasting human resources?"

Lu Qiaoshan asked.

"The military mediation is a major matter.

"You handle it." Wu Jingzhong took a deep breath to calm his emotions.

"Understood.

"Also, General Zhang and the others are staying at the Falanxi Club, drinking the best red wine and eating imported steak every day; the expenses are a bit high, and I'm afraid the station's funds..." Lu Qiaoshan added.

"How many days can they stay? Let them eat."

The bill is reimbursed by the club's shareholders, and Wu Jingzhong was counting on these big shots to eat more and claim more reimbursements.

This is no small sum.

If it ends up in his own pocket later, wouldn't that be delightful?

In the past, Hong Zhiyou arranged these things smoothly.

Now that he is gone, everything is going wrong.

"How is the investigation into the photos going?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"There is no clear evidence yet."

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head and then said:

"However, Chen Genbao from the Security Section checked out a German camera last month.

"It has never been returned.

"I asked Section Chief Liu about it, and he told me to mind my own business."

When Lu Qiaoshan said this, his tone became sarcastic:

"Station Chief, the equipment room has always been under the Intelligence Division.

"Now it has become like a prostitute at the Yingchun House; anyone can use it.

"Guns, cameras, tape recorders—anything can be taken at will without even signing for it.

"And you can't even ask.

"If you ask, they just say 'mind your own business' and claim it's your order.

"Station Chief, my position as Intelligence Division Chief is truly..."

After finishing, Lu Qiaoshan shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Nonsense, when did I ever issue an order allowing them to bypass approval?

"This Chen..."

Wu Jingzhong, with his hands behind his back, was about to lose his temper, but he stumbled as he couldn't recall the name.

"Chen Genbao." Lu Qiaoshan hurriedly added.

"Right, when did he take it?"

Wu Jingzhong suddenly remembered that before Hong Zhiyou left, he had said someone was tailing and framing him.

At the time.

He was busy arranging his departure and didn't pay much attention.

He only thought it was a routine investigation by Liu Xiong.

Now it seems, it might really be a frame-up.

Framing Secretary Hong.

And even more so, framing himself!

"September 3rd, I believe.

"It was taken shortly before Secretary Hong left.

"Oh, it wasn't registered; it was noted in the equipment room clerk's memory." Lu Qiaoshan thought for a moment and said.

"September 3rd?"

Wu Jingzhong frowned.

Wasn't that the day Hong Zhiyou went to exchange Cao Qingming?

"What about the newspaper, have you checked it?"

Wu Jingzhong asked again.

"I checked.

"This Guangming Daily is controlled by the Zhongtong.

"The others include those from the student union.

"And some rag newspapers infiltrated by Red tickets.

"Station Chief, I suspect it's the Zhongtong, or someone in the station is colluding with the Zhongtong to frame Secretary Hong.

"Don't forget, Tang Wu from the Gendarmerie Headquarters who arrested Secretary Hong originally was in league with the Zhongtong; the photo is a fact right before our eyes."

Lu Qiaoshan vaguely felt as if he had caught onto something.

But for a moment, he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Immediately bring Chen Genbao in for interrogation."

"Interrogate him in secret. No one is to interfere except for me, especially the Security Section."

Wu Jingzhong ordered coldly.

"Yes, Station Chief." Lu Qiaoshan accepted the order with great delight.

……

Thank you to the commanders for your votes and support. Much love. I will add extra chapters for you big bosses when we reach one thousand monthly votes.

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(End of chapter)