Chapter 98

"Why are you only telling me now?" Wu Jingzhong was so angry he slammed the table.

"Secretary Hong... said that you, Station Chief, were favoring Liu Xiong."

"If I said anything, Section Chief Liu would silence me."

Xiao Guohua bowed, not daring to even take a deep breath.

"If you trust people, they will eventually betray you!"

Wu Jingzhong looked up at the portrait of the Generalissimo in his military uniform and sighed deeply after a long while.

He had always trusted Liu Xiong.

Even when his two favorite generals were purged, he hadn't had the heart to touch Liu Xiong at all.

But now...

Tang Wu had ties to the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

Ma Kui had sent an "Imperial Envoy" but hadn't returned to the station, instead laying out a plan behind his back.

Wu Jingzhong's brows furrowed tightly.

He quickly took out his fountain pen and began writing on a piece of paper.

Tang Wu of the Gendarmerie Headquarters.

Chen Genbao.

Liu Xiong.

Guangming Daily.

Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

Swish, swish!

He circled them and connected them with lines.

A massive conspiracy was already emerging.

Liu Xiong had been used.

Perhaps by the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

Perhaps by Ma Kui or Mao Renfeng.

The goal was the same: to clip his wings and take control of the Jinhai Station.

Or even worse, to send him to the guillotine.

There was no hope in his backer, Boss Dai, either.

He had chosen to stand by and watch.

Fine!

Liu Xiong, you've done well.

If you are heartless, don't blame me for being unrighteous.

"Section Chief Xiao, have Section Chief Lu arrange for men immediately," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Yes."

Xiao Guohua took the order and left.

At the entrance to the hallway.

Xiao Guohua happened to run into Liu Xiong.

He hadn't seen him for a few days, and Liu Xiong looked increasingly disheveled.

His suit was wrinkled, and his beard was as thick as Zhang Fei's.

"Guohua."

He called out to Xiao Guohua.

"Section Chief Liu."

Xiao Guohua looked at the old leader who had personally brought him up, and he felt a bitter taste in his heart.

"Didn't you go to build a house at Director Yu's place?" Liu Xiong asked.

"I didn't go."

"You weren't here, the station was short-handed, and the Station Chief asked me to come back," Xiao Guohua said.

"The station hasn't been peaceful lately."

"I'm going after Yu and Hong; you're no match for them."

"You have elderly parents and young children; don't get mixed up in this kind of thing."

Liu Xiong punched him in the arm and warned him.

"Section Chief Liu..."

Xiao Guohua felt a pang of sorrow.

"What's wrong?" Liu Xiong asked, frowning.

"Why do you have to investigate Yu and Hong?" Xiao Guohua really didn't want to see him fall into trouble.

"Guohua."

"You know me."

"I will never allow a Red Ticket to be by the Station Chief's side."

Liu Xiong patted him, took the file folder, and walked quickly toward the office.

"Hey!"

Xiao Guohua sighed and went to find Lu Qiaoshan to gather men.

"Station Chief."

Liu Xiong walked in quickly.

"Old Liu, come, sit."

"Try this, it's a Korla pear from the frontier, it's very sweet."

Wu Jingzhong smiled and gestured for him to sit on the sofa.

"Station Chief, haven't you been suffering from Yin deficiency lately? Aren't you avoiding pears?" Liu Xiong laughed.

"Pears are a good thing."

"Cooling and nourishing."

"Especially for you, you should eat more."

Wu Jingzhong smiled and peeled a pear himself, handing it to him.

"Look at you."

"You're so busy you don't even look human anymore. Well? Do you have evidence?"

Wu Jingzhong wiped his hands, crossed his arms, and asked with a friendly smile.

"Yes."

"I investigated the Nanfeng Warehouse."

"They once moved a batch of American military supplies and medicine."

"It just so happens that Marshall's son-in-law and General Butler are investigating corruption in the Marine Corps."

"I would like to ask you, Station Chief, to go and negotiate."

Liu Xiong said.

"What does this have to do with Yu and Hong?" Wu Jingzhong's expression turned serious.

"The person smuggling is named Anderson."

"He is the interpreter and assistant to Deputy Commander Fielson."

"This man was a classmate of Hong Zhiyou's at the Eighth Special Training Class."

"Hong Zhiyou may be involved in this."

"The key is that the destination for this batch of goods is the Border Region."

"Isn't that enough to prove Hong Zhiyou is communicating with the Red Tickets?"

"Even if not, just the crime of reselling military supplies is enough to send him to a military tribunal."

Liu Xiong analyzed with excitement.

"May be involved?"

"With that 'may be', it's very difficult for me to step forward and communicate."

Wu Jingzhong frowned.

Liu Xiong was about to speak, but Wu Jingzhong raised his hand to stop him and said with a kind smile:

"Don't rush to talk yet, eat the pear."

"The autumn dryness is severe; look, your lips are already cracking."

"Okay."

Liu Xiong didn't stand on ceremony, and looking at Wu Jingzhong, he was reminded of the time the two old brothers shared an apple.

He smiled and began to eat in large bites.

Wu Jingzhong watched him, his gaze soft and his smile warm.

After he finished eating, he pointed to the file folder on the table and asked:

"Setting Hong Zhiyou aside for a moment, what is this?"

"The Buddha Niche has replied," Liu Xiong said, wiping his mouth with great joy.

"Quick, let me see."

Wu Jingzhong took it and quickly opened it to look.

"Investigation: Zuo Lan was seen at the Border Region Liaison Office."

"This person is a trainee of the Youth Cadre Training Class in Yancheng."

"She was once secretly dispatched by Lu Zongfang to have a romantic relationship with Yu Zecheng."

"After Lu Zongfang was killed, this woman was exposed and secretly transported back to Yancheng via the Shaanxi Guild Hall in Jingling."

"After that, she was dispatched to the Soviet Union for studies."

This was the first report.

The second telegram:

"Investigation confirms Yu Zecheng's romantic relationship with Zuo Lan."

"When Yu was in Jingling, he was severely wounded by the Political Security Bureau in front of the Shaanxi Guild Hall, and he obtained testimony from Mr. Tie of the Guild Hall."

"Suspected to coincide with Zuo Lan's transfer time."

"Suspected of having ties to the Shaanxi Guild Hall."

"Whether Zuo Lan is in Jinhai and whether she is in contact with Yu is unknown."

Wu Jingzhong felt his scalp tingle as he read it, and he asked in a deep voice:

"Are there still archives of the Shaanxi Guild Hall in Jingling?"

"No."

"The Shaanxi Guild Hall evacuated very promptly back then, and Wan Lilang came up empty-handed."

"It is said that some materials were archived."

"But when Headquarters went to retrieve them, they couldn't be found; they might have been lost."

"With Wan Lilang dead, these matters have no proof."

"What the Buddha Niche found was information revealed by bribing the subordinates of the man surnamed Tie in the Border Region."

"The truth of it remains to be determined."

Liu Xiong shook his head with a hint of regret.

"From the intelligence, Yu Zecheng met with Zuo Lan in Jingling after assassinating Li Haifeng," Wu Jingzhong said, frowning.

"That's right, Station Chief."

"After Yu Zecheng went to the Political Security Bureau, Zuo Lan's identity at 50 Zengjiayan in Shancheng was exposed shortly after."

"At that time, Station Chief Chen in Jingling even wanted to get rid of Yu Zecheng."

"God knows he really killed Li Haifeng; the Generalissimo personally announced the righteous act nationwide, and it was on the radio."

"Plus, he performed a meritorious service by retrieving the private property confiscated by the Japanese for Boss Dai."

"Boss Dai personally ordered Station Chief Chen to clear his name."

"And had Ye Ziming bring him back to Shancheng to receive a commendation."

Liu Xiong frowned and continued:

"He met with Zuo Lan at the Shaanxi Guild Hall."

"Isn't that clearly communicating with the Red Tickets?"

"Even if not, he must have been brainwashed by the Red Tickets long ago."

"Especially during the vacuum period of several months after he was shot."

"With the fake testimony from Boss Tie, that whole Situ Guangzong story simply doesn't hold water."

"This is clearly problematic."

"Hmm, your analysis makes a lot of sense," Wu Jingzhong nodded.

"But is there a possibility that Yu Zecheng had no idea about Zuo Lan's identity?"

"And didn't know the Shaanxi Guild Hall was a Red Ticket transit station?"

"I've said it before, you have to rely on evidence when doing things."

"If we rely solely on one-sided words, Ye Ziming and Boss Dai will turn against us, and if some messy, broken things come out during the interrogation, we will be very passive."

He paused and considered cautiously.

"Don't panic."

"I have intelligence that this Zuo Lan is very likely among the Red Ticket military mediation representatives."

"Once I investigate the Americans, capture Zuo Lan, and then put the pressure on..."

"Won't everything be clear?"

Liu Xiong said with certainty.

"Hehe."

"Investigate the Americans."

"Capture the military mediation representatives."

"Only you, 'Pale Eagle', would do that."

Wu Jingzhong felt a wave of pity inside; this old brother of his had become obsessed and didn't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth.

Capturing military mediation representatives.

Investigating Americans.

Even Boss Dai wouldn't dare to openly do such a stupid thing at a time like this.

"I'm just loyal to the Party and the State, that's all," Liu Xiong laughed honestly, stroking his beard.

"Station Chief, this pear is actually quite tasty."

He hadn't been this in sync with Wu Jingzhong for a long time, and he was in a great mood.

"Then eat two more," Wu Jingzhong smiled.

"Alright."

Liu Xiong didn't even peel them, eating several in just a few bites.

"Did you bring your gun?" Wu Jingzhong asked.

"I did," Liu Xiong said.

"It's the one I gave you back then, right?"

"Yes."

"Let me see it; I haven't seen it in years," Wu Jingzhong smiled.

Liu Xiong didn't suspect any trickery, drew his sidearm, and handed it to him.

"Ah, what a good gun."

"Back then, it was this gun that covered me countless times as we went through life and death together."

"Leave it with me."

Wu Jingzhong sighed with sentiment and cleanly removed the magazine.

"Hey, it was yours to begin with."

"Just take it."

"I'll go to the equipment room later and get another one," Liu Xiong said carelessly.

As he was speaking.

Dense footsteps came from outside the door.

Lu Qiaoshan led men and rushed in.

"Lu Qiaoshan, you have some nerve, what do you want?"

Seeing the situation was bad, Liu Xiong hurriedly protected Wu Jingzhong.

"Liu Xiong, stop acting."

"You're at death's door and you're still pretending to be a loyal servant; don't you feel ashamed?"

Lu Qiaoshan sighed lightly and mocked him.

"You, what do you mean?" Liu Xiong didn't understand.

"Investigation shows: Liu Xiong colluded with the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics in violation of station rules, plotting to frame the Station Chief, Secretary Hong, and Yu Zecheng."

"Let's go, let's chat on the electric chair."

At Lu Qiaoshan's order, two strong men from the Intelligence Section pounced on him.

"Lu Qiaoshan, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"How could I possibly frame the Station Chief?"

"When did I ever collude with the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics? Don't you dare spit blood on me."

Liu Xiong shook those two off, his strength surging, and he roared like a lion.

"You still dare to act tough!"

"Take him down."

Lu Qiaoshan shouted.

"Station Chief, Station Chief."

Liu Xiong turned to look at Wu Jingzhong.

But what met him was a gaze as cold as ice.

Wu Jingzhong didn't say a word, a cold sneer hanging on the corner of his mouth.

"Station Chief, you..."

Liu Xiong realized he had been sold out.

That gun.

Those pears.

Tears welled up in his eyes instantly, and he stared fixedly at Wu Jingzhong.

He wasn't reconciled.

He didn't know what he had done wrong.

He just wanted an explanation.

Wu Jingzhong didn't say a word; silence was his attitude.

"Take him away."

Lu Qiaoshan waved his hand, and several people shackled Liu Xiong and forcibly took him to the interrogation room.

"Old brother."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not that I'm heartless, it's that this world has no place for you!"

Wu Jingzhong turned around, tears spilling from the corners of his eyes.

Fools like Liu Xiong would never understand.

The emptiness of running to the bathroom time and time again in the dead of night, yet having no gold or silver to show for it.

So-called loyalty is worthless in the face of money.

Boss Dai is like this.

And so am I.

Farewell.

My old brother!

Inside the interrogation room.

"Lu Qiaoshan, don't you just want to be Deputy Station Chief?"

"I never thought of competing with you."

"But you can't be blind and watch the Station Chief fall into a fire pit."

Seeing Lu Qiaoshan's villainous face, Liu Xiong couldn't help but be annoyed.

"Not competing?"

"Hehe, you treated my equipment room like a whore."

"When you were signing your name and cursing, weren't you full of yourself?"

"Tell me, is this called not competing?"

"I'm afraid in your eyes, I was born to be your little lackey."

Lu Qiaoshan picked up a photo, patted his face, and sneered coldly.

"I want to see the Station Chief."

"I want to go to the Inspection Office, I want to see Captain Ma," Liu Xiong struggled and roared.

"Captain Ma."

"How intimate. Why see Ma Kui? To send the Station Chief to a military tribunal?"

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head.

"I have already obtained evidence of Yu Zecheng communicating with the Red Tickets..."

Liu Xiong was just about to shout when Lu Qiaoshan slapped him across the face:

"I really want to tear your mouth apart."

"You and Ma Kui are birds of a feather; the unity of the Jinhai Station is ruined by pigs like you."

He truly hated Liu Xiong.

Once Hong Zhiyou left, there was no one to provide wine.

His business in Yuezhou had completely gone down the drain.

And no one was asking Hong Zhiyou to come and pull strings anymore.

It hadn't even been a month, and he had made two thousand US dollars less than last month.

Damn Liu Xiong!

"Look, who is this?"

Lu Qiaoshan revealed a photo of Tang Wu.

"Captain of the Gendarmerie Headquarters Enforcement Team, is there a problem?" Liu Xiong said.

"No problem?"

"Look at this one; he is Sun Chuanzhi's man."

"Tang Wu colluded with the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and you colluded with them to frame Hong Zhiyou and Director Yu."

"Also, this is Chen Genbao's confession."

"He has already confessed that you forced him to sneak photos of Hong Zhiyou."

"Then you secretly leaked them to the newspapers of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Red Tickets, and plotted for students to cause trouble."

"The goal was only one: to force the Station Chief to step down so you could take his place."

Lu Qiaoshan kept revealing evidence.

"Framed."

"Chen Genbao's camera was stolen by someone," Liu Xiong said anxiously.

"You still dare to act tough with me."

"Still not convinced, huh."

"Old Wu, give him a first-class meal."

Lu Qiaoshan ordered coldly.

The next day.

Today is Wu Jingzhong's birthday.

He rarely wore a Zhongshan suit, but instead a brand-new handmade suit, his leather shoes were gleaming, and his hair was combed meticulously.

Last night, the Lady called Cuiping.

He personally asked Zhang Tinge for the person.

Zecheng is coming back today.

Moreover, the plane carrying Ruirui and Hong Zhiyou has already taken off.

The Jinhai Station will soon be harmonious and prosperous again.

"Station Chief, Liu Xiong isn't going to make it, how should we handle it?" Lu Qiaoshan walked over.

"You handle it."

"Send the body directly to the Army Hospital and say he encountered local refugees robbing him, and he was accidentally beaten to death during the dispute."

Wu Jingzhong thought for a moment and said.

"Understood." Lu Qiaoshan's hanging heart finally settled.

With Liu Xiong dead, his position as Deputy Station Chief was finally secure.

Lu Qiaoshan returned to the interrogation room.

"Liu Xiong, it's time to go."

"You encountered refugees robbing you and were accidentally beaten to death."

"How about that, you're not dying unjustly, right?"

Lu Qiaoshan grabbed his hand and pressed his fingerprint onto a pile of materials.

Liu Xiong's eyes were like copper bells.

He could no longer make a sound; that expression, distorted by anger, was like a hungry ghost from hell.

He wished he could swallow Lu Qiaoshan and Wu Jingzhong alive.

Old Wu picked up an iron rod and measured it against the back of Liu Xiong's head.

Bang!

A single blow.

The skull shattered, and brain matter mixed with blood spilled out.

The people on the side picked up a sack, put it over him, and carried him out.

Just like beating a dog to death.

Lu Qiaoshan straightened his tie, sucked his teeth, sneered, and walked out lightly.

Office.

Wu Jingzhong was sitting in his chair when Li Ping rushed in:

"Station Chief, where is Section Chief Liu?"

"Section Chief Liu is a living person, how would I know?" Wu Jingzhong frowned.

"That's not right."

"Yesterday, after he entered your office, he never came back out," Li Ping said anxiously.

"Presumptuous!"

"You dog, who gave you the courage to speak to me like that?"

"Do you believe I'll blow your head off with one shot!"

Wu Jingzhong slammed the table, pulled his sidearm from the drawer, and aimed it at him.

Li Ping stared at him indignantly, completely unafraid.

"Little Li, you've come at the right time."

"Last night, Section Chief Liu was robbed by a group of refugees in Mahua Alley, and a dispute occurred."

"Unfortunately... he was killed."

"The body is being held in Warehouse No. 3 of the Army Hospital; go and see him off on his final journey."

Lu Qiaoshan happened to walk in and announced the tragic news with a sorrowful tone.

"You, you people."

Li Ping's tears gushed out, and he turned and rushed out.

Returning to his office, he dialed Ma Kui's number:

"Captain Ma, my master has been murdered."

"Please be sure to tell Director Mao to avenge his old man."

"He had just found evidence against Yu Zecheng."

Lu Qiaoshan closed the door and whispered:

"Station Chief, this kid Li Ping is afraid he's going to report to the Inspection Office."

"When a field-grade officer dies, there has to be an explanation."

"Let him report."

"If I didn't even have this much control, I wouldn't be worthy of being Station Chief," Wu Jingzhong said coldly with his hands behind his back.

"With those words from you, I'm relieved."

Lu Qiaoshan bowed, smiled, and retreated.

A moment later.

A figure in a grey Zhongshan suit walked in and saluted properly:

"Major Director of the Confidential Room, Yu Zecheng, greets the Station Chief."

Wu Jingzhong looked up, pointed at him, and was overjoyed:

"That's the right flavor."

"What's with the suit and the gold-rimmed glasses? You have no military bearing."

"The student was unwise some time ago, and I hope the teacher will be magnanimous," Yu Zecheng apologized with a ninety-degree bow.

"It's good that you're back."

"When you're not here, I don't even have anyone to talk to."

"It's still one's own people who are the most thoughtful."

"How was it? Did you suffer?" Wu Jingzhong pulled him to sit on the sofa.

"That was suffering to the extreme."

"I was almost drunk to death, I even vomited blood."

"With that errand for Mr. Zhang, even Wu Erlang would have collapsed."

"It's still better here with you, teacher."

Yu Zecheng flattered him with a smile.

"Confess honestly, how many treasures did you get for Zhang Tinge?" Wu Jingzhong asked, tilting his head with a hint of complaint.

"Not many."

"Altogether, they aren't as valuable as that painting by Song Huizong that Mu Liancheng had," Yu Zecheng said.

Wu Jingzhong's heart was immediately balanced, and he patted Yu Zecheng, beaming with joy:

"That's more like it."

"Liu Xiong is gone; from now on, just work with peace of mind, and when you're free, go around the homes of those rich dogs."

"Things like Song Huizong's paintings and ink are beautiful."

"I feel at ease when I smell that old scent; I slept so soundly last night."

"In order for the teacher to have a peaceful sleep, the student will certainly spare no effort," Yu Zecheng accepted the order happily.

"Sit down, eat... an apple."

Wu Jingzhong peeled it himself and cut it in half.

"Eating apples is good, it's good for the stomach."

"The meaning is also good."

"Peace and safety, come!"

"Thank you, Station Chief."

Wu Jingzhong handed him a piece, and the two began to eat.

"Ah."

"With Section Chief Liu gone, I feel settled in my heart."

"I won't hide it from you, teacher; in the past, when I sat on this sofa, it was like being pricked by needles."

"Today is your birthday, Zhiyou and Ruirui should be back too, right?"

Yu Zecheng finished the apple and asked with a smile.

"In another two or three hours, they should be here," Wu Jingzhong glanced at his watch.

"That's good, I'll go pick them up."

Yu Zecheng said hurriedly.

"No rush, let's talk."

"I don't even know how to spend this birthday."

"Mr. Mao is about to arrive in Shancheng, and Ma Hansan has come up with a rotten idea," Wu Jingzhong said in a deep voice.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know the specifics, but Boss Dai's meaning is for me to cooperate with him."

"Ma Hansan is coming to Jinhai this afternoon."

"He is concurrently the Director of Pingjin; this man is vain and has always been at odds with me."

"He has a lot of dirty business under his belt."

"You must treat him carefully and cautiously; you absolutely cannot offend him."

"You go to the warehouse first and pick out something good, grab a couple of items."

Wu Jingzhong frowned and ordered seriously.

"Okay, I'll go now," Yu Zecheng stood up.

"Don't pick anything too expensive."

"Something mid-range will do."

Wu Jingzhong added, feeling the pain in his heart.

Thanks to all the leaders, we've broken 1,000 monthly votes. There will be an extra chapter tonight. However, at my speed, it might be one or two in the morning, so everyone should just read it when you wake up tomorrow morning. Good night.

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(End of chapter)