Chapter 98: The World is Unjust, There is No Place for You

"Why are you only saying this now?" Wu Jingzhong slammed the table in anger.

"Secretary Hong said... that you, Station Chief, are biased toward Liu Xiong."

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

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

"If you trust others, they will always betray you!"

Wu Jingzhong looked up at the portrait of the Generalissimo in his military uniform and let out a long sigh after a while.

He had always trusted Liu Xiong.

Even when two of his favorite subordinates were forced out, he had not been able to bring himself to touch a hair on Liu Xiong's head.

But now...

Tang Wu had dealings with the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

Ma Kui had sent an "imperial envoy," but instead of returning to the station, he was laying out a scheme behind the scenes.

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 Military Police Headquarters.

Chen Genbao.

Liu Xiong.

The Bright Daily.

The Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

Scratch, scratch!

He circled them and connected them with lines.

A massive conspiracy was about to emerge.

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 worse, to send him to the guillotine.

There was no hope in relying on Boss Dai as a backer.

He had chosen to remain a bystander.

Very well!

Liu Xiong, you've done well.

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

"Section Chief Xiao, tell Division Chief Lu to arrange for men immediately," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Yes."

Xiao Guohua received the order and left.

When he reached the stairwell.

Xiao Guohua happened to run into Liu Xiong.

It had been a while, 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 stop Xiao Guohua.

"Section Chief Liu."

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

"Didn't you go to build the 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 am going after Yu and Hong; you are no match for them."

"With elders to support and children to raise, don't get involved in this kind of thing."

Liu Xiong punched him on the shoulder and warned him.

"Section Chief Liu..."

Xiao Guohua felt a pang of sorrow.

"What's wrong?" Liu Xiong asked with a frown.

"Why do you insist on investigating Yu and Hong?" Xiao Guohua truly did not want to see him fall into trouble.

"Guohua."

"You know me."

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

Liu Xiong patted him and walked quickly toward his office with the file bag.

"Sigh!"

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

"Station Chief."

Liu Xiong walked in quickly.

"Old Liu, hurry, sit."

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

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

"Station Chief, didn't you say you had a yin deficiency recently and shouldn't eat pears?" Liu Xiong laughed.

"Pears are a good thing."

"Refreshing and nourishing."

"Especially for you, you should eat more."

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

"Look at you."

"You're so busy you don't even look human anymore. What is it? 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 smuggled a batch of American military hardware 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 grave.

"The person smuggling was named Anderson."

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

"This man was a classmate of Hong Zhiyou in the Eighth Special Training Class."

"Hong Zhiyou may have been involved."

"The key is that the destination for this shipment was the Border Region."

"Isn't that enough to prove Hong Zhiyou is a Red agent?"

"Even if it isn't, the major crime of trafficking military hardware alone is enough to send him to a military tribunal."

Liu Xiong analyzed with excitement.

"May have been involved?"

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

Wu Jingzhong frowned.

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

"Don't be in such a rush to talk, eat the pear."

"The autumn air is dry, look, your lips are already cracked."

"Alright."

Liu Xiong didn't stand on ceremony; looking at Wu Jingzhong, he was reminded of the time the two of them used to share apples.

He smiled and began to eat in large bites.

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

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

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

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

"Quick, let me see."

Wu Jingzhong took it and hurriedly opened it to look.

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

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

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

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

"Afterward, she was assigned to go to the Soviet Union for studies."

This was the first report.

The second telegram:

"Investigation confirms that the romantic relationship between Yu Zecheng and Zuo Lan is true.

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

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

"Suspected of having ties with the Shaanxi Guild Hall.

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

Wu Jingzhong felt his scalp tingle as he read it, and 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 weren't found; they might have been lost.

"Once Wan Lilang died, these matters became impossible to verify.

"What Buddha Niche found was only intelligence revealed by buying off the subordinates of the man surnamed Tie in the Border Region.

"The truth remains to be determined."

Liu Xiong shook his head with a hint of regret.

"Judging from the intelligence, after Yu Zecheng assassinated Li Haifeng, he did meet with Zuo Lan in Jingling," Wu Jingzhong said, frowning.

"That's right, Station Chief.

"After Yu Zecheng went to the Political Security Bureau, Zuo Lan's identity at No. 50 Zengjiayan in Shancheng was exposed shortly after.

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

"Who would have known he really killed Li Haifeng? The Generalissimo personally announced the righteous act nationwide; it was even on the radio.

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

"Boss Dai personally ordered Station Chief Chen to drop the charges.

"And had Ye Ziming bring him back to Shancheng to receive an award."

Liu Xiong frowned and continued:

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

"Isn't this an obvious red pass?

"Even if it isn't, he must have been brainwashed by the Red Party long ago.

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

"With Boss Tie's fake testimony, 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 at all?

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

"I've said it before, doing things requires evidence.

"Based solely on one-sided words, Ye Ziming and Boss Dai will turn against us, and when all sorts of messy things come out during an interrogation, we will be very passive."

He paused and considered cautiously.

"No rush.

"I have intelligence that among the Red Party military mediation representatives, it is very likely that this Zuo Lan is one of them.

"Once I investigate the Americans and capture Zuo Lan, then I'll just sweat her.

"Won't everything be clear then?"

Liu Xiong said with determination.

"Heh heh.

"Investigate the Americans.

"Capture a military mediation representative.

"Only you, Gray Eagle, would do that."

Wu Jingzhong felt a wave of pity inside; this old brother of his had already become obsessed and lost his mind, unaware of the gravity of the situation.

Capture a military mediation representative.

Investigate the Americans.

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

"Just fulfilling my duty to the Party and State, I would not hesitate even if it meant death," Liu Xiong said with a simple smile, 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 a couple more," Wu Jingzhong smiled.

"Will do."

Liu Xiong didn't even peel it, 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 suspected no foul play, drew his sidearm, and handed it to him.

"Ah, a good gun.

"Back then it was this one that covered me countless times, through life and death together.

"Leave it with me."

Wu Jingzhong sighed with sentimentality and efficiently removed the magazine.

"Hey, it was yours to begin with.

"Just take it.

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

Just as he was speaking.

Dense footsteps came from outside the door.

Lu Qiaoshan led people in, rushing inside.

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

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

"Liu Xiong, stop acting.

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

Lu Qiaoshan sighed with an 'aiya' and mocked him.

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

"Investigation: Liu Xiong colluded with the Zhongtong to violate house 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 command, two burly men from the Intelligence Division 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 Zhongtong? Don't you dare spit blood at me."

Liu Xiong threw the two men off, his strength surging, and roared like a lion.

"Still daring to show off!

"Take him down."

Lu Qiaoshan shouted.

"Station Chief, Station Chief."

Liu Xiong turned his head to look at Wu Jingzhong.

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

Wu Jingzhong said nothing, a cold sneer hanging on the corners of his mouth.

"Station Chief, you..."

Liu Xiong realized he had been sold out.

That gun.

Those pears.

His tears welled up instantly, and he stared fixedly at Wu Jingzhong.

He was unwilling to accept this.

He did not know what he had done wrong.

He only wanted an explanation.

Wu Jingzhong said nothing; silence was his attitude.

"Take him away."

Lu Qiaoshan waved his hand, and several men shackled Liu Xiong and forcibly dragged 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.

A fool like Liu Xiong would never understand.

The emptiness of running to the toilet time and again in the dead of night, yet having no gold or silver coming in.

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

Boss Dai is like this.

I am the same.

Farewell.

My old brother!

Inside the interrogation room.

"Lu Qiaoshan, isn't it just that you want to be Deputy Station Chief?

"I never thought of competing with you.

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

When Liu Xiong saw that villainous look on Lu Qiaoshan's face, he couldn't help but be furious.

"Not competing?

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

"When you made me sign papers and curse, weren't you high and mighty?

"You tell me, is this called not competing?

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

Lu Qiaoshan picked up a photo, patted his face with it, 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 touching. Why see Ma Kui? To send the Station Chief to a military tribunal?"

Lu Qiaoshan shook his head and said.

"I have already obtained evidence of Yu Zecheng's connection to the tickets..."

Just as Liu Xiong was about to shout, Lu Qiaoshan slapped him across the face:

"I really want to tear your mouth apart.

"You and Ma Kui are cut from the same cloth; the unity of the Jinhai Station is ruined by you bunch of idiots."

He truly hated Liu Xiong.

Once Hong Zhiyou left, no one was providing wine.

His business in Yuezhou had completely gone down the drain.

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

It hadn't even been a month, and he was already two thousand US dollars short compared to last month.

Damn that Liu Xiong!

"Look, who is this?"

Lu Qiaoshan revealed a photo of Tang Wu.

"The 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 Zhongtong, and you colluded with the Zhongtong to frame Hong Zhiyou and Section Chief Yu.

"Also, this is Chen Genbao's confession.

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

"Then you privately leaked them to the Zhongtong and the Red ticket newspapers, and plotted for students to cause trouble.

"There is only one goal: to force the Station Chief to step down so you can take his place."

Lu Qiaoshan kept revealing evidence.

"Framed.

"Chen Genbao's camera was stolen by someone else." Liu Xiong panicked.

"Still trying to act tough with me.

"Still not convinced, are you?

"Number Five, 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 Western suit, his leather shoes were gleaming, and his hair was slicked back meticulously.

Last night, Mrs. Kang called Cuiping.

He personally asked Zhang Tinge for the person.

Zecheng would be back today.

Moreover, the plane carrying Wu Rui and Hong Zhiyou had already taken off.

The Jinhai Station would soon be back to making money in harmony.

"Station Chief, Liu Xiong is done for, how should we handle it?" Lu Qiaoshan walked over.

"You handle it.

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

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 vagrants robbing you and were accidentally beaten to death.

"How about that, you won't die with a grievance."

Lu Qiaoshan grabbed his hand and pressed his thumbprint onto a pile of documents.

Liu Xiong's eyes were wide as copper bells.

He could no longer make a sound, his expression twisted with such fury that he looked like a hungry ghost from hell.

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

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

Bang!

A single blow struck down.

The skull shattered, and brains mixed with blood spilled out.

The people nearby grabbed a sack, put it over him, and carried him out.

Just like killing a dog.

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

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 grown man, how would I know?" Wu Jingzhong frowned and said.

"That's not right."

"Ever since he entered your office yesterday, he hasn't come back out." Li Ping grew anxious.

"Insolent!"

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

"Do you believe I'll blow your brains out with one shot?"

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

Li Ping glared at him indignantly, showing no fear.

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

"Last night, Section Chief Liu was robbed by a group of vagrants in Mahua Alley, and a dispute broke out."

"Unfortunately... he was killed."

"His body is being held at the Lujunyi Academy's third warehouse; go and see him off on his final journey."

Just then, Lu Qiaoshan walked in and announced the tragic news with a sorrowful tone.

"You, you people."

Tears welled up in Li Ping's eyes, and he turned and rushed out.

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

"Captain Ma, my Master has been murdered."

"Please, you must tell Director Mao to avenge his old man."

"He had just found the evidence on Yu Zecheng."

Lu Qiaoshan closed the door and whispered:

"Station Chief, this kid Li Ping is likely going to report this to the Inspection Office."

"When a field officer dies, there must be an explanation."

"Let him report it."

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

"With those words from you, I can rest easy."

Lu Qiaoshan bowed with a smile and retreated.

A moment later.

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

"Major and 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."

"Why wear a suit and gold-rimmed glasses? You had no military bearing."

"Your student was unwise some time ago, I hope you will be magnanimous, Teacher." Yu Zecheng bowed ninety degrees to apologize.

"It's good to have you back."

"When you weren't here, I didn't even have anyone to talk to."

"It's always more comforting to have one of our own."

"How was it? Did you suffer?" Wu Jingzhong pulled him over and sat him down on the sofa.

"I suffered immensely."

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

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

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

Yu Zecheng said with a flattering smile.

"Be honest, how many treasures did you get for Zhang Tinge?" Wu Jingzhong tilted his head and complained.

"Not many."

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

Wu Jingzhong immediately felt balanced, patted Yu Zecheng, and beamed with joy:

"That's more like it."

"Liu Xiong is gone, so from now on, just work with peace of mind and go visit those wealthy families when you have nothing to do."

"Things like Song Huizong's paintings and ink brushes—they look good."

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

"To ensure you get a peaceful night's sleep, Teacher, your student will spare no effort." Yu Zecheng happily accepted the order.

"Sit down, have an... apple."

Wu Jingzhong peeled it himself and cut it in two.

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

"The symbolism is good, too."

"Peace and safety—here!"

"Thank you, Station Chief."

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

"Sigh."

"With Section Chief Liu gone, I finally feel at ease."

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

"Since today is your birthday, Hong Zhiyou and Wu Rui should be back soon, right?"

Yu Zecheng asked with a smile after finishing the apple.

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

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

Yu Zecheng said hurriedly.

"No rush, let's talk."

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

"Mr. Mao is arriving in Shancheng soon, and Ma Hansan has come up with a rotten idea," Wu Jingzhong said in a low voice.

"What do you mean?"

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

"Ma Hansan is coming to Jinhai this afternoon."

"He holds the concurrent position of Director of Pingjin; he is a man who cares about face and has always been at odds with me."

"He has many dirty goods from his underlings' backstabbing."

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

"Go to the warehouse first and pick out a couple of decent things."

Wu Jingzhong frowned and instructed solemnly.

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

"Don't pick anything too expensive."

"Something mid-range will do."

Wu Jingzhong added with a pained expression.

Thank you to all the leaders, the monthly ticket count has broken one thousand; there will be an extra chapter tonight. However, at my speed, it might be one or two in the morning, so you should just read it when you wake up tomorrow morning. Goodnight.

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(End of chapter)