Chapter 99: The King of North China, Ma Hansan (Bonus Chapter for 1,000 Monthly Votes)

Noon.

Inside a luxury private room at the Lishun Hotel.

"Happy birthday, Dad.

"This is a Swiss watch I bought for you, worth ten thousand dollars."

Wu Rui hugged Wu Jingzhong and kissed the old man several times.

Wu Jingzhong pursed his lips, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

He was very averse to this foreign custom.

Always hugging and kissing at the drop of a hat.

No wonder that brat Hong Zhiyou managed to get his hands on her so quickly.

"Station Chief.

"I hunted down a jade pillow for you at the Imperial Auction House.

"It is said to be the jade pillow Empress Wu Zetian used for sleeping.

"It is warm, smooth, and cooling, perfect for calming the spirit and nourishing the body.

"I'm not bragging, but it is definitely no worse than Director Yu's Empress Dowager Cixi night-luminescent pearl."

Hong Zhiyou presented the gift, not forgetting to wink at Yu Zecheng.

"You are an expert on Aodao now; how could I compare to you?

"Your jade pillow wins."

Yu Zecheng laughed generously.

"Whether it's the Empress Dowager or Wu Zetian, I like them both," Wu Jingzhong laughed heartily.

Everyone laughed and chatted, as close as family.

Once the meal was nearly finished, Wu Jingzhong gave Mei Qiuju a look.

"Cuiping.

"Rui, let's go play some tennis."

Mei Qiuju hurriedly called the two women to leave the table.

"Ma Hansan arrives at four this afternoon.

"Secretary Hong, you are better at handling people than Zecheng; you arrange for him."

Wu Jingzhong instructed.

"Understood, Master," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Zecheng, you need to keep an eye on Cuiping.

"Right now, Jinmen is crawling with informants from the Central Bureau and Headquarters; if you don't follow the rules, something will go wrong."

Turning his head, Wu Jingzhong warned Yu Zecheng solemnly.

He had been scared by Yu Zecheng's antics.

Being investigated so often.

Even if one isn't a ghost, one becomes one.

"Understood, I am teaching her.

"She grew up wild in the countryside and has a fiery temper; I can't keep her in check all at once," Yu Zecheng apologized with a smile.

"It's fine.

"Aren't you back now?

"Call Lady Lu and Lady Ma to make up a table for mahjong.

"As long as women have something to do, they won't cause trouble."

Wu Jingzhong advised him.

"Very well, I'll buy a mahjong set later and teach her how to play," Yu Zecheng nodded respectfully.

"Also, Ma Kui has returned.

"He has been hiding at the Gendarmerie Headquarters, getting up to some dirty business with that Tang Wu."

After a pause, Wu Jingzhong added.

"Why not just let him stay at the Gendarmerie Headquarters forever?" Yu Zecheng asked with deep resentment.

"Not right now.

"Boss Dai has become suspicious of me.

"Liu Xiong was just taken out by bandits; if another Lieutenant Colonel dies, I won't be able to cover it up."

Wu Jingzhong suppressed his murderous intent and shook his head.

"With Liu Xiong dead, I reckon Ma Kui will be back tomorrow.

"Let's see what moves he makes first."

Hong Zhiyou swirled his wine glass and took a comfortable sip of red wine.

In any case, with Zhang Zui and Zuo Lan around, Ma Kui wouldn't live much longer.

"Anyway, enough about him.

"Let's talk about Ma Hansan.

"This man has very clever methods; coming to Jinmen specifically, he's hard to read.

"Right now, the Americans and the Soviet special envoy are both in Shancheng.

"If he stirs up trouble, who knows how many people will lose their heads."

Wu Jingzhong's head trembled slightly as he sighed with a worried face.

"Station Chief, what is Boss Dai's intention?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Him?

"Still dreaming his dream of being the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy.

"A man cannot serve two masters.

"Wanting everything, wanting it all, that leads to problems.

"In my view, if Boss Dai keeps pushing his navy, he's not far from collapse.

"Ma Hansan might just be here to dig his grave.

"And when that happens, he'll bury me in the same pit."

Wu Jingzhong, relying on his years of political intuition, tapped the table.

Old Wu, the eternal god!

Ma Hansan was indeed a master at digging pits.

The only one he misjudged was Wang Puchen.

However, in their first encounter, Wang Puchen was also left numb by Wu Jingzhong.

"Station Chief, would they really dare to target Mao..." Yu Zecheng was very panicked.

"Do not underestimate Ma Hansan.

"This man is a desperate gambler.

"He only cares about his own ledger; if you push him too far, believe me, he'd even dare to blow up the Chairman's plane!"

Wu Jingzhong prided himself on having an eye as sharp as a hawk.

He had already seen through Ma Hansan completely.

"Alright, I'll go make the arrangements.

"I planted the line at the Shangquan Society earlier, and Director Lu is still waiting for me."

Having finished their conversation, Yu Zecheng stood up to leave.

"You handled the Xiangdao matter beautifully.

"Did you deal with Su Jianhua cleanly?" Wu Jingzhong asked in a low voice.

"It was done by a group of Filipino smugglers.

"They don't speak the language and will do anything for money; the police won't find any leads."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"But why did you bring back a liability? Your sister-in-law was just asking me about Mei Shao."

Wu Jingzhong's eyes turned cold, his face full of displeasure.

His original intention was for Hong Zhiyou to kill her.

Who knew this guy would play a clever trick and let the secret leak.

"Master.

"Rui wouldn't let me; she said that when she was little, her sister-in-law and Lady Qiao were captured by the Japanese in Beiping.

"It was all thanks to Mei Shao leading her in exile that she survived.

"I had no choice."

Hong Zhiyou shifted the blame directly onto Wu Rui; he had already trained her well anyway.

"Fine.

"Just say Mei Ziyi went abroad; your sister-in-law still cares about that connection," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Understood," Hong Zhiyou nodded.

"By the way, your parents have already moved into Director Yu's residence."

"Zhiyou."

"I trust Director Yu."

"That wife of his, perhaps there is some issue; you are neighbors now, keep a closer eye on her."

Wu Jingzhong looked around and urged him.

"Understood." Hong Zhiyou nodded.

Then, he pulled his chair closer and reported in a low voice:

"Master, Rui-Rui and I are together."

"You bastard!

"Su Jianhua is sponging off me, and you want to play tricks too?"

Wu Jingzhong squinted at him, his expression complex.

"Master, I don't gamble, and I don't squander money.

"Rui-Rui is smart and beautiful, and I, Zhiyou, am capable; we will certainly live well together."

Hong Zhiyou said with a fawning smile.

"Get out.

"Go and wipe the backside of that bullshit South Wind Company of yours clean!"

Wu Jingzhong was too lazy to interrogate him further; he simply said this and stood up to leave.

Sigh.

Becoming a father-in-law really makes a difference.

In the past, he would have investigated him until there was nothing left to find.

Wu Rui-Rui was truly worth the effort.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Several black sedans pulled into the courtyard.

Wu Jingzhong led Hong Zhiyou downstairs to welcome them in person.

Ma Hansan possessed the height and brawn of a northerner.

His single-lidded elephant eyes revealed the sharpness and majesty of a superior.

He was slightly plump with thin lips.

He gave off an impression of being mean-spirited and sharp.

Beside him was Wang Puchen, still with his three-piece set: smoking, coughing, and spitting.

"Old Wu, we meet again.

"Last time, you and Section Chief Shen demanded people on my home turf.

"This time, it's my turn to drop by your territory."

Ma Hansan had one hand behind his back and extended the other to laugh heartily.

Wu Jingzhong shook his hand, squinting as he smiled:

"Director Ma, why call it dropping by?

"We have been old friends for so many years; what is mine or yours? All of North China belongs to you, my old brother.

"You are the King of North China.

"I am just a younger brother guarding this little patch of Jinmen for you."

"Haha, I like hearing that!" Ma Hansan did not feign modesty and accepted it all.

Then, he walked inside on his own, hands behind his back, acting like a big shot.

"Inspector Wang."

Wu Jingzhong shook hands with Wang Puchen briefly.

"Station Chief Wu." Wang Puchen was as taciturn as ever.

After speaking, he opened his mouth and spat a glob of phlegm mixed with smoke onto the ground.

"You should quit; smoking like that every day is bad for your health."

Wu Jingzhong curled his lip, glared at him, and led them inside.

They arrived at the conference room.

Ma Hansan sat at the head of the table, crossed his legs, and his aura as the King of North China was truly no joke, firmly overshadowing Wu Jingzhong.

"Everyone sit."

Ma Hansan swept his gaze over the group and gestured with his hand.

Wu Jingzhong and Wang Puchen sat down.

Hong Zhiyou took notes on the side.

Lu Qiaoshan and Yu Zecheng accompanied them.

"Let me ask you something first, little brother.

"What is going on with Cao Qingming?

"Old Wu, you released the man and took money; it was even in the newspapers.

"For you and Section Chief Shen to run all the way to Beiping for him, that wasn't very honorable, was it?"

Relying on his position of strength, Ma Hansan played his cards openly from the start.

"Director Ma.

"The newspaper report is only a suspicion." Wu Jingzhong explained calmly.

"Isn't that your secretary?

"You, is it you?" Ma Hansan pointed at Hong Zhiyou.

"Reporting to Director Ma, it is not me.

"I have never met any Mr. Cao; it is clearly someone maliciously framing me and the Jinhai Station."

Hong Zhiyou stood to the side, his expression unchanged, and answered respectfully.

"That newspaper belongs to the Dangtong Bureau; don't they love doing these petty things to sow discord?

"Director Ma, you must not take it seriously."

Wu Jingzhong added with a beaming smile.

"The problem is, this Cao Qingming is an important member of the Red Ticket; if you hadn't messed around, I would have caught a big fish."

Ma Hansan's cheeks tightened, and he tapped his fingers on the table several times.

"Director Ma must have made a mistake.

"Cao Qingming could never be a Red Ticket; he is... a relative of a friend of Boss Dai.

"Section Chief Shen can testify."

Wu Jingzhong sat straight, hands clasped, and retorted lightly.

"Inspector Wang, you are well-informed; you should know this too."

As he spoke, he kicked the ball to Wang Puchen.

Wang Puchen played dead, cigarette never leaving his hand, coughing and spitting continuously.

"Put that out!

"Smoking, smoking, smoking!"

Ma Hansan pointed at him in annoyance.

"Yes!"

Wang Puchen stubbed out his cigarette, coughed for a while, and then said:

"It seems he is a relative of a friend of Boss Dai.

"And it seems he isn't.

"I recently went on a business trip to see Mr. He in Ludong, so I am not very familiar with the inside story."

"That's as good as saying nothing." Ma Hansan glared at him.

"Then he must be a relative of Boss Dai.

"Let's talk about the next matter.

"The superiors have ordered, Old Wu, that you are to hand over this batch of people.

"I must take them away today."

Ma Hansan took out a piece of paper with a list on it.

"These are all..." Wu Jingzhong glanced at it.

"It doesn't matter if I tell you; I couldn't hide it from you anyway.

"These are the Japanese-puppet agents confessed by Kawashima Yoshiko.

"A batch of them are locked up in the Shuitun Prison.

"Pick them out as soon as possible; I have a use for them."

Ma Hansan ordered in a commanding tone.

"Handing over people is no problem.

"But brother, you have to give me the paperwork.

"At the very least, you have to tell me who the superior is." Wu Jingzhong smiled and pushed the list back.

"Old Wu, you're tripping me on purpose, aren't you?"

"I'm not one of you lot from those classes or universities; I don't have so many rules."

"I only know whether the Jinhai Station recognizes me as the Director of the Juntong Bureau Peiping-Tianjin Office."

Ma Han San curled his lip upward, his bandit nature leaking out.

That was how he handled things in Peiping.

Whoever didn't submit, he would go and spar with them.

After the sparring, no matter who it was, they would all have to grovel before him.

"Brother, you are Boss Dai's favorite."

"I'm not; I'm just a servant."

"Just look at last time I went to Peiping; by Boss Dai's order and with Section Chief Shen acting as guarantor, didn't you still interrogate me thirteen times over?"

Wu Jingzhong teased with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"There are no superiors."

"And there cannot be any superiors."

"Tacit approval, understand?"

Ma Han San's eyes sharpened, and he pointed at the hanging portrait of the Generalissimo.

"I must request instructions from Boss Dai," Wu Jingzhong said.

"Go ahead and request them," Ma Han San laughed.

Wu Jingzhong went inside, and after a while, he walked out and announced:

"Boss Dai has given an order."

"This plan is to be handled entirely by Director Ma; he knows nothing of it and will not participate in any way."

"Director Ma, I will bring the people to you now."

"Secretary Hong, call Director Yu, and go to the Shuitun Prison to pick up the people according to the list," Wu Jingzhong ordered again.

"Go ahead and pick them up."

"Renchu, I heard there's a good place for Goubuli steamed buns around here."

"I just love these things with filling."

"Let's go, let's go have a taste."

Ma Han San stood up and walked out.

Once he left, Wu Jingzhong returned to his office.

Hong Zhiyou and Yu Zecheng were already waiting.

"The two of you, I guessed right; they've come to dig my grave."

"Whether Boss Dai is burying me, I don't know."

"But he, Ma Han San, is definitely burying me."

"Vicious."

Wu Jingzhong was so angry he kept clapping his hands.

"Master, what exactly is going on?" Hong Zhiyou was also a bit confused.

"Still don't understand?"

"Kawashima Yoshiko was captured by Ma Han San."

"She spat out a whole pile of Japanese-puppet spies."

"Are there really so few Japanese-puppet spies in Peiping?"

"He, Ma Han San, insisted on running to Jinhai to make these arrests; isn't he just trying to drag me into it?"

"Once there is a change in Shancheng."

"He, the Generalissimo, and Boss Dai can shift the blame onto the Japanese-puppet spies."

"Even if the Americans and Stalin are angry, what can they do? It's nothing more than throwing two more atomic bombs at the Japanese."

"But the people were taken from Jinhai."

"Taken from Shuitun Prison, and I signed the papers."

"When the time comes, Ma Han San will dump the blame on my head."

"If it's investigated, I'll be the mastermind of this plot; won't I be sold out by the Generalissimo and the others to the Americans and the Soviets as a scapegoat?"

"Taking a step back, the Red Ticket Society will hunt me to the ends of the earth."

"Even if I were the Monkey King, I fear I would struggle to escape death."

Wu Jingzhong's face was panicked; he paced with his hands behind his back, speaking indignantly.

"Master, then, what should we do?" Yu Zecheng panicked.

He was truly panicked.

Old Jiang was too shameless; he could actually pin this on the Japanese.

In this way, Mr. Mao was truly in danger.

"What is Boss Dai's attitude?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"He's washed his hands of it."

"Right now, for this matter, the only one who has actually signed and given approval is this sucker, me."

"The Generalissimo gave tacit approval."

"Boss Dai wants to resist but doesn't dare."

"Everything is being pressed onto my head."

Wu Jingzhong pointed at his own chest and said.

"Master, do you have any countermeasures?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

This pot was indeed too big.

It was no longer something a small fry like him could casually offer advice on.

How miserable.

He had just managed to latch onto Old Wu's thigh.

And now he was going to be a scapegoat along with him.

It truly is big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp.

"Stall for now."

"Stall for as long as I can."

"I'll keep calling Boss Dai."

"If he wants to sell me out, he's got to at least water down the pig before slaughtering it."

"He has to feed me something to make me worth a few more pennies."

Wu Jingzhong said irritably.

As he spoke, he picked up the desk phone and dialed Dai Li's private line.

Once.

Twice.

No one answered at all.

"Damn it, these bastards."

Wu Jingzhong hung up the phone bitterly.

The three of them looked at each other, all feeling helpless.

Just then, the phone suddenly rang.

Wu Jingzhong answered:

"I'm busy right now, who has the time to go play cards with you."

"Go to Wu Taixun's house?"

"Fine, I understand."

Hanging up the phone, he started to smile:

"Boss Dai is truly a master."

"Zhiyou, your sister-in-law says they're short a player for mahjong, and she wants you to go accompany Zhu Jiu."

"Understood." Hong Zhiyou's eyes lit up suddenly.

Four people play mahjong.

Sister Mei, Zhu Jiu.

And there is one more person, it goes without saying.

"Play it through, play it clearly."

"Remember, absolutely, absolutely do not lose."

"Go through the secret passage; don't let Ma Han San and the others know."

Wu Jingzhong wiped away cold sweat and emphasized solemnly.

"Don't worry, Station Chief, 'Pure One Color' is my specialty."

Hong Zhiyou dared not be slow and hurriedly walked away quickly.

……

Ten days since launch, 1, 00 monthly votes. Thank you for the generous support of the big bosses. The 4, 00-word bonus chapter is complete. Thanks.

Also, continuing to ask for monthly votes, tips, and everything else.

Too sleepy. I will fix typos when I wake up tomorrow morning. Good night.

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(End of chapter)