Chapter 268: Digging a Pit for Gu and Zeng

Normally, using the resources at hand, I resell some daily necessities like stockings and soap, helping the Military Statistics Bureau earn a little extra income—nothing wrong with that.

As a result, this time another batch of hot goods was sent over.

Because of the experience from pitting Gao Liushouji, Chen Yongren had also engaged in black‑market dealing a few times before.

So now the pattern for opium trade has changed: payment is only received a month after delivery, and under normal circumstances those smokehouses won't cooperate with outsiders.

This time, Boss Dai's attitude is also very tough, so Chen Yongren can only reluctantly agree outwardly while opposing inwardly, dragging it out as long as possible.

When it can no longer be delayed, I'll just make up some excuse, saying the goods had a problem; after selling them for so long, an occasional mishap is no big deal.

Finally, the telegram also offered another big promise.

The gist is that commendations for this operation are under discussion; having dealt a heavy blow to the enemy in the Songhu area, rewards, bonuses, and promotions will certainly not be stingy.

Chen Yongren, as usual, replied with a round of polite remarks.

The special train filled with puppet officials was blown up, causing not only a stir in Songhu but also a great commotion internationally.

The next day.

On the surface, Chen Yongren's position is consultant at No. 76.

Even though he was happy inside, he still had to do his surface work well, so he got up early.

On the way to No. 76.

"Haifeng, at nine o'clock, just find any bank, give me a call, and say you have important business to handle." Chen Yongren raised his hand to glance at his watch.

Having blown up the puppet officials' special train, now we should think about how to really pit Gu Yongshan and Zeng Qiru.

This time, even if we don't kill them, we must make them lose a layer of skin.

"I'll make the call, I understand," Zhang Haifeng said, though he didn't know the meaning, he still nodded and agreed.

As soon as Chen Yongren arrived at No. 76, he summoned Gu Yongshan and issued her the order to gather intelligence.

Even though Zeng Qiru had multiple bullet wounds in his leg, upon hearing about the train incident he had no mood to keep lying in the hospital.

Instead, he leaned on a cane, hobbled over to Chen Yongren's office.

This is an excellent opportunity to show myself before the locust army; I've taken several bullets, still carrying my gun into battle—who is more loyal to the locust army than I?

"Director Gu, you are responsible for gathering information related to this incident, especially the underground arms trade; you must trace every batch of explosives, even if only a gram!"

Chen Yongren's expression turned grave: "The security work for this special train was not assigned to us, but this shows, from the side, that the locust army does not value us."

"We work for the new government, yet we can't be responsible for their safety; why can't we reflect on that?"

"So, for us this is also an opportunity to make the locust army value us!"

"Yes, Consultant Chen." Gu Yongshan sat up straight.

"I have faith in your ability; don't let me down." Chen Yongren encouraged.

"Yes!" Gu Yongshan's voice grew louder.

Yesterday Chen Yongren had scolded her to the point of almost crying, but today she received such gentle treatment, and Gu Yongshan felt a different emotion inside.

Zeng Qiru's complexion looked somewhat unnatural.

"Underground arms trade—is this aimed at me? No, I need to prepare ahead of time and get my subordinates to lay low."

"Each time the action squad seizes arms, we hand over half according to regulation and keep half; could it be that someone bought our arms?"

"And there's Gu Yongshan that little vixen—why do I feel something's off?"

"Could this vixen really have said something to Chen Yongren?"

"And you, Director Zeng." Chen Yongren then looked at Zeng Qiru.

Zeng Qiru leaned on his cane, straightened his body: "Consultant Chen, please speak."

"You can charge forward despite your wounds—I'm truly gratified." Chen Yongren said: "But now I want to see something more practical."

"I hope you and Director Gu cooperate closely to quickly uncover the mastermind behind the bombing of the special train."

"Yes!" Zeng Qiru shouted loudly.

"Director Gu, perform well; I look forward to our next talk." Chen Yongren walked over to Gu Yongshan's side, pretended to glance unintentionally at Zeng Qiru, and a smile flickered at the corner of his mouth.

Seeing that, Zeng Qiru's heart gave a sudden jolt.

He increasingly felt that Gu Yongshan had said something to Chen Yongren.

Later, when we go out, I must definitely ask properly.

"No delay…" Chen Yongren glanced at his watch, saw the time was about right, waved his hand broadly, and sent them off.

At that moment, the phone on the desk suddenly rang.

"Who?" Chen Yongren answered the phone, his tone unfriendly.

"We are from Liyou Bank; you said today you had some business to handle, and we have prepared what you need—when can you come over?"

"I understand." Chen Yongren covered the mouthpiece, waved his hand at them, and said: "No delay—you go ahead and get busy; I still have some matters to attend to!"

"Yes!" the two replied in unison.

Such strange behavior made Gu Yongshan and Zeng Qiru's hearts twitch.

Although they didn't hear it all, they still caught a key word.

Liyou Bank.

This is fishy!

The two exchanged a glance, without saying more.

"Director Gu, when I was wounded…" Upon leaving the office, Zeng Qiru couldn't wait to ask: "Didn't you chat with Consultant Chen about anything?"

"Chat?" Gu Yongshan retorted angrily: "What is there to talk about with him? I was almost scolded to tears by him."

"To tears?" Zeng Qiru sounded doubtful.

Just now in the office, Chen Yongren approved you with two sentences—you could be prouder than anyone.

And there was that little glance of Chen Yongren's just before leaving.

It's obvious you two are having an affair.

"What do you think of that phone call just now?" Zeng Qirui said in a low voice: "I feel like our opportunity has come."

"Opportunity?" Gu Yongshan said cautiously: "We should still go to the Electricity Bureau first to see if this call really came from Profit Have Bank."

The two went to the Electricity Bureau, investigated, and indeed it was so.

"Does he really have a problem?" Zeng Qirui perked up; "Damn, how much money does a consultant have, yet he uses bank staff to make special calls to handle business?"

"Damn, the Japanese's trains have all been blown up, and he still has the mood to do this?"

"Watch him!"

"No, we can't handle this ourselves; that guy is sly. We need to catch him red‑handed so he can't deny it." Gu Yongshan said after thinking a moment.

"What about that numb guy you looked for earlier?"

"What numb guy?" Zeng Qirui blinked, then suddenly realized: "You mean Chen Xiaoshu?"

Gu Yongshan nodded: "Otherwise, do you still want to do it yourself?"

"We'll just say it was our own team member; while performing a mission outside, we discovered Chen Yongren acting suspiciously, so we followed him!"

"If we find nothing, we'll just say it was a mistake and pin the blame on Chen Xiaoshu!"

"If we really can find something, this credit will be ours alone!"

"Helping the Japanese catch a pest, they'll still have to thank us!"

"Otherwise, all those who say intelligence work is shady—I've finally seen it today." Zeng Qirui said.

"Just say whether you'll do it or not." Gu Yongshan asked.

Zeng Qirui nodded, then immediately thought of something: "Bureau Chief Gu, this won't be a trap you set for me, will it?"