Chapter 158: Poisoned Bait
“You want me to help you deal with Zhao Lijun?” Lu Tao looked at Ling Jing in surprise.
“What’s wrong, any problem?” Ling Jing’s expression was even more surprised.
“Doesn’t the officer know that Zhao Lijun is not only the Station Chief of the Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai Station, but also one of Boss Dai’s Four Great Vajras,”
“if you catch him, there will be no place for me in all of Shanghai.”
“Boss Dai will definitely use every method to kill me and avenge Zhao Lijun.”
Ling Jing glanced sideways at Lu Tao and said, “Please rest assured about this, Mr. Lu. Director Zuo has already made arrangements.”
“As long as we can successfully eliminate the Military Statistics Bureau’s intelligence station in Shanghai and catch Zhao Lijun this time, Mr. Lu will take the lead credit.”
“The Director will request merit for you from the Nanjing side, and then you can choose to stay in Shanghai or go to Nanjing.”
“To say something arrogant, given the current situation, the Military Statistics Bureau cannot yet act recklessly in the South.”
Lu Tao sighed, “Team Leader Ling, you may not know how terrifying the Military Statistics Bureau really is. If they want to kill someone, that person is surely doomed.”
“However, this matter is not impossible to discuss.”
“I can help you catch Zhao Lijun, but I want more money.”
“You think one box of small yellow croakers can buy the lives of everyone in the Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai Station? That’s too cheap.”
“I want ten thousand US dollars plus a ship ticket to Hong Kong Island. If you agree, I’ll start considering it.”
Ling Jing’s gaze slightly sharpened, and he sneered, “Mr. Lu’s appetite is too big.”
“Ten thousand US dollars is over thirty thousand silver dollars, ten times more than before. I can’t make that decision.”
“That’s your business,” Lu Tao looked up at the time. “Team Leader Ling, it’s getting late. I need to go back and submit the action plan.”
“By the way, let me remind you again: my time might be limited. If this action fails again, Zhao Lijun will definitely suspect something is wrong with me.”
“So, you have at most two days. If there’s no reply by then, we’ll call it off.”
Ling Jing thought for a moment. “Alright, I’ll go back immediately to consult Director Zuo. Mr. Lu, stay safe.”
“Thanks for the concern, Team Leader Ling.” Lu Tao replied perfunctorily without a care…
Shanghai, Jinbei Road Military Statistics Bureau Secret Stronghold, basement secret room.
The secret room was very small, only fitting one table and two chairs.
A grimy light bulb hung overhead, its dim yellow halo like the gasp of a dying man, barely illuminating a patch of the desktop.
The walls were pasted with old yellowed and curling newspapers, revealing the damp, moldy plaster underneath.
The only small window was tightly sealed with dark oilcloth, letting in no daylight.
Station Chief Zhao Lijun sat at the boundary between light and darkness.
He wore a half-worn dark gray long gown, his frame thin as bamboo, but his back straight like an ancient sword hidden in its sheath.
On the table before him lay a piece of intelligence sent back by Earthworm.
Zhao Lijun did not look at it. His gaze hung low, fixed on a cup of rough tea long gone cold in front of him.
The murky tea sat stagnant, reflecting the bulb’s distorted halo.
After a long silence, Zhao Lijun tremblingly picked up the intelligence. Every word on it seemed to mock this Military Statistics Bureau station chief’s ignorance, failure to see clearly, and poor judgment of character…
A mix of humiliated shame at being fooled and bone-chilling killing intent churned silently in Zhao Lijun’s chest, exploding, but ultimately suppressed by his powerful willpower.
He set down the intelligence, picked up the cold tea, and took a sip. The icy, earthy liquid slid down his throat, making that killing intent even more refined.
As the Military Statistics Bureau’s infamous Demon King of Killing, Zhao Lijun usually took pleasure in killing.
At this moment, the record on the intelligence of Lu Tao’s private meeting with Action Team Leader Ling Jing of the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee almost made him unable to contain the killing intent in his heart.
But he knew clearly that now was not the time to act.
Creak—the door hinge emitted a teeth-gritting “squeak.”
Darkness was pushed open a crack, and a figure carrying the chill wind from the lane flashed in quickly, shutting and bolting the door in one smooth motion.
“Station Chief, you wanted to see me?” The newcomer was Action Team Captain Xie Zhipan…
Zhao Lijun expressionlessly pushed the intelligence toward Xie Zhipan.
“Earthworm followed Lu Tao the whole way and discovered he met Ling Jing at the back door of Ruixiang Silk Shop.”
“Now, I can confirm that Lu Tao is that needle.”
“Have you found anything from investigating Mao Qiuying?”
“A little.” Xie Zhipan reached into his jacket and took out a document. “After changing to the new cipher book, Team Leader Mao sent a strange piece of intelligence.”
“My investigation team checked it—it’s a Shanghai stock market code for a cotton transaction.”
Zhao Lijun paused, then said gravely, “Stop pursuing this. Pretend you never saw it, or you won’t even know how you die.”
Xie Zhipan’s pupils slightly contracted. “Station Chief, do you know something?”
Zhao Lijun was silent for a long time before slowly saying, “This matter involves the Kong Family. Don’t ask any more.”
“Pretend you never saw this intelligence. Make sure no one knows you know.”
Xie Zhipan shuddered, instantly realizing—could it be the Kong Family using the stock market to harvest retail investors’ funds?
The Kong Family wasn’t doing this for the first time: the previous 223 cotton yarn incident and the financial forex incident.
These were all the work of Kong Yongzhi and Madame Song. This cotton transaction was probably the same trick.
At this time of national crisis, they still thought of fleecing money from the common people. Who knows if they even know how to write “propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame”?
That said, given their character, they couldn’t be expected to forgo money out of conscience.
“Put this matter aside. The priority now is dealing with Lu Tao.”
“Tonight’s plan…”
Xie Zhipan said gravely, “Station Chief, do you want to strike first?”
Zhao Lijun was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “Right now, I can’t be sure if Group Two has issues beyond Lu Tao, or if he has accomplices.”
“I want you to monitor Lu Tao’s performance throughout.”
“If there are confirmed accomplices, make sure to root them all out.”
Xie Zhipan nodded, then worriedly said the next second, “Station Chief, if Lu Tao has a problem, has our stronghold already been exposed?”
“Everyone’s safety?”
Zhao Lijun slowly said, “I know Lu Tao pretty well.”
“He wouldn’t sell us out for the price of a cabbage. Earthworm said he discussed privately with Ling Jing for over half an hour, and the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee hasn’t acted yet, so obviously the price isn’t settled.”
“We still have time.”
“After tonight’s action, deal with Lu Tao immediately.”
“As for Group Two, to be honest, I can’t fully trust them.”
Zhao Lijun paused, then slowly said, “The matter of killing Tang Shaoyi—we two will handle it personally.”
Xie Zhipan nodded, then suddenly said, “Should we have Team Leader Mao ask headquarters if they can help us?”
“That’s fine. For now, Team Leader Mao seems reliable. Have her send a telegram to headquarters.”
“Content… I’ll dictate, you write.”
Zhao Lijun thought for a moment, then said gravely, “Director, your subordinate Zhao Lijun, since taking over the Shanghai intelligence station, has worried day and night, fearing failure to live up to your trust.”
“Recently, your subordinate received an order from above to assassinate Tang Shaoyi, but the action failed.”
“After careful investigation, I was shocked to realize a traitor had appeared in the Shanghai Station. Your subordinate failed to see clearly and manage subordinates properly, causing countless losses to the Shanghai Station. I deserve ten thousand deaths and cannot shirk the blame.”
“In pain and reflection, your subordinate resolves to stake this three-foot frame and go to certain death to achieve ultimate loyalty. I hope the Director, considering your subordinate’s pure loyalty to Party and Country, will forgive past faults.”
“If I can get even a little assistance, your subordinate will not hesitate to splatter blood five paces and perish together with old thief Tang. Please grant this, Director.”
“Year 27 of the Republic, September 9, Shanghai, Zhao Lijun’s final words…”
