Chapter 273 Backyard on Fire
Top-floor office of the Peace Hotel in Shanghai.
Du Kangnian hung up the communicator, stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, and lit a cigarette. Outside the window, the Huangpu River shimmered, and cargo ships came and went at the dock.
"Old Zheng," he exhaled a smoke ring, "you heard what Boss Bai meant."
Zheng Kai leaned back on the sofa, legs crossed: "I heard you. It's not difficult to cause trouble in Wu Wenshan's backyard."
“It’s not difficult,” Du Kangnian said, looking back at him. “The Wu family has been operating in the south for decades and has deep roots.”
"So what if it's deep?" Zheng Kai sneered. "No matter how deep the roots are, someone will still dig them up."
Du Kangnian flicked his cigarette ash: "What are you planning to do?"
“Two steps.” Zheng Kai held up two fingers. “First, spread the word. The Wu family’s tea business has been evading taxes for at least ten years.”
Where is the evidence?
"Evidence?" Zheng Kai laughed. "These days, who cares about evidence? As long as the news gets out, the relevant departments will naturally investigate. As they investigate, they'll always find something."
Du Kangnian was silent for a few seconds: "And the second step?"
“The second step is more direct.” Zheng Kai stood up and walked to the window. “The Wu family has two cargo terminals in the south, one in Guangzhou and one in Shenzhen. I’ll have someone seize them.”
What's the reason?
“A commercial dispute.” Zheng Kai pulled out a folder. “I happen to have a case on hand, from three years ago. The Wu family owed money for goods and hadn’t paid it back. The other company went bankrupt, but the debt is still there.”
Du Kangnian took the folder and flipped through it: "This case has long exceeded the statute of limitations, hasn't it?"
"So what if it's over?" Zheng Kai patted him on the shoulder. "Old Du, what we want is not to win the lawsuit, but to make the Wu family chaotic. If the dock is sealed off, the cargo can't be shipped out, the cash flow will be cut off, and they will have to worry about it themselves."
Du Kangnian threw the folder back: "If this gets out of hand..."
“The bigger the commotion, the better,” Zheng Kai interrupted him. “Isn’t Boss Bai trying to prevent Wu Wenshan from dealing with her?”
Du Kangnian stubbed out his cigarette: "Okay, let's do it that way."
Two days later, the news spread.
First, the Guangzhou Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce received an anonymous tip alleging that Wu's Tea Company was evading taxes. Tax officials investigated for three days with the accounting books and indeed found some problems. Although the amount was small, the nature of the offense was egregious, resulting in a direct fine and additional tax payments.
Immediately afterwards, Pengcheng Wharf was sealed off. Zheng Kai's men, armed with debt documents and accompanied by police, seized the containers. When the Wu family tried to cause trouble, two of them were handcuffed and taken away on the spot.
At Wu Wenshan's home in Beijing.
The phone kept ringing.
Wu Wenshan sat on the sofa, veins throbbing on his forehead. His wife, He Xiulan, brought in a teacup and carefully placed it on the coffee table.
"Old Wu, why don't you answer this?"
"What are you going to do about it?" Wu Wenshan yelled. "What good would it do? The south is a complete mess. What can I do in Beijing?"
He Xiulan took a step back in fright: "But...but your older brother has hit me three times already..."
"I know!" Wu Wenshan suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the room. "I know everything! The tax authorities are investigating, the docks are sealed off, cargo can't be shipped out, and our cash flow has dried up. They're anxious, but don't you think I'm anxious too?"
He Xiulan rubbed her hands together: "Then...then what do we do?"
Wu Wenshan stopped and stared at her for a few seconds: "Do you think this might be someone targeting me?"
"Who dares?"
"Bai Zhu," Wu Wenshan gritted his teeth, "who else could it be but her?"
He Xiulan was stunned: "But...but how could she, a person from Beijing, possibly control businesses in the south?"
"Just because she can't do anything doesn't mean the people behind her can't." Wu Wenshan sat back on the sofa, took out a cigarette and lit it. "Du Kangnian of the Peace Hotel, and that Zheng Kai, aren't they both people who can turn the world upside down with a flick of their wrist?"
He Xiulan's face turned deathly pale: "Old Wu, then what about us..."
"First, stabilize the South." Wu Wenshan exhaled a puff of smoke. "I'll send money to my brother so he can use his connections to smooth things over. As for the dock issue, we'll settle it with money if we can, and if we can't, we'll just have to accept the loss."
"What about Beijing..."
Wu Wenshan, from Beijing, sneered, "We can't worry about that for now."
The phone rang again.
Wu Wenshan glanced at the number and answered, "Big Brother."
His older brother's voice came through the phone, urgent and angry: "Third brother, when are you going to resolve this? The dock has been closed for five days, and the goods are piled up everywhere. If we don't ship the goods soon, the customers will cancel their orders!"
"I know, I'm trying to figure something out..."
"What solution are you going to come up with?" his older brother roared. "You're an official in Beijing, and you can't even handle something this simple?"
Wu Wenshan's forehead was beaded with sweat: "Brother, this isn't something I can handle. The other side has a lot of backing; I need to keep them calm first..."
"What's the use of trying to calm you down?" His older brother's voice trembled with anger. "Third brother, let me tell you, if the losses exceed 500,000 this time, don't come back!"
*Smack*
The call ended.
Wu Wenshan held the microphone, remaining motionless for a long time.
...
Northwest, temporary command post of the military region.
Lu Jingyan stood in front of the map, pointing to seven red dots.
“These seven strongholds all belong to ‘Eagle’s Nest’.” He turned to look at his father, Lu Zhenguo. “Intelligence indicates that they are transferring purple clay.”
Lu Zhenguo sat in a chair, drinking water from an enamel mug: "Where to move to?"
"I don't know," Lu Jingyan said, "but it's definitely not the Northwest."
"Why"
“Because they can’t stay here any longer.” Lu Jingyan pointed to the map. “Our operation this time alerted them. They know we’ve got our eyes on the purple clay, so they’re trying to move it away.”
Lu Zhenguo put down the enamel mug: "Where do you think we should take it?"
“Beijing,” Lu Jingyan said, “Wantang has confirmed that Wu Wenshan is helping ‘Eagle’s Nest’ transport things.”
Lu Zhenguo frowned: "Deputy Director Wu Wenshan"
“Yes.” Lu Jingyan nodded. “He was bribed by ‘Eagle’s Nest’ and is specifically responsible for providing support in Beijing.”
Lu Zhenguo was silent for a few seconds: "If this gets out, the impact will be too great."
“So we can’t let this get out,” Lu Jingyan said. “We have to intercept the goods before they reach the capital.”
How to intercept?
“Take the initiative.” Lu Jingyan walked to the map and tapped a red dot with his finger. “This outpost is a supply transfer station for ‘Eagle’s Nest.’ Intelligence indicates that the purple clay is currently located here.”
Lu Zhenguo stood up and walked to the map: "How many people are there?"
"I don't know," Lu Jingyan said, "but there are definitely quite a few. The group of people from the canyon last time came out from here."
"What about the casualties?"
“Three seriously injured, five slightly injured,” Lu Jingyan said. “They’ve all been sent to the rear.”
Lu Zhenguo patted him on the shoulder: "Jingyan, this operation is too risky. Should we request backup?"
“It’s too late.” Lu Jingyan shook his head. “Intelligence indicates they’re moving tomorrow. We must act tonight.”
Lu Zhenguo looked at his son and remained silent for a long time.
“Dad,” Lu Jingyan said, “I pledge my life. I will take back the clay within three days.”
Lu Zhenguo took a deep breath: "Okay. I approve your action plan. But there's one condition: the safety of personnel must be guaranteed."
"yes."
“And one more thing.” Lu Zhenguo walked to the door, turned back to look at him, “Remember, you are not alone. You have the entire military region behind you, your father, and your wife.”
Lu Jingyan paused for a moment, then nodded: "I'll remember."
Lu Zhenguo is gone.
Lu Jingyan stood in front of the map, staring at the red dot for a long time.
Wang Kun pushed the door open and came in: "Brigade Commander Lu, the brothers are all ready."
What time do we depart?
"Two o'clock in the morning," Wang Kun said. "We must reach the target location before dawn."
Lu Jingyan glanced at his watch: "It's ten o'clock now, there are still four hours. Tell the brothers to get some rest, we'll wake them up later."
"yes."
Wang Kun turned to leave, but Lu Jingyan called him back.
"Wang Kun".
"Brigade Commander Lu"
“For this operation, you will lead one team in a feint attack from the front. I will lead the second team in a surprise attack from the flank,” Lu Jingyan said. “Remember, once you get in, look for the purple clay first; everything else is secondary.”
Wang Kun hesitated for a moment: "Brigade Commander Lu, how about you lead one team and I lead the second team?"
“No need.” Lu Jingyan shook his head. “The flanks are more dangerous; it’s more appropriate for me to go.”
Wang Kun was about to say something when Lu Jingyan waved his hand to interrupt him: "It's settled then. Go and prepare."
"yes."
Wang Kun is gone.
Lu Jingyan took out his communicator and dialed Su Wantang's number.
Beep...beep...
It's connected.
"Jingyan," Su Wantang's voice came through, "How is it?"
"It's alright," Lu Jingyan said. "How about your end?"
"Wu Wenshan is overwhelmed by Du Kangnian and Zheng Kai, and can't take care of me for the time being."
“Hmm.” Lu Jingyan paused. “Wantang, I have an operation tonight.”
What action?
"Reclaim the purple clay."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone: "Is it dangerous?"
“It’s not dangerous,” Lu Jingyan said. “Don’t worry.”
"I don't believe you." Su Wantang's voice was a little hoarse. "Every time you say it's not dangerous, it must be very dangerous."
Lu Jingyan smiled: "This time it's really not dangerous. I'm leading the 'Knife's Edge' team, and everyone there is an expert."
"Then promise me you'll come back alive."
"I promise you."
"And another thing," Su Wantang said, "the purple clay is important, but your life is more important. If you really can't get it, don't force it."
Lu Jingyan felt a warmth in his heart: "I'll listen to you."
"Mm." Su Wantang paused. "Jingyan, I'll wait for you to come back."
"good."
After hanging up the communicator, Lu Jingyan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
My mind is filled with Su Wantang's voice.
"You must come back alive."
He clenched his fist.
Yes.
I will definitely come back alive.
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