Chapter Forty-Six: The Reason

(Thanks to Bookworm, 20171020084128137, 1603071158795, 139...05, Dream Imitator, 850408, Southern Tiger King, Fish in the Wind 520, eStone, Falling Leaves in Autumn Night, and 201806161633561118 for their recommendations.)

Bai Zeshao had not anticipated that things would go so smoothly. He knew perfectly well that Wu Jian was not a member of the Red Party, and Wu Zhengke had already stated that as long as the money was right, Wu Jian could be released.

What surprised Bai Zeshao, however, was how easily Sun Yanjie agreed to let him join. He might not know the exact scale of the dealings between Sun Yanjie and Wu Jian, but he was certain the amount involved was anything but small.

In truth, Bai Zeshao had never dared hope he could join Sun Yanjie's covert business. Yet Sun Yanjie's straightforward acceptance left him with a sense of unease—after all, there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Still, Bai Zeshao's most pressing concern at the moment was to get hold of the radio station, so he pushed aside his apprehension. Regaining his composure, he turned and entered the interrogation room.

“Group Leader Bai, just tell me—what will it take for you to let me go?” As soon as Bai Zeshao entered, Wu Jian spoke quickly, though his words carried a distinct bitterness and resentment.

By now, Wu Jian had figured it out. Perhaps he had been arrested by the Special Service Department simply because he was the owner of No. 12 Xinyi Street, but now their intentions had shifted.

Wu Jian was well aware of his own situation—there was no way he was a Red Party member, and he suspected the Special Service Department had realized this as well. The only reason they were still holding him was for money.

The Special Service Department wielded its power to plunder and extort, breaking up families and causing untold suffering. Wu Jian was no stranger to such tactics, and during Bai Zeshao's brief absence, he had finally seen things clearly.

“Heh, Boss Wu, you’re overthinking it. I came here just to deliver some good news—you’re free. Go on.” As Bai Zeshao spoke, he signaled for Wu Jian to be released from the torture rack.

“I can really go?” Wu Jian stared at Bai Zeshao in disbelief.

“What, you don’t want to?” Bai Zeshao regarded Wu Jian with a half-smile.

“I’ll leave right now.” Though he hadn’t been harmed, the ordeal had left Wu Jian shaken to the core. He didn’t bother to question it further, and quickly departed.

Wu Jian had only just left the Special Service Department and was walking slowly along the roadside when the roar of a car engine sounded behind him. He turned to look.

“Get in.”

Recognizing the familiar figure behind the wheel, Wu Jian opened the car door and got in without hesitation. The two men sat in silence as the car sped away.

Eventually, the car stopped at an abandoned factory in Shanning. Both men got out.

“So you’re the one who got me out. No wonder Bai Zeshao was so generous as to let me go for no reason.” Wu Jian looked at Sun Yanjie, a look of sudden realization on his face.

“For no reason? Heh.” Sun Yanjie shook his head, a trace of sarcasm in his voice.

“What’s going on?” Wu Jian asked, puzzled.

“I agreed to let Bai Zeshao buy into our business. That’s why he let you go.” Sun Yanjie stared ahead, his tone calm.

“What? How could you agree to let Bai Zeshao in? That’s not a small sum we’re talking about!” Wu Jian shouted, a touch of outrage in his voice.

Sun Yanjie turned and gave Wu Jian a long, penetrating look before replying, “Which do you want—your life, or the money?”

“I…”

“If I hadn’t done this, do you really think you could have withstood the torture in the Special Service Department without giving up our secrets? Don’t forget, they’re also responsible for anti-smuggling operations. Lots of people are involved in this business, but once it’s brought into the open, there’s no escaping responsibility.” Sun Yanjie explained.

“You’re right,” Wu Jian nodded.

“Besides, our business has been too prosperous lately—there are plenty of jealous eyes watching. If we keep going like this, it’s only a matter of time before something happens. Now, with the Special Service Department as our official cover, it does us good.”

“But did you have to let Bai Zeshao—a young upstart, just a squad leader—join us directly? Why not go for someone higher up, like Wu Zhengke or someone of his rank?” Wu Jian grumbled, still unwilling to let the matter rest.

“Wu Zhengke and his kind have the clout, but are you sure that if we bring them in, we won’t lose our position or even end up taking orders from them instead?” Sun Yanjie replied, his tone equally discontent.

Now Wu Jian understood it all. In short, inviting a wolf into the house comes with consequences few can bear. Bai Zeshao might be weak, but he was someone they could control.

Moreover, Wu Jian now realized that as a mere squad leader, Bai Zeshao did not have the authority to release him. Only someone of Wu Zhengke’s rank could make such a decision, which made the implications behind this move even more intriguing.

“Have you figured it out?” Sun Yanjie knew Wu Jian wasn’t a fool. He’d just come out of that hellish place, so a little confusion was understandable. But seeing Wu Jian deep in thought, Sun Yanjie smiled.

“We have no choice; circumstances force our hand,” Wu Jian sighed.

“Heh. And it’s not that easy for Bai Zeshao to get his share either. You should know that lately the City Defense Command has been much stricter. Our cargo ships have been harassed several times for no reason. There’s a shipment coming in a few days, and when the time comes…” Sun Yanjie left the sentence hanging, but Wu Jian understood.

Still, Wu Jian couldn’t help but ask, “Is Bai Zeshao really that capable?”

“He isn’t, but the people behind him are. And don’t underestimate Bai Zeshao himself. Do you know when I first met him?” Sun Yanjie’s tone was tinged with admiration as he recalled Bai Zeshao’s swift rise.

“When?”

“Remember that time we traded transistors? It was then. Bai Zeshao had just graduated from the military academy and joined the Special Service Department. It hasn’t even been a month, yet he’s already a squad leader in the action team.” Sun Yanjie spoke slowly.

“That impressive? Is he from some powerful background, or the son of a high official?” Wu Jian couldn’t help but speculate, given the current state of the Nationalist Party, rife with factions and power struggles. For a newcomer like Bai Zeshao to rise so quickly was no small feat.

Even if squad leader wasn’t a lofty position, for someone like Bai Zeshao, it was a remarkable achievement.

“He isn’t,” Sun Yanjie shook his head.

“He isn’t?” This time, Wu Jian was truly astonished.