Chapter Forty-Nine: Give Away Half

(Thanks to South Tiger King, Ice Maple My Best, Book Fan Ah Jiu, Book Friend 160307112358795, Leaves Fall in Autumn Night, Book Friend 2017102084128137, E-Stone, Skai, Scholar, and Tong Sihai 1973, and Fang Meng for their recommendations.)

Bai Zeshao watched nervously as Qian Huiwen made her phone call. As soon as she hung up, he hurriedly asked, “Sis, how did it go?”

“The people who confiscated that batch of goods are from the City Defense Command. I just called Wu Yangbing, the director of the Supply Department. You can go see him directly in a bit. Of course, Wu Yangbing might let this matter slide for my sake, but some losses in property will probably be unavoidable,” Qian Huiwen said calmly as she turned to look at Bai Zeshao.

“Sis, thank you,” Bai Zeshao replied with a smile.

“It’s nothing. But according to Wu Yangbing, your goods were seized outside the city. Didn’t you and your friends take care of things before moving the goods?” Qian Huiwen asked, a bit reproachfully.

“Well, everything was arranged beforehand, but for some reason, the City Defense Command and the Special Services set up a checkpoint outside the city and started inspecting travelers and goods,” Bai Zeshao explained, recounting what Sun Yanjie had told him earlier.

“The Special Services and City Defense Command are working together?” Qian Huiwen sounded surprised.

“I don't know, that’s just what my friend said,” Bai Zeshao replied, then feigned curiosity and asked, “Sis, is there some big operation happening at headquarters? Why didn’t the Action Squad get any notice? Seems very secretive.”

“If I’m not mistaken, it should be the Security Team directly under headquarters carrying out the operation. Looks like something major is indeed happening. But that has nothing to do with us. You’d better hurry and settle your goods before anything else goes wrong,” Qian Huiwen advised.

“Sis, I’ll be off, then. I’ll treat you to dinner next time,” Bai Zeshao said, not pressing further about the collaboration between the City Defense Command and the Special Services. He got up and left.

After leaving Qian Huiwen’s office, Bai Zeshao met up with Sun Yanjie, explained the situation, and headed straight to the City Defense Command.

When they arrived, however, Sun Yanjie didn’t go in. Instead, he said to Bai Zeshao, “Xiao Bai, having the goods seized and not getting investigated as the owner is already the best outcome. After all, there’s not just cash in there, but a radio as well. When you negotiate, you can decide for yourself what to do with the goods, including the radio.”

“Brother Sun, you...” Bai Zeshao was a bit surprised.

“Heh, Xiao Bai, whether in business or life, you have to give up something to gain something. We may have stumbled this time, but now we’ve made contact with the Supply Department. Business will only get better from here,” Sun Yanjie said with an easy smile.

“All right, I understand.” Bai Zeshao gave Sun Yanjie a deep look, then entered the City Defense Command, where a guard led him to Wu Yangbing’s office.

“Reporting in!”

“Come in.”

“Reporting, Bai Zeshao, leader of the Third Team, Action Squad, Special Services, reporting to Commander Wu!” Bai Zeshao saluted with military precision.

“Haha, no need to be so formal. Come, have a seat,” Wu Yangbing said with a hearty laugh, getting up and inviting Bai Zeshao to the sofa.

“After you, Commander,” Bai Zeshao said politely.

“Haha, what commander? I’m just a soldier, a rough man. If you respect me, just call me Big Brother Wu,” Wu Yangbing said, feigning annoyance once they sat down.

“All right, Big Brother Wu, I’ll do just that,” Bai Zeshao replied without pretense, calling him “Big Brother” at once.

“That’s more like it! You know, Huiwen hasn’t ever asked a favor for anyone before, but she made an exception for you. What’s your relationship, anyway?” Wu Yangbing asked, winking in a probing manner.

“Big Brother Wu, what do you think it could be?” Bai Zeshao replied with a laugh and a rub of his nose.

Wu Yangbing didn’t press the matter and got straight to the point. “Huiwen already explained your situation to me on the phone. Here’s what you’ll do: take my authorization and go directly to the military supply warehouse in the eastern district to pick up your goods.”

“Thank you, Big Brother Wu,” Bai Zeshao said, not expecting Wu Yangbing to be so accommodating. There was no trouble at all; he just released the goods. This made Bai Zeshao realize just how influential Qian Huiwen was, and his gratitude toward her deepened.

The position of Supply Department Director was quite a lucrative one—Wu Yangbing’s ability to hold it spoke to his skill and connections. Yet this powerful figure had complied immediately with just one call from Qian Huiwen.

It was truly astonishing.

However, since Wu Yangbing was so generous, Bai Zeshao couldn’t afford to be petty; that would only make him look incompetent and reflect poorly on Qian Huiwen. So he said openly, “Big Brother Wu, I know the brothers are just doing their duty. How about this: we split the goods in half, as a token of my appreciation for everyone’s hard work out there. After all, working outside the city is no easy task.”

“Xiao Bai, you’re making me look bad! How can I accept your goods? I appreciate the gesture, but just get your people to move the goods as soon as possible,” Wu Yangbing said, shaking his head.

“Big Brother Wu, if you refuse, you’re not treating me like a brother,” Bai Zeshao said, feigning annoyance. “Besides, if Sister Huiwen hears I acted like this, she’ll blame me.”

“Well, all right then, I’ll accept on behalf of the brothers. Thank you,” Wu Yangbing relented, impressed by Bai Zeshao’s shrewdness—after all, it was a hundred thousand in silver dollars, and he’d offered half without hesitation.

“By the way, Big Brother Wu, why did they suddenly set up a checkpoint outside the city?” Bai Zeshao asked, getting more familiar.

“I’m not sure of the details. Apparently, higher-ups got word that an important figure from the Red Party has entered Shanning, so they cast a wide net to look for them,” Wu Yangbing replied indifferently.

“Oh.” Bai Zeshao nodded. Just then, a guard came in to have Wu Yangbing sign something, and Bai Zeshao took the opportunity to excuse himself.

As soon as he walked out of the City Defense Command, Sun Yanjie hurried over. Seeing Bai Zeshao’s calm face, he anxiously asked, “Xiao Bai, how did it go?”

“It’s done,” Bai Zeshao said with a sudden smile.

“You scared me, you rascal!” Sun Yanjie let out a sigh of relief and punched Bai Zeshao on the shoulder, laughing heartily.

“By the way, I gave half the goods to Wu Yangbing,” Bai Zeshao explained, a bit worried.

“Haha, it’s fine, let it go,” Sun Yanjie said unconcernedly.

As for the matter of the radio, Sun Yanjie tactfully refrained from asking how Bai Zeshao had handled it.