Chapter 57: The King of Vinegar

Chapter 57: The King of Vinegar

Outside, a light drizzle was falling. The usually warm city of Hong Kong went through all four seasons in one day.

Ji Shuping sneezed from the cold.

After putting away her umbrella, she went upstairs to the third floor. She first stopped by the editorial department to chat with Hui Yan, and then He Xiaoqing took her to the president’s office.

Before coming, Ji Shuping had called to confirm that Lin Yufan was in the office.

Ji Shuping was also a tactful person. When she arrived at the publishing house, she didn’t call Lin Yufan "sister-in-law," but instead greeted her with a smile, "Good morning, President Lin."

Today was the last day of 1948. Because "The Gold Heist" and "Wanxiang Magazine" were set to be published the next day, the publishing house was in a frenzy.

Lin Yufan was reviewing the sales summary of the first batch of three-cent novels, "The Passionate Tenant" and "Soul Shackles," which had been published a couple of days ago. The market response was very positive, and A Tang was urging them to quickly reprint.

Seeing Ji Shuping come in, Lin Yufan greeted her with a smile, "Good morning, Ji Shuping. Is it raining heavily outside?"

"Not too bad. It’s not very heavy," Ji Shuping replied as she sat down and handed the documents she was holding to Lin Yufan.

Today, Ji Shuping had come on official business. "This is the advertisement space your publishing house booked. Please confirm the content."

Their publishing house had booked a quarter-page advertisement in tomorrow’s "Hong Kong Ming Daily." The content was about the publication and promotional information for "The Gold Heist" and other three-cent novels. Readers could claim a free copy of "Wanxiang Magazine" with the newspaper ad.

The editorial department provided the content to "Hong Kong Ming Daily." The quarter-page advertisement was packed with information, very much in keeping with the advertising style of the time.

Lin Yufan asked, "Has Hui Yan and the team seen it?"

"I showed it to them earlier. They gave some revision suggestions, which I’ve noted above."

Since Hui Yan and the team had reviewed it, Lin Yufan naturally trusted their judgment. She said with a smile, "I don’t have any issues with it."

Lin Yufan looked up at Ji Shuping, believing that if she had come to see her, it wasn’t just for a casual chat—there must be something else.

Sure enough, Ji Shuping mysteriously took out another document. "Today, I’m here to discuss this. Mr. Zhao Zhiao has booked the front-page advertisement for the New Year. The person from his company asked me to confirm the content with you. President Lin, does this seem alright?"

Lin Yufan was quite surprised. Zhao Zhiao had gone to Guangzhou to attend the Nationalist Government’s New Year’s Eve banquet and hadn’t been in Hong Kong for the past couple of days. She hadn’t expected him to remember her matters while he was away.

She took the document and reviewed it carefully. Unlike the quarter-page advertisement from their publishing house, which was packed with content, Mr. Zhao had bought a full-page advertisement with just one line.

"Congratulations to my wife, Ms. Lin Yufan, on the release of her work 'The Gold Heist.' From your husband, Zhao Zhiao."

Work!!!

Lin Yufan, the author of this work, was somewhat speechless and awkward: "..."

Ji Shuping explained, "The words 'The Gold Heist' will be in the center with a large font. My suggestion is to add a brief introduction to the novel below."

Lin Yufan opened her pen and circled the words "work," changing it to "the three-cent novel."

Ji Shuping couldn’t help but laugh. "Alright, I’ll get them to change it. Mr. Zhao isn’t in Hong Kong, and the person from his company I’m dealing with isn’t sure about these details."

Lin Yufan also smiled. "It’s hard for them... Hui Yan has the content introduction. Add a small note at the bottom of the page listing the bookstores where 'The Gold Heist' is available."

Ji Shuping quickly jotted this down in her notebook. "I know where to get this information. I’ll ask them for it."

If Ji Shuping weren’t from the Ji family, she would truly be someone worth befriending.

She was easygoing, knew how to navigate social situations, and was thorough and reliable in her work.

Lin Yufan nodded in gratitude, "Alright, thank you for making the trip."

"It's no trouble at all, it's what I should do."

After putting the documents into her bag and finishing her official duties, Ji Shuping smiled and changed her tone, "Are you planning to go out for New Year's, sis?"

Lin Yufan smiled, "Zhi Ao won't be back for a few more days, we'll see when he returns. Everyone is busy at the end of the year, and with the country in such turmoil, we probably won't go out."

Ji Shuping said, "The mistress invited me to spend New Year's at your place, but I said I wouldn't go. I have to be on duty for New Year's, and being busy is good; it makes time fly."

With three close relatives dead in a year and herself far from home with no family around, such a big blow is indeed hard to bear.

Lin Yufan didn't know how to comfort her. She at least had her family by her side, and her husband and in-laws were also good. Any comforting words would just feel hollow to others.

So she simply didn't comfort her, just smiled and said, "Our publishing house is working overtime for New Year's. There's no way around it, we just happened to choose a holiday to publish the books."

Ji Shuping's apple face was slightly pale, she said, "I read both of your new 30cent novels at home over the past two days, they were so interesting. After reading them, I left the novels in the car, and the driver said he wanted to read them, so I lent them to him. He got so hooked, he asked me where I got them, and even the cook at home wants to read them."

This is a good sign!

Lin Yufan smiled and asked, "They all liked reading them?"

Ji Shuping nodded emphatically, "They all did! The 30cent novels are easy to get into and engaging, anyone who can read can understand them. It's just that your distribution is a bit sparse, our cook had to go to several bookstores to buy them."

Lin Yufan said, "We did print fewer copies for the first edition."

"The 30cent novels you're putting out now have a lot of potential. Both Li Xiang and I recommended them to our newspaper's editor. If the response is good this time, we could invite your editors to write a commentary in our supplement. It would tie into current events and help promote you, hitting two birds with one stone."

Lin Yufan had heard about this from Zhao Lixiang, she smiled and said, "That would be great; I hope we get the opportunity."

Ji Shuping didn't stay long, she had to rush back with the edits.

After she left, Lin Yufan called Director Chen over.

Lin Yufan stood up and poured a cup of hot water from the thermos on the side table, "Although 'The Gold Heist' won't hit the shelves until tomorrow and the promotions are just kicking off, 'The Passionate Tenant' and 'Soul Shackles' have been out for three days now and the response has been very good. The marketing department is pushing us to print more..."

Director Chen nodded, "A Tang told me. But right now the printing factory is preparing to print the second batch of 30cent novels, they're swamped. I had A Yong ask a printing factory in the northern district, the price is a bit cheaper, but they don't have the paper we need. It's too late to get more book paper now."

Lin Yufan immediately said, "Our paper mill has stock."

She wrote a phone number on a sticky note, "This is the number for Hongxing Paper Mill, have A Yong reach out directly; we can supply the paper to the printer ourselves."

Director Chen didn't expect the issue to be resolved so easily, he smiled and said, "Then I'll have the northern district printer handle the new batch, and the reprints of 'The Passionate Tenant' and 'Soul Shackles' will still go to the original printing factory, they have the plates, so it'll be quicker."

"Alright, let's go with that."

"How many copies to reprint?"

"Reprint 3000 copies of 'The Passionate Tenant' and 2000 copies of 'Soul Shackles'."

After sorting this out, Lin Yufan still worried about future paper shortages, so she had Tie Long convert all the empty spaces at Hongxing Paper Mill into temporary storage for more pulp.

*

Wang Liu, Deng Kuan, and Longjing came back from court; Cui Yuan got four months in prison.

When the verdict came, Cui Yuan's lips curled slightly; he smiled, clearly pleased with the result.

But the brothers came back dejected, leaderless and unsupported, how could they take on the special ops team from Guangzhou?

Wang Liu smoked a cigarette and sighed softly, "Will an outsider take our leader's spot?"

Deng Kuan tidied up the documents on the table and shook his head, "It’s not that serious, is it? Four months will fly by."

Long Jing leaned in, "You two are the team leaders; if anyone’s going to step up, it’s gotta be you."

Wang Liu and Deng Kuan exchanged glances. Wang Liu had more clout in the team than Deng Kuan, so logically, Deng Kuan wouldn’t compete with him.

Wang Liu asked Deng Kuan, "What’s on your mind?"

Who doesn’t want to move up? Deng Kuan certainly did.

But if they fought among themselves, others would benefit.

Deng Kuan said, "Better you than some outsider running the show. Everyone in our group can support you."

Wang Liu placed his hand on Deng Kuan’s shoulder, "Brother Deng is still the most loyal. If I get the captain spot, I’ll always have our guys’ backs. When the chance comes, we’ll hit it big together."

Deng Kuan was curious, "How do we hit it big?"

Wang Liu was confident, "Opportunities will come."

The Nationalist Government’s been shipping stuff to Hong Kong non-stop. Lately, it’s mostly been government archives, but there’ll surely be chances to transport valuables in the future.

When the time’s right, we’ll do the same—easy money.

Long Jing saw that the two team leaders had reached an agreement, so he took a stand, patting his chest, "Brother Liu, relax, we’ve got your back in the meeting this afternoon."

But at the afternoon meeting, some stranger was sitting in Cui Yuan’s spot.

The guy was around thirty, good-looking, and calm as a cucumber.

Director Gao came in and directly introduced, "This is Xiao Zepeng, fresh from Chongqing. Starting today, he’ll be the captain of Special Operations Team 1. Let’s welcome him."

Team 2 from Zhuang Ziguang’s side was clapping like crazy, but on Team 1’s side, everyone just exchanged glances, dead silent.

Wang Liu’s face went white, then red—his chance had slipped away.

He was too pissed to even speak.

But when Director Gao shot him a cold look, Wang Liu had to start clapping, faking a smile, "Welcome, Captain Xiao."

The rest of Team 1 followed with half-hearted claps.

After the meeting, Wang Liu couldn’t help but go to Director Gao.

"Director, with some outsider taking over, what happens when Captain Cui’s back?"

Director Gao glanced at Wang Liu. He knew what Wang Liu was really after; he was mainly complaining for himself, why should an outsider manage them.

Director Gao pulled out a chair and sat down, "It’s the decision from above; can I change it? If you’re not doing your job, just screwing around, you’re all an embarrassment. Get out and think about what you’ve done."

"But, Director..."

"Get out!"

Wang Liu got shut down and had to slink away.

*

On New Year’s Day, the sky, which had been raining, suddenly cleared.

"The Gold Heist" and "Panorama" were successfully released.

Readers who subscribed to the Hong Kong Ming Daily saw a full-page advertisement for *The Gold Heist* early in the morning.

This was a first in Hong Kong.

Who would splurge on a full-page ad for a new book?

Street vendors lugged big baskets, hawking their wares: “*The Gold Heist*, written by the wife of tycoon Zhao Zhiao, only 30 cents a copy—no risk, no regret! Revealing the Nationalists’ loss of 300,000 catties of gold. Limited sale, first come, first served!”

For just 30 cents, you could uncover the secrets of the infamous gold heist?

Others might not care as much, but this was written by the wife of Hong Kong’s richest man, Zhao Zhiao?!!

What if she knew the inside story?

Shopkeepers and passersby eagerly dug into their pockets to grab a copy.

Newspaper subscribers got a free issue of *Wanxiang Magazine* with the ad, sparking long queues outside bookstores at opening time.

Lin Yufan handed out 300 copies of *The Gold Heist* with the *Hong Kong Ming Daily* to key figures across industries.

Even if *The Gold Heist* didn’t grab them, Zhao Zhiao’s wife surely would. The giveaway set off a buzz across Hong Kong.

The elite couldn’t stop talking about *The Gold Heist*—it was the talk of the town.

The press jumped on the story, and soon *The Gold Heist* was on everyone’s lips. Lin Yufan became a household name.

The Military Statistics Bureau’s covert unit pored over *The Gold Heist* with meticulous care.

Zhuang Ziguang had devoured *The Gold Heist* in his room, highlighting key passages and dog-earing pages.

*The Gold Heist* follows A Long, a low-ranking Hongmen chapter leader, who risked it all to intercept gold the Nationalists were shipping to the U.S. for weapons to turn against their own. He used a rundown textile mill as a front to outsmart the Nationalists’ spies. After three fruitless searches of the mill’s warehouse by the Nationalists, A Long smuggled the gold from its hiding spot to the mill and stashed it in the pond. A Long and his crew swore to donate the gold post-war to fund schools and help the people…

The tale blurs fact and fiction—it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins!

Zhuang Ziguang had been losing sleep, plagued by aches in his arm and head.

Right at 11 PM, the phone buzzed.

Zhuang Ziguang grabbed the phone and led with congratulations for Linghu: “Congratulations on your promotion to deputy director of the secret department.”

Linghu replied with bureaucratic formality: “As long as we work hard, the higher-ups will give us opportunities.”

Zhuang Ziguang: “Understood.”

Linghu asked: “Have you read the recently sensational *The Gold Heist*?”

Zhuang Ziguang replied: “Yes, and I took notes.”

Linghu: “Briefly explain.”

Zhuang Ziguang: “The details in *The Gold Heist* are quite brilliant, and I even suspect that the author was present at the scene.”

Linghu was very certain: “No need to doubt, she wasn’t. She was celebrating her mother-in-law’s birthday at the time.”

Zhuang Ziguang knew this inside story and said: “I know. So I suspect that Lin Yufan didn’t write it herself. Lin Yufan is just a wealthy wife—how could she write such a legendary male novel? Moreover, the writing style of *The Gold Heist* doesn’t seem like it was written by a woman. I suspect it was ghostwritten by someone who experienced it, and Lin Yufan just enjoyed the author’s halo.”

Linghu understood his meaning: “Your suspicion is based on the premise that Zhao Zhiao is the plunderer of the gold heist.”

Zhuang Ziguang’s face fell: “I think it’s him.”

"How can you tell?"

"Liu Pangzi was killed while investigating Zhao Zhiao's concubine, and at the same time, he revealed the secret of the gold and cultural relics stored in the warehouse. Also, last time you told me that the results of the investigation by the Haicheng Confidential Section suggested that the last person Ji Shutong met was likely Zhao Zhiao's Second Uncle, Zhao Yanhui. And coincidentally, Zhao Yanhui disappeared at this critical moment. All these signs suggest that even if Zhao Zhiao isn’t a Communist, he’s making political investments and covertly aiding the Communists."

Linghu: "Your analysis makes sense, but we don’t have any proof, do we?"

Zhuang Ziguang: "Right. Both Zhao Zhiao and his wife are too cunning. The textile factory in the story is actually a reference to the Gangxing Paper Mill. Previously, they deliberately set up a smokescreen at the paper mill to lure us in, causing me to get shot. This time, they are using 'The Gold Heist' to repeat the same trick. She explicitly tells the audience that the gold is buried beneath the textile factory..."

Linghu: "You think this is a trap?"

Zhuang Ziguang: "I believe it’s a trap. Given Zhao Zhiao’s cautious personality, he wouldn’t blatantly reveal the gold’s location in a novel. I believe they’re trying to distract us and make us waste time and effort on the paper mill."

Linghu pondered for a moment: "I also read 'The Gold Heist' in detail. Zhao Zhiao and his wife are well aware of the principle that the most dangerous place is often the safest. I suspect they really buried the gold in the paper mill. Like the boy who cried wolf, after a few false alarms, the wolf eventually showed up, didn’t it?"

The arm that Zhao Zhiao shot still ached faintly. Zhuang Ziguang shook his head: "I doubt they buried the gold in the paper mill."

Linghu sneered slightly: "Ziguang, are you afraid?"

Zhuang Ziguang defended himself: "No. If I were afraid of Zhao Zhiao, I wouldn’t keep questioning him."

Linghu didn't believe him: "I believe you’ve developed a mental block. I can assign this task to someone else, but if I do, it won't break the spell Zhao Zhiao has cast on you. You’re the one who needs to figure this out."

Zhuang Ziguang: "!"

He wanted to refuse, but he couldn't, so he said: "I understand."

Linghu: "Good that you understand. How is the investigation into the mole in the Hong Kong office going?"

Zhuang Ziguang: "Cui Yuan was sentenced to four months. He’s definitely the mole. He intentionally landed himself in prison to evade our investigation."

Linghu snorted: "He is clever. Didn't you say before that he might have accomplices?"

Zhuang Ziguang hesitated slightly: "As for Wang Liu, I’m not certain if he’s Cui Yuan’s accomplice, but I have someone watching him."

Linghu ordered: "Once it’s confirmed, take care of him."

Zhuang Ziguang acknowledged and brought the topic back to Zhao Zhiao: "I heard Zhao Zhiao went to Guangzhou to attend the New Year's reception of the Nationalist Government."

Linghu: "He’s a wealthy Hong Kong businessman. Even if he’s funding the Communists politically, there’s nothing we can do about it. He also has connections in our party. People like him are essentially fence-sitters, and our party aims to win them over. Besides our current tasks, we need to find the gold and Dong Zhen. As for Zhao Zhiao, unless we get orders from higher up, we should steer clear of offending him."

Zhuang Ziguang: "But if we search the Gangxing Paper Mill again, we might really offend Zhao Zhiao."

Linghu dismissed it: "You didn’t threaten him with a gun—how is that offensive? You have to handle this more diplomatically."

Zhuang Ziguang’s head was spinning. How could he be tactful in such a situation?

*

On his way back from Guangzhou, Zhao Zhiao listened to Shen Te's brief report on recent events.

Lin Yufan had shared the general plot of 'The Gold Heist' with him while she was writing it.

He’d expected the novel to create a minor stir, but he hadn’t anticipated it would be this huge.

His main goal in promoting 'The Gold Heist' was simply to please his wife.

Now it seemed like a fortunate coincidence, just perfect.

Zhao Zhiao didn't go home but hurried to the dock to attend the launching ceremony of Shipping Magnate Xu Aizhou's new ship.

Zhao Zhiao had more than ten of his own cargo ships, usually managed by Xu Aizhou, so the two families had a good relationship.

He had just arrived when Xu Aizhou and Mrs. Xu came up to greet him.

Mrs. Xu, seeing him, quickly asked, "Why didn’t Mrs. Zhao come with you? A group of reporters are waiting to interview her, and I thought she’d be back by now."

Zhao Zhiao apologized, "I just returned from Guangzhou and haven’t been home yet. I assume she’s still at the publishing house, busy with work."

Xu Aizhou complimented, "We’ve all read Mrs. Zhao’s 'The Gold Heist,' and it’s truly brilliant."

Mrs. Xu sincerely praised, "I never expected Mrs. Zhao to be so skilled at writing novels, creating a buzz throughout the city. These days, wherever you go, people are discussing it. She’s truly an inspiration for us women!"

Zhao Zhiao, who never felt anything when he was praised, now felt somewhat elated and also puzzled about what everyone liked about it.

He asked humbly, "I haven’t had time to read it yet. Why does everyone like my wife’s novel so much?"

Gradually, a crowd gathered, each sharing their thoughts.

"It’s a big event in itself. Recently, newspapers have been criticizing the Nationalist government for selling out the country for their own gain! This novel came out, and everyone is eager to read it, providing a common topic for conversation."

"What’s key is how realistically it’s written. We joked, wondering if Boss Zhao had some inside information. Everyone’s curious about which chapter leader was behind it."

"Yes, who is A Long?"

"You don’t know, A Long is portrayed so charmingly that he’s captivated all the young ladies and wives."

Zhao Zhiao’s curiosity was thoroughly aroused by everyone. As the ceremony ended, he was about to leave and return to the car to read the novel, but was called back by Xu Aizhou.

Xu Aizhou, holding a pipe, called Zhao Zhiao aside to talk, "It was too crowded and noisy earlier; I didn’t get to finish what I wanted to say."

Zhao Zhiao asked, "What’s the matter?"

Xu Aizhou said, "I have a friend, a director who’s returned from the United States. He’s interested in 'The Gold Heist' and wants to adapt it into a film in Hong Kong. He’s also interested in the serial novel 'The Mantis' featured in your wife’s new magazine. He’s eager to know how the novel progresses. If possible, he’d like to purchase the film rights as well. Can we arrange a time to meet with Mrs. Zhao and discuss this matter?"

"That big of an impact?" Zhao Zhiao quickly agreed, "No problem, I’ll discuss it with her first."

Once in the car, Zhao Zhiao instructed Shen Te, "Later on, find a book stall..."

Before he could finish, Shen Te asked, "Boss, are you going to read 'The Gold Heist'?"

As he spoke, Shen Te handed over a copy.

"Right now, 'The Gold Heist' is sold out citywide, and everyone’s waiting for a reprint."

Zhao Zhiao, who hadn’t read a novel in years, took the book and began to read it carefully. Reading in the car strained his eyes, so he had the driver pull over.

This novel is truly captivating. Lin Yufan’s protagonist is a tough, resolute man—watching him plunder gold, decisive in battle, yet kind-hearted, he’s a truly charismatic character!

After reading 'The Gold Heist,' most people wouldn’t suspect that this case has anything to do with Zhao Zhiao.

Because there are no communists or businessmen in it at all.

A twinge of jealousy stirred in Zhao Zhiao’s heart—so she’s drawn to this fearless, iron-willed type of man.

Returning home, thinking Lin Yufan was busy at the publishing house, but she and the concubines were playing mahjong, having a great time.

He walked over to watch them play cards.

Chen Dandan asked with a hint of coquetry, "Why didn’t you bring us something to eat?"

Zhao Zhiao slightly raised his chin, "In the car, the servants are getting it."

Lin Yufan glanced back at him, noticing the rolled-up copy of *The Gold Heist* in his hand, and asked with a smile, "Is it good?"

Zhao Zhiao nodded, "It's good. Very well-written. I just attended an event at the Shipping Magnate's house, and everyone was praising you. They said you write brilliantly—not just your prose, but also your clever plot, authentic details, and intriguing ending. They were all left wanting more. Someone even asked me if I had inside information about the heist."

Lin Yufan laughed. She had been hearing praises so often these days that she was tired of hearing them.

But who doesn’t love compliments? She could never get enough of them.

"What else?" she asked.

"Well… the protagonist is very charismatic," Zhao Zhiao said, trying to hide his jealousy as he casually picked up a nearby copy of *Wanxiang Magazine*.

As soon as he opened *Wanxiang Magazine*, he saw the serialized novel *The Mantis*, which the returning director wanted to buy the rights to. Just as he was about to read it carefully, he noticed the author’s name: Wang Muxun.

He closed the magazine; he didn’t feel like reading anymore.