The Spy

Chapter 2: Arresting People in the Sheep House
In his confession, Hu Qi admitted that he was a Japanese spy lurking here, disguising himself as a Chinese to carry out secret activities, mainly responsible for carrying out tasks such as assassinations, inciting riots and sanctions.

There is more than one spy like him, but they are in single-line communication and are unaware of each other.

In less than half a day, from receiving the tip-off to successfully arresting him, and then to rigorous interrogation, they finally confirmed Hu Qi's true identity as a Japanese spy. His quick action and accurate judgment are truly admirable.

Xu Qingshi is an old policeman who has fought against the Japanese and is very clear about their character. It is extremely difficult to catch hidden Japanese agents like these. They conceal their identities very well and will not voluntarily admit their identities even if they are caught.

However, Xu Qingyun was able to answer all the questions in a short period of time, which was even more rare and really impressed him.

"Qingyun, follow me."

Xu Qingyun followed his cousin to the open space outside the interrogation room.

"Qingyun, you did a great job this time. Very good."

Xu Qingshi smiled and praised, his cousin really made him proud this time. It was indeed he who forced Xu Qingyun to be the acting team leader before. Now let's see who dares to accuse him of nepotism.

After praising him, Xu Qingshi immediately asked, "How did you know where Hu Qi was, and how did you find out that he was a Japanese spy?"

"My spy Gou Fugui provided the clues..."

Xu Qingyun explained all the circumstances quietly. Xu Qingshi knew that Gou Fugui was a small but not very famous gang in Tianjin, but they were righteous people and had a good reputation.

Xiaoluan means a thief, a person who cannot be in public. Such people dare not offend the police. Xu Qingyun knew that they were the most well-informed, so he contacted some people from all walks of life when bribing their informants.

After listening to Xu Qingyun's slow words, Xu Qingshi was a little dazed and asked in disbelief: "You can tell that he is a Japanese spy just by looking at the marks on his feet?"

"Do you remember the Lantern Case last month? We were the ones who collected the bodies of the Japanese who were beaten to death. I saw the same marks on Hu Qi's feet as on the bodies, and then I intensified the interrogation. He couldn't bear it anymore and confessed."

Xu Qingyun nodded. The Lantern Case happened when people were enjoying the lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. A Japanese businessman had a conflict with a gangster and was accidentally beaten to death by the gangster.

His body was indeed collected by Xu Qingyun's class.

"I see. But it's rare that you're so attentive and noticed this."

Xu Qingshi suddenly realized that after finding out the situation clearly, and knowing that it was all thanks to his cousin, Xu Qingshi was very confident and knew how to report it in the best possible way for them.

The people caught this time are Japanese agents. Not to mention them, how many police officers in the country have ever caught such a person?

Even the Military Intelligence Department, which is responsible for supervising them and dealing with foreign agents, has never caught many Japanese spies. This time, not only he and Xu Qingyun, but the entire Tianjin Police Department will be exposed.

"Have you got a meal yet?"

Xu Qingshi suddenly asked, and Xu Qingyun shook his head: "Not yet."

"Take them to eat something first."

Xu Qingshi frowned, his eyes full of concern. Compared to the case, his brother's health was more important.

"Let's eat first. Don't worry. No one knows that Hu Qi has been arrested yet. You can still catch him even if you act later. It won't take much time."

Xu Qingshi shook his head. The place where Hu Qi and the other man were hiding was not nearby. It would not be too late to go there after dinner because sharpening the knife would not delay chopping wood.

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Xu Qingyun nodded. He would be more efficient at work if he was well fed.

"Take them to eat together. You have made a great contribution this time. All expenses will be paid by the Bureau."

"Thank you, brother."

Xu Qingyun thanked him from the bottom of his heart. Xu Qingshi smiled and nodded, and whispered: "Watch them when you take them out, don't let anyone have the opportunity to go out alone."

"I see."

Xu Qingyun responded softly, but his heart tightened slightly. He knew what his brother was worried about.

The Japanese were omnipresent. Who would have thought that someone like Hu Qi was actually a Japanese spy?
It would not be difficult for the Japanese to plant a spy in their police station. Once the news leaked out, not only would they not be able to catch the person, they might even be in danger.

"Okay, you go."

Xu Qingshi nodded slightly, and called Zuo Jinfang out to talk to him alone.

Xu Qingyun had nine subordinates, and he took all of them out.

Ten people captured two, so they had the advantage in numbers. What's more, the Japanese spies were in the open while they were in the dark, so they had a better chance of success.

"Boss, where are we going to eat?"

On the way out, Zuo Jinfang asked with a smile, and everyone else looked at Xu Qingyun.

"Let's go to Tongjulou. Let me make it clear first. You can eat as much as you want, but you can't drink. The mission is more important."

"Don't worry, we don't drink."

When they heard Xu Qingyun suggest going to Tongjulou, everyone couldn't help but laugh out loud, with expectant expressions on their faces.

Tongjulou is located on the bustling North Road. Although it has only been open for about ten years, it has quickly risen with its unique charm and top-notch cooking skills, becoming one of the major restaurants in Tianjin.

Xu Qingyun did not treat them badly. The food was very good and everyone had a full belly. Zuo Jinfang, on the other hand, would follow anyone who went to the toilet, remembering Xu Qingshi's previous arrangements for him.

Hu Qi's two men were hiding in a small town outside the city, which was a bit far away.

When Xu Qingyun arrived, the sky was gradually darkening. It was sunny during the day, but now there were bursts of snowflakes, which soon turned into heavy snow, and the night came early. "Brother Qingyun, I found out that they are not in the store. They went to the mutton offal restaurant near the dock to eat."

Zuo Jinfang was very smart. Xu Qingyun asked him to go to the inn where the two Japanese agents lived to inquire about the situation, and he ran out after a while.

"Do you know the place?"

"Yes, I've been here before. Their mutton offal soup tastes really good."

Zuo Jinfang replied immediately, and Xu Qingyun did not ask any more questions. It was enough to know the place. Even if it was snowing, they had to catch them as soon as possible and bring them back to the police station.

Xu Qingyun knows better than anyone else how hateful the Japanese are.

The sky was completely dark, the cold wind was howling, the snow was flying, the earth was covered in silver, and a dilapidated mutton offal restaurant stood on the corner of the street, with lights flickering.

Xu Qingyun led his men outside and hid in the dark for the time being.

Four laborers who had worked hard all day took refuge in this luxurious place for them amid the falling snow.

The store was quiet, with two men sitting in the middle. The four coolies who had just run in sat around a worn table, which was closest to the stove and warmer.

"Madam boss, four pancakes and a bowl of mutton soup." Someone couldn't wait to shout out the delicacies he wanted. Following his shouting, the store instantly became lively, and other people shouted out the delicacies they wanted.

"Jin Fang, take Yi Sheng in to investigate the situation."

Xu Qingyun whispered the order outside. Yi Sheng was the oldest among them.

"Yes, Brother Qingyun."

Zuo Jinfang immediately obeyed the order. He was young and had not done much rough work. Compared with the others, he looked fair and tender. It would be awkward if he went in alone. It would be just right to bring Yi Sheng with him. Yi Sheng was older and looked older, so it was suitable for him to disguise himself as father and son to reduce attention.

The two entered the store and immediately saw two people sitting in the middle.

Based on the description in Hu Qi's previous confession, Zuo Jinfang was certain that they were the target.

"Madam, give us two bowls of mutton soup and six pancakes."

Zuo Jinfang spoke first, and the two of them found an empty table and sat down, not looking at the two people in the middle.

There were not many people in the store, except for the proprietress, all of them were single men.

Today is the day when the dragon raises its head. Those with families stay indoors. They have already prepared stewed cakes, fried pancakes, fried eggs and pancakes, and the whole family gathers together. The more affluent ones put a few pieces of fat meat and fried cakes on the table, and the children eat them with their mouths full of oil. This is the most delicious meal after the New Year.

The coolies who arrived earlier had pancakes and freshly cooked mutton soup placed in front of them. The bright red chilies were poured into the soup like gurgling hot blood. The red and white colors were intertwined with dots of oil, making it as tempting as flaming red lips. The fragrant aroma instantly ignited people's taste buds.

Some people couldn't wait to sip the hot soup. The spiciness and warmth intertwined in their mouths, and a warm current ran through their bodies, instantly soothing their bodies that had been tired all day.

While drinking the soup, they chatted about family matters. Soon Zuo Jinfang brought their mutton soup to the table: "Dad, you've been tired all day. Eat something first."

Zuo Jinfang understood what his role should do, and strictly followed Xu Qingyun's deployment, trying his best to avoid looking at the two men.

Before coming in, Xu Qingyun made comprehensive arrangements for them. If the target was inside, they didn't need to come out and could stay inside and eat in peace. If he was not the target, they should leave immediately.

Their failure to go out was equivalent to sending a signal that the target was inside.

In his previous life, Xu Qingyun fought side by side with the police and solved many strange cases. He was also influenced by countless spy war dramas and understood that details are the most critical and no carelessness is allowed.

The coolies who had entered the store earlier left one after another after eating. The liveliness of the store instantly decreased by half. There were only two tables left in the store. Zuo Jinfang and Yi Sheng ate quickly. The two Japanese spies continued to drink and glanced at them from time to time.

"give change."

Coming to the counter, Yi Sheng carefully reached into his underwear pocket and took out a bright silver dollar. He picked up the bamboo stick on the table and gently picked out the meat scraps between his teeth. He swallowed the meat into his stomach with a silly smile on his face.

"okay."

The proprietress responded and quickly placed the change on the counter. Yi Sheng counted the money and put it away.

His actions did not escape the attention of the two Japanese spies, who looked at him with disdain. They thought that these Chinese were just poor and were stingy when it came to meals. They did not deserve to occupy this vast land. Like the Northeast, this place should belong to the empire.

The falling snow became heavier. Zuo Jinfang and the other man picked up their felt hats, put them on carefully while standing at the door, put their hands into their sleeves, pushed open the curtain and walked out.

They walked very naturally and did not arouse the suspicion of the two Japanese spies.

"Brother Qingyun, they are inside. Apart from the boss lady, there are only two of them."

Zuo Jinfang ran out and took the initiative to report. He drew the layout of the mutton offal restaurant on the ground with his fingers and pointed out the positions where the two Japanese spies were sitting.

"How far away are they from the counter?"

Xu Qingyun looked carefully at the pattern drawn by Zuo Jinfang on the snow and asked.

"It's about three or four steps away."

“Is there a back door at the restaurant?”

"Yes, I saw it when I was checking out just now."

The person who answered this time was Yi Sheng, who was in his early thirties but looked like he was in his forties. He had been a policeman for eight years and was a man with a keen eye.

(End of this chapter)