Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 411 Money Makes the World Go Round

"Hello, Mr. Wei." Hong Zhiyou bowed slightly.

"Hmm...sit down."

Wei Huanzhang still retained the old-fashioned arrogance of a Manchu official. He first observed Hong Zhiyou's clothing, demeanor, and appearance, and seeing that Hong Zhiyou was quite remarkable, he nodded indifferently.

"You graduated from the Tokyo Army Officer Academy, a student of Commander Ichiro Sakanishi?" Wei Huanzhang asked coldly, sitting upright in his armchair.

"Yes.

"I am the last disciple of Mr. Ichiro Sakanishi. After receiving formal training, I served by his side for seven months and listened to his teachings."

"After graduation, in order to realize His Majesty the Emperor's Greater East Asia Prosperity Plan, I returned to Harbin."

Hong Zhiyou truthfully stated.

"Butler, bring the tea." Upon hearing this, Wei Huanzhang sat up straighter and called out.

The butler served tea.

Wei Huanzhang took his seat and said unhurriedly, "But as far as I know, you are currently just a minor economic section chief in the Harbin Police Department. Isn't your talent being wasted?"

"Mr. High-ranking official, you know that the Japanese are very pragmatic."

"Before achieving results."

"I won't go to them, and they won't go to me."

"In other words, I have to achieve something, otherwise all the years of studying I've spent will have been for nothing."

Hong Zhi smiled neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"So, you're going to target Commander Guan?" Wei Huanzhang's brows furrowed, and his voice turned cold.

"That's right.

“In Harbin, only Commander Guan has the authority to let me fire the first shot,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Everyone knows that General Guan and I are from the same hometown."

"Young man, you don't think that just because you followed a retired Japanese officer, you can run wild in Manchukuo, do you?"

"The emperor's word may not carry weight."

"But at this time, Manchukuo still has hundreds of thousands of troops, and the Japanese still have to be somewhat mindful of our attitude."

"For Ichiro Sakanishi's sake, I advise you to think twice before you act."

"Let's go back."

Wei Huanzhang's face fell, and he swallowed back the word "get lost" in annoyance.

Mr. Wei.

"Whether we are from the same hometown or not is not important."

"You hold banquets every few days, and the invitations even reach the emperor. What are you after? Isn't it just money?"

Hong Zhi sneered and casually lit a cigarette.

"How dare you!" Wei Huanzhang roared in fury.

"General Guan is too timid. His business is predictable. Besides, you're held back by your fellow townsman relationship, so you can't ask for an exorbitant amount."

"But I'm different."

"I have connections with Japanese people, and my business will only grow bigger and bigger."

"Moreover, I've always been a very fair person, and I only believe in discussing things based on money!"
"There's no need to worry about hometown ties."

"You get more if you can get it done, and less if you don't. There's absolutely no psychological burden about it."

"Just like this time!"

As Hong Zhiyou spoke, he opened the box, spun it around, and pushed it in front of Wei Huanzhang.

Inside was 20,000 Kant coins.

Five pieces of gold weighing six ounces each.

Given current prices, this is undoubtedly a huge sum of money.

"Young man, what exactly do you want?"

Wei Huanzhang narrowed his eyes and sneered.

"From now on, you'll work with me, and we'll kick Guan Dashuai out of the game."

"Whatever amount General Guan is giving you now, I'll double it every month. If there's anything important I need to ask of you, the money will be calculated separately."

"As far as I know, Commander Guan gives you five hundred yuan a month as a tribute."

"I'll give you a thousand, no, a thousand two hundred!"

"Moreover, I can give you a written agreement and a contract, and have someone deliver money to you on time every month."

"Consider this a small gift and a token of my sincerity to Uncle Wei."

"how?"

Hong Zhi smiled warmly and leaned forward to look at him.

Wei Huanzhang stroked his short beard, somewhat tempted.

First, Hong Zhiyou's gift to his first meeting was too generous.

Both of these factors contributed to his monthly allowance doubling, and the new and reassuring nature of this contractual cooperation made him feel both excited and secure.

“Nephew, it’s not that I don’t want to help you.”

"General Guan also had close ties with the Japanese."

Wei Huanzhang changed his tune and continued to probe Hong Zhiyou's background.

"I also know Japanese people."

"Uncle, don't forget that Commander Guan colluded with the bandits and transported medicine to the Anti-Japanese Alliance!"

"He crossed the line for the Japanese!"
"Do you think that just a few policemen and one Murakami Masaru can protect him?"
"I came to see you because I respect your high moral character and prestige."

"Actually, whether you help me or not, I will still handle Commander Guan."

"You two are from the same hometown and are so close. These days, even the red tickets have infiltrated the Special Higher Police. You must know about the incident in Xinjing, right?"

"At this point, what you need to do is immediately sever ties with Commander Guan, instead of trying to make arrangements for him everywhere."

"What do you expect the Japanese to think?"
"Uncle, could you also be a spy infiltrating the high-ranking officials of Manchukuo?"

Hong Zhi's words were like swords, each one precisely striking Wei Huanzhang's vital points.

Wei Huanzhang's expression changed drastically, his face filled with anger:
Stop spreading alarmist rumors.

Who is Commander Guan?

"How could he have colluded with the Red bandits? You're framing him."

"What goes around comes around. Young man, don't be too arrogant."

As he spoke, *smack!*

He slammed the box containing the gold bars shut.

Clearly, Hong Zhi had hit a nerve.

Good advice is hard to persuade a damned devil.

"It seems that my uncle still hasn't figured it out."

"It's not that I want to kill General Guan, it's that someone wants to kill General Guan."

Who doesn't want to eat meat?

"Why is it that only Commander Guan is in charge of the pot?"
"Now I'm going to start from scratch, and there are only so many tables and seats available."

"I respect you, that's why I invited you."

"But I'll only say this once. If the seats are full and there aren't any for you, don't blame me for not informing you in advance."

"Farewell!"

A hint of displeasure flashed in Hong Zhiyou's eyes. He picked up his briefcase and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute."

"Nephew, wait a moment!"

Li Xiuyu, who had been listening in from the inner room, quickly came out.

"This must be your aunt." Hong Zhiyou stopped and bowed.

"The young man is really handsome, and he speaks very well too."

"You must be thirsty after talking for so long."

"Please sit down and have a cup of tea first."

Li Xiuyu pulled Hong Zhiyou along, looking him up and down. Seeing his imposing presence, she found him even more pleasing to the eye.

"Thank you, Auntie." Hong Zhiyou returned to the table.

"Nephew, please wait a moment, let's go inside and discuss this."

Li Xiuyu gave Wei Huanzhang a wink.

Wei Huanzhang pretended to be unhappy, but his legs betrayed him as he followed his wife inside.

"Old Wei, I think this young man is destined for great things."

"Let's not talk about his relationship with the Japanese."

"Let's just talk about General Guan."

“Before he became powerful, he would come to our house so often, and he would send his monthly gifts in advance.”

"And now?"

"They turn their backs on us without a second thought. Look at how little money they give us each month, they keep putting it off until tomorrow, and then the day after."

"I need your help because we're from the same hometown."

"After you get the job done, when you ask him for the money, he still calls you 'fellow villager' or 'brother' all the time. You're too proud to ask, so he puts you on the hot seat of the stove. It's all for nothing, and you feel miserable."

"This young man pays more, and he has a contract that specifies the day he will be paid each month."

"This is better than General Guan refusing to give it to you, and you having to shamelessly ask someone to urge him to give it to you."

"The key is that they give a lot too."

Li Xiuyu pulled the man aside and tried to persuade him.

“I agree with these points.”

"But how do you know his strength? What if he can't defeat Commander Guan? It's not worth losing a long-term meal ticket and a fellow townsman's friendship for such a small amount of money."

Wei Huanzhang is a cunning and treacherous old man.

"I'll talk to him about this later."

“I think Xiao Hong said something very good: if the Japanese high command really wants to reshuffle the deck and get rid of Marshal Guan, it would be very dangerous for you to get too close to him at this time,” Li Xiuyu said shrewdly.

“Alright, I’ll talk to this young man again.” Wei Huanzhang pondered for a moment and nodded.

Return to the lobby.

"Xiao Hong, how's the tea?"

"These are pastries from Guishunzhai, please try them."

Li Xiuyu personally brought over a plate of pastries and said with a smile.

Hong Zhiyou, without any hesitation, took a piece to taste and exclaimed in surprise:
"Hmm, not bad, crispy and crunchy, as expected of a century-old brand."

"Come often if you like the food."

"We're both in Harbin, just a short walk apart. You're welcome anytime," Li Xiuyu said with a smile.

"I know that you value loyalty and righteousness, and that you are in a difficult position to deal with Commander Guan."

"How about this.

"You don't need to do anything, just remain silent."

"If Commander Guan wants to use your connections, just tell your men to take care of it."

"If you really find it too difficult, or are afraid that General Guan will come knocking, you can do what my uncle does: go out for a walk and rest for a couple of days."

"Do you think this is a good idea?"

Hong Zhi first flattered Wei Huanzhang, then opened the money box and pushed it over.

Li Xiuyu's eyes lit up immediately at the thought of getting so much money without having to do anything and just hiding for a couple of days. She then started pinching Wei Huanzhang's thigh repeatedly.

"Ahem.

"There have been too many things happening in Binjiang lately, and I'm really exhausted. My shoulders are so sore that I can't even lift them."

"It just so happens that Old Shen from Fengtian arranged an appointment for me with an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor last time."

"Xiuyu, I think there's no better time than today. I'll put aside my work and we'll go today?"

Wei Huanzhang continued to spout grandiloquent platitudes, and even twirled his shoulders and elbows.

I've been telling you to rest for ages, but you just won't listen.

"It's because Xiao Hong knows how to talk."

Li Xiuyu said.

"I will visit you to sign the contract after I take over General Guan's business."

Uncle and Aunt.

"Farewell!"

Hong Zhi bowed politely, then walked away with his head held high and chest out.

"My goodness, so much money!" "This kid is much more generous than your fellow villager."

After Hong Zhiyou left, Li Xiuyu counted the banknotes and tapped each gold bar, her heart filled with joy.

"I've already taken the money."

"Then let's go hide away for a couple of days."

"I'll call Bai Qiming and Liu Zhenwen first and tell them not to interfere in Hong Zhiyou's affairs."

Wei Huanzhang smiled, got up and walked into the inner room.

……

Lobbying Murakami was easy.

His position was neither high nor low.

There are also two superiors blocking my way: Shibuya Saburo and Shirokura Yoshie, both of whom are upright and difficult to bribe.

He can't stand it if anyone investigates him.

With his silver tongue, which rivaled that of Zhang Yi and Su Qin, Hong Zhi could easily intimidate the village chief by threatening him with a few words and giving him a few gold bars.

They walked out of the military police station.

Hong Zhiyou looked at the dark dome and a smile appeared on his lips.

In this world, money truly reigns supreme.

As long as the money is there, it's almost always a smooth win.

Ten gold bars were spent in total, and twenty remain.

In addition to the three sticks he had earned from Lu Ming, and the five sticks he had left over from bribing Liu Zhenwen with Lao Wu.

He currently has twenty-eight gold bars in his possession.

He's definitely a small-time tycoon.

We arrived at the entrance of the police station.

Zhou Yi returned to his office early.

"Old Zhou, is it all done?" Hong Zhi closed the door, sat down, and gestured for Zhou Yi to pour some water.

Zhou Yi got up, took the thermos from the back, and poured him a cup of hot water:
"nailed it.

"Shibuya Saburo was very satisfied with a loyal subject like me and agreed to let me be in charge of investigating General Guan."

"And Captain Kato was dispatched from headquarters to assist my operation."

He said with a smile.

"Yes, the Japanese like people like you who look serious and upright," Hong Zhiyou said, warming his hands with his water cup and taking a couple of sips.

What do you mean by "looks like"?

Zhou Yi smiled and pointed at him, "How's it going on your end?"

"nailed it.

"We can arrest them tomorrow morning," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Very good.

“My men have already set their sights on Commander Guan; he can’t escape.”

"call.

"It's getting late, let's go to my house for dumplings."

"Or how about we go out to eat? Your treat?"

Zhou Yi asked with a rare relaxed expression.

"Then there's no need to choose."

"Nothing looks better than my sister-in-law, and nothing tastes better than dumplings."

“Of course I’d choose dumplings,” Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

“Perfect timing, your sister-in-law asked me to ask you for the sheet music, so let’s go to my house.” Zhou Yi readily agreed.

Passing by the duty room.

Lu Ming was smoking with Liu Kui.

"Captain Zhou, Section Chief Hong, how's the matter going?"
"I didn't hear a sound."

Lu Ming shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Let's talk about it tomorrow. It's too late today, and the evidence files aren't complete yet."

"I'm leaving now, see you tomorrow."

Zhou Yi waved his hand and said.

Lu Ming stood by the window, watching Zhou and Hong get into the car, then turned to Liu Kui and asked:
"Old Liu, do you think there's any chance of this happening?"

"have no idea.

"Anyway, Captain Zhou took on the job, and he told us to do it, so we just did it."

"In short, I don't care what kind of general or marshal he is. As long as Captain Zhou gives the order, I will definitely see it through to the end."

Liu Kui said.

"In my opinion, this matter is unlikely. Look, Captain Zhou and Hong Zhi have been out all afternoon, but they haven't made any show of force."

“Over there, Mayors Wei Huanzhang, Murakami, and Wang Ji’an have been bombarding our police department one by one.”

"Section Chief Gao has already gone into hiding."

"Can he, a mere captain, really handle this?"

Lu Ming shook his head, looking quite dejected.

"I don't think Captain Zhou is the kind of person who just talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk."

"They all sent their section chiefs away."

"If you don't take any action, aren't you just messing with people?"
"Let's wait and see, maybe they're planning something."

Liu Kui had a pretty good impression of Zhou Yi.

"I hope so. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll never be able to avenge this humiliation from Commander Guan." Lu Ming nodded and chuckled with a sigh.

Liu Kui smiled but didn't say anything.

"Hey, Section Chief Liu."

"Isn't it strange? Captain Zhou is new to the Special Service Section, and Section Chief Hong is also a newcomer. How did they become such good friends?" Lu Ming started gossiping again.

"They just hit it off, why are you being so nosy?"

"Section Chief Hong saved your life and even gave you a cigar. You're not bad friends."

"That's called being socially savvy and knowing how to behave, you know?"

Liu Kui rolled his eyes.

"Hmm, that's true." Lu Ming couldn't quite grasp the meaning, so he didn't press the matter further.

……

Zhou Yi's family.

"Aunt Liu, cook more dumplings, we have guests tonight."

"Also, cut up a Russian sausage and get some smoked meat or something."

Zhou Yi greeted them upon entering.

“Yes, sir,” Aunt Liu replied.

"Where is your wife?" Zhou Yi asked.

"She went out and hasn't come back yet," Aunt Liu replied.

"Okay, go ahead and get busy."

Zhou Yi hung up the clothes and gave the instructions.

Arrived upstairs.

He poured Hong Zhiyou a glass of red wine and whispered:
"Jin Xiaoyu is dead, and the new instructor Xia Tao's skills are not as good. These days, the Japanese instructors have been staying in the hall."

"It would be great if we could crack their technology."

“It’s very difficult; only professionals can do this,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Information can't be transmitted up the mountain now, and we don't know what the situation is like," Zhou Yi said, quite distressed.

"Don't worry.

"If we take down Commander Guan tomorrow, we can get this batch of goods transported up." Hong Zhi nodded.

The dumplings were ready in a moment.

Zhou Yi said, "Let's eat first."

Hong Zhiyou was indeed quite hungry.

It has to be said that Aunt Liu's cooking skills are excellent; the dumplings with pickled garlic are incredibly delicious.

As they were eating, Liu Ma's voice came from downstairs: "Madam, you're back."

"We have guests at home." Gu Qiuyan glanced at the leather boots by the door, her smile tinged with a hint of wariness.

"Yes.

"You rest first, I'll go cook you some dumplings," said Aunt Liu.

"it is good."

Gu Qiuyan went upstairs and greeted Hong Zhiyou.

Her tone was cold, as if she was very unhappy that Zhou Yi had brought people home.

"Sister-in-law, this is a zither piece."

"I still have something to do, so I'll take the first step."

Hong Zhiyou finished the last dumpling, stood up, and said.

"Don't rush, sit a little longer, there's still zucchini filling." Gu Qiuyan forced a smile.

"No, Captain Zhou, see you tomorrow."

Hong Zhi got dressed and went downstairs.

He was not very willing to deal with this woman.

Simply put, it's best to keep your distance from arrogant women like that.

Gu Qiuyan walked to the top of the stairs, and after confirming that Hong Zhi had left, she sat down, unfolded the sheet music, and subconsciously hummed a few lines.

"You seem to be in a good mood today?" Zhou Yi noticed.

"Have it?
"Looks like I'm still not calm enough, you've caught me again," Gu Qiuyan said with a smile.

"Is there any progress on the Qixinglazi Arsenal?" she asked.

Not yet.

“Hong Zhi and I are busy with Commander Guan’s matter. We’ll figure out a solution after we’ve settled things here,” Zhou Yi said.

"No need, I've already sent people up the mountain. If all goes well, they should receive the message by tomorrow morning," Gu Qiuyan said.

"What did you say?" Zhou Yi's heart skipped a beat, and he stopped eating.

"I have a secret passage in the direction of Jiamusi that connects to the mountains. We don't use it normally, and it's only used in emergencies. Even Lao Wei doesn't know about it."

"Moreover, the people I sent are very reliable, and they also use code words."

"You can rest assured."

Gu Qiuyan said.

"Bang!" Zhou Yi slammed his chopsticks heavily on the table.

"What right do you have to contact the people in the mountains?"

How can you be sure that the person you contacted won't betray you?

"Now, how many people are willing to become traitors for a bowl of white rice? Your disorganized and undisciplined behavior is increasing our risk of being exposed."

Zhou Yi suppressed his anger as much as possible and said in a low voice.

"You don't need to keep scaring me, I trust my comrades!"

Gu Qiuyan had expected to receive praise from Zhou Yi, but instead she was met with harsh criticism, which made her agitated.

Zhou Yi stared at her coldly.

Gu Qiuyan remained calm and fearless.

In the end, Zhou Yi shook his head and went downstairs without saying a word.

Standing in the courtyard, looking at the dark night, his heart remained unsettled for a long time.

We just got through a crisis with Lao Wang and others.

It was not easy to find Hong Zhiyou as a partner, someone who could do something beneficial for the organization.

This arrogant woman has acted on her own again.

Jiamusi, that's Section Chief Zhu's territory. That guy is more cunning than a fox.

If even the slightest mistake were to occur, Zhou Yi couldn't imagine the consequences...

(End of this chapter)