Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 413 It's all about human relationships and social niceties.

Soon, a tall, thin bandit emerged from the woods.

"Why did you come in person?" the bandit asked.

"You son of a bitch, if I don't come soon, when will you give me the medicine?"

"The deposit is calculated based on ten boxes."

"You've only just given me one box now."

"Did you want to order double portions? Did you try to trick me into going up the mountain again?"

General Guan spat out a mouthful of phlegm and said angrily.

"Hehe, how could you be left out?"

"They're all here; I guarantee they'll all be paid today."

The bandit chuckled dryly.

General Guan was right.

Last time, they intercepted Xiao Dong's batch of "goods" in the mountains. On one hand, they tried to trade with Commander Guan, and on the other hand, they were also selling it to the Anti-Japanese Allied Forces in the mountains.

Unfortunately, the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army was dirt poor.

After talking for a long time, they still couldn't agree on a price.

Having lost patience after crossing the three rivers, he decided to deliver the goods to Commander Guan today.

"Hurry up and move the goods quickly," Commander Guan urged.

Just as the bandit was about to whistle to notify his brothers halfway up the mountain, he suddenly frowned:
"Wait, what happened to your face?"

He saw the handprint on Commander Guan's face.

Who in Harbin dares to slap General Guan?

Clearly, there's a problem.

"I had a fight with my wife and got slapped," Commander Guan said, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

"Our husband said that your wife is a virtuous and capable wife, how could she possibly slap you in the face?"

"Damn, could it have been the Japanese who did it?"

The bandit's expression tightened, and he raised his gun, level with it, and questioned him.

"What the hell are you talking about? Take the money and get the goods now." Guan Dashuai was a little flustered.

"Woo!"

The bandits didn't believe him at all, and started whistling as they put their fingers in their mouths.

moment.

Birds flew about in the mountains and forests.

A commotion erupted in the woods.

boom!
The bandits drew their guns, ready to fire.

"See? My slap in Changchun worked, didn't it?" Hong Zhiyou chuckled softly.

"Let the fight begin!"

Zhou Yi gave the order.

boom!
Lu Ming shot down the bandit with the first shot and rushed into the woods.

"General Guan, I curse your ancestors for eighteen generations!"

Someone in the woods started cursing loudly.

……

Followed by.

The Kwantung Army, Manchukuo soldiers, and police hidden in the mountains clashed, and chaos erupted in the forest.

"Hoohoo."

Commander Guan walked unsteadily to Zhou Yi's side.

"It's certain that the Three Rivers Pass is located in the forest."

“I recognized his voice.”

He wiped the icy breath from his face and said breathlessly.

"Thanks for your hard work.

“Once we capture Guo Sanjiang, you’ll be credited with the greatest achievement, and I’ll ask Commander Kato for a commendation on your behalf,” Zhou Yi said with a smile.

"I dare not accept the credit for being the first to do so."

"Five hundred taels of gold, plus this batch of medicine from the bandits, I hope that will satisfy your appetites, and I will be content."

"From now on, you will walk on the sunny path, and I will cross the narrow bridge."

"Can we all just live in peace?"

Guan Dashuai glanced at Hong Zhiyou, who was smoking a cigarette beside him, and felt a chill run down his spine.

"Easy to say.

“From now on, we’ll all be brothers.” Hong Zhiyou squinted his left eye and smiled.

"Changchun, the fighting is intense here and there are many stray bullets. You take Guan Ye down the mountain from that side." Hong Zhiyou gestured and instructed Ren Changchun, who was standing next to him.

"Yes, Section Chief." Ren Changchun accepted the order.

"Master Guan, I'm sorry about last time, please." He forced a smile, bowed, and raised his hand.

Commander Guan had no doubts. He snorted coldly, shook his hand, and followed him into the woods to the south.

"Did you leave an opening?" Hong Zhiyou turned to ask Zhou Yi.

"I kept it."

“If we wipe out all the bandits, many people in the police department will lose their jobs.”

"Section Chief Gao called me this morning and said the same thing."

Although bandits are not good people.

"But we must support what the Japanese hate, and leave them a way to live."

Zhou Yi nodded and said.

"Very good.

"I've heard that there's a girl in Sanjiang named Xu Yunying. She's very beautiful. Guan Dashuai's nephew, Liao Jun, almost became a bandit to pursue her."

Hong Zhi crept into the woods, firing a couple of random shots as if he were chasing after the remaining bandits.

"She's more than just beautiful; she's skilled in all kinds of martial arts, including swords, spears, and clubs. Are you trying to be a hero and save the damsel in distress?"

"Watch your step, there are lots of traps in the mountains."

Zhou Yi glanced at him and said.

"Hmm, I want to recruit a group of bandits."

"If there's nothing else to do, they can rob some grain or raid my transport team, otherwise it's not very convenient to transport a lot of things into the mountains."

"It wouldn't be bad to have a wife who would be a bandit chief."

Hong Zhi glanced at Zhou Yi and laughed.

A smile appeared on Zhou Yi's lips: "Good idea. Bandits operate in the gray areas, are agile, and can indeed get a lot done."

"However, the Japanese have gone all out this time, so you'd better pray for them."

“As long as she can break through your gap, I can handle her,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Now I'm thinking, how will you get your hands on that batch of drugs when they're found later?"

"Don't tell me you can buy medicine right under the noses of the Japanese."

"This is a major case that Shibuya is keeping an eye on."

Zhou Yi said with some concern.

"What's the panic?"

"The real medicine had already been switched. What we intercepted from Sun Yuejian's men across the Three Rivers was just a watered-down fake, with less than 10% drug content."

Hongzhi has the Way.

Zhou Yi stared at him in disbelief: "You knew all along that it wouldn't be delivered up the mountain?"

"This is not a question that someone I admire should ask."

“Even if there are no traitors among you, and Lao Wang can drive up the mountain, you still won’t be able to get past the Sanjiang Pass.”

"When it comes to medicine and rice, bandits will never talk about friendship with the Anti-Japanese United Army."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Yes, actually I don't understand either, why the arrangements made by the higher-ups lately have been leaning towards gambling."

No matter how tight or difficult the mountains are, it is not a reason to take risks.

"My principle is that if I'm not sure, I'd rather not do it."

"If you make a mistake, you will be doomed."

Zhou Yi flicked away the cigarette butt and exhaled smoke with some annoyance.

"Without you... we would have been wiped out this time, and it might even have implicated the entire Manchurian Provincial Committee. They always take chances and consider their survival as a blessing from fate."

"This is very dangerous."

"Because we won't be this lucky every time."

He sighed softly, feeling grateful.

"You shouldn't be telling me these things."

"You're not the type to fuss over nothing either."

Hong Zhi smiled.

Zhou Yi glanced around and gave a very polite smile:
"I didn't know, I just wanted to say it when I saw you, sorry."

He spoke from the bottom of his heart.

Every time he made these suggestions to Lao Wei and repeatedly emphasized the principles of security and confidentiality, Lao Wei would only agree verbally and never take them to heart.

This can be seen from the fact that he tolerated Gu Qiuyan sending two telegrams.

The high-pressure living environment has become a reason for underground comrades to take risks.

In 1935, the Central Liaison Bureau was established.

The following year, Zhou Yi changed his route and went "undercover" in the south, where he received a short period of special training.

At that time, Ke Gong and Zhu Li assisted Mr. Wu in his work, and Zhou Yi was also there, where he was influenced by their meticulous and rigorous work principles and iron discipline.

Therefore, he did not quite approve of the adventurism in Manchuria.

The establishment of a hidden front and a transportation station was no easy feat.

Under the watchful eyes of the Japanese, a single risky move can often destroy an organization's years of planning.

This has been a source of constant distress for Zhou Yi.

"It's nothing, it's my pleasure." Hong Zhi patted the snow off his clothes.

"Your uncle said that if someone praises him, then he must be mocking him in his heart."

"He said that's what Doiyu said."

Zhou Yidao.

“Then I’ll have to ask next time I go to Shanghai,” Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

The gunfire in the woods gradually subsided.

after an hour.

Liu Kui met them at the mountainside.

"How is it?" Zhou Yi asked.

"We killed almost all the bandits we could see."

"Two policemen died here. I don't know which department the unlucky guys were from."

"The situation is still unclear between the Nationalist soldiers and the Japanese."

Liu Kui replied.

"Where is Lu Ming?" Zhou Yi asked.

"He captured several people alive in a cave. They might be the red flag bearers and representatives of the Anti-Japanese Allied Army who transported the medicine last time. The medicine has been found, and they are organizing to move it down the mountain now," Liu Kui said.

"Very good, everyone has worked hard."

"When the section chief returns, I will commend everyone for their achievements."

Zhou Yi patted him on the shoulder.

"To be honest, I thought you were just making empty promises, but I didn't expect you to actually pull it off and even take down a bandit's den."

"Everyone is convinced that you are the right person to be the team leader."

Liu Kui rarely offered a word of praise.

"Thank you," Zhou Yi said with a smile.

Just then, Wu Qiang, the head of the police affairs section, walked over: "Captain Zhou, Officer Ren from the economic division was just injured in a shootout."

"Section Chief Hong, send your men over to take a look."

Zhou Yidao.

They arrived at the woods to the south. There they saw Ren Changchun leaning against a rock, clutching his arm, his face contorted in pain, blood dripping onto the ground—a horrifying sight.

Commander Guan lay to the side, no longer breathing.

A bearded man lay fallen not far away.

"What happened?" Hong Zhi asked.

"Section Chief Hong, I just protected Commander Guan during his retreat and got into a firefight with Hu Zi... I'm sorry, I didn't protect him well," Ren Changchun said sadly.

"Do your best, as long as everyone is alright."

"Hurry down the mountain and get to the hospital."

Hong Zhiyou comforted him with a smile.

The other police officers standing nearby were all filled with envy.

If it were Lu Ming or Liu Kui, they would have slapped him already.

"Thank you, Section Chief," Ren Changchun said gratefully.

Back at the police station.

Gao Bin immediately convened a meeting, expressed his gratitude to everyone, and booked a luxury private room at the Madier Hotel for a celebratory banquet.

at the same time.

Saburo Shibuya, Lieutenant General Shirokura, and Wei Huanzhang also sent congratulatory telegrams.

The entire police station was filled with jubilation.

night.

Hong Zhiyou helped Gao Bin out of the hotel.

Got in the car.

Gao Bin, who had been feigning sleep in the passenger seat, immediately opened his eyes, a glint of shrewdness in them, and smiled:
"You did a good job this time."

"Both department heads praised me highly today, which is quite rare."

"I heard that Wei Huanzhang is going to apply to the Prime Minister for a special commendation for you."

"It seems you've given him quite a bit of money."

"Zhiyou, I'm curious where you got your money?"

Gao Bin's smile turned serious.

"Uncle, to tell you the truth, I secretly had someone borrow money from Commander Guan at exorbitant interest rates."

"But with his death, all these debts are wiped clean."

Hong Zhiyou gave a watertight answer.

"How much did you borrow?" Gao Bin asked.

“Three hundred taels of gold, and twenty thousand Kangde coins.” Hong Zhiyou knew he couldn’t hide these from his uncle, so he simply told him the truth.

"The person you're looking for seems to be someone important," Gao Bin said.

"Uncle, he is a businessman that Tu Feiyuan planted in Harbin. He has property and can be used as collateral."

"I'll introduce you to him another day."

Hong Zhi smiled mysteriously.

"Let's forget about it, as long as there's a source, it's fine."

"Tell me if you need money next time."

"Once you owe someone a favor, it's sometimes hard to repay it, because you don't know what they want."

"When I was in Fengtian, many people were killed by the Japanese in this way."

Gao Bin's voice softened, and he spoke earnestly.

"Understood, Uncle."

“I was just thinking that all these years I’ve been taking advantage of you and your aunt. Now you’re both working as section chiefs. If you’re still sponging off your parents and relying on your uncle and aunt for everything, it’ll make you look like you have no ambition.”

Hong Zhiyou said.

"stupid!

"Get rid of this foolish idea immediately."

“You’re the only son in our Gao family. Won’t my money and house be yours in the future?”

"Uncle isn't afraid of you sponging off your parents."

"I'm afraid you'll get too big for your britches and think your aunt and me are too old, and won't even want to eat anymore."

Gao Bin raised his hand and slapped him on the back of the head, saying irritably.

“I’ve got it,” Hong Zhi said.

"Did you kill Commander Guan?" Gao Bin glanced at the lights outside the window and then asked, changing the subject.

“No, he was killed by bandits,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"He was killed by bandits, are you sure?" Gao Bin asked.

"Yes!" Hong Zhi replied with certainty.

“Yes, he looks like my nephew,” Gao Bin said.

"Can you take over General Guan's businesses?" he asked again.

“Yes, Wei Huanzhang and Murakami both hope I can continue to take over, after all, it’s a cash cow,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Have you found enough people?" Gao Bin asked.

“I’ve found someone. For now, Old Hei, one of Commander Guan’s men, will keep him in charge. Later, I’ll find one of my own to gradually replace him,” Hong Zhi said.

That's right.

"The water in Harbin is muddy, so it was right for an old man to cross it."

"But be careful, Commander Guan has many loyal followers. When you were suppressing the bandits, I sent people to capture a group of them, but one of them, Tie Changshan, escaped."

"This man is a notorious killer in Harbin; we need to be careful."

Gao Bin reminded him.

“My men will find him,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Okay." Gao Bin didn't ask any further questions.

We arrived at my uncle's house.

He chatted with Liao Chunxiang while they ate sunflower seeds for a while before driving home.

……

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the police station.

Upon arriving at the office, Ren Changchun, with his arm in a cast, was wiping his desk with one hand.

Upon seeing him, Ren Changchun immediately bowed and said, "Section Chief, good morning."

"You don't need to clean up for the next few days. Just have someone from logistics come over."

"sit."

Hong Zhi personally brewed tea and poured him a cup.

Ren Changchun felt extremely uncomfortable and said, "Section Chief, how can I drink the tea you brew?"

"Tell me, how did you take down Commander Guan?"

Hong Zhiyou maintained a tone that was neither too close nor too distant, as if speaking to a superior.

"I didn't say anything, I kicked him in the back of the knee from behind, sending him sprawling, and then shot him twice from the front."

"So as not to be discovered that I was shot in the back."

"Then he dragged a bandit's corpse onto the table and shot himself in the arm."

"Oh, the gun is one I picked up from the ground; it belonged to a bandit."

"Without our police station's guns, we guarantee they won't be able to find out."

Ren Changchun explained very carefully.

"I wasn't wrong about you. You are indeed very smart and ruthless. Well done."

"Take this."

Hong Zhiyou got up, opened the drawer, and gave him a handful of Kangde coins with a face value of 100 yuan.

Not much, just three thousand yuan.

It's only enough to buy a decent old house in Daoli.

"Sir, this, this won't do."

“I eliminated Commander Guan because it was the will of the people and also for my own safety. How could I possibly take your money?”

Ren Changchun was so frightened that he immediately stood up.

"Rewards for meritorious service are my rule."

"If you don't want to accept it, I can find another assistant."

Hong Zhi pushed the money over.

"This, this..." Ren Changchun was both happy and flustered, unsure of what to do.

"Don't be nervous."

"This money may be very rare to you, but to me it may just be a little pocket money."

"If you work hard, you'll only get more in the future."

"By the way, I got you a house on Da'an Street in Daoli. It belonged to one of Guan Dashuai's underlings. After Guan Dashuai fell, these houses were all taken over by the government."

"Consider this apartment as a room allocated to you."

"Here's the key, the house number is written on it, you can check in today."

"I have already spoken to the hospital and the school."

"It will be more convenient for your parents to see a doctor and for your younger sister to go to school in the future."

Hong Zhi handed him a set of keys.

“Section Chief Hong, I, I…” Ren Changchun’s eyes were red.

He really didn't know what to say, so he bowed deeply to Hong Zhiyou.

"alright.

"I'm giving you a few days off. Go back and tidy up your new house. Your parents worked hard to raise a policeman, so they deserve to enjoy a few good days."

Hong Zhiyou stood up, took a black bag from the drawer, and went out.

Ren Changchun felt like he was dreaming.

In just a few days, he felt as if his life had grown wings and he had soared into the sky.

Coming to his senses, he respectfully shouted with one hand, "Yes, Section Chief."

Hong Zhiyou carried the bag to Bai Qiming's office.

If you want to take over Guan Dashuai's business, you naturally have to send these local old men to the front.

Bai Qiming had always considered him one of his own.

I accepted it very readily.

Even Gao Bin, who was drinking tea in Bai Qiming's office, was beaming with pride.

"Liu Zhenwen, didn't you prepare anything?"

"He is Zhou Yi's superior, and is nominally the commander of the police department in this operation."

"Besides, he's still Commander Guan's cash cow. If you cut off his source of income and don't give him a proper explanation, this matter will never be resolved and will drag on forever."

As they walked out of the director's office, Gao Bin gave instructions in a low voice.

“I plan to visit Deputy Director Liu tonight and meet his daughter. If she’s pretty, I might consider it,” Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

"clever.

"Deputy Director Liu only has this one precious daughter. If you want to get Liu Yawen, even if you give her a mountain of gold and silver, won't it all end up back in your hands in the future?"

"He can place more bets."

Gao Bin walked with his hands behind his back, saying as he went.

"Uncle, they all say you are impervious to needles and water, that you are ruthless and heartless."

"You seem to know a lot about social etiquette."

Hong Zhiyou made a joke with a smile.

There are no such straight people in this world.

"My ruthlessness depends on who I'm dealing with. To people like Doi-Yu and the General Staff, I call them 'teacher' and 'commander' more politely than you do, and I'm more adept at using connections than you are."

"Otherwise, would I be able to sit in this seat?"

Gao Bin smiled.

“Alright, I’ll go see Lao Hei and quickly take over Commander Guan’s assets,” Hong Zhi said.

"Go."

Gao Bin nodded.

……

(End of this chapter)