Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 420 You're Locked On

Zhu Yi and Cui Wannian stood on the steps, waving goodbye as Zhou Yi and the others got into the car.

Section Chief.

"You and Gao Bin have been rivals for many years."

"We finally caught a fat fish this time, why should we just give it away?"

Cui Wannian asked, quite puzzled.

"Old Cui, you know that Zhang Pingjun's sister-in-law, 'Sister Lan,' is no ordinary person."

"She must be the wife or mistress of some high-ranking officer in the police department."

"If we investigate this thoroughly, something bad will happen."

"The Japanese are stubborn and inflexible. If one of them drags in a whole bunch of people, even the big shots in the province and even the capital city will be implicated. Even if we had ten heads, it wouldn't be enough to chop them off."

"So let's just pass this hot potato to Gao Bin."

Zhu Yi said maturely.

"Section Chief, isn't Gao Bin afraid?" Cui Wannian asked.

"Of course Gao Bin isn't afraid."

"He was a man highly regarded by Chief Doihara, a close friend of Keiichi Kato, and also had dealings with the upper echelons of the Kwantung Army."

"The money the Japanese secretly gave him was more than he could spend in ten lifetimes."

"So he has both connections and money."

"He is just low-key and good at adapting to changing circumstances, giving people the impression that he doesn't show off his abilities."

"Actually, he's very capable."

Zhu Yi said with a hint of envy.

"Understood.

“No wonder he was so fearless when he killed people in Fengtian back then,” Cui Wannian said.

"Yes.

"Comparing yourself to others will only make you miserable."

"We are walking on thin ice. We don't seek merit, we just want to avoid making mistakes."

Zhu Yi brushed aside his mustache, gave a cold laugh, and returned to the hall.

……

On the train.

The carriages used for storing luggage were emptied.

Zhang Pingjun, his face covered in bruises, and his girlfriend Su Xiaoyun were pushed in. The two were trembling, their eyes filled with fear.

"You all get out of here. Captain Zhou and I need to ask you some questions."

Hong Zhi gave instructions to his two accompanying police officers.

“This…” The two police officers were clearly hesitant.

Before they arrived, Gao Bin gave them strict orders to keep an eye on Zhou Yi, especially to see if he had spoken to Zhang Pingjun alone.

"No need, let them stay here," Zhou Yi said calmly.

Although he was in dire straits, he remained calm and composed, showing no sign of any unusual emotional fluctuation.

He was always so calm and capable.

Zhou Yi casually pulled a burlap sack and threw it on the ground, gesturing for Zhang Pingjun to sit down.

Then he sat down on the stool next to Hong Zhiyou.

"Clap."

He lit a cigarette and handed it to Zhang Pingjun.

“Section Chief Hong, you can ask him,” Zhou Yi said.

"Can I record this?" Officer Xiao Song asked from the side.

"of course."

Hong Zhi stood up, walked behind Zhang Pingjun, and patted him on the shoulder:

"You've already been vetted in Jiamusi, so you know the rules."

"I know your father's name is Zhang Zhongnian, and he is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine doctor."

"Your family is quite wealthy; you live on Balkan Street."

"You are educated and cultured, and your family is well-off. You can spend the rest of your life marrying your beautiful girlfriend, having children, and enjoying the peaceful life bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor. How wonderful that would be!"

"On the contrary, if you insist on keeping quiet, you, your father, and even your relatives are very likely to be implicated and subjected to severe wartime punishments."

Zhang Pingjun took a deep drag on his cigarette and said in a trembling voice, "You don't need to scare me. They've already used this tactic in Jiamusi. If I wanted to confess, I would have confessed long ago."

"I won't say anything, give up."

"Really?" Hong Zhi suddenly grabbed his hair.

"You're not afraid of death, and you don't even care about your own father, but what about Su Xiaoyun?"

He made sure Zhang Pingjun could clearly see his girlfriend standing to the side, her face streaked with tears.

"If you dare not confess, with her looks, she'll be sent to the Japanese army camp, dozens, even hundreds, every day... you know what I mean."

"Look how beautiful and charming she is."

"Can you bear to let her be violated by the Japanese army?"

Hong Zhi made a gesture, and immediately a policeman pushed Su Xiaoyun over.

"It has nothing to do with Xiaoyun."

"She doesn't know anything. Please, let her go. She's innocent!" Zhang Pingjun panicked.

"I know it's hard for you to betray your own sister-in-law."

"Here's what we'll do: I'll ask you a few questions. If you answer them, I'll immediately give you some money and let you go home."

Hong Zhi took out more than a thousand Kangde coins from his pocket and threw them at him.

"Which school did Sister Lan graduate from?"

"When did she get married to your brother? What industry does she work in? Where did she live?"

Who do you usually associate with?

"Just say whatever comes to mind, happiness is beckoning you."

Hong Zhi asked a question.

Zhang Pingjun looked at Su Xiaoyun, his eyes brimming with tears, his face filled with pain, and said:
"If I were to betray my own sister-in-law, would I even be human?"

“It’s not human to let your girlfriend be tortured and abused by others.” Hong Zhi grabbed Su Xiaoyun’s chin, his expression ferocious and wanton.

"Pingjun, I'm not... I'm not afraid, please, please don't be a coward." Su Xiaoyun trembled with fear, but the tears in her eyes remained stubborn.

Zhang Pingjun nodded vigorously, his gaze becoming increasingly resolute:

"You don't need to ask anymore, I won't say anything."

Xiaoyun doesn't know anything either.

"I've wronged her in this life, I'll repay her in the next life, and in ten lifetimes."

"Put away your damned love and unwavering loyalty. Once you get to the police station, there are punishments a hundred times harsher than this, and you'll still end up talking anyway."

“This is your only chance,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Need not.

"I don't need your opportunities."

"Not every Chinese person is as shameless as you, willing to be a slave and a lackey of a conquered nation."

Zhang Pingjun's eyes narrowed, and he spat a mouthful of blood onto Hong Zhiyou's leather shoes.

"Watch them."

Hong Zhiyou stepped out of the carriage first and took out a handkerchief to wipe his leather shoes.

Zhou Yi picked up the money from the ground, came out, and handed it to him: "So much money, you really don't want it?"

"These two bones seem pretty hard." Hong Zhiyou took them and stuffed them into his pocket.

"Even the toughest bone will soften in the interrogation room." Zhou Yi had little confidence.

Five p.m.

The train arrived in Harbin.

Zhou Yi escorted the man to the police station, where Gao Bin was already waiting.

"Section Chief Gao," Zhou Yi nodded and greeted him.

"What a handsome young man."

Gao Bin patted Zhang Pingjun on the shoulder in a friendly manner, like an elder.

Then, he walked up to Su Xiaoyun and asked with a gentle smile:

"Girl, how old are you?"

"Twenty...twenty," Su Xiaoyun replied.

"If my daughter were alive, she would be your age."

"Don't be afraid.

"Our police department is a place of reason. As long as you cooperate, we will release you."

Gao Bin smiled, then turned his head and looked coldly at the blood-covered, mud-like Fu Shuntai shop assistant and manager:

What's going on with these two?

“I was brutally beaten in Jiamusi and can’t stand up straight,” Zhou Yi replied.

"Ok.

"Captain Zhou, Section Chief Hong, you've worked hard."

"Take the prisoner away and let Liu Kui go through him first," Gao Bin coldly ordered.

After saying that, he glanced at the two accompanying police officers and returned to his office without saying another word.

soon.

Two police officers arrived at his office.

"How is it? Is there anything unusual about Captain Zhou?" Gao Bin asked.

"No.

"He did not have any private contact or interrogate Zhang Pingjun throughout the entire process."

"The impromptu interrogation on the train was also conducted by Section Chief Hong, and the two of us were just watching from the side."

"This is the interrogation record from that time."

"During this time, I did not see Captain Zhou make any unusual eye contact or give any special instructions."

Officer Xiao Song handed the interrogation record to Gao Bin.

Gao Bin glanced at it and thought it was utterly useless.

"Alright, you guys go and rest," he said, waving his hand.

Gao Bin walked to the desk, took out a few photos, and put them in his pocket.

soon.

He arrived at the interrogation room.

Liu Kui was holding a basin and pouring ice water mixed with chili powder into Zhang Pingjun's mouth.

Zhang Pingjun's limbs were tied to a long and wide bench.

The patient coughed violently and convulsed after being choked.

This is water torture, one of the "Five Elements Techniques" used by the Special Branch.

There was also burning at the stake, such as with branding irons.

Most people can't survive waterboarding; after being poured several basins of chili water, even a human or a ghost would have to confess.

"Let him go."

"Liu Kui, you can go down first," Gao Bin said.

Liu Kui and his companions respectfully withdrew.

“Pingjun, I know your father and have even sought medical treatment from him. You should call me Uncle.”

"I really can't bear to see you suffer like this."

"But the internal rules have to be followed."

"We are all compatriots of Manchukuo, why do you think we should kill each other?"

Gao Bin helped him sit up, lit a cigarette, and put it in his mouth.

"Hoohoo."

Zhang Pingjun took deep breaths.

This strong will to survive made Gao Bin feel that there was a chance.

He took out several photos from his pocket and said:

"I know you're a loyal friend, but there are many things you can't say out loud."

"How about this.

“I have a few photos here. Don’t say anything. When you see your ‘Sister Lan’, just blink or nod.”

Gao Bin studied psychology, was well-versed in human nature, and was one of the few experts who applied it to interrogation.

When a person is subjected to torture, their psychological defenses are under extreme tension.

At this point, simply giving them a "stepping stone" to convince their conscience can often yield unexpected results.

He took out the first photo.

Zhang Pingjun showed no expression.

One.

Another one.

Zhang Pingjun didn't change at all, even after seven or eight different cards were issued.

Gao Bin glanced at it a few times and then cut out one of the photos.

It was a photo of Gu Qiuyan.

When Zhang Pingjun saw the photo, his heart skipped a beat.

However, he is very smart.

Just like in the third photo I saw before, my left eyelid twitched slightly.

"Is she your sister-in-law, Sister Lan?" Gao Bin asked. "No, isn't she?" Zhang Pingjun replied, trembling.

"You're lying; your eyes betray your heart."

Do you know why I have her photos?

"Because your father has already confessed next door."

“Identify it.”

"If you just say it, you can bring your beautiful girlfriend home to have dinner with your father."

Gao Bin asked with a friendly smile.

“She isn’t.” Zhang Pingjun shook his head.

"Then who is it?" Gao Bin asked.

"The sixth one," Zhang Pingjun said groggily.

"You fool me!"

Gao Bin's smile turned cold, and he suddenly grabbed his hair, shouting like a demon:
"The photos here are of dead people who have already been executed."

"Except for your sister Lan."

"You are protecting her."

“No, I don’t know her,” Zhang Pingjun said.

"But you blinked."

“That’s her,” Gao Bin said.

"She isn't," Zhang Pingjun said stubbornly.

"well!"

Gao Bin didn't expect this kid to be so stubborn.

He suddenly stood up, grabbed an iron hammer, and smashed it down on Zhang Pingjun's right eye.

"what!"

Amidst the piercing screams.

Zhang Pingjun's entire eyeball shattered, blood gushed out, and he convulsed in pain.

"Ding dong!"

Gao Bin threw down the hammer, stood up, wiped the blood from his face, and felt a strange sense of defeat.

Lu Ming's interrogation of Zhang Zhongnian is also dragging on without a result.

I can't figure it out.

The son also refused to admit it.

Gao Bin was furious.

His intuition told him that Zhang Pingjun might know Gu Qiuyan.

But he blinked only two or three times.

Gao Bin couldn't tell whether he was being clever or just acting on instinct.

He needs a definite answer.

Not being able to have him made him itch all over, his heart and soul, a feeling worse than death.

……

Action team office.

Liu Kui walked in.

"Sit down." Zhou Yi poured him tea as usual, without any hint of misunderstanding.

"Captain Zhou, I'm here to apologize for the car inspection last time." Liu Kui spoke his mind and took responsibility for his actions.

"It's okay, if it were me, I would have investigated you too."

"It's work, I understand."

Zhou Yi smiled faintly.

"I'm glad you understand." Liu Kui didn't waste any more words and stood up to leave.

"Don't rush, sit down for a while."

"How did it feel to exchange a few blows with them?" Zhou Yi asked.

"Very stubborn."

"The boss and his employees of Fushuntai have had their livers damaged. Those guys from Jiamusi were really ruthless."

“I gave Song Jingtang water earlier, and he vomited up blood.”

"And he was not very lucid either."

"It's probably ruined. It'll only be good for feeding the wolves."

Liu Kui spoke as casually and effortlessly as she talked about her grandmother's stockings.

"What about the two children?" Zhou Yi asked.

"The man was given three basins of chili water and fainted twice, but he still refused to confess."

"The woman released mice, and they chewed up her chest and crotch."

"He's very stubborn."

"And then there's Zhang Pingjun's father. Lu Ming tried everything he could, but nothing worked."

"No need to think, this family is definitely a sure thing."

"Aside from red tickets, I've never seen anyone who can endure this long."

Liu Kui said.

"They are still students."

"His Majesty the Emperor has always governed with benevolence, and the Japanese have also presented the face of Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere to the Western powers."

“If we keep doing things this way, it will be detrimental to the overall policy.”

Zhou Yi said calmly.

"To hell with the government, the Japanese have done far more heinous things in Zhongma City than that."

"I understand now. This is not a human world. Humans cannot be human; they can only be ghosts."

"After I killed someone, I had nightmares every day for more than half a month."

"Now, I kill people like I kill pigs. After I'm done, I can even sit next to the corpses and eat my boxed lunch."

"Benevolent governance?"
"Unless the Japanese devils are all dead one day!"

Liu Kui gave a self-deprecating sneer, pulled out a chair, stood up, and said.

"Let's not talk about the China-Malaysia City issue anymore."

"Shibuya Saburo and his gang care a lot about this and have been trying to cover it up. They'll kill anyone who breaks through this veil."

"Let's go and see how the interrogation is going."

"With Section Chief Gao making the move, he must have succeeded."

Zhou Yi reminded Liu Kui of something, and the two went to the interrogation room together.

Gao Bin was sitting in a chair smoking, his face gloomy and extremely ugly.

"Section Chief, how is it?" Zhou Yi looked at Zhang Pingjun, whose eyes were sunken and whose flesh was mangled, and felt a pang of unease.

"They refused to confess."

"The bones are tough, but we still have to persevere."

"I'm not going to proceed with the trial. I'm so angry. I'm going home."

Gao Bin stubbed out his cigarette and stood up.

"Liu Kui, give them injections and keep them in this state until they confess."

He gave a word of advice and then went outside.

"Section Chief Liu, it looks like you'll have to work overtime."

"I'm leaving now. Call the section chief or me if you need anything."

Zhou Yi took out a pack of cigarettes, placed it on the table, and then walked out.

"knew.

"Old Qian, go and bring the wolfhound from the backyard."

From afar, he heard Liu Kui shouting in his hoarse voice.

Zhou Yi's heart sank, filled with a helpless anger.

This anger was about to consume him.

It caused him unbearable pain.

Back in his office, he loosened his collar, placed his hands on the desk, and hissed softly through gritted teeth.

Zhang Pingjun is risking his life to protect Gu Qiuyan.

They are still children.

There's also Lao Song and his partner from Fushuntai.

There are several vicious dogs kept in the backyard of the police station; they were raised on...

The thought of my comrade being fed to the dogs...

Zhou Yi was in so much pain that he wanted to scream and kill someone!
It shouldn't be like this.

That shouldn't be!
The more Zhou Yi thought about it, the more painful it became. He pounded his fist on the table, his nails almost digging into his flesh.

"Old Zhou."

Hong Zhiyou's voice came from outside the door.

Zhou Yi took a deep breath, regained his composure, and opened the door: "Zhiyou."

"Let's go eat hot pot," Hong Zhi said.

"Yes.

“The more this is the case, the more I should celebrate. We’ve been starving for so long, it would be a disservice to Section Chief Gao not to have hot pot,” Zhou Yi said sarcastically.

With that, he locked the office door and walked out with Hong Zhiyou.

Got in the car.

Zhou Yi said in a somber tone, "Zhiyou, Zhang Pingjun and his father Zhang Zhongnian have both held their ground, but his girlfriend seems to know nothing about it."

Can you think of a way?

“I can try.”

"As long as we rescue Zhang Zhongnian first, let him go out to the Education Department to appeal for justice, make this a big deal, and can mobilize students from Harbin Institute of Technology to march in support, we can also put in a good word with newspapers in the Soviet Union, Germany, and the United States."

"Hypocritical Japanese people may be forced to release them under international pressure."

Hongzhi has the Way.

"I've also thought of this method."

“The problem now is that whoever contacts Zhang Zhongnian will be seen as a crook, and no one dares to take on this task,” Zhou Yi said.

“Someone dares,” Hong Zhi said.

"Who?" Zhou Yi asked.

“Liu Yawen,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"It's inconvenient for me to come forward, so I can only rely on you," Zhou Yi pleaded.

"I'll give it a try." Hong Zhi nodded.

“However, I’m afraid she’ll mess things up and sell you out.” Zhou Yi thought about it and then felt that this was an oversimplification.

Hong Zhiyou played a significant role.

To sacrifice one thing for another would be a foolish move.

"I'm not afraid even if I sell it."

"My sympathy for the students and my opposition to their actions against them do not conflict with my position as a member of the Special Service."

"After all, what I learned in Japan was taught by 'gentlemen' like Ichiro Sakanishi."

"It's normal to have slightly different ideas."

"The key is that these two really don't have any real skills. For the sake of money, the village chief and Deputy Director Liu will turn a blind eye."

Hong Zhiyou certainly wouldn't do anything risky; if he dared to bring it up, he must be confident.

"Oh, right, there's something else you should be careful about. Your husband is really bold; he still dares to write a personal letter at a time like this."

“My uncle will definitely have a handwriting expert examine her.”

He paused, then reminded him.

"Thank you, I will tell her," Zhou Yi said.

……

Half past nine in the evening.

Zhou Yi parked his car and returned home.

Gu Qiuyan was knitting shoes for a doll when she saw Zhou Yi. She put down her needlework, stood up, and was about to call out, "Aunt Liu..."

"No need, I've already eaten," Zhou Yi said.

"Oh." Gu Qiuyan nodded.

"Zhang Pingjun is your husband's younger brother, so he must be the messenger."

Zhou Yi glanced down the corridor and, after confirming it was safe, lowered his voice.

"You, how did you know?" Gu Qiuyan asked in surprise, a hint of unease flashing in her eyes.

"He was arrested, and along with his girlfriend, the transportation station in Fushuntai, Jiamusi, was destroyed."

"Your letter is not very clever; the Jiamusi agents deciphered it quickly."

"And disguised himself as a member of the Anti-Japanese United Army, tricking him into revealing some clues."

"Now Gao Bin is certain that Sister Lan is young, beautiful, and fashionable, and she is involved in high-level circles. Based on the top-secret contents of the letter, she has been identified as someone in the upper echelons of the police department."

"You're a perfect match."

"Gao Bin, combining the radio case on Bunekov Street with intelligence, has basically locked onto you."

Zhou Yi said calmly.

……

(End of this chapter)