Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 423 Gao Bin Intensifies
Economics Division Office.

"Section Chief, Zhang Zhongnian has been released," Ren Changchun reported as he strode in.

"Ok.

"How are you doing? Are you settling into the new house?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"To be honest, it feels quite strange, like a dream."

“No one has ever lived in such a beautiful house since my great-grandfather’s generation.”

“Every morning when I wake up, it feels unreal, and it takes me a while to come to my senses.”

Ren Changchun smiled憨厚ly.

"This is nothing. Just work hard with me, and there's a long road ahead," Hong Zhiyou said.

"By the way, a new technical consultant has arrived in the hall."

"That traitor from the Military Intelligence Bureau is named Li Songquan."

"It looks like they're about to start investigating the Military Intelligence Bureau."

Ren Changchun said.

"Oh, the Romantic Restaurant just called to ask if you're coming over for lunch," he said after a moment's thought.

“I won’t go,” Hong Zhiyou said.

A woman.

A balance of closeness and distance is best.

If you're too clingy, the other person will think you're cheap and feel superior because they owe them something from a past life.

Occasional estrangement.

Maintaining distance, especially when the other party feels most confident and arrogant, can help enhance your own presence.

Especially women like Liu Yawen, who come from wealthy families and are quite arrogant.

"Here's what we'll do: go pack up some Western food and steak, and give one to each of the section chiefs in the Special Affairs Section, and also give one to the six brothers in the other three interrogation rooms."

Hong Zhi glanced at the alarm clock and gave the instructions.

"Section Chief, this is so much! That's equivalent to two months' salary for us!" Ren Changchun said, somewhat pained.

Money is meant to be spent.

"You'll earn more if you know how to spend money."

"Take it, keep the rest for you, you'll need to buy things from time to time."

Hong Zhi opened his wallet, and without even looking, took out a handful of banknotes and stuffed them into Ren Changchun's pocket.

“Okay, I’ll keep your accounts, and I’ll safeguard every penny and prevent any misuse,” Ren Changchun said solemnly.

“Go ahead.” Hong Zhi nodded.

"Yes!"

Ren Changchun respectfully accepted the order and quickly went out.

Hong Zhi picked up the newspaper and started flipping through it out of boredom.

Made.

Working at the National Police Agency is nothing like working at the Tsukai Station back then.

When Lao Wu wasn't around, everyone would visit each other's houses to play chess, chat, and drink tea or coffee.

In this godforsaken place, the only songs you can listen to are Japanese.

If you want to read "Jin Ping Mei" or play chess, you'll be reported immediately.

Unless you can rise to the level of a department head.

In terms of entertainment, most of the time they could only read the traitorous newspapers designated by the Japanese and some publications that promoted the prosperity of East Asia, as well as movies and operas.

It was so boring it was unbearable.

When I have free time, I don't know what to do. I can only sit in the office drinking tea and dozing off.

dong dong!

Lu Ming knocked on the door and walked in: "Brother, are you not busy?"

"Brother Lu, please sit down."

"I'm so bored, I came over to chat for a bit," Hong Zhiyou said quickly.

"Brother."

"Our police department is getting new recruits again," Lu Ming said.

"Who is it?" Hong Zhi asked.

"Li Songquan."

"The former head of the Jiamusi Military Intelligence Station had the Military Intelligence Bureau's codes in his hands."

"It is said that he met the head of the Northeast District of the Military Intelligence Bureau, who was hiding in Harbin."

"That's how Jin Xiaoyu died last time."

"I had been hiding in the military police headquarters, but the Japanese don't tolerate idlers. So they sent me to our police department to deal with the Military Intelligence Bureau."

"The department and Section Chief Gao value this person highly and even opened an office for him."

"A private room!"

Lu Ming swirled his teacup, took a sip, and said.

"Hmm, this tea smells quite good," he said, savoring it.

“I still have a few pieces of Pu’er tea from Yunnan. Take some with you when you leave,” Hong Zhiyou said generously with a smile.

"Booking a private room means they really value it."

“You and Section Chief Liu are now sharing an office, which is in accordance with Captain Zhou’s rank.”

Hong Zhi handed him a cigarette and then said.

“That’s right.

"With a wave of his hand, Chief Gao took half of the people from my group and gave them to Li Songquan."

"He was also given the authority to assign the communications team."

"They're all high and mighty now."

"It is said that the Japanese and Section Chief Gao agreed to let this person conduct an internal investigation."

"Internal investigation?"
"Isn't that just trying to find out what we're up to?"
"Sigh, first Zhou Yi came, and now Li Songquan has arrived."

"I don't know what kind of bad luck I had."

Lu Ming crossed his legs and complained, looking quite annoyed.

"What's there to be afraid of? We're innocent, so let him investigate," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

"Well... that's true."

"that is……"

Lu Ming straightened his suit, put his leg down, leaned forward, and said:
"Brother, to tell you the truth, I was playing cards earlier, and Section Chief Gao specifically called me out today."

"I also have a few informants at the dock."

“These guys used my name to do a lot of despicable things like extortion and blackmail.”

"You know I can't keep an eye on them every day, right?"

"If Li Songquan were to pin this mess on me and report it to the provincial government or the military police, Shibuya Saburo wouldn't tolerate any wrongdoing, and he would surely kill me."
"I'm innocent!"

“Yes, that’s very likely. You’re one of the elders in the hall. If Li Songquan wants to establish his authority, it’s perfect to use you as an example.” Hong Zhi nodded.

"So, brother, you have to help me."

"I think Section Chief Gao treats you better than his own son. You just said hello in the interrogation room, and Section Chief Gao actually tacitly agreed to stop the torture."

"This was something we wouldn't have dared to imagine in the past."

"I'm really afraid of the section chief, so I'd like to trouble you, brother, to plead for me."

Lu Ming said in a low voice.

As he spoke, he took an exquisite box out of his pocket and handed it over:

“I know you’re not short of money, but this is some local produce that my family dug up in the mountains. Please accept it.”

Hong Zhiyou took it; inside was an old ginseng root.

"Brother Lu, how could I possibly accept this?" he said modestly.

"Brother."

“We’re brothers, you’re being too formal by saying that.”

"Please, I need to get back to my office right away."

"Otherwise, Li Songquan might make a note of it in his little notebook later."

Lu Ming smiled and turned to leave.

"Section Chief, the Western food has been distributed," Ren Changchun reported as he walked in.

"This is for you."

"Take this back and make soup for your elderly relatives."

He casually handed the ginseng that Lu Ming had given him to Ren Changchun.

Lu Ming is a real cheapskate.

They come all the way to give gifts, but they don't even bother with something that's a hundred years old. They just give me something that's twenty years old. Zhang Guaizi has a whole bunch of those, but Hong Zhiyou doesn't really care about them.

"Thank you, Section Chief. Well... I'll go now." Ren Changchun knew he was generous, so he didn't hesitate any longer and accepted the money.

Hong Zhiyou brought a Western meal to Li Songquan's office.

This Kuomintang traitor had a thin face, his hair was neatly combed, and his bright, intelligent eyes revealed his shrewdness and caution; he was clearly no ordinary person.

“Advisor Li,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Is there something you need?" Li Songquan was taciturn and seemed uninterested in any interaction.

"It's almost lunchtime, so I had someone order Western food." Hong Zhiyou placed the Western food on the table.

"Thanks.

"I've already eaten."

"Is there something you need? If not, I have other things to do," Li Songquan said.

He knew that the Kuomintang's assassination attempts were ubiquitous.

Poisoning, planting bombs, and shooting from the shadows are among their specialties.

On his very first night there, Jin Xiaoyu died, and now Li Songquan sees everyone as someone who has come to assassinate him.

"Okay, then you are busy."

Hong Zhi smiled, picked up the food box, and returned to his office to enjoy his steak and pasta.

……

Five p.m.

Zhou Yi and Hong Zhi walked out of the hall side by side.

"Has Zhang Zhongnian made a move?" Zhou Yi asked in a low voice.

"He went to see Masao Suzuki, the president of Harbin Institute of Technology."

"The newspaper and the student council will also be making moves tomorrow. Just wait and see, it's going to be quite lively," Hong Zhi said.

"it is good.

"Li Songquan has arrived. Section Chief Gao talked with him in the office for a full hour this morning, and nobody knows what they were talking about."

"It could be targeting the Military Intelligence Bureau, or it could be targeting us."

"This man is dangerous."

Zhou Yi said as he walked.

"Yes.

"They don't even give me face; they must be someone who's up to something big."

"But he'd better not move."

"If you dare to move... you probably won't live long."

Hong Zhiyou, with his hands behind his back, spoke in an old-fashioned manner.

"You have a plan?"

"However, it's best not to assassinate him at this juncture."

"Firstly, he was protected by military police throughout the entire process. Secondly, if Jin Xiaoyu dies and then Li Songquan dies, the Kwantung Army will probably have to go door to door and kill innocent people again."

That's just how the Japanese are.

"They talk about prosperity and friendship, but in reality they do beastly things."

"Whenever they couldn't catch someone, they would impose collective punishment. They treated everyone as a member of the Kuomintang secret service or a red flag officer. They would kill people only based on their mood."

Zhou Yi stamped the snow water off his boots and greeted his colleagues not far away.

"Li Songquan and Gao Bin joined forces."

"Both of them are ruthless people, and life in Harbin will only get harder."

He wiped the ice crystals that had formed from his breath on his face and continued speaking.

“Leave this to me; his life is already on its last legs,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Okay." Zhou Yi didn't ask any more questions. "Let's go."

The two got into their respective cars.

back home.

Gu Qiuyan stepped forward and took Zhou Yi's briefcase:

"You guessed right, the gas company came to inspect today and deliberately made me sign something."

"It seems like those stalls outside have been removed."

"Did I pass the test?"

"It's too early to talk about this now. As long as Zhang Pingjun is still in their hands, we are in danger of being exposed at any time." Zhou Yi sat down at the table, looking somewhat tired.

Gu Qiuyan thoughtfully went inside and brought out coffee.

Zhou Yi took a sip and said, "Your father-in-law went to see Suzuki Masao. Tomorrow morning, American, British, and Russian newspapers will speak out for Zhang Pingjun."

"That's great! Since the Harbin Institute of Technology's student council is willing to step in, Gao Bin might release him," Gu Qiuyan said with a bright smile.

"not necessarily.

"This was a move we had to make out of necessity, but it was a double-edged sword."

"Either the Japanese couldn't withstand the pressure and handed Zhang Pingjun and Su Xiaoyun over to court for trial, it's an undeniable fact that Zhang Pingjun contacted and sent messages to the Anti-Japanese United Army, and even if he was misled, according to the law, he would still have to serve three to five years."

"Another possibility is that the severe wartime punishments will be carried out secretly."

"The Japanese are now having an increasingly successful campaign in the south."

"Internationally, Hitler annexed the Sudetenland through the Munich Conference, and the war was spreading further to Czechoslovakia."

"Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union all feared Hitler's iron torrent and adopted a policy of appeasement."

"The Nazis are expanding wildly."

"This gave the Japanese a great deal of confidence, and they are now becoming increasingly arrogant. In the past, they and Puyi still cared about international opinions."

"You have to put on an act in everything."

"Now they don't even care about having the last bit of face left."

"Therefore, don't have too much hope for foreign support and legal trials."

Zhou Yi reminded him.

"It's all my fault."

"If I had listened to you earlier, I wouldn't have harmed them."

"You're right, I'm just not suited for this job."

Gu Qiuyan bit her lip and said in a low voice.

"It's good that you realize that."

"Don't dwell on what's already happened, get some rest."

"Everything should be resolved by tomorrow."

Zhou Yidao.

"and many more.

"I'll get you some water to soak your feet," Gu Qiuyan said.

Zhou Yi hesitated for a moment, but did not refuse.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and let out a weary sigh.

……

The next day.

Gao Bin stormed into the office.

Zizi!

He pressed the alarm.

Xiao Li walked in: "Section Chief, what are your instructions?"

"Go and call Captain Zhou and the others over," Gao Bin said.

Soon, Hong Zhiyou, Zhou Yi, Lu Ming and several others walked in.

"Did you see the morning newspaper?"

"Zhang Zhongnian found Suzuki Masao and said that we were illegally detaining and torturing college students, and that foreigners were also reporting on it extensively."

"The Ministry of Education, democratic scholars, and even ministers in the palace have all inquired about this matter."

What do you all think?

Gao Bin looked at the group.

"Why bother asking them?"

"The useless people in the Education Department will only cause trouble."

"Zhang Pingjun colluded with the Anti-Japanese United Army and sent messages to them; this is all set in stone."

"Why should we release people just because we find a few newspapers?"

"When did our Special Service Section become afraid of even newspapers? If that's the case, we might as well disband and go home to have babies."

Liu Kui glared at him, dissatisfied.

"Yes.

"Now everyone wants to ride roughshod over us."

"Captain Zhou, what's your attitude?"

Gao Bin smiled and turned to ask.

“His Majesty the Emperor is implementing benevolent governance. I don’t think we can get anything out of Zhang Pingjun through trial. If all else fails, we should transfer him to the court to avoid trouble,” Zhou Yi suggested.

He had to say it, even though it was somewhat out of place with Gao Bin and the others present.

But that's just his usual persona.

If I don't say it, Gao Bin will become suspicious.

"Benevolent governance?"
"Save the slogans for the Kwantung Army General Staff."

"Liu Kui, you guys need to hurry."

"Let's launch another surprise attack and see if we can get them to talk."

"Commander Kato and Mr. Shibuya of the Military Police Headquarters have stated that they will give us a maximum of 24 hours; this matter must have a result."

Gao Bin said.

"Yes, I'll go and investigate right away." Liu Kui accepted the order and left.

"You may all leave, except for Advisor Li," Gao Bin instructed.

Wait for everyone to leave.

Gao Bin closed the door and sat down on the sofa:

"oops.

"Renzheng, our Captain Zhou is very kind."

“Kindness is the greatest hypocrisy,” Li Songquan said coldly.

"well said."

Gao Bin pointed at him seriously:

"Manchukuo has no mercy, nor does it need mercy."

"These are letters and handwriting."

"We have temporarily ruled out Gu Qiuyan as a suspect; you are an elite member of the Military Intelligence Bureau."

"Your boss, Dai, is even known as the King of Spies."

"We only have twenty-odd hours left. I feel a little unwilling to close the case like this."

"I would like to hear your views."

"First, trap Zhou Yi at the police station, then lure Gu Qiuyan there so she can meet with Zhang Pingjun. We'll see how she and Zhou Yi react then," Li Songquan answered without hesitation.

"Ok.

"That's a brilliant idea," Gao Bin nodded.

"Zhang Pingjun has withstood several rounds of interrogation; it's impossible to get any useful information out of him now."

"We just need to make sure our suspicions are correct."

"Next, we just need to keep an eye on Zhou Yi and Gu Qiuyan. Under the current high-pressure environment, we should set traps for them from time to time. Sooner or later, they will make a mistake."

"At worst, if someone keeps a close watch on them, they'll become useless."

Li Songquan said.

"Brother, you're a master."

"We are on the same path."

"With your help, Harbin will soon be a peaceful and prosperous city," Gao Bin praised.

"Section Chief, you flatter me."

“If you don’t mind, I, Li, am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse,” Li Songquan said.

……

Section Chief's Office.

Liu Kui wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and walked into the office.

Lu Ming brewed some tea and handed it to him: "Section Chief Hong just gave it to me, it's Yunnan Pu'er."

"Thanks." Liu Kui loosened his tie and started blowing on his drink.

"How's the trial going?" Lu Ming asked.

"Don't even mention it. The woman's teeth and nails were all pulled out, and the man is even worse; he still won't confess a single word," Liu Kui said dejectedly.

"Don't you think the section chief has become... distant from us?" Lu Ming gestured, expressing his helplessness.

Who cares about him?

"We just need to do our job well."

"Stop talking badly about your superiors behind their backs. With all the mess you've made, if someone really wanted to get rid of you, it would only take a word."

Liu Kui gave a cold snort as a reminder.

"Yes." Lu Ming nodded unhappily.

"correct.

"The section chief wants everyone to work overtime," he informed Liu Kui.

……

It was 8:40 PM.

Gao Bin glanced at his watch.

It's almost time.

He picked up the phone and dialed Zhou Yi's office number:

"Captain Zhou, call Zhiyou to my office."

Soon, Hong Zhiyou and Zhou Yi walked in.

"Sigh, Mr. Shibuya's allotted time is almost up, and he still won't confess," Gao Bin sighed.

"What does Section Chief Gao plan to do?" Zhou Yi asked.

"Only God knows how to handle this. Let's wait for the military police's notification tomorrow."

"The Special Service Section couldn't even take down two little brats. They've really lost face this time."

Gao Bin shook his head and sighed with a smile.

“Uncle, it’s so late. Don’t just focus on this. You need to take care of your health too,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Yes.

"I really didn't remember if you hadn't mentioned it. I've been busy all night and haven't eaten yet."

"Captain Zhou, I heard Liu Kui say last time that your cook's dumplings are even better than the ones sold outside. How about I ask Mrs. Zhou to bring some over so I can try them too?"

Gao Bin smiled and handed the receiver to Zhou Yi.

When Zhou Yi saw the cold glint in Gao Bin's eyes, he knew he had no choice but to accept this. If he refused, Gao Bin would turn hostile and speak in a commanding tone.

That would make things very ugly.

He accepted it readily without hesitation, almost without pausing for even half a second.
"I think it's good too, but I don't know what flavor Chief Gao likes to eat."

He asked as he slowly dialed the number.

"You eat vegetarian food, but I don't."

"Make some carrot and lamb filling." Gao Bin nodded with satisfaction.

"Give me one too, I want twenty, and some pickled garlic for Laba Festival." Hong Zhiyou agreed verbally, but inwardly he was sweating bullets.

Clearly, the uncle was about to increase the intensity of Gu Qiuyan's treatment.

If they can't get through this hurdle, Zhou Yi and Gu Qiuyan's future days will be even more difficult.

……

(End of this chapter)