Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 428 Plan B: Eliminating Traitors
Zhang Residence.

Zhang Anqing, with a cigar in his mouth, was playing mahjong with several of his concubines. Gold bars, banknotes, and precious jewelry were piled on the table.

This veteran agent, who had followed Dai Li since the time of the Special Service Department in Ji'e Lane, had long since infiltrated Harbin.

He knew everyone from Pu Jie, Zhang Jinghui, and Wei Huanzhang to the police chiefs of various police stations in Harbin.

When it comes to connections, he's in no way inferior to General Guan.

He was a low-key person, but he made a lot of money by trading things around the interior of the country through his connections.

Previously, even the Kuomintang secret service station in Harbin had to secretly watch his face.

However, it is different now.

The newly appointed station chief, Wu Jingzhong, although less experienced than himself, is also a confidant of Dai Li and enjoys high prestige within the Military Intelligence Bureau.

In addition, he also served as the head of the Northeast District, making him his nominal superior.

Fortunately, Wu Jingzhong knows how to handle people, always calling him "Big Brother," and they keep in touch about many things, so the two haven't fallen out yet.

However, this still made Zhang Anqing very unhappy.

He once thought the position of district chief of the Northeast District was a sure thing, but unexpectedly, the cooked duck flew away just as it was about to be eaten.

It now seems that Dai Laogou is clearly on guard against him.

This may be related to the fact that Dai Li had hinted at demanding money on several occasions, but he did not respond.

Zhang Anqing understood Dai Li.

This person is narrow-minded, vengeful, and especially adept at instigating internal strife.

This could very well be a sign that something is about to happen.

"Mr. Zhang, the phone." The butler came over.

"Tell Wu Jingzhong that I'm not feeling well and can't help him," Zhang Anqing said subtly in front of his three concubines.

"Mr. Feng has something important to discuss. Why don't you take it?" the butler whispered.

Zhang Anqing put down the mahjong tiles, got up and went to the sofa, sat down, picked up the phone, and said with a bright smile:

"Old Feng, it's me."

"Oh dear, I was walking the dog with my third wife by the river last night and got a terrible headache from the wind."

"Besides, with my old arms and legs, one more or one less makes no difference. I wouldn't be of any use anyway."

"Your brother can handle it."

After Wu Jingzhong finished speaking, his expression showed slight surprise:

"Oh, really?"
"Can I send someone instead?"

"Okay, see you at the usual place."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Anqing frowned: "Old Sun, they're having a gathering tonight to plot the assassination of Wang Jingwei. Wu Jingzhong has made a lot of money recently and wants to share it with everyone."

"Do you want to go?"

The housekeeper, Lao Sun, analyzed, "It's an old tradition to use money as performance bonuses, but the family isn't short of money, so it's better not to go."

"How should I put it, I always feel that this is strange."

"Wu Jingzhong's books can be used as teaching materials for the Qingpu Class, so he is no ordinary person."

"Since Boss Dai no longer trusts us, there's no need to get involved with them any further."

As he spoke, Old Sun poured him a cup of tea.

"Yes.

"Dai Li was greedy by nature, and he also wanted to take a bite out of the Northeast. However, he was too naive. This was Manchukuo, the graveyard of the Military Intelligence Bureau."

"Weren't they trying to assassinate Wang Jingwei?"

"Let's observe first, and when the time is right, we'll report directly to the military police and sell them out."

"Once Wu Jingzhong is removed, let's see what Dai Li can do to me."

Zhang Anqing gave a chilling sneer.

……

inside the room.

Wu Jingzhong put down the phone and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, deep in thought.

"Stationmaster, I'm back."

“Hong Zhiyou was right. Gao Bin and his men didn’t arrest me. I walked right under their noses.”

Liu Xiong's expression was tinged with excitement as he poured himself a cup of tea and gulped down several mouthfuls.

"This kid is all brawn and no brains; he's got some skills."

“That’s fine.

"It will seem more realistic, making it easier to lure Gao Bin and his gang into a trap."

"Has the bomb been planted in Guohua?"

Wu Jingzhong asked.

"It's all planted. The explosive charge will be detonated by a modified American landmine. Old Xiao strung several landmines together for safety, so there's no need to worry about it not exploding."

"Moreover, the landmines were placed in the central area."

"At that time, most of Gao Bin's men should have gone into the warehouse."

"Once triggered, it's enough to send them into the sky."

Liu Xiong said.

"Very good.

“What I’m worried about now is Zhang Anqing,” Wu Jingzhong said, sitting down and slapping his knees in distress.

"What's wrong?" Liu Xiong asked, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"This person has a problem with their attitude."

"They are not proactive in fulfilling their responsibilities and are perfunctory in their work."

To put it simply, he was dissatisfied with me as the district head.

"To put it bluntly, he's about to betray us."

"With such an important operation, the Japanese will definitely search high and low for us. If Zhang Anqing betrays us, we will all die without a burial place."

Wu Jingzhong said uneasily.

"Then let's take him out as soon as possible before tonight's operation," Liu Xiong said.

There's no time left.

“Zhang Anqing is very cunning. He lives near the police station, where police patrol the area. Not to mention, it would be very difficult for us to sneak into his house.”

"And he most likely installed an alarm."

"Even if he gets inside and you kill him, he'll most likely still not be able to get away."

Wu Jingzhong shook his head.

"In that case, let's immediately adopt Plan B."

"Go and take a walk around our house on Serbian Street right now."

"Draw the spies' attention to that side."

“I deliberately hid some telegrams and secret letters that Boss Dai sent to Zhang Anqing there… You don’t need to worry about the rest, Hong Zhi will take care of him.”

Wu Jingzhong said decisively.

"Okay, I understand." Liu Xiong nodded.

He used to look down on Hong Zhiyou.

But now, after going through so much, everyone is eating and drinking well, not only are they not short of money, but many things are also arranged very clearly by others, as if they have been given divine insight.

It’s okay not to accept it.

……

7 p.m.

Police Department.

Gao Bin sat in the conference room, along with Captain Murakami, who was wearing a khaki military uniform.

"Advisor Li, please tell us about the current situation," Gao Bin said.

Li Songquan walked to the map and pointed to the location of the cement plant, saying:

"Based on our surveillance of the suspect's radio and phone calls, we have basically determined that this man named Han Fei is a Kuomintang agent."

"A few days later, Wang Jingwei went to Xinjing to pay homage to the emperor and the generals of the Kwantung Army. He will have a brief meeting with Wei Huanzhang in Harbin."

"The Military Intelligence Bureau will hold a secret meeting here tonight to devise a plan to assassinate Wang Jingwei."

The number of attendees is currently unknown.

"But one thing is certain: the newly appointed head of the Northeast District, Lao Feng, appointed by Dai Li, and key personnel of the Military Intelligence Bureau in Harbin will be present."

"Given the dangerous nature of the other party, we have no choice but to request the assistance of the military police in investigating this case."

After Li Songquan finished speaking, he raised his hand to the village team leader.

Hong Zhiyou provided simultaneous interpretation.

After listening, Captain Murakami stood up and said sternly, "The military police will be in charge of this raid, while the Special Service Section and the Police Section will be responsible for the perimeter reconnaissance and blockade. We must capture them all in one fell swoop."

Hong Zhiyou has finished translating.

Everyone accepted the order in unison.

After the meeting.

As Gao Bin and his group walked down the corridor, Lu Ming quickly caught up with them: "Section Chief, our men just spotted Han Fei again. He went to an apartment on Serbian Street."

"Oh?

"Is the person still there?" Gao Bin asked.

"It's gone."

"Our men found some guns and grenades there."

"There are also some telegrams and confidential letters."

Lu Ming said.

"Immediately hand it over to Advisor Li and have him decipher and decrypt it," Gao Bin instructed.

moment.

Li Songquan walked over with the telegram and letter: "Section Chief Gao, it's deciphered. This was sent by Dai Li to a high-ranking member of the Military Intelligence Bureau in Harbin, codenamed Old Cat."

"Section Chief Liu checked the origin of this house and found that it belonged to a local businessman named Zhang Anqing."

"Last year, around the time these new-style Kuomintang agents from the Manchuria station came, Zhang Anqing rented out the house, and the tenants have remained the same ever since."

"According to the investigation, Zhang Anqing had also met with Han Fei privately on several occasions."

"We have reason to suspect that Zhang Anqing is Lao Mao."

"Advisor Li, you've met this new stationmaster before, but you haven't met Old Cat?" Gao Bin asked cautiously.

"No.

"Old Cat was a veteran from the Fuxing Society's secret service period, and is said to be one of Dai Li's earliest pawns to infiltrate Northeast China."

"You know, most of Dai Li's military intelligence forces were from the south, and their roots in the north were very shallow. Only Ma Hansan cultivated a part of the 'Northern Gang'."

"This shows how well Old Cat's identity was concealed."

"Zhang Qingan came to Harbin in 32. Over the years, he has been casting a wide net to build connections. It is said that he is one of the few people who can eat stewed fish at Wei Huanzhang's house."

Lu Ming glanced at the documents and said coldly.

"Whether there are dates or not, let's hit the bullseye first," Gao Bin said, raising his finger.

"Section Chief, how about I go?" Lu Ming volunteered.

“You can’t.

"With the village head personally overseeing things, both of us have to go to the scene, otherwise it would seem disrespectful."

"The Japanese are very concerned about their image, so you can't afford to be disrespectful."

Gao Bin shook his head.

"Alright then, Zhiyou, you take the men there," Gao Bin said after thinking for a moment.

Arresting the Kuomintang agents is too risky. Those guys are equipped with German and American weapons, and they are all desperate criminals. Bullets don't discriminate, so it's better not to let the only son of the Gao family take the risk.

"Yes, Section Chief." Hong Zhiyou accepted the order.

"Captain Zhou, Lu Ming, you two go and set up the defenses first. Zhiyou, stay behind," Gao Bin instructed.

"Zhiyou, Old Cat is dangerous. Remember to keep your bullets loaded at all times," Zhou Yi said, turning to Hong Zhiyou.

"Understood." Hong Zhi nodded.

Gao Bin watched silently, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

He suspected Zhou Yi.

I admire Zhou Yi.

He also hoped to have such a shrewd mentor to guide Zhiyou. But for some reason, he always felt uncomfortable, like there was a knot that couldn't be untied, making him feel blocked and uncomfortable.

"sit.

"Zhiyou, Zhang Anqing has connections with many people in Harbin, and he has approached me through connections before."

"I think this person is very shrewd."

"At the same time, he married several wives. A person who pursues pleasure like this should not be a hardened, die-hard politician."

"You can take some people with you and talk to him first."

"It would be best if he could submit to us."

"It's not too late to arrest people now; your safety is the most important thing."

Gao Bin kept Hong Zhiyou behind and patiently gave him instructions.

"Yes, I know. Uncle transferred me away from the cement factory for my own good." Hong Zhi nodded.

"Yes.

"That's a den of thieves over there. Bullets don't discriminate, so dodge if you can," Gao Bin said.

"Uncle, you should also be careful and always stand with the village head."

"He has many guards around him, so that he can be protected if anything happens."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Good lad, you've learned to care about others now." Gao Bin smiled with satisfaction.

Immediately, his face darkened, and his eyes turned icy as he said:
"I heard you stayed overnight at Asano Keiko's place last night?"

"Uncle, it's just a rumor."

“I just wrote a piece for her and went home shortly after,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Young people can't control their lower bodies."

"This woman is beautiful, but she is a well-known widow in Harbin who brings bad luck to her husbands. Moreover, she is more than a decade older than you, and by seniority, she is an aunt."

"It will have a bad impact on you if this gets out."

"If she gets clingy to you, her brother is Colonel Hideo Sakata, a favorite of Neiji Okamura. These roughnecks don't follow the rules."

"When the time comes, they'll force you into marriage, and you won't be able to escape it even if you want to."

Gao Bin gave instructions.

"Uncle, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll be going to Jinhai soon, and Madam Huizi will be there too."

"She won't come back once she gets to Jinhai."

"I dated her because I wanted to have a powerful figure backing me in the military."

"It will be easier to do business in the future."

Hong Zhiyou replied.

"Director Liu will find out about this sooner or later. It seems your relationship with Liu Yawen is over," Gao Bin said, frowning.

Uncle.

"Director Liu himself has a mistress."

"As long as my money is available, other shortcomings will not be a problem."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

“Never underestimate a father’s love for his daughter,” Gao Bin said, pointing at him.

"I understand, and I won't underestimate how good my uncle and aunt are to me." Hong Zhi said with a cheeky grin.

"Your mouth is the only thing you're good at."

"gone."

Gao Bin smiled, put his hands behind his back, and walked out.

Hong Zhiyou went directly to the interrogation room.

He waved his hand and said, "Old Tu, you guys come with me on a mission."

The four men, including Lao Tu, were overjoyed upon hearing this.

Whenever Hong Zhi appears, something good is bound to happen—either he brings steak, cigarettes, or money for late-night snacks.

Being able to work with an organizer like this is definitely a great thing.

"Let's go, guys, Section Chief Hong has some work to do." Old Tu, with his fierce and shrewd face, rubbed his shiny forehead and shouted.

They split into two cars to leave.

The group headed straight for Zhang Anqing's residence.

In the car, Hong Zhiyou closed his eyes and pondered.

Exposing Zhang Anqing was Plan B, meaning Zhang Anqing did not go to the cement factory.

This person is at risk of betraying them at any time.

According to the plan, he must be eliminated.

"Uncle Hong, why didn't you go to the cement factory?" Old Tu, who was driving, asked obsequiously.

Hong Zhi handed him a cigarette, lit one for himself, took a puff, and said, "Of course, you should avoid this kind of dangerous work if you can."

"How many years have you been doing interrogation?" He glanced at Lao Tu and asked again.

"It's been quite a few years."

"To be honest, this line of work is a deadly job, and I'm getting my comeuppance. My son was born paralyzed and died last winter."

"I accept my fate."

Old Tu smiled wryly.

"Please accept my condolences." Hong Zhi patted him on the shoulder.

"This is all retribution."

"Over the years, I have helped the Japanese harm countless people. People like me deserve to be childless and without descendants."

"Why.

"Once you enter hell, there is no reincarnation. Just drift along like this."

Old Tu sighed helplessly and self-deprecatingly.

“Who would have thought that Old Tu, the top executioner in the interrogation department, would actually believe in karma and retribution?” Hong Zhiyou laughed.

“I think only you and Captain Zhou have any humanity in this hall,” Old Tu said.

“This is not a good sign,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Hey, actually, everyone has their own judgment on who is human and who is a ghost."

"Captain Zhou is a vegetarian. You are young, so you still have humanity."

"We, Section Chief Gao, and Lu Ming are all ghosts. Being a ghost means eating people."

"got used to."

Old Tu Dao.

"Thank you." Hong Zhi smiled slightly.

The car turned the corner and stopped in front of a mansion with a garden, not far from the police station.

Hong Zhi drew his sidearm, removed the magazine, carefully inspected it, and then put it back on his waist.

"Old Tu, I'll go talk to Zhang Anqing first."

"Your aura is too malevolent. Don't go in yet. Wait for my orders."

Hong Zhi gave instructions.

"Young Master Hong, this is too dangerous. If they attack you, we won't even have time to save you," Old Tu said worriedly.

"I will be careful."

Hong Zhiyou opened the car door, got out, and rang the doorbell.

After a while, the butler, Old Sun, opened the small iron window and asked suspiciously, "Who are you looking for?"

"My name is Hong Zhiyou, head of the Economic Division of the Police Department. I have come to visit Mr. Zhang on behalf of Boss Hei of Yong Sheng Kui," Hong Zhiyou said, bowing slightly.

"Hold on."

Old Sun turned around and went back to the hall:

"Master, Hong Zhi has arrived."

“Hong Zhiyou? Is that the young man who swallowed up Guan Dashuai’s property and was highly regarded by Wei Huanzhang and the village head?” Zhang Anqing had obviously heard of the name.

"Exactly.

“You’ve done business with Commander Guan in the past, so he might be here for this reason.”

"However, this person is Gao Bin's nephew."

"They're not on our side, so you'd better be careful."

Old Sun said.

"How many people did he bring?" Zhang Anqing asked.

“One person,” Old Sun said.

"I'm not afraid of anything. I need to see him. With General Guan dead, I can't handle many things anymore."

"If we can cooperate with him, it will be good to have someone to rely on if someone like Li Songquan turns against us later."

Zhang Anqing said.

"Besides, aren't you here? You're a well-known expert in Yangjiagou. If he tries anything funny, just kill him." He glanced at Old Sun and said confidently.

“Okay, I’ll go and invite him in.” Old Sun was equally confident in himself.

moment.

Hong Zhiyou walked in.

Zhang Anqing glanced at him and, seeing his refined and gentle demeanor, felt much more at ease.

"Section Chief Hong, please sit down," Zhang Anqing said, raising his hand without getting up.

"You seem to look down on me a bit?" Hong Zhi didn't sit down, took off his gold-rimmed glasses, wiped them, and gave a cold, sinister laugh.

When their eyes met, Zhang Anqing realized that he had encountered a formidable opponent.

“Sorry, sorry.

"My leg hasn't been feeling well lately, so I've neglected Section Chief Hong. I hope you'll forgive me."

He quickly stood up, cupped his hands in apology.

“If your knees are bad and you can’t stand up, you can kneel.” Hong Zhi adjusted his glasses again, his tone cold and devoid of any human warmth.

"What does Mr. Hong mean?" Zhang Anqing frowned as he saw that Mr. Hong's words were laced with barbs.

"What do you mean?"

A sinister smile crept across Hong Zhiyou's lips as he swiftly reached for his waist, drew his sidearm, and fired.

He didn't shoot Zhang Anqing.

It was Old Sun.

"not good."

Old Sun shouted, but by then it was too late; he reacted too late.

He flicked his wrist, and a cold glint appeared.

clap clap clap!
Hong Zhi instinctively raised his left elbow to protect his face, neck, and heart, while his right hand held the gun without the slightest hesitation.

Three shots were fired.

Old Sun was shot in the chest and swayed a few times.

"You...you're so ruthless, so vicious!" He touched his chest, his fingertips covered in blood, utterly incredulous.

"What era are we living in? Still playing darts?"

Hong Zhiyou completely disregarded the throwing knife that had penetrated to the bone, smiled coldly, and fired several more shots in quick succession.

Old Sun's eyes widened, and he collapsed to the ground.

We've run out of bullets.

Hong Zhi slowly changed his magazine, glanced at the throwing knife in his elbow, and sat down opposite Zhang Anqing despite the pain.

Zhang Anqing leaned back on the sofa, his face pale and trembling.

He's an old man from Chicken and Goose Lane.

What kind of bloodshed and carnage haven't I seen?

But as soon as he came in, he shot and killed someone just because I didn't get up to greet him. His temper is just too much.

Zhang Anqing felt that Hong Zhi was wasting his life having such a face.

They're truly inhuman and utterly heartless.

……

(End of this chapter)