Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 443 The Trap of a Last Lump of Lucidity

"Why Shibuya is paying attention to Sochi is your business."

Hong Zhi smiled and raised an eyebrow before walking out.

come back to the office.

That evening, he went to his aunt's house, and after dinner, ignoring his aunt's advice, he went to find Huizi again.

There's no way around it, Huizi's gentle embrace is just too sweet.

So engrossed in my reverie that I lost all sense of direction.

……

inside the room.

Zhou Yi was soaking his feet, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Something on your mind?"

"Tell me what's wrong, and we can think about it together." Gu Qiuyan brought him a steaming cup of ginger tea to warm him up.

Since taking an ice water bath, Zhou Yi's fever has subsided, but he is much weaker and his blood and qi are depleted. No matter how many layers he wears, he still feels cold all over.

This made his already pale face even more miserable, as if he had been pulled out of the water, with a faint bluish tinge.

Gu Qiuyan felt genuinely sorry for her.

After spending so much time together, she had gotten used to treating this man as family.

Although she still habitually talks back on some things, after what happened with Zhang Pingjun, she has accepted Zhou Yi's leadership and arrangements in her heart.

"Thanks.

“Hong Zhiyou saw Vasilyev at Shibuya Saburo’s official residence.”

"This person is from the 'Russian Patriotic Union,' and they are all extreme anti-Soviet elements. It is definitely not a good thing that Saburo Shibuya personally received him."

"Moreover, Hong Zhi saw a map at his official residence that marked Sochi, Georgia, and other places."

"This is a very unusual signal."

Zhou Yidao.

"You guys are too observant. Maybe it's just some ordinary thing. Besides, if it were something important, how could we let Hong Zhi see it so easily? Could it be a trap set by Shibuya Saburo?" Gu Qiuyan frowned.

"This is truly incredible."

"However, I have great trust in Hong Zhi. If it weren't for him, the Anti-Japanese United Army would have been finished this time."

"Although I still don't know his identity."

"Maybe he's one of ours, or maybe he's from the Military Intelligence Bureau, or maybe he really just loves money."

"But in any case, he is a trustworthy person."

"And we will never make baseless accusations."

Zhou Yi took the ginger tea and drank it while it was still hot.

"No way, didn't the Japanese sign a contract with the Soviet Union? Offending the Soviet Union at this time won't do them any good," Gu Qiuyan said.

"Don't underestimate the ambitions of the Japanese."

"As Germany expanded, the ambitions of fascism grew ever larger."

"The current militaristic youth are very arrogant, especially fanatics like Hideki Tojo who are increasingly being promoted. They will even ignore the orders of the Prime Minister, the military, and even the Emperor to launch some inconceivable wars."

"They are a bunch of bloodthirsty beasts, war machines; never try to think of them with conventional thinking."

"It's like this time when the Anti-Japanese Alliance used bacteriological warfare."

"These beasts have no bottom line."

Zhou Yisen said coldly.

“Okay, what can I do?” Gu Qiuyan nodded resolutely.

“I’m worried that the Japanese are plotting something. So, go to the Baikal Café on Central Street tomorrow.”

“I’ve done some research. This Vasilyev is an artist. He even provided musical harmonies for the Russian singer Yegorova. You studied in the Soviet Union, so you have some understanding of the culture there. You should be able to have a good conversation with him.”

Zhou Yi said with great concern.

"You mean you want me to seduce him?" Gu Qiuyan pouted.

"It absolutely cannot be seduction."

"You have to find a balance, that is, to attract him, but not to seduce him, it's about mutual attraction of artistic temperament."

"Your aloof, slightly melancholic, debt-ridden face easily attracts art enthusiasts."

"After making contact with him, do not actively try to find out what he might be up to."

"Don't show interest in anything outside of art."

Do you understand what I mean?

Zhou Yi asked.

"I understand, as long as you don't feel uncomfortable," Gu Qiuyan said.

"Now everyone in the hall knows that I'm completely green with envy."

"Besides, if anyone's going to be annoyed, it's Zhang Pingru, what does it have to do with me, Zhou Yi?"

Zhou Yi said with a dry wit.

"If Zhang Pingru finds out, he'll definitely fight you. He's a better fighter than you, so you'll just have to wait to get beaten up," Gu Qiuyan sneered.

"He'd be willing to beat me up if it meant stopping the Japanese plot," Zhou Yi said with a smile.

"It's true what they say, 'You don't care about your wife unless she's your own.'"

Gu Qiuyan complained and then poured him more ginger tea.

Outside the courtyard, a man in a long gown wearing a round hat rode by on his bicycle. He glanced around and, seeing no one else, casually picked up a pen and tossed it into the courtyard.

……

late at night.

Old Qiu vented all the pent-up frustration he had accumulated in the mountains on his wife, Li Hong.

“Hongzi, Hongpiao is after me. Commander Shibuya has agreed to let me secretly move to Xinjing. In the next couple of days, sort out the money, sell this restaurant, and convert everything you can into gold or banknotes. Let’s run away together.”

Old Qiu lit a cigarette afterward and took a satisfying puff.

"So urgent?" Li Hong frowned.

“Yes, I know Political Commissar Zhou. He never shows mercy to traitors, and he will never let me go,” Old Qiu said.

“But I have some important information to pass on to Gao Bin,” Li Hong said.

"What's the point of handing over a bird? It's too late. Better to avoid trouble," Old Qiu said.

“No, this is very important,” Li Hong said.

"Damn it, if Gao Bin hadn't arrested us back then, wouldn't we have had a great life in Fengtian? Why would I have had to suffer in the mountains for so many years?"
"You're not thinking of giving those gigolos a sweet goodbye, are you?"

Old Qiu cursed coldly.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think I'm that kind of person?" Li Hong said angrily.

"This mission can earn a lot of money."

"You don't trust me? Do you have a grudge against money?" she said after hitting Lao Qiu a few times.

"Alright, let's get things moving as quickly as possible. The sooner we get here, the safer we'll be."

"I don't want to stay in this godforsaken place, Harbin, for even a second longer," Old Qiu cursed.

"The teahouse business is doing fairly well, so it won't be difficult to sell it off. However, I have a few antiques that were left by a previous customer. That person got into an argument and was arrested by the police."

"I heard that he was later bribed by someone to become a scapegoat for the prison guards."

"I don't know much about this business, but it looks pretty good, so it should fetch a good price."

“I heard that Hong Zhiyou from the Police Department is called Little Hong by everyone at the docks. He’s a very capable man. Do you think you can find him and pawn these things?”

Li Hong thought for a moment and then said.

"What a coincidence, I actually know this kid. Leave it to me, you can focus on managing the shop."

"Damn it, I'm starving!"

Old Qiu chuckled dryly and then flipped over onto the other side.

……

The next day.

Zhou Yi arrived early at his usual breakfast noodle shop.

This shop is owned by family members, so we reserve a special spot for them.

Old Wei was enjoying a sesame flatbread with some braised pork.

Zhou Yi put down his hat and came in:

"Didn't we say we wouldn't meet or contact each other unless it's something important?"

"There's no other way. The mountain has issued a death order to hunt down Lao Qiu."

“This concerns the morale and internal stability of the Anti-Japanese United Army. Your brother personally instructed us to do it, so we must do it,” Old Wei said.

"Well, Old Qiu is very cautious. He received a very generous reward, and given his personality, he is very likely to leave soon."

"Once someone like that leaves, it's like a fish swimming into the sea; it's hard to find him again."

"To be honest, I'm curious why he's still staying in Harbin."

Zhou Yi didn't order any food, but lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and said, "Perhaps he has some important things to take care of."

"By the way, try to find out Lao Qiu's whereabouts and lure him out so we can carry out the assassination," Lao Wei said.

“I don’t know him well, and this is very risky. He’s a cunning old fox,” Zhou Yi said, frowning.

"He's the fox, you're the more experienced hunter."

“Old Zhou, this guy is hiding in the military police headquarters right now. We have no way to contact him. Only you are suitable to do this,” Old Wei said with a smile.

“Okay.” Zhou Yi nodded, picked up his hat, and got up to leave.

……

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the office.

Not long after he sat down, Old Qiu walked in, protected by several Japanese military police: "Section Chief Hong, are you not busy?"

"Old Qiu, come sit down. Tsk tsk, you look like you're working in the military police?" Hong Zhiyou got up and greeted him on the sofa.

"Do not.

"I'm sure your uncle has already told you that I'll be leaving Harbin soon."

"I have a few things on me that I've heard are getting on your good side. Could you do me a favor and help me collect them?"

Old Qiu got straight to the point.

"Did you bring the things?" Hong Zhi asked.

“You can’t carry something like this around all the time. If you want to see it, we can arrange a place anytime,” Old Qiu said.

Hong Zhi pondered for a moment.

"Here's what we'll do," he said. "Go find Section Chief Liu Kui. He likes these things the most. Just give them to him directly."

"What, you don't trust me?" Old Qiu frowned.

"no.

“I have money, but I lack discernment. Liu Kui is an expert in this field.”

"Moreover, he is also my friend."

"A gentleman does not take what others cherish, don't you think?"

Hong Zhi smiled slyly.

Old Qiu was secretly disappointed. He had just gambled and was about to be ripped off, but he hadn't expected Hong Zhiyou to be so cunning and pass the buck to the expert.

"Alright, I won't contact Liu Kui privately. How about you put in a good word for me?" Old Qiu said reluctantly.

"Do not.

"You should discuss the business yourselves. If I relay your message, it might seem like I'm taking a cut."

"I have other things to do, so I won't stay any longer."

Hong Zhi said it without giving him any face.

In the original TV series "Cliff", Liu Kui was suspected of assassinating Lao Qiu because he had made an appointment with Lao Qiu for an antique transaction, and he was almost beaten to death by the Security Bureau.

It was Zhou Yi who saved him.

Liu Kui is a straightforward and loyal man. If we can save him, it will undoubtedly benefit our expansion of power. He could very well become the next "Sun Xing".

There's no reason for Hong Zhi not to "go with the flow".

Anyway, Chen Jingyu of the Security Bureau is one of the Kuomintang's own people, so it won't be difficult to get this done.

After seeing Lao Qiu off.

Zhou Yi knocked on the door.

"Is there something you need?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

“I just saw Lao Qiu arrive. The underground organization is looking for him, and this job has fallen on my shoulders. It’s tough,” Zhou Yi said.

"Finding an opportunity to kill isn't difficult; the problem is, you can't let me work for nothing."

"Let me make this clear first, I don't do business that loses money."

Hong Zhiyou smiled.

In his previous life, he lost a lot of money for Lao Yu.

Doing business in Harbin is much more difficult than in Tianjin, so Hong Zhiyou really has to be a bit stingy.

"clear.

"Is this enough?"

Zhou Yi took out two six-ounce yellow croakers from his pocket and handed them over.

"That's enough!" Hong Zhi weighed it in his hand.

If it's Lao Xie who's negotiating, I reckon that'll be the price.

"Of course, it's up to you." Zhou Yi nodded.

Just as he was about to get up, Hong Zhi raised his index finger and made a gesture, saying in a low voice, "For the sake of the money, I'll give you some advice."

"I know you've been investigating the mole who betrayed Sun Yuejian."

"But I advise you not to take it too seriously."

"Easily obtained intelligence is often a trap, especially information leaked from my uncle."

"You did a good job with this bacteriological warfare. He is now much less wary of you, but given his suspicious nature, there will inevitably be another 'last gasp' before he dies."

"That would be fatal."

"Thank you, I'll be careful." Zhou Yi nodded and walked out.

……

It gets dark very early in Harbin.

At five o'clock in the afternoon, the white snow and the black and white sky were clearly distinguished.

Gao Bin sat in the car with a furrowed brow. His hair, parted in a 2:8 ratio, was becoming increasingly sparse, revealing large patches of scalp.

He had insomnia again last night.

The repeated failures to test Zhou Yi dealt a heavy blow to his confidence.

He certainly didn't want Zhou Yi to be the traitor.

But the throbbing pain and frantic pounding in his temples, driven by his intuition, kept reminding him that Zhou Yi must be the traitor.

As they passed the mailbox at the corner of Serbian Street, Gao Bin asked his driver, Xiao Jin, to stop the car.

He got out of the car, took an envelope, and went back into the car.

There was nothing in the envelope; it was just an empty envelope.

This was the signal that Lao Qiu's wife, Li Hong, had agreed upon with him for their rendezvous.

It seems there's some important intelligence.

Gao Bin stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Li Hong has already hung up the sign at the teahouse; it seems she's going to elope with Lao Qiu.

In other words, this card is about to be discarded.

“No, we have to squeeze every last bit of value out of her. Hong Piao couldn’t have been unaware of Sun Yuejian’s drug case last time. If we can use her as bait, she’ll be very tempting.” A barely perceptible sneer appeared on Gao Bin’s lips.

……

Early in the morning, Gao Bin got up and practiced a set of Tai Chi.

After finishing breakfast and bringing soup for his nephew, he went to the police station.

As the police officers in the hall greeted him, they were all filled with envy when they saw the thermos in Section Chief Gao's hand.

The section chief really dotes on this nephew.

"Uncle, you look great today."

After wiping his desk and cleaning the tea set as usual, Hong Zhiyou sat down and drank some mutton offal soup.

When my uncle is in a good mood, it's usually a disaster for red tickets and the Kuomintang secret police.

"How could I not be happy when you're safe and sound?"
"How did the talk with Director Liu's daughter go?"

Gao Bin asked.

"Last night, Deputy Director Liu's wife came to our house to chat with your aunt."

"You've been hiding your true colors, kid. You've managed to get involved with the head of the guards and the prince. Sigh, Madam Liu doesn't visit us easily. It seems she's trying to curry favor with our Gao family. Good things are on the horizon."

He pointed at Hong Zhiyou, a hint of reproach hidden in his smile.

"I didn't mean to hide it from my uncle. It was just a classmate relationship, and I wasn't really sure at the time," Hong Zhi said apologetically.

"Yes, it's good to be more mature."

"However, you still have to be careful and not get carried away. Shibuya Saburo will definitely target you again."

"Let's talk about Liu Yawen. Your aunt is very satisfied with that girl."

"Strike while the iron is hot. I think you two should find an opportunity to finalize this marriage."

Gao Bin said.

……

(End of this chapter)