Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 452 Assassination of Stalin

After reading it, Zhou Yi put it back where it was, turned around and looked coldly at Zhang Xingzhi: "Do you know what you're doing?"

"If Section Chief Gao finds out..."

"Captain Zhou, I was wrong, I'll never dare to do it again... Please, please don't tell Section Chief Gao, I promise I'll change, I promise I'll change." Zhang Xingzhi was terrified and pleaded desperately.

"Let it go this time. Harbin has so many hotels, can't they accommodate a pair of illicit lovers like you?"

“There have been quite a few new graduates at the police academy recently. Take out their personnel files and hand them over to the Ideological Section for a thorough review of their backgrounds and social standing,” Zhou Yi instructed.

"Yes, Captain Zhou." Zhang Xingzhi bowed her head and accepted the order.

Zhou Yi went outside.

He walked very slowly, his arms swung wildly, his spinal condition was getting worse, and the chronic illness he had developed from soaking in cold water made him look like a lifeless walking corpse.

come back to the office.

Zhou Yi took out the ginger tea that Gu Qiuyan had brewed overnight, took a sip to warm himself up, and then walked to the map on the wall to study it carefully.

Lyusikov had served as Stalin's bodyguard in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

What kind of conspiracy are these people plotting, given their close proximity and frequent contact with the Japanese?

He carefully recalled what Hong Zhiyou had said.

Shibuya Saburo specifically marked Sochi on the map, from the direction of the Chollu River in Turkey. It's not a military stronghold; Zhou Yi had checked and found it's a tourist destination with many retirement homes for retired high-ranking officials.

Saburo Shibuya was not one to make baseless accusations.

This person's position wasn't high, but he was indeed a core figure in the Ishihara faction. Chief of Staff Rensuke Isogai often had to consider his opinions and influence.

If it's not a military operation, then it's a espionage operation.

What could possibly interest the Japanese, who were so far away in Manchukuo?

Assassination of Stalin?
A terrifying thought popped into Zhou Yi's mind.

If Stalin were to die, the Soviet Union would descend into internal strife and lose the deterrent effect from the northern front. The Japanese would become even more unscrupulous, and the main battlefields within China would face even greater pressure.

The situation is very bad.

……

noon.

Hong Zhi ordered a Western meal, a delicious dessert, and several sets of warm and stylish coats and boots before driving straight to the courtyard.

"Mr. Hong." Upon seeing him, the middle-aged man knowingly walked to the stove in the yard to warm himself by the fire.

"Yingying, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I brought you some food and clothes."

Hong Zhi opened the food box and desserts.

Xu Yunying had just taken a shower, and her hair was still wet.

After being nourished by love, her complexion became even more rosy, and her originally sharp, starry eyes were now filled with a watery spring-like charm, making her very captivating.

She moved slowly to the table.

A smug and mischievous smile crept onto Hong Zhiyou's lips.

"What are you laughing at? It's all your fault."

"This little thing is more tiring than raiding a village," Xu Yunying said, rolling her eyes at him.

"is it?
"Who was it that wouldn't let me leave in the morning and then tried to kill me at my house tonight?" Hong Zhiyou held her hand and stroked it tenderly.

"I had no idea it would have such a strong aftereffect. My bones feel like they've all fallen apart. I almost slipped and fell while I was taking a shower."

Xu Yunying pursed her lips.

"Practice makes perfect, you'll get used to it," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

"Aren't you going to eat?"

Xu Yunying flicked her hair and asked.

“I’ve already eaten. This is for you. You only get to eat this once every year or two in the mountains. It’s rare that you’ve gone along with me.”

"I want to give you the best food and the most beautiful clothes in Harbin."

Hongzhi has the Way.

"Why would a bandit's wife like me dress so nicely?" Xu Yunying said while eating.

"Respect the clothes first, then the person. How many truly serene and unassuming people are there in this world? Everyone seeks wealth and status. You'll have to change your mindset from now on."

"Just having loyalty isn't enough; the main focus is on being generous."

"I'm rich."

"With this outfit, a pistol in hand, and a handful of cash, it's much better than you begging and pleading with your uncles and elders. They'll all have to run after you then."

Hong Zhi put his arm around her firm waist and began to speak as if telling a story.

"Is it really that amazing?" Xu Yunying asked with some skepticism.

"Why don't you try and see? I can't let my precious daughter suffer or die." Hong Zhiyou took out a handkerchief and wiped her mouth.

Xu Yunying felt a warmth in her heart.

She had been wild since she was a child, and her father was a rough and uncouth man. This was the first time a man had treated her with such gentleness and consideration.

I never knew being taken care of felt so sweet.

"Since you're a decent person, once I've unified the eighteen bandit strongholds of Laotuo Mountain, and I survive fighting the Japanese in the future, I'll give you a few little bandits." Xu Yunying thought for a moment and answered very seriously.

Hong Zhiyou is a man of principle; the two of them spent most of the night together last night.

She only pleaded softly, and he gave in to her, granting her the freedom to continue roaming the mountains and forests.

“Great, it would be best if they laid their eggs in broods like rabbits, so each of them could guard a hilltop for me.” Hong Zhiyou winked and laughed.

"Aren't you afraid I'll get caught if you keep running around like this?" Xu Yunying asked.

“You’re a bandit, not a pro bono. The military police and the police department are my people. You can swagger around on the street and nobody will care,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"That's more like it. I'll rest for a few more days and then go up the mountain," she said.

"Okay, then I'll come more often these next few days." Hong Zhiyou hugged her from behind, inhaling the fragrance of her hair as he murmured.

"Oh dear, you're squeezing me so tightly, how am I supposed to eat?"

……

night.

Zhou Yi staggered home.

"Have you found it?" Gu Qiuyan glanced downstairs and asked softly.

"Found it."

"This man is called Lyusikov. He used to be the head of the Black Sea Internal Affairs Department and was in charge of Stalin's security. He had long-term dealings with the Kwantung Army."

"Unlike Vasilyev, he was a tough guy."

"I suspect they want to assassinate Stalin or some other important Soviet figure."

Zhou Yi said with a solemn expression.

"Today Vasilyev said his final goodbye to me. He looked very sad and said he was going to do something big, something to liberate all mankind and bring light to human civilization from the control of the devil."

"He also told me the date and told me to remember it: it was January 25th!"
"His appearance seemed to indicate that he was gone forever."

"My God, are they really planning to assassinate Stalin?"

"In past interactions, he deeply hated Stalin, comparing him to a devil, Satan, and the destroyer of civilization."

"Zhou Yi!"

Gu Qiuyan looked at Zhou Yi with a face full of fear.

"The most important thing now is that we need to confirm that Comrade Stalin will go to Sochi."

“As you know, the Soviets are extremely cautious in handling matters. They are currently in a peaceful and compromising phase with the Japanese, so any news involving the Japanese could be misinterpreted,” Zhou Yi said.

"It's strange. Why would such an important figure go to Sochi when the world is in turmoil right now? This would be a huge challenge for his security." He muttered to himself, puzzled.

"I remember now, Comrade Stalin's hometown is Georgia, which is very close to Sochi..."

"wait."

Gu Qiuyan quickly went into the inner room to make a phone call.

A moment later she came back: "I found out. One of my classmates is an expert on the Soviet Union. He said that Comrade Stalin's father died on January 25, 1890."

"Starting in 1930, Stalin would go to Georgia every three years on January 25th to perform a religious ceremony. As was customary, he would spend a few days in a sanatorium in Sochi and visit the retired officers."

"So, Vasilyev and his accomplices were plotting to assassinate Comrade Stalin."

"Lyusikov had served as the head of the NKVD, and he knew Stalin's habits and the Sochi sanatorium very well. With the training and covert support of the Japanese, they must have devised a very meticulous plan."

"Zhou Yi, Comrade Stalin is in danger."

"This is troublesome." Zhou Yi rubbed his temples.

“Valisiev and his group have already set off. They have eight days left. See if you can notify Lao Wei to send a secret notification from the headquarters in Yancheng, or contact the Soviet embassy,” Gu Qiuyan said.

"The embassy was under tight surveillance by the Japanese. To ensure the success of the plan, Shibuya Saburo would definitely conduct even tighter surveillance than during the last bacteriological warfare. At this time, it would be a disaster for anyone to contact the Soviet ambassador."

"Moreover, if I make contact, not only will I expose myself, but they may not even believe me."

Zhou Yi picked up the ginger tea and took a sip.

"Don't worry, I'll report to Lao Wei tomorrow and then make a decision," he said reassuringly.

……

The next morning.

Zhou Yi met Lao Wei at the breakfast shop.

After listening to his report, Old Wei was incredulous: "Zhou Yi, are you absolutely certain?"

"No. The map source is a friend of mine, and he's very reliable."

"In addition, the assassination intelligence was obtained by Gu Qiuyan from Valisiev."

"The authenticity of the news is quite high."

"We must take this seriously."

Zhou Yi said solemnly.

"Old Zhou, you know our radio station can't contact Yancheng; we have to relay messages through the radio station in Beiping. And with the current strict checks, sending messages is very risky."

"What if your intelligence is false, and the Soviets are meticulous, and the responsibility falls on the leaders of the Yancheng government? Who will take the blame?"

"If things go wrong, we might all have to pack our bags and leave."

Old Wei, who has always been eager to fight and kill, has become cautious this time.

"I trust my friend and Qiu Yan's judgment. Let's report it. I'll take responsibility if anything happens. If something happens to Comrade Stalin, it will be a catastrophic blow to the entire Communist International front."

“Being cautious at this point would be foolish. At the very least, you should pass the intelligence over and let their people verify it.”

Zhou Yi spoke with conviction.

"Let me think about it some more. By the way, do you have any leads on the person who leaked the special envoy's whereabouts?" Old Wei asked.

"Not yet," Zhou Yi knew.

But Hong Zhi said that he would not mention Li Hong for the time being, and would delay Lao Qiu for a while until the storm had passed.

For Hong Zhiyou's safety, he could only say this.

"The provincial party committee is extremely angry. Lao Lai was a middleman who coordinated many relationships. He was killed by the Japanese, so it will be even more difficult to get the medicine in the future," Lao Wei said.

"Isn't there Hong Zhiyou too?"
"He's already trying to figure something out, and we should have news soon," Zhou Yi said.

"Heh, you trust him quite a bit."

"Don't forget, he's Gao Bin's nephew. I've already given him two batches of goods, and I haven't even seen a single box of antibiotics yet. Old Zhou, don't be fooled by him," Old Wei sneered.

“I believe him,” Zhou Yi nodded.

After saying that, he put on his hat, stood up, and said, "I hope you will make up your mind about Stalin soon."

Zhou Yi glanced at Lao Wei, frowned, and walked out.

Old Wei blew on the soup in the bowl and drank it in big gulps.

……

Zhou Yi arrived at the police station carrying a briefcase.

Once inside the office, he stared at the map on the wall, growing increasingly anxious.

After a moment, as if he had made up his mind, he picked up the phone: "This is Zhou Yi, Officer Ren. Section Chief Hong is here. Please ask him to come to my office."

Half an hour later, Hong Zhi arrived at the office looking haggard.

"Take it easy. You look more tired than if you were harvesting rice from several acres of land. Section Chief Gao will be nagging you again later," Zhou Yi said with a smile.

"He'd love for me to bloom everywhere and sow more seeds."

"What's the matter?"

Hong Zhi had gotten to know him better, so there wasn't much small talk. He sat down and asked lazily.

“Your sister-in-law and I discovered through reconnaissance that Vasilyev and his group might be planning to assassinate Stalin; to be precise, the probability is almost one hundred percent,” Zhou Yi said.

“You should tell your people that. I don’t know Stalin,” Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.

"I know you're very wealthy. Even Qiao Jiacai, the head of the Beiping Military Intelligence Station, is helping you with your business. Perhaps you can get this message through the Military Intelligence Bureau to the Soviet Union."

"The Sino-Soviet intelligence agency, or the Soviet embassy in the mountain city."

“Now that we are in a period of cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, and Dai Li is very resourceful, the intelligence he transmits from the Military Intelligence Bureau is more convincing than that of our underground organization in Harbin,” Zhou Yi said.

He wasn't curious about Hong Zhiyou's identity.

Whether this person was a pro-CCP voter or a member of the Kuomintang was completely irrelevant to the two men who had gone through life and death together.

"I do have some connections with people from the Military Intelligence Bureau's Manchurian station."

"Try it."

Hong Zhi thought for a moment and then answered.

The Harbin underground organization had such a great achievement but didn't want it. Since Lao Wu was eager to show off in front of Boss Dai, they decided to do him a favor.

"Thank you." Zhou Yi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

……

1 month 19 number.

Hong Zhiyou's little wild horse, Xu Yunying, successfully returned to Laotuo Mountain.

On the drive back.

There were significantly more military police and soldiers around, with checkpoints everywhere and signal monitoring vehicles weaving back and forth on the streets.

The telephone exchange also cut off all external communications from Harbin.

Clearly, the Japanese were taking precautions to prevent any intelligence leaks from the Harbin area.

He saw Zhou Yi's car approaching, with Gu Qiuyan sitting in the passenger seat.

The two cars passed each other, and Hong Zhi stopped: "Old Zhou, sister-in-law, where are we going?"

"It's alright, I'll just go to the village at the foot of the nearby mountain to buy some supplies to help your sister-in-law recover," Zhou Yi said with a smile.

"Be careful." Hong Zhi glanced at him, looking slightly helpless.

Clearly, Zhou Yi, like Lao Yu, is destined for a life of worry and hard work.

Despite having promised to have the Military Intelligence Bureau send a telegram, Zhou Yi was still uneasy and wanted Gu Qiuyan to go out of the city to send the telegram.

However, this is also correct.

If it were Lao Yu or General Wu, they probably wouldn't trust an outsider with such a momentous matter.

"Thank you." Zhou Yi smiled and nodded.

……

"I feel like there's something off about the way he's looking at you. Could he be suspicious of us?" Gu Qiuyan glanced back and said sharply.

Regarding the piano, she sensed that Hong Zhi was trying to help her.

However, due to confidentiality, Zhou Yi rarely talked about Hong Zhiyou in front of Gu Qiuyan.

This made her feel that Hong Zhi was somewhat mysterious.

“No, he sees everyone like that, he’s a very amiable person.” Zhou Yi smiled faintly, without offering any further explanation.

Half an hour later, he drove to the checkpoint.

"Old Zhou, where are you going? It's chaotic now, and you're bringing your wife along," a police chief on duty greeted him.

"I'm going out to collect some eggs, ginseng, and wild game to nourish Qiuyan," Zhou Yi said.

Gu Qiuyan sat to the side with her head down, her heart pounding nervously.

Fortunately, the man didn't ask any more questions and opened the roadblock.

Zhou Yi drove out of the city and headed towards a secluded mountain road leading to Laotuo Mountain.

He took the transmitter from the trunk, carrying it in one hand and leading Gu Qiuyan deeper into the snowy forest with the other: "Is this method reliable?"

"Reliable. They can decipher the codebook we used during training. There are Soviet Far East intelligence stations targeting the Japanese nearby, and Soviet agents communicate with them to relay messages."

“I’ll send a message; they should be able to receive it.”

Gu Qiuyan gave a very affirmative answer.

"Okay, quick and concise." Zhou Yi was desperate and had no other choice.

After installing the antenna in the tree, Gu Qiuyan put on gloves, sat cross-legged on the ground, and quickly started reporting.

"I'm sure I've been concise enough." Gu Qiuyan started typing away on the telegraph machine, typing Stalin's name for quite a while.

That's one of the bad things about the Soviets; their names are both awful and long.

Drip!

The crisp sound of a telegram echoed through the woods.

The wind was strong, whipping up snow dust that fell onto her face.

Gu Qiuyan remained unmoved, her eyes resolute, steadily and calmly tapping the signal.

"Third brother, wait a minute, I'm going to take a piss."

The intelligence had barely been sent out halfway when they heard rustling footsteps and voices coming from the woods.

"Oh no, hide quickly!" Zhou Yi whispered.

Through the branches, he could see several scattered Nationalist soldiers patrolling the mountain, carrying guns as they walked by.

Zhou Yi secretly thought, "This is bad."

Gu Qiuyan sped up her typing, wanting to send it all in one go.

However, time was of the essence, and Zhou Yi grabbed her, and the two of them shrank behind a nearby rock.

Soon, a soldier walked over, whistling.

While releasing the water, he looked around curiously.

He quickly spotted the T-shaped antenna hanging from the tree branch, shuddered, and hurriedly pulled up his pants, calling out, "Third Brother, there's a problem here."

……

(End of this chapter)