Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 467 Honma Masaharu
On the tatami mat, Hong Zhiyou was smoking a cigarette afterward, while Huizi lay obediently in his arms like a lazy cat.

“Hong Sang, do you know how worried I was when you were arrested by the Security Bureau?”

Her voice was slightly hoarse as she gently traced circles on Hong Zhiyou's muscular chest with her fingers.

"I used every connection I could, and even had my older brother ask Commander Okamura Yasuji to call Chief of Staff Isogai."

"Hey, if something really happens to you, how... how will I live?"

Hong Zhiyou knew that Huizi had indeed gone to great lengths for him, and he was somewhat touched. He lowered his head and kissed her smooth forehead: "My darling, you're so thoughtful."

"As long as you're alright, that's all that matters."

"You call me 'baby,' but you don't really care. You're always trying to push me towards Jinhai." Huizi snuggled into his arms, her watery eyes full of affection. "You bad guy, if I go to Jinhai, will you come to see me often?"

"Of course I will." Hong Zhi stubbed out his cigarette. "I promise I'll visit you at least once a month."

He wasn't lying to Huizi.

Wanqiu is in Tianjin.

He also had to use his silver tongue to keep Rui Rui there so she could study at Beiyang or Nankai University.

Ji Qing, Fang Min, and others were also in Jinhai.

In this way, he had several female lovers all together, making it easier to take care of them.

"That's more like it," Huizi said coquettishly, her tone tinged with a hint of resentment. "But the thought of not having you by my side makes me anxious."

Hong Zhi pinched her cheek and laughed: "What's the rush?"

"Once you get to Jinhai, you'll be immersed in the joy of making money. At that point, men and all that will be irrelevant."

Huizi was amused by him, her eyes sparkling: "Other men are just fleeting clouds, but you are not."

"You are the ever-present breeze, always stirring people's hair."

"Oh ho." Hong Zhi raised an eyebrow, flipped over and pinned her down. "Your tongue is getting sharper and sharper, and you've even learned to be romantic."

"It seems I didn't reward you enough just now, I must give you some more!"

……

night.

Inside a heavily guarded meeting room at the Kwantung Army headquarters, smoke filled the air.

Several officers from the Ishihara faction, dressed in crisp military uniforms, sat together solemnly.

The young officer in the lead was named Koizumi. He slammed his teacup down on the table with a dull thud.

“Everyone.

"Mr. Shibuya's wronged spirit is still watching us from heaven."

"Whether we can assassinate the bandit Hong and avenge you, sir, depends on this one act!"

An officer immediately stood up and exclaimed excitedly, "Koizumi-kun! My men can disguise themselves as military police and take action on the train! We'll make sure he bleeds on the spot!"

Koizumi shook his head, his eyes revealing a depth beyond his years.

"no.

“Hong Zhi is a cunning and treacherous man, and he is heavily guarded. This time when he went to Jinhai, he was surrounded by top-notch fighters, so we couldn’t find an opportunity to strike.”

"I have already contacted Matsuda Nobu-kun of Tsukai."

"Mr. Matsuda is Mr. Shibuya's student and is currently the military attaché of Commander-in-Chief Honma Masaharu of the Tsushima Garrison. He is in full charge of this assassination attempt."

Everyone was cheered up.

Koizumi continued, "Matsuda-kun knows some local yakuza hitmen in Tsukai. Hongzhi is going there, indulging in a life of debauchery, and he'll be attending all sorts of parties. That'll be our best opportunity."

"Moreover, I found out that Hong Zhi had a batch of furs shipped to Jin Hai last time, which was intercepted by a local businessman named Mu Liancheng. The two have a personal grudge."

"Matsuda-kun will instigate Mu Liancheng to hire assassins to kill Hong Zhiyou through his hands."

"In this way, even if Hong Zhiyou dies in Tianjin, the investigation will only lead to a business feud, and will never implicate our Kwantung Army!"

After hearing this, the officers all stood up and bowed deeply to Koizumi.

"Hai!"
"Mr. Koizumi is a man of great foresight and wisdom; he truly deserves to be Mr. Shibuya's most prized student!"

A smug look appeared on Koizumi's face: "Treating someone in the same way they treat you."

"Using Chinese thinking and methods to deal with Chinese people is precisely the supreme principle that Mr. Shibuya advocated and practiced during his lifetime."

"I'm just carrying out his last wish."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his voice filled with fervent conviction.

"May Mr. Shibuya's spirit in heaven protect us and help us succeed in eliminating the thief!"

……

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou had just arrived at the office when Zhou Yi walked in.

"Section Chief Gao wants us to go to the Security Bureau." Zhou Yi's tone was flat and indifferent.

Hong Zhi then remembered that his uncle was also holding a nominal position as a senior inspector in the Security Bureau.

Although he never gets involved in anything, it's still necessary for him to show his face occasionally.

The two drove to the security bureau.

Chen Jingyu was already waiting at the door, his face beaming with a warm smile.

"Section Chief Hong, Captain Zhou, please come in!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Jingyu personally led the two to the underground interrogation room.

The cold, damp corridor echoed with piercing screams.

As soon as the interrogation room door was pushed open, a strong stench of blood mixed with the smell of urine hit you, making you want to vomit.

Zhang Chunyuan and his son Zhang Feng were hung on the rack, their bodies no longer recognizable as human.

Zhang Chunyuan's eye was smashed and left bloody and mangled.

Zhang Feng's fingernails were all pulled out, and there was almost no intact skin or flesh on his body.

When Hong Zhiyou came in, two interrogators were carrying wooden buckets and pouring buckets of chili water onto the wounds of the father and son.

"what!

"Stop splashing! Please..."

Chen Jingyu seemed not to hear the heart-wrenching wails, and smiled as he introduced Hong Zhiyou: "This father and son are quite clever, and very stubborn."

"Even after being beaten like this, they still refuse to sign their confessions."

Hearing the noise, Jang Chun-won, who was on the rack, saw Hong Ji-yoo with his only remaining eye and was immediately overcome with a strong desire to survive.

"Section Chief Hong! Section Chief Hong, I was wrong!"

He cried out in a hoarse voice, "I was blind to your greatness! Please, have mercy on me and spare my life! I'll do anything for you, even be your slave!"

Hong Zhi didn't even lift his eyelids, casually picked up the interrogation materials on the table, and flipped through them.

"With both witnesses and physical evidence, it's no longer important whether they confess or not."

"We can inform Director Miao to take severe disciplinary action in accordance with wartime regulations."

Chen Jingyu immediately understood, and his smile deepened: "Section Chief Hong is the Chief of Staff's advisor, so you have the final say."

"I will report this to Director Miao immediately, and these two lurking informants should be executed by firing squad!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chunyuan let out a desperate wail:

"Hong Zhiyou, you'll die a horrible death! I curse your ancestors for eighteen generations!"

"Cut off their tongues," Chen Jingyu coldly ordered, turning his head.

After leaving the interrogation room, the three walked and talked in the corridor.

Zhou Yi glanced at Chen Jingyu and said with a smile, "Old Chen, I heard you're about to be promoted?"

"Congratulations, Director of the Secretariat of the Security Bureau."

Chen Jingyu stood with one hand in his pocket, his posture humbled, his face full of gratitude.

"Captain Zhou, please don't laugh at me. I'm only doing this because of Section Chief Hong."

"First, he helped thwart Ishihara's attempt to frame Section Chief Hong, and then he quickly cracked a major case involving hidden red tickets within the bureau."

"In just three days, he made great contributions and was commended by the officers of the headquarters and the general staff."

He looked at Hong Zhiyou with sincere eyes.

"To be honest, I still feel like I'm dreaming."

"This dream was woven for me by Section Chief Hong himself."

"I won't say much in thanks. From now on, Section Chief Hong's business is my business. Just give me your orders!"

Hong Zhi patted him on the shoulder: "You're too kind, we're on the same side."

These three words are very meaningful.

He and Chen Jingyu were true comrades, both serving Boss Dai of the Military Intelligence Bureau. This relationship was even closer than his relationship with Zhou Yi.

By elevating Chen Jingyu to a high position, the Security Bureau, once a thorn in their side, has been completely removed.

It will only become more convenient to do business and make money in Harbin in the future.

Chen Jingyu was extremely grateful, and after a pause, he added, "Director Miao also wanted to thank you in person..."

Hong Zhi waved his hand: "Never mind, I have important things to do."

"Director Miao has done a good job in eliminating the mole this time, and the Japanese will naturally give him the reward he deserves."

Chen Jingyu smiled: "With your words, he can sleep soundly tonight."

After leaving the security bureau building, the two got into the car.

“I’m going to Jinhai.” Hong Zhiyou took out a cigarette case from his pocket and handed one to Zhou Yi. “Is there anything you need me to bring?” Zhou Yi took the cigarette, thought for a moment, and shook his head. “No.”

His longtime partner in Jinhai was codenamed "Autumn Cicada," and was the direct contact person for the Jinhai underground transportation station.

According to organizational discipline, without knowing Hong Zhi's true background, he could not allow an unidentified person to contact his comrades.

Hong Zhiyou noticed his concerns, smiled, and didn't ask any further questions.

Zhou Yi silently lit a cigarette, took a puff, and seemed to be organizing his thoughts.

After a moment, he slowly spoke: "There is something I must tell you."

"According to our latest intelligence, the Ishihara faction within the Kwantung Army is plotting to assassinate you."

"They want to avenge their 'spiritual mentor' Saburo Shibuya."

Zhou Yi's expression turned serious.

"Shibuya Saburo was a follower of Nichiren Buddhism and a devout follower of faith. In the eyes of many junior officers in the Kwantung Army, he was the embodiment of integrity and wisdom."

"He has many fervent believers and supporters."

"This is the fundamental reason why he, a police chief, dared to orchestrate such a sensational case as the assassination of Stalin, and why Isogai Rensuke and his gang never dared to easily touch him."

"His influence in the military circles of the entire Northeast China is far beyond your imagination."

"Now you've ruined his reputation and caused him to die a violent death. Those people will never let this go."

Zhou Yi looked at Hong Zhiyou and continued, word by word, "They dare not take action within Manchukuo's territory because this is Isogai Rensuke's territory."

"But they will definitely make their move in Jinhai."

"Don't underestimate the Japanese assassination capabilities; they are experts in this area."

Hong Zhi nodded and flicked his cigarette butt away: "This information is very important, thanks."

A rare hint of pleasure appeared on Zhou Yi's face: "You've saved me so many times, I should do something in return."

"Otherwise, it would seem like we're not being a good friend at all."

A warm feeling welled up in Hong Zhiyou's heart.

It's no easy feat to get a cold, robotic person like Zhou Yi to personally acknowledge that he's a friend.

Zhou Yi added, "I have already notified the comrades in Tianjin, and they will find a way to protect you secretly."

Hong Zhi grinned, his face regaining its nonchalant expression: "Don't worry, they want to bully me, a native of Tianjin. They don't know the ways of the docks and the underground."

"No way! On that territory, I'm their ancestor."

"The Japanese assassins might not succeed in trying to harm me there."

"It's good that you're confident." Zhou Yi nodded.

“By the way, Yong Sheng Kui used to have a colleague named Cai Zhong. This guy took advantage of Shibuya’s troubles and started his own business. Have Liu Kui shut down his place on the spot…” Hong Zhiyou made a shooting gesture.

"You really are vengeful, aren't you? Luckily we're friends," Zhou Yi said with a smile.

"gone."

Upon reaching the intersection, Hong Zhiyou got off the bus first and hailed a rickshaw to head towards Yong Sheng Kui, as he needed to personally arrange the security and defense for the trip to Tianjin and Shanghai.

……

The next day.

Harbin Railway Station was bustling with people, but the atmosphere was unusually tense.

Beside a special train bound for Tianjin, there were guards every three steps and sentries every five steps, with tight security.

Hong Zhiyou, dressed in a sharp suit and wearing sunglasses, boarded the train surrounded by a group of guards.

The bodyguards accompanying him were Peng Hu and Xiao Guohua.

One is like a tiger in the mountains, with immense strength; the other is like a ghostly assassin, swift and deadly.

Hong Zhiyou did not trust the military police sent by the Japanese, so the security work inside the carriage was personally led by Ren Changchun, with more than a dozen elite police officers from the Harbin Police Department, armed to the teeth, escorting him along the way.

In addition, the loyal members of Everrise Quillie, disguised as ordinary passengers, were also scattered throughout the carriages as spies, their eyes like eagles, monitoring the movements of any suspicious persons.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Tianjin, undercurrents were surging.

Inside an unassuming café in the French Concession.

Zeng Che, the head of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Tianjin-Haikou station, was issuing secret orders to his subordinates in a low voice:

"Keep a close eye on all the gangs, ronin societies, and those assassin organizations that only care about money and not people on the Tianjin coast. See if anyone has taken on any big jobs recently, especially those involving the Japanese or Manchukuo."

"Stationmaster, what happened?" his subordinate asked.

"A telegram from Harbin says a friend is coming to Tianjin, and someone here wants to take him down."

"This friend is very important to us, and we absolutely cannot let anything happen to him."

On the other side, on Hengshan Street, is Xuanji Pharmacy.

The slightly overweight shopkeeper, Qiu Tian, ​​lit up the intelligence in his hand.

The telegram was short, but its message was extremely important.

"The Kwantung Army's Ishihara faction intends to assassinate Hong Zhiyou in Tianjin. All resources are being mobilized to secretly protect him and ensure his safety."

After the fire was extinguished, Qiu Tian walked to the window, looked at the bustling streets outside, and frowned.

Hong Zhiyou was a name he was familiar with.

Shibuya Saburo, a police chief in Harbin who had risen to prominence and possessed extraordinary abilities, was defeated by him.

Old Wu's evaluation of him has always been complicated.

Now, however, they must protect him at all costs.

It seems this person must be very important.

Thinking of this, Qiu Ji walked to the front desk, called the waiter over, and whispered some instructions to him.

……

Three days later, the train slowly pulled into Jinhai Station.

Hong Zhiyou stepped out of the station, took off his sunglasses, and took a deep breath.

Looking at the city before him, which was both familiar and unfamiliar, he was filled with mixed emotions.

In his previous life, he started from here, climbing step by step from an unknown nobody to become Asia's number one comprador.

Returning to this familiar place now feels like stepping into another world.

"Hong-san, you seem quite interested in this place?" Huizi asked curiously, linking her arm with his.

She was dressed in a fashionable dress that accentuated her curves, attracting the attention of countless men on the platform.

Hong Zhi smiled and put his arm around her waist.

"Of course. This is a place where gold is everywhere."

Trust me, you'll love it here.

At that time, Tianjin was the second most prosperous city in the Far East, second only to Shanghai.

Huizi looked up and saw the endless whistles of giant ships on the Haihe River in the distance. The Five Avenues were lined with European-style buildings of different styles, and cars shuttled back and forth on the streets. Everywhere she looked, she saw fashionable ladies with exquisite makeup.

Compared to the lifeless atmosphere under the high-pressure control of Harbin, this place is full of vitality and opportunities.

Keiko was instantly captivated by the city's charm, her eyes sparkling with intoxication and longing.

She suddenly felt as if she had broken free from her cage and was seeing the light of day again.

Hong Zhi looked at her infatuated eyes and understood.

This woman is full of ambition and desire, and the soil of Jinhai is perfect for her to take root and flourish.

The group checked into the Astor Hotel.

Xiao Guohua and Ren Changchun dared not relax for a moment and immediately set up strict defenses inside and outside the hotel, almost booking out the entire floor.

Nothing much happened during the day, so I rested for the afternoon.

That evening, Hong Zhiyou, accompanied by Huizi, went to visit Honma Masaharu, the commander of the Tianjin Garrison.

The commander's residence was brightly lit.

Masaharu Honma personally received Yuu Koji and Keiko.

Hong Zhiyou presented a Qing Dynasty imperial kiln famille rose porcelain vase brought from Harbin. Honma Masaharu, an expert in this field, immediately recognized it as a fine piece and was overjoyed.

Both men were students of Prince Chichibu, and their conversation naturally became more relaxed.

"Mr. Hong, if there's anything I can help you with in Jinhai, please don't hesitate to ask." Honma Masaharu said, holding a wine glass in a friendly manner.

Hong Zhi took a sip of wine and said bluntly, "Commander, I'm here mainly to discuss some business."

"But before I came, I received a secret report that someone in the Kwantung Army was plotting to assassinate me in Tianjin."

Masaharu Honma's face darkened.

"That's unreasonable!"

He immediately said, "Don't worry, Lord Hong, I will immediately send more troops to protect your safety and secretly send people to investigate this matter."

Then, a look of worry appeared on his face.

"However, Tianjin is a mixed bag, and the area at the confluence of the nine rivers is home to various powerful and intertwined forces. Finding a few assassins here is like finding a needle in a haystack."

Hong Zhi smiled and said, "Commander, you don't need to worry about this."

"You just need to keep an eye on the military's movements and make sure their people don't cause me any trouble."

"As for those little rats hiding in the sewers, I can take care of them myself."

……

(End of this chapter)