Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 471: Take the enemy by surprise and attack them when they are unprepared

"Kid, you think you can fool me with your little tricks?"

Ren Changchun grabbed Xie Ruolin by the collar, his eyes fierce.

"You're all smooth talk and shifty-eyed; you're clearly no good! Tell me, who sent you?"

This is not an injustice to Xie Ruolin.

At this time, Lao Xie was still very young. He hadn't yet developed the shrewdness of a seasoned Kuomintang agent. Instead, he was more of a naive and clever fellow with his eyes darting around. He looked like a petty scoundrel.

“I…I really am a student of Beiyang University.”

Xie Ruolin was so frightened that he stammered, and hurriedly pulled out an ID from his pocket: "This, this is my student ID."

Hong Zhiyou took it and glanced at it.

A freshman in the Department of Literature at Beiyang University.

Those who are involved in literature, no wonder they can spout jokes all the time.

He remembered that Xie Ruolin was Wanqiu's senior, two years ahead of her.

Based on this calculation, Wanqiu is most likely still in higher primary school.

"A top student from Beiyang University, handing out these worthless flyers, aren't you ashamed of yourself?" Ren Changchun said disdainfully.

"Even top students need to eat. I can't compare to you high-ranking officials and nobles. My parents died early, so I just make do with whatever I can find to eat."

Xie Ruolin curled his lip, his dry laugh carrying a hint of shrewdness and arrogance.

"After the Japanese came, there was no point in reading these books anymore. It's more practical to make some money."

"Besides, there's nothing shameful about having affairs."

"Girls need to eat too. If you don't go and I don't go, won't they starve to death?"

He pulled out a few more "cards" from his pocket and handed them over, forcing a fawning smile on his face.

"I live right next to Xiuchunlou. I can answer this phone anytime at night and I'll be there whenever you need me. It's reliable."

Shut up! Get out!

"If you keep nagging, I'll beat you up."

Ren Changchun patted his face impatiently and waved his hand away like he was shooing away a fly.

"do not!"

Xie Ruolin glanced at Hong Zhiyou beside him and quickly winked and said, "You, you must be Mr. Hong? I have a few particularly beautiful girls here, you'll definitely be interested!"

"Hey! You're still excited, aren't you?"

Ren Changchun raised his hand as if to punch someone.

Hong Zhiyou raised his hand to stop him. It has to be said that listening to Lao Xie talk is a pleasure.

"Let him in."

He smiled and instructed Ren Changchun, "Have someone downstairs order another steak and bring it up."

Ren Changchun was stunned for a moment. Although he was puzzled, he still let go of Xie Ruolin and went downstairs to accept the order.

Xie Ruolin straightened his crumpled collar and carefully walked into the suite.

Hong Zhi lit a cigarette, poured him a glass of red wine, and asked with a smile, "Life in Jinhai must be tough, right?"

Seeing his calm attitude, Xie Ruolin grew bolder, took the wine glass, and nodded.
"Of course.

"This one bottle of wine of yours is enough to cover my food expenses for half a year."

"You're still hanging around with Lao Shang?" Hong Zhi asked casually, exhaling a smoke ring. "And he still slaps you all the time?"

Xie Ruolin paused, his hand holding the wine glass still, his face full of surprise: "You, how did you know?"

Immediately, he found amusement in his misery and said:
"When you become an apprentice, you always have to pay a price. If you're too slow, the skills won't get out, and it's normal to get slapped."

After chatting for a while, Ren Changchun came in carrying a steak. "Section Chief, just call me if you need anything."

He gave Xie Ruolin a cold look and wisely left the room.

Hong Zhi pointed to the steak and gestured to Xie Ruolin, "Eat it while it's hot."

Xie Ruolin looked at the fragrant steak in front of him, then glanced at Hong Zhiyou, feeling somewhat embarrassed, but mostly wary.

He swallowed hard and said nervously, "Brother, you're serving me wine and meat... no, you don't have any ulterior motives towards me, do you?"

"I... let me make this clear first, I'm not into that kind of thing. If you're looking for girls, I can arrange it for you anytime, but nothing else, no way!"

"It's just a meal, what are you thinking?" Hong Zhiyou was amused by him.

Xie Ruolin was relieved and began to wolf down his food with his knife and fork.

After he had eaten about half his fill, Hong Zhiyou slowly spoke up: "Old Xie, you didn't come here just to hand out flyers, did you?"

"I don't deserve it, brother, please just call me Xiao Xie."

Xie Ruolin hurriedly waved his hand in alarm.

He put down his knife and fork, leaned forward, and lowered his voice.

"That's right, I did have something to discuss with you."

"Mu Liancheng, Boss Mu, you know him, right?"

“I know.” Hong Zhi nodded. “The big traitor in Tianjin seized a batch of my goods. I came here to find him.”

"That's right."

"Matsuda Shin, Honma Masaharu's adjutant wants Mu Liancheng to join forces with Zhang Siye of the Canal Gang to take you down."

Xie Ruolin's voice was even lower, almost inaudible.

Hong Zhi picked up his wine glass, gently swirling the red liquid inside, his face expressionless.
Why did Mu Liancheng send you to deliver this message?

"That's easy."

"Old Mu isn't stupid."

"If we kill you, will the furs from Northeast China automatically be delivered through the border?"

"Besides, when it comes to doing business, harmony is the key to making money. Who likes fighting and killing for no reason, especially a big shot like you from Manchukuo?"

"Old Mu said he really had no choice. That Matsuda Shin was pushing him too hard. People in the martial world have no choice but to follow their own path. Please be understanding."

"The day after tomorrow, he will invite you to dinner at Hongyun Tea House. Consider it a trap."

"At that time, Master Zhang's men will make their move in the teahouse; there will definitely be a hundred or so desperate criminals."

Xie Ruolin said.

"Thanks.

"How much will this intelligence cost?" Hong Zhi asked.

Xie Ruolin chuckled and rubbed his hands together: "You, you can give me whatever you think is appropriate."

Hong Zhi opened the drawer, took out ten gold bars, and threw them directly onto the table: "Is that enough?"

Xie Ruolin was completely dumbfounded. In his twenty years of life, he had never even dared to dream of having so much money, let alone seen it.

That guy from outside the Great Wall is really rich.

"Brother! Brother! You're giving too much! No, this isn't right!"

His voice was trembling as he frantically tried to push the gold bars back.

"You saved my life, this little bit of money is nothing," Hong Zhiyou said with a faint smile.

"Too many, too many!"

Xie Ruolin shook his head like a rattle drum.

"I don't feel at ease holding it, so just one, one is enough!" He only smoked one.

“Take it, consider it making a friend,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Brother, how much rice should I put in the bowl? I'm afraid I'll choke."

He looked at Hong Zhiyou with a clarity in his eyes that seemed beyond his years.

"Besides, given the current market conditions, even life-saving intelligence would only cost the price of a gold bar."

"You have to follow the rules when doing business, otherwise the business won't last long."

"You, you agree, right?" Xie Ruolin said with a smile.

Hong Zhi nodded, a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

"Okay, one it is."

He then changed the subject: "However, since you came here today to deliver intelligence, and the hotel is full of all sorts of people, someone will definitely pass the information to the Japanese."

"I'm not afraid."

Xie Ruolin smiled knowingly.

“I’ve been a pimp for a while now, everyone around here knows me. Just have someone beat me up and throw me out of the hotel, and that’ll make things look good,” he said, already prepared.

"Do you work for the Japanese?" Hong Zhiyou suddenly asked.

"hey-hey……"

Xie Ruolin chuckled, his eyes darting around:
"Brother, don't try to trick me. You're a policeman in Manchukuo, you're in cahoots with the Japanese."

"I have to go now. I need to go to other places to hand out cards. The ladies are all waiting for me to get some work."

Hong Zhi didn't ask any more questions. He called out to the door, "Changchun, come in." Ren Changchun pushed the door open and entered.

"Give him a beating," Hong Zhiyou ordered casually, pointing at Xie Ruolin.

Upon hearing this, Xie Ruolin immediately put on his dramatic act, covering his head and squatting down on the ground:
"Slapping the face is fine, but don't slap the stomach!"

"It would be a shame to throw up the steak and red wine I just ate!"

Soon, the sounds of fists and kicks and Xie Ruolin's screams could be heard from the suite.

A few minutes later, Xie Ruolin, his face bruised and swollen, was dragged out of the hotel lobby like a dead dog by Ren Changchun and another of his men and dumped on the cold curb.

……

Hong Zhiyou stood outside the window and watched as Lao Xie walked away, cursing and swearing.

In these chaotic times, it's not easy for Lao Xie to live.

In his previous life, he braved wind and rain for himself, but died young. In this life, he must let his old buddies have a few days of peace.

Just as I was pondering this, Keiko, dressed in a kimono, gracefully walked in carrying a small bowl. Her voice was so soft and sweet it could melt your heart: "I just made you some deer antler powder. Drink it while it's hot."

Hong Zhiyou took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp. He then pulled her into his arms, chuckling as he pinched her cheek: "You insatiable wolf, are you trying to kill me?"

Huizi giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck: "You'll be going back to the Northeast in a few days, leaving me all alone here. Can't you spend more time with me?"

Hong Zhi pinched her pert nose and readily agreed, "I'll accompany you, of course I'll accompany you."

The two were deeply in love when Ren Changchun knocked on the door and then came in.

A blush crept across Keiko's face as she quickly stood up from Hong Zhiyou and straightened her slightly disheveled kimono.

Ren Changchun looked somewhat embarrassed and reported with his head down, "Section Chief, Shibayama Kenjiro, the head of the Tianjin Special Service Agency, has come to visit."

“Shibayama-kun is my elder brother’s close friend. Hong-sang, please meet him,” said Huizi.

Hong Zhi tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Kenjiro Shibayama, head of the Tsukai Special Service Agency.

His superior was Yoshikawa Teisuke. Yoshikawa Teisuke was the Emperor's nephew, and naturally, he was inclined to side with him in terms of factions.

Moreover, this person was a close friend of Keiko's brother, Hideo Sakata, so it was quite reasonable for him to come and visit her.

The head of the Tianjin Special Service Agency, this card carries significant weight; if used well, it can save a lot of trouble.

Hong Zhiyou instructed Ren Changchun, "Please invite him in."

……

Nine p.m.

Inside the lobby of a mansion, the clatter of mahjong tiles echoed, stirring up the smoke and calculations within the room.

Zhang Siye, Matsuda Shin, Mu Liancheng, and Du Juan, four members of the Grand Canal Gang, were sitting around a table playing mahjong.

Mu Liancheng and Zhang Siye went back and forth, constantly feeding Matsuda Shin cards and giving him easy wins.

Before long, the money in front of Matsuda Shin's desk had piled up into a small mountain, with a lot of silver dollars mixed in with the colorful legal tender.

Ironically, the Japanese issued a large amount of counterfeit currency during their occupation of North China and declared the legal tender invalid.

However, on the ground in Tianjin, especially in the various concessions, both foreigners and ordinary people recognized the legal tender and silver dollars of the Nationalist government, while counterfeit currency and Japanese yen were nowhere to be found.

The Japanese knew full well that counterfeit money was worthless, so they naturally used legal tender and silver dollars for bribery in private.

While setting up the cards, Matsuda Shin casually asked, "Boss Mu, how are the preparations going?"

Mu Liancheng smiled ingratiatingly: "I have already sent an invitation to Hong Zhiyou, and he has agreed to meet with me at Hongyunlou to discuss the business deal."

"Really? But I heard that Hong Zhi is going to visit your house tomorrow morning," Matsuda Shin said with a forced smile.

"Stupid woman," Mu Liancheng cursed inwardly.

He didn't make a fuss about Hong Zhi's visit, so it's safe to assume that Du Juan must have told Matsuda Shin about it.

“Yes, yes, that’s true.” Matsuda Shin nodded.

"This is a golden opportunity!" Du Juan excitedly echoed, hooking Matsuda Shin's leg with her stockinged toes under the table.

"We can just poison his food, or have someone storm in and shoot him to death, wouldn't that solve the problem?"

Her operatic voice sounded particularly harsh.

Matsuda Shin's face showed approval: "That's a good idea. Zhang Longtou, you have many capable men under your command. Arrange for a few of them to disguise themselves as bodyguards of the Mu family and infiltrate."

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes:
"At the banquet, Boss Mu will smash his cup as a signal, and then hack him to death with a flurry of blows!"

"No problem." Master Zhang grinned and waved to someone not far away.

A middle-aged man with a Manchu queue and an arrogant expression walked over.

Master Zhang proudly introduced, "Let me introduce you all. This is Qiao Niansheng."

"He was once a palace guard in the Qing Dynasty, highly skilled, capable of taking on ten men single-handedly. When the time comes, Mr. Qiao will lead the team to kill Hong Zhiyou!"

"Is he reliable?" Matsuda Shin glanced at Qiao Niansheng, his tone laced with arrogance and distrust.

Master Zhang smiled but remained silent.

Qiao Niansheng snorted coldly, picked up a mahjong tile from the table, and squeezed it hard with his large hand.

When he opened his hand again, the hard mahjong tiles had turned into a pile of white powder, which fell through his fingers.

"Excellent strategy!" Matsuda Shin's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "With such a righteous man, there is hope of killing the Hong traitor!"

Mu Liancheng frowned deeply and hesitated before speaking, "Isn't it unlucky to see bloodshed at home? Besides, didn't we already agree to do it at Hongyun Restaurant?"

There is an old Chinese saying: "Strike unexpectedly and attack when the enemy is unprepared."

“Since Hongyunlou’s invitation is an open secret, Hong Zhiyou must have already made preparations. Since he has come to us, let’s grant his request.”

Matsuda Shin waved his hand impatiently and said in a commanding tone, "It's settled then!"

"Yes, Old Mu, Matsuda-kun's plan is brilliant! It's a surprise attack, and it's just what you've been worrying about." Du Juan immediately chimed in.

Mu Liancheng felt a surge of annoyance, but he could only force a smile and agree repeatedly.

He knew perfectly well that this damned Japanese soldier didn't trust him at all.

This is like roasting him over a fire.

Hong Zhiyou is coming tomorrow, and with these people keeping a close eye on him, it seems he has no choice but to smash this cup.

Just as he was secretly plotting how to get away, Matsuda Shin said with a forced smile, "Du Juan, Boss Mu has been working hard on the Chamber of Commerce lately and looks quite haggard. You'd better take good care of him."

He then changed the subject, making a pointed remark.

“I had dinner with Mr. Wen Shizhen a while ago, and he really relies on Boss Mu.”

Du Juan immediately understood and replied with a charming smile, "Don't worry, I will take good care of my old Mu."

Mu Liancheng's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.

Matsuda Shin was giving himself a warning, and also making that stupid woman Du Juan keep a close eye on him!

I have treated her well, with gold and silver jewelry, fine clothes and delicious food. In what way have I mistreated her?
If she had even a shred of sense, and behaved herself, she could have lived a carefree life.

I never imagined that, for such a trivial matter in bed, he would collude with outsiders to create such a deadly trap for himself!

A leopard can't change its spots.

Mu Liancheng's heart was filled with murderous intent, but he put on an even more humble smile: "Commander Matsuda's plan is excellent. I will do as he says."

"Haha, Mr. Mu is a discerning man!" Matsuda Shin raised his glass with satisfaction. "Come on, cheers!"

……

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou stood in front of the dressing mirror, and Huizi was gently tying his tie for him.

"Didn't we already agree to meet at Hongyunlou?" Huizi asked worriedly as she straightened his collar. "Why do you still want to go to Mu Liancheng's house in person?"

Hong Zhiyou looked at himself in the mirror and smiled faintly: "A guest is a guest. Paying a personal visit shows sincerity."

"Besides, Mu Liancheng is a shrewd man. You can't do business with someone like that just by talking."

"When necessary, we should also demonstrate our strength, as this will be beneficial for subsequent negotiations."

"If you can make an extra 10% profit in the leather goods business, it's like bringing back a mountain of gold."

"It's still very necessary to go."

Hui Zi frowned slightly, her worry deepening: "But I'm worried they might harm you at the Mu residence."

Hong Zhi turned around, pinched her cheek, and sneered:

"Of course they will."

"However, since we're eating in the same room, they can't do anything to me."

He gently stroked Keiko's cheek, a hint of confidence flashing in his eyes.

Before Huizi could say anything more, Hong Zhiyou had already turned and walked towards the door.

"Prepare the car; we're going to the Mu residence."

Ren Changchun responded from outside the door: "Yes, section chief."

……

(End of this chapter)