Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 477 The New Police Chief

3pm.

Tianjin, Zhang Mansion.

Zhang Shaobai sat in the armchair, his face so gloomy it looked like it could be wrung out of water.

One of his men bowed and reported on the matter at the blacksmith shop.

"What did you say? Yan Tieshan is dead?" Zhang Shaobai sat up straight in shock.

"Yes...yes, young master."

"I heard from people on the street that the blacksmith shop... was blown up by a grenade. Master Yan was seriously injured on the spot and was even shot by Hong Zhiyou," the servant replied tremblingly.

Zhang Shaobai slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup vibrate loudly.
"Damn it, is this still Jinhai?"

Of course he knows who did it.

Besides Hong Zhiyou, who came from outside the Great Wall, who else could it be?
How dare they be so arrogant in Jinhai's territory, throwing grenades right in the street!

These aren't spies, they're clearly bandits!

After the fear comes boundless anger.

Zhang Shaobai had never been treated like this before in his entire life.

"Get the car ready!" He stood up, his eyes flashing with resentment. "I refuse to believe that in this small corner of Tianjin, some outsider like him can cause trouble and no one can control him."

Mr. Ji, the manager of the canal gang, dressed in a long gown, hurriedly advised, "Young master, as the saying goes, only a fierce dragon can cross the river. It's obvious that we've been targeted by Hong Zhiyou."

"It's too dangerous for you to go out now. You should hide first."

"Hide?" Zhang Shaobai sneered. "My father is still in the hands of the Japanese. Where can I hide?"

"Besides, this is Tianjin, not Harbin!"

“My gang has a thousand members. If he dares to kill a blacksmith, does he dare to kill me in the street?”

He straightened his suit and tie, and his face regained the arrogance typical of spoiled brats.

I went to see Wen Shizhen.

“My father gives him so much money every year, now it’s his turn to do his part. As long as Mr. Wen is willing to step in, I don’t believe we can’t bring down Hong Zhiyou!”

In his view, no matter how arrogant Hong Zhi was, he was just a section chief in the Harbin Police Department.

Wen Shizhen was a big shot in the eyes of the Japanese!
Which is lighter and heavier, at a glance.

If Wen Shizhen is willing to help, killing Hong Zhiyou and rescuing his father is only a matter of time.

“Young Master, Matsuda Shin is dead. Who is Hong Zhi afraid to kill? As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. Let’s talk about this when Hong Zhi returns to Harbin,” Mr. Ji earnestly advised.

"What's there to be afraid of? Jinhai is my territory. Hong Zhiyou just killed Yan Tieshan, so I doubt he'll dare to cause any more trouble."

Zhang Shaobai coldly uttered a sentence and left on his own.

……

Tianjin Municipal Hall.

The building was heavily guarded, with armed police officers standing at the entrance.

Zhang Shaobai walked out of the hall looking dejected.

He had just been rebuffed by Wen Shizhen.

Wen Shizhen spoke kindly, promising to help mediate and reassure him, but his perfunctory attitude was obvious to everyone.

Zhang Shaobai was seething with anger as he walked down the path, pondering his next move.

Perhaps it's time to go find someone at the garrison command.

Just as he walked to the car and his hand touched the door handle,

Three figures suddenly darted out from among the laborers waiting for work on the street!

The one leading them was none other than Peng Hu!
His face remained expressionless as he gave a low shout.

"Zhang Shaobai!"

Zhang Shaobai subconsciously turned around and instantly saw the dark muzzle of a gun.

He wanted to shout, to hide, to draw his gun.

But everything is too late.

boom! boom! boom!
A sharp gunshot suddenly rang out in front of the city hall, startling a flock of pigeons into flight.

Zhang Shaobai's body jolted violently, and several bursts of blood erupted from his chest.

He looked down in disbelief at the bloody hole in his chest, his face filled with astonishment and resentment.

He couldn’t understand until his death how the other party dared to commit a series of crimes in broad daylight in front of the city hall, trying to kill him.
Before his two bodyguards could react, they too were shot and fell to the ground.

The whole process was lightning fast.

Peng Hu and his two companions didn't even glance at Zhang Shaobai lying in a pool of blood. They put away their guns, turned, and disappeared into the crowd stirred by the gunfire. After a few turns, they vanished without a trace.

Upstairs in the office.

Wen Shizhen was having coffee with Mu Liancheng.

"Old Mu, don't get involved in this kind of mess next time. Look at all these documents I have, I'm too busy to deal with this kind of thing."

"Besides, isn't fighting and killing normal in the martial arts world?"

"The blacksmith died, such a trivial matter, is it really worth you personally accompanying him to see me?"

Wen Shizhen said with some dissatisfaction.

“Mr. Wen, they have thousands of axes. They asked me to be their advocate. How could I dare not come?” Mu Liancheng said.

"The current situation in Tianjin is chaotic, and to be honest, I can't sleep at night."

"Mr. Wen, what's your opinion on my suggestion from last time?"

As Mu Liancheng spoke, he took out a land deed from his sleeve and handed it over. It was for a luxury house on Liuwei Road.

Since they were all old acquaintances, Wen Shizhen didn't bother to pretend and casually tossed the item into the drawer, saying, "I've already asked the police station to set up a branch office next to your house, connect it to your house's alarm, and patrol the area 24 hours a day."

"Your treatment is even better than what Marshal Zhang received at the Tianjin Mansion."

"Thank you, Mr. Wen," Mu Liancheng said gratefully.

Zhang Shaobai, that idiot, really thinks he's someone important.

As the two were talking, gunshots rang out downstairs.

Wen Shizhen was terrified and shouted, "What's going on?"

The secretary strode in and said gravely:

"Mr. Wen, Zhang Shaobai was shot downstairs and... he's dead!"

The coffee cup in Wen Shizhen's hand fell to the ground with a "clatter" and shattered into pieces.

"What did you say?"

He was completely confused.

He had just left when he died in front of his own city hall?
This wasn't just a slap in the face; it was like pressing his face to the ground and grinding it with his foot!

"That's unreasonable!"

Wen Shizhen was trembling with rage. Pointing out the window, he roared, "Old Mu, you saw it! Zhang Shaobai died downstairs. He killed someone right under my nose? This is too outrageous!"

He was panting heavily when he plopped down on the sofa.

"I'll go find the commander and the chief of staff right now!"
"I want to see if all his men are this unruly!"

Mu Liancheng picked up his coffee cup and took a leisurely sip: "Looking for the Commander? Mr. Wen, have you forgotten something?"

"What is it?" Wen Shizhen asked angrily.

"Where did the commander's adjutant, Matsuda Shin, die?" Mu Liancheng put down his teacup, his eyes sharp as he stared at him. "He died in my house! Has the Japanese uttered a single word since then?"

"You mean, Matsuda Shin wasn't assassinated, but was killed by Hong Zhiyou..." Wen Shizhen's eyes widened.

"That's right, Hong Zhiyou is a man of the Prince."

"He killed Matsuda Shin and made a phone call to Commander Honma right in front of me."

"Who doesn't know the relationship between Matsuda Shin and the commander? But he's just swallowing his pride and admitting it. He's still in Hejian and doesn't even want to get involved in the affairs of Jinhai. Can't you see how much power Hong Zhi has?"

"I'm not here today to speak on behalf of Zhang Shaobai, but to persuade you."

Mu Liancheng reminded him.

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Wen Shizhen's head.

The anger on his face froze instantly, replaced by a deep fear.

Yes.

Matsuda Shin, the adjutant of a commander, is dead.

Compared to Matsuda Shin, what are Zhang Shaobai and his father, Master Zhang,?
"You mean, even Master Zhang can't be saved?" Wen Shizhen asked astutely.

Mu Liancheng said calmly, "In this world, whoever has the strongest fist is always right."

"Whether it's the Zhang family father and son or Matsuda Shin, they all offended the wrong people. They can only blame themselves for being blind when they died."

He looked at Wen Shizhen, whose face was ashen, and continued, "Mr. Wen, you are a smart man."

"There are some people we can't afford to offend. It's better for everyone if we turn a blind eye."

"If we insist on pursuing this further, and a few more people get caught up in it, things won't look good."

Wen Shizhen slumped on the sofa, her back soaked in cold sweat.

He now realized that he had just narrowly escaped death.

Fortunately, fortunately, I had only been perfunctory with Zhang Shaobai and hadn't actually agreed to help him deal with Hong Zhiyou.

Otherwise, I might be one of those lying in a pool of blood downstairs right now.

……

The headquarters of the Grand Canal Gang.

Zhang Shaobai's body was covered with a white sheet and placed in the center of the courtyard.

Mr. Ji, the manager of the canal gang, stood beside the corpse, his face full of grief, sighing repeatedly, and squeezing out a few turbid tears from the corners of his eyes.

He looked at Zhang Shaobai's young but lifeless face and felt a mix of emotions.

This child is ultimately too arrogant; he doesn't realize that there are always people more capable than him, and that there's always something beyond his reach.

A trusted aide leaned over and whispered, "Mr. Ji, everything's arranged at the station. Over a hundred men with weapons are just waiting for that guy surnamed Hong to show his face. We'll chop him into mincemeat!"

Mr. Ji shuddered and turned around abruptly.

"You bastards! Aren't there enough dead people already?" he roared angrily, his voice trembling with fear.

"He threw a grenade in the street and killed Yan Tieshan, and shot the young master in front of the city hall! Tell me, what is there in Tianjin that Hong Zhi wouldn't dare to do?"
"We are the Grand Canal Gang, we're江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and outlaws), not the army! What do we have to risk our lives for them?"

“He dared to kill someone right under Wen Shizhen’s nose. We can’t afford to mess with someone like that.”

Mr. Ji's series of questions turned his confidant's face completely pale.

"Then...the young master's grudge?" The man hesitated for a moment. "Grievance?" Mr. Ji gave a bitter laugh. "The young master's grudge is something he brought upon himself! The most important thing now is not revenge, but to preserve the Canal Gang's assets and protect the lives of our brothers!"

He composed himself, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"Immediately pass on my order: all those lying in ambush at the station must withdraw immediately, and no one is allowed to move!"
"Tell the brothers to keep a low profile these days. We need to lay low for now!"

With his keen sense of smell, Mr. Ji extinguished the last vestige of the canal gang's crazy idea.

He knew that if the fighting continued, the death of a young master wouldn't be as simple as the Canal Gang being wiped out; it would mean their complete expulsion from Tianjin.

Tianjin Residence.

Wu Ruirui and Mei Qiuju had already packed their luggage, and several suitcases were placed at the door.

"Have you brought everything?" Mei Qiuju was still checking to make sure everything was in order.

“Everything is here,” Wu Ruirui said softly.

Mei Shao urged impatiently from the side, "Hurry up, hurry up, the train will be leaving soon if you dawdle any longer."

Just as the three were about to leave, a rickshaw puller peeked out the door, holding a letter in his hand: "Excuse me, which one of you is Mr. Mei Shao?"

“That’s me.” Mei Shao walked over.

"There's a letter for you." The driver handed over the letter.

Mei Shao opened the package with a puzzled look, glanced at it quickly, and then his face lit up with joy.

The letter was written by a relative of the Su family in Beiping. The relative said that he knew Su was going back to Chongqing and had asked someone to take some valuables back with him. The relative asked Su to meet him at the Sixi Tea House.

That relative of the Su family is quite wealthy.

Mei Shao immediately started calculating in his mind: wouldn't it be wonderful to carry some things along the way and make some extra money?

He put the letter in his pocket and said to Mei Qiuju and Wu Ruirui, "You two go to the station first. A friend needs me to do something and asked me to bring some things back to Shancheng. I'll be right back and meet you at the station."

"What time is it? What could be more important than catching a train?" Mei Qiuju complained unhappily.

"Sister, you go first! I might get to the train station before you." Mei Shao called for a rickshaw to take the mother and daughter away first, and then walked briskly outside.

Just as I turned the corner into a deserted alley, a dark figure suddenly darted out from the side.

Before he could react, a rough, large hand covered his mouth tightly from behind.

"Uh! Uh-huh!"

He stared wide-eyed in terror and struggled desperately.

The cold blade pressed against his lower back, and then, without hesitation, it pierced through.

Click! Click!
After a few dull thuds, Mei Shao's body stiffened instantly, and the light in his eyes quickly faded.

The man released his grip, and Mei Shao collapsed to the ground like a lump of mud.

The shadowy figure dragged the corpse deep into the alley, tossed it aside, and strode away.

……

The train station was bustling with noise.

The sounds of whistles, hawkers' cries, and passengers' chatter mingled together.

The train bound for Wuhan has arrived at the station, and the platform is crowded with people seeing off passengers and boarding.

Mei Qiuju stood in the crowd, anxiously tiptoeing and looking around, muttering to herself, "Why isn't your uncle here yet? The car is about to leave."

Wu Ruirui stood beside her, silent, vaguely understanding something in her heart.

Just then, Hong Zhiyou and Xiao Guohua, who were dressed up, walked through the crowd and stood in front of them.

"Teacher's wife, Rui Rui." Hong Zhiyou's face showed just the right amount of apology.

"Have you seen Uncle Rui Rui?" Mei Qiuju asked as if she had grasped at a straw.

Hong Zhiyou said solemnly, "Mr. Mei just sent someone to tell you that he has other things to do and that you should leave first without waiting for him."

"That Mei Shao is really..." Mei Qiuju stomped her feet in anger.

“Master’s wife, Mr. Mei is always on the move, he won’t get lost.” Hong Zhiyou smiled.

He then whispered, "Perfect timing. General Yang Sen has a merchant ship secretly docked in Wuhan and will be returning to the mountain city in a few days."

"I've already asked people to take care of everything. When you arrive in Wuhan, someone will meet you and help you board the ship. That way, it'll be safer."

"Mr. Mei will return to Shancheng a few days later after he finishes his business. Don't worry."

His words were reasonable, and although Mei Qiuju was filled with unease, she knew she couldn't delay her trip, so she had no choice but to believe him.

"Get on the train, it's about to leave." Hong Zhi picked up two suitcases and personally helped Rui Rui and Mei Qiuju onto the train, settling their luggage in.

He and Wu Ruirui stood in the corridor, very close to each other, each with a thousand words in their hearts, yet unable to utter a single one.

"Have a safe journey." Hong Zhiyou only managed to say these four words in the end.

Wu Ruirui looked at him and nodded heavily, her eyes slightly red.

The train sounded its long whistle.

Hong Zhiyou got off the train, stood on the platform, and looked at Ruirui by the train window.

He smiled and waved.

Wu Ruirui smiled slightly.

There were no words, only an exchange of glances.

The train slowly started moving, then got faster and faster.

Hong Zhi stood there, motionless for a long time, his mind filled with Rui Rui's soft moans that night.

Damn, this trip to Tianjin was definitely worthwhile.

……

As night falls, the lights are on.

The VIP waiting room at Jinhai Railway Station presents a completely different scene.

Japanese military intelligence chief Shibayama Kenshiro, the notorious traitor Mu Liancheng, and Keiko, dressed in a gorgeous kimono, all came to see Hong Zhiyou off.

After some insincere pleasantries and small talk, Hong Zhiyou boarded the train back to Harbin.

"Hong-san, take care on your journey." Huizi stood under the car, her eyes sparkling.

"Take care, Madam."

"Boss Mu, I'm leaving Jinhai in your care." Hong Zhi shook hands with everyone, said goodbye, and got into his car.

The train started moving, and the people who came to see it off gradually disappeared into the distance.

Looking at the radiant Huizi beside him, Mu Liancheng took the initiative to speak: "Madam Huizi, it's getting late. How about I escort you? It just so happens that my niece Wanqiu has long admired flower arranging and tea ceremony and would like to ask you for some guidance."

Keiko hesitated for a moment, feigning shyness, and bowed slightly in thanks, revealing a glimpse of her snow-white skin at the perfect moment through her kimono.

"Then... I'll have to trouble Mr. Mu."

Once in the car, Mu Liancheng deliberately glanced at the spring scenery from time to time out of the corner of his eye, and saw that Huizi did not seem to be disgusted at all, but instead had a smile on her lips.

He immediately understood.

There's a high chance this woman and I have a relationship.

There's plenty of time in the future.

……

Two days later, the train arrived in Harbin.

With Zhang Shaobai dead, Hong Zhi's meticulously prepared security measures were completely useless.

As soon as he got off the bus, he saw his uncle Gao Bin and aunt who had come to pick him up.

Upon seeing that he had returned alone, his aunt's face immediately lit up with joy, and Gao Bin also showed a satisfied expression.

Zhiyou's association with that Japanese widow was truly just for making money.

On the way back, Gao Bin, smoking his pipe, said seemingly casually, "I heard about your assassination attempt in Jinhai."

"I had Director Bai consult Chief of Staff Isogai Rensuke, and the Chief of Staff even made a special phone call to the North China side about this matter, instructing them to ensure your safety."

"Thank you, Uncle," Hong Zhiyou said gratefully.

When they arrived home, Hong Zhi brought out all sorts of gifts he had brought from Tianjin, which made his aunt beam with joy.

The family chatted until after 1 a.m. before Hong Zhiyou went home to catch up on sleep.

……

The following day, Hong Zhiyou changed into his neat police uniform and arrived at the police station.

As soon as he entered, Lu Ming, Liu Kui, and others surrounded him and greeted him warmly.

Hong Zhi smiled and asked Ren Changchun to distribute the Tianjin specialties he had brought back to everyone. Amidst the compliments, he walked through the corridor and went straight to Zhou Yi's office door.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Please come in," Zhou Yi's calm voice came through.

"You've been on the road for so long, why didn't you rest at home for a day?" he asked with a smile.

Hong Zhiyou walked in: "I can't stay idle, so I brought some snacks and clothes for my sister-in-law and had Changchun take them directly to her home."

"How did you know her size?" Zhou Yi asked with a smile.

“Hey, now everyone ‘knows’ that I’m having an affair with her. Women like clothes, that’s normal. As for the size, you can tell at a glance.” Hong Zhiyou laughed.

"Isn't there one for me?" Zhou Yi asked.

“You’re an ascetic, you don’t care about food or clothing, so I brought you a few packs of cigarettes,” Hong Zhiyou said.

"Thank you."

Zhou Yi smiled slightly, closed his notebook, and got up to pour him some hot tea: "A lot has happened in Binjiang Province while you were away. Wei Huanzhang has been transferred to Xinjing. The new high-ranking official is named Ma Wendong, who also serves as the deputy director of the Xinjing Metropolitan Police Department and the chief of the Binjiang Provincial Police Department."

"Isn't the Commissioner General of Police always a Japanese? He's also holding the position of Deputy Commissioner General of the Metropolitan Police Department, taking on so many important posts. Is he targeting our police department?" Hong Zhiyou frowned.

"Yes, they have a very strong background."

“Strictly speaking, Ma Wendong is not Chinese. His father was a member of Kang Youwei’s royalist faction when he was young. Later, he lived in Japan and married a Japanese woman. Ma Wendong grew up in Japan and received Japanese militaristic education.”

"His wife is a high-ranking member of the family of the South Manchuria Railway Company, and is specifically responsible for dealing with Americans."

"It holds a very high position within the South Manchuria Railway Company."

"It's really puzzling that they sent someone to Harbin at this time."

"Moreover, he has been getting very close to Lao Qiu recently, which is not a good sign."

Zhou Yi said.

Hong Zhi frowned: "It is a bit unusual."

"The Japanese are not driven by self-interest. Giving Ma Wendong so much power is not simply for the purpose of seizing a few red tickets."

"Is he after the money?"
"What is it about this area that the South Manchuria Railway Company is concerned about?"

……

(End of this chapter)