Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 483 Settlement
Zhou Yi handed Hong Zhi a cigarette, his brow furrowed, and lit it, taking a drag.
"A man like Lao Qiu will eventually ruin himself."

"But the problem now is, how can we save Lao Fu?"

Hong Zhi exhaled a puff of smoke and said slowly, "Simple."

"The Japanese have always been bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong."

"They may look like tigers on the surface, and they come on strong, but in reality they are not even as good as worms."

"It's something ingrained in their bones."

He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

"If you're strong, he'll beg you to be their father."

"If you are weak, they will immediately open their blood-red mouths and swallow you whole, bones and all."

"If possible, I suggest using the anti-knife."

"Doesn't the South Manchuria Railway have a coal mine on the east side of Laotuo Mountain? It's not very big, and it's always been garrisoned by Nationalist soldiers."

"We could go over there and fire a few shots, or go to those loosely guarded checkpoints and police stations in Laotuo Mountain, make some noise, and kill a bunch of people."

Zhou Yi's eyes lit up.

Hong Zhiyou continued, "I'll figure out a way to get Ma Wendong's wife to whisper in his ear."

“That old fox Ma Wendong is most afraid of getting into trouble. Maybe he’ll get scared and let Lao Fu go.”

He held up one finger and emphasized, "But there's a premise to this."

"Old Fu must insist that he is not a red vote."

“This is a matter of principle and face,” Hong Zhiyou explained.

Even if everyone in the world, including Ma Wendong himself, knows perfectly well that Lao Fu is the one who gets the red ticket.

"But as long as Lao Fu doesn't admit it and only says that he is a hunter who goes into the mountains to hunt, there is room for maneuver in this matter."

"If he can hold on, there's a chance for my side to get things going."

Hong Zhi picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Of course, there are also great risks involved."

"The safest way is to pass the message in."

"My suggestion is to put a note in your food; that's the safest way."

“If we send someone to pass on a message, it will be a chain of events, and eventually it will lead back to you.”

Zhou Yi pondered for a moment and said, "As long as Chen Jingyu is willing to help, this is not a problem."

“But I don’t know him well, and doing this is very risky.”

He looked up at Hong Zhiyou.

Hong Zhi sighed softly and rubbed his temples.

"I have to take matters into my own hands."

He picked up the pen on the table and quickly scribbled a few words on a small piece of paper.

Deny everything.

The handwriting was crooked and messy, like a primary school student learning to write with chicken claws.

“Okay.” Hong Zhi handed the note to Zhou Yi. “I’ll try to get Lao Qiu to go out with me.”

"Go find Chen Jingyu and tell him it was my idea. He will understand."

He did not reveal Chen Jingyu's identity, just as he would never reveal Zhou Yi's identity to Chen Jingyu.

This has nothing to do with his knowledge that the Kuomintang and the Communist Party would eventually clash.

This is a matter of principle.

That's also the bottom line for being friends.

Zhou Yi took the note and nodded: "Understood."

He quickly calculated in his mind.

Hong Zhiyou is currently being targeted by Ma Wendong and Lao Qiu. There's no need for me to delve into the relationship between Chen Jingyu and Hong Zhiyou.

However, passing this note can be interpreted as Hong Zhi's retaliation against Lao Qiu for framing him, which is perfectly reasonable.

At the same time, this matter will absolutely not involve me, nor will it make Chen Jingyu doubt my identity.

After all, he was Hong Zhiyou's friend, and it was perfectly normal for him to pass on a message or a note for his friend.

"When are you going to see Lao Qiu?" Zhou Yi asked.

Hong Zhi glanced at his watch and stood up.

"Since I haven't had dinner yet, let's treat Old Qiu to a meal."

"Just now."

He casually picked up the phone on his desk, his fingers clicking as he dialed the dial.

"Hey, Lao Qiu? It's me, Zhiyou."

"Didn't a new restaurant for stewed goose in an iron pot open across from the Security Bureau?"
"It's been so long since we last contacted each other. I'd like to ask you for a beating, is that alright?"

"Okay, see you at the restaurant later."

After hanging up the phone, Hong Zhi picked up his coat and put it on.

"I'll go find Lao Qiu, you go see Chen Jingyu."

"Wait until Lao Qiu and I go into the restaurant before you go in."

“Okay,” Zhou Yi replied.

After leaving the police station, Zhou Yi drove his car and stopped in front of an inconspicuous little shop on a street corner.

He went inside, picked up the phone on the counter, and dialed the security bureau's number.

"Old Chen, this is Zhou Yi. I'll come to your office to see you later."

After saying that, he hung up the phone decisively, took out some bills from his pocket, and paid the bill.

As Zhou Yi restarted the car and drove through the streets of Harbin, his thoughts drifted into a daze.

He was a staunch Marxist materialist who never believed in ghosts or gods.

But at this moment, he couldn't help but wonder if there really were gods or immortals in this world, or reincarnated extraordinary people.

That person might be someone like Hong Zhiyou.

Whether facing the mad dog-like Shibuya Saburo or the cunning Ma Wendong, no matter how big the trouble or how desperate the situation, Hong Zhiyou always seemed to be able to resolve it so easily and cleanly.

It was precisely because of Hong Zhiyou's presence that Zhou Yi suddenly felt... that early spring in Harbin didn't seem as cold as in previous years.

……

Half an hour later, Hong Zhiyou's car stopped at the entrance of the Security Bureau.

Old Qiu was very cautious, with six followers following him, each carrying a weapon and with wary, fierce eyes.

Among them was Jiang Ping, the traitor from the Anti-Japanese United Army who betrayed Lao Fu.

"No way, Lao Qiu?" Hong Zhi got out of the car and spread his arms wide exaggeratedly. "It's just a meal, why did you bring so many people?"
"Anyone who didn't know better would think you were going to raid their house."

Old Qiu gave a few cold snorts with a forced smile: "There's nothing I can do. There are too many people in Harbin who want me dead right now, so I have to be careful."

He looked Hong Zhiyou up and down: "Why did you come alone? Aren't you afraid of dying?"

Hong Zhi laughed heartily.

"If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear."

“Hong has always been known for his generosity and willingness to help others in Harbin.”

"Let's not talk about others, just look at you, Lao Qiu. You've made a fortune in the antique market, and I haven't uttered a single word about it, have I?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Old Qiu's face, and he chuckled dryly, "Thanks to your good fortune, brother."

“That wasn’t just one stroke of good fortune.” Hong Zhi walked over and patted him on the shoulder. “Back when I went up the mountain to suppress bandits, your brother was still eating potatoes.”

"And now? They're living the high life, on par with my uncle."

"Tell me, is your little brother bringing you good fortune?"

"That's right, that's right." Old Qiu was a little embarrassed by what he said, so he quickly changed the subject, "What exactly did you want to see me about today?"

"It's nothing." Hong Zhi put his arm around his shoulder and walked affectionately toward the restaurant. "I just wanted to have a drink with you, brother, and sit for a while."

"We're all family, so let's not get distant."

In the alley across the street, Zhou Yi watched from afar as Hong Zhiyou and Lao Qiu's group entered the restaurant before putting on his hat and quickly walking into the gate of the Security Bureau.

Chen Jingyu was already waiting in his office.

The two exchanged a brief greeting. Without uttering a single word, Zhou Yi pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over.

“It’s mealtime. Prisoners need to eat too. We can’t just let them starve to death.”

Chen Jingyu didn't take it, looking at him warily: "What do you mean?"

Zhou Yi smiled and placed the note on the table.

"I don't know either, Zhiyou means it."

He said you'll understand.

As he spoke, he extended his hand to Chen Jingyu.

"You are Zhiyou's friend, and so am I."

"So, we should be considered friends."

Chen Jingyu stared at him for a few seconds, the hesitation in his eyes gradually fading, and then he reached out and shook hands with him.

"That's right, having more friends makes life easier."

"Captain Zhou is an extraordinary person. Please take good care of him in the future."

"No matter how great I am, I can't compare to you, Old Chen. Getting promoted is like taking a plane for you." Zhou Yi withdrew his hand and laughed.

"I have delivered the message, I'm leaving."

"Zhiyou is at the restaurant across the street, dragging Lao Qiu along. You'd better hurry up."

He turned and left, decisively and without any hesitation.

He acted as if Fu Jun inside had absolutely nothing to do with him, and that he was only here because a friend had asked him to run an errand and deliver a message.

Chen Jingyu stood in the office, motionless.

He looked at the crumpled note on the table, then walked to the window and gazed at the restaurant serving stewed goose in an iron pot across the street.

The restaurant entrance was brightly lit, and people were moving around.

Chen Jingyu quickly picked up the phone and dialed the number for the logistics canteen.

"Prepare a bowl of porridge and a steamed bun for me, and bring them to my office immediately."

……

Inside the interrogation room, two interrogators were leaning against the wall, smoking and chatting.

The door was pushed open, and Chen Jingyu walked in carrying a lunchbox.

Upon seeing this, the two interrogators immediately stood up straight.

Chen Jingyu pointed to Fu Jun, who was hanging on the rack and on the verge of death, and said calmly, "Let him eat something."

One of the interrogators looked troubled: "Director Chen, this... Section Chief Qiu specifically instructed before he left that no one is allowed to contact the prisoners."

Chen Jingyu's face instantly turned cold. "Section Chief Qiu? This is the Security Bureau, I am the Director of the Secretariat!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"If a prisoner starves to death in the interrogation room, and Director Ma investigates, who will bear the responsibility: Qiu Daqiang or the two of you?"

Chen Jingyu took a step forward, his eyes sweeping over the two of them.

"Have you forgotten how Zhang Chunyuan died?"
"Maliciously framed, tortured into confessing, and ultimately the whole family was wiped out!"
"You want to be like him too?"

The two interrogators felt their scalps tingle and cold sweat break out on their backs after hearing those words.

Zhang Chunyuan's fate served as a bloody lesson for the Security Bureau.

They dared not utter another word and quickly stepped forward to unlock Fu Jun's shackles.

Chen Jingyu opened the lunchbox, placed the porridge and steamed buns in front of Fu Jun, then took out cigarettes from his pocket and handed them to the two interrogators.

"Come here, I have something to ask you."

He called the two men to the doorway, where they chatted casually with their backs to the interrogation room.

Fu Jun was so hungry that he felt dizzy and grabbed a steamed bun and stuffed it into his mouth.

suddenly.

He calmly broke the steamed bun open, and a small crumpled piece of paper fell out.

He quickly unfolded it, and saw four characters written on it.

Deny everything.

Fu Jun was shocked and instantly understood everything.

He crumpled the note into a ball and swallowed it along with the last bite of steamed bun.

……

At the restaurant entrance, Lao Qiu and Hong Zhi walked out arm in arm, both with a hint of alcohol on their faces.

"Zhiyou, you're such an unreliable brother."

Old Qiu patted Hong Zhiyou on the back, politely complaining.

"I already said it was my treat today, but look at you, you insisted on paying the bill again."

Hong Zhi staggered and slurred, "Hey, we're all brothers, it doesn't matter who invites whom."
"Besides, brother, if you get promoted in the future, you might become the director of our police department. At that time, as your younger brother, I'll have to fawn over you every day."

Old Qiu felt relieved to hear this and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "No way, no way."

He put his arm around Hong Zhiyou's shoulder and smiled warmly: "Brother, we should get together and chat more often like today whenever something comes up. Otherwise, those gossipy women outside will keep spreading rumors that I'm trying to harm you."

"Am I, Qiu Daqiang, the kind of ungrateful person?"

"Of course not!" Hong Zhi let out a burp. "There's nothing in this world that a stewed goose can't solve. If there is, then we'll have another one!"

"One meal is enough, one meal is enough." Old Qiu laughed heartily.

When they reached the street, Old Qiu waved to his men.

"Send Section Chief Hong back."

As soon as Hong Zhiyou's car disappeared around the street corner, the smile on Lao Qiu's face froze instantly, replaced by a gloomy expression.

He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

Jiang Ping, who was standing nearby, leaned over and said with a fawning smile, "Old Qiu, this kid is so scared of you that he's come here to curry favor with you."

"Snapped!"

Old Qiu picked up his black leather gloves and lightly patted Jiang Ping's face.

"Old Qiu?"

"You think you can call me 'Old Qiu'?"

Jiang Ping's smile froze, and he quickly corrected himself, "Yes, yes, Section Chief Qiu."

Old Qiu exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes cold.

"When you're out in the game, you have to be careful."

"This is the Security Bureau, not some damn old mountain! From now on, you better watch your eyes. If you dare to yell like that in front of outsiders again, I'll cut your tongue out!"

Jiang Ping shuddered in fright and nodded repeatedly in agreement.

As Lao Qiu walked towards the gate of the Security Bureau, he said coldly, "Hong Zhiyou's kid is no ordinary person."

"It's a pity that he was born at the wrong time, and he just happened to meet me, Qiu Daqiang."

Jiang Ping immediately followed up, flattering him: "That's right, when you were a big shot, Section Chief Qiu, he was still wearing open-crotch pants."

“I didn’t want to be enemies with Gao Bin and Hong Zhiyou.”

Old Qiu's tone carried a hint of smugness and cruelty.

"But people strive to rise higher, while water flows downhill."

"Blame them for being the thorn in the side of Shibuya Saburo and Director Ma, for being stepping stones delivered to their doorstep. If I don't step on them, who else should I step on?"

He gave a dismissive snort.

"Ha, you think you can exchange his life and my bright future for a stewed goose?"

What unrealistic dreams are you having!

"Let's go back to the interrogation room!"

A ruthless glint flashed in Lao Qiu's eyes.

"Tonight, at all costs, we must pry Fu Jun's mouth open!"

……

Old Qiu angrily pushed open the door to the interrogation room.

However, what happened next left him completely dumbfounded.

No matter what he asked, Fu Jun only had one sentence.

"I don't know you. I'm just a hunter who goes into the mountains to hunt."

Fu Jun denied all claims of bacterial drugs and the main force of the Anti-Japanese United Army, as if he had amnesia, repeating only the phrase "I am a hunter."

Old Qiu was completely numb.

How did things turn out like this in the time it takes to go out for a meal?

He grabbed the interrogator by the collar and roared, "What happened? Tell me!"

The interrogator trembled with fear: "I...I don't know, Section Chief Qiu."

Old Qiu's eyes sharpened, and he asked warily, "After I left, who came?"

"Director Chen... Director Chen came by and brought some food for the prisoners," the interrogator replied truthfully.

"Hold!"

Old Qiu raised his hand and slapped the interrogator across the face, cursing, "Didn't I tell you that no one is allowed to contact him?"

"But...but that's Director Chen, we...we couldn't stop him either." The interrogator covered his face, on the verge of tears.

Old Qiu was furious. He pointed at Fu Jun on the rack and roared, "Old Fu! Don't you dare play dumb with me!"
“We’ve been living on the mountain for three years! Jiang Ping can testify to that!”
"If you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Fu Jun slowly raised his head and looked at him expressionlessly: "I'm just a hunter!"

"Torture him! Torture him for me!" Old Qiu roared, losing his temper.

Just then, the door to the interrogation room was pushed open again.

Chen Jingyu strolled in slowly: "Hey, Lao Qiu, why are you still so angry so late?"
"Are we going to use torture again?"

As he spoke, he sat down and pressed the record button on the radio.

"Perfect, I'll listen too."

Old Qiu stared intently at Chen Jingyu, then glanced at the tape recorder on the table, and instantly understood everything.

It must have been that bastard who did it!
While he was eating... no, it was Hong Zhiyou, that bastard, who lured him out, and Chen Jingyu gave Fu Jun some instructions.

We've fallen into their trap!

Further investigation will likely yield no results.

He pointed at Chen Jingyu, his teeth grinding together.

“God is watching what you do!”

"You, surnamed Chen, you better not fall into my hands, or you'll regret it!"

After saying that, he kicked over the chair next to him and stormed out of the interrogation room.

……

Back in his office, Lao Qiu immediately picked up the phone and called Ma Wendong.

The secretary on the other end of the phone told him that the director had already left work.

Old Qiu hung up the phone in frustration and called Jiang Ping in.

"You, keep a close eye on that bastard Chen Jingyu!"

"Notify me immediately when he leaves the Security Bureau!"
"We must find a way to move Fu Jun away tonight!"

"Yes!" Jiang Ping accepted the order and left.

……

Evening, at the official residence.

As soon as Ma Wendong changed into his home kimono, a servant came in.

"Sir, a Mr. Qiu called and said he has something very urgent to discuss with you."

Ma Wendong waved his hand, his tone indifferent.

"Just say I'm not home."

His wife, Jia Huizi, gracefully laid out the exquisite dishes and gently poured him a full glass of wine.

"What's wrong? You don't look well," Jia Huizi asked softly.

Ma Wendong picked up his wine glass and sighed, "That Qiu Daqiang is utterly foolish."

“He didn’t understand what I meant at all. He was still single-mindedly trying to bring down Hong Zhiyou by investigating the Anti-Japanese Alliance’s bacterial drugs.”

Jia Huizi's brows furrowed slightly.

"Shiro Ishii is now highly regarded by Vice Minister of the Army Yoshijiro Umezu. At the Army Ministry meeting, germ warfare was specifically listed as a key project for the future of the Empire, and a lot of money was allocated to him."

"Ishii is riding high right now. Bringing up old grievances about the Anti-Japanese United Army at this time would be tantamount to inviting trouble."

"Yes." Ma Wendong rubbed his temples. "This Qiu Daqiang is like a chicken rib, tasteless to eat, but a pity to throw away."

Jia Huizi suggested, "Why don't we just fire him?"

Ma Wendong shook his head.

"Old Qiu is stupid, but he is very loyal and very useful in dealing with the deep-rooted local factions in Harbin."

Let's see.

With Chen Jingyu keeping an eye on him, he can't pull off any big tricks.

"If he dares to cross the line, he'll be courting death."

……

(End of this chapter)