Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 496 It's so similar, so similar!

Zhang Pingjun!
These three words were like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through Gao Bin's chaotic thoughts.

He remembered.

That stupid student who went to Jiamusi to deliver mail with his girlfriend, only to have the entire transportation station shut down by Section Chief Zhu.

Those two young men may be stupid, but they're also incredibly tough.

No matter how much torture was used, he couldn't confess to the "Sister Lan" hiding in Harbin even on his deathbed.

Gao Bin took the pipe from his mouth and tapped off the ash.

"I remember now, it's the youngest son of Doctor Zhang in the city."

"To be honest, these two really do look alike. No wonder they looked so familiar to me."

"The difference is that the young man from the Zhang family has a stubborn streak that shows he's fearless and indomitable."

He raised his eyelids, his sharp gaze landing on Lu Ming's face.

"You mean, Zhang Xiangfa is related to Zhang Pingjun?"

Lu Ming smiled faintly, his hands in his pockets, looking very relaxed: "I can't say for sure."

"But Zhang Xiangfa used to be a well-known figure in Harbin. Everyone in his family had a name. Logically speaking, it should be unlikely that he would fabricate such a ridiculous identity."

He abruptly changed the subject, seemingly casually revealing crucial information.

"However, when I was researching Zhang Pingjun's information before, I found that he had an older brother named Zhang Pingru."

According to the intelligence sent from Jiamusi at the time, Old Cui, who was interrogating Zhang Pingjun, had managed to get some information out of him.

He said he had an older brother living in the mountains, and he and his girlfriend went to stay with his brother.

According to the household registration, Zhang Pingjun's older brother is eight years older than him. Years ago, he was wanted for burning down a Japanese merchant's grain shop and his whereabouts are unknown.

"It now seems highly likely that this person went up the mountain and joined the Anti-Japanese United Army."

Gao Bin picked up the file on the table, glanced at it again, and took another puff of his pipe, filling the office with smoke.

“During the last interrogation, I remember Dr. Zhang saying that the Zhang family had long since severed ties with their eldest son, Zhang Pingru, and had not been in contact for some years.”

"Judging from the materials alone, the Zhang family has a lot of problems."

"But at the time, many Japanese people pleaded for Old Zhang, and even my wife whispered in his ear, which saved him from disaster."

"It was Chief of Staff Shibuya who made the decision."

Gao Bin said.

"Yes, once Zhang Pingjun was executed, the case was considered closed."

"The investigation into his brother Zhang Pingru was naturally suppressed. If we had dug deeper at the time, we might have caught a big fish," Lu Ming said.

Gao Bin finally pulled his thoughts away from the worry about the unborn "eldest grandson of the Gao family".

He regained the keenness and shrewdness expected of a special agent chief, his eyes fixed on Lu Ming like a hawk's: "What are your thoughts?"

Lu Ming leaned forward and lowered his voice: "Section Chief, do you think there's a possibility?"

"The boyfriend Gu Qiuyan dated in college wasn't the playboy Zhang Xiangfa at all, but Zhang Pingru, the anti-Japanese guerrilla fighter who went up the mountain?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Bin suddenly smiled.

He waved his hand, as if he were listening to an interesting joke.

"I know what you want to say."

"Your speculation is very original. As a special agent, daring to make bold assumptions is an excellent quality."

He paused, and his smile turned cold.

"But this speculation is not rigorous."

"Look, it's clearly written in the documents. The information that Captain Cui from Jiamusi got from Zhang Pingjun is that he was sent up the mountain by his 'sister-in-law' Sister Lan."

"At the time, Lao Cui even made a special mention in the report that Zhang Pingjun respected this 'sister-in-law' very much and trusted her without a doubt."

Gao Bin tapped the files on the table with the handle of his pipe, emphasizing his words.

"Notice!
"This 'Sister Lan' is Zhang Pingjun's sister-in-law, which means that this woman is Zhang Pingru's wife."

"Gu Qiuyan's marriage registration is her first marriage."

“Zhang Pingjun is a highly educated person. Even if his brother and Gu Qiuyan had dated before, he wouldn’t call Gu Qiuyan ‘sister-in-law.’”

He leaned back in his chair and continued his analysis slowly.

"Okay, let's say that Zhang Pingjun has made up his mind about Gu Qiuyan and insists on calling her sister-in-law."

"But you must understand that Gu Qiuyan married Zhou Yi two years ago."

"Moreover, according to the information we have, Gu is somewhat promiscuous and has a bad reputation."

"Just think about it, how could a woman like that possibly earn the heartfelt respect of a tough guy like Zhang Pingjun, who would rather die than submit?"

"Would he even be willing to sacrifice himself to protect her?"

Lu Ming was stunned.

Indeed, there are some logical inconsistencies in this.

But that face... it's just too similar.

Moreover, Gu Qiuyan perfectly matches the image of the beautiful and wealthy "Sister Lan" mentioned in the information.

He was unwilling to give up so easily, and his mind raced, until an even bolder idea popped into his head.

"Section Chief, is there another possibility?"
"Zhou Yi and Gu Qiuyan... their marriage is fake!"
"I've heard that these fake marriages are common within the Red Ticket Bureau and the Military Intelligence Bureau, in order to cover up their identities."

"If that's their relationship, then a lot of things suddenly make sense!"

Lu Ming became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he had caught the tail of a clue.

"Gu Qiuyan is Sister Lan, and her real husband is Zhang Pingru!"
"Zhou Yi is also a red ticket holder. The two of them together make a standard undercover team!"

"They sent telegrams together, cooperated in intelligence gathering, and then sent Zhang Pingjun up the mountain to contact the Anti-Japanese United Army!"
"Even... even Gu Qiuyan's promiscuous behavior was all an act, just to deceive us!"

"Shut up!"

Before Lu Ming could finish speaking, Gao Bin's face suddenly darkened, and he grabbed the pipe on the table and slammed it down heavily, making a dull thud.

He stared intently at Lu Ming, his eyes icy and his tone more serious than ever before:
"Your reasoning is extremely dangerous and one-sided!"

"The case at Wolf Head Cliff, and many other things, have already proven Captain Zhou's innocence!"

"Your far-fetched speculation has too many unreasonable aspects!"

Gao Bin's voice was filled with suppressed anger.

"I often say that speculation is acceptable, but making baseless accusations and fabricating stories is malicious framing!"

"That is not a good quality at all, but rather the most despicable, filthy, and vicious behavior!"

Lu Ming's ideas are too dangerous!

If Gu Qiuyan's promiscuity is a lie, then what about Zhi You?
A fool who's been manipulated by the red ticket?

Or is Zhiyou simply putting on an act to cooperate with Hongpiao?
Either way, the consequences would be unimaginable.

This is Gao Bin's bottom line. He must stop Lu Ming immediately and give him the most severe warning!
Lu Ming was startled by Gao Bin's sudden outburst of rage.

He looked at Gao Bin's extremely cold face, and a cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

He kept his hands in his pockets, pretending to be calm, and looked up at the ceiling, muttering to himself:

"Yeah yeah……

"Indeed, there are many things that are unbelievable and incomprehensible."

"Section Chief, it was me. I was overthinking things and went too far," he replied, sounding resigned.

Gao Bin's expression softened slightly, and he picked up his pipe again, slowly filling it with tobacco.

"Go to the hospital and ask how things are going."

"It's okay for colleagues to have normal suspicions, but they should also show the care they deserve."

"Don't forget, it's hard to walk if you have few friends."

Lu Ming felt a chill run down his spine and immediately understood the warning in Gao Bin's words.

"Understood, Section Chief, I'll go to the hospital right away."

After saying that, he didn't dare stay a second longer and quickly left the office.

As soon as Lu Ming left, the phone in the office rang urgently.

Gao Bin picked up the receiver.

On the other end of the phone, Xiao Wu's deep voice came through.

Gao Bin didn't speak, just listened quietly, gave a simple "hmm," and then decisively hung up the phone.

The moment he hung up the phone, the last trace of warmth vanished from his face.

Dark clouds loomed, and a murderous aura permeated the air.

What a Cao Zhiqing!

They're trying to pull all sorts of tricks on me!

He pressed the doorbell on the table and instructed Xiao Li outside the door, "Go and call Section Chief Liu in." Soon, Liu Kui pushed the door open and entered.

"Section Chief, are you looking for me?"

Gao Bin didn't even look up, and coldly asked, "How many interrogation rooms are still empty?"

Liu Kui thought for a moment and replied, "Room number three is still empty."

"very good."

Gao Bin raised his head, his eyes filled with malice.

"Go and find out who was on duty last night and who went to interrogation room number one."

"Find that person, then use some special techniques to make him recall in detail what he did last night."

"After you've found out, give me a call."

Upon hearing this, Liu Kui immediately understood the seriousness of the matter.

He straightened his back, a cruel smile on his face: "Don't worry, Section Chief!"
"I'll find him within half an hour at most and make him throw up everything he ate last night!"

……

hospital.

Outside the corridor, Hong Zhi paced back and forth, feigning anxiety, keeping watch for Zhou Yi and his wife.

Inside the ward, Zhou Yi sat by the bed, quietly keeping Gu Qiuyan company as her face remained somewhat pale.

He chuckled softly: "You did a good job today."

Gu Qiuyan rolled her eyes and said irritably, "Go to hell, I'm really angry."

"Liu Ping was in the same training class as me. I used to think of her as my best sister with the same ideals. I never expected her to turn out like this."

"Sigh, you don't know, I was almost scared to death when Gao Bin took out that portrait."

"It's exactly the same as Ping Ru. Liu Ping never expected that there were such methods. It's really terrifying."

Zhou Yi's expression didn't change much, and he added casually, "He looks more like Zhang Pingjun, almost like they were made from the same mold."

Gu Qiuyan's heart jumped into her throat again:

"Wouldn't Gao Bin start to suspect me?"

“Last time he deliberately tricked me into going to the police station and tested me in front of Pingjun.”

Zhou Yi said, "That's for sure, but there's no need to worry."

"You passed their test last time, and besides, there are many witnesses and records of your marriage to me."

"There are many things that don't make sense in forcibly linking you and Zhang Pingru together."

"Moreover, judging from Gao Bin's expression, he does indeed consider the child in your belly to be Zhiyou's, so at least for the short term you are safe."

Gu Qiuyan pouted: "I didn't see how much he cared. I've been here for an hour or so, and he hasn't even called to ask. I guess that's all there is to 'the Gao family's offspring'."

Zhou Yi laughed: "You don't understand Gao Bin."

He won't show it so openly, because that would give people an opportunity to exploit his weaknesses.

"So, I guess he'll probably instigate Lu Ming or Liu Kui to gather information."

Gu Qiuyan snorted: "I don't believe it."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lu Ming and Hong Zhiyou could be heard talking outside the ward.

Gu Qiuyan stared wide-eyed at Zhou Yi, her face filled with disbelief.

"You're really something else."

Zhou Yi smiled, got up, and opened the door.

Lu Ming poked his head in, a concerned smile on his face: "Is your sister-in-law alright?"

Zhou Yi turned to let him see Gu Qiuyan on the hospital bed and replied, "It's nothing, she was just frightened and had a miscarriage."

"The doctor prescribed some medicine, and I've already gone to sleep."

"He will stay in the hospital for observation for a while. If he wakes up and is fine, he can go home."

Lu Ming pulled Zhou Yi to the side of the corridor, lowered his voice, and acted like a petty person standing up for him: "You know, this Section Chief Shan Ming is really making a mountain out of a molehill."

"Why arrest someone in Beiping and then drag them to Manchukuo for interrogation and confrontation? Isn't that just making trouble out of nothing?"

"Thank goodness my sister-in-law is alright, otherwise, this would have been a huge mistake."

Zhou Yi's expression remained calm: "It's just business as usual."

Seeing that he didn't respond, Lu Ming rolled his eyes and changed the subject: "Last time I drove the section chief's wife to the hospital to get medicine, I heard that Section Chief Gao is now suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, and his memory isn't very good either."

“Take today for example. He was looking at that portrait. Anyone could see that it looked exactly like Zhang Pingjun, but he just couldn’t remember.”

Zhou Yi smiled indifferently: "I've been forgetful lately too."

He is a very steady person with extremely high personal moral character. He has always disdained gossiping behind people's backs.

Lu Ming, however, seemed not to understand his coldness and continued to lean closer, saying, "I've heard the section chief say several times that he plans to retire and take care of Section Chief Hong's children. Now that Boss Xu has arrived, I think it won't be long before he does."

“Old Zhou, the section chief is retiring. With your connections to Zhang Jinghui and Yu Jingtao, this position as the head of the special affairs section is definitely yours, and even becoming the deputy director is not impossible.”

Zhou Yi frowned slightly: "Qiu Yan can't be left alone, I'll go there first."

He was too lazy to keep up the pretense, so he turned around and went straight back to the ward, gently closing the door behind him.

Lu Ming was rebuffed, and the smile on his face froze.

He stood there, his eyes shifting, lost in thought.

Given Zhou Yi's stubborn nature, if he were to actually become the deputy director or section chief, there would definitely be no place for me in the police department.

Since we can't count on him, let's destroy him.

Suddenly, a name popped into Lu Ming's mind.

Old Qiu!

Old Qiu is dead, but he had gotten in touch with Ma Wendong before he died, and rose to become the head of the Security Bureau's Investigation Section.

Back then in the police department, who wouldn't treat him with utmost respect?

If I could secretly get in touch with Ma Wendong, it might be a good option.

"Zhiyou, let's go."

Lu Ming waved to Hong Zhiyou, who was not far away, put his hands back in his pockets, and left on his own.

Zhou Yi walked out of the ward, watched Lu Ming's departing figure, and coldly uttered two words to Hong Zhiyou: "Despicable person."

Hong Zhi chuckled: "Even petty people have their uses."

"Sometimes, if used properly, it can become the most powerful proof, or the most perfect shield."

"Lu Ming has been gambling heavily lately and is short of money."

“I have already had someone secretly lurk him into a trap.”

Zhou Yi nodded: "Yes, I trust you to handle things, but it's still best to pay extra attention to him."

"I know, you stay with your sister-in-law, I'm going back."

……

Hong Zhi returned to the police station and went straight to Gao Bin's office.

He gave a detailed report on the situation at the hospital.

Upon hearing that the child was alright, Gao Bin's tense face finally relaxed, and he let out a long sigh of relief: "We were indeed careless this time. We should have used a gentler approach to questioning him."

Hong Zhiyou sat casually on the sofa, crossing his legs: "Uncle, if Section Chief Shanming wants to investigate, just give him a perfunctory answer. How much do you earn in a month? You're working so hard that you almost ruined your child."

"At least let Gu Qiuyan give birth to the child."

"Women are like clothes; if there's a problem with her, I can throw her away in a heartbeat, but..."

He didn't say it explicitly, but the meaning was clear.

Gao Bin looked at him with a relieved smile on his face: "I'm very pleased that you have this awareness."

"Don't worry, I will resolve this matter as soon as possible."

"All matters related to Gu Qiuyan will be postponed until after the baby is born."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Hong Zhi said gratefully.

As we were talking, the phone on the table rang urgently.

Gao Bin, with his pipe in his mouth, picked up the receiver, gave a simple "hmm," and then decisively hung up the phone.

The moment he hung up the phone, all warmth vanished from his face, replaced by a dark cloud.

He greeted Hong Zhiyou:
"Let's go take a look around Room 3."

"Hehe, there are still people in Harbin trying to sow discord between me and others. Let's go and see."

……

(End of this chapter)