Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 510 Making Money Requires Ruthlessness

Seeing that Hong Zhiyou didn't care about Jia Huizi's life or death at all, Chen Jingyu smiled with satisfaction and exhaled a puff of smoke, saying:

"You are quite clear-headed and have not been seduced by beauty. Madam Jia Hui is still very beautiful."

Hong Zhiyou said, "This is not a difficult decision."

"Others would rather have a beauty than an empire. I would rather have a gold mine than a beauty."

"Beautiful women are easy to find. If I wanted to, there would be enough beautiful women in Harbin to keep me entertained for the rest of my life."

"But where am I supposed to find gold mines?"
"If you have money, you can have women; if you don't have money, you can't have anything."

At this point, Hong Zhiyou changed the subject and looked at Chen Jingyu.

"Are your sister-in-law and the kids alright? Let me know if you need anything."

Chen Jingyu's smile faded slightly, and his eyes showed a more complex emotion: "They are alright."

"Back then, the boss specifically instructed me to get married and have children here so that I could settle down in Manchukuo. Now, with my wife and children around, I'm completely tied down."

He sighed, his voice filled with an indescribable weariness, "If we're ever exposed, my whole family will die. Just thinking about it is a terrible tragedy."

"I just feel that people in our line of work shouldn't have children."

Hong Zhi patted him on the shoulder: "It's the same for everyone. I have children now too."

"Just live life the way it is, and do your best."

Chen Jingyu nodded, not continuing the topic, but his expression grew increasingly serious:

"Brother, the situation is very bad right now."

"Wang Tianmu, one of the four henchmen under Boss Dai and the head of the Shanghai Military Intelligence Station, was arrested by Li Shiqun earlier."

"I heard that Li Shiqun released him not long ago."

"Boss Dai even sent someone to touch him. Since the man wasn't killed, it's highly likely that Lao Wang and his men will betray him."

The languid atmosphere in the air vanished instantly.

Hong Zhi frowned slightly: "This is indeed a huge problem. Wang Tianmu knows too much inside information."

Chen Jingyu's voice was even lower, carrying a hint of coldness:
“That’s right.

"Wang Tianmu once served as the head of intelligence in both Beijing and Tianjin, and was the main founder of the underground intelligence network in both areas."

"His defection has probably put his colleagues in Beijing and Tianjin in trouble now."

He stared intently at Hong Zhiyou.

Who in Beijing or Tianjin knows your identity?

Hong Zhi said, "Qiao Jiacai and Zeng Che should know that they helped with the leather goods business before."

"But they should be trustworthy."

He dared to say this because he knew Qiao Jiacai's character well, and Zeng Che was a famous anti-Japanese hero of the Kuomintang, who would not do anything to betray the regime.

Chen Jingyu, unaware of the details, cautiously replied:
"You can't think like that."

"If Wang Tianmu manages to expose them, and they can't withstand the torture, we'll all be in trouble."

"Don't forget, the stationmaster is very close to them."

"If these two confess, none of us will escape."

Hong Zhi smiled and flicked his cigarette ash:

"What is meant to be will be, and what is meant to be will be. There's no point in overthinking it. Let's just take it one step at a time."

Chen Jingyu looked at him as if he were meeting him for the first time.

"You have a really big heart."

He paused for a moment, then his tone became serious.

"Let me make this clear first, I'm helping you not just because of our colleague relationship, but because of you as a person."

I consider you a friend.

"If I get arrested someday, I definitely won't sell you. You'll have to take care of my wife and children then."

Hong Ji-yoo also dropped his nonchalant demeanor and patted him on the shoulder seriously.

You treat me as a friend, and I treat you as a brother.

"Don't worry, if you ever get arrested, I'll pay any price to ransom you."

A slight smile finally appeared on Chen Jingyu's tense face.

"I'm relieved to hear you say that, brother."

He lit another cigarette and changed the subject.

"By the way, with Ma Wendong dead, who do you think the higher-ups will send to govern Binjiang Province?"

Hong Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Wei Huanzhang, Ma Wendong came here to mess with me. Now that he's out of commission, he should hand over his position to Wei Huanzhang."

"As for the new police commissioner, he is definitely not a kind person."

"It may seem like I won this battle, but in reality, both Ma Wendong and I lost."

"After what Shibuya Saburo and Ma Wendong did, I ended up with some bruises on my body."

"Who knows how much dirty information those two have sent to Tokyo."

"The Japanese have always regarded the Red Tickets and the Anti-Japanese United Army as a monstrous threat."

"No matter how strong my background is or how much money I receive, I am still Chinese, and they will not completely trust me."

"For such an important place as Harbin, they will most likely send a shrewd and ruthless person who is loyal to the Japanese and can secretly challenge me."

Chen Jingyu exhaled a smoke ring, his face full of worry: "Hey, please stop the fighting and killing. If this continues, I won't be able to hide anymore."

Hong Zhiyou stood up and said, "Take your time with the interrogation. Call me when you have a result."

Chen Jingyu got up and saw him out.

Walking through the cold, dark corridor of the security bureau, an older man with a long face approached me, his face plastered with a fawning smile.

"Director Chen, Section Chief Hong."

Chen Jingyu paused, then introduced, "Sun Li, a clerk in the secretariat."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and nodded.

He knows this man.

In the original drama "Cliff", it was Sun Li who revealed to Lu Ming that Zhou Yi forged documents to take away Sun Yuejian, which ultimately led to Zhou Yi's exposure and sacrifice.

Upon reaching the door, Hong Zhi stopped and whispered to Chen Jingyu.

"Old Chen, be careful of this guy, he's Lu Ming's classmate."

Chen Jingyu said, "I know, I used to work under Section Chief Gao and worked with Lu Ming."

Hong Zhi raised an eyebrow. “Listen to me, do not trust or entrust important matters to him.”

Seeing that Hong Zhiyou didn't seem to be joking, Chen Jingyu nodded solemnly.

"Thanks for reminding me, I understand."

……

After leaving the Security Bureau, Hong Zhiyou returned home.

He took off his suit jacket, took out the specially made grenade vest from deep inside the wardrobe, and put it over his shirt.

He then took out two Browning pistols from the bedside table, skillfully inspected the chambers, and pushed the fully loaded magazines in with a "click".

After doing all this, he picked up the phone and dialed Yong Sheng Kui's number.

Not long after, a black Ford sedan pulled up downstairs.

boom!
Hong Zhi got on the bus.

"Young Master Hong, what are your instructions?" Peng Hu asked from the driver's seat.

Hong Zhi asked, "Did you bring a gun?"

Peng Hu grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "Want to fight?"

Hong Zhi nodded and handed him a slip of paper from his pocket.

Peng Hu took the car, glanced at it, silently memorized the address, stepped on the gas, and drove the car towards Daowai District.

He didn't need to ask any more questions. He felt at ease following Master Hong, and he could just do whatever he was asked.

The car stopped across the street.

Hong Zhi pointed to a skinny guy huddled in the corner of the alley, puffing away on a cigarette.

He took the brass key out of his pocket and handed it to Peng Hu along with a few banknotes.

"Give him the money and tell him to go to that room and get something."

Peng Hu took the items, somewhat puzzled.

"What should I get?"

Hong Zhi smiled and said, "There should be boxes inside. Just have him open them all and take whatever is valuable."

Peng Hu immediately understood, took the keys and money, and went straight to the chain smoker.

The smoker's eyes widened at the sight of the gleaming banknotes, and he agreed without a second thought.

He took the key, staggered to the unassuming little house, inserted it into the lock, and turned the doorknob.

Peng Hu made sure the Smoker had gone inside before returning to his car, still looking puzzled.

"Young Master Hong, what's going on?"

Hong Zhi didn't say anything, his hand resting on the car window, quietly smoking and staring at the small house.

boom!
A deafening roar erupted, accompanied by a burst of flames that shot into the sky.

The powerful shockwave even shook the car.

The roof of the hut was completely blown off, the walls collapsed instantly, and rubble and wood chips flew everywhere.

Peng Hu's expression changed drastically, and his pupils contracted sharply.

"Young Master Hong, this..."

Hong Zhi flicked his cigarette ash, his tone so calm it was as if he were talking about something trivial that had nothing to do with him.

"This is a surprise that Ma Wendong left for me."

"This guy is quite something; even his dying words are poisonous."

"If I open it myself today, I'll fall into his trap."

"Even in death, he took Jia Huizi and me with him. That's a ruthless move."

A flicker of fear crossed Peng Hu's face, which quickly turned into fury: "That bastard deserves to be ground to dust!"

Hong Zhiyou said, "It's one thing to crush the bones, but the ashes must be scattered."

He stubbed out his cigarette and threw it out the window.

"Let's go back to the police station."

"If you dare to play dirty tricks on me, I'm going to take Ma Wendong's assets."

……

The car sped all the way back to the police station.

Hong Zhiyou went directly to the gloomy interrogation room.

Old Tu was dozing against the wall when he saw him, and immediately perked up and came to greet him.

"Young Master Hong, what brings you here?"

Hong Zhi handed him a cigarette: "Has Liangzi's wife given birth yet?"

Old Tu took the cigarette, his face beaming with smiles.

"Thanks to your good fortune, I have a big, healthy son."

Hong Zhi pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket, didn't even look at the amount, and slapped it directly into Lao Tu's hand: "When you're free after get off work, help me deliver this money to him."

"I've offended a lot of people lately, so I won't go to congratulate them in person. I'll visit them in person another day when things are more peaceful in Harbin."

Old Tu held the money, his hands trembling slightly.
"Young Master Hong, you're too kind."

"If Liangzi knew how much you cared about him, he would definitely kowtow to you several times."

Hong Zhi smiled, said nothing more, and sat down at the interrogation table, instructing Lao Tu:
"Have Xiao Yi and Jingui bring that Japanese woman here."

……

Soon, Ding Xiaoyi and Niu Jingui brought Xiangzi in.

"Section Chief Hong, you wanted to see me?" Xiangzi asked nervously.

Hong Zhi gestured for her to sit down, "You are pregnant, and I didn't want to make things difficult for you."

"But the key you gave me today almost cost me my life."

"Therefore, I think we need to have a serious talk."

Xiangzi suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with astonishment.

"This...how is this possible?"

Hong Zhi leaned back in his chair, his eyes slightly annoyed: "There's a bomb planted in that room."

"If I hadn't been cautious enough, I would be smashed to pieces by now."

Xiangzi's lips trembled. "Section Chief Hong, I...I really don't know."

Hong Zhi smiled and said, "I believe you don't know."

"But the key, after all, was given to me by you."

These words weighed heavily on Xiangzi's heart like a mountain.

She opened her mouth, "I...I..."

Hong Zhi leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp: "You know what I want."

"Since Ma Wendong and Jia Huizi have broken up, he should have revealed where his assets are hidden, right?"

Xiangzi shook her head frantically: "I really don't know, I'm just a servant."

“He…he didn’t even know I was pregnant, so…” Hong Zhi interrupted her: “Don’t rush, think about it carefully.”

His voice carried a hint of seduction.

"For example, when he was drunk, or... when he slept with you, did he say anything?"

Hong Zhiyou clearly understands that a man who has been betrayed by his wife is in a state of prolonged collapse, sensitivity, and pain, and desperately needs an outlet for his emotions.

Xiangzi, this seemingly insignificant servant, is very likely the person Ma Wendong confides his secrets to and relieves his stress.

In this state, he is very likely to reveal where he hides his secret stash of money.

Xiangzi lowered her head, her hands twisting together as she desperately tried to remember.

Fragments of the past flashed through my mind.

After a long while, she seemed to grasp something and suddenly raised her head.

"I remember now!"

"Ichiro likes to play cricket. He has a VIP room at the Sakura Club, and inside... there seems to be a combination lock box."

“He once got drunk and told me that if anything unexpected happened, I should open that combination lock box, which would be enough to keep me from having to worry about food and clothing for the rest of my life.”

A glint of light flashed in Hong Zhiyou's eyes: "Room number, locker combination?"

Xiangzi's face showed a troubled expression again:
“He mentioned it to me several times, but whenever I asked him for the specific room number and password, he would pretend not to know and refuse to say it again.”

Hong Zhiyou stood up and looked down at her: "I understand."

"Ms. Xiangzi, I hope that this time what you open is not a bomb."

Xiangzi waved her hands frightenedly, almost crying, "Section Chief Hong, I... I really didn't lie to you! Please believe me."

Hong Zhi nodded.

"Okay, you can go down."

He instructed Lao Tu to take the man away, and then returned to his office.

He picked up the phone and skillfully dialed a number.

A respectful male voice quickly came from the other end of the phone.

Hong Ji-yoo crossed his legs and said casually, "Hashimoto-kun, I am Hong Ji-yoo."

"You're welcome. I'll definitely come when I have time."

"Here's the thing, regarding the case of Director Ma's poisoning, our police department needs to collect some of his pre-death information and related evidence."

“I know he has a private VIP room at your club. Could you tell me the room number?”
"I know this is against your rules, but it is a serious matter, so please be lenient, Mr. Hashimoto."

"Thank you. I'll personally host a dinner for Hashimoto-kun another day."

After hanging up the phone, Hong Zhiyou smiled slightly and then dialed Yong Shengkui's number.

"Old Hei, take some men to the Sakura Club, room 36. Someone there will show you in."

"Find Ma Wendong's briefcase, but don't open it on site. Take it back to the teahouse and deal with it there."

Two hours later, Peng Hu called, his voice tinged with excitement.

"Young Master Hong, the box is open."

"There were more than a dozen gold bars inside, as well as a passbook from the Bank of North Korea."

A bankbook?

Hong Zhi touched his chin.

According to the bank's regulations, since Ma Wendong is dead, the only legal heir to this money is his wife, Jia Huizi.

It seems we'll have to "invite" that woman out of the security bureau again.

……

The next day.

Hong Zhi drove to the Security Bureau.

The office was filled with smoke.

"Did she admit it?"

Hong Zhi poured himself a glass of water.

Chen Jingyu shook his head and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

"This woman's bones are as thick as red banknotes."

"They still refuse to confess even now."

Hong Zhi smiled: "That's because she still believes that as long as she holds on, her father, Takuichi Omura, can save her."

"Of course, she may still believe that I will save her too."

Chen Jingyu glanced at him, raised his eyebrows and smiled, "It seems that you, my brother, will have to take the lead yourself."

Hong Zhi took a sip of water. "Give it a try. Go and bring the men."

Upon arriving at the interrogation room, two interrogators were holding red-hot iron skewers, preparing to torture Jia Huizi.

"Director." Upon seeing Chen Jingyu, the two stopped what they were doing.

Chen Jingyu waved his hand and coldly ordered, "Put her dressed. Section Chief Hong wants to see her."

Upon hearing the name "Section Chief Hong," Jia Huizi's previously unfocused eyes instantly lit up.

She spoke weakly, her voice hoarse:

"Could...could I wash up first?"
"I don't want... I don't want him to see me like this."

Chen Jingyu nodded.

"can."

He had a female clerk take Jia Huizi to the rest room for a bath, grooming, and medication.

Half an hour later, the refreshed Jia Huizi was led to the reception room.

She changed into clean clothes and hastily applied some foundation to her face, covering most of the scars, but her pale complexion still betrayed her haggard appearance.

Hong Zhiyou was sitting on the sofa, leisurely drinking tea.

When Jia Huizi saw him, it was like seeing a lifeline; she threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.

"Zhiyou, save me! Save me!"

Hong Zhi gently patted her back and softly comforted her.

Once she had calmed down a bit, he held her shoulders and helped her sit up straight: "Madam, now is not the time to reminisce about the past."

I'm trying to figure out how to save you.

"But the trouble now is that Ma Wendong's younger brother, Momomura Jiro, is on his way from Tokyo to Harbin."

"If you are unable to extricate yourself in the short term, he will inherit all the property under Ma Wendong's and your names as the legal heir."

"As far as I know, Momomura Jiro seems to have some evidence against you."

"With the existing evidence, coupled with his instigation, it's almost impossible for you to turn things around."

Jia Huizi panicked instantly and grabbed his arm tightly.

"What should we do?
Zhiyou, isn't Harbin yours now? Ichiro's gone, so you're in charge here!

"I know that both the village head and Chen Jingyu listen to you. Please plead with them to let me go!"

Hong Zhi stroked her cheek, his eyes filled with pity: "Jia Huizi, you're too naive."

“Now someone is trying to take this opportunity to ruin you and your father. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and they won’t let it go.”

"This matter is beyond my control."

"The only thing I can do is try to save your life."

He paused, then lowered his voice even further: "I have a proposal here, would you like to hear it?"

Jia Huizi nodded repeatedly, as if she were a drowning person grabbing onto a piece of driftwood.

Hong Zhi looked directly into her eyes and said, word by word, "My suggestion is that you first admit to all the accusations."

"I'll make them spare your life during the sentencing."

"That way, at least you can survive and protect the large fortune left by Ma Wendong."

Jia Huizi looked at him in disbelief.

"You...you want me to betray my father?"

Hong Zhiyou shook his head:
"Your father is under investigation by the General Staff. Regardless of whether you have this evidence or not, someone must take responsibility for the defeat at Nomonhan."

"Your father was one of the unlucky ones chosen."

"You know, that's politics."

"Now that things have come to this, this is the only way I can save you."

He reached out and wiped away Jia Huizi's tears, his voice becoming even gentler.

"Actually, if you keep pushing yourself like this, you'll gain nothing but letting them continue to ruin your beautiful and charming body."

"Madam, accept reality."

These words were like a heavy hammer, completely shattering Jia Huizi's last shred of illusion about family affection.

She was a ruthless and extremely selfish woman.

After a painful struggle, she gritted her teeth, a resolute glint in her eyes.

"Okay, I'll sign."

Hong Zhi handed her the documents that he had prepared beforehand.

Jia Huizi picked up her pen, tears streaming down her face again, and murmured softly, "Father, I'm sorry."

After saying that, she no longer hesitated and signed her name and pressed her bright red fingerprint on every document.

After signing all the documents, she felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders, and she exuded a sense of relief and liberation.

Hong Zhi put the documents away and then said, "There's one more thing."

"property!
"Once Momomura Jiro comes to Harbin, he will inevitably demand a division of the property."

“If you simply go through the court process, you probably won’t be able to win against him given your guilty conscience.”

Jia Huizi's heart, which had just settled down, jumped again: "What should we do?"

Hong Zhiyou said unhurriedly, "When we were investigating your home, in addition to the joint property on your books, we also found some of Ma Wendong's savings accounts that he had hidden in the club."

"According to the regulations of the Bank of North Korea, Ma Wendong is dead, and as his legal wife, you have the right to withdraw this money."

"If you'd like, I suggest you withdraw all of this money now."

"This will completely extinguish Momomura Jiro's covetousness."

Jia Huizi knew that once her father fell ill, the only thing she could rely on in the future was money.

This was her last straw.

She nodded almost without hesitation.

"Okay, I'll go get it now."

Hong Zhiyou took the bankbook out of his pocket and handed it to her.

The two immediately drove straight to the Bank of North Korea.

soon.

Jia Huizi and Hong Zhiyou walked out of the bank carrying suitcases.

Her expression was a mixture of excitement and a hint of disappointment and resentment.

"Ichiro always appears upright and honest at home. I never imagined that he would have a private fortune of over 600,000 yen!"
"The amount of private money he has saved is even several times more than that of commanders like Ueda Kenkichi!"
"But he kept it a secret from me and my father..."

"Looking back now, I think he may never have been on my side from the beginning."

Hong Zhi helped her put the box into the trunk and said casually, "It's normal."

"He was the secretary of the Resource Management Department at the South Manchuria Railway Company, and the line of people who wanted to give him gifts stretched from Harbin to Xinjing."

"Those people ostensibly invited him to play cricket, but in reality, they were secretly showering him with gifts."

He closed the trunk and then changed the subject.

"However, for safety reasons, I will keep the money for the time being."

"I will return it to you after your property dispute with Momomura Jiro is completely resolved."

Jia Huizi, immersed in her enormous wealth and future plans, had no doubts about this.

"Well, even if Momomura Jiro is bold, he wouldn't dare to come to you asking for money."

Hong Zhi squinted at her, revealing his usual smile.

"Madam is very clever."

The car drove along and soon arrived at the gate of Ma Wendong's official residence.

Hong Zhi stopped the car, opened the door for her, said a brief goodbye, and drove away.

Jia Huizi pushed open the courtyard gate and went inside.

The moment she opened the door, the smile on her face froze.

Captain Murakami was sitting leisurely at the stone table in the courtyard, drinking tea, while several armed military police stood menacingly behind him.

"Captain Murakami, it's you?"

Alarm bells rang in Jia Huizi's mind, and an ominous premonition arose spontaneously.

She turned around sharply to look, only to find that Hong Zhiyou's car had already disappeared around the street corner and was nowhere to be seen.

Captain Murakami put down his teacup, stood up, and remained expressionless.

"Madam, the Security Bureau has just informed us that you have confessed to all the charges of treason and collusion with the Soviet Union."

"Now, according to the joint instructions of Chief of Staff Rensuke Isogai and Commander Kenkichi Ueda, we will immediately carry out severe wartime punishment on you."

Captain Murakami's icy voice was like a pronouncement from hell.

……

(End of this chapter)