Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 516 Hon'oka is numb
Tianjin Special Service Headquarters.

The office door was suddenly pushed open, and Kazuo Motooka walked in, exuding a chill and with barely suppressed excitement on his face.

"Shibayama-kun, see? I wasn't wrong!"

His voice was filled with the excitement of impending success.

"Hong Zhiyou can't hold back anymore; he's about to reveal his true colors!"

Kenshiro Shibayama sat behind his desk, holding a teacup in his hand, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He had already exhausted all his hints over the phone.

He said he was in his office, implying that it was unsafe and inconvenient there.

Who knew that Hong Zhi would have that guy who insisted on coming over?

And at this particular time, in such a rush.

Tomorrow is the day Zeng Che and the others will be publicly executed.

Aside from getting people out of trouble, Shibayama Kenshiro couldn't think of any other purpose that Hong Zhiyu might have.

If this guy really is a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau...

Then all I can do is lose a good friend.

Kenshiro Shibayama put down his teacup and looked up at Kazuo Motooka: "What are your plans?"

Kazuo Hon'oka walked up to him, placed his hands on the edge of the table, leaned forward, and stared intently:
“It’s very simple.

"Try to guide him so that he can express his intentions and leave evidence."

"Once he asked to see Zeng Che and the others, he immediately agreed."

"Then, I can legitimately arrest him on orders from the Army Ministry."

Shibayama Kenshiro was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Very well, as you say."

Hon'oka Kazuo straightened up, a satisfied smile on his face. "Very good. I'll go to the listening room first. I'll leave this place to you."

"Remember, this is a matter of great importance. Mr. Chai, please do not act impulsively out of a sense of justice."

Kenjiro Shibayama lowered his eyelids.

"clear."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a gentle knock on the office door, and a security guard walked in.

"Sir, Mr. Hong Zhiyou requests an audience."

Hon'gao Kazuo's spirits lifted, and he quickly asked, "How many people came?"

The guard bowed and replied, "He's the only one."

One?
Kazuo Hongang frowned.

He waved his hand, signaling the guards to step back.

After the door closed, he looked at Shibayama Kenshiro.

“With me here, he definitely won’t be able to say many things, and we won’t be able to get the most direct evidence.”

"Lord Shibayama, everything depends on you. Thank you for your help."

Kazuo Hon'oka bowed deeply to Kenshiro Shibayama, then turned and walked briskly towards the listening room next door.

Kenjiro Shibayama slowly walked to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain with his fingertips, looked downstairs, and sighed silently.

Hong Sang, I never imagined you were actually... a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

In that case, you can't blame me.

He lowered the curtains, turned around, and sat back down at his desk, his complex expression completely gone.

A moment later, Hong Zhiyou came in carrying a heavy suitcase.

Kenshiro Shibayama immediately stood up, his face bearing his usual warm smile, and strode forward to greet him.

"Mr. Hong, what is the matter that is so urgent that you must meet me now?"

"Why not wait until I host a banquet tomorrow, and then we can have a drink and talk again?"

Hong Zhiyou laughed and said, "It's an extremely urgent matter and can't wait."

Kenjiro Shibayama smiled and gestured for him to proceed.

The two sat down on the sofa in the reception area, and Shibayama Kenshiro personally poured him tea.

"Hong Sang, please tell me, what is it?"

Hong Zhi didn't touch the teacup, but picked up the suitcase and placed it on the coffee table.

There was a "click" sound.

He opened the metal clasps on the suitcase with a swift and decisive motion.

He turned the box around and pushed it in front of Shibayama Kenshiro.

“Mr. Shibayama, we are old friends, so I’ll be frank.”

Inside the box, rows of large, golden yellow croakers were neatly arranged, shimmering brilliantly under the light.

"I want you to release a few people."

Shibayama Kenshiro's gaze shifted from the gold bars to Hong Zhiyou's smiling face.

He picked up a gold bar, weighed it in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and said with a hint of warning in his tone, "Hong Sang, are you bribing or humiliating an Imperial soldier?"

Hong Zhi laughed and leaned back on the sofa, looking relaxed.

"No, no, it's just a small gift between friends."

"You know, I may not have much else, but I have plenty of money."

"I have so much money I can't spend it all, can't I give some to my old friends?"

He shrugged, looking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“I’m glad you accepted it.”

Even if you don't accept it, my sentiments have been conveyed, and we can still maintain our friendship.

Kenshiro Shibayama put the gold bars back into the box and slowly closed the lid.

"Put aside the formalities, just release them..."

Hong Zhi interrupted him, "It's very simple."

"You don't have to let go."

"But that doesn't conflict with my demand that you release the people."

Kenjiro Shibayama was somewhat bewildered.

He looked at Hong Zhiyou, whose eyes were serious and clearly not joking.

What is the logic?

He picked up his teacup, dipped his finger in the spilled tea, and subtly wrote a few words on the dark coffee table.

There is eavesdropping.

Only after making this gesture did he raise his head, as if he had made some kind of decision.

“Hong Sang, I’ll put the money aside for now.”

"Tell me, who do you want to release?"

“If it’s someone who’s not of much value, I might consider it based on our past relationship.”

Hong Zhiyou took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over: "This is the list of people to be released."

Kenshiro Shibayama unfolded the note.

When he saw the two characters "Zeng Che" at the top, his pupils suddenly contracted:

"Are you really going to rescue Zeng Che and these Kuomintang agents?"

"Hong Sang, do you know what you're doing?"

"You're a police officer from the National Police Agency. Your job is to arrest them, not to rescue them!"

Hong Zhi shook his head and corrected him:
"you misunderstood.

"I'm not here to rescue him, I'm here to demand his release. Whether you release him or not is official business, it's also official business for me to demand his release."

Kenjiro Shibayama frowned.

"VIP?
"Zeng Cheke was the head of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Tianjin Station."

"They are key criminals closely monitored by the North China Special Service Headquarters and the Tokyo Army Headquarters."

"Are you sure?"

Hong Zhi nodded, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "I confirm."

"And I want to see them now."

Kenjiro Shibayama stared at him intently, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

Good words cannot persuade a damned person.

He slowly stood up and sighed, "In that case, come with me."

Kenjiro Shibayama personally led the way, guiding Hong Zhiyou through the long corridor and towards the prison deep inside the government building.

A cold, damp atmosphere wafted over, mixed with the smell of blood and mildew.

Inside the cell, Zeng Che and two other Kuomintang agents were chained to wooden stakes, their bodies covered in whip marks and branding, dripping with blood, no longer recognizable as human, with only a faint breath remaining.

Kenshiro Shibayama waved his hand expressionlessly.

Two guards immediately stepped forward, unlocked the chains, and untied the three men, throwing them to the ground like dead dogs.

Kenshiro Shibayama turned to the side.

"Mr. Hong, look, is that them?"

A guard roughly grabbed Zeng Che's hair, forcing him to lift his bloodied and mangled face.

Hong Zhi took out several photos, brought them close, and carefully compared them one by one.

"Yes."

He put away the photos, squatted down, looked at the dying Zeng Che, and said:
"My name is Hong Zhiyou."

"Station Chief Zeng, you can come with me now."

A glimmer of light suddenly flashed in Zeng Che's unfocused eyes.

He had never met Hong Zhiyou, but the name was very familiar to him.

Zeng Che had contributed to both the previous operation of secretly transporting supplies to the interior and the last operation of secretly protecting Hong Zhiyou.

He knew all too well that this police section chief from Harbin was incredibly powerful and had an astonishingly wide network of connections.

Originally, he and his brothers had already resolved to die for their cause, seeking only to sacrifice themselves for righteousness.

Unexpectedly, even in this desperate situation, a glimmer of hope could be found.

Just then, Shibayama Kenshiro suddenly spoke, his tone heavy with sorrow:

"Hong Sang, stop joking."

"Let me tell you the truth, this is a trap."

"It was a trap specifically set for sympathizers of the Military Intelligence Bureau outside the Great Wall. Whoever tries to rescue them is an accomplice of the Military Intelligence Bureau."

He looked at Hong Zhiyou, his face bearing a complex, helpless, yet resolute expression:

"As a friend, I am very sorry."

"But I am a soldier of the Great Japanese Empire, please understand."

He just finished speaking.

The prison's iron gate was suddenly pulled open from the outside, and Kazuo Motooka strode in with a squad of heavily armed soldiers.

He held a document aloft, his face beaming with barely suppressed smugness.

"Hong Zhiyou, you're under arrest!"

Hong Zhiyou slowly turned around, his face still bearing that calm smile.

"What do you mean?"

Kazuo Motooka walked up to him and showed him the military documents in his hand:
"We suspect you are a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau!"
"This is an order issued by the Ministry of the Army. Anyone who contacts Zeng Che or attempts to rescue him will be treated as an accomplice of the Military Intelligence Bureau!"

As he spoke, he suddenly waved his hand and shouted sharply:
"Someone, get it for me!"

The cold muzzle of the gun was pointed directly at Hong Zhiyou.

The soldier's finger was on the trigger.

Hong Zhi didn't even lift his eyelids, and gave a cold smile:
"You're not qualified to take me."

Holding the document, Kazuo Hon'oka almost roared:

“Hong Zhiyou, do you dare to defy the military’s orders?”

He suddenly turned to Shibayama Kenshiro, his eyes piercing:

“Lord Chai Shan, the document is here. Are you perhaps going to protect him?”

"If you don't take down the Kuomintang agents, are you waiting for the Minister of War to award you a medal?"

Kenjiro Shibayama's expression shifted rapidly, his mind in turmoil.

In the end, the struggle in his eyes turned into a resolute look.

"Hong Sang, I'm sorry."

Kenjiro Shibayama raised an eyebrow slightly.

The soldiers with guns understood and immediately stepped forward, their gun barrels almost touching Hong Zhiyou's chest.

The atmosphere in the prison was extremely tense. Just then, Hong Zhi snatched the document from Hon'gang Kazuo's hand, glanced at it casually, and sneered:
"Mr. Hon'gaoka, is this document fake?"

fake?

When these words were spoken, everyone in the room was shocked.

Shibayama Kenshiro quickly raised his hand, signaling the soldiers to step back for the moment. "Hong-san, what exactly happened?"

Kazuo Hon'oka seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. He snatched back the document, pointed at the seal and signature on it, and laughed angrily:

"Look closely, this has the handwritten signature of General Hata Shunroku, the Minister of the Army, and the military seal. How could it be fake?"

He stared intently at Hong Zhiyou and said, word by word:

“Hong Zhiyou, you are a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau.”

"Making such a lame excuse only makes you look stupid."

Hong Zhi smiled.

That smile held a hint of amusement and a touch of pity.

What a coincidence.

"I also have two documents here."

He slowly opened his briefcase and took out two brown paper bags sealed with sealing wax.

"One document is from Prime Minister Abe, and the other is a military document signed by General Hata Shunroku."

He handed the document to Shibayama Kenshiro in a nonchalant tone.

"It's just that the date is a little more recent than Hon'gao-kun's."

Kenjiro Shibayama took it with some skepticism and tore open the seal.

When he saw the words at the top of the document, his pupils suddenly contracted.

Notice on Launching Friendly Negotiations with the Mountain City Side

Below is a list of released individuals.

Zeng Che's name was prominently listed.

At the end of the document is Prime Minister Nobuyuki Abe's handwritten signature and the cabinet seal.

Another document, countersigned by Army Minister Shunroku Hata, confirmed and authorized the Tsukai Special Service Agency to handle the matter.

Kenjiro Shibayama's hand holding the document began to tremble slightly. He was so shocked that he stared in disbelief, and his voice changed.

“This, this is indeed a document signed by His Excellency the Prime Minister.”

Hon'oka Kazuo's expression changed drastically, and he snatched the document away.

He stared intently at the signature and seal on it, muttering to himself.

"How could this be? This is absolutely fake."

He suddenly looked up at Hong Zhiyou.

"What peace talks? As a special envoy, how could I not know anything about them?"

Hong Zhi sneered, "You don't know? That just means you're not high enough in rank."

As he spoke, he pulled a dark red-covered ID from his inside suit pocket and flashed it in front of the two men:
"I see it clearly."

"As your representative in this peace talks, I formally request that you immediately release all members on the list, as ordered by the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Shunroku Hata."

Kenjiro Shibayama felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.

He desperately wanted it all to be true. After seeing the stamp and photo on the document, he immediately bowed and respectfully handed the document back with both hands.

“Mr. Hong, since this is an order from the Prime Minister and the military, I apologize for my rudeness.”

"I'll release them right now."

"slow."

Motooka Kazuo suddenly shouted, pulling Shibayama Kenshiro aside and lowering his voice:
"Chai Shanjun, have you gone mad?"

"As you and I both know, the Chinese are known for their cunning and treacherous nature, and they are most adept at forging documents and certificates."

"These are most likely all fake."

He leaned closer, his voice laced with threat.

"Once you take him away, if the Ministry of the Army investigates later, can you bear the responsibility?"

Kenshiro Shibayama's heart, which had just been at ease, was now filled with anxiety again.

Kazuo Hon'oka's words were like a bucket of cold water, chilling him to the bone.

Forging prime ministerial documents is a capital offense.

His face was pale, and he seemed completely lost.

"This... Mr. Hon'gaoka, what's your opinion?"

A smug glint flashed in Kazuo Hon'gao's eyes. "It's very simple."

"I will call Commander Tada Shun, the highest military commander in North China, right now to verify whether the Imperial high command has recently engaged in any so-called peace talks."

Kenjiro Shibayama nodded. "Yes, that's the only way."

Kazuo Hongang sneered, turned around and walked to the interrogation table, picked up the hand-cranked telephone on the table, but did not dial the number immediately.

He turned around and stared at Hong Zhiyou with eyes as sharp as a venomous snake:
“Hong Zhiyou, there’s something I need to remind you of.”

"You risked your life to rescue Zeng Che for money, which doesn't warrant death. You still have something to say about it."

"But if someone forges documents belonging to the Prime Minister or the Minister of the Army, humph, even if you had a thousand heads, it wouldn't be enough to chop them off."

"At that time, even the King of Heaven himself won't be able to protect you."

He paused, as if giving Hong Zhi one last chance: "If you confess honestly now, there might still be a sliver of hope."

Kenshiro Shibayama also came over, a hint of helplessness on his face:
“Hong-san, as a friend, I must remind you that Hongang-kun is right.”

Zeng Che, lying on the ground, also used all his strength to slightly raise his head.

He looked at Hong Zhiyou, his face covered in blood, his eyes filled with determination.

He shook his head slightly.

Don't act impulsively.

Zeng Che knew very well that among all the members of the Military Intelligence Bureau, only Hong Zhiyou had managed to rise to the top in Manchukuo and directly communicate with the General Staff Headquarters.

This person's value is even greater than that of a regiment, no, a division.

If, in order to save these few who are destined to die, we were to perish here, it would be a catastrophic loss for the entire war effort.

Hong Zhiyou, however, seemed not to notice his expression.

He simply raised his hand impatiently at Kazuo Motooka and said, "Go ahead and hit me."

"If you don't eat the toast, you will be punished with a drink."

Kazuo Hongang was thoroughly enraged by his arrogant attitude. He cursed and grabbed the crank to dial.

at this time.

Outside the corridor, the sound of heavy, hurried footsteps of military boots could be heard.

"Bang!"

Tada Shun, wearing a dark cloak, walked in with Honma Masaharu.

"Oh, it's so lively."

Tada Shun surveyed the gloomy cell. "Looks like coming here tonight was the right decision."

Shibayama Kenshiro and the others immediately stood at attention.

Hon'oka Kazuo immediately greeted him with great joy: "Commander, you've come at the perfect time."

He pointed at Hong Zhiyou and loudly complained.

"This person forged documents from the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Army, impersonated a peace envoy, and attempted to abduct Zeng Che and other key criminals of the Military Intelligence Bureau. We urge you to investigate this matter thoroughly."

Tada Shun didn't even glance at him.

As the highest-ranking military commander in North China, Yoshio Miyagawa and Kazuo Motooka were nothing more than minor figures in the intelligence system.

He was in charge of the main battlefield, and had neither interest in nor responsibility for messy things like catching spies.

It could even be said that if it weren't for the five hundred taels of gold, he would never have set foot in this dirty and smelly place.

Tada Shun completely ignored Motooka Kazuo, strode up to Hong Zhiyou, and extended his hand.

"Mr. Hong, I never expected that our first meeting would be in the interrogation room."

"That does have a unique meaning."

Hong Zhi shook hands with him and said with a smile, "Actually, we should have been having tea in Chai Shanjun's office."

"It's just that someone deliberately obstructed us, wasting our precious time."

Tada Shun's smile vanished, and his eyes turned cold. "What exactly happened?"

Upon seeing this, Kazuo Hongang quickly stepped forward again and presented his document with both hands.

"Commander, I am carrying out a secret mission here on the orders of Yoshio Miyagawa, the special envoy of Manchukuo and director of the Binjiang Provincial Police Department, and with the permission of the Ministry of the Army. Please understand."

Tada Shun roughly snatched the document from him.

He glanced at it only once, and to everyone's astonishment, he tore the document to shreds.

Kazuo Hon'oka was completely stunned. His eyes widened and his lips trembled.

"General, you..."

Tada Shun flew into a rage, pointed at his nose and shouted, "I don't know anything about this damned Miyagawa Yoshio!"

"All I know is that Mr. Hong is an important member of the secret negotiations between the Empire and the Mountain City."

"The release of those on the list is a joint order from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development."

Motooka Kazuo panicked and blurted out, "General, these are all important members of the Tianjin Naval Intelligence Bureau!"

Tada Shun snorted coldly, interrupting him:

"I don't care about any Military Intelligence Bureau."

"All I know is that if we can get Chairman Chiang to submit to our Great Japanese Empire, the final victory of the Greater East Asia Holy War will be just around the corner."

"This is also the intention of His Majesty the Emperor and the Prime Minister."

He took a step closer, staring fiercely at Kazuo Motooka.

"If you have a problem with that damned Miyagawa, you can go to Tokyo and ask His Majesty the Emperor in person."

Having said that, he ignored the ashen-faced man, turned to Hong Zhiyou, raised his hand, and smiled:
"Mr. Hong, please."

Having received a gift of five hundred taels of gold on their first meeting, Tada Shun naturally hoped that he would have more friends like Hong Zhi.

Hong Zhi smiled, everything was under control.

He turned to Kenshiro Shibayama:

"Chai Shanjun, please give Station Chief Zeng and the others proper medical treatment."

"Send someone to deliver it directly to the Lishun Hotel."

At this moment, Shibayama Kenshiro had no time to hesitate and quickly bowed to accept the order: "Yes, yes."

He turned and yelled at the guard.

"What are you waiting for? Quickly, release all the detainees on the list according to Mr. Hong's instructions."

"Get them to the hospital immediately, with the best doctors and the best medicine."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and nodded.

"Good work."

Looking at the absurd scene before him, Kazuo Hon'oka felt dizzy and disoriented.

The tide is gone.

However, Hong Zhiyou had no intention of letting him off the hook.

He turned to Tada Shun, a hint of "worry" on his face:

"Your Excellency Commander, this Mr. Motooka has heard about the 'friendly peace talks' plan."

“I’m afraid he won’t be able to keep his mouth shut. If word gets out and it causes trouble among students in Beijing and Tianjin, then the authorities in Chongqing will be under pressure…”

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already clear.

Honma Masaharu, who was standing to the side, immediately understood and pondered for a moment before saying, "I think we should do this."

"To ensure the confidentiality of the peace talks, I would like to trouble Mr. Hon'gaoka to stay here for a few days."

"They will be released once the talks have yielded preliminary results."

"You can't do this!" Kazuo Motooka shouted.

"I am a special envoy, I am from the Ministry of War..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tada Shun impatiently drew his sidearm and pressed it against his forehead.
“Go back and tell that Miyagawa guy to stay obediently in his Manchukuo.”

"North China is not a place where he can give orders."

He holstered his gun and waved to the guards behind him.

“Someone come.

“It looks like!”

……

(End of this chapter)