Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 518 A Well-Planned Scheme
Special Affairs Section of Harbin Police Department.

Gao Bin hung up the phone and sat behind his large desk. His half-closed, sinister eyes were now flashing with an unpredictable light.

The newly appointed police chief, Yoshio Miyagawa, plans to test Zhou Yi in Jiamusi.

As a subordinate, he has a responsibility and obligation to cooperate.

To be honest, during the time Hong Zhiyou was away from Harbin, his old habit of being paranoid resurfaced, especially regarding the mole hidden deep within the Special Service Department, which he remained deeply troubled by.

He felt he would never sleep soundly for the rest of his life until he dug this person out.

Now, the fact that Yoshio Miyagawa is willing to reveal genuine secrets to test Zhou Yi is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But what if Zhou Yi really falls into the trap? Will it affect Gu Qiuyan and Zhi You?
There shouldn't be any major problems with Zhiyou.

This kid just gave Yoshio Miyagawa a resounding slap in the face at Tsushima. The fact that he dared to confront him head-on shows that he has enough confidence.

Gao Bin continued to follow this line of thought.

Based on clues left by Lao Qiu and Shibuya Saburo, he suspected that Tomoyuki was the one who had won the lottery.

But now he knows that Dai Li sent a secret telegram to the area outside the Great Wall, asking people inside the Great Wall to cooperate in rescuing Zeng Che.

Zhiyou, it was precisely at that moment, that he stepped forward.

This is almost tantamount to an explicit statement that Hung Chih-yu is very likely a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Having spent half his life struggling in the quagmire of intelligence, Gao Bin knew one thing very well.

The so-called cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party might have been able to establish a united front on the main battlefield, but it was absolutely impossible on the intelligence front, a front without the smoke of gunpowder.

Over the years, Jiang's hands have been stained with too much blood.

Given the strict, almost obsessive, organizational discipline and cautious approach of the Red Tickets, it was impossible for them to truly entrust their backs to Dai Li without reservation.

If Zhi You resembles both the Kuomintang secret police and the Communist Party, then there is most likely only one truth.

This guy is a middleman who gets paid to do things.

This is also Zhi's consistent style: he only cares about money.

Even if things take a turn for the worse and Zhou Yi and Gu Qiuyan's identities are fully exposed, with his current position in the police department and his wealth, protecting his granddaughter would be a piece of cake.

Gao Bin, nicknamed "The Butcher," was never a kind-hearted person.

Now that his granddaughter, who carries the Gao family bloodline, has been safely born, he no longer cares about the life or death of that stupid woman, Gu Qiuyan.

Ah, just thinking about his beautiful granddaughter, Gao Bin's cold heart was filled with an indescribable longing.

Zhiyou's trip to Jinhai was really ill-timed. If he had gone to Jiamusi, at least he could have seen the photos by now.

He took a pen from the pen holder and wrote the three characters "Hong Shasha" on the sticky note in front of him.

He paused for a moment, then immediately realized something was wrong, crossed out the character "洪" and changed it to "高莎莎".

After a brief pause, he sighed softly again, crossed out the word "Gao" once more, and finally wrote "Zhou Shasha".

After he finished writing, the warmth in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by coldness once more.

Gao Bin crumpled the paper into a ball and casually tossed it into the wastepaper basket at his feet.

He has thought it through.

Cooperate with Yoshio Miyagawa to properly test Zhou Yi.

After all, what Yoshio Miyagawa is holding in his hand is the sweetest piece of "cake" right now.

If Zhou Yi really is a winning ticket, there's no reason not to take the bait.

The only problem right now is... he can't directly order Zhou Yi to be transferred to Jiamusi.

That would be too obvious; with Zhou Yi's shrewdness, he would definitely notice something was wrong immediately.

Gao Bin gently tapped his forehead with his knuckles, and his tightly furrowed brows suddenly relaxed.

Okay, then let's wait and see.

He seemed relieved.

According to common sense, if Zhou Yi still cares about his reputation, or if they really are a "husband and wife team" arranged by Hong Piao, then regardless of whose child Gu Qiuyan gave birth to, Zhou Yi, as the nominal husband and father, must visit her.

Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense logically.

……

Action team office.

Zhou Yi sat upright in his chair, squinting as he smoked one cigarette after another.

Qiu Yan gave birth a while ago.

It's not right for him to stay out of sight as the "biological father"; it's time to go and see him.

If this drags on any longer, Gao Bin will definitely become suspicious.

Zhou Yi stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, stood up, straightened his collar, and walked out of the office.

He arrived at the section chief's office, knocked on the door, and then pushed it open and went inside.

"Section Chief Gao, are you not busy?"

Gao Bin looked up, a smile immediately spreading across his face:
"I'm not busy, I was just about to have a chat with you."

He stood up from behind his desk, walked to the sofa area, and gestured for Zhou Yi to sit down.

"The Japanese have sent a new director, named Yoshio Miyagawa."

Gao Bin picked up the pipe on the table, slowly filled it with tobacco, and complained as if he were chatting idly.

"Hey, what are they trying to do, one thing after another?"

Zhou Yi sat down opposite him and calmly echoed, "What else could they be after? They're just eyeing Zhi You's little bit of money."

"If they could work together as one, we would have wiped out the red flags and military intelligence in Harbin long ago."

"Shibuya Saburo and his ilk never use their brains for anything worthwhile."

Gao Bin lit his pipe, took a deep drag, and exhaled thick white smoke.

"Yes."

He squinted, then changed the subject, "Have you... noticed anything lately?"

Zhou Yi's gaze remained unchanged. "What?"

Gao Bin tapped his pipe on the ashtray, lowering his voice.

"The Japanese suffered a crushing defeat at Nomonhan, and now the entire interior of China is filled with a deathly atmosphere."

"Tada Shun and his gang of idiots, what kind of Three Alls policy are they doing in North China? They keep shouting about suppressing bandits, but the people's cave dwellings are right there, and they can't even touch a hair on their heads."

He paused for a moment, his tone tinged with mockery.

"Sometimes I think, what's the point of us catching red tickets here, catching one, catching ten?"
"It's like scratching an itch through a boot."

"Aren't the Japanese supposed to be the strongest military in Asia? If they're really that capable, why don't they just deploy heavy artillery and take over Yeonseong? Then the world would be at peace."

He looked at Zhou Yi with a hint of inquiry in his eyes, "Oh, I find that strange."

"You know, with just a few dilapidated cave dwellings and so many Japanese planes and cannons, even if they just piled up explosives, they should have flattened that Loess Plateau long ago."

Is this battle really that difficult?

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "Section Chief, we're all laymen when it comes to fighting."

"The Kwantung Army used to boast about how elite it was and how powerful its planes and tanks were, but when it clashed with the Soviets, it was smashed to pieces."

Gao Bin nodded, seemingly agreeing wholeheartedly.

"yes

"Japan is ultimately just a small island nation, and its population and resources are limited."

"I heard that they've been trying to crack the tough nut of Changsha lately, but haven't been able to."

He sighed heavily, smoke billowing from his nostrils, carrying a sense of worry.

"If things continue like this, I'm worried... the situation will become very bad."

Zhou Yi looked at him quietly, his eyes deep, "Perhaps... this is the meaning of our existence."

Gao Bin smiled and nodded, "Yes, I hope their martial arts luck will truly last."

His smile carried a hint of self-deprecation.

"Otherwise, when the reckoning comes, we will definitely be among the ones who suffer the most."

"Chiang Kai-shek and the red tickets hate us far more than they hate the Japanese."

Zhou Yi knew this was Gao Bin's old trick.

Whenever he deliberately throws out this "theory of Japan's decline," it's to lower his guard and expose his weaknesses.

He smiled knowingly, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"Yes, let's take it one step at a time."

He felt the time was right, so he smoothly steered the conversation toward serious business.

"By the way, Section Chief Gao."

"Qiuyan gave birth a few days ago. I've been busy with departmental matters lately and haven't had a chance to visit her."

"I'd like to take a few days off to go to Jiamusi and see Qiuyan and her child."

Gao Bin smiled knowingly. "Of course, of course."

"Being a father is one of the greatest joys in life."

Gao Bin's voice carried a hint of melancholy from someone who had been through it all. "Sigh, I used to have a daughter too, but unfortunately, I didn't make it through those years."

"Old Zhou, things are better now, you're a lucky man."

Zhou Yi smiled gratefully:

"My good fortune is entirely thanks to Section Chief Gao."

Gao Bin waved his hand, his smile widening. "See, you're being polite with me again."

"Okay, when you see Qiuyan, please give her my regards."

Zhou Yi stood up. "Definitely."

He got up, opened the door, and went out.

The smile and warmth on Gao Bin's face vanished instantly, leaving only a cold and sinister look.

He picked up the phone and dialed a number.

Call connected:
"it's me.

He asked me for leave and should arrive in Jiamusi soon.

"Get ready on your end."

The other person seemed to have said something.

After listening, Gao Bin only replied with two words.

"Goodbye."

The phone call ended, and the office returned to its deathly silence.

……

Jiamusi.

Zhu Yi walked quickly through the corridor and entered Yoshio Miyagawa's study.

"Director, we just received news from Harbin."

"Zhou Yi will be here soon."

Yoshio Miyagawa, who was pruning a bonsai, paused. He put down the small scissors, turned around, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"Very good.

"Everything is proceeding according to plan."

His gaze fell on Zhu Yi, with a hint of expectation and encouragement: "As long as we can get hold of Zhou Yi's weakness, it will be a major blow to Hong Zhiyou."

"And you, Section Chief Zhu, will be able to rightfully become the Deputy Director of the Police Department of Binjiang Province based on this achievement."

Zhu Yi quickly bowed deeply, "Thank you for your guidance, Director!"

……

the next morning.

Zhou Yigang walked out of the train station.

"Sir, would you like a car?"

A rickshaw driver wearing a jacket and vest approached, a fawning smile on his face.

Zhou Yi shook his head.

"Need not."

He carried his briefcase, took a few steps forward at a leisurely pace, stopped in the crowd, and took out a cigarette case from his pocket.

The cigarette case was a gift from Hong Zhiyou. He opened the cigarette case, and inside the lid was a small mirror.

The mirror reflected one or two furtive figures not far behind him, pretending to look elsewhere, but their eyes were always fixed on him.

Zhou Yi's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He flicked a cigarette into his mouth, but didn't light it. Instead, he walked a few steps quickly and hailed another rickshaw by the roadside.

"Go to Dexiang Street."

The driver responded, pulled the rickshaw, and merged into the traffic on the street.

About two miles from Gu Qiuyan's cousin's house, Zhou Yi had the driver stop.

He paid for the car fare and, alone, decided to walk.

After winding his way through several turns, he arrived at the gate of a quiet courtyard, raised his hand, and knocked three times rhythmically.

The door opened quickly.

The woman who opened the door was an ordinary-looking woman, Gu Qiuyan's "cousin".

She was pleasantly surprised to see Zhou Yi, "My brother-in-law is here."

"Qiuyan is inside. I'm going to buy some groceries."

Zhou Yi nodded.

He knew that this was a comrade arranged by the organization, and everything was done in tacit understanding.

As soon as she entered the house, the baby burst into tears, and Gu Qiuyan was in a flurry of activity.

"Sister Yu, please help me heat up some milk, I'm too busy to handle this."

"Oh dear, the child has wet the bed again. He's constantly wetting himself all day long!"

A smile appeared on Zhou Yi's face. "I'll do it."

Gu Qiuyan was changing the baby's diaper when she heard the sound. She turned around abruptly, her face full of surprise.

"How did you come?"

Zhou Yi walked over, placed his briefcase on the table, and smiled:
"As the child's father, how could I not come?"

"It seems you're not very welcoming to me."

Gu Qiuyan rolled her eyes at him, "You still know he's the father of the child."

She looked both reproachful and aggrieved.

"Oh, this child, her own father doesn't love her, and you, her father, don't care about her either. People who don't know better would think you look down on her because she's a girl."

Zhou Yi smiled, "Hello, girl."

"Come on, give me a hug."

Gu Qiuyan carefully handed the swaddled baby to him.

Zhou Yi reached out and casually took it.

"Hey! Support her waist, don't let her fall!"

Gu Qiuyan quickly reached out to support him, her voice full of concern.

"Don't you know how to hold a baby?"

Zhou Yi's movements were somewhat stiff. He looked down at the crumpled little life in his arms, his eyes becoming unusually complicated.

"I've never hugged him."

His voice was low.

"I was separated from my son and his mother right after he was born."

"Over the years, I've seen him less than one hand, let alone hug him."

Gu Qiuyan fell silent instantly. Looking at Zhou Yi's profile, she felt a pang of heartache and sighed.
"Yes, that's how it is in our line of work."

"With the greater good in mind, there can be no individual family."

“Pingru originally said he was going to come and keep me company for a while, and he had already gone down the mountain when the organization notified him that there was an urgent mission in the mountains, so he ran back.”

Zhou Yi sighed inwardly. It wasn't the organization that sent him back; it was Hong Zhiyou.

Otherwise, this family would probably be reunited in prison right now.

He smiled slightly and said, "It was right for him to run away."

"When I came here, there were quite a few spies along the way."

“Don’t forget, Gao Bin and Lu Ming have both met Zhang Pingjun. The two brothers look so alike. If they get caught, my presence with Gao Bin will be completely exposed.”

Gu Qiuyan's expression also turned serious.

"All right.

"But they wouldn't be after you, would they?"

Zhou Yi gently placed the child back on the bed, "It's entirely possible."

"Gao Bin's tone was off when he talked to me today."

Gu Qiuyan immediately pressed, "What's wrong?"

Zhou Yi recalled their conversation in the office today, "Zhiyou told me about Gao Bin's talking habits."

"I think this trip to Jiamusi might not be so simple. We all need to be careful, especially my cousin. Tell her to be extra cautious."

He looked at Gu Qiuyan.

"Is she treating you well?"

Gu Qiuyan nodded, "That's good. The comrades in Jiamusi have arranged people nearby. They will notify me immediately if there's any trouble."

Zhou Yi was slightly relieved.

"That's good."

He thought for a moment, then asked, "Nobody here knows your real identity, right?"

Gu Qiuyan shook her head.

“Besides my cousin knowing that I am your wife, Old Song, who knew my identity as Sister Lan, is no longer here.”

Zhou Yi paced back and forth in the room, a feeling of unease lingering in his heart:
"I have a feeling that something is wrong."

"I'll go back as soon as possible in a few days. Once Zhiyou returns to Harbin, I'll have him find a way to come and pick you up."

"Gao Bin is eager to see his granddaughter, so you can go back openly and legitimately."

At the mention of Gao Bin, Gu Qiuyan curled her lip and said, "Don't mention that person to me, I find him disgusting."

Zhou Yi said, "Yes, I feel that Gao Bin's suspicions about me have resurfaced."

"This is a very troublesome matter."

Gu Qiuyan sighed, looking at her sleeping daughter in her swaddling clothes with worry in her eyes, "This person is truly a persistent demon."

……

Jiamusi Police Station.

Old Cui, the captain of the Special Operations Team, walked into Zhu Yi's office.

"Section Chief, you're looking for me."

Zhu Yi looked up from a pile of documents, pointed to the chair opposite him, and said, "Zhou Yi has arrived."

He handed Old Cui an address.

"This is his address. Take some gifts and go see him for me."

Cui Wannian took the note and glanced at it: "Okay. I used to work with Zhou Yi on cases, so we're old friends. It's appropriate for me to go see him."

He paused, then raised a question: "But, section chief, wouldn't it be inappropriate for us to know his address?"

Zhu Yi waved his hand:

"Hey, that's not a problem. It would be strange if we didn't know."

“We’re all in this line of work, he knows it.”

Cui Wannian nodded. "Okay, do you have any other instructions?"

Zhu Yi leaned back in his chair and said slowly:
"Not urgent.

"In a few days, Gao Bin will call Zhou Yi."

"It's not too late to bait the fish then."

"You're just going to check him out and also get a feel for the area."

“I’ve found out everything about the neighborhood relationships of Gu Qiuyan’s relative.”

Cui Wannian understood immediately, "I understand."

……

The next day, evening.

A train is heading back to Harbin.

Hong Zhiyou, along with Xiao Guohua's family, returned to this familiar city, covered in dust from their journey.

Back home, he took a long, hot shower to wash away his fatigue and body odor, and then went straight to his uncle Gao Bin's house.

Aunt Liao Chunxiang had already stewed the fish, and the whole house smelled delicious.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

Gao Bin gave Liao Chunxiang a wink.

The aunt immediately understood and pulled Xu Yunying, who had almost finished eating, upstairs.

Only the uncle and nephew remained in the living room.

Gao Bin put down his wine glass, his face darkening. "Zhiyou, there's something troubling you right now."

"The newly arrived director of the Harbin Department, Yoshio Miyagawa, set a trap in Jiamusi to test Zhou Yi."

"He told me to call Zhou Yi the day after tomorrow and urge him to come back."

"At that time, Section Chief Zhu from Jiamusi will give Zhou Yi a top-secret document containing a list of underground red tickets in Harbin."

Gao Bin looked at Hong Zhiyou and frowned, saying, "I'm a little undecided right now. You're quick-witted, so help me figure this out."

Hong Zhi lit a cigarette: "Is the list real or fake?"

Gao Bin pondered for a moment and said, "I think it's most likely true."

"Yoshio Miyagawa is a new official who is unlikely to be all talk and no action."

Hong Zhiyou then asked, "Uncle, who called you?"

"It's Zhu Yi, the head of the Special Affairs Section of Jiamusi. He's in charge of carrying out this task."

Hong Zhi laughed: "Section Chief Zhu is your old rival."

He flicked his cigarette ash, and his gaze sharpened.

"Uncle, have you ever thought about something?"

Why didn't Yoshio Miyagawa come directly to Harbin to take up his post, but instead went to Jiamusi to ask Zhu Yi to design this whole thing?
"When I was in Tsukai, I can confirm that it was this Yoshio Miyagawa who used Zeng Che to lure me in, trying to find something to use against me. The special envoy he sent is still locked up in Tsukai's prison."

"Moreover, their plan at the time was very straightforward: as long as I went to rescue them, I would be directly identified as a suspect in the Military Intelligence Bureau and could be tortured on the spot."

"Such a vicious plan was devised in Jiamusi."

Hong Zhiyou's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Gao Bin's heart:

"It's obvious that I foiled their plan, and now they're trying to take advantage of your suspicions to target Zhou Yi."

"Everyone knows that Zhou Yi and I have a very close relationship."

"Those who are eyeing him are most likely after me."

At this point, Hong Zhi handed his uncle a cigarette and lit it for him himself.

"There's another piece of news."

"When I was in Tsukai, I investigated Yoshio Miyagawa through some connections."

"This person is an old acquaintance of Zhu Yi."

Hong Zhiyou, observing Gao Bin's rapidly changing expression, continued:

"Uncle, have you ever thought about it? The reason why Yoshio Miyagawa chose Jiamusi as his first stop in Manchukuo, and why Zhu Yi was the one to do this openly, is that there is only one reason."

"That means Zhu Yi has made a contribution and is very likely to be promoted."

"Once he becomes a third-class police superintendent, he will be qualified to become the deputy commissioner of the National Police Agency, or even the National Police Agency, and directly become Yoshio Miyagawa's right-hand man."

Hong Zhi stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and sneered:
"Uncle, your old rival has a very clever plan."

……

(End of this chapter)