Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 532 Please enter the urn
Eleven o'clock in the morning.

The air inside the police station seemed to have been sucked out, leaving only a thick, suffocating silence.

In the corridor, the Secret Service officers kept their heads down and hurried along.

The door to the reception room was tightly shut, like a silent behemoth, swallowing the words and expressions of everyone who entered.

Finally, the door to the reception room opened.

Dr. Haruno and Captain Takeda came out one after the other.

The two did not linger in the corridor, but went straight to the office of Deputy Director Liu Zhenwen.

In the office, Liu Zhenwen and Gao Bin had been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing the two enter, they immediately stood up to greet them.

On the coffee table, freshly brewed tea is steaming.

"Captain Takeda, Dr. Harano, please have a seat."

Liu Zhenwen wore a polite smile.

After everyone was seated, Liu Zhenwen, who was not good at Japanese, turned his gaze to Gao Bin.

Gao Bin understood immediately. He leaned forward slightly and asked on behalf of the director, "Captain Takeda, what was the result of the inquiry?"

Takeda picked up his teacup, but didn't drink it; he simply used the lid to gently skim off the foam.

Most people in the hall have alibis.

"Dr. Haruno tested them using psychological methods, and there were no problems with their testimonies and emotional reactions."

"However, there is one person who is very suspicious."

Gao Bin's body tensed instantly, and he almost blurted out, "Is it Zhou Yi?"

Takeda shook his head.

His gaze shifted to Gao Bin, his eyes carrying a scrutinizing quality:

"Do not.

"It's Lu Ming."

Gao Bin's expression froze.

He thought he had misheard. "Lu Ming?"

Takeda continued, "Dr. Harano discovered that Lu Ming's emotions were very strange when he provided his alibi."

According to him, he was sleeping alone at home on the night of the incident.

"However, when Dr. Haruno conducted in-depth psychological tests and even attempted shallow hypnosis, he discovered that Haruno was lying."

“Lu Ming wasn’t home at all the night before last.”

"How is this possible?" Gao Bin's voice rose unconsciously.

“I know Lu Ming. He is absolutely loyal to the empire and would never dare to shoot a military policeman!”

He was almost defending Lu Ming, or rather, upholding his own judgment.

Dr. Haruno, who had been silent all along, frowned slightly, and his gaze behind his glasses sharpened.

"Gao Binjun."

Are you questioning my professional competence?

An invisible pressure descended.

Gao Bin stiffened, quickly bowed, and forced an apologetic smile: "Dr. Yuanye, you've misunderstood. I absolutely didn't mean that."

"But... Lu Ming has been with me for many years, and I know what kind of person he is. There might be some misunderstanding in this."

Dr. Haruno adjusted his glasses, his tone calm yet carrying the rigor of a scholar.

“Gao Binjun, you have made a typical subjective mistake.”

"Under normal circumstances, people are easily swayed by their own habitual thinking."

"For example, if you have already decided that Zhou Yi is the murderer in your subconscious, then you will imagine a hundred possible ways he could commit the crime in your mind, and any doubts related to him will be magnified infinitely by you."

"Conversely, if you believe that Lu Ming could never be the murderer, you will also come up with a hundred reasons to exonerate him."

For example, you emphasize his loyalty.

You think he's just a nobody who's focused on getting promoted and making money.

"And it is precisely this kind of preconceived thinking that makes you most likely to fall into cognitive traps and be exploited by real infiltrators."

Dr. Haruno's gaze swept across Gao Bin's face.

"Believe me, I've seen many examples like this."

"The person you think is the least likely to be is often the one you're looking for."

Gao Bin was somewhat stunned by these words. He waved his hand but was unable to refute them:

"Alright, I have no doubt about Dr. Haruno's professional competence."

"But I still reserve my opinion."

"I maintain that Zhou Yi is more likely."

Captain Takeda glanced at the stubborn Gao Bin and stopped arguing.

He said calmly, "I have already ordered the arrest of all the police officers in several district police stations whose bullets don't match."

"Now, only your police department is left."

His gaze lingered on Gao Bin's face for a few seconds.

"I know that Gao Binjun and Director Liu have always suspected that there is a mole hiding in the department."

"If that mole is indeed the one who sent the telegram and shot the military police, then tonight is his last chance."

"Tomorrow morning, all guns will be collected and inspected. All the lies will be exposed, and everything will naturally come to light."

Gao Bin nodded:

"Well, that can only be done."

Takeda and Dr. Harano stood up, gave a brief greeting, and left.

Gao Bin sat alone on the sofa, looking at the cup of tea on the table that had gone cold, his eyes filled with uncertain emotions.

……

Takeda walked out of Director Liu's office and stopped at the corner of the corridor.

He said to Dr. Haruno, "Doctor, you should go back to the military police headquarters and rest. You've worked hard."

Yuanye nodded and turned to leave.

Takeda straightened his uniform and, instead of returning to his office, went straight to the economics section.

Hong Zhiyou was sitting with his legs crossed, leaning back in his chair reading a newspaper.

The office door was pushed open, and he looked up to see Takeda, a lukewarm smile appearing on his face:
"Captain Takeda, how's the investigation going?"

Without any formalities, Takeda pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Hong Zhiyou, saying:
"Section Chief Gao suspects it's Zhou Yi."

"But Dr. Haruno conducted tests and confirmed that the simple woman was not lying."

He took a sip of water and continued, "Based on her testimony, we went to verify it again."

"The night before last, Zhou Yi and his wife Gu Qiuyan did go out to visit a friend named Qian Zhengyuan."

"Mr. Qian used to be an important official in Harbin and had a high reputation in political circles. He also always thought highly of Zhou Yi, and the two families had always had a good relationship."

“Our people have confirmed that Mr. Qian Zhengyuan is indeed ill and bedridden, and his wife can also confirm that Mr. and Mrs. Zhou Yi did visit him that night.”

Therefore, Zhou Yi has a complete alibi.

"On the contrary, your colleague, Lu Ming, has many flaws in his words."

"I think this person has a lot of problems."

"Hong Sang, you are as wise as the sea, what advice do you have on this?"

Hong Zhi folded the newspaper neatly, placed it on the table, and smiled: "Me, to give my opinion? That's not a good idea."

"When Commander Chengcang finds out, he'll be unhappy again, saying I've overstepped my bounds."

Takeda quickly waved his hand and said solemnly:

“Hong Sang has misunderstood. Commander Chengcang actually admires you very much.”

"His Excellency the Commander has no interest in your businesses; he simply doesn't want you to get too involved in the intelligence system."

"However, he always felt that it was a great waste for a top student like you, a graduate of the Imperial Army University and an outstanding talent strongly recommended by General Doihara, to be wasted in the stock market."

"So, he hopes I can interact with you more, communicate more, and occasionally listen to your opinions."

Hong Zhi sneered inwardly.

He didn't believe the old devil Chengcang's nonsense.

What appreciation? What a waste of talent.

That old fellow is very shrewd; he's afraid of locking himself up too tightly and becoming a law-abiding citizen.

This is about giving yourself some room to maneuver so that you can give yourself away.

However, Hong Zhi didn't care.

Whether Chengcang is keeping an eye on him or not, he knows in his heart what he should and shouldn't do.

Thinking of this, Hong Zhi leaned back and shifted to a more comfortable position.

"Since Captain Takeda asked, I'll just say a few words."

"Out of consideration for avoiding any appearance of impropriety, I feel that the National Police Agency is no longer suitable to continue its involvement in the investigation of this case."

"After all, the suspect was inside."

"Perhaps it would be more appropriate to let the Security Bureau take over the investigation."

Takeda's eyes lit up, and he nodded, saying:
"Your suggestion is very important."

"At least, I don't think Section Chief Gao is suitable to lead this case anymore."

"His bias is too obvious, which is very detrimental to the fair investigation of the case."

Hong Zhi smiled and then changed the subject.

"Takeda-kun, how has everything been at home lately?"
Takeda's smile vanished instantly, and he let out a heavy sigh:
"No, things aren't going well at home."

His voice lowered.

"My elderly father, wife, and children are still crammed into a small house of only 40 or 50 square meters in Osaka."

"My son wanted to apply to university this year and join the Navy, but he was rejected."

Takeda's eyes dimmed, as if he could see the plight of his distant hometown.

“Every time I call, my wife complains on the phone.”

"The meager salary I send back home is simply not enough to cover the family's expenses."

"Life has been really tough."

Hong Zhiyou showed a sympathetic expression, picked up a cigarette from the table, and offered one to Wu Tian.

"Do you know how the village head's family is doing now?" he asked casually.

Takeda took the cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

"Know.

"Although Section Chief Yamanami and Murakami are dead, their families and children now have more money than they can spend in a lifetime."

“I know that all of this was given to me by you, Mr. Hong.”

"Therefore, when Captain Murakami and the others died, they still held you in high esteem and had not uttered a single complaint."

"Many of our soldiers have sacrificed their lives on your land, while their families continue to live in poverty and hardship, and the Empire has not taken care of them."

He laughed self-deprecatingly, a laugh filled with bitterness and disillusionment.

"The Empire may win this war."

"But we, those who risk our lives for it, will ultimately lose everything."

"I wasted my youth and neglected my family and children."

"Sometimes I think, Captain Murakami really deserved to die."

Hong Zhi sighed softly: "Yes, I also miss the time when Captain Murakami was around."

"We talk about everything and help each other like a family."

He looked at Takeda and shrugged sincerely:

“Takeda-kun, you know about your family and everything... I can’t help you, and I can only express my deepest regret.”

Takeda's body trembled slightly, and he said with a wry smile:
“Hong Sang, I appreciate your kind intentions.”

“You are our true friend.”

"You know what we need and what we hate."

He clenched his fists, his voice filled with suppressed anger.

"What a terrible fate!" After saying that, Takeda picked up the military cap on the table, solemnly put it on his head, then bowed deeply to Hong Zhiyou, turned around and strode out.

Hong Zhiyou's smile slowly faded.

A good drum doesn't need a heavy hammer.

He only needed to say a few words to completely ignite the flame of hatred in Takeda's heart.

Under the oppressive rule of Commander Chengcang, the entire police and gendarmerie system of Manchukuo, from officers to soldiers, was in "unbearable pain."

In the past, it was commonplace for the military police to extort money wherever they went.

Especially someone like Murakami, who received tens or hundreds of thousands of yuan just from raiding Ma Wendong's house.

What now?
Everyone can only earn that meager salary.

The military police and regular police below fared even worse; they lost even the freedom to visit brothels.

Even worse, recently, Chengcang executed several more short-sighted individuals as a warning to others.

The Japanese military police, which appear to be strictly disciplined today, are actually rife with undercurrents.

After all, once you're used to eating delicacies, who would want to eat pickled vegetables and dried radishes every day?

Shirokura believed that human relationships and social skills were poison and wanted to crush everything with an iron fist.

What he didn't realize was that one wanted to control, and the other wanted to take; ultimately, it was all about self-interest, and this conflict could never be reconciled.

Given the Japanese army's tendency to insubordinate and defy superiors, Hong Zhiyou didn't think that old devil Shirakura could live much longer.

All he needed to do was occasionally add fuel to the fire that was about to catch fire and wait patiently for good news.

……

night.

Lu Ming returned home.

Looking at the spacious and bright house, he felt a strange emptiness and panic.

That damned Japanese devil Harano, I don't know what kind of evil magic he used on me today.

I just chatted with him for a bit, and then I inexplicably fell asleep.

But Lu Ming knew in his heart that the situation was very bad for him.

The way Haruno and Takeda looked at him when they left had already told him everything.

These idiots actually pinned their suspicions on themselves when they were accused of shooting the military police.

Lu Ming wanted to call Section Chief Gao immediately and tell him everything.

Then find that slut Li Guoyi and make her come out to testify for you.

But then he thought about it again and hesitated.

That way, his affair with Madam Li would be completely confirmed.

If that brute Li Guoyi found out, he'd probably chop himself to pieces.

Besides, that shrewd woman, for the sake of her reputation, might not dare to stand up and admit it at the crucial moment.

"Hey……"

Lu Ming scratched his head, feeling like he was trapped in a dead end.

It’s so annoying!

He walked to the phone, picked up the receiver, and wanted to call Gao Bin or Hong Zhiyou.

But as soon as his fingers touched the dial, he slammed the receiver back down.

With Chengcang currently in a tight-knit control, Hong Zhiyou is essentially a cripple, barely able to protect himself.

Moreover, I offended Ma Wendong quite badly last time, so he might not be willing to help me.

As for Section Chief Gao...

Lu Ming braced his hands on the table and suddenly realized that in this vast city of Harbin, he couldn't find a single person he could completely trust.

He angrily pulled open the desk drawer and took out a thick wad of banknotes.

who cares.

Let's have fun first.

Anyway, we're handing over our guns to everyone tomorrow.

When the time comes, I can just slam the gun on the table, clear my name, and everything will come to light.

He, Takeda, couldn't just pin this blame on himself without any evidence.

Thinking of this, he felt a little relieved.

Just as he was about to close the drawer, Lu Ming felt it wasn't safe to keep the gun at home.

He casually took the pistol off his waist, checked it, and then put it back on his waist, fastening the leather buckle on the holster.

Once in the car, Lu Ming didn't hesitate at all and headed straight for the casino.

He didn't dare go to Hong Zhiyou's Yong Shengkui.

There were too many people and too many eyes there, and no one dared to default on their debts there. The people in the casino wouldn't take him seriously either.

He drove to an underground gambling den in Nangang.

The owner here is called Lao Hu. He used to be in jail for committing a crime, and Lao Hu bailed him out.

Here, Lu Ming is the one who has the final say.

If you win, the money is yours.

Even if he loses, Lao Hu should at least refund him 50% or 60%, so that he doesn't lose everything.

When we arrived at Lao Hu's casino, it was filled with smoke and noise.

Lu Ming exchanged the chips with practiced ease.

Old Hu personally brought over a fine purple clay teapot, bowing and scraping as he handed it to him.

Lu Ming, carrying a teapot, wandered between the various gambling tables and quickly became engrossed in the game.

At first, he was able to remain somewhat vigilant, and his hand would occasionally unconsciously reach for the holster on his waist.

But as the gambling went on and he got into the game, he gradually forgot about it.

A hand reached out silently from the crowd, moving with lightning speed.

After succeeding, the man quickly lowered his hat brim, turned around, squeezed into the crowd, and hurriedly left the casino.

……

Next to an abandoned old house.

Chen Jingyu, along with several police officers from the Security Bureau and Japanese military police, were carefully searching the scene with flashlights.

Suddenly, a policeman lowered his voice and shouted, "Section Chief Chen, we've found it."

Chen Jingyu walked over quickly.

The policeman was holding a bright yellow police bullet.

A barely perceptible hint of coldness flashed in Chen Jingyu's eyes, and he nodded.

"Keep looking and see if there are any other clues."

He took the bullet, carefully placed it in the evidence bag, and then handed it to a Japanese military policeman standing next to him.

"Please hand this over to Captain Takeda and secure the evidence."

The two Japanese soldiers didn't say much. They saluted, got on their motorcycles, and quickly disappeared into the night.

……

Inside the small room at the monitoring point.

Sixth Brother and Dog Ears were playing cards around a broken table, and the room was filled with smoke.

"Dog Ears, I'll say it again." Old Six threw down a card. "Section Chief Lu instructed that if the Japanese ask later, you must say that I went with you to see your mother that night."

"Otherwise, if Section Chief Gao finds out we've lost sight of the person, he'll definitely rip our heads off."

The officer nicknamed Dog Ears said impatiently, "I know, I know, you've been nagging all day, how could I forget such a trivial matter?"

"Play your cards quickly!"

Old Six sighed and cursed, "Damn it, I don't know when this will end."

"Staring at this lousy place all day, I can't even have any fun with women."

"The heating is still cold in this godforsaken place, it's freezing."

Dog Ears chuckled dryly twice.

"I think Captain Zhou's wife looks quite young."

"Once Section Chief Lu has dealt with Zhou Yi, we'll take her to the interrogation room and give her a 'night shift' tonight."

The sixth brother also revealed a lewd smile.

"Hehe, that's true."

"That woman usually seems quite arrogant. Let's sweet-talk her and then put a few mice in her coop. Let's see if she'll still pretend then."

The dog lowered its voice and said mysteriously, "Damn it, we're just going to sit here and think about it."

"Section Chief Hong has already been eating meat for a long time."

"Haven't you heard? Gu Qiuyan's child is actually Section Chief Hong's son. Even the name was given by Section Chief Gao."

The sixth brother's expression changed, and he raised his hand and slapped him on the back of the head.

Shut your bird beak!
"You dare to gossip about Section Chief Hong in Harbin? You're asking for trouble!"

Dog Ears quickly shrank his neck and smiled ingratiatingly, "Yes, yes, I was wrong, Sixth Brother."

As the two were talking, there was a sudden knock on the door.

dong dong dong.

The sixth man snapped irritably, "Who is it?"

The person outside the door coughed lightly, deliberately lowering their voice to imitate Lu Ming's.

"it's me."

Upon hearing this, Lao Liu didn't think twice and quickly got up to open the door.

The door had barely been opened a crack when two dark submachine guns were thrust inside.

The sixth man's mind went blank for a moment, and he immediately realized something was wrong, so he quickly raised his hands.

Xiao Guohua and several of his men entered.

Xiao Guohua put his index finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture.

"Brothers, please come with us without making a sound."

Lao Liu and Gou Erduo were put into the car, with guns pressed against their waists on either side, and they didn't dare to utter a sound.

The car drove all the way to the desolate outskirts.

"get off."

Xiao Guohua's voice was icy.

Old Six and Dog Ears, with their hands raised, shakily climbed off the car. Their legs gave way and they knelt on the snow, begging for mercy with mournful faces.

"Gentlemen, which restaurant are you eating at? We're from the police department, please don't fire your weapon, please don't fire your weapon!"

Xiao Guohua flicked the cigarette butt from between his fingers.

Snapped!Snapped!
Two crisp gunshots rang out.

Old Six and Dog Ears shuddered violently and then collapsed softly into the snow.

Xiao Guohua didn't even glance at the corpse, and gave orders to his men behind him.

"Dig the pit deeper, so no one can tell."

The two men immediately obeyed and picked up the shovels prepared on the vehicle to start digging.

After burying the body, Xiao Guohua drove past a public phone booth, and, with a cigarette between his fingers, dialed a number:

"nailed it."

After saying that, he snapped the button, got into the car, and drove away.

……

Three o'clock in the morning.

Lu Ming won a lot of money, exchanged his chips, and left with Lao Hu seeing him off.

As soon as he got into the car, he instinctively reached for his holster, and his expression immediately changed drastically.

He opened the holster, only to find that the gun inside had vanished sometime earlier.

……

(End of this chapter)