Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 534 Shirokura Makes His Move

Upon hearing that there was still a glimmer of hope, Lu Ming struggled desperately as if he had been pulled out of the water, shouting in Gao Bin's direction.

"Section Chief Gao, save me! You must save me!"

His voice was hoarse, filled with desperate pleas.

Chen Jingyu waved his hand.

Two policemen immediately stepped forward and dragged Lu Ming, who was still screaming, away like a dead dog.

The interrogation room door closed, shutting out the piercing screams.

Chen Jingyu slowly and methodically organized the materials on the table, putting the fatal bullet and the photo of the pistol into the evidence bag one by one.

He stood up, a professional smile on his face:

"Section Chief Gao, judging from the current situation, the chain of evidence is basically complete and sufficient."

"You'd better not waste your time on a dying man."

Gao Bin smiled and said, "Section Chief Chen, I know your Security Bureau wants to make a name for itself and is eager to report to Commander Chengcang."

"However, things can be accomplished by human effort."

"Let's take a look first."

Chen Jingyu's smile widened: "Alright then."

"I'll be waiting for Chief Gao's good news at this time tomorrow."

After saying that, he took the documents and quickly walked out.

……

The group walked out of the security bureau's gate.

The winter sun is pale and cold, and its rays only intensify the chill on one's skin.

Gao Bin tightened his thick leather coat, but still felt a bone-chilling cold. He realized that he was really getting old, and the older he got, the more obvious his physical decline became.

"Takeda-kun, let's chat for a bit." He called out to Takeda.

Takeda thought for a moment and nodded.

Gao Bin didn't say much and walked straight to the car.

He gestured for the driver, Jin Quan, to get out of the car.

Jin Quan understood, opened the car door, and stepped aside.

Gao Bin first climbed into the back seat of the car.

Takeda hesitated for a moment, then got in and closed the car door behind him.

Gao Bin cut to the chase: "Takeda-kun, don't you think it's too much of a coincidence?"

"Lu Ming's gun, of all times, was stolen the night before we were to inspect it."

"Then, Sun Xiaoliu and Ma Qiang, his two most capable subordinates, mysteriously disappeared."

Finally, the missing gun reappeared intact in the hidden niche in his house, exactly four bullets missing.

"Everything seemed to be guided by a string, precisely pointing towards Lu Ming."

What does this look like?

Gao Bin paused, looking at Takeda: "It's like there's an invisible hand controlling everything from behind, determined to keep a close eye on him."

Takeda's face remained expressionless as he listened quietly.

After Gao Bin finished speaking, he smiled and said, "Sorry, Section Chief Gao."

"I didn't feel like I was doing it intentionally."

"I think Section Chief Chen Jingyu's deduction makes a lot of sense. It's highly likely that Lu Ming was sending a telegram with Sun Xiaoliu and the others when they were discovered by the Imperial Military Police, who then hastily shot them."

"Afterwards, in order to cover up his crimes, Lu Ming killed Ma Qiang and the others to prevent future troubles."

"He just didn't expect that our people would find the empty bullet so quickly, leaving him no time to replenish his ammunition, which is why he was exposed."

"Based on all the evidence and inferences, I actually think that Lu Ming is the mysterious and elusive red ticket lurking beside you."

Takeda was well aware that something was amiss about the whole affair.

But he doesn't care about the truth at all now.

As Hong Zhiyou said, he worked for the empire, but his family lived a hard life in the countryside, while the family of the deceased Murakami became rich because of his death.

Is this fair?

unfair.

If that's the case, why take it so seriously?

It's better to avoid trouble and resolve this hot potato case as soon as possible.

As for fairness and justice, let Commander Chengcang decide.

Seeing that Takeda was unyielding, Gao Bin felt a surge of anger rising within him, but he managed to suppress it.

"Alright, Takeda-kun, I won't argue with you about this."

He changed his perspective, and his tone softened.

"As you know, I've been in this line of work for many years."

"In terms of age and experience, I should be able to call you a senior, right?"

"I'm thinking, what if—and I mean what if—Lu Ming was framed..."

Takeda raised his hand, interrupting him directly.

"Section Chief Gao."

"Your reputation in the Manchukuo police force is known to everyone."

"However, I have no interest in hypothetical matters."

"If Chief Gao can find new evidence to prove your hypothesis, I would be happy to overturn the current conclusion."

"I still have something to do, so I'll take the first step."

After saying that, Takeda gave a polite bow, opened the car door, and walked out without looking back.

boom.

A muffled thud made Gao Bin's eardrums ring.

He watched Takeda's departing figure, his teeth itching with anger.

Those damned Japanese devils!
It's like a rock in a latrine—stinky and hard!
It seems we can't count on Takeda.

The only way is to go find Commander Chengcang.

Thinking of this, Gao Bin took a deep breath and pushed open the car door.

He waved to Jin Quan, who was not far away.

"boarding."

Jin Quan immediately jogged over, opened the car door, and sat in the driver's seat: "Section Chief, where to?"

"Go to the residence of the city granary commander," Gao Bin ordered.

"Yes."

Jin Quan accepted the order, stepped on the gas, and the car merged into the traffic.

……

noon.

Daowai District, Qianshan Road, Futai Rice and Grain Store.

This is a shop that Hong Zhi had Lao Hei take over a few days ago, with only one purpose: to ensure the daily life and nutrition of Sun Yuejian and her son.

Of course, Zhou Yi will pay for it.

This wealthy police officer, who inherited a large fortune from his Russian grandmother, is not short of money.

Zhou Yi slowly parked the car in front of the rice shop.

He and Hong Zhi got off the car one after the other.

Inside the shop, Sun Yuejian was having lunch with the shop owner, Manager Meng, and his family around a small table.

Manager Meng, with his sharp eyes, spotted Hong Zhiyou and immediately put down his chopsticks and stood up to greet him with a beaming smile:

"Oh, it's Young Master Hong!"
"What brings you and Captain Zhou here?"

He then turned to his wife and children at the table and yelled, "Have you no manners? Come over here and greet our two distinguished guests!"

Hong Zhi raised his hand and said with a smile:

"No need, no need. You all eat and drink as you please. Don't worry about me. I'm just looking around."

He walked to the counter and tapped the abacus.

"Old Meng, how's business?"

Manager Meng immediately came over, looking distressed.

"Young Master Hong, you have no idea, the people here in Daowai are dirtier than they are, all thanks to you and Master Hei sticking to their backs."

"To be honest, I feel uneasy about running this store."

"Rent is expensive, so brown rice doesn't fetch a good price. And good quality white rice is too expensive for most people to afford, plus there aren't many people with the necessary permits."

"Think about it, all the people with red certificates live inside."

"It's a business that's purely losing money."

Hong Zhi smiled nonchalantly, "I'm not afraid of losing money."

"When doing business, you can't just focus on the money in front of you. You have to take a long-term view and first build a solid market and reputation."

As he spoke, he walked to the dining table and glanced at the dishes on it.

Cabbage stew with tofu, a few pitiful pieces of white meat floating in a pot of sauerkraut.

His brows furrowed immediately: "The food is this bad?"

Upon hearing this, Manager Meng quickly explained:

"Young Master Hong, is this still not good enough?"
"Look, it's cabbage stewed with tofu, and there are even slices of meat in the sauerkraut. We're eating the finest sorghum rice."

"This food is a luxury for us ordinary folks."

"Others might not even have potatoes, radishes, or cabbages to get through the winter."

Hong Zhiyou was amused by him:
"Old Meng."

"How many days does a person live in this world? If you're working for me, don't be stingy. You know I don't need your money for food."

"Only when you are well-fed and clothed can you do your job well with peace of mind."

As Hong Zhiyou spoke, he took out several hundred-yuan notes from his briefcase and slapped them on the table.

"From now on, every meal must include a lot of meat, at least three dishes and a soup, and you must eat white rice."

"Otherwise, all the red certificates I got for you would have been for nothing."

He gestured with his chin towards Sun Yuejian, who was standing quietly to the side:

"Next time I come, I won't ask you, I'll ask her."

"If the food isn't good, I'll replace you."

Sun Yuejian looked at the money on the table, then at Hong Zhiyou, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes.

She smiled and nodded at Hong Zhiyou.

Then, her gaze subtly returned to Zhou Yi.

Eyes facing each other.

A thousand words were conveyed in that brief eye contact.

Zhou Yi's eyes were deep, filled with worry, longing, and utter helplessness.

Old Meng hurriedly nodded and bowed:

"Young Master Hong, you are truly a living bodhisattva descended to earth!"
"Okay, okay, I promise I'll make sure you have plenty of meat and fish every day from now on, and I'll sell rice diligently to repay your great kindness!"

Hong Zhi smiled with satisfaction: "You're too kind. Okay, thank you for your hard work here."

Upon hearing this, Old Meng almost burst into tears, and hurriedly bowed deeply, saying, "My dear young Master Hong, you are really making me feel terrible. I am just a lowly person, so..."

Hong Zhi raised his hand to stop him: "Alright."

"You guys continue eating, we have something to do, so we'll be leaving now."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the store.

Old Meng bowed and scraped as he saw him to the door.

Zhou Yi followed behind, and as he passed Manager Meng, he turned around and gave him an instruction.

"If you need anything, give us a call."

Manager Meng quickly replied, "Alright, Captain Zhou, don't worry."

Zhou Yi gave Sun Yuejian a deep look before turning around and walking out of the store with Hong Zhiyou.

The two of them didn't exchange a single word from beginning to end.

During this high-pressure period, their identities are too sensitive, and any unnecessary contact could arouse fatal suspicion.

Watching their car disappear around the street corner, Manager Meng rubbed his hands together and walked back into the shop, his eyes still glistening with tears.

"Hey, old woman, what good luck our ancestors had to be to have such a great employer?"

"Young Master Hong, he really treats us like human beings."

"Think about it, back in the day when we worked for Old Wu's family, we were treated like cattle and horses."

As he spoke, Old Meng wiped away his tears and called to Sun Yuejian, who was still standing there in a daze.

"Xiao Sun, come and eat, don't just stand there."

He picked up his chopsticks and couldn't help but start muttering again:

"I have to say, you two are really clueless. You didn't even say a word to the boss when you saw him. You're so inconsiderate."

Sun Yuejian lowered his head and spoke very softly:
"Shopkeeper, I'm sorry."

"I... I get nervous when I see these officials, afraid that I might say the wrong thing and cause you trouble."

Manager Meng waved his hand casually:

What are you afraid of!

"Our boss is Young Master Hong."

"Don't forget, this is Harbin. As long as we have Little Hong protecting us, even if the Japanese come, we don't need to be afraid of them!"

Sun Yuejian nodded: "Understood, shopkeeper."

"Next time Mr. Hong comes, I will definitely treat him well."

She picked up her rice bowl and silently ate the sorghum rice inside, her mind drifting back to Zhou Yi.

Last time we were far apart, so I didn't get a good look at him.

This time, however, he looked even older and more haggard, with many gray hairs growing at his temples. Alas!
……

The car drove away from the Futai Rice Store.

Hong Zhi leaned lazily against the passenger seat and opened his arms to Zhou Yi.

His posture was like that of a landlord waiting to collect rent.

Zhou Yi knew what was going on. With one hand on the steering wheel, he took out his wallet from his pocket with the other and handed over a few brand-new Kangde coins.

It's not reasonable for someone else to pay for a meal when it's just my wife and son eating.

"I'm a little short on cash lately, so please take this money first."

"Later, could you help me sell a few more antiques, calligraphy, or paintings?"

Zhou Yi smiled.

Hong Zhi took the money, counted it, and stuffed it into his pocket with a smooth and effortless motion, without the slightest bit of politeness.

He chuckled and said, "Hey Lao Zhou, your Russian grandma left you quite a fortune."

Zhou Yi's gaze fell on the stark white winter street scene ahead, his tone tinged with distant memories:

My Russian grandmother was a noblewoman of Tsarist Russia.

"When the October Revolution happened, the Tsar was overthrown, and her family fled to Manchukuo, taking many things with them."

“My grandmother passed away a long time ago. When I was a child, my parents were busy, so I often stayed at her house.”

"You could say I was raised by her."

"After she passed away, she left everything to me."

Hong Zhi clicked his tongue, revealing a regretful expression: "Russian nobleman, did I ask for too little?"

Zhou Yi smiled, a rare moment of ease:
"Okay, then you can ask for more next time."

"Giving you the money means the good stuff isn't going to go to outsiders."

Hong Zhi lit a cigarette, took a puff, and asked, "Why did you decide to see your sister-in-law today?"

Zhou Yi tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "I have a feeling."

"Lu Ming won't die."

"Once Section Chief Gao is convinced that Lu Ming is not the murderer, he will investigate to the very end."

"This time, such a big scheme was set up. If it weren't for Lu Ming, Section Chief Gao and Cheng Cang would definitely have suspected me."

Hong Zhi flicked his cigarette ash, unconvinced: "Whether you set up a trap or not, they will still suspect you."

"But you did hand over the gun, didn't you?"
"Chengcang is a very old-fashioned person. Unlike my uncle, he doesn't know you very well."

"As the commander of the military police of the entire Manchukuo, he was probably much busier than we imagined, and his attention would not be deliberately focused on Harbin."

"Therefore, he only talks about evidence."

"Unlike my uncle, who is bored out of his mind and suspicious of his own little corner of the world all day long."

Zhou Yi was silent for a moment, then the car turned a street corner: "I've thought about that too."

"What I'm worried about is that he'll become suspicious of you."

"There are very few people in Harbin who can pull off such a large-scale operation."

Instead of being nervous, Hong Zhiyou laughed and exhaled a beautiful smoke ring.

I don't care.

"In short, he has no evidence."

"and……"

He paused deliberately, stuck the cigarette butt out of the car window, and watched the sparks go out instantly in the cold wind.

"I hope he suspects I'm a red vote."

Zhou Yi frowned: "Why?"

Hong Zhi leaned back into the soft seat, his expression becoming inscrutable: "Cheng Cang's attitude towards me is very contradictory right now."

"He was wary of me on the one hand."

"On the other hand, I was recommended by General Doihara and some of his highly regarded colleagues and seniors in the Tokyo area, so he couldn't tell my true worth."

"That's why he had Takeda interact with me."

He is waiting.

"Wait until I make a mistake, wait until he can be sure of his own judgment, and then he will take action against me."

"Unfortunately, if he thinks I'm a red vote, then his time is running out."

A hint of confusion flashed in Zhou Yi's eyes, and he tentatively asked:
"You want to... assassinate him?"

Hong Zhiyou immediately shook his head: "Assassinate a lieutenant general? Am I crazy?"

"In the next few years, all I want to do is make money, and make money steadily."

"The plot to assassinate someone has already resulted in the death of Shibuya Saburo. If Shirokura were to die at my hands, Umezu Yoshijiro would definitely order my execution, and then no amount of pleading would be of any use."

His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, making a rhythmic sound.

"However, Shirokura was known for his harshness and severity."

"What if it was a Japanese officer from the Kwantung Army who assassinated him?"

Zhou Yi still didn't fully understand his logic: "But what does this have to do with him recognizing you as a red vote?"

Hong Zhi smiled, this time with a hint of fox-like cunning:
"According to the annual tradition, after the New Year, I would invite the officers of the military police and the Special Higher Police to dinner to strengthen our relationship and give them some money and gifts."

"This year, because Chengcang, that 'iron-faced judge,' came, we still haven't been able to send him off."

"I plan to do this in a couple of days."

"At that time, I will have someone secretly report this matter to Chengcang. Knowing Chengcang's personality, he will definitely deal with these people severely."

"Takeda and his men have been suffering in the city for a long time."

"I have secret information that Takeda, and the head of the Special Higher Police, Incheon, have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction with Shirokura in private, and even plotted to get rid of him."

"They just need the final spark."

"I hope that this time, I can help them make this happen."

Zhou Yi instantly understood the entire logical chain, and his heart trembled slightly.

This tactic of using someone else to do one's dirty work is truly insidious.

He pondered for a moment and said, "That's a good idea. But what if Yoshijiro Umezu takes his anger out on you?"

Hong Zhi shook his head, his face full of certainty: "No."

"Yoshijiro Umezu isn't stupid."

"Chengcang's iron-fisted policies have affected the interests of too many people. I believe that on his office desk, there are piles of reports demanding Chengcang's removal that are higher than a mountain."

"Especially in the General Staff Headquarters, I have many old acquaintances there."

“They used to get a lot of money from me, but now they can’t get a single penny, and they’ve been holding back their anger for a long time.”

"Yoshijiro Umezu's dislike of politics does not mean he is ignorant of politics."

"I think he's now in a dilemma. On the one hand, he wants to rely on Shirokura to strengthen the internal reforms of the Kwantung Army, but on the other hand, he has to face the huge interests at stake from top to bottom."

"Shirokura's death is a relief for him, a good answer."

Zhou Yi nodded, the doubt in his eyes gradually dissipating.

"Well, that makes sense.

“Yoshijiro Umezu has been here for almost half a year, and he should have seen clearly by now that Manchukuo is a complex and intricate place that cannot be controlled by him alone.”

Hong Zhi stubbed out his cigarette and smiled, "Just wait and see."

"The show is about to begin."

……

night.

The official residence of Lieutenant General Chengcang.

Gao Bin, who had been waiting in the reception room for the entire afternoon, was so tired that his butt was almost numb.

People kept coming and going, and he asked several times, but the secretary always told him to keep waiting.

Just as his patience was about to run out, the door finally opened.

"Section Chief Gao, the Commander requests your presence." The secretary bowed slightly.

Gao Bin straightened his collar, stood up, and followed his secretary into the spacious yet oppressive office.

Cheng Cang was engrossed in reviewing documents, not even looking up, until Gao Bin walked up to his desk, at which point he put down his pen and asked, "Section Chief Gao, is there something you need?"

Gao Bin bowed slightly:

"Commander, I would like to tell you some little-known details about the Lu Ming case."

Shirokura raised his hand, signaling him to continue.

Gao Bin composed himself and recounted his doubts about the entire case, from the coincidence of the timing of Lu Ming's gun theft to the mysterious disappearance of Sun Xiaoliu and his companion, and then to the discovery of the gun in Lu Ming's home—all the illogical details were presented one by one.

Shirokura listened quietly, his deep-set eyes revealing no emotion.

After Gao Bin finished speaking, he slowly opened his mouth, his tone gloomy.

"If someone in Harbin could set up such a meticulously planned scheme..."

He paused for a moment, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing Gao Bin.

“I think this mole is more like your nephew, Hong Zhiyou.”

One sentence sent a chill down Gao Bin's spine, making him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

His face turned deathly pale instantly: "Commander! I...I didn't mean that!"

Shirakawa looked at his panicked appearance and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth:
"Don't be nervous, Section Chief Gao."

"This is just a guess."

"Speculation and investigation are your special operations department's business. Normally, I only look at the evidence and the results."

“I know Lu Ming has been following you for a long time, and you want to help him.”

"Do you have evidence?"

Gao Bin had been waiting for this sentence, and he nodded quickly: "Yes!"

"Lu Ming said that he was on a date with a woman on the night of the incident. This woman can vouch for him that he was not at the scene."

Chengcang raised an eyebrow: "Then why didn't he confess?"

Gao Bin's tone was somewhat helpless:
"Because this woman... has a special identity. She is the concubine of Li Guoyi, the commander of the 26th Regiment of the National Revolutionary Army."

"Li Guoyi is known for his fiery temper."

"Lu Ming was afraid that if things were exposed, not only would he be in trouble, but he would also implicate that woman, so he never dared to say anything."

"If we can bring this woman to confront us, we can prove Lu Ming's innocence."

A hint of disdain appeared on Shirokura's face.

In his eyes, a regimental commander of a puppet Manchukuo army corps was not even worth an ant.

He nodded and said understandingly, "Yes, I know you face many inconveniences when operating in your home country."

“In that case, I will personally send troops to ‘invite’ this Regiment Commander Li and his wife over.”

Gao Bin felt relieved and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Commander!"

Chengcang waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to be so polite.

"That's how it should be."

"I respect everyone who is committed to seeking the truth."

His gaze became somewhat distant, as if he were seeing another person through Gao Bin.

"My old friend, Shibuya-kun, is just that kind of person."

"Logically speaking, you and he are the same kind of people. If you join forces, Harbin should be the most secure place in Manchukuo."

"pity……"

Gao Bin lowered his head and remained silent.

He understood the unspoken meaning behind Cheng Cang's words.

Shirokura has already determined that Hong Zhiyou is the real culprit who murdered Shibuya Saburo.

He was just waiting for an opportunity.

But Gao Bin knew that, at least in the case of the military police being killed, Zhiyou could not possibly be the mastermind.

According to the forensic doctor's estimation of the time of the incident, Hong Zhiyou was chatting with Gao Yunying in his room at home that night.

It is precisely because of this certainty that Gao Bin dares to stand here so confidently and boldly to exonerate Lu Ming and seek justice for him.

After half an hour.

Li Guoyi and his young and beautiful concubine were "invited" into the office by two armed Japanese military police.

As soon as the two entered, upon seeing Chengcang, who was stern-faced and cold, their legs went weak and they trembled.

Li Guoyi could only speak a few broken Japanese phrases. He bowed and scraped, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Sir... Commander!"

"You...you wanted to see me...is there something you need?"

Gao Bin stepped forward, his face darkening: "Old Li, Commander Cheng Cang has summoned you here to confirm one thing."

Cheng Cang leaned back in his chair, slightly raising his chin, indicating to Gao Bin to continue the interrogation.

Gao Bin glanced at Li Guoyi and his concubine, then spoke coldly.

"The commander wants to know, where were you and your wife three days ago, the night the Imperial Gendarmerie was shot?"

Li Guoyi was taken aback, and subconsciously replied, "I...we're at home."

"Nonsense!"

Gao Bin's voice suddenly rose, startling Li Guoyi so much that he trembled all over.

"Commander Li, we're old acquaintances. Let me give you a piece of advice: you need to know where you are!"
"The fact that Commander Chengcang personally summoned you means that he has solid evidence!"

"If you try to play tricks here, you're asking for trouble!"
"Therefore, I advise you to think carefully before answering."

Where were you two that night?

Li Guoyi thought for a moment and said, "I was playing mahjong with some friends at the Madier Hotel. The staff there and my friends can all testify to that."

"Old Gao, you don't suspect that I killed the Imperial Army soldiers, do you?"

Gao Bin sneered and looked at the pale-faced concubine: "Madam Li, please tell us what happened."

……

……

(End of this chapter)