Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 542 Picking up money, picking up money

night.

Sakura Japanese-style Club.

The bathhouse was filled with steam and warmth.

Hong Zhi leaned against the pool wall, letting the hot water soak his body and dispel the fatigue of the past few days.

Beside him, Takeda, Nikawa, Miyagawa Yoshio, and Ogasawara Yoshiki also looked quite content.

Each person had a geisha in a light yukata nestled in their arms.

Takeda held the woman in his arms, occasionally telling a bawdy joke, which made the geisha blush and giggle.

The atmosphere was lively and unrestrained.

"Cough cough." Hong Zhi tilted his head back and downed the wine in one gulp.

At the meeting, Ogasawara Yoshihiro made a gesture to everyone.

The geishas immediately understood, and they all got up and left the bathhouse with small, delicate steps.

As the wooden door was gently closed, the noise abruptly ceased.

With no outsiders around, Ogasawara Yoshitsugu relaxed completely, leaning against the edge of the pool and letting out a long breath.

That breath carried a sense of weariness and relief, as if one had survived a catastrophe.

"Everyone, we are now... completely free."

"Oh, I've almost forgotten how long it's been since I've had such a peaceful soak in a public bathhouse."

Incheon smiled, deeply agreeing.

"Yes, with Shirokura dead, our good days have finally returned."

As he spoke, he poured himself another glass of wine, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes:
"However, it's a bit disappointing that Commander Kozuka didn't come."

Ogasawara Yoshikichi understood what he meant and smiled, saying:

"Gentlemen, Commander Kozuka said that he is getting old and his energy is failing, so he can't get along with us young people and won't be joining in."

He grabbed a cigar, cut it open, lit it, and took a deep drag.

"The commander has always been steady and tactful. At his age, it's already quite remarkable that he was able to settle down safely in Harbin."

"Now, all he wants to do is go back to Hokkaido, build a nice house, go fishing, grow flowers, and spend his old age with his grandson."

"They see things more clearly and don't want to get involved with us."

Upon hearing this, Yoshio Miyagawa's face broke into his signature smile:

"General Kozuka is a wise man."

He raised his glass and gestured to the crowd.

"He's getting old, so we'll have to take better care of Harbin from now on."

"Come, everyone, let's drink to General Kozuka's heroic act of settling things right!"

"cheers!"

Takeda and Incheon immediately responded, raising their glasses in a toast.

Yoshiya Ogasawara smiled and raised his glass.

Hong Zhiyou took a small sip and then put it down.

His face did not show the relief and ease that others wore.

Incheon keenly noticed his unusual behavior.

"Section Chief Hong seems to have something on his mind?"

Hong Zhi raised his eyelids and his gaze swept over everyone present:

"Gentlemen, the case is closed, shouldn't we... talk about money now?"
Money is a good thing.

"Let's not talk about anything else, just tonight."

Hong Zhiyou held up two fingers.

"The top-quality sake, cigars, and those beautiful girls from earlier—all the expenses combined would cost at least two thousand Conde coins."

“You are soldiers, you are high-ranking officials, but I am not.”

"Friends, money isn't everything, but you can't do anything without it."

He leaned slightly forward, his gaze sharp and direct, staring intently at the crowd.

"Business is business. How have you reached an agreement on the opium den?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Takeda's face:
“Hong Sang, regarding the opium den... the Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce still has some objections.”

"As you know, there are explicit regulations from above that opium can only be sold to Manchurian citizens. It is strictly forbidden for us Yamato people and soldiers to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hong Zhiyou raised his hand to interrupt him.

"That's all bullshit!"

Hong Zhiyou snorted coldly.

"As far as I know, there are quite a few high-ranking officers in the General Staff who smoke opium. Why don't they ban it?"

At this point, he pointed to the people sitting there while holding a cigar.

"All I know is that this is a business, and it's a fool not to make money from it."

"Furthermore, I am informing you today not to solicit your opinions, but to tell you that I am determined to do this deal."

His tone was unquestionable, carrying an irresistible force.

"Those who are willing to contribute their labor will share the profits."

"Five years."

Hong Zhiyou stretched out a hand.

"Dividends are distributed every five years."

"I can assure you all that in five years, the money I give you will be enough for each of you to return to your homeland and build a mansion even more magnificent than this one, using banknotes as bricks."

His voice was full of confusion.

"Let's see if you guys have the guts to play with me."

There is no doubt that Hong Zhiyou's language is very persuasive.

Both Takeda and Incheon's breathing became somewhat heavy.

Build luxury mansions with money.

This scene had a huge impact on them.

Incheon subconsciously looked at Yoshikazu Ogasawara and Yoshio Miyagawa.

In Harbin today, both the police and military systems are controlled by these two individuals.

If they agree, the matter is half settled.

Ogasawara Yoshi smiled.

He put the cigar in his mouth and leaned lazily back against the pool wall:
"Section Chief Hong saved my life, so your matter is my matter, and I will naturally support you wholeheartedly."

"To put it bluntly, even if the Kwantung Army took a couple of puffs of opium, it wouldn't affect their combat effectiveness much."

"He will win the battles he is destined to win, and he will lose the battles he is destined to lose, even if he doesn't smoke. For example, when faced with the Soviet Union's steel torrent, he will still be helpless."

His words were full of insightful observations and sarcasm about the current situation.

"I've seen through this damn world a long time ago."

"The outcome of the war is something that Commander-in-Chief Yoshijiro Umezu and the Ministers of the Army and Navy in Tokyo should worry about."

"For ordinary people like us, we should first take care of our own money and make sure our parents, wives and children can have enough to eat before we worry about anything else."

Takeda, standing to the side, slammed his fist heavily into the water, splashing up a large spray: "That's right!"
"What kind of bullshit war is this?!"

"The rich get richer the more they fight, while ordinary people like us from the countryside are all being sucked dry!"

He became agitated, and his voice grew louder and louder.

“Back in my hometown, as long as I worked hard, I could at least have food to eat three times a day.”

"And now? What kind of wartime control is this? My family is receiving such meager rations every day that they're starving most of the time!"

"Meanwhile, bigwigs like Shirokura, along with politicians, zaibatsu, and generals in Tokyo, were partying every night!"

"They drink the most expensive wines and play with the most beautiful women, while our families go hungry and our soldiers bleed for them on the battlefield!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, and the veins in his neck bulged out.

"That's not fair!
"Don't even mention selling opium to those Japanese immigrants; even if I had to personally feed them cow dung, I wouldn't care!"

"I just want money!"
"I want my wife, children, and parents to live a good life!"

"Screw the rules!"

Incheon was also affected by Takeda's emotions. He grabbed a wine glass and downed the wine in one gulp.

"well said!"

He slammed the wine glass heavily onto the wooden tray.

"There's an old Chinese saying: 'If a man doesn't look out for himself, he'll be damned by heaven and earth!' I support Hong Sang!"

All eyes finally fell on Yoshio Miyagawa.

Yoshio Miyagawa still wore that warm smile on his face:
"When it comes to opium smoking, isn't it all about mutual consent?"

His voice was gentle, yet every word he uttered was piercing.

"People can talk all they want, why should we bother with this?"

“You can’t let those high-ranking officers in the General Staff draw lots while we expatriates can’t, can you? That’s not fair.”

He cleverly subverted the "unfairness" that Takeda mentioned.

"As long as they can afford it, that's their freedom."

“And Hong Sang and we are the defenders of freedom.”

"As a police officer, I have a duty to defend the freedom of every expatriate, so that they can enjoy happiness to the fullest in this paradise."

Yoshio Miyagawa's voice echoed in the rising steam, carrying a strange, magical power that distorted the truth and reversed right and wrong.

Ogasawara Yoshiki slapped his thigh hard, splashing water everywhere.

"well said!

"Director Miyagawa, your words are truly insightful and profound! You are indeed worthy of being our elder brother!"

He looked around at everyone and raised his glass.

"That's right, for freedom!"

"To defend the right of expatriates to enjoy happiness!"

"And a toast to the 'golden house' that Section Chief Hong and we all share!"

"cheers!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Takeda and Incheon excitedly raised their glasses and clinked them together, the crisp sound echoing loudly in the bathhouse.

Everyone was overjoyed and drank it all in one gulp.

As the wine flowed freely and the atmosphere reached its peak, the mood became even more lively.

Hong Zhiyou put down his wine glass and got to the point:
"Since all of you brothers are willing to play with me, I will explain my thoughts to you in detail."

"I plan to build an opium den in the backyard of the Sakura Club."

The backyard of the Sakura Club?

Both Takeda and Incheon paused slightly in their breathing.

Hong Zhiyou seemed oblivious, continuing to paint that alluring picture:
“Think about it. Every time the Japanese expatriates and officers come here to bathe and eat, a beautiful geisha will personally hand them a pipe and massage their shoulders and legs.”

"What a blissful life this is!"

"This is what we call a one-stop service."

"Everyone, what do you think?"

A brief silence fell over the bathhouse.

Ogasawara Yoshi frowned slightly:
“Hong Sang, the idea is good.”

"However, I'm afraid Yamamoto, the owner of the Sakura Club, won't agree."

Hong Zhi laughed. "He doesn't agree?"

He asked a question in return, his gaze sweeping over the several high-ranking officials present.

"So what do you do?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Takeda's face. He rubbed his chin and said, "Hong-san, we're all Japanese. It might not look good if our military police get involved directly."

Hong Zhiyou's smile faded.

"Brother Takeda, I don't like hearing you say that."

His voice became a little colder.

"Over the years, how many of those despicable things have you military police done in the expatriate district, extorting and demanding bribes?"

One sentence left Takeda speechless, his face turning red with embarrassment, unable to refute it.

Hong Zhi didn't look at him again, and his tone returned to calm.

"I know that the owner of the Sakura Club has some connections with the Ronin Society in Harbin and knows some military officers behind the scenes."

"no problem.

"If it's inconvenient for you to come forward, I'll have someone talk to him."

"I will acquire this club and run it myself from now on."

Seeing his confidence, Ogasawara Kichi quickly tried to curry favor with him:
“Hong Sang is indeed a man of great courage.”

"I can guarantee to mediate and make Yamamoto agree to the acquisition as 'pleasantly' as possible."

He changed the subject, adding a perfectly timed reminder.

“However, Hong Sang, this is no small sum.”

Hong Zhiyou burst into loud laughter:

"Brothers, you don't need to worry about money at all."

“I have applied for a loan of three million yen from the bank through Mr. Naoto Kojiyama, the chairman of the South Manchuria Railway Company.”

three million!
Takeda, Nikawa, Miyagawa Yoshio, and even Ogasawara Yoshi all had their pupils shrink sharply the moment they heard the number.

The air in the bathhouse seemed to have become three degrees hotter.

Hong Zhi took in their expressions and continued speaking slowly and deliberately:
"Within five years, I only need to pay the interest."

The principal will be repaid five years later.

"So everyone, if you play with me, don't worry about my wallet being empty."

"Just like the wine tonight, if your appetites are big enough, I can fill the entire bathhouse with wine."

Three million in cash on hand.

Like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, it stirred up a tidal wave in the hearts of the four Japanese officers.

The way they looked at Hong Zhiyou had completely changed.

They were no longer being seen as a business partner, but as a walking god of wealth.

"Hong Sang!"

Takeda was the first to speak, his voice trembling slightly:
"It's settled then! I'll go back and tell the brothers that they should come to the Sakura Club to relax from now on!"

"I promise I will recommend this place to many friends!"
"Of course, our military police will also increase patrols near the club."

"I personally arranged for alarm bells to be installed inside the opium den, directly connected to the military police duty room, to ensure absolute security here!"

Yoshio Miyagawa quickly followed suit, his face plastered with a fawning smile:

"Captain Takeda is very thoughtful!"
"I will also set up a police patrol point in the neighborhood where the club is located, and strengthen police patrols 24 hours a day to ensure that no petty thieves dare to cause trouble here!"

Incheon also raised his glass and solemnly said:
"Hong-san, don't worry about the Special Higher Police."

"If there's any indication from above regarding the rectification of discipline, I guarantee I'll get the information to you immediately!"

Several people rushed to express their opinions, turning their power into capital for investment without hesitation.

Hong Zhi nodded in satisfaction.

He raised his glass.

"Okay, it's settled then."

"To show our sincerity in cooperating, this is just a small token of my appreciation, for you gentlemen to have some tea."

He clapped his hands gently.

Wow.

The wooden door of the bathhouse was opened.

Peng Hu carried a tray covered with a red cloth in both hands and steadily walked to the edge of the pool.

Hong Zhiyou reached out and lifted the red cloth.

Stacks of brand-new Kangde coins were neatly arranged on a tray, exuding an enticing scent of ink under the light.

"It's just a small thing."

Hong Zhiyou said it casually.

Gudong.

Takeda and Incheon swallowed hard, their eyes widening in surprise.

This is equivalent to several years' worth of their salary.

"Hong Sang, this...this is too kind!"

Yoshio Miyagawa was polite in his words, but his eyes were fixed on the banknotes, unable to look away.

"Hong Sang is so magnanimous!"

Takeda was the most direct, praising sincerely.

Hong Zhi waved his hand, and the group quickly took three bundles each.

Taking advantage of the enthusiastic atmosphere, Hong Zhiyou threw out a new bait.

"Everyone, if you, or your relatives and friends, have gold bars, antiques, jewelry, or similar items that you want to sell in the future..."

"I will purchase them at a price 20% higher than the market price."

"Our main focus is on providing excellent service, cash transactions, and never delaying payment."

Upon hearing this, Yoshio Miyagawa's eyes lit up instantly.

"Hong Sang, this isn't just drunken talk, is it?"

Hong Zhiyou picked up his wine glass and gently clinked it against his.

"certainly.

“Police don’t lie to police.

"I'll take as much as you have."

Takeda smiled slyly; he was thinking a step further than Yoshio Miyagawa.
"Brother Hong, you're practically sitting on a huge gold mine, why are you still so interested in these small gold bars?"

Hong Zhi laughed heartily, his expression open and honest.

Everyone has their own quirks.

"I have only two quirks."

"Women and gold."

As he spoke, he picked up the pure gold lighter on the table and casually tossed it to Takeda.

"Give it to you."

Takeda caught it hastily, and the cold, heavy touch made his heart skip a beat.

Goodness, this lighter must weigh at least two ounces.

Seeing Hong Zhiyou's nonchalant attitude, the last trace of doubt in his heart vanished.

This Section Chief Hong truly doesn't value money.

If you follow him, you're guaranteed to have something to eat.

No wonder Captain Murakami never revealed anything wrong with Hong Zhi until his death.

Takeda nodded heavily and carefully placed the lighter away.

"Alright, thank you very much, Mr. Hong."

The atmosphere became even more heated and unrestrained in the following time.

The group drank and chatted, exchanging toasts and conversations, from the war to women, with no more barriers between them.

After a few rounds of drinks, Hong Zhiyou called over several voluptuous Japanese women.

The sounds of orioles and swallows, the soft fragrance of jade.

The drinking session lasted until late into the night.

When Hong Zhiyou, supported by two Japanese women on either side, staggered out of the club, a satisfied smile on his face.

It must be said that everyone has their own area of ​​expertise.

These girls from island nations do indeed have a special skill; their ability to serve people is unparalleled, making for a rather pleasant experience.

Of course, what pleased him even more was the loan that was about to be received.

Three million Kant coins.

This huge sum of money was enough for him to stir up trouble wherever he pleased in Harbin, this black soil.

If it's gone, we can just borrow another one.

With the guarantee of Naoto Kojiyama, the president of the South Manchuria Railway Company, the money in the Japanese bank was like his own private vault to him.

Anyway, the principal will be returned after five years.

Hong Zhi squinted, gazing at the cold night sky.

Five years later, those arrogant Japanese devils will probably be digging potatoes in the icy snow of Siberia.

Hey.

He couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Compared to when I was in Tianjin, where I was constrained at every turn and had to proceed cautiously at every step, this is a far cry from my previous situation.

Manchukuo is now practically a land of gold, where you can pick it up at any moment.

Finding money is so easy.

Using Japanese money to make money off the Japanese devils, and then before the Soviets could loot Japanese industrial machinery, they would use their connections with Naoto Kojima to acquire Japanese industries cheaply, and then resell them to the wealthy and powerful Chairman Truman, who had received a lot of US dollars from him.

Even if the Chairman loses to the red vote again, the industry can be preserved on the red land, preventing the Russians from taking advantage of the situation.

That's an immeasurable act of merit.

……

(End of this chapter)