Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 551 Ma Kui
Kwantung Army Headquarters.

A huge sand table map occupied the center of the war room, meticulously recreating the mountains and rivers of northern Manchukuo.

Yoshijiro Umezu, holding a slender baton, pointed to the jagged border lines on the map:
“Oda-kun, we still don’t have enough manpower along the border.”

"I intend to conscript at least 200,000 more laborers from Manchukuo to the front lines. To deal with the Soviet tank onslaught, we need to dig more trenches."

"Some concealed bridges can be built over the trenches."

"During an offensive, we can ensure the smooth passage of our tanks and motorized units."

"During defense, the bridges were blown up, and these trenches became natural weapons to block the Soviet army."

His gaze shifted to the other side of the sand table.

"In addition, we must build more simple airstrips to ensure that our fighter jets can take off from multiple directions and carry out bombing over a larger area with higher density."

"To deal with the Russians, we must use force to suppress force."

"Only more ferocious and denser firepower can completely crush their steel torrent of mechanical troops."

Staff Officer Oda, standing to the side, bowed slightly, his expression solemn.
"Your Excellency's concerns are very valid."

"Not only do we need to strengthen our military equipment, but I also think the Kwantung Army needs to conduct one or two large-scale live-fire exercises."

"General Ueda Kenkichi's defeat last time was largely due to insufficient understanding of the Soviet Union's steel army and a failure in his predictions..."

As they were talking, the door to the operations room was gently pushed open.

The adjutant hurried in, stood at attention, and saluted.

"Sir, an urgent telegram from Commander Kozuka of Harbin."

Yoshijiro Umezu took the telegram and quickly scanned the text on it.

He frowned slightly:
"Cheng Bin and Zhang Xiruo were killed in Harbin last night."

Staff Officer Oda looked surprised: "Who is Cheng Bin?"

"They were two traitors working for General Yang of the Anti-Japanese United Army."

"Okamura Yasuji originally planned to transfer these two men to North China and use their rich experience in 'suppression' to deal with the Eighth Route Army and local guerrillas in the North China base area."

"It seems like there's no hope now."

Yoshijiro Umezu said calmly.

The adjutant added, "General, Director Kishitani Ryuichiro of Tonghua also sent a telegram."

He suspected that the deaths of these two men were a setup orchestrated by someone in Harbin.

"Furthermore, it is believed that the Special Operations Division of the National Police Agency, which is responsible for security work, has committed serious negligence and is suspected of being an insider."

Yoshijiro Umezu scoffed, "A person who can't even control his lower body is destined to amount to nothing."

He casually handed the telegram back to his adjutant.

"Okay, that's settled then."

"Tell Commander Kozuka to handle it according to normal procedures."

"In addition, let Kishitani Ryuichiro set off as soon as possible to take up his post in North China, and don't waste time on these trivial matters."

"Yes."

The adjutant nodded in acceptance and turned to leave the operations room.

Yoshijiro Umezu's gaze returned to the huge sand table map.

For him, Harbin was never a frontline location.

That place is nothing more than a bustling arena for interest groups to fight each other.

As long as it doesn't affect the military funding promised for the Kojiyama direct-landing project, let them cause as much trouble as they want in their little nest.

Out of sight out of mind.

……

Harbin, Police Department.

Gao Bin was restless all day.

He had been waiting for a call from the military police headquarters.

Kishitani Ryuichiro had always regarded Cheng Bin and Zhang Xiruo as his right-hand men. This time, the two were invited to Harbin to give a report, but ended up dying tragically at Cuixianglou.

It is said that upon learning the news, Kishitani Ryuichiro immediately broke off relations with Miyagawa and flew into a rage in the director's office.

Half an hour earlier, the Tonghua police chief had angrily boarded a train and left Harbin.

Gao Bin knew that Kishitani's outburst would definitely reach the Kwantung Army headquarters.

Once Yoshijiro Umezu is enraged, Miyagawa and General Kozuka of the Military Police Headquarters will be unable to withstand the pressure and will reopen the investigation. The first one to suffer will be him, the head of the Special Affairs Section.

Just as he was feeling uneasy and repeatedly imagining all sorts of terrible consequences, the telephone on the table rang.

Gao Bin's body trembled violently, and he grabbed the receiver.

"it's me."

On the other end of the phone came General Kozuka's calm voice.

Gao Bin quickly stood up from the chair, his body ramrod straight.

"Yes, yes, General."

"okay, I get it.

"Thank you for your kind words, General. I will definitely pay you a visit another day."

"Goodbye."

After hanging up the phone, Gao Bin felt as if all his strength had been drained away, and he plopped back into his chair.

He let out a long sigh of relief, and the suffocating feeling in his chest finally dissipated.

Good luck.

Yoshijiro Umezu has surprisingly agreed to close the case.

It was so refreshing it was unbelievable.

Sure enough, in the eyes of those truly powerful figures, the lives and deaths of these lowly underlings were as insignificant as a feather and not worth a second thought.

Gao Bin picked up his pipe again and slowly filled it with tobacco.

That's where things get interesting.

He stroked his smooth forehead, his eyes becoming deep again.

If this matter is indeed something Zhi Yougan did.

That kid is practically a prophet.

Or perhaps... he is indeed innocent.

Cheng Bin and Zhang Xiruo, those two idiots, really only suffered this misfortune at Cuixiang Tower because they couldn't control their spending.

Gao Bin lit his pipe and took a deep drag.

In any case, we've finally survived this ordeal safely.

……

night.

The gas lamps on both sides of the street swayed in the wind and snow.

Hong Zhi drove his car at a leisurely pace through the streets and alleys of Harbin.

He glanced at it in the rearview mirror.

A black Ford sedan maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far, like a silent hunting dog closely following behind.

Hong Zhi gave a cold laugh, then abruptly turned the steering wheel, and the car turned onto a wide street.

There is a police station inside.

Hong Zhiyou adjusted the collar of his coat, got out of the car, and walked straight into the police station.

There was only one young police officer in the duty room, who was dozing off at the table.

"Brother, lend me a fire."

Hong Zhi took out a cigarette and handed it to him.

The young police officer was about to start yelling.

Hong Zhiyou flashed his stock certificate.

The officer immediately became respectful, frantically striking a match to light his cigarette: "Chief Hong, I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you at first. Please forgive me, esteemed sir."

Hong Zhi took another puff, and casually chatted as if it were nothing more than a passing fancy:

"It's okay, this damn weather is freezing."

"Yes, sir, you're out on business so late?" the officer said.

"There's no other way, I just have to make a living."

His gaze, however, was secretly fixed on the street outside through the condensation on the windowpane.

really.

The black Ford slowly drove past.

Hong Zhiyou's heart sank.

Someone is following me.

Who is it?
Japanese?
Umejin outwardly closed the case, but secretly sent people to keep an eye on him?

Or perhaps it was someone sent by Dai Li?
Once the thought popped into my head, I couldn't shake it off.

He quietly memorized the car's license plate number.

In Harbin now, the most reliable people are actually those "red ticket" gang.

Old Wei directly led the anti-traitor team and did everything himself; it was impossible for him to take action against the team himself.

"Thanks, bro. Here you go."

Hong Zhi took out a cigarette pack that he had barely smoked and tossed it to the police officer on duty before turning and leaving the police station.

"Thank you, Chief Hong." The policeman was extremely grateful.

I'd heard that Master Hong of Harbin was a man of integrity and principle, but I never imagined I'd be able to benefit from it myself.

This is a cigarette even the director can't afford.

... Hong Zhi got back into the car as if nothing had happened and drove straight toward Futai Leather Shop.

Not far away, the black Ford was parked on the street corner.

In the driver's seat, a young man lowered his voice:
"Brother Ma, that guy seems to have spotted us. Should we follow him again?"

In the passenger seat sat a man wearing a black leather jacket and a student cap.

He had a buzz cut, well-defined facial features, and a pair of eyes that shone with the sharpness of a hawk, making him appear very confident.

He was none other than Mao Renfeng's trusted bodyguard, Ma Kui.

Ma Kui adjusted his hat, a cold smile creeping onto his lips:
"Need not.

"Director Mao said that Boss Dai told us to observe this kid carefully first."

"In a couple of days, Mr. Zhou will personally talk to him."

"If he's smart enough to hand over the gold obediently, then things will be fine."

"If you don't pay... hehe."

Ma Kui didn't finish his sentence, but the murderous intent in his eyes said it all.

"Let's go."

He waved his hand, and the driver immediately started the car and drove in the other direction.

……

The doors of Futai Leather Goods Store were tightly closed.

Hong Zhiyou stood at the door and knocked a few times according to the agreed-upon code.

After a long while, the door was finally opened a crack from the inside.

Xiao Jia poked his head out, his face full of displeasure.

"Why are you here so late?"

Hong Zhi raised an eyebrow, reached out and pushed open the door, squeezing inside:

"I can come and go as I please at my own shop. Do I need to report to you?"
"Watch your tone of voice next time."

Xiao Jia was taken aback, pursed her lips, and reluctantly stepped aside.

Hong Zhi ignored him and went upstairs to the second floor.

Wu Jingzhong was lying on a rattan chair with a warm towel on his head, his eyes closed, and he was humming weakly.

Hong Zhi walked over, pulled up a chair, and sat down.

"Teacher, what's going on?"

Wu Jingzhong didn't even lift his eyelids, his voice so weak it sounded like he might die at any moment: "Sigh, what else can happen?"

"I caught a cold and fell ill."

"Recently, there have been too many people and too many things coming from the south and going to the north."

"I can't serve you anymore."

Hong Zhiyi knew from his sarcastic tone that the old fox was trying to play dead and escape into a life of leisure; this was his specialty.

Hong Zhiyou was too lazy to beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

"Teacher, please stop pretending."

"I know, Boss Dai sent someone."

"The official purpose was to kill traitors and cause trouble for the police department."

"Secretly, they're probably targeting me, aren't they?"

Seeing that the conversation had gone this far, Wu Jingzhong slowly sat up and smiled gently:

"Your news travels faster than a rabbit."

"I was just about to have Guohua inform you."

Hong Zhi let out a cold laugh:
"Teacher, if you really wanted to tell me, you should have notified me half a month ago."

"You know, without me, you wouldn't be able to take even a single thing out of Manchukuo."

"We're in the same boat now."

"Tell me, what exactly does the boss mean?"

Wu Jingzhong stopped pretending and took a sip of tea, saying, "Actually, I'm not too clear on the specifics either."

"I guess, most likely, Boss Dai has become suspicious of our previous gold installment payment plan."

"As you know, Boss Dai has been getting very close to Mellors lately."

"He may have gotten more inside information from the Americans."

"Recently, the US military has been increasingly at odds with the Japanese in the South Pacific."

"It seems that it's only a matter of time before the Germans go to war with the Soviets."

"Once Germany makes a move, the Japanese will likely take the opportunity to move south, and it will almost certainly lead to war with the Americans."

"Boss Dai probably feels that this regime in Manchukuo won't last long. That's why he's in a hurry for you to fulfill your promise."

He paused and added.

"In addition, this is also a form of warning."

"It reminds us that we are born into the Kuomintang and die as the boss's ghost."

"Son of a bitch!"

Hong Zhi cursed under his breath, "This is really going too far!"

"Alright, stop saying hurtful things."

Wu Jingzhong waved his hand.

"Dai Li sent a special envoy named Zhou Xi, who will probably talk to you soon."

"When the time comes, you should lower your stance, treat them well, and talk things out politely."

"Let's see if we can smooth things over."

"If all else fails, try to gather a batch of gold to appease them."

"You know Boss Dai's temperament. If you really anger him, it won't do you any good."

Hong Zhiyou sneered:

"I've never believed in superstitions."

"To be honest, I really do want to have a go at him."

"Of course, we won't use force."

A sly glint flashed in his eyes.

"Didn't he want money?"
“Okay, I can give it to him.”

"But whether he can get it or not is his own business."

Wu Jingzhong frowned and looked at Hong Zhiyou.

"Let me give you a piece of advice: don't try to outsmart your boss."

"His and Chiang Kai-shek's wisdom is beyond the reach of people like you and me."

Hong Zhiyou almost burst out laughing.

wisdom?

One was killed by a plane bomb, and the other was a micro-management master who squandered a winning hand and ultimately retreated to the isolated island.

If these two had any intelligence, pigs could fly.

Of course, he couldn't say these words out loud.

Dai Li's prestige within the Military Intelligence Bureau was indeed at its zenith at this moment.

It's perfectly normal for a seasoned veteran like Wu Jingzhong to regard him as a god.

"Teacher, just you wait and see."

Hong Zhiyou stood up and changed the subject.

"By the way, who's in charge of that 'Iron-Blooded Youth Group' now? Give me a list."

Wu Jingzhong shook his head.

There is no list.

"Guohua knows all the men under my command. The new people sent this time are just using the pretext of eliminating traitors."

"I have no idea who came or how many people came."

As he spoke, a playful smile appeared on his lips.

"Perhaps you could just call Mao Renfeng and ask him."

Hong Zhi glanced at him.

Boring.

His eyes darted around, and he suddenly asked:

"How's Rui Rui been lately?"

This statement was like a precise strike at Wu Jingzhong's Achilles' heel.

Old Wu felt as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly, and coughed a few times before saying:

"You don't need to worry about Rui Rui."

"However, the people the boss sends always need to eat, sleep, and find a place to stay."

"You know, Boss Dai's special envoys all love to make a big show of themselves."

"Especially Ye Ziming and Zhou Xi, who come from big cities, are all vain guys."

"If you put in a little effort, finding their hideout in Harbin is only a matter of time. It's just a matter of finding these assassination gang members."

"Of course, my advice is that you shouldn't try anything funny, just be careful."

"After all, they're our own people, there's no need to take action."

……

(End of this chapter)