Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 555 Whoever touches him, I will touch them.

Ma Kui grabbed Yu Bo, who was still in a daze, and roared out a single word.

"go!"

The two plunged headlong into the greasy and chaotic kitchen of Jubinlou, knocking over buckets of water, and scrambled out the back door in a disheveled state.

I don't know how long I ran through the alley.

They heard the sounds of pursuit behind them subside.

Ma Kui then stopped, hunched over, hands on his knees, panting heavily.

"Look, take a look."

"Has anyone caught up with us?"

Yu Bo peeked out cautiously towards the alley entrance, but it was pitch black outside: "No, nobody's here."

"Damn it!"
“The Northeast is too complicated. You can start a fight just by looking at it. It’s incredibly treacherous,” Ma Kui cursed.

Yu Bo's lips trembled:

"Brother Ma, it seems like we're in trouble."

"The guy we just shot and killed was called Master Cai."

"He used to be the deputy commander of the 73rd Division stationed in Harbin under Marshal Zhang. He seems to have quite a background."

It would have been better if he hadn't said anything, because as soon as he did, Ma Kui's anger flared up, and he slapped Yu Bo hard across the face.

"Damn it!"

Ma Kui gritted his teeth and growled, "You knew he had connections, yet you still pulled out your gun?"

"Who the hell told you to pull out your gun?!"

Yu Bo covered his burning face and said dejectedly, "I...I drank too much, didn't I?"

"Let me make this clear first, it's you who's in big trouble, not me." Ma Kui pointed at his nose, viciously disclaiming any responsibility.

Yu Bo stiffened his neck:
"But, but the bullets that just hit him were all from your gun..."

Ma Kui's eyes widened, revealing a fierce glint: "What do you mean?"

Yu Bo felt uneasy under his gaze, and his imposing manner immediately diminished.
"Brother Ma, what I mean is, let's think of a way to settle things down first."

Ma Kui's chest heaved violently, but he managed to suppress the burning desire within him.

Now is not the time for infighting.

He said irritably, "What's the rush? Let's go back first, and once we've loaded the gold onto the truck, we'll leave tomorrow."

"Let's go, I'll call Zhou Xi first."

"He has a wide network of connections, so if anything happens, he can cover for us."

“Those bastards from Manchukuo consider themselves His Majesty’s subjects, and they’ve always been incredibly arrogant. They even dare to beat up the Wang Jingwei regime’s police. If you fall into their hands, you’re sure to suffer the consequences.”

The two slipped out of the alley, one after the other.

Ma Kui walked to a public phone booth on the street and quickly dialed a number.

The call was connected.

"My surname is Ma. Could you please look for Mr. Zhou?"

After a brief wait, he lowered his voice and spoke urgently.

"Mr. Zhou, something has happened..."

"okay, I get it."

He hung up the phone and called out to Yu Bo, who was not far away.

"Let's go back to the bungalow and wait out the storm."

……

Inside the Sakura Club, it was warm and cozy, like springtime.

The wine glasses clinked gently, producing a pleasant sound.

Hong Zhi raised his glass and clinked it with Zhou Xi's.

Zhou Xi took a sip of sake, a playful smile on her face:

"Yu Bo is a capable guy."

"Police officers are currently conducting a large-scale search for him and Ma Kui in the vicinity."

Hong Zhi smiled and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

"Brother, it's your turn now."

“The police station and the military police are my people, and they will come knocking on my door soon.”

"They might 'interrogate' you."

Zhou Xi's hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly:
"I've heard that Japanese punishments are very cruel. I... I won't die in one of them, will I?"

Hong Zhi smiled:

What are you afraid of?

"As long as you insist that you are Dai Li's special envoy and are here on official business, Boss Dai will protect you to the death for the sake of those nine thousand taels of gold."

"Don't underestimate the power of the boss. Now that the policy allows contact, his reach can be very far."

Zhou Xi nodded, feeling slightly more at ease.
"What should I say when the police ask me what I'm doing in Harbin?"

"Simple, just investigate."

Hong Zhi had already prepared an explanation for him.

"Just say that you are here on the orders of Boss Dai to take a trip to the Northeast and see the true economic and living standards of the people here, so that the Chairman can make a correct assessment."

"Once you drop this excuse, it won't be long before Puyi personally picks you up and takes you to Xinjing, where he will take you on a tour in his golden carriage."

Hong Zhiyou's words always possess a reassuring and pleasant power, truly like drinking fine wine, intoxicating the heart and soul.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xi's initial panic vanished instantly, replaced by a strange excitement and anticipation.

He had even begun to imagine the grand scene when he was received by Puyi.

"Okay, then I'll wait here for the police to come and arrest me."

He put down his glass, then remembered a crucial question.

"What if they ask about our relationship..."

"It doesn't matter."

Hong Zhi waved his hand.

"Last time in Tianjin, I was entrusted by Commander Zhou Fohai and Commander Tada Shun to be one of the commissioners for peace negotiations with the Nationalist government delegation."

"So, your coming to Harbin can be considered a second assignment by the delegation, and your contact with me can be considered normal interaction."

"As His Majesty the Emperor's subject, isn't it perfectly normal for me to treat you well and demonstrate the hospitality of my Manchukuo?"

Zhou Xi nodded repeatedly, his face full of admiration:

"Yep!

"No wonder Ye Ziming has mentioned you so many times, my brother, you are truly an outstanding person."

"I dare not claim to be a dragon or a phoenix; we are more like kindred spirits than kindred spirits," Hong Zhiyou said with a smile and a wave of his hand.

"Alright, brother, have a few more drinks and eat a few more bites."

"When we get to the interrogation room tomorrow, the food will definitely be bad," he added.

"Okay, then I won't see you off."

Zhou Xi seized the time and hurriedly pulled a geisha into the inner room.

Hong Zhiyou walked out of the clubhouse.

Peng Hu quickly came to greet him.

"Call a few reliable brothers and move the gold bars away immediately," Hong Zhiyou instructed.

"After they finish their work, give each of them two sticks."

Peng Hu frowned and said, "Sir, you've given me enough."

"I'm not short of money, I'll just give it away."

Hong Zhiyou's tone left no room for argument.

"Ok."

Peng Hu nodded, turned and disappeared into the night.

After giving his instructions, Hong Zhi got into the car and went straight home.

He took a nice, relaxing hot shower.

He knew that Harbin would be incredibly lively tonight.

He walked to the phone, thought for a moment, and then unplugged the phone line.

Then, she collapsed onto the soft bed and fell asleep with her head covered.

……

Inside the dilapidated bungalow.

Ma Kui had just closed the door heavily and hadn't even had a chance to catch his breath when he heard the roar of a car engine outside.

Ma Kui's heart skipped a beat. He went to the window and looked out; the person was numb.

Dozens of Japanese soldiers, dressed in khaki uniforms and carrying Type 38 rifles, slowly approached the house.

Behind them, a Japanese soldier was deftly setting up a small mortar, its dark muzzle coldly aimed at the small bungalow.

What the hell...

Ma Kui's mind went blank.

Yu Bo also came over, and when he saw the scene outside, he almost collapsed to the ground.

"Horses, cavalry, what do we do now?"

His voice trembled, and his hand instinctively reached for the gun at his waist.

"We still have bullets, so... how about we fight them!"

"Fuck your mother!"

Ma Kui cursed in a low voice, his tone filled with despair.

"If you dare to fire a shot, they dare to fire a cannon!"
"You think the Japanese devils are just joking around with you?"

"what is it now?"

Yu Bo looked at Ma Kui, completely bewildered.

Ma Kui swallowed hard.
What else can we do?

"Go ahead and vote."

He took a dirty white cloth, tied it to a bamboo pole, and stretched it out of the window at an angle, swaying in the cold night wind.

Outside, the leading Japanese officer raised his hand and made a downward pressing gesture.

The Japanese military police surrounding the bungalow spread out to the left and right.

Ma Kui and Yu Bo exchanged a glance, then held their heads and slowly walked out.

"Chinese?"

The officer asked in Japanese.

Ma Kui knew a little Japanese, and he nodded quickly:
"Yes, yes, Chinese."

The officer turned around and gave a few instructions to the soldiers beside him in Japanese.

"Notify the police department to come and take him away."

……

Soon, several police officers arrived and escorted Ma Kui and Yu Bo into a car, heading straight for the Harbin Police Department.

The hall was brightly lit.

The person on duty was Liu Kui, the head of the public security section.

He just bought a fake antique and he's furious.

Upon seeing Ma Kui being brought in, their eyes met briefly in mid-air.

Liu Kui then had a better understanding of the situation.

The untamed and ruthless look in this guy's eyes is something that street thugs can't fake.

This guy's tough.

Liu Kui stood up and walked over.

"what happened?"

A policeman standing nearby stood at attention and replied, "Reporting to Section Chief Liu, these two guys opened fire at Jubinlou and killed several people. They were caught by the patrolling military police."

Liu Kui sneered:
"Heh, that's interesting."

"The military police have landed a big fish."

As he spoke, he reached out and patted Ma Kui's face.

The gesture was frivolous, yet extremely insulting.

Ma Kui's eyes were fierce, and he defiantly turned his head to the side, dodging his hand.

"Yo?"

Liu Kui's temper flared up instantly.

"Still dare to hide?"

He grabbed Ma Kui by the collar and started hitting him haphazardly.

The dull thud made the eyelids of the nearby police officers twitch.

Ma Kui let out a muffled groan of pain, collapsed to the ground, his face contorted in agony as he convulsed uncontrollably.

Liu Kui shook his slightly numb wrist and spat.

"Red Ticket wouldn't be so reckless."

"This bird smell is probably from the Military Intelligence Bureau."

He waved his hand at his subordinates: "Give it to Lao Tu first, lock him up."

"Don't investigate, don't ask questions, and don't do anything."

"Just leave it to dry, add some seasonings and simmer it for a while."

"Yes!"

The officers obeyed, supporting Ma Kui on either side and giving the terrified Yu Bo a push, and walked towards the interrogation area in the basement.

……

The next day.

As soon as Hong Zhiyou stepped out of his house, he saw Xiao Guohua squatting by the rickshaw across the street, eating a cornbread.

Upon seeing Hong Zhiyou, he handed him a steamed bun and said, "My wife made this. She added sugar, milk, and eggs. It's so delicious."

Hong Zhiyou didn't stand on ceremony and took the food, saying, "Mmm, sister-in-law's cooking is truly superb. Is Duoduo settling in well here? I'll bring her to the shop sometime; I haven't seen her in a while."

Xiao Guohua said, "Thanks to you, the child is doing very well. He has meat, milk, and eggs at every meal. He lives a more comfortable life than an emperor."

“My wife always says that the Xiao family’s ancestral graves must have been emitting auspicious smoke to be able to meet you, Section Chief Hong.”

Hong Zhiyou laughed and said, "You're too kind. You'll still eat and drink well with your teacher."

Xiao Guohua said, "That's hard to say. The station chief has treated me well, but ultimately..."

He didn't continue.

Seeing that Hong Zhiyou was eating so safely and cleanly, Xiao Guohua felt a warmth in his heart. Section Chief Hong really didn't treat him like an outsider.

"Police Department," Hong Zhi instructed after finishing his meal in a few bites.

Without saying a word, Xiao Guohua picked up the handlebars and started pedaling.

He lowered his voice and said as he walked:
"The station manager is very angry, and the consequences will be severe."

Hong Zhi leaned back lazily in his chair, watching the pedestrians hurrying by on both sides of the street:
"The teacher is already quite old, why does she still get angry so easily?"

"What's wrong with him now?"

Xiao Guohua's voice carried an urgency:

"Last night, the military police and police arrested several people at Jubinlou."

"Zhou Xi and his gang of idiots seem to have gotten into a firefight. The operation was led by Mao Renfeng's men. I heard that an entire group was wiped out, and the two leaders are now at the police station."

"The station manager wanted you to ask what was going on, but instead, you unplugged the phone line."

Hong Zhi smiled and said, "There's nothing to ask."

"Just let the old man focus on selling his furs and don't worry about these trivial matters."

Xiao Guohua was silent for a moment, then asked:
"The stationmaster also asked you, 'How's the gold going?'"

Hong Zhi closed his eyes, enjoying this rare moment of peace: "Don't worry, they've already been moved."

Xiao Guohua finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay, then you can get off the bus."

"I have to go back and report to the stationmaster immediately."

Hong Zhi opened his eyes, looking dissatisfied: "Hey, you should at least get me to where I am first. That's really not nice of you."

Xiao Guohua paused in his steps:
"All right.

"Then we'll take you to the police station first."

……

Upon arriving at the police station, the guards at the entrance greeted Hong Zhi with a polite salute.

Hong Zhi smiled and nodded politely in return, giving him plenty of face.

This is his habit.

Respect and treating people as human beings are the rarest qualities in this era, and also the cheapest and most effective means of winning people over.

Arrived at the office.

He had just taken off his coat and hung it on the coat rack, and before he could even sit down properly, the phone on the table rang shrilly.

He picked up the phone.

"Hey?

"Okay, got it."

After hanging up the phone, Hong Zhi straightened his collar and went straight to the section chief's office.

Gao Bin was sitting behind his desk, slowly wiping his pipe.

When he saw Hong Zhi come in, he raised his eyelids slightly.

"You came just in time."

He gestured to Liu Kui, who was sitting on the sofa next to him.

"Liu Kui, you talk to him about it."

Liu Kui stood up, poured Hong Zhiyou a cup of hot tea, and then said, "Section Chief Hong, a murder occurred at Jubinlou last night. The military police arrested two suspects at the scene."

"One of them couldn't take it anymore and confessed his identity."

"They are from the Military Intelligence Bureau."

Liu Kui paused here, his gaze fixed intently on Hong Zhiyou:

"We just caught the person in charge at your Sakura Club based on the clues."

"He introduced himself as Zhou Xi and said that he and you... are close friends."

"I haven't been tortured yet; I'd like to hear your opinion first."

Hong Zhi picked up his teacup, blew on it to cool it, looked at Liu Kui, and smiled faintly:
"Old Liu, thanks a lot, you're giving your brother face like that."

"Is such that.

"I'm the special envoy from North China negotiating with the Nationalist government. It's not surprising that I know a few people from the Military Intelligence Bureau, is it?"

Liu Kui's expression froze for a moment:
"Section Chief Hong, please don't misunderstand."

"I didn't doubt you."

"I just find it...unbelievable."

"If you put it that way, then I understand."

Gao Bin lit his pipe, took a puff, and said:

"Zhiyou, you have so many random titles on your head, even I, as your uncle, can't figure them out."

"Since it involves you, I don't want to interfere."

"To avoid any appearance of impropriety, I have already handed this case over to Deputy Director Liu upstairs for his personal investigation. Go and talk to him."

Gao Bin's gaze fell on Hong Zhiyou's face, with a complex scrutiny.

After the incident involving Cheng Bin, Gao Bin realized that his nephew's power was far more complex than he had imagined.

Even someone like Yoshijiro Umezu could be completely scheming against.

Why are you still so conflicted?
Hong Zhiyou put down his teacup and stood up:
"Alright, I'll go see Director Liu."

Hong Zhiyou and Liu Kui walked out one after the other.

As soon as the office door closed, Lu Ming slipped in from the adjacent archives room.

He walked up to Gao Bin's desk, his face showing a hint of urgency and worry.

"Section Chief, these people are all from the Military Intelligence Bureau."

"I heard that the guy surnamed Zhou has been staying at Zhiyou's club since he arrived in Harbin, and Zhiyou is very close to him."

"Section Chief, if you just give up on this matter like this, it could be very dangerous."

Gao Bin looked at him coldly: "You didn't bring a tape recorder in your pocket, did you?"

Lu Ming was stunned for a moment, then awkwardly laughed and said, "Section Chief, you...you still remember this?"

Gao Bin let out a cold laugh, "One should always be wary of others."

"Commander Umezu didn't punish me, are you very disappointed?"

Lu Ming felt cold sweat break out on his back: "Section Chief Gao, look, how can we talk like this? I'm truly doing this for the sake of the section..."

Gao Bin waved his hand, his tone full of weariness:
"Lu Ming, one shouldn't be too shrewd."

"Smart people usually don't live long."

Lu Ming's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his head: "Yes, yes, Section Chief, no matter what happened last time, it was all my fault..."

Gao Bin interrupted him.

"okay.

"This case has already been handed over to Director Liu and Liu Kui, so you don't need to worry about it."

Lu Ming reluctantly agreed.

"Ok."

He left the office, feeling utterly cold inside.

He knew that Gao Bin had completely come to distrust him.

It seems it's time to find a way to latch onto an even stronger patron.

……

Hong Zhiyou arrived at the deputy director's office on the second floor.

Liu Zhenwen was wearing reading glasses and intently reading the newspaper.

Upon seeing Hong Zhiyou enter, he took off his glasses and immediately put on a smile.

"Zhiyou, you're a rare guest indeed."

He stood up and pointed to the sofa opposite him.

"Even though we work in the same building, and I'm your boss, I hardly ever see you once a month."

Hong Zhiyou sat down with a smile, "You are a very important person with many things to do. I was just afraid of disturbing your work."

Liu Zhenwen sat down again, leaned forward slightly, and smiled:
"Is it because you're afraid of bothering me, or because we've become distant?"
“I heard from Wenwen that you rarely go to restaurants now and don’t contact her anymore.”

Hong Zhiyou gave a perfectly timed wry smile:

"Oh well, there's nothing we can do about it."

“Wenwen already looked down on me, and now that I've just had a baby, she looks down on me even more.”

"I went to see her a few days ago, but I was met with a cold shoulder."

He sighed and continued.

"Besides, I have a family to support. On the one hand, she might look down on me, and on the other hand, I'm afraid it will affect her reputation. Otherwise, we'll become estranged."

Hong Zhi really wanted to ask Liu Yawen out, but she wouldn't give him the chance to spend the night together, so he was helpless!

Liu Zhenwen nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation:
“You young people can take your time with things.”

He then changed the subject and got to the point.

"You called me today because you need something, right?"

Hong Zhiyou also stopped smiling: "Zhou Xi has been arrested."

Liu Zhenwen's expression turned serious.

"Yes.

"He himself admitted that he was a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau. As you know, the Empire has always dealt with Military Intelligence Bureau members and Red Tickets by killing them on sight."

"However, he also said he was your friend."

"Some people have also testified that you hosted him at the Sakura Club on several occasions."

Liu Zhenwen placed his ten fingers interlaced on the table and continued:
"Zhiyou, if we investigate this matter further now, it will become very troublesome."

"So, I'd like to hear your opinion."

"After all, colluding with the Military Intelligence Bureau is no small crime."

Hong Zhi met his gaze without flinching: "He is indeed my friend."

"I did indeed treat him with great hospitality."

Liu Zhenwen sneered: "You've got some nerve."

Hong Zhi leaned back on the sofa, his posture relaxed: "Director, I am a specialist from the North China Secret Peace Talks."

"Since the Military Intelligence Bureau is coming to investigate the cooperation between Manchuria and Japan, I have no reason not to entertain them."

"This is also the situation that Commander Tada Shun and General Okamura Yasuji hoped to see."

"The Japanese don't want to fight anymore."

Liu Zhenwen said with a forced smile:
"Oh dear, the things you're talking about are all important secrets of the Japanese military high command, and they're also matters between North China and the Wang family."

"How am I supposed to verify this?"

He pondered for a moment, seemingly having made a decision.

"Well then, I have already reported this matter to the Kwantung Army Headquarters and Lord Zhang Jinghui in its entirety, and handed it over to them to take charge of."

He looked at Hong Zhiyou, and his kind smile returned to his face.

"You are mine."

"You'll definitely be exempt from the interrogation process."

"However, until Lord Zhang and the Kwantung Army Headquarters issue their instructions, you can stay in the Police Department's reception room for the time being."

Haha, I'd be more like your ancestor, here you go...

Hong Zhiyou was speechless at this cautious, timid old fox who wanted to control him.

Fortunately, he really did have the identity given to him by Zhou Fohai, otherwise he would have been sold out by this old Liu today.

Hong Zhi nodded.

"Alright, I'm willing to accept the investigation by Lord Zhang and the headquarters."

He changed his tone and became more forceful.

"However, Zhou Xi is my friend and Dai Li's special envoy. You'd better not touch a hair on his head, or you'll be in deep trouble."

Liu Zhenwen's smile remained unchanged:

"That depends on whether he cooperates or not."

"You know, peace talks are a matter for those above."

"We lowly clerks only know that the rules and regulations clearly state: Military Intelligence Bureau, Red Ticket, kill without mercy."

He picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip:
"I plan to hand this case over to Lu Ming for trial."

"What do you think?"

Hong Zhi laughed: "I was wondering why Lu Ming has become so bold lately, even daring to make a move on my uncle."

"So it turns out you, Director, are backing me up."

Liu Zhenwen seemed oblivious to the barb in his words and feigned surprise with an "Oh!"

"You mean, Lu Ming and Section Chief Gao had a falling out?"
"That shouldn't be the case. He was personally trained by Section Chief Gao."

"I'll have to ask him about that later; we can't afford to create internal discord."

Hong Zhiyou stood up:

“I’m putting my words out there.”

"If anyone targets Zhou Xi, I'll take him down."

Liu Zhenwen looked at him coldly and nodded:

"it is good.

"I will try my best to convey your words to Lu Ming."

……

(End of this chapter)