Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 556 I Have My Own Ways to Deal with Him

Hong Zhi gave him a meaningful look.

"Thank you, Director."

Liu Zhenwen's smile deepened, as if there had never been any discord between the two.

"Come to my house for dinner when you have time."

He patted Hong Zhiyou on the shoulder in a friendly tone.

Your Aunt Lan has been thinking about this for a long time.

“If you don’t come soon, she’ll start to think that I, the director, am incompetent and can’t even command my own subordinates.”

Hong Zhiyou said with a forced smile, "I will definitely pay you a visit after this matter is resolved."

Liu Zhenwen nodded. "Okay, I'll wait for you."

As soon as Hong Zhiyou's figure disappeared through the doorway, Liu Zhenwen's smile vanished instantly, leaving only a cold calculation.

He pressed the alarm bell on the table.

The door was pushed open, and assistant Gong Qingshan walked in.

Liu Zhenwen didn't even look up, his voice flat.

"Bring Lu Ming in."

"Yes."

Within minutes, Lu Ming strode into the office, adopting a very humble posture.

"Director, you wanted to see me."

Liu Zhenwen pointed to the chair opposite him, gesturing for him to sit down:
"Lu Ming, Director Bai will be retiring next spring."

"At that time, the layout of the hall will likely undergo significant changes."

Lu Ming's heart skipped a beat, and his breathing became rapid.

He quickly put on a flattering smile:

"Then you'll be a full-fledged department head. Congratulations on your promotion in advance!"

"Thanks."

Liu Zhenwen neither confirmed nor denied the flattery, and then changed the subject:
"That's right, the military police caught a few big fish last night."

"One of them claimed to be Dai Li's special envoy."

"I would like to hear your views."

Lu Ming perked up and said without hesitation, "What else is there to say about the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

"Who cares whose special envoy he is? This is Manchukuo, unlike Wang Jingwei and his gang of hesitant and timid people."

"His Majesty the Emperor hates the rebels who were passed down from Mr. Sun to the bone."

"Let's investigate."

"Those with any value should be squeezed dry and handed over to the military police; those without any value should be executed to save food."

Liu Zhenwen nodded approvingly:

"Yes, this is also a tradition of our police and military system to be swift and decisive."

He paused for a moment, his gaze falling on Lu Ming.

"However, this person is a close friend of Section Chief Hong."

"I want to put this matter in your hands."

"Because I know you are an upright person."

"We will certainly handle this impartially and will not be swayed by personal feelings."

Lu Ming was completely stunned.

He was still terrified by the huge scapegoat Gao Bin had thrown at him last time, and now the mere mention of the word "responsible" sent chills down his spine.

He whispered, trying to deflect the question: "Director, I... Section Chief Hong and I had a falling out a long time ago because of some things."

"It's probably not appropriate for me to handle this case."

"Your heart is in the public good, not in your private life."

Liu Zhenwen's tone left no room for argument.

"I have already spoken with Section Chief Hong, and he approves of you handling this case."

"As you know, once Director Bai steps down, there will definitely be room for others to fill the vacancy."

"Your current police rank is the same as Zhou Yi's, and you have enough experience. You may not be qualified for the position of deputy director for the time being, but you are qualified to take the position of head of the Special Affairs Section."

"Don't you want to seize such an important opportunity?"

A glint of light flashed in Lu Ming's eyes.

Personnel arrangements below the department level must be personally recommended and reported by the department head.

If Liu Zhenwen is willing to give me a hand, then I have a very good chance of becoming the head of the Special Affairs Section.

Thinking of this, the passion in his heart overwhelmed all his concerns.

Okay, I'll give it a try.

"Director, how do you intend to deal with these people?"

"Lu Ming."

Liu Zhenwen leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice.

"I have never had any dealings with Dai Li, but from what I've heard, he is extremely greedy."

"Since Zhou Xi is his right-hand man, a greedy and lustful person, he would never send his confidant here unless it was for a huge benefit."

"On the contrary, if it were just a simple official business, Dai Li could have sent some political enemies or marginal figures to Harbin for a visit, and then sent them back to submit a report and that would have been the end of it."

He paused, then continued his analysis.

"Besides, the Japanese are currently very powerful, and within the Kuomintang, people like Wang Jingwei are advocating for pro-Japanese sentiment, and there are also many such people within Chiang Kai-shek's inner circle."

"If these people surrender, they will naturally be able to live a life of luxury."

"But if Chiang Kai-shek and Dai Li had surrendered to the Japanese, would they have had such good fortune? They probably wouldn't have even been able to save their lives."

"Therefore, I think the peace talks between Chiang Kai-shek and the Japanese were just a mirage, a wishful dream of the Japanese."

"Dai Li had no need to send Zhou Xi to negotiate any peace talks."

"They must have another important mission."

At this point, Liu Zhenwen rubbed his index finger and thumb together, making a counting motion:

"If we can get something out of that Zhou guy, it won't just be about promotion or a higher position."

"do you understand me?"

Lu Ming's heart began to pound violently.

He understood; Liu Zhenwen had smelled the scent of money.

"clear."

Lu Ming nodded, his voice a little hoarse.

"Can we use torture on this Zhou Xi?"

"Section Chief Hong disagrees with using torture." Liu Zhenwen shook his head.

“I know it’s difficult for you, so we won’t use torture.”

"But don't give him anything to eat, and put a few more rats in the interrogation room."

"Add some sand to the food."

"Or get some dead rat heads or something, just to disgust him."

"You know, Dai Li's men are all used to being pampered. I reckon they won't last more than two days before they confess."

Lu Ming instantly understood.

This is to mentally crush the other party.

"I see.

"I'll make arrangements now."

……

The police station's basement was dark and damp, filled with a foul stench of rust and blood.

Ma Kui and Yu Bo were tied to chairs, covered in blood, their faces bruised and battered.

For an interrogation room, this is considered a minor injury.

Old Tu, the head of the interrogation team, was slowly soaking a leather whip in concentrated salt water, making a "sizzling" sound.

He didn't look up, and lowered his voice:
Someone outside asked me to pass on a message to you two.

"If you want to live, you'd better keep your mouth shut."

"You have to know what you can say and what you can't say."

"Otherwise, no one can save you."

……

A moment later, Lu Ming entered the underground passage.

Jiang Dahu, a trusted subordinate who was smoking at the door, quickly stubbed out his cigarette and went to greet him.

"Big Tiger, how is it?"

Jiang Dahu stood at attention and said, "Reporting to Section Chief Lu, they admitted they were from the Military Intelligence Bureau, but they refused to confess anything else."

Old Tu quickly bent down and came over.

"Section Chief Lu."

Lu Ming waved his hand, signaling Lao Tu to go out first.

He strolled over to Ma Kui and Yu Bo, took out his cigarette case, pulled out two cigarettes, put them into their chapped mouths, and lit them for them himself.

"Gentlemen, your Military Intelligence Bureau's interrogation methods are no worse than our Police Department's."

"As you all know, those were just appetizers."

"Continuing to drag this out will not do you any good."

He exhaled a smoke ring and then said:

"Once a person is exposed to an electric shock or injected, and their internal organs or nerves are damaged, it is very difficult for them to fully recover."

"Yes, you might have powerful connections. I heard that Section Chief Hong is also working on your behalf."

"But please believe me, by the time they get you out, you'll basically be useless."

"Your Chairman Chiang Kai-shek can't even guarantee the soldiers' pay and meals on the front lines. Do you expect the Military Intelligence Bureau to take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days?"

Yu Bo's body trembled, and the cigarette in his mouth fell to the ground: "Sir, I...I really don't know anything..."

"Move him to the next room."

Lu Ming waved his hand, not even bothering to look at Yu Bo.

Jiang Dahu immediately understood, went to the door and called two people to drag Yu Bo, who was so frightened that his legs went weak, out.

Only Lu Ming and Ma Kui remained in the interrogation room.

"I heard from Mr. Zhou next door that you are Director Mao Renfeng's bodyguard."

"An important person."

Lu Ming asked with a smile.

Ma Kui raised his head, his cold eyes fixed on Lu Ming.

"I have confessed everything that I was supposed to."

"What the hell do you still want to ask?"

Lu Ming smiled, not taking it to heart.

He turned and picked up a wallet from the table, which he had taken from Ma Kui.

He opened his wallet and took out a photograph.

In the photo, a woman wearing a tight-fitting cheongsam has a seductive figure and her eyes are full of charm.

It's Zhou Gendi.

"Tsk tsk, is this your sister-in-law?"

Lu Ming held up the photo and examined it closely.

“So beautiful, so sexy.

"Brother, you're really lucky."

As he spoke, he actually gave the photo a loud kiss.

Ma Kui's eyes instantly turned red, and veins bulged from his neck all the way to his forehead.

"WTF!"

He struggled, the chains rattling: "Don't touch my photos!" "Brother, calm down."

By the light, Lu Ming gently stroked Zhou Gendi's face with his fingers and chuckled dryly:
"Sister-in-law, you are a first-class beauty."

"If you don't know how to cherish it, there are plenty of people who will cherish it for you."

He leaned closer to Ma Kui, his voice like the hiss of a viper.

"Once you're summoned by the three routes, even if you manage to return to the interior alive, you'll be nothing but a useless piece of trash."

"You wouldn't want your beautiful wife to be a widow at such a young age, would you?"

"Or perhaps, wearing a hat?"

Ma Kui's chest heaved violently, but he stared intently at Lu Ming and calmed down.

"Don't talk nonsense."

He gave a ferocious grin.

"If you really cripple me, I'll just divorce her. It's no big deal."

"For me, that thing is just a part of life..."

Ma Kui struggled to raise his hand, extending his little finger, his face full of contempt.

Lu Ming's smile froze.

He stared at Ma Kui for a moment, then nodded:
"Think about it again."

He stood up, straightened his collar, and went outside.

As he passed by interrogation room number one, he stopped and peeked inside through the small window in the door.

Zhou Xi was leaning back in her chair, her head nodding off, she was actually dozing off.

This thing is seriously huge.

Even after arriving at this point, I can still fall asleep.

Jiang Dahu leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"Section Chief Lu, what should we do?"
"Section Chief Hong is serious. If he targets Zhou Xi, he could really wipe us out."

"We can't afford to offend them."

"Who said we should offend him?" Lu Ming sneered.

“There’s no need to use torture to deal with this kind of person.”

He instructed, "Have Old Tu lock him up first."

"Order him some good food and rice, add some strong ingredients and laxatives to the rice."

"To make him lose face."

"After he soiled his pants a few times and looked completely disheveled, his mentality naturally collapsed."

"When the time comes, they'll just give whatever they're asked."

Jiang Dahu's eyes shone with admiration.

"Chief Lu is wise."

Lu Ming patted his shoulder, the force of his hand neither too light nor too heavy.

"Work hard."

"You've uncovered some valuable information; this position is now yours."

Jiang Dahu's body trembled, and he exclaimed with great joy:
"Thank you, Brother Lu!"

Lu Ming returned to his office and poured himself a cup of piping hot tea.

He walked to the side, where Liu Kui was holding a magnifying glass, staring intently at a snuff bottle.

"Old Liu, with so much happening in the hall, you're just sitting around fiddling with this thing?"

Liu Kui didn't even look up.

"Even if the sky falls, it's none of my business. I'll just do whatever the boss tells me to do."

He put down the magnifying glass, picked up another wiping cloth, and slowly wiped the body of the pot.

"I also want to advise you: don't meddle in other people's business."

Lu Ming chuckled dryly, "Hey, we're not the same."

Liu Kui paused, then looked up at him.

"How is it different? Aren't they all just section chiefs with one nose and two nostrils?"

A hint of smugness flashed across Lu Ming's face as he lightly tapped his police rank insignia with his fingertips.

"The police ranks are different."

Liu Kui glared at him, his eyes full of disdain.

"Look at how smug you are."

"Okay, I won't block your way, but I advise you to be careful. Chief Gao and Zhiyou both have a bad attitude towards you right now."

"You better take it easy."

Lu Ming shook the enamel mug in his hand and took two sips of tea: "Do you need to teach me this?"

He took a beautifully packaged box of tea from the drawer and placed it on the table in front of Liu Kui.

"See this? My friend from inside the pass gave me this Oriental Beauty. I'll send it to Zhiyou right now."

Liu Kui rolled his eyes and didn't say anything more.

Seeing Lu Ming walk out, he spat disdainfully, "Zhiyou, Zhiyou, as if anyone likes you, what a piece of trash."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Ming turned half his body in again and pointed to his ear with his index finger:

"Old Liu, my ears are very sharp, be careful you don't get sores in your mouth."

Liu Kui didn't tolerate him and snorted coldly.

"You carry a tape recorder everywhere you go, how can I compare to you?"

Lu Ming's facial muscles twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his smile.

He pointed again to the police rank insignia on his uniform before striding away.

They arrived at Hong Zhiyou's office.

Lu Ming raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.

"Enter."

He pushed open the door and entered, one hand in his trouser pocket, a broad smile on his face as he looked around.
"Oh dear, it's been a while since I've come to visit."

He placed the tea box he was holding on Hong Zhiyou's table.

"I brought you a box of tea, Oriental Beauty. I'm not good at tasting it, so I'm giving it to you, who knows tea."

Hong Zhi took the box and glanced at it casually. "Section Chief Lu, is there something you need?"

Lu Ming winced, feigning annoyance:
"See, we're still getting along."

He pulled out a chair, sat down, crossed his legs, and twirled his gleaming leather shoes:
"Brother, I'm in a tough spot right now. Director Liu insists that I interrogate Zhou Xi."

"Zhou Xi is your friend, don't you think this is just asking for trouble?"

Hong Zhiyou said indifferently, "Section Chief Lu, just handle things officially."

Lu Ming spread his hands, his face full of "helplessness":
"How could I be so tactless? I ordered the interrogation room not to touch a single hair on Mr. Zhou's head."

"Director Liu said to let Zhou Xi eat rat head rice."

"I was thinking, how could your friend dare to be neglectful? I have already instructed Da Hu to make a special reservation for Mr. Zhou from Hongyun Restaurant. Before receiving instructions from Lord Zhang and the Commander, I will definitely treat him like my own brother."

Hong Zhiyou raised an eyebrow slightly: "Thank you for your trouble."

Lu Ming waved his hand, as if it were the most natural thing in the world:
"We're all brothers, there's no need to be so formal."

"I'm just here to let you know, so there won't be any misunderstandings later."

Hong Zhi smiled and nodded without saying anything.

Upon seeing this, Lu Ming stood up and straightened his sharp suit.

"Okay, I'll get back to work now. Just give me a call if you need anything."

As soon as Lu Ming left, the polite smile on Hong Zhiyou's face vanished instantly, leaving only undisguised contempt.

That little devil, he's still putting on an act.

Compared to Lu Qiaoshan, Lu Ming was clearly more disgusting.

Although Lu Qiaoshan was ungrateful, he could sometimes actually get things done. When the money was right and the relationship was good, he would often help them stand together against outsiders.

Lu Ming won't do.

In terms of ability, tactics, overall perspective, and intelligence, he is far inferior to Lu Qiaoshan.

A moment later, there was a gentle knock on the office door.

Zhou Yi walked in and closed the door behind him.

He lowered his voice and asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Lord Zhang Jinghui presented me with an award, and I also have influence with Yu Jingtao and Qiu Yan's family. Should we make a connection?"

Hong Zhi waved his hand and leaned back in his chair.

"No.

"The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuchs are; I don't care about this at all."

"There are people who are more anxious than I am."

Zhou Yi's eyes revealed a question.

"Who?"

He immediately smiled knowingly: "Dai Li!"

Hong Zhi nodded: "If I'm not mistaken, Dai Li has probably already secretly visited Okamura Yasuji in person."

"Nine thousand taels of gold, how could he not be anxious?"

Zhou Yi understood: "That's true, I'd be anxious too."

He then thought of a crucial question.

"However, how will you explain the whereabouts of all this gold?"

Hong Zhiyou spoke in a relaxed tone.

"Simple.

"It was swallowed up by the military police and police in Harbin, and disposed of in different ways. Anyway, it was lost."

“I paid the money. His men caused trouble, so it’s not my fault.”

"I should also blame him for his incompetence, which caused me heavy losses."

Zhou Yi frowned slightly: "Dai Li definitely won't believe it."

Hong Zhi smiled:
Even a three-year-old wouldn't believe it, but that doesn't matter.

"This is just my attitude."

"If he's so capable, he can come to Harbin and get it himself."

"The money in this place isn't something he can just ask for."

Zhou Yi paused for a moment, then raised a deeper concern: "As you think, after four or five years of liberation, you are no longer one of us. If you fall into the hands of the Nationalist government, things will not be easy for you."

Hong Zhiyou showed no sign of panic.

Don't panic.

"At that time, I will buy up the industry of Manchukuo and hand it over to someone who is eager to make a name for himself and show off."

"And this deal will definitely go through."

Zhou Yi's mind raced, and a name popped into his head: "Jianfeng?"

Hong Zhi nodded, his eyes gleaming.

"Yes.

"This is an earth-shattering feat. At that time, the Chairman and his son will surely have to give me a protective charm."

Zhou Yi looked at him, still somewhat uneasy:
“But as long as you stay there, it will be very difficult to defeat this Kuomintang devil.”

Hong Zhi picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and gave a meaningful look:

"46 years."

"In 1946, someone escorted him to his death!"