Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 569 The Truth
morning.

Lu Ming hurried through the door and entered Hong Zhiyou's office.

"Hey bro, not busy, are you?"

Hong Zhiyou looked up from a stack of documents.

"what happened?"

Lu Ming didn't answer, but sat down on the sofa and immediately noticed the exquisite tea canister on Hong Zhiyou's table.

He opened it and smelled it: "What tea is this? It smells so good!"

As he spoke, he expertly took a clean glass from the cabinet, pinched a pinch of tea leaves into it, and poured in hot water.

“These are Wuyi daffodils, a gift from a friend in Tianjin. You can take them home and enjoy them slowly if you like,” Hong Zhiyou said.

Lu Ming's face immediately lit up with a smile.

"Thank you very much, Section Chief Hong."

Hong Zhi put down his work and sat down on the sofa:
"Is something wrong?"

Lu Ming, who was busy with the second piece of pastry, seemed to have just remembered the important matter.

"Oh, something came up."

He swallowed the food in his mouth.

"Director Liu's police assistant, Zhang Tao, was arrested by the security bureau."

"They said it was a pass, but they caught red-handed."

Hong Zhiyou's face remained calm: "That's easy. Just have Director Liu make a phone call and have the Security Bureau release them, right?"

Lu Ming curled his lip.

"Could Director Liu not fight back? They wouldn't listen."

He looked completely bewildered.

"You know, Zhang Tao is crazy. He was about to be riding high, so why did he get involved with the red tickets?"

Hong Zhi leaned back and stared at Lu Ming, saying:
"Is it possible that he is the one who got the red ticket?"

Lu Ming was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.

"It's not impossible."

"Zhang Tao is a very cunning guy. He's always sneaking around and I don't know what he's up to. Director Liu even specially recruited a few police academy freshmen to do odd jobs for him."

"He's not using any of the action team members. Isn't that clearly a way of keeping us at bay?"

Through Gao Bin's machinations, Lu Ming, though failing to become the head of the Special Affairs Section, succeeded Zhou Yi as the captain of the action team, wielding real power.

Hong Zhi chuckled lightly: "That's right, Director Liu is too fond of this kid. I guess he's looking for a son-in-law to live with him."

Lu Ming laughed heartily, spitting out some pastry crumbs from his mouth.

Realizing he had misbehaved, he quickly wiped himself clean and said:

"Hmm, that makes sense now."

“Zhang Tao is from Beiping and has no relatives or friends. It would be most suitable for him to marry a man from out of town.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the phone on the table rang.

Hong Zhi picked up the receiver.

"okay, I get it."

He hung up the phone and stood up.

"I have to go out for a bit. If you like it, take the plate with you."

"We can't take it all."

Lu Ming was polite, but quickly grabbed another piece.

He then stood up.

"Okay, you go ahead and do your work. Just call me if you need anything."

As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and put on a slightly ingratiating smile.

"Hey bro, um... the team's been cracking down on underground printing plants for the past two months, right? Lots of fieldwork, so they might have over-reported their expenses. Could you give me..."

He made a gesture indicating that the debt had been cleared.

Hong Zhi waved his hand before he could finish speaking, saying, "It's nothing."

Lu Ming's face immediately filled with gratitude. He thanked him repeatedly and left quickly.

Hong Zhi walked out of the police station building, where a black sedan was parked on the side of the road.

He opened the passenger door and got in.

Zhou Yi was already waiting in the car.

……

Director's Office.

Liu Zhenwen personally poured Gao Bin a cup of tea, pouring boiling water into the cup, causing the tea leaves to swirl.

The usually composed director now had his brows furrowed in worry.

"Have you heard?" Liu Zhenwen asked.

Gao Bin picked up his teacup and blew on it to cool it down: "What?"

Liu Zhenwen's voice was filled with barely suppressed anger:
"Last night, when Zhang Tao and He Qinghua were meeting, they were arrested by the security bureau."

Gao Bin's hand paused in mid-air for a moment.

He already knew, of course, but he had to show just the right amount of shock on his face.

"What's going on? How did the Security Bureau know that Zhang Tao and his group were meeting there?"

Liu Zhenwen paced restlessly in his office.

"That's what I'm most curious about: how did the Security Bureau find out?"

"No one except Zhang Tao and me knew the location of the rendezvous."

"Moreover, the red ticket is always cunning, and the rendezvous point is chosen in a very remote location. Logically, no one should be able to find it."

He sighed heavily.

"According to your plan, if things went smoothly, we might have been able to confirm Zhou Yi's identity soon, and even catch the big fish in the Manchurian General Committee."

"Now look what's happened, the Security Bureau has suddenly appeared out of nowhere."

"These idiots are good for nothing but causing trouble!"

Gao Bin slammed his fist on the table, causing the water in his teacup to spill out.

This plan is almost flawless; no matter which way they go, they will be the winners.

Now, all the anticipated profits have vanished.

Not only did Chen Jingyu take all the credit for uncovering He Qinghua's achievements, but Zhang Tao was also dragged into it.

He let out a long breath.

"No matter what, we have to bring him back first. You need to call Director Meng."

Liu Zhenwen sneered.

"It's no use. Director Meng's secretary said he went to Xinjing. It's obvious that he doesn't want to get involved in this mess."

"It's all thanks to your good nephew that the Security Bureau is now under the control of Deputy Director Chen Jingyu."

"Will he readily hand over the people he arrested himself?"

He stopped and turned to look at Gao Bin, his eyes sharp.

"More importantly, Lao Gao, do you think it's still necessary to bring Zhang Tao back?"

Gao Bin glanced at him sideways and said without hesitation, "He's your assistant, so it's up to you to decide."

Liu Zhenwen walked to the window and looked at the vehicles coming and going downstairs.

"Zhang Tao's only purpose was to infiltrate the Red Ticket organization with his false identity to steal intelligence. Now that He Qinghua has been arrested, his usefulness has been greatly diminished."

Gao Bin said, "This is indeed a problem."

"Once he's in the Security Bureau, even if he can be brought back, he'll be ruined and it will be very difficult for him to get in touch with the core of the Harbin Working Committee again."

Liu Zhenwen's voice turned cold.

"Then why don't we just confirm his identity as the person with the red ticket and hand him over to the Security Bureau for processing?"

Gao Bin picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly said:
"I think...it's a good idea!"

……

Outside the Tao.

Zhou Yi and Hong Zhiyou's car slowly passed by Sun Yuejian's residence.

Jiaqiao was playing football with a group of children on the side of the road.

The little guy, dressed in clean and neat clothes, ran around in the group like a little adult, loudly directing his friends. His personality was noticeably more cheerful than before.

Teacher Jiao Jiao's care was clearly very effective.

Zhou Yi leaned back in his chair, a smile appearing on his face.

"Thank you."

Hong Zhi lit a cigarette and took a puff:
"No need to thank me. Just bring me more good quality leather goods from the mountains next time, and I'll break even."

Zhou Yi laughed: "I was talking about Lao Wei's matter."

Hong Zhi flicked his cigarette ash.

"Chen Zhen has already handed over the person."

“I’ve already had Peng Hu take Lao Wei away. The problem now is that Lao Wei’s official status has been revoked and his photo has been released, which is very detrimental to him.”

Zhou Yi frowned slightly:

"Yes, whether the organization recognizes him or not is another matter. The key is that the comrades in the Fourth Brigade on the mountain and those on the Zhuhe side only recognize Lao Wei."

"Moreover, Lao Wei was not arrested by us; he was detained internally, and the comrades at the transportation station still trust him."

"Unfortunately, the photos were exposed by that idiot He Qinghua."

“Otherwise, he could have stayed and continued to participate in the work, even if the General Committee had issued a notice.”

Hong Zhi looked ahead and said, "We'll see when the time comes."

"Take me to the security bureau first."

……

Security Bureau, Deputy Director's Office.

Hong Zhiyou, with one hand in his pocket, knocked on the door and walked in with a nonchalant air.

Chen Jingyu quickly put down his work and stood up to greet him: "You're here. I've been waiting for you for ages. Have a cup of tea first."

“No, let’s go take a look,” Hong Zhiyou said. Chen Jingyu led him to the outside of the interrogation room.

Hong Zhiyou peeked inside through the fence gate.

He Qinghua was hanging by his wrists, covered in blood, his head drooping limply, like a body drained of its life force.

Zhang Tao in the next room wasn't in much better shape.

"How is it?" Hong Zhiyou asked as he walked to the side.

Chen Jingyu said, "He Qinghua is very tough. He hasn't uttered a single word since last night."

"Zhang Tao kept protesting his innocence, repeating the same few sentences over and over again."

"However, based on the information you provided from Beiping, and with the evidence caught red-handed, I can put him in a very difficult position."

Hong Zhi smiled and offered him a cigarette.

What is Liu Zhenwen's attitude?

Chen Jingyu took out his lighter, lit it, and took a drag: "Liu Zhenwen and Gao Bin haven't made a single phone call yet."

"In my opinion, Lao Liu has decided that Zhang Tao is of no value and is planning to get rid of this burden."

Hong Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Then let him go."

Chen Jingyu paused for a moment and looked up at him.

Hong Zhiyou continued, "Of course, before leaving, we have to make sure He Qinghua dies knowing why."

Chen Jingyu immediately understood.

He stubbed out his cigarette. "That's fine."

"To survive, Zhang Tao will definitely have to give up everything."

He changed the subject.

"By the way, he also accused you of doing business with Old Wei at the transportation station."

Hong Zhiyou shrugged and smiled: "Who is Lao Wei?"

Where is he?

“I have no idea who this person is. This is a frame-up, a trap.”

Chen Jingyu stared at the leather shoes and smiled: "You seem very certain that He Qinghua won't speak."

Hong Zhi smiled dismissively: "Until we find Lao Wei, everything they say is just empty talk."

Chen Jingyu casually flicked his bangs with his finger: "Okay, I'll talk to them again."

Hong Zhi stubbed out his cigarette:
"I'll go to your reception room for a cup of tea."

"Remember to record this, and send me a copy later."

"Why go to the reception room? This is my office key. I have some freshly arrived Biluochun tea. You can try it." Chen Jingyu casually took out the key and handed it to Hong Zhiyou.

He and Hong Zhiyou were both members of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Their friendship had long been tested.

Furthermore, his promotion to deputy director was entirely due to Hung Chi's connections.

For Hong Zhiyou, he had no secrets.

……

Chen Jingyu pushed open the door to the interrogation room.

The interrogator quickly stood up.

He gestured for them to continue.

After sitting down, Chen Jingyu snapped his fingers: "Bring Zhang Tao up."

Soon, Zhang Tao was carried in by two people and thrown onto the ground in front of He Qinghua.

Team Leader He still didn't speak.

"Comrade Zhang Tao, why don't you say something?"

Chen Jingyu waved a document in his hand and slowly read aloud: "You were sent by the Beiping Working Committee. The person who recommended you is Liu Wensheng, a professor at Yenching University."

"Hmm, it's been quite a few years. You're practically a veteran underground party member."

"I advise you to speak up as soon as possible if you have anything to say."

"I'm not a patient person, and I don't have that much time to waste with you guys. If I don't talk, I'm as good as dead."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tao panicked and his body began to tremble violently.

"Director Chen, I really didn't get the red ticket! I'm innocent!"

He glanced at the half-dead He Qinghua and made a tough decision.

The Security Bureau has never been polite to the police department; if they don't make things clear today, they might really be in trouble.

Chen Jingyu pulled up a chair, sat down, took the cassette tape out of the tape recorder, turned it inside out, and then pressed the record button.

"Okay, then tell me."

Zhang Tao dared not hide anything and told everything in detail, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

From how he was infiltrated by the Japanese into Yenching University in Beiping, how he successfully caught Liu Wensheng's eye, to his assignment to the Harbin Police Department.

And how he cooperated with Liu Zhenwen and Gao Bin, pretending to send intelligence to He Qinghua, and gradually gained his trust.

He Qinghua, standing to the side, stared wide-eyed at Zhang Tao, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Chen Jingyu seemed not to notice He Qinghua's reaction and continued to ask:
“We have investigated and found that you secretly instilled your faith in Director Liu’s daughter, Liu Yawen, and instigated her to donate to the Red Ticket Student Committee.”

"You dare to infiltrate even the director's daughter? You still say you're not a red ticket?"

Zhang Tao quickly defended himself, "Director Chen, this is absolutely a misunderstanding! Director Liu and I designed this together!"

"The Director-General has reported Miss Liu's matter to the Police Superintendent's Department. You can check it if you don't believe me!"

Chen Jingyu smiled, neither confirming nor denying the answer.

"Then let's talk about Zhou Yi and Section Chief Hong."

"You say that Section Chief Hong and Wei Shan from the transportation station are colluding in business, do you have any evidence?"

Zhang Tao lowered his head instantly, shook his head, and said:

"I... I have no evidence; it's all made up."

“Section Chief Hong and Miss Ya-wen are very close. I wanted to use the anti-traitor squad under the work group to get rid of Hong Zhiyou, so... so I fabricated this fact.”

Old Wei is innocent!

He Qinghua's heart tightened, and the disdainful expression on Lao Wei's face when he called him a pig flashed through his mind.

It turns out I really was deceived.

I'm such a complete idiot.

The thought that Lao Wei had most likely already been executed by Chen Zhen made him even more anxious.

Because of his momentary folly and lack of awareness, he caused the death of such a loyal and good comrade. He Qinghua was filled with remorse.

"what!"

He let out painful howls and struggles, the chains binding him rattling loudly as they were pulled.

Chen Jingyu seemed not to hear him and continued to stare at Zhang Tao.

"Let's talk about Section Chief Zhou's matter again."

Zhang Tao froze, stammering.

"This……"

Chen Jingyu's voice suddenly turned cold: "If you don't want to die here, I advise you to answer truthfully."

Zhang Tao shuddered and completely gave up struggling.

"Okay, I'll confess."

"This is a foolproof plan devised by Section Chief Gao and Director Liu."

"They had always suspected that Zhou Yi was a mole in the police department, but they were short of evidence."

"Just as He Qinghua wanted to find this person, they decided to use this opportunity to verify Zhou Yi's identity and track He Qinghua's communication with his superiors, thereby uncovering the big fish in the General Committee."

At this point, Zhang Tao raised his head resentfully and stared at Chen Jingyu:
"Director Chen, if it weren't for your people suddenly appearing and disrupting the plan..."

"We have now most likely uncovered Zhou Yi's true identity, or even found the headquarters of the Manchurian General Workers' Committee!"

"You've ruined Director Liu's top-secret plan!"

"what!"

He Huating let out a roar that sounded like both crying and laughing.

He never imagined that he would make such a colossal mistake.

He not only misplaced his trust in the enemy, causing great harm to Lao Wei, but also nearly dragged that deeply hidden comrade and the entire General Work Committee into an abyss of no return.

Thank goodness... thank goodness I got caught.

At least, that comrade and the General Committee were not implicated.

"Well done! Well done!"

His laughter was filled with both despair and relief.

Chen Jingyu got all the answers he wanted.

He stood up and said:
"Okay, Assistant Zhang, thank you for your cooperation."

"You can go back."

Zhang Tao was stunned. He looked up, unable to believe his ears.

"Can...can I leave now?"

Chen Jingyu said calmly, "You can stay if you want."

Zhang Tao felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He immediately scrambled to his feet and followed the secret agent out, tears of gratitude streaming down his face.

……

Chen Jingyu returned to his office and handed Hong Zhiyou a newly copied cassette tape.

"The recordings you requested are all here."

He lit another cigarette, a hint of amusement in his voice: "What a pity, Zhang Tao got it for free."

"He wants to use the anti-traitor squad to harm you."

Hong Zhi picked up the cassette tape, weighed it in his hand, and smiled, saying, "Do you think I'd let him off so easily?"

"Someone will take action."

……

(End of this chapter)