Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 574 It's time to abandon it, it's time to abandon it.

Zhou Yi lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and his eyes were filled with anxiety and worry.

Even Hong Zhiyou is pessimistic about this situation; this hurdle is likely to be difficult to overcome.

After a moment of silence, Zhou Yi's voice was somewhat hoarse:

"Is there no way to break this deadlock?"

Hong Zhiyou placed the shiny Luger pistol on the table, which made a dull, soft sound.

"Old Zhou, you know, the reason the Japanese can let me do whatever I want in Harbin isn't just because I'm rich."

"But they all know that I am a businessman."

All I want is money.

"They think of themselves as the Buddha, and no matter how much I, the Monkey King, jump around, I can't escape their grasp. I can be harvested by them at any time."

He paused, picked up the cigar cutter on the table, and slowly cut off the head of a cigar.

"But if I openly protect someone who is very likely to be proven to be a red voter, then I will be blacklisted by them."

"Like you, I was able to pull you in because my uncle couldn't get any solid evidence against you."

"But Zhang Pingru's identity can probably no longer be hidden."

"The prison of the Military Police Headquarters held some Anti-Japanese Allied Forces prisoners from the Zhuhe area."

"If just one of these people steps forward, they can identify Zhang Pingru."

“At this point, if I even glance at him, my uncle and Director Liu might immediately become suspicious.”

He lit a cigar, and smoke spilled from the corner of his mouth.

"The most frightening thing right now is that, as the Japanese suffer setbacks on the battlefield in China and Germany suffers a complete defeat in the Soviet Union, many people have developed a misconception that the Japanese and Manchukuo are about to be finished."

"They began to relax and underestimate their opponents."

Why did Zhang Pingru choose to come down the mountain at this time? Wasn't it because he had become complacent?
"Two years ago, if you gave him the guts, would he have dared to swagger into the city like this?"

"But the darkness before dawn is the thickest and the coldest."

"The Japanese have regarded Manchukuo as their last lifeline, and they will definitely hold on to this fertile land of resources. This can be seen from the fact that they are still increasing the number of immigrants to this place."

"They really intend to treat the three northeastern provinces as their backyard."

"The newly arrived chief of staff of the Kwantung Army has decided to transfer Zhu Yi, who is from Jiamusi, to serve as the deputy director of the Police Department."

"It's obvious that they are very dissatisfied with Yoshio Miyagawa and want to bring in a truly ruthless and business-savvy guy to keep me in check on the one hand, and to intensify the purge in Harbin on the other."

Zhou Yi listened quietly, completely unaware that the cigarette had burned to the end.

hiss!
He quickly stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray: "I understand."

Hong Zhi looked at him, his tone devoid of any warmth.

"Now, we have no choice but to sacrifice the pawn to save the king."

"If Zhang Pingru can't hold out and brings Gu Qiuyan into the picture, you need to immediately come up with a reason to cut ties."

"If he can hold out, they won't be able to get the evidence, which might be a little better."

Zhou Yi nodded. "Hmm, I'll think about it some more when I get back to my office."

……

Across from an unassuming Japanese-style inn on Gogol Street.

Behind the second-floor window, Lu Ming was pressing his eye against a military telescope, staring intently at a window of the hotel across the street.

He asked Xu Zhong behind him.

"Have all the people been arranged in the lobby, especially at the back door and in the alley?"

Xu Zhong straightened his back, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement.

"Section Chief, don't worry, not even a fly will be able to get out of here, let alone a person."

Lu Ming put down his binoculars and rubbed his slightly sore eyes.

"Remember, Director Gao has ordered that we must capture him alive."

"Once we capture him alive, Director Gao will personally apply for a large reward for the brothers from above."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhong's joy deepened.

"Yes, I understand, I understand!"

"I've already told Ma Zi and the others to keep their marksmanship low. Unless absolutely necessary, they're not allowed to hit vital organs. They should aim for the arms and legs instead."

Lu Ming patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction.

"Work hard, if you succeed this time, this position might just be yours."

Xu Zhong instantly understood the implication behind Lu Ming's words.

Yes, yes.

If Zhou Yi gets into trouble, Lu Ming will inevitably be promoted to head of the Special Affairs Section. At that time, it will be a sure thing for me, the deputy captain, to be promoted to the head of the Special Affairs Section.

……

Inside the hotel room.

Zhang Pingru had just shaved off the stubble on her chin and taken a hot shower, feeling much refreshed.

He looked in the mirror and carefully combed his hair neatly.

He actually felt a little uncomfortable coming down the mountain this time.

Qiu Yan has been living with another man for so many years.

Ironically, she even swore that she had absolutely no relationship with that man named Zhou Yi.

He understands Qiu Yan.

She was very clingy when she was in college.

Sleeping in the same bed with another man every day, spending every day together, and saying nothing's wrong—who can believe that?
Of course, he could understand that it was all for the sake of the revolution.

Only in such a chaotic and despicable world could such bizarre things happen.

Zhang Pingru couldn't complain, after all, she owed her and the child too much.

At least Sasha has single eyelids, which gave him great comfort.

Because Zhou Yi has double eyelids, and so does Gu Qiuyan.

This child, at least, is my own flesh and blood; he looks very much like me in the eyes and eyebrows.

Zhang Pingru changed into a clean long gown, sat down on a chair by the window, lit a cigarette, and casually picked up the newspaper on the table.

He could tell that Qiu Yan seemed a little distracted when she came out with him yesterday.

I don't know if it's because I'm worried that Zhou Yi might overthink things, or simply because I'm afraid of being exposed and unsafe.

Zhang Pingru had made up her mind. She would spend some more time with her today, give her some detailed instructions, and then immediately head up the mountain this afternoon.

He picked up the phone in the room and dialed the front desk.

"Hello, please deliver two bowls of oyster congee to room 203."

A moment later, the steaming hot porridge was served.

After finishing a bowl, Zhang Pingru felt full of energy and was just waiting for Gu Qiuyan to come over.

Time passed by minute by minute.

It was ten o'clock in the morning.

Zhang Pingru glanced at the watch on her wrist, and her brows gradually furrowed.

He started to get a little anxious.

Gu Qiuyan was rarely late before, could something have gone wrong?
He pulled the Mauser pistol from under his pillow, checked the magazine, and then tucked it back into his waistband.

He went down to the lobby and casually glanced around.

A few guests were scattered around the lobby, some reading newspapers, some chatting quietly, and the receptionist was yawning.

There was nothing unusual about the surroundings.

Moreover, he was very confident in himself.

Even if there was a tail yesterday, with my counter-surveillance skills and disguise techniques, I would have shaken it off long ago.

Shouldn't be a problem.

He walked to the front desk and gave the drowsy Japanese waiter a slight smile.

"Hello, may I borrow your phone?"

He picked up the receiver and quickly dialed Gu Qiuyan's home number.

……

The Zhou family's small Western-style house.

Gu Qiuyan was pacing back and forth in the living room, looking restless.

Jingle Bell.

The shrill ring of the telephone suddenly rang out.

She shuddered and nervously reached out, her fingertips almost touching the cold receiver.

But in that instant, she shrank back as fast as lightning.

Before leaving home, Zhou Yi gave a strict order: no matter who calls today, you must not answer, and you must not call him or Lao Wei first.

The phone kept ringing, one ring after another, tearing at her nerves.

Gu Qiuyan ultimately did not reach out her hand again.

"Mom, why aren't you answering the phone?"

Sasha, holding her doll, peeked her little head out from the stairs and asked curiously.

Gu Qiuyan snapped out of her daze, quickly walked over, and hugged her daughter tightly in her arms.

"Sasha!"
"Come on, Mom will teach you to play the piano."

……

Hotel lobby.

Hearing the busy tone from the receiver, Zhang Pingru frowned deeply.

He abruptly slammed down the phone.

He picked up a copy of the "Manchuria Daily News" from the newspaper rack next to him, sat down on the sofa in the lobby, and decided to wait a little longer.

If Gu Qiuyan doesn't arrive in ten minutes at most, he'll leave.

……

Behind the second-floor window across the street, Xu Zhong lowered his body and moved closer to Lu Ming.

"Captain, he just made a phone call."

Lu Ming stepped away from the telescope, put his hands behind his back, and gave the order:

"Have the telephone company investigate immediately to find out who the call was made to."

"checked."

Xu Zhong's voice was filled with a sense of excitement at taking credit.

"The call was made to Section Chief Zhou's family; they were probably looking for Gu Qiuyan."

Lu Ming took out a cigarette case from his pocket and handed one to Xu Zhong.

He lit one for himself and chuckled dryly, "This guy seems to still be lustful. It's obvious that Gu Qiuyan has become wary."

Xu Zhong took the cigarette and moved closer to him ingratiatingly.

"If this guy is waiting for Gu Qiuyan, then you must be saying that Section Chief Zhou is on guard, right?"

Lu Ming raised his hand and gave him a light slap on the back of the head.

"Damn it, are you deaf?"

"Did I mention Section Chief Zhou? He's a section chief, our leader. How can he say things like that?"
"You're being presumptuous, thinking you're so clever."

Xu Zhong's face immediately plastered with a fawning smile, and he raised his hand to lightly slap his own face twice:

"Yes, yes, I was talking nonsense. I deserve to be beaten, I deserve to be beaten."

Just then, one of the men responsible for keeping watch walked in quickly and quietly.

"Captain, the target is getting up; it looks like he's about to leave. Should we make a move?"

Lu Ming stubbed out his cigarette on the windowsill, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"We can't wait any longer, arrest them immediately."

……

In the hotel lobby, Zhang Pingru glanced at her watch; the hands pointed to 10:10.

His unease grew stronger.

He put down the newspaper, stood up, and prepared to leave.

The instant he took a step, the two men who had been reading newspapers on the sofas on either side of him stood up simultaneously. They threw down their newspapers and reached into their pockets.

The curtain leading to the kitchen was suddenly flung open, and several more figures rushed out, blocking his escape route.

not good!

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhang Pingru drew his Mauser pistol from his lower back with lightning speed.

boom!
Gunshots rang out in the hall.

The first agent to rush at him had a burst of blood mist erupt from his chest and fell backward.

The hall instantly descended into chaos.

Screams, the sound of tables and chairs overturning, and the whistling of bullets were all mixed together.

Zhang Pingru used a thick pillar as cover and kept firing.

The other side also began to return fire, bullets hitting the pillars and sending up pieces of cement debris.

The Mauser pistol in his hand quickly ran out of bullets.

The bolt made a hollow clicking sound.

Zhang Pingru's heart sank. Without lingering in the fight, he turned and rushed towards the stairs to the second floor.

He also had magazines in the box.

"Want to run?"

A chilling laugh came from behind him.

Lu Ming rushed in and, having waited patiently, steadily raised his gun.

boom!
There was a gunshot.

Zhang Pingru felt a numbness in her left knee, followed by a piercing pain.

His body went limp, he screamed, and tumbled down the stairs, crashing heavily onto the floor.

Several agents rushed forward and pinned him down.

The cold muzzle of a gun was pressed against the back of his head.

Lu Ming looked at him with a smug look on his face, like a cat catching a mouse.

"Heh, still trying to run away."

He walked over and kicked the Mauser pistol that was already empty next to Zhang Pingru.

"Take it."

He waved to his subordinates, his smile widening.

"They even have guns, that's unusual. They might be a big fish."

"Brothers, get ready to collect your reward."

……

Police Department.

boom!boom!
Outside in the courtyard, the roar of car engines and the sound of car doors closing echoed one after another.

The blinds in Zhou Yi's office moved slightly.

He opened a crack and looked downstairs.

With just one glance, the blood in his body froze instantly.

Several agents from the action team were escorting a man out of a car.

The man, whose legs were wrapped in blood-soaked bandages, was being supported by two people, one on each side; it was Zhang Pingru.

What he was most worried about happened.

Zhou Yi quickly lowered the curtains, straightened his collar, opened the door expressionlessly, and walked into the noisy hall.

Lu Ming was giving his men a confident and triumphant speech.

"Captain Lu, what's going on?"

Zhou Yi's voice was calm and undisturbed.

Lu Ming stepped forward and calmly said:

"Section Chief, Director Gao gave me this task at the last minute this morning: to arrest a suspected Red bandit. I don't know his exact background, but we'll find out after Director Gao interrogates him."

Zhou Yi shifted his gaze from Lu Ming's face to Zhang Pingru, who was being held captive.

“Well done.

"Call Lao Liu and stop his bleeding first, so he doesn't die in the interrogation room."

After speaking, Zhou Yi returned to his office.

It's Zhang Pingru.

That face, almost identical to Zhang Pingjun's, couldn't be wrong.

Now we're in big trouble.

Lu Ming watched Zhou Yi's retreating figure, gave a cold smile, and then waved his hand.

"Xu Zhong, go and call the doctor. Take the man to the interrogation room first."

He went straight up to the second floor and knocked on Gao Bin's office door.

"Chief, we've caught the man."

"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you meet him."

Gao Bin was wiping his reading glasses when he heard this and paused.

"surprise?"

"It has to be a surprise."

Lu Ming thumped his chest loudly.

"You'll understand when you meet him."

Gao Bin nodded thoughtfully and put on his reading glasses.

"Okay, let's go see what surprises await us."

……

The interrogation room was cold and damp.

In the corner, Lao Tu and Chen Liang were slowly heating a branding iron until it was red-hot, with a bucket of concentrated salt water next to them, which had just been used to rinse whips.

Zhang Pingru was tied to a wooden cross, and blood was still seeping from the wound on her leg.

Gao Bin walked in, his hands behind his back.

He walked up to Zhang Pingru, reached out, and grabbed his chin.

Gao Bin laughed after just one glance:
"What a wonderful surprise!"

He let go of her hand and turned to Lu Ming behind him.

"Come on, bring over the files of Liu Ping and Zhang Pingjun."

Upon hearing the name "Zhang Pingjun," Pingru's body trembled almost imperceptibly, and her eyes flickered instantly.

Gao Bin took in this subtle reaction.

He slowly sat down in a chair.

The file was delivered quickly.

Gao Bin put on his reading glasses, first picked up the sketch portrait that Liu Ping had drawn, and then found a photo of Zhang Pingjun.

He compared them back and forth, his smile growing wider and wider.

He said to Lu Ming, "I have to say, they really are cut from the same mold."

Gao Bin put down the documents in his hand and turned his gaze back to Zhang Pingru on the wooden shelf.

"May I have your name?
“I know the name you used when you checked into the hotel, Li Han, is fake.”

Zhang Pingru glared at him coldly, her lips tightly pressed together.

Gao Bin wasn't in a hurry and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Perhaps I can invite Mr. Zhang Zhongnian, the father of Gu Qiuyan and Zhang Pingjun, to come and ask him."

"You traitorous dogs!"

Zhang Pingru finally spoke, her voice hoarse with anger.

"You will get nothing from me!"

Lu Ming immediately gave Lao Tu and Chen Liang a wink.

The two understood each other, raised the whips soaked in salt water, and lashed out fiercely.

Snapped!Snapped!
The whip struck Zhang Pingru's body, instantly tearing open his flesh and drawing blood.

He groaned and clenched his teeth tightly.

Gao Bin raised his hand, signaling to stop.

He spoke in a kind, elder-like tone: "I advise you to be honest."

He pointed to Zhang Pingru's eyes.

"You have monolids. Zhou Siru, also known as Sasha, also has monolids."

"You can't expect your child to come to a place like this to see their father, can you?"

A flash of deep-seated hatred crossed Zhang Pingru's eyes, but she kept her mouth tightly shut and remained silent.

A revolutionary's wife and children are always his Achilles' heel.

Gao Bin continued, "Many people who come here hope to survive and then seek death. In fact, that's impossible. We have a thousand ways to make you talk."

“I know who you are, and I know what you’re thinking. In the current situation, you have no chance.”

"I don't want to wait until you confess, only to find that the person has already been crippled or ruined, and then regret it."

"Confess now, and I can let you go and reunite with Sasha without any trouble."

He paused, then changed the subject, a playful smile appearing on his face.

"You ordered two bowls of oyster congee, which means you still have humanity and desires."

"But do you know what? After going through a round with us, even if you're still alive, for the rest of your life you'll only be able to sigh in vain when you see a woman."

Gao Bin lowered his voice even further, like a viper flicking its tongue.

“Sasha is a girl, and your younger brother Zhang Pingjun is dead.”

"Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no descendants. You don't want your Zhang family to die out, do you?"
"Why not save your health and have another child?"

These words, like sharp knives, precisely pierced the softest part of Zhang Pingru's heart.

His breathing became rapid, and his eyes showed panic.

Seeing his reaction, Gao Bin knew the time was right.

He didn't ask any more questions, but simply stood up, gestured to Lu Ming, and the two walked out of the interrogation room one after the other.

Outside the door, Lu Ming asked in a low voice, "Director, should we take drastic measures?"

"Need not."

Gao Bin shook his head, a calculating glint in his eyes.

"This person has too many concerns, making him the best entry point."

"Judging from his appearance alone, he is very likely Zhang Pingjun's brother."

He ordered, "Investigate his relationship with Zhang Zhongnian immediately."

"In addition, bring over a few prisoners captured from Laotuoshan and Zhuhe areas from the prison to identify people."

"Got it."

Lu Ming immediately accepted the order and left.

After Gao Bin finished speaking, he turned around and went back into the interrogation room.

He didn't look at Zhang Pingru, but instead called Lao Tu, Chen Liang, and several other team members in charge of the execution to the door.

The group stood in a row, not daring to breathe.

Gao Bin stood with his hands behind his back, his voice as cold as ice.

“I know you are Section Chief Hong’s men and have a good relationship with him.”

“In the past, if you sometimes let slip a word or spread a message, I could pretend I didn’t know.”

"But you dare to let out a single word about this person..."

He paused and spoke word by word.

“I will immediately treat you as traitors and have your whole family executed.”

……

(End of this chapter)