Spy wars start with lurking Secretary Hong

Chapter 507 The East Wind Has Arrived, Everything is Ready

The pitch-black steel gate effectively shut out all communication between the inside and outside.

Zhou Yi stood not far away, his eyes fixed on the door.

He glanced at his watch; the hands had mercilessly ticked past half an hour.

Hong Zhiyou hasn't come out yet.

The situation is not good.

The terrifying rumors surrounding this place are enough to terrify any Harbin resident.

Zhou Yi stepped forward to ask the guards at the door about the situation, but was shouted at and driven away by soldiers with guns.

He decided not to wait any longer and had to find a phone booth immediately to notify Section Chief Gao to come and rescue the people.

Just as he turned to leave, a black sedan sped up and screeched to a halt a short distance away.

The car door opened, and Ma Wendong got out.

Upon meeting, Ma Wendong couldn't hide his smile.

"Captain Zhou, are you waiting for Hong Zhiyou?"

Zhou Yi turned around, his expression calm: "Yes, Director Ma has good eyes and ears."

Ma Wendong strode forward, his tone full of satisfaction: "No need to wait any longer. To tell you the truth, Dr. Ishii has set up a trap for us today."

He glanced at the high wall and shook his head:

"What a pity, you Fan Kuai and Zhang Liang can only worry anxiously outside these high walls, I'm afraid you can't save your Liu Bang."

Zhou Yi smiled faintly: "Director Ma seems to know a lot about our history."

Ma Wendong, with his hands behind his back, enjoyed the feeling of being in control: "Of course."

"Shibuya Saburo left behind a lot of documents before his death. I looked through them and found that a lot of them were about you, Captain Zhou."

"Perhaps the next person to go in will be Captain Zhou."

Zhou Yi remained calm: "I don't understand what the director is saying."

Ma Wendong waved his hand dismissively, "Oh, by the way, I've heard quite a few rumors about your wife."

He took a step closer and lowered his voice.

"Sometimes I really don't understand how you and Hong Zhi could be so close, calling each other brothers?"

"Just like when your wife insisted on giving birth in Jiamusi, didn't you ever have any doubts?"

Zhou Yi's face remained expressionless, but his eyes turned colder: "I understand even less about what the director is saying."

Ma Wendong said confidently, "You're pretending to be ignorant when you know the truth."

"Let me explain, there are two possibilities."

"Either Gu Qiuyan is not your wife at all, and the two of you are just putting on an act."

"There is another possibility: you are indeed a red ticket holder, and you have made some kind of deal with Hong Zhiyou in order to survive."

He paused deliberately, stared into Zhou Yi's eyes, and said, word by word, "But isn't it a bit too shameless to use one's own wife as a bargaining chip?"

Ma Wendong desperately wanted to see Zhou Yi's pained and angry expression, as that would make him feel more at ease.

Meanwhile, Tianya was being bullied, so why was Zhou Yi able to remain unscathed?

However, Zhou Yi's face remained calm and composed:

"Director Ma, everyone has someone who is talked about behind their back. People with a sensitive heart always believe whatever they hear."

"If you think I'm a red flag, then show me the evidence and arrest me."

Ma Wendong reached out and patted his shoulder heavily:

"Soon, maybe tonight."

As the two were talking, the heavy steel door suddenly made a loud "crack".

The door slowly opened.

Hong Zhiyou, wearing an earth-yellow military overcoat, swaggered out from inside.

He was composed and walked leisurely, showing no trace of the disheveled state of a prisoner.

A smile instantly appeared on Zhou Yi's face. He turned to look at Ma Wendong, who was completely frozen beside him.

"Director Ma, it seems that Liu Bang could have survived unscathed even without Fan Kuai and Zhang Liang."

Ma Wendong was numb, his face filled with disbelief.

How could that madman Shiro Ishii let him out?
Hong Zhiyou leisurely lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, walked up to Ma Wendong, and asked with a smile:

"Oh, is Director Ma here to pick me up too?"

Zhou Yi replied cooperatively, "I think so."

Hong Zhi exhaled a puff of smoke, which sprayed all over Ma Wendong's face.

"Thanks, Director Ma."

Ma Wendong's face twitched a few times, but he still forced himself to maintain his composure and said with a forced smile, "No need to thank me, it's good that you're alright."

Hong Zhi glanced at him sideways.

“I’m fine, of course, but I heard from Mrs. Jia Hui that you… are not feeling well.”

He deliberately dragged out his voice.

"Director Ma, it seems your friend's treatment isn't working."

Ma Wendong's face darkened instantly, but he ultimately did not refute it.

Hong Zhiyou was too lazy to look at him anymore, and turned to Zhou Yi and said, "Old Zhou, get in the car."

He opened the car door, and before getting in, he turned back and winked at Ma Wendong.

"I forgot to mention, your wife is really... good."

"I hope the director will cherish this opportunity."

After saying that, he let out a loud, arrogant laugh and jumped into the car.

Zhou Yi stepped on the gas, and the car sped away.

Ma Wendong stood there, gritting his teeth in anger, veins bulging on his forehead. He suddenly turned around and slammed his fist hard on the car hood!
"Hong Zhiyou!"

"I will cut you into pieces!"

He roared and walked straight toward the gate of the epidemic prevention water supply department. He wanted to find Shiro Ishii and get some answers!

Unexpectedly, the soldier at the door raised his arm and coldly stopped him.

"I want to see Dr. Ishii!" Ma Wendong shouted.

The soldier's face was expressionless, and his voice was mechanical: "No one is allowed to enter without an appointment and the officer's permission."

Ma Wendong was so angry he felt like his lungs were about to explode.

He, a high-ranking official in Binjiang Province, was actually stopped by a mere gatekeeper!

He got back into his car, his forehead throbbing with anger.

Adjutant Ogasawara whispered, "Chief, I've long heard that Hong Zhi is eloquent and generous with his money. Dr. Ishii must have been bewitched by him."

Ma Wendong took a deep breath, his eyes turning sinister.

"Indeed, people can only rely on themselves."

"The situation is chaotic right now, and I'm very worried that they've conspired against me, which would be very disadvantageous for me."

A murderous glint flashed in Ogasawa's adjutant's eyes as he suggested:
"Director, if all else fails, let Yamamoto-kun forcibly capture him."

"Kill him on the spot!"
"Anyway, we have witnesses. At worst, we can just say that Hung Chi resisted arrest and was shot dead on the spot."

Ma Wendong closed his eyes and pondered for a moment:

"Hmm, that's a good idea. Let me think about it some more."

"No matter what, Hong Zhiyou must die."

……

In the car.

Zhou Yi glanced at the rearview mirror and said, "Weren't your words a bit too much? I'm afraid Ma Wendong might take drastic measures."

"Yes, he can't really command the military police. But don't forget, he has a well-equipped special operations brigade under his command."

"If he takes a risk and launches a surprise attack, it will be difficult for the thugs at the dock and the police force alone to protect you."

"Never underestimate the madness of a Japanese person; they are all cold-blooded beasts."

Hong Zhi flicked his cigarette ash and smiled faintly:
"I've already fallen out with him, so I'll do whatever's disgusting I can."

"I have received definite information that the Ministry of War is indeed mobilizing a large number of elite troops from within the Great Wall, but that is just a bluff; they are unlikely to actually fight."

"In fact, they have already secretly sent people to Moscow for peace talks."

"If I know, how could I not know?"
"Now they're worried about how to get out of this mess, so they don't have the energy to help Ma Wendong deal with me."

"Moreover, at this time, the top-secret telegram from Shiro Ishii reporting Ma Wendong may have already been sent to Tokyo."

“Ma Wendong is like a grasshopper in autumn, he won’t be able to jump around for much longer.”

At this point, Hong Zhi smiled.

"As for Yamamoto's special agent squadron."

"Yes, this guy is very loyal to Ma Wendong."

"But don't forget, he's a soldier, under the command of the General Staff. Tonight, I'll have them leave Harbin."

Zhou Yi's eyes flashed with surprise, then he understood: "It seems you were prepared all along and have already reached an agreement with Isogai Rensuke?"

Hong Zhi leaned back in his chair, looking out the window.

"Yes, Rensuke Isogai has already resigned himself to his fate."

"After this disastrous defeat of the Kwantung Army, it's certain that he'll be transferred to the reserves. However, I promised to help him secure the position of Governor-General of Hong Kong."

“This guy owes me a lot of favors over the years, so he’s naturally happy to help with this little thing.”

Zhou Yi sincerely said, "I was overthinking it. With your personality, how could you fight a battle unprepared?"

“Ma Wendong has thought of three steps, but you have already thought of all ten steps.”

"It's hard to imagine that if you were my enemy, I'm afraid I wouldn't live more than a month."

Hong Zhi turned to look at him and grinned.

"No, you won't live more than ten minutes. When you got off the train, my sister-in-law mistook Lu Ming for you. If I hadn't shouted that out, you would have been in my uncle's interrogation room as soon as you got off the train."

"You have to believe me, my uncle will never show any mercy when it comes to red tickets."

Zhou Yi's expression turned serious: "That's true."

"In our line of work, even the smallest mistake can be fatal."

Hong Zhi handed him a cigarette: "I understand. Give the tea to Ke Gong."

Zhou Yi took the cigarette, lit it, and took a puff.

"Yes, this is a bloody lesson. In our line of work, we have to be disciplined even in our dreams, otherwise we won't even know when our heads will be ripped off."

Hong Zhi looked out the window.

As the car drove past a church, a flock of white doves fluttered their wings and took flight in the square in front of it.

Below, a group of children were laughing and chasing each other, the sunlight shining on their innocent faces.

almost.

The next decade!
Soon!

……

old house.

Lu Ming stood at the window, peeking outside furtively.

He asked Peng Hu, who brought the food, "Brother, who do you think will come out on top in this arm-wrestling match between Section Chief Hong and Director Ma?"

Peng Hu placed the lunchbox on the table, his voice devoid of emotion: "It's a battle of gods, we kids shouldn't try to figure it out. Just do what Master Hong tells us to do."

Lu Ming pointed to the telephone on the table: "I heard that Shiro Ishii, that living devil, summoned Section Chief Hong into the epidemic prevention department."

His voice was lowered, carrying a hint of barely concealed worry, "Not many people who go in there come out unscathed. If he really dies in there, we'll be in big trouble."

Peng Hu's eyes turned cold: "You're certainly well-informed."

"I advise you to stay away from that stuff. If Ma Wendong follows the trail, you'll be walking into a trap."

Lu Ming shrank his neck and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, it was my oversight, I was careless."

He rubbed his hands together and leaned closer, "Brother, if there's any new development on Section Chief Hong's side, you have to tell me immediately."

"Don't worry, Master Hong won't lose." After saying that, Peng Hu turned to leave.

Lu Ming grabbed his arm, pointed to a folded pictorial magazine on the corner of the table, and said with a lewd smile, "Brother, let's talk. Can you find me a couple of girls? It's not good to be looking at these paper cutouts every day."

Peng Hu shook off his hand, looking at him like he was an idiot: "Is your brain filled with water? If you don't want to stay here, you can get out now."

"Alright, alright, never mind." Lu Ming quickly waved his hand. "I'll bear it, I'll bear it, okay?"

The door closed behind them, and Peng Hu's footsteps faded into the distance.

Lu Ming spat towards the door: "What the hell is this? How dare you shit on my head?"

He paced restlessly around the room twice, but finally couldn't resist, picked up the phone receiver, and dialed Liu Kui's number.

Liu Kui had received favors from Hong Zhiyou, and he was straightforward and stubborn. He didn't seem like the type to work for Ma Wendong, so he should be reliable.

After the call connected, Lu Ming lowered his voice and said, "It's me. I'm out on an errand right now and it's inconvenient for me to show up. Did you ask if Section Chief Hong is back?"

A positive reply came from the other end of the line.

"okay, I get it."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Ming let out a long sigh of relief and slumped into his chair.

Hong Zhi is back. That kid really knows his stuff. A weight has been lifted off his shoulders. Looks like he can finally get a good night's sleep tonight.

……

The night is getting darker.

Hong Zhi paced back and forth in the room, his feet making a slight sound as he stepped on the floor.

Everything is ready; even the east wind has been borrowed. It's time to unsheathe Jia Huizi's sword.

He knew very well that simple instigation was useless against a woman like Jia Huizi.

Only by making her truly feel fear, and by binding her personal safety to the interests of her family, can the murderous intent in her bones be fully unleashed.

The things he said at the epidemic prevention department entrance today were deliberately meant for Ma Wendong to hear, with the aim of making him lose control, transferring the pressure to Jia Huizi, and causing that taut string to snap completely.

The time has come.

Hong Zhi picked up the phone and first dialed an international number.

“It’s me.” His voice was calm and even. “Later, give him a call and tell him the contents of Ishii’s secret report.”

The person on the other end of the phone responded.

"Okay. I'll personally visit you in Tokyo another day to express my gratitude."

"Goodbye."

After hanging up the phone, he didn't pause for a moment before dialing Ma Wendong's home number.

The phone rang for a long time and no one answered.

Hong Zhiyou gave a cold laugh. He patiently hung up and then redialed, over and over again.

……

official residence.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was as oppressive as frozen air.

Ma Wendong, with a gentle smile on his face, was having a meal with Jia Huizi.

The telephone in the living room rang incessantly, like a tireless cicada disturbing one's peace of mind.

Just as the maid Xiangzi was about to get up to take it, Jia Huizi gave her a look, and she wisely bowed and withdrew.

"Ichiro has had a long day. Even if it's a very important official matter, you should put it aside for now," Jia Huizi said softly, serving him food herself.

Ma Wendong nodded slightly and gave a smile: "Maybe it's a call for you."

"I won't answer anyone's calls," Jia Huizi said firmly.

Ma Wendong felt a little comforted.

After finishing his meal, he went into the bathroom, while Jia Huizi excused herself to get him a bathrobe and hurriedly left.

A moment later, through the door, Ma Wendong could clearly hear her making a phone call in a low voice.

That bitch really does say one thing and mean another.

When Jia Huizi returned to the bathroom with her bathrobe, Ma Wendong leaned against the edge of the tub and asked calmly, "Who called?"

"Oh, a friend invited me to play mahjong, we're one short," Jia Huizi replied flawlessly.

“It’s Hong Zhiyou, isn’t it?” Ma Wendong’s voice was completely flat.

Jia Huizi's heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm: "No, it's Mrs. Kishida."

Ma Wendong closed his eyes, the hot water soaking his body, and slowly said, "Shiro Ishii called Hong Zhiyou into the epidemic prevention department today. It's a pity he didn't die inside."

He opened his eyes and looked at his wife's face. "Aren't you happy?"

"Yes, I...we are friends after all," Jia Huizi explained reluctantly.

"Friends?" Ma Wendong's calm expression shattered instantly. He grabbed a towel and threw it into the water, splashing water everywhere.

"Don't forget, he's just a lowly Chinese man!"

He suddenly stood up from the bathtub, staring at Jia Huizi with bloodshot eyes: "He said to my face today that you... are 'good'."

Jia Huizi's face turned pale, but she tried to remain calm: "He must be referring to my talent for playing the piano."

"So that's how it is." Ma Wendong suddenly burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the bathroom, sounding particularly eerie.

"Very well, go ahead."

Jia Huizi saw his overwhelming anger and tentatively said, "I think I'd better not go. I can learn the zither another day."

"Go ahead," Ma Wendong waved his hand. "It's just learning the piano, I won't take it to heart. Just come back soon."

"Okay, then you should go to bed early."

The thought of Hong Zhi's strong body and domineering kisses made Jia Huizi's heart grow wildly with loneliness.

Since everyone is putting on an act, she's too lazy to bother with the maneuvering anymore; making the most of her time is the best policy.

She was happy to go along with it and turned to leave.

As soon as Jia Huizi disappeared, Ma Wendong put on his bathrobe, returned to his room, and took down the samurai sword that had been hanging on the wall for a long time.

He drew his knife and carefully wiped the cold blade with a white silk handkerchief, on which his twisted and ferocious face was reflected.

He wanted to kill people, to kill Hong Ji-you, and that shameless slut.

Just as he was figuring out how to make his move, the phone rang sharply again.

Ma Wendong picked up the receiver, and an anxious voice came from an old friend in Tokyo.

"What?" Hearing the other person's words, his brows furrowed instantly.

"Okay, I understand. I will definitely repay you handsomely another day."

The phone clicked shut.

Ma Wendong's anger and fear finally erupted.

He received confirmation that Shiro Ishii had sent a secret telegram to the Tokyo Army Ministry, claiming that the Nomonhan germ warfare failed because intelligence had been leaked in advance, and placing all the blame on himself.

They promoted the theory of Soviet weakness, had lax intelligence oversight, and were even direct leakers of secrets.

He even went so far as to mention his half-Chinese ancestry, implying that he was a "ghost" hidden within the Kwantung Army.

An indescribable pain gripped him.

He couldn't understand what kind of magic Hong Zhiyou possessed that not only deceived his wife's heart, but now even persuaded the stubborn devil Shiro Ishii with a few words, who then turned around and delivered a fatal blow to him.

A great calamity is imminent.

Fortunately, I received the news in advance and had to retaliate immediately.

Jia Huizi, if you are disloyal, don't blame me for being unjust.

You forced me to do all of this.

Now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to use you as a stepping stone to get out of this mess.

……

(End of this chapter)