Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 124 Boss, may you rest in peace.

Shen Xingshan was well aware that Chen Yang's talk of banning smoking was nothing new.

If it were truly a radical reform, such as banning smoking, he wouldn't have invited me over.

The real reason was that the Japanese were envious of the opium business and wanted to kick out these foreigners and monopolize the opium market themselves.

It's important to understand that Japan is a country with scarce resources. How could they not be envious of the lucrative profits from the opium trade?

Therefore, they need to find an agent.

"Commissioner Chen, we Shanghai businessmen will definitely support the new government's decision,"

"I just don't know if there's anything I can do for you?"

Chen Yang said slowly, "Smoking must be banned, but Shanghai must not be allowed to descend into chaos."

"I hope Mr. Shen can do his part to ensure the stability of the Shanghai market."

Shen Xingshan frowned and said, "Does Commissioner Chen mean Tian Darong, Han Chong, Fei Jiu, and those people?"

Zhang Xiaolin had eight henchmen. The most capable one, Tian Darong, was still in the hospital. Apart from Song Zushan, there were six others.

It's not difficult to take action against Zhang Xiaolin, but the fear is that it could trigger a chain reaction and throw the entire market into chaos.

Chen Yang nodded and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Shen. If the operation is successful, we will close all the opium dens under Zhang Xiaolin's name."

Shen Xingshan nodded and said, "Banning smoking is an important matter. Please rest assured, Commissioner Chen, we will give it our full support."

Chen Yang got up and poured two glasses of red wine, handing one to Shen Xingshan and saying, "It's a deal. Thank you for your support, Mr. Shen."

Shen Xingshan took the wine glass, clinked it with Chen Yang's, and drank it all in one gulp.

Even if their conversation was overheard, it was all about banning smoking, but they both knew the real meaning behind it.

Chen Yang assured Shen Xingshan that once he took over Zhang Xiaolin's territory, he would immediately close all the opium dens and would never touch the opium business again.

Shen Xingshan can obtain the opium distribution rights that originally belonged to Sanxin Company, on the condition that he helps Chen Yang deal with the six henchmen under Boss Zhang.

Shen Xingshan put down his wine glass and said, "Commissioner Chen is indeed a pillar of the state. I have another question to ask."

"I just ran into Mr. Pisson and Mr. Bocuse. I wonder how you persuaded them."

Chen Yang didn't hide anything: "It's simple. The French don't have as many concerns as we do. As long as they can ensure their own profits are not affected, they don't want to meddle in other people's business."

“I told them that I would guarantee an increase of 10% on top of the original dividends, and they were naturally very happy.”

Shen Xingshan then realized what was happening and couldn't help but admire him a little.
The French opium trade was not entirely owned by the Municipal Council; a large portion belonged to the military.

They took a cut of one hundred silver dollars from each box, but only twenty percent went to the Municipal Council. Chen Yang promised to increase that by ten percent, and they naturally had no objection.

As for the missing revenue of the military, that's the military's business, not the Guan Gong Dong Bureau's.

Shen Xingshan stood up and said, "Commissioner Chen, if there are no other instructions, I will go back and make arrangements."

"Don't worry, we don't want the Shanghai stock market to fall into chaos either, as that would be bad for everyone."

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Shen." Chen Yang stood up and said, "Let me see you off."

"Commissioner Chen, please wait." Shen Xingshan bowed slightly, picked up his walking stick and briefcase, and walked out.

After watching Shen Xingshan leave, Chen Yang poured himself half a glass of red wine, walked to the window, and looked at the scenery outside.

With a creak, the heavy door to the private room was pushed open again, and Lin Xueyi strode in: "Chen Yang, everyone is arranged."

"Should we take action now?"

Chen Yang raised his glass, looked out the window and said, "No rush, let's at least let them finish their dinner."

Lin Xueyi paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand."

The evening light streamed through the stained glass windows, casting dappled shadows on the carpet.

Although the crystal chandelier's light is bright, it cannot fully illuminate those dark corners.

The entire space seemed to conceal unspoken secrets and the lingering shadows of this era.

The scenery before me is like a magnificent ship cabin that has fallen silent in the past, trying to maintain its superficial glamour and order, but inside it is swaying uneasily in the turbulent waves of the times, just like the Huangpu River covered with dark clouds outside the window.

Shanghai, Fuxi Road, Da Shi Jie Entertainment City.

As dusk settles, the Great World also enters its evening peak period.

Suddenly, several black Dodge vans screeched to a halt at the entrance of the Grand World Entertainment City.

"Xiao Bao, take some men and guard the back door."

"Ling Jiang, take your men and follow me." With a command from Zuo Mingquan, the agents in the car rushed in with pistols in hand.

Don't be fooled by the superficial glamour of these low-end casinos; to be honest, they are a living hell.

The air was so murky it was almost suffocating, and under dozens of glaring incandescent lights, crowds thronged the area amidst swirling smoke.

Sweaty faces were contorted with greed or despair.

The huge roulette wheel spun rapidly, and the crisp sound of the ivory balls hitting the partition was drowned out by deafening shouts and sighs.

"Open, big!" "Damn it, big again." The dice tumbled and rolled in the bowl, the dealer announcing the numbers expressionlessly, his chips piled up like a small mountain.

Beside the Pai Gow table, a withered hand trembled as it placed the last few silver dollars, the knuckles turning white from the force, and the cloudy eyes staring intently at the dealer's fingers.

In the corner, a middle-aged man who had lost everything slumped on a bench, his eyes vacant, as if his soul had been ripped away, leaving only a lifeless shell breathing in vain.

The casino waitresses, dressed in revealing uniforms that exposed large expanses of their fair skin, moved through the crowd carrying cheap tea and cigarettes, their shouts drowned out by the even louder noise.

They were very good at judging the situation and would often appear at just the right moment when gamblers were winning money. The gamblers would buy cigarettes with smiles on their faces and not forget to touch them before leaving, laughing loudly amidst the scolding tone of the waitresses.
The sharp-eyed thugs lurked behind pillars or curtains, like lurking hyenas, ready to pounce on troublemakers or sore losers at any moment.

The clinking of copper coins, the crisp sound of silver dollars, and the clattering of chips echoed throughout the casino.

Bang! A loud gunshot rang out, the bullet struck the incandescent light bulb overhead, and instantly, glass shattered everywhere.
"Excuse me, everyone, this is a customs inspection." Zuo Mingquan, with his slightly protruding belly, pushed through the crowd and shouted, "Those not involved, please leave immediately."

Everyone present was stunned. Customs and inspection—these words sounded strange coming from a place like the Great World.

"Get out of the way." A shout rang out, and Song Zushan appeared at the door with a gloomy face and several thugs. When he saw Zuo Mingquan, Song Zushan said in a sinister tone, "Director Zuo, you are a member of the Special Service Department. When did you become a member of the Customs?"

Zuo Mingquan pulled out a document that read "General Administration of Customs Prohibition of Inspection Notice" and showed it to Song Zushan.
"Manager Song, I am just following orders. Someone reported that you have been illegally operating an opium den and selling opium."

"The Special Service has received a notice to assist in the investigation and to conduct a thorough search of the Grand World Entertainment City."

"You dare?" Song Zushan said in a deep voice, "Director Zuo, it is said that a bad person's path to wealth is like killing their parents."

"Are you going to oppose us now?"

Zuo Mingquan sneered, "Manager Song, we are just handling official business. Do you intend to defy the law?"

"Anyone who dares to obstruct the work of the police will be shot on the spot."

Song Zushan said angrily, "You can try, I don't believe that you few dozen people can pacify the Great World?"

Zuo Mingquan's face darkened, and he raised his hand, saying, "Prepare."

As soon as he finished speaking, all the men behind Zuo Mingquan raised their guns, and the casino staff also picked up their weapons. The two sides were on the verge of a major battle.

"Thump, thump, thump." A series of hurried footsteps sounded, and a man dressed as a thug walked through the crowd to Song Zushan's side and whispered something.

Song Zushan nodded slightly and said, "I understand."

Immediately afterwards, Song Zushan turned around and said, "Director Zuo, you can check if it's true. As long as you don't disturb the guests, you can look all you want."

Zuo Mingquan was stunned for a moment, his small eyes darting around, wondering what Song Zushan was up to.
Just then, a figure stumbled in through the gate: "Director Zuo, they're moving opium. Team Leader Zhang and his men are exchanging fire with them at the back gate."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Mingquan's expression changed instantly. Before he could react, Song Zushan shouted, "Close the door! Don't let them out!"

"Bang!" Someone fired the first shot, and chaos instantly erupted in the underground casino.

The gamblers screamed and scattered in all directions, their chips and coins flying everywhere as they were knocked over by the panicked crowd.

The card table was overturned, but the roulette wheel was still spinning on its own.

The casino's thugs rushed in from all directions to reinforce them, but were blocked by the two agents left at the door by Zuo Mingquan.

The two sides engaged in a fierce firefight at the bottom level, with bullets sending wood chips flying everywhere.

It must be said that there is a difference between thugs and spies. Although their numbers were similar, the thugs were quickly suppressed by the other side and could not raise their heads.

"Damn it, send a signal, call for reinforcements," Song Zushan ordered his men as he fought and retreated.

The subordinate nodded, then nimbly rolled several times to the window, smashed the glass, pulled out a signal flare, lit it, and a huge firework exploded in the sky.

Meanwhile, in a residential building not far from the Great World, more than ten men armed with Nambu XIV assault rifles were divided into several corners, watching the dozens of thugs in front of them from all directions.

The leader grinned as he watched the fireworks explode in the sky and said, "Everyone, cooperate! I'm eating vegetarian today and don't want to kill anything. If you all stay here for two hours, we'll leave immediately."

On the top floor of the Great World shopping mall, a figure stumbled and ran into the rooftop office.

"Boss, Manager Song got into a fight with the Secret Service. He asked me to take you away first."

Zhang Xiaolin's face turned ashen. He hadn't expected Zuo Mingquan to actually dare to come, and not only dare to come, he actually dared to make a move.

"Damn it, I'll kill him right now."

"No, no, no, boss, you're porcelain, there's no need to fight head-on with tiles." The man earnestly advised, "Come with me, I'll take you away first, you can leave this to Manager Song."

Zhang Xiaolin was slightly taken aback. That made sense. Who did he think he was? Was it worth risking his life for someone else?

“Okay, let’s go.” Zhang Xiaolin tapped his ivory cigarette holder and followed the man down to the ground floor from the other side.

There was already a car parked over there, with four or five unfamiliar faces standing next to it. They must be the people he asked Song Zushan to find.

The group got into the car. Zhang Xiaolin frowned as he looked at the Grand World Entertainment City behind him, then turned to the person next to him and said, "You seem pretty clever. What's your name?"

The man grinned: "Boss Zhang, my name is Lin Huaibu, and I'm the one who's sending you on your way."

Zhang Xiaolin froze, and before he could react, several pistols were already pointed at his head.

"No, no, I can give you money, any amount is fine."

Lin Huaibu chuckled and said, "Boss Zhang, it's too late. Have a safe journey."

(End of this chapter)