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

Chapter 165 Explanation? What kind of explanation do you need?

"You brute, you fool, you damn bastard!" Kong Yongzhi's roar echoed in the empty living room, his face contorted with rage and flushed crimson.

Upon hearing Kong Yongzhi's voice, the butler, Shen Zhenbai, hurriedly came out. "Master, what's wrong...?"

"'Martyrdom'? 'Loyalty'? Zhenbai, look at what the Japanese are saying now!"

"They say Tang Shaoyi was innocently 'eliminated' by us! How can I explain this to the Party? How can I explain this to the people of the world?"

"Dai Yunong's move really screwed me over..."

He pointed to the torrential rain outside the window, his voice filled with anxiety and a sense of embarrassment at being exposed.

Kong Yongzhi is now not only the Minister of Finance of the National Government, but also the Premier of the Executive Yuan.

He had to give a perfect explanation for Tang Shaoyi's death; otherwise, countless people would use it as a pretext for their arguments.

At that time, people's hearts will be unsettled, and who knows how many rumors and gossip will circulate.

Shen Zhenbai lowered his head and said, "Master, the eldest son sent a telegram saying that Mr. Cen has refused to cooperate with us again, so our plan to purchase cotton may have to be put on hold."

The Mr. Cen that Shen Zhenbai mentioned is named Cen Guangde, and he is a member of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce.

His wife was Tang Shaoyi's youngest daughter, Tang Baorong.

Now that Tang Shaoyi has been beheaded by the Military Intelligence Bureau under the pretext of eliminating traitors, as Tang Shaoyi's son-in-law, he naturally does not want to be associated with the Kong family at this critical juncture.

Kong Yongzhi frowned: "Tell me all the bad news you have."

Shen Zhenbai took a breath: "The eldest son said that the acquisition was originally going very smoothly. He bought at a high price and kept driving down the price, intending to make a profit after acquiring a large position. But Cen Guangde pulled this stunt, and the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce completely stopped the acquisition. We estimate that we will lose at least five million."

Kong Yongzhi remained silent for a long time, then sighed: "Forget it, money isn't important. There will be plenty of opportunities to make money in the future."

“Tell him to go to Hong Kong Island for a few days first, and come back as soon as possible if there’s nothing else to do. I’ve managed to get him a position as the Director of the Southwest Transport Department.”

"The battle report from the front says that the Japanese may be planning to attack Guangzhou. I know very well what Yu Hanmou is capable of."

"He wouldn't risk his life for the old man."

"Future supplies will still have to be transported via the Burma Road."

Shen Zhenbai nodded and said, "Then what should we do with those people from the Nanjian Society? They are talents that the eldest young master has painstakingly searched for."

Kong Yongzhi frowned: "Let's arrange for them to stay in Hong Kong first and see if these people have any real skills."

"Understood,"

"Wait," Kong Yongzhi suddenly called out to Shen Zhenbai, who was about to leave.

"Send a telegram to the second young lady, instructing her to take five thousand silver dollars for funeral expenses and, on behalf of the Kong family, extend condolences to the widow of the Tang family."

"That damn idiot Dai Yunong made such a mess and now he wants me to clean it up for him."

Shen Zhenbai didn't say much, bowed slightly, and turned to leave the hall.

Shanghai, the French Concession…

The fallen leaves of the sycamore trees carpeted the ground in a desolate golden hue, yet could not conceal the smoke and fear that permeated the air.

On Ferguson Road, a gleaming black Chevrolet sedan silently glided by.

Inside the car, a wisp of smoke rose from the Camel cigarette between Kong Lingwei's fingers. She leaned back in the back seat, her well-tailored navy blue three-piece men's suit accentuating her sleek figure.

Beneath the brim of his fedora pulled low, Kong Er's eyes scrutinized the scenery flashing past the carriage window.

She was on her father's orders to "comfort" the newly widowed Mrs. Cai, the widow of former Premier Tang Shaoyi, who was beheaded with an axe by Kuomintang agents.

"Condolences? Heh." A barely perceptible, cold smile curled at the corner of Kong Lingwei's lips.

Her father's words were always so polite yet vague. She knew perfectly well that this was nothing more than a carefully orchestrated performance.

Soon, the Chevrolet sedan came to a steady stop outside the tightly closed, ornate iron gate of the Tang Mansion.

The mansion exuded a deathly aura, and when the Chevrolet sedan stopped, the doorman's eyes couldn't help but show a hint of panic.

Kong Lingwei pushed open the door and got out of the car. His riding boots slammed onto the cold cement floor, making a clear, jarring "thump, thump" sound.

She took off her hat and casually handed it to the sharp bodyguard who was always by her side. Another bodyguard and a secretary carrying a briefcase followed closely behind.

Before she could give any instructions, her secretary stepped forward quickly: "Excuse me, an old friend from the Kong family has come to visit. Please inform them."

The gatekeeper dared not stop them and quickly opened the gate to the Tang mansion: "Gentlemen, please follow me."

Tang Mansion, living room…

The heavy velvet curtains in the living room were only half-drawn, making the room dimly lit.

The lingering scent of incense and candles hung in the air.

At this time, most of the furniture in the living room was covered with white cloth, except for the sofa area for entertaining guests, which was cleared out like an abrupt scar.

"Please wait a moment, I'll go and fetch the young master." The doorman bowed respectfully and hurried upstairs to call for him.

These things were not originally the doorman's concern, but now things are different.

Tang De, the steward of the Tang family, and Tang Shaoyi were assassinated by the Military Intelligence Bureau on the same day. Now, all matters of the Tang family, big and small, are handled by the eldest son, Tang Baozhang.

Kong Er's gaze swept across the Tang family's living room like that of a hawk.

She walked straight to the main sofa, sat down, crossed her legs, and exuded an undeniable sense of pressure despite her relaxed posture.

With a series of crisp footsteps, Tang Baozhang, the eldest son of Tang Shaoyi, helped Tang Shaoyi's wife, Madam Cai, down the stairs from the second floor.

Two younger sisters, Tang Baoyue and Tang Baorong, followed behind her.

"Madam Tang, please accept my condolences." Kong Er, a cigarette dangling from his lips, spoke in a tone that sounded like he was reading an official document.

"My father was heartbroken upon hearing the devastating news."

When she uttered the words "heartbreaking," her pronunciation was clear and precise, yet her voice was icy cold, devoid of any warmth, as if she were reciting a eulogy that had nothing to do with her.

"With the nation in crisis and the loss of a pillar of the state, it is a tremendous loss for the Party and the country."

She took a deep drag on her cigarette, exhaled a cloud of gray smoke, and slowly said, "Old Mr. Tang's life was full of ups and downs in his official career. He rose to the highest position in the government, but in his later years he got too close to some shady people, which inevitably caused him trouble."

Upon hearing this, the people in the living room immediately showed displeasure.

Are you here to offer condolences or to cause trouble?

She just lost her father and husband, and you're saying that her death was because she got too close to some "unreliable" people, which led to this tragedy.

That's practically saying they brought it on themselves.

This is clearly like slapping someone in the face and then coming to their door and defecating on their head.

This is truly intolerable...

Tang Baozhang could no longer contain himself. The horrific scene of his father's head being separated from his body was still vivid in his mind, and the murderer was about to be exposed. At this moment, the daughter of this high-ranking official of the National Government came to "consolate" him with an arrogant attitude!
He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Second Miss, my father dedicated his life to the country and retired to seclusion in his later years, refusing visitors and indifferent to worldly affairs. How can you say he is 'unclear'?"

"He died a violent death at home, his body severed from his head... Shouldn't the government give us an explanation?"

"An explanation?" Kong Er's voice was low, but every word was like an ice pick: "Young Master, what kind of explanation do you want?"

(End of this chapter)