Chapter 284: The Monkey Rules the World

Why did the patrol team disappear?

What is the shameful secret hidden in the reed swamp?

Why does the pirate leader have tens of thousands of taels of silver on his person?

Is this a perversion of humanity or a loss of morality?

Welcome to the 999th episode of Science Close-Up...

Zhang Yong feels that this is outrageous.

Everything that had happened was outrageous.

Ordinary outrageousness was outrageous to the point of being outrageous – it was outrageous to the extreme.

But what was happening now was outrageous to the point of being outrageous to his grandfather – his grandfather had reached the extreme. There was no reasonable explanation for any of it.

It was completely inexplicable.

Of course, the silver banknotes in the metal box didn't help matters.

They were divided up immediately.

A little was given to the others, and the rest was split between Zhou Yang and Zhang Yong.

Fortunately, the security regiment of several hundred men had not yet arrived. There were only thirty men in the guard platoon. So, both Zhang Yong and Zhou Yang made a fortune.

I won't go into the exact amount. It was definitely enough to live on for the rest of their lives.

Zhou Yang was even more impressed with Zhang Yong. He was convinced that this guy was definitely a son of luck.

Not only was he able to catch a Japanese spy. The key was that he also made money. A lot of money.

With the silver banknotes as motivation, Zhou Yang suddenly felt that it was not impossible to lead the security regiment to wipe out the pirates.

As long as the pirates' treasure could cover the cost of deploying the security regiment...

'Why don't we cooperate?'

'Cooperate in what?'

'Your Fuxing Society will be responsible for intelligence, and our Police Command will be responsible for providing manpower.'

'For what?'

'To wipe out the pirates. The rich ones.'

'Let me think about it.'

Zhang Yong nodded.

He was worried that Li Boqi would say that he was treading on a watermelon rind again. Not doing one's proper work.

However, there are also Japanese spies among the pirates. Eliminating the pirates is also part of capturing the Japanese spies. Can't I take a different approach?

The key is whether the pirates are really rich.

Western pirates all have hidden treasure troves. I wonder if the Eastern pirates have any.

If the benefits don't outweigh the costs, then forget it.

Continue feeling the corpse. I feel a bottle of sake. It's sealed well. Unfortunately, it's worthless.

Throw it away.

Then I didn't find anything else.

This Japanese soldier actually died quite unjustly. This is a typical case of sending someone's head a thousand li away.

Not only the head. There are also banknotes.

Curious. Who are these banknotes for?

They can't be carrying them with them, can they?

They are in an iron box. Obviously they are meant for someone else!

Who?

Who is qualified to receive such a large sum of money?

And why were they sent from the reed marsh?

There's something fishy about this...

Finally, the security regiment arrived in force.

By this time, the bodies of the two Japanese invaders, as well as other bodies, had also been dragged outside the reed swamp.

With the silver banknotes as motivation, everyone worked very hard.

'Isn't this Jin Sanyan?' Someone suddenly shouted. It turned out that someone had recognised the Japanese.

'What Jin Sanyan?' Zhang Yong suddenly felt that there was a chance.

'Just, just, just...' The person speaking seemed to be a little apprehensive.

'The man is dead. What are you worried about?' Zhang Yong took out a large coin directly as a reward.

'That's right, he was a pirate. He also collected stolen goods. If you have anything good in your hands, you can give it to him. Then he will pay you back. The transaction takes place once a month. The time and place are not fixed.'

'Trading stolen goods?'

'More or less!'

'Ah...'

Zhang Yong vaguely understood a little.

It seemed that the outrageous incident at Grandpa's house could be explained in some way.

Of course, trading stolen goods had to be done secretly.

It could also be that Jin Sanyan was just being mysterious.

But still, it didn't explain why the patrol team was here.

Were they here to buy and sell stolen goods? Or were they trying to rip off their own men?

Unfortunately, everyone was dead. There was no way to continue the investigation.

Strangely, Zhou Yang never said a word.

This made Zhang Yong wonder if he had thought of something.

Fine. I won't disturb you.

Arrange for someone to clean up the scene.

A scene that has been bombarded by mortars is definitely worthless.

Dismiss the team.

Zhang Yong and Zhou Yang returned in the car.

Zhou Yang was driving.

There were only two people in the car. Everyone else was sent away.

'Lieutenant Zhou, you seem to know something. Will it help with the case?'

'Shaolong, I didn't want to tell you just now. It's just that the place wasn't suitable. I can tell you now. We suspect that we have touched on the dark side of underground trading.'

'Tell me more.'

'Do you know how much stolen goods pass through Shanghai every month?'

'I don't know.'

'A lot. A lot. Maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars. Maybe even millions. Millions.'

'That much?'

'Shanghai is known as a paradise for adventurers. People from all over the world come here. Just look at the Russians. They all think this is paradise. With so many different kinds of people, there are naturally a lot of shady deals going on behind the scenes. The sale of stolen goods is a very important part of that.'

'But they wouldn't come to the reeds to trade, would they?'

'These are the peripheries. Naturally, there are all kinds of shady dealings going on there. I don't know much about it.'

'What if it's not the peripheries?'

'Then it's the business of the core gangs: the Green Gang, the Brotherhood, the Dagger Society and so on. The Green Gang has the most members, the most power and the widest reach. They handle at least half of the stolen goods. They wanted to corner the business for themselves, so they sometimes took action against the others.'

'I don't understand.'

'It's just a guess. The patrol was probably trying to get a share of the action. They may have learned about a deal going down over there. So they took matters into their own hands. They fell into an enemy trap. They were all killed.'

'What did the Japanese who came later say?'

'I suspect the two Japanese who came later didn't know anything about it. It may have just happened.'

'Why?'

'There was no sign of firing on the rifles the two Japanese had.'

'Oh?'

Zhang Yong: ???

Really? I didn't notice it myself.

Because the rifle fell into the mud. The barrel was covered in mud and water. He didn't notice.

I didn't think Zhou Yang would notice this.

Okay, he's a professional. A professional with guns. I'll trust him.

'So, is there anything else for me to do?'

'No. You can go back first. Thanks.'

'It's fine. Next time, if there's any good news, keep me posted.'

'Okay!'

The two men parted ways.

Zhou Yang sent a car to take Zhang Yong back to the office.

It was already evening by this time. Most people had already eaten dinner.

Zhang Yong entered the canteen and unexpectedly found Li Jingzhi there.

The girl who had been rescued from the Wan Guo nightclub was also there.

So he walked over.

The girl saw Zhang Yong arrive and hurriedly left with her rice bowl.

Zhang Yong sat in front of Li Jingzhi.

Li Jingzhi looked around. She noticed that everyone was deliberately avoiding her side.

She quietly gritted her teeth.

She blushed slightly.

'You...'

'In broad daylight, do you think I'd try anything with you?'

'You're back?'

'What kind of nonsense is that? I'm sitting right in front of you. How could I be back if I weren't?'

'I...'

'How is she?'

Zhang Yong nudged the corner next to him.

The girl had gone to the corner to eat by herself, with her back turned to him.

He wasn't sure if she was scared or nervous.

Maybe she'd heard some gossip.

Or maybe Li Jingzhi had said something to her. It made her very uncomfortable.

'What about her?'

'I still don't know her name.'

'She said her name was Shen Dong'er. She was born in winter, so she's called Dong'er. She's from Sichuan, from Deyang. Her family suffered in the war and was cheated by relatives and brought here. Sold to the Tien-Di Gang.'

'Can she read telegraph code?'

'Not bad. She went to junior high school too. She knows most of the code.'

'Good, let her learn the telegraph code well. She can join the telecommunications team in the future. There will be more and more radio stations in the office in the future, and there will be a growing need for telecommunications talent.'

Zhang Yong was taking charge. He was taking on a lot.

Anyway, after the fall of Shanghai, there would be no tigers in the mountains, and the monkeys would be calling the shots.

What's wrong with putting a few of your own people in?

But they would all have to fight the Japanese invaders, and they would be risking their lives.

Anyone who wants to join is welcome.

But let me be clear. If you want to run away after two years, forget it.

Even if you're a woman, if you're in the telecommunications department, you have to stay. Don't even think about going to the rear.

'I've overheard information about the Creeper again...'

'None of your business.'

'But...'

'Do you want to be arrested and shot as a Red? The Longhua Garrison Command has already killed many Reds. Do you want to try?'

'I...'

Li Jingzhi lowered her head. She didn't dare speak.

Zhang Yong was also at his wit's end. This woman was a time bomb!

In the current situation, she was still concerned about the Red Party.

Fortunately, her protection was strong enough that she had not been dealt with. Otherwise, hehe, the consequences would be unimaginable.

She could not hold out for half an hour in the torture chamber.

For a man, he might be able to hold out a little longer. But for a woman, once her clothes were removed...

It was that simple.

And it was also that cruel.

He leaned over and said coldly, 'Just imagine being stripped naked, with men lining up to abuse you...'

Li Jingzhi suddenly felt so nervous that she could hardly breathe. Hurriedly, she took her bowl and left.

Zhang Yong's gaze was gloomy. He vaguely sensed a plot.

The information from the creeper.

Why did Li Jingzhi manage to obtain it time and time again?

In theory, Chen Mei was also an old secret agent, so she wouldn't be so careless.

So, was Chen Mei doing it on purpose?

Did she deliberately use this information to test Li Jingzhi?

Was she trying to make Li Jingzhi reveal herself?

Or was she trying to judge Li Jingzhi's attitude towards the Red Party?

Who is Chen Mei herself? Is she a member of the Red Party?

He shakes his head.

He can't tell.

Everyone could be a member of the Red Party.

But everyone could also be innocent.

There may indeed be members of the Red Party in the Fuxing Society. But he, Zhang Yong, is sure that he won't be able to find out.

He shakes his head.

He doesn't want to think about it anymore. It's none of his business anyway.

If he can help, he will definitely help. But if he can't, there's nothing he can do.

He's full. He goes back to his office.

He notices that there's an extra pot of cacti on the windowsill. Huh? Who delivered it?

Li Jingzhi?

Has she finally come to her senses?

Good thing...

'Report!'

Zhong Yang pokes his head through the door.

Zhang Yong nods. Let him in. At the same time, his face is solemn.

'The Military Senate...'

'What do you think?'

'I dare not say the real purpose...'

'I see. I'll ask them myself!'

'Yes!'

Zhong Yang turns around and goes back out.

Zhang Yong picks up the phone. He's about to call the Military Senate.

Unfortunately, he realises that there is no channel of communication between himself and the Military Senate.

It's hard to get a personnel roster from the Military Senate.

Even if you use the identity of the Fuxing Society.

As soon as you ask, others will realise that you are investigating them.

To be clear, almost every organisation is now very hostile towards the Restoration Society. The Military Senate is of course no exception.

People must be calling each other 'dog spies' behind their backs.

Many people in the Military Senate are old army officers. They used to control the troops. Now they have been temporarily sidelined. But many of their subordinates are still in the army. They still have a lot of influence.

After a moment's thought, he finally put the receiver back on the hook. Calling was useless.

Or rather, it was useless to do things by the book.

Something had to be done. The appropriate information would have to be obtained through special channels.

It suddenly occurred to him that the president of the Military Affairs Committee seemed to be Tang Shengzhi. Tang Shengbao's brother...

'Team Leader Kou!'

'Team Leader Kou!'

A voice greeted him from outside.

It was Kou Xingde? The guy had come to see him in person?

He stood up. He straightened his clothes.

Sure enough, a moment later, Kou Xingde appeared. He really had come to see him.

Zhang Yong stood at attention and saluted, 'Team Leader Kou.'

Kou Xingde also stood at attention and returned the salute, 'Captain Zhang. I need to speak with you.'

'Kou Xingde, come in,' Zhang Yong invited him to come in. The two sat down on the sofa. No one offered tea.

There was no need to prepare tea when discussing business. There was no such sentiment.

It was likely that Kou Xingde was in trouble.

Indeed, Kou Xingde spoke bluntly, 'The situation at the Club Nine Heavens is very complicated. It is now being taken over by Huang Jinrong's people.'

'Huang Jinrong?' Zhang Yong frowned, 'Zhang Xiaolin has transferred the ownership of the nightclub to Huang Jinrong?'

'I'm not sure. Anyway, starting today, the people in charge of the nightclub are all under Huang Jinrong. He has connections everywhere, so I dare not take any action.'

'Has the Nightingale returned?'

'No. I haven't seen any of Zhang Xiaolin's men.'

'That's not normal!'

'Yes! I don't know what kind of trick they're playing.'

Kou Xingde was very distressed.

Huang Jinrong and Du Yuesheng were both big shots. You couldn't afford to provoke them.

Even the Fuxing Society would be afraid to provoke them. Otherwise, if they were blamed from above, he, as a team leader, would definitely not be able to bear it.

'I'll take care of it!'

Zhang Yong volunteered to take responsibility.

He was a time traveller. He was not afraid of Du Yuesheng or Huang Jinrong.

For the time being, these two were still very influential. But by 1949, they were swept into the dustbin of history.

The Japanese were probably monitoring the nightclub?

They definitely couldn't have completely let the nightclub go unchecked. After all, it was a golden goose that laid golden eggs!

Zhang Xiaolin couldn't let someone else take advantage of such a valuable asset.

He immediately set off with his team.

They didn't go to the nightclub. Instead, they slowly drove around the neighbourhood.

Sure enough, they found something.

Soon a red dot appeared at the edge of the map.

He approached it quietly.

He discovered that it was a tall woman standing on the third floor of a residential building, staring far away at the Club Nine Heavens.

Without the map's prompt, he would never have found her.

After all, she was on the third floor.

If you looked up from the street, you might miss her at a glance.

At most, you would assume she was a disgruntled wife or something. Maybe she was standing on the balcony waiting for her husband to come home. Who would suspect her of being a spy?

Suddenly, a flash of insight came to him. He guessed who she was.

It was her!

The Nightingale!

He immediately ordered the car to stop. Then he led the team to pounce.