Chapter 343: The hat is too big

Tian Qingyuan's expression was very strange.

He actually saw Zhang Yong. Or, rather, Liu Heizi.

By now, he must have known that the other person was not the real Liu Heizi. The other person was someone from the Secret Service Division of the Fuxing Society.

Poor them, they had actually been deceived to death before.

'Boss Tian,' Zhang Yong greeted the other man with a smile, "how have you been?'

'I'm fine. And you?" Tian Qingyuan forced a smile.

Son of a bitch. He had plundered so much money from him.

Just thinking about it made his heart ache.

That was all the family wealth he had worked so hard to accumulate!

The wealth he had spent so many years accumulating had almost been swept away by Zhang Yong.

But what could he say?

The result of being robbed of his money was that he was not arrested.

Otherwise, at this moment, he would already be languishing in the prison of the Fuxing Society secret police.

It would be a good thing if he died sooner.

But he was afraid that he would not be able to die even if he wanted to. He would suffer endless torture at the hands of the other party.

'I'm fine.'

'Is something wrong?'

'Oh, I've come to pick up something.'

Zhang Yong handed over a note.

Tian Qingyuan's heart suddenly lurched.

Damn it!

It felt so familiar.

Why was it...

It must be that some Japanese spy had been caught again. And then Zhang Yong had raked him over for his money.

This guy really was money-grubbing!

He would squeeze oil out of a stone.

Damn son of a bitch!

'What? Is there a problem?'

'No.'

Tian Qingyuan snappily told someone to take care of it.

Soon after, a bank clerk came out carrying a very small suitcase.

Zhang Yong opened it in front of Tian Qingyuan. It was empty. There were only five banknotes. All of them were 200 yuan in face value. How pitiful. There was only 1,000 taels in total.

It seems that the Japanese spies are really on their last legs. There is no more wealth. The funds are running out.

The reward for Tian Yuman is only 1,000 taels.

But then, could Tian Yuman take such a big risk and ask Yang Junjian to steal the memorandum for just 1,000 taels?

No.

She's not that stupid.

She can earn a thousand taels of silver easily.

Collaborating with a foreign country is punishable by death. She doesn't want to die.

There must be something else going on.

Keep the banknote. Leave.

Tian Qingyuan: ...

He's about to say something, but stops.

Oh, now he's having second thoughts.

What should he do?

What if Zhang Yong comes and threatens him again...

Confess to the higher-ups?

No way. Kitakata Taro would be the first to kill him.

Right now, he and Kitakata Taro are both meat on the chopping block. I hope Zhang Yong doesn't chop them up too badly.

In fact, Zhang Yong is not going to chop them up right now.

He chopped them up a bit too harshly before. Now he has to give them some time to recover. When they grow back, he'll chop them up again.

Go out.

Get in the car.

'Captain, where are we going now?'

'Just drive around.'

'Well...'

'I'll drive!'

'Great!'

The chauffeur moves aside.

Zhang Yong gets behind the wheel himself. He drives around in a circle with the convoy.

He spots a red dot...

He approaches it. It's a drunken Japanese.

Not the one.

He continues driving around in a circle.

He spots three red dots again.

He approaches them. They're three swashbuckling Japanese ronin.

Well, that's not his target either.

He continues driving around in a circle.

Finally, a Japanese man in hiding is spotted. But it's someone he knows.

Who?

Li Liangcai. The accountant of Shengpingliang.

Next to him is an unremarkable woman. It's Li Yunyang. There are a few other people as well.

So, he's come to his own turf!

So he gets out of the car.

He walks steadily over.

Li Liangcai notices immediately and welcomes him up quickly, beaming, 'Young master...'

'How's business these days?' Zhang Yong asks.

'Thanks to you, young master. It's OK,' Li Liangcai replied.

'How is she doing?' Zhang Yong nudged Li Yunyang and said, 'And the people she brought with her.'

'Miss Yunyang is quite good. Hardworking. Dedicated to her work,' Li Liangcai replied, 'But, she's a girl, will she be under-utilised?'

'No, she won't. From now on, she will be in charge of the grain convoys.'

'Understood!'

'Let me see the account book.'

'Okay!'

Li Liangcai sent someone to bring the account book.

Zhang Yong was not a professional, so he could only look at the general ledger at the back.

In the past August, Shengping Grain Company had transported more than 8,000 tons of grain from other places. This was still a relatively large amount.

If each person consumed one kilogram of grain per day, that would be 30 kilograms per month. One ton of grain could meet the needs of more than 30 people for a month. More than 8,000 tons was equivalent to more than 200,000 people. The quantity was quite impressive.

It should be noted that at this moment in time, the total population of Jinling may be just over one million. It is incomparable to Shanghai.

However, the profit margin for grain is very low, and one tonne of grain does not even earn two silver dollars. Therefore, some other goods are also loaded on to increase profits.

Zhang Yong does not understand business, so he does not interfere.

He doesn't want to take over the business himself later and find Shengping Grain Trading bankrupt. That would be tragic.

There are fewer and fewer Japanese spies with money these days, and the marginal cost of trying to increase income by simply catching Japanese spies is getting higher and higher.

Still, you need to get involved in some industry...

Or build a road and engage in smuggling...

Haha, in this era, smuggling is no taboo.

In fact, if you want to get rich, you have to smuggle.

This is also what Boss Dai is best at. The Fuxing Society has dedicated personnel and routes to smuggle those 'contraband' goods and make huge profits.

Among these goods, cigarettes, alcohol, opium and the like were the big money-spinners.

Apart from Boss Dai and Mao Renfeng, no one else knew about these people or the routes.

Boss Dai would never tell anyone else either.

Later, Boss Dai died in an accident, and Mao Renfeng was able to rise to power because he had the most resources.

Two or three years later, the Military United Front was established, and anti-smuggling teams were set up all over the place. They specialised in cracking down on smuggling.

In fact, it was to crack down on other people's smuggling. Covering up his own smuggling. Once they arrested the others, the goods he smuggled became even more valuable.

The bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish.

What? No storm? Then create a storm!

From time to time, set off a wave of smuggling crackdowns to get rid of the competition.

How did the head of the Central Government Security Bureau, Xu Enzeng, get rid of him?

It was Boss Dai who caught evidence of his second wife's rampant smuggling. He then reported it to Chiang Kai-shek.

If Boss Dai smuggled goods himself, would he not be caught by the Zhongtong people?

Of course he would.

But Boss Dai handled the situation well. Once he was caught, he decisively threw away the cart to save the horse. He cut off his wrist to save his life. He waited until the heat died down before dealing with it. So he was unharmed.

However, Boss Dai also had his ups and downs. He caught the Song family for smuggling. He got a little carried away. He even went to the Wei Zuo (the Japanese puppet government). The result was predictable. In the end, Boss Dai fell from favour.

Boss Dai still didn't see the situation clearly. You're an outsider, and you're going to report the Song family? Who gave you the courage?

'Who are our opponents?'

'Dafa Lianghao.'

'How's their business?'

'They use the canal route. They transport grain from Yangzhou.'

'We use the Yangtze River?'

'Yes. We use the Yangtze River, and we don't interfere with their business.'

'Okay...'

Zhang Yong then didn't think any more evil thoughts.

Since everyone was minding their own business, he would not stir up trouble.

After all, catching spies was his forte...

Wait.

Suddenly, many red dots entered the map.

Four, eight, a dozen...

He waved his hand anxiously.

What did the many Japanese invaders want?

Were they going to ambush him?

He immediately drew his gun.

The others were also on full alert, bracing for the worst.

In the end, it turned out to be several black sedans. All of them had a Japanese flag on the front.

'Pah!'

It turned out to be a group of Japanese people.

I thought they were Japanese spies! I was about to order them all killed.

A car with a Japanese flag on it must belong to the Japanese consulate. I don't know which one of them is inside...

Suddenly, one car slowly stopped.

The window rolled down. Someone inside looked at Zhang Yong askance.

Zhang Yong looked down curiously.

He thought it was Lin Xiaoyan. But it turned out to be someone else. It was a middle-aged Japanese soldier.

He looked like a person of importance.

He waved his hand. It meant that the other person could pass. Hunting down Japanese people in public was not allowed yet. You had to wait two years.

'You are Zhang Yong?'

Suddenly, the middle-aged Japanese soldier in the car said slowly.

Zhang Yong walked up to him. He looked at the other person doubtfully.

'Who are you?'

'You should know me. I'm Rensuke Isogai.'

'Oh, I know you. I've read your fortune.'

'What fortune?'

'You will have a bright future.'

'Oh...'

Rensuke Isogai momentarily felt a sense of delusion. He thought the other person was flattering him.

If not, why would he say that he would have a bright future?

However, he soon sensed that something was wrong.

This Chinese person was very special. He had captured a very large number of Japanese spies.

Among all the Chinese, Isogai Rensuke hated him second only to Dai Li. That's right. Isogai Rensuke hated Dai Li even more.

His opponent, Isogai Rensuke, was Dai Li. Not this insignificant little person in front of him.

'We will meet again.'

'Of course!'

Zhang Yong responded with a smile.

The other party was threatening him. But he didn't care.

He now had to find a way to send Isogai Rensuke to the guillotine.

In the end, the trial only sentenced this guy to life imprisonment. No hanging at all. What a mess.

If it were up to him, Zhang Yong, there would be no trial and he would just be executed.

And there were other war criminals too. Including Okamura Neiji and others. They were executed as soon as they were caught. One bullet. Then black dog's blood was poured over them to teach them never to rise again...

The convoy slowly pulled away.

A sneer appeared at the corner of Zhang Yong's mouth.

Was this considered a clear card?

Fine. It's a show of force. He's on their radar.

The Japanese aren't stupid. By now, they must have figured him out.

Luckily, he hasn't contacted his family. Otherwise, they might get into trouble too. The Japanese are animals, capable of anything.

Of course, he's an animal too. He'll do anything to the Japanese spies.

For example...

First, capture Tian Yuman. Dig out the Japanese spy behind her.

The Japanese spy behind her is definitely not her so-called cousin. Someone must be behind it. The person hiding in the shadows is the most important.

He led the team back.

When passing Jixiang Road, he took a special look.

He was able to discover a few more hidden spies. But the number had greatly decreased. This indicated that Xu Enzeng had already left.

Ignore it.

Go back to Luotang Road and continue interrogating the woman.

He wanted to know the whereabouts of Tian Yuman.

'I really don't know. Really...' The woman begged for mercy desperately.

'You can guess...' Zhang Yong was very persuasive.

'I, I...'

'It doesn't matter if you guess wrong. We have time. We can search one place after another.'

'I, I...'

The woman had no choice but to try to guess.

Tian Yuman was playing in the high-end league. The place could not be too simple, of course.

And she could not set up such a place herself. That would be too costly. So, it must be a special place that was borrowed.

'Qianhe Ballroom...'

The woman provided the first guess.

So they immediately rushed to the Chizuru Ballroom.

This was an entertainment venue run by a Japanese. Business was actually quite good.

In addition to the Japanese, there were also a large number of Chinese guests coming and going.

There were even many officials among them.

It had to be said that at this time, Jinling was really twisted.

Or rather, the whole of China was twisted.

Although many people volunteered to fight against Japan. The anti-Japanese tide continued to rise. However, there were also many people trying to curry favour with the Japanese.

'She, she, she's coming out! She's coming out...'

'Seize her!'

Zhang Yong gave the order decisively.

He hadn't expected Tian Yuman to appear so quickly.

Could it be that Director Hu had ended the battle so quickly? Tian Yuman had hurried out to catch the next one?

Goodness, she's really busy working around the clock. She's very dedicated!

This is the most primitive industry in the world! It's actually become so inwardly focused?

"You guys...'

'Someone...'

Tian Yuman tried to call for help. It was useless.

She was immediately tied up. Then her mouth was gagged. Then she was dragged to the car.

Zhang Yong looked at her calmly.

This woman was indeed enchanting. Bewitching. Full of charm.

Not to mention someone like Yang Junjian, who could not bear it. Even he found the other party quite attractive.

He reached out.

He removed the rag from her mouth.

'Who are you? How dare you arrest me? You will definitely regret it,' Tian Yuman said arrogantly.

'My name is Zhang Yong. I'm with the Secret Service of the Restoration Society,' Zhang Yong said calmly. "If you're going to call for help, I'll go with you.'

'You, just wait! I'm going to call now!'

'Then go!'

Zhang Yong got out of the car. He took her into the Qianhe Ballroom.

Ignoring the stares of the other people, they went to the front desk. He let her make the call on her own. He completely let go.

Soon, Tian Yuman handed him the phone, "You have to answer the phone.'

Zhang Yong reached out and took the receiver, 'Who is this?'

'Who are you? Why are you holding Tian Yuman? What are you trying to do? You've made a mistake...' the person on the other end of the line said angrily, 'I'm ordering you to release her immediately. And apologise!'

'Who is this?' Zhang Yong asked calmly.

'Never mind who I am. I'd like to ask, who are you? How dare you! How dare you mess with Jinling!'

'My name is Zhang Yong. I'm with the Secret Service of the Restoration Society...'

'You...'

The other person fell silent immediately.

Zhang Yong didn't say anything either.

He gave the other person enough time to think.

Finally, the other person's tone was less arrogant, 'What crime did Tian Yuman commit?'

'He is suspected of colluding with the Japanese and attempting to assassinate Madame.'

'What? Which Madame?'

'Of course it's Madame Chiang...'

'Pang!'

The other person hung up the phone immediately.

No, that's not right. It sounded like the receiver had been dropped. There was a clatter.

And someone was gasping for breath.

Damn it!

What a coward!

Just a moment ago, he was so arrogant, and now he's a coward.

So what if he tried to assassinate Madame Chiang Kai-shek? Why are you so panicked? Look at you!

"I didn't...'

Tian Yuman suddenly felt that something was wrong. She turned pale.

What assassination of Madame Chiang Kai-shek?

When did she try to assassinate Madame Chiang Kai-shek?

Don't frame me for this.

Zhang Yong put the receiver back on the hook and said with a smile, 'Do you still want to make a phone call? Go ahead.'

'Don't slander me!' Tian Yuman was getting anxious, 'When did I try to assassinate Madame Chiang Kai-shek? Don't talk nonsense!'

'Miss Tian, I'm not going to answer your questions right now. But since I've found you, I naturally have my reasons. Right now, I'm only asking you, are you going to call for help?'

'I...'

'You can call whoever you like.

'You...'

Tian Yuman gritted her teeth.

She considered herself to be very resourceful. She was never afraid of anything.

As a woman, she was able to get by in Jinling because she naturally had enough resourcefulness.

She had close relationships with many powerful people, and there were at least 80 of them. And each of them had real power. Therefore, she was never afraid of anything.

The problem was...

Zhang Yong's hat was too big.

Colluding with the Japanese and attempting to assassinate Madame Chiang Kai-shek. What a crime.

Whoever heard the news would immediately distance themselves from her, Tian Yuman. They might even kill her outright.

Only a dead person can keep a secret.

Only a dead person can keep their mouth shut.

'You should make more phone calls. What if there is a way to save you?'

'I...'

'You can ask for help from important people like Minister He, Minister Chen, or Minister Song...'

'I didn't assassinate Madame Chiang...'

'Of course you didn't. But do you think Madame will believe that?'

'I really didn't.'

'If you dared to instruct Yang Junjian to steal the memorandum, you must also dare to plot to assassinate Madame Chiang! It's such a simple truth...'

'Yang Junjian is Yang Junjian. Madame Chiang is Madame Chiang. I only told Yang Junjian to steal the memorandum. But I definitely did not assassinate Madame Chiang.'

'Do you think Madame Chiang will believe that?'

'I...'

Tian Yuman gritted her teeth. Her whole body trembled violently.

She knew that her time had come. No one could save her. Because the crime was too serious.

Assassinating Madame Chiang? What a serious crime! Who would dare to save her?

If she wanted to survive, she had to save herself.

'And your cousin, he was also one of the masterminds behind the assassination of Madame Chiang, wasn't he?'

'No. He wasn't!'

Tian Yuman hastily denied it. Her face was pale and terrifying.

She felt cold all over.

Her mind had gone blank.

'He is Japanese. We have him under surveillance.'

'You, you...'

'Miss Tian, why don't you just continue with your phone call? Otherwise, you can't bear the blame alone...'

'I really didn't, I really didn't...'

'Our Fuxing Society is evidence-based. In the face of ironclad evidence, it's useless for you to deny it.'

'I really, really just asked Yang Junjian to steal the memorandum...

'Stealing the memorandum is just the first step in assassinating Madame Chiang. It's just one part of the plan. You have more plans.'

'No. No. Really.'

'Shall I invite your cousin in for a confrontation? Let's see who of you is not telling the truth...'

'No!'

Tian Yuman suddenly screamed.

Zhang Yong knew that the meat of the drama was coming.