Chapter 352: Independent Kingdom

Is the other party Gloria?

Zhang Yong is not sure. He is just guessing.

I hope it's true...

If Gloria is in his hands, Gao Yuanhang's hidden dangers will basically be resolved.

The so-called Cangyue Project will also be aborted.

The problem is, does it feel like things are going a bit too well? Gloria is so easily obtained?

If things seem too good to be true, there's usually a catch...

Just then, a small white dot began to approach the cathedral.

He didn't take the main road. Instead, he took the small path.

He came from behind the cathedral. There seems to be a small path here?

No.

It's not a small path at all.

It's a secret passage.

It's marked on the map. But you can't see it on the ground.

Goodness. There's actually a secret passage.

It seems that this Hagia Sophia has a very eerie air about it!

The tunnel leads to a doorway.

The doorway is shown on the map. But there is no such thing in reality.

Could it be a secret door?

Zhang Yong walks over quietly. Indeed, there is no door to be seen.

He touches the wall with his hand. There is no response either.

Obviously, the switch for the secret door is not outside the secret door. It is inside the tunnel.

Tunnel, secret door...

The other party is playing at a very high level. I guess this is their stronghold.

If you don't look carefully, you might be approached by this person in a mysterious way. Then the other person said in a very cool manner, 'Wait...'

His coolness immediately went up. Naturally, he dominated the negotiations that followed.

But now Zhang Yong definitely wouldn't give the other person a chance.

Instead, he stood quietly behind the secret door, waiting for the other person to appear.

The moment the other person opened the secret door, the muzzle of the gun was already pressed against the other person's waist.

'Don't move!'

'Move and I'll kill you!'

Zhang Yong's words were concise and to the point.

The other person did not move.

He was clearly a little surprised.

This secret door was specially designed by them. No outsider could possibly know about it.

However, the person with the gun pointed at him knew about it. This was strange. The opening line he had prepared immediately became weak and ineffectual.

'Don't move!'

'Don't move!'

The others surrounded them with guns.

Only then did Zhang Yong put away his gun and carefully sized up the other person.

He was a foreign missionary.

A so-called priest.

These people get along very well in China.

It is not clear whether they spread the gospel of God. But this outfit can be very disturbing.

Because they are almost all British, American, French, or Russian, the countries behind them are very powerful. No one dares to touch them lightly.

First-class foreigners and second-class officials. Everyone knows this without saying it.

'Your Excellency is...'

The missionary looked at Zhang Yong with a self-important air. The previous panic had completely disappeared.

It turned out to be a Chinese person.

As long as he is Chinese, he has nothing to fear.

'Who is that woman?'

'Gloria.'

'How can you prove it?'

'You can take her to Gao Yuanhang and ask him to take a look.'

'What are you doing here?'

'Collecting the money. As agreed. Hand over the goods and receive the money.'

'No way! You won't get a single cent until I verify that she is Gloria.'

'We don't care. At most, we will no longer do business with you in the future.'

'Hmph. Are you calling me a man of no honour?'

'Obviously.'

Despite being held at gunpoint, Professor Chuan was not surprised.

Those in their line of work danced on the tip of the knife. They could die at any time.

Every day of their lives was a ticket to death.

Besides, as missionaries, they did have certain privileges.

It was easy to kill a missionary. However, it was easy to provoke a backlash from the entire sect. Uniting several countries.

Obviously, this is something that Jiang can't handle at all.

A body search.

No weapons are found.

The missionary remains calm, 'We only sell intelligence. We don't sell arms.'

Zhang Yong: 'So do you accept intelligence?'

'Of course. As long as it's valuable.'

'Then I have some intelligence to share with you.'

'Please go ahead.'

The missionary is very calm.

Zhang Yong waves his hand to tell the others to step back a little.

Then he whispered, 'Franco will start a civil war next year. Is that considered intelligence?'

'Yes. But it's not very valuable,' the missionary said seriously. 'Unless you can tell me the exact time. At least the exact month. But it's still not very valuable.'

'Why?'

'Because intelligence is about time, place, people and urgency. The biggest flaw in your intelligence is that it lacks urgency.'

'Go on.'

'Intelligence should be critical. Unique. Exclusive. Targeted. Harmful...'

'Wait.'

Zhang Yong didn't want to quibble with the other person over words.

Are you fucking writing parallel prose with me? Do you believe I can recite the Preface to the Tengwang Pavilion?

Oh, I can't. I've forgotten the first sentence...

'Your information may be of interest to major businesses. Or arms companies. But it really isn't of much value.'

'Okay. Tell me. How much is it worth?'

'One hundred thousand US dollars.'

'What?'

Zhang Yong was shocked.

One hundred thousand US dollars? Did I hear that right?

Shit, you said it was worthless on one side of the table, and then you turned around and said it was worth one hundred thousand US dollars.

Are you crazy?

One hundred thousand US dollars and you say it's worthless?

You've got to be kidding me...

If you give me one hundred thousand US dollars, I'll be able to go to heaven!

And you say it's worthless...

'Your information, if accurate, is worth $100,000. The problem is that you cannot prove it.'

'I...'

Zhang Yong searched desperately, racking his brains, trying to think of something. He wished he could provide more details. Unfortunately, his memory was only approximate.

He knew that the Spanish Civil War had started in 1936. But which month, he couldn't remember.

'Of course, if you firmly believe that Franco will be the final victor, you may also make some trivial profits...'

'Trivial?'

'About half a million dollars. Maybe a little more.'

'You...'

Zhang Yong suspected that the other person's cerebellum was upside down.

Half a million dollars. And that was trivial? Had this guy studied Chinese the wrong way round? Nonsense...

No.

It was nonsense nine times over!

'However, you can't prove that Franco was the final victor.'

'Okay...'

Zhang Yong had to give up.

It seems that simply selling information for profit is becoming difficult.

However, the other party reminded him that at this very moment, the whole world did not expect Franco to win in the end.

If someone had placed a big bet on Franco at this time, the profits would have been absolutely huge in the future.

It should be noted that Spain did not participate in the war throughout World War II.

But just because it did not participate in the war does not mean that it did not gain any benefits. In fact, it also traded with both sides.

It made money from the Axis powers

and the Allies.

Franco made a fortune, and he was in seventh heaven.

Unfortunately, Spain was too far away. It was out of reach. There was no chance of getting close to the big cheese. Alas...

Never mind. Business is business. First, we need to confirm Gloria's identity.

By now, the ropes binding Gloria have been removed. But she is still in a state of numbness.

She is very quiet.

She didn't know who the person next to her was.

It was clear that she had been captured. But she was still trying her best to maintain a certain dignity.

Alas, a pitiful woman...

For some reason, she had been forced to divorce her husband. She had been separated from her child ever since.

Now, for some reason related to her husband, she had been inexplicably captured. Perhaps what others had said was 'invited'. It was actually quite common to be invited in such a way. Bandits often used it.

The Fuxing Society was good at the same thing.

'You are Gloria, you should know Chinese, right?'

'There are things I can't go into. I'm taking you to a safe place now.'

'You can't be found by the Japanese. Otherwise, they'll use you against the people you love. Do you understand?'

Zhang Yong didn't mention Yuan Hang's name.

He was actually embarrassed to mention it. From a love perspective, it was definitely tragic.

So, those relationships that start out so beautifully often end in tragedy. Indeed, life is unpredictable, and things can change in an instant...

'Five hundred dollars,'

The missionary cut in just at the right moment.

Zhang Yong paid him the $500 with a bad feeling. He was going to remember this for the rest of his life.

Damn, intelligence is actually so valuable.

I'll think about it later. Let's see what valuable intelligence there will be in the next few years.

Germany attacking the Soviet Union?

A surprise attack on Pearl Harbor?

Or something else?

Half a million dollars is all trivial. So just how many dollars would be considered earth-shattering?

'Thank you!'

'Get out!'

'I look forward to our next collaboration.'

'Get out!'

'Goodbye!'

The missionary politely said goodbye.

He didn't care about Zhang Yong's emotions at all. As long as there was income, what did it matter if you were scolded a little?

It had to be said that this was also a group of people who would risk their lives for money.

'Follow me!'

Zhang Yong said to Gloria.

Gloria stood up numbly. It was as if she were a walking corpse.

Obedient.

Silence.

It was as if she had become mute.

At one point, Zhang Yong was very worried that she had really become mute.

In fact, if she really was mute, it didn't seem like such a bad thing. At least, she could keep a secret to some extent...

'We can't take her back to the base,' Zhang Ping whispered.

'What are you going to do with her then?' Zhang Yong snapped, 'Throw her out on the street and let the Japanese pick her up?'

'We can't take her back to the base either. We can't let her meet Gao Yuanhang.'

'You pay. Find her a job. I'll take her back to Shanghai.'

'This is your Third Bureau's business.'

'Right. Where's our Third Bureau's funding? How much funding are we getting?'

'You should ask Yang Lichu.'

'Okay.'

Zhang Yong sent someone to take Gloria back to Room 306 at the Hotel Astor.

This room is now used as a utility room. The rooms are always full, and people come and go. The hotel dares not interfere.

Feeling like they should recruit a few female team members?

Back at the airbase.

Find Yang Lichu.

Ask about funding.

As it turns out, Yang Lichu looks strange and is hesitant to speak.

'Something you can't say?'

'In fact, the Third Intelligence Department has no funding. Only salaries.'

'Why?'

'Madam feels that you have a knack for making money and don't need funding.'

'What?'

'The Madam said that the money you get from catching spies doesn't have to be handed in. It can be used to fund the Third Intelligence Department.'

'You...'

Zhang Yong's eyebrows suddenly stood on end.

No, he's not a woman. He doesn't have eyebrows like this. But he was really angry.

I'm the future head of the Third Intelligence Department, and I don't even have funding?

And I have to be self-sufficient?

Damn, you want the horse to run and not to eat grass...

This Madam is really...

She's even more calculating than her husband. I'm really impressed.

Without funding, what's the point?

Starve?

However, soon, he came to his senses again. It seems like there's a way out?

It's not impossible to be self-financing...

The key is, as the lady said, the spoils from capturing spies don't have to be handed over. The wealth implied in these words is immeasurable.

It's definitely more work for more pay. You could even fill a sack with money.

What's a few dollars for funding?

How much was the booty from capturing the Japanese spies?

Just from capturing Tian Yuman, there was more than 10,000 dollars!

And she wasn't even a Japanese spy. She was just a female traitor. There was more than 10,000 dollars in booty. Not to mention the others?

At the time, he turned over all that money to the Fuxing Society.

He had no choice. So many people saw it. And he had no legitimate reason to keep it.

But now it's different.

From now on, he has a good enough reason to keep it.

That's what Madam said. The Third Bureau of Intelligence has to solve its own funding problems.

If you have any grievances, you can go behind Madam's back. I will follow Madam's arrangements.

'You're not lying to me?'

'No.'

'Do you have Madam's written word?'

'No.'

'Then how can I believe...'

'Do you think I would dare to lie to you?'

'That's true.'

Zhang Yong was relieved.

In this kind of situation, it's impossible to get a written promise.

There are many things you can do. But you can't say them. And you definitely can't put them in writing.

I'm sure the Director is a smart man. He must know about this.

The Director is very satisfied to be able to put his hand in the Air Force. He is also extremely fawning towards that lady. No matter how much Zhang Yong scrounges, he will never be blamed.

The stronger the Intelligence Section 3 that Zhang Yong sets up, the stronger the strength of the Restoration Society. It is only beneficial to the Director.

To be honest, it was only because he, Zhang Yong, had caught the eye of the Madam that he was able to set up the Third Intelligence Division within the Air Force. If it had been anyone else, they would never have been able to get their hands on it.

Even someone of Commander Qian's stature would not dare to meddle in the affairs of the Air Force.

In fact, the Commander-in-Chief...

Haha. The Commander-in-Chief would not dare to ask too many questions either.

'Then there is no problem,' Zhang Yong's attitude changed 180 degrees.

He had a very bold idea.

It seemed as if he could make the Third Intelligence Division his own independent kingdom.

The Air Force needs him.

The Restoration Society cannot do without him.

The second point is very important.

If he were replaced by anyone else, Madam would never agree. Therefore, he, the future Chief of Intelligence of the Third Branch, can be said to be in a safe position.

As long as he appears to be deferential to the Director, they can get along just fine.

In fact, the Director will even overlook his occasional insubordination. The Director is very good at calculating gains and losses.

If he replaces him, it means the Intelligence Bureau 3 will also disappear. This is a huge loss of territory for nothing.

And he will also make enemies with Madam.

If he offends Madam, do you think he will have a good life?

In fact, in the latter stages of the war, the Director was a bit arrogant and actually offended the Soong family.

Then, after Madame Song blew the whistle, he immediately went downhill.

Half of his power was taken away. It was considered a warning from the Committee.

So...

My heart is pounding...

He gave Yang Lichu a sideways glance.

It seems...

It wouldn't be bad to make her the mistress of the fort?

'Pang!'

He slapped himself.

Really. What were you thinking! You have a bunch of them at home, and you want a thorny rose.

Bitch!