Chapter 386: Covering Up the Truth

Body search.

No weapons found. No money either.

Handcuffs on. But no ties.

No need.

This Guo Dashan is not dangerous.

Zhang Yong won't come into close contact with him either. Just follow the procedure.

'What is Boss Guo doing here?'

'Just passing through...'

'Just passing through?'

'Really. I really was just passing by.'

'Good!'

Zhang Yong waved his hand.

Luo Yiming stepped forward, pressed Guo Dashan's left hand, and roughly cut off his ring finger.

A small matter. Lie once, lose a finger.

Add the toes. He could lie twenty times.

'No, no...'

Guo Dashan was shaking with pain.

His hands were cuffed. He couldn't struggle. He could only endure.

He could only watch as his fingers were cut off. Then the blood kept flowing. Soon there was a large pool of blood on the ground.

Zhang Yong's expression did not change.

He had come to terms with it now. He might as well be tortured. Torture came quickly.

The other party could squeeze toothpaste. They could lie. The price was twenty fingers, or toes. After all were cut off, they would cut off the ears, tongue, and so on.

It was useless to keep them anyway. It was just a way to practice on everyone. You couldn't be too gentle with Japanese spies.

Otherwise, none of them will tell the truth.

'We used to be friends, didn't we?' Zhang Yong managed to force a weak smile. It was even more hideous than crying.

'I, I came to collect the goods,' Guo Dashan admitted helplessly.

'Collect the goods? For whom?'

'A friend.'

'What friend?'

Zhang Yong pressed on.

Guo Dashan fell silent again. He was obviously trying to buy time.

Zhang Yong pursed his lips. Luo Yiming immediately stepped forward. He was about to cut the second finger.

Guo Dashan hurriedly shouted, 'No, no, I'll talk. I'll talk. It's a friend from the Military Senate.'

'Oh?' Zhang Yong's eyes lit up.

Military Senate?

A traitor?

Guo Dashan was in charge of development?

Damn, so all my previous guesses were wrong? It had nothing to do with Wei Dongbao?

The passing of the 107 tram was actually just a coincidence?

Damn. This cunning Guo Dashan. It wasn't until now that he was willing to squeeze out a little bit of information.

He's so cunning! He must be severely punished.

'What's your name?'

'If I tell you his name, will you stop the bleeding?'

'Yes.'

'Zou Jingyi.'

'Rank, position, home address.'

'Major, military doctor. Lives on Honghe Road. No house number. It's a small, dilapidated building.'

'Good!'

Zhang Yong nodded. He ordered someone to stop the bleeding.

Then he went to call Tang Shengming.

'Zou Jingyi? There is such a person,' Tang Shengming said, "he was there as soon as the Military Senate was established.'

'Then arrest him!" Zhang Yong said, "and see if he has anything to say.'

'Okay," Tang Shengming hung up the phone and immediately arranged for the arrest.

Arresting a major military doctor was of course very easy.

However, there was a slight accident.

Soon afterwards, Tang Shengming called back, 'Shaolong, Zou Jingyi is dead.'

'How did he die?' Zhang Yong frowned.

On this side, Guo Dashan had just started to confess. On the other side, Zou Jingyi died?

He didn't believe in such coincidences.

However, it shouldn't be Guo Dashan who did it. He was here!

Unless it was done in advance...

'He fell down the stairs and died. The time of death was last night. The police department's judgment is that he jumped off the building himself.'

'Stairs? Jump off?'

'Why don't you come and have a look for yourself? I'll take someone with me.'

'Sure!'

Zhang Yong agreed.

He was curious.

What kind of stairs could you jump off? Did he live in a mansion? Did it have internal stairs?

He took Zhong Yang and the others to Honghe Road. But he realised that he had been thinking too much. The stairs on these buildings were all outside the house.

They were exposed to the wind and rain. The stairs were covered in rust.

Zou Jingyi's home is on the third floor. It is also the top floor. The home is not big. It is only about 50 square metres. There are two rooms and a living room. But it can still accommodate people. Because there is no shared space.

There is a large balcony on the side. It also has an area of a few square metres. It can be used.

Tang Shengming also arrived at the scene.

Also at the scene was an old policeman who introduced himself as Huang Benkuan.

Zhang Yong could tell from the way he and Tang Shengming interacted that Huang Benkuan was definitely someone with a lot of experience. At this time, the person Tang Shengming brought to the scene was definitely not an ordinary person.

Sure enough, Huang Benkuan simply surveyed the scene and came to many different conclusions.

'Lao Huang, tell him the situation.'

'It can be basically determined that this is a murder.'

'Murder?'

'Yes.'

Huang Benkuan briefly introduced the situation to Zhang Yong.

First, there were heavy bruises around the waist of the corpse. They were not the result of a fall, but of a struggle.

To be precise, someone tried to push Zou Jingyi down the stairs. Very hard. That's why there are bruises.

This shows that the person was not much stronger than Zou Jingyi.

If it was someone well-trained, they could have easily pushed Zou Jingyi down the stairs with one leg lift.

A well-trained killer could also easily fake a suicide scene.

There are also hand-gripping marks on the top of the stair railing. Very hard. The rust on it has been scratched off. This shows that it was done very hard. This was definitely not done by someone who jumped to their death.

Why would someone who has already killed themselves grip so tightly?

Only someone who doesn't want to die will struggle desperately.

At the same time, it once again confirms that the killer was probably not that professional. Or they didn't have enough strength.

At least, before he was thrown down, Zou Jingyi had a chance to grab onto the stairs. If it was a professional killer, they wouldn't have given Zou Jingyi that chance.

He flipped you over in one go. And you tried to grab the stairs?

'It's basically certain that he was ambushed on his way home last night. He was presumably going up the stairs. The murderer was going down. The two of them passed each other. Then the murderer suddenly attacked from behind.'

'Strange, why didn't the murderer hide the body?'

'There's only one possibility. The murderer wanted the body to be found.'

'Why?'

'I don't know. But it must have been deliberate.'

'Could it be...'

Zhang Yong couldn't help but look at Tang Shengming.

Tang Shengming: ?

What are you looking at me for? Just say what you have to say.

'We've just started our investigation. It's possible that the enemy found out. So they pushed him out as a scapegoat.'

'It's possible!'

Tang Shengming frowned.

He was also a very smart person. Naturally, he had thought of it too.

'So...'

'What?'

'There should be another, or more, big fish.'

'Oh?'

'There definitely is.'

Zhang Yong's rare reasoning.

Because many TV dramas play it out like this. The more you try to cover up, the more obvious it becomes.

The fact that the other party tried to cover up proved that there was an even more important traitor in the Military Senate.

Killing one person was to cover up for more people.

This Zou Jingyi should be one of the traitors. Maybe he was the least important one. Therefore, the Japanese spy behind him killed him and tried to hand him over. But the murderer didn't seem very professional.

Or rather, the Japanese spy didn't do a very professional job in some ways.

We'll have to go back and ask Guo Dashan about this. This guy is also squeezing the toothpaste. What I have to do on my own is to keep cutting his fingers.

'By the way, Shaolong, let me tell you something personal,' Tang Shengming suddenly said to Zhang Yong.

'What is it? Tell me. I'll take care of it right away,' Zhang Yong replied.

'Lao Huang has already retired from the police department. But I can't bear to let him go. So I want to help him find a position. Is there a position for him at your Intelligence Bureau 3?'

'Him? Sure! What position does he want?'

'No need for any official position. The best thing would be to let him be. Just keep him on the payroll. We can always use him when we need him.'

'That's best. What was his old salary?'

'Roughly three silver dollars a month. It would be best to pay in silver dollars...'

'No problem. I'll give him five silver dollars a month.'

'Great. Thanks!'

'It's me who should be thanking you,'

Zhang Yong said sincerely. He knew that Tang Shengming was helping him.

It seemed that an old criminal investigator like Huang Benkuan could not possibly have nowhere to go. Even if he had retired, there were still many departments that would be eager to take him.

Recommending him to the Third Intelligence Department was actually helping to strengthen his own foundation.

After all, what those police academy graduates lacked most was experience. Especially criminal investigation experience. That was something that had been accumulated over decades by others. Newcomers could not possibly learn it in the short term.

Did the Third Intelligence Department need an old criminal investigator?

Yes.

Very much so.

He Zhangyong is only good at catching Japanese spies. He is not good at anything else.

However, it seems that Madam intends to give the Air Force's counter-espionage tasks to the Third Intelligence Department.

This will be a lot of work.

Japanese spies are one thing. Traitors are another.

To be honest, if there had been someone talented like Huang Benkuan before, Yang Junjian would have been exposed long ago.

Ultimately, the Air Force has a very weak foundation in this area. It didn't attach much importance to it before.

Even now, the Intelligence Department only has Yang Lichu. All the others were transferred from the Fuxing Society. This shows that the Air Force simply doesn't have the talent in this area.

In fact, it's normal when you think about it. Other people are in the Air Force. They focus on aerial combat.

They really don't have the energy to deal with this kind of messy business on the ground. And they don't have the professional skills for it.

Madam doesn't like other people meddling.

If it weren't for Zhang Yong's special abilities, I don't think Madam would have let him join the Air Force.

That's why the Director General takes this matter very seriously. It's a rare opportunity. Once it's gone, it's gone forever. Without the Director General's approval, who would dare to meddle in the Air Force?

'Was the murderer a Japanese spy or an insider?'

'I don't know,'

Zhang Yong shook his head. He couldn't tell.

It could be that the Japanese spy did it himself. It could also be that it was done by another insider.

Perhaps another insider knew Zou Jingyi's identity and killed him. This way, he could avoid exposing himself.

In fact, Zhang Yong is more inclined to believe the latter.

It is possible that another traitor learned that an investigation had begun and killed Zou Jingyi to muddy the waters.

Back.

Looking at Guo Dashan. Expressionless.

'You killed Zou Jingyi?' Zhang Yong asks bluntly.

'No!' Guo Dashan hastily denies it.

'Boss Guo, don't squeeze the toothpaste out little by little. It won't do you any good.'

'I really only developed Zou Jingyi.'

'Killing Zou Jingyi was to protect someone else who is more important, right?'

'Wait...'

Guo Dashan suddenly began to think.

Zhang Yong: ? ? ?

Well, what did this guy think of?

"Yes!'

'Yes!'

Guo Dashan suddenly said.

Zhang Yong: ? ? ?

What the hell did this guy think of? Yes to what?

'I remember!'

'I remember!'

'Once, I heard my superior complain that it was useless to have so many traitors in the Military Senate...'

'So many?'

'Yes. He just muttered it at the time. I didn't pay much attention. Now that I think about it, there were other people developing inside the Military Senate. I wasn't the only one.'

'Do you know who they are?'

'We were on different lines. How could I know?'

'Okay. Who is your superior?'

'Mitsui Hisashi.'

'What rank?'

'Major.'

'Just a major?'

'...'

Guo Dashan gave a strange look.

Zhang Yong: ...

Oh, I made a mistake.

The Japanese military ranks were actually very strict. It was also very difficult to get promoted.

If you hadn't attended the Army Academy or the Army University, it would be extremely difficult to get promoted.

For an ordinary soldier, promotion to sergeant or corporal is basically the limit. To be promoted to warrant officer, you need a miracle. To be promoted to second lieutenant, you need a volcano to erupt in your family grave.

Shōsa is an achievement that many Japanese soldiers never attain in their lifetime. And here he is, boasting about being a shōsa.

'What's your rank?'

'Second lieutenant.'

'That low?'

'...'

Guo Dashan once again looks like he's at a loss for words.

Is second lieutenant really that low? In the army, it's already the rank of squad leader. You can command more than 50 people.

Major, you can command a battalion. You can command thousands of people!

'By the way, did you come to pick up the goods for Zou Jingyi?'

'Yes.'

'How many?'

'One box.'

'How did you know about this place?'

'I...'

Guo Dashan fell silent.

Zhang Yong then knew that this had touched Guo Dashan's core secret.

This guy might be trying to think of a lie.

But it's useless.

Because Chen Longping has already been exposed. Chen Longping may confess.

And when that happens, if Chen Longping confesses and he, Guo Dashan, doesn't, then he, Guo Dashan, is in trouble. Wanna die? It's not that simple.

The 108 tortures of the Fuxing Society's secret service can be done in turns.

'Don't torture yourself.'

'Sigh. We and Chen Longping, in fact, have a cooperative relationship.'

'How?'

'We transport the goods for him. But we land them in the Chen family's name.'

'Why?'

'Because we don't want to attract attention.'

'That's a reason, sort of. Chen Longping has hoarded so much goods, what do you do with it?'

'Part of it is used to bribe people we need. The rest is sold to others.'

'Who are the others?'

'I don't know. That's not my business. It's Chen Longping's business. The Chen family has a lot of channels to sell goods.'

'Have you seen anyone else come to pick up the goods?'

'No,'

Guo Dashan answered with his head bowed.

Zhang Yong then deduced that he was lying. He must have seen someone else.

However, this other person was probably very important. He was unwilling to confess. This guy. Even when facing death, he is still protecting core secrets.

Never mind. I have plenty of time. I can peel the onion slowly.

'How do you contact Mitsui Hisashi?'

'He calls me.'

'If he doesn't call, you won't be able to find him?'

'Yes.'

'Boss Guo, you're not being honest!'

'I'm being honest. Really...'

'Okay, then tell me about Mitsui Hisashi.'

'What?'

'Describe to me what kind of person Mitsui Hisashi is. For example, how old is he, where is he from, what does he like to eat, what does he like to wear, what kind of weapons does he like to use, etc.'

'He...'

Guo Dashan fell into deep thought.

Zhang Yong then knew that this guy was spinning another web of lies.

The other party must be very good at lying. Therefore, when they met before, he did not notice any flaws in his words at all.

But this time is different.

This time, there is a Japanese spy next to him. He can confirm it at any time.

Moreover, he has captured many other Japanese spies himself, so if he lies recklessly, it will be easy to expose him. By then, he will be the one to suffer.

'He...'

'Think slowly. I allow you to lie. But it is best not to have any flaws. Otherwise...'

Zhang Yong ignored Guo Dashan and went over to Wei Dongbao.

This guy is really cunning!

But never mind, just wait it out.

Like Chen Longping, he too was tied up in the toilet. No food, no water.

It seems that the Japanese spies were indeed more resilient than Chen Longping.

Wei Dongbao didn't even open his eyes when he saw Zhang Yong come in. It seemed that he didn't feel anything.

'You don't want to die,' Zhang Yong said.

Wei Dongbao did not reply.

But he did not bite his tongue and kill himself.

Biting your tongue does not necessarily kill you. But it will cause you to bleed to death.

If you don't get timely medical treatment, you will definitely die. However, he did not. His tongue is still intact.

Zhang Yong judged that this guy should still have unfinished tasks.

Yes, unfinished tasks.

So, he did not dare to commit suicide.

From this inference, this task should be very important.

'You can't be just a Japanese spy who gathers economic data,' Zhang Yong said whatever came to mind, "this is all the information you used to cover up your own. You must still have core intelligence that you haven't leaked.'

'You won't get any information from me," Wei Dongbao said stubbornly.

'Goodbye,' Zhang Yong then turned around.

Since this guy wouldn't talk, there was only one person left to go to, Wei Heren.

Wei Heren's situation was slightly more miserable. His hands were tied and he was hung up. His toes just touched the ground.

Almost all the strength in his body was in his hands, and he could hardly use his feet. The pain was unimaginable.

Having been hung up like this all night, Wei Heren was completely broken.

'I'll talk, I'll talk,' he said, as if he had seen a saviour in Zhang Yong's arrival.

'Good!' Zhang Yong waved his hand. Then he let the rope go a little. In this way, Wei Heren's feet could finally touch the ground.

Suddenly, Zhang Yong had a very evil thought.

If a woman was hung up like this, then...

Ah, dare not think too much.

'The meeting point! The meeting point! The meeting point!'

'What meeting point?'

'I know the way Wei Dongbao and the others meet.'

'Tell me?'

'Every Thursday at around 10am, the tram will pass by Jinfulu Wanguo Department Store, and someone will get on and pass on information.'

'How do you know?'

'Because once he got very sick, so seriously that he felt light-headed and couldn't tell north from south. But he didn't dare to take leave. He struggled to go to work. He blurted out at the time that it didn't matter which shift it was. It was just that one trip, and he absolutely couldn't miss it. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable. So I deduced that someone should be meeting him at that node.'

'Good!'

Zhang Yong ordered Wei Heren to be temporarily released.

He gave him water to drink and food to eat.

Then he took a group of men with him and rushed to Wanguo Department Store on Jinfu Road.