Chapter 580: Takeover

What are the shortcomings of the Director?

Lecherous? A little. Greedy? A little.

But these are not fatal flaws.

For those in power, these are trivialities.

The most fatal flaw of the Director is his lust for power. He is extremely fond of taking power.

At all times, he is thinking about how to expand the power of the Special Services Department.

He likes to interfere in other departments' affairs.

He likes to stick his hand into other departments.

He hates to let anyone else have any power.

This is the time of the Restoration Society, oh, this is the Second Division of the Military Adjustment Bureau. It's not that crazy yet. It'll be terrible when the Military Unity is established in 1938.

The Director will never miss an opportunity to get his hands in.

He will put his own people in any position he can.

Therefore, the Anti-Smuggling Bureau and the Transportation Department were both controlled by the Military Commission. No one was allowed to smuggle. But the Military Commission itself was smuggling like crazy.

It can be imagined how many people's financial resources were cut off. And how many people were offended.

This fatal flaw was also reflected in the crazy expansion of the Loyal and Righteous National Salvation Army.

Starting in 1938, the head of the department went crazy expanding his private army.

Using the privileges of the Military Commission, he actively established the Loyal and Righteous National Salvation Army.

The Loyal Army of National Salvation did not have any noteworthy military achievements. However, its numbers grew to nearly 100,000. It also seized a large amount of weapons and equipment.

How could the other old army leaders tolerate this?

Even Tang Enbo and Hu Zongnan secretly resented this.

In particular, Chen Cheng, Chiang Kai-shek's sworn enemy, must have often advised Chiang Kai-shek against it.

Eventually, Chiang Kai-shek began to become suspicious...

This sowed the seeds of Chiang Kai-shek's later downfall...

'Take over the police station?'

'Yes.'

'The Director is going himself?'

'The Director is already here.'

'Oh...'

Zhang Yong took a deep breath.

There was no choice, he needed to calm down.

Was the Director so eager to take the police station into his own hands?

Could the 29th Army in North China agree?

Could Police Chief Li Shizhen agree?

It felt like the Director was being a bit hasty. He was making enemies.

However, this is not something he should be thinking about. The first thing he needs to do is rush over there immediately.

No matter what the outcome, this is the decision of the Chief.

There is only unconditional support.

'Drip!'

'Gather!'

'Gather!'

The sound of a sharp whistle sounded.

Everyone hurried out to gather. Fully armed.

Zhang Yong suddenly saw Li Boqi.

Huh?

Judging from Li Boqi's expression, it seems that he doesn't know about this?

This is weird.

Did the Chief not inform him?

Did he bypass Li Boqi and inform him directly? Was Li Boqi being sidelined?

Had Li Boqi offended the Chief? Had he been banished to the sidelines?

Or was he suspected of being a Red again?

"Team Leader...'

'What are you going to do?'

'The Chief ordered us to go to the police station immediately to take over the station with him.'

'Go then!'

'Team Leader, you didn't know about this?'

Zhang Yong asked bluntly.

He needed to be sure of one thing. Namely, whether Li Boqi was once again suspected of being a Red.

If so, he himself would have to prepare early. Always on the run.

Without Li Boqi to take the heat, it was dangerous.

'The Chief didn't notify me,' Li Boqi answered calmly. "I don't know any better.'

'What's good about that?" Zhang Yong felt that something was not good.

Was Li Boqi really suspected?

Was he being sidelined?

Then he himself would be lazy to go. It was meaningless.

He was just a nobody, and he didn't seek to become famous among the princes. He just wanted to make a little money.

Taking over the Tianjinwei Police Department was definitely not a trivial matter. The aftermath of this matter would be long and drawn out. It might be brought up for discussion a hundred years from now.

In that case, what was the point of doing it, when there was nothing in it for him?

Steal the limelight from the Prefect?

Anyway, the situation was not right, and he was determined not to stick his neck out.

'You don't understand.'

'Then tell me in detail.'

'I don't know about this. In case anything goes wrong, the director can let me step in and clean up.'

'Then you should be the one to take over. You're the junior staff member. In case things go wrong, will the director step in again to clean up?'

'That's why you don't understand,'

'No...'

Zhang Yong really didn't understand.

In the future, it's always the junior staff member or the deputy who has to take the blame!

However, from Li Boqi's expression, it didn't seem like he was talking nonsense.

'Is that a good thing or a bad thing?'

'Neither is it good.'

'Then...'

'The Chief is competing with Li Shizhen. Just focus on your work.'

'Yes.'

Zhang Yong suddenly had a lightbulb moment.

That's why the Chief had to personally intervene. It was to make Li Shizhen look bad.

This police station should have been under Li Shizhen's jurisdiction. Li Shizhen was the head of the police station, and the entire national police system was under his control.

Compared to the senior Li Shizhen, the Chief was actually a junior.

However, the Director of the Department used his power to turn Hangzhou Police School into a training class for the Secret Service of the Fuxing Society. He transferred all the graduates to the Secret Service of the Fuxing Society. This was tantamount to poaching Li Shizhen's talent. Li Shizhen was of course unhappy.

Fortunately, the Police School is still the Police School after all.

Hangzhou Police Department is still in Li Shizhen's hands. Li Shizhen and Xuan Tiewu joined forces to make the Director of the Department powerless in Hangzhou.

But now, the Chief is no longer content with controlling the school. He wants to control the police department system in Tianjin.

This is like sticking his paw directly into Li Shizhen's bowl. Li Shizhen certainly can't stand it. He will definitely fight back. He will definitely go to Chiang Kai-shek and complain.

However, the reason why the Chief dares to do this is also because he has the confidence.

This confidence is that Li Shizhen is out of his reach. He has no way to influence the people and events in Tianjin.

But the Chief is in Tianjin!

Being close to the action gives you an advantage. The Chief's personal involvement naturally makes things easier.

And...

Zhang Yong has a feeling that this is somehow related to him.

The senior management of the 29th Army certainly doesn't welcome the arrival of the secret service. But they welcome Zhang Yong!

After all, since his arrival in Tianjin, he has been busy catching spies and raising money and equipment. The 29th Army has also benefited greatly.

Considering Zhang Yong's contribution, it seems that it is not impossible to give the Tianjin police station to the Fuxing Society.

But the prerequisite is that Zhang Yong must be present. Others will look up to him. If Zhang Yong doesn't come, it definitely won't work.

Sweat...

Suddenly I feel so important.

I have inadvertently been able to influence the change of ownership of a city's police station.

Should I be happy about this? Happy?

Actually, I feel like crying.

I've been so busy, is this like picking chestnuts out of the fire?

"Zhang Yong!'

I suddenly heard Li Boqi's serious call.

Zhang Yong hurriedly stood at attention.

It had been a long time since I heard Li Boqi speak in such a serious tone.

This old guy, when he spoke before, always sounded so strange. Has he changed his personality recently?

'Team leader, you speak!'

'This is a good thing. Go ahead and do it.'

'Yes,'

Zhang Yong agreed. Then he became confused.

You just said that it wasn't a good thing. How did it suddenly become a good thing now?

Hey, being a leader is all about bullshitting.

One minute it's one thing, the next minute it's something else. You say it's good, you say it's bad. You say it's this, you say it's that.

It's really the official word that has two mouths, so you can say whatever you want.

Li Boqi sighed helplessly. This Zhang Yong is actually not stupid at all, he just doesn't want to think about it.

'The fact that the head of the department is taking power will lead to disaster.'

'But if our Fuxing Society controls the police department, at least we can ensure that there are no traitors within the police department system.'

'It can also deter others. No one will dare to be a traitor so easily.'

'Isn't that a good thing?'

Li Boqi patiently explained.

Zhang Yong finally understood. Oh. You're talking about the greater good of the nation!

That's true. In terms of the national situation, the situation in North China will only get worse and worse. This is just the beginning. After the Japanese army's 226th Mutiny, things will get even more difficult. After the upheaval within the Japanese army, they will act even more radically and be more inclined to take the direct approach of invading North China by war.

War is imminent.

In fact, 20 months later, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident officially broke out.

The Fuxing Society now took over the police station, and in fact there was only 20 months of peace. After the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the struggle had to go underground.

However, the takeover by the Fuxing Society achieved at least one thing: there would be no surrender.

Later, there were indeed people in the high ranks of the Military United Front who surrendered after being captured, such as Wang Tianmu and Chen Gongshu. However, there were almost no cases of people actively defecting to the enemy.

In fact, almost every agent of the Military United Front had the lives of the Japanese invaders in their hands.

What's more, the KMT secret agents fought the Japanese invaders, and it was a fight to the death.

The KMT secret agents were able to rise rapidly, and it wasn't for lack of contribution. They fought the Japanese invaders for real. They killed a considerable number of Japanese invaders, and they also suffered heavy losses. At these stations in Shanghai where fierce battles were fought, the secret agents were replaced many times.

Basically, the previous batch died out, and a new batch was added. They died out and were replaced. They died out and were replaced...

In terms of anti-Japanese achievements alone, the Military Commission can easily outperform the Central Commission by 18 streets.

'There can't be a second Cao Jianzhang.'

'Yes,'

Zhang Yong replied. Then he had a sudden idea.

Why not let Li Boqi be the police commissioner? Li Boqi was perfectly qualified!

If it were someone else, the 29th Army might not agree. But Li Boqi is possible. I have to look out for the monk's face as well as the Buddha's face. As long as Zhang Yong insists, there is hope. I want Li Boqi to be the commissioner. You guys figure it out!

"Team leader, why don't you become the commissioner?'

'Why?'

'I think if the department head recommends someone else, Beiping might not agree.'

'What about me?'

'As long as I insist, there should be hope.'

Zhang Yong was also not shy about it.

With his connections to the 29th Army, there was definitely room for negotiation.

If they didn't agree, then he would just dawdle. He wouldn't even notify the 29th Army if there were any benefits. Don't say I'm stingy, Zhang Yong. I am stingy.

'Are you trying to kill me?'

'Those who can do more will have more work.'

'Forget it. I have a ton of things to do right now, and I can't keep up. Thanks to you, I don't think I'll be able to take any vacation this year...'

'Team leader, forget about taking a vacation.'

'Why? The new lifestyle movement promoted by the Party Committee stipulates a five-day work week. I get two days off every week...'

'You still want to take a vacation?'

Zhang Yong glared. He wasn't afraid of Li Boqi's strange tone.

He and Cao Mengqi were used to it. After being scolded, they would be fine.

'You don't want to?'

'I don't.'

'You...'

Li Boqi was stumped.

Zhang Yong was secretly pleased.

You want to take a vacation? Dream on! I won't even agree to it!

The head of the department won't agree to it either! The entire Restoration Society won't agree to it! You still want a weekend off? Good luck with that!

"You should get married sooner?'

'What does marriage have to do with it? As long as the Japanese invaders haven't been driven out of China, I won't get married!'

'You...'

Li Boqi had a deadpan face. Speechless.

Zhang Yong was so happy inside! I'll teach you a lesson now, after all the times you've lectured me.

Who dares to contradict my noble reasons? Haha!

The revolution is not yet successful, comrades must continue to strive. As long as the Japanese invaders are not eradicated, I will not get married. What a heroic statement!

Girls, you heard it. It's not that I don't want to marry you. It's just that I have set my sights high. How can we think about family when the Huns have not yet been eradicated?

So, don't even think about getting married...

'I'll go back and suggest it to the head of the department.'

'You...'

'I'm going then.'

'Get lost!'

'Yes!'

Zhang Yong stood at attention and saluted. Then he led the team off.

They took all the vehicles with them. The group arrived outside the police station in a mighty procession.

They took Lin Beiqiu with them too. This guy was the rightful Tianjinwei Police Station detective. He was also quite famous inside the police station. Hopefully he could help stabilise the situation.

They parked far away.

It felt a bit weird.

There doesn't seem to be a single policeman inside. It seems like no one is even at work.

However, the map indicates that there are people inside. In most of the rooms, there are one or two white dots flickering...

Wait!

There are actually three red dots inside.

Zhang Yong frowned.

Three Japanese invaders?

Are they lurking inside the police station?

Japanese spies have actually infiltrated the police station? How arrogant?

Stay calm.

Right now, he is just a nobody.

At the Tianjinwei Police Station, Zhang Yong only knew one person, Lin Beiqiu. Oh, and there was also Zheng Song.

He turned to Lin Beiqiu and asked, 'Is Zheng Song still here?'

'I haven't seen him,' Lin Beiqiu shook his head, 'He said he hasn't been to work for a few days.'

'Really?' Zhang Yong nodded thoughtfully.

Zheng Song was close to Cao Jianzhang. Cao Jianzhang had done such a big thing, he must have been implicated.

It was normal for him not to dare come to work. Otherwise, he might be arrested on the spot.

He saw the Chief everywhere.

The Chief was standing at the entrance to the police station with Dai Yice and the others.

No one came out to greet them.

The whole police station seemed to be empty, which was a bit embarrassing.

It felt like the Chief was a bit anxious. He should have let someone from below go first and deal with it before he showed up...

But then again, if the Chief didn't show up, who could deal with it?

"Shaolong!'

'Here!'

Zhang Yong hurriedly answered.

He came to the Chief.

'You, take someone to evict everyone inside.'

'Evict?'

'Those who want to stay are welcome. Those who don't want to work here, get out now.'

'Yes!'

Zhang Yong promised.

Looking at the empty police station, he was worried.

What should he do...

How should he evict them...

But there was no turning back now. Since the Chief had come, there was no way he could back down.

At this moment, Zhang Yong knew he had to pull out all the stops.

No matter what the consequences, today, the people inside must be driven out and then they will be welcomed in a line. Zhang Yong will welcome the arrival of the head of the department with a posture of 'overwhelming joy'.

He immediately picked up the loudspeaker.

'I am Zhang Yong!'

'I arrested Cao Jianzhang. He betrayed the country and was executed on the spot!'

'By order of the higher authorities, we have come to take over the police station!'

'Those who have nothing to do with Cao Jianzhang will not be implicated.'

Sure enough, these words worked.

He, Zhang Yong, had been causing trouble in Tianjin for two or three months, so it was impossible for the police to not know his name.

He had even dealt with the Japanese so harshly, not to mention everyone else.

These words were clearly telling everyone not to mess with him. Otherwise, they would not have a good time. I, Zhang Yong, am not a pushover.

Finally, one after the other, people came out. They began to line up.

When one person takes the lead, the others will follow. They all came out one after the other and joined the welcoming procession.

Well, that looks a bit better. It does look like a 'warm welcome'.

But that's not enough. We need to do something more.

Wave your hands.

Lead the people into the police station.

What for?

Arrest them!

Arrest the three Japanese spies!