Chapter 601: You are only allowed to look

Li Jingqian anxiously tried to sit up. She failed.

Her wound was already very deep. Combined with Zhang Yong's rough handling, it definitely didn't feel good.

Zhang Yong didn't go over to help her up either. She didn't need to get up. He didn't want her to misunderstand him either.

You can talk while lying down. She wasn't dead.

'You newcomers are too many...'

'Lao Bai is not a newcomer.'

'His name is Lao Bai?'

'Don't let his youth fool you, he's been in the Party longer than I have.'

'Really?'

Zhang Yong thoughtfully recalled.

It seemed to be the case. Lao Bai should be in his thirties.

At this time, Li Yunlong was probably not yet thirty years old. Lao Bai was older than Li Yunlong.

But his psychological quality felt average. He couldn't hold his temper and ran out.

'Tell me about the situation at the time.'

'Okay,'

Zhang Yong told him everything.

It was rare that this Li Jingqian had no prejudice against him. Naturally, he was willing to tell him more.

He didn't embellish the story, just gave a plain description.

What was seized. How much was there. He revealed the truth.

Li Jingqian became more and more surprised as he listened, and then immediately grasped the key point, 'How did you know that there was a rattan box in the gap?'

'I don't know. I guessed,' Zhang Yong deliberately left it ambiguous.

He wasn't lying.

He really didn't know.

The map only showed that there was gold or weapons in the gap. But it didn't show the rattan box. And it didn't show the radio either.

If there was no gold or weapons in the rattan box, he definitely wouldn't have found it.

But the other party had put both in. And then he caught it. It can only be said that the enemy made too many mistakes.

'You...'

Li Jingqian paused.

She wanted to say that Zhang Yong was lucky. Obviously, that was not scientific.

Finding it once was lucky. Twice? Three times? Who was lucky enough for that?

Hmph, this guy, he was obviously lying.

He must have some special ability to find hidden objects.

Maybe he was just pretending to be weak.

He was actually very powerful.

But he pretended to be very weak.

When everyone thought he was weak, they would unconsciously let their guard down, and then he would be finished.

So cunning...

You can't underestimate this guy.

Those who underestimated him are probably already in prison or in hell.

'You've made a good haul!'

'Not bad,'

Zhang Yong is not humble either.

The daytime haul was indeed unexpected.

There were radios, silver banknotes, gold bars, and weapons. It was a perfect gift package.

If only it were like this every day...

He took out a Colt M1911 pistol and a box of bullets from the space inside.

He was delighted.

He was showing off.

He couldn't use all those weapons himself. But he could give them to Li Jingqian!

This woman was very fierce. If necessary, he could ask her to be an assassin. No, he didn't have to ask. Soon the Kuomintang and the Communist Party would cooperate to fight the Japanese. They would be allies then.

At that time, he would be in the background monitoring and directing, while she would be in the front shooting. He would ensure that the devils went to heaven happily.

'Great gun!'

Sure enough, Li Jingqian's eyes lit up.

She was different from her younger sister Li Jingzhi. God had probably made a complete mistake with the skill tree.

Her sister was heavily biased towards movement. She was agile. Extremely quick. Her younger sister, on the other hand, was biased towards stillness. That was why Li Jingzhi was now buried in hard work in the telecommunications department of the secret service, and hadn't set foot outside for half a year. Her sister, on the other hand, was out there killing people left, right and centre.

They were both very good.

'And,'

Zhang Yong took out another Browning M1935 pistol and the matching bullets.

Alas, it's all about damn space. It's really too cramped. There's not enough room for too many weapons. Otherwise, he could have swallowed up so many, so many good guns!

If there was enough space, all the weapons he had seized could have armed several regiments.

'For me?'

'Yes.'

'Then I won't be polite.'

'They're all for killing the devils. You're better at killing devils than I am.'

'Thank you!'

'Do you need any more bullets?'

'That's enough.'

'It's best to keep some at each safe house. It's safer that way.'

'That's a good idea!'

Li Jingqian took the pistol and bullets.

Although she couldn't get up, she was very happy to play with them while lying in bed. She really liked guns.

The only regret was being a woman. Very often, she could not be as agile as a man. Her aura was also not as strong as a man's. When going out on missions, she was also not as convenient as a man. Otherwise, she believed she would have done even better.

'Have you contacted your superiors?'

'No.'

'Why not?'

'I cannot contact them.'

'Why not?'

'Because I don't know if there are any more traitors.'

'Is the situation that serious?'

'Why do you think Huang Shang is here?'

'I don't know.'

'He came from the mountains. Definitely not a traitor. But it turns out that everyone in the underground organisation in Hangzhou is a suspect.'

'Huh?'

Zhang Yong let out a gasp.

There was more than one traitor. There was. And they were hiding so well?

It's difficult...

There are dangers everywhere. There are perils aplenty. It's a precarious situation.

In spy dramas, the Red Party is almost always invincible. They always have the enemy in the palm of their hands.

However, in reality, Zhang Yong discovered that at the moment, the Red Party was still very weak. They were unable to protect themselves, let alone attack the enemy. They didn't seem to be doing anything outstanding either. Even saving Yan Guangkun required a very risky approach.

Overall, the Red Party was still very weak.

It was like a weak flame. A gust of wind could extinguish it.

If he wasn't a time traveller and knew the historical course of events, he would find it hard to believe that the Red Party would win the war in fifteen years.

You must understand that at this moment in time, only a part of the Red Party has completed the Long March. Another part is still wavering. There are also some internal differences. All in all, this is the weakest moment. Absolutely no one dares to assert that they will achieve victory in fifteen, no, fourteen years' time.

'How old are you?'

'Me?'

'Yes. You.'

'You seem to be impolite.'

'I'm asking you this question very seriously.'

'Twenty-two.'

'Married?'

'What do you think? Do I dare get married?'

'Twenty-two. By the time of the national victory, you'll be thirty-six. Not too old. There's still a chance.'

'What did you say?'

'I have a very amazing prophecy. Your Red Party will liberate all of China and establish a new China in fourteen years. You will all be heroes. You will be saluted with the highest respect.'

'Fourteen years...'

Li Jingqian lay on the bed, tilting her head and staring at him in a daze.

At first, she thought Zhang Yong was talking nonsense. But judging by his expression, it was obvious that he wasn't.

She could tell the difference. Otherwise, she wouldn't be alive today.

The question was, what was the basis for Zhang Yong's claim?

Why fourteen years?

Who could have deduced it so accurately?

This guy was full of shit. But not annoying.

'Think of a way. I'll let Lao Bai go.'

'No. He can't go.'

'Why not?'

'It would cause serious disruption if you captured him and then released him.'

'Then...'

'Keep him by your side.'

'This...'

'Tell him to pretend to defect to you.'

'Will he?'

'I'll give you a secret password. When he hears it, he'll know it's from the organisation.'

'What will he know?'

'He speaks Japanese.'

'Oh?'

Zhang Yong was a little surprised.

Lao Bai actually spoke Japanese? That was rare!

At that time, if someone knew Japanese, they either studied in Japan or went to a vocational school.

The Japanese invaders had set up some Japanese vocational schools in North and South China. They said it was training, but in fact they had ulterior motives. Essentially, they were training pro-Japanese elements.

This Bai Zhantang...

Wait.

'What's Lao Bai's name?'

'I don't know. It's just Lao Bai. His code name is Lao Bai.'

'Oh, Lao Bai is his code name!'

Zhang Yong nodded thoughtfully.

Sure enough, everyone has secrets.

Okay, goodbye. Back to the Huaqiao Hotel. Go to sleep.

The next morning, immediately 'interrogate' Lao Bai.

The prison cell is located in the basement of the Huaqiao Hotel.

Because the hotel is not yet open to the public, the basement is very empty. There is no problem holding a hundred or so people.

It so happens that there are many pillars in the basement, which are used to support the upper structure of the hotel. Tie one person to each pillar. Blindfold them. Send someone to guard the exit. All's well that ends well.

The interrogation room was also in the basement. A small room.

Lao Bai was led in. A hood was placed over his head.

Gradually adjusting to the light, he looked at Zhang Yong suspiciously.

'Introduce yourself. My name is Zhang Yong. I'm from the Special Branch of the Fuxing Society. I'm here on business in Hangzhou. To catch Japanese spies.'

'I'm not a Japanese spy. Why are you arresting me?'

'But you speak Japanese.'

'Is speaking Japanese a crime?'

'No. But you didn't keep your cool. You ran after the Japanese spy. So I have every reason to suspect you of being involved with the Japanese spy.'

'I'm not!'

'Of course. I believe you. But...'

Zhang Yong waved his hand.

Qin Lishan immediately sensibly withdrew. Standing far away.

Zhang Yong discovered that taking Qin Lishan out on errands had some unexpected benefits. He was very self-aware.

When he told him to leave, he really did. And he left far away. Afraid that he might hear something he shouldn't.

Most Kuomintang soldiers were just like that.

'I don't have any money.'

'It seems that you know something about me.'

'Er...'

Lao Bai was silent.

Okay. He had slipped up.

Indeed, he did know something about Zhang Yong. How should I put it? He had read Zhang Yong's file.

'So, you were in a high position over there.'

'I don't know what you're talking about.'

'The old head of Wuqiao Town asked me to give you a message: you need to give him 30% of next year's sorghum. If you give him 500 catties of sorghum, he will give you 30 catties of coarse salt.'

'You...'

Lao Bai's eyes suddenly brightened.

Then he was surprised.

How could this string of inexplicable words have come from Zhang Yong's mouth?

This guy is clearly not someone from within the organisation...

'Li Jingqian has been injured.'

'You have her under control?'

'Sort of. She can't move right now. She needs my help for now.'

'Who the hell are you?'

'I'm not one of you, anyway. And you wouldn't want me.'

'Hm...'

Lao Bai was at a loss for words.

This little guy seemed to be a bit resentful!

However, he couldn't make the decision on this matter. Because Zhang Yong had a very special identity.

'Prepare to surrender!'

'What?'

'Write a confession as a Japanese spy. And then do something for me.'

'Japanese spy?'

'Yes. I've already done the background research for you. You are a hidden Japanese spy. You belong to the Japanese spy agency, Kuai. Kuai as in the Chinese character for 'Chinese scholar tree'. Your Japanese name is Misaki Ichiro. Your boss used to be called Noya Kintaro. Now he is Noguchi Hirofumi.'

'What do you want me to do?'

'Create problems for the Japanese spies.'

'Can you do it?'

'As long as you make the Japanese spy doubt, you will have completed your mission.'

'Okay...'

Lao Bai did not object.

It was his duty to deal with the Japanese invaders.

Although he felt that Zhang Yong's arrangement was very unreliable. But try it first.

Moreover, by staying by Zhang Yong's side as a Japanese spy, he would not need to worry about being pursued by the Party Affairs Investigation Department. For the time being, he was safe.

'Qin Lishan!'

'Yes!'

'Bring a stool.'

'Yes!'

Qin Lishan quickly brings a wooden stool.

Zhang Yong tells Lao Bai to sit next to him. Then he takes out some US dollars, some British pounds, some silver notes, and gold bars, and puts them in front of Lao Bai.

Lao Bai: ?

This guy, can he juggle?

Why does he have so much stuff on him?

'It's all mine,' Zhang Yong 'kindly' reminds Lao Bai, 'you're only allowed to look.'

Lao Bai: ?

Well, it seems that he is quite angry.

Speechless.

Zhang Yong claps his hands.

Qin Lishan brings up a real Japanese spy.

This Japanese spy is still quite stubborn. Bound from head to toe, he is still struggling. Having been starved for a night, he seems to be doing fine. He is indeed very tough. It seems that he needs to be starved for another seven days. In the meantime, he can be given a little water to keep him alive.

'My name is Zhang Yong. I'm the one who captured you.' Zhang Yong's opening remarks were delivered in a calm voice. However, the Japanese spy did not respond.

So Zhang Yong knew. He had spoken in vain. He had also overestimated the Japanese spy's status.

The Japanese spy did not know who Zhang Yong was.

From this, he deduced that the other person's status was very low and that they were not qualified to access information related to him.

Alas...

It's pointless.

He waved his hand. He told Qin Lishan to bring the other two Japanese spies up as well.

Let's interrogate them together!

If someone is willing to confess, that would be best. If not, then shoot them all. He wouldn't keep these worthless Japanese spies.

Soon, the other two Japanese spies were also brought in. They all quietly surveyed Lao Bai.

They had all seen what happened yesterday.

Who was Lao Bai?

Was he one of them?

'This man is your companion. His name is Misaki Ichiro. He belongs to the Kuai Agency. He was originally under the command of Nogata Kintaro,' Zhang Yong said slowly, 'After my persuasion, he has voluntarily realised his mistake. He is willing to abandon the dark and join the light. He will serve me.'

The three Japanese spies all looked at each other. Their eyes were strange. But none of them spoke.

Because rags were still stuffed in their mouths.

Zhang Yong was mainly looking at their facial reactions.

It seems that there is little hope.

These low-level Japanese spies are more fanatical. Their bones are very hard.

On the contrary, those Japanese spies in higher positions are more likely to give in. Having lived a good life for too long, they have been spoiled and cannot bear a little pain.

Nudge their mouths. Tell Qin Lishan to take the rags in the mouths of the three Japanese spies.

Zhang Yong's eyes narrowed.

Did any Japanese spies bite their tongues and kill themselves? Did any?

The result...

None.

None at all.

Huh?

It seems there is hope for interrogation.

It's surprising that none of the spies have committed suicide by biting their tongues. This shows that they have been shaken internally.

At the very least, their minds may not be as fanatical.

They all have a 'comrade' who has surrendered. They will definitely be influenced in some way.

The situation is clear: surrender and you can get dollars, pounds, gold bars, and silver notes. If you don't surrender, then...

'You go first.'

'What's your name? Which agency do you belong to? Who is your superior?'

Zhang Yong pointed at the Japanese spy on the left.

The Japanese spy opened his lips. It looked like he was going to answer. But then he quickly bit his lips shut again.

Oh, he's still refusing to answer!

'Bring some boiling water!'

'Yes!'

Qin Lishan and the others brought a bucket of boiling water.

The bucket was made of aluminium. They placed it on the ground. You could see the boiling water constantly emitting white steam.

Two agents pressed the Japanese spy's hands against the edge of the aluminium bucket.

Instantly, the Japanese spy's face contorted.

Although they did not directly dip their hands into the boiling water, the aluminium bucket had excellent thermal conductivity and the rim was very hot.

'Ah...'

'Ah...'

The Japanese spy screamed. He kept gasping for air.

However, it was useless. The hot aluminium bucket instantly put him in pain mode. But he did not faint.

Zhang Yong refused to use a branding iron. It was too cruel. If he wasn't careful, he would faint.

Using an aluminium bucket filled with boiling water was just right.

He would not faint.

It doesn't matter how long it's hot. That's what the books say. He's going to test it for himself.

'Baka!'

'Baka!'

The other two Japanese spies tried to struggle excitedly, but they were held down firmly.

Although their hands were not being tortured, they could already feel the horror of the punishment. This slow torture was the most deadly.

'I said...'

'I said...'

The first Japanese spy quickly broke down.