Chapter 711: A slap in the face

Whose house was it back then?

Damn it. I've forgotten again. I can't think of it no matter how hard I try. It must have belonged to someone important.

After all, it seems to have been thirty Thompsons, which at the market price would have cost at least five thousand dollars. With the handling fee, it could have cost six thousand dollars.

No ordinary person could come up with that kind of money. In other words, tens of thousands of dollars.

The point is, you need the right connections.

Those Thompsons couldn't have been imported by the American firm in an aboveboard manner. Otherwise, there would have been no need to hide them.

If the Thompsons had been imported by the firm, many people would have known about it. It would have been impossible to keep it a secret.

Most likely, someone was doing a business smuggling between the west and east coasts of the Pacific. A private individual bought Thompsons from the American market, hid them on a freighter bound for Shanghai, and then transported them to Shanghai. Then they were quietly removed. And then sold to certain people.

That's probably the situation. As for how it was done exactly, that's unclear. Someone must have specialised in this.

The advantage of this is that no one knows. No one outside knows that you have a stash of Thompson submachine guns. When the time comes, you can suddenly take them out and use them, which puts the pressure on your opponent. This is especially useful in gang warfare.

As it happens, there is constant warfare on the streets of Shanghai.

The lethality of the Chicago typewriter is impressive to anyone.

'Who asked you to ask?'

'Rules. Can't tell.'

'Pay.'

'What?'

'If someone else asks you to ask me, they have to pay a consultation fee. You should give me half.'

'A favour.'

'That also costs money. One hundred dollars.'

'Zhang Yong, you really are money-minded. No one else has given me a consultation fee. And you're asking me for money.'

'Cut the crap. One hundred dollars.'

'Here you go.'

Ai Ye reluctantly took out a hundred dollars and gave it to Zhang Yong.

She knew this guy, and since he had asked for it, he would definitely feel bad if he didn't get it.

She didn't know what kind of trouble he would get into next. It was better to just give him the $100. It would save her from any future problems. He was really capable of doing anything.

'Thank you!'

Zhang Yong took the dollar.

A small stack. All $10 denominations. A total of 10 sheets.

It seems that beautiful woman Ai was also well prepared. If so, why be coy? Really.

We are all adults. We should know the rules...

'I'm curious. What are you doing raking in so much money?'

'I like counting money.'

'Only money spent is your own.'

'You're telling me.'

Zhang Yong responded angrily.

He hated being taught by a woman the most. Especially a beautiful woman.

He immediately took his leave.

Continue the sweep.

The fact that Sun Dingyuan has not yet been arrested is always a thorn in his side.

You must know that he was hastily summoned to Hangzhou in the first place to arrest Sun Dingyuan. But in the end, he never did.

A bunch of all kinds of miscellaneous fish were caught. But the main culprit was never caught.

Where exactly is this Sun Dingyuan hiding?

What was discovered before going back may be Sun Dingyuan's location, but it has already been deserted.

Well, Sun Dingyuan may really not be caught.

Depressed...

It's fine if you don't catch the person. But you have to dig up his money at least!

Sweep the streets frantically.

Whenever you find a weapon sign, immediately go up and arrest him.

As a result, you still catch some small fish. There is still no sign of Sun Dingyuan. Some news said that Sun Dingyuan may have already left Hangzhou.

Frown.

Unhappy.

Did Sun Dingyuan just slip away?

Damn it. Unwilling to accept it.

Continue sweeping the streets.

Finally found something. Found a batch of weapons. There were more than ten Thompson submachine guns. And tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Don't know who hid them. Anyway, all taken for oneself.

Then found a mortar.

It was also 82 mm in caliber. And twelve rounds of ammunition. Presumably left behind by a Japanese spy.

Disappointed...

Still haven't found Sun Dingyuan!

Speechless, suddenly felt something in the space with me.

It turned out to be an A4 sheet of paper. There were a lot of data on it.

I took a look. It turned out to be the data of a group of warships. But I couldn't determine what type of warship it was.

Length 241 metres...

Breadth 36 metres...

Maximum draught 10 metres...

Standard displacement 41,000 tonnes...

Full displacement 50,000 tonnes...

Maximum speed 30 knots...

Maximum range 8,500 nautical miles...

armed with 8 380 mm main guns...

armed with 12 150 mm secondary guns and 36 machine guns...

Confused.

Puzzled.

With a displacement of over 40,000 tons, it can definitely be identified as a battleship.

The main gun is 380 mm. This figure is a bit unusual. It shouldn't be from the British or American series. It doesn't seem to be from the Japanese either.

Could it be German?

Or French?

What kind of battleship did the Germans have?

Which model did the French have that matched?

Bismarck?

Is this the data for the Bismarck-class battleship?

I'm not sure.

But I'm sure it must be the latest model. The displacement is there.

In the past, due to the influence of the Washington Naval Treaty, the displacement could not exceed 35,000 tons. This guy is already 40,000 tons.

The Washington Naval Treaty also stipulates that the caliber of the main gun cannot exceed 16 inches, or 406 millimeters. According to the information given by the system, the caliber of the main gun is only 380 millimeters. It doesn't seem to have exceeded it. However, it seems that few people use this caliber.

The Japanese battleships Nagato and Mutsu both had 410 mm main guns. They were playing by the rules, but pushing the boundaries a little. The later Yamato was built in secret, and the true caliber of its main guns was never revealed. It wasn't until after its launch that the world learned that its main guns were 460 mm in caliber.

Strange...

What does the system mean by suddenly giving out data on a battleship?

Is it encouraging us to create false information?

However, the false information produced previously did not seem to have had a significant effect.

Although some small achievements were made, they did not have any effect. The point is, nothing of value was going into Zhang Yong's pocket.

No profit. No motivation.

In particular, not catching Sun Dingyuan felt like a loss of several hundred million.

Irritated.

Want to lose my temper. But I don't know who to lose it with.

Drifting...

Dazed...

I don't know the past few days.

Every day, he was on the trail of Sun Dingyuan. But he never caught him.

Finally, half a month later, Zhang Yong had to admit that Sun Dingyuan was probably no longer in Hangzhou. He had searched almost everywhere.

He had discovered many Japanese spies...

He had discovered many underground party members...

He had seized a large quantity of weapons...

He had also seized a lot of money and property here and there...

However, he still felt unhappy.

Because he had not caught Sun Dingyuan.

In the end, he had no choice but to give up. He led the team back to the Jiabiao Air Base. There, he saw Yang Lichu.

Yang Lichu seemed to have something to ask him as well.

'Who are you going to save again?' Zhang Yong asked bluntly.

'It's official business,' Yang Lichu said. 'There's been a change of plan. You go back to Shanghai first.'

'Is everything fine here?'

'For the time being, yes.'

'Then what am I going back to Shanghai for?'

'The joint investigation team is preparing to meet again. The Germans will be there too.'

'Oh...'

Zhang Yong agreed casually.

This is the tragedy of the little people! One phone call tells you to come. Another phone call says it's not necessary.

The top talks, the bottom runs.

Fine, go back to Shanghai. As it happens, he also has some things to hand over.

For example, the Japanese spy Huoshan that Jia Tengying wants to arrest. He has already been arrested. Escort him back to Shanghai and hand him over to Jia Tengying, and it'll be done.

So prepare.

Then they set off.

They returned to Shanghai without incident.

They arrived at the Shanghai office of the Fuxing Society. They asked for Jia Tengying.

'I'm sorry, Team Leader Zhang, the station chief is not here,' the man who greeted them said apologetically, "he just went out on some business.'

'Is anyone I know here?" Zhang Yong asked casually.

'Team Leader Kou is here,'

'Oh, then I'll go find Team Leader Kou.'

'This way please,'

Zhang Yong entered the office.

He noticed that little had changed here, it was still the same as before.

Jia Tengying, who was rumoured to be an honest man, seemed to be just that on the surface. Since arriving in Shanghai, he seemed to have done nothing.

Then he suddenly saw a familiar figure. He called out instinctively, 'Stationmaster Chen!'

It turned out to be Chen Gongshu. He was here too.

Chen Gongshu was now the deputy stationmaster of Shanghai.

'It's you?' Chen Gongshu was a little surprised. 'You came here without saying a word?'

'More or less,' Zhang Yong nodded. "I was looking for Director Jia. But he's gone out. I don't know when he'll be back.'

'He's probably gone to the theatre with friends," Chen Gongshu said. "He won't be back until tonight. Why don't you give him a call?'

'No need," Zhang Yong shook his head. "I'll wait. I don't have anything to do anyway.'

'You don't have anything to do, but we have a lot on our hands," Chen Gongshu seemed in a bad mood.

'What's the matter?' Zhang Yong asked curiously.

'It's the Japanese in Hongkou, of course. They're out causing trouble all day long. They stir up trouble everywhere. It's a mess. The police station dares not intervene. The garrison headquarters won't get involved.' Chen Gongshu was seething with anger, 'And now they're putting it all on us.'

'What do the Japanese want?' Zhang Yong frowned.

'They're just stirring things up. They want trouble. Those Japanese ronin are running around everywhere. Charging at the police. Charging at checkpoints. And threatening with knives.' Chen Gongshu became more and more depressed as he spoke, 'But the orders from above are not to shoot. Many of us have been injured and wounded.'

'Oh...' Zhang Yong understood.

It was all because Chiang Kai-shek was too weak. He didn't dare to show the Japanese his sword.

He spent all day thinking about international mediation. He wanted to use the power of the foreigners to suppress the Japanese. How naive.

Being weak just made the Japanese ask for more.

Now the Japanese had the 226 Incident within their ranks, and the military's power had skyrocketed, their desire to invade even stronger.

It could be said that the Japanese military could no longer wait.

Especially the young officers below. They couldn't wait to start trouble immediately. Launch a full-scale invasion.

Before, it was in North China, and now it has spread to Shanghai.

'I'll go take a look,'

Zhang Yong has been very irritable lately.

He has not caught Sun Dingyuan, which has been upsetting him, and he really wants to punch someone.

Since the Japanese have come to the door, then just fuck them.

What will be the consequences. He doesn't care. No matter how serious the consequences are, it will just be the start of the war between China and Japan. How could it get any more serious than that?

Immediately, he led his troops to the vicinity of Hongkou.

Qin Lishan belonged to the Third Air Force Intelligence Service, so he remained at the Jiaqiao Air Base. This time, he brought with him veterans of the 19th Route Army, as well as mysterious people recruited from the coffin shop. The rest were the group of bald men. Needless to say, they were all quite capable fighters. Zhang Yong wanted them to be able to fight.

Whether it was with knives and guns, or fists and feet, they were good at everything.

I once tried to find out whether they came from the Southern Shaolin Temple by eavesdropping. But they all answered that they didn't. So I had to stop asking. It's really strange. But what the heck, as long as they can fight and listen, what more do I need? Aren't they the perfect subordinates?

From a distance, I saw a few Japanese ronin shouting, so I waved my hand at once.

The ones who went up were the group of bald guys. They fought directly with the Japanese ronin. Both sides got into a melee.

Among them, the one who fought the fiercest seemed to be called Gai Yunhai. It was this guy's name that had three characters.

'Hagah!'

Those Japanese ronin were also very fierce.

Facing a large group of enemies, they were also unyielding. It was really fanatical.

However, Gai Yunhai was indeed a good fighter. Not to mention the helpers. There were also many people. They all rushed at once. Soon, they knocked all seven Japanese ronin to the ground.

'Beat him!'

'Beat him!'

Zhang Yong yelled coldly from the sidelines.

He wasn't cheering them on. He was telling everyone to hit hard. Hit hard. I'll take the blame for anything.

What could possibly happen? At most, I'll quit. I'll just fight someone else.

'Baka!'

'Baka!'

The Japanese ronin were covered in blood from the beating.

They weren't using weapons, but Zhang Yong's fists were no joke. The Japanese ronin were screaming in pain.

'Baka!'

'Swish!'

'Swish!'

The Japanese ronin began to draw their swords.

Zhang Yong gave a slight sneer. Snapped his fingers. Everyone simultaneously brandished their maces.

They had been specially made last time and had not been used on a large scale yet.

The Japanese ronin were dumbfounded. They were holding swords in their hands, but they did not dare to approach.

They were just arrogant. But they weren't stupid.

Seeing that the other side had many people and was holding black, heavy maces, they were just asking for trouble.

One swipe of the mace and they would be unable to take care of themselves!

Zhang Yong snorted.

Come on!

Come on up!

I'll break your legs.

I don't have any other skills, but I have a lot of money, people and guns.

Oh, and now I have a lot of maces too.

If you're not afraid to die, come on up. I'll just use the mace on you. We'll turn you into a bloody mess.

What?

This might cause an international dispute?

What the hell!

The Japanese invaders are definitely going to invade all over. It's only a matter of time before they start fighting.

In the end, a few Japanese ronin realised that something was wrong. They sulkily retreated. That group of bald men with maces just didn't feel satisfied. They really wanted to chase after them.

Zhang Yong is also not afraid of trouble. He is in a good mood now. He dares to do anything.

He looks for the phone. He directly calls Akiyama Shigeaki.

I just don't believe it. How arrogant can you be, you son of a bitch.

The Japanese invaders have millions of troops, I can't deal with them. But I can deal with you, Akiyama Shigeaki.

His principle is to bully a person to death when he catches him.

'Get me the Japanese Consulate General.'

'Who is this?'

'My name is Zhang Yong. Put Shigeaki Akiyama on the phone.'

'Hah!'

The other person hung up.

Who is Shigeaki Akiyama? He is their Consul General.

You, Zhang Yong, want our Consul General to answer the phone? Ridiculous! Hah! What arrogance!

Zhang Yong: ?

Damn it. Hanging up on me?

Fine. There's no turning back now. Let's do something more drastic.

'Let's go!'

Zhang Yong led his team to the front checkpoint.

This was the only way from the Hongkou Japanese war zone to the city. It was guarded by a security team. In fact, they were all regular troops of the National Army.

Opposite was the Japanese checkpoint. The distance between them was only 50 metres.

The Japanese often needed to pass through here to enter the city from Hongkou. Vehicles flying the Japanese flag were allowed to pass.

Of course, they could also take other passages. However, they would need to take a longer route.

'Team Leader Zhang...'

'Stand back. I'll be here for a few days.'

'But...'

'What? You don't want me to help you deal with the Japanese?'

'Yes, yes.'

The security team immediately retreated.

Zhang Yong then took complete control of the checkpoint.

Was he overstepping his authority?

A little, perhaps. After all, this was the military's business.

But it didn't matter. He didn't care what the consequences were. He just wanted to show the Japanese up.

A Japanese car approached. It was flying a white flag.

The barricades had not been removed. The Japanese car was stopped directly.

The Japanese driver poked his head out and arrogantly shouted, 'Hey, we want to go through, hurry up and open it!'

Zhang Yong waved his hand directly and said firmly, "Sorry, the road is temporarily closed. Where did you come from, go back there!'

The Japanese person was anxious, "Baka, we have to go to work...'

Zhang Yong directly pulled out his submachine gun.

He pointed it at the other person's forehead.

Who are you bakaing at?

Say it again?

'Pop!'

A slap on the other person's face.

Say it again?

One slap, again?

'Baka...'

'Pop!'

'Baka...'

'Pop!'

The Japanese driver was stunned by the beating.

At this time, the Japanese soldiers in the rear felt something was wrong and immediately swarmed up. All of them were carrying Type 38 rifles.

The bayonets were glaring. They gleamed with a cold light.

Everyone behind Zhang Yong also immediately swarmed up.

The muzzles of the guns were dark and black. They could devour people at any time.

Zhang Yong's mouth curled up.

Come on!

Fight!

If you're not afraid to die, come.

Come, let's see if you can withstand more than ten Type 38s against thirty Thompson submachine guns.

The tension was palpable.

A spark would set off a chain reaction.

'Baka!'

'Come back here, you bastards!'

Suddenly, a voice came from behind.

It was Lin Xiaoyan (Kamikawa Kyoko) who had arrived.

The Japanese soldiers immediately put away their rifles and retreated.

Lin Xiaoyan came up to Zhang Yong, 'Zhang-san, it was our fault. I apologise.'

'Miss Kyoko, there is bound to be a battle between China and Japan,' Zhang Yong was annoyed and didn't want to waste time with Lin Xiaoyan, 'we are enemies.'

'I know. But, Zhang-san, I am sincere with you. No matter what the outcome, I will not hurt you.'

'Please.'

Zhang Yong waved his hand. He called Lin Xiaoyan aside.

This woman is very conflicted. She must support the invasion. But she also has very complicated feelings for him.

Or rather, she very much wants to use him. Hmm. Use him.

'Have you returned to China?'

'No.'

'Everything I said has come true.'

'We didn't anticipate it. We didn't think it would be such a serious matter.'

'How did it turn out?'

'Very tragic.'

'Your Ministry of Internal Affairs will only be able to do what it is told in the future. You will do whatever the military says.'

'You said we would lose the war.'

'Er...'

Zhang Yong was taken aback.

Something didn't feel right. How could she believe that they would lose the war?

Damn, this is a very high level of ideological awareness. Now that China and Japan have not yet gone to war, she already believes that the Japanese will lose?

Sweat, I'm not that persuasive, am I? Is she brain-damaged?

'You believe it.'

'I'm preparing for the worst.'

'This...'

Zhang Yong tilted his head.

Okay. This woman is indeed complicated.

He honestly doesn't understand.

'Zhang San, I need to talk to you.'

'It seems like we're enemies...'

'I can pay you.'

'We're enemies...'

'You said that we would lose the war. Since we're the losers, you're the victor. Shouldn't you be more generous?'

'This...'

Zhang Yong frowned.

He resented it.

Who said that? Who said that the victor should be magnanimous?

I don't want to be magnanimous.

But...

'You go first.'