Chapter 725: A Pretty Spy in a Changing World

"You...'

'I won't say anything.'

'I was thinking, can we expand the aspirin business a bit?'

'You want to talk business with me?'

'What else?'

'...'

Liu Xi was silent again.

She didn't know what to say.

Zhang Yong, Zhang Yong, you've really fallen into the money-grubbing trap.

Would it kill you to change the subject?

I'm in this situation, and you're still thinking about business? Are you afraid that if I die, you'll lose thousands of dollars?

"Actually, I can guess a little...'

'I suggest you don't.'

'That's why I have to actively expand the business. You have that kind of convenience.'

'How much do you want to expand?'

'Five hundred cases.'

'Are you crazy?'

'As long as the Japanese navy doesn't block it, there's no problem with a smooth landing. After landing, it's my business. It's none of your business.'

'Five hundred crates! It'll cost tens of thousands of dollars!'

'You Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku have seen tens of thousands of dollars before.'

'Forget I said it.'

Liu Xi bites her lip. It means it's impossible.

Zhang Yong is resentful. What a miser. He can't even spare tens of thousands of dollars.

Yamamoto Isoroku, the gambler, was the same. They're both miserly. They never wanted to risk the battleships. They hid them away. As a result, the aircraft carriers were destroyed by others. What's the point of having battleships left? In the end, Yamato Hotel became a hard target.

Serves you right!

Miserly! Stingy!

Liu Xi, Liu Xi, you have no future following the Japanese navy. Why not follow me...

'Change the subject. What's your name?'

'Iben Junko.'

'Junko. Not bad. It's a nice name. But, although we are friends, and I do like your beauty, we are friends nonetheless, and although I like you, you still have to pay for my rescue.'

'You say...'

'5,000 US dollars. Not much, is it?'

'Zhang Yong, sell me to a brothel. I'll earn you 5,000 US dollars.'

'Don't put it that way! Is your life not worth 5,000 dollars? Don't belittle yourself...'

'No.'

'That's a very reasonable price.'

'No.'

'Don't say that...'

'If you want money, you can have it. If you want me, you can have me.'

'That's not a good idea.'

'If you want me, you can have me. You can do whatever you want.'

'Er...'

Zhang Yong had no choice.

She was dying now. What was the point of keeping her alive?

Alas, what a thickheaded fellow. I thought the Japanese Navy would be a little smarter than the Navy Ma Lu. I never expected...

They're all the same!

In the final analysis, she is still the enemy. She is an invader.

People like her must see the coffin before they shed tears. When the Yamato Hotel is sunk, she will naturally wake up from her dream.

Look at the time.

It seems that the time agreed with Lin Xiaoyan has arrived.

Oh, another beautiful Japanese spy. She's become James Bond herself. Code name: Domestic Spy.

'Do you know Lin Xiaoyan?'

'Tell her to go to hell!'

'She's no fool. You don't need to hate her so much...'

'She knew that someone was plotting to enact the 226 Plan, but she didn't tell us in the Navy. She deserves to die! She deserves to die just as much as the Army idiots! Don't you ever mention her to me again! Otherwise, I don't know what the consequences will be.'

'Is it that serious?'

'The two I killed were both Army idiots. It was a list specially drawn up by the higher-ups, and they were to be eliminated one by one. What do you think?'

'It's enough that you killed the Army idiots. There's no need to kill the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is there?'

'They were accomplices too. If only they had warned us. We could have withdrawn the marines a few days earlier and stepped up protection.'

'So, in this 226 Incident, your navy suffered heavy losses?'

'Are you gloating?'

'Just asking. Just asking.'

Zhang Yong thought to himself, of course I'm gloating.

Only a few admirals have died. It's not enough. But he didn't show it. He didn't want to cause any more trouble.

Now the Japanese navy and army fools are fighting each other, and they've even drawn up a list of people to be eliminated. This means that the consequences of this incident should be even more serious than in history. Even a rookie killer like Liu Xi has participated in the assassination. This shows that the navy fools are really angry. We must fight back resolutely.

This is good.

They're fighting each other.

The fiercer the better.

'When you're better, I'll help you draw up a training plan.'

'Train for what?'

'Assassinations.'

'What for?'

'Don't you think your assassination skills are pretty poor?'

'Cheung Siu-lung, with your level of skill, you're really shameless to be giving me pointers. Aren't you ashamed? It's said that Chen Gongshu was so angry with you that he didn't want to eat. And you're still giving lessons...'

'No way. He just didn't want to talk to me. Your intelligence is pretty poor too. Nonsense. Not at all objective.'

'Anyway, I don't need your pointers.'

'But you cannot deny that your army sent so many experts to assassinate me, and I am still alive.'

'You...'

Liu Xi was at a loss for words.

He wanted to deny it, but then realised that he could not.

Indeed, the spies from the army had been captured by Zhang Yong in great numbers. Almost the entire army had been wiped out.

The army had indeed sent countless experts to take Zhang Yong's life. However, this Zhang Yong was still alive and kicking.

'It's not your ability. It's the Army's incompetence.'

'But you were shot twice.'

'They ambushed me...'

'But you were shot twice.'

'It was the Miyamoto family...'

'But you were shot twice.'

'There was more than one of them...'

'But you were shot twice.'

'Zhang Shaolong!'

Liu Xi's face turned red. She was angry with him.

She had never met such a lazy guy before. Every word stung.

I was shot twice, so what?

Did I eat your family's rice?

Oh, I can't say that...

Because in the end, she asked him for help.

The naval high command was also crazy. They only wanted results. They didn't care about the process.

In other words, she, Liu Xi, had to complete the mission even if it meant risking her life. As long as the mission was completed, no one cared about her life or death.

No matter what her previous role was, under the crazy orders, she was just a pawn.

A pawn crossing a river, with no room to manoeuvre or jump.

The mission must be completed.

Otherwise, only death.

It was a naval tradition: if the mission was not completed, only death. Only death could atone for the crime.

She didn't want to die like this.

So she thought of Zhang Yong. Only he could save her.

'You just said that it was someone from the Miyamoto family?'

'Yes.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yes.'

'I haven't encountered anyone from the Miyamoto family recently. Where are they hiding?'

'The 226 Incident changed many people and things.'

'So, they don't have time to deal with me for the time being. They need to secure their own position first?'

'The Ministry of Internal Affairs used the evidence from the Special High Police Department to force two generals of the army to commit suicide as an apology. The other top brass of the army bore a grudge, so they recalled many assassins. I don't know what arrangements they will make. These are all secrets of the army.'

'Assassinate Lin Xiaoyan?'

'Does she need to be assassinated? She will die sooner or later at the hands of the Army. She was the one who reported the 226 Plan. The Ministry of Internal Affairs submitted it to the Emperor. His Majesty was furious. The Army is convinced that she is the culprit. She will definitely not be spared. Her life is in the countdown.'

'Is it that serious?'

'On the night of February 26th, during the snowstorm, many high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs also died. The Prime Minister almost died as well. So after the rebellion was suppressed, they insisted on severely punishing the rebels. Originally, it was planned to execute 50 people, but the Ministry of Internal Affairs demanded that the list be increased to 350 people. In the end, 330 people were executed.'

'Umm...'

Zhang Yong thought to himself, my plan is finally having some effect.

Although I didn't get any benefits, it's good to be able to harm others. Unfortunately, I don't have much experience and my plan wasn't perfect.

Alas, in the final analysis, my level is still too poor. Otherwise, I could have killed a wave of little devils.

But Lin Xiaoyan is also headstrong enough.

At this time, she actually dares to run around. Is she really not afraid of being arrested and skinned?

The Japanese invaders seem to be super ruthless to their own people.

If Lin Xiaoyan is caught by the army's stupid people, her fate is probably a bit uncertain.

The perverts in the Miyamoto family haven't bothered her recently, so they might be after Lin Xiaoyan. Or maybe it's someone else.

'You're not a professional killer.'

'So what?'

'That's why you should learn from me. I'm the professional.'

'Get out of here!'

'You army idiots won't let you go. The Miyamoto family are all crazy.'

'I don't need you to worry about me.'

'Sigh...'

Zhang Yong shook his head.

It's really a pity that the flower has no intention and the flowing water has no emotion!

Fine, you will regret it sooner or later.

For now, go and engage Lin Xiaoyan in conversation. Let's see what she has to say.

It was still the Kang Le Yuan Western Restaurant.

The restaurant was always full, and the beautiful spy came and went.

He had just arrived when he noticed that Lin Xiaoyan had already arrived early. He sat down.

He looked around. He didn't notice anything unusual.

Lin Xiaoyan was here alone. There were no signs of weapons. But there were signs of gold.

Perhaps it was the gold jewellery on her? Zhang Yong didn't pay much attention.

Since there was no danger, Zhang Yong strolled in.

Lin Xiaoyan immediately saw him. She stood up immediately, came to him attentively, and offered, enthusiastically, to take his coat.

She was so gentle and considerate, as if she were welcoming her husband home.

Zhang Yong: ...

Actually, it was quite enjoyable.

He knew she was a Japanese spy. But he also enjoyed the feeling.

Alas, it felt like something would go wrong sooner or later...

She's being so attentive, it can't be good. At the very least, she won't be able to hand over Sun Dingyuan.

Sit down.

'Zhang Sang, I've missed you so much.'

'Save it. You haven't caught Sun Dingyuan, have you? I've met Sun Dingyuan.'

'There's been a slight hitch in my plan.'

'And?'

'But I've brought you this.'

Lin Xiaoyan took a flowery cloth bundle from the side. Both hands. It was heavy. It seemed to weigh dozens of catties.

Zhang Yong's eyes lit up. Could it be. It's all inside...

My god, it looks like gold!

'You can open it quietly. Don't open it all.'

'Okay.'

Zhang Yong stood up. He opened a small opening.

Good stuff. It really was all gold bars inside. There were also gold ingots. Square and rectangular. And gold ingots.

No wonder it was so heavy. Lin Xiaoyan needed both hands to hold it.

This bundle of gold must weigh at least a few tens of catties! If it's all pure gold, it's almost equivalent to a suitcase.

'For me?'

'Of course. It's a gift from me to you.'

'Whose?'

'Sun Dingyuan's.'

'How did you get it?'

'I extorted it out of him.'

'Oh...'

Zhang Yong felt so stupid. Really.

Who was Sun Dingyuan? How could he just hand over so much gold?

Of course she did. Lin Xiaoyan threatened and cajoled him, blackmailing him to get it out of him. Don't forget, she's from the Special High Commission. She's no saint.

A large part of the Special High Commission's mission is to capture anti-Japanese elements. External ones. And internal ones. So she's the enemy too. The reason she's been so hypocritical with him is that she wants to lure him over to the side of the Empire.

Admittedly, this Lin Xiaoyan is really stubborn. Even now, she hasn't given up on her efforts to turn him.

She is willing to offer not only herself, but also so much gold. It's really fanatical.

To put it nicely, it's fanatical. To put it unkindly, it's crazy. He can't understand it at all.

Does she need to be so desperate to turn him?

It feels like she's gone off the deep end...

But!

With money and sex on the table, how could he refuse?

As for being fooled, etc. Haha. How could he surrender when he knows full well that the Japanese invaders will be beaten to the ground?

Haha.

What a laugh.

'You have undercover agents in your country too?'

'Yes.'

'Which side?'

'The northern side.'

'You didn't catch any?'

'No.'

'Then how can you be sure that they're definitely from the north?'

'Because no one else cares about us like they do. You're not capable. The United States is not interested.'

'Er...'

Well, the words were a bit blunt. But they were also the truth.

For the time being, China did not have the ability to plant undercover agents within the Japanese army. That was the job of the Comintern.

The Comintern was dominated by the Soviets.

'We suspect that they leaked the information about the Thunderstorm and 226 plans.'

'Really?'

'Apart from them, no one else.'

'Do you have any evidence?'

'No. We can't catch anyone.'

Lin Xiaoyan answered spitefully. Then her eyes wandered, scanning Zhang Yong's body.

Zhang Yong pretended not to see. He knew exactly what was going on. She had been secretly seducing him. Waiting for him to lose control and eventually fall at her feet.

'Let's talk about Sun Dingyuan.'

'I know where he is. But you need to catch him yourself.'

'Where?'

'Chongming Island. He's with Dou Yishan.'

'Dou Yishan is there too?'

'Yes. Dou Yishan sent Sun Dingyuan to Chongming Island. Sun Dingyuan is going to hide there for a while.'

'He's crafty,'

Zhang Yong muttered to himself. This tactic. It really works.

Hiding on an island, if someone wants to catch him, they have to go there by boat. Ordinary civilian boats are useless.

The pirates have weapons. Civilian boats can't get close. It has to be a warship.

However, the Nationalist government's warships are scarce. They also have a small displacement. And they rarely go out and about.

Outside the mouth of the Yangtze River, it is the Japanese invaders' warships that are cruising. Although they are old destroyers with a displacement of just over 1,000 tons, they may be 30 years old. However, their combat effectiveness is still much greater than that of the Nationalist Navy's warships. In fact, the Nationalist Navy's boats can hardly be called ships.

'I can't go up there,' Zhang Yong said honestly.

'I'll arrange for a warship to take you up there,' Lin Xiaoyan responded immediately.

'One of your Japanese warships?'

'Yes.'

'The Nagato?'

'No...'

'Then I'm not going. Destroyer tonnage is too small, I get seasick.'

'I'll go with you.'

'No. I'll puke on you.'

'I don't mind. Zhang Sang. I like you. Really. I'm willing to do anything for you.'

'Forget it.'

Zhang Yong shook his head. But his hands were not idle.

A beautiful woman who comes to you, you don't want to waste her. He wasn't a good person anyway.

In his previous life, there were legal restrictions. He was afraid to even run a red light. Now he has travelled back in time. He has travelled back to a chaotic era with almost no legal restrictions, so where can he control himself? To be honest, apart from the people of the Red Party, who he dares not provoke, he dares to fight with anyone. Not to mention a beautiful spy?

'Don't do it here...' Lin Xiaoyan whispered.

She was shy.

But she tacitly approved of his actions.

Zhang Yong: ...

This is serious. This woman is really obsessed.

She's gone out of her mind to turn me against her. She's really desperate. It's terrifying. It's sad. And a little pitiful. I wonder what she'll be like when she wakes up from this dream.

But for now...

'Let's go to the hotel next door...'

'Later. Later I'll definitely give it to you...'

'Oh...'

Zhang Yong reluctantly withdrew his evil clutches.

What a sham. He's not even going to give me the sugar coating. And he expects me to carry the cannon?

Not a chance.

'I met someone from the Miyamoto family.'

'What?'

'But they don't seem to be interested in fighting, and it doesn't seem like they're after me...'

'How many were there?'

'Three.'

'They...'

Lin Xiaoyan nibbled her lip. Her face was unsettled.

Suddenly, she took Zhang Yong's hand.

Zhang Yong: ?

"Let's go to the hotel...'

'Huh?'

'I'll give you...'

...

Wusongkou. Calm.

Offshore. The waves are rolling. The waves are surging. The Japanese warships are drifting with the waves.

It is a light cruiser with a displacement of about 5,000 tons. Its communication room is very busy. Receiving and sending telegrams. Non-stop.

A Japanese navy radio operator takes a telegram and hands it to a second lieutenant.

The second lieutenant takes out a small notebook and finds the Mohri family. After careful verification, he crosses out two names on it.

Delisted.

This indicates that the target has been eliminated.

Damn the Choshu clan!

Damn the stupid army!

They conspired in secret to carry out Project 226 and murdered three admirals of the navy!

They must pay the price!

Everyone in the Mori family must die!

...

Northeast. Ice City.

While spring is in bloom in the south, it is still chilly here.

There is no snow, but the ground is still slippery. Everyone who walks has to be careful. So as not to fall. The ground is frozen. It is difficult to notice with the naked eye.

'Boss, is the borscht ready yet?'

'Coming!'

A plump Russian waitress with a round waist comes over with a tray and puts the borscht down heavily.

She then serves a plate piled high with red sausages. Then she twists her hips impatiently and leaves.

Behind her, two men wolf down their food.

They had eaten and drunk their fill.

One of the men looked around and whispered, 'Support will be here soon.'

'Good,' said the other man, 'I'll leave for Shanghai tonight. I hope to get good news there.'

'Remember: find a man called Zhang Yong. He knows more.'

'Zhang Yong. I'll remember. I'll find him.'

'If necessary, use any means. Just get the information.'

'Understood.'