Chapter 741: Intelligence Trading

'What did Zhang Yong say?'

'That bastard actually wants us to pay 50,000 US dollars!'

'That much?'

'So I told him to go to hell!'

'This...'

'What, you're willing to give him 50,000 US dollars?'

'If he doesn't get in the way of our big plans, 50,000 US dollars isn't that much...'

'No way. I won't agree to that!'

'We want to do big things. If he finds out anything...'

'Don't worry. He's just a money-grubber. He's not very capable. If it really comes to it, I'd rather pay a few tens of thousands of dollars to hire a hitman to get rid of him.'

'Be careful...'

'With 10,000 dollars, you can definitely find the best hitman.'

'Be careful...'

'That's enough. You don't need to worry about him. I'll take full responsibility. You just focus on planning how to deal with He Jingzhi. This time, we must smear him so badly that Chiang will have no time to worry about him. It will facilitate the actions of the army.'

'He Jian of Xiangnan is the key. If the Gui faction fails to defeat He Jian in time...'

'Then Li Bai is incompetent.'

'Sigh...'

Silence.

For a long time.

'Why don't we make contact with Zhang Yong officially? He wants money, doesn't he? Give him a few hundred thousand and he'll defect and work for us!'

'A few hundred thousand is not out of the question. But we need to find out more about him first.'

'Then I'll find someone to make contact with him in secret.'

'Good. But don't let us get caught.'

'Understood.'

'If he doesn't get the message, I'll really get someone to take care of him!'

'Okay...'

...

'Achoo!'

'Achoo!'

Zhang Yong sneezed repeatedly.

He couldn't help but touch his nose. Could it be that his rhinitis had flared up again?

The weather was quite nice today. It was nighttime, but it wasn't that cold. The concession was also quite lively. Especially in front of the Hotel Moderne.

At first, Zhang Yong was curious about where the name 'Matryoshka' came from. It was so hard to pronounce. Later, he was told that it was actually the English word 'modern' translated into Russian, and then the Russian word translated into Chinese. The result was very difficult to pronounce. It was the same as someone being translated into Chang Kaishen.

Looking through the window, he saw people coming and going.

Hey, I didn't expect that the Matryoshka Hotel would be so lively.

There were so many beautiful young Belarusian girls...

There were also many dancers, each dressed up in their finery, walking through the crowd like butterflies.

There was so much delicious food...

caviar, borscht, blinis...

And there were piles of sausages that looked as if they were about to roll off the plate...

Even the air was filled with the smell of luxury.

Outside the hotel stood two bald and strong men. They were obviously Russians. Just look at the size of them...

Well, I need to investigate. It's difficult. I don't think anyone will be equipped with

The name 'Fuxing Society Secret Service' is basically useless here.

It might even backfire.

What to do?

He can only go in by himself.

Outsmarting...

Yes, outsmarting...

Arrange something. Zhang Yong goes in alone.

As he enters, he casually gives each of the two burly men two silver dollars.

Not too much, not too little. Not attracting attention. But also not being difficult. Sure enough, he is let through smoothly.

He entered the hotel.

The first thing he saw was the telephone at the reception desk.

He assumed that this was the telephone he had used. However, the receptionist probably couldn't remember.

There were so many people coming and going, who could possibly remember?

So he didn't bother asking.

Instead, he looked at the beautiful women.

The receptionists were all beautiful white Russian women. One of them was outstandingly beautiful. She was tall, slender and graceful, with a slim figure and beautiful face.

Her snow-white skin was so translucent that it looked as if it had been created using computer-generated imagery.

He couldn't help but stare. As a result, the beauty also saw him and smiled politely at him.

Zhang Yong immediately returned the friendly smile.

And then...

There was no then.

The beautiful Belarusian went about her business. Ignoring him.

Zhang Yong looked around. He didn't notice anything unusual. So he found a corner and sat down. Just in time to see the hotel entrance.

The map showed it. There was a red dot coming in from the outside.

He sits down and observes the situation in secret. He discovers that the red dot is a man in a suit. He is quite smartly dressed.

But there is something strange about him. It is not raining outside. However, he is holding a long umbrella in his hand.

The umbrella is black. It is opaque. The handle is also black.

Unwittingly, Zhang Yong's attention is drawn to the umbrella. Could it be that there is some secret to this umbrella?

Perhaps it is just like what is described in martial arts novels, and there is a sword inside.

In one of the TV series about Swallow Eagle, there was a villain called Old Master Du. His weapon of choice was an umbrella?

He seems like a master.

When the Japanese invaders came in, they looked around too.

Zhang Yong pretended to look at the beautiful white Russian woman. It was a perfect cover-up.

However, unfortunately, Zhang Yong inadvertently noticed that the beautiful white Russian woman's gaze seemed to follow the Japanese invader.

He was secretly unhappy.

Could it be that this beautiful white Russian woman likes this Japanese invader?

Damn it.

This is a rival in love!

No doubt about it, he must be killed!

For both public and private reasons, this guy must disappear without a trace.

Observe in secret.

Discover that the Japanese invader has gone upstairs in the elevator. Arrived on the fourth floor. Then entered a room.

Because he is not familiar with the internal structure of the Hotel Matelot, Zhang Yong is unable to determine which room it is, but he has a way to find out.

Stand up and walk over.

He took out two silver dollars and placed them on the counter.

In front of him was, of course, the tall white Russian beauty.

'Hello, sir...'

'I want to book your entire fourth floor.'

'All the rooms?'

'Yes. I want all the rooms. The entire fourth floor. No one else.'

'I'm sorry, but room 408 is already occupied. Is there any way...'

'Can you ask him to change rooms?'

'Sir, I need to check before I can answer you.'

'Okay. Thanks. There's only one guest in room 408 on the fourth floor, right? No one else in the other rooms?'

'Yes.'

'Good. Here's my deposit.'

Zhang Yong took out five 10-dollar bills and handed them to the white Russian woman. She politely accepted them.

After a brief registration, Zhang Yong returned.

So the Japanese spy was staying in room 408! Haha. Fifty dollars was lost.

But never mind. Once I've dealt with this guy, I'll make more than fifty dollars. You have to be willing to give a little to get a little.

Back to his seat. Sits down.

Suddenly, someone sits down in front of him. And smiles at him.

Zhang Yong: ?

Huh? Who?

Calm down. Look carefully.

Oh, it's another beautiful woman!

She was the British journalist, Catherine. She was also an MI7 agent.

However, Zhang Yong always felt that she might not be a professional agent. Perhaps, like himself, she was a part-time agent. She might be a temporary worker at MI7.

On the contrary, that Dickens might be a professional. That guy was deeply hidden in his work.

'Hello, beautiful Miss Catherine,' Zhang Yong said with a smile. Suddenly, some thoughts popped into his head.

If he were to investigate, who would pay the foreign newspaper to publish negative news about Minister He? Most foreigners would not cooperate.

However, if Catherine were to take the lead, it would be much easier. The prerequisite was that a small amount of money had to be prepared.

This Miss Catherine was also a master of asking for a lot.

'Mr. Zhang,' Catherine beamed, as if a miser had seen a treasure.

Zhang Yong suddenly felt bad.

That damned look.

Usually, it is him who looks at the fat lamb.

Unexpectedly, one day, he was also targeted. It's over.

No way.

Not a single penny can be given.

Last time in Tianjin, he was inexperienced and was extorted a lot by her. Even now, it still hurts to think about it.

No money. Then what? The other party is also a guy who won't do anything for free.

After thinking about it, he finally decided to give her some information.

Information for information.

Luckily, the information he had fabricated could come in handy.

He checked his belongings and found the blank piece of paper with the information on the battleship.

There was no specific model number on the blank piece of paper. However, Zhang Yong judged for himself that it should be the German Bismarck-class battleship.

In fact, it didn't matter what the specific model was. As long as it was real, that was fine.

The British were most concerned about this right now. After all, they still wanted to maintain their position as the maritime hegemon.

The First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, was obsessed with battleships. He had strongly opposed the construction of aircraft carriers.

So, at that time, in the minds of all the naval powers, battleships were still the boss. Note, all of them. This included the maritime powers of the UK, the USA, France, Germany, Japan and Italy. There were almost no generals who could foresee that aircraft carriers would dominate the oceans.

In the field of the army, at least Patton realised the importance of tanks. However, in the naval field, although aircraft carriers had appeared, they had never been given a precise role. Until the outbreak of the war, the British aircraft carrier Ark Royal still played a supporting role. Although it eventually sank the Bismarck.

It was not until after the Battle of Midway that most generals woke up to the fact that aircraft carriers were the real main force, and battleships were sitting ducks in the face of carrier-based aircraft. However, the gap had already widened.

In terms of warship construction capacity alone, the United States is superior to all other countries combined. In just three years, it has produced more than 20 Essex-class aircraft carriers. There are also more than 100 auxiliary escort carriers. With such a terrifying number, it can fight seven ruthless enemies without any problem.

However,

right now,

information on battleships is still the most valuable.

And among the British people's top concerns, Germany and Japan, information on the Germans' battleships is the most closely watched.

After all, Britain and Germany have always been sworn enemies. Irreconcilable.

'Miss Katherine, I have some information I'd like to share with you,' Zhang Yong said, throwing out the bait.

'Great! Let's sit down and talk,' Katherine said with a smile, 'the man is buying.'

'Okay,' Zhang Yong nodded.

So they went to the restaurant and found a seat.

The restaurant and the hotel lobby were separated by transparent glass.

From Zhang Yong's seat, you can still see the reception desk. And the beautiful white Russian woman.

The waiter brings the menu. Katherine starts ordering...

'This...'

'This...'

'This...'

Zhang Yong: ...

Damn. This woman. She's cutting me off again.

You tell me, they're all beautiful women, why is she targeting herself in particular?

Hmph, the British Empire is so great?

Okay, it is great. At this very moment, the British are still dreaming of world domination.

In their eyes, China is a foolish, backward, feudalistic existence. Even though they have a queen of their own, they consider themselves the most democratic and free. The Royal Navy of the British Empire can indeed put up a struggle.

Although their battleship HMS Prince of Wales was sunk just after the war began, in the Atlantic Ocean the Royal Navy can still suppress the German Navy's surface ships to the point where they cannot move. They can only fight with submarines.

'Miss Catherine, this meal will cost me at least twenty dollars.'

'Mr Zhang, I hear you are a master at extorting money. You won't be so stingy over just twenty dollars, will you?'

'Is the British Secret Service also that stingy when buying intelligence?'

'That depends on the value of the information.'

'It's about battleships, of course.'

'Inaccurate information is useless.'

'My information is of course accurate. I can reveal one thing first. The Japanese are designing and building the world's largest battleship with a displacement of 70,000 tons.'

'Is that all?'

'Of course. Other information needs to be purchased.'

'Mr Zhang, although I am not a naval professional, I also know that there are no battleships in the world with a displacement of more than 50,000 tons.'

'Therefore, this information is very valuable. I hope to sell it for 500,000 pounds.'

'500,000 pounds. I like it.'

'I also have information about the latest battleship designed and built by the Germans.'

'Mr Zhang, you may be overthinking things. No one will believe the information you provide. You can't possibly have information about the Japanese or the Germans.'

'I've said all I need to say. You can verify it for yourselves. I can wait patiently.'

'So what information do you want in exchange?'

'It's very simple. Someone published negative news about Minister He of our Military and Political Department in your foreign newspapers, and I want to know who is behind it.'

'Actually, Mr Zhang, this matter doesn't need to be so complicated. For just 500 US dollars, I can find out for you. 500 US dollars, just one day's work. Mr Zhang, don't you want to try?'

'I don't want to pay.'

'But you want 500,000 pounds.'

'Yes.'

'Have you read Balzac's novels?'

'Zha what ke?'

'You don't know?'

'I know someone called Zuckerberg.'

'I'm talking about Scrooge. A miser. Greedy. Crazy about money.'

'Oh. And?'

'You are the Oriental Scrooge. More greedy, mean and cunning than Scrooge.'

'Oh, I think that's a compliment. Miss Catherine, when you were in Tientsin, you seemed even greedier than me!'

'I am a lady. You shouldn't talk about me like that.'

'Actually, Miss Catherine, since we both like money so much, we could cooperate perfectly. We could make a fortune selling information.'

'I'm sorry, Mr Zhang, but you may have misunderstood. Actually, I'm not an official MI7 agent. I'm just a photographer they hired. For information trading and the like, I suggest you go to Dickens.'

'I'm not interested in men.'

'So you are interested in my beauty?'

'Yes. I've always liked dealing with beautiful ladies. For example, that beautiful white Russian.'

Zhang Yong nudged the receptionist.

That white Russian girl is really beautiful! Much prettier than Natasha.

Natasha is also quite attractive. But she is really a workaholic and usually doesn't take care of herself. So she is in no way comparable to the white Russian girl in front of her.

'So you like Aphrodite too. She really is a very pretty girl. But the men who like her can be lined up from the Far East to Europe. What can you do to win her over?'

'I have a gun. And money.'

'On the Bund, there are plenty of people with guns and money. But she's still fine. Why do you think that is?'

'Oh? Tell me?'

'Do you know Denikin?'

'Kolchak?'

'Very good. Since you know, I won't tell you. Anyway, she is not an easy person. Behind her, there are many Russian wanderers. If you want to conquer her, I can only wish you luck.'

'Thank you.'

Zhang Yong raised his glass.

In fact, he was facing Aphrodite. Unfortunately, Aphrodite couldn't see him.

After all, they were separated by glass. And Aphrodite was unlikely to notice that someone in the restaurant was raising a glass to her. She was entertaining guests.

'I can ask for you.'

'What?'

'Who wants to publish the scandal about your minister.'

'Thank you.'

'Actually, I also have a project that I would like to cooperate with Mr. Zhang.'

'What project?'

'The German Gestapo is in your Shanghai. Do you know?'

'I heard about it. But I haven't seen anyone yet. It is said to be for the Thunderstorm Project.'

'If you can provide some valuable information in this regard, perhaps someone will consider paying you in pounds.'

'How much?'

'Five thousand pounds is a starting point. There is no upper limit.'

'Okay. It's a deal.'

Zhang Yong looked calm.

But inside, he was secretly happy.

Mom, yeah, after all this time, is there finally going to be income from the Big Thunderstorm Project?

Ah...

I'm so looking forward to it...