Chapter 418: 90% truth

Silence.

Quiet.

Zhang Yong looks up at the sky.

Night. Not enchanting.

The night sky in Tianjin is full of chaotic stars, as if predicting an impending disaster.

In fact, there was still more than a year to go before the area would become completely occupied by the Japanese. The Japanese would trample every corner of the Pingjin area.

Homes would be destroyed and families torn apart.

People would suffer.

'You say the Japanese will occupy Pingjin completely?'

'Yes.'

'We also have an army.'

'It's no match.'

'So holding out in the city won't work?'

'It won't work.'

'Oh?'

Mr Qu's gaze was deep.

Zhang Yong lowered his head and drank his tea. He was trying to hide the embarrassing scene.

The senior management of the 29th Army had always hoped that peace talks could be resumed, even after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident.

They did not take the war preparations seriously.

By the time the Japanese army had completed its deployment, there was no chance of survival. In the end, they were defeated.

'You can go now!' Mr Qu was dispirited.

'Give me your phone number,' Zhang Yong said, 'and wait for my call. Send someone to collect the goods immediately.'

'The men will give it to you when you leave.'

'Goodbye!'

Zhang Yong then stood up.

Mei Xiao looked at him doubtfully. He felt that he had not said everything.

Zhang Yong shook his head.

Mr Qu probably felt that there was no point in continuing the conversation.

He probably still had confidence in holding Pingjin. He felt that they could at least resist for a while. This was probably the thinking of most people.

But in fact...

they could never have imagined the Japanese invaders' fighting power.

At the beginning of the war, it could be said without any hesitation that the Japanese army was absolutely crushing everything in its path. No one in East Asia was their match.

A Japanese brigade could take Wanping. A Japanese wing could deal with tens of thousands of Chinese troops.

A Japanese division could break through the entire province of Shanxi. A Japanese fifth division could sweep across most of China.

It was a cruel reality.

It was so cruel that it was hard to believe. It was hard to understand.

At the beginning of the war, no one could have imagined that the fighting power of the Japanese army would be so terrifying.

However, reality is reality.

After sacrificing countless martyrs, they finally had to accept the cruelty of reality.

They left the shop.

Sure enough, the shop assistant gave them a phone number. As soon as they left the sweet soup shop, they immediately replaced the wooden door.

'Where are we going now?'

'Back to 49 Shihu Street.'

'Okay!'

The two men returned to Shihu Street in the dark.

Yu Lexing had already arranged for the warehouse to be monitored.

Takashi Takeshita was not there.

'He left two hours ago.'

'Is the white sugar still there?'

'Yes. But I don't know how many guards are inside.'

'Seventeen. Seven Japanese. Ten others. They should all be armed. I'll tell you the exact location later.'

'Understood!'

Yu Lexing immediately felt relieved.

Before, they had been afraid to move because they weren't sure how many people were inside.

They couldn't act when they didn't know the enemy's situation.

Now Zhang Yong is here. The enemy situation is clear. Then they can arrange the operation.

However, it is indeed not easy to storm the gate.

First, they have to open the gate.

Before, they tricked the guards into opening the gate. This time, what method can they use to open the gate?

Everyone looks at Zhang Yong.

Zhang Yong: ???

What are you all looking at me for? I don't know either!

That kind of tricky operation last time may not work.

Fortunately...

He rolled his eyes and suddenly thought of a method.

There was nothing else to do but go up there and bang on the door, shouting, 'Open up! Open up! Open up!'

The whole thing was just a show of force.

And soon afterwards, the door did open.

The people inside remembered his voice. They knew he worked for Zhang Benzheng.

Takashi Takeshita's men were all Japanese. Naturally, they felt superior to Zhang Benzheng. They came out to teach him a lesson.

What's all the shouting in the middle of the night?

A Japanese soldier came out, impatiently shouting, 'Hagya! It's you again! What do you want?'

Zhang Yong smiled, 'When we evacuated earlier, we left some valuables behind...'

'Hagya!'

The Japanese soldier was furious. He turned around and left.

Zhang Yong quickly took out a bundle of Japanese yen and placed it in the palm of his hand.

The Japanese soldier looked down. His face immediately softened. It's Japanese yen! Oh. This can be discussed...

Cao Mengqi and the others took the opportunity to open the door from the side.

'Da da da...'

'Da da da...'

The Thompson submachine gun opened fire.

The Japanese man felt something was wrong. He then collapsed limp.

But he had been stabbed from the side.

Yu Le Xing did it.

A skilled stab to the neck. Killed instantly.

An old killer.

Skilled.

Mei Xiao: ...

Her eyes were terrified.

Her body could not help but tremble.

She had never seen a killing up close before. How could she not be afraid?

Fortunately, Zhang Yong had only knocked them out. That was the best outcome. Otherwise, if someone else had done the job, then...

This Zhang Yong really is...

Are all his subordinates so terrifying?

Killing someone is like killing a chicken...

Zhang Yong took Mei Xiao's hand and hid behind the nearby wall.

Fighting was not his forte.

Having Cao Mengqi and Yu Lexing was enough.

Armed to the teeth, they only need to get into the warehouse, and the rest will be easy.

The battle will be over in five minutes at most.

The guards inside never imagined that Zhang Benzheng's men would dare to take action against them. So, caught off guard, they were almost taken by surprise.

'Da da da...'

'Da da da...'

In the darkness, the lights flickered. The submachine gun became the king.

Zhang Yong silently monitors the map.

The red dot disappears...

The red dot disappears...

Eventually, all seven red dots disappear.

The other nine small white dots gradually disappear as well. But there is always one last one.

Huh?

Zhang Yong is puzzled.

This small white dot is very capable!

He watched it disappear.

Awesome!

It actually ran away?

Enter the warehouse.

'Don't chase!'

Zhang Yong hastily calls out to the person.

Enter the office and find that the phone is not damaged.

So he immediately dialed Mr. Qu's phone number. Soon, someone answered.

'It's done!'

'Come and move it now!'

'It must be moved tonight!'

Zhang Yong spoke quickly and decisively.

There was no response from the other end.

Zhang Yong put the phone down. Then he walked out.

Outside, there were the dismembered bodies of the enemy.

There were Japanese invaders.

There were traitors.

'Are there any casualties?'

'None!'

Cao Mengqi was very pleased.

If they couldn't kill the Japanese military police, they could kill the other Japanese soldiers!

The only loss was that the bullets were so fierce that they broke many sacks.

The white sugar inside the sacks leaked out silently.

Alas, it's a pity.

But there's nothing you can do, this is just war.

Dispose of the bodies.

Also clean up the traces at the scene.

Soon after, a lot of people came from the street corner. They were either carrying poles on their shoulders or pushing carts.

Well, it's Ba Laohu's men.

'Let's retreat!'

Zhang Yong waved his hand.

They left the rest to Ba Laohu.

They only needed to keep a watchful eye on the area. They just needed to keep the Japanese invaders away.

Suddenly, they noticed a group of burly men approaching.

Good guys. They were all shirtless. They had red cloths wrapped around their heads.

Very strong. Very burly. Their skin was tanned. They looked like they could fight very well.

However...

What's the use!

Not even a pistol.

They just carry a cleaver on their backs. The handle is tied with red silk.

How can they fight?

Use their bodies to block bullets?

It would be better to give each one a Czech-style pistol and enough ammunition.

With just a cleaver, do they really think they can kill the devils? Of course they can. But the efficiency is too low. Even if they die a hundred times, they may not be able to kill a single Japanese soldier.

It's been thirty years, and the Boxers still haven't improved!

One of the burly men is probably Tiger Ba.

Zhang Yong stops in his tracks.

'Are you Mr. Shao Long?' Tiger Ba is doubtful.

'My name is Zhang Yong. My courtesy name is Shao Long,' Zhang Yong replies calmly. 'I'm not that Mr. Shao Long. You're too kind.'

'Mr. Qu says you're a great talent. He must have his reasons for saying so.'

'I'm afraid I'm not a great talent. What should I call you?'

'Everyone calls me Tiger Ba.'

'Very well, I will call you Tiger Ba too. You should move the sugar as soon as possible. I will protect your safety.'

'Thank you. But I have brought enough manpower.'

'Very well.'

Zhang Yong said nothing.

Everyone has their own way of doing things. Everyone has their own thoughts.

Although they had obtained 400 tons of sugar, Tiger Ba might not be grateful.

This was often the case in the underworld.

If you want to truly establish a trusting relationship, there is only one thing to say: time reveals the heart of a person.

So they retreated.

Yu Lexing led the others to find a place to hide.

Zhang Yong and Mei Xiao returned to the Rixin Hotel.

They needed to change their appearance.

So they went back to her place. It was a small, exquisite loft.

There was no one else there. It was quiet.

So...

Something indescribable happened again.

Mei Xiao was so angry, she wanted to punch him. It was the middle of the night, and he was still fooling around.

But in the end, she couldn't argue with him. She had to give in.

I don't know how long it took...

she finally had the strength to help him change his appearance.

He sat there obediently, letting her do her thing.

As a result...

she was so angry that she made him look like an old man.

When she looked in the mirror, she saw that he looked like a man in his fifties or sixties. His hair was even a little grey.

'Is this a wig?' Zhang Yong asked curiously.

He wasn't angry.

He felt that this disguise was not bad.

No normal person would be able to recognise him as Zhang Yong in a short time.

It seems that the better the craftsmanship, the angrier the beauty gets!

'Don't pull so hard. It will fall off,' Mei Xia reminded him, frowning. 'When you walk, don't run, don't walk briskly...'

'Understood. I'll be careful,' Zhang Yong readily agreed.

He felt quite amused.

This was the first time he had disguised himself as someone else.

He had never disguised himself before. He had always appeared in his true form.

Now he can finally try out all the amazing disguise techniques from spy dramas.

The kind where your wife doesn't recognise you.

Awesome, right?

'If you meet someone you know, you have to be especially careful,' Mei Xiao continued, 'an acquaintance doesn't need to see your appearance, they can suspect you just from your movements.'

'It's fine. I'll be able to fake it,' Zhang Yong replied seriously.

'And your voice.'

'Can I change that?'

'You'll just have to figure it out yourself.'

'Great!'

Zhang Yong stood up.

He deliberately stooped. He imitated the walk of an old person. Slow. Unsteady.

Mei Xiao: ...

'No need to exaggerate. You're not seventy years old!'

'Then a bit faster?'

'Yes!'

'Not so fast...'

'Oh...'

Mei Xiao seemed to correct him.

Zhang Yong cooperated fully. He was a quick learner.

Mei Xiao didn't get angry.

Well. He's not a complete idiot.

Generally speaking, as long as there is no long-term contact, there shouldn't be any problems.

If you want to die, but you insist on having long-term contact with acquaintances, then no amount of amazing disguise techniques can save you. Disguise is not the same as having 72 transformations.

Pack up.

Mei Xiao also packed up briefly.

She dressed up a little to look more mature. She did it in a very rich way.

It just so happened that Zhang Yong's personal space had some jewellery and other things. They had been there for a long time.

It seemed that they had been swallowed from Wu Yuanfu's 'Little White Palace'.

It just so happened that they were worn by Mei Xiao.

In an instant, Mei Xiao was transformed from a sparrow into a phoenix, and she was on the branch.

Those emeralds and jade were all the real thing. There was no pretence. Anyone who knew their stuff would recognise them at a glance.

Mei Xiao's status as a noblewoman was naturally confirmed.

'You're still wearing jewellery?'

Mei Xiao felt incredulous.

Did Zhang Yong have a kaleidoscope on his person?

He had everything!

The only thing on this guy's person was a set of Zhongshan suits!

There was a Browning pistol stuck in his waistband. Apart from that, she didn't see any other items.

Could it be that this guy was a conjurer?

'Oh, I learned it from a troupe when I was on the Bund,' Zhang Yong casually explained, 'a distraction.'

'Teach me, teach me,' Mei Xiao was very eager to learn.

'You have to start learning when you're three years old. It won't work if you're too old.'

'You're lying.'

'Really. That's what my master said.'

'You...'

Mei Xiao suspected that the other person was lying to her. However, she could find no convincing evidence.

Every school and every trade had its own rules. Some of these rules were truly unbelievable. Outsiders simply could not understand them. She had to give up the idea.

The two returned to the Rixin Hotel.

They used their new identities, of course. They pretended to be a couple who had returned from studying abroad.

The documents were, of course, provided by Chen Gongshu.

It was not difficult to obtain some documents at the large Tianjin Station.

They checked in without any problems.

Their room was next to the original one.

After entering the room, Zhang Yong silently checked the information about the entire hotel.

There were many red dots.

This indicated that there were Japanese everywhere.

He carefully observed the movements of each Japanese person.

Each Japanese person was likely to be hiding wealth.

The Nissin Hotel was a gathering place for more Japanese businessmen, or businessmen from the Korean Peninsula or the three provinces of Northeast China.

The Japanese concession was indeed safe. However, it was not that free.

For example, if you want to call a few pretty girls for a bit of fun, the Japanese military police will have to scrutinise the situation for a long time.

If you want to call a troupe of actors or organise some other entertainment, that's even less likely.

The entire Japanese concession is dead quiet. The Japanese are 'working hard to improve the situation' and outwardly are very averse to all kinds of entertainment.

Suddenly, a series of red dots come in from outside.

Zhang Yong raises his binoculars to observe. Could it be Takeshita Takashi's convoy?

Unfortunately, he couldn't see Takeshita get out of the car.

He walked deliberately to the outside corridor and observed the lobby on the first floor. Sure enough, he saw Takeshita entering with his subordinates.

To his surprise, there was another acquaintance.

Takeo Kishida!

He actually followed Takeshita here.

It seems that this Takeshita has a significant relationship with Takeo Kishida.

Zhang Yong secretly targeted Takeo Kishida. He waited silently for Takeo Kishida to become unaccompanied. As it turned out, the opportunity really came.

Perhaps it was because this was the Nissin Hotel, and Kishida Takeo was careless. He actually went to the toilet alone. When he came out, he happened to need to turn a corner. Zhang Yong was ambushing him behind the wall.

'Po!'

One blow. Kishida Takeo was knocked unconscious.

Zhang Yong quickly helped him up. Carried on his shoulders. Then went upstairs.

From the outside, it looked like Kishida Takeo had just had a bit too much to drink. He was being helped back to his room by his friend. This kind of scene is not uncommon in the Hotel Nissin.

When Zhang Yong met people on the way, he gave a little helpless smile.

It was as if he was saying, 'He's drunk again. I really can't do anything about him. Never mind. Can you give me a hand?'

In the end, everyone just smiled, showed understanding, and stepped aside, inviting him to go first. But no one would help carry him. Anyone with experience knows that a drunk person is dead weight.

Zhang Yong helped Takeshi Kishida back to his room.

Mei Xiao: ?

Shocked.

Why did he bring someone back?

Who is this person?

Zhang Yong threw Takeshi Kishida on the sofa. He panted. He drank water.

It's true that carrying someone back is a bit tiring.

'Who is he?'

'Japanese.'

'What does he do?'

'Japanese spy.'

'Ah...'

Mei Xiao was speechless.

Zhang Yong had captured a Japanese spy and brought him back to his room?

Wouldn't that be a big reveal?

Did he want to silence the witness after the interrogation?

Rambling...

'Wake up!'

'Wake up!'

Zhang Yong patted Takeshi Kishida's face hard.

Takeshi Kishida woke up dazedly.

'Who are you?'

'I'm Zhang Yong. We're old friends.'

'What?'

Takeshi Kishida was shocked.

Zhang Yong?

Oh no!

Has he captured him again?

He looks around confused.

Yes, he has been captured again.

There is no one around him. Even if there were, they would be Zhang Yong's people.

He looks at Zhang Yong.

They don't look alike. But they are the same height, build and movement. Especially the voice is unmistakably his. Even if Zhang Yong were to turn into ashes, Takeo Kishida would still recognise his voice.

Zhang Yong asks, 'What are you doing here?'

'Takeshita Takashi said that a shipment of sugar was stolen,' Takeshi Kishida replied dejectedly.

'Have you found out any more?'

'Not yet.'

'So what do you think happened?'

'I don't know,'

Takeshi Kishida shook his head.

He was at a loss. How would he know what happened? He hadn't even started investigating yet!

'I did it.'

'What? You robbed Takeshita Takashi?'

'No. To be precise, Takeshita Takashi provided me with the information, and then I robbed Harimoto Masashi...'

'Wait...'

Takeo Kishida felt his mind lagging behind.

Whose goods were they? Masashi Harimoto's?

"This shipment of sugar was originally Masashi Harimoto's. I led a group of men to attack the warehouse and killed the guards inside. Then, pretending to be Masashi Harimoto's men, we sold the sugar to Wang Zhulin. But Wang Zhulin didn't move the goods immediately, and as a result, Takashi Takeshita got involved. He also wanted it. So, I sold it to him again. Do you understand?'

'It seems a bit clear...'

Takeshi Kishida seemed to understand but not really. He didn't even want to understand.

Because he felt that everyone in there was mentally retarded. How could they be so easily played by Zhang Yong?

You guys should at least have normal IQs...

But for some reason, he suddenly thought about his own bad luck...

Forget it, forget about IQ.

He has already been caught twice. What face does he have to mention intelligence? Unwittingly, I am disheartened and doubt life.

'Then why did Takashita Takashi say that the goods were recovered?'

'What? Recovered?'

Zhang Yong pretends to be stupid.

This is the most critical step.

I did everything before. But I didn't do the last step.

I told 90% of the truth. But the remaining 10% is a lie. In this way, it will be very, very difficult for others to distinguish the lies.

'You don't know?'

'I sold the goods to Takashita Takashi and I left!'

'You left?'

'Yes! Takashita Takashi saw me leave with his own eyes.'

'Then...'

Kishida Takeo fainted.

That meant that the attacker who came later was actually not Zhang Yong.

Zhang Yong had told him everything that had happened earlier. There was no need to hide the latter. Anyway, he could do nothing to him.

'What happened later?' Zhang Yong showed curiosity.

'Takashi Takeshita said that the guards he left behind were killed. Only one person managed to escape. The report said that it was Zhang Ben Zheng's men who did it.' Takeo Kishida's head was spinning.

'Where is the goods?'

'It was all moved away. What's left is scattered all over the place.'

'I don't have that many people!'

Zhang Yong frowned.

Takeo Kishida was then convinced.

Yes. Zhang Yong could have killed the people. But moving the goods, definitely not him.

This Zhang Yong does not have that many people to move 400 tons of sugar.

He is an outsider.

Where would an outsider find so many people to help?

Therefore, it must be done by a local.

Perhaps it was Zhang Ben Zheng?

Kishida Takeo did not dare to doubt easily. After all, there is no evidence. However, it is true that Zhang Ben Zheng is the most suspicious.

It is possible that Zhang Benzheng himself was confused. He thought that the warehouse had been occupied by the enemy. So he launched a counterattack. Later, it turned out that it was Takashi Takeshita's people. He realised that he had made a mistake. In order to avoid being blamed by the Japanese, he resolutely denied it. He refused to admit it. At the same time, he removed all the white sugar. So as to avoid being confiscated by the Japanese.

That was such a large quantity of sugar, worth nearly 100,000 silver taels. No one could resist the temptation.

This explanation is the most reasonable. It is the most likely.

'You can go!'

Zhang Yong waved his hand.

Kishida Takeo: ?

What?

You're letting me go so easily?

Did you just drag me here to have a little chat? Why?

My head hurts...

Next time, can you just say hello?

Don't smash people's heads so easily. What if you get a concussion? I didn't say I wouldn't cooperate...

More depressed...

'I just wanted to invite you over to tell you something.'

'Then I'll go.'

Kishida Takeo carefully turned around and left.

Fortunately, nothing happened.

He touched the back of his head, which still ached slightly. He was so frustrated that he wanted to bang his head against the wall.

He was finished. He had been caught for the second time.

He had not even figured out what was going on, and he had already been caught.

Could it be that Zhang Yong was really his nemesis? In front of him, all resistance was meaningless?

Sigh...

He walked out. He saw Takashita Takashi looking for him. So he forced himself to perk up.

'Kishida-kun, where have you been?'

'I went to find an informant to find out what happened.'

'Did you find out anything?'

'I got a preliminary understanding that Zhang Yong was involved. But the person who ended up taking the sugar wasn't this Zhang Yong.'

'Who is this Zhang Yong?'

'He is the leader of the secret service division of the Fuxing Society. He came from Jinling.'

'It's not him! It definitely wasn't him!'

Takeshita Takashi shook his head repeatedly.

Someone from outside the area couldn't have pulled off such a big job.

It must be Zhang Ben Zheng!

It's definitely Zhang Ben Zheng!

Takashi Takeshita was convinced that it was Zhang Ben Zheng. He must be made to pay for his losses!

"It's definitely Zhang Ben Zheng!'

'It's definitely him!'

'I demand to confront Zhang Ben Zheng!'

Takashi Takeshita roared.

Takeo Kishida: ...

This is a problem.

He doesn't have the authority to do that.

He can't just arrest Zhang Ben Zheng.

What should he do?

He'll have to report the truth to the military police headquarters.