Chapter 417: The Tianjin Defence is in a storm

Takashita Takashi wants to get hold of the sugar?

Dream on. Zhang Yong will never let the Japanese get a single bit of it.

That sugar is a strategic resource, and it's very important. It would be a shame to destroy it. We should find a way to put it to use. Of course, it should be used by our own people.

It would be best if it fell into the hands of the local defenders. But we can't just give it to them openly.

Otherwise, the Japanese will definitely use this as an excuse. They will exert pressure desperately. Maybe the senior management of the 29th Army can't stand it anymore. And they will hand over the sugar. Then all the effort will be for nothing.

'Shaolong, what else do you have planned?'

'Continue selling it once more.'

'What?'

Yu Lexing and Mei Xiaomian looked at each other in confusion.

The others said they didn't understand at all. What did he mean by selling it once more?

Sell the white sugar to a third person?

Oh no!

Who would fall for that?

While others are getting three bites of the fish, you're selling the sugar three times?

Yu Lesheng felt that it was too much.

Let's just call it a day!

If you sell it again, it may cause complications.

Wang Zhulin bought it but didn't ship it. Later, Takashi Takeshita came and snatched the goods. This already involved two families. Knowing the truth, they would probably fight like fire in the water.

Plus, the sugar was originally Zhang Benzheng's. Zhang Benzheng, Wang Zhulin, and Takeshita Takashi... It's impossible not to get into trouble.

I'm afraid the Japanese secret service will go crazy and try to investigate the truth.

'Who are you going to sell it to?'

'Ba Laohu.'

'Huh?'

Everyone looked at each other.

Sell it to Ba Laohu? The boxer? Tie Xian Quan? Do they have money? Can they afford it?

It's tens of thousands of silver dollars!

I don't think Tiger Ba can afford it.

'No hurry!'

'Come on, let's split the loot!'

Zhang Yong smiles and changes the subject.

One fish, three meals. No, one candy, three sales. There's no rush.

It's getting dark again. Time for dinner. After a long day, you have to make up for lost time at night.

You have to work, you have to earn money, you have to eat well, you have to...

In fact, Zhang Yong feels that life is now very free. There is no supervision.

Both Chu Zuo and Li Boqi are far away.

Chen Gongshu is not his superior. He has no right to supervise him. And he doesn't want to.

Yu Lexing is the action instructor. He is only responsible for actions. He basically doesn't comment on what to do. He just gets on with it.

'Where is the best hot pot?'

'What?'

'It's getting cold, so I'm treating everyone to hot pot.'

'That...'

Everyone looked at each other again.

Isn't it a bit high-profile for so many people to go out for hotpot together?

What if the Japanese secret service finds out...

'It's fine.'

But Zhang Yong took the blame.

He wasn't afraid of the Japanese attacking now. He hoped the Japanese would come.

You can see that Cao Mengqi's mood isn't very high. Why? Because Cao is obsessed with wanting to kill the Japanese.

He had such a good time killing the Japanese military police before. He's not even tired of it yet!

If the Japanese military police come again, it will give Lao Cao the chance to let off some steam. It will fully satisfy this guy's desire to go to war.

Even if the Japanese knew, so what?

I, Zhang Yong, am in Tianjin. If you're capable, come and get me. If you're capable, come within 300 metres first.

It would be best to transfer all the Japanese spies in Beiping. Distract the tiger from the mountain. General Cai's side will be safe.

'Then let's have mutton hotpot!'

'Good. We'll book the whole place!'

Zhang Yong decided with a smile.

They found a slightly remote hotpot restaurant and really booked the whole place.

Since they were all agents of the Fuxing Society, they naturally didn't want to show their faces. Booking the whole place would prevent unrelated outsiders from entering.

The popularity rate of cameras was very low these days. Ordinary people definitely didn't have any. Therefore, there was no such thing as secret filming. Moreover, the cameras of this era made a lot of noise when taking pictures and would be discovered immediately.

The boss was given a 100 silver dollar banknote. Then lamb and side dishes were served in an endless stream.

With 100 silver dollars, there was enough for more than 50 people.

Evenly divided, that was almost two silver dollars per person. A whole lamb cost only five silver dollars.

'This is too much...' Mei Xiao whispered.

'I have money,' Zhang Yong said, covering her mouth.

They were all bank notes from the Baoshang Bank, which could not be taken out of North China. If not now, when?

In terms of other abilities, he was indeed mediocre. But when it came to robbing money, he was absolutely top-notch. No one could outdo him. Especially robbing Japanese money. That was definitely a piece of cake.

The map's filtering function was already extremely powerful, and now there was an internal monitor that didn't work at all times of the year?

Amongst all the confusing information, if you hear just one useful piece, it's immensely useful. Just listen to this address, 100,000 taels of silver is in your hands.

He's so pleased.

If he doesn't spend it all, how can he hold back?

After all, he's still a commoner!

What psychological qualities.

What stoicism in the face of danger.

What composure in a crisis.

What equanimity in the face of praise and abuse.

None of that exists.

He gets depressed. He gets grumpy. He gets happy. He gets carried away. He gets infatuated with pretty women.

Apart from not smoking or drinking, he has every other vice.

That is, unless Yu Lexing is there to talk him down. Otherwise, I reckon he could be so carried away that his tail could go up to the sky. He really is a bit of a flight risk.

While eating, he hands out money.

'Here! This is yours!'

'Here! This is yours!'

Zhang Yong gave everyone a silver banknote without any hesitation. They were all from Citibank.

The banknotes from the merchant guild could not be taken back to Jiangnan. But the Citibank ones could definitely be. So: everyone gets a share.

At least one for each person. That's 200 silver dollars.

The backbone doubled.

Those who killed the Japanese invaders before all got an increase.

Mei Xiao also got one. She was also given a share. 200 silver dollars. It made her happy.

Hey, this isn't a handout from him. It's a fair distribution. She now belongs to the 'support staff' of the Special Services Department of the Restoration Society.

Supporting whom?

Supporting him. Zhang Yong.

So...

Eat as much as you like.

Eat lamb happily.

Take the silver coupons happily.

You can do whatever you want, except drink and gamble.

Eat and drink to your heart's content. Get ready to work.

Zhang Yong asked Yu Le Xing to arrange for someone to continue to keep an eye on the sugar warehouse.

'No problem.'

'Also, keep a close eye on Takeshita Takashi's movements.'

'Why keep an eye on him?'

'After we sell the sugar, arrest Takeshita Takashi.'

'What?'

Everyone looked at each other again.

Mei Xiao stared with wide eyes.

Arrest Takeshita Takashi?

This Zhang Yong really does turn on a dime.

They've just received 75,000 taels of silver from Takeshita Takashi, and now they want to arrest him?

It feels like their thinking is completely unable to keep up...

'That's right. Arrest Takezaka Takashi,' Zhang Yong said slowly, "and we must capture him alive.'

'That's going to be difficult," Yu Lexi frowned, 'Takezaka Takashi seems to have quite a few experts around him. And he's carrying so many weapons. It's a last-ditch struggle, and we won't be able to handle it.'

'Of course it won't work on Shihu Street. But what if it were to happen at the Nissin Hotel?'

'What?'

Mei Xiao's first reaction was that this guy was crazy.

He actually wanted to arrest Takezaka Takashi inside the Nissin Hotel?

He's crazy!

It's too risky.

What kind of place is the Nissin Hotel?

It's Japanese territory!

If you make a move there, the slightest stir will cause a huge commotion.

Even if you can catch Takeshita, you may not be able to get him out of the Nissin Hotel.

It's too dangerous.

'Why do we want to catch him?'

'To rip him off!'

'Er...'

Everyone was speechless.

It's that reason again.

By the way, isn't Zhang Yong's intelligence being used in the wrong place?

He is only thinking about making money. It seems like he is not using his talents in the right way.

"How do we arrest him?'

'I will discuss this with Mei Xiao and we will proceed accordingly.'

'It's too risky. I don't agree.'

Yu Le Xing refused.

He was worried about Zhang Yong's safety.

It might be possible for you to enter the Rixin Hotel quietly and lie low.

During this period, it is best not to show your face easily. Otherwise, once you are recognised, it will be extremely troublesome.

Although Zhang Yong has never been seen in public since arriving in Tianjin, and the Japanese should not have any photos of him, he will not be easily recognised.

But what if?

What if the Japanese have a good portrait artist?

Some very talented portrait artists can capture the essence of a person's appearance with just a description, without ever meeting the person.

If the Japanese circulate a portrait of Zhang Yong, he will be exposed.

'Don't worry. My wife can disguise herself.'

'Really?'

Yu Lexi looked at Mei Xiao.

It seemed that she did know a little about disguise.

She was in charge of the previous disguise. But it was hard to say how good she was.

Disguise was something that could be useful or useless. It depended on whether the person opposite was really stupid or just pretending to be. With someone like Zhang Yong, no amount of disguise would work.

Otherwise, how would the three sisters have become prisoners?

'I only know a little,' said Mei Xiao, who was not confident.

The shock of being hit with a club was still there.

The three sisters had all been hit with clubs. What was the point of changing one's appearance? She seriously doubted herself.

'That's enough,' said Zhang Yong, very calm.

He wasn't pretending to be a Japanese.

He was simply changing his appearance. Just so that people wouldn't recognise him at first glance.

For example, add a moustache, add some yellow wax...

'I'll give it a try then!'

Mei Xiao had to muster her energy. But she didn't have her tools.

Her disguise tools were all at her home. She hadn't brought them with her.

However...

Zhang Yong's thoughts jumped again.

'Can you contact Tiger Ba?'

'What for?'

'To sell him sugar! Didn't I just say that?'

'But he doesn't have that much money.'

'Just 20,000 silver dollars.'

'20,000...'

Mei Xiao pondered for a moment.

She didn't really know Tiger Ba very well.

But if she was to go find him, she could find him.

Split up.

Yu Lexing continues to monitor No. 49 Shihu Street. Keep an eye on Takashi Takeshita.

Zhang Yong and Mei Xiao come to find Tiger Ba.

Smear the mud. They arrive at a sweet soup shop. The shop assistant is about to close up. Mei Xiao rushes up to stop him.

'I'm looking for Mr Qu.'

'And you are...'

'Plum Blossom Lane 3.'

'Please follow me!'

The shop assistant looked around, let them enter the sweet shop. Then he closed the wooden door.

Bolted the door. Only then did he lead them into the back room.

Zhang Yong: ? ?

What?

Plum Blossom Three Ways?

Does that mean the three sisters?

Haha.

Then I'll Three Ways Plum Blossom...

Suddenly, he felt a pain in his waist and was choked by her.

It turned out that Mei Xiao, seeing Zhang Yong's lecherous gaze, immediately thought about what this guy was thinking.

He must have been thinking some dirty thoughts. So she gave him a little lesson.

Zhang Yong gritted his teeth in pain. He endured it angrily. He would get it back when he had the chance.

After walking through a narrow alley, the view suddenly opened up. It was actually a small, lush courtyard.

You have to understand that it is already October, late autumn in the north, and the leaves have already started to turn yellow. Many trees have already lost their leaves. There is less greenery.

Although it is night, in the courtyard, an old man is still reading a book.

A deck chair, an oil lamp, and a thread-bound book.

Is the other person Ba Laohu? I don't think so. The other person is Mr Qu. He is not Ba Laohu.

Could he be Ba Laohu's advisor?

"Mr Qu, I have brought someone to see you.'

'Who?'

'My husband.'

'Oh?'

Mr Qu puts down his book.

Zhang Yong: ...

That's quite a unique introduction!

What do you mean, my husband? It's so direct. But it seems to be correct...

I am indeed her husband. A real one. We've been through the wedding ceremony and the wedding night. Both in name and in fact, I am her husband.

Haha, I feel so accomplished...

Never mind, I shouldn't care about these titles. There are still two left to go!

'Your Excellency is...'

'Zhang Yong, team leader of the Secret Service Bureau of the Restoration Society.'

'You're from Jinling?'

'Yes.'

'Tianjin is a dangerous place. You won't be able to hold on!'

'Shanghai is also a dangerous place. I still catch fish there.'

'Young man, you're quite a talker.'

'Young man, you're full of energy.'

'Not necessarily.'

'Old man, I recently robbed a shipment of sugar and have already sold it to two people, but they haven't taken delivery yet. I want to sell it again, do you want it?'

'Sugar? How much?'

'Four hundred tons! It was shipped back from Southeast Asia. I sold it to Wang Zhulin for 83,000 dollars the first time, and to the Japanese Takashi Takeshita for 75,000 the second time. Now I'm selling it to you for only 20,000.'

'That's a tempting price. But nothing in this world is free. Why is it so cheap?'

'Because I need you to take all the sugar away immediately. Or destroy it all. You can't leave any for the Japanese.'

'You're taking away our livelihood!'

'More or less!'

'Aren't you afraid of retaliation from the Japanese?'

'I'm in the south, and I've captured at least 50 Japanese spies. The Japanese hate me. They won't let me go, sugar or no sugar.'

'Where is the sugar?'

'49 Shihu Street.'

'What a great location. That seems to be Zhang Benzheng's territory.'

'Exactly. The sugar belongs to Zhang Benzheng. I sold it for him. And I collected the money for him. He probably doesn't even know yet. Now I want you to help me get rid of the sugar. You can scatter it in the sea.'

'We do have someone...'

'Just tell me whether you'll do it or not.'

'We can do it. But we need to be paid afterwards. We don't have any money right now.'

'Okay. We'll pay you later. You can give it to her directly. She's my woman.'

'Deal!'

Mr Qu nodded.

He waved his hand. The shop assistant brought a bench.

Zhang Yong: ...

Haha. Am I only qualified to sit down now?

Never mind. Sit down. Listen to the old man's teachings. If they're agreeable, listen. If they're not, just ignore them.

Mei Xiao went to prepare tea.

A moment later, she came back with two cups of tea. She offered one to Mr Qu and the other to Zhang Yong.

'Captain Zhang...'

'My name is Shao Long. You can call me Shao Long, sir.'

'Very well, Shao Long. Do you know that the Tianjin garrison is now under threat of attack by the Japanese army?'

'I know. Within two years at most, there will be full-scale war here. The Japanese will invade China in force. Pingjin and other places will fall completely into the hands of the Japanese.'

'Oh?'

Mr Qu's expression changed.