My years of espionage

Chapter 2026 Please Eat the Meat Pie
"Director," Qi Wu said, "Putting everything else aside, this amount of money is considerable. Even with the strength of 'Bluebird,' it will probably put some pressure on them."

"Besides," Qi Wu continued, seeing that Dai Chunfeng wasn't angry, "this is against the rules."

Dai Chunfeng snorted coldly. What do you mean by "not following the rules"? A simple "times of emergency" can explain everything.

He knew there was another reason, but Qi Wu didn't say it aloud.

"You have another reason you haven't mentioned," Dai Chunfeng said irritably. "Is it that 'Bluebird' kid might not be willing to pay this money?"

……

“Director, there’s movement of a large sum of money. This is no small matter; it’s prone to problems,” Qi Wu said. Then he smiled and shook his head. “However, you’re right. Our junior might hesitate for a moment before deciding to die for his country, but he’ll eventually have the courage. But he’ll feel the pinch when it comes to spending a large sum of money.”

"Greedy and vulgar!" Upon hearing this, Dai Chunfeng first frowned, then couldn't help but curse a few times.

However, he did not insist on having Cheng Qianfan, who was far away in Shanghai, pay the 'ransom' fee. Instead, he asked Qi Wu to call Hong Kong and ask Du Yongsheng, who was taking refuge there, to find a way to help.

Qi Wu left in a hurry, and Dai Chunfeng couldn't help but curse him again, calling him "greedy and lustful," before shaking his head and a smile appearing on his lips.

Only when Cheng Qianfan is like this can he feel at ease.

You're not greedy or lustful, and you're exceptionally capable—what do you want to do?!

……

September 6th.

Li Cuiqun received a call from Okamoto Seita, who invited her to his residence on Broadway. He was hosting a banquet in his name, intending to mediate the conflict between Li Cuiqun and Xiong Changhua.

Xiong Changhua was the deputy commander of the Tax Police Corps, and he was Zhou Liang's top lieutenant.

The power struggle between Li Cuiqun and Zhou Liang was primarily manifested in the escalating conflict between him and Xiong Changhua.

At the beginning of the year, Xiong Changhua was attacked on the street. The assassin fired several shots but failed to kill his target, and Xiong Changhua escaped unharmed.

Although there was no concrete evidence, Xiong Changhua was absolutely certain that the gunman was sent by Li Cuiqun.

At this point, the conflict between Li Cuiqun and Xiong Changhua escalated into a life-or-death feud, which was also considered a complete breakdown in relations between Li Cuiqun and Zhou Liang.

"Director, could this be a scam?" Zhang Lu asked Li Cuiqun.

Li Cuiqun looked at Dong Zhengguo, "What do you think?"

“We certainly have to be on guard,” Dong Zhengguo said. However, he then changed the subject, “However, the conflict between the director and Xiong Changhua is common knowledge, yet no one has ever tried to reconcile them. Does the director know why?”

"You mean those who aren't qualified to mediate are just hoping we'll fight each other to the death?" Li Cuiqun sneered. "The ones who are qualified to mediate haven't shown up yet, is that what you mean?"

……

“Director, given your position, the only person who can act as a mediator in this matter is Japanese,” Dong Zhengguo said. “Major Okamoto is a good friend of yours, and in terms of status, he is qualified to be the mediator. In terms of personal relationships, he is also closer to your side.”

Li Cuiqun fell into deep thought.

Although Okamoto Seitajin was only a major in the military police, in the Japanese military order that followed the principle of low rank but high power, Okamoto Seitajin was one of the most powerful figures in the military police headquarters.

In addition, Seita Okamoto is the chief advisor of the Military Police Command stationed at the Special Agent Headquarters.

From this perspective, Okamoto Seitajin is indeed a suitable mediator.

"So it seems that Mr. Okamoto really wants to mediate?" Li Cuiqun said, frowning.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Okamoto Seitajin, but rather that he didn't see the need for mediation.

The conflict between him and Xiong Changhua was ultimately a conflict between him and Zhou Liang, and the conflict between him and Zhou Liang was a struggle for power and interests, which was an irreconcilable conflict.

"I believe the Japanese are also very clear that unless that person takes the initiative to make concessions, mediation will not yield any results," Dong Zhengguo pondered, and said, "Perhaps that is why Major Okamoto hosted this mediation."

……

"You mean the Japanese are just going through the motions too?" Li Cuiqun frowned. He had this feeling after thinking carefully after receiving the call.

Now that Dong Zhengguo thinks so too, it proves that his feeling is correct.

“It’s probably just a formality.” Zhang Lu suddenly said from the side, “Director, I’ve received intelligence that Xiong Changhua has spread the word that he wants revenge.”

“I think the Japanese knew that Xiong Changhua was going to harm the director, so they had no choice but to intervene,” Zhang Lu said. “Regardless of the outcome of the mediation, at least the Japanese have something to say to the outside world.”

Li Cuiqun nodded slightly; he thought so too.

“If that’s the case, then let’s go to this trap,” Li Cuiqun said in a deep voice.

"Director, this is a dangerous situation, it's not auspicious," Dong Zhengguo said, his expression changing slightly.

“Hmm.” Li Cuiqun nodded. “You mean He Yan.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Dong Zhengguo and said, "Section Chief Dong and Captain Zhang will take some men and come with me to Broadway."

"Yes!"

"clear."

……

Broadway Building.

Li Cuiqun's convoy arrived.

Randomly, Zhang Lu and Dong Zhengguo's subordinates were stopped at the elevator entrance.

"The major said that only Director Li can go up," said Sergeant Takahashi Taitaka of the military police, blocking the way.

Li Cuiqun frowned.

"Director Li, please rest assured, Deputy Commander Xiong is also attending the banquet alone," said Takahashi Taiyo.

Li Cuiqun looked at a man standing in a corner of the hall, seemingly watching the commotion. Seeing the man nod, Li Cuiqun breathed a sigh of relief.

"Zhang Lu, you and your men rest in the restaurant," Li Cuiqun said.

"clear."

"Bring your own cigarettes," Li Cuiqun added.

Zhang Lu and Dong Zhengguo nodded with serious expressions. "Bring your own cigarettes" was a code word that Li Cuiqun had agreed upon with them beforehand. It meant that if he did not safely get downstairs within two hours, they should rush up and kill him without leaving a trace.

Li Cuiqun strode forward, only to find Gao Qiao Daiying blocking her way again.

"Director Li, the elevator is broken. Please follow me up the stairs," said Takahashi Taiyo.

Li Cuiqun hesitated again.

Zhang Lu stepped forward, covered his mouth, and whispered, "Director, it's safer to take the stairs."

Li Cuiqun nodded, deeply agreeing.

……

The third floor of Broadway.

Cheng Qianfan, along with Kawada Atsuto, Ono Shōgo, Araki Harima, and others, were also enjoying a sumptuous dinner.

"Lieutenant Colonel." A military policeman pushed open the door and came in. "Li Cuiqun has arrived. He went upstairs with Takahashi."

"Did he go upstairs by himself?" Cheng Qianfan asked.

"Yes." The military policeman nodded.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Qianfan knew that Li Cuiqun was doomed.

Li Cuiqun ultimately still harbored illusions about the Japanese, or rather, he still insisted that the Japanese wouldn't touch him, at least not at this stage.

Just then, a military policeman came to report:
Zhou Liang and Dingmutun are located in the Victory Apartments, which are diagonally opposite each other.

Not only that, there was another person by Dingmutun's side, and that person was Wan Haiyang.

……

Okamoto Seitajin and Xiong Changhua greeted Li Cuiqun together.

After the banquet began, Xiong Changhua even took the initiative to apologize to Li Cuiqun.

"The misunderstanding arose entirely from my fault," Xiong Changhua said. "I want Brother Li to know this."

"Today, in front of Advisor Okamoto, let's wipe the slate clean of all the unpleasantness from before," Xiong Changhua said. "From now on, Brother Li and I are true friends."

Li Cuiqun looked at Xiong Changhua, expressionless.

He wouldn't believe a single word Xiong Changhua said.

Just then, Xiong Changhua suddenly leaned forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Since we have this rare opportunity, I'd like to share my thoughts with Brother Li."

He looked at Li Cuiqun and continued, "I, Xiong, also have my own ambitions."

Seeing that Li Cuiqun was still frowning, Xiong Changhua gritted his teeth and said, "I am not Mr. Zhou's man. I, Xiong, have my own ambitions."

……

"I'd like to hear the details," Li Cuiqun said calmly.

Xiong Changhua then immediately stated that he was not blindly following Zhou Liang's advice; his true goal was to "establish his own government in eastern Zhejiang" and form his own faction.

Li Cuiqun's eyes flickered slightly, and her expression softened as she looked at Xiong Changhua.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Xiong Changhua stated that he had already made considerable plans in eastern Zhejiang and had long been waiting for suitable positions, but he was still short of three million silver dollars, of which the initial reserve was about five hundred thousand silver dollars.

Upon hearing this, Li Cuiqun immediately said that he would pay the 500,000 silver dollars.

Xiong Changhua was overjoyed and tightly grasped Li Cuiqun's hands, saying with great excitement, "Only today have I realized how generous and magnanimous Brother Li is. It's truly a case of meeting too late. In the future, Brother Li will be in Jiangsu, and I will be in eastern Zhejiang. If we brothers join hands, we can certainly accomplish great things."

Seeing this, Okamoto Seitajin was overjoyed and clapped his hands, laughing, "Both of you are the best friends of the Great Japanese Empire. Now that you have become good friends, this is truly a cause for celebration. I am very happy."

“If you two ever need anything in the future, feel free to come to me. I will do my best to help you,” Okamoto Seitajin said happily. “Come on, let’s drink.”

Seeing that Okamoto Seitajin and Xiong Changhua had drunk alcohol and eaten sushi, Li Cuiqun smiled, drank the alcohol in her glass in one gulp, and also ate sushi.

A moment later, Okamoto Seita's wife came over with a plate of beef patties. "Please enjoy this, sir."

Seeing that there was only one beef patty, Li Cuiqun immediately became suspicious. He pushed the beef patty in front of Xiong Changhua and said, "My stomach isn't feeling well, so I can't eat meat patties. Please, Brother Xiong, have this."

Xiong Changhua immediately pushed the meat pie back, saying, "Brother Li is the most honored, please go first."

Just then, Okamoto Seitajin clapped his hands and said, "What are you two doing? Everyone has a meat pie. It's just a meat pie, I can afford to treat you."

……

Just then, Okamoto Seita's wife came over with a maid and two plates of meat pies.

Xiong Changhua then pushed the first plate of meat pies back to Li Cuiqun.

Just as Li Cuiqun was about to speak, he heard Okamoto Seitahito's wife say, "You are a distinguished guest, please try the first dish."

Li Cuiqun hesitated.

"Brother Li, are you perhaps afraid that Advisor Okamoto will poison you?" Xiong Changhua suddenly said.

Okamoto Seitajin looked at Li Cuiqun with a gloomy expression.

After saying that, Xiong Changhua picked up the meat pie that had just been served, took a big bite, and then just stared at Li Cuiqun.

"The meat patty is too hot, now is the perfect time to eat it." Li Cuiqun smiled and then wolfed down the beef patty.

Xiong Changhua and Okamoto Seitaren both laughed heartily, clapped their hands, and then finished the meat patties on their plates.

We had just finished eating the meat pie when fruit was immediately served.

“Cleanse your digestive system and scrape off the excess oil,” said Makoto Okamoto with a smile.

Seeing Li Cuiqun eat the fruit without any suspicion, Okamoto Seitajin's smile deepened.

Fruits do cleanse the digestive system, but their actual function is to stimulate appetite and minimize the physiological response to vomiting.

……

A dozen minutes later, Li Cuiqun got up to say goodbye.

"Brother Li, are you perhaps unwilling to be friends with me, Xiong?" Xiong Changhua asked, his face darkening.

Li Cuiqun immediately explained that this was absolutely not true.

"Then why did Brother Li leave in such a hurry?" Xiong Changhua questioned.

Li Cuiqun had no choice but to give up the idea of ​​leaving.

Subsequently, Xiong Changhua and Okamoto Seita frequently spoke with Li Cuiqun, even discussing many troublesome issues such as defense zones and supplies. It could even be described as a negotiation, and Li Cuiqun had to brace himself to deal with it.

Finally, after nearly two hours, Li Cuiqun got her chance and successfully said goodbye and left.

……

"What if Li Cuiqun goes back and immediately gets her stomach and intestines pumped?" Xiong Changhua asked worriedly.

“It’s been over an hour, so cleaning your digestive system won’t help,” said Makoto Okamoto with a smile.

Unit 4461 had already studied this poisonous fungus. Within two hours, the fungus had already entered the body, so washing the intestines and stomach would have no effect whatsoever.

"Li Cuiqun is gone." Cheng Qianfan stood at the window and saw Li Cuiqun leave Broadway, get into a car under the protection of many bodyguards, and then the convoy drove away.

As he spoke, he lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and a smile began to spread across his face.

A short while later, Cheng Qianfan saw Wan Haiyang come out of Shengli Apartment and leave in a hurry.

“Wan Haiyang is not an obedient dog either,” Cheng Qianfan said.

This seems to be a veiled indication that the Empire is not entirely pleased with Wan Haiyang's appointment to succeed Li Cuiqun.

“It’s not Wan Haiyang,” Kawada Atsuto suddenly said.

"What is that?" Cheng Qianfan asked immediately.

Then he immediately realized that it must be Xiong Changhua.

Xiong Changhua was Zhou Liang's top general. Under these circumstances, promoting Xiong Changhua was tantamount to Zhou Liang taking the most lucrative piece of the pie after Li Cuiqun's downfall.

"What about Dong Zhengguo?" Cheng Qianfan looked at Ono Shōgo. "This man is now determined to follow Li Cuiqun."

"How do you intend to follow?" Araki Harima scoffed. "Follow me all the way underground?"

"That's not necessarily a bad thing," Cheng Qianfan said with a light laugh.

Kawada Atsuto glanced at Miyazaki Kentaro. He knew that Dong Zhengguo's wife, Feng Man, was quite beautiful. Was Miyazaki Kentaro trying to be Ximen Qing?

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(End of this chapter)