Chapter Thirty-Seven: Taking in Nine Fingers

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The intelligence Wang Sheng possessed that interested Song Yingge, like that of Liu Yuezhen, was his decade-long training experience.

But interest was all it amounted to. If he could not obtain it, it would hardly matter.

So long as he encountered them, Song Yingge was confident he could capture every last one.

After spending another half hour in the interrogation room, Wang Sheng still refused to speak.

Losing patience, Song Yingge had him locked in the black room.

Before the black room, all living beings were equal.

According to Ruyu’s confession, after Liu Yuezhen was arrested, Toyota Chiyo had hidden inside the Japanese Consulate.

But the Intelligence Bureau could do nothing about it.

They could hardly storm in and arrest her.

If they truly did that, the outcome under Chairman Chiang’s temperament was self-evident.

Song Yingge could only assign two agents to keep watch outside the Japanese Consulate day and night.

Still, it was better than nothing.

Toyota Chiyo could not possibly walk out in broad daylight.

Yet even if she crawled into the trunk of a car, the watchers might never notice.

As for Ma Guozheng, it was still too soon to arrest him.

Otherwise, Ruyu might come under suspicion.

Song Yingge told Sun Xi to lead people in watching him for a while. Perhaps they might even uncover an unexpected bonus.

As for the female mole hiding within the Intelligence Bureau, Song Yingge had no way to begin investigating her for the moment.

Fortunately, Dai Li had set no deadline, so the matter could be put off for now.

The next day, Song Yingge went to Cao Alley and released Li Xiaoqi. He then had him act as a guide, leading him to Jiuzhi at Xiaguan Wharf.

Song Yingge had a certain fondness for Jiuzhi.

A person who repaid kindness was difficult to dislike in any era.

The headquarters of Zhendong Hall occupied a secluded warehouse at Xiaguan Wharf and looked rather shabby.

A gang of a hundred or so sounded intimidating, but most of its members were merely laborers at the wharf.

They joined the gang simply to avoid being bullied.

So long as they paid their dues, no one cared if they belonged to several gangs at once.

Between monthly membership fees and the money earned from doing odd jobs for others, Zhendong Hall brought in only a few hundred dollars at most.

At the headquarters, Li Xiaoqi introduced Song Yingge to Jiuzhi.

Jiuzhi was of average height, somewhere in his thirties or forties, with a trace of ruthlessness in his eyes.

“Master Jiu, this officer is here to see you.” Afraid Jiuzhi might offend Song Yingge, Li Xiaoqi directly revealed his identity.

“This officer looks unfamiliar. I am Jiuzhi of Zhendong Hall. May I ask what brings you here?” Jiuzhi stepped forward and clasped his fists.

Song Yingge glanced at Li Xiaoqi, who tactfully left the headquarters.

“Chu Junzheng,” Song Yingge said softly.

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For a moment, Jiuzhi could not determine Song Yingge’s purpose. “Who is Chu Junzheng?”

“The Chu Junzheng case has been solved. Wang Sheng was the mastermind behind it.” Song Yingge walked to a chair and sat down. “Won’t you pour me a cup of tea?”

“It is only low-grade tea. Please do not take offense.” Jiuzhi respectfully poured him a cup. “I had always suspected Wang Sheng, but I could never determine where he came from.”

Song Yingge took a sip and said, “Now that Wang Sheng has been brought to justice, it can be considered a consolation to the spirits of Chu Junzheng and his son.”

With a thud, Jiuzhi dropped to his knees. “For such a great kindness, allow me to offer you my deepest gratitude.”

Song Yingge neither moved aside nor tried to stop him. He accepted the bow.

“Jiang Shuning and her daughter are safe now. They can return to Caimao Transport Company,” Song Yingge said.

“You know that Jiang Shuning and her daughter were with me?” Jiuzhi asked in astonishment.

“I investigated you,” Song Yingge replied.

Those three lightly spoken words set Jiuzhi’s mind racing.

“I have yet to ask your honored name,” Jiuzhi said.

“Are you asking about my connections?” Song Yingge said.

“I would never dare.” Jiuzhi apologized at once.

“Song Yingge of the Intelligence Bureau.”

The Intelligence Bureau’s reputation was as thunderous as a peal of thunder, and Jiuzhi naturally knew of it.

“Officer Song, I presume you did not come merely to tell me that Wang Sheng had been arrested?” Jiuzhi asked.

“That is correct. I came because of you.” Song Yingge did not beat around the bush.

“Because of me? I am nothing more than a street thug. How could I possibly have attracted your attention?” Jiuzhi was flattered and alarmed in equal measure.

Song Yingge raised one finger. “Your willingness to repay kindness. That alone is enough.”

Jiuzhi pondered for a moment before asking, “What would you have me do, Officer?”

“Xiaguan Wharf is a tangle of fish and dragons. The underworld and the legitimate world, merchants and officials, ruffians and gangsters—all of them gather here. I want you to collect intelligence for me.”

Jiuzhi naturally understood the nature of the Intelligence Bureau. Song Yingge’s request was precisely what he had expected.

Many people begged for a chance to work for the Intelligence Bureau, yet could not obtain one. Jiuzhi was not the sort of man who failed to recognize an opportunity.

Without much hesitation, he knelt once more. “I am at your command, Officer.”

Song Yingge reached out and helped him up. “From now on, we are on the same side. There is no need for such formality.”

“How many members does Zhendong Hall actually have?” Song Yingge asked.

“Twelve or thirteen who can truly be relied upon,” Jiuzhi replied.

“That is far too few. You must expand.” Song Yingge took out one thousand dollars and handed it to him. “Consider this operating capital. There will be more later.”

Song Yingge then explained the specifics of the intelligence-gathering work.

Jiuzhi naturally obeyed his instructions to the letter.

“What will become of Caimao Transport Company? The Chu family now consists only of Jiang Shuning and her daughter. I am afraid they cannot manage such a large enterprise,” Song Yingge said.

“Let them hire a professional manager. With me keeping watch, nothing major will happen,” Jiuzhi replied.

Song Yingge had originally intended to swallow up Caimao Transport Company.

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But with only two vulnerable women left in the Chu family, Song Yingge truly felt embarrassed to make his move.

For now, he could only wait until Xu Zhong returned to the capital from Shanghai and then consider the matter at greater length.

Otherwise, even if he took over the company, he had no trustworthy person to manage it.

Caimao Transport Company’s six hundred rickshaws were six hundred mobile listening posts. No matter what, Song Yingge intended to bring them under his command.

After leaving the warehouse, Song Yingge walked to a secluded corner and continued watching Jiuzhi.

Caimao Transport Company was a very tempting prize.

If Jiuzhi could control the lives and deaths of the widow and her orphaned daughter without entertaining any improper thoughts, only then would Song Yingge dare try placing his trust in him.

…

Shanghai.

During the several days since arriving in Shanghai, Xu Zhong had been rushing from one task to another without a moment’s rest.

“The Japanese really are greedy. They open their mouths by demanding eighty percent of the shares as collateral,” Xu Zhong said.

“They are merely naming an outrageous price so they can bargain down from it. I estimate the Japanese bottom line is probably around fifty percent,” Zhao Yaohui replied.

“No. We can give them eighty percent. But the amount provided through the loan and overdraft must be increased to two hundred and fifty thousand yen,” Xu Zhong said.

“Have you gone mad? The first interest payment is due in six months. What will you use to repay it?” Zhao Yaohui asked.

“Sell six broken-down ships for two hundred and fifty thousand. Is there a problem with that?” Xu Zhong asked.

This was something that could not be kept from Zhang Yaohui. It was better to speak plainly.

“You do not intend to repay the money?” Zhao Yaohui asked.

“My word carries no weight. Song Yingge is the real master. He even told me to take the funds and continue buying ships to use as collateral,” Xu Zhong said.

“Has he lost his mind?” Zhao Yaohui asked.

Were Japanese funds really so easy to take?

They might have the lives to accept the money, but not the lives to spend it.

“Does he look like a madman to you?” Xu Zhong asked.

If Song Yingge were a madman, then there would be no intelligent people left in this world.

Zhao Yaohui stroked his chin, wondering whether he should join in.

“We arranged to drink with the little Japanese banker tonight. Do not forget,” Xu Zhong reminded him.

“Do not worry. I will not forget. Do you still have enough money on hand?” Zhao Yaohui asked.

“This Japanese fellow is truly ruthless. I threw two gold bars at him, and the matter still has not been settled. I have only one left, which should last a few more days,” Xu Zhong said.

“Tell me when you use it up. I have three gold bars with me,” Zhao Yaohui replied.

“I know. Do not sit idle, either. Hurry and make some contacts. Find a few more ships that are nearly ready for the scrap heap,” Xu Zhong said.

Zhao Yaohui nodded. He did not understand what was going on, but he knew that Song Yingge was playing a very new game.