Chapter 335: Hutong Espionage

Since Xu Damao knew he had the ability to perform magic tricks, He Yuzhu simply stopped hiding it.

"Tell me, if we get that plum vase out, how do we split it?"

"That's what brothers should be talking about!" Xu Damao downed a small cup of liquor in one gulp, the spicy sensation making him frown hard. "My Siqiang said this plum vase is worth at least twenty Big Yellow Fish. Since your sister wants to buy it, we'll give a discount, call it sixteen, and we'll split it half and half."

He Yuzhu shook his head: "At most, you're just reporting it to the police, doing no other damn thing; I'll give you four at most. And I don't want those gold bars; give them directly to my sister."

"Brother Zhu, that's not fair!" Xu Damao said with a mournful face. "If I hadn't passed the news, where would you have learned about this treasure? We still have to cooperate long-term; you can't block all the paths. Besides, if I go report it to the police, won't Jubaozhai treat me as a mortal enemy from now on? This is a life-risking job; four is too little, I won't do it!"

"Then forget it," He Yuzhu made a move to leave, "Anyway, my sister doesn't absolutely have to buy it."

Xu Damao instantly caved and grabbed him: "Don't, don't, don't! Master Zhu, I agree, four it is!"

"Done," He Yuzhu nodded, "When do we move?"

"Tomorrow morning, how about that?"

"Fine, it's a deal."

Early the next morning, He Yuzhu applied simple makeup in front of the mirror, then drove to Qianmen and met Xu Damao at the entrance of the Hutong Yi antique shop.

Xu Damao stared at him several times and simply didn't recognize him.

"What are you looking at!" He Yuzhu said in a suppressed voice.

"Hey, you're really something, you even dolled yourself up?"

"There are many people in Qianmen who know me; caution is best." He Yuzhu lowered the brim of his hat.

Xu Damao turned and entered the police station.

When Police Officer Liu, who was on duty, heard it involved antique robbery and was a major case, he immediately took him straight to Jubaozhai.

He Yuzhu, acting as Xu Damao's friend, followed silently behind.

The interior of the Jubaozhai antique shop was dim and carried a musty smell.

As soon as Police Officer Liu entered the door, he shouted at the clerk: "Call your Boss out!"

Before long, Shopkeeper Sun trotted out from the back hall, lifting the curtain with a slick smile on his face: "Oh my, Police Officer Liu, what an honor, what instructions do you have?"

"Shopkeeper Sun, Comrade Xu Damao from Hutong Yi has filed a real-name report that you hired people to commit robbery; what do you have to say for yourself?"

Shopkeeper Sun's face darkened immediately: "This is pure slander! Police Officer Liu, please see clearly, I conduct my business honestly; I cannot wear such a big hat!"

Xu Damao snorted coldly: "Shopkeeper Sun, the evidence is solid, you can't deny it! On the morning of September 12th, a middle-aged man ran to our shop early in the morning looking for a Blue and White Plum Vase? My Siqiang told me to go to Liulichang to look, so how is it such a coincidence that I happened to run into two brothers selling a plum vase? Second, you didn't expect this, did you? Your shop's former clerk, Liu San, is now working for me! He said your 'Jubaozhai' has a Blue and White Plum Vase! Connect these things together; it would be strange if there wasn't someone pulling the strings behind the scenes!"

Police Officer Liu looked at Shopkeeper Sun with sharp eyes: "Robbery is a serious crime; you better explain Comrade Xu Damao's questions well!"

"Police Officer Liu, this is all a setup by Xu Damao and Liu San!" Shopkeeper Sun bit back, "My business is doing just fine, why would I rob him?"

"Liu San also said that you, Shopkeeper Sun, are in the shop every day cursing us at 'Hutong Yi' for stealing your business! This is your motive for the crime!"

"Liu San is your mole; how can his words be trusted?" Shopkeeper Sun argued.

Police Officer Liu interrupted him: "Let's not discuss other things for now; does your house actually have this plum vase?"

"I don't have a Blue and White Plum Vase at all!"

"Since you both have different stories," Police Officer Liu stood up and said, "Then open the warehouse and let us check!"

"Police Officer Liu, you believe such groundless things; I could just as well say they teamed up to frame me!"

Police Officer Liu looked at Xu Damao and shook his head slightly: "Shopkeeper Sun's words are not without reason; besides these, do you have any more concrete evidence?"

Xu Damao steeled his heart and said loudly: "Police Officer Liu, I report that Shopkeeper Sun is a spy! Liu San said he often goes into the cellar alone and stays for a long time every time; he is sending telegrams down there!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Police Officer Liu's eyes became alert instantly, and he immediately beckoned to a colleague: "Jiang, call the Municipal Bureau immediately to report! We can't handle this matter."

"Damao, you've gone too far; this matter can't be cleaned up now." He Yuzhu said in a low voice from the side.

"Liu San told me; I'm just relaying it!" Xu Damao looked indifferent.

At this moment, he only wanted to completely topple "Jubaozhai" so that his shop could be the only one in Qianmen.

It didn't take long before Tian Dan arrived in a hurry with the First Team.

As soon as Shopkeeper Sun saw this formation, cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead, and his face turned pale.

He Yuzhu observed his abnormality, his heart stirred, and he immediately activated his Scanning Ability in secret, quickly probing the front and back of the shop, but found nothing unusual.

Tian Dan looked He Yuzhu up and down twice and soon recognized him.

He Yuzhu lowered his head awkwardly.

Tian Dan first directed her subordinates: "Xiao Wang, Xiao Ma, secure Shopkeeper Sun first, and be careful to prevent him from committing suicide."

Then she walked to He Yuzhu and questioned him in a low voice: "Why are you here?"

He Yuzhu gave a sheepish smile: "My brother here was beaten, so I came to help him hold the line. Before coming, he didn't mention this spy business. Otherwise, I definitely would have reported it to you."

Tian Dan sneered: "You were the one who finished off Bolihua, right?"

"That matter has nothing to do with me, I swear!" He Yuzhu was stubborn.

"Those people deserved to die, but you must report to me if you encounter such things in the future!" Tian Dan said coldly.

"Yes." He Yuzhu quickly agreed once he heard he was in the clear.

"Search everything!" Tian Dan stopped paying attention to He Yuzhu and personally led people to the Houyuan.

Shopkeeper Sun's legs went soft, and he collapsed to the ground.

The team members began to search the shop carefully, and the warehouse was also opened, but after turning it inside out, that plum vase was nowhere to be found.

Police Officer Liu walked over and said to Xu Damao: "We didn't find the plum vase you mentioned in the shop."

"Then check if he is a spy!" Xu Damao said with his neck stiff.

Police Officer Liu's face sank: "You are giving false information!"

Xu Damao was so anxious he swore: "The plum vase must have been hidden by him! I dare to swear to heaven, the robbery was definitely done by him!"

He Yuzhu grabbed Xu Damao and glared at him, growling: "You brat, you knew he was a spy, why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Xu Damao quibbled: "If I had told you, would you still have been willing to come?"

"You damn bastard, you're looking for death! You dared to hide this kind of thing from me? If I wasn't careful, my life would be gone, do you know that, you damn bastard?" He Yuzhu was so angry he wanted to beat him up.

"Don't try to scare me; don't think I don't know how much ability you have!" Xu Damao said dismissively.

"I'm talking about you, damn it! I'm definitely not going to die!"

Xu Damao patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder and said, "Seeing that you're actually quite concerned about me, I'm quite touched!"

"Screw you!" He Yuzhu kicked him.

The search lasted for about half an hour, and Tian Dan walked over holding a copy of *Dream of the Red Chamber*.

He Yuzhu leaned in and asked, "Dan, is there really a problem with this shop?"

"A big problem." Tian Dan raised the book in her hand, "If I'm not mistaken, this *Dream of the Red Chamber* is their codebook."

"Then how will this shop be dealt with?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Sealed immediately, and all assets confiscated."

He Yuzhu turned back and kicked Xu Damao hard, cursing, "I was really used as a pawn by you this time! I didn't get a damn thing!"

Xu Damao grimaced on the surface, but he was blooming with joy inside—getting rid of his biggest competitor without any effort, this deal was not a loss.

He Yuzhu returned home full of anger; just as he entered the courtyard, he heard Zhang Shuying teaching four little girls to sing the Soviet Union folk song "The Red Berry Blossoms," her voice sweet.

Seeing him, Zhang Shuying ran over with a smile: "Come to my house for dinner tomorrow night?"

"No time," He Yuzhu was not in the mood.

"But... tomorrow is my birthday," Zhang Shuying said, acting slightly spoiled.

He Yuzhu looked at her expectant eyes and sighed: "Alright then. What gift do you want? I'll prepare it for you."

"Anything is fine, I'll like whatever you buy." Zhang Shuying's face immediately blossomed into a smile.