[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-spy-survival-guide":3,"chapter-spy-survival-guide-spy-survival-guide-chapter-22":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Spy Survival Guide",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2366338,4634,"Chapter 22: Ma Kui","spy-survival-guide-chapter-22",22,"\u003Cp>\"Who is it?\" Hong Zhiyou drew his service pistol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Secretary Hong, it's me, Ma Kui.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou got up and opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui walked in carrying pig head meat and two bottles of white liquor, his face full of gloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, going to sleep so early?\" Ma Kui’s mouth reeked of alcohol; he had clearly already been drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain Ma, it’s so late, why haven't you gone home?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou sat down in front of the coffee table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go home? A man like me doesn't deserve a home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drink with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui opened the cold dish and poured the liquor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still holding a grudge? Your career belongs to the Party-State, but your body is your own; don't push yourself so hard,\" Hong Zhiyou advised with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've pushed myself for so many years, my whole body is covered in scars, and every night I'm in so much pain I can't sleep.\" Ma Kui pulled open his shirt; his chest was covered in old scars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain Ma is devoted to the country; I admire you,\" Hong Zhiyou flattered him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, what's the use?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My heart is toward the bright moon, but the moon shines upon the drainage ditch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this station, from top to...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui sighed deeply and, with a bitter smile, changed the subject:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, let's not talk about that. Brother, why don't you find a partner? Spending every day sleeping in the office won't do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'd rather not suffer that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Passing through a thousand flowers without a single leaf sticking to me—isn't that a happy life?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou raised his glass to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui wore a smile, but his eyes were chillingly cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You like my wife,\" he said suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain Ma, you shouldn't joke like that.\" Hong Zhiyou put down his glass, his body slightly hunched, ready to draw his gun at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You gave her fifty silver dollars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fifty silver dollars—more than my annual salary.\" Ma Kui’s gaze was piercingly sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister-in-law said you were tight on cash, so I lent her some. You were the one who told me to look after her more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't have any backers, so I just like to make as many friends as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain Ma is a Lieutenant Colonel; is fifty silver dollars too much to curry favor with you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou smiled with calm composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The problem is, you also touched her.\" Ma Kui took a sip of liquor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You just say whatever comes to mind; where is the evidence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Last time you took her home, my men saw it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nonsense, that was absolutely a misunderstanding; perhaps someone is trying to sow discord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so? I'm not a child who eats shit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui pointed to the insulated container still sitting on the coffee table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was red-braised mutton.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never eat mutton; she knows that. This was made for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These past few days, she has been absent-minded.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She even calls your name in her dreams. Adi has fallen in love with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui’s expression was somewhat pained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My damn charm... Hong Zhiyou didn't know how to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A man like me has today but no tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A few days ago, I was in a firefight with the Red Tickets; the bullets flew right past my ears.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today at the Cao Gang docks, thousands of axes pressed down on me until I couldn't breathe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My life is destined to belong to the Party-State.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, if one day I'm gone, Adi will be left to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's a good woman, hasn't had any children yet; you won't be shortchanged.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shallow mist welled up in Ma Kui’s bloodshot eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Ma, how could that happen?\" Hong Zhiyou comforted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm leaving!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui threw down his chopsticks, put on his hat, and walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou saw him to the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corridor was dim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui walked very slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like an old, wounded dog, desolate and lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Zhang residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth Master Zhang had long anticipated the arrival of Police Chief Li Hanyuan and Lu Qiaoshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After having someone serve tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Master Zhang presented two bundles of silver dollars; Li Hanyuan tucked them into his pocket and stood up to leave immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only took money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The connection between the police station and the Cao Gang was always handled by Lu Qiaoshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Lu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The dock warehouse contains Yang Wenquan’s munitions; if this leaks out, it’s not something you or I can bear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want to blame someone, blame that Captain Ma of yours for being blind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth Master Zhang’s tone was cold; he clearly didn't take Ma Kui seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be honest, having messed up the job one after another, I'm embarrassed to even show my face at your door.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Wu Jingzhong has laid down harsh words; the perpetrators must be handed over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't want to make a scene and ruin Officer Yang’s good work, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiaoshan got straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I don't hand them over, what can Wu Jingzhong do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With Chief Li and Officer Yang backing us, those few guns of yours aren't enough to move us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle Lu, we can pay the medical expenses, but we absolutely will not hand over the people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shaobai sneered arrogantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you really have to make the relationship so tense?\" Lu Qiaoshan was so angry he wanted to slap him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Section Chief Lu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If someone respects me an inch, I will respect them a foot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wu Jingzhong ruined my business; if I still let his people run wild at the docks, the people of Jinhai will think I, Zhang Si, am made of mud.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How would I manage the docks in the future?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The garrison and you are like fire and water; I have no choice but to pick a side. If I cave in now, what would Officer Yang think of me, and how would I continue to do business?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth Master Zhang toyed with his meditation beads and gave a calculating, dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right, Huang Jinrong and Du Yuesheng could cover the sky with one hand in Shanghai.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As the person in charge of Jinhai, the Zhang family can't just lower our heads and kowtow whenever we please.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think we've been too kind; without using some methods, I'm afraid your Station Chief Wu won't know who really calls the shots in Jinhai.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shaobai echoed the sentiment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, I've fallen into a trap... Lu Qiaoshan stood up and cupped his hands to the two of them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gentlemen, if you don't hand over the people, Wu Jingzhong will finish me off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chief Li won't have it easy either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm begging you, just hand over a few people so I can report back; can you continue your power struggle after that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiaoshan was almost ready to kneel to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can give you people.\" Fourth Master Zhang and his son looked at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Clap, clap!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shaobai clapped his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, two men dressed in black shirts with murderous expressions walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Section Chief Lu, there's no problem with arranging for these two to enter the station to assassinate Hong Zhiyou, is there?\" Fourth Master Zhang asked in a deep voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When?\" Lu Qiao asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tonight? That's too rushed,\" Lu Qiao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It must be tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For one, Wu Jingzhong just flexed his power, and he and Hong Zhiyou surely think we will be wary and lower our guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's important is executing Hong Zhiyou tonight, killing the dog to show the master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only in this way will Wu Jingzhong know who really calls the shots in Jinmen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang Si said coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the local emperor of Jinmen, in his world, one is either a friend or an enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Wu Jingzhong is an enemy, there is naturally no need for courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, strength ultimately does the talking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You...\" Lu Qiao was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chief Lu, do you know why it wasn't someone from the Military Police or the Garrison Command who came?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because Wu Jingzhong is afraid of me; he is just putting on an act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He thinks I will give him face?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, no, I will only make him recognize reality and spit out everything he has swallowed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang Si said, full of confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an old veteran of the underworld, he had grasped Wu Jingzhong's mindset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong sent Lu Qiao to demand the person just to seek an explanation and appease the emotions of Ma Kui and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is just a pity that he encountered him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang Si was very clear that the north belonged to Fu Zuoyi's people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander Fu belongs to the Shanxi-Suiyuan clique, not Chiang's direct line, and has always been at odds with the 94th Army in Jinmen, so it is impossible for him to intervene in Jinmen's affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the 94th Army is kept stable, victory is assured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Wu Jingzhong wanted to mobilize the 94th Army through the Garrison Command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would also be impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the supreme commander of Jinmen, Chen Zhangjie, is Fu Zuoyi's man; unless a special envoy from Jingling comes, Chen Zhangjie cannot command Mou Tingfang and Yang Wenquan at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang Si calculated the whole circle and could not think of anyone else in Jinmen who could touch him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he is not afraid, why yield, why endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The underworld is inherently a place of life and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, he will kill this dog, Hong Zhiyou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Wu Jingzhong does not behave, he will just slaughter him tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At worst, he can frame it on the Red Party, or find a scapegoat, and it can be easily resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are crazy, they are crazy... Lu Qiao was drenched in sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chief Lu, can it be done?\" Zhang Shaobai drew his service pistol and glanced at him sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It, it can be done,\" Lu Qiao said timidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This group of people did not even hold the Station Chief in their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing him would be even easier than killing a chicken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wise man does not fight when the odds are against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what are you standing there for? Go do it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shaobai waved his hand, and two killers flanked Lu Qiao on the left and right, putting him into the car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dear big bosses, daily request for love, request for abuse, use recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, and tips to whip me hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of this chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1759,"2026-06-25T10:22:48.848Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","2cf2db0d75c2c13868cc46cc25991008d7dfaa2b21dd2bdb91348450011fe41e","spy-survival-guide-chapter-23","spy-survival-guide-chapter-21",395,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fspy-survival-guide-cover.jpg"]