[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-spy-survival-guide":3,"chapter-spy-survival-guide-spy-survival-guide-chapter-27":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},2366343,4634,"Chapter 27: Officers Must Not Take Concubines","spy-survival-guide-chapter-27",27,"\u003Cp>Downstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong and Mu Liancheng returned to the hall after finishing their tennis match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keiko had already prepared tea, a fruit platter, and snacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zecheng, where is Miss Wanqiu?\" Wu Jingzhong sat down, taking a hot towel to wipe his face and clean his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She was just here...\" Yu Zecheng said hurriedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong gave him a subtle, sharp glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a damn waste of space!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been talking to her for days and still couldn't even win over a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always suspected that Mu Liancheng was holding something back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those treasures were definitely hidden in some dark corner; you couldn't get a miser like that to cough them up just by raiding his house or forcing a confession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had counted on Yu Zecheng to get some solid information out of Wanqiu, but it seemed he couldn't count on that either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng met his gaze and lowered his head in shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief Wu, young people need time to build a relationship, let's take it slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Section Chief Yu is a Major with a bright future; Wanqiu will come to understand that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Liancheng chimed in with a forced smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope so.\" Wu Jingzhong sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, he turned a sharp gaze toward Mu Liancheng:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Proprietor Mu, let's talk about you. Your distillery in Yuezhou has some major problems.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief Wu, what... what is wrong with the distillery?\" Mu Liancheng panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The people over there sent a telegram saying your distillery is suffering from severe operating losses, and there is a huge funding gap for equipment, estate maintenance, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You specifically found a mess for me to clean up, didn't you, brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong tilted his head and tapped the tea table, his gaze cunning and cold as a wolf's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing this man-eating tiger, Mu Liancheng didn't know how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distillery's products had always sold well and were very popular among the upper echelons of the municipal government and the garrison in Xiangdao and Yuedong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only the Japanese hadn't been so incompetent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally planned to open a branch in Xiangdao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How the hell did it become a mess just days after changing hands?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To extort money to this extent—did they have no shame left?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Liancheng looked at Keiko, feeling somewhat at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief Wu, this matter is indeed our oversight, and we have caused you trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about this: you name a figure, and we will cover the deficit for you right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keiko understood and asked in a soft, gentle voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, this still-charming woman deliberately leaned forward, exposing a large portion of her snowy white chest before Wu Jingzhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng, standing to the side, was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong swept his gaze over her without the slightest ripple of emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long since passed his playboy days; apart from money and antiques, nothing else caught his eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zecheng, I don't understand business matters, you handle it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Wu Jingzhong could finish his sentence, he saw Hong Zhiyou walking over with Wanqiu, the two of them chatting and laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Secretary Hong?\" He frowned and barked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief? Why are you here? I—I hope I haven't interrupted official business.\" Hong Zhiyou appeared flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong’s expression remained cold; he gestured for Yu Zecheng to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng stood to the side, hands clasped, and said: \"I have reviewed the reports sent from Yuezhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aside from a batch of machinery that needs replacement and repair, as well as account deficits, when you add it all up, it comes to at least...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twenty thousand US dollars!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twenty thousand US dollars!\" Mu Liancheng’s eyes went wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't short on money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was too much; it really stung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough, cough!\" Wu Jingzhong almost choked on his tea as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way over, he and Yu Zecheng had agreed on five thousand US dollars—a small, steady stream of income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew Yu Zecheng would open his mouth and multiply it several times over? He was even more ruthless than himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief Wu, twenty thousand US dollars... isn't that too much?\" Mu Liancheng pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his sweat incessantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Proprietor Mu used to deal in shipping and foreign trade; US dollars should be the last thing you're short of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, if you think it's too much, Station Chief Wu can return this mess to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Think about it carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng said with a forced, insincere smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, twenty thousand US dollars is no problem.\" Keiko made the decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood up and went into the inner room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, she returned with two stacks of brand-new hundred-dollar bills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong and Yu Zecheng were both stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou had only two words for it: truly wealthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many people in Jinhai who could produce twenty thousand US dollars, but to produce them in new, hundred-dollar denominations was rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>US dollars were valuable right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of what circulated on the market were 10s and 20s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even black market dealers like Section Chief Xu or Long Er found it hard to get their hands on hundred-dollar bills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief Wu, the money is here, please accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the label of traitor on Mr. Mu, I leave that to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keiko bowed gracefully, offering a reminder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have my own arrangements regarding the traitor matter, Secretary Hong.\" Wu Jingzhong suppressed his joy and waved his hand with a cold expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou picked up the crisp, fragrant US bills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He checked them carefully, and after confirming they were genuine, he nodded and handed them to Yu Zecheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Yu expressionlessly tucked them into his bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief Wu, have some tea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon, Wu Jingzhong and his golden dual pistols enjoyed a lavish seafood feast at Mu Liancheng’s home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanqiu prepared fruit and drinks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong went to the balcony and sat under a parasol, looking out at the mountain scenery:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Secretary Hong, come here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others tactfully withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief.\" Hong Zhiyou leaned in, bowing slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sit.\" Wu Jingzhong picked up a glass of mango juice and handed it to him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did you end up here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Wanqiu is my girlfriend. The last time I was hunted by the Cao Gang, I spent the night here.\" Hong Zhiyou replied, holding the drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why didn't you say so earlier?\" Wu Jingzhong asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mu—Mu Liancheng is a traitor, I was afraid of affecting my progress.\" Hong Zhiyou said timidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You child, really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Traitor or not, what does it matter? I’m asking you, how far has your relationship with his niece gone?\" Wu Jingzhong leaned forward and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quite well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How well is 'quite well'? Have you slept together?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're both men, don't be coy, answer honestly.\" Wu Jingzhong pointed at him and asked with a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We... we have.\" Hong Zhiyou said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong slapped the back of his hand, delighted: \"I told you you were a veteran in the game of love; you can't be too gentle with these young girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Section Chief Yu has been courting her for half a month and hasn't made any headway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It just so happens that Mu Liancheng wants his niece to marry into our Juntong station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think you're a good fit; it'll be you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief, will Section Chief Yu... will he have any objections?\" Hong Zhiyou asked deliberately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What objections could he have?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In a few days, my wife from back home is coming to Jinmen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, it is against the law for an officer to take a concubine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if he had objections, I could not agree to it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong said in a low, solemn voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So you do know it is against the law for an officer to take a concubine... Hong Zhiyou looked respectful and grateful:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Station Chief, for your consideration.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong crooked his finger, and Hong Zhiyou leaned in closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He whispered: \"Don't even mention these jars and pots; I have a hunch that Mu Liancheng definitely has a large stash of good treasures hidden away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those are all the property of the Party-State; if even a fraction is lost, you and I will be sinners.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhiyou, you should have a good talk with that young girl.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Strive to dig up all of Mu Liancheng's secrets for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, to serve the Party-State, this student will not shirk his duty.\" Hong Zhiyou stood up abruptly and saluted with a military gait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sit, sit down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his beloved subordinate was so sensible, Wu Jingzhong was extremely satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me honestly, are you here today to compete with Director Yu?\" He looked at Hong Zhiyou with a smile that was not quite a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou looked at Wu Jingzhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old fox's gaze was profound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized this was not a simple question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he answered incorrectly, it would be a disaster for him and for Yu Zecheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1500,"2026-06-25T10:22:48.848Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","132fe6db1b0878b0ae6237d8cd5042b0ee495babe0598fc2ee29a06d583e0b47","spy-survival-guide-chapter-28","spy-survival-guide-chapter-26",395,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fspy-survival-guide-cover.jpg"]