Chapter 350: The death of Sakata Toshio

"Brother, you've lost weight," Hong Xiaohui looked at her slightly haggard older brother, her eyes full of heartache.

"Yo, you even know how to feel heartache for people now.

"Why did you go to Xiangdao?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a smile.

"The people on Line 1 knew about our relationship and sent me to be Secretary for Director Xie, specifically responsible for handling intelligence and trade affairs in Xiangdao," Hong Xiaohui said.

"Director Xie?" Hong Zhiyou raised his eyebrows.

"It's Xie Peidong; he used to be an assistant manager at the Central Bank in Beiping and is an old-timer underground, and he is very familiar with finance.

"He knows you," Hong Xiaohui said.

That is the key; the road is long and the burden is heavy... Hong Zhiyou sighed silently and asked again: "What about Sanmin?"

"Sanmin is currently serving as the Chief of the Jinhai Public Security Bureau.

"Thanks to the intelligence you left behind, the remnants of the 'Oriole Plan' have basically been caught.

"Brother, I, I married Sanmin.

"Sorry, I didn't ask for your opinion in advance; the conditions didn't allow it."

Hong Xiaohui blushed and said shyly.

"Sanmin is not bad; treat him well and give me a big fat nephew soon.

"Are Mom and Dad alright?"

Hong Zhiyou asked with satisfaction.

"They are quite good; the environment on the island is very good and very safe.

"Their health is even better than when they were in Jinhai.

"It's just that Mom keeps talking about you," Hong Xiaohui said.

"Let me ask you something—Cuiping, that is, Mrs. Yu, do you know her whereabouts?

"Old Yu has been looking for her."

Hong Zhiyou thought for a moment and decided to help Old Yu ask.

"The organization doesn't allow us to ask.

"But Sanmin said she very likely went to the Northeast; specifically where, he doesn't know very well," Hong Xiaohui said.

"Is Brother Yu alright? Sanmin has been very concerned about you two," she asked again.

"The situation on the island is not very good.

"The provincial work committee of the Red Ticket there lacks struggle experience and acts too ostentatiously; currently, the underground organization in Keelung has been almost completely wiped out, and the Kaohsiung area is also very dangerous.

"They are still training armed forces in the mountains.

"You tell Old Xie to report to the higher-ups as soon as possible and replace the person in charge there as early as possible."

Hong Zhiyou suggested in a low voice.

"The telecommunications reconnaissance in Wanbei is very tight; important intelligence usually can only be transmitted back and forth by intelligence personnel risking their lives, and many instructions from the East China Bureau are difficult to implement.

"Because of the inconvenience of being across the sea, the person in charge there doesn't necessarily implement things, and there are very few replies.

"Let alone strengthening political guidance.

"The reality is seriously disconnected, and it all depends on the spontaneity of the work committee leader there," Hong Xiaohui said quite helplessly.

"Brother, you must be careful," she said with some worry.

"I'm fine.

"I'm worried about Old Yu and the others on the island," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Hmm, I will report the situation you mentioned to Old Xie.

"See if he can convey it to the higher-ups through the North China Bureau.

"Now is a new era; the Social Department was abolished in July, and Line 1 has also been reorganized; the organizational structure and reporting procedures are very different," Hong Xiaohui frowned and said.

"Hmm, I know.

"Your identity has a file in Wanbei, and many people know it.

"However, try not to associate with Mom, Dad, and your sister-in-law as much as possible; this will be good for you in the future."

After thinking about it, Hong Zhiyou gave one more warning.

Hong Xiaohui blinked her big eyes, clearly not understanding.

Hong Zhiyou couldn't be bothered to explain.

"Alright, go back.

"It's not safe here; I won't meet with you again from now on; there will be designated people to connect with you for transporting grain and steel.

"That's it; give my regards to Old Xie, Sanmin, and the others for me."

Hong Zhiyou patted the top of her head and walked away quickly.

Returning to the private room, he drank some more with Wan An, Old Xie, and the others before returning to the hotel.

The ships had arrived; it was time to see MacArthur.

But before that, he had to see Tian Gangyixiong's sincerity.

This was related to future transport issues.

Very important!

Hong Zhiyou picked up the phone and dialed the number:

"Tian Gang-kun, it's me.

"Tomorrow morning, I want to see Sakata Toshio on the front page."

After saying this, he hung up the phone directly.

10:30 PM.

Tian Gangyixiong stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi and nine others, dressed in black samurai clothes and holding samurai swords, stood solemnly with murderous intent.

"Everyone.

"Sakata Toshio colluded with Ikeda Sugiue and used the U. S. military to raid our port.

"For these years, I have been enduring and not making a move, waiting for tonight.

"I promise you all: eliminate Sakata Toshio, and we will definitely take back the port business within three years.

"For the Yamaguchi-gumi, let's drink this cup."

Tian Gangyixiong raised his cup.

Everyone drank in unison.

Tian Gangyixiong took out another stack of U. S. banknotes and distributed one thousand U. S. dollars to each person.

"I will smash the cup as a signal later; you rush in immediately and hack them to death with chaotic blades—do you understand?" After distributing the money, he asked solemnly.

"Hai!"

Everyone nodded in unison, hiding their swords behind the screen.

Only then did Tian Gangyixiong unhurriedly pick up the phone: "Sakata-kun, regarding the matter of the Aoyama wakagashira, we can discuss it.

"Alright, waiting for you to come over."

Hanging up the phone, he had people prepare delicious food, fine sake, and called for beautiful geishas.

Everything was ready, just waiting for Sakata Toshio.

Inside the residence.

A noisy scene.

"Drink!

"Drink some more."

Sakata Toshio's few confidants were drinking excitedly with beauties in their arms; the atmosphere was very noisy and lively.

Sakata Toshio hung up the phone, pushed the door open, and returned to the banquet.

"Aoyama-kun, leader Tian Gang has an appointment; he wants to talk about you serving as the Osaka wakagashira, so you come with me," he said in a deep voice.

The Yamaguchi-gumi's actual management of local areas and execution of tasks were all done by local wakagashira.

Osaka had plenty of profit.

The position of wakagashira had been vacant for a long time; if he could help Aoyama Fang take the position, his influence would undoubtedly expand further.

"Sakata-kun, won't it be a trap?

"A few days ago, Hong Zhiyou visited leader Tian Gang; will they join forces to deal with you?"

Wu Fangzhi, sitting to the side, rubbed his chin and reminded him sharply.

"Haha.

"Mr. Wu thinks too much.

"First of all, Tian Gangyixiong is just a reckless brute; my Sakata family is famous in Tokyo, and I have Lord Ikeda and the Police Agency protecting me; if he dares to move against me, it's a dead end.

"Furthermore, the U. S. military caught the assassin.

"But they handled it coldly, clearly showing the U. S. side is unwilling to offend Lord Ikeda for a Chinese person.

"Tian Gangyixiong must have seen this point, which is why he figured out who is in charge in Tokyo.

"Who is in charge of the Yamaguchi-gumi!

"Mr. Wu, Aoyama-kun, why don't you come with me to witness this moment?"

Sakata Toshio smiled confidently.

"That's right.

"In Tokyo, Sakata-kun is in charge.

"Besides, with me here, who dares to move against Sakata-kun?"

A burly man with a full two-meter-tall bald head stood up from the side.

His name was Hachimura Yuchi.

He was a famous karate expert in Kyoto and had even performed combat for the Emperor.

After Asano Shinichi died, Sakata Toshio spent a lot of money to hire Hachimura Yuchi as his personal bodyguard.

"With Hachimura-kun, the wakagashira will naturally be safe.

"I still have things to do, so I won't accompany you gentlemen; I'll go first."

Wu Fangzhi didn't want to get involved in the muddy water and hurriedly stood up to say goodbye.

Sakata Toshio and the three took a car straight to Tian Gangyixiong's residence.

At the entrance.

Several Yamaguchi-gumi members carefully checked the three, confirmed they weren't carrying firearms, and let the three in.

Arriving in the hall.

The fragrance of geishas and fine wine hit them.

The three immediately felt their heartstrings relax.

"Leader!"

Sakata Toshio and the others stepped forward to salute.

"Gentlemen, please be seated," Tian Gangyixiong greeted.

After they were seated, they chatted for a while, and Sakata Toshio took the initiative to mention:

"Leader, the wine is almost finished; let's talk about business.

"I suggested Aoyama Fang serve as the Osaka wakagashira last time; I don't know what you've considered?"

As soon as his voice fell.

Hachimura Yuchi to the side widened his copper-bell-like eyes, staring at Tian Gangyixiong like a fierce god.

Tian Gangyixiong smiled slightly:

"Sakata-kun, you like arranging things so much; why don't you sit in this leader's position?"

"What do you mean?" Sakata Toshio realized something was wrong.

"You must have forgotten how I succeeded as leader.

"I killed O-Cho Hachiro and spent eight years in prison.

"I used my life and blood to get the recognition of those old guys and was elected as the third generation; what about you? Besides using the Sakata family's signboard to collude with those politicians to sell out the organization's interests and fatten your own pockets, what have you done?"

Tian Gangyixiong pointed at him and sneered.

"Tian Gang-kun, what exactly do you want to do?" Looking at his sharp, sinister eyes, Sakata Toshio stood up and leaned toward Hachimura Yuchi.

"What do I want to do?

"Clean up the house!"

Tian Gangyixiong picked up the wine cup in his hand and smashed it fiercely on the ground.

Snap!

The wooden door behind split open, and Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi and the others rolled in like the wind, holding samurai swords.

Poor Aoyama Fang didn't even understand what was going on.

He was hit on the head by Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi, screamed "Aiya," and fell to the ground.

Another person raised his sword with both hands and stabbed it into his chest.

Aoyama Fang, who still wanted to dream of being wakagashira, hunched over and died on the spot.

Sakata Toshio never thought it was really a Hongmen Banquet; he was so scared his legs went soft, and he couldn't run anymore, so he could only hide behind Hachimura Yuchi.

Hachimura Yuchi was indeed fierce, lifting a low table as a weapon, dancing it with great momentum.

However, after all, two fists couldn't beat four hands.

Soon, he was hacked down in a pool of blood by chaotic blades and died unyielding.

"Plop!"

Sakata Toshio was so scared he knelt directly, trembling and begging for mercy: "Leader Tian Gang, I, I know I was wrong; from today on, the Sakata family will definitely be loyal to the death; please, for the sake of Amaterasu, spare my life."

"If you had fought hard, I would still respect you as a man.

"Look at you now; are you even worthy of being a wakagashira?

"Pah!

"Would Amaterasu protect a shameless villain like you?

"Baka!

"Kill him!"

Tian Gangyixiong shouted angrily.

Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi stepped forward, the cold light of the samurai sword flashing.

Sakata Toshio suddenly felt his throat go cold, blood gushing out from his fingertips, and a gurgling sound came from his throat:

"You, you..."

Bang!

He fell headfirst to the ground, twitched for a while, and died.

"Transport the body to the riverbank, take photos, and immediately contact the reporters.

"Tomorrow's front page, I want to see the news of Sakata Toshio's death!"

Tian Gangyixiong instructed.

"Hai!"

Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi took the order, waved his hand, and someone immediately transported the body away.

The next day.

Hong Zhiyou, wearing a black Zhongshan suit with his hair meticulously groomed, sat in the restaurant downstairs early, drinking coffee.

"Why are you up so early today?" Wan An asked.

"Reading the newspaper."

Hong Zhiyou picked up the newspaper in his hand and handed it to Wan An.

Wan An looked at the front page: "Yamaguchi-gumi Kyoto wakagashira Sakata Toshio suspected of being assassinated late at night; the Police Agency is fully investigating..."

"He really died!" he whispered in surprise.

"Tian Gangyixiong actually didn't dig out Sakata's eyes!" Hong Zhiyou shook his head and smiled.

Tian Gangyixiong was combative and famous for digging out people's eyes.

Sakata Toshio being finished off with a single sword stroke could be considered getting off easy.

"Dead is dead.

"I just want to know when we are seeing MacArthur.

"Fighting has started in Kinmen and Zhoushan, and Wan Island is short on grain; you should at least move a little," Wan An muttered daily.

"Tonight, maybe," Hong Zhiyou thought and said.

The news of Sakata Toshio's murder quickly spread throughout Kyoto.

The most panicked was Wu Fangzhi.

He secretly rejoiced that he hadn't followed to watch the fun last night; otherwise, he would have long since become a ghost under Tian Gangyixiong's sword.

He rushed to Ikeda Sugiue's residence as fast as he could.

"Lord Ikeda, have you seen this morning's news?" Wu Fangzhi asked.

"I have already notified the Police Agency to have them immediately arrest Tian Gangyixiong.

"Tian Gangyixiong has always been in awe of Sakata-kun.

"This time he actually dared to kill; is this idiot crazy?"

Ikeda Sugiue touched the small square mustache on his philtrum, extremely puzzled.

"Lord Ikeda, is there any need to think about it?

"Hong Zhiyou went to see him a few days ago; he must have been instigated by this kid.

"Don't forget Sakata Toshio once sent people to assassinate him.

"If this is the case, with this person's vengeful nature, you and I who were present that day are probably also in danger."

Wu Fangzhi said.

He hadn't participated in the assassination and didn't think Hong Zhiyou dared to move against him.

Saying this was purely to drag Ikeda into the water so he could deal a death blow to Hong Zhiyou and sit back to reap the benefits.

The current situation was also very unfavorable for him.

MacArthur had taken the initial one hundred thousand U. S. dollars but had been slow with follow-ups; he neither agreed to sign the grain brokerage agreement with the Kong family nor mentioned aid and other matters.

Even the resourceful Wu Fangzhi couldn't figure out the trick here.

He only knew that if this dragged on, it would only become increasingly unfavorable.

The only thing to rejoice about was that Hong Zhiyou hadn't met with MacArthur since the banquet, or perhaps he had already been secretly rejected.

According to intelligence, this guy was eating, drinking, and wasting time every day.

It was highly likely that because of the latter, he was waiting until the funds were almost spent and the days were enough, then return to Wan Island to report his hard work—this was the "fine style" of most special envoys from Wan Island.

"Hong Zhiyou, if he dares to target me, that is seeking his own death!" Ikeda Sugiue sneered.

"Lord Ikeda, the Police Agency replied that they have caught Tian Gangyixiong," a subordinate walked in and reported.

"Where was Tian Gang-kun when they caught him?" Wu Fangzhi asked.

"At home," the person replied.

"He didn't run? This matter is evil," Wu Fangzhi frowned and muttered.

"Mr. Wu, don't make a fuss.

"You have wisdom, and he has wisdom; you don't need to fear him.

"Don't forget this is Tokyo, it's the territory of Lord Yoshida Shigeru and me; a mere Wan Island envoy can't stir up any waves.

"Wait until I see General MacArthur tonight; as long as he nods, I can have the Police Agency arrest him on charges of suspected conspiracy to murder Sakata-kun."

Ikeda Sugiue laughed proudly.

"Alright!" Wu Fangzhi's eyes sank.

The Kong family had operated in North America for many years, and their main assets were also in North America; they had always had a close relationship with the Chicago financial group behind MacArthur.

Wu Fangzhi couldn't think of any chance of winning for Hong Zhiyou in this negotiation.

If he couldn't get the agreement or U. S. aid, Tokyo would be Hong Zhiyou's burial ground, making sure he couldn't return!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 351 =====

If he cannot secure the contract and the American aid, Taipei will be the burial ground for Hong Zhiyou; he will be taught that there is no return!

……

(End of chapter)