[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-spy-survival-guide":3,"chapter-spy-survival-guide-spy-survival-guide-chapter-44":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},2366360,4634,"Chapter 44: Better You Die Than Me","spy-survival-guide-chapter-44",44,"\u003Cp>\"Continue talking to her tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hong Zhiyou, the Red Ticket has the support of wealthy local magnates behind them; they are certainly not lacking in gold or U.S. dollars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This arms deal is just a glove, understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong pointed out with a shrewd look on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chen Zhangjie provides the equipment, the Red Ticket provides the money, and we collect the profit.\" Hong Zhiyou nodded readily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fat meat delivered to our mouths—it would be a waste not to take it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must catch the big fish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must achieve great merit; this is a task that kills three birds with one stone, you must grasp it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong was very satisfied with his quick-wittedness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Station Chief.\" Hong Zhiyou accepted the order in a clear voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At nine o'clock tonight, Yu Zecheng is going to arrest that Xiangdao profiteer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The matter is about to be settled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tonight, we're having a late-night snack at my place!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong smiled and left, humming a little tune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou returned to his office and began to worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He always felt something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically speaking, an old hand like Yong Jianqiu shouldn't be this stupid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting a woman with little worldly experience negotiate a deal with the Juntong Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that she really relies on her connections to be so fearless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou could grasp a bit of the Station Chief's intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Make money!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catch the Red Ticket!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, facing an old hand like Yong Jianqiu, where did Wu Jingzhong get his confidence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou had a massive headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not offend the Station Chief, and he dared not offend the Red Ticket even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firstly, for future business, he needed stable cooperation with the Red Ticket to make big money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he really relied on those small favors from Wu Jingzhong, he would be a clown once he went to the Nanyang later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helping the Red Ticket had nothing to do with helping \"our mother\" climb up; it was purely for his own long-term career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, if he were to be the scapegoat and end up on the Red Ticket's blacklist, he wouldn't even know how he died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't Yuan Peilin in the original drama a bloody lesson?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why does it feel like Jinhai City is just like a cesspit, where you get shit on your feet no matter where you walk?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was worrying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door knocked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Secretary Hong, are you in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come in.\" Hong Zhiyou took a slight breath, managing his emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Mi Zhiguo who came in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Hong, want to play a couple of games?\" Mi Zhiguo's tone was almost pleading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this guy short on money again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's play!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou waved his hand and set up the Chinese chess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They played two games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Mi Zhiguo was distracted, he simply cleared the chessboard:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Short on money again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Zhiguo scratched his head and said somewhat shyly: \"Nothing can be hidden from you, Brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's not right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you just get paid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're a regular member of the Action Team, you shouldn't be this short on money, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did the General Affairs Section hold it back from you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou looked at him suspiciously and handed him a cigarette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Zhiguo respectfully took it, pulled a box of matches from his pocket, lit it, and took a puff:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Hong, can you lend me a few silver dollars? I'll be sure to pay you back when I get paid next month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou didn't say a word, picked up the matchbox, looked at it, and sneered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, not bad, you're already visiting the Xiuchun Brothel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The women there aren't cheap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You even smell like opium; you're quite capable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Hong, let me explain...\" Mi Zhiguo was about to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou shouted and cut him off:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The station's regulations explicitly state that prostitution and opium smoking are prohibited. What do you think you are? Is that something you can afford to play with?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get out, I don't want to see you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Zhiguo was stunned by him, his eyes reddened as he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Hong, don't you know what kind of person I am?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My mother has tuberculosis, and I have a younger brother to support. I haven't even touched a woman's finger, how could I break discipline and smoke opium?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what's going on?\" Hong Zhiyou asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's Captain Ma.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Zhiguo looked around and said in a low voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He invited someone to visit the Xiuchun Brothel, and I just happened to take these matches.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I figured you wouldn't dare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does him visiting the Xiuchun Brothel have to do with you? Where is your money?\" Hong Zhiyou asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was borrowed by Captain Ma.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiao Wen and I didn't want to lend it, so we each got punched. Look, my shoulder was almost dislocated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Zhiguo unbuttoned his clothes, revealing the bruise on his shoulder to complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou instantly realized that Ma Kui was developing a secret line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui had recently been in charge of the Yong family case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At such an important juncture, he still had the leisure to accompany a hoodlum to a brothel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even went as far as extorting money from his subordinates to treat guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a problem here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yong family, Ma Kui, the hoodlum, and the Station Chief's \"steady as Mount Tai\" attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou vaguely felt like he had touched upon something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly regained his composure and said indignantly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Ma has gone too far.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhiguo, your family is in a difficult situation; the money for your mother's medical treatment cannot be cut off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about this, I don't have money on me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Write a note and go find Department Chief Lu. While it's still before the end of the workday, have him approve my next month's salary for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou took out his fountain pen and scribbled a promissory note.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't the General Affairs Section managed by Xue Dongshan?\" Mi Zhiguo held the note and was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nominally it's Old Xue, but the seal is still with Department Chief Lu; they haven't handed it over yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just go and get it done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Mi Zhiguo was about to leave, Hong Zhiyou called him back:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't talk nonsense; Captain Ma won't spare you if he finds out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Brother Hong, you're still the best to your brothers.\" Mi Zhiguo was moved to tears and trotted away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Best, my foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better you die than me, little brother; I have no choice but to sell you out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him enter Lu Qiaoshan's office, Hong Zhiyou walked quickly toward Yu Zecheng's confidential office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that Yu Zecheng had to check the confidential file archives, so he usually got off work half an hour late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he went in, Yu was packing tea boxes into his bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Yu, you're a man who collects gold bars, yet you're still greedy for these little perks,\" Hong Zhiyou said, leaning against the doorway and teasing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everything the Station Master rewards is high-quality goods; you can't buy them outside,\" Yu Zecheng said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's perfect, I'm bored, so I'll beg a cup of tea off you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou sat down on his sofa and refused to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's wrong? Things not going your way?\" Seeing his gloomy expression, Yu Zecheng knew he must be hiding something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't even mention it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're getting credit and rewards tonight, while I'm stuck catching flak from all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have no idea...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou looked at him, waved his hand, and stopped mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Ma Kui and the Station Master knew about his mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He absolutely could not speak of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything that left his lips would be evidence, easily used against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng was skilled at observation and seizing opportunities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a trusted aide to Wu Jingzhong, he would certainly be a key target of Yu Zecheng's attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he let even a little bit slip, Yu Zecheng could follow the trail and uncover his tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou rubbed his temples and sighed, then immediately smiled with relief:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has your wife not arrived yet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard the Station Master lose his temper yesterday, saying if she doesn't come soon, he'll send Director Liu to your hometown to drag her here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed, I sent a letter to my hometown; she should be here in these next two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a good thing you handled Miss Mu, otherwise, I wouldn't know how to answer to her when she arrives,\" Yu Zecheng said, squinting and smiling with his white teeth showing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two chatted for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of hurried leather shoes echoed in the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu must have arrived!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiaoshan was an old intelligence agent, and his professional skills were by no means inferior to Yu Zecheng's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that dog-like nose of his, he would surely be able to smell the opium on Mi Zhiguo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A \"smiling tiger\" is not someone to be trifled with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Zhiguo would definitely crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, Secretary Hong, you're here; I was just looking for you,\" Lu Qiaoshan said as he entered the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just about to get off work, you two chat,\" Yu Zecheng said, standing up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't, Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's perfect that you're here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at this Ma Kui!\" Lu Qiaoshan pointed his index finger into the air and gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he continued, full of resentment:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know why the Station Master dotes on him so much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Last time he messed up, he didn't get his head taken off, and now his tail is up in the air again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's actually fraternizing with a hoodlum from the Drum Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Visiting the Embroidery Pavilion, smoking opium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, a field officer leading the way in whoring...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lu Qiaoshan said this, he shook his head repeatedly and chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou was secretly delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that old Lu was a gossip and would definitely come to complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn't be helped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the station, only Ma Kui was a Lieutenant Colonel, qualified to compete with him for the position of Deputy Station Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu had to smear Ma Kui's reputation to win people over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He certainly wouldn't miss an opportunity like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could just use him as his own mouthpiece to help Yu Zecheng!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1744,"2026-06-25T10:22:48.848Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","c37038d2d19c4cc82b8ef1efeecc2d983f8fa2fd4c25481b9c6cdf5613f9c36d","spy-survival-guide-chapter-45","spy-survival-guide-chapter-43",395,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fspy-survival-guide-cover.jpg"]