Dealing with traitors

"Extra! Extra! The French Concession police have displayed their might! A Soviet spy has reappeared in Shanghai!"

"Extra! Extra! Nougat isn't candy! This foreign couple is actually Soviet spies!"

Merchants from all over the country were scattered in the noisy restaurant, discussing the matter animatedly. This arrest in the French Concession was much more high-profile than the previous arrest at the Jinmen Hotel in the International Settlement.

Not only was the commotion huge, but the consequences were even greater. It is said that both foreigners had legitimate passports and jobs, and the only evidence that could identify them was the confession of a certain CCP traitor.

A single piece of evidence is not enough to prove anything, which gives others room to manipulate things. A guest next to him whispered that he had heard that even Madame Sun had been alarmed. She was very firm in her stance and went to the Presidential Palace in Nanjing one after another to question President Chiang Kai-shek about his arbitrary arrests.

She even convened a group of well-known foreign scientists, lawyers, and diplomats to form an "International Protest Committee" to pressure the Nationalist government to release the man. Embassies of many countries also participated in the activity. If not handled properly, it could turn into an international dispute, affecting President Chiang and the entire Nationalist government's international reputation.

Upon hearing this, everyone sighed. The international situation was already severe, and now it was even more difficult to move forward. When the waiter was serving the dishes, he couldn't help but chime in, saying that he had heard that the underworld had also put a bounty on those two foreigners.

Everyone's curiosity was immediately piqued, and they all asked the waiter for details. The waiter explained mysteriously in a low voice that someone wanted to pay money for the head of the leaker, which was worth five thousand silver dollars, while whoever could rescue the foreign couple would receive a full twenty thousand silver dollars!

Wow! A gasp rippled across the table. Putting aside the cost of rescuing the person, how could they possibly spend so much to buy the head of the whistleblower? It seems this foreign couple has some connections.

Li Sheng, who was ordering food at the counter, turned his attention back to the menu. Little did they know that the whistleblower who had offered a reward of five thousand silver dollars was waiting for his meal in the private room, hungry.

Back in the private room, Li Sheng slammed the menu down in front of Zhang Chong without ceremony. Since he had agreed to let the former members of the group eat out, then CC should pay the bill. Zhang Chong didn't even glance at it before handing the handwritten menu to his subordinate, telling him to pay the bill later.

Given the intense rivalry between the two recently, and not wanting to give them a friendly look, Li Sheng sat down and focused on pouring his own water, ignoring CC's people, especially Zhang the Madman across from him.

On one side, the traitor Huang Gui, probably unable to bear the pressure from both sides, took the initiative to break the awkwardness and asked Li Sheng in a kind and gentle manner what was going on outside.

Of course there was. Li Sheng grinned and recounted the conversation between the guest and the waiter, embellishing it with his own words. Huang Gui visibly slumped after hearing it, and he said aggrievedly that he really didn't leak the secret.

All he knew was that there was a "billiards club" run by foreigners in the French Concession, where Zhang Tianhe had once gone to make contact with people from the Comintern. Everything else was discovered by the various bosses; he was truly innocent.

“But Zhang Tianhe denies ever going to the ‘billiards club’ to make contact, nor does he know the foreign couple who were arrested.” Li Sheng said expressionlessly, denying the traitor’s so-called “innocence.”

“Zhang Tianhe is afraid of being assassinated by the underworld, which is why he denies it to the death. He definitely went there. He used to brag to us about his integrity. He made contact with people from the Comintern and took hundreds of thousands of silver dollars as operating funds. He was unmoved by huge sums of money. Bah!” Huang Gui revealed with a bitter face.

"Can you really believe a lie? Don't you use your brain?" Zhang Chong suddenly interjected in a sinister tone, "Even if a real Communist is sitting right next to you, you won't even notice."

“Well said. The CCP is treacherous and cunning. That’s why we’ve invited all the big shots we can to help, but we still can’t catch them. It must be because the enemy is too cunning, not because we are too incompetent.” Li Sheng gave a meaningful smile, deliberately bringing up the sore spot.

Zhang Chong's long face instantly fell. He sullenly took a sip of tea. Those in the room who had participated in the arrest at the Kinmen Hotel could hear Li Sheng's sarcasm. Zhang Chong had mobilized the military, police, and special agents to encircle and suppress the Communist Party, trying to catch the biggest fish, but they hadn't caught a single one.

There was nothing they could do; the heavens didn't forsake the Communist Party. A torrential downpour suddenly fell, rendering the military dogs' noses useless. One careless colleague even accidentally killed a military dog, which angered the military law department, who then unleashed the dogs to bite people. His leg was now permanently disabled.

If Commander Xiong hadn't suppressed the situation to save face for both sides, who knows how much trouble it would have gotten into. But it will be difficult to get help from the military law department again in the future!

Not only the military, but Zhang Chong also killed people and sealed off buildings indiscriminately in hotels, forcing them to pay a lot of money in compensation. These debts will be settled with CC sooner or later. If they dare to offend even the big boss, the Public Concession will have no future.

Compared to the CC team members' dejection, Li Sheng was quite happy. To guard against him, Zhang Fengzi only sent someone to notify the military law department to bring dogs for investigation. However, there are no secrets that stay hidden forever, and it was Director Yan's loose tongue that kept it all.

Thanks to the military law department, Li Sheng called back and used the sentiment of keeping the benefits within the family to ask for assistance in the investigation. Director Yan was naturally happy for Li Sheng to represent the headquarters and steal the credit, but he was also worried that CC would make things difficult for him, so he specially invited Gao Junxiao, the treasure of the house, to lead the team to play the bad cop, since he and CC didn't have a good relationship anyway.

What puzzled Li Sheng the most wasn't Director Yan's fickle nature, but that Gao Junxiao actually agreed to lead a team to search. Wasn't he about to get married and couldn't stand seeing blood?

Li Sheng still can't figure this out. Even if Gao Junxiao refused to go, Director Yan couldn't do anything about it. Why did he have to go against his own wishes? In the end, he even set the dog on people and deliberately caused trouble, which was completely different from his low-key style.

On the other hand, Qingcheng became increasingly cautious in her actions, and every preparation had to be precise down to the millisecond. I was almost driven crazy by her extreme timing. I really couldn't understand the thought process of this couple anymore.

Before Li Sheng could ponder further, the traitor Huang Gui beside him began to confess again. He was terrified of his former teammates. He used to work in the field of eliminating traitors and knew that the Communist Party would find an opportunity to execute traitors and would never keep them alive until the New Year.

The Red Team members who were tasked with eliminating traitors ended up being eliminated themselves. Serves them right, Li Sheng thought to himself with a cold laugh. Meanwhile, the waiter had already served up a number of delicious dishes.

The aroma of the food filled his nostrils. Li Sheng was already hungry, so he picked up a few pieces of clover and stuffed them into his mouth. Huang Gui, who was next to him, was so envious that his eyes turned green. He was about to reach for his chopsticks when Zhang Chong stopped him. Zhang Chong said that Li Sheng should test the poison on himself first, and if there were no problems, he would eat it.

That damned Zhang Fengzi is really cunning. If he doesn't care and continues eating, Zhang Fengzi will think he's too relaxed, unless he knows for sure that the food isn't poisonous. But if he doesn't eat, then the problem is even bigger, since he ordered the food himself.

Li Sheng slammed down his chopsticks and questioned Zhang Chong with a stern face, asking what he meant. Protecting Huang Gui was a cooperative task agreed upon by Commander Xiong and Manager Xu, intended to supervise each other's work and prevent the Communist Party from taking advantage of any loopholes.

The cooperative mission was completely ruined by Zhang Chong's loose tongue, and it all became a task for their military. He kept preventing Huang Gui from leaving the safe house, but it was only after Zhang Chong agreed to let Huang Gui go out for a treat that everyone went out together.

Logically, no one knew that Huang Gui had decided to eat here on short notice. Everyone should have eaten and drunk as usual. Of course, it was right for Zhang Chong to be cautious, but personally testing the poison showed his serious attitude.

With a snap, Li Sheng pulled out a pair of clean chopsticks and slammed them down in front of Zhang Chong, just like the menu. His underlings behind him clamored for him to eat quickly, saying that not eating would be slacking off.

Such a provocative act greatly displeased the CC team members, who retorted loudly. Zhang Chong glanced down at his chopsticks, a vein throbbing on his temple. Huang Gui shrank to the side, not daring to breathe.

"The food is here!"

The waiter's appearance broke the tense atmosphere inside the room. At this moment, the noisy environment outside suddenly became quiet, and the team members inside almost simultaneously drew their sidearms and looked warily into the corridor.

Ah~~

With a few excited screams, the restaurant immediately erupted in noise, and one could vaguely hear someone boldly calling out the names of Xu Xi and Miss Yu Ling.

Upon hearing Miss Yuling's name, Huang Gui straightened up abruptly, his face lighting up with surprise. He turned and reached for the window, but before he could open it, two CC team members grabbed his wrists.

Anyone could see his intentions. Zhang Chong glared fiercely at Huang Gui, gritting his teeth and threatening him that if he wanted to die sooner, he should hurry up and open the window so that the snipers outside could aim at his head.

Compared to his own life, Huang Gui forcefully suppressed his urge to admire the pampered female celebrities. Li Sheng patted him on the shoulder and advised, "Stop being a fangirl and eat properly. You're acting like you've never seen a woman before."

The opportunity to see Miss Yuling in person was too tempting. Huang Gui was unwilling and kept glancing longingly out the window. Li Sheng took the opportunity to ask the waiter with great interest, "Why would a big star come to Laoximen? Are you filming a movie?"

When this topic came up, Xiao Er was like a dam opening, proudly stating that Xu Xi and Yu Ling's latest period drama film was shot at the Confucius Temple. The film crew had been there several times, and each time the Confucius Temple was packed with people.

Before leaving, the waiter praised Miss Yuling, saying she was even more beautiful than in the movies. He mentioned that when the film crew dined at their restaurant last time, she gave them a generous tip and thanked them profusely. He added that she was both beautiful and kind, a true fairy descended from heaven.

Seeing that the craving he had just suppressed was being reignited by the waiter, Li Sheng smiled without saying a word and started eating his food. Huang Gui, who was next to him, swallowed and tentatively asked if he could go to the toilet.

"You two accompany Huang Gui to the latrine, and you must not leave his sight." Zhang Chong waved his hand, summoning two of his men.

"Understood," the CC team members replied in unison.

After Huang Gui left, Li Sheng, just like before, was too lazy to waste words with Zhang Fengzi. He picked up another pair of chopsticks and focused on drinking tea and eating his food. After all, he needed to be well-fed to have the strength to eliminate the traitors!

Soon, the street returned to its usual bustling state. Li Sheng guessed that the film crew had gone far away, and most of the onlookers had dispersed.

Tata—

"Behave yourself, or I'll break your legs."

In the corridor, chaotic footsteps were mixed with insults. The door was violently kicked open, and the traitor Huang Gui twisted his arms. The person pressing down on him was no longer the original CC team member. Li Sheng wiped his mouth and told his men to let go. He said to talk things out and to be gentle with those who had switched sides, otherwise who would dare to join him?

"What's going on?" Zhang Chong asked, frowning.

"What else can you do? Dying under a peony is still romantic. You're a man, you must understand that, right?" Li Sheng considerately lit a cigarette for Huang Gui to calm him down.

Huang Gui was flattered by the sudden concern. He tremblingly took the cigarette, took two deep drags, and exhaled two puffs of smoke from his nose. He looked bewildered as if he had been greatly frightened.

The men escorting him back promptly reported to Li Sheng that the kid had tried to evade the CC's surveillance and run off to the Confucius Temple to chase after a female celebrity. He was almost killed by a member of the Communist Party who recognized him, but luckily he was quite skilled and managed to escape, running right into the two men who had been following him since the hotel entrance.

However, the Confucius Temple is too crowded and chaotic right now, so it's not easy for them to arrest anyone. They can only bring Huang Gui back for protection first. After hearing this, Li Sheng loudly praised his two subordinates for their decisiveness. This is a protection mission, so let's not cause any unforeseen problems.

The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart. Zhang Chong's eyes darted around, and he quietly gave a few instructions to his subordinates. Li Sheng pretended not to care, and eagerly handed Huang Gui chopsticks, saying in a slow voice, "It's good that he's alright. Come on, have some food. The main dishes here are quite delicious."

After this fright, Huang Gui finally behaved himself, gulping down his food. He probably didn't care much about the taste; he was just glad to be alive.

After the meal, Li Sheng suggested that they return to the safe house as soon as possible, as it was not safe outside. Zhang Chong had no objection to this, but most of his men had disappeared, leaving only a small team and himself to escort them.

There's a lot of foot traffic nearby, and parking is difficult, so Li Sheng sent two of his men to retrieve the car. The place is a bit far, and it will take some time.

The remaining people found a cramped, shady alley to wait for the bus. After waiting for a while, Huang Gui slowly moved over, pursed his lips, and made a request to Li Sheng: "Section Chief Li, my mouth is so dry, could you go buy me a bowl of water?"

"No, I'll drink it when I get back." Li Sheng decisively refused, lit a match, and lit himself a cigarette after the meal.

"Perhaps the food is too salty, and I'm also a bit thirsty. There's a public stove over there, so getting some water shouldn't be a problem." Zhang Chong always pretended to be a good guy at crucial moments, undermining Li Sheng.

"Oh, Section Chief Zhang is such a good man. Don't think I don't know what you're up to. Huang Gui is such a cooperative convert, I can't bear to use him as bait. Go drink it yourself." After warning Huang Gui, Li Sheng grabbed him and pushed him into the protective circle.

People tend to cause trouble when they're full. Huang Gui couldn't resist pestering Zhang Chong again, repeatedly praising Section Chief Zhang as a good person and asking him to buy him a bowl of water.

Li Sheng pulled Huang Gui aside and earnestly persuaded him that the Communist Party loved to carry out assassinations in these narrow alleyways, and if they came, there wouldn't even be time to retreat.

"Why do you always boost others' morale while diminishing your own? Huang Gui has already exposed most of the CCP in the old West Gate. Only a few scattered and disorganized members remain. It's the perfect opportunity to wipe them all out in one fell swoop." Zhang Chong forcefully pulled Huang Gui over, looking determined.

One person pulled on one side, and Huang Gui was caught in the middle, in a dilemma. After a long while, he bowed to Li Sheng and said, "Thank you for your concern, Section Chief Li. The car won't be here for a while, so why don't we go for a drink together and look out for each other?"

"Please, Section Chief Li," Zhang Chong said smugly, extending his hand in an inviting gesture.

A cold draft swept through the narrow alley. Li Sheng glanced at each of them, then threw away his cigarette butt, stubbed it out with his foot, and walked ahead without saying a word.

"You choose the path to hell when there's no way out," Li Sheng fiercely suppressed his inner anticipation to avoid laughing out loud. Everything proceeded as Qingcheng had planned.

Is the food salty? Hehe, salty is just right. It was worth it for Qingcheng to carefully write the celebrity announcement and also give the restaurant a whole page of advertising. The ad copy even said that regular customers would have the opportunity to dine with Miss Yuling. Such tempting copywriting was simply irresistible to a little fanboy like Huang Gui.

Previously, due to Huang Gui's sabotage, several safe houses in Laoximen were destroyed, and the comrades' living space was once again compressed. Fortunately, Qingcheng reported to the superiors in time, and the personnel were evacuated early, preventing further large-scale casualties.

However, after the main force withdrew, only a few comrades remained in the old Ximen area, struggling to remain hidden. The organization had actually sent people to carry out anti-traitor operations, but because the traitor Huang Gui was well-versed in the organization's anti-traitor methods and had extraordinary skills, the kid always managed to escape.

Of course, the main reason was that the comrades in the Third Section suffered too many losses, and the remaining comrades had varying levels of professional competence. The organization should send a new Red Team to Shanghai, but the Jinmen Hotel was leaked, and they lost contact with the organization. When Li Sheng learned of this news, his mind went blank.

Kiyosumi comforted him, telling him not to panic during his lowest point, that individual strength is limited, but the power of the masses is limitless...

This incident serves as a signal to the organization: we are still resisting!