Chapter 90: Whoever Offends Me Is A Communist Bandit
“Fourth, Fourth Uncle,” Zhang Zixian hesitated: “Shouldn’t we plan a bit more.”
“Boss Zhang is a big shot, backed by Shanghai’s underground forces. We’ve just arrived in Shanghai,”
“As the saying goes, a powerful dragon doesn’t crush the local snake.”
“Fourth Uncle, you’ve often said before that harmony is most precious in all matters.”
Zuo Mingquan sneered: “Harmony is most precious, but that depends on the person. Director Chen’s meaning is so obvious.”
“If you don’t rush up and play the role of this knife well, how can he have a reason to help us stand up for us.”
“Cut the crap. I know more about the twists and turns in officialdom than you do. If you want to give me suggestions, wait until you’ve become a director.”
“By the way, what’s the name of that troublemaker?”
Zhang Zixian said: “Tian Darong, nickname Tyrannosaurus.”
Zuo Mingquan grinned ferociously: “Tyrannosaurus, huh? I’ll first smash his venue, then play with him slowly.”
“Let’s see if he’s a dragon or a worm. Little Treasure, tell the brothers to bring weapons and prepare to set off.”
“Yes,” Zhang Zixian saluted in a proper manner, making Zuo Mingquan burst into laughter.
After arranging for Zhang Zixian to call people, Zuo Mingquan also changed out of his office clothes, putting on a short jacket. His build was originally plump, with years of drinking and socializing, and he had a big belly himself, so the short jacket made it easier to move.
He took out his service pistol and skillfully loaded two full magazines with ammunition. Just as he loaded the magazine, he heard footsteps approaching.
Zuo Mingquan thought Zhang Zixian had already gathered the people and was about to set off when he saw it was another shop assistant who arrived.
“Director Zuo, Lieutenant Asano from the Special Higher Police Affairs is here to see you. He says there’s an action that requires your assistance.”
“From the Special Higher Police Affairs?” Zuo Mingquan was slightly stunned and quickly said: “Quickly invite him in.”
That shop assistant saluted and hurriedly went to invite him.
In no time, the shop assistant returned, followed by a Japanese man in plain clothes.
The reason it was so easy to identify his identity was that his appearance was too distinctive.
He wore a pair of black-rimmed round glasses, below which was a signature mustache—this was clearly the look of a Japanese devil.
“You’re Director Zuo Mingquan?” The little devil sized up Zuo Mingquan and said slowly: “I am Asano Omiya from the Special Higher Police Affairs Investigation Team.”
The other’s Chinese language wasn’t very good, sounding extremely stiff.
But Zuo Mingquan didn’t dare to be neglectful, nodding and bowing: “Lieutenant Asano, hello, hello.”
Seeing Zuo Mingquan’s attitude, Asano Omiya’s expression softened slightly: “When I came in just now, I saw people gathering downstairs.”
“Does Director Zuo have some mission to carry out?”
Zuo Mingquan replied respectfully: “Yes, Lieutenant Asano. We’ve received intelligence that there are subversives appearing near the Fourth Navigation Route.”
“To catch these anti-Japanese elements who sabotage the Empire’s harmony, we must go all out.”
Asano Omiya nodded slightly: “I greatly appreciate Director Zuo’s attitude toward work.”
“However, right now, there’s a more important matter that requires your assistance.”
“Director Zuo came from Nanjing and should have received intelligence before about a New Army special commissioner coming to Shanghai to buy medicine.”
Zuo Mingquan nodded: “I know about this. When we were setting up surveillance at Nanjing Train Station, I was leading the team with Section Chief Yokogawa.”
Asano Omiya nodded: “Good that you know; that makes it easier.”
“Our Investigation Team has raided many venues these past few days but hasn’t caught anyone.”
“There’s intelligence that the underground transportation station in Shanghai is also looking for this special commissioner. We must catch him one step ahead of them.”
“Does Director Zuo think there are any difficulties?”
Zuo Mingquan answered decisively: “Lieutenant Asano, there are definitely difficulties, but we can’t just not do our job because of difficulties.”
“Please rest assured, Lieutenant Asano. We will do everything possible to find this special commissioner.”
“Very good. Director Zuo is loyal to the Empire. I will definitely commend your merits to Your Excellency Kagesa.”
“Director Zuo, be careful with everything. I’ll be waiting for your good news at the Special Higher Police Affairs.”
“Yes, Lieutenant Asano, take care.” Zuo Mingquan saluted in a proper manner.
After seeing off Asano Omiya, Zhang Zixian sneaked in quietly and said: “Fourth Uncle, should we cancel our action?”
“Cancel? Why cancel?” Zuo Mingquan sneered: “The New Army special commissioner has legs to run all over Shanghai, but Zhang Xiaolin’s venue doesn’t have legs.”
Zhang Zixian whispered: “But that Japanese came to ask you to catch the communist bandits first.”
“Shut your mouth,” Zuo Mingquan stuffed the gun into his waist viciously and said: “Let me tell you, whoever pisses me off is a goddamn communist bandit.”
Shanghai, Fourth Navigation Route, Fu Shou Guan.
This was a three-story brick building blending Chinese and Western styles, with a plaque reading “Fu Shou Yan Nian” hanging at the door.
Dusk was falling, the big red lanterns at the door emitting an ambiguous dim yellow light in the night. The neon tube above the door sign spelled out “Fu Shou Guan” in three large characters, the flashing lights illuminating several men in short outfits at the door, their eyes vigilant.
These were the venue guards of Fu Shou Guan, with fierce expressions and detestable faces.
The Fourth Navigation Route wasn’t the most prosperous, but after nightfall, it became the noisiest spot in the area, gathering all sorts of hooligans and riffraff.
“Place your bets, place your bets. Big pays big, small pays small.”
“Buy and leave.” The cries of the downstairs dealer could be clearly heard even from the street.
At this moment, at the street corner, three black Dodge vans plus over a dozen bicycles were parked roadside.
Zuo Mingquan, sitting in the passenger seat of the Dodge car, was resting with his eyes closed. Ding ding ding, Zhang Zixian knocked on the car window: “Fourth Uncle, we’ve spotted him.”
“Should we move now?”
Zuo Mingquan opened his eyes, his turbid eyeballs emitting a ruthless glint: “Have the brothers surround the front and back doors. I’ve been waiting for him all afternoon—don’t let him escape.”
“Got it.” Zhang Zixian hurried to give orders. Soon, the group split into three teams. Zhang Zixian led one group with weapons sneaking to the back alley of Fu Shou Guan.
Another group disguised as passersby and guarded across from Fu Shou Guan.
Zuo Mingquan pushed open the car door, got out, and waved to the remaining dozen or so men: “Let’s go, we’ll also go appraise and see how violent this Tyrannosaurus can be.”
“Yes.”
The group marched grandly toward the Fu Shou Guan ahead.
The door guards saw this scene, and someone had already gone in to notify. Zuo Mingquan was a hooligan himself and was used to such situations.
Pushing open the carved wooden door on the ground floor, a wave of heat hit his face. The ground floor of Fu Shou Guan was a casino, the air mixed with cheap cigars, sweat stench, bargain perfume, and an excited scent of money.
The lobby was filled with smoke, with pai gow tables, poker tables, and even the currently trendy roulette.
Seeing the packed crowd inside, Zuo Mingquan couldn’t help but have his eyes light up. Good grief, how much money would they make in one night.
