Chapter 215: You Dare Touch My People
“What is this?” Nantian Yangzi licked her lips and asked.
“Hmph, I don’t know..” Lin Xueli decisively closed his eyes.
Thud thud thud, a burst of rapid footsteps came from behind. Matsui Koji rushed in through the back door with his men and quickly joined Nantian.
“Nanta Major, did you find anything?” Matsui stepped forward and asked.
Nantian suddenly didn’t know how to respond.
Navy Department confidential documents, in principle, the Special Higher Police Affairs at this level had no right to access them.
But this document was searched from Lin Xueli. Was it real or fake? Was there some secret behind it?
For a moment, Nantian was caught in a dilemma.
Matsui looked at the chrysanthemum crest seal on the document bag and the confidential markings below, and for a moment, he didn’t dare to offer any opinion.
“Take it back to headquarters!” Nantian thought for a moment and gave the order, “I will interrogate him personally!”
Shanghai, in the Special Higher Police Affairs Interrogation Room, Lin Xueli was tied to the torture chair, his face covered in bloodstains, but his eyes remained firm.
“Speak! What exactly is in this document bag?” Nantian Yangzi asked sternly.
Lin Xueli sneered: “Miss Nantian, I’ve said it hundreds of times, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t put it there.”
“Still quibbling!” Nantian slammed the table hard, “It was searched from you, if it’s not yours, whose is it?”
“I also want to know what’s inside? Why don’t you, Miss Nantian, open it and take a look?” Lin Xueli’s tone was full of mockery.
“Maybe there’s nothing inside, or maybe it’s the intelligence you’ve been desperately looking for. Just open it and you’ll know.”
Nantian Yangzi was immediately speechless.
Thud thud thud, a burst of footsteps rang out, and Matsui Koji walked in panting.
“Nanta Major, we’ve already questioned it clearly.”
“This guy opened safe No. 167. The safe is unregistered. The clerk said it was opened by a Chinese person.”
“As for what that person looked like, he said he couldn’t describe it clearly, just that the person was very mysterious, wearing sunglasses and a trench coat.”
“I think he’s just playing tricks.”
“It might even be Communist Party confidential intelligence.”
Nantian looked at the document and pondered for a long time, gritted her teeth, tore open the seal, and pulled out the documents inside.
But after just one glance, she was stunned. The top page of the documents inside clearly bore the words “Ministry of the Navy Confidential” and a bright red “Top Secret” seal.
Below it clearly read 《Empire Navy Fuel Procurement Contract》.
This was not the underground party intelligence she expected, but an oil procurement contract that detailed the procurement agreement between the Japanese Navy and TotalEnergies in French Indochina Vietnam in Southeast Asia, including quantity, price, transportation routes, and other top secret information.
She quickly flipped through it, her eyes growing more and more surprised. On the last page, she saw the signature and seal of Navy Minister Toyota Shinshiro.
In the folder layer, she also found a business card: Chen Yang, Director of the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee Shanghai Office, with a handwritten line on the back: “Wednesday, old place, Yamaki”.
“What… what is going on?” Nantian looked at Lin Xueli in confusion, “How could Ministry of the Navy confidential documents be in your hands?”
A flash of surprise passed through Lin Xueli’s eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: “I told you early on, that’s not my thing.”
“I don’t know anything.”
Nantian’s mind raced.
This contract seemed fine on the surface, but actually had big issues. Chen Yang and Minister Yamaki were jointly procuring oil, but the price was far above the market price.
Could it be that the two were embezzling public funds and Lin Xueli had caught their handle?
No, Lin Xueli didn’t have that capability yet.
But if it had nothing to do with him, why did this document appear in the safe at Jinshang Bank? And why did Lin Xueli get hold of it so coincidentally?
Was it framing, or…
No matter how hard Nantian racked her brains, she couldn’t figure it out. The briefcase had long been swapped by someone, and the contents inside were completely different.
“Continue the interrogation!” Nantian coldly ordered her subordinates, “I must get to the bottom of this!”
“Hai.” The executioner beside her bowed slightly, grinning wickedly as he picked up the small whip, really preparing to strike.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the Special Higher Police Affairs corridor.
“Get out of my way! I want to see Nantian Yangzi!” Chen Yang’s voice came from far to near.
The interrogation room door was flung open, and Chen Yang stormed in furiously, with secret agents trailing behind trying to stop him.
“Nanta Major! What do you mean by this?” Chen Yang pointed at the briefcase on the table, “Coming to my territory to arrest someone without a word, and fucking arresting my man?”
“Your man?” Nantian Yangzi looked at Chen Yang coldly.
“Nonsense, who in all of Shanghai doesn’t know Lin Xueli is my elder brother,” Chen Yang said angrily: “You arresting my man without authorization is one thing, but now you dare to detain Ministry of the Navy documents?”
“Is your Special Higher Police Affairs trying to rebel?”
Nantian stood up calmly: “Section Chief Chen, please calm down. I’m investigating a Communist Party wanted criminal, and we found Navy confidential documents in this briefcase. Please explain why your business card is here?”
“Communist Party wanted criminal? Who are you talking about? Him?” Chen Yang didn’t answer, instead pointing at the battered Lin Xueli and asking back: “Are you sure?”
“That’s right, Section Chief Chen. This man has appeared in our sights twice already.”
“Even if you’re an outsider, you should know how low the probability of such a coincidence is.”
“So, I believe this Lin Xueli definitely has an unclear relationship with the Communist Party.”
“He is very likely the Communist Party French Concession intelligence team leader Qing Hu we’ve been searching for.”
“Hahaha.” Chen Yang burst out laughing: “Nanta Major, are you joking with me?”
“You’re saying my elder brother is Communist Party, or the intelligence team leader?”
“May I ask, what evidence do you have?”
Nantian Yangzi said solemnly: “Section Chief Chen, don’t think that just because he’s your elder brother you can blindly cover for him.”
“If you have no evidence to prove his innocence, I believe you can’t escape responsibility either.”
“What responsibility?” Chen Yang sneered: “He’s working for me now. Your Special Higher Police Affairs touching him is not giving me face.”
“Nantian Yangzi, to put it bluntly, who the fuck do you think you are? A mere honorary major daring to privately read Ministry of the Navy top secret documents.”
“If the secrets leak, can you bear that responsibility?”
Nantian Yangzi retorted fearlessly: “Section Chief Chen, I’m afraid your face isn’t as valuable as you think.”
“Is that so? What about mine?” At that moment, another authoritative voice rang out.
Nantian Yangzi followed the voice and looked back, her face instantly turning pale.
That man had a yellow sash on his shoulder hanging down to his chest, the mark of a chief of staff.
And his general’s rank on his shoulders and the crisp navy uniform all spoke of his identity.
Lieutenant General Chief of Staff of the Shanghai Marine Corps Headquarters, Hirata Kichisaburo.
“What audacity! The Special Higher Police Affairs now dares to directly detain Ministry of the Navy top secret documents?”
Hirata was followed by four Marine Corps members. He walked straight to the table and picked up the briefcase: “Nanta Major, please explain what this is about?”
Nantian answered neither humbly nor arrogantly: “Chief of Staff Hirata, we found this briefcase on a Communist Party wanted criminal, containing Ministry of the Navy confidential documents. Per procedure, we need to investigate how the documents fell into enemy hands.”
“Procedure?” Hirata sneered, “I think you’re trying to meddle in Navy affairs!”
“These documents are for Director Chen to use in negotiations with foreign merchants on behalf of the Ministry of the Navy. The confidential information inside even General Doihara has no right to access.”
“Nanta Major, I want to know in what capacity you are reviewing this document.”
“Do you know that even if I shoot you right now, Doihara wouldn’t dare say a word?”
“But Chief of Staff, Your Excellency,” Nantian insisted, “If I’m not mistaken, the procurement price recorded in the document is 30% above market price, and the transportation route is also very unusual.”
“I think there’s something wrong with this contract…”
“Insolent!” Hirata slammed the table hard, “Does the Ministry of the Navy’s procurement strategy need to be reported to you?”
“Does Nanta Major mean that our Navy Department personnel deliberately inflated the procurement amount to take kickbacks?”
“Do you know that your baseless accusation will make all our long-term efforts go down the drain?”
“In what capacity are you speaking to me now? Even Inspection Minister Kujo Eiji wouldn’t dare question me in that tone.”
“Mushan-kun, immediately notify the Marine Corps Headquarters Special Affairs Investigation Section that Navy Department secrets are at risk of leaking. Have them send someone to take Nantian Yangzi back.”
“Hai,” the guard behind him bowed slightly and was about to leave.
At that moment, a voice rang out: “Chief of Staff Hirata, misunderstanding, it’s all a misunderstanding.”
Special Higher Police Affairs Senior Section Chief Fujita Go ran in, sweating profusely.
“Chief of Staff Hirata, please don’t be angry first. This is indeed a misunderstanding.”
Chief of Staff Hirata glanced sideways at Fujita Go: “Misunderstanding, Fujita-kun? You say it’s a misunderstanding and it is?”
“The big one won’t come out, so you little ones have to take the blame?”
“Where’s Doihara? Why isn’t he coming to explain in person?”
Fujita wiped the sweat from his forehead and explained: “Chief of Staff Hirata, General Doihara received a call from the Army Department and is meeting with Chief of Staff Kawabe at headquarters.”
“I’ve already called him, and he’ll be back soon.”
“As for Nanta Major’s actions, I believe she was also trying to catch anti-Japanese elements sabotaging the Empire’s cause.”
“Though the action was a bit reckless, her intentions were good. Please understand, Chief of Staff Hirata.”
Nantian nearby wanted to explain, but Fujita Go gave her a look, signaling her not to argue further.
Nantian bit her teeth unwillingly and lowered her head low.
“Fujita-kun, I accept your explanation, but this matter won’t end so easily.” Chief of Staff Hirata glanced at the unconvinced Nantian and said slowly: “If the procurement contract leaks, or the other side learns our bottom line,”
“resulting in us being unable to procure the full amount of fuel at the original price, then your Special Higher Police Affairs will bear the consequences.”
“I have a lot of work and no time to waste here with you.”
“Section Chief Chen, secure the documents. You must successfully complete the negotiations with the French people.”
Chen Yang hurriedly put the documents back into the document bag.
“Chief of Staff Hirata, what about these people?”
Hirata looked around: “Everyone in this interrogation room today cannot leave the Special Higher Police Affairs until the negotiations are complete.”
“Fujita-kun, do you have any problem with that?”
Fujita nodded repeatedly: “Hai, I will follow Chief of Staff Hirata’s instructions and confine their activities to within the Special Higher Police Affairs.”
“Fujita-kun, you seem to have misunderstood.” Hirata sneered: “I mean they cannot leave this interrogation room.”
“Until the negotiations end, understand?”
Fujita bowed: “Hai, I understand.”
“Section Chief Chen, take your man, let’s go.” Chief of Staff Hirata said amiably, then left the interrogation room without looking at the others.
After they left, Fujita Go turned angrily to Nantian: “Do you know you almost caused a big disaster? With Chief of Staff Hirata’s influence in the Ministry of the Navy, offending him means we won’t get anywhere in the future!”
“But Colonel, those documents clearly have issues.” Nantian argued.
“Even if they do, it’s not our place to handle!” Fujita Go snapped, “Ministry of the Navy matters are for the Navy to deal with. Your task is to catch the Communist Party, understand?”
“Hai!” Nantian lowered her head unwillingly.
Fujita sighed: “You all heard what Chief of Staff Hirata said.”
“Everyone stay in this interrogation room until Section Chief Chen completes the negotiations.”
Though unwilling, Nantian didn’t dare disobey Fujita’s order.
The most wronged should be Matsui Koji.
He had just come in to pass a message, hadn’t even glanced at the documents, and now had to stay in this interrogation room with Nantian.
It had always been a place where he interrogated others, but now he had to stay here as a prisoner.
Tsk tsk, sure enough, karma is a wheel. Heaven spares no one.
Shanghai, French Concession, Avenue Joffre safe house.
Rain pattered against the glass window. Under the dim yellow desk lamp, Lin Xueli carefully placed the kraft paper envelope on the table.
Zhang Jianliang eagerly tore it open. When his gaze fell on the document title, his breathing almost stopped instantly. The document inside clearly read:
《Southern China Anti-Japanese Forces Investigation Committee and Army Department Jointly Formulated: March Rural Pacification Operation Plan Report》
The document detailed the Japanese Army’s planned large-scale rural pacification operation in Southern Jiangsu and Northern Zhejiang at the beginning of March:
“I. Operation Objective: Completely purge anti-Japanese armed forces in Southern Jiangsu and Northern Zhejiang regions, destroy underground resistance organizations”
“II. Participating Troops: Main force of 22nd Division, Independent Mixed 11th Brigade”
“III. Operation Timeline: March 5 to March 25 IV. Special Operation: ‘Fox Hunt’ Plan, targeting CCP East China underground party leadership.”
The attachment included a list of secret agents undercover in the base area and detailed troop deployment maps.
“My god” Zhang Jianliang murmured, his fingers trembling slightly, “Old Zhong protected this with his life.”
No, Zhang Jianliang and Lin Xueli reacted at the same time.
This document was not something ordinary people could access, meaning there must be a comrade undercover in the Japanese Army high command.
Once this thought arose, it immediately filled them with dread.
If this document fell into Japanese hands, that comrade who had painstakingly undercover in the Japanese high command would be at risk of exposure at any time.
No wonder Old Zhong was determined to deliver this message even at the cost of his life.
Zhang Jianliang suddenly looked up: “We must send it to the base area immediately! Every minute is critical!”
“I’ll handle it,” Lin Xueli was about to stand, but Zhang Jianliang suddenly said: “No, you stay out of this. You must evacuate immediately.”
Lin Xueli frowned: “Why? This is exactly when we need people.”
“Comrade Special Commissioner, you’re not suspecting me just because I went into Special Higher Police Affairs once, are you?”
“Comrade Qing Hu, precisely because we need people, you must leave.” Zhang Jianliang said seriously, “Nantian Yangzi has targeted you. Today’s encounter at the bank proves Special Higher Police Affairs is one step away from uncovering your identity.”
“Moreover, this ‘Camellia Plan’ explicitly mentions a codenamed ‘Fox Hunt Operation’, and you are ‘Qing Hu’, clearly the primary target.”
“Comrade Special Commissioner, please reconsider. I think I can still fight on the front lines.” Lin Xueli still wanted to argue.
“No, you must leave,” Zhang Jianliang was very firm: “That’s an order! Go to Hong Kong Island to lie low, and establish a new contact point there.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll arrange for someone else to take over the Shanghai work.”
Lin Xueli was silent for a moment, finally nodding: “Before I leave, I need to see one person.”
“Who?”
“Chen Yang.”
Zhang Jianliang was stunned: “Are you crazy? From your description, he already knows your identity.”
“Even though he’s your younger brother, don’t forget he’s also a traitor.”
“I can’t judge his purpose in saving you this time, but you know the principle: one must not plot harm against others, but must be wary of others.”
“What if he changes his mind and turns you in to the Japanese for merit?”
“He’s an opportunist.” Lin Xueli said calmly, “I watched him grow up and know his character. Now is a critical period in the War of Resistance. We must unite all possible forces. He might be winnable.”
“I disagree, too dangerous.” Zhang Jianliang still insisted on his judgment.
“Comrade Special Commissioner, he may seem very dangerous to you, but he’s forever my family.”
“Comrade Qing Hu, you’ve worked in intelligence for so long, you should know the traits of these opportunists.”
Zhang Jianliang said solemnly: “Wang Mou, Zhou Mou, even that New Government Liang Hongzhi, which one isn’t an opportunist?”
“As long as there’s enough interest, they can betray even the nation, let alone family?”
Lin Xueli frowned and said solemnly: “I know your concerns, but I’ll bet my life he is different.”
Zhang Jianliang had a headache. Current Lin Xueli was like possessed by top love brain from some era.
Knowing that yellow hair was unreliable, yet still insisting, “he’s yellow hair, but different from other yellow hairs.”
“Warehouse No. 7, I’ll arrange for you to meet him before you leave.”
“He must come alone, everything under our control. That’s my bottom line.”
Zhang Jianliang said solemnly: “You must leave alive, and then return alive.”
Shanghai, Sixteen Rows Wharf, Warehouse No. 7.
Rain beat against the warehouse’s tin roof, making monotonous and rapid sounds like countless tiny drumbeats pounding the night’s silence.
Inside the warehouse, dusty crates were piled up. Only a solitary kerosene lamp flickered in the central clearing, stretching people’s shadows long onto the mottled walls.
Lin Xueli checked the time on his wristwatch; it was almost the appointed time.
Suddenly, a black sedan appeared in sight with its headlights flashing.
Chen Yang drove the small car from Lin Mansion and steadily parked at the warehouse door.
Lin Xueli looked at Chen Yang, eyes burning, breaking the suffocating silence.
“You came.”
“Elder brother,” Chen Yang called out, and the two just looked at each other quietly.
Lin Xueli sighed, slowly took out a pack of Old Knife Cigarettes, drew one out, and tapped it on his thumbnail.
After a while, as if remembering something, he handed the cigarette to Chen Yang.
“Click,” Chen Yang struck a match, the flickering flame briefly illuminating two expressionless faces.
“I’m leaving,” after a long silence, Lin Xueli said faintly.
“Chen Yang, have you ever thought about how you’ll walk your path in the future?”
Chen Yang took a drag, slowly exhaling grayish smoke, his tone carrying detached indifference, “What do you want to say to me? Or what do you want me to do?”
“Rise up in righteous anger, then follow you to throw my head and spill hot blood?” He chuckled lightly, the laugh laced with sarcasm, “You’re a scholar, so am I. With the war at this point, haven’t you figured it out yet?”
“Figured out what?” Lin Xueli stepped forward, “Figured out the nation in ruins? Fellow countrymen suffering? Director Chen, Chinese blood flows in your veins too!”
“Blood?” Chen Yang scoffed, flicking ash, “Can blood be eaten as food? Spent as money?”
“Elder brother, you’re too naive. Look at this Shanghai Bund: British and French concessions, Japanese Hongkou, Nationalist underground organizations, your intelligence network—which side isn’t scheming for its own interests? Save the Nation? Anyone can shout slogans.”
He straightened up and walked toward Lin Xueli: “I have my survival philosophy, elder brother. I won’t criticize your faith, but please respect my choice. I just want to keep my family alive..”
“Alive?” Lin Xueli’s voice suddenly rose, laced with suppressed anger, “If everyone only thinks about their own survival, the nation is truly finished! Without country, where is family? Without the skin, where does the hair attach?”
“Who doesn’t understand big principles?” Chen Yang interrupted impatiently, his eyes sharpening, “But reality is, any action needs funds. Even I need settling-in fees to command my men.”
“When their families starve to death, who solves it? You? Or those big shots in Chongqing shouting anti-Japanese every day but even deducting military pay? Empty talk of saving the nation is the easiest thing.”
Their gazes clashed in the air like invisible blades colliding. The air in the warehouse seemed to freeze, leaving only the increasingly urgent rain on the roof.
Lin Xueli sighed: “I really didn’t expect that after sending you to Japan for four years of school, you’d learned all this.”
Chen Yang smiled faintly: “Actually, we aren’t unable to cooperate. You know, actually, I can also help you.”
Lin Xueli’s gaze sharpened: “You’re crazy. You want to do business with us?”
Chen Yang grinned: “Making money, not shameful. As long as you’re willing to cooperate with me on ore and oil materials business.”
“I can negotiate too, I can be patriotic too.”
