Chapter 214: What Exactly Is The Intelligence
The car passed through Foch Road and arrived near a high-end residential area in the French Concession. Lin Xueli deliberately broke off relations with his family to distance himself, then moved in with them to a high-end apartment in the French Concession.
This place was very close to the police station. If the Japanese discovered his identity, the police station could provide some assistance and buy him some time.
The driver of the car was Takada Seiichi from the Transportation Section, an honest Japanese man.
Along the way, the two did not exchange much. Lin Xueli instinctively sensed something off from Chen Yang’s tone.
With Chen Yang’s intelligence, the first time he was caught by the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee could be called a coincidence, and the second time he was caught by Special Higher Police Affairs could be called an accident.
But this time he appeared near the crime scene again. Even if Lin Xueli had done his homework thoroughly, Chen Yang would not believe he was simply there to meet a client.
There are not that many coincidences in the world, especially for a director of the Special Affairs Office. How could he believe in coincidences?
But why did Chen Yang keep protecting him time and again? Could it really be because of friendship?
In an instant, Lin Xueli suddenly felt that Chen Yang had become extremely unfamiliar.
Shanghai, Special Higher Police Affairs.
Koyama Yukiteru had all the items seized from the safe house by the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee moved back to headquarters.
All the agents of the Investigation Team worked through the night without sleep, sorting through the things brought back from the safe house.
All books, changes of clothes, even the potted plants in the safe house were not overlooked.
The soil in the flower pots was dumped out and sifted through carefully.
“Major Nanta, we’ve already checked twice. Nothing was found.” The tone of Matsui Koji, team leader of the Investigation Team, was somewhat dejected.
So many people had been busy all night.
The sky outside was about to brighten, but they had found no clues at all. Even though they were certain there was a secret here, they really could not figure out what it was.
Old Zhong’s things were not many, with books being the most numerous.
Nantian Yangzi’s gaze slowly swept over them. These books covered all sorts of topics: essays and poetry, political treatises, overviews of capital, even some red books.
“Did you find anything in the books?” Nantian hesitated for a moment but still asked.
After all, in the office debate, the point Chen Yang raised was that the Communist Party might have hidden information in the books.
If it was really as he said, could there be some clues in these books?
“Sorry, nothing unusual so far.”
Nantian Yangzi’s face darkened. At that moment, Koyama Yukiteru stepped forward and said, “Major Nanta, there was a small incident yesterday when we went to the safe house.”
“We caught a suspicious person near the safe house.”
Nantian Yangzi’s brows suddenly tightened. “Who is it? Where is he now?”
Koyama Yukiteru said respectfully, “It was Section Chief Chen Yang’s elder brother.”
“He said he was going to visit a client, but the client had gone home for the New Year. He couldn’t find him and was preparing to go home when he ran into us.”
Nantian Yangzi was stunned for a moment, a pensive expression appearing on her face. “Interesting. Last time Chen Yang broke into Special Higher Police Affairs for this elder brother.”
“This time it’s such a coincidence again, running into him near the safe house. I never believe in so many coincidences.”
“Matsui-kun, is the information from last time still here?”
Matsui nodded and immediately ordered someone to fetch the information.
Soon, an agent brought over the interrogation information from last time. Nantian opened it and looked carefully. “Koyama-kun, go to the address listed here and keep an eye on this person. Remember, make sure he doesn’t discover you.”
“I want to know what he’s doing all day.”
Matsui hesitated and said, “Major Nanta, do you suspect this Lin Xueli has a problem?”
“Of course,” Nantian Yangzi said sinisterly. “Why shouldn’t I suspect him?”
“Last time we had no evidence. This time, I’ll see if this person really has a problem.”
“Have Ando prepare men. If it’s confirmed that Lin Xueli has a problem, arrest him immediately.”
“Yes, I’ll go find Ando right now.” Matsui bowed slightly and turned to leave the office.
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department.
Chen Yang had just stepped into the office, barely sitting down, when Li Ningyu appeared at the office door.
“Officer, there’s a very beautiful woman at the door looking for you. She says her surname is Lin.”
“Lin Su?” Chen Yang was stunned. This was the Southern Transportation Department. How did Lin Su find her way here?
Logically, she should know better.
“Ask her to come in.” Chen Yang instructed calmly.
Li Ningyu nodded slightly and turned to pass on the message.
“Section Chief Chen,” Soon, a clear female voice sounded. Lin Su, wearing an ordinary qipao, appeared at the office door.
“Does Miss Lin have business?” Chen Yang invited her into the office and asked gently.
Lin Su leaned forward quickly and stuffed a note into Chen Yang’s hand. “Nothing much. I was passing by and came to see Section Chief Chen.”
Chen Yang’s heart stirred. He opened the note, which read: “Major Ando called. Special Higher Police Affairs suspects your elder brother has a problem and is sending people to tail him.”
Damn it, Chen Yang’s heart sank, but he did not panic. Instead, he calmly pocketed the note.
“Miss Lin, have a seat first. I need to make a phone call.”
With that, Chen Yang picked up the phone on the desk and called Lin Xueyi. “Hello, Second Brother, Uncle wants you all to come home for dinner tonight.”
“You notify Elder Brother.”
“What? Elder Brother went to Jinshang Bank on business?”
“Alright, don’t forget to tell him.”
After hanging up, Chen Yang understood. It seemed Old Zhong had locked the intelligence in a safe at Jinshang Bank.
Trouble. If Elder Brother didn’t notice he was being tailed, he might get caught red-handed there.
Now, the only one he could trust was Lin Su.
Chen Yang was not without suspicions that Lin Su might also be bait.
However, he felt that someone as clever as Lin Su would not do something stupid like betraying him.
In a short instant, Chen Yang made a decision. He handed the briefcase to Lin Su and wrote on a sheet of draft paper.
“Give the briefcase to Lin Xueli. Remember, if anyone asks him about it, he should say he knows nothing. I’ll handle the rest.”
Lin Su nodded, indicating she understood.
Chen Yang took out his wallet and pointed to the family photo on it, showing Lin Su what Lin Xueli looked like.
Lin Su’s greatest skill was remembering a person’s appearance in a short time. Otherwise, how could she become Big Sister in the pleasure quarters?
“Section Chief Chen, you have so much to do. I won’t disturb you.”
Lin Su picked up the briefcase and said, “I’ll head back first. Come sit when you have time.”
“Miss Lin, take care.”
January 28, 1939, 9 a.m., International Settlement, Ningbo Road.
In the misty fine rain, the Gothic granite exterior wall of Jinshang Bank appeared especially solemn.
Lin Xueli lowered his hat brim, raised his trench coat collar, and blended into the morning crowd handling business as he entered the bank lobby.
The brass key engraved with “5362” in his pocket felt heavy, as if carrying Old Zhong’s unfinished instructions.
“Sir, what business are you handling?” A neatly uniformed staff member approached.
“Safe business.” Lin Xueli lowered his voice. “Number 167.”
This was the number mentioned on page six, second line. If the engraving on the key was the password, then this number was the safe number.
The staff member checked the registry. “Please follow me.”
Lin Xueli followed the staff member through the marble corridor to the underground vault. The heavy steel door slowly opened, revealing rows of metal cabinets inside.
“This way, please.” The staff member led him to safe number 5362. “You’ll need the key and password.”
Lin Xueli took a deep breath, inserted the key, then entered the four digits “5-3-6-2”.
Click. The cabinet door sprang open.
Inside the cabinet was only a kraft paper envelope. Lin Xueli quickly took out the envelope, stuffed it into his pocket, closed the cabinet door, and turned to leave.
The entire process took no more than three minutes.
Just as Lin Xueli reached the bank lobby, a tall, beautiful woman appeared before him.
With a “bang”, she collided straight into Lin Xueli’s shoulder. As Lin Xueli was about to ask, the woman whispered, “Don’t speak. Listen to me.”
“Special Higher Police Affairs people are tailing you. I’m here to help you.”
“Give me the briefcase in your hand.”
“You take this one. If Special Higher Police Affairs catches you, just say three words: I don’t know.”
“Someone will handle the rest.”
“If you trust me, give me the briefcase.”
Lin Xueli was stunned for a moment. At that instant, he heard the piercing sound of brakes. Three black sedans sped up and screeched to a halt at the bank entrance.
Lin Xueli instinctively swapped the briefcase in his hand with the one in her hand.
The woman stood up, rubbed her shoulder, and said, “How can you be so careless?”
Lin Xueli apologized repeatedly. The two parted with tacit understanding, without further entanglement.
The beauty walked toward the back with the briefcase. Lin Xueli took a breath, did not go out the door, but instead turned to the other side of the lobby, asked a staff member for a form, and began filling it out casually.
Outside the bank, Nantian Yangzi led Special Higher Police Affairs agents rushing out of the cars. Koyama Yukiteru, hidden in the shadowy corner opposite, stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Major Nanta, Section Chief Matsui, he’s inside. I watched him go in.”
“Seal all exits! He can’t escape!”
“Yes.” A group of agents instantly surrounded the bank front door.
Matsui Koji then led a few men to rush toward the bank back door.
“Go in.” Nantian Yangzi ordered coldly.
A group of agents strode boldly into the bank. Koyama Yukiteru spotted Lin Xueli at the counter filling out a form at a glance.
“Mr. Lin, we meet again.”
Lin Xueli heard the voice and looked at Nantian Yangzi in confusion. “Who are you?”
“Mr. Lin doesn’t have a good memory. Didn’t we meet in the Special Higher Police Affairs Interrogation Room?” Nantian Yangzi smiled lightly. “I’m Nantian Yangzi.”
“Does Miss Nantian have business with me?” Lin Xueli’s expression showed some panic.
“Oh, what business is Mr. Lin handling at the bank? Can I take a look?”
“This is company secret. If Miss Nantian wants to see it, she’ll need to coordinate with the French Concession Municipal Council first.” Lin Xueli pretended to be nervous as he clutched the briefcase.
This action only confirmed for Nantian Yangzi that the intelligence they were looking for was in that briefcase.
“I’m afraid Mr. Lin doesn’t have a say in this.” Nantian waved lightly, and two agents behind her stepped forward to restrain Lin Xueli from both sides.
“What are you doing? I’m a clerk with the French Concession Municipal Council. You can’t treat me like this.” Lin Xueli immediately shouted loudly.
Nantian Yangzi sneered disdainfully and snatched the briefcase from Lin Xueli’s hand.
“The intelligence you retrieved is inside, right?”
Lin Xueli struggled and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Still stubborn.” Nantian Yangzi slowly opened the briefcase. Sure enough, there was a document bag inside.
But upon seeing this document bag, Nantian had a faint sense of something wrong.
Because the document bag was prominently stamped with the Navy Department’s chrysanthemum crest, and below it were the two large Japanese characters for “Secret.”
