Chapter 235: 234, Honey Trap, Yoshida Defects, Plot Against Nagano Shuu
Through the information obtained from Zhao Wanping, Fang Wen judged that Nagano Shuu was an important figure in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
But his specific identity must be investigated clearly.
For this kind of matter, divide into two routes.
Zhao Wanping continues to invite the noblewoman who revealed the news to play mahjong.
At the same time, members of the Special Action Team also purchase relevant information through the intelligence network.
On Zhao Wanping’s side, the noblewoman’s source of information is her husband, who is a concession detective chief, and only because he was responsible for maintaining public order at the time was he aware of some fragmentary details.
It is not completely without progress; soon Zhao Wanping obtained another important piece of information.
Nagano Shuu lives in the Imperial Japanese Navy Special Marine Corps Command.
Meanwhile, the intelligence network also obtained intelligence on Nagano Shuu in Japan.
Combining the two, Fang Wen immediately held a meeting to discuss.
Anping Trading Company third floor.
Fang Wen organizes a Special Action Team meeting and explains the situation to the action team members.
“It has been confirmed that Nagano Shuu, Imperial Japanese Navy admiral.”
Liu Yin Feng asked: “How big of an official is an admiral?”
The other action team members also wanted to know and all looked at Fang Wen.
“The highest in the Imperial Japanese Navy are general officers; general officers are divided into major general, lieutenant general, and admiral. His level is the highest.” Fang Wen explained.
No wonder such a high-level general was given a grand welcome.
If he is kidnapped, Yue Jinping can definitely be exchanged back, not to mention Yue Jinping—even more people could be exchanged back.
The problem is how to get this guy out.
Fang Wen walked to the window and looked into the distance.
In the distance, there was a small corner of a roof, which was the Imperial Japanese Navy Special Marine Corps Command building.
After one night, the disguised Fang Wen and the action team members dispersed and went out, quietly approaching that military building.
This was a 4-story building with the main entrance facing the street.
The building was located at a three-way intersection with an open view, making it an easy-to-defend, hard-to-attack position.
Looking at the bullet holes on the wall, Fang Wen pondered.
Shanghai is a strategic target of the Imperial Japanese Navy, and this place is the Imperial Japanese Navy’s command center and military stronghold in Shanghai.
As early as the January 28th Incident in 1932, the 19th Route Army had once attacked here but failed to take it.
There were at least 2000 people stationed inside, making it too difficult to infiltrate.
If they couldn’t infiltrate, then find a way to lure Nagano Shuu out.
What method could lure him out?
Fang Wen firmly believed that everyone has weaknesses, and those weaknesses are known by close people.
His target turned to the naval officers who came with Nagano Shuu.
Thinking of this, Fang Wen turned and left; at the street corner, he gave orders to the action team member who followed.
“Go check Nagano Shuu’s adjutant. If he doesn’t come out, the adjutant surely will.”
“Yes.” The action team member accepted the order and left.
Fang Wen then took Zhang Yunfei to a tea house.
That tea house was directly facing the three-way intersection, from where the situation at the Imperial Japanese Navy Special Marine Corps Command building could be seen.
He walked into the tea house, and the employee came to greet him, speaking in southwestern official dialect from Sichuan, which was understandable.
“Mister, do you want to drink tea or listen to storytelling? There’s a storyteller on the third floor. If you want to hear stories, go to the third floor; if you want quiet, stay on the first or second floor.”
The third floor had a wider view, so Fang Wen naturally chose to go there.
Under the employee’s guidance, he went upstairs and sat with Zhang Yunfei at a window seat.
Then he ordered a pot of Biluochun Tea, plus some tea snacks.
“Enjoy, mister. Call if you need anything.” The employee left with a smile.
After the employee left, Fang Wen listened to the storytelling while observing the situation across the three-way intersection.
After a segment of storytelling, a man and a woman came on stage: the woman holding a pipa, the man holding a sanxian.
As soon as they took the stage, the audience below applauded.
Zhang Yunfei had never seen it before and asked in a low voice: “Mister, what is this?”
“Suzhou Pingtan.” Fang Wen replied. He knew about it but had never seriously listened.
Today was a good opportunity to listen.
The man started first.
“Fathers and lords, distinguished guests, we’re gathered here today for fun and to broaden our horizons. This old man is not talented and will present to you a fresh new segment hot out of the oven, titled Republic of China Heroes Saga, picking the blood-boiling chapters to sing—it’s about Taishan Airlines’ general manager, the great hero Fang Wen, engaging in a earth-shattering, three-hundred-round air combat over the vast Bohai Sea against Japanese enemy aircraft!”
Zhang Yunfei laughed: “Mister, it’s talking about you.”
Fang Wen was surprised: “It wasn’t three hundred rounds?”
He wanted to hear what they would say.
Gentle sanxian sounds rose, pipa lightly plucked.
“Speaking of this Republic of China, with turbulent national fortunes, surrounded by foreign powers outside and warlord chaos inside. Our Fang Wen, General Manager Fang, is not only a business prodigy but also a patriot and bold hero. He sank the Izumo, incurring the Japanese hatred. Unable to deal with him, they schemed to abduct his confidante. If it were an ordinary person, unable to provoke the Japanese, they would probably swallow their anger. But he refused and boldly challenged Japan with a letter of war to heroically rescue the beauty.”
In Suzhou Pingtan singing style, after the man finished, the woman took over.
The singing rose higher, emotions intense.
“That day, clear skies and fresh air, over the Bohai Sea with shimmering waves, yet hiding killing intent. Japanese fighter jets, self-proclaimed nobility, arrogantly showing off over our Bohai Sea skies. Little did they expect Taishan Fang Wen personally piloting his aircraft, soaring up to strike the dragon’s lair. His momentum was like a dragon emerging from the sea, a tiger descending the mountain. The two sides fought fiercely; Fang Wen did a falcon turn, maneuvering behind it, and in a flash tore off the Japanese plane’s tail.”
It was getting more and more exaggerated, almost turning into Sun Wukong’s three battles with the White Bone Demon, immortals fighting.
Fang Wen figured the writer of this segment had never seen air combat and couldn’t help but smile, no longer listening to the performance.
His attention turned back to the three-way intersection.
At this moment, he saw two Imperial Japanese Navy officers walking over.
It looked like they were coming to the tea house.
If the Japanese heard this pingtan, everyone in the tea house would be in trouble.
Fang Wen beckoned, and the employee trotted over: “Mister, what would you like to add?”
“Look below, Japanese are coming.” Fang Wen pointed downward.
The employee looked and was terrified, immediately calling out.
“Everyone, Japanese are here. Today’s performance is over. Please forgive us.”
Upon hearing Japanese were coming, some went downstairs to settle bills and leave, others defiantly stayed.
After a while, the two officers came upstairs.
These two surprisingly spoke fluent Chinese and ordered tea and tea snacks in Chinese.
They sat behind Fang Wen, sipping tea while conversing in Japanese.
To resist Japan, Fang Wen had studied Japanese for over a year and could understand their conversation.
“Yoshida, long time no see. Unexpectedly, you’ve become Admiral Nagano’s adjutant.”
“Mainly because my father and Admiral Nagano are old friends. He feared I would suffer in the army, so he asked Admiral Nagano to take care of me.”
As soon as they spoke, they captured Fang Wen’s attention.
He hadn’t expected that after sending someone to check Nagano Shuu’s adjutant, the adjutant came to him.
He leisurely eavesdropped on their conversation.
It turned out these two were classmates, meeting again after many years in Shanghai: one stationed at the Imperial Japanese Navy Special Marine Corps Command building, the other following Nagano Shuu as the admiral’s adjutant.
In the subsequent conversation, Fang Wen learned more.
For this trip to Shanghai, Nagano Shuu was just passing through for inspection, staying for 1 month; after one month, he would go to London for the US-Japan-UK Naval Disarmament Conference.
In other words, there was only one month; they must act within this period.
At this point, the two stood up, apparently about to leave.
Zhang Yunfei whispered: “Mister, should we make a move?”
Fang Wen watched them go downstairs and shook his head: “No need. I see both are playful types. Just keep watch outside; they’ll definitely come out.”
Fang Wen’s judgment was correct. Yoshida, from a wealthy family, loved to play, and his classmate naturally catered to his tastes to curry favor.
The next day, the two went out and rented a room at a nearby inn.
The two changed into ordinary clothes in the room, and with their Chinese speech, it was hard to tell they were Japanese.
But all this was under the watch of the action team.
That night, they went to a bar ballroom, with action team members following.
Only when Yoshida entered the inn did the action group members return to report to Fang Wen.
“General Manager, Yoshida took a woman to the inn. He probably won’t return tonight.”
Fang Wen nodded: “Is he very lustful? How do you think we should deal with this kind of person?”
“How about an immortal jump?” Zhang Yunfei replied.
Jianghu people have their own ways; though crude, they are absolutely effective.
The so-called immortal jump is a scam exploiting lustful hunting psychology to swindle money.
But this immortal jump was used for a righteous purpose.
But who would be the bait for the immortal jump?
Zhang Yunfei thought: “How about finding a socialite from Shanghai?”
“No socialites; they could betray us anytime. Let me do it.” Zhao Wanping spoke up.
“You?” The action team members all shook their heads.
Such a tall and sturdy woman—besides Wu Yingzong, who else would like her?
The ignored Zhao Wanping looked at Wu Yingzong: “I look good when dressed up, right, Yingzong?”
This coquettish voice paired with her large build gave everyone goosebumps.
Even Fang Wen couldn’t stand Zhao Wanping acting cute.
He spoke: “Didn’t say it has to be a woman. Wu Yingzong, you’re slim and skilled in disguise. Can you dress as a woman?”
Wu Yingzong nodded: “Yes.”
Then he went to the bedroom to apply the disguise.
His appearance after coming out was stunningly beautiful.
On the third night, Yoshida came out again with his old classmate.
The two changed to a different ballroom this time.
Soon after, a glamorous woman appeared here too.
The beautiful woman exchanged glances with Yoshida, flirting with eyes, quickly attracting him.
He went over to talk, danced one dance, then eagerly took the woman back to the inn.
Once in the room, the woman coquettishly smiled: “Wait for me. I’ll take a bath and come out.”
But Yoshida’s hand dishonestly groped the woman’s buttocks.
The male-disguised-as-female Wu Yingzong nearly gave himself away, endured the discomfort, and pushed Yoshida away.
“Don’t rush. Haste makes waste. Wait a bit and it’ll be fine.”
“Hot tofu, I like it.” Yoshida smiled and sat on the bed waiting.
The sound of running water came, and Yoshida fell into fantasy.
At this time, someone knocked on the door.
He got up to open it, irritably saying: “Who is it?”
The door was forced open, and several burly men rushed in, pinning him down and giving him a beating.
After the beating, Zhao Wanping with a fake beard appeared, fiercely smacking Yoshida’s head: “You dare touch my woman? Today I’ll make you sleep with the fishes.”
To cooperate, Wu Yingzong covered his face on the side, sobbing. “Husband, it’s not my fault. He dragged me here.”
This couple with reversed genders acted so convincingly that everyone held back laughter to play along.
The only one unaware, Yoshida, after the beating, thought he had seduced someone’s wife and been caught.
He quickly pleaded tearfully: “I really didn’t know. Let me go. I’ll give you money.”
“Do I look like I need money?” Zhao Wanping lifted Yoshida with one hand, glaring fiercely.
“Then what do you want?” The dangling Yoshida asked in panic.
At this time, an action team member pretended to rummage and pulled out the military uniform hidden in the room, feigning surprise: “What are these clothes? They look familiar.”
Zhao Wanping glanced back: “You’re Japanese? I hate Japanese the most. You defiled my wife. You must die today.”
These words terrified Yoshida. Fearing he wouldn’t see tomorrow’s sun, he pleaded: “What do you really want? I’ll agree to anything if you let me go.”
“Really?” Zhao Wanping smiled: “Then write a letter of surrender.”
“How to write it?” The panicked Yoshida, at Zhao Wanping’s direction, wrote a letter of surrender.
The content was betraying the Imperial Japanese Navy and voluntarily becoming an inside agent, continuously providing intelligence henceforth.
He thought writing the letter of surrender and signing with a handprint would let him escape.
But unexpectedly, Zhao Wanping said: “Brothers, give him a good time. Make sure he never forgets today.”
With that, Zhao Wanping left the room.
The remaining action group members sinisterly grinned and closed in.
“What are you going to do?”
“Take some photos. Don’t be scared.”
After one night, the action group reported the results to Fang Wen.
“Yoshida signed the letter of surrender, and photos were taken. As a samurai class son, if the photos and letter spread, he has only one path: seppuku.”
Fang Wen looked at two photos and didn’t continue.
He put the letter of surrender and photos into a bag and stored them.
“Whether Yoshida succeeds can’t be guaranteed, but we must try. Do this: first go ask him what he knows about Nagano Shuu.”
“Yes.”
The action group members immediately returned to negotiate with Yoshida.
“We heard your superior is Nagano Shuu. What are his hobbies?”
Hearing this, Yoshida turned pale: “I can’t tell you.”
“You’ve already signed the letter of surrender and had photos taken. Is there a way back? Unless you die, you must do as I say.” Zhao Wanping lifted Yoshida again; with his collar grabbed, Yoshida felt suffocated.
“I’ll talk, I’ll talk.”
After Zhao Wanping put him down, Yoshida let go of everything and revealed what he knew.
Though he hadn’t been with Nagano Shuu long, due to family ties, he knew some of Nagano Shuu’s hobbies.
The man was also from the samurai class, fond of collecting calligraphy and painting as proof of his cultured hobbies.
Though he had stayed in the heavily fortified military building these days without coming out, he had entrusted Shanghai Concession and navy personnel to collect Chinese calligraphy and painting for him.
Hearing this, Fang Wen had an idea.
If Yoshida went back and told Nagano Shuu he had found an extremely precious ancient calligraphy and painting work, could that lure him out?
As long as the target came out, Fang Wen would have a chance to kidnap him.
This seemed feasible.
