Chapter 236: 235 Planning The Future, One Stone Two Birds, Remote-controlled Bomb And Cop-thief Movie Setup
The plan targeting Nagano Shuu continued.
In order to lure Nagano Shuu out, there must be something sufficiently attractive to him.
For samurai class like Nagano Shuu, the focus of ancient Chinese paintings they like is mainly on ancient works with a Zen Buddhism flavor.
Therefore, the Special Action Team specifically searched for such items.
While the Special Action Team was out searching for paintings, Fang Wen was reflecting on his actions during this period.
Had he been too impulsive?
Perhaps so; after discovering that the Japanese side was using Yue Jinping as bait, and confirming that Yue Jinping had been captured, Fang Wen felt that he had been controlled by his emotions.
Aerial duels were like that.
Although he had carried it out, it had not achieved the desired response effect.
Now, kidnapping Nagano Shuu also had reasons driven by emotional stimulation.
Now that he had gradually calmed down, Fang Wen also realized that he was doing something very major.
Nagano Shuu was not an ordinary Japanese military officer.
During the January 28th Incident in Shanghai, he was the Deputy Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy Military Order Department and commanded all naval actions in the January 28th Incident.
It could be said that he was the chief culprit of the January 28th Incident.
Afterward, he was promoted to admiral last year, with the position of Military Councillor, and was a real power figure in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
For such a person, the value produced by kidnapping him or killing him was far lower than continuously obtaining future naval intelligence by using him.
Thinking of this, Fang Wen gradually elevated his thinking from the level of rescuing Yue Jinping to a higher one.
He had an idea in his mind.
1. Yoshida must not be exposed; he would be an important chess piece and intelligence source for Fang Wen in the future.
2. Nagano Shuu must not die; after exchanging him for Yue Jinping, he still needed to continue serving in the navy, so that Yoshida would have a chance.
From this, Fang Wen felt that besides using calligraphy and painting to lure the other party out, he still needed to do some other things.
For example: making Yoshida work for him wholeheartedly, and designing a brilliant kidnapping plan.
June 7th, the fifth day of Imperial Japanese Navy Military Councillor Nagano Shuu inspecting the Shanghai base.
That night, Nagano Shuu’s adjutant Yoshida went out with his old classmate as usual in the previous days; the staff and guards inside the Japanese Naval Land Combat Team headquarters building all knew what the two were going out to do, and no one stopped them.
No one noticed the trace of worry hidden in Yoshida’s seemingly happy expression.
The two arrived at the ballroom, where Yoshida met the glamorous woman who was his ‘old flame’ again; he took the woman and bid farewell to his old classmate before heading to the long-term rented inn.
As soon as they returned to the inn guest room, Yoshida stood constrained in a corner of the room, not daring to move around.
He knew that in not long, those brutal guys would come.
Ten minutes later, people indeed arrived.
But this time there was one more.
Fang Wen in disguise.
Fang Wen walked over and looked at Yoshida.
His posture and aura made Yoshida understand that this was the true person in charge.
“Sit.”
Yoshida sat down as instructed.
Fang Wen sat opposite him and spoke: “Yoshida, Kochi Prefecture samurai class, father Yoshida Katsuri, your family once served the 15th-generation domain lord of Tosa Domain, Yamauchi Toyo.”
Hearing this, Yoshida immediately bowed his head low.
“Yes. Tosa Domain has now been changed to Kochi Prefecture, and many samurai class in the prefecture come from Tosa Domain. My family, the Nagano family, the Yamashita family, and the Sawada family have close relations because we jointly served the Yamauchi domain lord.”
He proactively explained his relationship with Nagano Shuu, fearing punishment for not being clear enough.
Currently in Shanghai, due to the issue of the letter of surrender and the photograph, Yoshida was completely afraid to resist and was very obedient.
But what Fang Wen wanted was not just his obedience in Shanghai, but for him to continue working for him in the future.
Therefore, safety measures still needed to be added.
Fang Wen continued: “As far as I know, the Yoshida family has declined. Apart from your father’s relationship with Nagano Shuu, your family has even lost the qualification for a candidate peerage in the House of Peers.”
These words made Yoshida feel ashamed.
In Japan’s Meiji reforms, domains were abolished and prefectures established; those daimyo and samurai class subsequently became nobility and continued to exercise their rights through the House of Peers.
Without House of Peers candidate qualification, it meant the family had lost its glory and no longer qualified to participate in politics.
So Yoshida had joined the army; that was the only way for him to revive his family, through military merit.
But Fang Wen proposed another possibility.
“Do you think going to the battlefield can change everything? That noble pilot shot down in the Bohai Sea a few days ago thought the same, but unfortunately, once dead, it’s all over. But I have a way to bring your family back to nobility. Do you want to know?”
These words echoed like the devil’s whispers in Yoshida’s ears.
The temptation was enormous.
He couldn’t help but reply: “Yes.”
“Good that you want to. I’ll tell you, come here.” Fang Wen smiled and beckoned; Yoshida subconsciously leaned forward to listen.
Fang Wen explained a very simple principle: class and interest.
In today’s Japan, nobility is still a very high class; for other classes that have not been eliminated, it is very difficult to enter.
The Yoshida family was one about to be eliminated, while those newly risen wealthy businessmen, without samurai class identity, found it extremely difficult to become nobility.
So, although the Yoshida family had declined, they still had the skin of samurai class, which was their family’s only glory.
To preserve this skin, joining the army and regaining status through military merit was the most common and also the most competitive method.
But it was not the only one.
It could also be done through more secret operations, such as nobility forming cliques, exchanging interests, and supporting each other.
Just like that noble pilot shot down by Fang Wen; the Taiga Kishi organization he joined was one such.
But to join these secret societies, the joiner needed equivalent financial resources and status, and also needed to be accepted by other samurai class members.
The plan Fang Wen offered was very simple.
Yoshida would stay by Nagano Shuu’s side and provide various intelligence.
Yoshida’s father would receive continuous wealth support, allowing the Yoshida family to have corresponding financial resources and status, thereby reviving the Yoshida family.
After hearing Fang Wen’s words.
Yoshida hesitated; this was not only buying him off but also the most likely opportunity to revive his family.
Fang Wen beckoned, and Zhao Wanping placed the handbag on the table between the two and opened it.
Inside the box were 300,000 yen.
According to this year’s exchange rate, 1 US dollar exchanged for 3.5 yen, and for 2 silver dollars.
This box of yen was equivalent to 85,000 US dollars, or 170,000 silver dollars.
There was also an IOU.
Fang Wen said gently: “Sign the IOU, take a photo, and our cooperation will officially begin. No matter how the war goes, you and your family will benefit.”
Signing it would mean Yoshida had no way out anymore.
Yoshida, who was hesitating, looked at the money in the box, thought of his family’s predicament, and said solemnly.
“Yoshida is willing to join your organization and asks for your continued care in the future.”
After saying that, he picked up the IOU, signed his name, pressed his handprint, then smiled for a group photo with the disguised Fang Wen, the box full of money, and the IOU.
Yoshida was settled.
Next was Nagano Shuu.
Fang Wen did not want to kidnap Nagano Shuu and take him to Tianjin to exchange hostages.
That would be too foolish and too dangerous.
His future memory gave him a new plan.
A good way to not reveal identity but make the Japanese obediently release Yue Jinping.
After the action group members handled the ancient painting matter, Fang Wen explained his plan to them.
June 10th.
Anping Trading Company third floor.
Action group members reported the situation.
“We secretly visited some calligraphy and painting collectors and learned from them that the Japanese admire ancient paintings by Tang Dynasty Wang Wei. They say Wang Wei is the founder of Zen Buddhism painting and the most popular. We judge that a genuine Wang Wei work would definitely attract Nagano Shuu.”
Tang Dynasty Wang Wei, courtesy name Moqi, taken from the name of Vimalakirti in the Vimalakirti Sutra.
Indeed the founding work of Zen Buddhism painting.
But after more than a thousand years, such genuine works surviving were extremely rare.
Even if there were any, they could not give the original to the Japanese; Fang Wen only wanted to use it as bait.
Fang Wen couldn’t help but ask: “Did you find a genuine Wang Wei work?”
“No. But someone has a rubbing of Wang Wei’s Wangchuan Painting.” Zhang Yunfei, in charge of the action, replied.
“Wangchuan Painting?” Fang Wen had no impression of it.
Zhang Yunfei explained: “It was a mural Wang Wei made in the territory of Lantian County. Later in the Song Dynasty, many people copied and made rubbings. As the mural deteriorated, Song versions became genuine works. Japan has a collected Song rubbing, Korea has one, and the Wangchuan Painting by Guo Zhongshu after Wang Wei currently held by a Shanghai collector is a fine piece among Song rubbings.”
“Buy it, no matter the price.” Fang Wen said; this item would be the key to success.
This kind of rubbing ancient painting was not expensive; the collector sold it for 2,000 silver dollars, and the disguised buyer from the action team took it at the asking price.
After obtaining the item, Fang Wen informed the action team members of the plan.
“I plan to conduct the transaction near the Japanese Naval Land Combat Team headquarters building and take action during the transaction.”
At these words, the action team members could not understand.
Zhang Yunfei was the squad leader for this action and asked on behalf of everyone:
“General Manager, acting so close—if the Japanese discover us, we won’t be able to take Nagano Shuu away.”
Fang Wen smiled faintly: “No need to take him away; just trap him in place. My plan is to set up bombs, turning the entire area into a bomb desperate situation; only after exchanging hostages will the bombs be disarmed.”
Everyone was even more puzzled.
Fang Wen took out a topographic map and explained.
According to his plan, bombs would be placed at all entry and exit passages of the transaction site; Nagano Shuu inside could not escape, and the Japanese Army outside could not enter to rescue.
Wu Yingzong asked: “If those inside can’t get out and those outside can’t get in, how do we go in and out?”
Fang Wen nodded: “That’s the key; I’ll give you a set of tools to turn the bombs on and off. But we have to wait a few days.”
What Fang Wen was waiting for was someone who could make a remote-controlled bomb.
Bai Zeshan.
June 11th, Bai Zeshan returned to Shanghai on a Euro-Asia international flight.
He did not enter the city but went to Jiaxing.
In a farmhouse courtyard in the Jiaxing suburban area, Bai Zeshan, Huo Duanyang, and Fang Wen met.
Fang Wen explained the situation: “I need to do something big and need both of you.”
Huo Duanyang did not hesitate: “General Manager, just give the orders.” Having gone through much with Fang Wen, he naturally trusted him unconditionally.
Bai Zeshan was somewhat hesitant: “General Manager, can I know what it is?”
“Once you know, you have no way out.” Fang Wen explained meaningfully.
“Then I still want to know.” Bai Zeshan insisted.
“I’m preparing to deal with the Imperial Japanese Navy admiral who presided over the Shanghai invasion two years ago. Now that you know, you must do it, but afterward you can leave the country to continue your studies, or stay here to work for me.” Fang Wen replied.
Hearing this, Bai Zeshan had no more hesitation: “Dealing with Japanese? I choose to stay. I just don’t know what I can do.”
“Do you remember the adder I told you about back then?” Fang Wen asked.
Bai Zeshan sighed in response: “The adder made me realize that vacuum tubes can do more complex things. This year in France, I was researching that.”
“Then see if this can work?” Fang Wen wrote his idea for a remote-controlled bomb on paper and gave it to Bai Zeshan.
This was an idea that did not exist in this era.
But Bai Zeshan, having already researched in this direction, understood it immediately.
He thought deeply and put Fang Wen’s remote-controlled bomb idea into practice.
In an era without integrated circuits, wireless remote control could still be achieved.
No need for semiconductors; vacuum tubes could do it just as well.
The overall idea was: remote control instructions sent from the control end to the controlled end via specific signal commands make the controlled object perform corresponding actions. These instructions could be transmitted via radio waves, then converted by the receiver into electrical signals for different logic implementations.
First step: signal generation at the transmitting end.
Bai Zeshan made a handbag-sized radio signal transmitter; the radio signal was amplified by a vacuum tube as an amplifier and sent out.
The second step, receiving the signal, was a chain device throughout the entire house.
Receiving devices using vacuum tubes would be installed on different floors and corners of the preset house.
These signal receiving devices would produce different logic results upon receiving different signals.
One logic result was on, one was off.
Bombs in the on state would be triggered to explode; both remote detonation and triggered states existed simultaneously.
（Fritz-X radio-guided bomb, World War II wireless remote-controlled bomb, 1940s）
While Bai Zeshan was making the wireless receiving and transmitting system.
Huo Duanyang also began making the bombs.
This was what Huo Duanyang had always wanted to do most, and now he finally got his wish.
And it was against the Japanese; Huo Duanyang was full of energy.
Having been in a chemical management position for a long time, he had not let his professional skills lapse.
One by one powerful bombs were made by him, then carefully fitted with firing devices.
Because this action had different requirements, the bombs were no longer impact-fired but more complex touch-fired and electric-fired.
Electric firing was something Huo Duanyang had not seen before, but after communicating with Bai Zeshan and Fang Wen, he quickly understood.
It was nothing more than using electricity to generate high temperature to ignite the gunpowder.
This equipment was very dangerous and very efficient; the manufacturing process had to be extremely careful.
For greater safety and efficiency, Fang Wen also joined the bomb-making work.
He had made catalysts for aviation napalm and worked with Huo Duanyang on related tasks; combined with his supernatural ability’s highly focused mind, he did even better than Huo Duanyang.
The three cooperated with each other and carefully completed the making of the bombs and remote control equipment.
Then they disguised themselves together and returned to Shanghai Hongkou.
June 15th.
Fang Wen and his group quietly moved into a detached house separated from the Japanese Naval Special Land Combat Team command building by just one street.
This place originally belonged to a British merchant; due to the war impact of the January 28th Incident, the British merchant had returned to the United Kingdom and left the house to a friend to rent out.
Because it was very close to Japanese military facilities and often inspected, it was hard to rent out.
This time it could be rented, and the sublandlord was very accommodating.
After Fang Wen and the others entered the detached house, they began work.
Walls were dug with small holes and hidden grooves.
These cavities were for preventing receiving devices and bombs; the hidden grooves were for connecting wires.
From the first floor to the third floor, all were modified; every corner, passage entrance, behind doors, and on ceilings had bombs hidden.
Of course, the implementation process was not as simple as imagined; every step was rigorous and careful.
First, the radio receiving devices had to be installed and tested for normal vacuum tube logic switch operation; only after normal could the bombs be carefully installed in them.
