Chapter 107: Confirmed
After Chai Dao left, Han Zhu did not leave immediately, but sat quietly in his seat thinking.
He was also very surprised by the matter of a traitor appearing in the organization.
They were all comrades who had gone through wind and rain together, and suddenly someone betrayed their faith. No matter the reason, Han Zhu felt very heartbroken.
With a crack, a bolt of lightning tore across the sky, thick black clouds like ink dyeing the entire sky pitch black.
Han Zhu took a sip of old wine and suddenly remembered a sentence: “Let the storm come more fiercely.”
Late at night, Shanghai, Labor Union Dormitory Building.
Knock knock knock, a crisp knocking sound rang out, and Secretary Pan turned on the light, wearing slippers to open the door.
“Old Zhong, why are you here? Got a lead?” Secretary Pan was obviously surprised to see Zhong Yuan wearing a black raincoat.
“Talk inside.” Zhong Yuan lifted his raincoat and walked into the bedroom.
Secretary Pan casually handed him a towel: “Wipe off. Did you find a lead?”
Zhong Yuan nodded: “The Hit Dog Team’s team leader Chai Dao has confirmed the traitor’s identity.”
“Gray Rat.”
“Gray Rat?” Secretary Pan seemed to have no impression of this person.
Zhong Yuan picked up the tea on the table and gulped it down: “This Gray Rat joined the organization in Year 23 of the Republic of China.”
“He is from Anhui Province, named Zhao Peng, thirty-two years old this year.”
“His resume is excellent. He was originally in the literature department at National University and was passionate about the youth movement during his time at National University.”
“The organization observed him for a period and finally decided to accept him into the organization in Year 23 of the Republic of China.”
“After that, he secretly participated in various gatherings at National University and made certain contributions to the organization’s development.”
“In Year 24 of the Republic of China, the organization decided to intensify propaganda and public opinion efforts, arranging a batch of people with literary backgrounds into news organizations like Declaration and Times News.
“This Zhao Peng came to Shanghai together with Comrade Fang Guohua, codenamed Carpenter, and because they shared the same ideals, the two had a very good private relationship.”
“News from Nanjing confirms that during the time Comrade Fang Guohua was transferred back to Nanjing and served as editor at Nanjing Workers’ Daily, he had been corresponding with Zhao Peng by letter.”
“This means that if Zhao Peng betrayed, there is full reason for him to sell out Comrade Fang Guohua.”
“Moreover, Comrade Zhang Mingda, codenamed Shānmāo, also has contact with this Zhao Peng.”
“Comrade Old Zhong, we must be cautious about dealing with traitors.” Secretary Pan pushed up his glasses on his nose bridge: “We can’t conclude he is a traitor just because Zhao Peng has contact with these two people.”
“We still need to grasp strong and powerful evidence.”
Zhong Yuan nodded: “Secretary Pan, I very much agree with what you said.”
“Today Chai Dao followed him for an entire evening and found that after Zhao Peng left the newspaper office, he did not go home, but went to Man Ting Fang in the International Settlement.”
Secretary Pan frowned, “Isn’t that a pear garden? Going to listen to opera isn’t anything.”
Zhong Yuan made a gesture to calm down: “From seven to ten, a total of three hours.”
“When Zhao Peng came out, Chai Dao deliberately went up to accost him, asking if he wanted a rickshaw.”
“Zhao Peng acted very resistant, but in this brief contact, Chai Dao confirmed that this Zhao Peng has a problem.”
“He not only had the smell of powder and perfume on him, but also a sickly sweet smell.”
Secretary Pan’s brows tightened: “Could it be opium?”
Zhong Yuan nodded: “Exactly, the smell of opium.”
“Not only that, Chai Dao also discovered that Zhao Peng was wearing expensive ornaments on his hand and chest; these things are not something a small newspaper editor could afford.”
“To prevent alerting the other party, Chai Dao did not follow, but waited on the spot for more than ten minutes.”
“At that moment, he saw a person come out.”
Secretary Pan asked suspiciously: “Who?”
Zhong Yuan said word by word: “Shanghai Special Higher Police Affairs Investigation Team Section Chief, Matsui Koji.”
“Chai Dao has seen him arrest people. Although the other party was in plain clothes, Chai Dao is certain he didn’t recognize the wrong person.”
“Matsui Koji wouldn’t appear at Man Ting Fang for no reason, and moreover, more than ten minutes after Zhao Peng left, he also left.”
“Secretary Pan, I never believe in coincidences. With so many conditions together, do you still think Zhao Peng has no suspicion?”
Hearing this, Secretary Pan fell silent. He lightly tapped his fingers on the table, producing a neat and highly rhythmic sound repeatedly.
“It seems Zhao Peng’s suspicion is indeed great.”
“Old Zhong, what are your thoughts?”
Zhong Yuan thought for a long time and said decisively: “I still suggest using the previous plan.”
“Spread false information to him. Utilize him to draw away the Japanese.”
This time Secretary Pan did not refuse and nodded: “I agree with your suggestion, but spreading false information also requires someone to contact him.”
“If this person really has a problem, then the comrade contacting him also faces the risk of exposure.”
“We cannot risk comrades’ safety.”
Zhong Yuan nodded: “I understand. Perhaps we can use the dead letter box delivery method.”
“Tell him that due to Cai Feng and Shānmāo’s exposure, Qing Hu now needs his assistance to complete the medicine transaction work.”
Secretary Pan hesitated: “Qing Hu has never had single-line contact with him. What if he senses something wrong?”
Zhong Yuan said slowly: “I’m not sure either. Secretary Pan, how do you think we should handle it?”
Secretary Pan pushed up his glasses: “Old Zhong, China has an idiom: greed blinds judgment.”
“Who do you think the Japanese want most right now?”
Zhong Yuan’s eyes lit up: “Secretary Pan, you mean the Special Commissioner?”
Secretary Pan said slowly: “If Qing Hu suddenly contacts him, it will definitely make him vigilant.”
“But if it’s Qing Hu plus the Special Commissioner, such great merit, he will definitely notify the Japanese.”
“We need to proceed on two fronts: quickly complete the transaction while drawing away the Japanese and send her away.”
“The base area is in great need of medicine; we’ve delayed too long and can’t wait any longer.”
Zhong Yuan nodded: “I’ll arrange the action plan as soon as possible, but there’s still a problem.”
“Qing Hu has already retrieved the gold bars brought by the Special Commissioner.”
“However, this money still isn’t quite enough.”
“Now medicine prices in Shanghai have skyrocketed due to the war.”
“Just sulfanilamide tablets alone have been hyped up to two silver dollars per pill.”
“Even if Qing Hu can use connections to get a wholesale price, if the purchase quantity doesn’t meet certain conditions, the other party won’t lower the price much.”
Secretary Pan said gravely: “Did Qing Hu say how much money is needed?”
Zhong Yuan hesitated for a moment but said: “Qing Hu approached Qiao Zhenhuai, and the price he quoted was five thousand silver dollars: five crates plus half a crate free, and ten boxes of sulfanilamide injection.”
“Given the current market in Shanghai, his quotation is the most affordable.”
