Chapter 112: Luring The Tiger From The Mountain, Feint To The East, Attack To The West
Li Lang is right, antiques are inherently a matter of personal taste.
Back then, Zhang Boju, a famous collector in the antiques world known as one of the Four Republican Princes, nearly exhausted his family fortune to purchase the Pingfu Post from Fu Ru in Beiping.
This was still because Fu Ru had lost his mother and needed money for turnover, plus Zhang Boju had an excellent reputation in the antiques world.
He never resold various cultural relics, and with Zhang Daqian’s guarantee, he spent forty thousand silver dollars to make Fu Ru willingly part with this calligraphy ancestral post known as the “Ink Emperor.”
Li Lang has been in the antiques world for decades and is extremely familiar with all sorts of tricks, especially how to utilize antiques to operate capital—this is something he plays even more skillfully.
“Mm, if we’re acting, we need to act the full set. Please have Boss Li step in and procure some convincing items.”
Chen Yang nodded and said, “Otherwise, it might invite criticism later.”
Li Lang smiled and nodded: “Boss Chen, rest assured, I have this under control.”
“However, let’s be clear upfront: I’ll only help you make the connection.”
“I won’t get involved in anything else; you negotiate the price yourselves.”
“You don’t need to worry about the other side demanding an exorbitant price; the person I find is absolutely reliable.”
Chen Yang nodded and said, “Then everything is entrusted to Boss Li. Have Director Feng notify me when there’s news.”
“I’ll take my leave first.”
Li Lang quickly stood up and said, “Boss Chen, let me see you out.”
“No need, no need. Boss Li, please stay.”
********
Shanghai, Special Higher Police Affairs.
Zhao Peng’s body was discovered the next afternoon by fishermen making a living on the Suzhou River, and they reported it to the authorities.
In the Special Higher Police Affairs morgue, Zhao Peng’s body had been sent from the International Settlement Police Station to the Special Higher Police Affairs morgue.
Special Higher Police Affairs forensic officer Osakashin Ichiro immediately performed an autopsy on the body.
In the Investigation Team Section Chief’s office, Matsui Koji flipped through the report sent by Osakashin Ichiro, his expression somewhat contorted.
He had finally developed a Communist Party intelligence liaison, and the other side had even guaranteed him a chance to catch the Communist Party International Settlement team leader, the chauffeur.
This was a big fish; catching him would uncover the entire Communist Party line in the International Settlement.
Thinking further, it might even lead to catching the chauffeur’s handler, namely Shanghai’s highest intelligence commander.
But now, because Zhao Peng was suddenly killed, everything had come to nothing.
Especially since he had just received news from Zhao Peng yesterday that tonight, French Concession intelligence team leader Qing Hu would transact medicine with special commissioner Ye Xiao.
Catching these two would also be a major merit.
“Osakashin, you suspect Zhao Peng was robbed and killed before being thrown into the Suzhou River?” Having flipped to the last page of the report, Matsui Koji looked at the conclusion with some doubt about Osakashin Ichiro’s judgment.
Osakashin Ichiro said slowly, “Section Chief Matsui, this is my judgment based on my expertise.”
“From the wound, the cause of death was the throat bone being strangled by steel wire or wire-like item, leading to suffocation.”
“A small amount of mud and sand was also found in his mouth, proving he was thrown directly into the river after his throat bone was broken.”
“At that time, he was still in a near-death state, so he still had some breathing.”
“Not only that, his valuables and some important ornaments you previously provided him are all missing.”
“All signs indicate he was robbed and killed on his way home.”
Matsui Koji frowned and said, “But there’s no other evidence here proving it was a robbery killing.”
Osakashin Ichiro explained, “Section Chief Matsui, the body soaked in the Suzhou River overnight, and many things were destroyed.”
“For now, we can only judge based on evidence left on the body surface.”
Matsui Koji suddenly asked, “Osakashin, do you think it could have been done by a professional killer?”
Osakashin Ichiro thought for a moment, nodded, then shook his head: “As far as I know, professional killers prefer guns and knives.”
“That way it’s easier to dispatch the target. The weapon used doesn’t seem like a killer’s.”
Matsui Koji suddenly didn’t know how to judge whether the killer of Zhao Peng had deliberately used this weapon to mislead or if this idiot Zhao Peng had smoked too much opium, lost his senses, and been targeted by some hooligans.
He had long warned Zhao Peng not to wear those things after getting money; the valuable ornaments on him could be exchanged for several small yellow croakers.
It was completely the appearance of a poor man suddenly rich.
“I understand, Osakashin. Thank you for your hard work.” Matsui Koji nodded, signaling Osakashin Ichiro to leave.
Osakashin Ichiro slightly bowed and left the office.
Knock knock knock, Asano Omiya knocked on the office door and said, “Section Chief, something happened to Zhao Peng. Should we continue tonight’s action?”
Matsui Koji rubbed his brow; yesterday, upon receiving intelligence from Zhao Peng, he had begun planning tonight’s action.
But now, Zhao Peng had inexplicably been robbed and killed.
Without the inside man, Matsui Koji couldn’t be sure when Qing Hu and Ye Xiao would appear.
“Asano-kun, still deploy as before and ambush at Jiangnan Wharf.”
“We absolutely cannot let Qing Hu and Ye Xiao escape.”
“Hai.”
*****
Shanghai, Jiangnan Wharf.
Matsui Koji stood at the door of Warehouse No. 3, the stiff collar of his dark green Special Higher Police Affairs standard military uniform tightly constricting his neck, a trace of sweat slowly creeping along his spine.
His left hand was in his trouser pocket, while his right hand was raised to his chest, the index and middle fingers of his white-gloved hand deeply pressing into an invisible depression below his left shoulder blade.
This was a through-and-through wound left from last year’s pursuit in Zhabei; in this sticky June humid heat, it was like a rusty iron shard buried deep in his flesh being twisted repeatedly by an invisible hand.
Not sharp pain, but a dull ache and throbbing; each press brought a teeth-gritting sense of stagnation like a blade grinding between bone seams.
“Click… squelch…”
Leather boots stepping over glossy sewage on the ground emitted sticky sounds.
The sideburns under Asano Omiya’s cap brim were soaked with sweat, clinging tightly to his skin.
He walked to about one and a half steps in front of Matsui Koji to the side, his boot heel slamming down sharply, splashing a few drops of murky oil, his body ramrod straight in a standard salute.
“Section Chief, everything is ready. As soon as the targets appear, they won’t escape our grasp.”
“Good, Asano-kun. Have everyone be alert. This time we’re capturing French Concession intelligence team leader Qing Hu and New Army special commissioner Ye Xiao.”
“These two are extremely important figures in the Communist Party. We must not let them escape Shanghai.”
“Yes,” Asano Omiya slightly bowed, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
“Asano-kun, do you have something to say?” Matsui Koji’s voice rose slowly.
“Section Chief,” Asano Omiya hesitated for a moment before saying, “I have a question I can’t figure out. You said Qing Hu is the French Concession intelligence team leader.”
“Why would he choose Jiangnan Wharf to leave Shanghai?”
“Wouldn’t it be safer to go from Shanghai’s Xinkaihe or Sixteen Rows Wharf?”
“Jiangnan Wharf has no special passages, yet they go to great lengths to leave from here…”
Matsui Koji’s brows and eyes suddenly tightened: “What did you say? Say it again…”
