Chapter 204: Bait
Lin Xueli said solemnly: “When the carrier pigeon contacted me, it also revealed that the superiors suspect Old Zhong and ‘Xue Lian’ getting into trouble one after another is not a coincidental event.”
“Right, I have another situation to report to you. One more member of our team, the Blacksmith, has been missing for three days.”
“I now suspect that the Blacksmith may have also been captured by the Japanese.”
Zhang Jianliang frowned slightly and sighed: “Without eliminating the traitor, the organization’s nerve center will always be exposed under the enemy’s blade. Comrade Qing Hu, it seems we must administer a strong dose of medicine.”
Lin Xueli’s gaze darkened slightly: “Do you have any plan?”
Zhang Jianliang analyzed: “The traitor was able to precisely betray Old Zhong and ‘Xue Lian’ as well as the Blacksmith at the same time, which means he very likely has access to or compiles information on transportation lines and radio networks.”
“There aren’t many people in the Shanghai Intelligence Network who can do this.”
“Right, after ‘Xue Lian’ was captured, the radio she was responsible for…”
“I have already moved the radio to a safe place. The radio’s situation is currently very safe. Wait,” Lin Xueli immediately understood: “You want to lure the snake out of its hole… using this ‘missing’ radio to make a move?”
“Exactly!” A glint flashed in Zhang Jianliang’s eyes. “We forge a message: Due to emergency measures taken by ‘Xue Lian’ before her capture, that crucial radio was transferred to an absolutely safe new location.”
“Furthermore, because there is a backlog of a large amount of top secret intelligence urgently awaiting transmission, Shanghai Underground Transportation Station work summaries, as well as the medicine list urgently needed by the Northern Jiangsu Base Area and follow-up intelligence on the Japanese Army’s recent sweeping plans, we will risk reactivating it in an extremely short time!”
This bait was extremely vicious and tempting.
An undestroyed radio, plus “backlogged top secret intelligence,” was, for the Special Higher Police Affairs, an excellent opportunity to completely destroy the Underground Party’s communication capabilities and obtain core intelligence.
So much top secret intelligence was enough to make that traitor take the risk and contact the Special Higher Police Affairs.
“So, according to your plan, we now need to set a location that is sufficiently concealed and conforms to the logic of hiding the radio, one that is convenient for us to observe and control.” Lin Xueli added, his brain racing.
“Right. The location must be carefully chosen.” Zhang Jianliang’s finger traced over the map. “For example, the edge of the French Concession, near the power plant interference area, an old-style apartment building’s top-floor secret room with multiple entrances and exits convenient for evacuation…”
“The key is that the information about this ‘new location’ must be leaked to those most suspicious personnel in a seemingly unintentional way.”
“The version each person receives must have extremely subtle differences in the specific floor, room features, or the exact time period for restarting the radio.”
“You and the Shanghai comrades quickly list the suspect list, and input different instructions to the suspects separately according to the plan…”
Zhang Jianliang lowered his voice: “For example, tell A the entrance is ‘the secret door behind the rooftop water tank,’ tell B it is ‘the false wall in the utility room at the end of the fourth-floor corridor’; tell C the restart signal is ‘three quick flashes of the window light,’ and tell D it is ‘hear the transmission sound precisely at 1 a.m.’… and so on.”
“As long as the Special Higher Police Affairs people appear at which specific location, or focus their deployment on which time period or which signal, we will know who the traitor is!”
“This plan will be handled by you to arrange the most reliable observation points for all-around surveillance of the target building.”
“Remember, do not participate in any action at all. Your task is only to record the precise deployment positions of the Special Higher Police Affairs plainclothes officers, action time, and focus of attention. Once locked in, report immediately.”
Lin Xueli nodded heavily: “Understood. I will make arrangements according to your plan and report the results to you as soon as possible.”
After speaking, Lin Xueli stood up. Zhang Jianliang saw him to the door and instructed: “Mr. Lin, remember to take your medicine on time. If you feel unwell, come find me immediately, and I will adjust the dosage for you.”
Lin Xueli replied smoothly: “Thank you, Doctor Zhang. I will take my leave first.”
“Take care.”
As the words fell, Lin Xueli walked away with his briefcase. Zhang Jianliang stood at the door watching the other’s receding back, a flicker of worry briefly passing over his brow…
Shanghai, No. 625 Daxi Road, Nanjing Special Affairs Committee Shanghai Office.
The atmosphere was oppressive like the sea surface before a storm.
Kagesa Shinzhao stood with his back to the door, by the window, gazing at the gloomy sky outside.
He was not sitting behind his desk as usual; this posture alone meant his mood was extremely displeased at the moment.
Director Zuo Mingquan of the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee Shanghai Office also stood in the office. He kept his head low, fine beads of sweat emerging on his forehead, not daring to breathe.
Kagesa Shinzhao turned abruptly and slammed the document in his hand onto the table in front of Zuo Mingquan!
“Who gave you the authority?! Who allowed you to leak the information directly to the Special Higher Police Affairs?!”
Zuo Mingquan’s body trembled. He hurriedly defended: “Your Excellency Kagesa, please calm down! It was… Section Chief Matsui Koji of the investigation team who kept pressing hard with a tough attitude…”
“He said this was a major case involving the Communist Party radio, and the Special Higher Police Affairs had the right to know… We just wanted to share intelligence to speed up the case progress…”
“You know, this subordinate is of low status and weak voice, really unable to refuse…”
“Share intelligence? Speed up progress?” Kagesa Shinzhao stepped closer, his gaze sinister and terrifying. “Since when does the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee cooperate with the Special Higher Police Affairs? Did you report this matter to me? Did you report it to Deputy Director Chen?”
“Those idiots in the Special Higher Police Affairs only know brute force! What if it startles the snake?”
“You leaked such an important secret intelligence source to them. If the action fails again, or the information leaks, leading to the inside contact being exposed or even eliminated, can you bear this responsibility?”
“Have you considered the overall situation of the Empire’s intelligence work in China?”
“Baka Yalu, that was a line we found with great difficulty. Do you know how much cost we paid for him?”
“His value lies in long-term undercover work, providing continuous intelligence!”
“Not for those brutes in the Special Higher Police Affairs to vie for credit and take risks!”
Zuo Mingquan was scolded until his face was ashen, cold sweat streaming. He repeatedly said: “Hai! Hai! It was this subordinate’s negligence! Inconsiderate! Please pardon me, Your Excellency Kagesa!”
Kagesa Shinzhao took a deep breath. Zuo Mingquan’s behavior made him deeply dissatisfied.
Most importantly, this organization was one he had personally built, and now with such an incident, he could not openly hold the Special Higher Police Affairs accountable.
This feeling was like biting into an apple and finding half a worm inside.
It made him nauseous, while also bringing a sense of self-inflicted defeat.
No, this place needs to be firmly controlled, not filled with uncertainty and infighting like now.
Knock knock knock, a knock sounded. Kagesa frowned: “Come in.”
Chen Yang pushed open the door, glared viciously at Zuo Mingquan standing in front of the desk, then bowed to Kagesa: “Senior Kagesa, I came over as soon as I received your call. I wonder what instructions you have.”
“Mr. Chen.” Kagesa’s voice suddenly became calm, but beneath this calm was uncontainable anger.
“Director Zuo and his office have been extremely disappointing in their recent performance.”
“Lacking overall perspective, discipline lax. I believe the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee needs a thorough reorganization.”
Chen Yang asked cautiously: “Senior Kagesa, what do you mean?”
Kagesa glanced at Zuo Mingquan and waved at him: “Director Zuo, go down first and organize the Blacksmith’s report.”
Zuo Mingquan bowed respectfully, turned, and left the office.
Kagesa raised his hand, signaling Chen Yang to sit: “Mr. Chen, General Headquarters has reviewed the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee’s work performance over the past six months and decided to use it as a blueprint to reorganize the original China Affairs Section into the four major agencies: Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum.”
“From now on, I will not interfere in matters here.”
He stared at Chen Yang and said word by word: “I have already recommended to the homeland that you take over the position of Director of the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee.”
“You have a clear head, act with measure, understand weighing pros and cons. More importantly, you are loyal to the Empire.”
Chen Yang’s heart shook greatly, but he could not refuse, because any hesitation would arouse Kagesa’s suspicion.
He immediately bowed, his tone carrying appropriate fear and determination: “Thank you for Senior Kagesa’s trust! This subordinate is shallow in learning and talent, fearing I am unworthy of this heavy responsibility!”
“But since Senior Kagesa has ordered it, this subordinate will certainly do his best to serve the Empire loyally!”
“Very good.” Kagesa was satisfied with his reaction, but then changed the subject: “However, this position cannot be secured out of thin air. You need a sufficiently weighty ‘certificate of allegiance’ to prove your ability and value.”
“The Communist Party’s intelligence network in Shanghai, especially their core leadership and communication system, after multiple blows, although damaged, is still operating tenaciously.”
“I want you, after taking office, within three months, to use all resources of the committee to dig them out completely for me! Especially that elusive ‘Qing Hu,’ and the radio that mysteriously disappeared from ‘Xue Lian’s’ hands.”
“In short, one sentence: I want to see results, results that leave everyone speechless. Understood? Mr. Chen.”
“This is your first and most important mission. If completed, you are the director in name and reality. If not… you should know the consequences.”
Chen Yang stood at mock attention: “Hai! Please rest assured, Senior Kagesa! This subordinate will go all out, even if digging three feet deep, to thoroughly eliminate the Communist Party remnants in Shanghai!”
Knock knock knock, a knock sounded. Zuo Mingquan pushed open the door, walked in with a report, and handed it to Kagesa with both hands: “Your Excellency Kagesa, this is the information we obtained from the Blacksmith. Please review it.”
Kagesa did not take the document but turned his gaze to Chen Yang beside him.
Chen Yang understood and stepped forward to take the document. Kagesa nodded in satisfaction: “Mr. Chen, I have always appreciated your ability. Do not disappoint me.”
“Yes, yes, yes…”
