Chapter 206: Scheming Against Each Other
The winter chill wind blew over everyone’s bodies, and Nantian Yangzi subconsciously tightened her Major uniform.
Matsui Koji looked expressionlessly at the abandoned warehouse. If the intelligence was correct, the radio they had been searching for three or four days should be inside this abandoned warehouse.
Besides the radio, there was also Qing Hu, the leader of the Communist Party intelligence team in the French Concession, whom the Special Higher Police Affairs had been chasing for a long time.
This cunning fox had caused the Empire a great deal of trouble both openly and secretly. The Empire had offered a reward of thirty thousand silver dollars to capture him, but up to now, there was no news.
Not only was there no news, up to now, the Special Higher Police Affairs hadn’t even figured out whether this Qing Hu was male or female, fat or thin.
If they could catch this big fish this time, they must make him taste the methods of the Special Higher Police Affairs.
In the distance, a burst of footsteps approached from far to near. Matsui Koji’s expression changed slightly as he prepared to strike at any moment.
But he was soon disappointed.
“Report to Section Chief Matsui, there are no signs of radio activity in the abandoned warehouse.”
“We searched inside and found nothing.”
Matsui Koji’s pupils contracted slightly, his eyes full of unwillingness.
“Matsui-kun, it seems the Communist Party knows we are about to take action.” Nantian Yangzi suddenly opened her eyes, seemingly not surprised by this result.
“Does Major Nantian mean our operation has been exposed?” Matsui Koji said in a muffled voice. “Or has that inside contact already been exposed?”
Nantian Yangzi looked up at the pitch-black night sky and murmured, “Hard to say. It could be a last-minute change of location, or this inside contact has been noticed by someone.”
“In any case, there will probably be no gains tonight.”
“Matsui-kun, let’s go.”
Although Matsui Koji was somewhat unwilling, he knew Nantian Yangzi was stating the facts.
“Order: return to base.”
“Hai.”
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department, Section Chief of Land Transportation’s office.
Chen Yang leisurely flipped through the file handed over by Zuo Mingquan.
The gloomy sky outside the window matched his current mood. Kagesa’s promotion was an opportunity, but also a shackle.
The order to destroy the Shanghai underground intelligence network within three months hung over his head like the sword of Damocles.
Having dealt with Kagesa for so long, he naturally knew what kind of person he was.
This was an extremely cunning intelligence expert, with ruthless, cold-blooded, and merciless methods.
He promoted Chen Yang now because he was useful. Once he found that Chen Yang did not meet his expectations, he would turn hostile at any time.
Chen Yang was not afraid of him turning hostile, but feared that losing the position of Director of the Special Affairs Committee would mean he could no longer control Shanghai intelligence as he wished.
Therefore, how to deliver a performance report that satisfied Kagesa without harming the intelligence network became the top priority.
At the same time, in a hidden safe house at the other end of the city, Zhang Jianliang and Lin Xueli were discussing how to deal with the traitor in the organization.
Based on the Japanese actions yesterday, Lin Xueli had already confirmed that the problem was with Wu Fu, the intelligence officer of the Shanghai Underground Transportation Station.
“Wu Fu, codename Flower Carp, from Suzhou, joined the Shanghai Intelligence Network in 1934, responsible for information compilation work.”
“He is a direct subordinate of Comrade Zhong Yuan. The Blacksmith has dealt with him. It’s not yet certain if he has direct contact with Xue Lian.”
“We tested three comrades. Currently, only Wu Fu has a problem. The other two comrades.”
Zhang Jianliang frowned. “The screening of the remaining two comrades will be handled by the Carrier Pigeon.”
“Comrade Qing Hu, what is most important now is to deal with Flower Carp and prevent him from causing more harm to the organization.”
“Flower Carp’s betrayal proves that the enemy’s tentacles have reached our most core positions.” Lin Xueli said solemnly, “Eliminating him is imperative, but not a simple execution. His death must serve its final value, repaying the blood debt and making the enemy pay the price.”
Zhang Jianliang nodded in agreement. “Comrade Qing Hu, what do you think we should do?”
“Forge a top secret instruction.” Lin Xueli slowly outlined the plan. “Content as follows: Due to the organization suffering successive heavy blows, ‘home base’ will send a heavyweight special commissioner ‘Travelling Goose’, carrying a new cipher book, activity funds, and important instructions from superiors, to make contact at 23:30 the night after tomorrow in the old warehouse area of ‘Dafeng Textile Factory’ on Fuxi Road in Zhabei District.”
“Specify that Flower Carp is responsible for receiving and ensuring the absolute safety of Comrade Travelling Goose.”
“There?” Zhang Jianliang was not very familiar with Shanghai’s terrain.
Lin Xueli explained, “The old textile factory warehouse was chosen because the terrain is complex, convenient for setting ambushes and for escaping, and it is a transportation link that Flower Carp is theoretically familiar with.”
“I guarantee this is a ‘merit’ he cannot refuse.”
“But he is cautious and suspicious by nature and will never show up personally for the handover.”
“The greatest possibility is: on one hand, sell this intelligence at a high price to the Special Higher Police Affairs, guiding them to capture ‘Travelling Goose’, while he remotely commands from an absolutely safe place, earning merit with the Japanese while hiding himself to the maximum extent.”
“On the other hand, I think he may try to verify the authenticity of the intelligence. Yesterday’s Japanese action had an oversight, so he will definitely suspect if he has been exposed.”
“If there’s any hint of trouble, I think it will be hard to see him in Shanghai.”
“So the ‘bait’ we prepare must be realistic enough.”
Zhang Jianliang nodded. “What do you plan to do?”
Lin Xueli said gravely, “I will deliver this instruction to him through an emergency contact channel he once used but thinks only he knows about—the dead letter box at the City God Temple.”
“At the same time, I will arrange an ‘accident’: have our comrades disguise as couriers and conduct a seemingly urgent and covert ‘contact rehearsal’ near a location where Flower Carp might verify, deliberately letting him see it by chance to deepen his trust.”
“Dual-line operation.” A cold glint flashed in Lin Xueli’s eyes. “Once he bites the hook and passes the intelligence to the Special Higher Police Affairs, I will prepare a ‘feast’ for the Special Higher Police Affairs at the textile factory. Meanwhile, the traitor elimination team will head straight to his hideout to carry out the final judgment.”
Zhang Jianliang’s eyebrows rose slightly. “You want to use the intelligence as bait to deal with the Special Higher Police Affairs?”
Lin Xueli smiled faintly. “If Flower Carp performs well and can lure high-level Special Higher Police Affairs personnel, I think this gift will make them unforgettable for life.”
Shanghai. Special Higher Police Affairs Headquarters, Nantian Yangzi’s office.
Nantian Yangzi looked at the interrogation report in her hand, the fanaticism in her eyes intensifying.
Her interrogations of “Xue Lian” and “Zhong Yuan” had reached a stalemate. Severe torture had not pried open their mouths.
This frustration made her more paranoid and crazed.
A report on “Zhong Yuan”‘s deteriorating physical condition, likely unable to withstand further torture, lay on her desk.
She showed no concern, instead revealing a cruel smile.
Knock knock knock. A knock sounded, and Nantian quickly put away the report. “Come in.”
“Creak.” The door was forcefully pushed open, and Matsui Koji stormed into the office with anger on his face.
“Section Chief Nantian, I think your interrogation methods are too cruel.”
“Do you know that Yamashita-kun has already submitted a report to Colonel Fujita?”
“That Zhong fellow won’t last much longer. If you keep using brute force, we will have to collect his body before getting his confession.”
“Matsui-kun, do you have any good suggestions?” Nantian’s tone carried a faint disdain.
This attitude greatly dissatisfied Matsui Koji, but considering her status, he could only suppress his anger. “In any case, the torture of Zhong Yuan must stop.”
“That’s it?” Nantian chuckled lightly. “I think he should be treated, given clean clothes, and provided with better food.”
“Then, transfer him to Room 202 of Ruikang Apartment on Avenue Joffre, and release word externally that Zhong Yuan could not withstand the pressure, his mental state is on the verge of collapse, and he has begun sporadically revealing fragmented information. We are intensifying psychological pressure, with a breakthrough imminent.”
Damn it, what tricks is this woman playing? Matsui Koji asked puzzledly, “Major Nantian, what do you mean by this?”
“What do I mean? Matsui-kun, have you been investigation team leader for so long and still can’t see this?” Nantian’s tone was full of provocation.
Matsui Koji frowned slightly, then his eyes lit up. “Major Nantian plans to use Zhong Yuan as bait to lure those Communist Party members to rescue him?”
“Do you think they would have the guts?”
Nantian Yangzi chuckled lightly. “If they lack guts, I can give them some.”
“The intelligence should be disseminated through inadvertent channels. The apartment guards should be tight on the outside but loose on the inside.”
“Although it’s just acting, we need to act the full set.”
“Deliberately leave some flaws around the apartment, like small gaps in shift changes, the fire escape lock looking old…”
“In short, I will use Zhong Yuan as a piece of bait to see if those rats hiding underground can’t resist coming to rescue their comrade, or… to silence him! Especially that special commissioner ‘Blackjack’ who has never shown up! He certainly won’t ignore it!”
“Matsui-kun, have you heard the saying, Jiang Taigong fishing—those who wish take the bait.”
“I don’t believe that with such big bait thrown out, this group of Communist Party members who pride themselves on unity can remain unmoved.”
Matsui Koji frowned, suddenly unsure whether to agree to Nantian’s plan.
At that moment, the knock sounded again. “Report.”
The guard’s voice came from the door. “Major Nantian, Director Zuo from the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee is here.”
“He says he has important intelligence to report to you.”
Nantian was slightly stunned and said slowly, “Ask him to come in.”
“Hai.” The guard acknowledged and quickly went to relay Nantian’s order.
Soon, a fat figure shuffled into the office. Zuo Mingquan saluted perfunctorily. “Major Nantian, I am Zuo Mingquan. On Director Chen’s orders, I am delivering a piece of intelligence to you.”
Taking a breath, Zuo Mingquan said gravely, “The inside contact sent word that the Communist Party Southern Bureau has dispatched a special commissioner codenamed Travelling Goose, carrying a new cipher book and the latest instructions from above, to Shanghai.”
