Chapter 216: I Say You’re No Good, So You’re No Good
“Can patriotism be used for transactions?” Lin Xueli was instantly furious.
“Of course, do you think patriotism doesn’t require money?” Chen Yang had a matter-of-fact expression. “Some people can pick up guns and go to war, that’s patriotism. Some people can provide funds for the country, isn’t that patriotism?”
“Work only differs in division of labor, not in status or nobility. Elder Brother, you’re making a mistake right now.”
I knocked inside.
Seriously, the possibility of Lin Xueli out-arguing Chen Yang verbally was almost zero.
Chen Yang’s greatest skill was quibbling and twisting words. When rules favored him, he talked rules; when facts favored him, he talked facts. When neither rules nor facts helped him, he could discard facts altogether—you had no way to refute him.
Facing this kind of person, how could someone upright like Lin Xueli talk over him?
Chen Yang earnestly advised: “Elder Brother, you can actually consider my proposal. I think doing this is too dangerous for you, and besides, you’ve been marked by the Special Higher Police Affairs.”
“Nowhere is safe for you, let alone Hong Kong Island.”
Lin Xueli’s face changed drastically: “You, how do you know I’m going to Hong Kong Island…”
“Heh,” Chen Yang chuckled lightly: “All fourteen major wharves and over thirty minor wharves in Shanghai are under my control.”
“Not to mention smuggling ships—even for foreign merchant ships docking at the wharves, I know where they’re going, what’s on board, and when they depart.”
“You really think a guy from out of town hiring a snakehead to send you to Hong Kong Island can hide it from me?”
“If I hadn’t told Second Brother to pass the word, do you think any boatman would dare take your job?”
“Not to brag, but if I wanted to keep someone here, few could leave.”
Lin Xueli’s pupils suddenly contracted. He looked at Chen Yang’s innocent and handsome face, a chill rising in his heart.
He never imagined Chen Yang’s influence had reached this level. If this guy was dead set on being a traitor, for the organization…
“Elder Brother, what’s with that look?” Chen Yang smiled faintly. “You wouldn’t be thinking of righteous fratricide, would you?”
“I advise you to think it through. I can be a puppet army member just as easily as Communist Party. Cooperating with me isn’t bad at all.”
“You have an oil field in Gansu. Production isn’t high, but it can still trade for plenty of things.”
“And the secret base in Jiangxi Province—tungsten ore there is prime stuff. I hear you’re stockpiling so much ore you can’t sell, planning to smelt tungsten wire yourselves. Not to look down on you, but your manufacturing process is too outdated—that’s just wasting ore.”
“Besides that, New Army’s cigarettes, various spoils of war seized from battles in the bases—don’t you need someone to help convert them into useful materials?”
“Others might not manage it, but I can. I can not only transport for you but also trade.”
“Of course, in business terms, I charge a fee.”
Lin Xueli gaped, speechless for the moment.
Chen Yang stubbed out his cigarette, walked to the Buick car, opened the door, took out a pre-prepared suitcase, and handed it to Lin Xueli: “Elder Brother, no need to think—I arranged everything for you.”
“Inside is a document for Wan You Trading Company property deed on Hong Kong Island, plus two name cards: one for Governor Yang Muqi, one for Sir Robert Lochart of the Security Division.”
“After you arrive on Hong Kong Island, I’ll arrange for Mr. Taylor to introduce you to these two officials.”
“Elder Brother, you’ve been a clerk so long—time to enter high society and make your mark.”
“Right, I already bought plane tickets for big sister-in-law, Ruoxin, and Ruyu. They fly to Hong Kong Island the day after tomorrow.”
“Their address, house keys, and church school admission notices are all inside.”
“Alright, I should head back. Do well—I have high hopes for you.”
With that, Chen Yang patted Lin Xueli’s shoulder, opened the car door, started the engine, and floored it through the rain curtain.
“This guy figured out exactly what I wanted from him long ago…” Lin Xueli looked at the small suitcase, feeling a mix of emotions.
Under the night sky, rain mixed with sleet pelted the warehouse roof.
Lin Xueli opened his umbrella, sighed, finally picked up the suitcase, and stepped into the vast night.
Year 28 of the Republic of China, February 11—Lunar December 22.
Shanghai, Special Higher Police Affairs.
Inside General Doihara’s office.
General Doihara read the Army Department’s reply report, the atmosphere heavy. Sandalwood smoke rose lazily in the office, but it couldn’t dispel the oppressive air.
“Bang,” the office door was nearly violently pushed open. Nantian Yangzi stood at the threshold, her usually stern face now filled with uncontainable anger and humiliation.
She didn’t salute as usual but strode straight to General Doihara’s large rosewood desk, slammed both hands on the desktop, leaned forward, and stared intensely at him…
“Teacher!” Her voice trembled slightly from extreme restraint. “Shouldn’t you explain this to me?”
“I hear Kiku Agency has nominated General Staff Office Counselor Takei Saneyoshi from the homeland to take over. You clearly promised me that position was mine.”
“I want to know why headquarters rejected my promotion nomination? For Kiku Agency head, whether seniority, ability, or merit—I should be the undisputed choice!”
General Doihara didn’t pause, didn’t even lift an eyelid. He methodically sorted the report before slowly raising his head, quietly regarding this student he once prided himself on.
“Yangzi,” his voice steady without a ripple, “are you questioning headquarters’ decision?”
“I’m questioning the absurdity behind this decision!” Nantian Yangzi’s voice rose. “Just because we didn’t catch ‘Qing Hu’? Teacher, you know we’ve badly damaged their underground network, killed several key members, including the courier codenamed ‘Xue Lian’!”
“‘Old Zhong’s death didn’t meet expectations, but it benefited us. At least Communist Party activity hasn’t been this active lately, right? Isn’t that my achievement?”
General Doihara sighed lightly, as if looking at a wayward child.
“Yangzi, you’re mistaken about one thing.” He stood, circled the desk, walked to the window, back to her. “Headquarters didn’t reject your promotion because your actions lacked results.”
He turned, gaze sharpening: “It’s because of your ‘stupidity’ and ‘loss of control’.”
Nantian Yangzi’s pupils shrank: “What?”
“First, stupidity.” General Doihara said coldly. “You didn’t assess the situation and prematurely took Old Zhong away. One smoke grenade made you react impulsively—how does headquarters view your judgment and overall awareness? An excellent agent leader controls the situation, not becomes a chess piece easily manipulated by the enemy.”
“Second, loss of control.” Doihara continued, tone icier. “You executed that female Communist ‘Xue Lian’ on your own. For what? Venting? Or to intimidate the enemy with cruelty?”
“The result? You didn’t intimidate them—you provoked fiercer resistance!”
“Your cruelty lacked strategy, driven only by emotion. It gave the enemy propaganda and recruitment fodder. This made headquarters doubt your emotional control and leader’s composure.”
General Doihara pushed the prior report toward Nantian Yangzi: “Yangzi, read this evaluation report carefully.”
“‘Lacks strategic patience, easily provoked, acts impulsively. Has minor merits but risks major disasters.’ That’s headquarters’ assessment of you.”
“Kiku Agency head is crucial—needs a leader who coordinates the big picture, steady and seasoned. Not a fierce general who charges ahead and might bring trouble. Yangzi, you’ve disappointed me.”
Nantian Yangzi stared at the report, fingers clenching tightly, nails digging into her palms.
All anger and unwillingness doused by a bucket of ice water, leaving only cold shame and panic at being seen through.
“I don’t believe these official platitudes. I need the facts.”
Nantian Yangzi seemed ready for a final struggle.
“You already had the answer when you came to me.” General Doihara watched Nantian Yangzi quietly, then slowly said: “Since you know where the problem lies, why ask further? Even knowing the truth, what can you do?”
“Because of Chen Yang?” Nantian Yangzi spat the name through gritted teeth.
“Partly, but not all.” General Doihara said slowly: “Yangzi, didn’t you notice fewer people joined you for that interrogation?”
Nantian Yangzi nodded: “I know. These days, Takakura and the others were transferred from Shanghai Special Higher Police Affairs.”
“Just transferred? Heh,” General Doihara pressed: “Do you know why?”
Nantian Yangzi paused, then realized: “You mean that procurement contract?”
“Didn’t they sign it smoothly?”
“Yes, smoothly.” General Doihara’s tone shifted coldly: “But was it you who said it was thirty percent above market price?”
“Do you know how many people that sentence got killed?”
“That you’re still alive and well is fortunate—not because my face carries enough weight, but because of the honor His Majesty the Emperor bestowed on you.”
“They lack sufficient reason to touch you, an ‘honorary major’ personally granted by the Emperor.”
“In this situation, you still want to take Kiku Agency head? You think you’re not dying fast enough?”
“I can tell you directly—this report was specially arranged for you.”
“If you sat in that position, you’d face not enemies, but comrades.”
“You can block frontal bullets—how about knives from behind? Confident?”
“So…” Nantian finally understood. It wasn’t the action that failed—it was her.
Her efforts and ambitions seemed so fragile and naive in the high command’s eyes.
Nantian’s straight spine slackened slightly, but the fire in her eyes didn’t extinguish. She slowly stood at attention, gave a standard salute, voice low and hoarse:
“Hai! I… understand. Thank you for the lesson, Teacher.”
General Doihara nodded slightly, tone softening: “Good that you understand. Intelligence work still needs you.”
“Remember this lesson. Put your ability and ruthlessness to better use. Opportunities will come later.”
“Hai! This subordinate will engrave it in mind and redeem myself through merit!” Nantian Yangzi bowed her head, hiding the cold killing intent and rage surging in her eyes.
Seeing the moment ripe, General Doihara took out an appointment letter and handed it to Nantian Yangzi: “This is the appointment for the newly created Special Affairs Section One section chief. Though I couldn’t secure Kiku Agency head for you, your merits can’t be erased.”
“That’s all I can do.”
What is this? Consolation prize? Lost an agency head position, get a section chief to soothe? He treats me like a child—carrot after the stick…
“Thank you for the promotion, Teacher.” Nantian said nothing more, calmly extended both hands to take the appointment letter, turned, and left the office with stiff steps. The door closed softly.
Doihara Sadao sat back in his chair, gazing at the gloomy sky outside, fingers lightly tapping the desktop.
Knock knock knock—a knock at the door.
General Doihara refocused, said softly: “Come in.”
“Your Excellency Doihara, I just saw Miss Nantian storm out of your office in a rage.”
“As a top agent, she can’t even control her emotions on such a small matter.”
“Looks like Your Excellency Doihara still needs to reconsider if she’s suited to lead Special Affairs Section One.”
“Director Nakamura wouldn’t come to me just to observe Nantian—that’s too boring.” General Doihara’s face showed displeasure. The visitor was Southern China Association Director Nakamura Isao.
Southern China Association, that is, the Southern China Anti-Resistance Forces Investigation Committee.
This was an intelligence agency serving the military; Nakamura Isao was talent recommended by South Manchuria Railway Investigation Bureau.
With his astute analysis of international situations and profound cultural cultivation, he was known as the “brains trust” in South Manchuria Railway, admired by some high-level figures and Kwantung Army senior generals.
“Mr. Nakamura, with so much on Southern China Association’s plate, you still visit me—it mustn’t be trivial.” General Doihara gestured for Nakamura Isao to sit, lifted the small teapot to pour tea for him, attitude quite courteous.
“Your Excellency Doihara should guess my purpose.” Nakamura Isao slightly bowed, manners refined, tone gentle and magnetic. “Your Excellency Kagesa’s upcoming new organization push concerns the empire’s overall intelligence work in China.”
“Heh, Kagesa Agency head’s ambitions are indeed grand.” General Doihara nodded, eyes flashing with insight.
“‘Ume’, ‘Ran’, ‘Take’, ‘Kiku’—four major agencies standing parallel, collaborating by division, aimed at thoroughly purging all resistance forces in China, especially Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai Station and Yan’an’s red underground organizations. A grand vision.”
“The vision is grand, but completion is another matter.” Nakamura Isao sipped tea, said slowly: “Ume Agency mainly serves the New Government. Colonel Shibusawa’s Take Agency mostly assists Eleventh Army’s layout in Hankou. Wachi Eiji’s Ran Agency isn’t skilled in intelligence work.”
“Their main duties are infiltration, internal corrosion in Chongqing, and surrender inducement.”
“As for Kiku Agency in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, Your Excellency Doihara, do you really think a counselor from the homeland can master counterintelligence? Lieutenant Colonel Takei lacks the strength. I think Kagesa over-simplifies it.”
General Doihara nodded thoughtfully: “Headquarters does need a strong specialized agency for Shanghai’s intelligence organizations, especially targeted strikes on Communist Party underground organizations.”
“Their infiltration in Shanghai is pervasive and extremely tricky.”
Nakamura Isao frowned, suddenly said: “Actually, I’ve always believed Communist Party, Military Statistics Bureau, and Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics need China’s native agencies to counter.”
“I hear that Kagesa guy privately recruited several professional talents.”
“A few days ago, he submitted a 《Shanghai Agent Plan》 to the homeland, wanting to reorganize Nanjing Special Affairs Committee Shanghai Office.”
“That office’s Director Chen isn’t a professional intelligence officer. Confronting these organizations seems tough for him.”
“You mean Section Chief Chen?” General Doihara nodded thoughtfully. “His expertise is in economics and transportation—indeed an outsider to intelligence work.”
“However, in the latest assessment, many Logistics Department officials spoke well of him. This man’s no simpleton.”
Nakamura Isao scoffed: “Intelligence agencies don’t need such talents.”
“I still believe we’d be stronger allied than Kagesa.”
“Your Excellency Doihara, Southern China Association and South Manchuria Railway Investigation Bureau have drafted a preliminary purge plan.”
“Primary target: Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai Station. Their recent activities are rampant—must strike hard, sever their contact points and funding chains.”
“Next, deeply excavate Communist Party underground transportation stations, especially their ‘red corridor’ to North Jiangsu—must cut it off completely!”
General Doihara lifted his teacup, blew gently, as if savoring the aroma, but every word etched clearly in his mind.
After a moment’s thought, General Doihara said slowly: “For Military Statistics Bureau, perhaps start from their economic sources.”
“Special Higher Police Affairs has noted some suspicious trade firms in the French Concession with dubious cash flows.”
“As for Communist Party transportation stations…” He set down the cup, added casually, “They rely heavily on seemingly ordinary social ties for cover—bookstores, pharmacies, even charities could be intelligence exchange nodes.”
“Large-scale but routine household registration checks or fire inspections might yield discoveries without alerting them prematurely.”
Nakamura Isao added: “Not enough. Communist Party’s biggest base is the masses.”
“We should target Shanghai trade unions—they’re Communist Party’s largest funding source and asset.”
“Right, also mind public opinion—avoid excessive disturbance causing panic. Bad for the empire’s pro-people image.”
General Doihara nodded frequently: “Mr. Nakamura’s thinking is always so clear. Economic sources, social ties… Valuable directions.”
Nakamura Isao smiled faintly, humbly waved: “Just immature ideas for the general and Your Excellency Kagesa to reference.”
“Specific action plans need experts to formulate.”
After that, he chatted with General Doihara on international situations and Japan domestic politics, fully displaying his “brains trust” flair, then politely took leave.
General Doihara personally escorted Nakamura Isao to the office door, showing great regard.
Leaving Special Higher Police Affairs headquarters, settling into his car, Nakamura Isao’s mild scholarly smile gradually faded. He leaned back, eyes closed, as if resting.
But his mind raced like the most efficient cipher machine. “‘Ume’, ‘Ran’, ‘Take’, ‘Kiku’… four major intelligence agencies… Kagesa Shinzhao personally at the helm…” “Primary target: Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai Station, sever contact points and funding chains…”
“Secondary target: Communist Party underground transportation stations, especially ‘red corridor’…”
“Investigation directions: French Concession suspicious trade firms（Military Statistics Bureau economic sources）, bookstores, pharmacies, charities（our party’s transportation points）, household registration fire checks（cover methods）…”
Every word, every phrase from this talk with Doihara was priceless intelligence, tied to countless comrades’ lives and the organization’s survival.
He couldn’t write, couldn’t record—relied on astonishing memory to etch it all in his mind.
The driver quietly drove.
Nakamura Isao opened his eyes, gazed at the streetscape flashing by outside.
This city’s prosperity and suffering intertwined, light and darkness coexisting.
Shanghai, Foch Road civilian house near Hui Chun Tang.
Nearing New Year, Shanghai’s temperatures were frighteningly low.
Zhang Jianliang sat at the table, fingers slowly tapping the desktop.
His talk with Lin Xueli before departure had quite an impact on him.
Lin Xueli’s intent was to abandon frontline work for a logistics post.
Of course, Zhang Jianliang knew Lin Xueli had escaped this calamity, but he’d been marked by Special Higher Police Affairs.
He’d narrowly dodged their interrogation.
Short-term, he couldn’t return to intelligence lines, or risk exposure.
Switching to logistics was indeed a new path.
Most importantly, Lin Xueli said he’d arranged everything—putting Zhang Jianliang on alert.
Comrades on Hong Kong Island reported Lin Xueli now ran a shopfront called Wan You Trading Company.
Reportedly backed by some foundation there.
For now, it seemed excellent camouflage.
Knock knock knock—three long two short knocks. Zhang Jianliang’s brows tightened instantly, rose to the door: “Who is it?”
“Hello, I’m feeling unwell. Hui Chun Tang’s shopkeeper Wang sent me to you.” A clear female voice from outside.
Zhang Jianliang’s heart stirred, opened the door. There stood a delicate girl, ear-length short hair, student attire.
“Come in quick.” Zhang Jianliang let her in, warily checked front and back, swiftly shut the door.
The girl looked at Zhang Jianliang somewhat nervously, timidly said: “Hello, I’m Shen Qingyao, codename Jin Yu.”
