Chapter 226: You Can Only Represent Yourself
“Section Chief Chen, aren’t you the one who thinks he can do whatever he wants?” Nantian sneered: “Who in the whole Shanghai doesn’t know about your methods, Section Chief Chen? Do I need to spell out your collusion with the Communist Party?”
Chen Yang pointed at Nantian Yangzi, looking furious: “I warn you not to talk nonsense.”
“I’ll sue you for defamation.”
“Colonel Fujita, you have to testify for me. This is defamation; she’s defaming me!”
“Enough, enough.” Fujita Go waved his hand helplessly.
“Section Chief Nantian, do you have any evidence proving that Section Chief Chen is connected to what you said? Without evidence, you can’t just make accusations.”
Nantian Yangzi handed the report to Fujita and said: “The person is already in the interrogation room; there will be results soon.”
“Soon? How soon?” Fujita Go suddenly asked, breaking his usual demeanor.
Nantian Yangzi was slightly stunned. Fujita’s reaction seemed off; he didn’t seem to like Chen Yang either, but this attitude looked like he was preparing to cover for him.
Moreover, Fujita rarely interfered in Special Affairs Section One matters. Chen Yang had just arrived, and he followed right after.
Could it be that Fujita had also been bought off by the other side? Or did this batch of ore have something to do with him?
“Colonel Fujita, I hope you can give me a little time.” Nantian Yangzi’s tone seemed to soften somewhat.
“If there’s no clear evidence proving the transaction is problematic, let the person go.” Fujita said flatly.
“Let him go? Impossible. We caught them red-handed at the scene. Why let him go?” Nantian’s tone instantly rose eight degrees.
“Then let me ask you, do you actually have evidence of their transaction in your hands?” Fujita was becoming somewhat impatient.
“I said, one interrogation and we’ll have it.” Nantian was still insisting.
“So you don’t have it…” Chen Yang fanned the flames from the side: “Section Chief Nantian, what do you want to do now? Force a confession? Do you have to pull me down to be satisfied? What exactly have I done to make you treat me like this?”
It had to be said that Chen Yang’s ability to stir things up was no joke; in just a few simple sentences, he shifted the nature of the matter from smuggling materials to a personal conflict between him and Nantian.
He was now accusing Nantian of settling personal grudges instead of addressing the issue objectively.
Fujita Go raised his hand: “Section Chief Chen, don’t worry. I believe Section Chief Nantian doesn’t mean that…”
“Section Chief Nantian, let the person go. If there’s any issue, go find General Doihara; he will explain to you.”
“Go on.”
Seeing Fujita Go bring up Doihara, Nantian had no choice but to grudgingly agree.
Special Higher Police Affairs, interrogation room…
The interrogation room was filled with a pungent bloody smell.
Under the stark white light, Shen Qingyao’s face was pale as paper, with dried blood at the corner of her mouth crusted into a brownish scab.
She was handcuffed behind her to the cold iron chair, her arms throbbing and numb from prolonged suspension and twisting.
Her thin qipao was long soaked through by water torture, clinging to her battered body, outlining an uneven silhouette.
The interrogating secret agent Nanano Jiro grinned ferociously, holding a small whip with barbs in his hand, about to approach again.
“Miss Shen, why keep resisting? Tell us who your upstream contact is, where that tungsten ore is ultimately headed? And behind you… who else? Is it Chen Yang?” Nanano’s voice was hoarse and irritable.
Shen Qingyao clenched her teeth, not even lifting her eyelids.
The interrogation room held only her heavy but restrained breathing, and the “drip” of residual water droplets falling into the bucket.
One night of torture had drained her strength, yet still failed to pry open her mouth.
Her consciousness blurred and cleared by turns; her only thought was that she couldn’t say anything…
Suddenly, with a “bang,” the iron door of the interrogation room was flung open! The huge noise made Nanano and the nearby secret agents instinctively jump back a step, hands on their gun holsters.
Nantian Yangzi stood at the door.
Her face was terribly grim, her gaze sharp as a knife, but no longer the confident arrogance of before—instead carrying a trace of suppressed anxiety and anger.
Her line of sight skipped straight over Nanano, coldly fixing on Shen Qingyao.
“Enough! Stop!” Nantian’s voice was like an icicle.
Nanano was stunned: “Section Chief Nantian, she still hasn’t said anything…”
“I said stop!” Nantian’s tone suddenly sharpened, carrying an indisputable command. “Give simple treatment to her wounds and change her into clean clothes. Now!”
This abnormal order stunned everyone in the interrogation room. Nanano and the secret agents exchanged glances, unsure of the intent.
Shen Qingyao laboriously lifted her head; through her disheveled hair, her weary yet clear eyes flashed with a barely perceptible shock—not fear, but vigilance.
Nantian suddenly calling off the torture was definitely not mercy; there must be some even stranger change afoot!
“Section Chief, give us a little more time, and we can definitely…” Nanano said unwillingly.
“Nanano-kun, didn’t you understand me? Stop the interrogation, give her clean clothes, now, immediately.” Nantian offered no explanation; she turned and left, her steps rapid, military boots thudding heavily and disorderly on the cement floor.
Shanghai, Japanese residential area, Chongguangtang.
This was the residence of General Doihara, the highest commander of Special Higher Police Affairs in Shanghai.
The heavy red sandalwood door was silently pushed open; Nantian Yangzi entered the second-floor study with stiff steps.
The air was thick with the mixed scent of premium agarwood and sake, oppressively suffocating.
Doihara wore a dark kimono, his back to her, hands clasped behind him as he stood before the huge floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the dark area beyond the concession that belonged to “China.”
On the window glass, his unmoving profile was reflected; he was like a black obsidian statue representing the Empire’s will.
“Teacher, why?” Nantian stood at attention, body rigid, but her voice carried a trace of hoarseness and unwillingness she couldn’t fully hide.
Doihara didn’t turn immediately; he merely extended his thin but remarkably steady hand to pick up the warmed sake from the nearby redwood low table and took a shallow sip.
The crisp liquor slid down his throat, bringing no warmth whatsoever.
“Yangzi,” he finally spoke, his voice low and deep, calm like a frozen winter river, betraying no emotion. “Those few people have been released?”
Nantian Yangzi’s nails dug deep into her palm: “Hai, the order has been issued; Special Higher Police Affairs is carrying out the necessary procedures! But…”
“I want to know what reason could make you make such a concession.”
“Could it be that you’ve sided with them too?”
“Teacher, you’re not that kind of person.”
“What are you trying to say?” Doihara finally turned slowly, his sharp gaze like two cold probes stabbing into Nantian’s eyes.
His face held no expression, like a mask worn too long and now solidified.
“Teacher, no need to hide it. Don’t forget, I’m the most professional intelligence officer.”
“I know exactly what Chen Yang has in his hands. Frankly, in Shanghai, it’s not a secret.”
“So that’s your reason for targeting him.” Doihara said mercilessly: “Foolish.”
“Chen Yang’s position as Section Chief of Land Transportation was the result of countless screenings.”
“You, with your newly formed Special Affairs Section One, want to forcibly link him to the Communist Party or even Chongqing using smuggling materials as an excuse.”
“Do you think Homeland would accept such a reason?”
“Even stepping back ten thousand steps, even if he really has dealings with them, so what?”
“His rise means most people approve of his ways and methods. Saying he has issues now—doesn’t that mean everyone who screened his files has issues too?”
“Do you understand what this accusation implies?”
“Colonel Yamagishi of Southern China Association, Director Aoki of South Manchuria Railway Investigation Bureau, Major General Mizukawa of Special Affairs Office, Iwai Koichi of Iwai Agency, Kagesa of Ume Agency, and members of Eighth Section and Fourth Section of General Staff Office.”
“His background check files were verified and archived by these organizations.”
“What you’re doing is saying these major generals, colonels—all have problems.”
“What qualification does a mere honorary major like you have to question superiors’ judgments?”
“Yangzi, I’m very disappointed in you. The ‘value’ you understand is killing on a clever but narrow chessboard.”
“You’re qualified as an agent, but as a leader, my evaluation is unqualified.”
Nantian’s expression changed slightly: “Teacher, don’t you think that’s unfair to me?”
Doihara’s mouth corner lifted slightly: “Fair? Are you joking with me?”
“Yangzi, to become a leader, you must learn to compromise.”
“Fair, what an absurd word. Let me tell you, not all matters are just yes or no.”
“You must understand the balance of these two words. Chen Yang’s connection to the Communist Party is not a bad thing for us right now.”
Nantian Yangzi found it even stranger upon hearing this.
Doihara sighed faintly, walked to the huge desk, opened the drawer, took out a file stamped “Top Secret,” and placed it on the table.
Nantian’s gaze sharpened; she saw a golden chrysanthemum emblem symbolizing the Royal Family prominently on the envelope, the golden chrysanthemum seal emitting a cold and noble glow under the dim light.
“What is this?” Nantian had a vague feeling that this was the key to the concession on Chen Yang.
“A document delivered from Homeland yesterday, His Majesty’s edict.” Doihara’s expression carried an indescribable bitterness.
Nantian picked up the file, undid the seal, and took out a sheet of draft paper.
“What? Suzuki Kawataro was captured?” Nantian looked at the information, finding it unbelievable.
Suzuki Kawataro was an oddity in the Japanese Royal Family.
To be precise, he was Emperor Showa’s cousin. In Showa Year 7, he followed the army to China, and it took seven years to barely rise to colonel, still thanks to Royal Family connections…
His current position was commander of the Third Battalion, 124th Mixed Brigade, stationed at the Jiangsu-Anhui border.
This guy had some intellectual deficiencies; after all, the Japanese Royal Family was notorious for having many idiots—not rare to have one more fool.
On March 6, Showa Year 14, troops stationed in Jiangsu-Anhui areas, along with local security regiments, followed the “Southern Five Provinces Joint Sweeping Plan, Jiangsu-Anhui Area Clearance Operation” directive jointly designed by Southern China Association and Army Department War Command Section, to conduct clearance operations against Communist Party bases in the two areas.
Suzuki Kawataro was ordered to cooperate with Itai Regiment at Temple Gate Bridge to block the New Army Second Detachment Bao Xingguo unit.
In the end, this little idiot not only failed the blocking mission but suffered heavy losses in the enemy’s night raid.
Even funnier, this Colonel Suzuki actually ran the wrong way during the unit’s retreat.
The order was to withdraw east, but in the dark windy night, he couldn’t tell directions and ran west instead, straight into the New Army pursuit troops.
The New Army soldiers who captured him were startled by his colonel uniform and epaulets, initially thinking it was a ploy with someone dressed as a colonel to confuse them.
After identity verification, they realized it was real—they had caught a big fish.
At first, Suzuki blustered that he would “kill them all.”
After the New Army soldiers’ “warm greetings” and “cordial hospitality,” he finally recognized his mistake and wrote a letter to Homeland.
Emperor Showa’s face turned green upon receiving the letter and immediately convened an Imperial Conference.
Army Department General Abe Nobuyuki and Minister of Education Nishio Shuzo and others unanimously suggested that Suzuki commit seppuku to preserve the Royal Family’s face.
But His Majesty couldn’t bear it; after all, he was royalty, and being captured was already humiliating enough.
If he died in China, voices of doubt would surely arise in the Royal Family, thinking His Majesty was compromising with the Army Department.
Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor immediately issued an edict demanding all-out rescue of Suzuki Kawataro, which the Army Department promptly rejected.
With no choice, the Emperor sent a special envoy by ship from Yokohama to Shanghai to convey the sacred imperial decree to intelligence agencies, demanding all-out rescue of Suzuki Kawataro.
“He is His Majesty the Emperor’s cousin! His bloodline, the clan behind him, has unbreakable ties to the depths of the palace!”
“For him to be captured alive by a bunch of ‘mud-legged’ guerrilla team in such a place… this is no longer a military failure, nor a matter of gains and losses on Special Higher Police Affairs intelligence lines!”
“This is a naked humiliation and trampling of the Royal Family and the Empire’s dignity! If not handled well, it could spark a terrible storm in the entire nobility, even domestic and international public opinion!”
Nantian Yangzi’s face instantly paled. She realized the special nature of Suzuki’s identity but hadn’t expected the Royal Family’s face involved to reach such heights!
That name, somewhat symbolic in Special Higher Police Affairs files, now weighed like a mountain due to the words “Emperor’s cousin.”
All her painstaking efforts suddenly seemed insignificant before this “Royal Family dignity” transcending military-political levels.
Nantian opened her mouth to argue, but Doihara raised his hand to stop her: “Your ‘results,’ the so-called ‘secrets’ in Shen Qingyao’s grasp—their value on the current balance scale is far below the Empire’s decency and incomparable to the demands for redeeming Suzuki!”
“Moreover,” Doihara’s mouth corner seemed to twitch upward ever so slightly, “as long as Suzuki returns safely, as long as Shen Qingyao this gear keeps turning, your interrupted intelligence line… couldn’t it be rebuilt, even dig deeper?”
“Frankly, the communication value Chen Yang shows in this transaction, and the potential for deep penetration into the ‘Red Faction,’ far outweigh and outlast the value of squeezing her flesh and blood now!”
“Teacher, I understand.” A thick sense of defeat appeared on Nantian Yangzi’s face, as if all her efforts during this time had become a joke.
Doihara stood and patted Nantian’s shoulder: “Do your own job well. That Chen Yang is too troublesome; don’t touch him.”
Nantian didn’t reply, just bowed silently, then walked out of the study.
Seeing this, Doihara couldn’t help but feel a headache; this student was still so stubborn. Her lack of response meant she would still keep eyes on Chen Yang.
What a hassle.
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department.
After sending off Lin Yongren and Shen Qingyao, Chen Yang immediately returned to the Transportation Department.
Just as he stepped through the gate, he saw Li Ningyu standing at the door, looking anxious.
“Section Chief, you’re finally back.” Li Ningyu hurried forward: “Your Excellency Kagesa and Your Excellency Haruki are waiting for you in the office for a long time.”
“Waiting for me?” Chen Yang felt a bit puzzled.
Kagesa had gone to Nanjing half a month ago to pry open Station Chief Wan’s mouth.
Operations in Shanghai had always been handled by Haruki Keiin.
For him to rush back from Nanjing at this time, could something big have happened?
In the office, Chen Yang looked at the file handed to him by Kagesa, his expression growing increasingly grave.
“Senior Kagesa, this arrangement puts me in a difficult position.”
Chen Yang set down the file and frowned: “I just came back from Special Higher Police Affairs. Section Chief Nantian has already detained my goods and my people on charges of aiding the enemy.”
“If I openly contact Red Party people again, I’m afraid the next thing to greet me will be Special Higher Police Affairs’ whip.”
“The goods have been sent back by Special Higher Police Affairs personnel,” Kagesa frowned: “As for Nantian, Mr. Chen, no need to worry. Believe General Doihara has also received the information conveyed from Homeland.”
“You should understand, the Empire cannot openly compromise with the enemy; it would affect frontline troops’ morale.”
“If they knew the Empire’s high command would lower itself to trade with the enemy for one idiot colonel.”
“They would think their bloodbath on the front lines is a joke.”
“Therefore, only you can take this mission.”
“Of course, you cannot represent the Empire in negotiations, only yourself.”
Damn, what hypocrisy.
Chen Yang instantly got Kagesa’s meaning: the Royal Family wanted to save him, but the Army Department couldn’t lose face.
They hoped Suzuki would commit seppuku to wash away the shame of failure.
After all, in a country like Japan, seppuku was the best way to cleanse shame.
But His Majesty the Emperor still felt some reluctance, hence specially sending the edict via envoy.
Moreover, bypassing the Army Department to directly order intelligence agencies in China.
Kagesa and Doihara didn’t want to openly oppose the Army Department people either.
So at this time, Chen Yang as a Chinese person was the best choice.
Him stepping forward to redeem the person—success or failure wouldn’t affect intelligence agencies’ relations with the Army Department.
Kagesa stood: “Mr. Chen, arrange this matter quickly. Whatever conditions the other side proposes, as long as not too outrageous, can be accepted.”
“Including releasing their intelligence personnel, or providing certain materials as exchange.”
“Please.”
Chen Yang stood hurriedly: “Senior Kagesa, rest assured, I know what to do.”
Northern Anhui area, suburban city, New Army Third Detachment temporary command post.
Under the flickering oil lamp at night, a sternly worded “instruction” relayed layer by layer from superior organization lay spread on the rough wooden table.
Detachment leader Bao Xingguo looked at the instruction, his sword brows furrowed, his resolute face bearing the vicissitudes of long military life.
He lit a locally rolled tobacco cigarette, took a deep drag; the acrid smoke temporarily dispelled fatigue.
Bao Xingguo looked at the core cadres beside him: “The little devils are eager to spend money to redeem someone—what a rarity.”
The Third Detachment political commissar Yang Shuming beside him adjusted his glasses and said lowly: “Old Bao, superiors’ analysis is thorough. This is more than just redeeming one person.”
“I’m considering if the enemy side plans to use this for special channel contact, attempting to divide, probe, or even some secret transaction negotiation.”
Bao Xingguo slowly pushed the received telegram in front of Yang Shuming: “Superior instructions: this negotiation can proceed, but principles unchanged—must prioritize anti-enemy struggle and base overall interests as highest criterion! Materials, medicine, exchanging our captured comrades… all can be discussed! But stay vigilant against enemy schemes and infiltration.”
“Negotiation?” Yang Shuming narrowed his eyes. “Negotiate with the Japanese devils? How? With whom?”
At that moment, a young warrior responsible for detachment secret traffic liaison hurried in, whispered a few words in Yang Shuming’s ear, and handed over a tiny folded note. The note was evidently urgent intelligence from enemy-occupied area.
Yang Shuming quickly read the note, surprise and contemplation flashing in his eyes. He turned to Bao Xingguo and said gravely: “Old Bao, the other side’s contact channel is confirmed. Location… right in Shanghai.”
His voice lowered further: “The negotiation representative they sent is called Chen Yang.”
“Chen Yang? That Section Chief of Land Transportation?” Bao Xingguo’s brows shot up; he was clearly no stranger to the name.
Previously, some important medicines and industrial equipment procured from Hong Kong Island reportedly had this man’s shadow!
This person… actually the Japanese-designated negotiation channel? Or rather, he became the “middleman” we need to contact?
He looked up at the deep night outside the door; northern Anhui’s early spring cold wind howled through the hills.
“Old Bao, do you think this Chen Yang has issues?” Yang Shuming adjusted his glasses.
“Last time’s North Jiangsu delivery was his doing; he should have some goodwill toward us.” Bao Xingguo exhaled a smoke ring: “Without that batch of weapons he supported, we couldn’t have easily launched the anti-clearance campaign against the enemy.”
“But now he’s the Japanese negotiation representative; I can’t quite figure his position.”
“Indeed hard to judge his position.” Yang Shuming nodded: “Still my same words: negotiate yes, but be cautious.”
“No need to fear harm from others, but must guard against it.”
“Shanghai… Chen Yang… Old Yang, you’re right…” Bao Xingguo crushed the cigarette butt, his gaze sharpening like an eagle. “Order troops to heighten alert, watch that Japanese colonel closely!”
“Notify enemy work section, prepare to draft our bottom line plan. This negotiation table, we’re taking it! But remember, dealing with devils, can’t do without a gun in hand!”
Meanwhile, Nanjing, Yihe Road.
Wan Tianmu was like a lost dog, having hidden in this city for over ten days.
From initially wanting to prove his innocence to now just wanting to survive, Wan Tianmu felt every day was a struggle on the line of death.
Japanese were hunting him, Military Statistics Bureau too.
He crammed a piece of bread into his mouth, wrapped his clothes tightly, and quickly entered a small alley on Yihe Road.
But just stepping into the alley, Wan Tianmu’s heart tightened; ahead appeared several figures in long gowns.
He wanted to retreat, but turning around, more figures closed in.
“Station Chief Wan, long time no see.”
