Chapter 228: You Should Be Called Rong
“Qi Wu was personally promoted by me, and I naturally know his character very well.” Boss Dai’s voice slowly rose.
Mao Qi Wu is different from Zheng Yaoquan and the others.
Zheng Yaoquan and the others are professionally trained intelligence personnel, while Mao Qi Wu was promoted from the office.
In terms of getting things done, Mao Qi Wu may not match Zheng Yaoquan, but he is very good at handling people,
Boss Dai is ruthless and domineering, but his way of dealing with people is still predictable.
Mao Qi Wu saw this clearly; whenever a colleague made a mistake and Boss Dai wanted to take action against them, Mao Qi Wu would step forward to stop it.
Sometimes he would even rather suffer a bit himself to stand up for others.
Of course, he wouldn’t do such things for nothing, but would find ways to let the person involved know.
When Boss Dai wanted to move against him, it was I, Mao Qi Wu, who stepped in to protect you.
Over time, these Military Statistics Bureau internal officers all felt grateful to Mao Qi Wu.
Zheng Yaoquan said with a smile: “Director, Brother Qi Wu was personally promoted by you. What could you possibly not trust about him.”
Boss Dai took a breath and said faintly: “It’s precisely because I understand him that I’m not at ease.”
“This man has great ambitions. If he is promoted, the first thing he will do is come after me.”
“Ah?” Zheng Yaoquan was immediately stunned.
“Nothing to be surprised about.” Boss Dai rubbed his temples: “Once he’s up there, it’s hard to come back down.”
“Even if I’m not in that position, as long as I’m in the Military Statistics Bureau for one day, he won’t sleep soundly.”
“Yaoquan, power is a good thing. It can turn people into dogs, and naturally it can also turn dogs into people.”
“That’s people for you. What could be worse than people, heh heh.”
After sighing, Boss Dai looked out the window and said no more. Zheng Yaoquan wisely shut his mouth.
Shanghai, just half a month after Wan Tianmu’s betrayal, the Military Statistics Bureau was already in complete chaos.
Wan Tianmu was once the Qingdao Station Chief, and his betrayal prompted the Military Statistics Bureau Qingdao Station’s minor leader Zhao Gangyi to follow suit.
Zhao Gangyi had cooperated with Wan Tianmu when handling Military Statistics Bureau affairs.
Moreover, Wan Tianmu knew this man’s character very well: not lacking in boldness, but extremely greedy for money.
Targeting this weakness, Wan Tianmu convinced Kagesa to persuade Zhao Gangyi with the price of twenty large yellow croakers.
Zhao Gangyi initially held his ground, but after seeing the large yellow croakers and Wan Tianmu’s letter, he still chose to side with the Japanese.
After betraying, Zhao Gangyi immediately led Japanese military police in a massive roundup in Qingdao, wiping out the entire Military Statistics Bureau Qingdao Station, including Station Chief Fu Shenglan.
Fu Shenglan was tough-mouthed, enduring endless torture without giving up the agent list.
Unfortunately, his close cousin brother wasn’t as tough.
After Zhao Gangyi helped the Japanese capture Fu Shenglan, he used Fu Shenglan’s information to hook Deputy Station Chief Fu Shenglan’s cousin Fu Xiangrong.
Fu Xiangrong was spineless and confessed the Qingdao Station’s secret hideouts and radio before even being subjected to severe torture.
After that, twenty-seven agents from Qingdao Station all fell into the water, and the Military Statistics Bureau Qingdao Station was completely annihilated.
Soon after, seven Military Statistics Bureau hideouts in Beiping were swept clean. Radios and secret reports from various places in North China fell into enemy hands. Deputy District Chief Zhou Shiguang was arrested and subsequently shot.
Immediately after, Military Statistics Bureau Anqing Station Chief Cai Shenchu was arrested.
Then, the Military Statistics Bureau’s office points and hideouts in Nanjing were attacked.
Nanjing Station Chief Wu Gengshu escaped, while Deputy Station Chief Tan Wenzhi was captured.
Subsequently, the Military Statistics Bureau’s secret radio in Nanjing fell into enemy hands.
……
Shanghai, Qingdao, Beiping, Tianjin, Nanjing, Anqing……
And that’s not all. Through intelligence obtained from Military Statistics Bureau agents at the Beiping area office, Japanese military police conducted systematic roundups in Zhangjiakou, Chahar, Suiyuan, Dandong, Inner Mongolia, and other places.
In just over a month, the snowball effect from Wan Tianmu’s betrayal expanded endlessly..
This also left the Military Statistics Bureau’s intelligence system behind enemy lines almost completely destroyed, with a large part of the Military Statistics Bureau intelligence network thoroughly paralyzed.
Shanghai, Paramount Ballroom.
The founder of the Paramount Ballroom was Sheng Aiyi, the seventh miss of Sheng Xuanhuai, once China’s richest man.
Back then, to establish the Paramount Ballroom, Sheng Aiyi spent six hundred thousand taels of silver, but due to poor management, she had to sell it to others.
The subsequent Paramount Ballroom developed rapidly, eventually becoming the “Number One Pleasure House in the Far East”!
This was the top choice for Shanghai Bund’s high-ranking officials and nobles to seek pleasure.
Of course, that was before; now, not necessarily.
Eight o’clock at night, a convoy appeared at the Paramount Ballroom entrance. Their arrival immediately drew attention from bystanders.
The reason was that one side of the convoy flew the Japanese flag, while the other side bore the New Government tricolor flag.
The cars stopped one by one at the entrance. The doors opened, and Ume Agency Deputy Head Haruki Keiin and the newly defected-to-Japan Wan Tianmu got out.
Behind them, Special Affairs Office Deputy Director Ding Cun and Li Qun, along with Action Team Captain He Tianfeng transferred from Nanjing, and former Special Affairs Office Action Team Captain Ling Jing.
Leaders from the Special Affairs Committee Intelligence Section, Secret Telegram Office, and other departments got out one after another.
In the last Austin Sedan sat Land Transport Section Chief and Special Affairs Office Director Chen Yang..
No, now he could no longer be called Director, but rather Minister Chen.
Wan Tianmu’s operation this time made the Ume Agency and Nanjing Special Affairs Committee stand out greatly.
The General Staff Office approved the agent training plan submitted by Kagesa, formally renaming the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee: China New Government Central Executive Committee Special Agent Headquarters.
Under Kagesa’s recommendation, Chen Yang was promoted to the first Minister of the Special Agent Headquarters.
Of course, for tonight’s grand appearance at the Paramount Ballroom with such fanfare, the protagonist was not the newly promoted Chen Yang, but Wan Tianmu.
After a period of “busyness,” the blow to the Military Statistics Bureau had come to an end.
This operation yielded rich fruits; the Military Statistics Bureau’s forces in Japanese-occupied areas, especially several key units, had been reduced by seventy percent.
And almost all of this was brought by Wan Tianmu.
Therefore, at this celebratory banquet, Wan Tianmu became the protagonist.
Paramount Ballroom private room……
“Mr. Wan, I have already reported your merits to Your Excellency Kagesa.” Haruki Keiin’s alcohol tolerance wasn’t great; after drinking just half a bottle, his face was already slightly flushed.
“General Kagesa has also proposed to Sonoda that you will serve as the first Department Chief of the Special Agent Headquarters in the future. Additionally, according to Nanjing’s intentions, the position of Shanghai Peace Army Deputy Commander is also reserved for you.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency Haruki.” Wan Tianmu raised his wine cup, stood up respectfully, and cupped his hands toward Haruki Keiin.
After being tortured by the Military Statistics Bureau, to recover from his wounds, Wan Tianmu had shaved his head bald.
His current appearance was a bald head. Perhaps due to the torture, even his eyebrows had become very faint. At first glance, his entire head seemed smooth as a mirror.
“I say, Big Brother Wan, this is a promotion. We won’t mention the Peace Army, but Special Agent Headquarters First Department Chief, tsk tsk, right below Director Ding and Director Li.”
“And you’re still not happy? Could it be you want to replace Minister Chen’s position as Special Agent Minister? Ah hahaha…” Li Tao on the side asked with a laugh.
Li Tao was Wan Tianmu’s subordinate, also a Military Statistics Bureau traitor. Moreover, he defected voluntarily, and the fall of Military Statistics Bureau Nanjing Station was largely due to his betrayal……
Because he was once Nanjing Station Intelligence Department Chief, responsible for Nanjing Station personnel arrangements.
In the previous assassination of Chen Mingchu, Huang Xiangu, and Zhao Huaishan, Xiong Jiandong had thrown dirty water on him.
Originally, Wan Tianmu was prepared to enforce family law, but headquarters sent orders first, telling Wan Tianmu to go to Shanghai to take over Zhao Lijun’s position, and to leave Li Tao’s matter to Deputy Station Chief Tan Wenzhi.
Li Tao knew Tan Wenzhi’s methods. Before Tan Wenzhi could act, he ran straight into the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee.
After Wan Tianmu betrayed, he also provided the information on that secret hideout and radio.
“Brother Wenqian, what are you saying? What I’m worried about is Dai.” Wan Tianmu’s hand holding the wine cup trembled inexplicably, and he blinked his eyes lightly twice. “With his temper, suffering such a big loss for nothing, it’s impossible he won’t retaliate.”
“Although the Military Statistics Bureau suffered heavy losses this time, their overall strength is still extremely strong… We can’t let our guard down.”
“Big Brother Wan, don’t blame me for saying this.” Action Team Captain He Tianfeng laughed: “Does the National Government still have any hope?”
“Weren’t they arrogant enough a while ago? What counteroffensive plan, decisive battle in Wuhan—that guy, bragging so much it almost flew to the sky.”
“As if they could immediately fight back to Nanjing.”
“But now look… isn’t it just the same? Zhengzhou, Luoyang. Taken down in less than a month.”
“Xue Laohu with such a big reputation, now isn’t he holed up in Changsha City, not even daring to breathe. Tiger? I think he’s just a mouse! Hahaha…”
“That’s not how it is. Xue Boling still lives up to his reputation.”
Wan Tianmu said softly: “Moreover, it’s not just Xue Boling; there are many very capable people in the National Government… It’s a pity they followed the wrong person.”
“Big Brother Wan is right; they just followed the wrong person.”
He Tianfeng slurped a mouthful, downed a cup of wine, and shook his head: “What does the National Government have? Reduced to this state, and still fighting among themselves all day…”
“I say, Big Brother Wan, you did the right thing. What’s the point of mixing with Dai? You’re sworn brothers with him, almost became in-laws through marriage, but he actually…”
“Sigh…” Wan Tianmu said nothing, just sighed.
“Right, right, everyone come toast Minister Chen a cup…” He Tianfeng stood up with his wine cup, fawningly smiling at Chen Yang while loudly saying: “Congratulations to Minister Chen on his promotion.”
Chen Yang had been sitting in the corner the whole time, watching this group perform.
They were all defectors from the Military Statistics Bureau and National Government side. Calling them brothers was simply insulting to his status.
However, though he looked down on them, Chen Yang appeared very amiable and low-key, just sitting to the side quietly listening to their ravings.
He didn’t know why He Tianfeng suddenly had a fit and shifted the target to him.
“Right, right.” Li Tao and the others quickly chimed in: “Minister Chen is young yet holds a high position; his future prospects are surely limitless.”
Ding Cun and Li Qun also echoed: “Minister Chen, we wish you promote step by step, prosperous source of wealth.”
Everyone in the Special Affairs Office knew Chen Yang’s role and his character.
He was a founding elder of the Special Affairs Office preparation and the person Kagesa trusted most.
The Special Affairs Office reaching its current scale was almost all due to Minister Chen’s merits.
Most admirable was that he not only managed the Special Affairs Office impeccably but also thrived in the Land Transport Section.
Of course, everyone in the Special Affairs Office knew that Kagesa’s favoritism toward this man was extreme.
Knowing he wasn’t from a formal school, yet still willing to hand over power to him—besides Chen Yang’s own abilities, it was also due to Kagesa’s absolute trust in him.
People like Ding Cun and Li Qun were very capable but could not gain Kagesa’s complete trust; only Chen Yang could.
Such a person, and so young, naturally needed to be curried favor with properly.
After three rounds of drinks, Haruki Keiin suddenly said to Ding Cun and Li Qun: “Mr. Ding, Mr. Li, I have another piece of good news to inform you two of.”
“Regarding the agent training plan proposed by Mr. Ding, Your Excellency Kagesa has already replied.”
“Approved to expand the organization, recruit and train agents.”
“The current office space is too small. This is the new address I found for you two.”
Ding Cun and Li Qun exchanged a glance, immediately overjoyed. Ding Cun took the address handed over by Haruki Keiin and said respectfully: “Thank you, Deputy Head of Agency, and Head of Kagesa Agency’s trust. We will certainly live up to expectations.”
As soon as Ding Cun finished speaking, another wave of congratulations followed, and the atmosphere in the room reached its peak.
The night passed without incident..
The next day, early in the morning, Chen Yang dragged his fatigued body to the Land Transport Section Chief’s office in the Southern Transportation Department.
Last night they drank until the early hours before ending. Even though Chen Yang had good tolerance, under the relentless toasts from so many big and small traitors, he was drunk to the point of confusion.
Toward the end, he blacked out completely and didn’t even know how he got back. But when he woke in the early morning, he found himself not in the Lin Mansion on Fukaisen Road, but in Aisha’s bedroom.
He couldn’t recall at all what happened in between.
Slumped in the chair rubbing his head, Chen Yang tried hard to remember what he did yesterday. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Li Ningyu poked half her body in and said: “Sir, Director Tanaka from the Osaka Chamber of Commerce is here for you.”
Tanaka, what was he doing here? Chen Yang rubbed his head, somewhat dazed.
Tanaka wasn’t very important in this network; he existed as part of the transportation supply chain.
Some “eliminated,” “outdated,” or materials seized by Gendarmerie Headquarters from the Logistics Department needed to be laundered through the Osaka Chamber of Commerce’s sales network.
No one visits without a reason. Tanaka was a director of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce; he wouldn’t come to the Transportation Department so recklessly without something major. Chen Yang frowned: “Please show him in.”
Li Ningyu bowed and quickly went down to relay the message.
Soon, footsteps sounded, followed by a burst of hearty laughter.
“Mr. Chen, sorry for the uninvited visit; please forgive me.” Tanaka entered the office and bowed deeply. His Chinese with a Kyoto accent sounded especially clear in the enclosed space.
Chen Yang stood up, walked around the large rosewood desk, and assumed a standard hosting posture.
“Director Tanaka is a busy man; what guidance do you bring with your visit today?”
“No, no. Mr. Chen is the young talent I admire most in Shanghai.” Tanaka humbly shook his head, showing just the right amount of admiration.
Assistant Li Ningyu silently served two cups of clear tea and retreated, gently closing the office door behind her.
Tanaka didn’t touch the tea cup but placed his briefcase flat on his knees, hands folded over it, posture deferential. “Mr. Chen, I come today with an presumptuous request.”
“Oh?” Chen Yang crossed his fingers over his abdomen, gaze calm and unwavering. “No outsiders here, Sonoda, feel free to speak plainly.”
Tanaka’s smile deepened: “My association is holding an informal internal banquet tonight at the newly built club on Avenue Joffre.”
He took out a beige invitation with gold-embossed edges and exquisite sakura prints from his briefcase, held it with both hands, slightly bowed, and handed it to Chen Yang with utmost seriousness.
“If Your Excellency can make time to attend, it would be of immeasurable benefit to long-term cooperation.”
Chen Yang took the invitation. The paper felt smooth and sturdy, with the gold thread edges giving a faint cold gleam under the light.
But he didn’t open it, instead looking steadily at Tanaka.
Tanaka maintained his smiling expression in return. After a moment, Chen Yang’s gaze fell on the elegant Japanese cursive script on the invitation.
“Seven PM, Avenue Joffre… Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fujiwara Residence?”
It was the word Fujiwara that immediately shook Chen Yang.
There weren’t many Fujiwara families in Kyoto, but there were some. Only one could have Ministry of Foreign Affairs prefixed before Fujiwara,
That was his teacher, Fujiwara Tomoo.
However, he had always been in contact with Fujiwara Tomoo and had never heard that Fujiwara Tomoo was coming to Shanghai.
So, what exactly was this Fujiwara residence?
Tanaka’s smile remained composed, but a faint, imperceptible stiffness of being seen through flashed deep in his eyes. As if he had anticipated it and prepared his words:
“Don’t blame me, Mr. Chen. That property is the ancestral home of Director Fujiwara’s family in Shanghai—quiet and elegant, slightly renovated for receiving distinguished guests.”
“Moreover, the place is just the venue; what’s important are the attendees and the matters discussed.”
“Director Fujiwara this time truly comes with an eye for potential and sincerity for cooperation.”
“She personally selected this location, which shows how much she values Mr. Chen.”
Chen Yang’s mouth corner hooked into an arc: “Director Fujiwara?”
He repeated the surname, his fingertip unconsciously tapping the desktop twice.
“Yes, Miss Fujiwara Keika.” Tanaka stated the full name, his tone carrying natural respect, even reverence.
Fujiwara… Keika…
Chen Yang silently placed the invitation on the heavy, sturdy brass document rack on the desktop.
He neither said he would go nor that he wouldn’t.
After a moment of silence, Chen Yang turned his gaze back to Tanaka, the look somewhat complex, and finally said slowly: “Director Tanaka personally visiting, Chen receives this sentiment.”
“Please go back and tell Director Fujiwara that I will arrive on time at seven.”
Tanaka slowly stood, bowed again. “I won’t disturb you further.”
“The invitation has the contact telephone; if Mr. Chen has schedule changes, inform anytime. I look forward to hearing Mr. Chen’s insightful views again at the banquet.”
Farewell.
Tanaka turned and briskly walked out of the office.
Night, seven o’clock, Avenue Joffre.
This Fujiwara residence was thoroughly Japanese-style architecture.
Behind sliding door paper screens were reflected twisted pine branch bonsai. Yet the long dining table was covered with snow-white linen tablecloth, laid with gleaming silver tableware and tall crystal cups.
The banquet included chamber Japanese personnel, as well as several prominent Chinese and foreign merchants, bank compradors, and British consulate officials from the concession.
Tanaka moved among them, versatile and smooth, constantly introducing various figures to Chen Yang.
Chen Yang maintained proper social graces, his gaze fixed on the small door leading to the inner courtyard.
That “special director” seemed later than the scheduled time.
This deliberate lateness was itself a display of power.
So, was this a show of strength? Boring trick.
Just as the table talk grew slightly noisy, that pine wood small door was silently pulled open.
An exquisitely beautiful figure appeared before everyone.
It was a very beautiful woman, with a tall and graceful figure and composed steps. But everyone’s first glance would be more drawn to her figure..
She wasn’t tall, about 155 cm. Each step on the polished teak floor was like stepping on invisible stairs, carrying an indescribable dignity.
She wore an extremely well-fitted ink-blue silk velvet long skirt.
The V-neck design was very bold, fastened at the collar with an exquisite butterfly-wing pearl button, glowing softly under the lights.
The satin skirt hem slid silently with her steady steps, like flowing dark night ripples, echoing wonderfully with the thick night behind her.
Loose strands at her temples elegantly framed her small, sharply contoured cheeks.
She wore only simple jewelry: a pearl necklace at her neck front, pearl earrings on her lobes, and even her ring embedded with a pearl—this was clearly a matching set of pearl jewelry…
Entering the lobby, her gaze precisely caught Chen Yang beside Tanaka.
At that moment, Chen Yang felt a subtle icy sting.
Her narrow phoenix eyes slanted upward, eyeliner drawn with fine charcoal pencil into sharp tails, making her pupils under the chandelier appear an almost cold amber color.
Her high, narrow nose bridge was like a carefully sculpted artwork, while her lower lip unexpectedly chose very pale nude pink lipstick.
Pearl jewelry, pink-toned lipstick…
One had to say, this woman knew how to dress. The purpose was clearly to be deliberately low-key, yet in that low-key way, high-profilely display her unique charm…
Individualistic yet not ostentatious—a woman who truly understood men’s psychology.
“Fujiwara Keika.” Her voice was clear and steady, with standard Tokyo accent, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
Chen Yang was slightly stunned and subconsciously extended his hand. Her fingers were slender, knuckles slightly prominent, with clean, practical almond-shaped nails revealing a doer’s temperament.
Her palm was steady and strong, with a slight coolness below body temperature.
Only when she lowered her head did the jade-carved dragonfly brooch at her chest tremble its wings gently with each subtle breath.
Whoa… so white his mind went blank..
No, wait, what was I going to say?
Chen Yang was dazed, inwardly sighing nonstop: Fujiwara Keika—this name seemed not quite fitting for her.
Hmm… She should be called “Having Tolerance” instead.
