Chapter 234: Look, The Traitor’s Jumped Out On His Own
A few seconds later, she took a deep breath very lightly.
When she raised her head, her face still showed that somewhat docile expression.
Immediately after, Shen Qingyao took a small, delicate notebook from her handbag, with a pink floral-printed cover, the kind that young ladies use to record gathering addresses or cosmetics information.
She unscrewed an exquisite gold-plated steel pen, flipped the notebook to a blank page, and quickly wrote down several seemingly unimportant English words in flowing cursive script: Coffee, Sugar, Silk.
These words were not literal; they represented materials, corresponding to medicine, weapons, and fabric grains and oil respectively.
Perhaps afraid that Chen Yang wouldn’t understand, Shen Qingyao added letter codes and the number “?” in even smaller handwriting behind them.
After pondering for a moment, she quickly wrote a lowercase “r” at the very bottom, with a question mark next to it （ representing radio, station ）.
After writing, she gently tore off that page, her movements elegant, and lightly pushed it in front of Chen Yang.
Chen Yang glanced at the numbers on it and, with great tacit understanding, took the steel pen and filled in the numbers.
Shen Qingyao spread out the note, looking at the quotations and numbers on it, a hint of hesitation immediately appearing between her brows.
The quotation and numbers given by Chen Yang had already exceeded their expectation.
Moreover, this number was indeed much lower than the market price.
The loss on the ore, he seemed to have made up for in another way.
Watching Shen Qingyao deep in thought, Chen Yang waved his hand elegantly and rang the bell to call the waiter: “Please add some fresh milk to this lady’s coffee.”
After the waiter turned and left, Shen Qingyao picked up the coffee with milk added again, took a sip, and nodded solemnly to Chen Yang: “Cooperation is possible, one thousand tons per quarter, top quality.”
“We need the medicine and equipment to arrive at the designated location on time and in full quantity, and must arrive earlier than the ore!”
“Miss Shen still doesn’t trust Mr. Chen.” Chen Yang sighed, “However, for our business to last long,”
“This time I’ll make an exception, deal.”
Shen Qingyao put down her cup and put on the lace gloves embedded with tiny rhinestones that were placed nearby…
“Mr. Chen has good taste in selecting gifts.” She picked up the deep blue velvet box, like a girl who had truly received a gift she admired, and stood up.
“As long as Miss Shen likes it.” Chen Yang also stood up with a smile and said.
The two looked just like a couple who had just finished a date, their demeanor not arousing any suspicion from bystanders.
“Mr. Chen, I’ll head back first. We’ll communicate if there are any issues later.”
“By the way, you still need to be cautious in your actions. Don’t let too many people know the location of the transaction.”
Chen Yang understood the meaning in her words; she was still blaming him for not arranging properly last time, getting her and Lin Yongren swept up by the Special Higher Police Affairs.
“Last time was an accident. Please rest assured, Miss Shen. Nantian shouldn’t have any ideas about you in the short term.”
“That’s for the best.” Shen Qingyao nodded: “Please give my regards to Uncle Lin..”
Chen Yang was stunned for a moment, a wry smile instantly appearing on his face. It seemed Lin Zonghan still hadn’t given up on his plan for Chen Yang to marry Shen Qingyao.
He must have gone to “visit” Shen Xing Shan again these past few days.
Before Chen Yang could respond, Shen Qingyao slightly bowed, curtsied elegantly, and left the coffee shop with graceful steps.
The coffee shop remained warm and elegant, filled with the intoxicating aroma of coffee.
Laughter burst from a nearby table where several stylish young men and women sat.
Chen Yang picked up the cup of black coffee in front of him, which had long gone cold, and took a sip.
Outside the window, a gray sparrow that had flown from somewhere landed on the ornate windowsill opposite, its little head vigilantly looking left and right.
Moments later, it suddenly flapped its wings and flew away, disappearing into the bustling crowd and traffic on Avenue Joffre.
Year 28 of the Republic of China, early April, late spring.
The spring chill was biting, and Shanghai’s air remained damp and bone-chillingly cold.
With the confirmed news of Wang Mou’s imminent return, the atmosphere in Shanghai grew tenser by the day, undercurrents surging fiercely beneath the glamour of the ten-mile foreign concession.
In the courtyard on Daxi Road bearing the sign “Jinling Restoration Government Central Executive Committee Special Agent Headquarters,” a newly surrendered face was quietly tipping the balance of power.
This person was the newly appointed Director of the First Department of the Special Agent Ministry and Deputy Commander of the Peace Army, Wan Tianmu.
As the former Station Chief of the Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai Station, Wan Tianmu had a deep understanding of the internal operations of the Military Statistics Bureau.
Whether it was the personnel composition or the way they operated inside the Military Statistics Bureau, he knew them like the back of his hand.
At this moment, he was standing respectfully with hands at his sides in the center of a spacious office.
Behind the massive black lacquered desk sat Director Ding Cun of the “Special Agent Headquarters.” Under the light, his cheeks were smooth, his brow low, exuding a sharp and cunning aura.
“Brother Wan, Mr. Wang will arrive in Shanghai soon. His itinerary is now at the highest secrecy level.”
“To guarantee Mr. Wang’s safety, the Military Statistics Bureau’s forces in Shanghai must be comprehensively suppressed. Any spark landing on Mr. Wang would be our dereliction of duty.”
“According to reliable secret reports, the Military Statistics Bureau is already on the move upon hearing the news, with agents in Shanghai ready for action… Brother Wan, having been in the Military Statistics Bureau for years, do you know who here wields the sharpest blade?”
Wan Tianmu slightly bowed, his movements without the slightest hesitation or flattery, yet precise and steady like a knife’s edge: “Director sees clearly. In the Military Statistics Bureau Shanghai Station, the sharpest edge belongs to Liu Geqing of the action team.”
“This man is fearless, meticulous, ruthless in style, has succeeded repeatedly in recent years, especially skilled at surprise attacks with elite troops, striking to kill in one blow.”
“Last month’s nighttime raid on Chen Lu’s residence, where he was shot in the head with one bullet, was this man’s handiwork.”
He paused, his calm gaze meeting Ding Cun’s for a moment. “If we’re talking about the most troublesome, that would be Head of Intelligence Section Wu Ming.”
“This man hides deep like an old turtle, unpredictable whereabouts, extremely perceptive. The entire intelligence network is under his control, and he rarely shows his face. These two must be eliminated, or they will be a major hidden threat to Mr. Wang’s trip to Shanghai.”
Ding Cun’s fingertips tapped lightly on the sofa armrest, like a venomous snake flicking on a dry branch: “Oh? Liu Geqing, this man does have quite a reputation.”
“Wu Ming is a slippery eel too.”
“Brother Wan, you know their methods throughout the Special Agent Headquarters. Do you have any ‘reliable’ ideas?”
“It must be fast and thorough. Clean them out before Mr. Wang sets foot on the Shanghai wharf.”
A cold, deliberate smile played on Wan Tianmu’s lips: “Rest assured, Director. Strike the snake at its vital spot; catch birds with the best falcons.”
“These two have different habits, but I know what each desires and fears.”
“Only by striking the softest spot inside what seems the toughest armor can we lure the two fierce dragons out of their lairs at the smallest cost and eliminate them together!”
As his words fell, he pulled a pre-prepared document bag from his briefcase and respectfully handed it to Ding Cun.
Ding Cun frowned slightly, opened the seal, and his gaze stopped on the page with the attached photograph: Lu Qing.
The woman in the photo had clear eyes and a carefree smile at the corner of her mouth.
Ding Cun’s brow arched slightly: “Her?”
********
No. 76 Jisi Feier Road, deep in this soon-to-be-officially-plaqued den of demons, Wan Tianmu’s temporary command post burned with lights all night.
The ashtray quickly filled with cigarette butts, the air thick as if solidified.
His gaze scanned among the several spread-out photographs.
These were taken by his secretly dispatched “Yellow Oriole” team, two female agents rigorously selected, mingling in top salons and department stores on Avenue Joffre, West Nanjing Road, and elsewhere in Shanghai as rich men’s mistresses or stylish ladies, quietly aiming their lenses at the targets.
The subject of all the photos was that girl named Lu Qing.
First: Lu Qing stepping out of the high-end clothing store “Huiluo” on Avenue Joffre, with no unusual male companion beside her.
Second: Lu Qing attending a charity cocktail party held by a banker’s wife at the Cathay Hotel, her socializing within normal socialite bounds.
Third: Lu Qing enjoying afternoon tea with her best friend at a coffee shop.
Fourth:
Fifth:
All the way to the seventeenth…
Wan Tianmu’s finger stopped.
In this photo, the background was blurred, but the focus was clear: Lu Qing in a moving black sedan, window half-down, and in the driver’s seat was the side profile of a man wearing a black hat with the brim pulled low!
Just this one frame, outline vague, identity unconfirmable.
But Wan Tianmu’s eyes sharpened instantly. Liu Geqing had spent the most time with him; from this blurry outline alone, Wan Tianmu could already confirm that the driver was Liu Geqing.
“Immediately!” Wan Tianmu’s voice echoed metallically in the cramped space. “Arrest Lu Zhongming, and by the way, send this photo to their home so his family can see what kind of person their precious daughter is mixing with now.”
“Captain Ling,” Wan Tianmu said word by word with a grin, “If Lu Zhongming doesn’t get it, then explain it until he does.”
“Yes, Officer Wan.” Captain Ling Feng of the action team, waiting to the side, saluted respectfully and quickly placed the photo into a thick unmarked paper bag.
The next day, Lu Family Mansion.
Lu Qing’s mother Li Xiuqin waited despondently at the door.
The black Buick car stopped at the door. Lu Qing got out and waved goodbye to Liu Geqing, who was using the alias “Wang Ji’en,” in the driver’s seat.
Just as she turned with a smile to head back to her room, she looked up and saw her mother Madam Lu standing pale-faced at the door.
At this moment, Madam Lu’s eyes were bloodshot, holding back sobs, trembling as she pulled her daughter aside and stuffed the paper bag into her hands.
A faint rustle sounded as photos slid from the paper bag. Lu Qing looked down and felt a chill surge from her feet to her head!
In her ears came her mother’s voice choked with sobs: “Qing’er… this, what kind of immortal is this?”
“Your father was just taken away. Moments ago, someone from the bureau sent word that your father has committed an offense. He said if you don’t understand, take a good look at these things… Qing’er, what have you done? This unclear mess is going to bring big trouble!”
Lu Qing’s face changed drastically, and she immediately denied: “Mom, I didn’t do anything. Really not.”
“Still lying. Qing’er. That’s Jinling Secret Service Headquarters. With your family’s modest assets… they can’t withstand… Sigh.” With a sigh, she didn’t finish her words, but the meaning was crystal clear.
As her mind shattered and her body swayed, a warm, dry hand timely steadied her arm.
“Qing’er, what happened?” Wang Ji’en asked gently.
Madam Lu glared at Liu Geqing and said angrily: “Who exactly are you? Are all these things happening to our family because of you?”
Lu Qing hurriedly pushed Wang Ji’en and Madam Lu inside the gate.
“Mom, this matter has nothing to do with Ji’en…”
Madam Lu shuddered and pointed at Lu Qing: “Nothing to do? If not for him, could your father suffer this?”
“That person made it very clear: be sensible.”
“Qing’er, your father is so old, how can he withstand those people’s means? You must think of a method..”
A flicker of hesitation passed through Wang Ji’en’s eyes. He suddenly leaned in close, his voice extremely low like a dying bequest: “This is not the time to cry! There’s only one way… perhaps… perhaps we can still escape!”
“This is what I risked my life to intercept yesterday from a secret channel! Inside… is a batch of materials secretly supplied by the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce to the Jinling Government!”
“The goods are hidden in… the abandoned iron warehouse old wharf warehouse on North Suzhou Road! To others, this stuff… is a death warrant!”
“But in Shanghai, there are still some who can swallow these goods.”
Lu Qing asked puzzled: “Ji’en, what exactly are you trying to say?”
Wang Ji’en frowned and said softly: “These goods are a private deal between the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce and the Jinling Central Executive Committee, not to see the light of day.”
“If seized, they can only glare helplessly.”
“Few in Shanghai dare go against the Central Executive Committee or the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, but I know someone with the guts.”
“As long as he’s willing to act, hand it over to him! Perhaps… it can serve as a pledge of allegiance to clear your family’s disaster! Even… earn merit!”
Lu Qing finally reacted, hesitating: “Would doing this be dangerous?”
“Even if dangerous, you don’t need to worry.” Wang Ji’en said slowly: “If you approach this person directly, he may not see you.”
“However, Mr. Lu is old friends with Boss Lin of the Baima Road cotton mill. Finding Boss Lin should get through.”
“Boss Lin?” Lu Qing looked puzzled at her mother nearby. Madam Lu was not the kind of woman who never stepped out.
She mustered courage and asked: “Mr. Wang, do you mean Lin Zonghan, Boss Lin?”
Wang Ji’en nodded: “Exactly, Boss Lin. His nephew Chen Yang is the Minister of the Special Agent Ministry and Shanghai’s biggest smuggler. Only he can handle this batch of goods.”
“Madam Lu, I’ll arrange everything for you. Then have someone transport the materials away, and it should save Master Lu.”
Hearing this, Madam Lu seemed to breathe a long sigh of relief and hurriedly grasped Wang Ji’en’s hand: “Mr. Wang, I thank you on behalf of my husband.”
Wang Ji’en quickly waved his hand: “Madam Lu, this is what I should do. You hurry and contact Boss Lin. Once the materials matter is confirmed, I’ll notify you immediately.”
Madam Lu nodded. Nearby, Lu Qing said solemnly: “Ji’en, be careful on the road.”
“I will.” After saying this, Wang Ji’en turned and got into the Buick car.
Watching the Buick car’s receding taillights, a conflicted expression suddenly appeared on Madam Lu’s face.
Lu Family Mansion, second-floor bedroom. The dial of an old rotary phone emitted a creaking turning sound.
“Hello? It’s me!” Madam Lu’s voice came through the hissing static, every tremor sharp with desperation and fear. “I’ve met that person. He said… there’s a batch of goods in the Suzhou Road warehouse. He wants us to find Lin Zonghan, Boss Lin, and use this batch as chips… Yes, tonight! Handover tonight! Seven o’clock! Director Wan, I’ve done as you instructed. Zhongming he”
The other end of the line fell into a brief, heavy silence, the air freezing into ice.
“Madam Lu, rest assured. Brother Zhongming is eating and living well here, won’t suffer the slightest grievance.”
“As long as we smoothly catch the person, not only will Brother Zhongming face no punishment, but he can also receive commendation from the New Government.”
Madam Lu frowned slightly: “Director Wan, we don’t care about commendations. I just want you to confirm my husband’s safety.”
Wan Tianmu comforted faintly: “Madam Lu, I have no grudge against Brother Zhongming. I only asked him over to catch your daughter’s friend.”
“As long as the mission goes smoothly, all will be well. But if you dare leak the capture plan midway, I can only say sorry.”
“No no no, we will definitely cooperate.” Madam Lu instantly panicked and hurriedly guaranteed.
“Good then, Madam Lu. Remember to prepare a sumptuous dinner. After we catch the person smoothly, Mr. Lu can go back with you for dinner.”
With that, Wan Tianmu decisively hung up.
On the other end, listening to the static from the receiver, Madam Lu looked somewhat lost.
Shanghai, Foch Road, inside the temporary safe house of the intelligence section. Wu Ming gripped the cold steel pen, knuckles white. The ticking wall clock on the wall sounded especially harsh.
He had just decoded an urgent telegram from Chongqing headquarters about assassinating the Wang group members about to return to Shanghai from Hanoi.
Chongqing didn’t assign them the action, but ordered them to conduct intelligence reconnaissance and provide assistance to the special commissioner.
Wu Ming looked at the telegram, a bitter taste at the corner of his mouth.
Wan Tianmu’s betrayal had plunged Shanghai’s intelligence work into irredeemable doom.
The current manpower was almost all personally selected by Wan Tianmu; he knew their methods and contact points clearly.
This current temporary outpost was newly found, and only such a place could evade the Japanese dog’s nose.
Knock knock knock.
A knock sounded, and subordinate Fang Ze pushed the door in.
“Team Leader, the atmosphere outside feels off. Xiong Team Leader has been out for over an hour and hasn’t returned.”
“With the heat so intense now, do you think something happened to him?”
“Xiong Jiandong went out?” Wu Ming frowned: “Headquarters’ order wasn’t to have all personnel go undercover in place until Station Chief Chen arrives in Shanghai, no rash moves.”
“How could a veteran agent like Xiong Jiandong be so impulsive at a time like this.”
“Did he say what he was going for?”
Fang Ze shook his head: “Team Leader, this subordinate is lowly and didn’t dare stop him. Xiong Team Leader said he’d be back soon, but now there’s still no sign.”
“Still no sign now? Something’s wrong…” Wu Ming suddenly stood up. Years in the secret service had given him a beast-like instinct for danger.
He strode to the window, lifted a corner of the heavy curtain, and peered out. At the alley mouth, several blurry black shadows seemed to move in the rain. Across the building, a flash of lens reflection passed by a window.
“We’re surrounded!” Wu Ming growled low, voice full of fury.
“Damn it, that Xiong Jiandong definitely has issues.” Wu Ming said gravely: “Aze, call everyone up. Find a way to break out. We must get the message out that Xiong Jiandong is a traitor.”
“Xiong Team Leader is a traitor? How, how is that possible?” Fang Ze was stunned by the news.
“Nothing is impossible.” Wu Ming had no time for elaboration and urged: “Hurry.”
Fang Ze rushed out of the room in a flurry. Hearing Xiong Jiandong might be a traitor and that the safe house could already be surrounded by enemy agents, all five intelligence group members became alert.
Everyone quickly drew their service pistols, assembled downstairs, and took advantageous positions.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
Intense pounding on the door suddenly erupted, shattering the silence, accompanied by arrogant shouting: “People inside listen! We are Jinling Secret Service Headquarters! You are surrounded. Lay down your weapons and come out to surrender!”
“Surrender my ass.” A precise shot from Wu Ming at the window dropped the agent holding the tin horn shouting.
“Director Li, I told you, these are diehards who won’t surrender easily.” The speaker stood behind the crowd.
If Wu Ming were there, he could recognize this as Xiong Jiandong who had disappeared from the safe house earlier.
This dog traitor.
“Truly courting death. Brothers, open fire!”
At Li Qun’s order, gunfire exploded like popping beans instantly! The apartment’s window glass shattered one after another, bullets pouring in like locusts from all directions.
Inside, files flew, wood chips scattered. Military Statistics Bureau agents used furniture and walls as cover, fighting back desperately.
Though their firepower was weak, they held the terrain advantage with precise marksmanship, temporarily suppressing the agents outside from charging rashly.
“Use grenades!” Li Qun’s roar came from outside.
“Boom rumble, boom rumble.”
After several massive blasts, a breach exploded in the apartment door, thick smoke rolling.
The agents charged inward under smoke cover.
The narrow stairs and doorway instantly became a meat grinder of death.
Shouts, gunfire, screams mixed together.
A young intelligence officer took a gut shot, intestines spilling out, yet he gritted his teeth and pulled the pin on his last grenade, perishing together with two charging agents.
The female codebreaker hid in a corner, emptied her pistol, then picked up a shard of glass from the floor and resolutely slit her own throat.
The battle was exceptionally fierce, but they were outnumbered.
Comrades fell one by one beside him, blood staining the floor red.
Wu Ming’s right arm was also hit by a bullet, pistol dropping from his hand.
He struggled back to the final room, leaning against the wall, clutching a pre-prepared potassium cyanide capsule tightly in his left hand.
Bang! With a massive crash, Xiong Jiandong led men rushing into the office. Seeing Wu Ming in the corner, his face changed drastically: “Stop him, he has poison in his hand.”
