Chapter 238: Rules Are For Others To See
Shanghai, No. 76 Jisfield Road, Special Agent Headquarters, Li Qun’s office
Li Qun paced restlessly in the thickly carpeted office like a hungry wolf trapped in a cage.
Liu Geqing being rescued was like a loud slap in the face, not only to the face of Seventy-Six, but also to the face of his master, Kagesa Shinzhao of the Ume Agency in Japan.
Minister Chen’s rebuke still rang in his ears, and that icy gaze made his back chill.
Don’t be fooled by this young Minister Chen; he was always polite when speaking.
But when he got angry, he really meant business.
Li Qun never doubted Minister Chen’s words; if he couldn’t find that internal spy, he really would strip off this uniform and go home to farm.
Seventy-Six’s Deputy Director was second to none here, but in Minister Chen’s eyes, he was just a replaceable role.
Now, half of the three-day deadline had passed, but the internal purge had made no progress, only catching a few small fries.
Under torture, they only bit out some irrelevant clues, never finding the real “internal spy”.
Thinking of this, Li Qun sighed again.
This feeling of a fishbone stuck in his throat made him unable to eat or sleep well.
Li Qun stopped under the calligraphy plaque “Loyal to the Emperor”, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.
He couldn’t keep investigating passively like this; he must set up a trap proactively, lure the snake out of its hole, and make that deepest-hiding rat jump out itself!
“Call Wan Tianmu, Telecommunications Section Chief Old Yu, Confidential Room Gong Mingshu to see me immediately!” Li Qun said deeply to the door.
Moments later, Wan Tianmu and two cautious middle-aged men, Telecommunications Section Chief Yu Shivei and Confidential Room Gong Mingshu, strode in.
“Director.” The two bowed in greeting.
Li Qun didn’t let them sit, his sharp gaze sweeping over their faces as if piercing flesh to peer into their hearts.
“Internal investigation, progress slow.” Li Qun got straight to the point, his voice icy, “We don’t have time to screen one by one.”
“Liu Geqing being rescued means we have a ghost inside, and this ghost is hidden deep, able to access core secrets. We must use extraordinary means to drag him out!”
Wan Tianmu immediately stated: “Director, as long as you say the word, your subordinate will do his best…”
“I don’t want empty words!” Li Qun interrupted him, walked behind the huge desk, picked up a blank folder, “I’ve prepared some ‘bait’.”
He picked up a steel pen, quickly wrote a few lines on the blank paper, and handed it to Wan Tianmu and Old Yu to see. The paper clearly read:
【Top Secret·Imperial Plan】
Target: Ensure safe transport of special materials codenamed “Bedrock”.
Transport route: Depart from Shanghai North Station, via Shanghai-Nanjing Line to Nanjing, then Jinpu Line northbound, final destination Xinjing（Changchun）.
Core train: Military Train K-718.
Departure time: April 18th, 23:00 sharp.
Escort configuration: Guard squad（8 men）, onboard technical group（3 men）.
Security Level: Class A.
Note: This batch of materials concerns a special intelligence operation of the Ume Agency, must be absolutely confidential, strictly limit the scope of those in the know.
Wan Tianmu and Old Yu finished reading, both showing puzzlement on their faces. They had never heard of any “Imperial Plan” or “Bedrock” materials.
Li Shiqun looked at their expressions and sneered: “No need to guess, I just made this up. There’s no ‘Imperial Plan’, no K-718 military train, no new equipment.”
The two were stunned.
“Director, you mean…” Wan Tianmu seemed to understand somewhat.
“This is the trap I carefully prepared for the internal spy.” Li Qun’s eyes gleamed with cunning, “This fake plan includes time, location, material importance, attractive enough. Any infiltrator inside us, whether Military Statistics Bureau, Central Bureau, or Communist Party, upon getting this intelligence, won’t stay idle and will surely try to pass it on or organize sabotage.”
Old Yu pushed up his glasses and cautiously asked: “Director, how do you plan to deploy this ‘bait’?”
Li Shiqun sat back in his chair, fingers tapping the desktop, slowly outlining his plan:
“First, strictly control the scope of those in the know.” His gaze swept over Wan Tianmu and Old Yu, “The full content of this fake plan is known only to us three right now.”
“Next, I’ll let different people access ‘fragments’ of the plan in layers, asymmetrically.”
“Second, layered deployment, observe reactions.”
·”Old Yu, your Telecommunications Section is responsible for ‘generating’ telegrams related to this plan.”
“I’ll give you specific time points and send/receive radio codes; simulate normal communication processes, leave traces in internal telegram records, but don’t actually send them. Only two absolutely reliable confidential officers you specify will access these ‘forged’ telegram records.”
·”Director Wan, you handle the Action Department, need to ‘cooperate’ with this transport.”
“I’ll have you draft a ‘reinforced patrol plan’ for a segment of the Shanghai-Nanjing Line, reason being ‘ensure important materials transport safety’, but won’t tell you specifically what materials or train.”
“The scope of those knowing this patrol plan can be appropriately widened to two action captains under you.”
·”Finally, the most critical step,” “This afternoon, I’ll hold an internal meeting, and during this high-level meeting, ‘casually’ mention the importance of northbound materials transport, then single out General Affairs Section Chief Old Qian.”
“On the pretext of ‘advance preparation of logistics support’, secretly hand him the full version of this ‘Imperial Plan’, require strict confidentiality, allow only his deputy to assist with related accounts.”
This move was extremely insidious. Wan Tianmu, Old Yu, Old Qian were from three different systems; if any one was the internal spy, or their confidants were, this fake intelligence would leak through different channels.
And the “intelligence” details each channel got were slightly different; once Military Statistics Bureau or underground party acted, he could reverse-trace the leak source based on the intelligence details they showed, locking down the internal spy’s range!
Wan Tianmu and Yu Shivei bowed together: “Your subordinate understands.”
Li Qun nodded slightly: “Good, Director Wan, Director Yu. You two first select suitable personnel and start preparations.”
Wan Tianmu and Yu Shivei bowed together and left the office one after the other.
After they left, Confidential Room’s Gong Mingshu asked softly from the side: “Director, what should I do?”
“Don’t rush, your task comes next.” Li Qun said deeply: “Shaobai, you have the heaviest responsibility; I hope you can cooperate with Captain Wu on internal and external surveillance.”
“Internally, conduct 24-hour uninterrupted secret surveillance on Wan Tianmu and his designated action captains, Old Yu and his designated confidential officers, Old Qian and his deputy.”
“Record all their activities, who they contact, where they go, not missing even the slightest unusual behavior!”
“External surveillance: On the railway segments the ‘K-718 military train’ in the fake plan is scheduled to pass, pre-position our most elite action team,”
“Action personnel obey only my direct command, no communication with any other departments.”
“Meanwhile, Confidential Room monitors all known Military Statistics Bureau, underground party contact points and transportation stations.
“Intercept all suspicious radio signals, especially those near our forged telegram times and frequencies; once discovered, decipher and locate at all costs!”
Gong Mingshu nodded slightly, then after a moment couldn’t help asking: “Director, if… if they really take the bait and come to sabotage our ambush site?”
“That would be perfect.” A cruel smile appeared on Li Qun’s face: “Exactly! Not only can we heavily damage the anti-Japanese elements, but also confirm the internal leak!”
“Then, based on the intelligence accuracy they show in the action, we can follow the vine to the melon, drag out that traitor! I want him to know the consequences of betraying me Li Qun, betraying Seventy-Six!”
“Brother Shaobai, this matter, top secret! Besides you, me, Captain Wu, do not reveal the plan’s true purpose to any fourth person. Go arrange it, remember, I want results!”
Gong Mingshu’s expression turned solemn: “Yes! Director!”
After Gong Mingshu exited the office, Li Qun sat alone in the shadows, lighting a cigar.
In the swirling smoke, his face looked particularly ferocious.
He believed that no matter how cunning that hidden rat was, under such tempting “bait” and all-around surveillance, it would eventually show its tail.
He would use this internal spy’s blood to wash away the shame of Liu Geqing’s rescue and reconsolidate his position in front of Seventy-Six and the Japanese masters.
Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department
Li Qun knocked on the door of Land Transportation Section Chief’s office with the carefully designed plan.
After saluting, Li Qun respectfully presented the designed “Imperial Plan” document to Chen Yang with both hands.
Then, he cleared his throat and began to explain the plan in detail.
It took over ten minutes for Li Qun to explain all the plans one by one, then respectfully said: “Minister, I’ve already ordered preparations to begin; hope you can give me a few more days,”
“I’m very confident that the internal spy hiding in Seventy-Six will jump out himself.”
After hearing Li Qun’s report, Chen Yang didn’t rush to give any opinion.
One hand holding the document, the other lightly tapping the table.
Dudu dudu, the simple sounds echoed in the office, Li Qun’s heart rising to his throat with Chen Yang’s tapping.
After a moment, Chen Yang closed the document: “Director Li’s plan is somewhat feasible.”
“Alright, I’ll give you a few more days; hope you don’t disappoint me.”
Li Qun was overjoyed, before he could speak, suddenly the phone on Chen Yang’s desk rang: “Moshi moshi.”
“Good, I’ll come up right away.”
Chen Yang stood, handed the document back to Li Qun, “Director Li, I have a very important meeting here, so won’t keep you.”
“Seventy-Six’s internal screening work must produce results as soon as possible.”
“This is not just my demand, but also Your Excellency Kagesa’s demand for Seventy-Six.”
“I don’t want because of you, the entire intelligence agency to bear the label of incompetence, clear?”
Li Qun nodded repeatedly: “Please rest assured, Minister, I certainly won’t disappoint you or Your Excellency Kagesa.”
Southern Transportation Department Third Floor Meeting Room
Chen Yang had just reached the door when Oshima’s roar came from inside: “Major Aihara, materials shortage is your Logistics Department’s concern, not ours Transportation Department.”
“Now the materials warehouse doesn’t have enough, what do I send north with, our heads?”
Instantly, the air in the meeting room seemed to freeze into ice.
Minister Oshima Kenjiro’s roar “with our heads?!” thundered like lightning over everyone’s heads, striking at each person’s nerves.
Chen Yang pushed open the door, saw six or seven people seated, and carefully sat in the meeting room corner.
Army Department Logistics Officer Major Aihara Keshi stood: “Minister Oshima, I’m here on orders to communicate, not to make you solve materials problems.”
“Homeland supplies will arrive at Huishan Wharf by month’s end; before that, such a big Transportation Department can’t think of coordination methods?”
Oshima Kenjiro’s gaze shifted uneasily, looking at Yasuda Nobuo who sat silently on the right; Oshima Kenjiro was about to speak.
But Yasuda Nobuo seemed to anticipate his intention, stood up, “Your Excellency Minister, forgive my bluntness, I absolutely will not issue such a request-for-aid telegram.”
“Yasuda!” Oshima Kenjiro strode to him: “Do you know what you’re saying? Frontline soldiers await our supplies! This concerns the Empire Holy War’s success or failure! South Manchuria Railway should serve the Military Department; what qualification do you have to say unwilling.”
Yasuda Nobuo bowed slightly, standard but cold; he raised his head, eyes unflinchingly meeting Oshima: “Your Excellency Minister, precisely because I know it concerns the Empire Holy War overall situation, I cannot act so rashly!”
“Rash?” Oshima laughed angrily, “Materials shortage is fact! Frontline urgency is fact! This called rash?”
Yasuda’s corner of the mouth hooked up, sneered, “Your Excellency Minister, you see only the materials crisis. I see the crisis to Southern Expeditionary Army’s reputation and autonomy!”
“Colleagues! Have you thought? Once this request-for-aid telegram goes to Xinjing, what will South Manchuria Railway and some Kwantung Army General Staff think of us?”
“They’ll say: ‘See, without our Manchuria resources, South can’t even meet basic supplies.'”
“Minister Oshima, Major Aihara, are you sure we bow to Northern troops.”
“Once this precedent opens, in future battlefields, Southern troops will be second-class.”
“Moreover, what will General Headquarters think? They’ll deem us incapable, unworthy of more resources and support!”
“Minister Yasuda!” Aihara Keshi darkened his face: “Now’s not time to mind face! Frontline…”
“Frontline?” Yasuda sharply interrupted, tone more intense, “Precisely to consider frontline, cannot open this precedent! Today short one batch gasoline, we request aid; tomorrow short few crates ammunition, request again?”
“Over time, Kwantung Army even General Headquarters will conclude Southern Campaign secondary, Southern Expeditionary Army incompetent!”
“Then, troops, equipment, funds that should go to us will flow north endlessly! Then, how maintain our Central China, South China battles? How secure the continental transport lines we’ve opened?”
“We here, must we watch our Southern cause, for which we’ve striven, get completely marginalized over a few shortages?!”
“Your Excellency Minister! This not simple materials problem, this political issue, strategic issue, more our Southern Expeditionary Army future survival space issue!”
“Showing weakness now equals self-destructing the Great Wall, handing handles to competitors! In future all high-level meetings, we’ll be unable to hold heads high!”
Yasuda’s words struck the hidden worries in many officers’ hearts.
Empire’s navy-army discord well-known, but Army internals also faction-ridden.
Southern and Northern troops likewise mutually belittle merits over resource grabs.
This small nation’s sorrow, unable to satisfy all, can only allocate limited resources to strongest part.
Now for Empire, Kwantung Army north advance warfare is top priority.
But Expeditionary Armies mired in China battlefield?
Eleventh Army already stalled in Wuhan, all resources tilt north, what do they use to fight Changsha.
So Yasuda’s words unreasonable, yet current fact.
If labeled “incompetent” therefore, affects all their careers and faction interests.
Southern troops can’t afford this loss of face.
Oshima Kenjiro’s face shifted from red to green, then green to white.
How could he not know these intertwined relations? But frontline pressure real; if supplies untimely cause Nomonhan Incident failure, he’d be first held accountable!
He fell into two dilemmas: immediate military needs vs. complex internal politics.
He opened his mouth, found throat dry, momentarily unable to refute Yasuda’s seemingly cold yet core-hitting “correct” argument.
Meeting room atmosphere heavier; supporters of Oshima’s pragmatism and those leaning Yasuda’s considerations formed silent standoff, air seeming to burn.
In this deadlock, Oshima near despair, that steady voice rang again, like dropping a pebble on taut strings, light yet breaking impasse:
“Your Excellency Minister, Your Excellency Yasuda, perhaps… we have other methods.”
All eyes turned to the voice source, Land Transportation Section Chief Chen Yang.
Oshima Kenjiro like grasping driftwood in ocean, “Mr. Chen! Quick, what method do you have?”.
Chen Yang calmly walked to the huge military map, first slightly bowed to Oshima and Yasuda, then spoke, pace unhurried but each word clear and forceful: “Your Excellency Minister worries frontline, Your Excellency Yasuda guards overall situation, both right.”
“Since north aid path temporarily inconvenient, why not turn gaze inward, exhaust all to dig potential in South internals? Perhaps, resources around us not as bad as imagined.”
Oshima Kenjiro looked puzzled at Chen Yang, while Yasuda crossed arms, watching the show. “Mr. Chen, I’m curious, where do you conjure these so-called resources.”
“Of course,” Chen Yang looked faintly at Yasuda Nobuo: “Now China battlefield not only Imperial Army, also”
Oshima’s eyes sharpened: “Mr. Chen, you don’t mean.”
Chen Yang nodded: “Minister guessed right, it’s Shanghai Market, National Government internals selling army materials.”
“Includes United States goods, Germany goods, and Soviet.”
“What?” Everyone present incredulous.
“As the saying, all under heaven bustle for profit come, bustle for profit go; market about supply-demand, buyers exist, sellers will.” Chen Yang smiled slightly, clearly listing possible sources for gasoline, weapons parts, medicine, even specific to certain depots, certain foreign firms, certain shops intelligence agencies never mentioned; meeting room whispers gradually quieted.
Officers surprised to find this usually low-key Land Transportation Section Chief so familiar with Southern materials network.
When Chen Yang mentioned “high-price emergency procurement”, “black market secret acquisition”, Yasuda Nobuo coldly interjected: “Section Chief Chen, your plan sounds good. But high-price procurement? Where money from? What accounts? Black market acquisition? How guarantee sources reliable, not anti-Japanese trap?”
“Also, these scattered inventories you mention, coordinating how many departments to mobilize? Complete in five days? Difficulties and risks therein, have you carefully considered? This not just… unrealizable fantasy?”
Facing doubts, Chen Yang unchanged, turned to Yasuda, tone steady: “Minister Yasuda’s concerns spot on. Funds: use part special contingency funds, request Your Excellency Minister coordinate Ministry of Finance Shanghai office special approval.”
“Black market channels, Land Transportation Section has long-term ‘cooperating’ informants, not 100% guarantee but high controllability. As for cross-department coordination…”
“I think this easier to solve; Chief of Staff Kawabe last time very clearly stated.”
“All actions concerning northbound materials can gain highest authorization.”
“I can go Headquarters coordinate, guarantee materials enter warehouse then immediately ship out.”
Yasuda frowned: “Section Chief Chen, you”
Pa, before Yasuda finished, Oshima Kenjiro slapped the table.
He now very much suspected Yasuda’s purpose.
From meeting start, Yasuda emphasized materials collection and transport political issue, not simple supply problem.
But when Chen Yang proposed solution, Yasuda repeatedly questioned.
This manufacturing problems where none, Oshima suspected Yasuda intentional.
What hidden purpose he doing this for.
Could it be South Manchuria Railway planning control China transport lines? Hmph, efficient transport network Southern Expeditionary Army built over year-plus, they think easily control in hands?
Dream on.
Unpleasant look on Yasuda Nobuo’s face, stood: “Minister Oshima, I know you don’t like hearing, but I still must remind you.”
“Army Department procuring materials from black market, heh, you doing this, against rules.”
“Rules?” Chen Yang unceremoniously retorted: “Minister Yasuda, rules for others to see, useless hundredfold for actual work.”
