Chapter 99: Meeting At Headquarters
Xu Hong nodded very affirmatively.
“Comrade Fang Guohua had been undercover in Nanjing for a long time without ever being exposed.”
“If there wasn’t a traitor inside, he wouldn’t have been caught so easily by the Japanese.”
Lin Xueli pondered for a long time, seemingly judging how credible Xu Hong’s words were.
Subconsciously, he still didn’t want to believe there were bad people in the organization.
“Comrade Xu, I want to know if you have any evidence. You only saw Fang Guohua from afar, so how could you obtain so much information in such a short time.”
A flash of pain crossed Xu Hong’s face, and after a long pause, she slowly said, “Comrade Fang Guohua is my lover.”
“We established our relationship when we were studying at National University. He majored in journalism and wanted to use his pen to awaken the Chinese people.”
“While I studied medicine, believing that using medical skills to save people directly was more straightforward than his use of the pen.”
“In the twenty-fifth year of the Republic, I and Comrade Fang Guohua joined the organization at the same time.”
“Comrade Fang Guohua accepted the organization’s transfer to Shanghai to intern at the Declaration.”
“While I was transferred to the Southern Eight Provinces Anti-Japanese Alliance to serve as a field doctor.”
“The tacit understanding between us didn’t need many words to express.”
Lin Xueli let out a long sigh upon hearing this: “I’m sorry, Comrade Xu. Five days ago, we received a message from Nanjing.”
“Comrade Fang Guohua has already sacrificed.”
Xu Hong was not surprised at all. At the train station, she had already heard gunfire, and at that time she knew Fang Guohua had likely met with misfortune.
Now Lin Xueli’s words merely confirmed her guess.
Lin Xueli changed the topic: “Comrade Xu, I want to ask you about the gold bars you brought?”
“They’re hidden in a wall hole not far from San Quan Water Station. Don’t worry, I check on them every day; they’re very safe.”
Xu Hong said gravely: “If there really is a traitor at Shanghai Transportation Station, that place has now been targeted by secret agents.”
“We can’t act rashly in the short term.”
Lin Xueli stood up and said: “Leave investigating the traitor to me. This is a safe house I carefully prepared.”
“The house owner has returned to his hometown. Stay here with peace of mind. There are spare clothes in the second floor wardrobe, and canned goods and rice and flour in the cellar on the ground floor—enough for you to survive for a long time.”
“Once I confirm it’s safe, I’ll come back to pick you up. As for the medicine, don’t worry; we’ll contact someone.”
“Alright, I’ll take my leave first. Get some good rest.”
“Also, I must remind you that your situation is extremely dangerous. Unless it’s a life-or-death emergency, do not go out.”
“Everything will wait until I return.”
Shanghai, City Hall, Director of the Economic Department’s Office.
Ever since passing the intelligence to Jianbing last time, Chen Yang had been monitoring Shanghai’s information.
He firmly believed that the exposure of that contact point was not accidental, meaning there were likely bad people mixed into the organization.
However, he had no evidence to prove who the bad person was, and moreover, the Special Higher Police Affairs operated very secretly—they wouldn’t fully trust the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee either.
So, Chen Yang ultimately only learned from Zuo Mingquan’s mouth that one of his comrades had been arrested, but he didn’t know who it was.
After passing on the intelligence, he soon received Jianbing’s reply.
Jianbing did not praise his actions, but instead repeatedly reminded him that his main task was to go undercover, and unless the organization wanted him exposed, he must not do too much to arouse the Japanese’s suspicion.
It wasn’t that Jianbing was too cold and heartless; intelligence work was just that ruthless.
Sometimes a single word of sleep-talk in a dream could expose an undercover agent’s identity, let alone work like probing for intelligence.
A slight carelessness could arouse the Japanese’s suspicion.
Before coming to Shanghai, Jianbing had studied Chen Yang’s information and knew that for this hidden blade, the organization had given him a full four years.
In hopes that he could infiltrate the enemy and puppet agencies, like a deadly knife quietly hidden in the enemy’s heart.
At the critical moment, delivering the most fatal blow to the enemy.
Chen Yang could expose himself, but not for such a trivial matter in a meaningless way.
Knock knock knock.
A knock at the door interrupted Chen Yang’s thoughts. Chen Yang pretended to pick up a pen, opened a document, and said, “Come in.”
Li Ningyu pushed open the door and said: “Sir, we received a call from Central China Expeditionary Army Logistics Department. Logistics Minister Major General Sato Buntai requests that you go to Expeditionary Army Headquarters.”
“Have me go to Expeditionary Army Headquarters?” Chen Yang was immediately somewhat surprised upon hearing this.
Li Ningyu nodded and said: “Yes, and as soon as possible.”
“I understand. You can go out first.”
Li Ningyu tactfully left the office and closed the door.
Chen Yang’s brows furrowed slightly. His Economic Department had no connection whatsoever to the Expeditionary Army Logistics Department.
Why was he being asked to go to Expeditionary Army Headquarters for a meeting?
After pondering for a moment, Chen Yang picked up the telephone and dialed Suzuhara Shingo’s office.
After hearing Chen Yang’s confusion, Suzuhara Shingo merely said faintly, “You’ll know when you go.”
Then he hung up. Chen Yang was even more baffled, but from the other’s tone, it didn’t seem like bad news.
Picking up his briefcase, putting on his jacket, and straightening his hair, Chen Yang walked out of the office and instructed Li Ningyu: “Secretary Li, call the driver pool to prepare a car. I’m heading out.”
Shanghai, HK District, Central China Expeditionary Army Headquarters.
Chen Yang’s car bore a Shanghai City Hall license plate, which by rights should not be allowed into headquarters.
The sentry at the gate stopped the car, inquired about the reason, and specially called inside to verify.
Not sure if someone inside specially approved it, but the sentry actually let them through.
Driver Old Wei parked the car under the building and immediately got out to open the door for Chen Yang.
Chen Yang picked up his briefcase, got out of the car, and looked up at the surroundings.
The interior was similar in style to Gendarmerie Headquarters; the only difference was there were many more officers coming and going.
What most shocked Chen Yang was a sign hanging in a prominent spot under the headquarters building, written in Japanese.
“Navy and dogs not allowed inside.”
No way—everyone said the navy and army didn’t get along, but not to this extent.
“You’re Mr. Chen from the Economic Department.” As Chen Yang looked around, a Japanese officer with colonel epaulets on his shoulder approached.
“Colonel, hello.” Chen Yang hurriedly gave a slight bow and salute to the other.
“No need to be polite. I’m Abe Mitsuhiro.” The man returned a slight bow and smiled: “Mr. Chen, no need to stand on ceremony.”
“Speaking of which, we’re not outsiders. Mr. Iwai is my good friend, and I’ve heard of you for a long time.”
“Mr. Iwai has always praised you as his teacher’s most beloved junior disciple; even he is very envious of you.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Chen Yang said humbly: “It’s all because of teacher’s favoritism.”
Abe Mitsuhiro waved his hand: “You’re here for the meeting organized by Your Excellency Sato, right? Follow me.”
