cicada

Chapter 1464 "Jealousy and Bickering"

In the mountain city, Zuo Chong received a coded telegram containing only the four words "Operation successful." After reading it, he silently replied with a telegram.

[Entering a state of silence].
Putting down his phone, Zuo Zhong's thoughts returned to New Zealand. After years of training, the agents secretly recruited by the Zuo family were finally ready to take action.

In order to make the Japanese completely believe in Ban Jun, an assassination carried out by the "underground party" was essential. As the saying goes, a traitor who has never experienced the elimination of traitors is incomplete.

The smile faded from Zuo Zhong's lips, and his expression appeared particularly serious in the shadow cast by the curtains. He hoped that this operation could help Ban Jun; it was the only thing he could do for him.

Ever since learning of the Japanese's unusual movements, someone has been furious, like a wronged woman who has been deceived. Coupled with Dai Chunfeng's dark face, it's not hard to guess what kind of deal Old Dai made with Shibayama Kenshiro.

Someone simply wanted to keep to themselves and focus on dealing with the Northwest, but they messed things up.

Therefore, Zuo Zhong could not mobilize the Military Intelligence Bureau for any operation involving Ban Jun, which is why he used secret agents.

With this assassination attempt, Shibayama Kenshiro should trust Ban Jun even more. As for how Ban Jun gathers information on the movements of the Japanese and puppet regime in Nanjing and how he stays out of it, that's not a problem for an old intelligence officer.

Zuo Zhong chuckled as he stroked the edge of his phone. His old teacher was quite the ladies' man, but he wondered how the other party would handle the relationship between Yuqin and Lin Miaoyin.

In addition, we must find a way to break the tacit understanding between the Japanese and Lao Dai, otherwise a big mess will happen sooner or later.
-
In Jinling, just as Zuo Chong was joking with his old classmate, Ban Jun left the bookstore and arrived at the villa where Lin Miaoyin lived.

As soon as he entered the villa, the servants informed the "mistress" on the second floor. Lin Miaoyin, who had fully recovered from her injuries, was dressed in a ladylike outfit and exuded elegance.

"Go and prepare tea for the gentleman."

Upon hearing this, Lin Miaoyin gave a brief instruction, then walked to the stairs, where she happened to run into Ban Jun, who was going upstairs.

Ban Jun exchanged a glance with him, smiled and nodded as a greeting, and continued walking towards the reception room.

Lin Miaoyin followed obediently behind him, and when they arrived at the reception room, she immediately helped him take off his coat, while gently wrinkling her nose at the same time.

The clothes smelled faintly of perfume, which made it clear what Ban Jun had been doing. Lin Miaoyin remained calm and hung her coat on the hanger.

Ban Jun lay down on the sofa and patted the seat next to him, gesturing for Lin Miaoyin to sit down. The servants quickly bowed and left the room.

Lin Miaoyin hesitated for a moment, but still sat down as he suggested, though she leaned to the other side. Ban Jun smiled and asked her what was wrong.

"Are you doing well here? If you need anything, just let me know."

"Thank you, Mr. Ban. It's very nice here, just like being at home."

Lin Miaoyin's reply was very polite, unlike her aggressive tone during their previous meeting. Perhaps after these days of reflection, she had come to understand her situation.

Ban Jun looked at the luxuriously decorated house and suddenly asked, "May I ask where in Quzhou Miss Lin is from?"

“Jiangshan,” Lin Miaoyin said, referring to a place name.

Upon hearing "Jiangshan," Ban Jun's eyes flashed: "It is said that Director Dai of the Military Intelligence Bureau is from Jiangshan."

Lin Miaoyin nodded and said, "Yes, it's a pity that Director Dai is in a high position and has great power, so I have no chance to meet him."

Ban Jun didn't talk much about Dai Chunfeng. He mentioned with a touch of emotion that he had been to Jiangshan years ago and had drunk the most famous glutinous rice wine in a place called Xishan Village.

Lin Miaoyin said with a puzzled tone, "Mr. Ban must be mistaken. The most famous glutinous rice wine in Jiangshan comes from Wanyao Village and has a history of hundreds of years."

"Haha, look at my memory." Ban Jun patted his forehead, feigning embarrassment: "Yes, it's Wanyao Village. The terrain there is flat and the scenery is very beautiful."

Lin Miaoyin shook her head again and earnestly corrected, "You're mistaken again. Wanyao Village is located in the mountains, adjacent to the Dahe River."

After a pause, she told Ban Jun with some dissatisfaction, "You don't need to test me. I am indeed from Jiangshan. If you don't believe me, you can ask me anything."

"Miss Lin, you've misunderstood, you've misunderstood!"

Ban Jun waved his hand and explained sincerely, "This is not a test, but a necessary screening."

"To be honest, the Northwest hates Ban to the bone right now. I'm doing this for safety reasons. I hope Miss Lin will understand."

Lin Miaoyin raised an eyebrow, her expression unfriendly, and said, "Then aren't you afraid I'm a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

As she spoke, she moved closer to Ban Jun, deliberately making a fierce and menacing look, but with her shallow dimples, she actually looked quite playful.

Ban Jun was naturally not intimidated by the other party, and replied calmly, "If Miss Lin were a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau, she certainly wouldn't kill me, because only living people have intelligence value."

"Hehe, Mr. Ban is joking." Lin Miaoyin looked into Ban Jun's eyes and said, "I really have been wronged."

"Yes, that would be best."

Ban Jun remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was on high alert; this woman was no ordinary person.

When they met at the villa last time, the other party clearly noticed his arrival long ago, but insisted on pretending to have just woken up. There must be something fishy going on.

What's even more suspicious is that the traitor recommended Lin Miaoyin to him as soon as he saw her file that day, and Shibayama Kenshiro signed the order to send her away too quickly, as if he couldn't wait.

Zuo Zhong clearly replied that Lin Miaoyin was not a member of the Military Intelligence Bureau, or at least not on the personnel list.

Considering all the circumstances, Ban Jun thought to himself that Lin Miaoyin was likely a Japanese spy, while outwardly maintaining a polite but insincere relationship with her. The two chatted casually for a while, then ate together, and their relationship grew considerably closer.

During the meal, Ban Jun intentionally or unintentionally mentioned some small things that happened in Jiangshan during Lin Miaoyin's childhood, such as rumors and nursery rhymes.

Lin Miaoyin always answered quickly and even took the initiative to talk about her daily life, everything was perfect.

According to her, the Japanese army briefly occupied Quzhou two years ago. Due to the poor transportation in Jiangshan and the active guerrilla forces, the Japanese did not establish a stable garrison.

In an effort to disrupt the economy of the Nationalist-controlled areas, the Japanese army forcibly relocated all the wealthy families in the city to Hangzhou, including the Lin family.

When the topic came up, Lin Miaoyin shed tears several times, her face streaked with tears, and Ban Jun quickly comforted her.

If Zuo Zhong were there, he would be very surprised. When did the old teacher learn to be so chivalrous? He was spouting all sorts of witty remarks as if they were free.

Lin Miaoyin blushed with amusement. She rolled her eyes at Ban Jun and said, "Mr. Ban, you are a busy man, it takes you so long to come here."

"I'm very busy with official duties, sorry."

Ban Jun chuckled twice and casually made up an excuse, but Lin Miaoyin wouldn't let it go and started arguing with him.

"It would be better if you were really busy with official duties. I'm just afraid that Mr. Ban might be bewitched by some vixen. If you get drunk one day and mistake me for one of those filthy women, that would be terrible."

Upon hearing this, Ban Jun quickly raised his hand to assure her: "Miss Lin, rest assured, although I am a rough man, I always value gentlemanly conduct and would never force others to do something they do not want to do."

Lin Miaoyin's smile faded, and she raised her hand to toast Ban Jun: "Thank you, Mr. Ban, you are a good person."

"Hehe." Ban Jun chuckled self-deprecatingly, raised his glass and sighed, "I wouldn't call myself a good person, at most I'd say we're in the same boat. Come on, let's drink this up."

The two drank it all in one gulp. Under the influence of the alcohol, Lin Miaoyin became much more cheerful and gradually opened up.

From her studies to her life, from war to literature, she seemed to be chatting, but in reality, she was subtly sarcastic and said many things that shouldn't have been said.

After the meal, Ban Jun got up to say goodbye. Lin Miaoyin didn't say anything more and personally saw him to his car outside.

As the car drove away, Ban Jun sat in the back seat with his eyes closed, resting. Although he had just eaten a meal, he had expended a lot of energy.

Towards the end of the dinner, Lin Miaoyin took the initiative, subtly probing his views on the Japanese puppet regime through various questions.

In this situation, even a single wrong word would render all his previous work futile, so he must carefully consider what he says before speaking.

After this incident, Ban Jun became even more certain that Lin Miaoyin had a special identity, and those questions were not something an innocent young lady could ask.

However, he did not come away empty-handed. Based on numerous details from their conversation, Ban Jun concluded that Lin Miaoyin's place of origin was not fabricated.

Given the other person's age, even if they had received training from a young age, it would be impossible for them to know so much about the small things that happened in Jiangshan many years ago. Only someone who has lived in the area for a long time could answer so fluently.

Clearly, Lin Miaoyin was likely recruited or turned by the Japanese later on, which gave him room to maneuver, and a plan slowly took shape in Ban Jun's mind.

However, to achieve her goal, Yuqin first needs to take a risk and also needs Zuo Zhong's help.

In Japanese Go, there is a term called "tenno".

The aim is to resolve the crisis and gain the initiative when the enemy is strong and we are weak or when our own pieces are surrounded, by making flexible turns and using the opponent's attacking pieces as springboards.

If we consider this contest as a mid-game battle in a chess game, then Yuqin and Zuo Zhong are the key to their successful maneuvering.

In the following days, Ban Jun went to the villa every day and was inseparable from Lin Miaoyin, which caused a great deal of discussion within the puppet government.

Yuqin heard about this from somewhere and had a big argument with Banjun. The Japanese spy who was eavesdropping secretly laughed, wishing he could go next door and see the show for himself.

"You surnamed Ban, I'm not someone to be trifled with. Take your things and get out of here!"

As a necklace was thrown out of the room, Ban Jun ran out in a disheveled state. Facing the onlookers, he muttered "shrew" under his breath, picked up the necklace, and turned to leave.

The Japanese agents did not stop them, but the head of the intelligence team picked up the phone and said something before ending the call with a "Hai!"

Returning to the villa, several men in black chased away the servants, and then a figure appeared in Lin Miaoyin's room.

The newcomer sat down opposite Lin Miaoyin, and the chandelier illuminated his face. Who else could it be but Shibayama Kenshiro?

"What is Ban Jun's attitude towards the Empire? Is he trustworthy?"

"I can't see anything wrong, but this might be a disguise."

"Okay, keep monitoring. I will inform the Hangzhou garrison to hand over the locust army's food supply to your father."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

The villa's lights were still on. A man with his hat pulled low walked quickly past the door. His figure was quite similar to the masked leader who assassinated Ban Jun. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared around the street corner.

(End of this chapter)