Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 206: Scheme against each other
The winter wind blew across everyone's bodies, and Yoko Minami subconsciously tightened her major's uniform.

Matsui Yokoji stared expressionlessly at the abandoned warehouse. If the intelligence was correct, then the radio they had been searching for for three or four days should be inside this abandoned warehouse.

Besides the radio station, there was also the head of the Red Party's intelligence group in the French Concession, whom the Special Higher Police had been investigating for a long time: Qinghu.

This cunning fox has caused the empire a great deal of trouble, both openly and secretly. The empire has offered a reward of 30,000 silver dollars to capture him, but so far there has been no news.

Not only is there no news, but to this day, the Special Higher Police haven't even figured out whether this blue fox is male or female, fat or thin.

If we can catch this big fish this time, we must make him experience the methods of the Special Higher Police.

In the distance, footsteps approached. Matsui Yokoji's expression shifted slightly, preparing to strike at any moment.

But he was soon disappointed.

"Reporting to Section Chief Matsui, there are no signs of radio activity in the abandoned warehouse."

"We went inside and searched the place, but found nothing."

Matsui Yokoji's pupils contracted slightly, his eyes filled with resentment.

"Matsui-kun, it seems the Red Party knows we're about to take action." Yoko Minamida suddenly opened her eyes, seemingly unsurprised by this outcome.

"Does Major Nanta mean that our operation has been exposed?" Matsui Yokoji asked in a deep voice, "Or does that mean that the informant has been exposed?"

Yoko Nanta looked up at the dark night sky and murmured, "It's hard to say. They might have changed locations at the last minute, or their informant might have already been discovered."

"However, in either case, it seems there will be no gains tonight."

"Matsui-kun, let's go."

Although Matsui Yokoji was somewhat unwilling, he understood that what Minamida Yoko said was true.

"Order to return to base."

"Hai."

Office of the Chief of the Land Transportation Section, Southern Transportation Department, Shanghai.

Chen Yang leisurely flipped through the files handed over by Zuo Mingquan.

The gloomy sky outside the window mirrored his mood at that moment; Yingzuo's promotion was both an opportunity and a shackle.

The order to destroy Shanghai's underground intelligence network within three months hung like a sword of Damocles over our heads.

Having dealt with Kagesa for so long, he naturally understood what kind of person he was.

This is an extremely cunning intelligence expert, ruthless and cold-blooded.

He's promoting Chen Yang now because he's useful; if he finds that Chen Yang doesn't meet his expectations, he could turn on him at any time.

Chen Yang wasn't afraid of him turning against him, but he was afraid that if he lost the position of director of the Special Affairs Committee, he would no longer be able to control the intelligence in Shanghai at will.

Therefore, the most important thing is to deliver a report card that satisfies Kagesa without damaging the intelligence network.

Meanwhile, in a secluded safe house on the other side of the city, Zhang Jianliang and Lin Xueli were discussing how to deal with the traitor within the organization.

Based on the Japanese actions yesterday, Lin Xueli has been able to confirm that the person involved in the problem is Wu Fu, an intelligence agent at the Shanghai underground transportation station.

"Wu Fu, codenamed Hua Lian, was from Suzhou. He joined the Shanghai intelligence network in 1934 and was responsible for data collection."

"He is Comrade Zhong Yuan's direct subordinate. The blacksmith has dealt with him before, but it is not yet certain whether he has direct contact with Xue Lian."

"We tested three comrades. So far, only Wu Fu has shown symptoms; there are still two comrades remaining."

Zhang Jianliang frowned: "The identification of the remaining two comrades will be handled by carrier pigeons."

"Comrade Qinghu, our most important task now is to deal with Hualian. We can't let him cause any more harm to the organization."

"Hua Lian's betrayal proves that the enemy's tentacles have reached our core position." Lin Xueli said in a deep voice, "Eliminating him is imperative, but we cannot simply execute him. His death must serve its final purpose, both to repay the blood debt and to make the enemy pay the price."

Zhang Jianliang nodded in agreement: "Comrade Qinghu, what do you think we should do?"

“Forge a top-secret instruction.” Lin Xueli slowly revealed his idea. “The content is as follows: Due to the organization’s repeated heavy blows, the ‘home’ will send a heavyweight special envoy, ‘Lvyan,’ carrying a new codebook, activity funds, and important instructions from superiors. The handover will take place at 23:30 the day after tomorrow at the old warehouse area of ​​‘Dafeng Textile Factory’ on ‘Fuxi Road’ in Zhabei District.”

"It is designated that Silver Carp be responsible for receiving and ensuring the absolute safety of Comrade 'Traveling Goose'."

"There?" Zhang Jianliang wasn't very familiar with the detailed terrain of Shanghai.
Lin Xueli explained, "We chose the old warehouse of the textile factory because the terrain there is complex, making it easy to set up an ambush and escape, and it is also a transportation link that the silver carp are theoretically familiar with."

“I can guarantee that this is a ‘credit’ that he couldn’t refuse.”

"But he is cautious and suspicious by nature and would never personally show up for the handover."

"The most likely scenario is that, on the one hand, this intelligence is sold to the Special Higher Police at a high price to guide them in capturing the 'traveling geese,' while the individual hides in an absolutely safe place to remotely direct the operation. This way, they can both show off their achievements to the Japanese and conceal themselves to the greatest extent possible."

"On the other hand, I think he might try to verify the authenticity of the intelligence. Yesterday, the Japanese operation went wrong, and he will definitely suspect that he has been exposed." "If there is any disturbance, I think it will be difficult for us to see him in Shanghai."

"Therefore, the 'bait' we prepare must be realistic enough."

Zhang Jianliang nodded: "What do you want to do?"

Lin Xueli said in a deep voice, "I will leave this instruction to him through an emergency communication channel that he once used but thought only he knew about: the dead mailbox at the City God Temple."

"At the same time, I will arrange an 'accident': have our comrades disguise themselves as couriers and conduct a seemingly urgent and secretive 'rendezvous' near the location that the silver carp might go to verify, deliberately letting him see it by accident, to deepen his trust."

"A two-pronged approach." A cold glint flashed in Lin Xueli's eyes. "Once he takes the bait and passes on intelligence to the Special Higher Police, I will prepare a 'feast' for the Special Higher Police at the textile factory. On the other hand, the assassination squad will rush straight to his hideout and carry out the final judgment."

Zhang Jianliang raised an eyebrow slightly: "You want to use intelligence as bait to deal with the Special Higher Police?"

Lin Xueli smiled and said, "If Hua Lian can live up to expectations and bring over the higher-ups of the Special Higher Police, I think this gift will be unforgettable for them."

Shanghai. Special Higher Police Headquarters, Yoko Minamida's office.

As Yoko Minami looked at the interrogation report in her hand, the fanaticism in her eyes intensified.

Her interrogation of "Xuelian" and "Zhongyuan" reached a stalemate, and torture failed to pry them open.

This sense of frustration made her even more paranoid and insane.

A report about Zhong Yuan's deteriorating health and the possibility that she might not survive the torture was placed on her desk.

Instead of showing any concern, she revealed a cruel smile.

A knock sounded on the door, and Nantian quickly put away the report and said, "Come in."

With a creak, the door was pushed open forcefully, and Matsui Yokoji walked into the office with an angry expression.

"Section Chief Nantian, I think your interrogation methods are too cruel,"

"Do you know that Yamashita-kun has already submitted a report to Colonel Fujita?"
“That guy surnamed Zhong won’t last much longer. If you keep pushing him like this, we’ll be collecting his corpse before we even get a confession from him,”

"Matsui-kun, do you have any good suggestions?" Nantian's tone carried a hint of disdain.

This attitude greatly displeased Matsui Yokoji, but considering Minamida's status, he could only suppress his anger: "No matter what, the torture of Kanehara must be stopped."

"Is that all?" Nantian chuckled. "I think we should treat him, change him into clean clothes, and provide him with better food."

"Then, we moved him to Room 202 of the Ruikang Apartment on Xiafei Road and spread the word that Zhong Yuan was unable to withstand the pressure and was on the verge of a mental breakdown. He had begun to intermittently reveal some fragmented information, and we were intensifying our psychological offensive and a breakthrough was imminent."

"Damn it, what tricks is this woman planning?" Matsui Yokoji asked, somewhat puzzled. "Major Minamida, what do you mean by doing this?"

"What do you mean? Matsui-kun has been the head of the investigation team for so long, can't you even see this?" Nanda's tone was full of provocation.

Matsui Yokoji frowned slightly, then his eyes lit up: "Major Minamida is planning to use Zhongyuan as bait to lure those Red Party members to kidnap people?"

Do you think they would have that kind of guts?

Yoko Minami chuckled, "They may not have the guts, but I can give them a little courage."

"Intelligence should be disseminated through unintentional channels, and the apartment should be guarded with a tight exterior but a loose interior."

"Even though it's just acting, we have to go all the way."

"They deliberately left some flaws at the front and back of the apartment, such as a small gap during shift changes or seemingly old locks on the fire exits..."

"In short, I'm going to use Zhong Yuan as bait to see if those rats hiding underground will be unable to resist coming to rescue their comrades, or... to silence them! Especially that special envoy 'King of Spades' who hasn't shown up yet! He definitely won't let this go unchecked!"

"Matsui-kun, have you ever heard the saying, 'Jiang Taigong fishes, and those who are willing will take the bait'?"

“I refuse to believe that after such a large bait has been laid, this group of self-proclaimed united Red Party members can remain unmoved.”

Matsui Yokoji frowned, unsure whether he should agree to Minamida's plan.

Just then, the knocking sounded again: "Report."

A guard's voice came from the doorway: "Major Nantian, Director Zuo of the Nanjing Special Service Committee has arrived."

He said he had important intelligence to report to you.

Nan Tian paused for a moment, then said slowly, "Please let him in."

"Hai." The guard responded and quickly went down to convey Nantian's order.

A moment later, a plump figure shuffled into the office. Zuo Mingquan gave a perfunctory salute: "Major Nantian, I am Zuo Mingquan. I am here on Director Chen's orders to deliver a piece of intelligence to you."

Taking a breath, Zuo Mingquan said in a deep voice, "Our inside source sent a message that the Southern Bureau of the Red Party has dispatched a special envoy codenamed 'Lvyan' to Shanghai, carrying a new codebook and the latest instructions from above."

(End of this chapter)