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

Chapter 216 If I say you can't, then you can't.

"Can patriotism be used for trade?" Lin Xueli was immediately enraged.
"Of course, do you think patriotism doesn't cost money?" Chen Yang said with a matter-of-fact expression. "Some people can go out to fight with guns, that's called patriotism, but some people can provide funds for the country, and that's not patriotism?"

"Works are just different roles, not different levels of status or worth. Brother, you're making a mistake right now."

I knock liwa
Honestly, the chances of Lin Xueli winning a verbal argument against Chen Yang are almost zero.

Chen Yang's greatest skill is sophistry. When the rules are in his favor, he'll stick to the rules; when the facts are in his favor, he'll stick to the facts; and when neither the rules nor the facts are in his favor, he can simply ignore the facts and claim he's not wrong.
How could someone as upright as Lin Xueli possibly argue with someone like that?
Chen Yang earnestly advised, "Brother, you can actually consider my suggestion. I think what you're doing is too dangerous, and besides, you're already on the Special Higher Police's radar."

"Nowhere is safe for you, let alone Hong Kong Island."

Lin Xueli's expression changed drastically: "You, how did you know I was going to Hong Kong Island...?"

"Heh," Chen Yang chuckled, "All fourteen major wharves and over thirty smaller wharves in Shanghai are under my control."

"Not to mention smuggling ships, I know exactly where foreign merchant ships docked at the pier are going, what's on board, and when they're leaving."

"You really think you can hide something from me when an out-of-towner hires a smuggler to send someone to Hong Kong Island?"

"If I hadn't asked my second brother to pass on the message, do you think any boatman would have dared to take your fare?"

"I'm not bragging, but if I wanted someone to stay here, there wouldn't be many who could leave."

Lin Xueli's pupils suddenly constricted as he looked at Chen Yang's harmless and handsome face, a chill rising in his heart.

I never imagined Chen Yang's influence had grown to this level. If this guy is determined to become a traitor, what will he do for the organization?
"Brother, what's with that expression?" Chen Yang smiled and said, "You're not thinking of sacrificing your own family for the greater good, are you?"

"I advise you to think it through. I can be a puppet soldier or a member of the Communist Party. There's nothing wrong with cooperating with me."

“You have oil fields in Gansu. Although the daily output is not high, it can still be exchanged for a lot of things.”

"There's also a secret base in Jiangxi Province, where the tungsten ore is a valuable commodity. I heard that because you have a large stockpile of ore that you can't sell, you're preparing to refine tungsten wire yourself. It's not that I look down on you, but your manufacturing technology is too outdated, which is a waste of ore."

"Besides these, don't you need someone to help you exchange the cigarettes in the hands of the new army and the various spoils of war captured in battles at different bases for useful supplies?"

"Others may not be able to do it, but I can. I can not only help you transport it, but I can even help you exchange it."

"Of course, business is business, and I need to get paid too."

Lin Xueli opened his mouth wide, speechless for a moment.
Chen Yang stubbed out his cigarette, walked to the Buick, opened the door, took out a pre-prepared suitcase, and handed it to Lin Xueli: "Brother, I think you don't need to worry about it anymore, I've arranged everything for you."

"There is a document here, which is the property certificate of Wan You Trading Company on Hong Kong Island. There are also two name cards, one for Governor Young and the other for Secretary for Security Sir Chuck Norris."

"Once you arrive in Hong Kong, I will arrange for Mr. Taylor to come and introduce you to these two high-ranking officials."

"Brother, you've been a clerk for so long, it's time for you to try your luck in high society."

"By the way, I've already bought plane tickets for my sister-in-law, Ruoxin, and Ruoyu. They're flying to Hong Kong the day after tomorrow."

"Their addresses, house keys, and church school admission notices were all inside."

"Alright, I should head back now. Keep up the good work, I'm rooting for you!"

After saying that, Chen Yang patted Lin Xueli on the shoulder, opened the car door, started the car, and stepped on the gas, cutting through the rain.

"This guy, he knew exactly what I wanted from him..." Lin Xueli looked at the small suitcase and sighed.

Under the cover of night, rain mixed with sleet pounded against the roof of the warehouse.

Lin Xueli opened his umbrella, sighed, and finally picked up his suitcase, stepping into the vast night.
February 11th, 1939 (Lunar December 22nd)
Shanghai, Special Higher Police
Inside General Doi-Yuan's office.

As Tu Feiyuan looked at the Army Ministry's reply report, the atmosphere became somewhat heavy. The smoke from sandalwood incense rose gently in the office, but it could not dispel the oppressive atmosphere.

With a loud bang, the office door was pushed open almost violently, and Nantian Yangzi stood in the doorway, her usually cold face now filled with barely suppressed anger and humiliation.

Instead of saluting as usual, she walked straight to Doo-Yuan's large mahogany desk, slammed her hands on the surface, leaned forward, and stared intently at him.
"Teacher!" Her voice trembled slightly as she tried to control herself. "Shouldn't you explain this to me?"

“I heard that the Kiku Agency has nominated Takei Sankichi, the counselor of the Home Office, to take over the position. You promised me that this position would be mine.”

"I want to know why headquarters rejected my promotion nomination? I should be the indisputable candidate for the position of Director of the Kiku Agency, based on my qualifications, abilities, and achievements!"

Tu Feiyuan didn't stop moving, and didn't even lift his eyelids. He slowly and methodically finished organizing the report before slowly raising his head and quietly looking at the student he had once been so proud of.

“Yoko,” his voice was so calm it was completely unwavering, “are you questioning headquarters’ decision?”

"What I question is the absurdity behind this decision!" Yoko Nanada's voice rose. "Just because we didn't catch 'Blue Fox'? Teacher, you know very well that we have already dealt a heavy blow to their underground network and killed many important members, including that courier codenamed 'Snow Lotus'!"

"Although Lao Zhong's death did not achieve the desired result, it has brought us benefits. At least the Red Party's activities have not been as active during this period, right? Isn't this my achievement?"

Tu Feiyuan sighed softly, as if looking at an ignorant child.

“Yoko, you’ve got one thing wrong.” He stood up, walked around the desk, and went to the window, his back to her. “Headquarters rejected your promotion not because of whether your actions were successful or not.”

He turned around, his gaze sharpening: "It's because of your 'stupidity' and 'loss of control'."

Yoko Minamida's pupils contracted: "What?"

“First, it was foolish,” Tu Feiyuan said coldly. “You took Lao Zhong away before you could even assess the situation. A smoke generator made you make an emergency decision. How does headquarters view your judgment and overall perspective? An excellent intelligence leader should be someone who controls the situation, not a pawn that can be easily manipulated by the enemy.”

"Second, it got out of control," Doihara continued, his tone growing increasingly cold. "What was your purpose in arbitrarily executing that female communist 'Snow Lotus'? Was it to vent your anger? Or were you trying to intimidate the enemy with such cruelty?"

"And what was the result? Instead of intimidating them, you provoked even stronger resistance!"

"Your ruthlessness and lack of strategy, driven solely by emotion, have given the enemy an excuse for propaganda and recruitment. This further fuels headquarters' suspicions about your emotional control and leadership composure."

Doi-Yuan pushed the previous report in front of Minamida Yoko: "Yoko, please take a close look at this evaluation report."

"'Lacking strategic patience, easily angered, and impulsive in actions, you may achieve small successes but could lead to major disasters.' That's how headquarters evaluates you."

"The position of head of the Kiku Agency is crucial. It requires a leader who can coordinate the overall situation and is calm and experienced, not a tough guy who only charges into battle and may even cause trouble. Yoko, you have disappointed me."

Yoko Minami looked at the report, her fingers clenched tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.

All the anger and resentment seemed to be doused with a bucket of ice water, leaving only a cold sense of shame and a trace of panic after being seen through.

"I don't believe these bureaucratic platitudes; I need to know the facts."

Yoko Minamida seems to be making one last desperate attempt.

"You already had the answer in your heart when you came to me." Doi-Yuan looked quietly at Minami Yoko, and after a long while, slowly said, "Since you already know where the problem lies, why bother asking further? Even if you knew the truth, what could you do?"

"Because of Chen Yang?" Nantian Yangzi said through gritted teeth.

“A little, but not all,” the chubby-faced man said slowly. “Yoko, didn’t you notice that a few of the people you were interrogating with were missing that day?”

Yoko Nanta nodded and said, "I know. These past few days, Mr. Takakura and the others have been transferred away from the Shanghai Special Higher Police."

"Just a transfer? Ha," Tu Feiyuan pressed, "Do you know why?"

Yoko Minamida paused for a moment, then suddenly realized and said, "You mean that procurement contract?"

"Didn't they already sign it smoothly?"

"Yes, it was signed smoothly." Tu Feiyuan's tone changed, and he said coldly, "But, didn't you say that it was 30% more expensive than the market price?"

Do you know how many people you've killed because of those words?

"You should feel fortunate that you are still alive, not because of my great influence, but because of the honor bestowed upon you by His Majesty the Emperor."

"They don't have enough reason to take action against you, an 'honorary major' personally appointed by the Emperor."

"In this situation, you still want to take over as the head of the Chrysanthemum Agency? Do you want to die even sooner?"

"I can tell you very directly that this report was arranged specifically for you,"

"If you were to sit in that position, you wouldn't be facing your enemies, but your comrades."

"You can block a bullet from the front, but are you confident you can withstand a knife from behind?"

"So," Nantian finally understood that the failure was not in her actions, but in herself.

Her efforts and ambitions were seen as utterly worthless and naive by those in higher positions.

Nan Tian's straight back slumped slightly, but the fire in his eyes did not die. He slowly stood at attention, resuming his standard salute, his voice low and hoarse:
"Hi! I... understand. Thank you for your guidance, teacher."

Tu Feiyuan nodded slightly, his tone softening: "Good that you understand. We still need you for intelligence work."

"Remember this lesson. Use your abilities and ruthlessness in more appropriate places. Opportunities will come again in the future." "Yes, sir! Your subordinate will remember this and atone for your sins!" Nantian Yangzi lowered her head, concealing the surging cold killing intent and anger in her eyes.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Doi-man took out an appointment letter and handed it to Minamida Yoko, saying, "This is the appointment letter for the newly established Special Section 1 Chief. Although it cannot secure you the position of Chief of the Kiku Agency, your contributions cannot be erased."

"That's all I can do."

What is this? A consolation prize? I lost the position of department head, and this is a section chief as a consolation prize? He's treating me like a child, giving me a beating and then a treat...

"Thank you for the promotion, teacher," Nan Tian said without saying anything. He calmly extended both hands to accept the appointment letter, turned around, and left the office with stiff steps, closing the door gently behind him.

Kenji Doihara sat back down in his chair, looking at the gloomy sky outside the window, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

Knock knock knock, there was a knock on the door.

Tu Feiyuan snapped out of his daze and said softly, "Please come in."

"Mr. Doiyuu, I just saw Miss Nantian leave your office in a huff."

"As a top agent, he can't even handle something as simple as controlling his emotions."

"It seems that Mr. Doi-mado still needs to carefully consider whether she is suitable to be the leader of Special Section 1?"

"Chief Nakamura didn't come here just to observe something as trivial as Nantian, did he?" Doi-Yuan's face showed some displeasure. The person who came was none other than Nakamura Isao, the chief of the Nantian branch.

The Southern Branch Association was the Investigation Committee for the Anti-Japanese War Forces in Southern China.
This is an intelligence agency that serves the military, and Nakamura Isao was a talent recommended by the South Manchuria Railway Company.

With his insightful analysis of the international situation and profound cultural knowledge, he was known as a "think tank" within the South Manchuria Railway Company and was highly regarded by some high-ranking officials and senior generals of the Kwantung Army.

"Nakamura-kun, with so many things going on at the South Branch Association, you still have time to come here. It must be something important." Doihara gestured for Nakamura to sit down, then picked up a small teapot to pour tea for him, his attitude quite polite.

"Lord Doi-man should be able to guess the purpose of my trip." Nakamura bowed slightly, his demeanor impeccable, his tone gentle yet magnetic. "The new agency that Lord Kagesa is about to promote is crucial to the overall intelligence work of the Empire in China."

"Heh, Chief Kagesa's ambitions are indeed quite grand." Doi nods, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"The four major agencies—'Plum,' 'Orchid,' 'Bamboo,' and 'Chrysanthemum'—stood side by side, with each department working in a different way, aiming to thoroughly eliminate all resistance forces in China, especially the Military Intelligence Bureau and the underground Red organizations in Yan'an. This was a grand plan."

“The idea is very ambitious, but whether it can be completed is another matter.” Nakamura took a sip of tea and said slowly, “The main function of the Mei Agency is to serve the new government, while Colonel Shibayama’s Take Agency is more to assist the 11th Army in its deployment in Hankou, and Tomoe’s Ran Agency is not good at intelligence work.”

"Their main job is still to infiltrate and corrupt the mountain city, as well as to persuade people to surrender."

"As for the Kiku Agency in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, Mr. Doi-ma, do you really think that a councilor from the mainland can be proficient in counter-espionage? Lieutenant Colonel Takei simply does not have that kind of ability. I think Kagesa is thinking too simply."

Tu Feiyuan nodded thoughtfully: "The headquarters does indeed need to establish a powerful special agency to deal with the intelligence agencies in Shanghai, especially the special crackdown on the underground organizations of the Red Party."

"Their infiltration in Shanghai can be described as ubiquitous and extremely troublesome."

Nakamura Kou frowned and suddenly said, "Actually, I've always believed that the Red Party, the Military Intelligence Bureau, and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics still need to be dealt with by local Chinese institutions."

"I heard that Kagesa has secretly recruited a few more professionals."

"Just a few days ago, he submitted a 'Shanghai Special Agent Plan' to the mainland, aiming to reorganize the Shanghai office of the Jinling Special Agent Committee,"

"Director Chen of this office is not a professional intelligence officer. It seems a bit too much for him to fight against these organizations."

"You mean Section Chief Chen?" Tu Feiyuan nodded thoughtfully. "This person's expertise lies in economics and transportation; he is indeed somewhat of a novice when it comes to intelligence work."

"However, in the most recent assessment, many logistics officials spoke highly of him. This man is not simple."

Nakamura Isao said with a disdainful look, "Intelligence agencies don't need this kind of talent."

"I still believe that we are much stronger than Kagesa when we join forces."

"Mr. Doiyuki, our South Branch and the South Manchuria Railway Bureau have already drafted a preliminary purge plan."

"The primary target is the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai station. The Military Intelligence Bureau has been rampant recently and must be dealt a heavy blow to cut off their contact points and funding chains."

"Secondly, we must thoroughly investigate the Red Party's underground transportation network, especially their 'Red Corridor' leading to northern Jiangsu, which must be completely severed!"

Doi-Yuan picked up his teacup and gently blew on it, as if he were just savoring the aroma of the tea, but every word was clearly imprinted in his mind.

After a moment of contemplation, Tu Feiyuan slowly said, "Perhaps we can start by investigating the Military Intelligence Bureau's sources of funding."

"The Special Higher Police have noticed that the flow of funds in some trading companies in the French Concession is suspicious."

“And the Red Party’s communication stations…” He put down his teacup and added casually, “They rely heavily on seemingly ordinary social relationships as cover. Bookstores, pharmacies, and even some charitable organizations can become nodes for intelligence exchange.”

“Conducting large-scale, but seemingly routine, household registration checks or fire inspections may uncover some clues without alerting the suspects prematurely.”

Nakamura Isao added, "That's not enough. The Red Party's biggest base is still the grassroots people."

“We should focus our efforts on the Shanghai Municipal Federation of Trade Unions, as they are the largest source of funding and the greatest source of support for the Communist Party.”

"By the way, we should also pay attention to public opinion. We should not cause too much alarm or panic, as this would not be good for the empire's image of being approachable to the people."

Doihara nodded repeatedly as he listened: "Nakamura-kun's thinking is always so clear. Sources of income, social connections... Hmm, a very valuable direction."

Nakamura Kou smiled slightly and waved his hand modestly: "These are just some immature ideas, offered for the General and Lord Kagesa's reference."

"A specific action plan still needs to be developed by the experts."

After finishing his speech, he chatted with Doi-man for a few more minutes about the international situation and the domestic political situation in Japan, fully demonstrating his "brain trust" demeanor. Then he politely got up to take his leave.

Doihara personally escorted Nakamura Isao to the office door, showing that he attached great importance to the matter.

After leaving the Special Higher Police headquarters and getting into his car, the gentle and refined smile on Nakamura Isao's face gradually faded. He leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, as if to rest.

But at this moment, his brain was racing, like the most efficient cipher machine. "'Plum,' 'Orchid,' 'Bamboo,' 'Chrysanthemum'... the four major intelligence agencies... personally led by Kageyama Yoshiaki..." "Primary target: the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai station, cut off their contact points and funding chain..."

"Secondary targets: Red Party underground transportation stations, especially the 'Red Corridor'..."

"Investigation areas: Suspicious trading houses in the French Concession (sources of military intelligence revenue), bookstores, pharmacies, charitable organizations (transport points for our party), household registration and fire safety inspections (cover methods)..."

Every word and phrase spoken during this conversation with Doiyuu was invaluable intelligence, relating to the lives of countless comrades and the survival of the organization.

Unable to write or record, he could only rely on his amazing memory to imprint all of this firmly in his mind.

The driver drove quietly.

Nakamura Isao opened his eyes and looked at the street scene rushing past the window.

The city is a place where prosperity and suffering intertwine, where light and darkness coexist.

A residential building near Huichuntang on Fuxu Road in Shanghai.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, the temperature in Shanghai is alarmingly low.

Zhang Jianliang sat at the table, his fingers slowly tapping on the surface.

The conversation Lin Xueli had with him before leaving had a profound impact on him.

Lin Xueli's intention is to give up frontline work and switch to a logistics position.

Of course, Zhang Jianliang was also well aware that Lin Xueli was able to escape this time because he himself had indeed been placed under the Special Higher Police.

However, he narrowly escaped interrogation by the Special Higher Police.
He cannot return to the intelligence line in the short term, otherwise he will be easily exposed.

Shifting towards logistics is indeed a new approach.

Most importantly, Lin Xueli stated frankly that everything had been arranged, which made Zhang Jianliang somewhat wary.

According to reports from our comrades on Hong Kong Island, Lin Xueli has now opened a shop called Wanyou Trading Company.

It is said that a foundation from Hong Kong Island is providing support.

It appears to be a very good disguise.

Knock, knock, knock—three long knocks and two short knocks sounded at the door. Zhang Jianliang's brows furrowed instantly, and he got up and walked to the door: "Who is it?"

"Hello, I'm not feeling well. Manager Wang from Huichuntang asked me to come see you." A clear, melodious female voice came from outside the door.

Zhang Jianliang's heart stirred slightly. He opened the door and saw a pretty girl standing there, with short, ear-length hair and dressed in a school uniform.
"Come in quickly." Zhang Jianliang let the man in, looked around warily, and quickly closed the door.

The girl looked at Zhang Jianliang with some trepidation and said shyly, "Hello, my name is Shen Qingyao, codename: Goldfish."

(End of this chapter)