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

Chapter 218 The Future of the Empire

Silence fell over the room. The calls of newspaper vendors drifted in from the street outside, indistinct and unclear.

"Team Leader Xiong, what do we do next?"

"If we don't find this mole, it will be difficult for us to explain to headquarters."

Xiong Jiandong sighed and said slowly, "Xiao Zheng, I've thought about this for a long time these past few days."

"Neither Station Chief Wan nor Zhao Lijun seemed to have any reason to betray the Military Intelligence Bureau."

"Because it doesn't do them any good."

"On the contrary, it's this Director Li,"

Xiong Jiandong pulled a document out of his pocket: "This is account information provided by Jinling Bank."

“Li Tao opened a bank account in his wife’s name, with a deposit of 13,000 US dollars in it.”

"At current prices, this amount to fifty thousand silver dollars."

"How could an intelligence chief have so much money?"

Zheng Huan's gaze sharpened: "Team leader, do you think Director Li is the one with the problem?"

Xiong Jiandong said in a deep voice, "This money was deposited a week before the operation, and the depositor did not leave their name."

"However, I think if Li Tao has a problem, the one who saved the money must be one of Huang Xianggu, Chen Mingchu, or Zhao Huaishan."

"Otherwise, they wouldn't have known so much about the details of our operation."

"Xiao Zheng, Huang Xianggu will be holding a dance party on Yihe Road the day after tomorrow. I want to go and check it out."

Zheng Huan nodded and said, "Team leader, I will follow your instructions."

"Alright, let's act together the night after tomorrow."

"Understood," Zheng Huan replied respectfully, then limped out of the private room. Xiong Jiandong watched Zheng Huan's departing figure, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, Huang Xianggu was hosting a party in a Western-style villa on Yihe Road in Nanjing.

Most of the guests were officials of the puppet government and their Japanese "friends." Amidst the clinking of glasses, it was as if the city had never experienced a massacre, and that none of these people had betrayed their country and nation.

"Waiter, another glass of champagne." A drunken official stopped a young waiter in front of him.

The service provider was quite handsome, but he seemed to have a slight inconvenience when walking.

However, no one cared about these things at that time.

"Sir, your champagne." Zheng Huan bowed slightly, took a glass of wine from the tray and handed it over, but his gaze never left the study on the second floor.

"Lieutenant Colonel Sonoda, excuse me, I need to use the restroom." In a corner of the party, Huang Xianggu handed an empty wine glass to Xiong Jiandong, who was dressed as a waiter, and then apologized to Sonoda Kumakichi, the new government advisor.

“Mr. Huang, you’ve had a bit too much to drink.” Sonoda pointed at Xiong Jiandong and said, “Help Mr. Huang up, so he doesn’t get into any accidents.”

Xiong Jiandong bowed slightly and helped Huang Xianggu walk up to the second floor.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Huang Xianggu muttered as he staggered toward the study on the second floor.

At this moment, Zheng Huan also quietly followed the two up to the second floor.

After Huang Xianggu entered the study, he did not close the door immediately. Zheng Huan seized the opportunity, slipped in, and locked the door behind him.

"Who are you?" Although Huang Xianggu had drunk quite a bit, he was still very clear-headed. Sensing that someone was following him, he immediately turned around and reached for the drawer in the study.

Xiong Jiandong was one step ahead of him, and the gun in his hand was already pressed against his forehead: "Don't move, Mr. Huang."

"Are you from the Military Intelligence Bureau?" Huang Xianggu instantly realized the two men's identities, his face turning pale, but he still tried to remain calm: "Do you know where this place is? There are Japanese officers and guards all downstairs!"

“That’s precisely why you should cooperate,” Xiong Jiandong said with a smile. “Since we dared to come looking for you, we’ve already made preparations. We’re going to die anyway, so taking you down with us isn’t a bad idea.”

Huang Xianggu's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat: "No, no, don't be impulsive. Whatever you want, I can try my best to satisfy you."

"Do you want money, or do you want intelligence?"

"I just received a list. If you're interested, you can take it and claim credit."

"List? What list?" Xiong Jiandong's expression suddenly tightened.

"The list was provided by an informant we bribed," Huang Xianggu said tremblingly. "It's in the safe."

"Open it," Xiong Jiandong said coldly. "However, Mr. Huang, don't try anything funny, or the bullets won't have eyes."

"Understood, understood." Huang Xianggu nodded repeatedly.

With the gun pressed against the back of Huang Xianggu's head, Xiong Jiandong slowly walked to the safe on one side of the study.

Huang Xianggu squatted down, skillfully turned the gears, inserted the key, and with a click, the safe opened.

Zheng Huan immediately went forward to check, and found that in addition to a stack of documents, there was also a lot of gold and silver jewelry in the safe.

Guided by Huang Xianggu, Zheng Huan quickly flipped through the stack of documents and finally found the list.

But when he looked closely, his heart sank. Most of the names on the list had been crossed out, with the words "processed" marked next to them.

"You guys are quick," Zheng Huan said, his tone somewhat unfriendly.

Huang Xianggu said, "Your Military Intelligence Bureau is like a ground rat. No matter how well you dig holes, you can't escape the hunter's pursuit."

Suppressing his anger, Zheng Huan suddenly noticed a familiar name on the last line of the list—his own name, Zheng Huan—but it hadn't been crossed out yet.

“I didn’t expect to be on the list too,” Zheng Huan chuckled, hiding the list inside his clothes as he looked at Huang Xianggu. “One last question: Who gave you this list?”

Huang Xianggu kept his lips tightly closed, clearly unwilling to reveal the person's name.

Zheng Huan raised his pistol, lowered the muzzle, and aimed it at his thigh: "I won't ask a second time."

"I gave it to him." At that moment, Xiong Jiandong's voice rang out slowly. Before Zheng Huan could react, Xiong Jiandong's pistol was already pointed at Zheng Huan's head.

"You? Team Leader Xiong, what are you doing?" Zheng Huan held his breath: "Team Leader, this joke is not funny."

"Really? You think I'm joking with you?" Xiong Jiandong said calmly. "I warned you long ago that you can't trust anyone, including yourself."

"But you don't seem to have listened to me; you still trust me too much."

"Xiong Jiandong, why did you do this? Why did you betray the Party and the country?" Zheng Huan's voice was somewhat hysterical.

Why? Because I can't see the future.

Xiong Jiandong said slowly, "I told you before, I joined the Party and the State eleven years ago. I thought that after the Northern Expedition ended, we would have a good life."

"But now, I'm in my forties or fifties, not a young lad anymore."

"Over the years, what have I gained after risking my life for the Party and the country? Some useless honors, or the position of leader of this action group."

“Zheng Huan, you are different from me. You are still young, and it is right for you to have ideals.”

"But when you reach my age one day, and your family needs money, but you know nothing and can't do anything, you'll realize that money is actually very important."

"So, this is your reason for betraying us?" Zheng Huan roared. "How much money did they pay you to make it worthwhile?"

“A lot, far more than you can imagine,” Xiong Jiandong said slowly. “As long as I can help them capture Wan Tianmu and Zhao Lijun, the money will double.”

"You want to arrest Station Chief Zhao and Station Chief Wan?" Zheng Huan's expression changed drastically. "But why didn't you make a move that day at Jiming Temple?"

Xiong Jiandong's tone sounded somewhat helpless: "That's because Zhao Lijun had something come up and wasn't there."

"If we had only captured Wan Tianmu back then, Zhao Lijun would have quickly realized that I was the mole."

"That murderous tyrant takes pleasure in killing, he won't let me go."

A knowing look flashed in Zheng Huan's eyes. "So, at the crucial moment, you notified Huang Xianggu and the driver of Chen Mingchu's car to turn around."

"No wonder they suddenly turned back even though they had already entered the ambush area."

"You were the one who informed them of the temporary termination of the plan."

"You asked me to work with you so that you would use me to set a trap and frame Director Li?"

"Only in this way will Station Chief Wan and Station Chief Zhao appear at the same time, giving you the opportunity to arrest them?"

In an instant, it seemed that all the clues connected.
Xiong Jiandong did not deny it: "Zheng Huan, you are very smart. Your background and family are both top-notch."

"Unfortunately, we each served our own masters. If there's anything I owe you, I'll repay you in the next life."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiong Jiandong fired a shot at Zheng Huan's back.
The bullet pierced his chest, and Zheng Huan immediately collapsed to the ground.
Immediately afterwards, Xiong Jiandong left marks on the other person's arms and shoulders.
Huang Xianggu watched quietly as Xiong Jiandong finished doing all this: "Team Leader Xiong, what should we do next?"

“Mr. Huang, according to the plan, you and Committee Member Chen will be heading to Shanghai.” Xiong Jiandong said slowly, “Zhao Lijun is a very cautious person.”

"The mole at Jinling Station hasn't been caught, so he won't risk coming to Jinling."

"He will only show up if we go to Shanghai."

"What about Wan Tianmu and Li Tao?" Huang Xianggu asked hesitantly.

Xiong Jiandong said with great confidence, "Don't worry, I will make sure that Wan Tianmu discovers this corpse by sheer coincidence and also sees the list by sheer coincidence."

"This confirms the suspicion that Li Tao was the mole."

“There aren’t many people available at the entire Jinling Station, so he will definitely contact me.”

"Then we'll wipe them all out in one fell swoop."

"Team Leader Kuma is truly a rare talent." Sonoda Kumakichi's voice came from the doorway: "Mr. Kagesa just sent a telegram."

"The local authorities have decided to approve Mr. Ding's 'Shanghai Special Agent Training Plan' and have issued instructions."

“Team Leader Xiong is very experienced in intelligence work. If you can join this project, I believe it will be a good thing for you and for the Empire.”

Xiong Jiandong bowed slightly to Sonoda Xiongji and said, "Thank you for your appreciation, Lieutenant Colonel Sonoda. I will do my best to serve the Great Japanese Empire." Sonoda nodded in satisfaction: "Team Leader Xiong, we're counting on you to capture Wan Tianmu. If possible, I hope you can persuade Wan Tianmu to serve the Empire."

Xiong Jiandong paused, pondered for a long time, and slowly said, "That's not impossible. If Lieutenant Colonel Xiong Tian has this intention, it seems we need to change our plans..."

"Oh"

沪市
Japanese Consulate in Shanghai
Inside the consulate, a secluded room was filled with smoke, the air thick with the scents of Japanese cigarettes and Chinese tea.

Kagesa Tsuneaki knelt in the main seat, dressed in a well-fitting military uniform, his eyes sharp and calm as he carefully read the top-secret document that had just been delivered by a special envoy.

The first page of the document prominently displays the words "Aid to the Dingcun Faction - Shanghai Special Agent Plan".

Opposite him sat Chen Yang, the head of the land transport section, who looked somewhat uneasy.

Chen Yang is the director of the Jinling Special Affairs Committee. Yingzuo summoned him to discuss the feasibility of this plan and to meet with Ding Cun, the person who proposed it and the former head of the Post and Telecommunications Department of the Party Affairs Investigation Section.
He was well aware of the importance of this meeting and carefully remained silent.

The paper door was silently pulled open, and two men dressed in Chinese-style long gowns, with shrewd and slightly obsequious smiles on their faces, walked in.

The leader was Ding Cun. He was thin, but his features were very handsome. He was known as one of the four most handsome men in the Republic of China, so his appearance was beyond question.

However, although his expression was respectful, there was a cunning and unease hidden deep in his eyes.

Half a step behind was Li Qun, a former agent of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics. He appeared more reserved, but his observations were more meticulous. As soon as he entered, he quickly scanned the entire room.

Chen Yang also scrutinized the two of them with a critical gaze.
These two were extremely notorious during the Republic of China era, and their resumes were remarkably similar.

He first joined the Red Party, then betrayed the party and joined the Kuomintang camp, and then betrayed again, becoming a lackey of the Japanese.

In comparison, Ding Cun's image is much better than Li Qun's.

Dingcun gives people a gentle and refined feeling, while Liqun is more ordinary.

However, Chen Yang was more interested in Li Qun, who was from Suichang County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province.

This place is next to Chen Yang's hometown, Xuanping County, Wuzhou Prefecture.

Although the accents of the two places are quite different, some of the words can still be understood.

"Lord Kagesa, Section Chief Chen, thank you for keeping me waiting." Dingcun greeted them respectfully in Japanese with an accent, and then sat down on the cushion with Li Qun.

"Mr. Ding, Mr. Li, there's no need for such formalities." Kageyama Yoshiaki gently placed the documents on the low table, his piercing gaze sweeping over the two men.
"I have received the orders from the General Staff. The Empire is paying close attention to and has high expectations for your 'peace movement'."

"Section Chief Chen, Mr. Ding and Mr. Li have always been committed to 'peace' and 'order' in Shanghai, and they abhor the terrorist activities in Chongqing. They urgently need the guidance and support of the Empire."

Li Shiqun bowed slightly: "Your Excellency Yingzuo, the Chongqing Military Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics are rampant in Shanghai, and they are doing everything they can to suppress comrades like us who are committed to achieving Sino-Japanese cooperation."

"We are eager to fight back, but we are hampered by a lack of funding, equipment, and especially... a lack of authority."

Kageyama nodded, pointing to the plan: "The General Staff is well aware of your situation and value. The core of this 'Shanghai Special Agent Plan' is for the Empire to provide comprehensive assistance to your organization. Funds, weapons, radio equipment, and necessary military advisors and technicians will all be delivered in succession."

Ding Cun's face immediately lit up with barely suppressed joy: "That's wonderful! Thank you, Empire! Thank you, Lord Yingzuo, for your trust! We will do our utmost to thwart the anti-Japanese elements' conspiracy, maintain order in Shanghai, and promote Sino-Japanese friendship!"

“However,” Kagesa Yoshiaki’s tone shifted, becoming cold, “the Empire’s resources are not unlimited. This investment needs to yield a clear return.”

"The plan clearly requires: First, to build a highly efficient and loyal special agent team in the shortest possible time, whose core members must absolutely obey the Empire's guidance."

"Second, we must quickly uncover the network of Chongqing's special agents and underground organizations in Shanghai and even the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, and ruthlessly strike and destroy it."

"Third, effectively control public opinion in Shanghai, crack down on anti-Japanese rhetoric, and promote the concept of Sino-Japanese cooperation and building a new East Asian order."

He paused, his gaze fixed on the two men: "In other words, you will become the sharpest 'hidden blade' for the Empire in Shanghai and even in Central China to deal with the anti-Japanese forces."

"Your activities must be conducted strictly within the Empire, specifically under my guidance. Can you do that?"

Dingcun immediately straightened his back: "We will absolutely obey Lord Yingzuo's orders! Wherever you point, we will fight!"

Li Qun added, "Please rest assured, Your Excellency, we are well aware of the importance of cooperating with the Empire, and we will work together sincerely to live up to your expectations."

"However... the initial operations may involve the Municipal Council and the concession authorities, and in that regard..."

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Yingzuo's lips: "Regarding the issue of the concessions, the Imperial military will exert pressure through diplomatic channels to create space for your activities. You just need to go for it and prove your worth with your results."

"Submit the specific action plan, personnel list, and budget as soon as possible."

"Yes!" Ding Cun and Li Qun responded in unison, their voices a mixture of excitement and apprehension about the future.

"Section Chief Chen, is there anything else you'd like to tell me?" Yingzuo turned the conversation to Chen Yang.

Chen Yang nodded slightly and looked at the two men, saying, "Mr. Ding, Mr. Li, you two may not be very familiar with me."

"Let me introduce myself first. I am the director of the Shanghai office of the Jinling Special Service Committee."

"Our Special Committee's duty is to assist His Excellency Kageyama in effectively and closely monitoring all intelligence work in Shanghai."

"Because in addition to being responsible for the work of the Special Affairs Committee, I also have to take care of the work of the Land Transportation Section."
"Lord Kagesa must have realized that my energy is limited, which is why he hopes that the two of you can assist me."

"Section Chief Chen, you flatter me," Ding Cun said obsequiously. "I have been in Shanghai for a long time and have long heard of Section Chief Chen's reputation."

"You are the new empire's elite, while we are nothing but stray dogs."

“Oh, Mr. Ding, how can you be so self-deprecating?” Chen Yang said politely. “When Mr. Ding was the director of the post and telecommunications department, I didn’t even know where I was. You are my senior.”

"I heard that Xu En once had a power struggle with Boss Dai, and the first and second divisions were at odds."

"Only Mr. Ding's third work has been repeatedly appreciated by Chen Zutao. How can your ability be described as that of a stray dog?"

"Mr. Li, you are no less impressive."

"Back when we were at the Tangshan Hot Spring Guesthouse, we obtained a lot of intelligence for the Second Division."

Upon hearing this, Li Qun was immediately moved and said, "Section Chief Chen, you flatter me."

Chen Yang waved his hand and said, "Having the help of the two of you is indeed like adding wings to a tiger."

"Lord Kagesa means that you two will have to stay at the Special Affairs Committee for a while for the time being."

"I will help the two of them procure suitable equipment and supplies in due course."

"Thank you, Section Chief Chen." Ding Cun and Li Qun exchanged a glance and quickly bowed to express their gratitude.

The two originally thought that Yingzuo valued them because he wanted them to help Chen Yang, but now it seems that he wants to set up a new department for them.

"You are all pillars of the empire, and you will surely achieve great things in the future," Kagesa said, picking up a small sake jug and filling everyone's cups with sake. "So, to our future cooperation, to crush the anti-Japanese forces, and to lasting peace in East Asia, cheers..."

"cheers."

Everyone raised their glasses, clinked them together, and drank them all in one gulp.

The stage will now be mostly handed over to Li Qun and Ding Cun.

Just like when he tested Chen Yang, Yingzuo asked the two of them about their plans for intelligence work.

The idea of ​​establishing new intelligence agencies.

Chen Yang silently observed the two men's conversation from the side.

Ding Cun is more mature; he has been in officialdom for much longer than Li Qun.

You could say he's a person who has truly seen the world.

Li Qun's performance was relatively less outstanding, but it still allowed Yingzuo to achieve a satisfactory result.

The group talked until noon before Yingzuo finally asked Chen Yang to see them off.

After seeing the two off, Chen Yang returned to the secret room.

“Chen Sang, don’t misunderstand, I don’t mean to reduce your power.” Ying Zuo explained to Chen Yang, “The local side believes that these two people are the best candidates to deal with the Chinese intelligence agencies.”

"Having been in the Land Transport Department for so long, you should be aware that the Empire is currently in a very awkward situation."

"The Navy and the Army were arguing fiercely at their respective Imperial Conferences."

Chen Yang nodded slightly and said, "Lord Kagesa, I have also heard Lord Sato complain about this."

"Logistical supplies are currently tight. The Ministry of War hopes that Your Majesty can allocate resources to the Army so that they have sufficient resources to quickly resolve the war in China."

"However, the proposal was quickly opposed by the Navy, which took most of the military budget to buy oil and planned to go south."

Kagesa sighed and said, "Yes, the conflict between the sea and the land is the empire's greatest concern."

"The excessive attrition of the army on the Chinese battlefield has aroused the dissatisfaction of the navy."

"If Your Majesty insists on carrying out the northward advance plan, then the naval forces will once again become a means of transport for the army."

"This is unacceptable to them."

"However, the proposal to go south to Southeast Asia is very bold. The Imperial Navy will almost simultaneously face the Royal Navy fleet of the long-established maritime hegemon, the British Empire."

"And the U.S. Pacific Fleet."

"This puts immense pressure on the Navy."

Chen Yang nodded slowly, but before he could speak, a series of urgent knocks sounded on the door.

"What is it?" Kagesa seemed somewhat displeased that his conversation had been interrupted.

A voice came from outside, respectfully saying, "Lord Kagesa, a Mr. Haruki from the mainland is here with a letter of recommendation to see you."

Yingzuo was slightly taken aback, then gestured for Chen Yang to open the door to the secret room.

Standing at the entrance was none other than the military attaché of the consulate, Ken Inukai, who was also the deputy head of the Iwai Agency.

Behind him was a man who appeared to be in his thirties.

The man handed the letter of recommendation to Kagesa and respectfully said, "Lord Kagesa, I am Haruki Yoshitane, a counselor in the Third Department of the General Staff Headquarters."

(End of this chapter)