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

Chapter 234 Look! The traitor has jumped out on his own!

A few seconds later, she took a very light, deep breath.

When she looked up, her face still held that gentle expression.

Immediately afterwards, Shen Qingyao took out a small notebook from her handbag. The cover was pink with a print, the kind that young ladies use to record party addresses or cosmetic information.

She unscrewed a delicate, gold-plated fountain pen and turned to a blank page in her notebook. She quickly wrote down a few seemingly insignificant English words in her elegant, flowing cursive handwriting: Coffee, Sugar, Silk.

These words do not mean their literal meanings, but rather represent supplies, specifically medicine, weaponry, and fabric and food.

Perhaps fearing that Chen Yang wouldn't understand, Shen Qingyao added the meanings of the letter codes and the number "?" in even smaller handwriting.

After a moment of contemplation, she quickly wrote a lowercase "r" at the bottom, next to a question mark (representing radio).

After finishing writing, she gently tore off the page and gracefully pushed it in front of Chen Yang.

Chen Yang glanced at the numbers on the pen, and with perfect understanding, took the pen and filled in the numbers.

Shen Qingyao unfolded the slip of paper, looked at the price and numbers on it, and a hint of hesitation appeared between her brows.

Chen Yang's offer and the figures he provided exceeded their expectations.

Moreover, this figure is indeed much lower than the market price.

He seemed to have made up for the losses on the ore in another way.

Seeing Shen Qingyao deep in thought, Chen Yang waved his hand and elegantly pressed the bell to call a waiter: "Please add some fresh milk to this lady's coffee."

After the waiter turned and left, Shen Qingyao picked up her coffee, which had been refilled with milk, took a sip, and nodded to Chen Yang with utmost seriousness: "We can cooperate. One thousand tons per quarter, top quality."

"We need medicines and equipment to arrive at the designated location on time and in the required quantity, and they must arrive before the ore!"

“Miss Shen still doesn’t trust me,” Chen Yang sighed. “However, for the sake of our business going forward…”

"I'll make an exception this time, deal."

Shen Qingyao put down her cup and put on the lace gloves adorned with tiny rhinestones that were placed to the side...

"Mr. Chen has excellent taste in gifts." She picked up the dark blue velvet box and stood up like a girl who had truly accepted a cherished gift.
"I'm glad Miss Shen likes it." Chen Yang also stood up and said with a smile.

The two acted like a couple who had just finished a date, and their expressions did not arouse any suspicion from onlookers.

"Mr. Chen, I'll head back now. We can discuss any issues later."

"By the way, you should be more careful in your actions. Don't let too many people know about the location of the transaction."

Chen Yang understood the implication in her words: she was still blaming herself for not making proper arrangements last time, which led to her and Lin Yongren being taken down by the Special Higher Police.

"What happened last time was an accident, Miss Shen. Please rest assured, Nantian shouldn't be targeting you again anytime soon."

"That would be best." Shen Qingyao nodded and said, "Please give my regards to Uncle Lin..."

Chen Yang was stunned for a moment, then a bitter smile appeared on his face. It seemed that Lin Zonghan still hadn't given up on his plan for Chen Yang to marry Shen Qingyao.
They must have gone to "visit" Shen Xingshan again these past few days.
Before Chen Yang could answer, Shen Qingyao bowed slightly, gave an elegant greeting, and left the coffee shop with graceful steps.
The café remained warm and elegant, with an intoxicating aroma of coffee.

A few fashionable young men and women at the next table burst into cheerful laughter.

Chen Yang picked up the cup of black coffee in front of him, which had long since gone cold, and took a sip.

Outside the window, a gray sparrow, which seemed to have flown in from nowhere, landed on the carved windowsill opposite, its little head looking around warily.

A moment later, it suddenly flapped its wings and flew away, disappearing into the bustling crowds and cars of Avenue Joffre.

Early April, 1939 (late spring)
The spring chill lingered, and the air in Shanghai remained damp and bone-chilling.

As the news of Wang's imminent return to China was confirmed, the atmosphere in Shanghai grew increasingly tense, with undercurrents surging beneath the glitz and glamour of the Bund.

In the courtyard on Daxi Road, which bears the sign "Special Operations Headquarters of the Central Executive Committee of the Jinling Reformed Government," a new face who has just surrendered is quietly shifting the balance of power.

This man was none other than Wan Tianmu, the newly appointed director of the First Bureau of the Special Operations Department and deputy commander-in-chief of the Peace Army.

As the former head of the Shanghai station of the Military Intelligence Bureau, Wan Tianmu had a deep understanding of the bureau's internal workings.
They had a clear understanding of the personnel composition and conduct within the Military Intelligence Bureau.

At this moment, he stood respectfully with his hands at his sides in the center of a spacious office.

Behind the huge black lacquered desk sat Ding Cun, the director of the "Special Agent Headquarters." Under the light, his face was smooth, his eyebrows were low, and he exuded a sharp and shrewd aura.

"Brother Wan, Mr. Wang will be arriving in Shanghai soon, and the security level for his trip has been raised to the highest level."

"To ensure Mr. Wang's safety, the Military Intelligence Bureau's forces in Shanghai must be completely suppressed. Any spark that lands on Mr. Wang would be a dereliction of duty on our part."

"According to reliable intelligence, the Military Intelligence Bureau has been on high alert, and the Shanghai agents are on standby... Brother Wan, you've been with the Military Intelligence Bureau for many years, do you know who the sharpest blade is here?"

Wan Tianmu bowed slightly, his movements without the slightest hesitation or flattery, but with a sharp precision and composure: "Director, you are wise. In the Shanghai station of the Military Intelligence Bureau, the sharpest edge belongs to Liu Geqing of the action team."

"This man is exceptionally courageous, meticulous, and ruthless. He has been successful in recent years, especially adept at surprise attacks that kill with a single blow."

"This is the man who carried out the night raid on Chen Lu's residence last month, shooting him in the head with a single bullet,"

He paused, his gaze calmly meeting Ding Cun's for a moment, "If we're talking about the most troublesome one, it has to be Wu Ming, the head of the intelligence section."

"This man is like an old tortoise, hiding deep within, with unpredictable whereabouts and extremely keen insight. He has control over the entire intelligence network and rarely shows his face. If these two villains are not eliminated, they will be a major threat to Mr. Wang's trip to Shanghai."

Ding Cun tapped his fingertips lightly on the sofa armrest, like a venomous snake flicking on a withered branch: "Oh? Liu Geqing, this person is indeed quite famous."

"Wu Ming is also a slippery character."

"Brother Wan, you're familiar with how the entire Special Agent Headquarters operates. Do you have any 'appropriate' ideas?"

"It must be done quickly and thoroughly. We must clean it up before Mr. Wang sets foot on the Shanghai dock."

A cold, deliberate smile appeared on Wan Tianmu's lips: "Don't worry, Director Ding. Strike the snake at its vital point, and catch the bird with a good bird."

“These two have different habits, but I also know that they each have their own agendas and fears.”

"Only by striking the softest spot beneath what appears to be the strongest armor can we lure both dragons out of their lair with minimal cost and eliminate them both at once!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he took out a pre-prepared file folder from his briefcase and respectfully handed it to Ding Cun.

Ding Cun frowned slightly, opened the seal, and his gaze lingered on the page with the photo attached: Lu Qing.

The woman in the photo has clear eyes and a carefree smile on her lips.

Ding Cun raised an eyebrow slightly: "Her?"

********
At No. 76 Jessfield Road, deep within this soon-to-be-officially-registered den of iniquity, the temporary command post erected by Wan Tianmu is brightly lit all night long.

The ashtray quickly filled with cigarette butts, and the air became so murky it seemed to solidify.

His gaze swept over the spread-out photographs.

That was his secret "Oriole" team, two rigorously selected female agents who posed as mistresses of wealthy businessmen or fashionable young women, infiltrating Shanghai's top salons and department stores such as Avenue Joffre and Nanjing West Road, discreetly pointing their cameras at their targets.

The subject of all the photos is a girl named Lu Qing.

First picture: Lu Qing walks out of the high-end clothing store "Hui Luo" on Xiafei Road, without any unusual male companion.

The second photo shows Lu Qing attending a charity cocktail party hosted by the wife of a banker at the Cathay Hotel; the social interaction is still within the normal scope of a young lady's life.

Third photo: Lu Qing and her best friend enjoy afternoon tea at a coffee shop.
Fourth picture:
Fifth image:
Until you flip to the seventeenth page...

Wan Tianmu's finger stopped.

The background of this photo is blurred, but the focus is clear. Lu Qing is in a black car that is moving, with the window half down. In the driver's seat, there is a man wearing a black hat with the brim pulled low.

In just one frame, the outline is obscure, and the identity remains unconfirmed.

But Wan Tianmu's eyes suddenly sharpened. Liu Geqing had spent the most time with him, and based solely on this blurry outline, Wan Tianmu was certain that the person driving the car was Liu Geqing.
"Immediately!" Wan Tianmu's voice echoed in the small space with a metallic quality. "Arrest Lu Zhongming, and while you're at it, send this photo to their house so that their family can see who their precious daughter is hanging out with now."

“Captain Ling,” Wan Tianmu said, grinning, “if Lu Zhongming doesn’t understand, then you should explain it to him.”

"Yes, Commander Wan." Ling Feng, the captain of the action team waiting on the side, bowed respectfully and quickly put the photo into a thick paper bag without any signature.

The next day, at the Lu family mansion.

Lu Qing's mother, Li Xiuqin, waited at the door, looking utterly dejected.

A black Buick was parked at the entrance. Lu Qing got out of the car and waved goodbye to Liu Geqing, who was in the driver's seat and using the alias "Wang Ji'en".

Just as she was smiling and about to walk back to her room, she looked up and saw her mother, Madam Lu, standing at the door with a pale face.
At this moment, Madam Lu's eyes were bloodshot. She forced back her sobs and shakily pulled her daughter aside, stuffing the paper bag into her hand.

A faint rustling sound came from the paper bag as the photos slipped out. Lu Qing glanced down and felt a chill instantly rise from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!
She could hear her mother's tearful voice: "Qing'er... what, what kind of deity is this?"

"Your father was just taken away. Just now, someone came back from the station saying that your father has committed a crime. He said if you don't understand, then take a good look at these things... Qing'er, what exactly did you do? You're getting into big trouble because of this mess!"

Lu Qing's expression changed drastically, and he quickly denied it, saying, "Mom, I didn't do anything. I really didn't."

“Still lying. Qing’er. Those are special agents from Jinling. Their family’s meager assets… can’t afford… Sigh.” With a sigh, she didn’t finish her sentence, but the meaning she wanted to express was very clear.

Just as she was feeling utterly devastated and her body was about to collapse, a warm, dry hand caught her arm in time.

"Qing'er, what happened?" Wang Ji'en asked gently.

Madam Lu glared at Liu Geqing and said angrily, "Who exactly are you? Is everything that's happened in our family because of you?"

Lu Qing quickly pushed Wang Ji'en and his wife through the door. "Mom, this has nothing to do with Ji'en..."

Madam Lu shuddered and pointed at Lu Qing, saying, "It's alright. If it weren't for him, your father wouldn't have been able to suffer like this."

"That person has made it very clear that you should know your place."

"Qing'er, your father is so old, how can he withstand those people's methods? You must think of a way..."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Wang Ji'en's eyes. He suddenly leaned closer, his voice hushed, as if giving a deathbed plea: "Now is not the time to cry! There is only one way... perhaps... perhaps we can still escape!"

"This is something I risked my life to intercept yesterday through a secret channel! Inside... was a batch of supplies that the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce was secretly supplying to the Nanjing government!"

"The item is hidden in... the abandoned iron warehouse at the old dock on North Suzhou Road! To others, this item... is a death warrant!"

"However, there are still some people in Shanghai who can swallow these things."

Lu Qing asked with some confusion, "Ji'en, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Wang Ji'en frowned and whispered, "These things are traded privately between the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce and the Nanjing Central Executive Committee; they can't be brought to light."

"If they are raided, they can only watch helplessly."

“There are not many people in Shanghai who dare to go against the Central Executive Committee or the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, but I know someone who has the guts.”

"If he's willing to help, hand it over! Perhaps... you can use it as a pledge of loyalty to clear your family's name! Maybe... you can even earn a merit!"

Lu Qing then realized what was happening and hesitated, asking, "Wouldn't it be dangerous to do this?"

“You don’t need to worry about any danger,” Wang Ji’en said slowly. “If you go directly to this person, he might not even want to see you.”

"However, Mr. Lu and Mr. Lin, the owner of the Baima Road Cotton Mill, are old friends. You should be able to get through to Mr. Lin."

"Boss Lin?" Lu Qing looked at his mother with some confusion. Madam Lu was not the kind of woman who never left the house.

She mustered her courage and asked, "Mr. Wang, are you talking about Lin Zonghan, Boss Lin?"

Wang Ji'en nodded and said, "That's right, it's Boss Lin. His nephew, Chen Yang, is the Minister of the Special Operations Department and also the biggest smuggler in Shanghai. Only he can afford to take this shipment."

"Madam Lu, I've taken care of everything for you. When the time comes, you can have the supplies moved away, which should be enough to get Mr. Lu out."

Upon hearing this, Madam Lu seemed to breathe a long sigh of relief and quickly grasped Wang Ji'en's hand: "Mr. Wang, I thank you on behalf of my husband."

Wang Ji'en quickly waved his hand and said, "Madam Lu, this is what I should do. You should contact Boss Lin as soon as the supplies are confirmed. I will let you know immediately."

Madam Lu nodded, and Lu Qing said in a deep voice, "Ji'en, be careful on your journey."

"I will." After saying this, Wang Ji'en turned and got into the Buick.

Watching the Buick drive away, a conflicted look suddenly appeared on Mrs. Lu's face.

In the second-floor bedroom of the Lu family mansion, the dial of an old-fashioned rotary telephone creaked as it turned.

"Hello? It's me!" Madam Lu's voice came through the crackling noise, each tremor carrying a deathly sharpness and fear. "I saw that person. He said... there's a shipment in the Suzhou Road warehouse. He wants us to find Lin Zonghan, Boss Lin, to use this shipment as leverage... Yes, tonight! Tonight for the handover! Seven o'clock! Director Wan, I've done as you instructed, Zhongming..."

A brief, heavy silence fell over the other end of the microphone, as if the air had frozen into ice.

"Madam Lu, please rest assured, Brother Zhongming is eating and living well here and will not suffer any grievances."

“As long as we successfully apprehend the person, Brother Zhongming will not only escape punishment, but will also receive commendation from the new government.”

Madam Lu frowned slightly: "Director Wan, we don't care about any commendation, I just need you to confirm my husband's safety."

Wan Tianmu calmly comforted her, "Madam Lu, I have no grudge against Brother Zhongming. I invited him here only to capture your daughter's friend."

"As long as the mission goes smoothly, everything will be fine, but if you dare to leak the arrest plan halfway through, then I'm sorry."

"No, no, no, we will definitely cooperate." Madam Lu was instantly flustered and hurriedly made a promise.

"That's good, Mrs. Lu. Remember to prepare a sumptuous dinner. After we successfully capture him, Mr. Lu can go back with you for dinner."

After saying that, Wan Tianmu decisively hung up the phone.

On the other end of the phone, listening to the static coming from the receiver, Mrs. Lu seemed somewhat lost and disoriented.

In Shanghai, on Fuxu Road, inside the intelligence department's temporary security post, Wu Ming gripped a cold pen, his knuckles white from the pressure. The ticking of the wall clock sounded particularly jarring.

He had just translated an urgent telegram from the headquarters in Chongqing, which concerned the assassination of the Wang Group members who were about to return to Shanghai from Hanoi.

The mountain city did not assign them any action, but they were tasked with conducting intelligence gathering and providing assistance to the special envoy.

Wu Ming looked at the telegram, his lips slightly dry.

Wan Tianmu's betrayal plunged Shanghai's intelligence work into utter ruin.

The current manpower was almost all personally selected by Wan Tianmu, and he was very familiar with their way of doing things and their communication with the underground caves.

This temporary base was found on the spot, and it was the only place they could avoid the Japanese's sharp eyes.

dong dong dong.

A knock sounded on the door, and Fang Ze, one of his team members, pushed the door open and entered.

"Team leader, something's not right outside. Team leader Xiong has been out for over an hour and hasn't come back yet."

"With things being so tense right now, do you think he might get into trouble?"

"Xiong Jiandong has gone out?" Wu Ming frowned. "Didn't the headquarters order say that before Station Chief Chen arrives in Shanghai, all personnel should remain in hiding and not make any rash moves?"

"How could a veteran agent like Xiong Jiandong act so impulsively at this time?"

Did he say what he was going there for?

Fang Ze shook his head: "Team leader, I'm just a nobody and don't dare to interfere. Team leader Xiong said he'd be back soon, but we still haven't seen him."

“Still haven’t seen anyone? Something’s not right…” Wu Ming suddenly stood up. His years as a secret agent had given him a beast-like intuition for danger.

He walked quickly to the window, lifted a corner of the heavy curtain, and looked out. At the alley entrance, there seemed to be several blurry dark figures swaying in the rain, and behind the windows of the opposite building, the reflection of mirrors flashed by.

"We're surrounded!" Wu Ming roared, his voice filled with rage.

"Damn it, there must be something wrong with Xiong Jiandong," Wu Ming said in a deep voice. "Aze, wake everyone up and find a way to break out. We must get the news that Xiong Jiandong is a traitor out of the way."

"Team Leader Xiong is a traitor? How is that possible?" Fang Zeren was stunned by the news.

"Nothing is impossible," Wu Ming said without pausing for time, urging, "Go quickly."

Fang Ze rushed out of the room in a panic. Upon hearing the news that Xiong Jiandong might be a traitor and that the place might be surrounded by enemy agents, all five members of the intelligence team inside the stronghold became alert.
Everyone quickly drew their sidearms, gathered downstairs, and took up advantageous positions.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A violent pounding on the door shattered the silence, accompanied by arrogant shouts: "Listen up, you people inside! We are from the Jinling Special Agent Headquarters! You are surrounded! Lay down your weapons and surrender!"

"I surrender to you, Ma!" Wu Ming fired a precise shot from the window, and the spy who was shouting through a tin megaphone fell to the ground.

"Director Li, as I said, these are die-hards; they won't surrender easily." The two men speaking stood at the back of the crowd.

If Wu Ming were there, he would recognize this person as Xiong Jiandong, who had just disappeared from the stronghold.
That traitorous dog.
"They're courting death! Brothers, give them a good beating!"

At Li Qun's command, gunfire erupted like popping beans! Apartment windows shattered, and bullets rained down from all directions like locusts.

Inside, documents flew everywhere, and sawdust splattered all around. The Kuomintang agents used furniture and walls as cover, fighting back desperately.

Although their firepower was weak, they had the advantage of terrain and accurate marksmanship, which for a time suppressed the spies outside, preventing them from charging rashly.

"Use grenades!" Li Qun's roar came from outside.

"Boom, boom, boom"

After several loud explosions, a gap was blown open in the apartment door, and thick smoke billowed out.

Under the cover of smoke, the agents began their assault.

The narrow staircase and doorway instantly became a death trap.

Shouts, gunshots, and screams mingled together.

A young intelligence officer was shot in the abdomen, his intestines spilling out, but he still gritted his teeth and detonated the last grenade, killing himself and two other agents who rushed in.

The female cipher operator hid in a corner, and after running out of bullets in her pistol, she picked up a shard of broken glass from the ground and resolutely used it to slit her own throat.

The battle was extremely fierce, but the enemy was outnumbered.

One by one, my comrades fell around me, their blood staining the floor red.

Wu Ming's right arm was also hit by a bullet, and the pistol was knocked out of his hand.

He struggled to retreat to the back of the room, leaning against the wall, his left hand tightly clutching a potassium cyanide capsule that he had prepared beforehand.

With a loud bang, Xiong Jiandong led his men into the office. When he saw Wu Ming in the corner, his expression changed drastically: "Stop him, he has poison."

(End of this chapter)