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

Chapter 261 I can't sleep until he dies.

Outside the special care ward of the Imperial Army Hospital in the Japanese quarter of Shanghai...

The hospital corridor reeked of strong, pungent disinfectant. Chen Yang, dressed in a dark suit, held a bouquet of white lilies, a symbol of "soon recovery," his face displaying just the right amount of worry and concern.

He is now visiting Vice Minister Yoshida Hirohiro, who has suddenly fallen ill, in his capacity as the newly appointed Executive Officer of the "Transportation Coordination Headquarters".

Yoshida's attending physician was a white-haired Japanese military doctor named Watanabe Hirojiro.

In response to Chen Yang's inquiry, he said respectfully, "Minister Chen, please rest assured, Colonel Yoshida's condition is mainly due to long-term overwork and significant stomach inflammation."

"Moreover, his work requires him to concentrate intensely, and sudden strong stimulation can cause him to become agitated, leading to stress myocarditis and gastric mucosal bleeding."

"Although the situation was critical at the time, with a large amount of blood vomiting, thanks to our emergency rescue efforts, he is now out of danger and the bleeding has been brought under control."

"Next, you will need to rest absolutely and avoid any further stimulation. The recovery period is expected to be two to three months."

"Out of danger...rest...two or three months..." Chen Yang silently repeated these keywords in his mind, but a relieved expression appeared on his face. "That's great, what a relief! Please make sure the hospital uses the best medicine and provides the most attentive care. All expenses will be fully covered by the Army Transportation Department."

"Yes, sir! Please rest assured, Minister, this is what we should do," the military doctor replied, bowing.

Chen Yang did not enter the ward to disturb Yoshida, who was "sleeping," but only glanced at him through the glass window. Yoshida was lying on the hospital bed, pale-faced, with an oxygen tube in his nose and an IV drip in his arm. He looked extremely weak, but his chest was indeed rising and falling slightly.

"Director Watanabe, I'm entrusting Yoshida's matter to you. There are still many things to do in the Department of Transport. After Minister Yoshida wakes up, please tell him that I came."

As he spoke, Chen Yang handed the flowers in his hand to Watanabe Hirojiro and bowed respectfully to him.

Watanabe Hirojiro quickly returned the greeting, saying, "Minister Yoshida is truly fortunate to have a colleague like you."

"I am unworthy of such praise," Chen Yang said with a smile. "I will take my leave now."

After leaving the hospital and getting into his own car, the feigned concern on Chen Yang's face vanished instantly, leaving only icy indifference.

He rolled down the car window, letting the cool evening breeze caress his face, his gaze fixed intently on the rapidly receding street scene outside.

"Out of danger...rest...two or three months..."

Ah, that's been too long.

Two or three months is enough time for many things to change. Yoshida has deep roots within the South Manchuria Railway Company, and his influence should not be underestimated.

He is only temporarily unable to manage affairs due to health reasons. Once he recovers and can remotely direct operations from the hospital, or once he returns to work after regaining his health, his seniority and connections within the South Manchuria Railway will inevitably become the biggest obstacle to his complete control of the transportation system.

If the Ministry of Transportation in the South loses to the South Manchuria Railway Company once again in this power struggle, I, as the person in charge who was "appointed in a time of crisis," may be sidelined or even retaliated against.

The blame for the K-739 incident needs to be placed on someone of sufficient weight, and Yoshida, who vomited blood, is seen by many as already "punished."

But that's not enough...

Only the dead pose no threat. A hero's honor can cover up many things, but a dead hero's honor can cover up even more.

Therefore, in any case, Yoshida Hirohiro had to "die" in the hospital.

Chen Yang couldn't do it himself, or even through the Mei Agency or the 76th Division; those channels were too easy to leave traces and would involve too many people.

Neither the Military Intelligence Bureau nor the Communist Party seems suitable.

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Yang picked up the phone on the table and called Lin Xueyi.

"Second brother, let's go home tomorrow!"

The following night, on Ferguson Road, in the study of the Lin residence…

"What? You want to kill Yoshida?" Lin Xueyi almost jumped up.

Chen Yang said sarcastically, "Second brother, you're the eldest now, how come you're still so impulsive?"

"It's just Yoshida, not some big shot. What? We can't kill him?"

Lin Xueyi muttered, "You make it sound so easy. He's a high-ranking official in the South Manchuria Railway. Who would dare joke about something like this?"

Chen Yang said meaningfully, "But I can't sleep if he doesn't die..."

Lin Xueyi paused for a moment, then murmured, "What do you want me to do?"

“Aren’t there many experts in the Green Gang?” Chen Yang said slowly, “Find a reliable person to take care of him.”

"The matter is settled. Arrange for him to go to Hong Kong Island."

"If you can't handle it well, then don't give him a chance to speak!"

"Understood, I'll take care of it!" Lin Xueyi agreed immediately without hesitation.

"Wait a minute," Chen Yang raised his hand and said, "Before we make a move, let's find a few people to find out his strength. I need elites, not good-for-nothings."

"Also, that guy surnamed Liao has done a decent job on several occasions. Last time, when we asked him to kidnap Liu Geqing, he did it flawlessly."

"After this operation is completed, he will be assigned to lead the team to Hong Kong Island."

"Second Brother," Chen Yang said earnestly, "when you're out in the game, you have to know how to leave yourself a way out."

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Even if you fall, you need to have the resources to get back up!"

"Don't worry, I know what to do!" Lin Xueyi put on his black hat and said, "I'll take care of these things. Wait for my good news!"

"Go!" Chen Yang said calmly.

Shanghai, Sixteen Factories Wharf.

This is the most bustling wharf in Shanghai, where many hooligans and thugs make a living.

Of course, there are also hidden talents among the common people.

Unlike the Thirteen Protectors in movies and TV dramas, Shanghai has many top-notch assassins, but finding thirteen of them would still be quite difficult.

In the French Concession, the most famous assassin was Three Knives.

Jin Biao, Xiang Fang, Ding Xiaoqi.

Jin Biao was known as the "Knife King," but he was the first to be eliminated.

Because his age and courage were not suitable for this mission.

Jin Biao came from Northeast China. Thirteen years ago, in 1926, he killed seventeen masters in one night with a machete and was recognized as the King of Knives in the French Concession.

However, he became famous thirteen years ago, and now, that bit of youthful vigor has long since faded.

As for Xiang Fang with his quick blade and Xiao Qi with his long blade...

Lin Xueyi still favors Xiang Fang more.

As night fell, a thin figure slowly came into Lin Xueyi's sight.

The person had an extremely ordinary appearance; there were no obvious features in his eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. He was the kind of person you wouldn't notice if you threw him into a crowd.

If Lin Xueyi hadn't seen Xiang Fang's photo and information beforehand, he would have had a hard time noticing him in the crowd. Thump, thump, thump, a series of hurried footsteps sounded, and a henchman rushed up to Lin Xueyi.

"Brother, Xiang Fang is here."

"Okay, I understand. Then proceed according to the original plan!"

Lin Xueyi waved his hand, and three of his most capable henchmen from the Sixteen Lines Wharf immediately jumped out of the window and surrounded him in a triangular formation.

These three men were Lin Xueyi's personal bodyguards. Their fighting skills far exceeded those of ordinary people. One of them was a strong man who had practiced Hung Kuen. He had a stable lower body and his punches were fierce and powerful.

One is a master dagger user, agile and with a cunning blade.

The third one is skilled in wrestling and seeks opportunities for close-quarters combat.

"Boss Lin, what do you mean by this?" Xiang Fang stopped and looked up at Lin Xueyi, who was eating an apple by the window.

"Friend, please help me out."

"How will we know if you have any skills if you don't show them?"

"Do you really think our boss is some kind of big shot?" The accountant next to Lin Xueyi spoke in fluent Shanghainese.

Lin Xueyi glared at him, and the accountant immediately patted his mouth lightly, indicating that he had spoken out of turn!
Lin Xueyi tossed the leftover apple core aside. "Aren't you going to start eating? Are you waiting for the feast?"

"Ha!" The burly man, skilled in Hung Kuen, took a deep breath, let out a sharp shout, stomped his right foot on the ground, raised his hand to assume a horse stance, stretched out his long arm, pointed one finger forward, and struck a signature Hung Kuen move, "One finger to the center of the plains."

The remaining two were not to be outdone and also struck a pose.

Xiang Fang did not measure the weapon, but instead pressed down with both hands, one in front of the other, assuming the posture of the Bagua Palm. Bagua itself is derived from knife skills, so a person who is good at Bagua Palm must be good at knife skills!
A series of shouts erupted as three figures attacked simultaneously.

Facing the combined attack of three men, Xiang Fang moved nimbly, weaving through the gaps between the abandoned shipping containers. He dodged the heavy punch from the burly Hung Kuen man and sidestepped a thrust of a dagger!
The moment the wrestler lunged forward, Xiang Fang made a precise grab, seizing his wrist with a twist and a lock, using minimal force to deflect a powerful blow, and then used the wrestler's massive body as a shield to push him toward the dagger-wielder.

The man wielding the dagger was unable to retract it in time and nearly injured his own men, causing his movements to falter.

Seizing the fleeting moment, Xiang Fang delivered a swift chop to the Hung Kuen-style strongman's carotid artery, causing the latter to black out and collapse to the ground.

Immediately afterwards, he lightly touched the ground with his toes, kicked up a piece of wood, and accurately struck the wrist of the man holding the dagger. The dagger fell to the ground with a thud, and he followed up with a knee strike, rendering the man unable to fight.

The last wrestler was locked in a joint lock by him with a single misstep, unable to move, and could only slap the ground in defeat.

The whole process took less than two minutes; it was efficient and precise.

"Baguazhang? I didn't expect Brother Xiang to be a successor of Shenzhang Li. Not bad, not bad."

Lin Xueyi's eyes sharpened, and he casually winked at his trusted confidant next to him, who had a gun tucked into his waistband.

The henchman suddenly pulled out an old P80 pistol and fired a shot at Xiang Fang's feet, sparks flying from the concrete floor.

"Not bad reaction! Let's see if you can dodge the real thing!" Lin Xueyi signaled his men to continue firing as a deterrent.

The gunman leaped down, raised his hand, and aimed at his opponent.
Gunshots echoed continuously across the empty dock.

The instant the gun fired, Xiang Fang's body had already darted and rolled sideways like a ghost, hiding behind a huge abandoned winch.

Bullets struck the winch with a "bang," sending sparks flying.

He didn't panic, but calmly assessed the gunman's position and reloading rhythm.

The moment the gunman emptied his magazine and bent down to reload, Xiang Fang darted out like a cheetah, not charging straight at the gunman, but using the piled-up goods as cover to approach from a distance.

The moment the gunman finished reloading and looked up, Xiang Fang had already silently appeared to his side, grabbing his gun-holding hand and pressing the short knife in his other hand firmly against his throat.

"Brilliant, truly brilliant!" Lin Xueyi's applause came from the window.

"Brother Xiang, please come upstairs..."

"Boss Lin." Xiang Fang walked up to the second-floor office and nodded slightly to Lin Xueyi in front of him as a greeting.

Without any further formalities, he sat down directly in the seat opposite him, his back straight, maintaining a posture that suggested he could suddenly launch an attack at any moment.

Lin Xueyi sized him up for a moment, then clapped his hands. Everyone around him left the room, leaving only the two of them to talk alone.

Lin Xueyi filled Xiang Fang's teacup with tea and slowly said, "Brother Xiang, I've heard so much about you. I've invited you here today because I have an urgent matter to attend to."

"Brother Xiang is recognized as a top assassin in Shanghai. I have full confidence in entrusting this mission to you."

Xiang Fang didn't even lift his eyelids: "Ten large yellow croakers!"

“Given Brother Xiang’s skill, I think this price is very fair.” Lin Xueyi did not refuse or bargain. He took out five large yellow croakers that he had prepared beforehand from under the coffee table and gently pushed them in front of Xiang.

"Here are five large yellow croakers as a deposit."

"Pay the other half after the task is completed."

Xiang Fang weighed the large yellow croaker in his hand to make sure it was okay before asking, "Who does Boss Lin want to kill?"

"Imperial Army Hospital, Special Care Ward. Target: Yoshida Hirohiro, Vice Minister of Southern Transportation, Army Colonel." Lin Xueyi's tone was calm, as if he were stating an official matter.
"Who?" Xiang Fang's body trembled inexplicably.

Lin Xueyi repeated impatiently: "Yoshida Hirohiro, the South Manchuria Railway Transport Officer, currently the Deputy Minister of the Southern Transport Department, and a Colonel in the Army!"

"You want me to kill a Japanese colonel? Mr. Lin, are you kidding me?"

"What? Are you scared?" Lin Xueyi's gaze sharpened slightly. "People like you who only care about money and not life are scared? That's a joke!"

"Boss Lin, that's an army colonel!" Xiang Fang said through gritted teeth, "You have to pay more..."

Lin Xueyi grinned and said, "Haha, no problem. As long as it can be solved with money, it's not a problem."

"I'll give you ten more large yellow croakers, and after it's done, I'll give you fifteen!"

"No, I need the money first!" Xiang Fang refused to compromise.

"In principle, this is against the rules, but I'll give you face and I can give you the money first, but there are conditions."

"Requirements: Yoshida must die naturally from a recurrence of an old injury. A 'Military Intelligence Bureau assassination' mark must be left at the scene. Timeframe: Within three days."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Xueyi pushed a folded piece of paper over. It contained Yoshida's ward number, the daily medical staff rounds schedule, and a rough layout of the hospital. Tucked inside the paper was a doctor's ID card...

"He was admitted to the hospital due to a sudden onset of heart disease and vomited blood, and was diagnosed with acute stress myocarditis. This is your chance."

Xiang Fang glanced at the note, then with a slight twist of his fingertips, the note turned into tiny scraps of paper that scattered on the ground.

Then, he picked up the ID card that read "Attending Physician, Kazuo Nohara" and slowly nodded: "Understood."

"That's good. Don't worry, Nohara Kazuo will never appear." Lin Xueyi comforted him, clapped his hands, and the accountant came in carrying a small wooden box. After opening it, fifteen large yellow croakers were neatly stacked inside.

Xiang Fang took out one of the pieces, weighed it in his hand, and then tried to bend it. He then stood up, tucked the wooden box under his arm, and said to Lin Xueyi, "Wait for my news."

After saying that, without any further words, Xiang Fang disappeared silently out the door, just as he had come.

(End of this chapter)