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

Chapter 273 Nantian's Advice

"Colonel Kazuchi," Minamida said slowly, "I completely agree with your approach. The Ministry of Transport is currently a fortress; the only way to break through it is to attack from within!"

"Moreover, I heard that when Kagesa was transferred to the Ume Agency this time, the Army Logistics Department was involved."

“These things are not important,” Kazuya Takaji said dismissively. “Kagesa’s talents are more evident in politics. He is simply incompetent as the head of the Ume Agency.”

"This trip to Nanjing not only gave him an opportunity, but also gave us one."

Nantian said in a deep voice, "Colonel Kazuchi, I don't know how you plan to deal with the Mei Agency and the Transportation Department next, but I have a suggestion. I wonder if you would be willing to listen?"

Kazuyoji glanced at Minamida: "Section Chief Minamida, we're all in the same boat now. Feel free to offer any suggestions you may have."

Nantian pondered, "Actually, I've always suspected that Colonel Yoshida's death wasn't as simple as the report suggested!"

Kazuyo pressed his index finger heavily against the flipping ledger page, slowly raised his head, and stared straight at Yoko Minamida.

"Colonel Yoshida?" Kazuchi's voice sounded like rusty gears grinding through gravel.

Major General Masao Nakamura, kneeling beside him, had a deep look of doubt in his eyes.

He remembered this man, a transport officer of the South Manchuria Railway, who had served as the deputy minister of transport a few months earlier. The report said that he had been assassinated by "military intelligence thugs" at the Imperial Army Hospital and died in the line of duty.

He paused for a moment, then uttered a muffled question: "Chief Nantian, regarding the Yoshida case, the report issued by the Army Ministry of the Army General Staff and the military's obituary have both confirmed it to be a typical case of Kuomintang infiltration and assassination. Do you have any... new insights?"

Yoko Nanada did not answer immediately. She leaned forward slightly, focusing all the pressure and doubt on the tension in her waist and abdomen.

The light from the paper lantern illuminated the taut lines of her jaw, making her expression as cold and hard as cast iron: "New perspective? Reports are dead, Lord Nakamura! The changes in the entire North China logistics system after Yoshida's death are nothing short of bizarre!"

"The efficiency of the several important smuggling routes we tracked was like a piston with lubrication, smoother than ever before!"

"An assassination that was supposed to create chaos instead resulted in greater efficiency? Kazuki, isn't this like breaking a rusty old lock and replacing it with a new one that works much better? Or was that broken old lock originally... meant to block someone's view?"

"Colonel Kazuchi, you should know that the sharpest blades are often made by our own people!"

"A month before Yoshida's death, the supply of various materials had reached its limit of overcapacity. Many materials disappeared mysteriously at this time. All the large-scale material transactions discovered by the audit team were also carried out during this period. Shortly afterward, he died in the most secure special care ward of the army hospital!"

"Special care ward?" Masao Nakamura's brows furrowed into a deep frown.

As far as he knew, the Imperial Army Hospitals were strictly hierarchical, with the special care wards being particularly heavily guarded. "How could someone from the Military Intelligence Bureau have infiltrated such a place?"

"Is it precisely because it's impossible?" Nantian forced a cold smile. "That's why it's so perplexing! Yoshida was stabbed at close range! The killer did it almost right under the noses of the doctors and nurses, using the most potent poison!"

"Colonel Kazuchi! The death report of Colonel Yoshida, all the evidence points to the so-called 'eliminating traitors' message from the Military Intelligence Bureau. Don't you think this is too perfect and too professional? So professional that it's like a script specially written for us?"

“That’s enough.” Kazuki Takaji’s voice finally rang out, interrupting Minamida’s barrage of questions. The word “that’s enough” was not loud, and even carried a strange weariness.

Kazuyoji reached out, his knuckles large from years of exertion, and carefully unfastened the polished brass clasp on his purse. The slight click was amplified in the silence.

Then, as if handling a fragile artifact, he pulled out a thinner and narrower document bag from deep inside the side pocket of his bag.

The document bag was made of ordinary army kraft paper, with two narrow seals crossed at the seal. One seal bore the emblem of the Army Ministry Headquarters Investigation Section, while the other was an even less common institutional seal with a scorpion pattern.

Both seals were old and yellowed. One of them seemed to have been opened and then reluctantly glued back on, leaving a wrinkled mark that was difficult to smooth out!

Yoko Minami's eyes were fixed on the file folder, while Masao Nakamura had his hands crossed on his knees, his expression somewhat grave.

Wachi Takaji did not immediately tear open the seal. He carefully examined the broken parts and adhesive marks on the seal to make sure there were no problems before pushing the document in front of the two of them.

“Chief Nantian, regarding the issue you mentioned, I applied for a transfer order from the military before I came. This is a report from the China Section of the Mainland General Staff Headquarters, which includes a new review opinion based on the internal investigation section's report. Conclusion…”

He paused, seemingly choosing the most accurate words, "The conclusion is that all actions were consistent with the methods of the most senior action teams in the past. Therefore, the case is closed."

As he spoke, he used his fingernail to very carefully scrape away the adhesive layer along the old cracks in the sealant, avoiding leaving any new, obvious marks.

When the seal was completely broken, he pulled out a similarly curled and yellowed file. On the title page were striking red words:
[Top Secret: Investigation File on the Assassination of Yoshida Hirohiro (Vice Minister of Transport) (No.: T-KUZSH-039) - Internal Investigation Section of the Ministry of the Army (Copy) / Stinger Special Review Attachment]

He flipped straight to the middle of the file, ignoring the lengthy background information, crime scene photos, and hospital floor plan.

Finally, it stopped at a document that was only a few pages long.

The document is titled "Autopsy Report and Toxicology Test Conclusions" issued by the "Tokyo Central Hospital of the Army" and stamped with the official seal of the Medical Bureau of the Army Ministry.

Autopsy findings (excerpt)
Deceased: Yoshida Hirohiro, Vice Minister of the Army Transportation Department (Colonel)

Time of death: July 3, 1947, between 9:47 and 9:51 AM.

Location of death: West Wing, Special Care Ward No. 3, Army Central Hospital, Japanese Residents' District, Shanghai!

Cause of death: Acute cyanide (potassium cyanide/KCN) poisoning, which caused respiratory center paralysis and systemic cellular hypoxia and asphyxiation.

The poison, administered by injection, enters the bloodstream directly through the heart.
The poison works rapidly, with the time from poisoning to death being extremely short, estimated to be between 30 and 120 seconds.

Relevant physical characteristics: A very small, fresh needle puncture wound (approximately 0.3 mm in diameter) was found under the breast, with no subcutaneous ecchymosis or tissue tearing around it, consistent with the characteristics of a sharp needle-like instrument being inserted vertically at close range.

High concentrations of potassium cyanide residue were detected in extracts from the wound edges, subcutaneous tissue, and blood vessel walls in the heart area.

Detection and quantitative analysis of toxins in the body (toxicology report):
Sample source: Residual blood from the heart (Category A sample) Potassium cyanide concentration —>200mg/L!

Skin tissue around the wound (Type B sample): Potassium cyanide concentration—extremely high levels!
The deceased's stomach contents and respiratory tract swabs (Category C/D samples): No relevant toxic substances were detected.

Comprehensive analysis: The poison was a high-purity potassium cyanide product. The needle-like instrument was inserted directly into the heart, with a direct route of action and a huge dose that was lethal, not through oral or inhalation routes.

Nature of death: homicide; the murderer's poisoning method was extremely precise and professional.

He pushed the fatal pages of the report a few inches to the other side, so that the flickering flame of the kerosene lamp could be clearly projected onto the cold lead type.

He Zhi's voice rang out again, as if mechanically reading out a fact: "The shortest straight-line distance from the nurses' station to the door of ward number three is 10.2 meters."

"The ward is a private room. When the outer door is closed, the entire interior cannot be seen. There is an observation window that shows the outline of the patient's upper body."

"The operation takes place during the day, and guards are stationed everywhere except inside the wards."

"According to the report, around 9:40 a.m., during the time of death, a nurse reported catching a glimpse of a figure wearing a doctor's white coat, a standard medical mask, and round-framed glasses, but without a military cap. The figure paused briefly outside the ward door for a few seconds, spoke with a guard, and then entered the room."

"The witness nurse stated: The height and build were consistent with a male, and the gait was steady, but because her attention was mainly focused on the nursing table, her impression was vague."

"After repeated screening of all doctors and sanitation workers on duty at the time, no one admitted to or was found to have been in the ward during that period."

"It has now been determined through an internal hospital investigation that the mysterious figure is a 'ghost' figure used by the murderer to disguise his identity."

Yoko Nanada's gaze was already fixed on "injection method", "intravenous puncture", "extremely high concentration of cyanide" and that "10.2 meters" and "ghost doctor".

A perfect murder? It sounds a lot like the methods used by the Kuomintang secret police to infiltrate and kill people.

But Nantian was not convinced by the report: who could infiltrate the core special care ward of the Army Central Hospital?
Approaching a powerful transport department colonel who is undergoing protective treatment?

And how about precisely carrying out a deadly assassination that requires extremely close-range operation, right under the nose of a vetted nurse?

The word "distance" is like an invisible icy needle, piercing through the seemingly flawless veil of "military intelligence infiltration," revealing a suffocating possibility behind it: there is an inside traitor!
This assassination was meticulously planned...

"And what about the 'anti-traitor handwriting'?" Nantian Yangzi asked, her voice surprisingly calm. "The blood-written signboard that the report boasted about, the one commonly used by the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

Wachi Takaji silently flipped through the files in his hand again. This time, he went straight to a few pages of photocopies of photos attached to the end of the report.

The image is somewhat blurry, but recognizable.

The first photo is of the interior of the ward, with the focus on the snow-white walls of the special care ward.

The location is approximately above and to the side of the head when the person is lying flat, near the power outlet by the bedside.

Two Chinese characters were clearly engraved on the wall!

"Eliminating traitors"

The signature is a mark that strikes fear into the hearts of countless people at the scenes of bloodshed on the secret front…

This is indeed the style most commonly used by the Military Intelligence Bureau's action groups: arrogant, provocative, and imbued with a strong sense of ritual. It's their "calling card"!
Yoko Nanada merely glanced coldly at the striking blood-written letter before turning her gaze to the next page of photographs, a macro photograph showing signs of digital manipulation.

The subject of the photograph was the wall next to those shocking Chinese characters on the blood-stained white wall.

Below those two large characters, on the side of the otherwise flawless white wall, several faint fingerprints are clearly visible!
The photo is accompanied by written descriptions from forensic investigators at the scene…

Wall dust fingerprint extraction points:
Located on the wall surface about 8 centimeters diagonally below the font, in an inconspicuous position.

The model was developed using the silver nitrate/powder method, photographed for fixation, and then extracted.

The fingerprint lines are faint, blurry, and only partially clear. The number of feature points is less than the standard recognition requirements, and it does not have independent comparison value.

Key feature: The surface of the fingerprint outline is covered with extremely small amounts of powder, similar to the powder on the wall.

It is speculated that the fingerprint was left by the perpetrator when their finger inadvertently touched the wall while they were carving the words. The fingerprint is located in an area obscured by the shadow of the strokes!
Conclusion: The fingerprint is highly correlated with the process of writing, and is not a glove imprint.

However, due to severe damage, it cannot be used for effective identity verification.

“Non-glove imprints…” Yoko Minamida repeated the concluding sentence from the report softly.

"In other words, this 'ghost,' the murderer who disguised himself as a doctor and infiltrated the intensive care unit to administer highly toxic potassium cyanide to a colonel at close range, didn't wear gloves when he wrote the Kuomintang's signature blood oath after accomplishing all of this?!"

Her question struck Wachi Takaji like a thunderbolt.

Yes indeed,

A top-tier assassin from the Military Intelligence Bureau who could carry out such a precise and deadly attack within the extremely brief window of opportunity in the heavily guarded intensive care unit of an army hospital.

A discreet cloak who can slip away unscathed from the potential gaze of a nurse ten meters away, leaving no trace of his or her facial features.

However, he left a fatal fingerprint mark on the "Military Intelligence Bureau business card" he created!

Where is his professionalism? Can a top agent make such a mistake? What an irony! What a contradiction!
Or rather, this is simply a deliberate "artistic creation"!
His goal was to perfectly replicate the style of the Military Intelligence Bureau. His methods were already very similar. The only flaw was the details in the operation!

“We can’t trust the people in the Internal Investigation Division anymore,” Yoko Nanta said, her gaze fixed blankly on the dim yellow light cast by the paper lanterns on the tatami mats, her words like the spitting of a venomous snake. “They used ‘incomplete’ and ‘unidentifiable’ as a pretext to easily erase this most crucial contradiction. They made this flawed report a case that could ultimately be closed as a ‘perfect replica of the Kuomintang’s methods.’”

"Hezhi Colonel!"

"The Special Higher Police have put in just as much effort as you have using ledgers to dig bones!"

“Tell me about the fatal contradictions revealed in this autopsy and toxicology report, these crime scene photos, and the smuggling channels that suddenly became ‘efficient and smooth’ after Yoshida’s death,”

"Don't you think this sounds like a carefully orchestrated drama designed to bury Yoshida, perfectly pin the 'crime' on the Military Intelligence Bureau, and simultaneously clear obstacles for another force?"

Nantian's words instantly put Reiwa Chiyoji on alert.

He had his suspicions that Yoshida's death might not be as simple as the report stated.

But this is an internal investigation report, involving not only the military but also the General Staff. A colonel being assassinated for no reason naturally requires a very detailed investigation report to close the case!

However, Nanda's words at this moment caused Wachi Takaji's heart to waver.

Is there a problem with the Internal Investigations Division as well?

This is not as simple as just talking about it.

Kazuyoshi was unwilling to believe it, but now it seemed that the "ghost doctor's" seemingly perfect infiltration and that careless fingerprint mark were the key factors!

The brutal exposure of "non-glove prints" and the understatement by the investigating agency!

The sudden "smooth and efficient" flow of supplies after death...

Everything points to a dark stage, where the only actor illuminated by the spotlight and burdened with guilt is none other than the "Military Intelligence Bureau."

The real puppeteers and beneficiaries, however, remain hidden behind the heavy veil cast by the "perfect report."

Wachi Takaji did not get angry or argue. He slowly took back the toxicology report and the wall-printed photos that he had pushed over, and put those pages of the Book of Life and Death back into the sealed file bag.

The seal was reluctantly pressed back onto that ugly crease, as if covering up some kind of wound that was difficult to heal.

After doing all this, he pushed the file folder in front of Nantian, but his eyes were fixed on Nakamura Masao!

Two file folders sat side by side on a low table, silently reflecting each other and silently accusing each other of a shocking conspiracy hidden beneath the surface.

This conclusion is chilling.

Kazuyoji slowly raised his gaze and placed it on the Yoshida case file that he had just reluctantly resealed with the old seal.

"Is Section Chief Nantian trying to say that Colonel Yoshida was blocking his way, and that certain 'forces' cleared the way for him, while also giving the Military Intelligence Bureau a credit?"

"This ledger contains not only gold, but also black gold that can buy lives."

Yoko Minami's tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly for a moment, like a hunter sensing the prey about to come into view!

Kazue Takaji's gaze passed over Minamida and looked at Nakamura Masao: "I think Section Chief Minamida's suggestion is good. Let's start with the Yoshida case. He is the first thread that has been caught."

“If this was done internally, it looks too much like a ‘work of art’.”

Kazuyo looked at Masao Nakamura, whose face remained ashen, and said, "Mr. Nakamura, I need permission now."

“We need to start the investigation from the source. Army Central Hospital: detailed duty records for that day, all medical staff, especially those in the special care ward, and re-interrogate their backgrounds and itineraries.”

"And a list of people who knew about Yoshida's death and were responsible for sealing off the scene and conducting preliminary identification, as well as the locations where the original documents and artifacts are kept."

"No matter how cunning the enemy, they will always leave a trace wherever they go!"

"Killers are human too; there's no way he could have left the hospital before it was sealed off!"

"Therefore, we must have overlooked some details!"

Masao Nakamura was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I'll go and ask Commander Tian Junliu if there's anything else we can do."

Kazuki Takaji turned his gaze to Yoko Minamida, who was standing to the side.

"Section Chief Nantian, I'd like to know, how many people can you still mobilize?"

"I don't trust the soldiers in Shanghai. If I rely solely on my Iron Felt Action Team, I'm afraid it will be difficult to take care of everyone."

Nantian said solemnly, "Special Section One can provide assistance to Colonel Wachi at any time."

"Moreover, Special Section One also has many external informants, all of whom are carefully selected Chinese informants."

“I believe they are also trustworthy,”

Kazuyo's expression softened slightly, but before he could speak, a crisp knock came from outside the door.
Nantian's expression changed, and he drew Nanbu's pistol with a backhand.

Their meeting here and the details of the conversation between Zhiying Er are top secret; nobody knows about it.

At that moment, someone suddenly knocked on the door, and Nantian's immediate reaction was that something was wrong.

"Section Chief Nantian, don't panic. It should be my secretary and translator, Ms. Liu,"

As he spoke, Kazuyoshi stepped forward and opened the door.

Standing at the door was a robust man in his early thirties. His hair was meticulously styled with hair wax, a standard side part—a traitor's hairstyle.

He was wearing a light blue long gown, trousers, and leather shoes.

As if to flaunt his wealth and power, he wore several rings on his fingers.

She also wore a pure gold Buddha amulet around her neck, giving her an overall radiant, golden aura.

Wachi Takaji led the visitors into the room, and from their behavior, it was clear that Wachi Takaji valued this translator highly.
"Let me introduce you. This is Masao Nakamura, Chief of Staff of the First Army of the North China Area Army, and this is Ms. Yoko Minamida, Chief of the First Special Section under the Shanghai Special Higher Police."

The man bowed and scraped, speaking in perfect Beijing-accented Japanese: "Mr. Nakamura, Section Chief Minamida, hello, my name is Liu Yida."

"Liu Sang? I want to know how you ended up here?" Nan Tian had a natural distrust of Liu Yida's identity.

"This..." Liu Yida's expression seemed somewhat hesitant.

"Liu-san, it's alright. Everyone here is one of us. If you have any information, feel free to speak up," Wachi Takaji whispered a reminder from the side.
Upon hearing this, Liu Yida said in a deep voice, "Yes, Mr. Kazuki, I just received news that while you were meeting with Mr. Nakamura and Section Chief Nantian, the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai station planned a new round of assassination operations."

"Based on currently confirmed intelligence, this operation has resulted in numerous casualties,"

"These include the Japanese resident district, the head of the Japanese military club, intelligence officer Kikuchi Nobuo, Chinese informant leader Chen Jiuling, French Concession agent Lin Manli, and Zhou Chongxin, etc."

Upon hearing this, Nantian's expression changed drastically, and he even swayed inexplicably. "They...they actually dared to attack the Special Higher Police's intelligence network!"

"Baka yalu, these moles truly deserve to die!"

Liu Yida didn't stop there, but continued, "Section Chief Nantian, I'm afraid it's not just that."

"They were also planning to target you, but you were farsighted, and they didn't succeed."

"pity."

"What's a pity?" Nan Tian had a vague sense of unease.

"They attacked that cotton mill in Yangshupu. You should know what's inside, right?"

"What?" Nan Tian's expression changed drastically instantly.
(End of this chapter)