Espionage codename: Shen Gongbao

After seeing Hu Junhe off, Wang Xuesen picked up his teacup and took a sip.

The tea has gone cold.

He didn't pay any attention, took the brown paper envelope out of the drawer, opened it, and counted the contents.

Two thousand US dollars, not a single bill missing.

Ha ha!

Old Hu has indeed gained quite a bit of weight recently!

Wang Xuesen stuffed the envelope into his suit's inner pocket, patted it off, and got up to head straight for the interrogation room.

The interrogation area was in basement number 76, with three interrogation rooms lined up in a row.

Recently, Wu Sibao and Hu Junhe arrested another group of people.

They were called anti-Japanese activists, but most of them were actually students who were just marching in the streets.

Wu Sibao's men stood guard at the intersection, snapping photos incessantly, then followed the clues to catch one group after another.

This generates revenue and boosts performance—killing two birds with one stone.

Without specific instructions from the Japanese and Wang Jingwei, those detained were usually given a small amount of money and released after signing a guarantee.

However, when the order to suppress the Japanese came, a few unlucky men were inevitably dragged out and shot to appease the Japanese.

Wang Xuesen pushed open the door to interrogation room number one.

An 18 or 19-year-old student is on trial.

Ma Laosan stood to the side, holding a leather whip in his hand, but the whip hadn't fallen yet.

The girl was so frightened that she trembled all over and urinated on the spot.

She nodded every time Ma Laosan asked her a question, like a kowtowing worm, answering every question.

It's obvious they got caught up in the fun while just strolling around on the street.

Wang Xuesen sat down at the interrogation table, grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, and started cracking them open while reading.

Ma Laosan didn't actually make a move.

He threw the whip on the table and slapped her twice across the face.

popping.

"Alright, stop howling."

Ma Laosan pulled a piece of paper from the table and stuffed it into her hand.

"Guarantee, sign and affix your seal."

"From now on, behave yourself. If you dare to cause trouble in the streets again, I'll burn your family's food supply next time you come in." He picked up the red-hot branding iron and gestured it on her chest.

The girl took the pen with trembling hands, signed her name crookedly, and pressed her fingerprint on it.

Ma Laosan put the paper away, gestured with his chin to the person next to him, and threw her into the waiting area next door.

Feeling bored, Wang Xuesen shook the woolen coat draped over his shoulders and went outside.

Ma Laosan followed them out.

"Old Ma, has the list come out yet?" Wang Xuesen asked.

Old Ma bent down, took out a piece of paper that had been folded several times, and handed it over.

"They're out, Director Wang. There are nine people in total."

"Six of them are children of local chamber of commerce or mid-level government officials; their families are somewhat well-off."

"The other three."

He held up three fingers and counted them off one by one.

"A dockworker, a teacher, and a poor student."

"I don't have much money."

"They're all locked up in room number two, and Magan is interrogating them."

Wang Xuesen took the list, glanced at it, folded it, put it in his pocket, and walked towards interrogation room number two.

When he reached the door, he didn't go in.

I peeked inside.

Interrogation room number two was larger than number one, with three men tied to chairs.

The dockworker on the left, with a fierce face, kept his head down and remained silent.

In the middle was a thin, bony young man whose face was filled with terror.

The one on the right.

Wang Xuesen glanced at it a couple more times.

He wore a long, bluish-gray gown, washed until faded but starched perfectly.

His buzz cut stood straight up, he had a thick mustache, and his back was ramrod straight, making him sit on the iron chair as if he were sitting in a grand master's chair.

His eyes were wide open, his eyebrows were raised in anger, and his face was filled with righteous indignation.

Ma Gan'er held up a notebook and asked him questions, but he kept his lips tightly pressed together and didn't even glance at it.

Wang Xuesen looked away and gestured towards Ma Laosan with his lip.

"What's up with this guy in the long robe?"

Ma Laosan leaned close to his ear and whispered, "This guy's name is Xu Fang, a university teacher and a fervent follower of the late Master Lu."

"They frequently criticized Mr. Wang in the newspapers of the foreign concessions; their articles were extremely venomous."

"They even put up big-character posters for resisting Japanese aggression and saving the nation in universities, inciting students to take to the streets and cause trouble."

"This time they were targeted by Wu Sibao's men and were arrested along with the students."

Wang Xuesen nodded and waved his hand to give the instructions:

"These three shouldn't waste their energy."

"Make them sign the papers, give them a few warnings, and tell them to get lost."

Ma Laosan frowned: "Captain Wu said that the person surnamed Xu might be a corrupt official, and we need to investigate him thoroughly."

"Many people are criticizing Mr. Wang."

"His dog-like eyes see everyone as a red flag or a Kuomintang agent; there's no need to pay him any attention."

Wang Xuesen curled his lip and said disdainfully.

Ma Laosan nodded readily: "Yes, Director Wang."

He turned to leave, but Wang Xuesen called him back.

"etc."

Wang Xuesen reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a loose wad of Chinese currency, at least two or three hundred fen.

He didn't even count them, and just stuffed them into Ma Laosan's hand.

"This is the sum of money squeezed out of the interrogation room last week, the portion that Director Li gave me."

"I don't need that much."

"Take it and share it with the brothers."

Ma Laosan's hand trembled, and he quickly pushed it back:

"Director Wang, this is absolutely forbidden, this is truly forbidden!"

"Since you arrived, the salaries and bonuses in the interrogation room have been increased to the maximum level."

"Besides, you usually give everyone a lot of pocket money."

"The last time my dad went to the doctor, it was you who found the hospital and reimbursed the expenses."

"Your kindness to the brothers is like a second creation; how can we possibly take your money again?"

Wang Xuesen patted him on the shoulder and forced the money back: "This is a government bonus, not my money. Besides, if you don't take it, your families still need to make a living."

"Now that the war is getting fiercer, the Japanese are tightening their control over civilian supplies."

"Shanghai might run out of food one day."

"While we can still buy flour and rice on the black market, we'll take the money and stock up at home."

"Even in the event of a famine, the elderly and children will not go hungry."

Ma Laosan clutched the stack of legal tender, his eyes instantly reddening:

"Director Wang, you are truly good to the brothers."

"I, Old Ma, and my brothers will serve you like cattle and horses from now on."

Wang Xuesen glared at him, a smirk playing on his lips, and scoffed, "You got bribed with so little money?"

"Do a good job."

Ma Laosan sniffed hard and explained earnestly, "Director Wang, it wasn't a bribe."

"The brothers are not blind."

"We've seen all sorts of monsters and demons in this interrogation room. We can tell at a glance who's real and who's fake, who's sincere and who's hypocritical."

"you……"

He paused for a moment, his voice very low.

"You have a conscience; you are a true bodhisattva."

Wang Xuesen waved his hand and said with a smile, "It's getting more and more mysterious."

"Alright, release those three right now."

"After I finish releasing them, I'll go and get a leave application for you."

Ma Laosan was taken aback: "Are you asking for leave?"

"You guys have been working too many shifts lately, you're working non-stop without any rest."

"We'll empty the interrogation room today."

"I'll go and report to Director Li and ask him to give you three days off without any problem."

Spend quality time with your family.

Wang Xuesen gave the instructions with a smile.

Old Ma nodded with delight: "Yes, Director Wang!"

He turned and went into interrogation room number two.

A short while later, the three people were brought out from inside.

Xu Fang walked at the very back, his back still ramrod straight.

As he passed by Wang Xuesen, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Wang Xuesen was leaning against the wall looking at the list when he caught a glimpse of him standing still and looked up.

The two looked at each other.

Xu Fang frowned, his face full of resentment.

Pooh!

He spat hard at Wang Xuesen's feet:

"Traitorous dog!"

"A disgrace to the Chinese people!"

"Will my ancestors rest in peace in the afterlife?!"

Wang Xuesen's expression changed drastically.

I... please shut your sister up!

He was so angry that he almost raised his hand to slap the schoolteacher across the face.

They even raised their hands.

But when you see Xu Fang's straight buzz cut, thick mustache, and neatly dressed long gown...

OK OK.

So you're going to scoff at the pointing fingers of a thousand men, huh?

Forget it.

I'll give Master Lu some face!

He pointed his trembling finger at Xu Fang's nose, but couldn't utter a single word.

Finally, in a fit of anger, he flung his hand away and stormed off.

Behind him came Ma Laosan's furious cursing:

"Who are you calling a jerk!"

"Get the hell out of here! If you come back, I'll break your legs!"

……

Wang Xuesen took the list and went straight upstairs to Li Shiqun's office.

"Director, this is Xuesen." He knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Wang Xuesen pushed open the door and went in.

Li Shiqun and Ye Jiqing sat side by side on the sofa, with a large pile of photos and drawings spread out on the coffee table. The two of them were huddled together, studying something.

Ye Jiqing looked up and saw him, her eyes immediately lit up, and she waved happily:

"Xuesen! Come quick, come quick!"

"Your older brother and I are looking for a house. Come over and give us your advice."

Wang Xuesen walked over and took a look. The coffee table was full of photos of several villas in the French Concession, including garden villas and detached villas, none of which looked cheap.

"Sister-in-law, you are a top student from Fudan University."

"World-class aesthetics."

"I'm just a country bumpkin, I won't settle for anything, I'm afraid it would lower the class."

He smiled in a flattering manner.

Ye Jiqing is most susceptible to this.

In the wives' circle, there are very few people with a higher education level than her.

This is her most prized asset.

Every time Wang Xuesen hits this spot precisely, she feels completely comfortable.

Sure enough, Ye Jiqing covered her mouth and giggled:

"Look at my Xuesen's sweet talk, it's as sweet as honey."

Li Shiqun looked up and asked with a smile:

"Xuesen, is something the matter?"

Wang Xuesen stopped smiling, took out the interrogation list from his pocket, and handed it over with both hands.

"Big brother, I've screened the identities of the people arrested in the interrogation room this time."

"The three who weren't worth the money have already signed a guarantee and been released."

"The remaining six include businessmen and people from the municipal government, who all have some wealth."

He reached out and tapped the list.

"I've investigated these individuals and, based on their approximate assets, the bail amounts have been determined."

"Take a look, if it's not suitable, I'll revise it."

Li Shiqun took the list and glanced at it.

The bail amounts for the six individuals varied, and together they could collect around ten thousand yuan in legal tender.

It's free money; I didn't spend a single penny of my investment.

It's much easier than kidnapping or extortion.

He nodded in satisfaction and placed the list on the coffee table.

"I trust you to handle things. Just do what you think is best."

Just one sentence.

"Be mindful of the consequences."

Wang Xuesen smiled and said, "It's not a big problem."

"Anti-Japanese sentiment is a serious crime. If it is escalated, they could lose their jobs at any time."

"Only you, elder brother, are truly kind and righteous."

"Otherwise, even if the price triples, they'll have to accept it."

Li Shiqun picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and hummed in approval.

Ye Jiqing leaned closer, peeked at the list, frowned, and pointed at it:

"Are we just going to let these three people go like that?"

Her fingernail stopped on a name.

Xu Fang.

"I heard that this Xu Fang claims to be Mr. Lu's standard-bearer."

Ye Jiqing straightened up, his tone revealing a hint of dissatisfaction.

"They often curse your elder brother and Mr. Wang in the newspapers of the foreign concession, using extremely offensive language."

"They even posted anti-Japanese war posters on campus, inciting many students to cause trouble."

"Just leave it like that?"

"Isn't that letting him off too easily?"

Wang Xuesen suppressed his smile and said casually, "Sister-in-law, I've looked into this person."

"He's just a fame-seeking, empty-headed bum."

"The article was indeed scathing, and the insults were certainly harsh, but that's about all they're good for."

Ye Jiqing frowned: "We can't just let it go like this, can we? He was the one who cursed your older brother the most, naming him by name in the newspapers."

Wang Xuesen waved his hand and continued:

"Sister-in-law, do you want to?"

"Killing someone like that is easy."

"It's just a matter of one bullet."

"But he has a certain influence in cultural circles, and students worship him like a god."

"If we kill him today, the newspapers in the foreign concession will be bombarded with news tomorrow."

"When the news spreads to Nanjing and Chongqing the day after tomorrow, literati and scholars from all over the country will flock to it, and their spittle will drown my brother."

"The Yang Xingfo incident is the best example."

At this point, he lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said with a flattering smile:

"Sister-in-law, you are a top student from Fudan University, you know the ins and outs of the cultural circle better than I do."

"What do these scholars love to do most?"

"Creating gods".

"He was a madman when he was alive, but became a martyr when he died."

"When the time comes, my brother will be branded as a persecutor of intellectuals, and he'll never be able to shake it off."

Ye Jiqing's eyebrows twitched slightly, clearly indicating that he had taken it to heart.

Wang Xuesen pressed his advantage, lowering his voice: "Let me tell you an even deeper truth."

"Mr. Wang is preparing to establish a new government and is making great efforts to win over the cultural sector."

"Those people up there are all as cunning as monkeys."

"They themselves are afraid of a bad reputation, afraid of offending intellectuals, and afraid of students causing trouble."

"So they deliberately assigned this dirty work to the eldest brother."

"Whoever tries to catch this mess will get covered in it."

"Everyone else is avoiding us, there's no need for us to be the first to charge and become targets."

Li Shiqun put down the photo in his hand and looked up at him.

Wang Xuesen met his gaze and said frankly, "Brother, think about it, are Zhou Fohai's side in a hurry? Are the Iwai Mansion in a hurry? No, they aren't."

"Let him curse as he pleases, the gentle breeze still caresses the mountain ridge."

"If we ever get tired of cursing the Japanese, the military police and the Special Higher Police will naturally step in to deal with it."

"When the time comes, the criticism and condemnation from the cultural circles will be directed at the Japanese, and it will have nothing to do with us."

"Avoid it if you can, let them compete with the students."

At this point, Wang Xuesen winked at Ye Jiqing, a shrewd, calculating look on his face.

"The key is, sister-in-law, these guys really don't have any money."

"You can't squeeze any oil out of it."

"There are only a few people in the interrogation room. Keeping them locked up every day is a waste of food and manpower."

"It's a losing proposition."

Ye Jiqing raised her eyebrows, and with a playful snort, her eyes held a hint of approval amidst her charm: "You've certainly thought things through."

She turned her head and gently nudged Li Shiqun with her elbow: "Shiqun, what do you think?"

Li Shiqun, holding his teacup, said calmly, "Let it go."

"Let them curse, it won't cost them anything."

Wang Xuesen nodded: "Brother, could you please call the security department and I'll release him?"

He paused, then added.

"In addition, I called the parents of the remaining six people today to urge them to pay their bail."

"After I receive the money, I would like to ask you to give Ma Laosan and the others a few days off."

"We've been working non-stop for a month or so; even the strongest person couldn't keep up."

Li Shiqun was in a great mood after receiving the money.

He picked up the phone and dialed, saying, "Approved."

Two beeps, and the call was connected.

Li Shiqun said succinctly: "It's me. Xu Fang and the other two are allowed to pass."

He hung up the phone after saying that.

Ye Jiqing got up and walked to the coffee table, picked up a fruit plate and brought it to Wang Xuesen, warmly inviting him, "Xuesen, sit down and have some fruit."

"Don't just stand there."

Wang Xuesen glanced at the fruit plate, smiled, and waved his hand:

"No, sister-in-law, you and brother are busy."

"I still need to follow up on the bail matter, so it's better to be early than late."

Ye Jiqing's hand, which was holding an orange, froze in mid-air.

In the past, when Xue Sen came to the office, he would practically stick to my side.

He accepted the fruit offered to him, drank the tea poured for him, and his words were as sweet as if they were sprinkled with white sugar.

What now?

He didn't touch the fruit plate, and his eyes held a hint of aloofness.

Ye Jiqing put the strawberries back in the fruit bowl and changed the subject: "Any news from the American goods side?"

Wang Xuesen responded with an "Oh," and said, "We're in talks. I'll let you know when there's news."

After he finished speaking, he gave a polite bow.

He turned and went out the door.

There was a two-second silence in the office.

Ye Jiqing stared at the closed door, feeling a sense of emptiness in his heart.

She turned her head sharply, frowned, and glared at Li Shiqun.

"See?"

"They're addressing you as 'you' now."

Li Shiqun looked up, his face full of confusion.

Ye Jiqing slammed the fruit plate down on the coffee table, his tone barely concealing his anger:

"You've been investigating all day long, letting that Jiang Jun talk nonsense. People are starting to have opinions about it."

"She's obviously not as close to me as she used to be."

"You're only doing this because Ding Mocun didn't get back up."

"Otherwise, with your style of doing things, hiring people and investigating them behind their backs, people would have been scared away long ago."

Li Shiqun's expression darkened slightly, and he pursed his lips: "Didn't I already stop the investigation?"

Ye Jiqing snorted coldly, "You know perfectly well whether you called it to stop or not."

She bent down, picked up the stack of house photos and brochures from the coffee table, and slammed them into the drawer.

"Forget it, I won't be picky anymore."

"I'm not in the mood."

After saying that, she swayed her shapely hips and stormed out the door.

Li Shiqun leaned back on the sofa and rubbed his temples.

Damn it.

Could it be that Ji Qing knows he secretly sent Chen Mingchu to investigate Wang Xuesen?

Ye Jiqing had just left.

boom.

The office door was pushed open from the outside.

Wu Sibao strode in.

"Big brother!"

What does Wang Xuesen mean?

He walked to the desk, placed his hands on the surface, and stared wide-eyed.

"That Xu Fang is promoting communist ideology on campus; he's an active participant in the anti-Japanese war!"

"My men finally managed to kidnap him from the foreign concession."

"The interrogation room said the case was closed, and they just released him without even saying goodbye?"

"That's outrageous!"

Li Shiqun was annoyed.

He glared at Wu Sibao, his tone harsh.

"I instructed them to place the people."

"It has nothing to do with Wang Xuesen."

Wu Sibao opened his mouth, then paused for two seconds, stunned: "No, brother, why did you let him go?"

He leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"This guy might be a pro-CCP shill!"

"I now strongly suspect that Wang Xuesen is a secret agent and accomplice of the Communist Party."

Li Shiqun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and remained silent.

Wu Sibao counted on his fingers.

"Look, brother."

"Mao Liying, he let her get away."

"Xu Fang, he let him go again."

"Isn't it obvious? Every time a case passes through his hands, if it's even suspected of involving bribery, he ruins it all!"

Li Shiqun frowned and put down his teacup: "You say Xu Fang is a 'red ticket' (a term used to describe someone who uses favoritism or bribery), do you have any evidence?"

Wu Sibao choked for a moment.

"It was Captain Okamura who instructed him to handle Mao Liying's matter."

Li Shiqun spoke in a calm and unhurried tone.

"You can't exactly say Captain Okamura is also red-faced, can you?"

"I……"

Wu Sibao was speechless.

Several seconds later, he stubbornly tried to defend himself.

"What about Xu Fang? Surely Xu Fang wasn't ordered by Okamura?"

Li Shiqun sighed and leaned back on the sofa: "Xu Fang is just a bit radical."

"There are at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, teachers like him in universities."

"Can you even kill them all?"

"Didn't you see the students storming the gate? Last time, a group of students blocked the entrance to the concession with banners all day, causing quite a stir in the city."

"Mr. Wang wasn't in a hurry, and neither was Zhou Fohai."

"What's the rush?"

"If we really kill them all, what use are you and me?"

Wu Sibao wanted to speak again.

Li Shiqun raised his hand to interrupt him: "That's enough."

"Don't I know your ulterior motives?"

Wu Sibao's expression changed.

Li Shiqun stared at him and said slowly, "Your sister-in-law asked Wang Xuesen."

"He and Aizhen don't have that kind of relationship."

"He repeatedly assured your sister-in-law that the two of them had never slept together."

"That day in his office, he just treated Ai-zhen to a cup of tea and some fruit and dried goods. They argued a few words and then parted ways."

"We'll see."

"In broad daylight, in the office, in just a few minutes."

"What can they do?"

Wu Sibao lowered his head and hummed in response.

Li Shiqun patted the sofa armrest, his tone becoming more serious:

"Why are you always so suspicious and watching him?"

"I have emphasized repeatedly that Yongxinglong Company is just starting out."

"You and Xuesen are both my people."

"Avoid internal waste."

"We must remember to stay united!"

Wu Sibao nodded: "Okay, I understand."

He turned and walked towards the door.

After taking a couple of steps, I slowed down.

My older brother seems to have a point.

He had been secretly keeping an eye on Ai Zhen recently, but he hadn't discovered that she had any further private contact with Wang Xuesen.

Even when he went to play cards with Su Wanjia, the two of them barely met.

Could it be that the lipstick she wore that day was just a quick touch-up after eating fruit, to avoid being misunderstood?

But that smell...

Wu Sibao frowned and thought for a long time.

Yesterday, when I went to Wang Xuesen's office, I glimpsed some dried fish in the food box.

Could it be that he ate some dried anchovies?

So, it has a slightly fishy smell?

Yes, that's very possible.

Did I really misunderstand Wang Xuesen?

Wu Sibao shook his head and went out the door in silence.

The office fell silent again.

Li Shiqun sat alone on the sofa, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knee.

A while later.

He picked up the phone on the table and dialed a number:

"Brother Mingchu, it's me."

"Have your undercover agents cancel the plan to submit the list."

"Safety first."

"It's not easy to place such a piece."

As he spoke, his brows suddenly furrowed.

"What?"

"Has it already been submitted?"

There was a two-second silence.

Li Shiqun closed his eyes and pressed his fingers on his temples in a worried manner.

"Alright."

"Then let's continue and see how the Military Intelligence Bureau reacts."

……