You were allowed to marry into No. 76 family, and you were promoted to director?

Chapter 377 Intuition
Zhou Xiaoman had complete faith in Song Rong's intuition:

"But what if it's right?"

"Then let's see how they manage. Let them escape as many as they can, but we can't afford to get hurt."

"Remember, only by surviving can we avenge them. And if this place is exposed, the biggest problem lies with Shancheng. You don't want us all left behind, with Shancheng completely unaware of what happened, do you? Only by going back can we chop off that outstretched hand!"

Zhou Xiaoman gritted her teeth and silently followed Song Rong into the courtyard next door, then left through the back door.

After disguising themselves, the two not only avoided their own people's overt and covert sentries, but Zhou Xiaoman also noticed that there were many more vendors and pedestrians around who shouldn't have been there.

While these guys seemed to be running their own businesses, they had already surrounded the courtyard where Zhou Xiaoman and Song Rong had previously stayed.

At this moment, Zhou Xiaoman's heart sank to the bottom. Song Rong had really guessed right. His sixth sense was so accurate!
The reason Song Rong stopped Zhou Xiaoman from notifying others to evacuate was precisely to prepare for this situation.

Once these spies disguised as vendors and pedestrians notice anything unusual about the people they're watching, they'll definitely act in advance. At that point, even if Song Rong and Zhou Xiaoman had extraordinary abilities, they wouldn't be able to escape Nanjing.

Only by leaving them behind to mislead the enemy could Song Rong have the confidence to leave Nanjing with Zhou Xiaoman.

Moreover, Song Rong is now basically certain that a major problem has occurred in Shancheng, and the confidential documents in the archives have definitely been viewed by someone.

If the colleagues they brought with them die, Song Rong and the others can still avenge them when they return. But if they can't return...

It's unlikely that people in Chongqing will know what happened in Nanjing. When the time comes, they'll probably think it's a mistake in their operation, and they're unlikely to suspect that it was a mole within the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Around 6:10 p.m., Song Rong and Zhou Xiaoman had already left Nanjing.

Sitting in a black Buick sedan, Song Rong looked at Zhou Xiaoman in the passenger seat:
“I’ll go to Shanghai for you. You go back to Chongqing right now and find the traitor.”

Zhou Xiaoman looked at Song Rong with a sorrowful expression:

"Sister Rong, are you just going to give up on them like this?"

"How can you say they're giving up? They're covering for us, they just don't know it themselves. Don't let them sacrifice themselves in vain."

Zhou Xiaoman composed herself, shook her head, and said:
"No, even if we're going to Shanghai, I'll go. You need to understand, you're already dead in Shanghai."

Song Rong chuckled:
"It was Aoki Junko who died, not me, Song Rong. And what are you going to do after you get to Shanghai? Contact the Shanghai station first? Don't be so naive. Do you really think there isn't a mole in the Shanghai station?"

“I have my own connections in Shanghai, and I know the location of the Ghost Squad under Young Tiger. If I want to confirm Young Tiger and Tiger Girl’s safety, contacting them is the fastest way.”

Zhou Xiaoman still wouldn't budge:

"No, the teacher told me before we came that you absolutely cannot go alone. Even if we are going to Shanghai, we have to go together."

Looking at Zhou Xiaoman's stubborn expression, Song Rong sighed helplessly. The preconceived notions she had left on people were still too deep.

"Alright, let's hold off on their revenge for a bit. But who knows, if we hold off, the mole might escape?"

Zhou Xiaoman was now in a dilemma. Yes, if she didn't rush back immediately, the mole might really escape.

As for sending a telegram to learn the details of the mountain city, neither Zhou Xiaoman nor Song Rong had considered it.

Their base in Nanjing was exposed, so who knows if their codebook was leaked?

If this telegram is sent back and the codebook is leaked, it will be a warning to the mole to run away quickly, because you have been exposed!
Zhou Xiaoman and Song Rong would never do something so foolish.

To be honest, at that moment, Zhou Xiaoman was completely under Song Rong's thumb.

"Sister Rong, you have to promise me you won't cause trouble in Shanghai!"

Song Rong looked at Zhou Xiaoman with doting eyes, raised his hand and ruffled her hair, saying:
"Don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble."

Time: 8 PM.

Gunfire rang out for a full half hour near the Confucius Temple in Nanjing.

At the last moment, Zhou Lifei, leaning on his cane, entered the courtyard where Song Rong and Zhou Xiaoman had been. After looking around, he turned to his captain with a gloomy expression:

"What about people?"

The captain looked terrified:

"Minister, we didn't see them. Apart from the Kuomintang agents who were fighting desperately around the courtyard, we quickly searched the place after we dealt with those outside, and we didn't find anyone else."

"Moreover, we have already sent people to guard the exit of the secret passage. Just now, Lao Zhang led his men into the secret passage to pursue them, and we should have results soon."

Zhou Lifu nodded. Since they weren't in the courtyard, and the gunfire had been going on for so long, the conductor and the little princess probably had no choice but to escape through the secret passage.

Thinking of this, Zhou Lifo's lips curled up slightly.

This time, with an ambush on all sides, he refused to believe that the conductor and the little princess could escape.

A few minutes later, Lao Zhang, who had led the pursuit, returned, along with the men who had been guarding the exit of the secret passage.

"What about people?"

Zhou Lifu's heart skipped a beat. Could he have really run away?

With so many people guarding the exit of the secret passage, surely they can catch a few who slipped through the net?

“Minister, the person is not in the secret passage at all. I led a team to search the secret passage carefully, and the brothers guarding the exit of the secret passage also said that no one has ever come out of the secret passage.”

Zhou Lifu felt a sharp pain in his chest. How could they let him get away like that?
How will he explain this to the Chairman when he gets back?
Did the conductor and the little princess sense something was wrong beforehand and escape early on?

And they even abandoned the rest of the action team. How ruthless!

As long as they don't give up on these people, Zhou Lifu is certain that the conductor and the little princess will not be able to escape.

"Report, a hidden door has been discovered here."

Zhou Lifu strode forward and passed through the hidden door to the courtyard next door.

Now everything became clear: the conductor and the little princess had left through this courtyard, and the main gate of this courtyard was locked from the inside—that was the back door!
Thinking of this, Zhou Lifu immediately called over the person guarding the back gate of the courtyard to inquire.

Upon learning that two civilians had indeed gone out, Zhou Lifang wished he could have his men guarding the area shot on the spot.

Those people were also wronged. When Zhou Lifu gave the order, he didn't say that the other residents should be arrested. He even specifically instructed them not to alert the enemy.

Then we absolutely cannot arrest anyone.

Now, looking at Zhou Lifo's eyes, he's starting to blame them.

Although they felt wronged, they were also quite terrified.

After all, the person slipped away right under their noses.

Moreover, by this time, those two people had probably already left Nanjing.

"Report, we've captured one alive."

Zhou Lifu's mood improved slightly, especially when he saw the people who had been captured; his gloomy expression softened a little.

Shen Congwen!

When Shen Congwen, who had a gunshot wound to his leg, heard Zhou Lifo call out his name, he finally understood why the conductor and Xiaoman had secretly left. There was a mole in headquarters!

Damn it, they just caught a pangolin, and knowing there were still hills around, why didn't headquarters keep a closer eye on them?
However, remembering that Song Rong and Zhou Xiaoman had already left, Shen Congwen smiled with relief:
"As expected, there was a mole. Zhou Lifu, your informant won't escape this time!"

Zhou Lifu looked at Shen Congwen noncommittally:
"He's just a pawn. With so many of you taking the fall, it's all worth it."

Shen Congwen snorted coldly, turned his head away, and said nothing more.

9 PM, Shanghai, Wusong Road Special Higher Police Department.

The Special Higher Police's operation has been ongoing until now, and Zhao Xuan has only just returned with the people from the Intelligence Advisory Section.

Aizawa Keiko had been waiting for news from Kishimoto Osamu and Zhao Xuan for a long time.

Kishimoto Osamu returned quite early, because he hadn't found anything on his end.

In Aizawa Keiko's office, Kishimoto Osamu had been waiting to see if Zhao Xuan had found any trace of An Ruoxian.

"Section Chief Zhao, it seems you haven't made any progress either!"

Zhao Xuan shrugged and looked at Lan Zehuizi, saying:

"Section Chief, just as Kishimoto-kun said, we haven't made any progress either, and I suspect that An Ruoxian didn't even come to Shanghai."

"Otherwise, given that the southern part of Shanghai is the safest place to infiltrate Shanghai, An Ruoxian would definitely choose that place."

Upon hearing this, Kishimoto Osamu scoffed:

"Heh, Section Chief Zhao, if it were a month ago, I would have gone to investigate there today without you even having to tell me. But this is now! As the head of the Intelligence Advisory Section, don't you know the situation in the south of the city?"

Zhao Xuan glanced at Kishimoto Osamu with a calm expression:
"Just because you can't get in doesn't mean others can't. At least, I have people on my side who can sneak into Shanghai from the south of the city."

Although Aizawa Keiko was somewhat disappointed, she didn't really care.

Anyway, Kishimoto Osamu didn't find any clues.

"It seems that An Ruoxian has not yet arrived in Shanghai."

Hearing Lan Zehui's words, Zhao Xuan shook his head:
"Section Chief, I still stand by my previous opinion; An Ruoxian probably won't come to Shanghai."

Kishimoto Osamu snorted coldly and said sarcastically:
"Section Chief Zhao, you haven't failed to analyze An Ruoxian's situation carefully, have you?"

"Given her current situation, Shanghai is her only option. If she doesn't go back to Shanghai, where else can she go?"

Aizawa Keiko ignored Kishimoto Osamu, even though she thought the same thing, but she still planned to listen to Zhao Xuan's analysis.

“Ah Xuan, tell me your opinion.”

Zhao Xuan nodded slightly, took the cup from Lan Zehuizi's hand, took a sip of water, and then slowly spoke under Kishimoto Osamu's clenched-teeth gaze:
"If An Ruoxian is to come to Shanghai, the south of the city is her only choice."

"If you're not coming... Kishimoto-kun just said that we haven't analyzed An Ruoxian's information carefully. I think it's you who hasn't analyzed it carefully, Kishimoto-kun?!"

Kishimoto Osamu smiled grimly:

"Heh, then let me hear Section Chief Zhao's brilliant opinion!"

Then, Zhao Xuan gave a brief introduction to An Ruoxian's life:
"In summary, An Ruoxian only served the provisional government of South Korea to secure a way out for her two companions." "However, her two companions died in Wuhan while covering her escape. Under these circumstances, do you think An Ruoxian, a former assassin, would choose to come to Shanghai and walk into a trap after she has no more ties to her?"

"There are many ways to deal with the intelligence she has."

"You don't necessarily have to come to Shanghai."

Aizawa Keiko nodded, agreeing that it was indeed possible.

An Ruoxian has no faith and is not like those people in the Military Intelligence Bureau and the underground party who would risk their lives for a mission.

An Ruoxian, a former assassin, had no obligation to do so, especially since her two partners were already dead.

An Ruoxian, now all alone, no longer needs to risk her life to serve the South Korean provisional government.

"Hmph! Section Chief Zhao, that's just your guess!"

“If An Ruoxian doesn’t come to Shanghai, the information she has will become completely worthless. Even if she wants to sell it, she can only find a buyer if she comes to Shanghai!”

Although Kishimoto Osamu didn't say it explicitly, this buyer was definitely from the provisional government of South Korea.

"Yes, I'm just guessing, but the fact that you said buyers can only be found in Shanghai is just ridiculous."

"Are you so sure that An Ruoxian can only contact people from the South Korean provisional government?"

"You know, An Ruoxian was undercover in Shanghai for a period of time. During that time, the Korean Provisional Government and the people in Shanghai were deepening their cooperation. Under such circumstances, couldn't An Ruoxian know people from the Military Intelligence Bureau?"

"As for the intelligence that An Ruoxian has, I also buy it for a lot of profit, whether it's from the Korean Provisional Government, the Military Intelligence Bureau, or even the underground party."

Seeing the two arguing, Aizawa Keiko was about to try to mediate. It was getting late, and both of them had valid points. Aizawa Keiko was more inclined to agree with Kishimoto Osamu, but she was still prepared to scold Kishimoto Osamu and tell them to continue their investigation tomorrow.

Anyway, we have to find An Ruoxian no matter what, unless she really did not come to Shanghai as Zhao Xuan said.

Just as Aizawa Keiko was about to speak, the phone on her desk rang.

Jingle Bell--

Aizawa Keiko sighed:

"Please stop arguing."

After saying that, Aizawa Keiko grabbed the phone.

Gradually, Aizawa Keiko's expression darkened. After hanging up the phone, she glanced at Kishimoto Osamu with a complicated look, then looked at Zhao Xuan:

"Alright, there's no need to argue anymore. It's confirmed that An Ruoxian didn't come to Shanghai!"

Kishimoto Osamu looked at Aizawa Keiko with utter surprise:

"How can it be?!"

"Where else could she go if she doesn't come to Shanghai?"

Aizawa Keiko snorted coldly and glared at Kishimoto Osamu, saying:
"Mountain City!"

Kishimoto was stunned. An Ruoxian actually went all the way to the mountain city?
But didn't we just hear that An Ruoxian appeared at Hefei Railway Station not long ago?
How could they have gotten to the mountain city in such a short time?

Zhao Xuan sighed:

"Indeed, if you're talking about where the Military Intelligence Bureau has the most members and where you can definitely find buyers, Chongqing is arguably An Ruoxian's best choice."

"Because once we get to the mountain city, at least her life can be guaranteed."

Even Ayazawa Keiko now had to nod and admit that Zhao Xuan was right from the very beginning.

"Ah Xuan, didn't you already realize that the most likely place for An Ruoxian to go was Shancheng?"

Zhao Xuan smiled and shook his head:

"I have considered this, but I cannot be sure because my information is limited."

"As I just mentioned, An Ruoxian has a very good relationship with her two partners; they're like family."

"Seeing her loved ones die at our gunpoint, even if An Ruoxian no longer wanted to serve the Korean provisional government, she would most likely still want to avenge her two comrades."

"If the intelligence she possesses is military in nature and could potentially strike the Imperial Army, then An Ruoxian is most likely heading to the mountain city."

"In short, if I were An Ruoxian, even if I didn't go to Shancheng, I wouldn't come to Shanghai after both of my companions died."

Aizawa Keiko let out a long breath and said with a wry smile:

"It's my fault. If I had told you from the beginning what the secret An Ruoxian stole was, we wouldn't have wasted our time."

"Moreover, if we had told you earlier, perhaps we could have intercepted An Ruoxian on her way to Shancheng. Now it's too late to say anything. Shancheng already knows about that secret."

"Indeed, the secret document that An Ruoxian obtained concerns a strategic operation of the 11th Army Group of the Empire. Once it falls into the hands of the Kuomintang, regardless of whether we adjust our battle plan, it will inevitably alert the Kuomintang. In that case, the price our army will have to pay to achieve its strategic objectives will be too heavy."

"However, it's too late to say anything now, because before this, everyone thought An Ruoxian would come to Shanghai."

"Of course, Ah Xuan, you were all alone back then."

Lan Zehuizi now hates herself for not completely trusting Zhao Xuan this time, and instead sticking to her own opinion.

If they had believed Zhao Xuan earlier, An Ruoxian's intelligence might not have been handed over to the Military Intelligence Bureau. But now it's too late to say anything.

When Kishimoto Osamu left Aizawa Keiko's office, he still had an expression of existential doubt.

At this time, Zhao Xuan also returned to his department.

Shimura Nitta and the others were still waiting there. When they saw Zhao Xuan enter, everyone stood up and bowed slightly to him, which made Lin Jieru and Huang Qian feel awkward. They could only follow Shimura Nitta and the others' example.

"Alright, you don't need to do that anymore. We're all family here, so relax."

"After investigation, we did not find An Ruoxian today. But just now, the section chief received information that An Ruoxian did not come to Shanghai at all, but went to Chongqing instead."

A sly glint flashed in Lin Jieru's eyes. With Chen Guang in the Special Higher Police Department, they still wanted to catch An Ruoxian? That was wishful thinking.

However, Lin Jieru is now very curious about how the Japanese were led to confirm that An Ruoxian did not come to Shanghai, but instead went to Chongqing.
Could it be that An Ruoxian has already telegraphed the intelligence she has to Shancheng?

So fast?
The speed at which the Military Intelligence Bureau acted completely changed Lin Jieru's impression of the Bureau.

Furthermore, if that's true, wouldn't that mean there are Japanese spies lurking in the headquarters of the Military Intelligence Bureau in the mountain city?

Otherwise, how could the Japanese have received the news so quickly?

Seeing the changes in everyone's expressions, Zhao Xuan casually said:
"Our investigation was on the right track, but who knew that An Ruoxian didn't come to Shanghai."

"But everyone has worked hard, that's all for today, let's go home!"

The 40th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was the most arduous year of the war of resistance against Japan

From the beginning of the year, Zhao Xuan realized that the Japanese were planning a number of military and political actions.

The telegram Edith sent to Yamashiro under the name of Tiger Girl was the largest military operation the Japanese army would be carrying out this year.

After returning home, Zhao Xuan was still thinking about this problem.

There was absolutely no movement from the mountain city, which Zhao Xuan couldn't understand at all.

Did the people in the mountain town not believe the telegram Edith sent?

But even if he didn't believe it, he should have called back. There's still no response, which makes Zhao Xuan both puzzled and quite sad.

It's like playing a game. I've laid out the strategy guide in front of you, but you insist on going your own way. I won't look at the guide; I'm just going to be stubborn.

This left Zhao Xuan feeling utterly helpless!

When they got home, Dao Yan and Dao Ya were still waiting for them in the living room.

Today, Dao Yan was involved in the operation, and Lan Ze Huizi knew about it. Even if Zhao Xuan hadn't told her, Shimura Nitta and the others would have reported it to Lan Ze Huizi.

However, Aizawa Keiko didn't say anything.

Lan Ze Huizi also knew that the 76th Telecommunications Division had been shut down, so she really didn't know how to face Dao Yan's fate.

I am truly happy.

However, this meant that Dao Yan and Zhao Xuan spent even more time together, which was why Lan Ze Huizi was somewhat depressed.

But after what happened today, Aizawa Keiko thought that if she could really recruit Dao Yan to the Special Higher Police this time, she would be happy to see it happen.

Ai Zehuizi fully acknowledged Dao Yan's abilities.

Speaking solely of combat skills, among the people Aizawa Keiko knows, only Kyogoku Mi, who works by her mother's side, can rival her.

"Brother-in-law, you are back!"

Seeing Zhao Xuan enter, Dao Ya, who was munching on an apple, smiled and her eyes crinkled into crescents as she looked over.

Dao Yan quickly got up and went to greet him, helping Zhao Xuan take off his coat and hang it on the coat rack by the door, gazing tenderly into Zhao Xuan's eyes:
"Ah Xuan, Manping called. The things An Ruoxian hid in the suburbs have been found and have been sent to Shancheng. Also, there's a small problem with An Ruoxian."

Zhao Xuan was slightly taken aback. The people had already been handed over to Liu Manping and the other two. What problems could possibly arise?
Although An Ruoxian is capable, she is only half as capable as Liu Manping and the other two. Are the three of them really not able to suppress An Ruoxian?

"What's wrong?"

“An Ruoxian didn’t want to go to the mountain city, but she knew her own situation, so she asked Manping to ask if she could join us?”

Zhao Xuan laughed, pulled Dao Yan back to the living room sofa and sat down, then his gaze fell on Dao Ya:
"Xiaoya, you knew about this too?"

Daoya nodded:

"Of course I know, and I don't think it's impossible."

"But in principle, it would be better to send An Ruoxian to Shancheng."

“She’s already been exposed. Her appearance is no secret. If she shows her face in Shanghai, all your and your sister’s efforts today will be in vain.”

"The Japanese might become suspicious then."

(End of this chapter)