Spy Wars: Return of the Red Luan

Chapter 137 Formal Meeting with Superiors (Part 1)
"Yes, this is what I was just about to report to you. He hopes to have an opportunity to report to you in person on some of the navy's plans and actions. He said it is very important and must be reported in person."

"I think we should meet with him and talk. You can make the arrangements. This box of supplies is a real lifesaver; it feels like he knew exactly what we needed!"

"In addition, arrange for the comrades in the telegraph section to take these to the Central Soviet Area as soon as possible."

In early January 1931 (the 20th year of the Republic of China), the management held a meeting, and Gu Shunzhang was once again severely criticized, which made him even more confused.

Chen Jiehua had no idea whether Gu Shunzhang was in a state of confusion or not; at that moment, Chen Jiehua's heart was pounding.

The section chief agreed to meet, and the time was set for January 10th, which is today, at the small building.

What should I say as my first words to the section chief? No, it's our second meeting, but I didn't speak the first time, so it doesn't count. What should I say to him? What if he asks about my identity? What kind of gift should I bring him?

Chen Jiehua spent the entire day in the villa, struggling with inner conflict, pacing back and forth.

Logically speaking, I'm already a Rear Admiral in the Japanese Navy, Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet, so why am I still so nervous? Is it really due to bloodline suppression?

At 11 p.m. that night, after Chen Jiehua and Meixu discussed the emergency response plan, they quietly climbed over the wall to leave the villa. Because of nervousness, they almost fell down the first time they climbed over the wall.

"Take a deep breath, calm down, take a deep breath." After repeating this twice, Chen Jiehua calmed himself down and went to the small building. He hid, waited, observed, sensed, and after confirming that it was safe, he took out his suitcase and knocked on the door with the agreed-upon code.

Before coming, Chen Jiehua thought for a long time about what gifts to bring. In the end, he decided to bring money, as it was the most suitable. Funds are always in short supply, and can be used to buy guns, medicine, and safe houses.

After entering, the section chief took out a candle and a tinderbox from his pocket, lit the candle, and led Chen Jiehua upstairs.

"Hello, Comrade Chen Jiehua, we meet again."

"Hello, Section Chief. It's a great honor to meet you again."

The section chief extended his hand, and Chen Jiehua grasped his hand tightly with both of his.

Some words have been deleted here.

"This is a basic skill for special agents. Some of the Japanese Navy's special agents were also ronin spies who had undergone long-term special training in hearing at the seaside, making their hearing even stronger."

"Okay, we'll do as Comrade Jiehua says. It's right here. It's always good to be cautious."

"Due to time constraints, let's begin. Tell me about your plans for the Japanese Navy."

"Section Chief, let's start with the current international situation. Before May of last year, Japan, the United States, and Great Britain signed the Washington Treaty, which limited the ratio of their main naval ships to 6:10:10. But in reality, all three are engaged in an arms race, and Japan's navy, undeniably, is the strongest since the Sino-Japanese War."

"The United States and the United Kingdom, affected by the Great Depression that began in 1929, were struggling with their budgets. However, they feared Japan's unchecked expansion would impact and threaten their interests in Asia and the Western Pacific. Therefore, they planned the Second Naval Disarmament Conference, which is the backdrop for last year's London Naval Treaty. Although Japan ultimately increased the proportion of its main warships by 10%, they were still exceeding the limit." "This is also the root of the conflict within Japan between the naval treaty faction and the fleet faction. The treaty faction, led by the Prime Minister, hoped to limit the speed of new ship construction, reduce naval spending, and alleviate the pressure from the Great Depression. Japan's domestic economy was already struggling to sustain itself, and the cabinet hoped to continue reducing military spending."

"However, the fleet faction, led by Admiral Togo Heihachiro and Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu, suffers from a fear of insufficient military strength and wants to continuously build more and larger battleships to maintain their interests."

"The reduction in military spending is not only aimed at the navy, but also at the army. This change has a chain reaction. Not only will the navy have to raise its own funds to continue building, but the army, especially the Kwantung Army, will also have to start raising its own funds. Therefore, the complete occupation of Northeast China is imperative for the Kwantung Army. Even elementary school students in Japan know that Manchuria and Mongolia are the lifeline."

"Is this why you were forced to return to Tokyo after inventing the coded telegraph?"

"That's not entirely true. It was really a coincidence. Before this, the Navy had promised to hand over its naval spy organization in Shanghai to me in order to join my pharmacy money-making plan. But the Navy changed its mind at the last minute and formed its own Marine Corps, and the spy organization joined the Marine Corps. I just wanted to take advantage of their foolish move and stir up some trouble to fish in troubled waters."

"But coincidentally, on the day I arrived in Tokyo, the two factions were arguing in the cabinet. I was listening in and saw that the treaty faction was stronger. In a moment of anger, I cursed a few times."

"You didn't just spout a few random insults! We've heard that their Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea were practically spitting blood from your verbal abuse, haven't they?"

"Hehe, this result is nothing. Looks like the leaders did their research beforehand."

"Since you have so earnestly requested to report on the major naval plans in person, we certainly need to understand the current situation in Japan first."

"That would be perfect, it would make it much easier for me to explain."

"At that meeting, there was a key figure in the fleet faction, the then Chief of the Naval General Staff, Kato Kanji, who submitted his resignation on the spot and then pulled me away. Later I learned that he was Aoki Nobuzumi's childhood friend and a close sworn brother of Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu."

"Is Aoki Nobuyuki your grandfather, the one who's been using this as a cover?" The section chief asked this question because it touched on Chen Jiehua's identity, which was a bit sensitive, but he was also a little curious. He thought that hearing it from Chen Jiehua himself would be the most truthful thing.

Sigh, it's finally here.

"Yes, Aoki Nobuzumi is Aoki Seigen's biological grandfather. Has the organization investigated Aoki Nobuzumi's identity?"

"There is very little information about Nobuyuki Aoki in China, and the organization has limited access to information."

“Aoki Nobuyoshi can be considered Japan’s first-generation spy, the progenitor of Japanese espionage. Kenji Doihara, who is now in Northeast China, is his grand-disciple. The spies he trained are spread throughout North China and beyond, and even abroad. Okamura Yasuji, who is now in the General Staff of the Japanese Army, is his last publicly acknowledged disciple.”

So that's how it is! There was actually this connection behind it all!

"Japan's intelligence work on China began before the Republic of China was established. The East Asia Tongwen Academy here was a spy agency directly under the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose main purpose was to comprehensively gather economic intelligence on the Republic of China. However, the academy was transferred to Aoki Takashi two years ago, and it is currently managed by Mio."

Let's get back to the naval issue.

(End of this chapter)