Spy Wars: Return of the Red Luan

Meanwhile, inside the shipyard, Marine Corps military police had also discovered their first major clue: a burnt, discolored bearing fragment bearing the Bethlehem Steel Company's mark.

This discovery caused Major Kiyoshi Yamamoto, the Marine Corps commander on site, to change his expression drastically.

Kiyoshi Yamamoto just wanted to find Masao Shibayama as soon as possible to report, but it was already this late, why hadn't Commander Shibayama arrived yet?
The entire security mission at the Kagoshima base was under the command of Masao Shibayama. He arranged the personnel and established the order, so Shibayama bears undeniable responsibility for the explosion.

Fearing that Shibayama might flee to escape punishment, the high command of the Navy General Staff threw him into solitary confinement immediately after hearing the devastating news of the Kagoshima base explosion.

Chen Jiehua appeared in front of Major Yamamoto Kiyoshi at just the right moment, so that Yamamoto didn't even have time to hide the bearing fragments.

"what is this?"

"this..."

"Yamamoto-kun, is there something you're hiding from me? Tell me!"

"Quick, what did you say? What new discovery did Aoki-kun make?" Maeda followed them in.

"This is the logo of Bethlehem Steel, Inc."

Aoki Seigen turned his head and looked at Maeda Minoru with an incredulous expression.

Maeda Minoru nodded.

"I recommend that the Navy immediately establish a special investigation team to thoroughly investigate this matter! At the same time, I request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lodge a strong protest with the United States!"
-
Tian Shu Zhou Yongsu directed the warships to sail rapidly through the darkness before dawn.

The sea was unusually calm, with only the sound of the propellers splashing water clearly audible in the night.

"The Ryukyu Islands are just ahead," Chen Lanfeng reminded them.

Chen Lanfeng's eyes were fixed on the lights of the Japanese patrol boat that could be seen faintly in the distance. "We have to cross this sea before dawn. Once we pass Yilan, we'll be safe."

"Won't those Japanese patrol boats spot us?"

Zhou Yongsu observed the sea through the dim morning light. "The captain is very experienced. He will lead us away from dangerous areas."

Just then, Kim Jung-hee suddenly pointed into the distance and exclaimed, "Look! What's that?"

Kim Jung-hee's eyesight was truly remarkable; it took half a minute for everyone to clearly see the blurry figure she was pointing to.

One after another, warships flying unknown flags were heading in their direction!

"A fleet! How can there be an entire fleet here?!"

Everyone held their breath, their hands unconsciously reaching for their waists.

"Don't panic!" Chen Lanfeng suddenly said, "That's Ji Yinfengwen's transport team. We're safe for now."

"Quickly, move closer to them. Let's go into the cabins and take cover. Let the American soldiers come out onto the bridge and hoist the American flag!"

Zhou Yongsu went inside to instruct the captain to adjust the course, and the sailors quickly rushed to the flagpole to raise the American flag. The warship slowly sailed toward the Manchukuo fleet.

When the two sides were about 100 meters apart, an officer on the bridge of the opposing flagship observed them through binoculars for a while, then signaled with flags, "Identities?"

Chen Lanfeng signaled to the American soldiers to respond, "Pacific Fleet, patrol."

The two sides intersected in parallel, and the transport team made no further moves, continuing to drive forward.

"Quickly, switch positions! Everyone, pay attention, we need to move at full speed!" "Once we reach Kaohsiung, we need to revise the fleet's navigation log. Nanfeng, you'll be in charge of modifying the port records after we land."
-
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the atmosphere in the White House cabinet meeting room was heavy.

Newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull is briefing President Rosford on the latest developments.

"Mr. President, the Japanese side has obtained 'conclusive evidence' and demands an explanation from us."

"What's worse, it seems someone within the Admiralty leaked the news about Bethlehem's missing parts."

President Rosef frowned. "This is very likely a conspiracy by Red Russia to sow discord between us and Japan."

"Immediately send people to thoroughly investigate the internal leak, and at the same time prepare a strongly worded statement."

After the meeting, the Director of Naval Intelligence, Johnson, privately contacted Mark Holt of the Far East Bureau by phone, saying, "Your agents are being too active in the Far East. Shouldn't they tone it down a bit?"

Holt replied with a grave expression, "Boss, this operation really wasn't carried out by our people. I suspect the Japanese might have orchestrated it themselves."

Johnson's eyes lit up instantly. "Find evidence. I need concrete evidence that this wasn't done by our people."
-
On the morning of April 29, the publication of major newspapers in Tokyo was delayed without prior notice.

At 11 o'clock, newspapers came out almost simultaneously, all with blood-red headlines on their front pages:
"The United States' despicable attack on "Yamato" and the censure of its despicable actions" (The despicable actions of the American Empire, the Yamato was bombed by terror)
"Bethlehem Steel Parts, Explosion Site Discovered"
Naval Command Holds Emergency Meeting to Decide on Strengthening Shipyard Defense (Naval Command Emergency Meeting: Comprehensive Strengthening of Shipyard Defense)
Chen Jiehua stood at the window of the Naval Headquarters building, looking at the surging crowd of demonstrators outside.

The plan is far from over; we need to continue guiding it. Of course, the rest will be done slowly and meticulously, so we can't rush it now.

"Your Highness, look outside. The people are extremely agitated, and civilian groups are demanding an immediate declaration of war against the United States. It's clear that someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes."

Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu sneered, "Foolish! Starting a war now will do us no good."

"Therefore, Qingxuan has reason to suspect that this may have been planned by someone in the Army or even the Navy."

Why do you have this idea? Give me a reason.

"The evidence pointing to America came out far too easily."

"Furthermore, there are rumors circulating both outside the navy and within its ranks that the Yamato was designed by Qingxuan. They've been planning this for a long time, but we just didn't notice."

"That's my Yamato! All the profits from the past few years are in there!"

Chen Jiehua pretended to be in great pain, squatting on the ground, holding her head and covering her face, and then forced out some tears.

Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu was the one who knew the entire process of the "Yamato" from scratch. Most of the funding came from Aoki Pharmacy, and the deck thickness, main gun caliber, and core components were all designed by Aoki Seigen himself. It is no exaggeration to say that it was the culmination of all of Aoki Seigen's funds and efforts.

"Ugh..."

Suddenly remembering something, he turned to his guard and said, "Notify the investigation team to speed up the process and keep an eye on the army, especially the movements of the Doi-man agency. I need to know the truth!"

"Hi!"

After one of the guards finished shouting "Hi," he quickly ran out.

However, the special investigation team did not make good progress.

Although a large amount of evidence pointing to the United States was found at the scene, some details puzzled Major General Minoru Maeda.

For example, the explosive device's construction was too simple, unlike anything an American intelligence agent would do.

For example, the footprints left at the scene were generally small, and there were even footprints that appeared to be women's, which was completely inconsistent with the average physique of American soldiers. (End of Chapter)