Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 671 The 'Lan Agency' Conspiracy: The Hong Kong Underground Party in Action
War is not only a contest of troop strength, equipment, and morale between the two sides; having useful intelligence about the enemy in advance can be of great help.

Fang Wen had a deep personal understanding of this, so when Gong Xiu said that the interrogation had made a major breakthrough, he did not hesitate to put down the interview and go to the prisoner-of-war camp.

The prisoner-of-war camp was divided into two sides: one side held Japanese soldiers, and the other side held puppet troops. They were separated by barbed wire and were not allowed to have contact.

The prisoner-of-war camp was also surrounded by barbed wire, and armed soldiers took turns guarding it.

These prisoners of war, crammed into the POW camp, eating porridge and cabbage, had long since lost the energy to cause trouble.

When Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng arrived at the prison, the guards were about to open the door when they saw Fang Wen.

Fang Wen didn't go in. "Didn't you ask me for the password?"

The soldier replied, "Commander, I only open the door for you. I don't do that for anyone else."

"No, even I can't disobey military orders. Do your duty."

Hearing Fang Wen's reprimand, the soldier straightened his back and shouted back.

"Yes. Show me today's password: 'Eat pickled vegetables and then roll tofu,' what's the next line?"

This password was given by Fang Wending. Unless the other party is also a time traveler and an expert on future China, there is no way they could possibly answer it.

Fang Wen smiled and said, "Even the emperor can't compare to me."

"Password correct." The soldier took out the key, opened the door, and let Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng in.

Inside the barbed wire fence on the left, 2000 puppet troops were being exercised in the open space. In the open space inside the barbed wire fence on the right, there were no Japanese prisoners; they were all locked up in newly built wooden houses.

After exchanging passwords again, the inner guard opened the door on the right, and the two went inside, heading directly to the largest wooden hut.

That was the place Japanese prisoners of war feared most: the interrogation room.

Upon entering the interrogation room, they found the interrogation team questioning a Japanese prisoner.

The prisoner sat in a room filled with instruments of torture, his head bowed and his body trembling.

The soldier asked, "State your unit number and your rank in the military."

The student soldiers recruited by the Southwest Associated University next door repeated the story in Japanese.

The prisoner spoke in a low voice.

The soldier shouted angrily, "Speak louder, I can't hear you!"

The shout startled the prisoner so much that he couldn't sit still on the stool and rolled to the ground.

Gong Xiuneng explained to Fang Wen, "The soundproofing in our interrogation room is not good. Since the interrogation started yesterday, they all know a bit about the interrogation process, and now the timid ones have confessed."

Fang Wen nodded: "You've got a knack for psychological warfare. You're not good at anything else, but you're talented in this area. It's a waste of your talent to be a Taoist priest."

Gong Xiuneng couldn't help but defend himself: "Commander, look at what you're saying. I'm usually very mild-mannered, this is how I deal with the enemy."

"Alright, let's get down to business. What did you find out during the interrogation?"

"Commander, this way."

Gong Xiuneng led Fang Wen to the inner room of the interrogation room.

There was a Japanese soldier prisoner wearing glasses, huddled in a corner.

Gong Xiuneng introduced, "This is him, his name is Hirano Hidetoshi. He said he graduated from Tokyo Imperial University and specializes in our history. He was recruited into the army last year and assigned to a department called 'Ran Agency.' He was temporarily transferred to this military operation because he is fluent in Chinese. The interrogation ends here. I think this guy must be a big fish, so I locked him up and am reporting to you."

Lan Agency?
Fang Wen searched his memory, some of which were from Japanese intelligence agencies.

“Bring him out, I’ll interrogate him.”

"Yes."

The door opened, and two interrogation team members, one holding his arm, pulled him out.

He was taken into the interrogation room and placed on a chair.

Realizing their predicament, the Japanese prisoners screamed and tried to break free and get up, but were held down by two members of the interrogation team.

Gong Xiuneng walked over and sneered, "Do you want to try my methods again?"

In just over a day, Gong Xiuneng had become a notorious figure among the Japanese prisoners of war. Having experienced it firsthand, the bespectacled prisoner immediately became obedient.

"Let him go."

At Fang Wen's command, the two interrogation team members released their grip and stood on either side.

The bespectacled prisoner didn't make any trouble.

Fang Wen asked in Japanese, "Hirano Hidetoshi, tell me about the Ran Agency."

Upon hearing Fang Wen's Kyoto accent, the bespectacled prisoner's eyes widened. After a moment, he glanced at Gong Xiuneng standing next to Fang Wen and answered honestly.

"The Lan Agency is directly under the military headquarters and is responsible for espionage operations in South China."

"What's the leader's name?"

“Wachi Takaji, he is fluent in Chinese and was just promoted to major general last month.”

Under Fang Wen's interrogation in Japanese, this guy actually confessed a lot.

This Lan Agency is located in Guangzhou, but Kazuyoshi is staying in Hong Kong.

Their main task now is to win over Guangxi generals, with a focus on winning over Li and Bai, in an attempt to give Guangxi "autonomy in South China".

Fang Wen's face turned cold.

Japanese intelligence agencies were adept at this, and that's how they ruined the situation in North China.

Although Fang Wen's historical memories did not include any instances of compromise by the Guangxi clique, he was just being cautious, since he had already traveled through time and might have been influenced by it.

He asked in a cold voice, "What exactly has your Lan agency done in this regard?"

Noticing Fang Wen's unusual mood, the bespectacled prisoner, not wanting to be tortured again, quickly replied.

"I wasn't involved in this, but I know a little about it. This month, the Lan Agency is planning to send someone to Guilin to try to make private contact with the Guangxi clique generals."

How do I get to Guilin?

“There will be someone to meet him in Guilin. Our plane will appear in the suburbs, and the team members will parachute in and then be taken to Guilin city by the liaison.”

What conditions did they use to impress the Guangxi clique generals?

"I don't know much, but it certainly includes a commitment to provide weapons support and 'independent' status."

The interrogation ended there, and Fang Wen signaled to the two interrogation team members to take the person away.

Gong Xiuneng said, "Commander, if we knew when that plane was going to Guilin, you could just shoot it down and wipe them out in one fell swoop."

"Then we need to know when they set off and from where they're starting."

After speaking, Fang Wen crossed his arms in front of his chest and pondered.

The Lan agency's personnel may depart from Guangzhou military airport or from the sea in naval aircraft.

If it were in Guangzhou, we could still find a way to investigate, but it's not easy when it's at sea.

Even if Fang Wen used radar to locate targets, it wouldn't work, since Fang Wen himself couldn't monitor such a large area of ​​airspace 24 hours a day.

There is another way.

The operation by the Lan Agency was led by Major General Wachi Takaji.

If we can find his trail, as long as we keep a close eye on his movements, we might make new discoveries.

If all else fails, killing Wachi Takaji would also throw the Ran Agency into chaos and prevent it from continuing its current plans.

With this in mind, Fang Wen decided to take a two-pronged approach.

He relayed messages to Guangzhou, instructing his undercover contact, Tang Yuandong, to investigate.

Meanwhile, they sent a telegram to the Second Bureau in Yan'an, hoping to establish contact with the underground party organization in Hong Kong through the Second Bureau and have them investigate He Zhiying's situation.

Hong Kong.

"Tea House" next to Nathan Road.

Just after noon, half a bamboo curtain was set up to block the scorching sun and also to conceal the figures of the five people inside.

Pan Zhengxin met with four underground party members codenamed White Dove, Eagle, Magpie, and Shrike at this meeting.

He whispered, "We received orders from our superiors to investigate something. It's related to Fang Wen of Taishan Airlines."

Upon hearing Fang Wen's name, the four underground party members couldn't help but recall what happened last year.

Since then, the notorious traitor has never shown his face again. Although there has been no news of his death, the four of them discussed it privately and concluded that the traitor was probably gone. "What does this have to do with Fang Wen?" Eagle, dressed in overalls, asked.

Pan Zhengxin replied, "He organized multiple forces in southern Guangdong and won a great victory, annihilating 8000 Japanese attacking troops. Subsequently, through interrogating Japanese prisoners, we learned an important piece of intelligence: the head of the Japanese intelligence agency in South China, the 'Ran Agency,' is in Hong Kong. Our mission is to find out his whereabouts."

Only a few people know about the great victory, and the interviewer has not yet returned, so the four of them are naturally hearing about it for the first time.

The four were pleasantly surprised.

The shrike was the first to stand up, exclaiming, "Eliminating 8000 Japanese troops! That's fantastic!"

"Keep it down," the eagle quickly stopped him.

The shrike sat down and lowered its voice: "I'm sorry, I was too excited. This great victory is very important. The whole country needs such a victory to bring hope to everyone."

The magpie spoke up: "Alright, let's get down to business. Now that we know the head of the Japanese intelligence agency is in Hong Kong, we must do our best to find him."

Bai Ge adjusted her glasses: "Agents of Kazuo Takaji's caliber wouldn't stay in ordinary expatriate areas. My students at HKU said that recently, people from the Japanese consulate have been frequently visiting the Repulse Bay Hotel, where military and political dignitaries reside. I'll go check it out under the guise of visiting a professor; it won't arouse suspicion."

“I’m going to the docks.” Eagle slammed his fist on the table. “Yesterday, while I was working, I heard from the police that there’s a ship docked in Victoria Harbour that came from Japan. I’m going to get my fellow workers to investigate and see if I can get any useful information.”

Magpie thought for a moment, "Our trading company has been dealing with the Japanese Chamber of Commerce recently, and there's a banquet tonight. I'll attend it."

“I’ll be in charge of the operation.” The shrike chewed on a candy, pulled a small dagger from its boot, and twirled it around. “I’ll leave a messenger at the ‘Red Rose’ ballroom on Queen’s Road. If there’s a need for the operation, go there to deliver the message, and my men will notify me immediately.”

Pan Zhengxin nodded and instructed, "Remember, He Zhi is definitely protected by spies. You must be discreet in your actions. Even if you discover his whereabouts, do not alert him."

After the secret meeting ended, the group left the teahouse separately to go their separate ways.

Bai Ge changed into a sharp suit and walked into the Repulse Bay Hotel carrying a suitcase full of ancient books.

He visited the British sinologist who was staying there, in his capacity as a teaching assistant in the Department of History at the University of Hong Kong.

Inside the elevator, two Japanese women in kimonos were talking in Japanese. "I asked, and the gentleman is at Villa No. 3." "Why today?" "The ship is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, and today is the only day the gentleman is free."

The white dove, who understands Japanese, wrote down the conversation. Although the title used in the conversation was not "general," it could very well be that person.

At the docks of Victoria Harbour, Eagle and several other workers were carrying wooden crates.

He deliberately threw a wooden crate on the ground, which drew a scolding from the foreman.

While he was apologizing, another stevedore slipped away.

After a while, he came out and spoke to the eagle in a low voice.

"The workers inside said it was a Japanese ship. Five people got off the ship and left the day before yesterday."

As night fell, Magpie, dressed in a cheongsam embroidered with orchids, walked arm in arm with her "husband" into the banquet of the Japanese puppet company.

The banquet was attended not only by the Japanese consul, but also by some strangers.

The magpie chatted and laughed with several ladies dressed in kimonos.

"Are they from the Chamber of Commerce? I've never seen them before."

The ladies responded in a cacophony of voices:

"No, the Chamber of Commerce can't accommodate these important figures."

"Yes, they came from Tokyo."

"I heard you're going to Guangzhou."

Magpie paused slightly in her champagne cup, spilling the liquid onto the tablecloth. As she wiped it, she secretly wrote a message on a slip of paper in her palm and slipped it to a passing waiter—it was her spy planted at the banquet.

A shrike leaned against a streetlamp on Queen's Road, its long ponytail blowing in the wind.

A younger brother ran over, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

"Big Sister, Red Rose has sent a message."

After taking the note and reading it, the shrike crumpled it into a ball and swallowed it, then disappeared alone into the night.

The next morning, as soon as the bamboo curtain of the Tea House was drawn back, the four of them arrived one after another.

They shared what they had discovered.

The gentleman living in Villa No. 3 in Repulse Bay will be leaving by boat the day after tomorrow.

The five people who disembarked the day before yesterday were from Tokyo.

There was also what the magpie overheard at the banquet.

Finally, the shrike added: "Last night I waited outside the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and after they came out, I followed them. They live in a villa in Repulse Bay."

Eagle analyzed, "Looking at it this way, what we've discovered is all about the same group of people. Their identities are unknown, they're from Tokyo, and they'll be going to Guangzhou soon. This fits perfectly with Wachi Takaji's situation. Now we just need to confirm it before reporting to our superiors."

"How can you be sure?" the magpie asked.
“They must be carrying something related to their identities. If we can find it, we can be sure,” Eagle replied.

White Dove shook her head: "No, that's too risky. Our mission is to investigate. If we're discovered, it will alert the target."

"I have a way." The shrike left without explaining what the way was.

She went to a place, an old residential area, where all sorts of people lived.

There, she met a group of young children who were helping her.

"Go and call your eldest brother here."

The kid in the lead, speaking with an air of maturity, said, "Big sister, we're keeping to ourselves, so don't overstep your bounds."

"Tell him a message: ask him if he wants revenge?" the shrike replied calmly.

Before the children could speak, a young man stepped out from behind them.

He asked the children to leave so he could talk to the shrike alone.

"Boss, do you know who my enemy is?"

"I don't know, but I know you all hate the Japanese."

The young man said bitterly, "Yes, it was the Japanese devils who occupied our home and killed my father. My lifelong dream is to go to the battlefield and kill a few Japanese devils to avenge my father."

"Now I want to ask you to do something. If you succeed, I'll send you to fight the Japanese."

"Okay, you say."

“I know you dug a tunnel over at Repulse Bay.”

"Yeah, the Japanese live there. We're planning to pull off a big heist."

"Take me to the tunnel."

"No, the tunnel is too small; only my men can fit inside."

"Alright, then get to work tonight and find me some things."

The two went into the room and continued discussing the details.

As night fell, the residents of Villa No. 3 left by car.

There were only two people guarding the villa.

Unbeknownst to them, underground, a thin body crawled through a narrow tunnel.

After a while, a section of the kitchen floorboards moved, and a small, thin body emerged from the opening, nimbly dodging the two guards in the living room.

He climbed upstairs, and after a while, came down with some items and went into the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, he appeared in the wasteland 500 meters away.

Show it to the shrikes that are waiting there.

"I brought these back, do you think they'll be useful?"

The shrike looked at the items; there was a gold watch, a pipe, and a seal.

The seal is engraved with Japanese characters, namely Wachi Takaji.

"Put the things back so no one will notice they've been touched."

"No problem, big sister. You have to keep your promise and help our big brother go to the battlefield to fight the Japanese devils."

"Okay, let's go."

The child took the items and crawled back into the tunnel.

(End of this chapter)