Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 185 Poison Scheme
Shanghai, headquarters of the Special Higher Police.

The Special Higher Police headquarters, which was once rife with undercurrents due to "Project Maple," is now shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere of frustration and dormancy.

The death of Ryohei Kumano and the explosion of the K-5471 train not only resulted in the loss of an important military officer, but also caused the "Maple Plan," personally approved by General Doihara, to be completely aborted and lost.

Amidst the chaos and confusion, assigning blame is no longer the priority; the urgent task is to find a way to salvage the situation.

The chubby-looking general stood by the window, his back view appearing somewhat gloomy.

He had just returned from a meeting convened by a higher level.

During the meeting, Colonel Takeda of the Operations Command Section actually made sarcastic remarks about Tadashi in front of him.

The head of the largest intelligence agency in China has never been insulted like this before.

However, he couldn't refute it. The Maple Plan might have been leaked. If they still followed Nantian Yangzi's design, and the operatives were arrested, it would be very detrimental to the Empire in terms of public opinion.

After all, during wartime, countries tacitly agree not to carry out decapitation strikes against their leaders, so their actions have already crossed the line.

Doi-Yuan turned around and his gaze fell on Kagesa Masaki, who was standing with his hands at his sides in front of the desk.

"Kagesa-kun, I don't understand why you've come to see me now? The matter with Kumano-kun has been settled, and he didn't overstep his authority."

"I can tell you frankly, Project Maple has been terminated."

"With Lieutenant Colonel Kumano killed, the core of the plan may have been leaked, and the risk of continuing to execute it is now out of control."

He glossed over the intense power struggle at the top, then changed his tone, "However, the offensive on Yamashiro will not stop! If physical destruction has been temporarily thwarted, then we'll break their will from within! I need you to execute Plan Watanabe immediately."

"The failure of Project Maple is your problem, I don't want to know too much about it." Yingzuo said in a dissatisfied tone, "But Section Chief Chen is a member of our China Affairs Section 8."

"I'd like to know, what reason does Mr. Doiyu have to doubt Section Chief Chen's loyalty?"

"So, Kagesa-kun has come to interrogate me." General Doi-Yuan chuckled. "I have no suspicions, just a routine inquiry. Kagesa-kun seems to be overreacting."

“A routine interrogation requires 48 hours of detention, General Doi-Yuan. We are both on the intelligence front, and I know very well what this means.” Kagesa’s voice rose a few decibels.

"Are you trying to shift the blame for the failure of Project Maple onto us?"

"General Tufeiyuan, isn't this a bit unethical and tarnishes your reputation for benevolence?"

In the eyes of others, Tu Feiyuan has always been known for his benevolence and righteousness.

The famous anti-Japanese general Ma Zhanshan said that he was known for his benevolence and righteousness, and that he always kept his word.

"So, you're planning to complain about me to the military?" Tu Feiyuan's expression remained calm.

Kagesa shook his head and said, "Only children would tell their parents when they fight. Mr. Doi-Yuan, we are adults, and adults have their own ways of resolving things."

"You suspect Chen Yang of having problems, then we'll solve the problem."

Tu Feiyuan was slightly taken aback: "What does Kagesa-kun intend to do?"

“The Watanabe Plan.” Kagesa took a breath. “I plan to have Section Chief Chen in charge of executing the Watanabe Plan. If he can complete it, then it will prove that he has no problems.”

"If this intelligence is leaked again, then no matter the reason, he will bear inescapable responsibility."

“You should know what the Watanabe Plan represents. If Section Chief Chen is willing to take it over, his suspicions will naturally be dispelled.”

After pondering for a moment, Doiyuu nodded heavily: "Kagesa-kun, I'm giving you a chance. I hope we can both get the result we want."

"Oh, right, there's another task you need to start preparing for. Mr. Wang has agreed to accept the negotiation invitation."

"Well, I'll take care of that. I'll take my leave now." Yingzuo didn't say anything more, because he had already said everything he needed to say.

Shanghai, Consulate.

After receiving Yingzuo's call, Chen Yang rushed from the Southern Transportation Department to the consulate.

"Knock knock knock." There was a knock on the door of Kagesa's office. Kagesa Masaki seemed to have been waiting for Chen Yang's arrival. "Come in."

"Senior Yingzuo." Chen Yang bowed slightly and gave a salute.

"Chen Yang, you're here." Yingzu walked to the desk, picked up a document with the words "Watanabe Project" printed on the cover, and handed it to Chen Yang.

"This is the 'Watanabe Project.' From now on, you will be in charge of it."

Chen Yang's heart skipped a beat. He took the document with both hands but didn't immediately open it: "Lord Yingzuo, this humble servant is of limited ability and knowledge. I was just... was under investigation, and I'm afraid I'm not up to the task of handling such an important matter..."

“I know your abilities very well.” Kagesa looked at him sharply: “Your work in the transportation department proves your mastery of processes and details.”

“Moreover, this plan requires a… ‘low-key’ yet effective approach. I will handle Colonel Fujita’s investigation; now, I need people who can get things done.” He paused, then emphasized, “The core of ‘Plan Watanabe’ is propaganda and psychological warfare.”

"We want to ignite a fire in the mountain city, especially among college students who are easily swayed and full of so-called 'patriotic enthusiasm'."

Chen Yang opened the document and quickly browsed through it.

It details how secret radio stations, anonymous newspapers, and agents posing as progressives were used to spread a large number of carefully crafted rumors and inflammatory statements in the mountain city: exaggerating the defeats at the front, portraying the government as corrupt and incompetent, advocating the "peaceful salvation" rhetoric, and sowing discord between different factions and even between students and the government...

Just a simple propaganda war? Chen Yang had barely caught his breath when Yingzuo's words shocked him even more.

“Your task is this.” Yingzuo pointed to a small box in the corner. “It is to use all the information channels you can access, especially your experience in dealing with all sorts of people on the transportation routes, to help plan the information delivery routes and cover methods.”

"We must create at least three large-scale student demonstrations against the war and government corruption within three months at National Central University in Chongqing! We must overwhelm the Chongqing government and tear apart their consensus on resisting the Japanese from within!"

"This is the gift I prepared for them. In the six years from 1932 to now, their officials have embezzled resources, suppressed progressives, assassinated members of the Red Party, the Minister of Finance led the embezzlement of public funds, and Mr. Song, the president of the four major banks, colluded with his subordinates to inflate foreign exchange rates and forcibly purchased pig bristles in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and Guizhou."

"There's also the previous hoarding of cotton yarn, and the recent speculation in cotton stocks, all to plunder the wealth of ordinary people in Shanghai."

"So many things that have harmed the country and its people could definitely enrage those passionate college students."

Chen Yang felt a chill run down his spine. This plan was equally insidious; it didn't involve direct bloodshed, but aimed to destroy morale, tarnish the government's image, and undermine the most precious morale and fighting spirit of the resistance, thus instigating internal strife.

His face, however, showed a solemnity and determination, as if entrusted with a heavy responsibility: "Hai! I understand! I will do my utmost to execute the 'Watanabe Plan' and dismantle the enemy from within!"

Yingzuo said earnestly, "Chen Sang, complete this mission well and prove to me that you are capable."

Chen Yang's heart skipped a beat. It seemed that this task was not just a simple task, but also involved screening.

It seems that the Special Higher Police's routine questioning has more or less affected Kagesa's impression of him.

"Senior Kagesa, please rest assured, I know what to do."

November 7, 1928, in Yangjiaping, Shancheng, at the Lu Family Teahouse.

As dusk settled, a figure in a long robe, speaking fluent Sichuan dialect, stepped into the Lu Family Teahouse.

"Major Nantian." After entering the Lu family teahouse, the visitor quickly arrived at Nantian Yangzi's east wing.

Nantian Yangzi was still wearing a well-fitting cheongsam, but her eyes held a more ruthless glint than ever before.

Kumano's death and the failure of "Project Maple" seemed to have spurred her on.

The newcomer slowly said, "Major Minamida, I am here to convey General Doi-maru's orders to you on behalf of the Special Higher Police Headquarters."

"The public opinion groundwork for the plan will be carried out by Chen Sang, deputy director of the Jinling Special Affairs Committee and a member of the Strategy Department of the China Affairs Class. Your task is..."

“Mr. Nakamura,” Yoko Minamida suddenly interrupted him, her voice low but carrying an unsettling excitement, “please forgive my abruptness, but I believe that mere demonstrations are far from enough to put direct pressure on the Yamashiro government.”

A near-mad glint flashed in Yoko Nanada's eyes: "Public opinion is a soft knife; it takes time to take effect."

Why don't we add a little... a stronger 'catalyst' to these marches?

"When those college students are incited to take to the streets, when their emotions are at their peak and the scene is most chaotic, what a perfect shooting range that will be!"

“We can deploy snipers, or stage an ‘accidental’ explosion.”

"This time the target was not that person, but the marching group itself, killing or injuring several, or even dozens, of students."

"At that time, public opinion will explode! The government will be condemned by everyone, either accused of suppressing students or accused of being incompetent in protecting youth!"

"Regardless of the outcome, it will completely escalate the conflict, plunging the mountain city into greater turmoil and hatred! This will be more effective than ten mild demonstrations! This will be the best sacrifice offered to the empire!"

Nakamura was speechless with shock at Minamida Yoko's plan. After a long while, he hesitated and said, "Major Minamida, your plan... may have immediate effects, but isn't it... too radical?"

“Once this happens, it could easily backfire and expose the propaganda channels we painstakingly planted. You’ve essentially betrayed Section Chief Chen of the China Affairs Team.”

"Moreover, large-scale student casualties could incite stronger nationalist sentiments, which could lead to the situation spiraling out of control and be detrimental to our long-term strategy of disintegration."

“Nagatoshi, Mr. Nakamura, do you have some misunderstanding about what 'Nagatoshi' means?” Yoko Minamida said sarcastically. “Don’t forget our ultimate goal.”

"The ultimate goal of the plan is to cover Mr. Wang's retreat."

"As for how many people will be sacrificed, or who will be exposed, that doesn't seem to be something we should be concerned about."

“Any plan carries the risk of being exposed, especially when the person responsible for exposing the plan is just a Chinese person.”

(End of this chapter)