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

Chapter 204 Bait
Lin Xueli said solemnly, "When the carrier pigeon contacted me, it also revealed that the higher-ups suspected that the successive incidents involving Lao Zhong and 'Xuelian' were not accidental."

"Oh, right, I have something else to report to you. One of our team members, the blacksmith, has been missing for three days."

"I now suspect that the blacksmith may have also been captured by the Japanese."

Zhang Jianliang frowned slightly and sighed, "If the traitor is not eliminated, the organization's nerve center will always be exposed to the enemy's knife. Comrade Qinghu, it seems we must take drastic measures."

Lin Xueli's gaze darkened slightly: "What are your plans?"

Zhang Jianliang analyzed, "The fact that the traitor was able to accurately betray Lao Zhong, 'Xuelian,' and the blacksmith at the same time indicates that he was very likely to have access to or compile information about transportation lines and radio networks."

“There aren’t many people on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s intelligence network who can do this.”

"By the way, the radio station that 'Snow Lotus' was in charge of after her arrest."

“I’ve moved the radio to a safe place. It’s perfectly safe now. Wait a minute,” Lin Xueli immediately realized, “You’re trying to lure the snake out of its hole… to use this ‘missing’ radio as a pretext?”

“That’s right!” Zhang Jianliang’s eyes flashed. “We’ll fabricate a story: because of the emergency measures taken before ‘Snow Lotus’ was arrested, that crucial radio station was moved to a new, absolutely safe location.”

"Furthermore, because it contains a large amount of top-secret intelligence that urgently needs to be released, including a summary of the work of the underground transportation station in Shanghai, a list of medicines urgently needed in the northern Jiangsu base area, and follow-up intelligence on the recent Japanese army's mopping-up operation plan, we will risk reactivating it in a very short time!"

This bait is both extremely venomous and tempting.

An undamaged radio station, coupled with "accumulated top-secret intelligence," presented the Special Higher Police with an excellent opportunity to completely destroy the underground party's communication capabilities and obtain core intelligence.

So much top-secret intelligence was enough to make that traitor take the risk and contact the Special Higher Police.

“So, according to your plan, we now need to set up a location that is sufficiently concealed and conforms to the logic of radio station concealment, a location that is easy for us to observe and control,” Lin Xueli added, his mind racing.

“Yes. The location needs to be carefully chosen.” Zhang Jianliang’s finger traced across the map. “For example, a secret room on the top floor of an old apartment building on the edge of the French Concession, near the power plant’s interference zone, with multiple entrances for easy evacuation…”

"The key is that the information about this 'new location' must be revealed to the most suspicious individuals in a seemingly unintentional way."

"Each version received should have extremely subtle differences in specific floor, room characteristics, or the specific time period when the radio station is restarted."

"You and your colleagues in Shanghai should quickly compile a list of suspects and, according to the plan, send different instructions to each suspect..."

Zhang Jianliang lowered his voice, “For example, tell A that the entrance is ‘the hidden door behind the water tank on the roof’, tell B that it is ‘the hidden wall in the storage room at the end of the fourth-floor corridor’; tell C that the restart signal is ‘the window is quickly blocked off three times in a row’, and tell D that it is ‘the sound of the telegraph being broadcast at 1 a.m. sharp’…etc.”

"As long as the Special Higher Police officers are in a specific location, or are under close surveillance during a specific time period and targeting a specific signal, we will know who the traitor is!"

"You will be in charge of arranging the most reliable observation points for comprehensive monitoring of the target building."

"Remember, do not participate in any operations. Your only task is to record the precise locations of the Special Higher Police's plainclothes officers, as well as the timing of their operations and their focus. Once you have them locked on, report immediately."

Lin Xueli nodded heavily: "Understood. I will make arrangements according to your plan and report back to you as soon as possible."

After saying that, Lin Xueli stood up, and Zhang Jianliang escorted him to the door, instructing him, "Mr. Lin, remember to take your medicine on time. If you feel unwell, come see me immediately, and I'll adjust the dosage for you."

Lin Xueli replied smoothly, "Thank you, Dr. Zhang. I'll take my leave now."

"Take care"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Xueli, briefcase in hand, walked away. Zhang Jianliang stood at the door, watching his departing figure, a fleeting hint of worry flashing across his face…

Shanghai, 625 Daxi Road, Jinling Special Service Committee Shanghai Office.

The atmosphere was as oppressive as the sea before a storm.

Kagesa Yoshiaki stood with his back to the door, looking out at the gloomy sky.

He wasn't sitting behind his desk as usual, a posture that in itself indicated his extreme displeasure.

Standing in the office was Zuo Mingquan, the director of the Shanghai office of the Jinling Special Service Committee. He had his head down, and fine beads of sweat were seeping from his forehead. He dared not breathe loudly.

Kagezo Tsunezaki suddenly turned around and slammed a document in his hand onto the table in front of Zuo Mingquan!
"Who gave you that authority?! Who allowed you to leak information directly to the Special Higher Police?!"

Zuo Mingquan trembled and hurriedly explained, "Lord Yingzuo, please calm down! It was...it was Section Chief Matsui Yokoji of the investigation team who kept pressing me with a tough attitude..."

"He said this was a major case involving a communist radio station, and the Special Higher Police had the right to know... We just wanted to share intelligence to speed up the investigation..."

"As you know, I am of lowly status and have no influence; I simply cannot refuse..."

"Sharing intelligence? Speeding up the process?" Kageyama took a step closer, his eyes chillingly sinister. "When did the Nanjing Special Service Committee decide to cooperate with the Special Higher Police? Did you report this to me? Did you report it to Deputy Director Chen?"

"Those idiots in the Special Higher Police only know how to act recklessly! What if they alert the enemy?" "You've revealed such an important secret intelligence source to them. What if the operation fails again, or the information leaks, leading to the exposure or even elimination of your informants? Can you bear that responsibility?"

"Have you considered the overall picture of the Empire's intelligence operations in China?"

“Baka Yalu, that’s a line we finally found. We paid a huge price for it.”

"His value lies in his long-term infiltration, providing a continuous stream of intelligence!"

"This isn't meant for those reckless bastards in the Special Higher Police to fight for credit and take risks!"

Zuo Mingquan was scolded until his face turned ashen, and cold sweat poured down his face. He repeatedly said, "Hai! Hai! It was my oversight! I didn't think things through! Please forgive me, Lord Yingzu!"

Kageyama took a deep breath; Zuo Mingquan's behavior deeply displeased him.

Most importantly, he was the one who established this organization, and now that this has happened, he cannot openly hold the Special Higher Police accountable.

It feels like taking a bite out of an apple and finding half a worm inside.

It disgusted him, but also gave him a sense of defeat, as if he had brought it upon himself.

No, this place needs to be firmly under control, not filled with uncertainty and internal strife like it is now.

Knock, knock, knock. A knock sounded on the door. Yingzu frowned. "Come in," he said.

Chen Yang pushed open the door, glared fiercely at Zuo Mingquan standing in front of the desk, and then bowed to Yingzuo and said, "Senior Yingzuo, I came over as soon as I received your call. What can I do for you?"

“Chen Sang.” Yingzuo’s voice suddenly became calm, but beneath that calm was an uncontrollable anger.

"Director Zuo and his office have been very disappointing recently."

"Lacking a sense of the big picture and with lax discipline, I believe the Nanjing Special Service Committee needs a thorough overhaul."

Chen Yang asked cautiously, "Senior Yingzuo, what do you mean?"

Yingzuo glanced at Zuo Mingquan and waved to him: "Director Zuo, go down and organize the blacksmith's report first."

Zuo Mingquan bowed respectfully and turned to leave the office.

Yingzu raised his hand, gesturing for Chen Yang to sit down: "Mr. Chen, the headquarters has reviewed the work performance of the Jinling Special Service Committee in the past six months and has decided to use it as a model to reorganize the original China Affairs Team into four major agencies: Plum Blossom, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum."

"From now on, I will no longer interfere in matters here."

He stared at Chen Yang and said, word by word, "I have already recommended you to the mainland to take over as the director of the Nanjing Special Service Committee."

"You are clear-headed, act with discretion, know how to weigh the pros and cons, and most importantly, you are loyal to the empire."

Chen Yang was shocked, but he could not refuse, because any hesitation would arouse Ying Zuo's suspicion.

He immediately bowed, his tone carrying appropriate apprehension and determination: "Thank you for your trust, Senior Kagesa! I am but a humble servant, and I fear I am unfit for this important task!"

"But since Senior Kagesa has given the order, I will do my utmost to serve the Empire!"

“Very good.” Kagesa was satisfied with his reaction, but then changed the subject, “However, this position cannot be held by chance. You need a substantial ‘pledge of allegiance’ to prove your ability and value.”

"The Red Party's intelligence network in Shanghai, especially its core leadership and communication system, has been damaged despite repeated attacks, but it is still operating tenaciously."

"I want you to use all the committee's resources within three months of taking office to thoroughly uncover them! Especially that elusive 'Green Fox,' and the radio that mysteriously disappeared from 'Snow Lotus's' possession."

"In short, I want to see results, results that leave everyone speechless, understand, Mr. Chen?"

"This is your first and most important task. If you complete it, you will be the true director of the Special Affairs Committee. If you fail... you should know the consequences."

Chen Yang stood at attention with feigned seriousness and said, "Hai! Please rest assured, Senior Yingzuo! I will do my utmost, even if it means digging three feet into the ground, to completely wipe out the remnants of the Red Party in Shanghai!"

Knock, knock, knock. Zuo Mingquan pushed open the door, walked in with a report in his hand, and handed it to Yingzuo with both hands, saying, "Lord Yingzuo, this is the information we obtained from the blacksmith. Please take a look."

Yingzuo did not take the document, but instead turned his gaze to Chen Yang standing to the side.

Chen Yang understood and stepped forward to take the document. Ying Zuo nodded in satisfaction upon seeing this: "Chen Sang, I have always admired your abilities. Don't let me down."

"Yes, yes, yes..."

(End of this chapter)