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

Chapter 217 We have a traitor

"Comrade Qingyao, hello." Zhang Jianliang raised his hand to invite Shen Qingyao to sit down, and then pushed a newly translated reply telegram from the Southern Bureau in front of Shen Qingyao.

The telegram was simple: "Plan approved. Qinghu is authorized to establish 'Wanyou Trading Company' to coordinate supplies. Jinyu will be dispatched immediately to handle liaison between Shanghai and Hong Kong. Safety is the primary concern, followed by profitability. Southern Bureau."

“Comrade Qingyao,” he turned to Shen Qingyao, who was sitting quietly to the side, “the order has come down. The higher-ups have approved Xue Li’s plan, and after a meeting of the organization, it has been decided that you will serve as his liaison between Chen Yang and Xue Li.”

Shen Qingyao nodded, her eyes revealing a composure and determination beyond her years: "Comrade Special Envoy, in principle I should not question the organization's decision, but I still want to know why it was me?"

“I can explain this,” Zhang Jianliang said seriously. “Your father, Shen Xingshan, has stated on multiple public occasions that Chen Yang’s uncle, Lin Zonghan, greatly admires you.”

"There were even rumors that you would become his fiancée."

"The organization has taken into account your relationship with him, and assigning you to be in charge of communication with him will not arouse suspicion from others."

“Shanghai is a city teeming with intelligence agencies. If a strange woman were to approach the head of the Land Transport Section, it would immediately arouse their suspicion. You happen to have a good reason to get close to him.”

Shen Qingyao was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I understand. What do I need to do?"

"Your core task is to establish a secure communication channel with Manager Lin of 'Wanyou Trading Company' on Hong Kong Island. Your main responsibilities include transmitting information, coordinating the entry and exit of goods, and negotiating with Chen Yang."

"Qinghu has reached a cooperation agreement with Chen Yang, so he will provide the necessary convenience and protection. However, Chen Yang is a profit-driven person, so you should be prepared and not believe everything he says. You must always be vigilant."

Shen Qingyao listened attentively: "I understand, I will keep a good eye on things."

A complex emotion flashed in Zhang Jianliang's eyes, a mixture of admiration and a touch of reluctance.

The girl in front of me could have had a peaceful campus life, but now she has to venture into the lion's den and deal with the most dangerous enemies.

"Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Qingyao. This road will be difficult and dangerous."

"It's worth it for victory." Shen Qingyao smiled slightly, her smile clean and pure, creating a subtle contrast with the role she was about to play.

Hong Kong Island, Wan You Trading Company office.

Lin Xueli stood in his bright and clean office, gazing at the busy ships in Victoria Harbour below.

The sign hanging here reads "Wanyou Trading Co., Ltd.", and he is Lin William, the apparent general manager.

Lin Xueli had just received a secret letter from Shanghai, written in the business code he and Zhang Jianliang had agreed upon, and it looked like an ordinary order form. The translated content thrilled him: the Southern Bureau had approved the plan, and Shen Qingyao would be his contact.

Upon receiving the secret letter, Lin Xueli immediately began assembling a team.

The Southern Bureau dispatched several capable comrades through its Overseas Relations Section; some were knowledgeable in finance, some were familiar with shipping, and some were skilled in interpersonal communication.

They will infiltrate Hong Kong Island under the guise of company employees, sales staff, accountants, shipping representatives, and so on.

These people's direct supervisor was Mr. Liao Chengzhi, the person in charge on Hong Kong Island.

In addition, Taylor, sent by Chen Yang, will also help Lin Xueli make contact with the high society of Hong Kong Island in his capacity as a representative of the Huafu Foundation.

Confirming his identity as a multinational businessman
Lin Xueli stubbed out his cigarette and unfolded a huge map of East Asia, on which several transport routes were outlined in red.

This is the transportation route map that Chen Yang asked Taylor to give him.

Wanyou Trading, operating as a foreign-invested company, procured scarce supplies such as medicines, hardware, communication equipment, and gasoline from Hong Kong Island. These supplies were then transported to Shanghai via foreign merchant ships registered under the name of Huafu Fund or transport ships of the Japanese Navy that were associated with Chen Yang.

They then used Chen Yang's connections in the customs and the Special Affairs Committee to get things done. After entering Shanghai, some of the supplies were provided to the underground organization, while the rest were sold through Chen Yang's channels to generate more funds and intelligence.

In addition, the supplies captured from various base areas, including tungsten ore from southern Jiangxi, would be transported to Shanghai via the Nanxun Railway.

Oil from Gansu will also reach Lianyungang via the Longhai Railway, and then be transported to Huishan Wharf in Shanghai by naval transport ships.

There is a dedicated oil pipeline that can directly transport crude oil to the oil depot of East China Oil Company.

The Royal East China Refinery, which partners with Elsa and Shell, will supply the refined fuel to the Marine Corps Command at a price 30% higher than the market price.
However, Chen Yang actually only paid 80% of the market price.

In other words, the Navy Logistics Department would need to pay 1.3 million for the 1 million oil, but Chen Yang would only receive 800,000.

The remaining 500,000 was transferred to the UK through a financial company under Huafu Fund, and then returned to China under the name of the Royal Medical Association of the UK.

In this back-and-forth exchange, from export to domestic sales, the money simply went around in circles at sea and became a legitimate investment.

After receiving the funds, Elsa would deposit them as dividends into shareholder accounts opened by Navy Department officials at various levels at the Huafu Fund.

The money used to purchase oil thus became the legitimate income of these officers without their knowledge.

With this process in place, no matter which department comes to investigate, they will not find any flaws.

This embezzlement plan quickly gained the support of Marine Corps Chief of Staff Kichisaburo Hirata.

It would not only find oil for the navy but also bring considerable profits to everyone; why not?
Most importantly, even the Minister of Naval Affairs of Japan, Shinshiro Toyoda, supported the plan, with the only dissatisfaction coming from the Navy's behind-the-scenes financial providers.

Mitsui Group and Osaka Chamber of Commerce.

The Navy's annual budget was originally 60 million yen, but this year, after only a month and a half, the Navy has already spent a quarterly budget of 15 million yen.

The Shanghai Marine Corps Command took three million yen, and the expenditure of this department accounted for one-fifth of the total funds.

This inevitably brings to mind the saying, "The late emperor's undertaking was only half completed when the budget was exhausted..."

Of course, this happened when Kichisaburo Hirata threw the oil procurement contract in the face of Goro Ogasawara, the director of the Asian division of the Mitsui zaibatsu.

He couldn't find a reason to refute the Navy's oil procurement plan, so he could only try to apply to headquarters for additional military spending for the Navy.
In the end, it all comes down to those army idiots…

It should be noted that the Japanese are currently in a poor international reputation. The Americans have stopped supplying them with scrap steel and oil, and the British are unwilling to do business with them.

The Japanese Army, which held large quantities of crude oil, resolutely refused to share its oil with the Navy, even threatening that it would pour it into the Pacific Ocean rather than give the Navy a single drop.

In this situation, although the oil price offered by Chen Yang was a bit high, the supply was plentiful. In addition to the purchase contract with Total Energy of France, there was also their own refinery. Combined, the monthly share was equivalent to the previous quarter's.

The navy doesn't lack money; what it lacks is oil to keep it running. With oil, everything can be discussed.
That's why Chen Yang dared to increase the stakes so recklessly.

Everything in the Shanghai stock market seems to be developing in the direction Chen Yang predicted.
The 25th day of the lunar calendar, five days before the Spring Festival.

No. 19, Luojiawan, Shancheng, Military Intelligence Bureau.

Zheng Yaoquan rushed into Boss Dai's office in a great hurry.

"Director, something's happened. Sakura sent an urgent telegram: the Special Higher Police, in conjunction with the South Manchuria Railway and the Nanjing Special Service Committee, will launch a purge operation against intelligence agencies in Shanghai and Nanjing just before the Spring Festival."

"The objective was to destroy the intelligence stations established by the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) and the Military Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (MMIS) in the two locations."

"Ha, they want to swallow us whole? Aren't they afraid of breaking their teeth?" Boss Dai said with disdain.

Zheng Yaoquan reminded him, "Director, Nakamura Isao and Doiyu are both intelligence experts. They are joining forces to deal with the Military Intelligence Stations in Shanghai and Nanjing. I think we can't be careless."

"Moreover, they planned to have Chen Mingchu and his group use Jinling's name to obtain information from the concession banks."

"I think they're eyeing our Military Intelligence Bureau's special funds for operations."

Zheng Yaoquan phrased it very euphemistically: action funds.

To be more precise, this was the dirty money that Boss Dai made from selling goods to the Green Gang.

Don't assume he's a good person just because he killed Japanese soldiers. It's no secret that Boss Dai and Boss Du collaborated to resell drugs and various military supplies using resources from the Green Gang.

Moreover, it's not just Boss Dai who does this; in Chongqing, anyone with connections does it.
"Then let's strike first and use these heads as a sacrifice." Boss Dai's face hardened, and he grinned maliciously, "If Tu Feiyuan doesn't want to wipe us out, then let's counter-purge."

"Have Wan Tianmu and Zhao Lijun take action, kill these Central Executive Committee members, and lure out the people from the Nanjing Special Service Committee."

"Then, give them a big gift."

A grand gift? Is this a plan to take down the Nanjing Special Service Committee as well?
Zheng Yaoquan hesitated and said, "Director, isn't this going too far?"

Boss Dai chuckled sinisterly, "Yaoquan, violence can't solve all problems, but it can solve many."

"I want them to know that if they want to mess with us, they'd better think carefully about the consequences."

“He thought we were the Red Party, so easy to deal with.”

"Understood." Zheng Yaoquan didn't say anything more. He knew Boss Dai's temper; Boss Dai was a mean, ungrateful, and autocratic person.

As a subordinate, you don't need to know the process; just give him a satisfactory answer.
February 17, 1939, the 2th day of the twelfth lunar month, Nanjing.
The cold wind was like a knife, sweeping across this ravaged city.

On the streets, the sound of Japanese soldiers' boots mingled with the shouts of the puppet government police, creating a daily symphony in occupied Nanjing.

As the year draws to a close, the number of people near Jiming Temple has increased significantly. After a year of recuperation, this ancient city, which has experienced the ravages of war, is gradually beginning to regain a touch of life.

In a dark alley near Jiming Temple, two figures were hidden in the shadows.

"Is it confirmed?" a deep voice asked.

"Confirmed. Chen Mingchu, Huang Xianggu, and Zhao Huaishan are in the same car and will pass by here in ten minutes." Another slightly younger voice rang out, exhaling clear white breaths in the cold weather.

The older man took out a pocket watch from his coat pocket, glanced at it, and asked, "Is Station Chief Wan ready?"

"Station Chief Wan personally led his men to set up an ambush on the east side of Jiming Temple, while we were responsible for the west side. Station Chief Zhao's men controlled the intersections at both ends."

The older man said sternly, "Alright. Remember, act quickly. Regardless of success or failure, you must evacuate within three minutes."

The young man nodded, subconsciously touching the pistol at his waist. This was his first time participating in such an important operation, targeting three high-ranking officials of the puppet government's executive committee. The operation was named "Iron-Blooded Elimination of Traitors."

“Nervous?” The older man seemed to sense his emotions.

"A little," the young man answered honestly.

He had been transferred from Hunan less than a month ago, and although he had fired a gun and killed people in the spy training class...

However, the assassination target was a big shot like Chen Mingchu and Huang Xianggu.
The older man chuckled softly: "The first time I went on a mission, I threw up on the spot."

This unexpected sharing made the young man relax a little. "Team Leader Xiong, how many years ago was that?" "Eleven years ago, during the Northern Expedition." Team Leader Xiong's voice suddenly seemed distant. "Back then, we were still very naive, thinking that after defeating the warlords, we would become powerful."

At this point, Xiong Jiandong let out another long sigh.

In youth, one is full of passion; in a fit of rage, blood is spilled five steps away.
Now, in middle age, I've lost that passion; even killing seems so numb to me.
The sound of a car engine came from afar, and the two men immediately tensed up.

"Prepare."

In the distance, a black sedan was driving towards them.

According to the plan, the first group led by Station Chief Wan would launch the attack first, and their group would be responsible for cutting off the target's retreat.

However, something unexpected happened.

The car suddenly slowed down a hundred meters away from the designated ambush point, and then abruptly turned around!

"What's going on? Did they find out?" the young man exclaimed.

Xiong Jiandong's face darkened: "Impossible! Move out!"

Two gunshots pierced the sky, coming from the direction of Jiming Temple.

However, since the car had already started to turn around, the bullet only hit the rear of the car.

"Stop it!" Xiong Jiandong rushed out without hesitation, firing his Mauser pistol in quick succession.

The young man followed closely behind, but his attention was drawn to another car that suddenly appeared from the side.

The car appeared out of nowhere and headed straight for them!

"Watch out!" The young man shoved Xiong Jiandong aside, but he was too late and was hit by a car coming from the side, flying through the air and landing heavily on the ground.

Gunfire erupted, plunging the entire Jiming Temple area into chaos.

Xiong Jiandong was pushed aside by the young man, but with his agility, he rolled on the ground and quickly stood up.

The next moment, he saw the black sedan speed away, while a second car that suddenly appeared blocked the middle of the road, and several gunmen were shooting at them.

"Xiao Zheng!" Xiong Jiandong rushed to the young man's side and found that he was still breathing, but his leg was obviously broken and blood was flowing from his forehead.

Bang bang bang.

Gunfire erupted. Xiong Jiandong fired aimlessly, merely to temporarily suppress the enemy's fire and pull the young man behind cover.

“They are from the Nanjing Special Service Committee.” Xiong Jiandong quickly discovered the identities of the group of spies.

"Team Leader Xiong, you go, I'll cover you." The young man struggled to sit up.

"Hold on, Station Chief Wan is nearby. He'll definitely come to our aid when he hears the gunfire. We just need to hold out for two more minutes." Xiong Jiandong, hiding behind cover, fired shots at the other side from time to time.

However, with at least five or six opponents, Xiong Jiandong was quickly suppressed and unable to raise his head.

Just then, a burst of gunfire rang out.

The sound of submachine guns came from afar. Station Chief Wan led his men from the east and quickly killed the few spies who had suddenly appeared. However, their main targets, Huang Xianggu and Chen Mingchu, had already escaped.

"What happened? Where did those people come from?" Wan Tianmu's face was ashen. Born in 1891, he was now nearly fifty years old and had extensive experience in the fight against spies. Such an accident was rare in his career.

Xiong Jiandong shook his head: "I don't know, it seems like they were prepared in advance."

Station Chief Wan knelt down to examine Xiao Zheng's injuries, his expression grave: "The plan has been leaked. There's a culprit among us."

At the secret outpost of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Nanjing Station, agent Zheng Huan slowly awakens.
The sharp pain in his leg instantly brought him to his senses.

Looking around, he found himself lying in a hospital bed with his right leg in a cast and in a sling, and his forehead wrapped in bandages.

"You're awake." A voice came from the corner.

Zheng Huan turned his head and saw Xiong Jiandong sitting there, playing with the Mauser pistol in his hand.

"What's Team Leader Xiong's target?"

“They escaped. Huang Xianggu sustained minor injuries, the other two are fine.” Xiong Jiandong walked to the bedside. “The doctor said your leg will need at least three months to recover.”

Zheng Huan struggled to sit up and said with a wry smile, "I'm sorry."

Xiong Jiandong shook his head: "It's none of your business. That car belongs to the Jinling Special Service Committee."

"The timing of their arrival is so coincidental, and their location is exactly where we were lying in ambush."

"Xiao Zheng, do you really think there are so many coincidences in the world?"

Zheng Huan's expression changed drastically: "Team Leader Xiong, are you saying that our operation plan was leaked a long time ago?"

The ward door was pushed open, and Station Chief Wan Tianmu walked in.

His face was even more somber than last night, and he held a document in his hand.

"Headquarters called, demanding an explanation for the failure of the Iron-Blooded Anti-Traitor Operation." He threw the documents on the bedside table. "We lost four men, but didn't even eliminate a single target."

Upon hearing this, Xiong Jiandong frowned and said, "Station Chief Wan, now is not the time to hold someone accountable."

"The unexpected turn of events in this operation clearly indicates that the Jinling Special Service Committee had prior knowledge of the operation plan. They made arrangements specifically targeting our operation. I suspect that there is a mole within our Jinling station. If we don't find this mole, all our operations may be exposed."

Wan Tianmu took a deep breath: "I know. But headquarters doesn't believe there's a mole. They think it's because our planning was poor and our actions were hasty."

Xiong Jiandong roared in fury, "Bullshit! The Nanjing Special Service Committee was clearly prepared!"

"Not only was the location chosen with absolute accuracy, but the timing was also perfect, launching the attack just as the target vehicle was about to enter the ambush zone."

"Station Chief Wan, you've been in this business with me for so many years, when have you ever seen such a coincidence?"

"I know!" Station Chief Wan suddenly raised his voice, then forcefully lowered it again. "I know there's a mole, but I need evidence, not speculation."

Silence fell over the room. After a long while, Wan Tianmu spoke again: "Zheng Huan, take good care of your injuries."

After saying that, Wan Tianmu patted Zheng Huan on the shoulder and turned to leave the room.

Xiong Jiandong walked to the door, and after confirming that Station Chief Wan was far away, he closed the door and returned to the bedside.

“Team Leader Xiong, I think only five people knew the complete plan for yesterday’s operation: you, me, Station Chief Wan, Station Chief Zhao Lijun, and Director Li from the Intelligence Department.”

"What do you want to say?" Xiong Jiandong's tone was somewhat stiff.

“What I mean is, if there’s a problem, it must be one of the five of us,” Zheng Huan said hesitantly.

Of the five people, four were officials, and only Zheng Huan was an intelligence liaison.

However, his identity was very special. He was personally arranged to go to Jinling Station by Boss Dai, and Wan Tianmu and others knew that the person behind him was not simple.

Zheng Tingzhi, the deputy director of the Shancheng Supervisory Commission, is his uncle. He is just a figurehead for training, or as we would say now, getting a "gilded" experience at the grassroots level.

After achieving results, he will be transferred back to the headquarters in the mountain city to assume an important position.

Otherwise, how could a mere intelligence liaison officer have access to classified information? Xiong Jiandong wouldn't have risked his life to bring him back at that time, and Wan Tianmu wouldn't have made a special trip to the ward to offer his condolences...

In the end, they're all shrewd people; they wouldn't do anything meaningless...

"I don't trust anyone now." After a long silence, Xiong Jiandong looked at Zheng Huan expressionlessly, "Including you."

A few days later, at Jinling Green Fragrance Village Restaurant...

The streets of Nanjing were more somber than usual, with a noticeable increase in the number of Japanese military police and Nanjing intelligence agents, and checkpoints were everywhere.

Zheng Huan carefully avoided the main streets, circled around several alleys, and only entered the restaurant after confirming that no one was following him.

On the second floor, in a private room, Xiong Jiandong was already waiting.

How's your leg?

"It's alright, just a little difficult to walk." Zheng Huan limped in, and couldn't help but frown in pain as he sat down.

Xiong Jiandong pushed a cup of tea towards him: "New instructions have arrived from headquarters."

"They believe that Jinling Station has been infiltrated and demand that we suspend all operations and prioritize finding the mole."

Zheng Huan asked in a deep voice, "How do we find it?"

Xiong Jiandong pulled a document from his pocket: "This is the complete plan for the operation that night; there are only five copies."

"You, me, Station Chief Wan, Station Chief Zhao, and Director Li each have one."

"Theoretically, only the five of us know the complete plan."

Zheng Huan was familiar with this plan. The plan detailed the ambush locations, personnel allocation, and timing, allowing anyone who obtained it to prepare countermeasures in advance.

Xiong Jiandong stood up and walked to the window, carefully lifting a corner of the curtain to observe outside: "Wan Tianmu joined the Military Intelligence Bureau at the same time as me, and we've been friends for fifteen years."

"Moreover, he and Boss Dai are brothers, and they're even related by marriage."

"As for Zhao Lijun, he is a close confidant of Boss Dai, young and promising but eager to make a name for himself."

"He's very ambitious and greedy, a womanizer, and has many flaws."

"The only one left is Director Li, a person I still can't figure out."

“So,” Zheng Huan frowned, “you’re doubting me.”

"I have no right to doubt anyone; I'm merely stating the facts. To be precise, everyone is a suspect until conclusive evidence is found," Xiong Jiandong paused, then said in a deep voice, "including myself, of course."
(End of this chapter)