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

Chapter 238 Rules are for others to see.
Shanghai, 76 Jessfield Road, Special Agent Headquarters, Li Qun's Office
Li Qun paced restlessly in his thickly carpeted office, like a hungry wolf trapped in a cage.

Liu Geqing's rescue was like a resounding slap in the face, not only to No. 76, but also to his master, Japanese Umejikage Yoshiaki.

Minister Chen's rebuke still echoed in his ears, and his cold gaze sent chills down his spine.

Despite his young age, Minister Chen speaks with great politeness.

But when he gets angry, it can really kill someone.
Li Qun never doubted Minister Chen's words. If he couldn't find the traitor, he would really strip off his clothes and go home to farm.

Deputy Director No. 76 was second only to the leader here, but in Minister Chen's eyes, he was nothing more than a role that could be replaced at any time.

Currently, half of the three-day deadline has passed, but the internal purge has made no progress; only a few minor figures have been arrested.

Under torture and forced confessions, they could only extract some trivial clues, but they could never find the real "mole".

Thinking of this, Li Qun sighed again.
This feeling of something stuck in his throat made him restless and unable to eat or sleep.

Li Qun stopped beneath the calligraphy plaque that read "Loyalty to the Emperor," a sinister glint in his eyes.

We can't keep investigating passively like this. We must take the initiative to set a trap, lure the snake out of its hole, and make the deepest-hidden rat jump out on its own!
"Summon Wan Tianmu, Elder Yu from the Telecommunications Section, and Gong Mingshu from the Confidential Office to come see me immediately!" Li Qun said in a deep voice to the door.

A moment later, Wan Tianmu and two cautious-looking middle-aged men, Yu Shiwei, the head of the telecommunications department, and Gong Ming from the confidential office, strode in.

"Director." The two bowed.

Li Qun did not let them sit down. His sharp gaze swept across their faces, as if trying to pierce through their skin and see into their hearts.

“Internal review is progressing slowly,” Li Qun said bluntly, his voice icy. “We don’t have time to scrutinize each case one by one.”

"Liu Geqing's rescue proves that there's a mole within our ranks, and this mole is deeply hidden and has access to core secrets. We must use extraordinary means to bring him out!"

Wan Tianmu immediately replied, "Director, just say the word, and I will do my utmost..."

“I don’t want to listen to empty talk!” Li Qun interrupted him, walked behind the huge desk, picked up a blank folder, and said, “I’ve prepared some ‘bait’.”

He picked up a pen, quickly wrote a few lines on a blank sheet of paper, and then handed it to Wan Tianmu and Lao Yu. The paper clearly stated:

[Top Secret - Imperial Plan]

Objective: Ensure the safe delivery of the special supplies codenamed "Rock Solid".

Transportation route: Departing from Shanghai North Station, via the Shanghai-Nanjing Railway to Nanjing, then transfer to the Tianjin-Pukou Railway northwards, with the final destination being Xinjing (Changchun).

Core train number: Military train K-718.

Departure time: 11:00 PM on April 18th.

Escort configuration: guard team (8 people), on-board technical team (3 people).

Security level: Level A.

Note: This batch of supplies is related to a special intelligence operation by the Mei Agency and must be kept absolutely confidential. The scope of those who have knowledge of it is strictly limited.

After reading it, Wan Tianmu and Lao Yu both looked puzzled. They had never heard of any "Imperial Plan" or "Rock Solid" supplies.

Looking at their expressions, Li Shiqun sneered: "No need to guess, this is something I just made up. There is no such thing as the 'Imperial Plan,' nor any K-718 military train or new equipment."

The two were immediately stunned.

"Director, what do you mean..." Wan Tianmu seemed to understand somewhat.

“This is a trap I’ve carefully prepared for my mole.” Li Qun’s eyes gleamed with cunning. “This fake plan includes the time, location, and importance of the supplies, making it attractive enough. Anyone lurking within us, whether it’s the Military Intelligence Bureau, the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, or the Communist Party, will not remain indifferent once they receive this intelligence. They will definitely try to pass it on or organize sabotage operations.”

Old Yu adjusted his glasses and asked cautiously, "Director, how do you plan to deploy this 'bait'?"

Li Shiqun sat back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table, and slowly stated his plan:
“First, strictly control who has access to this information.” He glanced at Wan Tianmu and Lao Yu. “Currently, only the three of us know the full details of this fake plan.”

"Next, I will expose different people to the 'fragments' of the plan in a tiered and asymmetrical manner."

"Second, distribute the supplies in tiers and observe the reactions."

"Old Yu, your telecommunications department is responsible for 'generating' the telegrams related to this plan."

"I will give you a few specific time points and radio codes for sending and receiving. You will simulate normal communication processes and leave traces on the internal telegram records, but do not actually send them out. Access to these 'forged' telegram records will be limited to two absolutely reliable confidential clerks you designate."

"Director Wan, you are in charge of the Operations Division and need to 'cooperate' with this transport."

"I will ask you to develop an 'enhanced patrol plan' for a certain section of the Shanghai-Nanjing line, under the pretext of 'ensuring the safe transport of important materials,' but I will not tell you exactly what materials or train numbers are involved."

"The scope of knowledge regarding this patrol plan can be appropriately broadened to include your two action team leaders."

"Finally, and most importantly, I will hold an internal meeting this afternoon. At this high-level meeting, I will 'casually' mention the importance of transporting supplies northward, and I will keep Old Qian, the head of the General Affairs Department, behind."

"Under the pretext of 'preparing logistical support in advance,' the complete secret version of the 'Imperial Road Plan' was handed to him, and he was required to keep it strictly confidential, allowing only his deputy to assist in handling the relevant accounts."

His move was extremely insidious. Wan Tianmu, Lao Yu, and Lao Qian belong to three different systems. If any one of them, or their confidant, were a mole, this false intelligence would be leaked through different channels.

The details of the "intelligence" obtained from each channel are slightly different. Once the Military Intelligence Bureau or the underground party takes action, he can deduce the source of the leak based on the details of the intelligence they have, and pinpoint the scope of the mole!
Wan Tianmu and Yu Shiwei bowed in unison and said, "Your subordinates understand."

Li Qun nodded slightly: "Alright, Director Wan, Section Chief Yu. You two should select suitable personnel and begin preparations."

Wan Tianmu and Yu Shiwei bowed together and walked out of the office one after the other.

After the two left, Gong Mingshu from the Confidential Office asked in a low voice, "Director, is there anything I should do?"

"Don't rush, your task is coming up now." Li Qun said in a deep voice, "Shaobai, you have the heaviest responsibility. I hope you can cooperate with Captain Wu in monitoring both inside and outside the office."

"Internally, Wan Tianmu and his designated action team leader, Lao Yu and his designated confidential secretary, and Lao Qian and his deputy are under 24-hour secret surveillance."

Record everything they do: who they come into contact with, where they go, and even the slightest unusual behavior!

"External surveillance: Our elite task force was deployed in advance along the railway line that the 'K-718 military train' was scheduled to pass through, as mentioned in the sham plan."

“The operatives only take direct orders from me and do not communicate with any other departments.”

"At the same time, the Confidential Office monitored all known contact points and transportation stations that the Military Intelligence Bureau and the underground party might use."

"Monitor all suspicious radio signals, especially those with times and frequencies similar to our forged messages. Once discovered, decipher and locate them at all costs!"

Gong Mingshu nodded slightly, and after a long while, he couldn't help but ask, "Director, what if... what if they really take the bait and come to destroy our ambush location?"

"If only that were the case." A cruel smile appeared on Li Qun's face. "That would be perfect! Not only would it severely damage the anti-Japanese elements, but it would also confirm the internal leak!"

"At that time, based on the accuracy of the intelligence they demonstrated in their operation, we will be able to follow the clues and find that traitor! I will let him know what the consequences will be for betraying me, Li Qun, and betraying 76!"

"Brother Shaobai, this matter is top secret! No one except you, me, and Captain Wu is to reveal the true purpose of this plan to any fourth person. Go and make the arrangements. Remember, I want to see the results!"

Gong Mingshu replied sternly, "Yes, Director!"

After Gong Mingshu left the office, Li Qun sat alone in the shadows and lit a cigar.

His face looked particularly ferocious amidst the swirling smoke.

He believed that no matter how cunning the hidden rat was, it would eventually show its tail under such tempting "bait" and all-around surveillance.

He wanted to use the blood of this traitor to wash away the shame of Liu Geqing's rescue and to solidify his position in front of No. 76 and his Japanese masters.

Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department
Li Qun knocked on the door of the head of the land transportation department's office with a meticulously designed plan in hand.

After saluting, Li Qun respectfully presented the "Imperial Plan" document he had designed to Chen Yang with both hands.

Then, he cleared his throat and began to explain the plan in detail.
It took more than ten minutes for Li Qun to explain the entire plan in detail. Then, he respectfully said, "Minister, I have already ordered people to begin preparing this plan. I hope you can give me a few more days."

"I am very confident that the mole hiding in No. 76 will definitely come out on his own."

After listening to Li Qun's report, Chen Yang did not rush to express any opinion.

Holding the document in one hand, he gently tapped the table with the other.

The simple beeping sound echoed in the office, and Li Qun's heart involuntarily rose to his throat with each tap of Chen Yang's knock.

After a moment, Chen Yang closed the document and said, "Director Li's plan is still somewhat feasible."

"Okay, I'll give you a few more days. I hope you won't let me down."

Li Qun was overjoyed, but before he could speak, the phone on Chen Yang's desk suddenly rang: "Moshi moshi." "Okay, I'll be right up."

Chen Yang stood up and handed the documents back to Li Qun. "Director Li, I have a very important meeting to attend, so I won't keep you here for now."

"The internal screening process at No. 76 must yield results as soon as possible."

"This is not only my request, but also Lord Kagesa's request for 76."

"I don't want the entire intelligence agency to be branded as incompetent because of you, understand?"

Li Qun nodded repeatedly: "Please rest assured, Minister, I will definitely not let you down, Minister and Lord Yingzuo."

Southern Transportation Department Third Floor Conference Room
Chen Yang had just reached the door when he heard Oshima's angry roar from inside: "Major Aihara, the shortage of supplies is a matter for your logistics department to worry about, not for our transportation department."

"The supplies in the warehouse are not enough. What am I supposed to send north? Our heads?"

Instantly, the air in the conference room seemed to freeze into ice.

Minister Kenjiro Oshima's roar, "Are you taking our heads?!" exploded like thunder above everyone's heads, striking a chord with each of them.

Chen Yang pushed open the door and saw six or seven people sitting in the conference room. Chen Yang carefully sat down in the corner of the conference room.

Major Aihara Yuki, the logistics officer of the Army, stood up and said, "Minister Oshima, I am here on orders to communicate, not to ask you to solve the problem of supplies."

"The supplies from the local area will arrive at Huishan Wharf at the end of the month. Before that, I'm wondering why such a large transportation department can't come up with a way to coordinate?"

Kenjiro Oshima's gaze darted around, then he looked at Nobuo Yasuda, who was sitting silently to his right. Just as Kenjiro Oshima was about to speak...

Nobuo Yasuda, however, seemed to have seen through his intentions and stood up. "Minister, please forgive my bluntness, but I will never issue such a telegram requesting assistance."

"Yasuda!" Kenjiro Oshima strode up to Yasuda: "Do you know what you're saying? The soldiers at the front are waiting for our supplies! This is a matter of life and death for the Empire's Holy War! The South Manchuria Railway is supposed to serve the military, what right do you have to say you're unwilling?"

Nobuo Yasuda bowed slightly, the gesture precise but devoid of warmth. He raised his head, his gaze meeting Oshima's without flinching: "Minister, it is precisely because I am well aware that this concerns the entirety of the Empire's Holy War that I cannot act so rashly!"

"Hasty?" Oshima laughed angrily. "The shortage of supplies is a fact! The front lines are pressing for supplies is a fact! Is that what you call hasty?"

Yasuda's lips curled into a sneer. "Minister, what you see is only a crisis of supplies. What I see is a crisis of credibility and autonomy for the Southern Expeditionary Army!"

"Fellow colleagues! Have you considered this? Once this telegram requesting assistance is sent to Xinjing, what will certain people in the South Manchuria Railway and the Kwantung Army General Staff think of us?"

They would say, "Look, without the resources of Manchuria, the South can't even meet its basic needs."

"Minister Oshima, Major Aihara, are you sure we want to bow down to the Northern Army?"

"Once this door is opened, the southern troops will be almost inferior to others on the battlefield in the future."

"Furthermore, what will the headquarters think? They'll think we're incompetent and don't deserve more resources and support!"

"Minister Yasuda!" Aihara Yukinari said sternly, "Now is not the time to worry about saving face! The front lines..."

"The front lines?" Yasuda abruptly interrupted him, his tone even more intense. "Precisely because we have to consider the front lines, we absolutely cannot open this door! Today we're short of gasoline, so we ask for help; tomorrow we're short a few boxes of ammunition, so we ask for help again?"

"Over time, the Kwantung Army and even the Imperial General Headquarters will come to the conclusion that the war in the South is secondary and that the Southern Expeditionary Army is incompetent!"

"Then, the troops, equipment, and funds that should have been allocated to us will flow to the north in a continuous stream! At that time, how will we maintain the war situation in Central and Southern China? How will we guarantee the reopened land transportation lines?"

"Are we, the people here, going to stand by and watch the cause we have fought for in the South be completely marginalized because of a few shortages of supplies?!"

"Your Excellency Minister! This is not a simple matter of supplies; it is a political issue, a strategic issue, and even more so, a matter of the future survival of our Southern Expeditionary Army!"

"To show weakness now is tantamount to destroying our own Great Wall and handing over our weaknesses to our competitors! In the future, we will be unable to hold our heads high at all high-level meetings!"

Yasuda's words struck a chord with the hidden anxieties of many officers present.

It is common knowledge that the Empire’s sea and land forces are at odds, but the army is also riddled with factions.

The armies of the South and the North would also belittle each other's achievements in the struggle for resources.

This is the tragedy of small countries: they cannot meet the needs of everyone and can only allocate their limited resources to the most powerful.

For the Empire now, the northward advance of the Kwantung Army is of paramount importance.

But what about the dispatched troops who were deeply mired in the Chinese battlefield?
The 11th Army is already stalled in Wuhan, with all resources being diverted to the north. What will they use to attack Changsha?

Therefore, although Yasuda's words are unreasonable, they are the current facts.

If they are labeled as "incompetent" as a result, it will affect the future of all of them and the interests of their respective factions.

The troops in the south can't afford to lose face like this.
Kenjiro Oshima's face turned from red to green, and then from green to white.

He was well aware of these complex relationships, but the pressure at the front was real. If supplies couldn't be replenished in time, leading to a defeat at Nomonhan, he would be the first to be held accountable!
He was caught in a dilemma: on the one hand, there was the urgent need for military action, and on the other hand, there was the complex internal politics.

He opened his mouth, only to find his throat dry, and for a moment he was unable to refute Yasuda's seemingly cold but incisive "correct" statement.

The atmosphere in the meeting room grew even more tense, with a silent standoff between those who supported Oshima's pragmatic ideas and those who leaned towards Yasuda's particular considerations; the air itself seemed to be on fire.

Just when things were at a stalemate and Oshima was almost in despair, that steady voice rang out again, like a pebble dropped onto a taut string—light yet breaking the deadlock:

"Minister, Mr. Yasuda, perhaps... we have another way."

All eyes turned to the source of the sound: Chen Yang, the head of the land transport section.

Kenjiro Oshima felt as if he had grabbed a piece of driftwood in a vast ocean. "Chen-san! Tell me quickly! What's your plan?"

Chen Yang calmly walked to the huge military map, first bowing slightly to Oshima and Yasuda before speaking. His speech was slow but each word was clear and forceful: "Your Excellency the Minister is worried about the front lines, and Your Excellency Yasuda is considering the overall situation. Both of your points are valid."

"Since seeking help from the north is temporarily inconvenient, why don't we turn our attention back and do our best to tap into the potential within the south? Perhaps the resources around us are not as bad as we think."

Kenjiro Oshima looked at Chen Yang with suspicion, while Yasuda crossed his arms, looking like he was watching a good show. "Chen-san, I'm very curious, where do you get these so-called resources from?"

“Of course,” Chen Yang said calmly, looking at Yasuda Nobuo. “There are other forces on the Chinese battlefield besides the Imperial Army.”

Oshima's eyes narrowed: "Chen-san, you wouldn't be talking about..."

Chen Yang nodded and said, "The minister is not mistaken. It is the supplies that the National Government took from the military and sold in Shanghai."

"There are American goods, German goods, and also Soviet goods."

"What?!" Everyone present looked incredulous.
"As the saying goes, 'All the world's hustle and bustle is for profit, and the market is all about supply and demand. If there are buyers, there will naturally be sellers.'" Chen Yang smiled slightly and clearly listed the possible sources of gasoline, munitions parts, and medicines, even specifying a certain reserve, a certain foreign firm, and a certain shop that even the intelligence department had not mentioned. The whispers in the conference room gradually subsided.

The officers were surprised to discover that this usually unassuming head of the land transport section was so familiar with the supply network in the south.
When Chen Yang mentioned "high-priced emergency procurement" and "secret black market acquisitions," Yasuda Nobuo coldly interjected: "Section Chief Chen, your plan sounds wonderful. But high-priced procurement? Where will the money come from? What kind of accounts will be used? Black market acquisitions? How can we guarantee the reliability of the source? Could it be a trap set by anti-Japanese elements?"

"Furthermore, how many departments would it take to mobilize these scattered inventories you mentioned? And to complete it within five days? Have you carefully considered the difficulties and risks involved? Could this just be... an unrealistic pipe dream?"

Despite the questions, Chen Yang remained calm and turned to Yasuda, his tone still steady: "Minister Yasuda's concerns are very valid. Regarding funding, some special contingency funds can be used, and I request that Your Excellency coordinate with the Ministry of Finance's Shanghai office for special approval."

"Through black market channels, the Land Transportation Division has some long-term 'cooperative' informants. While we can't guarantee 100% accuracy, the level of control is relatively high. As for cross-departmental coordination..."

"I think this problem is easier to solve, as Chief of Staff Kawabe made very clear last time."

"All material operations related to the northward movement can obtain the highest level of authorization."

"I can go to headquarters to coordinate and ensure that the supplies are shipped out immediately after they enter the warehouse."

Yasuda frowned: "Section Chief Chen, you..."

Before Yasuda could finish speaking, Kenjiro Oshima slammed his hand on the table.

He now has serious doubts about Yasuda's motives.

From the very beginning of the meeting, Yasuda kept emphasizing that the collection and transportation of supplies was a political issue, not simply a matter of supply demand.

But when Chen Yang proposed a solution, Yasuda repeatedly raised questions.

This is creating problems when there are none, and Oshima strongly suspects that Yasuda did it on purpose.

What ulterior motive did he have in doing this?
Could it be that the South Manchuria Railway is preparing to control China's transportation routes? Hmph, the Southern Expeditionary Army spent more than a year building up an efficient transportation network, do they think they can so easily take it over?
Dream on.
A look of displeasure crossed Yasuda Nobuo's face as he stood up and said, "Chief Oshima, I know you don't like to hear this, but I still have to remind you."

"The Army is procuring supplies from the black market? Ha, what you're doing is against the rules."

"Rules?" Chen Yang retorted without hesitation, "Minister Yasuda, rules are set for others to see; they are utterly useless when it comes to getting things done."

(End of this chapter)