Espionage codename: Shen Gongbao

Chapter 150 Stealing Intelligence

We arrived at number 76.

He originally planned to report to Li Shiqun on the progress of negotiations with Zhang Xiaolin.

Unexpectedly, Lao Li went to Nanjing for a meeting.

You just went without warning, and even took your sister-in-law with you.

That's really boring.

After going to the interrogation room and returning, he leaned back in his chair, intending to take a nap.

I spent most of last night tossing and turning, first fighting with a gecko, then being tormented by Wanjia. My whole body feels like it's about to fall apart.

the phone is ringing.

Wang Xuesen opened his eyes and picked up the microphone: "It's me."

"Okay, Director Ding, I'll be right there."

He put down the microphone, rolled up his sleeves, and stood up.

As he walked out, he passed the guard post at the corner of the corridor, and Xiao Yang, who was on duty, nodded to him.

Wang Xuesen casually asked, "Who came to see Director Ding today?"

Xiao Yang recalled: "Section Chief Ding arrived very early in the morning and stayed for quite a while."

He added, "Director Ding asked me before whether you had arrived."

Wang Xuesen's heart stirred slightly, but he didn't show it on his face. He tossed half a pack of cigarettes onto the table and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Upon arriving at Ding Mocun's office, the guards conducted a quick body search and gestured for entry.

Wang Xuesen pushed open the door and entered.

Ding Mocun was listening to music, his eyes squinted, his fingers tapping out the rhythm as he hummed off-key.

Judging by his demeanor, he seems to be in a good mood.

Old Ding is pregnant!

Hearing footsteps, Ding Mocun didn't even lift his eyelids, and snorted, "Xuesen, it's been a while since you've come to visit me."

"Alas, I've fallen from grace, and now my place is deserted."

Wang Xuesen smiled and said, "Uncle, I've just been too busy lately."

"There's a ton of work going on at the Chamber of Commerce, and Wu Sibao keeps stuffing people into the interrogation room. I'm working non-stop."

Ding Mocun opened his eyes and gave him a cold glance: "Just busy?"

"You used to never come here empty-handed. Now, hah—"

He shook his head and sighed deeply.

"You little rascal, you've changed, you've changed."

Wang Xuesen was speechless.

Damn it, they've been completely sidelined like this, and they're still thinking about getting my tonics for free.

That stuff is ridiculously expensive, and you just ask for it without even a thank you.

Can't they have any shame?

This guy will be useful later—he put on a guilty face: "Uncle is right, it was my oversight."

"I will definitely visit you and Auntie another day."

Ding Mocun gave a cold laugh, tapping his fingers on the armrest: "Didn't you ever think I might have a chance to rise again?"

Wang Xuesen immediately feigned sudden realization, leaned forward, and asked with a smile, "I always knew that you were no ordinary person, and that your rise to prominence was only a matter of time."

"Could it be that you are here—"

Ding Mocun smiled.

He waved his hand, feigning mystery, and said, "It's too early to talk about this now. You'll find out when the time comes."

He stood up and poured tea for Wang Xuesen: "If Shanghai can have a No. 76, it can have a No. 77, a No. 99, a No. 100."

"Just you wait and see."

"Uncle, when you become successful, don't forget your nephew!" Wang Xuesen quickly flattered him.

Ding Mocun chuckled twice, then changed the subject: "I heard that your father-in-law and the Chamber of Commerce have recently unsealed a lot of companies seized by the Special Higher Police. You must be making quite a bit of money, right?"

"Shouldn't I, as an honorary director, also—" He rubbed his thumb and forefinger together.

Again.

Wang Xuesen secretly rolled his eyes.

You haven't even started anything yet, and you're already asking for money.

"clear."

Wang Xuesen wasn't stupid either. He patted his chest and said confidently, "Okay, I'll go back and discuss it with them tonight."

"Once Uncle gains momentum, I'll immediately use his authority to command the merchants and make these people bleed more."

Ding Mocun's smile froze.

That kid talks a good game, but it all boils down to one thing: get results first, then talk about money; don't act until you see the benefits.

"Alright then." Ding Mocun waved his hand, feeling somewhat awkward. "Then you can go ahead and get busy."

Wang Xuesen got up to take his leave.

As soon as he left, Ding Mocun's face darkened instantly.

That bastard is pretty shrewd.

just wait.

Once the Ding Mansion is established, you all have to obediently line up, kneel down, and kowtow to me to admit your mistakes and acknowledge your status.

You have to pay this money, whether you want to or not.

Wang Xuesen returned to his office, locked the door, and leaned back in his chair.

He lit a cigarette and went through the information in his mind.

First of all, it's a done deal that Ding Mocun and Yu Yefeng will cooperate.

Judging from his confidence and tone, progress is rapid, and the Japanese have provided considerable support.

The Ding Mansion will probably be completed soon.

This is terrifying; the funding and technology required to establish an intelligence agency are not simple.

It would be difficult to achieve this without the leadership of a high-ranking figure from the Japanese side.

Has Ding Mocun found a powerful backer?

Secondly, Ding Mocun called me here today, and all he said was the same old thing, not a single word of substance.

They really want money, but it's more like a pretext.

The key point is what Xiao Yang said.

Before he even reached number 76, Ding Mocun had already asked the guards.

Considering Ding Zijun's early morning visit to see his older brother, coupled with his sudden, overly solicitous demeanor in the corridor.

The answer is already clear.

Ding Zijun was involved in Zhao Datian's assassination attempt last night.

It's even highly likely that he was the one who made the connection.

Ding Mocun summoned him today not so much to reminisce and ask for money, but rather to confirm with his own eyes whether he was truly dead or alive.

Oh.

After confirming that he was not dead, they politely saw him off.

Not urgent.

You have to eat one bite at a time.

It's his own business to dismantle Yu Yefeng; he'll take action sooner or later.

But dealing with Ding Mocun's Japanese backers is Li Shiqun's job.

You can't shoulder everything yourself.

Firstly, it's too tiring, and I don't have the ability.

Secondly, being too capable is a threat in the face of a suspicious person like Li Shiqun.

This is a perfect opportunity to show him a humble attitude.

Having made up his mind, Wang Xuesen slid back in his recliner, propped his legs up on the desk, and prepared to sleep.

Oh, my sister-in-law isn't here.

I feel like something's missing, and going to work isn't very interesting anymore.

Just as I was about to go to sleep, there was a knock at the door.

"Who the hell is so blind?" Wang Xuesen patiently opened the door.

Hu Junhe walked in, carrying a top-secret document in red: "Are you not busy, brother?"

"Your older brother's here, you'll have to make time even if you're busy," Wang Xuesen said with a smile, quite the smooth talker.

"Perfect."

Hu Junhe patted the brown paper bag in his hand: "I need to send an intelligence report to the military police headquarters. Could you take it with you while you're at it?"

Wang Xuesen waved his hands repeatedly: "No, I dare not touch the military police's top-secret intelligence."

"If something goes wrong later, you won't be able to explain yourself no matter how hard you try."

Hu Junhe smiled and sat down: "You're overthinking it. It's just ordinary intelligence, nothing secret."

As he spoke, he stopped being in a hurry.

He sat down on the sofa, crossed his legs, and shone his shiny leather shoes: "Hey, these days, the only person in this building I can open up to is you, my little brother."

"To be honest, ever since the Liujiagang outpost went out of business, the brothers have lost their source of income, and their hearts have become restless."

Those with connections go out and try to get ahead, while those without just dawdle.

"The intelligence team is really hard to manage."

Wang Xuesen smiled and said, "Making money is easy."

Upon hearing this, Hu Junhe leaned forward halfway: "Explain in detail."

"Bai Junqi is dead, and the Bai family's reputation is ruined. Now so many people are waiting to pounce on them and take a bite out of them, and you're just going to stand by and watch, brother?" Wang Xuesen poured him some tea.

Hu Junhe frowned: "Doesn't this bother Zhang Xiaolin? The Bai family has some connection with the Zhang family, after all."

Wang Xuesen scoffed, "The person is dead. How could a selfish bastard like Zhang Xiaolin possibly care about the Bai family? Give me a break."

"That old man has too many problems to clean up his own mess."

He put down his teacup and tapped the table with his finger.

"Here's what we'll do: you set a trap, brother. Give Old Man Bai a false pretense of secretly contacting people in Shancheng, and then raid his house."

"At worst, we can offer Director Li and Sister Ye some extra favors afterward. Strike first, or you'll be left with nothing."

At this point, Wang Xuesen winked, hinting, "By the time Sibao realizes what's happening, by the time the Japanese, Fu You'an, the police headquarters, and the tax bureau all smell blood and come swarming in, what chance will you have?"

"There's only so much meat, whoever bites first gets to eat it."

"It just so happens that the director is currently short of funds, so your move is exactly what he wants."

"Making money and gaining merit at the same time."

"A winning move, a huge profit!"

Hu Junhe stroked his little mustache, his eyes darting around several times, and the more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

He knew the Bai family's background all too well.

They've done a whole host of despicable things, but they've made a lot of money nonetheless.

Take Old Master Bai, for example. He's known for being incredibly stingy, and it's said he owns quite a lot of antiques and calligraphy.

Now that Bai Junqi is dead and Zhang Xiaolin's connection is gone, the Bai family is like a tiger with its teeth pulled, ready to be torn apart by anyone.

It all comes down to who speaks first.

"Great idea!" Hu Junhe slapped his thigh. "You know what, it's been a while since I've had a big meal with a tycoon, my hands are itching for it."

"I'll go back and consult with the director, and report the plan."

Wang Xuesen frowned and glared at him: "Foolish!"

Hu Junhe was stunned.

"Think about it, this is such a juicy piece of meat. If you report it, the director will just hand it over to Sibao to handle. In the end, you won't even get a scrap of bone."

"You should at least wait until you've collected enough before reporting it; it wouldn't be too late."

"When the money is in your pocket, the credit will be yours."

"Wouldn't that secure your position as deputy director?"

Wang Xuesen offered a very astute reminder.

Hu Junhe gasped, pointed at Wang Xuesen, and grinned sincerely: "You really are the best, little brother—too cunning, too cunning."

"Okay, whatever you say, let's do it this way."

He turned to the side and confidently declared, "If I make money on this deal, I'll share the profits with your brother later."

Wang Xuesen waved his hand: "No need for formalities among brothers. Forget about the profit sharing. Just treat me to a nice meal sometime when you've made some money."

"One meal isn't enough! Ten meals!" Hu Junhe said with a big wave of his hand.

After chatting for a bit, Wang Xuesen casually picked up the red-covered document on the table: "Brother, why doesn't the intelligence go through the communications department? Why does it have to be sent through the military police branch? It's so troublesome."

"Your little brother is putting on an act with me again, isn't he?" Hu Junhe pointed at him.

"The Telecommunications Department has now placed people from the Iwai Mansion, and that Yang Siyuan is Yuan Lou's confidant."

"Yuan Lou even planned to blow up our No. 76 back then."

"That kid is either from Shancheng or Yancheng."

"Chief Kagesa may find it difficult to refuse openly, but that doesn't mean he won't take precautions."

"The director isn't stupid. Important matters are relayed directly from Shibuya to the Ume branch; why would he go through the communications department?"

Wang Xuesen nodded in sudden realization: "I understand. You have your brilliant plan, and I have my countermeasures."

Hu Junhe snorted coldly and said in a sinister tone, "It's more than just a ladder to the bridge. Just you wait, those people from the Iwai Mansion will fall into our hands sooner or later."

"No. 76 is chaotic, but it's fine for us to fight amongst ourselves. Outsiders who want to get involved and get a share of the pie are just daydreaming."

"That's true!" Wang Xuesen nodded in agreement.

"By the way, Sibao threw a few more people into the interrogation room yesterday, saying they were some big fish from the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics."

"It seems that although your intelligence department's funding has been affected, your intelligence work is still very solid."

These words, though seemingly mild, perfectly captured Hu Junhe's temperament.

Sure enough, Hu Junhe's face immediately fell, and he cursed, "What a load of bull! Big fish!"

He curled his lip, his face full of disdain.

"It's just a newspaper, I reckon it has some connection with the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS)."

"He's obsessed with becoming the deputy director. He's always out there grabbing people and things, trying to pin the label of 'Shancheng' on everyone, whether they're human or ghost."

"There's nothing we can do; the director and the Japanese just like this kind of thing."

"Even if I had the information, I wouldn't give it to him. Would I be stupid enough to harm myself for the benefit of others?" Hu Junhe was extremely dissatisfied and unhappy when it came to Wu Sibao.

"All they do all day is petty theft, and they think they're so capable."

"He always carries something in his pocket and keeps shouting that it's top secret."

"He only knows to come to me when he borrows people, but getting him to vomit is harder than climbing to heaven."

"You scoundrel!"

After Hu Junhe finished speaking, he shook his head angrily.

"That's true!" Wang Xuesen smiled and continued, "You tell me, where can you find any top-secret intelligence these days?"

"It's just a matter of arresting this person today and that person tomorrow, but it won't affect the overall situation."

"We can't possibly get our hands on real battlefield intelligence."

Upon hearing this, Hu Junhe laughed instead: "Yeah, look at all this mess."

He casually opened the red document beside him and tossed it in front of Wang Xuesen.

Wang Xuesen instinctively shrank back, waving his hands repeatedly: "No, no. Lao Hu, you're setting me up."

"Absolutely not—I wouldn't dare with a top-secret document."

Hu Junhe casually pointed and said, "It's okay, we're brothers. I'll give you everything I have."

"See for yourself."

Wang Xuesen, instead of being overly respectful, obeyed, half-reading and half-reciting: "It is proposed to secretly transfer 1 tons of rice and other supplies from Huizhong Wharf to Yangzhou and Wujiaqiao. Outpost No. 76 will provide secret support along the way. This must be completed by January 17th —"

He threw the document on the table halfway through reading, saying, "What utter nonsense is this?"

"Shanghai is the national material transit center. You know, Huizhong Wharf and Qinhuangdao Road Wharf, they send grain to all parts of the country every day."

"Is this such a trivial matter that it really necessary to send a special notification to our 76th Division?"

"The Japanese are really boring."

Hu Junhe smiled and waved his hand, displaying the air of a seasoned veteran who had seen through everything: "It's not that I'm bored, it's that I'm too shrewd."

"Think about it, transportation has costs; gasoline, grain spoilage—all of these cost money."

"Those guys from the 13th Army, Sakurai and his gang, are all incredibly cunning."

"They used our channels and our cars, and the manpower and fuel costs were all borne by Zhou Fohai, the Asia Development Institute of Japan, and the Ministry of Finance."

"And what about Sakurai and his group? They just reported these losses to the North China Expeditionary Army."

At this point, he shook his head and smiled, "Not a single vehicle was dispatched, not a drop of fuel was burned, yet the expenses were still reimbursed."

"They're making a fortune."

"Sometimes you really have to be resentful. The Japanese have learned our ancestors' skills quite well; they're really good at making money."

Wang Xuesen smiled but didn't respond to the question.

To criticize the Japanese devils in front of a scoundrel like Lao Hu is just asking for trouble.

"Alright, I'll send it over to you right now." Wang Xuesen stood up, ending the small talk.

"Alright, thanks then, brother."

"All right."

Wang Xuesen packed the red document, tucked it under his arm, and went out with Hu Junhe.

I walked out of the office lobby.

He quickly began to think things through.

Hu Junhe treated this as a joke, thinking it was a trick by the Japanese to cheat on reimbursement.

But Wang Xuesen thought differently.

Besides fraudulently claiming reimbursements and borrowing the No. 76 transportation line, Sakurai probably had another motive.

Prevent internal leaks.

Otherwise, there would be no need to issue a special official document to No. 76, specifically requesting secret cooperation from sentry posts along the route.

Yangzhong.

Wujiaqiao.

That area had a base of the New Fourth Army.

Thirty thousand tons of rice is no small amount.

There is only one possibility for stockpiling grain at the front lines.

The Japanese were planning a surprise attack on East China.

Moreover, the fact that the intelligence didn't go through the Telecommunications Department but instead went through Shibuya was very likely to prevent Yang Siyuan from leaking secrets.

If Yang Siyuan was indeed from Yamashiro or Yancheng, then the Japanese's apprehension towards the Telegraph Office would make sense. Of course, it's also possible that the army system was wary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Regardless, this piece of information is extremely important.

It concerns the life and death of the military and civilians in the Wuzhong base area.

I need to find some time to see Lao Du and spread the news.

Moreover, transmitting this kind of intelligence is relatively safe.

There are too many loopholes for leaks.

Problems could occur at any link in the chain, whether it's the 13th Army's internal operations, the transport teams, or the outer communication points of No. 76.

Even if you were to queue, you wouldn't get a turn with him.

Having thought all this through, Wang Xuesen quickened his pace and walked towards the military police headquarters.

After handing over the intelligence, Shibuya pulled me aside for a cup of sake and we chatted for a while.

It was already noon when we came out.

Wang Xuesen was starving and went straight to the canteen.

The canteen at No. 76 is located on the east side of the first floor. It's not very big, with a dozen or so square tables.

As soon as Wang Xuesen stepped through the door, he saw Yang Siyuan.

The nineteen-year-old stood at the right-hand window, with a large empty space behind him.

The staff members who were originally behind him moved to the left window without saying hello when they saw him arrive.

The same goes for the people at the telecommunications department.

Distance yourself from those who need to be distanced, and take sides where necessary.

The person serving food at the window is Lao Luo, the canteen manager.

Yang Siyuan handed the rice bowl over.

Old Luo didn't even look at him properly, scooped up half a spoonful of leftover rice that had been heated in the pot overnight, a few wilted potato slices, and two pieces of radish, which was no different from giving money to a beggar.

The food at No. 76 was renowned as excellent among all municipal units.

none of them.

Only the tax bureaus of Zhejiang, Anhui and Shanghai can barely compare.

Breakfast includes two boiled eggs per person; lunch includes unlimited white rice, and meat dishes include braised pork with potatoes and cabbage with glass noodles.

Stewed tofu, and seasonal fresh fruit.

On Saturday noon, they also serve stewed pig's trotters.

Even with the budget constantly tight, Li Shiqun never cut back on the food for everyone.

It must be said that Old Li is a man of principle.

If Ding Mocun had taken over as the village head, everyone would have been eating cabbage, tofu, vermicelli, and steamed buns every day.

The leftover rice and potato chips that Lao Luo gave Yang Siyuan were specifically for the prisoners in the interrogation room and detention room.

"Why is my bowl different from theirs? There's no meat in it!" Yang Siyuan complained.

Old Luo exclaimed, "Heh heh! If you want meat, go back to the Yanjing Mansion and find Yuan Lou. What are you doing here?"

"We are allocated resources according to the established staffing levels and quotas."

"If you're given meat, what will everyone else eat?"

"How can you be so optimistic?"

As he spoke, he tapped the edge of the pot with his spoon: "It's only because the director is merciful that you're left hungry."

"Hurry up, don't block the way behind you."

"You! You've gone too far! I'll report this to Mr. Iwai!" Yang Siyuan glared angrily.

He was arguing on purpose.

He was prepared for the difficulties he would face as a scapegoat.

If you don't argue or fight and just keep your mind to yourself, it will only make people more suspicious.

Luo wasn't intimidated: "Reaction? I'll make sure you don't even get this little bit to eat. Eat if you want, or get lost."

As he spoke, he snatched Yang Siyuan's rice bowl and was about to throw it into the trash can.

"Hey, Lao Luo, what are you doing?" Wang Xuesen walked over and grabbed him.

"Mr. Yang is an instructor sent by the superior Japanese organization."

"You've gone too far."

Wang Xuesen smiled and pointed at him.

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