Espionage: I Have Photo Editing Software

Japan Allied News Agency Shanghai Branch.

In the office, Kawabe Ichijo held a telegram and said, "Natori Yonosuke and Kanemaru Shigemine are both busy filming the Berlin Olympics and have no time to spare."

These two were the two leading figures in the Japanese photography world at the time.

"What about the rest?" Matsumoto Shigeharu asked.

A voice from the riverbank said, "Kozo Nojima declined our invitation, and Nakaji Yasui also refused. Currently, only Ihei Kimura has agreed. He is skilled in portrait photography, which is very suitable for the theme of this competition, and he is currently in Manchuria."

Ihei Kimura was later hailed as the "father of Japanese modernist photography," and after his death, the Japanese established the Ihei Kimura Photography Award.

After the full-scale outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan, he was sent to China as a photographer to cheer on Japanese militarism. He served as a photographer for the Japanese military propaganda magazine "Frontline" and published a photo collection of Northeast China, "The Land of the Kingly Way," in 1943, the content of which was severely distorted and disgusting.

After Japan's defeat, many people like him were not purged. So much so that the later Little Baka still fondly remembered them.

"I've read his works, and they're still a ways off from Wei Renming's level," Matsumoto Shigeharu said, not entirely satisfied.

A worried man by the river said:

"Time is of the essence, and there are no better candidates at the moment."

In the past few days, several Japanese newspapers in Shanghai have started reporting on the "Sunset" incident, but we have suppressed it.

But the truth will out.

We'd better resolve this before the news gets back to Japan, otherwise those lunatics in the military might have a problem with you.

"Hmph!" Matsumoto Shigeharu sneered. "A bunch of brainless mad dogs. What can they do to me?"

"That's natural. But it's better to avoid trouble..." said a man on the riverbank.

Matsumoto Shigeharu took a sip of coffee, savored it for a moment, and then said, "Then let's settle on that. Have Kimura Ihei send the photos over, and hurry up."

"Yes." He breathed a sigh of relief.

……

"Baka! Are you an idiot? If this gets back to Manchuria, or even the headquarters, how am I supposed to explain this?" Sato Jiro slammed the newspaper on the ground and cursed angrily.

Ryosuke Yamagami stood stiffly, looking down at his feet. "It's my negligence. I never expected President Matsumoto to make such a basic mistake."

Jiro Sato said with a gloomy expression:

"Who is Matsumoto? Can we compare to him? With his family background, he can make a thousand mistakes without any consequences. We, on the other hand, only need to make one mistake to be plunged into the abyss. Remember, in a photography competition, only winning is allowed, not losing. If Wei Renming tries any more tricks, we can take all necessary measures!"

"President Matsumoto seems to admire Wei Renming..." Yamagami Ryosuke hesitated.

Jiro Sato pointed to the photo in the newspaper and said, "I admire his talent, but so what? If he can't be used by the Empire, that admiration will turn into hatred. Don't be afraid of offending Matsumoto. He does have many friends, but they can't interfere with us."

"Understood! I will warn Wei Renming," Yamagami Ryosuke said fiercely.

It was evening.

Wei Renming walked into the alley of Yueshaofang, only to be blocked by four people.

"Mr. Wei, it's an honor to meet you." Yamagami Ryosuke bowed.

"Who are you?" Wei Renming put his hands in his pockets, holding the pocket pistol he had bought at a high price from the black market.

"I am Ryosuke Yamagami, an advisor at the South Manchuria Railway Company's Shanghai office," Yamagami said with a smile.

Wei Renming narrowed his eyes. He naturally knew about the infamous South Manchuria Railway Company. "Mr. Yamakami, what can I do for you?"

"I do indeed wish to offer Mr. Wei some guidance." Yamagami Ryosuke spoke with great confidence. "As far as I know, Zhaofu Photo Studio seems to belong to someone else. How did it end up in Mr. Wei's hands?"

Wei Renming didn't mince words, "Others? That can't be right! That Zhang Suechi is clearly a Japanese spy who has been lurking in China for decades. His identity has been exposed, so the photo studio will naturally be confiscated."

The incident of Zhang Mozhi being robbed on the train caused quite a stir, and Yamagami Ryosuke must have been aware of it.

"So, Mr. Wei is also a government employee?"

"No. I was implicated in the Zhang Mozhi case and imprisoned. After the truth came out, I obtained the operating rights of the photo studio."

"With Mr. Wei's abilities, he's capable of starting his own business. Why bother with something so thankless and exhausting?"

"We do have this plan."

Wei Renming gave a perfunctory reply, then said:

"What brings you here, Mr. Yamagami?"

"I just want to make friends with Mr. Wei!" Yamagami Ryosuke said with a smile.

"Get to the point. I don't have time for beating around the bush."

"Mr. Wei is a straightforward person, so I won't hold back either. I'm here for the photography competition."

"Were you acting on Mr. Matsumoto's behalf?"

"Actually, it was Mr. Matsumoto who asked me to do it."

"Oh?" Wei Renming was slightly surprised. "So, the person who really wants to be my friend is you?"

"right."

"I love making friends," Wei Renming smiled. "The matter of the work's title is just a misunderstanding. I've already promised Mr. Matsumoto that I will fully cooperate with your actions."

"I hope we can become friends!" Yamagami Ryosuke glanced at his subordinate.

The Japanese soldier understood, stepped forward to Wei Renming, and presented the gift box with both hands.

"It's a small token of my appreciation since we first met."

"You're too kind." Wei Renming accepted the gift box.

"I may come to bother you again in the future, I hope Mr. Wei will not mind." Yamagami Ryosuke cupped his hands and left with his subordinates.

Wei Renming's expression was unpredictable, shifting between light and dark.

First it was Lin Yi, then Matsumoto Shigeharu, and now Yamagami Ryosuke—they're all swarming around him like flies.

Am I some kind of person who can attract Japanese devils?

He opened the gift box, inside was a set of women's clothing, and judging by the size, it fit Wei Renyi perfectly.

"A threat?"

Wei Renming was not surprised but rather pleased.

The fact that the Japanese did this shows that they care about the photography competition.

This proves that Wei Renming did the right thing.

The next day.

Shanghai's major newspapers unanimously published four photos titled "Hanfu" and also published the letter sent by Wei Renming verbatim, filling an entire page.

The next day, magazines such as "Oriental" and "Liangyou" also announced additional issues.

The influence of the media has brought this Sino-Japanese fashion photography competition into the mainstream.

Not only are photographers, newspapers, and artists discussing the topic, but ordinary citizens are also joining in, expressing their opinions.

"The author is anonymous? What a strange surname."

"Anonymous does not mean the author's surname is 'Anonymous'..."

"Judging from the introduction, the author seems to be from Northeast China. Staying in that remote corner must be tough!"

"Well said! Those scum who fawn over foreign things should be woken up!"

"This Hanfu is so beautiful, I really want to buy one!"

……

Many people don't really like Hanfu or photography that much.

The fact that China currently holds the upper hand makes them happy and gives them a sense of belonging.

After all, living in this era, it's very difficult to beat foreigners, even if it's just a small thing.

As long as we win, it's always good.