Espionage: I Have Photo Editing Software

boom!

The tea set was broken all over the floor.

Jiro Sato stared at the newspaper, his eyes blazing with fury.

Even though he wasn't an expert in photography, he could still sense the high quality of the four Hanfu photos in the newspaper.

Compared to a kimono, it's like the difference between Dong Shi and Xi Shi, or between a fake and the real.

What angered him even more was that article.

It blatantly exposed their hypocritical faces.

Everything they had done before became a joke.

The China-Japan photography competition has become a battleground for the Japanese.

Now they're in a difficult situation.

Even if you want to stop it, this farce just won't stop.

"Who exactly is the photographer?"

"This..." Yamagami Ryosuke broke out in a cold sweat. "I bribed some people at the newspapers, and they all said that the submissions came from Manchukuo."

"Manchukuo?" Sato Jiro's eyelids twitched. "Are you sure?"

"Unless the sender is deliberately impersonating someone, there can be no mistake."

Ryosuke Yamayama's mouth was filled with bitterness.

He didn't expect that just after he suppressed Wei Renming, another "anonymous" person would appear.

The thought of the consequences of these news reports reaching the South Manchuria Railway headquarters and even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent chills down his spine.

"The model in the photo wearing Hanfu is definitely not an unknown person in terms of appearance and temperament. Send the photo back to headquarters and find out who she is, at all costs!" Jiro Sato said through gritted teeth.

Wei Renming wasn't stupid; he had anticipated this move.

The model was photoshopped based on a female celebrity from later generations.

No matter how thoroughly the Japanese investigated, they couldn't find a single clue.

"Chief, if we send the photos back, we won't be able to keep this a secret anymore..."

"Fool! Now that this has caused such a huge uproar, do you think headquarters won't know if we don't say anything? Do you think those people at the consulate are blind?"

"B-but..." Yamagami Ryosuke stammered, unable to speak.

The plan to contact Wei Renming was proposed by Jiro Sato.

However, he handled the actual implementation himself.

If this situation is reported, he will definitely be severely punished.

Jiro Sato saw through his thoughts and said coldly, "The China-Japan Photography Competition was funded by Shigeharu Matsumoto. He is the real culprit."

Yamagami Ryosuke understood the implied meaning and his eyes lit up, but after thinking of Matsumoto's background, he said uneasyly:

"If we do this, President Matsumoto will definitely hold a grudge."

"Idiot! What time is it? Still being so hesitant and fearful?" Sato Jiro angrily rebuked, "Matsumoto Shigeharu's reach isn't even that far from the South Manchuria Railway Company."

Ryosuke Yamagami gritted his teeth. Now that things had come to this, he could only shift the blame and secure his own position. As for offending Shigeharu Matsumoto, that was something he could deal with later.

"The plan needs to be changed. Let Wei Renming take the lead, bring out his best skills, and shoot another set of kimono photos. They need to be in the newspaper by the day after tomorrow at the latest!"

"Even Wei Renming would probably find it difficult to surpass these four photos of him in Hanfu."

Snapped!

Enraged, Jiro Sato struck without holding back, slapping Ryosuke Yamagami hard across the face.

"Useless! Do I have to teach you everything? If Wei Renming is no match, can't we get some of the best photographers in the country to step in?"

"Yes, yes. I'll take care of it right away."

Yamagami Ryosuke fled in disarray.

……

"You want me to take action?"

Wei Renming's face tightened, and he almost burst out laughing.

You want me to hit myself?

Damn it, who came up with this brilliant idea?

"I've seen the photos in the newspaper, and the concept, composition, and lighting are all top-notch. More importantly, Hanfu is indeed more beautiful than kimono. Even if I were to compete, I might not be able to win."

"Do I have to pay more?" Yamagami Ryosuke asked tentatively.

"Yes!" Wei Renming beamed. "A friend's price, ten thousand yen."

"How much?" Yamagami Ryosuke's eyes widened. Do you even know how much 10,000 yen is?

"Last time, Mr. Matsumoto paid 15,000 yen," Wei Renming said casually.

"What?" Yamagami Ryosuke wondered if there was something wrong with his ears.

Fifteen thousand yen?

Does Matsumoto Shigeji have some serious illness?

Which photographer is worth that much money?

Isn't this artificially inflating market prices?

As the saying goes, one generation digs a pit for another to fall into, and Ryosuke Yamagami has now fallen into that pit.

"Ten thousand yen is too much, I can't afford it. Two thousand is the price. Consider it a favor I owe you."

"A favor?" Wei Renming's face showed a hint of sarcasm. "We don't have much of a relationship! This is only our second meeting. Last time, didn't Mr. Yamagami offer me some guidance?"

Ryosuke Yamagami's face flushed red, and he could only apologize, "I was very rude that day, please don't take it to heart, Mr. Wei!"

"Let's not dwell on the past. I personally have no ill intentions towards you. But business is business. Fighting for you means I have to bear the infamy and the risk of defeat. The price you offered puts me in a difficult position," Wei Renming said.

"Three thousand yen! That's the limit." Ryosuke Yamagami decided to pay out of his own pocket.

"Alright!" Wei Renming smiled. "Three thousand yuan, consider it making friends with Mr. Shanshang. I hope you won't give me any more pointers next time we meet."

Yamagami Ryosuke breathed a sigh of relief and bowed, saying, "I have offended you greatly before, and I hope you will forgive me, Mr. Wei. With your help today, we will be friends from now on."

Wei Renming did not become arrogant after gaining power. As a counselor at the South Manchuria Railway Shanghai office, he still held some weight and would be useful in the future.

He warmly put his arm around Yamagami Ryosuke's shoulder and laughed, "I love making friends! Let's not delay, let's arrange the shoot tomorrow. As for the model, try to choose a new face, but she must be beautiful in appearance and figure, preferably Japanese."

"I'll arrange it right away!"

After Yamagami Ryosuke left, Wei Renming brewed a cup of tea and leisurely sipped it.

His feigned compliance with Matsumoto Shigeji and his act of helping Yamagami Ryosuke were all for his own protection.

Now, he can refuse the Japanese.

But what happens after Shanghai falls?

Should they flee with the Kuomintang in defeat? Or should they go behind enemy lines to wage guerrilla warfare?

Neither of these two paths can utilize the "golden touch" effect.

His value can only be maximized if he stays in Shanghai.

Rather than waiting to die, it's better to pretend to surrender to the Japanese and infiltrate the enemy ranks as soon as possible.

At that time, there will be many things he can do.

at the same time.

Kimura Ihei, who was far away in Manchukuo, had already taken a train south.

The Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai, which was located nearby, was also visited by Kaname Wakasugi, who had just taken over the position of Consul General from Ishii Shōtaro.

"A photography competition sponsored by Matsumoto Shigeharu?" Wakasugi put down the documents, his eyes calm and revealing no emotion.

He had worked at the Japanese Consulate General in Hankou more than a decade ago and was a true China expert.

"Yes. That's the information provided by Jiro Sato," said Secretary Kenichi Honda.

"What's the actual situation?"

Kenichi Honda presented another document, saying, "The South Manchuria Railway Company's Shanghai office is also pushing this matter forward. However, things have gone astray, so they've shifted all the blame onto Mr. Matsumoto. Here is a detailed account of what happened; please take a look."

After reviewing the information, Wakasugi said, "The consulate will not comment for the time being. Also, let Mr. Matsumoto know the situation."

"What about Jiro Sato?"

"Ignore it!"