Espionage: I Have Photo Editing Software

"You're saying this was Wei Renming's suggestion?" Sato Jiro narrowed his eyes.

"Yes! Please give your instructions, Director." Yamagami Ryosuke replied respectfully.

"If we really do that, the Chinese will only hate us even more. Don't you know that?" Jiro Sato asked.

"I understand. But shifting the blame is indeed the most efficient method. Moreover, Wei Sang said that Chinese people hate traitors more than outsiders. Once the photos are published, we can guide public opinion towards him, which won't have a significant impact on us."

"This Wei Renming is a talented person! But what is he after?" Sato Jiro asked, puzzled.

"Money! He asked for fifty thousand!" Yamagami Ryosuke told the truth.

Sato Jiro stared in disbelief, exclaiming, "Is he crazy?! How much is our annual budget? And he's asking for fifty thousand!"

Yamagami Ryosuke quickly said, "Wei-san suggested I go to Matsumoto Shigeharu and persuade him to invest!"

Sato Jiro's attitude softened somewhat. "That's a good idea. Let's do it that way!"

"You agree?" Yamagami Ryosuke thought he would have to explain it to them more.

"What else can we do? Section Chief Morita is arriving tomorrow; do we even have a choice?"

Eisuke Morita's attitude determines the amount of funding.

Jiro Sato knew that doing this was like drinking poison to quench his thirst, but the situation forced him to act, and he couldn't care less about anything else.

"There's no time to lose, I'll go inform Wei Renming right away!" Yamagami Ryosuke hurriedly left.

……

That evening, Wei Renming lay on a rocking chair in the courtyard, gazing blankly at the sky.

After receiving a notification from Ryosuke Yamagami, he quickly selected a model and began the photoshoot.

By now, the photos of him in Manchu clothing and the previously taken photos in kimono should have been sent to major newspapers.

Chinese-language newspapers like Shen Bao and Ta Kung Pao probably wouldn't publish it.

His works were only published by some pro-Japanese newspapers or magazines that had been paid.

"After tomorrow, I wonder when I'll be able to take off this traitor label from my head."

Wei Renming did not feel sad; it was the Japanese who should be sad.

"Knock knock knock..." The knocking sounded on the door.

Wei Renming opened the door and said with a smile, "Teacher Xiao Chuan is here! Please come in!"

Risa Ogawa is in her early twenties, from Kyoto, and has a sweet appearance. She works as a Japanese language teacher at a primary school in Hongkou District.

Wakasugi Yukina specifically assigned her to teach Wei Renming Japanese.

After the two sat down inside, Wei Renming took out a jewelry box, opened it, and revealed a pearl necklace inside. "When I was picking out jewelry for my sister, I saw this necklace and thought it would suit you very well, so I bought it."

"No, no, this is too expensive!" Ogawa Risa waved her hands repeatedly.

"Consider this my thank-you gift to my teacher!" Wei Renming picked up the necklace, slowly stood up, and walked behind Ogawa Risa. "I'll put it on for you, teacher."

Risa Ogawa's body stiffened, and her ears turned slightly red.

Wei Renming did not make any physical contact. After putting on the necklace, he sat back down in his original seat.

What will we learn today?

Risa Ogawa let out a soft breath. "You have finished learning the fifty sounds. Today you can try learning the pronunciation rules."

"Thank you for your trouble. Please make sure you teach me the purest Kyoto accent." Wei Renming gave her gifts and flirted with her, simply so that she would teach him everything she knew; he had no other intentions.

"Don't worry! I'm from Kyoto!" said Risa Ogawa.

"Let's begin!"

Wei Renming must be able to read Japanese in order to fully utilize the "golden touch" (a term used to describe a powerful, influential person).

……

Application to the editorial department.

Chief writer Yu Songhua put down the photo, his face full of doubt.

"How could Wei Renming do such a thing? Are the photos really taken by him?"

Editor Zhang Shutong said, "I called their photo studio to verify, it can't be wrong."

"With 'Sunset' as a precedent, why would Wei Renming ruin his own reputation?" Yu Songhua said with heartache.

Zhang Shutong slammed his fist on the table, angrily saying, "I asked on the phone, and his assistant said that the original title of 'Sunset' was 'The Sun Never Sets,' and this misunderstanding only happened because he forgot a word. In my opinion, Wei Renming has long been a lackey of the Japanese."

"Is that so?" Yu Songhua thought for a moment, then took out the letter from the anonymous sender and said, "Wei Renming must have been instructed by the Japanese. They pulled this stunt because they foresaw the impact of 'The Phoenix Coronet and Embroidered Robe' being published, so they wanted to muddy the waters!"

"That must be it! How should we respond? Should we contact our colleagues and postpone the publication of 'The Phoenix Coronet and Embroidered Robe'?"

"It's no use. Of all the newspapers in Shanghai, how many will follow orders? Write the article immediately; it must be published tomorrow."

"Write what?"

"Exposing the Japanese's feint attack strategy serves as a reminder to our fellow countrymen not to be misled, and even more importantly, to avoid internal strife! Whether Han or Manchu, anyone who is devoted to the country is a good person!"

"Alas! I'm afraid the results will be minimal!" Zhang Shutong sighed.

"Even so, we have to do it. How can we, as journalists, sit idly by?" Yu Songhua said in a deep voice.

"I'll start writing right away!"

The next day, early morning.

"China-Japan Photography Contest! An anonymous artist presents a new work, restoring the Empress's crown and robes!"

"Wei Renming's photography of kimonos and Manchu clothing has made him a traitor!"

"The newspaper calls for unity between the Han and Manchu people, and urges people not to be misled by the Japanese!"

……

The newsboys' shouts echoed through the streets and alleys.

Passersby stopped and bought newspapers.

Before 10 o'clock, newspapers from all major newspapers were sold out.

Discussions and murmurs resounded throughout Shanghai.

Offices, coffee shops, street corners...

Public opinion is like a knife; Wei Renming could only hide at home.

The Peerless Beauty Photo Studio has been surrounded by angry citizens.

Reporters tried every means to find out Wei Renming's address.

His reputation is ruined!

But he became famous among the Japanese.

Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai.

Wakasugi looked at the latest Japanese newspaper with an admiring gaze.

"Xue Nai looks quite different from her usual cold demeanor under Wei Renming's lens."

Kenichi Honda laughed and said, "Consul Yukina is naturally beautiful, and Wei Renming's lens has shown her beauty to the fullest."

"This afternoon, contact Jiro Sato, get the film negatives, and send them back to Japan. Her mother will be very happy to see them."

Although the relationship between him and his daughter was strained, blood is thicker than water after all.

"Let's go to the dock. Eisuke Morita should be here soon."

"Yes."

……

"Kimura-san, what do you think of Wei Renming's photos?" Matsumoto Shigeharu asked.

"Just opportunistic!" Kimura Ihei's eyes gleamed.

The fact that Wei Renming took advantage of the loophole in the photo of him in full uniform was a result of his actions.

However, Yukina Wakasugi's kimono photo is genuine. Although it's not as good as the anonymous one, it's slightly better.

Matsumoto Shigeharu retorted, dissatisfied, "Only by recognizing others' strengths can one compensate for one's own weaknesses. A loss is a loss; it's just 50,000 yen, I'll pay it for you!"

Kimura Ihei said awkwardly, "You already spent 50,000 yen when Yamagami Ryosuke came yesterday, how can I let you spend money again?"

"These are just material possessions; I don't care about them." Matsumoto Shigeharu said nonchalantly. "Let's go to the dock. Section Chief Morita is arriving today; you'd better make a good impression. Gaining his favor will be very helpful for your career development."

Kimura Ihei felt a mix of emotions, no longer the high spirits he had a few days ago.

"I don't need Section Chief Morita's approval; it's enough if he doesn't dislike me!"