Espionage: I Have Photo Editing Software

Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) pier.

All personnel from the consulate's police station were deployed to guard all entrances and exits of the pier.

Around 10 o'clock.

The mail ship sounded its horn as it docked.

A man in his forties, dressed in a suit and tie, stepped off the deck.

A group of people, led by Ruoshan, went to meet them.

"Section Chief Morita, it's been a long time!" Wakasugi bowed slightly.

"Wakasugi-senpai, thank you for coming to greet me." Morita Eisuke bowed more deeply.

"It is only right and proper."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Morita Eisuke looked at Matsumoto Shigeharu and said with a smile, "Matsumoto-san, I heard you've made headlines recently?"

"I'm just doing my bit to promote cultural exchange between China and Japan," Matsumoto Shigeharu said, bowing his head.

"Haha, more than that? The commotion was quite significant."

Eisuke Morita treated everyone equally, exchanging a few words with each person present, displaying an approachable demeanor.

"Gentlemen! Section Chief Morita must be tired from his journey. Let him go back and rest first, and we can chat more at the welcome banquet!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd dispersed.

Instead of returning to his hotel to rest, Eisuke Morita went to the consulate with Wakasugi, where the two talked alone in the office.

"Mr. Wakasugi, the main reason I came to Shanghai this time is to verify the situation of the various institutions funded by the Cultural Affairs Department. I may need your help with specific matters." Eisuke Morita adopted a very humble attitude.

Wakasugi said, "I will arrange for Shimizu Taro from the Second Division of the Police Station to assist you."

The second department is the Special Higher Police Section, or THOU for short. In addition to gathering external intelligence, it is also responsible for internal surveillance.

"Thank you, Wakasugi-senpai. Besides that, I have a secret mission."

"Oh?" Ruoshan raised her eyes slightly.

Eisuke Morita said, "Before coming to China, the minister specifically emphasized that the execution of this mission required me to fully listen to your opinions."

Tell me about it.

Ruoshan took a sip of tea, her expression calm.

Having reached his position, he knows far too many secrets.

The secret mission mentioned by Eisuke Morita could not stir any emotion in him.

"This mission is codenamed 'Project Dawn,' meaning Japanese culture illuminating East Asia. The specific content is to find pro-Japanese individuals in Chinese arts and culture circles, cultivate them, and enable them to use their influence to help more Chinese people accept Japanese culture and eliminate anti-Japanese sentiment." Morita Eisuke took a document from his briefcase and handed it over. "You are a renowned expert on China and have a very good understanding of the situation there. I hope you can recommend a few candidates for us to choose from!"

Ruoshan opened the document, glanced at it for a moment, and asked, "The plan is to train ten people?"

"The first batch will initially consist of ten people. If the results are good, we will increase funding and expand the cultivation scale."

Wakasugi nodded slightly. "You've heard of the China-Japan Photography Competition, haven't you?"

"Of course. There have been reports about it domestically, and even the minister has taken notice."

"Here's today's newspaper. Take a look." Ruoshan picked up a stack of newspapers from the desk and handed it over.

Eisuke Morita took it with both hands and began to look through it.

"This anonymous photographer's skills aren't top-notch, but his ability to restore Hanfu is truly exceptional. It's a pity he's hostile to the empire; otherwise, he would be an excellent candidate for cultivation."

"According to my intelligence, the anonymous person should be in Xinjing. Once we capture him, there's a possibility we can persuade him to surrender," Ruoshan said.

Eisuke Morita shook his head and said, "Even if such stubborn people are forced to bow down to the situation, it is still difficult to feel at ease."

"That's right. Only those who admire Japanese culture and genuinely identify with it are worth investing significant effort in cultivating." Wakasugi walked to the windowsill, gazing at the river view, and said in a low voice, "I shouldn't be interfering in the affairs of the Cultural Affairs Department. Since Department Head Okada has already stated his position, I'll nominate a candidate. But you'll need to conduct the specific evaluation yourself."

"Please speak, senior," Morita Eisuke said, bowing his head.

Ruoshan pointed to the pedestrians outside the window and said:

"China is a big country with a large population. Some people are greedy and lustful, some pursue fame and fortune, some are upright and honest, and there are all sorts of people."

The person I'm recommending to you is a greedy man.

His name is Wei Renming, and he is a photographer.

He had a close relationship with Ryosuke Yamagami of the South Manchuria Railway Company's Shanghai office, and also associated with Shigeharu Matsumoto. If you want to understand him, these two are the most suitable people to consult.

Also, I'd like to remind you that he seems to have some connections with the Secret Service. I don't know the details; you'll need to investigate.

Eisuke Morita bowed his head and thanked him, "I will definitely consider your opinion carefully."

"Wei Renming has quite an appetite."

"I'm not afraid of his big appetite, I'm afraid of his lack of ability."

……

A house in the suburbs.

Wei Renming and Wang Xinheng were drinking together in the dining room.

"How have you been lately?" Wang Xinheng asked with a smile.

Wei Renming said with a smile, "That's wonderful. Those Japanese are stupid and rich; following them will bring you even more wealth."

Wang Xinheng asked calmly, "Oh, how much did you earn?"

"Haha... District Chief Wang, you wouldn't be after my little bit of money, would you?"

"Do you think I'd be short of your money?" Wang Xinheng said sternly.

After exchanging a few words of laughter, Wei Renming picked up his wine glass and said seriously, "I'll need your cooperation on the rest."

Wang Xinheng downed his drink in one gulp and said seriously, "Have you thought this through? Infiltrating the Japanese is no easy task. To tell you the truth, we've also tried to plant people in the Japanese ranks in the past two years, but they all disappeared without a trace, without exception."

Wei Renming shrugged. "Given the current situation, it seems like I'm the most suitable, right? Besides, if they can do it, why can't I?"

Wang Xinheng said, "The director thinks highly of you. If you stay in the Special Service Department, your future prospects will be bright."

After Dai Li successfully persuaded a flight squadron in the southeast to defect, he sent a telegram requesting that Wei Renming be transferred to Nanjing, but the latter refused outright.

Wei Renming was self-aware; pretending to be a fortune teller was just a temporary measure. If he really went to Nanjing, wouldn't Dai Li ask him to tell fortunes every day?

"If it were for my own benefit, why would I join the secret service? With my photography skills, I could make money anywhere. But when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken."

"I underestimated you before," Wang Xinheng sighed.

"Not really. At the time, I did want to live a comfortable life with a modest income." Wei Renming's expression turned serious, and he changed the subject, saying, "If the Japanese want to use me, they will definitely investigate me. Please make sure my identity is not revealed. This matter concerns my life, so I'm entrusting it to you."

"Very few people know that you joined the Special Service. Besides the director and me, only the people in the Nanshi Group are left." Wang Xinheng's eyes turned fierce. "Chen Zhiqiang is a graduate of the Whampoa Military Academy and a student of the Chairman. I can't touch him. But I can guarantee that the other four members will never have the opportunity to reveal your identity."

"You're going to kill them?" Wei Renming was speechless.

"Only the dead keep secrets." Wang Xinheng's eyes were icy.

"But they..."

Wei Renming was about to speak when Wang Xinheng interrupted him, saying, "Womanly compassion gets nothing done!"

"This..." Wei Renming was caught in a dilemma.