Hidden Radiance

Night fell. A Ford sedan drove through the streets of the French Concession.

Gu Yunqiu glanced in the rearview mirror. The taillights of a black sedan flashed two blocks away before following. After three turns, the distance remained approximately fifty meters.

Not too far, not too close. Neither hiding nor evading.

"It has a tail." Gu Yunqiu gripped the steering wheel tightly. "It got stuck to us as soon as we came out of the military police station."

Lu Minghui leaned back in the passenger seat without turning around. His right hand reached for the edge of the rearview mirror and adjusted the angle.

In the mirror, the black sedan is a Toyota AA, a common official vehicle in Hongkou.

"Three turns, fifty meters." Lu Minghui stared at the taillights in the mirror. "It's not tracking, it's delivering a message."

Gu Yunqiu glanced at the rearview mirror: "What do you mean?"

"The person who wants to kill me won't let you see him." Lu Minghui withdrew his hand. "Turn left at the next intersection onto Wuchang Road. Turn into the third alley, turn off the engine, and turn off the lights. Since he wants to see me, let him in."

Gu Yunqiu pressed the clutch and downshifted.

The Ford sedan suddenly swerved at the intersection, its tires screeching as it spun out of the road, before plunging headfirst into Wuchang Road.

After crossing two intersections, the car veered off course and slid into an abandoned dead-end alley.

The engine is off. The headlights are off.

Inside the carriage, only the distant streetlights cast a blurry shadow on the brick wall.

A few seconds later, a deep engine sound approached.

The black sedan slowly turned the corner of the alley, its headlights sweeping across the brick walls of the alley and shining directly on the rear of the Ford sedan.

Brake, stop.

Without hesitation, without testing the waters.

Lu Minghui pushed open the passenger door and got out. His left arm was in a cast across his chest, and his right hand hung naturally at his side.

The door of the black car opened. A man wearing a top hat stepped out. His right hand was under the brim of his hat, and his left hand was in his trench coat pocket.

The two were ten paces apart. The beam of the car headlights blocked their path.

"Aren't you tired after following me all this way?" Lu Minghui asked, his voice steady as he looked at the other person's silhouette.

The man didn't reply. He pulled his left hand out of his pocket and placed it at his side. Something between his fingertips flashed in the car headlights.

Steel needle.

Lu Minghui moved his right hand half an inch behind his waist.

The man looked up and took off his top hat.

The afterglow of the streetlights shone on his face.

Lu Minghui's hand stopped.

The beam of the car headlights shone on the puddle between the two people, shattering into a white light.

He froze for a moment.

His right hand didn't retract from his lower back. His gaze swept back and forth between the other person's face and cuffs, finally settling on the empty left hand.

The steel needle is gone.

Lu Minghui smiled. He took two steps forward, stepped over the pillar of light, and then lowered his right hand.

"Matsui? When did you get to Shanghai, kid?"

Matsui looked at Lu Minghui, and a slow smile crept onto his lips.

He came forward to greet him. "Mr. Minghui! It's been a long time!"

The two hugged briefly with one arm and then separated.

Lu Minghui punched Matsui's shoulder with his right hand. As he punched, his palm swept along the shoulder line—Matsui's left cuff was smooth, and the steel needles had been neatly removed.

"Coming to Shanghai without even saying hello." Lu Minghui withdrew his hand, his gaze lingering on Matsui's face for a moment longer. "I suppose Fu Kaisen Road is the work of an old classmate."

Matsui's smile remained unchanged.

"There are always some unruly people around Akihiro-kun." Matsui turned his top hat back up, pulling the brim down. "I covered for you once. I can't guarantee it won't happen again."

"Since we've run into each other, tonight's on me." Lu Minghui turned and walked towards the Ford. "Hongkou, Sakura Izakaya. I'll invite a few more people, and we'll catch up properly."

Matsui nodded in agreement.

Lu Minghui got into the passenger seat, pulled a business card from behind the sun visor, glanced at the phone number on the back, picked up the car phone, and dialed.

"Section Chief, Matsui-kun has arrived in Shanghai. Sakura Izakaya has reserved a table for you."

hang up.

"Call Ono," he said to Gu Yunqiu.

Gu Yunqiu started the engine and glanced at the headlights of Matsui's Toyota AA in the rearview mirror.

"What's their background?"

"A classmate from the officer training school. The Black Dragon Society." Lu Minghui closed his eyes. "Ten times more difficult to deal with than Shao Shijun."

Half an hour later. Hongkou, Sakura Izakaya.

The tatami room. The charcoal brazier was burning brightly, and the charcoal cracked, sending up a few sparks.

Lu Minghui sat cross-legged. Ono and Matsui sat on either side of him.

The sliding door opened, and Shinichi Nakajima walked in, dressed in casual clothes.

The three of them stood up.

"Section Chief." Lu Minghui bowed slightly. "I apologize for inviting you here. Mr. Matsui just arrived in Shanghai, and we're having a get-together with some familiar faces."

Nakajima glanced at Matsui, their eyes met briefly, and then he sat down in the head seat.

"Please sit down. It's been so long since I've been away from Tokyo, it's rare to have a gathering like this."

The sake was warm. Lu Minghui picked up the sake pot with his right hand and poured sake for Nakajima. The sake flowed in a thin stream, falling steadily into the porcelain cup without spilling a drop.

"Section Chief, I went to the military police headquarters today and finalized a plan with Ono-kun." Lu Minghui put down his wine jug. "The Central Reserve Bank notes will be implemented, the gold search will be conducted covertly, and the blockade will be lifted to resume trade. Ono-kun has already drafted the documents outlining the details."

Nakajima picked up his glass and took a sip. His gaze then shifted to Ono.

Ono straightened his back. "Section Chief, the General Staff wants money. They'll openly lift the blockade, but secretly monitor specific goods. Report it as a switch to covert investigation, not a withdrawal of defenses."

"Without reserves, merchants won't accept Central Reserve Bank notes," Matsui interjected, toying with the wine glass in his hand.

"I'll handle the reserve fund issue." Lu Minghui tapped the low table twice with his right hand. "Those in Shanghai who are close to Nanjing and secretly colluding with the enemy—confiscate their property, seize their assets, and put the gold bars into the bank as reserves. Send the list to the section chief's desk first thing tomorrow morning."

The private room fell silent. The charcoal fire crackled and popped.

Nakajima did not immediately respond. He placed his glass on the table, pressed his thumb against the rim, and spun it halfway around.

"Whom are you copying?"

Lu Minghui looked at him.

"Half of those who are close to Nanjing are working for the Empire. If you take their gold bars, who will be willing to risk their lives for the Empire in the future?" Nakajima loosened his thumb from the rim of his cup. "Before giving me the list, go through Ono's archives first. Those who are registered collaborators, don't touch them. Those who aren't, do as you please."

Lu Minghui lingered on his knee for a moment longer with his right hand.

"clear."

Nakajima placed his wine glass on the table. "Ono's in charge of arresting people and raiding the premises. What about Matsui?"

"Mr. Matsui's trading company will take over and forcefully implement the Central Reserve Bank's bonds." Lu Minghui turned to look at Matsui. "Old classmate, this is a lucrative job. The Black Dragon Society's foundation in Shanghai depends on this."

Matsui didn't reply immediately. He held his wine glass and twirled his fingertip along the rim.

"A lucrative job." Matsui repeated, drawing out the words, "Mr. Minghui, the Black Dragon Society is taking over, and I want the exclusive operating rights to those three docks on the east bank of Hongkou."

Lu Minghui looked at him.

"The east bank of Hongkou is under naval jurisdiction." Ono frowned. "Matsui-kun, you have quite the appetite."

"It wasn't a big deal to begin with." Matsui put down his glass and looked at Nakajima. "Section Chief, the Black Dragon Society needs a place to operate in Shanghai, where they're building channels and promoting Central Reserve Bank notes. I won't touch the Navy's goods at those three docks on the east bank of Hongkou; I'll only handle civilian goods from the Chamber of Commerce. Twenty percent of the profits will go to the Section Chief's special fund."

Nakajima held his wine glass without moving. His gaze shifted from Matsui to Lu Minghui.

Lu Minghui chuckled: "My old classmate is definitely in business. Section Chief, the east bank of Hongkou is currently deserted. Giving it to Matsui is better than letting it sit empty."

Nakajima put down his glass. "Two and a half percent."

Matsui paused for a moment, then raised his glass and offered a toast.

"Mr. Minghui is still the same as he was at the military academy, able to keep track of everything." Matsui laughed and drank.

Nakajima looked at the three of them and tapped his finger on the table.

"Project Sugi must not fail."

He picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp. The three of them raised their glasses and drank together.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.

Nakajima put down his chopsticks and suddenly spoke up: "Minghui, your driver, Gu Yunqiu."

Lu Minghui paused for a moment while picking up food with his chopsticks, then steadily picked up a piece of sashimi and placed it on the plate.

"What's wrong with Secretary Gu? You were the one who assigned her to me."

"It's not uncommon for people to have their hearts tilted to the right, but what a coincidence!" Nakajima looked at Lu Minghui. "I just feel like something's not right."

Lu Minghui glanced at the three of them.

"For us intelligence officers, the last thing we can believe in is coincidence. But they're from the South Manchuria Railway, from headquarters. Without solid evidence, we're at a disadvantage."

Nakajima stroked his wine glass, and the room fell silent.

Lu Minghui put down his chopsticks and took out a tissue to wipe his hands.

"Whether she has a problem or not is not important; what matters is what she can do."

No one spoke in the private room. Ono's hand was on his waist. Matsui's eyes narrowed.

Lu Minghui picked up his wine glass and took a sip.

"Since we suspect her, let her bite someone. We'll decide who she bites."

He looked at Nakajima.

"Anyway, she was sent by headquarters to assist with the work. Work, after all, isn't work?"

Nakajima stared at Lu Minghui. His finger rested on the rim of the wine glass, swirled it halfway, and then stopped.

Lu Minghui picked up his wine glass, but didn't drink it; he just put it to his lips.

"Didn't the section chief always teach me that 'if you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them'—that's too wasteful. It's better to use those you doubt, and then kill them after you're done using them?"

Nakajima stared at him for a long time.

He picked up the wine pot and personally poured a glass of wine for Lu Minghui.

"Minghui, I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

Lu Minghui picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. He placed the empty glass on the table without saying anything more.

Nakajima picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of sashimi, and slowly chewed it.

After swallowing, he turned to Ono and said something in Japanese. His voice was very soft, mostly drowned out by the crackling of the charcoal.

Lu Minghui didn't turn his head. He picked up a slice of pickled ginger with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and chewed it a couple of times.

The spiciness of the ginger rushed into his nasal cavity. He swallowed it.

After a few rounds of drinks, Nakajima put down his chopsticks and looked at Lu Minghui.

"Minghui, I still owe you a drink, but with one person missing, it feels like the surprise is missing." Nakajima picked up his glass but didn't drink. "Now she's coming."

"Who?" Lu Minghui looked up.

Nakajima placed the glass back on the table, his fingertips pausing briefly on the rim.

"The person you most want to see."