Hidden Radiance

Did Boss Dai send a new imperial envoy? Or was it a trick by Li Shiqun? Or were those people from the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Zhongtong) trying to steal the credit?

Lu Minghui casually tossed the account book onto the wooden box next to him, dusted off his hands, and slowly turned around.

The man on the steps was wearing a black trench coat and a wide-brimmed hat with the brim pulled low.

His right hand was tucked into his trench coat pocket, its prominent outline clearly indicating he was holding a gun.

"Station Chief Paper Kite?" Lu Minghui's lips curled into a mocking smile. "He's really pulling out all the stops. Killing a Special Higher Police section chief in an Imperial Army bank—does he think my life at No. 76 is too easy?"

"Director Lu, you've misunderstood." The man in black took a step down, his leather shoes clicking on the concrete steps, his voice deep and resonant. "Takeda's investigation went too far, touching things he shouldn't have. The station chief is simply clearing obstacles for you."

"Help me?" Lu Minghui sneered. "With Takeda dead, Nanzo Yunko and Nakajima Shinichi's eyes are all on Litai Bank. You call that helping?"

The man in black stopped halfway up the steps, looking down at Lu Minghui.

"The station chief said that with Director Lu's methods, this is nothing to worry about," the man in black said confidently. "After all, things have already gotten quite lively at Chengda Company."

Lu Minghui did not respond.

Chengda Company. Li Shiqun. The other party knows everything.

This isn't one of Li Shiqun's men. Li Shiqun doesn't have that kind of vision, nor does he have that kind of rapid intelligence network.

Lu Minghui took out his old-fashioned dagger, bit off a match, and struck it. The flame flickered, and he brought it closer to light it.

Chongqing has sent people again. One in the open, one in the shadows, are they monitoring each other?

These idiots, they came here and immediately tried to kill Takeda, tore up the account books, and alerted the enemy.

"What does Station Master Paper Kite want?" Lu Minghui leaned against the wooden box and exhaled his first puff of smoke.

"Cooperation." The man in black watched Lu Minghui light a cigarette. "The station chief knows that Director Lu is also investigating Project Shan. That ledger is Chengda Company's material flow record for the first three months. It contains what you want."

"What are the conditions?" Lu Minghui exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Three days from now, Avenue Joffre in the French Concession, Notre Dame Cathedral bell tower. The stationmaster would like to see you." After saying this, the man in black took a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and threw it on the steps. "This is the deposit."

The crumpled paper rolled twice on the steps and then stopped.

Without another word, the man in black turned and strode up the steps, disappearing outside the iron gate.

Lu Minghui didn't chase after him. He stood there, finished half a cigarette, and then went over to pick up the crumpled paper.

Unfold.

It's the bottom half of the torn-off page of the ledger.

Central government printing money.

Below is a densely packed list of material allocation records. Recipient: Chengda Company, No. 14 Broadway Road. Recipient: Song.

Song Qingyuan?

Lu Minghui pressed his thumb firmly against the character "Song".

He was indeed at Chengda Company. And he was still working for the Japanese. Was he forced into it, or was he betraying them?

Lu Minghui folded the half of the account page and stuffed it into his inner pocket.

Based on the report and evidence at the scene, the shooting occurred at close range. Takeda either knew the killer, or the killer was disguised as someone Takeda trusted, to be able to get so close.

The new group of people sent by the Military Intelligence Bureau is not simple.

Of course, it's also possible that it wasn't from the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Lu Minghui stood up and walked out of the basement.

Back in the lobby on the first floor, Wan Molin was pacing anxiously.

"Director Lu, next..."

"When will the Special Higher Police take over?" Lu Minghui interrupted him.

"Section Chief Nanzo has already sent someone; they're on their way."

"Keep your mouth shut. You know nothing. Takeda went down to check the accounts himself." Lu Minghui's tone was icy.

"I understand, I understand!" Wan Molin nodded repeatedly.

Lu Minghui walked out of the bank and got into a Ford sedan.

"Return to number 76."

Sun Yaozu started the car.

Inside the train carriage, Lu Minghui leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. His mind was constantly racing.

The newly dispatched agent "Paper Kite" from the Military Intelligence Bureau wants to see him.

Nakajima asked him to investigate Sakata.

Nanzo Yunzi stared at Gu Yunqiu.

Li Shiqun is investigating the background of Chengda Company.

All the lines lead back to 14 Broadway.

Since everyone wants to muddy the waters, let's make them even muddier.

2 PM. 76 Jessfield Road.

Lu Minghui pushed open the door to the Confidential Affairs Office.

Gu Yunqiu has moved out. The table is clean and tidy, except for a black crank telephone.

He walked to the table, sat down, opened a drawer, and took out the list of Japanese companies provided by Lu Xuzhang. He turned to the page for Chengda Company.

There was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

Lin Zhijiang pushed open the door and walked in. His nose was covered with thick gauze, half of his face was swollen, and he walked with a limp.

"Director Lu." Lin Zhijiang stood in front of the table, his back bent low, like a dog whose spine had been broken.

Lu Minghui closed the list, leaned back in his chair, and looked at him.

"Where did Deputy Captain Lin get his fortune?" Lu Minghui asked mockingly.

Lin Zhijiang gave a wry smile: "Director Lu, don't make fun of me. Those Japanese from Chengda Company are completely unreasonable. I didn't even get inside the door and I was beaten like this. Thirty of my brothers had their guns taken away too."

"You're really lucky to have survived." Lu Minghui picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Chief," Lin Zhijiang leaned forward and lowered his voice, "Director Li asked me to investigate Chengda Company, saying that there was a large amount of smuggled penicillin inside. But when I came back after being beaten, Director Li didn't say a word and even complained that I hadn't done a good job. I really can't stay in this No. 76 anymore."

Lu Minghui's eyes flickered slightly.

As expected, Li Shiqun used Lin Zhijiang as cannon fodder.

"What do you want to say?" Lu Minghui put down his teacup.

"I want to work for you." Lin Zhijiang's knees buckled, and he knelt down. "She Aizhen is unreliable, and Li Shiqun is a madman. Only you can remain steadfast in this chaos. Just say the word, and my life, Lin Zhijiang's life, will be yours!"

Lu Minghui looked at Lin Zhijiang kneeling on the ground without saying a word.

The silence lasted for more than ten seconds. Sweat streamed down Lin Zhijiang's forehead, soaking into the edge of the gauze on the bridge of his nose.

"Get up," Lu Minghui said calmly. "My standards are high; I don't accept trash."

Lin Zhijiang quickly got up, his face beaming with a smile: "Director, what do you need me to do?"

Lu Minghui opened the drawer, took out a photo, and threw it on the table.

The photo shows a middle-aged man wearing a long gown and gold-rimmed glasses, with a refined appearance.

The kite, using the pseudonym "Chen Zheng".

"This man has been getting very close to Li Shiqun lately." Lu Minghui tapped the photo twice with his finger. "Go investigate his background. Don't alert him, find out where he lives and who he's been in contact with. Once you've found out, come see me."

Lin Zhijiang picked up the photo as if it were a priceless treasure, nodding repeatedly: "Understood! Don't worry, Director, I will investigate thoroughly!"

Lin Zhijiang left.

Lu Minghui looked at the closed door.

Lin Zhijiang was a former subordinate of She Aizhen. Li Shiqun would receive news of who he was investigating and who he had met within two days.

the phone is ringing.

Lu Minghui answered the call.

"Minghui-kun," Nanzo Yunzi's voice came through the receiver, sounding tired, "Are you still drinking at Cinque Terrell tonight?"

"Of course," Lu Minghui said casually. "With Section Chief Yunzi's presence, how could I possibly stand her up?"

"I'll be waiting for you at eight o'clock."

He hung up the phone. Lu Minghui stood up and walked to the window.

The sky was overcast, and it looked like it was going to rain again.

8 PM. Cinque Terrell Ballroom.

Neon lights flashed, and the melody of a saxophone echoed across the dance floor.

In a private room on the second floor, Lu Minghui and Nanzo Yunzi sat facing each other. On the table was an opened bottle of red wine and two stemmed glasses.

Nanzo Yunzi changed out of her military uniform and into a black velvet cheongsam. The waistline was very narrow, but the shoulders were half an inch looser than when she wore the military uniform. Her long hair was styled in an updo, revealing a pair of pearl earrings on her earlobes.

"Minghui-kun, is your injury better?" Nanzo Yunzi picked up her wine cup and gently swirled it.

"Thanks to the section chief, I won't die." Lu Minghui raised his glass and clinked glasses with his.

A crisp sound of glass colliding.

Nanzo Yunzi took a sip of red wine and her gaze fell on Lu Minghui's face.

"Gu Yunqiu has moved back to the South Manchuria Railway Company." Nanzo Yunzi said casually, as if she were chatting about everyday matters.

"She has a terrible temper; I can't handle her." Lu Minghui put down his wine glass, took out a cigarette, and lit it. "The young lady from the South Manchuria Railway Company really thinks she's something special. Let her go back and calm down."

Nanzo Yunzi smiled. The curve of her lips was just right, but her eyes didn't follow suit.

"Mr. Minghui, are you really willing to give that up?"

"What makes you say that?" Lu Minghui exhaled a smoke ring, which swirled upwards and eventually dissipated.

Nanzo Yunzi looked at him with a complicated expression.

"Matsui is dead, and Takeda is dead too. Section Chief Nakajima is handing over the Southeast Trading Company to you." Nanzo Yunko leaned forward. "Mr. Minghui, you are now a very popular figure in Shanghai. Even Colonel Sakata has to show you respect."

"Yunzi." Lu Minghui flicked his cigarette ash into the ashtray. "Matsui is dead, and I can't even find anyone to drink sake with. What's the point of climbing the ranks?"

Nanzo Yunzi watched him flick his cigarette ash, the curve of her lips remaining unchanged.

"Matsui's sake hasn't even cooled down yet, and Akira-kun is already reminiscing?"

"As for Li Shiqun—" Nanzo Yunzi lowered her voice, "I was the one who instructed him to contact the Military Intelligence Bureau."

Lu Minghui remained calm and composed.

"You want him to go and cause trouble for Colonel Sakata?"

"The bait isn't big enough—" Nanzo Yunko put down her wine glass, tracing a half-circle with her fingertip along the rim. "How do you catch a big fish?"

She looked at Lu Minghui.

"Mr. Minghui, Southeast Trading Company is now under your control. I need your cooperation to give Li Shiqun the green light so that his people can infiltrate the periphery of Chengda Company."

Lu Minghui's fingers, which were holding the cigarette, paused slightly.

Nanzo Yunko was using him to probe Sakata's intentions. If anything went wrong, he would be the one to take the blame.

"Okay." Lu Minghui stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "As long as it's arranged by Yunzi, I have no problem with it."

"This is Section Chief Nakajima's idea," Nanzo Yunko said, bringing up her backstage connections. "Finding out where those 70% of the drugs went is your task. Li Shiqun is exactly the best tool you need."

Lu Minghui remained silent for a moment.

"Alright." Lu Minghui picked up his wine glass and downed it in one gulp. "I'll cooperate with you. However, after it's done, I want Li Shiqun dead."

Nanzo Yunko smiled.

"make a deal."

The two clinked glasses.

Late at night. Lu Minghui returned to the safe house.

The room was completely empty. There wasn't even a spare teacup on the corner of the table.

He walked to the table, opened the drawer, and took out the half of the account book.

Central government printing money.

Three days later, at the Notre Dame Cathedral bell tower.

Who is that imposter, the stationmaster of Paper Kite, really working for?

Lu Minghui lit the ledger pages and threw them into the ashtray. The flame flickered twice, the pages curled, turned black, and turned to ash.

He picked up the phone, then put it down again.

Staring at the desktop.

There is a piece of paper on the table with three names written on it, arranged in a triangle.

Nakajima, Matsui, Sakata.

The plan is to connect the three people, and 1644 is also connected to the three people, but by a dotted line.

Matsui's name was circled.