Hidden Radiance

night.

French Concession, Yuyuan Road.

It took Li Shiqun two days to confirm the news through an old source within the Central Reserve Bank.

Zhou Fohai arrived in Shanghai from Nanjing three days ago.

The third batch of China Reserve Bank bonds has encountered unexpected changes.

Tokyo temporarily doubled the additional printing quota and completely changed the anti-counterfeiting specifications, involving a total issuance of over one billion yen.

The Japanese side specifically requested that the top official of the China Reserve Bank personally go to Shanghai to hand over the new technical parameters to Chengda Company in person and sign the agreement on the spot.

For this kind of change in rank, the deputy's stamp cannot be changed.

If you sign the wrong number, the entire printing line has to be scrapped and redone; whoever made the mistake loses their head.

Zhou Fohai settled in the Yuyuan Road mansion under the name of China Reserve Bank.

Li Shiqun spent another day figuring out the guard shifts at the mansion and Zhou Fohai's daily routine.

Tonight is the last window.

Zhou Fohai will return to Nanjing early tomorrow morning.

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Two armed guards stood at the entrance of the mansion.

The study was dimly lit.

Zhou Fohai sat behind his mahogany desk, toying with two walnuts in his hands.

Li Shiqun sat in the guest seat, most of his body hidden in the shadows.

"Director Li's late-night visit, avoiding the guards outside my door, shows his improved skills," Zhou Fohai said.

He paused for a moment.

"But when you came, you were followed by someone. There were two people in that black Dodge at the alley entrance. My bodyguard chased them away for you."

Li Shiqun looked at him.

"Mr. Zhou," Li Shiqun said, skipping the pleasantries and getting straight to the point, "The Japanese ship is sinking."

The sound of the walnuts spinning stopped.

Zhou Fohai raised his eyelids and looked at Li Shiqun.

"Director Li just escaped death. If this gets to Nanzo Yunzi's ears, aren't you afraid she'll kill you?"

Li Shiqun leaned forward.

"The Japanese gained an advantage in the attack on Pearl Harbor. But the Americans were thoroughly enraged, the Pacific War broke out, and Japan's domestic resources couldn't hold out. It was only a matter of time before the British and Americans retaliated. Mr. Zhou, you see things more clearly than I do."

Zhou Fohai did not respond.

The walnuts are turned again.

"Does Director Li have any insightful suggestions?" Zhou Fohai asked.

"I've gotten in touch with the Military Intelligence Bureau," Li Shiqun revealed his trump card.

Zhou Fohai slowed down his movements.

"Dai Li's requirements were not low."

"A template for Central Reserve Bank notes." Li Shiqun stared at Zhou Fohai. "As long as we get this, the Military Intelligence Bureau promises that after the victory of the War of Resistance, you'll start as a major general. Mr. Zhou, you're now the president of the Central Reserve Bank. This shouldn't be difficult for you. Let's cooperate and leave ourselves a way out."

Zhou Fohai smiled.

The laughter was very soft.

"Li Shiqun, you overestimate me and underestimate the Japanese." Zhou Fohai placed the walnuts on the table, making two muffled sounds.

Li Shiqun did not move.

"What do you mean?"

"The previous Chinese head of Project Sugisan stumbled in Nanjing, and I took over his position." Zhou Fohai leaned back in his chair. "But I, as president, am nothing more than a puppet with a stamp. The original version of the China Reserve Bank bond wasn't even in China."

"Where?"

"Japan mainland, Kanagawa Prefecture, Noborito Research Institute." Zhou Fohai looked at Li Shiqun. "That's a top-secret institution of the Japanese Army. You want to go there to get the master copy?"

Li Shiqun fell silent.

Without obtaining the master copy, the ten-day deadline is a dead end.

"However," Zhou Fohai changed the subject.

Li Shiqun raised his head.

"We can't get the master plate, but the Shanghai Fine Plate Printing Plant might have steel molds for printing banknotes," Zhou Fohai said.

"A steel mold will do!" Li Shiqun leaned forward.

"Don't be too happy yet." Zhou Fohai picked up his teacup but didn't drink. "The fine printing plant is nominally under the management of the Central Reserve Bank, but in reality, the security is entirely handled by the Japanese. You can't get in."

Zhou Fohai put down his teacup.

"Director Li, in business, it's not only about spot transactions."

Li Shiqun looked at him.

"I can't get the template. But I have the upcoming issuance plan for the Central Reserve Bank's bonds. Also, I have the special paper and ink formulas provided by the Noborito Research Institute in Japan." Zhou Fohai tapped his fingers twice on the table. "The Military Intelligence Bureau is also interested in these things."

Li Shiqun looked at the walnuts on the table.

"However," Zhou Fohai's voice turned cold, "I cannot give you all of this information."

"Mr. Zhou..."

"Take this and test the waters," Zhou Fohai interrupted him. "Let the high command of the Military Intelligence Bureau see my value. I don't want to talk to some kite from the Shanghai Station. I want Dai Li to give me a personal promise."

Li Shiqun gritted his teeth.

"Okay," Li Shiqun agreed.

The next day.

A secluded alleyway in the French Concession.

Li Shiqun sat in the back seat of the car.

A kite was standing outside the car window.

"That's the situation." Li Shiqun handed an envelope out the car window. "This contains part of the distribution plan and ink formula parameters. Zhou Fohai wants higher terms."

Paper Kite took the envelope and felt its thickness.

"The station manager understands."

"Then I..."

"Wait for news." Paper Kite turned and left.

Li Shiqun watched the kite's figure disappear.

Half an hour later.

The back street of the Catholic Church.

Lu Minghui sat in the Ford sedan.

Paper Kite opened the passenger door, got in, and handed over the envelope.

Lu Minghui pulled out a few sheets of paper from inside and glanced at them.

"Zhou Fohai won't act until he sees the benefits." Paper Kite lit a cigarette. "He wants to bypass Shanghai Station and talk directly to the Director."

"He has the means." Lu Minghui stuffed the papers back into the envelope. "Li Shiqun was able to get all this so quickly, could it be that Zhou Fohai has arrived in Shanghai?"

"Probably. There's been a problem with the third batch of China Reserve Bank notes being issued; Tokyo wants him to come to Shanghai in person to sign them." Paper Kite paused for a moment. "He's on Yuyuan Road. Should we cut off this connection before he leaves?"

"If we kill him, who will investigate the Central Reserve Bank's reserves for us?" Lu Minghui looked at the road ahead. "The core of the Sugi Project is being kept very secret by Nakajima."

"The steel mold is at the Shanghai Fine Printing Factory." Paper Kite exhaled smoke. "Should I send someone to check it out?"

"No need." Lu Minghui started the car. "The intelligence hasn't been confirmed; we can't force our way in."

He turned the steering wheel.

"Moreover, when I was going through the records of Southeast Trading Company, I found that the fine printing plant was registered under the name of China Reserve Bank, but the procurement and security were all handled through Chengda Company's internal codes. That place is Bantian's territory."

The kite didn't ask any further questions.

The car drove onto the main street.

3 PM.

On Jing'an Temple Road, there's a coffee shop run by Russians.

A booth in the corner.

A cup of black coffee sat in front of Lu Minghui.

Song Qingyuan pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down, placing his top hat on the table.

"Director Lu asked me out, is there some good news?" Song Qingyuan asked.

Lu Minghui picked up his coffee and took a sip.

"I can't get the template for the China Reserve Bank's bonds." Lu Minghui put down his cup.

Song Qingyuan looked at him.

"Director Lu, are you playing me? The information I gave you was top-secret material personally escorted by Sakata."

"The original copy is at the Noborito Research Institute in Japan." Lu Minghui looked at him. "Do you think I could steal something from mainland Japan right under the nose of the Mei Agency?"

Song Qingyuan's hand stopped on the table.

"The Registration Institute?" Song Qingyuan stared at Lu Minghui. "Where did Director Lu get this level of intelligence?"

"Head of the Special Operations Team for Project Sugi." Lu Minghui took out a cigarette, lit it, and said, "If I can't get my hands on these things, what does Shinichi Nakajima want me to do?"

Song Qingyuan did not ask any further questions.

"However," Lu Minghui flicked his cigarette ash, "the master mold is gone, but the steel mold is."

Song Qingyuan looked up.

"Where?"

"Shanghai Fine Printing Factory." Lu Minghui held a cigarette between his fingers. "Just a heads up, the intelligence hasn't been confirmed."

Song Qingyuan tapped his fingers twice on the table.

"Security there is tight, and it is under the jurisdiction of the Central Reserve Bank of China."

"The Central Reserve Bank is just a front." Lu Minghui lit his cigarette ash. "That printing factory is a business secretly controlled by Chengda Company. The security inside is all from Sakata."

Song Qingyuan looked at Lu Minghui.

"Since Mr. Song holds a high position at Chengda Company, it's easy for you to get the steel molds from the printing factory, rather than for me," Lu Minghui leaned back in his chair.

Song Qingyuan stared at Lu Minghui.

"Director Lu, you've got some tricks up your sleeve." Song Qingyuan smirked. "Using me to probe the printing factory's secrets, you're just reaping the benefits?"

"I'm the one helping you," Lu Minghui said calmly. "You're the one who wants the steel mold to be returned to Chongqing to complete the task."

Song Qingyuan did not respond.

"You didn't go to the Shiliupu Wharf to see that batch of goods?" Song Qingyuan changed the subject.

"I just want to live." Lu Minghui flicked his cigarette ash. "Sakata escort, military police assistance. Is this the kind of job I should be doing?"

Song Qingyuan looked at him.

"Don't forget who you are."

"What's my status?" Lu Minghui stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "With my status, I should arrest you the first thing I do if I see you."

Lu Minghui stood up and took out a Chinese banknote, placing it under the coffee cup.

"Remember to let me know when you get the steel mold."

Lu Minghui turned and walked out of the coffee shop.

Song Qingyuan remained seated, watching Lu Minghui's figure disappear.

He picked up the untouched cup of coffee in front of him and took a big gulp.

Lu Minghui walked out of the coffee shop and got into his Ford sedan.

"Director." Sun Yaozu turned his head.

"Go to Mei's office." Lu Minghui leaned back in his chair.

The car drove towards Hongkou.

Lu Minghui looked out the window.

What exactly were those goods at the Shiliupu Wharf? Gu Yunqiu didn't go last night, but she would never let it go. She would definitely investigate in her own way.

The problem is that Nanzo Yunko didn't go either.

Mei Agency, second floor.

Nanzo Yunko pushed open the door to the consultant's office.

Shinichi Nakajima stood by the window, looking down at the courtyard.

"Section Chief." Nanzo Yunzi walked to the desk.

"Have the ledgers been verified?" Nakajima asked without turning around.

"It's been verified." Nanzo Yunzi placed the fake account book that Lu Minghui handed over on the table. "I compared it line by line with the original records sealed by the Evidence Department. In the three months of transactions, there are seven entries whose dates do not match the receipts from Yokohama Specie Bank."

She paused for a moment.

"Fake."

Nakajima turned around, walked back to his desk, and sat down.

His gaze fell on the ledger.

"Fake ledgers?" Nakajima asked calmly. "As long as the facts are true, does it matter whether the ledgers are fake or not?"

Nanzo Yunzi stood up even straighter.

"The amount is substantial enough to warrant isolation and investigation of Colonel Sakata. Please order the Special Higher Police to immediately conduct a full search of Chengda Company."

Nakajima tapped his fingers on the cover of the ledger.

Once, twice.

"No rush." ​​Nakajima stopped what he was doing.

Nanzo Yunzi did not respond.

"Section Chief, since the evidence is conclusive, if we delay, Colonel Sakata might destroy it."

“I told you, there’s no rush.” Nakajima looked up at Nanzo Yunko. “Sakata is, after all, a member of the military. The military won’t hand him over easily based on just an account book, whether it’s true or false. We need more direct evidence.”

"More direct evidence?"

Nakajima stood up.

"Chengda Company owns a Shanghai Fine Printing Plant. That's a crucial base for the Sugi Project. If something goes wrong there, Sakata will be in deep trouble."

Nanzo Yunko looked at Nakajima.

"Keep a close eye on the printing plant." Nakajima walked up to Nanzo Yunko. "Anyone who messes with the printing plant is either an accomplice of Sakata or an enemy trying to take advantage of the chaos. We'll close the net when they start fighting."

Nanzo Yunzi bowed her head.

"Hi."

She left the office.

In the corridor, Lu Minghui was walking up the stairs.

The two passed each other by.

Nanzo Yunzi stopped and turned to look at Lu Minghui's back.

He walked at a moderate pace, the back of his suit jacket swaying slightly with each step, until he disappeared around the corner on the second floor.