Agent: Intercepting Yu Manli at the start!

Ken Oshima said sincerely, "It's because I trust you and consider you a close friend; the Empire also regards you as one of its own."

The fact that Zhou Xiao was able to infiltrate the headquarters of the Sugi Agency demonstrates the depth of his infiltration and the stability of his disguise.

If things continue this way, three years after three years, he might actually be able to take control of the Japanese military intelligence system, or even join the General Staff of the Japanese Army—that would be the sharpest knife in the history of espionage.

Ken Oshima raised his hand in a gesture of respect: "Director Zhou, please."

Zhou Xiao stepped inside.

Along the way, many researchers in white coats came towards him, and they all bowed and showed solemnity when they saw Ken Oshima.

Several laboratories, each with a different research focus, are located on both sides of the corridor.

Through the glass windows, one could see people handling chemical agents, others culturing pathogenic bacteria in a sterile chamber, and still others testing data on the spread of toxic gases in a sealed chamber.

It turns out that the Sugimoto Agency's activities were far more complex than simply printing counterfeit money...

Zhou Xiao originally thought it was just an economic intelligence agency specializing in counterfeit currency production; but what he saw before him completely overturned that judgment.

It not only counterfeits currency, but also researches bacteria, tests viruses, concocts poisons, and refines chemical weapons—each a deadly weapon.

Such dens of venom must be eradicated completely.

Oshima Ken's tone carried a hint of smugness: "We are working on the world's most advanced and powerful secret weapon. Once successful, it will restore a peaceful and stable new order to you."

It is worth mentioning that the cholera strain used in Project Celestial was developed by the Sugimoto Corporation.

Zhou Xiao's anger surged, but his face remained calm: "I look forward to that day."

"Our country has been ravaged by war for many years, and it is indeed time to end the war as soon as possible."

The so-called "end" does not necessarily mean that the invaders have won; it is more likely that 400 million compatriots will clench their fists, grit their teeth, and drive the wolves out of the country completely!

As a time traveler, Zhou Xiao clearly understood the direction in which history flowed—

Invaders are doomed to defeat!

No one can suppress the backbone of this Eastern dragon!

Ken Oshima beamed and nodded gently: "Come on, I'll take you to see the heart of the currency war."

Along the way, researchers were seen coming and going, their expressions focused, and everything they held in their hands or placed on their desks was a deadly study aimed at China.

Before long, the two arrived at a fully enclosed operating workshop.

Inside, the rhythm of a money printing press was roaring.

hum - hum - hum -

Sheets of plain white paper are fed into the machine, and in a short time, they become counterfeit banknotes that are almost indistinguishable from real currency.

Several technicians in white coats were bending over to cut the tickets, checking the watermark, comparing the code, and testing the ink reaction.

Everything was in perfect order, without the slightest disorder.

Ken Oshima glanced at the busy assembly line, then turned to Zhou Xiao: "This is the core factory of the Sugimoto Agency's currency war."

"All the relevant technical data, process files, and equipment drawings are here; these operating machines and these hardworking people are trying to make counterfeit money look more and more like real money—unfortunately, the results are always limited."

"Printing banknotes is an extremely precise job. The actual printing plates are hand-carved by master craftsmen, with ten fine lines engraved per millimeter."

"Huaxia currently uses the technology systems of the United States and the United Kingdom. We have not yet fully mastered key aspects such as paper formula, anti-counterfeiting marks, and serial number coding. It is extremely difficult to make a counterfeit that is indistinguishable from the real thing."

"The engraved patterns are still blurry at the moment, and the flaws become apparent upon closer inspection."

Kenjiro Oshima spoke while Xiao Zhou listened.

"Director Zhou, come here, touch these finished products with your own hands." Ken Oshima handed over a stack of counterfeit banknotes that had just come off the production line.

Zhou Xiao took it, lightly twirling it between his fingertips, his gaze slightly narrowed: "The difference is indeed obvious—the lines are blurry, the shading is indistinct, and even the relief is weak."

"These kinds of banknotes might be able to fool the elderly and children, but anyone who has dealt with real money before can tell the difference as soon as they handle them."

"That's right!" Ken Oshima nodded. "We had previously located the printing plates for real banknotes in Shanghai and planned to seize them and start printing real money directly."

"But the Military Intelligence Bureau has already withdrawn from Shanghai. Trying to retrieve that set of printing plates now is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

Zhou Xiao asked, "General Oshima, what do you want me to do?"

Ken Oshima's gaze darkened: "The counterfeit money has been mass-produced; the next step is to get it into circulation—and the key to making the public believe it's genuine lies in finding a trustworthy path!"

Zhou Xiao replied, "The bank."

"Yes." Ken Oshima nodded. "This batch of counterfeit money must go through the banks and be distributed to the market layer by layer. This step can only be supervised by Director Zhou himself."

At that time, people still had an almost instinctive trust in banks—who would doubt the authenticity of the money withdrawn from the counter?

If counterfeit money were to enter the market under the guise of banks, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Ordinary people discovered that even the money issued by banks was counterfeit, and their hard-earned savings instantly became worthless. More seriously, once trust collapses, it is difficult to rebuild. When banks lose public trust, the entire financial system is like having its spine removed, and the monetary system collapses as a result.

Originally, the Sugimoto Corporation had a different plan: to slowly extract profits by obtaining genuine banknote printing plates, printing massive amounts of money to trigger inflation, and then seizing resources and making huge profits amidst the chaos.

But now that the original version is lost, we have no choice but to resort to a more drastic approach.

Ken Oshima turned to Zhou Xiao, his tone resolute: "The bank staff will definitely see through these counterfeit banknotes, but we want them to redeem and circulate them as usual—that will require some extraordinary measures."

"Of course, it would be too abrupt to apply pressure right away. So I decided to test the waters with a bank first."

Zhou Xiao asked, "Which one?"

Ken Oshima replied, "The Lan Family Bank of the Lan Rouge family."

Blue Rouge's Bank?

Zhou Xiao pondered for a moment: "This is indeed an excellent choice. Its size is moderate, making it easy to control; moreover, it has always had a solid reputation, and the money that people take from it is more likely to be used as real money."

If all the counterfeit money were deposited into the Lan family bank, the Lan family's century-old foundation would collapse completely within a few days!

"That's right, hahaha!" Ken Oshima laughed heartily, looking at Zhou Xiao, "Director Zhou, working with smart people really saves a lot of effort."

Zhou Xiao asked, "When will the plan begin?"

Ken Oshima waved his hand: "No rush. We just upgraded the counterfeit banknotes, patched up a few key flaws, and the level of authenticity is much higher. This batch will be completed in three days."

"At that time, Director Zhou will lead them to pry open the doors of Shanghai's financial market and banking industry."

"If this succeeds, you will be the empire's greatest contributor!"

Headshot?

Zhou Xiao remained completely unmoved.

What he really wanted to do was to take down Sugimoto's headquarters.

According to Ken Oshima, he only has three days left.

Ken Oshima looked up at Zhou Xiao: "Director Zhou, can you handle this task?"

"I believe you have the weight and the ability."

In fact, Ken Oshima initially did not intend for Zhou Xiao to be involved in this matter, much less to have him access to such core secrets. The current arrangement has two underlying reasons:

Firstly, it was the life-or-death rescue at the Shanghai Grand Hotel, where Zhou Xiao risked his life to protect him and escape danger, which indeed planted a seed of trust in his heart.

Secondly, and more importantly, the Japanese army is currently under immense pressure.

The intelligence front suffered repeated setbacks, and the intelligence chief, Doihara, was recalled to the mainland to report and review his duties; the front-line troops were besieged by the anti-Japanese army and civilians, making it difficult to advance an inch of land, truly living up to the saying "every inch of land is bought with blood".

At this time, the Japanese army desperately needed a victory to stabilize morale and boost fighting spirit.

For this reason, Kenjiro Oshima urgently activated his second plan: to launch a currency war, using counterfeit money as a weapon to plunder resources and disrupt order.

Ken Oshima also emphasized: "Our use of counterfeit money to disrupt the existing financial system, banking network, and monetary credit is ultimately to help your new regime rebuild a stable financial order—which is beneficial to you."

The so-called "new regime" refers to the Wang Jingwei regime.

A complete puppet.

At this moment, Ken Oshima spoke with a firm and resounding voice, but in reality, he was brainwashing Zhou Xiao, disguising blatant aggression as "co-construction" and "support."

Zhou Xiao simply replied, "Okay, I'll do my best."

Kenjiro Oshima looked him over with satisfaction: "Director Zhou, I value you highly. Do you know why I brought you to such a top-secret place?"

Why?

Of course, it's all about establishing credibility—it's just a psychological game.

Zhou Xiao knew perfectly well what was going on, but he pretended to be confused and gently shook his head.

Ken Oshima softened his tone: "I'm only revealing my hand because I trust you. This is a trust the Empire has placed in you; I hope you won't let them down."

For secret agents, trust is more important than life itself.

Many people, even if they did not betray their country after being arrested, found it difficult to be re-employed and were even subjected to military law—the root cause lies in the fact that the word "trust" has been shattered.

Kenjiro Oshima intended to use this "trust" as bait to make Zhou Xiao feel valued and relied upon, thereby motivating him to work even harder for them.

Ultimately, this was also a meticulously designed psychological battle.

Of course, this is on the premise that Ken Oshima truly trusts Zhou Xiao.

Zhou Xiao lowered his eyes and said, "Thank you for your trust, General Oshima. I will do my best in this matter."

Once counterfeit money enters the market, its impact far exceeds that of ordinary actions.

It will not only disrupt the battle, but also plunge the Lan family into utter ruin.

Therefore, Zhou Xiao must stop this currency war no matter what.

Only three days left.

Time is ticking away, every second counts.

Afterwards, Ken Oshima led Zhou Xiao on a tour of the various office areas of the Sugi Agency.

The Sugi Agency is directly under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Research Institute and is essentially an armed force specializing in biological and chemical warfare.

All the various poisons it developed relied on human trials conducted by Unit 1464, with the infamous Unit 731 secretly cooperating behind the scenes—which is why one inhuman atrocity after another occurred.

Previously, the Ninth Research Institute had developed a defoliant specifically for various crops in order to paralyze the enemy's food production. This defoliant covered key pests and diseases such as sclerotinia stem borer and rice stem borer. In 1941, it was deployed in Taoyuan County, China, causing the local agriculture to collapse to the point of near collapse, with no bottom line whatsoever.

After visiting the Sugimoto Agency, Zhou Xiao was still forced to have his eyes blindfolded as he left.

Ken Oshima's move was intended to ensure that even if Zhou Xiao knew of the organization's existence, he would not be able to pinpoint its exact location.

But he severely underestimated Zhou Xiao's abilities...

Even though it was pitch black, Zhou Xiao was still focused on noting down every turn, every stop, and every change in speed along the way.

After returning to the military police headquarters, he went straight to the special operations headquarters.

Inside the office of the head of the intelligence department at the Special Operations Headquarters.

Zhou Xiao told Lan Yanzhi everything he had seen and heard, including Oshima Ken's plan to use the Lan family bank to issue counterfeit currency.