Chapter 109: Escorted to Nanjing

“What do you think about this matter?” Yu Ping’an asked in a deep voice.

Cheng Qianfan was responsible for the interrogations. From the initial discovery of the enemy’s trail, to the arrests, to the interrogations, he had been the most heavily involved person in the case. He understood the situation best.

“It could not have been leaked from within our own ranks,” Cheng Qianfan said decisively.

Yu Ping’an nodded. That was exactly the answer he wanted.

Whether there really was a problem within the Special Service Office or not, the only acceptable answer was that there was no internal problem.

“The Japanese acted decisively. They intend to abandon the Endo Group,” Yu Ping’an said.

“Director, your insight is admirable.” Cheng Qianfan looked at Yu Ping’an with admiration. “That is also what I believe. The news was most likely released by the Japanese themselves.”

“Tell me your analysis.” Yu Ping’an took a cigarette from his pack and tossed one to Cheng Qianfan.

Cheng Qianfan caught the cigarette but did not light it.

When a superior offered a cigarette, it was a sign of closeness.

But he could not behave too casually.

“According to the interrogation results, the Endo Group belongs to the Inoue Residence in Shanghai.”

“The Inoue Residence?”

“It is a Japanese organization established by Inoue Hikaru, a member of the Black Dragon Society. Its core members are primarily Japanese rōnin, and it aggressively recruits Chinese collaborators. Its main area of operation is Shanghai, with activities extending into Zhejiang and Anhui.”

“The Inoue Organization is not an official Japanese intelligence agency. However, precisely because of that, it operates with fewer restraints. Combined with its emphasis on utilizing collaborators, its efficiency and destructive potential exceed those of the formal Japanese intelligence organizations.”

“According to the interrogation results, the Inoue Residence maintains close ties with Yingzuo Teiaki, the military attaché of the Japanese Consulate in Shanghai, and is highly valued by the Japanese Army General Staff.”

“Their mission to Hangzhou to gather military intelligence was ordered by Yingzuo Teiaki.”

“So what you’re saying is that the Endo Group’s connections are all in Shanghai, and it has no ties to the Japanese spy organizations operating here in Hangzhou. It is an independent intelligence group. Therefore, the Japanese chose to sever the tail and abandon the group without hesitation.”

Yu Ping’an immediately grasped the key point.

“Yes, Director. Based on the current interrogation results, that is indeed how things appear on the surface.”

Cheng Qianfan nodded.

“You brat, stop holding back. Tell me. What clues have you found?”

A gleam appeared in Yu Ping’an’s eyes.

“On the surface, it does indeed appear to be an independent intelligence group.”

Cheng Qianfan smiled confidently.

“However, I have always had a suspicion. There is another key member in this group, someone who is hidden extremely deeply. Based on Eguchi Hideya’s confession, he does not appear to know this person’s existence.”

“Is it possible that Eguchi Hideya concealed something?”

“Not very likely.”

Cheng Qianfan shook his head.

“My conclusion that such a person exists comes from analyzing Gu Changyou’s testimony. Certain behaviors displayed by the Japanese agent Kobayashi Jun further strengthened my suspicions.”

Cheng Qianfan recounted some of Kobayashi Jun’s unusual behavior.

“I was almost deceived by Kobayashi Jun’s performance. At first, I did not attach much importance to him. However, it is now obvious that his behavior indicates he knows a great deal. At the same time, this man is extremely ruthless. He attempted to induce me to execute Oguri Motomitsuro and Kurai Shinnosuke.”

“You believe that either Oguri Motomitsuro or Kurai Shinnosuke may know about this hidden individual, whereas Eguchi Hideya does not. Therefore, if Oguri Motomitsuro and Kurai Shinnosuke are executed, only Kobayashi Jun will know of this person’s existence. If Kobayashi Jun refuses to talk, the mysterious individual remains protected.”

Yu Ping’an paced back and forth behind his desk as he summarized.

“Director, your insight is remarkable.”

Cheng Qianfan smiled.

“My thoughts were previously a tangled mess, yet you immediately struck at the core of the issue.”

“Now the Japanese have deliberately released this information, attempting to make us believe that the Endo Group has become a discarded pawn with no remaining value.”

Yu Ping’an looked invigorated.

“Director, your insight is admirable.”

“Can we make them talk in the short term?” Yu Ping’an asked.

“It will be difficult.”

Cheng Qianfan sighed.

“Oguri Motomitsuro and Kurai Shinnosuke are both fanatics. Making them talk will take time.”

“What about Kobayashi Jun?”

“I am not confident regarding him. At first I believed that because he had been violated by Endo Hiroshi, he must harbor deep hatred and could become a point of breakthrough.”

Cheng Qianfan said,

“However, from what we can currently see, he may actually be the most loyal person to Endo Hiroshi.”

Cheng Qianfan briefly explained the special relationship between Kobayashi Jun and Endo Hiroshi.

Yu Ping’an did not appear surprised.

Intelligence organizations encountered many things beyond the experience of ordinary people. Such special relationships were not uncommon.

“My next plan is to focus on interrogating Endo Hiroshi in hopes of uncovering some clues.”

Cheng Qianfan said.

“You won’t be interrogating Endo Hiroshi.”

Yu Ping’an shook his head.

Cheng Qianfan looked at him in surprise and confusion.

“General Xuan Chengwu will be flying to Nanjing aboard a military aircraft in one hour. Orders have come from the Director. Endo Hiroshi and the others will be transported to Nanjing on the same flight together with the pro-Japanese military officers who were arrested.”

“Weren’t they originally scheduled to be sent to Nanjing tomorrow?”

Cheng Qianfan frowned.

Yu Ping’an did not answer that question.

General Xuan Chengwu’s overnight flight to Nanjing and the arrangement to transport these prisoners alongside him were merely the surface explanation.

Yu Ping’an had his own suspicions regarding the true reason.

After solving two major Japanese espionage cases in succession at Xiongzhen Tower, some people at Special Service Office headquarters in Nanjing had become restless.

Some people wanted to come and pick the peaches.

Yu Ping’an said nothing.

Naturally, Cheng Qianfan could not press further.

However, he had his own suspicions.

“Qianfan, you have rendered another great service.”

Suppressing his displeasure, Yu Ping’an revealed a warm smile.

“I will report your achievements truthfully to the Director. The Director has also been paying attention to you, his young fellow townsman.”

Cheng Qianfan understood what Yu Ping’an meant.

This matter ended here.

He should not concern himself with anything else.

Any credit that rightfully belonged to him, Yu Ping’an would ensure he received.

There was also a deeper implication.

His merits were already sufficient.

More would not necessarily benefit him.

For a young man to shine too brightly was not a good thing.

“I understand, sir. Thank you for your guidance and support.”

Cheng Qianfan stood at attention and saluted.

He did not mention Dai Chunfeng.

Cheng Qianfan understood his current position very clearly.

Dai Chunfeng was too distant, beyond his reach.

He belonged to Yu Ping’an.

Yu Ping’an nodded with satisfaction.

This was a clever young man who understood priorities and boundaries.

“Director, I have an immature suggestion.”

“Go ahead.”

“As for Eguchi Hideya, there is no turning back for him now. I believe we may be able to make use of him.”

“I will submit the suggestion to the Director.”

Yu Ping’an nodded, though he did not attach great importance to it.

Eguchi Hideya was already a Japanese agent captured by the Special Service Office.

The Japanese were aware of this fact.

Trying to develop and utilize him again would be difficult.

Still, it was worth trying.

“Maeda Shoichi does not know that Eguchi Hideya has already defected.”

Cheng Qianfan said.

A bright gleam appeared in Yu Ping’an’s eyes, and he nodded.

“I have spoken with your instructors regarding your studies.”

Yu Ping’an suddenly changed the subject.

“All of the instructors have acknowledged your outstanding performance. My opinion is that you may graduate early. As for your future work assignment, what are your thoughts?”