Chapter 166: Radio Contact with Hangzhou

Upon first seeing Cheng Qianfan, Zhou Ru was surprised.

Dressed in a light blue long gown and wearing a gentle smile, he made her think of the phrase “standing above the crowd.”

Shouldn’t an agent be someone with an ordinary appearance, someone who would go unnoticed even in a crowd?

Zhou Ru’s first impression was that this man was unsuited to being a spy.

He looked more like a movie star.

“May I ask, are you Miss Wu Fang from Hangzhou City?” Cheng Qianfan asked again.

“Sorry, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I am from Hangzhou, but my name isn’t Wu Fang,” Zhou Ru said.

“I must have remembered it wrong. Uncle Yu arranged for me to pick up a Miss Wu Fangru,” Cheng Qianfan said.

“I am Wu Fangru.”

Zhou Ru nodded.

“Cheng Qianfan.”

Cheng Qianfan happily extended his hand.

“Zhou Ru.”

The two shook hands.

“Was the journey peaceful?” Cheng Qianfan asked quietly.

“Everything went smoothly.”

Zhou Ru discreetly observed him.

The two talked as they walked.

“Hop on.”

Zhou Ru glanced at the bicycle and smiled slightly.

She found it rather amusing that her new superior had come to pick her up on a bicycle.

“Sit tight.”

Cheng Qianfan turned back and reminded her before pedaling through the nighttime streets of Shanghai.

Sitting on the rear seat, Zhou Ru observed the most prosperous city in the Far East.

Although it was already late at night, pedestrians still walked the streets, and flashing neon lights could be seen in the distance.

A gentle breeze brushed past, stirring the ends of her hair.

This would be the city where she would fight from now on.

Zhou Ru was a communications specialist, not a professional spy.

She failed to notice that Haozai was following far behind the bicycle.

Haozai was keeping watch.

He was ensuring that no enemy was tailing them.

The residence Cheng Qianfan arranged for Zhou Ru was on Route Père Robert.

He had only recently rented the house.

Yu Ping’an thought highly of him and understood the difficulties of establishing a new sleeper cell.

As a result, he had specially approved a budget of four hundred French currency yuan.

Only a few days earlier, after repeated negotiations, the National Government and the United States had signed the Sino-American Silver Agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, one hundred French currency yuan could be exchanged for thirty U.S. dollars.

Four hundred French currency yuan was already considered a considerable sum.

Zhou Ru worked efficiently.

She quickly cleaned the house, boiled water, and then the two sat drinking tea and talking.

“First, let me introduce myself.”

Cheng Qianfan’s expression became serious.

“My current public identity is that of a police officer at the French Concession Central Police Station. In a few days, I will be promoted to Deputy Inspector of the Third Patrol Division.”

Zhou Ru was somewhat surprised.

She had not expected her team leader’s cover identity to be a police officer, much less a soon-to-be mid-level police official.

“Route Père Robert falls within my jurisdiction, so I will do my best to look after your safety.”

Cheng Qianfan continued,

“However, intelligence work can be summed up in one word: caution. You must be careful in everything you do. That is the only true way to protect both yourself and the organization.”

“Understood.”

Zhou Ru nodded nervously.

“Don’t be nervous.”

Cheng Qianfan smiled.

“You only need to remember one thing.”

Looking at Zhou Ru, who was listening attentively, Cheng Qianfan said,

“Do things that fit your public identity.”

“On the hidden front, the most important thing is plausibility.”

Cheng Qianfan spoke seriously.

“Remember this. Plausibility only ensures that you won’t be suspected. Once suspicion falls upon you, no matter how plausible something is, it won’t withstand scrutiny and surveillance.”

“I understand.”

Zhou Ru nodded.

“The most important thing in clandestine work is avoiding suspicion. Once you’re suspected, exposure isn’t far away.”

“Excellent. You’re very smart.”

Cheng Qianfan was pleased.

“Your job is relatively simple. You’re responsible for the radio. Therefore, living your daily life normally is the best cover.”

“Team Leader, what will my public identity be?” Zhou Ru asked.

“I’ve already given this some thought.”

After pondering briefly, Cheng Qianfan said,

“A new Wenyou Society has opened at Number Thirty-Four Route Père Robert. They’re recruiting female clerical staff. Apply for that position.”

As he spoke, he handed Zhou Ru a recruitment notice.

He had torn it off a utility pole the other day.

Because Number Thirty-Two Route Père Robert had once been a Communist safe house, Cheng Qianfan had become very interested in the literary society at Number Thirty-Four.

He had secretly investigated it.

First of all, he ruled out the possibility that it was a new secret Communist base.

This was because he discovered that the founder of the society was Liu Mingfei, a fairly famous Shanghai writer.

To be precise, he was a pro-Japanese intellectual.

Strictly speaking, he was even Cheng Qianfan’s senior from the East Asia Common Culture Academy.

He had always been close to the Japanese.

According to Cheng Qianfan’s observations, most members of the literary society were writers and scholars with connections to the Japanese.

Its nature was therefore obvious.

This literary society had certain ties to the Japanese.

However, these people were not intelligence agents.

They were simply scoundrels who accepted Japanese benefits and waved flags on Japan’s behalf.

These pro-Japanese intellectuals were excellent writers but lacked vigilance.

If Zhou Ru infiltrated the society, there would be little danger to her safety.

At the same time, she would be able to approach these pro-Japanese intellectuals and obtain firsthand intelligence.

“Is there something suspicious about this literary society?” Zhou Ru immediately asked.

Sharp.

Cheng Qianfan nodded approvingly.

“This is simply a literary society made up of pro-Japanese intellectuals. Working there will allow you to observe them and monitor their movements. At the same time, most of these people have social standing. Becoming friends with them will also help protect your identity.”

“Understood.”

Zhou Ru nodded.

“Don’t worry, Team Leader. I know what I should do.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“At the Wenyou Society, I will be a young educated woman who has no interest in politics, is passionate about literature, and is looking for literary-related work.”

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Ru gave her answer.

“Very good.”

Cheng Qianfan nodded with satisfaction.

He was quite pleased with Zhou Ru’s performance.

“Team Leader, Director Yu instructed me to send a message reporting my safe arrival as soon as I reached Shanghai,” Zhou Ru said. “Should I send it now?”

Cheng Qianfan looked at Zhou Ru.

“I’ll draft the message. You transmit it.”

After pondering for a moment, Cheng Qianfan spoke.

He had long planned this message and already had the wording prepared.

Zhou Ru opened her suitcase and removed the radio case.

Very quickly, she had the equipment set up and adjusted.

“To Deputy Director Yu in Hangzhou, and forwarded to Director Dai in Nanjing.”

“A batch of French-made Ruby pistols has entered the black market. Should we purchase them for military preparedness purposes?”

“Additionally, a shipment of medical supplies is available, including the new Western medicine sulfanilamide. It is said to have remarkable effects on gunshot wounds. Your subordinate recommends an urgent purchase. This medicine could save the lives of comrades on the hidden front.”

“However, sulfanilamide is expensive, and funding is insufficient. I respectfully request a decision from higher authority.”

“Submitted by Cheng Wufang.”

Cheng Qianfan took out his pocket watch and checked the time.

“Twenty-three fifteen hours, May 7th, Year Twenty-Five of the Republic.”