Chapter 191: The Death of Cheng Qianfan

Miyazaki Kentaro looked at the visitor in surprise. “You’re saying Yingzuo-kun wants to see me about something?”

“Yes, Miyazaki-kun, this way please.” Kouji bent slightly at the waist and extended a hand in a guiding gesture.

Sakamoto Yoshino shot his new friend a meaningful look, asking whether he needed help.

Miyazaki Kentaro rose hesitantly. As he prepared to leave, he turned to Sakamoto Yoshino and said, “Sakamoto-kun, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a while before showing me your work. Give me half an hour.”

Sakamoto Yoshino immediately understood.

“If Miyazaki-kun breaks his promise after half an hour, I’ll go have a word with Lord Imamura and demand an explanation from Miyazaki-kun.”

Kouji glanced at the two men.

The two of you are making pointed remarks right in front of me. Is that really appropriate?

Still, he knew that even among Japanese people, the Special Higher Police Section was regarded with apprehension and distance. Many so-called men of letters, in particular, held strong prejudices against intelligence agents.

Reception Room Number Three on the second floor of the conference hall.

Miyazaki Kentaro listened as Yingzuo Eiichi explained his ”substituting one thing for another” plan.

He keenly noticed that Yingzuo Eiichi seemed visibly excited.

“Miyazaki-kun, what do you think of my plan?” Yingzuo Eiichi asked with a smile.

“Do I really look that much like this Chinese man?” Miyazaki Kentaro asked again, appearing curious.

“Like twins,” Yingzuo Eiichi replied.

He was pleased by Miyazaki Kentaro’s use of the term “Shina” for Chinese people and continued:

“Having Miyazaki-kun impersonate Cheng Qianfan would be practically flawless.”

“Sorry, I’m not interested.” Miyazaki Kentaro shook his head. “I have absolutely no interest in intelligence work.”

“Miyazaki-kun, the work of an itinerant poet is quite difficult, isn’t it?” Yingzuo Eiichi smiled. “Crossing mountains and rivers, even venturing into China’s most impoverished regions. Going hungry is a common occurrence.”

Miyazaki Kentaro looked at Yingzuo Eiichi but did not refute him.

“Imagine becoming Cheng Qianfan, a senior police officer in the French Concession, drawing a generous salary and enjoying life in Shanghai, the most prosperous city in the Far East,” Yingzuo Eiichi tempted him.

Miyazaki Kentaro’s fists clenched, relaxed, then clenched again.

Yingzuo Eiichi noticed everything.

“Yingzuo-kun, I don’t want to become a spy,” Miyazaki Kentaro said, shaking his head.

Yingzuo Eiichi’s expression darkened.

At that moment, Kouji reminded him quietly from beside him.

“Yingzuo-kun, half an hour.”

Yingzuo Eiichi secretly fumed.

He was extremely displeased that Miyazaki Kentaro had used Imamura Hyotaro to pressure him.

His original intention had been to recruit Miyazaki Kentaro into the Special Higher Police Section and make him a covert operative in the French Concession under his direct command.

However, time was short.

If Imamura Hyotaro became involved, he worried that Imamura would “steal” this valuable piece from him.

He could only choose to compromise temporarily.

“Miyazaki-kun has misunderstood. I’m not asking you to become a spy. Your task is simple. Just impersonate Cheng Qianfan. If anything harmful to the Empire occurs within the French Concession, inform the Empire in a timely manner.”

“Additionally, there may be some imperial operations within the French Concession where your cooperation will be required.”

Miyazaki Kentaro was about to speak when Yingzuo Eiichi coldly interrupted him.

“Miyazaki-kun, my request is not excessive. It is the duty every citizen of the Empire should fulfill.”

“My current work carries responsibilities to my teacher,” Miyazaki Kentaro said thoughtfully.

“I will explain things to Lord Taniguchi.”

“No, no, Yingzuo-kun. You misunderstand what I mean.”

Miyazaki Kentaro looked at him.

“I receive activity funds from my teacher. If I simply stop working, then...”

Greedy bastard.

Yingzuo Eiichi glared fiercely at Miyazaki Kentaro.

“Eighty yen!”

Without waiting for a reply, he stepped forward and stared at him.

“Miyazaki-kun, you should know that even an outstanding Imperial Army lieutenant receives only eighty yen a month in pay. One should learn to be content.”

“A person’s speech patterns, behavioral habits, and even certain quirks are all very important details.”

After thinking for a while, Miyazaki Kentaro continued:

“Impersonating someone is not easy.”

Yingzuo Eiichi was overjoyed.

He knew that this infuriating fellow had finally agreed.

Greedy bastard.

Soon you’ll learn that Special Higher Police Section money is not so easy to take.

“That won’t be a problem.”

Yingzuo Eiichi waved his hand dismissively.

“No one will imagine that a person identical to Cheng Qianfan is an impostor. Moreover, I will provide information about the people around Cheng Qianfan.”

“That’s different.”

Miyazaki Kentaro shook his head.

“I need to secretly follow and observe him. I need to imitate his behavioral habits.”

Yingzuo Eiichi fell silent.

According to his own wishes, he wanted to kill Cheng Qianfan tonight.

However, he had to admit that Miyazaki Kentaro had a point.

“Five days. I’ll give you five days to observe Cheng Qianfan.”

“Five days?” Miyazaki Kentaro frowned.

“Five days. Only five days. Not one day more.”

Miyazaki Kentaro looked at Yingzuo Eiichi.

You really are desperate to kill me.

“Fine. Five days it is.”

Miyazaki Kentaro nodded.

“During these five days, I will secretly observe this Chinese man. I have one more request.”

“What request?”

“I want to kill this Chinese man personally.”

Yingzuo Eiichi frowned.

“I’ve always wanted to see what I look like before death.”

Miyazaki Kentaro revealed an excited expression.

“To kill myself with my own hands. What a wonderful thing that would be.”

Looking at the somewhat twisted smile on Miyazaki Kentaro’s face, Yingzuo Eiichi imagined the scene of him personally killing Cheng Qianfan.

For some inexplicable reason, he too felt anticipation and excitement.

“Fine. I agree.”

“I also need a camera. I want to photograph the people who interact with Cheng Qianfan as reference material.”

“No problem. You’ll receive a camera and film shortly.”

Cheng Qianfan had originally intended to request that Yingzuo’s people not follow him.

However, after careful consideration, he realized such a request might instead arouse suspicion.

If his judgment was correct, Yingzuo would not place him under surveillance tonight at the very least.

Therefore, he did not raise the matter.

At that moment, someone knocked on the reception room door.

“Miyazaki-kun, are you in there?”

It was Sakamoto Yoshino’s voice.

“Yingzuo-kun, my friend is looking for me.”

Miyazaki Kentaro rose from his chair and brushed off his trousers.

“I hope you’ll keep your promise.”

“Miyazaki-kun, please rest assured. As I said, I won’t require you to become a spy.”

Miyazaki Kentaro frowned.

Yingzuo Eiichi immediately understood and cursed inwardly.

He pulled thirty yen from his own pocket and extended a hand toward Kouji.

Reluctantly, Kouji produced his remaining twenty yen and several dozen francs.

“This is fifty yen and forty francs. Consider it your preliminary operating expenses.”

His face was cold as he spoke.

“Miyazaki-kun, are you in there?” Sakamoto Yoshino knocked again.

“Sakamoto-kun, I’m here. I’ll be right out.”

Miyazaki Kentaro slipped the money into his pocket and smiled.

“I’m beginning to believe in Yingzuo-kun’s sincerity now.”

Believe your damned sincerity!

Yingzuo Eiichi nearly burst into curses.

Instead, he forced a smile, opened the door, and escorted Miyazaki Kentaro out while pretending they had been enjoying a pleasant conversation.

“Miyazaki-kun, everything all right?”

Sakamoto Yoshino asked with concern, without even glancing at Yingzuo Eiichi.

“Everything’s fine. Yingzuo-kun wanted to discuss some literary matters with me.”

Miyazaki Kentaro smiled and bowed slightly toward Yingzuo.

“Yingzuo-kun, farewell.”

Watching Miyazaki Kentaro’s departing figure, Yingzuo Eiichi’s teeth itched with hatred.

Greedy bastard.

Just wait.

Once you’ve killed Cheng Qianfan and become my subordinate, you’ll learn how foolish it is to offend your superior.

Throughout the symposium, Miyazaki Kentaro remained together with Sakamoto Yoshino.

The two men got along remarkably well from their very first meeting.

Seeing his son enjoying such pleasant company with Miyazaki Kentaro, Sakamoto Choko was also delighted.

From Taniguchi Hiroyuki, he had learned that Miyazaki Kentaro was an exceptionally hardworking and capable young man.

As a father, he found it comforting that Sakamoto Yoshino had gained such a friend.

Cheng Qianfan noticed that the young married couple he had been watching earlier remained focused on Zhou Huaigu throughout the event.

He judged that they were probably subordinates of Song Fuguo and had come to punish Zhou Huaigu.

However, Yingzuo Eiichi’s security arrangements around Zhou Huaigu were extremely strict.

Until the end of the first day’s press conference, the pair never found an opportunity and could only leave in disappointment.

Late at night.

Cheng Qianfan remained at Miyazaki Kentaro’s residence.

After repeatedly confirming that there was no surveillance nearby, he left through the rear door and once again “borrowed” the black-canopied boat from the river transport crossing, disappearing into the night.

Yande Lane.

After observing carefully for a long time, Cheng Qianfan found no agents watching the area.

Everything was exactly as he had predicted.

At least tonight, Yingzuo Eiichi, preoccupied with security duties for the Sino-Japanese Friendship Symposium, no longer harbored suspicions and had not arranged surveillance.

He nimbly climbed to the second floor and lightly tapped on the window.

Li Hao quietly opened it.

“Brother Fan, are you okay?”

Meow.

The cat slowly approached and rubbed itself against his trouser leg.

“Is everything ready?” Cheng Qianfan asked.

“Ready.”

Li Hao pulled out two bags of blood and a dagger from beneath the table.

“When you came tonight, did anyone see you?”

“No.”

Li Hao shook his head.

“I left the window open and came in through it.”

He had left at dusk and only later secretly returned.

Cheng Qianfan took the retractable dagger, examined it carefully, and nodded.

“Then let’s begin.”

He had not concealed his plan to fake his death and impersonate Cheng Qianfan as Miyazaki Kentaro from Li Hao.

There was no point.

The matter could never be hidden from someone as close to him as Li Hao.

If he failed to explain it, Li Hao might secretly discover that his Brother Fan had died and been replaced by an impostor.

Cheng Qianfan was genuinely worried that Haozi would quietly poison “him” in revenge for Brother Fan.

The possibility was extremely high.

Li Hao did not ask why Brother Fan wanted to “kill” himself and use another identity to “impersonate himself.”

Whatever Brother Fan said, he would obey.

Soon, Cheng Qianfan lay on the second-floor floorboards.

A pool of blood spread beneath him.

A dagger protruded from his chest.

His eyes were wide open, as though unwilling to die in peace.

Li Hao picked up a camera and took several consecutive photographs of the “dead” Cheng Qianfan.

Afterward, the two men smashed and tore apart the portraits Cheng Qianfan had prepared for the operation.

They burned everything in a brazier until only ashes remained.

The ashes were placed into a cloth sack.

The two men climbed out through the window and went their separate ways.

Rowing the black-canopied boat, Cheng Qianfan emptied the ashes into the river.

He placed a stone into the sack and threw it into the water as well.

After returning to his residence in Hongkou, Cheng Qianfan fought off sleep and stayed awake.

Around three in the morning, he quietly left home again.

Golden Apartments, within the International Settlement.

The lodging place for participants attending the Sino-Japanese Friendship Symposium.

Yingzuo Eiichi, responsible for the symposium’s security, was staying there as well.

Ring, ring, ring.

A telephone began ringing.

Kouji immediately jumped out of bed, crossed the room in several strides, and snatched up the receiver.

After listening for a few moments, his expression changed dramatically.

Just as he was about to wake Yingzuo Eiichi, he turned around and found the man already standing behind him.

“Yingzuo-kun, it’s a call from Miyazaki-kun.”

“What?”

Yingzuo Eiichi took the receiver.

After hearing what was said on the other end, his face changed as well.

“I’ll send someone to bring you in immediately.”

Soon afterward, Miyazaki Kentaro arrived, escorted by Kouji.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked exhausted.

“You killed Cheng Qianfan?”

Yingzuo Eiichi demanded immediately.

“An accident. It was completely an accident.”

Miyazaki Kentaro appeared agitated and spoke hesitantly.

“What exactly happened?” Yingzuo Eiichi asked urgently.

Miyazaki Kentaro accepted the cup of water handed to him by Kouji and drained it in one gulp.

Only then did he haltingly recount the events.

“You’re saying you sneaked into Cheng Qianfan’s house, he discovered you, and then you killed him?”

Yingzuo Eiichi frowned.

“Why were you at his house?”

“I was very curious about this Chinese man and wanted to observe and study him.”

Miyazaki Kentaro seemed somewhat calmer.

“Curious? Observe and study? So you went to his house in the middle of the night?”

“My purpose was to observe his sleeping state.”

Miyazaki Kentaro looked deeply frustrated.

“My view is that a person’s sleeping state is when he is most relaxed and most authentic. That detail might be crucial to impersonating him. I wanted to study it and then practice imitating the way he sleeps.”

Yingzuo Eiichi stared at him with wide eyes.

Having worked late into the night, he had only just fallen asleep before being awakened.

His head was still foggy, and his irritation at being woken made him even angrier.

He found it difficult to understand Miyazaki Kentaro’s thinking.

To observe how Cheng Qianfan slept, you went to his house in the middle of the night, got caught, and then killed him.

Absurd as it sounded, everything before him indicated that it was true.

Yingzuo Eiichi did not suspect Miyazaki Kentaro of lying.

Earlier, when Miyazaki Kentaro had worn that twisted expression while speaking of “killing himself,” Yingzuo Eiichi had already concluded that the man possessed a warped personality.

Such people were often extremely obsessive.

Once they wanted to do something, they acted immediately.

If they failed to do it, they became miserable.

They could not be measured by ordinary standards.

Yingzuo Eiichi himself possessed a similarly obsessive personality, and thus he could somewhat understand it.

Suddenly, Yingzuo Eiichi carefully looked at Miyazaki Kentaro.

He needed to confirm that the man before him was Miyazaki Kentaro and not Cheng Qianfan.

Although the possibility that Cheng Qianfan had impersonated Miyazaki Kentaro was extremely small.

After all, Miyazaki Kentaro’s visit to Cheng Qianfan’s house and their ensuing struggle had been an unexpected event.

Cheng Qianfan could not possibly know of Yingzuo Eiichi’s plan to have Miyazaki Kentaro impersonate him.

Nor could he possibly know that Yingzuo Eiichi was currently staying at Golden Apartments.

Nevertheless, cautious and suspicious by nature, Yingzuo Eiichi still wanted confirmation.

“Miyazaki-kun, how much money did I give you yesterday, and how much of it came from Kouji?” Yingzuo Eiichi asked coldly.

“Yingzuo-kun, you suspect me?”

Miyazaki Kentaro widened his eyes in anger.

“Miyazaki-kun, answer my question.”

Yingzuo Eiichi’s face darkened.

Beside him, Kouji casually stepped forward.

“Let me think, let me think.”

Sweat covered Miyazaki Kentaro’s forehead.

“The total was fifty yen and forty francs. Kouji, Kouji contributed twenty yen and forty francs.”

Yingzuo Eiichi finally relaxed.

This reckless fool really was Miyazaki Kentaro.

No one except Miyazaki Kentaro, himself, and Kouji knew that detail.

“Are you certain Cheng Qianfan is dead?” Yingzuo Eiichi pressed.

That was the most important issue.

“Dead.”

Miyazaki Kentaro lifted his cup, only then realizing it was empty.

He licked his lips, excitement appearing in his eyes.

“I watched myself kill myself. The feeling is impossible to describe.”

As he spoke, he pulled out a camera.

“I even photographed my own corpse. It’s something worth commemorating.”

Looking at the strange smile on Miyazaki Kentaro’s face and hearing such eerie words, Kouji, who had been staring at him all along, felt his scalp go numb.