Chapter 201: Discussing the Assassination of Yingzuo

Killing Yingzuo Eiichi had long been part of Cheng Qianfan’s plans.

Among the Japanese agents currently in Shanghai, one could even say among all Japanese agents, Yingzuo Eiichi was the person who understood Cheng Qianfan best.

Although, in Yingzuo Eiichi’s eyes, he was now the Japanese Miyazaki Kentaro.

A person’s habits, however, possessed terrifying inertia.

Cheng Qianfan had no way of knowing whether Yingzuo Eiichi understood some of his subtle habits and mannerisms.

If he were ever to inadvertently reveal some detail or habit unique to Cheng Qianfan, and one that Miyazaki Kentaro, the “impersonator,” should not realistically know about, then, given Yingzuo Eiichi’s suspicious nature, he would very likely become suspicious again.

Therefore, only a dead Yingzuo Eiichi could allow Cheng Qianfan to be completely at ease.

Now was the best time to act.

The impersonation of Cheng Qianfan had been very successful. Yingzuo Eiichi currently harbored no suspicions toward him, and his Japanese identity had already been officially recorded by the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section and the military authorities.

Yingzuo Eiichi’s death would not affect his Japanese identity.

“Kill Yingzuo Eiichi?” Song Fuguo was slightly surprised. After coughing twice, he said, “Yingzuo Eiichi is Yingzuo Teiaki’s nephew. If we kill him, the implications will be considerable.”

“Since Section Chief Song isn’t interested, then...”

“Who said I’m not interested?” Song Fuguo said. “I’m only saying that killing him would be troublesome. I never said we couldn’t make a move against him.”

“The Japanese have invaded our China. They kill our compatriots and occupy our territory. There are no Japanese who cannot be killed.” Song Fuguo’s tone was deep and solemn. “If it were Yingzuo Teiaki, as a Japanese diplomatic military attaché, we could not touch him. But one of Yingzuo Teiaki’s nephews, and moreover a Japanese agent, naturally can be killed and should be killed. It is merely a matter of planning the operation carefully.”

Cheng Qianfan was overjoyed.

To kill Yingzuo, he needed assistance, and Song Fuguo was clearly the best helper.

No, more accurately, he was willing to be Song Fuguo’s helper.

The strength of his infiltration group remained limited and was insufficient to lead such an operation.

Moreover, for this matter, it would be best if he remained behind the scenes and avoided suspicion.

“Well said. The Japanese invade our territory and kill our compatriots. There are no Japanese who cannot be killed.” Cheng Qianfan praised him. “In this matter, I am willing to follow Section Chief Song’s lead and serve with complete dedication.”

Naturally, Song Fuguo welcomed Cheng Qianfan’s willingness to play a supporting role.

In the matter of executing Xiao Zhenzhong, Nanjing had ordered the entire Shanghai Intelligence Section to support Cheng Qianfan, which had caused Song Fuguo considerable loss of face.

Killing Yingzuo Eiichi would be a major achievement.

In Song Fuguo’s understanding, Little Cheng was being very considerate, fully respecting and taking into account the dignity of his old superior and returning a favor for a favor.

The two thus reached a consensus on assassinating Yingzuo Eiichi.

However, their immediate priority remained the execution of the traitor Xiao Zhenzhong.

“We investigated Xiao Zhenzhong’s network of associates and discovered a person.” Song Fuguo handed a photograph to Cheng Qianfan.

“Who is this?” Cheng Qianfan parked the car beneath a streetlamp and glanced at the photograph.

It showed a middle-aged man in a long gown, smiling. He looked like a businessman.

“Ouyang Pan, a director of the Ningbo Chamber of Commerce. He is Xiao Zhenzhong’s fellow townsman and close friend.”

“A servant from Ouyang Pan’s household provided an important piece of intelligence. Two days ago, a telephone call came to the Ouyang residence. The servant said the voice sounded like Master’s friend Xiao Zhenzhong.”

“Telephone calls distort voices. To ensure the intelligence was accurate, we checked the originating number through the telephone bureau. The call was indeed made from the home of the Japanese businessman Hashimoto. This confirms that it was Xiao Zhenzhong, who is hiding in Hashimoto’s residence, who called Ouyang Pan.”

“Very strange.” Cheng Qianfan thought for a moment and said, “At a time like this, Xiao Zhenzhong should already be like a startled bird. The safest course would be to cut off all contact with the outside world. Why would he contact Ouyang Pan?”

“We approached Ouyang Pan. Faced with questioning by the Special Service Office, he did not dare conceal anything.” Song Fuguo coughed several more times, causing Cheng Qianfan considerable concern for his health.

“According to Ouyang Pan, Xiao Zhenzhong asked him to inquire about an antique shop on Ganshidong Road. He seemed extremely interested in a particularly valuable blue-and-white porcelain vase there.”

“Does Xiao Zhenzhong like antiques?” Cheng Qianfan immediately asked.

Song Fuguo shook his head.

“According to our intelligence, he has never had any interest in antiques. The only things he likes are gold and silver.”

“That makes it even stranger.” Cheng Qianfan lit a cigarette and took two puffs. Immediately remembering Song Fuguo’s lung condition, he extinguished it at once. “Xiao Zhenzhong must currently be terrified of punishment from the Special Service Office. Under such circumstances, a man who has never cared about antiques is risking contact with the outside world in order to inquire about a blue-and-white porcelain vase.”

After pondering for a moment, delight appeared in his eyes.

“He isn’t asking about this antique for himself. He’s asking about it as a gift.”

“Exactly.” Song Fuguo greatly admired Cheng Qianfan’s quick reaction and nodded. “That is also my conclusion.”

“He wants to save his life.” Cheng Qianfan lightly tapped the steering wheel with his fingers. “For the Japanese, Xiao Zhenzhong no longer has any value. If he wants to stay alive, the only option is to devote himself wholeheartedly to serving the Japanese. However, the Japanese may not necessarily think highly of someone like him.”

“Therefore, he seeks this valuable porcelain piece in order to bribe and curry favor with an important Japanese figure.”

The two men analyzed the matter back and forth.

Previously, Xiao Zhenzhong had dealt only with Yingzuo Eiichi.

He was now hiding in the home of the Japanese businessman Hashimoto.

According to the Special Service Office’s investigation, Hashimoto was in fact also an agent of the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section and one of Yingzuo Eiichi’s subordinates.

Therefore, among the important Japanese figures accessible to Xiao Zhenzhong, only Yingzuo Eiichi qualified.

“No, that’s not right. I know quite a bit about Yingzuo Eiichi. He is ruthless and cold-hearted.” Cheng Qianfan shook his head. “Leaving aside the fact that, as far as I know, Yingzuo Eiichi has no interest in antiques, Xiao Zhenzhong is currently nothing more than an insect in his grasp. If he kills Xiao Zhenzhong, all of Xiao Zhenzhong’s wealth becomes his.”

“Yingzuo Teiaki!”

Cheng Qianfan and Song Fuguo almost spoke the name simultaneously.

Yingzuo Teiaki was an extremely active figure.

During a previous public interview, while discussing Sino-Japanese friendship, he had expressed admiration and affection for Chinese culture and openly stated that he liked Chinese antiques, especially ancient Chinese porcelain.

The two men were highly encouraged.

The thread had finally been untangled.

Xiao Zhenzhong wanted to save his life.

The person he wanted to please was Yingzuo Teiaki.

After learning that Yingzuo Teiaki liked Chinese antiques, especially antique porcelain, he set his sights on the famous blue-and-white porcelain piece that served as the prized treasure of the antique shop on Ganshidong Road.

He intended to obtain the vase and present it to Yingzuo Teiaki in exchange for long-term protection from the Japanese.

“Given Xiao Zhenzhong’s standing among the Japanese, he cannot directly establish a connection with Yingzuo Teiaki,” Cheng Qianfan analyzed.

Even if Xiao Zhenzhong wanted to bribe Yingzuo Teiaki, he would have no avenue through which to present the gift.

Therefore, he could only offer the antique to Yingzuo Teiaki through Yingzuo Eiichi.

Cheng Qianfan and Song Fuguo exchanged smiles.

Both men’s eyes lit up.

In that case, this matter was connected to Yingzuo Eiichi as well.

If so, could they perhaps lure Yingzuo Eiichi into the trap and eliminate him together with Xiao Zhenzhong?

“Now there are two things we need to determine.” Song Fuguo spoke excitedly, coughing repeatedly. “First, we need to determine whether Xiao Zhenzhong is operating independently, or whether he has already obtained Yingzuo Eiichi’s approval and Yingzuo Eiichi is participating as well.”

“Second, if Yingzuo Eiichi is indeed connected to this matter, how do we design a plan that will draw Yingzuo Eiichi personally into the operation?”

Shanghai Longhua Garrison Headquarters.

Wang Kangnian met with Wu Shanyue.

Before he had time to report his discovery, he noticed that Wu Shanyue’s expression was extremely grave.

“Section Chief, has something happened?” Wang Kangnian asked softly.

“A coded telegram forwarded from Nanjing headquarters.” Wu Shanyue handed him a telegram. “Over the past several days, radio communications between the Communist forces in the northwest and those in Shanghai and Hangzhou have suddenly become much more frequent.”

“Such a thing has happened?” Wang Kangnian was greatly shocked.

Following several rounds of crackdowns, the Communist underground organizations in Shanghai and Hangzhou had become extremely cautious.

For them suddenly to be exchanging telegrams frequently with their central leadership was highly unusual.

“This doesn’t look like local Communist organizations taking the initiative to contact the northwest.” Wang Kangnian immediately reached a conclusion. “It looks more like the Communist Central leadership is actively contacting local organizations. Could the Communist Party be planning some major operation?”