Chapter 207: Yingzuo Takes the Bait

Cheng Qianfan had carefully studied Eguchi Hideya.

He was a selfish man who cherished his life and feared death.

Cheng Qianfan believed that he had a fairly thorough understanding of Eguchi Hideya’s character and psychology.

However, when it came to Eguchi Hideya’s feelings toward Keiko, Cheng Qianfan was uncertain.

The emotions between men and women were the most mysterious thing of all, difficult to explain through ordinary logic.

What attitude and feelings did Eguchi Hideya currently have toward Keiko?

Disgust? Hatred? A desire to kill her with his own hands?

Or despite his hatred, did lingering feelings still remain?

Perhaps he had even forgiven her?

Cheng Qianfan was not sure.

And during Eguchi Hideya’s conversation with Haozai, he had not mentioned Keiko even once.

That made Cheng Qianfan even more alert.

Keiko was an unstable factor and had to be kept under control.

Song Fuguo supported keeping Keiko under control, but he disagreed with Cheng Qianfan’s proposal to arrest her.

“That would alert the enemy,” Song Fuguo said with a frown. “We only know about the public relationship between this Japanese woman and Yingzuo Eiichi. We have no idea whether they have special methods of communication in private, such as telephone contact or intelligence passed through a courier.”

Cheng Qianfan nodded.

He immediately realized that arresting her was the worst possible option.

They needed to control Keiko without alerting the enemy.

“I’ve got it.” A flash of delight appeared in Cheng Qianfan’s eyes.

The next day, Number 22 Rue Vallon, Third Inspectorate of the Central Police Station.

Cheng Qianfan arrived precisely for roll call.

He saw Big-Head Lu preparing to leave with several men.

“What happened?” Cheng Qianfan asked.

“Reporting to Deputy Inspector Cheng.” Big-Head Lu saluted. “It’s the Lafayette Lane case.”

As he spoke, he lightly pulled Cheng Qianfan aside and lowered his voice.

“Qian Zhongnan’s cousin came to the station to report a crime. He says his cousin has been murdered, and the murderer is his concubine.”

“Qian Zhongnan? Which one?” Cheng Qianfan asked in surprise.

“Number Fifteen Lafayette Lane, the husband of that Mrs. Ruth,” Big-Head Lu said. “Qian Zhongnan has been missing for several months. His cousin suspects he has already been murdered, and that Mrs. Ruth is the killer.”

As he spoke, Big-Head Lu glanced around and secretly raised three fingers.

“The people over there said there’ll be an additional reward after the job is done.”

Cheng Qianfan cursed inwardly.

Big-Head Lu really had sticky fingers.

He and Song Fuguo had already discussed the matter beforehand.

Someone had secretly approached Big-Head Lu and bribed him with five small yellow croakers to handle the case, arrest Mrs. Ruth, and promised an additional reward afterward.

The entire affair was designed to appear as an internal family murder case while actually involving a dispute over inheritance, a very common occurrence that would arouse no suspicion.

Big-Head Lu had taken his cut in the middle, reducing the amount by two gold bars.

“Go handle it,” Cheng Qianfan said sternly. “The Qian family’s medicinal-herb business is substantial. Grain and medicinal-material trading are honorable professions that accumulate virtue. We need to give their case special attention.”

Big-Head Lu nodded knowingly.

He understood exactly what “special attention” meant.

Very soon, the famous fake foreign lady, Mrs. Ruth of Number Fifteen Lafayette Lane, was arrested by the police.

The news that members of her husband’s family had accused Mrs. Ruth of murdering Qian Zhongnan rapidly spread throughout the Central District of the French Concession.

Moreover, it spread with astonishing speed.

The newspapers quickly followed up on the story.

Some tabloid papers even vividly fabricated tales about the concubine carrying on an affair with a shop clerk and poisoning Master Qian to death.

The stories attracted countless passersby, who eagerly paid for the newspapers and read them with great interest.

Before leaving work, Cheng Qianfan received a telephone call.

It was from Yingzuo Eiichi, who used coded language to request a meeting.

Cheng Qianfan was somewhat surprised.

Yingzuo Eiichi had actually called directly.

It seemed that his relationship with Miss Keiko involved more than merely sharing a bed.

“What’s going on with the Number Fifteen Lafayette Lane case?” Yingzuo Eiichi asked.

“So even Yingzuo-kun is interested in such romantic scandals?” Cheng Qianfan teased.

His relationship with Yingzuo Eiichi was somewhat unusual.

Strictly speaking, Yingzuo Eiichi was his superior, and there should have been a very rigid hierarchy between them.

However, Cheng Qianfan was a special case among the many agents of the Special Higher Police Section.

He did not participate in operations and could scarcely be considered a true intelligence agent.

His mission was simply to remain embedded in the French Concession police force, gather intelligence, and monitor French attitudes toward the Empire.

Furthermore, Miyazaki Kentaro’s teacher, Taniguchi Hiroyuki, possessed considerable influence within the South Manchuria Railway. His agreement to transfer Miyazaki Kentaro into the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section had come with conditions, and he was deeply concerned about his student’s future.

Most importantly, Miyazaki Kentaro did not come from an intelligence background. His behavior lacked the strict discipline typical of agents and was comparatively casual.

In Yingzuo Eiichi’s view, that was actually a good thing.

An intelligence agent who displayed almost none of the traits of an intelligence agent was ideal.

Therefore, the hierarchy between Yingzuo Eiichi and Cheng Qianfan was not especially strict.

“Cheng-kun, I don’t have time for idle chatter.” Yingzuo Eiichi’s expression darkened. “To be frank, Mrs. Ruth is an Imperial agent.”

Cheng Qianfan appropriately displayed a shocked expression.

“That woman is an Imperial agent?”

“Yes. Her real name is Fukada Keiko. She has been undercover in Shanghai for many years,” Yingzuo Eiichi said gravely. “Keiko must be protected. The Empire cannot afford to lose such an outstanding agent.”

“Did she really kill Qian Zhongnan?” Cheng Qianfan asked directly.

“Qian Zhongnan once served the Empire, but he was too greedy.” Yingzuo Eiichi spoke angrily. “A batch of medicine he supplied to the Empire was counterfeit. As a result, many Imperial warriors suffered greatly.”

After hearing Yingzuo Eiichi’s explanation, Cheng Qianfan finally understood what had happened.

Qian Zhongnan had always been a collaborator serving the Japanese.

However, the man had been remarkably bold.

He had tampered with a batch of medicines ordered by the Japanese military, substituting inferior products for genuine ones.

Japanese military doctors prescribed dosages according to normal standards, and the result was delayed treatment and losses among Japanese troops.

When the matter was discovered, the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section was reprimanded by military authorities.

Yingzuo Teiaki personally ordered Keiko to execute Qian Zhongnan.

“Greedy and foolish Chinese,” Cheng Qianfan said coldly.

Then he frowned.

“The Lafayette Lane case will be difficult to handle.”

“Why?” Yingzuo Eiichi asked.

“The Qian family’s complainants bribed the police station,” Cheng Qianfan said. “Everyone in the station received a share, including me. And they’ve promised another reward after the case is concluded.”

He smiled bitterly.

“So now the matter is no longer merely about the Qian family accusing Ruth of murdering her husband. Everyone in the police station has gone greedy-eyed waiting to share the profits.”

He glanced at Yingzuo Eiichi.

“You know how greedy Chinese people are. Even though I’m their superior, if I stand in the way of their profits, they’ll oppose me without hesitation.”

“If you can do nothing, then why did the Empire place you in the police station?” Yingzuo Eiichi said unhappily.

“In the short term, there truly is nothing I can do,” Cheng Qianfan said after some thought. “However, I can guarantee Keiko’s safety.”

“Delay it. Drag the case out for a while. Once public attention fades, there will be plenty of ways to resolve it.”

A ruthless expression appeared on Cheng Qianfan’s face.

“As for the Qian family complainants, I’ll find a way to deal with them. Yingzuo-kun must absolutely not take action. Even if action becomes necessary, it should wait until the matter has cooled down.”

“One month,” Yingzuo Eiichi said coldly. “Cheng-kun, I’m giving you one month. I want to see Keiko safely released in one month’s time.”

“It won’t take a month.” Cheng Qianfan shook his head. “About twenty days will be enough.”

Eguchi Hideya also noticed the newspapers’ frenzied coverage of the Lafayette Lane fake foreign lady husband-murder case.

He saw the photograph of Mrs. Ruth and recognized her as his fiancée, Keiko.

Haozai immediately informed Eguchi Hideya:

This arrangement was intended to protect him and prevent Keiko from recognizing him before the operation.

Furthermore, Haozai promised Eguchi Hideya that Keiko’s future would be entirely his decision.

If Mr. Eguchi wanted her dead, evidence proving she had murdered her husband would be found at Number Fifteen Lafayette Lane.

If Mr. Eguchi wanted her alive, she would be acquitted and released.

Even if Mr. Eguchi wished to leave together with Keiko after the operation and spend the rest of their lives together, that would not be a problem.

“How did he react?” Cheng Qianfan asked Haozai.

“Eguchi Hideya looked furious. Although he concealed it well, his first reaction exposed his emotions,” Haozai said. “Group Leader, it seems you were right. Eguchi cares deeply about that Japanese woman.”

“Not care,” Cheng Qianfan shook his head. “Obsession.”

Haozai appeared thoughtful.

Cheng Qianfan let out a sigh of relief.

With Keiko under control, the greatest unstable factor in Operation Heartbreak had been secured.

“Notify Eguchi Hideya. He may proceed with the operation.”

“Understood.”

Major newspapers and tabloids throughout Shanghai continuously covered the Lafayette Lane fake foreign lady husband-murder case.

Shanghai’s newspaper industry was extremely developed, and the number of tabloids was the highest in the nation.

There were many types of tabloids.

By content, they generally included literary tabloids, general-interest tabloids, social-news tabloids, theater papers, film tabloids, and entertainment tabloids.

There were even a small number of lurid papers dedicated to gambling, prostitution, drinking, and other vices.

Although the number of tabloids was impressive, few survived for long.

Many lasted only a year or two, while some disappeared after only a few months.

Those with long lifespans generally possessed unique characteristics and specialties.

Their editors knew how to balance ”flowers” and ”criticism” with restraint and flexibility.

Social News Daily was one such remarkably resilient tabloid, beloved by many Shanghai residents.

Within only two days, the newspaper’s coverage of the Lafayette Lane fake foreign lady husband-murder case had progressed to reports that “Mrs. Ruth’s Third Lover Emerges.”

The paper even provided detailed descriptions of the various strengths and weaknesses of all three alleged lovers and analyzed Mrs. Ruth’s standards for choosing men.

The newspapers remained filled with discussion of the case, and public interest remained extremely high.

Yingzuo Eiichi finally stopped pressuring Cheng Qianfan.

He had other matters demanding his attention.

Previously, Yingzuo Eiichi had already been very interested in Eguchi Hideya, the brave Inoue Residence agent who had received public commendation from the military.

Loyal, courageous, and fearless in the face of death.

Yingzuo Eiichi liked subordinates of that sort.

He had begun considering transferring the man into the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section.

Moreover, Yingzuo Eiichi had heard a piece of news.

Army Headquarters also held Eguchi Hideya in high regard and intended to keep him in Japan as a model example, inspiring the fighting spirit of Imperial citizens and encouraging more people to join the great war.

This information had originated from Eguchi Hideya himself.

According to him, military officials had already contacted him.

Therefore, the information seemed highly credible.

Yingzuo Eiichi worried that once Eguchi Hideya returned home for family leave, he might remain in Japan and never come back.

Consequently, he decided to settle the matter before Eguchi Hideya left Shanghai.

One day, accompanied by Kouji, Yingzuo Eiichi arrived at an Inoue Residence safe house.

There he saw a rather handsome man speaking with a worried expression.

“I’m worried something has happened to Mitsugi-kun,” Eguchi Hideya said with a frown. “It’s been three days.”

“Was there anything unusual before Mitsugi Ichijō disappeared?” Yamazaki Shuichi asked.

“Mitsugi-kun...” Eguchi Hideya frowned and thought for a moment. “He borrowed twenty yen from me. But that’s not suspicious in itself. Mitsugi-kun knew I was returning to Japan and wanted to buy gifts for his family.”

“I see...” Yamazaki Shuichi murmured thoughtfully.

“Mitsugi Ichijō exposed his wealth.”

A voice suddenly sounded.

Yamazaki Shuichi turned around and immediately stood up.

“Yingzuo-kun, you’ve arrived.”

Yingzuo Eiichi nodded.

“Mitsugi Ichijō was only an ordinary agent, and his clothing was quite plain. If he suddenly produced enough money to go shopping, it’s very likely someone noticed and treated him as an easy target.”

“Yingzuo-kun, do you mean Mitsugi Ichijō was robbed and may even have been murdered?” Yamazaki Shuichi asked.

“Extremely likely,” Yingzuo Eiichi replied. “Beneath Shanghai’s apparent prosperity lurk many dark corners. That is precisely why we must occupy China and allow the Empire’s light to shine upon this land.”

“Beautifully said, Yingzuo-kun,” Yamazaki Shuichi praised.

“So this is Eguchi-kun, the man commended by the military?” Yingzuo Eiichi looked at Eguchi Hideya with a smile and nodded slightly. “You truly are a brave warrior.”

Eguchi Hideya appeared somewhat excited.

He bowed deeply.

“Eguchi Hideya greets Your Excellency Yingzuo.”

“Yamazaki-kun, I have matters to discuss with Eguchi-kun,” Yingzuo Eiichi said.

Yamazaki Shuichi immediately understood.

With good sense, he led the others out of the room.

Before leaving, he even winked at Eguchi Hideya, clearly meaning: your opportunity has arrived, make the most of it.

Everyone had already heard rumors that Yingzuo Eiichi had taken a liking to Eguchi Hideya and intended to transfer him into the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section.

Therefore, no one was particularly surprised by Yingzuo Eiichi’s visit.

When Yingzuo Eiichi departed the Inoue Residence safe house, a smile remained on his face.

Although Eguchi Hideya had not given an immediate answer, Yingzuo Eiichi could tell that he was quite interested in joining the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section.

Eguchi Hideya stated that he would provide an answer before leaving Shanghai and returning to Japan.

Two days later, Yingzuo Eiichi received Eguchi Hideya’s response.

Eguchi Hideya invited Yingzuo Eiichi to his home for drinks.

Yingzuo Eiichi was delighted.

He understood this as Eguchi Hideya’s formal declaration that he was willing to join the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section.

Instead of merely saying, “I agree,” he had invited Yingzuo Eiichi, his future superior, to his home for drinks.

Not at a restaurant.

At his own home.

It was a formal yet warm gesture of allegiance.

Yingzuo Eiichi became even more satisfied with Eguchi Hideya’s attitude.

This was a subordinate who truly understood how things worked.

At dusk, accompanied by Kouji, Yingzuo Eiichi happily went to the appointment.