Chapter 58: Operational Deployment

Looking at the somewhat flustered Cheng Qianfan, Yu Ping’an smiled.

He was very interested in this young man.

In the incident of “encountering Kawada Eikichi on the train,” from suspecting the other party, to making contact, to adapting on the fly, while not forgetting to restrain Talkative’s actions.

In Yu Ping’an’s view, Cheng Qianfan’s performance had been commendable throughout.

He had also considered matters quite comprehensively.

Yu Ping’an even had the feeling that this young man was not a trainee attending the special training class, but an experienced agent.

However, seeing the young man display an awkward and uneasy expression now, he found it amusing and felt that this was what a young person ought to look like.

As for the impressive performance earlier, it should simply be the result of talent.

In the espionage profession, experience was important.

However, it could not be denied that some people were exceptionally gifted.

Some people were simply born for this line of work.

In Yu Ping’an’s view, Cheng Qianfan’s talent was something that delighted him.

Talented, and young.

Most importantly, according to the records, this man had only recently been discovered by Lu Jingqian (Song Fuguo), and showed no signs of belonging to any other faction.

This was an unpolished jade.

“Tell me your idea. Don’t be nervous,” Yu Ping’an said with a smile.

“Reporting to Deputy Director Yu, I can draw portraits of Kawada Eikichi’s group,” Cheng Qianfan said.

“Portraits?” Yu Ping’an asked in surprise.

“Yes, sir. I’m quite skilled at sketching.”

“Bring in some sketching materials.”

Yu Ping’an glanced at Cheng Qianfan, somewhat skeptical, and pressed the bell on his desk again.

A few minutes later, a young female secretary brought in a stack of sketch paper and sketching pencils.

Watching Cheng Qianfan work seriously and draw rapidly across the paper, Yu Ping’an was overjoyed when a middle-aged man’s portrait quickly came to life on the page.

The portrait was extremely realistic.

At first glance, it was almost indistinguishable from a photograph.

“I never expected you to possess such a skill.”

Yu Ping’an picked up the portrait and examined it carefully.

“How similar is it to the real person?”

“It should be about ninety percent accurate,” Cheng Qianfan replied.

“Ninety percent?” Yu Ping’an nodded. “Excellent, excellent.”

Cheng Qianfan continued working.

Very quickly, he completed portraits of two more people.

“This person, I call him the Little Round Glasses Gentleman.”

Cheng Qianfan pointed at one of the portraits.

“This man is very likely a Chinese collaborator working for the Japanese.”

“What makes you think so?”

“This man is highly educated and speaks elegantly,” Cheng Qianfan said.

“Most importantly, he is extremely afraid of Kawada Eikichi. From my observations, this is not a subordinate’s respect for a superior. It is fear, the sort of fear a collaborator feels toward his Japanese masters.”

Yu Ping’an nodded slowly.

He understood what Cheng Qianfan meant.

A collaborator was a collaborator. They naturally harbored fear toward the Japanese.

“And this person.”

Cheng Qianfan pointed to the portrait of the young man in the Zhongshan suit.

“I saw him twice. The first time, I could not clearly see his face. The second time was on the platform, when he delivered Kawada Eikichi’s business card.”

“Deputy Director Yu, there were six people in total. I can only draw these three. I am ashamed...”

“You’ve already done very well,” Yu Ping’an said with a smile.

Not to mention drawing three people, he would have been satisfied even if Cheng Qianfan had drawn only one.

Just moments ago, he had been regretting not having photographs of these people.

Now they had portraits nearly as effective as photographs.

This was an unexpected delight.

With these three portraits, following the clues to track these people down would not be particularly difficult.

This was Hangzhou, territory firmly under the National Government.

The resources the Special Service Office could mobilize were enormous.

“You are the only person who had direct contact with them. Analyze these three people for me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Cheng Qianfan stepped forward and spread the three portraits across the desk.

“Kawada Eikichi should be the leader of the group. He is cunning, extremely cautious and vigilant, suspicious by nature, and a highly experienced veteran agent.”

“Little Round Glasses. This man ordered a lavish meal on the train to satisfy his appetite. Kawada seemed somewhat displeased about it, yet did not stop him. At the same time, this man is clearly terrified of Kawada. The true relationship between these two is difficult to determine.”

“The young man in the Zhongshan suit is Kawada’s subordinate. Based on my interactions with him, he is rather inexperienced. There are many flaws in his words and behavior. He should have only recently entered intelligence work.”

“Good! The breakthrough point is this young man!”

Yu Ping’an immediately reached a conclusion and began issuing orders.

“Pass the portraits on. Photograph them and immediately begin searching for these three individuals.”

“If enemy traces are discovered, do not act rashly.”

“Focus especially on the young man. He is the one whose whereabouts we are most likely to uncover.”

“Notify all surveillance posts in the Japanese district to maintain twenty-four-hour surveillance on Okada Toshihiko, the military officer in the Japanese district.”

“Investigate the Japanese trading firms in the district. Determine whether any have business dealings with Manchukuo. Place them under focused surveillance.”

“Conduct a thorough investigation of all suspicious individuals who have come to Hangzhou from Manchukuo.”

“Send a telegram to the Manchukuo undercover group and investigate the Manzhou Kyomaru Trading Association.”

As Yu Ping’an issued orders, Cheng Qianfan stood respectfully to the side, quietly observing everything.

With a single command from Yu Ping’an, numerous personnel dressed either in National Revolutionary Army uniforms or Zhongshan suits hurried in and out in an orderly manner.

Every order was received by someone.

They saluted respectfully and departed.

This Deputy Director Yu thought clearly.

His operational arrangements were orderly and methodical.

His consideration of issues was extremely comprehensive.

Cheng Qianfan quietly studied and learned from him.

If he himself were responsible for planning the operation, could he have considered matters this comprehensively?

The answer was probably yes.

Everything Yu Ping’an had considered, Cheng Qianfan had also thought of.

However, Cheng Qianfan knew very well that there was still a difference in the details.

Of the seven orders Yu Ping’an had issued, five had also occurred to him immediately.

As for the remaining two, given a little time to think, he would have arrived at them quickly as well.

The difference lay in the timing.

Acting a few minutes earlier versus a few minutes later could produce vastly different results.

He needed time for careful thought and consideration.

Yu Ping’an, on the other hand, issued orders instantly.

Making immediate decisions, considering matters so comprehensively, establishing priorities clearly, and assigning tasks appropriately, this was the embodiment of a leader’s capability.

Or rather, it was the combination of ability and experience.

This made Cheng Qianfan even more curious about Deputy Director Yu’s identity and status within the Special Service Office.

“What are you thinking about?” Yu Ping’an suddenly asked.

“Reporting to Deputy Director Yu.”

Cheng Qianfan did not conceal the truth.

“I was considering how many of Deputy Director Yu’s orders I myself had thought of.”

“You really dare to say anything, don’t you, kid?”

Yu Ping’an pointed at Cheng Qianfan’s head with a mock gesture and laughed.

Cheng Qianfan revealed a slightly alarmed expression.

“I was being presumptuous, sir.”

“Then tell me, how many did you think of?” Yu Ping’an asked.

“Four.”

Cheng Qianfan revealed a look of embarrassment.

“Investigating suspicious individuals arriving in Hangzhou from Manchukuo, monitoring the Japanese commercial associations in Hangzhou, and contacting our comrades in Manchukuo for investigation. I failed to think of those three points. Director, your foresight is admirable. I am full of admiration.”

“Thinking of four is already quite good.”

Yu Ping’an gave Cheng Qianfan a long look.

“And remember this. In the future, call me Deputy Director Yu.”

“Yes, sir.”

Yu Ping’an returned to his desk, sat down, picked up the roster, and examined it carefully.

Suddenly he raised his head and stared coldly at Cheng Qianfan.

“You lied. Your name does not appear in the Tenth Class Infantry Department roster of the Central Military Academy!”

The moment he finished speaking, the cold-faced man who had been standing beside him swiftly drew his sidearm without hesitation and aimed it at Cheng Qianfan.

At the same time, the door was pushed open.

Several National Revolutionary Army soldiers rushed in carrying Zhongzheng rifles.

Their gun barrels were all pointed directly at Cheng Qianfan.