Chapter 61: Shadows Stirring

“Absolutely not.” Secretary Fang said decisively. “Old Huang, anyone can go except you. Wen Changjian once served as your courier. He knows you far too well.”

“Secretary Fang!” The middle-aged man stood up and spoke urgently.

“Old Huang!” Secretary Fang’s expression turned stern. “Not only will the organization not assign you to this mission, but until Wen Changjian is executed by the organization, you are not to engage in any public activities.”

As he spoke, Secretary Fang shook his head again. “No, go to the countryside and lie low for a while. Any safe house Wen Changjian might know about must be abandoned.”

Seeing that Old Huang still wanted to speak, Secretary Fang immediately put on a stern face. “This is the organization’s decision. Old Huang, I understand your feelings, but please don’t let your anger burn away your reason and vigilance!”

The middle-aged man let out a long sigh and said nothing more.

He truly felt overwhelming guilt for having nurtured such a heartless traitor.

“Not just Old Huang. All comrades who have had contact with Wen Changjian, or who may have come into contact with him, must exercise extreme caution.”

“As for tomorrow’s operation.” Secretary Fang glanced at a man in his thirties. “Gao Lan, you’ve come down from the mountains. Wen Changjian has never seen you. Your marksmanship is good. Take a few men to the docks.”

“Understood, Secretary Fang.”

“Remember to get to the docks early and scout the escape routes.” Secretary Fang instructed. “Your personal safety comes first. If there truly is no opportunity, the operation may be abandoned.”

“I’ll act according to circumstances.” Gao Lan nodded.

About ten minutes later, the rear door of the house opened, and people left one after another, disappearing into the night.

An hour later.

Inside a beautiful villa on Xinkai Road.

In a tastefully decorated office, a desk lamp was lit.

A middle-aged man lay sprawled on a sofa, letting out comfortable groans.

A curvaceous woman in a qipao was massaging his feet.

“Yes, yes, yes, right there.”

“A little harder!”

“Ho ho ho, that’s the spot!”

Outside the office door, a guard covered his mouth, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

“What kind of appearance is that!” A man in a Zhongshan suit and gold-rimmed glasses hurried over and scolded the guard. “Is the district chief inside?”

“Ho ho ho, comfortable, comfortable.”

The sounds from inside continued.

The man in gold-rimmed glasses frowned, cleared his throat, and knocked on the door. “District Chief.”

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, He Huan.”

“Wait a moment.”

About a minute or two later, a voice came from inside. “Come in.”

He Huan pushed the door open and saw the middle-aged man sitting solemnly behind his desk. He was the only person in the room.

“What are you staring at? There are no treasures in my office.” The middle-aged man spoke irritably.

“District Chief, take it easy.” He Huan said with a bitter smile. “Those who know understand you’re getting a foot massage. Those who don’t might think you’re doing something else in your office.”

“Doing what?” the middle-aged man cursed. “Damn it, that’s my Third Concubine. If I want to do something, what is there that I can’t do?”

He Huan was sprayed across the face with spittle. Wiping it away, he pulled a slip of paper from his pocket.

“Intelligence just delivered by Bat. The Communist Party Municipal Committee of Hangzhou held an emergency meeting. It has now been confirmed that Fang Jinghua personally chaired the meeting.”

“Fang Jinghua!”

The middle-aged man shot to his feet as if electrocuted. Blood rushed to his forehead from excitement, turning his face bright red. Slapping his palms together, he burst into laughter.

“Excellent! Fang Jinghua, I’ve finally caught your tail.”

Fang Jinghua was a senior official of the Communist Party Municipal Committee of Hangzhou and the number one Communist target that the Party Affairs Investigation Department’s Hangzhou District had been hunting for years.

“Notify everyone to assemble immediately. We’re holding an emergency meeting.”

The Japanese Concession in Hangzhou.

The residence of Kawaki Company.

A secret welcome banquet was being held.

Kawada Eikichi had changed into a kimono. Sitting opposite him was Major Okada Toshihiko, the military attaché from the Japanese Consulate in Hangzhou, who had secretly arrived at the company.

Okada Toshihiko was not wearing his beloved military uniform but civilian clothes.

“I truly long for the day when we can wear the Empire’s military uniform and occupy this city at will.” Okada Toshihiko said.

“It will come, Okada-kun. That day is not far away.” Kawada Eikichi replied with a smile.

“Kawada-kun, I don’t understand why you brought that Communist traitor all the way from Manchuria to Hangzhou.” A short, stocky man beside Okada Toshihiko sneered. “As far as I know, the news of his defection to the Empire of Japan has already spread everywhere. A man like that has no remaining value.”

“So you’re still the same foolish Sanben.” Kawada Eikichi mocked. “Who said a publicly exposed traitor has no value?”

“Kawada the Fisherman!” Sanben’s face flushed red, and the thick veins on his neck bulged.

“Foolish peasant Sanben.”

Neither Okada Toshihiko nor Kawaki Taro, the owner of Kawaki Company, made any effort to stop the argument. They simply watched the two men hurl insults at each other.

The pair were classmates and sworn rivals. They had argued constantly ever since their days at the Imperial Japanese Army Academy.

Once they had argued enough, all it took was a single word of mediation for both sides to step down gracefully.

Finally, after several minutes, when he had watched enough entertainment, Okada Toshihiko coughed lightly.

“Kawada-kun, you never do anything without purpose. Tell us, how do you intend to use that Chinese Communist traitor?”

“Although Wen Changjian is already an exposed defector, I believe he still has residual value.” Kawada Eikichi said coldly. “This man is a Chinese Communist. He is thoroughly familiar with Communist personnel and operations in Hangzhou. He will be a valuable assistant in helping us eliminate the Communist network there.”

“Kawada-kun, our primary enemy right now is the Nationalist government, the Nationalists.” Sanben objected again. “The Chinese Communists are not worth worrying about. Their entire army numbers only a few tens of thousands, and their weapons and equipment are terrible. A single regiment of the Empire could slaughter them all.”

“Fool.” Kawada Eikichi cursed.

Without giving Sanben another chance to argue, he continued.

“Using a Communist defector to capture Communists is only one purpose. Let me ask you all, who understands the Communists best?”

“The Chinese Nationalists.” Okada Toshihiko answered. He was beginning to understand Kawada Eikichi’s thinking.

“Exactly. Likewise, those who understand the Nationalists of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, especially those in Hangzhou, best are the Communists of Hangzhou.” Kawada Eikichi revealed a smug expression. “As an important courier for the Hangzhou Communists, Wen Changjian’s most important duty was figuring out how to evade capture by the Chinese government.”

“You’re absolutely right.” Okada Toshihiko praised him. “With such a man, not only can we learn more about the Communists in Hangzhou, but we can also deepen our understanding of the Chinese government’s intelligence agencies in Zhejiang, especially in Hangzhou. It kills two birds with one stone.”

“As expected of the resourceful Kawada-kun.” Kawaki Taro, who had spoken very little until now, praised him. “I propose a toast to Major Kawada Eikichi’s wisdom.”

Everyone raised their glasses.

Kawada Eikichi was quite pleased with himself. “Tomorrow, when the Hinomaru passenger liner arrives, perhaps there will be a fine show to watch.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

No. 30 Xiongzhen Tower.

At three or four in the morning, while Cheng Qianfan was still asleep, the dormitory door was pounded urgently.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Cheng Wufang!”

“Cheng Wufang!”

The trainee closest to the door sprang out of bed and opened it.

Several soldiers carrying loaded weapons stood outside.

“Who is Cheng Wufang?”

“I am!” Cheng Qianfan quickly got dressed and answered.

“Deputy Director Yu wishes to see you.”

Just as Cheng Qianfan was about to speak, he saw a cold-faced man standing outside.

It was Zhao Yansheng, the expressionless man who had stood at Yu Ping’an’s side throughout their meeting in Yu Ping’an’s office the previous day.

“Let’s go.” Cheng Qianfan fastened the belt of his police uniform and put on his police cap.

Seeing the disguised Cheng Wufang emerge, Zhao Yansheng said nothing. He simply raised a hand.

“I’ve already inspected your sidearm. Everything is in order.”