Chapter 62: Dofihara’s Assistant

Taking his Mauser pistol from Zhao Yansheng’s hand.

Cheng Qianfan said nothing and personally inspected it again, confirming that there was nothing wrong with the weapon.

“Thank you.” Only then did he speak calmly.

Zhao Yansheng snorted but said nothing further.

This was what agents were like. They trusted only themselves. Their sidearms were their lifeline. It was useless for others to say there was no problem. They needed to verify it themselves.

Zhao Yansheng was an agent too. If their positions were reversed, he would have inspected the gun personally as well.

He understood that.

But he was not pleased.

This proud young man had shown goodwill toward Cheng Qianfan not because he wanted to curry favor with him. In terms of status within the Special Service Office, Cheng Wufang, a newcomer who had just joined, was far beneath him.

He merely wished to express his apology once more. That apology was not directed toward Cheng Wufang himself, but toward the martyred parents of Cheng Wufang.

In Yu Ping’an’s office in the Little White Building, the lights blazed brightly.

When Zhao Yansheng brought Cheng Qianfan there, quite a few people were already present.

Several men who had been speaking quietly with Yu Ping’an looked up. Seeing Zhao Yansheng, Yu Ping’an’s trusted subordinate, bring in an unfamiliar face, they were all rather surprised.

The secrecy classification of this operation was extremely high. Who was this young man, and why was he permitted to attend?

“Cheng Wufang, a newly admitted trainee of the special training class, reported in only yesterday.” Yu Ping’an said blandly.

Ignoring the strange looks everyone directed at Cheng Qianfan, Yu Ping’an said, “Begin.”

Holding a file, the confidential secretary read aloud to the assembled group:

“Kawada Eikichi, commonly known as Guo Tianxun.”

“Has operated for many years in Manchukuo and the Beiping-Tianjin region.”

“Approximately forty years old.”

“A veteran agent of the South Manchuria Railway Investigation Division in Manchukuo.”

“His public identities include director of the Manzhou Kyomaru Trading Association, director of the Manchurian Cultural Research Society, and professor in the Department of Archaeology at Tokyo Imperial University.”

“He speaks authentic Northeastern Chinese and is a true expert on China.”

“This man possesses profound knowledge of our nation’s history, culture, geography, and social customs.”

“He has operated for many years in Manchukuo and North China and has repeatedly dismantled our intelligence organizations.”

“More than twenty of our agents have been lost at his hands.”

“He is the capable assistant of Dofihara Kenji, a leading Japanese intelligence chief. Dofihara Kenji values him highly.”

“Yesterday morning, Kawada Eikichi entered this city under the alias Zhou Tianqun and took up residence at Kawaki Company in the Japanese Concession.”

“Qiqiao Flower has sent word that Kawada Eikichi will appear at Selling Fish Bridge Wharf this morning.”

Having completed the report, the confidential secretary closed the file and stood quietly to one side.

Yu Ping’an swept his gaze across the room and said sternly, “Our colleagues in North China and the Northeast have crossed paths with Kawada Eikichi many times. They have suffered grievous casualties without even touching a single hair on his head. Now that this man has come to Hangzhou, I don’t care why he’s here. I have only one requirement.”

He paused, then practically gritted his teeth as he spoke.

“I hope all of you will work together. Under no circumstances can we allow him to slip away again. Let me emphasize once more, Kawada is extremely cunning and vigilant. I warn all of you not to underestimate him.”

“Anyone guilty of negligence or dereliction of duty will be dealt with under military law.”

“Yes, sir!” everyone shouted in unison.

Yu Ping’an nodded and began assigning tasks.

“Delong, take twenty men and deploy at the wharf first.”

“Ximing, lead plainclothes personnel disguised as travelers meeting friends and relatives.”

“Notify the Hangzhou Municipal Police Bureau to stand by near the wharf. Use the pretext of searching for subversives and await orders.”

Everyone accepted their assignments and departed.

A middle-aged man with a bulbous red nose grew anxious.

“Deputy Director Yu, what about us?”

“You?” Yu Ping’an glanced at him. “Your men will establish an outer perimeter and capture any fish that slip through the net.”

“Deputy Director Yu?” The red-nosed man became anxious. They were the Hangzhou Special Service Office Action Team. Yet during an operation in Hangzhou itself, they were being pushed aside and assigned cleanup duties. It was a severe loss of face.

“I do not wish to see a repeat of the Huang Xifan incident.” Yu Ping’an said coldly.

One month earlier, the Hangzhou Special Service Office had attempted to arrest Huang Xifan, a staff officer in the Hangzhou Garrison Command who had been bought by the Japanese.

Despite being heavily surrounded, Huang Xifan had escaped.

The subsequent investigation revealed that the disguised Huang Xifan had used two small yellow croakers to bribe agents manning a checkpoint, allowing him to pass through unnoticed.

The incident had enraged Dai Chunfeng, who had three negligent agents executed.

The red-nosed man’s expression changed repeatedly. He stamped his foot and sighed heavily. Not daring to say anything further, he prepared to leave.

“Cheng Wufang will also be temporarily assigned to your unit and participate in this operation.” Yu Ping’an suddenly said.

“Deputy Director Yu, I already have enough men under me. There’s no need.” The red-nosed man glanced at Cheng Qianfan. The fellow looked dull and sluggish. Hearing that he was merely a newly arrived trainee, the man looked down on him completely.

“That is an order.” Yu Ping’an said in a deep voice.

“Understood.” The red-nosed man answered perfunctorily. Looking at Cheng Qianfan with displeasure, he said, “You’re Cheng Wufang, right? What are you standing there blankly for? Let’s go.”

“You go ahead first.” Yu Ping’an said. “Cheng Wufang will report to your unit shortly.”

After the red-nosed man departed unhappily, Cheng Qianfan took an envelope from his pocket.

“Deputy Director Yu, this is the personal statement I wrote.”

Yu Ping’an reached out and accepted it. He did not open it. Instead, he sealed it with glue, stamped an official seal across the flap, placed it in a drawer, and locked it away.

Given his rank and seniority, he was fully qualified to read it.

However, Yu Ping’an was extremely careful. He intended to submit it to Dai Chunfeng personally and have him open it himself.

“Kawada Eikichi has seen you before. Although you’re disguised now, to be safe, you must not appear in front of him.” Yu Ping’an said.

“Yes, Deputy Director Yu’s consideration is thorough. I understand.”

“Just as you predicted, that young Japanese agent was the breakthrough point. Our people discovered Kawada Eikichi’s location through him.”

“It was Deputy Director Yu’s strategic planning. I dare not claim any credit.” Cheng Qianfan hurriedly replied.

“Enough. Stop being so modest.” Yu Ping’an waved his hand. “If it’s your achievement, then it’s your achievement.”

Cheng Qianfan remained silent.

“I’m assigning you to act alongside the Hangzhou Special Service Office. They’re locals and have their own advantages. At the same time, you’re meticulous and the only person here who has seen Kawada Eikichi.” Yu Ping’an said. “So don’t think that being responsible for the outer perimeter means you can relax. On the contrary, the outer perimeter is the final line of defense. There must not be the slightest carelessness.”

“Understood, sir.” Cheng Qianfan replied.

“The man just now was He Qichen, captain of the Action Team of the Special Service Office’s Hangzhou District. You should get closer to him.” Yu Ping’an suddenly said.

“Yes, sir.” Cheng Qianfan snapped to attention and saluted. What he was actually wondering was what exactly Yu Ping’an meant by “get closer.”

“Go.” Yu Ping’an waved his hand.

“I take my leave.”

After Cheng Qianfan left, Yu Ping’an frowned and turned his head.

“Yansheng, tell me, do you think He Qichen has a problem?”

Instead of answering the question, Zhao Yansheng asked:

“Teacher, He Qichen is obviously hostile toward Cheng Wufang. Yet you assigned Cheng Wufang to his side?”