Chapter 69: Capturing Kawada
Yulu Alley, Yang Million’s residence.
The home of this Hangzhou magnate was exceptionally lively.
Yang Million was hosting a banquet for “Professor Yoshino Sukekazu of Tokyo Imperial University of the Empire of Japan” and his party.
Kawada Eikichi cleared his throat.
“Thanks to Boss Yang’s generous hospitality, I am deeply grateful. Gentlemen, a toast to Sino-Japanese friendship.”
“Cheers!”
“Long live Sino-Japanese friendship!”
A burst of cheering erupted.
“Boss Yang is a friend of the Empire of Japan.”
Kawada Eikichi paused and looked around at everyone.
“The Yamato people are the kindest and most sincere nation. We will never mistreat our friends.”
“Well said.”
Yang Million’s beard trembled with excitement.
“Cuijuan, pour wine for Professor Yoshino. I must have a proper drink with Professor Yoshino.”
A beautiful woman forced a smile as she stood and poured wine for Kawada Eikichi.
She was Cuijuan, Yang Million’s eighth concubine.
Yang Million raised his wine cup, his face full of fawning admiration.
“Professor Yoshino, though this old man is advanced in years, I am still willing to contribute my tiny bit of light to Sino-Japanese friendship. Should there be any need of me, I will certainly devote every effort to serving the Empire of Japan.”
“Excellent, excellent, excellent.”
Kawada Eikichi applauded in admiration.
“I am delighted that the Empire has such a sincere friend as Yang-san.”
The atmosphere of the banquet grew increasingly lively.
At the same time, Number Thirty Xiongzhen Tower.
The agents of the Special Service Office’s Xiongzhen Tower headquarters had been assembled.
Dressed in a Zhongshan suit, Yu Ping’an was delivering an impassioned speech.
“According to reliable intelligence we have obtained, the whereabouts of the Japanese spy Kawada Eikichi, who has murdered dozens of our brothers in North China and Manchukuo, have been discovered.”
“What should we do to such a heinous Japanese executioner whose hands are stained with the blood of our comrades and brothers?”
“Kill him!”
The agents shouted in unison.
“Very good, comrades and brothers.”
Yu Ping’an continued.
“The time has come for us to render meritorious service to Party and nation. Capture Kawada Eikichi and avenge our fallen brothers. I hereby order...”
“Wan Delong, lead thirty men in an assault through the front gate. You will have full authority.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Wang Xiaodao, lead ten men and seal off the rear gate!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Zeng Xieming, lead ten men and seize the high ground to establish suppressive fire.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Wu Yuanfang and Du Ke, each of you will lead ten men at the front and rear gates as mobile units to prevent the enemy from escaping.”
“Yes, sir!” “Yes, sir!”
“Zhao Yansheng!”
Yu Ping’an glanced at Zhao Yansheng beside him.
“Lead thirty men to seal off the nearby streets. The Hangzhou Police Bureau will assign one hundred officers under your command to guard against an armed Japanese rescue attempt.”
“The signal will be the light from the third floor of the opera house diagonally opposite Yulu Alley. Three flashes of light, then the operation begins!”
“Understood!”
“If anyone leaks information or secretly aids the enemy’s escape, execute them on the spot!”
Yu Ping’an concluded with murderous intensity.
The gates of Number Thirty Xiongzhen Tower were swiftly pulled open by the guards.
Four automobiles sped out first.
Two military trucks followed close behind.
Machine guns were mounted atop the trucks.
More than a dozen bicycles trailed behind.
The opera house, third floor.
Cheng Qianfan was waiting anxiously.
When he saw headlights in the distance, his heart tightened.
After recognizing the vehicles as military trucks, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
A short while later, an automobile stopped beneath the opera house.
Thump, thump, thump.
Chaotic footsteps echoed up the stairs.
Although he guessed that his colleagues from the Special Service Office had arrived, Cheng Qianfan still dared not lower his guard.
Just as he drew his pistol, Yu Ping’an pushed the door open and entered.
Cheng Qianfan quickly put away the gun and saluted.
“Deputy Director Yu.”
“Are they still there?”
Yu Ping’an had no time for formalities and asked urgently.
“Yes!”
Cheng Qianfan nodded.
He walked to the third-floor window and pointed into the alley opposite.
“Yang Million’s residence. The red lantern has the character Yang written on it. I’ve been watching the whole time. Kawada Eikichi has not left.”
“Good! Excellent!”
Yu Ping’an happily patted Cheng Qianfan on the shoulder.
“If we capture Kawada, you will deserve the greatest credit!”
“I wouldn’t dare claim such merit. It is all due to Deputy Director Yu’s strategic planning.”
Cheng Qianfan replied respectfully.
“Deputy Director Yu, I request permission to participate in the arrest.”
“Stay by my side for now.”
Yu Ping’an said.
“No one will harm Director Yu unless I fall first!”
Cheng Qianfan declared immediately.
Yu Ping’an nodded.
This time he did not correct Cheng Qianfan for calling him Director instead of Deputy Director.
“Cut the telephone lines to Yang Million’s residence.”
Yu Ping’an ordered.
“It would be best to cut the telephone lines of every household in Yulu Alley.”
Cheng Qianfan suddenly interjected.
“Do as he says.”
Yu Ping’an immediately ordered.
Then he gave Cheng Qianfan’s shoulder another firm pat.
Cheng Qianfan stood beside Yu Ping’an at the entrance to Yulu Alley as part of his security detail.
At this moment, the front gate, rear gate, alleyways, and nearby streets around Yang Million’s residence were completely surrounded by soldiers, police, and agents.
Cheng Qianfan even saw a squad of National Revolutionary Army soldiers arriving with mortars.
This shocked him.
This was downtown Hangzhou!
In these supposedly peaceful times, firing artillery within the city was no trivial matter.
Handled badly, it could easily trigger public panic.
Seeing Cheng Qianfan staring at the mortars, Yu Ping’an shook his head and smiled.
“They’re just for show.”
Cheng Qianfan nodded without speaking.
He knew they were not merely for show.
Clearly, Yu Ping’an had become determined and was resolved to take down Kawada Eikichi.
If the assault failed and the people inside the Yang residence resisted stubbornly, then when matters reached that point, Yu Ping’an might truly dare order artillery fire.
Yu Ping’an took out his pocket watch and checked the time.
It was already 8:15 in the evening.
“When did it start?” Yu Ping’an suddenly asked.
“An hour ago.”
Understanding the question immediately, Cheng Qianfan replied.
“I asked around. The food was delivered by Shuyu Tower.”
Shuyu Tower was a famous restaurant in Hangzhou.
Several of its dishes were considered unmatched in the city.
Whenever wealthy families hosted banquets, they often called for Shuyu Tower’s signature dishes.
“Wufang, you’re the one most familiar with Kawada Eikichi. You go. Under no circumstances can he be allowed to escape.”
Yu Ping’an said.
“Director, your safety...”
Cheng Qianfan remained where he was and looked at Yu Ping’an with concern.
“No one can harm me.”
A trace of an almost imperceptible smile flashed through Yu Ping’an’s eyes.
“Go! Capture Kawada Eikichi!”
“Yes, sir!”
Five minutes later.
Yu Ping’an checked his watch once more.
Then he suddenly waved his hand.
“Begin the operation!”
An adjutant immediately flashed a flashlight toward the third floor of the opera house.
At once, someone at the third-floor window carried a pressure lantern in and out three times.
Outside the Yang residence, Wan Delong, the operations group leader responsible for breaching the gate, saw the signal from the opera house and waved his hand.
“Move!”
With a Click, Cheng Qianfan set his Mauser pistol to firing readiness.
A man wearing a telegraph-office uniform hurried forward and knocked on the Yang residence gate.
“Who’s there?” a voice called from inside.
“It’s Old Lai from the telegraph office. A telegram for Boss Yang from his hometown of Yuyao.”
“It’s Old Lai. I recognize his voice.”
A servant of the Yang household bowed and scraped before a Japanese agent standing nearby.
The Japanese agent nodded.
The servant unlatched the gate and pulled it slightly open, leaning out.
“The telegram, hand it over...”
Then he saw the dark mass of people outside.
Stunned, he immediately tried to retreat inside.
Cheng Qianfan reacted fastest.
He grabbed the servant’s clothing and yanked him forward, wedging him directly in the middle of the gateway.
Why pull instead of kick?
Kicking down a gate required space and time.
If the other side reacted quickly and slammed the gate shut, everything would be ruined.
By pulling the man outward, he immediately blocked the gate with a human obstacle, making it impossible to close at once.
In the blink of an eye, several strong agents charged forward as well.
They smashed the gate open, and more agents rushed inside with guns drawn.