Chapter 94: Suspicion Is Evidence

“Wufang is here.”

Yu Ping’an put down the file in his hand.

“Deputy Director Yu, I have important intelligence to report.”

Cheng Qianfan entered the room, stood at attention, and saluted.

“The doctor is indeed suspicious?”

Yu Ping’an suddenly asked.

“He is indeed suspicious.”

Cheng Qianfan was slightly startled, but answered.

“Have all the investigative lines been put in place?”

“They have.”

Cheng Qianfan nodded.

“Before coming here, I gave orders. Everyone is maintaining close surveillance and standing ready for action.”

“Yuanfang.”

Yu Ping’an said to Wu Yuanfang.

“Send word. An emergency meeting will be held in the conference room one hour from now.”

Wu Yuanfang immediately picked up pen and paper to make notes.

“Wan Delong, head of the Xiongzhen Tower Operations Group; all instructors of major rank and above; Captain He of the Hangzhou District Operations Team; Deputy Director Kang Kai of the Hangzhou Police Bureau...”

Wu Yuanfang looked up at Yu Ping’an.

Seeing Yu Ping’an wave his hand, he put away the file board, saluted, and left.

“Go ahead, tell me what’s going on.”

Yu Ping’an gestured for Cheng Qianfan to continue.

Seeing the somewhat astonished expression on Cheng Qianfan’s face, he waved his hand.

“I know nothing about your team’s activities. I’ve only heard that you’ve been investigating this doctor all along. Based on what I know of you, you’re not someone who acts without reason. I guessed you’d be coming to report to me sooner or later. Judging by the situation, you’ve gained quite a bit.”

“Director, your insight is unmatched.”

Cheng Qianfan immediately delivered a subtle bit of flattery.

“There is one question that has been puzzling me.”

“You’re talking about Agent Six, aren’t you?”

Yu Ping’an smiled.

“You had bad luck, kid. You drew the only empty slot. Agent Six doesn’t exist.”

Cheng Qianfan was astonished and let out a bitter laugh.

At first, he had believed Doctor Gu was Agent Six.

Later, he had overturned that theory himself.

No wonder he had never been able to find Agent Six.

The man had never existed in the first place.

“All right, I’ve resolved your confusion.”

Yu Ping’an smiled and pointed at Cheng Qianfan.

“Now it’s your turn to resolve mine.”

“I wouldn’t dare. Director, your vision reaches far beyond ours, and everything remains under your control.”

As Cheng Qianfan spoke, he noticed Yu Ping’an looking at him oddly and immediately restrained himself.

His expression turned serious.

“At first, I suspected that Gu Changyou, a pulmonary physician at Guangji Hospital, was Agent Six.”

“I then arranged for people to investigate Gu Changyou, while also investigating one of his patients surnamed Liu.”

“Doctor Gu Changyou’s brother-in-law is the deputy regimental commander of the 343rd Regiment of the National Revolutionary Army’s Hangzhou Garrison Division.”

“Liu Tao operates a teahouse. The teahouse opened one year ago. His movements are regular and appear free of suspicion.”

“I believe there are sufficiently strong grounds to suspect that Liu Tao is a Japanese agent. Through Doctor Gu Changyou, he established contact with Luo Zhichuan, the deputy regimental commander of the National Revolutionary Army’s 343rd Regiment, using profit as bait to obtain military intelligence.”

“I arranged for surveillance of the hospital telephone. After work today, Gu Changyou used the hospital telephone to contact Hengrun Teahouse and stated that he would deliver medicine to proprietor Liu Tao tomorrow. I suspect that the so-called pills are actually intelligence materials.”

Cheng Qianfan did not deliver a lengthy speech.

He did not dwell excessively on details.

Instead, he concisely reported the key points.

His narration was as straightforward as possible, without any self-praise.

As Cheng Qianfan reported, Yu Ping’an listened while reading through the materials Cheng Qianfan had brought.

“Finished?”

Without looking up, Yu Ping’an continued reading the documents as he asked.

“Reporting to Director, my report is complete.”

Cheng Qianfan answered.

Yu Ping’an merely grunted noncommittally and continued turning pages.

About five minutes later, he closed the folder and looked up.

He saw Cheng Qianfan standing ramrod straight, staring ahead without letting his eyes wander.

“When others report intelligence, they practically try to talk themselves into the heavens. You, on the other hand, finish in a few sentences and leave me to read the file for the details.”

Yu Ping’an shook his head.

“Qianfan lacks talent. Having received the Director’s favor, I need only serve wholeheartedly and fulfill my duties.”

Cheng Qianfan’s expression was earnest.

“I believe that with the Director’s discernment, my efforts and contributions will naturally be seen.”

“You, you. Acting like this will make you suffer sooner or later.”

Yu Ping’an said.

“With the Director here, I never worry.”

“And what if I’m the one making you suffer?”

Yu Ping’an asked with a smile.

“To suffer a loss is a blessing.”

Cheng Qianfan’s face was filled with sincerity.

“If the Director believes something should not be taken, then there must be a reason it should not be taken. I’m slow-witted and sometimes fail to see the road clearly. If I follow the Director, I won’t go wrong.”

“You little rascal. After saying all that, how can I possibly let you suffer? You’re more cunning than a monkey.”

Pointing at Cheng Qianfan, Yu Ping’an laughed and scolded him.

Cheng Qianfan scratched his head and chuckled.

Despite having read the documents, Yu Ping’an still asked about several details.

“You suspected the doctor because he liked to draw the curtains and send away his assistant?”

“Yes.”

“You suspected Liu Tao because intelligence showed he was in excellent health, leading you to conclude he had deliberately approached the doctor?”

“Yes.”

“The intelligence that truly convinced you was the doctor’s sudden wealth six months ago?”

“Director, your insight is unmatched. That is indeed the case.”

“And the real reason you suspected the teahouse owner of being a Japanese spy was because Gu Changyou’s brother-in-law’s military position made him an attractive target.”

“Yes.”

“Do you realize that all these suspicions are merely conjectures? You have no evidence.”

Yu Ping’an looked at Cheng Qianfan with an amused smile.

“You should understand that this matter involves a deputy regimental commander of the Garrison Division and touches upon military affairs. Such unfounded suspicions may be difficult to convince others with.”

“Tomorrow, Agent Six and the boss will make contact. Once we catch them with both the criminals and the evidence, that will be irrefutable proof.”

Cheng Qianfan said.

Hearing Cheng Qianfan assign the codename Agent Six to the doctor, Yu Ping’an could not help laughing.

He shook his head, stepped forward, and patted Cheng Qianfan on the shoulder.

“Qianfan, remember this. When the Special Service Office handles matters, we never require so-called irrefutable proof.”

Looking at the young man he greatly admired, Yu Ping’an continued.

“Our suspicion is the irrefutable proof.”

“And if we get it wrong?”

Cheng Qianfan asked thoughtfully.

“What do you think?”

Rather than answering, Yu Ping’an posed the question back to the young man.

“Then they can only blame their bad luck.”

Cheng Qianfan gritted his teeth and answered.

Yu Ping’an said nothing.

He burst into laughter and slapped Cheng Qianfan heavily on the shoulder.

Forty minutes later.

Conference Room, Little White Building.

The senior leadership of the Special Service Office’s Xiongzhen Tower and the Hangzhou District had gathered together.

Dressed in a dark blue Zhongshan suit, Yu Ping’an’s expression was incomparably stern.

“Maintain a loose appearance outside and tight control inside Qijia Alley.”

“Keep the hospital and the teahouse under strict surveillance. Maintain close tracking along all routes.”

“Anyone who comes into contact with Agent Six at the hospital, and anyone entering or leaving the teahouse, must be recorded. Every single person must be investigated thoroughly.”

“Once Agent Six arrives at the teahouse, seal off Qijia Alley. I don’t want even a bird flying out.”

“Anyone who attempts to break through a checkpoint is to be killed without mercy.”

“Anyone who neglects his duty and allows the enemy to escape is to be killed without mercy.”

“Deputy Director Yu, what about the 343rd Regiment?”

Kang Kai, deputy director of the Hangzhou Police Bureau, asked cautiously.

“Director Dai will personally telephone General Xuan Chengwu. General Xuan hates traitors above all else. There will be no problems on that side.”

“Does anyone have any further questions?”

Yu Ping’an swept his gaze across the room.

Everyone shook their heads.

“Director Kang, I hope your department will cooperate fully in this operation.”

Yu Ping’an said politely.

“It is our duty. We will certainly cooperate with all our strength.”

Understanding Yu Ping’an’s meaning, Kang Kai immediately stood up.

“I shall take my leave first.”

“Director Kang, take care.”

After Kang Kai left.

Yu Ping’an closed the folder and accepted another document from Zhao Yansheng.

Then he suddenly said in a deep voice:

“Instruction telegram from the Chairman...”

Rustle, rustle, rustle.

Everyone present immediately rose to their feet.