When Su Zhikang entered the salon, Cheng Qianfan had already seen it through the reflection of the goblet in his hand.
He discovered an interesting detail. Brother Zhiyasu caught sight of him, but he didn't do anything unusual and didn't come towards him. Then Brother Zhiyasu seemed to see Sakamoto next to him. Liangye and Su Zhikang showed their joy at seeing 'Brother Cheng' and took the initiative to greet him.
Now, Su Zhikang's enthusiastic attitude towards Sakamoto Yoshino has made Cheng Qianfan sure of one thing, his target is Sakamoto Yoshino.
As for Su Zhikang's identity, Cheng Qianfan had made many speculations about Su Zhikang's identity as early as a few years ago when the two met in the patrol room:
Party Affairs Investigation Office?
Lixingshe Secret Service?
Even the Red Party?
Red International?
Cheng Qianfan felt that each one was somewhat similar, but none of them were alike. He couldn't be sure.
The only thing that is certain is that this brother Zhikang is definitely not an ordinary person.
So now, Su Zhikang is eyeing Sakamoto Yoshino, what is his intention?
Cheng Qianfan decided to wait and see.
…
Cheng Qianfan was observing Su Zhikang secretly.
Someone was secretly observing him and Su Zhikang.
In a rather secluded corner of the salon.
"Cheng Qianfan, deputy chief inspector of the Central Patrol Room of the French Concession." Hidetoshi Hojo clinked glasses with the man next to him and whispered, "This person is quite powerful in the French Concession. The most important thing is that Cheng Qianfan is quite friendly to the empire. "
Sitting on the right side of Hojo, Takahashi Takumaru, who had been relatively silent, glanced at his companion. He was surprised that Hojo had concealed the truth about Cheng Qianfan from Hanekawa Tsubasa that Cheng Qianhan was actually the imperial agent Kentaro Miyazaki pretending to be.
Takahashi Takumaru's look of surprise only flashed across his face, and he listened to the conversation between the two with his usual calm and thoughtful attitude.
"I know this Mr. Cheng." Hanekawa Tsubasa nodded, "I heard that Counselor Imamura has a closer attitude towards this person?"
"It's just Aiwujiwu." Hojo smiled faintly, "Hanekawa-kun, you have also seen that Cheng Qianfan and Sakamoto Yoshino are very good friends."
Hanekawa Tsubasa thought for a moment and nodded. Sakamoto Nagayuki is a close friend of Imamura Hyōtaro. It is said that Imamura Hyōtaro regards Sakamoto Yoshino as his nephew. This counselor Imamura treats Sakamoto Yoshino's friends in a different light than other Chinese people. Understandable.
"So, Cheng Qianfan should have no problem?" He looked at the three people who were chatting cordially, and said with scrutiny in his eyes.
"I have a colleague who insists that all Chinese people cannot be trusted," Hojo said.
"There is an old saying in China, 'Those who are not of my race will have different hearts', which makes sense." Hanekawa Tsubasa nodded, "I am very interested in the person Hojo-kun mentioned. Please introduce me to him sometime."
"His name is Kazuo Miyazaki. Your work will intersect and we will get to know each other in the future." Hidetoshi Hojo said with a serious expression.
Takahashi Takumaru took a sip of his drink. As an experienced agent, he had skilled facial expression management skills.
"Hanekawa-kun, you have been following Su Zhikang for many days, but you haven't found any suspicious behavior on this person?" Hojo Hidetoshi said.
Takahashi Takumaru is the person in charge of Iwai Mansion in Ningbo.
Previously, Takahashi Takumaru's headquarters captured intelligence and teamed up with the Ningbo Military Police Headquarters to crack down on the Zhongtong Ningbo Station. The Ningbo Station Chief escaped, and his deputy chief confessed an important clue. The Ningbo Station Chief Cong Yunfei was the same important person from Shanghai. The guests met.
After investigation and screening, Su Zhikang, who returned to his hometown in Ningbo from Shanghai to handle housework, came into Takahashi Takumaru's sight.
"No." Hanekawa Tsubasa shook his head, "There is nothing unusual about Su Zhikang."
He told Hidetoshi Hojo and Takumaru Takahashi, "The only thing worthy of attention is that the intelligence we obtained showed that Su Zhiyasu had already booked a ticket to return to Shanghai, but he was postponed for two days because of physical discomfort."
Hidetoshi Hojo's expression moved slightly, "Could it be that the two days that Su Zhikang delayed leaving Ningbo were the time when Cong Yunfei met that person?"
"Exactly." Hanekawa Tsubasa said.
It is precisely because of this "suspicious point" that may not be considered a suspicious point that Hanekawa Tsubasa has never given up his attention and investigation of Su Zhikang.
"Su Zhikang went away." Hojo Hidetoshi said to Hanekawa Tsubasa.
As he spoke, he made a hidden gesture with his right hand, and two agents from the Iwai Mansion dressed as guests immediately followed him.
…
"What a passionate person." Sakamoto Yoshino said.
"Su Zhikang is a person with a wide network of connections." Cheng Qianfan said, "He is very energetic in the French Concession, especially in the Mailan District."
He put down his wine glass, took out his cigarette holder, took out a cigarette, Shi Shiran lit it, took a sip and said, "Su Zhikang's energy is not even because he is the deputy chief inspector of Mailan Police Station."
“Because he has many friends,” he said to Sakamoto Yoshino, “Whether it’s inside the French Concession Patrol Room, the original China-Shanghai Municipal Government, the Youth Gang, the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, or even the water bandits on Taihu Lake, he has friends. "
"What is this man's attitude towards the empire?" Sakamoto Yoshino asked.
"It's not too close, but it's not exclusive either." Cheng Qianfan thought for a while and said.
As he said that, Cheng Qianfan had a look of surprise in his eyes, "Sakamoto-kun, who is that person next to Hojo-kun?"
He caught a glimpse of Hidetoshi Hojo looking towards him from a corner, and their eyes crossed in the air.
Therefore, Cheng Qianfan simply nodded to Hidetoshi Hojo and immediately asked Sakamoto Yoshino about the unfamiliar face next to Hidetoshi Hojo.
"It's not Gao Qiao." Cheng Qianfan added, "I have met Gao Qiao."
Tsubasa Naito has been missing for some time, and Hyotarō Imamura selected Takumaru Takahashi from the Consulate General to temporarily replace Tsubasa Naito.
Cheng Qianfan and Takahashi Takumaru once knew each other once. This man is taciturn and calm in his work.
"Hanekawa Tsubasa." Sakamoto Yoshino glanced at him and whispered, "He came to Shanghai from Ningbo on business."
Cheng Qianfan immediately understood what Sakamoto Ryano meant by business:
Hanekawa Tsubasa is from Iwai Mansion.
This is the reason why he is willing to chat with Sakamoto Yoshino. Sakamoto Yoshino has no sense of confidentiality. To be precise, Sakamoto Yoshino does not have much sense of confidentiality towards him, and because of Sakamoto Yoshino's special status in the Imamura family However, Sakamoto Yoshino has mastered many things that are "not better than intelligence".
Hanekawa Tsubasa came to Shanghai from Ningbo for business?
Su Zhikang also just returned to Shanghai from his hometown in Ningbo to handle housework?
Now, Hanekawa Tsubasa appeared in this salon club accompanied by Hojo Hidetoshi and Takahashi Takumaru.
Moreover, just now Hojo and others seemed to be secretly paying attention to him...
Cheng Qianfan had a vague guess:
Hojo Hidetoshi, to be precise, should be Hanekawa Tsubasa. This person came for Su Zhikang, and it is very possible that he came all the way from Ningbo.
This made Cheng Qianfan more interested in Su Zhikang's identity and why Su Zhikang wanted to approach Sakamoto Yoshino.
…
"Vice President Cheng." Hidetoshi Hojo took the initiative to come over and greet Cheng Qianfan.
He secretly winked at Kentaro Miyazaki.
"Mr. Hojo." Cheng Qianfan's heart moved. He smiled and shook hands with Hojo Hidetoshi, "We haven't seen each other for some time."
"I'm busy with official duties." Hojo Hidetoshi said, "Vice President Cheng, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Fukada Yoshiki from Ningbo."
As he spoke, Hidetoshi Hojo lowered his voice and said to Kentaro Miyazaki, "Fukada-kun is an officer of the Marine Corps."
"It turns out to be Fukada-kun." Cheng Qianfan shook hands with Fukada Yoshiki enthusiastically.
His heart was full of curiosity, and his curiosity was not because Hidetoshi Hojo concealed the identity of Hanekawa Tsubasa from his 'colleague'. After all, this was a public place in the salon club, and it was right to be careful when doing things.
What he was curious about was Hojo Hidetoshi's attitude towards him.
He met Hojo Hidetoshi when he visited Imamura's house for the first time and was invited to attend Hyōtaro Imamura's birthday party.
It was also at that time that he met four followers of Hyōtaro Imamura:
Tsubasa Naito was the assistant to Hyōtaro Imamura at the time.
Hidetoshi Hojo, Third Class Military Attaché of the Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai.
Junji Ono, Captain of the Imperial Marine Corps.
Kazuo Saito, Second Secretary of the Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai.
Now, Tsubasa Naito has unfortunately disappeared and has no news.
Ono Junji has the best relationship with him, and is currently away from Shanghai with the army on defense.
Kazuo Saito is a low-key person and rarely attends parties.
The relationship between Hojo Hidetoshi and him has always been relatively normal. This does not mean that there is any incompatibility between the two - Hojo has a cold personality.
Now, Hojo Hidetoshi took the initiative to show his closeness, which couldn't help but surprise Cheng Qianfan.
However, "Kentaro Miyazaki" is such a shrewd and clever person. He ignored the others and decisively accepted the closeness from Hojo, and chatted enthusiastically with Hidetoshi Hojo.
At the same time, Cheng Qianfan did not neglect 'Kiki Fukada'.
"Fukada-kun is from the Marine Corps. Do you know Ono-kun?"
"Ono?" Hanekawa Tsubasa looked thoughtful.
"Junji Ono, the Second Special Marine Corps of the Empire's Third Fleet." Cheng Qianfan said, "Ono-kun is a good friend of mine."
"Sorry, I have been stationed in Shengsi before." Hanekawa Tsubasa said.
He was very curious and surprised. According to Cheng Qianfan, Ono Junji was an officer of the Imperial Marine Corps.
Cheng Qianfan was not only appreciated by Counselor Imamura, but he also seemed to have a close relationship with Hidetoshi Hojo. He was also a good friend of Sakamoto Yoshino, and he was even friends with an imperial officer like Junji Ono.
How did the Chinese do it?
This cannot be achieved simply because of "being close to the empire".
Hanekawa Tsubasa couldn't help but become interested in the deputy chief inspector of the French Concession Central Patrol Room.
…
The Salon Club is on the near left of the lobby on the third floor.
The island-style terrace on the fourth floor is also a place for people to drink.
A middle-aged man held a cigarette in his hand and was looking at the salon club downstairs with interest.
"Brother Lu, do you know Cheng Qianfan?" A man with a cigar in his mouth came over, grabbed the cigar in his hand, and asked.
Lu Xinmin shook his head, "I've heard of this guy, but I've never had any dealings with him."
He said to the man, "Brother Ou, why are you here too?"
"I guess you can't know this little red guy, but why do you keep staring at him?" Ou Wenxia asked without answering. He seemed to be quite interested in why Lu Xinmin was staring at Cheng Qianfan.
"Because I remembered a person..." Lu Xinmin said with a smile, "I don't know Cheng Qianfan, but I have met his father Cheng Wenzao once."
He pointed downstairs, "Portrait of Cheng Qianfan and his father."
"Are you talking about Cheng Wenzao who was killed by Marshal Sun?"
"It's him! Brother Ou also knows Cheng Wenzao?"
"I don't recognize him, I just know that there is such a person." Ou Wenxia sneered, "That person is also stupid. He is hiding in Shanghai. It would be great to wait for the Northern Expeditionary Army to enter Shanghai. He has to jump up and down, which will harm the family with a big belly. I will eat the gun with you."
Lu Xinmin laughed and said nothing.
Ou Wenxia squinted his eyes. He looked at Lu Xinmin with squinted eyes, as if his eyes had only one line. He sneered in his heart:
Now everyone has defected to the Japanese and worked for the Japanese. You recruit new people and still use your qualifications in the Kuomintang to show off. It's just a shame!
Lu Xinmin saw Ou Wenxia's expression in his eyes and snorted disdainfully in his heart:
Vulgar people!
If the Japanese hadn't come in and a scumbag like Ou Wenxia had gained power, he could kill such a person with just one phone call.
When their eyes met, they both smiled heartily and looked at Cheng Qianfan who was chatting with friends on the third floor.
At this time, someone hurriedly came to Lu Xinmin and whispered a report.
Lu Xinmin's expression suddenly changed.
…
Watching Hidetoshi Hojo and the others leave, Cheng Qianfan's eyes flickered.
When he saw Sakamoto Yoshino and was about to say something, Cheng Qianfan stopped him with his eyes, and then pulled Sakamoto Yoshino aside. "As I expected, Hojo-kun brought Fukada-kun here on a mission."
He chuckled lightly, biting the surname 'Fukada' harder, and told his friend Sakamoto, "As for Fukada's true identity, Sakamoto-kun remembers not to mention it to anyone again."
As he said this, he looked serious, "It's best not to mention what you said to me to others."
"I understand." Sakamoto Yoshino nodded. Although he is only a sponsoring agent of the Consulate General and is not a professional agent, his awareness of confidentiality is not strong enough. However, this does not mean that he is a fool. His friend reminds him like this for his own good, lest he Random words get you into trouble.
A gentle smile appeared on Cheng Qianfan's face, "I'm just being cautious. Maybe it's not actually that serious and there's no need to be so careful."
"As you always say, it's better to be careful than to go too far." Sakamoto Yoshino said.
The two friends looked at each other and smiled.
…
At this moment, Cheng Qianfan caught a glimpse of Saito Kazuo entering the salon hall and heading straight this way.
He noticed Saito Kazuo walking in a hurry, his heart moved slightly, and he had a vague suspicion.
Cheng Qianfan immediately raised his wrist and looked at the time calmly, and muttered in a low voice, "It's so late, why is the teacher still here?"
"Miyazaki-kun has something important to do with Uncle Imamura?" Sakamoto Yoshino asked with concern.
"Yes." Cheng Qianfan nodded, his expression solemn, but he didn't say much.
"Sakamoto-kun." Kazuo Saito's voice came from behind, "The counselor has something to do and is unable to come over. He ordered me to pick you up and take you back to the mansion."
"But is there something going on with Uncle Imamura?" Sakamoto Yoshino asked.
"The general has something to do and is unable to make the trip. Mr. Counselor is keeping him company." Saito Kazuo lowered his voice and said. He nodded towards Miyazaki Kentaro and said to Sakamoto Yoshino, "Let's go, Sakamoto-kun."
"Saito-kun, thank you." Sakamoto Yoshino thanked him politely. He looked at Kentaro Miyazaki and said, "Miyazaki-kun, please come with me."
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(End of chapter)
