Shanghai.
In the Japanese Consulate in Shanghai, Ryosuke Hase sat at his desk with a serious face and looked down at something. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
He unhurriedly put "Shanghai Fengyue Recommendations" into the drawer, straightened his meticulous hairstyle, raised his head and spoke to the outside in a deep voice.
"Come in~"
The door was opened immediately, and a consulate staff strode to Chang Gu, bowed deeply, and handed over a message with both hands.
"Reporting to your Excellency, Minister, "Songzi" lurking in the mountain city has sent a special secret message."
Last month, Iwai, the former head of the Intelligence Department of the Japanese Consulate, returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo to report on his work. The post of head of the Intelligence Department was naturally taken over by Ryosuke Hase.
In just a few years, he rose from the director of the Special Higher Education Course to the deputy minister and minister of the Ministry of Intelligence, which really shocked many people's jaws.
But if you think about it, it’s normal. Those who can bring benefits to the consulate, navy, military police, and army officials stationed in Shanghai will not have bad luck.
As soon as the position of Minister of Intelligence becomes vacant, the people who can speak for it can be lined up from Tokyo to Shanghai. Even Iwai said that his successor must be Hase.
Hase successfully took over from his old classmate and became the third person in charge of the consulate. His agency has also become an important agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Republic of China.
At the same time, he also serves as the assistant officer of the Special Committee on China, responsible for guiding and supervising the "new" government intelligence agency that is being planned, and holds great power.
Hase Ryosuke, who was originally calm, heard his subordinate say "pine nuts", and his heart moved. He immediately reached out to take the secret message and looked at the other person seriously.
"Song Zi is the empire's most important intelligence officer. Anyone who has access to the telegram document must sign for confirmation, even me is no exception."
"Hai!"
The consulate staff who had not yet straightened up lowered their heads again. They couldn't help but be impressed by the minister's noble integrity, and immediately turned around and left.
Seeing the door being closed, the sullen Chang Gu was suddenly discouraged. He quickly found a code book from the bookshelf behind him and quickly translated the message.
"It's extremely secret. The commander of the Red Russian Far East is about to change. Zhukov will take over as commander of the 57th Army. There may be big changes in the Northeast, Songzi."
Hase Ryosuke looked at the contents on the paper with a gloomy expression. After thinking for a long time, he put away the code book, got up and went out and walked into the consul's office.
More than half an hour later, Hase reappeared and got into a car and drove all the way to Shigekodo, the residence of the Japan Special Committee on China.
"Quickly, take me to see the director of the agency. I have urgent information to report."
As soon as he entered the room, he couldn't wait to shout to the staff on the opposite side and wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking very nervous.
When the other party saw Ryosuke Hase's reaction, he knew something big had happened. He didn't dare to ask any more questions and ran upstairs quickly, with Ryosuke Hase following closely behind.
The two came outside the office of the head of the Special Committee on China, Satsu Tosada. The staff gently knocked on the door and ducked in.
One minute.
Two minutes.
five minutes.
The office fell into deathly silence. Hase Ryosuke was pacing back and forth outside the door, constantly looking down at his watch, his face full of anxiety.
When the agents who came and went saw what Mr. Zuo Guan was doing, they all avoided or hid in the room to prevent the other party from getting angry and getting hurt.
Hase noticed this scene out of the corner of his eye, smiled coldly in his heart, and continued to pretend to be anxious, performing outside Osako's door.
He knew that Osako wanted to give him a blow. The reason was very simple. The huge benefits brought by smuggling were so exciting.
Since Osako Tosada came to Shanghai, he has been trying to find trouble with him and get involved in the "unofficial material transportation" business.
But the other party doesn't want to think about it. The cake is so big. The more people participate, the less profit. Who is willing to share his cake with others?
As a result, under the strong protests from the military and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Osako Tosada's plan came to nothing, and the opportunity to annex the Hase Agency was lost.
In fact, after offending so many forces, Osako Tongzada has not yet "committed suicide" or drowned, which can be regarded as His Majesty's blessing.
Therefore, it is understandable that the other party gave him a rejection. After all, he is a dignified agency chief who must vent his grievances.
The second hand on the watch jumped one by one. Hase Ryosuke estimated that the time was almost up, so he walked to the door and raised his hand to slam the door panel.
"Dong dong dong!"
"Your Excellency Osako, I have important matters to report."
"Say something."
"I know you're in the house."
"Then Canggu comes in."
Hase Ryosuke raised his voice a few times so that everyone could hear him, then he opened the door and barged in.
In the office, Osako Tsusada, wearing a traditional kimono, sat cross-legged on the tatami, and the staff who came in earlier were pouring tea for him.
Seeing Ryosuke Hase come in uninvited, Osako was stunned for a moment. When he came to his senses, he immediately became furious, slammed the table hard, and shouted loudly.
"Baga! Hase-kun, don't you know what politeness is?"
"Your Excellency Osako, please take a look at this information first before you get angry again."
Hase Ryosuke was too lazy to talk nonsense and interrupted the other party's reprimand. He threw out the message from "Matsuko" and at the same time picked up the tea on the table and drank it all in one gulp.
"you"
Osako Tongzada was trembling with anger, and was about to spit out the fragrance, but when he glanced at the message and saw the content clearly, he stood up directly.
As one of the people in charge of Japanese intelligence in China, he certainly knew about the Battle of Nomonkan and the meaning and sensitivity behind it.
The battles in Shanghai, Jinling, Qicheng, Changcheng and Shacheng were over, and the army was unable to fight anymore unless the Kwantung Army, a new force, entered the pass.
But there is a prerequisite for the Kwantung Army to enter the customs, that is, Pseudo-mite and Korea are safe enough. These two places are the most important resource areas of the empire and cannot be lost.
The Battle of Nomenkan was not so much a provocation by the Kwantung Army as a test to test the Red Russia's combat effectiveness in Montenegro and Mosk's attitude.
It is precisely because of this that the Kwantung Army Chief of Staff Masanobu Tsuji, who mobilized troops without authorization, was not punished by Tokyo. Now all parties are paying attention to the subsequent development of the incident.
Before the war, the General Staff Headquarters predicted that the strategic focus of Red Russia was in Europe, its main enemy was Germany, and there would be no real large-scale war with the Kwantung Army.
As long as they can get on an equal footing with the Red Russians and keep the situation in Northeast China balanced, the well-trained Kwantung Army can enter the border to support the war against China.
Even if the Red Russia is really as vulnerable as the army imagined, it is not impossible for the Kwantung Army to divide its forces and occupy the Xibo region and the Far East.
But now, the Red Russians actually changed their commanders on the spot. Under normal circumstances, the Red Russians would not change their frontline commanders unless Mosk's commander had other plans.
Once Red Russia launches an attack on Manchukuo and Goryeo, Japan will fall into a two-front war. Unlike the Republic of China, Red Russia is a standard powerful country.
Thinking of this possibility, Osako Tsusada was a little panicked. He walked around on the tatami twice with the telegram, then looked up at Hase Ryosuke and started to blame.
"Baga, why don't you report such important information to me immediately? I will hold Tokyo accountable for your dereliction of duty."
After staying in the Republic of China for so many years, Osako also learned to find scapegoats. He knew that sending this information would definitely cause violent turmoil in the upper echelons.
In addition, such important news should have been sent to Tokyo as soon as it was received. Now that it has been delayed for such a long time, who knows whether Tokyo will pursue the case.
For the sake of safety, it is necessary to find a person with enough weight to take the blame. Hase Ryosuke, who is good at dancing and has long sleeves, is the most suitable candidate. Who makes the other party rich?
Faced with the blame thrown by the other party, Hase Ryosuke sneered, sat down slowly, and said to Osako Tosada in a mocking tone.
"Your Excellency, Agency Director, I have been waiting outside your door for so long, and the entire committee has seen it. Ha, there are no secrets in the intelligence agency.
Besides, I reported it to the consul before departure, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have received the message. It makes no sense for you to say this again. "
Hase had long been on guard against the other party's move, otherwise why would he have stood at the outer gate? It was Osako who wasted time, what does it have to do with him, a man who is loyal to official duties.
Osako Tsusada blushed at Hase's words. He held it in for a long time and didn't know how to answer, so he had to look for questions from the information itself.
"Hase-kun, you misunderstood. Since you have reported it to Tokyo, I am relieved. But how true is this information?
One more thing: who is "Song Zi" and whether he is reliable? Could this be a conspiracy by the people of the Republic of China to stir up trouble and undermine the imperial strategy?
We all know that lurking work is full of dangers, and the military commander is very difficult to deal with. If "Songzi" is captured... you and I have to guard against this. "
"Lord Osako!"
Hase Ryosuke called out the name of Osako Tosada in an extremely angry tone, slowly stood up and stared at the other person closely, gritting his teeth and speaking every word.
""Songzi" has been lurking in Jinling since the 22nd year of the Republic of China. He has sent back a lot of important information and made great contributions to His Majesty Tianlu and the empire.
A year ago, his mother became seriously ill and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs allowed him to return to China to visit relatives. However, in order to better complete his mission, he flatly refused the order.
During the Battle of Qicheng, his intelligence played a huge role, but he also lost the chance to see his mother for the last time. It's unfair for him to say that.
If you don't believe "Pine Nuts", you can order your people to verify the matter instead of doubting the loyalty of an Imperial warrior without any reason. "
When the staff of the Special Committee on China on the side heard this, their expressions changed slightly, and their eyes towards Osako Tsusada gradually became unkind.
What you fear most when working in intelligence is not the enemy, but the knife from behind. Especially when you encounter a suspicious and irresponsible boss, it will be very painful.
Osako Tosada seemed to be aware of it, bowed solemnly, and decisively changed his words: "Simi Masai, please forgive me for what I just said, "Matsuko"-kun is indeed a meritorious official of the empire.
Mr. Hase, please rest assured that I will immediately report his findings to the General Staff Headquarters and ask for credit for him. His Majesty Tianlu and the Empire will never treat such a loyal person badly. "
It was a matter of military morale and his own reputation, so Osako chose to bow his head without hesitation. Otherwise, if the conversation today was spread, he would not expect anyone to serve him.
Hase Ryosuke sullenly avoided the opponent's bow, took a deep breath and said: "Your Excellency, the agency chief, there is no need to be so polite. In fact, what you just said makes sense.
I suggest that the intelligence personnel of the Special Committee on China in Shancheng conduct a secret screening of "Songzi", firstly to determine the safety of the other party, and secondly to prove the authenticity of the intelligence.
This matter is related to the dispute between the imperial navy and the army's northward and southward routes, the safety of Michou and Goryeo, and even the great achievements of His Majesty Tianchu and the empire, so it has to be handled with caution.
Later, I will hand over the files and information of "Songzi" to you. You must send the most elite personnel to carry out this task. I think "Songzi" will understand our difficulties. "
He has said so, what else can Osako Tosada do, of course he can only agree: "Yoshi, just do as Hase-kun said, I will let the mole hidden in the top brass of the government come forward."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Agency Chief."
Hase Ryosuke put his hands together on the seams of his trousers, bent his waist at a 90-degree angle, and expressed his gratitude to Osako. He was always very polite to people who could create wealth for him.
A mole in a high position must be very valuable. He raised his body and licked his lips subconsciously, looking at Osako Tsusada as if he were looking at a shiny gold bar.
(End of chapter)
