Shanghai.
The residence of the Special Committee on China, Chongguang Hall.
In a Japanese-style room, Osako Tsusada and Hase Ryosuke sat opposite each other. They drank tea quietly and neither of them spoke. After a long silence, Osako Tsusad was the first to speak.
"Mr. Hase, have you heard about the Anqing attack not long ago? The navy said they were attacked by unknown persons. How credible do you think this is?"
Opposite him, Hase Ryosuke put a plain porcelain tea cup in front of his mouth, took a small sip, showed a satisfied smile on his face, and then replied casually.
"The Intelligence Office of the Imperial Navy's Special Marine Corps in Shanghai conducted an investigation and found that there was nothing suspicious about the matter. Some of the Republic of China workers who were released and recaptured did hear the fierce exchange of fire.
There were many bullet marks on the gunboat that returned to Anqing Pier 1. Several sailors were killed and more than a dozen sailors were injured. Investigators also recovered the remains of some imperial warriors from the ship.
In addition, some of the Imperial citizens who witnessed the incident were local soldiers. They also confirmed that the other side of the firefight used non-Imperial equipment. This kind of thing cannot be faked.
After the incident, the results of the investigation of the scene and surrounding areas confirmed the confession and records of Ozawagawa, the commander of the Imperial Navy in Anqing, that the attack was a fact. "
Saying that, Hase Ryosuke raised his head and looked at Osako Tsusada, gently placed the tea cup on the table, and said a little mockingly.
"Why, has Mr. Osako doubted the loyalty of the navy again? I need to remind you that the special committee on China is not the army's one word.
The Navy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and even the civil service system all have interests in this. If you do this, you will bring yourself huge trouble and even risk your life.
The soldiers in the frontline troops are not as easy to talk to as I am. Even if they are put under house arrest, they will be indifferent. If they are pushed into a hurry, these people will really kill people. "
In the face of ridicule and threats, Osako Tsusada remained calm and businesslike, and gave his explanation with a serious expression.
"Mr. Hase, don't get me wrong. The arrests in Shanghai, Jinling and other places are the empire's top secrets, and internal monitoring is an order from Tokyo.
The many failures of the Imperial Intelligence System in the past prove that there is a non-national within us, and the escape of members of the Shanghai District also proves this. "
"idiot!"
Hearing this, Hase Ryosuke seemed to have been greatly insulted. He slammed the low table in front of him, put his hands on the edge of the table, put his head close to Osako Tsusada, and questioned the other party fiercely.
"Did Tokyo's order to you require that I be placed under house arrest? I have shed blood for the empire, and I have made meritorious service to the empire. You are persecuting a meritorious official of the empire.
I want to report this matter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet. The power given to you by His Majesty and the Military Ministry is not a reason for you to exclude dissidents, retaliate, and shirk responsibilities.
Besides, you restricted my movements before the arrest, but in the end, the government agents still escaped. Doesn’t this still prove my innocence? "
"this"
Osako Tsusada didn't know what to say, and he was also very confused about this. Everyone who knew the specific deployment of the arrest operation was under surveillance. It couldn't be that he had leaked the information himself.
Seeing the other party's reaction, Hase Ryosuke sneered. Although he didn't know how "Fat Tiger" knew the information, it didn't stop him from pouring dirty water on Osako's head. Thinking of this, he had a weird attitude.
"Your Excellency Osako, we are the only ones who know all the arrangements. Since I am not the one who betrayed the empire, who do you think the spy is? I request to contact the mainland."
Hearing this, Osako Tsusada's face turned green, and he said to his heart that you might as well report my name directly. It would be okay if Tokyo knew about this, but Hase must not be allowed to report it to the mainland.
But after all, the other party is also an agency chief and has people under his command. If this guy is cornered, there is no way to stop him. He can't kill people to silence him. It seems that he has to find another way.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind. Osako Tosada pretended not to hear Hase's words, took out a dossier and pushed it to Hase Ryousuke, speaking in a dignified tone.
"The matter of the mole has been taken over by the military police department, so you and I don't have to worry about it. No matter who it is, anyone who betrays the empire will have to pay a heavy price.
Mr. Hase, please take a look at the Anqing Incident file first. If things are really as recorded by the Navy, we will face an extremely difficult opponent this time.
The other party dared to launch such a large-scale attack on Changjiang and openly killed dozens of imperial warriors and citizens. Judging from their actions and style, it should be the work of the military commander.
Based on the cases in recent years, I believe that the person responsible for this operation is probably Zuo Zhong, the deputy director of the military command. This person is cruel and scheming, and has repeatedly undermined the empire's operations.
You should know him very well. Before the war, only your special high school could successfully lurk in Jinling. Although the loss of personnel was also not small, it was already very difficult.
Unfortunately, this man is very cautious. At present, we only know that he is from Ningbo, born in the third year of the Republic of China, and graduated from the Zhejiang Provincial Police School. We know nothing else about him. "
"Nani? Zuo Zhong?"
Hase Ryosuke felt guilty, but he was the old mole after all. On the surface, he opened the file solemnly and checked it quickly.
As a partner, he certainly knew Zuo Zhong very well. Just looking at the case file, this attack was indeed in line with Zuo Zhong's style.
One hit and go.
Never be wary.
What's more important is not to leave anyone alive. In past battles, "Fat Tiger" has always been like this. Hundreds of imperial intelligence personnel died in the hands of the opponent.
After thinking quickly for a while, Hase Ryosuke closed the file, also showing a solemn expression, and after pondering for a moment, he looked at Osako Tosada.
"Director Osako, you are right. It does look very similar to what Zuo Zhong did. The other party may have come for Chen Mingchu and Zheng Shisong. Your plan was successful.
I think that after rescuing Cai Shengchu, Zuo Zhong's next destination should be Shanghai. We must be more vigilant. This person's destructive power cannot be underestimated. "
With a smile in his eyes, Osako Tsusada gave preferential treatment to Zheng Shisong, the deputy district chief of Shanghai District. It was his plan to use counterintuitive tactics. He originally wanted to destroy the relationship between Zheng Shisong and Yamashiro and let him serve the empire. Unexpectedly, there was an unexpected gain. This big fish was caught.
If Zuo Zhong can be captured, this will be the highest honor of his career. He may be able to take the opportunity to be transferred back to the General Staff Headquarters. Although the Republic of China is good, he has had enough.
Not only do I have to endure tremendous pressure every day, but I also have to fight with the underground party, the government, the British, and the Americans. It is better to leave these things to younger people.
He smiled and nodded, stood up, walked to the window and opened it, looked outside for a while with his hands behind his back, then raised his hand and pointed at the city outside the wall and said in a deep voice.
"Kanggu-kun, what you just said is right. Zuo Zhong may have arrived and is hiding somewhere, waiting for the opportunity, ready to bite us hard.
I think it is necessary for us to screen people who have recently come to Shanghai. I am talking about everyone, including imperial military and government staff.
Since the mole can leak information and provide legal documents for Zuo Zhong, we must learn from Shancheng's tricks and not let any suspicious elements go.
Whether it is the mainland, Kuomintang-controlled areas, occupied areas, Southeast Asia, or pseudo-mites, they must be investigated. Except for European and American countries, the empire cannot yet fall out with each other.
It was impossible for Zuo Zhong to take such a long detour. The transoceanic journey would often take more than a month. The military commander wanted to calm down the situation quickly and there was not so much time to waste.
In order to ensure that there are no dead ends, Mr. Changgu, please contact the public concession and the French Concession and ask them to transfer the recent household registration records in their jurisdiction to No. 76.
The Cao Gang has a large number of people in Shanghai. With the help of the Republic of China people on No. 76, we can find the target among the people from Shanghai as quickly as possible. Please. "
After finishing speaking, Osako Tsusada turned around and looked at Hase Ryousuke, wanting to hear the other person's opinion, or another test. In his eyes, no one was trustworthy.
Damn guy!
Hase Ryosuke secretly cursed in his mind that this bastard actually wanted to screen all the people coming to Shanghai. If "Fat Tiger" was unfortunately arrested, he would not be able to escape.
However, Osako Tosada's reasons were very good, and there were no problems with the deployment. It was useless to object. As the adjunct of the Special Committee on China, he could only agree.
Resisting the urge to shoot the opponent to death, Changgu pretended to clapped his hands and said "Yoshi", giving an affirmative answer.
"Your Excellency Osako is right. If Zuo Zhong is really in Shanghai, we will definitely be able to find him based on his space trajectory. I will immediately contact the concession authorities and ask them to cooperate with the Locust Army's actions."
At this point, all he can do is agree first, and then find a way to inform "Fat Tiger".
This time the other side was really careless. The military commander really shouldn't have made such a big noise in Anqing to attract the attention of the Special Committee on China.
Osako Tsusada seemed very satisfied with Hase Ryosuke's answer, and his conversation became more cordial. After explaining the details of the screening, he turned to another arrangement.
——While conducting a large-scale screening of people coming to Shanghai, let No. 76 take Chen Mingchu and Zheng Shisong out.
For these two people, the military commander must hate them to the core, and if they want to deal with them quickly, they will probably impose sanctions. This is the opportunity for the special committee on China.
After hearing this, Ryosuke Hase still had no reason to object. Now that he knew that the target might come to Shanghai, fishing was the most basic means of coping and handling.
Besides, he was not worried that "Fat Tiger" would be fooled. The other party was a very cautious person and would not miss such a low-level trap.
After talking about business, Osako Michizada casually chatted for a few words and asked Hase Ryosuke to be sent out, and then called a subordinate to whisper a few words.
As the head of an intelligence agency, Osako Tsusada has always felt that being suspicious is a good habit, so Osako Tsusada does not intend to stop monitoring Hase Ryosuke until the suspicion is completely eliminated.
If there is a problem with the other party, the wealth gained through smuggling will change to another owner. If there is no problem, then create a problem. After all, returning to the homeland to work requires money.
He finally understood.
No money, no power, nothing.
Just like the student Heiteng he accepted in North China, he just said a few words at the big shot's engagement party and was sent to the county seat. It will be difficult for him to get ahead in his life.
Zuo Zhong didn't know about Osako Tongsada's plan. In order to avoid leaking his whereabouts, he didn't even have contact with Cai Shengchu. Unexpectedly, the Japanese still saw clues in his behavior.
This is normal. Japanese intelligence officers are not fools. If Osako Tsusada did not have two skills, he would not be the person in charge of the Aoki Residence, let alone the head of the Special Committee on China.
But the devil is as high as one foot and the Tao is as high as one foot.
Although Zuo Zhong couldn't predict the future, he knew the Japanese and the cunningness of the Japanese agents. Naturally, he couldn't foolishly throw himself into the trap and had already taken precautions.
On the Taiping Ocean, hundreds of kilometers away from Shanghai, Zuo Zhong was lying on a deck chair on the cruise ship sunbathing. He held a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in his hand and took a sip.
Wearing a curly wig on his head and dark skin, Gui Youguang stood aside with a dark face and a white towel on his wrist, looking exactly like an indigenous boy.
(End of chapter)
