Fukuhara Chess Club.
Quiet room.
Both Kageyama Jiro and Akiyama Nosuke were wearing loose kimonos. They were playing chess, with Kageyama holding the black stone and Akiyama holding the white stone.
"Mr. Yingshan, it's been so long since this happened. Ma Wenhan has been dead for seven or eight years. Is it meaningful to dig out this old story?"
"Akiyama-kun, for the great cause of the empire, we have to act with caution." Kageyama Jiro reached out and picked up a sunspot, which landed on the chessboard.
"Do you think Zhou Senjun is possible?"
"He is unlikely, but we cannot take this risk. We must make sure that Bai Yulan is not the person we are looking for." Kageyama said.
"But over the years, Bai Yulan has always been responsible, and she was suppressed by Su Wenqing and Qin Laoqi in the past, and she was unable to fight back. If she had such an identity, how could she be so helpless?"
"Yes, when Su Wenqing and Qin Laoqi joined forces, we really wanted to see Bai Yulan's reaction. In fact, we also eliminated our suspicions about her. After all, she later broke up with the Ma family, and this woman was running the business It's very good in terms of performance, but not necessarily in other aspects." Kageyama Jiro said.
"What about this time?"
"I received an anonymous letter. After Ma Wenhan died, Bai Yulan took over most of the properties he left behind, as well as Ma Wenhan's subordinates. Although some people dissatisfied with her and finally left, most of them stayed." Yingshan Jiro said, "Ma Wenhan's identity is very complicated. In addition to having a good relationship with Ma Zhanshan, he also had a good relationship with the Nanjing National Government at the time, including the young marshal of the Northeast Army, etc. Even though he was just a businessman, he was in the military and political circles at that time. They have extremely deep connections and have always been against us.”
"The military commander's power in Ice City is not large, and his activities are not frequent. The harm to us is not great. It is difficult to completely eliminate them."
"The people in Chongqing have too much time to take care of themselves, so they have very little control over Bingcheng. Their approach is to let things go their own way. These people are as timid as rats and don't dare to make any waves?"
"Then what happened this time..."
"The internal fighting and Zhou Sen's investigation of the 'Iron Blood Society' made them nervous and suspicious of each other. That's why I received the anonymous letter." Jiro Kageyama chuckled.
"So, Bai Yulan's identity is very suspicious?" Akiyama Nosuke figured out the connection and became energetic.
"Now this is all speculation and needs to be confirmed." Kageyama Jiro nodded.
"Isn't it possible that the assassination of the military commander was arranged by you, Kageyama-kun?" Akiyama Nosuke asked in shock.
"Not entirely." Kageyama Jiro said, "I reached an agreement with that person. He wanted to get some arbitrary status and power, and I can control the activities of the military commander at any time to prevent the empire from happening. .”
"Why not just wipe them all out?"
"This is not what a smart person would do, Mr. Qiu Shan, you know that even with such a high-pressure attack, we can't wipe out all the hostile forces lurking in Ice City that are hostile to the empire. Therefore, we have to change our strategy. This way It will be better." Yingshan said, "If we help him achieve a higher position, then he will have the handle in our hands, so that we can keep track of their dynamics at any time, and no longer need to worry about them causing irreparable harm to us. losses, and once the contract is broken, we can arrest them at any time.”
"This is a dangerous game. Is that person trustworthy?" Akiyama Nosuke certainly understood what Kageyama Jiro was thinking.
"Although the game is dangerous, this is the best strategy at present." Kageyama Jiro said, "At least this is the credit that comes to your door, why should you turn it away?"
"Is this why you asked me to block messages from Zhou Sen?"
"Yes, with Zhou Senjun's ability, he must have guessed that Jin Ronggui took the train to Bingcheng a day earlier. Then will he go back and tell Bai Yulan?"
"If he was reliable, he wouldn't say it. After all, this is the basic quality of an intelligence officer." Akiyama Nosuke said.
"That's right, if he doesn't say anything, then tonight's assassination operation will go on as usual..."
"But what if the person who contacted you deliberately stopped the assassination operation?" Akiyama Nosuke asked back.
"No, if he stopped the assassination, how can he prove that the intelligence was wrong?"
"So, Kageyama-kun, are you killing two birds with one stone?" Akiyama Nosuke understood Kageyama Jiro's intention.
"Yes, he told me to help him stage an assassination to increase his merit and prestige. Of course, the assassination will not be successful, but some casualties will be announced. As for whether he has other intentions , I don’t know, but judging from the news that he deliberately exposed Bai Yulan to me, his purpose is not just that simple."
"Can you control him?" Akiyama Nosuke asked.
"Not yet, but after this action, things will be different. This is a person who will do whatever it takes for his own benefit."
"Do you need my cooperation?"
"Be optimistic about Zhou Senjun, he is an important chess piece for our future." Kageyama Jiro said, "By the way, what does he think about the next stage of work arrangements?"
"His idea is very simple, that is to continue to stay in the Secret Service Section." Akiyama Nosuke said with a smile.
"The atmosphere in the Security Bureau is really not suitable for him. Since he wants to stay in the Special Service Division, let him continue to stay with you."
"good."
…
After a busy day, Zhou Sen came home from get off work. He hugged the two little ones first, and then was called by Bai Yulan to wash his hands and eat.
After the implementation of the grain rationing system, coupled with the reduction in grain production in Northern Manchuria this year, the family's food standards have clearly seen a downward trend.
In order to ensure the nutrition of the mother, only Bai Yulan and the nanny can eat white rice later, and the rest of them eat rice mixed with grains, such as sorghum, beans, etc.
Sometimes it’s just sweet potatoes.
The food problem will only become more and more serious, so when Chang Bo suggested stocking up on food, Zhou Sen had no objection.
However, even people like him have to be careful and don't let outsiders know about eating white rice.
Maybe if I give you a report, even if you can't do anything to him, it will still be troublesome.
Not only is food limited, but the purchase price has also increased, and the increase is not small. This has added a lot of burden to ordinary citizens, especially those with large families. If their income remains unchanged, their lives will be difficult. The quality is inevitably deteriorating.
"Starting from tomorrow, except for Yu Lan and Xiumei who can eat white flour steamed buns, everyone else can only eat mixed flour steamed buns. In addition, one meat dish will be reduced. We will cut down on food and clothing, starting with ourselves." Zhou Sen said.
"Our family is rich, so there's no need, right?"
"Our family is rich, but our income has also dropped, and will continue to drop. In addition, the apportionment will become heavier and heavier in the future. Money must be spent wisely." Zhou Sen said, "This hardship It won’t last long, four or five years at most, and it will pass quickly.”
"Four or five years, so long?"
"Four or five years passed quickly. It's not like we didn't give you food. Compared with other people's homes, our home is ten times better?" Zhou Sen glared at Axiang, "I know how easy it is to go from frugality to luxury. It is difficult to be extravagant and frugal, but the situation is such that we have to do it.”
None of them were people who were greedy for pleasure, so the decision Zhou Sen made at the dinner table was naturally approved by everyone.
After eating, feeding the children, and leaving the two boys in the care of Xiumei, Bai Yulan returned to her bedroom with Zhou Sen.
"What's going on? Why did you suddenly mention saving when you were eating today?" Bai Yulan asked.
"I am speaking out of emotion. You don't care much about prices and the economic situation these days. In fact, our economy is already very difficult. The number of customers in teahouses and tea shops is not as good as before, and profits have also dropped significantly. Our labor, material and operating costs are much smaller than those of a store, and we have already felt it. Other stores have far more difficulties than us. The food rationing system is a curse on our heads. The Japanese say we need to join hands. Manchukuo is prospering together, but in fact they just want to seize our resources to prepare for their next war." Zhou Sen explained.
"The war has already been fought like this, how will it be fought again?"
"A worldwide world war includes everyone, no one is an exception." Zhou Sen said.
"What?"
"Let me tell you this, two major camps have been formed in the world. Both camps want to dominate the post-war world. Whoever wins will be the boss after the war. Germany, Japan and Italy are the core. Once a war begins between the Axis Powers and the alliance dominated by Britain, France, and the Soviet Union, it will not end until one side loses. Therefore, the European battlefield has been fought to a pulp. In Asia, although the Sino-Japanese War has been going on for nearly ten years, Years have passed, but it is still only within the territory of China. Japan needs more land, but they also need more resources, oil, rubber, steel, etc., which they cannot currently plunder from China..." Zhou Sen is patient and meticulous. Explain to Bai Yulan.
Although Bai Yulan has superhuman abilities, her vision still determines her personality. She has never left Manchuria, not even within the customs.
His understanding of the international situation was limited to what he read in newspapers, and his judgment on the future was naturally inferior to that of future figures like Zhou Sen.
Everything Zhou Sen did was based on the best choice for the future. Whether he was patriotic or speculative, what he did would be correct in the eyes of future generations.
"So, what should we do next?"
"Continue to lurk and develop strength secretly. Don't conflict with the Manchukuo and Japanese invaders head-on. Wait for the opportunity." Zhou Sen said.
"How can we develop strength secretly?"
"Relying on the 'Senji' tea shop and teahouse, we look for and identify the people we need, and guide them to join us, using the name of 'Tea Club Friends' or 'Sweet Tooth Lovers' as a cover..." Zhou Sen told Bai Yulan.
"Komori, your idea is so profound that it can be used as the skate team's next action plan." Bai Yulan said, "Should we make a report to Chongqing?"
"This can only be done, not talked about. We need to be careful with Chongqing. After all, you are not a direct descendant."
】
"Well, that makes sense. I'll seriously consider your suggestion later." Bai Yulan said.
"Don't rush this. You have to take your time. You must not learn from Bingcheng Station. You are too eager for success and quick results." Zhou Sen said.
"Xiao Sen, do you think their assassination operation can be successful tonight?" Bai Yulan still asked with some hope.
"It's hard for me to guess this. I don't know what their plan is, whether they use guns, knives, or poisoning. How many people are involved in the operation, and where they will do it. These details are not clear. How can I judge?"
"Hearing what you said makes me even more worried. If the assassination fails, if the people involved in the operation are caught again..."
"If he is caught, it will be another heavy blow to Bingcheng Station." Zhou Sen said.
"I'm worried that Jiang Xiao will be implicated. He may know my identity. What should we do then?"
"Don't worry, I'm here. Jiang Xiao has never met you. Even if he knows your identity, as long as there is no way to prove it, it will be a frame-up." Zhou Sen said.
"Do the Japanese still look at evidence when arresting people?" Bai Yulan asked.
"Yes, they don't look at the evidence to arrest people, so as long as Jiang Xiao is arrested, I can only find a way to silence him." Zhou Sen said, "There is no other way."
Bai Yulan opened her mouth, but stopped talking.
"Don't think too much, it hasn't happened yet." Zhou Sen comforted, "We have enough time to react."
"Xiao Sen, although I don't have Jiang Xiao's true face, I have had contact with him. This man is about three centimeters shorter than you. He is not very thin, but he is not afraid either. Judging from his voice and accent, he should be from Liaodong. , His ten fingers are very long, but the nails are very cleanly trimmed. I speculate that his identity should be a teacher or a government civil servant. I don’t know the specific identity. "
"Have you never investigated?"
"No, the relationship is a bit awkward to begin with. If I investigate the other party's identity, it might cause a bigger conflict, and I don't want to fight internally." Bai Yulan explained.
Yes, my daughter-in-law is really too honest. Of course, she is different from me. Although the military commanders have different opinions in Bingcheng, they are in the trenches after all. There are some things that cannot be taken too far.
Jiang Xiao didn't check her in private, and it was hard for her to check others. This was probably a tacit understanding between the two parties.
Without this tacit understanding, something would have happened a long time ago between the skate team and Bingcheng Station.
Jin Ronggui has arrived in Bingcheng the day before, so the person who takes the train from Xinjing to Bingcheng tonight is probably a Xibei.
And this is most likely a trap set up by the Japanese and the puppet Manchukuo secret service. If it is just for Jin Ronggui's safety, then their goal has been achieved, and there is no need to spread another false news.
Of course, if there is no game on the train, it is most likely a fake news, but if the assassination team of Bingcheng Station plunges in, it will be obvious.
The Japanese and Manchukuo secret services took control of this assassination operation.
There is no doubt that there is a traitor at the Juntong Bingcheng Station.
