pdf-ebookys Chapter 26: Change of Head of Special Higher Police
Chapter 26: Change of Head of Special Higher Police
Tang Shengzhi raised his head, tears streaming down his face: "Brother Youqing, please don't say anymore... I was wrong! I underestimated the Japanese, overestimated myself, and even more... I'm so sorry to the brothers who trusted me! Practice has proven you were right! I'm not targeting you, I just... I can't swallow this insult!"
Why do all the good things go to your Central Army? I... I regret it! At this moment, all notions of face and factional disputes seem pale and powerless in the face of the painful losses and enormous sacrifices.
Meanwhile, in Shanghai, the newly appointed station manager, Wang Tianmu, sat in the office that originally belonged to Zhao Lijun, stroking the smooth desktop, but his face did not show much joy.
He knew this position was hard-won, but also incredibly dangerous. His predecessor's achievements were too great, the Japanese were watching closely, internal factions were complex, and then there was that mysterious and powerful "Crow"...
He picked up the top-secret file on the table about "the Raven," which consisted of only a few pages and was almost entirely filled with question marks.
He muttered to himself, "Crow... who exactly are you? Where are you hiding? You've already brought Zhao Lijun two great achievements, and now you're the station chief! What amazing intelligence will you bring us next?"
New Year's Day, January 1, 1938, arrived as scheduled amidst the chaos of war.
Despite the flames of war raging outside Shanghai, the concessions, especially the British concession, stubbornly preserved a distorted prosperity and festive atmosphere.
Inside the villa at No. 169 Jing'an Road, lanterns and decorations were on display, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The huge Christmas tree (Han Zhenhua insisted on celebrating a Chinese-Western hybrid New Year) had not yet been taken down, and it was now covered with red Chinese knots and small lanterns.
The air was filled with the mixed aromas of roasted turkey, braised pork, and cakes and pastries carefully made by the Filipino maid.
Han Zhenhua, dressed in a well-tailored new-style long gown, looked even more handsome and spirited. He stood in the center of the living room, raising his glass to toast the guests present.
"Happy New Year! May the flames of war end soon and our homes be restored to glory in the new year!" His toast was simple yet sincere.
It wasn't that he personally enjoyed being in a crowd, but rather that the loneliness of "missing loved ones even more during festivals" forced him to use this method to temporarily escape his longing for his parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends!
I've called my cell phone countless times, and it always says, "Your cell phone is not in service area..." I've tried texting, WeChat, and email—everything works—but there's no signal. The only thing that works is the mobile data search app, but that app only allows searching and doesn't have any communication functionality. I have no idea that I've been missing for over two months, and how worried my parents are!
In the living room, Captain Wayne Holt, dressed in civilian clothes and accompanied by four burly, sharp-eyed sailors, was trying to use chopsticks to pick up dumplings with great interest.
Lin Xiaowen, dressed in a festive rose-red cheongsam that accentuated her fair skin, smiled sweetly as she instructed him, the two of them occasionally bursting into light laughter.
Professor Cole and Susan were also invited to experience the festive atmosphere of this foreign land, and the professor praised the delicious food on the table.
After a few rounds of drinks, Wayne pulled Han Zhenhua to the window and looked at the occasional fireworks streaking across the night sky (set off by wealthy businessmen, politicians, and even corrupt secret societies in the concession). He whispered, "Cole, my friend, have you had any new 'intuition' lately?"
The lads on board are all hoping to make another fortune with you. Last time we were too cautious, too conservative, and only managed to scrape together 3000 pounds. Next time we have the chance, I will trust you completely and go all in on all the wealth on board!
"Cole, my friend, I heard you turned ten thousand into eighty thousand pounds last time. My God, eighty thousand pounds is a fortune in the British Empire." His previous profits had greatly increased his prestige on the ship.
Han Zhenhua smiled and took a sip of red wine: "Wien, wealth requires patience to wait for the right opportunity. The current calm and tranquility may be the best state to be in."
"Don't worry, I'll let you know as soon as I have any news." He knew in his heart that the next major financial market fluctuation would have to wait for a more critical international event, and he needed to lie low for now.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere was completely different in the Japanese-occupied areas of Shanghai.
In a somber office at the Special Higher Police headquarters, the newly appointed section chief, Kameichi Tsukamoto, listened to his subordinate's report with a grim expression.
He was not a traditional Japanese army or navy intelligence officer, but came from the far-right Japanese organization "Black Dragon Society," and was known for his ruthless methods, unpredictable actions, and advocacy of "unconventional" means.
"Chief, this is a briefing on the recent activities of Chinese resistance fighters. In particular, the Military Intelligence Bureau has been very active, with a significant increase in assassinations targeting collaborators of the Imperial Army." A junior officer respectfully presented the document.
Tsukamoto Kameichi was short and stocky, with a shaved head and a hideous scar near his eye.
Without even glancing at the document, he asked in a hoarse voice, "That idiot Gibbon from before investigated for two months and made absolutely no progress on the source of the leak of Imperial strategic intelligence!"
This matter is of utmost importance. Yoshimoto was transferred to the front-line Special Higher Police Corps because of this, and his fate is uncertain. If we cannot find clues about this matter, our Black Dragon Society's control over the Special Higher Police will not last long!
"The second phase of the Empire's full-scale conquest of China will begin in February or March after the New Year. We don't have much time left. If another strategic-level intelligence leak occurs once the second phase of the war begins, then our Chairman Toyama Mitsuru will be extremely angry."
"Reporting to the section chief! Yoshimoto has already conducted all the internal investigations several times, using all available means, but has not found any suspicious persons."
"I think Yoshimoto-kun is going in the wrong direction!" Inukai Manabu, the head of the intelligence section who also came from the Black Dragon Society, said solemnly!
"Oh? Tell me more!" Tsukamoto Kameichi asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Section Chief, this is what I'm thinking: maybe we really don't have any Chinese spies among us!"
Because those who learned of these two important intelligence reports were all native-born citizens of the Empire after investigation, and all investigation methods had been used. Under such intensive investigation, none of them were found to be problematic!
If it were only the Special Higher Police (SPD) conducting the investigation, it could be explained by selfishness or incompetence, but the problem is that everyone was investigated, not just the SPD!
The Ume Agency, the Military Police, the consulate, and even the Naval Intelligence Bureau all re-interrogated everyone who had access to intelligence regarding the Yoshino Detachment incident. The results were the same; in fact, due to five rounds of continuous interrogation and intensive investigation, aside from high-ranking officials who had absolutely no chance of leaking information, 12 of the 26 people involved had already returned to the embrace of Amaterasu! Five had gone insane, and the remaining nine were practically zombies. Under these circumstances, I believe they were truly all innocent!
Inukai Gakufu sighed!
He continued, "So, Section Chief, do you think it's possible that the Chinese army deciphered the telegrams we sent to the Itagaki and Yoshino detachments, which led to them obtaining these two intelligence reports?"