My years of espionage

Chapter 2008 Escape
"I'm fine now." Xia Xiaoying put away her handkerchief, looking embarrassed, and said to Cheng Qianfan, "I'm sorry for making you laugh, Director."

Cheng Qianfan shook his head slightly. He felt no contempt for this Miss Xia, only deep respect for her.

"The original plan was for you to infiltrate the opera troupe and take the opportunity to hide at their home on Yihe Road," Cheng Qianfan said to Qiao Chuntao.

“Now is not the right time,” Qiao Chuntao said immediately. “Although we have broken out of the encirclement of Emerald Street, the fact that you, Chief, were there will make you a subject of investigation.”

With a serious expression, he calmly analyzed, "According to the original plan, we were hiding on Yihe Road, and the enemy would not search there. However, the situation is different now, and it is difficult to rule out the possibility that the enemy will search Yihe Road."

"That's right." Cheng Qianfan nodded. "So, the plan has changed."

He told Qiao Chuntao and her husband, "You can get off the bus midway. Everything has been arranged. A car will pick you up and take you to Safe House No. 5. Food and supplies have been prepared in the Safe House. Do not leave the Safe House without my notification."

……

"Understood." Qiao Chuntao nodded.

He looked at Cheng Qianfan, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Brother Fan, you shouldn't have shown up this time."

“No.” Cheng Qianfan shook his head. “Without my intervention, no one else can possibly help you get through the checkpoint.”

"Alright," Cheng Qianfan said with a smile, "This time we've escaped death, we should celebrate."

"How did Xiao Ma get into trouble?" Qiao Chuntao asked.

"The Special Higher Police carried out an arrest operation in Luobogou, which resulted in a gunfight. Xiao Ma was shot and captured; his fate is unknown," Cheng Qianfan said.

“Xiao Ma won’t betray me; he would never sell me out,” Qiao Chuntao said.

……

“I don’t believe Xiao Ma would betray you either,” Cheng Qianfan said in a deep voice. “But, something happened to Xiao Ma, and the enemy subsequently launched a search operation on Emerald Street. That doesn’t make sense.”

Qiao Chuntao fell silent. He trusted Xiao Ma, believing that even under torture, Xiao Ma would not betray him. However, as the magistrate said, the fact was that the incident at Luobogou led to the exposure of Emerald Street, which didn't make sense.

"In short, I find it very strange and suspicious." Qiao Chuntao pondered and said, "From Ada's accident to Xiao Ma's accident, and then to the enemy getting close to Emerald Street, none of this makes sense."

“Besides Xiao Ma, there’s also Ada.” He said to Cheng Qianfan, “Just as I believe Xiao Ma won’t betray me, Xiao Ma also believes Ada won’t betray him. Ada has a blood feud with the Japanese, and I’m willing to believe that Ada won’t betray us.”

Qiao Chuntao paused for a moment, then continued, "Of course, I know there are many things that don't make sense, Director."

“I will investigate the specifics slowly,” Cheng Qianfan said with a serious expression. “From now on, the two of you will stay safely in the safe house, cut off from all contact, and be notified at any time. Then you will follow orders.”

"Understood." Qiao Chuntao nodded, feeling quite curious himself.

He didn't know about the No. 5 safe house that the Chief had mentioned. What he was curious about was what made this No. 5 safe house so special. Judging from the Chief's tone, he wasn't worried about the enemy finding the No. 5 safe house.

……

As we passed the entrance to an alley, a black car was parked on the side of the road.

When the two cars passed each other, Cheng Qianfan's car stopped, and Qiao Chuntao and Xia Xiaoying quickly got out and got into the other car. The car drove away without stopping.

……

The lanterns are on.

"Still no results?" Nagashima Masato looked at Honda Junto with a gloomy expression.

The Special Higher Police, in conjunction with the police department, the anti-smuggling squad, and No. 21 Yihe Road, conducted a thorough search of Emerald Street, but failed to find Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei.

"Major, it was my fault for dereliction of duty," Honda Junto said with a look of shame.

“Now is not the time to assign blame,” Nagashima Masato said coldly. “With such a thorough search, it’s impossible that we wouldn’t find him if he were in Emerald Street.”

He looked at Honda Junto, "What exactly went wrong?"

……

“They must be on Emerald Street,” Honda Junjin said immediately. “The people at No. 21 Yihe Road have reported that when they questioned citizens, at least three people said they had seen Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei. Therefore, they must be on Emerald Street.”

He seemed worried that Nagashima Masato wouldn't agree with his judgment and conclusion, so he added, "Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei escaped from Shipo Nunnery and then hid on Emerald Street. This place can be considered a safe house for the Nanjing Station of the Shanghai Special Operations Department. There's no reason for them to leave such a safe house easily."

He told Long Island Masato, "As soon as we locked onto Emerald Street, we immediately launched a blockade and search operation. In terms of time, even if Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei realized that we had started searching for them, they still did not have the time or opportunity to escape, because all the entrances and exits were blocked and roadblocks were set up."

“Yes, they’re on Emerald Street…” Nagashima Masato pondered, “But why couldn’t we find those two people?”

His face was terribly grim. "One of them was pregnant!"

……

"What have you found out about the shooting incident?" Nagashima Masato asked.

"We haven't found anything yet," Honda Junto said with a bitter face. "There was just one gunshot, and no one was attacked. We haven't found any clues yet."

Just then, a Special Higher Police agent walked over and said to Honda Junto, "Team leader, someone is looking for you."

"Who is it?" Honda Junto asked with an unfriendly expression.

"It was the owner of Li's General Store. He said he wanted to report it."

Upon hearing this, Honda Junto pondered for a moment, then said to Nagashima Masato, "Major, I'll go see this person."

“No, bring him to see me,” Nagashima Masato shook his head and said.

"Hai."

……

"Boss." Li Youtian bowed obsequiously as he saw Honda Junto.

He glanced again at the person sitting behind the desk, bowed habitually, and gave a fawning smile.

"Are you going to report this?" Junto Honda asked.

“Yes, boss,” Li Youtian said. “It was you who said that if we find those two prisoners, we should report it to you. There is a reward.”

“Yes, that’s right, there’s a reward,” said Masato Nagashima. “Are you reporting these two people?”

He handed the photo to Honda Junto, who then passed it to Li Youtian for further identification.

“Let me see, they look a bit like them, a bit like them, yes, it’s these two people, no doubt about it,” Li Youtian said.

Honda Junto scrutinized Li Youtian with a critical eye, somewhat suspecting that this cunning and greedy Chinese man might be lying for the reward money.

“Manager Li,” Honda Junto said, “there is a reward for reporting wrongdoing, but if you lie, you will be shot.”

"No, no, I wouldn't dare lie to the boss," Li Youtian quickly said.

……

“Very good, I’m willing to believe that Manager Li is an honest and law-abiding citizen.” Honda Junto nodded. “When did you meet these two people?”

“They live upstairs from my grocery store,” Li Youtian said.

"What?" Honda Junto was shocked. He was overjoyed at first, then furious. He stepped forward and grabbed Li Youtian's clothes. "They live upstairs from you. Why did you say you hadn't seen them when I questioned you the first time?!"

"Boss, boss, boss was wrong, was wrong!" Li Youtian was terrified and struggled desperately.

"Let him go," Nagashima Masato said in a deep voice.

Honda Junto then let go of his hand.

……

"Speak," he said, looking at Li Youtian and demanding an explanation.

“These two people live upstairs from me, but they never come down, so I’ve never seen them,” Li Youtian said.

Honda Junto was about to continue asking questions when he saw Nagashima Masato glare at him, so he wisely shut up.

"It was only today, when a call came for that gentleman, that gentleman came down to answer the phone, and that's how I met the man," Li Youtian said.

"Then why didn't you report it truthfully?" Honda Junjin retorted angrily.

“At that time, the man was wearing a hat and a mask, so I couldn’t see his face,” Li Youtian said.

"Since you didn't see his face, why are you so sure it's him?" Nagashima Masato asked, scrutinizing Li Youtian.

“Yes, it’s because…” Li Youtian hesitated.

"Speak!" Nagashima Masato slammed his hand on the table.

Honda Junto also drew his gun and pressed the muzzle against Li Youtian's forehead.

……

"Yes, it was my colleague who told me that the lady was pregnant, which caught my attention. I was wondering if there was something wrong with the man's evasive manner when he answered the phone," Li Youtian said, trembling. "The more I thought about it, the more suspicious I became, so I rushed over to report to the boss."

"So, you didn't actually see what they looked like, but you just examined the photos and kept saying you'd seen them. Aren't you lying?" Honda Junto angrily questioned.

He glared fiercely at Li Youtian, and under the pressure of the gun barrel, Li Youtian trembled with fear and immediately knelt down.

"I... I think it's very likely those two people." Li Youtian trembled, almost crying with fear, and said, "That's why I rushed here to report. Who would have thought that you, boss, would ask such detailed questions?"

"Bag-yaloo!" Honda Junto roared in anger.

Li Youtian looked up at Honda Junto, seemingly startled, then quickly lowered his head, even more frightened, his whole body trembling violently.

“Give him the money and let him go,” Nagashima Masato suddenly said.

……

"Yes." Although reluctant, Honda Junto had no choice but to obey. He took out a few silver coins from his pocket and was about to give them to him.

Nagashima Masato glared at Honda Junto, opened his briefcase, took out a handful of silver dollars, walked around the desk, and handed the silver dollars directly to Li Youtian.

"This, this, I dare not, I dare not." Li Youtian looked at the handful of silver coins, saying he dared not, but his gaze never left the handful.

"This is the reward you deserve." Nagashima Masato smiled and stuffed the handful of silver dollars into Li Youtian's pocket. He patted Li Youtian on the shoulder and said, "You've cooperated very well in maintaining order and apprehending criminals. Nanjing needs good citizens like you. If you find any criminals in the future, you can continue to look for them and report them. You'll still get the reward."

“Then, I’ll keep it…” Li Youtian said, glancing instinctively at Honda Junto.

"Here you go." Under Nagashima Masato's piercing gaze, Honda Junto forced a smile. "The officer is right. Keep reporting, and you'll get plenty of rewards."

"Aww, aww, aww!" Li Youtian was so happy to receive the reward that he bowed repeatedly and left, expressing his gratitude profusely.

……

"Have someone keep an eye on this Manager Li," Nagashima Masato said to Honda Junto.

Honda Junto nodded and waved to one of his subordinates.

"Major, do you suspect this Manager Li?" he then asked Nagashima Masato.

“At present, there is nothing suspicious about this person,” said Masato Nagashima. “However, he only came to report this now, and the reason he gave was only his own statement, which has no corroborating evidence.”

He told Honda Junto, "Just based on these two points alone, it is absolutely necessary to monitor and investigate this person to a certain extent."

"I understand," Honda Junren said, completely convinced.

“Go upstairs to Li’s General Store and take a look,” Nagashima Masato said coldly. “Although he’s probably not there anymore, hopefully we can find some clues.”

"Hai."

……

The second floor of Li Ji General Store.

Special Higher Police agents are conducting a thorough search.

"Major, do you think the tenants here are Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei?" Honda Junto asked Nagashima Masato. "After all, according to Li Youtian, he actually didn't see Zhou Changliu's face."

“It should be the two of them,” Nagashima Masato said slowly. “That’s the feeling I got from Li Youtian’s speech.”

"Feeling?" Junto Honda asked, somewhat puzzled.

“When Li Youtian spoke, perhaps he himself didn’t realize that his tone actually implied certainty that his upstairs tenants were the two people in the photo,” said Masato Nagashima.

"Perhaps he wanted the reward so much that he kept telling himself it, and then he believed it," Honda Junto said after thinking for a moment.

"Psychological suggestion?" Nagashima Masato looked at Honda Junto.

“When I returned to Japan last year, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Professor Fukuda from the Imperial University, who was invited by the military. Professor Fukuda is an expert in human psychology,” Honda Junto said.

“Psychology…” Nagashima Masato pondered, “Next time you have time, tell me about what you know about psychology.”

"Yes, sir," Honda Junto said gratefully.

"Major, we've made a discovery." Just then, an agent from the Special Higher Police said.

……

Nagashima Masato took the oil paper from his subordinate, first sniffed it, and then looked at the shop sign printed on it.

He then handed the oil paper to Honda Junto.

Honda Junto took it and looked at it. He nodded. "Major, that's right, it's a pastry from Qianmen Pastry Shop."

He looked pleased and said to Nagashima Masato, "Major, that matches up. Zhou Changliu should have also been to Qianmen Pastry Shop."

"It's also possible that Hu Yingju bought the pastries and brought them to Zhou Changliu," Nagashima Masato pondered, then said.

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(End of this chapter)