My years of espionage

Chapter 2012 Sending Nanjing
Lanyu Pavilion.

After listening to Honda Junto's words, Nagashima Masato fell into deep thought.

Just now, he told his loyal subordinate about his suspicions about Cheng Qianfan and Cheng Qianfan's true identity.

Honda Junto said, "If Miyazaki Kentaro is suspicious, then the Imperial agents at the checkpoints are also suspects according to the same principle, not to mention that Miyazaki Kentaro was just there by chance and was unaware of the situation."

Reason told him that Honda Junto's words made sense.

However, further evidence is needed to verify this.

The evidence is right here in the Lanyu Pavilion.

"Major, we've found out." Takagi Ryota entered and reported to Nagashima Masato.

"explain."

“Cheng Qianfan did indeed place an order for a set of jewelry at Lanyu Pavilion three and a half months ago,” Takagi Ryota said. “He called Lanyu Pavilion that day to say he was coming to pick up the jewelry.”

"There are many jade shops in Shanghai, so why did Cheng Qianfan choose to order jewelry from Lanyu Pavilion in Nanjing?" Nagashima Masato said. "Did you ask him that?"

“The master craftsman of Lanyu Pavilion is named Fu Xiaoqing. He is a master jade carver who was hired by Lanyu Pavilion from Shanghai at a high price,” said Takagi Ryota. “According to Fu Xiaoqing, Cheng Qianfan bought jade jewelry carved by him when he was in Shanghai.”

……

"Are you sure you placed the order for the jewelry three and a half months ago?" Nagashima Masato asked.

“Yes.” Takagi Ryota nodded and said, “The carving of jade takes time, so Cheng Qianfan needs to place an order in advance.”

"Were there any strangers at Lanyu Pavilion that day?" Master Changdao asked again.

“Nothing was found,” Takagi Ryota said. “I personally led the search of Lanyu Pavilion that day, and we did not find any suspicious persons.”

Nagashima Masato remained silent for a while before speaking, "Let's go check the inspection team's checkpoint."

"Hai."

……

The location of the inspection team's checkpoint.

"Major, please look around." Honda Junjin said, pointing to the surroundings, "From the safe house where Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei are hiding to the checkpoint on Kunshan Road, which is under the jurisdiction of Takagi Ryota, we must first pass through this checkpoint."

“I have thoroughly checked the checkpoints here and found nothing unusual,” Honda Junto said. “Therefore, theoretically speaking, it is impossible for Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei to pass through here, reach the vicinity of Lanyu Pavilion, and finally escape through the checkpoint on Kunshan Road.”

Nagashima Masato nodded.

“So, Major, your suspicion that Zhou Changliu escaped by infiltrating Cheng Qianfan’s convoy is logically difficult to support,” Honda Junto said cautiously.

“There’s no need to be so careful. I’m not someone who can’t listen to different opinions and perspectives,” said Masato Nagashima.

"Hai."

“I admit my judgment may be wrong,” Nagashima Masato pondered. “However, the problem now is that Emerald Street has been thoroughly searched, but no trace of Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei has been found. It is highly likely that these two people have already escaped the sealed-off area.”

……

"So, where are they now? Most importantly, how did the couple manage to escape through all those checkpoints?" Masato Nagashima asked, looking at Junto Honda.

Junto Honda fell silent; he couldn't answer that question.

However, the disappearance of Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei was indeed his responsibility, and he could not shirk it.

"Major, please give me time. I will definitely find Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei," Honda Junto said through gritted teeth.

Unlike other Kuomintang agents, Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei already had photos of them, and as long as they were still in Nanjing, they would be arrested sooner or later.

“I’ll give you half a month,” Nagashima Masato said coldly. “In half a month, I want to see Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei.”

"Yes." Honda Junto wanted to say that half a month was too short, Nanjing was so big, and time was too tight, but looking at Nagashima Masato's cold gaze, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.

"Also, arrange for someone to keep an eye on Cheng Qianfan," Nagashima Masato said to Takagi Ryota. "I need to keep track of this Secretary Cheng's every move."

"Hai."

……

Two weeks passed quickly.

Honda Junto, looking disheveled, apologized to Nagashima Masato. He had failed to find any trace of Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei; the couple seemed to have vanished into thin air.

"Major, I suspect that the two of them may have already fled Nanjing," Honda Junto said cautiously.

Nagashima Masato didn't speak, he just stared at him.

Honda Junto lowered his head, not daring to speak again.

It was at this moment that Wada Keihiro came in to report.

"Major, Zhang Lei is dead."

"How did he die?" Nagashima Masato asked, his face grim.

Wada Keihiro's expression was somewhat unpleasant.

"explain."

“I was ordered to interrogate Zhang Lei. He was shocked to learn that he had inadvertently revealed Zhou Changliu’s identity. Later, when faced with the Empire’s offer of recruitment, he pretended to need to think about it,” Wada Keihiro said. “Later, he secretly committed suicide.”

"Bag-ya-luo!" Nagashima Masato was truly enraged this time. He stepped forward and kicked Wada Takahiro to the ground.

"Haa!" Wada Keihiro got up and received several more slaps across the face.

……

"How is Hu Yingju doing?" Honda Junto asked.

“Hu Yingju has just regained consciousness. The doctor said he is extremely weak and cannot be interrogated by torture for the time being,” said Wada Keihiro.

“We must keep a close watch on him,” said Nagashima Masato. “This man is very important; we absolutely cannot let him die.”

"Hai."

Just then, Ryota Takagi came in to report.

"Major, Cheng Qianfan has a ship ticket for this afternoon. He's leaving Nanjing to return to Shanghai."

"Leaving today?" Nagashima Masato frowned.

"Yes."

"Have you noticed anything unusual while you've had people watching Cheng Qianfan these past few days?" Nagashima Masato asked Takagi Ryota.

“No.” Ryota Takagi shook his head. “Besides going to work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he would occasionally have drinks with Major Nishimura at an izakaya. Once, he visited the commander of the 1st Pacification Army Division, Li Mingzan. The rest of the time he spent with his family and children.”

He thought for a moment and said, "On another occasion, Cheng Qianfan secretly went to see his concubine. I investigated and found that the woman was someone he had been with since his time in Shanghai, and there was nothing suspicious about her."

"What time is the ferry ticket for this afternoon?" Nagashima Masato asked.

"3:45 PM".

……

in the afternoon.

Shimonoseki Wharf.

"Miyazaki-kun." Nishimura Hideto personally came to see Miyazaki Kentaro off. "Please give my regards to Atsuto-sama on my way back to Shanghai."

"Definitely." Cheng Qianfan smiled. "Young Master Atsuto has always held Nishimura in high regard."

Hideto Nishimura was very pleased. He held out his hand, and a subordinate respectfully handed him a gift box. "This is a gift for young master Atsuto. Please pass it on to him, Miyazaki-kun."

Cheng Qianfan accepted the gift and then instructed his subordinates to put it away. Just then, he saw a vehicle speeding towards him from the dock suddenly stop, and he looked surprised.

Then, his face darkened.

Nishimura Hideto turned his head and saw Nagashima Masato get out of the car and lead his men toward them.

“Nagashima-kun is, after all, a colleague,” Nishimura Hideto said in a low voice to Miyazaki Kentaro.

“I understand.” Cheng Qianfan took a deep breath, nodded slowly, and said.

……

"Major Nagashima." Cheng Qianfan greeted Nagashima Masato with a polite smile and walked over.

"Having learned that Secretary Cheng is leaving Nanjing to return to Shanghai," said Changdao Zhenren. "I have come to see him off. I hope Secretary Cheng will not take offense at my rudeness that day."

"How dare I, how dare I." Cheng Qianfan smiled. "Although I was quite angry about what happened that day, upon reflection, Major Nagashima was acting on official business, all for the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere and for the harmony and stability of Nanjing. In that case, I overreacted at the time."

"Hahaha." Nagashima Masato laughed heartily. "I told you long ago, Secretary Cheng is one of our own. One of our own will definitely understand how difficult it is for us to do things."

……

"Major Long Island is a true gentleman," Cheng Qianfan said politely. "I will remember your kindness in parting today."

“That’s good.” Nishimura Hideto walked over with a smile. “I’m very happy to see Nagashima-kun and Cheng-san shake hands and make peace.”

“I am truly ashamed of my recklessness that day,” sighed Master Nagashima.

He looked at Kentaro Miyazaki and said, “If Secretary Cheng needs any help when he comes to Nanjing in the future, he can come to me directly. You don’t only have Nishimura as a friend in Nanjing, do you?”

"If Major Nagashima says so, then I, Cheng, will take it seriously." Cheng Qianfan was taken aback at first, then said with a smile.

“These are my heartfelt words.” Nagashima Masato laughed heartily. “Secretary Cheng is a friend of the Great Japanese Empire, one of our own. Of course, we should take good care of our own people.”

"Thank you." Cheng Qianfan nodded and smiled.

“In that case, I wish Secretary Cheng a safe journey. Please come to Nanjing another day, and I will personally host a banquet for us to enjoy a drink together,” said Nagashima Masato.

“Then it’s a deal,” Cheng Qianfan said. “When Major Long Island goes to Shanghai another day, I will personally host him.”

"It's a deal." Nagashima Masato laughed heartily and waved goodbye to Miyazaki Kentaro and Nishimura Hideto.

……

“Nagashima is a meticulous person, even demanding,” Nishimura Hideto said to Miyazaki Kentaro. “The fact that he took the initiative to see him off is quite remarkable, given his temperament, which shows that he truly wanted to apologize.”

“I understand.” Cheng Qianfan nodded. “I believe that Major Nagashima came to see me off mostly because of you, Nishimura.”

“That’s not quite right. You’re one of us, and I’m sure Nagashima-kun understands that too.” Nishimura Hideto smiled. He was willing to be friends with Miyazaki Kentaro not only because Miyazaki Kentaro was Atsuto’s friend and retainer, but also because this man was pleasant to talk to, quite satisfactory in his conduct, and incredibly sincere towards his friends.

“Mr. Nishimura, if you have the chance to visit Shanghai another day, I will certainly treat you well,” Cheng Qianfan said with a smile.

“Of course, Shanghai is your territory, and I’m going to enjoy it to the fullest,” Nishimura Hideto said with a smile.

The two exchanged a few more words, then waved goodbye.

……

"Brother Fan," Li Hao secretly reported to Cheng Qianfan after boarding the ship, "While you were talking to that Long Island Master, two suspicious-looking guys secretly boarded the ship."

"Are they Long Island Master's men?" Cheng Qianfan raised an eyebrow and asked.

“It should be,” Li Hao said. “I noticed that one of the officers next to Nagashima Masato exchanged glances with one of the two men.”

"Take strict precautions," Cheng Qianfan said. "You are personally responsible for protecting Taozi. Report to me immediately if anything happens."

"clear."

“When we arrive in Zhenjiang, you will disembark and personally escort the cargo,” Cheng Qianfan said after thinking for a moment.

Qiao Chuntao and Xia Xiaoying hid inside the cargo boxes and successfully boarded the ship.

This shipment was part of a smuggling business he was involved in with Li Mingzuan, and one batch of the goods would be unloaded in Zhenjiang.

……

"Where's Haozi? I haven't seen him." Bai Ruolan yawned, handed Xiaozhima to her husband, and asked.

“A shipment is going with the ship and will be unloaded in Zhenjiang. This shipment is quite important, so I’ve asked Haozi to keep an eye on it,” Cheng Qianfan said, cutting a peeled apple in half and handing one half to Bai Ruolan and the other to Xiaobao.

Bai Ruolan took a bite, but felt nauseous and couldn't help but gag.

"What's wrong?" Cheng Qianfan asked with concern.

"Perhaps it's seasickness," Bai Ruolan said, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief.

As she spoke, she picked up a book and started reading. "I'm fine. Reading will help me concentrate and feel better."

Cheng Qianfan nodded. He played with Little Sesame for a while, then handed Little Sesame to Xiaobao. "I'm going out for some fresh air."

"Go ahead." Bai Ruolan put down her book, glanced at her husband, her eyes sparkling with concern, and said.

"I'll be back soon," Cheng Qianfan said.

……

"What's going on?" Cheng Qianfan asked Chen Hu when he saw him on the deck.

"Those two guys tried to get closer to the warehouse, but they were driven away," Chen Hu said.

"Well done." Cheng Qianfan nodded slightly. "If they get any closer, just arrest them."

"After arresting them, there's no need for interrogation. Once they arrive in Shanghai, they can be handed over directly to the Special Police Department," Cheng Qianfan said.

"clear."

"Haozi didn't attract their attention when he got off the ship, did he?" Cheng Qianfan asked.

"No." Chen Hu shook his head. "With Commander Li's troops around, those two can't get close at all."

"Did you arrange for someone to follow them?"

"Yes, I'm keeping up. I'll report back to Shanghai immediately if anything happens," Chen Hu said. "Don't worry, Brother Fan, Brother Hao has everything arranged."

Cheng Qianfan nodded slightly.

The fact that Qiao Chuntao and Tao Peipei had been exposed by the enemy was a very troublesome matter, and he couldn't help but worry.

Fortunately, he took advantage of Li Mingzuan's smuggling channels. With the title of the commander of the First Division of the Imperial Guard of the Pacification Army, even the Japanese in Zhenjiang would not easily cause trouble.

……

Nanjing.

Ryota Takagi hurriedly reported to Masato Nagashima.

"Major, someone has seen Zhou Changliu and Tao Peipei," Takagi Ryota said.

"When did this happen? Where have I seen it before?" Long Island Master suddenly stood up and asked.

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(End of this chapter)