My years of espionage

Chapter 2018 Embarrassing
"Give it to me." Old Huang glared at him and took the newspaper from Lu Dazhang's hand.

"Fan Yang and Xia Min." Old Huang glanced at the byline on the newspaper page and fell into deep thought.

"What's wrong?" Lu Dazhang noticed Lao Huang's expression and immediately asked, "Is there a problem?"

"If I'm not mistaken, Fan Yang should be Cheng Qianfan," Old Huang said thoughtfully. "Xia Min should be Liu Xia."

"It's actually the two of them?" Lu Dazhang exclaimed in surprise. He snatched the newspaper from Lao Huang's hand and looked at it carefully.

After a while, Lu Dazhang clicked his tongue and said, "I never expected Brother Cheng's writing to be so outstanding."

He shook his head and said in a low voice, "No wonder everyone calls him a die-hard traitor. Looking at it this way, it really is."

As he spoke, his brows furrowed. "So, Director Cheng is indeed in Tokyo right now?"

……

"It should be confirmed now." Old Huang nodded, because there was a sentence in the news report about Fan Yang and Xia Min's observations in Tokyo.

He thought for a moment and said to Lu Dazhang, "My intuition is that President Cheng added that sentence on purpose. He has no other means of communication and should be under close surveillance by the enemy. Therefore, he thought of using this method to convey the fact that they are in Tokyo to the outside world."

“That should be it.” Lu Dazhang nodded. He trusted Lao Huang’s judgment, partly because he knew Comrade ‘Fire Sprout’. This was very much in line with Comrade ‘Fire Sprout’’s style. He could always convey intelligence through these details that outsiders would not notice.

"Even if we know he's in Tokyo, that's all we know; there's nothing we can do," Old Huang sighed.

“Doing nothing is the right thing to do,” Lu Dazhang said seriously.

Comrade 'Flame' is far away in Tokyo, in an extremely dangerous environment. This is because Cheng Qianfan is able to maneuver among various enemy forces, and is especially trusted by the Japanese. The identity of Miyazaki Kentaro is crucial.

However, Comrade Cheng Qianfan is now in Tokyo, on Japanese soil, which greatly increases the possibility that Cheng Qianfan's identity will be recognized and exposed by the enemy.

……

chongqing.

No. 19, Luojiawan.

"Director, it's confirmed now that 'Bluebird' and 'Qiqiao Flower' are both in Tokyo," Qi Wu said to Dai Chunfeng, holding a document in his hand.

The document in his hand was a handwritten copy of the China Times. Chongqing was far from Nanjing, but the Wang Jingwei regime broadcast the original contents of the newspaper on its radio, and the Military Intelligence Bureau immediately copied it and sent it over.

“Both ‘Bluebird’ and ‘Qiqiao Flower’ were probably taken to Tokyo in a hurry, and they had no chance to send out any information,” Qi Wu said. “So, the two of them thought of sending out information about their presence in Tokyo through newspapers.”

"Those two actually thought of the same thing," Dai Chunfeng said with a light laugh.

"They didn't know each other's identities, and they were probably still on guard against each other when they used this method to pass information," Qi Wu said with a smile.

"What a pity." Dai Chunfeng shook his head, sighed, and said, "If we had known that the two of them would accompany Wang Tianhai on his visit to Japan and made arrangements in advance, we could still have done something."

"I'm afraid it will be difficult." Qi Wu thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, "The Japanese will definitely be on high alert, and it will be impossible to get close."

He knew what regret Dai Chunfeng was referring to. Even if they had known beforehand that Cheng Qianfan and Liu Xia were accompanying Wang Tianhai on his visit to Japan, there was not much they could do. In fact, considering the Japanese's strict precautions, any rash action could pose a potential threat to the safety of "Bluebird" and "Qiqiao Flower".

“Forget it.” Dai Chunfeng shook his head and said to Qi Wu, “Keep a close eye on the situation in Tokyo. I want to see what Wang’s visit to Japan will bring up.”

……

December 22nd.

Wang Tianhai visited the Japanese Prime Minister's official residence and held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Tojo.

During the talks, Wang Tianhai formally presented Tojo with the "Four Demands of the National Government for Japan's Friendly Nations".

Among them, Wang Tianhai put forward two key demands.

First, they demanded that Tojo promise to provide one million tons of relief grain.

Secondly, they demanded that Japan provide weapons and equipment to arm the pacification army.

In response to Wang Tianhai's request for relief grain, Tojo immediately and bluntly stated, "Empire's subjects also suffer during the Holy War; the Chinese should endure it!"

Wang Tianhai's expression immediately changed, and seeing this, Tojo also softened his tone and promised to provide 150,000 tons of rice.

Upon hearing Tojo's words, Wang Tianhai's expression softened somewhat.

However, Tojo then demanded that the Wang Jingwei regime conscript 500,000 soldiers for Japan to help the locust army with its prevention and control efforts.

……

“This is a good thing,” Cheng Qianfan said to Chu Mingyu. “The Japanese side has asked us to recruit 500,000 soldiers. They will provide weapons and equipment for these 500,000 soldiers, so we can take the opportunity to arm our troops and increase our strength.”

"You're too naive, Qianfan." Chu Mingyu shook his head.

After returning from the Prime Minister's official residence, Wang Tianhai convened a meeting of distinguished guests.

The Japanese wanted the Nationalist government to conscript soldiers, but these soldiers were firmly under Japanese control. It was impossible for the Nationalist government to gain control of the military.

“We can strengthen education among officers and soldiers. I believe there will be generals who are loyal to Mr. Wang and willing to secretly pledge allegiance to him,” Cheng Qianfan said.

Chu Mingyu nodded slightly; he liked hearing those words.

However, he sighed inwardly, wishing things were that easy.

"Let's wait until Mr. Wang visits the Japanese headquarters tomorrow and see if he can gain anything more," Liu Xia said from the side.

"I hope so," Chu Mingyu said.

Objectively speaking, the attitude of Japanese Prime Minister Tojo and his aggressive demands during Wang Tianhai's visit to the Prime Minister's official residence today have greatly displeased high-ranking officials of the Nationalist government, including Wang Tianhai.

It's really too difficult to expect the arrogant Japanese generals to soften their tone and attitude when we visit the Japanese headquarters tomorrow.

……

The next day.

Wang Tianhai led several generals of the Nanjing regime to visit the Japanese headquarters.

The two sides held a military consultation meeting.

At the meeting, Japanese Chief of Staff Sugiyama Gen requested that the Nanjing Wang Jingwei regime triple its troop strength in the upcoming "mopping-up" operations in order to completely destroy the New Fourth Army's base areas and annihilate the anti-Japanese armed forces in the south.

The Wang family then put forward their requirements for weapons and equipment.

After some haggling, the Japanese reluctantly agreed to provide 3,000 Type 38 rifles, but only the weapons, not the ammunition.

"They only have rifles, no bullets?" Cheng Qianfan and Liu Xia discussed this, their expressions showing utter surprise.

"Having obtained three thousand rifles is already quite an achievement," Liu Xia said with a smile. "At least we didn't return empty-handed; the Japanese headquarters still gave Mr. Wang face."

"That's true." Cheng Qianfan nodded slowly.

He looked at Liu Xia, and his intuition told him that Liu Xia's words seemed to have a hint of sarcasm and gloating, but looking at Liu Xia's sincere smile, it seemed that he was wrong.

……

December 24th.

Wang Tianhai led several important officials to the sacred toilet in Japan's Pure Land.

Wang Tianhai, in his capacity as the Chinese head of state, paid homage at the shrine and bowed deeply to the memorial tablets.

A minor conflict occurred after the worship ceremony.

A reporter accompanying the group took photos of Wang bowing in homage.

However, the photos were subsequently confiscated by the Japanese side.

The next morning, Cheng Qianfan learned from Liu Xia why the Japanese had confiscated the photos.

The photo shows Wang Tianhai bowing with trembling hands and an unnatural expression, which clearly displeased the Japanese, who felt that Wang was not devout and respectful enough.

On that same day, at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Wang Tianhai attended the 'Greater East Asia Scholars Conference' and delivered a speech.

In his speech, Wang Tianhai loudly proclaimed, "China and Japan should join hands to expel the British and American devils" and "establish a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere of lasting peace."

Cheng Qianfan sat in the audience, next to Liu Xia, and applauded Wang Tianhai's wonderful speech.

When the speech ended, several Japanese writers sitting behind him whispered and made mocking noises.

……

"What are they saying?" Liu Xia asked Cheng Qianfan.

Cheng Qianfan's expression was not good.

"What's wrong?" Liu Xia asked again.

“Japanese writers are mocking Mr. Wang,” Cheng Qianfan said, his face ashen.

"Mockery?"

“Yes, they say Mr. Wang’s speech sounded like a Chinese person reading a script from a military document,” Cheng Qianfan said through gritted teeth. (PS2)

In his heart, he was applauding these Japanese beasts; they were absolutely right.

For some reason, the sarcastic remarks made by those Japanese people against Wang Tianhai quickly spread and were even reported in Japanese newspapers. It is said that when Wang Tianhai learned of this, he was furious and smashed a teacup in the hotel.

Even more outrageous, the hotel contacted the visiting delegation and demanded compensation for the damaged items.

……

The next day.

Cheng Qianfan changed into a new suit and looked very energetic.

The delegation visiting Japan is returning home today, and he will be traveling with them.

This also relieved Cheng Qianfan, because the members of the delegation visiting Japan were restricted in their personal freedom and strictly prohibited from going out, which directly avoided the possibility of him running into acquaintances of Kentaro Miyazaki.

Furthermore, given the Japanese side's close surveillance of Wang Jingwei's visit to Japan, they were well aware of every move of the visiting delegation. The Special Higher Police did not need him as an inside man to provide any intelligence, and surprisingly, they did not send anyone to contact him.

That noon, Cheng Qianfan and Liu Xia boarded the plane with his delegation to return home.

The Japanese side also presented the delegation with generous gifts in return for the visit of the Wang Jingwei regime.

Three airplanes.

"I didn't expect the Japanese to be so generous," Liu Xia said to Cheng Qianfan. "It's said that this is the most advanced Zero fighter plane in the Japanese military."

“It’s true that they are Zero fighters.” Cheng Qianfan glanced at the three fighters placed on the airport runway, a strange look appearing on his lips. “But they’re not the kind of planes that can fight.”

"What is that?" Liu Xia asked.

“As far as I know, these are three Zero fighter model planes,” Cheng Qianfan said.

"A model?" Liu Xia exclaimed in surprise, her voice rising 'unconsciously', "What do you mean?"

"They're just models, how should I put it?" Cheng Qianfan said with a wry smile, "These are training aircraft, the main body of which is made of wood."

"Wood?" Liu Xia's eyes widened, then she couldn't help but show a look of sarcasm and indignation. "The Japanese really did give a very generous return gift."

……

The Japanese return gifts were indeed very generous.

Besides these three wooden Zero fighter models that aren't even good-looking replicas, there's also a 'Showa sword'.

In addition, there were several large boxes in the cabin containing a package of demands made by the Japanese side on the Wang Jingwei regime:

100,000 tons of soybeans from Northeast China were supplied to Japan for use in brewing soy sauce for the Japanese Navy.

They seized Chinese silk factory assets and demanded that Japan provide 50,000 bundles of raw silk from Jiangnan.

Kailuan Coal Mine supplies 300,000 tons of coal to Japan every month.

Five hundred thousand soldiers were conscripted in northern Jiangsu.

While the Wang Jingwei delegation was still in the air, the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported on Wang's visit to Japan and published a photograph:
When Emperor Taizu of Japan bestowed the medal upon Wang Tianhai, Wang Tianhai wept with joy.

……

Nanjing.

"I'm finally back. I feel so relieved now that I'm home," Liu Xia said, stretching and looking tired.

"Is Madam Wang still angry?" Cheng Qianfan glanced at Madam Wang, whose face was ashen, and asked Liu Xia in a low voice.

"The Japanese have gone too far. This is, after all, the mother of the nation," Liu Xia said with a frown and a sigh.

During his visit to Japan, all of Wang Tianhai's entourage of bodyguards were taken into custody by the Japanese, who arranged for military police to provide "personal protection," which greatly displeased Wang's wife.

She protested to the Japanese side, making a scene and arguing that the Japanese side had been negligent and neglectful in their hospitality. She was arrested and detained by the Japanese military police. Although she was eventually released, Mrs. Wang clearly felt that she had lost face.

It is said that Mrs. Wang was furious, but dared not provoke the Japanese any further, so she beat and scolded Mr. Wang, saying that he was incompetent and had made her lose face.

This matter circulated within the delegation visiting Japan, and Chu Mingyu specifically reprimanded them, demanding that the accompanying personnel keep quiet and not spread rumors about the head of state.

Just then, a commotion arose from the distance.

Then we saw Wang Tianhai angrily get into his car and leave.

"Something's happened," Cheng Qianfan whispered to Liu Xia.

"Don't speak," Liu Xia whispered, "lest you get yourself into trouble."

Cheng Qianfan nodded. He had just noticed that it was a representative of the Japanese army in Nanjing who came to greet Wang Tianhai. It seemed that a Japanese officer said something that made Wang Tianhai angry and turn pale, and he left in a huff.

……

the next day.

Yihe Road, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office building.

Chu Mingyu's office.

"The Japanese are inhuman!" Chu Mingyu shouted angrily, his face ashen.

"Secretary-General, what happened?" Cheng Qianfan got up and poured Chu Mingyu a cup of tea, asking anxiously.

"The Japanese are not human beings," Chu Mingyu cursed again.

He angrily said to Cheng Qianfan, "The Japanese behavior is shameful. Mr. Wang is furious."

Cheng Qianfan listened to Chu Mingyu cursing and swearing before he finally understood what had happened.

It turns out that just yesterday at the airport, Wang Tianhai enthusiastically showed the Japanese general the Showa-era military sword he had received as a gift.

Unexpectedly, a Japanese officer said, "I never thought I'd see this sword again. It really brings back memories of my apprenticeship."

Upon hearing this, Wang Tianhai inquired with those around him and learned the truth. His face turned pale, and he left in a rage.

This is because the so-called "Showa sword" was actually a practice piece made by an apprentice at the Osaka Arms Factory (the blade is engraved with "Made in Showa 17").

The Japanese officer had worked as an apprentice at the Osaka military factory for a period of time and personally manufactured this Showa-era sword.

PS1: Please subscribe, please tip, please vote with monthly tickets, please recommend. Thank you.

PS2: The details in the chapters are all historical facts.

　Please subscribe, please tip, please vote with monthly tickets, please recommend. Thank you.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)