My years of espionage

Chapter 2098 Departure (The End)

Hokkaido.

Snowflakes are falling.

Hyōtaro Imamura's foot slipped.

Sakamoto Ryono reacted quickly and helped Imamura Heitaro up.

"I'm getting old," Heitaro Imamura sighed.

“Uncle is still as vigorous as ever,” Sakamoto Ryono said with a smile.

He supported Imamura Heitaro, whose health had suddenly collapsed three years after the war ended.

"The first snow this year came earlier than usual," said Heitaro Imamura.

He stared blankly at the swirling snowflakes, "This winter will be quite cold; life won't be easy for the people of the empire."

"Perhaps even God is weeping for Tokyo," Heitaro Imamura sighed.

Sakamoto Ryono knew that Uncle Imamura was referring to the Tokyo Trials, where the Allied powers tried so-called war criminals.

Several people, including former Prime Minister Tojo, were sentenced to death by hanging, and another 16 were sentenced to life imprisonment.

This is not a pleasant topic.

Ryono Sakamoto decided to change the subject.

He felt that Uncle Imamura would be very interested in this topic.

"Uncle Imamura," Sakamoto Ryono said, "I have news about Miyazaki-kun. Would you like to hear it?"

Imamura Heitaro's expression immediately changed.

He took a deep breath and said coldly, "He's not Kentaro Miyazaki, he's Cheng Qianfan, a Chinese man, an incredibly cunning kid!"

Imamura Heitaro would never forget the time when he learned that Miyazaki Kentaro's true identity was actually Cheng Qianfan, and that he was Xiao Mian, the director of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai Special Affairs Department. He was completely stunned, and his head was buzzing.

It was only after the standoff between the troops of Rafeld and Tang Enbo in the Lucheng Prefecture that Cheng Qianfan's true identity was officially revealed.

Upon learning this news, Imamura Heitaro was extremely shocked and then almost became withdrawn.

He simply couldn't accept any of this.

Sakamoto Ryono glanced at Imamura Heitaro. Uncle Imamura was alright; when they first learned that Cheng Qianfan was actually Cheng Qianfan, and that he was Xiao Mian from the Military Intelligence Bureau, everyone was stunned and couldn't accept it.

Arao Tomohiro, the head of the Shanghai Special Higher Police Section, was ordered to commit seppuku in a state of extreme shock and despair.

In fact, in Sakamoto Ryono's opinion, Arao Tomohiro was rather wronged.

The one who should truly apologize is Mimoto Jiro.

It can only be said that Tomohiro Arao was unlucky.

Of course, what he knew was that Arao Tomohiro's mental state had been very bad ever since His Majesty the Emperor announced the cessation of war.

The 'Xiao Mian incident' was the final straw that broke Arao Tomohiro's spirit.

……

Heitaro Imamura snorted coldly.

Sakamoto Ryono then understood what Uncle Imamura meant.

“The Red Army’s troops have surrounded Beiping,” Sakamoto Ryono said. “Cheng Qianfan is the head of the Beiping station of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and he is now trapped in Beiping as well.”

He told Imamura Heitaro, "If the Red Army occupies Beiping, someone with Cheng Qianfan's background will certainly not have a very optimistic outcome."

"This guy is inherently cowardly and afraid of death. The Red Army's troops don't have air superiority. Even if Beiping falls, that kid can easily escape by plane," Imamura Heitaro said with a cold snort.

Sakamoto Ryono wanted to say that Cheng Qianfan's cowardice was all an act, how could a Kuomintang agent infiltrating the empire be cowardly? But after thinking about it, he ultimately didn't say anything more.

Uncle Imamura's most prized student turned out to be a strategic-level agent of the Military Intelligence Bureau, and Cheng Qianfan obtained so much intelligence from Uncle Imamura that it was as if he had made a fool of Uncle Imamura. This was something Uncle Imamura could never forgive.

Uncle Imamura often stares blankly into space these days, and sometimes he'll say, "I'm so stupid." Even Ryono Sakamoto thinks Uncle Imamura is similar to Xianglin's Wife from Zhou Zhangshou's novel.

"Have you heard anything about the young master of the Kawada family?" Imamura Heitaro asked.

“No.” Sakamoto Ryono shook his head. “There has been no news. Now it seems that Atsuto must have met with some misfortune.”

After returning to Japan, Atsuto Kawada chose to go to Nagasaki, where the American devils dropped an atomic bomb. The entire Nagasaki was like a hell, with nearly 100,000 people dying and many more going missing. It was impossible to count the exact number of casualties.

"Are you still writing that novel?" Heitaro Imamura asked.

"Mm." Sakamoto Ryono nodded.

Heitaro Imamura snorted coldly, but ultimately said nothing.

Sakamoto Ryono gave a wry smile. He knew that Uncle Imamura disliked his book, "Kentaro Miyazaki's Spy Years."

His novel focuses on the story of Kentaro Miyazaki, a top-notch imperial agent, who infiltrates Chinese intelligence agencies under the guise of a Chinese man named Cheng Qianfan...

"I wonder if I'll ever see Cheng Qianfan again before I die," Sakamoto Ryono suddenly said.

"Don't mention this person to me again!" Heitaro Imamura shouted angrily at Ryono Sakamoto, and began to cough violently due to his emotional state.

……

Beiping.

Old Huang opened his briefcase and handed the intelligence wrapped in oil paper to Comrade Peng Yu'ou.

"This is a map of the fortifications of Beiping," Old Huang said. "It marks 203 bunkers belonging to the Beiping garrison."

"That's great!" Peng Yu'ou said happily. "With this map of the city's defenses, our army's casualties will be greatly reduced."

"Is the organization trying to win over Commander Fu?" Old Huang suddenly asked.

"Why do you ask that?" Peng Yu'ou's expression shifted slightly as he looked at Lao Huang.

"The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics' Beiping station has discovered something," Old Huang said. "But don't worry, Comrade 'Flame' has already secretly dealt with it."

Peng Yu'ou remained silent. The matter of the organization sending people to contact Fu Yisheng was an absolute secret, and even if the 'Fire Seed' Party branch discovered it, he absolutely could not admit it.

“The situation is complex and volatile,” Peng Yu’ou said. “You must be extra careful. I don’t want Comrade ‘Flying Fish’ to suffer the same misfortune as you.”

Old Huang fell silent.

……

January 21, 1949.

Beiping, Garrison Command.

Office of the Commander-in-Chief.

Cheng Qianfan's gaze was gloomy.

His sidearm was removed before he entered the conference room.

The other KMT generals present also had somber expressions.

However, these people sat a little further away from Cheng Qianfan, as they were unwilling to have too much contact with this Beiping station chief of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

"Gentlemen, I've invited you all here today because there's something I need to tell you all."

Cheng Qianfan's expression changed slightly as he looked at the other person.

"Our peace talks with the Red Party are almost over."

The expressions of everyone present changed drastically; some looked angry, while others were filled with worry.

All of you here are true diehards.

"What?" Cheng Qianfan sneered. "Does the Commander-in-Chief intend to tie us up and hand us over to the Red Bandits?"

"Station Chief Cheng, you've misunderstood." The Commander-in-Chief glanced at Cheng Qianfan. "I just wanted to inform you all that I intend to arrange a plane to send you all back to Nanjing. What do you think?"

"Is the Commander-in-Chief willing to let us go?" A Nationalist Army division commander asked immediately, his face beaming with joy.

"We've been comrades-in-arms, but our positions are different. Since this isn't the path you chose, let's each go our own way."

“Alright!” Cheng Qianfan stood up abruptly. He looked at the Commander-in-Chief and said, “In that case, I will take my leave. Just send someone to escort me to the airport before boarding.”

Several soldiers stepped forward to restrain Cheng Qianfan.

The Commander-in-Chief waved his hand, "Station Chief Cheng, I won't see you off any further."

"Farewell!" Cheng Qianfan snorted coldly and left.

Seeing that Cheng Qianfan, the head of the secret service, had left safely, the others were finally convinced that they were being allowed to leave, and they all took their leave as well.

……

Return to the official residence.

Cheng Qianfan was overjoyed to see Mao Xuanyi waiting in the living room.

"Zhengze, when did you come to Beiping?" Cheng Qianfan asked, then looked around. "We're having a talk in the study."

"Yes, Chief." Mao Xuanyi gave Cheng Qianfan a respectful military salute.

"I'm being closely monitored here. How did you sneak in?" Cheng Qianfan tossed a cigarette to Mao Xuanyi and said.

“The soldiers outside didn’t stop me,” Mao Xuanyi said.

"Is that so?" Cheng Qianfan was slightly taken aback, then he snorted coldly, "It seems that this Commander-in-Chief Fu really has no intention of taking my life."

"Chief, has things really come to this?" Mao Xuanyi asked.

“It’s a done deal,” Cheng Qianfan sighed. “They’ve already reached an agreement with the Red Party outside the city.”

He snorted and said, "However, this Commander-in-Chief Fu doesn't intend to kill us all. He has already expressed his willingness to send a plane to take us back to Nanjing."

Upon hearing this, Mao Xuanyi fell silent.

"Alright, it's come to this." Cheng Qianfan said with a wry smile, "I, as the stationmaster of Beiping, have so many subordinates who can't do anything about them."

"The Director also has his own assessment of the situation in Beiping," Mao Xuanyi said. "The Director sent me here to convey his words."

"Please say."

"The Director said, 'Where there's life, there's hope,'" Mao Xuanyi said. "The Director said that no matter what, he must ensure that you, Chief, leave Beiping safely."

"The situation in Beiping has deteriorated to this point; I have no face to see the Director," Cheng Qianfan sighed.

“The defection of the Commander-in-Chief of Beiping to the enemy is something that cannot be reversed by human effort, so there is no need for you to blame yourself, Chief.” Mao Xuanyi said, “Now that Commander-in-Chief Fu is willing to escort you back to Nanjing, it is naturally the best thing that could be done.”

"Get ready, you'll be coming back to Nanjing with me in a few days," Cheng Qianfan said after a long silence.

"Yes, Chief." Mao Xuanyi said.

"Are your sister-in-law and the others doing well in Nanjing?" Cheng Qianfan asked.

“Before coming to Beiping from Nanjing, I made a special trip to visit my sister-in-law. Everything is fine at home,” Mao Xuanyi quickly said.

After the Liaoxi Campaign ended, everyone predicted that the Red Army's next step would be to enter the pass. Therefore, Qi Wu sent people to Beiping to escort the Minister's family to Nanjing under the pretext of protecting their safety.

This is both protection and, naturally, also carries a hint of quality.

After seeing Mao Xuanyi off.

Cheng Qianfan called Li Hao to the study.

"The Commander-in-Chief has decided to defect to the Reds, and he has expressed his willingness to send a plane to Nanjing." Cheng Qianfan glanced at Li Hao. "Haozi, would you like to come back to Nanjing with me, or..."

"What do you mean by that, Brother Fan?" Li Hao's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Brother Fan and said, "Of course I'll follow you wherever you go, Brother Fan."

"Alright then." Cheng Qianfan nodded slightly. "Let's prepare in advance. I reckon it'll be something that happens in the next couple of days."

"clear."

Two days later.

The special plane flying from Beiping to Nanjing was filled with die-hard Kuomintang generals who refused to follow Commander-in-Chief Fu in the uprising.

Cheng Qianfan and others were escorted onto the plane by heavily armed soldiers.

"Brother Fan, it's President Qin, Tong Xueyong, and Cao Yu," Li Hao whispered in Cheng Qianfan's ear.

Cheng Qianfan glanced at him and saw Qin Detai, the unshaven and somewhat disheveled head of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics' Beiping station, along with his trusted subordinates Tong Xueyong and Cao Yu.

Qin Detai also saw Cheng Qianfan, his former subordinate in the French Concession. The two smiled wryly and nodded to each other, but neither of them was willing to talk much.

Cao Yu's gaze met Cheng Qianfan's in mid-air, but they quickly looked away. During the flight to Nanjing, the two did not exchange any words.

……

after one day.

Nanjing, headquarters of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

"Qianfan." Qi Wu glanced at Cheng Qianfan. "Your mission on this trip to Taiwan is to purge the underground Communist Party members on the island and restore order to Taiwan."

"Qianfan understands." Cheng Qianfan nodded. "With me on Taiwan, the Red bandits will have nowhere to hide!"

"I've always trusted you to get things done," Qi Wu nodded in satisfaction.

After defeating Tang and Zheng in succession and seizing sole power in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, he couldn't help but feel wary and apprehensive towards Cheng Qianfan, his junior and fellow townsman.

Although he observed that Cheng Qianfan had always been respectful to him, Qi Wu did not let his guard down.

In this "Beiping Incident," Fu betrayed the Party and the State, and Cheng Qianfan, as the station chief of Beiping, failed to detect and stop it in time.

Strictly speaking, Cheng Qianfan committed serious dereliction of duty.

Under these circumstances, Qi Wu did his best to protect Cheng Qianfan. This would not only further win over people's hearts, but Qi Wu also knew that with the stain of his negligence in the 'Beiping Incident,' Cheng Qianfan no longer posed a substantial threat to him.

Therefore, we can be more confident in promoting and giving important responsibilities to Cheng Qianfan.

……

Two days later.

Nanjing Airport.

"What's wrong?" Bai Ruolan asked when she saw her husband standing there, looking around.

"It's nothing," Cheng Qianfan sighed. "I still feel a little reluctant to leave like this."

Qi Wu arranged for people to keep an eye on him. On the third day after returning to Nanjing from Beiping, he ordered him to go to Taiwan. He had no time to evacuate or contact the organization.

"Daddy, will we go back to Shanghai?" the little girl asked, held in Xiao Bao's arms.

"No more," Little Sesame suddenly said.

The little girl is about to cry.

"Yes, I will definitely come back." Cheng Qianfan glared at Xiaozhima. "Don't scare your sister."

Zhang Ping had been silent the whole time. When she saw that the little girl was about to cry, she took the baby from Xiao Bao's hands and said, "Let me do it."

As they boarded, Cheng Qianfan glanced at the plane and saw Xiao Bao standing there, gazing intently out the window. He patted Xiao Bao's shoulder and asked, "Xiao Bao, what are you thinking about?"

"It's nothing," Xiao Bao smiled. "Just like you said, I'm really reluctant to leave like this."

"Could it be that you have a loved one here and can't bear to leave?" Cheng Qianfan suddenly winked and teased Xiaobao.

"Brother!" Xiao Bao protested, looking at Bai Ruolan. "Sister Ruolan, Brother Fan is bullying me."

"Alright, all you do is bully Xiaobao." Bai Ruolan glared at her husband, then asked, "Where are Haozi and the others?"

"Haozi, go to Shanghai and handle my assets there. We'll head over there first," Cheng Qianfan said.

"I hope nothing bad has happened," Bai Ruolan asked worriedly. "I heard things have been rather chaotic in Shanghai lately."

“What could possibly happen?” Cheng Qianfan shook his head. “Shanghai is still under the control of the Party and the State.”

“Besides, Haozai is in Shanghai, and so is Commander Song,” he said to Bai Ruolan. “Don’t worry.”

"Any news about Taozi?" Bai Ruolan asked.

“We’re still sending people to inquire,” Cheng Qianfan said. “Someone saw Taozi’s family in Guangzhou. I’ve already called Guangzhou and asked them to help us find them.”

"I hope Taozi and her family are all safe and sound," Bai Ruolan said.

The plane took off. Cheng Qianfan looked out the window at the blue sky and white clouds. His gaze was fixed on the land below the plane, which was gradually shrinking. His eyes were a little sore and red.

Bai Ruolan handed her handkerchief to her husband.

Cheng Qianfan took the handkerchief, wiped his eyes, and pulled his wife into his arms. "It was my fault for making you leave your hometown with me."

“I’m doing this willingly,” Bai Ruolan whispered in her husband’s ear.

Shanghai.

Old Huang looked up at the azure sky, where birds flew by. In early spring, March, Shanghai already felt the warmth of spring.

Spring Breeze Pavilion.

Old Huang pushed open the door.

Cheng Min stood up and looked towards the door. Not seeing her younger brother, a hint of worry flashed in her eyes.

“Qi Wu has always been wary of him,” Lao Huang said to Cheng Min. “At this time, Comrade ‘Fire Sprout’ is probably already on a plane from Nanjing to Taiwan.”

Cheng Min fell silent.

"This is a map of the Kuomintang's defenses on the Yangtze River." Old Huang handed the intelligence he had painstakingly brought from Nanjing to Cheng Min. "Comrade 'Fire Seed' said that the incident happened in a hurry and the enemy was keeping a close eye on him. He only managed to get a map of the defenses of the Jiangyin Fortress, which focused on the locations of heavy artillery and bunkers, as well as the enemy's ships at the Jiangyin Fortress."

"Before coming to Shanghai, Comrade 'Xiangwu' asked me to pass on a message," Cheng Min said, looking at Lao Huang. "Thank you to the comrades of the 'Fire Seed' Party Branch for their outstanding work and hard work over the years in extremely difficult and dangerous environments."

“Comrade Huomiao will be very happy to hear this,” Old Huang said after a long silence.

"Did your brother say anything else?" Cheng Min asked. "Is there any letter?"

“Letters aren’t safe, but verbal messages are,” Old Huang said. “Comrade ‘Fire Sprout’ said, ‘Sister, I believe Taiwan will be liberated soon, and our whole family will be reunited soon. Little Sesame and Little Nannan haven’t met their aunt yet…’”

(End of the book)

(My new book, "When the East Dawns," will be released tomorrow; it's still in the anti-Japanese war spy genre.)

Thank you all for your continued support. I wish you all a Happy New Year in advance.

My new book, "The East Is Dawning," will be released tomorrow. I sincerely ask for your continued support. Thank you.

It's the last day of the month, and I'm asking for a few more monthly votes for this book one last time. Thank you all for your support.