Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 14 The land is safe and sound, long live the people!

Lin Mansion, Ferguson Road, Shanghai.

"Young Master, did you not sleep well last night?" Butler Gui asked with concern when she saw Chen Yang sitting in the garden in a daze. "Did those Japanese devils scare you yesterday?"

"Damn you Japanese devils! You're just a clean-cut scholar; where have you ever seen such ferocious and menacing figures?"

"The world these days, sigh..."

Chen Yang rubbed his temples and said, "It's nothing. Aunt Gui, could you make me some breakfast, like a milk sandwich?"

"Alright, I'll have the kitchen prepare it right away. Young Master, please read the newspaper for a while." Aunt Gui instructed a servant to bring the newspaper, and then hurriedly went to instruct the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Chen Yang unfolded the latest issue of "Shenbao" newspaper, and a stock analysis commentary on the second page of the financial section quickly caught his attention.

This was the organization's reply to him. After returning to China, as previously agreed, Chen Yang published a missing person notice in the newspaper, requesting to re-establish contact with the organization.

Once the undercover agents in Shanghai see the message, they will report it to headquarters. Then, the liaison officers dispatched by the organization will publish the same contact information in the financial section of the newspaper.

Chen Yang deciphered the useful information by following the special chaining method in the codebook.

"On Rue Beidan, on the second floor of Xiangyun Noodle Restaurant, at exactly 12 noon."

"The code word: Sir, are you carrying any fire?"

"I'm sorry, I recently quit smoking and I don't have any fire in my body."

"Quitting smoking is great, looks like I should quit too."

After sorting through all the useful information, Chen Yang stood up and called out to Uncle Cai, the gardener who was tending the garden in the distance, "Uncle Cai, tell Aunt Gui that I have to go out for a bit and I won't be having breakfast."

Xiangyun Noodle Shop is a noodle shop on Rue Pétain in the French Concession.

Rue Pétain is named in honor of Philippe Pétain, a French Marshal during World War I.

On the second floor of Xiangyun Noodle Shop, Chen Yang arrived on time, following the instructions left by the organization.

After ordering some dishes, Chen Yang sat by the window, eating while quietly observing his surroundings.

With the rendezvous time drawing ever closer, the diners on the second floor remained the same.

"Oh, Mr. Lu, you've arrived. There are still seats upstairs, please come up." Accompanied by the waiter's shout, a middle-aged man wearing long-sleeved shirts and round glasses appeared in front of Chen Yang.

This is a very traditional Shanghai man. His clothes are somewhat shabby but very clean, and his round face reveals a kind smile.

His facial features aren't particularly distinctive; he's the kind of ordinary person you wouldn't look at twice in a crowd...

The middle-aged man, carrying some snacks in his left hand and two bottles of Shikumen liquor in his right, naturally sat down in front of Chen Yang.

"Teacher Lu, what would you like to eat today?"

"Oh, give me a bowl of wontons, and make two bowls of noodles while you're at it." As she spoke, Teacher Lu took out six mao from her inner pocket: "Remember to add a pork chop, and send it to Master Li's house."

"Teacher Lu, you are such a kind person," the shop assistant said as he took the money, clearly familiar with Teacher Lu. "Master Li broke his leg and has been bedridden for several months. If it weren't for your help, his whole family would have had a hard time this New Year."

"Don't worry, I'll make sure the kitchen picks the biggest piece for them." With that, the waiter turned and went to fetch the dish. A little while later, a bowl of wontons was served. Teacher Lu was clearly a bit hungry, and she finished the bowl of wontons in no time.

After wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, Teacher Lu took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, fumbled around for a moment, and then stood up and walked up to Chen Yang: "Sir, do you have any lighters on you?"

Chen Yang shook his head: "Sorry, I recently quit smoking and didn't bring a lighter."

"Quitting smoking is good. It seems I should start quitting too," Teacher Lu said, then turned and picked up the items on the table and walked downstairs.

The code was matched, and seeing the other party leave, Chen Yang tossed a silver dollar onto the table and followed them downstairs.

Two figures walked one after the other on Rue Pétain. When they reached an intersection, Teacher Lu seemed to deliberately stop, then turned and entered the alley.

Chen Yang followed the other person into the alley. After walking less than fifty meters, he lost all trace of Teacher Lu. Chen Yang was startled. Before he could react, a hand suddenly reached out from behind the door of a house and pulled Chen Yang inside.

"Don't be nervous, Comrade Zang Feng. Hello, my name is Lu Yunqing, code name: Jianbing. I belong to the Second Division. Seven months ago, I was assigned by Comrade No. 5 to infiltrate Shanghai and serve as your contact person."

Lu Yunqing's words made Chen Yang slowly lower his hand that was touching his lower back.

Before Chen Yang could ask a question, Lu Yunqing said in a deep voice, "Comrade Zang Feng, there are Japanese spies operating everywhere in the French Concession. The place where we meet is not safe. Time is of the essence, so please listen to me first."

"The main purpose of our meeting is to confirm each other's identities and to convey the mission assigned to you by the organization. The organization has received reliable intelligence that the Japanese are already planning to establish the Nanjing Reform Government to split the territory of China."

"Your superiors have ordered you to use your experience studying in Japan to gain the trust of the Japanese at any cost, and to infiltrate the Japanese puppet regime's organization deep into the country, awaiting further instructions."

“I am your only contact person. I want to solemnly remind you that even if our comrades contact you in the future, or if something happens to our comrades, you must not expose yourself.”

"Your identity is special, so we should try to communicate using a dead email address. Unless absolutely necessary, please do not meet in person."

"I will find a way to notify you once I have the specific contact information and the location of the dead email address."

"By the way, the jade Guanyin you're wearing is the only token that will prove your identity in the future, so you must not lose it."

"I've finished speaking. Do you have any more questions?"

Chen Yang was silent for a moment before shaking his head: "No problem."

"That's good." Lu Yunqing changed the subject and said very seriously, "Comrade Zangfeng, the following message is what Comrade No. 5 asked me to convey to you. In the future, you may be misunderstood by the people, targeted by your own people, and even despised by everyone."

"But please remember, everything you do is for this country. As long as the organization doesn't expose you, even if you have a huge grievance, you must swallow it down."

After a pause, Lu Yunqing continued, "If one day something happens to me and you can no longer contact me, you must remember your wake-up command."

"Password: The land is safe and sound."

"Replying to the order, long live the people."

Chen Yang's nose suddenly stung with tears, and he nodded vigorously, "Comrade Jianbing, I'll remember..."

Lu Yunqing nodded and said, "That's good. You go out first, turn right when you go out, and I'll leave in ten minutes."

"Remember my words, we should not meet unless absolutely necessary."

(End of this chapter)