Espionage: You're tasked with spying, but you'll blow up the Special Higher Police?

After Boss Qiao left, Zhou Hongyi and Gu Tianbo chatted and ate for a while longer. Then Gu Tianbo had things to do, and the lunch finally came to an end.

After leaving the Great World Teahouse, Zhou Hongyi strolled along the road, resting. Once he could gradually accept the side effects of his skill, he pondered for a moment, then gave Ah Gui some details. He instructed Fu Sheng to stake out the Western restaurant they had visited that day, while he himself hailed a rickshaw and headed towards the Special Higher Police headquarters.

After all, his official appointment has been granted, and this matter is of utmost importance. With this status, it will be easier for him to get involved in many things.

When Zhou Hongyi arrived at the headquarters of the Special Higher Police, he showed his identification and the Japanese soldier actually saluted him.

He went up to the second floor again and knocked on the door of Colonel Shimazu's office. Soon, that familiar, somewhat lewd voice came from inside: "Come in."

Zhou Hongyi gently pushed open the door, then closed it behind him, straightened his back, and said, "Colonel Shimazu."

Colonel Shimazu beamed when he saw Zhou Hongyi: "Sasuke-kun, you've arrived. Your appointment has been officially issued. You are hereby appointed as the External Affairs Director of the Sakura Trading Company Preparatory Group, responsible for all external liaison matters related to the company's preparations. This means you will be liaising with President Hasegawa and the company's senior management on one hand, and with local trading companies and merchants on the other. The Empire has considered many factors before deciding on this role. Of course, it also takes into account your loyalty to the Empire and your personal abilities. Believe in yourself; you can do a good job."

Zhou Hongyi thought to himself, "Just as I expected." Although he already knew this outcome, he still acted very excited, bowing and thanking Xiao Rizi repeatedly.

"Hehehe, Sasuke-kun, no need for formalities. As long as this matter is handled well, I can put in a good effort for you. There is a vacancy in the Shanghai Ministry of Finance recently. If this mission is completed successfully, I would like to recommend you for this position."

Zhou Hongyi's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly waved his hand, saying, "No, no, no, teacher, this position is too important. I am too inexperienced, and various forces are eyeing it covetously. Moreover, you have just dealt with Colonel Kameda's remaining forces. If you were to assign me to such an important department, it would inevitably arouse the suspicion of the military or other people with ulterior motives. I think it is better for us to keep a low profile at this stage."

Shimazu was surprised that Zhou Hongyi was so considerate of the overall situation. He nodded in satisfaction and said, "But Sasuke, with the merits you have made one after another, it is really too unfair to you to be only a team leader in a police station."

Zhou Hongyi said with shame, "Teacher, please don't say that. It is my duty to share your burdens and the burdens of the empire. How could I dare to covet credit? But...Teacher, have you heard? It seems that Feng Jinxiong, the director of the Second Branch Bureau to which I currently belong, has reached the age where he should be transferred."

This man is incredibly shrewd and calculating, and greedy for money. He'd be perfect for the position in the Ministry of Finance. On the surface, he's not one of us, but in reality, he can act as a balancing force, a bargaining chip. However, if we want to get things done, such as allocating funds from the Wang Jingwei government, going through him would make things much easier.”

Shimazu stroked the small mustache on the side of his lip, squinted and thought for a while before saying, "Sasuke-kun is right. This person doesn't belong to any faction, so it's perfect for him to act as a lubricant in the middle. I will seriously consider your suggestion. Moreover, after he leaves, the position of your police chief will be vacant. At that time, this position must be handed over to Sasuke-kun, so don't refuse me anymore."

Zhou Hongyi was secretly delighted, but he still shook his head shyly and said, "It's all up to you, teacher. So, where will our preparatory team for this chamber of commerce be located?"

Shimazu nodded and said, "Don't worry, I can't interfere too much in this matter. You and Mr. Hasegawa will need to handle it separately."

Shimazu picked up the phone, asked the operator a few questions, and then hung up. A short while later, Hasegawa led a man and a woman into the office.

"Sasuke-kun, you're here! That's great!"

Hasegawa, who has a round head and looks like a turtle, sat there with a smile and introduced Zhou Hongyi: "These two are also members of our Chamber of Commerce Preparatory Group, Mr. Junsuke and Ms. Toko."

Zhou Hongyi politely shook hands with the two men and introduced himself, saying, "You can call me Sasuke, or you can call me Hongyi or Zhongliang."

The man was quite young, wearing a plaid suit and sporting a slicked-back, side-parted hairstyle. The woman, on the other hand, had fashionable, wavy hair and wore a white shirt and a cloth skirt.

"Hello, Sasuke-kun. We've been hearing about you from Mr. Hasegawa all along the way. We were surprised to learn that you're so young and a disciple of Mr. Shimazu. We are very optimistic about the prospects of the Sakura Trading Company. The company's office will be located next to People's Square, in the heart of Shanghai's most bustling city center."

The woman with long, wavy hair took the initiative to extend her slender hand and shake hands with Zhou Hongyi. Her bright eyes revealed a look that was both friendly and, more importantly, scrutinizing.

Another young man shook hands with Zhou Hongyi. The three young men, who were of similar age, chatted for a while, and then Hasegawa said, "Sasuke-kun, now that your transfer order has been officially issued, you don't need to bother Colonel Shimazu anymore. We also have our own office space on People's Avenue."

Colonel Shimazu laughed heartily and said, "Yes, Sasuke-kun, then you should listen to Mr. Hasegawa. After all, your teacher is an outsider to you now. But remember, the Special Higher Police will always be your home, and I will seriously consider the candidate you just mentioned."

As Shimazu finished speaking, Hasegawa smiled and said goodbye. The newly established Sakura Trading Company preparatory team left the headquarters of the Special High Tech and headed straight for their workplace.

It is said that the Japanese would naturally reserve the best places for themselves. On a wide road right next to People's Square, there used to be a gold shop. However, the Special Higher Police found out that the gold shop owner was colluding with the Communist Party and was executed. The building was confiscated. Now, with slight modifications to the interior layout and furniture, it has become the office space of the Sakura Trading Company.

When Zhou Hongyi followed Hasegawa into the Chamber of Commerce, he discovered that it had already hired many employees. Most of the employees were locals from Shanghai, with only one manager, a Japanese-speaking traitor who seemed to have returned from studying abroad in his youth.

"Mr. Hasegawa, Mr. Shunsuke, Ms. Toko, you're back. This must be Mr. Sarutobi, right? All the offices in the Chamber of Commerce have been cleaned. Please follow me, gentlemen and ladies."

When Zhou Hongyi saw the manager with the watermelon-shaped haircut, round glasses, and strange accent, he felt extremely disgusted. He immediately dropped his usual gentle smile, gave a cold "hmm," and then pointed to the door, saying, "Does our Sakura Chamber of Commerce not even have security guards? The door is wide open; anyone can come in and take a look. Manager Huang, what kind of work are you doing?"