Espionage: Mastering the Ten Cruelest Tortures of the Military Intelligence Bureau from the Start

The morning mist had not yet dissipated at the Songhu Wharf.

The gray ship was quietly moored deep in the naval port, the two characters "Amaterasu" on its hull gleaming with a cold metallic luster in the morning light.

The dock was heavily guarded, with armed Japanese soldiers standing every ten meters, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Su Mingzhe stood at the edge of the dock, looking at the giant ship that was about to become his grave, his face expressionless.

The countdown in his mind was still ticking, but he no longer cared.

"Director."

Xu Feng walked over carrying two leather suitcases, which were filled with "gifts" they had carefully prepared—timed detonation devices and spare detonators.

"Is everything ready?"

"Everything's ready," Xu Feng said in a low voice. "There's nothing suspicious about the ammunition depot either."

Su Mingzhe nodded.

Just then, a black Buick sedan drove into the dock and stopped not far from them.

The car door opens.

Minglou, dressed in a well-tailored suit and carrying a briefcase, walked over at a leisurely pace.

"Commander Tahira."

Minglou spoke in a businesslike tone, with a standard diplomatic smile on his face.

"Mr. Ming."

Su Mingzhe nodded in agreement.

On behalf of our department, I have come to see you off and also hope to meet General Hase and express my respect to him in person. In addition, I have brought some local specialties for the Imperial Army to eat on board.

These are all in the convoy behind. Would you like to send someone down to load them onto the boat?

After saying that, Minglou waved his hand, and two trucks slowly drove up behind him. Sure enough, both trucks were full of meat and eggs.

“I accept your gift on behalf of General Hase. General Hase is currently busy with official duties, so there is no need to trouble you.”

This means that he transferred a squad of Japanese soldiers over and had them come to carry the loads.

While his soldiers were unloading the loads, the two men stood on the dock, two or three steps apart, like two ordinary civil servants handing over their work.

"I heard you're also returning to the mainland with the 'Amaterasu'?" Minglou handed over the briefcase. "These are some supplementary documents regarding the handover of defense responsibilities."

Su Mingzhe took the briefcase, opened it, and glanced at it.

Inside, besides a few unimportant official documents, there was also a neatly folded note.

He unfolded the note, which contained only one line of text:

"May the pine and cypress remain evergreen, and may our mountains and rivers be forever secure."

Su Mingzhe's throat moved.

He knew that this was Minglou's way of saying goodbye to him.

"Thank you." Su Mingzhe folded the note again and stuffed it into his pocket. "And..."

He paused, looking into Minglou's eyes.

"Give my regards to Mingcheng."

Minglou's eyes flickered slightly.

He certainly understood the deeper meaning behind Su Mingzhe's words.

"I will." Minglou extended his hand. "Have a safe journey."

Su Mingzhe grasped his hand.

The two people held hands tightly, and the warmth of their palms passed through their skin.

This handshake is a trust between comrades-in-arms.

It was also a farewell between life and death.

“Mr. Ming.” Su Mingzhe released his hand, his voice very soft, “If one day you know or see a news article about Yokosuka Port, remember… send a telegram to ‘the other side’ for me.”

"Just say, 'Pine and Cypress' has completed its mission."

Minglou's eyes reddened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and simply nodded vigorously.

"I will."

After saying that, he turned and left without looking back.

Su Mingzhe watched his figure disappear at the end of the dock and took a deep breath.

At this moment, Xu Feng walked over, and Su Mingzhe said to him, "Regret it? It's not too late!"

Xu Feng glanced at Su Mingzhe and said, "It is my honor to be with you!"