Anti-Japanese War Espionage: I Have an Omniscient Perspective

The two walked into the courtyard of the current headquarters of the Loyal Righteous Gang. The largest room belonged to Huang Dazhu, the gang leader.

Upon entering the room, Lin Rui immediately said, "Dazhu, find me a group of fresh faces, clever and sensible ones."

Huang Dazhu was taken aback: "Boss, what do you want to do?"

"Keep an eye on Tongfu Lane, on the Tongfu Society's branch there," Lin Rui said in a low voice. "Your men just need to keep watch from a distance on the outside. If any strangers come in or out, or if there's any unusual activity, notify me immediately."

Huang Dazhu's expression hardened: "Dealing with the Tongfu Society? That just happens, I was preparing to guard against them anyway. I'll go make the arrangements right away."

"Don't rush, it starts tomorrow. By the way, what do those shop owners on Belle Street want with you?"

"Master, this is exactly what I was about to talk to you about. They want me to talk to Young Master Li about the cultural inspectors, and ask if they could stop closing down shops for inspections so easily. I don't even know Young Master Li, so why are they asking me? Sigh, I can't refuse."

"You have a connection with Young Master Li. Do you remember when I asked you to rescue Manli outside the Jincheng Grand Theater?"

"I remember."

"It was Young Master Li who sent people to arrest Manli back then."

"I see. Then I have a grudge against Young Master Li, so I can't help them at all."

"Don't rush into this. Young Master Li is too flamboyant and doesn't know his limits. Someone will definitely deal with him. But it can't be you. Your Loyalty Gang has only just started. You can't touch Young Master Li."

"Understood. Then I'll stall and refuse to see Young Master Li."

"Okay, I'll be going now."

.......

After Lin Rui left, Huang Dazhu sat in the room, his brows furrowed, completely sober.

He verbally agreed to keep watch, but in his heart he dared not be ambiguous in the slightest.

Although the brothers of the Loyalty Gang were all clever, they were all familiar faces in the Belé Street and the French Concession. The Tongfu Society and the Loyalty Gang were sworn enemies. If the gang members were sent to keep watch in Tongfu Lane on Julaida Road, they would be recognized by the Tongfu Society in less than half a day. At that time, not only would they ruin the boss's big business, but they would also get burned.

"If we can't use people from the gang, then who can we ask?" Huang Dazhu muttered to himself, pondering for a while, and suddenly remembered Zhang with the rotten face.

The old man was a seasoned veteran from Beiping. He had spent some time in the French Concession and had taken on a few pickpockets as his apprentices. These pickpockets were young and inconspicuous, and they roamed the streets and alleys year-round. They were best at reading people and concealing their movements, making them perfect for tailing.

Thinking of this, Huang Dazhu immediately got up and hurried to the courtyard in the back alley of Beile Street.

At this moment, Zhang, the man with the rotten face, was sitting on the stone table in the courtyard, fiddling with his "one bag, seven items." When Huang Dazhu came in, he didn't even raise his eyelids: "Huang boy, why aren't you staying with your Loyalty Gang? What are you doing in my poor courtyard?"

"Old Zhang, I need your help." Huang Dazhu didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point, saying that he wanted to keep an eye on the Tongfu Club. He added, "The people in my gang are all familiar faces, and it would be easy to expose us if we went there. I heard that you have a few pickpockets under you who are very clever. Could you please ask them to help me keep an eye on things at Tongfu Club? The pay is negotiable, and I will definitely treat the kids well."

Zhang, the man with the rotten face, put down the nasal grease he was holding, glanced at Huang Dazhu, and smirked: "I live in your turf, so it's only right that I lend a hand. Those guys are always hanging around Julaida Road and Xiafei Road, they know Tongfu Lane inside and out. Let them keep watch, and they're guaranteed not to get caught."

He paused, then added, "But let me make this clear: the kids are only responsible for keeping watch and relaying information. They won't get involved in your gang's feuds. If anything happens, you'll have to protect them."

"Of course!" Huang Dazhu nodded hurriedly, took out a few yuan and handed it over, "Old Zhang, this is the deposit. I'll give the children more money after things are settled."

Zhang, with his rotten face, didn't refuse. He took the banknotes and stuffed them into his pocket. "Wait for me here." After saying that, he went out for a stroll.

After a while, he brought back four half-grown children, all of them pale and thin, wearing old patched short jackets, but with exceptionally bright eyes.

The children looked at Huang Dazhu timidly, but upon closer inspection, they could see a hint of江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and outlaws) about him. He was none other than Zhang Shou's pickpocket.

"You lot, listen to Chief Huang's orders." The man with the rotten face opened his mouth, his tone stern. "Go to Julaida Road and keep an eye on Tongfu Lane, especially if there are any strangers coming in or out, or any big commotion. Immediately report to the Zhongyi Gang on Beile Street. Don't slack off, don't talk nonsense, and don't go near the Tongfu Association's headquarters, understand?"

"Understood!" the four children replied in unison.

Huang Dazhu looked at the children and carefully instructed them again: "Remember, just watch and don't move. If anything seems amiss, run and report it immediately. Don't worry about anything else. If you're discovered, just say you're a ragpicker, don't implicate Old Zhang or me." After saying that, he stuffed some copper coins into each child's hand. "Take these, buy some candy, and work hard."

The children took the copper coins, nodded happily, turned around and slipped out of the yard, their figures quickly disappearing at the end of the alley.

Looking at the children's retreating figures, Zhang with the rotten face said to Huang Dazhu, "Don't worry, these kids are all trained by me. They're tight-lipped and clever, they won't cause any trouble."

Huang Dazhu thanked him repeatedly and gave him a few more instructions before returning to the Loyalty Gang with peace of mind.

........

A day later, at the Lianhua Film Studio, Lin Rui was in his office holding a meeting with his team members to arrange matters related to dealing with the cultural inspectors.

He knew that Young Master Li was arrogant and ambitious. Dealing with such a person, going against him head-on would only bring trouble, while being too compliant would only lead to him taking advantage of him. He was not easy to deal with.

He ordered his men to organize all the films and scripts in the studio, hide all those related to the War of Resistance against Japan, and instructed his team members to clean up the studio's courtyard.

In addition, he specially arranged for the preparation of fine tea and snacks, as well as several boxes of exquisite pastries.

At 10 a.m., a car stopped in front of Lianhua Film Studio.

"Young Master Li has arrived. Let's go and greet him."

Lin Rui led Chen Shan and Zhao Erzhu downstairs to the door.

A young man in a brocade robe and top hat stepped out of the black sedan. He had an arrogant face and a contemptuous look in his eyes. He was followed by two attendants in suits. He was none other than Mr. Li, the cultural inspector.

Young Master Li stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the entrance of Lianhua Film Studio, his tone tinged with disdain: "This is Lianhua Film Studio? It doesn't look like much."

Lin Rui stepped forward with a faint smile, his tone composed: "Young Master Li, it is an honor to have you here. Please come in."

Young Master Li glanced at Lin Rui and sneered, "You're the current manager? I've never seen you before. In the past, the boss of Lianhua Film Studio would greet me with great courtesy and come out to greet me personally. Unlike you, who are so disrespectful."

Lin Rui's smile remained unchanged as he stepped aside and gestured for him to proceed: "Young Master Li is too kind. The former boss has long since left, and I've taken over the film studio. Everything is done according to the rules. As the cultural inspector, I naturally wouldn't dare to be negligent in my inspection. I just wonder if you've come today to inspect the films or to check the studio's compliance?"

He deliberately steered the conversation toward "inspection work," both to express his stance and to shut down any potential trouble from Young Master Li.

Mr. Li was taken aback. He hadn't expected the new manager to be so composed, unlike the other merchants who were so subservient to him. Although he was displeased, he couldn't find a reason to lash out.

"Hmph, of course a full inspection is necessary." Young Master Li raised his chin and led his men into the film studio.