Espionage codename: Shen Gongbao

"This is medicine that Wang Xuesen got from Jishi Pharmacy." Wu Sibao handed out cigarettes to the group and pointed to the medicine packet on the table:

"Before I left, I specifically switched places with Wang Xuesen, so that if there were any problems, I definitely wouldn't be able to escape."

Li Shiqun picked up the yellow paper containing the medicine and held it up to the light.

Liu Zhongwen, standing to the side, meticulously explained: "The paper and prescription have been treated with medicine, heated and soaked in fire, there's nothing special about them."

"Furthermore, I just had Dr. Zhou carefully examine the prescription, and it is indeed an aphrodisiac and highly nourishing medicine."

"The prescription and dosage were also very professional."

"Piecing together the words on the prescription, no useful information was gleaned."

"It can be preliminarily inferred that Wang Xuesen was indeed only going to buy medicine, and there is no suspicion of exchanging intelligence."

"That's right, this Manager Du's medical skills are probably even better than mine." The doctor surnamed Zhou nodded in agreement.

"There are certainly skilled doctors within the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS)."

"When did Manager Du arrive in Shanghai?"

When did the pharmacy open?

Have all these leads been investigated?

Li Shiqun sat down, took a few puffs of cigarette, and then asked.

"I've checked."

"The pharmacy opened last year. When Manager Du came, Wang Xuesen had already gone to Chongqing."

"It's difficult for the two of them to have any contact."

Wu Sibao replied.

"Brother, in my opinion, Wang Xuesen is lecherous and greedy. He's just a playboy with a bit of cleverness. Aren't you overthinking it?"

"In my opinion, instead of wasting manpower and time on him, it would be better to give me more people to keep an eye on a few rich people and tie them up."

"May everyone have a prosperous Mid-Autumn Festival."

Wu Sibao chuckled shamelessly.

"I don't want to waste my energy on him either."

"But Chen Bijun was convinced that he had a problem, and Mr. Wang instructed that he must be thoroughly investigated."

"It's hard to disobey orders from above."

Li Shiqun sighed softly.

There was another thought he kept to himself: his intuition told him that Wang Xuesen was not as simple as he seemed.

"Director, there's no need to worry."

"Yang Jie has been keeping an eye on several Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) agents. Once the operation is completed and the CBIS Shanghai district head is captured, won't it be crystal clear whether Wang Xuesen is a good person or a bad one?"

Liu Zhongwen said.

As Li Shiqun's core advisor and strategist, his words carry considerable weight.

After a moment's thought, Li Shiqun expressed his agreement:

"Yes, we can relax a bit on Wang Xuesen, but we can't completely let our guard down."

"Si Bao, have Ai Zhen investigate Su Wanjia's background, especially regarding their marriage, matchmaker, and guarantor."

"Neither of these families are easy to deal with; it's unusual for them to get married secretly."

"Does the director mean they're having a sham marriage? There's something wrong with the Su family." Liu Zhongwen frowned.

"Yes, sham marriages are a common cover tactic used by the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) and the Military Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (MMIS)."

"Perhaps this is a breakthrough in investigating Wang Xuesen," Li Shiqun said.

"Brother, I know a little about this."

"At that time, Bai Junqi, the eldest son of the Bai family, was relentlessly pursuing Su Wanjia, and Wang Xuesen was most likely a temporary shield found by the Su family."

"After all, back then, Kageyama Yoshiaki valued the Wang family's surrender very much."

"Wang Xuesen is still quite popular."

"Furthermore, the Su and Wang families are old friends, so this marriage is a good match."

"After the Wang family moved to the mountain city, the Su family, fearing Bai Junqi's retaliation, asked Aizhen to ask Old Ji to mediate."

"Furthermore, Bai Junqi is currently pursuing the daughter of Suzuki, the head of the Special Higher Police Section, so this matter has been settled."

Wu Sibao explained.

"Um."

"That explains why Wang Xuesen and Su Wanjia appear to get along well, but their relationship is actually cold."

"There's even a claim that Wang Xuesen cut off his source of income and resorted to high-interest loans."

"Alright."

"Your sister-in-law thinks highly of Wang Xuesen, and besides, he also intends to join us. So the investigation on the surface will stop here."

"Concentrate manpower and energy to expedite the arrest of the head of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics in Shanghai."

"We've ousted Tang Huimin, we need to win a resounding victory to make the Japanese proud."

Li Shiqun waved his hand and gave the order.

"Yes!" The two accepted the order.

Immediately, Li Shiqun gave a signal, and Liu Zhongwen followed him into the corridor.

"Any news from the Buddha statue?" Li Shiqun asked in a low voice.

"not yet."

"After all, Dafo is in the Military Intelligence Bureau. Xu Enzeng has always been wary of the Military Intelligence Bureau. Even if Dafo wants to investigate, it will probably take him quite a while," Liu Zhongwen said.

"No rush. Wang Xuesen can't pull any tricks under my nose. Let him investigate slowly."

"Remember, safety comes first."

"You, Dafu, and Sibao are the people I trust the most. I will not let my brothers risk their lives for information."

Li Shiqun exhaled a puff of smoke and patted Liu Zhongwen on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Director."

"However, there was still a lot of good news coming from the Buddha statue," Liu Zhongwen said.

"First, Chiang Kai-shek secretly ordered the 172nd Division of the Guangxi Clique in the Fifth War Zone to join forces with Cheng Ruhuai's troops to encircle and annihilate the Fifth Detachment of the New Fourth Army Guerrilla Force in Xiajiashan, northern Hunan, in late August or early September."

"Secondly, through the advanced telecommunications technology provided by the Japanese and his position, Dafo secretly obtained some intelligence about the Military Intelligence Bureau, Dai Li's residence, and exchanges with Shanghai in Luojiawan and the vicinity of Shenxiandong Mansion."

"A small number of these batches used independent password transmission."

"This is a password that has never been used before."

"According to Dafo's deduction, it is highly likely that Dai Li planted a top-secret spy in Shanghai."

"Due to the extremely high security level, the code name, personnel information, etc. are currently unknown."

Liu Zhongwen continued his report.

"When did this batch of telegrams begin?" Li Shiqun asked.

"Cannot be found."

"The encryption system is very complex, and it is difficult to decipher the specific content without the support of Japanese telecommunications experts."

"However, it may also be related to the reorganization of the Shanghai Military Intelligence Bureau."

"Wang Tianmu has messed things up, and Dai Li will definitely send someone else."

"It's perfectly normal to use a new password to communicate."

Liu Zhongwen said.

"You can't think like that."

"My biggest hobbies are eating, sleeping, and talking to Yu Nong."

"If we can crack the telegram and uncover this spy, Dai Yunong will probably be very angry."

"Tell the Great Buddha."

"The focus remains on investigating Xu Enzeng. In addition, I will apply to the Mei Agency to activate a special channel to transfer these telegrams to Shanghai as soon as possible and hand them over to the Japanese for priority decryption."

"Also, intelligence about Chiang's attack on Xiajiashan was presented to Warrant Officer Shibuya."

"This matter is not important to us, but it can prove to the Japanese that our No. 76 has connections everywhere and is not to be trifled with."

Li Shiqun's eyes sharpened, and he gave the order in a low voice.

"Yes!" Liu Zhongwen accepted the order.

……

The next day.

Wang Xuesen arrived at the office.

10:00 AM.

Ying Ying knocked on the door and came in: "Director Wang, Director Ding would like to see you in the conference room."

"it is good."

When Wang Xuesen arrived at the conference room, Qingqi Qingyin, Gangcun, and Zhou Fohai sat at the head of the table, while the heads of other major departments sat below.

The meeting's content was very simple.

It refers to the personnel of the confidential office.

Wang Xuesen was promoted to director, and Liu Zhongwen, the deputy director of the accounting office, was reassigned as the deputy director of the confidential office.

After the meeting, Wang Xuesen acted as the translator for Qingqi and Okamura. The group chatted for a while, and then briefly concluded the case concerning Tang Zengyang before dispersing.

"Xuesen, come to the office." Ding Mocun called out after the meeting.

Upon entering the office, Wang Xuesen closed the door behind him.

Ding Mocun casually tossed the documents in his hand onto the table: "I didn't expect Li Shiqun to be so supportive of you."

"Wanjia may have spoken up for me to Mrs. Okamura privately."

"Whether he agrees or not is up to you, Director. Li Shiqun has no say in the matter."

"He readily agreed, partly to do me a favor, and partly to make you, Master, suspicious of me—a win-win situation."

"Give it back to me, and I'll do it too."

Wang Xuesen smiled knowingly.

"You're mine!"

"I have to say, Old Tang's departure is quite detrimental to my ability to keep Li in check."

"Linzhi Jiang said Wang Tianmu is now desperate and advised me to take him in. What's your opinion?"

Ding Mocun asked.

……