Chapter 10: Transfer (Part Two)
Chapter 10: Transfer (Part 2)
"Mr. Xu, please come with me! I’m sorry, there’s been a change of plans this time. Please don’t blame me," Haruka Inoue said as she led him to her office.
"Didn't get it done? That’s okay, there’ll be other opportunities!" Xu Ruiyang quickly replied, feeling a bit disappointed—the transfer was apparently off!
"That’s not the case. Uncle Xi recommended you to General Saburo Shibuya, who is in charge of the Security Bureau. Your transfer order will be issued soon. You'll be assigned to Section Four of the Central Security Bureau, the Foreign Affairs Counter-espionage Unit," Haruka explained.
"The Security Bureau is a prestigious organization in Manchukuo, with great power and benefits. So why are you apologizing, Haruka?" Xu Ruiyang was a little confused.
The Security Bureau was officially a secret police unit under the Manchukuo Police Department, but in reality, it was on the same level as the Police Department itself, controlled behind the scenes by the Kwantung Army’s Second Staff Section and closely tied to the headquarters of the Bingcheng Special Service Agency.
While the Police Department handled public security and criminal cases, the Security Bureau’s functions were much narrower: primarily counter-espionage, then intelligence gathering, and suppressing anti-Japanese activities.
The Security Bureau generally concealed its identity and did not display signs at its locations, known only to insiders.
It had the authority to command police officers and could request assistance from the Military Police for large operations, though the Military Police often hindered their efforts due to their complicated relationship with the Special Service Agency.
The Military Police also oversaw the Security Bureau, often placing it in a difficult position, but despite this, the Security Bureau wielded considerable power, far surpassing that of ordinary police stations.
"The Security Bureau’s environment is more complex, with greater personal risks and threats. I originally planned to transfer you to a government department, but Uncle Xi believes that since you’re already a police officer, you’ll adapt more quickly in the Security Bureau," Haruka said with concern.
Xu Ruiyang was well aware of the conflict between the Kwantung Army Military Police Command and the Bingcheng Special Service Agency headquarters; the Security Bureau was right in the eye of this storm, making its environment truly complicated.
Yet he was secretly thrilled—this role was exactly what he had dreamed of: access to two intelligence systems of the Kwantung Army, which would greatly aid his information gathering.
This was a crucial step, marking a significant milestone in his undercover career, a leap from patrol officer to secret agent.
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January 8th, 1939, 10 a.m.
Central Security Bureau, Manchukuo Department of Public Security, Counselor’s Office.
The Central Security Bureau publicly operated under the guise of a Public Security Branch Office and did not directly use the Security Bureau’s name—a deliberate cover, though those who needed to know, knew; those who didn’t still suspected.
"Mr. Xu, I have reviewed your file. You graduated from the Accounting Department at Jinling Central University’s Business School, are proficient in English, completed six months of police training, and served one year as a patrol officer. With your education and language skills, you qualify to join our Security Bureau. For now, you'll be assigned to the Foreign Affairs Counter-espionage Unit," Major Saburo Shibuya said.
"Xi Yixian is an old friend of mine; his recommendation must be honored. I’m granting you the provisional rank of Police Lieutenant, with a salary equivalent to a Manchukuo Army Second Lieutenant—115 yuan per month, plus additional allowances for assignments."
"You were personally ordered here by me. You must be cautious and meticulous; this is no ordinary agency. Do you understand?" Shibuya emphasized.
"Sir, rest assured, I will study diligently, strictly observe discipline, keep all matters confidential, quickly adapt to the Security Bureau’s environment, and never let you down!" Xu Ruiyang bowed deeply.
Xi Yixian hadn’t come in person but instructed Xu to report directly to Shibuya, who, being cautious by nature, called him into the office for a few words of advice.
"You’re right, the Security Bureau is a highly specialized intelligence agency with strict personnel requirements. Obedience to discipline and command are the bare minimum; secrecy is fundamental. Since you understand this, I feel reassured. Return to the police station and await your transfer order," Shibuya said, clearly satisfied.
The key was that Xu hadn’t boasted about his abilities or flattered him; his words perfectly matched Shibuya’s expectations.
A patrol officer with only a year of experience couldn’t possess much specialized knowledge.
Being eager to learn, humble, cautious, self-disciplined, and obedient are the qualities a newcomer should embody. Based on Xu’s demeanor, Shibuya felt a measure of approval.
The Central Security Bureau acted swiftly. As soon as Xu returned to the police station, the chief summoned him to the office—the personnel department of the Central Security Bureau had already called.
"Brother, now that you’re in the Central Security Bureau, be sure to look out for us at the police station. If anything comes up, just give the word!" The chief smiled and handed over a red envelope.
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The police station was obliged to cooperate with the Security Bureau but did not fear it. Both departments had separate systems and often clashed. Such words were mere formalities, as the chief did not fully grasp how Xu operated.
But he knew that pulling off something like this meant powerful patrons were involved. Offending Xu didn’t matter, but offending those patrons would be dangerous.
Yet Xu’s mind was occupied with a far more fearsome figure: Saburo Shibuya, the ruthless “King of Assassins”!
Saburo Shibuya was from Tokyo, graduated from the Japanese Army University, served as staff officer in the 14th Infantry Division, colonel of an infantry regiment, aide in the Kwantung Army Command, chief of the Heihe Special Service Agency, military attaché at the Japanese Embassy in Germany, and commander of the Imperial Guards Third Regiment.
On February 26, 1936, Japan experienced the infamous February 26 Incident—a violent clash between the Imperial Way Faction and the Control Faction.
Prime Minister Keisuke Okada narrowly escaped death; the Home Minister Admiral Saitō Makoto, Army General Watanabe Jōtarō, and Finance Minister Takahashi Korekiyo were assassinated; the Emperor’s aide Admiral Suzuki Kantaro was nearly killed. Shibuya’s subordinates participated in this event.
Impacted by the incident, Shibuya was transferred to the reserves and dispatched outside Manchuria in August, appointed police chief of Binjiang Province. It was under his orders that martyr Zhao Yiman was executed.
In October 1937, he was appointed Director of the Police Department of Manchukuo’s Ministry of Civil Affairs.
In August 1938, he took a high-ranking position in Mudanjiang Province.
What Xu did not yet know was that by the end of 1939, Shibuya would be appointed Deputy Minister of the Manchukuo Department of Public Security, wielding supreme authority over the police system, including the Security Bureau.
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"Hey, you really pulled it off—transferred quietly to the Central Security Bureau. Are you really my brother? Why didn’t you drop me a hint about such a big deal?" Xu’s closest ally in Xinjing, his roommate, classmate, and good friend Xiao Chenglin, called him. Being part of the Xinjing Police Department’s Special Affairs Section, he was exceptionally well-informed.
(End of chapter)