Chapter 12: Triple Jump

Chapter 12: The Triple Leap

“Don’t even mention my heartbreak. With my current job and circumstances, her father—a wealthy salt merchant with vast fortunes—would ever agree to me as a son-in-law? Even if she wanted to come to the New Capital with me, I wouldn’t want her to suffer,” Xu Ruiyang said, a trace of gloom in his voice.

“I’ll make a toast with a bowl of penalty wine. Once you join the Foreign Affairs and Counter-Espionage Division, your first task is to make some achievements to establish your footing. Only then can you gain the Japanese’s recognition. I’ll keep an eye on the Intelligence Division’s information to see if we can find a breakthrough. Actually, your current status is a kind of resource,” Xiao Chenglin said.

The Intelligence Division’s environment was similar to the Security Bureau’s but far superior to the police station’s. Although Xiao Chenglin joined around the same time as Xu Ruiyang, his experience and expertise were undoubtedly on another level.

“You sly strategist, spill it,” Xu Ruiyang asked.

“Regarding the strength and troop deployments of the Kwantung Army, the forces in Manchukuo, and the situation of their intelligence agencies—whether it’s the British, Americans, French, Soviets, Germans, or Italians—everyone wants to get their hands on this intelligence. The most eager are the Germans and Soviets,” Xiao Chenglin explained.

“According to the Intelligence Division, Germany’s interest in the Kwantung Army aligns with the Soviet Union’s: to assess its strength because a war between the Soviets and Germans may erupt!”

“If the Kwantung Army ties down Soviet forces, Germany would be more than happy to have the pressure eased. That’s why all parties are devising every possible means to gather intelligence.”

“You becoming an officer in the Foreign Affairs and Counter-Espionage Division isn’t a secret. While you might fool outsiders, you can’t hide it from the police system, let alone the Security Bureau. I suspect you’re like a fresh flower—swarm after swarm of bees and butterflies will come fluttering your way!” Xiao Chenglin said.

“Stop pretending to be an intellectual and don’t use idioms you can’t even handle. If you do, you won’t even be able to stomach the simplest meal—I’d rather puke!”

“So you mean I should use myself as bait, catch a couple of small fish, and that counts as an achievement? Then I can stand my ground in the Security Bureau?” Xu Ruiyang asked.

A newly recruited officer wasn’t particularly valuable. Those daring enough to approach him wouldn’t be heavyweight players—only minnows and small fry.

This was the most conventional approach; its advantage lay in quickly producing results to win the Japanese’s favor.

“Smart, but a bit dangerous. You won’t catch any big fish. The kind of people who become foreign spies aren’t easy to mess with. But then again, in our line of work, it’s like hanging your head by your waistband. It all depends on your ability to adapt,” Xiao Chenglin whispered.

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“I’m just a small patrol officer, with no exposure to intelligence work. If I came from the Intelligence Division, things would be better. Let’s see how the Japanese arrange things first. I don’t expect to participate in operations anytime soon,” Xu Ruiyang said.

His current task was to take steady, cautious steps and prepare for long-term undercover work. This risky tactic simply wouldn’t do.

He was just a low-ranking officer with no power or backing, unable to protect himself. To go alone and provoke spies hired by foreigners was tantamount to rushing toward death.

Surveillance or arrests were acceptable, but serving as bait crossed the line—it was a matter of personal safety!

Just as he returned home and opened the door, Feng Qidong emerged from the side room. He was even more anxious than Xu Ruiyang. The situation beyond the border was extremely severe, and progress in their work had stalled. Although Boss Dai didn’t blame him, Feng Qidong didn’t want to waste his days like this.

Currently, the New Capital Intelligence Group pinned its hopes on Xu Ruiyang. Just a few overheard words from him could benefit the entire intelligence team for a year. The headquarters had already issued commendations.

“How is it? Any news today?” Feng Qidong asked eagerly after entering.

“The Fourth Division of the Central Security Bureau, that is, the Foreign Affairs and Counter-Espionage Division, and I even met the hidden boss behind the Security Bureau, Saburo Shibuya. My onboarding procedures are complete. I officially start work in three days!” Xu Ruiyang replied.

“That’s excellent. Our Military Statistics Bureau operates outside the border; finally, we have a comrade who can infiltrate the core of the Japanese puppet intelligence agency. The Security Bureau involves the Kwantung Army’s Second Staff Section, intelligence agencies, and the Military Police Command’s Special Higher Section. Gathering intelligence will be much easier from now on.”

“I also have good news for you. The headquarters just sent a secret telegram. President Chiang highly praises the intelligence you gathered on Wang Jingwei. During these extraordinary times, exposing the true face of this traitorous collaborator is especially significant. Because of this, you’ve been given an extraordinary commendation!” Feng Qidong said joyfully.

Getting Xu Ruiyang into the Military Statistics Bureau was no great feat, but having him infiltrate the Security Bureau’s enemy intelligence agency was certainly an achievement!

More importantly, with Xu Ruiyang’s covert support, the New Capital Intelligence Group could finally act decisively, no longer like blind men hiding and afraid to move. Intelligence was paramount.

“An extraordinary commendation? Isn’t that a bit exaggerated?” Xu Ruiyang smiled.

To him, a commendation was just a commendation order. He hadn’t even earned merit in his own organization yet, but unexpectedly, he’d been rewarded by the Mountain City government.

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“Boss Dai conveyed the chairman’s personal order: you’re being promoted beyond the usual standards to Army Major, with your official rank recognized as Army Infantry Captain. You’ll receive a $10,000 reward and be awarded the Grand Ribbon Yunhui Medal—second class Yunhui Medal, traditionally only awarded to generals. This is a special commendation from the chairman and reflects Boss Dai’s expectations of you.”

“The headquarters gave you the codename ‘Polaris.’ Only I know your identity outside the border. Your mission is to use your intelligence network to gather information on Japanese troop movements in North and Central China, especially regarding Wang Jingwei’s impending puppet government. The South Manchuria Railway is an excellent channel,” Feng Qidong said seriously.

Xu Ruiyang was stunned by this windfall falling from the sky. Just from overhearing a few conversations between the Japanese, he’d earned a promotion, money, and a medal!

What did a $10,000 bonus mean?

According to the Mountain City government’s agreement with the U.S. government, the exchange rate was 100 Fa currency to 30 U.S. dollars, or roughly 10 to 3. This $10,000 equaled over 33,000 Fa currency!

In the 25th year of the Republic, when the Mountain City government first introduced the Fa currency, 100 Fa could buy two cows. Though the currency had depreciated, 100 Fa could still buy a cow within the border—a substantial sum indeed!

“One piece of intelligence and I leap three ranks—from second lieutenant to major in an instant. I feel like I’m not far from becoming a general,” Xu Ruiyang laughed.

“You haven’t even begun to rest, and you’re already dreaming? The Wang Jingwei matter is a top priority for the Mountain City government. The secret intelligence about his betrayal is strategic-level information, naturally very valuable. President Chiang wants to understand the full truth!”

“But now, with your intelligence, the situation has become clearer. Every move Wang Jingwei makes is under our Military Statistics Bureau’s watch, so the intelligence you’ve obtained has lost its high value.”

“Becoming a general isn’t impossible either. If you manage to shoot Wang Jingwei, President Chiang will surely promote you to brigadier general, maybe even lieutenant general. He might even award you the Blue Sky and White Sun Medal!” Feng Qidong said with a smirk.

(End of chapter)