Chapter 14: Officially Starting Work

Chapter 14: Officially Starting Work

The Manchurian Railway Investigation Department was indeed an intelligence agency, but it was not a secret service organization. Their investigations spanned various fields including urban and rural affairs, agriculture, industry, commerce, military, resources, products, geography, and customs, but they rarely delved into underground operations.

“I was suddenly transferred to the intelligence agency without any prior knowledge. As long as I study diligently and receive guidance from the empire’s intelligence elite, I’m sure I can achieve some success. But you must never touch any intelligence that violates Manchurian Railway regulations. I don’t want you to get into trouble,” Xu Ruiyang said with a smile.

To him, Haruka Inoue was the key to contacting Nishi Yoshinobu, far more important than the intelligence from the Manchurian Railway Investigation Department. She must never break the rules, as that might provoke Nishi Yoshinobu’s displeasure and cause more harm than good.

“Actually, you don’t need to worry too much. Since its establishment, the Foreign Affairs Counter-Espionage Division hasn’t produced any remarkable results. I heard from Major General Cheng Cang that although they know many spies operate in Xinjing, their investigations have made little progress.”

“The Kwantung Army is quite dissatisfied with the Security Bureau’s work. They have repeatedly pressured the bureau through the Bingcheng secret service headquarters, leaving the bureau in an embarrassing and difficult position. With so many imperial agents, none have performed outstandingly, so you don’t need to worry too much,” Haruka Inoue said.

While they were eating, a conversation was taking place in the office of the head of the Foreign Affairs Counter-Espionage Division at the Central Security Bureau, concerning Xu Ruiyang.

New recruits, no matter their background, had to undergo strict vetting before officially joining—that was an unavoidable procedure. Shibuya Saburou had given the same directive.

“He left our bureau and returned home. A couple of days ago, he only went out once, ordering two custom-made suits, buying shirts, ties, and leather shoes. On the third morning, he picked up the suits and bought tea at the shop by the door—probably a gift for us when we meet.”

“Tonight, he dined at the Kwantung restaurant in the New District with Haruka Inoue, the Manchurian Railway president’s secretary. No abnormalities were found,” reported a well-dressed man.

“I’ve carefully reviewed Xu Ruiyang’s file; it’s quite clean. His parents fled the war and came to Xinjing but both passed away from illness. He came to Xinjing from Jinling Central University. Apart from a relative, he has no other connections.”

“He got into the police academy through a classmate’s recommendation, was assigned to the New District police station after graduation, and worked as a patrol officer. No issues were found. I’m not suspicious of him, but this procedure must be followed. Even the Japanese aren’t exempt. The Security Bureau’s nature is special; internal security is paramount.”

“Alright, let it be. He’ll start work tomorrow. Let’s train him for two months first. When on missions, have others bring him along and teach him necessary skills. His English and Japanese are quite good; he can handle translation and surveillance tasks. Since Lord Shibuya personally arranged this, we can’t let him down,” said Ishikawa Shunsuke.

“I don’t understand how a Chinese man could dine with Miss Haruka Inoue. She’s the secretary to the Manchurian Railway president!” a subordinate expressed confusion.

In the eyes of Japanese agents, whether or not Haruka Inoue was beautiful, as a citizen of the empire, she held a noble status. Moreover, she was close to the Manchurian Railway president. How could she dine with a lowly local from Manchukuo?

“Don’t speculate on such matters. I know Haruka Inoue lives in Xu Ruiyang’s patrol area and they often encounter each other during patrols. Perhaps they just happened to know each other for some reason.”

“As long as he serves the empire, some socializing is fine. Do you really think someone of Haruka Inoue’s background would marry him? Even if she did, it’s none of your concern. You’re an imperial intelligence officer; don’t waste time on unnecessary distractions!” Ishikawa Shunsuke said coldly.

“Yes, sir!” the subordinate hurriedly bowed.

Personnel of the Security Bureau were secret police. Field agents rarely wore uniforms unless under specific circumstances. Japanese agents usually wore suits, while Chinese agents preferred Zhongshan suits.

Xu Ruiyang wore an ordinary overcoat outside, with a crisp suit beneath. Early in the morning, he rode a bicycle, carrying a small box of tea, to the Central Security Bureau headquarters.

The two guards at the entrance carefully inspected his belongings, took two boxes of Japanese cigarettes and two packets of tea, then allowed him to enter.

After parking his bicycle downstairs, Xu Ruiyang carried the tea to the large office of the Foreign Affairs Counter-Espionage Division on the second floor.

“I am the newcomer Xu Ruiyang. Please take care of me and guide me in the future. This is the famous Longjing tea from Jiangnan, a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it,” he said politely.

Though the fragrance of the tea could not compare to the spring harvest, its quality was excellent. Feng Qidong’s stock was limited.

As the saying goes, one cannot be faulted for giving many gifts. For tea-loving Japanese, this was a perfect present—not too expensive, but everyone was happy to receive it.

Xu Ruiyang was the only Chinese in the Foreign Affairs Counter-Espionage Division; the rest were Japanese, divided into three groups totaling twenty-four agents. Each received half a catty of tea, while the division chief and deputy chief received one catty each.

His colleagues found Xu Ruiyang humble, polite, and respectful—traits that earned him favor.

“Xu-kun, thank you for the tea. Its aroma alone shows its quality. I’ll bring you some Japanese tea to try next time. Kimura Masaru, take care of Xu-kun and help him get familiar with our work. Bring him along on missions as much as possible!” Ishikawa Shunsuke said approvingly.

A man in his thirties, wearing a suit, stepped out from behind a desk, bowed to Xu Ruiyang, and said, “Xu-kun, I’m Kimura Masaru, leader of the First Group. Welcome to the team!”

“Thank you, Leader Kimura,” Xu Ruiyang replied with a deep bow.

Work assignments followed. Kimura did not immediately involve him in actual operations but handed him a pile of English documents.

“Xu-kun, please translate these materials into Japanese first,” Kimura said.

Japanese agents were highly skilled professionals, but not all spoke English well; most did not. The Security Bureau had dedicated translators.

This task was easy for Xu Ruiyang, who also knew the Japanese wanted to test his English level. The documents were likely not new and might have been translated before.

Thus, during work hours, he diligently translated the materials, and after work, he returned home quietly. His conversations with Feng Qidong were temporarily suspended. Joining the Security Bureau was a top priority, and who knew whether the Japanese agents at the Central Security Bureau were monitoring him?

His caution was justified. Japanese agents were indeed secretly watching around his home. However, apart from shivering from the cold, they found nothing.

(End of chapter)