Chapter 23: Another Victory, Part Two

Chapter 23: Another Success (Part II)

Was there a flaw in his own reasoning? Xu Ruiyang did not think so. Even an inside informant would not have intelligence to pass along every single day. If the movements were too frequent, it would have aroused suspicion long ago.

Xu Ruiyang was patient. He continued to stake out the entrance of the Security Department for two more days. Cheng Yankun appeared exactly as he had predicted, right on schedule.

Just as Cheng Yankun stepped out the front gate, the rickshaw puller arrived as well. The timing was less than a minute apart, indicating that this had been pre-arranged. If the target hadn't emerged at that moment, the puller would have left to avoid raising suspicion.

The rickshaw puller took Cheng Yankun to a restaurant, collected his fare, and then headed toward the Italian Consulate in Xinjing. Just as he reached an intersection, Xu Ruiyang intercepted him, claiming he needed to go to an alley not far from the Italian Consulate.

Turning down a paying customer was not how a rickshaw puller operated. Fearing no suspicion and noting it was on his way, the man agreed, taking Xu Ruiyang to the designated location—a courtyard with an open gate.

"Pull the rickshaw inside," Xu Ruiyang said calmly.

As soon as the rickshaw entered the courtyard and stopped, the puller felt the cold muzzle of a pistol pressed against his waist. Moments later, two men rushed out from the house and surrounded him.

This was the home of one of Tang Rongcai's relatives. Xu Ruiyang had set a trap in advance, having the two men wait in a nearby phone booth, ready to act as soon as he gave the signal.

"Cheng Yankun gives you ten yuan for delivering intelligence, and the people at the consulate give you another ten. If you pulled that rickshaw for a month, you wouldn't even earn five yuan, would you?" Xu Ruiyang said with a smile.

He pulled two five-yuan notes from the rickshaw puller's pocket, along with a folded piece of paper containing military intelligence. This was enough to satisfy the Foreign Affairs Counter-Espionage Division.

The interrogation went smoothly. The rickshaw puller, named Ge Baomin, made his living in Xinjing. In 1936, he was hired by a clerk at the Italian Consulate in Fengtian as a dedicated driver. In the spring of 1937, he began delivering intelligence for Cheng Yankun. He was illiterate and had no idea what the notes contained.

According to his statement, Cheng Yankun had him go to the gate of the Military and Political Department every two days. For this, Cheng had even given him an old pocket watch. He was told to wait no longer than five minutes; if he didn't see anyone, he was to leave immediately.

As for the frequency, he usually delivered intelligence two or three times a month. He didn't know why the frequency had suddenly increased this month.

Xu Ruiyang guessed the truth: Cheng Yankun and Ma Yonghao had likely obtained similar intelligence. Because the Kwantung Army had major military operations planned for the near future, the Security Department had naturally acquired some information, which was being passed on to the Italian Consulate in Xinjing.

Cracking the case wasn't a suspenseful feat, but doing so in such a short time was truly a matter of luck. It was only because the frequency of the intelligence transfers had increased that he was able to catch the man in the act; otherwise, the surveillance might have taken much longer.

"Ruiyang, how should we handle this guy?" After the statement was recorded and signed with a thumbprint, Tang Rongcai gestured toward Ge Baomin.

"Keep him secretly detained in the police station prison for now. Treat him well. As for the final decision, I need to consult the Division, but I will put in a good word for him. He’s illiterate and can’t really be accused of leaking military secrets. Plus, he’s a veteran in this line of work; he might be useful as an informant later."

"Our profession is inherently dark; it’s better to accumulate some virtue where we can. If I didn't need to establish myself at the Security Bureau, I wouldn't be so eager to do this work. My hands are stained with enough blood; who knows when I’ll face retribution?" Xu Ruiyang said flatly.

If he didn't intervene, the Japanese would undoubtedly execute Ge Baomin for espionage, regardless of whether he could read or write.

After all, who told you to pass intelligence to foreigners and leak the military secrets of the Imperial Kwantung Army?

Having resolved a foreign espionage case, he felt much more relaxed. After sending the rickshaw puller to the police station, he took the two patrolmen to a restaurant for a hearty meal.

It was now mid-February. From the moment he took over the files to start the mission until yesterday, it had taken twelve days.

The next morning, he deliberately skipped work and stayed home to write a case report, drafting it in both Chinese and Japanese. Xu Ruiyang made no mention of the surveillance on the American, Wilson, treating it as a routine contact, focusing primarily on the case involving the Italian Consulate in Xinjing.

His goal was to avoid appearing too formidable, though the speed of his success was already enough to shock the Japanese.

He connected his investigative basis, deductions, and evidence, submitting a report to Ishikawa Shunsuke, the section chief of the Foreign Affairs Counter-Espionage Division, and listed the necessary expenses, including a request for a two-hundred-yuan bonus for the two patrolmen.

The report highlighted the leadership of Ishikawa Shunsuke and the careful guidance of team leader Kimura Masaru, while downplaying his own contributions.

"Ruiyang, the perfume, cosmetics, jewelry, and French women’s coats you requested have been procured by the Shanghai station as ordered by Bureau Headquarters and delivered to Xinjing. I just received them," said Feng Qidong.

"You haven't been in contact with Inoue Haruka these past few days. This is the perfect opportunity to use these luxury goods to win her favor. Director Dai places great importance on the Xi Yixian connection," Feng added.

"In terms of rank and position, you are my superior, and I have much to learn from you regarding professional skills. But when it comes to dealing with women and winning their favor, your methods are a bit outdated."

"If I stay in too close contact with her, the result will be counterproductive. The temperature won't rise; it will drop. Inoue Haruka is a graduate of Nagoya Imperial University and a recorder for the President of the South Manchuria Railway; she cannot be treated like an ordinary girl," Xu Ruiyang said with a smile.

For Inoue Haruka, the help she gave Xu Ruiyang was because he had saved her in time. This showed she was a kind-hearted girl who knew how to be grateful and reciprocate.

Inoue Haruka’s current mindset was to maintain a precious friendship with Xu Ruiyang, not a romantic one. Given their respective positions, a union was impossible.

If Xu Ruiyang got too close or reached out too frequently, he would appear to be a social climber, which would tarnish her impression of him and perhaps even provoke the resentment of her parents and Xi Yixian.

"Fine, fine, you’re the expert. Since Director Dai designated you as the executor, I won't make any demands; you handle it as you see fit. The Shanghai station sent a telegram to Bureau Headquarters: Xi Yixian has returned to the South Manchuria Railway Special Headquarters in Xinjing," Feng said.

"He’s come at the perfect time. I’ll be sure to give him a surprise, and I guarantee he’ll be satisfied!" Xu Ruiyang smiled.