Chapter 27: New Opportunities

Chapter 27: A New Opportunity

Major General Jōkura Yoshiue, a haughty officer of the Military Police, spoke so highly of Xu Ruiyang that Nishiyoshi Akira was genuinely surprised. To think that a mere patrolman possessed such exceptional talent for solving cases—it stirred something within him. Talent was a rare commodity, after all.

"It has only been a little over a month since I asked Shibuya to recommend him to the Central Security Bureau. I must admit, his performance has been truly unexpected," Nishiyoshi remarked.

"I will observe him for a while longer. If his success isn't just a stroke of luck, I will provide him with a better stage to showcase his abilities. I am in dire need of such talent," Nishiyoshi said after a moment of thought.

"You want to poach him? He wouldn't be able to utilize his investigative skills at your South Manchuria Railway Investigation Department. Shibuya Saburō would never agree to that—it would be a waste of resources. The Empire’s intelligence services are the only appropriate place for him; I think you will be disappointed," Jōkura replied, shaking his head.

It wasn't that the Central Security Bureau would suffer a catastrophe without Xu Ruiyang, but they currently needed a success story to boost morale. Shibuya Saburō would not easily relinquish such a man to an organization like the South Manchuria Railway.

"I don't intend to send Xu Ruiyang to the Railway Investigation Department, but to work in Shanghai, in Central China! Manchukuo doesn't lack for men like him. The Empire has operated here for many years, our foundations are solid, and the situation is quite optimistic."

"As you know, the establishment of a new government by Mr. Wang is a foregone conclusion. The Empire must supervise this new government in every aspect, and Shanghai’s position is irreplaceable. It will become the Empire's most vital supply base in China. However, due to the existence of the International Settlement, the situation is exceptionally complex."

"Colonel Kagesa Sadaaki, Chief of the Military Affairs Section of the Ministry of War, has been ordered by the Imperial General Staff to oversee all liaison work with the new government. He will be the primary supervisor in the future. He is deeply dissatisfied with the situation in Shanghai, especially regarding the agents of the Military Statistics Bureau."

"Currently, the Empire’s intelligence agencies and military police in Shanghai are constrained by the Settlement. The local police are incompetent, and the agents who have defected to us from the Chongqing government lack sufficient strength. Kagesa Sadaaki has asked me to scout for talent in Manchukuo."

"I just received a cable from Shanghai: Chen Lu, the Foreign Minister of the Reformed Government, was assassinated in his own home by Military Statistics Bureau agents last night! This is a disgrace to the Empire. If this continues, fewer and fewer Chinese will be willing to defect to us, which is detrimental to our rule," Nishiyoshi stated.

Although the Japanese invaders had occupied Shanghai, they dared not press the International Settlement too hard for fear of a diplomatic fallout with the Western powers. Unless they were prepared to break ties, their actions remained restricted.

To protect their interests in China, the nations behind the Settlement engaged in limited cooperation; to make an arrest, one had to go through the Municipal Police. It was precisely this environment that made the Settlement an ideal hiding place for the Military Statistics Bureau, the Central Statistics Bureau, and the underground Communist Party. Several Chongqing government offices were also situated there.

In the Settlement, the Communist underground was relatively weak. The Central Statistics Bureau was slightly stronger with its own action teams, but the Military Statistics Bureau remained the Japanese military's greatest adversary. Due to Shanghai's unique status, Dai Li poured all possible resources into the region, supporting hundreds of sleeper agents, with the Loyal and Patriotic Army guerrillas providing support in the suburbs.

"That reason is plausible, but you must speak to Shibuya Saburō in advance. Otherwise, if Xu Ruiyang achieves further success, he may be reluctant to let him go. While Imperial interests come first, Xu Ruiyang serving in Manchukuo is still serving the Empire."

"Since you value him so highly, if he does go to Shanghai, I can provide a recommendation to General Miura Saburō, the Commander of the Military Police in Shanghai. That man is difficult to deal with, but he and I have a good relationship. Central China is different from the frontiers; our Military Police system controls the police, which would be very helpful for him."

"As for Lieutenant General Ōki Shigeru, the commander of the Military Police in Central China, I am familiar with him, but he doesn't operate at such a high level, so there is no need to specifically recommend him," Jōkura said.

Within the Japanese military, factions were rife, and infighting was common. Not only were there conflicts between the Navy and the Army, but the Army often turned on itself. However, the Military Police were an exception; they were remarkably cohesive. In Manchukuo, intelligence agencies held more power and resources than the Military Police due to the support of the Kwantung Army. But in Central China, the Military Police were dominant, controlling the police system and effectively suppressing the intelligence agencies.

The most notorious figure among them was Major General Miura Saburō, the commander of the Japanese Military Police in Shanghai. A veteran of the Gendarmerie, he was a murderous tyrant, extremely greedy, and prone to blackmail, kidnapping, and opium smuggling. He was also notoriously volatile, prone to turning on people at a moment's notice. It was no wonder the intelligence agencies found him a headache.

"Haruka, do not tell Xu Ruiyang about this yet to avoid creating distractions. I must speak with Shibuya Saburō first. Whether he gets this opportunity depends on his performance," Nishiyoshi said.

Inoue Haruka was truly reluctant to see Xu Ruiyang leave Manchukuo; he was one of the few men she could talk to. But for the sake of his "future," she had to defer to Nishiyoshi's arrangements.

Xu Ruiyang had no idea that a turning point in his fate had arrived. His future was not in his own hands; if Nishiyoshi wanted him to return to the familiar Jing-Hu region, he would have to obey.

What was he busy with? Driving lessons, of course!

The Central Security Bureau had allocated him a near-new sedan—a perk usually reserved for section chiefs. With no restrictions on fuel, he was learning to drive under the tutelage of Ishikawa Shunsuke, an old hand at the wheel, while simultaneously keeping an eye on his second case.

Xu Ruiyang was in no hurry to contact the American intelligence officer, Wilson. He had no immediate use for the promised dollars, and with a five-hundred-dollar bonus plus his monthly salary of two hundred and ten yuan, he could maintain a very comfortable standard of living. He intended to use this money to support the organization. However, as his handler had not yet signaled him, he had to keep the money. In Manchukuo, purchases required Manchukuo yuan, and he dared not exchange foreign currency at a bank for fear of suspicion.

"Xu, the Military Police arrested Cheng Yankun. After a brief interrogation, he confessed to leaking the information. Shibuya-kakka has already signed off on your proposal to develop the rickshaw puller as an informant, as well as the commendations for the two patrolmen. This case is now closed."

"I carefully read your case report. To think you realized the opponent used misdirection to lead us astray—your talent is truly exceptional, and your logical thinking is strong."

"Shibuya-kakka specifically instructed me to tell you to continue your efforts, strive to solve another espionage case in the short term, and eliminate these hidden threats," Ishikawa Shunsuke said.

"Thank you for your guidance, Section Chief. I will work hard to find clues and solve the case as soon as possible, so as to live up to your trust and Shibuya-kakka's cultivation," Xu Ruiyang replied.