Chapter 3: Origins Unknown

Chapter 3: Unknown Origins

Xu Ruiyang felt that Lin Baofeng was a peculiar man. He couldn’t quite put his finger on why. The tea shop’s business was mediocre at best, yet Lin Baofeng never seemed worried. His life was comfortable—often buying wine and meat without hesitation.

More importantly, Lin Baofeng showed an unusual interest in matters concerning the Police Department, the police station, the Security Bureau, and the Military Police. He frequently brought up these topics, sometimes subtly steering conversations toward them.

At first, Xu Ruiyang thought little of it. But as someone who had been in the police system for some time, gaining experience and insight, he gradually began to piece things together.

As a low-ranking police officer, he rarely came across any significant information. However, a friend who worked in the Police Department’s Special Affairs Division knew more, especially since his father was employed in Manchukuo’s Public Security Ministry, providing even richer sources of intelligence.

Xu Ruiyang deliberately shared what he heard with Lin Baofeng, who perhaps already knew. Between them, a subtle rapport developed.

“It’s snowing heavily with a fierce wind—who in their right mind would buy tea in this wretched weather? I picked up some pork with skin, blood sausage, and sauerkraut. I’ll stew a pot and have a sip or two of wine. Guaranteed a good, warm sleep! Why are you back so late? Did something happen at the police station today?” Lin Baofeng asked with a smile.

“Like you said, nothing much happens in weather like this. On my patrol back to the station this afternoon, I happened to rescue a Japanese girl who was being harassed by some wandering samurai. She said she’s the recorder for the South Manchuria Railway president,” Xu Ruiyang replied with a grin.

“That’s quite a lead. The South Manchuria Railway wields considerable power in the borderlands and has close ties with the Kwantung Army. Although a recorder’s position is quite low, if she’s trusted by the railway president, she must be capable. No one without skill holds such a post.”

“If she speaks well of you to high-ranking officials at the right moment, maybe you won’t have to remain a lowly patrolman. You could move straight to the Police Department or Security Bureau. You need to seize this chance! Give her a small gift, treat her to a meal, and quickly build rapport!” Lin Baofeng urged, his voice slightly urgent.

“Why are you more anxious than I am? Haste makes waste. What if I come on too strong and scare her off? Buying gifts and dining out costs money, and with my meager salary, it’s a miracle I’m not starving,” Xu Ruiyang said with a grimace.

Thanks to his friend’s connections, Xu Ruiyang had graduated from police academy and been assigned to the police station, soon receiving the rank of police officer—the lowest rank—with a monthly wage of only twenty-one Manchukuo yuan. It was just enough to eat and keep from freezing to death.

Dating? That was out of the question with his empty pockets.

“Money isn’t the problem. I’ll handle that for you. You have a promising future in Xinjing, and I stand to benefit greatly too. At least no one dares to mess with me easily!” Lin Baofeng said with a sly smile.

“Uncle Lin, when you say you benefit greatly, it can’t be that simple. If I get a post in the Security Bureau or Police Department, I’ll have access to more secrets. We both know this—after over a year of tacit understanding, you’re breaking the unspoken pact,” Xu Ruiyang replied with a chuckle.

When the truth comes out, the knife is revealed. If he were just a lowly patrolman, their tacit agreement would stand. But at the slightest chance of change, the other party moves immediately.

“Ruiyang, I know you’re clever. You’ve probably already guessed—I’m not a genuine tea merchant, but I’m not a bad man either.

“You haven’t exposed me over the past year and have even helped gather information. That’s not without reason. As for my origins, it’s too soon to tell you now,” Lin Baofeng said.

When bedtime came, Xu Ruiyang lay on the heated kang bed, pondering Lin Baofeng’s identity. He was sure the man held some special status but bore no ill will toward him.

There was no scheme or plot between them, as Lin Baofeng had rented the shopfront before Xu Ruiyang even arrived.

The first identity Xu Ruiyang ruled out was that of an underground Communist operative. He knew well that Communists in the borderlands lived in extreme hardship, barely able to afford even basic food, let alone maintain Lin Baofeng’s standard of living.

Could he be a Soviet spy? The Soviets held significant influence in the borderlands and employed many spies with ample funding.

Or perhaps he was working for the British or Americans? Germans? Italians?

The next day.

Morning dawned, the snow ceased, and the wind died down.

After breakfast, Xu Ruiyang rode his bicycle to the police station to sign in and began shoveling snow. He was on the afternoon shift. But just after finishing and returning to the patrol office to brew a cup of tea, the captain of the Military Police squad from the new district, Lieutenant Yoshida, walked in.

“Captain Yoshida, how may I assist you?” Xu Ruiyang quickly stood and bowed respectfully.

He had witnessed firsthand the ruthlessness of the Japanese Military Police at the station—each one a merciless executioner. Calling them beasts would be a compliment.

“Xu-san, what time did you finish your shift yesterday afternoon?” Lieutenant Yoshida asked with a dark expression.

“Around five o’clock. I signed out at the station; the logbook records the time. I’ll fetch it right away. May I ask what happened?” Xu Ruiyang asked, fully aware but feigning ignorance.

Surely it involved the deaths of two Japanese ruffians that had alarmed the Military Police squad.

“Yesterday evening, two imperial citizens froze to death while drunk. This falls under your jurisdiction. I’m here to see if you neglected your duties!” Lieutenant Yoshida said coldly.

The sign-out times were never perfectly accurate; the station’s management was lax, and most officers filled in their own times, often recording later than actual. No one wanted to be caught leaving early.

Xu Ruiyang retrieved the logbook and handed it to Lieutenant Yoshida.

The captain snatched it, flipped through it, and after a fraction of a second, his expression softened considerably. He looked at Xu Ruiyang with satisfaction, nodded, slipped some bills into his pocket, then casually tossed the logbook back onto the desk.

“Xu-san, the time records are clear. The deaths of the two imperial citizens from alcohol and exposure occurred after your shift ended. We will not hold you responsible this time. But be careful—don’t let this happen again!” Lieutenant Yoshida said with a show of formality before turning to leave.

The bodies of the two Japanese drifters were discovered that morning while clearing snow, immediately stirring the Military Police squad in the new district. They bore direct responsibility for the safety of imperial citizens within their jurisdiction.

Since no signs of assault or fatal injuries were found and no belongings were missing, the Military Police did not conduct autopsies and ruled out murder, launching a broad investigation instead.

The “facts” soon confirmed this conclusion. An informant reported that the two scoundrels had gotten thoroughly drunk at a Japanese tavern the previous afternoon and likely succumbed first to numbness, then to freezing.

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(End of chapter)