Chapter 34: Unprepared for Change

Chapter 34: Unprepared Changes

"There is something I haven't told you because Uncle Nishi forbade it. He truly appreciates the capabilities you demonstrated at the Central Security Bureau and intends to transfer you to Shanghai in the Central China region. He plans to recommend you for the position of Chief of the Special Investigation Division of the Municipal Police Department, which is effectively the commander of the Special Police Corps."

"He has already spoken with His Excellency Shibuya. Once you finish your second case and he returns, he will take you to Shanghai. I imagine it will be difficult for us to dine together like this in the future," Inoue Haruka said.

"What? His Excellency Nishi Yoshiaki wants to transfer me to Shanghai?" Xu Ruiyang nearly jumped out of his seat.

His mission was to remain deep undercover in Xinjing, as mandated by the organization. Such a sudden change meant abandoning his mission halfway through—how was he to explain this to his superiors?

"I am very sorry; there is nothing I can do about Uncle Nishi's decision. Moreover, His Excellency Shibuya has already agreed, so the matter is settled. The day after tomorrow, the twenty-fourth, the South Manchuria Railway Company will hold its presidential succession ceremony. His Excellency Omura Takuichi will officially take office, and Uncle Nishi will be there to attend."

The meal was unpleasant. Xu Ruiyang had no desire to leave, and in truth, neither did Inoue Haruka. There were few young men she could converse with, let alone Chinese ones.

Yet, rejecting Nishi Yoshiaki’s request seemed impossible. As a high-ranking official in the Japanese South Manchuria Railway Investigation Department, he held Xu in high regard and was offering him a "future"—how could he refuse?

Hard to leave one's homeland? Bah!

His homeland was in Quancheng, not Xinjing, and he had only lived here for a little over a year. What was there to be attached to?

The position of Chief of the Special Investigation Division in the Shanghai Police Department was clearly a promotion. Furthermore, as the largest international city in the Far East, Shanghai's prosperity was incomparable to Xinjing. How could he not be satisfied with such terms and an environment like that?

"What did you say? Nishi Yoshiaki intends to transfer you to the Shanghai Police Department as Chief of the Special Investigation Division?" Feng Qidong was also stunned.

The Xinjing intelligence cell had worked hard to develop a new member who had successfully infiltrated the Central Security Bureau of the puppet Manchukuo. Given Xu Ruiyang’s "achievements," he was certain to secure a key position in the Bureau, and becoming a division chief had been a sure thing. Naturally, his mood soured at this sudden turn of events.

However, Feng Qidong could not block this. The meaning behind "Boss Dai's" orders was clear: have Xu Ruiyang draw closer to Nishi Yoshiaki to steal critical intelligence. This was the mission assigned by headquarters.

"It is true. According to Inoue Haruka, the outcome is irreversible. The South Manchuria Railway handover ceremony is on the twenty-fourth, and Nishi Yoshiaki will return to Xinjing from Jinling. When he leaves, I will likely have to accompany him to Shanghai." Xu Ruiyang was also in a foul mood.

"This may actually be for the best. Achieving results in the puppet Manchukuo is incredibly difficult; the various intelligence agencies and police departments have tightened their control, and our Military Statistics Bureau underground organization has little room to operate. Shanghai is different—it is the most important battlefield for the Bureau."

"I will immediately send a telegram to headquarters to report this to Boss Dai. The bureau must make advance arrangements. As to whether you should contact the Shanghai station, that depends on Boss Dai’s wishes. Perhaps you will become an independent intelligence officer reporting directly to headquarters," Feng Qidong said.

On the morning of the third day, Shibuya Saburo held a ceremony in the main conference room of the Central Security Bureau, awarding Xu Ruiyang the Fourth Order of the Auspicious Clouds of the puppet Manchukuo, and granted him a private audience.

"Xu-jun, I thank you for your outstanding contributions to the Empire and congratulate you on receiving this imperial commendation. I have asked you here because there is a matter I wish to consult you on," Shibuya Saburo said in his office.

"Please, Your Excellency, give your orders!" Xu Ruiyang bowed.

"Sit down; do not be so constrained! Mr. Nishi Yoshiaki, who recommended you, values your abilities highly and wishes to transfer you to Shanghai to work for the Empire. What do you think?"

"I have only been at the Security Bureau for two months. Thanks to your guidance and the instruction of the imperial elites in the Foreign Affairs and Counter-Espionage Division, I am very willing to continue serving here," Xu Ruiyang replied.

Regardless of whether he had to go, he had to make this attitude clear. He had received training and honors at the Bureau; if he acted overly eager to leave upon hearing of the transfer, it might earn Shibuya’s resentment. If he could stay, that would be for the best.

"Although your time at the Security Bureau has been short, your achievements are exceptional—not inferior to those of imperial agents. If you were to remain here to accumulate experience and study, I believe you could achieve even more."

"However, Shanghai is the core of China's industry and commerce, as well as the financial center of Asia. It is vital to the Empire, yet the current situation there is not optimistic. Due to interference from the International Settlement and the French Concession, the Military Statistics Bureau agents constantly conduct attacks and sabotage, and guerrillas operate in the suburbs. How to maintain normal order in Shanghai is a matter of great concern to the Empire."

"In Manchukuo, our police system has become very refined after years of development. But in Shanghai, or rather the Central China region, the performance of the police is truly disappointing. Their efforts in the encirclement and suppression campaigns conducted by the intelligence agencies and military police not only fail to be effective but often act as a hindrance."

"I have already promised Mr. Nishi Yoshiaki. I have also considered that your home is not beyond the Great Wall, and your experience attending university in Jinling means you will adapt to the Shanghai environment more quickly than in the north. Furthermore, from a personal development standpoint, Shanghai is a great opportunity for you," Shibuya Saburo said with a smile.

"I will follow your arrangements, Your Excellency. Once I arrive in Shanghai, I will certainly do my utmost to serve the Empire and not let you down!" Xu Ruiyang said.

Since Shibuya Saburo had spoken, there was no turning back. He had to accept the Shanghai opportunity whether he wanted to or not. It was made very clear: the puppet Manchukuo police system did not lack for elites like him.

"Nishi Yoshiaki will be back for about three or four days. Hand over all your materials and files to Ishikawa Shunsuke. The car remains yours to use until you leave. When you depart, finalize your resignation procedures and hand in your police uniform, service weapon, and credentials."

"You do not need to come to the office these next few days; use the time to pack. I will have the General Affairs Division pay your full salary for this month. Additionally, you have a bonus for solving the recent case; I have specially approved two thousand Manchukuo Yuan for you," Shibuya Saburo said.

With the bonus and his month's salary, Xu Ruiyang received 2,210 yuan from the General Affairs Division's finance office in one go. If he were still a patrolman, it would have taken him one hundred months to earn that much!

However, the problem was that the Manchukuo Yuan issued by the puppet state could only be used within its territory. Inside the Great Wall, it was worthless paper, as the currency in circulation there was the legal tender of the Nationalist government.

Before leaving Xinjing, Xu Ruiyang decided to use the 2,000-yuan "bonus" to purchase local specialty products from the north to take to Shanghai for networking, keeping only one month's salary for himself.