Chapter 19: The Skills of the Accounting Department – Part One

Chapter 19: The Accounting Department’s Capability (Part 1)

In just over twenty days, Katsuo Kimura believed that Ruiyang Xu was ready to undertake missions independently. Ruiyang had previously studied at the police academy, providing him with a solid foundation. Coupled with his meticulous mind and quick thinking, his learning speed was naturally rapid.

In terms of basic skills, as a seasoned agent, Kimura had little left to teach. The techniques he imparted were well known among agents, yet their application varied greatly from person to person—some simply lacked the innate aptitude.

This indicated that Ruiyang’s talent suited espionage work well; what he lacked now was experience, which he needed to accumulate through practice.

Having received his own mission dossier, Ruiyang felt somewhat relieved. Passing the third stage at the Central Security Bureau was a smooth achievement.

To truly establish himself and earn the complete trust of the Japanese, he now needed to deliver results.

“The Foreign Affairs Counterintelligence Department assigned me four targets: a German, an Italian, an American, and a Soviet. The investigators are Japanese—it’s quite the mix!”

“They all share these traits: residing in Xinjing for over six years, living reclusively with limited activity range, minimal contact with others, no official dealings with Manchukuo officials, and venues they frequent show no suspicious entry or exit after thorough investigation.”

“Damn it, the surveillance density by the Foreign Affairs Counterintelligence is already maxed out. They’ve been watched for no less than two months—phone taps, covert home searches, nearby radio monitoring teams, and telescopic remote observation teams!”

“Wherever they go, everyone entering and leaving is secretly photographed and investigated. Yet none of this has yielded results—how am I supposed to investigate?” Ruiyang lamented over drinks with Qidong Feng.

Feng inhaled sharply, acknowledging the meticulousness and patience of the Japanese spies. Their coverage was seamless; every person entering or exiting a target’s location was scrutinized. It was wise that the Xinjing intelligence team had remained inactive.

“Don’t lose heart. If they can’t find anything, it’s normal you can’t either. If you manage to discover even a little, you’ll have made a great contribution to the Foreign Affairs Counterintelligence. The Military Commission has no foundation in Xinjing; I can’t be of much help,” Feng said.

He was eager to assist Ruiyang in establishing himself, but the Japanese had already exhausted all the investigative methods Feng could conceive. He couldn’t think of any other approaches.

Chapter 19: The Accounting Department’s Capability (Part 2)

“If the Foreign Affairs Counterintelligence can’t find the problem, it means something has been overlooked. Tomorrow, I’ll compile the surveillance records into a chart to see if any patterns emerge. Underground work is extremely rigorous—if there are no new locations, the issue must lie within these known places,” Ruiyang resolved.

The next morning at the Foreign Affairs Counterintelligence Department, he didn’t rush out but instead laid out all the surveillance records on the American on his desk, drawing a chart with a ruler on blank paper.

The Japanese agents were thorough: dates of outings, destinations, times, durations, details of those entering and leaving—all recorded clearly.

Ruiyang, a graduate of Jinling Central University’s Accounting Department, excelled at calculations and data organization. Gradually, patterns began to emerge.

When intelligence is insufficient, patience and meticulousness are the only ways forward—this was thanks to the solid groundwork laid by the Japanese spies.

The American, Wilson, frequented two places most: the Anya Café and the Xinjing Racecourse. The racecourse only held events in spring and autumn and was currently closed, so it could be temporarily disregarded. The main focus was the café.

According to the Japanese records, Wilson visited the café twice weekly—foreigners’ favored haunt, famed for its coffee and pastries.

The pattern changed monthly. In one month, appearances fell on odd days: if he visited Monday and Wednesday one week, the next was Friday and Sunday; the third week, Monday and Friday; the fourth, Wednesday and Sunday. Visits alternated between mornings and afternoons.

The next month, even days featured visits: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in pairs—first week Tuesday and Thursday, second week Tuesday and Saturday, third week Thursday and Saturday—also alternating morning and afternoon.

At the café, Wilson often invited other foreigners for conversation. Occasionally, diplomatic staff from the American Consulate in Fengtian would meet him there.

Ruiyang deduced that if intelligence was exchanged, it would be placed somewhere in the café prior to Wilson’s arrival and secretly retrieved afterward.

The problem was, Wilson always reserved a seat in advance—and varied his seat each time. From the moment he left home, security was on him; not only his seat but even the restroom was pre-checked. Where could such intelligence be hidden?

Friday afternoon.

Chapter 19: The Accounting Department’s Capability (Part 3)

Ruiyang arrived at the Anya Café, circled the area first, then entered and ordered a coffee by the window.

Previously, he lacked the means to frequent such upscale places for leisure; now, with the Security Bureau’s funding, coffee expenses were reimbursable.

Unexpectedly, the waitstaff were stunning White Russian women.

“White Russian” was a term for Russian refugees. Each young woman wore a beautiful uniform, with striking features and figures—golden or chestnut hair, brown or blue large eyes, and snow-white skin.

At 3:45 pm, American businessman Wilson arrived and sat at a table not far from Ruiyang. Within minutes, another foreigner joined him.

They chatted over cigars as a beautiful White Russian waitress delivered coffee and matches. The matchbox came from her apron pocket; Wilson smiled as he placed two bills on the tray.

Among the six or seven waitresses, this woman’s beauty and figure stood out. Even Ruiyang, accustomed to seeing White Russian women, had to admit her allure.

Pale skin, exquisite features, long legs—the basics. Her bosom rose and fell like rolling hills beneath dazzling golden waves of hair. Her eyes were a clear blue, radiating a seductive sparkle. Coupled with her subtly curved red lips, she exuded an irresistible charm that made one want to tear her clothes off.

Ruiyang noticed that Wilson toyed with the matchbox while speaking—a rude gesture. Though Wilson’s hands moved quickly, making it hard to see if the matchbox was altered, Ruiyang was certain something was amiss with it.

Thanks to Wu Ye Gu Feng for the tip!

(End of Chapter)