Chapter 24: Another Victory, Part Three

Nishi Yoshiaki had used his personal connections to recommend Xu Ruiyang to the Central Security Bureau. Strictly speaking, he bore responsibility for that recommendation. By successfully cracking a spy case this time, Xu had finally lived up to that recommendation, and Nishi would surely be pleased.

If he could also enlist Inoue Haruka to put in a good word for him, his standing might improve even further. If he invited Nishi to a meal under the guise of gratitude, the man might well accept. As their interactions grew more frequent, their relationship would naturally deepen, providing him with greater opportunities to gather intelligence.

After lunch, Xu Ruiyang rode his bicycle to the Central Security Bureau, but he sensed an atmosphere of palpable tension.

"What's happened? Have they caught an important suspect?" Xu asked the guard.

Several sedans were parked in the courtyard—some with Kwantung Army license plates, others from the Military Police Headquarters, and some with police plates. None belonged to the Central Security Bureau.

"Be careful. Colonel Tominaga Kyōji, Chief of the Intelligence Section of the Kwantung Army; Major General Jōkura Yoshie, Commander of the Military Police; Major General Hata Hikosaburō, Chief of the Harbin Special Service Agency; and Minister Shibuya arrived a few minutes ago. I don't know what kind of disaster has occurred!" The guard, who frequently accepted his cigarettes and tea, was happy to share the information.

Xu Ruiyang felt a jolt of anxiety. What kind of situation required such high-ranking officials to descend upon the Central Security Bureau simultaneously? Had something of major significance transpired?

As he reached the second-floor stairwell, he saw several Japanese officers standing outside the independent conference room, across from the Foreign Intelligence and Counter-Espionage Division’s office.

Judging by their uniforms, there were both Military Police and Kwantung Army personnel. It appeared the high-ranking Japanese officials were currently in the Foreign Intelligence and Counter-Espionage Division. These officers were clearly their aides-de-camp; based on their rank insignia, they were all field officers—either lieutenant colonels or majors.

It was easy to distinguish the branches of the Japanese military by the Type 98 uniforms they wore, which featured chevron-shaped collar patches resembling the letter "M." Black represented the Military Police, red for infantry, yellow for artillery, grass green for cavalry, brownish-tea for engineers, blue for transport, and sky blue for aviation.

Inside the conference room, a voice roared, "The Kwantung Army's military operation hadn't even begun, yet the Special Higher Police's informant secretly reported that the Italian Legation in Xinjing had already obtained the news! It's possible other consulates know as well. This is a severe breach of security!"

"Your Foreign Intelligence and Counter-Espionage Division is composed of operatives trained by the Empire, specifically tasked with investigating foreign intelligence infiltration against the Kwantung Army. You are the shield and protector of the Kwantung Army's military secrets. Are you not aware of the gravity of your duties?"

"Yet, since your inception, you have failed to produce any results, while receiving the most funding. I believe you are a disgrace to His Majesty the Emperor and a waste of the Empire's cultivation! You all ought to commit seppuku!"

The room fell into a heavy silence; no one dared to respond.

The Special Higher Police of the Kwantung Army Headquarters, the Harbin Special Service Agency, and the Security Bureau all shared similar duties. The Security Bureau’s work was subject to the supervision and guidance of the Special Higher Police and the Special Service Agency. When the Foreign Intelligence and Counter-Espionage Division was scolded, the related departments felt the sting as well.

Xu Ruiyang, however, realized his opportunity had arrived. The fact that the Military Police Headquarters' Special Higher Police had an informant inside the Italian Legation in Xinjing was a massive boon to him. This was standard practice, of course; Japanese intelligence agencies routinely bribed personnel within foreign consulates.

Coincidentally, the information regarding the leak had reached the Kwantung Army Headquarters via the Italian Legation. Under these circumstances, his success in cracking the spy case would effectively salvage the reputation of the intelligence services. It was bound to earn him the favor of these high-ranking Japanese officials, which would be extremely beneficial for his future.

He could not simply walk into the conference room, so he headed toward the door of the general office—a feint intended for the eyes of the aide-de-camp officers.

"Who are you?" one of the aides asked, noticing Xu Ruiyang’s attempt to enter the office.

"Sir, I am Xu Ruiyang, an officer of the Foreign Intelligence and Counter-Espionage Division. I have just returned from completing a mission. Here is my identification!" Xu hurriedly retrieved his credentials from an inner pocket.

The aide examined them closely, a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes. Finding a Chinese national in the Foreign Intelligence and Counter-Espionage Division gave him an outlet for his frustration.

"Report to the Colonel! Another member of the Foreign Intelligence and Counter-Espionage Division has just returned!" he shouted toward the conference room.

"Tell him to get in here!" the man who had been raging earlier snapped impatiently.

Xu Ruiyang walked into the conference room. He recognized Jōkura Yoshie and Shibuya Saburō. Though he did not personally know the other Japanese colonel and major general, he could easily deduce their identities. The major general was undoubtedly Hata Hikosaburō, Chief of the Harbin Special Service Agency, and the colonel was clearly Tominaga Kyōji, Chief of the Intelligence Section of the Kwantung Army.

The high-ranking generals remained seated, while the Japanese agents of the Foreign Intelligence and Counter-Espionage Division stood at rigid attention, their heads bowed in uncharacteristic humility.

"Reporting to the officers present: I, Xu Ruiyang, have completed the mission assigned by the division. I have successfully cracked the Chris merchant spy case. The source of the intelligence within the Italian Legation in Xinjing has been fully identified!" Xu’s first words were a report of his success.

Seeing the grim expression on Tominaga Kyōji’s face, he feared receiving a slap in the heat of the moment, so he spoke quickly upon entering.

"You really cracked this spy case?" Shibuya Saburō’s eyes lit up.

"Yes. After more than ten days of investigation, I discovered that the so-called spy, the Italian merchant Chris, was actually a smokescreen. The real Chris is a rickshaw puller named Ge Baomin who acted as the courier. The source of the intelligence was Cheng Yankun, a major-rank clerk in the General Affairs Section of the Security Department. This is my report, sir, please review it." Xu handed over a document folder.

This was an unexpected surprise. Shibuya Saburō was familiar with the case. If Xu Ruiyang had truly solved the Chris spy case, it would not only save the reputation of the Security Bureau but also that of the Japanese intelligence agencies in the region. The commander would surely be satisfied with this outcome.

Before Xu Ruiyang could even get close, Shibuya grabbed the folder from his hand, revealing his eagerness.

He opened it and emptied the contents onto the table: the investigative report, interrogation records, several photographs, and a note.

The other three high-ranking officials crowded around Shibuya, some examining the interrogation records, others the photos or the note, exchanging the evidence among themselves as they read.

By the time they had finished reading the report, their expressions had softened significantly, and they looked at Xu Ruiyang with undisguised appreciation.