Chapter 9: Deployment, Part One

Chapter 9: Transfer (Part 1)

On the first day of the New Year, the Japanese did not follow the custom of setting off firecrackers. In the occupied territories, the Chinese people were also forbidden from lighting firecrackers, so there was none of the usual festive atmosphere—only the streets were somewhat more crowded.

Nearly all Japanese taverns and restaurants were packed, and entertainment venues even more so. Many single Japanese, unable to return home to their families, could only vent their emotions in such places.

“Damn it, the Japanese go door to door to offer New Year’s greetings and drink, while we have to stand guard on duty. We’ve had our fill of the biting northwest wind!” Luo Shijie complained.

“For me, the New Year doesn’t matter much. I’m the only one at home; even making dumplings feels like too much trouble!” Xu Ruiyang said with a smile.

He still had to be on duty within his precinct today, but unlike before, his mood was calm and untroubled, not at all nervous.

Because the secret mission assigned by the Military Intelligence Bureau’s Xinjing Intelligence Group involved long-term undercover work, without demanding any dangerous tasks from him, it was fine to obtain intelligence if possible; if not, it was no great pressure.

“Your younger brother’s now connected with the South Manchuria Railway. I guess he won’t be staying long at our police station. Maybe after the New Year, you’ll be transferred to the government or the police headquarters,” Luo Shijie said, a hint of envy in his tone.

“Hard to say. I only helped them a little. We just met recently. Whether they’ll pull me along, I’m not sure,” Xu Ruiyang shook his head.

Xinjing New District, Inoue Residence.

Inoue Shunsuke, Nishi Yoshiteru, and Jōkura Yoshie sat cross-legged at the table. Besides a few small dishes, there was a “golden mountain” made of black beans, small fish, and chestnuts. The atmosphere was relaxed.

Japan was a patriarchal society where men drank together, and women were not allowed to sit at the same table. Inoue Haruka was nearby, brewing tea for the three elders.

“Haruka, have you asked that policeman which department he wishes to work in?” Nishi Yoshiteru asked.

“Uncle Nishi, he said he would follow arrangements. What do you think? His English is quite good, and his education level is even better. I think he could work in a government foreign affairs department,” Haruka said with a smile.

She did not want Xu Ruiyang to engage in dangerous police work, so she took the initiative to recommend him to a government department handling foreign affairs—a well-meaning gesture.

“Nishi-kun, the evening before last, Haruka left work early to visit a nearby classmate. On her way back, she was harassed by two ronin. If it hadn’t been for this young policeman stepping up, the consequences would have been very serious.”

“Haruka is my only daughter and my hope. I am deeply grateful to her savior. I entrust both of you with this transfer matter!” Inoue Shunsuke said.

As a technical senior engineer, Inoue’s psychological resilience was not very strong. Hearing that his daughter was almost violated by two Japanese ronin shocked him deeply, and he was naturally very thankful to Xu Ruiyang.

Haruka planned to help Xu Ruiyang switch to a better department, and Inoue Shunsuke agreed. Since he was very close to Nishi Yoshiteru and Jōkura Yoshie, he could speak directly about the matter. His words carried more weight than Haruka’s.

“He knows when to advance and retreat—a smart guy. Since he helped Haruka once, it’s worth giving him a hand. Besides, finding a job isn’t difficult for us.”

“Jōkura-kun, he’s a policeman. Going to work for the government might not suit him. Why not place him in the Foreign Affairs Section of the Police Affairs Department? That should be an easy matter, right?” Nishi Yoshiteru asked.

The Military Police Headquarters had command authority over the police system and strong influence over personnel matters. For the military police commander, this should be a trivial matter.

“Of course, it’s actually very easy for me to assign someone to the Police Affairs Department. No one can stop me! But have you thought about this? If I arrange it, he will carry the marks of the military police system. The scoundrels from the secret service agency have conflicts with our military police headquarters. He will inevitably be ostracized.”

“Why go to the Police Affairs Department? Currently, the Security Bureau offers the best treatment in Manchukuo. You know Saburō Shibuya, don’t you? Although he is a senior official in Mudanjiang, he secretly oversees the entire Security Bureau system under instructions from Section Two. I heard he will be transferred at year’s end to Deputy Minister of Public Security and Central Security Bureau Chief.”

“With Saburō Shibuya’s endorsement, transferring a small-time policeman is a breeze. And your recommendation won’t arouse suspicion, which is good for the young policeman,” Jōkura Yoshie said with a smile.

“That’s settled then. The Kwangtung Army headquarters will hold a New Year’s banquet tonight. I’ll definitely meet Saburō Shibuya there and say a word,” Nishi Yoshiteru nodded.

Jōkura Yoshie’s words were not without reason. The Military Police Headquarters and the Special Service Agency Headquarters of the Kwangtung Army in Harbin were sworn enemies. Their rivalry was not a hidden undercurrent but a direct confrontation.

They competed for dominance over the police system, including secret police like the Security Bureau, often undermining each other’s work by causing delays and backstabbing.

This internal strife severely disrupted the normal operation of the intelligence system. Yet the Kwangtung Army commander could do nothing about these two factions because they were entirely separate systems.

The Kwangtung Army commander had no authority over the Military Police commander. Any transfers or punishments required reporting to the Army Minister in Tokyo, with the Military Police Headquarters making the final decisions. This unique arrangement was designed to protect the military police from interference and uphold imperial law and order.

In this regard, the Military Police Headquarters was indeed an unsuitable place for Xu Ruiyang, as he would be marked as part of the military police system and face exclusion by the secret service agency.

Manchukuo, South Manchuria Railway Company, Xinjing Special Headquarters.

Xu Ruiyang patiently awaited his opportunity. He continued his day shifts and evening training. As long as Feng Qidong remained unsuspected, he, as a police patrol officer, would not attract undue attention.

At the start of January, a major event occurred: the entire cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe resigned, and Kiichirō Hiranuma formed a new cabinet.

Such news had no bearing on him—it was far beyond his level. What he awaited was the nature of his new assignment.

On the morning of the eighth, while leisurely sipping tea in the large office of the police station, Xu Ruiyang suddenly received a call from Inoue Haruka, asking him to meet at the South Manchuria Railway headquarters.

The Xinjing Special Headquarters of the South Manchuria Railway Company was a brand-new reinforced concrete building, completed and put into use on July 9th, 1936. It had one basement level, four floors above ground, and a partial elevator machine room. The total floor area exceeded 9,700 square meters.

The window bases on the first floor were made of rusticated stone, topped with granite. From the second floor up to the elevator room, the facade was clad in light brown bricks. It was currently the tallest, largest, and first building equipped with an elevator in Xinjing.

Thanks to old friend Tu Yu for the support!

(End of Chapter)