Chapter 1115: Anticipating the enemy’s opportunity
When Su Zhikang entered the salon, Cheng Qianfan had already seen it through the reflection of the goblet in his hand.
He discovered an interesting detail. Brother Zhiyasu caught sight of him, but he didn't do anything unusual and didn't come towards him. Then Brother Zhiyasu seemed to see Sakamoto next to him. Liangye and Su Zhikang showed their joy at seeing 'Brother Cheng' and took the initiative to greet him.
Now, Su Zhikang's enthusiastic attitude towards Sakamoto Yoshino has made Cheng Qianfan determined about one thing, his target is Sakamoto Yoshino.
As for Su Zhikang's identity, Cheng Qianfan had made many speculations about Su Zhikang's identity as early as a few years ago when the two met in the patrol room:
Party Affairs Investigation Office?
Li Xingshe Secret Service?
Even the Red Party?
Red International?
Cheng Qianfan felt that each one was somewhat similar, but none of them were alike. He couldn't be sure.
The only thing that is certain is that this brother Zhikang is definitely not an ordinary person.
So now, Su Zhikang is eyeing Sakamoto Yoshino, what is his intention?
Cheng Qianfan decided to wait and see what happens.
…
Cheng Qianfan was observing Su Zhikang secretly.
Someone was secretly observing him and Su Zhikang.
In a rather secluded corner of the salon.
"Cheng Qianfan, deputy chief inspector of the Central Patrol Room of the French Concession." Hidetoshi Hojo clinked glasses with the man next to him and whispered, "This person is quite powerful in the French Concession. The most important thing is that Cheng Qianfan is quite friendly to the empire. "
Sitting on the right side of Hojo, Takahashi Takumaru, who had always been relatively silent, glanced at his companion. He was surprised that Hojo had concealed the truth about Cheng Qianfan from Hanekawa Tsubasa that Cheng Qianfan was actually the imperial agent Kentaro Miyazaki pretending to be.
Takahashi Takumaru's look of surprise only flashed across his face, and he listened to the conversation between the two with his usual calm and thoughtful attitude.
"I know this Mr. Cheng." Hanekawa Tsubasa nodded, "I heard that Counselor Imamura has a closer attitude towards this person?"
“It’s just a matter of love.” Hojo smiled faintly, “Hanekawa-kun, you have also seen that Cheng Qianfan and Sakamoto Yoshino are very good friends.”
Hanekawa Tsubasa thought for a moment and nodded. Sakamoto Nagayuki is a close friend of Imamura Hyōtaro. It is said that Imamura Hyōtaro regards Sakamoto Yoshino as his nephew. This counselor Imamura treats Sakamoto Yoshino's friends in a different light than other Chinese people. Understandable.
"So, Cheng Qianfan should have no problem?" He thought as he looked at the three people who were talking cordially, with a scrutinizing look in his eyes.
“I have a colleague who insists that all Chinese people cannot be trusted,” said Hidetoshi Hojo.
"There is an old saying in China, 'Those who are not of my race must have different hearts', which makes sense." Hanekawa Tsubasa nodded, "I am very interested in the person Hojo-kun mentioned. Please introduce me to him sometime."
"His name is Kazuo Miyazaki. Your work will intersect and we will get to know each other in the future." Hidetoshi Hojo said with a serious expression.
Takahashi Takumaru took a sip of his drink. As an experienced agent, he has skilled facial expression management skills.
"Hanekawa-kun, you have been following Su Zhikang for many days, but you have not been able to find any suspicious behavior in this person?" Hojo Hidetoshi said.
Takahashi Takumaru is the person in charge of Iwai Mansion in Ningbo.
Previously, Takahashi Takumaru's headquarters captured intelligence and teamed up with the Ningbo Military Police Headquarters to crack down on the Zhongtong Ningbo Station. The Ningbo Station Chief escaped, and his deputy chief confessed an important clue. The Ningbo Station Chief Cong Yunfei was the same important person from Shanghai. The guests met.
After investigation and screening, Su Zhikang, who returned to his hometown in Ningbo from Shanghai to handle housework, came into Takahashi Takumaru's sight.
"No." Hanekawa Tsubasa shook his head, "There is nothing unusual about Su Zhikang."
He told Hojo Hidetoshi and Takahashi Takumaru, "The only thing worthy of attention is that the intelligence we obtained showed that Su Zhiyasu had already booked a ticket to return to Shanghai, but he was postponed for two days because of physical discomfort."
Hidetoshi Hojo's expression moved slightly, "Could it be that the two days that Su Zhikang delayed leaving Ningbo were the time when Cong Yunfei met that person?"
“Exactly.” Hanekawa Tsubasa said.
It is precisely because of this "suspicious aspect" that may not be considered a suspicious point, that Hanekawa Tsubasa has never given up his attention and investigation of Su Zhikang.
“Su Zhiyasu walked away.” Hojo Hidetoshi said to Hanekawa Tsubasa.
As he spoke, he made a hidden gesture with his right hand, and two agents of the Iwai Mansion dressed as guests immediately followed him.
…
“What a passionate person.” Sakamoto Yoshino said.
“Su Zhikang is a person with a wide network of connections.” Cheng Qianfan said, “He is very energetic in the French Concession, especially in the Mailan District.”
He put down his wine glass, took out his cigarette holder, took out a cigarette, Shi Shiran lit it, took a puff and said, "Su Zhikang's energy is not even because he is the deputy chief inspector of the Mailan Police Station."
“Because he has many friends,” he said to Sakamoto Yoshino, “Whether it’s inside the French Concession Patrol Room, the original China-Shanghai Municipal Government, the Youth Gang, the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, or even the water bandits on Taihu Lake, he has friends. "
“What is this man’s attitude towards the Empire?” Sakamoto Yoshino asked.
“It’s not too close, but it’s not exclusive either.” Cheng Qianfan thought for a while and said.
As he spoke, Cheng Qianfan had a look of surprise in his eyes, "Sakamoto-kun, who is that person next to Hojo-kun?"
He caught a glimpse of Hidetoshi Hojo who was looking towards him from a corner, and their eyes crossed in the air.
Therefore, Cheng Qianfan simply nodded to Hidetoshi Hojo and immediately asked Sakamoto Yoshino about the strange face next to Hidetoshi Hojo.
“It’s not Gao Qiao.” Cheng Qianfan added, “I have seen Gao Qiao.”
Naito Kotsubasa has been missing for some time. Hyōtaro Imamura selected Takahashi Takumaru from the Consulate General to temporarily replace Naito Kotsubasa.
Cheng Qianfan and Takahashi Takumaru once knew each other once. This man is taciturn and calm in his work.
“Hanekawa Tsubasa.” Sakamoto Yoshino glanced at him and whispered, “He came to Shanghai from Ningbo on business.”
Cheng Qianfan immediately understood what Sakamoto Ryano meant by business:
Hikawa Tsubasa is from Iwai Mansion.
This is the reason why he is willing to chat with Sakamoto Yoshino. Sakamoto Yoshino has no sense of confidentiality. To be precise, Sakamoto Yoshino does not have much sense of confidentiality towards him, and because of Sakamoto Yoshino's special status in the Imamura family However, Sakamoto Yoshino has mastered many things that are "not better than intelligence".
Hikawa Tsubasa comes to Shanghai from Ningbo for business?
Su Zhikang also just returned to Shanghai from his hometown in Ningbo to handle housework?
Now, Tsubasa Hanekawa appeared in this salon club accompanied by Hidetoshi Hojo and Takumaru Takahashi.
Furthermore, Hojo and others seemed to be secretly paying attention to him...
Cheng Qianfan had a vague guess:
Hidetoshi Hojo, to be precise, should be Hanekawa Tsubasa. This person came for Su Zhikang, and it is very possible that he came all the way from Ningbo.
This made Cheng Qianfan more interested in Su Zhikang's identity and why Su Zhikang wanted to get close to Sakamoto Yoshino.
…
“Vice President Cheng.” Hidetoshi Hojo came over to say hello to Cheng Qianfan.
He secretly winked at Kentaro Miyazaki.
"Mr. Hojo." Cheng Qianfan's heart moved. He smiled and shook hands with Hidetoshi Hojo, "We haven't seen each other for some time."
“I’m busy with official business.” Hojo Hidetoshi said, “Vice President Cheng, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Fukada Yoshiki from Ningbo.”
“It turns out to be Fukada-kun.” Cheng Qianfan shook hands with Fukada Yoshiki enthusiastically.
His heart was full of curiosity. His curiosity was not because Hidetoshi Hojo concealed the identity of Hanekawa Tsubasa from his 'colleague'. After all, this was a public place in a salon club, so it was right to be careful.
What he was curious about was Hojo Hidetoshi's attitude towards him.
He met Hojo Hidetoshi when he first visited Imamura's house and was invited to attend Hyōtaro Imamura's birthday party.
It was also at that time that he met four followers of Hyōtaro Imamura:
Naito Kotsubasa was the assistant to Imamura Hyoutarou at the time.
Hidetoshi Hojo is a third-class military attache in the Military Attaché Section of the Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai.
Junji Ono, Captain of the Imperial Marine Corps.
Kazuo Saito, Second Secretary, Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai.
Now, Naito Kotsubasa has unfortunately disappeared and there is no news from him.
Ono Junji has the best relationship with him and is currently away from Shanghai with the army on defense.
Kazuo Saito is a low-key person and rarely attends parties.
Hidetoshi Hojo has always had a relatively normal relationship with him. This is not to say that there is any incompatibility between the two - Hojo has a cold personality.
Now, Hidetoshi Hojo has taken the initiative to show his closeness, which can't help but surprise Cheng Qianfan.
However, "Kentaro Miyazaki" is such a shrewd and clever person. He ignored the others and decisively accepted the closeness from Hojo, and chatted enthusiastically with Hidetoshi Hojo.
At the same time, Cheng Qianfan did not neglect ‘Kiki Fukada’.
“Fukada-kun is from the Marine Corps. Do you know Ono-kun?”
“Ono?” Hanekawa Tsubasa looked thoughtful.
“Ono Junji, the Second Special Marine Corps of the Empire’s Third Fleet.” Cheng Qianfan said, “Ono Jun is my good friend.”
“Sorry, I have been stationed in Shengsi before.” Hanekawa Tsubasa said.
He was very curious and surprised. According to Cheng Qianfan, Ono Junji was an officer of the Imperial Marine Corps.
Cheng Qianfan was not only appreciated by Counselor Imamura, but also seemed to have a close relationship with Hidetoshi Hojo. He was also a good friend of Sakamoto Yoshino, and he was even friends with an imperial officer like Junji Ono.
How did this Chinese do it?
This cannot be achieved simply because of "being close to the empire".
Hikawa Tsubasa couldn't help but become interested in the deputy chief inspector of the French Concession Central Patrol Room.
…
The Salon Club is on the near left of the lobby on the third floor.
The island-style terrace on the fourth floor is also criss-crossed with wine.
A middle-aged man held a cigarette in his hand and was looking at the salon club downstairs with interest.
“Brother Lu, do you know Cheng Qianfan?” A man with a cigar in his mouth came over and asked, grabbing the cigar in his hand.
Lu Xinmin shook his head, "I've heard of this man, but I've never had any dealings with him."
He said to the man, "Why is Brother Ou here too?"
"I guess you can't know this little red guy, but why do you keep staring at him?" Ou Wenxia asked rhetorically without answering. He seemed to be quite interested in why Lu Xinmin was staring at Cheng Qianfan.
"Because I remembered a person..." Lu Xinmin said with a smile, "I don't know Cheng Qianfan, but I have met his father Cheng Wenzao once."
He pointed downstairs, "Portrait of Cheng Qianfan and his father."
“Are you talking about the Cheng Wenzao who was slaughtered by Marshal Sun?”
“It’s him! Brother Ou also knows Cheng Wenzao?”
"I don't recognize him, I just know that there is such a person." Ou Wenxia sneered, "That person is also stupid. He is hiding in Shanghai. It would be great to wait for the Northern Expeditionary Army to enter Shanghai. He has to jump up and down, which will harm the family with a big belly. I will eat the gun with you."
Lu Xinmin laughed and said nothing.
Ou Wenxia squinted his eyes. He looked at Lu Xinmin with squinted eyes, as if his eyes had only one line. He sneered in his heart:
Now everyone has taken refuge with the Japanese and is working for the Japanese. When you recruit new people, you still use your qualifications in the Kuomintang Party to show off. It's a shame!
Lu Xinmin saw Ou Wenxia's expression in his eyes and snorted disdainfully in his heart:
Vulgar people!
If the Japanese hadn't come in and a tycoon like Ou Wenxia had gained power, he could kill such a person with just one phone call.
The two people made eye contact, and both smiled heartily, looking at Cheng Qianfan who was chatting with friends on the third floor.
At this moment, someone hurriedly came to Lu Xinmin and reported in a soft whisper.
Lu Xinmin's expression suddenly changed.
…
Watching Hidetoshi Hojo and the others leaving, Cheng Qianfan’s eyes flickered.
When he saw Sakamoto Yoshino and was about to say something, Cheng Qianfan stopped him with his eyes, and then pulled Sakamoto Yoshino aside. "As I expected, Mr. Hojo brought Mr. Fukada here on a mission."
He chuckled lightly, biting the surname "Fukada" more seriously, and told his friend Sakamoto, "As for Fukada's true identity, Sakamoto-kun remembers it, and don't mention it to anyone again."
As he spoke, he looked serious, "It's best not to mention what you said to me to others."
"I understand." Sakamoto Yoshino nodded. Although he is only a sponsoring agent of the Consulate General and is not a professional agent, his awareness of confidentiality is not strong enough. However, this does not mean that he is a fool. His friend reminds him like this for his own good, lest he Random words get you into trouble.
Cheng Qianfan had a gentle smile on his face, "I'm just being cautious. Maybe it's not actually that serious, and there's no need to be so careful."
“As you always say, it’s better to be careful than to go too far.” Sakamoto Yoshino said.
The two friends looked at each other and smiled.
…
At this moment, Cheng Qianfan caught a glimpse of Saito Kazuo entering the salon hall and heading straight this way.
He noticed that Saito Kazuo was walking in a hurry, his heart moved slightly, and he had some vague guesses.
Cheng Qianfan immediately raised his wrist and looked at the time calmly, and muttered in a low voice, "It's so late, why is the teacher still here?"
“Miyazaki-kun has something important to do with Uncle Imamura?” Sakamoto Yoshino asked with concern.
“Yeah.” Cheng Qianfan nodded with a solemn expression, but didn’t say much.
"Sakamoto-kun." Kazuo Saito's voice came from behind, "The counselor has something to do and he is unable to come over. He ordered me to pick you up and take you back to the mansion."
“But there is something going on with Uncle Imamura?” Sakamoto Yoshino asked.
"The general has something to do and is unable to make the trip. Mr. Counselor is keeping him company." Saito Kazuo lowered his voice and said, he nodded towards Miyazaki Kentaro, and then said to Sakamoto Yoshino, "Let's go, Sakamoto-kun."
"Saito-kun, thank you." Sakamoto Ryano politely thanked him. He looked at Kentaro Miyazaki and said, "Miyazaki-kun, please come with me."
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(End of this chapter)