My spy diary

Chapter 356 Seeking the Skin of a Tiger (asking for monthly ticket)

"Seeking the skin of a tiger? Tell me in detail." Dai Chunfeng became interested.

Zhang Yi said: "Tang Jili successfully counterattacked and infiltrated the Japanese puppet organization. Now the Japanese are eager to negotiate. Perhaps we can use this as a threat."

Dai Chunfeng understood, he frowned and started thinking.

Over the years, the Japanese invaders have tried every possible means to plunder China economically in order to supplement their own scarce resources.

After the July 7 Incident, Japan implemented economic aggression of "war to support war", and made extensive use of China's manpower, material and financial resources to plunder supplies in its occupied areas.

From mineral resources, forests, rice, flour, cloth, and even daily necessities, a pot, and a nail in people's homes, all were subject to its extortion and plunder. It was not easy to snatch food from the mouth of a hungry wolf.

If they wanted to purchase cotton yarn in Shanghai openly or semi-openly, they would have to obtain permission or acquiescence from the Japanese puppet regime to a certain extent. Tang Laosi might be good at gathering intelligence, but could he be trusted to negotiate with the Japanese about supplies?

Dai Chunfeng pondered and took a sip of tea: "He has connections in the pseudo-government and the Mei Agency. The one that controls the economy is the Song Agency. The two agencies are not subordinate to each other. If we make contact rashly and something goes wrong, our work will be passive."

"That"

"So we need to find someone who is familiar with the Song mechanism."

Zhang Yi couldn't help feeling a little discouraged. The Song Agency was a Japanese special agency established in Shanghai at the end of 38 and was directly led by Japanese Army Minister Tojo.

Its main responsibility is to use economic means to destroy China's economic system, thereby achieving the goal of causing the collapse of China's economy and weakening the anti-Japanese forces.

At present, it is mainly engaged in printing counterfeit money and economic plunder.

Although there were many secret battles between the Military Control Commission and it, there was really no one who could talk to this organization.

Dai Chunfeng smiled and said, "I have always emphasized that there is no specific skill in spy work and intelligence gathering. It is nothing more than being a good person and understanding the ways of the world.

To understand the ways of the world, you need to be good at making friends and cater to their interests. This is naturally inseparable from "skirt, office, teacher, money, and work". As long as you grasp these five words and know how to use them, and keep them in mind, you will be able to go anywhere, be unfavorable, and be victorious. It seems that you still don't understand it thoroughly."

"I am a stupid subordinate, how can I compare with you, Chief?"

Dai Chunfeng smiled complacently: "We don't have such people in the Military Control Commission, but Mr. Du has them."

"Mr. Du has many talented people under him. Director, what does this person do?"

"merchant."

"merchant?"

"Don't underestimate this man. He followed Shi Jiaxiu to conquer the world. After Shi died, he defected to Mr. Du and is now Mr. Du's confidant."

The historian Xiu Zi Liang Cai, a famous businessman, journalist, educator and newspaper magnate, and the big boss behind Shen Bao.

After the September 31th Incident in , he advocated unity in the fight against Japan and often published articles in newspapers criticizing the current situation, which aroused the jealousy of a certain person named Chang.

However, the office address of Shen Bao was in the French Concession, and the news and propaganda agencies of the Republic of China authorities had no right to interfere. In anger, Chang suggested to Dai Chunfeng to assassinate this person.

The person who carried out the mission was Zhao Libiao, known as the "No. 1 Killer" of the Military Control Commission.

After listening to Dai Chunfeng's story, Zhang Yi finally understood the life story of this businessman.

His name is Xu Caicheng, and he is Du Yuesheng's representative in Shanghai.

This man was born into a businessman family and was good at flattery and speculation. He had always been doing business with the Japanese and had connections with the Japanese chaebols Mitsui and Mitsubishi. Behind him was Kawamoto Daisaku, the head of the Japanese military's secret service stationed in Shanghai.

After the fall of Shanghai, this man established connections with people from the Japanese spy agency "Asia Development Board". Following this line, he quickly got to know the leaders of the Japanese Navy, Army, Military Police, Special High Section, Matsu Agency and other spy agencies. It can be said that he was able to thrive among the Japanese.

"Traitor?" Zhang Yi looked at Dai Chunfeng in disbelief. He had thought that this man was a good lobbyist, but he didn't expect that he was a traitor.

"Childish! Only children see things in black and white. A qualified official and politician only sees the exchange of interests."

Zhang Yi suddenly fell silent.

"Unhappy? Who cares who he is? As long as he can help us get cotton yarn from the Japanese, it's a great achievement."

Zhang Yi paused and said, "Can such a person be trusted?"

Dai Chunfeng sneered: "Businessmen are the best at observing people's words and expressions and judging the situation. The Japanese are at the end of their rope. With his shrewdness, he will never die for the Japanese. Now is the time for him to work hard to serve his country and make up for his crime."

After a pause, he added: "Of course, whether it can be used or not, we still have to ask Mr. Du."

Du Yuesheng was in the mountain city at this time, living in Wangshan Villa.

Wangshan is located in the southern part of the mountain city. It has beautiful scenery, with pine waves, birds singing, spring music and wind whistling. It is a good place to spend the rest of your life.

Boss Dai has a close relationship with Du Yuesheng. When he arrives at Du's house, he feels like he's at home. He takes Zhang Yi directly to the reception room on the second floor of the villa.

Du Zheng was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper.

Zhang Yi secretly looked at this man. He was wearing a gray gown and gold-rimmed glasses. He looked gentle and refined, like a scholar.

Looking more closely, he had high cheekbones, thick lips, and especially a pair of protruding ears. His eyes were deep and sharp, and he looked intimidating without even being angry.

Dai Chunfeng smiled and said: "Reading nourishes one's spirit. Mr. Du is becoming more and more like a scholar now."

Du Yuesheng laughed: "No, my little brother is so successful now, but I, as your elder brother, am old and can only read newspapers and drink tea to enjoy my old age. Please take a seat, someone, serve the tea."

Dai Chunfeng could naturally hear the loneliness or resentment in these words.

Du was born into the underworld. Ever since he followed Chang in 1927, he has tried every means to whitewash his identity. Of course, Chang did not disappoint him and gave him the title of major general senator, which made him even more successful.

But things are different now. After the fall of Shanghai, he fled to Hong Kong. Although he could continue to remotely control his subordinates in Shanghai, he had left his base and his glory was naturally not as good as before.

Now he lives in seclusion in the mountain city and cannot even see the chairman. This is why he joined the so-called "third party" and acted abnormally in secret.

"Mr. Du, I have long heard of your great name."

"Yu Nong, who is this?"

"His name is Zhang Yi. He has been with me for a long time and is now the district director of the Shanghai Experimental Zone."

"He is so young and so handsome!"

"Mr. Du, you are overpraising me."

"Brother Yuesheng, speaking of talents, I was just about to borrow your men."

Several people sat down as host and guest. During the greetings, Dai Chunfeng turned the topic to Xu Caicheng and revealed his plan to buy up cotton yarn and cloth.

Du pondered for a while and said, "This man is smart and capable. He can be trusted. I can send him a telegram right now. I am afraid."

"What are you worried about?" Dai Chunfeng said, "As long as the cotton yarn and cloth can be delivered to the mountain city, you will have done a great deed, and the chairman will reward you."

When the chairman was mentioned, Du showed no joy on his face. Instead, he complained:

"Whether I have made any contribution or not is secondary. As long as I can do something practical for the war of resistance, I will be happy to do it. As long as people don't talk about me, that's fine."

Hearing him say this, Dai Chunfeng's face darkened.

Boss Du's words certainly made sense. Although there was a shortage of supplies in the rear areas, there were many people who colluded with officials and businessmen to hoard goods and make a fortune from the national crisis.

Nowadays, the prices of cotton yarn and cloth are rising again and again. If the plan succeeds and they are really transported to the mountain city, both Du and Dai Chunfeng can make a fortune by selling them at high prices.

However, Mr. Du tried every means to whitewash his gangster identity, so naturally he did not want to plot something that would attract attention.

But there are many people who are jealous of others. No matter whether you plan or not, it is impossible to avoid other people's gossip. Besides, Boss Du did such a thing in his early years. Even if he does not participate this time, how can he gain the trust of others?
This is a case of doing good with bad intentions and shooting oneself in the foot.

Dai Chunfeng frowned and said: "In the hustle and bustle of life, everyone wants to get a piece of the pie. If they can't get a piece, they will become mad dogs biting people, or even attack people in the officialdom. It's human nature.

But we can’t stop doing anything just because we’re afraid of being criticized.

Mr. Du, I am also the director of the Freight Management Bureau." He paused and said, "In this way, we only need to buy and transport this piece of fat meat and report to the chairman. As for how to make the soup and how to divide the meat, that is none of our business.

I can assure Brother Yuesheng that no matter how much cotton yarn and cloth are shipped in, they will not be unpacked, no one will take a single piece of cloth privately, and all will be handed over intact to the Military Commission's Cloth Management Bureau.

As for what others say, we can’t do anything about it because they have their own mouths.”

Seeing the two of them looking dejected, Zhang Yi couldn't help but sigh. Rather than comforting Mr. Du, what Boss Dai said was also his own complaint.

The officialdom is like a big tree, with layers and layers intertwined. In the sticky "stir" of the Nationalist government, there are numerous factions and conflicts of interest have long been commonplace.

Usually, everyone serves their own master and does their own thing. They take care of their own business. It's good enough if they don't cause trouble for you, let alone sincere unity...

But if they see oil or fat, they will pounce on it like hungry wolves and bite it.

The many departments controlled by the Military Control Commission, such as the Anti-Smuggling Office, the Water and Land Transportation Inspection Office, the Freight Management Bureau, and the Inspection Office, are all lucrative departments. Countless people are staring with red eyes, wanting to take them over for themselves.

Although Dai Chunfeng was extremely powerful, favored by the Chairman, and had good relations with He Jingzhi and Minister Song, he had offended many people. Just by falling out with Minister Kong, the funds of the Military Control Commission could not be received as scheduled, not to mention that there were also senior officials such as Chen Tumu who were eyeing him covetously.

In fact, the root of the problem lies with the Nationalist government.

The government is neither upright nor just, unified but not unified. The fragmented government cannot deliver its policies smoothly, and local warlords become more powerful, exacerbating corruption and other chaos.

Although Chang does not smoke, drink or visit prostitutes, he hates corruption and has made up his mind to fight it, but the Kong family alone is enough to give him a headache, not to mention the Song and Chen families.

How to check? How to treat? In the end, we can only compromise.

"Forget it." Boss Du sighed, "Since this is Brother Yunong's job, how can I, as his elder brother, just sit there and watch? I'll send a telegram now."

After a while, Boss Du came back.

Dai Chunfeng immediately stood up and asked, "What did he say?"

"He said it was basically feasible. There were mountains of cloth and cotton yarn in the warehouse of the Song Agency. If the quantity was small, he could handle it himself.

If the quantity is too large, we must explain it to the Japanese. The key is the issue of transportation.”

Dai Chunfeng's expression froze. If the number was small, why would he go through so much trouble?

But how to negotiate with the Japanese?
Although the Japanese side was eager to make peace with Yamashiro, the large-scale inflow and outflow of materials could only be carried out after a verbal battle.

Who should we send? Can Xu Caicheng be trusted?
Speaking of transportation, from Shanghai to the rear, a relatively safe route must be chosen first. During the journey, one will inevitably have to pass through layers of enemy checkpoints and accept various inspections. How can one ensure that nothing goes wrong?
Seeing Boss Dai's worried face, Zhang Yi thought, things have come to this point, we must not fail, he hurriedly stepped forward:
"Commander, you can't get a tiger cub without risking it. People in our line of work are always walking on the edge of a knife. There is no such thing as absolute safety.

I am willing to go, and I can speak Japanese, which is just right for me to help Xu Caicheng complete the task. Even if there are twists and turns, I will do my best to get out safely."

Dai Chunfeng nodded, looked at him, and remained silent.

Zhang Yi knew that he was worried about the transportation, so he looked at Boss Du:

"Mr. Du, do you have a map at home?"

Boss Du didn't understand what was going on, but he still asked his servants to find a map.

Zhang Yi spread out the map and explained to the two: "As long as we can ship the cotton yarn out of Shanghai through negotiations, we can head to Bozhou, Anhui.

I remember that the leader of the puppet army that occupied Bozhou City was Hao Pengju. Although he was capricious, he was timid and afraid of death. He could be persuaded to rebel by coercion and inducement.

After Bozhou, there is a vacuum zone, and you can safely reach Jieshou. Our people can meet you in Jieshou and go to Luoyang. Once you arrive in Luoyang, you can take the train and reach the mountain city via Chang'an."

Zhang Yi spoke in an orderly manner. Dai Chunfeng was silent for a while and finally nodded.

"Okay, District Chief Zhang, this Shanghai operation is codenamed Snatching Food from the Tiger's Mouth.

You will be the leader of the action team, Xu Caicheng will be the deputy leader, and the undercover personnel in the Shanghai Experimental Zone can cooperate with you. We will set off tomorrow night. The mission is to purchase cotton yarn, cloth and other materials. The Freight Management Bureau will fully cooperate with your actions. "

"Yes, Virgo."

Although the plan has been set, there are still many troubles in its specific implementation.

Because Dai Chunfeng offended Minister Kong, the Freight Management Bureau was constrained by the Ministry of Finance after its establishment, and various budget funds could not be allocated at all.

Therefore, the funds needed to purchase supplies must be reported to Mr. Chang for approval.

Back in the office, Zhang Yi immediately called Monkey and Qian Xiaosan:

"Get ready. We will go to Shanghai to carry out the mission tomorrow night."

Monkey's face remained calm, but Qian Xiaosan whispered, "Going to Shanghai?"

"What? Is there a problem?"

"No." Qian Xiaosan smiled awkwardly, "It's just a little unexpected."

Zhang Yi looked at him and judging from his tone, he must be hiding something from him.

"to be honest."

Qian Xiaosan said hesitantly, "District Chief, I'm in love."

"In love?" Zhang Yi was a little surprised. He fell in love for no apparent reason?

"Who is it? Which family's lady?"

"District Chief, the person you know is the woman I rescued when I arrested Wang Qiang last time."

This surprised Zhang Yi even more. He looked at Qian Xiaosan and said:

"That's pretty fast. Have you checked your identity? Remember to submit an identity information form to the General Affairs Department.

As for love, that is your private matter. As long as you don't get married, the military's family rules can't punish you."

Qian Xiaosan's expression became serious: "Yes."

The monkey glanced at him and said depressedly, "What's the good of getting married? The belt is tied, how can there be any freedom? Besides, people like us should not get married and have children."

Qian Xiaosan muttered, "I can't be a bachelor for the rest of my life, can I?"

Zhang Yi smiled and said, "I am a bachelor now."

"You misunderstood, District Chief." Qian Xiaosan realized that he had said something wrong and quickly explained.

Zhang Yi waved his hand and said, "Whether you get married or not, whether you are happy or not, it's all your own business. Just know what you should do and how to do it. What you should be afraid of is that after marriage, you will be trapped in the whirlpool of family life because of the daily necessities of life, and become mediocre and humble."

Monkey and Qian Xiaosan seemed to be thinking about something.

"Okay, I'm also speaking from my heart."

Zhang Yi took out a bottle of wine and three glasses from the cabinet, filled them up one by one, and said:

"Whether it's love or marriage, work must be done. The wind is whistling and the Yi River is cold. The warriors will never come back, but I still hope that we can complete this mission quickly and get out of it safely."

"Yes, District Chief!"

Zhang Yi drank it first, then looked at Qian Xiaosan:
"You still have one chance to regret it."

"Reporting to the District Chief, although I, Qian Xiaosan, am lustful, I am not afraid of death and will follow the District Chief until death."

"it is good."

……

(End of this chapter)