Chapter 131: A Change in Channels (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Over the past few months, the Operations Division had repeatedly achieved remarkable successes, breaking away from its traditionally low-profile image, which left Gu Zhengqi feeling quite unsettled.

After hearing Gu Zhengqi’s words, Chen Zimo felt a wave of discouragement wash over him. “Another case from the Operations Division? Wasn’t the Shadow Team case from two months ago their handiwork? And now again?”

“Exactly, Zimo. The talents in Military Intelligence all come from our Intelligence Bureau. The Operations Division is now brimming with talent, especially the senior brothers Wei Liangbi and Ning Zhiheng. Despite their young ages, they’ve already been promoted to lieutenant colonel, just one rank above me. The junior one just graduated from Whampoa this year—only twenty-one—but he is meticulous and highly capable. Both major cases in recent times were initiated by him. The chief has great admiration for him, and I hear he’s about to be promoted to major soon. Their prospects are limitless. The Operations Division will only grow stronger from here!” Gu Zhengqi sighed with mixed feelings, regretting that he hadn’t recruited these two senior brothers under his wing sooner, allowing Zhao Ziliang to seize such a great advantage.

At that moment, Chen Zimo deeply empathized with Gu Zhengqi’s sentiments. Being at the top for so long, only to see the Operations Division suddenly rise and overturn the hierarchy, naturally brought a sense of loss.

With their own investigation yielding results, the news quickly reached Xiang Yan. Upon receiving the notification, he was elated to confirm Su Yu’s identity as a spy—a confirmation that validated their investigative direction. He immediately relayed this information to Ning Zhiheng and others.

Ning Zhiheng was equally invigorated upon hearing the news. “Director, the situation is highly favorable. Su Yu is now under comprehensive surveillance. He’s in possession of critical intelligence and will surely attempt to transmit it quickly. Following this lead, we’ll soon identify his handler. The outcome looks very promising!”

Major officer Guo Xueyi chimed in enthusiastically, “The case is becoming clearer by the day. With just a bit more effort, this case will be a great success!”

The others were encouraged and brimming with confidence. Seeing everyone’s high spirits, Xiang Yan cautioned, “Don’t celebrate prematurely. Until this is fully resolved, our top priority remains tightening surveillance on Su Yu. We must not let our guard down!”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Ning Zhiheng then raised a point to Xiang Yan, “Su Yu met with Tian Liqun at a private club. Could Tian Liqun be Su Yu’s handler? If they’re transmitting intelligence through direct contact, we must consider this possibility.”

“Exactly,” added Kang Shundong. “As far as we know, the Japanese don’t rely solely on dead letter boxes for communication. If circumstances demand, they adapt and use direct contacts. We have to be vigilant against this.”

Xiang Yan found their reasoning sound and replied, “That’s a strong possibility; we must prepare accordingly. Have you gathered all the information about this private club you mentioned?”

Despite being a high-ranking official in the Military Intelligence Investigation Department, Xiang Yan knew that the department rarely engaged in social activities due to its secretive nature. Given their status, ordinary people tended to keep their distance, which limited their social circle. Thus, Xiang Yan wasn’t very familiar with the private club set up by the wealthy magnate Song Hong—a venue designed for interactions among the upper echelons.

Kang Shundong detailed what they had learned about the club and concluded, “I’m certain that when the two met, intelligence was exchanged. We must keep close surveillance and personally confirm the meeting. However, gaining access to this private club is uncertain; forcing our way in risks exposing our identities.”

Xiang Yan nodded thoughtfully. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll leverage my connections to find a way to get you inside. We must ensure Su Yu remains within our sight at all times.”

Though unfamiliar with the club’s specifics, Xiang Yan was confident that it wouldn’t be difficult to find an excuse for entry given his network.

With all arrangements settled, surveillance on Su Yu intensified.

That afternoon, Su Yu didn’t go to work. He changed into a simple long gown and, instead of taking his usual official car, he hailed a rickshaw, heading south.

Unbeknownst to him, the rickshaw drivers near his home had all been specially arranged by Ning Zhiheng.

Watching their backs as they departed, Ning Zhiheng waved and summoned two more rickshaw drivers.

He and Kang Shundong boarded the rickshaws and followed at a distance; they had to keep Su Yu under constant observation.

Initially, when they learned Su Yu had his own car, Ning Zhiheng considered withdrawing the rickshaws but hesitated and decided to keep them. After all, strength lies in numbers, and today proved their utility.

Su Yu’s purpose today was to deliver intelligence to the dead letter box, so he avoided using the conspicuous sedan. Changing clothes and riding a rickshaw, he arrived at West Warehouse Bridge Street in the southern part of the city.

Dead letter boxes were rarely used, and to avoid drawing attention, Su Yu seldom appeared near one unless he had intelligence to transfer. It had been nearly two months since his last drop.

He got off at the street corner and walked forward, stopping before a restaurant called Chengyue Pavilion.

To his shock, the once well-established Chengyue Pavilion was now in ruins. Much of the second floor had collapsed, and the walls bore the blackened scars of fire.

He stepped closer to inspect, then overheard several passersby discussing.

“How did Chengyue Pavilion end up like this? It was thriving just recently!”

“You don’t know? There was a flood and a fire the night before last. The whole place burned down. Such a lucrative business, now ruined. They say two people died. It’s tragic.”

Listening to their chatter, Su Yu understood the situation and sighed helplessly.

The dead letter box he used was hidden in a private room on the second floor of Chengyue Pavilion. The protocol was to place the intelligence first, then send a signal to activate the dead letter box.

He would pretend to dine there, secretly place the intelligence in a hidden spot inside the room, and then send the activation signal. His handler, upon seeing the signal, would come to dine and retrieve the intelligence.

Now, with Chengyue Pavilion suddenly devastated, his transmission channel was destroyed, and the intelligence could not be sent out for the time being.

The dead letter box and the signal location were both designated by the handler to ensure timely reception of the activation signal at a place the handler frequented.

For example, the signal sent by puppet Huang Xiansheng was placed near the rental house along Feng Che Fu Cheng’s daily commute. Feng Che Fu went back and forth four times a day, so whenever Huang Xiansheng sent a signal, Fu Cheng would quickly see it, ensuring prompt transmission.

Likewise, the pickup location was close to the handler’s routine patrol routes to monitor the box for tampering or damage, such as unexpected incidents like this one.

Su Yu and his handler had used this dead letter box without incident until now. Ironically, this mishap had helped him evade the Military Intelligence Department’s pursuit temporarily.

Without lingering, Su Yu turned and walked back, hailed another rickshaw, and hurried home.

Ning Zhiheng and Kang Shundong, who had been tailing him, were baffled.

Every move Su Yu made was under their watchful eyes.

From the moment he left home, he hadn’t interacted or spoken with anyone except the two rickshaw drivers, both planted by Ning Zhiheng.

Even during the walking stretch, under their close surveillance, Ning Zhiheng was certain that Su Yu couldn’t have transmitted any intelligence right under his nose. No matter how cunning a Japanese spy was, that was impossible.

So what was going on today? He went for a long stroll only to do nothing and then return?

Ning Zhiheng and Kang Shundong reported the situation in detail to Xiang Yan at a nearby observation point.

“Are you sure he didn’t transmit the intelligence?” Xiang Yan found Su Yu’s behavior strange. Though he trusted Ning Zhiheng and Kang Shundong’s abilities, he couldn’t help but confirm once more.

“Absolutely not. We tracked every move of his. He didn’t contact or speak with anyone. The two rickshaw drivers are our men. I’m certain the intelligence wasn’t passed on,” Kang Shundong affirmed.

“We saw him loiter briefly in front of a burned-down restaurant, but it was a short stop. I was less than ten meters away with no contact. Transmission was impossible,” Ning Zhiheng added.

“That’s good. We’ll watch and see what tricks Su Yu might be up to next.”