69novels The plan for Chapter 93 is already in place!
The plan for Chapter 93 is already in place!
The Special Operations Headquarters is indeed in chaos right now: Feng Manna has been imprisoned, Lan Yanzhi is too inexperienced to command respect, and Chen Shen, though holding the title of section chief, lacks prestige.
Of the hundreds of people, only Zhou Xiao was truly trustworthy and willing to obey orders.
This is the result of his years of hard work and winning people's hearts.
The situation is similar on the Special Higher Police: with Sendoh Kaede dead and the new section chief yet to arrive, the situation is difficult to manage.
Zhou Xiao nodded: "Okay, no problem."
The position of head of the intelligence department eventually returned to his hands.
Ken Oshima added, "Now is the time when the Empire needs people. I hope Director Zhou will serve you loyally. The Empire will never treat you unfairly."
Zhou Xiao's expression was solemn: "It is my duty, and I will do my best."
He paused, then added, "General Oshima, I've also heard about Feng Manna's situation. I wonder... if I could go see her?"
Ken Oshima readily agreed: "Of course."
Zhou Xiao solemnly thanked him: "Thank you, General."
The car did not head towards the Special Operations Headquarters, but instead drove straight to the Special Higher Police prison.
In the interrogation room, Zhou Xiao met Feng Manna.
I thought I would see her covered in bruises, but to my surprise, the Special Higher Police did not use severe torture on her; in fact, their treatment of her was quite restrained.
The two sat across from each other at the table.
"Third Brother!" Feng Manna recognized him at a glance, her voice trembling with surprise and joy, "Third Brother, you really came?"
Zhou Xiao felt a pang in his heart as he looked at her reddened eyes and forced smile.
What a wonderful girl.
If it weren't for this war, she would have lived a carefree, glamorous, and comfortable life.
He nodded gently. "Manna, I know about what happened to you. They... didn't give you any trouble, did they?"
Feng Manna sneered: "They didn't use any severe torture, but they interrogated me every day, insisting that I colluded with the Military Intelligence Bureau to plot the murder of Xian Daofeng."
"How could I do such a thing? My parents were killed by the Kuomintang secret police—I was forced down this path by them."
"I understand, and I believe you." Zhou Xiao looked at Feng Manna, whose emotions were fluctuating, glanced around, took a step closer, and lowered his voice to a very low tone: "But General Oshima Ken doesn't believe it."
"For people like us, not being trusted is the most fatal thing."
"Right now, he probably thinks you're useless, and that's combined with his suspicions, which is why things have come to this point."
"Besides, this time such a big mess has occurred—more than a dozen agents have lost their lives, and even the newly appointed Section Chief Sendo Kaede was killed on the spot. Oshima Ken must find a scapegoat to take the blame."
Having been locked up in jail for so many days, Feng Manna had already figured out the Japanese devils' true nature: they would fawn over them when they were useful, but turn their backs on them and become suspicious when they were no longer useful. It was only a matter of time before she was imprisoned.
As Zhou Xiao said, Xian Daofeng died suddenly in the street just a few days after taking over the Special Higher Police, and someone had to cover for him. The entire operation was driven by Feng Manna, and all the clues pointed to her. If she didn't step up, who would?
Zhou Xiao looked around again, then leaned down and whispered, "The Special Higher Police are delaying the torture not because they believe in your innocence, but because they know that even if they pry your mouth open, they won't get the truth out of the Military Intelligence Bureau."
"They're not investigating you, they're waiting for you to 'fail'; they're not judging you, they're preparing to discard you!"
Feng Manna's expression froze, instantly understanding the weight of his words: "Then, Third Brother... what should I do?"
Zhou Xiao frowned slightly: "I can't break the deadlock immediately, but I will mention the original plan to Oshima Ken a few more times, which will at least ensure your safety for the time being."
"You'll have to decide what to do next."
Feng Manna nodded silently.
At this moment, the Japanese soldiers only had suspicions about her. If she wanted to live, she had to find a way to survive on the edge of a knife.
Zhou Xiao said no more—now it was all up to Feng Manna to decide.
If you insist on going down this dead end, there is only one outcome: death.
After leaving the Special Higher Police prison, Zhou Xiao drove straight back to his residence.
On his way home, he kept thinking: how could he push Ken Oshima forward one more time and completely break through that paper-thin layer of trust?
He clearly sensed that the trust between him and Ken Oshima had reached a critical point—the other party was certain that he was reliable, but still needed one last confirmation.
It's like the ball has rolled to the goal line, just waiting for a kick to break through.
"Looks like we need to add some real substance."
An idea quickly took shape in his mind.
The final push for success depends on him to make it happen.
The plan is already in place.
Zhou Enlai's Residence.
Lin Yiyi has been very worried these past few days after hearing that Zhou Xiao had been shot.
St. Mary's Hospital was heavily guarded, and ordinary people couldn't get close at all. She wanted to visit, but she had no way of doing so and could only wait helplessly.
Seeing him return safely, a huge weight was lifted from my heart. I quickly stepped forward, my voice still trembling with unease: "Brother Zhou, are you really alright?"
Zhou Xiao smiled and said, "It's a flesh wound. The bullet went through my left shoulder, but it didn't hit the bone."
"That's great!" she breathed a sigh of relief. "I was so scared these past few days."
"Don't worry," he said confidently, "no one in Shanghai can take my life."
This was not an exaggeration—he held three identities: the top leader of the underground party, a secret agent of the Kuomintang military intelligence, and a core agent of the Special Higher Police.
For the underground party, he was the command center; without orders, they would never lay a finger on him.
Although the Military Intelligence Bureau was hindering them, Song Mian's action team was already under Lan Yanzhi's control, and their every move was under his watchful eye.
As for the Japanese puppet regime, it was even less likely that they would eliminate themselves—what they were guarding against were those crazy agents who acted on their own initiative, or radical anti-Japanese elements who were driven by passion.
None of these are to be feared.
His three identities are like three protective charms. In Shanghai, he is as solid as a rock.
After lunch, Zhou Xiao immediately drove to the Shanghai Film Studio to find Li Xiaonan.
To gain Oshima Ken's trust, words alone are not enough; he needs to stage a life-or-death rescue!
What could earn you unwavering trust more than risking your life to protect someone?
The plan was swift and efficient: his employer would assassinate Ken Oshima, and he would then step forward to block the fatal blow.
Oshima Ken already trusted him to some extent, and with the added favor of saving his life, his trust in him would surely increase; at that time, it would be a natural step to infiltrate the Sugimoto Bureau's money printing base and wipe it out in one fell swoop.
Simple, but effective.
The two met at the entrance of the film studio.
They were acquaintances in name only, but lovers in private, and their interactions were natural and without any flaws.
Upon seeing him, Li Xiaonan blurted out, "Zhou Xiao, I heard you were shot? Are you alright?"
His tone was urgent, his eyes were anxious, and he couldn't hide his concern.
This isn't just camaraderie; it's genuine care and concern.
Everyone was talking about the Kuomintang's actions after Xian Daofeng's death, but she only cared about whether he was safe.
Zhou Xiao said casually, "It's nothing. The bullet went right through my shoulder; it didn't break any bones."
Her tense expression finally relaxed: "That's good... Next time, don't put yourself in dangerous situations again, it's too risky."
"What if the gunman was off-target by half an inch?"
偏？
Zheng Yaoxian's gun never misses its mark.
"I've got it." He looked at the reproach and heartache in her eyes, and his heart warmed, feeling a sense of peace and comfort.
It feels so good to be cared for so deeply.
He's not stupid.
He knew that Li Xiaonan loved him.
It was a pure and innocent liking, without any calculation or ulterior motive, as pure as the first breeze of early spring.
They couldn't worry about that right now; both of them knew the truth but tacitly kept quiet about it.
Zhou Xiao changed the subject, saying, "However, there is an urgent matter that needs to be handled immediately, and it carries considerable risk."
"Tonight, Ken Oshima, the head of the Sugi Agency and commander of the military police, will be hosting a banquet for me at the Shanghai Grand Hotel. You have to carry out an assassination mission; the target is Ken Oshima."
"I will step in at the last minute to 'save' him, making him completely devoted to me—the whole plan is clean, efficient, and straightforward."
Li Xiaonan immediately panicked upon hearing this: "This is too risky! Bullets don't discriminate."
"There's no other way." Zhou Xiao said calmly, "Oshima Ken already trusts me to some extent, but we're still one step away from truly entrusting him with core secrets."
"The Special Higher Police Section Chief has not yet taken office, and there are very few reliable people available at the Shang Mansion, the Special Operations Headquarters, and No. 76. If the currency war is to be launched, Ken Oshima will inevitably have to rely on a few people he can trust, and I must become that 'most trustworthy' person."
"As long as he completely trusts me, he will let me participate in the specific actions of the currency war—at that time, the location of the counterfeit money printing sites and the whereabouts of the Tianlai Project list will naturally come to light."
"The method is straightforward, even a bit reckless, but right now, it's the most effective."
Zhou Xiao originally planned to ask Sixth Brother Zheng Yaoxian to join forces, but the timing was too risky. Taking the initiative to contact Zheng Yaoxian would be like revealing his hand on a knife's edge. After careful consideration, the most suitable candidate was still Li Xiaonan.
After all, the two were already in a romantic relationship.
Li Xiaonan understood what he meant and nodded, saying, "I understand, I'll go prepare now."
Zhou Xiao responded, his gaze turning serious: "Right now, my biggest concern isn't myself, but your safety."
"Ken Oshima is hosting a banquet at the Shanghai Grand Hotel this time, so security will definitely be tight, with military police deployed at every level. When you make your move, you must be absolutely certain of success and escape unscathed."
Li Xiaonan raised her eyebrows and smiled: "Zhou Xiao, I'm not a new recruit fresh out of training camp. I know exactly how to cover my tracks and how to escape. Don't worry, I'll make sure this act is flawless."
Zhou Xiao gazed at her delicate profile and said softly, "I believe you."
Time is of the essence. He must gain Oshima Ken's absolute trust as soon as possible in order to have a chance to break into the counterfeit money den and find out the real list of Project Celestial.
After finishing their business, the two chatted casually about everyday things.
As they spoke, Li Xiaonan took out a simple brocade pouch from her bosom and handed it over: "Zhou Xiao, this is a little trinket for you. Open it and take a look."
Zhou Xiao took it, slightly curious: "What's inside?" he asked as he gently untied the rope.
Inside the brocade pouch lay a yellow paper talisman.
The surface was covered with densely packed runes and incantations drawn with cinnabar.
"A talisman?" Zhou Xiao was slightly taken aback. "A protective talisman?"
Li Xiaonan nodded: "Yes, it's a talisman obtained from Ningguo Temple."
Amulets, commonly known as spirit charms, are usually written by high-ranking Buddhist monks according to rituals, including the names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, seed syllables, or mantras. They are then blessed and chanted, and worn close to the body. By relying on the protection of the saints, they can bring good fortune and ward off evil. In folk beliefs, they can protect against disasters, avoid water and fire, help with childbirth, and bring peace of mind.
"This talisman has been consecrated and chanted by an old monk at Ningguo Temple; it's very effective. You should carry it with you at all times."