Chapter 228: Number?

Chen Yongren never imagined he would be in this newly opened Japanese restaurant, hearing Fujiwara Chinta and his companions' thoughts.

He had been worrying how to find this bunch of bastards, and they ended up right in front of him.

It's truly a case of wearing out iron shoes to find nothing, yet it comes without effort.

Upon further thought.

This is Hongkou District, the Japanese stronghold in Songhu.

Compared to other areas, it will be safer.

With guests coming from afar and it being a mealtime, choosing to entertain them at a newly opened restaurant is not strange.

Moreover, the restaurant's soundproofing is good, so they chose to hold their meeting here.

"Chen Sang, what's wrong?" Seeing Chen Yongren suddenly fall silent, Fujiwara Yuko asked.

"Shh..." Chen Yongren raised his head, extended a finger, and lightly covered Fujiwara Yuko's mouth: "Be good, don't speak, let me look at you properly."

"Chen Sang~" Hearing this, Fujiwara Yuko blushed and turned her head away.

Actually, Chen Yongren simply didn't want Fujiwara Yuko to disturb him while he eavesdropped on those bastards' thoughts.

The waitresses successively brought dishes to the private room; Fujiwara Yuko acted as a waitress, busily massaging Chen Yongren's shoulders and legs, occasionally feeding him a few bites of rice.

Occasionally Chen Yongren rewarded her with a few bites of food, which made Fujiwara Yuko even more moved.

After some observation.

Those several Chinese individuals were indeed the envoys sent by Mr. Wang to Songhu, whose purpose was to negotiate post-surrender matters with the Japanese.

After all.

That fellow also carries considerable prestige and has many supporters inside; wanting to surrender, he naturally needs to work out a suitable price.

To Chen Yongren's delight, their private room happened to be right next door!

Only a wall separates them.

But before Chen Yongren's wind‑ear ability, no matter how faint the sound, none could escape his ears.

"Chinta, is this place safe?" Tsuchiura Ji asked.

Fujiwara Chinta bowed deeply and said: "General, rest assured, the soundproofing here is excellent and very safe; I have tested it myself—no sound can be heard from the adjacent rooms."

"Yo." Tsuchiura Ji nodded satisfactorily, then asked: "Who is eating next door?"

"I have already asked the staff; to the left is a young couple, to the right is a gathering of friends." Fujiwara Chinta asked: "General, should I drive them away?"

"No need to waste time; we have more important matters to attend to now." Tsuchiura Ji said.

"Hai!" Fujiwara Chinta nodded heavily.

Takayanagi Hideyoshi said: "Wu Sang, Wang Sang, this is our Agency Director, General Tsuchiura, Deputy Agency Director Colonel Fujiwara, and this is the consul's Ambassador Iwai,"

Wu Haichuan and Wang Xiaonian in unison: "General Tsuchiura, Colonel Fujiwara, Your Excellency Iwai."

"Wu Sang, Wang Sang, let's skip the small talk and get straight to the point: if you are willing to surrender to the Imperial Army, I can guarantee you." Tsuchiura Ji said: "From now on you will be the backbone of the new regime, all of you founding heroes."

"The Locust Army will certainly not mistreat you; it will give you the treatment you deserve."

Hearing these words, Chen Yongren silently thought, "As expected," while fondling Fujiwara Yuko and continuing to listen to their conversation.

"General, we understand your words, but where do you intend to establish the new regime?" Wu Haichuan asked.

"This time, those defecting are not just us; besides our comrades in the Chongqing Government, there are many brothers in the Central Statistics Bureau and the Military Statistics Bureau preparing to turn from darkness to light and defect to the Locust Army."

"We cannot just look out for ourselves and ignore their fate, can we?"

"The Military Statistics Bureau Headquarters was recently reorganized; our Section Chief Ding incurred others' envy, the Third Department was forcibly disbanded, leaving him depressed and joyless, and he is currently spending his days in Fragrant Harbor."

"By the way, one thing is certain: the Military Statistics Bureau does have a station in Songhu; we just don't yet know exactly how many personnel or who is in charge."

Upon hearing this, several old devils exchanged glances.

"This is actually a very important piece of information."

"If we can turn it, we will surely obtain many important communications from the National Government."

"We might even be able to uncover important clues about the Yellow Weasel!"

"We might even be able to uproot the Military Statistics Bureau's station in Songhu completely."

Damn it!

Hearing this string of thoughts, Chen Yongren wanted to curse his mother.

These damned little Japanese really can't forget my codename.

How long has it been, and they're still thinking about how to dig it out?

The reorganization of the Military Statistics Bureau Headquarters happened not long ago; the original Intelligence Bureau inherited its name.

No wonder Boss Dai didn't mention the Third Department—it turns out it no longer exists.

If this fellow defects, how many top‑secrets would he leak?

By then, not only the Central Statistics Bureau but even the Military Statistics Bureau's codes would have to be changed again.

If the Japanese were to discover the code pattern again, it would be even more disastrous.

"Rest assured, we have long decided on the site for the new regime." Tsuchiura Ji laughed: "It's right in Gold Mound, your former capital!"

"We will support you in reestablishing the regime in Gold Mound; that is where your original regime belonged."

"As long as we recognize it, the so‑called Chongqing regime is an illegal regime!"

Wu Haichuan and Wang Xiaonian exchanged glances.

"Gold Mound?"

"Establishing a regime in Gold Mound would give it a legitimacy even more orthodox than Chongqing's."

"If we could also have our own troops…"

"Rest assured, besides helping you rebuild the capital in Gold Mound, we will also organize troops for you!" Tsuchiura Ji added: "Any unit willing to follow you in surrendering to the Locust Army will come under your command!"

"As for the affiliation of those agents you mentioned, there's no need to worry."

Whether in Jinling or Songhu, we have special-agent teams composed of Chinese, made up of the Locust Army's finest talent; at that time you can merge them together!

Rest assured, this special-agent unit will be under your command, secretly protecting your safety!

Of course, that's for later; we can continue discussing the specifics!

Hearing this, Chen Yongren gradually felt something was off.

How come this Chinese special-agent organization in Songhu sounds so familiar?

Could it be Number 76?

Chen Yongren continued to listen to the commotion next door.

Wu Haiquan and Wang Xiaonian couldn't hide the smiles on their faces.

There are troops, there's a special-agent organization, and most importantly, we can establish the capital in Jinling—the Japanese really are offering very tempting terms.

Afterward.

They then held further talks on various fronts—from forming a new regime, to continuing to win over the wavering factions within Chongqing, and finally they inquired about the residence of Section Chief Ding, who was staying in Hong Kong.

Both sides wanted greater gains; a simple talk like this could naturally yield no useful result.

Most importantly, it's not something they can agree to just by saying they agree.

The true mastermind is still hidden further behind.

After discussion, they devised a rough plan.

Wu Haiquan and Wang Xiaonian bowed and took their leave, preparing to first return to their residence in the Japanese Concession, report to their superior, and then make a decision.