Chapter 639: Setting the Trap

Showa 11, April 6, clear.

Today General Okamura was very happy; I again tried to bring it up.

As a result, I was again scolded by General Okamura, who told me that soldiers should have backbone and should find their own ways to make money; I felt encouraged.

Then I saw him stuff 20 yen into a dancer's hand.

Showa 11, October 30, heavy rain.

I haven't written anything for several months.

Today, my mother ultimately died from illness, just as she said, each winter is a trial for the elderly.

This time, she failed.

Perhaps death was also…

If I had money, perhaps the outcome would not have been like this.

Writing this, Chen Yongren deliberately sprinkled a few drops of water here, causing the later handwriting to become blurred.

……

Chen Yongren's fake diary is not updated frequently; it has been kept at a frequency of several days, several weeks, occasionally monthly.

After all.

Who normal person writes a diary every day?

But every time Yamada Tarou writes in his diary, his mindset undergoes subtle changes due to Okamura Nenji's attitude.

But because the events exist, this actually increases the credibility of these matters.

Showa 12, March 16, rain.

I, under General Okamura's order, went to gather information about the Chinese troops stationed in the East Four Provinces.

Originally I was the one buying information, but suddenly someone approached me to confirm a matter.

Whether General Okamura would go to the East Four Provinces in April, and he was willing to give me 20 yen as a deposit.

As long as I provide an answer and it is verified, I will later receive 80 yen as a balance as thanks.

It seems he sees me frequently appearing in the information market and treats me as an information dealer.

Truly interesting.

I am not surprised by this; after all, the news that General Okamura would soon go to the East Four Provinces had already been publicized last month.

I don't understand this, but information is actually so valuable?

At that time I was dating a girlfriend, exactly when I needed to spend money.

Anyway, since this matter has already been publicized, my doing this does not count as leaking secrets.

So I nodded.

20 yen in hand, I first felt, is money really this easy to come by?

Today I said too much; tonight I can take my girlfriend out for a big meal to treat her.

Looking at this diary, Chen Yongren grinned.

Because Yamada Tarou indeed went to gather information at first.

True and false information mixed together could completely trap Yamada Tarou; after laying the groundwork for half a day, Chen Yongren also gradually got to the point.

Showa 12, April 30, clear.

That information dealer appeared again, and as promised gave me 80 yen, saying we could continue cooperating.

With money, I could buy new clothes for my girlfriend.

Showa 12, May 14, overcast.

Although it had been half a month since I last wrote in my diary, I felt fulfilled and had earned a lot of money.

The information dealer only asks trivial questions; I just need to nod or shake my head, the speed of earning money exceeds my expectations, I am both surprised and afraid, and can only try to stay normal.

My heart tells me this matter cannot be reported.

Showa 12, May 21, cloudy.

The information dealer did not appear.

Showa 12, May 24, clear.

The information dealer still did not appear.

Showa 12, June 2, overcast.

He seemed to have disappeared, and I am almost out of money.

Showa 12, June 14, heavy rain.

Today the rain was heavy; because I had no money, Hanako and I broke up. If I had money, this would not have happened; I need to make money.

On this page, Chen Yongren likewise dripped some water, and the handwriting also became somewhat messy.

The breakup is indeed real.

It's just that Hanako worried Yamada Tarou would die on the battlefield, wanting to use this as an excuse to force this idiot to retire from service.

Under Chen Yongren's careful fabrication, Yamada Tarou's psychology underwent another shift, gradually becoming money-obsessed.

Showa 12, July 25, heavy rain.

Although today is again heavy rain, my mood is quite good; that information dealer who had disappeared for a long time finally reappeared.

He asked me to transport a batch of goods; I agreed and earned 100 dollars.

This earns more than helping General Okamura transport goods.

In the diary.

Yamada Tarou began to transport goods, handle travel permits, and sell information for wealth.

Because the payment is indeed too great; even if Yamada Tarou has vaguely guessed the identity of that information dealer.

But still pretended to be foolish…

From the simplest intelligence, to having him steal a copy of the East Four Provinces' train schedule.

Yamada Taro, who had been deeply bound, knew there was no turning back; even speaking would only mean death, so he might as well go all out, stealing information for profit.

In the diary, it recorded in detail that the information dealer, namely that Military Statistics Bureau agent, would occasionally give him some information, deepening Okamura Neiji's trust in him.

And how Yamada Taro repaid kindness with kindness, passing along the intelligence that the 106th Division's isolated unit had penetrated deep into Ganzhou, leading to that division being surrounded.

Each time the information was transmitted, it corresponded to Okamura Neiji's failures.

Until finally Yamada Taro transmitted Operation Plan No. 5, after which he began to worry in the diary about how to clear his own suspicion.

Originally blank, the diary was later filled with entries; Chen Yongren then aged the diary, making it look somewhat old so it wouldn't be seen through at a glance.

Everything ready, Chen Yongren stored the notebook in the system warehouse, waiting until night to hide it at Yamada Taro's home, then place some gold bars inside; all that remained was to finish it.

Time had come to afternoon; Chen Yongren had just stretched when he heard a knocking at the door.

"Come in." Chen Yongren said.

The door was pushed open.

Zhongyuan Shen and the others hurried into the office, their faces showing guilt.

"No results?" Chen Yongren asked.

"Hai!" several people nodded heavily.

"Chief Commander, we've embarrassed you." Ando Tadashi said shamefacedly.

"It's only the first day, why rush? With all this fuss, the mole might even reveal himself." Chen Yongren casually comforted them a few sentences, then sent them away.

Who knew they wouldn't leave, insisting on continuing to search the documents, hoping to find some clues.

Chen Yongren also couldn't be bothered with them, planning first to hide the diary at Yamada Taro's home.

Just stepping out of the office, he saw An Da walking over.

"Chief Director Sir, how's the investigation going?" An Da still worried about the Yuan Chief.

"Uncle Xie's concerned, everything's going smoothly." Chen Yongren casually lied; "I think I already have a rough suspect, and I'm currently gathering more solid evidence."

"Who is it?" An Da asked.

Chen Yongren shook his head: "I won't reveal a word to the outside before the case is closed."

"You little brat, still being mysterious with me." Seeing Chen Yongren unwilling to say more, An Da, 23, also didn't dare to ask further.

"In any case, Uncle, just wait for my good news—I'll definitely give you a big surprise." After saying that, Chen Yongren turned and left.

Watching Chen Yongren's back, An Da could only shake his head in resignation.

At the agency's gate, Chen Yongren made the excuse that he wanted to relax and sent the driver home.

Soon after, he saw a familiar figure walking out.