Along the way, Luo Jiang had been thinking about the Japanese proposal to exchange prisoners between the two sides. To be honest, he was very confused!
The car finally stopped in a secluded and dark place next to the Hartung Building.
Captain Ma knew that when Luo Jiang came to Hatong, he would definitely get off the train here.
Sure enough, after Luo Jiang got off the car, he quickly disappeared through the side door of the Hartung Building.
He went up the stairs to the third floor, turned a corner, and in front of him was the main entrance of "Tongyuan Trading Company".
A huge white cloth flag was erected outside the door of "Tongyuan Trading Company", with the four characters "Inoue Mansion" written on it. These characters were written by Japanese at first glance, strong and heavy, and very eye-catching.
Standing by the door was a Japanese man in kimono. He had a long knife stuck in his waist, his hair was shaved and tied into a bun, and he was wearing a pair of hemp shoes. He stared at Luo Jiang with a stern face. Seeing Luo Jiang approaching, he said nothing.
He said and opened the door.
18-11
Luo Jiang walked in and saw the thin but always energetic Inoue Hizaki.
Wearing a maroon kimono and wearing wooden clogs, he stood in the foyer, looking at him suspiciously.
He said bluntly: "Mr. Inoue, I have something very important that I want you to explain."
Inoue stretched out his hand and motioned for him to enter a small living room.
The small living room is completely filled with Chinese-style furniture, which is old and heavy. A redwood palace lantern hangs high on the roof, shining with a dark yellow light. On a high table by the wall, an incense stick is burning slowly.
They sat down on both sides of the square table. Inoue made tea for him and then looked at him quietly.
Luo Jiang also looked at him and said softly: "Mr. Inoue, today, your people asked us to exchange captured personnel from both sides. Is this possible?"
Inoue nodded slightly, "That's the case."
"What do you mean? Or, what other purposes do you have? Please tell me directly." Luo Jiang stared at him calmly.
"No, we just want to exchange, equal exchange, smooth exchange, that's it." Inoue said calmly.
"Can you tell me the truth? In this way, the exchange may be smoother." Luo Jiang slowed down and breathed a sigh of relief.
Inoue leaned forward slightly, pushed the tea cup in front of Luo Jiang a little further, then put his elbows on the table, looking at him calmly and steadily, his slightly old eyes were like bottomless ancient wells, shining black
of light.
"Mr. Luo," he said softly: "Of course I want to tell you the truth! But you have to believe that what I tell you is the truth!"
"Please speak, I will listen."
"The man you captured is named Naoki Takaji. Did you hear this surname clearly? It is a noble surname, very old. If you look closely, he is even related to the emperor. In addition, he is Prince Chunbo
Nephew."
Luo Jiang showed a smile on his face, which seemed to be sarcastic.
"Mr. Luo, please put away your sarcasm! Do you think this is a matter of protecting the children of a noble family? More serious things are yet to come! You will hear that everything I say is the truth!"
"I'm sorry, please continue talking." Luo Jiang immediately put away his smile and looked at him seriously.
"Prince Chunbo serves as a counselor at the Japanese Army General Staff Headquarters. Although he is not a very high position, he is extremely prestigious in the army! He can even decide the Japanese Army's next strategy! I guess you have no idea about the strategy of the Japanese Army and Navy.
Do you have some understanding of the differences on the topic?"
"Yes, I have heard a little bit about it." Luo Jiang admitted honestly.
"Very good, so that we can have a common language. Prince Chunbo hopes that the agents of the Japanese Naval Command in Shanghai can help rescue Naoki Takaji! It is such a small thing, but it is related to your country's next strategy
!”
"What do you mean?" Luo Jiang asked unexpectedly.
"Mr. Luo, I also have some channels, so I know your country's next strategy. Chairman Chiang Kai-shek of your country has decided to fight Japan in the direction of Shanghai! Am I right? Again, I have received accurate information that your country's military
This afternoon, a military meeting will be held in Zhenru Town in the western suburbs. Is this possible?" A smile appeared on Inoue's face.
Luo Jiang didn't dare to tell the truth about this matter even if he had the courage. He neither nodded nor shook his head, but looked at Inoue calmly, waiting for him to continue.
Inoue nodded and continued: "The Japanese Navy also hopes to fight in the direction of Shanghai!"
He smiled slightly, as if hoping that Luo Jiang would pay attention to these words.
He continued: "However, if Naoki Takaji cannot be rescued, Prince Chunbo will never send a single soldier to Shanghai! Instead, he will choose to go south from North China! You must know that there are only some Japanese Marines in Shanghai, about 10,000 people.
, it’s over after the fight! But this will speed up the Japanese army’s move from North China to the south! Mr. Luo, this is a small Eagle Division that can decide the strategic direction of you and me!”
Only when Luo Jiang heard this did he understand why a little Japanese agent was so important!
If there were only Japanese marines in Shanghai, it would be impossible to achieve the strategic goals of the Chairman of the Standing Committee! Commander-in-Chief Zhang said at today’s meeting that he hopes his intelligence agents will work hard in the strategic direction desired by the Chairman of the Standing Committee!
"So, you just want to complete the exchange and have no other purpose?" Luo Jiang asked.
"Yes, we just want to complete the exchange and have no other purpose! Mr. Luo, I hope you don't have any other purpose. That is very bad! On our side, we have considered various situations and they will never suffer a loss!"
At this point, Luo Jiang finally understood everything. Peng Shaoyong obviously thought this matter was simple.
This is determined by his status. In other words, no matter how carefully he arranges it, he may even capture a few Japanese spies, but it will be very detrimental to the overall situation of China's next war of resistance! This is something he must consider!
In fact, the words of both parties made everything clear at this point.
He also believed that Inoue was telling the truth. However, facing the shrewd Inoue, he could not say anything outrageous! At least for now, he still had to master this sense of proportion.
He said: "Mr. Inoue, I already understand what you mean. Let's put it this way, I will consider this issue carefully. In addition, if necessary, I may come to you for advice again. I take my leave."
Inoue also stood up, stretched out his hand to signal him to go out, and said at the same time: "Mr. Luo, I hope we will have opportunities to cooperate in the future. At least we can communicate with each other. Please believe that I will tell you the truth whether today or in the future.
As time goes by, you will understand.”
Luo Jiang couldn't believe this. There were too many things telling him that he should never trust the Japanese!
But he didn't say anything, just shook hands with Inoue and walked towards the door.
18-12
Luo Jiang left Hartung Building and took a bus back.
The cool night breeze on the road blew in through the window, making him feel comfortable.
However, after he was relaxed for a few minutes, he suddenly realized an incredible problem.
Although he was inclined to exchange personnel from both sides safely and smoothly at this time, because this was in line with the chairman's intention of fighting in Shanghai. However, it was difficult for him to explain this situation to Peng Shaoyong and others!
Because this issue was so sensitive, he couldn't even open his mouth!
First of all, he must not tell anyone that he has met Hizaki Inoue. This is tantamount to giving someone a handle!
Secondly, people like Peng Shaoyong and Chen Zifeng wanted to take the opportunity to arrest a few more Japanese spies.
For them, this is the war of resistance! Because in Northeast and North China, they are already filled with anger!
Can I persuade them not to arrest him? Let him pass this opportunity? This will make him lose his authority! It is also something he cannot do!
So, how to get Peng Shaoyong, Chen Zifeng and others to give up their ambush plan? This put him in a difficult position.
He returned to the station and walked around his office several times, but he didn't come up with any good ideas! This made him feel incredible!
18-13
At this time, something even more incredible happened at Chen Zifeng's residence in Qiaojia Nong.
Gui Longhai stared at Chen Zifeng and others so excitedly that his face turned red with excitement. He waved his hands and shouted to Chen Zifeng, Xiao Ancheng and Qiao Yanfang: "This must not be done! This must not be done!"
Gui Longhai brought back a letter from Yali Bar, a letter left by Takahashi.
Chen Zifeng, like Peng Shaoyong, read the letter carefully from front to back before opening the envelope. Upon first look, he was greatly surprised. Japan proposed that at noon tomorrow, or noon the day after tomorrow, at the Nanshi Police Station.
Exchange outside the door! Two captured personnel, one in, one out, with Gui Longhai supervising and guaranteeing!
However, as soon as Gui Longhai heard that he would be exchanged at the Nanshi Branch, he immediately shook his head and firmly disagreed!
Xiao Ancheng and Qiao Yanfang both looked at him in surprise, wondering what was wrong with him.
Such a great opportunity! We can catch a few more Japanese spies! Or even catch them all! Why doesn't he agree?
Chen Zifeng shook the letter Gui Longhai brought back and tried hard to persuade him, "Chief Gui, look, this is the exchange place designated by the Japanese! You brought the letter back too! What a great opportunity! Why don't you
agree!"
"Team Leader Chen, everything is easy to discuss, but this matter is definitely not possible! It just isn't possible!"
"What's wrong if we arrest a few more Japanese spies? The whole country is resisting the war, and we are resisting the war too!"
"I have no objection to catching Japanese spies! I also support the Anti-Japanese War! This is no problem! You should also remember that I helped you catch Japanese spies! Right! But if you choose to choose the Nanshi Branch, it won't work! I will never agree!"
"Why? Tell me the truth!" Chen Zifeng shouted to him.
"Let me tell you, Team Leader Chen, Takahashi told me this morning not to engage in any conspiracy! Do you think they can't think of such a thing! They have thought of it a long time ago! They must have a back-up plan! What if you guys
Both sides started fighting and fired. What should our brothers in the branch do? They only know how to catch thieves and maintain law and order! They have not received the same training as you! How many of my brothers may be killed when the gun fires?
What! Some of them are old and some are young! Are they beaten to death for nothing? No! I absolutely cannot agree to this location!"