As a triple agent, Matsudaira Hidemi was well aware of the significant political implications of the tripartite talks and had already reported this intelligence to his superiors. Therefore, both the underground Communist Party and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Zhongtong) demanded that he do his utmost to find out the specific details of the tripartite talks.
Therefore, Matsudaira Hidemi took advantage of the opportunity of starting a newspaper and conducting interviews to frequently contact Ning Zhiheng. Today, he finally got his wish and obtained the most important information about the tripartite talks from Ning Zhiheng.
The trilateral talks will be held in Qingdao in a week!
With the time and place set, the next step was to gather further information. Matsudaira Hidemi's mind raced, but his face remained impassive as he continued the conversation according to his own plan.
At this moment, Matsudaira Hidemi's face showed a look of longing, and he clicked his tongue in admiration, "Fujiwara-kun is going to visit Qingdao? I've heard that Qingdao's scenery is beautiful and unparalleled in the world, but unfortunately I've never seen it. I'm really envious!"
Ning Zhiheng had already understood the meaning behind Matsudaira Hideaki's words. The person opposite him was clearly very interested in the three-way talks. However, considering that this person was an intelligence agent for the Iwai Mansion, it was normal for him to be interested in these matters, so Ning Zhiheng did not notice anything amiss at the time.
He said with a smile, "What? Matsudaira-kun also wants to go and take a look?"
Matsudaira Hidemi quickly nodded and said, "I have admired China's cultural landscape since I was a child. Before coming to China, I made a wish to travel all over China's beautiful rivers and mountains. Unfortunately, as soon as I came to China, I joined the Iwai Mansion and have been no longer free. I am bound by this. It is such a pity!"
Ning Zhiheng laughed and said, "That's easy. Since you've got nothing to do these days, just ask Consul Iwai for a few days off and come with me to Qingdao for a few days. It'll be a good way to relax. In your free time, as the sun sets, you can listen to the wind, watch the sea, and play chess with friends. That would be wonderful! Haha, what do you think? Matsudaira-kun, please consider it!"
Matsudaira Hidemi was overjoyed at Ning Zhiheng's invitation. He had been worried about not having an opportunity or excuse to get close to this meeting. He knew that although the Iwai Mansion was also an intelligence agency, its intelligence level was low and its influence was limited to Shanghai. It couldn't get involved in the affairs of North China at all.
He had just planned to go back and persuade Takei Iwai to go to Qingdao to participate in the meeting under the guise of an interview, but he knew the chances were slim.
But now that Fujiwara Tomohito has extended an invitation, it's completely different. Not only is there a solid excuse, but given Fujiwara Tomohito's status, he can definitely get in touch with extremely key figures. Perhaps I can even get the information I need directly from Fujiwara Tomohito. This is simply a godsend.
Matsudaira Hidemi made no attempt to hide his joy. He bowed slightly and said happily, "Haha! That's wonderful! I'll go back and ask Consul Iwai for a few days' leave. We'll go to Qingdao together. Thank you for your kind offer, Fujiwara-kun!"
Ning Zhiheng smiled slightly, waved his hand, and didn't take it to heart. He placed his piece again and said softly, "Matsudaira-kun, you're going to lose this game!"
At the Qingdao military airport, Li Zhiqun and Wang Hanmin led their group into a welcoming vehicle and drove towards their assigned accommodation.
They were greeted by Major Yokota, an intelligence officer from the North China Special Higher Police, who was also the liaison officer for the North China side and was specifically responsible for coordinating all of Li Zhiqun's actions.
At this moment, Major Yokota, who was sitting in the front seat of the car, turned slightly to Li Zhiqun and Wang Hanmin behind him and said, "Mr. Li, I am ordered to cooperate with your elimination operation. There is one thing I need to remind you: all your actions in Qingdao must be reported to our Special Higher Police Section, and I will coordinate them."
Li Zhiqun quickly nodded and said, "Please rest assured, Major Yokota, we are only ordered to eliminate the local Kuomintang Qingdao Station. All actions will be communicated with you in advance, and we will never act without authorization."
Major Yokota was unconvinced. He knew the Kuomintang's military intelligence forces in Qingdao very well, having participated in the early operations to suppress the Qingdao station. He knew the local military intelligence forces were already vulnerable. However, he knew that the other side's actions were approved by the high command of both sides, so he naturally wouldn't interfere. He still reminded them, "Gentlemen, the situation in Qingdao is very special. Our troops are stationed everywhere here—the army, navy, military police headquarters, and our Special Higher Police. Their forces are intertwined. Once there is an operation, I will contact all parties in advance to prevent misunderstandings!"
Li Zhiqun and Wang Hanmin quickly nodded in agreement, saying, "Understood! Please take good care of us, Mr. Yokota!"
The vehicle entered a high-end hotel. Qingdao is a beautiful place, especially along the Qingdao Bay, where a large number of hotels and villas left by the Germans have been built. Accommodating Li Zhiqun and others was naturally not a problem.
Major Yokota settled them in, gave them a few more instructions, and then took his leave.
Li Zhiqun and Wang Hanmin watched Major Yokota leave, exchanged a glance, and at Li Zhiqun's signal, the two found a stone table at the entrance of the hotel and sat down.
Wang Hanmin looked around and said with a smile, "As expected of the best in the North, the scenery is really nice, but the wind is a bit strong!"
Li Zhiqun breathed a long sigh of relief, inhaled the slightly fishy air, felt a sense of relief, and nodded, saying, "Coming here, I feel much more relaxed. At least I don't have to worry about being shot by Chongqing elements all the time."
Both men were aware of each other's intentions and smiled slightly. Li Zhiqun continued, "Brother Hanmin, for this trip to Qingdao, I made a solemn pledge to General Yingzuo that I must eliminate the Military Intelligence Bureau's Qingdao station and remove any security threats before the tripartite talks. General Yingzuo has high expectations for us. If we do well this time, we will have made a name for ourselves in front of everyone."
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