Xiao Hong continued, "In addition, Shanghai sent a telegram requesting that we send the original of the Shadow's warning as soon as possible. They specifically emphasized that they do not require the entire content, only the Shadow's signature, as they want to verify the handwriting and confirm the Shadow's information."
Cheng Xingye was puzzled by this and asked in confusion, "They need to verify the handwriting? Can't they contact the shadow directly and ask him?"
Cheng Xingye was unaware of how Shadow contacted the Shanghai authorities. The simplest and most effective way to verify the authenticity of Shadow's information was, of course, to contact him directly and ask him in person. Why would he verify it through handwriting? After all, handwriting could be forged by someone else.
However, Shadow's signature is indeed very special. He has never seen anyone use such an exaggerated and elegant style of writing before. It must be Shadow's unique writing style.
Xiao Hong was also a little puzzled and said, "There are indeed some problems. However, I judge that it is because Shadow suddenly came to Nanjing and temporarily lost contact with Shanghai. That's why Shanghai confirmed it through handwriting. In other words, someone in Shanghai is very familiar with Shadow's handwriting."
Cheng Xingye nodded and said, "Tomorrow, send a courier to Shanghai to deliver the original of Shadow's signature. Use Liaison Station No. 3 as the contact point. By the way, have they explained to Shadow that he knew my identity?"
Cheng Xingye had been puzzled by this matter. He couldn't let it go until it was explained. It wasn't that he was worried about his personal safety, but rather that his position was too important and the responsibilities he bore were too great, so he couldn't afford to be negligent in the slightest.
Xiao Hong shook his head and replied, "The scholar said he didn't know how Shadow found you either. According to him, Shadow had been operating in Shanghai and couldn't possibly know your identity unless it was before the outbreak of the full-scale war. At that time, Shadow was working under the leadership of the Nanjing Municipal Committee and it's possible that they had some contact. Perhaps it was at that time that he learned some things about you."
This answer certainly did not satisfy Cheng Xingye. He said helplessly, "Then let's wait until Shanghai resumes contact with Shadow before asking him for clarification."
At this point, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Could it be that I really met the shadow?"
Cheng Xingye became increasingly puzzled. When he first arrived in Nanjing, he took over the position of Kuquan and became one of the five standing committee members, holding a very high position within the organization. Logically speaking, the Shadow's identity should not be higher than his own, let alone have the authority to know his identity. This was truly an unsolvable mystery.
In the Special Higher Police office, Yuji Imai summoned Matsunaga Ono and Rikuzan Abe, who were in charge of monitoring Hitoshi Takasugi.
Yuji Imai's face was terribly gloomy, his gaze fixed on the two people. The atmosphere in the room was extremely oppressive, making the two people feel uneasy.
This surveillance operation failed, and those in charge of the task are naturally responsible, especially since it resulted in the casualties of their subordinates. It remains to be seen how Yuji Imai will treat them.
"Has the Special Higher Police's operational capabilities deteriorated to this extent? With so many people monitoring a Ministry of Foreign Affairs intelligence officer, you were discovered after only two days of surveillance and were even lured into a trap without realizing it, needlessly losing my men and causing the Special Higher Police to lose face. It's utterly foolish!"
Imai Yuji's words left the two men speechless with shame. They had just arrived in Nanjing and had only just accepted their mission when they suffered such a huge setback. Now, after being scolded by Imai Yuji, they felt utterly ashamed.
Yuji Imai continued, "General Uehara has already made a decision. Takasugi Hitoshi will be investigated internally by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our Special Higher Police are strictly prohibited from interfering. Your mission is complete. Return home as soon as possible!"
"Colonel!" Ono Matsunaga exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this. He stepped forward and said, "We can't give up on this mission so easily. We also plan to use Takasugi Hitoshi as a breakthrough point to further investigate the domestic communist organization..."
"Enough! It's your incompetence that ruined the entire operation. You were led by the nose and caused us to lose personnel!" Imai Yuji slammed his hand on the table and snorted coldly. He pointed at Ono Matsunaga's nose and scolded, "It's too late to say anything now. Even the North China Headquarters can't change this fact. This is Central China, this is Nanjing, the command center of the Central China Area Army. I cannot disobey General Uehara's orders."
Ono Matsunaga was speechless. Imai Yuji was right. In fact, even if the North China side agreed to their arrest plan, it was a plan to make a secret arrest without alerting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to strike first and create a fait accompli.
But now that everything is out in the open, even if the Special Higher Police Headquarters is powerful, it wouldn't dare to disobey the military's orders in Central China, so this matter really can't continue.
"In fact, headquarters just sent a telegram. Section Chief Tsuchihara did not approve your arrest request. He warned us that we can investigate secretly, but we must never have a direct conflict with the military or other intelligence agencies."
The North China headquarters' attitude was very clear: the Special Higher Police (TAT) was currently in conflict with other intelligence agencies in many ways due to its rapid expansion of power. This had caused Tsuchihara Keiji considerable trouble, especially in the Central China region where the military held a dominant position. Tsuchihara Keiji did not want to cause any more trouble, so he quickly issued this instruction.
"Is that so?" Ono Matsunaga and Abe Rikuzan looked disappointed, their last bit of hope shattered.
Seeing Ono Matsunaga's dejected look, Imai Yuji's expression softened slightly, and he instructed, "However, I have urged the president of the United News Agency, Ihara Taichi, to find out the identity of the last man in the photo as soon as possible. You can take this clue back to Japan to report back, so it won't be a wasted trip."
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