As a rising star in the Japanese overseas art world, I could legitimately approach this master sculptor and find an opportunity to destroy the coin engraving he had created. By the time he re-engraved a new engraving, the rapid devaluation of the coin would have already begun.
If the engraving cannot be damaged, then simply assassinate Kanda Tamayama and force them to choose a new master engraver, which would also delay the process for some time.
If none of these can be done, then the only option is to risk destroying this batch of legal tender. Of course, this is only a last resort, and he is unwilling to take this risk unless absolutely necessary. After all, the printing base is not easy to attack by force, and it is heavily guarded. Even if he personally takes action, it will be difficult to succeed.
However, necessary preparations still needed to be made. He needed to know if Duan Tiecheng and Wang Hanmin had any information about the library building. He didn't believe that these two people, with their experience, would take action without doing any prior preparation.
They must have something they need, and they must get it. So, who should get it?
Of course, I can't show up myself. The best way is for Huo Yueze, the head of the Shanghai intelligence section, to come forward. This way, it will be legitimate and the matter will be explained clearly. Only then will Duan Tiecheng and Wang Hanmin be willing to hand over the information. As for how to deal with the two, that's a matter for headquarters.
However, the Japanese are currently conducting a city-wide search, and the passages from the concessions to downtown Shanghai have been blocked, so Huo Yueze is unable to enter downtown Shanghai for the time being. This matter will have to wait until this storm passes before we can discuss it further.
Ning Zhiheng calmed down and waited quietly. The Japanese blocked off the streets of Shanghai and conducted a large-scale search for three whole days, turning the entire city upside down, but they still couldn't find any trace of the Chinese agents. Instead, they arrested a lot of innocent migrant workers and sent them to the military police headquarters for strict interrogation.
Locking down a city with a population of nearly three million for three days was the limit the Japanese could go on. Any further lockdown would have had too great an impact. Finally, the military ordered the lifting of the lockdown on Shanghai, and the city returned to its usual order.
After receiving the order, Huo Yueze immediately crossed the Suzhou River and entered the urban area of Shanghai, where he met with Duan Tiecheng and others.
In a room at the flour mill, Huo Yueze, Duan Tiecheng, and Wang Hanmin sat facing each other.
"Director Duan, Station Chief Wang, I've come here for two main reasons. First, to inform headquarters of the disciplinary action taken against you two!" Huo Yueze said softly.
Upon hearing this, Duan Tiecheng and Wang Haiming felt a pang of anxiety. During their days in hiding, besides worrying about being searched by the Japanese, they were also concerned about how headquarters would handle their failed operation. Given the Director's character, he was never lenient with those who failed in their missions or neglected their duties. This time, the two of them had made such a serious mistake, and their fate was not optimistic.
"I wonder what headquarters' plan is to deal with the two of us?" Duan Tiecheng asked in a low voice.
Huo Yueze smiled slightly and said softly, "Please rest assured, the headquarters is quite understanding of you two this time. They know that this mission is quite difficult and you had no choice. The headquarters ordered that after Director Duan received the order, he should return to the Chongqing headquarters to await punishment. Station Chief Wang was reprimanded and allowed to stay in Shanghai to rebuild the intelligence station.
Huo Yueze's words made both of them relax, and the weight on their hearts was finally lifted.
For the past few days, they had been living in constant fear, afraid that even if they escaped the Japanese search, they would not escape the severe punishment of the bureau chief. They would either lose their lives or be imprisoned like Zheng Hongbo to spend the rest of their lives.
"Thank you so much, Section Chief Huo. We made such a big mistake this time, and we didn't expect the Director to show mercy, but now that we have this result, I am extremely grateful!" Wang Hanmin excitedly grabbed Huo Yueze's hand and shook it repeatedly. Escaping death again made him feel very emotional.
Duan Tiecheng could not hide his worry. As the special envoy, he was responsible for the failure of this mission. He did not know how he would be dealt with after returning to headquarters. However, it was clear that his life had been spared. He would make plans for the future later.
"Section Chief Huo, I'd like to know who will take over the task of destroying the legal tender next?" Duan Tiecheng asked.
He was still unwilling to accept that the mission had not been completed.
Huo Yueze glanced at him, smiled calmly, and said, "Headquarters assigned this task to me, so I have a second matter to discuss with you. You two need to report to me on the findings of your previous investigation and hand over the known information."
Duan Tiecheng and Wang Hanmin exchanged a glance, both unable to hide their surprise. In their eyes, Huo Yueze was still a junior, so how could the headquarters entrust him with such an important task? There must be some hidden reason. However, since they were both under investigation, they naturally dared not ask any further questions.
Next, Duan Tiecheng explained the simplified structural diagram of the library building and some of the information he had gathered to Huo Yueze in detail.
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A novel about farming and development, where the protagonist creates a virtual online game and makes players work for him. Title: *I Am the Mastermind*
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