Chapter 64: The Film Roll

"Of course, if things go smoothly, we might not even need to trouble Section Chief Dao."

"We'll talk about that when the time comes."

After destroying the note, Dao Yan sat blankly at her desk, lost in thought for a long time.

To this day, Dao Yan still could not understand why Chongqing wanted to throw Su Bai into No. 76, nor why they had to sacrifice Young Tiger.

Su Bai claimed it was to cover her, but now that Young Tiger was dead, wouldn't she herself be thrust right into the spotlight?

Right now, the entirety of No. 76 was acting like madmen trying to find out who Epiphyllum was, which prevented Dao Yan from carrying out many of her missions. She could only remain silent in accordance with the superiors' orders.

Dao Yan had originally thought Su Bai wouldn't come to contact her, but as soon as Su Bai arrived, his actual request was for her to find an opportunity to plant a wiretap in Ding Mozhen's office.

Stepping out of Dao Yan's office, Su Bai walked with his hands in his pockets, his fingers brushing against a piece of paper. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, though his eyes turned somewhat desolate.

However, that look of desolation lasted only for a split second before it was washed away by a resolute light.

......

Meanwhile, Chongqing.

The Military Statistics Headquarters, Director's Office.

Shen Xing was already a regular visitor here, and every time the Director saw Shen Xing arrive, he would feel a headache coming on.

Especially when the cleanup work had not yet been fully handled, Shen Xing showing up here guaranteed that nothing good was coming with him.

"Director, the Red Party's Bitter Wine has already passed the intelligence to Bamboo, and the cleanup work is now entering its final stage."

"Does Young Tiger need to be contacted?"

The Director breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and said:

"In that case, have Master Niu contact Young Tiger. I have also issued orders to Mao Shu on that end."

"This piece of intelligence is of vital importance to us; it concerns Nanjing... Those rolls of film must absolute not fall into the enemy's hands."

"No matter what, whether it's Epiphyllum or Young Tiger, do everything in your power to find the missionary who fled to the International Settlement carrying the film, and get the film!"

"Success relies on secrecy. Entrust this mission solely to Epiphyllum and Young Tiger. Not a single half-word must be leaked to anyone else."

......

Shanghai, the Yamaguchi-gumi Martial Arts Dojo.

Looking at the investigation results brought back by Kazuo Yamano, Kyoko Watanabe found it hard to believe.

"Since it wasn't leaked by anyone who participated in the operation, the problem can only lie within No. 76 itself."

Kazuo Yamano looked at Kyoko Watanabe in surprise:

"President, are you suspecting Ding Mozhen?"

Slap—

A fierce blow landed squarely across Kazuo Yamano's face. Five bright red finger marks appeared, leaving his ears ringing.

"Baka! Are you truly an idiot?"

"Didn't Zhao Xuan make two phone calls to Ding Mozhen? Have the Special High Police intervene. Perhaps we can dig up an unexpected windfall through this matter."

......

On the other side, Guanghua Bookstore on Hankou Road.

Sun Jianzhong was meeting with his liaison officer in the bookstore's secret room.

"Comrade Bitter Wine, although this was decided by the superiors, your current situation remains perilous. We cannot guarantee that Military Statistics' Bamboo won't throw you to the wolves."

Liu Qinghuan, wearing light and natural makeup, smiled:

"Old Sun, the plan has already reached its final stage. This is a transaction between us and the Military Statistics side, and we cannot give it up halfway."

"Moreover, from this, we can also gauge the current state of our relationship with Military Statistics, a question the superiors have always kept their eyes on."

Sun Jianzhong smiled bitterly and shook his head:

"But they were willing to sacrifice even Young Tiger, let alone one of our own people."

With that, Sun Jianzhong stared intently at Liu Qinghuan with a solemn expression:

"Comrade Bitter Wine, with us paying such a heavy price, is it worth it?"

Liu Qinghuan wore a smile, her eyes firm as she nodded:

"It is worth it. The Battle of Huangtuling holds immense significance for us. Furthermore, I recently met a young girl who is very well-suited to be developed into one of us. Her thoughts, her ideals, and even her identity make her an ideal choice for us."

"Right now, we need to shift all the enemy's attention onto Epiphyllum so that she will have the opportunity to rise through the ranks."

"It's no loss for us, and we can also return this favor to Military Statistics. Owning them a favor always makes me feel uneasy."

Sun Jianzhong shook his head and laughed:

"Alright, alright, I can't talk you out of it. Still, this time, we must thank the comrade who delivered the intelligence to Drifting Snow. By the way, how is the investigation into that matter going?"

Mentioning this, Liu Qinghuan's expression grew deeply complicated:

"Old Sun, this matter is very bizarre. The person who called Drifting Snow is likely not one of our comrades."

"I had the Postman modify the communication time you mentioned to me, but at that exact moment, in the vicinity of Zhoushan Road West Street, there were very few people—or rather, absolutely no one—who could transmit intelligence to us."

"I suspect this intelligence was leaked by someone who participated in the operation. Zhao Xuan, Fan Dingfang—at least six or seven people are possibilities."

"Because the only ones who knew about the Zhoushan Road operation were their own people. Old Sun, rest assured, I will continue investigating."

"As for Drifting Snow, let her prepare herself as well, just in case."

......

Shanghai, five-ten in the afternoon, at the school gates of Shenjiang University on Seymour Road.

Inside a black Buick sedan, Dao Ya sat in the passenger seat, looking at Zhao Xuan in pleasant surprise:

"Brother-in-law, you actually had time to pick me up today! But are you alright from your injuries? Can you still drive?"

Zhao Xuan glanced sideways at the slightly excited Dao Ya and nodded:

"It was just grazed by a bullet. Change the dressing two more times and it'll be about healed. It doesn't interfere with driving."

Dao Ya let out a long breath, patting her small chest with a relieved expression that looked truly adorable.

"That's good then. Oh, right."

Dao Ya hurriedly retrieved a white medicine bottle from her crossbody bag:

"Brother-in-law, I went to great lengths to have someone buy this Baobaodan. It has miraculous effects on treating external wounds. When we get home, I'll give it to you... I'll have sister change your dressing."

Zhao Xuan glanced at the medicine bottle in Dao Ya's hand. Qu Huanzhang's Baobaodan—wasn't this the predecessor of Yunnan Baiyao?

In Shanghai, this stuff was indeed very difficult to come by.

Three or four years from now, the value of this Baobaodan would rival even penicillin.

"Alright, thanks for your trouble."

Dao Ya giggled, sat back obediently, and said nothing more.

Only, Zhao Xuan, who was driving, felt somewhat speechless. Sure, your mouth is closed now, but your internal monologue is a bit too much!

What a quirky and eccentric little girl.

Putting aside these distractions, Zhao Xuan's mood at the moment was also rather tense.

The business with Young Tiger could be considered over, but dealing with Kyoko Watanabe's side was going to be exceedingly troublesome.

Yet today, just as he came to pick up Dao Ya, Master Niu had tracked him down again.

The mission Master Niu brought this time was one Zhao Xuan simply had to fulfill.

Or rather, for any son or daughter of the Chinese nation, this mission was an absolute must.

The film that the missionary had gone to such great lengths to bring out concerned the Nanjing incident, and this material must never fall into the hands of the Japanese devils.

However, once the film was secured, Zhao Xuan found himself pondering whether he should hand it over to the Chongqing authorities.

After all, the methods used by the Chongqing side were far too dirty. If they got hold of this film, there was every likelihood they would use it merely to lobby for international aid, or perhaps even trade it away behind closed doors with the Japanese devils.