The Bravest

After Lin Jie left, Gangcun asked Mei Zi to rest first, and he carefully read the plan again, as well as the one left by Lin Jie (Planning and Operation of the Board of Directors). Especially the latter plan, Gangcun read it more carefully, with detailed descriptions of the personnel composition and the responsibilities of each director. There are also many ideas about operation, such as using the wives of directors to win over the wives of the upper class to call on people from all walks of life to participate in charity activities. Not only the orphanage, the board of directors will be upgraded to the Charity Federation in the future. At that time, let alone the general director, Gangcun would be satisfied even if he was an ordinary director. Then Gangcun began to think about how to convince Commander Doihara, and the commander also agreed to his participation.

……

"Report." Gangcun, who hadn't slept all night, knocked on the door of Commander Doihara's office with red eyes but excitedly. Lin Jie said he was a little afraid of death. After the last accident, Gangcun realized that he was also afraid of death. Who wouldn't be afraid of death? So this was not only Lin Jie's way out, but also his opportunity, which must be firmly grasped.

"Come in."

Gangcun adjusted his disguise again and pushed the door open. He turned around to close the door, then walked to the desk, and then stood at attention with a snap. "Report" was a set of standard military movements that were so smooth.

"Mr. Okamura, you're in a very good mood today. I heard from my secretary that you have something to talk to me about?" Doihara asked calmly.

"Thank you for the compliment, teacher. Yes, today Gangcun has something important to ask you. This is a plan that the student received. Please take a look at it." Gangcun bent down and handed Lin Jie's plan and the plan with both hands.

"Oh, let me take a look. Please sit down." Doihara was satisfied with his student and his tone was very gentle.

Of course Gangcun would not sit down, but stood upright, waiting for orders. The Japanese had very strict rules, and there was no chair in front of the desk. Was he supposed to sit on the sofa opposite?

"Well, this plan is interesting." Doihara flipped through it roughly, looked up at Gangcun, and then lowered his head to flip through a few pages. He pondered in silence, then stood up and walked to the sofa opposite and sat down, waving to Gangcun: "Come over and sit down and talk."

"Yes." Gangcun would obey the order and sit up straight.

"A plan made by the Chinese? How could it be handed over to you?"

"It was done by the Chinese, but he is my schoolmate, so..." Okamura was a little nervous. He no longer had the confidence he had at the beginning, and was afraid that Doihara would be prejudiced against the plan made by the Chinese.

"Don't be nervous, I'm just asking out of curiosity. We're alumni, so let's just chat casually." Doihara was very good at understanding the psychology of his subordinates, even his favorite students.

"Yes, teacher. This Chief of the Intelligence Department of No. 76 was promoted by me. He was also my junior at the Tokyo Police Academy. He once attended one of the general's public speaking classes and often claimed that he was your student." Gangcun felt relaxed when he said this.

"Oh, interesting Chinese, what do you think of this plan? Is there any intention behind it?"

"Teacher, to be honest, the plan is very groundbreaking. I don't see any possibility of conspiracy. Moreover, he himself admitted that as a Chinese, he also hopes to save some Chinese orphans and can't bear to see them starve to death." Gangcun answered honestly.

"Well, how much do you know about this person?" Doihara did not mention the plan, but seemed to be interested in this Chinese man.

"Teacher, because there is a plan to divide Li Shiqun, Lin Jie is one of the targets to be won over, so a detailed investigation was conducted, and no problems were found. He has been in Cell 76 for more than a year. In summary, Lin Jie is timid and afraid of death, greedy for money, but has strong professional ability. He graduated with excellent grades. After returning to his hometown in Shanghai, he used his girlfriend to find Li Shiqun's relationship to find a job in the police station, and was pulled into Cell 76 by Li Shiqun. His girlfriend is the cousin of Li Shiqun's wife Ye Jiqing, and the two got married years ago. He is alone. His family fled to Nanjing during the Battle of Songhu. He sent a letter to Japan and then lost contact. After entering Cell 76, I asked Li Shiqun to look for them, but there was no news."

"What about political leanings?"

"I didn't find any political inclinations. He was a survivalist. In his words, the flag on the city wall changes, and dynasties have always been like this. If ordinary people want to survive, they have to accept reality."

"He wants to be the chief instructor?"

"Yes, and in his own words, that's how Jiang Guangtou got started, and he didn't have to go to the front line, which is so dangerous."

"It's not necessarily true that a very ambitious person is timid."

"He was indeed a coward. He participated in three operations and was hit by three explosions. He even wet his pants during the first one. I saw it all myself. But he was very professional. It would have been difficult for him to survive under those circumstances. Because Li Shiqun transferred him away from the well-paid logistics department, he had a little resentment towards Li Shiqun. After he turned to us, his situation at No. 76 was not very good and he was sidelined. That’s why he came up with this plan."

"Pants wetting, this can't be faked." Doihara laughed. "He has a guess about number 76 in his plan. What do you think?"

"What the students think is right. What we need is a stable Shanghai to serve us."

"Well, what do you think of his proposal that the orphanage be managed by the Chinese? And what about the police training camp? What scale do you think is appropriate? Is it pure police training or special agents?"

"I think it is necessary for China to manage the camp in order to promote it. As for the nature of the training camp, it is up to the teachers to decide."

"As for the nature, just train them as agents. After all, there is a real lack of professional agents. The Japanese agents can't always rely on the gang of thugs under Li Shiqun. Once the situation stabilizes, those people will be eliminated. The number of people should not exceed 30. More than 30 people will be hard to control, and less than 30 people will be unnecessary."

"Okay, teacher. I have discussed this with him. Let's try it out first and make adjustments based on the results."

"Well, then I'll leave it to you. I'll get the documents, and you and him will prepare together. I want to see the orphanage open in two months. In addition, you can be the only consultant, and the others can be called instructors. The Chinese say, don't employ people you doubt, and don't doubt people you employ. You still have to save face. The key to this matter is to do a good job of publicity and manage this diplomatic face. Let him handle the rest, and bring him to see me tomorrow."

“Yes, the students went.”

……

The next day at 10 pm, in Commander Doihara's office.

"Are you Lin Jie? Come and sit down and talk." Doihara stared at Lin Jie for a while before inviting Lin Jie and Gangcun to sit on the sofa.

"Didn't Gangcun say that you are timid? I see that you are not afraid of me at all. You are even less reserved than your Director Li." Doihara showed a very friendly attitude in front of the Chinese who were useful to him, and even joked with Lin Jie.

"Commander, Li Shiqun showed respect to you, while I show respect to you as a student. It's different." Lin Jie flattered him as usual.

"Hahaha, interesting. Where did you start talking about this student?" Doihara laughed. "Hey, no need to stand up. I'll tell you."

"When I was studying at the Tokyo Police Academy, I had the honor of attending your classes. Although I am not yet qualified to be your student, I must remember the fact that you have taught me. I hope you will allow me to continue to address you with respect." Lin Jie is very good at talking nonsense.

"Well, of course, but don't let me down. Now tell me what Japan can gain from running this orphanage? What can you gain? Don't say those polite words." Getting to the point, Doihara lost his amiability and became serious.

"Yes, teacher," Lin Jie began his performance. "First, it can improve Japan's violent image in the eyes of Europe and the United States." As soon as these words came out, Doihara and Gangcun's faces changed. Gangcun wanted to scold Lin Jie, but when he saw that Doihara didn't say anything, he had to suppress his anger and stared at Lin Jie as if he wanted to kill him.

Lin Jie ignored all this and continued, "Second, it provides a strong proof for Japanese propaganda. Third, it is beneficial to the Shanghai Military Police Headquarters and Gangcun. Once the plan has initial results, it can be expanded or extended to other areas. It will inevitably become a model for Japan's governance in the occupied areas. I won't say much about the benefits." Lin Jie was thirsty and took a sip of tea before continuing, "The benefits to students are first, they are free from the hard work and danger of front-line operators, and their status is different. Second, they can enter the sight of the upper class and lay the foundation for entering the upper class in the future. Third, they can gain Gangcun's recognition and friendship, and more importantly, they have the opportunity to be favored by the teacher." Lin Jie's last words made Gangcun blush, and he couldn't help blurting out, "You are so shameless."

Lin Jie's undisguised words also revealed his naked ambition. Doihara's gloomy face turned back into a smile.

"Mr. Lin seems to have some misunderstanding about the Empire of Japan?"

"Teacher, I dare not lie in front of you. I cannot deny Japan's violence. I believe that war is inherently violent. As long as we end the unrest in the occupied areas as soon as possible and do a good job of appeasement, society will soon return to normal. I believe that the means should be gentle, at least on the surface, because only in this way can the people be governed well."

"Mr. Lin, what do you think of the war between Japan and China?"

"I have no opinion, teacher. War is a clash of strength. But please allow me to say some disrespectful words." Lin Jie was waiting for Doihara's answer.

"I can honestly say that the teacher is quite generous. Today we are just discussing, and all opinions are welcome."

"Thank you teacher for the opportunity. There are some things I dare not say normally. I have always believed that war is only a means and governance is the fundamental. Simply put, if an occupied area is well governed, the people will naturally not resist. Otherwise, there will be constant resistance. This cannot be changed by a few assassinations by the Military Control Commission. The same is true for the Kuomintang-controlled areas. This has nothing to do with who is in charge. The late Ming and early Qing dynasties are the best proof of this. This is my point of view, and as a Chinese, I am a little selfish. I still hope that the people of my country can live a better life. I hope the teacher can understand." After Lin Jie finished speaking, he stood up and bowed to Doihara.

"Well, Gangcun, tell me your opinion."

"Teacher, I think what Mr. Lin said makes sense. I also think that the government needs to be more gentle in the future, in addition to the violence in the early stages."

"Well, you all said it well, especially Lin Jie. Teachers don't need flattery. You can say whatever you think in front of the teacher. However, you still have to be careful about what you say outside."

Doihara spoke sincerely, but no one knew what he was thinking. And Lin Jie would not tell the cognition of later generations. War is not only a confrontation between the strength of both sides, but also a contest between the blood, tenacity and fearless spirit of sacrifice of two nations. Once the foundation accumulated by China for 5,000 years is awakened, it cannot be conquered by a few planes and tanks of the Japanese. After thousands of years, the Han people are still there, while others have either fled far away or become part of the Chinese nation.

……

That afternoon, Gangcun got the document from the headquarters and immediately went to No. 76 to find Li Shiqun and showed him the document from the Military Police Headquarters. After getting Li Shiqun's permission, Lin Jie had free time and his work in the Intelligence Department was adjusted to intelligence analysis. He did not need to participate in external operations. Lin Jie proposed to Tang Keming that Chen Kai be promoted to the leader of his team. When Lin Jie was not at No. 76, Chen Kai would be responsible for Lin Jie's work. Tang Keming agreed.

So, Gangcun and Lin Jie began the intensive preparations. And because it was inconvenient for Lin Jie to go in and out of the gendarmerie headquarters, Gangcun also set up his own temporary office in the big room where Lin Jie worked in the Intelligence Department. He had to go to the orphanage to select an address and move there after the decoration was completed.

……

On that day, Yan'an received a rare and long telegram from Gu Yanhan, which attracted the attention of Comrade Kenong. The Security Bureau convened a small-scale high-level meeting to discuss the matter.

"(Future), this is a good name. Lin Jie, who has appeared in our sight for the second time, is not simple. He dares to ask the Japanese to raise orphans, even if it is only a small part. He is very brave. No matter what conspiracy the Japanese have, we must participate in this matter. Since the Japanese want to adopt orphans publicly, we must guard against their conspiracy and make it difficult for the Japanese to back down. This orphanage must continue to operate." Comrade Kenong set the tone first, and then everyone started the discussion.

"The key to this is Lin Jie. According to the information sent back by the people arranged by the Southern Bureau to be around Lin Jie, Lin Jie has complicated social connections, is greedy for money, but also generous, timid, but ruthless, professionally proficient, and has never helped the Japanese do anything evil. He is suspicious of our people, but turns a blind eye and reuses them. Can he be used, or even brought into our camp? I think this is the key point."

"Well, judging from his usual behavior, he is not determined to be a traitor. As for why he is a spy in No. 76, according to the information I found, it may be because of Miss Ye that he entered No. 76. So I think we can still fight for it."

"I wonder if this person's behavior suggests he is from Chongqing. If our people were to make contact, wouldn't it be very dangerous?"

"We can't come to any conclusion by discussing this here. We should first send our comrades to try to get a job in the orphanage. Only then will we have a chance to understand the real situation."

"Comrade Gu Yan is indeed very far-sighted. I agree with Comrade Gu Yan's suggestion to send a few kids directly into the special training camp. With the clues provided by Gu Yan, we should have a great chance. Weren't many of our comrades trained by the Kuomintang back then?"

Hahahaha, several people burst into laughter.

Comrade Kenong took the message from Gu Yan, read it carefully again, and said in a low voice with a laugh: "Gu Yan is a bad code name. Alas, I hope she will have a better life."

The laughter turned into silence.