The First Volume: The Hollow Spirit Chapter 37: Two People's Double Reed

  "Since last winter, Japanese spies have been increasingly active in the French concession, even going so far as to hire Chinese people to try to infiltrate our consulate and steal documents related to important issues between our two countries. Although several attempts by Japanese spies failed, and I protested through various channels, their activities continued unabated. To thoroughly crack down on Japanese spy activities in the French concession, I took advantage of Consul Faber's absence from the consulate and the laxity of Japanese spies to buy off one of their internal informants. The reason I went to a restaurant in the Japanese concession that night was to gather intelligence. Everything seemed to be going smoothly that night, as if God was helping me from above. However, to ensure the safe transmission of the intelligence, I deliberately stayed there for a while and handed it over to a soldier who was extremely loyal to France. But unexpectedly, something happened. When his body was discovered, all items on him that could prove his identity had disappeared, and the hard-won intelligence had also vanished."

  Anthony said, glancing at Faberson beside him, who still had no expression on his face. He even lit a cigar and started smoking. Many people in France like to smoke cigars, and Faberson, who was once a colonel in the French army, also has this habit. As for Anthony's self-initiated actions, when Faberson returned to France, he left an order, asking Anthony to be careful of Japanese spies and think of ways to suppress and destroy them.

  "After the loss of intelligence, I was worried. Coincidentally at that time, someone secretly informed me that the murderer was from the Japanese Consulate in the concession area and that the intelligence had been stolen back by a Japanese spy. The wallet of our great French soldiers was found in the trash can of the Japanese Consulate, and the person who sold the intelligence wanted me to send some money to a certain location, guaranteeing that if he received the money, he would continue to trade with us next time there was intelligence. At the time, the situation was urgent, and in order to find clues about the murderer, I could only gather one hundred soldiers from the consulate to search for clues. The wallet was indeed found in the trash can of the Japanese Consulate."

  Anthony said all he had to say, then looked at Farberson, who continued to puff on his cigar. Anthony didn't speak again and carefully drank the coffee on the table, indicating that he had finished what he wanted to say. The only one present was Wang Ya-zu, who did not smoke and therefore had no cigarette to smoke, nor did anyone offer him coffee or tea, so he had nothing to drink and his mouth was empty and unable to move.

  "Mr. Wang, since Anthony thinks you're the Chinese expert on this espionage case, why don't you tell us what's on your mind now?" Farberson puffed half a cigar and spat out a big cloud of thick smoke before finally speaking directly to Wang Yaowu.

  "It's very confusing, and there are many suspicious places. It's possible that everything is the work of Japanese spies, or it's also possible that someone has set a trap, and there are more possibilities and more inferences. But these don't matter, the key is the common interests between our two countries, China and France have the same views on Japan's espionage activities in China. I believe the French government's attitude towards Japanese espionage activities in China, especially within the French concession, is the same as that of our country, which is to resolutely crack down."

  Wang Ya Zu said that's all he had to say, and he was thirsty. He looked directly at Farberson, not at Anthony. In response to Wang Ya Zu's behavior, Farberson, who had been training in China for some time, finally picked up the phone and asked someone downstairs to bring a cup of coffee, black without sugar or milk.

  Faberston was intentionally making things difficult for Wang Yaoyu, and the pure coffee was very bitter. Even authentic French people didn't have many who drank it this way, let alone ordinary Chinese people who only knew how to drink tea. Faberston had seen many Chinese people, when drinking coffee, even if they added milk and sugar, after taking the first sip, they couldn't bear it, so bitter that they wanted to spit it out. Now Faberston really wanted to see Wang Yaoyu, this Chinese person, make a fool of himself.

  There are many bitter things in China, such as a type of tea called "bitter tea". Wang Yaowu used to eat bitter bamboo shoots and bitter melon when he was at home. Bitter foods can detoxify the body and are beneficial for health, which is something that many traditional Chinese medicine practitioners understand. As for bitter coffee, Wang Yaowu would drink it black when he was studying late at night in Paris to stay awake. The bitterness of the coffee also served as a reminder to push himself harder. When a cup of freshly ground and brewed coffee without any additives was brought over, Wang Yaowu took it and drank it slowly.

  Wang Ya-zu, after finishing a cup of bitter coffee, gently put down the saucer and became much more spirited. He then directly asked Faberson: "Consul Faberson, what I want to know now is how your French government thinks it can utilize this matter to achieve its greatest benefit. Of course, as a Chinese person, I cannot support you in extorting our Chinese government. However, I also believe that at this time, extorting the Chinese government does not align with the interests of your French government."

  The cigar in Faurisson's hand was almost finished, leaving only a small stub. He finally extinguished it in the ashtray. As he watched the remaining smoke rise, Faurisson spoke again: "Our two countries, France and China, have a long history of friendship. The French government hopes to continue this friendship with China. Everything is a plot by Japanese spies. I believe both our countries want to strike at the arrogant Japanese spies. Even members of parliament are dissatisfied with the activities of Japanese spies in China. Before I returned to the French Concession, the Speaker of the House specifically spoke with me about it, hoping that the French Consulate could cooperate with the Chinese government to suppress the Japanese spies."

  Everything sounds so good, the long-standing friendship is indeed long-standing. However, Wang Yaowu's inner heart has not forgotten the things that foreigners did on Chinese soil, such as the Anglo-French Allied Army and the Eight-Nation Alliance. The reason why the French government wants to deal with Japanese spies now is completely because Japanese businessmen and Japan's continuous encroachment on China have directly harmed the interests of the French people, and of course, there are also British interests involved.

  "That being the case, things are simple. Since the Japanese consulate cannot hand over the murderer and cannot admit that the French soldier was killed by their spy, we have an excuse to take direct action. Go and destroy the stronghold of Japanese spies in the French Concession and kill them. If possible, also contact Consul Lampson in the British Concession, hoping that the British side will work with us to suppress Japanese spies within their borders. I believe Consul Lampson will be happy to cooperate with us. While we are destroying and killing those Japanese spies, we should also publish news on all Shanghai newspapers, directly telling the press that the wallet of the murdered French soldier was found in the trash can of the Japanese consulate, and spread rumors that this case is related to Japanese spies. Use this as an excuse to work with the British Concession to suppress and destroy Japanese spies within both concessions on a large scale."

  Wang Ya-zu finally told the whole plan he had discussed with Antoine. This plan had to be said by Wang Ya-zu, of course, the one who would take action in the end and stand at the forefront would be Antoine. No matter how cunning two proud Frenchmen were, they could not let a Chinese person stand in front of them and make people on Shanghai Bund think that it was a Chinese person directing the consulates of England and France. This was absolutely unacceptable to them.

  "Let's do it! Our government now needs the cooperation of your Chinese government's intelligence department to provide us with information about Japanese spies in the French and British concessions. I believe that your Chinese government's intelligence department in Shanghai must have such information. I want it now. Antony, you immediately organize fifty soldiers, all of whom are trustworthy. Don't use people from the police station, I don't trust any of those Chinese."

  Faber seems to be in a hurry, directly recognizing the script of Wang Yaowu and Anthony. And immediately asked for intelligence, and also asked Anthony to organize personnel, it seems that they want to take revenge as soon as possible. At this time, Wang Yaowu judged in his heart that Faber must have been under great pressure in France, eager to make some achievements to appease the dissatisfaction of the French people towards him. How can Faber bear to retreat so easily because of something when he sits in the position of Consul of the French Concession?

  "Alright, I'll go get the intel now. Anthony will borrow your consulate's car for a bit, it'll be much faster that way."

  "Alright, let's go down together then." Upon hearing that Wang Ya Zu wanted to borrow a car, Anthony agreed immediately, and the two of them walked out of Mr. Faberson's office together.

  Wang Ya Zu deliberately slowed down at this time, and before going downstairs, he seized the opportunity to whisper to Anthony beside him: "It seems that the goods should be transferred as soon as possible. If something unexpected happens to the goods before they are sold, no one will dare to do big business with you French people in the future."

  Anthony nodded in understanding, "I get it, Wang. Tell your companion to hurry up. I'll try my best to cover for you." Gunsmoke Silent Volume 1 Empty Spirit Chapter 37 Two People's Duet