Agent: Intercepting Yu Manli at the start!

Chapter 101 Flawless!

Having more manpower can actually create more problems.

After listening to Zhou Xiao's entire plan, Zheng Yaoxian nodded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of approval: "The whole plan is quite meticulous and can effectively avoid the Japanese from suspecting you. However, you'd better provide an irrefutable alibi."

Zhou Xiao said, "I've already figured out my alibi—I'll accompany Ken Oshima to pick up the newly appointed Special Higher Police Chief, Hirofumi Asano."

"According to the reports and intelligence I saw from the Consulate General's office, Hirofumi Asano will arrive in Shanghai early the day after tomorrow."

"Right now, Ken Oshima trusts me a lot, and he will most likely take me with him on this mission."

"This is my safest way to escape."

Zheng Yaoxian nodded slightly, feeling that this arrangement was flawless and indeed well-thought-out: "That's right, you are meticulous and have taken all aspects into consideration."

"As long as the Japanese don't consider you a suspect, our objective is achieved."

Zhou Xiao asked, "Sixth Brother, have you made any progress on Asano Hirofumi's assassination plan?"

Zheng Yaoxian replied, "The moment he landed at Shanghai Airport, it was almost impossible for him to make a move. It was a military airport heavily guarded by the Japanese army; even a sparrow would have a hard time getting in."

At that time, civil aviation in Shanghai had already been suspended, so sneaking into the airport was simply unrealistic.

"If we were to take action on the way back to the Special Higher Police from the airport, it would require a large number of people to coordinate."

Zhou Xiao continued, "If Sixth Brother needs help, I can ask Rouge to coordinate with Song Mian's action team for support."

The various intelligence lines of the Military Intelligence Bureau have always operated independently.

Just like Zheng Yaoxian secretly sneaked into Shanghai, Song Mian, Wan Zhichao and others were completely unaware.

"Making too much noise would only make things worse," Zheng Yaoxian said slowly. "I have another, more ideal ambush point."

Zhou Xiao blurted out almost immediately, "Special Higher Police!"

Special Higher Police!

This was exactly the thought that flashed through his mind.

Zheng Yaoxian was very satisfied with his apprentice's reaction: indeed, the student surpasses the teacher, and he understands it immediately.

"That's right," Zheng Yaoxian said in a deep voice. "Two Special Higher Police chiefs have already been assassinated, so Oshima Ken will definitely be extra cautious this time. When they go to the airport to pick up people, the accompanying troops and level of vigilance will be at the highest level."

"Taking action on the return journey would be like forcing yourself into a head-on, war-of-war, which we simply cannot afford to endure."

"Therefore, ambushing them halfway is a poor strategy."

Even if all the operational forces of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai station were mobilized, it would be difficult to change the outcome of the defeat.

Once a protracted battle begins, the only outcome will be mutual destruction.

As the saying goes, the most dangerous places are often the most easily overlooked; the safest places may be the hiding places of danger.

"No one would have expected that I would dare to kill Asano Hirofumi in front of everyone in the Japanese spy's stronghold."

"The Special Higher Police is my hunting ground—and perhaps also his most relaxed place."

"This time, I will personally send him on his way and seek justice for the brothers who sacrificed their lives in Beiping."

Back in Beiping, Hirofumi Asano repeatedly massacred Zheng Yaoxian's comrades and comrades-in-arms.

Those people had been lurking around him for years, but because they showed the slightest clue, he deemed them "no longer of use" and killed them on the spot without even bothering to find evidence.

The methods used were so ruthless that they were appalling.

Zhou Xiao hesitated for a moment: "He only arrived in Shanghai at dawn. Is he really going to rush to the Special Higher Police overnight?"

Zheng Yaoxian said confidently, "Definitely. I know him—he's a ruthless character who's obsessed with power. The first thing he'll do when he steps into Shanghai is head straight for the Special Higher Police. In his eyes, that section chief's office is the starting point of his power; he gets all fired up the moment he walks in."

"Asano Hirofumi is that kind of person; he would never wait until dawn."

"I just need to disguise myself in advance, infiltrate the Special Higher Police, and wait there."

Zhou Xiao pressed, "Sixth Brother, how do you get away after you succeed?"

"I have been to the Special Higher Police several times. The place is extremely well-guarded. Military police patrol back and forth constantly at night, and there are guard posts at the four corners. There are people on duty 24 hours a day."

"Searchlights were installed on the southeast and northwest sides of the main gate, with extremely short intervals between their sweeps, leaving almost no blind spots."

"It's possible to sneak in, but if the enemy is alerted and gunfire breaks out, you'll have to prepare an escape route in advance if you want to get out unscathed."

"After all, that was the Japanese intelligence headquarters."

The Japanese and puppet regime's agents were all highly capable, and with the military police stationed there, if Zheng Yaoxian were to try to break through alone, it would be tantamount to walking into a trap.

Unless he is invulnerable to weapons.

Otherwise, it would be extremely difficult for one person to emerge unscathed.

This isn't a movie shoot; there are no amazing or fantastical scenes.

Zheng Yaoxian smiled and flicked his cigarette ash: "Isn't there Mingtai and the others too?"

Zhou Xiao was taken aback at first, then after a moment's thought, he suddenly realized: "Oh... I understand. Sixth Brother, you not only want to walk into the Special Higher Police with dignity to commit murder, but you also want to walk out through the main gate with dignity."

Zhou Xiao understood Zheng Yaoxian's intention immediately.

That's true intelligence.

It must be admitted that Zheng Yaoxian and Zhou Xiao cooperated perfectly.

It's an unspoken understanding; no further words are needed.

"Yes." Zheng Yaoxian nodded. "Therefore, both sides must cooperate seamlessly."

"If we time it perfectly—when I get rid of the new Special Higher Police Chief, Asano Hirofumi, and Oshima Ken is still working at the Special Higher Police, and we suddenly receive news of the attack on the Sugi Agency headquarters, he will definitely rush to the scene to investigate immediately."

"At that time, I would be able to infiltrate his team and walk out of the Special Higher Police Department's gate with impunity."

The success or failure of this escape plan hinges entirely on the word "accuracy".

Every second of the entire operation felt like walking a tightrope.

After assassinating Asano Hirofumi, Zheng Yaoxian had no chance of leaving unscathed.

Even if they disguised themselves and tried to walk out of the Special Higher Police's main gate, they couldn't escape the layers of checks.

That's not a teahouse where you can just come and go as you please.

However, if Oshima Kenjiro were to encounter an emergency at the Sugimoto Agency and troop deployment were urgently needed, the situation would be completely different.

He was in the Special Higher Police Section, where he could command from nearby, so naturally, he was given priority in drawing personnel from his headquarters.

Zheng Yaoxian only needed to blend into this hastily dispatched team to slip away without leaving a trace.

But the prerequisite is that Zheng Yaoxian must complete the assassination and stabilize the situation within the few minutes after the shooting and before Oshima Ken leaves the Special Higher Police.

If Ken Oshima has already left, he will most likely order the military police to take over, thus completely cutting off this escape route.

If the news comes too early, Zheng Yaoxian will not be able to take action yet, and it will alert the enemy, or even cause him to miss a good opportunity.

Arriving a little late, Kento Oshima was already gone, the control of the operation fell into other hands, and all previous efforts were in vain.

Even a minute too fast or a second too slow won't do.

Zhou Xiao knew that the plan was theoretically flawless, but in reality, there were too many variables—no one could guarantee that every step would be perfectly timed.

"Sixth Brother, this timing is way too tight." Zhou Xiao looked up at Zheng Yaoxian. "Do you have any backup plans?"

Zheng Yaoxian smiled and said, "Yes. The second one is you."

He always plans carefully before acting.

No matter how ingenious the first plan is, it cannot withstand unexpected events, and a backup plan is essential.

And this backup passage was none other than Zhou Xiao himself.

"If the assassination succeeds but I can't escape—you come and get me!"

Zhou Xiao immediately understood: "Okay, leave it to me."

According to Zheng Yaoxian's plan: Asano Hirofumi's death would inevitably cause shock throughout the Special Higher Police, who would immediately notify the Military Police or the Special Operations Headquarters.

As a high-ranking official, Zhou Xiao had every reason to return to the scene under the pretext of "assisting in the investigation."

At that time, Zheng Yaoxian quietly hid in the back of Zhou Xiao's car and drove away in the chaos.

Normally, military police would rigorously inspect vehicles entering and leaving the area, but due to the hasty nature of the incident, his powerful identity, and Zhou Xiao's established prestige and authority, he was able to bypass the inspection and escape unscathed.

This is the way out he left behind.

"Right now, only Ken Oshima is left." Zheng Yaoxian took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled. "That old devil is doomed."

Zhou Xiao nodded: "That's right. A cunning and treacherous old fox, with blood on his hands."

"Besides eliminating this scourge, the more crucial thing is that the list of Project Celestial is locked up in the Military Police Headquarters."

"Only when he falls can you legitimately go in and search through the list."

The assassination of Ken Oshima, ostensibly an act of eliminating traitors, was actually aimed at the core objective.

Zheng Yaoxian said in a deep voice, "We need to let him live a few more days. We can use him as a 'witness' to clear your name of suspicion regarding the attack on the Shan Agency. We'll make our move once things have calmed down."

"This way, your infiltration will be more secure; and incidentally, you can also use this 'decapitation' to gain merit and solidify your position."

Zhou Xiao replied, "Yes. He's the final link in the whole plan."

The location was set at the Sugimoto headquarters; the method was remote sniping.

Once his value has been fully exploited, that will be the time of his death.

Zheng Yaoxian stubbed out his cigarette, his voice low and resolute: "This operation is codenamed—Green Lamp."

The green lamp, a homophone for "purification," symbolizes the enemy; it signifies sweeping away the Japanese invaders and eliminating the villains.

The Blue Lantern Project has officially commenced: its target is Hirofumi Asano's life, with the simultaneous destruction of the Sugi Agency's central headquarters; the planners are Zhou Xiao and Zheng Yaoxian, and the main force for execution is the Mingtai Action Team.

Subsequently, the two meticulously went through each detail, repeatedly verifying every step to ensure absolute perfection.

This battle is not just about eliminating a few traitors and lackeys, but also about shaking the very foundation of the entire Shanghai intelligence system!

Zhou Enlai's Residence.

It was past ten o'clock at night when Zhou Xiao stepped into the house. Lin Yiyi was still awake, sitting alone in the living room flipping through a book, but her eyes were not on the words.

Hearing the door open, she immediately stood up and smiled gently, "Brother Zhou, you're back?"

Zhou Xiao nodded: "Yiyi, why aren't you resting yet?"

"It's nothing, I just flipped through it casually because I was having some trouble finding something."

He glanced at the clock on the wall: "It's getting late, you should get some rest."

Recently, there have been continuous purges targeting traitors and Japanese invaders.

As the head of the intelligence department of the Special Operations Headquarters, Zhou Xiao held a high rank and wielded significant power and responsibility. In his early years, he personally led a team to eliminate a group of stubborn anti-Japanese enemy agents.

That's why Lin Yiyi was always worried, fearing that he might get into danger one day.

She still doesn't know Zhou Xiao's true identity or the nature of his mission.

Zhou Xiao naturally understood the concern in her eyes, and his heart warmed slightly.

Someone once said: The most reassuring warmth in life is that no matter how late you come home, there is always a light on and someone waiting for you at the door.

Lin Yiyi waited until this hour tonight, allowing Zhou Xiao to truly experience the taste of "home" for the first time.

Lin Yiyi glanced at the clock on the wall and said softly, "Then I'll go to sleep first. Don't stay up too late either." After saying that, she walked towards the stairwell.

Zhou Xiao gazed at her slender back, paused for a moment, and then suddenly said, "Yiyi, thank you."

She paused, then turned around, a bright smile curving her lips: "What are you thanking me for—we're not strangers." Before she finished speaking, she had already stepped onto the stairs, her steps much lighter than before, even her skirt seemed to be swaying more freely.