Chapter 055: Trapped at Bremen Wharf

After arranging Zhou's tasks, Chen Jiehua filled some space in the small warehouse at home with commonly used medicines. Then, he took Miu Fujiwara to the bustling streets to shop for clothes, before heading to a hotel to check in.

According to Chen Jiehua's plan, they were to travel east to New York, board an ocean liner to Hamburg, Germany, and from Hamburg transfer by train to Leverkusen to seek out the Bayer laboratory. The team of Gerhard Domagk, who had secretly evacuated from the pharmaceutical factory during the previous incident, should be there.

The next day, the two took an intercity train to Washington. Chen Jiehua first sent Miu back to their house in Washington, confirmed her safety, and then disguised himself and went out with an empty suitcase. He found his friend Hardmon at the American Radio Company and obtained the latest materials. Returning home, he assembled the newest high-powered radio transmitter.

By now, Chen Jiehua was accustomed to using radio communication, since radio signals could not be intercepted at present. Even if hostile forces received them, deciphering would not be easy.

Telephones, especially transatlantic ones, were almost always monitored.

At this point in history, America was still suffering from the Great Depression and had not realized the importance of counter-espionage. The two major agencies had not yet been established, so Chen Jiehua only needed the simplest disguise to go out.

The following day, they drove to New York. First, they exchanged a batch of Reichsmarks at the New York bank, then procured the latest German maps from the black market, picked up several pistols, and at a high price selected two 7mm caliber Garand semi-automatic rifles with sufficient ammunition. The rifles were disassembled and, together with the bullets, packed into the suitcase, which they brought back to their home in New York.

After returning home, Chen Jiehua reassembled the rifles, and—along with the pistols and ammunition—stored them in the space. He then took nine bundles of Reichsmarks and laid them at the bottom of Miu's suitcase.

"Why are you lining the suitcase with money?"

"Tomorrow we'll take the ship to Germany. The economic crisis has hit all European countries hard; I expect life in Germany is no easier. We'll dress simply, so as not to attract attention. We can't carry too much cash openly; putting it in the suitcase is safest."

"I see. Aoki, what identities are we using to buy tickets? Have you decided? I saw you prepared two sets of documents, but you haven't bought tickets yet. Are you hesitating?"

"You're right. I'm torn about which identity is best. I don't know much about Germany now; the last time I came was in 1926. Then, with help, I found the right people and was hired at a high salary to go to America. This time is different. I feel it won't be so smooth."

"So I'm debating whether to go as a Chinese or a Japanese national. In fact, neither Chinese nor Japanese identities are particularly effective in the eyes of Germans right now."

"Aoki, I think it's best if we travel as Japanese. First, you've reported to the Shanghai Consulate, so your movements are traceable. As for me, should anything happen, my father could contact Germany through diplomatic channels, so our safety shouldn't be a major issue."

"You're being too optimistic. If the German counter-espionage agency really decides we're spies, we might be feeding the fish in the sea before your father hears anything."

"The German counter-espionage agency, Abwehr, is ruthless and decisive. Last time, I was lucky not to meet them; this time, we'll be staying longer and may visit several cities, so our chances of encountering them are much higher."

"But considering our goal is the pharmaceutical research team, the Japanese identity is more suitable. Plus, we have diplomatic passports from the consulate, which might help."

After their discussion, Chen Jiehua began to study the German map, comparing it with the previous one.

On the morning of April 7th, a thick fog drifted over the Atlantic, but after a half-hour delay, the Bremen liner still decided to depart. With so many passengers demanding refunds, it would be a huge loss, and the economy was bleak. The route was familiar, yet that wasn't the main factor.

Aoki Qiao, accompanied by his fiancée Miu Fujiwara, completed the routine diplomatic exchanges in America, then departed from New York for Leverkusen to meet an old friend.

The metaphysical principle holds: when fate throws obstacles in your path, it's best to heed the warning, change your plans, or stop moving forward.

Unfortunately, the captain was unfamiliar with such wisdom. The German Federal Republic's Coast Guard received a tip-off—smuggled goods were aboard the Bremen!

It was understandable. In the Great Depression, basic survival was a challenge and supplies were scarce. Shipping coveted goods from America to Germany for sale hardly seemed like smuggling.

However, the German Coast Guard wouldn't listen to such reasoning. If they said it was smuggling, it was smuggling. Five days later, at dawn, the liner was surrounded by coast guards upon arrival in Hamburg. No one was allowed to disembark; everyone and everything was to be inspected!

At the same time, a large force of Abwehr military police blocked the dock. They had intelligence that foreign spies were on the ship!

Aoki Qiao considered the situation, pulled Miu Fujiwara aside, and spoke in Japanese, "Hand me your gun first. And the scalpel."

"I've already given you everything. Without weapons, if things go south, how can we fight empty-handed?"

"Don't worry. Hold my arm for now; if the situation changes, I'll give you the weapon."

"No, Aoki-kun, Japanese people don't usually link arms. I'll just stay close to you."

As they spoke, the coast guards and Abwehr military police began boarding. Passengers and luggage were separated: the coast guard inspected suitcases and cargo, the Abwehr focused on people.

How well-coordinated they were—division of labor, practiced teamwork. Damn, at least I have the space. The important things are in there; the suitcase only holds Miu's spare clothes.

Women are troublesome—always need to bring underwear! If I were a rough man alone, I could travel empty-handed.

Thoughts aside, action was required. Aoki Qiao quietly pulled Miu Fujiwara, blending with the crowd, moving stealthily toward the outer edge.

"Sie zwei da! Keine Bewegung! Ich habe gesehen, wie ihr verdächtig wegwolltet! Zeigt mir eure Ausweise!" ("You two over there! Don't move! I saw you trying to sneak away—show me your identification!")

"Wir sind japanische Staatsbürger und besitzen offizielle diplomatische Pässe! Bitte verleumden Sie die Diplomaten des großen Japanischen Kaiserreichs nicht! Meine Verlobte fühlte sich nur etwas beengt, deshalb habe ich sie an die frische Luft gebracht, damit sie durchatmen kann!" ("We are Japanese citizens and hold official diplomatic passports! Please do not slander the diplomats of the Great Japanese Empire! My fiancée was feeling uncomfortable, so I brought her outside for some air!")

There are always those who bully the weak and fear the strong, Aoki Qiao thought. At times like this, if you act weak, they'll become more aggressive—body searches would be the least of it! He himself could handle it, but what about Miu Fujiwara? So he had to confront them head-on.

"Japanese diplomats? Do you have a diplomatic note? Please present your diplomatic documents for inspection!"