Chapter 106: The General Store

Chapter 106: Sunshine Grocery Store

The reception had reached its second half in the blink of an eye. Checking the time, Bai Zeshao saw it was already half past ten. Having gained little of substance, he prepared to leave.

Throughout the evening, aside from meeting the intriguing eldest daughter of the Wen family, Wen Xiaowan, Bai Zeshao had not encountered anyone worthy of suspicion.

The next day, upon arriving at work, Bai Zeshao called Monkey over. "Go and investigate a man named Gu Hai."

"Do you have his physical description or any other detailed information?" Monkey asked reflexively.

"He is a man. That is all the information I have," Bai Zeshao replied directly.

"Then how am I supposed to investigate? In this vast sea of people, with only a name and no knowledge of where he lives, what he does, his age, or what he looks like, there is truly no way to proceed," Monkey said with a helpless expression.

"I can provide you with a sketch of him. Furthermore, this man is somewhat of a celebrity in Shanning now; you should find him quite easily," Bai Zeshao added with a smile.

"This man is a Shanning celebrity? How come I have never heard of him?" Monkey asked, skeptical.

"Just go and investigate as I told you," Bai Zeshao commanded, offering no further explanation.

"Very well. But what specifically should I look for, and to what extent? Give me a clear instruction, Team Leader," Monkey asked.

"Just report to me whatever you find. As for the extent of the investigation, we will see how things develop."

In truth, Bai Zeshao was not certain if Gu Hai was the person he was looking for; he simply felt the man was suspicious. After all, Gu Hai had been staying at the Wen Mansion during this period, and he possessed a background in Japan—a combination of circumstances that seemed highly coincidental.

Based on his own judgment, Bai Zeshao believed those targeting him were likely Japanese. However, due to their sensitive status, the Japanese preferred to use Chinese operatives when dealing with Chinese targets. Because of this, Gu Hai had entered Bai Zeshao’s radar. Of course, Bai Zeshao did not hold high hopes that Monkey would uncover anything useful.

Once Monkey received the order, he quickly set out to investigate.

Meanwhile, in a warehouse known as Sunshine Grocery Store in a corner of Shanning, three men were discussing Bai Zeshao. They ceased their conversation the moment the store owner, Gao Fei, entered.

On the surface, the Sunshine Grocery Store operated like any ordinary shop, selling daily necessities, but in reality, it served as a secret Japanese base in Shanning, used for gathering intelligence and courting government officials.

"Team Leader, the assassination attempt failed," one of the men reported to Gao Fei.

"If you ask me, we shouldn't have used these Chinese operatives. We should have just sent Imperial warriors directly. That would have guaranteed a clean kill, unlike now, where the assassin was caught before he could even act."

Gao Fei frowned as he looked at the three men. "The assassination failed, so we will just have to try a few more times. But have you handled the loose ends? Don't let them trace the trail back to us."

"Don't worry, Team Leader. The operation was planned by the Chinese, and the person responsible is currently at the Wen Mansion. Not to mention a low-level secret agent like him, even their director would have to consider the consequences before trying to touch the Wen family."

"That is good. How is the infiltration of the Wen family progressing? You should know that once we control that behemoth, our operations in Shanning will be much freer," Gao Fei asked, looking at the three men below him.

"There has been almost no progress, aside from the one informant we have already secured."

"No need to rush. Take it slow," Gao Fei replied, aware that this was no simple task.

"What about the mission to assassinate Bai Zeshao, Team Leader?" one of them asked.

"Leave that to the Chinese. Although the target is young, his influence and methods are not to be underestimated. We can just sit back and watch the tigers fight. Don't forget, we have already sacrificed the lives of three Imperial warriors," Gao Fei said with a cold sneer.

"Team Leader, this Bai Zeshao is just a minor agent. Is it really necessary to go to such lengths?" one man asked, clearly puzzled.

"You are aware that our current cover requires absolute secrecy. Everyone who has learned of our operations has already disappeared from this world. The only accident occurred during that pursuit of an informant, when we encountered Bai Zeshao."

"This Bai Zeshao was the last person to have contact with the informant. While we don't know if he obtained what the informant left behind, it currently appears he has not. However, we cannot allow even the slightest risk, so this Bai Zeshao must be eliminated."

"Understood," the three men replied in unison before leaving the grocery store.

Bai Zeshao was unaware that the Japanese were plotting against him once more. He was currently on the phone with Wu Zhengke. "Xiao Bai, I have received word that students in the city will be holding a protest this afternoon. All members of the Third Team must be dispersed onto the streets. The police will coordinate with you. Remember, you must apprehend the student leaders instigating the trouble. Use lethal force if necessary."

"Understood," Bai Zeshao replied, sensing the undisguised murderous intent in Wu Zhengke’s voice.

In fact, due to the recent tensions between China and Japan, the inaction of the Nationalist government had provoked resistance from many progressive students. Under the organization of the Communist Party, they had already held numerous protests and rallies. Unfortunately, while the students' protests were grand in scale, they achieved little; instead, many students had clashed with the police in various incidents, leading to bloodshed.

However, Bai Zeshao could feel that this time, Wu Zhengke was playing for keeps, as he had even authorized the use of firearms—something that had been strictly forbidden before.

After hanging up, Bai Zeshao felt a surge of concern for the progressive students. These youths, who had embraced Marxist-Leninist thought, were the precious reserves of the Communist Party, and their loss could not be permitted. He had to convey this news to the underground Communist organization as soon as possible to minimize unnecessary bloodshed and sacrifice.

After pacing his office for a while, Bai Zeshao thought of a viable plan. Although he did not know the situation of the underground Communist Party in Shanning, he knew that Wang Sao, who worked for Qian Yihai, was a Communist. Passing the message to her would be the same as informing the underground party.

Bai Zeshao quickly left his office and exited the Special Service Department. After briefly briefing A-Hai on the matter, he turned back.

Near Qian Yihai’s villa, as noon approached and it was time for lunch, Wang Sao emerged from the villa as usual, carrying a small vegetable basket, and headed toward the nearby market. Seeing her emerge, A-Hai, who was pulling his rickshaw, quickly made his way toward her.