Chapter 574: The World Stage

"Please.'

'Please.'

Zhang Yong and Katherine exchanged polite pleasantries.

His eyes never left her. He made no secret of his possessiveness.

The other party still owes him 3,500 pounds. He must keep looking at her. It's like interest. Since they're in the same business, she surely doesn't care about other people's opinions. Right?

"Captain Zhang, we can cooperate for a long time.'

'You should talk to our boss Dai about cooperation.'

'No. You've got it wrong. We only want to cooperate with you personally. It has nothing to do with Boss Dai or the Fuxing Society.'

'You mean you look down on Boss Dai?'

'Yes,'

Catherine admitted bluntly.

Zhang Yong: ...

Okay. Sometimes the British are just so stubborn.

They don't know how to beat about the bush. And they don't give people any face.

Especially not the Chinese. Even more so. They never think that the Chinese can be on an equal footing with them.

One is an old capitalist empire with a strong industry.

The remnants of the British Empire are still there. It has many colonies.

The other is a weak agricultural country. It has almost no industry. It doesn't have any colonies.

It is true that the two sides are not on the same level.

When the British need you, they may look at you.

But if they don't need you anymore, they won't even give you a second glance. They may even stomp on you.

(Du Yuming: I have something to say! @#¥%...)

"How do we cooperate?'

'Intelligence sharing.'

'How do we share?'

'You share information about the Japanese with us. We share information about the Germans with you.'

'German intelligence doesn't seem to be of much use to us.'

'Don't you want to buy weapons?'

'Yes.'

'If you do, then of course you need to keep abreast of the situation in Germany! I'm saying this, is that a problem?'

'No.'

Zhang Yong nodded.

Now it was Dickens' turn to speak.

Clearly, this guy was very good at disguising himself.

At the same time, he was also very persuasive. A few words, and he had Zhang Yong's neck on the line.

Weapons purchases.

Indeed, it is very important.

In fact, many people from the Nationalist government are currently in Germany on a study tour.

The so-called study tour is actually about seeing what can be bought. What can be afforded. What is useful for us.

Zheng Jiemin, Tang Zong, Song Ziliang and others are there. As well as many officials from the Military Industry Department.

It was the mainstream during Chiang Kai-shek's era to build rather than buy, and to rent rather than buy.

However, there are simply too many variables in military procurement. No one is sure that it can definitely be achieved.

Even if both sides have signed a contract and finalised the details, there is still the possibility that one side may change their mind at the last minute. It is not impossible that the Germans, having received the money, may refuse to deliver the goods.

'I have no influence over the military procurement at all. I am just a very small person.'

'But you hope that the military procurement will be concluded.'

'Not necessarily.'

'Mr Zhang, we have five dictionaries as thick as your research materials.'

'Dictionaries?'

'Yes. The first edition of the dictionary that has just been published.'

'Er...'

Zhang Yong was speechless.

This Dickens is really not someone to be trifled with.

These veteran imperialist agents, even the young ones, are no pushovers.

However, Zhang Yong always firmly believed that the other party, which had gone to the trouble of revealing its identity in order to negotiate with him, was definitely not doing so over the topic at hand. There must be something more important.

In that case...

Just stay calm.

Wait for the other party to reveal its final trump card.

'Please!'

'Please!'

Continue drinking coffee.

Bitter coffee is not good to drink. But it is refreshing.

Lean back. Close your eyes and relax.

If you two don't get to the point, we'll just keep on wasting time.

Finally...

Dickens said, 'Zhang, what do you know about the Big Thunderstorm plan?'

'What plan?' Zhang Yong pretended to be ignorant.

'The Big Thunderstorm plan,' said Dickens, "a plan originating with the Japanese.'

'What is it?" Zhang Yong continued to play dumb.

'Steal the Germans' technical data to improve the Japanese's weapons and equipment.'

'Really?'

'We have confirmed that the Japanese have such a plan.'

'How can you tell?'

'According to our intelligence sources, over the past few days, there have been some remarkable changes at the Japanese aircraft manufacturing companies Nakajima, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi. We have worked with our allies to obtain some shocking news.'

'Your allies? The CIA?'

'What A?'

'Nothing.'

Zhang Yong immediately corrected himself. He took back what he had said.

It seemed that the CIA did not exist in this era. He had confused the time.

The ally the British mentioned must be the Americans. It couldn't be the French. The French have never been the British's allies.

Although Anglo-French coalitions often appeared. But that was only to deal with the Germans.

'What shocking news?'

'The Japanese are speeding up the improvement of their aircraft performance. They are designing more powerful aircraft.'

'Really?'

'Now, it's your turn to share the intelligence you have.'

'Me?'

'Yes!'

Dickens is young. But he is very experienced.

Zhang Yong deeply suspected that this guy must have received relevant training since childhood. Although he was only in his twenties, his work experience might have already exceeded ten years.

They were all masters! Agents were trained from childhood.

'I have no intelligence to share,' Zhang Yong shook his head.

For the time being, there was no intelligence on the British. There was a bit on Spain, but it wasn't accurate either.

It was still early. The pre-war drama had not yet officially begun.

Spain was beginning to warm up.

'Then let's discuss the military procurement.'

'I don't have the authority.'

'I'm not talking about Jinling. I'm talking about Beiping.'

'Beiping?'

'They want to buy from us, not from Germany.'

'You're willing to sell?'

'Not in large quantities and not openly. But a ship or two of arms is no problem.'

'What quantity are we talking about?'

'5,000 Enfield rifles and 5 million rounds of ammunition.'

'How much?'

'Does it matter?'

'Of course it matters.'

'You're in charge of the negotiations. The exact price will be discussed when Beiping sends someone here.'

'Just rifles?'

'For the time being, just rifles. If this trade goes well, we can consider increasing the variety and quantity of arms.'

'Good!'

Zhang Yong didn't say much.

The British are also people who won't do anything for free. They would never do a losing deal.

Selling arms to the 29th Army would allow the 29th Army to fight the Japanese invaders. This would indirectly weaken the Japanese. And it would maintain the British interests in the Far East.

Using other people's swords to kill.

It's the same old trick.

However, Zhang Yong had no reason to refuse.

Because he was weak. Therefore, he needed a large amount of arms. Even rifles and bullets were urgently needed.

Five thousand rifles and five million bullets could equip two brigades.

Although it might not have a decisive impact on the overall situation of the war, it would definitely make the Japanese pay a heavier price.

'When can the goods be delivered?'

'As long as it is agreed. Our ship will depart from Singapore and arrive in Tianjin in just ten days.'

'Good!'

Zhang Yong nodded.

The British Army's Far East Command was based in Singapore.

There was no doubt that the British had a large stockpile of weapons and equipment here. 5,000 rifles and 5 million rounds of ammunition were a very small number.

If the British wanted to, they could add zeros to each of these numbers without any problem.

In fact, rifles were no longer decisive in large-scale warfare. Most of the time, rifles were of limited use.

'It's settled then.'

'Good!'

As for how the deal would be carried out, that was the business of other people.

He was just a small, part-time agent, and it was already amazing that he had been able to set up the deal.

'Zhang, do you mind if we talk about something else?'

'Go ahead.'

'Back when you were at the Furama Palace, did you ever meet two White Russian women? They are dead.'

'Let me think.'

Zhang Yong tried to remember. Yes. It was something like that.

At the time, he hadn't paid any attention. He didn't want to cause any problems.

He was puzzled.

What did the British want to bring this up now?

'Yes.'

'Unfortunately, you have overlooked a wealth code.'

'What?'

Zhang Yong perked up at the word 'wealth'.

Wealth code? You mean there is five million yuan on the two Belorussian women? I'm sorry. I don't believe it. Really.

At the time, there was nothing special about the two of them. Are you trying to scare me?

'They are not simple people.'

'I'd like to hear more.'

'They were both under Safiya's command.'

'Really?'

'Of course. They were responsible for passing on information.'

'If they were passing on information, why did they die?'

'Of course they were double-crossed. Someone took the information but didn't pay. They killed the people and got away with it.'

'Who?'

'Safiya is asking the same question. That's why she's offering a reward.'

'How much?'

Safiya's reward is not calculated in terms of money. It is calculated in terms of tarot cards. A special kind of tarot card.'

'How much is a tarot card worth?'

'If you are new to the intelligence business and haven't yet entered the field, you can buy a lowest-level white tarot card for ten thousand dollars.'

'You mean there are different levels of tarot cards? The lowest level is white, then grey, yellow, gold and purple?'

'No. The higher levels are gold and diamond.'

'Gold...'

'Under normal circumstances, ten white Tarot cards can be exchanged for one gold Tarot card.'

'And ten gold Tarot cards can be exchanged for one diamond Tarot card?'

'No. There is no fixed price. As long as both parties agree, any exchange is possible. But some information can only be entered with Tarot cards above gold.'

'I see.'

Zhang Yong tilted his head and thought about it. This is easy to understand.

It's not as complicated as the game cards of later generations.

I don't think this Safiya woman can come up with such a complicated system. Why don't I go and remind her myself?

I can design the Tarot cards to have 100 levels, and each level-up requires Krypton gold. If you don't have Krypton gold, you won't even be able to beat a dog. I guarantee that I will make a fortune.

'She's a woman...'

'You're wrong. Safiya is not a woman. It's the abbreviation for a professional intelligence organisation.'

'What?'

'The Safiya you saw is a representative of the organisation. There are many similar representatives. She is just one of them.'

'Hm...'

Zhang Yong was silent.

Suddenly, he felt like reading a fantasy novel.

It turns out that there are also ranks in the intelligence industry. Without the corresponding rank, you cannot access many things.

So what rank is he?

Forget it. Don't think about it. It's better not to hurt yourself.

Within the Fuxing Society, he is just a newcomer. He has only been in the organisation for eight months, so what do you expect?

And the Fuxing Society is probably not even considered a newcomer in the world intelligence industry. The Fuxing Society was not set up with intelligence in mind in the first place.

Intelligence is actually a part-time job. Even as a department head, he is not even considered a young upstart in the world intelligence industry.

A little frustrated...

But also a little excited...

Even though he is a newcomer, can't he just go in and take a look?

If he relies solely on the resources of the Fuxing Society, he definitely won't be qualified. But he is a time traveller! He knows about historical events!

He knows about the outbreak of the Sino-German War...

He knows about Pearl Harbour...

With just these two major events, he can make a fortune.

Imperialism is not short of money.

Is Britain short of money? Yes. But a few million pounds is nothing.

Is the United States short of money? No. As the arsenal of world wars, it has made so much money that its coffers are overflowing. A few million or tens of millions of dollars is nothing.

A Missouri battleship cost the other side more than 40 million US dollars. They ordered dozens of them at once. But by the time the war was over, they hadn't even finished building them. So they had to cancel the order.

They didn't lack money!

Really. Imperialism doesn't lack money!

If you study hard, make progress every day, seize opportunities, and make a few million dollars, you should be able to do it.

Our goal is not high. Let's set a goal of 5 million dollars...

'By the way...'

'Yes?'

'The Red Tsarist Empire may have noticed you too.'

'Really?'

Zhang Yong was unmoved.

This was to be expected. His northern neighbour was no fool.

In fact, the intelligence agency of his northern neighbour was very impressive. Its name would become famous in the decades to come, and people would tremble at the mere mention of it.

They had noticed him? That was good news. And bad news.

In any case, this plan, Tempest, had already begun to stir up the winds and clouds.

What would he do now?

First, prepare the cornucopia. Prepare the sack to collect the money.

In the country, fighting with the Japanese spies, getting a hundred thousand US dollars is already the best you can do. It's too small-minded.

You see, Kuroshima Ryuzo, a member of the Japanese imperial family, was only able to get 300,000 US dollars. It can be seen that blindly fleecing the Japanese invaders is not expected to get much.

You have to target other powers as well.

No matter which country, we welcome all comers.

With the rapid development of telegraph technology, communication across the globe has become completely unproblematic. Shanghai is truly the world's intelligence centre!

Longing...

yearning...

the world stage...

'Zhang, I'll give you some more information.'

'What?'

'Wanshengwei.'

'What?'

'One of Kawashima Yoshiko's dens. There might be something good there.'

'Oh?'

'A free gift. Consider it our goodwill.'

'Thank you!'

'Goodbye.'

'Goodbye.'

Zhang Yong saw the two off.

He muttered to himself. Goodwill? I'll believe that when I see it.

Letting me go after Kawashima Yoshiko is a disguised way of weakening the Japanese. It's good for you Brits.

You're not going to do it yourself, so you're encouraging me to let go.

But...

Encouragement is encouragement!

As long as there is benefit, Zhang Yong doesn't mind doing it.

He doesn't really understand strategic thinking. He just knows that the Japanese are getting rid of one after another.

The Japanese's weapons and equipment are being seized one wave after another.

The Japanese's wealth is also being seized one batch after another.

Wanshengwei...

He hesitated.

For the time being, he can't move.

Because he still can't leave the area around the Elizabeth Hospital.

If he left and Boss Dai was attacked, that would be tragic. For the time being, Boss Dai was also the golden goose he wanted to hug.

What should he do?

Waiting online.

Very anxious.