Chapter 3: Cipher Machine

He is rather inflexible, lacking the ability to speak sweetly or to actively curry favor with his superiors. He does not even know how to give gifts, and without any connections, he can only sit on the sidelines and endure the passage of time to gain experience

At this hour, there will basically be no more customers visiting. Mr. Fang, you are probably my last customer for today.

Fortunately, the situation was handled promptly, and as it stands, the problem is not significant. Chen Miao could tell that Zheng Jiayuan did not suspect his intentions, and then asked, "What should I do about the work I have on hand, and my accommodation? Chen Mingchu is aware of it, and he will definitely send someone to keep watch. Moreover, the most important thing is the documents of the district department and the Enger cipher machine that I am safeguarding."

The Shanghai district must establish contact with the Chongqing headquarters using a cipher machine; otherwise, certain confidential messages cannot be decrypted. If the Japanese army were to grasp the operational formulas of the cipher machine, the communications between the Military Intelligence Bureau headquarters and the various districts and stations would essentially be devoid of any secrecy.

The personnel in the districts of Shanghai were constantly coming and going, especially after the Japanese army occupied Shanghai. There were frequent personnel changes due to casualties, transfers, and defections. As for external duties, it goes without saying; in terms of internal affairs, there were only a handful of individuals who remained and did not leave.

What will he do

"Where did you put the Enigma machine?" Zheng Jiayuan asked nervously. If it weren't for this, he wouldn't have taken the risk to meet Chen Miao.

"Brother Chen, what are you doing? I trust you, otherwise I wouldn't have come to see you alone." Zheng Xiuyuan stood up and reached out to adjust Chen Miao's coat. "Is your wound inflamed? Do you need me to call Wu Xin to help you re-bandage it?"

To those who are unfamiliar with it, a cipher machine appears to be nothing more than a typewriter. If I place a typewriter in the office, no one would suspect anything.

Basically, it occurs once every half month

"Old Zheng, the time is almost up. I hope you can quickly go and retrieve the cipher machine. Chen Mingchu knows me too well; I can't hide it for long. If things go poorly, he will be able to react very soon," Chen Miao said with a chuckle, then solemnly reminded.

Where is the district seat

Zheng Jiayuan let out a bitter laugh and said, "If it weren't for your timely reminder to Wu Xin, I fear I would have already been in the military police's prison."

I will never be able to return to horse racing, which is quite a pity. It is very difficult to find such a lucrative job in Shanghai now, " Chen Miao said with a reluctant smile.

"Chen Mingchu defected, and I almost fell for his deception as well. Now, how great is our loss, and how many people are implicated?" Chen Miao asked

At this moment, a person entered, wearing a gray burlap shirt, with a sturdy build, slightly shorter than Master Hao. After entering, he found a stool by himself and sat down.

"How could you place such an important item at the horse racing club?" Upon hearing this, Zheng Jiayuan immediately became anxious and stood up to question.

"Chen Mingchu is not unfamiliar with me. If I go, won't I be caught red-handed?" Zheng Jiayuan said with a frown

Zheng Jiayuan is in the second phase, considered his senior, and being somewhat older, he is more quick-witted and adept at socializing, which naturally leads to a faster promotion than him

In addition to getting a haircut, Chen Miao also enjoys facial grooming, which he insists on every time. There is a particular technique involved in facial grooming, referred to as "seventy-two strokes and a half." This means that the grooming process requires seventy-two strokes, with the final half stroke being used to remove the fine hairs on the bridge of the nose, serving as a finishing touch

Mr. Fang has arrived? Upon seeing Chen Miao, Master Hao immediately recognized him; apart from his own people, he used the alias "Fang Yun" when he was outside.

"Isn't this coming to find you, old Zheng? I can't go back, but you can," Chen Miao said

"Alright, I will send someone to collect it tomorrow." Zheng Jiayuan nodded.

The Four Seasons Barbershop on Shanzhong Road is the meeting place for him and Zheng Jiayuan. The owner, whose surname is Hao, is from Yangzhou and possesses excellent skills

Are you really going to the gambling den

After leaving the Four Seasons Barbershop, Chen Miao raised his hand to hail a rickshaw and headed towards the western part of Shanghai

I placed it in the office of the horse racing association said Chen Miao

In fact, the wound on the left shoulder is not important; what matters is that aside from the wound on the left shoulder, Chen Miao is otherwise in good condition

Therefore, Master Hao has always believed that his surname is "Fang"

"Of course, otherwise how could Chen Mingchu trust his own judgment?" Chen Miao said, "Moreover, I truly have no money"

"No, based on my understanding of him, it is certain that he will send someone to guard the horse racing venue, but it will be difficult for his people to get in. Therefore, the horse racing venue is not his main focus," Chen Miao stated with certainty.

In the Shanghai District of the Military Bureau, he and Zheng Jiayuan can be considered veterans, both having come from the Hong Gong Shrine. Chen Miao was assigned to the Shanghai District as an internal staff member immediately after graduation

Zheng Jiayuan let out a sigh of relief: "In the dark under the lamp, you truly have your ways. However, you are now being targeted by the Japanese. If they want to infiltrate the racetrack, they will certainly take away the cipher machine, and that will not be easy."

"Do you want to take a look at the wound? I handled it all by myself." Chen Miao unfastened his outer garment, revealing the wound on his left shoulder. The bandaging was clearly done by himself; if there had been a second person, it wouldn't have turned out like this.

I didn't bring much, just this amount. Can I keep one yuan to take the bus back? Zheng Jiayuan took out all the money he had on him and gave it to Chen Miao

A slender razor glides between the fingers, resembling a butterfly flitting among the flowers

"Hmm, I got hit and almost lost my life." Chen Miao nodded. Wu Xin is a nurse and has received training; it is normal for her to notice that he is injured.

Putting down the knife, Master Hao wiped his sweat, then twisted a hot towel and handed it to Chen Miao, giving a slight nod to Zheng Jiayuan before taking the water kettle outside to keep watch

Chen Miao chuckled and said: "Old Zheng, if Chen Mingchu wants to catch me, he certainly won't just focus on the horse racing association. Given his understanding of me, he will definitely keep an eye on the few gambling houses I frequently visit"

"No, Chen, my brother, that is not what I mean. It is just that in the current situation, one should not harbor ill intentions towards others, but one must always be on guard against others' intentions," Zheng Jiayuan said helplessly

"We are currently unable to contact District Chief, but he should be safe," Zheng Jiayuan said, shaking his head slightly. "What are your next plans?"

Not a single cut too many, not a half cut too few; this is truly mastery of the craft.

The final stroke glided across Chen Miao's nose like a gentle breeze, perfect

Come on. Chen Miao lay back in the chair, and although his eyes were closed, he was fully aware of the situation both inside and outside the store

"I heard from Wu Xin that you were injured?" As soon as Zheng Jiayuan entered, he noticed Chen Miao's left shoulder, where blood was clearly seeping through the jacket.

Chen Miao took the towel, wiped his face, and then opened his eyes to see Zheng Jiayuan sitting across from him. He suddenly broke into a grin and said, "I knew it, you are not so easily caught."

Few people are aware of his habit, but Zheng Jiayuan is one of them

If he were to be captured, there would certainly need to be a formal process, and even if no torture was applied, the scars from being bound would still be present. Moreover, he had already given Zheng Jiayuan a warning in advance

This is also why Chen Mingchu, after his defection, thought of deceiving him at the first opportunity

This is a skill of dining, yet in the hands of Master Hao, it has been transformed into an art form

"How is business, Old Hao?" As Chen Miao walked in, he sat down on the chair and then placed his hat on the table in front of the mirror

Master Hao was fully focused on Chen Miao's face, the blade in his hand continuing its work without pause, as he slightly tilted his head and said, "Mr. Fang, please wait a moment, it will be ready soon."

Indeed, you now have no home to return to, and you are penniless. If you want to make some money, there is no other option besides gambling.

Zheng Jiayuan nodded and said, "In fact, besides your confidential report, I have also received a warning from our comrades in the police station within the concession. The Japanese military police are preparing to conduct a large-scale search in the concession this afternoon, including our district headquarters and transportation stations. It now appears that Chen Mingchu's defection to the enemy is the main reason for this large-scale search."

Old Zheng, you wouldn't think that I have defected together with Chen Mingchu, would you

By the way, could you lend me some gambling money

Although Chen Miao has been struggling in the Shanghai district, his business acumen is indeed strong; otherwise, he would not have been entrusted with the custody of the most important Enger cipher machine

He is precisely aware of Chen Miao's value