Chapter 104: Seeking Help (Request for Votes)

Takeda Kaede left the newspaper office and walked all the way to the entrance of Drum Tower Street. He had chosen this location deliberately because the junction of Drum Tower Street was a crucial node in the road network, connecting six thoroughfares. Surrounded by paths leading in every direction and with a constant stream of pedestrians, it was the perfect place to conceal one’s movements.

He hailed a rickshaw, heading west until they arrived at the entrance of a Western-style courtyard. After paying the driver, he took a few steps forward and entered the compound.

A guard noticed someone coming in and looked up. Seeing it was Takeda Kaede, he hesitated briefly but quickly recognized him. “Mr. Tian! It’s been a long time since we last saw you. Please, come in!”

Takeda Kaede smiled and nodded before calmly entering the main hall. Inside, a few well-dressed men and women were chatting, and several nearby rooms stood wide open, with people engaged in conversation within.

Without pausing, Takeda Kaede headed straight to the second room, where two men were engrossed in a game of chess.

Noticing his arrival, one middle-aged man greeted him with a smile. “Mr. Tian, it’s been a while since the master was seen. Come, have a look—I’m about to lose here!”

The other man turned to glance as well and nodded politely in acknowledgment.

Takeda Kaede waved his hand courteously. “A true gentleman observes without speaking. I’ll simply watch quietly as you two play.”

He then stood beside them, silently observing. The two men were deeply engaged in their match and continued without further formalities.

This place was actually a private club, part of the vast holdings of Song Hong, a famous wealthy merchant in Nanjing.

Song Hong had built a massive business empire and amassed great wealth. Known for his bold and outgoing character, he maintained extensive connections in both political and commercial circles, making him a highly influential magnate.

In his early years, Song Hong was quite ordinary, but his generous nature and love for making friends led him to meet a powerful ally who helped him succeed. Over several decades, he rose to immense wealth and prominence.

This courtyard was one of his private clubs, frequented by social elites, high-ranking officials, and cultural figures—a gathering place for the upper echelons of society and a venue for Song Hong to engage with notable personalities from various fields.

When Takeda Kaede first arrived in Nanjing, his initial mission was to turn a man named Wu Yun. Since Wu Yun was a regular at this club, Takeda Kaede used the covert support of the Japanese intelligence services to become a regular here as well.

For some time after completing the mission, Takeda Kaede continued to visit often. After all, this place attracted the upper crust of society, where information flowed that ordinary people could not access. Some of this information pertained to sensitive areas and, when carefully analyzed, could yield valuable intelligence. Thus, frequenting this club was a useful avenue for gathering information.

However, after joining the Minsheng Newspaper with its nine-to-five routine, Takeda Kaede’s visits became less frequent, limited mostly to his days off.

Time passed swiftly. After two more rounds of chess, several refined chess enthusiasts had joined the room. Finally, Takeda Kaede could no longer resist challenging one of them to a game.

As the intense matches unfolded, a well-mannered young man entered from outside. Of medium build, with sharp features and gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, he stepped in. Seeing everyone engrossed in the game, he prepared to speak but stopped when his eyes landed on Takeda Kaede seated among them. His gaze lingered momentarily before he composed himself and silently joined Takeda Kaede’s side to watch the duel.

Takeda Kaede’s skill was formidable. After losing two consecutive games, his opponent declined to continue. The onlookers, unsatisfied, urged others nearby to challenge him.

At that moment, the young gentleman rolled up his sleeve with a confident air and declared, “When rivals meet, true talent is shown. Let me face Mr. Tian.”

“Yes, Brother Su is highly skilled. He alone can match Brother Tian!” The crowd eagerly agreed, excited for the spectacle.

The two then began a fierce battle, exchanging moves of rooks, knights, and advancing pawns, the game growing lively and intense.

Time flew as they played throughout the morning, continuing until noon when they finally called a truce and dispersed.

Takeda Kaede and the man named Su exchanged smiles and gestures of invitation before retreating to a quiet corner to sit.

A servant brought two drinks and then bowed before withdrawing.

“Mr. Takeda, you came here especially for me this time, didn’t you?” Su Yu asked softly.

Su Yu, facing his colleague, felt a deep sense of awe. They had been classmates at Kyoto University. During their studies, Su Yu knew of Takeda Kaede’s illustrious family background—he was the first heir of the Takeda clan and a leading figure at the university.

After returning home, Su Yu had worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but found little success. Two years earlier, this old schoolmate had unexpectedly appeared at this very club.

Su Yu enjoyed chess, and the club was a gathering place for elite society where influential figures often appeared. Many, like Su Yu, frequented the club hoping to find a breakthrough that might change their lives.

Takeda Kaede’s arrival indeed altered Su Yu’s fate. Through a combination of threats and inducements, Takeda Kaede succeeded in recruiting Su Yu, who then joined the Kuroshio espionage group.

With covert Japanese support, Su Yu advanced further, eventually becoming Deputy Director of the Second Division of the Planning Department in the Fourth Bureau of the Nanjing Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Achieving such a high position in his early thirties was a testament to his rising career.

This club was where Su Yu often came. Since successfully recruiting him, Takeda Kaede had gradually reduced his visits. Official rules forbade even two agents in the same unit from having unauthorized contact unless under special circumstances.

“I knew you’d be here every weekend, so I came looking for you today,” Takeda Kaede said calmly, sipping orange juice before setting down the glass.

“Mr. Takeda, you’re acting recklessly this time. We shouldn’t have so much interaction—it’s against regulations,” Su Yu whispered.

“That’s only when there’s no special reason. Now I’m facing difficulties and need your help. I believe you, as an old classmate, won’t refuse me, right?” Takeda Kaede’s tone grew harsher, pressing him with authority.

Su Yu winced. Takeda Kaede held secrets about him that no one else knew—a key reason he was successfully turned two years ago.

Now, speaking this way was an obvious threat. Considering Takeda Kaede’s powerful background and the vast influence of the Takeda clan, Su Yu could not afford to resist.

He forced a bitter smile and spoke softly, “Of course, Mr. Takeda. I cannot refuse your request. Tell me, what do you need my help with?”

Seeing Su Yu yield as expected, Takeda Kaede smiled faintly. “A safe house I set up was robbed. Many things were taken. I want to find the thief and retrieve the stolen items.”

“What kind of things?” Su Yu asked.

Takeda Kaede hesitated a moment before deciding to confide in Su Yu. Since he needed Su Yu’s help to find the seal, hiding it was pointless. He said frankly, “Some cash and gold bars—those aren’t crucial and can be lost. But two treasured jade pieces are missing: a jade magatama my father gave me on my coming-of-age ceremony, and most importantly, the Takeda family crest seal. Both are gone.” A flash of anger crossed Takeda Kaede’s eyes but quickly vanished, replaced by a calm expression.

“What? You lost something so important?” Su Yu was shocked. Having studied in Japan, he knew noble families there often kept heirlooms passed down through generations.

The Takeda family crest seal must be an invaluable token. No wonder Takeda Kaede came directly to him, disregarding protocol. After all, in Nanjing, Su Yu was the only one who could help. The Takeda clan’s reach was too distant.

But since the seal bore the family crest, wouldn’t someone recognize it? If a hostile party found it, they would surely be suspicious. Given the tense Sino-Japanese relations and animosity toward Japanese people, retrieving it posed a serious risk of exposure. Su Yu sensed the danger in this.

He refused firmly, “Mr. Takeda, this is too risky! It’s like inviting disaster and will reduce us both to ashes.”