Republican Era Spy Shadow: Bloodstained Sanctions

Chapter 73 Japanese Spy Keiko Matsushima

"I'm glad you like it, Section Chief. There are still quite a few left in the cabinet. Take a few bottles back with you before you leave," Yan Shuo said with a smile, his tone very polite.

Upon hearing this, Yuji Maeda's smile widened. He put down his wine glass, leaned forward, placed his hands on the desk, and said in a low voice, "Boss Liu, I'm here today to discuss business."

"Please speak, Section Chief," Yan Shuo said, feigning attentiveness.

"I've heard about the films your company is currently preparing: *Shanghai Moon*, *Nightingale's Song*, and *The Tide of the Huangpu River*." Maeda Yuji paused, his expression turning serious. "These are extraordinary times, and the direction of public opinion in Shanghai is crucial! These films must align with the spirit of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere!"

As he spoke, he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, on which were written the names of several Japanese actors: "These are actors recommended by the news department. They are all outstanding cultural workers of the Empire. You must give them important roles in your film!"

Yan Shuo took the paper, glanced at the name on it, and sneered inwardly.

Most of these Japanese actors are just people with connections and little acting skill. Maeda is using his public power to benefit himself.

He looked troubled: "Section Chief Maeda, it's not that I'm unwilling, it's just that the scripts for these movies have already been finalized and the roles have been arranged. Adding people suddenly might affect the quality of the films."

"Quality?" Maeda Yuji scoffed, slamming his hand on the table. His voice suddenly rose. "Boss Liu, you need to understand! In Shanghai, what is quality? Meeting the Empire's propaganda requirements is the best quality!"

He stood up and paced back and forth in the office, hands behind his back. "I'm telling you, these actors absolutely have to be in the cast! Otherwise, your film will never pass censorship, or even..."

He didn't continue, but the threat was already quite obvious.

Wan Liwen stepped forward at the opportune moment, a gentle smile on her face, and smoothed things over, saying, "Section Chief Maeda, please calm down. The boss is just worried about the film's effect. Since you've spoken, we'll naturally comply. However, we'd like you to point us in the right direction regarding the casting, and see which roles are suitable for these actors."

Seeing that Wan Liwen had given in, Maeda Yuji's expression softened considerably. He glanced smugly at Yan Shuo and said, "That's right! The second female lead in 'Shanghai Moon,' the pianist in 'Nightingale's Song,' and the female teacher in 'The Tide of the Huangpu River' will all be replaced with people I recommended!"

Yan Shuo pretended to ponder for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, let's do as the section chief says. But the actors' salaries..."

"Payment?" Yuji Maeda waved his hand. "They all came for the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, so pay is easy to discuss. Just give them a token amount."

As he spoke, he looked at the liquor cabinet again, "Boss Liu, I really like the imported liquors here. Could you get me a few more bottles? Also, I heard that your company recently received a new batch of French perfumes. Could you bring me a few bottles back as a gift for my wife?"

"Of course." Yan Shuo agreed without hesitation. He winked at Wan Liwen, who immediately understood and turned to make the arrangements.

Seeing that Yan Shuo was so cooperative, Maeda Yuji was in a great mood. He drank another glass of wine and began to talk at length about his "theory of information warfare," from Shanghai newspapers to radio stations, from movies to music, spouting nonsense and grand pronouncements, yet he spoke with great pride, as if he were a strategist in charge.

Yan Shuo sat to the side, a smile always on his face, nodding and agreeing from time to time, but in his heart he was scheming how to take advantage of Maeda's greed to serve his own plans.

Although Maeda doesn't have much background or ability, he is, after all, the head of the publicity department in the news department, and holds great power in film censorship, so he can't be offended for the time being.

After more than half an hour, Yuji Maeda finally finished speaking. He looked at the sky outside the window, stood up and said, "Boss Liu, it's getting late. I have other things to do, so I'll take my leave now."

"Take care, Section Chief." Yan Shuo stood up to see him off.

Wan Liwen walked in at this moment, carrying several heavy cloth bags filled with foreign liquor and perfume.

Maeda Yuji's eyes lit up instantly. He took it without hesitation, handed it to the soldier behind him, and then patted Yan Shuo on the shoulder: "Boss Liu, you're a sensible person! If you need anything in the future, just come to me!"

After saying that, he strode out, leaving behind the room reeking of alcohol and an air of nauseating arrogance.

As Yan Shuo watched Maeda Yuji's retreating figure, the smile in his eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by a chilling killing intent.

He picked up the coffee on the table, drank it all in one gulp, and turned to Wan Liwen, saying, "Pass the word down that, according to Maeda's request, those Japanese actors should be inserted into the three films, 'Shanghai Moon,' 'Nightingale's Song,' and 'The Tide of the Huangpu River.' However, their roles should be minimized, and their lines should be simplified."

"Understood." Wan Liwen nodded, her gentle smile turning serious. "Boss, Maeda has made an outrageous demand this time; he'll probably push his luck in the future."

"It doesn't matter." Yan Shuo sneered. "He wants benefits, so I'll give him benefits. Once he's grown greedy enough, his death is imminent."

Yan Shuo said to Wan Liwen, "I'm going to the artists' department to check on the recent rehearsals."

Wan Liwen nodded in agreement: "Okay, I'll have my assistant prepare the character adjustment plans for those movies."

Yan Shuo went down the stairs and headed towards the artists' department.

The artists' department was quite lively at the moment, with several Chinese artists practicing new songs, their voices mixed with piano music drifting out.

In the small cubicle, Keiko Matsushima was sorting through the files of Japanese entertainers, turning the pages of the documents one by one, occasionally raising her hand to adjust the pocket watch on her chest. Her movements seemed natural, but her eyes subtly swept over the few recent financial statements of the company scattered on the table.

Yan Shuo paused, his gaze falling on Matsushima Keiko.

Keiko Matsushima was slender with long, jet-black hair that curled slightly at the ends, exuding a gentle and refined aura. Her features were delicate, with arched eyebrows, and she usually radiated a gentle and friendly light, but at this moment, she subtly revealed a hint of tension and wariness, like a frightened deer.

She wore a light blue traditional Japanese kimono, embroidered with delicate white cherry blossom patterns that swayed gently with her movements. The collar and cuffs were trimmed with pale pink silk lace, and a wide obi (sash) of the same color was tied into a pretty bow at her waist, highlighting her slender figure.

This woman is the vocal coach and manager's assistant for the company's Japanese doll-like performers. She usually appears gentle and harmless, but at this moment, the pause in her fingertips and the deliberate lowering of her head reveal something is amiss.

Clearly, her real purpose in organizing the files was to secretly photograph the company's financial statements and collect confidential information.

Yan Shuo stood silently outside the cubicle for a moment without alerting anyone, until Matsushima Keiko noticed the commotion, looked up sharply, saw it was Yan Shuo, immediately composed herself, stood up and bowed: "Boss, hello!"

"Organizing the files?" Yan Shuo asked indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the financial statements on the table.

Keiko Matsushima's heart skipped a beat. She quickly pressed the report under the file and smiled, "Yes, we need to compile statistics on the number of performances by Japanese artists and check the relevant records."

"Hmm." Yan Shuo didn't ask any more questions and turned to leave the artist department.

Back in her office on the second floor, Wan Liwen had already placed the proposal on the table.