Agent: Intercepting Yu Manli at the start!

Chapter 140 Shocking Scene!

Yoko Nanada's lips curled slightly, but the smile was stiff and distant, making one's heart tighten inexplicably: "I only have one request—all intelligence agencies must unite as one and work together to suppress the anti-Japanese forces of Operation 'Rain'."

She spoke lightly, but a tight string was in her heart. The Special Higher Police in Shanghai had recently lost three section chiefs, and she didn't want to become the fourth to die there.

The lessons of the past were right before their eyes: three coffins, three funerals, and three unfinished performance reports. If they wanted to survive, they had no choice but to act swiftly and decisively, uprooting the anti-Japanese forces completely.

"Director Zhou, you are a trusted friend of our great Japanese Empire, and the most relied-upon arm of the Special Higher Police." Yoko Nanta nodded slightly to Zhou Xiao, her tone humble yet solemn. "I earnestly request that you lead the Special Operations Headquarters and do everything in your power to assist us in eradicating the anti-Japanese elements."

Zhou Xiao calmly replied, "It is my duty, and I will do my best."

"Very good." Yoko Nanta nodded, then her gaze swept across the entire room. "I hope that the Military Police, the Special Higher Police, the Shang Mansion, the 76th Special Agent Headquarters, and the Special Operations Headquarters—the five parties—will coordinate and deploy in a unified manner, leaving no gaps."

"Next, we must act immediately: implement a complete lockdown, conduct thorough investigations, and swiftly arrest all personnel and leads related to the resistance against Japan."

"yes!"

The crowd responded in unison, their voices crisp and clear.

She then assigned tasks one by one—all intelligence agencies were to be mobilized immediately, with staff on duty day and night, conducting street checks and house-to-house searches, without any slackening.

As soon as the meeting ended, Nantian Yangzi turned to Wang Manchun beside her: "Director Wang, please wait a moment, I have something to discuss with you in detail."

Wang Manchun paused slightly, then lowered her eyes and replied, "Yes."

Zhou Xiao glanced at Nantian Yangzi but didn't say a word.

Whether it was Aoki Takeshige or Sendoh Kaede, both of their previous superiors had leaned towards the Special Operations Headquarters to some extent; but the newcomer, Minami Yoko, had a very clear attitude—she trusted No. 76 more and valued Wang Manchun more.

After everyone left, only two people remained in the conference room.

Nantian Yangzi said bluntly: "Director Wang, I have always had high hopes for No. 76."

"The assassination of General Yoshinori Shirakawa has shocked the entire nation. Chief of the Doihara Organization has given us a firm order to take concrete action."

"Therefore, I hope you will lead the team to publicly execute a group of anti-Japanese elements in the downtown area."

Wang Manchun frowned slightly: "Section Chief Nantian, the number of so-called anti-Japanese elements we are currently detaining is limited, and most of them refuse to tell the truth. The interrogations have not yet yielded any breakthroughs... But please rest assured, we are stepping up our efforts to make a breakthrough."

Yoko Nanada waved her hand, her smile not reaching her eyes: "No need to wait for the trial. I want you executed by firing squad right now—as for those being led to the execution ground, if I say they are anti-Japanese elements, then they are."

This is clearly an attempt to use someone as a scapegoat and a blatant disregard for human life!

Wang Manchun felt a chill run down her spine and instantly understood: this move served three purposes—to intimidate, to fulfill her duty, and to establish her authority—a new official always needs to make a visible impact upon taking office.

Whether these people were truly resisting Japan was not even a consideration.

"I've always trusted Director Wang's work, haven't I?"

Wang Manchun lowered her eyes for a moment, and when she looked up, her expression was calm: "Please rest assured, Section Chief Nantian, I will take care of it right away."

The Wang Manchun of today is no longer the same person who once held some sense of reason. Her eyes are cold and hard, her methods are ruthless, and she kills without blinking an eye.

Nantian Yangzi looked at her, the corners of her mouth slowly turning up, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes: "Director Wang, I admire you very much."

Entrusting this matter to Wang Manchun was itself a test—if she handled it cleanly and efficiently, it would prove that No. 76 was usable, and that Wang Manchun was also someone to be entrusted with important responsibilities.

"Thank you for your trust, Section Chief Nantian," Wang Manchun said calmly.

As it turns out, her execution ability was indeed amazing.

That afternoon, No. 76 set up the execution ground in the square outside the Shanghai vegetable market.

A dozen masked prisoners knelt on the yellow earth, with armed agents from the 76th Special Forces behind them, and the outer perimeter cordoned off by military police.

The presiding judge was none other than Wang Manchun.

More and more people gathered around, forming a dense, impenetrable crowd.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, Wang Manchun stepped forward, her voice clear and cold: "Recently, the security situation in Shanghai has deteriorated, with frequent assassinations and explosions. In order to eliminate the chaos, rectify the atmosphere, and safeguard the peace of Shanghai, a group of anti-Japanese elements will be publicly executed today as a warning to others!"

"A generous reward will be given to anyone who reports clues about resistance against Japan; anyone who assists in the arrest will be forgiven for past offenses and will receive additional rewards!"

"Anyone who participates in the resistance against Japan will face only death—right here, right now!"

"Furthermore, someone has already voluntarily surrendered. This person will lead us to uncover more hidden agents. If they surrender now, they may still escape death; if they remain obstinate, not only will their own lives be in danger, but their families will also be implicated!"

The mouths of the people kneeling on the ground were all gagged with cloth, so they couldn't utter a single word. But upon hearing the words "execution by firing squad," many of them immediately lost control of their bladders, their crotches becoming soaked.

Most of these "anti-Japanese elements" had no connection whatsoever: some were thugs randomly arrested by the police, some were merchants detained for minor offenses, and some were innocent civilians framed... Not a single one of them had ever been involved in the anti-Japanese movement.

A complete massacre.

Wang Manchun looked down at them expressionlessly, her face as hard as iron. She raised her hand and waved: "All, load!"

Snap—Splash—

A dozen rifles simultaneously pulled their bolts, their cold gleam reflecting the sun, so bright it was blinding.

"Remember this: this is the consequence of resisting the Japanese invaders and disrupting the peace and order of Shanghai!" Wang Manchun's voice was cold and hard as iron, each word distinct and deliberate. "Execute!"

boom!boom!boom! ...

Gunshots suddenly rang out, short and rapid.

The men kneeling in the middle of the street fell to the ground, their blood quickly seeping onto the bluestone slabs. They were all labeled "anti-Japanese elements" and executed on the spot.

Wang Manchun stood quietly, her gaze sweeping over the lying corpse, the corners of her lips slightly turned up—it wasn't a smile, but a glint of cold light before a blade was drawn.

She was no longer the well-behaved and principled Wang Manchun of the past. Her heart was as hard as iron, her sense of right and wrong completely rusted away, and her conscience crushed with each pull of the trigger. Now, only one name remained in her eyes: Ming Lou.

This high-profile public execution, ostensibly to avenge the assassination of General Yoshinori Shirakawa, was in reality a way to report to their Japanese masters—the intelligence agency hadn't given up and was swiftly and decisively purging dissidents.

Special Operations Headquarters.

Lan Yanzhi rushed into the office, her voice urgent: "Zhou Xiao, Wang Manchun has made her move again! She publicly executed an 'anti-Japanese element' in the middle of the city. It caused quite a stir, even alerting the police station."

"I suspect this is related to Yoshinori Shirakawa's death."

Zhou Xiao's heart sank, but he could only sigh softly. He couldn't stop or suppress such a thing. He whispered, "It's probably at Nantian Yangzi's behest—a new broom sweeps clean and sets the stage."

Lan Yanzhi pressed further, "Then what about us? Should we strike first before she's even settled in?"