Hot Springs

It was the twelfth lunar month of 1937. Shanghai's winter was colder than a southern winter had any right to be. The wind swept damp air in from the Huangpu River, piercing to the bone like needles. The patrolmen at the station hunched their shoulders and stamped their feet, cursing the wretched weather. Only in Shen Yan's office was the stove burning brightly, its warmth mingling with the faint fragrance of tea.

Shen Yan sat behind his desk, a map of Hongkou spread out before him. Holding a red pen, he drew a heavy circle around a spot on Wusong Road. Old Chen stood beside him with an enamel teacup, squinting at the map for a long while, but never managed to figure out what he was thinking.

"What are you up to?" Old Chen put his cup on the desk, the porcelain tapping softly against the wood.

"Opening a hot springs." Shen Yan didn't look up. His fingertips continued to trace the map, and his tone was matter-of-fact.

Old Chen's cup froze in midair. His Adam's apple bobbed. "Say that again? Hot springs? A restaurant that serves soup?"

Shen Yan rolled his eyes silently.

"Hot springs... how do I explain it to you? It's a Japanese bathhouse."

Old Chen's eyes widened. He raised a hand to feel Shen Yan's forehead.

"You don't have a fever. What kind of crazy talk is that?"

Shen Yan brushed Old Chen's hand aside and said with a perfectly serious expression, "I'm talking business here. Don't interrupt, old man."

Old Chen pulled over a chair and sat down, his brows knotted. After a moment's silence, he asked in a puzzled tone, "A captain at the police station opening a bathhouse? A Japanese bathhouse, at that? What are you thinking? Shanghai's full of bathhouses. Do the Japanese have nowhere to bathe?"

Shen Yan smiled and tapped the red circle on the map. "Godfather, hear me out. My bathhouse won't be like the others. First, it'll be decorated in a purely Japanese style, with sliding doors and tatami mats. Then there are the attendants, the scrubbers and the masseuses-they'll all be women! Think about it, Godfather. Doesn't that sound exciting?"

At that, Old Chen slowly got up and silently closed and locked the office door.

He turned around and slowly unbuckled the leather belt at his waist.

"You beast! You want to send our own girls to be defiled by the Japanese?! Today I'll put righteousness before family and rid those girls of a menace! Get ready to take it!"

His belt whistled through the air!

Shen Yan raced around the desk, dodging as he tried to explain.

"Can you let me finish, you little old man?! Who said anything about Chinese girls? Can't I hire Japanese women?"

"Who the hell are you trying to fool?! Japanese women? All of Shanghai is practically theirs now. What Japanese woman would come out and do a job that brings shame on her ancestors?!"

Shen Yan ducked and dodged, loudly protesting his innocence while silently resolving to buy a lightness skill next time the shop refreshed, no matter what.

"Old man, do you know how many Japanese civilians who came to Shanghai can't even feed themselves? They followed their men to China, and how many Japanese soldiers die on the battlefield every day? Without men to support them, how are they supposed to live?"

Old Chen stopped in his tracks, panting, though his expression was still sour.

"They still can't do that kind of work. Wouldn't that make you a brothel keeper? You're the captain of the special operations team. Why do you have to earn that kind of dirty money? Does the family lack food or drink?"

Seeing that Old Chen had calmed down a little, Shen Yan edged over carefully and took the belt from him.

"Hear me out. First, this is Hongkou, Japanese territory. If I open a Japanese hot springs here, Kuroiwa will think I really want to put down roots in Shanghai, that I'm one of his own people he can control. Who would dare employ a subordinate who truly wanted nothing? So opening this business will be worth more than saying 'I'm loyal' a hundred times."

He raised his hand again and traced a circle in the air over the French Concession. "Second, now that I've made a connection with the Great Mister, we're bound to work together on things in the future. Once the hot springs opens, we'll be business partners. No matter how closely we associate after that, nobody will find it strange. Otherwise, if an official and a gang boss are making eyes at each other all day for no reason, people will start suspecting something even if there's nothing going on. Lastly..."

Shen Yan chuckled and lowered his voice.

"There's the most important part-I'll make a few alterations to the private rooms. When the Japanese let their guard down in the baths, every honest word they say, every secret, I'll be able to... hehehehe..."

Old Chen stiffened abruptly, the hand holding his teacup trembling slightly. "Have you gone mad? Eavesdropping on the Japanese right under their noses is risking your neck! If you're discovered, it won't just be you. Nian'an and I will die with you!"

"That's why I need the Great Mister as a partner." Shen Yan's voice was steady. "If anything goes wrong, I can push all the blame onto the Green Gang. I'll say they wanted to eavesdrop on the Japanese and that it had nothing to do with me, a police captain. Even if Kuroiwa suspects me, he won't have any hard evidence."

Old Chen stared at him for a long time. Only when the coals in the stove crackled did his brow slowly relax. "All right. Looks like you've made up your mind, so I won't stop you. Do you have enough money? If not, I've saved a little over the years. I'll keep enough to feed myself and the little girl and give you the rest."

Shen Yan felt a warmth in his heart. His godfather had done everything he could for him.

"Come on, save that little bit of money and find Nian'an a god-grandmother instead. Money's the one thing your son has plenty of right now!"

He took a red cloth bundle from his drawer and set it gently on the desk. When he opened it, ten gleaming gold bars lay inside.

"Li Bingkun paid compensation over the Ma Yao business." Shen Yan pushed the bundle toward Old Chen. "Half of it will be enough to get this done, so you don't have to worry about money."

Old Chen looked at Shen Yan showing off, then reached into the bundle and slipped five gold bars into his pocket.

"Half is enough, right? Fine, I'll keep the rest for you. The little girl will need a dowry someday!"

"Hold on, old man, you're robbing me in broad daylight! She isn't even ten yet, and you're saving for her dowry already?! Leave me some, at least. Two bars... surely you can leave me one?!"

Shen Yan reached for the gold, but Old Chen slapped his hand away.

"Kid, let me warn you. Go ahead and do your great deeds, but keep your hands off the Japanese women at your hot springs! If you ever bring a Japanese wife home, I'll castrate you and send you to Northeast China to serve the emperor!"

With that, he turned and left, the gold bars clinking incessantly in his pocket.

Shen Yan watched Old Chen leave and gave himself a light slap.

"Serves you right! You just had to blab and show off. Now it's all gone."

The meeting was once again held at the old house beside Shiliupu Wharf. The Great Mister sat upright at the head of the square table, turning his pair of polished, reddish walnuts between his fingers with a creak. Sun Baoshan stood behind him with his hands at his sides, smiling at Shen Yan.

Shen Yan cupped his hands in greeting. The Great Mister raised a hand to invite him to sit, speaking warmly. "Nephew Shen, what opportunity have you brought me this time?"

"I'd like to partner with you to open a Japanese hot springs," Shen Yan said directly. "The location is on Wusong Road in Hongkou, not far from the Special Higher Police. We'll cater mainly to Japanese officers. They need somewhere to relax after work, and this business is sure to turn a profit."

The Great Mister's hand stopped turning the walnuts. He looked up at Shen Yan, a hint of inquiry in his gaze. "You're a special operations captain. Instead of doing your job properly, you insist on opening a hot springs? Nephew, why don't you tell me plainly what you're planning?"

Smiling, Shen Yan leaned forward slightly. "I'll put up the money, and you provide the people. We split the profits down the middle. I want an operation that can gain a foothold in Hongkou, and you want official connections. You're unwilling to collude with the Japanese, so collude with me instead."

"How much will you put up?" The Great Mister studied him.

"Five gold bars as startup capital." Shen Yan spoke calmly. "If that's not enough, I'll put in more."

The Great Mister narrowed his eyes slightly. Five gold bars were enough to buy a respectable Western-style house in Hongkou. Shen Yan was spending so freely that he was clearly after more than money. He set the walnuts on the table, picked up his tea and took a small sip. After a moment's silence, he slowly said, "Actually, you don't need to put up any money. Just bring out that token, and I'll build the hot springs and give it to you."

"That won't do! That token is worth more than five gold bars. Don't take advantage of me because I'm young!"

The Great Mister stared at Shen Yan and sighed. "To tell the truth, I regretted giving you that token a little afterward. You cause too much commotion, kid. I really don't know whether it was right or wrong to bring the hundreds of brothers under me aboard your ship."

Shen Yan grew serious. "You and your men are trying to survive in these troubled times. It's only natural to have those concerns. But rest assured, I'm not a heartless or disloyal man. Let me give you a few guarantees. First, I won't have the brothers do anything unconscionable. Second, I won't send them to certain death. Third, if anything happens to them because of me, I'll do everything I can to save them. If I can't, their families will be my family, and I'll provide for them for life!"

The Great Mister looked Shen Yan straight in the eye for a long time before letting out a breath.

"Very well, I'll take a gamble on you. Old Chen is a better judge of people than I am. I hope that when I'm gone, you can lead these brothers to a different fate."

Shen Yan felt relieved. He was about to speak, but the Great Mister raised a hand to stop him. "Discuss the hot springs with Old Sun. Whatever people or money you need, he'll provide."

Shen Yan stood and cupped his hands solemnly. "Thank you, sir!"

The two-story German-style house on Wusong Road came with a courtyard.

It had once been the private residence of a German merchant. The merchant had been swindled into bankruptcy by Jews and had returned home to study art, leaving the house vacant.

Shen Yan brought Fang Yuan with him and inspected the place inside and out three times. His gaze settled on the five private rooms on the second floor, a barely perceptible calculation hidden in his eyes.

"Fang Yuan, during the renovations, copper pipes must be embedded in the walls of every private room." Shen Yan kept his voice very low and tapped the wall of one room.

Fang Yuan was taken aback, then understood. He lowered his voice and asked, "Captain, the copper pipes... aren't for ventilation, are they?"

Shen Yan glanced at him without answering directly. He merely said, "Do as I say and don't ask too many questions. The pipes must be hidden without leaving a trace. The renovation workers must be absolutely loyal to the Green Gang, tight-lipped and quick with their hands. If anything goes wrong, I'll hold you responsible."

Fang Yuan's heart tightened, and he nodded quickly. "Understood."

Sun Baoshan had personally selected the renovation crew. They were all reliable Green Gang brothers. They worked during the day and stood guard at night, allowing no one near. Shen Yan came to oversee them after work every day. He paid no attention to anything else, checking only the installation of the copper pipes. They were embedded at the corners of the private bathrooms, wound through the walls and led to a small room at the end of the corridor. That room had no windows, only a specially made hidden door.

As the renovations neared completion, Fang Yuan followed Shen Yan into the small room. It was cramped, with space only for a table and a chair. Five receivers hung on the wall, each labeled with a private room number. Fang Yuan picked one up and held it to his ear, clearly hearing the workers talking inside the room.

Shen Yan walked to the wall and lightly tapped the copper pipe connections. "Go back and tell Shopkeeper Qian to send someone over. They need to be fluent in Japanese and English, and... able to stand the solitude. Most of what they hear in here won't be proper sounds..."

Fang Yuan put down the receiver and nodded solemnly. "Understood. I'll have Shopkeeper Qian find a eunuch who speaks Japanese or a Japanese monk."

Shen Yan stared at him for a moment, then patted him on the shoulder. "Kid, you were born in the wrong era. In the future, you'd make a fine comedian!"

Leaving Fang Yuan to puzzle desperately over what a comedian was, Shen Yan walked away with his hands behind his back.

The recruitment notice was posted on the wall of the Japanese expatriate association in Hongkou. Written entirely in Japanese, it promised generous terms: "Cherry Blossom Hot Springs seeks female attendants, Japanese nationals aged eighteen to twenty-five. Room and board provided, generous salary and additional allowances."

Quite a few people applied. In these troubled times, Japanese women in Shanghai didn't have an easy life either, but most of those willing to come out and work had nowhere else to turn.

Shen Yan sat behind the interview table, with the proprietress of the izakaya beside him.

She was a professional Shen Yan had hired for ten silver dollars a month!

The first to enter was Tanaka Ryōko, twenty-three years old, with a somewhat haggard face. She clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, while a thin, sallow little girl peered timidly at Shen Yan from behind her.

Her husband had been a Japanese soldier, killed on the battlefield in China three months earlier. Now she was raising her four-year-old daughter alone, barely scraping by on relief payments. If she couldn't find work soon, they would end up on the streets.

"Your daughter can live at the hot springs with you," Shen Yan said in fluent Japanese, his gaze gentle but appraising. "There are vacant rooms in the back courtyard. You and your daughter can stay together, but the child must not come into the front courtyard, much less go near the private rooms upstairs. Understand?"

Tanaka Ryōko's eyes instantly reddened. She bowed deeply, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, boss. I understand. I'll work hard and never cause trouble."

"Shen-kun, you're such a kind man."

The proprietress sighed.

Shen Yan shook his head. "Whether a war is just or evil, civilians are always the ones who suffer."

The second was Satō Yumi, nineteen, with delicate features and a hint of stubbornness. She had come from Tokyo to Shanghai to seek refuge with her uncle, but he had only been an ordinary employee at a Japanese trading company and had died of illness some time ago. She had refused to be married off as a second wife to a Japanese merchant in his sixties, so her aunt had thrown her out.

"Your job will be receiving guests in the front hall, but remember: don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't listen to what you shouldn't hear." Shen Yan's tone grew a little colder. "If you reveal anything about the hot springs, you'll bear the consequences."

Satō Yumi nodded quickly, her gaze resolute. "I understand, boss."

The third was Yamamoto Sachiko, twenty-one, pale and hollow-eyed, with an air of deathly stillness about her. Her husband had been an army officer, killed in action in North China six months earlier. She had no family or friends in Shanghai and no income. Staying alive was her only obsession.

"I'm very sorry about your husband's death," Shen Yan said, looking at her, his tone even. "The hot springs will give you a place to stay. As long as you work hard, you won't go hungry. But remember, keeping your mouth shut here is more important than anything else."

Yamamoto Sachiko lowered her head slightly, her voice hoarse. "Thank you, boss."

After the interviews, Shen Yan told the proprietress, "Keep all three and recruit seven more, for ten in total. Give priority to those who have nowhere else to turn and no attachments. They're the reliable ones."

The proprietress nodded. "I'll arrange it right away. I'll train the girls myself, and I'll have someone experienced oversee the daily running of the hot springs. There won't be any problems."

Shen Yan stood, walked to the door and stopped, his tone solemn. "Uncle Old Sun, the Green Gang brothers will handle outside security and deal with any drunks who cause trouble. Don't assign anyone inside."

A look of understanding flashed in Sun Baoshan's eyes, and he nodded slowly. "Don't worry, I understand."

The day before the opening, Shen Yan went to the Special Higher Police. Kuroiwa Masao sat behind his desk, a cigarette between his fingers, looking at the invitation Shen Yan had handed him. It was an exquisitely made Japanese invitation with gold-stamped lettering that read, "Cherry Blossom Bath, Cherry Blossom Hot Springs, opening ceremony."

"You're opening a hot springs?" Kuroiwa looked up and fixed Shen Yan with a sharp gaze, as if trying to see through his thoughts. "Shen Yan, instead of doing your job as a police captain, you're thinking about going into business. Is the police department's salary too low?"

Shen Yan stood with his head lowered, respectful but not servile. "I only want to put down roots in Shanghai and open a hot springs to earn some money, so I'll have somewhere to make a living in the future. I won't let it interfere with my work on the special operations team. A dedicated manager will run the hot springs. I'll only collect the money."

Kuroiwa tapped the ash from his cigarette. Amid the curling smoke, his gaze grew unreadable. "You've given this some thought. I don't object to you doing business, but remember, you're the captain of the special operations team. Maintaining order in your jurisdiction is your primary duty."

"I'll remember your instruction, Section Chief," Shen Yan replied respectfully.

Kuroiwa put the invitation on his desk, a meaningful smile curling his lips. "I'll come on opening day. I'd like to see what kind of hot springs you've opened, Shen Yan."

Shen Yan was delighted and quickly lowered his head. "Thank you for honoring us with your presence, Section Chief."

After leaving the Special Higher Police, Shen Yan went to the police department. Lu Tinghui sat behind his desk with several documents spread out before him. Seeing Shen Yan enter, he put down his pen, amusement in his eyes. "Captain Shen, I hear you're opening a hot springs. You do know how to find an opportunity."

Shen Yan placed the invitation on the desk, smiling warmly. "Director Lu, the hot springs opens tomorrow. I'd like to invite you to honor us with your presence. It's only a small business, and I'm relying entirely on your and the section chief's support."

Lu Tinghui picked up the invitation, glanced at it and chuckled. "Not many young people are as quick-witted as you. Does Section Chief Kuroiwa know?"

"He's already agreed to come," Shen Yan said calmly. "I only want to live in peace and give my family a better life. I have no other intentions."

Lu Tinghui put the invitation in his drawer and gave him a complicated look. "All right, I'll go. Shen Yan, you're a smart man. As long as you do the Japanese's work well, promotion and wealth are just around the corner."

Shen Yan smiled without saying more, then bowed and took his leave.

On the day of the opening ceremony, Cherry Blossom Hot Springs was decked out in lanterns and decorations. Two rows of flower baskets stood neatly arranged: those from the Special Higher Police on one side, those from the Green Gang on the other, and those from the puppet police department in the middle. It was a grand display. Red silk hung from the second floor, bearing the words "Cherry Blossom Bath."

Kuroiwa Masao arrived first, wearing a dark gray overcoat and followed by two military policemen in uniform. He looked imposing. He stood at the entrance, staring at the gilded Japanese sign for a long time before slowly saying, "Shen Yan, you do have a knack for names."

Shen Yan bowed slightly. "Section Chief, please come in. The baths are all arranged in Japanese style, and the water has been set to just the right temperature for relaxing."

Kuroiwa went inside, changed into Japanese wooden clogs and walked down the tatami-lined corridor, straight into the men's bath. The pool was small and shrouded in steam. Clean, spotless bluestone slabs lined its edge, and several bottles of sake and some snacks sat nearby.

With an attendant's help, Kuroiwa undressed and slowly entered the pool. He leaned against its wall and closed his eyes.

Lu Tinghui arrived afterward in a black police uniform, alone and without attendants.

Shen Yan went to meet him and led him to the men's bath. "Director Lu, the section chief is already inside," he said quietly.

Lu Tinghui nodded, undressed and entered the pool, sitting down beside Kuroiwa. Neither man spoke. Each closed his eyes as the steam slowly dispersed in the lamplight.

An attendant carefully picked up the cups of sake and offered them to Kuroiwa and Director Lu.

Kuroiwa opened his eyes, took a cup and drained it. He looked at Shen Yan with an appraising gaze. "You've done a good job with this hot springs. Shen-san, you're an ingenious man."

"I only want to do my work well and live up to your trust, Section Chief." Shen Yan lowered his head, his tone humble.

Kuroiwa handed back the empty cup and closed his eyes again. "As for Li Bingkun, you don't need to pursue the matter with him anymore," he said in a low voice. "I've already warned him. He won't dare trouble you again. But you should also remember to leave some room in everything you do. Don't go too far."

Shen Yan understood. Kuroiwa was maintaining a balance, keeping Li Bingkun from becoming too arrogant while also preventing Shen Yan from standing out too much. He nodded slightly. "I understand."

After soaking for half an hour, Kuroiwa was the first to leave the pool. Shen Yan had already prepared a clean bathrobe and respectfully offered it with both hands. Kuroiwa put it on, walked to the rest area and lay down on a tatami mat, closing his eyes.

Shen Yan clapped his hands. Four young women in kimonos came down the corridor, Tanaka Ryōko in front, followed by Satō Yumi, Yamamoto Sachiko and a newly hired girl. They carried wooden basins containing hot towels and massage oils, and stood with their heads lowered, looking respectful.

"Section Chief, this is the hot springs' massage service. It was all brought over from Japan, and their techniques are professional," Shen Yan said softly. "You've worked hard these past few days. Let them help you relax."

Kuroiwa opened his eyes and gave the four women an appraising glance, but ultimately didn't refuse.

Tanaka Ryōko knelt gently, placed a hot towel on his forehead and pressed her fingertips softly against his shoulders, using just the right amount of pressure, neither hurried nor slow. Kuroiwa closed his eyes, his guard gradually relaxing a little.

Lu Tinghui also emerged from the pool, and Satō Yumi hurried over to offer him a bathrobe. He put it on and lay down on a nearby tatami mat. Yamamoto Sachiko knelt and carefully massaged his legs, her expression calm, saying very little.

Shen Yan quietly withdrew to the doorway and stood in the corridor, looking at the wall lamp without any expression on his face. He could hear occasional whispers from the rest area. Kuroiwa and Lu Tinghui spoke softly, mostly exchanging inconsequential pleasantries.

Shen Yan wasn't in a hurry. In time, the people who came here would gradually relax, and one day he would hear useful information.

A long time later, Kuroiwa came out of the rest area, his bathrobe hanging loosely from his body. His expression was much more relaxed. Tanaka Ryōko followed behind him, her head lowered.

Kuroiwa glanced at Shen Yan. "Not bad. I'll come often from now on."

Shen Yan bowed slightly. "I'm glad you're satisfied, Section Chief. You're welcome anytime."

Kuroiwa changed his shoes and left with the military policemen, his figure soon disappearing into the night.

Lu Tinghui came out afterward, a rare hint of ease on his face. He patted Shen Yan on the shoulder, his tone complicated. "Kid, you really do know how to handle people. If you don't get rich, there's no justice in the world."

Shen Yan smiled, his tone even. "It's all thanks to your support, Director. Take care on your way out."

Lu Tinghui got into his car, which soon drove away and disappeared at the end of Wusong Road.

Shen Yan stood at the entrance and lit a cigarette. The night wind swept in with a chill, stirring his bathrobe slightly.

Fang Yuan stood at the end of the corridor, looking at Shen Yan's back with a measure of awe.

He knew that from today onward, intelligence on the Japanese would flow continuously into Shen Yan's ears.