Chapter 1014
Him? This! No! Possible!
Zhang Anping seemed to have schemed against Wang Tianfeng many times, but he only truly intended to kill him once—that time he took action himself, but ultimately had to stop because of Wang Tianfeng's "binding" behavior.
Later, he chose to "abandon" Wang Tianfeng, but Wang Tianfeng had a keen sense of smell and at the crucial moment, he secretly made Mingtai's arrest fail, and then disappeared from the public eye.
Actually, Zhang Anping was quite happy at that time—living in anonymity was a good ending for Lao Wang.
But Wang Tianfeng was not willing to give up, and finally, through Zheng Yi, he rekindled the flames.
Faced with the fire he had lit, Zhang Anping had no other choice but to "fight back"—he planned to use Bian Jike and Cai Jierong to lure out Wang Tianfeng's real trump card and then completely eliminate this destabilizing factor.
However, Wang Tianfeng's trump card was never revealed.
[By now, Mao's pent-up murderous intent was probably almost solidified.]
[Let Mao Renfeng handle this!]
[If this isn't just a bluff, and if he really was eliminated by Mao Renfeng, then this is a backup plan...]
After pondering for a long time, Zhang Anping finally made a decision:
[Then let's stir up trouble and confirm Mao Renfeng's "communist sympathies"—the time gained in this process will be enough for those two comrades to evacuate.]
If this is all a bluff, then his death at the hands of Mao Renfeng, regardless of any contingency plans he left behind, can only point to Mao Renfeng!
After Zheng Yi brought back Wang Tianfeng's words, Zhang Anping considered secretly setting a trap to eliminate Wang Tianfeng. However, the Huaihai Campaign had not yet begun, and Zhang Anping dared not let this matter affect the overall situation of the Huaihai Campaign, so he chose to play it safe.
Now, although the Huaihai Campaign is not over yet, Huang Er Corps is trapped. Although Xuzhou Corps may escape, the Chief of Staff cannot abandon Huang Er Corps directly. Therefore, the fate of Xuzhou Corps is already sealed. Now is the perfect time to deal with Wang Tianfeng!
The most crucial point is that I still have to go to Beiping tomorrow, and no matter what happens in Nanjing, it won't be related to me.
[Old Mao, it's time to vent all that pent-up resentment you've accumulated...]
Zhang Anping smiled slightly in the darkness, his eyes shining brightly. Zeng Moyi, who was being held in his arms, saw her husband's eyes through the moonlight and felt incredibly calm.
……
Zhang Anping flew back to Beiping early the next morning.
News of his visit only spread after he left.
City Hall.
Chai Ying and Zeng Moyi, these two best friends, were chatting about everyday things as usual, but if someone were to come closer and overhear their conversation, they would surely be trembling with fear.
After listening to Zeng Moyi's message, Chai Ying nodded: "I understand - I'll go make the arrangements right away."
Chai Ying didn't actually understand the deeper meaning behind Zhang Anping's strategy, but she believed that Zhang Anping wouldn't make useless moves, so she didn't bother to investigate.
She then found an excuse to go out and secretly passed on several instructions.
Headquarters of the Bureau of Secrecy.
Hearing that Zhang Anping had come and gone, Mao Renfeng clenched her fists so tightly they cracked.
He seems to be "sick" now; whenever he hears the name Zhang Anping, his muscles tense up and he involuntarily enters battle mode.
The scene at the entrance of the Xuzhou Suppression Headquarters would flash through his mind—he would think about how he should fight back, how he should retaliate, and how he should beat Zhang Anping to a pulp.
A typical aftereffect of post-mortem analysis.
After much effort, Mao Renfeng finally relaxed her tense muscles and managed to utter a sentence:
"Why didn't God strike him down!"
The secretary who had just reported Zhang Anping's news remained expressionless, but was inwardly astonished.
How could the director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics say such a low-level thing?
A barely perceptible hint of sympathy appeared in the secretary's eyes. The name Zhang Anping had become the director's obsession. Given the director's current state, he probably had no chance of winning against Zhang Anping.
It must be incredibly frustrating for a bureau chief to be reduced to this level.
Seeing that Mao Renfeng gave no instructions, the secretary turned and left—only after taking a few steps did he realize with astonishment that he had turned and left directly, instead of taking two steps back first to show respect before turning around.
How could someone as detail-oriented as me... have made such a mistake?
The secretary glanced again at Mao Renfeng, who seemed to be in a trance, and sighed inwardly. Even she herself had unknowingly lost her awe of him. In the entire Bureau of Secrecy, would anyone still have any awe of him?
The secretary's action was unintentional. Although it was a direct manifestation of his loss of respect for Mao Renfeng, it was still a very minor matter.
But at this very moment, Mao Renfeng was most concerned about these details.
Therefore, his secretary's unintentional actions were clearly dancing on his already tense nerves.
"Change the player! We absolutely must change the player!"
Mao Renfeng gritted his teeth, pondering how to replace his secretary immediately.
Jingle Bell
The phone rang, and it was that same secure red landline again.
When she answered the phone, Mao Renfeng introduced herself:
"I am Mao Renfeng, the director of the Bureau of Secrecy!"
On the other end of the phone, Bian Jike looked bewildered—what was wrong with Mao Renfeng? Why did he have to emphasize his identity when answering the phone?
Didn't I call you on your confidential hotline? Did you really need to state your job title?
"Director, it's me, Bian Jike."
"Hmm? What's wrong? Did he make a move?"
The three questions made Bian Jike immediately realize that Mao Renfeng was distracted—he had reported to Mao Renfeng immediately that he had been "secretly" transferred to Wang Tianfeng's command, and he had even secretly met with Mao Renfeng the day before yesterday.
He should have immediately thought of "Wang Tianfeng" upon hearing his own name, but he first hummed in confusion, then asked "What is it?" before finally pointing out whether Wang Tianfeng had made any moves. This reaction was more than three beats slow.
But on second thought, Bian Jike felt it was normal.
The head of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics was brutally beaten by his deputy at the gate of the General Headquarters of the Suppression of Bandits. The incident became known all over the world, so it's no wonder he was mentally disoriented.
"I've found out—he's after you! There's no GFB mole at all; he's just using this as a pretext to get you to make a move so he can scheme against you!"
You're plotting against me?
Mao Renfeng shook his head before realizing that they were trying to lure him into making a move using a fictitious mole.
Once I make a move, that bastard Wang Tianfeng will definitely accuse me of being a communist sympathizer!
What a vicious heart! What a wicked bastard!
At this moment, Mao Renfeng exploded. "Are they all bullying me?"
Zhang bullies me, and you, Wang, keep bullying me one after another—Am I, Mao Renfeng, some kind of stone on the road that any cat or dog can step on?
"I know! You're doing a good job. Keep an eye on things, but don't alert them."
After hanging up the phone, Mao Renfeng paced back and forth in a fit of rage.
Am I a communist?
Am I a communist?!
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got, and all sorts of things from the past resurfaced in my mind.
He was publicly accused of being a communist sympathizer by Wang Tianfeng, and then brutally beaten by Zhang Anping in front of everyone...
"If I don't get away with this, you won't get away with it either!"
Mao Renfeng, in a fit of rage, slammed his fist heavily on the table:
"I can flip tables too!"
Yes, Mao Renfeng has decided to overturn the table.
The secret service is the sword of the chief aide, yet it is not favored by other high-ranking officials. Why?
Because power structures instinctively resent the existence of espionage systems; those in power hate spies the most.
The spies' pervasive presence made them feel very insecure.
Moreover, the existence of a spy system is itself a disruption of rules and order, and the safety of those in power often depends on order and rules.
Now, Mao Renfeng is about to overturn the table.
He went directly to the GFB building and reported to the GFB's top management:
"Absurd! Utterly absurd!"
"Zhang Anping suspected that there were high-ranking officials in the GFB who were colluding with the Communists, and actually instructed his subordinates to secretly investigate high-ranking GFB officials without any legal procedures—this trend must not be allowed to continue! This trend must absolutely not be allowed to continue!"
Without a doubt, Mao Renfeng's actions were tantamount to overturning the table.
As the director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, his direct exposure of the intelligence agency's covert investigation of GFB officials was not only self-destructive but also a foolish act of digging his own grave.
But he was also forced to the limit. With his authority completely lost, this desperate move was a last resort.
Even if there's a 90% chance he'll "die together" with Zhang Anping, he has no choice but to gamble for the 10% chance.
Several high-ranking officials on GFB's side had very gloomy expressions when faced with Mao Renfeng's report.
The intelligence system was already beyond their control, yet now they dare to defy the world and investigate them—they are incredibly audacious!
A high-ranking official specifically pointed out, "Director Mao, do you have any evidence? This matter requires evidence!"
Mao Renfeng answered without hesitation:
"Yes! All we need to do is bring Wang Tianfeng to justice—he was already a traitor wanted by our Security Bureau!"
Why didn't Mao Renfeng arrest Wang Tianfeng directly before contacting GFB?
Because he dares not!
He feared that no sooner had he tried to arrest Wang Tianfeng than Wang Tianfeng would produce a pile of evidence against him for being a communist sympathizer.
It should be noted that at this time, Mao Renfeng was still carrying the "halo" of forcing the Special Forces to defect. Even though the matter had been settled, as long as people mentioned him, they would think of the matter of forcing the Special Forces to defect—Zhang Anping's beating was too ruthless!
That's why he needs to report to the GFB first. With the GFB's authorization, even if Wang Tianfeng produces a bunch of so-called evidence, someone will investigate it one by one for him.
So why didn't he report directly to the executive office?
Because the Imperial Household Department only knows how, can only, and will only try to appease the situation!
Does this mean the Executive Office should admit that the Security Service secretly investigated high-ranking GFB officials?
how can that be!
Therefore, he had no choice but to report to the GFB.
"Grasp!"
A high-ranking GFB official angrily said, "Arrest him! I want to ask Zhang Anping if he has no regard for the law!"
Mao Renfeng was overjoyed. He had captured Wang Tianfeng and then implicated Zhang Anping. Regardless of whether they would die together, he was sure he could vent his anger!
"This matter is not suitable for the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics to handle. I would like to ask the Second Department and the Party Affairs Bureau to take charge."
Several high-ranking GFB officials looked intently at Mao Renfeng, thinking to themselves that it was truly... laughable that the director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics was so aggrieved. However, they did not refuse. This matter truly needed to be kept from Zhang Anping to prevent him from doing anything underhanded.
[This Zhang Anping truly lives up to his reputation, but unfortunately, the Kuomintang is rife with infighting. He wants to investigate...]
【Oh……】
……
In the room where heavy curtains covered the windows, Wang Tianfeng, as usual, was in the darkness, lost in thought.
The nation's situation has become so dire...
He couldn't understand why, when the advantage was clearly in his hands, he was suffering setbacks everywhere, and now even North China was to be abandoned—once North China and Xuzhou-Bengbu were lost, the entire northern country would soon have no place to stand.
Why is this happening?
Is it just because of a few undercover agents?
He gave a bitter laugh; a few undercover agents couldn't affect the overall situation.
Wang Tianfeng felt lost and disappointed.
Isn't Zhang Anping going to give it his all?
He really put in the effort.
What's the use of being able to spell it?
In Xuzhou and Bengbu, Mao Renfeng forced the Special Forces to rebel.
In Beiping, the entire intelligence system was rotten to the core. His concessions did not bring unity, but only more excessive turmoil.
"It's beyond human power to reverse fate..."
After thinking of that sentence, he sat down listlessly. Sometimes he felt lost—what good would it do him to expose Katyusha and the GFB’s hidden mole?
If a building is about to collapse, who can hold it up with just one person?
A jumble of thoughts overwhelmed him, leaving him momentarily devoid of any fighting spirit—since he was powerless to change the situation, what was the point of his efforts?
With a weak pull of the curtains, Wang Tianfeng looked outside, and his gaze suddenly sharpened.
coming!
They've arrived!
At this moment, all weakness and helplessness vanished, leaving only a strong fighting spirit—they had finally taken the bait!
He stared intently at the opposite side, watching the group of sharp-witted agents set up a blockade before making the arrest.
That place was his "base" and his "hiding place".
But as the blockade unfolded, Wang Tianfeng's brows slowly furrowed.
No! Yes! That's right!
After sealing off the two courtyards, the two teams rushed towards them, surrounded them, and began their final preparations for the arrest.
They actually started happening simultaneously!
A deep sense of doubt appeared in Wang Tianfeng's eyes.
The two courtyards opposite were indeed his "bases," one for Bian Jike and the other for Cai Jierong.
Indeed, he showed the two men two different outposts, which, although in the same area, were two different courtyards.
Logically speaking, if a manhunt were to be launched against him, the only targets would be the courtyard that Bian Jike knew about. Bian Jike was ostensibly Zhang Anping's man, but in reality, he had secretly defected to Mao Renfeng. The only person who could take action against him would be Mao Renfeng, so the raid should be on the stronghold that Bian Jike knew about.
However, the strongholds that Cai Jierong knew about were also among those targeted in the raid.
what does that mean?
Cai Jierong also revealed his hiding place!
How could a high-ranking agent from Guanwang Temple, who was active in the intelligence front during the War of Resistance Against Japan, inadvertently reveal his hiding place to Mao Renfeng?
This is impossible!
"He... he actually secretly sided with Mao Renfeng as well?"
"What a brilliant move! What a brilliant move!"
"I underestimated you, Mao Renfeng!"
Wang Tianfeng couldn't help but mutter to himself, but then he thought it made perfect sense—since Mao Renfeng was Katyusha, it was not surprising that he would plant spies everywhere.
He felt sorry for Zhang Anping, who had entrusted the commando unit to...
"Ok?"
At this moment, Wang Tianfeng suddenly froze.
He saw several familiar figures—he recognized these people; they weren't from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, but from the Party's Bureau of Communications!
He carefully searched for other familiar faces and was shocked to find that among the agents who had surrounded him, there were several faces from the Party's Intelligence Bureau and the Second Bureau.
And apart from Bian Jike, none of the familiar faces from the Secret Service were to be seen!
The people who arrested others weren't from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics?
Did Mao Renfeng distrust the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, so he used people from the Party's Intelligence Bureau and the Second Department?
That shouldn't be happening!
Even Mao Renfeng, the commander of the special operations team trusted by Zhang Anping, could be turned against him. If he wanted to silence Zhang Anping, why would he use people from the Second Bureau and the Party Affairs Bureau?
By this time, the agents had broken down the doors and launched a precise, simultaneous raid on both courtyards.
no one!
There was no one at either of the outposts!
"Isn't he hiding here?"
“I’m sure he’s here—” Bian Jike closed his eyes and pondered. The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics had not withdrawn its warrant for Wang Tianfeng’s arrest, and he and Cai Jierong had been able to find Wang Tianfeng here several times at random times. This proved that Wang Tianfeng could only be hiding here.
Without this prerequisite, how could they possibly choose to take action against Wang Tianfeng?
But he's not here!
Bian Jike suddenly opened her eyes, and after scanning her surroundings, she suddenly noticed a few slightly taller buildings in the distance.
He's there!
After Bian Jike suddenly realized this possibility, he immediately said to the agents from the Party Communications Bureau and the Second Bureau who were leading the team:
"Expand the cordon—he must be watching from one of those tall buildings over there. Search carefully! We'll definitely find him!"
Wang Tianfeng saw the agents expanding the blockade and rushing towards his location, but he did not panic. He lowered the curtains, slowly scanned the area, and then leisurely went downstairs. After moving a cabinet, he revealed the entrance to a secret passage.
But instead of entering the secret passage, he turned and walked towards the backyard.
After entering the woodshed, he vanished into thin air!
A few minutes later, a group of agents rushed into the courtyard. When they discovered the open entrance to the secret passage, they immediately realized that the person had escaped through the passage. They then notified the authorities and sent people to scout ahead.
boom!
A muffled explosion was heard.
Before long, several heavily wounded agents dragged a few injured men out of the secret passage.
"There were booby traps inside. We accidentally triggered them, losing four brothers. The secret passage is temporarily sealed, so we can't continue the pursuit."
Bian Jike's expression was gloomy; he hadn't expected Wang Tianfeng to escape after all.
And it happened almost right under his nose.
Fortunately, it was Mao Renfeng who did it; even if he escaped, he wouldn't suspect anything about "him."
Because of the existence of the secret passage, the agents firmly believed that Wang Tianfeng had left through it and did not conduct a thorough search of the entire courtyard.
When the secret passage was reopened, the agents involved in the manhunt had no choice but to accept their fate, faced with an exit that was outside the blockade zone.
Wang Tianfeng escaped!
They had no idea that Wang Tianfeng was hiding in a secret room inside the woodshed at that very moment.
……
The room was so small that it was impossible for a person to stand up straight inside.
However, there were quite a few supplies stockpiled inside, enough for Wang Tianfeng to stay there for more than a month.
At this moment, Wang Tianfeng lay quietly in the secret room, his eyes filled with confusion.
Why did Mao Renfeng need to borrow the power of the Second Department and the Party Affairs Bureau?
There is only one explanation:
He doesn't trust the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics!
This is normal in theory—but how could someone who could turn even the commander of the special operations team that Zhang Anping relied on not trust the secret service bureau that had been laying a net for many years not trust him?
Moreover, if Mao Renfeng wanted to silence him or capture him for interrogation, he shouldn't have gone through the Second Bureau and the Party Affairs Bureau!
Going through the Second Bureau and the Party's Intelligence Bureau will only lead to the leakage of intelligence.
Therefore, this actually shows that Mao Renfeng didn't care about the high-level undercover agent he mentioned.
"So, have I been wrong all along?"
Wang Tianfeng appeared dazed.
All the speculation points to Mao Renfeng;
Mao Renfeng's actions all prove that he is holding others back;
But he wasn't an undercover agent!
So, who is Katyusha, whom I've been relentlessly pursuing?
He clearly forced them to rebel...
To force a rebellion?
In that instant, Wang Tianfeng's pupils suddenly contracted.
Was the special forces really forced into rebellion?
if not……
That is……
he?!
This! No! Is! Possible! (End of Chapter)