Chapter 1032
Loyal Minister of the Party and State Flourishes in Tianjin: Zheng Yaoquan Can't H
Wu Jingzhong is a cunning old fox.
Even though this old fox had been tricked terribly before.
But an old fox is still an old fox. After Dai Chunfeng's death, the Military Intelligence Bureau was reorganized, and the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics was in turmoil. However, he always sided with Zhang Anping. Like him, most of the veterans had withdrawn from the core of power in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics through ups and downs. Some were even unlucky enough to lose their lives. But he, who had been tricked and hospitalized, continued to live a leisurely life as a local warlord because he clung to Zhang Anping's coattails.
Until the situation in the Northeast was inevitably on the verge of collapse.
From that time on, he began looking for a way out for himself.
Power will crumble with the Nationalist government's crushing defeat, but one thing will not:
wealth!
Therefore, he, who never reached out for personal gain in the late stages of the Military Intelligence Bureau and the early stages of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, began to amass wealth in exchange for giving up his real power as station chief.
Despite the fact that the Northeast Field Army was trapped in North China, Beijing, Tianjin, and Tangshan, Wu Jingzhong remained calm.
Because he had already prepared a way out:
The wealth had already been transferred, and there was no need for Zhang Anping to seize the money in Tanggu. The power had also been handed over to Zhang Anping's student, Yu Zecheng. He only needed to leave at the right time—he believed that Zhang Anping, given his personality, would not force him to stay in Tianjin.
But now, Wu Jingzhong is panicking!
Because Zhang Anping said to him earnestly:
You're a veteran, you need to take things seriously...
To Wu Jingzhong, these words clearly meant:
Old Wu, there are some things you should take the blame for; it's your duty!
Faced with Zhang Anping's earnest words, Wu Jingzhong gave a wry smile:
"Ah, I'm getting old after all, no longer as young as I used to be. It seems like only yesterday that the Guanwang Temple training class was first established, but upon closer reflection, it's already been thirteen years."
"As the station manager, I've long been unable to keep up with the demands. If it weren't for Zecheng's help last year, Tianjin Station would probably be in complete chaos."
"Director, you should trust him; young people do have guts."
Wu Jingzhong seemed to be expressing his feelings, but he was actually playing the emotional card—we have been working together for thirteen years, and we set up the Guanwang Temple training class together. Although there were some unpleasant things, I did not hesitate at all when I handed over power. I have also helped your students get on their feet, so please don't force me.
Zhang Anping gave Wu Jingzhong a deep look:
"An old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles!"
Wu Jingzhong cursed Zhang Anping in his heart: "When Yu Zecheng took over the power, why didn't you say something like 'an old horse in its stall still aspires to gallop on'?"
"Since the Director values Wu so much, why not let this old man give it his all one more time? In the coming period, this veteran Wu will surely burn out his last few drops of wax."
Wu Jingzhong was actually setting conditions:
I'll take the blame, I'm willing to take it!
But don't even think about trapping me in Tianjin!
Zhang Anping deliberately put on a stern face: "Old Wu, don't be so pessimistic. In the end, it's just paving the way for the young people."
This means he has agreed.
Wu Jingzhong was a veteran of the Special Service Department. These veterans usually kept a low profile, but they had a considerable network of connections behind them.
Take the veterans at the headquarters as an example. During the struggle between Zhang Anping and Mao Renfeng, they tacitly and repeatedly tricked those old fogies, over and over again, for more than two years, before they finally kicked those veterans out of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics' power structure.
Logically speaking, with their tacit cooperation, a few shockwaves should have been enough to wipe them out!
But why did it take two years to achieve this goal?
Besides the "boiling frog" effect, there is another fundamental reason:
Every now and then someone will jump out and shout, "Go easy on him!"
Wu Jingzhong must have his own network of connections. If he uses those connections at a critical moment, even with Zhang Anping holding him back, he can extricate himself from this mess.
But personal connections are somewhat like favors; once used, they are gone forever. This is why, after two years of working together, Zhang Anping and Mao Renfeng ultimately managed to kick all the veterans out of the game.
The core of the Hidden Edge Plan was betrayal, a crucial point that could not be spoken of or revealed to others. When the Hidden Edge Plan was implemented at Tianjin Station, some people would naturally use this as an opportunity to criticize Zhang Anping, and Zhang Anping would then need Wu Jingzhong to take the blame for "ineffective infiltration".
He was just taking the blame; there was no need to completely suppress Wu Jingzhong, which is why he chose to compromise.
Yu Zecheng, standing to the side, seemed not to understand the veiled negotiation between the two, but in reality, he was extremely worried. Now that Wu Jingzhong had interfered, he was even less confident in thoroughly investigating all the undercover agents in the Hidden Edge Plan.
Yu Zecheng tried to open his eyes as wide as possible, but he was extremely worried.
……
Upon arriving at Tianjin Station, Zhang Anping held a regular meeting with the station's senior management.
At this meeting, which resembled a mobilization meeting, Zhang Anping naturally wouldn't mention the infiltration plan. Instead, he emphasized cooperating with Commander Chen in a long-term standoff against communism and espionage. After completing the formalities, he began his real work:
Promotion!
That's right, it's a promotion in military rank.
This is the first large-scale conferment of ranks since the establishment of the Special Service.
The secret agents of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics all held high ranks; for example, Wu Jingzhong held the rank of major general.
However, their actual military ranks (appointed ranks) are not very good. A typical example is Shen Zui from the Intelligence Department of the Bureau Headquarters—a major general, but his appointed rank is only second lieutenant!
Of course, Shen was an exception. When the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics was established and he was to be promoted to a higher rank, Zhang Anping blocked it. Later, when Zhang Anping wanted to promote him to a higher rank, the petty Mao Renfeng blocked it, which led to the absurd situation of being promoted from a major general to a second lieutenant.
This time, Zhang Anping promoted them to higher military ranks. Wu Jingzhong was promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel, and Yu Zecheng was promoted from captain to colonel.
All the agents at Tianjin Station were promoted in rank, including even the orderly, driver, and communications officer. As for job titles, they were mass-produced. Originally, there was only one major general, Wu Jingzhong, at Tianjin Station, but after Zhang Anping completed the conferment of ranks, six more major generals were added, and Old Wu even became a lieutenant general.
The main theme is a final, frenzied effort.
On the surface, it was to appease people, but in reality, it was to cover up the Hidden Edge Plan—using these high-ranking titles and ranks to protect the core personnel in the Hidden Edge Plan.
Don't be fooled by the large number of military ranks issued; only a small number of them actually have valid ranks that are recorded in their files. The vast majority are just empty promises made by Zhang Anping.
However, because Zhang Anping was the one who issued this bounced check, the spies still accepted it quite well.
The news that Tianjin Railway Station was issuing general officer ranks could not be kept from the Tianjin Flood Control Headquarters.
Upon hearing the news, Commander Chen slumped into a chair, speechless for a long time.
After a long while, he suddenly stood up: "Quickly go and invite Zhang Anping—wait! I'll go myself!"
Before Tianjin was blockaded, he often went to the meetings of the General Headquarters for the Suppression of Enemy Personnel, and naturally met Zhang Anping quite often.
Zhang Anping's consistently accurate and targeted actions earned Commander Chen's complete trust in Zhang Anping's strategic vision. Now that Zhang Anping was actually issuing military ranks in large quantities at Tianjin Station, Commander Chen keenly realized Zhang Anping's purpose in doing so and immediately became restless.
Although I know that my claim of being able to hold out for six months is just that, I genuinely believe that holding out for three months is not a problem—Zhang Anping, why do you have so little confidence in me?
Commander Chen panicked because of Zhang Anping's actions, and the Central Army in the city also panicked.
There are currently about 130,000 troops in Tianjin, of which about 100,000 are regular troops. However, apart from the 62nd Army of the Guangdong Army, all of these regular troops are genuine Central Army troops.
The Central Army in North China also trusted Zhang Anping. Now that Zhang Anping was clearly going through a "last hurrah," how could they not panic after they interpreted it the same way as Commander Chen?
So several bigwigs mobilized at the same time to bring Zhang Anping over for a "reunion" and secretly ask him for his opinion on the Tianjin battle situation.
What happened next made perfect sense:
Several Central Army commanders, along with Commander Chen, blocked Zhang Anping at the entrance of Tianjin Railway Station.
Faced with the warm invitations from these high-ranking officials, Zhang Anping could only accept them, but since he couldn't be in two places at once, he could only gather everyone together at one table and invite Wu Jingzhong and Yu Zecheng to join them.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and lively conversation, someone naturally inquired about Zhang Anping's views on the Tianjin battle situation. One would expect Zhang Anping to provide a truthful answer, but instead, Zhang Anping patted his chest and said:
With Commander Chen's capabilities, the strategic alliance between Beijing and Tianjin, and the presence of Tanggu as a gateway for reinforcements, six months is the minimum guarantee!
However, because of Zhang Anping's lavish conferment of ranks at Tianjin Station, no one believed his words at all.
Seeing that Zhang Anping wouldn't budge, Commander Chen thought for a moment and then said:
"Director Zhang, I am familiar with your feat of commanding the great evacuation of Shanghai. To be honest, I truly admire your command and strategic planning abilities on the front lines. Now that I have readjusted the defenses of Tianjin, could Director Zhang offer some guidance?"
Before Tianjin was besieged, Commander Chen was extremely confident and determined.
However, during the process of our army completing the encirclement of Tianjin, some of the outer strongholds that he had placed high hopes on were easily eliminated by our army.
In addition, the targeted attacks by our army when clearing these strongholds made Commander Chen realize that the city defense map had been leaked. Therefore, after being trapped in Tianjin, he readjusted the defense of Tianjin.
Compared to before, this time he paid close attention to the city's defense map—even the high-ranking officials in the defense headquarters only had access to the detailed deployment of their respective defense zones. The overall details were known only to a handful of people, including himself.
But in order to get Zhang Anping to talk, he decided to take out the city defense map and let Zhang Anping correct it.
Before Zhang Anping could react much, Yu Zecheng, who was sitting next to him, tensed up. Ever since Chen adjusted the defenses, he had been trying to obtain the new defense map, but Commander Chen was watching too closely this time, and he couldn't find a suitable excuse to access the defense map.
I never expected that this drinking session would turn into such a wonderful surprise!
Zhang Anping frowned, put down his wine glass, and slowly said:
"Commander Chen, you're drunk."
Commander Chen and Zhang Anping exchanged glances: "Director Zhang, I sincerely ask for your guidance! If Tianjin falls, no one will be spared!"
"When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken..." Zhang Anping repeated, then sighed and said, "Commander Chen is right, then I, Zhang, will make a fool of myself—"
Commander Chen was overjoyed and immediately arranged for his secretary to take guards to retrieve the city defense map.
"Wait a minute—" Zhang Anping said, "The city defense map is related to the safety of Tianjin, and we cannot afford to be careless. Fine, you will personally lead a group to escort it! Make sure the city defense map is never out of your sight!"
Commander Chen gave a thumbs up: "Director Zhang's thinking is indeed thorough!"
Yu Zecheng was a little stunned. Such a huge pie had not only hit him on the head, but also in his mouth.
Is there really such a good thing?
Or perhaps... something fishy must be going on?
Without time to think it over, he got up and accepted the order, then followed Commander Chen's secretary away.
Yu Zecheng was Zhang Anping's student, and what he remembered most vividly was the first lesson:
In the intelligence field, coincidences are not believed!
When a pie falls on your head, don't doubt it, it's definitely a trap!
And now, a pie has fallen right into his head and into his mouth—his intuition tells him that this is a trap!
However, when faced with the city defense map he had personally escorted, Yu Zecheng felt that whether it was a trap or not was no longer important.
If this is a trap, the only loser is yourself.
But what if it isn't?
This means that our army will suffer far fewer casualties when attacking Tianjin—there is no need for comparison at all.
After taking a deep breath, Yu Zecheng chose to photograph the entire city defense map, word for word.
……
Zhang Anping was probably a little drunk. Facing the city defense map that Yu Zecheng had hung up, he began to give his opinions on the situation.
He offered only a few brief suggestions regarding Commander Chen's defensive arrangements before revealing his true thoughts:
"The most important thing to persevere is unity of purpose! It's about everyone working together!"
"Commander Chen, I have no doubt about your determination to be loyal to the Party and the country. However, I have serious doubts about your ability to obey orders unconditionally!"
The Central Army commanders present were dumbfounded. "We came to you to ask for your opinion on the defense of Tianjin, why are you starting to criticize us?!"
Commander Chen, on the contrary, felt that this was Zhang Anping's normal performance.
"So I have a suggestion—" Zhang Anping said, deliberately drunk, "Each department can hand over a regiment to be directly controlled by the National Defense Headquarters, thus establishing a force directly under the National Defense Headquarters."
"Of course, you might be worried about throwing good money after bad. I think this force can be controlled by Station Chief Wu. I'm sure you won't worry about Station Chief Wu eating up your troops, right?"
"However, I must first do something unpleasant—Commander Chen, I heard that your wife and children are in Tianjin. How about I take them with me when I return to Beiping?"
Zhang Anping looked drunk and struck a pose as if he were talking nonsense.
But whether this was drunken talk or not, everyone knew perfectly well!
Commander Chen's expression was uncertain. Zhang Anping was taking his relatives hostage, which naturally angered him. However, Zhang Anping's suggestion was very appealing to him. There was no Sui Army in Tianjin. In the end, he was just a commander without troops. He had no choice but to accept the orders but not follow them.
But if you have a directly subordinate army, that's a different story!
This is something I can do!
But the other high-ranking officials were somewhat unwilling. Giving up a regiment wasn't much for a military-level unit, but from then on they would have to be treated like servants by that ragtag group surnamed Chen. This...
"Look at me, I tend to talk nonsense when I drink—you high-ranking officers are all military leaders, each of you having painstakingly built a regiment. How could I say such dangerous things? I was wrong, I was wrong, I'll punish myself with three drinks!"
Zhang Anping muttered as he picked up his wine glass, but the faces of several military commanders turned deathly pale with fright.
Holy crap, this is killing someone by destroying their spirit—what is a military leader?
They're treating us like warlords!
Do they dare to admit that?
Immediately, a military commander deliberately put on a stern face and said:
"Director Zhang, wait! This wine should be punished—you said the wrong thing, but you gave the wrong advice. Your advice was excellent; it is indeed necessary to strengthen Commander Chen's authority!"
Others quickly echoed, criticizing Zhang Anping for saying the wrong thing.
The label of "military leader" shouldn't be casually attached!
Zhang Anping solemnly punished himself by drinking three cups.
He was indeed punished with a drink, but what pained him most were the military commanders—well, a meal cost them an entire regiment for nothing, how incredibly frustrating.
Wu Jingzhong stood up and took a drink for Zhang Anping, but in his heart he was full of admiration for Zhang Anping's methods. With just a few words, he immediately changed the situation of the Tianjin Flood Control Headquarters being strong in some areas but weak in others. He was truly remarkable!
Yu Zecheng watched this scene with a smile, but his heart was bleeding.
The Tianjin Defense Headquarters was united, which was extremely advantageous for our attacking army. However, Zhang Anping's casual remark has changed the situation.
If an attack on Tianjin is launched in the future, who knows how many more comrades will sacrifice their lives as a result.
It's truly despicable and hateful!
……
Yandu Hotel, Beiping.
Zheng Yaoquan, who had usurped Zhang Anping's office, chose to place his office next to Zhang's.
To hell with the two kings not seeing each other! I'm going to show Zhang Anping what it means to have something stuck in your throat!
He was sharpening his knife, waiting for Zhang Anping to return from Tianjin and give him a hard time.
But before Zhang Anping could return from Tianjin, a piece of "bad news" arrived first.
Zhang Anping is in Tianjin, issuing military ranks in bulk!
Upon hearing this news, Zheng Yaoquan was stunned—it felt as if a hammer the size of a clay pot had struck him squarely on the head.
What does it mean to win people's hearts?
This is!
The problem is that Zhang Anping won people's hearts through the secret station in Tianjin. He was the deputy director of the Bureau of Secrecy. Although he overstepped his authority, it was ultimately an internal matter of the Bureau of Secrecy.
Will Zheng Yaoquan join or not?
跟？
There was only one secret station in Tianjin, which was used to issue military ranks. How many people were there?
The intelligence network in Beiping had over ten thousand people at all levels. How could they possibly keep up with that?
Not going to follow?
If he doesn't follow, how will he win people's hearts?
With the Tianjin Station as a model, if he doesn't follow it, who in the Beiping secret service system will still respect him!
In a daze, Zheng Yaoquan saw Zhang Anping standing opposite him with a smile:
Vice Minister Zheng, you dare to mess with me? You want to mess with me?!
What can you possibly use to fight me?!
"asshole!"
Zheng Yaoquan couldn't hold back any longer. He swept his arms across the table, knocking countless documents to the floor. (End of Chapter)