Chapter 1061
An Unexpected Encounter
Wang Tianfeng followed Zhao Weiheng in his car from a distance.
As they got closer to Zhao Weiheng's house, Wang Tianfeng's expression grew increasingly somber.
When they were less than 500 meters from Zhao Weiheng's house, Wang Tianfeng slammed on the brakes, took a few quick breaths, and then started the car up again, speeding out of the city.
outside the city.
After leaving the car aside, Wang Tianfeng walked into the woods. He wandered aimlessly for a while before leaning against a large tree and sitting down, his eyes unfocused and vacant.
In fact, when he heard Zhao Weiheng recount the details of Zhang Anping's return to headquarters, the last vestige of hope in his heart was completely dispelled.
But whether it was Zhang Anping's persona that was still deceptive, or whether he simply couldn't convince himself to give up, he used Zhao Weiheng to set up a simple yet deadly screening scheme.
This was like a final, desperate attempt at verification, utterly shattering the last vestige of hope in their feigned death.
He finally found the "Katyusha" he had been searching for for years, the undercover agent hidden deepest within the secret service.
But he wished he had never found it.
"how……"
"It is you……"
Wang Tianfeng looked up blankly, as if questioning Zhang Anping.
He could accept that "Katyusha" was Mao Renfeng, he could accept that it was Zheng Yaoxian, but he just couldn't accept that this person was Zhang Anping.
How could it be him?!
Why him?!
A mocking smile appeared on Wang Tianfeng's lips.
Within the Nationalist government, there were far too many people who hated Zhang Anping to death; countless people wished they could tear him to pieces.
However, even those who hated him the most admitted one thing:
Zhang Anping's loyalty to the Nationalist government was unwavering, pure, and could withstand the test of time!
"You, whom everyone considered a loyal subject of the Party and the State, were actually an undercover agent..."
“Absurd, ridiculous…”
Wang Tianfeng seemed to be confiding in Zhang Anping:
"Anyone can be an undercover agent, but you can't!"
"But why you of all people!"
There was no answer, only the whistling of the wind in the forest, as if mocking Wang Tianfeng.
If it were someone else, they might think that Zhang Anping chose to switch sides when the party-state was at its wits' end.
But Wang Tianfeng knew Zhang Anping too well—he admitted that much of his "understanding" of Zhang Anping was based on the persona Zhang Anping was playing. But no matter how a person pretends, their true nature will not change!
Wang Tianfeng saw Zhang Anping's true nature clearly—during the War of Resistance against Japan, Zhang Anping, who was infiltrating Shanghai, was never afraid of death and never chose to betray the country under the temptation of the Japanese. Such a person would never choose to switch sides because of the defeat of the Nationalist government.
Such a person will only perish with his choices.
So when he began to suspect Zhang Anping, he became certain that Zhang Anping was Katyusha, the Katyusha that the Special Service, the Military Intelligence Bureau, and now the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics had been searching for for more than ten years.
So, when did Wang Tianfeng begin to set his sights on Zhang Anping?
The answer is:
Special forces uprising!
Special Forces was an armed force that Zhang Anping personally built from scratch. Although Mao Renfeng and Zheng Yaoxian plotted to seize power from him, Wang Tianfeng never believed that Zhang Anping would not have a backup plan.
Who is Zhang Anping?
During the War of Resistance against Japan, he went undercover in Shanghai and his strategies were almost flawless!
He was clearly at a disadvantage when facing the Japanese who were entrenched in Shanghai, but what was the result?
Jiang Si'an, using the alias Okamoto Heiji, became a pivotal figure in the Japanese intelligence network in Shanghai.
Gu Shenyan, an inconspicuous spy, was even promoted to the position of director of the Shanghai Security Bureau of the puppet government under Zhang Anping's arrangement!
Would such a person leave no room for maneuver in building an armed force from scratch with his own hands?
But what about the facts?
No one was left!
Zheng Yaoxian, with his special forces, easily launched an uprising—from Wang Tianfeng's perspective, he leaned towards another possibility:
Zheng Yaoxian, who believed he had control of special weapons, was actually coerced into defecting to the Communists!
It was this incident that led Wang Tianfeng to turn his attention to Zhang Anping.
But at this moment, he simply turned his attention to this object he had never doubted.
What truly set Wang Tianfeng on high alert was what happened next:
Zhang Anping has lost power in Beiping!
He was replaced by Zheng Yaoquan!
Similar incidents occurred many times during the reorganization of the Military Intelligence Bureau and during the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics period—whenever Zhang Anping was able to make great strides, he would always be subjected to various forms of suppression.
After the familiar tactic was repeated, Wang Tianfeng's suspicion of Zhang Anping surged from three points to five.
Then again?
That armed force that Zhang Anping had poured countless efforts into, originally named the Loyal and Patriotic Army, the Transportation Police Force, surrendered.
The Special Forces Uprising could be attributed to internal strife, but the surrender of the Transportation Police Force left Wang Tianfeng with no other excuse.
Against the backdrop of the annihilation of hundreds of thousands of troops in Xuzhou and Bengbu, the destruction of the Transportation Police Army was just an insignificant ripple. After all, in the eyes of the Nationalist government, the Transportation Police Army was essentially a second-line force—but Wang Tianfeng knew all too well the true nature of the Transportation Police Army!
This unit was filled with a large number of agents from the Military Intelligence Bureau. These agents had been active in the enemy's rear areas during the War of Resistance against Japan, dancing on the edge of the Japanese agents' knives time and time again!
After Zhang Anping changed their uniforms, Wang Tianfeng believed that this experienced force, with its true combat power, was in no way inferior to the so-called five main forces!
But they voted.
It was an easy shot.
By this point, he was already 70% suspicious of Zhang Anping!
Then, the familiar scene played out once again:
After Zheng Yaoquan's crushing defeat, Zhang Anping took power, and as was the familiar "practice"—Zheng Yaoquan was tricked and placed under house arrest.
The entire intelligence system in Beiping was thus paralyzed.
When news of the upheaval in Beiping arrived, although there were plenty of reasons why Beiping's massive intelligence network had accomplished nothing, the familiar tactics made Wang Tianfeng close his eyes in disbelief.
This taste... it's so familiar!
Nine out of ten!
He was already certain that Zhang Anping was Katyusha, but the last shred of confidence ultimately came from his trust in Zhang Anping.
Even though Zhang Anping could have turned the tables after returning to Nanjing, he was instead "humiliated," which only increased his suspicion by a mere 0.8%.
Because, in the end, he was still unwilling to give up.
That's why the previous screening session was held—not for screening, but to make him give up completely.
Now, he has finally given up hope, but this kind of giving up is something Wang Tianfeng finds hard to accept.
When Zhang Anping joined the Special Service Department, the Red Army numbered only a few tens of thousands!
But what did the Party-state give him?
From a junior agent just starting out in the Special Service Department to the current deputy director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics!
Given such generous treatment, why did he remain standing there?
Wang Tianfeng wanted Zhang Anping to give him an answer.
In fact, the most suitable path facing Wang Tianfeng at this moment was:
Use connections to get a meeting with the section chief!
Although the chief attendant went to Xikou, he would definitely send the director as a representative to Nanjing during the New Year. He worked under the director and had a way to meet him.
But at this moment, Wang Tianfeng had no intention of going to see the section chief at all.
First, he has no evidence! His certainty that Zhang Anping is Katyusha is entirely based on conjecture. Although he is now certain, he has no evidence!
Secondly, Chakayusha is his obsession, but whether the truth is revealed is irrelevant to him!
Therefore, after a long silence, Wang Tianfeng made a decision.
He gazed in the direction of Linggu Temple and slowly made up his mind.
……
Zeng Moyi and Chai Ying did indeed buy New Year's goods—but mainly for the Zhang family. Chai Ying was all alone, and for her, the New Year was no different from any other day.
Zeng Moyi had something on her mind. Although her reason told her that she should act as usual at this time, she couldn't help but fall into deep thoughts because she had a comrade she could trust.
Instead of offering advice, Chai Ying took it upon herself to buy New Year's goods for Zeng Moyi until she felt it was about time, at which point she stopped and pulled Zeng Moyi to a night market stall.
"I know you're blaming yourself," she gently comforted Zeng Moyi.
"But he did this not entirely because of you, you should understand that."
Zeng Moyi nodded slightly. She understood, but she still felt guilty.
"Don't worry, he knows what he's doing. You should know him better than I do."
Zeng Moyi forced a smile, as if she had made up her mind. She pulled Chai Ying to a secluded corner and whispered:
“I know Anping. Although he didn’t say anything this time, I always felt that he was taking this matter very seriously.”
"Sister Chai, can you stop Anping?"
Prevent?
Chai Ying looked at Zeng Moyi in surprise.
Zeng Moyi nodded solemnly:
“Anping values Wang Tianfeng very much. Although I don’t understand why, I can sense Anping’s unease.”
Therefore... the big picture is paramount!
Chai Ying looked at Zeng Moyi with pity. She understood Zeng Moyi's feelings for Yuan Nong—she had lost her parents, and Yuan Nong was like a father to her. At this moment, she spoke out for the greater good, but how much torment must she be going through?
Gently holding Zeng Moyi in her arms, Chai Ying whispered:
"Don't worry, Anping knows what he's doing."
“He is unwilling to abandon any comrade, and you know that better than I do.”
Zeng Moyi couldn't help but hug Chai Ying tightly. How could she not know?
Looking at her emaciated husband, and considering the heavy burdens behind his life, she felt truly helpless and lost.
Looking at Zeng Moyi, who appeared so weak, Chai Ying couldn't help but sigh.
For the first time, she felt that Zhang Anping had protected Zeng Moyi too well.
……
After Chai Ying and Zeng Moyi dawdled for a while, they finally arrived at the agreed meeting place. While they waited, all sorts of New Year's goods they had prepared were delivered from various shops. After piling up a huge amount, Zhang Anping finally drove over.
The deputy director of the Bureau of Secrecy struggled to stuff the New Year's goods he had bought into the car. Seeing Zhang Anping's expression of regret for not driving a truck, Chai Ying and Zeng Moyi suddenly felt unusually at ease.
The two squeezed into the back seat, which was mostly occupied by New Year's goods. After the car started moving, Chai Ying asked:
"Do you have a clear idea of what's going on?"
"Hmm—a minor issue."
Zhang Anping smiled and said, "This time I intend to completely eliminate this hidden danger. Of course, the most important thing right now is to get through this hurdle first. Sister Chai, please make the following arrangements when you get back..."
Zhang Anping methodically explained his plans, and Chai Ying immediately focused her attention and listened carefully to Zhang Anping's instructions.
Zeng Moyi watched her husband decorating silently, feeling a strange warmth in her heart.
The Zhang family.
The couple, laden with New Year's goods, spent quite a while unloading them from the car. Because Zhang Anping was under investigation, they hadn't bought any New Year's goods before, but this time they managed to get everything they needed.
After Wang Chunlian helped her son and daughter-in-law clean up the New Year's goods, she asked Zhang Anping:
"Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve. Are you still going to pay homage to the Spring Breeze this year?"
According to the customs of Jiangshan County, people usually visit graves before Lunar New Year's Eve.
However, when Zhang Anping went to the grave two years ago, he happened to run into Dai Yizang. Although Zhang Anping ignored him, Dai Yizang took the opportunity of paying respects to his father to make all sorts of sarcastic remarks in front of Zhang Anping. Therefore, last year, Zhang Anping paid respects to Dai Chunfeng on New Year's Eve.
That's why Wang Chunlian asked this question.
Zhang Anping paused for a moment, then said, "Of course I'll go."
"Then you should take Wangwang and Xixi with you, he... likes a lively atmosphere."
Wang Chunlian and Dai Chunfeng had been at odds for half their lives, always clashing whenever they met. But after Dai Chunfeng's death, she missed her cousin the most.
"Ah."
night.
Zhang Anping and his wife were lying in bed when Zeng Moyi suddenly hugged Zhang Anping tightly, but didn't say anything.
With the couple of one mind, how could Zhang Anping not understand Zeng Moyi's thoughts? He gently patted his wife's hand:
"Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Zeng Moyi didn't say anything, but hugged Zhang Anping even tighter.
After a long while, Zeng Moyi suddenly said:
"Anping, I know I shouldn't be so weak. I promise you, this is the last time!"
She was an extremely intelligent person; otherwise, she wouldn't have been selected by the Special Service Department and transferred to the Special Service Class while working at the Zhejiang Police Department, and wouldn't have directly entered the Special Service Department after graduation. Chai Ying's sudden sigh earlier made the brilliant Chai Ying immediately realize her problem.
She acted too weakly!
This is not how a qualified underground worker should behave.
Zhang Anping paused for a moment, then unconsciously stroked his wife's cheek.
He understood why Zeng Moyi was "weak"—not because she was weak-willed, but because, under his protection, the once strong woman had gradually lost her resilience.
But deep down, Zeng Moyi is still that steel warrior who faces the brutal methods of the Kuomintang with a smile as she walks toward death.
And all of this was something he did intentionally.
Even when facing his wife, he could never forget the smiling figure walking towards death in the original timeline.
In the original timeline, she suffered terribly.
He hugged his wife tightly and whispered, "Don't worry, I've got you covered."
……
The next day.
After breakfast, Wang Chunlian packed up the prepared offerings and took them out.
She had carefully prepared the offerings, including various paper guns.
Wang Chunlian kept rambling on and on:
"He's the kind of person who loves collecting all kinds of guns; I don't know what's so great about them."
Zhang Anping looked at his mother speechlessly. If he remembered correctly, this was the third time he had heard these words—two years ago when his mother prepared offerings for the graves, there was a gun among them, and she was nagging about the same thing again.
He understood that this was his mother's obsession; if her cousin hadn't chosen this path, this accident wouldn't have happened.
Therefore, Zhang Anping naturally didn't say anything more, but he took the opportunity to criticize Dai Yizang:
“You are the most thoughtful, unlike my cousin, who doesn’t even remember to prepare these things for his father.”
For the past two years, Zhang Anping has been instilling in his mother the fact that Dai Yizang is a scoundrel—Dai Yizang is indeed a scoundrel, so much so that Zhang Anping had long ago decided to set a life-or-death trap for him. To avoid upsetting his mother, he seizes every opportunity to "talk nonsense."
Wang Chunlian could only sigh after hearing Zhang Anping's complaints about Dai Yizang.
Undoubtedly, after Zhang Anping's persistent, sarcastic teasing, she, who was already dissatisfied with her good-for-nothing nephew, became even more dissatisfied.
Zhang Anping stopped there, put the offerings and paper products in the trunk, and called the two little ones and Zeng Moyi to get in the car.
Wang Chunlian called out, "Go early and come back early, it'll be New Year's after midnight!"
"Know it!"
Zhang Anping responded and stepped on the gas, pulling his three precious children towards Linggu Temple.
Zeng Moyi's feelings about paying respects to Dai Chunfeng have always been extremely complicated. If she didn't have to bring her two little ones with her every time, she definitely wouldn't be willing to go.
No matter how valiant the Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) appeared in the face of the Japanese during the War of Resistance Against Japan, the MIB under Dai Chunfeng's leadership was extremely ruthless towards members of our Party.
Zhang Anping understood his wife's feelings.
His feelings towards Dai Chunfeng were equally complex, and even Dai Chunfeng's death was a result of his indifference.
But he was the deputy director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and his persona was that of someone who carried on Dai Chunfeng's legacy. Others could forget to burn incense and pay homage to Dai Chunfeng, but he was the only one who couldn't.
So when they arrived at Linggu Temple and were walking towards the cemetery, with the two little ones leading the way, Zhang Anping whispered to Zeng Moyi:
"Think about Jiang Si'an when she was in Shanghai."
At that time, Jiang Si'an used the alias Okamoto Heiji. He specially prepared a portrait of Fujita Yoshimasa in his study and would pay homage to it from time to time. For a long time, Okamoto Heiji's reputation for loyalty and righteousness was established in this way!
Zeng Moyi felt inexplicably more comfortable.
Because Zhang Anping had told her a joke before:
Fujita Yoshimasa's portrait keeps falling over...
Faced with her husband's comforting words, Zeng Moyi said playfully, "You're just good at making me happy."
Zhang Anping deliberately made sarcastic remarks:
"It is my greatest honor to be able to make my wife happy."
Zeng Moyi rolled her eyes, revealing a mischievous girlishness.
As they spoke, the couple arrived at the grave.
There were ashes of burnt paper left in front of the tomb. Judging from the scale, the person who burned the paper did not put much effort into it. The offerings left behind are no longer visible, which means they were eaten by someone.
In later generations, when people had enough to eat, no one touched the sacrificial offerings except for animals. But in this era, many people relied on sacrificial offerings to fill their stomachs.
This scene made Zhang Anping feel much better. Uncle, when you die, the light goes out. When you were alive, you had no regard for the people, but when you died, at least you brought benefits to a few people.
After a moment of quiet reflection, Zhang Anping decided to put down the offerings and paper items in his hands one by one, and then go to find a stick to start a fire. After taking a few steps, his gaze narrowed slightly.
The surrounding area has been disturbed!
More than one place.
A suffocating sense of crisis rose involuntarily in my heart.
He wasn't superstitious, but realizing that the places where the earth was being moved happened to surround the entire cemetery, it made him think of a possibility:
Someone planted explosives around here!
Were they targeting me?
Zhang Anping was unsure, but with his two children and wife by his side, he dared not take the risk. Therefore, he immediately and quietly called out:
"Mo Yi, I forgot to leave the matches in the car! Oh, right, there's also a plate of apples in the car, could you go get them?"
Zeng Moyi was shocked to hear this. She had clearly seen Zhang Anping put the matches into his pocket—at the time, Zhang Anping had said that non-smokers were most likely to embarrass themselves when visiting graves.
She looked at Zhang Anping, and seeing no other expression on his face, she immediately understood. Suppressing her trembling and fear, Zeng Moyi called out to the two little ones:
"Wangwang, Xixi, Mommy needs to get something from the car. Do you two little bodyguards want to come with me?"
Wangwang and Xixi were aroused by the title of "little bodyguard" and immediately agreed.
Just as the three were about to turn back, a voice rang out from not far away:
"No need to go, I've already made it a hit."
It was...
Wang Tianfeng! (End of Chapter)