Chapter 1064
Zhang Anping's Vicious Scheme: Investigating the Cause of Wang Tianfeng's Dea
The section chief gradually understood the true nature of Zhang Anping's report—Zhang Anping cared about Wang Tianfeng's assassination attempt, but he wanted to use this opportunity to counter Mao Renfeng.
Perhaps even the accusations he made against Wang Tianfeng did not involve Mao Renfeng.
However, for the section chief, there was no need to investigate this matter, especially since Wang Tianfeng was already dead.
That's why he said, "That's enough."
Of course, the core of his conclusion was his belief that Zhang Anping or Mao Renfeng could never be in league with the Communists.
Mao Renfeng was simply incompetent and prone to infighting. As for Zhang Anping, he was truly betrayed by his own people. But to say that the two were communists?
how can that be!
The section chief changed the subject:
"Yaoquan, Director Mao, you two are looking for me?"
He was deliberately pretending to be ignorant. He had returned from Xikou and had spoken with the chief attendant. How could he not know about Mao Renfeng and Zheng Yaoquan's "moving"?
The only thing the two of them could be reporting to him about right now is this.
Mao Renfeng was hoping the section chief would look at her with the same eyes, so she could take the opportunity to get rid of Zhang Anping, that jerk. But the result was naturally disappointing—the section chief never intended to hide anything from Zhang Anping!
He had no choice but to signal to Zheng Yaoquan, but Zheng Yaoquan ignored Mao Renfeng's signal.
He and Mao Renfeng have always been both cooperating and fighting, and now is the time for them to fight!
Therefore, Zheng Yaoquan stood up and reported to his superior:
"Director, the Second Department and the Bureau of Secrecy have completed the 'withdrawal' resolution and are preparing to withdraw after the New Year. This is the Second Department's work plan for the withdrawal. Please take a look."
As he spoke, he took a document out of his briefcase and handed it to the section chief with both hands.
Zhang Anping stood up in shock, saying incredulously:
"Evacuation? How come I didn't know that!"
Zheng Yaoquan asked in surprise, "Deputy Director Zhang was unaware of this?"
Mao Renfeng almost jumped up and lunged at Zheng Yaoquan, but faced with Zhang Anping's shock, he had no choice but to explain to the section chief:
"When the Bureau of Secrecy made the decision on this matter, Deputy Director Zhang was unable to attend, so he has not yet been informed. According to the procedure, the relevant documents will be transferred after the New Year."
The section chief frowned. He wasn't a three-year-old; he understood perfectly well what tricks Mao Renfeng had played. Seeing Zhang Anping's anger flaring up, he waved his hand, signaling Zhang Anping to calm down, and then said:
"Where's the plan from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics? Show it to Anping—"
Mao Renfeng: ...
After taking a deep breath, he took out the "moving" plan that he and a group of confidants had come up with the night before and handed it to Zhang Anping.
After taking it, Zhang Anping quickly flipped through it. After finishing the first round of rapid reading, he actually started reading it from the beginning again, but this time he flipped through it extremely slowly, as if he were picking out faults word by word.
This scene secretly pleased Mao Renfeng. Well, you can find more faults, it would be best if you directly opposed the "moving" plan!
The section chief was also reviewing the Second Department's plan. During this time, he glanced at Zhang Anping a few times and noticed a hint of curiosity flash across Zhang Anping's eyes as he went from quickly flipping through the document to rereading it.
Under the current power structure, the relocation of secret service agencies such as the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics is most advantageous for the Chief of Staff, but not for the new Chief of Staff Li who is taking over the Chief of Staff's Office—Zhang Anping, what will he say next?
The section chief patiently reviewed the Second Department's plan, not by nitpicking, but by simply examining it. After confirming that the general direction was correct, he handed the plan to Zheng Yaoquan and gestured for the two of them to remain silent, giving Zhang Anping ample time to review it.
Zheng Yaoquan and Mao Renfeng understood each other.
Time passed slowly, and Zhang Anping finally finished reading the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics' relocation plan carefully.
"Deputy Director Zhang, what do you think of this plan?" Mao Renfeng asked the question almost impatiently.
He suppressed his anticipation and looked at Zhang Anping with a defiant gaze—his relocation plan, to put it bluntly, was to hide all of his Mao faction and leave Zhang's faction in the open.
Leave Zhang Xi to attract the attention of Li Dai's chief attendant, and it would be best if Li Dai's chief attendant took the opportunity to ruthlessly cut down Zhang Xi.
Therefore, he now desperately hopes that Zhang Anping will oppose the plan.
The section chief and Zheng Yaoquan both looked at Zhang Anping, waiting for his reply.
Zhang Anping nodded slowly: "I generally agree—but there are a few points I think are open to discussion."
Mao Renfeng was disappointed, but on the surface, she asked in a playful tone:
"What does Deputy Director Zhang find wrong?"
"First, I don't think we should retreat to Guangzhou—the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics has more power in Shanghai, and I prefer to retreat to Shanghai."
Second, we shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket—if we're going to withdraw, I think the most core institutions should be moved to Taiwan.
Third, I think we should maintain a facade of obedience—therefore, I think Director Mao should remain in Nanjing and feign compliance.
After Zhang Anping finished speaking, Mao Renfeng's face turned green.
Retreat to Shanghai?
Who the hell doesn't know that Shanghai is Zhang Anping's stronghold!
The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics' relocation to Shanghai is like lambs to the slaughter.
As for the third point, it's even more excessive—keeping him in Nanjing to feign compliance?
Are you tasked with integrating the entire Secret Service?
Pooh!
Think beautiful!
He suppressed his anger:
“Deputy Director Zhang, I remember you wrote ‘Blue Star Animal Kingdom’—if I’m not mistaken, you believed that the Yangtze River was an impregnable fortress and that you should move troops to Taiwan. What do you mean by that? Could it be that you… lack confidence in the Yangtze River defense line?”
Zhang Anping merely glanced at Mao Renfeng with disdain, but did not answer his question.
The section chief was satisfied at this point; Zhang Anping was always as reliable as ever on matters of principle!
“Anping means it’s better to be prepared, Director Mao shouldn’t overinterpret it—” He offered Mao Renfeng a way out, then continued:
"Playing along is a good idea! However, Director Mao is ultimately the pillar of the Security Bureau. Keeping him in Nanjing is a waste! How about this, let's see if there are any two-faced people in the Security Bureau. If someone wants to take the opportunity to switch sides, then give them a chance."
"Shanghai, Guangzhou..."
The section chief hesitated at this moment, naturally able to see through Zhang Anping and Mao Renfeng's ulterior motives.
In the past, Zhang Anping believed that the Yangtze River was an insurmountable natural barrier, based on the premise that defending the Yangtze required defending the Huai River and that the North China Army could be safely withdrawn. However, the disastrous defeats in the Xuzhou-Bengbu Campaign and the Pingjin Campaign resulted in the annihilation of a million-strong army. The Yangtze River was no longer an insurmountable barrier, and Shanghai and Nanjing were ultimately located on its banks.
"How about this, Anping will temporarily go to Shanghai to oversee things, and Director Mao will go to Guangzhou. In this way, even if the Constable's Office wants to make a move, they can only do it one by one, without affecting the overall situation. What do you two think?"
Mao Renfeng felt regretful. He had originally intended to take this opportunity to completely eliminate the Zhang faction from the headquarters and, incidentally, pin Zhang Anping down in Nanjing, making him bear the wrath of Li Dai, the acting chief of staff. But now it was clearly impossible.
But this is for the best—at least the Zhang faction has been purged from the headquarters from now on!
He then stated, "I have no objections."
Zhang Anping nodded in agreement: "I agree. But Director Mao wouldn't hold me back on funding, would he?"
Mao Renfeng gave a forced smile: "Deputy Director Zhang is overthinking it."
In fact, the section chief wanted to support Zhang Anping, but he really looked down on Mao Renfeng.
But the most important thing right now is unity. If he supports Zhang Anping, Mao Renfeng will inevitably become disloyal. If he switches sides to Li Dai, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics will definitely be in big trouble. So he can only try to remain "neutral".
"By the way, since all three of you are here, it saves me the trouble of notifying you one by one. Yesterday, the Attendant's Office made a resolution that after the New Year, they will order the judicial system to release political prisoners, rioting students, and other people from various factions. He has also communicated with my father, hoping that the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Bureau of Party Affairs can cooperate in this release process and release the underground party members who are in custody. What do you three think?"
Li's taking power as acting chief of staff actually represented a significant portion of the voices within the Nationalist government:
Faced with triple defeats in military, political, and economic affairs, this group became pessimistic about the situation, believing that continuing the war would only lead to their demise. It was at this time that the Chief Attendant of the Joseon Dynasty stepped forward and called for peace. Against this backdrop, this group chose to side with the Chief Attendant of the Joseon Dynasty, ultimately forcing him to step down.
Li Dai, the chief attendant, genuinely wanted to negotiate peace. Only through peace talks could the Guangxi clique's army and territory be preserved. Therefore, after taking over the chief attendant's office, he had to first demonstrate his sincerity in negotiating peace.
This led to the resolution to release political prisoners, patriotic students, patriotic democrats, and arrested underground party members.
After listening, Zheng Yaoquan immediately adopted a spectator's attitude.
The Second Bureau is an intelligence agency. Although it has some espionage functions, it is more inclined towards intelligence. The underground party members arrested will be handed over to the judicial system. It does not have its own prisons, so it does not need to express its position.
When the section chief asks for "opinions" now, it's not just a simple matter of asking for opinions!
If the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics objects, it means the Chief of Staff is also objecting. To put it more bluntly, it could even accuse the Chief of Staff of Xikou of sabotaging the peace talks.
But what about approval?
I agree, but this isn't good either. Releasing all the underground party members we worked so hard to capture is just aiding the enemy, isn't it?
"We can't let them go!" Mao Renfeng stated without hesitation: "I can't control the judicial system, but the underground party members arrested by the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics must not be released!"
He had previously been "pointed out" by Zhang Anping: "There is someone between me and Mao Renfeng who is in league with the Communists."
Given this premise and background, he must firmly state his position.
The section chief secretly shook his head. Everyone says Mao Renfeng has political acumen, but he's nothing special.
He looked at Zhang Anping: "Anping, what do you think?" Zhang Anping frowned: "If we don't release them, we're just providing ammunition to the Imperial Guard."
"So you're going to release them?" Mao Renfeng sneered, then immediately slapped a accusation on him: "Is Deputy Director Zhang trying to aid the enemy?"
Zhang Anping frowned as he looked at Mao Renfeng, his gaze unwavering. Mao Renfeng felt a sudden chill in her heart—clearly, she was recalling the nightmare in front of the Xuzhou General Headquarters.
He instinctively shrank back before realizing the section chief was there, and couldn't help but sneer:
"Is Deputy Director Zhang trying to hit someone again?"
Zhang Anping took a deep breath: "Director Mao, when discussing serious matters, let's not let personal grudges interfere."
Mao Renfeng almost jumped up at these words. He was actually a very rational person with a deep mind, but for some reason, he always lost his composure in front of Zhang Anping. Now, Zhang Anping's hurtful words made him even angrier and want to curse.
He realized he had gone too far and quickly explained to the department head:
"Chief, I have no selfish motives, I just don't want the underground party members I've worked so hard to capture to be released."
The section chief waved his hand, indicating that he understood—he knew perfectly well what was going on!
Only then did Zhang Anping say:
"Director, I think that if Li Dai, the acting chief of staff, can adopt this high-handed attitude, we can do the same!"
"Isn't it just releasing them?"
"Let them go too!"
put?
Let the tiger return to the mountain!
Zhang Anping seemed worried that Mao Renfeng would contradict him again, and immediately added after finishing his statement:
"Of course, we can't just release them without doing anything—isn't he going to issue the resolution after the New Year? In these three days of the New Year, we can quickly execute a group of core underground party members!"
"Secondly, we can also create momentum—with such a large-scale release, it's perfectly normal for us to mix in a lot of sand, right? If the intelligence leaks out, the underground party will have to spend years just sifting through it!"
"Finally, we can take this opportunity to win over some underground party members, and at the same time forge some confessions and so-called withdrawal statements from the party! In short, we can release people, but the underground party shouldn't think they can easily use these released comrades!"
The section chief beamed with delight; Zhang Anping's suggestion was truly excellent!
Li Dai's chief attendant was playing a calculated game: if the Security Bureau didn't release the person, it would be considered sabotaging the peace negotiations (even though they hadn't started yet); if they did release the person, then the reputation and all that would belong to him!
The section chief found this move extremely difficult—couldn't he have thought of someone like Mao Renfeng, who was so brainless as to refuse to release people?
But that's so mindless!
In contrast, Zhang Anping's suggestions were exactly what he needed to hear.
high!
The section chief turned to Mao Renfeng and asked, "Director Mao, what do you think?"
This inquiry was clearly driven by some inexplicable and strange psychology.
Mao Renfeng's lips twitched involuntarily.
Zhang Anping's move was indeed more skillful than his own refusal to release the person.
But then I thought, what good is being clever?
Do you, Zhang Anping, have any people in the current headquarters?
This job, isn't it up to me?!
This achievement deserves at least six-tenths of the credit, from me, Mao Renfeng.
Thinking of this, he suddenly felt relieved.
Therefore, Mao Renfeng spoke righteously and sternly:
"I agree with Deputy Director Zhang's suggestion—I'll make the arrangements as soon as I get back!"
Faced with Mao Renfeng's attempt to steal the credit, Zhang Anping immediately retorted:
“I’ll handle this! Director Mao isn’t really suited for this line of work.”
Mao Renfeng countered with a smile: "Deputy Director Zhang's words are absurd! Although I am not a professional agent, do I really want to personally take action? Hmm?"
Comfortable!
This feels so good!
Zhang Anping looked at the section chief with a somber expression, clearly hoping the section chief would uphold justice.
The section chief hesitated for a moment and did not choose to support Zhang Anping:
“Anping, you don’t need to argue with Director Mao about this. You’ve suffered a lot in Beiping, so don’t take on these difficult tasks now.”
Zhang Anping lowered his head in disappointment, while Mao Renfeng, standing to the side, felt an indescribable sense of comfort.
Zheng Yaoquan was secretly jealous. He knew the section chief very well and knew that the section chief was actually protecting Zhang Anping, but Zhang Anping was still not satisfied!
"Is that all for today?" The section chief then urged them to leave. "Oh, right, Anping, I have some tonics here. Come with me to get them."
Mao Renfeng and Zheng Yaoquan tactfully got up and left, while Zhang Anping was led by the director to another small study.
After entering the small study, the section chief patted Zhang Anping on the shoulder and said in a somewhat complaining tone:
"You, you!"
"You really don't appreciate kindness—let him do these dirty things! Do you think it's good to be called an executioner?"
Zhang Anping then realized what had happened and said gratefully, "Director, it was my ignorance, please forgive me—"
But then he changed the subject: "I'm afraid Mao Renfeng will mess things up!"
"It won't cause any problems! If he can't handle this little thing..."
The section chief shook his head, a hint of disdain in his eyes.
Zhang Anping had no choice but to give up.
The section chief then comforted Zhang Anping and, before leaving, sent someone to prepare a lot of tonics for him. It was New Year's Eve, and almost everyone was giving gifts to the section chief to show their loyalty. Only Zhang Anping took a bunch of expensive tonics from the section chief at this time.
That's really...unconventional!
……
Linggu Temple, the tomb of Dai Chunfeng.
It was already 5 p.m., and according to custom, the lively "New Year" celebrations had begun.
At this very moment, Mao Renfeng, leading a group of secret agents, was sneaking towards Dai Chunfeng's grave.
Without a doubt, Mao Zedong came to dig up Wang Tianfeng's body!
While they were advancing, the spy who had gone to scout ahead rushed back in a panic:
"Chief! Someone's here!"
Mao Renfeng asked in surprise, "Who is it?"
Could it be Zheng Yaoquan?
This guy's movements aren't any slower than mine!
Unexpectedly, the spy replied:
"They're from the Suppression of Rebellion Brigade! I recognize one of them."
Suppression Corps?
Mao Renfeng's eyes widened. Did this mean that the section chief had sent someone?
He then laughed. It seemed that the section chief did not trust Zhang Anping unconditionally after all!
Mao Renfeng was overjoyed. He thought the director's trust in Zhang Anping was unconditional, but he didn't expect the director to act even faster than he did!
He suppressed a laugh and quietly ordered, "Hide here. Send a few people over and listen quietly to see what conclusions they come to!"
In front of a large pit, Wang Tianfeng's body had already been dug out.
Several professional forensic doctors stepped forward to quickly examine the body, while several other engineers jumped into the pit to examine the connection between the pit and the backfill soil—if the pit was dug in advance, the time interval between the backfill soil and the pit could be determined in a short period of time.
If the pit was dug today, then the soil used to cover it up will be the same as the pit itself!
“Captain Cai, look at this Zhongshan suit—this suit should have been worn by the person digging the hole. The person who dug the hole while wearing a Zhongshan suit must be the deceased.”
"Captain Cai, the cause of death is difficult to determine at the moment. Although there was a lethal dose of cyanide in his body, his neck was broken. I need to conduct an autopsy to determine the true cause of death."
"Sir, we can confirm that the pit was dug last night and the soil was used to backfill it this morning, but we can't pinpoint the exact time."
After the three waves of inspectors successively provided the information, Captain Cai, who was in charge of the team, had an answer in mind:
"No need for an autopsy—bring the coffin over, put the body in, and bury it again!"
"By the way, don't leave a grave mound."
At that very moment, about one kilometer away from the cemetery, Zhang Anping, who was in elaborate disguise, was holding binoculars and watching this scene with a deep and unsettling gaze.
Director, they actually sent someone to inspect!
Mao's arrival was not unexpected—it was just funny that he arrived a few steps later than the section chief's men!
A mocking smile appeared on Zhang Anping's lips. "Did they find out I was lying?" (End of Chapter)