Chapter 1065
Typical Achievements of United Front Work
After quietly leaving the vicinity of Linggu Temple, Zhang Anping found the bicycle he had hidden and pedaled furiously towards Nanjing.
After entering the city through Zhongshan Gate, Zhang Anping drove out his concealed car and headed towards Chai Ying's residence.
When he arrived, Chai Ying was "complaining" about Zeng Moyi:
"There are so many dumplings, I still can't finish them even on the fifteenth of the lunar month. That's enough, really enough!"
Zhang Anping went out with Zeng Moyi, using the excuse of wanting to spend New Year's Eve with Chai Ying. After they arrived, Zeng Moyi stayed behind to report on Wang Tianfeng's matter, while Zhang Anping went to Linggu Temple again.
In response to Chai Ying's complaints, Zeng Moyi smiled and said:
“Anping asked me to make more dumplings for you, saying that when Brother Cen meets you, he must see a plump and healthy you.”
Chai Ying was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this, but a strong sense of anticipation arose in her heart.
They had been involved in the revolution since then, and only during the final period of the War of Resistance against Japan were they properly together for a period of time. However, with the relocation of the capital by the Kuomintang, the couple ended up living at opposite ends of the Yangtze River.
They originally thought it would take many years to reunite, but looking at the current situation, perhaps within a year or two, the couple will be able to end this long-term long-distance relationship.
That's...great!
Just then, Zhang Anping walked in. Seeing the expectant and longing look in Chai Ying's eyes, he said seriously, "Sister Chai, I estimate that in about a year, you will be able to meet Old Cen!"
Chai Ying immediately suppressed her hopes and asked, "You're back—how did you go?"
"Just as I expected!" Zhang Anping said slowly, "Old Mao went, and the section chief also sent someone!"
Mao Renfeng personally led a group to Linggu Temple, which was within Zhang Anping's expectations.
Whether the section chief would send someone was Zhang Anping's main concern.
The result was that the section chief sent someone instead!
The conclusion is clear: the section chief is a seasoned politician—thus completing the final piece of Zhang Anping's understanding of the section chief.
This is important, as it relates to the specific variables within Zhang Anping's scheme involving the section chief.
Unaware of Zhang Anping's thoughts, Chai Ying asked with trepidation, "Won't something go wrong?"
“No!” Zhang Anping answered with certainty: “No matter how you investigate, it matches the process I provided.”
It wasn't that Zhang Anping's "truth" was flawless; Wang Tianfeng's "cooperation" was the key.
"That's good—you and Mo Yi should hurry back, it's almost 6:30."
Faced with Chai Ying's urging, Zhang Anping smiled wryly and said:
"I have other things to do."
"Very important!"
Chai Ying's expression immediately turned serious. Zeng Moyi, who had just finished washing her hands, immediately said, "I'll go outside to keep watch."
Zhang Anping nodded in agreement, and after Zeng Moyi left, he said in a deep voice:
"Acting Chief of Staff Li has resolved to allow the Kuomintang's judicial system to release arrested political prisoners, patriotic students, patriotic figures from all parties, and our comrades who have been arrested!"
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this resolution will be announced after the new year."
Chai Ying was delighted upon hearing this: "It seems that Chief Attendant Li is truly willing to negotiate peace!"
Zhang Anping shook his head:
"Sister Chai, you overestimate the Kuomintang!"
"Although I don't know their bottom line, I can guess it—to divide the country along the river and retain the army!"
"They're still dreaming of making a comeback!"
As he finished speaking, Zhang Anping couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
Think beautiful!
Chai Ying rarely showed a smirk. Although she didn't have a deep understanding of politics, she had no doubt about Zhang Anping's judgment.
She joked about herself:
"I thought they had come to terms with reality and wanted to follow Fu Huabei's example."
Because Chai Ying was the core deputy of the No. 2 intelligence group, she was very clear about the current situation of the Kuomintang army.
There are still elite troops in the Kuomintang army today, that's for sure, but they can't compare to those at the beginning of the civil war!
A world of difference.
And what about our army?
It's a huge difference, but it's a positive one!
With such a massive increase versus such a massive decrease, what chance did the Kuomintang army have of winning?
Therefore, she felt that the Kuomintang should face reality.
Zhang Anping shook his head: "How can they face reality if we don't completely defeat them? The peaceful liberation of Beiping, in the end, is because we have the ability to easily take Beiping with ease! In addition, Fu Huabei ultimately couldn't bear to see Beiping affected by the war, so he finally chose to peacefully accept the reorganization."
After learning and digesting the information, Chai Ying said, "Regardless of Li Dai's considerations, his attitude is still commendable. In the past year or so, the Kuomintang has gone into a final frenzy, arresting far too many democrats and patriotic students. Releasing them on this occasion is ultimately a good thing for the country!"
Zhang Anping revealed a hint of embarrassment:
"This is indeed a good thing, but there has been a slight hiccup—Li, the acting chief of staff, communicated with the section chief, hoping that the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Bureau of Party Affairs could cooperate with him. The section chief asked me for advice on this matter, and I..."
Zhang Anping paused for a moment before offering his "plan".
After listening, Chai Ying looked at Zhang Anping speechlessly, but she naturally did not complain. She understood Zhang Anping's situation and knew his character well—Zhang Anping did offer a vicious plan, but he must have countermeasures!
So she asked, "How do we break this deadlock?"
"What do you think about having Qiu Ning evacuate?"
Chai Ying immediately understood Zhang Anping's meaning: "You want Mao Renfeng to take the blame, right?"
"Well, after I offered my suggestion, Mao Renfeng was afraid that I would be in charge of this matter, so she took it away from me. Moreover, the director didn't want me to do this kind of murderous work, so he went along with it and dumped everything on Mao Renfeng."
Zhang Anping couldn't help but laugh when he thought of Mao Renfeng's eagerness to claim credit.
If he doesn't fight for it, his own performance will be really difficult to execute—although in the end, Mao will definitely take the blame.
Chai Ying didn't know why Zhang Anping was smiling, but she was undoubtedly more at ease. She asked curiously, "How exactly do you plan to proceed?"
"Regarding the execution, I plan to have two options: have the Guangxi clique intervene to rescue the person—if they can be rescued, that would be best; if not..."
Zhang Anping said firmly, "Then let's use the fake death drug!"
Those who could be included in the execution list by the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics must be staunch Party members like Yuan Nong. They will surely be the backbone of the new China in the future. Under no circumstances should such comrades be slaughtered!
anyway!
Chai Ying understood that Zhang Anping's firm stance stemmed from his fear of her opposition. After a moment of deep thought, she said in a low voice:
"I agree! But could the specifics of the operation be delegated to Comrade Qiu Ning? You need to remain anonymous in this matter!"
The matter of the fake death drug has been exposed, and this time it will be used on a large scale. The consequences of large-scale use are difficult to assess. If there is any oversight that implicates Zhang Anping, then the problem will be huge!
Zhang Anping understood Chai Ying's concerns and naturally did not object:
"Let Comrade Qiu Ning handle it. I can take the opportunity to squeeze some money out of Mao Renfeng. This guy has taken too many benefits from the Second Department, so I can take them all this time."
A strange image involuntarily appeared in Chai Ying's mind:
A squirrel worked hard all year, stockpiling a large amount of supplies for the winter. Just as winter was approaching, an "evil" hand reached out and swept away all the squirrel's stockpiled supplies...
My apologies, how could I have imagined Anping as this evil hand?
Despite feeling guilty, Chai Ying couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Mao Renfeng, this is really...too difficult!!
Zhang Anping looked at Chai Ying speechlessly. "Laugh if you want to—I want to laugh too, but I just don't feel guilty!"
Why should I feel guilty about messing with Mao Renfeng?
In the original timeline, if there were a system of slow slicing, Mao Renfeng would be the kind of person who could endure 3,600 cuts on the slow slicing rack!
In this timeline, Mao Renfeng, at worst after my "saving" him, would just be beheaded, so how could I feel guilty about harming him?
Suppressing a laugh, Chai Ying asked Zhang Anping, "The remaining two suggestions are even easier to deal with, right?"
Zhang Anping shrugged. "Of course!"
The so-called letter of repentance and the so-called mixing of sand will inevitably be handled by Mao Renfeng's current "Zifang" Qiu Ning. When Qiu Ning's identity is exposed, there will be no need for any cover-up!
"I understand—I'll go see Comrade Qiu Ning tonight and discuss it with him."
"Tomorrow! Mao Renfeng will probably have to communicate with the Suppression of Rebellion Brigade tonight, and he won't see Qiu Ning until tomorrow. You can contact him then."
Chai Ying nodded, her admiration for Zhang Anping deepening. Even at this moment, Zhang Anping remained the most composed—if she went to find Qiu Ning tonight and discussed this matter with him before Mao Renfeng, Qiu Ning would inevitably instinctively consider one thing:
The source of his information is extremely high-level!
Furthermore, given Zhang Anping's confident assertion today that he and Mao Renfeng share a Communist connection, Qiu Ning is highly likely to make assumptions. Although she has no doubt about Qiu Ning's party affiliation, this is still a risk!
Zhang Anping had clearly taken this into consideration.
"Mo Yi and I are heading back now—Sister Chai, this should be the last New Year you spend hiding your identity!"
Believe me! Next year will definitely be a different year!
After Zhang Anping and Zeng Moyi left, Chai Ying kept hearing Zhang Anping's parting words, and a scene involuntarily surfaced in her mind:
She, Lao Cen, and the Zhang Anping couple, all dressed in People's Liberation Army uniforms, sat around the fireplace chatting on New Year's Eve, a time for family reunions...
The more she thought about it, the more obsessed she became.
I couldn't shake off that image for a long time.
……
During the Lunar New Year, the Zhang family would hold a grand gathering. From the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the Zhang family would be bustling with people. You could even kill at least one officer-level spy by throwing a brick at the Zhang family's house.
But this year, the Zhang family home was extremely quiet. Although Wang Chunlian was not a flatterer, she was extremely worried and frowned at the quiet Lunar New Year's Day.
Finally, he couldn't resist pulling Zhang Anping into the study.
With a worried expression, she asked, "Anping, is the Party and the State doomed?"
Zhang Anping stared at his mother in astonishment, utterly surprised.
Wang Chunlian said with a worried expression, "I am just a woman and do not understand military and national affairs, but I know that your students all obey your orders."
In previous years, they were all there for the New Year, but where are they this year? I asked around, mentioning a few names, and they all looked terrified, unsure how to answer—had they all died for their country?
Zhang Anping remained silent.
“Yes, most of the country is gone. Now we only have the Yangtze River to rely on. Can the Party and the country hold on to Anping? If they can’t, you and your father…”
Wang Chunlian regretted it as soon as she finished speaking.
Zhang Anping comforted his mother:
“Mom, the situation isn’t as bad as you think—didn’t Dad go to Taiwan on business? Taiwan is our escape route.”
Wang Chunlian retorted, "If the entire country is gone, how can we survive on a small island?"
Zhang Anping remained silent.
"Forget it, don't even think about it during the New Year—Anping, I don't understand military and national affairs, but you and your father are the pillars of our family. Your father is used to leaving room for maneuver in his actions, but your personality is just like your uncle's, not at all like your father's. You... for the sake of our family, you must be extremely cautious in the future, understand?"
Wang Chunlian's words finally made Zhang Anping realize that something was wrong.
The Kuomintang's information blockade was no joke, and he and Zhang Guanfu would never discuss national affairs with their mother. Her sudden admonition to be "extremely cautious" was clearly a reminder to him.
Leave a way out!
This……
It's highly likely that one of his comrades infiltrated his mother's inner circle!
Zhang Anping was both amused and exasperated, but he had no choice but to use his hands to press his mother down on the chair.
"Mom, tell me the truth, who told you all this!"
Wang Chunlian, who dared to stand up to Dai Chunfeng head-on, hesitated when faced with her son's gaze, saying evasively, "I... I thought of it myself."
"mom!"
"You should know who I am! Some things concern my life and death! You can't lie to me!"
Seeing how serious Zhang Anping was, Wang Chunlian visibly panicked. After hesitating for a moment, she finally revealed the simplified "truth":
“It was Mrs. Wang—when I went to her house before, one of her friends talked about these things, and I listened for quite a while.”
"By the way, Mrs. Li and her family at the end of the alley said something similar. In the end, it's just that we women gossip about this."
Zhang Anping understood that this wasn't gossip at all; rather, his comrades were starting to take this "wife route"!
United Front!
Zhang Anping understood that this must be the work of the United Front. Upon further reflection, he even suspected that the release resolution signed by Li, the acting chief of staff, was very likely the result of the Party's secret United Front work.
Only after locking himself alone in his study did Zhang Anping smile brightly:
"interesting!"
……
Compared to the quiet and deserted Zhang family, the Mao family was naturally bustling with people coming and going.
Although the Kuomintang's defeat was obvious to the naked eye, not everyone has eyes—moreover, many people simply cannot see far ahead.
Of course, it is more likely that their inner fears blinded them, and they were only willing to believe the "truth" that they wanted to see.
What they want to see as the "truth" is:
The People's Liberation Army will never cross the Yangtze River!
Against this backdrop, Mao Renfeng, who had purged the headquarters, naturally found his home bustling with people coming and going.
In fact, ever since Mao Renfeng became the director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, his family has never been quiet during the Spring Festival, but Mao Renfeng is especially happy today.
Because Zhang Anping's house is deserted!
The Zhang family's house was deserted, which contrasted sharply with the Mao family's bustling atmosphere—it felt quite nice!
It's incredibly comfortable!
But at this very moment, Qiu Ning, whom he relied on as "Zifang," came to his door with a somber expression.
Qiu Ning casually tossed the New Year's gifts he was carrying to the agent in charge of registration, and after finding out Mao Renfeng's location, went straight to Mao Renfeng:
"Chief, I have something important to report."
Mao Renfeng nodded almost imperceptibly, signaling Qiu Ning to go to the study first. He continued to "take care" of the subordinates who came to pay their respects for the New Year. After a while, he finally found an opportunity and quietly went to the study.
Facing Qiu Ning's solemn expression, Mao Renfeng felt a chill run down her spine and asked, "What happened?"
Qiu Ning reported: "It's a matter in the secretariat—Zhao Weiheng, the head of the confidential section, has been secretly interrogating underground party member Yuan Nong at Tiger Bridge Prison since the day before yesterday."
"Yuan Nong?" Mao Renfeng thought for a moment before saying, "If I remember correctly, he was a Communist Party member that Wang Tianfeng caught? He was a die-hard, wasn't he?"
Qiu Ning seized the opportunity to flatter him: "Director, you have a good memory! I only found out after going through the files."
Mao Renfeng asked curiously, "Why would Zhao Weiheng, the head of the confidential section, be investigating underground party members?"
"This is also what puzzled me, so I took the liberty of conducting a secret investigation. Please forgive me, Director."
Mao Renfeng waved his hand: "You, don't be so cautious. This is your job—tell me, what did you find out?"
“Zhao Weiheng has a mistress, she works for the Party’s intelligence bureau, and her code name is ‘Razor’.”
Snapped
Mao Renfeng slammed her hand on the table in anger: "You traitor!"
He was a seasoned veteran of political struggles, and although he repeatedly suffered setbacks at Zhang Anping's hands, his sense of smell was exceptionally sharp.
The mistress is a female agent of the Party's intelligence bureau, and she is secretly investigating the underground party members arrested by Zhang's faction—this is clearly working for the Party's intelligence bureau, using the resources of the secret service to work for the Party's intelligence bureau, the credit goes to the Party's intelligence bureau, and if any problems arise, it's all her fault!
He was naturally angry.
Qiu Ning said at the opportune moment:
"Furthermore, according to my understanding, Zhao Weiheng plans to secretly send his mistress back to her parents' home tonight, and has already found someone to help him—I suspect there's more to it than meets the eye."
"Investigate!" Mao Renfeng coldly ordered, "Investigate thoroughly! I want to see what this traitorous bastard is up to!"
"Yes!"
Qiu Ning was about to take his leave when Mao Renfeng stopped him:
"Wait a minute—there's something I was planning to ask you to do, and you're here just in time!"
"You can do this as well." (End of Chapter)