Chapter 965
: The Art of Winning Hearts and Minds
Zhang Anping said, "It's not your fault," and Wang Tianfeng also believed that it was neither his fault nor Zhang Anping's fault.
If there was nothing wrong, why did it end up like this?
Is it because Zhang Anping's methods were too extreme?
But honestly, if we were to face this situation, even if Zhang Anping were replaced by someone else, would we really be able to avoid overreacting?
After a long while, Wang Tianfeng came to a conclusion in a blank expression:
"Only by doing nothing can you avoid making mistakes."
Zhang Anping glanced at Wang Tianfeng without saying a word, but he was satisfied with the current result. He was definitely going to take sick leave again. Wang Tianfeng had now gained the director's trust, and with his recommendation, he would definitely have to temporarily take over his position. Moreover, he had given Wang so much encouragement, so the struggle between Wang and Mao Renfeng would definitely be even more intense.
Old Wang, who is ruthless in his methods, is definitely no match for Mao Renfeng. Let Mao Renfeng take his time to show his abilities. Before Mao Renfeng falls into the pit, let him enjoy the feeling of being the top leader who can do whatever he wants. Consider it a consolation prize.
"Old Wang—" Zhang Anping took a deep breath:
"The current situation is at a critical juncture. After you take over, you should prioritize unity. The interests of the Party and the country are above all else! Do you understand?"
Staring blankly at Zhang Anping, Wang Tianfeng made no polite gestures and simply nodded slowly after a long while.
Time passed slowly, and a menacing convoy finally stormed into the headquarters of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.
GFB's investigation team!
After seeing the uninvited guests through the window, Zhang Anping stopped his handover with Wang Tianfeng. Turning his gaze away from the window, Zhang Anping suddenly smiled bitterly:
"I always feel like I have endless things to tell you—"
"Actually, it's because I can't bear to give up this power, isn't it?"
Wang Tianfeng seemed to understand something. He stood up, looked out the window, and seeing the procession of servants in the courtyard from his elevated position, he said softly:
"If you hadn't been willing to give up power, you wouldn't have ended up like this now."
"Haha, I'll take that as a compliment!" Zhang Anping laughed and stood up. "I'll go greet them."
Wang Tianfeng didn't say anything, but followed closely behind Zhang Anping. Zhang Anping thought for a moment and stopped him:
“Go to the archives room—I’ve explained so much to you, so take some time to familiarize yourself with the files.”
Going to the archives was just an excuse. Zhang Anping clearly didn't want Wang Tianfeng to meet with the GFB investigation team. In the end, Wang Tianfeng was on the section chief's side and didn't have a real position in the Bureau of Secrecy. The investigation team came with murderous intent, and Wang Tianfeng might be made things difficult for them.
Faced with Zhang Anping, who was still thinking of him, Wang Tianfeng felt a surge of heat throughout his body. He suddenly grabbed Zhang Anping's hand:
"I will keep the secret service safe for you—I know you will come back!"
This abrupt action wouldn't seem particularly abrupt to anyone else, but it was quite unexpected coming from Wang Tianfeng. Even Zhang Anping was taken aback, and he gently squeezed Wang Tianfeng's hand:
"Remember, it's the Party-state's Bureau of Secrecy."
After saying that, he let go of Wang Tianfeng's hand and turned to leave, but when he reached the office door, he stopped.
Just then, the phone rang urgently. Wang Tianfeng thought Zhang Anping wanted to answer it, so he went forward to hand the phone to Zhang Anping, but heard Zhang Anping say:
"Old Wang, that matter... don't make a fuss about it."
After saying this, Zhang Anping strode away.
The phone was still ringing urgently, as if bidding farewell to warriors heading to the battlefield.
Wang Tianfeng stood frozen in his office. He knew that the "matter" Zhang Anping was referring to was the suspected communist collusion among the heads of the secret service bureaus in the three locations and four stations.
I never expected that even now, Zhang Anping would still be thinking of "covering it up"!
Of course, he understood that Zhang Anping's so-called "cover-up" meant that he did not want to make a scene at the GFB—the fact that the heads of the four secret service stations had collectively colluded with the Communists was a scandal that, once exposed, would be tantamount to throwing the secret service's face into the toilet.
It's a toilet that's been accumulating and fermenting for hundreds of years.
To put it another way:
The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (BIS) is a specialized anti-communist agency. If the BIS is exposed for being infiltrated to this extent, coupled with a serious case of wiretapping superiors, those who are dissatisfied with the BIS may stand up and force its abolition.
"It's come to this, and you..."
Wang Tianfeng closed his eyes in anguish. He finally understood why Zhang Anping hadn't considered finding a scapegoat—once a scapegoat was found, the matter would be exposed, and only Zhang Anping himself could use the excuse of political infighting to explain the wiretapping.
It sounds foolish—but when you consider that Zhang Anping was burdened by the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and more importantly, that he was sincerely devoted to Dai Chunfeng, this behavior becomes understandable.
"value……"
He wanted to ask if it was worth it, but just uttering a single word felt like a desecration of Zhang Anping's sincerity.
He then swallowed the rest of his words.
……
Director's Office.
The investigation team went straight to the phone as soon as they entered, and then a specialist took charge of disassembling it. As the phone was disassembled, the wired listening device was revealed to everyone present.
Upon seeing the eavesdropping device clearly, Shen Zui, who accompanied the investigation team, widened his eyes in disbelief that such a deadly device could be removed from Mao Renfeng's office landline.
Who is it?
[The Communist Party...no! 】
[It's...him?!]
The image of Zhang Anping's cold expression flashed through Shen Zui's mind. It must have been Zhang Anping who did it!
General Rong, who led the investigation team, looked at the removed listening device and said with a cold expression:
"Follow the clues to find the source!"
The eavesdropping device is not wireless; you can find the receiver's location by following the wire.
Seeing that the investigation team had already begun to take action, Shen Zui's thoughts were racing. He gritted his teeth and made a decision.
"Keep the change, please!"
"I did it! I did it!"
Shen Zui, who shouted "I did it," was stunned. Everyone present was also stunned, because the words "I did it" came from the doorway, and standing there was none other than Zhang Anping, the deputy director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.
Upon seeing that it was Zhang Anping, a member of the investigation team from GFB, they instinctively made way for him—the members of the investigation team had actually guessed it was Zhang Anping from the beginning, but no one expected that Zhang Anping would step forward on his own before the investigation even started!
This unexpected shock left them with nothing but silence and trepidation.
Zhang Anping was also somewhat surprised at this moment. He did not expect to hear Shen Zui take the blame for this matter.
Zhang Anping glanced at Shen Zui, giving him a stern look, then turned to General Rong, who stood out like a crane among chickens. He smiled and took the initiative to greet him:
"General Rong, it's been a long time."
He had worked with General Rong on official business, but that was only once, and they had no further public interaction.
General Rong sized up the notorious, polarized intelligence chief before him and asked in a questioning tone, "Deputy Director Zhang, what did you just say?!"
General Rong had naturally heard Zhang Anping's previous words; this question was merely an expression of his shock.
Zhang Anping said calmly, "I installed the bugging device in the phone."
"Deputy Director Zhang, do you know what you're admitting?" "General Rong, I, Zhang, have never had the habit of shirking responsibility. What I did, I did. I know what this means—should we put handcuffs on me?!"
Zhang Anping stretched out his hands, which left General Rong completely bewildered. When he came, he guessed that Zhang Anping would definitely throw out a scapegoat, and he was even thinking about how to follow the clues to find Zhang Anping and get rid of this spy chief who made the underground party comrades sleepless.
He had naturally witnessed the situation at the three locations and four stations of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics. On the one hand, he secretly applauded the comrades hidden within the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and on the other hand, he was worried about the comrades at the three locations and four stations. Zhang Anping, the head of the secret service, had personally ordered the capture of so many secret service agents. With such ruthlessness, those comrades were likely to suffer heavy losses.
That's why he took the initiative to stop the task of leading the investigation team in GFB, intending to implicate Zhang Anping after arriving at the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and then protect the safety of the comrades in the three locations and four stations.
But who could have imagined it would go so smoothly?
It went so smoothly that he couldn't believe it!
Seeing Zhang Anping reach out for handcuffs, General Rong could only suppress his turbulent thoughts and then reached out and pressed down Zhang Anping's outstretched hands:
“Deputy Director Zhang, there are probably many misunderstandings here—why don’t you come with me to the GFB?”
"Ah."
Zhang Anping did not refuse.
General Rong suppressed his joy:
"Leave a few people to protect the scene, the rest of you protect Deputy Director Zhang as you return to GFB!"
Shen Zui, who was standing to the side, was completely dumbfounded. He did not expect Zhang Anping to "confess" so easily. He had just decided to take the blame for Zhang Anping because he knew that this matter was of great importance and did not want Zhang Anping to fall in the process. But why did Zhang Anping step forward so easily?
Seeing that Zhang Anping, accompanied by General Rong, was about to turn and leave, he disregarded the large crowd and shouted:
"District Chief—what about the matters at the bureau?"
He had never addressed Zhang Anping as "District Chief" before, even though he had wanted to for a long time. However, he was not one of Zhang Anping's close associates. Although he enjoyed Zhang Anping's deep trust, he lacked the experience of the Shanghai district and was not qualified to be called "District Chief".
But now he feels he is qualified, and he is using this form of address as a statement and an implication:
I belong to you!
Zhang Anping stopped, slowly turned around, and looked at Shen Zui seriously:
"Obey orders and follow commands!"
Obey orders? Follow commands?
Shen Zui looked completely bewildered. This wasn't the answer I wanted—you should tell me whose opinion to listen to next!
Zhang Anping did not explain to Shen Zui's doubts. Accompanied by General Rong, he walked out of the director's office, surrounded by members of the investigation team. Shen Zui instinctively followed, but unexpectedly saw a figure standing alone at the end of the corridor.
It's Wang Tianfeng, who's come back from the dead!
He and Wang Tianfeng were close friends, but he was kept in the dark about Wang Tianfeng's faked death from beginning to end. Even after Wang Tianfeng "came back to life," he never contacted him again. Shen was not stupid, and he guessed that Wang Tianfeng had probably labeled him as someone to be investigated. He knew Wang Tianfeng's character well, so he was not angry, but he also did not go out of his way to make things difficult for him.
But when he saw Wang Tianfeng, he realized that Wang Tianfeng probably knew something. After glancing at the line heading towards the stairs, Shen Zui quickened his pace, bypassed the line, and walked straight towards Wang Tianfeng.
Upon seeing Wang Tianfeng's deathly expression, Shen Zui suppressed his anger and said:
"Did you do this? Is the district commander taking the blame for you?!"
What's incredibly audacious is that Shen knew Wang Tianfeng was capable of doing it.
Wang Tianfeng said calmly, "No."
Shen leaned weakly against the wall:
"Why did this happen out of nowhere!"
Wang Tianfeng looked at Shen Zui with a questioning gaze:
"What happened out of the blue?"
The questioning look left Shen Zui speechless. The things that had happened to the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics in the past few days were completely different from the phrase "for no reason".
"I...I was going to take it on just now." Shen Zui looked at the line that had disappeared at the stairwell, and at the bewildered heads peeking out from the office doors, and said blankly:
“But Qu Zuo himself stepped forward—he shouldn’t have stepped forward.”
Wang Tianfeng gave Shen Zui a deep look and said slowly:
"The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics...is he...a burden?"
burden?
Shen Zui looked at Wang Tianfeng with a completely bewildered expression, not understanding why Wang Tianfeng would say such a thing.
……
The agents and staff of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics saw the footage of their Deputy Director Zhang being arrested once again.
This is the second time!
Although it wasn't clear that Zhang Anping had been arrested this time, the manner in which the investigation team acted made it clear that this wasn't protection, but rather an escort.
why?
why!
Everyone watched this scene with hesitation, surprise, confusion, and bewilderment. Even after the convoy sped away, they were still in shock.
Here we go again!
This is on almost everyone's mind.
But the answer came quickly.
"They've been eavesdropping on Director Mao?!"
hiss--
Countless agents and staff gasped in shock, thinking to themselves, "Commander Zhang is indeed Commander Zhang; only he could do something like this!"
This is even more ferocious than Sun Wukong's havoc in Heaven!
But why are you listening in?
Once this question arose, no one needed to explain it, and no one dared to explain it.
The people in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics are not blind or deaf.
Let's see what's happened at the headquarters of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics in the past few days.
First, a full investigation team was dispatched, but before we could figure out why the investigation team was sent out, the headquarters was immediately sealed off.
At the time, people even thought that Zhang Anping was going to use force to deal with Mao Renfeng!
The results of it?
The result was Zhang Anping's furious roar coming from the small conference room!
Even the most scattered pieces of information are enough to send shivers down one's spine.
Later, news from the three locations and four stations, coupled with the current wiretapping of Mao Renfeng, brought back Wang Tianfeng's roar to their minds once again.
[Mao Renfeng, I suspect you are the underground Communist Party spy hidden in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics!]
Clearly, it was this suspicion that prompted Zhang Anping to eavesdrop on Mao Renfeng!
hiss--
Upon considering this possibility, everyone at headquarters involuntarily gasped once again.
true and false?
But does the truth or the falsehood really matter?
Whether it's true or not, this matter won't reach the higher-ups, but it absolutely cannot be hidden within the entire Bureau of Investigation and Statistics system and the entire Kuomintang government's task force system.
In the future, someone will surely shout:
"Even the head of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics is a communist sympathizer, what the hell are we risking our lives for!"
This statement not only saved many spies from public trial and execution, but also ensured that many arrested comrades would not be consumed by flames before dawn!
This was precisely the "gift package" that Zhang Anping, adept at killing multiple birds with one stone, had prepared for the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Nationalist government's intelligence system. (End of Chapter)