Chapter 974
Everything is ready except for the east wind
Let's go back an hour.
Zhang Anping, who has made a triumphant return, is undoubtedly the focus of attention at this time—especially after Wang Tianfeng left the bureau's meeting room in a daze.
As a sworn enemy, Mao Renfeng had been waiting for Zhang Anping to order the release of Minglou, but he waited and waited and never saw Zhang Anping come out of his office.
Furthermore, since Shen Zui had been staying in Zhang Anping's office, Mao Renfeng guessed that Zhang Anping was reviewing the events that had occurred in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics during this period.
"His sense of smell is really sharp! He hasn't even figured out anything yet, but he's already grasped the key point about Ming Lou... So, he should be meeting Ming Lou next, right?"
Thinking of this, Mao Renfeng immediately had an idea and had a tea set specially prepared and sent to the detention room—he wanted to talk to Minglou first and discuss how to ruthlessly kill Zhang Anping!
That's right, it's a brutal slaughter.
Having orchestrated the murder of Ming Jing, a well-known "Iron Lady" in Shanghai's business world, would not be a good thing for Zhang Anping if this were to be exposed, a fact that Mao Renfeng was well aware of.
He had this card in his hand, but he couldn't play it!
This was top-secret intelligence from the Military Intelligence Bureau. He had deduced it from Dai Chunfeng's words during a conversation years ago. He had this card in his hand but couldn't use it before, firstly because he lacked evidence, and secondly because the consequences of leaking it would be too severe for him.
But now things are different. Zhang Anping's right-hand man, Wang Tianfeng, has personally admitted to the matter, which is tantamount to solid evidence.
In theory, he could make an issue of this!
However, he cannot do that.
Minglou was his right-hand man. Once the news of Mingjing's death got out, it would have a significant impact on Minglou, and his transfer from the Security Bureau would be a certainty.
This is tantamount to losing a key general.
Secondly, although this matter will cause trouble for Zhang Anping, it is only trouble. Even if the trouble is not small, it will not be able to defeat Zhang Anping in the end.
On the contrary, this kind of thing would make Zhang Anping even more favored by the chief attendant.
Don't forget that Zhang Anping was a spy chief!
In conclusion, it seems we can draw the following conclusion:
Zhang Anping is beyond our control in this matter.
But that's not the case at all!
Because now there is a very crucial issue—Zhang Anping, who has returned from the United States, will definitely rejoin the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, a point that Mao Renfeng was very certain of from the beginning.
However, if Zhang Anping is caught in a media storm because of the Mingjing incident, then the chief attendant, for the sake of his own reputation, must temporarily suppress Zhang Anping and not allow him to return to the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics so quickly.
The reason is simple: the chief attendant must have a dual role—on the surface, he must oppose and be angry at Zhang Anping's murder of Mingjing, even if he secretly agrees with it.
Generally speaking, Zhang Anping can afford to wait.
However, the current situation makes it impossible for Zhang Anping to wait—the situation in the Northeast is in such a state of disarray, and the situation in other places is not much better. In addition, Zhang's faction is being pressured and harassed by Mao's faction. At this time, Zhang Anping must be anxious to return to the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics to serve the Party and the country.
This is the source of Mao Renfeng's confidence in controlling Zhang Anping!
……
Detention cell.
Mao Renfeng saw Minglou staring blankly at the tea set.
Upon seeing Mao Renfeng enter, Minglou quickly stood up and asked in confusion, "Director, what's this...?"
"Have some tea—don't move, I'll pour it for you."
After slowly pouring Minglou a cup of tea, Mao Renfeng said directly:
You heard that, right?
Minglou nodded without hiding anything.
In fact, the moment the decision was made in the bureau's meeting room, someone in the detention room immediately tipped off Minglou. This had nothing to do with their real identities; it was purely out of self-preservation—if Minglou held a grudge against them in the detention room, killing them would be no different than crushing ants.
"That bastard surnamed Zhang won't let you get away from the Northeast so easily!"
Faced with Mao Renfeng's resentful criticism, Minglou said with a wry smile:
"We planned everything, but we didn't expect him to come at the crucial moment. All our efforts were in vain!"
“Lou, there is actually a way right now, but... I’m afraid you won’t be able to accept it.”
Minglou asked in confusion:
"Minglou is dull-witted, please enlighten me, Director."
Mao Renfeng patted Minglou and said softly:
"We publicly deny what Wang Tianfeng said last night..."
Upon hearing this, Minglou's breathing immediately became heavy, and his eyes involuntarily reddened. He looked at Mao Renfeng and said in disbelief:
"Director, this..."
"Minglou has been waiting for this day for a long time!"
"Please forgive me, Director, but Minglou... really can't do it!"
Despite opposing Mao Renfeng's words, it only made Mao Renfeng appreciate and love Minglou even more.
It is obvious that after Mao Renfeng told Minglou the truth about Mingjing's death, Minglou kept quiet because he did not want to involve the person who told him the truth.
Now that such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has presented itself, Minglou is naturally not going to let it slip away.
Even if it goes against one's own will.
But surprisingly, Mao Renfeng wasn't angry at all about this defiance!
"Lou, I know the knot in your heart, but..."
Mao Renfeng said slowly, "But no matter how big this matter gets, will it really make Zhang pay the price? Will it really allow you to get your revenge?"
Upon hearing this, Minglou sat down listlessly, lost in thought and remaining silent for a long time.
"Dealing with him is never a matter of a day or two. You and I have endured the lowest point, and we have endured Zhang Anping's period of great power and influence. Now you want to fight him to the death, can you win?"
Seeing Minglou close his eyes in pain, Mao Renfeng added another handful of firewood and whispered:
"Even if we expose this now and cause a huge uproar, it will only slow down Zhang Anping's return to headquarters. In my opinion, it's a complete loss!"
"Why not take this opportunity to carve a piece of flesh out of Zhang Anping and extricate yourself from the vortex in Northeast China? What do you think?"
After he finished speaking, he nervously watched Minglou's expression.
Minglou remained silent for a long time, his face filled with resentment at the unfulfilled hatred and deep inner turmoil. After a long while, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Minglou, I will follow the Director's lead..."
Mao Renfeng patted Minglou's hand and solemnly said to him:
"Lou, don't worry! You and I are brothers. Your enemy who killed your sister is also my enemy who killed my sister!"
"This grudge is not something we will not avenge, but rather the time is not yet ripe!"
"You just wait, when we find an opportunity, we'll definitely make Zhang Anping..."
"A blood debt must be paid in blood!"
Minglou gritted his teeth and squeezed out four words:
"A blood debt...a blood debt must be repaid!"
……
Time has turned back.
In the detention cell, facing Zhang Anping, who had coldly declared that the fight was over and there was no turning back, Mao Renfeng said quietly:
"Special Envoy Zhang, did you come to see Ming Lou just to threaten him?"
"Ok?"
The address "Special Envoy Zhang" was Mao Renfeng's deliberate emphasis on Zhang Anping's current predicament.
The "hmm" he uttered after speaking was his signal—talk was possible! Zhang Anping naturally received the signal. He slowly shifted his gaze to Mao Renfeng, and after a brief silence, said:
"Wang Tianfeng will be transferred out of the Security Bureau."
Faced with Zhang Anping's offer, Mao Renfeng scoffed:
"Zhang Anping, let's not beat around the bush between us—Wang Tianfeng, can he still stay in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics?"
Zhang Anping narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a cold voice, "What do you want?"
"First, Minglou must be transferred away from the Northeast immediately..."
Before Mao Renfeng could finish speaking, Zhang Anping resolutely refused:
"impossible!"
"Changing generals in the middle of battle is a cardinal sin in military strategy! The current Northeast Security System cannot function without Minglou—if he were to leave, the Northeast Security Bureau would immediately descend into chaos! Absolutely not!"
Mao Renfeng understood Zhang Anping's words perfectly. In fact, from the moment Minglou said last night that they could take the opportunity to withdraw from the Northeast, Mao Renfeng could guess with her eyes closed that Zhang Anping would vehemently oppose it from a strategic perspective.
But what he said was nothing more than the "demolition effect" often used in negotiations.
Upon hearing Zhang Anping's words, Mao Renfeng immediately said:
"The war in Northeast China is over, Minglou is withdrawing! You'll be in charge of the undercover operation!"
The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Party Communications Bureau, these two intelligence agencies, had no decent achievements in infiltration within the liberated areas. Mao Renfeng's words were clearly an attempt to dump a mess.
Zhang Anping clenched his fists, took a deep breath to calm his anger, and then responded coldly with a single word:
"it is good!"
After saying that, he got up to leave, looking as if he had already reached an agreement and that he felt disgusted just looking at them.
"Wait!"
Mao Renfeng gave a mocking smile:
"Special Envoy Zhang, do you think it's so easy to reach an agreement?"
Zhang Anping suddenly turned his head, his icy gaze fixed on Mao Renfeng: "What do you mean!"
Mao Renfeng was quite pleased to see Zhang Anping lose his composure. He said quietly:
"Secondly, I want a position—Deputy Station Master of Shanghai Station!"
Shanghai, that's Zhang Anping's old lair!
Faced with Mao Renfeng's malicious intent to extend his reach into his own backyard, Zhang Anping's anger completely dissipated. He straightened his military uniform and slowly said:
"If you want war, then let's fight!"
Mao Renfeng didn't expect Zhang Anping to refuse to even discuss this condition, so she quickly changed her tune:
"Then let's change it—I want special armed forces!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Anping's lips twitched noticeably.
As is well known, the special armed forces were established by Zhang Anping in imitation of the Loyal Salvation Army. He painstakingly obtained both the personnel and the pay.
As a result, Mao Renfeng and Zheng Yaoxian conspired to set a trap, turning the situation into a "self-inflicted wound."
When Mao and Zheng turned against each other, Mao Renfeng took over Zheng Yaoxian's stronghold, the Henan secret service, from Zheng Yaoxian. In return, Zheng Yaoxian removed all of Mao Renfeng's confidants from the special armed forces and turned this armed force, which Zhang Anping had personally built, into his own loyal followers.
Faced with Mao Renfeng's words, Zhang Anping could only grit his teeth and say, "Go find Zheng Yaoxian and talk to him!"
"I'll talk—but don't cause trouble!"
Zhang Anping frowned and said, "Mao Renfeng, the situation of the Party and the country is so difficult now, is it meaningful for you to insist on fighting for power and profit?"
Minglou, who had maintained a stern expression throughout, was nearly brought to his breaking point by this single sentence.
Anping, oh Anping, I... I still can't believe we're actually comrades!
Mao Renfeng was enraged by Zhang Anping's attitude and said angrily, "Zhang Anping, stop pretending to be a big shot!"
"It's none of your business to tell me what to do!"
Zhang Anping snorted: "I don't care if you and Zheng Yaoxian fight like dogs—but don't let it affect the grand plan of the Party and the country!"
Mao Renfeng was overjoyed by the agreement—Zhang Anping was not from Shanxi, but he was even more stingy. It was too difficult to get anything out of Zhang Anping, as evidenced by his intense reaction to the earlier probing.
Therefore, he activated the second contingency plan—to capture Zheng Yaoxian and take control of the special forces!
A special forces unit of over 10,000 people is ultimately a vital force; these days, having soldiers and guns is the key to success.
However, he naturally wanted to try and take a few more bites of meat, but before he could even utter a word, Zhang Anping angrily said:
"You dare say a third and see what happens!"
Seeing Zhang Anping's menacing glint, Mao Renfeng abandoned her plan to take another bite. Zhang Anping then gave up, abandoning any pretense of politeness, and turned to leave. But at this moment, Minglou spoke up:
"Third, Mingtai is being transferred to the Northeast—you must personally sign off on his release!"
Minglou is clearly provoking us. Didn't you say, "Dare to say you're third and see what happens?"
I'll give it a try!
I'm not only going to try, I also want you to personally sign off on releasing them!
Zhang Anping gave Minglou a deep look, then shook his head:
“Mingtai cannot go to the Northeast—” He then looked at Mao Renfeng:
"The person is in your hands now!"
This time, he finally turned and left undisturbed.
Minglou seemed to be angered by Zhang Anping's attitude. He stood up to call out to Zhang Anping, but Mao Renfeng stopped him. Only after Zhang Anping's footsteps had faded into the distance did he say:
"You know the situation in Northeast China. Your brother is seriously injured. How will he recover in the Northeast? Let him stay in Nanjing. With me watching over him, what are you worried about?"
Seemingly fearing that Minglou might mistakenly believe she was trying to use Mingtai as a "hostage," Mao Renfeng added:
"Wang Tianfeng was transferred, wasn't he? This time, the section chief will never trust him again. Once your third brother recovers from his injuries, it'll be a good time to settle scores—this time, Zhang Anping won't protect this madman anymore. It's time to settle the score!"
As he finished speaking, Mao Renfeng's expression turned sinister, and a fierce killing intent flashed in his eyes.
Mao Renfeng has never forgotten the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Wang Tianfeng!
The dignified director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics was accused by his subordinates of being a suspected communist sympathizer. This humiliation must be repaid with Wang Tianfeng's blood!
Seeing this, Minglou seemed to agree and solemnly nodded, agreeing to leave Mingtai in Nanjing.
……
With the completion of this "deal" with Mao Renfeng, Zhang Anping's scheme—no, to be precise, the one he had been planning for at least three years—has now taken complete shape!
The outcome certainly differed somewhat from the initial calculations, but his overall strategic intent was fully realized:
"Forced" Ming Lou to rebel, "forced" Zheng Yaoxian to rebel.
As for Mingtai staying in Nanjing, this was actually something Zhang Anping deliberately orchestrated.
There are two reasons.
First, Minglou's high regard for Mingtai necessitates that Mingtai become a hostage!
Given Wang Tianfeng's accusation that Ming Lou was a communist sympathizer, Zhang Anping had no choice but to protect him since he couldn't replace him on the spot. However, without taking corresponding actions, the flaws would be too great.
Of course, Zhang Anping also made thorough preparations—handing Mingtai over to Mao Renfeng!
If Mingtai disappears, the blame will fall on Mao Renfeng.
When it comes to shifting blame, Mao Renfeng is always a junior compared to Zhang Anping!
The second reason for keeping Mingtai alive was to deal with Wang Tianfeng.
Wang Tianfeng must die. If he doesn't die, he will cause a disaster sooner or later, even if he's not in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics. What's more, his hands are stained with the blood of his comrades.
During his time as deputy director, he captured several undercover comrades, and three others sacrificed their lives to protect the safety of others.
Blood debts must be repaid in blood!
The safest approach is to have Mingtai carry out Mao Renfeng's intentions and ultimately eliminate Minglou.
Even if problems arise, it's impossible for Zhang Anping to be implicated.
Zhang Anping, who had not yet left his detention cell, looked out through the window where the setting sun was streaming in and thought to himself:
[Everything is truly ready; now we just need... the favorable winds of the three major campaigns!] (End of Chapter)