Chapter 1411
The Dali Division Takes Action! A Shocking Conspiracy Lies Behind Luo Fei's Arrest
Su Muchen's gaze deepened.
"There must be more to this than meets the eye."
Rumors and speculations about the Counterintelligence Bureau spread rapidly through various channels within relevant circles, like an invisible net.
Those deliberately amplified and manipulated "suspicious points" were brought to the forefront one by one.
"Think about it, wasn't Director Luo only gone a short while before the attack happened on the night of the incident at the training center? The timing is too coincidental, isn't it?"
"It's not just about the timing. Do you remember those two Japanese prisoners you captured before? Sato and Yamaya Masako. Luo Fei personally handled their interrogation and detention. Yamaya Masako had a tracking device on her. As the director of the National Security Bureau, wouldn't Luo Fei have considered that? Was he deliberately leaving a gap when he left the base, making it easier for the enemy to locate and launch a surprise attack?"
These voices started as whispers, but soon someone "dug up" more so-called "clues".
"Do you all remember the kidnapping case where Luo Fei tried to save Director Lei's grandson? The kidnappers were very well hidden back then. How did Luo Fei manage to get that desperate criminal to talk in such a short time?"
"It's said that they used... actresses from Japan to seduce her?"
"Seduction? Ha, how could a proper policeman get involved with people in the Japanese entertainment industry? And how could he find a suitable person to cooperate with so quickly? What is the background of that actress? Could she have been in contact with Luo Fei all along? Did the kidnapper really fall for a trap, or... was it all part of a pre-arranged play?"
These so-called "suspicious points," pieced together, distorted, and deliberately exaggerated, have gradually woven together a criminal web pointing to Luo Fei's "collusion with the enemy" with the help of those with ulterior motives.
Lei Wanting sat in his somewhat deserted office, the ash from his cigarette puffing up in his hand oblivious to his surroundings.
On the table was a briefing that had just been delivered regarding Luo Fei's arrest, along with a directive from a higher level demanding a "thorough investigation."
His weathered face seemed to have deepened with wrinkles overnight.
He trusted Luo Fei as he trusted the soldiers he had personally trained, as he trusted his own nephews and nieces. Lei Wanting knew better than anyone everything this young man had done for the country over the years, everything he had endured, and the price he had paid.
To say he's a traitor? That's more absurd than saying the sun rises in the west.
but.
The instructions from above were strongly worded and followed proper procedures. The involvement of the "Counter-Espionage Investigation Bureau" means that this matter has been classified as falling under the highest level of security review.
In this system, procedures are rules, and orders are orders. Even though Lei Wanting was a former director and the main military liaison in this incident, he had no right to directly oppose the operation of the highest security oversight procedures.
He sighed heavily, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, picked up the encrypted phone on the table, and dialed the person in charge of the case—Duan Zhenggang of the Counter-Espionage Investigation Bureau.
When the call connected, Duan Zhenggang's calm yet somewhat weary voice came from the other end.
"Old Lei, I knew you would call."
"Zheng Gang".
Lei Wanting said in a deep voice.
"What exactly happened with Luo Fei? When did your counter-espionage bureau become so efficient in handling cases? You dared to arrest someone just because the evidence was conclusive?"
Duan Zhenggang was silent for two seconds, seemingly choosing his words.
"Mr. Lei, to be honest, I haven't had a chance to officially take over here yet."
Lei Wanting frowned.
"What do you mean? The arrest warrant was stamped by your counterintelligence bureau, and your people took the person away. What do you mean you haven't officially taken over yet?"
Duan Zhenggang lowered his voice.
"The person had barely entered our counter-espionage bureau's courtyard, hadn't even had a chance to sit down, when the Dali Division's people arrived with higher-level documents and took him away. The case is no longer in our hands. I can only cooperate."
Dali Division.
These three words made Lei Wanting's pupils shrink suddenly.
Of course he knew about the Dali Division. It was a secret agency directly under the highest level of the cabinet, specifically responsible for monitoring the national security system and even top officials. It had immense authority, operated in secrecy, and rarely appeared in the public eye.
Even Duan Zhenggang, the head of the counter-espionage investigation bureau, was bypassed, and Luo Fei's case was directly taken over by the Dali Division. What this means is self-evident.
Lei Wanting put down the phone, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table, his eyes growing increasingly serious.
He stood up abruptly, grabbed his coat from the hanger, and strode out of the office.
This matter has gone beyond his ability to handle on his own. He must see someone immediately.
On the outskirts of Beijing, there is a quiet and heavily guarded military sanatorium.
Grand Secretary Wei has been busy with official duties lately, and his old injury has recurred, so he is currently recuperating here for a short period of time.
But Lei Wanting's arrival completely shattered this peaceful period of recuperation.
"What? What did you say?!"
Grand Secretary Wei was sitting in a rattan chair in his study. Upon hearing Lei Wanting's words, he suddenly sat up straight and slammed his hand heavily on the mahogany tea table next to him, making the teacups jump.
"Dali Si took him away? Luo Fei? A traitor?"
Grand Secretary Wei's voice grew louder and louder, and his anger was clearly visible on his face.
"Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"
He suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the study, his steps hurried and heavy.
"The Heavenly Secrets Group has just suffered such a heavy blow, and so many young lives have been lost! Instead of investigating the murderers and giving the victims an explanation, we're targeting our own most capable soldiers at this time? And they're even accusing them of 'treason,' a heinous crime? What are they trying to do? This will only cause pain to our loved ones and joy to our enemies! Aren't they afraid of chilling the hearts of the entire army with this self-destructive act?"
Grand Secretary Wei's words were like popping beans, filled with barely suppressed rage. He was a soldier by birth and knew all too well that killing a general in battle was a major taboo in military strategy, let alone using such a morally reprehensible charge against a soldier who had just lost a comrade and was looking for revenge.
Lei Wanting stood to the side, his expression equally grave.
“Your Excellency, things are more complicated than you think. Luo Fei has been directly taken over by the Dali Division, which means that the level of investigation against him has been raised to the highest level. What I am worried about is that this is not just about punishing him.”
He paused, his voice filled with deep worry.
"You know Japan's attitude after the attack on the training center. They denied it on the surface, but they were secretly plotting something. Relations between the two countries have reached a breaking point."
The reason they haven't dared to completely sever ties or launch a larger-scale attack is largely because Luo Fei is still on our side. They are wary of Luo Fei's top-tier combat power and are unsure whether they can withstand his counterattack and retaliation if a full-scale war breaks out.
The so-called "no assassination agreement for high-ranking officials" had long become a dead letter. What truly made them wary was Luo Fei himself. If, at this point, Luo Fei were imprisoned for a long period of time for "treason," or even…
He didn't voice the worst possible outcome, but Grand Secretary Wei already understood.
"The consequences would be unimaginable."
Grand Secretary Wei stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixed on the window, his chest heaving. "Lei Laohu, are you saying that someone is either stupid or malicious to make a move against Luo Fei at this critical juncture? Or perhaps it's not just aimed at Luo Fei, but at us?"
Lei Wanting nodded slowly.
"Your Excellency, you know better than I how much authority it takes to bypass the Counter-Espionage Bureau and directly mobilize the Dali Division to take over the case. Without the direct authorization of the highest level of the Cabinet, the Dali Division would not, and could not, move against Luo Fei."
Grand Secretary Wei turned around abruptly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"You mean... Grand Secretary Kong?"
The Dali Division has always maintained close ties with Kong Shiqing, the Grand Secretary who oversees the internal affairs, national security, and supervisory systems. This is no secret among the higher-ups.
If it really was Grand Secretary Kong who instructed it behind the scenes, then the nature of the whole matter has completely changed.
Grand Secretary Wei's face turned extremely ugly. He strode to his desk, picked up the red secure telephone on the table, and dialed the dedicated line to Grand Secretary Kong's office.
The phone rang a few times before being answered.
However, the person who answered the phone was not Grand Secretary Kong himself, but his confidential secretary.
The voice was respectful, yet carried a formulaic detachment.
"Greetings, Grand Secretary Wei. I am Grand Secretary Kong's secretary. Grand Secretary Kong has suddenly fallen ill today and, following medical advice, has gone to the General Hospital of the Military Region for secret recuperation. He is temporarily unable to handle official business. If there is anything you need, please let me convey your message."
Grand Secretary Wei gripped the microphone tightly, his knuckles turning white.
Feeling unwell? Secretly recuperating?
Of all times?
He took a deep breath, suppressing his almost bursting anger, and said in a deep voice.
"Understood. Tell Grand Secretary Kong to focus on his recovery. Once he's better, there are some things I need to discuss with him in person."
After saying that, he hung up the phone without waiting for a response.
A brief silence fell over the study.
Looking at Grand Secretary Wei's ashen face, Lei Wanting understood most of the situation. Grand Secretary Kong's so-called "illness" was probably not a physical ailment, but rather an "illness of timing."
The Dali Division is taking action against Luo Fei. As the relevant Grand Secretary in charge, he is currently "on sick leave," which avoids direct conflict and questioning while ensuring that the Dali Division's investigation is not disturbed.
This move was shrewd and ruthless.
Grand Secretary Wei slowly sat back in his rattan chair, the anger on his face gradually settling into a deeper, more solemn expression. He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, his voice carrying a chilling undercurrent of gritted teeth.
"Someone is causing trouble inside. And their intentions are not good."
He looked up at Lei Wanting.
“According to the rules, the Dali Judicial Bureau handles cases independently. Even we cannot arbitrarily intervene or obstruct the process. Otherwise, we would be labeled as ‘interfering with judicial supervision,’ which would put us in a passive position.”
Lei Wanting frowned.
"Then... Your Excellency, are we just going to stand by and watch?"
Grand Secretary Wei's gaze deepened, and his fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the rattan chair.
“Just stand by and watch? Of course not. But we can’t force it. The Dali Division is made of ironclad rules, so we have to find a way outside the rules.”
He pondered for a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes.
"Lei Laohu, from now on, use all the connections you have to keep a close eye on the movements of the Dali Division. I need to know Luo Fei's every move inside, whether he's suffered or been tormented."
Furthermore, investigate those who jumped out to fabricate charges—their backgrounds, their motives, and who was instigating this. If they can smear us, we can expose their true colors.
"Yes."
Lei Wanting nodded heavily, his eyes also burning with the same determination.
Meanwhile, an ordinary-looking van with a completely enclosed interior was traveling deep into a sparsely trafficked road in Beijing.
Luo Fei, wearing a hood, sat inside the carriage, the handcuffs on his wrists making a slight metallic scraping sound with the slight bumps of the vehicle.
His vision was shrouded in darkness, but his other senses became increasingly acute.
From the moment he was put into the car, he sensed something was wrong.
Although the counterintelligence bureau personnel were cold and aloof, he was still somewhat familiar with their modus operandi.
But this vehicle, and the silence of the escorts inside, and the almost deathly stillness emanating from them, were different from those of the counterintelligence agents.
More importantly, he could sense that the vehicle was constantly detouring, even deliberately passing through areas with noticeable echoes. This was definitely not the way to the counterintelligence agency.
When the vehicle finally stopped, he was taken off and led down a rather long corridor filled with the smell of disinfectant. Finally, when he was forced to sit on a cold metal chair, he heard the word that made his heart sink.
Dali Division.
The hood was removed, and blinding white light shone into his eyes. Luo Fei squinted slightly, adjusting to the sudden light.
This is a completely enclosed interrogation room. Gray walls, cold metal tables and chairs, and high-definition cameras mounted at multiple angles in the corners, with red indicator lights flashing.
The room had no windows; only the fluorescent light overhead emitted a pale, cold light.
Luo Fei sat in the interrogation chair, his wrists still tightly handcuffed.
He surveyed the place, his heart churning with turbulent emotions.
Dali Division. He had heard the name before, but only to a very limited extent. Within the national security system, these three words were also a taboo subject.
It doesn't investigate ordinary cases; its target is the national security system itself, and it targets those in high positions with special authority.
He, Luo Fei, was actually worthy of the Dali Division's personal intervention.
He even found it somewhat ironic.
After the attack on the training center, he submitted a plan to seek revenge in Japan more than once. Each time, it was postponed, shelved, or rejected for various reasons. He initially thought it was just a normal, cumbersome procedure, or a result of the higher-ups' cautious approach after weighing the pros and cons.
But now, he has been arrested by the Dali Court for "treason and collusion with the enemy," and all the previous obstacles and delays suddenly have a different explanation.
It's not that he can't go, it's that he's not allowed to go.
It's not that the procedure is complicated; it's that someone doesn't want him to go. (End of Chapter)