Kingsman Agent in Film and Television

Chapter 810 Ten Years of Forging the Sword, One Day of Assessment
The car sped along the Chengdu-Chongqing highway.

Lin Nansheng was a very skilled driver, and he rarely slowed down when passing or overtaking other vehicles. He was worried that driving like this would make his teacher uncomfortable, so he would occasionally check his rearview mirror. However, Zhang Anping remained expressionless. Knowing Zhang Anping's personality well, Lin Nansheng guessed that his teacher was probably preoccupied with something.

But what exactly happened?

He just couldn't have guessed it!

Lin Nansheng glanced at Zhang Anping again through the rearview mirror. Zhang Anping remained expressionless. He thought to himself:
Which part of the process went wrong?
Zhang Anping guessed which part of the process had gone wrong.

But this result made him unable to believe his own judgment—

He was once radical in his actions, in the eyes of Sister Qian and Lao Cen, but in reality, every plan he made was carefully considered before he acted. Before each plan, he would conduct calculations and deductions again and again.

This time was no different; they did not let their guard down because of Dai Chunfeng's death.

He had mentally sketched out portraits of the kidnappers, considering them from multiple perspectives, but he came to only one conclusion:
Kidnappers who are after money will disappear as quickly as possible after they get the money.

To further solidify their resolve, Zhang Anping instructed the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics to exert sufficient pressure in Chongqing—under such circumstances, the bandits, numbering perhaps only forty or even less than thirty, would have no desire to linger in Chongqing, this place of trouble, once they had the money.

They would even avoid the Secret Service like the plague.

Based on this conclusion, Zhang Anping wanted to use a ten-for-one exchange to take the fat meat he had snatched from the mouths of the gluttons.

It should be taken from the people and used for the people.

He had considered the possibility that the kidnappers might betray the underground party, but he rejected that possibility.

Judging from the kidnapper's plan, he was undoubtedly an extremely intelligent person. How could a kidnapper who came from the Military Intelligence Bureau and was also extremely intelligent not understand the nature of the Military Intelligence Bureau, a secret service agency?

The Military Intelligence Bureau only knows how to profit from both sides—even if Zhang Anping adheres to principles, his subordinates will still try to profit from both.

Three million dollars is an astronomical sum of money for an individual. What's wrong with trying to have your cake and eat it too for such a huge sum of money?
Given the opponent's ingenious plan and their background in the Military Intelligence Bureau, how could they possibly make such a mistake?

Therefore, he rejected this conjecture.

But the reality is:
The kidnappers chose to betray the underground Communist Party, dancing with wolves and plotting with tigers!
The result was both embarrassing and extremely bad—one of his closest comrades-in-arms was now in the hands of kidnappers, and his intelligence network, which he had built up over nearly ten years, was facing the greatest threat since its inception.

At this moment, Zhang Anping faced two paths. The first path was to rescue Lao Cen.

He knew Lao Cen's location. Although the underground party didn't have enough manpower, Zhang Anping could definitely go and rescue him. With his ever-growing abilities from constant practice, the risk was not as high as it seemed.

With Lao Cen rescued, the game is basically over. Although there will definitely be other losses, they won't harm the core or expose us.

But the risk is that the kidnappers might take Old Cen with them and move him.
The second option is to remain in Chongqing, gather firsthand information, and secretly deploy troops to control the potential losses incurred by the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics within a reasonable range.

The biggest uncertainty in doing this lies with Lao Cen—it would mean missing the best opportunity to rescue him. Once the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics takes over, even if he is in charge, it will be difficult to rescue Lao Cen.

But Zhang Anping still has another card to play:

The drug to fake death!
The most serious consequence would be to give Lao Cen a drug to fake his death, but Zhang Anping's special status made this step the simplest.

Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, Zhang Anping chose to return to Chongqing.

He remained expressionless throughout the journey, but one worst-case scenario after another kept surfacing in Zhang Anping's mind. He tried his best to calculate the consequences of the worst outcome and devised one contingency plan after another in his mind.

As Chongqing drew closer, the turmoil in Zhang Anping's heart gradually subsided.

He gazed at the rapidly receding scenery outside the window, a sense of determination quietly emerging within him.

After nearly a decade of strategic planning and establishing numerous key positions, the Military Intelligence Bureau is now putting its plans to the test!

……

Time goes back to an hour ago.

Before Luo Zhan could bring the man back to the previous headquarters, the news had already reached Guo Qiyun, who immediately reported it to Wang Tianfeng:
"Chief, we only caught one; the other Communists... escaped."

Wang Tianfeng revealed a very amused smile: "As expected... they escaped!"

Guo Qiyun was stunned: "Chief, you had this in mind?"

Wang Tianfeng smiled, a smile that carried a sinister undertone. He didn't answer Guo Qiyun's question, but instead said meaningfully:
"I hope Luo Zhan can give me a surprise."

The Military Intelligence Bureau produced one Cen Anyan, but was there only one Cen Anyan?
impossible!
The underground party was making a deal with the robbers, and they wanted to take nearly two million US dollars from the robbers. They would definitely use undercover agents hidden in the secret service. These past few days, his intelligence department and Shen Zui's action department have been keeping such a close watch on Chongqing. If they didn't use undercover agents to cover it up, would the underground party feel comfortable taking the money away?
Since there was an undercover agent involved, how could the undercover agent remain indifferent when Luo Zhan went to arrest the person?

Luo Zhan was personally requested by Wang Tianfeng from the Shanghai station. The former recklessness has been transformed into a shrewd and meticulous person. Wang Tianfeng believes that Luo Zhan will give him a pleasant surprise.

As expected, after Luo Zhan returned and reported on the arrest, when Wang Tianfeng asked which link in the chain had leaked the information, Luo Zhan hesitated and said:
"I...I suspect it's Section Chief Wu."

Wang Tianfeng's gaze suddenly sharpened:

"reason."

"The underground party's withdrawal was extremely suspicious. Even if the news of the arrest of the Communists outside leaked out, the underground party on the Deyuan ship did not have time to withdraw. Judging from the time, they should have withdrawn seven minutes before the arrest outside. If anyone was going to leak the news during this period, it was either Section Chief Wu or the underground party was monitoring me all along."

"I've already sent people to investigate, and we should have news soon."

After saying this, Luo Zhan hesitated for a moment before adding, "But there won't be any conclusive evidence unless we catch the Communist who tipped us off."

From Luo Zhan's perspective, Wu Fuhui's actions were highly suspicious: first, he went to the outhouse, and second, he took him to the teahouse.

The most suspicious place is the teahouse.

Under those circumstances, we should have waited for the artist to arrive nearby, so as not to have to look for them when they came.

Wu Fuhui took him to a teahouse, but they didn't go into the first one—if Wu Fuhui had a problem, he likely conveyed some information during this part of the conversation.

Luo Zhan wasn't sure either, so he sent his trusted confidant to the first teahouse to investigate—once it was confirmed that someone left immediately after they left and appeared on the Deyuan ship, it would basically confirm that Wu Fuhui was an undercover agent.

Of course, there will be no solid evidence unless the communist who tipped them off is caught and identified; otherwise, there is no real evidence.

If it were a low-level agent, he could be convicted even without evidence. But Wu Fuhui was from the Shanghai district, much more senior than Luo Zhan, and a close associate of Zhang Anping. With this kind of inferred chain of evidence, it wouldn't be easy to convict him.

That's why Luo Zhan hesitated again and again.

Wang Tianfeng gave Luo Zhan an approving look:
Do you know why I transferred you here?

"I am of limited ability and would appreciate your guidance, Director."

"Because you have fewer selfish motives when you do things."

……

Xiangguomen Wharf.

Several agents from the intelligence department surrounded a teahouse, arrested everyone inside, and began interrogating them one by one.

Due to a shortage of manpower, one agent had to interrogate several people present at the teahouse.

"You mean Accountant Yang, who was in charge of distributing the money, left for a while?"

"Yes, everyone can testify—all my money was given to me by his wife."

"However, someone said before that Accountant Yang only left the teahouse, but was outside. He saw Accountant Yang several times!"

"Oh? I didn't notice that, sir. I really didn't notice that."

"Did you see Accountant Yang outside?"

“I saw it. He just left the teahouse. He was outside the teahouse.”

"you sure?"

"Yes, yes, I'm sure."

"Well, here's your testimony—sign it, or better yet, put your fingerprint on it."

The agents pushed the stenographic testimony in front of the coolie, who was illiterate, and obediently pressed his fingerprint on the testimony.

Half an hour later, the agents in charge of the interrogation gathered together.

"Team leader, all eight of the laborers I interrogated said that Accountant Yang, who was in charge of distributing money, left for a while in the middle of the process—if there's a problem, it's probably this Accountant Yang."

“I also have people on my side who have given similar testimonies.”

"Oh? Some people here are saying the same thing, but someone saw Accountant Yang outside the teahouse—there are three people saying this."

"Could these three people be accomplices?"

"I have people saying the same thing on my side—we can't all be accomplices, can we?"

This stumped the others.

With no decision in sight, the agents all looked to their team leader for a decision. Seeing this, the team leader said:
"This Accountant Yang should be fine. I did some research beforehand, and several people in the area confirmed that they saw Accountant Yang resting in the shade outside the teahouse."

"Then it seems that Accountant Yang is fine. Either there are Communists among the laborers, or there is no problem here at all."

The team leader then made a decision: "How about this, I will continue to lead the team to conduct an in-depth investigation and report the results to the section chief first."

After the group of agents dispersed, the team leader stood up. His usually cold expression had inexplicably softened at this moment.

It turns out, my comrade was right beside me.

……

Headquarters.

After listening to the report over the phone, Luo Zhan paused for a moment, remaining silent for about five or six seconds before hanging up and turning to report to Wang Tianfeng:
"Chief, there's no problem at the teahouse—either Section Chief Wu used the opportunity of going to the toilet to inform the underground party, or I've wronged him."

Luo Zhan was inclined towards the latter at this point.

Doing so would make him seem foolish, but as Wang Tianfeng said, Luo Zhan is less driven by personal motives when he does things.

Wang Tianfeng was also somewhat surprised. Luo Zhan had just given him a detailed report on the reasons for his suspicions, and he also tended to think that there was a problem with the teahouse—or that there was a problem with the West Wharf Commercial District, but that area was too large to investigate.

The outhouse was too conspicuous and was therefore out of Wang Tianfeng's sight.

But now the teahouse has preliminary findings that refute his guess. Wang Tianfeng asked calmly, "What do you think?"

"It's highly likely I've wronged Section Chief Wu—it could be a coincidence, Chief. Next, I'd like to focus on the Deyuan ship, but the Deyuan ship's secret society has connections to the Renzitang. What do you think..."

"Go ahead and investigate."

"Yes!"

After Luo Zhan left, Wang Tianfeng closed his eyes and pretended to doze off. The office was deathly silent. About two minutes later, Wang Tianfeng suddenly opened his eyes:
"Guo Qiyun".

Guo Qiyun responded and entered the room.

Wang Tianfeng, his eyes grim, ordered, "Take Wu Fuhui down and begin interrogation immediately!"

Guo Qiyun was stunned. After a pause, he reminded him, "Director, Wu Fuhui is Commander Zhang's student."

Wang Tianfeng remained silent, staring blankly at Guo Qiyun. Guo Qiyun felt a chill run down his spine and stood at attention, responding in unison.

……

Zhang Anping arrived quickly, faster than Wang Tianfeng had imagined, and upon returning, he did not go directly to him, but went straight to the interrogation room.

Upon receiving the news, Wang Tianfeng sighed and rushed to the interrogation room.

Zhang Anping did not go in, but stood motionless outside the interrogation room. The thick door of the interrogation room was ajar, and screams from inside could be heard coming from the crack.

When Wang Tianfeng approached, Zhang Anping remained silent, simply watching him quietly.

"Last night, after the underground party members got the money from the robbers, they left through Chaotianmen Wharf."

"Some of the robbers were following us, and their presence forced us to stop."

"Today, we arrested underground party members at Chaotianmen Wharf. All the underground party members hiding on the Deyuan ship escaped, and we only caught one underground party member disguised as a tung oil dealer."

It was rare for Wang Tianfeng to say so much in one breath—as a subordinate, Wang Tianfeng knew that his behavior had actually crossed the line.

Although it was for Zhang Anping's own good.

Therefore, he had to explain in detail.

Zhang Anping asked in confusion, "Did the underground party join forces with them?"

"It wasn't a merger; the underground party used a ten-for-one exchange method to take the money from the robbers."

A look of astonishment crossed Zhang Anping's face: I never expected anyone to pick fruit like this.

"Ten for one?"

"That's... interesting!"

"Where's the source?"

Wang Tianfeng replied:

"The robbers were unwilling to let the underground party reap the benefits, and wanted to use the underground party to exchange for money."

In fact, after receiving the news of Wu Fuhui's arrest, Zhang Anping realized which link had gone wrong—he had basically guessed all of this.

This was not his oversight—Zhang Anping still doesn't understand why his deduction had such a big flaw.

“That’s possible…no, wait.” Zhang Anping suddenly realized something and looked coldly at Wang Tianfeng:
"You want to take them all?"

Wang Tianfeng remained silent, but his tacit acceptance spoke volumes.

Zhang Anping's mind raced, and some of his doubts were resolved. He multitasked, staring coldly at Wang Tianfeng:
“Wang Tianfeng, I know you’re ruthless, ruthless to others, and even more ruthless to yourself—but I don’t want to use my own brothers’ blood to gain credit or reward.”

"do you understand?"

"This isn't about seeking credit or rewards," Wang Tianfeng said calmly. "The problem lies with us. If they escape, how are we supposed to explain ourselves?"

"The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics is already facing enough difficulties."

“You have a clear conscience towards them. When they no longer care about the interests of the Secret Service, they are no longer our brothers.”

"Also, this isn't just my opinion."

Wang Tianfeng's last words were resolute and also very meaningful.

Zhang Anping remained silent; the only sounds at the scene were screams of agony from the torture he endured.

In the end, he "compromised": "Only the ringleaders and the core members will be punished."

This is the truth. Zhang Anping now wishes he could kill all the ringleaders and core members. He had given them chances, but these fools were blinded by money and insisted on courting death.

"Okay," Wang Tianfeng agreed.

I demand an explanation for Wu Fuhui's matter.

Zhang Anping's voice grew even colder, which was consistent with his usual protective nature.

Wang Tianfeng knew Zhang Anping's temperament well and knew that Zhang Anping was genuinely angry—Wu Fuhui might be a Communist, but he might not be. Given Zhang Anping's personality, he would only choose to believe the latter, simply because Wu Fuhui was Zhang Anping's student.

Just as Lin Nansheng lost the intelligence network that Zhang Anping had painstakingly built in Yan'an, he was still able to stay by Zhang Anping's side after passing the vetting process—Zhang Anping always showed the greatest leniency towards the students he had trained and the loyal followers who had fought alongside him.

So he chose another "tactic":
"The person in charge of the kidnapping on the surface is Wu Liwei."

Shift the topic to buy as much time as possible for interrogation.

Zhang Anping naturally understood Wang Tianfeng's intention, but he still keenly noticed the strange prefix "on the surface".

"what happened?"

He realized why this mistake had occurred—the "smart people" had used Wu Liwei as a target, which was why he dared to risk dancing with wolves and negotiating with tigers.

This was something Zhang Anping probably never expected, which led to such a big problem arising from a perfectly good plan.

In fact, Fang Minghui came up with this plan to deceive everyone by referencing Zhang Anping's faked death and escape. However, Zhang Anping had limited information and did not realize this at all—if he had realized this, he would not have suffered such a great loss!
"Wu Liwei contacted me just as dawn was breaking..."

Wang Tianfeng recounted how Wu Liwei had approached him, and then asserted, "In my judgment, he couldn't possibly be the real person in charge. The real person in charge is someone else, which is why he was pushed out as a scapegoat."

A self-deprecating smile appeared on Zhang Anping's lips:
"Despite careful monitoring, it was still an oversight."

"Such a talented person, what a pity."

Wang Tianfeng thought to himself, "That's more than that—according to Luo Zhan, the kidnappers he met today were all quite talented."

Unfortunately, all the talented people have been laid off.

Of course, he wouldn't shift the blame onto Zhang Anping, nor did he believe it was Zhang Anping's fault.

As for whose fault it was, he was even less likely to think about it!
The conversation lasted a full twenty minutes. Although Zhang Anping was anxious, he could only let Wang Tianfeng stall for time. Now it was his turn to get the topic back on track. He asked:

"Then, what about Wu Fuhui?"

Without a doubt, this is still in line with the established persona.

Wang Tianfeng responded with a completely nonsensical answer:
"Cen Anyan is now in the hands of Wu Liwei and his men."

Zhang Anping's gaze sharpened: "Is the news confirmed?"

"Wu Liwei said..."

Wang Tianfeng started rambling on and on—basically saying that Lao Cen was the representative of the underground party and that he should go directly to Wu Liwei and the others to negotiate.

Zhang Anping had already guessed this outcome, but he still showed concern. He knew very well that Wang Tianfeng was stalling for time, waiting for Wu Fuhui to speak.

He was anxious, but no matter how anxious he was, he could only be led by the nose by Wang Tianfeng.

Just as he didn't go into the interrogation room—his protective nature meant he had to care about Wu Fuhui, but as the leader of a faction, he had to protect Wang Tianfeng, so he couldn't go into the interrogation room before Wang Tianfeng arrived.

Status determines choices. When facing Wang Tianfeng, any behavior that is inconsistent with one's status will inevitably arouse suspicion.

After Wang Tianfeng finally finished speaking, Zhang Anping said through gritted teeth, "No matter what, Cen Anyan must be brought back! Bring him back alive!"

After Wang Tianfeng nodded, he changed the subject again:
"Luo Zhan, do you remember me?"

Zhang Anping looked at Wang Tianfeng without saying a word.

Luo Zhan, he naturally remembered him vividly—his initial recklessness, his later shrewdness beneath his rough exterior, and how Wang Tianfeng had specially transferred him from the Shanghai region to the intelligence department of the bureau headquarters. How could he forget such an interesting person?
Zhang Anping even secretly arranged for Luo Zhan to defect, but according to the executor's report, Luo Zhan did not meet the conditions for defection, so the plan was abandoned.

"He suspects Wu Fuhui is involved—should I let him come over?"

In fact, Wang Tianfeng was still stalling for time.

He was gambling that the interrogation room could force Wu Fuhui to talk.

Of course, if he was wronged, it didn't matter—for Wang Tianfeng, no one was incapable of being sacrificed, including himself.

Zhang Anping gave Wang Tianfeng a deep look and said, "I'll go to the observation room and have Luo Zhan..."

Before he could finish speaking, a voice of surrender drifted from the interrogation room:

"I confess..."

"I'll confess... I'll confess whatever you want to ask."

A rare hint of ease appeared on Wang Tianfeng's usually impassive face.

It's really not easy for someone who isn't good with words to say so much just to buy time!

He turned and tried to push open the door to the interrogation room to enter.

Zhang Anping raised an eyebrow, stopping Wang Tianfeng's action:
"Listen to what they have to say."

(End of this chapter)