Kingsman Agent in Film and Television

He wanted to kill us!
Upon hearing Fang Minghui repeat this sentence, Wu Liwei's first reaction was:
"Are you kidding!"

Wu Liwei was practically jumping up; Fang Minghui's words sounded like a blasphemy against his faith.

“Old Wu, I was wrong before. I thought we could use Cen Anyan and the underground party to extort some benefits from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics. After all, the person we kidnapped was Taotie, which Commander Zhang has always hated.”

“But you just reminded me—Cen Anyan is a big problem for Zhang Chang and Zhang Shihao. Given Zhang Shihao’s personality, the Military Intelligence Bureau, well, the Secret Service, is still very important to him, so he won’t do anything to shut them out. But Cen Anyan is, after all, a handle to attack him.”

"And given our connections with the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and the fact that we sent Cen Anyan to the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, some people will definitely suspect that we are his secret agents!"

Wu Liwei said without hesitation:
“We are not!”

"Of course we are not—" Fang Minghui said solemnly, "Precisely because we are not, taking us down will deprive his opponents of this pretext to attack him, understand?"

Wu Liwei's eyes darted around, finally landing on the table where he saw two stacks of hundred-yuan bills. He looked like a drowning man grasping at a straw.
"No, that's not how it works. If that were the case, why would he give me the money? Twenty thousand dollars! That's twenty thousand dollars!"

Fang Minghui sneered: "Take us down, and we'll get our money back without touching a single penny. Or, this is our reward for risking our lives—given Zhang Shih-hao's character, I believe the latter is more likely."

The last sentence silenced Wu Liwei completely.

Commander Zhang is a man of principle. If those twenty thousand dollars are their life-saving money, then... it's perfectly reasonable.

"It was my fault. If we hadn't contacted the Security Bureau, he might not have been so hostile towards us. But I misjudged the situation and made a terrible move, which forced him to commit murder!"

Fang Minghui appeared to be reflecting on his mistakes, but in reality, he was using a retreat as a pretext to "coerce" Wu Liwei.

Sure enough, after his self-criticism, Wu Liwei immediately shook his head:

"Old Fang, it's not your fault. We just don't really understand what's going on at the top. Most of it is just hearsay, and we lack detailed knowledge."

Fang Minghui felt much more at ease, and he said in a deep voice, "Zhang Shihao is ruthless, so don't blame us for being unjust—Old Wu, we need to withdraw, but before we leave, I want to talk to Tang Zong!"

"Talk to Tang Zong?" Wu Liwei frowned; he had guessed Fang Minghui's intentions.

"talk!"

Fang Minghui slammed his fist on the table: "Use Cen Anyan to exchange for benefits—since Zhang Shihao wants to take us all down as an explanation, then as Zhang Shihao's opponent, with Cen Anyan, Tang Zong probably doesn't want us to be captured. He'd rather we all shut up!"

To shut a group of people up, either kill them, or if you can't kill them, then send them far away.

Fang Minghui knew Wu Liwei too well. He knew that if he rashly said he wanted to talk to Tang Zong and betray Zhang Shihao, Wu Liwei would definitely be unhappy, and might even turn against him.

He didn't mind killing Wu Liwei, but he wanted Wu Liwei's death to be worthwhile, so he used this gradual approach to achieve his goal.

First, he exposed Zhang Anping's "true colors," then examined his own behavior, took responsibility, and made Wu Liwei instinctively stand with him—only then did he reveal his purpose, at which point Wu Liwei's resistance would be minimal.

After all, Wu Liwei was on the same side as him.

However, he underestimated Wu Liwei's resistance.

“We shouldn’t talk to Tang Zong.” Wu Liwei carefully chose his words, aiming to avoid provoking Fang Minghui as much as possible.
“Cen Anyan, I think it’s most appropriate for us to execute him directly. Zhang Shi and Commander Zhang should now think that we will send him back—there’s definitely a two- to three-day window of opportunity, which is enough time for us to evacuate!”

The fact that Fang Minghui was able to move from Qitang Village to Qingmu Village, right under Chongqing's nose, in the shortest amount of time without attracting any attention proves that his prior preparations were very thorough. The escape route was of paramount importance, and Wu Liwei believed that two to three days should be enough for a safe evacuation.

Once they leave Chongqing's sphere of influence, they are basically free to roam as freely as birds in the sky and fish in the sea.

"There's a problem with our rear, we need at least five days—" Fang Minghui said with a frown, "The problem lies with the Operations Division of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics. I don't know where they got their intelligence. I set a fire in Yunwu Mountain in Bishan County, intending to draw attention to Bishan, but the Operations Division sent people to Tongliang instead. I'm not sure if they're doing this for the underground party or to take down this bandit's network in the city. But the brothers in charge of our rear have been affected and temporarily detained."

"I've already sent Lao Yan over there to try and rescue him. We have connections with the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, so Lao Yan should be able to get him out, but it will take time—at least five days!"

Wu Liwei stared at Fang Minghui, seeing that Fang Minghui's expression was normal yet serious, and even carried a hint of annoyance, so he believed what he had said.

He asked, "Is it absolutely necessary to find Tang Zong?"

Fang Minghui said, "Unless we abandon our brothers in Chongqing."

Because of their contact with the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, some of their personnel in Chongqing have come under the Bureau's surveillance, making it very difficult for them to withdraw.

These words struck a nerve with Wu Liwei; people who value loyalty share a common flaw:

These people are in danger because of me, and they absolutely cannot die because of me!

Wu Liwei was in this situation at that moment.

He closed his eyes and fell into deep thought, completely unaware of the cold glint that quickly vanished from Fang Minghui's lips as he smiled.

Wu Liwei made up his mind, with an indescribable will to die: "I'll go talk!"

Fang Minghui failed to perceive the resoluteness in Wu Liwei's words; he was still manipulating people's hearts.

“I’ll go—you’re the person in charge on the surface. Since the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics knows your identity, Tang Zong must know it too. It’s not appropriate for you to go; it’s more appropriate for me to go.”

Wu Liwei objected:
"Just because I'm the person in charge on the surface, it's more appropriate for me to go."

"Old Fang, stop talking, this matter is settled—I'll go!"

Fang Minghui gave Wu Liwei a deep look: "Fine! I'll wait for you to leave together. If you don't come, I won't leave."

Wu Liwei felt he was long past the age of being moved, but at this moment he still couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat—more than anything, he felt apologetic for Fang Minghui's previous malicious speculation.

Fang Minghui understood the importance of knowing when to stop, so he smiled and said, "I'm already in my thirties, so let's not waste time. The most important thing now is to leave. I won't feel at ease if we don't leave."

In the end, he became extremely solemn, for his opponent was none other than the cunning and resourceful Zhang Shih-hao!

……

In the earliest days of the Special Service Department, under the leadership of Dai Chunfeng, the department relentlessly encroached upon the police system. Ultimately, during the Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) era, the MIB rose above the police system, and many police chiefs were MIB agents.

After Tang Zong took control of the newly established Police Headquarters, he joined forces with Zheng Yaoquan and Mao Renfeng to thoroughly betray the Military Police, and the result was:

The police system was freed from the constraints and dominance of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

The police headquarters also accepted a considerable number of former special agents. Although many of them still cared about their former employers, a significant number of them chose to work honestly, diligently, conscientiously, and hardworkingly for their new employers.

These individuals also had considerable connections within the Security Bureau. If handled properly, the Security Bureau was virtually transparent to the Police Headquarters—and vice versa, the Police Headquarters was also transparent to the Security Bureau.

However, at this moment, Tang Zong was the first to reap the benefits of the Bureau of Secrecy's transparency towards him.

The front-line command post for the suppression of bandits in Yunwu Mountain.

"Is there such a good thing?!"

Listening to the intelligence reported by his subordinates, Tang Zong had the illusion that a pie had fallen from the sky—the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics had been secretly turning a blind eye before, but now they had gone mad and actually joined forces with the kidnappers!

Although it was said to be for the sake of the underground party, Tang Zong understood very well that for some people, all they needed was an excuse. Now that the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics had done something wrong, it was simply giving those people a reason to cause trouble.

Once the hostages return, those people will inevitably seize the opportunity to cause trouble.

$390 million! Taking a bite out of the Secret Service and forcing them to provide a channel to make up for the loss is inevitable!

Once those people implicate the Security Bureau, the pressure on his police headquarters will naturally decrease.

After the initial surprise, Tang Zong's mind flashed back to Zhang Anping's cold and aloof image, and he shuddered. He then asked:
"Where is Zhang Shih-hao? Does he know anything about this?!"

Emperor Tang's fear of Zhang Anping was actually quite absurd—although he had previously narrowly lost to Dai Chunfeng and failed to secure the position of head of the Special Service Department, he was always one step behind and ended up watching Dai Chunfeng take control of the Military Intelligence Bureau while he himself became a close attendant of the emperor.

But he believed it was not a fault of the war effort, but simply a matter of luck.

He was, after all, a man who held himself in high esteem.

However, after facing Zhang Anping, he never gained the upper hand. In their first direct confrontation, if it were a war, he would be the one to lose his country.

Later, he plotted against the Military Intelligence Bureau, thinking that Zhang Anping would have no chance of turning things around under these circumstances. However, Zhang Anping completed the reorganization of the Military Intelligence Bureau with ease. If it weren't for his personality, how could Zheng Yaoquan and Mao Renfeng have a say in the Military Intelligence Bureau, now known as the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics?

Even though his temperament caused him to suffer losses, he still managed to cleverly lure Zheng Yaoquan into the game—not only dismantling the anti-Zhang alliance once again, but also putting the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics into a three-way balance of power, incredibly stable. Tang Zong really didn't want to face someone like this who could so easily "rise from the dead" in dire straits.

"According to the information, Wang Tianfeng originally intended to keep it from Zhang Shihao and Commander Zhang," the reporter said. The informant was a former Kuomintang agent, the kind who was completely aligned with Tang Zong, but even so, he still couldn't bring himself to call out "Zhang Shihao."

"But because Wang Tianfeng arrested and tortured a section chief from the Shanghai district under the pretext of being a communist sympathizer, this matter reached Commander Zhang's ears, and Commander Zhang rushed back to Chongqing from the camp—he met with Wu Liwei this morning."

Tang Zong, who had been sitting, suddenly stood up, looking at his subordinates with surprise:

"Are you sure Zhang Shih-hao met with the kidnappers' leader, Wu Li-wei?"

"It's confirmed. Many people at the Chongqing branch of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics witnessed it."

Tang Zong couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Hahaha, Zhang Shihao, Zhang Shihao, what's gotten into you that you dared to meet Wu Liwei!"

His subordinate hesitated for a moment, then reminded him, "Chief, according to intelligence, Wu Liwei may not be the real bandit leader."

Emperor Tang waved his hand:
"It does not matter!"

Well, that's not important. What's important is that most people will think Wu Liwei is the kidnapper leader.

"Send the message to..."

Tang Zong abruptly stopped speaking, saying that the police headquarters must not be involved, absolutely not.

He paced back and forth with a serious expression, which puzzled his subordinates who were reporting to him.

Zhang Shihao has clashed with the Taotie more than once or twice, and he has never suffered a loss—this guy is ultimately favored by the emperor. As long as he doesn't fall out of favor, the Taotie can't take him down. Moreover, after suffering losses enough, these Taotie will likely choose to stop.

[If you try to kill a snake but fail, it will only harm you. If the police headquarters gets too involved, Zhang Shih-hao will realize he's being targeted and will start biting me again.]

Without a doubt, Tang Zong really didn't want to fight Zhang Anping.

Mao Renfeng's chubby face appeared in Tang Zong's mind, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face:
"Find a way to get the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics to pass the message to Mao Renfeng—can you do that?"

The subordinate answered without hesitation, "Yes."

"We must not reveal ourselves."

"Don't worry, Director, I understand."

……

Nanjing.

Mao Renfeng was taking a comprehensive look at the current situation of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

The original situation of two opposing forces with Zhang Anping suddenly became a three-way standoff after Zheng Yaoquan took over as director. Although the anti-Zhang alliance was wiped out again because of Zheng Yaoquan's greedy and insatiable takeover of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, Zhang Anping was still a public enemy, and Zheng Yaoquan gave Mao Renfeng a lot of support.

The current situation resembles the Three Kingdoms period of conflict:
Shu Han and Eastern Wu fought against Cao Wei.

Yes, Mao Renfeng was naturally a righteous Shu Han.

Mao Renfeng is now considering how to use Zheng Yaoquan's righteous name to break the tacit agreement between him and Zhang Anping on a 40/60 power split, and to erode Zhang Anping's influence as much as possible.

As for the situation in Chongqing, he genuinely didn't care—with Zhang Anping in charge, Mao Renfeng didn't believe that a few kidnappers could pull off any tricks.

If Zhang Anping is so incompetent, why would Mao Renfeng bother to fawn over Zheng Yaoquan, that traitor?!
Thump, thump, thump

A rhythmic knocking sound came from the doorway, and a smile crept onto Mao Renfeng's lips:
"Enter--"

As Minglou entered, Mao Renfeng began to lecture him:
"How many times have I told you, there's no need for formalities between us. Just come in if you need anything—do I always have to call out 'come in' before you do?"

"I'll definitely pay attention next time—" Minglou hurriedly admitted his mistake, but the standard thing was that he didn't change.

In fact, if he really changes, this smiling tiger might actually mind.

Only if it's not changed will this person be truly satisfied.

As expected, Mao Renfeng stopped pursuing the issue:

"You've come at the perfect time. I think the time is ripe. While Zhang is still in Chongqing, I'll go and talk to Zheng Yaoquan and appoint you as the Director of the Northeast Headquarters' Supervision Office—the Northeast Headquarters' Supervision Office, responsible for integrating and leading all the secret service's forces in the Northeast region. What do you think?"

During the War of Resistance against Japan, Northeast China was a foggy area for the Military Intelligence Bureau. The team established by the Special Service Department in Northeast China after its establishment collapsed as most of the Japanese intelligence agencies' counter-espionage efforts were dismantled. During the War of Resistance, Zhang Anping contributed manpower, resources, and money to reclaim Northeast China.

After the victory in the War of Resistance against Japan, especially after Zhang Anping decided to build a military industry in Northeast China, people from all walks of life rushed to the Northeast. However, overall, the intelligence situation in the Northeast was still dominated by Zhang Anping's men.

Qi Siyuan "blatantly" betrayed Zhang Anping and switched his allegiance to Mao Renfeng. Mao Renfeng, in order to buy horse bones with a thousand pieces of gold, had no choice but to swallow this huge loss. He had to give Qi Siyuan an important position. As a result, Qi Siyuan disregarded Mao Renfeng's banner in Northeast China and worked desperately for Zhang Anping.

Therefore, Mao Renfeng had long wanted to send Minglou to the Northeast, but he had always lacked an opportunity. This time, Zhang Anping was in Chongqing, far from the current power center of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, which was a rare opportunity.

"Excellent!" Minglou exclaimed with delight: "With the title of this Supervision Office, integration will indeed be much easier! Director, I guarantee: within three years, at most three years, the Northeast Military Intelligence Bureau—no, the Northeast Bureau of Investigation and Statistics—will only recognize Director Mao and not Commander Zhang!"

Mao Renfeng burst into laughter, clearly overjoyed by Minglou's promise.

"By the way, what brings you here?"

Minglou's expression turned serious: "Director, news has come from Chongqing—Zhang Shihao has personally contacted Wu Liwei, the leader of the kidnappers, and just yesterday, Wang Tianfeng joined forces with the kidnappers to deal with the underground party."

"Because the news leaked out, we failed to achieve any major results, but we still managed to capture one underground party member."

Mao Renfeng was instinctively horrified upon hearing this:
"Is he crazy!"

Why did the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (BIS) attach such great importance to the kidnapping incident in Chongqing? They even colluded with Zheng Yaoquan to assure Zhang Anping:
You must handle this matter personally; we won't cause you any trouble in Nanjing.

The guarantee proved to be worthless, but the attitude itself spoke volumes.

The kidnappers were from the Military Intelligence Bureau. If the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics cannot provide an explanation, they will be in serious trouble.

But now, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics has actually been in contact with the kidnappers in secret. This is already a huge blunder, and now it's even more complicated!
Minglou echoed with a solemn expression: "Yes, at this critical juncture, who cares about underground party members? Giving an explanation is the right thing to do."

He cursed Wang Tianfeng in his heart—"Damn it, at this crucial moment, instead of arresting the kidnappers, what are you doing opposing the Communists!"
“He looked down on these people to begin with, and when he had the chance to deal with the underground party, he probably didn’t think much about it—or he simply didn’t bother with them at all,” Mao Renfeng guessed regarding Zhang Anping’s mindset.

Minglou nodded in agreement, but inwardly he sneered. If it weren't for Wang Tianfeng's meddling, he would have changed his surname to Hei!

Mao Renfeng paced back and forth, frowning as she spoke:

“I’m not afraid of Zhang Anping, but I don’t want to provoke those royal relatives. I’ve just had a few days of comfort, and if these people have their eyes on me, I’ll probably be worried for a while.”

The more he muttered to himself, the firmer his decision became.
"We must distance ourselves from this—"

"It seems we need to leak this information to the powerful and influential first!"

Minglou had not communicated with Zhang Anping. After the information reached him, he considered keeping it and contacting Zhang Anping secretly first, but he was worried that it would take too long.

His position is certainly good enough to block information, but doing that once would expose him, so he must be used only in critical moments.

After carefully analyzing the intelligence, Minglou concluded that it posed little threat to Zhang Anping. To be precise, having too many lice wouldn't cause any itch. Given Zhang Anping's "magnanimity," he shouldn't be worried about the "concern" from the Taotie. Therefore, he passed the intelligence on to Mao Renfeng.

At this moment, Mao Renfeng made the exact same decision as Minglou.

However, Minglou still dutifully offered his suggestions:

"Director, I think it's best if you don't get involved in this matter."

"Oh why?"

Minglou said, "We've caught him off guard by using the Northeast Headquarters' Inspection Office, which has reignited the conflict. If we push our luck any further, he might fight us to the death. What do you think about letting Zheng Yaoxian or Zheng Yaoquan be the 'good guy'?"

Mao Renfeng thought about it and realized that it made sense!
"Then let Zheng Yaoxian do it—his intention to establish his own independent faction is as clear as day, so let's give him this opportunity!"

Minglou immediately said:
"The director is wise!" (End of Chapter)