Kingsman Agent in Film and Television

Zhang Anping walked slowly towards Mao Renfeng. He didn't deliberately show any emotion, but Mao Renfeng, feeling guilty, involuntarily took two steps back. Realizing her loss of composure, Mao Renfeng steadied herself and said:

“Anping, you’ve come at the right time—Wang Tianfeng, he…”

"Director Mao, there's no need to keep up this act—" Zhang Anping rudely interrupted Mao Renfeng's deliberate complaint, saying indifferently:

"Now that you've opened the map of Yan, there's no need to maintain this facade anymore—"

"From the very beginning, haven't you been patiently waiting for this moment to betray me?"

"Use whatever means you have! The Bureau of Investigation and Statistics can't keep going on like this, constantly scrambling for resources. What do you think?"

The calm question made Mao Renfeng's lips twitch.

Normally, in political struggles, even when relations have completely broken down, people will speak in veiled allusions, but never in plain language. Yet Zhang Anping, at this moment, disregarded even basic political etiquette, which made Mao Renfeng inwardly curse:
That bastard and Wang Tianfeng are a perfect match!

“Deputy Director Zhang, you seem to have misunderstood something. As the director of the Security Bureau, I, Mao, am the last person who wants internal strife within the Security Bureau…”

Zhang Anping interrupted Mao Renfeng again: "Boring!"

boring!

These two words made Mao Renfeng's face turn pale and then red.

Zhang Anping seemed indifferent to Mao Renfeng, walking past her towards Yuan Nong. However, he stopped beside Mao Renfeng and said quietly:
"Director Mao, you are, after all, a high-ranking official of the Party and the State, and the director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics. Yet you have repeatedly become entangled with the Communist Party. Is it because you, Director Mao, have personally entered into the game, or do you have other intentions? You should be careful about this matter."

After saying that, Zhang Anping waved his hand to signal:

"Wang Tianfeng stays. Turn on the listening devices—everyone else, leave."

Clearly, in Zhang Anping's words, Mao Renfeng was one of the "others," and this contemptuous and dismissive attitude deeply stung Mao Renfeng's heart.

As an opponent, the more the other party underestimates you, the better it is for you. But Zhang Anping's contempt, his superior attitude, and his deep-seated contempt truly enraged Mao Renfeng.

Taking a deep breath to calm his agitation, Mao Renfeng did not continue to escalate the conflict—although they had essentially broken off relations, he still had to maintain a certain level of composure and could not give Zhang Anping another chance to smear him. After giving Wang Tianfeng a deep look, Mao Renfeng strode away as if nothing had happened.

But everyone could see the frustration and rage in Mao Renfeng's footsteps, and a hint of... panic.

The legitimate director of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics was reprimanded to this extent, and then completely ignored – did Zhang Anping and Wang Tianfeng go too far?

Everyone has their own moral compass. For most people, Mao Renfeng was like a persistent nuisance, repeatedly nauseating Zhang Anping, who was trying to get things done. He finally managed to get Zhang to cooperate like a lapdog, only to be met with the so-called "enduring hardship and biding his time."

Now that Wang Tianfeng has arrested a Communist, Mao Renfeng can't wait to jump out and cause trouble. But whether he's causing trouble or colluding with the Communists is really hard to say!
Therefore, no one felt any sympathy for Mao Renfeng at this moment, and even those from Mao's faction looked down on him.

But even if they looked down on him, they had already joined Mao Renfeng's faction and hadn't betrayed Mao's clique before, so what could they do now?
They have no choice but to follow Mao Renfeng down this dark path!
In cell number 7, as the crowd left, the blood-stained silence returned. Zhang Anping sized up Yuan Nong, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Just as he was about to speak, Yuan Nong burst into laughter first:
"That was quite a show!"

"If I were to say that Mao Renfeng is truly one of our people, Zhang Shih-hao, would you believe me?"

Zhang Anping smiled, but ignored Yuan Nong's words and said thoughtfully:
"Mr. Yuan, it's been seven or eight years since we parted ways in Shanghai, hasn't it? You don't look as dashing as you used to be!"

Yuan Nong smiled faintly:
"Zhang Shih-hao, stop pretending. Instead of caring about me being a prisoner, you should think about what you're going to do next."

"I never imagined that things were so interesting inside your Bureau of Investigation and Statistics—but you're probably in for a rough time."

"Thank you for your concern," Zhang Anping said with a smile, showing no sign of anger. "They're just a bunch of clowns, no need to care—Mr. Yuan, you should think more about yourself."

"In your current situation, Mr. Yuan, your faith can't save you!"

"If Mr. Yuan wants to save himself, there is probably only one way he can go."

Yuan Nong burst into laughter: "Zhang Shih-hao, do you think everyone is like you? If I, Yuan Nong, were after high office and great wealth, I wouldn't have chosen this path—"

"You just told Mao Renfeng to use whatever means you have, right? I'll say the same thing to you!"

After saying that, Yuan Nong ignored Zhang Anping and continued to laugh, his laughter filled with mockery.

Zhang Anping shook his head, not angry at all, but just smiled and said:
"Mr. Yuan is probably unaware of our methods—"

“I am ready for Mr. Yuan to change his mind at any time.”

After saying that, he gestured for Wang Tianfeng to leave with him.

After leaving cell number 7, the people around had dispersed, but Zhang Anping could still feel the various gazes coming from the shadows. His "conversation" with Mao Renfeng in the cell had essentially stirred up another wave of conflict, so how could the entire Bureau of Investigation and Statistics not care?

Zhang Anping ignored these gazes and instead spoke softly to Wang Tianfeng in a reminiscent tone:
“I remember the first time I met a Communist who had been arrested. He was arrested by the Party Affairs Office. His name was… Yin Liming, yes, that’s the name.”

“When I first came into contact with anti-torture training, I was the only trainee who withstood all the methods. The Americans always doubted that my nerves were made of iron, and I always felt that very few people could withstand torture.”

"But that person denied my pride."

"Later I met many tough guys like this. When the War of Resistance against Japan broke out, I thought that the Japanese, who were deeply influenced by Bushido, could be as tough as the Communists. But I was wrong. As long as the methods were cruel, even the Japanese could not withstand it."

Walking silently behind Zhang Anping, Wang Tianfeng recalled Zhang Anping's methods of "being ruthless," and even his usual indifferent expression turned strange.

Is that what you call "cruel"?

Zhang Anping seemed oblivious to Wang Tianfeng's strange expression, and continued speaking to himself:

“I once did this secretly to a Communist, thinking he would give in, but I was wrong. It actually worked out for him – he died with a smile on his face, a smile I can still remember.”

Actually, that's not true. It was just a patch Zhang Anping deliberately added. But since it came out of his mouth so casually, and he was the notorious spy Zhang Shihao, who would question it?

"Old Wang, why do you think so many of them have such resilient nerves?"

Wang Tianfeng shook his head and did not answer.

He actually had the answer.

There once was a passionate young man who, after being arrested and facing death, calmly wrote a poem, in which a passage reads:

He sang generously in the Yan market, and calmly became a prisoner of Chu.

To draw the knife and die a swift death is a fitting end to one's youthful aspirations.

But later, he became a notorious traitor!
There have been many passionate young people like him who, despite repeated failed uprisings, remained generous and composed, and finally ignited a raging fire in Wuhan, changing the course of the entire Chinese land!
At that time, they carried ideals, beliefs, and hopes on their shoulders.

For the sake of their ideals, beliefs, and hopes, they never cared about their own lives or deaths.

But later, their ideals, original aspirations, and ambitions all vanished—were they corrupted by the murky world? Or did they... become part of the murky world?
Wang Tianfeng's gaze was blank. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, he had seen many heroes in the Military Intelligence Bureau grit their teeth and persevere in the face of the cruel methods of the Japanese. But he had also seen those heroes who gritted their teeth and persevered quickly become corrupt after the war ended.

Is it because of the state of the world?
Wang Tianfeng was bewildered.

Zhang Anping seemed to have something on his mind, so he didn't continue speaking, and the two of them went to his office in silence.

This time, Zhang Anping didn't sit behind his desk, but instead sat on the sofa with Wang Tianfeng. After a moment of silence, he spoke first:

"Tired?"

It was an abrupt question, but Wang Tianfeng knew what Zhang Anping was asking.

Wang Tianfeng sighed, a rare occurrence for him: "I'm suddenly tired of it."

"Then you shouldn't have used yourself as this price!"

Zhang Anping said quietly:
"The number of brothers who stand shoulder to shoulder with me is decreasing."

"You know what? The first time I met Yuan Nong, back then..."

Zhang Anping seemed to reminisce: "Back then, I went there with Lao Qi."

"When did we part ways? I remember now, it was when the three districts of Shanghai were merged. My cousin asked me to recommend someone for an outside post, and I chose the seventh brother."

“He’s had a problem with me ever since.”

A bitter smile appeared on Zhang Anping's face as he said listlessly:
"Old Wang, do you really think power is that important? For power, Seventh Brother and I eventually became enemies. For power, Mao Renfeng repeatedly stirred up conflicts. For power..."

"I was actually thinking before that I should just let you take Mao Renfeng with you and die together!"

A look of astonishment crossed Wang Tianfeng's face; he didn't understand why Zhang Anping had suddenly brought this up.

Zhang Anping looked at Wang Tianfeng seriously:
"Old Wang, stop pushing me—I don't want to become a cold, hard machine of power. I just want to do something. I just don't want my uncle's hard work to be wasted. If one day I become the person I least want to be, how can I... face my past self?"

This is Zhang Anping's explanation!

Wang Tianfeng remained silent. The person in front of him was, after all, Zhang Anping, who had brazenly revealed the assassination list out of indignation!
He treated himself like a brother, and he did things by any means necessary, not even caring about himself, but never considering his feelings.

"Feel sorry."

Wang Tianfeng lowered his head. He realized that Zhang Anping's failure to protect him last time had become an obsession for him. This time, he rashly wanted to "die together" with Mao Renfeng, but he did not consider whether Zhang Anping was willing to pay such a price.

When faced with the best choice, people often fail to choose it, not because they don't know it's the best choice, but because of various considerations—perhaps these considerations are the most useless, due to emotional entanglements. But what makes us human is precisely these seemingly superfluous emotions.
He asked, "So, what's next..."

He's already caused trouble; what's next?
"I've already prepared the knife. Aren't we just waiting for them to deliver their heads?" Zhang Anping, his previous attitude completely changed, reverting to the shrewd and calculating Zhang Shihao. He sneered:

"Cutting off someone's future is like killing their parents. I know what I'm doing, so how could I not be prepared? Do you really think that the cooperation with the Party's Information Bureau was achieved for nothing?"

Wang Tianfeng was taken aback. Wasn't this matter almost over?

During the celebration dinner for the capture of Yan'an, Zhang Anping reached an agreement with the Party's Information Bureau on the exchange of cadres. This issue has been hanging over the place for some time now—although the various factions within the Zhang faction were furious, they all eventually provided their lists.

The process is almost complete, so why are you making a fuss about this now?

Zhang Anping smiled slightly, turned around and took out a list from the safe, handing it to Wang Tianfeng.

Wang Tianfeng took a look and was completely dumbfounded.

He had seen the list of cadres to be exchanged, which only had twenty-three people, but this list had more than sixty people! Moreover, they were all core members of their respective factions—most importantly, this list had the seal of the GFB Personnel Department, the seal of the General Staff Office, and the signature of the Party Affairs Bureau.

As for the official seal of the Personnel Department of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, it would certainly be required!

The authenticity of this list is beyond doubt!

Wang Tianfeng was filled with confusion:
"what happened?"

How could Mao Renfeng not know about this list?

Or are you two just putting on an act?
Zhang Anping smiled faintly and said, "It's just a dual-list."

He spoke casually, but only he knew the hardships he had actually endured—the fake list made Mao Renfeng feel there was no need to stop him, so she continued to "trust" Zhang Anping, and as a result, Zhang Anping handed over the real list.

But with something this big, the chances of a leak at any point are too high!

In order to avoid leaking secrets, Zhang Anping used almost all his connections, including those left to him by Dai Chunfeng.

For example, this list involves military officers, so the GBF's personnel department must file it. Once it's filed, how could the information not be leaked?
So, how did Zhang Anping do it?

It's very simple, just don't file the record for now—get the list sorted out first, get the personnel department to sign and stamp it, and make a show of it before filing the record.
The same thing was done in the attendants' quarters.

It's simple to do, but it's against the rules, and it can't be solved with just empty words. Only Zhang Anping knows how many connections he used to achieve this.

But it was precisely this deceptive tactic that led the anti-Zhang alliance to believe that blocking the second wave of names would stop Zhang Anping, unaware that Zhang Anping had already made his decision.

Wang Tianfeng took a deep breath: "In that case, it'll be a bloody battle."

To give an example, the situation of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics in the past was as follows:

The anti-Zhang alliance knew that Zhang Anping wanted to "kill them," and Zhang Anping also knew that the anti-Zhang alliance knew that he wanted to "kill them," but at that time they both held back. The anti-Zhang alliance seemed to be in a desperate situation, but as long as the knife hadn't fallen, it wasn't a truly desperate situation.

But once this list is exposed, it's not just a matter of the knife falling; it's like the knife has already struck us!
Zhang Anping countered, "Is there a difference?"

Wang Tianfeng remained silent. Since Zhang Anping was determined to protect him to the death, how could there be any room for maneuver? No, Zhang Anping never intended to have any room for maneuver from the very beginning!
"Alright, don't feel guilty—tell me how you caught Yuan Nong?" Zhang Anping skipped over the topic and asked with interest:
"You've accomplished something truly remarkable without making a sound!"

Actually, everything above was just Zhang Anping's prelude; what he really wanted to ask was what came next!

Wang Tianfeng snapped out of his thoughts, not answering Zhang Anping's question, but instead asking in return:
"Do you remember the action team that suffered a major loss in Chongqing last year?"

"A huge loss? You mean... the incident where you were stunned by the fish?" Zhang Anping's expression turned gloomy, clearly thinking of that fatal humiliation—an incident he personally suppressed after "returning to Chongqing".

The reason is that it's too embarrassing.

It's truly embarrassing that a group of highly skilled secret agents from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics were knocked unconscious by someone using fish as a hidden weapon.

Hmm, that was done by Zhang Anping. Does it have anything to do with me, Zhang Shih-hao?

Wang Tianfeng said, "Hmm—I suspect that person is in the Security Bureau!"

"In our bureau? Such a powerful figure, can he really stay hidden?" Zhang Anping frowned. "To be honest, I consulted many experts, and none of them could do this! If he really infiltrated our bureau, would he remain unknown?"

As Wang Tianfeng recounted the two infiltrations of the Yuan family by the warning officers, because the story involved Lin Li, Zhang Anping, and others, he asked after finishing his account:

"Wait a minute, I remember Zheng Yi reported that a member of the underground Communist Party named Liu Shijie surrendered, and that's when the intelligence department collected this information. How come there's another Lin Li? Old Wang, what's going on here..."

"Intentionally?"

Zhang Anping looked at Wang Tianfeng with displeasure:
"You think there's something wrong with my secretary?!"

Wang Tianfeng wisely chose to remain silent.

Suspecting Zheng Yi of having problems is clearly a sign of distrust in Zhang Anping's judgment. It's only because it's Wang Tianfeng that Zhang Anping would be dissatisfied. If it were anyone else, Zhang Anping would definitely not be unhappy—he would just let the other party know what the authority of Commander Zhang is!

“When you do things—” Zhang Anping said helplessly, “you really only care about the matter at hand, not the person. If I didn’t know you, do you believe I would turn against you right now?”

"Last time it was my mother, this time it's my secretary. Would it kill you to let me know?"

Zhang Anping brought up "old grievances" again, clearly targeting Wang Tianfeng's previous list of suspects—back then, Wang Tianfeng suspected Katyusha was a relative of a high-ranking member of the Military Intelligence Bureau, and Zhang Anping's own mother was prominently on that list!

Wang Tianfeng nodded, indicating that he understood.

Zhang Anping secretly breathed a sigh of relief; this was a very good development for him.

"The investigation into Zheng Yi ends here—" he said in an unquestionable tone, "If she has any problems, I am transparent with the Communist Party, and the Communist Party cannot do that!"

Wang Tianfeng nodded again. Zhang Anping's weakness was his protectiveness of his own, but that was actually his strength. In an environment filled with abandonment and cruelty, his protectiveness made everyone devoted to him.

However, this is also a weakness, because enemies often take advantage of it.

"Let's talk about the Qingsong Intelligence Group. Yuan Nong's position in the underground party should be quite high. Right after the Battle of Shanghai, he was some kind of representative."

Wang Tianfeng then recounted the whole story in detail.

Zhang Anping was terrified, but he had to force a smile onto his face.

Wang Tianfeng knew more than Zhang Anping had imagined!

Besides Liu Shijie and Zhou Xianhui, whom he already knew, he also controlled the logistics and transportation groups of the Qingsong intelligence team, but he did not control the crucial radio station and the core Qingsong organization.

This is also why Wang Tianfeng has been holding back his attacks.

Finally, Wang Tianfeng said:
"The radio station and Qingsong should be directly controlled by Yuan Nong, but he is very determined and I don't have the confidence to get him to talk."

“I made a fatal mistake this time—in my plan, I did not consider that the Communists who were lurking in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics would know Yuan Nong and even know his address, which gave the Communists an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.”

Wang Tianfeng concluded by reflecting on his own problems.

Zhang Anping waved his hand and closed his eyes to think, secretly hoping for the best.

Wang Tianfeng's plan this time was extremely ingenious. If he hadn't known Yuan Nong, this situation would have been unsolvable. If it had been two unrelated intelligence groups, they would have been powerless to do anything this time.

After pretending to think for a while, Zhang Anping opened his eyes, frowned, and said, "Letting people from the headquarters into the Ministry of Economic Affairs is a terrible move!"

"You've gone too far by stirring up trouble!"

He gave Wang Tianfeng a slightly reproachful look, as if he was thinking about how to salvage the situation.

Wang Tianfeng lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Actually, I joined forces with the Party and Government Investigation Department."

Zhang Anping was startled and immediately understood Wang Tianfeng's entire scheme!

The Party and Government Investigation Department was an agency under the Party's Information Bureau, similar to the intelligence department of the Bureau of Secrecy.

However, its role was to monitor dissidents within the Nationalist government. The Party's Information Bureau also had an agency called the Special Economic Investigation Department, which was specifically responsible for the supply of materials in the liberated areas. Since this agency had such functions, it was inevitable that it would have a related agency within the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The collaboration with the Party and Government Investigation Department was Wang Tianfeng's real trump card against Qingsong, while the agents planted by the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics in the Ministry of Economic Affairs were a deliberate attempt to alert the enemy.

The moment the snake moves, the people from the Party and Government Investigation Department will notice something amiss!
He suppressed his shock and anger, staring coldly at Wang Tianfeng. After a long while, he said coldly:

"Old Wang, I know you're trying to keep this a secret—but do you understand what 'betraying one' means?"

"Why should the Party's intelligence bureau share the spoils that are already in the secret service's mouth? Is it just because of our mutual exploitation?"

Zhang Anping got up angrily, paced back and forth, and after a while, said angrily:

"Wang Tianfeng, can you please change your habit of making decisions on your own?"

Wang Tianfeng remained silent.

"You don't trust the people in the bureau, do you?"

Wang Tianfeng nodded this time.

"Once the cadres from the Party and Information Bureau arrive, you will be responsible for training them. They will then form your core team!"

After Zhang Anping finished speaking, he solemnly warned:
"But if you ever act on your own again, I will absolutely not tolerate it!"

The heavy weight of trust made Wang Tianfeng feel suffocated. He had done too many outrageous things under Zhang Anping's wing, but Zhang had always taken the blame, and this time was no exception.

"Don't let them get away this time—Qingsong is the most important thing right now!"

Zhang Anping softened his tone: "Continue investigating the fake underground party member. We can't abandon this smokescreen for now. After the fierce meeting tomorrow, don't worry about the infighting within the bureau. Make sure you find this Qingsong!"

Wang Tianfeng stared at Zhang Anping.

Zhang Anping's words, translated, mean: I'll take the blame, you do the work!
He said, enunciating each word clearly, "I will definitely find him!"

Zhang Anping nodded slightly: "Yes, we can't let internal strife always affect our work."

After the two talked for a while, Wang Tianfeng said goodbye and left. After he left, Zhang Anping leaned back on the sofa, seemingly thinking about something, but in reality, he was making an important decision:

Assassination!

As mentioned before, Zhang Anping tolerated Wang Tianfeng's murderous intent time and time again because assassination would do him more harm than good.

But now is a very good opportunity—the person who wants Wang Tianfeng dead right now is Mao Renfeng.

A truly outstanding scapegoat!

This person is too much of a threat. The Qingsong Intelligence Group was almost completely wiped out because of him. If we miss this opportunity, who knows how many more comrades will suffer next time!
Moreover, at this time, Wang Tianfeng, due to his status, did not have a large number of guards to protect him, making the success rate of assassination quite high. If I were to find an opportunity to reinstate Wang Tianfeng to his original position later, the chances would be much slimmer.

[I'll do it myself!] (End of Chapter)