Kingsman Agent in Film and Television

The chief attendant has been truly exhausted lately.

Amidst a barrage of bad news on the battlefield, he desperately negotiated with the Americans, pleading for increased military aid—but the Americans, of course, became unreasonable at this point.

He was figuring out how to achieve his goal indirectly, but at this crucial juncture, disaster struck—

The wealth that the four major families acquired during the War of Resistance against Japan and through American aid was mostly taken by the Americans.

To be honest, even the chief attendant didn't expect the total amount to be so shocking.

He even had a thought:
How about we slaughter a pig for the New Year?

But he only had the thought for a moment, because he knew very well that the four major families were his base of support. If he dared to attack his base, his rule would immediately collapse.

Therefore, the chief of staff could only angrily retort that everything the American media said was nonsense and slander. There were no so-called four major families, and all the high-ranking officials of the Nationalist government were loyal and devoted to the party and the country. Perhaps there were corrupt people, but they were definitely only a very small minority.

While refuting the accusations, he must also be vigilant in the face of public opinion, ensuring that the storm in the United States does not blow into the country—once it ignites public opinion domestically, given the current dire situation, he could very well be blown to pieces by the ignited public opinion.

Fortunately, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Party's Information Bureau worked hard to strictly control public opinion, preventing a media storm from coming from the United States. He breathed a sigh of relief and was racking his brains to find a way to give the Americans an explanation. But it was at this critical moment that public opinion exploded!

In a single day, or rather, in just a few hours, the underground party's meticulously prepared propaganda materials stripped him bare.

Upon learning that the public opinion they had been so carefully guarding had suddenly become known throughout the country, the chief attendant was completely stunned.

At that time, Mao Renfeng was worried that the angry chief attendant would tear him to pieces, but little did he know that the chief attendant was too busy to pay attention to him.

The questioning from Kuomintang elders, the dissatisfaction from various forces, the ridicule from various countries, the indifference from the Americans, and the shock and alienation from within the country made the chief of staff wish he could disappear for a while, and he had no time to pay attention to the trembling Mao Renfeng!

He had to use every trick in the book to solve one problem after another—in a daze, he even felt the same despair that Xiang Yu, the King of Chu, felt when he was surrounded by enemies.

Just as he was solving one problem after another, foreigners came to cause trouble again.

They formed a group to exert pressure, demanding an investigation into how much money Zhang Anping embezzled during the evacuation of Shanghai after the attack on Pearl Harbor!
In terms of political maneuvering, even if all these foreigners were combined and multiplied by ten, they wouldn't be a match for the Grand Chamberlain. Therefore, the Grand Chamberlain knew their true intentions the moment they slightly bowed their backs.
Under the guise of investigating Zhang Anping's embezzlement, their real aim was to find out the total amount of wealth embezzled from the Shanghai International Settlement and then use that amount to demand compensation from the Nationalist government!

Want to eat fart!

The chief attendant flew into a rage and tried to ignore the people's unreasonable demands.

But these foreigners were incredibly resourceful; they colluded with the Americans, and although they didn't say it explicitly, their words conveyed the same message:
If the "reasonable" demands of foreign banks cannot be met, there's no point in even discussing military aid anymore!
Nonsense... Let me think about it some more...

The chief sergeant knew this was extortion, blatant extortion, but since he needed the Americans' help, he was unwilling to give up any possibility.

But if he just agrees to the foreigners' demands, where will he put his face?

Where would the Nationalist government put its face?

Although by this time the Nationalist government had already lost all face, it had been completely disgraced by the gluttonous families led by the four major families.

As for the phrase "the Tiger Warriors of the Party and the State," it was not even within the scope of the Chief of Staff's consideration of the pros and cons. When it came to the Chief of Staff's personal interests, the two words "loyalty" that Zhang Anping had painstakingly cultivated were not enough to be weighed on the scales, not even a single gram of them!

The chief of staff's hesitation was seen by some as favoritism towards Zhang Anping. Given the need to ask the Americans for help, the chief of staff's indecisiveness in the face of such harsh conditions proved that Zhang Anping held considerable weight in the chief of staff's heart.

The "section chief" thought exactly the same thing.

"This Zhang Anping, does he really hold such weight in the old man's heart?"

There is no doubt that the section chief admires Zhang Anping, but when huge interests are involved, admiration is worthless—especially in the current situation, where Zheng Yaoquan is certain that Zhang Anping must have made enough money during the Shanghai evacuation. The section chief's admiration for Zhang Anping cannot outweigh his disgust for corruption.

Of course, the section chief was grateful for Zhang Anping's huge sums of money provided through both overt and covert channels and acknowledged his contribution. However, as mentioned before, this did not affect his aversion to corruption, nor did it affect his choices when faced with personal gain.

"Right now... is an opportunity!"

The section chief detested corruption and had always planned to lead an anti-corruption campaign, but he had never found a suitable opportunity before. This time, he saw it as an excellent opportunity.

"We need to find a way to get the old man to give up on Zhang Anping, and then use that as a breakthrough to launch an internal anti-corruption campaign!"

"But we can't let the foreigners' scheme succeed—these foreigners want to use the opportunity of investigating Zhang Anping to find out how much wealth they took from the banks in the Shanghai concessions. So we need to find a way to prevent them from doing so..."

Thinking of this, a cold glint suddenly flashed in the director's eyes.

If Zhang Anping committed suicide out of fear of punishment, then what's the point of investigating him?
Their ideas are just ideas!
Having devised a plan, the section chief closed his eyes and pondered deeply, repeatedly reviewing his strategy in his mind. After repeated review, once he was certain of its feasibility, he abruptly stood up:

"Prepare the carriage; we're heading to the entourage!"

……

Attendant's Room.

Upon hearing that the director had arrived, the chief attendant, despite being overwhelmed with work, still made time to meet with him.

“Chief of Staff, the Americans have been making excuses about military aid, but now they've finally been coaxed into showing a willingness to talk by foreign banks. I think we shouldn't let this opportunity slip by.”

After offering a respectful greeting, the section chief went straight to the point.

The head attendant frowned slightly upon hearing this, barely suppressing his displeasure: "Do you think we should agree?"

The director knew the chief of staff was angry—the chief of staff thought he hadn't seen through the foreign bank's true intentions.

He explained calmly, "The real purpose of these foreign banks is nothing more than to take the opportunity to check the accounts from back then—we can agree to investigate Zhang Anping's embezzlement, but we absolutely cannot let them do whatever they want."

Upon hearing this, the head attendant raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What are your thoughts?"

“Zhang Anping is a member of the Party and the State. He has the obligation and the responsibility to bear the corresponding consequences for the mess he made.”

Bear the corresponding consequences?!

The chief attendant immediately understood the director's meaning. His eyes flickered, and after a moment's thought, he said:

“The public opinion is in an uproar right now, and we have to give the people an explanation, give everyone an explanation. How about this, you take the lead in setting up an investigation team, and you can invite a few experienced foreigners as consultants to investigate along the lines of public opinion.”

"We must not wrong an innocent person, nor let a guilty person go unpunished."

Literally speaking, the chief attendant's words were practically a reincarnation of Bao Zheng (a famous judge in Chinese history).

But the real reason for the current uproar is not because of Zhang Anping, but because it is aimed at the four major families who are "on the same side" with the chief attendant!

Following the public opinion, investigate the four major families?
If that's really the case, how could the chief attendant not say so? How could he do this without an imperial decree?

So, the real meaning is just one thing:
Go and investigate Zhang Anping!
The section chief was pleasantly surprised. He hadn't expected the chief of staff to agree to his suggestion so readily—he had thought the chief of staff was going to protect Zhang Anping.

You should know that he had prepared countless excuses for this trip.

He was certainly aware of Zhang Anping's contributions, especially the $4000 million that was secretly handed over directly to the chief of staff. Considering the context at the time, this contribution was immense!

It's understandable that the chief attendant was reluctant to part with Zhang Anping.

He prepared countless excuses for this—but the core of them all boiled down to one thing:
We need American aid, but the Americans have now "caught in their own trap." Since they've colluded with foreign banks and are using the investigation of Zhang Anping as leverage to continue negotiations, then we should "go along" with them!
For the sake of American aid, let alone Zhang Anping, even the entire Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the entire intelligence system would be worth sacrificing.

But the chief attendant agreed so readily that these excuses were completely unnecessary!
Is this the cold-bloodedness and ruthlessness of those in power?

The section chief seemed to be deep in thought.

Having achieved one of his objectives, the section chief pressed on and revealed another:
“Chief Attendant, public opinion is in uproar right now. Investigating Zhang Anping alone is not enough to appease the public, nor is it enough to change the Americans’ opinion.”

"Shouldn't we demonstrate our resolve with concrete actions, thereby making our allies realize our zero tolerance for corruption, and thus reassuring them to increase military aid?"

After saying that, the section chief held his breath.

He hoped that the chief attendant would agree—this time, with public opinion so turbulent, it was time to drag these scoundrels out and chop them all up!
The director's words touched the chief attendant, but only slightly.

The core support base absolutely cannot be compromised—if the core support base is compromised, even if he defeats the Communist Party, it's not his world anymore, and what use is it if it's not his world?!

"It's time to show our resolve," the chief attendant said slowly.
"However, you must find the right balance. You absolutely cannot let anyone think that the mudslinging the Communist Party is smearing us is the truth. Do you understand what I mean?"

The section chief's heart sank; he certainly understood what the chief attendant meant!
Using anti-corruption to prove the Nationalist government's innocence to the Americans was a clever move, but the anti-corruption campaign was meant to prove the Nationalist government's innocence, not to be a genuine anti-corruption effort—the chief aide made it very clear that they absolutely could not allow anyone to believe that the muddy waters were the truth. This bottom line has only one interpretation:
All accusations from the public must be rejected!
We can fight corruption, but we absolutely cannot confirm what's circulating in the media—that is, we absolutely cannot investigate the four major families.

"Chief Attendant, I think there should be limits..."

I think we can investigate to a limited extent, even if it's just to single out a few junior members!
But before he could finish speaking, the chief attendant interrupted him without hesitation:

"The situation is tense right now. If we lose our composure, we will give the enemy an opportunity to take advantage of us. The Party and the country cannot afford any chaos, do you understand?" Faced with the chief of staff's stern warning, the director reluctantly closed his eyes. He wanted to take this opportunity to launch an anti-corruption campaign and quell the raging tide of corruption within the Party.

But the result was the same as last time: numerous restrictions and shackles!
"I understand."

The section chief gave a reluctant answer.

After leaving the entourage, the director gradually recovered from his disappointment. Although he had not achieved his second goal, which he cared about most, he had ultimately achieved his first goal.

This anti-corruption campaign, spearheaded by myself, is perfect for Zhang Anping, given his rank, to serve as a warning to others—this is just a small test of my abilities!
【Zhang Anping, Zhang Anping, if you have someone to blame, blame yourself for your greed! If you weren't greedy, why would I... have harbored murderous intent?】

Gazing at the rapidly passing blue sky through the car window, the section chief said to himself;

One day, I will lead a thorough and decisive anti-corruption campaign, instead of being constrained like I am now!

……

After obtaining authorization from the Chief of Staff, the Director established an anti-corruption investigation team. During the establishment of the team, he invited several foreign accountants to serve as consultants for the team.

Clearly, this is self-deception—it undoubtedly means agreeing to those foreigners' absurd demands.

Zheng Yaoquan, the Deputy Minister of the GFB and head of the Second Bureau, served as the deputy head of this investigation team, responsible for providing intelligence support.

After the appointment document was delivered to the Second Department and received by Zheng Yaoquan, this old fox who had been instigating things behind the scenes and the scheming avenger did not feel any sense of satisfaction. Instead, he felt a chilling cold.

To put it bluntly, he was just making a face to get the section chief to distance himself from Zhang Anping. Regardless of the deep-seated hatred between him and Zhang Anping caused by political struggles, both of them were big shots in the intelligence field. In the future, there could only be one true intelligence big shot in the section chief's world, and there was a competitive relationship between the two of them. It was normal for him to make a face at Zhang Anping.

However, he did not expect that the director and the chief of staff would be so ruthless as to actually launch an investigation into Zhang Anping because of the foreigners' unreasonable demands.

Even without his illustrious military achievements, Zhang Anping's contributions to the Nationalist Party and the country during the Shanghai evacuation, both overtly and covertly, are enough to warrant the title of "outstanding meritorious service."

Honestly, even if it were anyone else, even if Zheng Yaoquan were in Zhang Anping's position at the time, would he have used both overt and covert channels to hand over such a huge sum of money to the Party and the State?
Throughout the Party and the country, I'm afraid very few people could do that!
But Zhang Anping did it—the meat just passed through his hands, getting a little oil on it. Compared to the huge amount of meat, that little bit of oil was really nothing.

But now, just because of the unreasonable demands of foreigners, the chief attendant has so easily given up on Zhang Anping?

Previously, Zheng Yaoquan had actually hoped that the chief attendant would give up on Zhang Anping, but after Zhang Anping was actually given up, he felt a chill in his heart. He felt no sense of victory, only sadness at the loss of his comrade.

[Zhang Anping, Zhang Anping, blame yourself for being the tallest tree in the forest—you've done too much!]

After sighing, Zheng Yaoquan tidied himself up briefly and then asked his secretary to notify the driver to take him to the section chief to report for duty.

On the bus, Zheng Yaoquan gazed at the blue sky that the section chief had gazed at not long ago, and inexplicably burst into laughter in his heart:

Zhang Anping is doomed this time; Mao Renfeng is nothing but a skeleton in a tomb...

It seems this Bureau of Investigation and Statistics is once again under my control, Zheng's control!

[Secret Bureau, oh Secret Bureau, I, Zheng, am back so soon! You didn't expect that, did you!]

……

After the anti-corruption investigation team was secretly established, the section chief began to deploy his personnel:

"Jeff, go arrest the secret service!"

Zheng Yaoquan stood at attention, head held high, and answered:
"Yes!"

The section chief then made arrangements for the others:
"You guys, find some financial experts, and after you take down Zhang Anping, immediately go to the Zhang family home to carry out asset preservation—make sure to register all the assets on file. These documents will be in the newspapers later, understand?"

After the arrangements were made, everyone dispersed and began preparations.

Just as Zheng Yaoquan was deploying his troops, the section chief approached him.

However, the section chief now looked somewhat somber:

"Jeff, after the seizure of the Zhang family's assets is completed and the inventory is tallied, I will send you a copy. You can give him this list of assets at that time."

Zheng Yaoquan was puzzled. Why was that?

The section chief paused, then continued:
"When the time comes, tell Zhang Anping that, considering his ultimate loyalty to the Party and the country, he should take on these tasks and not let the foreigners' conspiracy succeed."

Don't let foreigners' underhanded tactics...

Zheng Yaoquan suddenly felt a chill run through his body.

He understood what the section chief meant—he wanted Zhang Anping to commit suicide!

He originally thought that Zhang Anping serving the people was the most "vicious" ending, but he never expected that the director would be even more ruthless and cruel than he imagined.

They actually want Zhang Anping to die!
"Director, this..." Zheng Yaoquan opened his mouth numbly, but could not utter a word.

The section chief sighed:

"It's all Zhang Anping's fault... he was greedy after all!"

"If he were truly incorruptible, he wouldn't have ended up like this!"

Why did it have to come to this! Why did it have to come to this!
Zheng Yaoquan wanted to plead for Zhang Anping—he hated Zhang Anping, and at his worst, he wished he could chop Zhang Anping into pieces and feed him to the dogs.

But he also admired Zhang Anping.

Whether it's his strategies for external warfare or his strategies for internal political struggles, Zheng Yaoquan has reason to admire this young man who is more than ten years younger than him.

But now, such an outstanding young man is actually... going to die!

"I-I know."

Zheng Yaoquan responded blankly, his heart heavy with unspeakable sorrow.

That's too cruel, really too cruel.

Zhang Anping's loyalty to the Party and the country is beyond reproach, and his loyalty to his chief aide is beyond doubt!
But this absolutely loyal junior, now...

For a fleeting moment, Zheng Yaoquan actually hoped for one thing:

Zhang Anping always had a keen sense of smell; he should have sensed the danger. He escaped... How wonderful!

……

Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

In the past few days, Zhang Anping has been in charge of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics. Amidst the widespread panic, he has held up the Bureau and led the counterattack against the underground party. The results reported from various places are extremely gratifying, with a large number of underground party members being captured.

Of course, the truth is that a large number of innocent people were arrested by the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Party's Information Bureau, who labeled them as underground party members.

Zhang Anping was fully aware of this, and all he could do was protect them secretly and wait for the People's Liberation Army to arrive.

Logically speaking, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics should be feeling proud of its achievements now that it has made such great progress.

But the reality was quite the opposite; at this time, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics was still filled with anxiety.

But this time, the panic was not caused by the underground party's propaganda campaign in the previous days, but by the unreasonable demands of foreigners!

They actually pressured the Nationalist government to investigate Zhang Anping!
This was a devastating blow to everyone in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (BIS) – if the Nationalist government could not withstand the pressure from foreigners and had to investigate Zhang Anping, what would become of the BIS in the future?
Amidst this widespread anxiety, Zhang Anping remained a stabilizing force. He ignored the various rumors circulating outside, instead staying and working within the Security Bureau, using his ever-present presence to announce one thing to everyone:

So what if you investigate me?
I, Zhang Anping, have a clear conscience!
This action finally calmed the panicked people's hearts.

But that very afternoon, a convoy of more than twenty trucks stormed into the gates of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

The moment the convoy came to a stop, a large number of Nationalist soldiers jumped off the trucks and pointed their weapons menacingly at the guards of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

At that moment, it felt like the sky had collapsed.

A car finally appeared at that moment, and as it came to a stop, Zheng Yaoquan stepped out of the car.

For some reason, the sun was exceptionally bright today. Zheng Yaoquan shielded his eyes with his hand, glanced at the familiar gate of the Security Bureau with a complicated expression, and then slowly spoke to the guards at the gate, who were already frozen in place:
"Tell Deputy Director Zhang that I am Zheng Yaoquan, and I have been ordered to come see him." (End of Chapter)