Kingsman Agent in Film and Television

Nothing much has happened in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics lately—but nothing much often means something big is about to happen.

One deputy director was on "sick leave" at home, while the director was on a rollercoaster ride. He had just dealt a heavy blow to the Zhang faction when his own side was hit with a bombshell. Although a huge bombshell had attracted public attention, Mao Zhongxing's affair had also left the director in a very embarrassing situation.

I heard that the higher-ups are very keen to replace him, but they have encountered tremendous resistance, which comes from the four major families.

The four major families were actually too lazy to protect Mao Renfeng. It's hard to find a money-making god, but there are definitely plenty of fools like Mao Renfeng.

The key issue is that they just lost a lot of people, literally a lot of people—although the director failed in his anti-corruption campaign, he didn't lose his position. How could a director who was holding a grudge possibly allow those corrupt officials he had taken down to be reinstated?

Under these circumstances, for the sake of their own political reputation, the four major families dared not abandon Mao Renfeng. Therefore, even if the chief attendant intended to replace Mao Renfeng, they could only try to mediate.

But the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics was ultimately the Chief of Staff's private domain of power. They knew they couldn't protect Mao Renfeng for long, but Zhang Anping controlled their enormous wealth. If they didn't check and balance him, what would happen if something went wrong?
As parasites and vampires feeding on the Nationalist government, they always viewed human nature from the worst possible perspective, and thus, quite naturally, they began to look for new targets to support—and that's when Zheng Yaoxian came into their sights.

When Mao Renfeng saw that his former little brother was about to drive a Land Rover, he became anxious. He desperately tried to get closer to the four major families while also desperately trying to maintain his alliance with Zheng Yaoxian.

Therefore, Mao Renfeng decided to take advantage of Zhang Anping's sick leave to help Zheng Yaoxian seize control of the special armed forces. This armed force, numbering over 10,000, was an attempt to achieve a unified will within the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics after the Military Intelligence Bureau was reorganized into the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and lost its military power. Moreover, it was approved by higher authorities because it raised its own military funds.

From personnel selection and training site selection to training, everything was handled by Zhang Anping. The current training is nearing completion, and it is expected that combat capability will be formed and deployed to the battlefield next spring. They are also recognized as Zhang Anping's most prized possessions.

Despite Mao Renfeng's apparent "respect" for Zhang Anping's control over this armed force, he had been eyeing it since its inception. His initial plan was to find a way to control the force, but as Zheng Yaoxian gained favor and support from four different entities, Mao Renfeng decided to find a way to hand the force over to Zheng Yaoxian.

Doesn't this seem a bit puzzling—why would he help Zheng Yaoxian gain military power when he was in a crisis?
Is it because Zheng Yaoxian is his younger brother?

of course not!

In the existing power structure of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, even at its most glorious, Zheng Yaoxian's faction was always ranked fourth – Zhang, Mao, Zheng Yaoquan, and Zheng Yaoxian.

With the offensive in northern Shaanxi, Zheng Yaoxian was kicked to the Northwest by Zhang Anping. After the central command lost Zheng Yaoxian, the Zheng faction was suppressed and beaten. If it weren't for Mao Renfeng's promotion, Zheng Yaoxian's faction would probably have fallen apart.

With Mao Renfeng's promotion, Zheng Yaoxian's relationship with Mao Renfeng entered a honeymoon period, and the Zheng faction entered another period of development. However, under the suppression of the Mao and Zhang factions, the development of the Zheng faction was not fast. Although it is now the third in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, it is not as good as the fourth before.

To put it bluntly, the Zheng faction poses no threat whatsoever to Zhang Anping, who controls the Zhang faction!

Now that Zheng Yaoxian has accepted the olive branch from the four major families, development will not be so easy—but once he controls the special armed forces, things will be different.

Zheng Yaoxian will therefore become a thorn in Zhang Anping's side—that is the special armed force that he has invested a lot of effort in, and how could he not hate it when his talents are taken away like this?

Zheng Yaoxian's only advantage in the Bureau was the Zheng faction, but the Zheng faction was ultimately a minority. Facing Zhang Anping, who was unleashing his full power, he had to rely heavily on Mao Renfeng, otherwise he might be kicked out of the Bureau's power hub. Once kicked out of the power hub, the military power in his hands would eventually become nothing more than a mirage.

On the contrary, if Mao Renfeng does nothing, Zheng Yaoxian will collude with Zhang Anping to take action against him. When he falls, the Mao faction will be divided up by the Zhang and Zheng factions, and Mao will become the fuel for Zheng Yaoxian's growth.

Therefore, for Mao Renfeng, securing special armed forces for Zheng Yaoxian was a process of sacrifice; only by giving up something can one gain something.

Whether Zheng Yaoxian could see through Mao Renfeng's intentions was irrelevant, because this was a blatant conspiracy. As long as Zheng Yaoxian was interested in military power, he would have no choice but to fall into the trap. But as the chief secretary of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, how could Zheng Yaoxian not be interested in military power?
He fell for it!

Mao and Zheng joined forces, taking advantage of Zhang Anping's sick leave, and used an inside man to "report" corruption. Under the pretext of a thorough investigation, they sent a working group to the special armed forces training camp where they were training. They then investigated the officers of Zhang's faction. While the investigation was underway, Zheng Yaoxian took over the training camp, controlled the finance and logistics departments, and placed all his people in key positions.

The investigation ended at this point, and the investigated individuals were naturally found to be without fault. However, when these officers returned, they discovered that the training camp had undergone a complete transformation. Officers from the Zheng faction had firmly taken control of the training camp—a special armed force of tens of thousands of people—and thus the change of control was completed.

During this period, Zhang Anping, who was on sick leave, did not do nothing. However, the problem was that his leave was not legitimate. He was on "sick leave," which was mandatory. Therefore, he could not directly intervene in practical matters and could only carry out his will through the Zhang faction. What say did the members of the Zhang faction have in the face of the combination of the director and the chief secretary?

It is said that after this incident, Zhang Anping locked himself in his study and did not come out for a whole day.

Faced with this humiliating loss, some members of Zhang's faction even suggested cutting off funding for the special armed forces, but Zhang Anping ultimately stopped it with a tearful appeal. When the news spread, many people could only shake their heads and curse Zhang Anping's pedantry.

This is probably what they mean by "a gentleman can be deceived by his principles."

After gaining control of the only special armed force currently under the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, Zheng Yaoxian's career seemed to be blossoming. He was first summoned by the chief of staff, and the next day the staff office issued a document promoting Zheng Yaoxian to deputy director and chief secretary of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics.

After this document was issued, the Attendant's Office sent Attendant Zhuang to visit Zhang Anping. After experts conducted a physical examination on Zhang Anping and confirmed that Zhang Anping had recovered his health, they urged Zhang Anping to return to work.

……

in the secret room.

Having achieved what he couldn't in the original timeline, Deputy Director Zheng Yaoxian felt no sense of exhilaration, but rather a bellyful of doubts:
"Anping, how can you be so sure that the Attendants' Chambers would be happy to see this?"

Yes, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the person Zheng Yaoxian met in the secret room was Zhang Anping.

At this moment, Lao Zheng was very confused. In his mind, he was the one supported by the four major families, the dog's paw that the four major families were sticking into the "dinner plate" of the attendant. Logically speaking, the attendant should not have been friendly to him.

The chief aide was quite pleased with his acquisition of military power, and the deputy director was an even greater surprise.

But this shouldn't be happening!
"Because I sided with the section chief!" Zhang Anping chuckled. "The chief aide is giving me a warning. If you don't take over the military power and stop being the deputy director, I'm afraid I'll have to continue my sick leave."

Zheng Yaoxian was somewhat bewildered. Just because he sided with the section chief, he was going to be reprimanded? And he could tolerate the four major families sticking their tails around?
Although the chief attendant was himself a member of one of the four great families...

“That’s power!” Zhang Anping exclaimed. “The power to make fathers and sons kill each other, to make brothers turn against each other. If you understand it deeply enough, you can understand any strange thing that happens.”

Zheng Yaoxian looked at his comrade-in-arms with suspicion, thinking to himself, "I suspect you're calling me stupid."

However, Zhang Anping's serious demeanor made Zheng Yaoxian too embarrassed to question him, even though he was certain that Zhang Anping would despise him if he did.

"Why did you transfer Lao Lu away?" Zheng Yaoxian rolled his eyes. "I've been working with Lao Lu for over ten years. I suspect you're just jealous of me!"

Why be jealous of him? Jealous of him for partnering with Lao Lu for over a decade, while his partner has changed.

Zhang Anping said, "Alright, I know you're under a lot of pressure—but don't make fun of me. If you keep doing this, I'll adjust my plans for you!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yaoxian immediately grinned and said, "Hey, Director Zhang, don't be so petty. Come, come, have some tea."

Zhang Anping was right. Old Zheng was indeed under a lot of pressure. The deputy director was completely different from the chief secretary. In the past, he hardly got involved in politics, but after becoming the deputy director, he couldn't do that anymore. He had to get involved in politics.

He was flirting with the four major families while also being “responsible” to the chief attendant. The key issue was politics, which he was indeed…worried about.

He couldn't understand why the chief attendant would support him after Zhang Anping sided with the director, fearing that his involvement in politics would ruin Zhang Anping's plans.

Zhang Anping smiled as he accepted the teacup from Zheng Yaoxian, but his heart was filled with mixed emotions. In the original timeline, Old Zheng had failed his brothers, his wife, his daughter, and his lover, but he had never failed his own beliefs.

But in this timeline, he didn't want Lao Zheng to remain hidden from the light even after returning to the organization. Lao Zheng didn't care, but he was unwilling to accept it.

"The reason I made you cut off contact with Lao Lu is to sever ties—you'll be handing over all your work from now on."

The work is definitely not related to the Bureau of Secrecy.

Zheng Yaoxian was stunned. He said in surprise:

"You want me to go home?"

In an instant, I was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

Come back home!

These two words held an unspeakable allure for an undercover agent—after the Battle of Shanghai ended, he, Zhang Anping, and Zeng Moyi went to the territory of the New Fourth Army guerrillas. The three adults secretly changed into New Fourth Army uniforms in the house.

Later, in northern Shaanxi, he repeatedly donned the uniform of the People's Liberation Army under the guise of reconnaissance.

For Zheng Yaoxian, wearing either the uniform of the New Fourth Army or the uniform of the People's Liberation Army was a sacred act.

why?
Because it was the longing that haunted his dreams time and time again.

But a sense of responsibility quickly pulled him back from his excitement.

"What exactly are you thinking? How will this affect you? If I go home, what about you?"

One question after another was asked.

Clearly, Lao Zheng was still more concerned about his current work and his comrades!

Zhang Anping smiled, trying to appear relaxed: "Of course, it's about leading a special armed force in an uprising—Old Zheng, for the time being, your only identity is that of an uprising general."

"That's alright—I was asking what impact my evacuation would have on you?"

"What impact could it have?" Zhang Anping chuckled. "You snatched military power from me, and with other people's endorsement, so what impact could it have on me? At most, you could say I pushed you too far—but I haven't even cut off funding, so how far could I have pushed you?"

Zheng Yaoxian thought about it and agreed. Even a blind man could see that Zhang Anping was extremely loyal to the Party and the State, while the Party and the State had been betraying Zhang Anping all along.

He asked in a low voice, "When exactly?"

"It's hard to say, you'll have to decide for yourself! According to the training schedule, you should be able to finish training around May, but I can't be sure where you'll be assigned. However, I'm leaning towards the Shandong battlefield. We'll see how things go then."

Zhang Anping laughed and said, "I'm just letting you know first. Don't think you can go home right now!"

"I'm talking to you about serious business!" Zheng Yaoxian glared at Zhang Anping with dissatisfaction. He had no idea what to do about such a big matter.

"What you need to do now is hand over the work and have a general idea of ​​what to do. Just be flexible and adapt to the situation. With your status as a top figure in the Security Bureau, what do you have to worry about? Even the people monitoring you will be your own people. What are you afraid of?"

Hearing Zhang Anping's words, Zheng Yaoxian couldn't help but laugh.

Yeah, why is he panicking—who is he?

Deputy Director Zheng of the Bureau of Secrecy!

Other troops that revolt or defect are worried about secret agents within the military, but what is he worried about?
Fearing a spy, someone ran over and said, "Director Zheng, there are Communist elements in the army plotting a rebellion!"

As he laughed, Zheng Yaoxian suddenly realized what was happening and looked at Zhang Anping seriously: "From the moment you started building the special armed forces, you were thinking about today, weren't you?!"

"From the very beginning, you were just thinking about having me lead the team home, weren't you!"

Zheng Yaoxian was simply not good at politics, but he was very sensitive to these kinds of arrangements.

"Haha, you saw right through me! No wonder you're Zheng Laoqi!"

Zheng Yaoxian glanced at Zhang Anping with displeasure and asked, "I'm talking to you about serious business—what about you? Have you thought about how to get home?"

How do I get home?

Zhang Anping smiled and said, "Of course, it's when the Kuomintang is at its wit's end, they'll tie a towel to their sleeves—I bet they can pick up a few cartloads of eyeballs from the ground then."

Zheng Yaoxian was captivated by the scene described by Zhang Anping.

The Kuomintang was at its wits' end. Its last loyalists, with identifiable towels tied to their sleeves, led their troops in a loud shout:
"The People's Liberation Army treats prisoners of war well!"

You'd be so shocked you could pick up several trainloads of eyeballs!

Zheng Yaoxian murmured, "When the time comes... I'll lead a team to welcome you."

Zhang Anping looked intently at Zheng Yaoxian, but a strange image flashed through his mind:

An elderly man, frail and worn, waited anxiously at the airport, until another elderly man appeared...

He looked at Zheng Yaoxian intently:
"Alright, whoever stands up is a bastard!"

Zheng Yaoxian, of course, had no idea what Zhang Anping was thinking, and simply asked out of curiosity:

How long do you think it will take before that day comes?

"It'll be soon, I think it'll be soon—" Zhang Anping didn't give a specific time this time, and then changed the subject:
"Stop undermining morale—if you keep talking, I'm thinking of going home."

Amid Zheng Yaoxian's feigned smug laughter, Zhang Anping said earnestly:
"I'm going to see Lao Xu later, and I reckon it'll end badly this time. Then it'll be your turn to perform—"

"Old Xu, I'm leaving it to you!"

Zheng Yaoxian understood Zhang Anping's meaning perfectly well. He didn't ask any unnecessary questions, but simply nodded without hesitation.

He trusted Zhang Anping's judgment. If Zhang Anping felt the time was right, then the time was definitely right! (End of Chapter)