My spy diary

Chapter 601 The Banquet (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

In the office, only Shen Ruozhu and Dai Chunfeng were present. Neither of them spoke, and the quiet room created a somewhat oppressive atmosphere.

"He hit you?" Shen Ruozhu stood expressionless, while Dai Chunfeng's face was also not good, mostly confused. He looked at Shen Ruozhu, wanting to say something, but hesitated for a moment before saying:

"I didn't know he was this kind of person."

Shen Ruozhu said nothing. She had already realized that Dai Chunfeng wasn't interested in her, but in Director Zhang. He had forced her to recount those embarrassing things. But why?

Did I hurt you?

"what do you think?"

Dai Chunfeng looked at her and said, "You've suffered."

Shen Ruozhu remained silent and did not speak.

Dai Chunfeng paused, then gripped the armrests of the chair, stood up, and looked solemnly into Shen Ruozhu's eyes, saying:
"Don't worry, once you're in my sect, brothers and sisters, I will definitely punish Director Zhang for this matter."

Shen Ruozhu looked at him. Her words seemed serious, yet also casual.

"I assure you, I will give you an explanation. However, what happens next is between you and Director Zhang."

He had only spoken halfway when Shen Ruozhu hurriedly interrupted him:

"You still want me to associate with him?"

"It's not about keeping in touch, it's about getting closer. Of course, I'll also help you make connections."

Shen Ruozhu's expression turned somewhat unpleasant: "Can I refuse? In his eyes, I'm just a plaything. I can't just pretend nothing happened and shamelessly cling to him, can I? That would be..."

"A scoundrel?" Dai Chunfeng interrupted her, as if talking to himself:

"Sometimes, you have to be persistent and shameless when you're doing a job, especially in our line of work. Of course, being a shameless person isn't easy. It's not just about being thick-skinned; you also need the tenacity of a leech, the resilience of a cowhide, the adventurous spirit of a wild horse, and the ruthlessness of a moth drawn to a flame, ready to die for your cause."

Although the Plum Blossom spy case was solved, outsiders were unaware of the inside story, but Dai Chunfeng knew it all. The death of Yao Zechong, the downfall of Zhao Longwen, and other mysterious events hidden behind this series of events left him with lingering shadows and a deep sense of unease.

He always felt that there was an unintentional hand controlling everything behind the scenes. This tendency to break free from control left him not only feeling uncomfortable, but also with a very serious sense of crisis.

Dai Chunfeng had three suspects in this matter.

First, there is Li Jue, a cunning and shrewd man with a dignified air.

Secondly, there's Station Chief Tong, who's eager to try and ready to take on any challenge.

The third is Zhang Yi, who remained uninvolved and calm.

There is suspicion, but no evidence.

In view of this, Dai Chunfeng felt that he had to keep a close eye on the basic behavior of these three people at all times, so as not to let them get out of control and cause any unforeseen situations.

So, how can we track down Zhang Yi's whereabouts?
Shen Ruozhu! This female spy who unexpectedly came into his view gave him a glimmer of hope.

From their conversations and interactions, Dai Chunfeng had already discerned that Zhang Yi was a very intelligent, ambitious, and ruthless woman, and that he might be able to gradually achieve his goal of controlling Zhang Yi through her.

Dai Chunfeng couldn't remember exactly which book or person she had seen or heard the words from, but the gist was: if you want to get a woman's secret, the best way is to give her love and get her into bed—women in the throes of passion are often more likely than men to lose themselves and be seduced.

Similarly, if you want to know a man's secrets, the best way is to find a woman he is close to, intimate with, or trusts.

Besides, Shen Ruozhu is quite beautiful, and she has already had a sexual relationship with Zhang Yi. Since it happened once, why should she care about a second time?

Shen Ruozhu was at a loss for words. Like a moth drawn to a flame, wasn't this just sending herself to her death? What exactly was Boss Dai plotting? Wasn't Director Zhang supposed to be Boss Dai's most trusted person? Why was he being monitored?
Just as I was pondering this, Dai Chunfeng's voice rang out again: "Don't overthink it. Be suspicious of people when you hire them. I'm doing this to protect Director Zhang."

Hearing him say that, Shen Ruozhu paused. She wanted to say something, but she didn't dare to.

"Don't worry, all the suffering you've endured will be compensated. I've said before, being a major is just the beginning." Dai Chunfeng saw that she seemed hesitant to speak, but didn't give her a chance to say anything. "Alright, go back now, and tidy yourself up. I hope you can appear dazzling at tonight's banquet."

"Yes." Shen Ruozhu took a deep breath, saluted, and withdrew.

She had just left when the office phone rang.

Dai Chunfeng picked up the phone casually, listened for a few minutes, and then angrily rebuked, "Useless! What do you mean by saying the person was taken away by the garrison? Tell me what this means? Are the guns you're issued just firewood sticks? I don't care what method you use, you have to get the person back for me."

At this moment, Deputy Officer Jia hurried over. Hearing Boss Dai having a fit inside, he didn't dare to go in and could only wait at the door.

With a "smash," the sound of a telephone being smashed came from inside the room.

Lieutenant Jia didn't dare to utter a sound.

"Who's outside?" Dai Chunfeng shouted after hanging up the phone, noticing someone outside the door.

Lieutenant Jia walked in cautiously and immediately saw the telephone lying on the ground, along with some documents and pens, all of which had been carelessly knocked down by Boss Dai in his anger.

"What is it?" Dai Chunfeng asked irritably.

"Director, it's almost time for the banquet," Deputy Jia quickly replied, handing over a list. "Most of the military and political leaders, as well as the prominent figures from Jiangshan County, have arrived."

Dai Chunfeng took it, glanced at it only once, then tossed it aside and said in a deep voice:
“Inspector Lian just called and said that Li Yishan has been found, but he was intercepted by the garrison. Go find Station Chief Tong right away. He is now the director of the investigation office. New broom sweeps clean. Tell him that no matter what, he must bring him back to me.”

"Yes."

Zhang Yizheng and Station Chief Tong were playing chess in their office. The door was wide open, and Lieutenant Jia walked right in.
"Station Chief Tong, Boss Dai has ordered us to immediately go to the garrison and bring the man back."

Station Master Tong was completely bewildered: "Who is it?"

Lieutenant Jia: "Li Yishan."

Zhang Yi was stunned by the sudden news. He paused for a second before coming to his senses: "Great! We need the one who tied the knot to untie it. Where did you find him?" Lieutenant Jia: "Inspector Lian found him, but I don't know exactly where."

"Brother, I'm going to get busy now. I'll come back to learn your skills when I'm done."

"Okay, the mission is the priority."

After the two left, Zhang Yi sat silently for a while, composing himself before getting up and leaving.

He had just reached the door of Dai Chunfeng's office when he saw him walking out with a beaming smile.

"Director."

"Okay, let's go to the restaurant together."

The restaurant was still Jiangshan Hotel, and it was still the same relatively luxurious private room as before.

Of course, the main character of tonight's banquet is Zhao Longwen.

Returning to the familiar place, everything has changed.

Zhao Longwen was somewhat puzzled as to why Boss Dai would choose such a place to invite him. Wasn't it supposed to be a family dinner to have a chat?

It was dinner time, and the restaurant was bustling with people.

When Zhao Longwen walked in with his adopted son, supported by his wife, many low- and middle-ranking military and political personnel and prominent figures who were dining outside saw him.

Although it had only been half a day since Zhao Longwen last saw Boss Dai, it felt like many years to him. Seeing Director Dai's beaming face and the hand he extended to greet him at the door of the private room, Zhao Longwen suddenly felt a sense of reunion after a long separation, like a person who had been drowning for a long time and, after struggling and suffocating, finally grabbed a big tree on the shore.

Boss Dai, still all smiles and in high spirits, acted as if nothing had happened, politely welcoming Zhao Longwen and his family inside. Once at the table, he kept serving food to Zhao's wife and son, and even gave Zhao Longwen specific instructions:
"Eat more, don't be shy. Tonight is a family dinner, so relax."

During the meal, I thought Mr. Dai would say something, but apart from offering toasts and serving dishes, he didn't say anything else.

Zhao Longwen stood up several times to offer a toast, expressing his gratitude for the Director's trust and cultivation over the years. Before he could finish, Dai Chunfeng interrupted him with a hearty laugh. Soon after, military and political officials and prominent local figures from the surrounding private rooms kept coming in to offer toasts, making further conversation at the dinner table even more difficult.

Most of the people who came to offer toasts were acquaintances. They had already toasted Dai Chunfeng, Zhang Yi, Director Gong, and others, and would also toast Zhao Wenlong and his wife.

But Zhao Longwen clearly sensed that the eyes of these people offering toasts were filled with sympathy and regret, as if they were silently saying, "I never thought Director Zhao would be this kind of person." This made Zhao Longwen very uncomfortable.

Deputy Jia quietly pulled Zhao Longwen outside the private room, took his hand, and said earnestly, "Director Zhao, it's alright. Every cloud has a silver lining. Everyone has their bad days, don't take it to heart. Look, even though you're in this situation, Mr. Dai still invited you to dinner and saw you off. What does that mean? It means we've met a kind and righteous leader, and it also means that your stepping down is just a formality. When things calm down, you'll make a comeback, and you'll still be the Director Zhao that everyone respects!"

Zhao Longwen opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say. He felt a wave of indescribable sadness in his heart.

He understood the meaning behind Jia's words, and his gaze was completely different from the others. They must have thought that all the mistakes he had made—such as killing his former colleagues, embezzlement, and bribery—were based on solid facts and irrefutable evidence, and that he had only himself to blame.

However, only family members know their own affairs. If we're talking about embezzlement and bribery, who isn't corrupt in broad daylight? It's just a matter of how much or how little corruption there is. Compared to others, Zhao Longwen is practically clean-handed.

Unfortunately, these words cannot be spoken aloud.

As more and more people began to offer toasts, the theme of the banquet quickly faded, turning it into a sacred altar for Director Dai and General Dai to receive worship, and a place of suffering for Zhao Longwen to receive sympathy and pity.

Watching the bloated military and political officials, local gentry and tycoons fawn over Boss Dai, then turn around and clink glasses with him with a condescending air, even if they didn't say anything sarcastic or critical, their eyes were full of emotion, much like the look of disappointment and frustration when looking at fallen officials.

Gradually, Zhao Longwen realized the true purpose behind Boss Dai's invitation to dinner.

He guessed that Boss Dai might have wanted to avoid a one-on-one meeting with him, especially a calm and in-depth conversation, by creating a lively and bustling environment in such a setting.

Of course, more importantly, he wanted to express his gratitude to his subordinates and fellow villagers.

See? I am such a loyal, sentimental, and humane superior. Even though my old subordinate made such a big mistake and caused so much trouble for me and the Military Intelligence Bureau, I am still magnanimous and do not hold it against him. I try my best to be kind and righteous.

Having understood Boss Dai's good intentions, Zhao Longwen felt relieved, which at least showed that he still had some value to him.

Since that's the case, why not help him to the very end? Since I've served the Military Intelligence Bureau and Boss Dai faithfully for nearly ten years, doing so many shady things for him, let's openly serve him one last time today and help him put on a show until the very end.

So, without further ado, Zhao Longwen replaced the small cup in front of him with a large one, filled it to the brim, and whenever someone came in to offer a toast, he would pick up the cup and drink it all in one gulp, then repeatedly confess and explain:

"In my more than forty years in this world, from Whampoa Military Academy to the Northern Expedition, to the Special Service Bureau and the Military Intelligence Bureau, among all the division commanders and officers I have met, Boss Dai is definitely the best. All the mistakes I have made are in vain for Boss Dai's earnest teachings, instructions and guidance. I am extremely ashamed!"

Not only that, later on, Zhao Longwen even carried bottles and glasses of wine and went to the surrounding private rooms, toasting acquaintances he met and repeating the same platitudes:
"Look at me now, even in this state, Elder Dai still treated me to dinner. Isn't that kind of treatment? Having such a superior is a blessing for me, Zhao Longwen, for all the people of Jiangshan County, and for the Party and the country. Come, let's drink to our respected General Dai!"

As the drinking progressed, Zhao Longwen's eyes gradually became unfocused, his tongue became slurred, and his steps became unsteady. Everyone could tell that he was drunk, so they all advised him not to drink anymore, and some even came up to snatch his bottle and glass.

However, he kept insisting that he wasn't drunk and continued to clink glasses and toast with others.

Finally, both the adjutant and his wife stopped him from drinking and forcibly helped him out.

However, just as he stepped into the car, a person jumped out of the darkness.

It was Yao Jinbao, Yao Zechong's son. Perhaps due to the alcohol, he seemed to have lost his mind; the hand holding the gun behind his back was trembling slightly.

"Zhao Longwen?"

"Who are you?" Zhao Longwen was taken aback, his eyes still blurry with drunkenness, and he didn't recognize him for a moment.

"You're the one, you old dog!" Yao Jinbao yelled and pulled the trigger.

With a "bang," a gunshot rang out, and a spray of blood spurted from Zhao Longwen's chest.

Several more shots rang out, and amidst screams, Zhao Longwen collapsed to the ground like a rag doll, blood flowing everywhere.

Meanwhile, in another interrogation room, Li Yishan, covered in wounds, was once again placed on an interrogation rack.

(End of this chapter)