My spy diary

Chapter 624 A Bright Future (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Zhang Yi was somewhat surprised: "Why are you here?"

Shen Ruozhu seemed a little embarrassed as she walked in, glancing at Zhang Yi. In that one glance, she froze.

Just a few steps away, Zhang Yi leaned against the headboard with difficulty, her face as pale as paper. Her hospital gown was neatly made up, but bloodstains could be seen seeping through. Her eyes instantly reddened.

"Are you alright? How did you get such a bad injury?"

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

Upon seeing this, Lieutenant Jia wore a cryptic smile.

Just then, Dai Chunfeng pushed open the door and entered. He saw Shen Ruozhu and feigned surprise:

"Officer Shen is here too?"

Then, he walked over to Zhang Yi's bedside and sat down: "Awake? How are you feeling? You've survived a close call, so you're bound to have good fortune. You'll be enjoying your life from now on. Maybe you'll even have a wife by the time you're discharged." His words were ambiguous and seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

Shen Ruozhu, standing to one side, was at a loss and looked shy, while Deputy Officer Jia laughed heartily.

Zhang Yi wasn't amused by his words. He opened his mouth, about to say something, but Dai Chunfeng stopped him. He waved for Shen Ruozhu and Deputy Officer Jia to leave, then said with a grateful expression:

"Yunyi, you are truly my lucky star, you saved my life again!"

As he spoke, he solemnly stood up and gave a salute.

Zhang Yi hurriedly struggled to return the greeting, feeling flattered, and said, "You flatter me, Director. It's just my duty, and I'm doing my best."

“Not at all.” Due to lack of sleep, Dai Chunfeng’s eyes were a little red. He blinked sorely, peeled a banana for Zhang Yi, and continued:
"Dedicated to the cause, well said. But many people gradually lose their fighting spirit and the vigilance that a secret agent should have as time goes by. You are different from them."

"I'm ashamed." Zhang Yi took a bite of his banana. "If I had arrived sooner, we wouldn't have suffered such a great loss."

"How can you blame yourself? Blame those scattered soldiers. They were equipped with the best weapons, but they were poorly trained. More than a hundred men were beaten to a pulp by only twenty men. Some even deserted in the face of battle. Isn't that tragic?"

Dai Chunfeng said with some regret, "You should know what the situation is like on the Zhejiang East front. The Japanese army is pressing in, but the war zone is neglecting its defenses. They have infiltrated without us even knowing. What can we expect from them? If it weren't for your selfless rescue, I, Dai, might have already died a martyr or be in the interrogation room of the Japanese invaders. For this alone, no amount of gratitude is too much."

"You flatter me, Director. To be honest, I didn't do anything special; it was just my duty." Faced with such high praise, Zhang Yi feigned a look of shame.

Dai Chunfeng smiled and waved his hand, then looked at Zhang Yi and changed the subject: "By the way, how did you know that the Japanese spies had set up an ambush there?"

Zhang Yixin said, "I'm here," but his eyes remained expressionless as he spoke frankly:
"At first, I was just suspicious. I felt that things were going too smoothly, and the Japanese didn't even try to bargain. Something was definitely wrong. But at the time, I wasn't sure. After the Director left, I felt more and more uneasy. Knowing them as I do, the Japanese are vengeful and would never let things go so easily."

Furthermore, influenced by traditional Chinese culture, the Japanese invaders also held the concept of returning to one's roots. Their militarism and ideology had long promoted the idea of ​​"loyal souls returning home" to satisfy the families' desire for their loved ones' remains to be buried in their homeland, boost morale, and glorify the war. However, the fact that the Japanese telegram made no mention of such an important figure as Shibahara Heizaburo was clearly illogical. Therefore, I suspected that the Japanese were plotting some conspiracy. Although I didn't know what it was, it concerned the safety of the Director, and I dared not be careless in the slightest." He sighed, "Fortunately, I guessed right. Otherwise, if anything had happened to the Director, I would have been more than willing to die for it."

"A wise mind sees far, a discerning eye observes the subtle, and a keen insight reveals the profound from the minute!" Dai Chunfeng praised, still feeling lingering fear as he recalled his own situation. He sighed, stood up, and looked at Zhang Yi with encouraging eyes, "Take good care of your injuries and be prepared to shoulder heavy responsibilities."

Shouldering heavy responsibilities? Zhang Yi was taken aback, not understanding, but Dai Chunfeng did not explain and walked away with his hands behind his back.

At this moment, Zhang Yicai breathed a slight sigh of relief, thinking that Dai Chunfeng must have believed his story.

As soon as Dai Chunfeng left, Shen Ruozhu came in. In just a short while, she had drawn her eyebrows, applied lipstick, and dressed up specially.

At that moment, she placed a clay pot wrapped in a thick cloth on the table. Then, she removed the cloth, carried the pot to the bedside, took out a spoon, and said to Zhang Yi:

"The chicken soup is still hot, eat some while it's hot."

Zhang Yi stretched out his arm, but he had no strength at all.

Seeing this, Shen Ruozhu said, "I'll feed you."

She spoke casually, but Zhang Yi seemed a little embarrassed, looking at her as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Shen Ruozhu remained calm. She scooped a spoonful of chicken soup and held it to Zhang Yi's lips, instructing him:

"Open your mouth."

And so, this scene unfolded: Shen Ruozhu sat on the edge of the bed, carrying a clay pot, and like a virtuous wife, spoon-fed Zhang Yi soup. Although he didn't speak, Zhang Yi caught a glimpse of tear tracks at the corner of Shen Ruozhu's eye and the undisguised worry in her eyes. He didn't know if this woman was acting or genuinely expressing her feelings, so he deliberately avoided looking into her eyes, breaking the oppressive atmosphere.
"The bones are fine, just a few pieces of flesh were lost, it'll be fine after some treatment."

Shen Ruozhu wiped away her tears and continued to silently feed him chicken soup.

Zhang Yi paused, then changed the subject:

"By the way, how is that Lu Shu'er doing?"

Shen Ruozhu was taken aback: "I haven't seen him for several days."

Zhang Yi immediately sensed something was wrong and quickly said, "The phone! Quickly, find the phone!"

Station Chief Tong sat in his office, his mind uneasy. Two days had passed since Director Dai returned to the mountain city. He had tried to see him many times, but had been turned away each time. He was filled with regret. It is said that too much talk leads to mistakes. If he hadn't assured Director Dai that he was safe and sound, he wouldn't be in this situation. At this moment, he wished he could turn back time.

As soon as the secretary who had gone to gather information came in, he quickly asked:

"how?"

The secretary said cautiously, "Lieutenant Jia said that Boss Dai is busy with official business and we can talk about it later."

Station Master Tong was immediately frustrated and angry.

"However, I have heard some news."

"what news?"

"Director Zhang has woken up."

Station Chief Tong said "Oh," and then said, "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and prepare some fruit and flowers. I'm going to visit Director Zhang."

The secretary whispered, "Station Master, I'm afraid we'll have to change how you address me."

"What do you mean?" Station Master Tong asked, somewhat puzzled.

The secretary clicked her tongue and said, "It was just announced that the deputy director's secretary and director of the judicial department—a favorite of Director Dai—has been promoted!"

Station Chief Tong was stunned for a moment: "He's been promoted already? That's fast! The deputy director's secretary also serves as the director of the Fifth Division. He's in a high and powerful position!"

His words carried an unspoken envy, and a hint of bitterness he himself didn't even realize. He felt a deep sense of loss and regret, wondering if he had been the one to save Boss Dai from danger that night, would his position have risen accordingly?
The secretary, observing the situation, comforted her, saying, "The deputy director's secretary may seem to hold a high position, but it's just a nominal one. It doesn't have the air of a regional official like you, station chief."

Station Chief Tong glanced at him, offering no comment. Seeing the secretary's puzzled expression, he bowed as if listening to instruction, and explained:
There's a saying that the most fundamental difference between the upper and lower classes lies in just two things: the control and allocation of resources, and the asymmetric amount of information.

Whether it's a nominal or substantive position, what does it mean to have a high position and great power? Most people believe that the higher a person's position, the greater their power.

However, the extent of power depends not only on the rank of the position, but more importantly on its position within the information flow. If a particular flow of information passes through a certain location, then that location possesses corresponding power, because controlling the information means having the basis for decision-making and influence over the development of events.

In officialdom, sometimes knowing something in advance, being one step ahead, and preparing ahead of others is already incredibly advantageous. Remember, opportunity and difficulty are equal for everyone, but if you have inside information and are prepared before others, you have a significant advantage in your chances of success.

Station Chief Tong rarely speaks so eloquently; clearly, he was quite provoked today and had many thoughts on the matter.

"The stationmaster's advice is truly admirable." The secretary looked at him with admiration, then cautiously asked:

"That's true, but the acting director's secretary at headquarters is Director Mao. Director Zhang is still young. Can he establish himself properly there?"

"Who knows?" Station Chief Tong frowned and shook his head. "But regardless, from now on, whether in terms of rank or formality, Deputy Director Zhang's secretary is his superior. Others will have to pretend to be respectful and obedient when they see him. Besides, although Director Zhang is young and inexperienced, he is ambitious and will undoubtedly have a bright future. Alright, let's not talk about that. Go and prepare a generous gift right away—"

Just then, the office phone rang. Station Chief Tong answered it, and upon hearing that it was Zhang Yi, he immediately switched to a calm and respectful tone:

"Congratulations, Deputy Director Zhang!"

P.S.: (Working overtime today, so only a short and weak chapter. Shamelessly asking for monthly votes!)
(End of this chapter)