My spy diary

Chapter 628 Summary (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Wait a moment." Dai Chunfeng waved his hand to stop them. The agents released their grip, and the man rushed over and knelt down again, asking him with a gentle expression:
"Get up quickly, just tell me what's wrong."

The man who made the complaint was in his thirties or forties, short and stocky with a wrinkled face. He was both anxious and angry, and when he heard Dai Chunfeng ask him a question, he immediately started babbling on and on. His lips moved rapidly, and spittle flew everywhere, but since dialects vary from place to place, the two outsiders, Director Gong and Deputy Officer Jia, who were standing by, couldn't understand a word he was saying. Dai Chunfeng had to guess what he was saying for a long time before he finally understood what he meant.

This man, Mao Xiaotang, ran a small noodle shop near the hospital. Soldiers often came to his shop to eat for free, but his small business couldn't keep up with the demand. Just now, four soldiers barged into the shop and ate a large meal. When they left, Mao Xiaotang asked them to pay, but instead of paying, they punched and kicked him and damaged things in the shop.

Mao Xiaotang was furious. Hearing from his neighbors that Dai Chunfeng, a big shot from Jiangshan County, was in the hospital, he mustered up his courage and came to complain.

Since Li Jue's 25th Army Group was stationed in Jiangshan County, its lax discipline has led to frequent harassment of local residents and merchants. Free meals, drinks, robbery, theft, and extortion have become commonplace. As the saying goes, soldiers and bandits are in cahoots; ordinary people simply cannot afford to offend them, and small business owners have no choice but to swallow their anger and close their shops.

Dai Chunfeng had decided to impeach Commander Gu of the Third War Zone and had already ordered all investigation offices and anti-smuggling units to secretly gather evidence of soldiers' illegal activities and smuggling for personal gain, in order to avenge his family. Unexpectedly, his wish came true. Mao Xiaotang blocked his way to file a complaint. Instead of urging Gong and Jia to seek out a feng shui master and fortune teller, he immediately asked Mao Xiaotang:

"Can you still recognize those four soldiers who were just eating for free?"

“I recognize it, even if it turns to ashes I would still recognize it,” Mao Xiaotang said through gritted teeth.

"That's good. Go find those soldiers. Lieutenant Jia, take a few men with you."

"Yes."

Deputy Jia pointed out several plainclothes officers from the Military Intelligence Bureau, intending to take Mao Xiaotang to arrest someone, but Mao Xiaotang stopped moving and said:
“Mr. Dai, there’s no need to make a fuss, there’s one nearby.”

As he spoke, he pointed to a burly soldier standing guard at the hospital entrance.

"Come here." Dai Chunfeng beckoned to the soldier.

The soldier hesitated for a moment, tossed the rifle slung over his shoulder to his comrade, jogged over, and gave an awkward salute.

Dai Chunfeng scrutinized the man; though short and burly, he exuded arrogance and showed no fear even in his presence. He immediately let out a cold snort:
"How dare you eat and drink for free? Don't you have any military discipline or regulations?"

"I didn't eat it," the soldier said, his neck stiff and his face innocent.

"Mao Xiaotang, you haven't mistaken me for someone else, have you?"

"No, Mr. Dai. His name is Niu Lao Er, and he's the one who led the vandalism of my shop."

Mao Xiaotang, who was quite shrewd, was quick-witted and saw that this important figure from his hometown really intended to help him. So he stuck to his guns.

Niu Lao Er, standing to the side, clenched his fists upon hearing this and threatened, "If you dare to frame an innocent person, believe me, I'll beat you to death."

"You bastard, you dare to threaten people in front of me? Believe me or not, I'll arrest you." Dai Chunfeng sneered, and Niu Lao Er became a little more restrained.

Dai Chunfeng continued to ask Mao Xiaotang, "You said he ate your noodles for free, do you have any evidence or witnesses?"

"Have."

Mao Xiaotang glanced back a few times and immediately pointed out several people, including soldiers on guard duty and neighbors who were peeking in to watch the commotion. However, some of them, out of protectiveness, and others out of fear of retaliation, refused to come forward as witnesses.

Niu Lao Er smiled smugly, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

Faced with this scene, Dai Chunfeng smiled contemptuously. The Military Intelligence Bureau was least afraid of die-hards; otherwise, wouldn't all those interrogation tools be useless?
Right now, he desperately wanted to torture Niu Lao Er in front of so many people, to make an example of him and send a warning to others. But this was, after all, his hometown, and such ruthless and vicious methods would damage his reputation. So he suppressed the thought, looked around, and saw Station Chief Tong standing not far away, so he beckoned him over:
"Director Tong, it is the responsibility of your investigation office to rectify illegal activities and enforce military discipline. I don't need to tell you what to do, do I?"

Station Chief Tong, having been sidelined for several days, was eager to prove himself. He immediately waved for the plainclothes officers to restrain Niu Lao Er and said sternly:
"Don't worry, Director. The station has plenty of ways to deal with this kind of scoundrel. He'll be vomiting up in no time."

Dai Chunfeng asked with great interest, "How do you plan to conduct the interrogation?"

Station Chief Tong chuckled wickedly, squinting as he looked Niu Lao Er up and down. "He looks tough and thick-skinned; ordinary torture instruments probably won't work. To save time, the most direct method will have to be used."

Dai Chunfeng's interest grew even stronger: "What?"

Station Chief Tong said ominously, "Cut him open! Didn't he eat someone else's food but deny it? Just use a knife to make a cut in his stomach."

Because no one dared to testify, Niu Lao Er became increasingly unrestrained. Even when pinned down by plainclothes officers, he still struggled. Upon hearing Station Chief Tong's words, he trembled and howled in pain.

"What do you want to do? I am Commander Li's man. You can't just arrest me like this."

Station Chief Tong sneered: "Commander Li? You know him? Does he know you? You clueless bastard, you're the one we're after. What are you standing there for? Take him back and gut him!"

"This"

If things really came to a head, Mao Xiaotang would be the first to give up. He originally wanted to report the thugs and punish them so he could get some money back. But seeing that it was going to result in a death, he was terrified. Killing Niu Lao Er would be satisfying, but if Boss Dai left, would Niu Lao Er's accomplices let him go?
The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became, and he hurriedly kowtowed repeatedly, pleading for mercy for Niu Lao Er:

"Mr. Dai, please spare his life. I'd rather not have this meal, even if it's just bad luck for me."

Dai Chunfeng said expressionlessly, "The country has its own rules, and the army has its own regulations. This matter has little to do with you anymore. You said that Niu Lao Er ate your noodles for nothing, but he refused to admit it. Station Chief Tong had no choice but to cut him open and take out his intestines. If there were still undigested noodles in his intestines, he would naturally deserve what he got."

If we can't find him, then I'm sorry, but you, Mao Xiaotang, have made a false accusation and will have to pay with your life. Alright, take him away!

No sooner had he finished speaking than the plainclothes officers handcuffed Niu Lao Er and roughly dragged him outside. Niu Lao Er, already terrified, immediately began to struggle wildly:

"Spare me! I'll confess! I ate it! It was me!"

"If only you had known this would happen!" Dai Chunfeng sneered, waving his hand dismissively to have him dragged away. Then he pulled out a few banknotes, squatted down in front of Mao Xiaotang, who was trembling and collapsed on the ground, and changed his expression to one of gentle persuasion: "Mao Xiaotang, the army group is largely to blame for the soldiers' lax discipline and oppression of the civilians. My investigation office also bears undeniable responsibility for its inadequate supervision. But I believe this kind of thing will not happen again. Take this money; consider it compensation on their behalf. Now, I need to trouble you to go and guide Director Tong to arrest the remaining three soldiers who violated discipline."

Mao Xiaotang was trembling like a leaf. Just as he was about to say something, he was grabbed and taken away by Station Chief Tong's men.

Dai Chunfeng stood up, satisfied. Station Chief Tong, seizing the opportunity, was about to claim credit when a guard trotted over to report:

“Mr. Dai, there’s an old man outside who claims to be your friend and insists on seeing you.”

Dai Chunfeng was puzzled when he heard this: "Friends? I don't have any friends in the county. Let's go and see."

He waved to Station Chief Tong, indicating that they would talk about it later, and then walked outside.

Station Chief Tong felt both frustrated and helpless.

Dai Chunfeng hurriedly left the hospital and saw an old man in a Zhongshan suit walking with his back to him. The back view looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't remember who it was in a hurry.

"Sir, Mr. Dai has arrived."

The guard leading the way called out, and the old man turned around. Only then did Dai Chunfeng see the old man's face clearly, and he was immediately overjoyed.
"Brother Luming, it's you?"

This old man was named Chai Luming, a native of Bao'an Village, Dai Chunfeng's hometown, and a close friend despite their age difference. Back then, Dai Chunfeng was a petty thief in his hometown, disliked by everyone, but Chai Luming remained steadfast in his support. He not only encouraged him to go south to apply for the Whampoa Military Academy, but also helped him raise travel expenses, earnestly encouraging the young Dai Chunfeng and deeply moving him.

After Dai Chunfeng rose to prominence, he was grateful for the favor he received and specially brought Chai Luming to Nanjing, where he became the head of the General Affairs Section of the Special Service Department. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan, the Special Service Department moved south, and Chai Luming, who was nearly sixty years old, retired and returned home.

The two, having been separated for a long time, had a lot to say to each other. Dai Chunfeng warmly took his hand and led him toward her temporary office.

Seeing this, Station Chief Tong became even more frustrated and could only go to find Zhang Yi in silence.

Zhang Yi, leaning against the bed, noticed that Station Chief Tong had caught a glimpse of him holding a copy of "Water Margin," and looked annoyed.
“Brother, what made you pick up this book? The more you read it, the more depressed you feel. Most of the so-called heroes are just ruthless criminals who disregard human life, yet they insist on putting on the guise of acting on behalf of Heaven. It’s more accurate to say they are acting on their own behalf.”

Seeing Station Chief Tong's complaints, Zhang Yi smiled:

"Just killing time. What are you doing here? What happened outside? Why are you making such a commotion?"

"A few thugs are causing trouble," Station Chief Tong summed it up in one sentence, then went straight to the point:

"Brother, what is Boss Dai thinking? He's been so cold to me, it's making me really uneasy."

"You're putting me in a difficult position. I'm not a mind reader, how would I know what the boss is thinking?"

"Didn't he show any dissatisfaction towards me?"

"No, right? Aren't you worrying unnecessarily? It was just an unintentional mistake. Surely Boss Dai wouldn't punish you. Besides, even if you didn't achieve anything great, you still put in the effort." Zhang Yi looked at him, pretending to recall something. "However..."

Seeing that he hesitated to speak, Station Chief Tong grew impatient and said impatiently:

"Brother, you might as well speak your mind."

“There is indeed something that is giving the boss a real headache right now. As you know, the Director is preparing to go toe-to-toe with Commander Gu of the Third War Zone and has already ordered the anti-smuggling police to collect evidence of their smuggling and profit-sharing. If you can put in some effort on this matter, the boss will definitely think more highly of you.”

Station Chief Tong was taken aback and hesitated. If he were to target Li Jue, he would grit his teeth and go for it, but if it were Commander Gu, the situation would be different. In his view, even if Boss Dai found evidence of smuggling in the Third War Zone and presented it to the Chairman, the Chairman would at most issue a few harsh words in a telegram, give both sides equal punishment, and let it go. Not to mention that Commander Gu was the Chairman's trusted and beloved general, with a major battle imminent, the Third War Zone was guarding the southeastern gateway; why would the Chairman cut off his own arm and make a big fuss over a smuggling case?

But he, the instigator, is different. There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. Once Boss Dai leaves, Station Chief Gu will have plenty of ways to deal with himself.

Thinking of this, Station Chief Tong looked troubled: "I'm afraid I'm powerless to do anything about arresting thugs. But we just caught a thug on the street, and there are a few more to come. If we interrogate them thoroughly, we might be able to implicate a few officers of sufficient importance."

Zhang Yi understood his thoughts and bluntly said, "Brother, adding flowers to brocade is good, but it's far less practical than providing charcoal in the snow. You yourself said they're just a few ruffians. Even if they implicate each other, what can they implicate? A second lieutenant? Or a lieutenant? Can they find anything that hurts Li Jue?"

Zhang Yi's tone was clear: Tong Xiang, you're afraid of both the wolf in front and the tiger behind, you want to make merit but are afraid of offending people, you're hesitant and full of worries, how can you expect Boss Dai to think highly of you?
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Station Chief Tong asked dejectedly, looking utterly dejected.

Zhang Yi glanced at him and said, "I do have a clue here, but it depends on whether you dare to stir up a hornet's nest."

"What clue?" Station Chief Tong jumped up excitedly.

Zhang Yi remained silent.

"Brother, you've been keeping me in suspense." He paused for a moment, then seemed to remember something, before pulling a pre-prepared check from his pocket and handing it to Zhang Yi with both hands.

"Deputy Director Zhang, congratulations on your promotion. This is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

In terms of age, he was ten or twenty years older than Zhang Yi, and his seniority was also greater. One was a section chief at the bureau headquarters, and the other was a "regional governor." However, the most important thing for the Military Intelligence Bureau was their position. In addition, one of them had been promoted while the other remained at the same level. Now, he had to ask the other for help, which put him at a disadvantage. Therefore, Station Chief Tong had no choice but to adopt the posture of a subordinate.

Zhang Yi took the check and saw it was for 50,000 yuan. While the offer was generous, Zhang Yi didn't care about the amount at all, and immediately returned the check with a cold smile.
"Station Chief Tong, what do you mean by this? Do you really think I'm a greedy and despicable person? If I took your money, what would Boss Dai think of me if he found out?"

"Deputy Director Zhang has misunderstood."

Zhang Yi's sudden change of attitude caught Station Chief Tong off guard. He cursed Zhang Yi inwardly for being shameless; had he already forgotten those two gold bars? He wasn't acting like this back then. He said awkwardly, "It's a misunderstanding. It was just a small token of my appreciation. I'm usually very discreet; how would Boss Dai know?"

Zhang Yi fell silent. He was pondering how to get his hands on the ten thousand taels of gold. It was impossible to keep so much gold for himself, and before he could ascertain Dai Chunfeng's true attitude and resolve his intelligence sources, it wasn't the time to act rashly. He considered involving Station Chief Tong, but he was afraid that the man was unreliable.

(End of this chapter)