My spy diary

Chapter 640 Original Intention (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The room was filled with a dazzling array of items, including calligraphy, paintings, and antiques.

Although Deputy Captain Chen knew nothing about antiques and calligraphy, he secretly surmised that anything collected by Li Jue must be extraordinary. Each piece might be priceless. However, these items ultimately needed to be inventoried, registered, and handed over. If they didn't match Li Jue's testimony, and if the higher-ups investigated...
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Chen Lao Er said sullenly:

"Brother, aren't you even a little bit tempted?"

"Do you know anything about antiques and calligraphy?" Deputy Captain Chen glanced at him and said, "There are more than just our people here, there are also people from the inspection department. With so many people around, you might end up losing more than you gain."

"Brother, what's wrong with the inspection department? Who's afraid of getting burned by money?" Chen Lao Er stamped his feet anxiously. "Everyone in our line of work is risking their lives, living for today and not tomorrow! What are we living on the edge of a knife for? Isn't it all for promotion and wealth? We don't understand antiques and calligraphy, but surely we can each take some gold and silver? If you're embarrassed, I'll go and negotiate with them."

Deputy Captain Chen frowned. As the person in charge of the operation, he bore a greater responsibility. Who wouldn't like gold bars? But as the old saying goes, secrets are the foundation of success, while leaks lead to ruin. With so many people and so many mouths to feed, if anyone were to leak information, the consequences would be dire.

Seeing that his elder brother was still hesitant, Chen Lao Er rolled his eyes:

“My dear Deputy Captain Chen, are you a blockhead? Who doesn’t know that raiding houses is a lucrative job? Since Boss Dai entrusted us with this task, isn’t he just doing us a favor and giving us a chance to make some extra money? What’s that saying again? If the water is too clean, there are no fish to eat; if you’re too honest, you won’t make any money.”

"That's called 'water that's too clear has no fish.'" Deputy Captain Chen said, speechless.

"They're all the same, they're all the same, brother, what do you mean?"

Deputy Captain Chen was at his wit's end with his good-for-nothing brother. Seeing him grinning and the other two plainclothes officers looking eager and ready to make money, he knew that if he took it too seriously, he would become a public enemy. So he said:

"Alright, you can discuss it with the people in the inspection department yourselves. But let me make this clear beforehand: each person can only take one gold bar at most."

"How many?"

"A gold bar."

"Isn't that too little?" Chen Lao Er was cunning. He complained, but he was secretly delighted. He thought to himself, "My brother, once you start this, you won't have a choice."

"You think it's not enough? Then never mind!"

"Alright then." Chen Lao Er feigned frustration, gave the two plainclothes officers a wink, and excitedly went to discuss it with the people from the inspection department.

Soon, the two groups, who already harbored ulterior motives, huddled together in a corner and whispered amongst themselves. They quickly reached an agreement, deciding to embezzle some of the gold, silver, and valuables and then coordinate their stories to cover it up. Immediately, they confined Li Jue's servants to a room, and the raid instantly turned into a spoils-sharing meeting.

The spies' eyes gleamed with greed as they grabbed gold, silver, valuables, and US dollars from the ground and stuffed them into their pockets, grinning from ear to ear.

Deputy Captain Chen stared in disbelief. Seeing Lu Shu'er standing there dumbfounded, he took a gold bar and stuffed it into Lu Shu'er's hand.
"Keep it."

"Yes. Thank you, Captain Chen. Don't worry, I'll give it to Director Zhang as soon as possible." Just as Lu Shu'er was about to put the gold bars into his pocket, he heard Deputy Captain Chen say:
"I kept Director Zhang's copy separately. This is for you."

Lu Shuer was taken aback and quickly returned the gold bars: "Captain Chen, I was just running errands for Director Zhang, I can't accept this! Besides—" He bowed awkwardly, "Besides, thanks to Captain Chen's help last night, otherwise, I wouldn't know how to complete the mission."

"Alright, it's just mutual assistance. You managed to take care of those guys quietly last night, which already makes me think highly of you." Deputy Captain Chen waved his hand. "I don't need this kind of talk with you. As for Director Zhang's people, I'll naturally take care of them for him if I can."

If this person were truly hopeless, it wouldn't matter, but he's not only quick-witted but also efficient, which is quite impressive. Not to mention, he has powerful connections backing him, which makes the man want to befriend him. If he could use this person to climb the social ladder and get close to Director Zhang, it would be killing two birds with one stone—why not?
Having made up his mind, he stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "This is the rule of doing things. You can't embarrass everyone, can you? You are Director Zhang's man, I am Station Chief Tong's man, and both of you are Boss Dai's men. We are all serving the Kuomintang and the Party, understand? Take it. This is what you deserve."

"Understood." Lu Shuer accepted the gold bar and said gratefully, "Thank you for your guidance, Captain Chen."

Deputy Captain Chen was very satisfied: "No problem, no problem."

About half an hour later, the search was over. The stolen money and goods seized from Li Jue and Gu Mingyuan's homes filled two large trucks, and the convoy drove to the airport in a grand procession.

Over here, Dai Chunfeng is counting the gold bars; all ten thousand taels of gold have been loaded onto the plane.

"Reporting to the Director, we found another 300 small yellow croakers, ten boxes of gold, silver and valuables, calligraphy and paintings, antiques, jade and silverware, etc., all of which are rare items. We also had a good haul from Gu Mingyuan's house."

Dai Chunfeng listened with great interest: "It is said that all the officers of the Third War Zone are extremely wealthy. I did not believe it at first, but now it seems that the rumors are true."

Station Chief Tong chimed in, "Yes, it's unbelievable. With the situation so dire at the front, he still managed to embezzle so much; he must have been extorting and exploiting people."

Dai Chunfeng said indignantly, "This is all the people's hard-earned money, the blood and sweat of ordinary people. They are truly heartless and rotten parasites."

He took the list, glanced at it, then took out a pen and scribbled a few lines before handing it to Deputy Officer Jia.

These antiques, paintings, and over two thousand taels of gold naturally had to be handed over to the national treasury to be used to convict Li Jue.

However, everything he spent on the list would be delivered to his residence in the mountain city. After all, he had already saved the country from such a great loss, so rewarding himself with a little something extra wasn't a sin. Besides, throughout history, which supervising official hasn't done this when investigating corruption and confiscating property? He was simply following the rules.

Dai Chunfeng smiled with satisfaction.

On the other side, Zhang Yi was meeting with Lu Shu'er.

Zhang Yizheng and his adjutant Jia were taking stock of the spoils when Lu Shuer suddenly appeared out of nowhere, looking strange.

Zhang Yi glanced at him twice and led him to a secluded spot in the airport.

Lu Shuer looked around as if something terrible had happened, until she made sure no one was around before turning back to look at Zhang Yi with a blank stare.

Zhang Yi was full of doubts: "Sneaking around like this, what's going on?"

Lu Shu'er kept his words stuck in his throat, unable to speak for a long time.

"Borrow money?"

Shake his head.

"Speak directly!"

Lu Shuer finally forced herself to speak: "Director, I made a mistake."

"I'm not surprised that you made a mistake."

"I"

Seeing his preoccupied look, Zhang Yi became serious:

"What's going on?"

"I...I embezzled money, abusing my position to line my own pockets. Captain Chen just gave me a gold bar, and I accepted it." Lu Shu'er said nervously, and a strange look flashed across Zhang Yi's face. Lu Shu'er awkwardly took out the gold bar.

Zhang Yi chuckled: "That's all?"

"Yes, I don't know how to handle this, and I'd like to offer some thanks to the director."

Zhang Yi stared at him intently for a while, until the other man felt uneasy, before saying, "Since they gave it to you, just keep it to supplement your household expenses." Then, he changed the subject, "How are you adjusting to life at the police station?"

"Okay, okay."

"Have you thought it through? They say a woman fears marrying the wrong man, and a man fears choosing the wrong profession. Once you've entered a profession, there's no turning back."

Thinking of Captain Chen's ruthlessness in killing people last night, "I" was still shaken, but I still said earnestly:
"Chief, although I entered the police force by chance and with your help, I may not be a good policeman, and I may never become a special agent like you. But I have finally gotten rid of the identity of a thief, and I don't want to go back to the past and be pointed at behind my back. I will definitely do my job well."

Zhang Yi looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Oh, so this is your original aspiration for becoming a policeman?" "Chief, what is original aspiration?"

Zhang Yi was frustrated: "Never forget your original intention, and you will achieve your goal. Have you ever heard that saying?"

Lu Shuer scratched his head awkwardly, looking at him with a hint of admiration, but Zhang Yi didn't appreciate it and snorted coldly:

The Avatamsaka Sutra says that all Tathagatas of the three times protect and cherish the initial aspiration, and also says that the initial aspiration of a Bodhisattva is not the same as the later aspiration. The Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi also expressed a similar sentiment: "Therefore, one should not forget the initial aspiration, and one will surely fulfill the original vow."

What was your initial motivation? Saving face? To avoid being laughed at? If you chose to become a policeman just for the sake of saving face, you won't go far. Officer Gu, you should read more books! Don't dream of instant success; start by learning to read and write.

Lu Shuer was even more embarrassed. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Director, what was your original intention?"

Zhang Yi's face didn't reveal the answer: "What do you think?"

Lu Shuer thought about it and then dismissed the idea.

At this moment, Shen Ruozhu walked over:
"Director Zhang, it's time to change the dressing."

Zhang Yi nodded, preparing to end his conversation with Lu Shuer, and took an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to him:
"You must have your original aspiration, and your skills are equally indispensable. This is a letter of recommendation; with it, you can attend the Military Intelligence Bureau's training course. I hope that by the time you graduate from there, you will have found your original aspiration. Of course, you can also choose not to go."

The predecessor of the Xixunban (息训班) was the Qianyang Special Training Class of the Military Intelligence Bureau, which was established in December 1938. As the situation of the War of Resistance against Japan deteriorated and the Japanese army threatened Changsha during the Battle of Northern Hunan, the training class moved to Xifeng, Guizhou to continue the course, hence the name Xixunban.

The class offers majors in intelligence, operations, policing, and telecommunications.

Lu Shuer looked surprised: "I'm going to attend a training course? Am I qualified?"

"You didn't have it originally, but now that you have my letter of recommendation, you do."

"Thank you, Director!" Lu Shu'er grinned sheepishly, scratched his head, and said earnestly:

"By the way, Director, there's something I've been wanting to tell you: I want to change my name!"

"What, do you think Lu Shu'er isn't good enough for you?"

"No, it's just that I feel the name 'Rat' isn't formal or respectable enough, and I'm afraid it would embarrass the section chief if I went to the special training class."

"You've got a lot on your mind. Shouldn't you ask your parents about this? What name do you want to change to?"

Lu Shuer said excitedly, "I've thought of everything. What do you think of the name 'Lu Qiancheng'?"

"A bright future?"

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.” ’Lu Qiancheng’ thought for a moment, then said:

"Or you can call him Lu Dayou."

"What?" Zhang Yi could hardly believe his ears.

He was just called "Lu Qiancheng" a moment ago, how come he suddenly became "Lu Dayou"?

He felt the name sounded familiar, and after thinking for a long time, he remembered the novel *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer*. He vaguely recalled that in the novel, Lu Dayou was the sixth disciple of Yue Buqun and Linghu Chong's junior brother. Because he liked monkeys, he had a nickname, "Sixth Monkey," and eventually died at the hands of Lao Denuo, an undercover agent of the Songshan Sect.

Thinking of the monkey, Zhang Yi's mood became heavy. He wondered how the monkey was doing now.

Lu Dayou, completely oblivious, said confidently, "Lu Dayou, derived from 'great potential,' what do you think?"

"Lu Kewei sounds better than Dalu, doesn't it?"

Lu Shu'er fell silent.

Zhang Yi shook his head: "Alright, I wish you all the best in the training program. You have a lot to achieve."

Lu Shuer then remembered something: "Director, are you leaving?"

"Correct."

"still coming back?"

"do not know."

Lu Shuer stared at him blankly. What kind of answer was that?
"Goodbye, Lu Shuer. See you in Shancheng sometime." Zhang Yi walked away without looking back. Lu Shuer stood there blankly, feeling lost and dejected.

Shen Ruozhu and Zhang Yi walked side by side, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

"what you want to say?"

"You seem to think highly of this young policeman?"

Zhang Yi smiled and said, "I just heard Captain Chen's report on last night's operation. Lu Shu'er single-handedly took down four heavily armed guards, which was frankly a bit unexpected. He doesn't lack courage, but rather experience and opportunity. Since he's willing to turn over a new leaf, why not give him a chance?"

"that's it?"

"that's it!"

Shen Ruozhu seemed lost in thought. After a moment of silence, she said somewhat hesitantly:
"Lieutenant Jia just called me and asked me to come to Shancheng with him, saying he'd take care of you."

"Surveillance mission?"

"I guess so. What do you think?"

"It depends on how you think about it; I don't really care." He was almost indifferent with his rationality.

Shen Ruozhu stopped in her tracks, a resentful look on her face: "Besides obeying orders, do I have any other choice?"

"I was just talking to Lu Shu'er about how women fear marrying the wrong man and men fear choosing the wrong profession. Choosing the wrong profession comes at a price. Since you've accepted the mission, let's cooperate."

"How do we cooperate?" she asked blankly.

"Acting," Zhang Yi said casually.

As they spoke, the two had already reached the airplane staircase. Zhang Yi noticed Dai Chunfeng holding a telegram, his expression grim, and quickly asked:
"Chief, what happened?"

Dai Chunfeng remained silent with a dark expression, only handing over the telegram.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Yi's expression turned grave. It turned out that during the Japanese air raid the previous night, a tunnel tragedy had occurred in the mountain city. Due to the lax management by the military and police, thousands of people suffocated to death in the large tunnel, including more than twenty trainees from the Military Intelligence Bureau's foreign affairs training class.

This was an unprecedented tragedy in the history of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Dai Chunfeng's previous good mood vanished, and he said menacingly, "Take off immediately!"

(End of this chapter)