My spy diary

Chapter 645 Intelligence (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Qian Xiaosan was about to express his gratitude when Mao Qiwu interrupted him, asking directly:
"What happened?"

Qian Xiaosan immediately gave Mao Qiwu a detailed report on everything that had happened that day, with particular emphasis on the monkey incident.

"He suspects you?" Mao Qiwu's brows furrowed with concern.

“I feel like he must know something, otherwise he wouldn’t have forced me to go and apologize to Zhang Yi.”

"Are you sure you're not mistaken?" Mao Qiwu frowned as he looked at the worried Qian Xiaosan.

"The people who interrogated you that night were all special agents from Jiangshan. I've given them a gag order, telling them to keep quiet about this. What could they possibly know? Could they be trying to trick you?"

"Are you saying he's testing me?"

"Otherwise, how do you explain this? Does he have eyes and ears that can see and hear a thousand miles?" Mao Qiwu sneered. "Remember, you haven't been exposed, you've only been aroused a little suspicion. Now you're not alone. If needed, I can help you dispel those suspicions."

Qian Xiaosan didn't understand the meaning of those words for a moment, but he finally found a sliver of comfort in his heart:
“I’m not worried about anything else, but I’m afraid he’ll report his suspicions to Zhang Yi, and from then on he’ll no longer trust me.”

Mao Qiwu frowned: "So, it's absolutely necessary for him to disappear."

Qian Xiaosan was speechless, looking at him with a terrified expression. So that was what he meant by those words.

"What? Have you softened your heart? Or are you regretting it?" Mao Qiwu stared intently at him.

Qian Xiaosan stared at the shoes, too nervous to utter a word.

Do you regret it? Of course! But life is like a game of chess; once a move is made, there's no going back. What's the use of regretting it now?
But has the situation really come to a life-or-death point? Are we really going to take action against the monkey?

"I'm asking you a question, didn't you hear me?" Mao Qiwu's words were more of a test than a urging.

Silence is tantamount to waiting for death.

Qian Xiaosan snapped to his senses and hurriedly said, "No, Director Mao, you misunderstand. I was just thinking that we shouldn't touch him unless absolutely necessary. Otherwise, it will only arouse Zhang Yi's suspicion. Right now, we must make him feel that he is safe around him for the time being."

"Oh," Mao Qiwu snorted noncommittally, then changed the subject, "Who is that woman Zhang Yi brought back?"

"His surname is Shen, but we don't know his exact name. Zhang Yi said he takes care of his daily life."

"Lover? Girlfriend?"

"I don't know."

"Oh, what else did he say?"

"He gave the monkey a briefcase and gave him some instructions. My subordinate overheard a few words and it seemed like he was going to give him a gift."

"A gift? What's in the briefcase?"

"It's heavy; I'd guess it's a gold bar or the equivalent in US dollars."

Mao Qiwu snorted and began to ponder.

Whether it's gold bars or US dollars, the purpose of giving gifts is simply to win people's hearts and minds and bring the various department heads to one's side.

Mao Qiwu was immediately filled with both jealousy and resentment, and cursed inwardly:

"Where did that bastard Zhang Yi get his hands on these gold bars? Did he embezzle them while handling Li Jue's case? Or were they bribes from his subordinates?"

After returning, Dai Chunfeng rushed to see the Chairman, too anxious to say much about the Li Jue case. He had intended to wait for Dai Chunfeng to return and, under the guise of reporting on his recent work, to sound out his boss's attitude towards Zhang Yi. However, Dai Chunfeng finished his report and drove straight home, giving him no chance at all.

He put the matter aside for the time being and continued to think about it.

To be fair, he really wanted to stop Zhang Yi from giving gifts. If all the section chiefs in the bureau headquarters accepted bribes from Zhang Yi, they would be indebted to him, and their hearts would inevitably turn against him. The community of interests he had painstakingly built up over the years would fall apart, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

But then I thought it was inappropriate. Zhang Yi was determined to give the gift, and I couldn't stop him even if I wanted to, and I would offend the recipient for no reason.

It's harder to touch someone's interests than to touch their soul!

Things have come to this point, so we can only let things take their course for now.

Despite his years of experience in officialdom and his abundance of ideas, Mao Qiwu still felt at a loss for what to do. After racking his brains for a long time, he still couldn't come up with an effective solution.

"This is a deliberate, meticulously planned, and step-by-step scheme to oppose me! It's incredibly treacherous and cunning!"

Qian Xiaosan stood there blankly for a long time, his mood fluctuating like a rollercoaster, following Mao Qiwu's unpredictable expression.

At this moment, he seemed to see a lapdog wagging its tail, trying to please its owner. When the owner was in a good mood, it might be allowed to stay in the magnificent house for a while, or even be rewarded with a bone. But when evil struck, the dog would be thrown out as a shield, and the owner wouldn't even bother to look at its face.

Seeing Mao Qiwu remain silent for a long time, Qian Xiaosan became increasingly frightened:
"Director Mao, now it's my turn."

"Calm down!" Mao Qiwu forced a smile, then asked slowly, "You say the monkey suspects you, does he have any evidence?"

".No."

"That settles it. Your only worry is that he'll tell Zhang Yi first. What if you can confess to Zhang Yi before he does?"

Qian Xiaosan stared at him blankly: "Confess?"

"Is this your first day at the Military Intelligence Bureau? Don't you know how to act?" Mao Qiwu met his gaze expressionlessly, stood up and walked over, scrutinizing him without saying a word. He was soaking wet, his eyes bloodshot, like a drowned rat that had been doused with boiling water and was waiting to be plucked.

He watched for a moment, then suddenly smiled mysteriously.
"Don't you think you're behaving appropriately right now? Because he suffered an injustice and was subjected to severe torture in the interrogation room, yet he didn't utter a single word. He was utterly loyal to him."

But that guy surnamed Hou just wouldn't believe you. Not only did he suspect you for no reason, but he also threatened you with a gun. Don't you think you're wronged? I think you're even more wronged than Dou E!

If you have a grievance, you should seek redress! Think of Dou E; who did she seek out? Her father.

So who should you look for? Of course, it should be Director Zhang.

Shouldn't you passionately recount your injustice and ask him to stand up for you?

Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. The angrier and more self-righteous you are, the more he'll believe you. How about that? Can you handle it?

Qian Xiaosan didn't speak, his face blank.

“Go ahead, or it will really be too late.” Mao Qiwu sat down and picked up his teacup. “Think about your future, think about your wife and children.”

“Yes, but what if…” Qian Xiaosan answered with some difficulty. Seeing his hesitation, Mao Qiwu pressed, “What other doubts do you have?”

Qian Xiaosan cautiously raised his head: "What if he still doesn't believe me?"

"Then let's do it my way!" Mao Qiwu said angrily. "Make him disappear before he reports to Zhang Yi. My method may be extreme, but it's safe."

"I think silencing them is not a good idea. One wrong step could lead to another, and I'm worried that if it arouses Zhang Yi's suspicion..."

"At a time like this, you're still hesitating and worrying. What are you worried about? Can't bring yourself to do it? What does his life or death have to do with you and me? Lieutenant Colonel Qian, I care about you. I don't want you to live in fear every day!"

Mao Qiwu spoke sincerely, and Qian Xiaosan momentarily forgot his fear, even feeling somewhat moved. He thought for a long time, and finally asked:
"Director Mao, if something goes wrong in the future, I know who will be pushed to take the blame. I just want to ask one question: will anyone come to my rescue then?"

"Of course I'll save you!" Mao Qiwu said without hesitation. "With my status and my relationship with Boss Dai, how could I not protect you? Don't worry, I genuinely consider you one of my own."

Qian Xiaosan was skeptical, but at this moment he could only place all his hopes on Mao Qiwu, and said respectfully:
"Understood, I will do my utmost to get things done."

Mao Qiwu nodded in satisfaction: "Go ahead, and I wish you every success!"

It was pouring rain on the street, with large raindrops pounding on the pavement and splashing up layers of water. Qian Xiaosan walked alone in the rain, his neck hunched, his expression unreadable.

Whether or not I can get through this hurdle is not only related to my own future, but also to the safety of my family.

Mao Qiwu's threat was undisguised: if the mission wasn't completed, even if he died, he wouldn't spare his family.
After Qian Xiaosan left, Xiang Xinying, wrapped in a nightgown, quietly emerged carrying a bowl of herbal medicine. She looked at Mao Qiwu, who was sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed, and asked:
Will he go?

"Probably. If I said those things, wouldn't you have gone too?" Mao Qiwu didn't open his eyes.

"Oh, do you think that guy surnamed Zhang will believe his story? That kid is a real scoundrel, why does he always seem to be going against you? Also, what was Director Dai thinking? Why did he promote him to be the deputy director's secretary?"

Mao Qiwu remained silent.

Xiang Xinying understood her husband's anxiety and said in a comforting tone, "As the saying goes, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood. As long as you keep control of the secretariat and cause him some trouble, that Zhang fellow won't be able to cause trouble for long."

"I hope so," Mao Qi sighed, then opened his eyes to find a bowl of medicinal soup on the coffee table, containing many herbs. He asked suspiciously:
"What the hell?"

"A new prescription from a traditional Chinese medicine doctor," Xiang Xinying said with a mysterious smile, introducing the herbs. "This is Epimedium, and this is Morinda officinalis, Cistanche deserticola, Cuscuta chinensis, Eucommia ulmoides, and deer antler."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Mao Qiwu's eyes, and he said angrily, "With so many medicinal herbs mixed together, isn't it poisonous?"

Xiang Xinying chuckled and said reproachfully, "How could it be poisonous? It was prescribed by a traditional Chinese medicine doctor from Xiao Cui's hometown. It was a prescription that was hard to come by, and it's said to be very effective!"

Mao Qiwu snorted. Ever since his wife cheated on him and cuckolded him, the people in the Military Intelligence Bureau had been calling him a "turtle bastard" behind his back, which made him furious.

But when I try to prove myself, I find myself powerless to do so.

At this moment, when his wife mentioned Xiao Cui, the extremely ugly maid in their home, Mao Qiwu couldn't help but recall a past event.

When he was working as a secretary in Chongde, he used to secretly visit brothels, but he found that only experienced older prostitutes in their thirties and forties could arouse his interest. Later, partly because he was worried about damaging his reputation and image, and partly because he was worried about contracting sexually transmitted diseases, he gradually went less often.

Once, while he was taking a walk, he passed through a small alley and unexpectedly bumped into a widow returning from chopping wood.

This woman was tall and strong, with a ruddy complexion and rough skin. She lacked any of the delicate gentleness of city women, yet her smile unexpectedly aroused Mao Qiwu's impulse.

So after the affair was arranged, Mao Qiwu gave her a small allowance every month and made her his secret lover.

This widow is Ah Tao.

When Mao Qiwu left Chongde, he secretly murdered her.

The thought of Atao made Mao Qiwu's mind wander and his thoughts drift.

"What are you thinking about? Why don't you drink it while it's hot?"

Xiang Xinying's soft, boneless hands gently rested on his shoulders, her alluring face drawing nearer from afar, her eyes filled with coquettish resentment. Mao Qiwu suddenly felt a surge of intense emotion coursing through his body, a long-lost impulse stirring within him.

This impulse hadn't surfaced for a long time since his wife's infidelity. He frowned, downed the medicine in the bowl, and then eagerly pulled his wife into the bedroom.

The wooden bed creaked and swayed for a few minutes before letting out a sigh.

Despite feeling somewhat tired, Mao Qiwu showed no signs of sleepiness whatsoever.

He gently lifted the quilt and got out of bed, groping his way to the living room. He turned on a table lamp; the night outside the window was gloomy, and the rain was getting heavier.

What is Zhang Yi doing right now?

There was a deep weariness in Mao Qiwu's eyes.

There are still many people who haven't fallen asleep late at night.

Zhang Yizheng leaned back in his chair in the study, receiving intelligence.

Today's intelligence has been updated.

[1. You met with Dai Chunfeng today and obtained relevant intelligence—Dai Chunfeng has secretly sent "Windmill" to infiltrate Chen Tumu's Sixth War Zone Command headquarters to investigate the "Purge the Emperor's Possessions" plan.]

Purge the court of corrupt officials?
Upon seeing this intelligence, even Zhang Yi, with his deep understanding of strategy, was greatly surprised. Could it be that Chen Tumu was planning a military coup?

He quickly focused his attention and read on. It turned out that since the beginning of 39, as the situation of the War of Resistance against Japan became increasingly severe, a pessimistic and defeatist mood permeated the upper echelons of the Kuomintang. With the open defection of pro-Japanese leaders such as Wang Jingwei to the enemy, this mood rose to its extreme.

Out of concern for the future of the War of Resistance, a group of young officers in the Sixth War Zone Command believed that China's crushing defeat in the war was mainly due to the presence of corrupt officials, incompetent bureaucrats, and pro-Japanese military and political figures surrounding Chiang Kai-shek, preventing the implementation of his wise decisions. They argued that to save China, a military operation was necessary to purge the incompetent figures around Chiang Kai-shek and allow truly patriotic, honest, and upright elites to enter the leadership and assist him in leading the war effort and governing the country.

Chen Tumu was the ideal candidate for these young officers.

This was the "Purge the Emperor's Ladies and Men" plan.

These young officers knew that their strength alone was limited and insufficient to accomplish great things. Therefore, on the one hand, they took advantage of the opportunity for some young officers to study at the Army University to secretly make contacts and further develop like-minded comrades in order to expand their forces; on the other hand, they actively contacted American officers in China who were helping with the training of the army, seeking external support.

As the saying goes, "Success comes from secrecy, failure from leaks." These young officers thought their plans were completely secretive, unaware that they had been intercepted by agents of the Military Intelligence Bureau and delivered to Dai Chunfeng.

Dai Chunfeng, however, held back, intending to play the long game and quietly sent "Windmill" into the Sixth War Zone Command.

So that's how it is. Only now did Zhang Yi realize why Dai Chunfeng had looked so mysterious when he talked about Chen Tumu.

[2. You met Qian Xiaosan today and obtained relevant information.]

(End of this chapter)