My spy diary

Chapter 650 Demanding Justice (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Director, I just brewed some Biluochun tea, please have a taste."

"You specially brewed this for me? Secretary Mao, you're so thoughtful!"

Zhang Yi glanced at Mao Zhongxin with a half-smile, but instead of taking the teacup, he raised his chin, gesturing for the other to open the lid and bring it over.

Mao Zhongxin was seething inside, but he pretended to be happy and eagerly stepped forward, bending over and sticking out his buttocks to present the teacup to Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi lowered his head, sniffed the air, and immediately nodded, saying:

"It really is a fine tea! If I'm not mistaken, it must be Biluochun from Dongting East Mountain. It has a rich floral and fruity aroma, slender and tightly rolled leaves, beautiful shape, vibrant color, strong aroma, and mellow taste. It must be the first spring picking from a century-old tree, right? You're really resourceful, even I can't get such a top-quality tea these days. Tell me, where did it come from?"

Mao Zhongxin, shameless and increasingly ingratiating, handed the teacup to Zhang Yi while replying:

"I swiped it from Director Mao a couple of days ago. Knowing that Deputy Director Zhang likes it, I specially saved it for you."

"Hehe, after all, he's your uncle, and he dotes on you. Seeing that I, the deputy director, can only follow behind you and benefit from your success, huh?" Zhang Yi smiled, looking very satisfied.

"Deputy Director Zhang, you're too modest. What kind of tea would you like? I'm just offering it to you out of politeness." Mao Zhongxin said humbly as he handed the tea to Zhang Yi. He glanced at Zhang Yi out of the corner of his eye to make sure there was no displeasure on his face before he felt relieved.

He cursed inwardly, "Damn it, what a show-off! I won't let you fall for my tricks unless I spend a lot of money. No matter how arrogant or domineering you are, you still have to obediently drink my saliva!" The thoughts in his mind went back and forth, and the more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed. His shoulders trembled slightly as he tried to hold back his laughter, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up. He almost burst out laughing.

"Slap!" Zhang Yi slapped him on the shoulder. Mao Zhongxin shuddered, then asked, feigning composure:

"Deputy Director Zhang?"

Zhang Yi looked on with suspicion: "Is this tea really from Dongting East Mountain?"

"Yes."

"Where did Director Mao get it?"

Mao Zhongxin hesitated for a moment, then said, "This must have been a gift from someone, right?"

Zhang Yi looked at him and said, word by word, "Dongting Mountain is in Taihu Lake, Wuxian County, Suzhou. That area was occupied, or more precisely, it was the territory of Li Shijun, the puppet regime of the Japanese. Could it be that Director Mao had some private dealings with Li Shijun?"

Mao Zhongxin felt a jolt of fear, his mind buzzing. He thought his plan was flawless, but despite all his calculations, he had still fallen into Zhang Yi's trap. He dared not accept this explanation; to put it nicely, it was a clandestine affair; to put it bluntly, it was treason.

"say!"

Mao Zhongxin shuddered and said in a trembling voice:

“Deputy Director Zhang, you’ve misunderstood. Actually, I bought this tea myself.”

He did indeed buy the tea. Although his plan to persuade Zhu Hua, the driver at the Eighth Route Army office, to defect had failed, he had already squandered most of the funds. Fearing that Mao Qiwu would investigate and hold him accountable, he had no choice but to use the remaining money to buy smuggled tea at an inflated price from the black market, hoping to curry favor with Mao Qiwu. Who would have thought...
"You bought this? This tea isn't cheap. You're just a major confidential secretary in Division A. But this Zhongshan suit you're wearing is exquisitely made; it's obviously custom-made. Your shoes are genuine leather, and you're even wearing perfume. It shouldn't be enough for your salary. Tell me, is this embezzlement or bribery?"

Mao Zhongxin was already wiping away sweat; his hand holding the teacup was trembling slightly, and a large amount of tea spilled out.
"Yes, yes, no, Deputy Director Zhang has misunderstood. I did not embezzle or accept bribes. It was my family who subsidized me."

Because he was lying, his facial expression was extremely unnatural, and he looked like he had a rabbit in his arms.

He forced himself to remain calm, forced a smile, and respectfully handed the tea to Zhang Yi:

"Director, please have some tea."

Zhang Yi ignored him completely, turned his head and shouted, "Monkey!"

Monkey: "Here!"

Is the car ready?

"Report! We are ready."

"Let's go then!" Zhang Yi turned to look at him, saying with a look of disdain.
"Keep this tea for yourself! Hmph, Secretary Mao, let me make this clear: I don't tolerate any dishonesty. Whether it's from your family, or you've embezzled, taken bribes, or misappropriated public funds, clean up this mess for me. If I catch you red-handed, I'll send you straight to the Inspectorate, and don't expect Director Mao to plead for you then! By the way, where's my office key?"

"Yes." Mao Zhongxin hurriedly pulled a bunch of keys from his pocket: "This one, and these two."

He clumsily tried to take the key, but because he was holding a teacup in one hand, he couldn't get it out. He had to put the teacup on the ground first, and then, sweating profusely, he finally managed to take the key out of the key ring and almost fawned over Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi's anger seemed to subside slightly, and he handed the key to the monkey.

"Remember to change to a new lock."

As he spoke, he gestured with his chin toward the teacup on the ground, still steaming:

"Aren't you going to pick it up?"

Mao Zhongxin quickly picked up the teacup.

"It won't happen again."

"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Deputy Director Zhang!"

Zhang Yi glared at him twice more before leaving the office.

As soon as Zhang Yi's figure disappeared, Mao Zhongxin could no longer hide his anger. His eyes were filled with rage, his chest heaved, and he gripped the teacup in his hand, ready to smash it to the ground.

Just then, footsteps were heard, and Huang Yuzhong, the head of the Transportation Section of the General Affairs Department in charge of receiving and dispatching documents, and Xie Han, the head of the Receiving and Dispatch Section, walked over with a stack of documents.

Huang Yuzhong sighed, "Deputy Director Zhang looks terrible. Who offended him?"

Xie Han: "I guess it's that clueless one?"

As the two were talking, they suddenly saw Mao Zhongxin, who was holding up a teacup and looking furious. They looked at each other in surprise.

"Hey, Secretary Mao, what's going on here?"

Mao Zhongxin opened his mouth, so embarrassed he wanted to disappear into a crack in the ground. He could only give an awkward smile, pick up his teacup, take a sip, and mumble "Good tea, good tea," using the act of drinking tea to cover up the unnaturalness on his face.

The two noticed his embarrassment, exchanged a glance, and, not knowing what to say, could only force a smile before quickly making an excuse to leave.

"Pah!" Mao Zhongxin spat through gritted teeth. Remembering the task Mao Qiwu had given him, he knew it wasn't the time to turn against Zhang Yi yet. He angrily threw the teacup into the flowerpot and hurried after Zhang Yi.

Once inside the courtyard, they saw the monkey start the car and reverse it next to Zhang Yi.

Mao Zhongxin quickly darted over and eagerly opened the passenger door for Zhang Yi:

"Deputy Director Zhang, please get in the car."

These days, due to low car ownership, the good visibility and ease of getting in and out of the front passenger seat, as well as the cramped rear seat space and complex road conditions, leaders generally sit in the front passenger seat, and the etiquette of "the back seat is the seat of honor" has not yet been formed.

For example, in the early days of China's reform and opening up, leaders would sit in the front passenger seat, while a group of clerks would squeeze into the back. After getting out of the car, many people would mistake the burly driver for the leader, leading to quite a few funny situations.

Zhang Yi ignored him, opened the back seat, got in, and went outside.

Mao Zhongxin stood there helplessly, poking around:

"If Vice President Zhang takes the position, then... then I'll sit in the passenger seat?"

The back window rolled down, and Zhang Yi looked at him with a puzzled expression:
"Why are you sitting in the passenger seat? Are you coming home with me?" "Well, I'm your secretary, of course I have to come and protect you!" Mao Zhongxin said seriously, with a feigned sincerity in his eyes, but inwardly he was sneering.
"Go home? Hmph, if I hadn't been eavesdropping earlier, I would have been completely in the dark. Did you really think I was a fool?"

"Protect me? You look so frail, yet you want to protect me?" Zhang Yi snorted and pointed to the two boxes of tea on the passenger seat. "If you sit in the passenger seat, what will happen to my tea?"

The "fool" was quite serious:
"I'll hold you."

Zhang Yi was helpless. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly pointed to a "female car" parked in the corner of the yard:
"In that case, you can ride your bike and follow behind me. You can protect me and get some exercise at the same time. It's a win-win situation."

The "idiot" looked in the direction Zhang Yi pointed, and his face instantly turned a deep liver color.

These days, most bicycles are imported, mainly British brands such as "Phoenix" and "Lanling", German brands such as "Blue Label" and "Diamond", and Japanese brands such as "Fuji" and "Monkey King".

Bicycle frames are further divided into men's bikes and women's bikes.

Men's motorcycles feature a straight-beam design, making them more robust, and typically have a crossbeam running through the body.

The women's carriage features a curved beam design, making it easier for women wearing cheongsams or skirts to get on and off.

"Damn it, making a grown man like me ride a women's bicycle is blatant humiliation! If word gets out, people will laugh their heads off!" This was tantamount to a slap in the face. Mao Zhongxin was embarrassed, his face flushed red, and he suppressed his anger, saying resentfully:

“Deputy Director Zhang, I have always treated you with the utmost respect and have never dared to be negligent in the slightest. Why do you have to humiliate me like this?”

Zhang Yi looked completely innocent: "Secretary Mao, what are you saying? How is letting you ride a bicycle an insult?" As he spoke, he pointed to his head and raised his voice, "Did you ruin your brain from reading too much?"

After saying this, he snorted coldly and rolled down the car window:
"drive!"

Suddenly, the monkey started the car, and the car sped away, billowing black smoke.

"Secretary Mao" was furious. He cursed silently for a few moments and walked sullenly toward the lady's bicycle.

Hearing Zhang Yi's shouts, several busybodies peeked out and saw Secretary Mao kicking and stomping on the bicycle while muttering to himself. Everyone was worried, afraid that the young man had been brainwashed by Deputy Director Zhang's scolding.

After a while, Secretary Xiao Mao calmed down, rallied his spirits, lowered his head, pushed his bicycle out of the office compound, gritted his teeth, and pedaled hard to chase after Zhang Yi's speeding car.

One was full of vigor and ambition.

He was covered in dust and dirt.

On the other side, in the dimly lit office, Dai Chunfeng stood by the window with a gloomy face and his hands on his hips, lost in thought for a long time without saying a word.

As soon as Wang Xinheng, the head of the Party and Government Intelligence Department, entered, he said:
"Director Wang, do you think you're sitting on a very stable seat?"

This very first sentence sent a chill down Wang Xinheng's spine. But having served as a section chief and district head, he steadied himself and asked with an innocent expression:
"Chief, what happened?"

I was a little puzzled by his sudden question.

Dai Chunfeng snorted coldly and threw the crumpled telegram on the table at him:

"Look, one bad apple spoils the whole bunch."

"Wu Nanshan has betrayed us?" Wang Xinheng looked at the telegram, his expression changing slightly, and quickly asked:
"Chief, what about our other brothers? Can we still get in touch with them?"

"With the deputy liaison officer arrested, the others who were in direct contact with him were instantly like kites with broken strings, bewildered and unable to receive any instructions."

"Does the Director mean to send another liaison officer in?"

Dai Chunfeng nodded: "Does your second division have suitable candidates?"

“There are candidates, but,” Wang Xinheng analyzed, “after the Wu Nanshan incident, the Red Party must have secretly strengthened its vetting and investigation, and it’s probably impossible for an ordinary person to get in.”

Dai Chunfeng said angrily, "If ordinary people won't do, then send in someone extraordinary. We've been training for this moment. The bureau has trained so many special agents, and we're counting on them to be put to use now. Pick out a few people right away."

Knowing he couldn't refuse, Wang Xinheng said, "Director, I will accept this task, but I dare to make two conditions."

"Go ahead."

"Once the person is selected, how it will be handled, what identity they will use, where they will start, and through what channels, only I, the Director, will know."

Dai Chunfeng understood, his expression becoming unusually serious:

"Okay, from now on, the confidentiality level will be raised to the highest level. This will be kept secret from everyone in the bureau except for you and me. Continue!"

Wang Xinheng looked at him and hesitated, then said, "Secondly, I would like to select from the ninth batch of trainees who are undergoing special training at the Bai Mansion."

Dai Chunfeng didn't speak, only giving him an approving look. He glanced at his watch, about to say something, when there was a rapid knock on the door, and Deputy Jia shouted loudly from outside:

"Deputy Director Zhang, Mr. Dai is discussing business and won't see anyone! Deputy Director Zhang!"

"We've come at just the right time!" A sly glint flashed in Dai Chunfeng's eyes as he thoughtfully remarked.

Wang Xinheng looked at him, completely bewildered.

Zhang Yi had already pushed the door open and rushed in:

"Director, I have something important to report."

"What is it?" Dai Chunfeng asked angrily.

The atmosphere in the room was somewhat stiff. Zhang Yi glanced at the two of them and said apologetically to Wang Xinheng:

"Director Wang, please excuse me for a moment. I will apologize to you later."

Seeing Zhang Yi's "interrogation" posture, Wang Xinheng suppressed his doubts and said, "It's nothing. I'm just reporting the recent situation of the Second Division to the Director. I've already finished reporting. Director, I'll head back now."

Dai Chunfeng remained noncommittal, only coldly observing Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi stood straight, without saying a word.

As the door slowly closed, Dai Chunfeng said angrily, "Speak your mind, or shut up!"

He stared intently at Zhang Yi, not missing a single expression on his face, and if anything seemed amiss, he would call for the guards.

Zhang Yi stared intently into his eyes as well:

"Director Dai, I have never looked down on you as much as I have today."

"What nonsense are you spouting? Do you think I need to respect you? You think too highly of yourself!" Dai Chunfeng was furious. No subordinate had ever dared to speak to him like that before. He subconsciously touched his nose.

Zhang Yi also lost his temper, saying aggressively, "Director Dai, I overestimated myself and trusted you too much. I thought you took me to the Southeast to solve a case and to crack down on corruption. But I didn't know that your real intention was not what it seemed. You transferred me away so you could interrogate me, didn't you? Monkey and Qian Xiaosan are my confidants, loyal to the Director, the Military Intelligence Bureau, and the Party and the country. What did they do wrong? On what grounds are you interrogating them?"

His eyes were red: "Did you give the order to Mao Qiwu? What were the results of the investigation? Since you've always suspected me, can't I just resign?"

Dai Chunfeng stared at him, stunned. Zhang Yi also glared at him, filled with anger. The two stood there, looking at each other.

If Zhang Yi had come to gather intelligence, Dai Chunfeng would have arrested him without hesitation. Since it wasn't for intelligence, Dai Chunfeng finally put aside his suspicions and instead feigned innocence:
"Is there such a thing?"

(End of this chapter)