My spy diary

Chapter 693 Trap (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Commander, I am willing to accept punishment!"

Upon receiving news of Liu Wenzhe's suicide attempt, Chen Qingzhai immediately rushed to the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) headquarters to report the case's progress to Xu Zeng'en in detail. He then sighed, "It was my carelessness and gullibility that led to this terrible mistake. I never imagined a mere police officer would dare to put on an act right under my nose. If only I had been more cautious..."

"Liu Wenzhe's suicide was an accident. In our line of work, there are always setbacks. That's true for us, and it's true for our enemies. Don't be discouraged."

Although Xu Zengen was also somewhat annoyed, seeing Chen Qingzhai's embarrassed expression, he still handed him a cup of tea and comforted him.

“Now that Liu Wenzhe is dead, and the guys don’t know much, and that woman and Guan Ping are keeping quiet, it has to be said that the trail has gone cold again.” Chen Qingzhai said, feeling increasingly disheartened.

Xu Zeng seemed not to have heard him; he was leaning back in his chair, deep in thought. After a moment, he finally spoke:
"You just said he died in the telephone department. What was he doing there?"

“He tipped us off, didn’t he? My subordinates have already checked. His last phone call was to the Eighth Route Army office!” Chen Qingzhai’s face darkened as he said this. He thought for a moment and added, “Chief, I suggest we demand an explanation from them!”

Xu Zeng'en was about to reach for his teacup when he heard Chen Qingzhai's words and stopped. He looked up at Chen Qingzhai and asked:
"Demand an explanation? What are you planning to do?"

Chen Qingzhai glanced at Xu Zeng, hesitated for a moment, and finally said what he had been pondering all the way:
"Yes, during the period of the unified resistance against Japan, the Kuomintang openly planted spies to infiltrate the core departments of the Party and the State, steal secrets, and wantonly sabotage the war effort. As long as reporters are brought in, you often say that we should make good use of the power of public opinion and the masses. As the saying goes, public opinion can melt metal. If we handle it properly, this time we will definitely make them look bad and be like rats in the street, hated by everyone."

This righteous and stern reply left Xu Zeng stunned. He glanced at Chen Qingzhai:
"I think I can."

Upon hearing these words, Chen Qingzhai, as if injected with adrenaline, immediately stood up:

"Director, I will make the arrangements immediately."

"Don't be in such a hurry. When are you going to change this impulsive nature?" Xu Zeng stopped him, looking him up and down with a half-smile. Chen Qingzhai was completely confused: "Director?"

Xu Zengen said with a smile, "What happened today has given me a deeper understanding of you."

Chen Qingzhai was even more puzzled, and forced himself to say:
"What makes you say that?"

"You're a good person in every way, except you're too naive when it comes to politics!" Xu Zengen looked at him with disappointment.

Chen Qingzhai seemed to have been slapped in the face while he was in the middle of his excitement. He immediately lowered his head and remained silent, only then realizing that Xu Zengen had been saying the opposite of what he meant.

Xu Zeng snorted through his nostrils: "Don't be unconvinced. Liu Wenzhe is dead. Who can prove he was a member of the Communist Party? Who can prove he made that phone call?"

Furthermore, what exactly is an undercover agent? They come in standing, they leave lying down! How many people in this line of work can escape unscathed? Even if they don't die at the hands of the enemy, they'll die at the hands of their own people. Even if they do escape unscathed, they won't even leave their names behind. A hundred years from now, who knows if their grave will be covered in flowers or dog excrement? Besides, by convention, no country or organization will acknowledge the existence of undercover agents. This isn't just to protect unexposed intelligence networks and the safety of undercover agents' families, but also to avoid political and public opinion risks.”

Chen Qingzhai was speechless.

Seeing this, Deputy Director Xu got up and stretched a bit, his mood improving:
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Capturing Guan Ping and the other two, and taking down a Red Party liaison station, is a great thing after all. Let's go, let's go to the Central Hotel, I'll treat you to a celebration out of my own pocket."

The night is getting darker.

Back at headquarters, Zhang Yi immediately gave Dai Chunfeng a brief report on the progress of the Japanese spy case. Dai Chunfeng listened for a long time, lost in thought.

After a moment, Dai Chunfeng, processing his shock, frowned and asked:

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? What a coincidence! This is more exciting than any storyteller's tale. They were even involved in the Huanggutun bombing? So, this so-called Snow White group has a total of seven people?"

"There should be eight, with Liu Ningxue, who is of Korean nationality, being on the periphery."

"Besides Liu Ningxue and Zhao Deshan, when can we get the confessions of Xiaodie and Lu Zhongping?"

"It should be soon, but I need some things."

Dai Chunfeng's eyes lit up: "What?"

"Photos, I need photos of their family."

Dai Chunfeng looked at him suspiciously: "You mean you want to go to Japan to take photos of their family members? To use them for blackmail?"

"Yes!" Zhang Yi said calmly. "I remember you said that we have undercover agents in Japan. Could you have them go to the address provided by Zhao Deshan, that is, Nakamura Shinsuke, to take some photos? Just one or two, not many, but real and intimidating."

“Activating a dormant undercover agent is no small matter.” Dai Chunfeng stroked the teacup in his hand, looking somewhat hesitant.

Seeing his hesitation, Zhang Yi immediately said urgently, "Yes, once we are awakened and engage in public activities, there is a risk of exposure. But now that things have come to this, we have no choice but to take some risks."

According to Nakamura Shinsuke's confession, this young lady was infiltrating the mountain city, not only trying to infiltrate core military and political departments and spy on military and political secrets, but also responsible for guiding and cooperating with the Japanese army in the bombing of the mountain city, sowing discord and turning weak-willed military and political officials against their cause, advocating "surrender to save your life" and "discord between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party," undermining the people's will to resist the Japanese, and provoking cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. In addition, she was also looking for opportunities to assassinate patriotic generals and progressive figures who resisted the Japanese. She had ulterior motives and wolfish ambitions. "Chief, we must eradicate evil completely. As long as either Xiaodie or Lu Zhongping speaks up, we can wipe this group out in one fell swoop."

Dai Chunfeng frowned: "I'll think about it."

Seeing that he was still hesitant, Zhang Yi continued earnestly:
"The specific contact information and list of Japanese spies should be in the hands of Xiaodie and Lu Zhongping. As long as we break through their psychological defenses, we can wipe out all the accomplices. This is the only chance, Director Dai!"

The only chance! Dai Chunfeng seemed convinced by these words, and he wrote a warrant:
"Okay, go and collect it from the confidential stock exchange."

"Yes. In addition to a warrant, you also need to make a phone call to retrieve top-secret files from the Confidential Section."

Dai Chunfeng nodded, picked up the phone, and dialed the number for the confidential section.

"Thank you, Director. I'll go ahead now." Zhang Yi stood up and saluted.

The confidential staff member in charge of top-secret files in the Confidential Office was Dai Chunfeng's other secretary, Dai Yiqian, a distant relative of Dai. He was responsible for core documents and personal affairs, and also served as the head of the Confidential Section.

This was a short man wearing glasses. He looked very serious, dressed in a well-fitting major's uniform, with the top button fastened meticulously.

After receiving Dai Chunfeng's call, he picked up the key he kept on his person and headed for the door.

Just then, the phone on the table rang again. He turned around to look at it, and then answered it.

After leaving Dai Chunfeng's office, Zhang Yi went directly to the door of the Confidential Section, Room A. Two armed guards stood watch; upon seeing Zhang Yi, they nodded, and one of them opened the door. Zhang Yi went inside, and the door closed behind him.

Upon entering, one is immediately struck by an iron gate, about five inches thick, which appears even more secure than a bank vault. At about a person's height, there is a five-inch square iron window. Zhang Yi knocked on the window, and a beautiful female captain, an office clerk, pulled the bolt from the inside, opened the window, and looked out:
"Who?"

Zhang Yi stood outside through the iron bars.

"Zhang Yi, the deputy director's secretary." Zhang Yi handed his deputy director's identification through the small window.

The female office worker took the document expressionlessly, glanced at it, nodded, and then handed it back through the window.

"Give me Mr. Dai's warrant."

The tone left no room for doubt.

Outside, Zhang Yi cooperatively handed over Dai Chunfeng's hand order.

After the female office worker inspected it, she returned it and opened the iron gate next to her.

"Deputy Director Zhang, this is my duty, please forgive me. Please hand over your service weapon and register here."

"I understand!" Zhang Yi obediently cooperated by registering and signing.

After passing through the second iron gate, Zhang Yi slowed down and scanned the archives room he had long wanted to visit.

After passing through a long, downhill tunnel, he felt as if he had descended underground. Despite this, the place was still spacious, five meters wide and three meters high, with the final iron door of the archives room just ten meters away.

Looking deep inside by the light in the corridor, he could vaguely make out the row of metal safes against the wall in the duty room.

My gaze shifted to the desk next to the iron gate, and suddenly someone stood up from the chair.

It's Dai Yiqian.

"Deputy Director Zhang, the Director has already given instructions. Please wait a moment!" Dai Yiqian greeted him, took a bunch of keys from his waist, picked out one, unlocked the door, and invited Zhang Yi inside.

Upon entering, there is a chair by the door and a cordon in the middle. According to regulations, no one except the head of the confidential section is allowed to cross it.

Dai Yiqian locked the door from the inside, went around to the back of the table, unlocked the drawer, took out a list, and followed the clues to search the safe against the wall.

He quickly found the cabinet he was looking for, and glanced back at Zhang Yi apologetically. Zhang Yi immediately turned away to avoid suspicion.

Then, the sound of Dai Yiqian gently turning the wheel lock on the safe filled the quiet room, and with a "click," the heavy safe door opened.

"That's enough!" Dai Yiqian said, taking out a file bag from inside. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he accidentally pulled out another file bag while taking it out. The file bag fell to the ground with a "thud." A white strip of paper was affixed to the seal, and under the wax seal, the words "Top Secret - Lone Boat Project" were clearly written in large characters. Dai Yiqian seemed somewhat flustered, picking up the files while cautiously glancing at Zhang Yi, only to find Zhang Yi staring blankly at the ceiling.

In fact, Zhang Yi had already seen the words on the file bag and alertly shifted his gaze, realizing that this might be a test plan set up by Dai Chunfeng, a trap.

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but for Zhang Yi, he had already passed on the list of people for the so-called Lone Boat Project, so naturally he wouldn't fall into such a trap.

Just as Zhang Yi was pretending to be in a daze, Dai Yiqian quickly picked up the documents and put them back, then closed the safe door and took another document bag and placed it on the table:
"Deputy Director Zhang, please sign here."

After signing the document, Zhang Yi opened the file bag. Inside was only a note with a string of letters and numbers, which looked like a call sign and verification code. He pretended to be curious and asked:
"Not even a code name?"

"The undercover agent's detailed resume is top secret; Director Dai has to come and retrieve it personally."

"I understand. How do I contact him?"

"This way, please!" After putting away the registration book, Dai Yiqian opened the iron gate and led Zhang Yi into an office next door.

A double-layered, soundproof iron door, a classified radio station, a dedicated telephone line. A completely enclosed, dark room with no windows, only a single, ever-burning light. Behind the radio sits a pale-faced radio operator, expressionless, like a statue.

Dai Yiqian introduced:

“Deputy Director Zhang, you can tell him your request, and he will encode it using a special codebook and then make the call. Don’t worry, there are people on duty here 24 hours a day, and they will notify you as soon as they get in touch.”

"Understood!"

On the other side, the restaurant's signature dishes, including Snow Frog with Egg White, Braised Pork Belly in Jar, Cordyceps Duck, Chicken and Shark Fin Soup, and Sea Cucumber and Abalone Stew, were all served and laid out on several large tables. They were all visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious, and naturally, the prices were exorbitant. Xu Zeng generously ordered eight servings, one for each of the agents who had participated in the arrest and interrogation that day. The agents ate heartily, their faces glistening with oil, laughing and joking loudly after their meal.

Xu Zengen and several of his trusted subordinates, including Pu Mengjiu and Chen Qingzhai, sat in a private room separated by a door, eating and chatting.

Xu Zeng'en was in high spirits:
"This time, our Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS) has finally managed to hold its head high and suppress those bastards from the Second Bureau. Qingzhai, you are the number one hero this time."

Chen Qingzhai was about to say a few words of modesty when Xu Zeng waved his hand and said meaningfully:
"Didn't you ever think of pressing your advantage and expanding your gains?"

Chen Qingzhai was very puzzled: "What do you mean, Director?" He thought to himself, "Didn't you reject the plan I proposed?"

“It’s very simple.” Xu Zeng smiled and said in a low voice, “Leaving aside Brother Guan Ping, let’s talk about Guan Ping and his group. Judging from what the accomplices told us, their main line is to provide documents to the underground party and cover the escape of their exposed comrades. So, can we think of a way to open a breakthrough from this point?”

Furthermore, do Zheng Huhe, wanted by the Military Intelligence Bureau, and that Guo Yaxin have any connection with these people? Besides them, do you think the Military Intelligence Bureau has other Communist Party spies operating undercover? Do they have any connection with Zhang Yi and Wang Xinheng?

Chen Qingzhai frowned: "I don't deny that it's possible, but Zheng Hu and Guo Xinya have long since disappeared."

“Isn’t there Guan Ping? He’s the head of a liaison station, a veteran, and not low-ranking. As long as we tear a hole in him, we can let him bite whomever he wants.” Xu Zeng’en smiled mysteriously. “As long as we have evidence, we can openly launch an investigation against Zhang Yi and Wang Xinheng, give them a desperate counterattack, and try to cut off one of Dai’s shoulders.”

"Yes." Chen Qingzhai understood. It was common knowledge that the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Zhongtong) and the Military Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Juntong) were vying for power. Boss Xu had a strong desire to gain merit in order to make Xifeng prevail over Dongfeng, so as to curry favor with the old man. Therefore, forging some intelligence to achieve his own goals was indeed a shortcut.

(End of this chapter)