Spy War 1937

After the meal, Lin Yaodong said to Han Zhenhua meaningfully, "Teacher Han, if you have any more 'intuitions' in the future, feel free to share them. The Lin family's door is always open for you." This was already a very high level of recognition and courtship.

Han Zhenhua nodded modestly in agreement. After the meal, he and Lin Xiaowen went for a walk for a while. Although he had never been in a relationship in his previous life, he had at least seen how things work!

Guided by the "Love Manual" from his past life, he knew that the key to getting to know a girl was to proceed "gradually" and not be impatient! The first step was to "hold hands." Once the girl was used to holding hands, the next step was to get her used to "putting her arm around the shoulder," then "putting her arm around the waist," ... "hugging," ... "kissing," ... and finally, naturally, leading to the last step!

So after taking a walk for a while, Han Zhenhua seemingly unintentionally took Lin Xiaowen's hand. Lin Xiaowen immediately blushed but did not pull her hand away...

The next day, with a huge fortune, Han Zhenhua began his plan to "enjoy life in troubled times".

He first used his connections with the British consulate to quickly hire four maids from the Philippines (then called "Western maids") at a price 30% higher than the market rate. They were fluent in English and skilled in cooking and cleaning, and soon they had the villa at 169 Jing'an Road in perfect order and spotless.

Next, he went to the largest car dealership and immediately took a liking to a brand-new, gleaming black Studebaker sedan, whose streamlined body looked particularly stylish in that era.

As for hiring a driver, that's impossible! I learned to drive in my previous life. Although the cars in this era are somewhat different from those in my previous life, the basic gears, clutches, and steering wheels are the same.

From then on, Han, the lecturer, drove himself to and from St. John's University and various parts of the concession, displaying great style.

He also went on a shopping spree, buying luxury goods such as suits, leather shoes, watches, and pens, and even adding the latest American-imported refrigerators and audio equipment to the villa.

He knew that in chaotic times, money was just an external thing; enjoying life, improving one's quality of life, and having a sense of security were the true priorities. His behavior gradually spread among the upper echelons of the British concession, and everyone knew that a young, wealthy, and mysterious British-Chinese lecturer had arrived at St. John's University.

Luojiawan, a mountain town, is the headquarters of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Although the battle of Nanjing was unfavorable and ultimately lost, the accurate strategic intelligence provided by the Military Intelligence Bureau regarding the Japanese army's five-pronged offensive was once again recognized by the highest levels of government.

Especially under the shadow of a complete rout, this intelligence was all the more valuable, proving the worth and capability of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

Dai Chunfeng received another commendation and medal. Although the intelligence was accurate, the Nanjing garrison did not achieve the expected great victory, so his merit was limited. He was still titled "Deputy Director," but his power and prestige increased day by day.

However, the enormous achievement also attracted more envy and internal undercurrents.

The "Baoding Clique," led by Chief of the General Staff He Yingqin, has been trying to infiltrate and control the powerful intelligence agency.

The Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai station made a series of earth-shattering contributions, and its status rose rapidly, naturally making it a prime target for them.

Station chief Zhao Lijun was neither from the Baoding clique nor a close confidant of the Huangpu clique, so he naturally became the first unlucky one to fall.

A power struggle over personnel arrangements at the Kuomintang's Shanghai station quietly unfolds at the highest levels.

He Yingqin and others argued that "Zhao Lijun has already made two major contributions. If he makes another major contribution, he will have no way to be promoted in terms of rewards and promotions. He can't be appointed as deputy director like Yu Nong, can he?"

They frequently exerted pressure, citing the reason that he should be transferred back to the central government and given important responsibilities.

Dai Chunfeng also felt that if Zhao Lijun made another great contribution, it might really threaten his position, so he did not support him. Instead, he took this opportunity to make an equivalent deal with the Baoding faction!

After a complex process of negotiation and bargaining, a transfer order was finally issued:

Wang Tianmu was appointed as the head of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai station because of his "deep experience, familiarity with the situation in Shanghai, and his significant assistance in two major achievements."

Zhao Lijun, who had made "outstanding contributions", was transferred to the Second Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense (in charge of military intelligence) as a senior advisor. This was a demotion in name only, as he was removed from a position of real power and the front line.

Shen Zui, "young and promising with outstanding abilities," was promoted to head of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Nanjing Station (which had by then become a station behind enemy lines), shouldering the heavy responsibility of reconstruction and struggle behind enemy lines.

Fu Jingnian, the action team leader, was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel and became the deputy station chief of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai station, assisting Wang Tianmu.

This arrangement, while seemingly reasonable, is full of balance and compromise.

The Baoding faction successfully promoted their "own man" Wang Tianmu to the key position of station chief in Shanghai, but Dai Chunfeng promoted his confidants Shen Zui and Fu Jingnian, and did not completely lose influence and control over Shanghai station.

Zhao Lijun became a victim of the power struggle and was transferred away from the core.

Dai Chunfeng looked at the appointment document in his office, his face showing satisfaction. He picked up the phone and connected with Mao Qi: "Qi Wu, send a secret telegram to Fu Jingnian."

Tell him the importance of the Shanghai station is self-evident; everything must prioritize the interests of the Party and the nation, and unity is paramount! Especially crucial is... protecting the 'Crow's' leads—this is the highest order! Under no circumstances can this lead be broken, and it must not fall into the hands of unreliable people!

Mao Qiwu understood perfectly and agreed.

Meanwhile, the remnants of the Jinling Garrison Command, who had retreated to Wuhan, were shrouded in gloom and despair.

Tang Shengzhi locked himself in his room and looked at the casualty reports of the Yunnan Army's 182nd and 184th Divisions, which were almost wiped out, especially the news of the death of Division Commander An Enpu. He finally couldn't help but burst into tears.

"My soldiers... my soldiers from southern Yunnan... are all gone... It's my fault... I'm the one who let down my teacher, Mr. Songpo, and the people of southern Yunnan!" He beat his chest and stamped his feet, filled with remorse.

If I hadn't been so stubborn and insisted on letting the Yunnan and Guizhou armies take all the credit, perhaps we wouldn't have suffered such a terrible defeat. At least we wouldn't have lost all of my own loyal forces, including the Guizhou army led by my friend, Chairman Wang Jialie. How can I face my friend now?

Deputy Commander-in-Chief Luo Zhuoying stood outside the door, listening to the crying inside, his heart filled with the same complex, heavy, and regretful emotions.

He pushed open the door and went in. Looking at the haggard Tang Shengzhi, he sighed: "Commander-in-Chief, it's too late for regrets now. Take care of your health."

The Yunnan and Guizhou army brothers were all outstanding. They truly carried out the Commander-in-Chief's order to "fight to the last man." They did not disgrace our country or the people of Yunnan and Guizhou. It was because of their desperate fighting that we were not completely surrounded in Nanjing. The remnants of the Central Army finally retreated to Wuhan, preserving our strength. They are all heroes!

I used to look down on them. I apologize to the Commander-in-Chief for my previous words and actions, and to the brothers who died in the Yunnan and Guizhou armies. If I didn't need to keep my body to continue fighting the Japanese, I, Luo Zhuoying, would have committed suicide to atone for my sins. I, Luo Zhuoying, am so sorry for them!