Ning Zhiheng did not mention the specific details of the operation in the telegram, because the content of the telegram should be as brief as possible, and he did not want to show off his achievements too much. However, the Director was very concerned about this. After all, this mission was too difficult, and the Japanese would definitely be on high alert after Duan Tiecheng and Wang Hanmin had failed. He was very curious about how Ning Zhiheng managed to report and accomplish it!

More importantly, after Ning Zhiheng sent back the intelligence about Gao Zhiwu's contact with the Japanese special envoy, the Director keenly sensed that Ning Zhiheng must have an important intelligence channel within the Japanese, and he was extremely envious of this channel.

The Director believed that Ning Zhiheng was merely a smuggler posing as a Japanese nobleman. He did not expect Ning Zhiheng's Japanese identity to have much intelligence value. Therefore, he believed that Ning Zhiheng must have his own mole within the Japanese ranks, and this mole had access to top-secret information from the Japanese high command, which would be of great value to the entire Military Intelligence Bureau.

However, Ning Zhiheng's status is now very different from before. The Baoding faction's position in the Military Intelligence Bureau has also been greatly enhanced due to the military power deal with the Director, and its relative independence is now higher.

The Director could no longer forcefully issue orders to make Ning Zhiheng hand over his intelligence channels as he had before. He had to use more tactful methods, since Ning Zhiheng had developed this mole on his own, and the Baoding Clique would not agree to it if forced.

Therefore, the director wanted to analyze the details of this operation to determine whether the mole had participated in the mission, and even to identify the mole.

Upon hearing the director's instructions, Wei Liangbi quickly nodded in acceptance and left the office to report the situation to Huang Xianzheng.

Watching Wei Liangbi leave, the bureau chief's expression slowly returned to seriousness. Pointing to the door, he said, "See? Huang Xianzheng's men are all outstanding now. In comparison, none of our men are any good. That idiot Wang Hanmin couldn't handle the task that cost so many people, while they accomplished it effortlessly. I even have to commend them. If it weren't for Huo Yueze having only been promoted to lieutenant colonel for half a year, I wouldn't know how to commend him this time."

Huo Yueze was promoted to lieutenant colonel just half a year ago because of the Li Jiangguan case. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to suppress his promotion this time. However, the merit of destroying the legal tender was too great. A commendation would not be enough to appease him. Otherwise, Huang Xianzheng would not have agreed. The Baoding faction must have a substantial promotion.

Zhao Ziliang's mind raced, and he suddenly said, "Director, Deputy Director Wei is still only a lieutenant colonel. The Second Action Division is a major division, yet the person in charge is only a lieutenant colonel. This is really unreasonable. We can discuss it with Deputy Director Huang. Huo Yueze is no longer eligible for promotion, so why not use the excuse of effective leadership to raise Wei Liangbi's rank by one level? After all, he is already the head of the Second Action Division, and this rank increase won't be a substantial improvement for him. This way, everyone can justify it."

Zhao Ziliang's suggestion made the Director's eyes light up. Although Wei Liangbi was outstanding, most of his work involved assassinations and murders that could not be carried out in the open, so he had never been able to make meritorious contributions and his military rank had always been difficult to advance. Later, he was also disliked by the Director and fled to Chongqing for refuge. Although he was now in charge of the Second Division, his military rank had not been promoted. This time, it would be better to make up for this rank and also shut Huang Xianzheng up.

"Your idea is good. I'll discuss it with Deputy Director Huang. I'm sure he won't refuse. This will benefit everyone," the director finally nodded in agreement.

"Director, I'll take my leave now and go arrange for the second batch of support personnel." Zhao Ziliang bowed and left the office.

The director was much more relaxed at this point. He looked at the telegram and pondered for a moment, then picked up the phone and called over Bian Ze, the head of the First Intelligence Division.

"Director, you wanted to see me?" Bian Ze asked.

The director handed the telegram to Bian Ze, who took it and read it carefully. His face lit up with joy, and he said happily, "Director, this matter is finally resolved. Huo Yueze's methods are truly remarkable!"

Bian Ze was well aware of the immense harm that would result from the successful development of this batch of legal tender. He was not embarrassed by Duan Tiecheng's matter; on the contrary, he was genuinely happy for the success of this mission. It must be said that Bian Ze was indeed a man of integrity and magnanimity.

The director smiled faintly and said, "This time, allocate more funds to Wang Hanmin, and send a telegram urging him to resume work at the Shanghai station, and ask him to find out as soon as possible whether the legal tender has really been destroyed."

“Yes, but how could Huo Yueze dare to take credit for something so big? Military law is merciless, he must know that. I believe the legal tender must have been destroyed,” Bian Ze said.

The director nodded. In fact, he knew very well that this matter must be true, because the person in charge was not Huo Yueze, but Ning Zhiheng, the top action expert of the Military Intelligence Bureau. Given Ning Zhiheng's abilities, it was not surprising that he could do this. However, the process of collecting evidence afterward was still necessary. When Ning Zhiheng blew up the Fukuoka military warehouse, he also asked Zheng Hongbo to investigate and report before he commended Ning Zhiheng. After all, the matter was of great importance. If things went wrong, it would be a big joke if he asked the Chairman for credit.

"In addition, you should assign a few more spies to Wang Hanmin. If Zhao Ziliang's men fail again this time, the target will definitely flee to Shanghai and join the Japanese. Wang Hanmin will have to start taking action and strengthen his forces."

"Yes!" Bian Ze nodded in acceptance.

At the Shanghai Special Higher Education Headquarters, Keiji Tsuchihara was on the phone, repeatedly saying "okay" with a respectful attitude, before finally hanging up after a long while.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!