On a late autumn night in 1936, two men were talking in hushed tones in the office of the Nanjing Central Military Academy, which later became known as the Whampoa Military Academy.

"Zhiheng, I've thought about it for a long time, and I still recommend you go to the Military Intelligence Department, but it ultimately depends on your own wishes. You need to carefully consider it." The middle-aged man sitting behind the desk asked with a serious face but a very kind tone.

The young man standing opposite, Ning Zhiheng, replied respectfully yet warmly, "Teacher, I heard that the job assignments for this year's graduates have been finalized."

"Your information network is quite extensive! It's definitely been decided that this year's students will graduate early and all be sent to the Northwest front. That's one of the reasons I gave you the recommendation spot." He Feng nodded in acknowledgment of Ning Zhiheng's question. After all, it wasn't a military secret, and the students would receive the notification in a few days.

Is there even a need to consider it? Going to the front lines to fight the Red Party hand-to-hand is a life-or-death struggle. Besides, I was a true Red Party member in my past life; I can't possibly point a gun at my comrades! That would completely cross my bottom line. Absolutely not!

"Zhiheng will completely follow the teacher's arrangements." Ning Zhiheng stood up straight and answered firmly, "I'm just afraid that my classmates will gossip and think that I'm afraid of dying and dare not go to the front line."

He Feng waved his hand lightly, saying nonchalantly, "Don't worry about it so much. You're different from them. Don't be fooled by the fact that everyone says Whampoa Military Academy graduates are the emperor's protégés. How many of them does the principal actually remember?"

But you are my most valued disciple, He Feng. I can't just send you to the front lines as cannon fodder. This time, Huang Xianzheng, the deputy director of the Military Intelligence Department, is asking for people. This is your chance; you can't miss it.

Ning Zhiheng knew that this Deputy Director Huang Xianzheng was a close friend and classmate of his teacher He Feng. Both were from one of the most powerful factions in the military and key members of the Baoding clique.

The term "Baoding Clique" generally refers to the group of officers who graduated from the Baoding Military Academy. The Baoding Military Academy was the first formal military academy in modern China, and its graduates are found throughout the country, holding a very important position in modern Chinese military history. In particular, many high-ranking officials in the Kuomintang army came from this academy.

This was especially true at the Whampoa Military Academy, where half of the instructors were graduates of the Baoding Military Academy. Their teacher, He Feng, was one of them.

These instructors from the Baoding system would consciously pay special attention to some outstanding trainees, and even cultivate them vigorously after graduation, adding fresh blood to the Baoding system in order to maintain its influence in the military.

Because these students were also Whampoa Military Academy students, which were considered the direct descendants of President Chiang Kai-shek, they gained recognition from both the Whampoa and Baoding factions, and could be said to have been able to win favor from both sides. This group of students was also jokingly referred to as the Baoding faction within the Whampoa faction.

As the saying goes, "It's easy to get an official position if you have connections in the imperial court." With the help of their seniors in the military, these trainees naturally had smooth careers and gained considerable influence within the army.

As a disciple valued by He Feng, Ning Zhiheng was naturally classified as a member of the Baoding faction.

“The Military Intelligence Department has expanded again this time, and Huang Xianzheng naturally needs trustworthy people. However, the principal has given clear instructions that they can only be selected from graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy. So, we old comrades and classmates have no choice but to ask us.” He Feng explained.

This expansion of the Military Intelligence Department is a rare opportunity. As the military's most important intelligence agency, it has always been firmly controlled by President Chiang Kai-shek, and no other forces are allowed to interfere.

This is a privileged department that can only pledge allegiance to the supreme leader, much like the Central Party Affairs Investigation Bureau established many years ago. The difference is that the Party Affairs Investigation Bureau is responsible for intelligence and security work outside of military departments such as the military, gendarmerie, and police. It specifically targets all opposition parties, especially the Communist Party. Furthermore, it is responsible for monitoring public opinion and discourse.

The Military Intelligence Bureau is responsible for intelligence and security work for the military, gendarmerie, police departments, and foreign countries. It enjoys absolute privileges, especially within the military, and is a sphere of influence that the Baoding clique has long wanted to enter.

Being able to place one's own people in such a crucial department would certainly be extremely beneficial for future power development.

"How strong are we in the military intelligence department?" Ning Zhiheng felt it was necessary to find out about the situation of his future work unit.

"There have been some results over the years. Huang Xianzheng is the highest-ranking official, but he's only one of the deputy directors. That's the maximum the principal can tolerate," He Feng said with some helplessness.

In recent years, President Chiang's dominance in the military has become increasingly apparent, and many veterans have begun to step aside. It is only because the influence of the Baoding clique is so great, and its power is so deeply entrenched, and many of his capable former subordinates are also from the Baoding clique, that President Chiang has tolerated it out of old friendships.

"We'll also assign a few people to the departments below, but they all have to be graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy, just like you. That's a prerequisite; otherwise, the principal won't agree."

Ning Zhiheng nodded, feeling alright. These people carried the dual identities of the Whampoa and Baoding factions, and while remaining loyal to the leader, they protected the interests of the Baoding faction, which was recognized by both sides.

To be honest, he felt very lucky. He came from an ordinary family and had average talents. In the military, he only gained access to resources that others couldn't match because of his teacher's appreciation. Otherwise, he would have had to go to the front lines like his classmates.

Therefore, Teacher He Feng is the only reliable support and reliance I can have in this turbulent era. Following in his footsteps is the wisest choice.

"Then, teacher, could you let Miao Yongyi join the Military Intelligence Department as well? He's my childhood friend and classmate. If it were possible..."

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