Ning Zhiheng led several officers to the main gate quickly. The guard on the wall reported loudly, "Captain, a unit is approaching, along with many vehicles."
"Stay on high alert!"
A short while later, the guard outside reported, "Captain, the Fifth Detachment of our Special Operations Team has returned!"
Ning Zhiheng was shocked. Twenty days ago, the Special Agent Brigade and the Fifth Detachment received orders at the same time. The Fifth Detachment was transferred to the north bank of the Suzhou River. As for what happened after that, no one knew. Now, why was it suddenly withdrawn?
"Open the gate, let's go out and greet them," Ning Zhiheng ordered loudly.
The gate was pushed open, and Ning Zhiheng led a group of officers out. They saw Zhu Weihua, the commander of the Fifth Detachment, jumping off a military vehicle.
Ning Zhiheng quickened his pace, came to Zhu Weihua, and reached out to shake Zhu Weihua's hand.
"Brother Zhu, you've survived a hundred battles and returned from the battlefield. You must be exhausted!" Ning Zhiheng said warmly.
Zhu Weihua's face was clearly travel-worn, his expression gloomy. He grinned, his lips slightly chapped, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Survived a hundred battles? A hundred battles, perhaps, but survived? That's right. The Fifth Detachment suffered heavy losses. Of the brothers we took out, only these few returned. It's too tragic!"
At this point, Ning Zhiheng's eyes welled up with tears. He then looked up at the troops behind them and saw that some team members were getting off the military vehicles one after another. The number of team members was much smaller than when they set off, and many of them were injured. The other team members were also in poor spirits.
"These are just some of the minor injuries. Many of the seriously wounded have already been sent to the hospital, and this time it's been broken bones again," Zhu Weihua said, shaking his head with a regretful expression.
Ning Zhiheng quickly ordered the members of the Special Operations Brigade to help the members of the Fifth Detachment settle into their base.
He took Zhu Weihua's hand, trying to lead him into the courtyard, but Zhu Weihua didn't move. Ning Zhiheng looked at him in confusion.
Looking back at the road they had come from, Zhu Weihua said softly to Ning Zhiheng, "Let's not go in yet. The comrade came to Nanshi with us. He drove fast and went to the garrison command first. He should be here soon. Let's get ready to greet him!"
Upon hearing Zhu Weihua's words, Ning Zhiheng was startled. He had just ordered the Special Agent Brigade to withdraw to Nanshi to await orders, and the Director had come to Nanshi in person. It was obvious that he was here for the Special Agent Brigade.
What's meant to be will be; if it's meant to be, you can't escape it!
Ning Zhiheng could only face the situation calmly and see what the outcome would be.
Dust billowed in the distance, and soon a convoy sped towards them. The first few black sedans were the Chief's official vehicles, followed by several military vehicles carrying the Chief's personal guards.
Ning Zhiheng loudly commanded, "All officers, assemble and line up to greet the Chief!"
When the charioteer's car came to a stop, a group of officers lined up to greet him, with Ning Zhiheng and Zhu Weihua stepping forward to salute.
The guard opened the car door, and the section chief got out of the car. Two officers also got out of the car behind him. They were Bian Ze, the deputy section chief of the intelligence section, and Zheng Hongbo, the station chief of the Shanghai military intelligence station.
"Chief!" Ning Zhiheng quickly stepped forward to greet the chief, and smiled slightly, "The roads aren't safe these days. You didn't inform us before you came, so I could have arranged for a guard along the way, just in case!"
The comrade-in-chief smiled slightly when he saw Ning Zhiheng, gently patted Ning Zhiheng's shoulder, and said in a gentle voice, "Don't worry, I've been through many battles, I'm not that delicate!"
Ning Zhiheng shook hands and greeted Bian Ze and Zheng Hongbo before following the magistrate into the encampment.
At this moment, all the members of the special operations team lined up in the courtyard to welcome the arrival of the director. Looking at the neatly arranged and spirited team members, the director couldn't help but show a satisfied expression.
While waving his hand in greeting, the section chief smiled and said to Ning Zhiheng, "Zhiheng, you are strict in managing your troops and skilled in command. In the past twenty days of fighting in Pudong, you have successively wiped out two plainclothes teams without suffering any casualties. Your achievements are outstanding. Commander Zhang has repeatedly recommended you for commendation, which has earned our Military Intelligence Section a lot of face. The General Headquarters has specially commended our Special Operations Team, praising our meritorious service in assisting the front line. I am also honored to share in this honor!"
These weren't just polite words. While the entire special operations unit had performed bravely on the front lines, their results had been poor, with heavy losses. However, the special operations brigade on the right flank had received repeated telegrams of praise from the theater commander, Zhang Zhengkui, for its excellent performance. It's worth noting that killing two or three hundred Japanese soldiers on the main battlefield would have required at least two to three times that, or even more, casualties. Yet, the military region's battle reports showed the special operations brigade with almost no losses. This was undoubtedly the biggest highlight for the Military Intelligence Investigation Department since it began operations, and it also restored some face for the department head in the high command. Naturally, the department head was extremely satisfied with the special operations brigade's performance.
"It's all thanks to the wise leadership of the Director, and the members of the Special Agent Brigade are also well-trained. Zhiheng just happened to be there and managed to win two easy battles. You flatter me, Director!" Ning Zhiheng followed behind the Director, half-believing and half-doubting the Director's words. He didn't understand the Director's true intentions and could only respond cautiously.
The commissar simply smiled and remained silent. Finally, he signaled the special operations brigade to disband, and the other mid-level officers each restrained their troops, fearing that they would embarrass themselves in front of the commissar.
The chief and others entered the office under Ning Zhiheng's guidance. After waving to signal, Ning Zhiheng immediately ordered Sun Jiacheng to stand guard outside the door, and the senior officers began a small-scale military meeting.
The section chief, seated in the main seat, coughed lightly. Everyone immediately tensed up, straightened their backs, and stared at him, quietly awaiting his instructions.
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