Ning Zhiheng did not linger in Jiangbei. The situation there was too tense, and it was too dangerous to operate there for long. So, the next day, he took Yi Huaan back to the International Settlement.
The checkpoint was indeed much stricter than usual. Despite driving a brand-new Buick and acting with an air of importance, the guards still checked their documents before letting them through.
Normally, there wouldn't be so much trouble; and the Chinese people who usually check things more thoroughly.
When Ning Zhiheng returned to the Tan Mansion, Zuo Rou and Miao Yongyi were overjoyed. Ning Zhiheng had stayed in Jiangbei for a long time, more than a month. While he was at the Tan Mansion, no one noticed, but during his long absence, everyone was on tenterhooks. After all, he was the backbone of the intelligence station. His return put everyone at ease and made them feel much more at ease.
Welcoming Ning Zhiheng into the study, Zuo Rou immediately took out several coded telegrams and handed them to him, saying softly, "Young Master, Headquarters and Deputy Director Huang sent congratulatory telegrams a few days ago, praising our successful demolition of the Fukuoka warehouse. When the Director reported to the General Headquarters, the leader repeatedly said it was good and was extremely satisfied with the operation."
The comrade encouraged us to continue our efforts, intensify our efforts to destroy other military targets, and achieve new successes!
Ning Zhiheng took a few telegrams and said with a smile as he read them, "We have finally fulfilled our mission, but we cannot take action for the time being. There are warships all over the river now, all the troops stationed in Shanghai are searching the streets, and Japanese spies and secret agents have been mobilized. We should stay in the concession to avoid trouble and wait for things to calm down before taking the next step."
"The list of those to be commended should have been submitted long ago, but we've been waiting for you to come back and make the decision. Headquarters has been urging us on!" Zuo Rou continued.
After reading the telegram, Ning Zhiheng found that there was indeed a telegram urging him to report his achievements as soon as possible. Judging from the telegram, the successful demolition of the Fukuoka warehouse had a significant impact.
The list of those to be commended for this operation had to be submitted by Ning Zhiheng himself. Moreover, without Ning Zhiheng's instructions, no one else had the right to use the radio to contact headquarters. First of all, Zuo Rou, the head of the telecommunications department, tightly controlled the radio, so no one else could use it, which is why it has been delayed until now.
That evening, Ning Zhiheng convened a meeting with several key personnel and carefully learned about the specifics of the demolition operation. He was very satisfied with the performance of Huo Yueze and others, praising them repeatedly.
"Yueze, you did a great job this time. You completed such an important operation without any damage. From now on, we should do our work like this, putting in a lot of effort in preparation and achieving great success in one fell swoop," Ning Zhiheng said with a smile.
"It was all thanks to you, Station Chief, who risked your life to retrieve the blueprints and devise the action plan. We were merely following your instructions and dare not take credit," Huo Yueze and the others quickly said humbly.
Ning Zhiheng laughed and said to Yi Hua'an beside him, "This idea came from Hua'an. Hua'an, this time I will definitely give you special recognition. You have been in the Military Intelligence Bureau for many years, you have enough seniority, and you should be promoted to the rank of colonel!"
Hearing Ning Zhiheng's words, Yi Hua'an felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He quickly stood up straight and said to Ning Zhiheng, "It is all thanks to the station chief's guidance that I am so grateful!"
His voice trembled slightly as he spoke. His opportunities had been quite bumpy. He joined the Military Investigation Department many years ago, moved around to many places, and his future was even more bleak after being transferred from headquarters to Hangzhou Station. He wasted many years in a small office.
Finally, by chance, he gained Ning Zhiheng's appreciation and was taken under his wing as Ning Zhiheng's Japanese teacher. From then on, he rose rapidly through the ranks, from a junior lieutenant to captain in just a few months. Now, he is promised to be given special consideration for his merits and is about to enter the ranks of field-grade officers. It all seems like a dream.
This is what true gratitude for being recognized and appreciated is all about! Yi Hua'an was so excited that he could hardly contain himself.
The others looked at Yi Hua'an with envy. Sure enough, after spending more than a month with the station chief in the enemy-occupied area, this guy had gained such great benefits!
The meeting ended quickly, and everyone dispersed. Ning Zhiheng kept Huo Yueze behind alone. Huo Yueze had made great contributions by directing the entire demolition operation, and Ning Zhiheng needed to have a serious talk with him. It was better to be open about many things to avoid any misunderstandings between them.
The two sat facing each other, and Ning Zhiheng spoke up: "Yueze, this time when we are recognizing merits, I plan to focus the credit on our brothers. As you know, your situation is the same as mine. We just entered the ranks of colonel-level officers this year. We are both officers from the Baoding faction, so the director must have some concerns. Even if we report it, I estimate that we will only get a medal to appease him."
Upon hearing this, Huo Yueze quickly nodded and said, "Station Chief, don't worry, I know your good intentions. Besides, this time it really was the brothers' achievement. I really didn't do anything."
Ning Zhiheng was very satisfied with Huo Yueze's attitude. He laughed, stood up, and said, "It's good that you understand my good intentions. There will be many more opportunities to make contributions in the future. Actually, I told you before that as your superior, I am too young, which is not a good thing for you."
Huo Yueze then recalled the conversation the station chief had with him when he had just been promoted to major. At that time, for the sake of his future, the station chief had specially transferred him away from the action group. However, he did not expect that the fate between the two of them was not over. The Battle of Shanghai brought the two of them together again, and they were still working under the station chief.
“But if I hadn’t been by the stationmaster’s side, I wouldn’t have had the chance to achieve so much! I’ve always felt incredibly fortunate to be able to follow you!” Huo Yueze said sincerely, and these were truly his heartfelt words.
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