He knew that Ning Zhiheng's last-minute change of the rendezvous location was definitely a sign that he was wary of him, and that he was probably already surrounded by people. Of course, this was also the kind of vigilance that an excellent agent should have, which is to never easily trust anyone, even if they were your comrades before.
"Does the magistrate want you to escort me back?" Zheng Hongbo suddenly asked.
As a veteran agent, he suddenly sensed something was amiss. He feared that Ning Zhiheng had made other arrangements. Given the strict rules of the Military Intelligence Investigation Department, it was impossible for them not to take precautions.
Ning Zhiheng looked somewhat embarrassed and could only nod.
"Understood. What are your arrangements?" Zheng Hongbo asked calmly. Since things had come to this point, he would naturally leave it to Ning Zhiheng to decide. Even if Ning Zhiheng dealt with him now, he could only submit to his fate.
Seeing Zheng Hongbo's openness, Ning Zhiheng felt much more at ease. He stopped dodging the question and said directly, "It's too unsafe on the way. I've arranged for an action team to escort the station chief back to Wuhan. Don't worry, once we get to Wuhan, I won't immediately take you to headquarters. I'll give you some time to smooth things over and do some preparatory work. You're a former subordinate of the section chief, and we have old connections. We should use them when necessary at this crucial moment. Finally, we'll escort you back to headquarters. Is this arrangement acceptable to you?"
Upon hearing these words, Zheng Hongbo's expression relaxed, and he was deeply moved. Ning Zhiheng's arrangements were truly for his benefit. He stepped forward and grasped Ning Zhiheng's hand, saying with emotion, "Zhiheng, you're so kind. True friendship is revealed in times of trouble. If we can escape this calamity, I will surely repay you in the future!"
After discussing their plans, the two wished each other well. Ning Zhiheng then sent Zuo Gang to lead an action team to follow Zheng Hongbo away, and they each went their separate ways.
Five days later, late at night, in the study of the Tan Mansion, Huo Yueze and Ji Hongyi were reporting to Station Chief Ning Zhiheng on their work over the past period.
"The situation within the Green Gang in the concession is very calm now. Their respective territories and influence have stabilized. The bigwigs have all kept quiet and no one dares to step forward. They are afraid of being targeted by the Japanese and also by us. They are all keeping to themselves!" Ji Hongyi, the person in charge of handling gang affairs, was giving a detailed report on the Green Gang's movements.
Ning Zhiheng sat upright in his chair, his eyes slightly closed, and asked calmly, "Then let's maintain this situation. It's also good for us. How is Lu Tianqiao's successor disciple doing? Is he harboring resentment and trying to find out about us?"
Ji Hongyi said disdainfully, "Luo Zidong is now obediently guarding his gang. That kid is quite capable. Even after such a big incident, he can still remain calm and has managed to win over Lu Tianqiao's men. However, he hasn't made any moves yet. I think he doesn't dare to follow Lu Tianqiao's old path!"
“Very good, make an example of them. Talking to these people is useless. We need to use swift and decisive measures to make them fear. That’s the right thing to do!” Ning Zhiheng said coldly.
Huo Yueze, who was standing nearby, also spoke up and reported: "Station Chief, there is one more thing I need to report to you. Before Xu Yongchang left, he contacted nine comrades for us. They were all members of the Fifth Detachment who retreated to the concession together. Now they have all returned to the Green Gang. I have put them under Hongyi's command and am preparing to set up another intelligence group to expand our intelligence capabilities!"
“Very good. These team members have all been tested in the fires of war and can be trusted. Let’s hand them over to Commander Hongyi!” Ning Zhiheng nodded. These people were just right to act as his eyes and ears in the Green Gang, which would further strengthen the intelligence station.
“However, they want to meet with you and apply to be formally registered in our Military Intelligence Investigation Department. I haven’t given them a reply yet and want to wait for you to come back and make a decision yourself!” Huo Yueze asked in a low voice.
"You guys make the arrangements. They should have all seen me before, so there's no need to keep it so secret. Besides, they're all warriors who participated in the battles of Jiangbei and Nanshi, so I naturally want to meet them. As for filing their files, of course, I'll apply for it for them right now. They're all talents needed by the Party and the State; it would be a real waste if we didn't bring them back." Ning Zhiheng readily agreed. Now his operations were growing larger and his assets were increasing, so he needed more manpower. However, the intelligence station was always short-staffed, and it was time to replenish some reliable members!
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