Seeing the comrade's anger, Gu Zhengqi quickly replied, "Comrade, you know Wang Hanmin. How could he dare to disobey your orders? It's just that Wang Hanmin wanted to apply for a batch of funds to rebuild the intelligence station in Shanghai, but this matter has not been resolved, so it has not been able to go!"
"Funding? Didn't we approve a sum of money for him? What, is it that the finance department won't allocate it? Or does Wang Hanmin think it's not enough?" the section chief said with a grim expression.
Since the massive government system hastily moved from Nanjing to Wuhan, many things have been in disarray. Military and political affairs have not been sorted out in a short time. In addition, the government is facing internal and external troubles, its economic conditions are not good, its financial situation is chaotic and funds are scarce. The Ministry of Finance has used all its limited funds to purchase military supplies, which has made it difficult to keep up with the supply in other areas.
In other words, the Military Intelligence Investigation Department was a privileged department with relatively abundant financial resources, enabling it to operate normally. Many other newly reorganized departments, however, couldn't even find office space, with a dozen or so people crammed into one office, living in poverty everywhere.
Knowing that he was going to Shanghai to take up his post, which was the Japanese stronghold, Wang Hanmin knew that if he wanted to set up an intelligence station safely under the Japanese nose, he would need to spend a lot of money just to settle his agents.
The outposts left behind by Zheng Hongbo are definitely unusable and must be rearranged. In addition, there are funds needed for future operations. All these intelligence activities require substantial financial support.
The finance department gave him a grant of $50,000, which was already a lot, but he knew that if he didn't get enough this time, he didn't know when he would be able to apply again. So he made up his mind to bring enough funds for the trip before he left. For the past few days, he had been arguing with the finance department, saying that this amount of money was not enough at all and that he needed at least $100,000! The two sides were deadlocked and the situation dragged on for five days.
Upon hearing Gu Zhengqi's account, the section chief was furious. He said coldly, "The first batch of personnel was only fifty people. Do you really need $100,000 to settle such a small number? Things are different now than they were six months ago. Which department isn't tightening its belt? When Ning Zhiheng set up the intelligence station, I didn't give him a single penny. But look at him now. In just six months, he not only established the intelligence station and blew up the warehouse to eliminate traitors, but he also has the resources to intervene in the intelligence market and spend a lot of money to buy so much important intelligence. Compare that to what you see. Does Wang Hanmin want to become a pampered young master?"
At this time, the director also knew that the headquarters' finances were not abundant. Before the Battle of Shanghai, the country's economic situation was relatively stable and there was still a certain amount of economic strength. The Military Intelligence Investigation Department was still able to provide sufficient operating funds for each branch station, but now it had to be reduced to a certain extent.
Even the Shanghai intelligence station, which has performed the best, is facing a severe shortage of operating funds. The chief is well aware that Ning Zhiheng has spent a lot of money on purchasing intelligence, but it is a bottomless pit that he is powerless to solve. Ning Zhiheng's several applications for additional operating funds have not received satisfactory responses. Currently, the station is entirely raising funds on its own to support the entire situation.
Upon hearing the section chief compare Ning Zhiheng with Wang Hanmin again, Gu Zhengqi and Bian Ze couldn't help but shake their heads inwardly.
Now, in the Chief's mind, Ning Zhiheng has become a benchmark. He hopes that his subordinates can all be as outstanding as Ning Zhiheng. But how is that possible? The Chief knows that this is unrealistic, but he still can't help but think in this direction. So he always feels that his other subordinates are not performing well, which makes them complain endlessly!
Wang Hanmin and Gu Zhengqi had always had a good personal relationship. When it came to the issue of activity funds, he didn't dare to ask the director for them himself, so he poured out his grievances to Gu Zhengqi several times. His meaning was very clear: he wanted Gu Zhengqi to say a few words on his behalf.
It seems we have to put in a good word for Wang Hanmin, otherwise he might suffer some hardship. Gu Zhengqi stepped forward and said cautiously, "Chief, the situation in Shanghai is indeed difficult right now, especially since it's behind enemy lines. Some necessary facilities are still needed, such as headquarters, weapons, shelters, and safe houses. All of these cost money! Building an intelligence station from scratch will inevitably be expensive. Wang Hanmin wants to take more with him this time because he wants to do his job well. Otherwise, he'll be constrained and unable to perform well there. To be honest, partnering with Ning Zhiheng is a very stressful thing for anyone!"
Gu Zhengqi's words stirred something in the director's heart. Although he knew that even if Wang Hanmin went to Shanghai, he would hardly be able to compare with Ning Zhiheng, if he could really show some performance, he could also curb Ning Zhiheng's momentum. After all, the Shanghai station was too important!
Finally, the section chief nodded and agreed, "Alright, as he wishes, give him the money and let him set off soon. This time Zheng Hongbo failed. Given Ning Zhiheng's performance, it would have been a natural thing for him to take over as station chief. But I shamelessly forced Wang Hanmin to take over, suppressing Ning Zhiheng's momentum. Huang Xianzheng is already somewhat dissatisfied. I hope Wang Hanmin will live up to my expectations and perform well at work, so that I can save some face."
I don't expect him to become a dragon or a tiger, but at the very least, he should be able to grow up to be a decent human being, and definitely not a pig. Go see him yourself and tell him what I mean!
"Yes, I'll go right away!" Gu Zhengqi quickly replied.
The magistrate then turned to Bian Ze and instructed him, "You should also make preparations and set off immediately. Take plenty of capable men with you, as we have too few resources in Guangzhou. Be careful in everything you do!"
"Yes, I'll arrange it right away and leave today!" Bian Ze replied at attention. He was exceptionally capable, serving as both the director's most trusted confidant and most capable assistant. Whenever a problem arose, it was usually Bian Ze who would handle it, so he was already mentally prepared.
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