As soon as the director mentioned the situation in Shanghai, Ning Zhiheng knew he was referring to the recent setback at the Shanghai station.
Since the sudden attack by No. 76, the Shanghai station suffered heavy losses, with only a few cadres and department staff surviving. Fortunately, the radio station was preserved. When reporting to headquarters, Wang Hanmin and Wu Huarong concealed some facts to avoid punishment. The director was well aware of this, but given the special circumstances and the harsh environment of struggle in Shanghai, he turned a blind eye. However, he still needed to understand the situation more clearly.
Ning Zhiheng then reported to the director in detail what he knew. The information he had was mostly from people who had defected to the enemy at the Shanghai station, as well as information that He Siming had obtained from within Japan. This was the most authentic and accurate information.
After listening to Ning Zhiheng's account, the bureau chief couldn't help but sigh. He said with a wry smile, "Judging from this situation, Wang Hanmin didn't try to shirk responsibility much. I didn't expect the situation in Shanghai to be so dire. The Japanese have taken such tight control that even the concessions are no longer safe!"
This setback was largely due to the fact that the Shanghai station did not expect that the Green Gang forces in the concessions would reverse their previous neutral stance and begin to side with the Japanese. As a result, the 76th Special Agent and the local Green Gang came knocking on their door, catching them off guard and causing them to suffer heavy losses.
Ning Zhiheng replied helplessly, "The situation is indeed difficult now. Shanghai has been occupied by the Japanese for three years. The concession area is like an isolated island, surrounded by Japanese forces. It is already remarkable that they have been able to hold out for so long. The agents of No. 76 originally had a Green Gang background and had intricate connections with the Shanghai Green Gang. Now that they have set a bad example, it is normal for others to be dragged down. This situation is like a domino effect. In the future, the Shanghai Green Gang will probably gradually fall into the hands of the Japanese and No. 76, and our work will only become more difficult."
Indeed, the situation unfolded exactly as Ning Zhiheng had predicted. A few months later, due to the outbreak of war in Europe, the troops stationed in Shanghai by various countries withdrew, only nominally governing the concessions. Japanese forces invaded the concessions and quickly took control of the International Settlement and the French Concession. Then, a year later, they officially dispatched troops to take over all the concession areas in Shanghai, completely ending the era of Shanghai's concessions being isolated. From then on, Shanghai was entirely under Japanese control.
Upon hearing Ning Zhiheng's words, the bureau chief remained silent for a long time, lost in thought. Finally, he spoke with a heavy heart: "Most of the Green Gang members in Shanghai were still patriotic and loyal. During the Battle of Shanghai, Brother Yue and I rallied them with righteous indignation, and all the Green Gang members bravely sacrificed themselves for the country. Countless men of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Special Operations Team shed their blood on the battlefield. Brother Yue's disciples were almost entirely wiped out. He wept bitterly when he saw the scene. I still remember that moment vividly. But in just a few short years..."
At this point, he was overwhelmed with emotion and could no longer continue.
Ning Zhiheng understood his meaning and quickly comforted him, "What the Director said is absolutely right. Most of the Green Gang members are still good. It's just that those leaders are greedy for life and afraid of death, greedy for money and lustful. In addition, they have the signboard of the puppet government, which is why they are used by the Japanese."
The bureau chief deeply agreed with Ning Zhiheng's words. He nodded and said, "You're absolutely right. It's all because these people harbor delusions that they sold themselves out and joined us. Now that the Green Gang has also sided with the Japanese, our work will be even more difficult. So we must teach these people a lesson. Alas! If only Brother Yue Sheng were still in Shanghai. Back then, he was known as the underground emperor of Shanghai. When I formed the Special Operations Team, he raised his arm and people from all directions flocked to it. All kinds of people bowed their heads and obeyed his orders. It was quickly formed in just half a month. But now, that glory is gone!"
At this point, he suddenly remembered something and looked up at Ning Zhiheng.
Ning Zhiheng was somewhat confused. He carefully considered his words and said cautiously, "Director, Shanghai is not suitable for us to engage in a fierce confrontation with the Japanese in any way. They have sufficient support and military strength, and they also have the advantage of playing on their home ground. If we use forceful means, the disparity in strength is too great. Moreover, due to the special nature of intelligence work, the arrest of one person can easily implicate a whole series of undercover agents. My suggestion is that the entire Shanghai station should go into hibernation and not carry out any field missions. Let's see how things develop before making any decisions."
Ning Zhiheng's principle has always been to remain hidden and infiltrate, waiting for the right opportunity to strike and kill with one blow. He would never participate in a large-scale assassination operation like this.
The bureau chief smiled bitterly and said, "How could I not know that? But the Chairman hates the Kuomintang traitors to the bone and has repeatedly asked us to strangle the puppet government in Shanghai. I have no choice but to do so. How can I disobey orders?"
Standing at the level of the General, he obviously has more to consider. In addition to the comparison between the two sides, he is more concerned with political matters. He must make a gesture in response to the Chairman's orders, even if it comes at a heavy price.
Ning Zhiheng was well aware of this, but he still wanted to try to salvage the situation, so he continued, "As far as we know, the puppet government has begun preparations to relocate to Nanjing. Perhaps we can change the location of our operation to Nanjing, where Japanese intelligence is relatively weak. I think that way, our casualties will be much smaller."
However, Ning Zhiheng's efforts were in vain. The bureau chief waved his hand, not wanting to discuss the matter further. He coughed lightly and said again, "This matter is beyond our control. Let's talk about the work of the intelligence department. As far as I know, your Fujiwara Company is doing very well in Shanghai. The name Fujiwara Tomohito is well-known even in Chongqing. He is a direct descendant of the Japanese Fujiwara family and the controller of the Shanghai smuggling kingdom. Some people even say that you are the next underground emperor of Shanghai after Yue Sheng. Zhiheng, you have considerable influence in Shanghai!"
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