Ning Zhiheng's words clearly provoked Huang Xianzheng. With such a big case still unresolved, both bureau chiefs were uneasy, fearing that one day the chairman would bring up the case and they would be severely reprimanded if they failed to provide an explanation.
But unexpectedly, Ning Zhiheng acted so quickly. He had just finished the drug case, which exposed a large number of Japanese spies and shocked the wartime capital. Now, just a few days later, he has brought up this major case again.
Huang Xianzheng was anxious and couldn't wait to read the interrogation record carefully. Instead, he directly ordered, "Tell me the specifics."
"Tianming is in charge of solving this case. I've asked him to give you a detailed report."
After speaking, Ning Zhiheng gestured to Nie Tianming with his eyes, asking him to come forward and describe the case. Nie Tianming did not dare to delay and quickly reported the details to Huang Xianzheng.
After Nie Tianming recounted what had happened, Huang Xianzheng, contrary to his usual gentle tone, asked coldly, "Deng Chengyi's adjutant? He's the one who leaked the information? Are you sure?"
Ning Zhiheng nodded and said, "It's confirmed. In fact, we already knew that during the Battle of Nanjing, a group of high-ranking spies who had been recruited by the Japanese infiltrated important departments of our party and state, but we had never been able to find their whereabouts."
The Japanese spy Yoshimoto Shōhei, whom we arrested this time, gave the same information as we had previously learned. The details of Xue Jianmu's capture, his placement process, and his promotion history all matched perfectly. As long as I investigate the history of Xue Jianmu's capture, the truth will come out. He cannot hide this from anyone.
Because Xue Jianmu was a close confidant and former subordinate of General Deng, he was quickly assigned to work by General Deng's side after going undercover. He had accompanied General Deng to the Huangshan official residence many times and knew its location. On the night before the bombing, knowing that General Deng would be going to the Huangshan official residence to attend an important military meeting the next day, he passed the intelligence to Yoshimoto Shōhei, explaining the timing and details clearly.
Furthermore, Yoshimoto Shōhei confessed that he paid Xue Jianmu a hefty reward for each intelligence delivery, all in pounds sterling, totaling as much as eight thousand pounds. Such a large sum would be difficult for Xue Jianmu to conceal without a trace. We only need to search Xue Jianmu's residence to confirm this immediately. Of course, the prerequisite is that we arrest Xue Jianmu first, otherwise we'll alert him.
After listening to Ning Zhiheng's account, Huang Xianzheng remained silent for a moment. He knew that this matter was of great importance and carefully considered in his mind the impact of this matter on the Baoding faction.
If this had happened to someone else, it wouldn't have been a big deal. Huang Xianzheng would naturally have been overjoyed, as he had earned merit and received an award, which would have allowed him to show his face in front of the Chairman.
But now it involves a fellow member of the Baoding faction, a powerful lieutenant general in the National Revolutionary Army. The National Revolutionary Army is full of factions, especially the Baoding faction, which is most averse to internal strife and mutual suspicion. If this matter is exposed, won't it make us a laughing stock?
But the case is so serious, even involving the safety of the leader. How many people would dare to bend the law for personal gain? If things were to come to light, they would be in deep trouble. Is it worth it to take such a big responsibility for this?
After thinking for a long time, he finally turned his gaze to Ning Zhiheng and asked in a deep voice, "Zhiheng, what do you think we should do?"
The room fell silent for a moment. Huang Xianzheng looked at Ning Zhiheng, hoping to find a proper solution from him.
Ning Zhiheng noticed Huang Xianzheng's indecisiveness and couldn't help but feel speechless. How could he still harbor any illusions when things came to this? Was he really going to put himself in danger for the sake of so-called factional interests?
Ning Zhiheng organized his thoughts and said, "Actually, this matter is very easy to handle. Instead of making things difficult for us here, why don't we hand it over to General Deng and let him decide how to handle it? If he agrees that we should handle this matter officially, then there will be no problem. Everyone can put things in the open, and he won't blame us. If he wants to cover up the whole thing, then let him have his way. We can do this for him, but he will not only have to appreciate our help, but he will also have to take responsibility for the matter. Moreover, by doing so, we will have leverage over him."
He is well aware of the stakes involved, but in my judgment, he will not take the risk. If he openly admits that his subordinate leaked the information, he will at most receive a reprimand from the Chairman. However, if he dares to deliberately conceal the facts of the case, the matter could be serious or minor, and once it comes to light, the consequences will be endless.
Besides, although our Second Action Division has a Baoding clique background, it's still a department of the Military Intelligence Bureau. Military Intelligence Bureau agents have a bad reputation in the military; he won't completely trust us.
Ning Zhiheng had already planned everything before he came. Now, he analyzed the pros and cons of the matter for Huang Xianzheng, which immediately cheered Huang Xianzheng up. He slammed his hand on the table and said, "Well said. Now that his adjutant has defected to the enemy and become a traitor, he is the one who will have a headache. We don't need to take responsibility for this matter. I'll let him choose, so that we won't be blamed in the end and have to settle scores later."
At this point, Huang Xianzheng felt relieved and said to Ning Zhiheng with satisfaction, "Zhiheng, you are the one who is clear-headed. You have thought things through very clearly. I will go and talk to him tomorrow. I will try to be polite first and then take a hard line, and see what his choice is."
Ning Zhiheng said again, "Director, no matter how this matter is handled, whether it's a cover-up or a fair trial, Xue Jianmu cannot be allowed to live. This man has betrayed the country and the nation and must be severely punished."
“Of course! A person who betrays the country and its leader deserves to die a thousand deaths!” Huang Xianzheng immediately nodded in agreement. He was determined to avert disaster for others, and this root of trouble could not be allowed to remain.
Then Huang Xianzheng looked at Nie Tianming beside him and said approvingly, "Tianming, this case has a significant impact. You were able to solve this major case as soon as you took office, which is a great achievement. It seems I didn't misjudge you."
Faced with Huang Xianzheng's praise, Nie Tianming felt a flush of embarrassment. He knew very well that the case was entirely arranged by the director, who had investigated everything thoroughly and then handed the credit to him. How could he possibly take credit for it?
Before he could speak up to defend himself, Ning Zhiheng preemptively said, "The Director's vision is naturally exceptional; otherwise, would he have recommended Tianming to me in the first place? If this opportunity can reach the ears of the Emperor, I would appreciate it if the Director would put in a good word for me."
The protective tone in Ning Zhiheng's words warmed Nie Tianming's heart, leaving him speechless for a moment.
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