Hearing their conversation, Huang Xianzheng didn't rush to get into the car. Instead, he turned to Yu Guangyou and asked, "What's going on?"
Yu Guangyou was taken aback, but quickly realized and replied in a low voice, "Director, these headquarters officers usually do this too. They like to travel in groups, and several people drive one car. As you know, headquarters is not like our Second Division. Gasoline is very scarce, so they have no choice."
In his words, Yu Guangyou was quite protective of these officers. In fact, he was well aware of their underhanded tactics, a common phenomenon throughout the National Revolutionary Army.
These officers usually have their own cars, which are all official vehicles. The gasoline they use is distributed by the logistics department according to their allocated quotas. However, Chongqing is currently facing a severe shortage of supplies, and gasoline has become one of the most sought-after military supplies on the market. Its price is high, and no department has the capacity to distribute it in full.
So these middle and lower-ranking officers found another way. They carpooled as much as possible to reduce gasoline consumption. They would secretly take the saved gasoline and resell it on the black market. Since the price of gasoline had skyrocketed, the income from this resale alone was enough to cover an officer's salary. This was no small amount for them and was enough to supplement their household income.
So many people did this, and even when their superiors found out, they turned a blind eye, treating it as a subsidy for the officers below them.
However, the situation in the Second Operations Division was somewhat different. All kinds of supplies were always in full supply, and gasoline was never in short supply. So, although everyone secretly did some tricks, they were not so desperate as to scheme against each other or carpool when traveling.
Upon hearing this, Huang Xianzheng was speechless. He said irritably, "Who asked you those things! I asked what these people were doing? They were in such a hurry, and they were talking about Director Ning. Were they referring to Zhiheng? What's going on?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Guangyou couldn't help but chuckle and replied, "You're asking about this? Well, Nie Tianming and Zhao Jiang from our Second Division were promoted to majors this time, right? Especially Nie Tianming, who was also promoted to the position of head of the Third Section. So they're planning a big banquet to celebrate. Tonight, they've booked Juxianlou Restaurant and invited familiar officers to the banquet. Director Ning is their former superior, and he will also be attending in person to support these two. So many officers are waiting for this opportunity, and now that the time is almost here, everyone is rushing over!"
Yu Guangyou was not only Huang Xianzheng's secretary, but also his bodyguard and eyes and ears. He could keep many things happening at headquarters from him, and this time the news spread widely, so Yu Guangyou was naturally aware of it.
"They booked out Juxianlou Restaurant? Zhiheng even attended in person? Nie Tianming is too high-profile! Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss just for being promoted to major?"
Huang Xianzheng was clearly displeased. He used to think Nie Tianming was cautious, but he hadn't expected him to be so ostentatious after being promoted. It was almost absurd that he had to ask his old superior to back him up. Ning Zhiheng, as the most mysterious high-ranking officer in the Military Intelligence Bureau, never showed up in such situations. This was, of course, to help Tan Jinhui better conceal his identity, but Ning Zhiheng himself never showed up for such trivial matters.
Upon hearing this, Yu Guangyou felt he should speak up for Nie Tianming, otherwise, leaving a bad impression on Huang Xianzheng would make Nie Tianming's future career difficult. He explained softly, "I heard that it was Director Ning who suggested a proper celebration, saying that Nie Tianming had been delayed for many years, and this promotion was hard-won, plus he has an old subordinate, Zhao Jiang, so..."
Huang Xianzheng was somewhat relieved. Nie Tianming and Zhao Jiang were both Ning Zhiheng's protégés, so what they did this time wasn't too much.
Thinking of this, he suddenly had an idea and became interested. Since Ning Zhiheng was willing to support his subordinates, and Nie Tianming was also one of his old subordinates, and since he had nothing to do today, he might as well go and take a look. So he said in a deep voice, "That's fine. Since Zhiheng is going to attend, let's go and join in the fun. Drive, let's go to Juxianlou!"
Just then, a voice came from behind him: "Going to Juxianlou? Zhongxin, you're in such high spirits! Why didn't you invite me to come along?"
The sky was growing increasingly dark. Ning Zhiheng sat quietly in the car, estimating that the Japanese should have completed their arrangements by now. He glanced at his watch; it was 6:40.
Just then, the car door was suddenly pulled open, and Shao Wenguang poked his head in, reporting urgently, "Chief, Secretary Yu just called Juxianlou and informed Nie Tianming that the two bureau chiefs will also be visiting, and asked us to make preparations to welcome them."
"What's going on?" Ning Zhiheng sat up abruptly, utterly astonished. Why would the two bureau chiefs be attending this celebration banquet? Nie Tianming and Zhao Jiang's promotions were big events in other people's eyes, but in the eyes of the two bureau chiefs, they were just ordinary little things. What on earth happened?
Shao Wenguang was also baffled and shook his head, saying, "They didn't say anything specific, they just said the vehicle would be leaving soon and would be here in no time."
Without saying a word, Ning Zhiheng pushed open the door and got out of the car. He quickly entered a shop next door, which had already been taken over by the action team. As a temporary command post, Ning Zhiheng picked up a public phone and made a call.
"Senior brother, let's move now and close the net immediately. Don't let anyone escape!"
After hanging up the phone, he turned to Shao Wenguang and ordered, "Immediately eliminate the Japanese snipers. Be quick and carefully check all possible ambush points. The two bureau chiefs' vehicles have already set off. Make sure there are no problems. Also, have Nie Tianming arrest that guy and find out exactly what he's doing in the restaurant."
The sudden appearance of the two bureau chiefs disrupted Ning Zhiheng's plans. In his original plan, he would wait until 7 o'clock to confirm that all the other party's personnel were present before closing in. However, he could not do that now. He dared not let the two bureau chiefs be at any risk, otherwise he could not bear the consequences.
As soon as Ning Zhiheng gave the order, Shao Wenguang immediately sprang into action, and the team members who had been lying in ambush launched a surprise attack together.
Meanwhile, dense gunfire and explosions were heard from the direction of Daguanping, indicating that the battle was fierce.
Just as the city had quieted down, the crisp, deafening gunshots rang out again, as dense and continuous as the sound of firecrackers being lit!
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