Upon hearing Chu Jian'an's words, Madam Lin immediately realized what was going on and asked with some curiosity, "Has that Director Wei come to visit again?"
Lin Zhen said angrily, "He's really going to argue with me. Looks like I'll have to teach him a lesson. Does he really think I wouldn't dare to do anything to these spies?"
However, Chu Jian'an shook his head and said, "It's not Director Wei. The message from the security department is that it's Director Ning!"
The Lin couple were taken aback again. Mrs. Lin asked, "Where did this Director Ning come from? Are there so many directors in the Military Intelligence Bureau?"
Lin Zhen understood the situation. He knew the inside story. There was only one section chief in the high-ranking military intelligence bureau with the surname Ning, who was Ning Zhiheng, the director of the Second Action Division, a direct descendant of the Baoding faction.
Chu Jian'an also spoke up to explain: "This is Ning Zhiheng, the director of the Second Action Division, and Wei Liangbi is the deputy director."
Madam Lin then realized what was going on and said with some surprise, "What is he doing here? Could he also be here to propose marriage?"
At this point, her eyes lit up, and she asked again, "How old is this Director Ning? Is he good-looking?"
Lin Zhen was speechless with anger upon hearing this. He said to his wife helplessly, "What are you thinking about all day long?"
After saying that, he turned to Chu Jian'an and said, "It seems we have some unpleasant guests today. We'll just have to see them."
His words startled both Madam Lin and Chu Jian'an. Lin Zhen held a high position and great power in the Kuomintang military, and could be considered a big shot. Even though he no longer held real power, he still had many protégés and former subordinates, forming his own system within the Kuomintang and wielding great influence. With his status, it was very difficult to even meet someone of the rank of director of the Military Intelligence Bureau. Previously, Wei Liangbi had requested an audience many times, but was not even allowed to enter the gate. Wei Liangbi had no choice but to step out of line.
But now that it's Director Ning, why is the attitude so different?
Chu Jian'an stepped forward and said, "General, is this necessary? Should I send him away?"
Lin Zhen waved his hand, knowing full well that Ning Zhiheng, who came today, was completely different from Wei Liangbi before.
He instructed again, "Go and invite him in! We'll have to see him sooner or later."
Chu Jian'an quickly nodded in acceptance and turned to leave.
As Madam Lin watched Chu Jian'an leave, she asked with some surprise, "Who is this Director Ning? You seem to value him highly!"
Lin Zhen knew what his wife was thinking again, so he smiled and explained, "You! You really can't wait for your daughter to get married tomorrow! You see everyone as a potential son-in-law. Let me tell you, this Director Ning is definitely not one!"
Why do you know this person?
“I’ve never seen it, but I’ve heard of it,” Lin Zhen said, sitting back down at his desk.
"This man is a fellow student of Wei Liangbi, both of whom are students of He Yongnian. However, his status is far above Wei Liangbi's. He is the most capable agent of our Baoding faction in the Military Intelligence Bureau. Even the Chairman values him highly and has repeatedly praised him by name at military conferences. When he came to visit, I really couldn't refuse him, otherwise it wouldn't sound good if word got out."
Lin Zhen was well aware of Ning Zhiheng's position in the Military Intelligence Bureau. As the director of the Second Action Division, he was practically a powerful figure wielding significant supervisory authority within the military.
Moreover, this person is not an unknown figure in the military high command. In recent years, many important intelligence reports that could affect the war situation have come from him. He is a well-known intelligence expert. Now he is in charge of a major operation to eliminate Japanese spies in Chongqing. It is said that he arrested a large number of Japanese spies in just over twenty days, causing a great stir in the city. The results were remarkable, and he was praised by the Chairman many times. For a time, he was in the limelight.
Speaking of which, his senior brother Wei Liangbi only achieved his current status because of his junior brother's influence. Otherwise, no matter how capable he was, he would not have been able to stand out among those veteran agents with extensive experience.
Mrs. Lin was also very surprised when she heard this. She did not expect that her husband valued this Director Ning so much, and her curiosity was aroused.
Just as they were talking, Chu Jian'an was walking briskly up to Ning Zhiheng on the street outside the gate.
Ning Zhiheng looked up and saw a lieutenant colonel come out of the gate and walk straight toward him. He knew that Lin Zhen had received the news and it seemed that he was coming for him.
Chu Jian'an approached Ning Zhiheng and asked directly, "Are you Director Ning?"
Ning Zhiheng nodded in agreement, "That's right, may I ask..."
"General Lin invites you in for a talk, please!" Chu Jian'an turned around and gestured for him to enter.
Upon hearing this, Ning Zhiheng realized that the other party was directly inviting people in to meet, which saved him a lot of trouble. He quickly nodded in agreement and gestured for Zhao Jiang to bring a wooden box out of the car.
Chu Jian'an pointed at the wooden box with some curiosity and asked, "What is this?"
Ning Zhiheng smiled slightly and explained, "I am a junior, paying my respects to General Lin. It is my first visit, so I have prepared a small gift, otherwise it would be too abrupt!"
Chu Jian'an couldn't help but find it amusing. He had been somewhat wary before. People in the military were always wary of the Military Intelligence Bureau, knowing that these people were not good people. Once entangled, disaster would befall them, and even Chu Jian'an was no exception. Now it seemed that he had been overthinking things. It turned out that they had come to deliver gifts. Could it be that Madam was right, that they really had come to propose marriage?
Chu Jian'an didn't say anything more. He led the way and soon brought Ning Zhiheng and the other person into the Lin residence.
Ning Zhiheng gestured for Zhao Jiang to stay in the corridor, while he carried the wooden box and followed Chu Jian'an into the house.
"Please wait!"
Chu Jian'an left Ning Zhiheng in the living room and turned to invite Lin Zhen.
Ning Zhiheng watched Chu Jian'an leave, put the wooden box aside, and then looked around, surveying the residence. The interior decoration of this villa was rather old-fashioned, with a strong Chinese style. It was clear that Lin Zhen's personality was generally like that; like all the old warlords, they were mostly conservative and old-fashioned.
The walls around the living room were not decorated with many wall hangings, making it seem quite spacious. There was a side door on each side of the living room, which was probably where Shi Liqun guarded the two doors and overheard the confidential information.
Just as Ning Zhiheng was looking around, a series of footsteps approached, and a tall, thin old man in his fifties, dressed in a general's uniform, strode into the living room.
Ning Zhiheng had conducted sufficient investigation into Lin Zhen because of Lin Mucheng's matter, so he naturally recognized Lin Zhen. Upon seeing Lin Zhen enter the living room, he quickly stood up straight and bowed as Lin Zhen approached, saying, "Zhiheng greets Lord You!"
Lin Zhen, courtesy name Yuanyou, was generally addressed as "Lord You" by his subordinates and younger generations in the military.
Because he wasn't wearing a military uniform, Ning Zhiheng didn't salute Lin Zhen.
Lin Zhen frowned when he saw Ning Zhiheng dressed in civilian clothes. He had always looked down on the behavior of the Military Intelligence Bureau. They were all soldiers, but they hid their true colors and had no military demeanor at all.
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