After listening to Ning Zhiheng's introduction, Liang Shi'an immediately nodded in agreement. He knew that since Ning Zhiheng had spoken, he could not refuse.
He then asked, "I will definitely cooperate with your operation, but I'm not sure if the other party will take the bait. What if no one contacts me?"
"Then just keep waiting. This is just a temporary measure, and we never intended for it to have an immediate effect. I'm currently cleaning up the Japanese intelligence network in Chongqing, and it's progressing very smoothly. As you can imagine, after this operation, all the Japanese intelligence agents in the Chongqing area will be wiped out. That's when your role will become apparent. With no one else available, the Japanese will definitely focus their attention on you. After that, things will be simple. Once you've gained their trust, deliver a decisive blow at the crucial moment. That's the true meaning of the Cold River Plan."
"Yes, I understand!" Liang Shi'an quickly nodded in agreement.
Ning Zhiheng then took out a thick stack of US dollars and placed it in front of Liang Shi'an, saying gently, "I know you live a frugal life, and your younger brother also died in Wuhan. It's tough for you to take care of your whole family. But you can't flaunt your wealth. You have to live frugally. It wouldn't be good if people noticed!"
Liang Shi'an did not refuse. He desperately needed the money right now. He nodded heavily and said, "Please rest assured, Director, I will be careful and do everything according to your instructions."
Ning Zhiheng nodded and smiled, "Actually, this is also a good thing for you. You have wasted half your life and have not yet had a chance to get ahead. Now you can become General Tong's disciple and enter the sight of several military government officials. This is an excellent opportunity, and you must seize it."
Also, your rank is too low. Entering the operations room as an operations staff officer would be too conspicuous. General Tong will promote you by one rank later; he's your former superior. You should be grateful for this favor and try to maintain good relations with him. It will benefit you.”
Upon hearing this, Liang Shi'an felt a lump in his throat and almost burst into tears, but he quickly held back and didn't say anything, only nodding repeatedly.
After a lifetime of hard work, he finally had this opportunity. Just as Ning Zhiheng said, from now on, his future will be bright, and he can realize his ambitions. How could he not be excited!
At this moment, Ning Zhiheng continued, "I'll tell you the situation first, but the specific actions will be handled by Gu Zhengqi, the director of the Second Intelligence Division of the Military Intelligence Bureau. He will be your direct superior from now on, and you must obey his command in all actions."
Liang Shi'an asked in surprise, "Isn't it you who's in charge?"
Ning Zhiheng shook his head helplessly and explained, "Although I was in charge of the Hanjiang Plan, internal counter-espionage work has always been handled by the Second Intelligence Division. I just recommended you to headquarters. This mission is risk-free and offers a chance for rapid advancement, so it's a rare opportunity. Don't let me down!"
Liang Shi'an quickly nodded in agreement, and the two discussed the specific details.
Before leaving, Liang Shi'an finally mustered up his courage and asked, "Director, I've always been hesitant to contact Military Intelligence Bureau personnel, so my information is somewhat limited. I wonder where Captain Wang is currently working? Would it be convenient for you to disclose that?"
Liang Shi'an was always very grateful to Wang Shucheng, knowing that he was saved by Wang Shucheng's efforts. However, after that incident, Liang Shi'an was deeply afraid of the Military Intelligence Bureau and always avoided it. Therefore, he did not know anything about Wang Shucheng. Today, he took the opportunity to muster up the courage to ask Ning Zhiheng.
Ning Zhiheng was taken aback upon hearing this, his expression stiffening. After a moment, he said with a somber look, "Shucheng sacrificed himself two years ago when he participated in the Battle of Shanghai."
Liang Shi'an was stunned when he heard this. He had always thought that Wang Shucheng was in the rear and that they would meet again someday, but he never expected it to be like this.
He couldn't help but sigh deeply, saying, "I thought there would be a chance to repay you someday, but I..."
Ning Zhiheng's mood also became heavy. He waved his hand and said, "In times of chaos, separation and death are common. You don't need to care too much. I only wish that you will be loyal to the country and not let Shucheng down!"
The two remained silent for a moment. Ning Zhiheng was in a gloomy mood and had no desire to talk any further, so he got up and left, ending the meeting.
When Ning Zhiheng returned to the Second Operations Division, he saw Wei Liangbi greet him with a smile, holding a telegram in his hand. Wei Liangbi said, "A telegram from Yichang: Nie Tianming has successfully captured eight Japanese spies from the Songshi Group and seized the radio. However, the codebook has been destroyed. They are currently being interrogated. I have ordered them to bring them back as soon as possible."
Ning Zhiheng was overjoyed to hear this. Nie Tianming acted very quickly this time, completing the capture within two days. It was just a pity that the most important codebook was not brought back.
"Very good, Tianming did a great job. Give him credit this time."
The two returned to the office to talk. Not long after, Shao Wenguang rushed back and reported the latest developments in the case to Ning Zhiheng, and put forward some of his previous conjectures.
"Chief, we've checked. There are only two such places near Zhao Jiagang. One is Shulan Residence, a high-class brothel. The owners are a couple from Shanghai who opened the residence a year ago. They have seven or eight girls working for them, all of whom are outstanding women. They don't accept business from ordinary people."
Another one is Jingfu Club, a private club that only entertains close friends and people of high status. Details about it are unknown, but we heard from other sources that it has everything: women, opium, you name it.
Ning Zhiheng strongly agreed with Shao Wenguang's new proposal, acknowledging that focusing solely on opium dens was somewhat inappropriate.
The Japanese used red opium not for profit, but to control targets. Therefore, the kind of place Shao Wenguang described was more in line with the needs of the Japanese.
Ning Zhiheng asked, "Have you investigated the backgrounds of both places?"
"We investigated and found that Shulan Residence doesn't have any major background. The madam just has a lover who is a division commander in the Sichuan Army. He's not much of a figure. On the other hand, Jingfu Club is backed by Wang Hongcai, the secretary-general of the municipal government."
Wei Liangbi asked curiously, "Wang Hongcai? What kind of person is a municipal secretary-general?"
In Chongqing, a city teeming with high-ranking officials and dignitaries, a mere secretary-general of the municipal government is hardly a figure of importance.
Shao Wenguang quickly explained, "Don't underestimate this person just because he's only a secretary-general. He used to be Mr. Chen's secretary before he was promoted to secretary-general of the municipal government. Because of his powerful connections, even the mayor gives him a wide berth."
Ning Zhiheng and Wei Liangbi both straightened up and asked in unison, "People from the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics?"
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