Chapter 122: Setting Up Surveillance (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Early the next morning, Ning Zhiheng arrived at the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau to coordinate his personnel. He needed to set up a comprehensive surveillance and investigation operation against Su Yu.

Everything proceeded as before. He mobilized a segment of his peripheral network, bringing in ten sharp-witted rickshaw pullers from Liu Yong. Ning Zhiheng, accompanied by Shi Hong, Sun Jiacheng, and ten field agents, began monitoring Su Yu, while Wang Shutong led the remaining agents to remain on standby at their base, waiting for orders.

Ning Zhiheng first visited the surveillance point near the Minsheng Newspaper office to meet with Shao Wenguang and gather intelligence on Tian Liqun.

"Tian Liqun’s routine is very consistent—nine to five. We tracked him to his residence and established a surveillance point nearby. He is currently at the newspaper office, and we haven't detected anything unusual yet," Shao Wenguang reported. "However, I’ve noticed his counter-surveillance skills are excellent; he is a very cautious and meticulous individual. If we hadn't been fully prepared yesterday, we almost would have alerted him. We cannot push too hard."

After a brief summary, he looked at Ning Zhiheng and asked, "How is your side progressing?"

Ning Zhiheng smiled and nodded. "The operation went very smoothly, and we had a great harvest. We spent the afternoon catching several low-level contacts and identified a major target."

Shao Wenguang was immediately intrigued. "Tell me all about it!"

Ning Zhiheng recounted the details of yesterday's operation. When he reached the climax of the investigation, even Shao Wenguang couldn't help but applaud.

Shao Wenguang gave him a thumbs-up. "Zhiheng, well done! Section Chief Wei once said that you were born for this line of work. Every step was calculated with such precision. Brilliant, simply brilliant!"

Ning Zhiheng laughed modestly. "Old Shao, you are too kind. You started earlier and have a wealth of experience. Senior Brother Wei once told me that you taught him a great deal. He always told me I should learn from you."

Shao Wenguang looked a bit melancholy at these words. He sighed, "The Section Chief is too generous. I was his deputy back then, so naturally, I had to support him fully. He is a man who values old ties. Zhiheng, I’ve just been unlucky. I offended the wrong people and fell into a streak of bad luck, which is why I was sent away. If it weren't for your Senior Brother, I’d still be in Guangxi swatting mosquitoes."

He then looked at Ning Zhiheng sincerely. "Zhiheng, I truly envy you and the Section Chief. You are legitimate protégés, young and promising, with both the background and the ability. Your futures are boundless. When you reach the top, don’t forget me."

Shao Wenguang had spent the last few years stagnating, his skills unused, leaving him still a captain. The rough edges of his character had been worn down by time, and seeing the vibrant, capable Ning Zhiheng inevitably stirred some emotion.

"Old Shao, don't be so defeated. If we can successfully crack this major Japanese spy case, the Section Chief and I will push for your promotion. With your seniority, you should have been a field-grade officer long ago," Ning Zhiheng said, patting him on the shoulder to comfort him.

"I appreciate your intent! I hope your words come true. If I get my wish, I will follow your lead from now on," Shao Wenguang said, gripping Ning Zhiheng’s hand tightly.

After exchanging further intelligence, Ning Zhiheng headed to Su Yu’s workplace: the Planning Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Liu Datong was already waiting nearby with Wen Xingsheng, Gong Ji’an, and several plainclothes officers. Seeing Ning Zhiheng, they hurried over.

"Follow the usual procedures; you’ve done this before," Ning Zhiheng instructed. "Establish surveillance points nearby. Don't worry about the cost—we must monitor every route Su Yu takes to enter his office, and set up a point near his residence. Liu Yong is tied up helping Old Shao with Tian Liqun, so Wen Xingsheng will oversee the rickshaw pullers, and Gong Ji’an will handle communications. Brother Hong and I will command from the center. Report any situation immediately! In short, I want to cast a net around Su Yu. As soon as he steps out that door, I want to know his every move. Understood?"

"Yes!" the team replied in unison. They quickly moved to their assignments. Liu Datong soon secured a two-story room nearby that offered a clear view of the ministry's main entrance.

Unfortunately, they could not observe the interior of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leaving a gap in their surveillance, but Ning Zhiheng’s current authority did not extend that far. This was one of the reasons he needed to report to his superiors; only the high-level officials of the Bureau had the authority to plant agents inside the Ministry.

Sun Jiacheng entered and handed Ning Zhiheng a piece of paper. "Captain, here is the initial information we gathered."

Ning Zhiheng scanned the paper. It contained only basic, public information—a few short lines. "Is this all?"

"It’s all I could find through indirect inquiries," Sun Jiacheng explained. "To get more specific details, we would need to file official paperwork to review his files, but that would risk alerting him."

Ning Zhiheng understood and waved his hand. "That's fine for now. We’ll decide after I report to the higher-ups." He paused, his eyes narrowing at the text. "This Su Yu studied in Japan?"

"Yes, he returned in the eighteenth year of the Republic and has worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ever since," Sun Jiacheng replied.

*Studied in Japan?* Ning Zhiheng was always wary of those who had lived there. He knew from Huang Xiansheng’s memories that many Japanese spies assumed the identities of Chinese nationals who had stayed in Japan to conduct long-term infiltration. Could Su Yu be one of them? Even if not, he might have been recruited by an intelligence organization while abroad or have other hidden ties to the Japanese. This warranted close attention.

"Brother Hong, you keep watch here. I need to report the progress to the Section Chief. Some things must be escalated now," Ning Zhiheng said to Shi Hong.

"Don't worry! I’ll keep a close eye on things; nothing will go wrong," Shi Hong, an experienced agent, assured him.

Ning Zhiheng trusted him; he preferred not to leave such tasks to novices like Wang Shucheng. After ensuring everything was in order, he returned to the Bureau and went to Wei Liangbi’s office.

Wei Liangbi was busy planning the purge of dissident elements within the military. Seeing Ning Zhiheng, he gestured for him to close the door. "What is it? I heard your team was very active yesterday—busy until nightfall—and you vanished again early this morning. How is the case going?"

Ning Zhiheng closed the door and stepped forward. "Progress is very smooth, perhaps beyond my expectations. Because of that, the situation now exceeds my authority, so I must report it to you."

Wei Liangbi raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. He knew Ning Zhiheng well and realized that if his protégé said this, it meant he had already maximized his own reach.

"Did you catch a big fish?" Wei Liangbi put down his pen and sat up straight. "You found one target yesterday and another today. Your speed is unprecedented in this Bureau."

Ning Zhiheng spoke candidly. "It is definitely a big fish. I have one under control, and the other is Su Yu, the Deputy Director of the Second Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Planning Department. Is that a big enough fish? I’m not sure, which is why I’m here for instructions."

"What! A Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?" Wei Liangbi was shocked. "Zhiheng, are you sure? The Ministry has complex ties to the upper echelons of government! We are very wary of dealing with them. Many high-ranking officials send their children there to gild their resumes. An official of that rank being involved is no small matter!"

"There is no mistake. But I dare not act rashly, so I’ve set up surveillance and came directly to you," Ning Zhiheng confirmed.

"In that case, we will report to the Section Chief together. You must explain the situation clearly," Wei Liangbi said, standing up to lock his files in the safe.

He signaled for Ning Zhiheng to follow. Ning Zhiheng understood that Wei Liangbi was intentionally refusing to take credit for the case. Wei had already been promoted to lieutenant colonel thanks to Ning’s previous work, and he felt a sense of indebtedness. By having Ning report directly to the Section Chief, he ensured that Ning would receive sole credit, helping him cross the threshold into the ranks of field-grade officers—a crucial step in his career.