Chapter 124: Summoned for Audience Again (Part II)

Ning Zhiheng was naturally speaking up for Shao Wenguang. He had promised Shao that he would do his utmost to secure an opportunity for his promotion to a commissioned officer during this investigation, and this operation was the perfect chance.

Ning’s intentions were clear: he was soliciting credit for Shao in front of the Director and the four section chiefs.

Wei Liangbi was secretly pleased to see Ning advocating for Shao. Shao was his long-time subordinate and trusted confidant, and Wei had been looking for a way to secure a promotion for him. He had not expected Ning to seize such a golden opportunity to speak on Shao’s behalf.

The others present were all exceptionally shrewd and understood Ning’s motives perfectly. The Director nodded slowly and said, "Since Shao Wenguang was able to track the 'Snow Wolf' and discover 'Black Sparrow,' it is clear he has remarkable operational capabilities. I have taken note of this."

Suddenly, the Director smiled and added, "I have long heard that Zhiheng possesses a talent for drawing portraits. Even without seeing a subject in person, you can produce an exact likeness just by hearing a description. It was thanks to this skill that you found Huang Xiansheng and performed such a meritorious service. I did not expect you to achieve another great feat this time by finding such an important Japanese spy! It truly makes me curious. I wonder when I might have the chance to see this for myself?"

The others were intrigued. They had all read the record of Ning’s sketching in the Shadow spy cell investigation report, but having never seen it in person, they were naturally curious. Upon hearing the Director’s question, all eyes turned toward Ning.

Ning smiled candidly and replied with practiced modesty, "The Director is too kind. It is just a childhood hobby that I have cultivated over the years. It is not as exaggerated as others claim—that the portraits are identical—but they are usually eighty or ninety percent accurate."

Though the words sounded humble, his tone was undeniably confident. "If the Director would not mind, I would be happy to sketch a portrait for you at any time to provide some amusement."

"Very well, we shall look forward to your masterpiece, Zhiheng!" Zhao Ziliang said from the side, eager to show support for his subordinate.

"It is a deal, then!" The Director nodded. He was genuinely interested in witnessing Ning’s skill; if it was truly as vivid as described, it might even help resolve a regret he carried in his heart.

"Now, continue with your case. Did you discover Tian Liqun meeting with his accomplice? Is this accomplice the one you mentioned—the section chief from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

"Reporting to the Director, as of now, I have not discovered him meeting with anyone," Ning replied.

"Oh? Then how did you uncover this new target?" the Director asked, puzzled. It seemed the case was not as simple as he had imagined.

"It was through my peripheral contacts. Two bodies were discovered in a garbage heap within his jurisdiction. Upon identification, they were two local habitual thieves. Investigation revealed that the two thieves had no prior connection to one another, yet were killed at the same time. Their deaths were highly suspicious, suggesting someone was specifically targeting such petty criminals. It was reported to me, and when I went to examine the bodies, I discovered marks of severe torture. Yesterday afternoon, I cordoned off and searched the area where the bodies were dumped and successfully captured the killers. They confessed that they were instructed by someone to search for two precious pieces of jade. From there, we uncovered their mastermind, a man named Dai Daguang, who is the owner of a local trading firm."

Once Ning finished his report, everyone understood. In just one day, Ning had worked tirelessly, launching continuous strikes. He had not only locked onto a surveillance target but had also solved a murder case, captured the killers, and exposed the mastermind behind them. His operational prowess was evident.

"So, you have also taken this Dai Daguang into custody?" Gu Zhengqi asked.

"Yes. Fearing that delays would lead to complications, I arrested him overnight. He instructed his men to find the jade, so he must have some connection to the Japanese spy Tian Liqun. I suspect he is a subordinate of Tian’s or an outer-circle member of the Japanese spy network," Ning explained.

"You were too reckless!" Gu Zhengqi said, looking unimpressed. "Once a target is identified, you should maintain surveillance. How could you just arrest him and alert those behind him?" The people in the Action Section were only good for crude work, acting impulsively and failing to grasp such a golden opportunity.

Zhao Ziliang never missed a chance to provoke Gu. Seeing Gu finding fault, he immediately darkened his expression and said disdainfully, "Section Chief Gu, what is that supposed to mean? What 'reckless action'? Once the target is confirmed, speed is of the essence; one must strike first to gain the advantage. Some people are just indecisive at critical moments, letting opportunities slip by."

"Enough! Both of you, quiet!" the Director interjected sharply, and the office fell silent.

"Has this Dai Daguang confessed?" the Director asked, turning to Ning.

"He has confessed everything. He identified the mastermind behind him as Su Yu, the Deputy Section Chief of the Second Division of the Planning Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Five nights ago, Su Yu met with him and assigned the task of finding the jade, emphasizing that he must not alert the authorities or reveal his tracks. He set a deadline of six days, with a maximum of ten, for completion."

Bian Ze, standing to the side, suddenly spoke up: "This means Su Yu and Tian Liqun must meet within this timeframe—six to ten days from now, correct?"

Ning was momentarily stunned. Bian’s deduction was exactly the same as his own. To have reached that conclusion immediately after hearing the situation proved he was a seasoned veteran.

The others nodded in agreement. Zhao Ziliang instructed Ning, "Since these two pieces of jade are so important to Tian Liqun, he will surely take possession of them immediately. Arrange surveillance on Su Yu at once!"

"I have already arranged for my deputy, Shi Hong, to take ten agents and some peripheral staff to set up surveillance points outside his home and workplace. However, I cannot monitor his situation inside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Ning replied.

The Director nodded in satisfaction. Ning had done his utmost; he had performed all the work within his authority before coming to report.

The other section chiefs nodded as well. Even Gu Zhengqi, who had been looking for flaws, had to admit that Ning had done his job to the best of his ability, and the remaining work exceeded his jurisdiction and capability, requiring the Military Intelligence Investigation Department to step in.

"Ziliang, your subordinate has brought you honor. Do you have any thoughts on this?" the Director asked Zhao.

Zhao Ziliang chuckled. The Action Section had a chance to shine again. His subordinate’s success demonstrated that the Action Section was full of talent and not merely there to play second fiddle.

"Director, can we just move in and take him? Spies turned by the Japanese usually lack strong willpower. Once captured, they will confess under interrogation. Following that thread, we might be able to uncover another spy cell, just as we did with the Shadow cell," Zhao replied. His consistent style was to secure the prize first. Regardless of anything else, grabbing the person was the priority. That way, the credit for the Action Section was guaranteed. As for subsequent developments, catching a 'big fish' would be a bonus, but even if they didn't, they would still have achieved results.

His plan was sound, but it left the Intelligence Section with nothing to do. The last time the Shadow cell was broken, the Action Section took the primary credit, but the Intelligence Section had managed to scrape up a fair share of the rewards under the Director's arrangements.

This time, the Intelligence Section had to get involved. If the Action Section did all the work, where would that leave the Intelligence Section, which always ranked first among the departments?

Gu Zhengqi would never allow that to happen. He immediately opposed: "I disagree. I believe it is too early to make an arrest. First, is Su Yu truly a Japanese spy? That remains to be confirmed. Perhaps he only has some personal relationship with Tian Liqun, or perhaps there are other intermediaries involved. If we act prematurely without confirming these things, and it turns out he has no superior, it would be a laughingstock. How would we explain this to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Those people are not easily dismissed." Gu was indeed a cunning fox; with a quick turn of his mind, he found numerous excuses to easily deflect Zhao’s proposal.

Moreover, his point was valid—it was indeed too early to arrest. With enough patience, the Military Intelligence Investigation Department would certainly see results.

"Director, our Intelligence Section has a certain advantage when it comes to monitoring suspects and solving cases," Gu continued. Seeing Zhao about to interrupt, he quickly changed his tone: "Of course, I also admire the capabilities of the Action Section. But we should pool our efforts—many hands make light work! Why not let our Intelligence Section handle the surveillance of Tian Liqun and Su Yu? Once there is a breakthrough, we will inform the Action Section immediately. With such division of labor and close cooperation, we will surely pull off a spectacular case!"

When these words were spoken, everyone in the office secretly marveled. What a shameless old fox! He could actually say such things!

This was not a division of labor; it was a blatant theft of the fruits of victory. He was trying to claim the results of the Action Section’s long and arduous preliminary work for himself. Honestly, even Bian Ze, the Deputy Chief of the Intelligence Section, felt a bit embarrassed.

*Old Gu, you won't have any friends left if you keep acting like this!*