Chapter 126: Paving the Way for Employment

“And there is something else. Dai Daguang and Su Yu are meeting in two days. Are you planning to return the jade pieces to Tian Liqun?” The Director suddenly recalled another matter. “We must keep Su Yu steady. Dai Daguang absolutely has to show himself!”

“Yes, Director. I have already taken control of Dai Daguang. He has a family and would never dare defy us. He has agreed to cooperate fully. But I still cannot make up my mind. Should we hand these two pieces of jade over to Su Yu?” Ning Zhiheng asked with some hesitation.

“Do not give them to him yet. Drag things out for another two days. Didn’t Dai Daguang say that Su Yu’s deadline was ten days at the latest? If we hold on to these two pieces of jade, we can arrange another meeting between Tian Liqun and Su Yu and observe whether either of them gives anything away.” Bian Ze spoke up from the side. His experience made him exceptionally thorough in his considerations. After hearing this, the Director nodded as well.

“Yes. Then we will keep him waiting for two more days and create another opportunity for them to meet,” Ning Zhiheng agreed with a nod.

“Zhiheng, once you return, prepare a detailed report on the progress of the case and submit it to me. You have done very well this time. I have always been fair in rewarding merit and punishing faults. Keep up the good work!” The Director looked at Ning Zhiheng encouragingly. The approval in his eyes was plain for all to see.

“Yes, sir! I will do everything in my power!” Ning Zhiheng stood at attention and saluted, answering in a ringing voice.

The matter of the case had been fully discussed, and the section chiefs still had their original meeting to continue. Wei Liangbi and Ning Zhiheng bowed and withdrew from the office.

After leaving the office and walking some distance away, they saw that no one was paying attention to them. Only then did the two men let out long breaths of relief.

“Zhiheng, that was beautifully done! You will certainly receive the greatest share of the credit this time!” Wei Liangbi patted Ning Zhiheng on the shoulder, speaking cheerfully. “By the way, regarding Old Shao, let me thank you on his behalf. He has wasted half his life and has always been frustrated and unfulfilled. In particular, promotion to field-grade officer has been a knot in his heart. If he can fulfill that wish through your recommendation this time, it will be an enormous consolation to him.”

“I know what he wants. Old Shao has helped me a great deal as well, so I was more than willing to put in a good word for him and help him fulfill that wish.” Ning Zhiheng smiled.

“Zhiheng, have you thought about it? This operation will no longer be led by you and me. Gu Zhengqi will personally oversee matters in the Intelligence Section, while Deputy Section Chief Xiang will take charge on behalf of the Operations Section. There will not be much room for us to intervene. The credit we receive from this case afterward will be greatly reduced. When everything is over, how are we going to safeguard our own interests?” Wei Liangbi lowered his voice as he spoke.

Ning Zhiheng nodded and, after a moment’s hesitation, said, “Actually, from the moment I first reported the case, I was mentally prepared for senior officials to intervene. I could never swallow such a large prize by myself.”

Wei Liangbi nodded as well. “Naturally. But what I am saying is that, besides seeking promotion in rank, we should also try for a better position.”

Wei Liangbi’s reasoning was sound. Once Ning Zhiheng was promoted to major, his position would certainly have to change. The action-team commanders in the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau were all captains.

A major, at the very least, had to hold a position equivalent to team leader.

In other words, after his promotion, Ning Zhiheng would have to leave Wei Liangbi’s First Action Team and be placed in another position suited to his rank.

The Operations Section did have several majors, but only its three action-team commanders served as military commanding officers. Like Wei Liangbi, they wielded real authority.

“What do you mean, Senior?” Ning Zhiheng asked, puzzled.

“You should know that the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau is still expanding its ranks this year. There is word that the three action teams in the Operations Section will be increased to five. That means two more action-team commander positions will become available. An action-team commander must hold at least the rank of major, and you are in perfect time to catch this opportunity. What we need to do is not merely secure your promotion in rank, but also win you one of those commander’s posts,” Wei Liangbi said.

At these words, Ning Zhiheng’s thoughts raced. If he could advance another step and become one of the Operations Section’s only five military commanders, the benefit to his future career would of course be enormous.

Everyone knew that officers who had served as military commanders enjoyed far brighter prospects than those who had held auxiliary posts. Commanding positions made it easier to produce results and build a record of achievement. Ning Zhiheng had no desire to wear the rank of major while serving as someone else’s staff officer or aide-de-camp.

If he could become a military commander like Wei Liangbi, his chances of further promotion would be much greater.

“Then, Senior, how do you think we can secure the position?” Ning Zhiheng asked, puzzled.

“You! Zhiheng, have you forgotten where we come from?” Wei Liangbi looked at him with a smile.

“Where we come from? Of course—we are graduates of Huangpu, protégés of the Generalissimo, and members of the Baoding clique! Ah, I understand. You mean we should approach Deputy Director Huang!” Ning Zhiheng suddenly realized. He secretly cursed himself for being so slow-witted. With such a powerful patron behind him, he had been blinded by what lay immediately before his eyes and had failed to recognize it.

“Of course. At a crucial moment like this, it is time to seek his help. Besides, we are all part of the same faction. As the highest-ranking Baoding leader in the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau, he should shield us from trouble and fight for our interests,” Wei Liangbi said with a nod.

Within the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau, the Baoding clique was a considerable force. As its leader, Deputy Director Huang could not possibly look after every subordinate in every detail.

For instance, the other Baoding graduates who had entered the Bureau alongside Ning Zhiheng were still gaining experience in various sections and waiting to build up their seniority. They all remained second lieutenants. Ning Zhiheng alone had risen to the rank of captain.

Deputy Director Huang, however, valued Ning Zhiheng above all the others. After all, his performance had been the most outstanding, and he was the most deserving of cultivation.

Once the two men had finished discussing the matter, they turned and headed for Deputy Director Huang’s office. They knocked at the door, and it soon opened. Seeing Wei Liangbi and Ning Zhiheng, Deputy Director Huang’s personal secretary asked with a smile, “What brings you two here? The Director happens to be inside. Please wait a moment.”

After several encounters, Secretary Yu had become familiar with Ning Zhiheng. He knew that these two fellow disciples were young men whom Deputy Director Huang valued highly, and he was therefore always exceptionally courteous toward them.

“Thank you for your trouble, Secretary Yu.”

Secretary Yu led them into the outer office, then turned and knocked on Deputy Director Huang’s door. After receiving permission from within, he gestured for the two men to enter.

Wei Liangbi and Ning Zhiheng stepped into the office. Deputy Director Huang Xianzheng was resting with his eyes closed. When he saw them enter, he opened his eyes and waved with a smile.

“We are all on the same side. Find somewhere to sit. There is no need to stand on ceremony.”

Huang Xianzheng was usually the very picture of geniality, always smiling like a benevolent Buddha. Yet those who knew him understood that he hid needles in silk and possessed remarkable depths. He was a formidable man indeed. The fact that he managed to thrive on every side within the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau—and to expand his influence steadily despite the pressure exerted by a forceful figure like the Director—said everything.

“Zhiheng and I have come because there is something we would like to report to you,” Wei Liangbi said respectfully.

“Oh? What is it?” Huang Xianzheng asked lightly, still wearing the same genial smile.

“It is like this.”

Wei Liangbi repeated the details of the case that he and Ning Zhiheng had reported earlier that day in the Director’s office.

“What did you say? Zhiheng, you have caused quite a stir again this time! Ha-ha, the younger generation truly has nothing to fear from the old. Nothing to fear!” After hearing Wei Liangbi’s report, Huang Xianzheng was unable to conceal his delight. He looked at the two men with undisguised admiration.

Both were capable officers of his faction. Wei Liangbi already held the rank of lieutenant colonel and was unquestionably one of the Operations Section’s central pillars, as well as one of the most important men under Huang Xianzheng’s command.

As for Ning Zhiheng, ever since joining the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau, he had performed exceptionally well, bringing Huang Xianzheng considerable benefit in the process. Following the Shadow Spy Group case two months earlier, he had now uncovered two more Japanese spies, one of whom was even a bureau chief in the Foreign Ministry. Huang Xianzheng was delighted. If this case were handled properly, it would greatly benefit his entire faction.

“It is all thanks to your guidance, Director,” Wei Liangbi said with a smile. “We brothers are merely taking shelter beneath a great tree. We came primarily to report the case, and second, to ask for your guidance regarding Zhiheng’s future appointment.”

Huang Xianzheng was an old fox in official circles. The moment he heard this, he understood Wei Liangbi’s intention: they were laying the groundwork for Ning Zhiheng’s future position. Young people nowadays were truly extraordinary. Not only were they capable in their work, but they were also learning to navigate officialdom.

Huang Xianzheng nodded, then said to Ning Zhiheng, “Zhiheng, your promotion is already virtually certain. Your outstanding performance in breaking the Shadow Spy Group is plain for all to see. In the Director’s eyes, both your ability and your style of work are exceptional. The Director has discussed your arrangements with me before. He agreed that, after the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau expands its ranks this year, a number of outstanding officers will be promoted. Your name is near the top of the list.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Director!” Upon hearing this, Ning Zhiheng immediately rose, stood at attention, and saluted Huang Xianzheng.

Huang Xianzheng smiled and waved for him to sit down before continuing.

“As for your appointment, naturally it would be best if we could secure a military command for you. That would also be extremely important to strengthening the Baoding clique.

“This time, the Operations Section will expand from three action teams to five. I will fight to secure one of those positions for you. Given your outstanding performance in this case as well, I do not think there will be any serious difficulty.

“I understand the Director well enough. He does not place much emphasis on seniority, but he values ability greatly. He governs with clear rewards and punishments. Otherwise, the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau could never have developed so rapidly in just a few years.

“To be honest, for that alone, I have the greatest admiration for the Director’s ability and resolve.”

Huang Xianzheng’s words were sincere. Although the Director was ruthless and unscrupulous in pursuing his aims, there was no denying that, as the head of the intelligence and secret-police apparatus, he was exceptionally capable and thoroughly suited to his position.