Chapter Thirty-Six: An Unexpected Delight

Deputy Director Huang’s office was located in the main building of the Military Intelligence Division, and this was Ning Zhiheng’s first time setting foot inside the headquarters.

The Military Intelligence Division had grown ever larger, with an increasing staff and now ten departments under its umbrella, with plans to expand further. The corridors were crowded, yet everyone walked softly, nodding silently in passing, creating an atmosphere of deep quiet.

Accompanied by Wei Liangbi, Ning reached an office where, after a knock, a secretary in his thirties opened the door.

“Chief Wei, you’re here. The Deputy Director is waiting for you. Please come in,” the secretary said courteously, stepping aside and gesturing them in.

“Thank you, Secretary Yu,” Wei Liangbi replied politely, not daring to be careless with Secretary Yu, who was known to be Huang’s close confidant and seldom left his side. Wei always maintained a respectful attitude toward him.

Deputy Director Huang’s office was spacious, divided into two rooms: Secretary Yu worked in the outer office, while the inner room was reserved for Huang alone. After a gentle knock and receiving a response, they entered.

Ning Zhiheng glanced at the man inside: a man in his forties, with a kindly expression, sat behind his desk. He didn’t rise, so his height was indeterminate, but his figure was somewhat stout, his face always adorned with a smile. Even in full military uniform, he lacked any intimidating aura, instead resembling a benevolent Maitreya Buddha.

“Director, I have brought Zhiheng,” Wei Liangbi said, bowing slightly and offering a respectful salute.

Ning Zhiheng stood at attention and saluted as well. “Subordinate Ning Zhiheng, reporting for duty!”

“Haha, Zhiheng, excellent, excellent! I was just thinking of gathering you young men these days, and now you’ve given me a tremendous surprise!” Huang Xiansheng beamed, his words bubbling with joy, saying “excellent” twice in a row, making his delight obvious.

Huang Xiansheng was indeed in high spirits today. His position in the division was somewhat delicate. A graduate of Baoding Military Academy, he had not stayed in the army, a choice contrary to his original aspirations. Yet after witnessing too many comrades fall, he grew weary of the soldier’s life.

By a twist of fate, he switched paths and joined the Military Intelligence Division, becoming a feared secret agent. But with the Baoding clique at his back and his own skillful handling of people and affairs, he navigated the division with increasing success. Over the years, his quiet maneuvering gradually grew his influence, finally attracting the attention—and suppression—of some in power.

Recently, the director had, whether intentionally or not, arranged matters to sidestep him. As he was contemplating how to change his situation, Wei Liangbi’s report delivered a perfect opportunity.

Two years ago, the leak case of Kong Liangce had left the director in disgrace, straining relations with military elders. If not for the Leader’s insistence and clear stance, the outcome would have been unpredictable. The director, however, managed to establish a reputation for loyalty to the Leader and a cold, iron-fisted style—an image not without its advantages.

Who could have imagined that such a major case was, in fact, a miscarriage of justice? It was astounding. Reviewing the interrogation records and verifying the testimony’s details, Huang was certain the truth had come out. Many facts had never been made public; only someone present could recount them so precisely.

When he brought the records to the director’s office and placed them on the desk, he knew he’d delivered a major favor. The director’s reactions—from shock, to rage, to composure and kindness—all played out in front of him, with no attempt at concealment.

Whether the anger was genuine or an act mattered little; what was important was that the tension between them had dissolved. The hostile undercurrents vanished; Huang had shown sincerity, and the director responded in kind.

The director even suggested that Deputy Director Huang should contribute more in future collaborations, and approved Huang’s long-requested promotion of a subordinate—an old Baoding-Huangpu clique member—to lieutenant colonel and head of the Equipment Section.

The exchange of interests was completed in a cordial discussion. The Action Team, lacking experience, could not handle such a major case; Huang proactively suggested transferring it to the Intelligence Department, the director’s own trusted team, a clear gesture of deference.

All hostilities vanished, replaced by harmony. Leaving the director’s office with renewed goodwill and authority, Deputy Director Huang felt elated.

He immediately notified Wei Liangbi to summon his old classmate’s favored disciple, Ning Zhiheng, the rising star of the Baoding faction.

“Liangbi, Zhiheng, your teacher and I were classmates, brothers-in-arms—our bond forged in life and death,” Huang said warmly, his tone nostalgic. “It all feels like yesterday—youthful, fearless days!”

“My teacher often told me about you,” Ning replied, his admiration sincere. “How you led a company to hold off an entire enemy regiment for a day and night, and were finally pulled from the heap of the dead by reinforcements. He called you a valiant warrior and a man of great fortune!”

In truth, Master He Feng had only ever called Huang “fortunate”; the “valiant” part was Ning’s embellishment, but details hardly mattered here.

Wei Liangbi couldn’t help but smile. He knew his teacher’s true opinion of this old friend, but his junior’s performance was flawless, hitting precisely on Huang’s pride.

Huang’s eyes lit up—the memory of that desperate battle was vivid. Comrades fell one by one, blood soaking him as he clung to the hilltop until he lost consciousness. Even now, the memory stirred his blood. It had been the defining fight of his career, earning him widespread respect and laying the foundation for his later achievements.

“So that madman He said that, did he? Hahaha! Always putting on a front—every time we meet, he says I was like a blind cat catching a dead rat, just lucky! Clearly, he truly respects me!” Huang laughed heartily, feeling as if the sun was shining especially bright today.

As people age, they care more about others’ opinions. Many are wild in youth, but grow more measured with time. Huang’s shift from soldier to agent was not by choice, and though old classmates rarely voiced it, he knew many harbored private misgivings. But to have the reserved He Feng praise him so—this was deeply gratifying.

His gaze toward Ning grew ever more appreciative: the young man stood tall, energetic, obviously a fine prospect.

“Zhiheng, truly impressive! Fresh out of school and already making such contributions. A fine disciple of a fine teacher—how I envy Old He, having students like you and Liangbi. Honestly, I envy his days at Huangpu and his teaching legacy!” Huang’s words were as smooth as spring breeze, no wonder he was known as the most personable deputy director in the division.

Wei Liangbi and Ning Zhiheng both hastened to express their humility. The three conversed in perfect harmony.

Huang then turned to business, recounting his discussions with the director. He said to Wei, “This operation will be recognized as a joint breakthrough by the Action and Intelligence Sections against a major Japanese spy case, a great achievement. The director will commend your team. Liangbi, as a major, you’re already advancing faster than your peers. The division will expand next year, and your promotion to lieutenant colonel is assured.”

“Thank you, Director, for your support!” Wei Liangbi said excitedly, standing at attention and saluting Huang. The meaning was clear: his thanks were for Huang’s favor.

Wei had just been promoted to major for his accomplishments, and had thought a lieutenant colonel’s rank would take years. Each step at the field officer level was hard-won, requiring either major merit or long years of service.

But this unexpected operation, uncovering the truth behind the Kong Liangce case, forced the director to reward his own protégés and protect his reputation, leading to a windfall for Wei. He glanced at Ning, thinking how, with almost no effort, he’d reaped such a benefit—truly, his junior was his lucky star.

“Zhiheng, you are the chief contributor to this case. You’ll be formally commended; though you’ve just graduated and are only a second lieutenant, your outstanding performance means you’ll be promoted to first lieutenant and officially appointed as Third Action Team leader.”

Ning was overjoyed—within days, another star would be added to his shoulder. He had never expected that what seemed a hot potato—the Kong Liangce leak case—would turn out to be a trump card, bringing him such unexpected rewards.