Chapter 58: Another Source of Wealth

“My men have discovered a suspicious figure. We’ve tracked his whereabouts to the Yunlai Hotel in the eastern part of the city. He checked in under the name Cui Hai, appears to be in his thirties, and arrived in Jinling twelve days ago. He leaves early and returns late each day. My men have tailed him for several days, but he’s extremely alert. My instincts tell me there’s something off about this man. I’ve more or less mapped out his routine, but my men aren’t professionals—I’m afraid we might startle him. Senior brother, do you have any experts in this field among your people?”

Ning Zhiheng gave a brief explanation. To be honest, there were many holes in his story; his reasons were rather flimsy. Why would his undercover men pay attention to this Cui Hai? Simply because he was new to Jinling? Because he was out all day? Because he was good at avoiding surveillance?

Wei Liangbi was no fool—on the contrary, he was sharp-minded and capable. He had long suspected that Ning Zhiheng must have some leads he wasn’t sharing, but he didn’t intend to ask further. After all, everyone has secrets—himself included.

As long as the outcome was favorable, the process hardly mattered. Given Ning Zhiheng’s shrewdness, if he could pick this man out of the crowd, there must be a reason behind it.

Wei Liangbi’s attitude was, of course, supportive. In his eyes, Ning Zhiheng was his lucky star. The last case involving Huang Xiansheng had benefited him greatly, and he had a hunch this was another rare opportunity.

“If you’re looking for an expert, I do have someone suitable,” Wei Liangbi replied readily. “His name is Shao Wenguang. He used to be a captain in the Intelligence Division, and served as my deputy while I was assigned elsewhere a couple of years ago. I just had him transferred back with Deputy Director Huang’s help. You’ve been away lately, so I haven’t had a chance to introduce you two.

I was about to find him a suitable post, but this is a perfect opportunity for him to assist you. If he does well, I’ll have a good reason to speak on his behalf. He’s a seasoned intelligence operative, highly experienced—taught me a great deal, to be honest. If he’d had the right connections, he’d be at least a major by now.”

“That’s excellent. With an expert like him, I’m sure this operation will be a success. Please arrange for him to join me at once—I need his help right away!” Ning Zhiheng said, delighted.

Anyone for whom Wei Liangbi would go to such lengths to have transferred back to Intelligence Headquarters was bound to be both capable and trustworthy—a true insider. Ning Zhiheng was in desperate need of such talent.

Without further ado, Wei Liangbi picked up the phone and made a call. Before long, there was a knock at the door.

The officer who entered was in his thirties, with thick brows and large, honest eyes. He was of medium build, but his crisp military uniform seemed oddly out of place on him, giving Ning Zhiheng a vague sense of discomfort.

“You called for me, Chief?” he said, his voice deep and hoarse, bearing a pronounced Northwestern accent.

“Old Shao, this is my junior, Ning Zhiheng, also captain of the Third Operations Team. He’s the one who asked for you; he’s handling a tough case and needs your assistance,” Wei Liangbi said with notable courtesy.

He had great confidence in Shao Wenguang’s abilities and, given that Shao was older than him, they’d always gotten along well. He wouldn’t have gone to such effort to bring Shao back to headquarters otherwise, and he always treated him with respect.

Shao Wenguang had worked in military intelligence since his early days in the army, later being selected for the Intelligence Division. But not being a graduate of Whampoa, among other reasons, he’d never been truly valued, and was eventually sent out to a provincial post for several years. It wasn’t until he became Wei Liangbi’s deputy that his talents were recognized, and now at last he’d been recalled to headquarters.

But his rank had been stalled at captain for a long time.

“Captain Shao!” Ning Zhiheng stood up and saluted him. Shao’s rank was higher, and as Wei Liangbi’s trusted aide, he deserved due respect.

“No need for formalities. The Chief’s spoken of you often lately, but this is the first time we’ve met. Zhiheng, if you don’t mind, just call me Old Shao, same as the Chief does,” Shao Wenguang replied, returning the salute and instantly narrowing the distance between them.

Years of frustration in the army and Intelligence had already worn away Shao Wenguang’s sharp edges. He knew that men like Wei Liangbi and Ning Zhiheng, with their strong backgrounds, would rise far above him in their careers. He had no intention of pulling rank on Ning Zhiheng.

“Very well, Old Shao. I won’t stand on ceremony. Let’s get straight to the point—this case is urgent and I need you to join immediately. But let’s be clear: though your rank’s higher, I’ll be in charge of the operation. Is that acceptable?” Ning Zhiheng stated, wanting to set boundaries from the start.

On this point he would not yield—not even for Wei Liangbi’s confidant. After all his work, he wasn’t about to let someone else take the credit. Ning Zhiheng was hardly the self-effacing type.

“Of course. Old Shao is just here to assist; you’re in charge,” Wei Liangbi interjected, making the arrangement clear for Shao Wenguang.

“No worries, the case is yours, Zhiheng. I know my role,” Shao Wenguang quickly assured him.

He’d never intended to take over the case. He was well aware of Wei Liangbi’s background, and by extension, that his junior would be no simple character. He knew to keep his place and do his part—he trusted Wei Liangbi would not let him go unrewarded.

With everything settled, Shao Wenguang went off to make his preparations.

Ning Zhiheng returned to his office where he found Shi Hong, who had been managing the team in his absence. Shi Hong, also one of Wei Liangbi’s trusted men, was privy to much, including the fact that Ning Zhiheng had been working a case outside.

Eager for a share of the action, Shi Hong kept pressing Ning Zhiheng to bring him in on any good opportunities—having tasted the spoils before, he was anxious not to be left out. Ning Zhiheng reassured him, promising he’d be included in any rewards.

Not long after, Wang Shucheng, having heard of Ning Zhiheng’s return, hurried over as well. In the past days, Wang had finally squeezed all the assets out of Wang the Skinner, amassing a considerable haul, and was eager to report to Ning Zhiheng—he wouldn’t dare handle the money on his own.

The two found a quiet spot, and Wang Shucheng presented the interrogation records and accounts.

Ning Zhiheng was astonished to see that the cash and deposits in Wang the Skinner’s home and bank were no small sum: five hundred pounds sterling, over four thousand US dollars, more than five thousand yuan in legal tender, and gold bars and silver dollars worth over seven thousand US dollars. All of it, the proceeds of Wang’s years of extorting land and bribes.

The sources of the money were all detailed in the interrogation records—Wang Maocai confessed to everything, including two homicides. The man was truly irredeemable, deserving his fate.

For a mere police chief to have amassed such wealth spoke volumes about his greed. Even Ning Zhiheng was shocked by the scale of the corruption.

He realized that this sort of operation could be repeated in the future. The money was filthy anyway—better to pocket it than let it go to waste. In fact, he had to admit, in his heart, he was not much different from the likes of Qian Zhong.

“There are two more properties, but we haven’t disposed of them yet. What do you think, Captain?” Wang Shucheng continued his report.

This windfall had opened Wang’s eyes. Such enormous wealth, so easily acquired—something ordinary people couldn’t save up in a lifetime. Only by dealing with this side of the world did he truly see the darkness beneath.

“Sell the properties as soon as possible. Convert the gold and silver into pounds or dollars. Of the five thousand francs, take three thousand for yourself, and divide the remaining two thousand among the six brothers. Also, withdraw two thousand dollars to send to Chief Wei, and deliver what’s left to my residence,” Ning Zhiheng instructed quietly.

According to the rules of the service, since he’d led the operation and would take responsibility if anything went wrong, he was entitled to the lion’s share.

Chief Wei had been aware of the plan and had even arranged a safehouse—he was certainly due his cut, and two thousand dollars would be quite satisfactory. Ning Zhiheng was nothing if not generous.

Sending Wang Shucheng to deliver the money to Wei Liangbi was also a calculated move—a chance for Wang to score points with the chief. Not just anyone could send gifts to a leader and expect them to be accepted. This would ensure that Wang Shucheng was no longer seen as an outsider, and Ning Zhiheng considered him trustworthy enough to be brought into the fold.

As for Wang and the six team members who’d actually handled the dirty work, they deserved a decent reward—five thousand francs was several years’ salary for them. Any more would be excessive and break the rules.

“And what about Wang Maocai?” Wang Shucheng asked uncertainly.

“What, you haven’t dealt with him yet?” Ning Zhiheng replied, surprised. Did Wang really need to be told?

“No, he’s still in the safehouse. I couldn’t find you and didn’t dare decide on my own,” Wang said, a little embarrassed. In fact, he knew what had to be done. The six team members had already hinted as much—he just hadn’t yet gotten used to this sort of thing.

“There’s nothing to hesitate over with scum like him. With the interrogation records as evidence, what are you afraid of? Dispose of him at once. Officially, say he was shot while attempting to escape. The Intelligence Service has done this plenty of times—has anyone ever dared speak up?” Ning Zhiheng was unmoved.

He was privately disappointed by Wang Shucheng’s attitude. If you’ve already stepped into these murky waters, did you really expect to keep your hands clean? In troubled times, he shouldn’t need to be taught such lessons. Besides, Wang the Skinner had it coming—what was there to hesitate over?

In this, Ning Zhiheng overlooked Wang Shucheng’s feelings. Having lived two lifetimes, he was emotionally and experientially prepared to adapt to the era’s brutality. Judging Wang by his own standards, he naturally saw him as lacking in resolve for great deeds—too hesitant, too soft.