On the eve of the winter solstice (Christmas) in 1937, Zuo Zhong met his former deputy Gu Qi and his old classmate Shen Dongxin in the Secret Service office at No. 33 Pingyue Road, Wuchang.
The two of them had just arrived in Jiangcheng by boat from the mountain city, with the purpose of assisting Zuo Zhong in completing the task assigned by Dai Chunfeng to sweep away Japanese intelligence forces.
Launching a clean-up operation against a big city with two million people is not as simple as setting up a few checkpoints and randomly checking a few people. It must have enough manpower.
The three of them shook hands in the temporary conference room and sat on the soft leather sofa. Then Gu Qi and Shen Dongxin reported on the settlement situation in Shancheng.
After the Secret Service moved to Shancheng, it set up the former Shancheng Police Training Center and the Homeless Art Training Center at No. 29 Luojiawan, Guanyin Yanzhong 2nd Road, as its headquarters.
There are a total of 1 3-story and 1 2-story old-style building in these two locations, as well as a large and small bungalow, which together serve as staff office areas.
Not far away, villas No. 1 and 2 at No. 19 Luojiawan serve as the offices and official residences of Dai Chunfeng and Zuo Zhong, along with the offices of the general secret service branch.
There is nothing we can do about it. Today, the Secret Service has developed into a huge intelligence agency with a large number of staff.
In addition, there are so many National Government agencies that have moved to mountain cities that it is difficult to find a large office space like Hong Gong Temple.
Even No. 29 Luojiawan was snatched away by Gu Qi and his men from the Jinling Police Department who had retreated to the mountain city. When Bai Wenzhi found out, he clamored to go to the peak to complain, but in the end he didn't even dare to let go.
In short, at this stage, they can only "grievance" Dai Chunfeng and Zuo Zhong to work in a luxurious villa covering an area of several hundred square meters and remotely control the daily work of the secret service.
Separated from No. 19 by a wall, Yushe, the old residence of a warlord in Qianchuan Province, has two garden houses, one of which has two floors and is used as a reception area.
After the walls on both sides were opened, the second floor was used as a place for Dai Chunfeng and Zuo Zhong to receive guests, and the first floor was used as a place for internal staff to communicate with the outside world.
Another three-story building with five bays was converted into a guest house for senior field agents to use when they came to the headquarters to contact and ask for instructions. The first floor was a dining room, and the second and third floors were rooms.
Except for Dai and Zuo, the residences of other department and section-level officers were either purchased by individuals or lived in the new "C land" across the road.
——The advance personnel, with the cooperation of the military, destroyed more than a dozen Paoge gangs around Luojiawan, took over a large number of houses, and finally found a place for the spies to stay.
The robe brothers probably never thought until they died that the reason why they died was not bullying men and women or committing evil acts, but just because the Secret Service needed a dormitory.
Zuo Zhong listened carefully to the report of the two men and nodded without making any comments. A bunch of chamber pots are useful when needed and thrown away when not needed.
Gently patting the armrest of the sofa, he smiled and said: "Lao Gu, Dong Xin, you did a good job. I know Luojiawan. The scenery is beautiful and the transportation is convenient. It is indeed suitable as a headquarters.
However, peripheral vigilance and air defense arrangements must continue to be strengthened. It is best to find several backup locations in mountainous areas and outside the city. Once Luojiawan is destroyed by the Japanese, they can be activated immediately to avoid delaying work. "
"I understand, Deputy Director."
Gu Qi leaned forward slightly and replied respectfully.
In fact, he was already working on this matter, but he didn't say anything about it just now. After all, how could he appear to be a high-ranking official and far-sighted if he didn't leave some omissions?
Zuo Dian nodded and looked at Shen Dongxin on the side: "Dongxin, go out. I have something to discuss with Chief Gu. You go find Gui Youguang and the others. They are all old brothers. We should get together if we have the chance." .”
"yes."
Shen Dongxin stood up and saluted, then turned and walked out.
Only Zuo Zhong and Gu Qi were left in the conference room. They lit cigarettes to each other and whispered something while leaning on the sofa.
"Has the "Muyu" arrived in Shanghai?"
"Deputy Director, here we are. We just received a telegram from the Impermanence Intelligence Team yesterday."
"Well, this is an important step for us to break into the traitor group. We must be cautious and never have horizontal connections with Shanghai District and Chen Gongshu."
"Do you think Shanghai District is unreliable? District Chief Chen is an old man in the department, so he shouldn't be, right?"
"It's harder to paint a person's skin than to paint their bones. You know people and their faces but you don't know their hearts. There's nothing wrong with being careful in everything."
Facing Gucci's question, Zuo Zhong flicked the ashes from his cigarette with a deep look in his eyes.
If he remembered correctly, this old man Chen would surrender to the Japanese in the future. Although he was in the Cao camp and his heart was with the Han, there were some things that he had to guard against.
Why did he drag personnel directly under the headquarters to Shanghai to perform tasks and establish intelligence points and safe houses just to prepare for that day.
This time they returned to Jiangcheng, and some personnel stayed in Shiliyangchang to lurk. In order to ensure safety, he was the only one in the entire secret service who knew the specific situation.
Gu Qi didn't know these things and secretly lamented that the deputy director was really meticulous in his actions and left no loopholes in his work, so he replied smoothly.
"I will tell the Impermanence Team that I am worried about Muyu. He rarely performs tasks alone. This time, he is lurking in the heart of the enemy. The pressure is huge. I am afraid that the kid will not be able to hold on.
Once his flaw is discovered by the Japanese, not only will he be unable to complete the mission, but he will also be in danger. Why don't you send a more experienced brother to avoid sacrificing a life in vain? "
"Muyu..."
Zuo Zhong repeated these two words, his eyes slowly stopped on the "rice"-shaped tape on the glass, and he answered his question in a calm tone.
“Each generation has its own responsibilities, and the task of our generation is to achieve the independence of the country and nation and drive away the invaders.
As long as this goal can be achieved, any price paid is worth it, and all sacrifices are also valuable, understand.
The reason why I chose Muyu is very simple. Ji Yunqing is cunning by nature, and he was frightened by us. He has difficulty trusting strangers, so he must find an intelligence officer with a background in the world of martial arts to rely on him.
Moreover, Muyu's young age allowed Ji Yunqing to relax his vigilance. If he went as an adult, he might be given directly to the Japanese by that ungrateful old man, Bastard.
By the way, please tell me about the specific process. I was busy with tasks some time ago and didn’t have time to pay attention to the Impermanence Team. Is Muyu’s lurking going smoothly? Did I encounter any problems? "
"I understand."
Gu Qi's expression was serious and he replied sternly: "Everything went well. According to your instructions, Ji Yunqing was transferred to Jinling and held in a single cell in Laohuqiao Prison, and his communication with the outside world was cut off.
Muyu was on death row before he came in. He was charged with theft and murder. His arrest, arrest, interrogation, and sentencing were all carried out according to fixed procedures, and we did not interfere.
There are newspaper reports at the time, as well as official documents from the Jinling Police Station, the National Police Agency, the Ministry of the Interior, and the local court as proof that Muyu can pass the background check of the Japanese intelligence agency.
At the same time, in order to make the trick real, I paid the guards to clean up the wooden fish several times on the grounds that the family of the deceased was seeking revenge. Ji Yunqing's cell was not far away, and I saw the other party being beaten with my own eyes.
In an extremely closed environment with no one to communicate with, they would occasionally chat a few words and talk about their experiences when they had nothing to do, and the two got to know each other.
On the day Jinling City was destroyed, Muyu killed the guard and escaped with the guy at Ji Yunqing's request. He followed him back to Shanghai and is currently serving as a guard beside his target.
Don't worry, the dead guard tortured the prisoner to death many times and deserved his punishment. The other insiders were taken to the mountain city for resettlement and were monitored and protected by our people. "
"kindness."
Zuo Zhong reviewed the process and found no obvious loopholes, with a satisfied expression on his face. Ji Yunqing was the founder of No. 76. Once No. 76 was formed, Muyu would be able to get in.
Although there is Ryosuke Hase in Shanghai, it is better to rely on others than to rely on oneself. With such an intelligence channel, No. 76 will have no secrets from the Secret Service.
After thinking about the arrangements for Muyu for a while, Zuo Zhong smiled and revealed to Gu Qi the news that the Secret Service was about to be upgraded and that he would serve as deputy director.
"Congratulations, Deputy Director!"
Hearing this, Gu Qi quickly congratulated him, feeling ecstatic in his heart. The Secret Service has always been a carrot and a pit. The people above him did not move, and it was difficult for the people below to get promoted.
He originally thought that he would end up as a section chief, but he didn't expect to be promoted again. The deputy director became the deputy director. Who would the vacant position be given to? It was probably him.
Sure enough, Zuo Zhong waved his hand and told him the arrangement: "Lao Gu, we have been working together for several years, and I am very aware of your abilities and personality.
When I was the chief of the intelligence section, you were the deputy section chief and my big housekeeper. You handled all matters in the department in an orderly manner and never sought credit.
After I became the chief of the intelligence section, I have been diligent in my work and helped me solve many cases. I have enough merit and qualifications.
The director's intention was to put me in charge of the first and second intelligence divisions, responsible for intelligence and counter-espionage operations respectively.
They say it’s better to use the raw than the familiar. I just want you to take charge of the intelligence business. Do you have the confidence to do your job well? "
Gu Qi's eyes turned red. He had no background and no money. On the day he was kicked out of the Nanchang Camp Investigation Class, what he was thinking about was how to keep this job.
When he arrived at the Secret Service, he made up his mind to keep his tail between his legs. How could he dare to compete with the division chief's student, the committee chairman's fellow villager, and the party leader's disciple?
Unexpectedly, it was because of this character of not being greedy or possessive that the deputy director valued him, and thus the fortunes continued to rise and rise again and again. What a trick of fate!
He stood up holding on to the sofa and saluted seriously, his voice trembling.
"Thanks to the Vice-President for nurturing me. I can't thank you enough for this humble position. I will definitely do it again..."
"Hahaha, okay, okay, I've already said these things in front of the bureau, so you don't need to repeat them. Let's get back to business."
Zuo Zhong teased him, then his expression changed and his smile stopped: "Espionage activities have been rampant in Jiangcheng recently, and the committee chairman asked us to clean up these guys as soon as possible to reduce the loss of intelligence.
But there are more than two million people in Jiangcheng, and Japanese spies are hiding among them. How to find them is a difficult problem. I want to hear your opinion. Say it with confidence, without thinking about other things. "
"yes."
Gu Qi puffed up his chest and immediately gave the answer: "I believe that the first step is to seal off important strategic areas, search room by room, and screen people by people, so as to ensure that no one is missed.
The second step is to strengthen inspections on traffic arteries, docks, and stations. All persons with suspicious identities will be arrested first and then interrogated, so as to limit the scope of activities of Japanese spies and prevent them from snooping around. "
Without hesitation, he made two quite satisfactory suggestions. As long as they are strictly implemented, they can indeed effectively curb the spying behavior of Japanese spies.
"Well, that's a good idea."
Zuo Zhong first agreed, and then changed the subject: "But it's too targeted. The Japanese are not fools, and they will definitely disguise themselves or create reasonable enough reasons when they act.
It's like trying to find a special leaf in a large forest. Of course you can find it by scraping the ground with all your strength, but it's a waste of time. So what should we do~"
Gu Qi was silent and had no clues. All he could think of was stupid methods. Screening through the net was also the most basic method used by most intelligence agencies to combat hostile intelligence personnel.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Zuo Zhong was not disappointed. He took out his lighter and lit it. He stared at the flames and said lightly: "It seems that we are going to set off a big fire in Jiangcheng!"
