Chapter Three: First Steps into Military Intelligence

During the days since his arrival in this world, Ning Zhiheng had always felt a sense of unfamiliar detachment. The foreknowledge of information from his previous life filled him with urgency. This great nation and its people now and in the future would merely endure yet another calamity in their five-thousand-year history—much like the chaos of the Five Barbarians during the Jin dynasty, the Mongol invasions under the Yuan, and the establishment of the Qing dynasty. Ultimately, this resilient and tenacious nation always overcame its hardships. This time would be no different; no difficulty could halt its progress. After surviving another decade or so of war and chaos, it would usher in a new chapter, achieving the great national rejuvenation. This was the inevitable course of history, an unstoppable trend—reborn from fire, fortune follows adversity!

He himself, in this grand era, was but a drop in the vast tide, insignificant. Even without his participation, the wheels of time would not pause for a moment. He had no desire to introduce any new variables to this era because of himself. Buddhism places utmost importance on cause and effect; now, as Ning Zhiheng, a graduate of Whampoa Military Academy in this world, he must accept all the karmic consequences of this life. He had family and friends in this life, and he felt his greatest duty was to protect those around him in these turbulent times, to do his utmost to help them through this catastrophe.

Of course, provided he did not interfere with the course of history, to serve his country and nation was also his duty as a son of China. If his memory served him right, the Military Intelligence Bureau he was about to join was the predecessor of the infamous "Military Command," the largest intelligence agency in modern Chinese history, whose very name struck fear into all who heard it. He had been personally arranged by his teacher, He Feng, and selected by the Baoding faction to enter the intelligence bureau—this decision was not his to oppose. In fact, he thought the arrangement was quite good; the intelligence bureau offered a much safer environment than the combat troops, especially since he knew that in the coming years, the casualty rate among Chinese soldiers would be shockingly high.

There would still be risks in the intelligence bureau, but compared to the dangers of frontline combat, it was negligible. Moreover, as a member of China’s largest intelligence organization, he could fully enjoy the privileges of his status. With the dual protection of being a Whampoa graduate and a disciple of the Baoding faction, he would possess the power to protect himself and his loved ones amidst the chaos—this was what he desired most!

Ten days passed swiftly, and graduation day arrived. As in previous years, the leader stood on the platform, delivering a passionate speech, urging everyone to serve the nation and the Party. The students below were stirred to feverish excitement, eager to rush to the front lines and defend their country. Ning Zhiheng, standing in formation, shouted slogans of loyalty to the nation and the leader with the others, but his gaze wandered, searching for his teacher, He Feng. He had not approached He Feng in the past few days, nor had He Feng sought him out or revealed any information. Even when they met in public, they behaved as usual.

Though Ning Zhiheng was anxious and uneasy, he kept a calm façade, going through the graduation ceremony like everyone else. The students had already packed their belongings; as military academy cadets, they had little extra luggage. After lunch, they were to assemble and depart for the front lines. At that moment, a communications soldier appeared at the dormitory door. "Ning Zhiheng!"

"Present!" Ning Zhiheng’s heart leapt—finally, news had arrived.

"Take your gear immediately and report to the Instructional Office!" the soldier called out.

"Yes!" Ning Zhiheng dared not delay, quickly turning to shoulder his pack and head out.

The sudden order startled everyone. They were about to depart—why was Ning Zhiheng being told to take his gear and report to the Instructional Office? Clearly, he was to break away from the group and act alone.

"Zhiheng, what’s going on? Do you know what this is about?" Miao Yongyi hurriedly asked. Zhiheng was his best friend and brother—he couldn’t help but worry.

Ning Zhiheng put on a bewildered, helpless expression. "I don’t know either; I’ll check it out first."

Xia Yuanming said, "If anything changes, let us know in advance so the brothers can rest easy."

The communications soldier urged him repeatedly, and Ning Zhiheng dared not waste time. He took a few steps out, then turned to gaze back, his eyes lingering as if to imprint the faces of his companions in his memory. Having absorbed the memories and emotions of this life, he knew that after this farewell, he might never see most of his brothers and classmates again—a sorrow welled up within him.

"Take care!" he called, striding away with the communications soldier.

He soon reached the Instructional Office of the academy, standing at attention and calling out, "Reporting! Third Infantry Squad, Ning Zhiheng, ordered to report!"

"Come in!" came the deep, powerful voice of Director Guo Hongkai.

Ning Zhiheng entered and stood upright.

Guo Hongkai, seated behind his desk, scrutinized him. "Do you know why you were called here?"

"Reporting, Director, I do not!" Ning Zhiheng feigned confusion.

Guo Hongkai rose and walked over, hesitating before he spoke. "Ning Zhiheng, your graduation assignment has changed."

Ning Zhiheng showed timely surprise and doubt.

"For certain special reasons, you are to report immediately to a new department. Don’t ask me why—this is a military order, not to be disobeyed. Do you understand?"

Ning Zhiheng nodded, waiting silently for the next instructions.

"The Military Intelligence Bureau specifically requested you; they have such privilege, and I have no choice but to agree. I hope you understand." Guo Hongkai patted Ning Zhiheng’s shoulder, somewhat regretful. Pure soldiers often looked down on those involved in espionage.

Meanwhile, in the Political Department office, He Feng was speaking with Director Zhao Junmin.

"Brother Yongnian, you’re really willing to let your prized disciple dive into the Intelligence Bureau, that dragon’s lair? It’s not a place for ordinary people," Zhao Junmin said with a smile, pouring a cup of hot water for He Feng.

He had exerted great effort for this transfer, and had also recommended his own disciple to the Intelligence Bureau.

He Feng smiled bitterly, "What can I do if I’m unwilling? My student is introverted but honest and caught my eye from the start. If he were to graduate and head straight to the front, the danger would be immense. As his teacher, I can’t let him take such risks.

Besides, Huang Xiansheng’s influence in the Intelligence Bureau is quite thin. Our Baoding faction is strong enough in the army to protect itself, but in the intelligence and secret service departments, we have a fatal weakness.

The big shots won’t miss such a great opportunity. If the principal weren’t so adamant—otherwise..." He chuckled.

"But for them, the Intelligence Bureau isn’t exactly a good place either. We’re doing this out of necessity," Zhao Junmin said, somewhat moved.

He still believed that a soldier’s true calling was on the battlefield, and he secretly despised the underhanded methods of secret service. If not for the Baoding faction’s interests, he wouldn’t have sent his disciple there.

He Feng shook his head, smiling bitterly, "True, but the Intelligence Bureau is a special department, directly responsible to the leader. If you do well, your prospects aren’t inferior to those in the army. Sigh! Who knows if we’re helping them or hurting them!"

At that time, because the Military Intelligence Bureau was tightly organized and operated in secrecy, much was still unknown to outsiders and its reputation was quite good. He Feng thought perhaps it was a good choice for Ning Zhiheng.

He did not know that this very Military Intelligence Bureau would, in a short time, expand rapidly—recruiting not only military personnel and academy graduates, but aggressively expanding its ranks. At its peak, it would boast nearly a hundred thousand agents, spread throughout the army, police, administrative agencies, transportation, and even overseas embassies—specializing in surveillance, kidnapping, arrests, and assassinations.

Its membership would become mixed, its quality uneven, and it would ultimately transform into a notorious, vast kingdom of darkness—the largest secret service organization in China.

When Ning Zhiheng left the Instructional Office, he was still somewhat dazed—the matter was settled just like that. Outside, a military truck waited. An officer stepped forward, saying, "Ning Zhiheng, get in the truck. We were waiting for you!"

Ning Zhiheng paused—he was to report immediately. He hesitated, trying to make one last request, "Could I have a few minutes to inform my classmates? They’re still waiting for news."

The officer’s expression hardened. "I believe your Instructional Director explained what kind of unit you’re going to! Your first lesson now is obedience! From now on, you’ll likely have no further contact with your classmates. Understand?"

Ning Zhiheng dared not disobey, quickly climbing aboard. As the vehicle started moving, he noticed there were nine others in the truck’s rear compartment. He even recognized two familiar faces from his cohort, though from other classes; he hadn’t interacted much, so he didn’t know their names.

"Ning Zhiheng, I didn’t expect the last candidate would be you," a classmate remarked in surprise.

Ning Zhiheng considered himself nearly invisible among his peers, but there were always those who remembered him.

These students must be disciples of Baoding faction instructors. Everyone understood, though no one said it aloud. After exchanging names, they quickly became acquainted.

"I heard the Military Intelligence Bureau is very secretive—most people don’t even know it exists."

"Do you know what its actual work is?"

"I hear it manages military affairs—basically everything except party affairs."

One student, Lin Yifan, clearly well-informed, said mysteriously, "The Military Intelligence Bureau is a powerful department in the army, with considerable privileges. They say it’s under the leader’s direct command—maybe the opportunities are greater than fighting on the front lines."

Another added, "I heard the Military Intelligence Bureau was just established a few years ago. Its main leaders are senior graduates from our Whampoa Academy, and members are all former graduates or elite soldiers selected from the army. Ordinary people cannot enter!"

"So that means we’re the elite among our classmates—makes me feel pretty outstanding," joked Pu Zhengchu, who was feeling rather pleased with himself.

"With your grades, you count as elite? I’d believe you’re a dandelion!" teased a classmate beside him, clearly familiar with him.

Pu Zhengchu, outgoing and cheerful, joked back and forth with his classmates, not taking it seriously.

"I know there are many departments inside. Which one do you think we’ll be assigned to?"

"Who knows! But I’m sure the teachers have already made arrangements for us."

"I suppose it’ll depend on our individual strengths. What are you all good at?"

As the conversation grew lively, Ning Zhiheng remained silent, attracting curiosity.

"Zhiheng, why aren’t you speaking? What are your strengths?" Lin Yifan asked.

"You go first—what are yours?" Ning Zhiheng replied.

Lin Yifan admitted shyly, "My military grades are average, but my tutor was a foreigner, so my English and French are pretty good."

A rare talent! Many could handle firearms, but few spoke foreign languages—especially two. And to afford a foreign tutor, he must be from a prominent family—either the son of an official or a wealthy heir.

"My hand-to-hand combat score is good, and my marksmanship is decent," said Wang Shucheng, a sturdy classmate.

Everyone introduced their specialties; Ning Zhiheng found each had a skill—one even claimed his only strength was a good memory, with average abilities elsewhere.

As the others were frank, Ning Zhiheng had no choice but to say, "My military grades are average, but perhaps my marksmanship is a bit better."

That much was true—his original marksmanship was decent, and in the recent graduation exam, his improved physique, eyesight, arm strength, and even perception had made him excel. His marksmanship now far surpassed Miao Yongyi, the previous best in class, surprising everyone.