Chapter Fifty-Five: Arranging Surveillance

Ning Zhiheng gestured for Liu Datong to take a seat opposite him, personally pouring a cup of hot tea. Liu Datong, overwhelmed by the honor, was about to stand, but Ning Zhiheng waved him back down.

“How is it? How do you feel these days since assuming your new post?” Ning Zhiheng looked at the beaming Liu Datong.

“It’s wonderful, indescribably so! Chief Ning, you have no idea—I feel as if I’m living in a dream these past few days. Every step feels like walking on clouds, my body floating, and I keep thinking, could it be that even a man like me has finally made it? My wife said our ancestors must be smiling upon us, thanks to your favor, and at last, we’ve seen the light of day!” Liu Datong took a sip of tea, feeling thoroughly content.

“You’ve earned it. But Datong, enjoy your happiness for a few days, then don’t let it go to your head. Especially, remember to keep your principles in your work—take your share, but don’t become a villain or commit evil acts. If you do, I’ll be the first to deal with you!” Ning Zhiheng felt he should remind him not to get carried away.

“Chief Ning, please rest assured! I’m not like that scoundrel Wang Skinner. I’m a native here, and all my friends, neighbors, they watched me grow up. If I dared to do anything against conscience, you wouldn’t even need to act—those around me would drown me with their spit! In truth, I know these people too well, I couldn’t bring myself to do it!” Liu Datong joked, grinning. Though he was shrewd, at heart he was a good man, and Ning Zhiheng believed that.

Ning Zhiheng laughed. Liu Datong was the type who, even dressed in imperial robes, could never be an emperor.

But how many people can truly resist the lure of power and wealth? He hoped Liu Datong would keep his kindness and reverence in the days to come.

“Enough chit-chat. I called you here for the case.” Ning Zhiheng shook his head with a smile and got down to business.

Hearing that, Liu Datong stopped joking and listened carefully.

“This is our target this time.” Ning Zhiheng placed a folder before him.

Liu Datong opened it and saw another sketch. He knew right away this was Ning Zhiheng’s work and felt genuine admiration. His powerful patron was truly adept, no wonder he rose quickly in rank and even someone like Director Tang had to submit.

“Just like last time, do you want me to find him?” Liu Datong asked uncertainly.

Ning Zhiheng shook his head. “No need. I’ve already found him.”

Liu Datong was surprised. If the target had been found, then it was time for an arrest. That was the Military Intelligence Office’s specialty, full of skilled operatives. What help could he provide?

“This target can’t be arrested—not only that, he must be closely monitored without alerting him. So I need a lot of manpower to watch his every move!

Simply put, I want to know what he does at every hour of the day, where he goes, who he meets, and I want as much detail as possible. Do you have enough men?” Ning Zhiheng asked.

This was no easy task—it would require many people, yet the target couldn’t be alarmed. It needed skill, and Ning Zhiheng wasn’t sure Liu Datong could manage it.

His own action team couldn’t all be assigned to this case; they were always busy, tasked with field operations. Though they were experts at arrests, surveillance was another matter. Their build and military bearing made them stand out, unlike ordinary people, so they weren’t ideal.

The Intelligence Division had several experts in this area, but they were the Director’s own men. Even Ning Zhiheng, a mere lieutenant, couldn’t command them—neither could Deputy Director Huang.

Moreover, he couldn’t hand the case over. This was a perfect opportunity for him to shine, and his next promotion depended on it!

“A few days ago, I wouldn’t have dared promise, but now it’s no problem. You know, I’ve taken on quite a few people lately—they all know I have you as my backer, and many are eager to join. Wang Skinner actually had some talented men under him, including several who specialize in these offbeat tasks. Just wait and see!” Liu Datong slapped his chest, full of confidence.

Ning Zhiheng was surprised. No wonder Liu Datong was showing off—his team had grown stronger, and his self-assurance soared.

But Liu Datong’s strength was also Ning Zhiheng’s own, making things much easier.

“Wang Skinner’s men? Can they be trusted?” Ning Zhiheng instinctively doubted them—his first reaction was always suspicion. His innate caution had shaped his destiny; joining the Military Intelligence Office was truly his calling.

Liu Datong was taken aback, then answered, “They’re reliable enough for the job, and with your authority behind us, everyone’s hoping to earn your favor!”

Ning Zhiheng nodded, saying no more. There was no need to spell everything out—Liu Datong wasn’t naive; he surely understood.

He thought for a moment, then said, “Pick a few sharp ones to follow me. We’ll observe from a distance for a few days—do not alert the target. Better to lose track than to tip him off, that’s the rule!

Once we know his routine, place men at each location he frequents, rotating shifts—don’t let one person follow him all the way.

It’s best to station several rickshaws at these points as well—I want to know where he is every minute and what he’s doing. Choose reliable, tight-lipped drivers from the rickshaw company.

Last time, that household registration officer Chen Yanqing impressed me—he was methodical, clever, a real talent. Get him involved in this too.”

Liu Datong knew at once that Chen Yanqing had caught Ning Zhiheng’s eye during the last investigation, and he was happy for him. That young man’s future looked bright!

This operation would need significant resources, but Chief Ning’s instructions had to be carried out, no matter how difficult. He nodded repeatedly, memorizing every point.

After the meeting, Liu Datong quickly gathered his men. That afternoon, he brought six of them to the teahouse to meet Ning Zhiheng.

Among them were Chen Yanqing and Liu Yong, whom Ning Zhiheng had seen before, plus four other police officers. All had witnessed Ning Zhiheng’s ruthlessness firsthand and held him in deep respect.

“Xiong Hongda, Gong Ji’an, Hou Cheng, Wen Xingsheng—they’re all sharp. Xiong Hongda and Gong Ji’an are top security officers, handling petty theft cases. Hou Cheng and Wen Xingsheng used to patrol with me, they know the streets well. Give them any task and it’ll get done!” Liu Datong introduced.

Ning Zhiheng saw they were all capable and nodded. “Datong has explained everything?”

They nodded eagerly, seeing this as a rare opportunity. Liu Datong’s rise from a minor patrolman to a leading figure in just twenty days after catching Ning Zhiheng’s eye was proof enough. If they made a good impression, their prospects were bright.

“Good, let’s be brief. I must stress, unlike your usual security cases, all Military Intelligence Office assignments are major, and every action must be kept absolutely secret.

Don’t tell your parents, don’t tell your wives! Keep your mouths shut—any leak, and you’ll be responsible for the consequences!

I’ll personally lead the operation. Liu Yong, you’re in charge of rickshaw dispatch. Have you selected the drivers?”

Under Ning Zhiheng’s gaze, Liu Yong straightened up. For some reason, he always felt inexplicably nervous before Chief Ning, as if an invisible pressure weighed on him.

He stepped forward quickly. “All selected—seventeen in total, none are bachelors, all local men with families. They know the roads well and keep their mouths shut. I’ve warned them specifically—no one will dare spoil things by gossiping!”

“They’re the breadwinners, their families depend on them. The operation will last a while.

So, each gets two yuan a day, with generous rewards for outstanding contributions.”

Liu Yong was delighted. “Chief, you’re considerate! That’s quite a high subsidy—just a bonus would have been enough. Normally they earn only a few coins a day.”

Indeed, Ning Zhiheng was offering a generous reward. Even nonstop, a rickshaw driver couldn’t make a yuan a day—just a handful of copper coins at most. But Ning Zhiheng was now wealthy and didn’t mind this expense.

He discussed the details with the group, then they dispersed.

Lin Mucheng, although the eldest son, had not married yet, which was rare in the Republic era. He also didn’t live with his father, instead residing in a separate courtyard in the north of Jinling. It was two blocks away from Beihua Street—not too far.

Early in the morning, after washing and preparing his briefcase, he checked his belongings. He was meticulous and disciplined, methodical in everything, never hurried.

As usual, he left for work at the Fourth Division headquarters. It was a considerable distance from his home, so he took a rickshaw every day.

He stepped outside and saw several rickshaw drivers waiting at the corner. He habitually waved, and a driver who had been waiting eagerly responded instantly, bringing his rickshaw over.

“Sir, where to?” the driver asked courteously.

He was in his thirties, skin darkened by hard labor, his face lined prematurely by hardship.

Whenever Lin Mucheng saw these men struggling at the bottom of society, he felt a pang of sympathy. He always paid a little extra for the ride, knowing it was all he could do—there were so many poor people, how many could he help?