Chapter 82: Bountiful Harvest

Ning Zhiheng usually wore civilian clothes, primarily for the convenience of his investigative work. Many times, he needed to conduct surveillance and investigation in plain clothes, and upon returning to the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau, he was reluctant to change back into his uniform, finding the constant change too troublesome. The Bureau had no strict requirements in this regard, especially for the Field Operations Division, who, due to the nature of their work, habitually dressed in civilian attire for ease of action. It was left to their own discretion.

Knowing that a celebration would be held at ten o’clock—a day when he would be awarded both rank and decoration—Ning Zhiheng dared not be negligent. He quickly changed into a brand-new, crisp uniform, and, gazing at his tall, spirited figure in the mirror, nodded in satisfaction.

It was rare for the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau to hold such a grand celebration. This time, they had successfully dismantled the Shadow Espionage Group and seized Japanese military encrypted codebooks—a harvest so great that it far exceeded all expectations at the highest levels.

In truth, what pleased the Director most was not just the achievement itself, but the heavy blow dealt to his old adversary, the Central Party Affairs Investigation Bureau—a resounding slap in the face.

In their final report, the Bureau exaggerated its own efforts in overcoming countless obstacles and breaking through layers of subterfuge to capture the Japanese spies in one swoop. At the same time, it deliberately emphasized the incompetence of the Party Affairs Investigation Bureau, dramatizing several cases of leaked information confessed by Ma Hong, and exaggerating their harmful effects to the extreme.

The effect of this report was predictable. The Central Party Affairs Investigation Bureau, always priding itself as the most elite intelligence unit of the Nationalist Party, was exposed as having harbored traitors within its own ranks. Several instances of leaked information were substantiated with irrefutable evidence—there was no way to deny it.

The head of the Central Party Affairs Investigation Bureau was berated by the Supreme Leader for over an hour, so harshly that he wished he could sink into the ground from shame. It was said that upon returning, he smashed everything breakable in his office, leaving his subordinates terrified and avoiding him for days, fearing they might become scapegoats for his wrath.

In contrast, the Military Intelligence Investigation Bureau’s operation was truly remarkable, capturing a Japanese espionage group that had been embedded within the Nationalist Party for years. In particular, the case involving Huang Xiansheng nearly altered the entire national defense structure of the Nationalists, and a senior military government official was forced to resign as a result, creating a significant political vacuum and granting considerable benefits to the Supreme Leader and various factions.

In short, the Bureau’s outstanding performance left everyone satisfied—everyone except the Central Party Affairs Investigation Bureau, that is.

This time, the Director shone brilliantly before the Supreme Leader, displaying the poise and charisma of a master spy. He walked with a spring in his step, the very picture of a man basking in success.

The celebration was attended by every officer in the Bureau, a grand and imposing event. During the meeting, the Director lavishly praised the joint efforts of the Intelligence and Field Operations Divisions in uncovering the Japanese spy ring.

Those with exceptional contributions, especially those who played key roles in solving the case, were duly rewarded. Wei Liangbi, the leader of Field Operations Group One, was promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel and awarded the Second Class Cloud Banner Medal.

Ning Zhiheng, Captain of the Third Squad, First Group of the Field Operations Division, was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain and also received the Second Class Cloud Banner Medal.

The Director personally changed their epaulettes and presented the medals before the assembled officers, momentarily making Wei Liangbi and Ning Zhiheng the center of attention, showered in glory.

Especially for Ning Zhiheng, a recent graduate of the Army Officer Academy who had climbed two ranks within three months and received the rare Second Class Cloud Banner Medal, his fame in the Bureau soared, eclipsing all others.

Of course, others involved in the case were also rewarded. Members of the Intelligence Division received various benefits—being in the Director’s inner circle, they were never shortchanged.

The Field Operations Division was the star of the celebration. The Third Squad, directly involved in the operation and arrests, reaped considerable rewards, including another collective commendation. Thanks to Wei Liangbi’s generous mention in the final report and his own sufficient qualifications, Shi Hong was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain ahead of schedule.

Sun Jiacheng, who had joined Ning Zhiheng in capturing the senior Japanese spy known as Snow Wolf, was promoted to Second Lieutenant and made Deputy Captain of the Third Squad.

Each squad of the Field Operations Division had one captain and three deputies. Since Liang Deyou had been transferred to the Training Division, there had been a vacancy in the Third Squad, which Sun Jiacheng’s promotion now filled.

This satisfying conclusion left everyone overjoyed.

At just twenty-eight, Wei Liangbi had already become a Lieutenant Colonel in the Nationalist Army—a meteoric rise that his peers could scarcely believe. As the saying goes, “A soldier who doesn’t aspire to be a general is no good.” Barring unforeseen events, a bright future awaited him, and it was only a matter of time before he rose to the rank of general.

This left Wei Liangbi in high spirits, his youthful ambition fully realized.

As for Ning Zhiheng, his achievements had already become the talk among those who joined the Bureau with him. He was now the model they all strove to emulate.

Shi Hong, too, had taken a significant step forward, attaining the rank of Captain years ahead of schedule—a rapid rise that would greatly benefit his future, leaving him very satisfied with the outcome.

Sun Jiacheng was equally jubilant and encouraged. He had never imagined such a result. In the case, he had made no particularly outstanding contributions—his main effort had been during the arrest of Snow Wolf. In the end, however, Snow Wolf died fighting, detonating a grenade and leaving only a cold corpse behind.

In truth, it had been Captain Ning Zhiheng who, in a life-or-death moment, risked his own life to save Sun Jiacheng. Sun felt deeply guilty, believing he had failed to protect his captain and had instead forced his leader to risk everything for him.

Yet now, this very incident had earned him a promotion to Second Lieutenant, marking a crucial transformation into an officer. The envious, admiring gazes of his colleagues made his excitement unmistakable.

He knew his success was entirely due to Ning Zhiheng’s advocacy on his behalf—the captain who had saved his life and recognized his potential. At this moment, Sun Jiacheng was utterly devoted, willing to follow Ning Zhiheng through fire and water, determined to repay his debt of gratitude and loyalty. Thus, he became Ning Zhiheng’s most loyal follower.

With the conclusion of this high-profile operation against the Japanese spy group, the curtain finally fell.

In the days that followed, celebrations were endless. Wei Liangbi and Ning Zhiheng, the two brothers-in-arms, hosted lavish banquets for their friends and associates. On one occasion, both the Director and Deputy Director Huang appeared together, greatly enhancing Wei Liangbi and Ning Zhiheng’s prestige and filling them with encouragement.

For several days, Ning Zhiheng was finally able to rest. For the past three months, he had scarcely had a moment’s respite, constantly breaking major cases and apprehending suspects, his nerves always taut. Now, at last, he could truly relax and enjoy a well-earned break.

One day, the phone rang in Ning Zhiheng’s office. He picked it up and was greeted by the familiar voice of his mentor, He Feng.

“Teacher, you’re back!” Ning Zhiheng exclaimed with joy upon recognizing the voice, immediately inquiring after him.

He Feng had been away for over two months, sending only a few telegrams during that time to keep in touch with Ning Zhiheng.

Ning Zhiheng knew that the acquisition campaign led by He Feng had faced numerous obstacles. The local gang organization, known as the Green Gang, was deeply entrenched.

Some farsighted figures in the Nationalist government had already begun purchasing land in Chongqing at low prices. By the time He Feng started his acquisitions, land prices had already begun to rise. Local power brokers, especially the Green Gang, had also sensed the opportunity. With their local connections and knowledge, they began buying land themselves, or simply refusing to sell, hoping to hoard and drive up prices for greater profit.

Upon arriving in Chongqing, He Feng, known for his tough methods, would not be cowed by a handful of local thugs. After an all-night discussion with his friend Shen Haocheng, he mobilized the army to launch a fierce crackdown on the Green Gang’s stronghold in Shapingba.