Chapter 23: The Cocktail Party (Happy New Year!)

On the way, Chen Meili told Song Yingge that someone wanted to make his acquaintance at the cocktail party and likely had a favor to ask; if it felt burdensome, he should feel free to ignore it.

They soon arrived at the Fuchang Hotel. The party was held on the third floor and featured a Western-style buffet. By the time they arrived, the event was already underway. There were about three hundred guests, mostly gathered in small groups, chatting with glasses in hand. Laughter drifted through the air, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

"Meili, over here!" a beautiful woman in her twenties called out. Chen Meili, arm-in-arm with Song Yingge, walked over with a smile. The woman’s eyes lit up when she saw Song Yingge. "This must be the Mr. Song you’ve been talking about every single day, right?"

"Well? Didn't I tell you?" Chen Meili admitted with graceful confidence.

"He certainly is a man of remarkable talent," the woman praised.

"I am Song Yingge, a friend of Chen Meili," Song Yingge said, extending his hand.

"Qian Yue, Meili’s best friend," she replied, shaking his hand briefly.

As they were talking, a man in his thirties walked over holding a wine glass. "Meili, why are you only just arriving?"

Chen Meili gave Song Yingge a look, and he understood that this was the man who wanted to meet him.

"Brother Zhao, I have to work. Unlike you, a big boss with all the freedom in the world," Chen Meili said.

"You don't need to work to keep yourself fed. And who is this gentleman?" the man asked.

"A friend of mine, Song Yingge," Chen Meili replied, then introduced him: "This is Zhao Yaohui. Our families are old acquaintances."

Song Yingge and the man shook hands. "Mr. Song is truly a man of impressive presence," Zhao Yaohui complimented.

"You are too kind," Song Yingge replied. "Please, don't stand on ceremony. Since your family and Meili’s are close, you are naturally like an elder brother to me. Just call me Yingge."

"Then I shall accept the honor," Zhao Yaohui laughed.

After a few minutes of polite conversation, seeing that the moment was right, Zhao Yaohui asked, "Yingge, could I trouble you to step aside for a moment?"

Song Yingge agreed. When they reached the balcony, Zhao Yaohui said, "To be honest, I have a favor to ask."

"Brother Zhao, please, speak freely," Song Yingge replied.

"Last month, my foolish younger brother was arrested by the Secret Service, and they haven't released him yet," Zhao Yaohui explained.

"What was he charged with?" Song Yingge asked.

"They claimed he was colluding with the Communists, but I don't believe it," Zhao Yaohui said.

"Have you tried offering money?"

"I have," Zhao Yaohui admitted, not daring to hide the truth.

Song Yingge understood. If money had been offered and he still wasn't released, it was highly likely that he was, indeed, involved with the Communists.

"Did they accept the money?"

"No."

That was why Zhao Yaohui was so anxious—the bribe hadn't been accepted.

"Who made the arrest?"

"Zheng Guo'en, I believe he’s the section chief of the Third Intelligence Team," Zhao Yaohui said. It had been over a month, and he didn't even know if his brother was dead or alive.

"What is the maximum amount you can offer?" Song Yingge asked.

Zhao Yaohui held up one finger: "Ten large gold bars." That was twelve thousand yuan—a massive sum.

"What is his name?"

"Zhao Yaobang."

"Brother Zhao, rest easy. I’ll go investigate the situation tomorrow," Song Yingge promised.

"Brother, thank you," Zhao Yaohui said, bowing. Song Yingge held him up, saying, "No need for such formalities."

With that weight off his mind, Zhao Yaohui felt much better. Back in the ballroom, they chatted further. Song Yingge learned that the Zhao family operated the "Shunjiang Shipping Company," which owned seven or eight passenger and cargo ships on the Yangtze River. Qian Yue’s family were prominent grain merchants who owned the Qian Grain Store.

After a while, the group dispersed to socialize elsewhere. Chen Meili took Song Yingge to find Chen Yuzhou, who was currently chatting with a group of five or six people. Chen Yuzhou introduced Song Yingge to them one by one. The group consisted of influential Jinling businessmen from various industries. Song Yingge felt a bit embarrassed, wondering how Chen Meili had described their relationship to her father—Chen Yuzhou’s enthusiasm felt very much like a father-in-law introducing a son-in-law.

Thinking this, Song Yingge looked at Chen Meili with a hint of apology. Though she was cheerful and unpretentious, she was not insensitive. Sensing his mood, she gave his arm a sharp pinch and shot him a provocative look. To Song Yingge, the pain was no more than a tickle.

***

The next day, Song Yingge went to the Third Intelligence Team and found Zheng Guo'en. They had met at meetings before but had no personal acquaintance. Fearing it might be too abrupt, Song Yingge brought a box of tea.

"Section Chief Zheng, busy?" Song Yingge knocked and entered the office.

"Oh, Section Chief Song! What brings you here? Please, sit!" Zheng Guo'en was very welcoming. Given Song Yingge’s current standing, even department heads gave him respect, let alone a section chief.

"I’ve been at the Secret Service for a while and haven't had a chance to visit. I had some free time today, so I thought I’d come by for a cup of tea." Song Yingge opened the tea tin. "Top-grade Yuqian Longjing, a gift from a friend. It’s still sealed; let’s try some."

"That sounds wonderful; I’m quite fond of tea," Zheng Guo'en said, taking the tea to brew it.

After some mutual flattery and small talk, Song Yingge got to the point. "Brother Zheng, don't laugh at me for saying this."

"Brother, speak your mind," Zheng Guo'en replied, knowing full well that Song wouldn't visit without a reason.

"A friend asked me to look into a case—the one about Zhao Yaobang, who was arrested by your team last month."

Zheng Guo'en looked troubled. "Zhao Yaobang?"

"Is he a Communist?"

"No. Just a radical student who handed out a few leaflets about anti-Japanese resistance. I intended to bring him in, scare him a bit, and let him go," Zheng Guo'en explained.

"Then why has he been held for so long?"

"It just so happened that the Director was inspecting the prison that day. This brat, Zhao Yaobang, had the audacity to curse the Director to his face. The Director was furious. You know his temperament. If I let him go and the Director remembers the incident, I’ll be the one in deep trouble."

Dai Li was a man who cared deeply about his dignity; what Zheng said was entirely possible.

"If the Director agrees to let him go..." Song Yingge began.

"As long as the Director agrees, I’ll release him immediately," Zheng replied.

As long as he wasn't a Communist, Song Yingge could intervene without concern. If he were a Communist, he would have to distance himself. Since Zheng couldn't make the call, Song Yingge would have to find a way to get the Director to relent.