Chapter 47: Wang Sheng's Contribution

After leaving the restaurant, Suma Miyajiro spent the entire journey pondering how Ma Guozheng could possibly have been exposed.

"This is bad," Suma suddenly thought. If Ma Guozheng had been under surveillance for a long time, then their meeting at the Zaiwei Teahouse a few days ago might also have been conducted under the watchful eyes of the Secret Service.

The Zaiwei Teahouse was another stronghold that Suma had meticulously cultivated.

There is an old Chinese saying: "Caution is the parent of safety." Suma deeply believed in this wisdom.

Parking his car, Suma walked into a restaurant and picked up the telephone.

"Connect me to the Zaiwei Teahouse, please," Suma said.

After a moment's wait, the line connected.

"Is this Manager Wan?" Suma asked.

"It is I. Is something the matter?" Wan Zhe recognized Suma's voice, and a wave of involuntary tension gripped his heart.

Unless there was an emergency, Suma would never use this method to contact him.

"Reserve a private room for me. I'll be coming over for tea shortly," Suma said.

This was the code for an emergency evacuation.

After hanging up the phone, Wan Zhe maintained a calm exterior while panic raged within.

He strolled casually toward the kitchen's back door. Along the way, he encountered a waiter, and an inspiration suddenly struck him. He said, "Tell the lads in the teahouse that if anyone asks for me, do not say I am not here. Stall them for as much time as possible."

The waiter readily agreed.

Just a few minutes after Wan Zhe left, Song Yingge and his men arrived.

Suma's decisive action had saved Wan Zhe's life.

When the arrest operation commenced, Song Yingge realized he had been tricked, but alas, it was too late.

Those few short minutes were more than enough for Wan Zhe to slip away and take refuge in the Japanese Consulate.

Once inside the consulate, Song Yingge was completely powerless to touch him.

Returning to Caodu Lane, Song Yingge ordered Sun Xi to herd everyone from the Zaiwei Teahouse into the interrogation rooms for individual questioning.

Although they were mere small fry, the routine still had to be followed.

Song Yingge simply went home to sleep.

The next day, upon arriving at the office, Song Yingge organized the case files concerning Ma Guozheng's defection to the Japanese. He first reported to Wei Si before seeking out Dai Li.

"Director, during the arrest, Ma Guozheng committed suicide to escape punishment. Here are the files for your perusal," Song Yingge said.

Dai Li took the files, flipped through them, and said, "Very well. The case is clear and the evidence is solid. It's just a pity this wretch took his own life."

"It was my incompetence, Sir; I failed to stop him in time," Song Yingge replied.

"You are not to blame, no need to reproach yourself," Dai Li said, bearing no trace of anger. "This man is another big fish caught right after Huang Jun. Shortly, I shall report directly to President Chiang regarding this case and personally recommend you for a commendation."

"Thank you for your cultivation and guidance, Director," Song Yingge saluted and said.

"Keep up the good work. The position of deputy section chief is still vacant, after all," Dai Li said with a beaming smile.

...

Returning to the office of the Fourth Intelligence Squad, Song Yingge heard a knock as Zhang Ke walked in.

"Squad Leader, Gu Ying's handler has surfaced," Zhang Ke reported.

"Who is it?" Song Yingge asked.

"A reporter for a third-rate tabloid named Zhao Ming. I also discovered that Zhao Ming has been holding private meetings with Liu He, the second-in-command of a gang called the Shanhe Hall," Zhang Ke said.

Song Yingge genuinely had no impression of the name Shanhe Hall.

"A minor gang?" Song Yingge asked.

"Considered medium-sized, with their turf centered around the docks. They claim a following of two thousand gang members, though realistically only about two hundred are capable fighters. The gang leader is Liu Shan, and Liu and Liu He are blood brothers. Originally dock coolies, the two of them suddenly struck it rich a few years ago, acquired capital, and then recruited men to establish their own turf. My subordinates suspect this Shanhe Hall is a puppet force propped up by the little Japanese," Zhang Ke explained.

"Keep watching Zhao Ming, this carrier pigeon. Let's see how many moles he has besides Gu Ying and Liu He," Song Yingge ordered.

Zhang Ke wore a troubled expression. "Squad Leader, I was almost spotted by Zhao Ming while tailing him yesterday. Perhaps you could have Sun Xi join me on surveillance?"

"Very well, you and Sun Xi will work together. Remember, even if you lose the target, do not startle the snake in the grass."

"Yes, Squad Leader."

By afternoon, Liu Dajie strode in carrying a cloth bundle.

"Squad Leader, the matters regarding Ma Guozheng and the Zaiwei Teahouse have been settled. We recovered a total of over eight thousand yuan," Liu Dajie said with a fawning expression.

The storefront of the Zaiwei Teahouse was also leased by Wan Zhe, and the furnishings inside could not be sold for much. Feeling the sum was too meager, Liu Dajie had gone ahead and extorted an extra sum from the landlord.

Ma Guozheng's household had little money left either; the funds given to him by the Japanese had been squandered away. When Liu Dajie and his men went to his residence last night to gather evidence, they also swept clean all remaining cash and valuables.

Over eight thousand yuan was a massive fortune.

Song Yingge withdrew over a thousand yuan and handed it to Liu Dajie. "Distribute this among the brothers who participated in yesterday's mission."

"In our entire Secret Service, you are the only squad leader as generous and magnanimous as yourself," Liu Dajie said, taking the money and delivering another flattering remark.

Subsequently, Song Yingge divided the remaining seven thousand yuan into several portions, preparing to send them to the heads of the various departments at headquarters.

"Section Chief, are you busy?" Song Yingge asked upon entering Wei Si's office.

"Yingge, come in, sit down and talk. You handled the Ma Guozheng case brilliantly! Just now, the Director returned from President Chiang's residence in exceptionally high spirits," Wei Si said, standing up and walking over to the tea table.

Song Yingge waited until Wei Si sat down before taking a seat himself.

"This afternoon, a batch of new recruits will be assigned to our intelligence section. You shall have first pick of them," Wei Si said, handing Song Yingge a stack of personnel files.

Song Yingge accepted them with both hands. "This truly solves a burning emergency; the Fourth Squad is desperately short of manpower."

"Among the four squads in the Intelligence Section, yours has the fewest personnel, but your achievements are plain for all to see. With this new distribution, you pick first, and not a single soul will dare utter a word of dissent," Wei Si declared.

Song Yingge glanced roughly through the files. This batch consisted entirely of graduates from the special training class of the Police Officers' Academy, numbering around twenty individuals assigned to headquarters.

Among the twenty-odd files, none possessed the rating of golden value.

However, one individual named Ye You caught Song Yingge's attention.

His evaluation scores were top-tier across all subjects—an identical profile to Song Yingge's own record back in the day.

Around two in the afternoon, a truck carrying over twenty people arrived at Caodu Lane.

Squad leaders from various sections emerged from their offices, gathering on the open ground to chat amongst themselves.

Song Yingge was surrounded by a circle of people; riding the crest of a powerful wave of success, everyone wanted to secure favorable relations with him.

The truck's canvas curtain was pulled back, and the recruits filed out one by one, forming neat ranks within moments.

"Squad Leader Song, Section Chief Wei has ordered that you get first choice this time," Personnel Division Chief Lin Youzhi approached Song Yingge to remind him.

"Many thanks, Division Chief Lin. We must share a couple of drinks together later," Song Yingge said, walking up to the formation and sweeping his gaze across each trainee.

"Now, the trainees whose names I call out shall step forward," Song Yingge picked up the roster. "Ye You, Gu Qiang, Lin Lin."

The three individuals in the formation stepped out in response.

"Follow me," Song Yingge returned the roster to Lin Youzhi and led the three of them back to the Fourth Intelligence Squad's office.

The trio stood in a straight line, maintaining a rigid military posture.

Seated behind his desk, Song Yingge asked, "Do you know what kind of organization this is?"

"We know," the three replied in unison.

"Ye You, your evaluation scores were top-tier across the board?" Song Yingge scrutinized Ye You. Standing around 1.8 meters tall, with striking facial features and a well-proportioned physique, he looked clean and sharp.

"Reporting to the chief, top-tier is simply the upper limit of the grading system, not the upper limit of my capabilities," Ye You stated loudly.

A stubborn thorn with plenty of personality.

Song Yingge clapped his hands. "It sounds like you have quite a bit of confidence?"

"Reporting to the chief, true confidence stems from strength."

"Strength?" Song Yingge smiled. "If you can last a single move under my hands, I'll step down and let you sit in this squad leader's chair."

"This subordinate wouldn't dare. But our instructors at the training academy always praised you as the most outstanding graduate, and this subordinate truly wishes to challenge you," Ye You said, eager to try his hand.

Song Yingge indulged him, standing up and walking outside.

"Make your move first," Song Yingge beckoned with a finger.

Ye You raised his fists, rocking his body back and forth as he cautiously approached Song Yingge.

Song Yingge kept his arms hanging naturally at his sides, remaining entirely indifferent to Ye You's probing movements.

When the distance between them closed to just over a meter, Ye You suddenly exploded with strength from his legs, launching a hook punch directly at Song Yingge's face.

It was an undeniable fast punch.

Yet Song Yingge was faster.

With a sudden kick, his boot struck squarely on Ye You's chest.

Ye You flew backward several meters, crashing to the ground, unable to get back up for a moment.

Song Yingge had used thirty percent of his strength in that kick.

"Top-tier was merely your capability within the training academy, not in the real world," Song Yingge walked up to Ye You, looking down at him as he delivered those words.

"Do either of you two wish to try?" Song Yingge glanced sideways at the remaining two spectators.

Both shook their heads vigorously like spinning rattles.

"Help him up, don't lie there making a spectacle of yourselves," Song Yingge dropped those words and walked back inside the Fourth Intelligence Squad office.

The other two stepped forward and hoisted Ye You up. Gu Qiang asked, "Did you hold back?"

In the training academy, Ye You's combat prowess was universally acknowledged as number one; being knocked flat with a single move seemed completely surreal to Gu Qiang.

Ye You rubbed his chest, wincing. "The squad leader held back. I felt like he could have kicked the life out of me with that blow."

"Is it really that exaggerated?" Lin Lin watched Song Yingge's receding back, a strange gleam flashing in her eyes.

Ye You unbuttoned his jacket to reveal a large bruise across his chest. "The instructor was right; the squad leader is truly terrifying."

Not daring to continue discussing the matter, the three of them retreated into the office.

"I heard your marksmanship is even better than Ye You's?" Song Yingge asked Gu Qiang.

"There is always someone better, and mountains tower above mountains. This subordinate's marksmanship is still quite crude." Having witnessed Ye You's fate, Gu Qiang possessed a healthy sense of self-awareness.

Gu Qiang was of medium height, but with broad bones, giving him a sturdy appearance.

Song Yingge then turned his gaze to Lin Lin.

Lin Lin's training scores had been unremarkable, barely passing across all subjects.

Yet there was an inherent allure about her; even the worldly-wise Song Yingge could not help taking a few extra glances.

Sometimes, for certain missions, female operatives were far more suited than male ones.

"Do you know why I chose you?"

"This subordinate does not know."

"Your deadliest weapon is your face."

Lin Lin was momentarily at a loss for words, pondering for a moment before replying, "Thank you for the compliment, Squad Leader."

"Take these three to the General Affairs Department to draw their equipment and arrange their quarters. Also, reserve a private room at the Changsheng Restaurant; the whole squad will gather for a meal tonight," Song Yingge instructed, summoning Liu Dajie.

That evening, at the Changsheng Restaurant.

Back when Song Yingge had first joined the First Intelligence Squad, Zhou Weiqian had hosted his welcome banquet right here.

Never could he have imagined that within just a few short months, he would also become a squad leader.

During the dinner, Ye You foolishly attempted to get Song Yingge drunk to avenge his defeat.

The result was that Ye You drank himself unconscious and had to be dragged back to the dormitory by Gu Qiang.

The next day, Song Yingge was summoned to Dai Li's office.

"The President expressed high praise for the Ma Guozheng case. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to an audience with President Chiang," Dai Li said, looking at Song Yingge with growing satisfaction.

Yesterday, after reporting on Ma Guozheng's case, President Chiang had showered Dai Li with commendations.

And all of this was thanks to Song Yingge.

"Thank you for your cultivation, Director," Song Yingge knew this audience would be pivotal for his future advancement within the Secret Service.

"I recall you are from Ningbo, correct?" Dai Li casually dropped the remark as if it were a casual thought.

Song Yingge instantly caught the underlying hint; President Chiang himself hailed from Fenghua, Ningbo.

"Yes. My mother is also from Fenghua," Song Yingge replied.

"The President also serves as the principal of the Central Police Academy. Tomorrow, you should first address the leader as 'Leader,' and thereafter you may address him as 'Principal.' Do you understand the significance of this?" Dai Li prompted him.

"Thank you, Uncle," Song Yingge understood that Dai Li's guidance had transcended the boundaries of a mere superior-subordinate relationship, hence the change in address to "Uncle."

"Very good, prepare yourself well," Dai Li was thoroughly pleased by Song Yingge's quick grasp of the hint.

Leaving Dai Li's office, Song Yingge made a trip down to the interrogation rooms.

"How is Wang Sheng's condition?" Song Yingge asked, having Shen Wei fetch the monitoring logs from the past few days.

"I'm afraid he won't last many more days," Shen Wei answered.

Song Yingge rapidly flipped through the thick stack of monitoring transcripts.

The bad news: the man was nearing death.

The good news: he had blurted out plenty of secrets before reaching that state.

There were precisely two pieces of intelligence rated as golden value.

"You got assigned to run errands in the dining hall, while I became the manager of the transport company. Haha, serves you right for bullying me back at school."

"On the 18th, I overheard that your leg was broken and you were hospitalized. Have you recovered now? I am so worried."

Filtered through analysis, these two golden-value intelligence fragments allowed for a rapid narrowing of the search parameters.

First, the "errand runner" in Wang Sheng's words was likely a former classmate who bore a grudge against him.

Wang Sheng had infiltrated Jinling for mere months, meaning this Japanese spy had likely been planted in Jinling around the same timeframe.

Ordinary restaurants held no intelligence-gathering value.

Therefore, the target was clear: high-end restaurants in Jinling, specifically waiters or waitresses newly recruited in recent months, regardless of gender.

The second clue was even more explicit.

Search for hospitals equipped with inpatient wards capable of treating bone fractures.

Then, cross-reference medical records to find female patients in their twenties who had been hospitalized for fractures within the last few months.

Stepping into the detention cell, Song Yingge looked down at Wang Sheng and said, "I will find Number 18 and have her accompany you on your final journey."

With a vacant gaze, Wang Sheng muttered mindlessly, "Long live the Great Japanese Empire..."

"Truly a death unworthy of pity," Song Yingge felt deeply nauseated. "Subject him to maximum torture."

Even having lost his mind, the man was still chanting about the little Japanese.

Such a creature living and breathing was simply a waste of grain.

Returning to his office, Song Yingge summoned Ye You and Gu Qiang. "I have a lead. The two of you will accompany me to follow up on it."

Exchanging glances, the two men saw mutual excitement flash in each other's eyes.

Though they had arrived at the Secret Service only recently, the legendary tales surrounding Song Yingge were something they had heard ad nauseam.

Especially considering that just a few months ago Song Yingge had graduated from the training academy, and was now an acting squad leader—a feat that filled them both with profound admiration.

"Squad Leader, what kind of major case is this?" Ye You asked excitedly.

"We'll know once we investigate." Song Yingge's impression of Ye You remained positive; he was intelligent and driven, though somewhat impetuous in temperament and still needing seasoning.