Chapter 56: Meeting Jiang Shuning and Her Daughter

At the subsequent headquarters meeting of the Special Service Directorate, Dai Li announced the news of Song Yingge's promotion.

The section chiefs and group leaders present wore various expressions.

Some were surprised, some envious, and quite a few jealous.

Everyone was bitterly grinding away, sweating over their seniority and years of service. On what grounds was he suddenly promoted ahead of rank? Was this fair?

No matter what they thought in their hearts, this was pushed by Dai Li and approved by President Chiang himself.

Even if some felt as though they had swallowed a whole bottle of vinegar, tasting of bitter jealousy, they still had to force enthusiastic smiles upon their faces to offer congratulations.

No one was willing to provoke Song Yingge's bad luck at a time like this.

After the meeting adjourned, Zhou Weihan pulled Song Yingge aside. "The brothers are throwing you a celebration banquet at the Qinhuai River tonight."

"Old Brother Zhou, I appreciate the kind thought, but I have other arrangements tonight," Song Yingge politely declined.

"That won't do. You must be there tonight, otherwise, it means you're looking down on me," Zhou Weihan insisted.

Song Yingge prevaricated a few more times, but given Zhou Weihan's resolute attitude, he had no choice but to agree.

Bidding farewell to Zhou Weihan, no sooner had Song Yingge arrived at his office than Zhao Changjing followed closely behind.

"Young Brother Song, I've booked a private room at the Changsheng Restaurant for tonight. Several of our group leaders from the General Affairs Section want to host a celebration banquet for you together." Before Zhao Changjing even arrived, his laughter preceded him.

"Oh dear, what a coincidence, I've already promised Group Leader Zhou," Song Yingge spread his hands.

Zhao Changjing's eyes rolled around. "How is that a difficulty? Later, I'll go communicate with Group Leader Zhou, and all of us can get together and have a lively time."

"Let's make it clear first, if there are too many people, I'm not footing the bill," Song Yingge joked.

"What are you saying? With the people from our General Affairs Section around, no one else is going to grab the bill," Zhao Changjing said as he walked over to Song Yingge and hooked his arm around his shoulders. "I heard that after you went to see the play with my niece, you haven't been in touch since. Did you not take a fancy to her?"

Song Yingge thought back to the cold expression Zhao Rui wore on the day of the play.

He couldn't help but look forward to the expression on her face when she eventually discovered his true identity.

That was bound to be quite spectacular.

However, keeping his distance from Zhao Rui at this stage was the wisest choice.

"Old brother, given our relationship, I'll speak the truth. Zhao Rui is a good girl, but her temperament is too aloof; the two of us just aren't a match."

Zhao Changjing looked somewhat deflated. "Such matters indeed cannot be forced."

"Old Brother Zhao, do you have any other nieces?" Song Yingge asked softly.

"Just that one," Zhao Changjing snapped irritably.

"It seems you and I are simply fated to be brothers and nothing more."

Zhao Changjing stalked off in a huff.

Song Yingge sat back down in his chair and began browsing the intelligence reports from the past few days.

Most were of white value, with a few green ones, and not a single golden one.

Looking at the pen and paper on his desk, Song Yingge suddenly felt a flash of inspiration. He picked up the pen and scribbled rapidly across the paper.

"The Marco Polo Bridge Incident will break out on July 7, 1937."

Song Yingge picked up the slip of paper and took a look; his golden finger showed no reaction.

Subsequently, he wrote several more items, but the golden finger provided no feedback whatsoever.

Song Yingge then grabbed a green-valued intelligence report from the desk and transcribed it word for word onto a piece of paper.

The original intelligence report clearly displayed its intelligence value.

Yet, the transcribed intelligence failed to trigger the golden finger.

"Liu Dazhi, get in here," Song Yingge called out.

"Group Leader, you called for me?"

"Copy this intelligence report."

"Huh?"

"Did you not understand?"

"I'll copy it right now, right now." Liu Dazhi looked completely bewildered.

"Alright, you can leave now."

Song Yingge picked up the intelligence report transcribed by Liu Dazhi and glanced at it.

The golden finger remained untriggered as well.

"Could it be that intelligence I write down myself, or deliberately induce others to write, is automatically filtered out by the golden finger?" Song Yingge formed a hypothesis in his mind.

That being the case, while the golden finger was still formidable, it was a pity he wouldn't be able to enjoy the thrill of having the entire map revealed to him.

Afterward, Song Yingge took a trip to the Xiaguan Wharf and arrived at Zhendong Hall.

Only a few people were left behind guarding the hall; Nine-Fingers and the others were all absent.

"Fetch Nine-Fingers and Liu Chuanshu," Song Yingge instructed.

Ten minutes or so later, Nine-Fingers and Liu Chuanshu arrived hastily on bicycles.

"Boss, you're here?"

Song Yingge was not surprised to see Nine-Fingers bearing injuries.

However, Liu Chuanshu, the scholarly advisor, had also managed to get himself injured—that truly was a rarity.

"How are your injuries?" Song Yingge asked.

"Just superficial scratches, they'll heal in a few days," Nine-Fingers patted his chest.

"You, a frail scholar, went out to hack people up last night too?" Song Yingge teased.

"Boss, you're really looking down on people," Liu Chuanshu protested unconvinced.

"How did he perform last night?" Song Yingge turned to ask Nine-Fingers.

Nine-Fingers held back a laugh. "Before he even managed to hit anyone, he tumbled headfirst into a ditch himself."

"Every man to his trade; you should understand that principle," Song Yingge laughed heartily, mocking him mercilessly.

Liu Chuanshu's face flushed a deep crimson, unable to utter a single word in defense.

Yet in truth, both Nine-Fingers and Liu Chuanshu were deeply moved that Song Yingge hadn't asked about the spoils of victory first, but instead inquired after their injuries.

After all, in this era, human lives were cheap.

"How was the situation last night?"

"A complete and crushing victory. The men of the Shanhe Hall were left without a leader; some fled, and the rest surrendered. The three gambling dens and the one opium den now all belong to our Zhendong Hall." Nine-Fingers looked flushed with excitement.

Having drifted aimlessly through the first half of his life, last night was undoubtedly the pinnacle moment of his existence.

"Shut down the opium den. Zhendong Hall is strictly forbidden from touching narcotics. Anyone who violates this will face the gang laws," Song Yingge said coldly.

"Don't worry, Boss. Opium destroys people utterly; I know how lethal it is," Nine-Fingers quickly declared his stance.

"In addition, waste no time in setting up two tea stalls at the wharf, and pick two sharp individuals to manage them. Remember, the tea stalls are not for making money, but solely for gathering intelligence."

"Understood."

"Boss, there's a matter I need to report to you," Nine-Fingers lowered his voice.

"What is it?"

"Earlier today, Jiang Shuning and her daughter came looking for me. She said that over the past two days, she felt someone was trailing them. Fearing something might happen, I kept them in the warehouse. They're right inside; would you like to see them?"

Hearing this, Song Yingge recalled that Ruyu had once mentioned Suma's intention to present Jiang Shuning and her daughter to Ma Guozheng.

Yet now that Ma Guozheng was dead, Suma still refused to give up?

Or had someone else set their sights on the fat piece of meat that was the Caimao Transport Company?

"Let's meet them."

Song Yingge had long since regarded the Caimao Transport Company as being safely within his grasp.

Perhaps this incident would serve as an opportune catalyst.

Although Jiang Shuning was nearly forty, time had left very few traces on her face; her skin remained taut and fair, retaining her mature charm.

Her daughter Chu Mansman was around sixteen or seventeen; though still somewhat green, her delicate facial features combined with the unique youthful aura of a young girl gave her quite a captivating allure.

Standing together, the mother and daughter looked far more like a pair of sisters.

Anyone who laid eyes on them would inevitably be captivated for a moment.

"We have no way to repay the immense kindness and great virtue of Officer Song."

Upon seeing Song Yingge, the mother and daughter dropped to their knees to express their gratitude.

Song Yingge reached out with a gesture to support them. "Please, rise quickly. It was merely a matter of fulfilling my duties; such a gesture is unnecessary."

"A kindness is a kindness." Jiang Shuning's voice sounded like tinkling spring water, refreshing the soul.

Song Yingge sighed helplessly. "Then I shall accept this bow."

Only then did Jiang Shuning and her daughter stand up.

"Madam Jiang, how did you discover you were being followed?" Song Yingge unobtrusively glanced at Jiang Shuning a few times; she truly was a picture of pitiful vulnerability.

"The person tracking us—I have seen him before," Jiang Shuning said.