Chapter 755: Whirlpool

The small meeting room was quiet.

Outside, the breathing of the guards could be heard.

In fact, all the guards were trying hard to control their breathing.

Something had happened. Everyone was silent.

Zhang Yong was sitting upright.

Commander Qian's face was very bad. But he wasn't angry.

However, Zhang Yong knew that the anger of some people was real, even if it was not expressed.

Alas, troubled times...

'Continue investigating.'

'Yes,'

Zhang Yong replied. Inside, he was secretly complaining.

These are all big shots. How am I supposed to investigate? I'm just a kindergarten kid, investigating a burly man who is 1.8 metres tall?

Am I tired of living?

Confused...

'Your master, Li Boqi, has returned.'

'What?'

'If you have doubts, ask him!'

'Yes!'

Zhang Yong was full of joy.

Li Boqi had actually returned? When did that happen?

Oh my god!

No one had told him!

What was he doing back? Why hadn't anyone told him?

Had he been isolated again?

Damn it...

'Go!'

'Yes.'

Zhang Yong turned around and ran.

Go ask Li Boqi. That's right.

If you have a problem, go see Li Boqi...

Suddenly, Commander Qian's voice came slowly from behind.

'Cheung Siu-lung.'

'Here!'

Cheung Yong hurriedly turned around. Attention.

I wonder what Commander Qian wants? He's not going to leave a last will and testament, is he?

President Wang shouldn't be able to get to him.

But you never know.

Wang Jingwei is quite powerful.

Although he doesn't have military power, he is the boss when it comes to party affairs.

In Wang Jingwei's presence, the Chen brothers, Chen Lifu and Chen Guofu, were actually not worth mentioning. Wang Jingwei was a big shot who could be compared to their uncle Chen Qimei. They were both juniors. If Wang Jingwei had not sided with the Japanese invaders, there would have been no chance for the Chen brothers to rise to prominence...

When two tigers fight, it is usually Commander Qian who gets hurt.

Perhaps Commander Qian is already plotting an escape route?

Oh...

Where did I get that idea?

Other people live a long time! You still have decades of life ahead of you!

"Do a good job.'

'Yes.'

'You are a lucky general.'

'Yes...'

Zhang Yong felt strange.

Lucky general? Where do I start? It felt like Conan had possessed him.

Everywhere Conan went, people died.

Everywhere he went, something happened.

This is so sad...

After leaving the garrison headquarters, he quickly called Mao Renfeng.

Li Boqi had actually returned. Without even telling me. What were they trying to do? Imprison Li Boqi? And force him to do what they wanted?

I was getting all sorts of crazy ideas.

All sorts of bad guesses. A whole bunch of them.

But then the phone rang for a long time, and Mao Renfeng still didn't answer. I got more and more anxious.

Had something really happened?

Even Mao Renfeng had stopped answering his phone?

Did I need to start preparing to run away?

Finally, someone answered the phone. But it wasn't Mao Renfeng, it was Secretary Lin.

'Secretary Lin, it's me, Zhang Yong. Is Secretary Mao not in?'

'Secretary Mao has gone to Guangzhou.'

'Oh?'

'Secretary Mao, Chief Zhou and the others have all gone to Guangzhou.'

'Oh, let me ask something. Is it true that Chief Li Boqi has returned?'

'Yes! Chief Li returned last night. He got off the train in the early hours of the morning. He's probably still asleep.'

'Ah, I see. Where is he staying?'

'The guesthouse at the headquarters.'

'What's the phone number?'

'I'll tell you.'

'Thanks!'

Zhang Yong wrote down the phone number. Then he couldn't wait to call.

Li Boqi had returned. And he didn't even tell him.

Really. Hurry up and pick up.

'Dudu...'

'Dudu...'

The phone rang for a long time.

Zhang Yong couldn't help but start to daydream again. Had Li Boqi really been placed under house arrest?

Finally, someone picked up the phone.

'Hello...'

Zhang Yong was relieved.

It was Li Boqi's voice. He would recognise it anywhere.

Hearing Li Boqi's voice instantly made him feel much better. As long as nothing had happened to Li Boqi, there would be no problem.

'Team leader, it's me. It's Zhang Yong!'

'I'm still half asleep...'

'When did you get back? Why didn't you tell me?'

'It's been less than five hours since I got off the train. I was on the move the whole way and I didn't even fall asleep just now. I finally managed to fall asleep, but you woke me up...'

'You could have told me in advance! I didn't even know you were back.'

'Do you need a wet nurse?'

'I...'

Zhang Yong was suddenly at a loss for words.

Ahhh, so angry. Really. That sarcastic tone.

But!

I'll bear it!

'I have something important to ask...'

'Not over the phone. It could be bugged.'

'I...'

Zhang Yong was once again at a loss for words.

But it was indeed inconvenient to speak on the phone. It was true that it could be overheard.

Not by outsiders, but within the Special Branch. All internal calls could be monitored. Everyone knew this, even old people. Zhang Yong knew it too.

The problem was that he didn't have a confidential phone either.

A dedicated line existed only between the headquarters on Ji'e Lane and the Commissioner's office. No such line existed between any other phones.

In some movies and TV dramas, there's always a red telephone, a secure line. I don't know if other departments have one. Anyway, the Special Branch of the Restoration Society doesn't have one for the time being. Apart from the only red telephone in the Director's office, all the others are ordinary telephones.

Then Li Boqi hung up the phone.

Zhang Yong: !@#¥%...

This old guy!

I haven't finished yet! I really have something to ask you!

If you don't give me some pointers, I'll really be screwed!

No, I must go to Jinling.

I must ask him in person.

This is very complicated. It's easy to drown in the deep waters.

Continue to make phone calls. Call the Air Travel Department and ask for Yang Lichu. He has to take a plane to Jinling. Right away.

With lightning speed, before Li Boqi wakes up, catch him. Let's see where he goes.

Finally, find Yang Lichu. Identify yourself.

'You're in such a hurry! There are other women around you...'

'I need to go to Jinling. Is there a plane?'

'Now?'

'The sooner the better.'

'Then go to Longhua Airport immediately. There happens to be a plane returning.'

'Okay.'

Zhang Yong hung up the phone.

He led the team and hurried back to Longhua Airport.

Sure enough, a transport plane was already waiting. The ground crew was actually a yellow dot, preparing to withdraw from the field.

Zhang Yong casually took out a handful of fiat currency and slipped it into the ground crew's hands.

You're welcome. It's a gift for your organisation.

Hurry up and board the plane.

The transport plane is very cramped. You can only huddle up.

The pilot is someone Zhang Yong knows. His name is Gu Hansong. He is also a disciple taught by Gao Yuanhang.

However, Gu Hansong's skills seem not as good as Chen Shanben's. He is just average. A bit like Kong Jie. They are both honest people. They dutifully carry out the orders of their superiors. They never break the rules. And they are never punished.

Take-off.

The plane gradually accelerates.

Zhang Yong closes his eyes to rest.

Fortunately, there is no strong reaction this time.

Vaguely, he understands that the reason he felt sick last time may be because Chen Shanben flew too erratically.

Look at Gu Hansong, he flies very, very steadily...

Arrive at Jinling Airport without incident.

Disembark.

Yang Lichu is already waiting at the airport.

Seeing how anxious he is, Yang Lichu can't help but ask, 'What's so urgent?'

'It's urgent!' Zhang Yong didn't elaborate and ran off.

Yang Lichu was about to speak, but then stopped. What an asshole!

He didn't even have time to say anything.

What did the secret service do this time? It made Zhang Yong so anxious.

Dai Li is dead?

He's so panicked!

Zhang Yong hurried back to the headquarters on Goose Lane to find Li Boqi. As it happened, Li Boqi had just got up.

Seeing Zhang Yong barging in, Li Boqi's eyes widened.

'You...'

'Team leader, it's me, Zhang Yong!'

'You...'

'I came by plane.'

'What is it you want? Couldn't you have said it over the phone?'

'You said it yourself, it's not convenient to talk over the phone. Someone might be listening in.'

'Then you didn't need to...'

'Team leader, listen to me!'

Without waiting for Li Boqi to speak, Zhang Yong rattled off everything that had happened.

He talked about the Japanese spy, Cui Jianwei, and the Songhu Operation Plan. He told him everything.

Li Boqi had to make a decision. He was really overwhelmed.

Wang Jingwei was involved!

Judging from Commander Qian's reaction, this was definitely going to be a major storm!

"Is the person dead?'

'I did it myself. He's dead.'

'Then what are you worried about?'

'It's not that...'

Zhang Yong hesitated.

He wanted to say, actually, I'm not worried.

But in the end, he kept quiet. There was no point in lying to himself. He was worried.

He felt like he was being drawn into an abyss. He wanted to struggle to get out, but he was unable to. The abyss had already bound him.

'Continue the investigation!'

'But, what if the investigation leads to President Wang...'

'Do you think President Wang is a three-year-old child? How could it possibly lead to him? At most, they will catch a few proxies.'

'Then...'

'Get rid of the agents. Take the money and goods. Don't hand them in.'

'But...'

'No buts. You have no way out.'

'I...'

'Either you quit now and go to northern Shaanxi, or you stay here and face the consequences.'

'I...'

Zhang Yong was shocked.

Go to northern Shaanxi? You're telling me to go to northern Shaanxi?

Then he reacted. The map showed that Li Boqi was not a yellow dot!

Huh?

Is he really not from that area?

Look at the map again. Indeed. The map shows a white dot. Not a yellow dot.

And there are no yellow dots nearby either. In other words, at this very moment, there is no hidden underground party at the headquarters of Ji'e Lane.

A bit disappointed...

There is not even an undercover at the headquarters of Ji'e Lane?

No red dots.

No yellow dots.

This means there are no Japanese spies and no underground party.

I also wonder when the situation in film and television dramas began, where there are undercover agents and underground parties everywhere?

So, the question is, since Li Boqi is not a member of the Red Party, is he not afraid of being caught again for speaking so recklessly?

Then another very frightening question occurred to him:

Could it be that Li Boqi is fishing?

Could it be that he is deliberately encouraging himself to join the Red Party?

Headache...

So complicated...

I can never tell what Li Boqi's motives are.

'Scared?'

'Yes...'

Zhang Yong admitted honestly.

It's okay. He doesn't care about face. He was indeed a little scared!

Originally, he just wanted to make a little money and live a little, but who knew that he would accidentally get caught up in such a big mess.

'Where's your informant?'

'Huh?'

'Where's your safe house?'

'Huh?'

'That's what you get!'

'I...'

Zhang Yong was stumped again.

No. Don't mention the kettle when you don't want to boil the pot, okay?

Although I did not make any effort to develop informants or work hard to set up a safe house, I, I, I...

have nothing to say.

Now I finally understand the importance of the cunning rabbit's 30 burrows.

If he has a way out in any place, he actually has nothing to fear.

A man who dies will rise again, and a man who does not die will live forever.

As long as he does not die a violent death on the spot, he will still have a chance to rise again.

'Get out.'

'What?'

'If you can't do your job properly, don't bother me.'

'Team leader, what are you doing back here?'

'I've come back to temporarily head up the headquarters.'

'What?'

Zhang Yong was overjoyed.

Head up the headquarters?

No, he's just the station manager of Tianjin Station! He's been transferred back to head up the work?

Wow, that's great.

He's been promoted and will get rich.

'Don't think too much about it. I'll only be back for two months. When the others come back, I'll have to leave again.'

'That's also a very honourable thing.'

Zhang Yong spoke with bravado.

It was true. Li Boqi had been promoted and made rich, so of course he was happy.

Although, subconsciously, he told himself that this might be a pie that the Chief had drawn for Li Boqi and himself. Trying to mend their relationship.

But in any case, Li Boqi had returned to preside over the work.

Whether or not you have officially been promoted. Anyway, in the future, when people talk about it, they must mention that Li Boqi once presided over the work of the Special Services Headquarters.

'It's a good thing you're here. Go to the telecommunications department for a bit.'

'What for?'

'You can't be attracted to one person and then change your mind!'

'I...'

Zhang Yong choked again.

He thought, you're talking about Li Jingzhi!

It seems like you deliberately arranged it yourself...

Of course, he didn't dare say it out loud.

He secretly checked the map and found that Li Jingzhi was at work, but the map still showed a white dot. Not a yellow dot. This meant that she had not officially joined the organisation.

'Ling Yan and Jiang Yiying want to see you.'

'Oh.'

Zhang Yong thought to himself, that's normal!

He himself wouldn't dare disturb Li Jingzhi lightly either! He'll have to answer for this later. Scary.

Excuse me.

He arrived at the telecommunications department.

Someone had already reported to Ling Yan.

Ling Yan walked out with her hair in disarray. She reached out her hand. She was tomboyish.

'Team Leader Zhang.'

'Team Leader Ling.'

Zhang Yong shook hands with Ling Yan.

Ling Yan's hands are very rough. Years of hard work have created them.

Practising sending telegrams every day is hard work.

Anyone who can become a section chief is no ordinary person. This Ling Yan is certainly no ordinary person. She is also a workaholic.

'Team Leader Li asked me to come and see you. He said you had something to ask me?'

'I do have something to ask you.'

'Go ahead.'

'Jiang Yiying!'

Ling Yan calls Jiang Yiying out.

Jiang Yiying is carrying a large folder. She hands it to Zhang Yong.

Behind him, Li Jingzhi followed.

Zhang Yong: ?

What's going on?

What's with the big folder?

"You take a look first.'

'Okay.'

'If you have any questions, let Jing explain it to you.'

'Jing?'

Zhang Yong was puzzled. Then he reacted, it was Li Jingzhi.

Oh, these two women. They really don't hide anything. Never mind. He doesn't hide either. After all, even the department head knows about his relationship with Li Jingzhi.

In a sense, it can be considered as protecting and promoting Li Jingzhi. Although it is not very visible.

'Jing, explain to him clearly.'

'Yes.'

Li Jingzhi answered seriously.

There was not the slightest abnormality on her face.

Zhang Yong: ...

No way? Can Ling Yan extinguish all smiles?

She has no smile. Jiang Yiying also has no smile. Now, even Li Jingzhi has no smile. But it seems that Li Jingzhi didn't smile much before.

I guess people who like to smile can't do the job in the telecommunications department. It's really, really, really boring.

Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine very's have been omitted here. Every day, you just stare at the radio. And at the code book. Most people would go crazy. I heard that the elimination rate is very high.

It's not that you're eliminated in the assessment. You eliminate yourself. It's like feeling like death is better than life.

Li Jingzhi is doing pretty well to have stuck it out. At least she's got a start.

If it were me, Zhang Yong...

just memorising thousands of codes, he might as well just die...

Sit down.

He gestures for Li Jingzhi to sit down too.

It feels like Li Jingzhi has turned into a piece of wood. He really is a little speechless.

'This is...'

'A radio station we've been tracking.'

'Tracking?'

'Yes. It transmits every night at 7pm and every day at 12pm, on the dot.'

'How long has it been going on?'

'Today is the 97th day with a record.'

'Any abnormalities?'

'The content it repeats every day is the same.'

'Tell me more?'

'It transmits the same content every night at 7pm. And at 12 noon too. Every day. But 7pm is not the same as 12 noon.'

'Have you deciphered it?'

'No.'

'Then all this...'

'These are some of the messages that were received after the target station transmitted. Some have been deciphered, some haven't.'

'Let me see...'

Zhang Yong carefully leafed through it. Then he said he couldn't understand it.

It was very fragmented information.

There was military information, economic information, and even information about how much eggs cost per pound.

If you call it intelligence, then it is indeed intelligence.

But it is ridiculous that information about how much eggs cost per pound was actually broadcast over the radio.

Was the radio really that worthless? Or were the radio operators just really bored?

He couldn't figure it out.

He simply pushed the folder away and asked, 'What is your judgment?'

'Section Chief Ling and the others have judged that this radio may have been used by the Japanese invaders to collect information. It is the main station among all the radios.'

'I don't understand.'

'It's the most important radio station.'

'Where is it located?'

'I don't know.'

'What if it's in the Japanese Consulate?'

'It's possible.'

Zhang Yong was dumbfounded.

You called me here to tell me this?

You want me to go to the Japanese Consulate and seize the radio station?

This is crazy!

You think I have nothing better to do?

You think I'm very busy?