Chapter 785: Private Matters

I'm so nervous...

I'm actually a little dry mouth...

No.

I must ask clearly.

How could I attend a military meeting?

Even if I were the head of the department, I would not have such qualifications. There must be some mistake. Yes. There must be some mistake.

'Director Lin, you scared me. Do I really have to go?'

'Don't be nervous. You're far away from the commander-in-chief. You'll be sitting in the corner. He probably won't even see you.'

'In the corner?'

'Yes. Sit in the corner. With the clerk.'

'What do I have to do?'

'Take charge of security at the meeting. Make sure there are no Japanese spies nearby.'

'That's it?'

'Is it easy? No, it's not. If the content of the meeting is leaked, you'll be investigated and held responsible.'

'I can tell a Japanese spy. But I can't tell a traitor!'

'Traitors also have Japanese spies and their contacts.'

'I see.'

Zhang Yong let out a sigh of relief.

So this is what it means to 'attend' a military meeting...

Seems about right.

He did attend. With just his eyes and ears. No mouth.

Then the committee chairman gave him an additional task. Prevent the contents of the meeting from being leaked.

Shit, how much does he not trust him.

Did the committee suspect that those attending the meeting would become Japanese spies? No way.

'There were also some other staff members in attendance. They are the ones you should focus on screening,' Director Lin continued.

'I understand,' Zhang Yong replied slowly.

It was a thankless task.

It was also a task that could easily offend people.

However, there was glory. There were privileges. The key was that he could also hear confidential information.

He, Zhang Yong, was the biggest source of leaks! If military secrets were related to the Red Party...

'Could it be a trap?'

Suddenly, another thought flashed through his mind.

In some spy dramas, in order to find out whether someone has leaked secrets, they are specially invited to attend a meeting.

Everyone else knows what's going on. It's all an act. In the end, the person really does leak the secrets.

It's over...

Everyone is a master!

I dare not act recklessly. I'll fall right into the trap.

If tomorrow's military meeting is just to find out whether I'm a member of the Red Party, I must be careful.

It's best to keep it to myself.

'By the way, Director Lin, should I wear army or air force uniform...'

'Army.'

'Yes.'

Zhang Yong agreed.

He thought to himself, can't I wear air force uniform?

In the army, I'm a lieutenant! I'll barely make it to captain.

But in the air force, I'm a major. The uniforms for lieutenants and officers are completely different!

No, I'll wear air force uniform. I like handsome officers...

Director Lin hung up the phone.

Zhang Yong took the receiver. He thought for a moment, then slowly put it down.

He raised his wrist to check the time. It was already past eight in the evening. He had to hurry back and get some rest. Take a shower. I have a meeting to prepare for tomorrow.

Oh, and there's something else I need to prepare for.

What is it? It's confidential...

Early the next morning, Zhang Yong arrived at the Presidential Palace wearing the uniform of an Air Force major.

He even had an excuse ready. He said he had forgotten his army uniform, and the Air Force uniform was a temporary loan.

He went to see Director Lin first.

'Director Lin, here is the report...'

'What report?'

'A briefing on the case of the abduction of Michael Farland.'

'Huh?'

Director Lin took it with confusion.

He noticed an envelope inside the document. It was thick. He understood immediately.

This little guy. He's getting the hang of it!

However, delivering it here is too obvious. Next time, be more discreet.

He put the report down, pulled open the drawer and slid the envelope into it.

'Follow me!'

'Yes.'

Zhang Yong followed Director Lin obediently.

He was relieved. Money really was everything when you were on the side of the fruit party. Money opened the way, unimpeded.

Director Lin had even personally shown him the way.

Tsk tsk. Smug.

They passed through three guards. All were young men in black Zhongshan suits. They must all be experts.

I wonder where these guards were selected from?

Maybe I can learn a few tricks?

On second thought, forget it. I can't learn it. I can't take that kind of hardship.

Martial arts training involves winter training in the cold and summer training in the heat. With his small frame, how could he possibly endure that kind of hardship...

Entering a large conference room.

In the middle is a long conference table. It is covered with an ink-green tablecloth.

Zhang Yong's position is really in a corner. There are also three chairs next to him. I guess they are also seats for staff members.

The meeting will be recorded. The clerk is responsible for recording.

The clerk is a woman. But the map doesn't show the yellow dots. It shouldn't be the legendary her...

All three yellow dots are there. But they are distributed in different places.

'You sit here,' Director Lin instructed, "and don't move unless you need to.'

'Understood," Zhang Yong nodded. To show that he understood.

The delegate was rambling on at the top, with the advantage on my side, but you quietly sneaked off to the toilet, what a disgrace!

Sitting there...

one after the other, he watched as the others arrived.

They were all staff members.

Someone sat down next to him. But they didn't say anything.

They only brought their eyes and ears. No mouths. There was no way they could communicate in private.

Do what you're told.

Don't do what you're told not to do.

Just sit there...

Finally, a bigwig came in.

The first one to arrive seemed to be Tang Shengming's brother. The president of the Military Senate.

His seat was quite forward. Second from the left.

The second to arrive was Chen Cheng? I think it was him. The boss of the civil engineering department. Nicknamed the little chairman.

Of course, this was all in the future. For the time being, this officer Chen was not particularly famous.

The third...

The fourth...

There was no President Wang of the Executive Yuan.

Indeed, he had nothing to do with the military meetings. Not having military power was his biggest flaw.

Finally, another big shot came. Oh. It was Minister He.

I recognised him at once.

He had been in the headlines of foreign newspapers before. All the news was negative.

But the chairman of the committee did not arrive.

They sat there...

waiting.

Finally...

Director Lin came in again. He stood next to the chairman.

'The chairman has something urgent to attend to,' said Director Lin. 'This military meeting will be chaired by Minister He.'

Zhang Yong let out a silent sigh of relief.

Luckily, he didn't have to face Chiang Kai-shek directly. Otherwise, he would feel like a big shot. His tail would probably be wagging in the air.

He suddenly remembered the privileges of the leader of the country...

If I accidentally caught the attention of the Führer, would I end up on trial in Nuremberg?

He shook his head. Definitely not.

Isn't MacArthur here? MacArthur and I can cancel each other out!

If I play my cards right, I might even be a judge at the Tokyo Trials. And sentence everyone to death by hanging...

He was daydreaming.

He was in a daze.

He didn't care what Minister He said.

The main one is that it is best not to listen. If you don't hear it, you won't pay attention. If you don't pay attention, you won't leak the secret.

So miserable...

What a bird meeting.

It's even more difficult than going to school.

At school, you can do some small actions. Move your body.

Here, it's like sitting on wax!

Finally...

The meeting is over.

Zhang Yong immediately perked up. Full of energy.

But he didn't dare to be too unrestrained. After everyone else left, he walked out of the meeting room like a little wife.

Oh no...

What am I going to do at lunchtime?

Do I have to go to another meeting in the afternoon? Can I go home?

No one has told me anything!

Do I have to go back to see Director Lin?

That doesn't sound very good. I'm going to see Director Lin for such a trivial matter...

Then he suddenly saw a saviour.

A white dot with an arrow appeared. It was Song Ziyu.

Okay, let's ask her.

He happened to get in Song Ziyu's way.

Song Ziyu looked at him in surprise, 'Why are you here?'

'I was dragged here for a meeting. I've been sitting here for two hours,' Zhang Yong said angrily, "Now that the meeting's over, no one's paying any attention to me.'

'You can go to the dining hall to eat. Or you can go to the dormitory to rest," Song Ziyu said, "Director Lin told me. He's arranged a bed for you in the dormitory.'

'I'd rather not," Zhang Yong shook his head, 'I'll go eat outside by myself. I'll be free.'

'As you wish,' Song Ziyu nodded, "if it's just a general consultation, you don't need to see Director Lin all the time. Just ask the office of the personal aide.'

'I know," Zhang Yong felt like he had been given a great relief. He turned around and ran. He quickly disappeared.

Song Ziyu looked at his back and felt lost.

No. Shouldn't you invite me to dinner?

I can invite you too...

It's hard to see each other, and you...

pouted. A helpless sigh.

Sure enough, men who are in business are very busy!

'Ah...'

Zhang Yong came out from the archway under the Presidential Palace, finally feeling a great sense of relief.

Facts have proven that he is indeed not suited to office life. He would get bored and fall ill. He would rather stand guard outside than sit in the office.

Meetings and the like are the most annoying. Where is the thrill of catching a Japanese spy?

Yes, catching a Japanese spy...

'Team leader!'

Lin Nansheng came over from the side.

He is responsible for waiting here for Zhang Yong. When Zhang Yong comes out, he will notify the others.

'Gather the team.'

'Yes.'

Soon, the team gathered.

Zhang Yong waved his hand and led them off. Back to the 026 logistics base.

Well, it can be considered that. Although it has not been sorted out. Barely enough to take a break. Other facilities and equipment have not kept up.

Thinking that Jinling would fall next year, there was no point in doing any construction.

No matter how well you do, you'll just be giving it to the Japanese next year. The Japanese will use it and become accomplices. It's a waste of money.

With nothing to do, I decided to go back to the headquarters in Goose Lane to have a look.

Li Boqi wasn't there. It seemed that all the bigwigs were absent. The whole headquarters was empty.

In charge was Chen Qingquan. This guy is really a Maitreya Buddha!

As soon as he saw Zhang Yong, he immediately pulled Zhang Yong over.

'Shaolong, Shaolong, come, I want to talk to you about something. I beg you for a favour.'

'Section Chief Chen, you're too kind. You're the superior. You go ahead.'

'It's personal.'

'Okay. You go ahead. I'll do it right away.'

'Come in and talk.'

Chen Qingquan looked around.

Zhang Yong then walked in.

You can shirk work-related matters, but not personal ones.

These days, you can shirk official business if you can. But you must be proactive with personal matters. Because personal interests are at stake.

As everyone knows, public matters, whether they are handled well or badly, are not a big deal. However, personal interests cannot be compromised.

'Section Chief Chen, the bigwigs are all away, what are you worried about?'

'Shh! Keep your voice down. If there are any ears around, we'll be in trouble.'

'It's not like we're colluding with the Red Party...'

'Bah, bah, bah! Don't talk nonsense! It's me. I have a batch of medicine that's been held up at the Wusongkou dock in Shanghai.'

'How much? Where? The inspection team?'

'The postal inspection office.'

'Ah? Those bastards from Ding Meicun?'

'Exactly. It's him. Ding Meicun is a dog that bites without making a sound. This time I've been bitten.'

'Has Ding Meicun always been in Shanghai?'

'Yes. This guy is used to hiding behind the scenes. It's Li Shiqun who comes out in the open.'

'I wondered why I hadn't heard from Ding Meicun recently. It turns out he's been hiding in Shanghai. What's he doing there? The joint investigation team?'

'Of course not. He's smelled a big fish. From the Red Party.'

'What about the people from the First Division? No movement?'

'Feng Jiliang from the First Division is also there. That guy is also a silent, poisonous snake that bites at the crucial moment.'

'Thanks for the reminder.'

Zhang Yong nodded thoughtfully.

Before, he had the feeling that Feng Jiliang was not such a gentle person.

That guy knew very well how to avoid Zhang Yong. And then find an opportunity to do other things. On the contrary, Ye Wansheng was a bit more emotional.

One place...

Three places...

They all smell the scent of the Red Party?

It seems that there will be trouble in Shanghai again. Now that the Red Party is so weak, and it is being wiped out again and again...

'But my medicine bottle has nothing to do with the Red Party.'

'Ding Mo-cun...'

'They are now following the Executive Yuan. They are grabbing power everywhere!'

'Executive Yuan?'

'Yes!'

Chen Qingquan said angrily.

Zhang Yong didn't think much about it either. The backstage of the Postal Inspection Department was Wang Jingwei.

Ding Mo-cun and Li Shiqun were now working for the Wang family. It was normal for Lao Wang to want to seize power. He was also extremely power-hungry.

'When are you going back to Shanghai?'

'Me?'

'When you go back, ask for me.'

'Okay.'

Zhang Yong thought for a moment. It seemed like it was okay to go back now.

There was nothing going on here for the time being. A trip back to Shanghai would be quick. The key was Yang Lichu's plane.

Right. Find Yang Lichu.

If there was a plane shuttling between Jinling and Shanghai, he could just squeeze in.

The flight only takes about an hour. It's much faster than the train. It really is a quick trip.

The only problem is that Junjiro Koiso can't be detained at the headquarters on Jie'e Lane. The same goes for the other Japanese spies.

But for the time being, it's not impossible to detain them in that deserted compound...

They chat for a while. Zhang Yong says goodbye. However, he goes to find a phone. He calls the Air Supply Department.

Yang Lichu was not in Jinling. She was in Shanghai. So he looked for Zhang Ping. Zhang Ping was there. He took the call. Explained the situation.

Zhang Ping was also very quick to respond, saying, 'There must be transport aircraft. We have several flights every day between Shanghai and Jinling. Come over. I'll arrange it.'

'Good. Thanks,' Zhang Yong was full of joy.

It's good to have contacts everywhere!

Zhang Ping and Yang Lichu can take care of the plane.

In the future, when girls like Shen Ming, Zhang Rong and Cheng Yin are promoted to major and lieutenant colonel, they will also have certain privileges.

Zhang Yong needs an airplane or something. They can all provide information.

It's not too beautiful to hitch a ride.

Arrange the immediate task at hand.

Three small teams remain in Jinling. There is another team in Shanghai.

Their main task is to build the 026 logistics warehouse in Jinling.

There is enough money. All that remains is to work.

There is no problem.

They were all young men.

As for Huang Benkuan, he naturally went back to the police headquarters first.

Then Zhang Yong went to the air force base.

The security level at the air force base had been raised considerably. He reported his identity. His documents were checked. He was allowed to enter.

Soon afterwards, Zhang Ping came out and said to Zhang Yong, 'Wait an hour. In an hour, a formation will take off.'

'How many aircraft make up a formation?' Zhang Yong was a bit curious.

He was not familiar with the formation of the Nationalist government's air force.

Foreign forces, mainly the US Air Force, seem to fly in pairs. Six planes make up a formation.

However, Zhang Yong was not sure how the formations were formed. And he didn't need to care. That was something professionals should worry about. He was just along for the ride.

'Six,' Zhang Ping replied, "let's go to my office and have a chat.'

'Okay," Zhang Yong knew there was something up.

They went to Zhang Ping's office.

Zhang Ping seemed to be looking around deliberately or unintentionally.

Zhang Yong knew there was something personal.

'Shaolong...'

'Director Zhang, I'm going back to Shanghai this time to help a friend with some personal matters. If you trust me...'

'That would be great. I also have some personal matters that I'd like to trouble you with.'

'Tell me. I'll do my best.'

'I have a batch of medicine. It's been held up at the Wusongkou dock...'

'Wait. My friend also has a batch of medicine that's been held up at the Wusongkou dock. What's going on? Who's making such a big deal about it?'

'Your friend's shipment was also medicine? It was also held up at the Wusongkou Wharf?'

'Yes. I'm going back there now. I'll go to the wharf and help him sort it out...'

'Damn that son of a bitch!'

Zhang Ping suddenly slapped his thigh. He and Zhang Yong quickly found common ground.

It was no longer just a purely professional relationship. They had a mutual interest.

'I remember the head of the inspection team over there was called Yuan Zheng...'

'Not anymore. He was just replaced. A guy named Wang took over.'

'The Executive Yuan?'

'Yes. He's from there. Shit. The new guy's got a lot of fire in him. He seized all our goods.'

'No one told me the head of inspection had been replaced. Who did it?'

'I don't know. It happened last night. Last night Wang and his men raided the warehouse and sealed it off.'

'I remember that the head of the inspection team originally belonged to the garrison headquarters...'

'This is not an incident in the south. The Commissioner is busy. President Wang took the opportunity to extend his hand!'

'I understand.'

Zhang Yong nodded thoughtfully.

As soon as the other party said it, he immediately understood. President Wang is also a smart man!

While Chiang Kai-shek was targeted by Guangdong and Guangxi, President Wang secretly reached out for power. Chiang Kai-shek had to endure it in order to stabilise the rear.

Of course, for such a trivial matter, it is unlikely that the Chief Executive would personally intervene, and it would be more likely for someone like the head of the inspection team to be replaced. Most likely, it would be someone else from the Wang family. Or perhaps it would be Wang's wife. Or Wang Jichang. The head of the inspection team was replaced. Then a large amount of contraband was seized, obviously to reap a wave of benefits.

Anyway, this Wang family has quite an appetite! And they are not lacking in ambition either!

This wave has directly offended so many people. It is obvious that they are going all out.

I guess it won't be easy for him, Zhang Yong, to deal with the situation when he goes back. The other party may not give him, Zhang Yong, any face.

But that's fine. Apart from arresting Japanese spies, Zhang Yong is now best at internal fighting. The other party is a team leader, roughly the same rank as him.

Since they are roughly the same rank, Zhang Yong doesn't have any strategies. Just go straight for the jugular.

If they don't submit, beat them up. Find an excuse and arrest them directly. Just bury the other party alive.

No psychological burden.

We're all bad people.

Burying the other guy is like ridding the world of a pest. Haha.

'Please.'

'Don't worry. I also have a pharmaceutical business. It has to go through the Wusongkou dock.'

'That's good.'

Zhang Ping was completely at ease.

They were all in the same business. Everyone was looking for an opportunity to make a little money.

When something like this happened, naturally they were united in their hatred and joined forces. No, they were united against the outside world...

Time's up.

The plane is ready.

Zhang Yong immediately took his leave. He boarded the plane. And it took off.