Chapter 8, Eavesdropping on Secrets

In principle, Wang Feng has always adhered to the approach of "making big issues small and small issues resolved." This time, of course, was no exception

"Good morning, Section Chief Wang" As Wang Feng walked with his head down to the entrance of the five-story office building, a Japanese puppet police officer standing guard at the side of the gate greeted him as he passed by.

The next morning, when Liu Min woke up, after getting dressed and tidying herself up, she rubbed her somewhat sleepy eyes, yawned, and walked down the stairs with a "thud thud thud" sound.

"Good, good, good." Upon hearing the greeting from the duty day fake police officer, Wang Feng paused for a moment, waved his hand dismissively, and forced a smile as he returned the greeting.

Captain, you can rest assured. This fellow named Li Wenmo, despite being a teacher at our Shangjiang Normal School, is nothing but a coward in front of the brothers. Our team leader hasn't even had to resort to torture, and this guy has already confessed. To avoid arousing the suspicion of the Communists, we released him yesterday, allowing him to continue teaching at the normal school as before, still residing in his original teacher's apartment. However, our team leader, along with four or five brothers, is providing round-the-clock protection for his safety. Should any Communist come into contact with him, we can immediately take action and capture the Communist elements in one fell swoop. Upon seeing Zhang Mingyi, who had just been joking around, suddenly become serious, the tall and thin one quickly reported everything in detail.

Therefore, every time Wang Feng goes upstairs to his office on the fourth floor, he must pass by Zhang Mingyi's office as soon as he exits the corridor. In the past ten times, at least seven times the door to his office was locked, but this time it was not locked.

Last night, Liu Min, who had not eaten much, looked at the breakfast on the table and suddenly felt a bit hungry. So, she pulled over a chair, sat down at the table, and reached out to take a note that was placed on the table.

After having breakfast, Liu Min locked the door of the building, called a rickshaw, and hurried to the Shangjiang Normal School where he was studying

Standing in front of Zhang Mingyi's desk, the action team member who was being reprimanded naturally understood the situation. However, even so, after listening to Zhang Mingyi's exaggerated remarks, they couldn't help but flatter him in unison, saying: "What the captain says is true. With your capabilities, Captain, of course you can enter the Japanese brothel. Hehe, if the Japanese women in that brothel saw our dashing Captain, they would surely be crying and begging you to sleep with them."

When she stood still in the living room on the first floor and glanced around, she noticed that Wang Feng, who had been sleeping on the sofa in the living room last night, was nowhere to be found. He had not slept well due to the nightmares he had been having, and she, already feeling somewhat disoriented, immediately widened her eyes, her mind becoming highly alert.

Wang Feng, who has not been at work for four days, feels that since he has been discharged from the hospital today, he should hurry back to the office. Otherwise, if Zhang Mingyi cannot find him, it is highly likely that Zhang, who is already suspicious, will report to the department head. This could escalate the situation, and it may not end well for him. If Zhang cannot locate him, given that his two subordinates who were following him yesterday have already lost track, failing to return to the office will likely raise Zhang's suspicions even more. If he reports to the department head, the matter could become serious, and the outcome may not be favorable.

Alright, alright, let us get down to business. That grocery store is a secret contact point for the Communist traitor in Shangjiang City. You must ensure his safety wherever you have arranged for him to stay, and provide him with good food and drink. This Communist scoundrel still holds potential value for us in the future. A few days ago, the grocery store he mentioned was merely a contact point with his own subordinates. They in the Communist Party operate on a single-line communication basis, and we have yet to capture his superior. Once this case is resolved, we will proceed to apprehend his superior. Zhang Mingyi suddenly recalled the matter at hand and waved his hand dismissively at the two subordinates who were standing opposite him and smirking. He then put on a serious expression and earnestly instructed them.

"You, you, you two useless fools, you really make me furious." Zhang Mingyi, so angry that he didn't know what to say next, sighed repeatedly while pointing with his index finger at the two subordinates standing in front of his desk, heads bowed and trembling all over. After shaking his head, he withdrew his hand, took out a brand new pocket watch from his coat pocket, glanced at it, and then, shifting his tone, said angrily: "Oh, right, yesterday afternoon you two lost track of him. Why didn't you report it to me immediately? It's already 10:45 AM now, and you two lost him at 3 PM yesterday. It's been at least 21 hours since then. Why did it take you so long to tell me you lost him? Before I assigned you this task, I repeatedly instructed you both to report to me immediately if you encountered any situation. Do you think my words don't matter?"

However, when Liu Min glanced around the living room and saw the breakfast still steaming on the dining table just a few steps away, along with a note, it was at that moment that her tense nerves began to relax. For even without looking, she knew it was all left behind by Wang Feng, who had departed without a word.

However, just after Wang Feng took two or three steps forward, he suddenly heard the sound of Zhang Mingyi's large hand forcefully slapping the table from inside the office, which startled Wang Feng, who was ready to make a quick escape down the corridor outside the office. Immediately, he held his breath and stopped in his tracks.

Not in a hurry to rush on the road, he glanced around at the more than twenty vehicles parked in the courtyard and thought to himself: It is already 9 o'clock in the morning, and almost all the vehicles of their action team are parked in the yard. It seems that early this morning, their action team is unlikely to have any major outings.

After he finished washing up and made all the arrangements for Liu Min, he reluctantly left the room

As expected by Wang Feng, when he walked into the office building and ascended the stairs, he arrived at the corridor located on the fourth floor. Since this is a double-sided building, there are offices on both sides of the corridor, and his office is at the northern end on the left side of the corridor

"Alright, tell your team leader that they must remain vigilant and absolutely must not lose track of the person. Otherwise, I will take your lives," Zhang Mingyi said, nodding in satisfaction upon hearing this. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly raised his head and continued to ask, "By the way, have you two gathered the information and files on Section Chief Wang's fiancée, Liu Min, that I asked you to investigate?"

Back in his office, Wang Feng closed the door and sat in the chair behind his desk. Leaning back, he closed his eyes and contemplated in his mind what methods and measures he should take to quickly eliminate the traitor Li Wenmo.

Yes, yes, yes. Captain, what he said is exactly the situation. Captain, if you don't believe it, you can ask our action team leader, Zhao. He also suggested that we report this matter to you again today. The action team member, who was slightly shorter and somewhat plump compared to the tall and thin individual, continued to respond.

As it is currently deep autumn, apart from a few hours around noon and in the afternoon when the temperature is somewhat high, during other times, if one is dressed too lightly, a slight chill can still be felt. At present, Wang Feng is wearing a not overly thick bulletproof vest, which not only serves the purpose of bulletproofing but also provides warmth and cold protection.

After approximately an hour, the rickshaw puller, who was well-acquainted with the route, brought Wang Feng to his destination. Upon getting off the vehicle, Wang Feng handed some money to the rickshaw puller, who was bowing and nodding in acknowledgment, and then turned to leave, heading towards the entrance of the Special Services Division of the Shangjiang City Police Department, which was just a stone's throw away.

When Wang Feng walked out of the alley at Hepingli, he did not go far along Linjiang Road before he hailed an empty rickshaw passing by, heading towards the Special Agent Office of the Jiangsu Police Bureau located on Changjiang Road in the area occupied by the Japanese, adjacent to the French Concession.

When Liu Min looked at the note placed in front of her, she saw it read: Min'er, I have to rush back to work. Breakfast has already been prepared for you, and I hope it suits your taste. After you finish breakfast, hurry back to the Normal School for class. I will drive to pick you up after school. I have prepared five dollars for you at the bottom of the note; I wonder if it will be enough for you today. Please remember, this place is known only to the two of us, and do not speak to outsiders about what has happened in these past few days. Also, after school today, if you do not see me, please do not leave the school; you must wait for me, and we will not part until we meet. Wang Feng

The Japanese Geisha House is a brothel established by the Japanese in Huaihai Road, Shangjiang City, where it is filled with ignorant young girls who have supposedly dedicated themselves to the Greater Japanese Empire, transported directly from Japan. The Geisha House is exclusively open to military personnel serving at the Japanese Garrison Headquarters stationed in Shangjiang City, as well as Japanese nationals residing in Shangjiang City engaged in business activities. In other words, Chinese individuals are not permitted to enter and engage with the Japanese women.

Just a moment ago, Zhang Mingyi, who was in a fit of rage, suddenly heard the two of them mention that he had gone to Yixiang Garden for some fun yesterday. He thought that this matter had probably spread throughout the entire action team. If he continued to hide it, it would be completely unnecessary. Instantly, his previous imposing demeanor diminished significantly, yet he gathered his courage and pretended to be indifferent. He took a deep breath, patted his chest, and boasted, "What the hell, right? So what if I went to Yixiang Pavilion to have a good time yesterday? You all spread it around the whole team, didn't you?" He continued, "Don't even mention Yixiang Pavilion; even if it were a Japanese-run brothel, I wouldn't spend a dime and could still sleep with a few Japanese women. Do you two believe that?"

If one were to ponder deeply, Zhang Mingyi should be within his office. Wang Feng, who had just turned left at the corridor entrance and walked to the front of Zhang Mingyi's office, heard no sounds from inside and decided to quicken his pace to leave this "place of disputes" as soon as possible. As the saying goes: one should not linger in a place of disputes.

Several years ago, after Wang Feng entered the Special Affairs Department of the Shangjiang City Police Bureau, he used his identity as an agent to alter the files of Liu Laotie and his wife, as well as those of Liu Min and her family of three. To prevent the exposure of their respective identities on that day, he changed the files of the three individuals, who were originally a family, to reflect that they were completely unrelated and had no connections to one another

In other words, the proactive decision made by Wang Feng a few years ago has played a significant role at this moment. At the very least, the information and records regarding Liu Min that Zhang Mingyi has inquired about reveal no issues, thus there is naturally no need for concern

However, Zhang Mingyi, as the action team leader of the Special Affairs Department of the Shangjiang City Police Bureau, does not possess the identity and qualifications to enter the Japanese Geisha House. Furthermore, he is not familiar with any Japanese officers holding the rank of Colonel or above from the Shangjiang City Garrison Command. It can be said that he is entirely unable to enter the Japanese Geisha House and can only indulge in verbal fantasies.

Standing outside the office with his ear gently pressed against the door, Wang Feng felt that the conversation taking place inside the room had lost all significance for him after hearing this. His immediate priority now was to swiftly eliminate the traitor Li Wenmo, who was teaching at the normal school where Liu Min worked.

In fact, although Wang Feng was extremely fatigued yesterday and had only slept for about four to five hours in a dazed state, he woke up when it was still dim outside

As the captain of the action team, Zhang Mingyi, in order to facilitate work and to be able to act promptly and effectively at the first moment, has set up his office in a thirty-square-meter room located on the left side of the fourth-floor corridor entrance. The size of this office is almost comparable to that of the director's office at the end of the right side of the fifth-floor corridor

Even if you spend a large amount of money, the Japanese entertainment establishments will not break this rule. Of course, this rule is man-made, and naturally, those who set the rules can change them. For instance, Chinese individuals who are on good terms with Japanese officers of the rank of Colonel or above at the Jiangshan City Garrison Command may be allowed entry into the Japanese entertainment establishments if they receive an invitation from such an officer. For example, key officials of the Jiangshan City collaboration government, police chiefs, and heads of the secret police, when accompanied by Japanese military personnel of the rank of Colonel or above, can enter the Japanese entertainment establishments without spending a single dollar and freely choose Japanese girls they are interested in.

After placing the note by the edge of the table, Liu Min looked down and indeed saw five dollars in the spot where she had just placed the note. She quickly grabbed it and put it into the pocket of her jacket. After finishing her morning routine, she hurriedly began to eat her breakfast

Upon reaching this point, he thought to himself: If I am not mistaken, Zhang Mingyi should be waiting for my appearance in the office, eager to inquire once more about where I went yesterday afternoon and last night. After all, yesterday afternoon, I had managed to shake off two of his subordinates, and he would not easily let this matter rest.

As for Wang Feng, he left home early this morning, dressed so neatly and refreshingly, because he had not been at the office for several days. This time, he wanted to leave a brand new good impression on his colleagues. The sunglasses he wore were not meant to show off or appear cool, but rather to conceal his heavy dark circles.

"You two scoundrels, truly shameless, despicable, and vile," Zhang Mingyi said with a beaming smile, pointing at the two subordinates standing in front of his desk while scolding them. However, while he was verbally berating them, he thought to himself: although these two fellows are so filthy and contemptible, I actually like them.

"Captain, regarding the matter you instructed, how could we dare to delay it?" The short and stout man lifted the hem of his shirt on one side, took out a roll of paper from the pocket of his trousers, stepped forward, and respectfully presented it with both hands to Zhang Mingyi, flattering as he spoke.

Therefore, with a sense of reassurance and boldness, Wang Feng, after eavesdropping here, withdrew his ears, stood up straight, and cautiously stepped towards the end of the corridor to his own office

"Team, Captain, you say we are useless, then we are indeed useless. Please, calm down, do not let your anger harm your health." As soon as Zhang Mingyi, who was in a state of panic, finished speaking, the two Japanese puppet agents who had followed Wang Feng yesterday immediately echoed in unison, submissively agreeing.

After bidding farewell to the Japanese puppet policeman on duty at the entrance of the courtyard, Wang Feng feigned a relaxed demeanor and strolled leisurely into the courtyard

After a moment, Wang Feng heard Zhang Mingyi's loud and coarse voice from the office, scolding his subordinates: "You two useless fools, I asked you to follow one person, and you both managed to lose him. Moreover, his gunshot wound on his arm hasn't healed yet, making his movements somewhat inconvenient. With such an easy target, you still managed to lose him. Tell me, what the hell do I need you for? You are truly two useless idiots, useless."

Standing in front of Zhang Mingyi's desk, one of the slightly taller and slender members of the action team slowly raised his head and stammered a noncommittal response

Thus, in order to guard against being ambushed by others from the shadows, Wang Feng put on one of the bulletproof vests inside, donned a suit in gemstone blue on the outside, wore a pair of brown leather shoes, styled his hair in a neat side part that was slicked back, and stepped out wearing a pair of red sunglasses

No, no, no. Captain, my brother and I originally intended to report to you after we lost track of the person yesterday. However, we heard from Team Leader Zhao that you went to Yixiang Pavilion on Huaihai Road, and we were afraid of disturbing your enjoyment, so we did not dare to come and find you

Zhang Mingyi, whose pent-up anger had already diminished by more than half, upon hearing his two subordinates, who had not performed well, flattering him and working hard to curry favor, immediately felt his remaining anger dissipate completely.