pdf-ebookys Chapter 25: Promoted to Major
Chapter 25: Promoted to Major
After gathering intelligence at the eavesdropping point, Yan Shuo went to the company for a look around. The three artists, nicknamed "Wawa," were doing quite well. With songs produced by Xiao Zhi, they had attracted a group of fans and gained some recognition. It had only been a few days, so they could take it slow. Once the hype picked up, they could record an album, which would be the real game-changer for gaining widespread recognition. With enough recognition, they could easily catch the eye of the high-ranking Japanese secret agents in the Wang Jingwei regime. Then, depending on how things went, they could arrange for new "Wawa" artists to join them and create another wave of popularity.
Since he still has over 1 million emotion points, enough to create all sorts of dolls, Yan Shuo plans to stop spending recklessly and focus on creating various dolls. Creating some assassination dolls seems like a good idea. For example, he could get close to certain high-ranking officials, poison them, twist their necks, and whether they live or die, he wouldn't feel bad. Anyway, he can recover emotion points from the shock he creates. Ideally, he could kill some key high-ranking officials and make a big scene, maybe even recoup his investment in one go.
Upon arriving at the office, after the secretary reported on company matters, he took out a receiver, played the recording, and listened to the content through his Bluetooth earphones.
……
"Section Chief, the Crow Team reports that they have obtained intelligence: the De'anli mansion complex in Shangqing Temple is surrounded by a three-layered defense perimeter: the outer layer is a military police patrol post, the middle layer is a plainclothes sentry post, and the inner layer is a personal guard post; the only vehicle entrance is marked as being adjacent to Zhongshan Fourth Road, and a secret passage for personnel connects to the air-raid shelter at the rear of the mansion. The peak defense period is from 6:00 to 22:00 daily, with a shift change interval from 2:00 to 4:00 AM. This information has been jointly collected by Gu Mingyuan and Su Qing and is planned to be transmitted to Shanghai and then handed over to the Navy to provide support for precision airstrikes and assassinations."
"Yosh! Record a commendation for the Crow Squad. These Chinese should be used well; they love money. Give them plenty of money and make them pass on as much intelligence as possible!"
"Yes, Section Chief!"
……
Yan Shuo was speechless. He quickly left the office and rushed home to pass on the intelligence as soon as possible. The place to be bombed looked a lot like where the old man lived.
"What's wrong? Why are you rushing back?" Wang Xiaohong opened the door and saw Yan Shuo hurrying back. She had barely asked a question when Yan Shuo walked past her and rushed into his room. "It's important! Keep an eye on the door, I need to send a telegram!"
"Ah? Okay!" Wang Xiaohong quickly squatted down by the door, picking vegetables as usual.
Drop drop!
Yan Shuo sent a telegram, appending his intelligence source to the message: he claimed to have tapped into a secure telephone line. He had no choice but to reveal it; without a solid intelligence source, Dai Li probably wouldn't believe him. However, he also included the names of several spies, confident that Dai Li would handle them, and after interrogation, everything would be revealed.
In the communications room of the Military Intelligence Bureau, the sound of telegrams ticking echoed. The clerk on duty transcribed the encrypted code into text, and the moment he saw the content, his face turned deathly pale. He grabbed the telegram and ran frantically to the station chief's office, forgetting to even knock.
At that moment, Dai Li had just finished processing a batch of urgent intelligence and was rubbing his throbbing temples when he saw the cipher clerk's panicked appearance. His brows furrowed instantly: "What's the panic? Is the sky falling down?"
"Director! It's...it's an urgent telegram from Hongdou in Shanghai!" The telegraph operator handed over the telegram with both hands, his voice trembling.
Dai Li took the telegram, his gaze sweeping over the first few lines. His previously slightly weary eyes suddenly sharpened. When he saw the words "Shangqingsi De'anli Residence Complex," "3-layer defense perimeter," and "precision air raids and assassinations," he slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups to jump and spill tea.
"Outrageous! A bunch of traitors!" Dai Li's voice was filled with barely suppressed rage, veins throbbing on his forehead. "The Crow Squad? Gu Mingyuan and Su Qing? They dare to plot against the old man? They're tired of living!" He paced back and forth, his military boots slamming heavily on the floor, the air in the room seeming to freeze. The De'anli mansion complex was one of the old man's core bases in Chongqing. If this intelligence fell into the hands of the Japanese army, the consequences would be unimaginable. At best, the Chairman's safety would be threatened; at worst, it would shake the morale of the entire anti-Japanese rear area.
"Prepare the car immediately! Go to the official residence to see the Chairman!" Dai Li abruptly stopped and said in a deep voice, then added, "Also, summon Mao Wei to my office immediately, not a minute can be wasted!"
Half an hour later, Dai Li, dressed in a crisp military uniform, appeared at the old man's residence with a solemn expression. Upon seeing the old man, he respectfully handed him a telegram, his voice low: "Chairman, this is an urgent intelligence report just sent by Yan Shuo, a Kuomintang agent who has infiltrated Shanghai. He intercepted it while monitoring the Japanese secret telephone lines. It concerns your safety, and I dare not delay."
The old man took the telegram and carefully examined it word by word. His previously calm expression gradually darkened. He pressed his finger heavily on the words "precision air raid, assassination," and coldly snorted, "These traitors and lackeys, colluding with the Japanese invaders, attempted to harm me. They deserve to die!" He looked up at Dai Li, his eyes sharp, "Yu Nong, what's your opinion on this matter?"
"Your Excellency, I believe the Raven Squad's infiltration of the mountain city is a serious threat and must be eliminated immediately!" Dai Li replied, bowing. "I have already urgently summoned Mao Wei, the head of the Operations Division, to immediately deploy arrests. We must capture Gu Mingyuan, Su Qing, and others in one fell swoop, interrogate them to uncover all the infiltrators and intelligence networks, and never let the Japanese agents' conspiracy succeed. In addition, Yan Shuo has made a great contribution this time, intercepting crucial intelligence in time and averting a major disaster. I humbly request Your Excellency to commend him to encourage other infiltrators."
The old man nodded, his tone serious: "Granted! You are fully responsible for the arrest. It must be swift and thorough, with no leaks whatsoever. As for the reward, Yan Shuo has done a good job and deserves it! What is his current rank?"
"Reporting to the Chairman, Yan Shuoquan has been appointed as a captain and holds the position of major. He is currently undercover in Shanghai," Dai Li replied.
"Captain in the civil service, major in rank..." The old man pondered for a moment, "His merit this time is of great importance. He is hereby promoted to major in the civil service, and his rank is raised to lieutenant colonel. He is also awarded 5,000 yuan in legal tender. A commendation is to be sent by telegram, and the entire army is to be notified! Let everyone know that serving the Party and the country is rewarded for merit! Keep his cover identity a secret!"
"Yes! Your subordinate obeys!" Dai Li replied respectfully, the weight in his heart finally lifted.
Upon leaving the official residence, Dai Li immediately rushed back to the Military Intelligence Bureau, where Mao Wei was already waiting outside his office. "Director!" Mao Wei stood at attention and saluted.
Dai Li tossed the telegram to Mao Wei, his tone icy: "Read carefully! The Crow Group—Gu Mingyuan, Su Qing, Jiang Yiming, and others—are infiltrating Chongqing, colluding with Japanese agents, and plotting to assassinate the Chairman! You have three hours to mobilize all the elite forces of the Action Department and, based on the clues in this telegram, immediately carry out the arrests! Seal off Gu Mingyuan's Mingyuan Trading Company, Su Qing's Xinmin Daily, and Jiang Yiming's trading company—leave no one alive!"
"Yes! Mission accomplished!" Mao Wei's expression changed drastically after reading the telegram. He immediately accepted the order, turned around, and left quickly. Soon, the alarm of the Military Intelligence Bureau sounded, and teams of plainclothes agents quickly assembled and rushed in all directions of the mountain city.
Dai Li stood by the window, watching the busy figures below, his eyes still cold. He picked up a pen and personally drafted a commendation telegram, solemnly signing his name at the end. He then instructed his secretary: "Immediately send this commendation telegram to Yan Shuo. Also, closely monitor the progress of the arrest and interrogation; report any developments to me immediately!"
No sooner had the secretary left than Dai Li picked up the telegram sent by Yan Shuo, his gaze falling on the "secure telephone lines under surveillance" and the list of spies, a cold smile curving his lips. These lurking parasites would soon pay the price for their betrayal. And the name Yan Shuo was deeply imprinted in his mind; this young man lurking in Shanghai seemed to be a promising talent.