Chapter 112: Returning to Shanghai

“Loyal to the Leader, loyal to the Party and the nation!”

Cheng Qianfan saluted and shouted loudly.

Yu Ping’an personally pinned the rank insignia onto Cheng Qianfan. Looking at the spirited young captain, a smile appeared on his face.

“Qianfan, the Director originally intended to come to Hangzhou personally to confer your rank and commend your achievements. Unfortunately, urgent matters arose, so he specifically asked me to convey his congratulations.”

“The Director’s kindness has moved me to the depths of my heart.”

Cheng Qianfan immediately rendered another military salute.

Of course, he understood inwardly that this was merely a casual remark. Dai Chunfeng was overwhelmed with official duties and naturally could not make a special trip to Hangzhou just to confer the rank of captain on someone.

However, for Dai Chunfeng to casually mention him at all was already quite extraordinary.

Moreover, this was a formally commissioned captain’s rank, and Cheng Qianfan knew a little about how difficult such a promotion was.

Naturally, he had to appear deeply grateful.

“This rank-conferral ceremony is rather simple. You’ve been slighted somewhat.”

Yu Ping’an patted Cheng Qianfan on the shoulder.

“Still, having me personally confer the rank on you alone is no small honor.”

Cheng Qianfan smiled.

“The Director thinks too highly of me. I am unworthy of such praise. I will certainly devote myself wholeheartedly to service in order to repay the Director’s patient instruction and guidance.”

A gratified smile appeared on Yu Ping’an’s face.

“You are still young and have a bright future ahead of you. You are a good child. As your teacher, I find this deeply gratifying.”

“The teacher’s affection and care will remain engraved in this student’s heart.”

Cheng Qianfan’s eyes grew moist.

Looking at the captain’s insignia on the young man’s uniform, Yu Ping’an smiled.

“A formally commissioned captain at twenty-one years of age. Your future is limitless.”

Cheng Qianfan’s captain’s rank was a formally commissioned military rank officially registered and approved by the military personnel authorities. A formally commissioned captain at twenty-one years old was extremely rare.

Even among battalion commanders in the Central Army of the National Revolutionary Army, whose duty rank was that of major, many still held formally commissioned ranks of captain or even merely first lieutenant.

Thus, even Yu Ping’an could not help sighing at the phrase “a formally commissioned captain at twenty-one.”

The Director truly took exceptional care of his fellow native from Jiangshan.

Yes, in principle, successfully capturing Kawada Eikichi constituted a major achievement, and promotion from second lieutenant to captain was justified.

However, at only twenty-one years of age, Cheng Qianfan’s seniority was obviously insufficient. Obtaining an official promotion order to captain from the personnel authorities should have been impossible.

Merit alone was not enough. One also needed a powerful patron before what should belong to you would actually become yours.

Clearly, Cheng Qianfan’s official promotion from second lieutenant to captain bore the influence of Dai Chunfeng behind the scenes.

“I have already reported your work assignment to the Director, and his reply has approved it.”

Seeing Cheng Qianfan so moved, Yu Ping’an felt quite gratified.

“When you return to Shanghai this time, you will independently lead an undercover group and report directly to me.”

“As for Song Fuguo, contact between the two of you is permitted, and intelligence may be shared according to circumstances. However, Song Fuguo holds no authority over you. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, sir, I understand.”

Cheng Qianfan smiled.

“With the Director personally leading me, I can feel at ease.”

“I will send orders to Song Fuguo. Your identity will be classified as top secret. Apart from Song Fuguo, no one else in the Shanghai District will know your identity.”

Yu Ping’an glanced at Cheng Qianfan.

“Shanghai is the front line in the war against the enemy, surrounded by wolves on all sides. This is also the greatest protection we can provide you.”

“I understand.”

Cheng Qianfan nodded forcefully.

“Thank you, Director.”

“There is one piece of news you should know.”

Yu Ping’an spoke softly.

“The Director personally issued the order. In Manchukuo, Imai Futoshi has already been successfully executed.”

Cheng Qianfan was slightly stunned.

He truly had not expected that Dai Chunfeng had already issued the order and successfully had Imai Futoshi executed.

Could it be that Dai Chunfeng had not yet abandoned the idea of having him impersonate Miyazaki Kentaro?

Yu Ping’an patted Cheng Qianfan on the shoulder.

“I have discussed the identity of Miyazaki Kentaro with the Director. That identity contains too many flaws. I will not allow you to undertake such a risky operation.”

“The Director’s kindness leaves me deeply grateful.”

Cheng Qianfan said emotionally.

“As a soldier of the Party and the nation, I should spare no concern for myself. If called upon, I would not hesitate even if it meant ten thousand deaths.”

“You will take tonight’s train and return to Shanghai overnight.”

Yu Ping’an nodded.

“You must remember this. Be careful in all things. Only by protecting yourself can you best serve the Party, the nation, and the Leader.”

“Director...”

Cheng Qianfan’s voice choked with emotion.

“Go.”

Yu Ping’an waved his hand.

“I shall await news of your next great achievement.”

Cheng Qianfan bowed deeply, tears glistening in his eyes.

“After today’s parting, who knows when we shall meet again. Director, please take care of your health. This student bids you farewell.”

“Go.”

Yu Ping’an helped straighten Cheng Qianfan’s uniform.

“A fine man should not indulge in sentimental displays.”

Watching Cheng Qianfan’s departing figure, even the iron-hearted Yu Ping’an felt a trace of melancholy. He himself could only shake his head.

Given his usual composure and scheming nature, he now felt the sorrow of an elder watching a junior depart on a long journey, even a hint of reluctance to part.

The feeling left Yu Ping’an somewhat unaccustomed.

He shook his head and cursed softly.

“You little brat.”

Huansha Lane.

In a dilapidated small courtyard near the Huansha River.

“Old Ma, after considerable discussion, the organization has decided that for your safety, you must leave Hangzhou. The organization has arranged for you to work in Shanghai.”

Fang Jinghua spoke with a solemn expression.

Old Ma appeared to be around forty years old. Wearing a worn long gown, he looked somewhat dejected. Before him sat a pot of wine and a small plate of fennel beans.

“Any news of Mengyun?”

Old Ma took a small sip of wine and asked in a hoarse voice.

“No.”

Fang Jinghua’s expression also became sorrowful.

“The comrades searched along the riverbank for two months and still found no trace of Comrade Xu Mengyun.”

Xu Mengyun was Old Ma’s wife, a strong, kind, and courageous fighter for the Red cause.

Two months earlier, Xu Mengyun had been carrying an important piece of military intelligence to the guerrilla forces in southern Zhejiang when she was intercepted by a local security regiment. To prevent the intelligence from being exposed, Xu Mengyun unhesitatingly jumped into the Qiantang River.

The organization had searched extensively and found no news of Xu Mengyun. Most likely, the outcome had been grim.

To conceal the circumstances of Xu Mengyun’s sudden disappearance, the organization had been forced to stage a play. A female comrade had been arranged to impersonate Old Ma’s wife late at night.

Old Ma, supposedly having gambled away all his money, staggered home drunk and quarreled with the female comrade, threatening to force Xu Mengyun to go out and entertain clients for money.

“Xu Mengyun” tearfully left the house and pretended to throw herself into the river.

Old Ma and Xu Mengyun had been a loving couple.

They were childhood sweethearts, classmates for many years, and kindred spirits.

They were both revolutionary comrades and revolutionary partners.

They had survived the April 12 Incident and escaped the great anti-Communist dragnet in Shanghai several years earlier. Through all those years of hardship and danger, they had advanced side by side.

After Xu Mengyun’s accident, Old Ma’s spirit had nearly collapsed completely.

In truth, everyone knew that Comrade Xu Mengyun had most likely already made the ultimate sacrifice.

Yet Old Ma simply could not accept it.

As long as he had not seen his wife’s remains, she must still be alive somewhere, waiting for him.

“I’m not going.”

“Old Ma, this is the organization’s decision!”

Fang Jinghua said sternly.

Old Ma fell silent.

“Comrade Butterfly Flower, please obey the organization’s decision.”

Fang Jinghua said angrily.

Old Ma picked up his chopsticks and grasped a fennel bean.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Finally he managed to pick it up.

His hand was trembling. Before he could bring the bean to his mouth, it fell.

He bent down, picked up the bean, and placed it into his mouth. His clouded eyes reddened.

In the past, whenever this happened, Mengyun would tap his hand with her chopsticks, then pick up the fallen bean and eat it herself.

“Fine. I’ll go.”

Ma Xiwen raised his head, his eyes fixed firmly on Fang Jinghua.

“Old Fang, if there is any news of Mengyun, you must let me know.”

As he spoke, the man in his forties covered his face and began to sob.

“At the very least, I need to know whether she’s alive or dead!”