Chapter 154: Deputy Inspector Cheng

“Secretary Peng, the enemy should already know my identity,” Wang Jun said with a serious expression.

“How could that be?” Peng Yu’ou was greatly alarmed. “Were they targeting you directly?”

They had followed Ah Hai, discovered his superior Wang Jun, and then begun the arrest operation.

Or else...

The enemy had already known Wang Jun’s identity and then deliberately used the surveillance of Ah Hai as a way to capture Wang Jun.

These were two completely different concepts.

If it was the former, it meant that only Ah Hai had been exposed for some unknown reason, and the enemy had not previously known of Wang Jun’s existence.

If it was the latter, then the problem was severe.

It would mean the enemy had been targeting Wang Jun from the start, and considering Wang Jun’s rank within the Shanghai Communists, it would indicate that important Party information had been leaked, or even that a high-ranking traitor had appeared within the organization.

Now, upon hearing Wang Jun say that his identity had been exposed, Peng Yu’ou immediately suspected the second possibility.

Thinking that a mole might be hiding within the organization, how could he not be shocked and anxious?

“Secretary Peng, it’s not what you’re thinking,” Wang Jun immediately said. “It was Dazhuang. He accidentally let it slip.”

“Tell me in detail.” Peng Yu’ou’s expression became more serious than ever before.

Wang Jun carefully recounted how, after they had been surrounded by the enemy, Dazhuang had panicked and shouted, “Minister Wang, we’re surrounded!”

“Although the scene was somewhat noisy, there’s a very high chance the enemy heard those words,” Wang Jun said.

“That is an extremely serious mistake.” Peng Yu’ou was furious.

Whether Wang Jun’s identity had been exposed would have a tremendous impact.

If Wang Jun’s identity had not been exposed, the enemy’s subsequent search would most likely follow normal procedures. After failing to find anything for a period of time, they would eventually be forced to stop.

However, if the enemy had learned that Wang Jun was a senior Shanghai Communist leader, they would certainly launch a long-term search effort with enormous resources.

They would never willingly let such an important Communist escape from their grasp.

“Dazhuang is a trustworthy and steadfast fighter,” Wang Jun said. “He simply lacked experience and panicked for a moment. The primary responsibility lies with me. I bear leadership responsibility.”

“I do not doubt that Dazhuang is a loyal fighter for the Red cause,” Peng Yu’ou shook his head and said. “Young comrades panicking is understandable, but a mistake is still a mistake. Comrade Dazhuang must receive severe criticism.”

“As for you, at the next Party cell meeting, you will conduct a self-criticism. The specific punishment will be determined by the Party cell after discussion and an organizational decision.”

Peng Yu’ou glanced at Wang Jun and snorted.

“Yes, I accept the organization’s punishment,” Wang Jun said.

He did not feel wronged.

He was Dazhuang’s direct superior.

Since Dazhuang had made a mistake, as the leader, he naturally bore leadership responsibility.

“You will remain at Hans’s clinic for the time being and avoid going out as much as possible. At the same time, you can help care for the three wounded comrades,” Peng Yu’ou said. “Once things quiet down, I will recommend to the organization that your work assignment be reconsidered. It is no longer suitable for you to remain in Shanghai.”

“I understand.”

Although he was extremely unwilling to leave Shanghai, the organization had transferred him there primarily to carry out work for the Anti-Japanese Relief Association.

Before that work had even properly begun, he was already being forced to leave.

He was unwilling to accept it.

Yet Wang Jun knew he had no choice.

His identity had already been exposed.

The enemy would soon learn even more about him.

One could say that, from the enemy’s perspective, he was already half-transparent.

He had to leave Shanghai.

This concerned not only his own safety, but also the safety of the organization.

There could be no carelessness.

“I need to leave now. I came here to see Hans as a patient. Once I’ve gotten my medicine, I should go. It’s not appropriate for me to stay here for an extended period,” Peng Yu’ou said. “You must be especially careful and pay attention to your safety.”

“Secretary Peng, is it safe here?” Wang Jun asked out of habit.

“Don’t worry. Hans is a highly skilled German doctor with an excellent reputation, and he knows many influential figures in the French Concession. He once performed an appendectomy on Mr. Ferguson, the Police Commissioner of the French Concession. Unless Hans’s Comintern identity is exposed, this place is very safe.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Jun nodded in relief.

There were three wounded men here.

If something happened, they would have nowhere to run.

“All quiet. Time to eat.”

Big-Head Lu stood in the corridor smoking. He took out his pocket watch and checked the time. It was lunchtime.

After lunch, the Chief Inspector and the inspectors generally allowed their subordinates about an hour of midday rest.

“Behave yourself.”

Cheng Qianfan swung his police baton and brought it crashing down on the arm of a short young man who was attempting to flee.

The fellow cried out in pain.

“Little Cheng, what’s with this kid?” Big-Head Lu reached into his pocket, then realized he had just opened that pack of cigarettes.

He withdrew his hand and instead pulled out a pack of Triple Turret cigarettes from another pocket, with only three cigarettes left inside.

Walking over, he offered one.

“A burglar,” Cheng Qianfan said, kicking the short fellow again. “You little bastard, you made me chase you through three streets.”

Seeing this, Big-Head Lu stepped forward and kicked the man several times as well, cursing nonstop.

“Kid, you’ll have quite the story to brag about later. The youngest deputy inspector in the French Concession personally arrested you.”

A third-class Chinese constable came over and took away the burglar.

“Don’t spread nonsense, Brother Lu.” Cheng Qianfan finally glanced around before lowering his voice. “The paperwork hasn’t been issued yet.”

Hearing this, Big-Head Lu thought to himself that it was exactly as he had suspected.

He had his own sources of information.

He had learned that Ma Yishou was about to be promoted to inspector, while Cheng Qianfan would take over as deputy inspector of the Third Patrol.

Big-Head Lu was a clever man.

After a little thought, he understood what the rumors from some time ago about Little Cheng becoming an inspector had really meant.

As for Cheng Qianfan becoming deputy inspector, it would be impossible to say that Big-Head Lu, a more senior constable, felt no jealousy or resentment.

However, Big-Head Lu knew how to read the situation.

Little Cheng was capable, and he had backing.

It was obvious that the higher-ups intended to promote him heavily.

Was Big-Head Lu supposed to be foolish enough to pit his arm against a thigh?

Besides, even if Little Cheng did not become deputy inspector, would the position really fall to Big-Head Lu?

Moreover, Cheng Qianfan becoming deputy inspector brought another advantage.

There had long been rumors that Little Cheng had connections and knew how to make money.

If people had not been afraid of offending Second Lieutenant Pete, deputy chief of the Political Department’s Investigation Unit, who was supposedly making money alongside him, Cheng Qianfan’s business would have attracted attention long ago.

Back then, it was difficult for everyone to ask Cheng Qianfan to share the profits.

Now that Little Cheng was becoming Deputy Inspector Cheng, could he really refuse to lead everyone else toward prosperity as well?

“I said long ago that Little Cheng would make it big sooner or later.”

Big-Head Lu then slapped his own mouth lightly.

“Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey, listen to my stupid mouth. I should be calling you Inspector Cheng.”

“Brother Lu, it’s better if you keep calling me Little Cheng,” Cheng Qianfan said.

“That won’t do.” Big-Head Lu shook his head repeatedly. “Proper etiquette must be observed.”

“It’s not appropriate yet.” Cheng Qianfan revealed a faint smile of satisfaction, one he was trying to hide but could not completely suppress. “Once the official paperwork arrives, Brother Lu can change how he addresses me.”

As he spoke, Cheng Qianfan put the cigarette into his mouth and pretended to search for a lighter.

Like a magician performing a trick, Big-Head Lu produced a lighter from his pocket.

“Qianfan, Brother Lu didn’t prepare anything. This thing is high-end merchandise, and I don’t really know how to use it. Take it. Consider it my advance congratulatory gift.”

Cheng Qianfan looked at the brand-new pure silver petrol lighter in Big-Head Lu’s hand, and his eyes lit up.

“German-made. Good stuff.”

At that very moment, outside the main entrance of the Central Police Station, Pidan was hiding behind a tree, anxiously staring toward the gate.