Chapter 27: Boss Tao

Chapter 27: Boss Tao

After Cheng Qianfan left, Liu Bo came over and handed a cigarette to Big-Head Lu.

“What did Little Cheng want with you?”

Big-Head Lu accepted the cigarette and tucked it behind his ear. After looking around, he lowered his voice and said, “This Little Cheng is quite interesting. He asked me to get some American ginseng. Said he was going to visit Old Mo.”

“Little Cheng is kind-hearted.” Liu Bo nodded.

“Yeah.” Big-Head Lu curled his lip but did not say anything further.

“Greetings, Chief Qin!” Cheng Qianfan saluted and stood ramrod straight.

“Little Cheng, don’t be so restrained. Relax, relax.” Qin Detai chuckled.

“Yes, sir.”

Cheng Qianfan nevertheless remained perfectly respectful.

“Brother Gongshen and I are the closest of friends. You’re his junior, which makes you one of my juniors as well. Don’t be so nervous.” Qin Detai feigned annoyance.

“Reporting to Chief Qin.” Cheng Qianfan spoke loudly. “In private, you are a respected elder to Qianfan, and this junior may rely on your favor and behave more freely. Right now, however, I am receiving Chief Inspector Qin’s instructions. You are my respected superior, and I dare not show the slightest negligence.”

“Oh my, you stubborn mule.” Qin Detai pointed at Cheng Qianfan and laughed as he scolded him, his expression showing appreciation.

“You went to see Fang Muheng. Tell me your opinion.”

“Reporting to Chief Qin, this was my first meeting with the man as well. I shall boldly share what I gained from this encounter.”

“Hmm, go ahead.”

“In my opinion, Fang Muheng may sympathize with the Communists and may even be an active supporter on the periphery of their organization. However, the possibility that he himself is a Communist is quite low.”

“Oh? And your reasons?”

“This man possesses pride but lacks true resilience.” Cheng Qianfan carefully chose his words. “Since taking up my duties, I have personally arrested Communists. Though I despise their ignorance in being misled by twisted doctrines, I must admit that these people are extremely stubborn. Once they choose a path, they follow it to the bitter end and are nearly impossible to reform.”

“So you’re saying Fang Muheng is not like that?”

“Fang Muheng is trapped behind bars and puts on a brave face, but inwardly he is timid.” Cheng Qianfan shook his head. “Furthermore, judging from his words and actions, he is extremely immature.”

“You, you.” Qin Detai burst out laughing. “Many people praise Fang Muheng as an outstanding young talent, yet from your mouth he sounds completely worthless.”

“That is merely my shallow opinion.” Cheng Qianfan replied seriously. “Perhaps the man is exceptionally cunning and deliberately put on an act to deceive me. That is also possible.”

“Don’t belittle yourself.” Qin Detai chuckled and stepped forward to pat Cheng Qianfan on the shoulder. “Your analysis makes a lot of sense. I trust your judgment. In that case, tell your little girlfriend not to worry. Fang Muheng can be released after another two days inside. We’ll just use the time to temper his disposition a bit.”

“Chief Qin.” Cheng Qianfan hurriedly explained. “The Fang family’s young lady and I were merely childhood playmates. We have not been in contact for many years. There is no romantic involvement. In this matter I acted solely according to official duty.”

“You brat, why are you so anxious? Of course I trust your character and conduct.” Qin Detai chuckled.

Seeing that Cheng Qianfan still wanted to explain himself, he burst into laughter and waved a hand.

“Off you go.”

“Yes, sir. This subordinate takes his leave.”

Helpless, Cheng Qianfan saluted, backed out of the office, and gently closed the door behind him.

After Cheng Qianfan left, Qin Detai opened a drawer and took out a notebook with a black cover.

Many names were written inside.

After some thought, he picked up a pen and wrote beside Cheng Qianfan’s name:

No suspicion.

After considering it again, he drew a circle around it and added one more character:

Temporarily no suspicion.

Leaving the Chief Inspector’s office, Cheng Qianfan greeted colleagues along the way while feeling their envious gazes upon him.

Yet his heart was far from calm.

He was reviewing his own words and actions for possible mistakes.

When dealing with the shrewd and experienced Qin Detai, he dared not be careless in the slightest.

Cheng Qianfan did not believe that Qin Detai would accept his conclusion that Fang Muheng was not a Communist based solely on a few words.

Yet Qin Detai’s behavior gave him a certain impression.

The Chief Inspector did not seem to regard the Fang Muheng case as important at all.

Given Qin Detai’s status, if he said Fang Muheng would be released in a few days, then Fang Muheng would certainly be released.

Or perhaps Qin Detai already knew Fang Muheng’s true identity perfectly well?

However, the Political Department had conducted such a high-profile arrest operation only to arrest and then release him.

Wasn’t that a bit too much of a farce?

Furthermore, he had not seen Zhu Yuan, who had been arrested on the same day, inside the detention facility.

His visit to Fang Muheng today had also been partly motivated by his intention to meet that man again.

“Little Cheng, phone call for you.”

Holding the receiver, He Guan called out.

“Thanks.”

Cheng Qianfan took the telephone.

“This is Cheng Qianfan speaking. Who is calling?”

“Boss Tao, hello. Long time no see. Where have you been making your fortune lately?”

“How could I let Brother Tao treat me? I should be the one hosting a welcome banquet for you.”

“Brother Tao is too polite. Qianfan will graciously accept this time. It’s settled then, next time I’ll be the host.”

After hanging up, Cheng Qianfan took out a cigarette and lit one for himself, then tossed the pack to He Guan.

“What’s up?” He Guan unceremoniously stuffed the half-pack of cigarettes into his pocket. “Need my help?”

“Nothing.” Cheng Qianfan replied casually.

Then he suddenly remembered something.

“Actually, there is something I need to trouble you with.”

“Go ahead.”

“You know that case on Avenue Joffre.”

“Mm.”

“Go find out whether the paperwork for the deceased has been completed.” Cheng Qianfan said. “Once it’s done, I’ll make arrangements by phone for someone to bury him.”

“Leave it to me.” He Guan nodded, showing no suspicion whatsoever.

The Catholic Church of the French Concession had established a relief society that collected and buried unclaimed corpses.

The society had contacted the police station.

At the time, Cheng Qianfan had only recently arrived at the station and had been assigned to liaise with that unlucky duty.

As a result, he held the nominal position of vice director within the relief society.

After getting off duty, Cheng Qianfan changed into civilian clothes and went to attend the banquet hosted by Boss Tao.

Cheng Qianfan was a cautious man.

When Boss Tao had first deliberately approached him, he had already reported the matter to Comrade Zhulin.

Through Party channels, Comrade Zhulin learned that Boss Tao’s true identity was very likely an agent of the Special Service Office.

He immediately concluded that the man intended to recruit Cheng Qianfan into the Special Service Office.

His recommendation was that Cheng Qianfan should play along and maintain a superficial relationship with him.

As for whether he should take the opportunity to infiltrate the Special Service Office, Comrade Zhulin was uncertain.

Cheng Qianfan already possessed three identities:

A police constable.

Flame.

And Chenzhou.

If he were to infiltrate the Special Service Office as well, then “dangerous circumstances” would no longer be sufficient to describe the situation.

It would become a life filled with hidden dangers, like walking on thin ice.

Afterward, Boss Tao made contact with Cheng Qianfan many more times.

Following careful consideration, Comrade Zhulin concluded that this was a rare and excellent opportunity to penetrate the enemy’s ranks, and ordered Cheng Qianfan to join them when the opportunity arose.

He officially recorded the matter with the Special Branch and repeatedly warned Cheng Qianfan to be careful.

If exposure ever became likely, he was to flee immediately.

His own safety was to be the highest priority.

After that, many events occurred in rapid succession.

The Special Branch was destroyed.

Comrade Zhulin was killed.

And Boss Tao vanished for several months.

Cheng Qianfan had thought he would never have any further dealings with Boss Tao.

Yet unexpectedly, the man had suddenly returned to Shanghai and contacted him once again.