Chapter 84: Summoned by Dai Chunfeng

Cheng Qianfan followed Wu Yuanfang into the room.

It was an office that was neither particularly large nor particularly small.

The furnishings were relatively simple.

A desk, bookshelves, a desk lamp, a tea table, and an ashtray.

There was a fish tank, with fish swimming back and forth inside.

What surprised Cheng Qianfan was that the ceiling fan was actually running, though not very fast.

There was also a safe.

Beside the safe stood a folding screen placed at an angle, preventing anyone from seeing what lay behind it.

A middle-aged man was seated at the desk reviewing telegrams and documents.

Cheng Qianfan immediately understood. This should be his enemy, superior, senior schoolmate, fellow townsman, homeroom teacher of the Zhejiang Police Academy Special Police Training Class, director of the Lixingshe, and director of the Special Service Office, Dai Chunfeng.

Suddenly, Dai Chunfeng gave an angry snort, frowned, set down the telegram in his hand, and closed the file folder.

“Director, Wu Yuanfang and Cheng Wufang have arrived,” Secretary Mao finally reminded him softly.

Dai Chunfeng raised his head.

“Subordinates Cheng Wufang and Wu Yuanfang reporting to the Director.”

Cheng Qianfan and Wu Yuanfang both stood at attention, saluted, and spoke loudly.

Dai Chunfeng nodded. Without looking at Wu Yuanfang, he studied Cheng Qianfan.

Handsome.

That was Dai Chunfeng’s first impression of the young man.

He could not help nodding inwardly. The soil and water of his hometown Jiangshan truly nurtured fine people.

Very spirited.

That was his second impression. The young man radiated vigor and heroism, making people feel pleased just looking at him.

No wonder he had accomplished such extraordinary feats while still only a trainee in the Special Training Class.

“Yuanfang,” Dai Chunfeng said to Wu Yuanfang.

“Director, I await your instructions.” Excitement could be heard in Wu Yuanfang’s voice.

“You may leave now.”

“...Yes, sir.”

After Wu Yuanfang left, Secretary Mao walked to the doorway and made a hand signal. Immediately, several agents took up guard positions on both sides of the corridor more than ten metres away from the office. Until Secretary Mao emerged again and gave another signal, no one was permitted to approach within that distance of the Homeroom Teacher office unless there was an emergency.

Secretary Mao then returned inside and closed the door.

He walked to a desk behind the door, sat down, and began reading documents. Throughout the entire process, he moved quietly and spoke not a word.

“The urgent intelligence you mentioned, is it related to the Kawada Eikichi case?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Last night, after returning to the inn to retrieve my luggage, I left the inn after dark.”

“Why did you go out?”

“To retrieve a firearm.”

“A firearm? Why?”

“After arriving in Hangzhou, in order to prevent being followed by Kawada Eikichi’s men and exposing flaws in my cover, I lodged at Yunlong Inn. Afterward, I went out and concealed a spare firearm I carried in a hidden location.”

“You were testing them?”

“Yes, Director.”

“And the result?”

“It appears Kawada Eikichi did not assign anyone to follow me. The firearm had not been touched.”

“Continue.”

The two exchanged questions and answers at an extremely rapid pace.

There was scarcely any opportunity to pause for breath.

Secretary Mao, who had been concentrating on his documents, looked up and revealed a trace of surprise.

“While returning after retrieving the firearm, I encountered the Japanese agent Kawada Atsuto, who had run into an alley to evade military police.”

“Kawada Atsuto?” Dai Chunfeng immediately pulled out a photograph. “Is this the man?”

The photograph had been sent over by Yu Ping’an only half an hour earlier. The Special Service Office had already determined that none of the Japanese agents killed had been the man shown in the photograph.

“Yes, sir.” Cheng Qianfan nodded.

“Continue.”

“Kawada Atsuto did not suspect the identity of Miyazaki Kentaro that I was impersonating.”

Cheng Qianfan paused briefly at this point.

“Hm?” Dai Chunfeng frowned slightly.

“I brought Kawada Atsuto back to the inn and, in the identity of the Japanese man Miyazaki Kentaro, went to the Japanese concession’s Okada residence to notify Okada to receive and rescue Kawada Atsuto.”

Bang!

Dai Chunfeng suddenly slammed the desk.

“Cheng Qianfan, this was unauthorized action. You aided the enemy and colluded with the enemy. Do you realize that I could have you arrested right now?”

“I know, Director.”

Cheng Qianfan stood at attention and answered respectfully.

“You knew, and yet you still did it?”

“Reporting to the Director.” Cheng Qianfan said, “Those actions were committed by Miyazaki Kentaro and have nothing to do with Cheng Qianfan.”

Having said that, Cheng Qianfan fell silent and fixed his gaze ahead.

Dai Chunfeng looked at the young subordinate with an unfriendly expression. His thick eyebrows furrowed slightly, and his eyes became even sharper.

At first, Cheng Qianfan managed to remain calm.

Gradually, however, he could no longer do so.

Dai Chunfeng’s gloomy gaze remained fixed on him, making him feel tremendous pressure.

Sweat began to form on the young trainee’s forehead.

He did not dare move.

The air itself seemed heavy and oppressive.

Finally, the corner of Dai Chunfeng’s mouth lifted in mockery.

“So your courage isn’t quite as great as I imagined.”

“I have courage, sir.” Sweat seeped into Cheng Qianfan’s eyes, forcing him to squint as he spoke. “I possess absolute loyalty. I am loyal to the Director and loyal to the Party and nation.”

Dai Chunfeng snorted and reprimanded him sternly.

“Do you think you’re clever? Are you secretly pleased with yourself, thinking you’ve used this Miyazaki Kentaro identity to perfection?”

“What Miyazaki Kentaro did wasn’t done by Cheng Qianfan? Should I have someone split you in half, with one side labeled Cheng Qianfan and the other labeled Miyazaki Kentaro?” Dai Chunfeng sneered.

“I would not dare.”

Cheng Qianfan’s expression was serious as he answered respectfully.

“The Miyazaki identity contains many flaws. A single telegram from Japan itself could expose me and condemn me to death.”

“You knew that and still did it?”

“If one fears death, one should not join the Special Service Office. As a proud son of China, if one dies for a worthy cause, what is there to fear?” Cheng Qianfan replied emotionally, raising his voice.

Dai Chunfeng gave the impassioned young man a long look. A flash of appreciation crossed his eyes.

“I hope you remember those words for the rest of your life.”

“Loyal to the Director, loyal to the Leader, loyal to the Party and nation, expelling the Japanese invaders, eliminating the bandit menace, and striving without end.”

Cheng Qianfan’s expression was utterly sincere, his eyes shining with passionate fervor.

“Very good!”

A smile appeared on Dai Chunfeng’s stern face.

Then his expression hardened again.

“Cheng Qianfan, trainee selected by the Special Service Office Shanghai District Special Training Class, acted without authorization and failed to seek approval. Although circumstances were urgent and his actions understandable, military discipline is ironclad and cannot be ignored. Two months’ salary shall be withheld. Do you have any objections?”

“No, sir!” Cheng Qianfan replied. “Thank you, Director.”

Cheng Qianfan knew that Dai Chunfeng was being lenient despite speaking harshly.

Whether his actions themselves had been right or wrong was not what mattered. What mattered was his superior’s attitude.

Had Dai Chunfeng truly chosen to accuse him of harboring improper intentions or colluding with the Japanese, there would have been nothing he could do.

Now, however, Dai Chunfeng had merely docked two months’ pay. That was a considerable act of leniency.

More importantly, it was a final ruling.

From this point forward, no one could use the matter against him again.

Secretary Mao came over carrying a kettle and refilled Dai Chunfeng’s teacup.

“This Kawada Atsuto, his identity isn’t simple, is it?” Dai Chunfeng asked.

Seeing Cheng Qianfan press his lips together, Dai Chunfeng snorted.

Pointing at him, he shook his head and said, “Pour this kid a cup of water. Otherwise this little fellow townsman will return to Jiangshan and tell people that I, Dai Yulin, am stingy and unwilling even to offer him a cup of tea.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Secretary Mao.”

Cheng Qianfan quickly thanked him as he accepted the cup from Secretary Mao.

Only at this moment did the heart that had been hanging in suspense finally settle somewhat.

Secretary Mao, who had maintained a blank expression all this time, now smiled and nodded in response.

Knock, knock, knock.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

Secretary Mao quickly walked to the entrance.

“Who is it?”

“Secretary Mao, urgent telegram.”

Secretary Mao opened the door and accepted the telegram.

After only a brief glance, his expression changed slightly.

Closing the door behind him, he hurried to the desk and presented it with both hands.

“Director, urgent telegram from Qingdao.”