Chapter Ten: Confrontation

Chapter Ten: The Confrontation

Two days passed swiftly.

Early in the morning, Bai Zeshou and Liu Xiaobing were escorted by agents sent by Liu Peiru into No. 56 Nanning Road. As they entered the Special Operations Office, a meeting concerning Mr. Li was underway in the conference room.

Present at the meeting were all the key figures of the agency: Liu Peiru, Chief of Intelligence; Wu Zhengke, Chief of Operations; Qian Yihai, the rotund, bald-headed Chief of General Affairs; the taciturn Chief of Telecommunications, Li Hongwei; and, presiding over them, the head of the Special Operations Office, Director Dai.

With Wu Zhengke’s involvement, Liu Peiru’s hope of claiming all credit for the operation was dashed, so he reported the matter to Director Dai at once. However, Dai had been away on business, and only today was the meeting convened.

“Director,” Liu Peiru began, “I just apprehended Mr. Li. Originally, I wanted to wait until the investigation yielded results before reporting, to avoid alarming the enemy. Our intelligence has been leaking for some time, and we still haven’t identified the mole.” As he spoke, Liu Peiru’s gaze repeatedly swept over Wu Zhengke.

“Chief Liu, what’s that look supposed to mean? Are you implying I’m the mole?” Wu Zhengke, unwilling to bear such suspicion, retorted immediately.

“I never said that,” Liu Peiru replied, curling his lip.

“Enough. The matter of the mole ends here. I’ll personally arrange an investigation,” Director Dai interjected from his seat of authority. “Any progress on the Red Party front?”

“None yet,” Liu Peiru answered in a low voice, visibly troubled.

“Useless,” Dai cursed impatiently. “Look at our colleagues in the Party Affairs Investigation Division—the CC faction—see how they apprehend Red Party members? And you lot, all you do is squabble amongst yourselves. If you can’t get results, use harsher interrogation, severe punishment. If they still refuse to confess, take them out and shoot them.”

“Yes, Director,” Liu Peiru responded.

Observing Liu Peiru’s discomfort, the three others displayed varied reactions: Wu Zhengke looked gleeful, Qian Yihai reclined in his chair, eyes half-shut and unreadable, while Li Hongwei kept his head down, absorbed in his notebook.

“Director, there’s another matter. The leader of my Third Operations Team and one member were killed in action during this operation. I request permission to recruit replacements from outside,” Wu Zhengke suddenly proposed.

“Discuss it with Qian Yihai. That’s all—dismissed,” Director Dai said, rising and leaving the room.

Yet the four men remained. Wu Zhengke turned to Qian Yihai, “Old Qian, you heard the Director’s orders. Don’t be stingy this time.”

“Old Wu, it’s not that I’m tight-fisted. There are simply too many expenses. You need compensation for your fallen men, and recruiting new staff costs money. Where am I supposed to conjure up the funds? You should learn from the Telecommunications Division—they always have a surplus at the end of the month,” Qian Yihai replied with a broad smile.

“Old Qian, don’t drag me into this,” Li Hongwei, usually silent, spoke up.

“I don’t care—the Director gave the order; you handle it. If you can’t recruit, it’s not my fault,” Wu Zhengke pressed, knowing Qian Yihai’s character and using the Director’s authority to compel him.

Everyone knew that recruiting staff was merely a pretext—what they really sought was an opportunity to pocket some money. Take compensation for the deceased: both Qian Yihai and Wu Zhengke would skim off a portion; it was customary, an unspoken rule.

“Well then, here’s an idea,” Qian Yihai’s narrowed eyes twinkled as he spoke. “Today, two newcomers are joining our office. I don’t know how to assign them yet. Why not bring them into your team? That way, we save on costs and they’re more reliable than outsiders.”

“No,” Liu Peiru spoke up before Wu Zhengke could respond. “Those two are personally vetted by me, as per the Director’s instructions. They can’t be transferred to Operations. Besides, they’re fresh out of military academy, still novices—joining Operations is far too dangerous.”

“I suppose it’s because your nephew, Liu Xiaobing, is among them. Afraid I’ll send him out as cannon fodder, aren’t you?” Wu Zhengke remarked with a mocking tone.

“Hmph,” Liu Peiru snorted coldly.

“The Director said to evaluate some newcomers, but he didn’t specify their assignment. You heard his instructions: I’m to discuss with Qian Yihai, and he agrees, so it’s really not up to you,” Wu Zhengke said, unconcerned.

Seeing Liu Peiru about to flare up, Li Hongwei interjected, “Why not split them? Since there are two, apart from Chief Liu’s nephew, let the other join the Operations team. What do you think, Chief Qian?”

“I’m fine with anything, so long as it doesn’t cost me. Whatever works,” Qian Yihai replied, smiling broadly, his polished bald head and hefty frame making him resemble a jovial Buddha.

“Hmph,” Wu Zhengke, seeing the consensus, said nothing more, stood up, and left with a cold snort.

“Chief Li, thank you for earlier. How about dinner after work?” Liu Peiru turned to Li Hongwei.

“I appreciate the offer, Chief Liu. You know my workload—I’ll be working late tonight, so let’s skip dinner. I’ll be off now,” Li Hongwei adjusted his glasses and departed.

“Old Liu, don’t you think our Chief Li seems like a Red Party type? He doesn’t smoke or drink, never touches mahjong, and even in the dance halls, he only sips a little beer. Isn’t that the Red Party’s style?” Qian Yihai, Buddha-like, suddenly remarked.

“Ha, I wouldn’t know. Until a conclusion is reached, we’re all suspects. But I’d say your chances are lowest, Chief Qian. From what I hear, you’re never without women, cigarettes, or alcohol, and you’re a master at mahjong. Won quite a bit last night, didn’t you?” Liu Peiru responded with a cold smile.

“Just friends giving me some face, small pleasures to pass the time,” Qian Yihai replied, still smiling. “But Chief Liu, you truly are a master of intelligence—nothing escapes you.”

Liu Peiru said nothing, rising and leaving. Qian Yihai then heaved his massive bulk from the chair, humming an unknown tune, smoking as he exited the conference room.

…

Downstairs.

Bai Zeshou and Liu Xiaobing, just disembarked, were unaware their assignments had already been decided. Led by Liu Peiru’s secretary, they eagerly admired the layout of the Special Operations Office as they hurried toward Liu Peiru’s office.