Chapter 131: Deputy Director

Chapter 131

Bai Zeshao went to the Secret Service Bureau in a rickshaw, as usual.

This time, he made a point of keeping an eye out for anyone following him. Unfortunately, he noticed nothing all the way to the bureau entrance. Bai Zeshao, however, was not concerned.

Since his pursuer had been tracking him, there had to be a purpose behind it. Such a person would never give up so easily.

Perhaps because he had discovered the other man the day before, the tail had not appeared today.

Everything proceeded with its usual calm. Time passed, and before long it was afternoon, when a sudden piece of news sent the entire bureau into an uproar.

The reason was that Qian Yihai, head of the General Affairs Section, had been appointed deputy director of the Secret Service Bureau.

The official responsible for announcing the appointment had barely left the bureau before the news had spread from top to bottom.

For a moment, everyone was astonished by Qian Yihai’s sudden rise. More than that, however, their attention turned to Wu Zhengke and Liu Peiru.

Previously, the two men had been the strongest candidates for the position of deputy director. There had originally been another contender as well—Li Hongwei of the Communications Section—but he had been executed for his ties to the Communist Party.

Thus, everyone had assumed that the position would go to either Liu or Wu. In the end, though, Fatty Qian had successfully risen to the top.

Reality and speculation were often worlds apart.

Bai Zeshao was likewise stunned when he heard the news. As it happened, Wu Zhengke sent someone to summon him to a meeting at that very moment.

He was somewhat puzzled by the timing, but he nevertheless headed toward Wu Zhengke’s office.

Just as he reached the third floor, he saw that the door to Qian Yihai’s office stood wide open, with several people inside moving furniture.

Qian Yihai’s office was directly before Wu Zhengke’s, so as Bai Zeshao passed by, he instinctively glanced inside.

The original nameplate identifying the section chief had already been replaced with one bearing the title of deputy director. It was impossible not to marvel at the power of authority.

In the past, replacing a nameplate like that would certainly have taken three to five days. Yet only a few minutes had passed since Qian Yihai’s appointment had been announced, and the office was already being rearranged.

“Quickly, you few—carry those old desks and chairs out. And there’s a proper way to arrange the flowers. You—”

At that moment, a clatter of voices came from inside the room. Bai Zeshao paused, then stepped forward with a broad smile.

“Marshal Qin, hard at work?”

“What do you think?”

When Qin Shuai saw that it was Bai Zeshao, he temporarily stopped what he was doing and came over, handing Bai a cigarette as he did so.

“Looks like you’re about to rise in the world. Don’t tell me you’ll be taking over Director Qian’s old position?” Bai Zeshao joked.

“Little Bai, you can’t make careless jokes like that. If someone with ulterior motives hears and spreads it around, I’ll be finished.”

Qin Shuai glanced at the others nearby and only continued after he had breathed a sigh of relief.

“Although Director Qian has been promoted, he’ll still retain his post as head of the General Affairs Section.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I’m giving you inside information.”

Qin Shuai spoke with absolute conviction.

“In that case, your future looks just as bright. I know Director Qian thinks highly of you,” Bai Zeshao said with a smile.

It was hardly flattery. Everyone in the bureau knew how much Qian Yihai valued Qin Shuai. In the General Affairs Section, all sorts of matters were entrusted to this young man.

And Qin Shuai had not disappointed him. Though young, he handled affairs with remarkable maturity and experience.

“Haha, I still can’t compare with you and Xiaobing. The two of you actually hold official ranks,” Qin Shuai said modestly.

“Those are merely nominal posts. How could they compare with the benefits of your position? All right, enough of that. We’ll have a drink together when we get the chance. I still have to go to our captain’s office. I’ll be off.”

With that, Bai Zeshao left Qian Yihai’s office.

“All right,” Qin Shuai replied. After watching Bai leave, he turned back and resumed his work.

When Bai Zeshao arrived at Wu Zhengke’s office, Wu spoke before he could say anything.

“Little Bai, have a seat. We’ll talk once Ye Mao arrives.”

“Understood.”

Bai Zeshao sat down on the sofa, then cautiously glanced toward Wu Zhengke behind the desk.

“You want to look at something, then look openly. Why sneak around? What, have flowers grown on my face?”

Wu Zhengke spoke without raising his head.

“No,” Bai Zeshao said with an awkward smile, sounding somewhat unnatural.

Wu Zhengke said nothing more and lowered his head to continue working. Bai Zeshao remained silent as well and did not look at him again.

The office was quiet. Before long, Ye Mao arrived.

Wu Zhengke put down the documents in his hands and looked at Bai Zeshao and Ye Mao.

“You both know that Fatty Qian has been promoted, I assume?”

Bai Zeshao and Ye Mao exchanged a glance. Neither said anything; they merely nodded.

“There’s no need to be so cautious. I may have lost the position, but Liu Peiru didn’t get it either, did he?” Wu Zhengke said with a smile.

Although he spoke lightly, Bai Zeshao could still see the resentment and frustration buried deep in his eyes.

“All right, enough about that. Let’s discuss why I called you here today.”

Wu Zhengke changed the subject.

“I want to talk about Second Squad. Tian Yaopeng is gone, and we can’t leave the squad without a leader indefinitely.”

“Then what do you intend to do, Captain?” Bai Zeshao asked, following his lead.

“Second Squad has suffered one setback after another. Neither Gao Debiao nor Tian Yaopeng managed to do any good, and because of them, the squad’s morale has become unsettled. Therefore, I’ve decided to personally take over as its leader.”

Wu Zhengke spoke slowly.

When he finished, he looked at Bai Zeshao and Ye Mao.

“What do you two think?”

“Nothing to say. We will follow your decision without question,” Bai Zeshao and Ye Mao replied.

They were not fools. Wu Zhengke had clearly already made up his mind, so naturally they would not oppose him.

Besides, although he had phrased it as asking for their opinions, he was actually merely informing them.

“Good. Since that’s settled, it’s decided.”

Wu Zhengke nodded, then turned to Bai Zeshao.

“Little Bai, do you have any leads on Tian Yaopeng’s whereabouts?”

“None.”

Bai Zeshao shook his head with a bitter smile.

“Have you asked Liu Xiaobing? Aren’t the two of you brothers?”

Wu Zhengke’s words carried a hidden meaning.

“What exactly do you mean, Captain?”

Bai Zeshao had begun to understand, but he still asked tentatively.

“I mean nothing. Handle it as you see fit. In any case, the higher-ups’ attitude is clear: traitors must never be allowed to remain alive in this world.”

Wu Zhengke gave a cold laugh.

“Yes.”

Bai Zeshao’s heart tightened. Once again, he felt the iron discipline of the Secret Service Bureau.