Chapter Ninety-One: Military Training

Chapter Ninety-One: Military Training

When Bai Zeshao arrived at the Special Service Office, he made a point of stopping by the Intelligence Section to look for Qian Huiwen, only to be told that she had gone on a business trip.

At that, Bai Zeshao could only shake his head helplessly. Qian Huiwen was no longer the same as when she had been the operations team secretary; these days she was constantly busy. After a quiet sigh, he returned to the operations team.

But he had no mind for work now, because today Mr. Li would be leaving Shanning.

Checking the time, Bai Zeshao guessed that Mr. Li had perhaps already gone. If so, then for a long stretch ahead he would be in a state of near-total contact loss with the organization.

How long that would last, he did not know, though he had already prepared himself for a lonely battle fought alone.

Yet when that moment truly arrived, he still found it hard to adjust.

It was never easy to be the vanguard left behind on the far bank. One needed not only unwavering conviction, but also a formidable heart and exceptional ability.

Before, if anything arose, he could still discuss it with Mr. Li. Now, he would have to bear everything himself.

Perhaps because the weather had turned cooler, Bai Zeshao suddenly felt a chill run through him.

He pulled his clothes tighter around himself and stared out the window in a daze, until the monkey's voice called him back to himself.

"What is it?" Bai Zeshao gathered his thoughts and turned to ask him.

"Team Leader, our boss is looking for you. He says he wants you to go over right away. He seems pretty anxious," the monkey said with a nod.

"Do you know what it is about?" Bai Zeshao frowned and asked, puzzled.

"No idea," the monkey answered, shaking his head.

"All right." Bai Zeshao finished speaking and headed straight for Wu Zhengke's office.

As for Wu Zhengke, Bai Zeshao had never been stingy. Since he had begun doing business with Sun Yanjie, a large portion of the money he earned had been sent to Wu Zhengke.

Otherwise, with so many people in the Special Service Office, how could a newcomer without backing have ever caught the attention of the upper echelons? It was all because of Wu Zhengke's recommendation.

Of course, Bai Zeshao himself had also been impressive enough to earn merit, but he knew that was only a small part of it, perhaps even the least important part.

In the end, his exceptional promotion had come down to one thing: the money had been in place. It was money that paved the way, allowing Bai Zeshao to rise at the same pace as Liu Xiaobing.

And that was the Special Service Office, and even the entire ruling party, in its present state: factions everywhere, corruption like a rising tide. Of course, though the larger climate was like this, there were still a few people who had not joined the filth.

Unfortunately, there were far too few of them.

"Report!" Before long, Bai Zeshao had reached the doorway of Wu Zhengke's office.

"Come in."

"Captain, you were looking for me? Is something urgent?" Bai Zeshao asked with a teasing grin, his manner casual.

"You brat." Wu Zhengke did not take offense at Bai Zeshao's easygoing attitude; instead, he laughed and cursed him fondly.

"I've got a good thing for you. Take a look at this." As he spoke, Wu Zhengke handed him a document from the side of his desk.

Bai Zeshao took it and read carefully. After a moment, he said, somewhat surprised, "Military training? And training the female students of Shanning Girls' School? Why would something like this be assigned to people from the Special Service Office? Shouldn't that be a job for the Garrison Command?"

"It was supposed to be the Garrison Command's business, but who told your Gemini Stars to have such a big reputation? So they came looking for me," Wu Zhengke said with a trace of mockery.

"Captain, this doesn't seem right. I think it would be better to turn it down. For people in our line of work, the last thing we need is fame. Once you become known, you're probably not far from death," Bai Zeshao said with complete seriousness.

"Not bad. It seems you haven't forgotten the most essential trait of an intelligence officer: discretion and restraint." Wu Zhengke nodded with satisfaction. Even though Bai Zeshao was now enjoying obvious favor and success, he could still remain calm, and that pleased him greatly.

"So, Captain, we should still refuse it," Bai Zeshao said with a smile, following his lead.

"You think the higher-ups didn't consider the things you've mentioned? Besides, the leadership of Shanning Girls' School went directly to the top about this matter. Even Boss Dai could not refuse them because of the face involved."

"What's more, the outside world has always had plenty of misunderstandings about how our Special Service Office works. This assignment can also serve as a powerful rebuttal. That is why Boss Dai did not think too much before agreeing," Wu Zhengke explained, shaking his head.

"Then could we send someone else?" Bai Zeshao did not want to invite trouble and asked hopefully.

"Do you think orders from above are child's play? That people can be swapped just because you say so? Besides, this time, as military training instructors, there won't be only one of you from the Special Service Office," Wu Zhengke said sternly.

"Who else?" Bai Zeshao asked instinctively.

But the moment the words left his mouth, he already had a guess, and blurted out, "Don't tell me it's Liu Xiaobing."

Wu Zhengke gave a slight smile and nodded. "You guessed right. It's the two of you. Our Special Service Office's Gemini Stars."

Bai Zeshao was not all that surprised. Hearing Wu Zhengke's firm tone, he also knew he could no longer refuse this assignment.

So he began thinking about the mission itself and asked directly, "When does it start?"

"Tomorrow. You two will report directly to Shanning Girls' School. The assignment will last about a week. But remember this: those girls are all pampered young ladies, so your training task is very simple. Put them through some basic drills, teach them a little formation work, and that will do. Just make it look convincing."

"Remember, don't be too harsh with them. If anything goes wrong, we won't be able to bear the consequences," Wu Zhengke warned repeatedly.

"I understand." Bai Zeshao nodded.

At the same time, Liu Xiaobing and his uncle Liu Peiru were also having a similar conversation.

"Xiaobing, this is a rare opportunity. I won't spell out the deeper meaning behind it. Make your own judgment," Liu Peiru said earnestly.

"I understand, Uncle," Liu Xiaobing replied with a nod.

"I heard from Lao Tian that you once suspected your old classmate Bai Zeshao?" Liu Peiru asked casually.

"Yes. But it's already been proven that he isn't the Communist I thought he was," Liu Xiaobing said a little awkwardly.

"Xiaobing, you did well. In our line of work, no one is beyond suspicion. And do you really think our own ranks are already clean?" Liu Peiru asked.

"Uncle, do you mean..." Liu Xiaobing said in great surprise.

"I don't mean anything. Just prepare yourself properly for tomorrow," Liu Peiru said, and then left, leaving Liu Xiaobing alone in a daze.