Cheng Yi Ming couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine after seeing it.
Had he been exposed?
Just what level of authority does that mysterious person hold within our party?
Cheng Yi Ming joined the party at the age of 26, an old underground operative, his identity is classified at the highest level within the party. Yet, that mysterious person sent the message to Lu Zong Fang directly to his office!
Who is he?
Several rare names immediately flashed through Cheng Yi Ming's mind, but he quickly filtered them out.
He had no clue.
Lu Zong Fang was also in a state of anxiety. Cheng Yi Ming rubbed his nose bridge and said to Lu Zong Fang, "Go back first, I need to think this through. If it's as the mysterious person said, we'll do as he instructed. It should... be fine."
The sudden intelligence from the mysterious person had Cheng Yi Ming feeling uneasy. He needed to calm down and get a clear picture of the situation before making a decision.
What other developments could there be?
Chen Han Wen arrived at Dai Li's office. As expected, Dai Li blamed Li Hai Feng for leaking Chen Han Wen's whereabouts. Chen Han Wen saw through it but didn't expose it, quietly watching his performance.
"Don't get involved in this, I'll take care of Li Hai Feng."
Dai Li glanced at Chen Han Wen, who remained unfazed, and said, "Li Hai Feng, don't act rashly. Ming Cheng, I know your vindictive nature, but if you stir up trouble, it will be a major disruption. If the Principal finds out you're causing trouble again, I will definitely be scolded again."
"Fine, I wouldn't believe you if you weren't so convincing. Since you say you'll take care of it, you surely will."
Chen Han Wen stood with a God's eye perspective, looking down at the multitude within the Military Unification Bureau, Dai Li's tricks seemed like a clown's performance: "Anything else? If not, I'll be off."
"It's only been this long and you want to leave? You're so quick to run!"
Dai Li looked at Chen Han Wen, motioning for him to sit down: "You met with Chennault yesterday?"
"Huh?"
Chen Han Wen looked at Dai Li, replying with dissatisfaction: "You were tracking me?"
"Why would I have nothing better to do than to track you?"
Dai Li chuckled, then said to Chen Han Wen: "I heard yesterday that you slapped someone in the face at the Central Unification Bureau, so I investigated a bit. You're no ordinary fellow, you just got released by the Principal and you're already causing trouble. It's good that Chen Li Fu is afraid of you and didn't dare to complain to the Principal, otherwise, you'd be in for it."
Chen Han Wen rolled his eyes, meeting Chennault and picking up Lin Tao from the Central Unification Bureau were clearly two separate incidents. Dai Li's excuse was simply weak.
Dai Li didn't care about that. He was more interested in what Chen Han Wen and Chennault discussed: "Song Zi Wen came to you, and then you went to see Chennault. So you agreed to the conditions that Song Zi Wen offered?"
"No, that deadbeat has a good relationship with the Rockefeller family. Even with benefits, he'd leave me aside. Why would I agree to him?"
Chen Han Wen wouldn't conceal this, on the contrary, he hoped this matter would be known to as many people as possible. The current high-ranking officials in the Nationalist government were all bloodsuckers. Chen Han Wen adding fuel to the fire might lead to these people fighting amongst themselves for profit, which would then affect the military.
When the Nationalist government leaders were preoccupied with internal struggles, that would benefit Chen Han Wen more.
If Dai Li could participate in this, that would be even better.
Chen Han Wen said to Dai Li, "Chennault has good ties with DuPont and the Morgan family. I'm planning to cooperate with these two families, providing loans to the old man's treasury. I won't make a deal that loses both the girl and the army."
"You see things clearly, brother!"
Dai Li was immediately interested. He sat down and said to Chen Han Wen: "Brother, are you interested in playing a big game? The Japanese have lost the war, in the future, our Nationalist government's navy will dominate Asia. There's a limitless amount of profit for us to seize. How about we cooperate?"
"You're still eyeing the position of Navy Commander?"
Chen Han Wen scoffed and said to Dai Li: "Don't even try, you can't be the Navy Commander. You can't persuade the old man."
"I can't persuade the Principal, but you can."
Dai Li needed Chen Han Wen's help, so he was very polite to him: "Brother can persuade the American tycoons, they can persuade the Principal. Ming Cheng, my dear brother, if your elder brother secures the position of Navy Commander, would I forget your contributions?"
He was making it sound so real, but wasn't the lion's share going to you?
Dai Li needed Chen Han Wen, but Chen Han Wen didn't need Dai Li.
No matter how Dai Li painted a rosy picture, Chen Han Wen remained unmoved.
Not only did he not help, but he also advised Dai Li with earnestness: "Old Dai, you consider me a brother, and I won't beat around the bush with you. The position of Navy Commander, don't even think about it. Just stay in the Military Unification Bureau as the director. Our Bureau's power is too great. Once the Japanese lose, the old man will definitely restructure the Military Unification Bureau. By then, all these matters will make you frantic. You'll have to forget about the Navy Commander."
This was the second time Chen Han Wen said the same thing to Dai Li. The more Chen Han Wen tried to dissuade him, the more unwilling Dai Li became. After learning that Chen Han Wen wouldn't provide much help, Dai Li's enthusiasm gradually waned, and his expression turned somber:
"If that's the case, I won't say anything more. But this old brother still can't let go. Ming Cheng, I hope you can help your old brother when the time comes."
Chen Han Wen nodded: "I know what to do, just like when I persuaded you to go and pick up your wife."
But if Dai Li really became the "Cardigan Mountain," Chen Han Wen would be helpless.
No matter how powerful Chen Han Wen was, he couldn't catch a plane with his bare hands.
"...Good!"
With Chen Han Wen's promise, Dai Li seemed to return to his old self. He decided to trust Chen Han Wen unconditionally: "With those words, this old brother will dare to go all out!"
"Okay, I'm off work now."
Chen Han Wen stood up and left. He took two steps and turned back, seeing the Buddhist beads on Dai Li's desk: "These Buddhist beads are nice."
"..."
You're going to leave empty-handed, aren't you?
Dai Li rolled his eyes at Chen Han Wen, then threw the beads to him: "Take them!"
"Thank you, Director Dai!"
As soon as the beads were in his hand, a fragrant aroma filled his senses, making him feel refreshed.
Excellent stuff!
Chen Han Wen was very satisfied. He took the beads and left Dai Li's office.
As he reached the door, he saw Lu Zong Fang, who was deep in thought. He called out to him: "Old Lu, where's your little apprentice? Why isn't he with you? Has he forgotten his master after finding a wife?"
"Hello, Chief Chen."
Lu Zong Fang had been thinking about who the "mysterious person" who sent him the message was, and had no interest in chatting with Chen Han Wen. Besides, Chen Han Wen was a semi-divine figure within the Military Unification Bureau, who knows what he might spot. He found an excuse to get away from Chen Han Wen: "Chief Chen, there were some errors in my work. Now I'm worried about how to resolve them. Please don't make fun of me."
Chen Han Wen looked Lu Zong Fang up and down: "Old Lu, your brow bone is black, a sign of misfortune. How about you give me ten gold bars, and I'll simply help you resolve it."
Lu Zong Fang was startled!
Good heavens, ten gold bars. He, Lu Zong Fang, had always been poor. Most of the money he had was used for the party's activities. How could he possibly come up with ten gold bars?
Seeing the playful smile on Chen Han Wen's face, Lu Zong Fang quickly said: "No, no, no, Chief Chen, don't make fun of me. Ten gold bars could buy me many lives."
Seeing that Chen Han Wen was about to say something else, Lu Zong Fang quickly ran away: "Chief Chen, you're busy. I'm off."
With that, Lu Zong Fang ran away, not daring to interact with Chen Han Wen any further.
Chen Han Wen shrugged his shoulders. This old Lu... doesn't appreciate kindness!