Lü Zong Fang was completely unaware of how he had been exposed. He had also thought about it over and over again, wondering if he had truly been exposed, but the final conclusion was negative.
He had been working for the Military Control Commission for ten years, day in and day out, and there was simply no opportunity for him to be exposed.
Seeing that Lü Zong Fang remained silent, Tie Lao Ban knew that Lü Zong Fang had not exposed himself. This meant that someone who knew Lü Zong Fang's identity had informed the Military Control Commission.
“There's a traitor in our ranks!”
Tie Lao Ban's tone was filled with certainty!
Lü Zong Fang had the same suspicion, and after Tie Lao Ban spoke, he did not refute it.
The possibility of a traitor was very high.
Tie Lao Ban said, "I'll report this to the superiors. Comrade Zong Fang, tell me about the mission you were assigned. Is there anything you need my help with?”
…
Chen Han Wen was very relaxed. After assigning the mission to Liu Xin Jie, Chongqing became quiet. Every day, Chen Han Wen sipped tea, slapped hands with Lin Tao, and sometimes enjoyed a drink with Zheng Jie Min or Mao Ren Feng. His days passed peacefully.
This was the tranquility before the storm, but Chen Han Wen enjoyed it. He felt like a God on high, overlooking the world.
At ten o'clock in the morning, Chen Han Wen was still at home, listening to the radio that delivered messages to him.
As usual, the numbers in Morse code appeared one after another. When Chen Han Wen finished listening to the first round of numbers, he couldn't help but furrow his brow:
Lü Zong Fang's exposure was due to a traitor within his own ranks?
Moreover, this Morse code message mentioned another piece of intelligence: the CCP in Shaanxi had learned that Dai Li had a list of 73 undercover agents. They hoped Chen Han Wen could use his methods to dig them out!
The intelligence also mentioned that they would send their own comrades to help Chen Han Wen obtain this information.
A list of 73 undercover agents… this itself was a trap!
Were the names on paper really undercover agents?
They were nothing more than cannon fodder.
The real undercover agents were only known to Dai Li, in his mind.
For example… Ying Zi.
And… Fo Kan.
Chen Han Wen now couldn't be sure how many undercover agents there were in Shaanxi.
But the most important ones were Ying Zi and Fo Kan!
Fo Kan was not a major concern. Yu Ze Cheng, who would rise in the future, would teach him the true meaning of espionage.
The real problem was Ying Zi.
The damage Ying Zi could inflict on the CCP was immense. She had worked in Shaanxi for many years. Even after the founding of the People's Republic, she continued to transmit intelligence for the KMT, causing significant damage to the CCP's construction efforts!
This person must not be allowed to live.
Of course, there was also Zheng Yao Xian.
Because Zeng Mo Yi had received orders to obtain the list of 73 undercover agents, she had indeed received a list of undercover agents. But this exposed her and led to Zheng Yao Xian being suspected.
Was Zheng Yao Xian being suspected good or bad?
Firstly, Zheng Yao Xian's abilities were undeniable, but his reputation was also great… and equally foul.
Countless CCP comrades had died at the hands of Zheng Yao Xian. The underground party in Chongqing wanted to eliminate him.
In Chen Han Wen's opinion, Zheng Yao Xian being suspected by Dai Li was not a bad thing.
After the war, he could jump out of the Military Control Commission.
This would protect both himself and the CCP's underground work in Chongqing.
Otherwise, with Zheng Yao Xian's abilities, when the war ended and the CCP and KMT clashed, he would inevitably be put to great use. In that case, Zheng Yao Xian would stain his hands with the blood of countless comrades.
If he could be made to be suspected by Dai Li and gradually marginalized, it would be a win-win situation for Zheng Yao Xian!
Besides, given Zheng Yao Xian's influence, even if he were confirmed to be a CCP member, Dai Li wouldn't dare to make a big deal about it. After all, Zheng Yao Xian had a significant influence within the Military Control Commission. Additionally, Chiang Kai-shek was currently preparing to strike against the Military Control Commission. Exposing Zheng Yao Xian as a CCP member would only bring harm to Dai Li.
How would Dai Li save face if it was revealed that Zheng Yao Xian, one of his trusted Eight Kings, a strategic intelligence expert, was actually a CCP member?
Chiang Kai-shek would likely tell Dai Li to find a corner and end himself, to prevent any further embarrassment.
How could he find a solution that would benefit both sides?
Chen Han Wen knew that Zheng Yao Xian was completely unaware of the existence of the list of 73 undercover agents in Shaanxi. Dai Li kept this information tightly under wraps. Even Wu Hao, who transmitted information to him, would not have obtained it from within the Military Control Commission.
It wasn't that this intelligence was particularly important, but because it would implicate many people. Chen Han Wen's goal was to minimize the impact on the CCP's underground organization in Chongqing.
This was a challenging task.
The first step was to make Zeng Mo Yi appear less important.
To put it simply, Zeng Mo Yi was very principled. Although Chen Han Wen was not that hostile towards the CCP, Zeng Mo Yi still couldn't stand Chen Han Wen's charming and carefree personality. Although she was respectful to him, she always kept him at arm's length.
The more Zeng Mo Yi behaved this way, the more Chen Han Wen would tease her. He often made her blush, causing her to avoid him.
It wasn't that Chen Han Wen wanted to harass her, but to provide her with a bit of camouflage. If anyone wanted to investigate Zeng Mo Yi, they would have to consider the impact it might have on Chen Han Wen, who had a reputation for protecting those he cared for.
Chen Han Wen pondered for a moment and decided to hold back for now. He would keep a close eye on Zeng Mo Yi's movements and wait for the right time to act.
Right now, the most important thing was the situation in Nanjing. Had Liu Xin Jie taken action?
The fates of Ma Kui and Lü Zong Fang were the things that deserved the most attention.
…
Liu Xin Jie had already begun to act. As a member of the Military Control Commission, he had seen Ma Kui's appearance. He found a portrait artist to paint Ma Kui's portrait and then sent people to watch train stations and ferry docks. Soon, he learned that Ma Kui had arrived in Nanjing.
Then, Liu Xin Jie kept watch outside the hotel where Lü Zong Fang was staying.
Yu Ze Cheng, who was investigating Li Hai Feng's movements in the Political Security Bureau's Telecommunications Department, had basically figured out Li Hai Feng's daily routine. He had made contact with Lü Zong Fang and agreed to meet him at noon to hand over the intelligence.
However, when he arrived outside the hotel where Lü Zong Fang was staying, he observed the surroundings from a corner, preparing to enter the hotel to meet Lü Zong Fang. Suddenly, he heard two gunshots from inside the hotel.
Yu Ze Cheng shuddered, then quickly retreated back to the corner.
Soon, Yu Ze Cheng saw a man dressed as a rickshaw puller, holding his injured arm, hurrying out. He brushed past Yu Ze Cheng.
Yu Ze Cheng didn't know who this man was.
But he saw the man's face clearly and imprinted it deep in his mind.
Yu Ze Cheng wanted to go in and check on Lü Zong Fang, but the patrolling police officers had already blown their whistles. Although Yu Ze Cheng was panicked, he was also clear-headed. Whether the gunshots were because of Lü Zong Fang or not, if he went into the hotel now, it would be disastrous for both him and Lü Zong Fang!
Leave first!
Then make a plan!
Having made up his mind, Yu Ze Cheng quickly blended into the dispersing crowd.
The sound of an explosion behind him made him pick up his pace.