Li Wei Gong was also a veteran of the Military Control Commission, dating back to the time of the Restoration Society. He had followed Dai Li alongside Wu Jing Zhong, Ma Han San, Yu Le Xing, and others. He was also a teacher at the Qing Pu Class, and now he was the backbone of the Military Control Commission, with most of its current members being his former students.
Qi Si Yuan's invitation for dinner wasn't meant to curry favor with Li Wei Gong. He had learned everything he knew from Li Wei Gong, and he wanted to express his gratitude in person.
However, Qi Si Yuan didn't know that this teacher, who was now devoted to serving his country, had long passed the age of youthful enthusiasm. He still spouted loud slogans, but in reality, he had become a different person.
In the evening, Qi Si Yuan hosted a dinner for Li Wei Gong, with Gu Yu Fei joining them. They talked about many old stories, and the conversation naturally turned to Xu Zhong Yi.
Li Wei Gong deliberately steered the conversation towards Xu Zhong Yi: "I heard that Zhong Yi opened a trading house. He seems to have quite a bit of influence in Chongqing. If it hadn't been for me, he wouldn't have graduated from the training program."
Mentioning Xu Zhong Yi, Qi Si Yuan's face instantly clouded over. Seeing the potential for awkward silence, Gu Yu Fei quickly interjected, "Who could argue with that? Now, Xu Ke Chang is a hot commodity in our headquarters. But he only reached his current position with the help of others. Otherwise, how could our Military Control Commission have accepted him, a student who always had to repeat the year?"
Xu Zhong Yi, the repeat-year king of the Military Control Commission's training program.
Qing Pu Class, Lin Li Class, Xi Xun Class… If Chen Han Wen hadn't used his connections to get him through, he'd probably still be stuck somewhere.
Li Wei Gong had just arrived in Chongqing and wasn't familiar with everything happening there. He only knew that Xu Zhong Yi's business was thriving. He thought he was Xu Zhong Yi's patron, but Gu Yu Fei's words implied someone else was behind it, piquing Li Wei Gong's curiosity. He asked who the real patron was.
"Our General Affairs Department's Chen Han Wen, Chen Chu Chang."
Gu Yu Fei winked at Li Wei Gong and said with a smile, "Teacher, you know Chen Chu Chang, right?"
“……”
How could Li Wei Gong not know Chen Han Wen's name?
Chen Han Wen was the man the Japanese had put a million-yuan bounty on. During the fall of Shanghai, Li Wei Gong had the honor of being under Chen Han Wen's command. He knew how ruthless Chen Han Wen was.
His methods were mysterious and unpredictable. If not for Chen Han Wen in Shanghai, the Military Control Commission's undercover agents would never have achieved such great success. Moreover, Chen Han Wen had saved Chiang Kai-shek from death on several occasions. For Xu Zhong Yi to be able to attach himself to this powerful figure was truly his good fortune.
"It's him… No wonder."
Li Wei Gong pondered for a moment before dropping the topic. He raised his wine cup and said, "Come, let's drink… Si Yuan, let's have a toast together."
"Yes, Teacher."
Qi Si Yuan's expression was quite unpleasant. After taking a drink, he slammed his wine cup on the table and said bitterly, "The Party-State is filled with villains and scoundrels nowadays. Many virtuous people are now enslaved by money. Back then, Chen Chu Chang fought fiercely in Shanghai, driving back Japanese generals and preventing them from entering the city. Such a capable individual has fallen into such a state. How unjust is the Party-State!"
“……”
Li Wei Gong's eyelids drooped.
He couldn't help but feel sorry for Chen Han Wen.
Such a formidable figure was merely a major general, a mere General Affairs Department director within the Military Control Commission. This rank didn't match Chen Han Wen's accomplishments!
But what could Li Wei Gong do?
It was fate, and he had to accept it.
Now, Li Wei Gong had no ambition. He just wanted to enjoy his retirement while he was still in power, and he didn't want to be bothered with anything else.
"Si Yuan, be careful what you say!"
Li Wei Gong gestured for Qi Si Yuan to stop complaining. "A gentleman should not rely on external factors and should adapt to the situation. I believe our Party-State will not always be like this. As long as we have the will to revitalize China, someone like Chen Chu Chang will receive the recognition he deserves."
Qi Si Yuan didn't respond, but Gu Yu Fei chimed in with a smile, "Yes, yes, Teacher is right. My brother is just too impulsive. He can't see through many things. I hope you will lead him more in the future."
……
The next day, Li Wei Gong, who had been full of hope to revitalize China the night before, went to Chen Han Wen's office to pay his respects. Upon seeing Chen Han Wen, he immediately stood at attention and saluted, "Sir, Li Wei Gong, former member of the third team, Operations Section, Shanghai Station, Military Control Commission, reporting for duty!"
Chen Han Wen knew who was coming to see him, and they shared a history of assassinating Japanese together in Shanghai. So, he warmly greeted him, "Old Li, it's you! Come, have a seat."
Then Chen Han Wen called Xu Zhong Yi and asked him to come in and pour some water.
Chen Han Wen didn't know what Li Wei Gong's intentions were, but he still made the necessary polite gestures. Looking at Li Wei Gong, he said, "Old Li, Xu Zhong Yi is also your student, right? Now he works for me. I have to say, you've raised a good talent."
Hearing Chen Han Wen's words, Li Wei Gong knew it was just polite talk. He didn't want to take credit and replied, "Oh, no, no. It's because of your guidance, Sir. Xu Zhong Yi encountering you is like a steed meeting its destined rider. If I had your discerning eye, Zhong Yi wouldn't have had to waste so many years at the training program."
He was talking about Xu Zhong Yi's repeat year, which wasn't exactly something to brag about. But it allowed Li Wei Gong to subtly attribute his own judgment of talent to Chen Han Wen.
Before they could chat much longer, Xu Zhong Yi, who had been preparing to pour water, pushed the door open and entered, "Chu Chang, the water is ready."
Then Xu Zhong Yi, with a serious expression, called out "Teacher."
This action undoubtedly made Li Wei Gong feel happy. He came to see Chen Han Wen with a specific purpose, so he should humble himself. Xu Zhong Yi's attitude perfectly fulfilled Li Wei Gong's need.
Yes, he should show respect to Chen Han Wen, put Chen Han Wen above him, Li Wei Gong.
Li Wei Gong only exchanged a few meaningless pleasantries with Xu Zhong Yi, and Xu Zhong Yi wasn't an idiot. He could tell that Li Wei Gong had something to talk to Chen Han Wen about. After a few more polite exchanges, he left.
Chen Han Wen noticed Li Wei Gong had come to see him about something. Instead of rushing to speak, he waited for Li Wei Gong to initiate the conversation.
After chatting for a while, seeing that Chen Han Wen hadn't brought up the past, Li Wei Gong gritted his teeth and revealed his true intention, "Chen Chu Chang, I came to see you today because I need your help. Dai Ju Zhang asked me to report on my work. His words implied that he wanted me to take on a greater responsibility. I don't have any other acquaintances in the headquarters, so I had to come to you, my old superior."
Chen Han Wen took a sip of tea and said, "What kind of superior am I? It was just a matter of fighting against the Japanese together with our brothers. Since Old Li came to see me, it means you don't treat me like an outsider. Just say whatever you have to say. However, you also know that I'm just a General Affairs Department director, I don't have much power. If it's beyond my ability, I hope you won't hold it against me."
Chen Han Wen spoke very politely, but Li Wei Gong quickly waved his hands, indicating he wouldn't dare. He said to Chen Han Wen, "Sir, I came to you because I want to borrow someone!"