Was Zeng Mo Yi captured? Dai Li immediately broke into a smile. This was the best news he had heard. He stood up and ordered Mao Ren Feng, "Order Lao Liu to find the intelligence when arresting her!"
"Yes, Bureau Chief!"
Mao Ren Feng left to carry out the order. Dai Li then looked at Chen Han Wen, "Ming Cheng, it's not that I'm not helping you, but this little girl Zeng Mo Yi has to die. She possesses secrets that shouldn't be known by outsiders. This person cannot be spared!"
"Isn't it just a few agents infiltrated in Shanbei? Can't we just have them return?" Chen Han Wen looked at Dai Li and said, "I will take responsibility for ensuring the safe return of those 73 agents, can I?"
"No!"
Dai Li's refusal was decisive.
Infiltrated agents posed a greater threat. What was the point of bringing them back?
Chen Han Wen smiled after hearing Dai Li's resolute rejection.
No?
Then I won't bother you!
Chen Han Wen turned and left, not even leaving a word for Dai Li.
Seeing Chen Han Wen suddenly leave, Dai Li realized that his negotiation was a bit too hasty. He wished he could slap himself. How could he have forgotten that Chen Han Wen was someone who would only respond to soft persuasion, not harsh demands?
If Chen Han Wen refused to talk to him, he would only go to Chiang Kai-shek.
Chen Han Wen had already discussed cooperation with Chennault, and Chiang Kai-shek was still unaware. If Chen Han Wen revealed his willingness to offer certain benefits for American support to the Kuomintang, would Chiang Kai-shek care about a mere Communist Party?
If Chen Han Wen went straight to Chiang Kai-shek, it would be of no benefit to Dai Li. He hurriedly stopped Chen Han Wen and said, "Look at you, what's the rush? ... I know you, Ming Cheng, are a sentimental person. But the Zeng Mo Yi incident has escalated too much. If I let her go, who else will let me go?"
Chen Han Wen truly wanted to negotiate with Dai Li. Hearing his words, he stopped walking and stayed, saying to Dai Li, "Tell your men to be a little more gentle. If Zeng Mo Yi gets even a scratch, I'll have it out with you."
"You kid, I haven't said I'll let her go... Hey, don't leave, we are discussing this, right?"
Dai Li wouldn't let Chen Han Wen leave. He said, "We're like family, we shouldn't be so formal. Zeng Mo Yi can be saved, but she must die... Moreover, she must be executed in public."
"Understood."
Chen Han Wen understood Dai Li's hint and said, "I will send Zeng Mo Yi abroad. She will not return."
"Alright."
Dai Li looked at Chen Han Wen, examining him from head to toe. "You're going through so much trouble to save a mere Communist Party member? Just being sentimental? Brother... Do you like the beauty, or do you not want to break with the Communists?"
Chen Han Wen had anticipated this question from Dai Li. He calmly responded, "I am a businessman. In my opinion, profit is paramount. Moreover, whether Zeng Mo Yi is a Communist or not has nothing to do with me. I only care about what benefits she can bring me."
Dai Li understood immediately and quickly asked, "Then, Ming Cheng, what benefits can I bring you?"
After asking, Dai Li's eyes fixed intently on Chen Han Wen, only to find him suddenly becoming serious. "You cannot measure everything with benefits. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to Shanghai to bring back your wife."
Chen Han Wen was referring to Dai Li's trip to Shanghai to pick up Chiang Kai-shek's wife after the Xi'an Incident. Back then, Chen Han Wen had many better options, but he chose to help Dai Li.
Thinking back to those days, Dai Li's expression changed, his eyes filled with reminiscence, even recalling their time in school.
But eventually, Dai Li withdrew the memories from his eyes. Although the past was good, it was all fleeting. What mattered most was the present. "Brother, you're right. Everything was so good back then, classmates, revolution… No ulterior motives. But now… Never mind, let's not talk about it."
Dai Li looked at Chen Han Wen, ultimately not voicing his request. He felt that having Chen Han Wen indebted to him was more valuable than any exchange.
Looking at Chen Han Wen sitting opposite him, Dai Li asked with interest, "Ming Cheng, what would you have done to save her if I hadn't agreed? Don't mention the Old Man. If it were you, how would you rescue her?"
Rescuing someone without relying on others, purely through your own means.
Chen Han Wen shrugged, "What do you mean how? I'd rush in and save her. Would Ghost Six dare shoot at me?"
Dai Li laughed at Chen Han Wen's words. "Yes, that's your style. Hahaha... But Lao Liu will be in trouble. If he dares point a gun at you, even with his cunning, he won't live to see the sun tomorrow."
Chen Han Wen smiled but said nothing. Looking at the happy Dai Li, he thought, "I have even more unexpected tricks up my sleeve."
Have you ever seen wolves stabbing each other?
Except, I'm a hidden wolf!
"What's going on between you and Lao Liu? It seems like you two don't get along. That's not good."
Dai Li looked at Chen Han Wen and said, "You are my anchor. He is the knife in my hand. With both of you, I can rest easy. This time saving Zeng Mo Yi, we still need Lao Liu to take the blame. You should go easy on him."
Chen Han Wen gave a thumbs-up and said to Dai Li, "Don't worry, I guarantee that Zheng Yao Xian will willingly take the fall."
Then, Dai Li and Chen Han Wen, like old foxes, both laughed.
…
As Chen Han Wen had known, Zeng Mo Yi was captured in her room. Zheng Yao Xian did not find the list of 73 people.
Although Dai Li was angry, he was not as furious as expected because he had gained a favor from Chen Han Wen. He simply ordered the detention of Zeng Mo Yi and then summoned Zheng Yao Xian to his office.
Zheng Yao Xian didn't want to go to Dai Li's office. He was anxious to go to Zeng Mo Yi's residence and retrieve the intelligence hidden behind the ventilation fan. The longer it took, the more danger the hidden list faced.
But he had to go when Dai Li summoned him.
When he arrived at Dai Li's office, Zheng Yao Xian saw Chen Han Wen. Observing Dai Li's grim expression and the anger on Chen Han Wen's face, he immediately determined that Chen Han Wen was there to plead for Zeng Mo Yi.
This was also the solution he had in mind to save Zeng Mo Yi. As long as Chen Han Wen intervened, he could definitely save Zeng Mo Yi. Even if he fell out with Dai Li, Chen Han Wen could protect Zeng Mo Yi's life.
Slightly relieved, Zheng Yao Xian called out, "Bureau Chief," and "Chen Chief," before reporting on the day's arrest.
Just as Chen Han Wen had thought, it was Zhao Jian Zhi, one of Zheng Yao Xian's subordinates, who discovered Zeng Mo Yi's whereabouts and immediately reported to Zheng Yao Xian. Zheng Yao Xian only wanted to make a show of arresting her. Who knew his troops were so capable and directly found her? It forced Zheng Yao Xian to pretend to arrest Zeng Mo Yi.
Zheng Yao Xian's heart ached as he personally arrested his comrade. He could only place his hope for Zeng Mo Yi's rescue on Chen Han Wen.
This was a risky move, and Zheng Yao Xian was also anxious.