If you had to choose an identity to go undercover, you'd choose a gynecologist.

In the study of Zhou Enlai's mansion, the incense smoke from the Xuande incense burner wafted gently.

Wang Tianfeng and Zhou Fuhai sat facing each other, drinking tea.

Wang Tianfeng put down his teacup, seemingly seeing through Zhou Fuhai's thoughts, and finally spoke: "Mr. Zhou, you're still hesitant to make a decision. Are you worried that the Japanese will find out?"

Zhou Fuhai nodded slowly: "Special Envoy Wang is absolutely right. If the Japanese find out about this, it will be a disaster, and my entire Zhou family will probably be doomed."

Wang Tianfeng smiled slightly: "The Chongqing side has already taken into account Mr. Zhou's concerns, so they have specially devised a foolproof plan for you."

"What foolproof plan?" Zhou Fuhai asked.

"The Red Party's power in the heart of North China is growing stronger day by day, spreading like wildfire. According to top-secret information from our sources in Yan'an, the Eighth Route Army is secretly planning a large-scale sabotage operation on the North China Plain, with no fewer than one hundred regiments involved. Tell me, how can the Japanese sleep soundly after hearing such news?"

Zhou Fuhai's face was full of shock: "A hundred regiments... this is quite a commotion."

Wang Tianfeng nodded: "The Red Party is growing rapidly. Not only are the Japanese losing sleep, but the bigwigs in Chongqing are also restless. If Mr. Zhou is accused of having an affair with Chongqing, it would be an unforgivable crime in the eyes of the Japanese. But if the Chongqing government is willing to join forces with the Japanese to suppress the Communists, what do you think they will do? Chongqing genuinely wants to cooperate with you to jointly eliminate the Red Party. If Mr. Zhou can mediate and facilitate this, the Japanese will be more than grateful. Even if they know about your dealings with Chongqing, they will turn a blind eye and might even be happy to see it happen."

Zhou Fuhai's doubts vanished, and he nodded, saying, "Chongqing has really played a clever game! They've secured supplies while simultaneously diverting the Japanese's attention entirely to Yan'an—killing two birds with one stone! Special Envoy Wang, if the Chongqing government truly intends this, I, Zhou, will certainly do everything in my power to make it happen! With the Japanese's tacit approval, the transport of supplies will naturally proceed smoothly. However…"

He changed the subject, a hint of caution flashing in his eyes, "We need to show the Japanese something first before they'll believe in Chongqing's sincerity, right?"

Wang Tianfeng was prepared. Upon hearing this, he slowly raised his hand and took out a well-sealed envelope from his briefcase. He pushed the envelope in front of Zhou Fuhai: "A letter from the president himself. Mr. Zhou, do you think this is sincere enough?"

Zhou Fuhai picked up the letter and read it carefully. The letter mentioned that as long as the Japanese stopped attacking the Nationalist-controlled areas, the mountain city could share intelligence about the Red Party with the Japanese, and could even send troops to create friction and deplete the Red Party's strength. The Nationalist government could even send troops to wipe out the New Fourth Army in southern Anhui.

Zhou Fuhai folded the letter carefully and put it back in the envelope.

"Enough, Special Envoy Wang! We'll do as you say! The first batch of supplies can depart soon. I assure you, with my coordination, there will be no obstacles at any checkpoints along the way!"

Wang Tianfeng stood up: "Then I wish us a successful cooperation!"

Zhou Fuhai extended his hand and said, "It's a pleasure to do business with you!"

Wang Tianfeng left the Zhou residence through the back door, got into his car, and Guo Qiyun stepped on the gas and drove away, asking, "Teacher, has the deal been reached?"

"It's settled. The first batch of supplies can be dispatched in the next few days, and the transportation of supplies will be entirely entrusted to you from now on."

"Thank you, teacher. I think the parrot deserves the most credit for making this happen. Shouldn't we let him participate?"

Wang Tianfeng sighed: "The big shots have already divided up the lucrative goods shipment. There's no way a nobody like him could get a piece of the pie. We'll find a chance to compensate him later."

Guo Qiyun had no choice but to shut up, feeling guilty. He had gotten the credit for himself, not only being promoted to lieutenant colonel but also receiving a lucrative position, while Chen Qing, who actually did the work, received nothing but a nominal major position and 100,000 yuan in legal tender that was depreciating day by day. This was unfair.

However, he had no choice. He was just a minor character, a pawn, and most of the time he was not in control of his own destiny.

………………

In a private room at the Paramount Ballroom, Wang Manchun leaned back on a velvet sofa, her dark green velvet cheongsam outlining her exquisite figure. She held an unlit cigarette between her fingers, her red lips slightly pursed.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and a middle-aged woman wearing a plain cotton and linen cheongsam entered. Her hair was neatly combed, and her face was calm and expressionless. She was Aunt Gui, who had worked for the Ming family for many years.

Wang Manchun quickly pulled out a pistol and pointed it at Aunt Gui: "Who are you?"

Aunt Gui walked to the single chair opposite the sofa and sat down. She looked up at Wang Manchun and slowly said, "I am an undercover agent sent to the Ming family by Section Chief Nantian. My code name is Lone Wolf. I have made contributions in Harbin."

Wang Manchun breathed a sigh of relief and put her gun away: "So, Section Chief Nantian sent me to see you. Tell me, what information do you have?"

"According to investigations, Mingjing is very likely a member of the Communist Party."

Wang Manchun raised an eyebrow: "Do you have any evidence?"

"At the beginning of the Sino-Japanese War, Mingjing moved both of his banks to Hong Kong. One was converted into a finance company, while the other was financed by a secret society in Hong Kong to establish a cooperative bank. The mastermind behind this cooperative bank was Zeng Jin, a financial genius from the Southern Bureau of the Red Party. Of course, this was definitely an alias."

Wang Manchun picked up her red wine, took a sip, and sneered, "With the start of the Sino-Japanese War, many capitalists in Shanghai were transferring their funds. It's understandable that Mingjing moved its bank to Hong Kong. As for the so-called Red Party in Hong Kong, I'm not interested. As long as they don't have any anti-Japanese activities in Shanghai, there's nothing I can do about them."

Aunt Gui said sarcastically, "Director Wang, you're really starting to act timidly now."

Wang Manchun slammed her wine glass down, her voice becoming shrill: "You don't need to doubt my resolve. In this world, no one hates her more or wants her dead more than I do. As long as you produce solid evidence, I will be the first to kill her."

"There is evidence, but Director Wang needs to verify it himself."

Aunt Gui handed over a note.

"Yesterday I threw the note into the trash can. According to procedure, the person collecting the trash would hand the note to Section Chief Nantian, but someone tampered with it, and the line is no longer usable. So I have to give it to you personally."

Wang Manchun opened the slip of paper; it contained a string of HSBC bank account information.

"What is it?" she asked, looking up.

"Mingjing has a fixed amount of money deposited into her account at HSBC every month, and it will be withdrawn by someone soon. Director Wang, if you can catch the person who withdrew the money and prove that he is a member of the Communist Party, it will prove that Mingjing is providing funds for the Communist Party's activities. At that time, not only can you avenge your uncle, but even Minglou will have to kneel down and beg you to marry into the Ming family."

"Heh..." Wang Manchun chuckled softly, "This is truly a great gift."

But doubts quickly crept back into her mind. Staring at Aunt Gui's calm, expressionless face, she asked, puzzled, "I just don't understand. You've been with the Ming family for so many years, and they've treated you well, never skimping on your food, clothing, or other necessities. Why would you turn around and destroy the Ming family?"

Aunt Gui's calm expression shattered instantly, a hint of hostility creeping into her eyes and brows, her tone icy: "This is none of your business."

After saying that, he turned and left the private room.