Espionage codename: Shen Gongbao

8 PM.

Lane 332, Xinchang Road.

There is an old teahouse deep in the alley.

When Wang Xuesen arrived, it was already completely dark.

Wanjia parked the car two blocks away.

He changed into a gray long gown, pulled his hat brim down, and wandered through three alleys before finally finding the back door.

A waiter in a short jacket was waiting at the door. He looked him up and down, but didn't say anything. He just stepped aside slightly to let him pass.

Wang Xuesen followed him through the cramped corridor and down a narrow, steep wooden staircase.

Once in the basement, the man pushed open a metal door and went out.

The secret room wasn't big, only about ten square meters.

A dim light bulb hung overhead, and Chen Gongshu was sitting at the table drinking tea.

Hearing the noise, he looked up and a smile spread across his face.

"ha!"

He barely managed to utter a single syllable of laughter before realizing it was inappropriate and forcefully suppressed it.

Chen Gongshu stood up, grabbed Wang Xuesen's hand, and shook it vigorously twice: "It really is you, kid!"

"Last time in the French Concession, if it weren't for you, I would have been killed by Wu Sibao."

"Thanks, bro."

Wang Xuesen sized up this top assassin under Dai Li.

Standing at around 1.7 meters tall, he wasn't particularly tall, but he exuded a rugged strength that was as resilient as a pine tree undeterred by wind and snow.

In particular, his eyes were as bright and piercing as those of his teacher, Shen Zui, and they seemed full of energy.

This kind of person is born to be an assassin.

His hands are steady, his heart is cold, and his mind is still sharp.

Wang Xuesen smiled and sat down, pouring himself a bowl of tea.

"District Chief Chen, I saved your life last time, but you almost killed me today."

"My chest still hurts terribly from those two shots."

Chen Gongshu waved his hand dismissively: "Everyone gets shot when they're in the game. It'll be fine in a few days."

He pulled out a cigarette case from his pocket, flicked out two cigarettes, handed one over, and lit it for Wang Xuesen with a famous match:

"I still have to thank you; the traitor in the Military Intelligence Bureau has been found."

"His name is Zhang Pingshun, the head of the intelligence group."

"Damn, this kid is from my hometown."

"If it weren't for you, I would never have believed he would betray us, even until I died."

Wang Xuesen had heard this kind of talk far too often.

Which of those Kuomintang traitors in No. 76 wasn't promoted by their former comrades? You can't see into someone's heart; in this chaotic world, you can't trust anyone but yourself.

However, the longer Zhang Pingshun's matter drags on, the greater the variables will become.

"You didn't harm him, did you?" Wang Xuesen asked in a deep voice.

Chen Gongshu, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, shook his head:

"No. Boss Dai gave instructions that everything regarding Shanghai should be done in your favor."

"Whether it's rescuing Wu Kaixian or assassinating Ji Yunqing, I'm completely convinced by your plans, brother."

"I can't just kill this thing to vent my anger and expose you in the process."

now it's right.

Wang Xuesen breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Chen Gongshu was ruthless, he still had a sense of the bigger picture. If it were Old Wang, who came from the Green Gang, he probably would have shot Zhang Pingshun dead long ago.

"District Chief Chen is very righteous."

Wang Xuesen took a sip of tea; the tea was a little cold and had a slightly astringent taste.

He put down his teacup and said crisply, "Let's get down to business."

"I've already persuaded Wang Tianmu privately, and Ma Hetu and his son-in-law should have contacted you by now, right?"

Chen Gongshu nodded: "Yes. I had been hesitant before, wondering if it was a trap set by Li Shiqun."

"Since it was your doing, I will go back and arrange the assassination plan immediately."

At this point, a fire ignited in Chen Gongshu's eyes.

"This is a golden opportunity!"

"If we can get rid of Chen Mingchu, Boss Dai and the Chairman will surely praise us greatly."

He rubbed his hands together, his excitement mixed with regret: "What a pity, your brother deserves the most credit, so I can't recommend you for the credit."

"Forget about the merits, just think of me when you give out bonuses." Wang Xuesen waved his hand, his expression indifferent.

Then, he added seriously, "Oh, I only want US dollars and gold bars."

"Also, if you ever get caught, don't sell me out."

Chen Gongshu was amused by him: "Don't worry, if I get caught, I'd rather sell out Lao Du than sell out you."

"Besides, with your brain, and being Li Shiqun's confidant, even if I betray you, you'll deny it, and Li Shiqun might not believe it either."

"Nothing beats Lao Du's value for money."

The two men exchanged a glance in the underground chamber and simultaneously chuckled softly.

This kind of laughter is a tacit understanding and dark humor that only those who have lived on the edge of a knife possess.

After Wang Xuesen finished laughing, his expression turned serious:

"Okay, I'm relieved to hear that."

"By the way, I need to talk to you about something."

"About Zheng Pingping."

Chen Gongshu's smile vanished: "That Central Bureau of Investigation woman?"

"Um."

Wang Xuesen recounted the plan he had been racking his brains over the past two days.

"It's easy to find scum in the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS). Some of those guys are really dirty, and there are quite a few scumbags who extort money."

"I can gather intelligence and establish transportation hubs."

"I can sell Zhang Pingshun and his few corrupt Kuomintang agents to you as well."

Chen Gongshu thought for a moment, then stared at him scrutinizingly:

"But the problem is..."

"You're helping a member of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (CBIS). Right now, Xu Enzeng is arrogant and domineering, and the boss is unhappy with him. Plus, there's the feud between the two systems."

"It is unwise of you to help Zheng Pingping at this time."

That's very straightforward.

"No, it actually has nothing to do with Zheng Pingping. She's just a catalyst," Wang Xuesen said with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Chen Gongshu raised an eyebrow.

Wang Xuesen stubbed out his cigarette and leaned forward slightly.

"Since Li Shiqun has entrusted me with this task, I definitely have to do it well. Besides, I've been slacking off far too much since I took over the interrogation room."

"If I don't achieve something soon, Li Shiqun might transfer me to manage general affairs and logistics."

This is the core issue.

The position of head of the interrogation room may seem ruthless, but it doesn't actually offer much in terms of personal gain.

But it has one thing that other positions can't match: information.

Everyone arrested by No. 76 had to go through the interrogation room as their first stop.

He knew who the real spy was, who was framed, and what secrets each person was hiding.

This is the lifeline.

Once you're transferred to manage general affairs and logistics, it may seem like a lucrative position, but in reality, it's like cutting off your own eyes and ears.

He really became blind.

Dingmo Village is now close to being eliminated; it's no longer in a state of fence-sitting.

Different periods require different policies.

Wang Xuesen has already infiltrated Li Shiqun's inner circle; his main task now is to fight amongst themselves and wear them down.

His opponents changed to Wu Sibao, Hu Junhe, and Liu Zhongwen.

We must fight for certain important positions to gain the upper hand.

Moreover, this was something that Li Shiqun, who was skilled in political maneuvering, was happy to see.

Chen Gongshu understood and jokingly remarked:

"It's good to be in charge of general affairs and logistics; there's a lot of money to be made, and you can even skim some cash."

Wang Xuesen curled his lip: "Forget it, even No. 76 is almost starving."

"If you can help, then help. If you can't, then don't worry about it, we won't force you."

He genuinely didn't care.

If he can save Zheng Pingping, he can also take care of the job and make the interrogation room famous, which would be the icing on the cake.

There's no way to save her; Zheng Pingping isn't his lover. He'll just have to follow the proper procedures.

At most, one might lament that a beautiful woman has a short life, and then pretend that one never met her.

Chen Gongshu pointed at him and smiled: "Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. You've fallen for her?"

Wang Xuesen leaned back in his chair, his tone slightly somber:

"I have had contact with Zheng Pingping."

"Her father was a patriotic member of the Tongmenghui, and her mother was a friend of Japan who opposed the war."

"Her brother and fiancé were both pilots who were committed to resisting the Japanese."

"It can be said that the whole family was loyal and brave."

He paused.

"I know even better what she did to assassinate Ding Mocun. She sacrificed her dignity and endured so much infamy."

Chen Gongshu fell silent, a cigarette dangling between his fingers, his expression somewhat subtle.

"If you think I've developed feelings for her."

Wang Xuesen straightened his body.

"Then I can tell you, I love women like that."

There was a two-second silence in the basement.

Wang Xuesen's style suddenly shifts, adopting a roguish pose with a shrug and a pout:

"If you've seen her long stockings"