Espionage: Mastering the Ten Cruelest Tortures of the Military Intelligence Bureau from the Start

“My niece is seventeen this year and still unmarried. She keeps saying that she won’t marry anyone but a true hero. I think you can tame her. A hero and a talented woman, they’d make a perfect couple.”

The stationmaster's words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky, leaving Su Mingzhe stunned.

Su Mingzhe never expected that this originally serious work exchange would suddenly turn to his marriage problem.

Seeing Su Mingzhe's shocked expression, the stationmaster assumed he disliked his niece and continued:

"She's attending a women's university, not some country bumpkin, and she's quite pretty. What, you don't like her?"

Su Mingzhe's expression instantly turned serious, his eyes revealing determination, and he said:

"How can I have a home when the Japanese invaders have not been defeated? As long as the Japanese invaders are not eliminated, Mingzhe will not be able to establish a home."

The stationmaster was taken aback upon hearing this, then clapped his hands, his eyes full of admiration.

"If all Chinese men had the same ambition as you, how could we not destroy the Japanese invaders?"

It's just a pity for my niece; the two of them were not destined to be together, and it will be difficult to find someone she likes again.

Seeing Su Mingzhe's resolute attitude, the stationmaster knew that he could no longer persuade him, so he said no more.

For a moment, the atmosphere was somewhat silent.

Seeing this, Su Mingzhe quickly changed the subject.

"Station chief, we've also seized quite a few letters exchanged between Japanese spies. Could you make a copy of the codebook so the communications department can decipher them? We might find something useful."

The stationmaster nodded slightly and replied:

"That's natural. I'll select a few people from the telecommunications department whose families are all in Chang'an to participate in the decryption later."

Su Mingzhe continued:

"Station chief, the prime suspect right now is Zhao Peng, the head of the intelligence section. Should we search his house as well?"

Whether or not a search is conducted doesn't really matter. Deputy Station Chief Wang was framed, and incriminating evidence was placed in his home, so the real mole's home is most likely clean.

But what if there's a reward?

The situation is now becoming clearer, and Zhao Peng and Wang Shiji, who are the most suspected and hold the highest positions, have been detained in separate custody.

The stationmaster nodded slightly, a hint of weariness on his face. He rubbed his temples and said slowly:

"Search it out, find the traitor as soon as possible, and end this farce sooner."

In order to find this traitor, the entire Chang'an Station is in turmoil. Everyone is on edge, and I haven't had a good night's sleep in a long time.

Boss Dai already knew about this yesterday and has ordered me to solve the case quickly.

After leaving the stationmaster's office, Su Mingzhe dispatched a team of operatives to search the house.

At this time, some of the action team members had completed their investigations and returned to the station at Chang'an Station.

After some investigation, many people were cleared of suspicion, but the two groups that went to investigate Zhao Peng and Wang Shiji have not yet returned.

There's no use in rushing; all we can do is wait patiently.

The captured letters were gradually being deciphered; however, most of them were outdated and had long lost their value, or no useful information could be extracted from them.

There were also some suggestive letters inside, which greatly slowed down the investigation.

The search team finally returned in the afternoon, but they found nothing suspicious.

The only suspicious thing was that there was a layer of incense ash on the carpet in Zhao Peng's house.

Do good people need to guard against thieves?

This in itself is suspicious.

Zhao Peng is currently surrounded by numerous suspicious points, but as a major in the Military Intelligence Investigation Department, he must have irrefutable evidence; otherwise, he will have difficulty explaining himself to Nanjing and gaining public trust.

And so, ten days passed peacefully.

Ten days later, Luo Dayou and Xu Zhi's group finally returned to Chang'an Station, weary from their journey.

Upon hearing this news, Su Mingzhe immediately put down his work and went out to greet them personally.

They had been eagerly awaiting their return, and Su Mingzhe had finally brought them back.

Luo Dayou stepped forward first and reported in a loud voice, "Reporting to the team leader, Luo Dayou and Xu Zhi have successfully completed their mission and request to return to the team."

Su Mingzhe smiled broadly, a huge weight lifted from his heart. Judging from the expressions of the others, they must have all gained something.

“Team leader, Deputy Station Chief Wang’s family has four generations living together. I still have photos of his family in my camera.”

Upon hearing this, Su Mingzhe breathed a long sigh of relief. The suspicion against Deputy Station Chief Wang had finally been cleared. Otherwise, it would have been really difficult to handle in the end. He couldn't very well execute him and Zhao Peng together.

Xu Zhi hesitated for a moment, then said with a solemn expression:

"Team leader, Section Chief Zhao's situation is a bit complicated. He only has his parents in his hometown, and the whereabouts of all his other relatives are unknown."

Furthermore, upon close observation, we discovered significant differences in appearance between him and his parents.

Another piece of evidence has been added!

Just as Su Mingzhe was about to report to the station chief, a guard walked over.

"Reporting to Team Leader Su, the station chief requests your presence at the Telecommunications Department."

"I know, let's go."

The telecommunications department is currently deciphering the coded messages in the letters, and the station chief has personally summoned them, indicating that there has been some progress.

"dong dong dong"

"Enter."

The stationmaster's voice came from inside the door.

Upon seeing that it was Su Mingzhe, the station chief slightly raised his head and addressed the members of the telecommunications department:

"You can all go out now and go to the finance department to collect 100 yuan each."

Upon hearing this, the members of the telecommunications department were first taken aback, and then their faces lit up with surprise and delight.

They are mainly responsible for internal affairs at the station on weekdays, do not go out on field work, receive no subsidies or extra income, and rarely have the opportunity to make a contribution.

They can only live on their meager fixed salary, and many people can't even afford to eat meat once a month.

Now that I have this hundred yuan, I can finally buy some more furniture and some floral fabric.

The group left happily, their footsteps light and cheerful.

After everyone left, the stationmaster solemnly handed the letter and the corresponding translation to Su Mingzhe.

The translation of the text is simple: “I have instructed Wang Shiji to arrive at the photography studio early tomorrow morning and to quickly prepare ten gold bars and mantises.”

Su Mingzhe took the letter and its translation, read them carefully, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

With irrefutable evidence, Zhao Peng was undoubtedly the traitor. Uncle Xiangzi could finally avenge himself, and he would personally offer Zhao Peng's head as a sacrifice to Uncle Xiangzi.

He had waited far too long for this day.

"Stationmaster, Zhao Peng's family has disappeared without a trace. Only his parents are in their hometown and live a secluded life."

Judging from the photos, his parents look very different from him, suggesting they may not be related by blood.

Su Mingzhe said with a heavy expression.

The stationmaster sighed softly and said with deep sorrow:

"He was usually very popular, warm-hearted, and hardworking. I really didn't expect him to be the mole. It's heartbreaking."

"Besides you, I really don't know who else I can trust at Chang'an Station."

The stationmaster's eyes were filled with disappointment and regret.

"Take Zhao Peng to the interrogation room. I'll personally see him off on his final journey."

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Thank you to book lover Lonely Empty City for sending this love-fueled message.