Chapter 7: The Mystery of Identity (Part Two)

"Your inference is absolutely correct. Since we have reached this point, let us speak plainly. I am not a spy hired by any foreign intelligence agency; I am a member of the Military Bureau of Statistics and Investigation. I arrived in Xinjing two months before you to carry out a long-term infiltration mission."

"You have been at the police station for over a year, so you are well aware of how foreign intelligence agencies operate. They would never use my methods, nor would they target a low-level patrolman like you for information gathering. They cannot afford such a long time, nor do they possess such patience."

"You need to be clear on one thing: I rented the storefront from your relative first, and only then did you come to Xinjing!" Lin Baofeng said.

"The Military Bureau of Statistics and Investigation? I have heard of this organization. The Police Department issued a notice to all precincts about it. It seems to be one of the two intelligence agencies established by the Chongqing government in August, right?" Xu Ruiyang asked.

Although most of China had fallen and the Northeast was far from the battlefields in the south, the Japanese were extremely vigilant. As soon as the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Military Bureau of Statistics and Investigation were formed, notices were issued here. However, since the primary defense targets in the Northeast were the underground party and the Soviet Union, the attention paid to the Central and Military bureaus was somewhat lower.

"The Military Bureau was formerly known as the Special Service Office of the Lixing Society, a military intelligence agency of the Chongqing government founded in the twenty-first year of the Republic. The Military Bureau was expanded and established this August based on that office, officially named the Military Statistics and Investigation Bureau."

"Lin Baofeng is my alias. My actual name is Feng Qidong, and I am a lieutenant colonel and team leader of the Military Bureau's Xinjing Intelligence Unit. There are only three such units in the entire Northeast—in Xinjing, Fengtian, and Bingcheng. Each unit has a very small staff, as the Special Service Office's work focus was not previously on the Northeast."

"Due to our strategy of long-term infiltration, our intelligence unit is extremely cautious about recruiting new members. As of now, you are the only newcomer to join the Xinjing Intelligence Unit," Feng Qidong said, laying his cards on the table.

"Why count me in?" Xu Ruiyang felt something was wrong with that statement.

What newcomer? When did I ever join the Military Bureau?

He was well aware of the Chongqing government's fear of the underground party, which had reached a fever pitch. He knew how much blood of underground party members stained the hands of President Chiang of the Chongqing government. He could hardly believe he was now entangled with a secret service agency of that very government!

However, he did not reveal his inner emotions. He realized a grave threat: by revealing his identity, Feng Qidong had effectively forced him onto the Military Bureau's ship; there was no turning back.

Xu Ruiyang knew that the intelligence front was a brutal environment, demanding constant life-or-death decisions. For the sake of organizational security, it would be a standard reaction for Feng Qidong to eliminate him. In short, to achieve a mission, one might have to resort to any means necessary.

His mentor, who was also his superior, had once taught him that work on the underground front was exceptionally complex. As long as one's faith remained firm, acting with flexibility was normal. Especially during the infiltration phase, building close ties with various forces increased one's chances of survival.

When he first came to Xinjing, the Military Bureau had not yet been established, but he knew of the Lixing Society's Special Service Office. Although they were hostile toward the underground party, the Chongqing government was currently a vital force in the war against Japan. He felt no aversion to playing along, as it could grant him access to an intelligence channel.

"The Japanese occupied the Northeast in the twentieth year of the Republic, while the Lixing Society’s Special Service Office was founded in the twenty-first year. Initially, they were weak and lacked the capability to extend their reach into the Northeast."

"The real decision to send intelligence units to the puppet Manchukuo came after the July 7th Incident. Several comrades and I received urgent orders from Director Dai and rushed to the Northeast. With no local foundation, we were essentially blind, having to start everything from scratch."

"The Japanese military has occupied the Northeast for seven years, and their control has grown increasingly tight. The special service agencies, military police, and the regular police have sealed the area off strictly, and now a Security Bureau has been added. Our work has been slow to gain momentum."

"Through you, I have learned about the situation within the Police Department and the precincts, as well as the backgrounds of key figures and the internal complexities of the puppet organizations. This is crucial for the Xinjing Intelligence Unit; it allows us to find an entry point for a breakthrough as soon as possible."

"Six months after you started your job, I reported your situation to headquarters. Considering the hardships of working in the Northeast, Director Dai handled your case as a special exception, approving your entry into the Military Bureau and listing your file under the Linli Special Training Class," Feng Qidong said, lowering his voice.

"The Linli Special Training Class? What kind of training program is that?" Xu Ruiyang asked, confused.

"It is the code name for our second large-scale training program at the Military Bureau. The full name is the Special Police Training Class of the Central Police Academy. It began in February of last year, with Director Dai as the class director and Yu Lexing as the deputy director."

"The Linli Special Training Class carries significant prestige within the Military Bureau. Graduates without prior rank start at the rank of second lieutenant. Therefore, you are now a second lieutenant in the Chongqing government's army."

"The Chongqing government currently only issues 'national salvation' pay. Based on the standard for a second lieutenant, that is thirty yuan in legal currency per month. The Military Bureau provides a field subsidy of 120 yuan in legal currency per month, which is currently being held at the bureau headquarters. Since you use Manchukuo yuan in the Northeast, you won't need the legal currency for now," Feng Qidong said with a smile.

The Military Bureau was like President Chiang's favorite child; he oversaw major events personally, and as a result, the benefits were exceptionally high. Not only were restrictions on rank relaxed, but funding was provided as generously as possible. Arrears in military pay were unheard of within the Military Bureau.

"I didn't know anything about this, and suddenly I'm a second lieutenant. It seems I have no choice but to join the Military Bureau. Team Leader, since you have revealed your identity, what are your specific arrangements for my future work?" Xu Ruiyang asked.

Joining the Military Bureau without organizational approval was a serious violation of the party's bottom line. However, since he could not contact his superiors and had to deal with the current situation, he had no choice but to take things one step at a time.

He would address the issue of the Military Bureau once he could report to his organization and receive instructions. Yet, the underground party's commitment to the greater good meant that as long as actions favored the anti-Japanese cause, he should help where he could. As long as he did not commit acts harmful to the people or the party organization, he could hope for forgiveness.

"Nothing changes. Headquarters does not have high demands for our unit; we are simply to collect whatever intelligence you come into contact with. Who knows when we will defeat the Japanese and reclaim the Northeast!"

"You have been trained at the police academy, so your combat skills and basic knowledge are fine. That is not the most important thing. I will teach you some of the Military Bureau's specialized skills, as well as how to operate a radio. We will begin training tomorrow night. For now, tell me what news you heard tonight!" Feng Qidong said.