diskusbooks Chapter 146 A single move of balancing technique!
Chapter 146 A single move of balancing technique!
Looking back, when he first entered military academy, he was just a lieutenant.
During his mission to the mountain city with Zheng Yaoxian, the sixth Japanese soldier, Zhou Xiao repeatedly achieved remarkable feats: he not only uncovered "Sakura," a Japanese spy who had been working undercover for many years in the Second Bureau of the Military Intelligence Bureau, and eliminated the traitor Zhou Haichao; he also killed Araki, the head of the intelligence section of the Shang Mansion, and Chida Eiko, the captain of the action team. His achievements were solid and significant, and as a result, he was promoted from lieutenant to major.
Not long after, he was ordered to infiltrate Shanghai and achieve new merits. Zheng Yaoxian personally visited him to read out the commendation order, and Zhou Xiao's military rank was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel.
In the past few months, he has achieved three key feats: orchestrating the assassinations of Hirofumi Asano and Ken Oshima, the commander of the military police; and leading the dismantling of the Sugimoto Agency headquarters. This operation not only thwarted the enemy's long-planned currency war plot and preserved the wartime financial lifeline, but also destroyed their biological weapons laboratory, killing a group of deranged experimental personnel on the spot and cutting off the further spread of poison gas and bacteriological warfare.
The Japanese poison gas bombs were not just for show, and the cholera bacteria were not just a legend.
He also successfully intercepted the core list of "Project Celestial," effectively extinguishing a cholera catastrophe that was about to engulf East China. Had this epidemic broken out, coupled with war, the death toll would have multiplied exponentially. This act not only saved the people of one city, but also saved millions of lives from peril.
The assassination of Japanese General Yoshinori Shirakawa shocked the entire nation. This man's hands were stained with the blood of countless Chinese, his crimes numerous and unforgivable. Eliminating him would not only comfort the countless heroic souls of martyrs but also greatly boost morale in the fight against the enemy—after all, he was the highest-ranking Japanese general to die in the invasion of China.
These achievements were all substantial and crucial, enough to justify Zhou Xiao's promotion of three ranks. However, the only point of contention was the short timeframe: from lieutenant colonel to colonel, it took less than a month.
Therefore, the telegram specifically noted "special approval from Director Weiyuan." Seniority and experience have always been the hard thresholds for promotion, and this special approval meant that they stood firm against criticism and supported him to the end.
In terms of speed of promotion, Zhou Xiao was indeed the fastest in the Military Intelligence Bureau.
He was well aware that Boss Dai and Director Wei's actions, ostensibly a reward, were actually an attempt to win him over. They had long recognized Zhou Xiao's courage and methods, and even more so, they valued his successful infiltration of enemy territory—wouldn't it be a pity not to hold such a sharp weapon in their own hands?
The meteoric rise was both a sign of favor and a way to keep him focused on his duties, preventing him from becoming distracted or turning against the underground Communist Party.
But no one expected that Zhou Xiao was originally an underground party member, and his infiltration of the Military Intelligence Bureau was actually a deeper form of infiltration.
"Now that I've become the deputy station chief of the Shanghai station, I'm in charge of the entire Military Intelligence Bureau's operations in Shanghai," Zhou Xiao chuckled.
Previously, the Wan Zhichao, Song Mian, and Lan Yanzhi line was directly controlled by the Shancheng headquarters, and all orders were issued by Shancheng. Although Zhou Xiao and Lan Yanzhi both belonged to the Military Intelligence Bureau, there was no superior-subordinate relationship between them.
Now that the situation has changed, he has the authority to directly command Wan Zhichao, Song Mian, Lan Yanzhi, and others.
"Viper"? That's Minglou.
"Celadon"? That's Mingcheng.
The telegram clearly states that Zhou Xiao has become Ming Lou and Ming Cheng's new superior and has officially taken charge of their operations.
In other words, he was already the de facto supreme commander of the Military Intelligence Bureau in Shanghai.
His rapid promotion was astonishing; even veteran employees like Minglou became his subordinates. This clearly demonstrates the high regard that Boss Dai and Director Wei held for him.
After Zhou Xiao finished scanning the telegram, he flicked his fingertip, and a flame rose up, turning the paper to ashes in an instant without leaving a trace.
At this time, Minglou and Mingcheng had just returned from overseas, and the situation in Shanghai was becoming increasingly turbulent...
At less than thirty years old, he was already a colonel and the deputy stationmaster of Shanghai Station—this resume is indeed impressive.
More importantly, he now truly had the Military Intelligence Bureau's personnel, affairs, intelligence, and operations in Shanghai under his control.
The timely return of Minglou and Mingcheng paved the way for him to seize power.
……
Secret liaison point of the Military Intelligence Bureau.
Lan Yanzhi met Wan Zhichao and Song Mian.
Wan Zhichao said, "Yanzhi, we just received the latest order from headquarters—our National Salvation Association will henceforth be directly commanded by the highest-ranking person in Shanghai, and will no longer be under the command of the Chongqing headquarters."
The National Salvation Association was affiliated with the Military Intelligence Bureau. Wan Zhichao was the head of the organization's intelligence station in Shanghai. He was a grassroots station supervisor, whose rank was one level lower than the head of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai intelligence section, and far inferior to Zhou Xiao, the deputy head of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai station.
Song Mian said, "From now on, all actions must be strictly carried out in accordance with Hades's instructions, and no further decisions can be made on one's own."
"The purpose of this redeployment by the Military Intelligence Bureau is to ensure that all forces in Shanghai act in unison and prevent them from acting independently and causing unforeseen complications."
Lan Yanzhi nodded and asked, "Then who is the highest-ranking commander of the Military Intelligence Bureau in Shanghai?"
Wan Zhichao shook his head: "We don't know their specific identities. All communication is done via encrypted radio."
All we know is that the code name of this top official is "Pluto," and nothing else.
To conceal Zhou Xiao's true identity, in all future telegrams, whenever he is mentioned, he will be referred to as "Pluto" and his real name will never appear.
Hades?
After a moment's thought, Lan Yanzhi instantly thought of someone—Zhou Xiao!
It is highly likely that Zhou Xiao is Hades.
Previously, although she knew that Zhou Xiao had a background in the Military Intelligence Bureau, she knew nothing about his position and authority; now, with several clues pieced together, the answer is obvious: he is the highest-ranking person in charge of the Military Intelligence Bureau in Shanghai.
I never imagined he held such a high position and had been so deeply entrenched in his cover.
Seeing a slight change in Lan Yanzhi's expression, Song Mian asked, "Yanzhi, what's wrong? Have you guessed who the King of the Underworld is?"
Lan Yanzhi shook her head slightly: "How could I know? Since he is the number one person in charge of Shanghai, the level of secrecy must be extremely high."
After hearing this, Wan Zhichao and Song Mian did not ask any further questions and fell silent.
……
Bright Photo Studio.
Guo Qiyun had just received a coded telegram from the Chongqing Military Intelligence Bureau headquarters: "Gentlemen, the latest instructions from headquarters have arrived."
Yu Manli hurriedly asked, "Another new mission?"
Guo Qiyun waved his hand: "It's not a mission, it's a personnel arrangement."
"The telegram clearly stated: From now on, our action team will not only be under the command of Pluto, but also under the direct command of a new superior—codenamed 'Viper'."
Mingtai paused for a moment: "Viper? That's a unique code name, it's quite a match for my 'Scorpion'."
Poison Scorpion was Mingtai's own code name.
Yu Manli pondered: "It seems that Shanghai has gained another unassuming colleague. The situation is becoming increasingly complex and gripping."
In recent operations, the Mingtai Squad has repeatedly achieved outstanding results.
Most of the plans were drafted by Zhou Xiao, but the actual charge was carried out by Mingtai leading the team, so the entire team received a collective commendation.
Mingtai himself was promoted to major and awarded the Sixth-Class Yunhui Medal;
Yu Manli was also awarded the rank of major and her death row inmate status was officially revoked. She regained her freedom and was no longer a fugitive with a murder charge on her head.
Guo Qiyun was also promoted to major and awarded the sixth-class Yunhui Medal.
Everyone has made contributions, and everyone is rewarded.
Mingtai waved his hand: "Whether it's Hades or a viper, we just need to do our jobs well and fulfill our responsibilities."
At 5 p.m. that day, Ming Lou and Ming Cheng quietly arrived in Shanghai. They kept a low profile throughout, without alerting any acquaintances, and did not return to the Ming family mansion. Instead, they checked into a hotel in the city.
The two knew their elder sister Mingjing's temperament all too well—if she knew they were about to take up positions in the Wang Jingwei regime, she would be furious and reprimand them severely. So they decided to avoid the limelight for now, settle down first, and then find a suitable opportunity to confess to their elder sister.
Inside the hotel suite.
The first thing Mingcheng did upon entering the room was to inspect each room thoroughly, checking corners, sockets, chandeliers, air conditioner vents, and other locations where eavesdropping devices might be hidden.
After confirming that there was nothing amiss, he nodded to Minglou: "Brother, the room is safe."
Minglou nodded.
Mingcheng hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Are we just going to stay here? Shouldn't we go back and see our eldest sister first?"
The three brothers had not seen each other for a long time and missed each other dearly.
Minglou smiled slightly: "We need to secure our positions with the puppet government first. If we go back now, my elder sister will stop us on the spot, and this whole thing will be ruined. Let's pave the way first, and then explain to her slowly."
Mingjing has always been decisive and efficient, and his word is his bond.
She is the chairwoman of the Ming family enterprise, the eldest sister of the Ming family, a red capitalist, gentle in appearance but resolute and decisive in spirit, patriotic and loving to her family.
Having lost her parents at a young age, she took on the heavy responsibility of the family at the age of seventeen, single-handedly supporting the Ming family business and raising her three younger brothers to adulthood. She did everything herself and made many sacrifices, earning her the reputation of "eldest sister like a mother" in the Ming family.
She took a clear stance, deeply hated the Japanese invaders and traitors, and would never allow her own brothers to serve the enemy and their collaborators.
That is why Minglou dared not reveal his true intentions for returning to China.
into the night.
Mingcheng returned to his room and handed a coded telegram to Minglou: "Brother, a telegram from Shancheng."
Ming Lou looked up: "What's the content?"
Mingcheng replied, "You will continue to serve as the head of the Intelligence Section of the Military Intelligence Bureau's Shanghai Station, reporting directly to the deputy station chief of the Shanghai Station, 'Pluto'; at the same time, headquarters will also appoint you as the inspector of the Shanghai Station, responsible for supervising the performance of all personnel and the implementation of various actions."
Inspector?
Minglou chuckled lightly: "It seems that Shancheng thinks it's a waste of my talents to just make me a section chief, so they've decided to give me the title of inspector, giving me the authority to oversee everyone and everything in the entire Shanghai station."
Mingcheng nodded: "That's roughly the idea. After all, you have a lot of seniority and experience. If you suddenly have to take orders from a newly promoted deputy station chief, headquarters might have some reservations."
This is a balancing act.
Boss Dai is meticulous.
On the one hand, Zhou Xiao was promoted and given important positions, and on the other hand, Ming Lou was given additional supervisory authority. This approach both stabilized the veteran generals and took care of the newcomers, ensuring that neither side was neglected.
Minglou, with his sharp mind, naturally understood the subtext in Boss Dai's words, but he didn't take it to heart at all: "In this territory of Shanghai, whether I'm in charge or Hades is in charge, the goal is the same—to eliminate the enemy and purge the traitors. All the other empty fame and fleeting gains are nothing but passing clouds."
Mingcheng nodded slightly.