Chapter 57: The Second Bureau

Early the next morning, Li Wensheng took Lao Niu and the other two, had breakfast by the roadside, and headed for the Second Division of the Military Bureau. After showing their credentials to the guards, the three entered and had just stepped into the office building when a man in his fifties, his face brimming with a smile, walked over.

“Director Li, hello. My name is Feng Shuyan, Deputy Director of the Second Division. I mainly oversee logistics.”

“Hello, Deputy Director Feng.” Li Wensheng reached out and shook Feng Shuyan’s hand, smiling as he did so.

Li Wensheng was the subordinate, and Feng Shuyan the superior, yet Feng’s manner of speaking made it seem as if he were the subordinate.

“Director Li, it’s wonderful that you’re here. The previous Anti-Detection Division staff made mistakes and have been detained. Now, no one is handling the division’s work, and the place is in chaos.”

“Deputy Director Feng, I’ll need your assistance with everything.”

“Oh, there’s no need to speak of assistance. We all work together, united in purpose.”

Afterward, led by Feng Shuyan, Li Wensheng met the head of the Second Division, Tian Bin—a man in his fifties with a remarkably robust physique.

Li Wensheng spent a few minutes in Tian Bin’s office, then Feng Shuyan took him to several departments: the Communist Affairs Division, the General Affairs Division, and the International Division. At last, they arrived at the empty office of the Anti-Detection Division.

Once there, Feng Shuyan tactfully excused himself, saying, “Director Li, let me know if you need anything,” and left.

With Feng gone, Li Wensheng and his companions began to tidy up the Anti-Detection Division’s office.

While Li Wensheng was organizing, Ji Bowen—the sharp-eyed, hawk-like head of the Communist Affairs Division, a man in his thirties—entered Tian Bin’s office.

“Director, Deputy Director Feng is being far too deferential. Li Wensheng is just a division head, yet Deputy Director Feng acts like his subordinate,” Ji Bowen whispered as he poured tea for Tian Bin.

Tian Bin lifted his head and gave Ji Bowen a searching look, then replied quietly, “Acting as a subordinate isn’t necessarily being deferential. Li Wensheng received the Fourth-Class Yunhui Medal yesterday.”

Ji Bowen put down the teapot, his face puzzled. “Director, when I was in the army, I also received the Loyal and Brave Medal.”

Tian Bin paused, inwardly remarking, “Hopeless!” He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and explained slowly, “Bowen, you’re skilled at catching spies, but there are things you still need to learn. The Yunhui Medal is a world apart from the Loyal and Brave or Loyal Service Medals. For those, Director Dai or the military can simply make a request. But for the Yunhui Medal, Director Dai’s recommendation isn’t enough. At minimum, it requires a general of lieutenant general rank or higher to request it, to award the Fourth-Class Yunhui Medal.”

Ji Bowen’s face changed dramatically. “Director, does that mean Li Wensheng has an extraordinary background?”

Tian Bin nodded with a sigh. “Yes, his connections are formidable—even Director Dai must show him respect. So, you must be careful; if he discovers any infractions and reports to Director Dai, I won’t be able to protect you.”

“Understood, Director. Thank you for the warning—I’ll remember it.”

Ji Bowen glanced at the door, craned his neck, and whispered, “Director, since Director Dai appointed Li Wensheng as head of the Anti-Detection Division, does that mean the matter is settled?”

Tian Bin immediately frowned. “Hard to say. Li Wensheng’s appointment might come with other tasks. In any case, be cautious for now. Suspend those operations until we know what sort of man Li Wensheng is.”

“Understood. I’ll have the staff halt our business right away.”

“Do it now. Don’t let Li Wensheng discover anything.”

“Yes, Director. I’ll see to it immediately.”

…

Li Wensheng and his three companions were nearly finished tidying up the Anti-Detection Division’s office when Shi Xiaozhen and Bai Yan arrived.

Once everything was in order, Li Wensheng instructed Bai Yan and Shi Xiaozhen to find lodging, then meet at the checkpoint outside Sheng Mansion.

He took Lao Niu and the other two to the General Affairs Division, where they received a jeep, and then drove toward the Grand Master’s residence.

As they drove, Scholar gazed at the street, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. He hurriedly asked, “Director, are we heading to that residence?”

Lao Niu and Gun Enthusiast were momentarily stunned, then fixed their eyes on Li Wensheng.

Li Wensheng remained calm and nodded. “We’re going to collect the pass. Otherwise, how could we enter Sheng Mansion?”

The three were shocked. Yesterday, Li Wensheng had mentioned calling the Service Office; afterward, they thought perhaps he meant calling the Director, who would then contact the Service Office. Yet now, Li Wensheng was heading straight to the Service Office himself…

“Director, maybe we should call the Director first. If we go directly, won’t we be mistaken for suspicious individuals and arrested?” Scholar said anxiously.

“If you want to die, I don’t. Since I dare to go, I have my reasons. Don’t worry.”

Seeing Li Wensheng’s composed expression, the three, though still uneasy, asked no further questions.

Arriving outside the Old Man’s residence, Li Wensheng opened the car door and said, “Wait in the car.”

He got out and walked to the gatehouse. Before he could speak, the attendant inside said, “There’s a meeting—no visitors.”

“I’m looking for the Service Office. Please call them for me and say Li Wensheng needs their assistance.”

The attendant hesitated, then picked up the phone and dialed.

Once connected, the attendant said, “Director, someone named Li Wensheng is here for you.”

Whatever was said on the other end, the attendant suddenly turned, gazing at Li Wensheng in astonishment.

“Yes, Director.”

After hanging up, the attendant said to Li Wensheng, “Wait a moment. The Director will be out soon.”

Soon, the same fifty-something officer who had introduced Li Wensheng to Director Dai and the Old Man the previous day came out.

“Nephew, what brings you here?” He knew how to address Li Wensheng appropriately and called him nephew without hesitation.

“Director, I need to search Sheng Mansion. Could you please issue a pass so I can enter?”

A search of Sheng Mansion—he immediately understood the situation.

“Someone’s in for a scolding again,” he muttered to himself, then smiled, “This is a small matter. Nephew, wait here, I’ll prepare it for you.”

He went back inside. Soon, he returned with a slip of paper stamped with the Service Office seal.

“Nephew, in the future, just call me—I'll send someone with the pass, no need to come in person.”

“Thank you, Director.” Li Wensheng accepted without ceremony.

He had no desire to waste time; if the soldiers at Sheng Mansion didn’t insist on seeing the pass, he wouldn’t have come.

“Director, I’ll get to work now.”

“Nephew, remember to visit when you have time. The Old Man and Madam both think fondly of you.”

“Yes, once I’ve finished this matter, I’ll come by,” Li Wensheng replied casually, then turned back toward the car.

Seeing him return with the pass, Scholar and the others were astonished. They had clearly witnessed how courteous the Service Office staff were to Li Wensheng.

The three exchanged glances, the same thought arising: the Director had misled them. Li Wensheng’s background was anything but simple, and yet they had been sent to monitor him.

Whatever they thought, Li Wensheng was unaware. After getting in, he started the car and drove toward Sheng Mansion.

When they arrived at the same checkpoint as yesterday, Bai Yan and Shi Xiaozhen were already there.

Li Wensheng got out and handed the pass to the soldiers at the checkpoint.

With the pass, the soldiers immediately let them through, and Li Wensheng and his group entered.