[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-spy-survival-guide":3,"chapter-spy-survival-guide-spy-survival-guide-chapter-31":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Spy Survival Guide",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2366347,4634,"Chapter 31: Gaining an Advantage While Still Complaining","spy-survival-guide-chapter-31",31,"\u003Cp>Before coming, the superior had warned Old Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wensheng was highly likely to have defected and had been subjected to interrogation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once confirmed, execute him on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei had previously intentionally touched Liu Wensheng’s chest, and seeing the look of pain on his face, he knew this man had indeed defected from the organization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang, bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei decisively pulled the trigger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood splattered across Liu Wensheng’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Wei, you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his eyes wide and fell headfirst to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei turned and ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh no!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gunfire in the church startled Ma Kui and Qi Physician outside the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men burst in at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui fired a shot at the fleeing Old Wei, hitting him squarely in the thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei let out a muffled groan and nearly fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used the church pews as cover to exchange fire with Ma Kui and his companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the bullets ran out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The experienced Ma Kui signaled, and he and Qi Physician slowly flanked him from left and right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hoo, hoo!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei panted heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The traitor had been eliminated, and knowing there was no hope of survival, he suddenly lunged out, feigning an attempt to aim his gun at Ma Kui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't shoot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Physician instinctively fired a burst into Old Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was worth it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of a smile appeared on the corner of Old Wei’s mouth as he collapsed into a pool of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who told you to shoot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was already out of bullets, just a fish on the chopping block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you a pig?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui backhanded Qi Physician, knocking him over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei was the number two figure of the Jinhai Regional Committee and its actual helmsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His value was far higher than Liu Wensheng’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Liu Wensheng was gone, and this fat fish, Old Wei, was also dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A perfectly good game of chess had been completely ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui was so angry he was fuming; the more he thought about it, the angrier he got, and he gave Qi Physician, who was on the ground, a brutal beating:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you to shoot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you to shoot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Jinhai Station conference room, the air was nearly suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong slapped the table and said self-mockingly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A perfectly good piece of meat, and it went rotten before I could take a bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss Dai is still waiting for me in Jingling to hold a victory banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, it’s all ruined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he pointed angrily at Ma Kui: \"Captain Ma, how do you explain this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui gritted his teeth, his head tilting in resentment:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief, we followed the plan for the rendezvous; who would have thought Liu Wensheng would be gunned down by the other side the moment he went in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This clearly means someone leaked the intelligence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leaked intelligence, who?\" Upon hearing this, Wu Jingzhong was furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I used a secret dedicated line; only a few people in the station knew, and you were the one who picked the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, who is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed aggressively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know, but I have a gut feeling that there must be a Red agent in our station, and it is highly likely they are in this very conference room.\" Ma Kui scanned everyone with a sharp gaze and argued coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Red agents are convenient; whenever a job is botched, it’s always a leak by a Red agent, never fails.\" Lu Qiaoshan shook his head and sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was truly happy at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did Ma Kui fail to gain any merit, but he also messed everything up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this pile of dung on his head, he could forget about being promoted to Colonel in this lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You Lu, don't you kick a man when he's down...\" Ma Kui’s veins bulged, and he was about to explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong slapped the table: \"Enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Liu, start the investigation from within the station; everyone must undergo screening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about Captain Ma and Qi Physician...\" Liu Xiong asked in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Suspend their salaries for three months first,\" Wu Jingzhong said angrily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiong accepted the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone returned to their offices to undergo screening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Secretary Hong, where were you at the time?\" Liu Xiong asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou gave his account one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After lasting about an hour, the station began letting people go one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiaoshan found an opening and slipped into Hong Zhiyou’s office again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after, Yu Zecheng followed behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu, Director Yu, come, have some tea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou set out the tea cups, and the three began to chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Yu, Secretary Hong, you say such an important figure, and they didn't even notify us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Listen to Ma Kui’s tone; he’s the only loyal and capable official in the whole station, and we’re all treacherous subjects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiaoshan spread his hands, crossed his legs to show off the soles of his leather shoes, and began to complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let him be a loyal official; that’s not something you can eat,\" Yu Zecheng laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just don't understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ma Kui has turned the sky upside down, and the Station Chief only fined him three months' salary, not even a demotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't that too much favoritism?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qiaoshan switched back to his whiny mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, everyone in the station knew it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Kui was stupid, stupid in that he didn't understand human relationships and worldly wisdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was also one of the few people who actually got things done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they got rid of Ma Kui and replaced him with someone like Lu Qiaoshan, the Jinhai Station might as well close down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Wu Jingzhong, that old fox, not understand this logic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Lu, stop acting like you’ve gained an advantage while still complaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With Ma Kui’s fall, the position of Deputy Station Chief is basically out of reach for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re the only Lieutenant Colonel in the station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just wait to pop the champagne and celebrate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Zecheng complimented him half-jokingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where, where...\" Lu Qiaoshan’s mouth curled up so much he could barely suppress it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did he come here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't it just to show off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they were talking, Liu Xiong walked in:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Secretary Hong, Director Yu, the Station Chief wants you both to come to his office.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither dared to delay and hurried to the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Close the door,\" Wu Jingzhong ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou closed the door, and Wu Jingzhong sat down and sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh, that clumsy Ma Kui. Now look at this, he didn't save face, he just exposed his backside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you two think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou scooted to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of seniority, it had to be Yu Zecheng who spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When out in the world, one still had to observe the rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let Zhiyou speak first,\" Yu Zecheng said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Hong Zhiyou had participated in this matter and had more right to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Secretary Hong, you speak,\" Wu Jingzhong pointed at Hong Zhiyou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I feel that we cannot blame Captain Ma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When Liu Wensheng came to Jinmen, many places could have gone wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For example, transporting his wife and daughter from Beiping might have alerted the Reds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is also the Jinmen Beiyang University and the Education Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Furthermore, intelligence trading on the black market is currently rampant; who knows, perhaps the moment Liu Wensheng stepped into Jinmen, someone in Beiping was already driving up the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't forget, he was sold out by someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That person could easily take the opportunity to make another big haul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must know that on the black market now, intelligence regarding the Reds, especially big fish like this, starts at at least two gold bars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, I believe the responsibility does not lie with the station, and certainly not with you, Station Chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It must have happened in Beiping!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou finished his analysis, decisive and firm in his conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, that must be it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Jinmen Station has an internal monitoring mechanism, members have an internal review every month, and this time you were personally in command; it is unlikely that our own people leaked the news,\" Yu Zecheng echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he took out a handkerchief and blew his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Apologies, my rhinitis acts up as soon as autumn arrives, it's an old ailment,\" Yu Zecheng said with an awkward smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been to see Shopkeeper Qiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The streets were crowded and eyes were everywhere; in case someone saw him, he needed an excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they were talking, the phone rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I bet it's Boss Dai,\" Wu Jingzhong pointed at the telephone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his expression turned solemn, and he answered the phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Bureau Chief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is my fault, I failed, I have let down your trust.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood at attention, solemn, wiping sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's impossible, I was personally in command, not even a fly could have slipped out, it must have been a problem over at Ma Hansan's side in Beiping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know, Station Chief Ma has always been high-profile, and those subordinates of his are always making a racket; who knows where the leak happened that let the Reds find out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, my Bureau Chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have been doing intelligence work with you since the Ji'e Lane days, could I commit such a low-level mistake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanging up the phone, Wu Jingzhong wiped away a cold sweat, still shaken as he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good thing this old face of mine is still useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We had Ma Hansan take the fall for us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Bureau Chief's instruction: let this be the last time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's go, time to eat!\" Wu Jingzhong's eyes brightened, and he began to laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Station Chief, where to? I'll book a private room for you,\" Yu Zecheng said hurriedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We're going straight to my house; your sister-in-law specially prepared a fine late-night snack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Consider it a way for us to calm our nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As it happens, I still have matters to discuss with you both.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jingzhong unbuttoned his collar, and the murderous aura that had filled the office gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Zhiyou was hoping for exactly this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already set the date with Long Er over the phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, there would be a good show tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1732,"2026-06-25T10:22:48.848Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","592aa61c1e01b724ff38bbbb89eb5b11836a24c13c0280d78997695aeac62a78","spy-survival-guide-chapter-32","spy-survival-guide-chapter-30",395,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fspy-survival-guide-cover.jpg"]