Chapter 652

According to Songzhi Zhiren's description, Cun Xigong's face showed no change, even when watching Yuan Chief whip Zhaotu, he did not speak to stop it.

Even this was not enough to dispel Gangcun Ningci's suspicions about him.

On the contrary, Yuan Chief's performance pleased Gangcun Ningci greatly.

Gangcun Ningci was on the phone when a knocking sounded outside the door, interrupting him.

"Gangcun Commander, we're back."

Chen Yongren's voice then came through; Gangcun Ningci said a few words into the phone, hung up, and said to the door, "Come in."

The words had just fallen.

Chen Yongren and Cun Xigong followed and walked into the office.

"Chief Director Sir, Cun Xigong, how is it, any findings?" Gangcun Ning asked.

Chen Yongren shook his head helplessly and said, "This guy's mouth is too tough; he passed out after just a few lashes."

"Your Excellency, Commander, we heard that when you made the arrest, you discovered some documents; could we see them?"

Chen Yongren directly snatched Zhongxigong's words.

"When we arrested him, we indeed found a few documents, but they were specially encrypted; even if we gave them to you, they'd be useless." Gangcun Ningci shook his head.

"Perhaps I can try?" Cun Xigong said, "When I worked at the South Manchuria Railway, I also once attempted to decipher documents…"

"Most intelligence is time-sensitive; if we can't decipher it quickly, we will very likely miss the opportunity."

"Moreover, we cannot be sure whether there are other hidden Red Party agents inside."

"Combined with the club assassination case, perhaps these Red Party members are preparing to contact the hidden agents inside."

Gangcun Ningci's heart stirred; Cun Xigong had indeed become famous for deciphering a few Red Party ciphers.

Cun Xigong's excuse was also indeed noble-sounding.

"Good!" Gangcun Ningci pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "I will send you a copy of the seized documents as soon as possible; I hope you can decipher them quickly and not disappoint me!"

"Hai!" Cun Xigong's face remained unchanged.

"Cun Xigong, you've just come to Northern Peace; you don't have your own office yet, right? For now, work together with Chief Director Sir." After saying this, Gangcun Ningci looked at Chen Yongren and asked, "Chief Director Sir, any objections?"

"I will follow whatever the Commander decides." Chen Yongren said solemnly.

It would be better to keep Cun Xigong nearby; if anything goes wrong, we can rescue him promptly.

Gangcun Ningci then looked at Cun Xigong and asked, "Cun Xigong, any objections?"

Cun Xigong shook his head.

"Very well, Chief Director Sir, first take Cun Xigong to familiarize himself with the office; I will arrange for someone to send the documents to you shortly." Gangcun Ningci waved them off, sending Chen Yongren and Cun Xigong away.

Only after the two left the office did Anda say, "Your Excellency, General, we had no documents when we made the arrest."

"Before there were none, but now that Cun Xigong has come, don't we have some?" Gangcun Ningci smiled sinisterly.

Anda instantly understood Gangcun Ningci's meaning.

Using false documents, test Cun Xigong.

"Immediately, based on what we know from the Red Party and the seized secret documents, following their habits, forge a few documents." Gangcun Ningci picked up the phone, dialed the Northern Peace Special Agency, and said directly.

"The document contents should be half true, half false, with high credibility."

"Cun Xigong is a veteran agent; a little carelessness and he'll realize this is a trap."

…

Cun Xigong also followed Chen Yongren back to his office.

"Sir."

Seeing Chen Yongren enter, Zhongyuan Shen and several others rose to salute.

Cun Xigong was somewhat surprised.

This department has only been established a short while; why do these people look at Yuan Chief with such fervor?

"This is the new investigator, Cun Xigong." Chen Yongren said, "From now on, he will temporarily work in our office."

"Director Cun Xigong."

Several people then saluted Cun Xigong.

Whoever he is, as long as he doesn't interfere with the bureau's investigation, do as you please.

Cun Xigong nodded and smiled in greeting, then followed Chen Yongren into the section chief's office.

Cun Xigong curiously surveyed Chen Yongren's office.

Everything was new.

Being able to enjoy his own office in the North China Army Headquarters is enough to prove his ability.

"Cun Xigong, don't be formal, have a seat." Chen Yongren said politely.

Cun Xigong politely said, "Chief Director Sir truly deserves his reputation as a young talent of the North China Army; at such a young age he already has his own office, making me envy him greatly."

"Do you like it?" Chen Yongren said generously, "If you like it, I can give you this office."

"Huh?" Cun Xigong's expression showed surprise.

"My new office is still being renovated; once I move out from here, this place will become vacant." Chen Yongren casually took out a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out, and tossed it to Cun Xigong.

"This office is still quite new; we can't let it sit idle."

"Of course, the office can be given to you, but those subordinates outside cannot."

"New office?" Cun Xi Gong wasn't polite either, he took the cigarette, put it in his mouth, then stood up, pulled out a match, and lit a cigarette for Chen Yongren.

"Commander Okamura is very pleased with the Special Investigation Unit's achievements; now that it has become an official department, it naturally needs a larger office to work and develop better," Chen Yongren explained.

"The Special Investigation Unit's achievements, I have already mentioned them to Commander Okamura, but I don't know the details, Chief Director Sir—could you let me hear your story?" Murase Gong wore an expectant expression: "Of course, if this needs to be kept secret, then just pretend I never brought it up."

"What's there to keep secret about this? Since Murase-kun is interested, I'll tell you." Chen Yongren generously recounted the entire process of capturing Tanaka Tarou.

Concealing the existence of the diary, he only said he had discovered some of its secret dealings with the Military Statistics Bureau, fabricating some leads from bank accounts, discovering that the people transferring funds were connected to the Military Statistics Bureau.

After listening, Cunxi Gong was dumbstruck.

The Yuan Chief's observational skills were surprisingly remarkable.

A small detail raised suspicion of Tanaka Tarou, and then, by following the clues, they uncovered this person's true identity?

It took less than a day?

From now on, when by his side, one must be extra careful; Northern Peace is more dangerous than imagined.

"Chief Director Sir is indeed formidable; I truly feel inferior. If placed beside me, perhaps there is no way to investigate these." Cunxi Gong said.

"Mr. Cunxi Gong is just joking; I merely hit a dead cat by blind luck." Chen Yongren said humbly.

The two chatted like old friends of many years, exchanging cases they had encountered and interesting incidents from work.

Cunxi Gong formed a rough impression of Chen Yongren.

Young, capable, never attended a military academy, his thoughts not overly extreme, etc.

But this is only the first impression; whether it's truly so requires further contact.

The two were in the midst of exchanging.

Outside, Zhongyuan Shen's voice rang out: "Chief Commander, Commander Okamura has sent a document for you to receive personally!"