Dai Yunong's Loss of Composure

"Oh?" Dai Peilin looked at Qi Shanyu and smiled. "It seems Brother Yiyan has also seen what makes this report interesting." "The primary drafter of this report was rather conscientious and didn't completely swallow Fang Jibai's credit," Qi Shanyu said. "Fang Jibai's name appears six times in the report, and every time is at a critical juncture." "There is corroborating evidence as well. The suspect was escorted to Nanjing by Chen Xiuqi of the Lücheng Police Station, yet Chen Xiuqi's name appears only four times. Moreover, whenever Chen Xiuqi's name appears, it is invariably accompanied by Fang Jibai's. Conversely, two of the mentions of Fang Jibai do not feature Chen Xiuqi's name at all," he told Dai Peilin with a smile. "Judging from this report, Fang Jibai played a pivotal role in cracking this Japanese spy cell." Qi Shanyu picked up a pencil stub from the floor and carefully set it on the desk. "Tell me about this Fang Jibai," Dai Peilin said in a deep voice. He had always trusted Qi Shanyu's work; it saved him a great deal of trouble. Since Qi Shanyu had noticed Fang Jibai's name, he would have anticipated that Dai would ask about him. With Qi's meticulous work ethic, he naturally would have conducted some preliminary inquiries in advance, just in case. "Fang Jibai, born in the fifth year of the Republic, a native of Lücheng, Danyang, Zhenjiang, currently a patrolman at the Jiangjun Temple Police Station in Nanjing," Qi Shanyu said. "That explains it." Dai Peilin smiled, his right hand lightly tapping the desk. "And that clarifies why Chen Xiuqi handed the suspect over to Jiang Wendao of the Jiangjun Temple Police Station." He said to Qi Shanyu, "It seems this Fang Jibai must enjoy a good deal of Jiang Wendao's regard and trust." "Yes, I noticed that as well," Qi Shanyu nodded. "So I have already arranged for men to further look into the connection between Fang Jibai and Jiang Wendao. I expect intelligence will come back soon." Dai Peilin nodded slightly, gesturing for Qi Shanyu to continue. *** "There is one more thing," Qi Shanyu said. "Brother Yunong, this Fang Jibai could barely be considered half a junior schoolmate to the two of us." "Half a junior schoolmate?" Dai Peilin paused for a moment before instantly grasping Qi Shanyu's meaning. "He's in the special Police Supplementary Class at the Central Military Academy?" "Yes," Qi Shanyu said. "I specifically had someone fetch the roster of the Police Supplementary Class to check, and sure enough, I found Fang Jibai's name. His sponsor was Chang Naiyun, Deputy Director of the Inspectorate Division at the Capital Police Department." "Chang Naiyun?" Dai Peilin fell into thought, then shook his head. "Chang Naiyun and Jiang Wendao are close family friends. Fang Jibai receiving Chang Naiyun's recommendation likely had nothing to do with Chang himself—it was almost certainly Jiang Wendao pulling strings." Just then, a knock came at the office door. "Section Chief Yiyan." Qi Shanyu first looked toward Dai Peilin. Only after Dai gave a slight nod did Qi open the door. A middle-aged agent handed a sheet of paper to Qi Shanyu and murmured a few words. "Brother Yunong." Qi Shanyu softly closed the door and stepped up to Dai Peilin. "We found it. During the Gulou shooting last year, Fang Jibai saved Jiang Wendao's life." "I see." Dai Peilin nodded slightly. That made everything fall into place. In disciplined military and police services, a debt for saving one's life carried the greatest weight; Jiang Wendao naturally felt compelled to repay it. "Still, for Fang Jibai to be held in such high regard by Jiang Wendao—to the point of Jiang calling in a favor with a lifelong friend to recommend him to the Central Military Academy—proves that Jiang truly admires and values his ability. It isn't just about paying back a life saved," Dai Peilin said. "You are absolutely right, Brother Yunong," Qi Shanyu nodded. The Capital Police Department had handpicked its finest officers for the Central Military Academy's Police Supplementary Class to prepare for the defense of Nanjing in the future. In the eyes of cowards, being chosen for this class drastically increased the odds of dying in battle, making it something to avoid at all costs. In the eyes of men like Dai Peilin and Qi Shanyu, however, since Fang Jibai had entered the Central Military Academy, whenever he saw the Generalissimo on the Whampoa campus, he would salute and address him as "Principal." Put plainly, in the future Fang Jibai could claim to be a "disciple of the Son of Heaven." For an ordinary patrolman of common birth like Fang Jibai, credentials from the Central Military Academy's Police Supplementary Class were a monumental opportunity—even if riches and advancement had to be snatched from the jaws of danger. Qi Shanyu unfolded the sheet of paper in his hand, scanned it, and handed it to Dai Peilin with both hands. Taking the paper, Dai Peilin began reading while saying, "I'll read. You talk." "Yes," Qi Shanyu said at once. "Fang Jibai should have been at the Central Military Academy, but he took leave to return to Lücheng for his third sister's wedding." "In addition, we've gathered some details on the Fang family," Qi Shanyu continued. "There are seven Fang siblings in all, and he ranks fourth among the brothers. Above him are three older brothers and three older sisters." "Fang Jibai... Fang Jibai." Dai Peilin stared at the paper in his hands, his brow furrowing as he sank into deep thought. "From Danyang... the Fang family of Danyang... a native of Lücheng..." Suddenly, he bolted upright. Qi Shanyu looked at Dai Peilin in astonishment. He had rarely seen Brother Yunong lose his composure like this. Dai Peilin realized his lapse as well. He sat back down in his chair, his expression returning to calm. *** "Has Dongfang Xu left yet?" Dai Peilin looked up at Qi Shanyu. "He departed yesterday. He should have arrived in Lücheng by now," Qi Shanyu said. "Can you reach him?" Dai Peilin asked again. "Zhang Minquan is in Lücheng. I already instructed Dongfang Xu to make contact through the radio of Zhang Minquan's unit if anything comes up," Qi Shanyu answered. "Send a telegram to Dongfang Xu. Order him to find a way to make contact with Fang Jibai," Dai Peilin said. "Tell him to be mindful of his approach. Don't arouse Fang Jibai's suspicion." "Understood," Qi Shanyu nodded. In truth, he was somewhat puzzled. Based on the Capital Police Department's report, they could basically deduce that Fang Jibai had played a key role in solving this Japanese espionage case. Under such circumstances, the safest course for Dongfang Xu would be to conduct a covert investigation relying on the Secret Service's Danyang Station, rather than making direct contact with Fang Jibai. Or even if contact were necessary, locals from the Lücheng Team would be far more suitable than an outsider like Dongfang Xu. A stranger naturally tended to put people on guard and arouse suspicion. Yet puzzled as he was, Qi Shanyu carried out Dai Peilin's orders strictly and unconditionally. *** Lücheng. Chatianli. "Mother, I don't lack for anything at the academy. For clothes, I have the military uniforms issued by the school, and on top of that, there's my police uniform from the station," Fang Jibai said to his mother, who was packing his luggage. "What's wrong with taking a few extra sets?" Mother Fang glared at her son. "These are clothes your sister and I sewed for you. What, now that you're eating the government's rice, you look down on your mother's stitching?" "I'll take them, I'll take them, all of them," Fang Jibai said hastily with a rueful smile. Right at that moment, shouts came from outside the courtyard gate. "Fourth Brother! Fourth Brother!"