Spying

18 The Art of Misdirection

The so-called "August Military Conference" by the outside world—officially known as the Suppression of Communist Rebellion Review Meeting—was convened on August 3, 1948. Apart from Hu Zongnan, Huang Baitao, and Liu Zhi, who were preoccupied with tense battlefield situations and sent representatives instead, all other key military and political figures of the Nationalist Party gathered in the capital. The grand hall of the Ministry of National Defense glittered with unprecedented splendor.

President Chiang’s opening speech differed only slightly in wording from the draft Zhu Yanjun had obtained in advance. The insider who had provided her with such high-quality intelligence was also present at the venue, meticulously identifying any additional information worth passing along.

First, he knew newspapers would be eager to publish gossip from such a solemn occasion. For instance, President Chiang had flown into a rage over a certain army commander’s "boosting the enemy’s morale" remarks—specifically, the latter’s blunt suggestion that the Nationalist Army should learn from the People’s Liberation Army’s strengths, such as uniting with the masses and caring for soldiers. Ren Shaobai mused that such anecdotes, once reported by Zhu Yanjun, would kill two birds with one stone: readers always relished the spectacle of high-ranking figures losing their composure, while it would also indirectly highlight the superior conduct of the Communist forces.

There was another type of information that needed to be relayed to Peng Yongcheng as soon as possible. Somehow, the Second Department had obtained several tactical manuals issued by the East China Field Army and the Northeast Field Army, complete with countermeasures meticulously drafted by the Third Department for discussion. This was the real intelligence goldmine of the military conference—the Nationalist Army’s study of the Communist forces’ tactics.

As Ren Shaobai skimmed through the section on fortress defense, he noticed Li Helin calmly whispering with the acting director of the Third Department. It dawned on him then that behind the move to cut off Liu Kangjie’s lifeline, the department director had other maneuvers in play.

Once again struck by the underestimated prowess of his former teacher and current superior, Ren Shaobai unconsciously straightened his posture.

The conference concluded on August 7. On the penultimate day, Ren Shaobai dined with other attending aides and secretaries. While serving himself, he exaggeratedly trembled his chopstick-holding hand, drawing amused glances. The secretary of a department director chuckled and remarked, "Director Li prefers written records—you’re in for some hard work."

Ren Shaobai groaned with a pained expression. "I never wrote this much even in school."

The others joined in the laughter. They all knew that since taking over as Li Helin’s secretary, Ren Shaobai—once the Ministry of National Defense’s champion of clocking out on time—had been forced to adopt a different work ethic. With good-natured schadenfreude, they teased him, calling it a sign of being highly trusted.

But for Ren Shaobai, the intensified workload meant less freedom, requiring even greater caution in his meetings with Peng Yongcheng. Originally, they had planned to meet after the military conference, when Ren Shaobai would deposit the month’s rental income at the Industrial Bank—a task that raised no suspicion. Ever since his mother moved to Hong Kong, he had managed the rental properties near Xijia Datang inherited from his maternal grandfather. Even Li Helin was aware that his lack of ambition over the years stemmed from the comfort of living off rental income.

Yet just then, an unforeseen complication arose.Han Guizhang, the former commander of the 46th Army who had once been suspected of being a Communist spy during the Southern Shandong Campaign but avoided investigation due to lack of evidence before being transferred to Lanzhou, had also arrived in Nanjing. He came with the Northwest Military and Political Administration Office to attend meetings, while the Minister of National Defense issued a secret order for his covert arrest after the final day's session.

The arrest operation was assigned to the Security Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense—a small organization with only a few dozen personnel, consisting of Director Tang Zong's trusted associates brought over from the Military Intelligence Section. Though Director Tang himself was not in Nanjing at the time, upon receiving the mission, the bureau quickly arranged an action plan.

Post-arrest procedures would be handled by the Second Department. The Sixth Division, responsible for counterintelligence, had prepared a safe house to prevent information leaks and potential rescue attempts by Communist Party operatives.

This demonstrated the high level of secrecy for the operation. Moreover, since Li Helin, the department office director, was not directly involved, Ren Shaobai only learned of it by noon on August 7th.

He analyzed the situation in his mind: Would it be more difficult to attempt a rescue after General Han's arrest, or was there a higher chance of success by assisting his escape beforehand?

After a few minutes, he made his decision.

A defecting frontline army commander would be a high-priority prisoner. Even if Peng Yongcheng could, like last time, mobilize helpers through the Jiangsu Provincial Committee, breaking through multiple checkpoints to free him seemed unlikely. Conversely, between now and evening, to avoid alerting their target, the Security Affairs Bureau wouldn't deploy large forces. Thus, there might still be an opportunity for General Han to leave the Ministry of National Defense before the meeting concluded.

If no opportunity existed, he would create one.

Early August marked Nanjing's hottest season. Even the President, known for his frugality, had to approve running the four air conditioning units in the auditorium from dawn till dusk. The Ministry's grand auditorium used American-made ammonia-based vertical chiller units installed in an adjacent engine room, equipped with alarm systems to prevent refrigerant leaks.

Yet that day, as bureau directors, army commanders, and staff officers returned from lunch to resume the afternoon session, they noticed the temperature gradually rising. Someone approached an air vent and confirmed without even extending a hand—

"No airflow."

With the AC malfunctioning, continuing the meeting became untenable. Accustomed to luxury, none could endure becoming steamed buns in a roomful of a hundred people slowly turning into a giant bamboo steamer.

The tardy logistics team first inspected the engine room before reporting that the chiller required specialized repairs. As complaints filled the auditorium, President Chiang erupted: "Such feeble morale at the frontline, yet you've grown soft and pampered! Do Communist bandits in northwestern caves enjoy such conditions?"

Silence resumed instantly. Though resentful, none dared voice the thought—"Isn't this boosting Communist morale?"—swallowing it instead.

Ren Shaobai glanced at Li Helin, who sat meditating with closed eyes, and whispered, "Shall I have the canteen prepare some herbal tea?"

Li Helin opened his eyes and nodded approvingly. "Thoughtful as always."Before long, Ren Shaobai arrived with the canteen staff to distribute herbal tea, earning appreciative glances from many. Others also came forward to help. Ren Shaobai glanced at the officers of various ranks and the officials from the Ministry of National Defense’s departments and bureaus, then tilted his chin slightly as if casually indicating a direction. “I’ll take care of that side.”

He poured the herbal tea one bowl at a time for the representatives of the Northwest Office. When he reached Deputy Chief of Staff Han Guizhang of the Field Headquarters, he respectfully handed over the bowl. Han Guizhang also politely received it with both hands. As their fingers brushed the bottom of the bowl, he looked up and met Ren Shaobai’s gaze.

“Be careful, General Han. This bowl is quite full—don’t spill it.”

“Thoughtful of you. Thank you.”

After everyone drank the herbal tea, it wasn’t long before they began heading to the restrooms one after another. Soon, people were moving in and out of the auditorium, and a line even formed outside the restrooms. Some had no choice but to rush to the adjacent office building to relieve themselves.

It was at this moment that the repairmen arrived. The mechanics sent by the Combined Logistics Headquarters inspected the unit, lifted the control panel, and reconnected the cables. The cooling system started up again.

The final half-day of the meeting resumed, with the President delivering another speech as discussions on bandit-suppression tactics continued.

Time passed minute by minute. Ren Shaobai heard faint rustling and footsteps from the back of the auditorium. Turning his head, he saw Yang Kaizhi, the head of the Security Bureau’s First Division, hurriedly making his way toward the front rows. However, the Minister of National Defense was speaking on stage. After looking around hesitantly, Yang chose to approach the Director of the Second Department, whispering a few words into his ear.

Li Helin also noticed the commotion and frowned. “What’s going on now?”

Ren Shaobai shook his head blankly. “I’ll go find out.” He hunched over and made his way to the back of the auditorium. After a while, he returned in the same manner and whispered to Li Helin, “Han Guizhang is missing.”

Li Helin’s brow furrowed. Before he could say anything, the Director of the Second Department suddenly stood up and strode toward him. Disregarding formalities of rank, the director pressed a hand on his shoulder and bent down to say, “I can’t leave right now, and Director Tang isn’t here either. You’ll take command of the Sixth Division and the Security Bureau to arrest Han Guizhang.”

Li Helin led his men out of the auditorium and first headed straight for the main gate to question the guards. “Has anyone left just now?”

Due to the military conference, entry and exit from the Ministry of National Defense had been strictly controlled these past few days. Even ordinary office staff not attending the meetings were barred from leaving during the sessions. The guard shook his head. “No one’s come or gone except for that repairman earlier.”

“Damn it!” Yang Kaizhi exclaimed under his breath. “Could he have disguised himself as the repairman and slipped out?”

When the air conditioning had malfunctioned, the heat had made everyone in the auditorium restless. Once it was fixed, they were too preoccupied with restarting the meeting to pay attention to the repairman’s whereabouts. Seizing this opportunity, Han Guizhang had swapped clothes with the worker and walked out of the Ministry of National Defense openly, carrying the latter’s toolbox.

The logistics staff responsible for transporting the repairman were left speechless, utterly unable to describe what the worker had looked like or whether it had been the same person before and after.

Li Helin ordered the perimeter of the Ministry of National Defense sealed and a search launched inside for the real repairman who had been replaced.

Ren Shaobai cautioned, “This doesn’t seem spur-of-the-moment. Could it have been coordinated? Maybe even the air conditioning malfunction was sabotaged?”Li Helin did not deny it, only saying, "Find the person first."

On one hand, they pursued the disguised fugitive Han Guizhang, setting up roadblocks and inspecting train stations and docks, focusing on verifying identity documents. On the other hand, they investigated the Logistics Headquarters that had dispatched the repairman, retrieving the repairman's file to check for any Communist affiliation.

The Security Bureau and the Second Department immediately sprang into action. Ren Shaobai returned to the office with Li Helin, wearing an expression of hesitation.

"Speak your mind," Li Helin said.

"Should we ask the Confidentiality Bureau for assistance?" Ren Shaobai asked, then quickly added, "I know the Director prefers discretion, but the Confidentiality Bureau has more information on the underground Communist network in Nanjing. Han Guizhang will need support once he's out, and I thought they might provide some leads."

Li Helin pondered for a moment before replying, "Then ask quietly. Don’t explain the details, and don’t let them make any noise."

With approval granted, Ren Shaobai took the travel pass and headed to the parking lot.

The guard post had also received an internal call—the Second Department’s office secretary was going on an external assignment, and they were to let him pass.

Ren Shaobai stepped on the accelerator and left the heavily guarded Ministry of Defense. Passing through a nearby temporary checkpoint, he greeted familiar colleagues, who nodded in acknowledgment, knowing it was an urgent assignment. The car with the Ministry of Defense license plate proceeded unimpeded.

After clearing the last roadblock, Ren Shaobai glanced into the rearview mirror and said, "General Han, apologies for the inconvenience. You can come out now."

In the rearview mirror, he saw Han Guizhang, currently the target of a city-wide manhunt, crawl out from beneath the backseat.

This high-ranking officer, who had been a Communist mole within the Nationalist military since the 15th year of the Republic, showed no concern for having hidden in such an undignified manner for so long. Instead, he laughed heartily and said, "Comrade Ren, quite the sleight of hand."

From his pocket, he retrieved the note Ren Shaobai had hidden beneath the bowl of herbal tea earlier. The man in the driver’s seat promptly handed him a box of matches, and the ashes of the note drifted into the warm breeze outside the car window.

The car turned a corner, leaving Zhongshan Boulevard behind. The shimmering waters of Black Tortoise Lake came into view under the setting sun, where unnamed waterfowl skimmed the surface, so lightly they barely left a ripple.