Chapter 5: First Visit to the Military Intelligence Department
Two hours later, the military truck stopped at the gate of a gloomy compound.
Under the command of the lieutenant officer, the five men lined up neatly and entered the gate of the compound.
The compound has a large playground, several office buildings, and underground structures.
The lieutenant led the five people into an office building and into a conference room.
He said to Dai Zhengtong: "Zhengtong! Come with me, the others wait first."
Since they were so intimate, it showed that the officer knew that Dai Zhengtong was Dainong's nephew.
Soon, a lieutenant and a major walked into the conference room, but Dai Zhengtong did not appear.
The major waved to the four people and said with a smile:
"Everyone! I am Ren Jie, the director's secretary. First of all! Welcome to join our Lixing Society. Oh! Now it should be called the Second Division of the Investigation and Statistics Bureau of the National Military Commission, abbreviated as the Military Intelligence Division..."
Major Ren Jie gave a brief introduction and finally announced the allocation plan:
"Dai Zhengtong, Intelligence Department. Zhao Xihe, Li Dongqiang, Sun Ruize, Operations Department. Xiang Chu, Archives Room."
Sun Ruize, Zhao Xihe and Li Dongqiang looked at each other with anger on their faces, wishing they could go and settle the score with Dai Zhengtong who accepted the gift but did not do the job.
Xiang Chu remained calm, feeling that Dai Nong was not someone who could be influenced by family affection, and that he was definitely a ruthless person, so he had to be careful.
Dai Zhengtong overestimated his status in his uncle's mind. It is estimated that Dainong had already planned his future.
Moreover, the operations department is very dangerous and involves many sacrifices, so how could they not recruit new people? The director couldn't justify this to his subordinates either.
However, Xiang Chu was still somewhat confused. He didn't understand why he, who had excellent grades, was assigned to the archives room. This was definitely not something that Dai Zhengtong could change with just a few words. There must be some hidden story behind it.
After Ren Jie finished the assignment, someone immediately walked into the conference room and led Xiang Chu and others to report.
The man who came to pick up Xiang Chu was a thin man over 40 years old, wearing glasses and dressed in the uniform of a lieutenant colonel.
After the two introduced themselves, Xiang Chu realized that he was Li Maocai, the director of the archives room, who was at the same level as the heads of various departments.
The long corridor was paved with red floors, which looked as bright red as blood under the afternoon sun.
Xiang Chu couldn't help but think of those years of blood and fire, which were filled with the smoke of gunpowder and gradually faded away.
Today's battlefield is without the smoke of gunpowder, but it is more dangerous. Even if you are in the archives room, you cannot be careless.
"Click! Click!"
The sound of high heels rang out in the corridor, disturbing Xiang Chu's thoughts.
A graceful female lieutenant officer, exuding an intoxicating fragrance, walked past Xiang Chu.
She nodded to Li Maocai and bowed gently, then stopped and looked at Xiang Chu, asking in surprise:
"It's you?! What's your name?"
Xiang Chu nodded and smiled: "Senior Sister Ning! My name is Xiang Chu."
His mannerisms and speech are very similar to those of his master, and he always has that signature, heartwarming smile on his face.
Ning Caiwei said nonchalantly, "Assigned to the archives room?"
"Yes!"
Xiang Chu smiled.
"Very good! Director Li will have someone to run errands for him from now on."
Ning Caiwei smiled and continued to move forward with her graceful body twisting.
Li Maocai saw her walking away, adjusted his glasses, and whispered:
"Xiao Xiang! Don't get too close to her. It's easy to make people jealous and get into trouble."
Xiang Chu smiled bitterly and said, "Senior Sister Ning is the school beauty of our Huangpu, how could she be interested in me?"
Li Maocai stroked his shoulder and said as they walked: "Even if you like her, don't bother. Lieutenant Ning has a distinguished family background. Her father was an early member of the Tongmenghui, and her uncle is our deputy director Ning, who is also from Xikou. I have read your file. Although you are from the same hometown as her, the gap is too big. It can only add to your troubles. Alas! Children like us who were born in poor families can only be stepping stones for others in this world..."
Xiang Chu let him nag without interrupting him. As long as the revolution was not successful and his comrades were bleeding and sacrificing every minute, how could he possibly care about love?
However, Li Maocai left a very good impression on him. He seemed to be the kind of person with whom he could confide, and he gave him a warm feeling.
The archives room manages some documents, personnel files of various departments, and information on various types of prisoners. There are no particularly confidential documents. There is not much work and naturally few people. It is really a department suitable for retirement.
An office, two desks, and two people sitting opposite each other.
A coffee table, a set of purple clay teapots, and a chess board.
The desk, windows and coffee table were covered with dust, the two thermoses were empty, newspapers were placed in a mess, and the ashtray was not emptied. It looked messy and disorderly. It was obvious that Li Maocai was a lazy person.
There are two document rooms for storing archives next to it. There are several rows of metal cabinets, closets and bookshelves along the middle and two side walls, and there are two safes in the corners.
The files, documents and books were placed randomly, even filling the floor, and there was no organization at all.
Li Maocai wanted to test Xiang Chu's eyesight, so he was not in a hurry to arrange work for him. He just chatted with him.
Xiang Chu was naturally very diligent and didn't want to waste time on idle chatter.
He put the newspaper of the day in front of Li Maocai and said with a smile:
"Director! Please read the newspaper first. I'll go get a bottle of water."
Li Maocai pointed out the window and said:
"The water room in our building is on the third floor. It's only the office of Director and Deputy Director Ning. You should go to the Operations Building on the left to get some water. They have more people and plenty of water."
"understand!"
Xiang Chu nodded, took two thermoses and a mop and went out.
As the director's secretary Ren Jie had introduced earlier in the conference room, this building houses the office of the department leaders, as well as logistics departments such as telecommunications, finance, and archives.
The two buildings next to it are the Operations Department and the Intelligence Department. The building opposite is the Interrogation Department, and there is a dark and terrifying basement underneath.
Xiang Chu arrived at the Operations Department building. As soon as he walked in, he met Liu Zhengxiong leading a large group of operations team members hurried out.
Even Zhao Xihe, Li Dongqiang and Sun Ruize changed into brand new Zhongshan suits and put pistols on their waists, looking heroic and full of energy.
In contrast, Xiang Chu had not yet had the chance to change into his military uniform or casual clothes, and was still wearing an old gray Zhongshan suit, looking very shabby.
Liu Zhengxiong hurriedly stopped and said in surprise: "Xiang, Xiang Chu! You weren't assigned to our Operations Department?"
Xiang Chu smiled and said, "Captain Liu! I was assigned to the archives room."
"Ah?! You are assigned to the archives room with such great skills."
Liu Zhengxiong exclaimed, but he reacted quickly and patted Xiang Chu on the shoulder and said,
"Good! The archives room is pretty good too, kid! Good job!"