Chapter 42: Heading Towards Tiger Mountain

  Lin Xiaotang's first half sentence was nothing much, but the second half of the sentence almost scared Wang Tianmu to jump up from his chair.

  Wang Tianmu hastily raised his wine glass and took a sip, using this to conceal the panic in his heart. Lin Xiaotang, on the other hand, calmly raised her cup, bringing it to her lips but not drinking.

  Wang Tianmu only felt that his back was already drenched in cold sweat, and he couldn't help but feel bitter in his heart. It was well-known to everyone that he and Zheng Jieming were close, and it was also known to others that he and Dai Li almost became in-laws. But no one knew the reason behind this.

  Wang Tianmu became a member of Zheng Jieming's faction under the instruction of Dai Li; the failure to discuss the marriage between their children was also orchestrated by Dai Li. Nobody knew that Wang Tianmu and Dai Li were originally relatives. Although they were distant relatives, they still shared a familial connection, so no matter what time it was, Wang Tianmu was always one of Dai Li's most loyal supporters. The role he played in Zheng Jieming's faction was just a play directed by Dai Li himself. The reason was simple: Zheng Jieming was the only person within Military Intelligence who could affect Dai Li's status at that time.

  But this absolutely confidential secret was lightly revealed by Lin Xiaotang, and even Wang Tianmu, a veteran of the underworld, was caught off guard. Counterattack Republic's Special Agent 42

  Wang Tianmu coughed twice: "Yu Zhong, my younger brother, is joking. Originally, I and Mr. Dai could have become relatives, but outsiders all know that the marriage between our two families was cancelled long ago."

  "Wang Zhanlong knew in his heart that I wasn't referring to this matter." Lin Xiaotang pressed him for an answer.

  Wang Tianmu's forehead was already sweating: "This, this, where did you find out?"

  Lin Xiaotang smiled but didn't answer, thinking to herself: "I couldn't possibly say it was a ghost who told me! Although he didn't tell me the true history, there were plenty of strange and unusual stories in the memories he left behind. But it seems this rumor is actually true, just looking at Wang Tianmu's reaction tells you that."

  Wang Tianmu took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He was well aware of the consequences of this matter getting out: "Who else knows about this?"

  Lin Xiaotang smiled and poured a full glass of wine for Wang Tianmu: "Ren Keng brother, rest assured, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know, only Dai boss is left to know."

  As soon as Lin Xiaotang said "Ren Kung's brother", Wang Tianmu's body slumped to one side, and he was done for - his secrets had been completely exposed. At this moment, he felt like he had been stripped bare, and suddenly lost his usual composure.

  "Could it be that Nie Shangyun, that old fellow, told him? Unlikely! If Nie Shangyun knew so much, he would have made his move long ago and wouldn't need to resort to using someone else. Moreover, it seems that Lin Xiaotang has other plans." With this thought, Wang Tianmu steadied his mind and put on a smile.

  "Young Master Yu is indeed a young hero! I, Yu Gong, admire him and it's not in vain that Old Man Yu has been cultivating you!" After saying this, Wang Tianmu glanced at Lin Xiaotang with the corner of his eye.

  Lin Xiaotang drained the cup of wine in one gulp, and slammed it heavily on the table: "Cultivation? Hmph, at most he's just a foot soldier!"

  Wang Tianmu's heart moved: "I wonder what plans you have next, little brother?"

  Lin Xiaotang leaned in close to Wang Tianmu: "Ren Keng brother, I want to borrow the strength of Mr. Dai and yours to take it a step further!"

  Faced with Lin Xiaotang's **naked show of kindness**, Wang Tianmu was somewhat bewildered. He really couldn't understand what Lin Xiaotang's true intentions were. Was he not afraid that his actions would lead to the withdrawal of support from behind?

  "Haha" Wang Tianmu chuckled twice: "I can convey the old brother's intention to Boss Dai, but I don't know what this step forward means?"

  Lin Xiaotang mysteriously smiled and dipped her finger in wine, writing two words on the table.

  Wang Tianmu looked carefully and suddenly inhaled a breath of cold air: "Nanjing? Are you thinking...!"

  Lin Xiaotang smiled slightly: "Not bad!"

  Wang Tianmu was stunned. At this time, why would he think of going to Nanjing? What was his intention? "Younger brother, the current Nanjing is not like it used to be. The Japanese are burning, killing and looting in Nanjing, and the power of the Military Commission has been swept away. Now it's the capital of the puppet government of Wang Jingwei, and the Japanese control there is very strict. Are you going there now to rebuild the Nanjing Military Commission station?"

  Lin Xiaotang clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "He who knows me is Ren Keng, brother!" ?? Counter-attack Republic of China's special agent 42

  Wang Tianmu was completely stunned, and he even suspected that Lin Xiaotang in front of him had gone crazy from thinking about becoming an official.

  Lin Xiaotang stopped laughing: "How about it, Brother Renkeng, will you recommend me?"

  Wang Tianmu stared at him for a while: "Are you really sure?"

  Lin Xiaotang nodded.

  Wang Tianmu had no choice but to agree, saying: "I can recommend you to Boss Dai, but as for the outcome, I dare not guarantee."

  Lin Xiaotang smiled: "Don't worry, as long as you say one sentence, Boss Dai will definitely agree."

  "What did you say?"

  Lin Xiaotang raised his wine glass: "Tell Boss Dai, what Ren Keng can do, I Lin Xiaotang can also do!"

  Wang Tianmu fell silent, he understood that Lin Xiaotang was determined to get the blank area of Nanjing's military control this time. He had gone to great lengths to achieve his goal, even agreeing to be a mole for Dai Li in the Yun Gong system. But what use would it be if he succeeded? Was this territory really his own? Could the words from above not be taken back? What was the point of such a useless struggle?

  Wang Tianmu sighed secretly, wondering if he had really grown old. He couldn't figure out why Lin Xiaotang was doing this.

  On the way back, Lin Xiaotang sat in the back seat of the car, humming a little tune. As for going to Nanjing, it wasn't a sudden idea, but rather something he had thought deeply about for a long time. Currently, Shanghai was surging with undercurrents, and the strong emergence of the 76th had an impact on all parties involved. The Shanghai Military Station was not somewhere Lin Xiaotang could intervene, and his current reliance on Wan Mulin's power was also not a long-term plan. Firstly, Lin Xiaotang wasn't a member of the gang, and secondly, relying on the gang for development would greatly limit his future goals. Therefore, there might not be much room for growth in Shanghai at present, unless the situation became chaotic again.

  Nanjing was different, after the Japanese army occupied Nanjing, Chongqing's influence in Nanjing was completely uprooted. The current Nanjing is a city rebuilt from ruins. For espionage work, it was a blank slate, conducive to Lin Xiaotang quickly and secretly establishing his own sphere of influence. This was also an important reason for Lin Xiaotang to choose to go to Nanjing. Of course, there was another reason - he wanted to find the remains of his elder brother and sister-in-law and give them a proper burial.

  As for helping Dai Li as a mole by Ai Yung's side, it was just a casual remark. In such chaotic times, since both sides wanted to win me over, I might as well go with the flow and become a double agent. That's how things were in reality - each taking what they needed.

  Shen Pengzi and Ma Qixiang's Hero Nightclub is also on Julu Road, just a 10-minute drive from the Huahua Hotel. When Lin Xiaotang arrived here, it was already 9 o'clock in the evening, and the entrance was filled with all sorts of cars. Although the weather was still cold, the guests were dressed in suits and ties, and elegant dresses, unaffected by the temperature. The vendors on both sides of the road called out to each other, making this place seem like daytime.

  Lin Xiaotang was here for the first time, and as soon as he got off the car, he was surrounded by a few small beggars. Lin Xiaotang had to take out some change to reward them, but unexpectedly, it attracted even more people. Fortunately, Shen Baozi's men at the entrance of the nightclub discovered him, and several burly men rushed over to rescue him, chasing away the beggars, and welcoming him into the nightclub with a flurry of "Seventh Brother this" and "Seventh Brother that".

  Lin Xiaotang didn't expect to be made a fool of by a few beggars, and had no choice but to take out his handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead. One of Shen Baozi's men, called A Miao, came up and told Lin Xiaotang that Ma Qixiang and the others had already arrived and were waiting for him in the private room.

  The Hero Nightclub is quite large in scale, but in this prosperous Shanghai, it can't be considered a high-end or high-standard entertainment venue. Just from the customers who come here, you can tell that they are mostly ordinary officials of the puppet government and concessions, white-collar workers of enterprises, some businessmen, etc., with very few foreigners, let alone those high-ranking officials in Shanghai. However, it has an advantage in its beautiful decoration, spacious area, and many private rooms.

  As soon as Lin Xiaotang entered the door, he was surrounded by everyone, cheering and asking him to drink a bottle of wine first. Helpless, Lin Xiaotang had no choice but to down three cups in a row, only then did everyone let him off. After sitting down, Lin Xiaotang just realized that Dà Tóu (Big Head) had already gotten drunk, hugging a beautiful woman in a cheongsam dress and constantly spinning around the dance floor in the private room. Ma Qixiang nudged Lin Xiaotang: "See? Big Head has found someone he likes! Why don't I arrange one for you too?"

  Lin Xiaotang smiled and waved her hand.

  Ma Qixiang sneered: "Don't pretend to be a big shot! If you're going out to have fun, then do it wholeheartedly. Later, I'll find an extreme one for you."

  Lin Xiaotang shrank her neck: "Another trophy of yours?"

  Ma Qixiang smiled: "Don't worry, I haven't had a chance to make my move yet, so consider yourself lucky for now." ?? Counterattack Republic's Special Agent 42

  As they chatted and laughed, Ma Qixiang downed a glass, put his arm around Lin Xiaotang's shoulder, and pointed to the decorations in the private room: "How about it, my place is still pretty good, right?"

  "Not bad." Lin Xiaotang nodded: "It can be seen that the decoration cost a lot of money."

  Ma Qixiang's face lit up with joy.

  "But it's a bit monotonous," Lin Xiaotang continued.

  "Is this boring?" Even Shen Baozi, who was sitting on a couch, became unhappy. He immediately ran over and sat down beside Lin Xiaotang: "Explain yourself clearly, this is something that I and Young Master invested heavily in, and it's still not good enough?"

  Lin Xiaotang stroked her chin: "I'm saying that there's too little to play with, you see, after the guests arrive, there are only two programs to play with, one is dancing and the other is drinking, that's it, isn't it monotonous?"

  "What else can be done?" Ma Qixiang and Shen Baozi widened their eyes.

  Lin Xiaotang had a few cups of wine, and with some intoxication, he boldly brought out all the entertainment programs left in his mind: "The large hall outside the nightclub hasn't been fully utilized. The back of the dance floor can be set up with another stage, and those song and dance performances, cross-talks, and Shanghai's comedic plays! Can all be brought over to host an evening performance. At first, we can invite some celebrities to attend for free, and once the atmosphere is lively, afterwards, there will be a ticket fee and minimum consumption required. Of course, we can encourage customers to purchase a consumption card here, and the services and discounts enjoyed will vary depending on the amount deposited by the customer."

  "Then we won't be a bank anymore?" Ma Qixiang and Shen Pangzi were stunned.