Zhou Cheng knew the daily routine interrogation was about to begin.
He reluctantly put down his book… If he had shown such interest in studying during his earlier years, Zhou Cheng might not be where he is now, but rather on a different, less dangerous path.
In an ordinary job, the worst outcome would be a stagnant career. How could working on the front lines for merit compare to the safety of an office job? But the organization needed them and their dedication – every type of work was a form of service. While some paths might lead to power and civilian reverence, Zhou Cheng’s path of service was low-key. People like Zhou Cheng standing guard on the front lines provided the stability needed for the great land of Shenzhou to focus on economic development!
Zhou Cheng didn’t regret joining the workforce at age 15.
Just as he had started to taste the pleasure of cultural knowledge, his thoughts were interrupted again.
Zhou Cheng stood at attention: “Report! I have nothing new to say. I’ve already reported everything about my interactions with Comrade Pan Bohua to the organization!”
Well, this young man hasn’t yielded yet – his spirit remained strong, completely unaffected.
His willpower was remarkably resilient. People like Zhou Cheng were either truly innocent and therefore unafraid of investigation, or they were major criminals without a sense of right and wrong, believing themselves blameless and therefore righteous.
Which type was Zhou Cheng?
The scrutinizing eyes never left Zhou Cheng’s face:
“In 1978, you joined the workforce at age 15, with Pan Bohua as your superior. The following year, you enlisted for front-line duty, and Pan Bohua remained your superior. In 1980, you received a battlefield promotion, reaching the same rank as Pan Bohua the next year… In 1982, you were transferred back to Beijing and promoted again. That same year, Pan Bohua should have received two promotions but was instead forced into early retirement for causing someone’s disability. After retiring, Pan Bohua never reported to his assigned position but instead gathered a group of people and went south. These people, like you, were all Pan Bohua’s former subordinates. He was your former superior – how can you still claim you have no contact? Zhou Cheng, must we present all the evidence before you’ll admit it?!”
Zhou Cheng remained fearless, “I’ve maintained contact with Comrade Pan Bohua as a normal friendship between old comrades. I’ve already reported this in detail to the organization. My most recent contact was last November before I knew I would study at the Land Academy, let alone that the academy would assign us to Fujian Province to arrest smugglers. How could I possibly exchange intelligence with Comrade Pan Bohua? Comrade Pan Bohua would never engage in criminal activities within our country’s territory or waters… Report complete!”
He repeated similar words daily as if they were trying to find holes in Zhou Cheng’s story through repeated questioning and breaking him psychologically.
Zhou Cheng didn’t deny his contact with Brother Pan San.
He knew the higher-ups would discover it if they investigated.
Now Zhou Cheng was grateful he hadn’t given in to greed or secretly defied his father Zhou Guobin’s words. The cigarette business had violated regulations, but he had already cleaned up his business dealings, and even Kang Wei had withdrawn from it.
Even if the cigarette business was discovered, Zhou Cheng’s actions weren’t illegal, though they certainly violated regulations. He would accept whatever consequences came his way. But for things he hadn’t done, Zhou Cheng would never admit to them. Brother Pan San wasn’t a smuggler, and Zhou Cheng had never exchanged intelligence with him.
Zhou Cheng’s tight-lipped nature was deeply felt by the investigators.
What Zhou Cheng said indeed matched up – the last contact was in November of last year. While Zhou Cheng might have known about studying at the Land Academy, he couldn’t have known about the academy’s arrangements. This didn’t clear Zhou Cheng of suspicion though. Pan Bohua’s suspicions remained unresolved, so Zhou Cheng couldn’t be cleared either – he might have contacted Pan Bohua either en route or after arriving in Fujian Province. Both men had front-line experience, shared a deep bond, and possessed strong counter-surveillance abilities!
Pan Bohua had always ranked at the top in annual assessments, and despite his terrible temper, he earned promotions because of his real abilities.
Zhou Cheng’s overall qualities were also strong – his young age and current position couldn’t just be attributed to good looks, could they?
When two such people joined forces, their destructive potential was enormous.
Pan Bohua had already ruined his future, but Zhou Cheng was young and could still be saved.
The isolated investigation showed both suspicion of Zhou Cheng and protection for him. If this young man was truly about to fall into the abyss, the organization could still pull him back before he completely fell.
“Why did you contact Pan Bohua in November?”
“Just regular greetings. I couldn’t get leave from my unit, so I needed Comrade Pan Bohua’s help and contacted him.”
He had explained the reason for contact – asking Pan Bohua to help his girlfriend.
Zhou Cheng had to follow organizational discipline. With insufficient leave and his girlfriend needing help, Zhou Cheng sought assistance from a former colleague – the logic made sense. If the colleague he sought help from hadn’t been caught in a whirlwind, Zhou Cheng wouldn’t have had any trouble.
Zhou Cheng cooperated fully with the investigation, answering everything asked.
Others saw this as passive resistance.
Regarding Pan Bohua’s current work, Zhou Cheng claimed complete ignorance, saying he stayed at his unit and couldn’t have prolonged contact with Pan Bohua, so he didn’t know the other’s specific situation.
Zhou Cheng wasn’t lying about staying at his unit.
But last summer, Zhou Cheng had taken a long leave and spent considerable time away from Beijing. Who had Zhou Cheng contacted – was it Pan Bohua?
“Report–“
“Enter!”
Standing at attention with a salute, both hands presenting a document.
“Upon investigation, Comrade Pan Bohua has not engaged in smuggling activities, and Comrade Zhou Cheng has not leaked intelligence… Therefore, the isolated investigation of Zhou Cheng is concluded.”
The red seal was still fresh, leaving the investigator dumbfounded.
Frowning with apparent reluctance:
“Zhou Cheng, your isolated investigation is over. You can return to your unit starting today!”
The investigation had begun suddenly and ended just as abruptly, seemingly through direct orders from above. Zhou Cheng was equally puzzled. He gave a salute, gathered his belongings, and left the isolation facility where he had spent some time.
After he left, the investigator slammed the document on the desk:
“What connections did they work up there to suddenly stop the investigation!”
“Watch your words! Don’t question the higher-ups’ judgment. You’re deeply prejudiced against Pan Bohua. It’s best that a former good comrade hasn’t fallen to become a smuggler!”
No one wanted to see a hero become a criminal.
Especially when a former hero joins smuggling operations after leaving the organization – wouldn’t that tarnish the organization’s reputation?
It was best that Pan Bohua wasn’t a smuggler, which also protected another excellent young cadre, Zhou Cheng!
Despite these words, doubts remained. The notice had come suddenly when previous evidence had strongly indicated Pan Bohua’s suspicious activities in the south. Now they suddenly claimed Pan Bohua hadn’t broken any laws – something was strange about this.
Who had stopped their investigation?
Perhaps it wasn’t Zhou Cheng they weren’t allowed to investigate, but Pan Bohua… Was Pan’s early retirement connected to other classified matters?